Chapter 44

Currently, we have descended to the 8th underground floor, but the trio from earlier is tailing us while maintaining a certain distance.

We are proceeding without letting our guard down, but they seem to be planning an ambush at the warp point on the 9th underground floor or the exit on the 11th underground floor.

"Sorry~"

With a lackluster battle cry, Nina instantly moved into the Poison Grizzly's embrace, and her dagger skill "Critical Blow" was activated. Although it's usually a one-handed skill, Nina, using dual daggers, managed to activate it twice simultaneously. The Poison Grizzly was instantly pierced through both its chests and died.

"Nina, is there anyone coming from the front? Attack from behind."

"I still can't use it well~"

Indeed, that movement seems to be some kind of skill.

"Let's go."

"…Are they still following us?"

"They're not reacting to my 'Detection'~"

They are maintaining a distance outside Nina's detection range while tailing us. They must have confirmed it with 'Analysis' while we weren't paying attention, or they estimated the level of our 'Detection' because we are rookies.

As soon as we descended to the 9th underground floor, we were surrounded by magic apes. Lena cast the first-level black magic "Wind Blade."

The three wind blades all sliced through one magic ape. Even though it's first-level black magic, considering she maintains a barrier constantly, Lena's growth rate is impressive.

One magic ape lunged at Nina, but Nina, being more agile, dodged and beheaded it.

Taking advantage of the opening created by Nina beheading the magic ape, another magic ape swung its claws from the side. Nina hastily blocked the attack, but the strength difference was too great. At the moment she was about to be overpowered, she instantly moved behind the magic ape and broke its neck with her bare hands.

"Phew~ That was scary~"

You're the scary one. I think it's probably one of her assassination techniques, as she broke the thick neck of the magic ape with her bare hands, which is terrifying.

"Giik~!"

A magic ape roared and charged at me, but I split it in two.

Looking at Lena, she was being pummeled by two magic apes. However, since she has a barrier, she wasn't taking any damage, though cracks were starting to appear in the barrier.

Crack

With a sound like breaking glass, Lena's barrier shattered.

I tried to go help her, but Lena didn't look panicked. The magic ape swung its claws at Lena's face, but they were deflected by an invisible wall about 10 centimeters in front of her face.

"Is she using multiple barriers…?"

"…Genius"

Lena looked at me with a smug expression, but her face was pale. It seems she is under considerable strain from maintaining multiple barriers and casting attack magic.

Nina and I took care of the remaining magic apes and quickly skinned them.

"Fast!?"

Nina, who was skinning a magic ape next to me, was surprised.

Nina and Lena have been killing monsters, while I have been doing the skinning, so my "Skinning" level must have risen to level 2 without me noticing.

After finishing the skinning, I gave a mana potion to Lena. Since we handled multiple magic apes without any issues, we should be able to proceed to the 10th floor without problems.

We continued to kill monsters and advance, and just before reaching the crystal room where the boss's room is, the trio from earlier suddenly closed the distance.

"Ah"

Nina also seemed to have noticed them with her "Detection." I blocked the entrance to the room with a Fire Wall, and then used an Earth Wall as well.

"Lena, hurry up."

Lena, understanding the situation from our reactions, started running.

"Zep, they seem to have noticed us!"

"What are their 'Detection' levels?"

"I couldn't confirm the boy's level because he didn't show any openings. The rear guard girl also has a constant barrier, so I couldn't tell. The scout girl is level 25, and her 'Detection' is level 3."

Zep smiled happily at the information from Saya.

"Pretty impressive for rookies."

Zep and the others quickly closed the distance, but the entrance to the room was blocked by a Fire Wall.

"Smart move. Spirits of water, answer my call and swallow my enemies! 'Muddy Stream'"

Saya's spirit magic quickly extinguished the flames of the Fire Wall.

"Tch…"

Bol clicked his tongue. There was an Earth Wall blocking the way after the Fire Wall.

"Damn brats! Axe skill 'Rigid Axe'"

Bol activated the level 2 axe skill "Rigid Axe." Combined with his strength, the devastating force shattered the Earth Wall into pieces.

"Hehe… Really impressive rookies."

Zep laughed excitedly. When Bol and Saya looked at Zep, they saw that his lower abdomen was bulging.

"I wonder what face the boy will make when I rape the girls in front of him. I'm looking forward to it… hehe."

"I want to tear that brat's limbs apart."

"The rear guard girl is mine."