Chapter 8: Let's Choose a Quest!

Original: Chapter 8: Let’s Choose a Quest!

The Dungeon’s plaza is always crowded. Especially around the tablets at the far end of the central area—there are always tons of people gathered there.

As someone with a loner disposition, just the idea of a densely packed crowd is enough to make me feel disgusted. So until now, I’ve avoided going anywhere near the tablets, but—

“But I have to take a step forward, right?”

It’s not like I’m being asked to do something unreasonable like making friends. I just need to check what’s on the tablets.

Several tablets are sticking out of the ground, so I pick one where there aren’t many people and head over to check its contents.

A pair of girls look disappointed about something.

“This is the one we did before. The one where people sometimes get seriously hurt.”

“It’s our second time, so the reward is different.”

“Yeah.”

They said, “Let’s try another one,” and walked off to a different tablet. Thanks to that, I was left alone in front of this tablet. Now I can take my time looking at it.

I stand in front of the tablet.

Characters in an unfamiliar language are lined up. Below them, a picture of a Monster is carved.

“So this is the Quest the Dungeon God issues to Earthlings.”

A Message Window floated softly into view before my eyes. Let’s see…

“Hiiii~. It’s me, the Dungeon God. There’s this ant wrapped in flames way down the trail past Passage 3, y’know~. That guy’s super annoying, ’cause he keeps digging holes in the Dungeon~. So I’m, like, totally in a bind. So, here’s my request to you reading this. Please go defeat that ant for me☆ Yoro-piku~☆”

Thud.

Uh, who am I even supposed to retort to here? Even though I’m a loner with low social skills, I can tell this is something that demands a retort.

“Miss Dungeon God… I had no idea you were such a fluffy, bright, and lighthearted kind of deity…”

I thought you’d be more valiant. I guess gods have a wide range of personalities too.

I’ll just accept this as her individuality. It’s fine if there’s a modern, high-energy god, right?

First Clear Reward: 1000 Pon, 5 Skill Points

Nice. Looks like this Quest gives Skill Points.

Recommended Conquest Level: 5

My Level is 10, so this Quest should be a breeze.

“I’ll take this Quest.”

If I get 5 more Skill Points, I can Level Up 〈Potion Create〉 again.

The choices ‘Will you accept this Quest?’, ‘Yes’, and ‘No’ appeared before my eyes.

“Yes, then.”

And so, I accepted the Quest ‘Defeat the Ant Wrapped in Flames!’.

Passage 3 is the third path from the left when looking from the plaza entrance. There’s a stone signpost at the entrance with ‘Passage 3’ written on it.

I entered Passage 3.

“The sound of people’s voices suddenly disappeared.”

As I moved away from the plaza, a sense of dread washed over me—the fear that I’d have to venture down this scary path all alone.

“My legs feel like they’re freezing up, but I won’t let it bother me.”

After all, that sense of fear is part of the thrill of the Dungeon. The excitement I feel on the way home from school is a good spice in life.

“Well, it’d be nice to have at least one friend, though…”

I hope I can make friends someday. Preferably someone who enjoys the Dungeon with me. Though I have no idea if such a convenient person exists.

After walking for about 20 minutes, I think I’ve reached my destination.

The trail I came through was narrow, barely wide enough for one person to walk, but once I passed through it, I emerged into a fairly spacious area.

Weeds are growing here and there.

Oh, Medicinal Herb spotted. Lucky. Let’s get it. I’m glad I could pick up a Medicinal Herb while on the Quest. Feels like I’m working efficiently in various ways.

“Now, where’s that ant?”

I took the Hammer out of my backpack. Holding it with both hands, I walked forward, slightly hunched over.

My heart’s pounding. Up until today, I’ve basically only hunted Slimes, so I’m not entirely confident whether I can actually defeat an ant Monster.

I think it should be fine since I’m well above the Recommended Conquest Level… But maybe due to the tension, my breathing grew shallow. Even my thoughts started to feel shallow.

Before I knew it, I was walking without making a sound. I think I was being cautious, trying not to miss any sound by walking quietly. It’s a defensive instinct.

By the way, I already finished Creating the Potion earlier. So if anything happens, I can just drink it and retreat the way I came.

Since I’m a loner and can’t rely on anyone for help, I plan to prioritize safety.

I look to the right. I look to the left. Just in case, I look up too.

“Nothing here.”

Huh. Maybe I didn’t need to be so cautious after all.

Maybe I accidentally stepped on it without realizing while walking.

…Wait? Come to think of it, I don’t know the size of the ant Monster. I was imagining it to be about palm-sized, but maybe I should reconsider stopping my train of thought based on that assumption.

There’s a spot where a large rock juts out from the wall. I went around to check behind it.

“Nothing here either. Huh? Ouch?”

An intense pain shot through my right ankle—.