Publishedat 13th of August 2019 10:15:07 AMChapter 19
Chapter 19: The old man challenges the labyrinth of fire . Aug 13, 2019secondtranslation
After completing our preparations and rested our bodies, we began heading towards the Crimson Volcano . We had to arrive at the back door before the monsters resp.a.w.ned . There were also many adventurers who were aiming for the marble room at the front of the dungeon as everyone wanted the honor and rare items from defeating the boss . At the same time, there were also rare and important items that could be obtained from the boss . This is a boss that I want to defeat no matter what .
[Let’s speed up the pace . We have plenty of time but that doesn’t mean that we won’t run into any trouble . ] (Yuuya)
[Uhn . Let’s do our best!] (Luna)
[Yuuyniisan worries too much . We’ve been here so often but we hadn’t run into any trouble yet . ] (TIl)
[Til is too carefree . Cautiousness is needed as an adventurer . ] (Phil)
Since the monsters which appeared beyond the marble room were stronger than the monsters before that, I was hoping that we could avoid expending unnecessary energy before then . Hence we had already designated and cleared a path that we would be using later . We continued to walk through the volcano cautiously as we finally arrived at the marbled room . Then, I let out a sigh as a loud voice echoed throughout the dungeon .
[ORAA . The first attempt belongs to us Crimson Hounds!]
[We have already reserved this spot several days ago . Hurry up and scram!]
The two men who had camped in tents for the past few days were threatening the other adventurers present as more and more of their men begin to arrive . They had a total of seven parties of four, a total of 28 people . Among them were the familiar faces we had encountered before, but they decided to leave us be as our destination was further ahead . There was no need for us to enter a skirmish here .
[Take a good look guys . This pitiful old man plans to beat us to the boss before it resp.a.w.ns . ]
[He’s probably just being a hyena . While us first-rate are preoccupied with the boss, he’ll be busy chasing after the monsters and chests which sp.a.w.n in the dungeon . ]
[Ahh so pathetic . Is pride even a word now?]
[Their just too weak for that . That doesn’t exist . Hey girls, dump that trash and come over here . Hey boss, those are the girls I’m talking about . ]
A man who seems to be their party leader steps out as i tried to read their levels . However, I couldn’t read a single one of their levels . At the very least, none of them were level 35 . As expected of the clan who has been monopolising the large amount of boss experience .
[Gahahahhahahahaa . Not bad . I thought that you were just being desperate for a woman . But they are some fine women . This is special… One is a n.o.ble with a distinctive elegance . . There are two elves and a demihuman . . Regardless, all of them are fine women . We’re sure to make them cry out loud in bed . Us Crimson Hounds will always be open to you, I’m sure the three of you aren’t satisfied with such a pathetic old man . ]
The members of the Crimson Hound burst out laughing as our legs continued forward without stopping, until their voices could no longer be heard .
[Everyone, let’s show them not with our words but with our actions . We will definitely get the boss . ] (Yuuya)
[Uhn . We’ll win,] (Luna)
[Uhn uhn . Otherwise I won’t have the patience not to shoot arrows through their heads . ] (Til)
I’m glad that they think of us as mere hyenas . Let’s be sure to bite a huge chunk into the boss .
We finally arrived at the hidden back door . We hadn’t entered a battle even once due to our preparations in the days before . After confirming the time with my watch, it was fifteen minutes until the monsters resp.a.w.n . Everyone began to sweat from the pressure as we listened to the ticking of the watch . And then, the resp.a.w.n finally happened . The entire dungeon trembled as monsters began to roar, the terrain began to shift as new treasure chests began to form . The most visible change was happening in front of our eyes as the door with the face of a dragon, the dragon’s eyes began to glow red as the door opened .
[Let’s go! From now on it’s a race!] (Yuuya)
[Race!] (Luna)
[Those kind of people, we will never lose to them! Let’s go all out from the get-go!] (Til)
[So this is the labyrinth which leads to the boss . ] (Phil)
[This . . Is pretty dangerous . We’ll have to be cautious . ] (Selene)
The labyrinth which led to the boss room appeared in front of us . Although it was a labyrinth, it wasn’t an enclosed area surrounded by monsters, but rather a wide room with magma as far as the eye can see . Above the magma surface was a narrow path capable of fitting two or three people max, spreading into different branches and continuing into the distance . If you were to fall off the path, you’ll be diving straight into the magma . Meanwhile, monsters can be seen wandering around the path .
