Chapter 24

The 12th floor was once again a forest.

The path was wide and flat as it was in the plains, but on both sides stood dense forests of trees.

After Yufine's awakening, Roland was forced to change the formation of the team and decided to reevaluate his tactics. Using the 'Formation of Healing Magic' could defeat most enemies, but it also meant constantly casting magic, which consumed a large amount of mana.

No matter how much mana Yufine had, it couldn't be used every time.

It was also necessary to obtain items that could restore mana.

Fortunately, Monica used 'Hawk Eye' to quickly find the location where 'Magic Cherries' (cherries that restore mana when eaten) grew in abundance, so Roland set this location as the primary target.

The formation was set as follows:

Monica was to continue using 'Hawk Eye' to deal with enemies that ambushed the team.

Yufine was to use the 'Formation of Healing Magic' only when powerful enemies like giants appeared.

In all other situations, Shakuma would use support magic to minimize the team's consumption and complete the battle in the shortest time possible.

(The problem is Shakuma. To level up further, the old methods won't work. In that case...)

"Shakuma, can you take command from here on?"

"Me!? Is that okay? It's not unusual for a support mage to command a team, but..."

"Yes, you're the only one who can keep an eye on everything in this team. Can you do it?"

"Yes, I would be honored. I'll do my best."

"I knew you would say that."

Roland had recognized that Shakuma would become more motivated and perform better when given responsibility and authority.

After setting the new formation, Roland checked the quest information provided by the quest reception desk.

(The team already has the strength to compete with the main force of the 'Golden Eagle.' But it's not enough yet. The team can still grow. To prepare for the decisive battle with the 'Golden Eagle,' I will promote Shakuma and Yufine to at least B-class by the end of the month!)

According to the quest information, the 13th floor had a support mage quest to defeat the 'Fox that Uses Summoning Magic,' and the 14th floor had a healer B-class quest to defeat the 'Beaver that Breathes Blizzard.'

Completing either would grant B-class certification.

The three, given their new roles, confirmed their responsibilities and discussed the team's operating procedures before advancing at full speed toward their goal.

"! Enemies coming from the right! Five 'Lizard Warriors'! Please provide support!"

Monica, who had spotted the enemies with 'Hawk Eye,' called out sharply.

She quickly moved away from the team and ran to a likely shooting position.

Soon, Roland could see the 'Lizard Warriors' running through the forest, paralleling the team's advance.

The 'Lizardmen' were monsters equipped with shields and swords, boasting sharp swords, thick skin, high attack and defense, and also high speed, making them troublesome opponents.

Shakuma, catching a glimpse of the 'Lizardmen,' tried to gather his thoughts.

('Lizardmen'... The key is how to deploy the team against agile enemies. The support magic to use is... )

"Too slow!"

Roland shouted.

Shakuma flinched.

"A support mage's speed of judgment is everything. Move the team before you think!"

"Y-Yes. Melee team, please attack the enemy."

Shakuma hurriedly gave the order, but before the melee team could attack, Monica, who had taken a shooting position to suppress the enemy, had already fired her arrows.

The arrows did not kill the 'Lizardmen' but pierced their round shields.

Realizing they couldn't win, the 'Lizardmen' retreated before engaging in melee combat.

(Oh, they got away.)

"Shakuma, as I said during the battle, your judgment is too slow. Even though Monica told you the type and number of enemies, you started thinking only when you saw them. That's too late."

"S-Sorry."

(The pressure from Roland is getting stricter. I can't keep this up.)

While giving harsh criticism to Shakuma, Roland praised Monica.

"Monica, your movements were good just now."

"Yes, thank you."

(She's always the top student. She's excellent as long as she can overcome the obstacles.)

"You're doing well. Take the initiative and secure the shooting position before the enemy. I'll count on you next time too."

"Yes!"

Monica couldn't suppress the excitement that welled up inside her from being praised by Roland.

It even led to some overthinking.

(Roland is being strict with Shakuma and the others, but he's being kind to me? )

Roland was simply praising Monica for doing what he asked, but Monica's faint hopes continued to grow.

(Roland, why are you being so kind to me? Is there a reason? Hey, Roland, look at me more, okay?)

Monica secretly and intensely gazed at Roland's profile, but his black eyes, focused on the dungeon ahead, revealed nothing.

Roland and his team reached the location where 'Magic Cherries' grew in abundance, gathered as many as they could, and hurried to the 13th floor.

The 13th floor was once again a ruin stage.

