After sorting out the Fairy Chieftain, we made a beeline for the 20th floor.

Our goal was to reach the 30th floor today. We're exploring on foot since we didn't exactly want to blitz it, but if time felt short, we would eventually resort to «Carriage».

From the 11th floor onwards, the dungeon shifted into a summer climate. It was blazing hot, easily rivalling the notorious Rank 1 «Wilderness Beneath the Scorching Summer Day Dungeon».

The greenery was lush, and the sun sparkled brilliantly, reflecting off the leaves.

"Ugh, it's so hot!"

"This heat is really getting to me."

"It's indeed tough. I'm feeling it too."

"Hot..."

Lana, Sierra, Ester, and Karua all started to wilt one after another.

Well, fair enough. The temperature on the earlier floors wasn't that bad, but this dungeon's summer was the real deal. And unlike the game, we were at risk of getting heatstroke as well.

What an unexpected turn of events! However, I was well-prepared.

"Hmm, it seems it's time to bring it out. Here, have some «Icy Drink.» Everyone, drink up!"

"Oh! Zephyr, you've got just the thing! Thank you!"

"This is...an item that cools your body. You're always so well-prepared."

"I had Hannah whip some up just in case, but I never thought they'd actually come in handy."

This «Icy Drink» was a cooling item, pure and simple. It would make you immune to heat for a certain period after drinking it. It was usually an essential item in advanced dungeons where environments changed drastically, featuring volcanoes and deserts.

Volcanoes and deserts had this terrain damage mechanic that caused HP to gradually tick down from the heat, but while the «Icy Drink» was active, HP wouldn't decrease. That's why it was a must-have in higher-level dungeons. There were also parts of extra dungeons with similar environments, so the recipe was obtainable in intermediate levels, and I'd had Hannah make some for us as insurance.

I had a hunch that a real world dungeon's environmental effect might be tough even in intermediate dungeons, so I was glad I brought them along.

We all took a sip of the C**pis-like juice from the bottles. (T/N - It was censored, yes.)

"Phew, ahh, it's still a strange drink, but I feel cool all of a sudden."

"It's like being reborn."

"Mmm. Bliss."

"Zephyr, you saved us."

Lana, Ester, Kalua, and Sierra all broke into loose smiles after downing the «Icy Drink.»

Beautiful girls with radiant smiles, even while dripping with sweat. For some reason, I felt I should be the one to thank them...

At any rate, the summer heat was no longer an issue. I took a drink myself, and wow, it was truly enigmatic – I didn't feel hot even under the blazing sun. Instead, a cooling sensation, so refreshing it made me want to say "Ahh," enveloped my body. Truly a mysterious drink.

Incidentally, there's a similar drink for cold weather called the «Warm-Up Drink.» This one warms your body for a set period. I'd brought some of those along too, but they'd likely come in handy on the winter floors. Better safe than sorry, as they say.

"But seriously, to get through here, «Icy Drink» is absolutely essential."

"It sends shivers down my spine just thinking about what would have happened if Zephyr hadn't prepared them. We might have to return to the 10th floor."

"It's actually recommended to check out the 11th floor first, and if it seems too much, to head back."

"There's always the option of retreating into the «Carriage»."

"Or, you could wear equipment with «Heat Resist» or «Cold Resist» skills."

Before we knew it, the conversation had shifted to how to deal with this heat. Well, at least they learned that this heat was no joke and you couldn't get by without proper countermeasures. How did the game characters manage to fight in such scorching conditions? I wonder.

Of course, the effects of these items were temporary, so you would've to keep consuming them when the effect wore off, so this method could cost quite a bit. So, in such a case, the equipment with resistance skills could be brought in use. And technically speaking, equipments were better as their effects were permanent, offering the wearer a comfortable temperature constantly.

The only slight drawback was that it takes up an equipment slot, so it's a matter of choosing the right tool for the job.

"Speaking of which, we did get one of those pieces of equipment, didn't we? From the rare boss «Tri-N»'s gold chest."

"Sierra, you have a good memory."

