Dungeon Sherpa

　――Cannon Vine.

　A plant-based monster that inhabits not only the Tyros Labyrinth but also the shallow layers across a wide range of many labyrinths.

　Although it can use [Throw] with its cylindrical seed pods to attack Adventurers, its threat is low. Above all, because it is unable to move, there are no problems with just ignoring it. 

　However, its drop item “Night’s Seed” can be made into an efficacious medicine for nourishing strength, so it can be traded for a high price in the town. 

　Thus among Adventurers, it is also sometimes called the “Lucky Cannon Vine”.

　Of course, there are monsters that evoke nostalgic memories even for advanced Adventurers, and if they happen to come across a Cannon Vine, it will not be unreasonable if they well up with the urge to eliminate it.

　The 48th floor. 

　Since luminescent moss feeds on magic particles, and as the deeper you dive into the labyrinth the greater the concentration of magic particles, the more they grew and the brighter the light they emitted. 

　Buried up to their ankles in soft luminescent moss, it became more difficult to move. Emitting a pale blue light was a small creature resembling a winged-insect, fluttering in the air. 

“You’re useless now huh. You’re not saying anything anymore.”

　To Berii’s triumphant declaration, Rowe nodded obediently. 

　In untrodden floors, there is no map information. Not only can I not provide directions, there is also the possibility of encountering new species of monsters. From the monsters that appear in the previous floors, it’s possible to predict to a certain extent the kinds of monsters that might show up, but there is a risk that such uncertain advice could lead the party into a predicament. 

　Prioritising the instincts of Adventurers in unexplored floors is common sense in this line of work. 

　Above all, they are the strongest Adventurer party in this current age who have already obtained two labyrinth cores. They will be used to dealing with any unexpected situations that might arise.  

　Rowe judged so, and thus decided to devote himself to mapping. 

　The one positioned at the party’s rearguard, Yuika, casually spoke to Rowe who was right in front of her. 

　Information about the deep layers of labyrinths they had already captured was also extremely precious to Rowe. 

“The Dark Smith is probably on the last floor or right before the last floor.”

“Have you heard about them being a variety of Lesser Demons?”

“Ah, their insides should be the same as the Garrison. However, their equipment is a different grade.” 

　Dark Smiths make equipment for monsters using the ore excavated in the labyrinth as materials. This equipment either has Gifts sealed within, or can bring about special effects – so-called magic items. The ones Dark Smiths wear themselves should be their best equipment. 

“Could probably sell them for a high price.”

“To those interested in collecting.”

　Less Demons have physiques close to humans. Size-wise, their equipment can be used by humans, but they cannot be just used as is. The magic items that Dark Smiths make are mostly cursed. Doubling weight, gradually sucking strength and mana, there are many of these kinds of effects.  

　The same curses should also be applied to the monsters in the labyrinth that wear these equipment, but since monsters have many special passive gifts, it is speculated that they balance each other out. 

“Among them, I’ve heard of a two-handed sword that you can’t release your hands from after you wield it. Well, in our case, we have Magikan’s [Appraisal], so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“If you get a curse like that, your daily life will be difficult huh.”

　You can’t eat alone, and you can’t go to the bathroom. 

“If we defeat the Dark Smith, we’ll finally get to meet the floor boss – the Tyros Dragon.”

　The last guardian that exists to guard the passageway to the labyrinth core. Though it has the name ‘Dragon’ attached, it is in fact unknown what race of monster it is. This is because even after collating the reported information of the Labyrinth Boss, the various accounts fail to agree. 

　They only agreed on its overwhelming strength. 

　There is no doubt that it is the strongest monster in this labyrinth. 

“This time may be impossible but the next after the next – Rowe will be able to see it with his own eyes.”

“… Do you think I would be pleased?”

“Fufu, that’s right, sorry.”

　While exchanging such a conversation and exploring through the passageways, soon before their eyes they arrived at a room. 

“–ah, Dungeon Oasis.”

　Berii, who had been at the front, muttered with a slightly stunned voice.

