Five minutes into our exploration, we were already grimacing at how much of a nuisance the long grass had become. Standing waist-high, the stalks frequently snagged on the equipment hanging from our belts.
While the grass was reasonably sturdy, it was brittle enough that an explorer could snap it with a bit of force. However, when several strands tangled together, they offered significant resistance. If that happened during combat, it could easily hinder our movements. Furthermore...
"This sap oozing from the cut ends... it's incredibly slimy," I noted.
"Well, the plants look like they have a high oil content," Yuji added. "It stands to reason the sap would be oily too."
"If that's the case, we shouldn't snap them recklessly," Hiiragi-san said. "A little might be fine, but if too much splatters, the whole area will end up slick. I'd really rather not fight monsters in an oil slick."
I wiped the sap from my fingertips with an alcohol-soaked wet wipe, my brow furrowing as yet another concern was added to the list. It burned, it tangled, and now it was a slipping hazard. This grass was a total nightmare.
The one saving grace was that the oily mucus didn't seem to seep out if we simply stepped on the grass to flatten it.
"A battlefield with no footing... That’s a nasty thought," Yuji said.
"It would be one thing if we were fighting on ice and expected it, but not knowing where the slime has fallen makes it worse. You can prepare for a known hazard, but you can't account for something that happens randomly."
Yuji and I both frowned as we imagined the scenario. A battlefield where your footing could fail at any moment—it was the worst-case scenario. If we used Wind Magic to mow down the grass just because it was in the way, we’d basically be paving a road out of grease.
At this rate, the safest bet was to trample the grass as we went. It would take forever, though. I wondered if there was a specific magic better suited for clearing a path.
"Wait... could this be some kind of indirect trap?" Hiiragi-san asked. "You lose your footing while fighting a monster, and in your panic, you instinctively use Fire Magic and end up roasted?"
"Hmm... That’s not outside the realm of possibility."
"When people panic, they often fall back on instinct, even if those actions are forbidden," I agreed. "A psychological trap is a distinct possibility."
Just when we thought it was just highly flammable grass, it turned out to have layers of nasty tricks. Navigating the vegetation might be more important for clearing this floor than fighting the monsters themselves.
As we moved forward, carefully treading down the stalks, Yuji noticed the grass swaying unnaturally a short distance away. He extended his right arm to the side to signal us to stop.
"...Enemy. It looks like they’re lurking in the thicket ahead to the front-left."
Hiiragi-san and I tightened our grips on our weapons at Yuji’s warning.
"Let’s step back and lure it onto the path we've already cleared. It’s better to fight once we’ve confirmed its form."
"Copy that."
"Understood."
While remaining alert for any other hidden threats, we backed up along our trampled trail. Realizing we weren't going to get any closer, a single Grass Lizard emerged onto the path.
It seemed it had given up on the ambush strategy again. Was it really okay for them to be that impatient?
"It's another Grass Lizard."
"Just one, it seems. I don't sense anything else nearby."
"If it was alone, it should have been more patient and waited for a better opening," Hiiragi-san said with a sigh.
We gave the creature a look of mild exasperation. Still, we couldn't just stand there forever.
"I’ll handle this one. I left the last two to you guys," Yuji said, stepping forward.
The Grass Lizard fixed its gaze on him and lowered into an attack stance. It was the same pouncing posture the previous two had used. We’d already seen that move; it was a mistake to use it against someone like Yuji.
"..."
"Gyuh!"
The lizard lunged through the air, propelled by its powerful front legs. Having seen this once before, Yuji was ready. He remained wary of the tail as he slipped past the creature's side, his kodachi flashing in his right hand. The Grass Lizard’s head was sent spinning through the air.
"...Phew. All done."
"Impressive... I suppose?" I said.
"Thanks, I guess?"
As we talked, the Grass Lizard began to particleize in the background. Hiiragi-san noticed something and spoke up.
"Oh, look! You two, over there..."
"Hm? Oh..."
Right where the monster had vanished, an item remained.
"A skill scroll... You're lucky, Yuji."
"Yeah, looks like it."
Yuji picked it up, gave it a brief glance, and then tossed it to me.
"Daiki, can you check the contents?"
"On it. Let's see..."
I used Appraisal Analysis on the scroll. The result revealed that the skill sealed within was a Physical Enhancement passive skill. It was a mediocre result—neither a jackpot nor a total dud. We didn't need it ourselves, and while it wasn't cheap, it wasn't particularly valuable as a trade-in either.
When I told Yuji, he looked at the scroll with disappointed, half-lidded eyes.
"I see... Well, that's just the luck of the draw."
"My, you look dissatisfied," Hiiragi-san noted. "You actually got a skill scroll, Hirose-kun. I didn't get a drop at all."
"Ah, no, I didn't mean it like that... Sorry."
"It's fine. You don't need to apologize."
At Hiiragi-san’s light reprimand, Yuji looked awkward and offered a sincere apology. For my part, I was a little miffed by his reaction too. After all, I’d only gotten lizard meat.
After that exchange, we resumed our trek, trampling down the grass in search of the stairs.
Suddenly, lizards started raining from above. I know that sounds like nonsense, but they were literally falling on us. Five of them.
