V2C48 (1/2)
(048) The Right to Pursue Happiness
Translator: Tseirp
I was back beside the Goddess statue at the back of the boss room.
Changes occurred to all the members that were dedicating prayers.
Rare medals appeared in front of Jofre and Elise, 10 silver coins in front of Carol and a sponge in front of Oregeru.
I spoke,
“Haru, do you know about Lifestyle magic?”
I tried asking Haru but she didn’t reply.
Instead, Oregaru replied.
“Lifestyle magic are magic necessary in terms of livelihood. If I remember correctly, you would be able to use purification (clean) magic at the beginning. It’s likely to be magic that cleans your surroundings.”
” … I see … it won’t be helpful for our escape … oh right, Jofre, could you lend me the Friendship Ring? Also, I’d like some monster-repelling incense as well if you have them.”
“Ah, sure. As thanks for the food.”
Jofre bent down, extracted the Friendship Ring and incense that releases an odour that monsters dislike from his shoulder bag and passed them to me.
With these …
“Haru … can I have a moment?”
” ……… !? Ah, yes, what is it?”
Haru was deep in thought about something but she was shocked when I tapped her shoulder and she asked me what I wanted.
“Please wear this Friendship Ring. Carol and I will exit the boss room first and attract the enemies. Five minutes after I leave, please lead everyone to escape to the 23rd floor.”
“But master, that’s dangerous. I’ll be the decoy …”
“No, I’m the only person here capable of doing so. Haru, please believe in me. Jofre, Elise, please carry that old man there using Centaur. Oregeru is a noble after all so he might reward you if you escort him up to the surface.”
“Ah, understood, we’ll properly transport the reward goods until the surface!” (Jofre)
“We’ll complete the task even if it breaks us.” (Elise)
The item to be transported is not the reward good but Sebastan though. But the mud ship that Elise mentioned is not wrong at all. It was a mud ship that makes the mud ship of the racoon dog in Kachi-kachi Yama pale in comparison. (TL: Had to look that one up lol. It’s an old Japanese folklore. The phrase Elise used can be literally translated as “Leave the task to me for I am willing to ride a mud ship for it.”. As for the Kachi-kachi Yama racoon dog folklore, it’s about a racoon dog that was invited out by a rabbit to go fishing. The racoon dog was greedy and selected the larger mud ship made by the rabbit because it seemed like it could hold more fishes while the rabbit rode the smaller wooden ship. In the end the racoon dog’s mud ship disintegrated and it drowned. That’s just the last part of the whole story but it’s where the MC was referencing to. I think he’s implying that Elise and Jofre were being motivated by greed. You can read the whole story by googling Kachi-kachi Yama.)
“Carol, ride on my back! We’ll breakthrough using force!”
” … Yes.”
Carol hesitated and her facial expression darkened for a moment before she nodded and rode on my back, wrapping her arms around my neck.
So light … just like Miri.
“Well then, let’s go.”
I crossed the boss room and opened the door with a kick.
The place there … had turned into a minotaur’s lair.
… But …
“「Slash」!”
I kicked with my feet and shouted out Slash.
A vertical vacuum blade extended out, 2 minotaurs were annihilated while another 1 suffered from a mortal injury.
A path opened up at the same time.
As expected, thanks to the considerable rise in level just now, my attack power has increased.
“Hold on to me tightly!”
The minotaurs were hesitating with their attacks, they know that the damage will extend to Carol if they attack me.
It didn’t feel good to use Carol as a shield but this was my chance.
It can work if it’s like this.
I kicked the minotaur with a single leg that was collapsed at the stairs as if hunkering down (The one I cut down before I entered the boss room) and kneed the minotaurs on the stairs in their chin, causing them to tumble down. Avoiding the falling minotaurs, I weaved left and right to dodge the subsequent minotaurs and broke through in one go.
We safely arrived at the 24th floor.
However, even here, minotaurs were overflowing from the left and right.
We’ll reach the stairs to the 23rd floor if we go left. The frequency of appearance of minotaurs will decrease if we climb to the 23rd floor but that will cause the 23rd floor to no longer be a safe zone.
If that’s the case, I began moving towards the right.
“Keep your head low!”
I cried out as I used the space between the 2 horns on a minotaur’s head as footholds to jump horizontally and move ahead.
We barely cleared the ceiling, if Carol raised her head ever so slightly or if I had jumped even a slightest bit higher, Carol wouldn’t have emerged safe and sound.
After kicking across 3 minotaur heads, I successfully dropped down to a place devoid of anyone.
Since we’ve reached here, the only thing left to do is to escape.
After letting loose a roundhouse kick Slash directed behind to keep them back, I started running on the 24th floor.
【Ichinojo Level up]
Most likely because I’ve reached a certain distance from the minotaurs chasing from behind, combat had ended and the level up call came.
【Philanderer skill: 「Dexterity UP (minor)」 obtained]
Geh, I left it as Philanderer. I’m happy that I acquired a skill that looks convenient but I’m surprised that I could defeat the minotaurs with a single blow. It seems like Apprentice Swordsman won’t be able to level up anymore so I swapped Philanderer with Hammer-user.
“Erm …”
“What is it?”
“Please leave Carol behind and escape! It’s impossible for you to be able to escape on your own, let alone while being burdened by Carol.”
“Is that so? You’ve been watching right? If push comes to shove, I can forcibly break through.”
“The minotaurs until now were bewildered but in a short moment they will come to snatch Carol away by force. When that time comes, you won’t be able to escape safely.”
“It’s Ichinojo.”
I said.
“My name is Ichinojo. Please remember it.”
” … Ichinojo-san, I’m Carol.”
“Why do you wish to die? Dying is scary you know?” (TL: MC, the only person who can actually contest to that xD)
Because I’ve died once. I’d rather not experience that a second time. Though, I’m still going to die one day.
As we were having that conversation, a single minotaur appeared from ahead.
Did it happen to respawn nearby to make up for the minotaur I defeated just now?