Dungeon Meshi (Reader Insert)

Into the dungeon we go

Spy X is going to take a while, need to budget for bills, and learning Crunchyroll is using AI... yeah. I found a streaming service that has that show and even more. Getting back into writing. I'm so sorry for the wait, though. I was tired, I guess. To the point, it was work and sleep over and over. Thank you for enjoying my mediocre work, and I hope it makes you happy, as it is for me to make this. You all mean a lot to me.

The four arrive at the entrance to the dungeon, looking down at the staircase swallowed by darkness, as Laios explains his plan. "We're going to get all of our food from the dungeon."

His announcement shocks the other three, and they can only let out a cry of distress as the human continues. "This place is full of monsters, right? So, then, the dungeon has to have an ecosystem in it." He clarifies. "The carnivorous monsters eat the monsters that are herbivores, and the herbivore monsters eat plants which need water, light, and dirt to grow." His face goes dark, fully serious about this crazy idea. "Thus, we humanoids can sustain ourselves in the dungeon, too!"

Chilchuck panics, flailing his arms about. "Hang on! We can get some rations!" He points to the dragonborn whose name turned out to be y/n, ignoring the new party member tensing up. "They offered money to join the mission, we should-"

Laios is quick to cut off his partmember. "We shouldn't use all that money at once as soon as we get it. We need it for emergencies like replacing our gear when it breaks.  Food is something that is always needed and will drain the funding really fast." The blonde then looks at y/n, a small frown on his face. "I appreciate the offer of money, but we need your skills more. Are you sure about doing this?"

The dragonborn looks surprised by the question before giving a determined nod. "You can count on me, I'm fully trained in healing spells of all varieties, and I have a vast knowledge of plant life, so I know what's poisonous or not." They clench a fist with a proud look, not noticing Chilchuck and Marcille looking defeated, muttering to themselves, "Don't encourage him...".

With that, the four of them make their way into the dungeon, taking cautious steps. Marcille sighs,  accepting the new condition. "We're really eating monsters?" 

"Yep, every meal," Laios confirms without hesitation. "Think of all our adventures up to now. Some of the monsters were tasty-looking, remember?" At that question, Marcille recalls the monsters they saw, the main ones were the more unappealing ones that cause nightmares to normal people. She puts a hand on Laios's shoulder, a grim look on her face. "No, they weren't! Are you insane?!"

Laios remains calm. "There are lots of people here who hunt monsters for food." To which Marcille argues, "Sure, and they're all criminals who've been banished down here! They're always sick from food poisoning and blowing chunks from both ends!"

As Laios continues, they don't notice two shadows passing by them. "Well, you did say you'd do anything to save poor Falin." The shadows peek from the doorway as Marcille yells, "I didn't say I'd eat monsters!"

Y/n and Chilchuck quietly watch the arguing happening, both of them not daring to butt in as Laios keeps bribringing points. "We only have enough money for gear and no food, . Whatlse can we do?"

"Right, but if we eat something weird and get food poisoning, we could all die from that!" Marcielle argues. Before more can be said, a scream breaks through the aiaircausing everyone to flinch and notice a party running    the entrance with desperation. "Run! "A man yells in warning, rushing past the four enough to see itsit'swalking mushroom stumbling behind. With no rerestraintMarcille smacks her staff on the cap of the monster, causing it to llieon the ground, easily defeated. Marcille groans. "Why do they keep letting newbs down here? If they're that scared of walking mushrooms, they should stay out. Oh?"