The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

On the fifth day of advancing through demon territory, we finally reached our first destination dungeon. As indicated on the map, there was a large hole in the rocky area, with natural, rough stairs leading underground.

It had the perfect atmosphere of an untouched dungeon.

According to Luney Trading Company, three elf children were supposedly imprisoned in the deepest part. While the demons' methods and motives were unclear, I didn't doubt this information, given how Luney could create such a perfect map.

"Well, we're about to enter, but... we need to change our formation first," Mererosu said, looking at our faces. The adventurers quietly waited for the leader's instructions.

Clearly, none of us had experience delving into a dungeon with a group of 10. Of course, I didn't either. We had to be careful not to turn this into a friendly fire festival.

"Let's split into teams. Since we have no information about this dungeon, we'll prioritize time efficiency. I'll divide us for maximum efficiency, so the teams will be different from our original parties. Is that okay with everyone?"

"Yes," everyone responded in unison.

Well, it shouldn't be a problem in the upper levels. From what I could see with my "Eye of Illusion," there were only weak monsters within range.

"Alright, we'll split into Team Ruruk and Team Furat. First, Team Ruruk will consist of: scout Leelin-chan, vanguard Ruruk-kun, middle guard Kemuna-kun, rear guard Lakirala-chan. And Seori-chan, you'll be paired with Ruruk-kun."

"Phew," Seori breathed a sigh of relief.

Understandably, after yesterday's blunder, there was no choice but to keep her with me. Besides, if that clumsy princess only has that breath skill as an attack method, she'd be utterly useless in the dungeon.

"Team Furat will be the remaining members: vanguard will be me and Besmond-kun, middle guard Saaya-chan and Furat-kun, and rear guard Elenora-chan and Punisuke-kun."

"Hold on, Mererosu. Why did you mix up the parties like this?" I asked.

"First, only Leelin-chan and I have the scout skill for trap detection and disarming. To deal with surprise magic attacks, we need Elenora-chan, Lakirala-chan, and Saaya-chan with Hotaru-chan who can sense magic essence. Also, assuming demons might appear, I wanted to separate Ruruk-kun and Elenora-chan who have experience with them. Of course, Elenora-chan and Lakirala-chan who can use holy magic are in different parties. For ranged attacks other than magic, there's me and Ruruk-kun. Lastly, considering the team leaders Furat-kun and Ruruk-kun, I thought this combination would be the most balanced when everyone is separated."

She's thinking about this like some brain-teaser puzzle.

Unlike me, who gave up thinking about it quickly due to its complexity, Furat seriously considered her words before nodding.

"I see. Makes sense."

"So, Ruruk-kun, I'm counting on you for your team."

"Leave it to me."

I could already see the correct route for the first three levels from here. As we were told, the upper levels didn't seem very wide for a small-scale dungeon. However, the maze would become more complex as we went deeper, so we couldn't let our guard down.

"Let's go to the first split point and separate there. Map as you go, and if you find stairs, return to the first split point and wait. Also, let's decide that if you hit five dead ends, return to the first split point as well. Got it, Ruruk-kun?"

"Yes."

What's with that gaze? It's like a mother sending her son off on a field trip.

Do I really have that little credibility? I don't think my daily conduct is particularly bad... Let me think about it for a moment, hand on my chest.

Two seconds later, I gave up thinking.

"Alright everyone, let's go!"

"I'll take the lead! Ruruk-chi, stay in the back where it's safe!"

"Okay~"

Leelin was enthusiastic.

As an S-rank adventurer who usually stays in dungeons, I wasn't worried about her capabilities. I already knew I could trust her from what we'd seen so far.

Leelin took out a magic light device and held it up as she advanced. The ground and walls were exposed earth and rock, vastly different from the well-maintained dungeons of Stoania and Bargia.

By the way, larger dungeons apparently become more comfortable environments as more resources are invested in them. The field levels adapted to specific monsters are the prime example of this.

People familiar with dungeons can apparently estimate a dungeon's scale just by looking at the entrance environment. That's what the veteran dungeon management lady told me before.

Anyway, Team Furat also entered the dungeon, keeping a slight distance behind us.

Soon we reached the first split point.

"Which way should we go?" Leelin asked.

"Ruruk-kun's team can choose," Mererosu said.

"Then we'll go right," I decided.

Kurapika also said to go right when in doubt. Come to think of it, the manga didn't finish before I died... I just remembered one more regret.

[TL notes: Hunter x Hunter Kurapika]

Well, to be honest, I already know the right path is correct. There's no need to waste time when I know the answer. I can just make excuses later.

"Alright, be careful. See you later," Mererosu said.

"Yes, you be careful too," I replied.

We waved goodbye and parted ways.

"A-Aruji..." Seori whimpered.

