“We should be fine,” said Arakawa as she slid her hand around the wall.

Rick and I both nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Our starting spot was decent, it wasn’t too bad, not too good yet not average. Quite the strange way to describe it, but it’s the most accurate description.

Off topic, but I want to dispel some things about dungeons. It’s difficult to believe a group of students would be able to complete a C rank dungeon. While it’s true it’s a C rank dungeon, it’s only such a high rank due to the location.

It’s obvious some places are more dangerous than others. The same can be said for the forest, if I remember correctly it’s a pretty safe place where even villagers come to collect herbs, and such things.

However, this doesn’t mean we should take things easy. For example, imagine something you do daily that poses a danger to you. The odds are so minuscule you wouldn’t need to worry much about it, but if you are careless the chances increase exponentially.

Overall it’s safe yet we should take this seriously to prevent any casualties. Well, everyone here should know this, I doubt I need to spell it out for them like little children.

“All right, let’s explore the area!” Rick shouted, way too excited.

The group agreed as they decided to proceed in a formation. I got in my position at the very front. From what I briefly saw, Leon and Rona were behind me at each side. Cynthia was in the middle, Rick stood behind her, with Arakawa being dead last.

I began walking, my slow steps echoed throughout the quiet cave. As I moved across the cave at the corner of my ear, a faint sound of twitching made my eyes dart in the direction.

Suddenly a spider ten times their normal size ambushed our group.

“Perish.”

The moment the person uttered those words, the spider was engulfed in flames. It quickly incinerated, a puff of mana flowed throughout the area. A clunk noise ringed, a chuck of a rock-like substance was where the spider died.

“That’s strange, monsters aren’t normally seen this early. Oh well, it is what it is, if more appear then I’ll just burn them,” said Rick, having his priorities at the wrong place.

Rick is right, it’s peculiar to find a monster at the very start. I’ll have to investigate the area to make sure of its safety. I took the bag on my back, aka backpack, off and searched the bag.

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There should be basic materials added here, or that’s what the teacher told us. I finally found the item I was looking for, a mortar and pestle. Not quite for what I was used to, but it makes sense for the lack of presence.

“I want to search the area for something, is that fine?” I asked.

“Yeah. There’s not a single problem,” Rick replied, actually lowering his voice which I appreciated.

Leon agreed yet the other three were more reluctant to let me. Cynthia stared at me as if wondering what I wanted while Rona looked impatient. Arakawa silently avoided eye contact, and instead chose to guard me as if she agreed.

Anyways, I let my shield down, I handed it to Rona as she had the same sword as I. I crouched down, placed my hand on the wall, and moved my hand around. The moment I felt a silky smooth sensation, I poked it with my finger.

In a corner at the very end of a wall, the rock wall suddenly transformed into a spider web. I placed my whole fist inside the web, and yanked the whole spider web to the side.

At first glance the darkness obscured the tiny area. Though as my eyes adjusted to the dark I saw tiny things crawling around. Carefully I placed my hand, and gently pushed them out of the hiding spot.

A tiny group of…putting it lightly a group of eggs with legs, or baby spiders. Once they were exposed to the new area they didn’t respond much, crawling around without a panic. Perhaps they were, but I couldn’t tell since they were so slow.

Analyzing the situation, you could see the reason for the spider’s appearance. The spider wanted to protect their children, even if that meant sacrificing themselves. The spider must’ve realized their end was near, I noticed them before they ambushed us, that’s why I responded quickly.

The more important matter is the fate of these spiders. Since I found them, I have every justification for doing anything I want with them. You could call them a treasure.

I tapped on it with my finger. The lack of reaction made me pick the group of spiders, which totaled forty. I cupped a group of them and took out a bag, which wasn’t meant for them, and placed them inside.

When finished, I closed the bag and discreetly covered them from their view. To throw them off, I picked the stone like the enemy spider dropped then placed it into the mortar and pestle, with it I grind the material. I even added the other unhatched eggs of the spider, but that doesn’t matter.

I returned to the group as I kept crushing the stone. Rick’s eyes widened a bit as he raised his hand in an attempt to gain my attention.

“Are you sure we should turn the unrefined mana stone into a dust-like substance?” he asked.

“I don’t think we got other options, this is just the beginning, we cannot afford to waste the space of the bag on this unrefined mana stone,” I answered.

“I’m with Taetel,” said Leon, adding unnecessary pressure onto Rick.

“I’m not opposing your opinion, I just wanted to see your point of view,” he said as he looked away, scratching his head awkwardly.

As I finished crushing the unrefined mana stone, I placed it into another bag, not the one where I placed the baby spiders. Once I put everything back, I got my shield back from Rona.

Now it’s beginning for real.