Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: 10. Mine Dungeon. (4)
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Allen snapped his eyes open at the shout of alarm. He bolted upright—or tried to—but a wave of muscle pain and exhaustion from his battered body nearly sent him tumbling back down. Gritting his teeth at the frantic cries around him, he forced strength into his legs.
He scanned the surroundings urgently, wondering if a monster had appeared. At the same time, an enormous swarm of larval monsters filled his vision: Ssalver.
———!!!
They were already closing in, lunging at the mercenaries. There was no time to form ranks. It was so chaotic that even the squad members scrambled up half-dressed, grabbing only weapons and shields before fighting.
Shit...!
We're totally fucked—, that dizzying thought flashed through his mind. No time to figure out how things had gone so wrong. First priority: escape this mess somehow...!
—!
In that instant, a monster charged. But its target wasn't him—it was the red-robed mage right beside him.
His body moved on instinct faster than his thoughts. He threw himself forward, scooping up the frozen "Eek!"-yelping woman and rolling across the ground. Pain? He didn't even register it.
At the same moment, the Ssalver crashed down where they'd been. If not for the squad leader, the red-robed mage would have taken a fatal blow for sure.
They sprang back up without a chance to feel the ache. Allen spotted Demitris trembling not far away.
"Demit...!"
The moment he called out, a monster pounced on the timid believer. With a strangled "Gah!", the young man's waist snapped, his body splitting in two.
——!!
The monster approached the twitching upper half and chomped through his neck, severing the head from the torso.
You fucking...!
Waiting like an idiot for someone to save him wasn't an option—the situation was too dire.
"KALLISSMANNNNN————!!!"
His life on the line, Allen bellowed Kallisman's name at the top of his lungs. Anyone else might ignore it, but somehow, he felt Kallisman would come running... .
Next, Allen fled the spot with the red-robed mage. He chased after the others running for their lives. No other choice. Survival first.
Occasionally, someone ahead or behind got mauled to death. Some fought back, but when they did, the red-robed mage blasted magic from her staff to drive the beasts off.
But inefficient elemental magic had clear limits on use. Even with her mana growing lately, signs of fatigue were already creeping in after just the third weak spell.
Still, they reached a spot with a cluster of people. The problem? That many monsters were converging here too.
The armed mercenaries held them off as best they could, but it wouldn't last. They might handle three or four, but the sheer number swarming around was overwhelming.
Then Kallisman appeared briefly amid the monsters—he'd rushed over at the squad leader's shout.
Ah—!
Even he couldn't handle this horde alone. He was slowly making his way to Allen, but the squad leader looked like he'd be bisected first.
At that moment, people huddled against the tunnel wall behind Allen and the mage started vanishing one by one. Soon, the two realized their rear was wide open.
They glanced back. Right there—a hole. The very latrine hole where they'd all shat and pissed earlier.
...For now, in there...!
No other options. Allen locked eyes with the red-robed mage, dropped prone, and shoved inside with her. The stench? Couldn't care less.
The moment they entered, they slipped and tangled together.
Damn it—!
The rounded trough-like tunnel was insanely slick. Smooth as glass with no ridges for grip—nothing to hold onto.
"Ah—!"
With Elena the red-robed mage's short scream, their bodies shot downward like a waterslide. "Whoa!"—but acceleration had already kicked in.
He heard someone desperately yelling "Squad leader!", but Allen could do nothing but slide.
Squad Leader Viola of Rank 10 sliced through monsters with elegant swordplay. Each flash of her blade split their torsos, but there were too many to repel quickly. The mage hammered away with spells, but his non-elemental magic lacked devastating power.
Of course, given time, they'd eventually clear them out. But casualties would mount in the meantime. Already, several from Viola's mercenary corps were injured.
Still, their quick response right as it started kept things from worsening faster.
......Ah, that man...!
Suddenly, Squad Leader Viola's mind flashed to Squad Leader Allen's safety.
