Chapter 56: CH 41

After the inclusion of “Twilight’s Sword” to the expedition team, they obtained Salamanders at the 46th Floor before heading for the 50th Floor. 

This had been to counter those giant snakes that moved underground — the Blind Snake Ophions, but whether fortunate or unfortunate, that vicious monster did not appear. In the previous exploration, they had also only encountered it once, so it was possible that it was a rare monster. 

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However, even without them, powerful monsters lurking in the deep layers attacked in hordes.

Making their first appearance were 5 Basilisks. 

Huge flightless chickens covered with hard scales, known for their golden crowns and countless snakes that grew in place of tail feathers. It attacked with its sharp beak and talons attached at the end of both wings, and it was said that anyone who came into direct contact with this monster would be petrified into stone. 

Those petrified were crushed by the Basilisk’s beak and swallowed whole.

Monsters in labyrinths shouldn’t need to consume food, so this might be what you call an indulgence.  

“In short, it’s fine if you don’t eat an attack, right?”

The one who said boldly while facing Yuika was the leader of “Achievers”, a Light Warrior. 

“Be wary after it attacks as well. Touching the scattered scales and feathers will also affect you.”

“I, I see.”

Those fighting directly on the front lines are always at risk of receiving abnormal conditions. Even veteran Adventurers would find it difficult to completely overcome their fear of petrification. 

If they stood back farther than necessary against monsters, it may lead to a decline in their fighting strength as well as a loss in efficiency due to an increased, unnecessary need for magic.

That was why Yuika disclosed information about her own magic Gift.

“I have magic that can recover abnormal conditions. Even if you get fully petrified, I should be able to heal it.”

“S, seriously?”

“If you can deal with its special attack, Basilisks are nothing more than ferocious birds. Their attacks have a short reach, so you can fight to your heart’s content.”

The success or failure of battles involving multiple Adventurers depends on whether they are able to split up the enemies from the start. 

Agile Light Warriors and Raiders provoke each individual monster to attract and separate them. 

Magicians gather in the rear, covering them with support magic or looking for an opening to unleash offensive magic. 

Even though the Adventurers were at first disordered by the Basilisks who attacked them in a frenzy, they gradually regained their composure and began to attack with their Clutches.

“[Grass Cutter].”

The hilt of a Halberd flexed and exploded towards the thick legs of a Basilisk. At that moment, a shockwave was generated and the Basilisk’s balance was broken. 

“Oorah, [Bombing]!”

A Battle Axe struck part of the torso and blew the monster away. 

“Eat this! [Crushing Blow].”

This one was a Warpick that aimed at the neck of a Basilisk.

–Though it ended up burying the beak buried deeply in the ground.

“Bastard! Did you just screw up?”

“No, I didn’t.”

The Basilisk, caught between the Warpick and the ground, struggled in pain. 

“Oi, Twilight! Use ‘that’.”

“Got it.”

Yuika, who had been watching the battle situation from a bit farther away, jumped out and thrust her Estoc into its head.

“[Phantasmagoric Needle].”

The other Adventurers had also seemed to realise that they would not need to defeat the monsters, immobilising them was enough to win the battle.

“Firing! Stay down!”

On another battlefield, a magic formation floated around the feet of a monster, and at the same time, the combatants dispersed.

“‘Ice Flower’.”

As soon as the magic formation burst, from the concentric circle at the feet of the Basilisk, countless ice blades were born, skewering its legs. 

This was a range ice-type attack magic. It also had the effect of impeding the enemy’s movement.

But this plan failed.

With a deafening scream, the Basilisk went on a rampage, and it became impossible to approach it to finish it off with a blow to the head.

“There wasn’t any point!”

Moreover, the ice pillars were in the way, making close combat difficult.

“Nuuk.”

“–Ha.”

Nuuk read Yuika’s intentions and moved.

The strategy would be to wear it down with attacks from the iron ball of his Maul from a medium distance.  

On the other side, the battlefield where Nuuk departed from, Berii and 3 Salamanders had progressed the battle to their advantage. 

[Artillery] was being hurled from range and when there was a gap made from the Basilisk writhing in agony, Berii pounced.

She performed a spinning attack with crossed Twin Swords.

“[Whirlwind].”

Its scales shattered and black mist-like magic particles gushed out. 

Normally, after releasing a melee attack active Gift, there was a short period of stiffness. The Clutch was designed to compensate for this, but Berii was able to deal with it by interrupting with another Gift.

An attack with both legs.

“[Leg Blade]!”

As she kicked the Basilisk in the chest with the sole of her left boot, its beak was kicked up with her right boot tip. 

Recoil caused her body to make a full turn and she gained distance.

The kick itself did not have much power, but it inflicted additional damage of the Slashing attribute.

Before the continuous attacks from her active Gifts, the Basilisk was unable to regain its posture. 

Furthermore, Berii kept jumping in and wearing it down with her Twin Swords.

Freely using both arms and legs, toying with the enemy like an acrobat, the Magicians and Sherpas who were watching Berii battle raised voices of admiration. 

“That girl, she’s amazing.”

A few years later, she would be given the nickname “Golden Limbs”, but this was where her Combo was first demonstrated.

