Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 69: The Silent One (9)
Alexander spoke calmly.
“The anomalies in dungeons all come from dungeon-born monsters. As you all know, dungeon-born monsters and natural-born monsters like myself are vastly different. The main distinction is whether they are alive or not.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“From our perspective, dungeon-born monsters are not truly alive.”
“As I recall, dungeon monsters are essentially artificial bodies granted pseudo-personalities, allowing them to act like real monsters.”
“Well, to us, there’s no real difference.”
Mineha remarked, glancing at Alexander with a hint of irony.
“Mineha, be more considerate.”
“Ha-ha-ha! No, the missy is right. Dungeon anomalies aren’t living monsters either. They’re failures—defective or broken monsters.”
“Defective…? So, like an error?”
Was a dungeon really some kind of system?
“The anomalies are still dungeon monsters, right?”
“Indeed.”
“But what kind of dungeon monster are they?”
“They are Dungeon Lords.”
“Dungeon Lords!?”
“You can’t be serious!”
“This is unbelievable…”
I was just as shocked.
Dungeon Lords—monsters classified between high gold-grade and low gem-grade.
Dungeons are broadly divided into large-scale and small-scale ones.
Small-scale dungeons have a ‘Lowest Floor’,
while large-scale dungeons have a ‘Deepest Layer’.
The dungeon we had been exploring was small-scale.
Dungeon Lords reside in the Deepest Layers.
Since small-scale dungeons don’t have Deepest Layers, Dungeon Lords aren’t supposed to be there.
Dungeon Lords—those classified at gem-grade—are considered top-grade threats, usually requiring first-grade explorers to handle.
Even among them, defeating one solo is considered exceptionally difficult.
“So… an incomplete, broken Dungeon Lord?”
“Don’t look at me, Hoss. I may be a wayward son, but that’s different.”
Wait, is that true! Rell-san? Mineha gave him a skeptical look.
“Well, he’s not wrong.”
“You’re just like my 11th sister—always throwing out uncomfortable truths.”
“Wait… just how many sisters do you have!?”
A valid question.
Alexander chuckled at their exchange.
“Well, since it’s defective, it’s likely dropped down to mid-gold grade or high-silver grade in strength.”
“Still a formidable opponent.”
“More than enough to be dangerous.”
“No doubt about it.”
A mid-gold or high-silver grade monster isn’t something a second-grade explorer would fight alone.
I started to worry about Agaro and the others.
…They’ll be fine, right?
Agaro is strong—undoubtedly one of the best.
And Megadia, who’s on the same level as him, is there too.
Not to mention Pakira’s party, Torquetum, along with other skilled explorers.
…Yeah, they’ll be okay.
But still—so the boss of the dungeon’s Deepest Layer became a defective anomaly?
And speaking of defective things… this entire dungeon itself fits that description.
Ad
Alexander’s theory was that the anomalies’ earthquakes shattered the dungeon into separate parts—
and now, another earthquake was causing the dungeon to pull itself back together.
But why is there a connection between the anomalies and this dungeon?
“Alexander, what kind of monster do you think caused this anomaly?”
“Hmm… Based on the presence of Mimic-Puppet Boxes, I’d say The Fool.”
“The Fool… That’s the jester-like one, right?”
“First time hearing about it.”
Hoss admitted.
“Me too. Though I bet my 15th sister would know.”
“Knowing about monsters isn’t useless trivia, you know. I only know it’s humanoid.”
“I know it, the Fool… It’s a jester-type monster, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
The Fool—a humanoid monster, dressed in the attire of a court jester.
It’s classified as undead—at least, according to most sources.
“A jester? Like a circus clown?”
“I saw something like that once, at a circus. My 10th sister got banned from the food stalls for eating too much.”
Ad
“How much did she eat!? Wait, Wof, what’s with that ‘you can’t judge’ look?”
“I—I didn’t say anything!?”
…But yeah, I was thinking it.
“Clowns, huh? Interesting.”
Hoss mused.
“I once saw a street performer in the capital balancing on a ball while biting down on a wine bottle and juggling knives.”
“Forget the clown part—isn’t that just insane!?”
“Yeah, that’s the kind of thing The Fool does. I’ve fought it before—its attacks are bizarre. Particularly, its ‘invisible juggling’ technique is terrifying.”
