Basement Dungeon Chapter 5: Brother and Sister’s Aim in the Dungeon

~Kei’s Perspective~

“Enchant” “Magic” (Kei) (Haru)

“”e?”” (Kei & Haru)

　Somehow both of us became rearguards.

“What to do we do, Haru?” (Kei)

“I wish brother can still move in the frontline. But it’s impossible, isn’t it?” (Haru)

“I don’t know because I haven’t seen the situation inside the dungeon yet, but I wonder if we have enough firepower. Otherwise, there is no point in having an offensive job.” (Kei)

“Hmm, job, not a class?” (Haru)

“I think the game Haru was playing called it class. Well, it’s easy to say, so let’s go with proficiency?” (Kei)

“That’s right. Let’s get back to the topic, but I also have a crowbar and I can also move in the frontline.” (Haru)

“Oh, great. Then the two of us will fight mainly as vanguards, using magic as the situation demands.” (Kei)

“Oh, then that’s the plan.” (Haru)

　When I turned my eyes to the start of the cave with a fearless smile on my face, there was a translucent fluffy creature. It’s called a slime, the one I’ve seen before.

“Haru, a question, do you know what magic you can use?” (Kei)

“Hmm… [Bomb].” (Haru)

　After deciding the proficiency, I wondered if Haru gained skills. I suddenly knew it for some reason, and it seems that my prediction was correct.

“I have one that says [Speed]. Then I’ll rush in, so I’ll ask for assistance.” (Kei)

“Sure.” (Haru)

　Hearing the reply from Haru, I hold the hoe. I am not stupid enough to dive in without taking any precautions.

“[Speed].”

　I feel my brain and body slightly accelerate when I use my skills. However, as it is, I slowly approached the slime.

　I stop walking when I see the slime shrink.

“Ready!” (Kei)

　The moment the slime flung itself, I swung the hoe.

“!” (Kei)

　The slime collides with the swing of the hoe and was blown off to the side. I almost dropped the hoe. Although I was expecting something like hitting a liquid, the sensation was like hitting rubber, and it was vigorously flung away.

　However, the slime blown off by the hoe did not bounce when it hits the wall. When it hits the wall, it collapses with a sticky sound before landing on the ground as if nothing had happened.

“Hyaa!” (Haru)

　When Haru swings the crowbar down towards the slime moving down. The bar bounces with the same momentum, and the slime just shakes on the ground as if nothing had happened.

“[Bomb]” (Haru)

　Then a light jumped out of Haru’s hand like a bullet, the light flew straight toward the slime, and at the same time it hit, it erased about half of slime’s body. Although it was a momentary surprise, the slime suffered an almost fatal damage. The nucleus floating in the slime’s body was exposed and the slime’s volume was halved.

“Good shot!” (Kei)

　I’m not afraid of the slime with core exposed, so I swung my hoe quickly and break it.

　The slime whose core was destroyed became a black mist and disappeared.

“Isn’t it too strong?” (Kei)

“That’s right.” (Haru)

　They are stunned by the unexpected difficulty of the first battle.

　The two of them didn’t know it, but in dungeons, their status makes a big difference. In the event that you’ve got a lot of time and energy, they’ll be able to make the most of it.

　It will be a little while before the two of them know about such things. It’s a well-known fact for the SDF who have already been conquering the dungeon.

“OK. Do you want to continue?” (Kei)

“Yup.” (Haru)

　Since it was the first day, the two of them efficiently killed the slime while trying not to go that deep into the dungeon.

　After hunting slime for about four hours, we became accustomed to it and are now taking turns hunting one by one. At first, I was swinging the hoe wildly, but I was able to cut the slime surprisingly easily by pressing the blade against it.

　Of course, there was no way we would have the stamina and energy to last four hours, so we took turns standing guard and taking breaks. I also felt a strange sensation in my body for a bit, and I was able to move my body better. I see, this is what leveling up feels like.

　We were now in front of a staircase that leads down to the second level. I guess these are not low-level monsters.

“Do you want to go home?” (Kei)

“Let’s go home.” (Haru)

　The first floor was small and we were able to return in about 10 minutes. When we return to the bottom of the basement, we unlock the padlock and go up to the basement. We didn’t forget to lock it again after we got up. However, when I got out of the dungeon, I only felt tired after going out of the dungeon, when my strength was reduced to a tenth.

　I leave Haru to take care of our weapons and I start making supper. It was supposed to be an hour’s search, but we forgot the time and the time is past 10:00 PM. As for the weapons, the machete was only used for protection, so the problem would be the hoe. It should be bent because the tip hit the ground many times. For the time being, I give Haru a grindstone for the kitchen knives. If it’s something like this, this house is quite well equipped.

　By the time the usual simple dishes were prepared, Haru had finished maintaining our weapons and was back. So, while eating meals, we discuss what we noticed in today’s exploration.

　The government manages dungeon information. That said, there are pieces of information about the first incident. There is some other information flowing. There is also some other information flowing around. You can’t put your finger on what people are saying.

　So I have some questions compared to the information I’ve heard so far.

　First of all, the slime, usually it seems to be an enemy that can be defeated with one hit. But we can’t do it for some reason. We sometimes do it with Haru’s magic. Also, there is no item drop. Today alone, the two of us hunted quite a few slimes but never once did the monsters drop an item.

　In games, items are supposed to be left behind after the monster disappears. Also, I hadn’t had any information about magic before, but every time I used Speed or Bomb, a strange feeling would build up in my body. And when it reached a certain level, I couldn’t use it. Perhaps there is such a thing as MP.

“It can’t be helped even if we keep thinking about it. Let’s go again tomorrow morning.” (Kei)

　Haru seemed unaffected and refreshed. Apparently, she found the exploration fun. Surely, there’s no point in worrying about it.

