Chapter 80

My name is Harto Tendou. I'm twenty-five years old.

I was born and raised in a small country called Kyoutou, far to the east of this place called Tsutairu, and after a series of events, I ended up in this town, working as an explorer.

Even after becoming an explorer, various things happened, and before I knew it, I found myself serving as the leader of a clan called "Crimson Dusk."

"Crimson Dusk" is a clan that prides itself on being a small but elite group, consisting of four explorers and seven non-explorers, making a total of eleven members.

Hey, don't underestimate us just because we're a small group!

After all, we're an S-rank party!

That said, we mostly explore the lower levels of the dungeon and rarely venture into the deeper levels.

We aim to be specialists in exploring the lower levels!

Who in their right mind would want to go to a dangerous place like the deeper levels?

Now, you might be wondering why I suddenly started talking about myself.

Let me tell you the reason!

It's because—I might die soon!

Before I die, I wanted to etch my wonderful achievements into my mind!

But, reflecting on my life like this, I haven't really had a great life, have I?

Hey, who's a mediocre person anyway!

"Leader! Don't joke around in this situation!"

As I was talking to myself in my head, addressing an imaginary audience, my party member Hughie snapped.

Why?

"Huh? I've been keeping a serious face, haven't I?"

"Even with a serious face, if you suddenly start talking about weird things, it's considered joking!"

"Wait, did I say that out loud? Oh, embarrassing..."

"So, instead of joking around, can you do something about this situation!?"

"No way, not a chance. This is way beyond what I can handle."

Surrounding us are over forty dragons of various types, including fire dragons, earth dragons, and flying dragons.

Even one or two of these would be a tough fight for a high-level adventurer, and there are forty of them. We're as good as dead.

"By the way, can you stop taking your anger out on me? The person who created this situation is right in front of you."

In front of me stands a girl with hair the color of wet feathers, wearing a traditional kimono from our hometown, arranged for ease of movement.

Her name is Fuuka Shinonome. She's seventeen years old.

She's the ace of our party and the one who caused this situation.

We get dragged around by her quite often.

If I die here, this will be the last time I get dragged around by her... Wait, why am I not feeling any regret?

"Because when I talk to Fuuka, she ignores me!"

Don't sound so pitiful.

"Don't worry. Fuuka isn't ignoring you. She's just not a talkative person and doesn't talk to you much."

"That's the same as ignoring me, isn't it!?"

"......Indeed."

"Don't just agree with me!"

"Hey, why are you able to do a comedy routine in this situation!"

Even Katina, who was trembling behind us—her nickname is Kat—snapped.

This is getting chaotic!

"We're not doing a comedy routine!"

"Then why are you shouting so loudly? In this situation, people are usually too scared to even speak!"

"......Kat, you're shouting too, you know?"

"......Oh, really?"

Alright, it's time to get serious.

"Hey, Fuuka. Do you have a plan for what to do next?"

I ignore the argument between Hughie and Kat and address Fuuka.

"......?"

Fuuka tilts her head in confusion.

"No, I mean, do you have a plan to defeat these things?"

"Just cut them down. We need the dragon scales, right?"

...Yeah. She knew.

That she had attracted a large number of dragons without much thought.

But, I think it's fine for Fuuka! Because her attacks never hit.

However, we're just ordinary people...

Ordinary people have their struggles, you know, genius.

A nearby fire dragon roars.

"Shut up! I'm thinking about what to do with you guys! Be quiet, you old fool!"

I impulsively punched the fire dragon in the face.

"Oh, crap..."

"Hey! Don't start a fight without preparing!"

The balance that had been maintained was shattered by my punch at the fire dragon.

"......Magic will come from the two o'clock and nine o'clock directions. Deal with it."

Fuuka stands near Hughie and Kat, protecting them, and gives them instructions as if making a prophecy.

The dragons attack us all at once.

"As usual, I have to fight alone... It's lonely, isn't it!"

I complain as I dive into the midst of the dragons and punch one in the belly with all my strength.

The dragon I punched spews blood from its entire body and turns into a black mist.

This is a technique passed down in my family.

My attacks, which incorporate this technique, deliver internal shocks and destroy the target from the inside.

A considerable number of dragons also swarm around the three people behind me.

Their claws, tails, and fangs attack the three.

—But they never get too close.

Fuuka, standing in front, slices them all with the sword in her right hand.

In front of Fuuka, no attack is an attack.

If someone who doesn't know her saw this scene, they would think the dragons are offering their bodies to be cut.

Well, the movements are so fast that almost no one can follow them with their eyes.

When a fire dragon shoots a fireball, the two of them, who knew it was coming, easily counter it with magic.

I take the front, and Fuuka protects the two in the back. This is our standard formation when surrounded by enemies!

◇

"Fuuka, help meee!"

After a few minutes of fighting, I was calling for Fuuka's help.

No way, this is impossible! I'm really going to die!

Fighting this many dragons is insane!

"I'm busy protecting the two of them."

Fuuka mutters with an expression that I can't quite understand.

"Don't lie! There's no one around you! You're making it look like the battle is over!"

Fuuka had already cut down over thirty dragons that were approaching the three of us and was now collecting the magic stones and dropped materials.

I've only managed to take down six...

"It's dangerous if something flies at you."

"You can detect that kind of thing in advance, right!? Besides, the other two can counter it!"

"......"

"Don't ignore me!"

"Leader, you seem pretty calm despite being surrounded by dragons."

"I'm not calm! That's why I'm asking for help!"

Despite my repeated pleas, I ended up fighting the remaining dragons alone. ...Why won't she help me!?

I dodge the attack of an earth dragon and punch it down.

"Alright! Two more left!"

(Finally, I can see the end. Just two more, I'll put all my energy into taking them down!)

—Just as I was getting psyched up, the heads of the two dragons fell off with a thud.

...What?

Standing near the two dragons, Fuuka was wiping the blood off her sword, having moved there at some point.

"Mission complete."

"You're intervening now!? Can't you read the room!?"

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