1. ORIGINAL WORK BY RYOKO KUICopy !req
2. It all started in a small village.Copy !req
3. One day, a rumble in the ground
caused a rift under the cemetery,Copy !req
4. from which a single man appeared.Copy !req
5. He claimed to be the king
of a once prosperous kingdom.Copy !req
6. He states that the once glorious landCopy !req
7. continues to be held captive
deep undergroundCopy !req
8. by the hands of a mad magician.Copy !req
9. To whomever defeats this magician,Copy !req
10. he offers everything his kingdom has.Copy !req
11. After he imparts these words,
he turns to dust and vanishes.Copy !req
12. DELICIOUS IN DUNGEONCopy !req
13. Keep it up, everyone.Copy !req
14. We've only got a bit left
after this dragon.Copy !req
15. Let's go!Copy !req
16. We're completely prepared.Copy !req
17. Nothing can get in our way.Copy !req
18. That's not true.Copy !req
19. We're hungry.Copy !req
20. Everyone's movements lack
their usual edge.Copy !req
21. We lost a day roaming around
due to a misprint on our map.Copy !req
22. We walked into a trap
and lost three days' worth of food.Copy !req
23. It's bothersome, but we should turn back
for a bit after defeating the dragon.Copy !req
24. Laios!Copy !req
25. What happened, Falin?Copy !req
26. Did they cast a confusion spell on you?Copy !req
27. Wh...Copy !req
28. What?Copy !req
29. You're kidding me.Copy !req
30. We're all dead?
We're so deep in the dungeon.Copy !req
31. R-Run.Copy !req
32. Laios.Copy !req
33. You're awake.Copy !req
34. It looks like a magic spell
got us out of the dungeon,Copy !req
35. but Falin's the only one we can't find.Copy !req
36. She was eaten.Copy !req
37. What?Copy !req
38. Her magic didn't work
from inside the dragon's stomach.Copy !req
39. That can't be.Copy !req
40. She's probably still in the dungeon.Copy !req
41. Let's go now to save her.Copy !req
42. Hold on.Copy !req
43. Honestly, it looks like almost everything
we had was left behind in the dungeon.Copy !req
44. So we're basically cleaned out.Copy !req
45. What?Copy !req
46. And what's worse...Copy !req
47. Chilchuck?Copy !req
48. We just lost two of our party members.Copy !req
49. RESIGNATION LETTERCopy !req
50. What's that?Copy !req
51. Apparently another party's
been courting them for a while now.Copy !req
52. What?Copy !req
53. Exploring dungeons costs moneyCopy !req
54. for hiring companions,
buying equipment, and getting food too.Copy !req
55. We can sell our current equipment
and secure what funds we have nowCopy !req
56. to switch to cheaper equipment.Copy !req
57. As well as to pay for food, medicine,
necessities, and new companions.Copy !req
58. - Do we have enough?
- Not in the slightest.Copy !req
59. My little sister will get digested
while we get everything ready.Copy !req
60. There's that person who once revived
someone from shreds, right?Copy !req
61. Have they ever revived someone from poop?Copy !req
62. Never heard of that.Copy !req
63. I know we're short on cash,Copy !req
64. but how about some food first?Copy !req
65. After all, our empty stomachs
may have been why we failed.Copy !req
66. What should we eat?Copy !req
67. For cheap food, we could go to
the bistro on the main street,Copy !req
68. or there's The Laughing Wolf
for bigger meals.Copy !req
69. Oh, but that pub's hard to pass up too!Copy !req
70. Their soup dumplings are to die for.Copy !req
71. - No.
- What?Copy !req
72. We need to get back to the dungeon.Copy !req
73. But as we are now...Copy !req
74. I have an idea.Copy !req
75. - You two will leave the party.
- What?Copy !req
76. Then, we'll sell your equipment
and I'll enter the dungeon alone.Copy !req
77. That's insane.Copy !req
78. Do you have a death wish?Copy !req
79. This way, we won't have to compromise
on using quality equipment,Copy !req
80. and I can get to the lowest floor
while avoiding monsters if I'm alone.Copy !req
81. It's not impossible.Copy !req
82. It's all my fault in the first place.Copy !req
83. I can't put you two in danger too.Copy !req
84. I'm going too, no matter what.Copy !req
85. I'll do anything to save Falin.Copy !req
86. Falin is dear to me too.Copy !req
87. I won't drag you down.Copy !req
88. You know how strong my magic is.Copy !req
89. Don't forget about my job, too.Copy !req
90. You'll need me to open doors
and disable traps.Copy !req
91. You guys...Copy !req
92. You really mean to go with me, right?Copy !req
93. For better or for worse?Copy !req
94. Y-Yeah.Copy !req
95. We'll secure food from within the dungeon.Copy !req
96. - What?
