56 Human Adventurer Perspective / The Water Shrine Dungeon (1/2)

(Human Adventurer Perspective)

Lately, the guild has been pretty worried about the recent changes in the Grand Forest.

Because I got some connection with the Guild receptionist, I managed to get some info on the subject.

It seems that there had been countless sightings of what appears to be a big war between different monster tribes. We don't know yet the motives of such thing, but it seems that the intelligent monsters have formed some kind of alliance and settled down on the Rocky Mountains at the East.

Due to such dangerous events, the guild has banned the trespassing of adventurers to the Grand Forest. But this changed yesterday.

The nobles that control this town was worried about a new ”Monster Wave” coming from that dangerous forest and began to put on countless subjugation quest. Some quests were easier than others, and if I and my team remain together, we don't think we will have many hardships. At the same time, we will make some easy money that we need right now.

I promised my little brother that I wouldn't back down and pay his school no matter what, even if it's incredibly expensive. I just need to slay some monsters for some days and get this easy money.

The reward for the quest we picked with my teammates was no more than ten thousand gold coins! With this, I will be able to pay for an entire year of my brother's school.

The quest itself was incredibly easy too. We just need to enter the forest and investigate what's going on, while killing at least 20 monsters. We also must bring their corpses to probe that we did kill them.

My team is composed of four members including me. I am the main tank that draws enemies so my teammates have an easy time killing them. I recently got some nice Silver Equipment and a beautiful Red Adamantine Shield, which I brought after saving money for two years.

The other three members are Arian, a small blonde girl with black eyes and a playful personality, she is the main Healer, keeping me at a nice health. There is Isabelle who is a half-elf with gray hair and blue eyes, she is rather tall and has a serious personality. She likes to boss me around sometimes, she's quite the talented Swordsman, using the power of the spirits to boost her agility and penetration power.

And the last but not least, there's Gustav, my trusty Archer, he has been a friend of mine since childhood and decided to follow me on my path towards the adventurer. He's quite small because his mother was a halfling. He has brown hair and blue eyes, he's quite popular with the girls.

When we had everything packed, we decided to move to the forest, saying my goodbyes to my little brother, I give him my lucky pendant to keep him at ease.

”Don't worry, I will be back soon. It's a pretty easy quest!”

”Big brother… O-Okay! I will prepare a delicious dinner when you're back!”

”Hahaha! I'm counting on that! See ya!”

A bigger adventurer group invited us to go with them on their caravan, because of the Vast Plans being too large to travel on foot, we would take at least 3 days to get to the forest.

I doubted joining them at first because these guys were rather shady. They were using tons of demi-human slaves. Their faces were full of resentment and hate. I wish I could do something for them. But I lack money and strength. Their entire group was made of around 10 adventurers and around 13 demi human slaves from all races and colors, there were Harpies, Lower Elf, Dark Elf, and even some beast-men.

I tried to talk with them on the way towards the forest but they always remained serious and in silence. When a little harpy girl tried to talk to me, she was stopped by a bigger harpy man, which I assumed was her brother or something. He told her to not talk with humans, as we were treacherous and dangerous. I tried to retort him but I was stopped by my teammates.

I don't like how these bastards treat demi-humans. If I ever get to have enough power to change their fate, I won't doubt on using it. Adventurers shouldn't carry slaves around, It's just not right…

We managed to get into the forest on the morning of the next days. We thanked the adventurers for their kindness as we departed in different directions.

Arian recently got a new skill from her Class named [Holy All-Seer Eye], it grants her the ability to see far away. And it can even be used separately, appearing like a floating eye made of light, that can track around the forest and send info to her.

After some hours of walking around, we beat some weak monsters we found around. They were rather weak and most of them were Tanuki variants, some being covered on a hard copper shell or others having a spiky shell. They will net some money if we well those shells. Thanks to Gustav who recently got the Item Box from the system, he was able to store up to 20 items! It was very convenient.

When we got closer to the fourth layer, we found a dungeon. Gustav and Isabelle were excited to explore it and obtain some riches, maybe this could be our lucky day. It has been ages since we explored a dungeon.

However, before we could even enter, Arian began to freak out as she felt and incredibly dense presence coming from the dungeon.

”W-Wait senior! T-There is a strong monster coming!”

Gustav aimed its bow towards the being coming from the dungeon, as I prepared myself and used my buff [Iron Guard] to boost my defenses. Isabelle remained at my back, infusing her sword with the spirit of the wind.

I thought that it could perhaps be some monster going crazy or some mini-boss. I never expected that what was coming would be a big group of around eight Trolls led by a powerful Red Ogre and a very tall Dark Elf.

