The red-haired woman took over the conversation from the man.
"Both weak and strong monsters are dying mysteriously. And we just came back from the 14th layer below. We should have been the first ones there. You get it? Even the monsters in the 14th layer—no one had entered yet—were dead in the same weird way."
Before resting, I had gone down to the 14th layer once and returned here.
While I was there, I killed some monsters on the 14th layer too.
So at least one person had entered that layer…
"The guys who just came down from above said the same thing. Monster corpses with no external injuries or anything unusual were scattered everywhere. And there were no such corpses while we were descending."
The red-haired woman continued.
"In short, something started happening throughout the entire ruin in just the past few hours."
Other mercenaries spoke up one after another.
"Maybe some kind of poisonous mist appeared in the new layer? And that mist rose up here?"
"So far, no humans have been affected… but the effects might show up later. We should consider delayed-action poison mist too."
"Could it be the curse of the king who once owned the Dragon-Eye Goblet?"
"In any case, no such phenomenon was confirmed before the new layer was discovered…"
The red-haired woman crossed her arms.
She glanced at her companions.
"More than anything, the Sword Tiger Clan and these guys are what matter most to me… I have no intention of taking them deeper into this creepy ruin. It's a shame, but we're turning back here. For now… we'll just watch and wait."
The dark-skinned man nodded once to the red-haired woman, then spoke to me.
"If you meet other mercenaries, could you tell them about this as much as possible? I think each person should decide for themselves… but at least they need to know about this abnormality."
"Understood."
"Sorry to say this, but I recommend you head back up quickly too? Let the marquis's private soldiers handle the investigation. That old man really wants that goblet badly."
I smiled humbly.
"Thank you for your concern."
"By the way? You're alone? You look pretty lightly equipped."
Being alone on this layer seems suspicious, huh.
And my equipment is just a short sword and small hammer.
"No, I have companions."
I emphasized my backpack.
"I'm more like the one who dismantles monsters for materials or carries luggage… But while running from monsters, we got separated… and before I knew it, I was on this layer."
If necessary, I could name-drop Mist or someone.
But fortunately, they didn't ask for names.
"Ah—I see. The pattern where you got lost fleeing monsters and ended up on a layer beyond your level. What'll you do? Come back up with us?"
"Thank you for the offer, but I'll take you up on the sentiment only. I can't just leave my companions behind."
The mercenaries exchanged glances.
They communicated with eye contact: What do we do?
"Got it. But don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"Yes."
"Sorry, but we don't have the mental leeway right now to help search for your companions either. Harsh as it sounds, there's no real reason for us to go that far for a total stranger."
"No, no. Just telling me about the abnormality is more than enough."
The Sword Tiger Clan left.
I headed toward the 14th layer.
Pigi-maru emerged.
"Pi?"
"Yeah… the 'abnormality' they mentioned is probably the corpses of the monsters I killed with my skills."
I didn't have time to dispose of the bodies or fake the cause of death.
There were too many…
On the flip side, it made the conquest easier.
If word of the abnormality spreads upward, the number of mercenaries should decrease for now.
Less chance of getting caught up in trouble with other mercenaries.
Less worry about being seen using skills and questioned.
"For me right now, it might actually be convenient."
▽
I passed through the 14th layer without issue.
I heard there were no traps or anything.
I descended straight to the 15th layer, where the new layer was discovered.
Finally, passages without luminous stones began to appear.
But it wasn't a big problem.
Compared to the discarded ruin, this was paradise.
"I've got this too."
I took out the leather pouch and injected magic essence.
Now I also have the hemp sack and backpack.
So the leather pouch is currently empty.
It's become much easier to carry.
The new layer section didn't immediately lead to the 16th layer.
I checked the map.
Hm.
It extends sideways from the 15th layer…
I see.
"So they found a hidden passage."
I proceeded forward.
Though fewer, luminous stones were still embedded in the walls around here.
"Even just having light sources here and there is enough…"
No human presence.
I advanced deeper.
While moving forward, I filled in the map moderately.
No need to fill everything.
I'll just mark the places I've stepped into.
Mapping can wait until I have spare time.
Scribble scribble.
I made simple notes on the map.
Monsters encountered—I can't write them down.
Come to think of it, I don't know most of their proper names.
"I'll give up on describing the monsters for now…"
While writing, Pigi-maru kept watch.
"Pigi!"
"Hm?"
A protrusion pointed behind me.
I turned around.
A group of monsters appeared one after another.
Horse-human-like monsters.
"Hihiiieeeeyayayaaa—!!"
I unleashed the standard combo.
Paralyze and poison took effect.
No sign of a struggle yet.
I walked away with the monster corpses behind me.
"Hn."
From a story perspective, there's no real rise or fall right now.
"Literally, there's no story here."
"Pi."
▽
I descended two more layers.
The 17th layer.
Here, the ruin-like scenery continues endlessly.
It really feels like a ruin dungeon.
I discovered what seemed to be a residential area.
In one of the large rooms in the residential district, I found shelves containing precious metals.
Probably belongings of the ruin's former residents?
I took some small precious metals and gems.
I want to keep the backpack space for monster materials.
I passed through the residential area and continued onward.
Since it's an unexplored area, there are no rest rooms set up by mercenaries.
If necessary, I could use that residential district as a temporary base…
There were no doors that opened with magic essence injection.
No locks either.
In that case, sleep would probably be shallow at best.
While thinking about that—
"Hm?"
I emerged into a passage with a high ceiling.
As I approached the dead end, a magnificent door appeared.
There's definitely something here…
My fatigue level is fine.
"…Let's go."
No point hesitating here.
I stood in front of the door.
I pushed with both hands.
Halfway through, I shoved it open forcefully.
I immediately moved outside the room and pressed my back against the wall.
Exposing myself by stepping right in would be dangerous.
For now, I'll observe.
I have bitter experience with the Soul Eater's laser…
Cautiously, I peeked into the room.
Dusty air.
Somehow temple-like construction.
Luminous stones placed at even intervals.
The contrast between black walls and white light is beautiful.
Were they placed by human hands?
At the far end of the room stood a statue of a humanoid dragon (that's the only way to describe it).
A large statue…
Hm?
Wait a second?
A humanoid dragon statue?
A room with an altar and a humanoid dragon statue—
"..."
I fixed my gaze on the altar at the back of the room.
On top of the altar sat a single goblet.
There was an indescribable sense of dignity emanating from the goblet.
It felt enthroned.
Sparkling stones were embedded on the goblet's exterior.
Gem-like stones.
They reminded me of a reptile's eyes…
In other words,
"That's the Dragon-Eye Goblet?"
It seems I've reached the destination of the subjugation recruitment.