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Despite a few errors in coordination, the expedition team was able to continue their labyrinth exploration smoothly and arrived at the 50th Floor Dungeon Oasis after 2 days. 

“This is as far as we go, I guess.”

In the first place, the purpose of the 5 parties was to explore the newly opened 48th to 50th Floors. Their main objective was also to find where herbs grew and mineral deposits, leaving hunting monsters for next time. 

The recommended level for the 50th Floor was also higher, so for now they would be turning back and focusing exploration on the 48th and 49th Floors. 

“W, well then. I’ve got one final favour to ask.”

The leader of “Profound Association”, the monkey-faced man averted his eyes as he asked with a red face. 

“I’m already old, ah, so why am I this embarrassed?”

He scratched his head and clicked his tongue.

“But, well, since we’re comrades that fought together, that, ah……”

He suddenly clenched his teeth and got fired up. 

“If, if it’s okay with you, to celebrate our partnership.”

He wiggled his fingers and held out his right hand.

“Can we shake–“

“Is this okay?”

While expressionless, Yuika shook his hand quickly.

A man who couldn’t straightforwardly say what he wanted was not her type. Inwardly, she was pretty irritated, but the monkey-faced man didn’t realise this and smiled satisfactorily — he was then pulled back by his friends.

“You, this–“

“You dare cut ahead?”

“Think about your age for a minute!”

It was the ugly jealousy of men whose average age was over 30. Following that, the other Adventurers then lined up in a row and they all shook Yuika’s hand to settle the issue.

Rowe, on the other hand, was surrounded by his colleagues from the Sherpa Guild, and was also given a rough farewell ceremony. 

His shoulders were gripped with the force of a vice, his chest was pounded with the fists, and he was stared at with bloodshot eyes while words of blessing were thrown at him.

“You’ve got some bloody nerve huh, Rowe. How’d you seduce such an amazing woman?”

“This, lucky traitor! You’re no longer the ‘Labyrinth Feeder’. From now on change your name to the ‘Hero Feeder’!” 

“Senior, my shoulder is coming loose.”

“But still. That Princess, if you ever go against her it’ll become very troublesome. She obviously has high pride, doesn’t look like you’d ever win against her.  If you ever cheat on her…..”

“She’ll kill you, that’s for sure.”

“…….That’s probably right.”

Gameo approached the calmly nodding Rowe. 

The big man with a lush beard was in tears.

“Rowe.”

The man who was entrusted with the role of the second “Sherpa Sword” had a radiant smile, unlike when he was troubled by the mission that had been assigned.

“I finally understood why you wanted to protect ‘Twilight’s Sword’ even though you had only just met. Everything was for her sake, wasn’t it?”

“Senior Gameo.”

He embraced Rowe with his strong arms.

“Please, you must make sure to protect her.”

“–Yes.”

Afterwards, “Twilight’s Sword” and Rowe remained at the Dungeon Oasis, they could not leave immediately.

Yuika was receiving a lecture from Nuuk.

“Black Princess. Those 3 conditions, what happened to them?”

During the previous exploration, when Yuika had announced that she’d become lovers with Rowe, they had exchanged 3 promises.

One, to avoid conspicuous acts in front of the eyes of others.

Two, to not spend the night elsewhere without permission.

Three, to maintain the relationship of Adventurer and Sherpa within the labyrinth. 

Nuuk pointed out that Yuika’s behaviour violated the first of these rules.

Once she declared it so clearly, it could not longer be denied. The leader of the Hero of the East, the symbol of the Earth Mother Goddess religion, rumours of Yuika’s engagement would surely spread throughout the country. 

However, the person in question, Yuika herself, did not seem to be at all upset.

“That was a promise made when we were lovers, right? Darling and I are now engaged, so those 3 conditions no longer apply. If you need a new agreement, I can consider them, but, let’s see……”

Yuika one-sidedly declared that conditions 1 and 2 were null and void, and condition 3 could continue.

In short, other than while working, they would flirt with each other without regard to what others thought. 

The engagement was accepted by both parties and it’d been witnessed by a third party, so there was a legal basis for it. To try and hide it now would be meaningless.  

“……Black Princess.”

Rubbing his eyes, Nook called out to his ally, who was seated slightly away from them.

“Oi, Berii. Is there not anything you want to say?”

“……Not really.’

He’d thought that she’d surely be the first to oppose, but for some reason, she stayed silent 　

Having obtained a new Gift with her level up, the blonde Adventurer who had been able to contribute greatly like a butterfly emerging from her chrysalis was gloomily looking down at the ground.

“I’m tired from thinking too much.”

After worrying, doubting, and proudly scolding, she had been completely crushed.

And this mistaken detective had elatedly delivered a number of cliched lines. 

『Obediently accept justice!』

『Yes. I have seen through everything.』

『In other words, the truth has been revealed.』

『Fufu, no use playing dumb you know, you scoundrel Sherpa?』

These scenes she recalled caused her to slightly exceed her sanity, left her with some trauma and a heavy lump in her heart. 

“Until this labyrinth exploration ends, I’ve decided to not think about anything……”

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