Chapter 79

Somehow, an update... ('ω')

After climbing the stairs and checking the small square from the entrance of the underground waterway, what caught my eye was a strange object.

"What is this...?"

"The last time we came, there was nothing like this."

Four pillar-like objects, about six feet tall, stood in the small square.

They were a burnt brown color with protrusions in various places.

They looked like insect pupae.

"What do you think?"

I asked the two people observing alongside me.

Rain was using her <Magic Perception>, and Silk was using her <Spirit User> senses to examine them.

"I can sense magic, but it's strange. It might resemble the chained monster."

"Yes. I agree. I can sense the presence of spirits, but they are quite alien... They don't seem to be the spirits of the natural world I know."

They didn't move.

But as I observed them, I noticed something unpleasant.

Upon closer inspection, parts of the surface seemed to be human arms and ears.

It looked as if melted humans were covering them, or perhaps humans had mutated into this form.

"What should we do?"

"Are they monsters after all?"

"They have a very distinctive appearance for residents."

As a supporter responsible for the party's safety, I have memorized all the monsters reported to the Adventurer's Guild.

But I don't recognize this one.

Not knowing whether it's dangerous is already dangerous.

While casting enhancement spells on everyone, I carefully observed the motionless pupae.

Assuming they are monsters and aggressive predators, what kind of attacks can be expected?

Since they are pupae, will they hatch?

Will some kind of monster fly out from inside?

There are also immobile creatures in nature that prey on others.

Perhaps they might release venom or gas.

"I'll go ahead. They might be non-hostile, and we might be able to slip through."

There is a considerable distance from the nearest pupa.

If we can avoid combat, that would be best.

Even if we do fight, staying in this narrow spot isn't a good strategy.

"Be careful."

"Got it."

The moment Nene leaned out from the entrance of the underground waterway, a crack appeared on the pupa... and four eyes opened.

Huge eyes, about half the length of the pupa, stared at Nene.

"Ah, u...!?"

Nene, the most agile among us, froze in place.

She was completely immobilized.

"Trouble!"

I rushed out, scooped up Nene, and jumped backward.

"Ah!"

At that moment, the giant mouth of the pupa stretched out and narrowly missed Nene's nose, making a "clack" sound.

I sat down with Nene still in my arms.

It's not a very dignified position, but as long as Nene is safe, that's all that matters.

The pupae slid back to their original positions and closed their eyes again.

"We're saved...! I almost died...!"

In my arms, Nene's cat ears drooped in fear.

"I'm glad you're safe. But what are those things? Some kind of giant earthworm?"

"The moment those eyes saw me, my body froze."

The attacks from their flexible bodies have a surprisingly wide range.

And the mouth they used for the attack. It seemed to have human-like teeth.

The human-like composition of the pupae and that mouth give me a bad feeling.

"Sorry, Nene. I put you in danger."

"It's okay. You saved me."

She stood up and looked at the pupae again.

They hadn't moved from their initial positions and showed no signs of attacking.

But we can't leave this place as it is.

"Let's attack from a distance."

"Sure. It's been a while since we used this!"

Marina took out the [Piercing Assassin] and easily shouldered it.

"We can fire two shots simultaneously. What about elemental arrows?"

"Use them. How about fire arrows?"

"Okay."

Silk took out two arrows with red fletchings from her quiver.

"What about me?"

"Use ice magic. They look like insect pupae and might be vulnerable to heat changes."

"Got it."

While giving instructions to the two, I started preparing my magic.

The troublesome part is that gaze. But it doesn't seem to be a gaze poison like a basilisk.

Nene was able to move quickly, so it's probably some kind of magical effect triggered by the gaze.

If that's the case,

using <Dazzle> or <Flash> to block the view should effectively prevent the gaze. This time, we'll use a two-step approach.

"I'll go out first and use debuff magic. Nene, I'll rely on you to protect me."

"Got it."

"Start the attack on my signal."

I turned around, and the three girls nodded in readiness.

"Okay!"

"Understood."

"Leave it to me."

"Alright, let's go."

I jumped out from the shadow of the underground waterway and cast <Dazzle> and <Flash>.

I saw the pupae's eyelids open, but a red mage can't lose to a quick cast.

The pupae, hit directly by the intense flash, let out a strange cry and writhed.

Immediately after, I was pulled back and stumbled.

"Ugh."

A soft sensation on my back.

...But we're in the middle of a battle. No time for such thoughts.

"Here it goes!"

The arrows from Marina's [Piercing Assassin] easily pierced the pupae.

If they can pierce through iron armor, the pupae stand no chance.

The other two were already engulfed in flames.

The [Fire Arrows], equipped with arrow fletchings made from magic stones imbued with fire magic, have the property of igniting at the point of impact.

It seems the fire effect is quite effective.

"Here it goes..."

The intricately woven magic formula was drawn into the sky with a faint light.

Immediately after, a super-cold downburst, accompanied by ice and snow, blew through the small square, enveloping it.

"<Ice Blizzard>...! A fifth-tier spell!"

I couldn't help but let out a voice.

Even among those who can use the same magic, a red mage can't cast such a high-level spell.

The scene makes me a little envious of Rain's magical talent.

"They're not finished yet."

I thought they were all frozen, but one of them started to shake and break free from the ice.

"I'll finish it!"

Marina, having discarded the [Piercing Assassin], ran at high speed.

The pupa's eyes moved, but a shuriken sank into its center.

In the next moment, the last pupa was split in two by Marina's black sword.

How was it? ('ω')

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Thank you.