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A Little Shift in Perspective Required for Clearing a Dungeon – Part 02

“Over… there…”

As hesitation began to creep into Hikaru’s stride, Jillarte pointed her quivering finger in a specific direction. Hikaru’s Mana Detection had already identified it, a path with a staircase that led to the lower level.

“Ah, you want us to go to the 4th level.”

Jillarte nodded slightly. The map inside her head was likely more accurate than Hikaru’s.

Gogo would assume that they were heading for the surface, so the plan was to outsmart them.

Hikaru sensed that Jillarte’s paralysis was gradually wearing off, so he decided to go along with her suggestion. Jillarte being able to move would give them more options.

It didn’t take long after entering the fourth floor for Jillarte to regain her mobility. The paralysis wore off instantly, and she was able to run again.

“Sorry for dragging you into this.”

Eventually, they reached a small room, where they were finally able to take a break. Hikaru put on his gear that Lavia and Paula brought with them.

“You had a map with you,” Hikaru said.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. I had it just in case. Good thing I looked it over a few times.” Jillarte spread out the dungeon map on the floor.

Hmm… What’s up with this map? Hikaru wondered. It’s accurate, but…

Hikaru’s map—currently with Lavia and Paula—had exactly the same contents.

But what Hikaru found peculiar wasn’t the map’s accuracy.

Ah, I see. The staircase makes right angles.

It was a map consisting of five sheets, one for each floor. Somehow, he had the impression that the second floor lay directly below the first, and as it turned out, the staircase made a right angle.

The floors were long and narrow, with the first to fourth floors being almost the same size. When descending from the first floor to the second, the staircase turned to the left, so from northward on the first floor to westward on the second. And from the second floor to the third, it turned south—currently, they were heading east.

If we keep going like this, the staircase from the fourth floor to the fifth should be directly below the entrance of the first floor.

Then what about the fifth floor? It was smaller than the others, about half the size, and at the very end was a locked door.

Realizing this, Hikaru flipped through the map.

“So, you’re adventurers?” Jillarte asked.

“Yeah, we are. Just novices, though. I’m Hikaru, and these two are Lavia and Paula.”

“Why did you come to Southleaf Island? Ah, sorry. I shouldn’t be asking that after you saved me.”

“No, I understand your curiosity. We registered as adventurers in Ponsonia, but, well, my combat teacher sent me to a dungeon to polish my skills.”

“I see. I think I saw you at the Hopestadt guild.”

Hikaru shuddered. She did see me.

“Yeah… That’s where I learned your name.”

Hikaru explained that he happened to hear about the plot against her while strolling downtown and went to the dungeon to inform her.

“Why would you go to such lengths to help me?

“What?”

“We’re practically strangers. Why put your life on the line?” Jillarte looked at him quizzically.

“I, uhh…”

“You what?”

“Th-This sounds embarrassing, but I thought I would find you near the entrance. Then I ran into a Golem and it chased me all the way inside.” Hikaru let out a dry laugh.

Jillarte was taken aback. “I-I see… That must have been tough.”

“Yeah. I had my companions get my gear for me and told them to catch up later. Fighting without weapons was rough.”

“But you managed to rendezvous.”

“Oh, that’s because we have something in case we got separated.”

Hikaru showed a small yellow stone hanging from his waist. Lavia wore a similar stone around her neck, too crude to be called a pendant.

Known as Pairing Magic Stones, they were magic items with inherent attraction to each other. It allowed one person to know which direction the other was, so they bought them to use as a device to locate each other.

Fortunately, the Maze of Magic Locks was a level dungeon. If the stone faced downward, Hikaru would know the person was on a lower level, and if it faced sideways, it meant they were on the same floor. With Lavia and Paula carrying the map, they could quickly make their way to his location. The Golems here wouldn’t stand a chance against Lavia’s magic.

“Did your spell kill Gogo Zoro and his men?” Jillarte asked, showing concern despite them attacking her.

“No, that was just an illusion,” Hikaru casually lied.

Jillarte arched an eyebrow, but chose not to press further. “I see,” she replied. “Thank you for bringing me this far. I wish I had something to offer in return, but I don’t have anything on me right now. Take this note and go to my inn.”

