Chapter 26: First Floor of the Labyrinth (Part 1)
As the appearance of the cave changed, the presence of monsters ahead became denser.
I can sense that there are quite a few, but I don't know exactly where and how many there are. On the mental map inside my head, the path we have advanced through and the illuminated dot indicating our position are plotted, but the unexplored area ahead is still pitch black.
I want to ask Greon what he means by "this is the real labyrinth," but I can't have a casual conversation in this situation.
Larouque, who has the best exploration ability, has joined the main group and seems to be exchanging information while walking next to Kalena.
I came up with an idea and mentally asked Lina, who is inside my backpack, using the "Secret Talk with Dolls" I recently obtained.
(Do you know anything about this labyrinth?)
(According to Lina-sensei's knowledge, this labyrinth is said to be a nest created by a monster called the "Labyrinth Worm.")
Really? When you say "worm," it's like a caterpillar or a long, slender insect, right? Isn't it too big?
(When the worm's eggs hatch in a cave with high concentrations of magical power, they grow while digging deeper underground. That's how it becomes a labyrinth. I don't know the details yet, but due to the magical influence emitted by the worms, various monsters emerge inside the labyrinth.)
I was told, "If you improve your skills more, Lina-sensei's knowledge will also increase, so do your best."
This is truly another world. Monsters that create an entire cave.
Where is it in the first place? With my sensing skills, I can vaguely feel the presence of numerous monsters ahead, but I don't know the overall structure of this labyrinth or, for example, what's deep beneath my feet.
Even when I try to focus on my "Detection" skill, which senses special objects rather than living creatures, currently there is nothing in particular that catches my attention.
At that moment, Larouque, who had joined the main group, signaled to stop.
"There are many of them, around 15, no, maybe 20!"
A sense of impending danger suddenly approached from beyond the widened smooth wall.
The front-line members of the main group formed a line as usual, holding their spears at the ready. Once again, a horde of kobolds pounced on them.
As the walls began to glow, providing good visibility without relying on torches, they easily dealt with the first wave of monotonous attacks.
Perhaps because they were able to easily repel the repetitive brute force, there seemed to be an air of composure and no particular problem.
"There are still higher-level ones! Be cautious!"
With Larouque's shout, a rain of arrows poured down.
"Whoa!"
Up until now, I had been engaged in close combat, so I couldn't let my guard down.
Among the equipment, there were also small shields, but many of us tied them to our backpacks and carried them on our backs so that we could wield our spears with both hands.
As screams filled the air, two people from the front row fell. It wasn't Cecily. Without confirming their identities,
the second wave attacked. They're fast!
Not only kobolds but also larger and faster beasts were mixed in. The spear formation was collapsing, and it seemed impossible to defend against them.
On impulse, I made a clay wall appear, spanning the entire width of the labyrinth.
It was about chest high.
The kobolds crashed into it and got stuck. However, one shadow leaped over the wall. Cecily, who had switched to a sword, stood in front of Kalena and swung her blade to guard against the attack. It seemed she landed a blow, but it was dodged.
I drew my sword simultaneously with Greon and rushed to provide support.
Is this a wolf? It's huge.
As I recognized it, it displayed "
While attempting to surround it with the three of us, Lina jumped out of the backpack, transformed into life-size, and summoned a ceramic sword.
Even with four people, the magic wolf's movements were swift, and it was all we could do to block its fangs while encircling it.
Still, at the moment its movement paused, I created a clay enclosure and managed to trap it somehow.
Lina swung her ceramic sword, but it was deflected by the fur?, and with a sharp sound, the sword broke.
Finally, Cecily and Greon dealt the finishing blow.
The clay wall I created in front held back the kobolds' assault to some extent, and those attempting to climb over it were blocked by Zagu and Bata.
Arrows were still flying towards us, but they were sporadic due to the chaos in the vanguard. We were also fighting back with Laruuk's arrows and Bess's magic.
Meanwhile, Kalena and Valon were attending to the fallen, either Berisha or Iglie.
"Laruuk, how many are left over there!?"
Greon asked as he rushed over to the clay wall.
"Seven, eight... probably nine. Not just archers. There's still one magic wolf, and someone controlling it!"
What should we do?
"Laruuk, do you know the position of their rear guard?"
"Huh? Yeah... about 80 steps. Can you see the hole in the wall over there? It's in the shade of that."
While half of my head peeked out from behind the clay wall, I pointed discreetly.
I couldn't see it clearly, but I understood that there was a hole there when I focused on my discovery skill.
"Do you have a plan?"