During Tabasa-senpai's recruitment test in the «Withered Tree Evil Flower Dungeon,» when we defeated the rare boss «Evil Bulb Nenenebana,» a «Leaf Ornament of Nature» accessory had dropped from the gold Chest. And as the rare boss drop, it was an impressive piece of accessory, offering triple resistance—Cold, Heat, and Poison—to boot.

Wow, I'd completely forgotten we'd obtained it.

"It's at the guild now, so I'll bring it next time."

"There's only one, but well, an option is better than nothing at all."

In the game, we never took environmental damage in this dungeon, so the «Leaf Ornament of Nature» was safely tucked away in the guild. I made a mental note to bring it next time.

"――!"

"Look, monsters! Get ready to engage!"

"Perfect timing! I am going to beat 'em!"

Having breathed a fresh life, Lana's spirits were high.

"Our opponents are «Blazing Fairies» and «Stray Fairies»."

«Blazing Fairies» were the fire-attribute variant of the humanoid fairy monsters. They had red bodies and heads wreathed in flames, and their weakness is ice attribute attacks.

However, weaknesses no longer mattered. Normal monsters were no match for us, so we simply annihilated them as we pushed forward.

Along the way, we found treasure chests, opened hidden doors, and gathered resources as we descended through the floors.

After defeating the 20th-floor field boss, the «Master Fairy,» an elderly figure who brandished a staff and rained down magic, we entered the autumn area, which spanned from the 21st to the 30th floor.

"It appears every gatherable item here is food."

"That sounds amazing! Let's bring back loads of ingredients! Our dinner table will be bursting with color!"

As Sierra and Lana said, all gatherable items in the autumn area were food. In summer floors, leafy greens were the main take, so the gathered items varied by floor area.

The autumn area was a sight to behold, with deep crimson foliage and mountains stretching as far as the eye could see, adorned in a kaleidoscope of colors, truly a "brocade of autumn." Such scenery was a welcome change.

The types of fairies also increased, with neutral "Aqua Fairies" and "Earth Fairies" appearing, often trying to trick us with rain attacks and terrain changes.

Now that we're on deeper floors, the fairy monsters displayed an increase in their number, as well in diversity, like attribute-less «Aqua Fairy» or «Earth Fairy». They would prank around by causing rain, or casting terrain changing attacks.

The rain attacks were a nuisance, they'd get our equipment wet which was quite bothersome.

«Refresh» could technically dry them out, but using it after every battle would quickly deplete our supply and cost a lot of money. So, whenever Karua spotted an «Aqua Fairy,» Lana and I would quickly take it out with long-range attacks. No mercy.

Even so, the floors of Int-high dungeons were extensive, so before long, the casual exploration feeling was replaced by annoyance, making us fed up. So, halfway from there, we switched to «Thunder Javelin», and took a shortcut to arrive at our target, the 30th floor, saving us enough time.

"Alright, we've saved time by taking shortcuts, so let's gather as much as we can here! Our target is a ton of «Recovery Mushrooms»!"

"Ooooh!"

After defeating the 30th-floor boss, we planned to return via the teleportation circle, so before that, I had wanted to gather as much as possible. After all, this was one of the reasons to choose this dungeon.

These mushrooms could be used to create potions that restored both HP and MP, and they were also good for cooking. Even eating them raw provided a small recovery. They were such a valuable ingredient that it was said you'd never lack MP in the autumn area! Since they could only be found in the autumn area, we gathered as many as we possibly could, right up until our time was almost out.

"Is it about time?"

"It is. We've gathered this much... I really wish we could get a bit more, but time's running out."

"Indeed. Let's challenge the boss."

"Finally, it's time for a boss fight!"

"And plenty of ingredients, too."

Confirming Sierra's words, it was indeed getting late. Time truly flies when you're in a dungeon.

With time pressing, unfortunately, this was as far as we could go for today. However, now that we'd registered ourselves in the teleportation circle, we could just come back any time.

After giving everyone a good look, we entered the boss room to challenge «High Fairy».

T/N - Hello, everyone. Due to occasional api issue, which leads to readers unable to read until the access is manually granted, we have begun to update the series on Patreon as well. It's simply to save readers the hassle if anyone is experiencing. Of course, the site will be getting update too.