People often call the jungle the “green hell.” That phrase is no exaggeration.
This place is horrifying.
As soon as we stepped into the dense forest at the entrance, we were greeted by thick trees and tangled vines.
Along with bugs, humidity, and heat!
In this naturally ford maze, visibility was practically nonexistent.
Every ter we moved forward, vines and plant stems blocked our way.
True to their dungeon nature, these plants were tough and didn’t cut easily.
Because of this, everyone in our group channeled magical energy into their weapons to carve a path.
“Ack, it’s so dense! Irene, is this the right direction?”
“Directionally, yes. Look at this.”
Irene, who was diligently clearing a path with a jungle machete, showed an electronic map linked to an inertial navigation sensor.
Checking the map, we could see that we were continuing straight, even accounting for sensor error.
“If we take a slight detour, we can find an easier path. The density of the forest there is lower, and there’s a clear trail. Should we turn back now?”
“I’m okay with anything. What about you, Violet?”
“It’s a waste of ti! Let’s just keep going!”
We weren’t here for leisure. We were here to grow.
“But wouldn’t it be better to take it easy? I’ll make a path.”
“Make a path? What are you talking about?”
“First Squad, assemble!”
Leaving my puzzled friends behind, I called so of the nearby Violets advancing with us.
Thanks to our ability to sense each other’s locations, we gathered without any confusion despite the chaotic jungle.
“Assembly complete!”
Once the black-masked Violets gathered, Number 1 imdiately gave an order.
“From now on, we’re making a path. Clear everything blocking the way.”
“Understood.”
The Violet platoon simultaneously drew swords and axes.
At this mont, we beca a construction team.
With red magical energy enveloping their blades, fiery auras flared up.
-Crack!
“Cut everything down!”
Dozens of Violets began rapidly clearing a path for the party to traverse.
The vines that seed impervious to even chainsaws fell in an instant.
Soon, a path wide enough for a couple of adult n to pass through appeared before us.
My friends’ expressions were filled with astonishnt.
“This will do. Let’s move!”
“Oh… so there was this option. Not a bad idea.”
As Irene’s golden eyes glead with interest, the Violet squad transford into a giant lawnmower, creating a comfortable path.
Walking along the cleared trail made things much easier. But it was hot—unbearably muggy.
Daphne, who had been following from behind, paused for a mont to wipe the sweat off my face.
“Ah, thanks. It was uncomfortable with it getting into my eyes.”
“The jungle is definitely hot. How’s everyone holding up, Number 1?”
She gestured toward the Violet squad clearing the path ahead and the other squads scouting the periter.
“Even Number 1 Violet is drenched in sweat. But the rest of the Violets are wearing that stuffy outfit and masks—it looks stifling.”
Her concern wasn’t unfounded.
The air inside this dungeon was as stifling as a sauna, and our skin beca sticky in no ti. It wasn’t a taphor—it really was like a sauna.
The display on Daphne’s staff showed the temperature here to be around 40 degrees Celsius.
It made wonder how the plants here thrived so well. Could it be due to the power of ether?
“Don’t worry; no one will collapse from exhaustion.”
Number 1 Violet pointed toward Number 12, who was nearby.
“See Number 12 over there? You can see steam rising around them, right?”
“You’re right. Did they stuff ice into their clothes?”
“Exactly! We packed ice packs into their outfits.”
With our inventory and transfer abilities, our supplies were limitless. If necessary, we could even procure items from outside the dungeon.
To combat the heat, we had already made various preparations.
At ho, we had frozen a ton of ice packs in the fridge. Whenever needed, we transferred the ice packs into the Violets’ clothes.
Even the masks had ice inserts to provide relief.
“Oh, I forgot to give so to you guys. Use this if you’re hot.”
Numbers 1 and 12 handed out cold ice packs and popsicles to the others.
Irene delightedly pressed the ice pack to her cheek, while Daphne pulled a chilled water bottle from her inventory and handed it over.
The cool water was refreshing.
An hour passed like that.
“At this rate, it feels like a picnic. We’ve barely encountered any beasts.”
“The academy purposely regulates their numbers for safety. The only beasts here are weak ones like Skrax that can’t bypass the barrier field.”
Listening to their conversation, I leisurely strolled through the jungle trail cleared by the Violet squad.
Though the ground was piled with vines and bushes, it wasn’t difficult to walk.
