LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 234.2
Chapter 234.2. Fortress
A partner who says unnecessary things with a smug face, yet shows a blooming smile towards me, unable to hide their happiness. How adorable.
“Did everyone hear the voice when this fortress changed?”
“Yes. It seems someone forcibly activated the dungeon administrator’s authority.”
“This is the first time something like this has happened. What on earth could be going on?”
It seems everyone else heard the same voice when the space transformed, just like I did. So, it wasn’t a hallucination. This is bad.
We’re clearly inside a dungeon now. The reason why is not important right now—there’s something much more troublesome.
“This fortress was supposed to be lacking in manpower, practically empty. But with the dungeonification, the forces must be fully replenished.”
“You’re right, Sagimori. They’re probably already starting to pop.”
“It’s worse than that, Master. There are demons here with self-awareness, independent of the dungeon. They’re not bound by any rules.”
Serika and Yukihana’s stern voices echo my own thoughts. Could it be that enemies far beyond the six-person party limit are about to attack us? It’s a seriously bad situation.
“A demon dungeon… these ancient relief patterns, the corridor width… large demons could easily pass through. I understand now, Sagimori.”
Muttering to herself, Shizuku, who had been deep in thought with her head down, lifts her face. Her eyes are serious, reminding me of the old Shizuku. Well, it wasn’t that long ago.
“This is an A-rank dungeon. The terrain is an ancient temple, a demonic lair filled with evil. There are five floors, many traps, and numerous treasure chests, but also many mimics.”
Her words are difficult to accept.
“A-rank? Weren’t the demons earlier B-rank?”
“From A-rank on, each dungeon has its own unique characteristics. Especially ancient temples, where the reliefs are distinct. Just as archaeologists deduce the age and civilization of relics from fragments, I know this dungeon.”
“I see, thanks.”
I sincerely thank Shizuku as I look at her calm face. Then, I take a deep breath.
One breath, two. Slowly, my mind settles.
I always thought this day would come. A game master manipulating the board to their advantage wouldn’t let a rule-breaking player go unpunished. After all the freedom I’ve enjoyed recently, perhaps the GM is finally getting angry and coming to eliminate me.
Still, it seems they’re following the rules—somewhat. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that they’re here to kill me.
“Do you have the dungeon map, Shizuku?”
“Demon dungeons tend to be over-complicated. I mentioned the unique reliefs, right? None of the reliefs here repeat.”
“I see?”
“So, I figured it out. It’ll take about an hour to reach the boss room, but…”
Shizuku readily provides the map, but hesitates at the end. I know what she’s trying to say.
“The self-aware demons who escaped the dungeon can control the ones that pop here, right? They’re probably gathering in the main hall.”
“Exactly. I suspect they’re planning to overwhelm our party with numbers. They won’t be kind enough to send their forces at us little by little.”
“They’re not interested in making this a fun game, huh? But that works in our favor. There are two things they don’t know.”
I snap my fingers, and from my shadow, a group of dark cats start appearing one after another. Given the situation, I’ll have to call back the rest of the familiars I left to defend headquarters. It leaves our home vulnerable, but there’s no choice.
“We’ll avoid the traps and head straight for the enemy’s expected stronghold. Where do you think they’re gathering?”
“It’s unclear if the boss will be in the boss room. Worst case, we might face two bosses at once. But if the others are waiting, it’ll likely be in the plaza in front of the stairs on the fourth floor. That’s where the demon general was stationed.”
My adorable partner answers while tilting her head, her slender fingers resting on her cheek. I nod and call out to the group.
“You heard her. The Nyan-Nyan squad will push through the enemy front.”
“About 4000 enemies are probably waiting for us, Sagimori.”
Serika voices her concern, and indeed, the dark cats sitting obediently before us number only 300. We’re outmatched in both numbers and quality. Normally, we’d be toast.
“Serika, there’s something crucial they don’t know. We’ll wipe them out and move on to the boss fight.”
Magic users are most powerful against large numbers, and they have no idea I’m holding a trump card.
“They probably think that even if their minions fall, they can just defeat us when we’re exhausted. But they’re in for a surprise.”
I have [Adversity Growth]. Shizuku said this is an A-rank dungeon, but I suspect the bosses will be S-rank. With the power of Adversity Growth, my stats will rise, and I wonder how Satan will react to that.
The Demon Lord will probably regret letting the hero party gro