Well, I’d noticed they were in the small trees because they were doing a poor job of hiding their hostility, but I hadn't expected them to just drop.
"Tsk! Yuji, Hiiragi-san!"
"I see them! I'll take the two falling behind us! Deal with the ones in front and to the left!"
"I've got the left! Kokonoe-kun, take the two in front!"
"Roger! Be careful!"
We assessed the distribution of the falling Grass Lizards and shifted our formation. Since they weren't dropping in one spot but were attempting to surround us, our priority was to pick them off individually before they could form a perimeter.
It would be a pain if they managed to land and hide in the long grass to encircle us.
"First one!"
"Gyuh!"
"Gyu-gyuh!?"
I swung my blade at the lizard that landed closest to me. Noticing my approach, it tried to swing its tail to shift its weight and change its landing spot, but it was useless while it was still in the air. I could appreciate the effort, but the movement was far too slow and slight to save it.
My sword carved through the Grass Lizard, cleaving it vertically in two.
"Gyu-gyu! Gyuh!"
Seeing its companion taken down in a single stroke, the remaining lizard recognized me as a threat. It hissed and shrieked as if trying to psych itself up, its eyes wide with panic. I suppose seeing a comrade sliced in half without resistance would do that to you.
"Now... you're next."
"!? Gyuh!"
Whether it understood me or not, the Grass Lizard grew desperate and charged at me along the ground. It didn't pounce this time, likely having learned that jumping into the air was a death sentence.
However, whether it was high or low didn't change what I was going to do.
"Hah!"
"Gyuh..."
I lightly hopped over its charge and, as I landed, I brought my heel down on its tail to pin it. I had a momentary fear that it might drop its tail to escape, but apparently, these lizards didn't have that ability. With the creature pinned, I swung my sword and took its head with a single strike.
"Phew... That's that."
I confirmed that both lizards were particleizing, then looked over at Yuji and Hiiragi-san. They were both fine, of course. The lizards they had been dealing with were already dissolving at their feet.
"You guys finished?"
"Yeah, all clear."
"Same here."
It seemed we had successfully wiped them out. At first, I’d looked down on these lizards for abandoning their terrain and tactics, but I hadn't expected them to try a coordinated drop-ambush. If we hadn't noticed them and failed to intercept them in the air, their speed combined with the tall grass might have actually given us some trouble.
Of course, the fight was basically over the moment we crushed their opening move.
"Now then, time for the post-battle loot. This time we got..."
"...Meat."
"...Meat, huh."
"...More meat."
In the wake of the particleization, five pieces of lizard meat lay on the ground. For all five to drop meat... that's a 100% drop rate without even using a skinning knife. I guess this is technically a "win"?
With a distant look in my eyes, I gathered the lizard meat.
"...Yeah, let's just sell these to the Association."
"...You aren't even going to taste it?" Yuji asked.
"I don't know how to cook lizard, and honestly... it feels a bit weird to eat, doesn't it?"
It was a bit late to say that after eating orc and minotaur meat, but in my mind, Grass Lizard fell into the category of "bizarre food." Orcs were like pigs and minotaurs were like cows, so I didn't feel much resistance. But these things looked exactly like lizards, and that was a bridge too far for me.
Maybe it would be delicious, but I had zero desire to find out. To the trade-in counter they went.
"In that case, why not have my father cook it?" Hiiragi-san suggested. "He mentioned he studied all kinds of fields for his culinary research, so he might know how to prepare it."
"Eh!? Ah, w-won't that be a bother..."
"It’s fine. He actually asked me to bring him any new dungeon ingredients I found so he could research them. It might take a while before it's ready, but he'd love to try."
"I-I see..."
I could feel the conversation drifting toward eating the lizard... No, this was definitely leading to us actually consuming it. I sent a pleading look to Yuji, hoping he would help me shut it down. My hopes were ruthlessly crushed.
"Why not? If a professional cooks it, I'm sure it'll be fine. Right, Daiki?"
"Ah... Yeah. I guess."
With a barely concealed smirk, Yuji sealed my fate.
With Yuji siding with her, I couldn't bring myself to say "Absolutely not!" And so, with two votes in favor and one passive-aggressive opposition, the lizard meat tasting session was officially on the schedule. Sigh.
Dejected by the upcoming tasting, we continued our exploration for another thirty minutes before finally finding the stairs to the 31st floor. They were in a completely unexpected spot—along the left wall, not far from the stairs we'd used to enter the 30th floor. To think they were only five minutes away if we'd just walked in the right direction...
Though, given how many lizards were lurking on the shortest path, following the wall might not have been the "shortcut" it seemed.
"So... what now? Shall we head down?"
"We still have time," Yuji said. "Might as well take a look. Fortunately, the stairs back up are right there if we need them."
"I agree," Hiiragi-san said. "It's worth doing a little scouting for our next trip."
We stood before the descent and discussed our plan. We had plenty of time before we needed to start our return journey, and we weren't particularly tired or injured. The decision was unanimous.
"Alright then. Destination: 31st floor. Let's go."
Yeah!
A tasting session, huh... Well, if a professional prepares it, I'm sure it'll taste... decent? Right?