Volume 1 Chapter 24 The Battle Of Five People
"I had heard from others that Ark-san was going to use Instant Death Magic, but it turns out it was true."
After defeating the skeletons, Ryuin said as we walked through the stone corridor.
Her expression was a mix of confusion and surprise, hard to describe.
As adventurers, they knew that Instant Death Magic didn't have a good reputation.
Ryuin must have been skeptical until she saw it with her own eyes.
"I've never seen anything like it. [Instant Death Magic] can defeat even undead creatures in one blow. But wait, are undead creatures considered living beings?"
Following Ryuin, Leoness also exclaimed in genuine astonishment.
"...And your stats have increased since yesterday."
Veronica seemed to have used the [Appraisal] skill to check my stats again.
It's not that I mind, but I can't help feeling like I'm being monitored somehow.
From an outsider's perspective, my Instant Death Magic technique might appear very powerful.
However, it's important to mention the drawbacks as well.
"Just to make sure there's no misunderstanding, [Instant Death Magic] is different from other forms of magic in that it doesn't always guarantee success. So there is a possibility of missing when dealing with a large number of monsters. Also, it doesn't work against opponents who have means to defend against magic."
When I said that, Ryuin nodded with a look of understanding.
"So that means it's not effective against all enemies, right? Especially monsters that magic doesn't work on?"
"That's correct."
"In that case, I'll fight in your place!"
Fatina said, wielding her jet-black sword.
Indeed, Fatina, who is a [Sword Saint], is reliable, and we also have Ryuin, who can switch to the frontline as well.
But I can't rely solely on the two of them until we conquer this Emerald Green Dungeon.
In order to gain the ability to break through magic defenses, I'll need to defeat more monsters and get stronger.
After walking for a while, a dozen or so Hobgoblins, which are slightly larger Goblin-like C-rank monsters, appeared.
While Leoness uses the "Provocation" skill to suppress them, the rest of us will individually take them down.
I'll wait behind Leoness this time and aim for the Hobgoblins trying to surround us.
It's important for me to get stronger, but it's also necessary to raise Fatina's level.
For her, the monsters on this floor should be just the right opponents.
"――Ha!"
When Fatina unsheathed her jet-black sword and released a black slash towards the Hobgoblins crowding in front of Leoness, three of them fell with a single stroke.
Well, it seems like the sword made from the materials of that Shadow Chimera packs quite a punch.
The materials must have been top-notch, but most of all, it must have been the craftsmen's dedication that brought it to life.
"Ice is their weakness!"
"Ice, embrace my enemy── (Freeze)!"
Following Veronica's words, Ryuin began her incantation, and the hobgoblins who had been frozen in place suddenly found themselves enclosed in pillars of ice emerging from the ground.
(The battle seems to be stable... as expected of an S-rank party.)
Against C-rank monsters, they weren't particularly struggling at the moment.
Each of them was fulfilling their roles dutifully, but perhaps it was because the three members of the S-rank party had enough experience, as their movements were decisive and unwavering.
Now, the horde of hobgoblins was swiftly exterminated.
"Phew, this dungeon really does have a lot of monsters, huh..."
Ryuin muttered while wiping the sweat off her forehead.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, if it were another dungeon, there would probably be only four or five monsters coming out. This number is a bit unusual. Well, maybe it has something to do with the size..."
Ryuin responds as she sheathes a narrow sword, different from what Fatina carries.
Is it only Voltana's dungeon that has an unusually large number of monsters?
Even for Ryuin and the S-rank adventurer party, it won't be easy to conquer battles that deplete their magic power at such a high frequency.
"...I want to take a break soon."
"Yes, I heard there is a place to rest further ahead, so let's move there for now."
"Could it be that it's the same hollow as before?"
"Yes, that's right. It seems there is something similar to the one on the upper layer! It's perfect for resting since monsters won't come in."
Continuing to advance through the dungeon with Leoness at the front, we encounter a hollow similar to the one on the upper layer once again.
In front of us, a forest even larger than the upper layer stretches out, and a clear stream flows on the ground. No matter how many times I see it, it remains a mysterious sight.
"Well, we've arrived as planned, so should we take a break around here?"
Ryuin and the others sat down casually on the grass, and Fatina and I followed suit.
"But this dungeon is so mysterious. There's nowhere else like this."
"Oh, really?"
"We've explored many dungeons before, but this is the first time we've come across a place that can be called a safe zone like this. Usually, dungeons are old ruins or something like that. There's no way there would be a forest underground."
Leoness, looking interested, looked around and said.
"Well, it's called the 'Emerald Green Dungeon' for a reason."
(Now that it's been said, that's true...)
This dungeon, as the name Ryuin and the others know it, is overflowing with greenery to the point where the word 'Emerald Green Dungeon' fits perfectly.
It's about time I asked about that.
"Where did you learn the name of this dungeon? I would like to know if possible."
"Well... I was actually thinking of talking to you two about it. There's no one else around right now, so it's the perfect time."
With that, Ryuin began to speak.
"I received this request directly from the princess of Cretia Kingdom."
"What! From the princess! That's amazing!"
Fatina was surprised. Neither she nor I had expected it to be a direct request from royalty.
"Yes, I had previously defeated a vicious monster that appeared in Cretia, and that's how I became acquainted with her. It seems the princess remembered that incident and contacted me."
"So, what did she want?"
"Well, it was more like a plea than a request. There are a lot of monsters around Voltana, causing trouble, so she asked if I could explore the dungeon. The message mentioned a few names of dungeons."
Ryuin paused for a moment and then took a bite of the portable snack biscuits she pulled out of her bag.
"So, that's why we came all the way to Voltana's town. Well, things didn't go smoothly at first, though."
Ryuin said with a playful tongue-out gesture.
So, the source of Ryuin's information was the princess of Cretia.
"I see. Thank you."
"No, it's not that great of information, sorry."
As we chatted, Veronica suddenly raised her hand.
"Why the sudden hand raise, Veronica?"
"...I have a question too. What's the relationship between you two?"
The conversation took an unexpected turn, and for a moment, the room fell silent.
"Eh!? W-Well, Ark-sama and I, um, how should I put it..."
Blushing and squirming, Fatina mumbled something under her breath.
"He saved me from being attacked by a monster, but um..."
"We are in the same party, but it's not like we have that kind of relationship. We trust each other, but it's just a normal relationship."
"Huh, normal..."
When I said that, for some reason, not only the three of them but even Fatina let out a strangely big sigh while looking at me.
"Seriously..."
"Well, I'll support you. Hang in there!"
"...This is terrible."
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