My Refrigerator Turned Into A Dungeon

Chapter 221:

Dungeon Stampede 2.0 Water Hazard

1:00 PM. The wind is slightly strong, but under the bright sunlight, the mucus boat drifts down the sparkling river.

Yes, the voyage is going smoothly. Well, it’s entirely dependent on the river’s flow, so it’s only moving at a speed comparable to a brisk walk. But being able to move without any effort is really appreciated.

The camouflage mucus sheet is only slightly open at the bow and stern, allowing a view outside. Its surface is covered with grass plucked when we approached the riverbank, so from a distance, it would just look like a clump of grass drifting. Well, the only ones interested in something like this would be beavers.

Now, as for why Serai-san was able to fly, it’s clearly because of the Fly Queen Suit.

Apart from neatly modifying the head and removing the four extra arms, this suit is almost as it was. Since the Fly Queen and Serai-san proportions were close, it could be made without much alteration.

But because of that, I never imagined it had such a gimmick.

Well, it is a fly. It was a bit strange that it had no wings, but I didn't pay much attention to it when making it. Whether it was due to gaining altitude or triggered by Serai-san's fear, for the first time, small white glowing wings sprouted from the Fly Queen suit.

Those wings disappeared cleanly when she landed on the mucus boat, leaving no trace.

Hmm… it seems the Fly Queen suit has a special effect like [Flight] or [Soar]. But Serai-san, who is wearing it, has no idea how she did it.

She said she was just scared of the height and falling while flying.

So, I tried to make her generate the glowing wings again after landing, but it was no use. There must be some trigger, but it's unknown at this point. Still, it's good to know such a gimmick exists.

Besides, Serai-san, who absorbed the life energy of that giant black spider until she vomited blood. Her gutsy fight paid off, as her stats have reached nearly 300 across the board.

Yeah, 300 is amazing. That's equivalent to about 30 adult men.

Level: 38

Race: Human

Occupation: Teacher

Stats:

Strength: 245

Stamina: 250

Intelligence: 246

Spirit: 271

Agility: 248

Luck: 166

Despair: 356

Blessings:

[Blessing of Salt]

Skills:

[Strong Acid 2], [Agility], [Disease Resistance 6], [Usurp], [Mucus 5], [Space 4], [Good Luck 1.4], [Footwork], [Meditation], [Salt 5]

Titles:

[Bug King], [Salt Mate], [Salty Guy]

This is my past status.

But, hmm… it surpasses the stats I had when I was level 38, hunting monsters in the dungeon after falling into darkness. Serai-san reached this at level 22, which is astounding. No wonder it hurts when she chokes me. She even has the [Strong Arm] skill.

However, she was very frustrated at not acquiring any skills from the giant black spider. Well… that's just luck.

Oh, by the way, Nina-san and Ruu also reached level 20, with stats around 250. What's amazing about them is that Ruu acquired [Fortification], and Nina-san got the skill [Compound Interest].

[Fortification] is probably the thing that made our normal attacks ineffective against the giant black spider. The word means something to prevent enemy attacks or intrusion, but as a skill, it would be effective for strengthening webs or oneself.

Nina-san's [Compound Interest]… hmm, that probably isn't from the spider. Likely self-acquired.

When we were settling down at the ration supply house, she said she had a long, troubling dream while resting at the hotel. It was like a nightmare, and she was very worried in the dream, thinking, ‘Oh, what should I do!? Should I invest in the defense industry, which is sure to skyrocket after this crash… or go for high-dividend stocks with increased yields due to the crash!?'

When she woke up, she found she had the skill [Compound Interest].

Hmm, well, this is similar to how I acquired [Meditation] and [Craft]. And [Compound Interest] is very much like Nina-san.

The effects are still unknown, but since there's also the matter of my [Female] skill that caused me to transform, we promised to test these new skills thoroughly when we're all settled. They are unknown skills, and something strange could happen again.

So, summarizing the states of the three:

Serai Machi

Level: 22

Race: Human

Occupation: Nakihito Special Student

Stats: All around 300

Skills:

[Acid], [Agility], [Strong Arm], [Flight]? (due to the suit)

Nina Shizue

Level: 20

Race: Human

Occupation: Nakihito Special Student

Stats: All around 250

Skills:

[Acid], [Agility], [Strong Legs], [Compound Interest]

Katehina Ruu

Level: 20

Race: Human

Occupation: Nakihito Special Student

Stats: All around 250

Skills:

[Acid], [Usurpation], [Agility], [Fortification]

That's about it.

It's a bit disappointing that we didn't get skills like [Thread] or [Poison] from the giant black spider. But still, their growth is amazing.

…..

[Swoosh~! Splash…]

From the streets visible on both sides, numerous plumes of smoke are rising, and occasionally the sound of explosions echoes. It is truly a critical situation… Yet, only the river remains peaceful. A cool breeze blows through, and the grass growing by the river sways gently in response.

There is no physical exertion or use of magic, nor any running that leaves one breathless. Yes, it’s a truly comfortable boat trip. Choosing the river route was definitely the right decision.

But the peaceful atmosphere of the boat trip is suddenly shattered.

