How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 38

38. The Way to Slack Off as an Extra (2)

43. Deyal Dungeon (2)

I was about to leave the Guild, lost in thought.

Someone called out from behind me.

“Aileen, do you have a moment?”

It was Mr. Calment.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing much. I just wanted to ask if you plan to stay here permanently.”

I considered the reason behind his question.

I wasn’t wrong in sensing a hint of regret, was I?

I simply nodded silently.

“That’s a shame.”

“Well, isn’t that the life of a mercenary?”

He probably hoped I’d join them on their return trip.

About 60% of mercenaries who accept a job also take on work for the return journey.

Mr. Calment, overseeing the requests, would naturally be disappointed that I wouldn’t be returning with them.

I appreciate his high regard, but I have my own plans.

He understands, so he doesn’t press the issue.

“I believe we’ll meet again someday.”

“Indeed. I’ll look forward to that day and hope for good things.”

“Yes. I hope things go well for you too, Mr. Calment.”

We exchanged brief farewells and parted ways.

Leaving the Guild, I headed straight for the market.

‘I need to buy food first.’

The first necessities are water and food.

It’s always better to have more of both, even if some ends up getting thrown away.

‘The best approach is to prepare as if you won’t find any food or water in the dungeon, right?’

That’s right.

You can’t guarantee the environment inside the dungeon.

If you’re lucky, you might find some water, but usually, there’s nothing.

The environment inside a dungeon is beyond unkind; it’s the worst.

In some cases, there are dungeons where there isn’t even air to breathe.

In the stories, those were called ‘dungeons of death’.

The Deyal Dungeon might not be that extreme, but I need to prepare for food and water issues.

I can generate water using Undine’s power [Undine is a water spirit], but that risks consuming mana.

It’s best not to rely on it in a dungeon except in emergencies.

Thanks to the magic bag [a bag with seemingly infinite storage], I can prepare enough for myself, so I’m not too worried about the quantity.

Still, I can’t be careless.

‘Food that’s easy to preserve… Instead of plain water, should I dilute it with a little weak alcohol? Is that a good idea?’

I’m a bit unsure about this.

From a modern Earthling’s perspective, food preservation isn’t a major concern.

I’m naturally weak in the survival department.

And the food that’s easy to preserve here…

“Excuse me, I’d like to see the longest-lasting food you have.”

When I ask, the merchants naturally bring out:

“This is it.”

“…Ugh, is this really the longest-lasting food?”

“These will last for at least a month, guaranteed. And, depending on the conditions, they can last for two.”

They presented black bread that looked like stones, some slightly blackened smoked jerky, and dried herbs.

Even the smell is awful. Is it rotten?

They must have prioritized preservation over taste.

‘Of course, there aren’t any canned goods here yet.’

…Just thinking about eating this makes me want to cry, but I have to compromise.

I bought the food and the diluted alcohol.

While buying, I often asked:

“Do you happen to have any interesting rumors?”

Trying to gather information about the dungeon, but I didn’t get any new answers.

Even the merchants don’t seem to know anything about it.

I don’t know if it hasn’t been discovered yet or if it’s not well-known for some reason.

Well, in a way, this is a good thing.

‘At least the dungeon information hasn’t been released to the public yet.’

It’s best when there are no competitors.

Still, it’s better to hurry.

* * *

After resting leisurely for about a day, I set off towards the location marked on the map Galdenz left.

The point was fairly deep in the forest, quite far from the city.

I cautiously approached the area, ready to react at any moment.

Aside from monsters, someone else might have arrived at the dungeon before me.

‘It would be annoying if someone was already there…’

But, contrary to my worries, there were no signs of anyone else.

Once I was sure no one was watching, I went inside.

The Deyal Dungeon looks like a fairly large cave from the outside.

Most dungeons are like that.

It’s rare for them to have an obvious appearance like a dungeon or a tower.

That’s why securing information is important.

‘The first one to conquer it wins.’

Anyway, let’s hurry inside.

“…Huh?”

But as soon as I entered the cave, I realized a problem.

“This… is a dungeon, right?”

I looked around, but it’s just an ordinary cave.

It’s quite large, but it doesn’t feel like a dungeon.

‘There aren’t even any monsters?’

Only creatures that inhabit caves, like bats and insects, exist.

Is this really a dungeon?

After looking around, I paused and realized.

There’s no point in going straight in like this.

‘The entrance must be hidden…’

It’s disguised.

Clearly, according to the original setting, dungeons were built before the protagonist returned to the past.

A treasure vault to house abilities or artifacts.

‘It’s natural to hide treasures… The entrance has to be invisible from the start.’

In the end, this place only looks like an ordinary cave to those who don’t know its true nature.

‘I need to find the real entrance first.’

How do I find it?

‘The method is… Ah, that’s right!’

I clapped my hands, remembering the method, and summoned Sylph [a wind spirit]!

Come on! Sylph!

-What is it?

“Sense the air currents around here. There must be a current flowing somewhere besides this cave passage.”

Even if the entrance is hidden, air might be flowing in little by little.

It’s possible that it’s completely sealed, but we’ll deal with that if necessary.

-I’ll try.

Sylph nodded and disappeared for a moment.

She merged with the wind and began to detect the air currents.

After a while, Sylph reappeared and pointed to a corner of the wall.

-It’s here!

“Oh? It’s there?”

I knocked on the wall Sylph pointed to.

Hmm? I can’t really tell anything.

I can’t see any changes even if I push or feel around.

Are there any devices?

‘Do I have to break it?’

I kicked it, but it’s quite solid.

It doesn’t seem like it will collapse easily.

Then let’s break it.

“Gnome [an earth spirit], smash it with a rock.”

-Really? Can I do it?

“Yeah, really do it. Let’s just break it.”

Giving an impact to the wall inside the cave is reckless, but it can’t be helped.

Gnome used material from the floor to create and manipulate a hammer made of stone.

Instant Paleolithic tool complete.

It’ll hurt a bit if I get hit.

“Smash it!”

Clang!

The cave wall shook with a loud noise as I struck it with the stone hammer, and I swallowed hard.

Just in case, it’s not going to collapse, is it?

Clang! Clang!

How many more times did I strike it to make an impact?

Crack!

The sound of the wall cracking was heard, and soon the wall collapsed in a square shape.

That’s the answer.

“Oh? There’s a real entrance?”

Looking inside, I can’t see the end; darkness is spread out.

It means the path continues inside.

‘Now all that’s left is to act according to the plan.’

Now, behold. This perfect plan.

‘Enter the dungeon.’

And.

‘Break through the dungeon.’

And.

‘Get the dungeon’s rewards!’

Behold, this is the perfect plan.

The dungeon攻略法 [dungeon guide/walkthrough] that ends in three words.

…Just kidding.

Basically, prepare thoroughly but improvise the response.

‘Still, it’s better to reduce uncertain factors.’

Is there anything else to prepare before entering?

‘Should I acquire the necessary abilities in advance before departing?’

I have quite a bit of Influence Points saved up.

I’ve been holding back for when they’re needed, but let’s use some in advance.

I immediately started typing.

‘What I need is the power necessary for survival…’

The most difficult thing in the dungeon is the food problem.

And adapting to environmental changes.

Next is securing visibility.

Let’s solve them in order.

First, let’s get this.