Chapter 68

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We immediately started moving after confirming the presence of the Ogres.

Yuzi aimed at the prey, keeping a wary eye on the Ogres' movements, while I quickly appraised the room to check for any traps. Shizuka threw a large number of chemical lights around the room to secure a light source.

Thanks to the chemical lights Shizuka scattered, the entire room became faintly visible. The room was about the size of two mini-basketball courts, similar to a school gymnasium, with a high ceiling that didn't feel oppressive.

"Yuzi, Shizuka. It seems there are no traps set up in the room. We should be able to relax a bit, but we need to be cautious of monsters popping up during the battle."

Before the Ogres moved, I informed the two of the appraisal results of the room. The absence of traps suggested that we were expected to fight the Ogres head-on in this room.

"Shizuka, I've finished scattering the chemical lights. The light will last about 15 minutes. ...It seems safe to set up the floodlights, so I'll need a bit of time."

After securing a temporary light source with the chemical lights, Shizuka judged that it was safe to set up battery-powered LED floodlights and started installing them near the entrance while keeping an eye on the Ogres' movements.

"Understood. The Ogres haven't moved yet. They might only move when we get within a certain distance or attack first."

Yuzi, with a puzzled expression, speculated on the reasons why the Ogres hadn't moved as we entered the room.

"If that's the case, let's close the distance after Shizuka finishes her preparations."

"Got it. I'll keep watch."

"Thanks... Shizuka?"

"Just a bit... I'm ready. I'll turn them on."

After setting up four floodlights, Shizuka flipped the switch. The floodlights illuminated the room brightly.

At the back of the stone room, a large door similar to the one we entered through was visible behind the Ogres. It was likely that the stairs leading to the 30th floor were beyond that door. Avoiding the battle with the Ogres and reaching the 30th floor seemed impossible.

"We have to defeat the Ogres to proceed, it seems."

"Right. We intended to defeat them anyway, so it's not a problem."

"That's true. But does this mean we have to defeat the Ogres every time we want to explore the 30th floor?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure. There might be some way to avoid it..."

If what Shizuka said was true, it would be a bit troublesome.

"Maybe defeating them will drop an item that allows passage?"

"That's a common setup in games, isn't it?"

"Sure is."

While keeping an eye on the Ogres, I and Yuzi exchanged light banter.

"Well, we'll know for sure once we defeat them. For now, are you both ready?"

"Yep."

"I'm good too."

"Alright, let's go."

Without taking our eyes off the Ogres, we each readied our weapons and cautiously closed the distance.

---

When we had closed about half the distance, the Ogres finally moved.

Ignoring us, they raised their heads to the ceiling and roared. The roar echoed through the room, the reverberating sound making us wince.

"Too loud!"

"Are they trying to intimidate us!?"

"Only after we got so close!? If it's intimidation, they should have done it when we entered the room!"

"Don't tell me, tell them!"

The Ogres continued their prolonged roar.

Just as I thought it was an odd way to intimidate, Shizuka pointed to the Ogres' feet and shouted.

"Look! At their feet!"

"!?"

Two heads, resembling those of monsters, began to appear at the Ogres' feet.

"Summoning!?"

"That head... it's a Big Bear!"

"This Ogre... has a summoning skill!"

As we exclaimed in shock, the two Big Bears fully emerged from the floor.

The two Big Bears roared, asserting their presence.

"This guy has a troublesome skill..."

"Does that mean monsters will keep spawning until we defeat the Ogre?"

"There's probably a summoning limit, but it's still a troublesome enemy."

Though we had considered this possibility, we were still taken aback by the sudden increase in enemies. The two Big Bears positioned themselves on either side of the Ogres, growling at us. The Ogres acted as if this was completely normal.

"Even though they're different races, they seem to have a master-servant relationship."

"It would be easier if they had a falling out, but that's probably too much to hope for..."

I had a faint hope that they might turn on each other, but it seemed to be in vain.

