Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

[Even so, I heard the story but it really have a great number of passages.] Mel

Mel-san looks at the countless passageways of the labyrinth.

There certainly are many.

If this was implemented in a game, it will surely gain a great storm of complaints. There is no doubt that it will burn on the net.

[Now we know why no one wants to try the labyrinth.] Yuna

[It seems that it was captured hundreds of years ago, so no one want’s to challenge it any further. Some say that there are treasures left, but the benefits are too small. If no one can clear the labyrinth, then it’s useless. There’s no one stupid enough to challenge it, with such a low possibility.] Jade

Certainly, even if you clear all these labyrinths, its pointless if there is nothing in it. It’s a waste of time and nothing to gain.

By then, no one wants to enter the labyrinth and search for the treasure.

However, if they knew that there was a big magic stone in there, there may have been some adventurers that will try their luck.

But, I wonder if the labyrinth is better than the puny monster like the Kraken?

If I am an ordinary adventurer, I would feel like neither of them are comparable.

[Yuna! We’ll look around a bit, so just wait!] Jade

Jade-san and his colleagues moved around the area to make sure its safe. I already checked it with my Bear Detection Magic, but there are no monsters anywhere.

But when I asked Jade-san, [There may be something dangerous.] he said.

There are things I don’t understand.

[Even so, Karina’s ancestors managed to break through the labyrinth.] Yuna

I looked up and saw the countless entrances.

Karina’s ancestors were so great. It’s the first time I’ve tried to challenge such a brutal labyrinth in a pyramid.

If I wanted to clear it, I might have broken down the passageways and forcibly searched for a destination. (a.k.a. Bulldozer Strategy!)

Of course, I do not guarantee the shape of the pyramid afterwards. There is a high possibility that even a trace of it would disappear.

If I can get the treasure, then that’s fine.

We know that this pyramid has the power to amplify the water magic stone. So I can’t really destroy the pyramid just to clear it.

[I heard that an elf named Mumroot-sama, who was in the same party, helped with the clearing of the labyrinth.] Karina

[Elf? Mumroot?] Yuna

I’ve heard it somewhere.

……Hmm, somehow I can’t remember.

Uh, where did I?

[I’ve also heard that the dwarf, Kodilko-sama, was the one who disarmed the traps so they could proceed. Of course, I have heard that my ancestors also helped clear the labyrinth.] Karina

I’ve never heard of the dwarf Kodilko, but I’ve heard Mumroot somewhere. Uh, where did I?

I must have heard it somewhere before.

Mumumumu…… I am thinking while my mouth is open.

[What’s wrong?] Karina

[Well I’m trying to remember where have I heard the name Mumroot.] Yuna

[Mumroot-sama? Is it possible that he is working in other labyrinth?] Karina

I don’t think so.

In the first place, I don’t know anything about the legends and stories of old adventurers. I must have heard it somewhere else.

The elf that I know is Sanya-san.

Then there’s also Rumin.

Her mother is Talia-san and her father…

[……..Ah! I remembered.] Yuna

I can’t clap my hands but I tried anyways.

That Grandpa!

Sanya-san’s grandfather, Mumroot-san, the village chief of the elf village. Finally, I remembered, its quite refreshing.

No, I didn’t forget it.

I just did not remember it.

Sometimes people could not remember one or maybe two names.

Wait, for whom am I making these excuses for?

[What did you remember?] Karina

[Mumroot-san is an elf, right?] Yuna

[Yes.] Karina

[A man?] Yuna

[Yes, I’ve heard that he’s a man.] Karina

[He may be an elf that I know.] Yuna

[Eh…………] Karina

Karina made an unbelievable face to my words.

Well, it would be surprising if someone you know, suddenly said that she knows one of the party member, who cleared this labyrinth hundreds of years ago.

[I have an elf acquaintance who goes by the name Mumroot-san. He’s the village chief of the elven village and he have grandchildren, so I think he’s age matched the description.] Yuna

He must be a few hundred years old.

However, sometimes they have the same name and race. But the possibility is quite high.

I’ve also installed a Bear Gate there, so let’s go and talk to him about it next time.

If he still remember it, I might be able to listen to his story. That is, if Mumroot-san can still remember it.

