After carefully considering the situation and feeling the weight of the decision, Daichi resolved to aid Kazuki and the others who were still engaged in a fierce battle on the treacherous 62nd floor.
Before descending, the mages in the group cast a teleportation spell to ensure their safe return once the mission was completed.
"Daichi-san, the spell is complete. Shall we proceed?" one of the mages inquired.
"Yes, let's go," Daichi responded, determination evident in his voice.
Equipped with their gear and armed with resolve, the group followed Daichi, their footsteps echoing with purpose as they ventured into the depths of the labyrinth to rescue their comrades.
Meanwhile, Kazuki found himself gasping for air, his strength waning as he fought relentlessly against the formidable floor guardian.
"Kazuki, don't just stand there! Keep moving and keep fighting!" a voice urged him.
"Will you just shut up?" Kazuki retorted, his frustration and exhaustion evident.
Though the floor guardian still appeared formidable, it was slowly succumbing to the relentless assault, sustaining heavy damage from Kazuki's attacks.
Surprisingly, despite lacking class skills like his other party members, Kazuki managed to hold his own and stay alive, defying the expectations placed upon him as the weakest of the group.
"Damn it! I'm running out of stamina," Kazuki muttered, feeling the toll of the battle.
The intensity of the fight and the strain on his body began to take their toll, but with a surge of determination, Kazuki mustered the last reserves of his energy. With one final thrust, he pierced through the floor guardian's body, delivering a devastating blow.
As the floor guardian crumbled before him, Kazuki's fatigue became overwhelming, and he collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath.
The battle was won, but the cost was high. Kazuki knew he couldn't afford to rest for long, as there were still challenges ahead. He needed the support and aid of his comrades, who were on their way to rescue him.
With hope in his heart, Kazuki gathered his strength, knowing that help was on its way and that together they would overcome the perils of the labyrinth and emerge victorious.
"Nakamura-san, can you cover my back while I catch my breath?" I pleaded, struggling to regain my stamina.
"Why would I do that?" Nakamura scoffed.
"Just give me a moment to rest. It's just the two of us here, and that guardian over there," I explained, desperation evident in my voice.
"Fine, but make it quick!" Nakamura reluctantly agreed, realizing the necessity of my request.
As I panted, trying to restore my energy, Nakamura engaged the relentless Abbadon in combat, providing a distraction.
"Nakamura! Kazuki!" a familiar voice echoed through the catacombs from afar.
"I can hear Daichi's voice. They've come to save us," I said, a glimmer of hope emerging.
"Why did they come back?" Nakamura questioned, surprised by their return.
"I guess they couldn't leave their classmates behind," I replied, gratitude filling my voice.
Daichi's party had descended to the treacherous 62nd floor to rescue us, unaware that the Floor Guardian, Abbadon, had grown even stronger, accumulating immense power.
Suddenly, the gate leading to the catacombs abruptly closed, trapping most of the party members inside.
"What's happening? Why did the gate close?" I asked, alarmed by the unexpected turn of events.
"We're cut off from the others. It seems Abbadon has more tricks up his sleeve," Daichi stated, concern etched on his face.
With our situation becoming even more dire, we realized that our battle was far from over. The odds were stacked against us, but together, united in our determination, we would face the challenges ahead and strive to overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our path.
"What's happening?" I trembled, my hands shaking uncontrollably. The sight of my teammates battling alongside one another offered little comfort, as we were trapped here with the relentless beast.
Gradually, my mana and strength began to return. Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm myself and focus on our dire situation. There was only one option for us to escape this labyrinth. I sprinted towards the Knight Chief and the others, who had gathered together.
I explained my plan to them: all the mages would form a circle and perform a ritual to cast a powerful teleportation spell. Meanwhile, the remaining fighters would engage the Floor Guardian in combat, keeping it distracted.
"Are you sure this will work?" the Knight Chief questioned, concern etched on his face.
"It's worth a shot," I replied, determination filling my voice.