Thanks to the pressure Roland had been putting on Shakuma, her judgment skills had been honed.

When agile monsters appeared, she would quickly deploy the team to chase them, create fog with 'Illusion Magic' if the wind was in their favor, and build a fortress with 'Crust Magic' if they needed height.

Roland frequently evaluated Shakuma's skills and checked her growth.

When he judged the time was right, they headed to defeat the 'Fox that Uses Summoning Magic.'

Thanks to Monica's 'Hawk Eye,' which allowed them to see the entire map, Roland's team minimized encounters and reached the 'Wizard Fox' with minimal resistance.

The 'Wizard Fox' was a bipedal fox dressed as a mage, holding a staff.

It summoned monsters one after another with summoning magic, making it impossible to defeat without a support mage with quick judgment.

Its low health and defense meant it could be defeated in one hit by a B-class or higher warrior, but it was cunning and fast, making it hard to catch.

The 'Wizard Fox' fled through narrow paths and gaps between buildings, summoning 'Red Oaks' (Orcs that can only take damage if they receive 'Attack Support Magic') and 'Blue Oaks' (Orcs that can only take damage if they receive 'Defense Support Magic') to attack Roland's team.

Roland's team responded with Shakuma's 'Attack Support Magic' and 'Defense Support Magic' on the melee team, and tracked the 'Wizard Fox' with Monica's 'Hawk Eye,' eventually cornering it in a square within the dungeon (the ruins were designed to eventually corner the enemy if pursued correctly).

The square was surrounded by tall buildings, leaving no escape route except the path Roland's team had taken.

"Finally cornered it."

"It took a lot of effort."

The two members of the melee team panted heavily.

The 'Wizard Fox,' seeing Roland's team, smiled smugly and raised its staff to cast a magic circle.

Though cornered, the 'Wizard Fox' saw the large space as an ideal place to cast multiple magic circles and slaughter the adventurers.

Soon, 'Red Oaks' and 'Blue Oaks' appeared from the 'Wizard Fox's' magic circles.

Monica fired arrows at the 'Wizard Fox,' but the 'Red Oaks' blocked them.

'Red Oaks' could not be damaged unless they received 'Attack Support Magic.'

The arrows that hit the 'Red Oaks' arms bounced off and fell to the ground.

Shakuma quickly made a decision.

The enemy's formation, the terrain and wind direction, the team's formation, and the support magic to use.

(The enemy has five 'Red Oaks' and five 'Blue Oaks.' The wind is from right to left. Since the wind is even, there's no need for 'Illusion Magic' first. Should I give the melee team 'Attack Support Magic' and 'Defense Support Magic' to defeat the Orcs, or should I create height with 'Crust Magic'?)

Considering everything and looking ahead, Shakuma made his decision.

(Using 'Attack Support Magic' or 'Defense Support Magic' doesn't guarantee defeating the Orcs. It might even put us on the back foot and let the 'Wizard Fox' escape. The only option is to create height with 'Crust Magic' and finish it off with archery skills! The key is to buy time and prevent the enemy from escaping!)

"Shield team, please hold back the enemy Orcs. Attack mages, cover the 'Wizard Fox's' escape route! Archers, follow me."

Shakuma gave rapid orders and ran.

(I can't change positions frequently like a regular support mage. I need to quickly take a position where I can cast all support magic!)

Shakuma took a position in the center of the square and used 'Crust Magic' to build a fortress.

From this height, the archers should be able to hit any enemy in the square.

As Shakuma began building the fortress, the Orcs attacked to interfere.

The shield team quickly held back the Orcs and protected Shakuma and the fortress.

A struggle between the Orcs and the shield team began on either side of the fortress.

The shield team members couldn't deal damage to the Orcs but managed to hold them back.

Shakuma steadily built the fortress.

The 'Wizard Fox' watched without a hint of worry, its fox face maintaining a sinister smile.

As if mocking the young girl's cleverness.

Roland's team couldn't approach the 'Wizard Fox' without risking the fortress, and the 10 Orcs couldn't break through the shield team.

The two sides were at a stalemate.

(If we keep this up, we'll just exhaust ourselves.)

An impatient attack mage cast a fire explosion spell at the 'Wizard Fox.'

The 'Wizard Fox' remained seated, unmoved by the explosion in front of it.

(Damn, it didn't even flinch. It's completely read our range.)

The attack mage clicked his tongue.

(All we can do now is trust that our support mage's plan is correct.)

While Shakuma was building the fortress, the 'Wizard Fox' created more magic circles and summoned 10 more Orcs.

