Chapter-04 · EP-059

Episode 59: Meiris

Before going to the fourth floor, I needed to check information about the fourth floor.

Because today, I had planned to explore the second floor with Yuno and the others, so I had no prior knowledge.

Originally, the academy started exploring the fourth floor from the second year. So our first-year textbooks didn't have anything about the fourth floor.

But with such a large facility, there must be some materials somewhere.

I asked at the reception desk.

"Excuse me."

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"I went up to the fourth floor the other day, and I'm planning to continue exploring there today. Do you have any materials about the fourth floor?"

"For that, please use the Dungeon Reference Room. It's on the 9th floor of the main building. Registered explorers can use it for free."

"Is there really such a convenient place?"

"Yes."

The receptionist lady answered with a smile.

Instead of heading to the dungeon entrance on the basement floor, I took the escalator to the 9th floor.

I arrived on the 9th floor and stepped off the escalator.

The atmosphere was exactly like a commercial building or department store, making me almost forget I was in the building at the dungeon entrance.

I soon found what seemed to be the reception desk for this floor and spoke to the lady there.

"Excuse me, I'd like to use the Dungeon Reference Room."

"Welcome. Is this your first time using it?"

"Yes."

"Shall I explain how to use it?"

"Please."

"Yes, this is the Dungeon Reference Room. The bookshelves in the back contain materials related to dungeons. You're free to read any of them, but they cannot be taken outside. However, you are welcome to copy notes or take photographs, so please use the room freely."

"I see."

I listened to the explanation while peering into the room.

In the center of the room were desks and chairs, and the bookshelves in the back were packed with books.

"Please refrain from talking loudly inside the room. When speaking, be careful not to raise your voices. If you need to use a phone, please exit the room and do so outside."

That part was the same as a library.

"By the way, we recently introduced a new device. Shall I explain how to use it?"

"Ah, yes. Please!"

When I answered, the lady took out a tablet device.

"This tablet has installed on it 'Meiris,' the latest AI developed by the Dungeon Explorer Guild. Meiris has learned the information from the materials in this reference room, so not only can it save you the trouble of searching through paper documents, but it can also help you think about countermeasures for various situations, and even respond to topics outside of dungeons as if you were having a conversation with a person."

"An AI! How modern!"

"Yes. Many older explorers prefer paper-based information, but I wanted to introduce this so that younger users can also appreciate the convenience of electronic data and AI."

"That sounds really interesting!"

I was very intrigued.

"Yes. Also, while the AI learns and becomes smarter when given new information, please be aware that it can also learn incorrect information, and due to the nature of AI, it may occasionally give wrong answers."

"Understood. Can I borrow this tablet?"

"Yes, please. Be sure to return it when you leave."

"Okay."

"Also, Meiris supports voice input, but since talking is prohibited in the reference room, please use only text input."

"Can this be used outside of here?"

"Actually, there is a downloadable beta version that was just released. It can be used on personal devices like tablets and smartphones."

"Is that so? Then I'll try it out and download it if I like it."

"Yes, thank you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask."

"Yes, thank you very much."

I thanked her cheerfully, took the tablet, and sat at an empty desk in the reference room.

Excited, I turned it on.

A simple text screen appeared, displaying: "Nice to meet you. I am Meiris."

'Hello. What can you do?'

Meiris answered my typed question.

'I am an AI specialized for dungeon exploration. I can answer questions about dungeons by referencing the Dungeon Explorer Guild's database, and I am good at helping you think of solutions for various situations. I can also do everyday conversation.'

Oh! It was kind of impressive. Then I asked the main question I wanted to confirm today.

'I'm planning to explore the fourth floor for the first time today. What kind of monsters appear on the fourth floor, and what preparations do I need?'

'So it's your first fourth-floor exploration. Exploring a new floor is exciting. At the same time, you need to be careful about the different monsters and dungeon gimmicks.

From the fourth floor onward, it becomes a forest floor, and the monsters that appear change. On the fourth floor, insect-type monsters appear.

The most commonly encountered is the Caterpillar. This monster is slow-moving, but there are three things you need to be careful about.

First is poison. It can extend a poisonous stinger from its back to attack. The poison is not strong, but it can rapidly drain your stamina. Be sure to bring an antidote.

Second, it can spray a highly acidic liquid from its mouth. This acid is incomparably stronger than a slime's; if it gets in your eyes, it can cause blindness, and it will dissolve ordinary cloth clothing. Do not stand directly in front of the Caterpillar's face. Attack from the side. If you are hit by the acid, use a Heal Gem immediately.

Third, it can spit webs to restrain explorers, immobilizing them. A sharp knife or fire is effective for cutting the webs. Also, because the webs are light, you can blow them away with Wind Magic before they wrap around you.

There are also other monsters with poison and monsters that spit webs. Many monsters will ram into you.

I recommend preparing antidotes for poison, a lighter for webs, Fire Magic, or a web-cutting knife, and a shield to protect against charges.'

It gave a very long, detailed explanation!

This was it! The fourth floor required preparation! Up until the third floor, I'd managed with brute force, but I needed to get antidotes and tools to counter webs. Especially for a solo explorer like me, being immobilized by poison or webs would be fatal.

I was glad I looked into it before exploring.