Chapter 50

After spending over ten days at Mount Remuri, I ended up hunting in the northern cave, but I occasionally visit there as well.

It seems that the experience points from the lizardmen are higher because their level is higher.

Kepur also comes out in groups of eight at once, so I can get a decent amount of magic stones.

However, when I use a skill on Nohr, he collapses again, so I have to hunt while taking the attacks myself... It’s a bit painful.

Spending such days, I came to the Adventurers' Guild today.

"Hmm? It feels unusually noisy today."

"Did something happen?"

When I went inside, there were more people than usual, and it was noisy. I could see different parties talking to each other.

Looking at Wij's reception desk, I could see several people in large armor talking, but I couldn't see them clearly.

Hmm, maybe I shouldn't interfere. The guild is noisy, so maybe I should go to the hunting grounds without talking today.

"Ah! Mr. Ohtaka! Wait, don't leave!"

I was about to go outside with Nohr and the others, but before I could leave, Wij noticed us and shouted, telling us not to go.

What's going on? Is there something for us too?

"Is there something you need?"

"Ah, I'm glad. I was wondering what to do if Mr. Ohtaka didn't come."

She seemed relieved that she could stop us, placing her hand on her chest and sighing.

If you didn't come, it must be something important.

"Hey, Ohtaka."

"Is it you, Deus? What's up?"

When I went to Wij's reception desk, the person who had been talking turned to us. It seemed to be Deus.

Miguru, Sumika, and Gauss were also there.

"Yes, there's an emergency request. I asked Deus, but I also want you to go, Ohtaka."

An emergency request, huh. Since you're inviting me, it must be a request that recommends multiple parties.

"You know that the places where monsters spawn have been strange recently, right? So, the guild master told us to be careful with this emergency request."

Indeed, he said something like that when we were in Asterios. I got 300,000G as an apology then.

Still, if the guild master himself is telling us to be careful, it doesn't seem like a normal request.

"Shouldn't you ask A-rank adventurers?"

"The A-rank adventurers are being sent to other places. So, we're asking Deus and the others to go to a B-rank recommended place."

If it's a request that might cause problems, shouldn't you ask A-rank adventurers?

When I said this, I was told that the A-rank adventurers had already been sent to other places.

Is there an emergency request happening in other places at the same time?

"I understand, I don't mind. What's the content of the request?"

"Yes, it's a request to exterminate the high cobalts in the western area. Signs of a large-scale extermination are starting to appear, so the condition is to exterminate the core individual before it happens."

Huh? A core individual for a large-scale extermination?

He said it with a tense expression, but I don't understand what he's talking about.

"Um... What is a large-scale extermination? And what is a core individual?"

"What, you don't know even though you're an adventurer?"

Deus reacted to my words, and his party members looked surprised.

On our side, none of us knew, and when I looked at Nohr and the others, they tilted their heads, indicating they didn't know either.

Since we didn't know, we were given a general explanation of large-scale exterminations.

There are two types of large-scale exterminations: one when an overwhelmingly strong monster appears, and another when a group forms around a core monster and goes on a rampage.

It seems that there are not many A-rank adventurers, and because they happened in multiple places, they were sent to areas where there were no other adventurers to rely on.

"Wow, there's such a thing."

"If you leave the group unchecked, even weak monsters can cause significant damage. You have to exterminate them before that happens."

"I understand the large-scale extermination. What about the core individual?"

When I asked about the core individual, it seems to be the leader of the monster group.

Once it is determined, the monsters do not wander around as usual after spawning but gradually form a group under this core monster.

The signs of this happening were discovered because the high cobalts were frequently engaging in battles with adventurers.

After hearing the reports, they checked other areas and found the same signs, leading to this emergency request.

The goal is to defeat the core individual while the group is still in an incomplete state to prevent the large-scale extermination from happening.

"The core individual is considered dangerous this time. The monsters in the destination are high cobalts and tyrano cobalts. If there is an abnormal spawn, it is expected that a cobolt lord will appear."

What, a cobolt with such a scary name? Tyrano and lord...

"How strong is it?"