“Invisible!?”
“Yeah. You can’t see it—but if it hits you, it’s over.”
…What kind of juggling is that?
Mineha let out a sigh.
“I really don’t want to fight something weird like that.”
“Yeah… ‘weird’ definitely fits.”
“Simple enemies are the best.”
Ad
Hoss agreed.
“Exactly. I’d rather not deal with something like my 13th sister.”
…What kind of sisters does this guy have?
Hoss sighed.
“Well, that’s what happened on our end. Now, let’s hear your side, Axe.”
“Yeah, Axe. You seem… I dunno, softer than before.”
“You think so?”
“Did something happen between you and Mineha?”
“Don’t phrase it like that! She’s ten, and she’s my mom’s apprentice!”
“Excuse me! Even at ten, I’m still a lady!”
“Yeah, I suppose if you use your relic, your appearance does change.”
“That just makes me look older!”
“Yeah, look older… especially in certain areas.”
“What do you mean by that!?”
“The growth especially in your breasts.”
“Axe-san, stop right there.”
I stopped. Axe looked at me in confusion.
“Hmm? What’s wrong, Wof?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I can’t hit you now.”
She said with a smile.
It was clear that Mineha was about to slap someone.
“Hey?”
“Axe, it’s your fault. The one who grew uses Fairial’s relic, right? A relic that makes your body and surroundings grow. I think it was called Fairy Incarnation, if I recall.”
“Wow, you really know a lot.”
“My 15th sister is the one who knows all this.”
“Species knowledge isn’t useless trivia, you know!”
“Ah, I see.”
“Ugh, what’s going on here…? Should I explain everything? Alright, Wof.”
“What’s up?”
Suddenly, Axe made an uneasy expression. I tensed up, wondering what was happening.
“It’s about… well, about your… your relic.”
“Oh, it’s fine. Go ahead and talk.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
Well, if it’s just this much, I didn’t mind. Rell and Hoss probably had an inkling about it.
When I mentioned I had a relic, they didn’t seem too surprised.
And then, the conversation turned to the relic plate.
“Ah, what a strange world we live in.”
“A consumable legendary relic, huh.”
“Now that you mention it, this is a legendary relic. Given its effect, it’s pretty obvious.”
“Who would’ve thought I’d be seeing a legendary relic in this form…”
“Yeah, I thought we were still a long way from this.”
“Wow, so this is a relic plate, huh?”
Alexander twirled his pipe.
Ad
“Alexander, do you know anything about this?”
“I’ve heard of consumable legendary relics, but this is the first time I’m seeing one in person.”
Even Alexander was unfamiliar with it.
Axe stared at the relic plate in his hands and declared:
“I’ll say this upfront. I’m not using it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’m aiming to become first-class without relying on this.”
There was a strong sense of resolve in his words.
Mineha gave a faint smile.
“That’s no small feat.”
“I have to if I want to surpass Mom.”
“Well said. Surpassing my master is one of my major goals too.”
And another goal was to surpass her first-class explorer mother. That’s not an easy feat either.
Hoss and Rell exchanged looks.
“I don’t need it.”
“Me neither.”
“You guys…!? Are you sure? This is the relic we’ve been dreaming of! The one we’ve wanted so badly! And now we can finally have it!?”
That sounded like Axe’s true feelings.
At the same time, it probably reflected Rell and Hoss’s feelings too.
The unfulfilled thirst of the Lightning fang party—explorers without relics.
Mineha and I went silent, and then Rell adjusted his glasses and said:
“Heh, as soon as you, the one who wanted it the most, said you didn’t need it, I decided I don’t need it either.”
“Same here. If you guys don’t want it, I’d feel awkward being the only one with a relic. Plus, if I took one, it wouldn’t be the Lightning fang anymore. Axe, did you forget? We promised we’d aim for the top without relics.”
Hoss said this and gave a wry smile.
Axe trembled.
“Rell, Hoss… Ah, right. I’d forgotten.”
“Don’t forget, leader.”
“Exactly, leader.”
Axe wiped away the tears that had started to form in his eyes and turned to me.
“Wof. That’s how it is. We don’t need it. So, I’m returning it. Thanks.”
“I understand.”
He handed the relic plate back.
I glanced at it briefly, then carefully tucked it into my pouch.
I suppose it couldn’t be helped.