Akatsuki Translations

The sandworm was dead.

Just seconds after Ur tossed a bottle filled with concocted poison into the gaping maw of the sandworm as it attempted to pass by, a tremendous death roar and violent tremors echoed, followed by silence. Upon checking, they found the sandworm had died.

“…Is it really dead?” -Ur

“It’s dead. Its body is already beginning to be decomposed and absorbed by the dungeon.” -Shizuku

“I thought it might work, but I didn’t expect… this.” -Echelle

While Ur was surprised by the outcome, Echelle was frozen in astonishment that her strategy had succeeded.

“Why… how did such a huge thing die?” -Echelle

“The poison must have worked.” -Ur

“You said it wouldn’t work on strong ones.” -Echelle

“Guess it wasn’t strong then.” -Ur

“I’ve 【analyzed】 it, and it seems to have been a rank eleven.” -Shizuku

The monster was of a lower rank than the crystal golem. Doubtful at first, but upon reflection, it made sense. Monsters are born of magic, aberrations against the natural order, yet their strength adheres to it. To grow stronger, a monster needs time to absorb magic.

“And this dungeon is relatively new. So, it hadn’t had time to grow.”  -Ur

『Was it all just size with no substance? Maybe we could have beaten it in a straight fight. 』-Rock

“Its size was real, alright. Fighting a giant charging at us with that speed would’ve been asking for trouble.” -Ur

『Yeah, that makes sense… Ah, found it. 』-Rock

Rock, who had been sifting through the disintegrating body of the monster, called out. Since they had defeated the monster, they needed to retrieve its magic stone, but Rock had to check manually because the “collection bag” Diz provided didn’t react to the stone due to physical obstructions. Without direct retrieval, the magic stones would be absorbed by the dungeon once the “attraction magic” wore off.

Thus, when Rock reported his find, Ur was relieved, but his expression soured upon seeing what Rock brought back.

“…Are there too many magic stones?” -Ur

The haul was excessively large.

『This is about as many as we got from the ‘Omen Bird,’ right? 』-Rock

Rock was carrying a significant amount of magic stones, varying in size. Some were broken, but combined, they matched the size of the rank nine bounty head 【Poison Omen Bird】. Depending on the quality of magic, it could be worth a gold coin, a significant profit considering the effort involved.

But Ur’s expression was not one of delight. Echelle tilted her head, puzzled.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy? It’s a good thing.” -Echelle

“An unearned reward isn’t always welcome.” -Ur

“Even if it’s a plus?” -Echelle

“How would you feel about getting absurdly paid for a job you barely did?” -Ur

Upon hearing that, Echelle fell silent, pondering, then frowned.

“…Feels unpleasant.” -Echelle

“Right?” -Ur

Whether the analogy was perfect or not, accepting it cheerfully would be overly optimistic.

For now, they stored the magic stones in the bag and returned to the White King Formation.

“Rank eleven was correct, right? Shizuku.” -Ur

“Definitely. Perhaps these magic  stones weren’t originally one but gathered from various places.” -Shizuku

“Meaning?” -Ur

“This monster had been devouring other monsters in the waterway. Maybe the stones from those it ate gathered here?” -Shizuku

Ur nodded in understanding at Shizuku’s words. The behavior of this monster was indeed unusual compared to normal monsters. They had learned in the 【Dungeon of Sin, Lust】 that monsters could become feral and act independently over time, but aggressively devouring fellow monsters was a different pattern.

If this sandworm had an inherent trait of consuming other monsters, then Shizuku’s explanation made sense.

“But if that’s the case, why did it keep accumulating magic stones after devouring other monsters without consuming them for physical maintenance? It’s weird to just stockpile magic stones.” -Echelle

『Maybe it was in the middle of eating them? Or perhaps it just digests slowly. 』-Rock

“’There’s no need to consider that line of thought.’” -Shizuku

Amidst the confusing information, Shizuku made a clarifying statement, causing Ur to tilt his head in confusion.

