CH 66

The Wall Advancing to the Next Level

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After passing through the Firebird’s nest, we stayed for a night and watched Bell and the others eating fruit happily. Tired of climbing the volcano, we took a shortcut by flying to reach the 49th floor. Apologies for cheating.

“It seems there’s a base with over ten adventurers at the foot of the volcano,” said Sylphy.

A base inside the dungeon? I remember during the beginner’s lecture, they said that when over thirty adventurers cooperate and advance, the dungeon gets angry and causes a stampede.

Considering the movement, food, and size of the battles, it was explained that it is safer to have no more than six adventurers, but it seems different here.

“Maybe the reason we can’t get through the volcano is here. Sylphy, since we’re taking a break here, could you gather some information?” asked Yuta.

“Sure, I understand,” replied Sylphy. In the meantime, Yuta played with Bell and the others, hopping her cheeks, stroking Rain’s chin, running his fingers through Turu’s silky hair, and rubbing Tamamo’s tail. He felt happy.

“Hmm, I understand most of it now. These boss on the 50th floor is special,” said Sylphy.

“Special? What do you mean?” asked Yuta.

It’s not a bonus stage since we can’t move forward.

“Probably, but it’s a milestone on the 50th floor. The levels of monsters suddenly increase, with Wyverns and Assault Dragons present. Both are sub-dragons but a type of dragon, A-rank,” Sylphy explained.

Dragons have appeared? That’s like the Lich class. Are they just wandering around here?

“Can I win against them?” asked Yuta.

“Winning is not an issue, but the 50th floor boss is still tough for you and Bell. Adventurers say it’s a Fire Dragon, an S-rank elemental dragon,” Sylphy replied.

“Isn’t this sudden increase in level too much? Why are such powerful monsters appearing?” asked Yuta.

“I don’t know. Anyway, adventurers who have made the base here are preparing and gathering people to defeat the Fire Dragon,” Sylphy said.

“So, once the preparations are complete, they will take action?” asked Yuta.

“Yes. It’s a strategy led by the adventurer’s guild. Once the base is established, they plan to send in a select group of elite adventurers at full capacity,” replied Sylphy.

… A strategy led by the adventurer’s guild. I really want to cause trouble here, but people’s lives are at stake. I’ll refrain from doing anything. Though I feel the urge to damage their base a little bit. I’ll resist the urge.

“Will that plan work?” asked Yuta.

“I don’t know. It depends on the quality of the elite adventurers they send. However, it will take some time to find people who can challenge the Fire Dragon. It’s not easy to find individuals who can take on the challenge,” said Sylphy.

I see. Even strong adventurers might refuse to fight against the Fire Dragon.

“But aren’t there S-rank adventurers or even SS and SSS-rank adventurers?” asked Yuta.

“Yes, there are a few exceptional adventurers who can take on the challenge, but they are like monsters themselves. Moreover, I don’t think other guilds in other countries will be willing to let them go. Even if there are such adventurers in this country, they may not be willing to take on the risk, as it could disrupt the balance if they fail,” explained Sylphy.

I thought strong adventurers were free-spirited, but it seems like there are still restrictions. Since wars are rampant, power balances are quite delicate.

“It’s complicated,” said Yuta.

“Yes, and it’s even more complicated to send a lot of adventurers from the labyrinth city to establish a base,” added Sylphy.

“I see,” replied Yuta.

If only members who have defeated the boss once enter, the boss won’t come out even if the door is opened. But if members who have not defeated the boss are mixed in, the boss will come out.

Defeating the boss is meaningless if they cannot gather people to challenge the floors beyond the 50th. The guild master must be struggling. Serves them right.

“It seems quite challenging. You said that it’s tough for us to defeat the Fire Dragon, but can you defeat it, Sylphy?” asked Yuta.

“It’ll be easy for me. Hehe. I’ll show you the power of a Greater Spirit,” replied Sylphy.

Is it really that easy? You’re so cool, Sylphy. If it takes other adventurers a long time to defeat the Fire Dragon, then it’s good news for me. I can monopolize the materials from the 51st floor onwards, and on top of that, I can crush the reputation of the guild master. I’m excited.

“Sylphy’s power… It’s both exciting and scary. Well, let’s leave the Fire Dragon to Sylphy. But what about the Assault Dragons and Wyverns that we may encounter on the way?”

“The Assault Dragons are ferocious, and they will attack with all their might if they find you, but they are well-suited for you, Yuta, so I think you can win without any problems. The Wyverns fly and attack with something like a Wind Blade using their wings, so it’s better to rely on Bell and the others’ strength.”

