Dungeon Refrigerator 166

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Jungle Of Paintball Field 2

A lively battlefield echoes with the noise of battle here and there.

I don't particularly enjoy environments with many people, but given the current situation, it surprisingly felt comfortable.

The morale of the Airsoft players battling on the second underground level of the plant dungeon was soaring. By defeating the tough Kung Fu Bamboo they had struggled with above ground, their levels had risen, and situations like fighting alongside beautiful college girls were boosting their spirits even more.

It all started when Shark, who had originally teamed up with Serai-san to battle monsters, became inspired.

Upon descending to the second level underground, Shark started supporting the Trident members who were struggling due to lack of battle experience.

Although they had only fought Slimes and Goblins so far, Shark, trained rigorously in our Refrigerator Dungeon, was quite strong compared to other Airsoft players.

Seeing Shark support his comrades, Ruu and Serai-san also joined in supporting the Airsoft players. This strategy proved effective.

Yeah. There's a certain feeling, or rather, a desire for women to fight alongside you. Well, it might vary from person to person, but many people want their loved ones to be protected. However, in the case of marriage, the desire for women to fight alongside you might outweigh the former.

At least, that's how I feel.

In reality, they don't need to be as battle-hardened as you, but when women show readiness to fight without fear of getting hurt, it really moves men. Well, this should be evident from most heroines in action movies these days.

So, the sight of beautiful college girls fighting alongside them boosted the Airsoft players' morale as if they had received a powerful buff, and they fought monsters energetically.

(Hmm, this is also a technique for harmony among people.)

Watching them hunt monsters in a very positive atmosphere, I quietly continued to produce rock salt spears.

It's their first dungeon, and they're seeing monsters for the first time.

So, although I want to fight and investigate various things, I should conserve my strength in case something happens.

Haha, I'm quite mature, huh? Well, that's part of having a broad perspective.

"How's it going, Jung? Everyone is about level 5 now..."

As I observed the members fighting with my arms crossed, Admiral, who had become increasingly knowledgeable and strong in the dungeon, approached me after finishing tallying with the team. He had taken on a supervisory role.

"Well, it's about time we head down again. I'll go first, so come down once I secure safety."

We've already completed mapping of the second underground level.

The Airsoft players understand the importance of maps very well, and they are indeed excellent. They said that even during World War II, the old Japanese army couldn't even prepare consistent scale maps, and they had to procure maps locally.

[Zazazazaza...]

Whenever we descend a floor, for some reason, this kind of sound effect always echoes in my mind. Maybe it's because of my gamer brain. Well, the floors of this plant dungeon are connected by gentle slopes, with a black membrane in between separating the upper and lower spaces.

Well, that's the case in most dungeons.

"Hmm... what's this? There's nothing here."

Considering this dungeon is teeming with monsters, I expected the lower floors to be like monster houses. But surprisingly, there was no monster welcome on the third underground level.

And what we found upon descending were three open passages in a dome-like space.

"It's so quiet here..."

"Yeah, really."

Ruu and Nina-san looked at each other with a puzzled expression.

Yeah, indeed. But it's somewhat surreal watching them exchange looks through their flat masks, holding menacing weapons like axes and bats.

"Oh! Look at that! Isn't that a monster!?"

Serai-san, who was peering into the right-hand passage, exclaimed and leaned forward.

"What's up? It seems quite... Oh no, no way!"

However, upon seeing the fast-moving monster emerge from the cave-like passage, I froze in fear.

"Retreat! Hurry, all three of you, get back up!"

"Huh, what!?"

"Y-yes!"

"But they're already here!"

Before I could finish speaking, the monsters from the 3rd floor dashed toward us and were upon us in no time.

(They're so fast!? Faster than a sprinting dog or cat!)

The small monsters charging at us were Mandragoras. Their bodies were made of dark red roots, and they approached quickly, moving their screw-like arms and legs like Korean ginseng.

"Pyugiiiee! (Bang!)"

As the Mandragora leaped, aiming for my throat to protect Ruha and others on my back, I crushed it with all my strength in a single blow, a crushing blow that pulverized it. I put all my will into this attack, fearing its dying scream would alert others.

Hmm, but wait...? Didn't it make a sound like "Pyugii!" when it attacked...?

"Is everyone okay!?"

Anyway, when I hurriedly turned around to confirm Ruka and the others' safety, they looked at me with a puzzled expression, wondering why I was in such a hurry.