She handed them a hastily written note that instructed the recipient to take Jillarte’s purse from her belongings and hand it to Hikaru’s party.

“Huh? What?”

“I’m going to save my companions,” Jillarte declared.

“…Pardon?”

“You saw them, didn’t you? Ten of them… No, Michael double-crossed us, so that leaves nine.”

“Are you going alone?”

“I can’t involve you guys into this any further.” Jillarte stood up.

Hikaru rose to his feet as well. “Are you… crazy? There’s no way you can rescue nine people by yourself. Do you have some kind of a plan?”

“I don’t. But I can’t leave them behind. I’m the Deputy Leader of the Confederacy of Einbiest, and they’re residents.”

Jillarte had already made up her mind.

Oh, come on! Two or three people might be able to manage, but alone? There’s over a dozen of them. And there might be even more of them now.

Hikaru could wipe them all out if he wanted to. He could sneak close using Stealth and have Lavia unleash her fire magic, eliminating them immediately. But that would be overkill. While the enemy had attacked them first, Hikaru didn’t want to massacre the adventurers of Southleaf Island.

Right… This is just how she is. She stays true to her decisions, and can’t turn her back on others. So earnest, it’s almost blinding.

That’s why Hikaru decided to help her. To save her.

“Hikaru,” Lavia said, pulling on his sleeve.

Paula gave him a searching look. “Lord Hikaru.”

What should they do? Hikaru’s mind raced, searching for a solution. Was there a way for everyone to return safe and unharmed, one that Jillarte would agree with?

Damn it. This situation feels like a door without a key. It can’t be opened, and I have nothing useful to… Wait a sec. A locked door?

Hikaru had a sudden, almost divine realization.

“I see… That’s it!” he exclaimed.

He opened Jillarte’s map to confirm his guess.

If the staircase from the fourth to the fifth floor takes a sharp left turn, then the map itself must hold a hidden meaning. Jillarte should agree to my plan.

Hikaru looked at the puzzled Jillarte. “Miss Jillarte, I took risks to come and save you. And to be honest, I don’t like how you’re throwing all that away.”

“I’m sorry I can only pay you with money.” Jillarte bowed her head.

“How about this, then?” Hikaru’s tone was light. “Let’s proceed through the dungeon and clear the fifth floor. If my guess is correct, we’ll be able to open the so-called locked door.”

“…What?” It was Jillarte’s turn to be taken aback.

---

The black panther Beastman still lay on the ground, but the effects of paralysis had finally worn off, granting him control over his body again. However, he was bound with a sturdy rope that rendered him immobile.

“…”

“…”

His gaze met with his fellow Beastmen, also lying on the ground, and they exchanged small nods. One of them had protested loudly, demanding their release, which resulted in them being gagged. The Beastman who raised his voice was subjected to kicks, punches, and was knocked unconscious. All the while Michael looked on with a sneer.

What the hell is going on? Michael clearly double-crossed us, but where is Jillarte?

At that moment, about a dozen Beastmen returned. The sight of Gogo Zoro made the black panther Beastman realize the situation.

So, he’s the mastermind. What’s he planning to do with us?

As soon as Gogo returned, he punched Michael, sending his small body flying several meters away.

“She escaped, you little shit!”

Ah, Jillarte managed to escape.

“Stop lying there like worms!” Gogo told the Beastmen. “Everyone, get up and start moving! You’re our hostages.” He then seized the trembling Michael by the scruff of his neck and forced him upright. “Take us to your inn. That woman and the kid must’ve headed back there. We’ll secure them first. Esrat! You head back and bring old man Gary with you.”

“Ah, I see. Got it.”

“Let’s go!”

Gogo and four others proceeded ahead. His remaining companions prodded the captive Einbiest Beastmen, urging them to stand and walk. Reluctantly, the panther Beastman followed suit, pushed from behind.

He said hostages. Their target must be Jillarte, and they’re using us as bait. It’s all so confusing. Why are they after Jillarte? How did she manage to escape?

And who is this kid they mentioned?