Demon Lord: Erotic Adventure in Another World

Chapter 63: The Third Level - A Mysterious Dungeon

Ryuji found the third floor to be beautiful. He no longer felt cold or hot; instead, the temperature reached an ideal level.

The earthen walls, like the skin of some ancient beast, were ragged and filled with sharp protrusions. Strange moss, a vibrant green, flowed from the base of the walls, descending the huge cavern and valley walls. The ground, soft underfoot, was quite dry, preventing them from slipping as they moved forward.

"It seems to be a dungeon with its sky."

"What a strange place."

"Yeah."

Ryuji noticed that Simon, Paul, and Alicia seemed more relaxed. Though he still carried Erika, limiting his movement. He felt fine.

No monster could harm her. Though Yumiko continued growing more jealous, her eyes narrowing with her tail slapping the ground with a thump.

The group came to a crossroads, divided into three separate paths. One twisted towards the right, covered in moss with a softer ground. Filled with mud and slipping hazards. The path left filled with darkness from collapsed rocks and walls forming an overhead wall.

'Then straight ahead, entering an open plane of land.'

"We should go left," Simon said as they were considering their options.

"Why do you think so?" Alicia asked, tilting her head.

"Oh? The ground seems dry, and we have shade from the sun."

Ryuji looked left, his eyes watching the movement of magic. He felt the pillars weren't safe. Green magic swirled around them in certain areas.

'Is it a trap?'

His eyes focused on the other paths: 'right, clear, and middle, safe.' He then turned to the group with his choice made.

"Sorry. Let's try the middle path."

"But that leads to a wide opening!"

"Yeah."

"We need to create cover to help Erika heal, Ryuji," Sheila said with a soft voice, though she seemed to observe his reaction.

"She's already fine, don't worry."

Ryuji's hand slipped down her back and grasped her buttocks before squeezing. "Ahn." Her voice sounded before Yumiko released a growl, her eyes able to see where Ryuji touched her.

"See?"

"Ryuji, I am still wounded. Don't touch my ass..."

He enjoyed watching her cheeks turn bright red. Their party stared in surprise at Ryuji's method of testing her. Alicia could only smirk.

"Be careful, or the wound might open." Sheila shook her head. She could never make Ryuji change, so she just appeared to give up.

'It seems Sheila is quite easy to convince.'

Her focus had drifted towards the walls, and she noticed something that Ryuji might have. A fresh spring down the centre path.

"Are we sure that is okay?" Alicia asked, rubbing her left hand with her right. She could only appear surprised as the couple continued with their actions.

"Don't mind me." Ryuji checked Erika's chest, his fingers stroking the slight scar before looking back to the party. He tried to avoid the death stare from Yumiko but failed.

'I'll deal with her later at the inn.'

"I agree with Ryuji," Paul said. He held a small rune that glowed green. "If we go left, my rune senses danger, and the right path is a dead end."

"Well, the left path appears to be fine, Paul."

"While it may be fine, the structure shows signs of collapsing soon. Look at the base of the stone and the pillars."

"Oh, it's crumbling and is that artificial wind created by the dungeon!?"

"Right, exactly." Paul pointed to the right path. "And that looks dangerous too."

"Damn, you guys are just annoying, not listening to my opinion. But what about the middle path?"

Simon joked while rubbing the back of his hair with a wide grin.

"So, what should we do, Ryuji?" Alicia asked.

"We use the middle path."

"The path leading into a wide opening," Simon added as he chuckled.

"It seems it's our only option."

The group seemed to agree. In the past, they planned for Sheila to lead, but thanks to Ryuji's strange instinct. Sheila and Simon trusted him more than themselves. Paul always followed Simon's lead, and Alicia watched their reactions.

'Not like I can say I can see the magic in the air. That would draw a lot of attention.'

"Alright, let's go then," Sheila said as she led the way.

"Come on, you."

Ryuji lifted Erika higher, her arms able to wrap around him tight now. He looked back at Yumiko, blowing her a kiss, though she blushed before turning away with a huff.

"Hmph..."

He could see her tail wagging in delight. His fox girlfriend tricked, so long as he gave her attention.

'I think it's easier to deal with beastkin than human women, but... maybe this dungeon isn't too bad.'

