Chapter 90: Test Delve(initiation)

Simon was currently back at the unique zone he had been in over four months ago, except this time with an added party member and eight extra Tamers all of whom looked very eager to take part in the delve.

In front of them was a minotaur, a ten-foot-tall heavily muscled monster girl that followed all the traditions of being a cowgirl. Namely having horns, hooves, and tits so large they could be considered biological oddities.

The giantess looked at each tamer in turn before giving them a nod followed by an extremely long stream of words.

"Alright rookies, you all know why you are here but I will go over the rules one more time. You all are here to skip the novice rank and directly become bronze rookie delvers. That means you already have three monster girls and they are at tier 2. If you have any higher-level monster girls they cannot be fielded and three tier-2 monster girls will be provided to you to fill up those restricted slots. You are allowed to form teams but the marking points you have to reach will also increase exponentially as a result. Speaking of marked points, each of you will carry a special card that will keep track of everything you do in the dungeon. You will be given points based on how you perform in the dungeon and I hope you already know how the marking system works."

Simon and most of the other Tamers nodded at the last statement.

He did not know about others but Flora had given a detailed list of everything that would earn him points. The total was one hundred and everything he did added or subtracted from that. Every monster kill was one point, floor clears were ten, detecting traps were two, getting caught in traps was negative two, treasure chests were five, a trapped chest was negative five, boss clears twenty and Event clears ranged from five to twenty. One needed fifty points to pass but more realistically seventy-five points unless they can beat a boss and get the guaranteed escape circle, using the escape crystal was a negative twenty-five points. Coincidentally clearing the dungeon was an instant success regardless of the size of the team and that was what most of the Tamers went for.

Seeing the chorus of nods the massive minotaur gave a happy nod of her own as she continued.

"Good! Then let us get to the most important part of delving, can someone tell me what that is?"

Simon raised his hand as fast as he thought possible and sure enough he was the first person to do so, though a few did follow quickly afterward.

She turned to him and asked a quick question.

"What is it?"

In response, he threw a quick reply.

"Dungeon analysis."

The monster gave him a nod of her horned head as she replied back.

"Correct. The most important thing about delving into a dungeon is to analyze it beforehand. Remember dungeons are designed to catch Tamers and turn them into dispensers so it is very wise to know what you are facing. Most of the dungeons in the university are solved dungeons and they have easy guides and walkthroughs written by the Tamers who constantly delve into them. Always read them, if a dungeon is designed to be a direct counter to your monster girl team and you enter without prep, you are a lost cause."

Again Simon raised his hand. This time because of a piece of advice he received from Flora.

The monster girl stopped and asked.

"Yes?"

"Can I please receive a guidebook for the dungeon?"

The massive cow girl grinned at him before nodding.

"Sure!"

She flicked her massive muscular arms and out popped a thin notebook.

With an easy toss, she threw the book at him which he easily caught.

The rest of the group also raised their hands but the minotaur only shook her head with a shrug of her shoulders.

"I am afraid, we only give out one free sample. If the rest of you want one, you have to buy it from a shop or share if you are in the same group."

Some immediately acted on her words and bought a book while others did not. Presumably, because they thought they were in a group or did not care or could afford it(this being extremely unlikely).

The minotaur patiently waited for everyone to do their thing. Once everyone was back at attention she said.

"Alright, with that I think I have covered all my bases, now form your groups and follow me."

Immediately Simon said out loud.

"I would like to delve on my own! Please do not engage with me!"

Sure enough, many did look like that they were just about to turn to him, but the resolution in his words and the hostility in his words made them stop. Stopping a conundrum before it happened Simon searched for the minotaur(all his bonded monster girls were above tier 2 and were not allowed to come out of their gear form in the test).

The minotaur seemed to know his inner thoughts as she already had the monster gems in hand as he approached.

"Here. Your substitute team. Remember! Do not bring out your own monster girls, otherwise, it is an immediate disqualification."

She gave him three glowing transparent gems and turned back to wait, leaving Simon to fiddle with the gems in his hand. But before he could take a look at what team he received. He felt someone approach.

He turned to see a young man around his age, though he was quite a bit more pudgy.

"Hello?"

His voice was very squeaky though it carried a sense of superiority as he asked.

"Are you sure you do not want to be in a team?"

His reply was swift. Though he had the thought that the person would not take no for an answer.

"Yes, I am sure. My level is too high for the current challenge and it would give anyone teamed up with me an unfair advantage."

"Oh! I see! That makes a lot of sense! But you see I am similarly out of the league of this challenge! Why not scratch each other's backs!"

Simon narrowed his eyes.

"Are you a blessed one?"

He shook his head but had a grin plastered on his face.

"Nope, but I have something far more versatile. Wealth! And I am very willing to help those that help me."

The necklace he had around his neck shimmered and Flora's voice sounded directly in his head.

'This Tamer wants to bribe you to help him clear the dungeon."

Simon blinked, Flora had said that his girls would keep quiet during the process so as not to influence him. He had thought the words were being directed at herself. But the person in question seemed to be the first to break her own rule. However, it did help him realize the current situation more clearly. She also followed with,

"I say take the deal. If he believes himself to be good enough to bribe a blessed one, he has wealth to burn. Also, having someone wealthy in our corner is always appreciated. Even if it makes the others annoyed at your change in stance, the words you had said had room for argument so you should be fine."

He was confused, it was Flora who had told him not to form teams and now it was again her that told him otherwise. But she had yet to steer him wrong so he nodded.

The Tamer pumped his hand up in the air in response before extending it for a shake.

"Good! Good. The name is Richard by the way."

He took the hand giving it a firm shake as he replied.

"Simon."

"I already know who you are."

The response was reasonable, it was not like he was hiding his blessed status.

Before Richard could say more the minotaur announced.

"Time's up, come to me! It's time to delve!"