As Haruto and Hinata meticulously scouted the sprawling expanse of the second floor, carefully noting every detail of the terrain, their teacher, Haruka, and the senior student, Hiroshi, took charge of leading the group through the previously explored areas. With the duo's expert guidance, they navigated through the labyrinthine passages, flanked by towering rocks reaching heights of 5 to 6 meters. Haruto and Hinata's scouting efforts ensured the safety of their classmates as they ventured deeper into the dungeon's mysterious depths. Excitement rippled through the group as they followed Haruka-sensei, ready to confront whatever challenges awaited them on their expedition.
As they ventured further into their exploration, the group stumbled upon a variety of herbs and ores, each with its own distinct effects and qualities. Among these finds were Moonroot, Whisperleaf, and Dreamfern in the realm of herbs, and Lumicore and Faetite among the ores, known for their extraordinary attributes:
Moonroot: Enhances vision and hearing, allowing users to see clearly in low-light conditions and detect hidden dangers.
Whisperleaf: Enables users to understand the whispers of nature, strengthening their connection to the natural world and facilitating communication with sentient plants.
Dreamfern: Transports users into a dreamlike realm, offering insights into the subconscious mind and fostering creativity and intuition.
Lumicore: Shines brightly and is ideal for healing and light magic.
Faetite: Possesses a magical shimmer and is suited for nature magic, aiding in the creation of powerful charms and potions.
.....
Finding no monsters during their half-hour journey, many of the students began to relax their guard. They chatted among themselves as they walked, almost as if strolling along the streets on their way home.
Haruto's expression lit up as he held the herbs in his hands. He seemed genuinely pleased at the prospect of utilizing his culinary skills to transform these herbs into spices, enhancing their effects in his crafts.
"You look quite pleased, Haruto-kun. Is there something special about these?" Asuka asked, taking the herbs from Haruto's hands and examining them with a puzzled expression.
"Yes, these herbs are perfect for making special spices to enhance the flavors of our dishes," Haruto replied eagerly, scanning the surroundings for more herbs as his stomach grumbled in anticipation of the delicious meals to come. He quickened his pace, gathering the herbs swiftly.
"Really? Then let's gather all of them!" Asuka exclaimed excitedly, pulling Ai and Hikari along to collect the herbs.
"Wait! Asuka-chan, stop dragging us; we can walk on our own...!" Ai protested, feeling flustered. Given her role as a 'Life Priestess,' she lacked flexibility, increasing the likelihood of being dragged along the ground.
"Haha, it's amusing to see Ai getting flustered," chuckled Hikari, as both she and Ai were being pulled along by Asuka, with Ai visibly flustered and tears welling in the corners of her eyes.
Mio and Ichika promptly joined Haruto in gathering herbs and ores. Mio's intentions were clear: she aimed to forge a closer connection with Haruto. She would gather herbs and then present them to Haruto, seeking his opinion. As Mio collected herbs and ores with Haruto, Ichika stood by her side, sword at the ready, poised to protect her friend from any potential monster threats. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the second floor of the dungeon. It seemed too easy, contrary to what she expected from a place known for its danger and potential for loss of life.
Hinata found Mio's actions rather amusing as he observed her presenting various herbs to Haruto, seemingly seeking his approval. To Hinata, it appeared as though she was seeking validation from her "owner."
There was one person who felt uncomfortable as he watched Mio and Ichika together with Haruto it was Keisuke as he was guarding the students with Fuji. Despite his duty to safeguard the students alongside Fuji, an unsettling feeling gnawed at him, like a knot tightening in his stomach. The sight of them together stirred a sense of unease within him, leaving him feeling oddly out of place and uncertain of what to do.
Haruka and Hiroshi shared cautious glances as they proceeded through the second floor, their senses on high alert. The absence of golems, which they had come to expect, left them uneasy. In the dimly lit corridors, every shadow seemed to hold a potential threat, urging them to tread carefully. Each step was taken with measured care, as they remained vigilant for any signs of danger. The unsettling silence around them only added to their apprehension, reminding them to stay on guard despite the apparent tranquility.
Meanwhile, a sense of envy brewed among some of the boys as they watched Haruto bask in the attention of Mio, Ichika, and three alluring seniors. Puzzled by what made Haruto stand out, they set aside their curiosity and dedicated themselves to diligently gathering any resources they stumbled upon.
Concealed from sight, Kutsuki Akui and his cohorts lurked, exchanging furtive glances and evidently devising a scheme aimed at Haruto. Akui seethed with a blend of anger and embarrassment, unable to shake off the humiliation he had endured at Haruto's hands. Meanwhile, his companions engaged in hushed conversations, their faces tense with anticipation as they plotted their next course of action. With every passing moment, their animosity towards Haruto appeared to intensify, driving their thirst for retribution.
.....