As they headed towards the central path, small orbs of magic appeared in Ryuji's eyes. The new monsters possessed more magic than past enemies.

"Be careful. The monsters on this floor are magic types. Not physical."

"Oh, you seem to have improved your senses, Ryuji."

"Indeed."

The party reacted to Ryuji's words. He pointed at three green creatures with deformed butterfly wings and imp-like bodies near a small shrubbery.

"Sprigs!"

'Hm?'

"What are sprigs, Alicia?"

Ryuji wanted to know the enemy, his arms lowering Erica onto her feet, wearing her new winged boots. He then wrapped one arm around her waist and kept her steady while looking back.

"In my home, they would linger in rotting woods or cursed places. They are twisted fairies that suffer from a curse that makes them evil."

"If we could obtain their wings, we could create some potions," Sheila added as she formed a low glow illuminating her staff.

"Indeed, the wings of a sprig can restore magic."

'I guess we have to fight.'

"Erika, this fight you sit out." Ryuji lifted her and placed her on a stone with a backrest. He then swiped his necklace, forming his battle axe.

"Do they have any weaknesses?"

"Their magic is high, but defence against physical attacks is abysmal."

"They are weak against fire," Paul added, gripping his staff with a grin.

'These guys know a lot.'

"So, I should burn them?"

"Indeed."

The group formed a different party, with Paul and Alicia standing at the front, a few steps behind Ryuji. Paul held three crimson runes while Alicia armed herself with several scorch arrows.

"Ready?"

The party nodded, so Ryuji approached, his body the vanguard.

'First!'

Ryuji took a deep breath, his eyes aiming at the leading sprig with a strange, ugly face.

'None of the fairy's beauty remains.'

Right behind him, Alicia, with four arrows between her knuckles and finger, drew her bow to the maximum, standing ready to perform her rapid-fire shots.

The three sprigs released their magic upon noticing Ryuji. In response, he focused further, increasing his speed, dashing towards them, prepared to use his whirlwind to crush them. From over his shoulder, a flurry of arrows with red tips tore through the air, rushing towards the sprigs.

"Kyah!"

Ryuji watched three sprigs struggle to dodge the arrows. Her arrows flashed before exploding with a sharp flame, burning the sprigs.

The two sprigs at the back continued their assault towards Ryuji. However, before their magic could reach them, Ryuji's axe entered their view. As it did, the blade emitted a storm-like force as he swung from below to above, obliterating the two sprigs. Their small bodies popped from the whirlwind's pressure before the axe even touched them.

In retaliation, the burned sprig, fluttering away, held its hands towards Ryuji before a huge fireball shot towards him. In response, he brought his axe upward to block the blow.

The force was immense as the sprig continued to concentrate magic into the fireball before it exploded. The fireball seared the surrounding area before Ryuji felt something wrapped around him. Then followed a bang that deafened him, with his spinning vision and body flying in the air.

'Ugh... magic is too strong.'

Paul's hand grasped Ryuji's shoulder, holding him in place. The disorientation caused him to almost stagger into another fireball. Instead, Paul tossed his runes at the small sprig.

"Ryuji, are you alright?"

'Yeah. I think.'

"That fireball hurts."

"Well, that was powerful." Paul coughed while the group gave an awkward laugh. His spell burned the final sprig to death before combat ended.

"Indeed."

Sheila rushed to Ryuji with a worried expression, her eyes examining him for wounds. Though his armour and gauntlets protected him well, his exposed chest and stomach still burned.

"Take your shirt off, now."

"Ow... my ears are still ringing."

'She can't wait to see my body.'

He looked over his shoulder as the party shared a look before averting their eyes. Though Yumiko stared, her cheeks red and hands grasping her chest as she bit her lower lip.

'She probably feels a little useless, but her skills will be needed. I am sure of it.'

He lifted his shirt, revealing his toned muscles and stomach to the party.

Sheila's hand touched his stomach, and a cool sensation filled his body. The burn wound on his chest disappeared after a few seconds of her chanting, and Ryuji could breathe once more.

"Phew, there are lots of those guys in the clearing. Should we take a rest to prepare for magical encounters?" Ryuji asked, giving a dirty look to Simon, who was mocking him, pretending to fall to the floor, spinning.