　The first room they entered after heading down to the 48th floor was their objective, the Dungeon Oasis. 

　Something that hadn’t been discovered in the past five years of exploring the 44th to 47th floors was already right before their eyes. 

“Labyrinths are this kind of thing.”

　Nuuk reasonably summarised. 

　After a slight delay in digesting her happiness, Berii jumped with a shout of joy.

“Ho, rainbow grass is growing.”

　The sharp-eyed Magikan quickly discovered. 

　In the area surrounding the Oasis, there grew a large swath of grass literally shining in rainbow colours. If used to make mana potions, there would be enough for dozens. That extent of rainbow grass was present. 

　The excitement of the party had reached a climax, yet there was still more, on the other side, they discovered some strange objects.

　The wide room contained a temple dedicated to the Earth Mother Goddess. 70 percent of it was a spring, and concealed above this spring was huge floating spherical mass. 

　Yuika stationed her monsters close to the exit of the room, following which everyone observed the spherical mass. 

“Plants… no, this — isn’t this a Cannon Vine!?”

　The even more excited Berii shouted.

　Striped stems and the characteristic cylindrical seed pods. The vines intertwined to form a mesh.

　It wasn’t the case that it was actually floating in the air, the vines and roots were attached to the edge of the Dungeon Oasis and the ceiling of the room, in the middle were countless seed pods, vines, and leaves densely packed into the shape of a sphere. 

“Hey, Princess. We’ve reached the objective, so are we going to head back?”

“That’s right. Let’s take a short break and afterwards prepare for the return. It was a bit anticlimactic, but we’ve still made a huge discovery.”

“Then, let’s hunt this guy too.”

　If you carelessly approach Cannon Vines, or inflict attacks on them, they can use [Throw] to retaliate by expelling seeds from within the seed pods. However, the seeds themselves are not that hard, and it is easy to see the direction of their flight. 

　They provide almost no experience, but the drop item “Night’s Seed” has high value from its scarcity.

　According to the guide published by the Adventurer’s Guild, the probability of “Night’s Seed” dropping was about 5 percent for a single seed pod. If there were 1000 seed pods, then you can calculate an expected harvest of 50 “Night’s Seeds”.

　And the gigantic sphere of this Cannon Vine was heavily laden with an amount of seed pods numbering much more than that. 

　Compared to the rainbow grass, it wasn’t as big a profit. However, the sense of relief after entering the Dungeon Oasis, coupled with the joy of discovering a Cannon Vine at an unexpected location fuelled Berii’s actions.

　Standing by one side, Rowe observed this unusual Cannon Vine. 

　Monsters typically hated water, but this monster seemed to be an exception. 

　Plant-type monsters were less dangerous than normal monsters, but you could be grabbed by their sticky tentacles, or struck by their poisonous thorns. They had some troubling characteristics, so you couldn’t let your guard down. However, since they grew from the ceiling, ground, or walls, their range of action was narrow. 

　Rather than attacking Adventurers directly, it was a monster that played more of a trap-like role.

　But there was still something strange.

　Why in such a deep layer, was a Cannon Vine present?

　For example, monsters that inhabit the shallow layers did not appear in the middle layers, and especially not the deep layers. 

　The opposite however, was true. Floor Bosses.

　This law should also hold even for plant-type monsters.

　But no matter how you looked at it, this was a Canon Vine――

“……Hmm?”

　–Wrong.

　The shape of the leaves, they were slightly different.

　The leaves of Cannon Vines were more rounded. 

　Attached to the tips of the seed pods, there was something that looked like small thorns. 

“This, it’s not a Cannon Vine.”

　Rowe’s warning wasn’t in time.

　Having an elated face as though she had returned to her childhood, Berii had already swung her curved sword, hacking off one of the seed pods. 

“……eh?”

　Lightning-like white light ran through the vines and leaves, wrapping the entire giant sphere. 

　The sphere trembled, the next moment–

　Along a shrill ringing, the seed pods all simultaneously exploded.