ORIGINAL WORK BY RYOKO KUI
It all started in a small village.
One day, a rumble in the ground caused a rift under the cemetery,
from which a single man appeared.
He claimed to be the king of a once prosperous kingdom.
He states that the once glorious land
continues to be held captive deep underground
by the hands of a mad magician.
To whomever defeats this magician,
he offers everything his kingdom has.
After he imparts these words, he turns to dust and vanishes.
DELICIOUS IN DUNGEON
Keep it up, everyone.
We've only got a bit left after this dragon.
Let's go!
We're completely prepared.
Nothing can get in our way.
That's not true.
We're hungry.
Everyone's movements lack their usual edge.
We lost a day roaming around due to a misprint on our map.
We walked into a trap and lost three days' worth of food.
It's bothersome, but we should turn back for a bit after defeating the dragon.
Laios!
What happened, Falin?
Did they cast a confusion spell on you?
Wh…
What?
You're kidding me.
We're all dead? We're so deep in the dungeon.
R-Run.
Laios.
You're awake.
It looks like a magic spell got us out of the dungeon,
but Falin's the only one we can't find.
She was eaten.
What?
Her magic didn't work from inside the dragon's stomach.
That can't be.
She's probably still in the dungeon.
Let's go now to save her.
Hold on.
Honestly, it looks like almost everything we had was left behind in the dungeon.
So we're basically cleaned out.
What?
And what's worse…
Chilchuck?
We just lost two of our party members.
RESIGNATION LETTER
What's that?
Apparently another party's been courting them for a while now.
What?
Exploring dungeons costs money
for hiring companions, buying equipment, and getting food too.
We can sell our current equipment and secure what funds we have now
to switch to cheaper equipment.
As well as to pay for food, medicine, necessities, and new companions.
-Do we have enough? -Not in the slightest.
My little sister will get digested while we get everything ready.
There's that person who once revived someone from shreds, right?
Have they ever revived someone from poop?
Never heard of that.
I know we're short on cash,
but how about some food first?
After all, our empty stomachs may have been why we failed.
What should we eat?
For cheap food, we could go to the bistro on the main street,
or there's The Laughing Wolf for bigger meals.
Oh, but that pub's hard to pass up too!
Their soup dumplings are to die for.
-No. -What?
We need to get back to the dungeon.
But as we are now…
I have an idea.
-You two will leave the party. -What?
Then, we'll sell your equipment and I'll enter the dungeon alone.
That's insane.
Do you have a death wish?
This way, we won't have to compromise on using quality equipment,
and I can get to the lowest floor while avoiding monsters if I'm alone.
It's not impossible.
It's all my fault in the first place.
I can't put you two in danger too.
I'm going too, no matter what.
I'll do anything to save Falin.
Falin is dear to me too.
I won't drag you down.
You know how strong my magic is.
Don't forget about my job, too.
You'll need me to open doors and disable traps.
You guys…
You really mean to go with me, right?
For better or for worse?
Y-Yeah.
We'll secure food from within the dungeon.
-What?! -What?!
There are more than enough monsters in the dungeon.
That means an entire ecosystem exists inside.
Carnivorous monsters will have herbivorous monsters to feed on,
and the herbivorous monsters eat plants
that find nutrients from water, sunlight, and dirt.
In other words, humans can eat in the dungeon too.
So, what you're saying
is that we'll eat monsters?
We'll eat monsters too.
Think about our adventures until now.
I'm sure there were a lot of tasty-looking things.
No, there's no way I'm eating those.
There are quite a bit of people who hunt monsters for food.
You mean the criminals who can't come back on land?
Even they get hospitalized all the time from food poisoning.
You said you'd do anything to save Falin.
I never said I'd eat monsters.
There's no time nor money. What other choice do we have?
But there's no point if we eat something weird
and get stopped by food poisoning.
Run away!
Save us!
Looks like dungeon newbies.
They're not cut out for this if they can't handle a monster like this.
Hey, Laios?
Let's make lunch out of this.
I refuse!
No, absolutely not!
Isn't going straight to mushrooms a bit risky?
The dungeon food guide says it's food suited for beginners.
It's meaty and has a mild taste.
-What is this book? -It looks pretty worn down.
Let's go find more space to start a fire.
Wish we had one or two more ingredients, though.
Those steps are from a Huge Scorpion!
Could it be that he…
Despite being a dungeon, many people come and go,
making it a bustling place for adventurers and merchants.
A former cemetery,
it was once a sacred place where villagers slept in peace.
But once it was connected to the dungeon six years ago,
it became the liveliest place in the village.
They say monsters emerge from the depths of the dungeon.
It is unclear whether a forbidden spell transformed terrestrial creatures
or if they were summoned from the world of monsters.
But they all have an odd appearance
and attack humans as if they have something to protect.
But that served as the only proof we have
that the cursed, formerly prosperous capital truly exists.
Don't kill it like a crayfish.
This is how you catch it, so it's easier than a crayfish.
Hey.
You've been looking for a chance to eat monsters for a while, haven't you?
But that doesn't change the fact that I want to save my sister.