- What?Copy !req
97. There are more than enough
monsters in the dungeon.Copy !req
98. That means an entire ecosystem
exists inside.Copy !req
99. Carnivorous monsters will have
herbivorous monsters to feed on,Copy !req
100. and the herbivorous monsters eat plantsCopy !req
101. that find nutrients
from water, sunlight, and dirt.Copy !req
102. In other words,
humans can eat in the dungeon too.Copy !req
103. So, what you're sayingCopy !req
104. is that we'll eat monsters?Copy !req
105. We'll eat monsters too.Copy !req
106. Think about our adventures until now.Copy !req
107. I'm sure there were
a lot of tasty-looking things.Copy !req
108. No, there's no way I'm eating those.Copy !req
109. There are quite a bit of people
who hunt monsters for food.Copy !req
110. You mean the criminals
who can't come back on land?Copy !req
111. Even they get hospitalized
all the time from food poisoning.Copy !req
112. You said you'd do anything to save Falin.Copy !req
113. I never said I'd eat monsters.Copy !req
114. There's no time nor money.
What other choice do we have?Copy !req
115. But there's no point
if we eat something weirdCopy !req
116. and get stopped by food poisoning.Copy !req
117. Run away!Copy !req
118. Save us!Copy !req
119. Looks like dungeon newbies.Copy !req
120. They're not cut out for this
if they can't handle a monster like this.Copy !req
121. Hey, Laios?Copy !req
122. Let's make lunch out of this.Copy !req
123. I refuse!Copy !req
124. No, absolutely not!Copy !req
125. Isn't going straight to mushrooms
a bit risky?Copy !req
126. The dungeon food guide
says it's food suited for beginners.Copy !req
127. It's meaty and has a mild taste.Copy !req
128. - What is this book?