"I'm not sure if it'll work, but we can't keep going like this. Let's give it a try."
I replied to Greon, and
after absorbing a part of the clay wall and stepping forward, I created a gigantic ceramic shield, about two meters square and as hard as possible.
It's more like a wall with several handles than a shield.
As soon as I stood it up, it almost fell over, but I held onto the handles and supported it. It's heavy!
"Give me a hand!"
I called out to the bewildered Greon.
With the two of us, we finally managed to support it. It's probably more than 200 kg, not just 100 kg. I had imagined the size, but I hadn't calculated the weight.
However, the kobold arrows are bouncing off just fine, so the strength is as expected.
"What's your plan!?"
"We'll push this all the way to their position. Beth and the others will provide long-range attacks from behind."
While saying that, I make several peepholes in the large shield resembling gun sights.
"I see!"
Zag and Bata, the main force, understood the plan and joined behind the shield.
Thank goodness. Honestly, it's barely enough to support it with just the two of us, let alone lift and move it.
"Mr. Larouque?"
"Yeah, it's a reckless plan, but let's give it a try."
Beth and Larouque hide behind us and follow along.
"Lina, if someone tries to flank us, protect these two!"
Saying that, I create a ceramic sword once again.
Everyone looks at the female warrior dressed exactly like Cecily with questioning eyes, but no one says anything. It's not the time for that.
"Let's go, on three!"
Zag takes the lead, and the four of us lift the large shield and start pushing.
Greon and I are the main propellers in the middle, while Zag and Bata on the outside also have swords in one hand.
The kobolds seemed momentarily puzzled by the sudden appearance of the mysterious object and stopped their attack, but the rain of arrows began again.
However, they were bouncing off without any problems.
Larouque skillfully walks while pressing the bow against the gun sight and shoots arrows. Even if they don't hit, it serves as a deterrent.
Beth chants a slightly longer incantation.
"Fire, wind, together... engulf them!"
It seemed as if flames were bursting from Beth's fingertips, swirling through the gap between the large shield and the ceiling, drawing an arc and flying forward. Then it spirals and spreads throughout the cave.
There is a scream from the other side.
"They're faltering! Push forward all at once!"
We synchronize our steps and push the large shield while running a few dozen steps. If the four of us don't match in speed, we'll stumble because of the weight of the shield. It's like a four-person wheelbarrow instead of a two-person one.
At that moment, through the gun sight, I see a shadow leaping out of the kobolds' formation. It's a magic wolf. It's too fast for arrows or magic to hit. It's circling around the side of the shield.
Zaguu swung his sword while supporting the shield, aiming for the torso. However, the sword, lacking strength in his one hand, was deflected by the fur, and the fangs of the demon wolf bit into Zaguu's shoulder. He desperately twisted his body to avoid a fatal wound but was instead pushed down.
Next to him, Greon was occupied supporting his tilted large shield and couldn't move.
As the demon wolf opened its mouth wide again, I immediately generated a large amount of clay. Unable to close its jaws or spit out the clay, the demon wolf let out a furious howl as the body of the wolf, which had seized Zaguu's shoulder, was pierced by Rina's ceramic sword, not swung but thrust with her body weight.
There was a sound like the blade chipping, but it remained stuck, and blood splattered. Furthermore, Laruk stabbed a short dagger deeply into the demon wolf's eye.
The demon wolf convulsed and collapsed.
What about the other enemies? Peeking through another hole in the tilted large shield, there was another tunnel we had been aiming for right in front of us. A Kobold with a bow was watching our situation.
"Beth!"
"The remaining enemies are gathered in the side tunnel!"
My voice and Laruk's voice overlapped.
"Yes, I'll go!"
Beth overlapped her fire and wind magic again.
A swirling flame gust drew an arc and jumped into the side tunnel.
Another scream arose.
"Let's knock down the shield!"
"Alright! On three!"
Greon, Bata, and I pushed the shield forward with all our might.
Four remnants of Kobolds with fur still burning rushed toward us, desperate as if biting a cornered rat.
Greon and Bata engaged one each. Another one was engaged by Rina, while Laruk, who had crept up from behind, slit its throat.
And me... I was still awkwardly on the defensive.
The one who jumped out from the side and saved me was Rina, wasn't it?
"You're such a pathetic man, you should practice your sword skills."
The one who dealt the final blow to the last one was Cecily, who was supposed to have stayed behind to protect the injured and Carrena.
"That woman over there has much better form than you."
Hey, don't say that while looking at Rina, who looks just like you. Isn't that bragging about yourself?