DELICIOUS IN DUNGEON
Footsteps.
What a surprise.
They really are grilling meat.
I hope they're not criminals or that sort who aren't allowed back on the surface.
We're just camping.
We mean no harm.
Wait a minute, I know that voice.
Just as I thought!
It's you, Laios!
-Namari! -Namari!
You know them?
They're my former party members.
Hey, it's been a while.
Well, I guess it's only been a week.
Oh, let me introduce these people.
These are my current employers, Mr. and Mrs. Tansu.
They work as someone's personal scholars,
and they pay really well.
And these two are the twins, Kaka and Kiki.
To be honest, I can never remember who's who.
Namari, how can you act like this
after abandoning Falin?
Abandon?
I simply refused to walk into the jaws of death for free.
You…
Marcille, take it easy.
Hey, don't push yourselves.
Falin wouldn't want anything to happen to you.
Right.
Is there a healer in your party?
My friend needs treatment.
What do we get in return?
We have Kelpie meat.
No, thanks!
Let's go, Namari.
Handing out charity in a dungeon just sets you up to be taken advantage of.
Seriously, even that corpse we stumbled upon on our way here
had their own revival fee with them.
Are you going to move on ahead?
There's an Undine roaming around, and it's dangerous.
An Undine?
So, this girl angered a water spirit, did she?
Don't underestimate us.
We gnomes have been living alongside gods and spirits since ancient times.
To us, spirits are like neighbors, not something to be afraid of.
Undine!
Oh, mighty water spirit!
Heed my voice and respond to me!
This isn't working.
Grandpa Tansu!
It didn't work.
N-Namari!
Namari died!
She'll recover in no time.
Ira Fa Lane Brete Lane Bretego.
Damn you, you old geezer!
You're always using me as your shield!
That's why I compensate you handsomely!
Resurrection magic, huh?
It's a magic I especially can't bring myself to like.
You're against resurrection?
It's not a pleasant sight to witness.
It's unnatural for the dead to come back to life.
Outside the dungeon, sure, but in here, it's normal.
It's not normal.
It's not normal, Laios.
That's right.
This dungeon is under a very powerful enchantment.
It binds your soul to your body.
So, no matter how damaged your body gets, your soul is never released.
And once your injuries are mended, you can be revived.
In my perspective,
this isn't the dead coming back to life.
In this place, death itself is forbidden.
It is a truly dreadful curse.
But that aside,
I study such ancient spells.
I came here to investigate a magic circle in this area,
but as you can see, my escort isn't very dependable.
If you help me with my investigation,
I will heal your companion.
Deal.
Senshi and I will accompany you.
This should be the area.
Elven characters.
What terrible penmanship.
The roots are in the way. Remove them.
Laios, you still have that creepy sword?
I keep telling you, but--
"Use one from the shop," right? I know.
You have to get one crafted by a dwarf.
And avoid shops that are tended by a half-foot.
And don't use the same scabbard.
And…
You should give your weapon some care now and then!
I pity your axe!
You probably think I'm being annoying, don't you?
No.
When it comes to handling weapons, I trust you more than anyone else.
Stay back.
What is it?
There's a monster lurking.
Then kill it.
I don't know what or where it is.
Then how can you be certain there's a monster?
J-Just a feeling.
Are you serious?
Mr. Tansu.
You should trust Laios when he's like this.
I can't afford to entertain a baseless suspicion.
If it's lurking, simply drag it out.
Oh, I see.
It's a Tentacles.
This isn't the time to admire it!
Kiki! Hang in there!
Hey, don't just stand there!
Defeat the monster already!
Our weapons can't reach it.
Hurry up and do something!
What if we purposefully let ourselves get caught to get up close?
Tentacles is part of the cnidarian family.
If their feelers make contact with your skin,
they shoot out venomous spines that paralyze you.
If we get caught, there's a good chance we won't make it out alive.
Even if you die, I'll resurrect you!
Listen…
Fine. I'll go.
Senshi, let me borrow your helmet.
Laios, you shouldn't do this!
You shouldn't count on the success rate of resurrection magic.
It's going to be okay.
Because you and Senshi are who I'm counting on.
-Huh? What did he mean by that? -I don't know.
All right.
Hey! Over here, Tentacles!
Ow!
They're piercing me through my armor, just as I feared.
My arms are already going numb.
But…
What on earth are you doing, Laios?
Target its midsection!
Its midsection!
Dammit.
So that's what he meant!
He gave me the trickiest task!
Kiki!
Laios, are you okay?
I guess not.
Wait, what?
Oh, Kiki. What happened to you?
I'll heal you right away.
This is going to be a little tricky.
