Sousetsuka

18





The three day break is over in the blink of an eye, it's time to start exploring the dungeon once again.

Since they've got <Mark> on floor 31 already, they're resuming from that floor.

"We've fought enough on this floor previously. Not to mention the crowd of adventurers here, let's skip ahead and fight only as necessary."

Despite saying that, the arrangement of these pointy rocks is complex and vast, even Lecan and his <3D Perceptions> doesn't know the optimal route.

He recalled something and felt like using <Appraisal> on the dungeon, but he still couldn't figure out how to do <Graph Making>.

Their lineup is like before. Lecan rushes ahead, Arios and Heles raid from the sides. On top of that, Eda lures the enemy with her bow first, then once the fight is over, she goes in the sand pit and heals the injured.

Heles is still bewildered.

Even though Lecan charges from the center, he won't shy away from moving to either side to dodge the magic beast. Hence, Heles who's on the left would sometimes experience surprise visitations from Lecan. Heles would go further to the left as a result, but then the magic beast chasing Lecan would jump out from behind him, nearly flattening Heles in the process.

Arios would see through Lecan's goals and never rigidly hold his position on the right, and instead would go find somewhere he can launch his attacks. Since Lecan had told them he would take care of baiting magic beasts, Arios understood that he needed to find a spot where he could safely attack the magic beast.

However, Arios mostly relies on his extraordinary swiftness in attacking and moving around, he's not that good at foreseeing things. Arios's movement is one forged for interpersonal combat, it's not applicable on magic beasts.

Even so, on their sixth day fighting together, Arios has gotten more used to it, and Heles has managed to occasionally throw some hits at magic beasts while silently dodging Lecan's huge sword.

At the rate this is going, both Arios and Heles should learn how to coordinate between them in a few more floors.

They walked toward the floor's exit as Lecan was thinking that.

At this time, he's gripping an unsheathed <Sword of Agost> on his right hand, but the <Shield of Wolkan> on his left is in its gauntlet state.

Of course Lecan is not letting his guard down. In fact, he was constantly probing the surroundings with <Life Detection> and <3D Perceptions> even while walking.

However, Lecan had forgotten.

How <Life Detection> and <3D Perceptions> aren't omnipotent.

While you're on a dungeon floor, you cannot detect sounds or presences coming from stairways or another floor, a rule that also applies to <Life Detection> and <3D Perceptions>.

Though since people don't come out of a floor's exit because you use <Warp> to go upstairs in this world's dungeons, not being vigilant toward an exit may not be necessarily careless.

Also, this floor's cliffside exit was situated to the left of where they come from, the blind side of Lecan's bare eyes, an unfortunate coincidence.

As such, it took him a bit of time to recognize Veta coming out of the floor's exit.

Which is enough time for Veta to shoot her preliminary casted finishing move.

"<Ice Fang (Cyluegi)>!"

A white violent torrent was generated from the wand she held out.

Lecan who heard her casting the spell had enough leeway to dodge this magic.

However, if he did that, this spell could hit Eda who was standing behind him, that thought made him hesitated for an instant.

A terrifyingly powerful offensive spell was allowed to manifest due to that moment of hesitation.

However, Lecan wasn't panicking.

He believed his <Overking Bear>'s overcoat that had stopped many attack magic aiming at him in the past would protect him once again.

Lecan should have not forgotten.

Veta is the trump card of <Jaira>, a party that has conquered this dungeon thrice, capable of defeating any kind of mighty foes in one or two hits.

The spell penetrated through <Overking Bear>'s overcoat, gouging out Lecan's stomach before coming out of his back.



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

19





Swordsman Kagaru, glaive wielder Takuto and shield bearer Mazu rushed out from behind Veta.

Arios and Heles rushed out from behind Lecan.

Arios dashed out faster than anyone else. There was not much distance between them. He quickly arrived before Veta the mage.

However, Veta was right next to the exit, Mazu the shield bearer stood in Arios's way.

Veta has begun a preliminary casting. She cannot be allowed to cast another magic.

Arios mowed down the ground.

No, that's not it, he cut off Mazu's leg.

With his left leg gone, Mazu fell forward as Arios cut off the tip of a wand Veta held.





Lecan faced off against Kagaru who came to finish him off. However, his body won't move. His legs stagger.

The area around the part Veta's magic pierced him has been frozen over. The silver ring on his left hand has failed to stop this abnormal status.

Lecan barely managed to block the sword Kagaru swung down with the <Sword of Agost>.





Takuto the glaive wielder went for Heles.

The glaive swung down with his enormous physical strength possessed hair-rising force within.

However, Heles has trained well in interpersonal combat. She estimated the glaive's reach and put herself slightly out of it.

The glaive that had lost its target broke apart dungeon rocks, sinking deep into the ground.

By that point, Heles had already stepped forward in her quest to defeat the enemy before her.





Lecan blocked Kagaru's second blow.

Befitting of <Jaira>'s leader, Kagaru's blow weighed heavily.

Kagaru pushed his sword further.

That was when Eda's casting resounded.

"<Recovery>!"





Heles underestimated the reflexes and strength of dungeon depths adventurers.

The glaive blew apart rocks holding it and then swung horizontally.

Heles got hit hard on her side by the glaive's blade, and got sent flying before crashing into a rock.

Takuto pulls his glaive greatly to the right.