- It looks pretty worn down.Copy !req
129. Let's go find more space
to start a fire.Copy !req
130. Wish we had one or two
more ingredients, though.Copy !req
131. Those steps are from a Huge Scorpion!Copy !req
132. Could it be that he...Copy !req
133. Despite being a dungeon,
many people come and go,Copy !req
134. making it a bustling place
for adventurers and merchants.Copy !req
135. A former cemetery,Copy !req
136. it was once a sacred place
where villagers slept in peace.Copy !req
137. But once it was connected to
the dungeon six years ago,Copy !req
138. it became the liveliest place
in the village.Copy !req
139. They say monsters emerge
from the depths of the dungeon.Copy !req
140. It is unclear whether a forbidden spell
transformed terrestrial creaturesCopy !req
141. or if they were summoned
from the world of monsters.Copy !req
142. But they all have an odd appearanceCopy !req
143. and attack humans as if
they have something to protect.Copy !req
144. But that served as the only proof we haveCopy !req
145. that the cursed,
formerly prosperous capital truly exists.Copy !req
146. Don't kill it like a crayfish.Copy !req
147. This is how you catch it,
so it's easier than a crayfish.Copy !req
148. Hey.Copy !req
149. You've been looking for a chance
to eat monsters for a while, haven't you?Copy !req
150. But that doesn't change the fact
that I want to save my sister.Copy !req
151. Yeah, okay.Copy !req
152. I've never told you this,
but I love monsters.Copy !req
153. from their appearance and cries
to their ecology.Copy !req
154. I soon wanted to know their taste.Copy !req
155. He's a psychopath.Copy !req
156. Shouldn't we do this
where there are fewer people?Copy !req
157. It's hard to go back and forth for water.Copy !req
158. So, how do we eat these?Copy !req
159. Let's try an orthodox approach.Copy !req
160. What's wrong?Copy !req
161. It's easy to cut from above,
but there's resistance from the side.Copy !req
162. When we fight against
mushroom-type monsters,Copy !req
163. slashing diagonally or horizontally
might be less effective.Copy !req
164. That's good to know.Copy !req
165. It looks like food if you slice it up.Copy !req
166. I don't see it.Copy !req
167. Hey, hold on!Copy !req
168. We're eating it as is?
What about the venom?Copy !req
169. This scorpion's venom is safe to eat.Copy !req
170. Really?Copy !req
171. That's what the book said,
so I want to try it.Copy !req
172. Blech.Copy !req
173. Told you.Copy !req
174. Hold it right there.Copy !req
175. Scorpion Hot Pot, eh?Copy !req
176. But that method leaves much to be desired.Copy !req
177. Who are you?Copy !req
178. When you eat this monster,Copy !req
179. you must cut off
the pincers, head, and legs.Copy !req
180. The tail will upset your stomach.Copy !req
181. The book said it'd be fine.Copy !req
182. Or rather it just tastes bad.Copy !req
183. Also, cut up the body as well.Copy !req
184. It'll cook through more easily,
and the juices create a delicious broth.Copy !req
185. It's easier to eat too.Copy !req
186. And take out the internal organs.Copy !req
187. They're bitter and have an awful texture.Copy !req
188. As for the Walking Mushroom,Copy !req
189. throw out the bottom
and three centimeters from the surface.Copy !req
190. The feet are tasty, so keep those.Copy !req
191. The feet are tasty?Copy !req
192. Yeah, they have
a nice, unique smell, right?Copy !req
193. The smell of the feet, huh?Copy !req
194. This pot is too small.Copy !req
195. Let's use mine.Copy !req
196. You sure are prepared.Copy !req
197. It feels like it's missing something.Copy !req
198. Here.Copy !req
199. Wait, there's no way I'll eat that.Copy !req
200. - Marcille?
- Not in a million years.Copy !req
201. This is a cemetery, you know.Copy !req
202. Even if I'm okay with monsters,Copy !req
203. plants with roots are out of the question.Copy !req
204. Doesn't it look
good enough with just this?Copy !req
205. - Marcille!
- And who the hell are you?Copy !req
206. - Look up!
- What?Copy !req
207. A Slime!Copy !req
208. Dammit, it's covering my face.Copy !req
209. Oh no, I can't cast any spells.Copy !req
210. Thinking back,
my first death was to a Slime.Copy !req
211. - Are you okay?
- Yeah.Copy !req
212. It got in my nose, though.Copy !req
213. Blow it out.Copy !req
214. You got rid of a Slime with just a knife?Copy !req
215. It's simple if you know its composition.Copy !req
216. They may look amorphous,Copy !req
217. but their composition is actually
more structured than humans.Copy !req
218. This is the inside of a Slime.Copy !req
219. Compared to humans,
the stomach is flippedCopy !req
220. and covers its internal organs and head
with digestive fluids.Copy !req
221. It senses the breathing of its prey
and springs into action.Copy !req
222. So you're an easier target
if you shout in a loud voice.Copy !req
223. It's not edible like this,Copy !req
224. but you can add citrus juice,
and wash it thoroughly in hot water.Copy !req
225. Then, wipe off the moistureCopy !req
226. or rub it in salt and dry it in the sun.Copy !req
227. This makes a delicious delicacy.Copy !req
228. If possible, it's best to
let it fast for two weeks.Copy !req
229. Drying it takes time too.Copy !req
230. This is a portable Slime drying net
that I made myself.Copy !req
231. Sandwich it like thisCopy !req
232. and it dries as you walk around.Copy !req
233. It takes time until it's ready,Copy !req
234. but here's the final product.Copy !req
235. Let's add this for today.Copy !req
236. - But isn't it a delicacy?
