Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

And rental shops that seem to be popular with students are everywhere.

Even just turning a corner and entering a lavishly decorated street, Lefia couldn't help but wryly wonder, "Is this really Orario?" Nano and Miria would also take advantage of holidays to team up with other female students to find recommended shops, or rather, to discover new places.

Lefia and her companions were headed to the Guild Headquarters, located next to the bustling "Exchange" in the southwest district, which was situated in the northwest of the city. Their main purpose was to complete the procedures for exploring the dungeon, and also, just in case, to inquire whether any unusual events had occurred within the "middle ranks."

"--Ee!?"

"Um?"

When the group arrived at the guild headquarters' front courtyard—

The boy who passed by Lefia let out a gasp.

This boy, like Luke and the others, was a student in the "district". The combat suit he was wearing, provided by the school, looked like it hadn't been worn for long. He was a humebunny, with a fluffy round tail on his lower back, long ears on his brown hair, and his eyes were almost completely covered by his long bangs.

Despite it being their first meeting, the boy seemed inexplicably terrified.

That's right, this should be our first meeting... Hmm?

(I feel like I've seen him somewhere before...)

When Lefia squinted to observe closely, the tense boy quickly turned his face away.

"Rabbi, what are you doing? Let's go!"

"Um, sorry, Nina!"

At the call of the half-elf female student, the boy quickly ran towards the students who seemed to be in the same "team".

"That was...?"

"Ah, that's the 'bottom-of-the-class team'."

"The bottom-ranked squad?"

"Although they are the 'Third Squad' of Baldban, they are the exact opposite of our 'Seventh Squad'...and are described as the worst party in history."

"Actually, our squad leader Nina is very ambitious, and it's really pitiful for her situation. She's clearly smarter than me, and has a well-behaved personality... and she's only thirteen years old!"

"Based on my impressions of them in simulated combat, rather than being at the bottom, it's more accurate to say that each person is too outstanding, making it difficult for them to coordinate with each other. As far as I remember... there was a freshman who enrolled halfway through the semester who was assigned to the team, so now it's a five-person squad."

After Lefia tilted her head and asked, Mililia, Cole, Nano, and Luke took turns explaining.

Back when Lefia was a student, there wasn't such a notorious team as the "worst squad in history." It was probably just a group of students with many problems.

(At least judging from that rabbit-man boy, he gave me the impression of being "quite capable"... Or am I overthinking it?)

In fact, although the "Seventh Squad" to which Rafiya, Yalisa, and others belonged was an elite squad, they were also a group of problem students (troublemakers).

That's probably what they mean by the fine line between genius and idiot.

"If that team were to enter the 'middle level,' I have a feeling they might surpass us..."

Lefia and the others watched the "Third Squad" until they could no longer see their backs before turning around and walking into the "Guild Headquarters".

*

After completing the formalities, Lefia and her party went to Northwest Street—"Adventurer's Street"—to purchase the items needed for the "Little Expedition" before entering the dungeon.

It is conceivable that they did not encounter any difficult battles and easily broke through the "upper level" to enter the "middle level".

"[A low growl of light, a roar of blessing, shattering nobility with brilliance. Devour, Thunder Jaws!] -- Luke, retreat!"

"good!"

With a solemn and cautious tone, the correct incantation is woven, and the "magic" is then released outward.

A dazzling crimson magic circle bloomed beneath the girl's feet. As intense electrical discharges occurred in the air, Nano immediately extended her bronze wand forward as soon as she saw Luke retreat out of the attack range.

"【Azure Fleet (Zarqa Armada)】!"

"Ooh o ...

The beam of lightning shot straight ahead.

A total of ten bolts of lightning converged and transformed into a barrage, burning the monster and the surrounding terrain together. The three "fanged lion-tigers" that had just fought were blasted to pieces.

"Nano! You need to be more careful with the power! Otherwise, you won't be able to recover any 'dropped items,' or even 'magic stones'!"

"Ah!? Sorry, Xiaomi!"

"—Wait, enemies are approaching through the side passage!"

"Nano! Miling! Quickly switch formations!"

Lefia had thought that Mililia and Nano would have a fight. After the battle, the werewolf scout (Cole), who was still on guard around, suddenly perked up his ears and spotted the enemy. Luke then flipped over and stood guard in front of Mililia and Nano.

The Seventh Squad did not panic despite the dungeon's deliberate "gauntlet" tactics; instead, they calmly dealt with the invading monsters.

"Even the 'Fanged Lion Tiger,' which they struggled against in the first battle, was dealt with so easily. Now, they don't even have any psychological barriers; they even know how to use the opponent's habits to their advantage... Hmm~ these students are so outstanding that they're not cute at all."

Lefia muttered to herself, keeping a distance from the group, as she instantly defeated the rabbit-shaped monster "Unicorn Rabbit" that attacked from the side.

A week has passed since the special (dungeon) internship began, and Lefia has left all combat to the students to handle themselves. Although she will still lend a hand in case of emergencies, there have been no such opportunities so far.

(These four people have indeed grown...)