“What do you mean?” -Ur

“If that’s the correct explanation, then we’ve merely benefited from the situation. What we should be considering isn’t the best-case scenario but the worst.” -Shizuku

“That makes sense.” -Ur

“Considering the worst-case scenario, there’s one thing that comes to mind. Why it collected a large number of magic stones from the surrounding monsters but didn’t consume any of them.” -Shizuku

Shizuku looked towards the direction where the sandworm had been.

“There’s a possibility that the magic stones had a purpose other than for the creature itself.” -Shizuku

Silence took over the room. Nothing about her statement was reassuring.

“Purpose?” -Ur

“Of course, we don’t know what that might be, but we can guess where they were being collected.” -Shizuku

Shizuku spread the 【Footprints in Fresh Snow】 and chanted. The grimoire glowed, and its pages floated in the air, revealing a map of the area. The dungeon of flesh roots that had formed over the original waterway was displayed before them.

The underground waterway was complex and intertwined, but there was no indication that any paths were blocked. Despite the twists and turns, ultimately, all paths led to the center.

“Here, it seems.” -Shizuku

『A place that continued to gather so many magic stones, huh? 』-Rock

“There’s really no choice but to go there, huh…” -Ur

I really don’t want to go.

Ur internally voiced his complaint for what felt like the umpteenth time.

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After deciding to head towards the center, Ur and his party encountered several sandworms and monsters that had fled from these sandworms, engaging in numerous battles along the way. It turned out that the magic stones obtained from the first sandworm were quite a “jackpot,” and while they were able to defeat more sandworms, the magic stones they obtained afterward were inconsistent.

Of course, there were times when they hit the jackpot, but considering the risk of a sandworm suddenly attacking during battles with other monsters, it was difficult to say that this was a good hunting ground. If it were, the White Serpent would have made the underground their hunting grounds rather than the surface, which seemed only natural.

Thus, after several hardships, Ur and his party finally reached the central part of the fifth layer waterway of the Dragon-Devoured City of Uuga.

“…Alright, everyone, get ready.” -Ur

Ur stopped and called out to everyone.

『The center of the dungeon, where the magic power concentrates and the place where the sandworm collected the magic stones by even killing its kin, is ahead. 』-Rock

“Stop listing facts in such a demoralizing way, Rock.” -Ur

『But we have no choice but to go, right? 』-Rock

“I know that… Echelle.” -Ur

“What?!” -Echelle

Ur addressed Echelle, who was clearly tense. She responded, but her nervousness was palpable, which wasn’t exactly a good sign.

Of course, Ur was nervous too. However, thanks to the harsh experiences up to this day, he had somewhat mastered the art of being tense and relaxed at the same time, a skill Echelle had yet to acquire.

“Today is just reconnaissance. As long as we can gather information without overdoing it, that’s good. If things look bad, we’ll immediately retreat. Got it?” -Ur

“I-I know! I mean…” -Echelle

“If you think it’s dangerous, call for help. We’ll find a way to assist you.” -Ur

Echelle nodded vigorously several times. Though not entirely reassuring, her willingness to accept their advice was at least a better sign. Ideally, Ur would have liked some assistance too, but mentioning that to her now would be too harsh.

“Let’s go.” -Ur

Once again, Ur and his party advanced. Soon, the pathways formed by the flesh roots ended, and the central part of the waterway, the heart of the Dragon-Devoured City, Uuga, was revealed.

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Somewhere in the “Temporary City.”

The place was so dark and stagnant that even the protection of the Sun God, the absolute deity illuminating the world, could not reach it.

Most inhabitants of this world despise darkness. The sun shining in the sky is seen as a symbol of divinity; hence, places untouched by sunlight are avoided as much as possible.

Although cities utilize underground spaces due to land constraints, residential areas are always established above ground. Nobody desires to live underground. Even the Nameless ones outside the city’s dwellings do not wish to live in places devoid of light.

Darkness in this world is instinctively avoided. Even lucrative dungeon exploration, often requiring delving deep underground, is avoided by many.

