arc2 · 104-ch104
Chapter 104: Aiming for the 30th Floor, Part 6
It looks like everyone started stirring and waking up around the time Kurokage-san finished her final watch. We all piled into the tent for breakfast, then began preparations to set out. Since there's changing involved too, I kept watch outside the tent.
Once everyone was ready, I stored the luggage and we set off. I'd already mapped the area overnight, so I took the lead guiding everyone through the 27th floor.
"We've got company right away. That's... Infection Mice!? Everyone, fall back!"
Our first encounter on the 27th floor was Infection Mice. Commonly called "Infection Rats," they carry a powerful pathogen inside their bodies and infect anything they wound. That potent pathogen is closer to a curse than anything else.
Individually, they're nothing special, but they always move in groups, making their danger rating C+.
"We don't have any potions that cure curses. Let's fall back to the stairs and wait them out."
Toomi-san immediately called for a temporary retreat—but
"Could you let me go ahead? If things go well, I might be able to wipe them all out. Maihana-san, please prepare capsule number two."
I had something I wanted to test, so I asked everyone to pull back while I sent Asahi and Hayate forward. Behind me, Himehana stood by with a Sticky Bomb capsule in hand.
"Here we go! Sticky Bomb!"
At my signal, a capsule launched from Asahi. It hit the ground and burst open, splattering the sticky fluid right in front of the leading Infection Mice.
"Kikiki!"
Sensing the attack, the Infection Mice all rushed toward us at once. I hurriedly recalled Asahi and swapped it out, sending Hayate to the front to hold position.
"Gigigi!?"
The mice charged straight into the sticky mess splattered across the ground and found themselves completely stuck. While they were immobilized, I had Himehana reload the Sticky Bomb. Hey, don't rush—it's upside down!
"Flashlight!"
The mice that tried to climb over their tangled comrades to reach us got hit with Hayate's Flashlight.
"Gyaa!?"
For a moment everything went white, then the blinded mice stumbled around, unable to move straight, crashing into each other.
"Sticky Bomb!"
I followed up with another Sticky Bomb, catching even more Infection Mice in the sticky fluid.
"Akatsuki-san, please!"
The finishing touch was Akatsuki-san. That sticky stuff burns really well—time to take them all out in one shot!
"O flames, gather before me and burn my enemies to ash. Fire Ball!"
Akatsuki-san responded to my request with a Fire Ball.
WHOOOOSH!
The moment the Fire Ball struck, the Infection Mice erupted into intense flames.
"Amazing..."
Toomi-san and Kurokage-san's honest impressions overlapped.
"As expected of—wh-what a guy, SS-san!"
C'mon, Himehana. Don't mess it up again...
【You defeated the Infection Mouse】 【You defeated the Infection Mouse】 【You defeated the Infection Mouse】
・ ・ ・
【You defeated the Infection Mouse】
【You have leveled up】
Oh! I leveled up! That's because we managed to take out a huge swarm of Infection Mice!
"I leveled up!"
Akatsuki-san, who dealt the finishing blow to all those mice, also leveled up. Once you reach C-rank, levels don't come easily, so she looked extremely happy. The fans are probably going to love this scene.
That said, that brings me to level 15. Once I hit 20, I should learn a new skill, so I'm looking forward to it.
After celebrating everyone's level ups, we collected the drop items and pressed on. I already knew the route to the stairs, so I guided us along the shortest path. We had to fight through monsters along the way, of course, but thanks to avoiding unnecessary detours, we arrived at the stairs a full hour ahead of schedule.
We took a short break before proceeding to the 28th floor. Since I hadn't mapped this area, we'd be navigating blind. Once again, the four members plus two drones advanced cautiously with Kurokage-san in the lead.
On the 28th floor, we fought our way through Attribute Wolves, Vampire Bats, Fire Foxes, and Electric Cats until we finally reached the stairs. The B-rank Electric Cat battle in particular was dangerous.
Its body was wreathed in electricity, and its movements were lightning fast. Touch it carelessly and you'd get shocked and paralyzed. Against a single Electric Cat, I had to use everything—Capture Net, Sticky Bomb, and Flashlight—just to take it down.
On top of that, Asahi nearly got destroyed. When the electricity-laced Electric Cat pounced on Asahi, I thought it was all over. But Himehana cut it down with lightning-fast reflexes.
Himehana told me, "Now we're even!" but honestly, I felt terrible about it. If Asahi had been destroyed here, I would've had to make them carry all the luggage while pushing forward.
At worst, if Asahi's power source died, I wouldn't be able to summon Hayate, and everything in Storage would be inaccessible. I reaffirmed to myself that Asahi is my greatest weakness, then steeled my resolve and resumed the expedition.
But maybe the hard work paid off—Himehana, Toomi-san, and Kurokage-san all seemed to have leveled up, and everyone was celebrating again. It's a great feeling when you can celebrate not just your own level ups, but your companions' too.
After that, I kept Asahi in the rear as much as possible and made Hayate the primary support. With that approach, we cleared the 27th floor in one hour. However, the 28th floor took us two hours. The 29th floor will probably take over two hours as well. We had an early lunch, checked our equipment and coordination, confirmed what monsters might appear ahead, and then stepped onto the 29th floor.
"We finally made it!"
Two and a half hours after leaving the 28th floor, we'd finally reached the stairs leading to the 30th floor. Himehana was the first to plop down on the steps. She'd really been the star of the show on the 29th floor, so it's no wonder she's exhausted.
"But this means next time we come here, it'll be much easier."
Toomi-san sat down beside Himehana as she spoke.
"Thanks to SS-san, we've got detailed maps now."
Akatsuki-san sat on the stairs on Himehana's other side.
"Mapping is the best."
For some reason, Kurokage-san was the only one who sat down next to Hayate and kept scooting closer.
"So, what should we do from here?"
While inching away from the creeping Kurokage-san to keep her from getting any closer, I asked Toomi-san.
"Hmm. The boss here is a B-rank Werewolf. With our levels up now, we might stand a decent chance, but if it coincides with a Dungeon Error, we'd be dead for sure. So I'm thinking we should call it here this time."
Hmm, they have leveled up and are definitely getting stronger. Himehana might even be around B-rank by now. But once you enter a boss room, you can't leave until you've defeated the boss.
If a Dungeon Error or Dungeon Modification happens to bump up the boss's rank, it'd be a total wipeout. Even if the odds are low, as long as there's any chance at all, she won't risk putting her teammates in danger.
But personally, I feel like we could handle a single Werewolf, so I figured we should check first and then decide. I made a suggestion.
"A single Werewolf should be manageable, right? What if I scout it out with Hayate first, and then we decide?"
At my offer, all four of them stared at Hayate with blank, bewildered expressions.