New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (1/3 chapters)
Melana Cave (2)
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On our way to the Melana Dungeon, we passed through a graveyard. The sight unavoidably reminded us of death. Soon after, we arrived at the dungeon. The entrance resembled a cave, with a cold wind blowing from deep within.
Is there a separate exit from this entrance?
“Finally!” (Alan)
“Alan, really…” (Peter)
“What is it, Peter? Are you going to give up after coming this far?!” (Alan)
Alan’s voice, raised in excitement, also trembled.
The earlier passage through the graveyard might have caused the two of them mental distress.
“Jack, you have to stop Alan!” (Peter)
“Me? The boss’s orders are absolute. I can’t say anything.” (Jack)
Isaiah Aldridge’s words were also absolute.
I recalled that thought for a moment. However, I couldn’t let Peter chicken out here. I needed to encourage both of them, defeat the gargoyles, obtain the gems, and get my share. Otherwise, I would die. For me, it was either being killed by monsters or starving to death. There was no room for retreat.
“Jack, you’re a man. As the boss, you stand tall.” (Alan)
Alan nodded, murmuring his agreement. Then, it turned into a sly smile.
“Then, I’ll give you the honor of taking this memorable first step.” (Alan)
“Eh?!” (Jack)
“This is a very prestigious matter. Yes, there are torches in that bag too. Use them to light the way as we go forward.” (Alan)
Alan carelessly put me in the line of fire with that thought.
…Still, could we even defeat gargoyles in this state of fear?
“I understand. But I’m just a weakling. You two handle the monsters, please.” (Jack)
“Y-Yeah! We’ll take care of that!” (Peter)
“Alright, then I’ll go!” (Alan)
Calm down. You are already dead. Dying now isn’t a big deal. Don’t be afraid, a lone warrior knows no fear.
With Peter igniting the torch with his fire magic, we finally entered the dungeon. They said Melana was for beginner adventurers, but that information flew out of my mind as I was overwhelmed by fear. The moment I stepped inside, a monster might reach out from the darkness and kill me instantly. The darkness of the cave was right in front of me. Carefully illuminating the surroundings with the torch, I took my first step…
“…” (Jack)
Inside the dungeon beyond the darkness. It was unusually cold, much colder than outside.
“Hey, Jack, how is it?!” (Alan)
Alan’s loud voice echoed from behind.
Were they not in yet?
“Boss, there’s nothing here. Please, come on in.” (Jack)
“Okay, Peter, did you hear that? I’m coming in!” (Alan)
Thus, the brat party descended into the dungeon.
—
A little further in, we arrived at an open area that clearly suggested something was about to appear. Alan was trying to act tough, raising his chin and gritting his teeth. Peter clung to him, and was shaking.
“What’s up? Nothing’s coming out. What a letdown!” (Alan)
Alan’s voice echoed in the narrow dungeon.
“Boss, there’s still deeper ahead. If there’s nothing, let’s proceed.” (Jack)
“Don’t rush me! I know!” (Alan)
As Alan raised his voice, something dripped from above. I looked up, but there was nothing. I touched my hair, checking the liquid that dripped onto my fingers.
“Boss, a droplet… No, blood?” (Jack)
Just as I was about to say that, something attacked from above. A looming black shadow. An ambush from the darkness, its nature unclear.
Kii! Kii!
“What the?! A gargoyle!” (Alan)
Alan was startled and immediately cast a spell.
Ice particles formed around him, and before long, they turned into silver spheres and scattered in chaotic directions. Peter curled up on the spot, pressing his head down.
“Take this! Ice Drop!” (Alan)
Kii! …!
It seemed to have hit several targets, as they appeared to have perished.
When I illuminated the area with the torch, I found two or three large, pitch-black bats lying dead. The other huge bats fled in the face of their fallen comrades.
“Phew… phew… ha ha… ha ha…” (Alan)
Even as he struggled to breathe, Alan was laughing.
It seemed that defeating the monsters in the dungeon had boosted his confidence.