Thus, those who willingly immerse themselves in darkness are said to have something shady about them, hiding from the eyes of the Sun God, plotting misdeeds.

“The flower of vice blooms in darkness,” is a cautionary saying whispered among city dwellers.

《How is the progress on that matter? 》

Now, those exchanging words in the darkness were indeed attempting to let the flower of vice bloom.

Hidden in the dark, listening to the words from a communication crystal in a lightless room, the hooded figure was undoubtedly steeped in vice.

“Progress is smooth. The emergence should begin shortly.”

《…………Too slow. 》

The communication partner muttered tersely.

《How much longer will it take? It’s been months since we started. 》

“Please forgive the delay. It takes time for the egg to crack. There’s no easy way.”

《The 【Hero】 is here. That detestable rat. 》

Ignoring the explanations and excuses, the communication partner continued. There was no raise in their voice, but the mention of the Hero was filled with intense irritation.

《Despite being nothing more than a lowly servant not blessed by the Sun God, the ‘Hero’ interferes with our plans at every turn. Just when we thought this matter would finally be resolved, all because of ‘that fool’ attracting unnecessary filth. 》

“I understand your feelings. However, the ‘Hero’ has not left their carriage since arriving here. Perhaps still healing from the wounds inflicted by the dragon of the Seven Kings.”

《――――Can’t you deal with them now, while we have the chance? 》

“It would be careless. Provoking them and risking our plans being discovered is dangerous.”

《Detestable. 》

Once again, disdain was voiced. The voice did not show the face or figure on the crystal, but it was easy to imagine the sour expression of the speaker.

《Make sure the Hero does not interfere. Succeed at all costs, or consider it the end. 》

“Understood.”

The communication through the crystal ended. The glow of the crystal faded, and the room was engulfed in even deeper darkness, with only the dim light of a small magic lantern flickering. After a moment of silence, a soft murmur was heard.

“Petty creature.”

The figure swatted the crystal away disdainfully. The pitiful communication tool rolled on the ground, but the figure made no move to pick it up, silently extinguishing the light and leaving the room.

“Before that man loses his nerve, I must finish this.”

With those words, the door closed, and true darkness enveloped the room. No one capable of seeing through the pitch-black space.

《…………………Suspi~cious. 》-Akane

Naturally, no one noticed the sprit-bound crimson-gold entity, taking on a form akin to a slime, stealthily eavesdropping from the ceiling of the room.

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Dragon-Devoured City, Uuga, Fifth Underground Layer

“…What the hell is this?” -Ur

Ur was speechless at the sight before him. The reactions of the others, were similar.

The scene that unfolded before Ur and his party at the center of the underground waterway, presumably the heart of the Dragon-Devoured City Uuga, was entirely different from what they had braced for.

“Is this a… 【True Magic Core】?” -Lynne

Lynne voiced her speculation doubtfully, pointing at “it.” Indeed, “it” emitted a strong magical light, resembling the dungeon core, the 【True Magic Core】, that Ur and his party were familiar with.

However, there was a fundamental difference. To put it bluntly, a 【True Magic Core】 is essentially just a massive chunk of magic stone.

It definitely would not have “numerous artificially inscribed magical formulas on its surface.”

『…No, what is that thing? 』-Rock

“How should I know? Echelle, any ideas?” -Ur

“How would I know?! What is this thing… Why is something like this under the waterway…?” -Echelle

“…Could this be…” -Lynne

While Ur, Rock, and Echelle were captivated by the crystal, Lynne observed and gently touched its surroundings. Being a prodigious graduate who skipped grades at the continent’s leading magical academy, she might have a clue. Ur was about to ask her, but before he could, “his left eye throbbed.”

“GET READY!” -Ur

“Here it comes!” -Shizuku  

Ur and Shizuku shouted simultaneously. Then,

『ＧＹＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡ！！！！』

From the shadow of the crystal, the dragon that Ur and his party had been pursuing all along revealed itself.