Vol. 14 - Ch. 764 - Advanced Dungeon: From exploration advice to coddlng cat?

"Karua, use your «Meow-nar»!" (T/N - Was So-nya before. Just realised Meow-nar, aka Sonar, seems more clear.)

"Hn! «Meow-nar»!"

As our first step, I'd Karua search our surroundings.

"Hn. There are 5 there, 4 in that direction, and 6 in that direction. It seems like there are monsters everywhere."

"Obviously. There's no path, so there's no set direction for monsters, which means they're free to roam around. Remember this about advanced dungeons."

We're still near the entrance, and have yet to make a move. I was giving our party members a lecture on the difference between advanced and intermediate dungeons, and their scenery.

To further add, the starting point was also a Safety Area, that meant we're safe from monsters completely. This was also why the first step to take was starting with scouting. Plus, a specialised scout could easily detect all the monsters from this entrance to the entrance of the next floor.

Lana was obviously excited, even about to jump to begin her first ever advanced-dungeon exploration, but I somehow held her down so that I could explain everything.

Of course, I had explained bits before arriving here, but as they say, there was a world of difference between practical and theory. So I hammered down the details, making sure they'd get it.

"Starting with, always remember monsters can appear from any direction."

"So an omni-directional search is necessary, huh."

"For us, Karua is with us. She can immediately inform us of any nearby monster's presence."

"Hn, leave it to me."

Sierra and Ester had an expression of vigilance, so I added to ease them down. 

It was good that they're careful, but there was no need to wear our psyche down when the scout was with us. It was their role.

The earlier dungeons had either cave-like terrains or fields with paths. Caves were easier to scout by anyone, since there was only one direction from where monsters could appear, aka front. Also, the sound could also reveal their presence. Fields had monsters typically near the roads, so they're easy to spot.

However, neither of the indications was here. It was like searching in the wilderness. You could avoid monsters from north and south, but could you also evade pincers from east and west? Double encounters were the norm here.

Furthermore, monsters were free to move, even appearing far away from their pop up location. It had erased all the semblance of certainty, and added randomness. 

But, otherwise, the view was still the same. It was still the same terrain, just missing some roads, and nothing else. Just, don't hesitate, or you'd be doomed.

The game had the safety net of «Rescue Report», but in reality we'd to deal with problems at a time. Exploration could also create confusion, and the more time one spends randomly moving, the easier it would be to wear out and get incapacitated. 

"Rina's «Bookmark» and «Projection Connect» would've been terrific here."

«Full Mapping» alone wasn't enough to find treasure chests or entrances to the next floor, however when coupled with «Bookmark» and «Projection Connect», the efficiency was off the charts. The projection allowed us to view even the distant scenery easily, meanwhile bookmarks helped us find our way back, or even remember where entrance is easily for which floor.

In the dungeons, that was the important role of «Bookmark» and «Projection Connect».

"Without anyone with those skills, the only option is to make a map from scratch, and use something as symbols that absolutely will not be lost. And those somethings are these «Smoke Signal Stove», and «Anti-light Stone Slip».

Personally, I knew the maps by heart, but that wasn't the case for other members. It was impossible for me to be in every team all the time, so I'd prepared these methods—an absolute way to find your way back—to make them self-sufficient. 

The items were literally a stove, and an arch-shaped stone.

Sierra, Ester, and Karua's expressions didn't faze when I showed them out. They must've known what these items were even without my explanation.

"What's this, Zephyr? How do you use them?"

"You know you've got the knack to ask the answers I was waiting to explain, Lana. Alright, I will tell you!"

It was refreshing to see Lana taking the turn to inquire about. It was worth arranging them!

"«Smoke Signal Stove» is pretty much what its name impplies—it's a stove that exude smoke for 16 hours non-stop, and act as beacon. Also, once used, it will automatically turn into light, so it's a consumable item."

It was a palm-sized stove. Appearance-wise, sharing the resemblance to cockroach killing item. It was easy to mix them up, so always check them out! 

By leaving it, it would emit smoke, noticeable from any direction no matter where, securing our way back. 

The other was a non-consumable item. The arch-shaped stone came as a set with an arch-shaped lithograph. You leave the lithograph at the desired location, and then use the stone ticket  to point its direction.

"It was the same as item-searching item «Meowsing». In this case though, you should pick it up when it's finished its purpose. One might misunderstand it as a lost item, and may pick it up. ...Or maybe not?"

Games were static, so once set up, they'd remain in their place for eternity unless players picked them up. Here, it could be picked up by anyone. Well, It would be awful if someone thought it was lost, and this led the original owner astray. Maybe others might be  careful before picking it up, eh?

"You can request them to be picked up as well."

"Oh, you can do that? I didn't know. Thanks for the tip, Ester."

Ester informed me while I was wondering about it. 

Right. I completely forgot but you could put up a «Lost Item Search Quest» to retrieve them. 

I passed the two items to Lana, and had her try them out while I explained instructions.

"So this will allow us to find our way back!"

"Yup. We're only exploring two floors today, so this should come handy."

Strictly speaking, my objective today was to retrieve certain items, and acquire some resources. 

Alright. Time to check up with Karua.

"How does it look, Karua?"

"Hn, it's very odd and bizarre. A trap? maybe. There's no pattern in the monster's movement, all random."

"We just have to get used to it."

I'd have Karua scour the area with her «Peeping», and her summon «Summon Agent Cat» to explore the surrounding area. She appeared confused, first for her in scouting.

"Meow." 

"Meow. Meow." 

"Meow. Meow. Meow."

"I see. You did well on the mission."

And just on time, the three black returns charted their way back, having explored their area. Her skill was level 10, so she could now summon 3 of them at once to explore around.

I didn't notice their approach, though. They must've used «Shadow Concealment». At closer look, all three of black cat's HP were shaved off.

"They got caught in a trap. It was a resource spot. Need to be careful."

"I see. Um, great work, black cat."

So it was a trap huh. That was an advanced dungeon for now, even resources were loaded with traps. Truly advanced level stuff.

One of the black cats was rubbing its head against my leg, so I crouched down, and gently brushed its fur. 

"Aww, so adorable! Mhm, you did your best. Come, I will reward you with pets."

"Meow."

"Then I shall have the last cat."

"Meeow~."

No, you shall not have, Ester. What about scouting?

Lana and Ester picked up the remaining cats in their embrace, coddling them.

"Hn, Sierra, I did my best too."

"Of course, it would turn into it. Yes, you're great too, Karua."

"Nn."

And then Karua turned to Sierra, having the latter caress her.

For the time being, it appeared the exploration of the advanced dungeon was superseded by a cat care session.