[Luna, once the path splits I’ll need you to sound off which path leads to more monsters . ] (Yuuya)
[Uhn . Understood . To avoid the monsters right?] (Luna)
[The opposite . We’ll be heading directly towards them . The correct path will lead to the monsters whereas the other leads to a dead end . ] (Yuuya)
It was a labyrinth made to prey on the idea that it’ll be better to avoid monsters to save your energy before the boss battle . However, this made it much easier to break through the maze once you knew the answer .
[Yuuya, there is a monster on the right, a Lizardman . ] (Luna)
[I understand . In order to save our resources, I’ll do a special way of battle . Everyone avoid doing anything and watch . ] (Yuuya)
Our foothold was small making it easy to fall into the magma, however it was an effective weapon at the same time . I began running towards my target who had a similar height with a one handed sword and shield in each hand . Compared to the normal Lizardman we encountered in the dungeon, this was a Crimson Lizardman who had improved stats and battle sense . Looking at the situation, there could be a more effective way to preserve my strength, but we lack the time to worry about it .
[Bash!] (Yuuya)
The Lizardman swung down its blade to intercept the blow, however rather than recoiling from the attack I continued to rush into its stomach and placed my palm onto its side, pushing it off the walkway . The Lizardman continued to fall into the magma and turned into blue particles .
[Just like this, the battle ends in a heartbeat . For the lighter monsters, we do not have to waste any arrows, or mana using our skills . ] (Yuuya)
After confirming our surroundings, we continued to proceed deeper into the labyrinth .
[It’s become so much easier . Yuuya is smart . ] (Luna)
[Yuuyniisan . We could had done this so much earlier so why didn’t we?] (Til)
Til had asked a sensible question as it was a method which saved us quite a bit of energy .
[We wouldn’t be able to retrieve and item drops like this . This is a method we only resorted to if necessary . ] (Yuuya)
Item drops was a precious source of income and we couldn’t afford to leave our battles without any reward . However, this was an exception as time is of the essence . Phil who was supposed to be in the back ran up next to me .
[Although that only depends on what was dropped . There are items that we can retrieve this way too . ] (Phil)
In Phil’s hands was the leather of the Crimson Lizardman tied by Phil’s homemade magic thread . At the same time, there was also a special arrow with a thread pulling mechanism rather than an arrowhead . She must had fired the arrow as the Lizardman turned to blue particles and collected the item before it came in contact with the magma .
[I’ve forgotten that Phil was capable of such a thing . That was my bad . ] (Yuuya)
[We have to be sure to earn as much as we can in this dungeon, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to live luxuriously and enjoy the delicious meat . Especially when you said that you wanted us to enjoy our journey to the fullest . ] (Phil)
As expected of Phil, she was truly reliable in every way . Like this, we can easily push anything we encounter right into the magma without hesitation .
A gigantic golem appeared as it blocked the narrow walkway . It was a Grand Golem . Unlike the Magma Golem, it’s movements were dull . However, it’s large body was a nuisance as we couldn’t just knock it into the magma . Phil and Til concentrated their arrows into its lower abdomen where its core was as per my instructions . After being pierced by numerous arrows, it was time for our heavy hitter to finish it .
[Selene, it’s up to you . ] (Yuuya)
[I will end it . ] (Selene)
Selene began running towards the golem . Currently she was told by me to avoid using her Fortress which consumed a large amount of mana . However even without her skills she was a foe to be reckoned with . She blocked the attack from the golem’s large arm with her skill and continued running towards its core .
[Shield Bash!] (Selene)
Twisting her hip, Selene stuck out her shield as she simultaneously released her spike, piercing through the core and shattering it . As the golem collapsed, we quickly picked up the item drop, the Crimson stone and continued ahead .
[Yuuyojisama . Just how much further do we have to go? I’m beginning to get tired . ] (Selene)
Just based on her voice, I could tell that fatigue was starting to build up . However, it wasn’t just Selene . Luna and Til were the same as it has already been an hour and a half since we entered the labyrinth . Furthermore there were starting to be more demons which couldn’t be pushed just like the golem .
[We’re about two thirds of the way through . The end can already be seen . ] (Yuuya)
[That’s a relief . ] (Selene)
Although we only had a third of the way left, I didn’t mention that it would be tougher here on out as even more powerful monsters were about to appear . I’ll have to be more active in the battles to lighten the load on the girls .