- It's fine.Copy !req
237. I've researched monster food
in this dungeon for over ten years.Copy !req
238. Nothing makes me happier than to hear
someone is interested in Monster cuisine.Copy !req
239. Ten years?Copy !req
240. Was the dungeon here that long?Copy !req
241. Well, sit tight.Copy !req
242. It's ready.Copy !req
243. HUGE SCORPION
AND WALKING MUSHROOM HOT POTCopy !req
244. Boiled Huge Scorpions turn red, huh?Copy !req
245. It feels so different seeing it in person.Copy !req
246. It smells kind of delicious.Copy !req
247. The meat contracts when cooked,Copy !req
248. so it comes apart easily.Copy !req
249. You're right.Copy !req
250. This is delicious!Copy !req
251. Isn't it?Copy !req
252. It tastes so different
based on how you cook it.Copy !req
253. Right?Copy !req
254. It's so good! I'm shocked!Copy !req
255. Right?Copy !req
256. Give me some too.Copy !req
257. What is this?Copy !req
258. Dried Slime innards.Copy !req
259. It's good!Copy !req
260. So, this is how you eat Slimes?Copy !req
261. It also tastes good soaked in fruit juice.Copy !req
262. And these tree roots
are so nice and fluffy.Copy !req
263. They're not technically roots.Copy !req
264. They're tree trunks
that grow upside down in the dungeon.Copy !req
265. This algae is so soft and tasty.Copy !req
266. Does this grow in the dungeon too?Copy !req
267. That's just normal algae
that grows in humid places.Copy !req
268. I can't believe all this is from
the dungeon we've been walking through.Copy !req
269. I'm stuffed.Copy !req
270. We still haven't heard your name.Copy !req
271. My name is Senshi.Copy !req
272. It means "researcher" in Dwarvish.Copy !req
273. I'm Laios.Copy !req
274. That's Marcille the magic-user
and Chilchuck the picklock.Copy !req
275. Looks like you're on a mission.Copy !req
276. Yes, that's right.Copy !req
277. One of our companions got eaten
by a monster in the lower levels.Copy !req
278. We want to save her
before she gets digested.Copy !req
279. By a monster? What kind?Copy !req
280. A dragon with deep-red scales.Copy !req
281. Deep-red scales?Copy !req
282. The Red Dragon?Copy !req
283. To maintain their large bodies,Copy !req
284. dragons spend most of their days sleeping.Copy !req
285. They also digest
much more slowly than other monsters.Copy !req
286. I hope so.Copy !req
287. Please.Copy !req
288. Would you allow me to accompany you?Copy !req
289. You're more than welcome to.Copy !req
290. It'd be a huge help to us as well.Copy !req
291. Really?Copy !req
292. - Thank you.
- Likewise.Copy !req
293. I've dreamt of cooking
the Red Dragon for many years.Copy !req
294. The Red Dragon.Copy !req
295. Maybe I should go for the traditional
steak, or perhaps a burger.Copy !req
296. Shabu-shabu is great too.Copy !req
297. No, if I have eggs,
a Dragon and Egg bowl would be good.Copy !req
298. Is it okay to eat that?Copy !req
299. It was on everyone's mind,
but no one said a word.Copy !req
300. Second basement floor.Copy !req
301. Unlike the cemetery
on the first basement floor,Copy !req
302. an abnormal view spreads out before them.Copy !req
303. According to academics,Copy !req
304. this is the spire of the Golden Castle,
which is located deep underground.Copy !req
305. I've always wondered about this,Copy !req
306. but how do those trees
not go above ground at this height?Copy !req
307. Well, a curse made this dungeon.Copy !req
308. Marcille, are you okay?Copy !req
309. I tripped on a gap in the bridge.Copy !req
310. We've walked quite a way.Copy !req
311. You must be tired.Copy !req
312. Let's find a campsite
and stop early for today.Copy !req
313. We spent a night
in a hollow tree here before, didn't we?Copy !req
314. Yeah, we did.Copy !req
315. I burned myself trying to make pork soup.Copy !req
316. Soup...Copy !req
317. Are you hungry?Copy !req
318. I have some scorpion broth
from lunch today.Copy !req
319. I don't want it.Copy !req
320. Well, then.Copy !req
321. Let's go hunt a monster for dinner.Copy !req
322. Jeez.Copy !req
323. - What're you in the mood for?