"The cobolt that appears on the 15th floor of the dungeon is called a cobolt lord."

15th floor... That's dangerous.

At the very least, it's B-rank or higher, and a monster from around the 15th floor is likely to be quite strong.

It might be weaker than the boss, Aurumslime, but it could be as strong as or even stronger than a Steel Slime.

Deus is also quite strong, even without equipment, but it will be tough to face a monster from the 15th floor of the dungeon in a place where a group is forming.

"It's reassuring to go with you. I'll count on you this time."

"Yeah, same here."

We shook hands and agreed to cooperate.

This is the first time I'm working with another party since coming to this world. I never thought it would be with Deus...

●

Since it was an emergency, we quickly prepared and rushed out of Shuting.

We could have gone without any preparation, but...

"Walking normally is so tiring."

"We've been quite spoiled... haven't we?"

Going with Deus and the others means we can't use the magic carpet or beacon.

Walking on our own feet after getting used to automatic movement is a bit frustrating.

Even Nohr seems a bit lethargic.

"It's great to be able to take a request with Estelle and the others!"

"Don't get too excited, Miguru..."

"Well, I can't help it. Being with a cute girl like Estelle makes me so excited! I'll protect you, okay!"

"Sure, I'm counting on you."

Nohr and I are walking behind, while Estelle is near Deus and Miguru.

Deus, who looks embarrassed by Miguru's high spirits... This is a rare scene of Deus showing embarrassment.

Estelle is deflecting her enthusiastic advances with a smile. She's impressive.

"Gauss, I've heard you've had many good experiences. If we get a chance to talk, I'd like to hear about the most effective attack you've ever used."

"Hmm, let me think... That was... a while ago..."

"...Here we go again."

Cisaha and Gauss, followed by Sumika.

The two are having a rather intense conversation, and she is trembling as if in fear.

Yeah, I don't want to join that circle either. Maybe Cisaha and Gauss have good chemistry?

Gauss is reminiscing about the past, and Cisaha is nodding happily while listening.

"Ah, it looks like a monster is coming. This is perfect, I'll show you my skills!"

As we continued walking towards our destination, a cobolt ran towards us from a distance.

Although it was still quite far away, Miguru, who noticed it, seemed excited and started shooting arrows.

Her arrow hit the cobolt's head perfectly, and it exploded like an apple, shattering beautifully.

"...Huh?"

"Miguru, what did you just do?"

"I just attacked like usual! I was surprised that the cobolt's head blew off like that... I wonder why?"

Usually, it doesn't blow off so dramatically. Deus's party looked puzzled at the result.

...Ah, maybe it's because we are recognized as a party and are receiving buffs from us?

Right now, Nohr and I together are adding 65% to our attack power.

I shouldn't say anything... or even if I do, they probably won't believe me.

●

We've been walking for a while, but we haven't reached our destination yet.

It would take a few hours by magic carpet, but on foot, it will take more than half a day.

"Estelle, are you okay?"

"Yes... I'm fine. Don't worry, big brother."

Estelle's walking speed is gradually slowing down.

She is managing to keep up, but her expression looks strained, as if she is pushing herself.

Thinking back, I don't think I've made her walk long distances since I summoned her.

Maybe everyone is walking a bit faster because we are in a hurry.

"Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

"I can carry you on my back. I'm known for my stamina."

Nohr and Cisaha noticed and called out to her, but she insisted she was fine and tried to keep walking.

"No choice... Here, get on my back."

"But... I can't..."

If she keeps going, she might use support magic to boost herself, so I decided to carry her on my back.

I don't want her to be mentally exhausted before we reach the destination.

So, I decided to carry her. Estelle is light, and I should be fine until we set up camp for the night.

I squatted in front of her and encouraged her to get on my back.

Deus and the others looked surprised, which made me feel a bit embarrassed...

"...I'm sorry."

"Say thank you instead."

She got on my back, looking confused and apologizing.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I supported her around her thighs.

I felt uncomfortable with her apology, so I told her to say thank you instead, looking back at her.

After hearing this, she looked a bit surprised and then smiled.

"Thank you, big brother."