Chapter 171: Snake Vine and Treasure Chest
Unexpectedly, the one that attacked them turned out to be a plant.
It was the first time he had seen such a creature before his eyes, and naturally, his curiosity was piqued.
However, he did not feel any strong sense of threat from it. It should not have reached the level of an Elite Monster.
Even so, he did not grow careless. After all, this was still a creature inside the dungeon, and it was their first encounter with it—better to remain cautious.
He pulled Arya back a few more steps, completely out of range of the bud’s attack, then immediately took out his Bone Wand.
Because its bud twisted constantly like a snake’s head, Gauss decisively pointed the wand tip at the root where it connected to the rock wall.
【Fire Bolt】
Red light quickly condensed at the wand tip.
「Hm？」
At the moment of casting, Gauss faintly sensed a sluggish resistance, as though some force within the environment was weakly suppressing fire.
But since the spell was already about to be cast, he did not dwell on it. A crimson Fire Bolt shot forth in the direction his wand was pointing.
「Boom！」
The bolt accurately struck the vine’s root. Flames roared up instantly, and the tough stem snapped under the intense heat.
The entire plant fell from the rock wall, hitting the ground with a “thud.”
After landing, that bud full of sharp thorns still twitched and bounced neurotically on the ground.
But the kill notification had already flashed before Gauss’ eyes.
「Snake Vine *1 slain」
「Total Monsters Killed: 1479」
Successfully unlocked the 21st type of Normal Monster in the Monster Encyclopedia!
「Acquired Title: 【Snake Vine Hunter】. This title will upgrade as the kill count increases.」
「Current Effect: Danger Premonition. When a hidden Snake Vine attempts to ambush you, you will sense danger beforehand.」
Gauss withdrew his attention from the Interface.
Having just entered the second floor of the dungeon not long ago and already expanding the Monster Encyclopedia, he felt quite pleased.
But…
Looking at the flame that quickly extinguished, Gauss frowned slightly.
Did the fire go out faster than usual?
Was it due to the moist vapor filling the air? Or perhaps the second floor of this dungeon inherently suppressed flames?
That sluggish feeling when he cast earlier seemed to confirm this.
Still, it was a good thing—at least he did not have to worry about setting off a wildfire in this vegetation-filled second floor.
On the ground, the Snake Vine’s bud continued its unconscious spasms and twitching.
Gauss glanced at it warily. Since the kill had already registered on the Interface, most likely this was just like many creatures that still moved briefly after death—mere reflex or residual stress response.
The Snake Vine itself was not very dangerous. Its range of movement was limited, and as long as one avoided the bud’s frontal bite, striking its fixed root would easily kill it.
However, for those encountering it for the first time without warning, it could certainly catch them off guard.
「Seems we’ll need to be extra cautious.」 Arya patted her chest. 「This floor must have many more disguised creatures like this.」
Even seemingly harmless plants might suddenly open blood-filled maws to bite.
From then on, they proceeded even more carefully along the path.
After the Snake Vine’s ambush, Gauss and Arya also made sure to check overhead.
Sure enough, they soon encountered several more Snake Vines.
But with deliberate vigilance, they caused little trouble, merely adding to Gauss’ ever-climbing Monster Encyclopedia kill count.
「Gauss, can you identify this one？」
Arya pointed at a tall plant bearing fruits like lanterns.
Gauss felt it looked familiar, but he still approached cautiously. The wand tip glowed white as he gently tapped a fruit.
【Lantern Fruit】
Description: A peculiar fruit grown by plants in damp, dark environments. The skin is tough and semi-transparent. Inside is a sticky pulp glowing warm yellow, rich in nutrients and edible.
Seeing the result of the Identification Spell, Gauss immediately recalled seeing it in the 《Complete Ingredient Guide Around the Emerald Forest》.
「Good stuff！」
Gauss swallowed hard.
His stock of dried frog meat was already more than half gone.
Though he had later obtained dried Frost Serpent Meat, it was limited and would eventually run out.
So, before entering the dungeon, he had wondered if he could find another high-energy reserve food among the magical creatures and resources within.
This looked like just the thing.
It could be preserved as candied fruit, or made into jam.
And Arya should be able to eat it as well.
Hearing Gauss’ Identification result, Arya was equally delighted.
The two quickly took out their small knives, carefully cutting the vine stems holding the fruit. Soon, several palm-sized, plump, round lantern-like fruits lay in glowing orange piles on the ground.