“Did you see that, Peter?! I did it!” (Alan)
“Alan, you’re amazing!” (Peter)
Peter praised Alan. It seemed they had realized their skills were effective against the enemies here, and both of them had bright expressions. I still hadn’t contributed, but their morale had surely increased.
“Alright, let’s keep moving!” (Alan)
“Yes, Boss.” (Jack)
“Okay!” (Peter)
—
From there, we advanced through the dungeon as if we had come for a picnic, filled with a lighthearted atmosphere. Occasionally appearing bats and rats were easily taken down with Alan’s ice magic, [Ice Drop].
Alan and Peter began to chat, and I occasionally chimed in, joining the conversation. They talked about dreams of living in the neighboring town of Barwitch or a girl in their magic school class in Soltaire they had a crush on. Having never attended school myself, nor had proper conversations with anyone other than family or servants, I listened with great interest to their stories.
Before I knew it, I had forgotten we were in a dungeon, getting lost in conversation, sharing jokes, and advancing deeper. At this pace, perhaps I could take down the gargoyles with just a little effort, and I started to harbor a glimmer of hope. However, that was completely a bad omen.
At the cave’s depths, a large stone door awaited us. It practically screamed that gargoyles were inside. Facing it, tension crept back in.
“Have we really come this far?” (Jack)
“It’s been pretty easy, don’t you think, Jack?” (Peter)
Peter was in high spirits as we reached this point.
Where had the earlier fear gone?
We reaffirmed our intention to move forward once more, confronting the door.
“By the way, how do we open this door, Boss?” (Jack)
“Well, just watch.” (Alan)
Saying this, Alan placed his hand on the center of the door and pushed it slightly.
The door reacted to something and began to rise while rubbing the stone above. Before I knew it, Alan and Peter were fully in battle stance. By this point, both of them looked like proper adventurers. The door opened completely.
With the torch still in hand, I took the first step inside. Since I was useless in battle, I was nothing more than a scout. However, I hoped that later both of them would acknowledge that I had played an important role.
The first step is scary for anyone.
I walked deeper into the grand chamber… but there was nothing inside, not even a presence.
“Boss, it seems like there’s nothing here.” (Jack)
“What?! What do you mean?!” (Alan)
Alan relaxed his guard and approached me. Peter followed suit.
“It’s true. Maybe the gargoyles were so scared they ran away from us.” (Jack)
I wouldn’t believe it, but… If that is the case, it is convenient. If I could sneak away with the gems without any danger, that would be great. The reward might decrease, but if we could avoid danger and return, I could still get about 10,000 gold from my share.
“My power is so great that even the gargoyles flee! I can call this a dungeon conquest!” (Alan)
“With this, I can boast in class!” (Peter)
They were elated, but my goal wasn’t to satisfy their self-esteem. It was the gems. While they might have forgotten about them, for me, their existence was a matter of life and death.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a shabby cage-like structure at the very back of the grand chamber. I hurried over to check inside. Within, there was a large gem emitting a sinister black light. At its center, some kind of demon letters or emblem were engraved. I couldn’t decipher them, but this must be the gem.
If I could quietly take this away, I could claim the entire reward for myself. However, this time I hadn’t done anything. That felt too cowardly. These two could conquer the dungeon. Perhaps it would be good to continue as a party and earn a living as adventurers.
Alright, let’s share it properly.
“Hey, Boss! The gargoyle’s gem is–…” (Jack)
At that moment, I turned back to the two and was seized with terror.
Above the two of them, I saw a gargoyle easily floating with its dark, massive body. The gargoyle glared at them, but the two were oblivious.
This is dangerous!
“Boss…! W-Watch out! Run away!!” (Jack)
“Huh? What’s wrong, Jack? Why are you so flustered…?” (Alan)
Alan realized my shout at the same time the gargoyle landed right in front of them.
–Gwaaaaar!
The gargoyle let out a menacing roar.
The two couldn’t take their eyes off the gargoyle in fright, and it seemed they were unable to move from that spot.
