The dungeon entrance was a cave opening on the embankment next to the river.
I presented my provisional permit to the staff at the control cabin in front of the entrance and then entered the cave.
After progressing a bit, I reached a place where a glowing magic circle lay on the floor.
This is where the cave ends.
Determined, I stepped onto the magic circle.
As I stood in the center of the magic circle, the symbol on the palm of my right hand glowed, and my vision was enveloped in a blinding white light.
In an instant, I found myself in an unknown place.
It seemed to be inside the cave, but the walls emitted a soft light, creating a somewhat surreal atmosphere.
The place I was in was roughly the size of a small meeting room.
Looking back on the floor, I saw the glowing magic circle from before.
I thought it was the dungeon exit, but just in case, I stepped on the circle once more and made the round trip.
It behaved as expected.
Now that I have confirmed my escape, it’s time to begin exploring the dungeon once more.
***
From the room, three paths extended in different directions.
Straight ahead, to the left, and to the right, it seemed like cave corridors continued in each direction.
“Alright. Let’s go!”
Strangely, I felt no fear.
It is said that explorers may lose their lives, but I had a calm attitude, accepting that if it happened, it would happen, perhaps influenced by becoming an explorer.
Since I didn’t know which path was correct, I decided to proceed down the middle path.
The cave advanced lazily, winding its way forward.
“…It’s long. Or is it that nothing is happening?”
After walking enough, I only saw the same cave continuing endlessly without anything occurring.
A little further ahead, I reached a T-shaped intersection.
To avoid getting lost, I decided to continue straight.
After walking a few more minutes, I encountered another T-shaped intersection.
So I decided to continue straight again.
And thus, after about ten more minutes of walking.
I saw something approaching from the front of the cave.
It had a humanoid shape, of short stature.
Its head resembled that of a fierce dog, with bright red eyes and saliva dripping from its mouth.
It held a simple knife in its hand.
The creature leaped towards me.
I readied myself, feeling the spear in my right hand and prepared to face it.
Probably the first-layer monster that the weapon shop owner had mentioned, a Kobold.
“Take this!”
I waited for the moment when the opponent was within my reach and threw my spear with force.
The monster cried out in agony as the spear pierced its chest.
Upon withdrawing the spear, instead of blood, something dark and misty spewed from the wound.
Although the Kobold staggered, it did not fall.
It lunged towards me again, closing the distance.
I thought about launching another attack with the spear.
But this time, anticipating my movements, it agilely dodged to the side.
“Damn it…!”
I narrowly avoided the knife the Kobold directed at me.
Taking advantage of its imbalance, I elbowed it as it fell forward, and as it hit the ground, I thrust my spear into it once more.
That final blow seemed to be the one, as the dog-faced creature turned into a black mist and disappeared completely.
Strangely, the knife it held also vanished in the same manner.
Only a gem, colored in a mix of black and purple, remained rolling on the ground.
Monsters are classified differently from normal creatures, they are defined as “non-living beings.”
In addition to being for human ethical convenience, it seems that monsters truly undergo phenomena that defy the logic of normal creatures, therefore, it doesn’t seem so wrong to define them as “non-living beings.”
“Phew… I managed to win somehow.”
I picked up the gem and stored it in my wallet.
The gem is the size of a pinky tip.
Apparently, this gem is called the “Magic Gem.”
When I bring it back to the city, I can sell it at the “Exchange Stand” for a set price.
From what I heard in training, a Kobold’s Magic Gem sells for 400 yen.
Strictly speaking, after deducting the 10% income tax, the net income before refund would be 360 yen.
Although it’s quite tough to earn only 360 yen after a life-or-death battle, there’s no point in complaining.
When checking my status, I noticed that the “Experience” section went from “0/10” to “4/10.”
“Okay! Let’s keep it up!”