- What?Copy !req
324. I'll do my best to match your request.Copy !req
325. You say that, but...Copy !req
326. We're eating monsters, right?Copy !req
327. Ugh, I'm fine with anything
as long as it's edible.Copy !req
328. What kind of monsters live around here?Copy !req
329. Let's see...Copy !req
330. Big Bats and Giant Rats.Copy !req
331. I don't want anything unsanitary.Copy !req
332. Forest Goblins.Copy !req
333. Demi-humans are a no-go.Copy !req
334. Living Armor.Copy !req
335. Metal?Copy !req
336. Isn't there anything more normal,
like birds or tree fruits?Copy !req
337. There's always that one personCopy !req
338. who shoots down every idea
after agreeing to eat anything.Copy !req
339. I don't think I'm asking for much.Copy !req
340. There are normal monsters,
but those don't attack humans,Copy !req
341. so they'll require more preparation.Copy !req
342. There's no such thing as a free lunch.Copy !req
343. Sorry, that's true.Copy !req
344. But you know,Copy !req
345. we might run into a monster
holding a flesh-eating lunch.Copy !req
346. Let's try to enjoy this!Copy !req
347. Not very optimistic about this.Copy !req
348. Well, there are lots of fruits
during this season.Copy !req
349. Really?Copy !req
350. Yeah.Copy !req
351. See? I knew it'd be tree fruit
from Man-eating Plants.Copy !req
352. Marcille, that's incorrect.Copy !req
353. Man-eating Plants
are just the common name.Copy !req
354. That flower, for example, is a Baraselia.Copy !req
355. It mainly grows on monster trailsCopy !req
356. shooting out a mucus
reminiscent of spider webs.Copy !req
357. When a creature touches the mucus,
it reflexively pulls them in.Copy !req
358. It wraps around things that move,
but it doesn't digest them.Copy !req
359. It makes them into compost.Copy !req
360. But it sometimes
uses humans for nutrients, right?Copy !req
361. The vegetables you usually eatCopy !req
362. can be traced back to
dead remains and animal dung.Copy !req
363. I can't fault that logic, but...Copy !req
364. It's fine.Copy !req
365. It's still only the second basement floor.Copy !req
366. Someone would notice
if a corpse rolled by here.Copy !req
367. They have people to retrieve corpses,Copy !req
368. and no one would get eaten
by a monster in a place like this.Copy !req
369. You think so?Copy !req
370. I don't think we can pluck them in secret.Copy !req
371. We'll have to fight.Copy !req
372. Move over.Copy !req
373. I'll get rid of them in one shot.Copy !req
374. Sperae Yeptum Rufermus.Copy !req
375. Alamandras Proju.Copy !req
376. Nexant Aslam.Copy !req
377. Stop, you moron!Copy !req
378. Why?Copy !req
379. Do you want the fruit
to get hit by your magic too?Copy !req
380. Only take as much as you'll eat.
This rule is absolute.Copy !req
381. This isn't the time for that!Copy !req
382. No, let go of me!Copy !req
383. They can't digest people?Copy !req
384. But they're totally eating them!Copy !req
385. What? Some of them
can digest things, though.Copy !req
386. Depends on the plant type.Copy !req
387. The one that has a hold of youCopy !req
388. is a parasite type
that plants seeds inside your skin.Copy !req
389. That's the worst kind!Copy !req
390. Try to stay still, Marcille.Copy !req
391. Plant-based monsters
basically have several limbs.Copy !req
392. It'll take forever to fight them
one at a time.Copy !req
393. For swords, there's only
one sure-fire spot.Copy !req
394. The root.Copy !req
395. Ouch...Copy !req
396. Are you okay?Copy !req
397. Yeah, thanks Laios.Copy !req
398. - How was it?
- What?Copy !req
399. This is Shadowtail, a plant-based parasite
that buries seedsCopy !req
400. inside the skin of living creatures.Copy !req
401. Unlike the Baraselia,
which is strong enough to break bones,Copy !req
402. the Shadowtail needs to capture
its prey without killing them.Copy !req
403. It uses a delicate balance,Copy !req
404. immobilizing its prey
without making it uncomfortable.Copy !req
405. I feel like it'd feel really good.
How did you feel?Copy !req
406. I made her mad again.Copy !req
407. Even I thought you were a bit much.Copy !req
408. First, steam it lightly.Copy !req
409. Cut around the stem in a circle.Copy !req
410. Twist it a bit
and pull to get the seeds out.Copy !req
411. - Wow.