The moment they noticed our presence, I felt as if their eyes saw through my entire soul. An incredible fear for my life rushed through my entire body, my brain was constantly yelling to me to run as fast as I could, to save my life and leave my friends to their deaths.

The Troll Group stopped for a moment as they raised their weapons with caution. The Red Ogre was the first to talk, as the Dark Elf looked at us with incredible resentment as if we have offended them for just being there. Seriously, what did we even do?

”Humans? This is unexpected. Hmm. I've always wondered how strong I am. I might as well try out my strength with them. What do you think, Celica?”

The Dark Elf which the Red Ogre named Celica, looked over Isabelle at my back, with incredibly deadly eyes.

”Hmmm… I also did not expect humans to invade our Home. We must report this to Master. But first, let's get rid of this nuisance. You can take the boy with the shield, Truhan”

The Red Ogre raised his dual axes as it engulfed its entire body in incredibly potent flames.

”Sounds good! Prepare yourself, Human!”

Due to their strength, I was sure that if we ever clashed with such strong monsters, we would surely die. Noticing their intelligence, Gustav tried to speak with them.

”W-Wait! We didn't come to harm any of you. Please! We didn't even know about your Master. We were just passing by. We just needed to hunt some monsters for food. We have already done our job, please let us leave. We promise we won't harm or come back here”

Suddenly, an explosive laughter came from the entire group, even the smallest of trolls laughed at Gustav words. Why are they laughing? It was a completely reasonable statement!

The Red Ogre stopped its laughter as it looked directly at Gustav with resentment.

”Human, you don't have the right to talk. You should have expected this outcome the moment you entered our domain. If you want to make us change our decision, prove it with strength! This is the Troll way!”

Troll? But he is an Ogre, isn't he?

Isabelle at my back was incredibly scared too, but she was the first to attack. Thinking that she could surprise them.

”I will distract them! Run!”

”I-Isabelle! I can't let you alone, I am supposed to protect you all!”

Flash!

Isabelle engulfed her entire body on the wind spirit, becoming extremely fast. Rushing towards the Red Ogre.

”Activate Technique: [Triple Wind Slash]!”

Suddenly, countless sharp winds coming from Isabelle's sword tried to stab the Ogre on its chest.

To such a powerful aura, the Red Ogre didn't flinch at all, as a black shadow rushed ahead of him intercepting Isabelle.

Clash!

It was the Dark Elf, she was extremely fast, and was covered on a shadow cloak, she was wielding two magic daggers of very high quality.

To such overpowering presence, Isabelle froze in time, as her sword shattered on her hands.

The Dark Elf woman laughed for a moment, as she raised her left arm and with a single slash, Isabelle's head rolled through the floor.

It happened so fast that I wasn't able to do anything at all, and even my teammates didn't manage to run in time.

”Weak… Is she really an Elf? No matter, her meat might come useful for our Master”

As I was still processing the death of Isabelle, one of my most precious teammates, the Dark Elf dared to insult her even after killing her! Do monsters have not respect for the ones they kill?!

I felt a sudden anger and resentment build in my heart as I activated all my buffs on my body, covering it in a thick layer of powerful energy.

”ISABELLE!”

The Red Ogre laughed at my anger as it took an offensive stance.

”Come, Human!”

I tried slashing the Red Ogre body with my silver sword, who I previously covered in Blade Energy but his skin was as hard as the most powerful Adamantine.

Clash! CRACK!

At my second slash, my silver sword shattered in tiny pieces. Even then, I had to build time for my teammates, as I tried punching the Red Ogre on the face.

Baam!

However, its face didn't change at all, and I felt as all the bones on my hand were demolished into dust.

”Gaaah!”

The Red Ogre looked at me with disappointed eyes, as if he had expected something else. Something more thrilling.

”You were right, Celica. Weak, such weakness…”

The last thing I saw before my mind blackened, was a massive red-colored axe slash my entire body in pieces and my teammates being massacred by the Dark Elf.

I wasn't strong enough, to protect you all. I'm sorry.

Little brother… I'm sorry…

.

.

.

After Gaby told me her feelings. I needed to correspond them. But this wasn't the time for that. I told her that I would when we get back on my Kingdom.

Gaby raised her muscular arms as she looked at me with a blushed face.

”A-Alright then! Hehe…”

While we went back towards the surface, I suddenly got countless direct messages from my servants. They were all from the expedition teams.

”Hmm? What is this?”

I read the first one that come from Celica.