Lecan could feel his body recovering as it was wrapped in a warm light.

He's overflowing with strength.

His frozen body has been restored back, perhaps it's the silver ring at work.

Lecan sent Kagaru's sword flying and swung down his own sword at Kagaru's now exposed body.

Kagaru is still a veteran adventurer. He promptly jumped backward.

However, he couldn't dodge Lecan's attack completely, his left wrist got cut off.





Just as Takuto was about to swing his glaive at Heles who had passed out from the crash, his right arm suddenly got cut off.

After hitting Veta at her vital point, Arios swiftly moved away and attacked Takuto from behind.





Just as Lecan and Arios were about to deliver the finishing blow, someone called out to them to stop.

"Hold it! Hold your horses!"

After shouting that, the man gasped to catch up to his breath.

It's the owner of <Jade's Restaurant>.






Previous Chapter

15





During dinner the next day, Eda had something to report to Lecan.

"What? Kagaru went to see you?"

"Un. He dropped by the inn when Lecan and Heles were gone to sell mats."

Lecan had expressively dodged telling them their inn. Just where did they learn about it, thought Lecan, but to this town, <Jaira> are heroes. They would have ways to find that information.

"He asked me to join <Jaira>."

"How'd you reply?"

"I told him to go talk through Lecan for that."

"That's good. You did great."

"Ehehehehe."

"You're all grown up."

"Hehehehehe."





16





The next day, after breakfast at their inn, just when Lecan was thinking about visiting the weapon shop he left <Sword of Rusk> at, Kagaru came by.

"Come with me for a bit."

"State your business here."

Kagaru was glancing around like he was worried about public eyes, but then he let out a brief sigh and sat on a chair in front of Lecan.

"Could you hand Eda over to us. I'll even do this."

He then bowed.

"I refuse."

Kagaru grabbed a bag of money from his pocket and pushed it toward Lecan.

"There's five white gold coins in here. This is the most I could muster up right now."

"I said I refuse."

"<Willard> has you. One party don't need two <High Recovery> users."

"That's not something you decide on."

"I know a good archer. I'll introduce them to you."

"Put them in your party."

"Just listen to me. Our mage's completely crapped her pants. Don't want to dive in no more, she said. But she would if Eda were with us."

"Nothing to do with me."

"Veta has always been quite timid y'see. But she's got some serious magic talent. Ain't it funny. That timid girl's got the one in thousand talent at offensive magic. You won't believe how much I've done to that girl when"

"I don't care about your life story. Done with your business?"

Lecan stood up.

"So you won't listen even after I swallowed my pride and bowed to you."

"You're just pushing your own conveniences on us. I won't let Eda go to your party. Either way, Eda is my pupil right now. No master would sell out their pupils."

Kagaru glared hard at Lecan for a while before indignantly stomping his way out.



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

17





When they were having dinner at <Jade's Restaurant>, Veta the mage came and stood next to Eda.

"Eda-chan."

"Veta-san. Good evening. Wanna sit?"

"Help me."

"Eh?"

"I'm too scared to go alone in the dungeon. But I can't earn money if I don't go. I owe Kagaru debts you see. Lots of debts."

"Veta-san..."

"I had defeated all magic beasts we encountered so far in one shot. If they're not dead in one shot, they would by the second. The battle will be over if I just shoot my magic. So I wasn't scared."

Lecan grew suspicious after hearing her. Judging from traces of their fight on floor 31, <Jaira> wasn't fighting in a way that relied on a one-shot finisher.

(Hang on.)

(They were hiding their trump cards since <Pezan Toorzam> was present.)

(So they got badly beaten by the magic beast since they didn't want to show their tricks huh.)

"But back then, dissolving liquid got on me, my face was melting."

(Meaning, this Veta woman is <Jaira>'s trump card.)

"I was so scared, so scared, I thought I'd die. And even if I was saved, I wouldn't want to live on."

(Saw many parties with similar fighting style in my former world.)

"But then, Eda-chan saved me."

(They equip themselves with mana amplifier and offensive magic doubler.)

"My ruined face went back to its original beauty."

(They would spend a long time to prepare the magic.)

"It was a miracle I thought."

(In the meantime, other members would bait the enemy.)

"Even if the recovery user Doren were still alive, he wouldn't be able to do that."

(A fighting style that relies on finishing enemy in one shot.)

"Eda-chan is a goddess."

(At least they would go with that tactic when faced against powerful foes.)

"I won't be scared if Eda-chan is with us. I can fight."

(I see.)

"So please."

(If this woman can't fight anymore.)

"Please come with me."

(Their strength as a party will see a sharp decline.)

"I'm sorry, but I can't go with you. My place is next to Lecan."

The rejected Veta glared at Lecan with tears in her eyes, then she turned around and ran off.

"Oh dear."

Arios sighed.

"That man, Kagaru sure resorts to some unscrupulous means."

"Why didn't you drive that woman away then."

"Dare I say that back to you, Lecan-san?"

Heles chimed in here.

"Truly, what a selfish bunch they are. They can only think of their own egoistic circumstances. Don't they realize just how shameless they're being."

During Lecan's conversation with Kagaru in the morning, both Heles and Arios were listening from their own slightly apart seats.

"Heles-san."

"Hm? What is it."

"No. It's nothing."

Arios probably wanted to say, 'the same goes for you'.

