The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter - Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Translator: “WN_Explorer_2000” Editor: ”Weasalopes”

The girl standing behind my back had an appearance of seven or years old .

I kind of felt a sense of déjà-vu .

She looked like a beauty-to-be, with a noble-like elegance .

A hair with golden threads, fresh skin, long eyelashes, well-shaped small face .

She was wearing one-piece dress and shoes .

Although she had an appearance of a human being, her name was Dryad .

Whatever the name would be, the result of 【Appraisal】 showed that she was not a human being .

The 【Appraisal】skill didn’t reveal any age, race or job information, which would appear if she had been a human being .

And the result of 【Appraisal】 was as follows:

Name: Dryad

Level: 55

Skills:
【Forest Perception】

It looked like she didn’t have any evil skills .

Also, compared to Silver Wolf and Dango, her level was considerably lower .

「I would like to borrow your strength for my sake . 」

I wonder what could it be .

She repeated again the same thing as before .

As usually, I felt no hostility in her words .

But, just in case, I’ve made a few steps back .

「It is kind of sudden, if you say that . 」

「Please… If it goes on like this, I’m going to die . 」

「No, it is just to sudden if you appear like this . 」

「Please . If it has to be like this, I would do anything . 」

The girl suddenly prostrated herself on the ground .

In addition, she stretch her arms and legs, she continued strongly expressing her demand .

Ehh… This girl is certainly weird .

「And, what do you mean by that?」

「It means a complete surrendering . It shows that there is no hostility . 」

What should I do?

It seems like she is really in trouble, so I would like to hear her story .

「…For now, I would listen to your story」

「Uwa-a-a… Thank you very much」

「Wait a bit!? Please, don’t cling to me!」

「…ah, sorry… . 」

It is not just the matter of her getting too close . There was a previous matter with the killer tree, and now my nerves are a bit upset .

「Tell me straight about the matter . If it is just a made-up story, I won’t refrain from attacking . 」

「I understand . There is really no hostile intention about it . Do you mind me talking?」

「Ok, go on」

「I’m Dryad, a large tree in this forest . 」

A large tree?

As I inclined my head to the side, she turned around at the place with a smile .

「This is a small body of mine . I took a form convenient for you . 」

「We are not acquaintances, right?」

「Yes . But, as I’ve learned about your strength, I thought I could negotiate with you . 」

「Where did you see me fighting?」

「I have a good understanding of this forest . Somehow, I’m able to sense what is happening around here . 」

It looks like an effect of the 【Forest Perception】 skill in possession of this fellow .

Let’s summarize the whole story .

First of all, did she watch me invading the 7th layer?

Yes, she did .

Certainly, she saw somebody stronger compared to the monsters, and wanted some assistance from him . As she made a new form with the appearance of a lovely girl, she immediately approached me to make a request, or so it seems .

I’m a bit curious about that body issue, but for now there is something I want to confirm beforehand .

「Could it be that you can read my memories?」

「No, why?」

「Then, did you really create that kind of appearance?」

「Yes . But somehow it seemed like it’s your favorite appearance . 」

But I’m not a lolicon!

As I want to cry that from the bottom of my heart, I still have to endure . Just to think, the appearance of Dryad is so much similar to Emma’s childhood figure . That’s the same as I saw her for the first time .

「Let’s get back to the main topic . What is that problem that is troubling you?」

「I’m being sucked…」

「What?!」

「I’m being sucked dry」

Dryad turned her arms and tightly hugged herself .

What kind of sensual pose is that?

After checking herself with upturned eyes, she talked with even more emotions .

「That filthy thing… It’s sucking out my whole body . Oh, no . 」

「You are playing with me, right!?」

「…… . I just properly explained my circumstances . 」

That must be a definite exaggeration .

That being said, it seems like is definitely being attacked .

「I live by obtaining nutrition from the ground . Because I’m a tree, I can not walk, but I’m rich in magical power . The demons are eyeing at that power, and every day, every night they disgrace me . 」

「Dryad-san, maybe you are not in that much of a trouble?」

「I am in trouble」

「Really?」

「Really, it is like that . Please, help me . 」

「I’m just saying – what is wrong about that pose?」

Again, I was troubled by her laying with her face against the ground . As her clothes and face were covered with dirt, I cleared her with my hand .

