Chapter 277 Deep Floor Team (Part VIII) – Strong Enemy
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Hiroya’s POV)
”It’s huge…”
Liz mutters as she peeks into a massive hall with no doors.
”This… is definitely where the teleportation guys come from──.”
Kazumi also sticks her head out from the entrance to take a look.
”──But the problem is…”
”Yeah. ‘What is going to teleport in’ is the question.”
Rena leans in from behind Kazumi to take a look.
””Eep!””
Aluda and Meluda cling to each other in fear.
…It must be quite traumatic for them.
”I’ll go.”
”I’ll go too.”
Asuka and I step into the hall.
”It’s dangerous for just the two of you. We need to think of a proper strategy first…”
”That’s right. Big Brother Hiroya and AsuAsu, please wait a bit.”
Dorothy grabs my arm, and Martina clings to Asuka’s waist to stop her.
”Rena──.”
Liz, who had her arms crossed and was deep in thought, speaks up.
”──Give Hiroya and Asuka ‘Wind Protection.’ So they won’t get hit by arrows.”
”Got it.”
Rena nods.
”Kazumi, prepare your attack magic. Everyone else will support with the Black Bow.”
Everyone nods at Liz’s instructions.
”I’ll leave it to you guys. ──Be careful.”
Liz pats my and Asuka’s shoulders.
”Yeah.”
”As long as it’s me and Hiroya, we can take down a hundred or 2 hundred orcs.”
Asuka and I nod at each other and enter the hall.
* * *
We slowly make our way to the center of the hall.
Looking back at the entrance, I see Liz and the others watching the hall with a bit of tension.
Eventually, we reach the center of the hall.
Asuka and I stand back to back, hands on our swords, keeping an eye on our surroundings.
”Hiroya! They’re coming!”
”Watch your feet! Something’s shining!”
Rena and Martina’s scream-like warnings echoed through the hall.
Asuka and I immediately jumped back.
Looking, I saw a magic circle appear on the floor, radiating a dazzling light.
The intensity of that light made us jump back again.
And then, a huge shadow appeared.
”Wha…!”
Asuka let out a shocked groan.
The shadow clearly took shape.
”A Minotaur…!?”
Asuka drew her sword.
Its face was definitely that of a cow.
Its bulging muscles and massive body were human-like.
It looked to be about 4 to 5 meters tall.
In its hands was a gigantic double-edged axe… getting hit by that would mean instant death.
(That’s it… the Minotaur…)
A monster essential to fantasy novels and games I had seen in my past life.
”Wind Protection!”
”Flaming Arrow!”
”Everyone! Fire at will!”
The wind swirled around me.
Kazumi’s attack magic was knocked down by a swing of the double-edged axe, and the barrage of arrows didn’t ‘pierce’ its body!.
(Is its skin really that tough…?)
I exchanged glances with Asuka, who was visible behind the Minotaur, and we launched our attacks simultaneously.
””Physical Boost!””
I kicked off the ground and leaped at the Minotaur’s left leg.
Asuka was thrusting from the opposite side.
The Minotaur swung its raised double-edged axe down at me.
Despite its massive size, it was fast.
(I have to dodge this strike…)
With ‘Dad’s power,’ I barely dodged and intended to counterattack… but the double-edged axe slammed into the ground, shattering the stone pavement beneath us.
(This is bad… that was too close!)
The floor beneath me was crushed, throwing off my balance.
I gave up on attacking its left leg and retreated again.
* * *
(Asuka’s POV)
(My ‘thrust’… isn’t getting through!?)
My full-force thrust aimed at the Minotaur’s right leg was deflected by its thick hide.
* * *
’Minotaur’. A monster of level A, probably the strongest type among humanoid monsters. It’s my first time seeing it. Actually, I only heard about it from a report of an encounter on the 15th floor of the ‘Welnia Labyrinth’. To begin with… the monsters that appeared on this floor were only Hobgoblins, so why is such a powerful monster here, even if it’s a floor boss──
* * *
My full-force thrust was deflected, and I lost my balance in the presence of Minotaur.
Fortunately, Minotaur had just swung its double-edged axe down towards Hiroya.
As I tried to create some distance during this opening…
──Whoosh!
With a cutting sound of the wind, Minotaur’s left arm swung at me.
(No way… I can’t dodge it!)
I somehow raised both arms to take the hit.
”Gghh!”
Thanks to the wind Protection Rena cast on me, some of the damage was mitigated, but with the sound of my ‘chainmail’ breaking, I was sent flying by that blow.
My body slammed into the ground and rolled into the corner of the hall…
I must have hit my head hard against the wall, as I lost consciousness.
* * *
(Hiroya’s POV)
”Asukaaaa!”
From a distance away from Minotaur, I saw Asuka, who had been blasted into the corner of the hall by Minotaur’s attack.
(While Minotaur’s body is open!)
I dashed again and slashed at Minotaur’s right leg, which was completely turned away from me.
As I ran past, I drew ‘Yamikirimaru’ and struck behind its knee.
But──.
(I can’t cut deep enough!)
I probably only managed to slice the outer skin.
I didn’t even reach the flesh.
I sheathed my sword and charged in again.
Minotaur turned around and raised its double-edged axe once more.
(It’s now or never──!)
I took a bit more distance to dodge.
I avoided the double-edged axe that came crashing down exactly where I had foreseen with ‘Dad’s power’, using its thick arm as a springboard to leap and grab Minotaur’s neck.
(This is it!)
I twisted my body and struck ‘Yamikirimaru’ at its neck without missing my aim.
However, feeling the dull impact, I kicked off its head and jumped back, creating distance from Minotaur.
It seems that Dorothy and Martina have come to cover for Asuka.
However, I still have to keep the attention of the Minotaur.
””Fireball!””
A watermelon-sized fireball is launched from Rena and Kazumi, soaring towards the Minotaur’s head.
The Minotaur shields its face with both arms, and the fireball explodes against its arms.
──Mooooo!
Is it a scream or a roar of anger? The Minotaur lets out a howl.
However, even though its arms are burned, it doesn’t seem to be damaged enough to be unusable.
”It’s my best magic!”
I can see Kazumi stomping her feet in frustration.
But──.
(I can see a chance!)
I lower my body and place my hand on ‘Yamikirimaru’.
* * *
(Liz’s POV)
(Asuka… in one hit…!?)
Its skin is tough, and arrows can’t penetrate.
I’m trying to aim for its ‘eye,’ but I’m repeatedly deflected by the ‘horns’ that stick out in front.
Just as I’m struggling to provide support… Asuka gets blown away by a hit from the Minotaur.
”I’ll cover Ms. Asuka!”
”I’m going too!”
Dorothy and Martina run towards Asuka.
Fortunately, Hiroya is facing the Minotaur.
”I’m counting on you! Aluda, Meluda, protect Kazumi and Rena at all costs!”
”Of course!”
”Kazumi and Rena, attack the bull bastard whenever you feel it’s the right time!”
”Okay!”
”What about Uu?”
Uu, in her maid outfit, looks up at me as I desperately aim with my composite bow.
”Please… support Hiroya.”
Uu nods with a smile and shouts loudly.
”Sir Hiroya! I’ll chop that bull to pieces!”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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