Chapter 43

Thank you for always cheering me on.

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It had been 48 hours since the two teams entered the dungeon.

Roland and his team, having reached the fifth floor, passed through the return magic circle and headed straight for the sixth floor.

However, Arik's team was also quickly in pursuit.

Until this point, Roland's team had been leading the way, but Arik's team had always been right behind them, passing through the magic circle.

(Gah. This is the pressure of being the lead team.)

Monica frowned, feeling a heavier burden than she had imagined.

The time felt longer and more drawn out, slowly wearing down her nerves more than when they were being chased by Sebast.

"Arik's team hasn't shown any signs of exhaustion."

Yufine leaned in close to Roland and whispered in his ear.

"Because we're leading. Naturally, Arik's team, coming from behind, will have a lower encounter rate with monsters."

"Still, there's no sign of wear on their weapons."

"That just means Arik's team management is skillful."

(Still, being chased like this is tough. I want to take a break somewhere.)

Yufine couldn't help but let out a weak complaint in her heart.

Arik's team was also feeling the same growing anxiety and frustration.

"Tch. They're not giving up the lead easily."

Arik's deputy muttered.

"Even though we're running at full speed!"

"Calm down. We've just finished the fifth floor."

Arik said, trying to calm him down.

"From the sixth floor onwards, troublesome monsters will appear. It won't be possible to move quickly with brute force alone."

(When that happens, the difference in team management should become apparent.)

There were two paths to the sanctuary on the sixth floor, both of equal length.

(A straight path. In that case, the advantage of 'Hawk Eye' will be lost.)

Roland made this judgment after hearing Monica's report.

"Roland, it's a fork in the road. Which way do we go?"

The path split into two, right and left.

"Alright. Let's go left."

Roland's team rushed into the left path.

Arik's team chose the right path.

"They've chosen a different path from us."

Yufine whispered to Roland.

"They intend to attack us in this floor."

(As expected, Arik. He knows the critical points.)

As they progressed through the dungeon, Monica's 'Hawk Eye' detected the presence of enemies.

"Enemies detected. Thirty skeleton lancers and five vampires!"

(From here on, we'll need support magic to avoid exhaustion.)

"Shakuma, did you hear that?"

Roland asked the nearby Shakuma.

"Yes. Attack mages, to the front!"

Shakuma gave the order before Roland even asked.

Currently, Roland's team was moving in a two-column formation that allowed for rapid movement through the dungeon, but the warriors at the front stepped back, and the attack mages at the back moved to the front.

(Good. Shakuma understands. Skeletons are weak against attack magic! Normally, attack mages stay at the back, but in the case of skeletons, they should be at the front.)

Ahead on the path, skeleton lancers were waiting, their spears at the ready. They were lined up in a neat formation of fifteen rows.

"Archers to the back. Please handle the vampires. Let's go! 'Enhanced Attack'!"

As Shakuma cast the spell, the attack mages were enveloped in a red light.

"Take this, 'Explosion Magic'!"

" 'Blast Magic'!"

Monica also released a 'Pierce' spell.

The enhanced attack magic blew away the five rows of skeleton lancers in the center.

The skeletons, hit by the magic, scattered in the air and disintegrated.

Roland's team dashed through the gaps in the formation and passed by the skeleton lancers.

The skeleton lancers tried to fill the gaps, but their movements were too slow.

While they were strong in melee combat, their agility was low.

Rilio and the archers dealt with the flying vampires.

(Monica has been taking down enemies one after another. We need to handle the anti-air attacks.)

Rilio fired an arrow, bringing down one of the attacking vampires.

"Enemies detected again. This time, twenty life-sized earth golems!"

"Shakuma!"

"Yes. This time, shield bearers, to the front!"

Ahead on the path, ten rows of mini golems blocked the way.

The mini golems, upon seeing Roland's team, charged straight at them in perfect formation.

Mini golems could be defeated by destroying the core in their heads, but once they started moving, they would continue even if the core was destroyed.