At the sight of such a harvest, Gauss wore the simple, honest joy of an old farmer.
「I’ll try it first.」
They had walked a while and were somewhat thirsty.
The fruits’ plump, juicy appearance was irresistible.
But Gauss stopped the eager Arya first.
Of course, this was not greed.
It was because he had 【Prestidigitation】 and, with his “Iron Stomach,” he was the best tester.
He picked a ripe fruit, used Prestidigitation to clean the surface, and took a big bite.
「Crunch！」
The tough yet crisp skin split, releasing thick, sweet juice bursting with fragrance. It spread across his tongue instantly.
In just a few bites, Gauss devoured the Lantern Fruit whole. When he finished, orange-glowing juice still clung to the corners of his mouth, making him look a little silly.
Arya noticed and could not help but smirk secretly.
But Gauss did not care.
Meeting her gaze, he nodded firmly, fully endorsing this new addition to their food stock.
「Delicious！」
He cleaned another fruit with magic and handed it to her.
Arya eagerly bit down.
Immediately, sweet juice filled her lips.
In the dim light, a soft orange glow spread around her mouth, like glowing lip gloss.
「Haha…」 Gauss laughed aloud.
The humor lay in the fact that Arya, who never wore makeup, now looked like she had clumsily applied fluorescent lipstick.
Arya, happily munching, looked up at the sound, throwing him an innocent glare.
She had held back her own laughter earlier…
Still, with such delicious fruit, she had no mind to argue.
She quickly finished her fruit and let out a satisfied burp.
Then she swiftly took out a handkerchief to wipe her lips.
Gauss licked away his own juice but saw that after Arya wiped hers, the glow had spread further across her face, making an even brighter patch.
「What？」 Sensing his odd expression, Arya asked curiously.
「N-nothing.」
Gauss decided not to mention her “glowing makeup.” She could not see it anyway.
Stowing dozens of precious fruits carefully into their Small Storage Bag, they moved forward again.
Not far ahead, the path abruptly ended.
A massive sunken platform appeared beneath them, dropping over ten meters.
The platform was broad, its edges dotted with ponds bubbling strange green foam, exuding a faint acrid stench.
And at its very center, one object shone brightly in the dim surroundings—an enormous, glittering Treasure Chest!
「A treasure chest！」
Arya, who had been pondering Gauss’ meaningful smile earlier, instantly had her attention stolen by the glowing chest. Her eyes practically sparkled.
The chest gleamed with a brand-new dark-red sheen, inlaid with dazzling gems and shining precious metal trim. Its design was lavish.
Such ornate appearance naturally made one imagine even greater treasures within.
Gauss too, at first, felt a surge of excitement.
But very quickly…
「Something’s wrong—too suspicious！」 Memories of “Treasure Chest PTSD” from games and shows in his past life instantly triggered alarm bells. He must be careful!
But… that chest was so shiny！
Even if it were empty, just prying off the decorations would fetch a fortune.
Gauss and Arya exchanged glances.
Without words, they both read the same gleam in each other’s eyes.
The 《Dungeon Guide》 did mention that true treasure chests existed, storing precious loot. But so too did traps disguised as treasure chests. Until opened, there was no way to know if it was the dungeon’s gift—or its malice.
Still, having come this far into the dungeon, how could they possibly just turn away from a treasure chest？
「How do we get down？」
Arya looked at the drop.
There seemed to be no solid anchor points for a rope.
Gauss scanned the rocky wall. Soon, he found a path. Thick vines grew along one side, with protruding rocks forming natural steps every few meters.
「We can climb down there.」
He pointed.
「Should I go scout first？」
At their current position, the chest was too far away for Gauss’ spells. He intended to climb down and, once within range of Mage Hand, attempt to open it.
「No, let’s go together.」 Arya shook her head.
Though she could support him from range, this was still the dungeon—not the outside world. If Gauss went alone and something happened, she would be unable to help.
Gauss was about to argue, but seeing the firmness in her eyes, he swallowed his words.
Leaving her above might not be safe either.
What if the dungeon’s danger lay precisely in reversing expectations？
Better to act together—they could cover each other.
「Alright, we’ll go together.」 Gauss nodded.
The two climbed down along the vines, pausing on the rock steps now and then.
The wolf Ulfen followed behind, leaping down nimbly onto the platforms.
Before long, the two, their wolf, and their raven reached the sunken platform.
At its center, the dazzling Treasure Chest seemed even more radiant now, silently urging the adventurers to draw nearer.