Indeed, Heles might be being selfish in her request.

However, Lecan didn't think bad of Heles.

While he felt repugnant of Kagaru and Veta.

Just what made this difference, he wondered, but he couldn't come up with an answer.

But he noticed one thing while pondering.

The thing Kagaru said in the dungeon back then.

"<Pezan Toorzam> had the <Mark> of floor 19. We went straight to this floor from that floor in order to create the <Mark> here. It should have been finished by now if not for that accident."

However, Heles mentioned that the clients have to have the <Mark> on floor 30 to post the quest. In other word, the quest <Jaira> undertook from <Pezan Toorzam> was not legal.

One of the sides must have put it forward.

It's probably <Pezan Toorzam>.

Thinking that they were eligible to get <Mark> on floor 31 since they got one on floor 19. They either went to consult to Kagaru or he overheard them talking about it between themselves.

That was Kagaru being hasty.

No wonder he was desperately asking for Lecan's help.

(Refusing that was the correct answer after all.)

Lecan had no sympathy toward <Pezan Toorzam> in the first place, and now he would never have one.

Everything that happens in a dungeon is your own responsibility. If you cannot bear losing, don't go in a dungeon in the first place.






Previous Chapter

Chapter 104 Sea Vacation (4)

 

Brush, brush, Chief Seacat is brushing her face against me.
It's impossible to defeat her now that she's gotten attached to me! In order to ascertain just how things come to this, I plan to establish a contract with Differing Soul Telepahty.

"So yeah, I want you to form a contract with me and become a magical cat girl (physically)."

Unyan?

Chief Seacat tilted her head in confusion. Um okay, sorry, just messing with you owwww? Mitama-san, please stop pulling my cheek. Owowowowow.

Tettere~♪ Chef Seacat submitted

Ah, this means OK.
Then I've gotta give her a name. But, a cat-like name... I've gone and used Tama already.
Umu, Nyan*-sensei or Ki*i would be too shoddy... I look around to search for hint. Futsuno, Mitama, Kagura... Dance? Speaking of dance... Ame-no-Uzume?
How about Uzume!?

Nyaan!

Tettere~♪ Uzume acquired Etania Common Language.

She learned fast!

"Uzume, can you talk now? Why were you marching with so many seacats?"

Uzume nodded. This kitten is really clever.

"We, tried, to, cross, over, the, sea..."

From her disjointed speech, turns out these cats are not dungeon-borne monsters, they come from outside to look for a place to live at.
Uzume had been here since she was little, then some times after she settled in, she saved a young beached Kraken. That Kraken appeared to be relatively intelligent as well (apparently monsters with high intelligence can sometimes be spotted in a dungeon, per Eleanor-san), and they became fast friends that went beyond races.
After a while, Uzume got to be in charge of a pack of seacats while continuing a symbiotic relationship with the Kraken.
However, that Kraken suddenly went mad a little while ago and started going on a rampage. Its behavior changed, from hunting only prey it required to live to eating down everything in sight, it even started going for Uzume's pack. Left with no other choice, they abandoned their dwelling and began a wandering life, that was when they cornered a Maguros after a hard struggle. But then, I went and cut it up when it got away from them with space warp. They came this far to get back at me for snatching their prey.

True enough, there's quite a lot of thin looking seacats here and there. It's not like I'm against keeping them, but I don't think it's good to shut these active sea cats, not to mention the food expense.
Meaning, we've got to settle the matter upstream.

"So err, I know that we're in vacation and all, but I just can't bear to leave these kittens alone, mind if I do something about the Kraken for a spin?"

"...Everyone knew you would say that, Nobu."

"Yeap yeap, I mean I cannae' say no to these round eyes of 'em either."

"It's just, please don't push yourself too hard since Nobusada-san always manages to put himself in harm's way whenever you do this."

"Listen to her, Nobu-chan. Turn around and run right away if you think it's bad okay~. If it seems hopeless, we'll all think together about taking these kittens home with us~."

Even Sefi-san... Oh geez, they're all such dependable wives!

Huh? I don't see Kagura-san anywhere.

"M-milord... Please save me nojaaa."

Buho. She's being swarmed by kittens turning into a cat's paw behind Sefi-san.

They all immediately dispersed with Uzume's cry, but man, lil' girl Kagura-san's got to face so many dangers in life.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >



So yeah, I've gone all the way to the far side. By making use of a new composite version of all high-speed magic, [<<Flight System>>], I arrived at Uzume's former dwelling in no time. I put Uzume on my shoulder during the flight since she looked like she was struggling to keep up with my speed halfway through.
Uzume got down on the sea surface and dived in. Looks like she's looking for that Kraken in question.
Guess I'll look with Space Grasp myself.

Found it!

There's one big thing. Its body alone is about five meters long. Double that size if we include its legs. Will this thing get even bigger with age? I could just imagine a huge Kraken coming out of the dungeon if this is left alone. Let's ask Eleanor-san later what happens then if that becomes a reality.

I can't use [Space Camouflage] in unison with [<<Flight System>>] due to some sort of compatibility issues, so I come closer slowly and confirm the situation with Discerning-sensei from a distance.

Once I got close enough to catch it with bare eyes, I saw it restraining a huge turtle that looked like it would fit right in Urashima Tarou's story, the Kraken was about to chew its head. OH, it's a Kaijuu clash! I have Uzume back off just in case. Can't let her get dragged in this.

