Not a soul knows how the death and destruction started. Only one thing iscertain-it came from the north. Deep within the Dungeon of the Dead is where thethe Demon King resides and the only hope humanity has of defeating this greatevil rests on the shoulders of a handful of adventurers. This tale of SwordMaiden's past smells of ash and sounds like the ringing of bare steel.

In the abyssal slumber of death, the past flicks by like the lights of a magic lantern... Down, down in the depths of the Dungeon of Death, in the innermost of the third floor, six heroes meet their match against frightful masked men. A sharp steel blade passes through a swordsman’s throat, and memories of his master through his dying mind...

The impregnable Dungeon of the Dead lies in the farthest north, spewing the Death from its gaping maw, a plague of devastation and undeath that has spread throughout the Four-Cornered World. Nothing but certain doom has awaited those who descend to its deepest level in hopes of finding the source of this pestilence—at least, not until that challenge is met by a certain party of adventurers, six men and women who would one day be called heroes...With this volume, the ashen tale of the legends of Goblin Slayer's world begins!

The party has successfully made it past the initial dangers of the Dungeon of the Dead, but the struggle continues as they head deeper. Strange new monsters await our heroes, and that’s not all-a group of adventurers somehow connected to Bishop declares a dungeon?exploration contest, bringing the party face?to?face with the infamous dark zone... “We don’t have time to bother with the likes of goblins! Because I...we...are going to save the world!

When the party happens to overhear two girls begging for help at the tavern, they decide to lend a hand.With these rookie adventurers in tow, they start heading toward the chamber within the Dungeon of the Dead where the rest of the girls’ party is awaiting rescue—only to find the scruffffy men lying in wait as well...

Six adventurers, brought together by chance, now take on the Dungeon of the Dead as a party for the very first time...!

The party, having put down the scruffy men, has continued exploring ever deeper into the Dungeon of the Dead and gaining experience. But a new threat awaits them now that they’ve finally reached the third floor...!!