Chapter 10

For monsters, humans are nothing but lumps of nutrition.

Just walking around can lead to an attack, and the commotion of battle can attract even more monsters.

Usually, to avoid this, a spell called "I, Cloaked in My Own Garment [Clavelli Veria]" is used, which creates a barrier to prevent the leakage of magical power, but this time it was deliberately not used.

The reason is to keep the monsters from going outside.

Before they could reach the entrance, the two highly nutritious humans attracted the monsters, who all rushed to attack them.

As for the black fur ball, Morumo, its fire attribute lies in the magic it uses.

Morumo can use a spell that ignites anything it gazes at for three seconds.

However, due to its severe nearsightedness, it must get close to its target to activate the spell.

That’s why it got so close to Kousuke.

Striking it on impulse turned out to be the optimal solution.

Other monsters inhabiting Zest include:

Two-legged lizards the size of humans.

While "lizardmen" might be a more familiar term, in Arcleah, they are called "dragonics."

All dragonics carry scimitars and excel in close combat.

They also breathe fire.

While they don’t turn to ash immediately, the flames can engulf their entire body.

A bit eerie, the Kekera.

They look human and all wear masks.

However, their movements are strange, as if they lack the concept of joints, and they can freely change the shape of their bodies while fighting.

The magic that creates a pillar of fire from the part touched by their palm can also function as a trap, making them somewhat troublesome.

The three types that mostly leaked into the first floor this time were these.

There were also a couple of dragonic ronis, a higher species about twice the size of regular dragonics, but the two of them efficiently eliminated them.

After hunting a few hundred, Kousuke realized something.

"I’m surprisingly not tired at all."

No matter what, he shouldn’t have this much stamina.

While he’s not new to actual combat, and he has already killed beings of his own kind, which would be the most resistant, he doesn’t feel fear, which is a part of his nature.

However, killing living beings is a labor-intensive task.

Especially since it’s not an assassination.

To do this repeatedly in an unfamiliar land without even breaking a sweat is abnormal.

Come to think of it, the movements of the enemies, starting with Morumo, seemed unusually slow and easy to predict.

"Didn’t I tell you? The more unfortunate you were, the more corrections you get after reincarnation."

"…Yeah, I finally understand it as a reality."

He had indeed been reincarnated.

His specifications as a living being had changed.

Even with the same appearance and memories, he was no longer the same existence.

"Looks like we’ve mostly taken care of it. Shall we go to the next floor?"

There are multiple paths leading downward.

Pit type, spiral staircase type, and sloping path type are distributed in various places.

The one Kousuke and the others found was a sloping path type.

On the way, they encountered a dragonic ronis.

They both froze for a moment.

"I’m running out of throwing knives, so, Cro, you’re up."

Despite the light tone, Kousuke accepted the task.

"Sorry, but the path to the first floor is closed. It’s wiser to turn back."

Ronis, as a warning, spat a small flame and drew his scimitar.

Kousuke also drew his straight sword.

He activated the cutting enhancement magic "Become a Blade to Sever Evil Gods [Slacker Haze]" to improve its cutting performance.

Simultaneously, he cast the earth reinforcement magic "Thou, the Embodiment of Fortitude Like a Fortress [Seekdoril Elc]" on the straight sword, which, in exchange for magical power, temporarily turns even a cheap sword into a renowned blade.

"Dogush!"

Ronis seemed to say, "Let’s go," as he charged.

"【I Command Thee to Freeze [Eisha Wong]】"

By combining the magic formula to cool water with wind magic, he created an ice magic.

Spheres of water attached to Ronis’s knees and elbows and instantly froze.

"Dogurabah!?"

Ronis was surprised.

Kousuke confirmed that the range of movement in his legs and arms had significantly decreased and lunged at him.

Ronis tried to defend himself, but with his arms frozen in a bent position, it didn’t work well.

Kousuke cut off both of Ronis’s arms in one swing.

Pain and what looked like fear appeared on Ronis’s face.

It might have been an illusion.

"Once we get out of here, you’ll eat humans, right?"

He readied his sword.

"I have no grudge, but I’d rather side with humans than monsters. Sorry."

Ronis seemed to try to breathe fire, but it was too late.

Kousuke swung horizontally and decapitated him.

The head, splattering blood, spun and rolled along the slope for a while before falling to the ground. The torso fell with a thud.

"The path is clear, Lady?"

He turned to Shiro, who was standing alone, with a teasing tone, and shook the blood off his sword before sheathing it.

"Using three spells against a ronis is a bit much."

"…That’s harsh."

"I understand that you tend to use them, and it’s probably fine in Zest, but in high-difficulty dungeons, running out of magical power can lead to death, so it’s important to know when to use them."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

Indeed, Shiro was right.

Kousuke didn’t want to show off his strength.

It seemed important to use only the necessary amount of power according to the situation.

Especially if failing to do so could cause harm.

"Still, you did well to win alone. Good job."

Shiro, hopping up and down, patted his head.

"I am honored by your praise."

He bowed politely, and Shiro smiled warmly.

"Let’s go, then."