With the return of the Raven Warriors, our party has grown from five to seven.
Each dungeon has its own optimal number of people for a party, and in the Alvis Dungeon, there are seven. If there are more people than this, it will be easy to be distracted by monsters, and the attrition from continuous battles would outweigh the increase in strength.
Until now, there were a total of five people, including me, Mia-san, Felix-san, and two supporters. That was to speed up my leveling up. If we defeat a monster in a large group, less magic power will be absorbed by each person. That’s why defeating strong enemies with a small number of people was a shortcut to leveling up.
But now our purpose is different. Our goal is the bottom floor. Fourth level, fifth level and sixth level. We went down the floors in silence.
The Alvis Dungeon started to show palace-like halls from the fifth floor, but from the sixth floor onwards the ancient technology became more apparent. We encountered traps such as drop lattices and hidden doors. From time to time, an arrow launcher —a ballista—would stare down at us from a recessed wall, giving me a start.
Because of the blessing of the hunting god, I am in the lead, which means that I am the only one who is surprised. Luckily, they were all rusty and didn’t work anymore.
“It’s the palace’s defense mechanism. Some of them shoot arrows on their own, like golems.”
Safi told me from inside the backpack. Mia-san spoke in a low voice as she checked the hood.
“……Isn’t this something you usually put near the entrance? Attack from the top huh.”
“Or….…” Felix-san added,
“The attack may have come from below. If Safi is right, then there must have been another entrance at the base of the mine?”
In the middle of the conversation, I raised my hand. This was a signal for everyone to stop and stay still. Everyone held their breath.
Wearing a fireproof cloak and hood, I feel like we are bandits sneaking into an ancient palace.
“……It moved away. It was a golem.”
It was huge and had two legs, so there was no doubt about it. After making sure that we won’t run into them if we proceed forward, I started moving.
Next up is the seventh layer.
“There are a lot of Golem.”
I nodded my head to Mia-san.
“It may be that the enemy golem master released them into the dungeon.”
“Hoh~. What a troublesome enemy.”
That guess was quickly proven. Up to the eighth level, we are able to descend with minimal encounters, but on the ninth level, there were five golems camped in front of the stairs leading down to the boss level.
Felix-san smiled wryly.
“Well, well, look at this. This is blatantly stopping us.”
“It is declaring, don’t enter the boss room. It’s now clear that the golem master is in cahoots with the slave traders.”
We exchanged quick glances.
Felix-san raised his hand to shoulder level and then pointed his finger at the golem. He must have given instructions to the group of warriors behind him. It was the same signal I’d seen in the southern dungeon of the royal capital – “kick them all away and advance.”
“Let’s go.”
Mia-san and I stepped in. Magic attacks covered us from behind. Instantly, the two golems were engulfed in flames and destroyed.
“The core is all on the left shoulder!”
I told Mia-san about the results of the detection. A powered-up chain axe shattered the golem’s left shoulder. I also go around behind the enemy camp and borrowed the power of the spirits.
“Wake up.”
A blade of wind sliced through the golem’s left shoulder. The soil covering the red orb was peeled off. Then I leaped full of momentum to crush the orb.
Only one golem was left in its army.
“Ooo-ooooh!”
I dodged the fist that is swinging down on me. Using the Protection of the God of Thunder, I slammed an electric shock into its left shoulder.
Lightning shook the golem. The blessing of the God of Thunder seems to have gradually become more powerful.
『……Blessings come from bonds with the gods. Rion, you may be forming a stronger bond with Thor.』
I tilt my head as I wipe the sweat on my brows.
『That means you’re recognized. Because Thor is the god of warriors.』
When she said that, a new power emerges between me and Solana. That’s the ability “Sword of the Daughter of the Sun.” Maybe the blessings get stronger and my abilities increase as I spend time with the gods.
For example, by confronting the golems and the giant golem like now, I became closer to being a “warrior”.
“Vo…..oooh.”
The defeated golem falls on its back and returns to the rocks and dirt.
The goddess’ voice trembled.
『Rion, you…… You become unrecognizably stronger. You get stronger every time you carry something. 』
“Mm. But we can’t stop here.”
The boss layer has the power I seek to protect Lu. But that’s not all. An important secret to a dwarf girl lies dormant there too.
“Everyone, go forward.”
We descended the long staircase leading to the boss level.
The space we arrived at had a high ceiling. It is likely to be 15 meters high, and even if the bell tower is brought here, I don’t think the roof will hit the ceiling. It was circular enough to fit an entire city block inside. The cityscape where we lived in the royal capital will fit perfectly into this space.
Because it was a hollow void, I felt lonely and uneasy at the same time.
What kind of boss would require such a large space?
At that moment, God’s voice echoed in my head.
| A titan vanguard has appeared. |
What emerged from the darkness was a giant humanoid figure. Its red eyes glowed atop its thick body. Its messy black hair looked like the mane of a lion monster.
“A giant-type monster huh.”
I muttered out.
It’s so huge that I have to look up, but it’s a little smaller than the Incarnation of Rage we fought before. The head is about half the height of the ceiling.
But I can’t relax.
“If the ashes have an effect here as well, then……”
And as expected, God’s voice immediately became distorted.
| % %|大∠ has appeared. |
Shiver runs through my skin. It’s a primitive tension that defies logic.
It’s just like the Eastern dungeon after all. They have used the ashes that could disrupt the dungeon’s seal.
A being that is more than a giant appears. The darkness of space converges around it, and its gigantic body is covered in darkness.
We braced ourselves.
The human form, painted black, stood motionless with its hands outstretched. However, a bright red flame lit up at its fingertips. It was as if its whole body was covered in oil. The fire spreads to its arms, shoulders, and torso, enveloping its large body in flames.
In the blink of an eye, the space was filled with light and heat waves.
| The Flame Titan has appeared. |
Fire and roar shook the space, and the boss of the dungeon —no, the sealed-off boss —rushed to us.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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