Chapter 25

Roland and his team were walking through a snow-covered mountain, as far as the eye could see.

(Cold)

Monica warmed her hands with a white breath.

Anticipating the quest to defeat the Blizzardo Hippopotamus, Roland had prepared coats, boots, and gloves for them. However, their bodies, which had been in a warm climate until just a moment ago, were now screaming at the sudden temperature drop as they were suddenly thrown into the snowy mountain.

"There it is! The Blizzardo Hippopotamus!"

The warrior next to Monica shouted sharply.

Suddenly, the surrounding soldiers began to prepare for battle, their weapons clattering.

"We'll get it this time!"

The warriors, recognizing the Blizzardo Hippopotamus standing at the summit, drew their swords and ran up the snowy mountain to close the distance.

"Hurry. We need to close the distance before it breathes the 'Frost Breath'!"

The warriors, despite being slowed by the snow, ran up the steep slope.

Just as they were about to reach the enemy, the Blizzardo Hippopotamus opened its large mouth and breathed out a mixture of snow, ice, and water, the 'Frost Breath'.

"Stop for a moment! 'Area Healing Magic'!"

Yufine cast the healing spell, forming a 'Healing Magic Formation'.

A fierce snow and ice storm threatened to blind them.

Snowmen, hidden in the snow, emerged and attacked the adventurers.

At the last moment, the adventurers stood on the magic circle.

The 'Frost Breath' drained the adventurers' health, and the snowmen attacked with clubs, but the healing magic quickly restored their health.

The blizzard, now at its peak intensity, drained the adventurers' health and caused a whiteout, robbing them of their vision.

The adventurers were trapped in a white darkness where they could not distinguish friend from foe.

Meanwhile, the Yetis struck the adventurers accurately.

For a while, the team was toyed with by the Yetis and the blizzard, but as the blizzard cleared and visibility improved, they turned to counterattack.

They eventually drove the Yetis away.

However, by then, the Blizzardo Hippopotamus, despite its short legs, had escaped the battlefield with surprising agility.

"Damn. We let it get away."

"We have to start all over again."

This was the 14th floor, a snowy plain.

The dungeon was generally warm like early summer, but this area was covered in snow due to the Blizzardo Hippopotamus.

Roland and his team, having reached the 14th floor, were challenging the quest to defeat the Blizzardo Hippopotamus.

The Blizzardo Hippopotamus, as its name suggests, was a troublesome monster that constantly breathed the 'Frost Breath'.

Wherever the Blizzardo Hippopotamus was, the area was covered in snow.

Only monsters that could withstand the cold could survive around it.

Before the Blizzardo Hippopotamus's 'Frost Breath', even armor and shields were meaningless.

No matter how strong the adventurer's armor was, the icy breath would cause frostbite, stop the function of blood vessels, and eventually lead to necrosis throughout the body.

Moreover, around the Blizzardo Hippopotamus, there were always snowmen that were unaffected by the 'Frost Breath', protecting it.

The Yetis, though they did not have armor or swords, were troublesome monsters with thick fur, a muscular build, and eyes that could see through the dense blizzard.

The adventurers had to fight the snowmen while receiving the 'Frost Breath', and thus needed to heal constantly.

This is why the quest to defeat the Blizzardo Hippopotamus was considered a healer's quest.

Thus, Roland's team was chasing the Blizzardo Hippopotamus, relying on the 'Healing Magic Formation', but they could not decisively win.

They managed to drive the Yetis away, but the Blizzardo Hippopotamus would escape.

The Yetis, though driven away, would not be defeated and would retreat before losing all their health, dig out and eat the nuts they had stored in various places on the snowy mountain, and then recover and attack again.

Roland's team, lacking a decisive blow against the guerrilla tactics of the enemy, gradually lost health and consumed items.

However, the team fought hard.

Despite the relentless hit-and-run tactics of the monsters, they steadily pushed the enemy to the corner of the dungeon.

Despite the 'Frost Breath' and the blizzard, Monica's 'Hawk Eye' prevented enemy ambushes, and Yufine's 'Area Healing Magic' healed the team every time the enemy attacked, steadily pushing the snowmen and the Blizzardo Hippopotamus into a corner.