With a smile on his face, Haruto thought to himself, "I gathered as many herbs as I could," as he expressed gratitude to Mio and Ichika for their assistance. Being close enough to Haruka-sensei, he noticed her tense expression, which signaled that something wasn't right. He glanced around, observing the group as they diligently collected whatever they could find, with Keisuke guarding them. He also noticed Asuka-senpai moving about, collecting herbs with her friends, and the suspicious group led by Kutsuki Akui, but Haruto chose to ignore them.
"Haruka-sensei, did you notice anything?" Haruto asked. Surprised by his perceptiveness, she glanced at him, quickly hiding her own unease. Looking ahead, she cautioned, "Be cautious. I have a feeling this floor is more serious than we thought. It's strange not to encounter any golems, and it might get riskier from here."
"Hey Asuka, could you come here for a moment?" she beckoned silently in her mind, urgency tingling in her thoughts. Asuka swiftly picked up on the urgency and, accompanied by Ai and Hikari, hastened towards Haruka.
Walking alongside Haruka, Asuka silently conveyed her thoughts, "What's the situation, Haruka-sensei? Have you noticed anything unusual?" Her expression remained impassive as she walked.
"You've already explored the second floor, so you should understand. I haven't detected any golems, which is quite suspicious. If someone had cleared this floor before us, there would be signs of battle. Therefore, I believe there's something amiss about this place."
Asuka recognized the accuracy of Haruka-sensei's statement. That's why, beforehand, she, along with Ai and Hikari, had been exploring the area, collecting herbs and some ores, while also remaining vigilant for anything suspicious. "Something feels off," she pondered, tapping her chin in contemplation. With Haruka-sensei's students now in tow, the situation had become more intricate.
"We should prepare ourselves for a battle-ready situation," Asuka conveyed her thoughts to Haruka and the others in her team.
The sound of metal clinking filled the air as the students adjusted their armor and checked their gear for any signs of wear or damage. Some exchanged nervous glances, while others tried to steady their breathing, mentally preparing themselves for the trials ahead. Haruka's steady voice provided a sense of reassurance amidst the tension, urging them to stay focused and vigilant. With each passing moment, the anticipation grew, mingling with a sense of apprehension as they braced themselves for the unknown. Despite their unease, a collective determination shone in their eyes.
Haruto braced himself mentally for combat, his mind racing as he pondered, "Where might they be?" Upon getting an answer, his complexion grew visibly paler. It was apparent he wasn't satisfied with the information, recognizing the gravity of their predicament. Sensing his unease, Hinata, who was nearby, asked him with concern, "Are you alright, Yoshikawa-kun?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Nothing to worry about," Haruto replied, trying to reassure Hinata. He didn't want to cause any panic, aware that it could make things worse. Haruto quickened his pace, urging Hinata to do the same. He felt a sense of urgency, fearing that staying in that place any longer could spell the end for the group, leaving them trapped in darkness forever.
But if things could go the way he wanted it could be easier...
Suddenly, a wave of foreboding washed over Haruto, causing his skin to prickle with alarm. Haruka and Hiroshi's group also detected the unsettling atmosphere, realizing that something was amiss. Even Haruka-sensei, typically composed, couldn't conceal her unease, biting her lips as blood flowed from it, her voice faltering as she muttered, "What in the world... is... that thing..." It was as if an invisible cloak of dread had descended upon them, shattering their peace of mind.
Haruto's eyes darted around frantically, desperately seeking an escape from the horrifying sight before him. Behind him, the group of students trembled uncontrollably, their legs giving way beneath them as tears streamed down their faces. No words escaped their mouths, only the sound of their chattering teeth filled the air. Some covered their mouths in a futile attempt to stifle any noise, fearing it might alert the monstrous entity to their presence. Others cried silently, their voices lost in the chaos, calling out for their parents as they grappled with the overwhelming terror that engulfed them. It was clear they had lost all sense of rationality in the face of such horror.
Meanwhile, Mio and Ichika, leading their group, remained eerily silent, their faces drained of color as they struggled to process the gravity of the situation unfolding before them.
The colossal monstrosity loomed over the landscape, its grotesque figure standing at a staggering thirty meters in height. Its body was drenched in a sickening shade of bloody crimson, as if coated in the lifeblood of its victims. Gnarled muscles bulged beneath its skin, pulsating with raw power and aggression, while veins snaked across its form like twisted tendrils of malice. Its eyes blazed with a fiery, malevolent light, filled with an insatiable hunger for destruction.
As if sensing their presence, the creature turned its gaze towards them, its mouth contorted into a grotesque grin, exposing rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth coated in the blood of its victims. A primal growl emanated from the depths of its throat, sending shivers down the spines of all who dared to meet its gaze.
"Grrrrrrraaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!"
As the monstrous growl echoed through the air, a tempestuous wind surged forward, slamming into the group, causing them to reel and stumble uncontrollably. Buffeted by the combined force of the creature's roar and the raging wind, they struggled to maintain their balance, their bodies twisting and rolling in its wake.
This was sufficient to plunge the entire group into despair, and the situation grew even bleaker when someone uttered with a tone of hopelessness, "We're done for..."