Chapter 73 (1/2)

Chapter 73 – The Enemies Lurking in the Mines (highlight)

Alternating watch during the night, we approached the morning without incident.

After having breakfast and extinguis.h.i.+ng the fire, we immediately headed towards the mine.

Inside the completely dark mine, Graham-san carried a torch and led the way. Ah, even though I say it’s a torch, it’s not ignited with a fire, it’s a lamp magic tool.

Almost as if Graham-san had prepared beforehand, though cautious, we advanced without incident through the complicated mine.

I put up my vigilance against the surroundings while following him.

On the way, we were attacked by monsters like Goblins and Orcs, but the scale was small so I easily disposed of them and continued onwards.

I wonder how far have we’ve progressed? I’m not certain, but from my senses, it’s been around two hours?

As we turned a corner of a complicated intersection, I felt something and immediately pulled down Graham-san.

The next moment, something dropped on the location where Graham-san was at just a moment ago with a ‘becha‘ sound.

「Slime…」

Graham-san let out a mutter.

The mucus-like substance squirms around without a form.

Stretched out from the impact of the drop similar to a puddle of water, it eventually gathered up.

Trying to seize its prey which escaped, the Slime’s mucus tentacle extended towards Graham-san.

「Please get down! Flame Arrow!」

Three arrows of flame materialized, and after hitting the Slime, its surroundings gave off an unspeakable stench while roasting the mucus.

The mucus, which was in agony, eventually stopped moving, and finally left a burnt stain on the ground.

「Sure was dangerous… Ya saved me, jou-chan.」

Although a Slime’s offensive ability and mobility are not high, similar to just now, it strikes its prey with surprise attacks, once it uses its own mucus to wrap them up, it uses a powerful acid to dissolve and absorb them.

Also, weapon attacks mostly don’t have any significant effects, and anything other than freezing or burning it is pointless. Although I said freeze, they are different from water; it’s said that since it seems a considerably low temperature is needed, generally, burning it is the best method.

And temporary captured prey gets dissolved alive, which could be called a h.e.l.lish experience.

「For even Slimes to settle here, it sure is troublesome ne…」

Slimes prefer locations with high humidity and dark places. Because that way, it’s suitable for it to maintain its body, and the darkness suits its surprise attacks. On the contrary, it’s difficult to encounter them in bright places and dry locations.

Since Slimes split up and multiply once they go beyond a certain size, there will be a considerable number of them depending on the location. Since I’m on the subject, Slime’s don’t have a lifespan.

Although I don’t know how many Slimes are in this mine, in the worst case, it’s possible that a considerable number of them are lurking.

Different from other monsters, they have almost no presence because surprise attacks are a standard for them, so they are extremely troublesome monsters.

While looking out for surprise attacks from Slimes on the ceilings, and surprise attacks from monsters  around the corner, we continued onwards.

「It’s supposed to be in the open s.p.a.ce ahead. The story is once we pa.s.s through, the mining spot will be right there.」1

After three hours, judging from my senses, it seems we finally approach our destination.

Carefully, we a

pproached the open s.p.a.ce.

And the moment we arrived at the open s.p.a.ce, within the area, was…

「……Black Dog…」

With a pitch black appearance, it’s a large dog with a height of almost two meters.

Furthermore, there are over ten of them…

「Oi, why are these guys… I’ve never heard of anythin’ like a group of Black Dogs, ya know!?」

Black dogs are also referred to as h.e.l.l Hounds, a monster which spouts fire from their mouths.A single one is ranked A. Generally, it should be difficult to see even a single one, but a group of them are living here for some reason.

Certainly, in this sort of situation, an intermediate leveled adventurer, no, if they are careless, it’s possible that even a party of advanced leveled adventurers will fall behind.

「It’s hopeless, let’s run away! d.a.m.n it, even though our goal is right in front of us…!」

Although Graham-san tries to turn back, a growl echoed from the open s.p.a.ce.

「……No, it’s impossible. They have already noticed us… Please stay here, Graham-san.」

I took off the rucksack from my back, instructed Graham-san, then headed towards the open s.p.a.ce alone.

「Jou-chan!? It’s impossible! There’s still the possibility for escape!」

Although Graham-san cried out, I’m sure that’s too optimistic. Leaving myself aside, it’s impossible to escape with the legs that Graham-san has. (note: he’s a dwarf for, those who forgot)

I am Graham-san’s escort, and as his friend, I must do everything I can.2

With the hilt of my katana in hand, I confronted the group of h.e.l.l Hounds.

The h.e.l.l Hounds spread out as if in coordination while letting out a growl.

Amongst them, a large one opened its mouth and came leaping over.

「s.h.i.+!」

Measuring the timing, I cut off its head with iai. (note: iai is the art of sword drawing)

Strengthened as a sacred treasure, the katana was extremely fast, its head was cut right in half through its tough bones.

The h.e.l.l Hound, which had came rus.h.i.+ng over, fell to the ground with a plop, without even being able to raise a death cry.

「GROOOOOO!!」

Was it because its comrade was defeated? The one at the front opened its mouth wide.

Flames could be seen inside it.

「Icicle Lance!」

Intermediate sorcery, an ice lance materialized and pierced into the flames just as it was about to be released.

The ice lance shot through the h.e.l.l Hound’s head, flew several meters then disappeared.

That’s two of them… But still, there are nearly ten h.e.l.l Hounds remaining in the area. And those ones were vigilantly glaring at me, taking up a posture which could attack at any time.

From the front, right, and left, each of them came swooping in.

I instantly stepped under the h.e.l.l Hound at the front, cut it down with a sideways sweep, then immediately moved to the next target.

「Earth Spike!」

Timed with the h.e.l.l Hounds leaping from the left and right, with my sorcery, several sharp spears of rock popped out from the ground.

The spears of rock skewered the Rock Dogs that were in midair, then returned into the ground.

As expected, did they become cautious after around half of them were killed? The remaining h.e.l.l Hounds surrounded me in a fan formation.

「OOOーN!」

When the one in middle cried out, the remaining h.e.l.l Hounds simultaneously went into a fire breathing posture.