"It's okay. There's no danger," I assured her.

Seori, traumatized by dungeons, became anxious and clung to me. She'll probably get used to it eventually, so I'll put up with the difficulty walking for a while.

Since this was the first level, there were no traps, and Leelin progressed smoothly. There didn't seem to be any monsters in the upper levels where magic essence was thin and there was no food. It was a safe and secure dungeon journey.

Leelin, looking bored, turned back and asked, "Um, Dragon Princess-sama, I've been wondering... why do you call Ruruk-chi 'Aruji'? Are you in that kind of relationship?"

"Eh, ah, uh..." Seori stammered.

"Hey, don't panic. Where's the dignity of the dark minion?" I chided.

"M-My master and I are bound by an ancient covenant! ...Aruji, what does 'that kind of relationship' mean?" Seori whispered in my ear. Can't blame the sheltered dragon princess.

I'll leave that kind of education to Saaya (completely passing the buck).

"It probably means party leader and member," I explained.

"I understand... Hmph, Leelin or whatever your name is, I shall personally answer your ignorant doubts! We are the bearers of an eternal curse decreed by the world. But do not be ashamed of your ignorance, for the dark seal cannot be observed by beings of light..."

"Um... sorry Ruruk-chi, can you explain?"

"She says it's just a nickname within the party, so don't worry about it."

"I-I understand, Dragon Princess-sama."

It seems even Leelin couldn't understand the chuunibyou words.

Nice to have a normal thought process. I've already been infected.

Perhaps because of her outgoing personality, Leelin continued to talk to Seori several times after that. Although the shy and distrustful Seori nearly cried each time, she managed to get through it by triggering her chuunibyou mode. Translations were necessary until the end.

"Here's another fork. Ruruk-chi, which way?"

"Left."

"You haven't gotten lost at all... Ah, stairs!"

After walking for about 20 minutes, we had already reached the entrance to the second level.

I haven't looked at the map since I left the serious mapping work to the delinquent-looking Kemuna, but we must have reached it straight without any detours. The map probably doesn't even look like a map yet.

"You're amazing, Ruruk-chi. Is it maybe mystic arts?"

"It's luck."

Since it would be obvious to a mystic artist that I wasn't using any techniques, I made sure to cover it up properly.

"...Let's hurry back," Lakirala said.

"Hey Lakirala, Leelin's still in the lead on the way back. Don't move on your own," Kemuna warned.

Lakirala had immediately turned on her heel and started walking, but Kemuna stopped her.

Although there were no traps on the way we came, Kemuna was the type to strictly follow what had been decided. Lakirala also nodded obediently when Kemuna told her, saying "Sorry, big brother." This sister complex...

When we returned to the split point, Team Furat naturally hadn't returned yet.

Normally, dungeon exploration takes quite a long time. Without search techniques like Elen's or mine, even a small-scale dungeon would take several months to clear if things go smoothly.

If this dungeon has about 30 levels, it would probably take about the same amount of time.

But wait a minute. Then why did they make the rescue of the elves in the dungeon a quest? Thinking calmly, it's a bit strange. If it takes several months, it doesn't seem likely we could save the elf children.

I don't think Luney Trading Company didn't consider this.

Well, I guess they thought it was possible for us, which is why it was carried out as a designated request. Then there must be some sort of shortcut element somewhere.

In the first place, can the demons take the elf children to the bottom floor via the normal route? Even if they could, would they bother with such a troublesome thing?

"...Well, we'll check the answers later," I muttered to myself.

Honestly, now that we've come this far, we just need to wait until night when Lakirala and Hotaru fall asleep.

Then Elen should be able to use "Full scan" to grasp the entire internal structure of this dungeon. Since it's small-scale, it shouldn't be larger than Bargia. Besides, with "Full scan" we should be able to quickly find out where the elf children are.

As it was boring to just wait for Team Furat, I took out some wood from my item box and started whittling to pass the time.

What I'm making is a new toy.

The "Demon War" game I made was popular among the [White Tiger] members, so I thought I'd make something else and have them try it out when I had free time.

"Ruruk-chi, what's that?" Leelin asked.

"It's a handmade toy."

"Heh. Can we play with it already?"

"It'll be finished soon, please wait a moment... Alright, 'Color Change.'"

"Wow! The color changed! Mystic arts are amazing!"

What I made was a Rubik's Cube.

In modern society, it's a world-famous six-colored cubic sports competition.

By the way, there are mysterious geniuses running rampant in the scene, and the most surprising one I've seen is a superhuman who can complete three cubes in a few minutes while juggling. He must have been a cheat reincarnator too.

"What do you do with this?" Leelin asked.

"Try turning it. It rotates by each row."

"Wow, amazing! How does this work?!"

I understand the feeling of surprise.

