Social Evil (3)

Ruthless sword strikes without mercy. Pale green sap scatters along the chaotically slashing sword paths.

Fortunately, the party is steadily advancing to the lower levels... or so I thought.

"Uh, wait—"

"What did you say?"

By the time I tried to warn her to be careful, it was already too late. Iri's sword moves several times faster than my words.

Splat—!

"Eek?!"

"Oh no..."

Thanks to that, we smoothly took down the door guard, but Iri, who was at the front, ended up drenched in the sap spewed by the tree monster.

"Um, do I have a change of clothes...?"

"You think we packed any?"

"Ah..."

"It looks bad, but it doesn't really smell, so just keep wearing it. Even if it drags on, it's only three days max. Just tough it out for a few days."

Iri sighs and slumps down. The problem is she's in her cadet uniform. Arsen's cadet uniforms have durability similar to those used by the Hunter Association, boasting performance far superior to ordinary protective gear. They don't budge against low-grade monster claws or even 5.56mm bullets. They look like school uniforms on the outside, but they're tougher than most armor. Even if it's dirty, it's better for Iri to keep it on.

...Though it does look pretty bad.

Even so, a kind senior reaches out to Iri.

"...Sh-should I help you?"

"Senior Edel...?"

"W-wait! Don't move, just stay like that. Can't let the fluids splash!"

"Ah, okay...! I'll just stay like this then?"

"Yeah! Hold on!"

I thought she might lend her coat or something, but no.

"I'll wash you off right now!"

As I was about to walk past without a second thought, Edel's final words caught my attention.

"Um, Senior Edel. Don't tell me—"

"Close your eyes!"

"Got it!"

A small blue orb summons in Edel's palm, then fires a water cannon. The pressure is so intense that even I, standing nearby, feel a tingle all over my body. The water stream gradually dies down, and the thick mist settles.

"Ah..."

A faint figure emerges through the fog. Through my Telescopic Vision, I see Iri collapsed with a half-dazed expression. I thought she might have passed out, but her fingers twitch, so she's okay.

"Um, Senior Edel."

"Huh...?"

"That stuff..."

Where do I even start? Strictly speaking, it was my mistake. I should have warned her sooner. If I'd known Iri would dispatch the door guard that quickly, I'd have sent the mid-range dealer Kazuha instead. Unlike the uniform that needs washing, a whip can just be shaken off.

"That sap is oil-based, so it doesn't dissolve in water."

"Hmm... Then maybe switch to oil instead of water...?"

"No, no. Please don't."

That would turn washing the uniform into washing Iri herself. Twice over would be enough. I stop Edel as she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tries to summon a yellow-green orb.

Spraying oil to dissolve the sap would shatter Iri's mental state first. And if it soaks into the uniform and leaves a smell, we'd have to throw away a perfectly good outfit.

"I... I wanna go home. Please let me go..."

"..."

See? Exactly.

"Hang ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in there a bit longer. We're halfway there."

"Halfway? Still half left?!"

"They say a good start is half the battle."

"...I definitely heard that staying still gets you halfway there."

In the end, I take off my coat and drape it over her shoulders like a cape, then help the dazed Iri to her feet. I hear snickering from somewhere and turn to see Rian chuckling.

I deliberately placed him in the rear with Rebecca to exclude him from the main party power, but watching him do nothing but spectate is getting under my skin.

That said, it's awkward to call him out. By the midpoint of the dungeon, monster nests are everywhere, so we have to vigilantly watch even the rear we've already passed.

And surprisingly, Rian is fulfilling his role well. This underground mall Everd is a gimmick-type dungeon. It's an episode reminding first-time dungeon players that brute force isn't everything.

There are gimmicks like ceilings collapsing to pour out monsters, or ventilation shafts to bypass nests. Maybe I raised a flag, because my nerves are on edge.

I reflexively turn around.

"Another one here."

Slash—

Rian's swung sword cleaves a crawling monster. It's a rat-type ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠drawn by some lure.

"So, what's the plan now? We got the door guard, so just the boss left, right?"

Rian says indifferently. But even after the monster falls, my heightened nerves remain.

"...Why the silence?"

"No, just a bit surprised."

Rian clicks his tongue and turns away, stomping a regrowing monster sprout.

Only then do I realize: My Sense wasn't warning of the monster's appearance, but reacting to Rian crushing it.

Reading the awkward atmosphere, Kazuha approaches.

"By the way, Sion, is your right hand okay?"

"No, not at all."

It might look fine, but it's quite bothersome. My talent is Sharp Shooter, so it doesn't matter much which hand I shoot with, but controlling the Glock's recoil one-handed is tough.

Rian clearly doesn't like me much.

"If it's that uncomfortable, why not just ask to sit it out."

"...Focus."

And Rebecca clearly dislikes Rian.

Our party is now on floor 5, exactly halfway down the dungeon. The boss room with this dungeon's mid-boss awaits here.

I expected Kyle to arrive first, but unlike the upper floors, this place is surprisingly pristine. No one's been here yet.

"Looks like no one's reached here yet."

"...What do we do? Go in ourselves?"

Iri and Edel speak differently. I considered waiting for Kyle's party, but with Rian here, it wouldn't end well, so I gave up.

"Let's go."

The demonic energy from the sudden event warning hasn't appeared yet. Probably need to check from the bottommost floor 7, where light doesn't reach.

Step.

As we approach the boss room, everyone's watches beep simultaneously.

"Prepare as I said."

I signal a position change. This formation worked in monster fields, but against the mid-boss, it's laughable. Iri can't handle the attacks alone. We need everyone, including Rebecca.

