Free Web NovelIn truth, the sleeping conditions in the dungeon were not good at all—hard stone, dripping water echoing endlessly, and even now and then the distant roars of magical beasts or the screams of humans from deep within the dungeon.
Not to mention comparing this place with the soft big bed back home—this environment was worse than a park bench by the river.
But Vieya still slept deeply. After returning from last night’s exploration, she had simply found a stone near the door and lain down on it.
On one hand, as a slime girl she didn’t fear someone sneaking up on her while she slept. Anyone who approached with ill intent or hostility would wake her immediately.
On the other hand, her body simply hadn’t slept properly for too long. She was exhausted to the point of collapse.
Slimes also need sleep.
The dungeon was full of danger, with monsters everywhere; normally, night watch should be done in rotations, or defensive traps and magic should be set up.
But Vieya knew far too little about magic, and was confident enough in her own abilities that she could sleep at the doorway without fear.
“Mm... why do I feel like I’ve turned into a big guard dog...”
When she opened her hazy eyes, her daughter’s delicate face came into view—features somewhat resembling her deceased wife, always enough to make her lose her focus for a moment.
But she quickly gathered her thoughts, washed her face with cold water under Jasmine’s guidance, and then joined Maixi and the others for mushroom soup.
Perhaps because of the lack of seasoning, the mushroom soup wasn’t exactly delicious. But thanks to Jasmine’s cooking and the mushrooms’ natural flavor, today’s meal was noticeably better than last night’s.
“Hehe, even though it’s the second time, I still envy Miss Jasmine’s cooking~ Such simple ingredients and she still makes such delicious soup~” Maixi looked utterly blissful, cheeks puffed out as she chewed slowly, immersed in her ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) own little world.
Rorina was speechless. “Your mouth doesn’t stop even when it’s full. Can’t you be quiet for once, you bottom-of-the-class runt?”
“Sorry... I really can’t be quiet at all...” Maixi whimpered pitifully.
After enjoying breakfast, the group prepared to move out again.
To avoid looking like a mother taking three children out for a trip, Vieya altered her body again, shifting herself into a loli form about the same height as Jasmine.
This way, even with all four standing together, nothing would look suspicious.
“So cute... I feel like she’s not inferior to this lady’s own majestic beauty.”
“Wow... I think she’s really cute too! She looks so soft! Can I hug her~?”
“No.”
Jasmine cut in, rejecting the teammates’ creeping requests on her mother’s behalf.
Vieya paid no attention to the noisiness of the three children excited because of her. Holding the ID card with the big-headed white-haired loli portrait, she opened her connection to Xiao Lü and requested the dungeon layer map and monster distribution.
[Ye-ye-sis: Dungeon map, monster info.]
[Xiao Lü: ?] ƒreewebɳovel.com
[Xiao Lü: Didn’t I already send that to your mailbox earlier?]
[Ye-ye-sis: Mailbox... where? I don’t know how to use this.]
[Xiao Lü: ...Then I’ll just send you the images directly.]
[Xiao Lü: Dungeon Map.jpg]
[Xiao Lü: Monsters & Details.jpg]
[Xiao Lü: O_o]
[Ye-ye-sis: OK]
Vieya was satisfied. This special tool only worked in areas with Xiao Lü’s signal. Unexpectedly, the dungeon seemed to have signal too—though only for information exchange, it was enough to make use of.
“Then we’ll start from the lowest-level monsters... skipping slimes.”
Vieya murmured softly as she looked at the deep darkness of the dungeon.
Decision made, she led the three noisy little girls toward the second dungeon layer.
Four lolis of differing heights disappeared from Dungeon Layer One.
After entering Layer Two, they hadn’t walked far before they encountered another magician team.
“Rehn, we’ve stayed in this stupid dungeon for days already! I’m bored out of my mind. I want to go home!”
The brown-haired girl from the three-person magician team didn’t bother to lower her voice. Her irritation was clear.
Rehn, dressed like a bodyguard, looked displeased, but held back his temper and reminded her:
“Miss Dolly, we promised your father we would help you earn enough points to advance to High Magician. We cannot leave yet.”
“Isn’t this just about gold coins? I’ll give you two fifty gold coins—just take me out.”
“One person, five hundred gold coins, and we’ll send you out,” the thin dark-skinned man countered, raising the price. free𝑤ebnovel.com
“...” Dolly choked, her face flushing bright red, her emotions beginning to spiral. “You’re opening your mouths like lions! Five hundred gold coins could buy the lives of your entire peasant families!”
“Then there’s nothing to be done. We’re only temporary hires anyway. Your stingy father wants you to become a High Magician so he can show off and marry you into upper society.” The thin man didn’t get angry—he just shrugged.
To them, they worked for whoever paid more.
Seeing neither teammate give her face, she thought of running away alone, but remembering the horrific monsters made her shrink back. Dolly was furious and aggrieved, wanting to find a dog just to kick it.
When Vieya’s group passed by, Dolly suddenly felt the little brats were an eyesore and snapped, “Even you little low-born runts dare ignore me?!”
“How are you speaking to this lady?! You stupid* old woman!” Rorina reacted instantly and yelled back, “This lady was just walking—did that offend you? Your brain’s worse than rotten fish, you useless piece of trash.”
“Ahhh—!” Dolly flushed scarlet, raised her staff, and hurled an Explosive Flame at Rorina.
Boom!
Rehn blocked the spell, his voice stern beyond measure. “Dolly! Attacking another examinee in the dungeon—are you trying to ruin your family?! Without your family, do you think you can still enjoy wealth and noble status? Think, Dolly.”
“I—I...” Dolly panicked, as if only now realizing the severity.
Rorina had been startled, but her little mouth still opened, attacking again: “Stupid*.”
Jasmine: “...”
Maixi: “I’m actually on the surrendering side.”
“I—I, I...” Dolly, burning red with anger, wanted to scream “I’ll blow all of you up! Let’s all die together!” But the last thread in her brain didn’t snap, and she couldn’t force that sentence out.
“Dolly, if you want to die, don’t drag us with you. Keep acting like this and we’ll abandon this request entirely and sever ties,” the thin man added.
Rehn then turned to Rorina and the others and bowed. “Magician friends, I apologize. Dolly has been under some stress these days... I apologize to you young magicians on her behalf.”
After a pause, he added, “I noticed you don’t have much spare food. Dungeon ingredients are hard to find. Let me offer my spare rations as an apology.”
He handled the conflict calmly and neatly.
“Hm? Strawberry cookies... Mentor, do you want to try some?”
“Just ate. Not hungry.”
“Then we’ll save them for later. Oh, Trip Hazard, come help this lady carry the rations. You’re the biggest in the group.”
“Good things never include me, bad things always find me...”