When I was in elementary school, I was so curious about its structure that I disassembled it myself. I decided to make it because I vaguely remembered that.

By the way, there's no lightweight plastic in this world, so I tried several materials and found that wood worked best.

I explained the correct way to play to Leelin, who was having fun turning it around.

"You need to align 9 pieces of the same color on the same face. If you do it right, all six faces will be neatly arranged at the same time."

"No way! That's impossible!"

"Wait, Leelin. I'll give it a try," Kemuna said.

"...I'm interested too," Lakirala added.

Kemuna and Lakirala seemed more eager to take on the challenge.

From then until Team Furat returned, Kemuna and Lakirala were absorbed in playing. They kept arranging one face only to scramble it again, trying this and that.

It takes some knack. It must be quite difficult at first.

It didn't seem to suit Leelin's nature. While watching the two struggle, she said to me:

"Hey, couldn't you sell that toy? I've never seen those two so absorbed in a toy before."

"I understand why it might become popular, but mass production would be troublesome..."

"Why don't you take it to a trading company? Like Luney Trading Company, for example."

"...Hmm."

Indeed, I don't think even Luney Trading Company sells Rubik's Cubes.

It was a toy I liked too, and I do want to make things I like popular... but, bringing it to them would likely expose me as a reincarnator right away.

Until I can judge whether that's good or bad, I want to remain cautious.

While we were talking, Team Furat returned.

"Our side was no good. How about yours?"

"We found the stairs. We can guide you right away."

"As expected. Well then, let's go... Wait, what are Kemuna-kun and the others doing?"

Mererosu tilted her head in confusion.

Saaya quietly pulled on my clothes.

"Isn't that a Rubik's Cube? Did you make it?"

"Well, yeah. Want to play with it, Saaya?"

"...I'll pass."

It's a mathematical puzzle after all. She's probably not good at it.

But mystic arts are like mathematics, so I think it's perfect for practice and brain training. Glancing around, it seems neither the muscle-brained little girl nor the clumsy dragon princess are interested.

Regarding the unpopularity of my favorite toy among my close associates.

"It looks fun to spin~! I want to try too~!"

"Oh, that's right, Punisuke. I'll make one especially for you later."

"Yay nano!"

I pat and admire my adorable child.

Ah, it's healing.

Mererosu looked exasperated.

"Come on, we're leaving. No matter how fun it is, you need to switch gears properly. We didn't come here to play."

"Sorry," Kemuna and Lakirala said, looking guilty.

And so, we progressed smoothly to the second floor, then the third floor. By the way, I got suspicious looks for getting the correct route on the first try every time, but I brushed it off with a simple "It's luck."

Blaming it on luck is quite useful, isn't it?

We started to feel something was off around the seventh floor.

"Purify the evil, 'Purification'!"

Lakirala's holy magic purifies the group of moving corpses blocking our way.

How many times has this happened since we reached this floor? Lakirala had been rapid-firing holy magic more times than I could count on both hands.

The enemies are still only D-rank equivalent monsters, but all the monsters that have appeared are undead types.

Low-level undead can be destroyed in one hit even with beginner-level holy magic, so we left it to Lakirala, but her magic power was visibly decreasing, and sweat was starting to bead on her forehead.

"Are you alright? Please rest for a while."

"...Don't worry about me. I'm fine with this much. We're in a hurry, right?"

Even so, it's better to be able to use recovery magic when necessary. We can't use potions on distant targets after all.

Can't be helped.

"Kemuna-san, can you carry Lakirala-san on your back for a while? I want her to rest, but we are indeed in a hurry."

"Yeah. That much is fine."

"Is that okay with you, Lakirala-san?"

"...I-I guess it can't be helped."

Lakirala nodded while averting her gaze. You should hide that smirk on your face better, you know?

Kemuna easily picked up Lakirala on his back.

"Still, it's nothing but undead. Isn't it strange for it to be this biased?"

"Indeed. It would be quite troublesome without holy magic at this rate."

"Right. It's good that Lakirala-san is a holy magic user."

You could defeat them by splashing holy water too, but the cost-performance is bad. Holy water is expensive, you know.

"The other team has Elenora-chan, so they should be fine, right?"

"Yes. Well, even though she's a holy magic user, Elen hasn't learned magic to recover from status ailments like Lakirala-san has."

Neither I nor Elen needed it. We've never made unnecessary efforts since the old days, so we just never learned it.

In the first place, we preferred learning attack magic, and Roze didn't try to teach us either.

"Is that okay? I mean, not for Elenora-chan, but for the others?"

"It should be fine. I have about a hundred pills that have the effects of High Potion, Cure Potion, and holy water."

"What's that? I've never heard of such an item."

"It's my own creation."

