Akatsuki Translations

【The Dungeon of Sin, Lust】

This dungeon, twisted and sealed by the 【Witch’s】 White Barrier, was one of seven, classified among the largest in a myriad of dungeons. After emerging on the earth’s surface, its invasion of the world was restrained by the barrier, confining it to the northeastern forest region of the city of Lust.

However, its inherent nature to infinitely expand and extend was not lost.

Despite this, the barrier did not break. The White Witch’s magic was flawless.

Consequently, the dungeon, having lost its exit, evolved into a bizarre phenomenon where it continued to expand within its sealed state.

Indeed, there were no signs of the dungeon expanding beyond the barrier. However, once one stepped inside the barrier, the Dungeon of Lust transformed into a super-gigantic maze, so vast and complicated that it was unimaginable from the outside. Since its birth several centuries ago, the exact extent of its vastness has yet to be fully grasped. What’s more, even if it could be measured, the dungeon would continue to expand over time. There was utterly no end to it.

There are those who say that a landmass surpassing the continent of Isralia is trapped within a mere forested area, a small part of the Lust territory.

As for what the inside of a dungeon with such a distorted space was like…

“…So hoooot.” -Ur

In the City of Sin, Greed, a young adventurer named Ur, who had recently begun to make a name for himself (it seemed) by defeating a crystal golem and, in the next city, a Gashadokuro, was challenging the 【Dungeon of Sin】, Lust, moaning in its heat.

Hot, it was truly hot.

The dungeon, integrated with the warm forested region, was compressed within a barrier, giving birth to an unnaturally dense jungle. To move forward in the dungeon where one had to almost part the vegetation, was to be enveloped in the heat and humidity emitted by the teeming flora and fauna.

Outside the barrier, one would scarcely encounter such venomous flowers, twisted and bent trees, cloyingly sweet fragrances, or perhaps odors so foul they could curl one’s nose, along with the wailing voices of beasts, insects, and birds.

Smelly, hot, noisy.

It was a stark contrast to the Dungeon of Sin, Greed, which, aside from the appearance of monsters, didn’t have a speck of dust.

Donning a full suit of armor in this condition would turn the interior into something akin to a steam bath. While the threat of monsters necessitated enduring a certain level of discomfort, there was a limit.

The armor and helmet of Fire-consuming Stone, which had been of great help during the battle with the Gashadokuro, were discarded in favor of inexpensive leather armor (made from the Great Tusked Boar). The crystal golem shield remained unchanged, but his equipment overall was considerably lighter (though care was taken to ensure no skin was exposed).

Even so, if the equipment wasn’t lightened to at least this extent, death would come, succumbing to the discomfort and heat.

『HAHA, looks tough, doesn’t it? What say you? Will you become bones as well? 』-Rock[1]

“Are you telling me to die?” -Ur

Ur grimaced at the light-hearted comment from Rock, his companion.

The Skeleton Knight and familiar named Rock in service to Shizuku, currently concealed his face and body with inexpensive armor, leather gear, and a helmet, camouflaging his true appearance. In reality, he needed no such equipment. His own body was his armor, his shield, and, naturally, he did not suffer in the heat.

While no one would wish for a body like his, his unbothered demeanor amidst this sweltering heat was a tad enviable.

“Indeed, countermeasures are, necessary.”  -Ur

『Can’t you just deal with it quickly with some magic? I’m counting on you, Master.』-Rock

“There are spells for insulation, but… enchantments have a capacity limit.” -Shizuku

Casting multiple spells on a single target could lead to saturation. Attempting to apply more would either push out a spell or nullify them. It seemed that growth increased capacity, but for Ur, three was the current limit. No more spells could be cast.

The anti-impact accessories that were typically in the form of amulets, and the pill of stalwartness used in the Fortress of Canaan, were, in a way, enchantments applied to the human body. Carelessly using too many enchantments would quickly lead to saturation.

If the heat-resistant spell was blown away while in heavy armor, you could die from the heat. If you relied too easily on magic, you’d likely learn a painful lesson. Now, what to do… while contemplating, Rock drew his sword.

『Hey, Ur, here they come. Monsters. 』-Rock

“Fuckin’ annoying…” -Ur

Of course, the heat attacking Ur was merely a characteristic of the dungeon environment.

The monsters rampant in the dungeon knew nothing of the torment of the invaders, struggling in the heat.

『ＪＩＩＩＩＩＩＩＩＩＩＩＩＩＩ！！』

With an unpleasant fluttering of wings, what appeared before Ur was a beetle monster known as the “Great Bladed Rhinoceros Beetle.” The size of a large adult, it possessed giant horns and a hard shell. Not only was its appearance brutal, but it could also fly for short durations. It would soar, gain momentum, and impale its enemies with its massive horns.

Among the thirteen classes, it was the eleventh. A dangerous monster.

“Ah!? The weak point is…!” -Ur

It swooped down, colliding with fierce intent. It was a simple body slam, but potent in its power. Ur, grimacing, braced himself to absorb the impact, enduring it. He attempted to retaliate, but even quicker, the armored Skeleton Knight had slipped into his embrace.