High Kraken
HP: 346/1022 - MP: 139/388
State: Mana Water Deficiency, Debilitated
An evolved Kraken monster. As one of the possible evolutions, its size is small compared to ordinary Krakens, however it's highly intelligent and even capable of speech. They can cast magic and are feared as devils of the sea by sailors.

What the heck?

Its state is clearly weird. Its HP and MP would recover every time it bit on the turtle, but then they would immediately decrease. And that keeps repeating ad infinitum. Is it like when you've got food poisoning and on IV yet can't stop eating?
If I can just find out the cause of this phenomenon, perhaps I can turn back its sense.

I tried to deploy Discerning-sensei to find out the cause, but since the Kraken is so far deep down inside the sea, it's not going too well.

Guess I've got to get closer?

Right when I thought that. Something slippery is wrapping my legs. Taken by surprise, I ended up getting entangled in no time. Due to the shock, I lost control of [<<Flight System>>], undoing it.

Objection! No one's gonna cheer seeing a man getting entangled in tentacles!!

Putting my strength into it does nothing, can't get away at all. Feels like they're gluing harder even. Fine then, eat my magic!

"Repulsion!"

A repulsion force got generated with me in the center, repelling the Kraken's tentacles away. Uwoo, my whole body is all sticky, gross.
And since the force is spherical shaped, I'm floating above the sea. I immediately switched to [<<Flight System>>] and got away from the hotbed of tentacled area.

Once the stickiness and fear settled down, I got my composure back and resumed my observation when I noticed something wrong in the surroundings. It's overflowing with abnormally high magic essence. Almost feels like the small room where a boss spawns. The glittering lights on the sea surface is not only due to light reflecting, I believe it's also due to magic essence drifting in the sea. Don't quote me on that though!

I hurriedly look at High Kraken, and see its MP gradually decreasing.

That means. Mana is leaking out of the High Kraken, and to compensate for that, it's chasing down prey like crazy. Meaning the cause is... won't know without getting closer to the main body past those tentacles.

Now then, I've got to make it stop moving, and my usual M.O. for restrain would be.

Air Bind -> Doesn't work in the water!
Graviton -> It's just gonna plunge it deeper in the water, game over!

Figured~.

Now then, what to do here...






Previous Chapter

14





<Vega> was in <Jade's Restaurant> again that night.

As Lecan started drinking early, Cozwolth dropped by.

"Yo, Lecan!"

"Hey."

"HAHHAHHAHHAHHA. Ya from dungeon?"

"Yea. Got back this noon. Taking a break for three days from tomorrow."

"We're divin' in tomorrow ourselves. Gonna take it easy this time, planning to explore for five days."

"Don't you guys use dungeon inns?"

"Those're no good. Stayin' there throw off the tension. Also, a waste of time."

"Agreed."

"I see! Knew you got it."

"S'cuse me, passing through. Are you Lecan?"

"Yea."

"I'm Nuru. Healer of <Azcariz>. I heard you can use <High Recovery>?"

"Yea."

"Wut? Lecan. Ain'tcha a swordsman."

"I am."

"Why in the hell could a swordsman use frigging <High Recovery>?"

"Beats me."

"I was a bit skeptical myself, but there's no point for Veta telling a lie, is there. So is the girl over there, Eda then?"

"Yes."

"Oh you're so cute. Forget adventurer, you look like a perfectly 14-year old girl. Can't believe you've got to floor 31 with that face of yours."

"Floor 31?? Yer' jokin' right. Lecan just got to this town the other day."

"Think we first saw you on the 24th of month five. We just arrived at this town that day."

"<Jaira> had beaten the dungeon boss that day, the dungeon went dormant for five days. So ya mean they went from floor 1 to floor 31 in just ten days? That's absurd."

"Absurd whatever, it's a fact that they saved <Jaira> guys and some young adventurers from getting beaten to death by a spider on floor 31, on top of that Lecan and Eda even saved the lives of eight seriously injured peeps with <High Recovery>."

"<High Recovery>? This big burly man, and this lil' girlie?"

"Big man, you're the last person he'd want to hear that from."

"HAHHAHHAHHAHHA. But whoa, two <High Recovery> users in a party eh? That's damn enviable."

"So you see, Lecan. According to the story, you two cast <High Recovery> on eight people. And some even had several retakes. And yet you didn't drink even a piece of blue potion. How are able to keep your mana up?"

"I'd like to say I won't divulge my ability, but well, got a small magic stone?"

"Eh? Ah, will this do?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Good enough. Watch this."

Lecan absorbed the magic stone on his palm, making it lose its shine.

"<Absorption> huh. I knew it. I had an inkling that would be it. But this means you can use body type <Recovery> on top of special type <Absorption> then? And you call yourself a swordsman? That's a foul play you know. Huh wait? You didn't do preliminary casting just now, did you?"

"It's a secret."

Lecan handed back the emptied magic stone to Nuru.

Apparently, preliminary casting is to be expected when you absorb mana from a magic stone. Nuru didn't seem to mind too much about it since she was drunk, but Lecan decided not to absorb mana from magic stones in public in the future.

"Thanks for the treat."

"Oh please don't be so cold now. If you teach me, I'll treat you to something even better."

Nuru pressed her voluptuous breasts on Lecan as she said that.