“If we can win, then there’s no problem. Finally, I’m also becoming a Dragon Slayer. I’m so excited.”

“Wait a minute. We’re going to avoid being spotted by other adventurers, right? If we fight near them, there’s a possibility that they may come to investigate. We should either fly straight to the mountaintop or fly to the middle of the mountain and climb from there. If we fly directly, we may be seen, but no one should know who we are.”

Since we’re going to fight a dragon, it’s going to make a loud noise, right? These adventurers here are first-class, so there’s a high chance that someone will come to investigate. It’s better to be seen from afar flying than to be seen up close. Besides, once we start selling the materials, they will find out eventually, so as long as we’re not caught until then, it’s all good.

As for whether we should go to the mountaintop or the middle of the mountain…normally, it would be the mountaintop, but since we’re going to fight a dragon, any man would choose the middle of the mountain. After all, I’m aiming to become a Dragon Slayer.

To make it less noticeable from afar, I’ll put on a jacket and cover my face. There’s a high chance that there’s a skill or something that allows others to see from far away.

“Alright, preparations complete. Sylphy, please try not to be noticed by other adventurers as we fly to the middle of the mountain.”

“Understood. I’ll fly in a way that won’t be in anyone’s line of sight, so be careful of sudden changes in direction.”

“Got it.”

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“That was… scary.”

“I’m sorry, Yuta. That route was the safest one to avoid being noticed by other adventurers, but the Wyvern suddenly changed course, and we collided.”

“Y-Yeah, it’s okay. Since nothing happened, there’s no problem. Thank you, Sylphy.”

During the moment when we slipped through the gap between the Wyverns, one of them opened its mouth and tried to bite me. I was bounced off by the Wind Cocoon, I almost peed I think.

Although it was only a moment, the image of the large and jagged teeth coming closer to me is burned vividly in my mind. I didn’t understand why, but at that moment, I was prepared to die.

“Yuta, are you okay?”

Bell and the others comfort me as I break out in a cold sweat. It’s too embarrassing for them to worry about me. This is the time to put up a strong front. I gather my courage and stand straight as my knees tremble.

“I’m okay. I was just a little surprised. Don’t worry.”

I reassure Bell and the others while patting their heads. Then I played with them, feeling incredibly comforted. Finally, I calmed down.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go soon?”

“We don’t want to avoid monsters, right?”

“Yeah. I want to fight, so let’s do it.”

It’s pathetic to stay scared, so let’s defeat the Wyvern and Assault Dragon and dispel this fear. We’ll climb the volcano with Sylphy’s guidance.

“Yuta, that’s the Assault Dragon over there. It uses its massive body for charging attacks, and its jaws are incredibly tough. Its iron-like skin is its characteristic feature,” Sylphy said.

…It’s a dragon, huh. It’s bigger and bulkier than I imagined. Even lying down, it looks like a small mountain. It’s about the same size as the Giant Toad we defeated in the marsh. It’s lying down, so it’s probably as tall as a three-story building. It’s going to charge at full speed…I’ll go to the bathroom first.

He finished his business in a rocky crevice and considered how to defeat it. If he could cut off its head, it would be easy, but then there’s the possibility of taking a direct hit from its charging body. So he’ll circle around it and knock it down while attacking its neck. That seems to be the plan. First, he’ll attack its legs.

Should he strike it with a hammer or cut it off with a saw? Both seem doable…but a saw would be safer. Sylphy said its skin was as hard as iron, but the saw tool could cut through even iron, so it should be okay.

“I’ve roughly planned my strategy, so let’s go,” he said.

“Yuta, make sure you wear natural armor just in case,” Sylphy said.

…I think everything would be fine if Sylphy put up a wind barrier, but when it comes to wearing natural armor, its always pushed on me. Then I can’t resist the glittering eyes of the Bell and reluctantly put on the natural armor. Just like now.

“Well, I’m going now. I’m going to try to do it on my own at first, but if it gets dangerous, please help me,” he said.

It’s a bit embarrassing to say that but seeing that massive body again makes me a little worried.

“Go, Yuta! You can do it!” “Kyuu kyuu!” “You’ll definitely win!” “Kuuu kuuu!”

I waved to Bell and the others who were cheering me on and cautiously approached the Assault Dragon. I had hoped to get close without being noticed, but it was impossible. The Assault Dragon turned to face me and was already in a charging position. …First, I need to avoid the charge.