Shortly after erging from the dense sea of trees, we entered a region where the vegetation was sparse.
“This is the anomaly zone. Everyone, stay alert.”
A warning sign appeared ahead. It resembled the ones we had seen in the Alkesia forest before.
“Violet, do you rember what we learned last ti? If you find sothing suspicious, throw a small object to check it.”
-BOOM!
“Hyiaaak!”
“Ukyah!”
As soon as Irene began to explain, a small explosion erupted in front of us.
Two mbers of Violet’s squad who had gone ahead of us were engulfed in flas and thrown to the ground in front of the party.
“Kyaa! I’m burning!”
“Stay still. I’ll put it out right away!”
Daphne hurriedly ran over, aid her staff, and used magic.
Water doused the flas, finally extinguishing them.
When the soldiers tried to get up, Daphne stopped them and completed imdiate treatnt before they could rise.
“I told you there might be anomalies or traps. Did you go in right away?”
“Of course, I threw a marble. But it exploded violently.”
“What? That shouldn’t happen.”
Puzzled, Irene approached the location. Seeing suspicious shimring waves on the ground, she carefully pulled out another marble and tossed it.
Like before, flas roared skyward, and she quickly ducked.
The power was stronger than expected.
“It’s true. It wasn’t your fault. I didn’t realize the anomalies would be this intense…”
The party and Violet’s squad paused to observe the anomalous area.
Checking each step would be the standard procedure, but that would take a lot of ti.
“Everyone, gather up!”
I called the entire Violet squad to assemble.
“I have a favor to ask. Irene, could you use your unique ability on us?”
“Why suddenly? …Alright.”
The light of Irene’s guidance radiated from her body, enveloping us.
This temporarily boosted the Violet squad’s basic abilities.
Let’s add sothing else on top.
“Shields? For everyone?”
“Yes, they’re necessary. Please.”
“Alright. Gather a little closer, everyone.”
Daphne struck the ground with her staff, and the blessing of Azure Eyes wrapped around us.
Now the bodies of Violet’s squad mbers were surrounded by golden magic, each wearing a translucent green shield.
They were several tis tougher than usual.
“I did what you asked. Now tell why you needed the unique ability.”
“It’s for this. Everyone, prepare!”
“Ah, you’re not seriously…”
“Eh, Violet, where are you going? Ah, ah…”
Irene sighed, realizing what was happening, while Daphne stamred in confusion.
Violet’s squad moved forward.
During World War II, there were countries that used prisoners to detect landmines. Inspired by this, I decided to try sothing similar.
We can’t spend forever confirming every trap or anomaly.
The fastest way is to test it physically.
So we charged forward.
“Chaaarge!”
Empowered by buffs and sturdier than ever, Violet’s squad sprinted ahead. Before long, the surroundings were filled with the cacophony of natural disasters triggered by their advance. s
“Follow !”
“Whew, I didn’t think you’d actually do it. You’re really…”
“Eh…uh… Violet, what exactly is happening? Huh?! What are we doing!”
Squad leader No. 1 led the team forward, while the other Violet mbers beca human anomaly detectors, reporting anomaly locations in real-ti.
“Three o’clock, 25 ters ahead, vortex phenonon! Move left to avoid it.”
“Gravity anomaly at twelve o’clock. Walk ten ters, then turn right with the party!”
“Back off a bit. Lightning incoming! Get down!”
Using their reports, my friends and I successfully navigated through the anomalous zone.
“I can’t believe you actually did that. I know it’s your style, but still…”
“But we got through quickly, didn’t we? No need to waste ti there.”
Irene shook her head in disbelief, glancing sideways at Daphne, who stared at in shock and disbelief.
“Wait, Violet, that was… um…”
“Ehehe…”
While I scratched my head with nothing to say, mbers of Violet’s squad began erging one by one from the anomaly zone.
“We made it!”
Thankfully, most of Violet’s squad survived the anomalies unscathed thanks to their double-layered buffs.
Though a few t unfortunate ends, I imdiately summoned replacents, so no one would notice.
“That was too reckless. Next ti, tell us what you’re planning beforehand. Okay?”
“Got it…”
Despite Daphne’s scolding, we managed to proceed at lightning speed.
A few hours later, we reached a hidden passage leading to the ruins.
The ti to grow stronger was approaching.
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