Sorry, this might take a while.
Take your time.
Is it just me, or does your face look different?
I got stung by a Tentacles.
What should I do about this?
Why are you grasping that?
When I tore it off, my hand went numb, and now I can't let go.
Your hand looks like a gnome's now.
Let me see.
Ivy Tentacles, huh?
"Rinsing it with vinegar can reduce some of the stingers' activity."
"It can have the opposite effect depending on the species of Tentacles,
so proceed with caution."
"Make a cross-shaped incision in the cross-section and peel vertically
to remove the outer layer with the stingers."
TENTACLES WITH VINEGAR DRESSING
Apparently, it tastes pretty good.
Are you joking?
No, it's just a fun fact…
If that's the only way, then I have no other choice.
What?
I see. It's not bad.
If prepared right, it'll be even more delicious.
Let me have a bite, too!
This…
tastes different depending on the part!
You're definitely imagining it.
No, it's true!
Try it.
It only tastes like vinegar.
Do you want a bite, too, Marcille?
Huh? What is it?
It tastes sour.
It's kinda gooey.
-It's taro root. Tell me it's taro root. -You, too, Namari.
This part. I recommend this part.
No! No, thanks!
We're not lacking food!
It tastes good, though.
Not quite, but it could be if prepared right.
Either stew it or mash it and then fry it.
Sounds good!
It slipped off!
Sorry for the wait.
I'll treat you now.
Thank you.
Well then, please heal her first.
Ilava Rietge Atheus Pilitos Nuswera Iboiseme Seus Wehrba.
It feels awesome being in good health!
Thank you, Mr. Tansu.
You, too, Laios.
What's with your face?
Thank Namari instead.
What?
Your marksmanship was truly remarkable.
It's amazing you took it down with just one shot.
We're lucky you're skilled with a crossbow, too.
Actually, it was my first time using one.
What?
Namari.
Thanks for giving us a hand.
I'll set aside the incident with Falin for now.
You're most welcome.
Getting paid makes you give it your best, more so than doing it for free.
Now, now, you two.
It's all in the past now.
It totally isn't!
Why are you, of all people, acting like it's none of your business?
Unbelievable!
-That's not what I meant! -Are you the leader?
Tough role, huh?
It's looking this way.
Is it still upset?
What did you do to make the spirit so furious?
I've never been attacked by one so fiercely before.
I may have accidentally poured boiling water directly onto it.
That's not good. Typical of an elf.
Elves…
My race has nothing to do with it!
Is there a way to pacify the spirit without using magic?
That's simple.
An Undine is a collective of tiny spirits.
If the individuals comprising it naturally dies off,
their hostility will fade away as new generations emerge.
The lifespan of a spirit is a week at most.
A week?
I can't wait that long.
Neither can we.
So, we will return to the surface for now.
We'll resume our investigation another time.
Hey, let's prepare the return spell.
Hey, Laios. They're preparing the return spell.
Mr. Tansu, I have a favor to ask you.
You want me to return to the surface with them?
Now? After coming all this way?
You're currently out of magic.
I've heard that running out of magic is similar to having anemia.
You should head back to the surface with Mr. Tansu's party.
I'm fine.
I'm actually quite surprised by how great I feel.
Oh, I think it might be due to the liver.
Eating nutritious food won't result in immediate changes to your condition.
-It's one's daily-- -I'll listen to that later.
I really feel fantastic.
I think some of my magic returned as well after a short rest.
But your staff doesn't seem to have the usual magical aura.
T-That's because…
Let's leave her.
Why are you laughing?
It's just that I've never seen you with that expression before.
But…
what are you going to do when you're on your own?
The three of you can't fight a dragon by yourselves.
Don't count me in.
Plus, that axe of yours doesn't seem like it could harm a dragon in the slightest.
Namari, you've defeated many dragons, right?
Yeah.
Well then…
Please, Namari.
Rejoin our party!
Are you serious?
Help Laios' party defeat the Red Dragon.
I want to rescue Falin, no matter what!
Just this once!
I'll find a way to gather the funds!
Forget it, Marcille.
Why?
The adventurer community is small.
Gossip travels like wildfire.
Namari has been having financial problems for some time now.
And you got wind of it, didn't you, Mr. Tansu?
I did.
Now, imagine if she rejoined her former party for money.
"She'll do anything for the right price."
That's what people will say about her.
It may open up more job opportunities,
but it'd probably attract a different clientele.
So, forget it.
Especially if you care about both your futures.
That's how it is.
Forget it, Marcille.
No. There's still another way.
There's another way for me to regain my magic.
W-What is it?
I drink…
the Undine!
What? The Undine?
What's with your reactions?