Yeah, okay.
I've never told you this, but I love monsters.
from their appearance and cries to their ecology.
I soon wanted to know their taste.
He's a psychopath.
Shouldn't we do this where there are fewer people?
It's hard to go back and forth for water.
So, how do we eat these?
Let's try an orthodox approach.
What's wrong?
It's easy to cut from above, but there's resistance from the side.
When we fight against mushroom-type monsters,
slashing diagonally or horizontally might be less effective.
That's good to know.
It looks like food if you slice it up.
I don't see it.
Hey, hold on!
We're eating it as is? What about the venom?
This scorpion's venom is safe to eat.
Really?
That's what the book said, so I want to try it.
Blech.
Told you.
Hold it right there.
Scorpion Hot Pot, eh?
But that method leaves much to be desired.
Who are you?
When you eat this monster,
you must cut off the pincers, head, and legs.
The tail will upset your stomach.
The book said it'd be fine.
Or rather it just tastes bad.
Also, cut up the body as well.
It'll cook through more easily, and the juices create a delicious broth.
It's easier to eat too.
And take out the internal organs.
They're bitter and have an awful texture.
As for the Walking Mushroom,
throw out the bottom and three centimeters from the surface.
The feet are tasty, so keep those.
The feet are tasty?
Yeah, they have a nice, unique smell, right?
The smell of the feet, huh?
This pot is too small.
Let's use mine.
You sure are prepared.
It feels like it's missing something.
Here.
Wait, there's no way I'll eat that.
-Marcille? -Not in a million years.
This is a cemetery, you know.
Even if I'm okay with monsters,
plants with roots are out of the question.
Doesn't it look good enough with just this?
-Marcille! -And who the hell are you?
-Look up! -What?
A Slime!
Dammit, it's covering my face.
Oh no, I can't cast any spells.
Thinking back, my first death was to a Slime.
-Are you okay? -Yeah.
It got in my nose, though.
Blow it out.
You got rid of a Slime with just a knife?
It's simple if you know its composition.
They may look amorphous,
but their composition is actually more structured than humans.
This is the inside of a Slime.
Compared to humans, the stomach is flipped
and covers its internal organs and head with digestive fluids.
It senses the breathing of its prey and springs into action.
So you're an easier target if you shout in a loud voice.
It's not edible like this,
but you can add citrus juice, and wash it thoroughly in hot water.
Then, wipe off the moisture
or rub it in salt and dry it in the sun.
This makes a delicious delicacy.
If possible, it's best to let it fast for two weeks.
Drying it takes time too.
This is a portable Slime drying net that I made myself.
Sandwich it like this
and it dries as you walk around.
It takes time until it's ready,
but here's the final product.
Let's add this for today.
-But isn't it a delicacy? -It's fine.
I've researched monster food in this dungeon for over ten years.
Nothing makes me happier than to hear someone is interested in Monster cuisine.
Ten years?
Was the dungeon here that long?
Well, sit tight.
It's ready.
HUGE SCORPION AND WALKING MUSHROOM HOT POT
Boiled Huge Scorpions turn red, huh?
It feels so different seeing it in person.
It smells kind of delicious.
The meat contracts when cooked,
so it comes apart easily.
You're right.
This is delicious!
Isn't it?
It tastes so different based on how you cook it.
Right?
It's so good! I'm shocked!
Right?!
Give me some too.
What is this?
Dried Slime innards.
It's good!
So, this is how you eat Slimes?
It also tastes good soaked in fruit juice.
And these tree roots are so nice and fluffy.
They're not technically roots.
They're tree trunks that grow upside down in the dungeon.
This algae is so soft and tasty.
Does this grow in the dungeon too?
That's just normal algae that grows in humid places.
I can't believe all this is from the dungeon we've been walking through.
I'm stuffed.
We still haven't heard your name.
My name is Senshi.
It means "researcher" in Dwarvish.
I'm Laios.
That's Marcille the magic-user and Chilchuck the picklock.
Looks like you're on a mission.
Yes, that's right.
One of our companions got eaten by a monster in the lower levels.
We want to save her before she gets digested.
By a monster? What kind?
A dragon with deep-red scales.
Deep-red scales?
The Red Dragon?
To maintain their large bodies,
dragons spend most of their days sleeping.
They also digest much more slowly than other monsters.
I hope so.
Please.
Would you allow me to accompany you?
You're more than welcome to.
It'd be a huge help to us as well.
Really?
-Thank you. -Likewise.
I've dreamt of cooking the Red Dragon for many years.
The Red Dragon.
Maybe I should go for the traditional steak, or perhaps a burger.
Shabu-shabu is great too.
No, if I have eggs, a Dragon and Egg bowl would be good.
Is it okay to eat that?
It was on everyone's mind, but no one said a word.
Second basement floor.
Unlike the cemetery on the first basement floor,
an abnormal view spreads out before them.
According to academics,
this is the spire of the Golden Castle, which is located deep underground.
I've always wondered about this,
but how do those trees not go above ground at this height?
Well, a curse made this dungeon.
Marcille, are you okay?
