Volume 6 Chapter 5 Sword-Hammer Cave Exploration
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The tunnels of Sword‑Hammer Cave have a wide canal about five meters across, with narrow paths on each side. The canal makes movement hard. Walking the side paths forces us into a single file.
Stronger sorcerers are bigger, so they need more side space. Because we swing weapons, two people cannot walk side by side. The narrow land limits us.
A line of six people stretched out, making turning in battle difficult. Splitting to both sides of the canal made covering the opposite bank hard. If we could remove the canal with sorcery or tech, we could use a normal Vanguard, Mid‑guard, and Rearguard, but we must test the best way to clear the area.
For now we moved in a six‑person line. After about fifty meters a bad feeling came. Rei warned us. An Aberration was near.
”Incoming!”
Yurina, leading the group, told those behind her to be ready. I saw a part of the dirt wall about ten meters ahead bulge outward.
A cricket‑like insect crawled out of the wall. It was over thirty centimeters long and almost the same colour as the walls. The dark tunnel hid it, but the Snow flies lighting our path made it easy to see.
”Skree.”
The cricket chirped once and leapt at us with clear hostility.
”Hah!”
The leap was slow enough to watch and fast enough to dodge. Yurina dropped low and, with a flash of iaijutsu, cut the cricket in half. The Aberration turned to smoke. Seeing Yurina handle it eased my mind.
”More are comin’!”
As Mitsuki warned, crickets popped out from all walls—boko, boko. They came from the opposite bank and even the ceiling. They did not come from the canal.
”Skree.”
”Skree.”
”Skree.”
We split to shoot the bugs from all directions. Their defence was low. Every time Risa fired her magic pistol, a bug died, and any that got close were dealt with by Yurina and Mitsuki.
The cave, noisy with skree‑skree sounds, soon returned to the steady rush of water in the canal.
”There’s a lot of them.”
”Aye, that there is~”
I counted fourteen in total. Each was not a big threat, but many were annoying. They also spawned on the other side of the canal and jumped toward us. I wanted to hit them as soon as they appeared, but the distance made it hard.
”These are wandering Aberrations. …Since there were more than ten, I think there were at least two groups.”
”Two groups on our first try? This is a D‑class dungeon, so that’s normal.”
”That it is…”
Because this dungeon ranks higher than the Commercial District, more Aberrations appear at the same time. These crickets use numbers as a weapon, so many spawn. Their behaviour is like the cockroaches from the Commercial District, but they do not self‑destruct.
”Should we use area‑of‑effect sorcery?”
”Good idea… Let’s try it when many appear. We need a method that balances mana use and speed. Is that okay?”
”Roger that~”
We kept walking and entered a large open area. The ceiling was twice as high as earlier tunnels, making a wide cavern. Two more paths connected to this space. This junction was a waiting area, so entering it would trigger stationary Aberrations.
When we all entered, lizard‑like Aberrations crawled out of the canal.
They were just under a meter long, looking like newts. Unlike larger reptiles, they lacked hard scaly skin and felt soft.
Eight newts emerged one after another. Two dashed toward us. As Yurina and Mitsuki stepped forward to take one each, the six in the rear used water sorcery.
Water orbs, about the size of a beach ball, flew toward the two in the Vanguard.
Safety first. Asari used her sorcery to shield against the water orbs. Even after six hits, her crystal barrier stayed intact.
Risa fired a barrage of sniper shots, and Chifumi used ice projectiles. The newts in the Rearguard tried a defensive spell, but both attacks pierced it easily. Their heads were destroyed, turning them to smoke.
One newt thrust a red tongue from its mouth, a piercing attack.
Yurina dodged the tongue at the last second and cut it off. The tongue writhed on the ground. It was gross. The severed newt tried to ram her in rage, but Yurina sliced it apart and it vanished.
Mitsuki crushed another newt’s head with a single strike of her kanabo. Though they turned to smoke, the process was a bit gruesome.
The four remaining newts began chanting sorcery again, and Mitsuki dove in.