She whipped her head around, frantically searching for him. Anyone else? Fine. But that man—she had to save him, no matter what. Absolutely—!
"Alex, Alex—!"
When she couldn't spot him, she called for Captain Alex. He'd just been smashing a bug monster's head with his axe nearby; he rushed to her side.
"Yes, Squad Leader."
"Find that man, Allen. Squad Leader Allen. Protect him. Save him at all costs. Guard him no matter what. That man—save him whatever it takes, got it?! Absolutely—!"
Hearing the squad leader's urgent command, Alex nodded firmly and plunged into the chaos.
To save the one she loves—, a grand motto swelled in his chest.
···
Allen and the red-robed mage slid down like they were on a water slide. No sharp drops like an amusement ride, but once started, no escape.
"Alllleeeen———."
Held tight in his arms, Elena yelled his name in shock at the mounting speed.
Calling his name didn't magically solve anything. He just clutched her close and waited for the slide to end.
After a long plunge, they suddenly shot out of the tunnel, free-falling briefly before splashing into something. Thankfully not hard stone—slimy, viscous muck. Complete with foul stench.
Hah... hah... hah.
Pitch black, no light anywhere. Trapped in total darkness, Allen suddenly felt terror grip him. The fear of death crashed over him.
Then voices echoed nearby—probably those who'd fled into the hole first. They hadn't expected this slide either.
—Where is everyone? Huh? Save me, please. Anyone.
—Fuck, fuck, fuuuck.
—Light, anyone got light? Can't see shit, you fuuuck—!
The tangled pair crawled free of the muck. Allen desperately needed light too.
"Elena, light. Got light? No—your staff. The staff!"
"Dropped it... while sliding. It's nearby."
"Quick, find it. Hurry."
Gasping raggedly, they groped wildly. Luck struck—they found it fast.
With the staff lit, the surroundings came into view. A complete slime bog everywhere, mixed with weird chunks. Like falling into a giant cesspit...
People thrashing knee-deep in the slime swarmed toward the light like moths.
Soon after lighting up, another figure burst from the tunnel and splatted into the muck—a burly man, unmistakably Kallisman.
"Squad Leader, you're safe...! Thank the heavens."
"...No need for you to follow."
"How could I ignore your desperate calls?"
"You too, huh."
Allen's words were gruff, but honestly, reliable backup eased his mind.
Then another slid out—a total surprise. Emerging from the slime: Captain Alex of Viola's mercenary corps.
"Squad Leader Allen—! Glad you're safe."
"...Why are you here?"
"Squad Leader Viola's orders: save you at all costs."
Why go that far? No time for questions. Just relief at another strong ally. Now wasn't the moment—figure out escape.
Gathered around the light in their sorry state: ten people total. The two non-combatants were both squad leaders. Excluding Allen, the other was a retired mercenary, too old for real fighting.
Allen fought to stay calm. This might be his first true crisis, the worst yet—.
......They say even a tiger bite won't kill you if you keep your wits. At least I've got reliable comrades now. Not alone. That's something. Yeah, I can do this. I definitely can.
His coward's heart pounded to reject those thoughts, but Allen mustered every ounce of willpower for superhuman courage.
"What do we do? Can we survive? Huh?"
"I-I'm rich. Save me, and I'll give you everything. Everything—!"
"Fuck, where are we? Fuuuck. ...Knew I shouldn't have come to a dungeon. Fuckin' nightmares lately. Shiiiit...."
In panic, they muttered helplessly. Allen clenched his jaw, eyes blazing, fists balled tight.
I can do it. I have to.
Don't, and we're dead. Back's a bottomless cliff anyway.
...There's that saying.
Courage isn't fearing nothing—it's overcoming fear despite knowing it—.
In the noisy chaos, a powerful voice rang out. Heavy with resolve.
"Everyone, quiet—. QUIET—!"
Allen swept his gaze over the silenced group and spoke clearly.
"From now on—!"
One breath.
"I'll take control of this situation."
His intense gaze met their faces.
"...Any objections? Speak now."