The Water Magician

Everything went smoothly.

This was a phrase that represented the start of the group’s exploration of the West Dungeon.

As promised the night before, the inn had prepared all the necessary equipment for dungeon exploration by morning.

Of course, this was charged as an extra fee separate from the accommodation, but it was not a significant amount.

Compared to gathering equipment in a completely new town by themselves, the stress was remarkably low.

Moreover, as this was the first time the group was entering the West Dungeon, it was hard to believe they fully understood "what was necessary."

While some members had delved into the Dungeon of Run multiple times, every dungeon was different.

Items that were not valued in Run, or were completely unnecessary, could be crucial here.

However, at an inn of this class, the staff knew the dungeons better than the average adventurer.

It was unacceptable to prepare inappropriate equipment or fail to respond appropriately to the noble guests or famous adventurers staying there.

Such failures directly affected the inn's reputation.

That is why, as professionals, they had to be as knowledgeable about the dungeons as the adventurers who actually delved into them, if not more so...

This was the hospitality of the inn.

Equipped with such perfect gear, the group arrived at the dungeon reception located at the entrance of the dungeon.

There too, it was naturally conveyed from the inn that the group was visiting the dungeon.

The number of people and that they possessed the “Holy Seal Certificate” as well.

“Here you go. Please wear this around your neck. It’s a transfer plate.”

What was handed to each individual was a small plate the size of a thumb.

It was designed to be worn like a necklace.

In front of the stairs leading to the next layers, there were human-sized stone tablets.

These “tablets” had a recording function, and upon reaching them, the layer would be considered cleared.

Once cleared, it would be possible to return to the entrance via transfer.

Furthermore, from the next time onward, the transfer function of the entrance's “tablet” would allow them to jump directly to the cleared layers.

Transfers could only be made from the entrance's “tablet.”

Only to the entrance's “tablet.”

For example, someone who cleared the tenth layer could not jump from the tenth to the fifth layer...

Similarly, it was not possible to jump from the third to the fifth layer.

Only from the tenth to the entrance, and from the entrance to the fifth layer.

For everything else, they would have to descend normally using the stairs...

“Understood. No problem.”

Nils responded on behalf of the group to the explanation.

Beside him, Ryo trembled with excitement.

“Finally, finally! The flag that has been broken continuously... We can finally experience the classic of reincarnation in another world! At last, a proper dungeon exploration! I have waited so long for this... I have waited for this day in the dungeon for countless seasons... Hehehe... I have been waiting...”

Ryo’s muttering was so quiet that it wasn’t clearly heard by anyone else.

However...

“Ryo-san’s expression is...”

“That’s the usual thing...”

“Something bad is happening again...”

Amon pointed it out, Eto speculated, and Nils concluded.

Thus, the group finally stepped into the first layer...

The phrase “everything went smoothly” only applied up to this point.

“...What’s with all these people?”

“There are just people everywhere.”

Eto unconsciously muttered, and Amon agreed.

The first layer was overflowing with people.

There were no monsters in sight.

However, the overflowing crowd was not merely chatting or loitering there.

Many of them were holding pickaxes...

“Mining for ore... I suppose.”

Nils stated.

“Yeah... In Run, there are occasionally adventurers with pickaxes at the fifth layer where they can mine magic copper ore.”

Eto nodded, recalling the scenes from Run.

“But not this many. Is it because it’s the first layer?”

Amon also nodded in agreement.