Chapter 5

Second chapter of the day!

I hope you enjoy it.

After descending to the fourth underground level, we were fortunate enough to find a mining point – and we are currently in the midst of a battle.

“This is quite a big catch. It looks like we’ll be able to mine a lot of magic iron ore.”

While casting the <Slow> spell, I keep my distance from the rampaging ‘mining point.’

Next to me, Marina dashes forward with her sword at the ready. Her sword is enveloped in a dark, ominous magical power, emitting a chilling aura.

“Take this!”

Her compact swing perfectly catches the ‘mining point’s’ head, cleanly severing it.

The ‘Swordmage’ is a very rare job, with it being said that only one in ten thousand people are suitable for it.

As you can see, her ability is “Sword Magic.” She can wrap any weapon in sinister magical power, significantly increasing its attack power.

A skilled Swordmage is said to be able to slice through mithril armor like butter.

“Haa... haa...”

However, the downside of “Sword Magic” is that it consumes a significant amount of stamina and magic power.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah! But, I can only maintain it for about ten seconds...”

“You’ll get used to it as you master the ability.”

I wave my fingers to cast <Continuous Magic Recovery> on Marina.

“Alright, I’ll start mining. You three take a rest.”

“Okay.”

I bring my pickaxe down on the now-still ‘mining point’ – the back of a rock lizard – and a crystallized, half-ingot of magic iron ore falls off its back.

This rock lizard roams the mine, eating rocks for sustenance.

However, it eats rocks, not metal. As a result, the metal, which becomes an impurity, crystallizes and grows on its back, making it a fascinating creature.

Echoing the metallic sounds that once resonated through the ‘Painthall Mine,’ I silently strip the magic iron ore from the rock lizard’s back.

There are also ordinary iron and copper ores, but I ignore them. They have their own uses.

“Is that enough?”

“I’m sorry for not helping...”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. By the way, I didn’t ask, but how much do we need to deliver?”

We managed to mine a decent amount from this large individual, but I don’t think it’s enough.

“We need a dozen standard ingots... so we need a bit more.”

“In that case, we need to find another one... Let’s go down one more level. Rock lizards are territorial creatures. There might not be any more around here.”

In terms of habitat, there should be more on the sixth level.

If my instincts are correct, this one on the fourth level was probably the only one here.

It was quite large.

“Right. Marina and Rain, is that okay with you?”

“Okay!”

“Got it.”

Marina stands up straight.

“Marina, can you handle it?”

“Yeah! The <Continuous Magic Recovery> is amazing. I don’t feel tired at all.”

“This means your internal magic power is the issue... You need to train your magic power. I’ll teach you when we have time.”

“Really? Thank you, Yuki!”

Marina’s face lights up with a bright, cheerful smile.

Having someone like her in the party really changes the atmosphere.

“Alright, let’s get going.”

We head towards the stairs and take another break in the stairwell before proceeding to the fifth level.

We search carefully, looking for rock lizards.

“None here...?”

“Yeah, maybe someone else already took care of them.”

The fact that there’s a quest means there’s a shortage of supply.

It’s not unusual for other adventurers to take on other quests.

Rock lizards are creatures created by the dungeon’s magic, so they will reappear after a few days... but it would be better to finish this in one day.

It seems I’m not the only one thinking that.

“Let’s search a bit more.”

“Yeah. They might be somewhere.”

Silk and Rain spread out the map, looking for areas we haven’t explored yet.

Meanwhile, Marina keeps watch to ensure our safety.

We work well together as a team.

With this, we might be able to do it.

“I have a suggestion... What about breaking through the floor boss and heading to the sixth level?”

Everyone looks surprised at my suggestion.

“With me as a member, I think we can work together well. I believe we can break through.”

“But, with Yuki’s help...”

“What are you talking about? You’re part of the party now, so feel free to rely on me.”

Silk looks taken aback.

It seems the feeling of me being a ‘teacher’ still lingers.

“Besides, I need to show what a new member can do.”

“Show?”

“Yeah. I’ll go all out against the floor boss. I need to demonstrate how I can be useful to you.”

The three of them chuckle.

“Yuki’s strength is already well understood.”

Is that so?

There’s still a lot I can do.

Well, to make sure they understand, I’ll try a bit harder.

“But, if that’s the case, let’s go with Yuki’s suggestion. I’d like to see Yuki’s full power too.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll show you what a strong senior can do.”

With a confident smile, I start walking towards the deepest part of the fifth level with the three of them.

How was it ('ω')?

There’s one more update today.

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