”Dear Master Kireina, when we finished exploring the dungeon that you assigned to us, we encountered some unexpected guests. They were a group of four very weak Humans, we quickly disposed of them and took their equipment and meat. It will be a nice gift for you. On the other hand, we encountered a powerful boss on the dungeon but we managed to beat it with our combined attacks. We obtained a special reward for defeating the boss, Truhan obtained a [Unique] Dual Axe named Ifrit. While I obtained a pair of magic daggers of [Unique] class named Moon Bats. We leveled quite a lot too, and most of the rookies are ready to evolve after our expedition. We will be back in the Kingdom in two days. Because of our dungeon exploration being too short, we will take a detour and explore some unknown places, while eating new monsters”

I was surprised by Celica's news; it seems that Humans have entered the forest again. I was already wondering why we haven't seen any in the last month, even when there is a town so close.

If they were killed that means that they threatened the lives of my servants or tried to kill them. If they did so, then there is no point in worrying about them. They should blame their bad luck.

Just as I was wondering if more Humans came, I decided to read the other direct messages.

This one was from Kizuato.

”Great Master Kireina, while looking for the dungeon with my team, we found a strange group of humanoids. They seemed to be Humans. When we tried to speak with them, they raised their weapons and came after us. I quickly took care of all of them with a single swipe of my sword. They were way weaker than I expected. Such foolishness. The Humans were carrying around 13 slaves with them. They were all demi-humans or monsters. Due to them asking for our help, we freed them from their chains and healed them. They thanked us greatly, wanting to follow you. Some of them are even stronger than those humans, I can't believe that they were able to enslave such strong warriors. I sent some monkeys with them to head back to the Kingdom. They should arrive tomorrow morning”

After reading this message, I wondered what was the real motive for humans to come to this place. They should already know about the danger of this forest or the monsters inhabiting this place, yet they still come risking their lives. Unless they were ordered by some kind of organization. They shouldn't have come.

My first suspect was the Guild itself. Probably the turmoil we have created with the recent wars made the Humans realize that something wrong was going on here. I wouldn't be surprised if they send more Humans in the next weeks. Although I don't mind my servants killing humans to protect themselves, I should still tell them to prioritize over capturing them than outright killing them.

Ding!

[You have received a direct message from servant: Abellona]

[Read?]

[>Yes No]

”Abellona? More humans died? Sigh, read”

Ding!

”Hello Kireina, I'm not one of those people that like to annoy you over direct messages but I needed to tell you what just happened. We recently came across a group of around 13 Humans. After seeing Humans again, my brothers went berserk and I had to calm them down before they would go on a rampage. Some Humans even after seeing our difference in strength tried to attack us and kill us, so we ended up killing 8 Humans, with 5 survivors. We will carry them to the Kingdom after we are done with our exploration. They also carried 4 demi-human slaves of the beast-man race, they obediently followed us and asked if they could join your Kingdom. We will leave this to your command”

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This news made me rather happy, because they managed to capture some Humans alive, I will be able to interrogate them in detail and know more information about their community.

On the way towards the dungeon, I told my wives about this news as they contemplated the idea of the surviving Humans. Zehe seemed interested in them and even wanted to do experiments with their bodies. Nesiphae actually wanted to eat some. Rimuru was mostly neutral but I also noticed her desire to devour them. Brontes was different, she wanted to spar with them.

Gaby, on the other hand, wanted to know them and maybe make friends. Because she comes from an advanced humanoid society, her way of thinking is less ”twisted” than my wives. I can't blame them for having a ”twisted” way of thinking. As they were born and raised as monsters, they are closer to animals than humanoids that possess higher standards and morality. There isn't much space for morality in the wild.

Anyways, I will respect most of their needs and I will even treat them like normal people, if I manage to befriend Humans, I could easily make connections with them and even the guild. If I could manage to solve this issue peacefully, they might stop their useless raids.

Maybe they might have sealed the Wyvern Overlord and destroyed his Kingdom, but that is on the past, hundreds of years in the past. Humans might have changed a little bit now, and perhaps there are already demi-humans and monster Kingdoms elsewhere.

After 50 minutes of walking, we finally reached the Water Shrine Dungeon. This dungeon has at least 10 different floors. I wonder what riches awaits us.

[Lower Dungeon Found]

[Water Shrine Dungeon: Once used to praise the water spirits inhabiting the Grand Forest. After the spirits were sealed on the shrine, it has been corrupted by the corrosive amount of magic and dangerous creatures have spawned inside. A rewarding price awaits the one who defeats the dungeon boss]