Therefore, there was a risk that even if the attack mages defeated them, it would result in a mutual loss.

"Let's go. 'Enhanced Defense'!"

The shield bearers were enveloped in a blue light, able to withstand and push back the charge of the mini golems.

(Good. We should be able to pass through without taking damage.)

"You're doing great, Shakuma."

"Yes, it's going well."

Shakuma said while drinking a magic recovery potion.

Roland checked Shakuma's status.

Magic: 90-100

(No irregularities in his status. He doesn't panic when the battle starts. He has really grown.)

"Good. Keep it up."

"Yes, I will."

After that, they encountered mixed teams of ghouls, goblins, orcs, zombie archers, skeleton lancers, and mini golems several times, but thanks to Shakuma's command and support magic, they were able to break through without slowing down and with minimal exhaustion.

(Thanks to Shakuma's support magic, we've been able to move almost without stopping. Even if it's Arik's team, they shouldn't be able to get ahead of us... right?)

Yufine kept telling herself this as they progressed through the dungeon.

After a while, Roland's team emerged onto a high ground with a clear view of the surroundings.

A little lower down, they could see the other path leading through the dungeon.

There, they could see Arik's team marching.

"That's... Arik's team!?"

Monica exclaimed in shock.

"No way. They're ahead of us."

Yufine also sounded shocked.

"Why? We've been moving at full speed without slowing down..."

"There shouldn't be a difference in our marching speeds compared to Arik's team. Yet, Arik is moving faster. Why?"

Shakuma also looked puzzled.

(Finally. Time to show our true strength.)

Roland glanced sideways at Arik.

"Everyone, are your potions still good? We're going to push through."

Arik had also recognized Roland's team.

(Finally, we're even. Just a little more to overtake them.)

The two paths eventually curved in different directions, and the sight of the other team disappeared again.

Roland's team entered a tunnel.

Here, ghostly figures wearing hats blocked their path.

Ghost Hats did not attack the physical body directly but attacked the soul.

Like regular health, it could be recovered, but it couldn't be blocked by armor or helmets, and it appeared suddenly from nowhere, making it impossible to avoid.

In other words, it was a place where recovery magic was absolutely necessary.

"It's my turn."

Yufine said, gripping her new staff tightly.

"Everyone, if you take damage, raise your hand and shout immediately. Don't hesitate. Request healing from Yufine."

Immediately, one of the warriors shouted.

"Ah, help me!"

" 'Single Recovery Magic'!"

Yufine pointed her staff, and a magic circle moved to the warrior's feet.

He quickly recovered and regained his color.

The Ghost Hats were repelled by attack magic (ghosts couldn't be defeated by swords or arrows, only by magic).

However, someone else shouted.

"This time, it's me! Heal me!"

"Help me too!"

Soon, cries of distress were heard from all over.

"Everyone! Form a circular formation centered on Yufine!"

" 'Wide Area Recovery Magic'!"

As Yufine cast the spell, thirty magic circles spread out in a circle centered on her.

In other words, they evenly covered the feet of the adventurers.

(I see. With this staff, I can set the initial position of the magic circles.)

Yufine looked at the recovery magic circles and felt the effect of her new staff.

(Indeed, if the team forms a circular formation, I can recover the entire team with minor adjustments, and it will also prevent the consumption of magic power.)

Under the protection of Yufine's recovery magic, the group continued through the ghost's lair.

Suddenly, Marina collapsed on the ground.

"Marina!? What's wrong?"

Roland rushed to her side.

"Ouch. My feet hurt. I can't walk in this dark and damp place anymore."

"You're an adventurer, aren't you? Don't be such a wimp."

As usual, Yufine poked Marina with her staff.

However, Marina remained huddled on the ground, refusing to move.

"I'm tired. I've been using Monica's 'Pierce' continuously. I'm at my limit. Let's take a break."

"This isn't the time for that. You saw Arik's team catching up, right? We'll be overtaken if we don't speed up!"

"But..."

"Fine. I'll carry you (I haven't done anything but check statuses)."

