A cold breeze carrying the stench of blood blew in and made the torch flicker.

Although it was noon, sunlight was unable to enter the cave, making its interior pitch black.

The bulky shadows of the boulders danced in sync with the flames, projecting a writhing dark monster onto the cave paintings. We are at the dungeon of the Lost Forest.

Five people stood in a row, three lightly equipped young men and likewise poorly equipped two women fumbled through the darkness.

"That shithead lied to us." I murmured to myself. "A new dungeon with a lot of treasure. It is a grade one adventure guild dungeon."

(We did need help, you can't conquer the entire dungeon yourself.)

Aside from me and Namra, there were three other people from Adventure guild who we met at the entrance. On Namra suggestion I allowed them to join us but they are just novice like me. They aren't going to be of any help.

The one leading at the front is me who was bearing the torch, with the brown hair female martial artist and Namra behind me and the swordsman and assassin in the rear.

Right now, I and Namra are also acting as a member of Adventure guild from Republic. With me as a tank and Namra as an Apostle or healer. I just randomly throw in some names from my gaming knowledge.

The one who suggested this formation was the Namra herself.

With this, as long as there weren't any forked roads along the way, we didn't need to worry about being ambushed from the back.

As long as the vanguard didn't mess up, the rearguard was safe and only needed to focus on supporting me.

"......It should be fine....right Iblis......?"

Still, the whispers of the Namra is filled with uneasiness.

Ever since they had entered the cave, her anxiety had only become worse and worse.

"Iblis!!"

".......Yeah, we will be fine...."

(You just forget that your name is Iblis.)

"Shut up!" I whispered to Mineka who was enjoying this tense atmosphere. I told Namra my slave name by mistake because of Mineka taunting and now it has become permanent.

"We still rushed in even though we know next to nothing about our opponents......"

"Geez, you worry too much. Though that personality of yours doesn't match an Apostle."

The swordsman's jovial voice didn't match the atmosphere of the cave as it slowly disappeared in echoes.

"You heard the scout report, there are only goblins here. Nothing like Rodhog or something."

Oh.... I remembered killing two of them.

"Even children know something like goblins, right? I even helped to chase some who came to the village away before!"

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"Is defeating goblins something worth flaunting over? How unsightly, please stop bragging."

"Besides, you didn't even defeat them."

The assassin teased the swordsman in a low voice, yet the swordsman retorted with a

"I didn't say anything wrong".

The female martial artist sighed as if she was helpless, yet she seemed to be enjoying it.

"Heh, even if they cut this loser up into minced meat, I'll still send them flying! So don't worry!"

And for some reason, she also started teasing the swordsman.

"Hey, saying I'm a loser is too much isn't it......"

The torch shone on the swordsman's dispirited face, but then immediately cheered up and raised the sword in his hands.

"It's fine. Even if a dragon shows up, we'll figure a way out even if it's just the four of us!"

"......How impatient."

The Assassin mumbled softly, making the female martial artist chuckle. The sound of their voice overlapped with each other in the cave.

Worried if their voice would lure out some unknown thing from the depths of the cave, I didn't dare to make a sound.

"Still, we would go slay a dragon one day. Right?"

In order to go along with the nodding swordsman and Assassin, Namra could only smile silently.

I knew that they weren't bad people. I understood that.

But......

"Still, you should have prepared before coming here. You didn't even bring some medicine with you."

"What about you guys? You were even short on weapons when you came here."

Yeah, we kinda came here in a rush so I wasn't able to get my hands on a weapon and also forgot to salvage announcer sword. I got Mineka but I have to borrow a weapon for Namra.

"Even if you say it like that, we don't have the time nor the money to go shopping."

The swordsman didn't mind my comment, showing that his courage is exceptional.

This place is little too quiet for a dungeon. It almost feels like we are walking into a trap.

While Swordsman and other female companion were chatting, Namra started praying.

"-please end this adventure quickly."

A dark shadow draw her attention

"Ah, sorry......"

------In the end, the one who first noticed something was off was none other than Namra

As she was reciting her prayer, the Assassin that bumped into her and urged her on. Just as she was about to hurry up and keep up with the formation, suddenly——

Guruguru

A slight sound that sounded like rocks rolling entered her ears.

"......!"

"What is it again!?"

With a shudder, Namra froze in her steps. Irritated, the Assassin questioned her actions.

The assassin who was also a beginner seemed irritated from Namra behavior

She was jittery and cowardly. His first impression of the priestess was horrible and got even worse when ww had entered the cave.

"I just heard the sound of something collapsing......"

"From where? In front?"

"Be...hind......"

The assassin thought to himself, this wasn't called being cautious, but being weak. She wasn't suited to be an adventurer at all.

Due to the Namra that had stopped moving, their distance with the others grew further.

Yet, us who was still walking straight didn't notice the situation behind us.

"I want to ask you something from the time we met."

"........What......?"

"Are you guys really adventur-?"

"Be...hind...you..."

The Assassin sighed as their surroundings grew darker with their only source of light went further and further away from them.

"We are walking in the straight line since we came here what could be possible-"

As Assassin turned his head back in frustration.

What happened next was his cold voice changing into one more of a surprised cry.

"Goblins?!"

The cave wall had collapsed. No, it was actually dug through.

From the tunnel emerged numbers of hideous monsters, who then proceeded to surround both of them who were, unfortunately, walking at the end of the line.

------On hearing the terrified voice, I turned to find myself alone. Two behind me had already rushed back.

"What the...."

(Iblis, don't move.)

I dashed backward ignoring Mineka order but the cave before me fell down separating me from the others.

"Mineka report!!"

(We are being surrounded. Small goblins are appearing from everywhere.)

From the various hole in the wall arises Monsters.

Monsters holding crude weapons, having disgusting faces, possessing a child-like body and hides in caves.

They were Goblins.

".....Equip......"

I whispered as Mineka materializes in my hand.

I move around to find my self completely surrounded in the dark cave. Only things visible were those monsters and a sign in a language I recognize.

"Welcome to Demon Castle!."