Day 24: All alone…
Holy Era 6102, Month of the Marsh Dragon, 7th day.
Weather: Unknown

…I’m tired… My head is pounding.
It’s now the third day after we entered this dungeon.
This pain reminds me of something. Of the escort mission.
Well, mentally, that one wasn’t nearly as bad.

Now, we had come back to the ninth later in order to inspect the current of the water. But it could not be found.
Even if it had stopped somehow, there should be plenty of traces of where it had been…
What did this mean?

After we held another emergency meeting, our conclusion was that it was highly probable that it wasn’t from rain to begin with.
In the first place, the reason that we suspected it was rain had to do with the weather when we entered the dungeon.
It was indeed cloudy, but we had no proof that it had actually rained after that…
So, what was that current of water down there that was not on the map?

Ms. El had an idea. What if while the dungeon ants were expanding, they had accidentally hit a water vein?
An underground water vein…it would not be strange, given how deep down we were. Huh? But do dungeons really expand?
When I asked about this, they said that they changed slightly depending on what kind of monsters were inside.
And so every few years, the map had to be updated.

However, while the two had come up with several theories to explain the water, they both still have grim expressions. …What was it?
Then they moved away from me and started talking in private… I had a bad feeling about what was going to happen.
It seemed like Ms. El was desperately trying to reject Ms. Marga’s suggestion… Ah, this is definitely going to be bad.

A few minutes later, Ms. Marga walked up to me with a serious look.
What she then asked was if I was willing to return to the surface alone…
What!? No, no, no way… And more importantly, why!?
When I asked them this, the two said that they were going to go back down to the lower layer and map it out.
And since their investigation would take them quite deep down, they could not take me with them…

Wait a minute! Then wouldn’t it be best to return once and come back after making proper preparations!?
However, they shook their heads at this suggestion.
They said that there was no time. This must be done at once.
Ms. Marga looked so serious that I was unable to argue any further.

In the end, I had to agree to it… But I’m anxious. So very anxious.

Before I left the two, they handed me various things.
First, a map showing the shortest route back to the surface. Next was some food and medicine.
And one letter. I was told to give this to a man called Karl who was at the bar.
Lastly, there was a leather bag filled with scrap mana crystals. It was my reward for being forced to do this.

What!? But this is everything that was collected?!
As I stood there stunned, Ms. El said that it was still not enough as a reward…

And then, the two returned to their path that led deeper into the dungeon.
…Ohhh… I better brace myself and start my journey back to the top… I want to cry…

And like this, the operation to escape the dungeon alone had begun… I will be able to get out alive. Won’t I?

Today’s earnings and expenses:
(Scrap mana crystals: Uncounted)
————-
Balance: 49 bronze

C= C= ＼(;･_･)/　If I’m quick, I may be able to get out by tomorrow… I can do it!!

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Senpai boukenshasan ga tasukete kureru no de kitto daijoubu nano desu! Shinmai boukensha no nikki-chou