Chapter 48

This time, there are some graphic descriptions, so please be cautious if you're sensitive to such content.

"Have you thought about what I said yesterday?"

Zephi approaches with a light tone, but there's no opening in his movements.

"I thought I refused that offer."

While responding, Yu takes out a transfer stone from his item pouch and hands it to Nina and Rena.

Zephi continues talking, ignoring Yu's response.

"Since you're surprised to see us here, it seems you and your friends defeated the boss on the 20th floor of the dungeon, right?

We let our pets go in first and jumped over them. This way, we can progress through the dungeon without fighting the boss, did you know?

We've been here since yesterday. The 25th floor of Gorgo's dungeon is a mysterious level. The only monsters here are Benanthos, and as long as we don't attack them, we're safe. However, this floor is covered in magic, which weakens detection spells and makes transfer stones unusable."

This guy... he realized we were trying to escape using the transfer stone.

"Even though you didn't change your mind, we did. How about we play a little—!?"

While Zephi is talking non-stop, Yu launches five fireballs at him and a dozen or so at the dwarf and elf behind him.

"Spear technique 'Whirlwind'"

Zephi deflects all the fireballs with the level 2 spear technique 'Whirlwind.' The fireballs aimed at the back are easily blocked by Bol with a magic shield.

"Ho ho... even though you're a black magic user of the first tier, to cast so many at once is quite terrifying, young man."

"Indeed. And you can cancel incantations, or rather, you have a skill that allows you to cast without incantations. In that case, let me return the favor—Fire spirits, gather at my fingertips and burn my enemies 'Fire Bullet'"

Seiya casts the first-tier spirit magic 'Fire Bullet,' instantly chanting and creating dozens of fire bullets.

Yu quickly generates an earth wall with Earth Wall, but it starts to erode. From the fact that a normal Fire Bullet wouldn't have the power to penetrate an Earth Wall, it's clear that Seiya's magic skills surpass those of an average adventurer.

"You're going to play with us, huh! Bol, Seiya, let's have fun."

Zephi's smile is now vicious, no longer hiding his intentions.

"Nina, Rena! I'll take care of this, so go back to the upper floors and use the transfer stone to escape!"

"No way!"

"…We can take them down together."

While inwardly sighing at Nina's refusal, Yu knows they can't afford to argue. He starts thinking of his next move.

"I'll take down the dragon and the dwarf, so you hold off the elf. Don't try to defeat her, just keep her at bay!"

"Hehe, do you really think you can win against me and Bol alone? What do you think, Bol?"

In the next instant, Bol charges at Yu, shattering the Earth Wall.

"Ugh!"

Bol's battle axe swings down, but instead of aiming for Yu's head, it targets his shoulder. Yu, feeling a slight sense of unease, blocks it with his obsidian greatsword.

"Ugh..."

The sound came from Yu's mouth.

"Ho ho, this is a surprise! To block my battle axe!!"

While saying this, Bol doesn't seem surprised at all. On the contrary, Yu is shocked that despite using only one hand, Bol's sheer strength is overwhelming.

"Play with me too~"

From behind, Zephi launches a spear at Yu's legs at an incredible speed.

Yu redirects the battle axe's momentum and uses the sword technique 'Gale and Thunder' to knock Zephi's spear away.

"Hehe... your sword skills surpass those of a rookie! Spear technique 'Spiral'"

Zephi uses the level 3 spear technique 'Spiral.' The spiral's rotation suggests that getting hit would be disastrous.

"What!?"

To counter the 'Spiral,' Yu uses the level 3 sword technique 'Willow' to deflect it and immediately swings his obsidian greatsword at Zephi's head.

"~Not a chance"

Zephi dodges the greatsword as if he knew the attack was coming, maintaining his stance.

"Deal with me too!"

"Burn!"

Yu casts the second-tier black magic 'Fire Wall' at the approaching Bol, engulfing him in merciless flames.

However, Bol emerges from the flames as if nothing happened.

"My equipment is too strong for a magic of that level to even scratch me."

Damn, the dwarf's magic resistance is too high. Plus...

Dragon Eye: Can predict events to some extent (accuracy varies by level).

They have a troublesome skill and are clearly experienced in combat.

"…Die"

Rena casts the first-tier black magic 'Wind Blade,' but Seiya's barrier blocks all of them.

"Give up quickly and enjoy yourself in front of the boy. Water spirits—"

"Sorry~"

Just as Seiya starts chanting, Nina rushes in and interrupts her.

"Miss, you're in the way. Fire spirits, gather at my fingertips and burn my enemies 'Fire Bullet'"

Seiya blocks Nina's attack with her barrier and casts Fire Bullet, but Nina has already put some distance between them. This back-and-forth has been repeating. Casting higher-tier magic requires longer incantations, which Nina keeps interrupting.