"...Right. Sometimes I almost forget that you're out there because you look like a sensible person."

I wish he wouldn't make me sound like I'm ignorant of common sense.

The conversation digressed, but maybe this dungeon is a nest for undead types. I've never heard of dungeons having such characteristics, but this is a dungeon in demon territory. There might be rules we don't know about.

"The traps are still ordinary, but just in case, I'll give these to everyone."

"What's this?"

"The pills I mentioned earlier. If you feel something's wrong, don't hesitate to take one. Especially you, Leelin-san, as you're in a dangerous position."

"I understand... but isn't it a bit smelly?"

"As an adventurer, which would you choose: something odorless but dangerous, or safe but smelly?"

"I'm still a maiden, you know..."

I pushed with logic, but she didn't seem convinced.

Still, Leelin accepted it obediently.

"Here, Kemuna-san and Lakirala-san, please take these too."

"Oh."

"...I don't need it."

Lakirala frowned.

Kemuna admonished Lakirala on his back.

"Hey, it's a high-performance recovery medicine, right? There's no harm in having it."

"...B-But if I drink this... my breath..."

"That's fine, isn't it? It's not like we're kids before a date."

"...Idiot!"

"Ouch!"

Lakirala bit Kemuna's neck.

Save the flirting for later, please.

"Leelin-san, I'll take care of the monsters until Lakirala-san recovers. Please focus only on trap detection and disarming."

"Got it. But Ruruk-chi, can you detect enemies?"

"Even without a skill, I can sense through about one wall's thickness. Of course, I'm inferior to Leelin-san."

"That should be fine around here. I'll leave it to you."

"Hey Ruruk, don't push yourself too hard. Hotaru is also pretty good at enemy detection. Hotaru, help Ruruk out, will you?"

"If my master commands it."

Hotaru, who had been standing by Kemuna's side until then, came to my side.

Standing next to her, I realized anew how impressive the fox lady's presence is. I'll leave what kind of presence to your imagination.

With a slight change in our formation, we progressed through the 7th floor where undead kept spawning.

The 7th floor itself was quite large, and it took about an hour to reach the stairs. By the time we met up with Team Furat and reached the stairs, it was nighttime on the surface, so we decided to end today's exploration here.

We placed opened holy water at the entrance and exit of the room we cleared of monsters. This way, most undead monsters won't come near, making it a relatively safe zone. Of course, we still need to keep watch.

As Elen and Saaya were on the first half of the night watch, I waited until everyone was asleep before asking Elen.

"Alright, both Lakirala-san and Hotaru-san are fast asleep. Go ahead, Elen."

"Mm. 'Full scan'."

The all-purpose search magic activates.

Now, let's see what the structure of this dungeon is like.

"Mm... found elves."

"In the lowest level?"

"Mm. Sleeping."

For now, Luney Trading Company's information has been proven correct.

Now the question is how to get there.

"Is there anything besides the normal route? Like the pitfall from before?"

"Mm... no pitfall."

"None? Did the demons seriously move with the elf children?"

"Could it be a teleportation trap?"

Saaya interjected.

"You know, like the one that sent Ruruk and the others flying before. Maybe if you step on a trap somewhere, you get teleported to the boss room in the lowest level for a forced battle."

"I see, that's possible."

"Mm. One more time... 'Full scan'."

This time she checked for traps.

So she can even detect traps if she focuses on them. As expected of all-purpose search magic.

"Mm, found it. Trap room."

"Bingo."

"Can you tell where it's connected to?"

"Mm... probably, next to elf room."

So that means we can secure the elf children if we get there.

It'll take about two more days if we go the shortest route. Maybe three days if we hide our search method. Indeed, if we can use that, this quest should be achievable.

I hope Luney Trading Company didn't know about the teleportation trap too? If they even knew about hidden traps in a dungeon they've never been to, it would be beyond surprising and into the realm of astonishing.

In the worst case, we might need to consider the possibility that they're connected to the demons behind the scenes...

"By the way, we can save these elf children in 2-3 days, and then it's a 4-day journey to the mid-level demon's castle... will the elf child in the castle be okay?"

"You're right. The Guild Master seemed to want us to move in separate teams, so maybe we should have headed for the castle separately."

So that's why he wanted to ask me and Elen to act separately?

If one side is inevitably going to fight demons, I guess that's why he'd ask that.

"What should we do? Consult with Mererosu-san?"

"Yeah... I guess it's about time I tell her about the search magic too."

She might get angry and say I should have told her from the beginning, but... no, given her personality, that probably won't happen. It means revealing one of our trump cards after all.

"Let's discuss it when she wakes up. I'm going to sleep now."

"Yeah, good night Ruruk."

"Mm, good night."

Leaving the rest to Saaya and Elen on watch duty, I lay down to sleep.