Chapter 182 Rhapsody of Glory ⑤
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Late Night, Day 67 of the Tester Life. 4th Floor Monster House. Guild: Upstart Federation¹. Chairman’s Party: Crimson Lotus Samurai². Leader: Koyama Sanjuro.
While we were resting in front of the Monster House³, the third party to challenge the Guardian and Area Guardian⁴ returned along with Rock-dono.
”Good work, everyone. From the look of things, you had a rough time of it-degozaru,” Koyama said.
Their equipment was in tatters. Bloodstains marked their arms and legs in several places.
”Man, it was touch and go, Chairman! We handled the 4th Floor Guardian Kobold Soldier well enough, but that Kobold King! What the hell was that! He was insane-strong and way too fast!”
”He definitely earned the title of Area Guardian. He dodged my Fireballs like they were nothing… If we hadn’t been warned about his speed, I would’ve completely panicked.”
”I ruined my shield taking a hit from that cleaver. If the Guardian God hadn’t covered for me, I’d have been sliced in half for sure.”
”It was terrifying. But we won because of the Guardian God. We were just guys waiting to starve to death… and we actually took down a King.”
”It’s all thanks to the Guard Captain for not giving up on us. He even lent us the Guardian God this time. I’m going to find a way to pay that man back, no matter what.”
”Aye, I reckon that’s the truth. The Guard-dono is a magnificent man. Starting tomorrow, we’ll work like dogs in his guild to repay this great debt-degozaru.”
”You bet, Chairman!”
”I need to get stronger so I can actually be useful to him.”
Everyone shared their intel on the 4th and 5th floors, clearly grateful to the Guard-dono for lending us Rock-dono. It looks like we’ll integrate into Nightmare just fine.
But they weren’t exaggerating; the Kobold King was a monster. Even we panicked when Nezu’s arrows kept missing. We eventually realized the King wouldn’t get near Rock-dono, so we stayed close to him for the melee-that turned out to be the winning move.
The King was wary… no, he was downright terrified of Rock-dono. It made him sloppy, and our attacks started landing with satisfying ease. We took him down with only minor injuries. We owe it all to Rock-dono.
As I was lost in thought, the party leader reached into his jacket with a smirk.
”Also, Chairman… check it out!”
”Whoa!”
”You actually got it!?”
The leader pulled out a black 5th Rank Slave Exchange Ticket⁵. Everyone there erupted in cheers.
”Man! We didn’t get one!”
”The Chairman got one too, don’t be like that.”
”I really wanted that older sister who works part-time at the shop.”
”The ‘sister’? Dude, she’s clearly a housewife in her thirties with kids.”
”Now, now. Since we split the original parties up this time, we all agreed to draw lots for the slave tickets. Don’t start sulking yet-degozaru.”
We had reorganized the groups to balance out the lower-ranked members and those missing fingers. This resulted in four parties, but it was obvious the slave tickets would be a point of contention even if the DP⁶ was shared. So, we settled on a lottery.
Truthfully, I intended to give them all to the Guard-dono, but he said he had no use for anything below 1st or 2nd Rank. So stoic… too badass. I can’t help but admire that.
”That’s right! Man, I’m starting to get nervous.”
”Hey, let’s go for a ‘gal’ type. You know, the one who used to do the papa-katsu stuff. Maybe we can all just share her?”
”You’re giving up on winning the draw already?”
”Besides, I don’t want to be Eskimo brothers with you. Lately, it seems like they’re actually getting cuter-maybe it’s the makeup. Once I get a slave, I’m gonna use breast-enhancement meds to fix her up. I’ll craft her into my perfect woman.”
”Damn, that sounds great. I want in on that.”
”Come on, let’s just share!”
Everyone was buzzing with excitement at the prospect of buying the girls.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
While they were arguing over which girl they wanted, the alarm for the respawn timer went off.
”Alright, men. Time for the final job-degozaru.”
I stood up and grabbed the heavy shield leaning against the wall.
”Hell yeah! Let’s clear this last Monster House!”
”My Crimson Lotus Bow will be picking off Kobolds like sitting ducks.”
”Man, without Sheena-san in the back, I’m actually feeling the tension… Wait, what am I saying?”
Sone grabbed his newly acquired black iron spear, taping it securely to his hand to make up for his missing finger. Nezu wore a confident smirk, clutching a bow from a copper chest. Even Numata, who was slowly realizing he liked being pushed around, looked conflicted as he buckled his sword. He’d be a lot happier if he just admitted he was a masochist.
The other parties preparing for the Guardian were visibly tense, bowing their heads to Rock-dono and asking for his help. Rock-dono seemed to love the attention, wagging his tail happily.
Joking aside, we couldn’t have handled the Guardian and Area Guardian battles without him. I made a mental note to tell the Guard-dono exactly how brave Rock-dono had been.
Then, we charged into the respawned Monster House.
Since it was our fourth time, and we had Rock-dono, it was basically routine work.
Rock-dono went in first with a roar. While the Kobolds were panicking, the shield-bearers-myself included-breached the room. Then the magic users moved in, blasting the disoriented monsters. Finally, the swordsmen and spearmen moved in for the mop-up.
”Oh, an Iron Large Shield and a 4th Grade Potion!”