The team felt warm and as if they were by a fire while being healed by the 'Area Healing Magic', free from the cold.

During the march, the team members secretly hoped the monsters would attack soon so they could benefit from the 'Area Healing Magic'.

After eliminating the Yetis in the vicinity, Roland's team finally cornered the Blizzardo Hippopotamus at the edge of the snowy plain.

The Blizzardo Hippopotamus, emitting a stronger cold than before, tried to intimidate the team.

The team could not move out of Yufine's 'Area Healing Magic' circle while the Blizzardo Hippopotamus was breathing cold.

"Ugh. What kind of cold is this?"

"We can't move forward."

Faced with the intense cold from the Blizzardo Hippopotamus, the melee team members cursed.

However, no one showed any sign of giving up.

The team never stopped advancing.

While enduring the enemy's attacks, they moved closer to the Blizzardo Hippopotamus each time it stopped breathing cold, scraping through the snow.

Another chance was about to come.

The Blizzardo Hippopotamus closed its large mouth to store cold inside.

It would soon breathe out the icy breath again, but this was a rare chance to close the distance.

If Monica could get within range, she could decide the battle.

However, first, Yufine needed to form the 'Healing Magic Formation'. (It was now dangerous to receive the 'Frost Breath' without healing magic)

"Yufine. Healing magic. Advance the formation."

When Roland gave the order, Yufine cast the 'Area Healing Magic'.

However, the magic circle scattered in all directions.

(Damn, another miss)

Roland inwardly cursed.

Yufine's low hit rate for healing magic was still the same, and the formation was only successful one in three times.

It could be said that they had been missing opportunities due to this.

(This low hit rate is unsatisfactory for a healer. However, it's scary to be attacked in the rear without a formation. We have to keep trying until it works)

"Yufine. Cast the healing magic again... Yufine?"

Yufine continued to cast the spell even though the healing magic had missed.

(What is she doing?)

While this was happening, the Blizzardo Hippopotamus was about to breathe out cold.

If they delayed, the team would suffer devastating damage.

"Yufine. What's wrong? Hurry up..."

"Roland. I... the magic circle..."

Roland was startled by Yufine's words.

Her magic circle was moving, not staying in place.

(The magic circle is moving? Magic circles are supposed to stay in place once cast. Could it be!)

Roland appraised Yufine's skill.

Her 'Area Healing Magic' was now at level A.

(The ability to move the magic circle freely. Is this the A level of 'Area Healing Magic'?)

She could now move the magic circle freely.

The tactic of continuously casting healing magic, which Roland had devised to compensate for her low hit rate, had inadvertently awakened her true potential.

The circular magic circles, which had previously scattered in all directions, were now connected in a string by her manipulation, forming a formation.

Moreover, the magic circle path was directed towards the Blizzardo Hippopotamus.

The Blizzardo Hippopotamus opened its large mouth and breathed out the cold it had stored.

"Monica! 'One Hit Kill'!"

"Got it!"

Roland and Monica communicated with just those words.

Monica, undeterred by the blowing cold, ran through the magic circle path and delivered the 'One Hit Kill' at close range to the Blizzardo Hippopotamus.

The Blizzardo Hippopotamus shattered like ice and broke apart.

A blue tusk, the item 'Frost Ivory', appeared in Yufine's hand.

(Good. Now Yufine is at B class)

Roland looked at Monica, Shakuma, and Yufine again.

(All that's left is to complete the A class quests, and they will reach their growth limit. My mission is complete...)

Having defeated the Blizzardo Hippopotamus, Roland's team used Monica's 'Hawk Eye' to pick up health recovery items and reached the 15th floor, the resting point, in the shortest possible time.

"Alright. Let's hear the reports from each team."

When Roland called out, the teams began to report.

"Team 2, no problems."

"Team 3, no problems."

"Team 4, we're short on potions. Please redistribute from teams with extras."

"Team 5, we need to recover magic, so please wait a moment."

Yufine took out a 'Magic Cherry' and said,

"Low consumption and items are in good condition."

"Surely you're not thinking of returning?"

"Roland, we can still explore."