"Really? Captain, you'll carry me? Yay."

Marina jumped onto Roland's back, taking advantage of the situation.

Yufine watched this with a bitter expression.

(Grr. This newbie is already enjoying herself. And to be carried by the captain... I'll have to discipline her later.)

Roland checked Marina's status.

(She doesn't seem to be out of stamina. She's just being stubborn.)

Roland was relieved.

Next, he shifted his gaze to Rick and Rilio.

(While Marina is involved in the 'Pierce' operation, Rick has zero kills, and Rilio has only killed one baby vampire...)

Roland also checked Rick and Rilio's statuses.

There were slight irregularities in their statuses.

(Considering it's their first dungeon exploration, they're doing well to keep up. However, their movements are still stiff. Compared to the members with dungeon experience, their mental state is still unstable.)

Roland analyzed their conditions this way.

Rick felt anxious as they marched.

(Damn, I haven't defeated a single monster yet. Marina is using 'Pierce,' and Rilio has killed a vampire. I need to show some results soon. My impression on the commander will get worse if I don't.)

"Exit!"

One of the team members shouted.

Immediately, the blue sky came into Roland's view.

Thus, Roland's team cleared the tunnel and the ghost's lair, emerging into an open area.

There, they could see the other path and Arik's team below.

Arik's team was far ahead of Roland's team.

"What? They've overtaken us?"

Monica's eyes widened in shock.

"How...? We've been moving at full speed... Why?"

Yufine also muttered, looking dissatisfied.

In this floor, Arik's team would reach the teleportation magic circle first.

On the seventh floor, Roland's team found themselves in the position of the pursuers for the first time.

However, this allowed them to observe Arik's tactics in detail.

While Roland's team changed formations based on the type of monsters and the dungeon, Arik's team always maintained the same formation.

Arik always led the way, casting attack magic when skeletons or ghouls appeared, and using support magic to get through mini golems.

When ghosts appeared, Arik used recovery magic to cover the entire team.

By avoiding the time loss of changing formations, Arik's team was able to move much faster than Roland's team.

"Unbelievable. That guy is handling everything from attack to support and recovery by himself?"

Yufine said, amazed.

"Grr. So this is the power of the all-purpose mage Arik..."

Shakuma growled.

"Roland, what do we do..."

Monica asked, on the verge of tears.

"Everyone, calm down. We still have a long way to go. Arik must also feel the pressure of being the lead. Even Arik, if he continues to handle all the magic alone, will eventually run out of magic power. The opportunity will come."

As Arik's team progressed through the dungeon, a ground-shaking rumble was heard.

"This rumble... Could it be!?"

Arik's deputy exclaimed in surprise.

Looking in the direction of the rumble, they saw five tower golems, like towers of earth, waiting at the end of the path Roland's team was taking.

"What? We haven't even reached the tenth floor, and we're already facing tower golems!"

(A chance!)

While his subordinates panicked, Arik smiled slyly.

(No matter how skilled Roland's team is, they will have to break their marching formation and spread out to face the tower golems. This will take time and slow them down. If we play our cards right, we can pull ahead here.)

"Everyone, don't panic. This is an opportunity. Let's use this chance to pull ahead..."

"Arik, Captain... Roland's team is..."

"What!?"

Roland's team, still in their usual marching formation of two columns, was charging straight at the tower golems.

(What nonsense. Charging at golems without spreading out is suicidal. Has Roland lost his mind?)

A single armored warrior from Roland's team leaped out.

It was Rick.

Rick not only stopped the tower golem's torso with both hands but also pushed it back.

"Oooh!"

The tower golem tried to grab Rick with its large palm, but its fingers slipped, and it failed to grab him.

(I see. This is the effect of the 'Armored Lizard' oil.)

Rick continued to push with all his might.

Finally, the tower golem stumbled and fell.

The fall of one tower golem created a gap in the enemy formation.

Roland's team quickly passed through the gap, bypassing the tower golems, and once again overtook Arik's team, taking the lead.