—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
My tentacle wrapped around the neck of the first wolf that howled.
Unfortunately, my tentacles weren’t strong enough to crush its thick neck. They had strong pulling power but were weak when it came to constricting.
Despite its size, the two-headed dog couldn’t resist properly with its neck trapped. I dragged it towards Lewis and silently gestured for him to finish it off.
The two-headed dog, choked into silence, couldn’t even scream as its head was severed with a single swing.
One down.
“It really does have two heads.”
This one was quadrupedal?
So their strategy was a combined attack of magic-using bipedal two-headed dogs and quadrupedal ones?
This could be troublesome if we didn’t figure out their tactics quickly.
I sharpened my senses again. The other two-headed dogs were momentarily disoriented by their comrade’s swift demise.
We had to press our advantage before they hid again. I retracted my tentacles and pulled the box from my bag.
What could be more unbearable for dogs than a pungent smell?
“Put on your gas masks.”
Having experienced this before, the group reacted instantly.
I opened the box and dipped my shovel into the crushed garlic. The sterilization enchantment was a nice bonus.
I closed the box and observed the situation.
The two-headed dogs were wary, hesitant to approach. Some had retreated into the shadows to avoid the light, while a couple remained visible, likely acting as decoys.
They were probably waiting to ambush us as soon as we got close.
So…
“Lewis, give me your sword.”
“Yes?”
“Quickly.”
Lewis handed me his sword with a dubious look. I felt a little bad, but survival was paramount.
I slathered the sword with crushed garlic.
“W-What are you doing?!”
“Basic enchanting.”
After thoroughly coating the sword, I placed the box at my feet. This should deter them from approaching.
While the smell only made us cough and our eyes water, it was practically chemical warfare for the dogs.
“I’m going to use myself as bait.”
I wasn’t going to pass up a free meal.
“What?”
“Stay here.”
They probably wouldn’t be able to approach anyway.
I dashed towards one of the visible two-headed dogs. The distance between us closed rapidly, our eyes locking in a silent exchange of hostility.
The two-headed dog smirked.
You’re the one who should be worried, mutt.
“!()#&(!!!”
The distance between us was less than ten steps. As I got closer, the two-headed dog finally realized something was wrong and started backing away, whimpering.
Even monsters couldn’t withstand the pungent smell of garlic.
“Trying to run? Crafting.”
A sharp spike shot from the ground, impaling the fleeing dog’s belly.
I turned my head and saw the other two-headed dogs hiding in the shadows.
Just as I thought.
I smirked, watching them back away from the garlic-covered monster.
“Not coming?”
Then I’ll come to you.
I boldly charged into the darkness.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Shuri, dispel the magic.”
“Yes!”
“A-Are you alright, Mister? Are you hurt…?”
“I’m fine.”
They had scattered quickly, so I hadn’t been able to catch many, but they wouldn’t be a direct threat anymore.
I had taken out at least five.
Unlike in the game, where they would fight to the death, these monsters were cowardly and would flee if the situation turned unfavorable. It would have been much easier if they had just fought like in the game.
“It should be safe for a while. Let’s move quickly.”
“O-Okay…”
“Shuri, stay close.”
“Y-Yes!”
Was she avoiding me because I smelled? Even Lewis was looking at his sword with a disgusted expression. I retrieved the garlic box, the smell now significantly weaker, and sighed.
“Don’t avoid me because of the smell. It’s better for you to get used to it.”
“Are you going to do this every time?”
“No. But there will be times when I do things far worse than this. You know that.”
“That’s true…”
Sif readily agreed.
She was the second most experienced dungeon raider in our group, so she understood what I meant.
Though I would need to give her some kind of support item to compensate for her lack of combat ability.
“Enough chit-chat. Let’s move.”
We still had a long way to go. I listened intently to the sounds around us and pulled out my compass.
As expected, our formation had been disrupted during the fight. I adjusted our positions and started walking again.
“We’re heading straight to the third level. Stay alert until we reach the stairs. There might still be more two-headed dogs.”
Everyone nodded silently.
Time to move.
We pushed through the undergrowth, stepping on fallen branches.
I wanted to create walls on either side as we moved, but if there were any magic-using, bipedal two-headed dogs left, it could be a death trap.
Even though this was a game world, it was also reality. If the walls were destroyed by magic, the debris could injure us. The limited visibility also made it difficult to react quickly to attacks.
This was the problem with my Crafting skill. It wasn’t designed for combat, so its use in battle was limited.
The new tentacle magic was also useless against stronger opponents.
The fact that the tentacles replaced my arm, essentially sealing off one hand, was also a problem.
It was useful against these unintelligent creatures, but using tentacles in a fight against humans would be suicidal.
…It was too quiet.
Even the rustling sounds had stopped. I couldn’t sense any gazes either.
Had they retreated, realizing they were outmatched?
That would be ideal, but they could also be preparing for a final ambush. They could be getting used to the garlic smell and waiting for the right moment to strike.
Where would they make their last stand?
Even if we had the upper hand, this was still the two-headed dogs’ territory. They wouldn’t let go of their geographical advantage.
Predators were cunning hunters.
I needed to anticipate their next move.
Let’s think from their perspective.
With their numbers dwindling, they would choose the most advantageous terrain for a final confrontation.
What would that be?
The forest was advantageous for them, but it also offered us some benefits. We could use the terrain to minimize our blind spots.
Our ability to create sturdy fortifications with my Crafting skill was also a major advantage.
