The Unremarkable Man Who Fell Into The Dungeon's Pit Survives By Acquiring A Plain But Useful Skill, and Through Persistent Effort While Enduring The Absurdity, He Gradually Rises to Success - Episode 7

Shogo began walking towards the lake through the horizontal cave.

There is no option to proceed deeper where the monsters are.

With each step, my stride became lighter. Though faint, a path to survival began to emerge.

Moreover, I know that there is nothing in the direction of the lake, and it’s reassuring to know that someone is watching over me rather than being alone.

Even so, paying close attention to his footsteps, Shogo proceeded through the side tunnel. After walking for a while, he returned to the original place.

“Will this work?”

Shogo lightly raises his right hand so that the entire lake can be seen by those watching.

Then, immediately, the chat frame was projected onto the surface of the lake.

Kemomecho: “It has the typical atmosphere of a safe zone. I think so.”

What kind of place is it?

Kemomecho: “There are many depressions or patterns of unnatural artifacts…”

Night’s Main Gun: “When more than 20% of an area is occupied by water, rocks and stones tend to be arranged around the safe zone in cylindrical or spherical shapes. Excerpt from ‘Dungeon Research Through Statistics’ by Isaac Bell.”

Passerby Tanaka: “Another obscure publication. Our tastes seem to match.”

Night’s Main Gun: “Then, how about ‘Introduction to Boundary Markers’?”

Passerby Tanaka: “It’s my favorite book.”

Night’s Main Cannon: “Oh!”

Kemomecho: “We’re getting off track, so let’s stop there. Shogo, just try to find something that looks like it.”

“Yes”

With a brief reply and a nod, Shogo started walking along the lakeshore.

What catches the eye is the beautifully clear lake surface, contrary to the difficult current situation.

In the fantastical landscape illuminated by the faint light of the luminescent moss, I find myself with a little extra time and can’t help but be captivated.

However, Shogo tears his gaze away from there and carefully observes the area around the lakeshore.

When I came here, I was only thinking about the exit portal and didn’t even consider the safe zone.

Not just as a mere cave wall, but considering it as such, we proceed along the lakeshore wide enough for three people to walk side by side.

“Is this it?”

About a hundred meters from the horizontal hole, exactly opposite the spot where he had fallen, he reached the lakeshore along the extension, and Shogo found what seemed to be the place.

It’s a place where the wall is recessed.

In front of them, in the central part of the lakeshore, two stones the size of large watermelons are lined up.

Shogo entered the hollow to confirm.

“Is this the right place?”

Passerby Tanaka: “If you look outside from inside and see a somewhat blurry view, then yes.”

The text responds immediately to the inquiry.

When Shogo looked towards the lakeshore, the area beyond the depression appeared slightly blurred.

“Ahh”

Sighing, I sit down weakly.

The effect of the safe zone we learned in the course is concealment. With this, it’s almost impossible for the monsters outside to detect Shogo.

“I’m thirsty… I wonder if I can drink the lake water.”

The moment I felt relieved; an unbearable thirst welled up within me.

Kemomecho: “Congratulations on finding a safe zone. But consuming things as they are found in the dungeon is absolutely forbidden.”

Immediately, a warning is issued in response to Shogo’s muttering.

“Yes… but I was thirsty, and I drank a little when I fell here, so I think I’m okay.”

Passerby Tanaka: “Even so, considering the future, I can’t recommend it. If it’s a device for hunters, it can analyze the water’s composition, you know. I think the device for workers also had that function… if I remember correctly.”

“That’s it! The record from when I got into the water earlier might…”

Shogo tapped the device.

“Behavior Log: 19:39 / Skill Wavelength Detection”

“A little further back”

Tap twice more.

“Activity Log: 18:52 / Impact Detected”

“This is it. The details of the surrounding environment here are…”

Surrounding conditions: underwater

Water pollution: None

Beverage use: Yes

“——Alright!”

Shogo burst out of the safe area.

Kemomecho: “Drink it little by little.”

The chat frame reflected on the lakeshore is shaking uncontrollably, and the sound of drinking water echoes vividly.

“Delicious…”

Shogo lifted his face from the water and took a deep breath.

Kemomecho: “Also, if you’re going to leave the safe zone, be a bit more careful.”

The chat frame is reflected on the water’s surface. Shogo apologized profusely for the reasonable admonition.

“Excuse me, I was so happy that I just… Huh? What’s this, my spine is chilling.”

While he was bowing his head towards the chat box on the water’s surface, Shogo suddenly turned his face at the unpleasant sensation that had come over his spine.

“Eh…”

Kemomecho: “What’s wrong?”

The direction his spine sensed, while staring at the ceiling, Shogo slipped his body into the safe zone.

“Please refrain from chatting for now.”

Murmur quietly towards the device.

There is no acknowledgment in response, but the lack of reaction right now is proof that it is being understood.

Shogo poked his head out from the safe zone and stared at the ceiling. He had no idea why he felt this way. It was just that something bad for him seemed to be getting closer—there was a hole in the ceiling.

“……!?”

Covering my mouth with both hands, desperately trying to suppress my voice.

As Shogo stared intently at the hole in the ceiling, something humanoid was slithered out of the hole and landed on the surface of the water.

From the erupting water column, one can infer a massive body.

Shogo pulled his head back into the safe zone.

From the safe zone, through the slightly blurred vision, it emerged onto the water’s surface and made its way to the lakeshore. Its height must be around three meters.

Black skin all over the body, with two short horns protruding from a bald head. A ragged piece of cloth wrapped around the waist, and a muscular humanoid figure.

If Shogo’s memory serves him right, that’s the Black Demon, Black Oga.

Even experienced hunters often find themselves unable to do anything and end up being killed by this monster.

Even though it was said that the safe zone wouldn’t be found by monsters, Shogo’s heart raced every time the Black Oga walked.

When will the gaze catch me? Enduring the fear that makes me want to scream, I hold my breath.

An eternity that felt like it would never end passed, and finally, the Black Demon, Black Oga, disappeared from view.

The echoing footsteps are heading towards the direction of the horizontal cave where Shogo entered.

It gradually receded and eventually became inaudible.

“Fuuuu…”

Exhale softly.

The path home has become yet another difficult one… but.

“Give up? No way.”

Shogo mutters to himself.

A faint light illuminated Shogo’s profile.