Chapter 101
The explorer team that Jiu assembled at the supply base consisted of 32 people, including everyone who happened to be there at the time.
Despite facing the unprecedented crisis of the dungeon collapsing, the explorer team decided to venture deeper to rescue the frontline explorers who were likely in even more serious danger.
First, Jiu and the explorers moved the supplies outside the supply base.
Many were crushed during the collapse or even blown up by malicious attackers, but not everything was lost.
After several hours of work using Corridor 26, they managed to relocate the base out of the enclosed space.
Of the 32, Jiu had 16 people she personally deemed trustworthy remain at the base. Ideally, she would have taken everyone downstairs. But that wasn't feasible. Resources were limited. So she split the manpower in half—some to care for the wounded and others to prepare for more hostile attackers.
"Jiu-san, what exactly is that?"
"......'Pollen Fighter'-san, this is a dungeon map sent from the surface. The Countermeasures HQ currently has maps up to the twenty-second floor. I had them send one over."
With her usual calm expression, Jiu spread out the freshly completed map.
The map was hand-drawn by Jiu herself. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the high-ranking explorers the Dungeon Foundation took pride in, and the anomalous substance possessed by "Mister," known for his speed in conquering dungeons, a real-time path that led only downward was available on the surface. Of course, it wasn't a full map, so it wasn't the most efficient route.
With communication limited, information delivery to the supply base on the fifteenth floor lagged by one step, so Jiu compensated for the delay with the black rotary phone, the "Dark Communicator," along with pen and paper.
"......Well then, let's go."
Jiu and the 16 explorers began descending.
Since everyone present was a professional explorer ranked B or higher, and they had explored the lower floors to some extent, their steps were steady.
When they reached the twentieth floor, everyone's expressions suddenly changed.
(......Everyone here is experienced, but it seems there's still some hesitation in descending further, even though this isn't a direct route to the boss room.)
Normally, B-rank explorers are restricted from going beyond the twentieth floor.
Even if they're among the top 2% of all explorers, letting your guard down here can mean death—that's the kind of world this is.
Gachin.
Sparks flew. Cracks ran along the dungeon wall.
"Die smothered in pollen, or die drenched in blood."
Suddenly, a dark-skinned man slammed a store-bought wood-splitting axe into the ground.
His lips, hidden beneath a thick beard, moved slightly.
"If it were me, I'd choose the latter."
Inspired by the words of the great warrior, the explorers began moving again.
Incidentally, none of those present understood what Pollen Fighter meant. But that was fine. Humans only understand what they want to understand. Perhaps that was exactly what Pollen Fighter wanted to convey.
Jiu adjusted her hat, cleared her throat with a "ahem," and proceeded forward with a nimble step, saying, "Let's proceed cautiously."
"......This is certainly turning into something quite bizarre."
The group, walking through the twenty-second floor, was stunned by the sudden appearance of a vast void. A gaping hole had abruptly formed ahead in the dungeon corridor. The path beyond the hole was obscured. It was such a vast space that it was impossible to imagine how wide it actually was.
Jiu knelt down and reached out to grasp the air.
When she opened her clenched hand, something like black mist spilled out.
"......Hm, this is 'Dark Mist.'"
"Jiu-san, do you know anything about this hole?"
"......No, not in detail. But it's possible that the Dark Apostle is down there."
"The Dark Apostle, huh."
Pollen Fighter grew solemn. She looked like someone who had an idea.
Meanwhile, the B-rank explorers looked confused, as if they had no idea what was being discussed.
Jiu pulled a dagger from her coat. It was an ornate dagger with elegant carvings on the blade.
With its tip, she made a small cut a few centimeters across on her palm, letting blood drip into the hole.
(Skill activation, 'Bloodfly Realm')
The fresh blood fell into the black mist by gravity.
Once it disappeared from the explorers' sight, the blood transformed into flies and began heading toward the bottom of the hole. The blood was part of an ancient skill. The flies represented a forbidden aspect of it.
(......No one remembers anymore, but I'll hide it just in case.)
While Jiu was scouting,
the explorers each peered into the hole in their own way.
"So, how was it, Jiu-san?"
Called upon by Pollen Fighter, Jiu turned around.
With a blank expression, she pointed to the bottom of the hole.
"......The mist is too thick—I couldn't reach the bottom."
(......As I thought, the Dark Mist seems to erode mystical power. Even the flies' operating range is limited by this.)
"So... what does that mean, exactly?"
One of the nearby explorers asked, looking worried, waiting on Jiu's next words.
"......We have no choice but to descend."
To the hesitant explorer, she spoke calmly and firmly.
"To descend into the depths of darkness, huh. Hm, it's an act no different from hurling oneself into a cloud of pollen."
"......The clawed man who attacked the base, and now this Dark Mist—it's turning into quite the mess. If only Shurado were here for this kind of emergency......"
Jiu furrowed her brow and glared into the bottom of the hole.
"......However, what should we do? Going down may be possible, but we won't be able to climb back up like this."
"Then allow me. Compared to wiping out cedar pollen, this is nothing."
Pollen Fighter stepped forward, rummaged through her pocket, and tossed something up at the corridor ceiling.
Instantly, tree roots spread across the ceiling, and in the next moment, a thick, sturdy giant tree began growing straight downward.
The tree burst through the dungeon corridor and continued growing like a laser beam into the depths of darkness, until finally, it stopped.
"I've devoted my entire life to hunting pollen."
(......It seems we'll just have to accept that statement as-is. A-rank explorers really are all inexplicable people.)
Including Jiu, the explorers present couldn't help but feel both awe and dread toward Pollen Fighter's incomprehensible superpowers. Still, there was no denying that in the face of an unknown darkness, having such an unnerving ally was more reassuring than not.
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Hello, this is Fantastic.
Now that Elden Ring has settled down and I'm being cared for by the Moon Princess, Lady Ranni, I've got more free time, so I plan to start replying to comments again and increase update frequency. I'll be updating the Arkham story too, so please hang in there a bit longer.
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