[This is a dream, I know it very well in my heart, but I can't wake up easily.

Feel the smell of something......

I don't know who's in the corner of the room, crawling up and down on the floor, as if looking for something.

…… No, there can't be a mistake.

What 'it' is looking for is itself.

If you don't run away, you will be found.

However, his hands and feet were like clay, and he couldn't move, only his senses became extremely sharp, and cold sweat soaked his back.

In this eerie darkness, only the creep of 'it' as it searched for itself was unusually clear.

Finally, 'it' crawled up to its pillow, knowing full well that it was being stared at because of the rancid stench that came to its face.

I couldn't open my eyes before, but now I don't dare to open my eyes.

Because if you open your eyes at this time, you will definitely not be able to change back to your original self.

In the midst of the rising fear, 'it' unexpectedly emits a human voice.

"—found it." 】

"Hah......!" Ben woke up and immediately propped himself up and looked around in a panic.

There was nothing indescribable, only a long-extinguished cooking fire and Nilou and Paris still asleep.

"Ben, what's wrong?" It was Laban who sat at the entrance to make inquiries.

Ben sat up and smiled wryly, "It's nothing, it's just a nightmare." ”

The memory of the dream was clearly kept, but he didn't take it to heart, it was the first time he had such a dream, and it would take a few more times to really realize something.

Rabon nodded lightly and comforted, "...... After all, it's a different experience from the past, normal. ”

Before the lethargy incident, Ben had already fought monsters many times, but Laban thought that seeing monsters eating human corpses for the first time, being attacked by other explorers for the first time for obtaining antiques, and being trapped in a secret room with deadly traps for the first time was a mental shock, not to mention a nightmare, and it was normal to be afraid to give up the rest of the exploration.

It may seem cold-blooded to say this, but it makes sense to 'protect yourself before you save someone', even if the person you want to save is someone who sees her as a sister.

Ban patted his face and forced himself not to think about the nightmare, stood up, and walked to Rabang's side: "Grandpa Rabang, let me do it next." ”

“…… It's good. Although it was not yet time for the shift change, Laban could see that the shift did not show any sleepiness and lay down in a different position.

After a while, there was a slight snoring, which was a skill that he had been unable to live in for many years, even in the class that had slept on the streets because of poverty.

The "............" sat down in front of Rabang, peeking out into the aisle through the gap in the stone door to let in the air.

It's very quiet.

Since there were three novices in their group, even with the help of Laban, the exploration efficiency was only in the middle of each team, and there were already people walking in front of them, so it was naturally safer here. On the other hand, if there is a monster here, it means that there is a high probability that the team in front of you will have a problem.

The relieved Ban pulled out his dagger, stroked the cold blade, and muttered, "It shouldn't be an illusion...... I'm probably better at fighting than I thought......"

》》》》》》》

Teleported to the lower level through the black stele, Lyle and Fran arrive at the true ruins of antiquity, an ancient settlement with rooms, passageways, stairs, and a water source.

Given that most explorers, regardless of their past occupations, are essentially tomb robbers with little ability to empty gloves and white wolves, with limited discernment ability, in order not to miss out on important things, Lyle decided to slow down and explore quietly.

Unfortunately, it was a disappointing result, perhaps because the valuable things had been looted by other explorers, or maybe there was nothing of value stored in the residential area in the first place, and Lyle was unable to get information about the ruins and the lethargy event - the exploration continued into the night.

“…… Thinking wrong? I thought those monsters were going to make a big move at night. "Lyle doesn't have an all-night hobby, but only speculates that the monsters in the underground ruins may be nocturnal creatures from the point in time of the lethargy event.

"Young Master, do you want to find a place to rest? How about the stalactite cave at the end of the underground river before? Fran suggested.

"Fran, your perception is good~ Unlike the underground river above, there are exorcism stones buried in the riverbed of this layer, and ordinary monsters will not take the initiative to approach." Of course, Lyle still has to summon an elemental spirit to keep vigil, and the 'uncommon monsters' and 'human criminals' should or will walk over.

"Yes, is that so?" Fran blinked, she just thought it was more comfortable to be in the cool and cool of it, and at the same time it was an easy to defend cul-de-sac with only one passage.

"Then again, if someone specializes in collecting those magic stones, and then making them into the most primitive exorcism talismans and selling them, they will soon be able to make a fortune~" It's just a small amount of money, and Lyle's income from making a few magic props is higher than this.

Hearing this, Fran hurriedly said, "Why don't I wait and collect some to make two talismans?" ”

"No...... With Fran's strength, you don't need it, do you? Lyle said speechlessly.

The two of them chatted as they walked back along the passage they had once walked, and soon came to the edge of the flowing river, but they did not take a few steps before they all stopped.

Lyle senses a wary soul, and Fran senses the breath of a human.

The maid lady drew her dagger, guarded it in front of her, and shouted: "Explorer hiding behind the rocks on the other side of the river, put away your weapons, this is the eldest son of Count Holm - Master Lyle!" ”

After a few seconds of silence, a long-haired girl with a longbow came out from behind the rock and apologized, "...... It's rude, I'm Kilia, and I reacted subconsciously when I heard the sound during the break. ”

I didn't have time to shoot the arrow just now, but I had already drawn my bow and aimed it at Lyle.

"No, it's our problem when we're still walking around at night." Lyle frowned, "But are you alone, Miss Kiria...... I don't recommend people who can't summon magic to explore the underground ruins alone, they don't even have a companion for the night vigil, and the flaw of being taken advantage of is too big, I hope Miss Kiria will think about her future actions again, and it is a good choice to return to the ground to form a team first. ”

"Summoning Magic...... Is it? Kilia glanced at the ball of light floating behind Lyle, knew Lyle's combat profession, and groaned slightly, "Well, it's also the first time I've explored the underground ruins, it seems that I really need to form a team, I think there are only two of you, young master, can you count me as another one?" ”

"Miss Kilia is a great beauty, I'm very welcome~" Lyle shrugged regretfully, "But my goal is to solve the lethargy that happened here, preferably to eradicate the monsters that keep pouring out of the ground today, which may not be in line with your plan." ”

The vast majority of explorers came for the money, and there is no problem with that.

But Kilia happened to be one of the few exceptions, and nodded, "...... It just so happens that I want to go a little farther too, there are some things in this ruin that I mind. ”

"Heh~ That's a lot of advice, and it's not bad to add an extra goal of 'trying to turn a beautiful companion into a maid' in the journey."

“？？？” Kiria suddenly felt like she was on a thief ship. (Recommended reading: Reading Files 2013)