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Sōzoku Shita Sofu no Ie no Urayama ni Danjon ga Dekimashita - Chapter 145

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Chapter : Bach Guides the Branch Manager

My name is Bach. I am accompanying the branch managers to the eighth underground floor of the dungeon.

The other day, Misuzu-sama and Takuya-sama completed their exploration of the dungeon’s eighth underground floor. Upon finishing, they went to report their findings to the Branch Manager of the Adventurer’s Association.

When the Branch Manager heard their report, he requested, “I’d like to investigate it myself—would you be so kind as to take me there?”

However, it is absolutely unacceptable to trouble Misuzu-sama by having her return to the same place merely to act as a guide. After all, Misuzu-sama is still a student and can only come to the dungeon on Saturdays. It would constitute a waste of her precious time. Misuzu-sama should be using that time to explore new areas and open treasure chests. Misuzu-sama seems to be very fond of opening treasure chests, after all.

As her retainer, it is only natural that I act as my master's hands and feet. Thus, it was decided that I would personally guide the Branch Manager and his team through the dungeon’s eighth floor.

We met in the Branch Manager’s office. Once I confirmed that the entire team was assembled, I opened a transfer gate. Apparently, it was their first time seeing one, as the Branch Manager’s group was astonished.

However, they decided not to record it. It seems that if they filmed a skill that has never been verified before, people from research laboratories would descend upon them, and things would become troublesome. Moreover, if it were to be revealed that I am not human, it would only complicate matters further. For that reason, the Branch Manager forbade any recording. Frankly, that detail does not concern me in the slightest.

When we transferred to the dungeon’s eighth floor, the Branch Manager immediately requested to be taken to the pond guarded by the crocodile monster. He wished to confirm that the treasure chest there had indeed been opened and was no longer present. If the dungeon’s current state no longer matched the contents of their official map, a revision would be necessary.

So, I opened another gate and guided them near the pond.

Curiously, the once–murky water of the pond had turned so clear that you could see straight to the bottom. Most likely, the water had been muddied before to conceal the crocodile monster guarding the treasure chest. Now that the chest and its guardian were absent, the water had returned to its natural clarity.

I approached the edge of the pond and peered into it—inside, I could see fish–type monsters swimming about. They were around fifteen centimeters in length. Meanwhile, the Branch Manager’s team operated a device called a "drone," taking aerial footage of the area. After confirming the absence of the treasure chest, the Branch Manager stated, “Once we’re back, we’ll have to revise the map immediately.”

When their survey concluded, the Branch Manager asked me to guide them to the next location. So I opened another transfer gate.

As we stepped through, a large rock loomed before us. “If you press this rock,” I explained, “a passage leading underground will appear.”

One of the subordinates began operating the drone again, recording the surrounding area. After that, they filmed the Branch Manager as he pressed the rock. Sure enough, a hidden passage opened beneath it.

We proceeded down the passage until we emerged into a vast chamber, where three paths branched out. Like Misuzu-sama’s party before them, the Branch Manager’s group decided to begin their survey with the left path. Cameras in hand, they recorded as they advanced. The drone hovered overhead, capturing footage.

Along the passage, we confirmed the trap markers that Takuya-sama had previously placed. The Branch Manager’s group avoided the traps carefully and continued onward—until we reached the Boss Room. However, they had no intention of fighting the Boss. “That’s the adventurers’ job,” the Branch Manager remarked.

Once the filming there was complete, I opened another transfer gate and led them back to the central chamber. It was clear that the Branch Manager acted with clear and deliberate purpose.

Next, they proceeded down the middle path. But partway through, a swarm of antlion pits blocked their way. The Branch Manager wisely decided not to force the advance and instead opted for drone–only observation. After all, his goal wasn't to clear the dungeon—only to accomplish his specific objectives. He is, indeed, a highly capable man. The drone managed to pass beyond the antlion pits and successfully record the interior of the Boss Room.

Next came the right–hand path. As we advanced, frog statues appeared on either side of the corridor—poison frogs. Having listened carefully to Takuya-sama’s previous report, the Branch Manager wisely refrained from going any farther and used the drone to film the Boss Room ahead instead.

I was allowed to view the footage myself, and from what I saw, it seems that if a certain amount of time passes, the Boss of this chamber will reappear. I must be sure to report this to Misuzu-sama—she does love treasure chests, after all.

And so, the investigation of the dungeon’s eighth underground floor came to an end.


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