"It's all good... but why are you so flustered?"

"Yeah, that's right. It was fast but didn't seem strong. It was a one-shot, right?"

"No, no, both of you. That thing is called a Mandragora. People said that people die when they hear its death cry."

"Oh, really? Well then, we're fine here. The monster we just encountered is called a Bloody Carrot, like a ghost carrot or something. Right, Ruu-chan?"

"Yes. On our way here, I researched what kind of plant monsters there are using the communication terminal in the car."

Huh, oh? Is that so?

Hmm, now that I think about it, the monster that attacked us just now had leafy parts on its head that were swaying like carrots. I'm pretty sure Mandragoras depicted in old paintings had thinner, longer, flatter leaves.

"Then, could that be a real Mandragora?"

"Yeah, that's right. Oh, look here. The fallen monster looks like Korean ginseng."

I see, looking at where Nina-san pointed, there were dropped items scattered on the ground resembling the monster we just defeated, like a dungeon cave.

(Hmm, so this is the Bloody Carrot. Its appearance resembles a Mandragora, quite confusing.)

I picked up the drop resembling a Korean ginseng with a face and observed it closely. But since the drop item didn't have leafy parts, if someone said, "This is a Mandragora.", I might believe it.

...

After that, Ruu and the others defeated about three Bloody Carrots, so it seems okay to send Trident members down to the third underground level.

It didn't work when I tried calling them down.

Bloody Carrots were very agile and small. So, aiming with bamboo spears was difficult because the target was too small, and when they got close, it became disadvantageous due to handling issues.

Even though I instructed them to fight with shorter handles, Bloody Carrots were still formidable opponents for airsoft gamers with limited experience in monster combat.

"Pyugiigh! (Bam!)"

"Gyaaa!... This damn...! (Tug)"

"Hey! Wait, don't force it out!"

As the Bloody Carrot jumped at the airsoft gamer, it thrust its arm-like roots into his thigh, piercing through the camouflage suit and immediately beginning to suck blood.

"That...! Hand Crush! (Squish!!)"

But forcibly removing such a monster might damage thick blood vessels as it thrashes its roots inside the body.

So, in times like this, it's better to utilize the dungeon's characteristics, instantly killing the monster and turning it into smoke.

[Boofun!]

"See, everything's fine now."

"Sorry..."

But to suck blood like this, it's like a monster resembling a leech, even though it's a plant.

As the injured airsoft gamer retreated with the help of his companions, Admiral had a bitter expression that replaced him in front of me.

"Jung, this is bad... It seems like we should withdraw the troops immediately."

"Yeah, seems so. My judgment was off... I'm sorry."

I humbly bowed my head to Admiral. I had lightly assumed that we could handle the 3rd floor based on the splendid performance of the airsoft gamers so far.

"Well, injuries like this are normal even in regular games. No one would mind. But if more people get hurt..."

"Shall we call it a day then?"

"No, that's not it... It's just that the Valkyries you brought along have gotten the guys all fired up, showing off more than necessary..."

Glancing back at his comrades, Admiral's eyes met theirs. The airsoft gamers seemed unusually enthusiastic, shaking their shoulders vigorously.

Hmm, perhaps Nina-san's medicine worked too well.

Serai-san is cute and has a big bust, and she gets along with anyone without hesitation, even on the first meeting. Nina-san is so good at praising others that it's like she has the [Charm] skill. And adding Ruu's natural cuteness to the mix, it's no wonder that men not used to beautiful women are smitten.

"All right, then. I want Trident members to continue doing their best on the 2nd floor."

"So, are you guys going to fight on this floor?"

"Yeah. The monsters on this level are just right for training them."

Yeah, in my refrigerator dungeon, there would only be slimes left to fight.

"Heh... you're quite the Spartan, aren't you? But I'll take Shark with me. We can't afford to let her get injured, and I want her to support the members."

"Ah, understood. That's the plan, Shark."

As Shark, who realized she was being talked about, approached, I decided to go with Admiral.

"Ugh, well, can't be helped... Hey! Matsu and others, you still good to go?!"

With a disgruntled snort, Shark walked toward the members who seemed like they were going to follow up with loud voices.

Watching Shark's retreating figure with Admiral, we exchanged glances and chuckled. It's embarrassing but heartwarming to see the growth of young people.