From the approaching bridge, for some reason, a man jumps into the river.

[Splash!]

Could it be that he was being chased by a monster? A grand water splash rises upon his landing, breaking the pleasant silence. And to make matters worse, the man swims towards this disguised mucus boat.

Hmm… this is exceedingly troublesome.

"…Who are you!"

[Splat!]

"Whoa! Hey, what…!?"

As the man swims close to the mucus boat, he is immediately bound by a mucus bullet fired along with a challenge. The man, attacked and stripped of the camouflage mucus sheet, is helplessly caught in the mucus.

Hmm, though it may seem rough, this is a natural response in an emergency.

Anyone who can fall from a 20-meter bridge and swim immediately after is, without a doubt, a dungeon ability user, unless they are a stuntman. Moreover, wandering alone in this situation of a dungeon stampede almost confirms it.

In such a situation, there are generally two types of people wandering outside.

One is a light-hearted person, worried sick about the safety of their family or friends, venturing out despite the threat of monsters. The other is a dark-hearted person, seizing the opportunity of the disaster to commit crimes.

"Eh? A monster? No… a human! You’re human, right! Hey, why tie me up suddenly? Hey, answer me!"

Recovering from his confusion, the man seems to recognize me as human and tries to initiate a conversation. Hmm, but he seems quite frivolous.

The man’s appearance is tousled blonde hair, likely dyed. Although wet now, it seems he spent considerable time setting it. His attire is a patterned shirt and a silver necklace. Hey, where’s your gear for fighting monsters? As I observe, the only noticeable thing is the pair of gold earrings on his left ear. They probably aren’t superior magic items.

Hmm, it's been a week since the second wave of the dungeon stampede. And yet, this guy is wandering around without proper equipment, I can’t understand him.

But as I silently look down from the boat, the man in the river starts talking again.

"Oh…! Right, right! Don’t you remember? It’s me, from high school! Man, it’s been a while!"

(Huh, what’s with this guy…? Is he trying to fool me by claiming to be a high school classmate in this emergency? Completely absurd, considering I’m wearing a mask.

Hmph… unfortunately for him, that trick won’t work on me!

In high school, I was shunned not only by my class but by the entire grade. Therefore, no one would nostalgically remember our high school days together! How’s that, hahaha…!)

Thus, as a loner, I had no openings.

"What nonsense are you spouting? …And what's in that backpack? Show me."

The blonde frivolous man, bound by the mucus flotation ring and floating in the river, keeps glancing at his backpack.

"Hey, give it back! Don’t just take it!!"

Taking the backpack he was carrying and checking its contents, out came luxury watches, rings, and various jewelry like gold, silver, and pearl necklaces.

"Hmm, just as I thought, you’re a looter."

"…Tch!!"

The frivolous man, his face twisting and clicking his tongue at being caught red-handed.

So, it’s confirmed he’s a looter who jumped from the bridge. Serai-san also glances at the backpack’s contents, looking exasperated.

"Agh… What should we do with that?"

"Hmm, carrying this around would make us look like thieves. We shouldn't take it."

"Right. Oh, look, there’s a police car parked on the next bridge."

"Oh, perfect timing. Let's throw this to the police car!"

"Wait, no, stop!!"

What do you mean, stop, fool. You interrupted our peaceful and sweet boat trip. This is your punishment. I throw the backpack filled with stolen jewelry towards the police car on the bridge.

"Ugh…!"

"What’s with the ‘ugh'? Now, it’s your turn…"

As I finish throwing the backpack and turn my gaze back, a thick needle is protruding from the chest of the looter.

"Huh, what’s this!?"

"Look, Egetsu-san! At his back!"

Following Serai-san’s pointing finger, there’s a giant water bug.

Moreover, it looks tough like a giant isopod, clinging to the man’s back, piercing and penetrating his body with a needle-like sharp proboscis.

"This thing…! Since when!?"

"Ugh! He… help!"

(Hah! Could it be a monster from an underwater dungeon like the seabed dungeon!?)

And here we are, on the river.

This means aquatic monsters have a significant advantage. The water is murky, so the number of enemies is unknown, and we don’t know their strength or abilities.

Therefore, fighting aquatic monsters in such a disadvantageous place is absolute folly.

So, I immediately send magic into the mucus flotation ring binding the man, deflating it to distance him from the boat.

[Pshhhhh…!]

"Eh? No, no…!"

He seems to realize what has been done to him…

The looter’s face shows disbelief and horror, his eyes widening as the flotation ring deflates, freeing his arms.

(What’s there to be surprised about? You’re the one who brought this trouble. Because of you, we’re now at risk of being attacked by aquatic monsters. Why should we bear more danger for your sake?)

The man cries and struggles desperately to save himself.

But we have no obligation to risk ourselves further to save him. Especially since he’s already injured, making it difficult for him to swim. As more giant water bugs latch onto him, they pierce his body with sharp proboscises.

"No! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to di…!"

[[[Splash! Splash! Splash!]]]

""…""

The swarm of giant water bugs drags their prey underwater, fighting over him. This is the world of the survival of the fittest.

And here, everything is at your own risk.

We just silently and quietly leave the scene…