Reincarnated in the game world ~ A gamer's beginning to [Dungeon job hunting recommendation]

Vol. 7 - Chapter 379 - Fiercer than the Dinosaurs, the cat of

It was easy to forget when there was such a harmless sight present before you, but <Solitary Kitten Dungeon> was ultimately a dungeon. Furthermore, it's also our first Intermediate-mid dungeon.

So, I would really prefer if members could be more vigilant, but as far as I could see, it was a hopeless situation.

"Perhaps, it was a blunder to choose <Cat-Dun> as the first target."

"What are you saying Zephyr? It's a huge success!"

"That's right, Zephyr-kun, look how cute these cats are."

"If only they were just cute," I thought. But I know if I say it out loud, I would become the enemy of all girls so I kept my mouth shut. Lana and Hannah already seemed to be content with just that. It would be a problem if they lost all their motivation to fight.

"A cat in the forest~

I turned around~ And there is one more cat in the forest~?"

Ah, and there it is, they have even begun to sing! The one singing seems to be... Lulu?

What to do. We don't have all the time of the world in our hands, so I would really like to put our exploration in motion. But all the girls were having so much fun. And stealing away their fun goes against my creed!

As my expression shifted over and over, contemplating on what to do, Sierra called out to me, looking dumbfounded.

"Zephyr, let's set a time limit. Once the time is up, we shall begin with our exploration."

"Oh my goddess, Sierra!"

At the juncture of the dilemma, I saw the reflection of a goddess in Sierra. As expected of the <Eden> submaster who was always there to help me, I lowered my head to her.

"Goddess, that's...... you're exaggerating, Zephyr. That much is also the work of the submaster. So there's no need to make such a big noise."

When I looked at her with a sparkling gaze, Sierra shifted her gaze and hurriedly explained. Her cheeks look a bit......flushed?

"Grrrr."

"Sierra-san is really formidable... so casually earning points......"

"I-I am not doing this for points or anything. It's just work."

"Guilty, you are obviously trying to earn the point!"

"It's sly of you to hold that position! Sierra, change it with me!"

"No way."

Behind me, Lana, Hannah and Sierra seemed to be quarrelling with each other but I didn't hear them clearly as I went around informing everyone that they had ten minutes before we began our exploration.

A look of reluctance flashed on everyone's face, but they decided to rather enjoy than wasting their precious time. I was glad I didn't need to persuade them further. It's really great to have someone like Sierra.

And then, ten minutes later, everyone gathered at one place.

"Alright, it's time. ......What's wrong, you guys? You look so out of breath."

"Huff It's fine. Don't mind us."

"O-Okay."

For some reason, Lana, Hannah and Sierra were huffing for breath, which was quite a rare sight that that hardly happens outside of excruciating tasks. Did something happen while I was busy informing others? I wondered, but ultimately gave up after being told to not pay attention to them.

"Very well, some might be reluctant, but it is what it is. Let's start! Everyone, make sure to not fall behind!"

" " "Roger(-desu)!" " "

All members raised their voice in response and with this began our exploration.

To describe the <Solitary Kitten Dungeon>, it was a forest type dungeon. There was a path wide enough for only two carriages to pass side-by-side, we were walking along it. As it was an intermediate-mid dungeon, each of its floors were huge with numerous branching paths. It was easy to get lost in those paths and instead ended up wasting a lot of time by accidentally taking a roundabout way, so it was necessary to memorise the short-route (Though, visiting the exploration site used to be the way).

Also, the forest was overflowing with cats so it was impossible to pass through them. While those cats were nothing more than backdrop scenery, they also had their territories. Even a single step inside the forest would result in being attacked. And they wouldn't attack alone, but in groups.

The only option in that scenario would be to run, and it was just a moment of countdown before one is rendered unable to fight.

It had been entirely impossible in the game to enter the forest, but the situation was different in reality. I conveyed this to everyone as we walked.

"And that's why, it's forbidden to enter into the forest. You absolutely have to be careful to not step inside.”

"Lulu knows! It's the same as not sticking your hand into the fence!"

"Fufu, Lulu is really smart~"

"Ehehe."

To Lulu, this place was no different from a zoo it seems.

Everyone felt a soothing wave washing over them seeing the bashful Lulu, except Celia, who was in her own world.

"Ah, a cat has appeared!"

"Meow!"

"Light brown calico cat, it's a <Chamisen>. Who is interested in fighting?"

While walking, a cat-type monster, <Chamisen>, appeared from the forest. Just one. As long as it concerned this dungeon, monsters appear alone in the shallow floor of this dungeon.

<Chamisen> was one of the representative monster in the <Cat-Dun>. It was capable of walking on two legs and equipped with one handed <Fish Bone Sword>. As the name implies, it could also use <Swordsman> related skill, so caution was necessary.

It was no taller than waist-length, relatively larger than the small cats in the background.

A look of excitement appeared on everyone's face, but with a single word from me, their excitement deflated.

"Are we going to fight that?"

"Meow?"

Hannah asks gingerly. For some reason, I also felt like the cat asking 'Do you wanna fight? Are you sane?'.

"Well, of course. Despite its appearance, it's a monster from the Intermediate-mid dungeon, so it is quite strong in face. Don't let yourself be deceived by its appearance."

As a matter of fact, there were more than just a few who got whooped out by <Chamisen>. Needless to say, its cute appearance was the biggest contributor to it. Should I say everyone gets knocked out by its cuteness? It sounds more like something Lulu would triumph at.

Anyway, jokes aside, despite its appearance and being only about waist-high, it was ranked as one of the strongest monsters among other Int-mid dungeons.

In game, single monsters tend to be strong. A fair comparison would be Trolls and Cyclops in other games. The same position, however, is occupied by the cats in the <Dungeon Activity>. (Don't ask me why. I really wonder why a cat is stronger than a freaking dinosaur.)

"I will say it once again. Despite how it looks, that monster is incredibly strong. Don't let down your guard."

My first task was to break the illusion of their cute and harmless appearance. This wasn't the only dungeon with cute monsters we would be facing in the future. Saying "I can't beat it because it's cute" wouldn't work here!

Once they fought it, they would understand how much of a visual deception it was. It was a monster capable of one-shotting you. That's why I wanted them to fight as a party

"Alright, let's start with Team A. Team B, just watch from here."