arc1 · 017-ch17

Episode 17: Boss Fox

　Each layer of the dungeon is divided into five districts. In each district there exists a monster called an Area Boss, and as the name suggests, the Area Boss is the strongest existence in that area.

　The Area Boss of Floor 1, District 1 is the Boss Fox. As the name suggests, it's the boss of the Underling Foxes.

"Found them. I've seen them before, but they really have no shame clustering together like that, do they."

　In Suzuka's field of vision, he sees the Boss Fox surrounded by a total of ten Underling Foxes. Since the Boss Fox is in the area where Underling Foxes appear, he had confirmed it from a distance before when he was hunting Underling Foxes.

　Like Underling Foxes, it walks on two legs and has a mean look, but the size is different. While the Underling Fox's physique is about 160cm, the Boss Fox is slightly larger than Yasu and exceeds 180cm. It wears a green belly band and grips a metal club in its hand. Both its body size and weapon reach are significantly greater than the Underling Fox's.

"Then as per the plan, first we ignore the Boss Fox and reduce the number of Underling Foxes."

"Okay. The weapon's easy to handle too, so with Underling Foxes it'll be an instant kill."

　In Suzuka's hand is gripped 'Underling Fox's Pride,' obtained through the Snatch skill. This weapon looks like an iron pipe on the surface, but it's not actually a pipe - it's a solid iron rod with metal filling the inside too. Because it's a weapon made of metal including unlightened magic iron, it's ridiculously heavy as it looks. However, for Suzuka who receives the status benefits, this weight was actually just about right. Suzuka swings it lightly like he did with his metal bat before, even warming up with it.

"Alright, let's go put those cheeky punks in their place!"

"Even though we're the ones picking the fight unilaterally."

　Yasu chimes in while laughing ferociously. Defeating the Boss Fox and reaching level 10. This is the first goal Suzuka and Yasu set, and finally that goal is visible. His blood boils at the thought.

"First strike wins! Let's go, Yas!!"

"Ou!!"

　They're not asking for a battle with introductions. From the start they're outnumbered. There's no reason to let the opponent be in perfect condition.

　Suzuka, whose Agility is high, makes contact first. Floor 1, District 1 is a grassland with good visibility. The Underling Foxes who noticed Suzuka's group form a formation en masse, and the Boss Fox let out a low growl as if to intimidate the enemies coming against it.

　The Boss Fox stayed back while the Underling Foxes waited in front. They don't know what kind of tactic this is, but they probably don't have time to leisurely cross swords with just the Underling Foxes.

　It's aggressive, but feels doable.

　Thinking that, Suzuka converted the momentum of stopping right in front of a Underling Fox into power and performed a full-force downward swing. Suzuka's full-force downward swing from a全力疾走 contained tremendous power and speed. The Underling Fox defended as if to repel the attack, but the defense was crushed too, and the magic iron pipe sank into its face.

　One down.

　The curtain raiser for battle was dramatically cut with Suzuka's single blow.

　Not to be outdone, Underling Foxes from left and right swung their weapons down, but Suzuka dodged them nimbly and, conversely, dealt a single blow to the Underling Foxes who lost their balance from the miss. The Body Control skill he learned when he was level 8 is a skill that improves how he uses his body.

　By combining it with the Swordsmanship skill he already knew, he can attack without breaking his core during attacks, and because his range of motion has improved, he can easily recover. As the skills mesh together, the things he can do increase.

"Here we go!!"

　To the Underling Fox that Suzuka had hit once and made stagger, Yasu, who had caught up, stabbed his shovel and turned it to smoke. Suzuka's stats are slightly higher, but Yasu's stats are high for his level too. If he gets a critical hit, Underling Fox is one shot.

　Seeing that out of the corner of his eye, Suzuka went to put pressure on the Underling Foxes that were trying to deploy without stopping his feet. Since there are many Underling Foxes, they come in twos and threes, but they dislike friendly fire and can't move as they want. He dodges the attacks of the charging Underling Foxes and kicks other Underling Foxes. That way only one Underling Fox remains. 1-on-1 and he can easily defeat it.

"Gaa!!"

　When he turned the third Underling Fox to smoke, Yasu's voice rang out with a large impact sound. Looking back, there was the figure of the Boss Fox having swung through with its giant metal club, and Yasu dancing in mid-air. Yasu, who had been flown several meters, rolled on the ground, and the Underling Foxes started moving as if swarming toward him.

　This is bad.

　Suzuka immediately aimed at the Underling Foxes closing in on Yasu, blew them away from the side, and covered Yasu. He could hear a muffled voice from behind, so he doesn't seem to have lost consciousness. If that's the case, something can be done.

"Hey! Are you okay!?"

"Ah! I barely managed to defend in time, but that was amazing power."

　While brushing off the Underling Foxes that were rushing in like an avalanche, he glanced behind and the shovel looked slightly distorted. As the words say, the defense was in time.

"Then hurry up!! The Boss Fox is closing in too!!!"

"I know! 【Recovery Magic】!!"

　When he shouted that, Yasu immediately stood up and lined up beside Suzuka.

　Right. The reason Yasu can't immediately defeat Underling Foxes like Suzuka isn't because he lacks sense or because the shovel is bad. While the skills Suzuka learned are specialized for front line, the skills Yasu learned were rear guard skills: 'Recovery Magic' and 'Magic Manipulation'.

　In terms of skill composition, Yasu is originally a rear guard job, but with a two-person party they can't divide positions that neatly, and he's fighting on the front line shoulder to shoulder with Suzuka.

　When he confirmed that Yasu who used Recovery Magic had no remaining damage, Suzuka also let out a breath of relief.

"Since you went flying like that, I thought you were dead lol"

"My consciousness flew for an instant too, so it was dangerous lol"

　He doesn't seem shaken enough that he can crack jokes. Good. The battle has already begun. After all, it won't end with 'I'll stop now.' It's fine to hold fear during battle, but if you get scared you lose. If you retreat mentally, you can't win things you can win.

"I'll handle the Boss Fox! Leave the small fry to you!"

　Without waiting for Yasu's reply, he attacked the approaching Boss Fox. The Boss Fox nimbly handled the heavy-looking metal club and received Suzuka's attack. Suzuka tried to push in by applying force, but the metal club didn't budge an inch. Unlike the Underling Fox, the Boss Fox doesn't seem to have a large difference in status.

　The Underling Foxes aren't kind enough to watch his stalemate with the Boss Fox. To deal with the attacking Underling Foxes, he used the force pushing in the metal club to create distance. Yasu is also attacking the Underling Foxes to reduce their number, but there are still 7 remaining. It's difficult for Yasu to handle all of them.

　This is endurance. I'll do my best!!

　He'll leave reducing the number of Underling Foxes to Yasu. Until the number of Underling Foxes decreases, Suzuka has to defend against the Boss Fox's attacks while also paying attention to the Underling Foxes, so it will be a harsh time.

　The Boss Fox this time swung up its metal club as if it's their turn now and is approaching. It doesn't even seem to give time to gather courage. Suzuka put strength into the hand gripping 'Underling Fox's Pride,' and met the Boss Fox.