With one strong sweep of her kanabo, she knocked two newts into the wall, splattering them. I used my Shock Magic on one of the last two. I aimed just to push it back, but the shock made the newt explode into pieces.
”Whoa!”
Mitsuki, nearby, jumped back and avoided the gore.
The last newt charged, so I lowered my shockwave power. I pushed it back and squashed it against the wall.
Combat ended, and Mitsuki immediately complained.
”Minoru, watch the power level!”
”My bad. I thought they’d be tougher.”
”Ugh!!”
I apologized to the upset Mitsuki. I was wrong.
The newts’ defence was lower than expected, but breaking them released poison that lingered for seconds. This was a trap. A healer poisoned by this would be a serious problem. I needed to be more careful.
”Be more careful next time, okay? Shoot the newts from a distance~”
”We’ve already fallen for a trap in the Sword‑Hammer Cave. Get it together, will you?”
”You never know how things work until you see them, Minoru-sama. You just need to be more careful now.”
Risa’s strict style and Yurina’s gentle tone were clear after Chifumi’s comment. Yurina picked up a severed newt tail and put it in her duffel bag.
”Blunt‑force attacks are a no‑go for newts… Let’s be careful!”
As Asari said, the Aberrations in this cave have special resistances. For the newts we faced, blunt force was their weakness, but killing them with force scattered poison. Only destroying the head removed them without poison.
The crickets also had a twist. One was immune to slashing. Earlier Yurina coated her blade with Severing Sorcery to cut it. A normal sword slash would not have worked.
”Sorcery attacks and Magic Bullets work on both newts and crickets. I need Risa at full power.”
”Leave it to me!”
”Since the canal limits our footing, attacking from distance helps. There is no elemental advantage, so non‑elemental Magic Bullets should be fine~”
We decided not to use the grenade unit.
”The rest are… Hinoki and Clam. In the next fight, I’ll cast the first spell, so be ready.”
”Aye, sure thing.”
After the review, we kept exploring.
From the waiting area, two paths led away from the way we came. Both looked similar, but the right path felt a bit wider.
”The wider path is the right one, right?”
”Yes. On the surface layers, the wider path is almost certainly correct. It may change deeper, but not on the first floor.”
After confirming with Asari, we chose the right path. Yurina led, and we formed a line again.
Two hours later, after many battles with crickets and newts, our tactics solidified.
Clam’s Bewilderment sorcery worked on both. The crickets got confused and killed each other while chirping, making it easy for us. The noise was loud, and the chirping made talking hard. The fights also lasted longer.
It would be better for Clam to use that spell on the newts.
Hinoki struggled because the canal blocked movement. Crossing the water to the opposite bank was hard. Although Hinoki can act underwater, using mana to swim on the surface wastes it. It is faster to spend mana on shockwaves to kill the Aberrations.
’Ye ken, I don’t reckon I’m much use down here, ay.’
”It’s about having the right person for the right job. Hinoki also needs to save strength for fights with stronger enemies.”
’Oh, when ye put it that way, I’m gettin’ all fired up, aye.’
”That’s good to hear.”
’Right, I’ll put in the effort to take a nap.’
”…Huh?”
Without waiting for my joke, the Centipede slipped into the shadows. It is a trump card for dire moments. Good enough!
We heard rushing water.
”Is this…”
”I think the stairs are near.”
As Asari predicted, after several dozen meters we saw the bedrock that fed the canal.
Water seeped from the top of the bedrock, blocking the path, and the cascade fed the canal. Beside the bedrock was a carved rock wall, the “stairs” to the next level.
”We’ve arrived.”
”That was unexpectedly long, wasn’t it~”
We followed the widest path each time, never turning back, so all our choices were right. It still took two hours. Asari and Chifumi still had mana, but we did not push them.
”This is a good stopping point. Let’s go to the next floor and end the day.”
”Roger~”
The Snow flies had to stay in the shadows during the level change. When the light source disappeared, I saw how useful those Snow flies were.
