Colorful machines clanked and whirred, while equally colorful boxes rolled along conveyor belts.
There were no workers to be seen — everything appeared to be fully automated.
Indeed, it resembled a factory... a toy factory. No doubt it looked that way due to its vibrant colors. In truth, however, it was an eerie place, where what was being made, how it was being made, or even the nature of the production lines was completely unknowable.
This was the Saitama Dungeon No. 3, a "civilization-type" dungeon — a special category featuring mechanical structures that seemed to mimic, yet somehow diverge from, the civilizations of intelligent beings.
It was famous for yielding items that couldn’t be found in other types of dungeons.
However, the "civilization-type" dungeons often hid unique forms of peril compared to ordinary ones: traps unrelated to monsters, or even the dungeon itself turning hostile.
And so, even now, a shrill alarm blared throughout the factory.
『Intruder alert, intruder alert. All security personnel, to your stations.』
"Nuuu...? This bode... not well, methinks."
True to Inari’s foreboding, large teddy bear-like figures began appearing around her. The moment they spotted her, they charged with surprising heaviness, thudding toward her in rhythmic booms.
Despite their soft, fluffy appearances, they moved with the ponderous weight of sandbags packed full. Undoubtedly, their attacks would hit with a force matching their heavy bulk!
Even so, Inari remained calm, taking a stance as if drawing a bow.
"Come forth, Kogetsu."
In response to her call, a bow appeared in her hands — a magnificent weapon radiating divine energy.
Gripping it firmly, Inari pulled back the bowstring with a strength unimaginable from her slender arms. A glowing arrow of light formed between her fingers.
The shining arrow shot forth toward the leading teddy bear — and exploded with tremendous force.
"BUOOOOOOO..."
"Oho, what a most beastly howl... 'Tis not nearly as cute as one might expect, given its appearance."
Chuckling lightly, Inari hopped backward, just in time to evade another teddy bear’s flying body slam that slammed into the ground with a heavy crash.
The bear, realizing it had missed, looked down at its own belly in confusion—only for a brilliant arrow to pierce it, causing it to explode in a shower of magic stones.
The remaining teddy bears charged all at once, but each one was swiftly blown apart by Inari’s radiant arrows.
What remained behind were magic stones. But for their massive size, the stones were rather small. In fact, they were no bigger than those dropped by orcs.
"Hmm... well, it mattereth not. A magic stone is still a magic stone."
Muttering to herself, Inari gathered the stones and tossed them into the Divine Concealment hole for safekeeping. Just as she finished, another announcement echoed through the factory.
『Intruder alert, intruder alert. All security personnel, to your stations.』
"Nnngh, art thou planning to unleash yet more bears upon me?"
Grumbling, Inari raised her bow again—only for something different to emerge this time: toy soldiers, life-sized like full-grown adults.
"...Nn? Ohoh!?"
The toy soldiers raised their rifles — and opened fire all at once.
Unfazed, Inari extended her hand, deploying a barrier that intercepted the bullets. However, the soldiers immediately followed up with a second volley, then a third. Their disciplined gunfire forced Inari to ponder her next move.
Just then, a triumphant trumpet blast echoed through the air. Turning toward the source, Inari spotted more human-sized toy soldiers, this time riding toy horses.
Cavalry. They brandished sabers and charged en masse toward her.
Seeing the oncoming cavalry, Inari let out a genuinely troubled "Mmm..."
The gunmen showed no sign of running out of ammunition, but she could hardly ignore the cavalry either.
Waiting for the tiniest lull between volleys, Inari dispelled her barrier, loosed a gleaming arrow of light toward the gunmen—then turned to face the charging cavalry.
"Kogetsu, transform to sword!"
Obeying her command, the bow transformed into a blade. Inari took a defensive stance, running her fingers along the blade’s surface.
As her fingers moved, Kogetsu shimmered, coating itself in a blue glow that gathered like flowing water.
"Secret Sword Art: Murasame!"
With a sweeping upward slash from below, Inari unleashed a torrential wave of water.
The cavalry were engulfed and swept away, disappearing into scattered magic stones. But even as she collected herself, gunfire rang out once more.
Rolling to evade, Inari narrowly dodged the renewed volley.
"Persistent, art thou not!"
Swiftly returning Kogetsu to its bow form, Inari fired a single radiant arrow at the remaining gunner, blowing it away.
Though she remained wary, scanning her surroundings for another announcement, none came.
Perhaps they had exhausted their "security forces"— or were preparing the next wave.
For now, the battle had paused.
However... Inari already wore a weary expression.
"Hmm... At this rate, if they keep throwing enemies at me endlessly, it shall be unbearable. I must find the boss, and swiftly..."
If this was a dungeon, there ought to be a boss somewhere. Determined, Inari casually tossed scattered magic stones and items into storage, while searching for anything that might offer a hint toward her next destination.