The Ogres, having stopped roaring, raised their clubs overhead.

"Here they come."

Yuzi warned us in a stern voice. Immediately after, the Ogres swung their clubs at us.

At the same time, the two Big Bears on either side of the Ogres lunged at us. Their targets were Yuzi and Shizuka, who were in the front and middle of our formation.

"Yuzi! Shizuka!"

"I'm fine! Daiki, take care of the Ogres!"

"Kasuga, please handle the Ogres!"

"Ah, wait!"

The two of them, as usual, split up to deal with the Big Bears.

This was awkward... We were in a boss fight, and our forces were being divided.

"...Take care of it?"

We usually don't need to coordinate much when fighting monsters, so they naturally split up. But this is a bad trend. It's fine for now since we can handle it individually, but we need to improve for the future.

While observing the approaching Ogre with its club raised, I had these thoughts.

---

I sidestepped to the left, putting some distance between me and Daiki, and faced the approaching Big Bear.

I remembered how big these things were from our first encounter on the 25th floor. They were as big as polar bears I had seen at an aquarium...

The Big Bear stopped between me and Daiki, positioning itself.

"It seems the initial charge was meant to split our party..."

They are indeed smart.

I tried a probing attack, but the Big Bear easily avoided it, maintaining a large distance. When I tried to ignore it and approach Daiki, it closed the distance.

They weren't rushing the fight, focusing on creating a situation where the strongest fighter, the Ogre, could pick us off one by one.

For a normal explorer party, this would be a near-defeat situation.

"Of course, for a normal explorer party..."

Glancing at Daiki, who was fighting the Ogre, I saw him easily dodging the Ogre's attacks.

The Ogre's goal was likely to quickly defeat the backline after the front and middle lines were gone, creating a 2-on-1 situation. But that plan failed, didn't it?

...Or is this boss fight too difficult? At the very least, each party member needs to be able to hold off the Ogre or defeat a Big Bear alone.

"Well, let's think about that later."

First, I need to focus on the Big Bear in front of me. It would be foolish to get injured by losing concentration.

"Still... it's troublesome dealing with an enemy that doesn't engage."

I had already tried several feint attacks, but the Big Bear easily avoided them, and my sword didn't even scratch it. If it attacked, I could counter, but...

"No choice... I'll have to make the first move!"

Deciding that feint attacks wouldn't work, I gathered my strength and charged. Closing the distance to weapon range, I swung my sword, Tenshi, at the Big Bear's neck.

However, the Big Bear countered with a headbutt... a body slam.

"Whoa!"

I quickly used the hilt of Tenshi to strike the Big Bear's side, deflecting its charge.

Confirming that the Big Bear's path had slightly shifted, I thrust Tenshi into its neck.

Feeling the resistance as the blade sank into the flesh, I realized it had penetrated deeply. The Big Bear's neck was completely pierced.

"Phew!"

Before it could counter, I twisted and quickly pulled Tenshi out, putting some distance between us. The Big Bear, bleeding heavily from its neck, staggered a few steps before collapsing.

I observed the fallen Big Bear for a few seconds and exhaled. It seemed I had successfully defeated it.

"Phew... That took a bit longer than expected. Daiki and Shizuka..."

Turning my head with weapons in both hands, I saw Shizuka, who had also defeated a Big Bear, watching Daiki's fight, and Daiki, who was about to decapitate the Ogre.

---

I failed.

The moment I side-stepped to the right to fight the Big Bear, I realized it.

I had fallen for their trap and allowed our party to be split.

"For a normal explorer party, this would be a crisis of being picked off one by one."

Holding my spear at the Big Bear between me and Kasuga, I muttered to myself.

I wasn't panicking, but I had forgotten the option of coordinating to defeat the Big Bear. In a boss fight, not prioritizing coordination is a sign of a failing party.

As a result, our party was split, and we were forced into individual battles.

"Really, something we need to improve. We need to correct this soon..."

