arc2 · 127-ch127

Chapter 127: Terror's Symbol ①

Once Shinonome-san decided to retreat, his actions were swift. They immediately backtracked and climbed the stairs to the 32nd floor. After catching their breath there, they tried to set out right away—but that's when the worst possible situation occurred.

"Hey, can ya hear a dragging sound?"

At Nishikyo-san's murmur, I immediately sent Asahi flying down the straight corridor ahead. Past the dead end, around a right turn and a short way further—there it was. A monster clad in black armor, its pale, skeletal face faintly translucent, dragging a greatsword as it came toward us.

"Shinonome-san, it's Terror's Symbol! It's heading this way! I'll try using Hayate to lure it to the opposite side!"

Leaving only those words, I had Hayate resummoned near Asahi. In exchange, I sent Asahi back to everyone. By the time Asahi returned, the members of Kokushi Musou were being forced to make a harsh decision.

"Gaia, what're we gonna do!?"

"This is a single corridor. We can't run. If we go down the stairs, the Lich is there. We can't fight both. We'll make our stand here."

"But..."

Asked by Nishikyo-san, Shinonome-san decided to make their stand here. Kitora-san tried to say something, but the words never came out.

"Having the stairs at our backs is a disadvantage. Let's use that corner to our advantage and fight."

Saying that, Shinonome-san broke into a run himself. The other three followed. None of them looked well. It seemed they'd make their stand after rounding the corner. If Terror's Symbol had ranged attacks, this formation would let them duck behind the corner for cover.

Meanwhile, I decided to see if Hayate could somehow draw Terror's Symbol's attention and lure it in the opposite direction. First, I sent Hayate flying at full speed, trying to pass over Terror's Symbol's head, but...

Slash!

The instant Hayate tried to pass over Terror's Symbol, it was destroyed.

""Fast!?""

The words of Nishikyo-san and Shinonome-san, who had been watching from a distance, overlapped. My Hayate had been slashed apart by the greatsword in a single instant.

"I'll try again!"

I summoned Hayate once more, and this time sent it straight toward Terror's Symbol. Right before it could be slashed, I hit it with the Flashlight. Then, trying to exploit the opening when it should've been blinded, I attempted to slip past Terror's Symbol's side, but...

Slash!

With speed too fast to follow, Hayate was slashed down again. I didn't want to admit it, but it seemed like Hayate's Flashlight hadn't had any effect on this thing.

The members of Kokushi Musou, watching from a distance, all had faces set with grim resolve.

"Shizuka, stay on that side. Don't show your face no matter what. Soraku, Ryuga, can you handle the vanguard as usual?"

"Understood."

"Leave it to me!"

"No choice but to do this."

The three responded to Shinonome-san's instructions. Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san stepped forward to engage Terror's Symbol. Shinonome-san stood right at the edge of the corner, ready to duck behind the wall at any moment. Kannami-san waited completely around the bend, staying out of Terror's Symbol's line of sight.

By the way, I had Asahi hovering in the corner of the turn, right up against the ceiling. That way it could film both angles. As for Hayate, I planned to have it support from the front lines alongside Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san. Though with the Flashlight having no effect, there wasn't much it could do.

If things got desperate, the plan was to fall back to the stairs, but rumor had it that Terror's Symbol was a rare monster that roamed across floors. If so, escaping via the stairs would be difficult. Worse, they'd end up sandwiched between it and the Lich, making it even more likely they'd get wiped out.

In other words, they had only two options: defeat it right here, or somehow get everyone past it to the other side and flee all the way to the Transfer Room.

Judging from how it dealt with Hayate, Terror's Symbol seemed like a pure swordsman-type monster. I'd tried to slip past its side several times, and every single time it slashed with the greatsword in its hand. There were no signs of it using magic or ranged attacks.

Of course, jumping to conclusions was dangerous, but they'd be in trouble if they didn't treat it as melee-focused. If they were worrying about ranged attacks and magic on top of that speed, they'd never keep up. Though with A-rank members like Kokushi Musou, they probably had more leeway than I did.

Terror's Symbol continued to drag its greatsword, inching closer and closer. The tension radiating from Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san as they braced for it came through the screen.

It seemed to have reached the Dungeon Agency side as well—in the hushed silence, I could occasionally hear voices offering encouragement like "You can do this."

Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san took their battle stances at the very edge of Shinonome-san's magic range. Terror's Symbol crept steadily closer.

And finally, Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san entered its attack range. The slow movement from before reversed in an instant—Terror's Symbol was right in front of Nishikyo-san's eyes.

"Shit!"

Nishikyo-san had barely managed to block Terror's Symbol's descending greatsword with his spear. Honestly, I couldn't even see it happen. But as expected of an A-rank explorer—Nishikyo-san might curse, but he reacted flawlessly.

"Sei!"

Kitora-san threw a right hook at Terror's Symbol.

Clang!

However, even a blow with speed and power that could've crushed an ordinary monster was caught by the flat of its greatsword. But if it had to block with the sword, did that mean a clean hit would actually deal damage?

The moment Terror's Symbol finished blocking Kitora-san's attack, it was already swinging horizontally. Kitora-san seemed to dodge with a backstep, but sparks flew as if the tip of the blade had grazed the torso section of his armor.

No good. I couldn't keep up with this speed at all. But at the very least, I could relay the timing of Shinonome-san's spell.

"Stone Needle incoming!"

Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san reacted to the information broadcast from Hayate. Nishikyo-san unleashed a sharp thrust, then immediately side-stepped to clear the path. Kitora-san also moved to secure the Stone Needle's firing line, timing it with Nishikyo-san's thrust.

Ting ting ting!

But Terror's Symbol batted every single one away with its greatsword. Absurd sword speed. However, thanks to Kokushi Musou's continuous attacks, Hayate managed to slip behind Terror's Symbol.

Terror's Symbol effortlessly handled Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san's continuous attacks while countering with precision. Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san were barely dodging those counters. What this gap meant was that in a prolonged battle, they absolutely could not win.

What I understood was, of course, something the members of Kokushi Musou were already well aware of. Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san launched a fierce all-out offensive against Terror's Symbol.