Over the Mountains, Over the Mountains, Over the Mountains

Iron Fortress RingGrade: Special-grade

【Indomitable Will】 1【Iron Body】 2【Flexibility】 2【Iron Fortress】 1

The ring that Paranik was wearing was a "special-grade" item, one tier higher than "rare" equipment.

If I considered the amount I spent to buy Barkal's equipment, even if I invested my entire fortune, I wouldn't be able to afford this ring.

It wasn't for nothing that he said selling this could buy ten of our adventurer parties.

I particularly noted the "Iron Fortress" effect attached to the ring.

To put it simply, this effect greatly increases the wearer's overall defensive power, and I can say that most vanguard classes incorporate this effect.

"But it's a ring..."

To be honest, I wanted to wear it myself. Even though I have 'Skeleton Exoskeleton', I'm still the weakest physically.

"Serena."

Nevertheless, I decided to give it to Serena. I felt it would be most effective in her hands.

Serena is a cleric, but she fights with her fists. Yes, she's a cleric.

Anyway, the fists she uses are part of her body, and since "Iron Fortress" hardens the body, the damage she inflicts will increase as well.

"Is... it okay for me to use it?"

"Yes. But before you do, fill this out."

I handed her a document.

"A contract... In case I ever leave the adventurer party, party B, Serena, will return the ring to Party A, Dmihtan..."

Serena read the contract and looked about to cry.

"I'm not going to leave!"

You never know what can happen in life. Even if it seems petty, there's nothing I can do!

With a teary expression, Serena began to sign the contract.

"And Barkal."

I turned my gaze to Barkal. After reading the request template from the attendant, Barkal's demeanor had clearly sharpened.

"What did you discover just now?"

I could have just ignored it, but for some reason, it bothered me.

"Brother."

Barkal addressed me in a serious tone.

"You are on the Journey of Proof."

"That's right."

"The Journey of Proof takes priority above all else."

He wasn't wrong, but honestly, what I wanted to prioritize most was collecting 'Runes of the Abyss'.

The "Journey of Proof" given by the Red Wolf Tribe.

The command of Thrag.

Honestly, they weren't things I was majorly fussed about.

*〈Thrag is angered.〉*

Yeah, whatever.

"So I am willing to pretend I didn't see what I saw."

"What did you see?"

"I saw nothing."

Barkal gestured with both hands to his skull helm, signaling he hadn't seen anything.

"Could it be..."

At that moment, Serena interjected into the conversation.

"Perhaps what Brother Barkal saw was this part of the document?"

Apparently, Serena had also received the request template from the attendant, as she held it up to show me.

Her finger pointed to the end of the document.

Same Grade Dungeon Exploration

*Caution*Traces of a necromancer have been found near the dungeon.

* * *

Necromancer.

It seems our party, 'Dungeon God', has quite a connection to that word.

First, the party member least connected to it is Serena, a believer and apostle serving Liberas, a benevolent god.

She's diametrically opposed to necromancers who serve evil gods.

Barkal's involvement is tied to family vengeance. His brother was killed by a necromancer and turned into an undead; he joined my journey to hold his brother's funeral.

And as for me...

I am a necromancer.

Though I do not serve an "evil god".

"A necromancer in a same-grade dungeon."

I recited the contents of the request once more.

"Barkal, I know you're chasing necromancers to find your brother's corpse, but there's a low chance that there's actually a necromancer in this quest."

"I'm listening. Why do you think so?"

Barkal nodded, listening intently. Likely because the word "necromancer" was involved. No way he could discover that I'm one.

"Requests clearly involving a necromancer can only be accepted starting at the Silver Grade."

"But this one can be accepted at the same grade, can't it?"

"As you say, Serena."

Serena jumped into the conversation at just the right moment.

Only "Silver Grade" adventurer parties or higher can take requests with confirmed necromancer sightings, but suspicious traces can be taken regardless of grade.

In short, that means there might—or might not—be a necromancer.

"I see."

Barkal nodded, seeming to understand my explanation, but there was a hint of disappointment in his expression.

"Still, there is a chance, so it needs to be checked."

Upon hearing my words, Barkal lifted his head.

"We'll take this request. We will go check for ourselves whether a necromancer is there."

"Truly?!"

His voice was lively once more.

"Brother... are you sure it's okay?"

Snapping back to his senses, Barkal began to ask for my opinion.

"Our journey for the sake of the tribe comes first. That is why we have left the village!"

Ashamed, Barkal. I patted his shoulder and replied as if it were obvious.

"Barkal, your struggle is my struggle as well."

"Dmihtan... Oh, brother Dmihtan!!!"

Barkal grabbed me in a burly embrace and began to cry.

"I may be searching for my brother, but you too are my brother!"

He's so happy I almost feel guilty.

"It's a dangerous request. Is everyone all right?"

"I'm fine! I'm fine!"

"Me too! Even if it's dangerous, if there's a necromancer, as a follower of Liberas, it's my duty to deal with it!"

Isn't this actually a really dangerous request? Aren't you both a bit too careless about it? Well, I'm the same, I suppose.

Actually, I have my own reason for chasing necromancers.

Why?

I'm a necromancer, but I can't trust gods exclusive to necromancers.

As a result, I can barely obtain necromancer-exclusive magic, let alone equipment.

So, I have to take it by force.

How? From other necromancers.

"Brother!"

As Barkal hugged me, sobbing, Serena joined in as well.

"Long live Dungeon God!"

"Long live Dungeon God!"

So noisy I could die.

* * *

Humans really are adaptable creatures. At first, I had no idea what to do, lost in my circumstances, but now I find myself handling things smoothly.

From the order in which to load the wagon.