Its usual tactic was to summon more Orcs to create an escape route and flee while the enemy was busy fighting the Orcs.

However, by then, Shakuma's 'Crust Magic' had completed a fortress one story high.

"Left flank, retreat 10 steps."

Shakuma gave the order and cast 'Illusion Magic.'

As the left flank shield team retreated, the 'Red Oaks' advanced to chase them.

Shakuma's staff released fog, which, carried by the gentle crosswind, covered the area where the shield team had been, now occupied by the 'Red Oaks.'

The fog quickly thickened and became dense.

The 'Red Oaks' suddenly lost sight of their enemies and began attacking each other, trapped in the illusion.

The left flank melee team, freed from the struggle with the Orcs, circled around the fog wall to the side of the 'Wizard Fox.'

The archers climbed the fortress steps and aimed at the 'Wizard Fox' from a height.

The 'Wizard Fox's' expression showed signs of panic.

It would be attacked from two directions.

The 'Wizard Fox' hurriedly recalled the newly summoned Orcs to its side.

Monica, who had received 'Attack Support Magic,' stood on the fortress and fired arrows at the 'Wizard Fox.'

The 'Wizard Fox' had the 'Blue Oaks' block the arrows.

But soon, archers with 'Defense Support Magic,' glowing blue, aimed and fired.

The 'Wizard Fox' had the 'Red Oaks' block the arrows.

Now, the 'Wizard Fox' was visibly flustered.

While hesitating whether to move the Orcs or summon more, an attack mage within range cast a fire explosion spell, and the 'Wizard Fox' was obliterated.

The 'Wizard Fox's' staff shattered, and only the 'Orc Summoning Stone' embedded in the tip rolled on the ground.

The Orcs disappeared as if they had vanished into thin air.

Roland picked up the 'Orc Summoning Stone.'

(Good. Now Shakuma is B-class too.)

While Roland's team steadily cleared quests, Coater's team was in a dire situation.

10 hours after Roland's team, Coater's team finally reached the 13th floor but encountered a giant ogre.

They fought valiantly with healing and defense support magic, but their weak front line couldn't withstand the ogre's attacks, and they were forced to retreat.

Sebastian's team, exploring the dungeon, spotted them from a distance at that moment.

Sebastian's team, who had reached the 15th floor first, had decided to delay the dungeon conquest and focus on a lucrative quest on the 13th floor, believing no other guild could match them.

Sebastian frowned when he saw Coater's team.

"Hey, isn't that Coater's team?"

Sebastian asked his deputy.

"Really. I wonder what they're doing here."

"Hey, you. Go find out what they're doing."

The deputy, following Sebastian's order, approached Coater's team.

Upon seeing Sebastian's deputy, Coater's team, who had been exhausted, became elated.

If they could receive Sebastian's aid, they could pursue Roland.

They honestly explained their predicament.

They had come to this floor on a special mission but were stuck due to the team's weakness and poor supplies.

They asked if Sebastian's team could assist them.

Sebastian was furious upon hearing this.

"Another team is on a mission in this dungeon!? This dungeon is under our jurisdiction, isn't it? A special mission!? Don't be ridiculous! I haven't heard of such a thing."

Sebastian had a strong territorial sense.

The idea of another team wandering the same dungeon for unknown reasons was intolerable.

Instead of aiding Coater's team, Sebastian demanded they hand over their items.

Coater's team, shocked and confused, tried to explain.

They had no intention of stealing Sebastian's credit.

They had been sent to hinder the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.'

Despite their explanations, Sebastian refused to listen.

"Stop talking nonsense. If you want to hinder the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree,' we can do that by conquering the dungeon! It's unheard of for two teams from the same guild to operate in the same dungeon without coordination. Moreover, hindering another guild's activities is illegal and against the adventurer's code! Your story is full of contradictions. I can only think you're trying to steal our credit. If you keep spouting lies, I'll attack immediately! Don't expect mercy just because we're in the same guild!"

Sebastian, unaware of the internal power struggles in Roland and Willic's guild or the unreasonable demands of Lukius, couldn't fathom the complex schemes surrounding the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree' and the 'Golden Eagle.'

In the end, Coater's team, instead of receiving help, were stripped of their items, left with only the potions needed for their return, and abandoned on the spot.

Thus, while the 'Golden Eagle' was in disarray, Roland's team reached the 14th floor.

The team rankings had changed, and Roland's team took the lead in the dungeon conquest.

No one noticed this.