Chapter 31: The Wizard's Escape Strategy (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: The Wizard's Escape Strategy (2)
Dust Explosion.
A Tier 2 combination magic created by slotting the Tier 1 spells Dust Pellet and Hot Gale.
It deals high damage and can inflict burns.
What makes it even more useful is its ability to bypass obstacles.
But I most often used it to destroy them.
*
[Your Turn. Time Remaining: 56 seconds]
[Action Points: ■■■■]
Like a demolition foreman, I carefully selected the targets for my spells.
“Dust Explosion.”
I set one off at the corner of the cathedral’s front wall.
I waited out the ten-second cooldown.
[Your Turn. Time Remaining: 45 seconds]
[Action Points: ■■■□]
“Dust Explosion.”
I set another off on the opposite side.
I had to be careful, ensuring the falling debris wouldn't hit our team when the walls and ceiling collapsed.
My targets were the spot where the Caretaker stood and the sentries were pouring in—the cathedral entrance and the corners of the nearby walls and ceiling.
“Dust Explosion.”
[Your Turn. Time Remaining: 23 seconds]
[Action Points: ■□□□]
What would happen to the sentries when I brought it all down? About 60 to 70 percent of them would probably be crushed by the collapsing ceiling and the cathedral’s facade.
And the Caretaker?
One of two things.
If we were lucky, it would get buried along with them, and it would take some time to get out. If we were unlucky…
‘Phase Shift.’
The Caretaker of Rest could teleport short distances. It might use that to dodge the falling debris.
But that wouldn't be so bad either.
It would be better if it got crushed before it could even use Phase Shift, but forcing it to use that spell now was a huge advantage.
That way, it couldn't catch us from behind as we ran for the gate.
The more important question was…
‘Where should I set off the last one?’
If I got too greedy, the ceiling might not collapse properly.
If I miscalculated the debris field, our team could get hurt.
But if I was too conservative with the explosions, too many sentries might survive.
How long would it take for the Barbarian, the Paladin, and the Monk to unequip their gear, sling it on their backs, and climb the display cases to the roof?
Let’s say a generous seven seconds per person.
The Monk had no choice but to carry his iron staff, so having someone take it from him first would be a good idea.
[Your Turn. Time Remaining: 8 seconds]
[Action Points: ■□□□]
Even if the worst happened, I had a way out.
The Temporary Hourglass.
I’d acquired it a while ago. I was just saving it for something else.
If one of the three got caught by an enemy while climbing and we couldn't provide backup, I would use the Temporary Hourglass.
Ah.
Come to think of it, with a little luck, I might not have to use it at all.
“Dust Explosion.”
[All Action Points have been consumed.]
[Ending Turn.]
[The hourglass has been flipped. Cooldown: 60 seconds]
*
BOOM! KABOOM! BOOM!
Suddenly, the walls and ceiling near the cathedral’s main entrance exploded.
Flames erupted and bricks rained down. Shattered roof tiles flew in every direction.
CRASH!
More than half of the ossuaries were smashed to pieces.
The collapsed ceiling and walls came crashing down, burying the sentries and the Caretaker at the entrance as a thick cloud of dust billowed up.
“Wh-what the…”
The Halfling, who had been aiming his crossbow, stared at the wizard, dumbfounded.
The wizard had suddenly pointed a pair of wands downward and, without an incantation or a cooldown, had half-demolished the building.
“What in the…”
The fleeing Paladin, Bernard, also turned back in shock.
“Get up here, now! We don’t have time!” the wizard shouted again.
“Let’s go!”
The Monk slapped the Barbarian on the back and turned around.
Roof tiles clattered and bounced across the floor.
Brick and mud fragments littered the ground as the dust began to settle.
Through it all, the surviving sentries emerged.
“Get up here, you Barbarian!”
You always look out for your own first. The Halfling had no choice but to prioritize his long-time companion.
“Got it!”
With unbelievable jaw strength, the Barbarian clamped the massive two-handed axe between his teeth and began to quickly scale the display cases.
“Monk!”
Bernard smashed the head of a surviving sentry.
“You’re after the Barbarian! Go on up, Monk!”
“…No.”
Aimus, beside him, shattered three more sentries crawling out of the rubble with his iron staff.
He gazed at the now-open sky and the ruined cathedral facade.
‘Caleb collapsed the roof.’
Was the Caretaker of Rest buried under that rubble?
He didn't know.
But the good news was that the sentries weren't reviving. Not yet.
