Okay, so why do we have to dive in a dungeon? Why not just let the creature be and leave it alone? Why go through all these troubles to trek and work all the derring-do?
Why are we doing all things as if we were dancing in the plot set by the dungeon's nature?
Actually, the answer for that question was quite easy—and obvious.
I held the cheek that was imprinted with a red palm-mark. It was so impressive that I can feel a red glow emanating from my face. Why, the haughty princess destroyed my new-found buddy, Tentarou, with her magic and after utterly, and I tell you, thoroughly pulverizing the tentacle monster, she had set her blazing eyes on me. Thus, the red mark from her slap.
Why did I deserve a slap from her? I did nothing wrong! All I did was let the monster wrap them up with its tentacles. Enjoyed the view. Did nothing to help. And stole a massive collection of their lewd appearances while being captured; erotic and slimy. Ehehe. That white-laced panties were fantastic… I did nothing wrong, no? I uh… did nothing wrong?
"Geez! How on Earth could Lady Sofia stand this massive perverseness of yours?! Simply un-be-lie-vable!"
Elisha snapped, busying her hands with her change of clothes. Her worn uniform? Nah, it went away with the wind. Before she could destroy the personification of our hopes and dreams, the tentacle monster, Tentarou released its final resistance. The good bro sprayed a liquid that solely—and mind you, ONLY dissolves clothes. Gisselle's blouse was tattered beyond repair, but well, it was acceptable since the girl was quite modest—in one factor or two. Minerva's modified uniform was devastated as well. Since the goddess already was generous with her fan service, it was not even worth mentioning; though, the glistening of her tanned skin caused by the slimy liquid was a sight to be revered. I made sure to save it in my personal favorite memories at my brain's hard-drive. All hail the Erotic Goddess! Thank you very much!
And Elisha? For some reason, she was Tentarou's favorite. Aside from her mature underwear, which I'm telling you too early for her to be wearing, her clothes were all nothing but dissolved. I really pity the poor guy, Elisha's expression while she was beating that monster to pulp could silence even the infamous Hitler of the past. Purely terrifying.
"Why are you lashing out to me? I did nothing." I retorted; my eyes covered with Edelweiss soft, cold palm. My back was blessed with her firm yet soft mallows.
"Isn't it precisely that you did nothing is why she was lashing at you?" Edelweiss said a matter-of-factly coupled with a chuckle.
"Well, I don't mind being seen if it's Stasis. But, boy, you should have really helped us with that one. Ahaha." My goddess really is open minded. Let's forget about a fan-club and go straight with building a church for her.
"…" Say something, Gisselle!
"Hmph! I only saw you as the useless F-rank in our class, but now I changed my image of you! You came up to the top! Top among all pervert!"
"Excuse you! I only did what was right! Imagine if I averted my gaze earlier. Won't you get mad at me for not admiring how beautiful you are?!" I voiced; my passion mixing in. Uh, not really, no.
"Te-hee-hee. Stasis sure does say something bold without batting an eye. I'm liking you more and more now." Minerva giggled. I also getting to like you more and more, ma'am.
I can't see them change but the rustling of their clothes was enough to make my heart beat faster. Hey, isn't Elisha actually right? I can also tell that my perverseness was leveling up along with my status.
After what felt like a moment, Edelweiss removed her smooth palms from my eyes. As she did, the ladies were all done with their change of clothes. Goddamn! "Let's go. It's only one level before we reach the teleportation circle back to the Academy's ground."
"I agree. We might come up as first, but we should go back faster than the time allotted to us. I can feel something strange with the mana circulation here." Minerva said, touching the wall yet again. What a sharp sense she's got. I actually could tell the same change in mana circulation in this layer. Something is bound to happen.
"I see no problem going back quicker as well." Elisha agreed.
"…" Gisselle nodded. Say something, girl!
"Alright then let's do just that. We really wasted our time with that tentacle monster, huh." I said solemnly, prompting a synchronize reply from the three ladies,
"And who's fault does you think it was?!"
"…" Say something, Gisselle…
***
We entered the 5th layer.
Just as Minerva said, the circulation of mana seemed disturbed. The atmosphere was heavy and the weight of the mana particles were substantial. Something is not right.
"Can you feel it, Stasis?" Edelweiss came to me with a whisper.
"Sure do. Be on your guard. There's was a ringing bell about this situation."
"Intuition?"
"Nope. Premonition."
"Ahaha. That's what I would like to hear. It's nothing but reassurance when you're the one predicting things. I will keep that in mind." With that line, she gave me a wide grin before parading herself to the front.
"Okay, everyone, just one push and were done!" She cheered.
"What did you two talk about?" This time, it was Minerva's sweet voice that entered my ears. I jolted by her breath, otherwise I was overjoyed.
"Uwaa. Minerva, you can really become a ninja if you wanted to." I told her.
"Eh? You were that surprised?"
"Yep. Sure were."
"Ahaha. Sorry, sorry. I was just becoming more and more curious. Our senior Edelweiss… Uh, I mean, you two seemed really close. I was just wondering maybe, you know… Uh…" She trailed. Fidgeting to herself. Out with it, will ya?! I'm getting restless as well! "You two… are you going out?"
"Hah?!" I gawked at her. My brains both bewildered and haywire. What? Where on Earth did she pick that idea up?! You jest, my goddess!
"I-I mean, you two really mesh… so uh, it got me thinking, 'hey maybe the two of them were boyfriend and girlfriend?' That kind of thought." She finished bashfully. Her cheers tinted with the color of rose.
"I haven't the faintest idea where you pick that impression up. I knew senior Edelweiss because Sofy and her was a member of the student council. I can say were friends, but that is all." Well, if a beauty like Edelweiss would come to me, I wouldn't decline, that is for sure. Though, I'd have to prepare a think file of explanation to Sofy.
Minerva heaved a sigh of relief. "Is that so? I'm glad." Why?!
Before I could say something back, Minerva rushed towards Edelweiss with a skip. Seriously, why were you relieved? Are you saying that I don't deserved to be with a pretty senior like her?! You're so harsh, my goddess!
"…"
"Hmph."
I whipped my head around. I'm glad that Gisselle and Elisha were functioning the same as always…
We've reached the middle of the floor, a little more and we will be able to use the teleportation circle. A little more and we will be able to finish the test without a hassle. Or so I thought. Not until it happened. The once in every five years phenomenon. The Dungeon Descend.
***
Back to my question earlier. Why do we, the students, needed to dive the dungeon's interior?
As I have told you before, the answer was simple and obvious. Fist is to earn extra cash and credits. And other is to prevent the monster from overflowing.
See, as the dungeon creates monsters, the creatures pile up—if left untouched they will exceed the number that was supposed to be the maximum. And when that happens, the phenomenon called Monster Rush would happen. In the past, before the Eternal Cavern and all the other dungeons were discovered, Saint Ilse was infested with exceedingly number of monsters. Only then when the Seven Divisions started clearing up dungeons did the Island regained its safety.
But among all the danger that a dungeon possesses, there was one which the Adventurers who bolds the dungeons must be utmost wary. The Dungeon Descend.
Right in front of us was the so-called flying tank. Sharp nails that could cleave even the strongest metals. Wings that could blow off a small tornado. Scales that defects bullets.
The lesser dragon. The berserk reptile. The flying dread. The Wyvern.
"Ah, we're in a hot water."