After all, it was hundreds of years ago. He may have forgotten already.

[I’ll ask him next time we meet. It’ll be amazing if it’s true.] Yuna

When I said that, I felt that Karina’s expression had darkened for a moment.

But when I looked at her again, she smiled and said, [Yes, please. I’d like to hear his story, too.]

Apparently, her expression seemed to be dark because she was anxious.

And so, Jade-san and his group who were looking around came back.

[There doesn’t seem to be anything particularly dangerous.] Jade

[Well then, we’re moving downstairs.] Yuna

Our purpose is not to clear the labyrinth. It’s about finding the crystal plate map that fell underground.

So were going to go underground.

Of course, if I was asked if I’m interested in the labyrinth above, then I’ll say yes. If we found the crystal plate map, we’ll head there right away. So if we’re going there, we’d better have the map.

We’re going down the stairs in search of the crystal plate map.

After moving down the stairs, the scenery transformed from the man-made pyramid to a naturally-made cave.

A large space spreads out from the stairs and those things that glows pale, illuminates the cave. Apparently, there is no need for the light magic here either.

We can see the surroundings. There are big pillars which are naturally made.

If it breaks, will it collapse?

I have to be careful when using magic.

[So which way are we going?] Yuna

Everyone looks at Karina. From here on, we will be guided by Karina.

Karina closes her eyes for a few seconds. Then slowly opens her eyes.

[It’s right over there.] Karina

Karina points forward.

[But, I can feel it from below.] Karina

[In other words, we have to go down further.] Yuna

That’s what Karina said before.

I want to dig a hole. Once I know the direction and distance, I want to make things like a tunnel, connect them to our destination in a straight line and slide on a slide.

Well, the destination might be a monster’s nest or there is lava, because I do not know what things are waiting for me, this is too troublesome.

We move in the direction in which Karina points her finger at.

We are moving the same order as when we enter the pyramids.

I don’t know where it came from, but when I use my Bear Detection magic, there’s a sandwolf. But it’s not trying to get close to us.

Well, thanks to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, there wasn’t any monsters trying to attack us.

[Yuna-san, can you really find it?] Karina

[If Karina tells me where it is, I’ll find it.] Yuna

I answered Karina who seemed to be uneasy. If it happens, there is a clay pipe method.

[There’s no monster.] Jade

There is. It’s just not coming near you.

Due to the natural cavities followed by large cavities, there are rocky surfaces and some small holes. It looks like the sandwolf is hiding itself in that hole.

[But I’ve heard that adventurers were coming here to hunt monsters, isn’t there any?] Senia

[There maybe some ahead of us.] Mel

Mel looks at the paper and answers.

[There seems to be a place where monsters gathered ahead of us.] Mel

[Did they fell? What do you mean?] Yuna

[I’ve nο idea. I just heard it at the Adventurer’s Guild, but because the monsters are falling down here, so it’s a hunting ground.] Mel

The destination and the place where the monsters are falling are in the same direction, so we proceed as normal.

[According to the map, it’s up ahead.] Mel

When I use my Bear Detection Magic, there are certainly monsters up ahead . There is a reaction of the sandworm.

Jade-san, who’s walking at the front, stretches his arm sideways, signaling us to stop.

[There’s a worm.] Jade

I asked Hugging Bear to protect Karina and I looked at the situation from the top of Swaying Bear.

There are indeed worms. About ten worms are moving around.

But the ground is not sand, so it seems like it can’t burrow.

[But what does this mean? did they fell?] Mel

Then the moment Mel-san muttered so, something came down from above.

….It’s a sandworm.

The sandworm fell.

Did it burrowed too deep into the sand and fell?

I looked above, but the ceiling was quite high, so I don’t know what’s going on.

When the worm fell to the ground, it squirmed like its nothing.

[The worms surely are falling.] Mel

[But the problem seems to be that this isn’t just a hunting ground for adventurers.] Yuna

There are sandwolves looking at us in the back.

[It looks like they’ve come to catch their preys.] Karina

[Karina, which one are you looking for?] Jade

To Jade-san’s question, Karina points at the sandwolves.

[Then we’ll have to beat them and move on.] Jade

In Jade’s words, all of them readied their weapons.