“I’m sick of running away and leaving my comrades behind.”
He was talking about Back Attack.
When Back Attack, lost to madness, had come to save him, Aimus had abandoned him in the Labyrinth and fled alone.
“The Paladin should go first!”
On Dalai Mountain, they teach you not to be consumed by distracting thoughts.
To not dwell on the past.
Regret bears no fruit, they say; it only destroys the mind.
But how could he ever let go of something like this?
CRACK!
Aimus shattered another sentry.
“Go, now!”
“You are…”
Lizard turned back toward the display cases first.
“The best vanguard I have ever seen. I will be waiting for you at the top.”
At that moment, three sentries scrambled over the debris.
CRACK!
Aimus smashed one with his greatstaff, and the other two were…
ZAP!
THWACK!
A Lightning Shock and a crossbow bolt took them out simultaneously.
“Aimus! Back up slowly!”
Caleb’s voice rang out.
Aimus took slow steps backward, keeping his eyes on the front.
The Paladin, shield slung on his back, was climbing the display cases as fast as he could.
And then…
SCREEEEE!
A whistle pierced the air, making everyone’s hair stand on end.
It sounded like the gates of hell creaking open, unoiled.
Goosebumps erupted all over their bodies.
“It’s not buried! The Caretaker isn’t buried!” Caleb yelled.
“Aimus! Get up here! Hurry!”
The monster had used Phase Shift to dodge the falling ceiling, escaped the building, and had been observing the situation.
And now, again.
SCREEEEE!
The Caretaker of Rest stepped back into the cathedral to pursue the intruders.
SCREEEEE!
The debris covering the floor began to stir.
The dead sentries were waking up again.
*
With the aggro of most monsters now focused on the cathedral, two figures were sprinting through the middle of the empty 1.5th-floor town.
The Elf Archer, Yernil, and the Dwarf Mage, Astin.
“Pant… pant… Slow down!”
“We don’t have time! We have to hurry!”
“Hey, kid…”
The dwarf clutched his side.
“I’m injured… I just died and came back to life.”
“I healed you, didn’t I?”
Following Caleb’s instructions, Yernil had placed an ossuary next to the dwarf’s corpse, used the Resurrection Scroll she got from Bernard, and poured Healing Potions all over the dwarf’s wounds.
She’d even made him drink one after he woke up.
Healing complete!
“You think that’s enough to fully heal me?!”
The dwarf’s side still felt like it was being torn apart every time he ran.
“Just bear with it a little longer! Your party and my party are all in danger!”
“I know that, but…”
The Dwarf Mage, Astin, was part of a seasoned three-person party with the Barbarian, Greg, and the Halfling, Remus.
The friendship they had forged through countless life-or-death situations was as strong as any Deep Layer party’s.
He wanted to get back and help them even more than the elf before him.
“Dammit.”
The dwarf gritted his teeth.
“Fine. Lead the way!”
He clutched his throbbing side and picked up the pace.
“Thank you! Caleb said to come back quickly. Let’s go!”
“What did he say we need to do when we get there?”
“Caleb said to support him with Earthen Wall magic.”
“Support him how?”
“He said he’s going to make a cloud, and we need to support him then!”
“What the hell does that mean?”
This elf kept calling out ‘Caleb, Caleb,’ just like the Paladin, Lizard, was always looking for Nathaniel.
Astin found the rookie archer from that new party a little amusing.
It was always nice to see a team with such solid trust…
“Monster!”
Spotting a sentry that had suddenly appeared up ahead, Astin pulled out his wand.
But just before he could begin his incantation…
THWIP!
An arrow, fired like lightning from Yernil’s hand, pierced the sentry’s head.
Not just one arrow, but three.
PAPAPANG!
“Whoa!”
The dwarf burst out laughing.
“You’ve got some skill!”
“……!”
A proud, rosy blush crept up Yernil’s face as she glanced back at the dwarf.
“It’s Three-Round Burst! It’s a skill!”
“I didn’t ask.”
“I took down three of them on the way to find your body, too.”
“How many times have you been in the Labyrinth?”
“This is my second time!”
No wonder she seemed so green.
But Yernil was brimming with confidence.
The old Yernil, the weakest link who had no skills and needed constant protection, was gone.
Hadn’t she vowed to be reborn?
Here now was a super rookie archer who could land three arrows in quick succession.
Caleb’s most trusted (?) right hand.