What a malevolent monster. Even from a distance, I could feel its terrifying presence.
“…Peter! Peter, this is bad! Cast a spell!” (Alan)
“I-I… I can’t…” (Peter)
Peter was completely paralyzed, unable to get his voice out.
Alan somehow managed to shake off his fear, drew his sword, and entered a combat stance.
“Damn it!! Uwaaaahhhh!” (Alan)
Alan immediately mustered his courage and swung his sword.
–Ooooaa!!
The gargoyle swiftly swung its arm, knocking Alan and his sword away with its sharp claws.
“Gah!” (Alan)
Alan slammed into the wall, spitting out blood. As for me, my body wouldn’t move at all out of fear. The power that even sent Alan flying was unimaginable.
What could I possibly do?
“Peter, I’ll take on the enemy, so hurry and cast a spell!” (Alan)
Alan somehow focused on the enemy and shouted instructions to Peter. However, what lay ahead was already the lifeless body of a fallen comrade. Peter had been torn apart by the gargoyle’s claws, blood scattered everywhere, and he was dead.
“…P-Peter!!” (Jack)
Peter was dead. A child had just died without warning. Peter had been cheerful and excited and was excited to tell the story of his adventure to school the next day.
The boy who had desperately tried to keep up with the brashness of the leader… Did Peter, when he left home today, say “I’m off” to his mother, or when he was walking with the leader as if going on a picnic, ever imagine that he would die today? …There’s no way that could happen!
The innocent child’s little spirit of adventure, his feelings for the girl he liked, the affection from his mother. All of these were carelessly buried by this cursed monster.
“…Ugh… ugh… kuh…” (Alan)
Alan was crying before the enemy.
The gargoyle watched this with complete ease. Tears flowed profusely from Alan’s face, blood dripping from his mouth. That appearance resembled the ideal warrior I envisioned. His face showed a determination for revenge to honor the fallen Peter. However, I wanted to stop Alan. The gap in strength was too evident. If he charged in like this, Alan would be killed too.
“Alan, stop!” (Jack)
It was no longer the time to call him ‘Boss.’ I might not be able to do anything, but I ran at full speed. Suddenly, the gargoyle recognized my presence.
“Uooh! Ice Drop!” (Alan)
Alan didn’t miss that opportunity. As he unleashed his ice magic, he charged forward in a tackling position. I could sense his strong will to kill this one.
–Gwoa.
However, those sharp claws and arms mercilessly pierced through Alan’s body in a single thrust. The surrounding ice particles reached the gargoyle but caused no damage at all. Alan coughed up a large amount of blood and soon became completely motionless. The gargoyle carelessly tossed aside that brave warrior and turned its gaze towards me.
…Is this reality?
100000 gold. Such a price could never balance the loss of these two young lives. Why had I come to such a place? Money? Is such a thing truly important? I thought it was the same whether I was killed by a monster or starved to death. But that was not the case at all.
The former is far too tragic… Am I responsible for their deaths?
I had said things that were somewhat inciting. Peter had even asked me to stop Alan. I didn’t heed that, did I? All for the sake of money and this inexplicable stone I held under my arm?
Is it my fault…?
–Gwoooooooh!
The gargoyle let out a roar. Death was now imminent.
No, I would rather die. If I have to live on bearing the deaths of the two…
But the gargoyle didn’t attack at all. It stood still, glaring at me but not moving.
How long would this moment last? Fear, guilt, despair, and everything swirled within me, and I began to think this was a psychological attack orchestrated by the gargoyle.
I just want to be free from this.
Just then, I saw a massive fireball approaching from the entrance, illuminating the surroundings with intense light.
“Flame of Instant Destruction! [Fireball]!!” (??)
A familiar female voice echoed through the cave. The fireball struck the gargoyle directly, burning the target to ashes.
Through the flaming gargoyle, I could see the woman who had rescued me in Barwitch, the one who had given me my name for the first time.
“Jack, you idiot!” (Lindsay)
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