Following the Knight Chief's orders, the mages formed the circle while the fighters, including myself and Daichi, acted as Vanguard to buy time for the spell to be cast.
However, I soon realized that my sword was severely damaged from the relentless slashes and attacks I had unleashed before Daichi's party arrived. Desperate but determined, I received a restorium potion from Chizuku, a potion capable of instantly restoring mana. Without hesitation, I consumed the entire bottle, feeling the strength surge back into my body.
"That potion Chizuku gave me... It restores my mana instantly," I explained to Daichi, my voice filled with newfound confidence. "It also restores my strength. Okay, let's do this."
Together, we unleashed a barrage of attacks on Abbadon, each strike landing with precision. Despite the guardian's tough exterior, we managed to slice through its defences, thanks in part to Daichi wielding the Guardian sword, Excelsus.
This extraordinary weapon was crafted from a rare ore called axelsiuminia, found only in two locations: beyond the Monolith Canyon and in the land of the Demonic League.
As we fought valiantly, the mages completed the teleportation spell, and a brilliant light emanated from the ground, filling the circle they had formed.
"Guys, it's ready. We have to go," I urged, realizing it was time to escape.
"They've done it!" Daichi exclaimed, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
Daichi and the Knight Chief prepared to lead the group to safety, but I made a different decision.
"What are you going to do?" Daichi asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm going to buy time so that you can escape," I declared firmly.
"What? I can't leave you here! Go, just go!" Daichi insisted, his voice filled with both worry and determination.
"I promise you, I will repay the sacrifice you have made for us," I assured him, turning away and gripping my sword tightly.
Rushing towards Abbadon, I launched a final assault, slashing at its back while skillfully evading its powerful attacks. However, in the chaos of battle, a classmate whom I never expected approached me. Without warning, he grabbed my shoulders, pulling me close as if in a hug. His words pierced through me like a blade.
"Go fuck yourself. You're more worthless than I thought. Your services aren't needed anymore. You can die here with that ugly beast," he sneered.
At that moment, he thrust his sword into my stomach, and pain seared through my body as blood poured from the wound. Collapsing to the ground, I struggled to hold back the pain, my vision growing hazy.
As I lay there, the traitorous classmate retreated to the safety of his group, leaving me behind to face my fate. Gasping for breath, I managed to utter the terrible news to my shocked comrades.
"Guys... I... have terrible news..." I managed to say, my voice weak.
"Kazuki... what happened to Kazuki?" they asked anxiously, their faces filled with concern.
With a heavy heart, Nakamura, the one who had delivered the devastating news, confirmed their worst fears. Akari, devastated, approached him in disbelief, hoping against hope for a different answer.
"Nakamura, is it true?" she asked, her voice filled with anguish.
Sadly, Nakamura, one of Kazuki's former bullies and someone who held a secret infatuation with Akari, confessed, "Yes... I saw him being crushed by the Floor Guardian. I was the only one who survived."
Akari collapsed, overwhelmed by grief and struggling to hold back tears. The entire group was horrified by the loss, and they quickly decided to evacuate to the 13th floor, leaving Kazuki's body behind to be consumed by the monster.
As they made their escape, Akari stubbornly resisted Aiya's attempts to console her, desperately calling out for Kazuki. She screamed his name at the top of her lungs, her voice filled with anguish.
"KAZUKI!!!"
Chizuku, recognizing the need to protect Akari from further pain, cast a sleeping spell on her, causing her to lose consciousness. The group was then safely teleported to the 13th floor, leaving behind the harrowing depths of the 62nd floor.
With shell-shocked expressions, they made their way to the surface, horrified by the horrors they had witnessed within the labyrinth.
Once on the surface, Chief Knight Bartolomeo and Daichi, the party's leader, reported the situation and their expedition to the higher-ranking members on the 20th and 60th floors.
Meanwhile, Kazuki lay on the ground, waiting for death to claim him. Blood continued to flow from his body as his fading warmth slowly left him.