The genius archer entrusted with the crucial mission of resurrecting a fallen comrade and bringing him back.
Presenting Yernil, on a special mission!
“Hah.”
Watching this rookie archer reminded Astin of his own beginner days.
And of Remus and Greg, who had been just as green.
They had grown older together, accumulating scars and memories along the way. Though their skills had hit a wall, preventing them from descending past the 2nd floor.
“Those fools. Just don’t die.”
“We’re almost there! I can see the cathedral!”
*
‘We might get caught.’
The ominous thought surfaced in everyone’s mind.
An adventurer who enters the Labyrinth must always treat death as a companion.
They always keep the possibility of death in mind.
Still, moments like this were terrifying.
Faced with death, even the iron will of a monk trained on Dalai Mountain could feel the seeds of fear sprout.
The fear that he might never see his family again.
The last one.
Aimus began to climb the display case.
“Staff first!”
Bernard reached out his hand.
“Here!”
Aimus passed up the cumbersome iron staff, and Bernard and the Barbarian took it together.
“Hurry!” the Halfling yelled. The sentries were swarming right at the foot of the display case.
“Cover him! Cover him!”
The Halfling fired his crossbow wildly.
“Lightning Shock!”
Magic erupted from Caleb’s wand.
SCREEEEEE!
The Caretaker’s whistle echoed like a funeral dirge.
“……!”
Aimus suddenly felt a jolt as something shook the display case from below.
“It’s on the display case!” the Paladin shouted.
He looked down and saw it was true. Two sentries had grabbed the case and were shaking it.
“Dust Explosion!”
Caleb quickly used a spell to blow one of them up.
The one next to it…
THWACK!
The Halfling archer tore it apart with a piercing shot.
Aimus had almost reached the top of the display case.
“Give me your hand!”
The moment Aimus grasped the Barbarian’s outstretched hand…
‘What?’
Suddenly, the expressions of the four people in front of him froze.
Aimus realized something was wrong.
‘My ankle is cold.’
As if something cold had grabbed his ankle.
There was no ladder here.
But the ossuaries were placed on the first shelf of the display case.
That was because it was as far as the Caretaker of Rest could reach.
That’s why his ankle was cold.
Because the lord of death that ruled the 1.5th floor had seized his ankle with its ice-cold hand.
“Aimus!”
Bernard thrust Aimus’s iron staff like a spear, but it was a clumsy attack.
The Caretaker dodged it with ease.
ZAP!
Caleb’s Lightning Shock hit its mark but did little damage, and the crossbow bolt fired by the Halfling…
CRUNCH!
To their astonishment, the Caretaker caught it in its mouth and bit it in half.
“That’s impossible!”
Aimus’s hand slipped helplessly from the Barbarian’s grasp.
His palms were slick with sweat from the frantic battle.
THUD!
He grabbed the top of the display case, hanging on for dear life, but…
“I can’t hold on!”
Even the strength of a monk who could swing a steel staff like a tree branch was no match for a Floor Boss.
“Aimus!”
“Heh. Heheh. Heheh.”
Screams from above.
A chilling laugh from behind.
Hanging from the display case, Aimus felt the strength drain from his arms in an instant.
It was over.
This was the end.
A strong premonition washed over him.
“Run withou—”
“In my backpack!”
Caleb suddenly turned and shouted.
“There’s a dagger!”
It was the weapon used by the beastman from the marauder party.
Caleb didn’t need to use the Temporary Hourglass.
Because he was awake.
“What…”
Beyond the faces of Caleb and the Halfling, a familiar silhouette appeared to Aimus.
He was once the youngest rogue in his party, their core fighter, and the one who had carried the hopes of the Adventurer’s Guild as the best rookie on the 1st floor.
Aimus knew his skill, too.
‘Magic Dagger Throw.’
When a white light flashed on Back Attack’s dagger, it never missed.
*
“KYAAAAAAAAAK!”
The dagger embedded itself in the Caretaker’s forehead, and the 3.5-meter-tall monster stumbled back with a scream that echoed through the cathedral.
“AAAAAAK!”
Clutching its forehead, it tripped on the roof debris—CRASH!
As it fell, crushing several sentries beneath it, Aimus quickly recovered his position.
“Now!”
Saving hands scrambled to pull Aimus up.
“Gasp… gasp…”
Aimus panted, his body trembling with the terror of his near-death experience.
“Say hello.”
Caleb patted him lightly on the shoulder.
Standing before him was Back Attack.