"…Persistent"

Rena's magic is complete. The second-tier black magic 'Flame Lance' heads toward Seiya.

"A magic of that level is easily dodged."

The moment the Flame Lance is blocked by Seiya's barrier, an Earth Lance shoots out from within the Flame Lance.

"An Earth Lance inside a Flame Lance!?"

Seiya's barrier, weakened by blocking the Flame Lance, can't fully block the Earth Lance, which pierces her right shoulder.

"Wh... What a reckless move! This level of injury...!"

Trying to pull out the Earth Lance, Seiya finds it has a hook-like design, making it difficult to remove without tearing the surrounding flesh.

"You... You'll die... before you can... violate me in front of that boy!"

"…You'll die first"

With a furious expression, Seiya glares at Rena as Nina launches the level 1 dagger technique 'Critical Blow' with both hands.

"Don't underestimate us!! Earth spirits, gather before me and become my shield 'Earth Shield'"

Seiya tries to block Nina's attack with the first-tier spirit magic 'Earth Shield,' but Nina's thrust penetrates the 5-centimeter-thick earth wall. However, the second Earth Shield stops her. Nina quickly puts some distance between them, but Seiya doesn't attack.

"You can use dagger techniques without incantations... and with both hands?"

Seiya, who had been underestimating Nina, is now regaining her composure. Water surrounds her as she prepares to use her water spirit magic.

Nina should have stopped her from chanting, but Seiya's lack of openings makes it too risky.

Yu has cornered Zephi in the corridor.

"Do you lack experience in combat? Have you ever killed someone?"

"You seem pretty calm for someone who's cornered."

"Hehe, it's intentional. Proof of that is Bol waiting at the corridor's exit to stop you from escaping."

"Why would I run when I'm the one cornering you?"

"To be honest, I'm surprised by your sword skills. To be on par with me and Bol is impressive.

But cornering you in this corridor was a mistake. It's narrow, right? Can you swing your greatsword here? And my spear—"

Zephi closes the distance quickly.

"Is that it?"

Yu sheaths his obsidian greatsword and claps his fists together, producing a high metallic sound.

He dodges Zephi's thrust with a spinning block and punches Zephi in the face with his right fist.

Zephi flies back with a dull thud.

"That hurt... but to dodge my spear with your bare hands is impressive."

Despite the full-force punch, Zephi stands up as if nothing happened.

"You're tough."

Yu quickly closes the distance with the standing Zephi, aiming for the gaps in his armor with a straight punch.

(That punch was nothing. I'll open a hole in your leg with one hit.)

Yu changes his clenched fist into a spear hand. The technique he releases is...

"What...? That was the dagger technique 'Critical Blow'!?"

"You're really tough. I intended to pierce through, but it's fine."

Yu infuses his palm, which is embedded in Zephi's side, with fire magic using a magic fist.

The smell of burning flesh fills the air. Despite being aware of the dwarf's attack, Zephi shows no signs of it, and when Yu pulls his fist out and turns around, the dwarf is grinning.

Reacting to the killing intent behind him, Yu dodges but his left arm is slightly cut.

"Oops, my bad. I got too excited and forgot to hide my killing intent."

There stands Zephi, the wound from Yu's spear hand completely healed.

"Lizard bastard."

Zephi, with the passive and unique skill 'Regeneration,' had his wound heal instantly despite Yu's attempt to burn the cells.

"Alright, let's go for round two~"

Zephi launches a thrust so fast it's almost invisible. It's much faster than before.

Yu blocks and deflects it with his obsidian gauntlet, but Zephi's level 6 spear skills are far superior to Yu's level 3 body techniques. Yu's body is gradually being worn down.

"That's strange. You've been hit multiple times, but your wounds aren't healing?"

Yu is covered in healing magic, so his wounds are gradually healing.

"Do you have the skill 'Regeneration' too? And you're so calm in this situation, which I don't like at all."

Zephi's cloudy eyes search for what will make Yu struggle. He smiles as if he's found something.

"Alright, Bol! Aim for the girls!"

"You bastard!"

Zephi looks genuinely delighted at Yu's worried expression. Bol, grinning nastily, takes out throwing knives from his item pouch.

Yu charges at Bol, but Zephi's spear pierces his left leg.

Ignoring the leg injury, Yu turns and casts Fire Wall. The flames flow back toward him, but the fire-resistant Yu isn't significantly damaged.

Bol, already swinging his arm, aims at Rena.

"Rena! Dodge!!"

The throwing knife, enhanced by the 'Throwing' skill, slices through the air and heads toward Rena.

Reacting to Yu's shout, Rena sees the knife already in front of her.

The throwing knife easily penetrates her first barrier and, changing direction at the second barrier, pierces her neck.