『The torso, it’s soft. 』-Rock

『JI…』

The sharp thrust of Rock’s weapon pierced through the beetle’s body.

The great beetle that fell did not cry out. It naturally did not emit a death wail either. Instead, it writhed on the ground, moving its wings and limbs erratically, and finally, spasmed twitchingly as it perished.

『Hmm, unremarkable. 』-Rock

“Is this the time to be saying that!” -Ur

While throwing a retort at the smug Rock, Ur also followed him. Mimicking him, he used his shield to knock the beetle’s horn upwards from below. Swiftly swinging his Dragonfang Spear, he pierced through the exposed torso.

“Nice…” -Ur

Ur let out a small breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment from the smooth execution of his actions. That wasn’t bad at all.

『You’re in good form, is it thanks to your newly adjusted spear? 』-Rock

“Just the blade part.” -Ur

The Dragonfang Spear, in very rough terms, was divided into three parts.

The handle, the skeleton and most crucial part of the spear, used to grip and swing.

The magic core, the heart of the Dragonfang Spear, which stores magical power and releases offensive magic.

The blade, which functions as a spear and, during a “Roar”, opens up like the mouth of a beast with movable parts.

These three.

Of them, the “magic core” could not be freshly adjusted. The magic core was not something to be replaced in the first place. It absorbs magical power like its wielder through continuous battle, enhancing itself. In other words, it was something to be cultivated.

Thus, it comes down to a choice between the handle and the blade. This time, what Ur had updated was the blade part.

Called 【White Steel】. A blade of steel that was hard, sharp, and heavy. It felt quite good to use. However, the price of one gold coin, not much different from the purchase amount of the main body, was something to be pondered upon.

“…Ugh, maintaining this thing sure does cost a lot…

…I’m starting to feel like a normal weapon might be better. Maybe a simple spear.” -Ur

『But the ‘beam’ is handy, isn’t it? 』-Rock

“Yeah, it is…” -Ur

Money is involved. Maintenance is essential. But, there is a suitable return.

The Roar of the Dragonfang Spear, which can grant the ability to even alter terrain without having to use magic, is an extremely labor-intensive weapon. However, that’s precisely why it doesn’t become obsolete. Being able to wield a portable cannon against monsters, the threat to humanity, is a significant advantage.

“Well, I’ll think about it a bit more, la,ter!” -Ur

With a swing from above, he crushes another creature. The presence of the monster disappears. However, this place is a dungeon, and even if the enemies are annihilated temporarily, the monster attacks never cease.

“Let’s move after I collect the magic stones into the storage bag.” -Ur

Thinking so, he suddenly realizes something. The bodies of the bugs have not dissipated. They remain.

“…The bodies are still here.” -Ur

『What? Is that strange? 』-Rock

“…Well, regardless of the monsters outside the city, most of the monsters inside the dungeon should be freshly spawned, so their bodies are supposed to dissipate after they die…” -Ur

Those that don’t dissipate are monsters that have gained flesh over time. It means that they have managed to survive away from adventurers for that duration, becoming stronger. However, these bugs did not feel that strong when he fought them.

Perhaps they were monsters that happened to survive successfully, or maybe—

“…Well, whatever. I’ll think about it later.” -Ur

In any case, he slices open their bellies, exposes the magic stones, and brings the special “magic stone storage bag” that he received from Diz close to collect them. Then, Ur and the others move quickly, their destination nearly in sight.

“In any case, it’s money… If it weren’t for the money problems, we wouldn’t need to worry so much.” -Ur

『Shall we earn it here, then? This is that so-called Dungeon of Sin, isn’t it? 』-Rock

“We don’t have time to slowly accumulate money or fame.” -Ur

『Well then, we have no choice but to make a splash. Especially against ‘that’. 』-Rock

The moment Rock uttered the word ‘that’, a peculiar sound, or rather a cry, reached Ur’s ears. A rather deflating cry of “Moke Moke Moke-“, the fluttering sound of unsightly wings devoid of grace, and a foul odor mingled with a beastly stench began to waft through the air.

Ur and Rock shut their mouths. Then, they snuck into a spot where the wildflowers grew tall and seemed easy to hide in, sprinkling holy water around them. They cast a simple barrier to block magical powers.

『I don’t like it, it’s hard to see through this thing. 』 -Rock

“Endure it until Shizuku learns the magic.” -Ur

While grumbling to each other in hushed voices, the two held their breath. Then, ‘it’ appeared, accompanied by heavy footsteps.

『ＭＯＫＥＫＥＫＥＫＥＫＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥ！！！！！』

With a vivid peach-colored body, as flamboyantly conspicuous as the surrounding toxic flowers, it strode forth on two legs, from which grew ominous claws. Gigantic wings, a muscular torso, a massive “ominous bird.”

Called the Poison Omen Bird, it was a monster with a bounty on its head in the Dungeon of Sin, Lust.

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TL Note(s)

[1] Locke changed to Rock