Chapter 68

After passing through the nest of the Firebird, we spent a night. After dinner, I fell asleep watching Bell and the others eating the fruit that looked so delicious. After that, I didn't want to climb the volcano anymore, so I took a shortcut by flying and reached the forty-ninth floor. I'm sorry for talking about the romance of the labyrinth. I got tired of climbing the volcano.

"Yuta, there's a base at the foot of the volcano. More than ten adventurers are setting up a base."

A base inside the labyrinth? During the beginner's training, they said that if more than thirty adventurers cooperate and advance, the labyrinth gets angry and a stampede occurs.

Moreover, considering the movement, food, and the scale of battles, they explained that it's safer to have five to six people in a group of ten or less, but it seems to be different here.

"The reason we can't pass through the volcano might be here. Sylph, can you gather information for me while we take a break here?"

"Sure, I understand."

While Sylph was gathering information, I played with Bell and the others since I had nothing to do. Such times are precious. I squished Bell's cheeks, scratched Rain's chin, petted Turu's silky head, and rubbed Tamamo's tail. I was so happy.

"Well, I got the general idea, Yuta. The boss of the forty-ninth and fiftieth floors seems to be special."

"Special? What do you mean?"

Since we can't advance, it's not like it's a bonus stage, right?

"Probably because it's the fiftieth floor. The level of the monsters suddenly increases. Wyverns and Assault Dragons are there. Both are sub-dragons, a type of dragon, and they are A-rank."

Dragons appeared. A-rank is like the Rich class, right? Are there really such strong monsters around?

"Um, can I beat them?"

"You can win, but the boss of the fiftieth floor is still tough for you and Bell and the others. According to the adventurers, the boss is a Fire Dragon, an attribute dragon of S-rank."

"Isn't the level suddenly too high? Why are such strong monsters appearing?"

"I don't know? Anyway, the adventurers setting up the base seem to be preparing to defeat the Fire Dragon by gathering people."

"Does that mean they will take action once the base is ready?"

"Yes. It seems to be a strategy led by the Adventurer's Guild. Once the base is ready, they plan to send in a full team of elite members."

...A strategy led by the Adventurer's Guild. I really want to cause trouble, but people's lives are at stake. I should probably hold back. I really want to destroy the base, but I'll have to endure.

"Will that work?"

"I don't know? It depends on the elites they send. However, it might still take a while. Finding people who can challenge the Fire Dragon is difficult."

I see. Even strong people might refuse to fight a Fire Dragon.

"Hmm, but there are S-rank adventurers, and even SS and SSS-rank adventurers, right?"

"Yes, if a monster-like adventurer comes, it's possible to clear it, but there are very few of them. Moreover, I think other countries' guilds don't want to send such people. There are possibilities with the adventurers in this country, but the risk is high, and they might not be able to take the plunge. If they lose, the balance will be disrupted."

Strong adventurers seem to be free, but there are still constraints. Wars are rampant, and the power balance is quite delicate, I guess.

"It's difficult, huh?"

"Yes, and it's even more complicated because many adventurers based in the labyrinth city need to be sent in."

"Ah, I see."

Once a boss is defeated, it won't appear again unless there are members who haven't defeated it. So, even if the boss is defeated, it's meaningless unless people who can clear the floors after the fiftieth are gathered. The guild master must be having a hard time. Serves them right.

"It seems quite difficult. You said it's tough for us, but can Sylph beat the Fire Dragon?"

"Piece of cake. Hehe. I'll show you the power of a Great Spirit."

Piece of cake, huh? You're so cool, Sylph. If the adventurers take a long time to defeat the Fire Dragon, it's good news for me. I can monopolize the materials from the fifty-first floor and beyond. Plus, I can ruin the guild master's reputation. I'm getting excited.

"It seems possible, but what about the Assault Dragons and Wyverns on the way?"

"Assault Dragons are ferocious and will attack with full force if they spot you, but I think you can beat them without any problem because you and Yuta have good synergy. Wyverns can fly and attack with wind blades, so it's safer to rely on Bell and the others."