"Oy, Nuru."

"Leave me alone."

"Not that. That."

Someone just entered through the front door, it's <Jaira>'s swordsman, Kagaru.

Kagaru went straight to Lecan and presented a bag he brought with him.

"We owed you one today."

That he would come at this timing must mean that he had given tips to the restaurant to inform him when Lecan had come.

"Yea."

"<High Recovery> costs five gold coins at the temple in this town. Since you cast it on four <Jaira> members and four <Pezan Toorzam> members, I brought four big gold coins. Accept it."

"Sure."

Lecan took and immediately put the bag in his overcoat's pocket without looking inside.

"Bye."

"Yea."

Kagaru left <Jade's Restaurant> with that short parting word.

"Heard <Jaira> guys poured lotsa money at the temple when their recovery user Doren was dying."

"Yes. Rumor said they got <Purification> cast on him."

"What. Is there a <Purification> user at the temple here?"

"That's not something anyone's privy of. But they apparently did ask the help of the best healer."

"Must be expensive."

"You can't even imagine. But Doren couldn't be saved in the end."

"Kagaru's got it real rough."

"He sure is. By the way, I just noticed, if it isn't Heles-chan sitting over there."

"I have been in your care."

"Really sorry about that. I really was on board of you joining, you know."

"No. I'm aware just how unreasonable I was being. Painfully so."

"Oh hearing that takes some loads off my shoulders. So now you're hiring Lecan-chan then. How'd you manage to find such a good man anyway?"

"I did not employ him. I'm merely acting as a temporary member of his party."

"Hee? But you guys are aiming for the lowest floor right?"

"Lecan-dono has no intention to at this point of time. However, I'm betting on the slightest possibility of Lecan-dono setting his sights on the lowest floor."

"Oh really. I hope it goes well for you. Ufun. Lecaan. Put me in once you're done with Heles-chan, okay. You can even put in me."

"Whoa, hey now, yer' talking nonsense. Ya drunk?"

"I am. Why would anyone not drunk in this restaurant."

After a while, Falcan the dual blade, <Azcariz>'s leader came by and dragged away the drunkard lady.

The next day, Lecan brought Heles with him visiting several stores to sell mats. The store owners were shocked to see him selling complete intact legs, but they paid handsomely for those.

They got 132 gold coins in total. 33 gold coins per person.

And since the sum from the missing magic stones had become insignificant by this point, Lecan split the amount for four evenly.

He also gave half of the four big gold coins to Eda.

Eda went into raptures and declared that she would go shop for clothes.






Previous Chapter

13





Eda fell pensively silent.

The thing about <Pezan Toorzam> and <Jaira> must be weighing on her mind.

Exploring the dungeon at her state of mind is dangerous.

Lecan thought about stopping their expedition short and going back to the surface, but that would turn her prone to running away. She'd want to retreat into her shell whenever she faces a stumbling block, or gets involved in something that corners her mind. Only road to ruin awaits when you can't run away anymore then. He's got to press ahead, even for a step, here.

"Eda."

"Un?"

"Forget about it."

"U-un."

"Guess that's asking too much."

"I feel so bad for them. Both <Pezan Toorzam> and <Jaira>."

"Right."

Her ability to empathize with others is Eda's virtue, a virtue that has saved Lecan's life.

Hence, he won't deny it.

"Had we taken <Pezan Toorzam> along with us on this floor, what do you think would happen?"

"Eh? Won't you get it done in no time at all, Lecan?"

"What would <Jaira> do in that case?"

"Eh? They're gonna, umm. I dunno."

"They'd come along too."

"Eh. Why?"

"Us, <Willard> haven't done anything that warrants any merit in this dungeon."

"Un."

"However, <Jaira> has glowing achievements and reputation to uphold."

"Un."

"That <Jaira> left a job they had taken upon themselves to some newbies with a dubious background, completely washing their hands off the matter. Can they really do that?"

"I-I guess they can't."

"<Jaira> wouldn't be able to keep their face until they proved themselves superior to us <Willard>. This group of people follow us around from behind. What are they gonna do?"

"D-dunno."

"They might do something, they might not. In other word, we would be facing magic beasts in front of us while a group of skilled adventurers with unpredictable behaviors are behind us. Don't you think that's dangerous?"

"It is, I think."

"And even though <Pezan Toorzam> might look calm on the surface, they had just lost two of their friends. They must be shaken to the core. We can't predict how people in that state would act. <Jaira>'s mage seemed awfully shaken as well."

"Now that you mention it."

"Exploring a dungeon while babysitting those two parties is simply unfeasible. Also, a mistake on our side could mean the total annihilation of <Pezan Toorzam>, even <Jaira> wouldn't get out of it unscathed."

"Un."

"In other word, accepting that request could potentially lead to the death or injuries of many people from three parties. But now, no one would die since we didn't take it."

"I see. So that's how it is."

"Eda."

"Un."

"If you become an adventurer, you'll come across pitiable people. You can't fight magic beasts if that makes your mind waver. You'd die."

"U-un."

"A heart that sympathizes with others is worthy of praise. But you must leave it behind when you're exploring. Otherwise, it'd lead to your death."

"Un. Got it."

(That might have been too forceful.)

(Wonder if that was enough to slightly alter Eda's view on things.)

Lecan is bad at expressing his beliefs.

