Chapter 182 New Dungeon Exploration – Second Floor (Part 3️⃣)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Hiroya’s POV)
After passing through the hidden door, our speed dropped a bit. It wasn’t because we were tired or because we were running into monsters more often…
”Alright! Trap disabled! Noriss, you found it properly!”
Martina disabled the ‘trap’ that Noriss discovered.
Yeah, the traps have increased.
Probably because the maze is made of stone, it’s easier to set up traps now.
We really need to watch out for teleportation traps and shoot-type traps. These traps are nasty.
It’s still better if the whole party gets teleported. It’s worse if we get split up like we did with the previous shoot trap.
Also, the fact that ‘halls have turned into rooms, and doors have been added’ is causing delays.
Detecting presences in the room, checking for traps, and unlocking doors if they’re locked has become quite a hassle. Of course, it puts a lot of pressure on our Thieves, Martina and Noriss.
”Arrows from the walls, spears from the floor… Looks like there are a lot of damage traps so far, huh?”
”That’s right, Big Sister Liz. There doesn’t seem to be any teleportation traps for now.”
”Those are troublesome…”
Liz scratched her head, feeling exasperated.
* * *
Since the maze turned into a stone wall, the monsters we encounter along the way are all humanoid types like Goblins, Orcs, and Kobolds. There are about 5 of them showing up.
I left Martina and Noriss behind and reorganized the party to lead the way with the second team.
Scout: Martina, Noriss
Vanguard: Gorge, Gièze
Mid-guard: Aluda, Meluda, Eluda
Rear guard: Karina, Lotta
Aluda was like, “I’m not done rampaging yet!” and wanted to stay with the front team. Was she always this much of a battle maniac?
”Well, it looks like we really have nothing serious to do now…”
I stood at the back with Asuka. Yeah, I get it. The surprise attack from behind is the most dangerous, so we need to set up some heavy firepower.
”Well, don’t say that. This exploration is also about ‘watching over them as important guidance,’ you know?”
Asuka smiled, which was rare for her.
”I don’t know… it’s fun, Hiroya. Watching those I’ve trained with──seeing them work hard and grow.”
”I can understand that.”
”Friends──No, is that what you call ‘family’? I’ve never had adventures with people like that. Let alone being in a position to watch over the newbies? ──That’s kind of nice.”
Asuka’s expression looked really soft as she watched Gièze and Gorge fighting the orc they encountered.
”Gorge is doing a good job supporting Gièze. He’s really careful to watch her back while fighting.”
”Just like a ‘pickup artist’ from the Royal Capital. He seems good at chasing after girls.”
Liz wrapped her arm around Asuka’s shoulder with a smirk. Ah, she just ruined my compliment.
”The way you said that… well, I can’t deny it.”
Asuka shot a glare at Liz with a pout.
”But… he did say, ‘It’s just you for me…’.”
Asuka murmured that softly.
’For me’!?
D-Did you just say ‘for me,’ Asuka!? Both Liz and I felt a little giddy.
* * *
”This room has a strong presence inside. It’s probably a high orc or high goblin. I detected 3 of them.”
Martina tilted her head, as if asking, “What should we do?”
”Can you let me and Hiroya handle this?”
Asuka said that and shot me a glance. I see, she wants to ‘show’ me. Alright, I’ll step up for the sake of the newbies.
Liz and Dorothy seemed to catch on to Asuka’s intention and nodded with smiles.
”I’ll leave it to you.”
Liz gave Asuka a light pat on the shoulder.
”The door isn’t locked. Be careful, AsuAsu and Big Brother Hiroya.”
After nodding to Martina, Asuka and I burst into the room.
”Physical Boost!”
Inside the room, there are 3 high orcs. They’re definitely bigger than the ones we’ve faced before.
”Left and right, Hiroya! A hit to the belly might not be fatal!”
Asuka said that and drew her sword, charging at the left high orc.
I headed towards the right high orc. Looking at its big belly, I realized I might miss my target. Even if I did hit it, the blade would get covered in fat, affecting my next strike.
The high orc stepped forward and swung its club down at me.
I dodged to the side, trying to keep my speed up.
(Legs. Aim for the knees.)
I aimed for a spot with less fat. My sword sliced through, definitely hitting the left knee and cutting it cleanly.
As I sheathed my sword, I glanced at Asuka. After dodging the club’s swing, she jumped and stabbed the high orc in the forehead.
(Body size, basic stamina, and full power ‘Physical Boost’──)
It’s frustrating, but I couldn’t make that jump with my body size and stamina.
I used the fallen high orc, whose knee I had just cut off, as a springboard to leap up.
The central high orc turned to look at me.
I aimed for its neck and swung ‘Yamikirimaru’ in a wide arc.
The high orc’s head fell off, and I lightly kicked its body before dropping down towards the one that was downed by my left leg.
──Thrust!
As I landed, I pierced its head with ‘Yamikirimaru.’
* * *
(Gièze’s POV)
(Wow…!)
The momentary battle that Ms. Asuka and Mr. Hiroya displayed.
Ms. Asuka seemed to just lightly align her blade with the descending high orc’s club.
But just that small action made the club’s aim slightly miss her.
Right after, Ms. Asuka’s sharp thrust caught the high orc right on the forehead.
”What happened to Mr. Hiroya?”
I couldn’t keep up with the dizzying movements.
After slicing the knee of the high orc on the right, I noticed the head of the central high orc flying off, and as I landed, I had plunged my blade into the head of the high orc on the right.
(What a crazy, 3-dimensional movement… unbelievable…)
’Unbelievable’──of course, it means admiration. No, I can only express it that way.
”…Hiroya, it’s my prey…”
Ms. Asuka flicked the blood off her blade before she sheathed it.
”I didn’t mean to take it. I’m small, so I couldn’t take one down in a single strike. So I thought I’d use the jump as a stepping stone to take down the other one.”
The high orc turned into black mist and disappeared, leaving behind magic stones that it had dropped as it returned to me.
”Were you aiming for the knee to avoid the dulling effect of the fat?”
I asked Mr. Hiroya when he came back.
”Correct! That fat looked pretty stubborn.”
Mr. Hiroya replied with a smile.
”I hope our movements can be of some reference…”
Ms. Asuka gave me an awkward smile.
”I’m still not at a level where I can imitate that, but I understand the concept of ‘thinking while fighting’.”
”Well, you can’t just imitate that easily.”
Ms. Liz chuckled.
”With Hiroya and Asuka around, it’s really like ‘giving a club to a demon’──no, ‘giving a club to an ogre!’.”
Ms. Kazumi hugged Mr. Hiroya and looked up at Ms. Asuka.
(I want to get stronger quickly──so I can help everyone.)
Having a swordsman of this level by my side, and being able to ask for their guidance, I can’t help but feel grateful for my luck.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.