Chapter 24, Waaah! There are so many of them!

Translator: Lizz

 

“The senior who coached me is also Level 2, but not this strong. ‘Is he really Level 2?’ It was such an impressive fight that I ended up thinking about something so trivial.”

 

Seiji, deeply impressed, had blurted out his thoughts without meaning to.

 

In truth, Masato’s ability far exceeded that of a typical Level 2. With his enhanced physical abilities and his fighting style using throwing skills, he could probably match even a Level 3.

 

When Seiji saw Masato fight seriously for the first time, it wasn’t his mind but his instincts that recognized him as ‘above’ as an explorer. The gap in ability was so wide that he couldn’t even think of competing against him. The mocking gaze he had shown at the restaurant disappeared, replaced instead with one of respect.

 

He no longer wanted to engage in pointless disputes about ‘who was superior’. He decided to change his original plan and learn from Masato. He wanted to aim higher. That desire for improvement made him change how he interacted with Masato.

 

Though Seiji was still immature in many ways, the fact that he could perceive this after just one fight was worthy of praise.

 

“You wouldn’t get anything out of complimenting me, you know?”

 

“I was just saying what I thought, so don’t mind it. More importantly…”

 

Seiji’s gaze turned toward the stairs where the orc had appeared.

 

“Should we investigate the underground?”

 

The 4th floor was a ruined city, with many paths leading to basements and hidden rooms. Dungeon traps appeared there too, but such places often contained special items, so most had already been thoroughly explored.

 

However, there were always exceptions. Sometimes things disappeared, and sometimes new ones appeared.

 

This time, it was an entrance to the underground that wasn’t marked on the officially sold maps. Since those maps had been made over many years, the chance of a recording mistake was low, and the likelihood that it had newly appeared was higher.

 

There were risks, but a reasonable return could be expected.

 

“When those three come back, let’s go check it out.”

 

“I agreed. Let’s do that.”

 

While Masato was collecting the orc’s magic stone, Rika and the others returned, and Seiji told them about exploring the basement. Once everyone agreed, they finally headed toward the underground room.

 

The passage was just wide enough for an adult man to barely squeeze through. Masato walked in front, followed by Reika, Hinata, and Seiji in the middle, with Rika guarding the rear. The brick-built stairs looked like they were about to collapse at any moment. But this was a dungeon. They only looked that way; in reality, they were built solidly.

 

The surroundings were dark, and the only light came from the electric lanterns hanging at their waists. In the stagnant air, their footsteps echoed as they descended. The stairs were longer than they looked, and more than three minutes had already passed since they started walking.

 

“Could this possibly connect straight to the 5th floor?”

 

Hinata asked worriedly, but that fear was unfounded.

 

There was only one staircase connecting each floor, and it wasn’t long. They had reached the 4th floor in under two minutes. Moreover, those stairs were spiral, so it was clearly different. Still, after walking for so long, it was understandable to start worrying that maybe they had already reached the 5th floor.

 

“There’s only one staircase that connects to the next floor, so I don’t think that would happen…”

 

Reika gently placed her hand over her younger sister’s to ease her anxiety.

 

Masato’s Detection skill showed no red markers. He tapped the walls on both sides, but they didn’t collapse to reveal new paths. Even when he used Mana Vision to look down, he didn’t sense any traps.

 

Despite the growing unease, they kept moving down the dim staircase without stopping, and after another minute they finally reached the bottom.

 

It was a small room, completely empty. At the back stood a wooden door, faded and worn but sturdy looking. A gap of a few centimeters allowed them to glimpse inside.

 

“…We should run.”

 

But there was no need to check further.

 

Masato’s mind was flooded with countless red markers.

 

It was enough to decide on escape immediately.

 

“I think it wouldn’t be too late even if we peeked inside first.”

 

Unlike Masato, who grasped the situation in real time, the others hadn’t noticed. They spoke carelessly.

 

Masato held Seiji back as he tried to step forward.

 

“There’s a chance we’ll be noticed, so no. Let’s go back.”

 

“If it’s just orcs, wouldn’t we be able to handle them even if we were found? Like in the last fight.”

 

When they were arguing, the red markers continued to move without pause.

 

One of the markers moved toward the door.

 

“There’s no time to talk here. Let’s go back!”

 

Masato signaled to Rika, who knew about his Detection skill. She understood his intent and started up the stairs. Reika and Hinata couldn’t grasp the situation, but they sensed the tension and followed without complaint.

 

Seiji reluctantly put his foot on the stairs. At that moment, a metallic sound rang out.

 

“Goblins, from above! Two of them!”

 

Just as monsters could come up from below, the reverse was also possible. By chance, they ran into goblins trying to return to the room that had turned out to be a monster gathering spot.

 

That cry marked the start of battle. The passage was narrow, so only Rika could fight. Seiji’s bow risked misfire, so he couldn’t shoot.

 

“They’re coming!!”

 

The wooden door at the back of the small room burst open, and orcs rushed out.

 

Rika, who had stopped on the stairs to fight, blocked the way, leaving no escape.

 

— Physical Enhancement.

 

— Dagger Technique.

 

Masato stabbed a knife into the throat of the leading orc and kicked it back with full force.

 

The massive body flew backward, dragging along the goblin that had been following behind.

 

The door swung open, revealing the inside.

 

A 100m2 room was packed with monsters from the 4th floor — goblins, orcs, and green wolves. They had already noticed Masato and the others, and their killing intent filled the air.

 

“…!”

 

Someone gasped.

 

It was a monster house. The term wasn’t commonly used, but it perfectly described the situation.

 

“I’ll go inside and fight! Please escape while I hold them off!”

 

Masato’s judgment hadn’t been wrong.

 

But that was only true until now.

 

“I—I can’t hold them! I’m falling back!”

 

Rika’s voice, almost a scream, rang out. At first there had only been two goblins, but after she defeated them, orcs immediately surged forward. She had only just begun as an explorer, and there was no way she could handle them alone. She was forced back into the small room at the bottom of the stairs.

 

Reika used her naginata to block the monsters from flooding in, while Seiji finished them off with his bow. Their teamwork was sharp, and they cut down orcs one after another. Yet everyone’s faces were pale.

 

Orcs and goblins kept rushing toward the basement, and Masato, fighting surrounded in the room, was in dire straits. The sheer numbers threatened to overwhelm him.

 

He cut down monsters as he moved, but there were too many, and the space to dodge was limited.

 

Hinata and Rika were fully occupied fighting off goblins at the entrance, trying to keep them from breaking through, while Reika and Seiji held their ground to avoid being flanked.

 

A moment of curiosity had led them into this crisis, and regret surged through Masato. But he forced himself to push it aside; this wasn’t the time.

 

He sliced through orcs and goblins like butter, then darted through the gaps to reach the entrance where Rika and Hinata were fighting.

 

“Can you hold them off for a little while?”

 

“Leave it to me!”

 

“Got it!”

 

Leaving the monsters to the two of them, Masato closed his eyes and focused entirely on channeling his magic.