Where's your usual enthusiasm?
I'm not so interested in spirits.
Spirits live on magic.
I'm certain they're abundant in magical energy!
Capturing it seems trickier than defeating it, though.
But water spirits are vulnerable to heat, so maybe I can use that.
Maybe we can attack it with a heated weapon.
Or maybe we can pour oil on the lake, set it on fire, and trap the spirit?
When it attacks, it spills on the ground,
and maybe I could quickly drink that.
It'd probably poke holes in your body from the inside.
You're right.
Come on, think.
There must be a way.
By heating this pot and using it as a shield,
I could defend and attack simultaneously.
Undines are powerful enough to penetrate a stone column, though.
You think that shabby pot can protect you?
It's unfair to call it a shabby pot.
It's a family heirloom that's been passed down through generations.
I have diligently maintained it.
It never gets burnt and it distributes heat evenly.
It's an exceptional pot.
Hold on.
The color, the sheen,
the weight, the texture…
This is adamant!
Unbelievable.
As a weapon, it can shatter a dragon's bone.
As armor, it shields even against a dragon's fangs.
Adamant, the metal that every blacksmith dreams of.
So, why is it used for a pot?
It was originally a shield, but I had no need for it, so…
How can you be so wasteful?!
Do you think it could withstand an Undine's assault?
Of course, it could!
We happen to have both a pot and a lid,
so two of us can wield one each to attack it from both sides…
And we'll burn it with fire!
It's the only option we have.
Really?
Even if they have tough shields, the Undine is so powerful.
Maybe the dwarf could restrain it, but is Laios strong enough?
Brace yourself as soon as the surface starts to warp.
Let's not waste this opportunity.
Here comes!
Laios!
What incredible power!
Laios!
Namari…
Now!
Good. Keep going.
Hang in there!
Place it over the flames!
So hot!
-Wow, this is amazing! -Incredible.
What astounding strength!
Namari, Senshi, thank you so much!
You, too, Laios.
Are you okay?
Despite his physique, he's pretty flimsy.
Just like a typical tall-man.
Right.
No need to drink it all in one go.
Spirit magic is hard to absorb.
It's fundamental to pair nutrition with something that aids in absorption.
Senshi.
Let's start cooking.
Peel the potatoes, carrots, onions, and the Tentacles.
Then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Marinate the Kelpie meat with salt and pepper,
and fry until the surface changes color.
Add the onions and carrots and sauté them together,
then put them into the Undine.
Skim well,
then add the potatoes and spices and simmer.
It's done!
UNDINE STEW WITH TENTACLES AND KELPIE
Huh? Where did everyone go?
They went to continue their investigation at the tower across the water.
We're back!
I had no idea there would be so many.
Good thing we dealt with them.
H-Hey!
Would you like to join us for a meal?
Here you go.
Looks good.
Did you make this, Marcille?
Senshi helped a lot.
Here, Namari.
You should start eating instead of serving everyone.
O-Okay.
Yes!
Some magic is starting to come back.
You guys,
did you come this far while scavenging all this time?
Yup.
I was ready to face criticism for leaving the party,
but I never expected to see them resort to this.
Maybe this is a form of punishment.
It's delicious! The broth has been infused into the ingredients.
How did everything cook so quickly?
Is it because of the pot?
Could adamant be a good material for making pots?
Senshi, was it?
Um, about your axe…
I apologize for making fun of it.
It's all right.
The truth is, I have no interest in any blacksmithing work.
I can't distinguish different types of ore,
and my old friends used to get frustrated with me often.
Namari, we're heading back to the surface.
But you can stay here.
What are you talking about?
Try a bite at least!
The texture is a bit odd, but it tastes quite good!
But…
I know I can't ask you to trust me…
but I want to be more than just a hired hand.
I want to be accepted as one of you.
I'll work hard.
Frankly, Chilchuck,
I thought you'd be the first one to leave the party.
You're not the kind to accept unpaid work.
Damn right.
That's why I always insist on getting paid upfront.
But the problem is that I can't walk away when situations like this arise.
What? You stayed because it was your job?
Not for your friends or friendship?
Listen, Marcille.
Let me tell you something important.
Folks who claim they don't need anything in return
are the least trustworthy in this world.
By the way, what's Shuro up to now?
No idea.
He seemed to have another contact to reach out to.
But he was so in love with Falin that he wanted to propose to her.
So, he's probably still desperately searching for her.
What? I had no clue.
-He's so oblivious. -Totally.
Look, I get that you guys
all care about Falin, but be sure to make it back to the surface, okay?
Namari, you take care, too.
See ya!
Subtitle translation by: Ai Matsuoka