There was this saying: Life goes on.
You might fall and cry. But make sure to always stand up every single time.
Despite being heartbroken, Yoshino Aruven chose to move forward. He started with considering his possible options.
He then grabbed some glowing stones and put them in his bag. These will become his proof for what he was planning to do later. He retraced his steps back to the junction room where four corridors converge.
He walked towards the other corridor leading to the innermost parts of the dungeon. He was now aiming to reveal himself to the Trogan Militia.
If everything goes as planned, Yoshino could freely exit the dungeon while escorted by powerful people.
If everything goes wrong… well, life goes on.
Yoshino could have exited the dungeon on his own. But he really wanted to know the reason behind the Trogans' actions.
Curiosity had gotten the best of him once again.
Fortunately, the leader of the group decided to let him be held as a prisoner. Yoshino then started to put together their intentions from what he heard from their conversations.
Especially that lieutenant named Shura. She was a treasure trove of information leaks and was quite amusing to tease. Add to the fact that she was pleasing in the eyes.
The Healer named Mink was also quite attractive. She was also approachable and easy to talk with. Although she was quite careful with her words and tried her best not to reveal any confidential information.
Make no mistake. Being a Healer was not equal to being good-hearted. Yoshino had seen vile-hearted Healers before. If a certain Mage could become someone who has no equipped combat skills, a Healer could also have builds that would beat the crap out of you.
Nonetheless Yoshino was thankful that Officer Mink was using her skill to aid him on his SP recovery. The bottled water also helped.
Currently, the so called 'platoon' was facing a predicament. Numerous footsteps were approaching them.
Spirit Wolves. Around 60 of them were rushing towards the Trogans. The Basic-Tier Officer warned,
"Multiple hostiles approaching at twelve o'clock!"
He seemed to be assigned for surveillance and detection. Make no mistake again. It just so happened that the Tier 1 officer was also the one assigned for detection. The Basic Tier could also use various combat-type skills.
Anyway, the members of the platoon readied for combat. The leader of their platoon signaled the man beside him. The 2nd Lieutenant named Adled took the initiative.
The 1st Lieutenant named Shura was supposed to be the second in command but she was now assigned to look after Yoshino. Thus the 3rd seat took precedence.
"Time for training boys! [Battle Square]!"
Four pillars of light flashed towards the attacking monsters. These then generated ropes of light that connected one another. Five Spirit Wolves were trapped inside.
Adled then jumped inside the square construct. He seemed to be challenging the trapped wolves into a brawl. So that construct was supposed to be a boxing ring?
Surprisingly, no monster could go inside the ring aside from the wolves that were trapped during the activation. Perhaps the ring would only open once again when the first brawl concluded.
Since the corridor was only three meters wide, the boxing ring construct blocked the path of the other monsters.
"[Rowa Boat]!"
The Scout named Driff called forth a phantasmal raft around 3 meters in length. That was not a boat but rather a surf board you know!
Driff rode the surf board and went past the ring construct. He hovered and picked on three Spirit Wolves. Again, that is not a boat but a hover board!
"[Priority Punch]!"
The Scout named Toba threw a right straight punch towards the air. Then the three Spirit Wolves beyond the ring construct were hit. It was probably a range extending skill. Good, at least the effect of this one was straightforward.
Then the so called 'Captain' made his move. He conjured ten wisps of orange-colored flames that floated around him.
"[Bunsen Burn]."
He said casually. The wisps flew past the boxing ring and took on ten Spirit Wolves. Though it was obvious that he could take on more if he wanted.
An Advanced Mage! This was the other term used to describe mages who reached the third Tier of their cultivation.
In addition, almost all of his members were at Tier 2 of their cultivation realm. There were even some who were at the peak of Tier 2. The only exception was the surveillance officer. But he was already at the peak of Basic-Tier anyway.
With such amount of power, this battle will indeed be considered as training at best. Yoshino now understood why even though they were vigilant, the platoon never panicked despite the number of monsters. They were confident of their strength!
