Seeker 130

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Chapter 130. Dungeon Exploration

A storm of explosive flames and wind blades engulfs the entire room where the monsters were present. 

Once the storm subsides, 2 out of the 4 monsters disappear, transforming into magic stones.

Having defeated the 2 Gargoyles, only 2 Flame Skulls remain. It's like we calculated.

"Kazane-san!"

"Yeah, Daichi-kun!"

Armed with our weapons, Kazane-san and I dance into the room.

Our close-range attacks are quicker than Flame Skulls' spell casting.

I thrust my spear, and Kazane-san thrusts her two daggers, each into one of the Flame Skulls.

Two Flame Skulls turn into black mist and vanish, leaving behind magic stones.

The battle is over.

"Yay!"

Kazane-san, Yuzuki, and I do a high-five.

It feels nostalgic somehow.

"I-Impressive... To defeat such formidable enemies that easily..."

Aria-san says, her eyes wide open.

When facing enemies suitable for our level, the number of allies is crucial. 

Enemies that would be overwhelming for 1 person can be dealt with by 3.

Also, the circumstances were favorable.

With ample information and favorable terrain conditions, we could conveniently strike the area attack magic on a surprise attack, resulting in this outcome.

When dealing with monsters of this level, the acquired experience points are quite substantial. 

Each Gargoyle adds 200 points, and each Flame Skull adds 300 points of experience to the one who defeated them. It's a different league compared to 13 points for an Orc or similar creatures.

We have defeated the monster group, and the obstacles are cleared.

Inside the room. We see another door, separate from the one we entered.

I hear a clicking sound from that door.

We're approaching it and touching the handle. The door opens smoothly.

The sound from earlier might have been the sound of the previously locked door getting unlocked.

Beyond the door, there is another corridor continuing ahead.

"We can't expect to escape the dungeon just by defeating them, it seems."

"This dungeon is quite long, isn't it?"

"Who knows? We have no choice but to move forward. Let's go."

"Everyone is moving forward without hesitation..."

As Kazane-san, Yuzuki, and I proceed through the corridor, Aria-san timidly follows us.

After walking for a while, we come across another door.

According to Kazane-san, there are no signs of monsters beyond the door.

Cautiously, I place my hand on the door handle.

The door opens without any issues.

Beyond the door, the room is back again.

It's about the same size, approximately five meters square, as the previous one.

There is a door on the left wall. Other than that, there doesn't seem to be any clear path forward.

However...

"There are 3 treasure chests, aren't there?"

Aria-san murmurs.

As she says, there are three treasure chests in the room, conspicuously lined up in the middle.

Encountering treasure chests in this otherworld feels like a first for me.

So, even in this world, there are treasure chests, huh?

No, there's also the possibility that this is still a dungeon in our world.

"Aria-san, how many times have you encountered such treasure chests?"

"Of course, I've seen treasure chests themselves many times. Despite my appearance, I've been an adventurer for 4 years now. However, it's the first time I've come across a treasure chest like this, just out of the blue without having defeated any monsters. I wonder if someone defeated monsters here, left the chests untouched, and moved on?"

From Aria-san's response, we can deduce a few things:

In the world where Aria-san and other adventures live, these "treasure chests" exist.

Treasure chests typically appear after defeating monsters.

Even after 4 years as an adventurer, Aria-san has never encountered a treasure chest that didn't spawn from defeating a monster, making it a rare case.

However, there's something suspicious about this particular treasure chest.

"I remember Kazane-san also saying that you keep one skill point unused. Do you still have skill points left?"

"It's a coincidence, Daichi-kun. I was thinking the same thing. Since we're here, shall we take that skill?"

"Yes, please."

"Oh, Kazane-san, you're finally getting that skill?"

"Yes, finally obtaining that skill."

Kazane-san proceeds to operate her status screen.

Seeing this, Aria-san looks puzzled.

"...? Everyone, considering the strength you all showed earlier, you've reached level 25, right? Do you still have skill points left?"

"Ah... well, it's a bit complicated."

In truth, we're amid a limit breakthrough. 

I wonder how she'll react if I say that. 

There's no urgent need to hide it, but drawing unnecessary attention seems troublesome, so I'll just obscure my words.

In the meantime, it seems Kazane-san has finished acquiring her skills.

Kazane-san places her hand on the treasure chest and starts checking them using her skills.

"Here we go - [Trap Detection II]!"

That's the new skill Kazane-san has acquired.

It allows her to detect traps, even those set by Mimics on the ruins floors.

The 3 treasure chests start glowing in red.

Kazane-san, who used the skill herself, shows a slightly complicated expression.

"Well, as expected, or should I say, it's just as I thought. Among the 3, the left and middle ones are Mimics. The right one contains poison gas. If you open it without releasing the trap, the poison gas will fill the area."

"Can you release them?"

"Of course. I can neutralize all. - [Trap Release]!"

Kazane-san uses the [Trap Release] skill on the 3 treasure chests.

If the laws of our world's dungeons apply here, then once Kazane-san neutralizes the Mimics, the treasure chests should turn into regular ones with no traps.

"Okay. I've disarmed all. Now, let's open the chests, starting from the left."