I feel an unfriendly gaze from behind, but mindful of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the professors, Rian casually moves to my side.

The flickering system reacts, scrambling letters into another message.

Enter or not, we can't proceed without defeating this boss. Professors might dive straight to the bottom from the balcony, but for cadets, quitting early is the only option.

I swallow and holster my pistol. Then slowly lift the sealed door.

Stale air sealed for ages bursts out. As the fog-like dust settles, I scan the boss room with my Watcher's Eye.

The first thing I see is a massive coffin. Chains dangle from the ceiling, and the former warehouse space is now a vast plain. Only occasional rusted iron frames hint at its past purpose.

Before stepping further, I turn to Iri. After exchanging glances with her and the others, I take the halted step.

At that moment, it opens its eyes.

The 'Floating Necromancer' detects intruders.

The system window turns red and fades. Instead, a ragged skeleton descends on chains from the ceiling. Clattering bone sounds echo.

The skeleton's words aren't sound but telepathy, ringing directly in my head.

The ragged skeleton floats in the air. Called the Floating Necromancer, it was a renowned mage in life, according to lore. Vaguely remembered.

Purple light rains from the void, turning into viscous liquid that rises writhing. Animals, humans, various beasts spawn chaotically.

As the boss is a skeleton necromancer, they're all boneless skeletons too.

"Eugh..."

Iri recoils, straightening up.

"Isn't... this a bit much?"

"..."

The sheer number of summons is far too overwhelming for our party to handle alone, as even if we manage to smash them into pieces, they will simply continue to respawn relentlessly unless we can eliminate the necromancer's hontai directly. We absolutely cannot afford a battle of attrition here, for we would surely be wiped out long before its mana pool even begins to deplete.

I grip my Glock. Scan the field with Watcher's Eye, not Telescopic Vision.

The necromancer seems erratic but circles the same spots. I fire along its path.

...All my shots miss.

"What are you doing?"

Even Rian gives a pathetic look. Strictly, no bullets missed. They hit the body squarely.

Yet only walls scar. Before penetration, it phased into ethereal form and vanished.

The necromancer toys, phasing in and out, bullets hitting walls each time.

Floating, it mocks us.

Meanwhile, party members like Rebecca handle summons; I deal zero damage.

Worried the sudden event altered canon, but it's unchanged.

"Thought you had a brain, but what the hell? You're the sniper, right?"

"Yeah."

He's right. Bullets can't damage it. Physical damage doesn't apply.

Click—

I eject the empty mag, load a new one.

So, the question: How to beat a boss immune to physical damage?

Magic works but poor cost-performance. Answer: Abandon physical defeat.

Thinking that, something flickers. Fireball-like wisps crossing empty space—faint spirits resembling elementals.

"What... are those?"

Iri asks cautiously; Edel watches calmly. Intriguing up close.

"People recorded with the dungeon. Called NPCs. Since this is a recorded dungeon... probably hunters sacrificed here."

Forms that would scatter at a touch. Spirits tug chains from the ceiling, trying to drag the necromancer back to the coffin, but dissipate before the lid closes.

Where a hunter party stood, only necromancer mana swirls now. They failed to fell the Floating Necromancer. Vanished with the dungeon.

But their chain-pulling hints at something for us.

Rian looks unfamiliar with the sight, staring blankly. I add charitably,

"Why do you think the coffin is here, senior?"

"What the hell?"

"It's placed to tell us to shove it back in."

"...?"

Still clueless. Better to show.

Delay risks undoing our progress. Meant to yield to Kyle, but we arrived first. Can't wait for others; we clear it ourselves.

Scores are higher for the final boss 'Fierce Salamander' anyway. We take this, yield finale to Kyle's group. Plan set.

Mid-boss Floating Necromancer isn't for brute force. Tutorial for future gimmick foes, to hone combat sense. Arsen left it intentionally.

Clue was there: Immune but descended on chains. Bullets/swords fail, but these ceiling chains can hurt it physically.

Fire again. It phases mockingly, but patterns exist.

"Huh...?"

I keep firing. Looks like wasting ammo to outsiders. But Edel's sharp eyes catch it.

...Old saying: Fool your allies first to fool the enemy. Edel's eyes are good, but not my Telescopic Vision. If she tips it off, all for naught.

Canon used chains as lasso; faster clear exists. Four horizontal, eight vertical. Each shot shatters frames, tangles chains.

Then smash dangling fluorescent lights. They descend like chandelier, wrapping chains once.

Chains knot into one weight. Not heavy enough. Adjust angle, fire again.

Like loaded ballista, it'll trigger on next shot.

Necromancer laughs, bones clacking. Thinks I'm firing blindly. Half-right.

Finally, rack the slide. Loaded round switches to Magic Bullet.

This Magic Bullet is wind attribute. First weave since dorm fall.

Telepathic cackling echoes, but I just raise muzzle to ceiling. Trying to rile me, but pointless. Recorded dungeon bosses respawn on reset. Countless cadets, including canon player me, felled it.

No. I fire instead.

Slide pushes back, empty casing ejects. As it hits floor—

Whoom—!

Bang—!

The swung weight smashes the floating guy's skull.

...!

No more words. Edel swiftly seals the coffin with telekinesis.

Thumping fades. Edel peeks at the still coffin.

"...It worked?"

Seeking confirmation, but mana exhaustion hits me. I just give a small thumbs-up.

Mana drain fatigue grows familiar. Probably permanent.

Light streams as wall crumbles, illuminating the room. I steady myself and step forward.

The barrier to underground floor 6, leading to this dungeon's final boss, dissipates.