What important is how harsh this world called dungeon. Eda has to experience it firsthand in all its coldness and mercilessness.

That's exactly why Lecan didn't accept Kagaru's request. He could not afford to.

'We're strong, this dungeon is a piece of cake, even with extra baggage like these people are, traveling through this floor is easy peasy', anyone who harbors such train of thoughts will not survive dungeons. 

Death is constantly lying in ambush even when you've made your baggage at its lightest and yourself at the apex, that's just how it is with dungeons.

Additionally, you should never agree to a proposal or a plea for help by someone with unknown motives inside a dungeon. Something Lecan had to learn the rough ways many times over.

If Eda finds herself in a similar situation in the future, and rejects the other party's idea because she recalls Lecan's attitude today, that's a success.

In reality, just taking <Pezan Toorzan> along without <Jaira>'s accompaniment by firmly declining them wouldn't be that dangerous.

However, doing that would likely cause Eda to wrongly consider that it's okay to help people in this kind of situation.

How Lecan didn't want to show his ability was a factor, but he absolutely could not accept Kagaru's request, so it wouldn't put the wrong idea in Eda's head.

"All right. Arios. Heles. Kept you waiting. It's time to fight."

"A moment please."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"What."

"We should decide on our formation."

"Formation?"

"Indeed. Stand by positions, turns to go on offensive. And other things like which techniques to use, we should decide on those properly."

"Useless."

"It is not useless. Formations and coordinations are the basic of the basics in the knights."

"Forget the knights' practice here. That's not how you coordinate in a dungeon."

"No uh. The Royal Knights are applying that in Dungeon Finkel even now."

"Heles-san."

"Arios-dono. Please tell him."

"You can't do that."

"What?"

"Since when did you have the authority to order Lecan-san around?"

"It's not an order. I'm just putting forward a suggestion."

"Planning formations and tactics is indeed the basic of group battle."

"Isn't it. No doubt about it."

"But that is a standardized way of mobilization applied to any opponent, a general purpose coordination borne out of necessity to make it workable on any unit, any situation and any knight. I admit that it is indeed highly practical, however. One thing for sure, the formation employed by knights works under the assumption it will be deployed in a group vs group fight."

"And what's wrong with that."

"Who knows? Don't ask me. However, Eda-san and I are here to learn what lies beyond that from Lecan-san. If you have a problem with it, kindly leave this party right away."

Heles had a sullen look on her face for a moment when she heard the usually amicable Arios's unexpected harsh talk down. However, she breathed in deeply before speaking again.

"Lecan-dono. Please pardon me. I shall abide by your commands."

The party had been walking ahead even while they were having that entire discussion, but then Lecan stopped.

"There's a magic beast beyond this rock. I'll rush on ahead frontally. Arios, you're to the right, Heles to the left. Eda, start by shooting some arrows at the magic beast from outside the sand pit. You're also in charge of healing. Let's go."

"Yes."

"Wai-"

Lecan charged in right after he said that. Arios followed right behind him. Heles had a late start. Since Eda wasn't even in position when Lecan rushed out, she hurriedly took up her bow but she had missed her timing by then.

Lecan blocked the dissolving liquid with his shield and struck a hit on the spider's head. The instance the spider stopped moving, Arios cut off a joint on its left leg.

Followed by a blow to its head by Lecan, killing the magic beast.

Lecan cut off the remaining seven legs of the spider at the joints, and put them inside <Storage>.

He scooped out the two eyes and put them in <Storage> as well.

He cut up the abdomen, grabbed the venom sac inside, put it in a bag exclusive for sacs, and stowed it away in <Storage>.

"No, err, Lecan-dono. Just what's up with that <Box> anyway. How is that even a <Box> anyway?"

"Told you, quit asking."

There's some good news.

The magic stone taken from this magic beast was quite a bit larger.

Enough to be called a large magic stone.

From here on is a treasure trove of large magic stones.

They continued to fight many battles. Since Eda was ready during the second battle onward, she'd shoot an arrow at spiders' abdomen before Lecan got to it, drawing their attention.

Since Lecan kept suddenly rushing out, it always turned into a confused melee. Heles got hit several times, injuring her. Lecan got splashed by the dissolving liquid many times over as well, scalding his face and throat.

Both of which were fully healed by Eda's <Recovery>.

"Lecan-dono. I won't complain about your commands, but could you please stop swinging that huge sword horizontally. It's awfully dangerous."

"Dodge it."

"You're asking the impossible."

They kept battling without having lunch until afternoon, defeating the giant variants in the end.

Ten ordinary variants worth of two giant variants. No treasure chest popped up.

"Alright. This concludes our expedition this time. We'll be taking a three day break starting tomorrow. Rest your body well. Heles. Tomorrow we're selling the mats. You're coming too. Great job, everyone. Wash your body, take a breather and then gather at <Jade's Restaurant>. I'll treat you all to dinner like usual. Order everything you want and stuff yourself full."






Previous Chapter

12





"Two users of <High Recovery> eh. <Willard> is quite a blessed party."

Swordsman Kagaru, <Jaira>'s leader told Lecan so.

<High Recovery> is the advanced form of <Recovery>.

Some people interpret elementary level <Recovery> as <Heal>, intermediate as <Recovery> and advanced as <High Recovery>, or so Shira told him once before.