And then, it finally appeared . The converging point for the two entrances as two paths were meeting, forming a single long and wide line . The front entrance began on the southeast side of the labyrinth while the back door was on the south west . From here on, there is the possibility of meeting up with the Crimson Hounds .
[Luna, are there any enemies up ahead?] (Yuuya)
[Uhn . There is a target barely in range up ahead . ] (Luna)
Depending on the monsters up ahead, it is unknown whether our lead in this race could be maintained . As we progress further ahead of the path, this wide road will once again return back to the narrow path once again .
[Yuuya . An enemy . Above us . ] (Luna)
[Everyone be on your guard . It’s flame breath is dangerous . ] (Yuuya)
Finally, the most dangerous monster in the labyrinth appeared, the Flame Wyvern . It was a small dragon which flew in the sky, however it was irritating to deal with as it often fired powerful fireb.a.l.l.s from the sky .
Selene jumped in front of us, blocking a fireball with her shield . However, the wyvern immediately flew away as it fired a fireball . This was its main attack pattern making it difficult for an average magician or archer to land their attacks . Unfortunately for it, my party’s archers weren’t exactly average as Phil and Til shot their arrow sthrough its wings .
Against it’s will, the wyvern began falling towards us as a shadow interrupted its descend towards us .
[a.s.sa.s.sinate!] (Luna)
Luna’s dagger, Bazerator pierced through its soft abdomen as the critical indicator rang through out the dungeon . The monster turned into blue particles as we immediately picked up its scale which dropped as an item . Although we managed to defeat it, it cost us some time .
Running ahead, we ran into a trio of Crimson Lizardmen which were difficult to deal with . Without missing a beat, I immediately ran into battle as I pushed one of them into the magma However, I felt a strong bloodl.u.s.t as I felt a dull impact .
[d.a.m.n . . My~bad . I was trying to help you but wound up injuring you instead . Forgive me . ]
[If that’s how you feel, then leave . ] (Yuuya)
Turning back, it was the leader of the Crimson Hounds as they had managed to catch up while we were caught up in the battle .
[Gahahahaha . My bad . Now then, answer me . How did you get ahead of us when we should had blocked off the path here . ]
[There isn’t a single adventurer who would give away his food for free . ] (Yuuya)
[You’re mistaken . Even if you refuse, I will make you say it… You’re outmatched here however I won’t afford any troublesome things before the boss battle . You’re the ones that will be playing with them . ]
The other members of the Crimson Hound began to lure the remaining two Lizardman towards us .
[You may have tried your best, however you were just a little short . At the end of the day, it was all for naught . ]
Then, they continued forward as there were three parties, twelve of them travelling deeper into the dungeon . The remaining four pairs must have remained at the door, obstructing the other adventurers .
Phil and TIl fired their arrows towards the Lizardmens’ hearts as Luna rushed over .
[Yuuya, let’s hurry up and catch up!] (Luna)
[It’ll all be for naught if we were to catch up to them . The difference in numbers is too high . Furthermore, the other two party will just interfere with us once we arrive at the boss room . And if we overtake them, we’ll just be held up by the monsters again . ] (Yuuya)
[What are you saying! Yuuyniisan are you giving up?] (Til)
I began to smile as I whispered .
[You already know the answer to that . It’s impossible to overtake them at this point . However, at the end of the path there is a small chance to overtake them . Until them, let’s stay slightly further back away from there . Wouldn’t it be nice to have them deal with the monsters for us?] (Yuuya)
Being overtaken at this point is not necessarily a bad thing as there was only one clear answer to clearing this labyrinth safely . And that was by letting other people clear the path ahead . We continued to travel slightly behind them . For their battle movements, they had an effective plan as the two parties accompanying them cleared the monsters while the main party preserved their strength . Furthermore, the main party was equipped with the strongest possible equipment of the Water (Ice) element, raising their flame resistance to the maximum possible with money . That was likely the reason why they could defeat the boss as that many equipment isn’t readily available for anyone, not even an advanced level party . Although they were wary of us, it seems that they hadn’t noticed us yet .
And at the end of the day, when they are least expecting it, we will definitely overtake them and rush ahead of them . And from that point on, we will challenge the boss . Now, continue to fight for the boss as much as you wish however foolish it is . At the end of the day, we will emerge as the victor .