arc2 · 103-ch103

Chapter 103: Aiming for the 30th Floor, Part 5

The members of Hyakka Ryouran began making camp after reaching the 27th floor. It seems today's exploration ends here. They set up their tents in a slightly wider space partway along the stairs. Along the way here, there were a few chances to provide combat support, and I gained one level, bringing me to level 14. I'm truly grateful.

After setting up the tents, everyone went inside to confirm their plans going forward. Apparently, they usually do this outside the tents. Even though the stairs are relatively safe, if a Dungeon Modification or something occurs, monsters could come up from below.

However, since I'm here this time, everyone's inside the tent. Hayate also joined in to participate in the discussion, but Asahi is on watch duty outside. Since it has a 360-degree camera, it's perfect for keeping watch.

Inside the tent, Hayate took luggage out of Storage. From among it, the four members of Hyakka Ryouran each pulled out the dinners they'd brought along and started eating.

"Thanks to SS-san, things have gone very smoothly up until today. But from tomorrow on, the battles will get even tougher. Let's proceed carefully without pushing ourselves too hard."

While eating, Toomi-san confirmed the exploration plans starting tomorrow. On shallower floors, they could clear one floor in less than an hour, but deeper floors aren't so simple. In fact, since the 25th floor, the time needed to clear each floor has been gradually increasing.

It'll probably take another half day to reach the 30th floor. If they can defeat the 30th floor boss, they can use a Transfer Stone to get back, but if they don't defeat the boss, they'll have to retrace the path they came. In that case, it would take another day and a half.

Either way, they need to proceed carefully. Pushing too hard is out of the question. Depending on the circumstances, turning back midway is also an option. It's not like they absolutely have to clear it this time.

"Now then, shall we start getting ready for bed? Kureha, you're on first watch, please."

After the meeting concluded, Toomi-san asked Kureha-san to take the first watch. Even though they're on the stairs, it's not absolutely safe, so they're properly posting a watch. They'll rotate every two hours, giving everyone six hours of sleep.

"Himehana, what are you doing!?"

Just as Kureha-san was about to step outside the tent, Toomi-san's sudden loud voice rang out. I reflexively pointed the camera toward Himehana.

"Eh? What am I doing? I'm all sticky, so I was going to wipe myself down."

What appeared on camera was Himehana, who had removed her armor and was about to take off her clothes.

"Wait!? What are you doing!?"

I hurriedly made Hayate disappear. It's okay, it's okay, it's okay—I didn't see anything.

"Himehana, that's bold. SS is watching."

"Ah!? Huh? Where's the drone?"

Through Asahi keeping watch outside, I could hear the voices from inside the tent. Himehana had been teased by Kurokage-san, but since Hayate was already gone, she seemed distracted by that.

"Himehana, please be more careful."

"Yes, I'm sorry. Since I couldn't see his form, I let my guard down."

Himehana was scolded by Toomi-san. Seriously, please be more careful. It's rough on my heart.

"But still, panicking and making the drone disappear like that—SS-san is kinda cute, isn't he?"

Kureha-san, who had been heading outside, said that with a laugh. The other members seemed to agree somehow, but I absolutely couldn't understand what was cute about that reaction...

After that, I had Asahi move next to Kureha-san and decided to rest first. I did put in a magic stone, so power isn't an issue, but when I sleep, my connection with Asahi will cut off. That means if an emergency occurs over there, there's no way to contact me. It pains me that they'll have to protect Asahi until I notice.

Well, if I can sleep for two or three hours, I'll manage somehow, so I'll go to sleep quickly and help with watch duty when I wake up. They say emergencies rarely happen, but just in case.

I told Kureha-san I'd rest first too, and after getting ready for bed, I immediately slipped under the covers. Damn, thanks to Himehana, I can't calm down. I tried to distract myself by thinking about other things, and before I knew it, I'd fallen asleep.

(Oh, looks like I slept for about three hours.)

I woke up again during what could be called the middle of the night. I immediately tried activating Asahi, and thankfully, it seemed like nothing had happened. The watch had changed to the second person, Toomi-san, but she didn't seem to have noticed Asahi powering on.

That Toomi-san was reading a book I'd put in Storage. Normally they try to keep luggage to a minimum, so they wouldn't bring things like books, but since I'm handling transport this time, they specially packed them.

Apparently, when they're on watch, there's usually nothing to do besides maintaining weapons and armor, so it gets boring, but this time she was grateful to be able to read leisurely. Well, since their senses have sharpened, they can probably keep watch even while reading.

I quietly left the room, washed my face, grabbed a drink and some light food, and returned to my room. Then I summoned Hayate above Asahi. Since the opportunity presented itself, I thought I'd send Hayate ahead to the 27th floor to fill in the map as much as possible.

I should probably check with Toomi-san first, right?

"Toomi-san, excuse me."

"Hiii!?"

Crap, I startled her by suddenly talking to her. Toomi-san's face was twitching.

"Oh, it was you, SS-san. You surprised me."

"Sorry for startling you. I've had enough rest, so while everyone is sleeping, I'd like to go fill in the map of the 27th floor."

"Um, it's only been three hours since you rested—are you sure you're okay?"

Toomi-san was worried about me, but for a former hardcore gamer like me, three hours of sleep was an everyday occurrence. Compared to those days, this is a piece of cake.

"I'm fine. I'm used to it."

She seemed to accept my response for now and gave me permission to explore with Hayate. I quietly moved Hayate, which I'd raised to just barely below the ceiling, and entered the 27th floor.

(Hmm, there are tons of monsters, as expected.)

After descending the stairs and advancing a bit, I immediately encountered Fire Wolves and Wind Wolves. Since Hayate makes no sound or smell, and it's right up against the ceiling, I was able to slip past without being noticed.

However, Vampire Bats are a different story, so whenever I encountered them, I detoured around. But that quickly reached its limits. So I dropped stones from above to distract them and slipped through while their attention was diverted, or used Flashlight to make them lose sight of Hayate and slipped through during that window.

By the time Toomi-san switched with the next person in line, Himehana, half the map had already been filled in. Luckily, the staircase was included among that. Now I can guide them tomorrow—well, it's already today, but—via the shortest route.

After that, I continued filling in the map bit by bit, and by the time Kurokage-san finished her final watch, almost the entire map of the 27th floor was complete.