Chapter 269 Deep Floor Team (Part II)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
On the Third Floor, the ‘Wandering Monsters’ are mainly high Goblins, high Orcs, and high Kobolds.
We encounter them in groups of 3 to 5.
We spot them thanks to Aluda’s detection ability as a dwarf and either Rena or Dorothy’s detection. We quickly spread out to the sides and shoot arrows in our usual formation.
Our long-range firepower is lacking compared to when we charged in as a clan before, but with Black Bow, that’s 8 shots…
No, since Martina uses 2, it’s 9 shots.
Plus, we have Liz’s composite bow and Dorothy’s longbow for extra firepower.
That should almost wrap things up.
Even if some enemies slip through, Asuka and I can take them out in close combat in an instant.
”Hmm, there aren’t any monsters that can give us a hard time yet.”
Asuka slashes through the air, splattering blood before she sheaths her sword.
”Yeah. Most of them are dealt with by concentrated long-range firepower from ambushes.”
I reply while picking up magic stones.
”But we might want to start conserving arrows soon.”
Liz is gathering reusable arrows.
”Since Martina and Aluda are up front as scouts, the vanguard should be Hiroya and Asuka, right? If there are 3 or fewer, it might be better to let them handle it.”
Kazumi hands the collected magic stones to Uu.
”That’s right. While we can manage, Ms. Liz’s precise archery should be saved for tougher opponents.”
”Exactly. It would be pointless if Liz runs out of arrows just when we face a strong enemy!”
Liz nods in agreement with Dorothy and Rena’s comments.
”Liz can focus on support fire.”
”Yes. If you watch our vanguard fight closely and shoot when things get dicey, it’ll give us peace of mind.”
Meluda and Asuka are right.
I remember several times when Liz’s accurate support helped me out.
”Alright, let’s do that. Whether it’s an encounter battle or an indoor fight, we can leave about 3 of them to the Vanguard.”
Saying this, Liz turns to me and Asuka.
We nod back.
”A high-class… no, if it’s a Hobgoblin, Aluda and Marti can handle one together.”
”Yeah, yeah. The rest we’ll leave to Big Brother Hiroya and AsuAsu.”
”Hey!”
Aluda and Martina nod in agreement.
After collecting usable arrows and checking our weapons, we move further down the corridor.
* * *
”AluAlu said something like that…”
Martina sighs as she examines the shabby wooden door in front of the fifth room on the Third Floor.
”No keys or traps. Inside… there are probably 3 monsters about the size of Hobgoblins.”
Martina reports in a small voice.
”What? Is it Aluda’s fault?”
Aluda looks confused.
”Aluda, what you just said is called a ‘flag’.”
Kazumi laughs.
”You said, ‘If it’s a Hobgoblin, Aluda and Marti can handle one together,’ right? And then we immediately encounter Hobgoblins. That’s what we call ‘collecting flags’.”
I explain to Aluda, who still looks puzzled.
”I… I see!”
”Well, it’s way better than what Gorge called a ‘death flag.’”
Asuka laughs as she remembers.
”Now, how do we attack, Liz?”
Asuka tightens her grip on the hilt of her sword.
”Right. If there are 3 Hobgoblins, we can go with the division of forces Aluda mentioned earlier.”
Martina and Aluda will take on one, while Asuka and I take one each.
”Then, should Rena hold one down with magic?”
”Yeah, let’s do that. After that, we’ll see how it goes and support with my magic and Liz’s bow.”
Liz nods at Rena and Kazumi’s suggestion.
”Alright, let’s go with that. Meluda and Dorothy will guard the rear. Dorothy, keep an eye on the situation, and if the vanguard looks like they’re in trouble, be ready to join the close combat.”
”Understood.”
”Leave it to me!”
Following Liz’s instructions, Dorothy and Meluda nod and step back a bit.
”Okay, the timing for the charge is up to you guys.”
After Liz’s words, I, Asuka, Martina, and Aluda exchange glances and then…
Asuka kicks down the door.
* * *
”Ice Bind!”
Rena casts a spell, freezing the feet of one of the 3 Hobgoblins.
Leaving that to Martina and Aluda, Asuka and I move toward the remaining 2.
(Avoid the first strike and aim for the legs…)
I activate the power I received from my dad.
A distorted image of movement appears alongside the real Hobgoblin.
(This is the opponent’s next move…)
As I approach the Hobgoblin, I sidestep to the right just as a club comes crashing down.
The ground kicks up dust.
I quickly engage, delivering a swift strike to its knee as I dash past.
As usual, I don’t sheathe my sword; instead, I turn back and slash at the other knee.
I take full advantage of the confidence I gained from being able to predict its movements.
With both legs lost, I decapitate the fallen Hobgoblin to finish it off.
Glancing over at Martina and Aluda, I see them attacking the feet of the Hobgoblin that’s restrained.
”Looks like they’re doing fine.”
Asuka, who somehow appears next to me, sheaths her sword with a cool expression.
”You’re really fast.”
”Avoided the first strike and landed a hit to the throat.”
While we’re chatting, Aluda delivers a heavy blow with her hammer to the knee, causing the Hobgoblin to kneel, and Martina swiftly cuts its throat with her short sword.
* * *
”A Hobgoblin isn’t even a warm-up.”
Liz enters the room, laughing.
”Hiroya, you’ve gotten even faster, haven’t you?”
Rena looks up at me, seemingly amazed.
”Well, a little.”
”Is that the ‘power’ you mentioned you got from your father in your past life?”
Kazumi clings to my arm and asks, “So, it seems like I might have a trump card to take down Otto without using ‘Physical Boost’ or ‘Hiroya’s power’!”
”Really? That’s great news, considering we’re thinking about an S-rank dungeon attack!”
Kazumi smiles while tightly hugging my arm.
…Yeah, it feels a bit strange since I’m pressed against her chest, so let’s avoid that during our adventures, Ms. Kazumi.
”The loot was a bag filled with coins.”
Martina says as she unlocks the box and shows us the bag and the coins in her palm.
”Hmm. Since there are gold coins, it’s a pretty decent haul.”
Liz remarks, picking up a coin to examine it.
”I’ve never seen a design like this. I have no idea where it’s from.”
Dorothy chimes in, peering over from the side.
”Well, it looks like the purity is high, so it might have value as precious metal.”
Meluda adds, picking one up as well.
”This is some nice treasure. It definitely boosts my motivation!”
Liz says as she hands the coin back, and Martina passes the bag of coins to Uu.
”Alright, let’s move on.”
I say as we head toward the door at the back of the room.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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