We moved to the second floor. Beyond the phantom bedrock was a small plaza. I see—this is how level changes work here.
A pool of water sat in the centre, and water flowed from the canal into the fountain. Unlike the first floor, there was an outflow from the fountain that went into a small hole beside the bedrock we just passed.
The wall next to the hole rippled.
The exit was there. After checking everyone was present, we left the dungeon.
We went to the waiting room in the administration building.
When a dungeon has no surrounding area, the management building offers a large waiting room for sorcerers to rest. The Shoji group was inside.
”Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?”
”It’s fine.”
Shoji replied naturally. I felt we had become friends after fighting together during Winter break.
”Our ride will come a little later. Please wait.”
”Understood. Thanks.”
Since we finished our dungeon commute quota, we could use private vehicles. I planned for Onigahara‑san’s aunt to pick us up.
On the way, I learned the Shoji group would take public transport home, so I offered them a ride since we were already going. They helped us during Winter break, so I wanted to return the favor.
For them, traveling from the 5th District to the 13th District is hard. They focus on Tower Dungeons because the commute is a bottleneck.
”Minoru, it’s here.”
”Got it. Heading out.”
Mitsuki, waiting outside, called me into the room. I stood, and we all left. The Onigahara estate’s microbus was a godsend.
Just as everyone except Mitsuki and I got in, the Komoda group came out of the building. I told them we were heading home, and they suggested meeting later for information exchange. That was exactly what I wanted.
I let Chifumi handle the details, only asking that we bring our leads—Chifumi and Muto‑san—for the talk.
We said goodbye to the Komoda group, who waited for their family, and got on the bus home.
Our first stop was the Shoji group’s apartment complex. On the bus back, I offered to sync schedules if they wanted to clear the dungeon together, but they said they would focus on the Tower Dungeon.
After dropping off the Shoji group, we dropped everyone else off, then went to the Onigahara estate. Mitsuki, who had a change of clothes, and I returned to the Tatemiya family home. Today was Mitsuki’s duty day.
To lessen dinner cooking, Mitsuki brought the meal she prepared at the Onigahara house in Tupperware. The side dishes from the estate were strongly seasoned but very tasty.
The dinner that night was very satisfying.
—
Summary:
The group moves through the Sword‑Hammer Cave, fighting insect‑like and lizard‑like Aberrations while dealing with a narrow canal. They improve their combat tactics, reach the exit, and return to the surface. After the run, they arrange future talks with allied sorcerer groups and go home for dinner.
—
Trivia:
The cave’s canal forces the party into a single file line.
Aberrations have special resistances; blunt‑force attacks on newt‑type creatures cause poison scattering.
The Snow flies help overcome the deep darkness.
Interactions with the Shoji and Komoda groups show a growing network of dungeon allies.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Rei – A subjugated electric ray Aberration residing in Minoru’s shadow and a dedicated member of the protagonist’s group. It functions as a radar, detecting atmospheric shifts and sorcery to provide tactical warnings during combat, while its Ability supports Tatemiya’s defensive sorcery. Though loyal to its allies, it reacts with visible hostility and fear toward new members.
• Yurina – A stoic, black-haired Plain-folk student wearing an apron, cat ears, a collar, and tail. A disciplined Kendo vanguard using a katana, iaijutsu, and Severing Sorcery, she leads dungeon entries for Minoru and Ryota’s group. Risa’s sister, Chifumi’s protector, and Anri’s trainee, she has a complex history with a childhood friend. She handles chores and is fiercely devoted to Lord Minoru.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• Mitsuki – A tall, short-haired, dark-skinned Oni girl with a massive, muscular build, this haughty yet shy transfer student is a wealthy Sumo member and vanguard/healer in Minoru’s squad (also aiding Ryota’s). Koki’s younger sister, she provides info on his past. Wielding a Hama Kongou kanabo or gavel, this assassin candidate uses Oni-fication, manages logistics, and is Minoru’s clingy, rough childhood friend.
