Chapter 23: Dungeon Master
[space_man][space_man]”Whoa, is it an earthquake?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I think this is coming from the ground, isn’t it?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Looking down at the ground, the soil was swelling up, as if something was about to emerge.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Is this the Dungeon Master?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The three of them braced themselves and stayed alert. What appeared from the earth was a giant goblin. It was wearing a bandage or cloth around its head, hiding its face.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Huge…… Is that the Goblin King?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld muttered while looking up at the giant goblin. The giant goblin roared and threw a punch towards the three of them. The three easily dodged the fist and created some distance.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”For now, can we just defeat it?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Its magic power isn’t that high, so wouldn’t it be better to keep it alive?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Dungeons sometimes attract other monsters and magical beasts, which ultimately maintains the safety of the surrounding area. Therefore, unless there is a good reason, the subjugation of Dungeon Masters is avoided.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Occasionally, monsters other than the Master possess unusual strength, and these monsters are periodically subjugated.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”So, should we run away? But the exit is behind it. It’s a pain to move around in such a narrow space.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]With the emergence of the giant goblin, the space they were in felt cramped. In reality, no matter how they tried to run past it, they would be blocked by the goblin’s massive body.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The three held a strategy meeting, but the goblin wasn’t patiently waiting either, occasionally throwing punches at them. Ordinary goblins would carry some kind of weapon, but perhaps due to the confined space, it wasn’t wielding any, which was a blessing for Eld and the others. If it had a weapon, its reach would have extended, leaving them with no escape.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”For now, let’s freeze its feet.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Saying that, Eld thrust Tempera into the ground, freezing it and stopping the giant goblin’s feet. After confirming that the giant goblin’s feet were frozen, Marie jumped up and kicked the giant goblin in the face.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The giant goblin shattered the ice at its feet and fell over, but it extended its arm, trying to grab Maclaine.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Watch out!”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld poured magic power into Tempera, generating icicles from under Maclaine’s feet to create an opening for him to escape.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Maclaine was surprised by the sudden appearance of icicles in front of him, but quickly regained his composure and moved away.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The giant goblin’s hand grabbed the icicles instead of Maclaine and shattered them.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Magic swords are amazing after all.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Maclaine said while looking at Eld’s magic sword.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Huh? Doesn’t the shape of the blade look different from when we fought before?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Eh? That’s not true, is it?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld said while looking at Tempera.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hmm?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Maclaine stared intently at Tempera, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was different from his memory.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Watch out!!”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie shouted at the two who were leisurely talking. The giant goblin had stood up without them noticing and was about to punch them.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Tch! Earth Wall!!”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Maclaine touched the ground and shouted the spell. An earthen wall appeared before the two, blocking the giant goblin’s fist.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, you can use it without chanting.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld said, impressed.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s the only one I can use. It’s useful in times like this, so I treasure it.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You’re quite skilled, being the boss of adventurers.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You beat me to a pulp, though.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s why I’m saying it’s dangerous!!”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie scolded the two who were once again casually chatting. Marie tripped the giant goblin, who was attacking again, causing it to fall.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Taking advantage of the giant goblin’s fall, Eld swung Tempera and bound the giant goblin with ice ropes.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Alright. Let’s escape!”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]At Eld’s signal, Marie and Maclaine headed for the exit. Eld was the last to head towards the exit, swinging Tempera and sealing the exit with blue flames.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Let’s leave the dungeon for now.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld called out to the two, and the three hurriedly exited the dungeon.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, the outside air is nice after all.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld stored Tempera in subspace.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I wish there was something we could do about the policy of not subjugating the Master as much as possible.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The Master’s presence attracts other monsters and such to the dungeon, so it’s probably impossible.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie sat down on a rock.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I sealed it with flames at the end, but since it’s a cave, won’t it become oxygen-deprived?”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Maclaine asked Eld.
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Magical flames don’t burn oxygen, so it’s fine. Those flames were more for melting ice, so they should have disappeared by now.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Heh…… Magical flames are different from normal flames, huh.”
[space_man][space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Maclaine said, impressed.