”Nice! That’s a solid drop. Let’s give them to the party heading for the Guardian.”
”Acknowledged-degozaru.”
The copper chest yielded good loot. As Sone suggested, I handed the items over to the next group. We waved them off as they descended the hidden stairs, cheering them on. I prayed they’d all come back alive.
The shield-bearer in the party before them hadn’t been able to take the King’s hit; the cleaver had bitten deep into his shoulder. That’s what happens when you challenge a boss without maxing your Mana Capacity⁷. Rock-dono had covered him immediately, and a 4th Grade Potion had closed the wound, but it was still a heart-stopping moment.
We watched the hidden stairs seal shut, then filed out of the Monster House. Since we were the last group, everyone began packing up-leisure sheets, blankets, and trash from our meals.
Two of the guys took out Magic Sealing Crystals⁸, manifesting Kobolds to use as pack mules. We took out our own crystal and summoned the Kobold we’d named “Belos.”
”K-Koyama! Watch out!”
”Chairman! Fireball!”
”Everyone, get down!”
”Huh? Whoa-!”
Nezu and Sone were screaming, pointing toward the exit of the passage. I spun around to see two fireballs screaming toward us at high speed.
I slammed my shield into position, catching the first one dead-on. I gritted my teeth against the concussive force and the searing sparks, only to see the second fireball arc over my head toward my comrades.
”Not on my watch-degozaru!”
I swung my sword upward, successfully intercepting the second sphere.
The resulting explosion sent me flying.
”Gah… hhh…”
Agony flared through my right arm and side. I was on fire.
”Koyama! Someone, Water Magic!”
”He shielded us… you idiot!”
”Look! There’s a whole crowd coming this way!”
”Where the hell did they all come from!?”
”Firing a Fireball out of nowhere!? It’s an ambush! Shields to the front! Spearmen, find your marks! We’re holding the line! Swordsmen, guard the rear!”
”Water Ball!”
Two spheres of water slammed into the ground right next to me. The spray doused the flames on my school uniform.
Grimacing at the raw pain of the burns, I downed a 5th Grade Potion. The edge of the pain dulled, but my right arm felt like lead; I couldn’t lift it. I’d given away all the 4th Grade Potions to the Guardian party. I really screwed up.
I jammed my shield into the dirt, forcing myself up with sheer willpower. Through the haze, I saw a mob of people with weapons drawn charging from the tunnel.
At the front was Mimura, clutching a black hand-axe, followed by his goons. Behind them, I spotted Manda and Murakami. It all clicked.
Retaliation.
We tried to stay under the radar, but Manda must have been tracking us. They waited until we were exhausted, and more importantly, until the moment Rock-dono wasn’t with us.
We are in deep, deep trouble.
—
Summary:
Sanjuro’s guild celebrates clearing the 4th-floor bosses with Rock’s help and winning a rare slave ticket. As they pack up and Rock departs, they are suddenly ambushed by Mimura and Manda’s group. Sanjuro is badly burned protecting his guildmates and the group is cornered while exhausted.
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Trivia:
- Sanjuro gave away his high-grade (4th) potions to the other party, leaving him only with lower-grade ones for the ambush.
- The Kobold King was specifically afraid of Rock, which made the boss fight ‘routine work’.
- The ambush was timed perfectly for when Rock-dono was no longer providing active defense.
- Numata’s weird masochistic comments are a growing character quirk.
- The ‘blonde doll’ mentioned by Nezu refers to a specific previous item/event in the dungeon
—
Character Insight:
Sanjuro shows genuine leadership and self-sacrifice, choosing to burn his own arm to intercept a fireball meant for his subordinates. His loyalty to his guild and admiration for ‘The Guard’ defines his moral compass, contrasting with his crude views on slaves.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The term ‘Eskimo brothers’ is a localized translation for ‘ana-kyodai’, emphasizing the crude bonding between the low-status ‘Upstart’ members.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Sanjuro – A 3rd‑year Animation Department student and the underdogs’ de facto frontliner, Sanjuro masks his fear with grand speeches and humor, leading his group through dungeon nights with reckless courage and nerdy flair.
• Koyama – Koyama Sanjuro. A 3rd‑year Animation Department student and the underdogs’ de facto frontliner, Sanjuro masks his fear with grand speeches and humor, leading his group through dungeon nights with reckless courage and nerdy flair.
• Rock – A male Kobold summoned from a Magic Sealing Crystal. He has grey fur, round eyes, and a face resembling a Shiba Inu. He wears a leather jacket and a pilot’s cap
• Nezu – A pragmatic 3rd‑year Animation Department student and the underdogs’ rear guard, Nezu serves as the group’s archer and strategist, balancing his cautious nature with determined effort born from countless early‑morning practices.
• Sheena – Beastman Soul-less Doll with rabbit ears and a large chest. Flawless face, approx 165cm height, F or G cup, narrow waist, large hips, and a fluffy tail longer than a rabbit’s. Now, her ego is back.
• Numata – Member of the Upstart Federation. Described as awakening to masochistic tendencies. Carries a sword.
• Murakami – A core member of Manda/Seiji (Soccer Coach)’s guild. He is missing a thumb and an ear from a previous incident with the Guard. He seeks violent revenge.
• Mimura – Seiji’s accomplice, proposes the ‘monster train’ strategy.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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