• Risa – A tall, slender Naruse student with twin-tails and a fashionable, well-endowed physique. Bold and sharp-tongued, this Onibara practitioner uses magic pistols and a grenade rifle in Minoru and Ryota’s dungeon groups. Aikawa’s sister and Anri’s protective younger sibling (offering lap pillows), she guides Yurina, distrusts Komoda, and is often anxious or complaining about unfair rules.
• Asari – A tall, long-haired, curvy (E-cup) Kasakura honor student with glasses, known for her signature pose. As a timid, witty, and analytical support sorcerer in Minoru’s squad, she uses crystal barriers and extensive dungeon research to guide them with key combat strategies. Polite yet emotionally reactive, she is close to Mari and Nagase, and is Minoru’s devoted, pampered partner.
• Chifumi – Minoru’s beautiful, kimono-clad childhood friend, devoted romantic partner, and lead witch. Wielding a staff with immense Mana, this tactical sorcerer uses ice/binding magic to manage strategy, admin, and dungeon entries for Minoru and Ryota’s groups. A helpful older sister figure who loves cooking and photography, she struggles with heat and is fiercely hostile if Minoru is threatened.
• Minoru – Minoru Tatemiya is a lean, black-haired student sorcerer, hidden Demon Lord, and reincarnated mob protagonist with adult memories. In a world of reversed gender dynamics, this proud, analytical leader rules the 5th District using spatial, illusion, and Shock magic. He possessively manages dungeon logistics and a harem household, hosting Hinoki and guiding Majo allies (Mai, Risa, Mitsuki).
• Hinoki – Sharing Minoru’s consciousness, this sharp-tongued, non-binary Oni-fied centipede Aberration serves as his interpreter and field leader, currently crafting a Crystal of Power for him. This 30cm, metallic-shelled advisor submerges into shadows to speak telepathically, monitor seals, and guide smaller insects. Using dungeon sorcery, they can also transform into a massive reptilian form.
• Clam – Evolving from a clam via a stone, this newborn Aberration is a sorcerer specializing in Bewilderment magic. Taking a large mollusk form or a toddler guise with limited speech, this unique Phantom serves as a communication intermediary for water tank entities. Though she often questions others’ abilities, she was educated by Tempura, is deeply attached to Asari, and gets drunk on carbonated drinks.
• Centipede – A former high-level Apparition currently reduced to a powerless, disembodied state. It speaks with a manipulative, merchant-like tone.
• Shoji – A serious, top-ranked 5th District sorcerer and silver werewolf beastman wearing a white uniform. This ancient clan member seals dungeons via Anri/Risa’s lineage, uses magic pistols, and tracks scents. He leads an exploration group alongside Ryota and Komoda, associates with Kotoha, shares critical intelligence on dungeon irregularities, and focuses on conquering the Tower Dungeon.
• Onigahara – An older woman of disciplined austerity, she is a stern mentor from the influential Onigahara (formerly Koki) sorcerer family, famed for their estate and Oni-fication. Maintaining close, hierarchical bonds with dojo students, she manages logistics and drives the family microbus for Minoru’s group during dungeon training, fiercely preserving her lineage’s legacy of strength.
• Komoda – An eccentric, polite male classmate and sorcerer from the influential Michinori family’s Komoda house. Met at the administrative building, this pragmatic leader commands a group in the Sword-Hammer Cave. He keeps secret dungeon mechanics for house prestige, but coordinates travel, exchanges intel, and pursues an alliance with Minoru, while occasionally interacting with Ryota’s group.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• Muto – A staff-wielding student and lead member of Komoda’s group, which is allied with Chifumi for discussion. She gathers and exchanges information, maintains a close relationship with Chifumi, and assists her group during karaoke by ordering snacks and drinks.
• Tatemiya – Minoru Tatemiya is a sorcerer, protagonist, and head of a prestigious family traditional lineage house. Specializing in electrical defensive sorcery, he guides a powerful group of women and witches, including Kotoha, to search for powers. He also converses with Megumi and Minoru about regional gathering spots, utilizing the Tatemiya household as a central setting to live, bond, and interact.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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