"Kagaru. We healed Veta at her behest, then we got another request from her and you to defeat the magic beast and fix you guys up."

"Yeah. We owe you a huge one. You really saved our hide there. I mean, you even healed up those horrible wounds. Not even temple coulda handled that."

"We can expect suitable rewards for this, no?"

"Of course. Which inn you guys're staying at."

"The inn is just for sleeping, just come to <Jade's Restaurant>. We often have dinner there while in town."

"Got it. You guys are pretty loaded eh. No surprise there though."

This floor is indeed popular with adventurers, there's eight other parties besides <Jaira> and <Pezan Toorzam> exploring this floor right now. One of those parties was fighting nearby and Lecan's group happened to pass by them on their way back to the entrance, that party asked about what had occurred then.

Since they couldn't lie about it, Kagaru told them about the gist of things.

Rumors of <Jaira>'s failure completing a quest would spread through the grapevine in no time now.

"Hey so, Lecan. I've got something to ask you."

"I'll lend an ear at least."

"Can you guys create this floor's <Mark> for our <Pezan Toorzan> folks here? You get three gold coins for this quest. I'll pay for it."

"I refuse."

"Don't say that, at least hear me out."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"I don't need to."

"<Pezan Toorzam> had the <Mark> of floor 19. We went straight to this floor from that floor in order to create the <Mark> here. It should have been finished by now if not for that accident."

"I don't care about your circumstances."

"We've used up all our potions, poison and food you see, we can't continue this expedition."

"You guys must have the Mark on this floor. Let <Pezan Toorzam> stand by outside this floor while you guys, or some of you go buy supplies outside."

"Lecan. I'm sure you understand. Our party just got a thorough beating. We're in no condition to 'fite right now."

"Not my problem."

"I'll pay ya five big gold coins."

"I refuse."

"But you guys just got to this floor yourselves. Meaning you're gonna travel through this floor anyway, yeah? You just gotta take <Pezan Toorzam> with you. Then you're gonna get five big gold coins just like that. Ain't that easy money."

"I don't think so."

"Heles. Won'tcha speak for us. Hold it. I see now. Lecan, Heles must have hired ya with money. She must be. Then, Heles. I'm asking you. Five big gold coins. Take these four adventurers with you. Ya got nothin' to lose anyway."

"Kagaru. I have paid nary a penny to Lecan. Neither am I Lecan's client. Lecan is in this dungeon out of his own will, and I'm permitted to temporarily join them in exchange for providing information about this dungeon. Lecan is in charge of deciding everything about the expedition. That's what we've agreed upon."

"Lecan. I beg of you."

"I refuse."

"Kagaru-san. Sorry for going so far for us. No one would have died if not for my reckless action, and we would have this quest wrapped up without problem."

"Toris."

"This whole mess was all caused by us, so it's only natural that Lecan-san is unwilling to take us with them. Besides, now that our party is down to four, we can't do much even if we get a <Mark>. Since this accident was caused by our, the client's, inability to follow orders, the reward money we have left at the association is your party to take."

"We can't accept that."

"We will be taking a break for a while before starting afresh. Kagaru-san. We're truly in your debt. The fact that <Jaira> suffered no casualty was the silver lining in this cloud."

"Hold it, Toris."

"We shall head back above ground. Please don't worry about seeing us off since this place is right by the entrance. If you'd excuse us."

The four surviving members of <Pezan Toorzan> left floor 31 like they were fleeing.
<TLN: Mistranslated a line in previous chapter. There were two deaths.>

Swordsman Kagaru was glaring hard at Lecan with eyes full of grudge, but Lecan left the place while pretending he didn't notice. Eda, Arios and Heles followed after him.

Kagaru didn't didn't say a parting word as they left.

Nor did glaive wielder Takuto and shield user Mazz.

Veta the mage raised her hand to salute at them.

Leaving the spot was Lecan's way of showing sympathy. Once Lecan's group is gone, <Jaira> can gather materials from the dead Octocular Great Spider's body.

Lecan understood Kagaru's position.

<Jaira> holds the track record as a triple conqueror of Dungeon Ninae, they have a reputation to uphold.

Yet, they have let two of their clients die and even failed the quest, regardless of the circumstances. Their reputation will crash down at this rate. With them currently lacking manpower, this is exactly the crucial time to defend their reputation.

Thus why they tried to push the quest to Lecan by paying him a large sum. If Lecan got this floor's <Mark> for <Pezan Toorzam>, their quest would be considered a success. They would get rewards from <Pezan Toorzam> as well. Would be short of two big gold coins ultimately, but that's far better than completely losing face.

Lecan understood their position well. He understood and yet refused their plea.

Kagaru was quite persistent, but that was not for the sake of <Pezan Toorzam>, it was for <Jaira>'s, it was for his own sake.

Lecan declined the request since he didn't want his ability exposed. He may have reluctantly allowed Eda's <Recovery>, but Lecan absolutely has no intention to show off his ability.

(I was aware of Kagaru's circumstances.)

(I declined his request in spite of that.)

(Kagaru knew that I comprehended their circumstances.)

(He knew that I refused despite being aware of it.)

(They'll hold a grudge for sure.)

But he couldn't come up with an answer when he asked himself if there was a way out that would leave no grudge.

As such, Lecan stopped thinking about this matter.

He's got other things he needs to attend to right now.