- Peel the skin off,Copy !req
412. beat the skin to make it soft,Copy !req
413. and cover the pan with it.Copy !req
414. Grind up the unripe fruit,
adding Slime and some scorpion broth,Copy !req
415. mixing until it thickens.Copy !req
416. Once it gets smooth,
add the rest of the scorpion brothCopy !req
417. and chunks of tree fruit.Copy !req
418. Mix it a bit
and pour it into the frying pan.Copy !req
419. Cook it a bit.Copy !req
420. I want to see if we can grow it
on the surface.Copy !req
421. Of course, we can't.Copy !req
422. No!Copy !req
423. When it starts bubbling,
add the rest of the fruit.Copy !req
424. All right.Copy !req
425. It's done.Copy !req
426. MAN-EATING PLANTS FRUIT TARTCopy !req
427. A tart?Copy !req
428. At least, it looks like it.Copy !req
429. The crust is just a non-stick coating.
You can leave it.Copy !req
430. It's salt-flavored.
That's not what I expected.Copy !req
431. Yeah, it's good.Copy !req
432. Try it, Marcille. You'll probably like it.Copy !req
433. None of the plants that ate people
are in it, right?Copy !req
434. You didn't make this with the plant
the corpse fell out of, did you?Copy !req
435. No, just its fruit.Copy !req
436. No, if we used
the gelatin from those plants,Copy !req
437. The gelatin from the stem of that speciesCopy !req
438. would've made this dish come out
a whole lot better though.Copy !req
439. it would've turned out even better.Copy !req
440. It's just not firm enough with the Slime.Copy !req
441. The Slime didn't solidify well.Copy !req
442. Hmm?Copy !req
443. This is delicious.Copy !req
444. Wow, this is really good!Copy !req
445. The compost-type plants' fruit
is fresh and sweet.Copy !req
446. The fertilizer-type fruit
is juicy and sweet,Copy !req
447. while the digesting-type fruit is savory.Copy !req
448. The digestion-type plants'
is more compact and rich.Copy !req
449. I bet the animals love these too.Copy !req
450. But I wonder if that's okay.Copy !req
451. Must be hard for the plant to make
enough fruit to keep up with demand.Copy !req
452. Doesn't that mean
they get eaten by other animals?Copy !req
453. All this fruit they make gets taken away.Copy !req
454. What's the point making it
if it's just gonna get eaten?Copy !req
455. Well, it is a carnivorous plant.Copy !req
456. That's how a carnivorous plant works.Copy !req
457. It makes fruit to attract
the animals it eats to survive.Copy !req
458. They use them to capture prey
for nourishment.Copy !req
459. That makes sense.Copy !req
460. Oh, I see.Copy !req
461. Then... being delicious
is part of the plant's strategy.Copy !req
462. I wonder if this sweetness
is one of their tricks then.Copy !req
463. How clever!Copy !req
464. Now I get it.Copy !req
465. Now you see the appeal of monsters.
Aren't they great?Copy !req
466. I'm so happy you're getting interested.Copy !req
467. Stop that!Copy !req
468. As if!Copy !req
469. Well, what do we do about him?Copy !req
470. What'll we do with that corpse?Copy !req
471. We'd lose time dragging him back to town.Copy !req
472. We don't have time
to go back to town.Copy !req
473. Want me to revive it with magic?Copy !req
474. Maybe I can resurrect him with my magic?Copy !req
475. Don't risk it. The spell could backfire.Copy !req
476. No, there's a chance it won't work.Copy !req
477. If we just leave him
where people can see him,Copy !req
478. Maybe someone will take it
if we leave it in the open.Copy !req
479. he'll get picked up eventually.Copy !req
480. That's a great idea.Copy !req
481. Yeah.Copy !req
482. This works... I think.Copy !req
483. Let's make it visible.Copy !req
484. I've seen this at execution sites.Copy !req
485. Kind of reminds you of the gallows,
doesn't it?Copy !req
486. Marcille had a nightmare that night.Copy !req
487. That night,
Marcille had a nightmare.Copy !req
488. Dungeon food.Copy !req
489. Dungeon food.Copy !req
490. Eat or be eaten.Copy !req
491. Eat or be eaten.Copy !req
492. There is no hierarchy.Copy !req
493. There is no hierarchy to it.Copy !req
494. Just the reality that to eat
is the privilege of the living.Copy !req
495. Eating is a privilege for those who live.Copy !req
496. Oh, dungeon food.Copy !req
497. Dungeon food.Copy !req
498. Oh, dungeon food.Copy !req
499. Delicious in dungeon.Copy !req
500. DELICIOUS IN DUNGEONCopy !req
501. DELICIOUS IN DUNGEONCopy !req