Chapter 8

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Thank you for your support ('ω')!

This time, the story is from the perspective of "Thunderpike" after Yuu left.

I hope you enjoy it.

(※This is from the perspective of Simon, the leader of "Thunderpike" and a knight.)

...The situation is bad.

Is it because of the new member who joined temporarily?

Perhaps we should have practiced more before setting out.

"Barry! Reinforcements from the west corridor! I need your help!"

"Don't be ridiculous! I'm already swamped here!"

This is bad. At this rate, we won't be able to withstand the monsters' assault.

We'll be overwhelmed.

"New guy! Hold them back!"

"There's no way I can do that!"

The new member is a B-rank "Ranger/Thief."

He should be more useful than a useless and money-draining Red Mage, but so far, he hasn't been of any help.

No... even so, the monsters today are too strong.

This "Ruins of Oryas Castle" dungeon is a place we've explored many times.

Our highest level reached is the 17th floor.

Yet, for some reason, we're being held up on the 4th floor today.

"Something's off! The monsters are too strong!"

Barry, the warrior, is also being pushed back.

The opponents are crocodile-headed wolves—crocodile wolves—a familiar enemy we've fought many times.

But they are clearly stronger than before. Faster, harder, and sharper.

"What's going on? Are the monsters stronger than before?"

"What are you talking about... you guys? Why did you even think you could explore this far with your skills...?"

The new member, Cork, has a strange look on his face.

"Kyaaah!"

One of the crocodile wolves broke through the front line and bit Jamie.

To be broken through so easily!

"Damn! Jamie!"

I want to help, but there are three crocodile wolves in front of me.

If I turn my back, they'll pounce on me in an instant.

But I have to do something quickly... Jamie is being swung around, already limp from the bite.

"Camilla, use a healing spell!"

"I'm out of mana!"

What the hell!

We haven't been exploring for that long, right?

We usually have no trouble reaching the 5th floor!

Why?

What's different?

With that useless one gone, we should have an advantage with more active attackers.

"Damn it!"

Barry swings his battle axe, holding them off and forming a wall.

I'll take out the crocodile wolves behind him while I can!

"Cork, cover me! Use your arrows to hold them back!"

"I'm doing it!"

I charge at the crocodile wolf that was about to attack Camilla, the cleric, after letting go of Jamie.

A horizontal slash hits the crocodile wolf.

(I killed it!)

I was sure of it, but my full-power strike didn't finish it off.

It should have worked before!

...But I managed to drive the crocodile wolf back from the rear position.

Now is our chance.

"Let's retreat!"

I pick up the still-breathing Jamie and run towards the stairs.

"Cork, cover the rear! Use your arrows to hold them back!"

"Don't be ridiculous! You want to get me killed?"

Ignoring my leader's order, Cork runs alongside me.

Barry and Camilla are being chased by the crocodile wolves, and we run while fending them off several times.

"Haa, haa... Did we manage to escape?"

We finally reach the stair area and catch our breath.

"Jamie, are you okay? ...Jamie?"

I lay Jamie on the floor, and she is breathing shallowly, her face pale.

"Camilla, can you use a healing spell yet?"

"I'll meditate to recover my mana. Please give me a moment."

"What about a mana potion?"

"I don't have any."

Something is definitely off.

Camilla's mana shouldn't run out at this level, and she usually drinks a mana potion when her mana is low.

"Gah... Hoo... Hoo..."

Jamie spits out a blood clot, and her breathing becomes shallower.

It's about to stop.

"Right, a healing potion! Someone must have one, right?"

"I don't have any. That's the job of the supply guy, right?"

"Then, Cork! Do you have one?"

In response to my question, the hunter reluctantly pulls out a small bottle.

"Thanks. Give it to me."

"Hey, I bought and prepared this potion with my own money. I have no reason to give it to you."

"What are you saying!? A comrade is dying!"

I take the small bottle that Cork reluctantly offers.

"How can you have such an attitude when a comrade's life is on the line?"

"You were the one who said we should cover our own consumables when we joined. Don't act like it's normal."

"Damn...! Focus on Jamie for now."

I pour the healing potion on her wound and wait for Camilla to recover her mana.

There's nothing left to do but hope.

-- A few hours later.

We managed to save Jamie and returned to Finis, but the sun had already set.

This is the first time something like this has happened since "Thunderpike" was formed.

All of this happened because the new member was selfish and incompetent.

As the leader, I need to say something.

"Cork, your attitude is not suitable for a teammate."

"Yeah, I don't need this. I thought 'Thunderpike' was a promising new group, but I didn't expect you guys to be so out of touch with your own abilities."

How can he not be embarrassed by his own lack of skill?

Even the useless Yuu was more modest than this.

"If you want to continue with us, you shouldn't say things like that."

"..."

After a moment, Cork shouted.

"I can't do this! I'm leaving!"

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