If we can win, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm finally becoming a Dragon Slayer. My excitement is soaring.

"It seems doable, so let's go. Sylph, can you guide us?"

"Wait a moment. We need to avoid being seen by adventurers, right? If we fight near adventurers, they might send scouts. It's better to fly directly to the summit or fly to the middle of the mountain and climb from there. If we fly, we might be seen, but it's unlikely they'll recognize us."

Since we're fighting a dragon, there will be a lot of noise. The adventurers here are probably top-notch, so the possibility of them sending scouts is high. It's better to be seen flying from a distance than to be clearly seen. Anyway, once we start unloading the materials, we'll be discovered, so we just need to avoid being recognized until then.

Whether to go to the summit or the middle of the mountain... Normally, it would be the summit, but for a man fighting a dragon, the middle of the mountain is the only choice. After all, I'm a Dragon Slayer.

To make it harder to recognize us from a distance, I'll put on a jacket and cover my face. There's a high possibility that skills that can see from a distance exist.

"Okay, I'm ready. Sylph, can you take us to the middle of the mountain without being noticed by adventurers?"

"Got it. I'll fly so we don't enter their field of vision, so be careful of sudden changes in direction."

"Understood."

***

"That was scary."

I know, right? Wyverns can fly.

"Sorry, Yuta. That route was the least likely to be seen by adventurers, but the Wyverns changed their course on a whim, and our paths collided."

"Y-Yeah, it's okay. Nothing happened, so it's fine. Thanks, Sylph."

But... when we passed between the Wyverns, one of them opened its huge mouth and tried to bite us. It was deflected by the wind cocoon, but I almost wet myself. That moment, the large, jagged teeth coming at me are etched clearly in my mind. I was prepared to die without understanding what was happening.

"Yuta, are you okay?"

Bell and the others comfort me as I wipe the cold sweat from my forehead. I can't let Bell and the others worry about me; it would be too embarrassing. This is the time to put on a brave face. I gather my courage and stand straight, despite my trembling knees.

"I'm fine. I was just a bit surprised. Don't worry."

I pet Bell and the others to show that I'm okay. Then I play with them. It's incredibly healing. I'm finally calming down.

"Sorry for the wait. Let's go."

"Do we have to avoid monsters?"

"No, I want to fight them."

It's embarrassing to be scared, so I'll defeat the Wyverns and Assault Dragons to overcome my fear. We start climbing the volcano with Sylph's guidance.

***

"Yuta, that's the Assault Dragon. It uses its massive body to charge and has a powerful jaw. Its skin is as hard as iron."

...It's a dragon. It's bulkier and bigger than I imagined. Even lying down, it looks like a small hill. It's about the same size as the Giant Toad we defeated in the swamp. If it's this big while lying down, it must be as big as a three-story building. If it charges at full speed... I need to go to the bathroom.

After using the bathroom behind a rock, I think about how to defeat it. If I can sever its neck, it would be easy, but that means I might have to take a direct hit from its massive charge. I need to circle around, knock it down, and sever its neck. So, I should attack its legs first.

Should I smash them with a hammer or cut them with a saw? Both seem possible, but the saw is safer. Sylph said its skin is as hard as iron, but the saw can cut through iron, so it should be fine.

"I've thought about the general strategy, so let's go."

"Yuta, put on the natural armor just in case."

...I think everything will be fine if Sylph puts up a wind barrier, but she always insists on using the natural armor when it's possible. And I can't resist the sparkling eyes of Bell and the others, so I end up putting on the natural armor, like now.

"Then I'll go. I'll try to do it alone first, but if it gets dangerous, please help me."

I say something a bit embarrassing, but when I see that massive body again, I can't help but worry a little.

"Yuta, good luck!" "Kyukyu!" "You can definitely win!" "Kuuu!"

I wave to Bell and the others who are cheering me on and cautiously approach the Assault Dragon. I hoped to get close without being noticed, but it didn't work. The Assault Dragon faces me, stands up, and is already in a charging stance. ...I need to dodge the charge first.

Thank you for reading.