Chapter 44

Slash dispatched the Minotaur with a single strike.

I confirm the number of enemies.

There are about eight left.

If we don’t end this quickly, reinforcements will arrive, so I’ll fight with all my strength from the start.

The Minotaur swings its axe, but I jump to the side, kick the wall, and slash its flank with my sword.

The steel sword is sharper than an iron sword, but the Minotaur’s flesh is thick. If I’m not careful, the sword might get stuck in its flesh.

Even with my strength, the sword’s sharpness can’t keep up with my body.

They say a good monk doesn’t choose his brush, but for me, who isn’t even a good monk, I really want a sharper sword. When I think about the battle with the Brown Bear, it takes a lot of courage to perform a spinning cut.

Then—let me rely on my two arms for now.

I put the sword back in my item bag and jumped up high.

Then I kicked the ceiling, passed over the Minotaur’s head, and grabbed its two horns just as we were about to pass each other.

With my feet on the Minotaur’s back, I tried to pull and throw it by its horns—but the horns broke with a snap before I could.

I must have used too much force.

The Minotaur must have been in a lot of pain from the broken horns, as it let out a roar that sounded like a scream. I said, “I’ll return them,” and stabbed the two horns into its back.

While doing this, another Minotaur raised its axe at me. I kicked the back of the Minotaur I had stabbed and grabbed the handle of the axe. However, I couldn’t stop it from swinging down, and the axe hit the Minotaur with the broken horns, killing it.

I don’t have time to think about my experience points.

While holding the axe handle, I look at the Minotaur’s face.

Up close, the Minotaur’s face is very frightening, but it doesn’t seem that scary when I’m fighting it.

This must be due to the mental ease that comes from my stats.

The Minotaur tries to swing the axe to knock me off,

“Puchi Thunder!”

I cast a lightning spell on the Minotaur’s hand, and it reflexively lets go. My magic attack power is weak right now (though it’s still on par with a regular mage), so I managed to knock it out but not kill it. If I had killed it, the Minotaur’s axe would have disappeared too.

I ignore the Minotaur I took the axe from and head into the group of remaining Minotaurs.

The four Minotaurs around me tried to attack me with their axes, but this left their torsos wide open.

I don’t mind if this axe breaks.

“Spinning Cut!”

The axe is heavy, so the speed—no, the axe speed is slow, but I still managed to cut the torsos of the four surrounding Minotaurs in half with one strike.

I’m definitely getting stronger.

Looking down the corridor, I see Sebastian, who has an injured arm, fighting two Minotaurs, and behind him, Oregairu and Carol.

It seems there are only three of them.

I slash the two Minotaurs fighting Sebastian with a hand strike and knock them down.

But that’s not the end.

“Thank you, sir, for saving me from a dangerous situation—”

“Save your thanks for later! Hurry, if we don’t, the enemy’s reinforcements will arrive!”

“Yes, Master Oregairu, let’s hurry back to the 23rd floor.”

“Right, I’ll give you a reward later. Hurry, follow me, Sebastian, Carol.”

Oregairu runs ahead, followed by Sebastian, and then Carol.

Sebastian seems to have an injured leg, so he’s a bit slower.

Oregairu is leading the way.

“…Carol, are you hurt?”

From what I can see, there are no major external injuries, but I still ask just to be sure.

I’m more worried about whether Oregairu has done anything terrible to her.

“I’m fine… Master Oregairu protected me.”

“Oregairu did?”

“When surrounded by monsters, Master Sebastian tried to kill Carol to draw them away. But Master Oregairu said it was wrong.”

“…Is that so…”

Surprising. I thought he would be the type to let Carol die and save himself.

Does he think Carol still has some use, or is he a lolicon?

No, Carol is 16, and Oregairu is around 14 or 15, so Carol is actually older. Complicated.

On the way, I collect the fallen magic stones and the Minotaur’s horns and finish off the Minotaur that was knocked out by Puchi Thunder.

But—something’s strange.

My level isn’t increasing… Does that mean the battle isn’t over yet?

At that moment, I sense the presence of enemies.

“Stop, there’s another enemy coming from ahead!”

I shouted, but it was too late.

Minotaurs from a T-intersection are about to swing their axes at Oregairu.

I can’t make it in time—especially not with Sebastian’s injured leg.

“U, uuuuuuuh!”

Oregairu lets out a scream—but in the next moment, a shadow moves in front of him and blocks the axe with two short swords.

It’s Haru.

I told him to go back to the inn. Was he worried about me?

“H…Haru Watato…?”

Oregairu, who seems to remember Haru’s face, says in a tone of disbelief.

“Yes, it’s been a while, Master Oregairu.”

Haru shoots flames from the fangs of a fire dragon into the Minotaur’s eyes.

“You… You’re still helping me?”

Oregairu, sitting on the ground, whispers to Haru, almost in despair.

“Am I still not strong enough to beat you?”

…In front of Oregairu, who speaks in despair, I move and charge at the Minotaur.

But—more Minotaurs are coming from the corridor… This is bad.

“Let’s go down to the 25th floor. Inside the boss room, Carol’s skill scent won’t leak out!”

“Got it, Sebastian, you take Oregairu, Haru, you take Carol! I’ll guard the stairs!”

I considered clearing the way to the 23rd floor in one go, but if Minotaurs attack from behind, it will be difficult for Haru and me to protect everyone.

I resolve to keep the Minotaurs from getting close until everyone reaches the stairs, and I run towards the group of Minotaurs.