Chapter 21: Testing the Waters in a Cave Dungeon

Draped in the black robe now synonymous with [Perception Inhibition], I arrived once again at the Black Iron Dungeon. It was a beginner-level crawl, classified as a cave-type. I stepped inside and moved at a full sprint, keeping to the shadows to avoid being spotted.

The place had become a sensation on the internet, so there was a real chance someone might recognize me. I still couldn't quite wrap my head around the scale of my own popularity—I suppose the common sense of my old world was still holding me back.

"We should be safe enough here," I muttered. "This is probably the deepest level."

"Reima, what are we doing here?" Lycoris asked.

"Just gauging my strength. It’d be a help if you kept watch."

"Understood. Just don't overdo it."

"I know. If things get ugly, I’m counting on you to bail me out."

I went over what I’d learned about Dungeons from Reima’s notebooks. Unlike the first one I’d supposedly cleared, cave-type Dungeons were characterized by monsters spawning from every conceivable direction.

The mechanics were essentially those of an RPG; the types of monsters shifted depending on the depth. Apparently, there were also floor-type Dungeons that functioned more like a roguelike game.

"Let’s see... what else did he write about cave-types? Right, they drop magic stones."

Even in the other world, monsters had dropped magic stones. In this world, they were only found in cave and floor-type Dungeons, which was why most Adventurers flocked to them. It was their primary source of income. Those stones were packed with mana and served a variety of purposes, effectively acting as the backbone of modern technology.

"Here they come. [Weapon Summon]."

I called forth a straight sword. I wasn't sure how the rules worked for everyone else in this world, but those with an aptitude for being a Summoner could house their contracted Summoned Beasts within their souls. As an extension of that, they could also store equipment and items.

The downside was the heavy mana cost required to pull things in and out. The more magical power an object possessed, the more it drained the user.

"Well, let's get to work."

Standing before me was a gorilla-like monster covered in silver fur. It was a Silverback—the same name they used in the other world. I decided to use it as my first test subject.

As we traded blows, I mentally flipped through Reima’s strategy notes. Naturally, he’d documented this creature. I remembered how he’d written out the counter-tactics in exhaustive, meticulous detail.

"Long arms," I whispered, observing the beast to verify the knowledge. "Those abnormally developed limbs are specialized for destruction, but..."

I wanted to prove his theories. I wanted to confirm that the effort the original Reima had left behind wasn't in vain. I closed the distance.

"Because of that massive physique, it can only throw wide, heavy swings. It’s vulnerable once you slip inside its guard."

I combined his knowledge with my own combat experience from the other world. Without even needing magical support, I slid right under the monster's reach. Back in the other world, I’d never been much for finesse; I’d mostly relied on brute-forcing my way through problems with an ever-increasing mana pool and support spells.

But this world was a different story. It was full of unknowns, and I didn't know how far raw power would take me. That was why I had to rely on Reima’s legacy—the knowledge of a man who had never stopped trying to understand this world and its Dungeons.

"And the weak point is the magic stone in the left chest—"

I drove the straight sword home. The Silverback died instantly, its body dissolving into nothingness. I confirmed the magic stone drop and scanned my surroundings, refusing to let my guard down.

"More of them, huh?"

A pack of black dogs known as Hellhounds spawned alongside their masters, the humanoid shadows called Shadow Humans. The dogs breathed fire, while the shadows boasted razor-sharp claws that belied their murky forms.

I spent the next hour fighting my way through the Dungeon. Eventually, I decided to call it a day. It wasn't that I was tired; I’d simply cleared out all the high-ranking monsters in the area. Besides, my parents would be home soon. It would be a headache if I wasn't there when they arrived.

"I only saw one... I guess Minotaurs really are rare."

There were six types of high-ranking monsters in the Black Iron Dungeon: Silverbacks, Hellhounds, Shadow Humans, Red Panthers, Killer Limberas, and the Minotaur. I’d only encountered the one.

"Reima, something’s coming," Lycoris said, manifesting beside me. "Three sets of human footsteps, and one big one."

"Copy that."

A moment later, the owners of the footsteps burst into the deepest chamber. It was a party of three Adventurers—one man and two women. They looked at me and panicked.

"A solo?!"

"Run! Get out of here!"

Seconds later, their pursuer emerged from the shadows: a Minotaur. Unlike the brown-furred one I’d killed earlier, this one had blue fur. It was clearly on a different level.

I could have escaped easily. And honestly, fighting in front of witnesses was a terrible move if I wanted to avoid becoming a headline. But...

I can't just leave them to die. "Hey! Over here, you lot!"

I didn't see any floating cameras, so they probably weren't live-streaming. That meant I didn't have to worry about a video going viral.

There was no time to talk. Fortunately, the man—likely the leader—made the right call and led his team straight toward me.

"Good choice. Now, leave the rest to me. [Weapon Summon]."

A standard straight sword wasn't going to cut it here, especially since it was already chipped. I called for something else.

"Come, Lycoris Death Scythe."

A massive scythe appeared in my grip, its blade adorned with spider lily motifs. It was a gift from Lycoris back in the other world—a weapon imbued with poison and soul-eroding properties. It was designed for a single, terminal strike.

The Minotaur brandished its club. It recognized the scythe as a genuine threat and locked its gaze on me.

Minotaurs were bull-headed monsters with physical strength that defied human logic. Their style was similar to a Silverback's brute force, but their humanoid frames made them far more agile. Some were even capable of using actual techniques.

The beast lunged, swinging its club in a massive arc. I didn't even think about blocking it; taking a hit like that would be suicide. I dodged, kicked the club upward to throw the monster off balance, and used that split second of diverted vision to vanish into its blind spot.

"It's over."

I swung the scythe, cleaving the Minotaur in half from the head down to ensure it stayed dead.

Silence returned to the cavern. I turned toward the Adventurers, only to find the man staring at me with stars in his eyes.

What now? I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it.

"That was incredible! Uh, my name is Rin! Please, can I have your autograph?!"

"Gratitude first, Rin," one of the girls snapped. She looked at me apologetically. "I'm so sorry. He's an idiot, but thank you for saving us."

"It's fine. Are you all unhurt?"

"We're okay! But man, that magic... you're a Summoner, right? How do you even get that strong?!" Rin was practically vibrating with excitement.

I was starting to feel overwhelmed by his energy when the other girl, who had been silent until now, narrowed her eyes.

"Wait... that look. Are you the Black Robe?"

Crap.

"Uh... [Summon]!"

The moment I realized I’d been made, I called for Luna. I barked a command through our telepathic link and bolted from the depths of the Dungeon before they could say another word.