“Okay. We’ll leave at 10:00 AM tomorrow. I’ll make a simple dish.” (Kei)

“Good.” (Haru)

　Haru makes a small guts pose. [T/N: If you’re not familiar with the guts pose. It is similar to the “Success Kid” meme.]

　This is the daily life of the Kizaki siblings, nothing will change even if a dungeon appears.

　In the morning, I wake up at 6:00 AM as usual and watch the news on the internet. There was a very timely topic there.

“The Dungeon Association announced yesterday that it was closing applications for a test dungeon exploration.” (Reporter)

　We didn’t hear about it yesterday, but it seems that the dungeons will be open to the public. However, even though it is open to the public, if people suddenly go it en masse, security and rules will not be in place yet. So it seems that they recruited people who want to explore dungeons and now they are choosing 100 people through a lottery.

　However, I don’t know what their intentions are, but the deadline for the exploration has yet to be determined. The deadline for the lottery was one day from today. The lottery will be held tomorrow, and the winners will have two weeks of training after three days. Then they will be able to explore for a month.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter to us.” (Kei)

　I muttered to myself and started making breakfast. Haru also woke up soon after and got ready.

　We’re starting our second day of dungeon exploration.

“Then, let’s explore the second level today.” (Kei)

“I remember the road on the first floor, so until then, let me hunt.” (Haru)

“Hmm. Is that so? That’s more efficient I guess.” (Kei)

　As of yesterday, we knew what we are good at. I aim at the key points without making much noise and killing them with a single hit, but Haru uses flashy magic and multiple crowbar blows.

　Today’s goal is to explore the second level, so I asked Haru to set aside her MP. It would be bad if we couldn’t use it in important situations, so I also had to fight without using [Speed].

　That said, it’s easier to move after yesterday’s level-up, and honestly, an enemy like the slime is no match. I feel that my speed when I first used [Speed] and my speed after leveling up is about the same.

　We reach the entrance to the second level while facing nothing dangerous despite being vigilant to our surroundings.

“For the time being, the second level we do wait-and-see approach, and proceed while avoiding being injured.” (Kei)

“Then I’m going to use [Bomb].” (Haru)

　Haru grabs her crowbar. Haru says it’s easier to use magic by passing it through it than just using her hand. So for Haru, the crowbar is like a magic wand.

“Okay, let’s go [Speed].” (Kei)

　I used it on both Haru and me. I also readied the hoe. Then we started the second level exploration.

　We just walked a little more than ten seconds. The first thing we saw was a green child. No, its face is too ugly to be human.

“It’s a goblin, isn’t it?” (Haru)

“I am the vanguard. Request for assistance.” (Kei)

　Deciding the role in an instant. I swing the hoe at the goblin’s face. It just barely dodges to the side, but I cleave it to the side and twist the hoe around its arm to stop it from moving. At the same time, a light flashed on the goblin and it exploded, causing it to collapse.

“Oh it’s done? Haru, thank you!” (Kei)

　I felt a presence from behind me and turned around to see the goblin’s sharp claws in front of me. While jumping back, I cover my face with my right hand. Soon I feel that my arm is cut, but I use my momentum and pull out the machete on my waist. With my left hand and I swing it down.

“Gue!” (Goblin)

　The goblin’s head breaks and it dies with a pitiful moan, before becoming a black mist.

“Brother, are you okay!?” (Haru)

　Soon, I saw Haru hurriedly approach me. I looked at my arm that had been cut earlier, it was bleeding. I feel relieved and glad. It’s bloody, but that’s about it.

　If this is all, it can be cured by taking appropriate measures without any stitching. I’m worried about infectious diseases, but we don’t have money anyway. I will just find a way when it happens.

“Haru, take out the water and bandages from my bag. Also the tape.” (Kei)

“Oh, yeah, I see. This, this, this, right.” (Haru)

“Thank you. The scratches are shallow so don’t worry.” (Kei)

　While talking, I will take first aid measures quickly. Rinse the wound with water, then bandage and tape it.

“Brother, let’s go home today.” (Haru)

　Haru is worried, but it doesn’t seem that it would be a problem.

“It just hurts a little, so there’s no problem. I can still swing my weapon, so let’s explore a little more.” (Kei)

　For me, a little pain pales to the entertainment in front of me. When we found the second goblin coming from the back. I grin and readied my hoe.

“I’ll be more alert this time. It’s okay.” (Kei)

　Step forward quickly and stabbed the hoe toward its chest. Of course, there is no blade for piercing, so I just push it. Then, I can just use the hoe that I lowered and hook its leg.

“Good job!” (Kei)

　Haru hits the goblin’s head with a crowbar as it loses its balance after being hooked by the leg. I struck the hoe’s blade on the neck of the fallen goblin and pulled.

“Gu, ga.” (Goblin)

　Even if the neck doesn’t separate from the body, it will die if it receives a deep wound. This time, I stay alert and wait until it becomes a black mist. Checking the surroundings carefully, and then I was able to release a sigh of relief.

“I know how to fight, and I’ll be in the vanguard next time.” (Haru)

　Unlike the hoe, which is easy to use for surprise attacks, the bar used by Haru is suitable for fighting head-on. She was able to fight without moving as much as I did.

　In this way, by the end of the second day, we had both established our styles.

　This made it much easier to fight, and finally, on the fifth day, we cleared the second level.

　One thing that bothered me was that it was a little too easy. I don’t know what’s going on, but we’re supposed to go to the third layer the next day.

　We have to be careful as something different may happen again.

　The feeling of waving my hoe felt natural to me. The feeling makes me feel optimistic for tomorrow.