I tripped on a gap in the bridge.
We've walked quite a way.
You must be tired.
Let's find a campsite and stop early for today.
We spent a night in a hollow tree here before, didn't we?
Yeah, we did.
I burned myself trying to make pork soup.
Soup…
Are you hungry?
I have some scorpion broth from lunch today.
I don't want it.
Well, then.
Let's go hunt a monster for dinner.
Jeez.
-What're you in the mood for? -What?
I'll do my best to match your request.
You say that, but…
We're eating monsters, right?
Ugh, I'm fine with anything as long as it's edible.
What kind of monsters live around here?
Let's see…
Big Bats and Giant Rats.
I don't want anything unsanitary.
Forest Goblins.
Demi-humans are a no-go.
Living Armor.
Metal?
Isn't there anything more normal, like birds or tree fruits?
There's always that one person
who shoots down every idea after agreeing to eat anything.
I don't think I'm asking for much.
There are normal monsters, but those don't attack humans,
so they'll require more preparation.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Sorry, that's true.
But you know,
we might run into a monster holding a flesh-eating lunch.
Let's try to enjoy this!
Not very optimistic about this.
Well, there are lots of fruits during this season.
Really?
Yeah.
See? I knew it'd be tree fruit from Man-eating Plants.
Marcille, that's incorrect.
Man-eating Plants are just the common name.
That flower, for example, is a Baraselia.
It mainly grows on monster trails
shooting out a mucus reminiscent of spider webs.
When a creature touches the mucus, it reflexively pulls them in.
It wraps around things that move, but it doesn't digest them.
It makes them into compost.
But it sometimes uses humans for nutrients, right?
The vegetables you usually eat
can be traced back to dead remains and animal dung.
I can't fault that logic, but…
It's fine.
It's still only the second basement floor.
Someone would notice if a corpse rolled by here.
They have people to retrieve corpses,
and no one would get eaten by a monster in a place like this.
You think so?
I don't think we can pluck them in secret.
We'll have to fight.
Move over.
I'll get rid of them in one shot.
Sperae Yeptum Rufermus.
Alamandras Proju.
Nexant Aslam.
Stop, you moron!
Why?
Do you want the fruit to get hit by your magic too?
Only take as much as you'll eat. This rule is absolute.
This isn't the time for that!
No, let go of me!
They can't digest people?
But they're totally eating them!
What? Some of them can digest things, though.
Depends on the plant type.
The one that has a hold of you
is a parasite type that plants seeds inside your skin.
That's the worst kind!
Try to stay still, Marcille.
Plant-based monsters basically have several limbs.
It'll take forever to fight them one at a time.
For swords, there's only one sure-fire spot.
The root.
Ouch…
Are you okay?
Yeah, thanks Laios.
-How was it? -What?
This is Shadowtail, a plant-based parasite that buries seeds
inside the skin of living creatures.
Unlike the Baraselia, which is strong enough to break bones,
the Shadowtail needs to capture its prey without killing them.
It uses a delicate balance,
immobilizing its prey without making it uncomfortable.
I feel like it'd feel really good. How did you feel?
I made her mad again.
Even I thought you were a bit much.
First, steam it lightly.
Cut around the stem in a circle.
Twist it a bit and pull to get the seeds out.
-Wow. -Peel the skin off,
beat the skin to make it soft,
and cover the pan with it.
Grind up the unripe fruit, adding Slime and some scorpion broth,
mixing until it thickens.
Once it gets smooth, add the rest of the scorpion broth
and chunks of tree fruit.
Mix it a bit and pour it into the frying pan.
Cook it a bit.
I want to see if we can grow it on the surface.
Of course, we can't.
No!
When it starts bubbling, add the rest of the fruit.
All right.
It's done.
MAN-EATING PLANTS FRUIT TART
A tart?
At least, it looks like it.
The crust is just a non-stick coating. You can leave it.
It's salt-flavored. That's not what I expected.
Yeah, it's good.
Try it, Marcille. You'll probably like it.
None of the plants that ate people are in it, right?
No, if we used the gelatin from those plants,
it would've turned out even better.
The Slime didn't solidify well.
This is delicious.
The compost-type plants' fruit is fresh and sweet.
The digestion-type plants' is more compact and rich.
But I wonder if that's okay.
Doesn't that mean they get eaten by other animals?
All this fruit they make gets taken away.
That's how a carnivorous plant works.
They use them to capture prey for nourishment.
Oh, I see.
I wonder if this sweetness is one of their tricks then.
Now I get it.
I'm so happy you're getting interested.
Stop that!
What'll we do with that corpse?
We don't have time to go back to town.
Want me to revive it with magic?
No, there's a chance it won't work.
Maybe someone will take it if we leave it in the open.
Yeah.
Let's make it visible.
I've seen this at execution sites.
Marcille had a nightmare that night.
Dungeon food.
Eat or be eaten.
There is no hierarchy.
Eating is a privilege for those who live.
Dungeon food.
Oh, dungeon food.
DELICIOUS IN DUNGEON
Subtitle translation by: Chul Kim