「After all, you are kind . Of course, I won’t ask you to do it for free . If you help me, I can tell you the location of the treasure chest . 」

「So, there are treasure chests here…」

「And then, the location of the stairway as well . You want to go downwards, right?」

That’s it, she can use her skill to sense the things inside the forest . And, of course, she would know the location of the stairs .
I want that treasure . And the location of the stairs as well .

Even though she is not a human being, she can perfectly read my desires .

Feeling like dancing in someone’s palm, I still displayed a positive stance (attitude) .

「First I have to see the opponent . Then I’m going to decide whether to accept it or not . 」

「You are so careful . 」

「Nah, I’m just a cowardly being . 」

「I think we would get along well . What’s your name?」

「I’m Noir」

「Then I’m going to call you Noir-chan . Please, call me Dori-chan . 」

Grabbing the hem of her one-piece dress with a finger, she happily spinned around .

Her body, as well the absolute parts of her figure were quite attractive .

On seeing it, I definitely felt healed . So far, by watching it, I had no chance to win in this psychological warfare .

We hurried to the main body of the large tree at once . It was not very far away .

By the way, as her small body seemed to be weak, it was better to not count her as a war potential .

「Look, Noir-chan, it’s over there . 」

As we came quite deep inside the forest, Dori-chan pointed with her finger to the front .

Standing out, heavy and deeply rooted in the ground, there was a large tree .

Even though it was covered with green leaves, it gave off a unique sense of presence from a large distance .

It was the main body of Dori-chan .

「I can see that it is splendid even from a large distance . 」

「I’m happy to receive a praise . But, please, look carefully . There is an enemy there right now . 」

Approaching a little, I strained my eyes . At first glance it seemed that the branches of Dori-chan’s tree body had some degree of freedom to move and repel the enemy .

Several branches were attacking the enemy, but a bee there was laughing at the futile attempts while buzzing around .

Most of its body it was golden colored . As one would expect, it’s size was not normal . About 50 centimeters, probably?

It seems to be of a small type, but…

「In this forest, there is a demon called Bronze Bee, but its coloration is bronze . I think this is a mutant variant . 」

There are mutations occurring among demons .

Usually they get stronger, so some people call it “evolution” .

「It seems to be alone, but I’m fed up with its sucking out my magical powers . 」

「I’m going to get a bit close . 」

I moved to the place from which my 【Appraisal Eye】 was able to function .

Name: “Golden Bee”

Level: 254

Skills:
【High-speed Flight】 【Deadly Poison Needle】 【Slash Resistance C】 【Magic Power Drain】

Ohhhhhhh… So strong!!

My heart was completely defeated by the enemy exceeding my imagination .

「…Noir-chan, why your face is so pale?」

「It is a condition, where the blood is pulled away from my face…」

「Why are you turning back?」

「My feet have just moved naturally…」

「Are you going to go away (teary-eyed) . 」

D*mn, it felt painful just by looking at the weeping face of Dori-chan . Or I would rather say that her expression is so human-like, that it would make one doubt whether she is actually a large tree .

I took a deep breath and started an explanation about the difference in strength .

「Between the sweet and irritating words, which kind would you prefer?」

「I would prefer sweet things . 」

「It would be an absolute defeat, I think . 」

「How come it is sweet…!? Then, what about the irritating ones?」

「That would be an instant death the moment you meet it . 」

「Auwww…」

Rather, I would admire how well Dori-chan was enduring it .

As its body is small, it probably can’t suck all the magic power at once .

But, with the exception of that one, the other skills look quite dangerous… What should I do…?

「It looks like my life won’t last much longer as well…」

Dori-chan, with a calm expression, looked at the distance .

Her face looked as if she gave up on everything .

I want to learn about the stairs to the 8th layer, I want a treasure chest, and I feel like helping her as well .

But the reality is so hard…
Please, I need an enlightenment – God, give me an idea how to cut my way through this situation!