Monica and Shakuma showed their fists in a fighting pose to indicate they could still fight.

Roland smiled at the team's low consumption.

(Even after the 10th floor, no major issues... That's right. With Monica's 'Hawk Eye', Shakuma's support magic, and Yufine's healing magic, we can clear any dungeon.)

"Right. We can still explore."

(But... this is as far as it goes.)

"Everyone, listen up."

When Roland called out, everyone paid attention.

"You've done well so far. From now on, we're heading into the 16th floor and beyond, the 'Divine Realm'. However, there's no need to fear. This team has an A-class archer. Shakuma and Yufine are also at A-class level. The other members are elite, comparable to B-class. The monsters in the 'Divine Realm' should not be a match for you."

The team members looked satisfied and happy.

"This time, the dungeon may be difficult to clear. Considering the usual pace, the main second team of the 'Golden Eagle', Sebastian's team, should be reaching the deepest part of the dungeon soon. Eventually, only members of the 'Golden Eagle' will be allowed to enter. However, there's still time. I want you to advance as far as you can and complete as many quests as possible to get as close to the deepest part of the dungeon as you can."

(Are you...?)

Monica was sensitive to Roland's hesitant phrasing.

"Monica, Shakuma, Yufine. Here..."

The three received the quest information from Roland.

"This is the quest you should aim for. Complete as many as you can before the 'Golden Eagle' clears the dungeon."

"Roland... Are you not coming with us?"

Monica said, looking sad.

Roland shook his head sadly.

"My skills, stats, and equipment have reached their limit here. To be honest, I can barely keep up with you."

Roland smiled with a look of resignation.

While the team members were all equipped with B-class level gear, Roland was still using D-class level gear.

For Roland, who had specialized in the appraisal skill, reaching the deepest part of the dungeon was a dream he had long given up on.

"If I continue, I'll only hold you back. Besides, eventually, students must leave their teacher's guidance and fly on their own."

Roland said with a sad tone.

"You should be able to explore the dungeon without me. In fact, I might have delayed in letting you stand on your own. I got carried away with the joy of guiding adventurers again after a long time."

Roland showed a slightly sad expression.

(Roland...)

Monica sensed the sad background and past experiences behind Roland's expression, and that his wounds had not yet healed.

He must have experienced something far more painful than anything he had ever experienced in his life.

Monica felt a lump in her throat.

She wanted to share Roland's sadness and pain, to be his support, but felt frustrated that she couldn't.

Roland, seeing Monica's sad face, looked puzzled.

"Monica, what's wrong with that face?"

"Roland... I... I can't be by Roland's side..."

"Just for a while. We'll meet again once the dungeon is cleared."

"That's not it. I... what I mean is, it's not like that..."

"Come on, look forward. You're the ace, so you need to be strong. From here on, it's a place that ordinary adventurers can't reach in a lifetime. It was your dream, and now you have the qualifications to open the door to that dream. You need to move forward with your head held high."

"Uh, yes."

Roland hugged Monica to encourage her.

He also said a few words to Shakuma, Yufine, and the others.

"Monica, Shakuma, Yufine. From now on, you three will be the leaders of this team. Discuss and move forward together. Good luck."

Roland said this and stepped onto the 'Return Magic Circle'.

"Roland! See you later!"

Shakuma waved dramatically to see Roland off.

Roland waved back.

Soon, light enveloped Roland.

The magic circle transported him back to the city.

Monica, with unspoken thoughts in her heart, straightened up and faced the transfer magic circle to the 16th floor.

Yufine flicked the stem of the 'Magic Cherry' she had finished eating and threw it away.

The stem of the 'Magic Cherry' fell to the floor with a soft thud.

"Alright. Magic recovery complete! I'm ready whenever you are."

Yufine said in a brisk tone, shaking off her gloom.

She maintained a dry demeanor even in such a situation.

The team, now prepared, stood on the transfer magic circle to the 16th floor.

The team members were excited as they faced the new adventure ahead.

"The 16th floor."

"Yeah."

"Hey, have you ever been to the 16th floor?"

"No, this is my first time."

They spoke eagerly, unable to contain their excitement at the new adventure that awaited them.

When the team passed through the transfer magic