Previous Chapter

10





It's not just smell of blood.

There's also sounds of ongoing battle.

Right next to where they are.

The three who got on the floor after Lecan also immediately sensed it and got on their guard.

A lone adventurer unsteadily ran out of a gap between pointy rocks.

They approached Lecan's party when they noticed them before finally tumbling down.

Their body is full of wounds and blood.

"Veta?"

Looks like it's someone Heles knows.

Eda ran up to the fallen adventurer and looked at Lecan.

She must be asking if she could cast <Recovery>.

Lecan shook his head.

"H-help."

Half of their face has melted with smoke rising out of it. Their body is full of wounds and blood. It's a woman. Right half of her long hair has been tragically melted down. Remains of a hat are sticking to it. She would have been worse off had not for the hat.

Lecan swiftly took a large red potion and sprinkled it over the woman's face.

Her wounds slightly healed but that was it.

This woman most likely had used red potions already. And not just one piece, but two or even three. Red potions cannot help her anymore in this state.

"Eda. Cast <Recovery> on her."

"Yes. <Recovery>!"

Eda is capable of casting <Recovery> without preliminary casting time. Even Lecan cannot do that. Eda's <Recovery> casting speed rivals that of Lecan's <Flame Spear>.

The woman's face gradually gets restored. As for her hair, even though the intact part returned to its former beauty, the lost part didn't get back completely.

"What amazing Recovery power."

Heles was astounded.

Arios didn't say a word. Perhaps he recalled the time she saved his life as he was watching.

That Arios turned toward Lecan.

"Shall we go?"

"No. We won't come uninvited to where another party is engaged in a fight."

"E-everyone's, at, their limit. Can't fight anymore. Help. Save them."

Veta seemed to have overheard Lecan, she spoke thus. The woman possesses quite powerful mana.

"We've got a request. Let's go see how it looks there and help if the situation permits. If not we're withdrawing."

This spot is right near to the entrance, shaking off a pursuing magic beast would be simple.

Lecan proceeded through the gaps between pointed rocks.

The three followed behind him.

"<Deploy (Parshoot)>"

Lecan turned the <Shield of Wolkan> on his left hand back to its shield state.

The sounds of combat is becoming quieter.

They went further and reached a wide sand pit.

There's a gigantic Octocular Great Spider in the center of the sand pit.

It's a total mess.

Its right eye is gone, it's lost two of its left legs and one right leg.

Its abdomen has been gouged out as well.

However, it's still moving around.

Still brimming with battle lust, it's growling menacingly at the new intruders.

"Do you need a hand!"

Lecan shouted out loud.

A big male swordsman that was barely standing on his knees turned around and spoke to Lecan.

"Save us!"

"Got it."

Lecan rushed straight at the magic beast.

The magic beast spat out dissolving liquid at Lecan.

Lecan blocked that with his shield, jumped into the magic beast's bosom a moment later and strike down its head.

Its head that was supposed to be immune to blades was squashed flat, the joint on its head got half-torn apart.

The magic beast cried out as it crumbled down with liquid spraying out of the wound on its head.

"Eda. <Recovery> on these guys!"

"Yes!"

There were nine adventurers.

Two of them are clearly beyond saving.

As for the remaining seven, Eda took care of two who suffered grievous injuries while Lecan cast <Recovery> on those with minor injuries.

Minor injuries that would reap their lives if left unattended.

Both Lecan and Eda cast <Recovery> with the thin wands Shira gave them.

Fortunately, the seven surviving people managed to escape death.



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

11





The female mage they met first was a member of <Pointed Rocks (Jaira)>.

<Jaira> was one of the top parties that has conquered Dungeon Ninae thrice, but they lost their <Recovery> user in their last expedition.

And yet they thought they were more than capable of taking on a quest to create <Mark> on floor 31 and undertook one from a six-man party, <Lost Dragons (Pezan Toorzam)>.

It should have gone without a hitch.

<Jaira> immediately engaged a spider they encountered right next to floor 31's entrance. While telling <Pezan Toorzam> members not to enter the sand pit beforehand.

<Jaira> steadily made a good progress in the battle, smashing one of the spider's eyes, cut down three of its legs, and got to a point where landing a finishing blow was all left to do.

The leader, shield fencer Kagaru dodged a venom spit the spider shot in desperation.

That venom flew past him and hit the leg of <Pezan Toorzam>'s leader, swordsman Toris.

They have no idea why Toris was in the sand pit.

Perhaps he thought he could be of some help.

Perhaps he wanted to take a good look on the magic beast his party would hunt from then on.

The reason was a mystery, but his action was unnecessary, the one thing he shouldn't have done.

The remaining five members of <Pezan Toorzam> rushed into the sand pit in order to help the screaming Toris.

Due to the sudden influx of intruders, the magic beast turned its target toward their party.

During their attempt to save the six young adventurers from their impending doom, the four members of <Jaira> broke their coordination.

Magic beasts boast offensive powers that far outstrip the defensive powers of a human adventurer party, the only reason a human-formed party could defeat magic beasts without suffering a huge loss is because they all work together following the proper protocol that prevents a magic beast from making full use of their power.

They were thrust straight into hell the instance that coordination and protocol were thrown out of the window.

Along, with <Pezan Toorzam> naturally.

They crawled out of that hell as Lecan's group entered the fray.








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