NOVEL NEXT Chapter 120
Scale Powder Dungeon
Scale Powder Dungeon.
This dungeon is the kind where trees grow thick, like the Demon Tree Dungeon or the Forest Green Dungeon.
Sunlight streams through the gaps between the trees, and naturally, grass and flowers grow on the ground.
And in this dungeon… that thing is here…
Honestly, I didn’t want to come to this dungeon too often.
To be honest, if Silphy and Dine hadn’t checked whether this dungeon was safe in every way, I’d have come tomorrow instead.
“…Ugh… Something about this dungeon makes my body itch…”
Silphy says as she brushes her body with her hands.
“Yes… It feels like something is clinging to my body…”
Nodding at Silphy’s words, Dine also starts waving her hands in the same way.
“Ah… I get it. It might bother you two more because of your size, though it doesn’t bother me much.”
As I say this, Silphy and Dine both turn to look at me.
“Really?”
“Ah, well… I’m not entirely sure that’s the reason.”
“…What do you mean?”
As they both give me puzzled looks, I respond, and Dine, looking even more puzzled, asks again.
“Well, um… Yeah. It’s easier to show you than explain. By the way, are you two feeling okay?”
“Eh… My health is fine.”
“I’m fine too, but… Kaede, could you at least explain a little?”
They seem a bit unhappy with my answer.
“Well, yeah… If you’re feeling okay, it’s quicker just to show you.”
Saying this, I carefully start moving deeper into the Scale Powder Dungeon, watching my step over roots and such.
And after a while…
“Ah… There they are. I guess those are what’s causing you to feel that way.”
“Oh…”
“I see, that makes sense now.”
I point ahead. There, five butterflies flutter around, scattering yellow powder from their wings.
While Silphy stares curiously at the butterflies, Dine seems to understand what I am getting at and makes a sound of comprehension.
Yes.
The butterflies in this Scale Powder Dungeon.
They’re the reason we didn’t want to come here too often.
Those butterfly monsters are Powder Butterflies.
They constantly scatter the scale powder that gives the Scale Powder Dungeon its name as they fly around.
“But those butterflies are cute, though?”
“Well, sure, they look nice…”
“Yes, but this feeling on our bodies is probably caused by that scale powder, right?”
“Probably… The powder from the Powder Butterflies can cause poison, paralysis, or sleep.
That’s why this dungeon always has a thin layer of that powder floating around.”
And because this powder is flammable, using fire or fire magic in this dungeon is prohibited.
The constant presence of the powder means you need a Status Ailment Resistance skill at level 15 or higher, or you’ll gradually be affected by status ailments.
“Well, it doesn’t really matter much to us, though.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, Silphy and Dine, the powder doesn’t affect you, right?”
“That’s true…”
“Yeah, it’s just that having that powder sticking to me all the time is really uncomfortable.”
“And I have the [Status Ailment Resistance] skill, so unless I directly inhale a large amount of the powder, I’m fine.”
Well, I guess my [Status Ailment Resistance] skill has leveled up quite a bit, too.
Hearing this, Dine nods in understanding.
“I see… So that’s why you didn’t want to come to this dungeon, Kaede.”
“…You caught that, huh? I thought I hid it well… Did it show on my face?”
“Yes, your face was much more tense than usual.”
“Yeah, your cheeks were really twitching when we entered the dungeon.”
“Seriously… Was it that obvious…”
I can’t help but cover my cheeks with both hands.
…Seeing me like this, Silphy chuckles softly.
“Well, if you’re okay, then that’s good. I’ll start exploring as usual.”
“Oh, sure. Thanks. It might be a bit tricky with all the powder floating around, and the dungeon is quite large, like the Tiger Mountain Dungeon, but don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Got it! Understood!”
Silphy cheerfully replies and floats out of my inner pocket, flying around near me.
“…Dine, please look after Silphy.”
“Of course.”
“…Alright. While Silphy is investigating, I’ll take care of those Powder Butterflies.”
“Understood. I’m sure you’ll be fine, but please be careful.”
“Yeah. I will. I’ll be right back.”
I answer Dine and start preparing for an attack while keeping a distance where I can cover Silphy and the others if needed.
Silphy and Dine are probably strong enough to handle them easily, but this is just in case.
…There are five of them.
They’re all scattered, so I can’t take them out all at once.
Which means…
“This should do it. [Multi-Target Lock].”
Using [Lock-On], I aim at the five Powder Butterflies in my line of sight.
“[Magic Arrow – Full Burst].”
Then, calculating to use 300 MP per butterfly, I create transparent arrows using a total of 1500 MP.
I nock the transparent arrows onto my Dragon Tree Bow… and fire.
“Hah!”
The arrows split, forming five streaks as they fly toward the Powder Butterflies.
“Pau?! Pau?! Pau?! Pauuuu!!”
One of the arrows pierces the first butterfly’s head, and the remaining four let out startled cries before they, too, are hit and burst, falling from the air.
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
“Phew… That should do it.”
I hear the level-up notifications, and with the Powder Butterflies taken care of, that’s that.
Now then… Where are Silphy and the others…
“What the—?”
I can’t help but shout.
What I see is Silphy and Dine using magic to take down every approaching Powder Butterfly, making sure none of the damage reaches me.
“I mean… well… Alright then. [Lock-On], [Magic Arrow – Full Burst].”
Not sure why this is happening, but I go through the same motions to take down the Powder Butterflies.
There are 7 Powder Butterflies left.
I use 2100 MP to create transparent arrows.
The transparent arrows first hit the Powder Butterfly closest to Silphy and burst its body.
Then, one by one, in order of proximity to Silphy, the arrows hit the Powder Butterflies, causing them to burst.
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
-Your level has increased by 8-
“Phew… That should do it…”
I hear the level-up notifications, so I think we’re okay for now?
…We’re okay, right?