The Wandering Witch Celeste

Stepping into the corridor, Mirelle and I continued delving deeper into the dungeon. Despite the dim light that flickered from the dungeon's ancient walls, I couldn't suppress the bubbling curiosity within me. I wanted to see what else lay hidden in the depths of this labyrinth. After all, if the earlier treasure chests held such rare items, who knew what else might be waiting for us? 

The faint echo of our steps accompanied us, the air growing heavier with each floor we descended. As intriguing as the dungeon was, a persistent hunger gnawed at me. I'd been surviving on nothing but onigiri and fruits for a while now, and I could feel the monotony taking its toll. I needed to add variety to my diet—something more substantial—or I might end up with a nutritional deficiency. 

Walking deeper, I allowed my mind to wander. What kind of meals could I make to break the monotony? Onigiri was convenient and comforting but eating it for every meal was dull. Rice, of course, was a staple. As someone who had vague memories of being from Asia in my past life, rice was essential. Yet, my recollection of where in Asia I came from was hazy, muddled with an assortment of cuisines and flavors. 

Did it even matter? I was dead in that world, wasn't I? The thought of returning there, even if it were possible, seemed pointless. I didn't know how long I'd been gone, and with my memories so fragmented, would anyone even recognize me? Would I recognize myself? 

"It's pointless to think about the past," I murmured aloud, shaking my head. "I've been given a second chance at life. It'd be a waste to dwell on regrets or sadness." 

Mirelle glanced at me curiously, her expressive little face tilting slightly. I gave her a reassuring smile, though it felt a bit forced. Pushing those thoughts aside, I returned to pondering food. I decided to create a variety of onigiri with different fillings—maybe pickled plum, salted salmon, or even something sweet. Bread also came to mind: soft, fluffy taiyaki filled with red bean paste, or savory yakisoba bread. My mouth watered at the thought of char siu, either stuffed into bread or eaten on its own or with the assorted onigiri. 

Using [Creation Magic], I began to craft these meals as we walked and tucked them away into my pouch. The warm scent of freshly made food wafted around us, and I could feel my spirits lifting. Mirelle chirped in approval, clearly enjoying the smells. 

. 

.. 

... 

Hours passed, and Mirelle and I found ourselves on what felt like the ninth floor of the dungeon. The deeper we went, the more challenging it became. Recalling the events from floors six through eight was exhausting, but also surreal. We had encountered a variety of creatures, each more dangerous than the last. 

One of the first new foes we faced was the "Mudmen." According to [Identify]. they were shapeless, humanoid figures made of sticky mud. They looked like animated clumps of wet earth with glowing eyes—or sometimes no face at all. Surprisingly, these creatures often emerged from traps embedded in the dungeon's brick and stone walls. Activating a trap sometimes meant being attacked by one of these creatures, though Mirelle, being a mud golem herself, seemed uniquely prepared to handle them. She dispatched them with a precision and swiftness that left me in awe. 

Next came the "Kobolds." These small, reptilian humanoids were cunning and devious. Their scaly bodies, sharp teeth, and crude weapons might have seemed laughable at first glance, but their real danger lay in their numbers and their ability to ambush. Mirelle and I had to stay constantly vigilant, as they set traps far more intricate than I'd expected. 

The third notable creatures we encountered were "Skeletons." Unlike the fragile undead from stories, these skeletons were surprisingly varied. Some wielded different types rusted swords and shields, while others carried bows, making them dangerous at both close and long range. Their eerie glowing sockets and creaking bones unnerved me more than I cared to admit. Mirelle struggled with them more than I expected, their weapons proving a challenge for her to counter effectively. 

But none of those monsters compared to the "Hobgoblins." These creatures were taller and more muscular than regular goblins, with reddish-orange skin and a disciplined, almost militaristic demeanor. At first, we encountered only a few, and while they were tough, Mirelle and I managed. However, their speed and strength far surpassed anything we'd dealt with before, and their intelligence made them even more formidable. They targeted me first, likely recognizing that I relied on magic. 

Despite my training with [Staff Mastery], the hobgoblins' heavy weapons and ambush tactics pushed us to our limits. One particular encounter almost ended in disaster. A large group of hobgoblins had cornered us in a narrow passage, their cruel smirks sending a shiver down my spine. The fight was brutal. Mirelle's core was nearly shattered, and I was forced to expend every drop of mana I had to fend them off. I'd never felt so drained—or so terrified of losing her. 

Now, standing before a massive rusted door on what I guessed was the thirteenth floor, I couldn't help but reflect on how far we'd come. 

"We've been through a lot, huh, Mirelle?" I said, my voice tinged with exhaustion and relief. "I even almost lost you. But we're finally here—what I assume is the end of the dungeon." 

Mirelle chirped excitedly, raising her sword in triumph. Her growth was undeniable. She'd become more expressive and skilled with her weapon, even surpassing me in combat ability. It was both humbling and heartwarming to see her evolve this way. 

"Are you ready, Mirelle?" I asked, my nerves creeping back as I stared at the ominous door. "Behind this door is probably a boss monster stronger than anything we've faced so far." 

"Mii~!" Mirelle responded, her tone unusually comforting. 

I blinked, startled by the warmth in her voice. She was reassuring me, wasn't she? For a moment, I realized just how anxious I'd been. But if Mirelle believed in me, then I could believe in myself. 

"Let's go, Mirelle." 

With renewed resolve, I stepped forward and pushed open the rusted double doors. The creak of metal echoed through the air as the darkness beyond seemed to swallow us whole. Whatever awaited us, I would face it head-on—with Mirelle by my side.