Sure-Hit Archer 97

Test

Trap Or Something

"Whoaahh!?"

In the next moment, I felt like I was swallowed by something and was suddenly thrown into the air, landing on my backside.

"Ouch... Damn it... That was too sudden, I couldn't brace myself..."

Rubbing my aching waist, I stood up and surveyed my surroundings.

"This is... a hall, huh?"

From what I could tell, the place I was in seemed to be a large dome-shaped space. 

In the Three Forest Dungeon, there shouldn't have been anything like this except for the boss room on each floor.

"Or is this still part of the forest dungeon? Or did I get teleported to a completely different dungeon?"

This information alone is not enough. It's too lacking.

Well, there's no help for it. I'll have to proceed a bit further towards the depths.

Thinking that, I stood up and was about to start walking when something caught my attention.

"Huh? What's that?"

Right in front of me, I noticed something shining, attached to what seemed like a pedestal made of trees emerging from the ground.

I don't want to get closer to it!!!

That thing practically screams "trap!" It's something I shouldn't touch. It's dangerous!!!

I must have gotten caught by a teleportation trap. Since I suddenly found myself in a place I have no recollection of.

I've heard that higher-level dungeons have these things, but I never thought I'd fall into one myself.

It wasn't like the Monster House in the Strong Fist Dungeon. That was a relief.

That was also a type of trap. If it wasn't, it was still too suspicious.

"But... that's the only clue I have..."

Frankly, I want to get out of here right now.

But if that is a teleportation trap, there's no guarantee that this is still part of the forest dungeon.

In that case, that suspicious object is the only clue I have.

"...Alright!"

Having made up my mind, I slowly walked toward the object.

I don't want to touch it. I don't even want to get close to it.

But if I do nothing, I might not be able to escape from this dungeon.

So, I have no choice but to move forward!

"Phew... It's okay. Probably, maybe..."

Just in case, I readied a transparent arrow made with [Magic Arrow] to deal with anything that might happen.

In that state, I cautiously approached it. It turned out to be a transparent crystal-like object, about the size of a clenched fist, with a beautiful round shape like a gem.

And inside it, I could see a silhouette that resembled a human.

"...What is that?"

I unintentionally voiced my thoughts.

As far as I know, I have neither seen nor heard of anything like that.

If I were to make a guess based on its size, it could be a monster called a fairy, but.

"Could it be a new type of monster? Or is it a unique gimmick of this place?"

But even with [Enemy Search] activated, there's no particular reaction...!

"Huh?!"

As soon as I recognized that response, I jumped sideways.

And then, with a loud thud, something pierced the spot where I was standing.

Phew, that was close.

"...If I hadn't dodged, that would've hit me for sure."

While wiping away cold sweat, I glare at the attacker.

There before me is undoubtedly a spider.

However, its size is much larger than the Killer Spider I fought before, and its color is different too.

It's about 5 meters in size, roughly speaking.

Well, it's bigger than me.

It seems this creature attacked me, and one of its 8 legs is firmly impaled.

But what caught my attention above all else, was its decaying body.

Chunks of flesh are falling off, and some fluid is dripping, filling the air with a putrid smell.

This decaying spider was hanging from the ceiling, dangling its thread.

"Ugh..."

I involuntarily grimace at its repulsiveness.

Why didn't I notice such a creature?

It should have had that much presence and odor.

There should have been no response to [search and rescue] until it attacked me earlier. That has never happened in any of the dungeons I've been in.

There was no response from [Enemy Search] until it attacked. I've never experienced anything like this in any dungeon I've explored.

That's my first time encountering it. In other words, it's unknown.

And what that means is only one thing.

This creature is my first discovery for me. Or it's an extremely dangerous enemy that no other explorer who found it has been able to defeat.

If I hadn't dodged its attack...

No, let's not dwell on it.

In the end, I managed to dodge. That's enough.

"Phew~"

Alright! Mental switch complete.

I can't afford to let my guard down even for a second against this creature right in front of me.

Since I don't know what kind of attacks it will launch, I don't have a choice but to handle it cautiously.

Or rather, if it's rotting, it must be an undead-type monster, but its appearance seems intact. 

Undead monsters I know of usually have no physical limitations, enabling them to possess tremendous physical abilities. 

However, despite that, their bodies should be falling apart and deteriorating due to the decay. 

"Well, I guess that's part of the unknown nature of this creature."

As I retrieve Ryuju's bow, I mutter those words, and whether the rotting spider heard me or not, it slowly turns its attention towards me. 

Then, opening its mouth wide, it forcefully spews out yellowish threads.

"Oops... [Lock-On], [Appraisal]!"

Dodging the attack sideways, I use [Appraisal] to examine its name and [Lock-On] to track its movements, making it easier to deal with next time. 

Its name is Undead Hell Spider, just as I had expected, an undead-type monster. 

I didn't have my [Appraisal] skill level high enough, so I could only learn its name and HP.

Yeah. I'll raise my [Appraisal] skill level properly next time.

Facing unknown monsters can be unsettling when I don't know their characteristics.

"Shh!"

Well, an undead-type monster implies it's a high-damage and fast-moving type. 

That doesn't change what I have to do. 

Just keep my distance, avoid its attacks, and shoot it from a safe zone repeatedly.

My arrows fly straight and pierce the spider's body flawlessly. 

However...

"It's not having any effect at all."

The arrows are lodged in its body.

 But they don't seem to be fatal wounds as it continues to attack me energetically. 

Well, I expected this result. 

Undead monsters are already dead, so they can't feel pain.

And when I consider its size. 

My [Magic Arrows] might be too small and lack sufficient power.

Even though it's an undead monster, its body should be fragile and have reduced defense.

And yet?

If my attacks still don't work. How am I going to defeat it?