[Mel. Is it okay to leave the worms to you?] Jade

[If it doesn’t dive into the sand, it’s just an ornament.] Mel

[Well, then, Senia, Toya and me will deal with the Sandwolf .] Jade

[Uhh, me?] Yuna

[Yuna should protect Karina. That would work. These monsters are just small fries, we’re going to handle it.] Jade

That’s how Jade-san tells his friends to subdue the worms and sandwolves.

Mel-san magically attacks and defeats the worms from a safe distance.

And with Jade-san’s ability, the wolves’ subjugation ends easily. By the way, there are worms falling while Mel-san was fighting.

Maybe this is the perfect place to collect infinite materials.

When we defeat the monsters, we get the back to our track.

A little further down, we found a split path.

Everyone looks at Karina.

[I can feel it coming from here.] Karina

We proceed according to Karina’s instructions.

Mel-san notes down on the map every time we took a path.

We’re going down the slope steadily.

Jade-san’s group dealt with the monsters we encounter once in a while.

It’s nice and easy.

We’re advancing while I’m riding on Swaying bear.

Jade-san, who was walking in front of us, suddenly stops.

[The bridge is broken.] Jade

A bridge presumably made of wood and rope is partially broken.

Is there a cliff below?

Mel-san looks at the broken bridge, then looks down.

At that moment, she pulled back quickly.

[This is truly unpleasant.] Mel

Mel-san said that after looking below the bridge.

I looked underneath the bridge as well, wondering what it is.

Yeah, this was something you shouldn’t see. There are worms, packed and squirming.

The worms looks like fishing baits.

I want to burn them with magic.

If I shoot a Flame Bear, it will burn nicely.

While I was thinking about it, another worm fell from above and joined the baits.

So that’s how it accumulated.

Perhaps worms that gathered in the desert fell here?

[It looks like the bridge got broken when it was hit by the falling worms.] Jade

[What are we going do now?] Mel

[I will build a bridge.] Yuna

When I get off from Swaying Bear, I build a bridge of about 15 to 20 meters. As a bonus, it has a roof.

When the worms falls from above, it would be dangerous if we were crossing the bridge.

[Your magic is great as always.] Mel

[Thanks to the Bear’s Blessing.] Yuna

I can do it using secret techniques and the Bear’s Blessing.

When the excuses are troublesome, it’ll be limited to this.

I made a bridge so I ignored the worms below and proceeded.

[Karina, don’t look down.] Yuna

[Uh, it’s slow. I can see it from above Hugging Bear-chan. The thought of falling is making me scared.] Karina

I’m confident that I’ll go crazy if I fell into the nest of such worms.

I would never want to fall.

[Two are children and they’re not used to such insects. I’m fine because I’m a man.] Toya

Toya who’s walking in front, treats us like children.

Can I push him?

That’ll be cool right?

It’ll be nice if I can push him a little.

When I was thinking about that,

[Ei.] Senia

Senia-san hit Toya’s back.

[Uwa ā ā.] Toya

Toya is almost out of balance.

[Oh, I’m falling.] Toya

Somehow, he’s barely keeping his balance and does not fall off the bridge.

The worms below opens their mouths and are waiting for Toya.

Arrgh, so close.

[So close.] Senia

Senia-san’s words agrees with my heart.

[What do you mean [So close]? What will you do if I fell?!] Toya

[Because Toya is a man, it’s okay for you to fall into a swarm of worm.] Senia

[It’s not okay. If I fall, I will die.] Toya

[I was wondering if you really like worms. I’m a girl, so a fluffy bear is better than those abominations.] Senia

Senia-san hugs Swaying Bear.

I agree with Senia-san this time.

Both Mel-san and Karina are nodding at Senia-san’s words.

[Jade~.] Toya

Toya asked Jade-san, for help as the same man as him.

[I’m also good with Yuna’s Bears rather than a worm.] Jade

Toya is abandoned by Jade-san.

We left Toya, who is being depressed.

[Wa… Wait for me.] Toya

Toya chased us while crying.

Author’s Note:

One of the member who cleared the labyrinth, the name was Mumroot.

Next time, October 13 is the second anniversary.

Its so fast.