How to feed the horses.

And even how to neatly organize all of Serena's miscellaneous belongings into corners.

What used to seem complicated now feels natural and familiar.

"Brother! Where should I put this pouch?!"

Barkal was holding a pouch filled with potions.

Since we have a cleric, I didn't want to waste money on potions, but what can you do? Our cleric is a bit special.

Before, I would just toss them anywhere, but looking at the sky, it seemed like rain was coming.

I told him to put them somewhere warm, as the effectiveness of the potion might disappear depending on the temperature.

Hey. Just don't keep them in your clothes, okay?

Once preparations were finished, I took a seat on the wagon driver's bench.

The familiar feel of the seat was comforting. Still, a cheap inn is more relaxing.

Our destination: the Lurdan Forest.

A vast forest located on the outskirts of the Kerval Kingdom, where Iushil is registered.

It's always steeped in a gloomy aura, so dungeons often appear there. Maybe because of that, the herbs that grow here are especially high quality.

Ah, how nostalgic.

It was where I used to come to level up my cooking.

"This is our destination—Lurdan Forest."

As the wagon approached the thick edge of the forest, the flat stone road of the boulevard ended and a narrower dirt road began.

At the entrance to Lurdan Forest, gigantic trees stood facing each other like a pair of grand gates.

"We'll move the wagon slowly from here."

As I issued this warning, I heard the voices of Barkal and Serena from behind.

"It's dark even though the sun is out!"

"The trees in Lurdan Forest are called black oaks. Those trees are famous for growing densely and incredibly tall."

Poke.

The two of them stuck their heads out of the wagon. Just as they said, it was so dense that sunlight barely penetrated the thick crowd of trees.

"Serena."

As I led the horse, curiosity struck me.

"Yes?"

"You seem quite knowledgeable about this place."

"This place is closely linked to Lord Liberas! The homeland of the first Saintess, Elia Lightbringer, is nearby!"

The First Saintess, Elia Lightbringer.

Was there such a name? I don't remember well.

I was always the type to skip story details.

"The surname Lightbringer. Same as you."

"Yes, that's right! She's my ancestor!"

Suddenly, a triumphant voice rang out from behind.

Serena. No, Serebrina Lightbringer.

She had such strong resonance with Liberas that she was singled out as an "Apostle"; turns out it was thanks to her bloodline.

Golden spoon? No, this woman has a diamond spoon.

So why is this diamond child out here living the life of an adventurer?

Neigh──!

As I was pondering Serena's poverty simulation, the horse began to whinny.

What's up? You've been well-behaved lately and got plenty of carrots, too.

"Is it an enemy?!"

"Brother, there's something ahead!"

The horse was riled up because something was up ahead. The shadow precluded definite outlines, but as I looked closer, something was there.

"If it's a monster, I'll kill it!"

"Barkal, it's a person."

Emerging from the darkness was a wagon about the same size as ours.

A merchant?

Possible, but the setup didn't look it.

Then maybe mercenaries, like before?But that didn't seem right either.

"Even if it's a person, if they're an enemy I'll kill them!"

"Barkal, remember what I told you before."

"Dmihtan thinks! I strike!"

Yeah, that's about right.

As I was chatting with Barkal, the other wagon stopped.

The path was too narrow for two wagons to pass. One side would have to yield.

Fine, I'll go talk. Manners make the man, after all.

As I got off the wagon, I told my companions I'd be back and walked over.

"Are you adventurers by any chance?"

As I approached, the wagon's driver spoke up. I examined his appearance.

Armor on his body.

Sword on his back.

Definitely not a merchant; clearly, an adventurer like us.

"That's right."

"We're adventurers, too. It doesn't look like two wagons can pass here, so we'll move aside and let you through."

The adventurer, with a polite tone, both greeted me and offered to give way. Hearing 'we', it was clear there were others in their wagon.

I was going to give way, but since they were so considerate, I almost felt a pang of faith in humanity.

"Thank you."

"No, we're fellow adventurers."

What is this? An angel?

So far, all the adventurers I've met have been eccentrics.

The good-natured adventurer backed his wagon up as promised. As I drove our wagon past, I returned the greeting and kept moving forward.

"That was a kind adventurer. I think that's the first time I've been yielded to like that."

"Hmm..."

"Brother Barkal, what's wrong?"

Barkal kept humming uncertainly.

"I don't know. I just have a bad feeling!"

I don't get you either, Barkal.

"Still, it is a little strange."

Serena tilted her head. It looked like we were having similar thoughts.

"The quest in Lurdan Forest should be a same-grade dungeon investigation... did those people also take the same request as us?"

"They could be on their way back."

"If they were returning to Iushil, I think they'd avoid Lurdan Forest, even if it meant a detour."

Even as I said it, I felt uneasy.

They said they were adventurers, so they must have come out on a request. Then why did they come from the opposite side as us?

Could it be they started from somewhere other than Iushil? That's possible, too.

Just in case, I took out the compass we received from the Adventurer Guild. The compass still pointed straight ahead.

"Huh?"

We drove the wagon for another ten minutes.

With a sigh, we saw the "good-natured adventurers" ahead once more.

"I'm sure we passed them..."

"Are they doppelgangers?! Leave it to me, brother! Erindal, it's your turn!"

"Barkal, calm down."

I restrained Barkal, who was about to jump out of the wagon brandishing Erindal, and looked again at the compass.

"Where is this dungeon, anyway! I have no intention of dying in this wagon!"

"We are already inside the dungeon, Barkal."

This was a special compass that showed the location of the dungeon we received after accepting the quest.

At some point, the compass's needle had lost all sense of direction, swinging wildly.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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