I almost sighed at our incompetence, but I held it back. With an enemy in front of me, I couldn't afford to relax.

"...I'm sorry, but I'm going to take out my frustration on you."

I decided to vent my frustration on the Big Bear in front of me.

Holding my spear, I stepped forward and cast a spell I had prepared.

"Air Ball!"

I launched a ball of air at the Big Bear. It easily dodged by jumping to the side, but its stance wobbled slightly upon landing. I didn't miss this opportunity and thrust my spear, Isuzu, into the Big Bear's slightly open mouth. It was a full-strength, vented attack, and the Big Bear couldn't react.

The spearhead entered the Big Bear's slightly open mouth and easily pierced its head.

"Sorry, but I can't afford to waste time on you now."

I said to the Big Bear, whose eyes had lost their light, and pulled out Isuzu. The Big Bear collapsed with a dull thud, blood flowing from its mouth and the back of its head.

After a few seconds of remaining alert, I looked around for the others.

"Hase... still in battle."

Hase, like me, was fighting a Big Bear but was observing the enemy and fighting cautiously. He didn't seem to be struggling, so I decided to support Kasuga, who was fighting the Ogre.

However,

"...It doesn't seem like he needs help."

Kasuga was dodging the Ogre's continuous club swings without any trouble and looking for an opportunity to finish it off. Even if I didn't help, it seemed like Kasuga would win, but doing nothing would be...

I cautiously closed the distance without interfering with Kasuga's fight and called out.

"Kasuga, I'll support you with magic, so finish it off! I'm going!"

"Huh, Shizuka!?"

"Air Cutter!"

I aimed at the Ogre's arm supporting the club and cast Air Cutter.

The Ogre easily deflected the Air Cutter with its club, but that was a bad move in front of Kasuga. The moment the Ogre swung its club to block the Air Cutter, Kasuga's Tenshi sliced at the Ogre's neck.

---

The Ogre's club swung at me from all directions, the sound of the wind cutting through the air as it passed by me.

I observed the Ogre's movements while dodging the club.

The Ogre's arm strength was incredible, swinging the long metal club as if it were a twig. The simple armor covering its vital points seemed to be reinforced with metal parts, making it highly durable. Considering its natural defenses, a weak attack wouldn't be effective.

So far, it didn't seem to have any special abilities other than summoning, but assuming it had none would be dangerous.

"...Cutting off the head seems to be the surest way."

Without knowing the strength of the armor, it was better to avoid it.

Fortunately, the armor wasn't full plate. The neck guard protected the neck, but slicing from under the chin would be possible.

"The only thing left is the timing to strike..."

The Ogre continued to swing its club without showing any signs of fatigue.

When would this guy's stamina run out?

While occasionally dodging the club, I waited for the right moment to strike when I heard Shizuka's voice.

"Kasuga, I'll support you with magic, so finish it off! I'm going!"

"Huh, Shizuka!?"

Shizuka declared her support unilaterally.

Surprised, I was a bit careless in my evasion and was grazed by the Ogre's club.

"Air Cutter!"

With Shizuka's voice, a blade of air was launched.

I slightly adjusted my position to ensure the Air Cutter's path. The Ogre, noticing Shizuka's magic, blocked it with its club.

Now! I ran Tenshi at the Ogre's neck. The height difference made it easier to strike from below. I slid Tenshi just under the Ogre's chin, feeling the resistance as it cut into the neck. I quickly pulled Tenshi out.

"Whoa!"

After pulling Tenshi out, I kicked the Ogre's body, using the momentum to jump back and put some distance between us.

"...I didn't get splattered with blood this time."

Looking at the fallen Ogre, now submerged in a pool of blood, I sighed and relaxed from the battle tension.

For a first boss fight, it was a close pass, I suppose?

---

Even with teamwork in mind, lack of practice means we can't act instinctively. In the end, the boss fight turned into individual battles... We need more practice.