Empty Dungeon

"Ugh, what is with the stares?"

"Of course, it is because you are popular, and it's not just our usual group gathered here."

Walking past the people dressed in green military uniforms, I felt completely out of place in my normal clothes. But as Capsaicin said, this was a joint mission divided between two different dungeons.

After a brief explanation of the mission from Commander Mustache, it seemed the same phenomenon from before was happening again: there were no monsters on the upper floors. So, we were going to clear out the floor with the highest concentration of monsters to prevent them from breaking out.

“Even so, it was a little awkward when the meeting ended and they all saluted while I just sat there.”

For this mission, Capsaicin and I were assigned to the dungeon on the western side of the city.

"Alright, time to get ready and board our ride."

"Riding in your vehicle always makes my bottom ache a little."

"Hahaha, you could say we are already used to it, and you will get used to it too."

"I do not want to."

Meeting up with our usual group, we geared up and headed to the designated dungeon. Before stepping in front of the dungeon entrance, we did one last equipment check.

"Make sure you do not attach your bayonets, especially you."

"Make sure you check your gear like you check your partners."

"Alright, if everyone is ready, let's head inside."

As for myself, I was already wearing my silver armor as usual, my hand resting on the hilt of my sword. And just as we expected, we didn't find a single monster on the starting floors.

Floor 1: Empty.

Floor 2: Empty.

Floor 3: Empty.

"Hmm, this is deeper than I thought. This dungeon is recorded to have a depth of 20 floors."

"How do you know that?"

"Hmm, because we use drones for mapping, though I wish we had better cameras."

These things called 'drones' still intrigued me. They looked like magical familiars, but when I first saw one, it turned out they weren't alive at all.

Continuing our journey, we descended deeper and deeper until we reached the 5th floor. Capsaicin checked his watch; we had already been down here for almost two hours.

"Alright, let's take a break."

"Sigh~ finally. Going down those slippery stairs was basically a cardio workout for me, hahaha."

"Hey, someone get the fire started."

"Okay, for now, let's rest. I will start the fire. Miss Asteria, you can just sit down while the others prepare."

Following Capsaicin's suggestion, I sat down, and a soldier handed me a mat, which I gladly accepted. Meanwhile, the others made a fire using a tiny stove, placed a pot of water on it, and dropped some bags inside.

"Hmm, what is that?"

"Oh, this is our meal. It is called an MRE. I think you will like it."

After a while, the water boiled. Capsaicin opened the bags, and steam rose as the aroma of food wafted out.

"Here, you can eat it straight out of the bag. Use this spoon."

Taking it and looking inside the bag, I saw something that looked like chunks of meat and some kind of sauce. I decided to scoop some up and take a bite.

"Oh, this is good, huh? It tastes much more normal than I expected, considering how it looks."

"I know, right? It can be eaten and prepared quickly, and it can be stored for a long time. Oh, and it is called curry."

"Hmm, curry, huh? It is definitely better than what soldiers used to eat back in my era."

"Well, how was it in that era, then?"

"Well, we had to cook things for a very long time, just throwing whatever we had into a pot. And starting a fire wasn't exactly easy if you couldn't use magic."

Chewing on it, I could taste a mix of savory and sweet as I savored it until the bag was empty. Then, I grabbed some crackers until one of the soldiers offered me coffee.

"Uh, no. Sorry, but I do not drink that."

He looked a little dejected, but I felt it had a weird taste and was absolutely certain it would be far too bitter. It made me wonder why people even liked it.

With the glow of flashlights acting as a makeshift campfire, the people around me seemed very relaxed, even joking with one another.

"Well, with Miss Asteria here, I think this will be an easy one, don't you think?"

"Hahaha, you are right, but do not get lazy."

"Hah~ I wonder what would have happened if Miss Asteria hadn't come to help us that first time."

"Hahaha, we would probably be corpses by now."

"Hey, do not jinx it! You are throwing up red flags for bad luck."

"Well, we have our guardian spirit right here, so I think that is already negated! Hahaha!"

"Alright, that is enough. We are moving out again."

"Aye aye, Captain."

Experiencing something like this again reminded me of the past, sitting in the forest during a journey, talking and eating around a campfire.

“People really haven't changed, huh.”

After that, we continued deeper into the dungeon without encountering a single obstacle, as there were still no monsters.

“I am so glad I spent this past month working out. Fufu.”

For the past month, I hadn't stopped running and going to the gym, even though it usually required Kuroi dragging me out of bed early in the morning.

"Alright, hold up. We haven't found a single monster so far. What do you think, Miss?"

"It seems they are all gathering on the lower floors."

"I thought so too, but I cannot even begin to guess what kind of monsters are waiting down there."

Stopping on the 14th floor, we decided to use the drone again to check the 15th floor. And judging by the drone operator's reaction...

"It's packed! The whole place is swarming with monsters."

"Hmm, is that so? Can you tell what kind of monsters they are?"

From what he described, I could guess there were several mid-tier monsters like orcs, werewolves, and the like.

"Wait! The ground is shaking... the monsters are coming up!"

"Tch! Everyone in position! Do not let a single monster get past us to the upper floors!"

Sensing the aura around us, I looked through my mystic eyes. The monsters were indeed rushing up. Glancing around, I saw the soldiers' faces grow tense, yet they still smiled as they backed away slightly from the descending stairs.

Hand on my sword, I readied myself. Then, suddenly, monsters burst out from the lower floor like a flood.

"I will face them head-on. You all support me."

"YES, MA'AM!!!"

Charging forward to meet the monsters, I felt it was better this way. I did not want to risk any of them getting injured or killed, and besides, I was not going to die that easily.

"Spill the blood. Oh, crimson tusk."

Blood enveloped almost the entire area where they were emerging. From that puddle of blood, spikes shot out, piercing the monsters in every direction and hardening, leaving nothing but ash behind.

Drawing my sword, I swung with all my might at the fresh wave that had just poured out, my blade cleaving them all in two.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

From behind, the deafening sound of gunfire echoed as the soldiers shot down flying imps and other monsters on the flanks that my attacks missed. I gave a nod of approval.

“But there really are so many monsters. This reminds me of the outbreaks from the past...”

“I could use a bigger attack, but I don't want to risk collapsing the dungeon while we are still inside.”

I relentlessly continued using my magic and sword to slaughter the monsters, losing track of how many I had killed.

“Sigh~ this is way too much.”

After a while, the wave of monsters finally weakened. I let out a sigh as I looked at the floor, which was now covered in sticky fluids, an awful stench, and countless scattered monster cores.

"Hmm, what is that?"

Squinting my eyes, I noticed a tiny, dancing light near the stairs leading to the lower floor. The moment I noticed it, it darted away.

"Capsaicin, I see something glowing. I am going to follow it. You all can head back up; the monsters here are finished."

"W-wait, Miss!"

Ignoring whatever Capsaicin was trying to say, I sprinted down to the 15th floor as fast as I could. I felt a few presences, but they were hiding in fear. Then, the tiny light hovered right in front of me.

"Owh, you followed me! Fufu~"

"Y-you are a fairy?!"