Earth Dungeon 103.1

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Chapter 103.1. Reconstruction

Amidst the falling snow, the earth was blanketed in white, with snow accumulation already reaching 20 centimeters. It was not hard to imagine the struggle of wading through knee-deep snow.

In an area resembling a massive research facility, sprawling like a single-story building about three stories high, on the border between the facility and the forest, a man dressed in a feather-filled blue winter suit, with a hood covering his head and goggles and a mask on his face, rubbed his hands together against the cold. Standing next to him was a girl, similarly clad in a blue cold-resistant combat suit, both struggling against the chill.

Both carried backpacks on their backs and had automatic rifles slung over their shoulders. They were Amano Sakimori and Kazama Karin.

"Forget about using the automatic rifle; you'll get disqualified-nya, Sakimori."

"Safety measures have been taken, you know. Understood. ...However, there are dungeons in the inner town as well."

As a precaution, we handed the automatic rifles. Having a gun reduces the risk of dying. I had no intention of returning the automatic rifle.

In the forest in front of them, a dungeon cave had opened. It was of a type made of ice that Sakimori had never seen before. Well, on closer inspection, it was just frozen. Since Karin was with me, I had thought there were no dungeons in the inner city. So it was surprising.

"We need fields, after all. The area around the dungeon becomes fertile-nya? So, we leave a few dungeons-nya."

"Those are fields?"

A sign that read "Agricultural Farm" was propped up against the facility that looked like a research institute.

"That's right-nya. We spread soil on shelves divided into many layers and grow crops-nya. Root vegetables are impossible, but everything else grows easily with dungeon power-nya."

"Come to think of it, it was possible to grow vegetables in a factory before dungeon emergence, but this seems to be a step further. The technology seems to be advancing, which is good."

I had always wondered if they would use people like serfs to cultivate vast lands. Considering the Japanese national character, I thought there would be no serfs, but the national character changed surprisingly easily between pre-and post-World War II. They built walls and protected only the rich in the inner city. The national character changed significantly, I thought. I see. There's no need for serfs.

"It's no good without a dungeon nearby-nya. Since this dungeon became unusable this winter, we have to wait for a new dungeon to emerge nearby-nya. If it's dungeon monsters like goblins, it will appear soon-nya."

Karin shivered, huddling her body against the cold, shrugging her shoulders. It's true, but why did the dungeon get swallowed up? I've never seen that in the abandoned city.

[Dungeons in cities with over 100,000 people merge once a year. That's the characteristic of Fusion Slime Dungeon. Probably about 10 dungeons merged. Well, there's no problem if you crush the dungeon.]

[On the contrary, if there is a dungeon being managed, it will be absorbed. Will it get resetted, perhaps?]

[Yes. In game terms, it's like playing a simulation game where you build a vast empire, but after a year, it resets, and you start over. Not all dungeons are absorbed, but the absorbed ones will reappear a few months later. However, with dungeons of this rank, the goblins are weakened due to absorption, so it's a bonus dungeon.]

Engaging in telepathic communication with Shizuku, I speculated on the conditions for the appearance of the S-rank special monsters that Shizuku had mentioned earlier.

[S-rank specials. Do they appear by merging with A-rank dungeons? Normally, A-rank dungeons, with monsters too strong, should get destroyed immediately. However, if you have a level of force that you can manage, you can freely take rare items and materials.]

Being able to manage an A-rank dungeon. If a town had such tremendous firepower, there would likely be crafters with corresponding skills. It's hard to believe there's such a city. How much scientific power and high-level combat skills are present?

[That's right. It only becomes a bonus dungeon, in which case a special Snow Slime called Thing Wriggling in the Snow appears. So, this city, which can only manage low-level dungeons, can rest easy. Snow slime dungeons disappear in the heat when spring comes.]

[So, they're treated as a show. Well, humans are deep in their ways. Even with dungeons that could destroy humanity, they find a way to use them.]

Cutting off the telepathic link, I shrugged my shoulders tiredly and sighed. Special snow slime, huh? I occasionally wonder, where is Shizuku-san from? The future? Another world? Well, there's no point in thinking about it. Let's stop.

"What's wrong, Sakimori-nya?"

"No, there's no problem. So, we just ride this snow bike to get there?"

Karin tilted her head when I shook mine, pointing to a brand new, metallic-shining bike placed on the snow. It was a snow bike, perfect for moving in the snow. Of course, I don't have a driver's license.

"That's right. I'll drive, so just cling to me, Sakimori-nya."

"Okay. So, our goal is the Snow Dungeon's big boss, the Snow Slime... no, it's another boss, right? I want to make a killing on the dungeon core. If you slack off, I'll stop clinging to your waist and put my hands in a more comfortable place, okay?"

Moving my hands playfully and smiling smugly, Karin gave a wry smile and nodded.

"In both senses, I don't want to be hated by Serika-nya. So I won't slack off-nya."

"I've already had the Shadow Serpent find the shortest route, so follow my instructions, okay?"

"Already confessing to cheating-nya... You're still a sly guy, Sakimori-nya."

"This time, I'm just a baggage carrier hired by Karin. I have to carry a large amount of luggage."

Karin sat in front, and I sat behind. The fairly large-sized bike was spacious even when seated.