However,
"Ambush! Multiple enemies at six o'clock!"
The surveillance officer reported. Around 30 more Spirit Wolves rushed from the rear.
"Hmph, my turn!"
Lieutenant Shura was at the back of the formation. She took the initiative to engage the ambushers.
"[Swords of Flame: Tenki]!"
Ten swords made of red flames surrounded Shura. She took on ten Spirit Wolves as well. Her fighting style looked similar to that of her Captain's. Was she imitating him?
Still, another Tier 3 Mage?
Yoshino wondered. Why did the Trogan Militia deployed such an overwhelming force? The spirit wolves in this dungeon will be extinct at this rate!
"With them around we no longer need to make a move."
Another female officer commented. She looked like she was not planning on joining the battle.
"Still. We help."
The officer named Nawnu said. He was about 185 centimeters tall and had a bulky figure. He was the man in charge of the supplies. So the huge bag on his back made him look even bulkier.
Yoshino observed the man with anticipation. Basing from his stoic voice, the officer seemed to be a man with few words.
"[The Collision of Space and Time is the Distance Between our Hearts]!"
What the heck was that?! Yoshino glared at the Officer named Nawnu. The skill name was too long that when Yoshino had processed every word, three Spirit wolves had already stopped on their tracks. Nawnu then followed through,
"[Chasing Eternity With Our Hands But We are Powerless in Face of Such Adversary]!"
Why? Why is the name too long?!
Yoshino could not think of a reason why the skill had to be called as such. Its effect should not be affected either way. Regardless, the skill then spread the stun effect towards the other monsters.
"Pretty reliable aren't they?"
"Yes indeed."
Officer Mink said when she saw that Soura and Nawnu could manage against the ambush force. Yoshino agreed.
But then,
"Spirit Bats! I repeat, flying enemies at six o'clock!"
The surveillance officer reported in a panic. Numerous screeching sounds were then heard. Spirit Bats shared the same attributes with the Spirit Wolves. But Yoshino had never seen them working together before. Was this because they felt threatened by the force of the deployed platoon?
Whatever the reason may be, their Captain and Lieutenant were both occupied. Who could face the new adversaries?
"No choice, I'll handle it. [Electro Web]!"
The other female officer made her move. She called forth a net-like material covered with yellow sparks. She tossed it towards the flying creatures.
Zap!
Five Spirit Bats were caught inside the net. They were electrocuted upon contact. However twelve odd Spirit Bats followed through. Officer Nawnu then moved to assist the female officer.
Lieutenant Shura seemed to be capable of handling the Spirit Wolves on her own. So she ordered the provisions officer to help the female officer instead.
Nawnu activated his skill. Yoshino ignored the name of the skill. Instead he focused on activating his own.
Scan. Scan. Scan.
Yoshino had mostly recovered his SP by now. He was also under the protection of a powerful platoon. Thus there was no more need to anxiously deplete his energy.
He could use [Scanner] at a more sustainable rate this time!
The powerful platoon were regarding this encounter as part of their training. Yoshino decided to join them. This was a good chance to be carried by a bus.
Was this a useless struggle though?
Of course not.
With each activation, the proficiency level of his skill improved. He used the experience he acquired from his previous struggles to enhance his Skill Control.
He can now manipulate the effect of [Scanner] so that it will become a non-invasive analysis. An effect that is invasive could alert the target. This could lead to the target nullifying the effect of your skill.
In other words, a non-invasive effect could develop into a skill which was undetectable and unavoidable!
Case in point, no one suspected that he was also using his skill. Perhaps they were just focused with the battle?
Nonetheless Yoshino Aruven grinned. He was reminded of a certain pocket creature. This certain creature was considered the weakest amongst all of those recorded in their compendium. It also only had one usable move. A useless and non-effective move.
However once it reaches level 20… hehehe.
Yoshino grew excited with anticipation. He wondered how good his skill will become once he gets fully equipped.
That is if he could venture out of here safely.