Since we had already demonstrated that, the two-headed dogs wouldn’t likely attack us within the forest.
So the most likely location for an ambush would be…
“The entrance to the third level.”
There was no other option.
The passage leading to the third level was narrow and dangerous, with cliffs on either side.
They would definitely try to ambush us there.
As we approached the narrow passage, I raised my left hand, signaling the group to stop.
“Shuri, use Detection magic.”
“N-Now?”
“Yes. It’s third-tier magic, you can use it, right?”
“Yes.”
“Use it now. A radius of about fifty meters should be enough. How much mana will you have left after using it?”
“30%.”
“Can you still use third-tier magic with that much?”
“N-No…”
“Alright. Begin. Everyone else, stay alert.”
We formed a circle around Shuri and kept watch.
The forest loomed over us, rustling ominously, but we couldn’t look up. The moment we let our guard down, fangs would sink into our necks.
“…Detection.”
A wave of mana spread outwards.
Shuri leaned against Lewis, exhausted.
“Shuri, anything?”
“…Seven. They’re all hiding near the passage to the third level.”
“I see. Keep moving. Pretend you don’t know anything.”
An ambush that had already been detected was more likely to backfire. We pretended to be oblivious and continued walking.
Whether the two-headed dogs could sense mana or not wasn’t important. The element of surprise was gone.
“Just past this and we’re done.”
I turned around, deliberately adopting a casual posture, and looked at the group.
Taking my cue, they started making small talk, albeit awkwardly.
“We’ll probably meet the boss on the third level, right?”
“I hope the rewards are good.”
“But don’t let your guard down until the very end. You could end up like me.”
Viola joked, holding up her prosthetic arm.
Listening to their increasingly natural chatter, I reached the entrance to the narrow passage and shortened my shovel, holding it loosely.
The others followed suit, pretending to lower their weapons. We were now seemingly defenseless.
That’s when it happened.
Rustling sounds.
“Three of them!”
“Crafting.”
Sharp spikes impaled the two-headed dogs that lunged at us. Their bodies convulsed as large holes appeared in their bellies, and then they died.
Three down.
“The rest are hiding near the entrance.”
“Keep moving.”
The passage to the third level was only wide enough for two people to walk side by side, forcing the person in the lead to block any attacks. But there was no reason for us to enter such a disadvantageous position.
I extended my hand to Viola, who was guarding the rear.
“Viola, give me two paralysis reagents.”
“Just a sec… Here.”
I took the reagents and picked up two rocks from the ground, about the size of tennis balls.
I put the rocks in my pocket and slowly moved forward. This distance should be enough.
I threw the heavy reagents at either side of the entrance to the third level.
Then, before they hit the ground, I pulled out the rocks and quickly threw them.
A shattering sound echoed through the air as the paralysis reagents exploded, scattering their contents around the entrance.
One missed its mark, but it still sprayed as it hit the ground.
Whimpers followed shortly after.
“We’re going in. Watch your backs. Lewis, take the lead and run.”
“Understood!”
Lewis sprinted through the narrow passage.
Normally, the two-headed dogs would have reacted, but only one emerged, seemingly in desperation. Its body was sliced in half in an instant.
“Find the paralyzed ones and finish them off!”
We calmly walked through the passage while Lewis dealt with the two-headed dog. By the time we reached the other side, he had already gathered the bodies.
“That was easier than I thought.”
“That’s because you followed my instructions.”
Kids their age were usually rebellious, but these kids were surprisingly obedient.
I buried the bodies and positioned myself next to the entrance to the third level. Since there was only one passage, blocking the entrance would ensure our safety.
I created a wall to seal off the passage and set up a small base camp in front of the entrance to the third level.
“We’ll rest and then head to the final level. Take some time to recover.”
My words brought smiles to their faces.
The journey through the second level had been tiring.
Too bad the third level would be even worse.
If the second level had two-headed dogs, the third level would probably have… no. There was no need to jump to conclusions.
I built a campfire, crafted a pot hanger, and started cooking.
Dinner… or whatever this meal was, consisted of a mixed soup of jerky, dried vegetables, and whatever else I could find.
I think they called this perpetual stew in medieval inns.
“You’re a good cook, Mister Johann.”
“Cooking is essential for survival. It’s good to learn some basic recipes. You won’t find many delicious meals on your adventures.”
“O-Okay.”
“Is that a new pot? It looks expensive. I think I saw one like that for five gold coins…”
“That’s the one.”
It was supposed to be a non-stick pot, but I wasn’t sure what that meant, so I just bought it.
Fortunately, it seemed to be the real deal.
I handed the ladle to Shuri, who seemed particularly interested, and told her to stir. She could at least do that.
I sat down on a rock and started cleaning my mithril shovel, which had seen heavy use today.
The pungent garlic smell made my eyes water.
“Johann, what if the reward on the third level is another grimoire like last time?”
“We’ll sell it and split the profits five ways.”
I doubted another grimoire would appear. Gold coins or magic items would be fine too. Magic items could be sold for a good price at the mage guild or auction.
It would be more than enough to cover our expenses for this expedition.
“Dinner’s ready!”
“Alright, coming.”
I put the cover on my clean shovel and sat down in the empty spot, watching Shuri ladle out the soup.
…Going on adventures like this wasn’t so bad.
Once everyone had their food, Shuri announced in a cheerful voice,
“Let’s eat!”
We smiled and echoed her words softly.
“…Let’s eat.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
