The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter - Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Translator: “Kell” Editor: ”Weasalopes”

Today I’m in the hidden dungeon’s 10th floor . I stopped right before I turned the corner, taking out my Champion’s Shield and a hammer—the latter I bought just now at a weapon shop . I figured it would be much more effective against a stone than a sword or a spear .

I peeked my head out for a second to see the stone statue standing strong with its mouth open wide . That thing’s level 200, though…

Even if I somehow managed to block its 【Red Destructor Beam】, there’s no guarantee that I’ll be able to take it down with just a hammer . I turned to the 【Great Sage . 】It’s been a while since I last asked for his help .

—What’s a good skill to imbue on a weapon that’s effective against a stone statue monster?

【Stone Slice for cutting type weapons, and Stone Crush for impact type weapons . If you have either of these it’ll be easier to cut or crush a stone statue monster . 】

Huh, so even swords work . I could reinforce my two-edged sword, but my hammer would go to waste . Let’s see how much LP both of them require first, and then decide .

500 LP was required to create 【Stone Slice】and 1,000 LP to grant it to my sword . A bit high . 【Stone Crush】 required 500 LP to create but only 200 LP to grant it to the hammer . They must be very compatible, then . Even among sledgehammers, this was probably cheap . I’m so glad I bought an expensive one .

I went with the hammer since it was cheaper . After giving up 700 LP I got myself a hammer for crushing the stone statue . I’ll just call it the Nameless Hammer .

【Dungeon Portal】 should be usable now so in the event that my shield doesn’t work, I can just escape .

I turned the corner and move towards the statue slowly . As expected, light particles began to gather around its mouth . Scary . I’m counting on you, Champion’s Shield .

A red beam of light fired from its mouth . I raised my shield to block it and heard a buzzing sound . So far, it didn’t look like it’s penetrating the shield . I moved forward until it was within range of my hammer and then smashed the stone statue with it .

「It’s payback time!」

After swinging around furiously, I landed a direct hit at its flank . I felt no resistance as I destroyed its body . It rolled on the floor, reduced to nothing but rubble .

I win… or so I thought . Even with just its head, it still tried to fire another beam .

「Just die already!」

I pulverized it before it could get me . This time, it stopped moving completely and I heaved a sigh of relief . I was surprised how it still tried to fight even with just its head . Anyway, I levelled up and I got rid of the hindrance .

It was time once again to busy myself with exploration . It would be great if I found something valuable . I treaded the long straight path cautiously . After about five minutes of walking, I made it to a dead end . Well not quite, actually . There was a wall, yes, but with three holes big enough for a person to pass through—one on the right, one on the middle, and one on the left .

I found a piece of parchment on the floor and picked it up . It read:

『O you who desire for the stairs . You may choose to go through any of the holes . On the left is the Path of Fury, the middle is the Path of Sorrow, and on the right is the Path of Laughter . Choose that which is your own forte . 』

So it won’t tell me anything specific . I’m not sure if they’re being kind or not . If I were to believe the words on the parchment, either hole will lead me to the eleventh floor . If I had to choose, then I would go for the Path of Laughter .

I don’t want to get angry or sad, so I entered the hole on the right . There was a door on the other side and I opened it .

「Whoooooaaa!」

「…What?」

The scene changed all of a sudden . I was in some sort of a fancy tavern, standing on a stage . It was completely baffling . There I was, on a raised platform, surrounded by people clapping and cheering like they were here to see me .

「What’s going on here?」

They weren’t hostile . But from the fact that I couldn’t use my Appraisal on them and that we were in the deeper parts of the hidden dungeon, I could tell they weren’t ordinary humans . I can’t let my guard down .

When I prepared myself for action, an older man way at the back smiled gently .

「So you’re today’s comedian . I hope you entertain us all . If you do—」

The man, wearing a tailcoat and a silk hat, opened a door nearby .

「Stairs?!」

「Yes, I’ll show you the path you seek . 」

So that’s what they meant by the Path of Laughter . It wasn’t me that would laugh, I had to make others laugh . The man’s expression darkened a little and warned me .

「Don’t even think about forcing yourself through . If you do, this place will turn into a scene of carnage you can’t run away from . 」

So in short, I’ll get killed . It would be foolish to force myself through when I don’t even know how powerful these people were; not to mention I was outnumbered .

「I understand . So I just have to do something funny, right?」

「I look forward to it . Please give him a round of applause, everyone . 」

I’m getting nervous . I’ll just have to play it by ear!

I stepped in front of the stage and danced, wiggling my arms and legs . My father would do this to stretch himself after he gets out of the bath . I then pouted my lips and crossed my eyes . There might be someone who’ll burst into laughter from the sheer absurdity .

「I was diving underwater a while ago and saw this octopus wiggling its tentacles like this . 」

I used my whole body to try to portray an octopus . Would you look at that!

No one’s laughing! There were all dead serious; not even a scornful laugh . What happened to all the kind people just now?!

「A-Ahem . Next, I’m gonna mimic a golden slime . 」

I cast aside my dignity, crouched down and moved around the stage . Then I quickly stood up and screamed .

「Kyapuchaaaa!」

……… . . That was a true-to-life mimicry but the whole place was still unenthusiastic . Heck, I could even feel a chill .

Already about half of the audience move to different tables to drink . Amidst the chilly atmosphere, I went for it, all or nothing .

「I’m gonna write something on my butt!」

I wasn’t going to just write it normally either . As much as possible, I wiggled my butt in an exaggerated and vigorous manner while writing my name on it .

By the time I finished writing the last letter, everyone was gone . The only person who was still paying attention to me was the well-mannered old man . Unable to resist, I asked him a question .

「…Not funny enough?」

「Please go home . There’s no place for you here . 」

「…Yes, sir . 」

My heart broken, I left the room through the same door and made it back to the place where the paths diverged . I was glad I could try again, but I’ve already suffered heavy mental damage .

I’m sorry, Father . I’m sorry for making fun of you, saying you had no sense of humor . I am no doubt your son .

「All right, pull yourself together and on to the next! It’s not over just yet!」

There two paths left: the Path of Fury and the Path of Sorrow . I’m guessing I’ll have to make someone mad or sad, depending on the path I chose . Which one should I go for this time?