The timid and easily swayed rear guard (Nano) is also proactive in giving instructions and leading the squad when not required to use magic. Her role on the battlefield, ensuring a wide field of vision, is undoubtedly that of the rear guard. With Nano becoming more proactive, the "Seventh Squad" is bound to become even stronger.

Luke and the others trusted Nano, entrusting their backs to her and even daring to take various actions. Lefia was quite surprised when Luke voluntarily moved to center, handing the forward position to Miria and Cole. It seemed they were still training behind Lefia's back, becoming capable of handling various combat positions.

If Mililia hadn't given her that smug look, she would have been flawless—Lefia thought to herself with a wry smile.

"Hmm, it seems everyone has improved their weaknesses."

Treat failures as lessons, keep exploring, and thus grow.

This is not something that can be learned on a whim; it is the result of their serious approach to the tasks they were given and their unwavering commitment to them until now. Luke and his friends are indeed both diligent and outstanding.

With enough experience accumulated over time, they will surely distinguish themselves as adventurers.

Lefia was genuinely happy for the growth of the "Seventh Squad".

And we are proud of them.

I also understand that this is probably the kind of enlightenment that only "mentors" can experience.

However──

(I have a feeling... there's something ominous about the dungeon today...)

While Lefia felt joy, she also inexplicably felt a chill run down her spine.

It was an indescribable feeling of "strangeness".

As this "sense of unease" intensifies, it eventually triggers an "alarm" in the brain.

(There's nothing unusual around me...and no aura of a powerful monster...so what is this "strange feeling" I'm experiencing?)

Should we wait and see?

Should we explore the surrounding area first until we confirm that everything is okay?

Or perhaps they're choosing to retreat first as a precaution?

Currently, everyone is on the regular route on the 15th floor. With their own strength and that of the "Seventh Squad," they are absolutely capable of handling the "abnormal situation" on this floor.

As Lefia pondered this premise—

"Gigglea ...

"Aa ...

Suddenly, the rocks collapsed, and with the sounds of monsters emerging from the dungeon, Nano's screams echoed all around.

Dozens of bat-like monsters attacked Nano, who was standing alone in the back row, from the air.

"It's just an 'evil bat'! Don't make a fuss about it."

"I'm so sorry, Xiaomi. Waaah~ Why do I keep apologizing today..."

Just as Miria had defeated the monster, she easily pierced through several enemies with a single arrow. Luke also leaped up by kicking off the wall, transforming into a whirlwind that tore the monsters to pieces.

As the four swiftly eliminated the monster, only Lefia's expression changed drastically.

She twitched her distinctive elf-like pointed ears and looked around in surprise.

"Chirp! Chi ...

"Chirp chi ...

"Hiss! Aa ...

Suddenly, a cacophony of roars from many overlapping monsters echoed from afar.

"W-What's going on!?"

"The eerie sonic waves (screams) of 'evil bats' are everywhere...!"

"Could it be a monster outbreak!?"

Although the sound came from a great distance, the sound of rocks cracking came from all directions and places, followed by a continuous roar. The students then assumed fighting stances.

The bat-like monster called "Evil Bat" has almost no ability to fight directly, but its "sonic waves" can hinder adventurers' movements. However, when dozens... no, when hundreds of them emit sonic waves together, even the orc with excellent hearing, Cole, can't help but cover his ears.

—As Luke said, a large number of “evil bats” have appeared.

Can't be wrong.

The "strange feeling" in Lefia's heart refers to this situation.

They did not encounter any specific monster along the way.

In principle, the dark corners of the "cave labyrinth" should always harbor "evil bats," but today we haven't seen a single one.

Aside from extremely serious "abnormal situations," the total number of monsters on each floor of the dungeon is fixed. The "evil bats," which were likely delayed in appearing because the dungeon wanted to produce them all at once, are now being born simultaneously from the entire 15th floor, emitting deafening roars.

This time, it wasn't the "walls," but the "ceiling" that was smashed open.

(Oh no!!)

By the time Lefia sensed a "clear crisis," it was already too late.

The ceiling above Nano's head, which was spawning evil bats, collapsed on the spot as if it had lost its balance.

“Eh!?”

"Aa ...

The ceiling, riddled with holes from the monsters it had produced, collapsed and fell down with a deafening roar.

Amidst the treacherous landslide, the upgraded Familia leaped towards the ground with astonishing reflexes. The crowd gasped in shock, screaming as they struggled to dodge and escape. The side effect of mass-producing "Evil Bats" was a series of deafening crashes, like a building collapsing, the impact shaking the entire floor.

And—

"Nano!?"

“Ah—”

On one side are Nano, Mililia, and Cole.

On the other side is Luke.

A massive rock, as if intended to separate the three from one person, fell between them.

Luke hurriedly stretched out his hand, but the rock blocked the dumbfounded Nano and the others from view.

"No! Luke!"

Faced with the boy's determination to catch up with his companions, Lefia wrapped one arm around his waist and quickly jumped away.

As if confirming her intuition, the ground collapsed as well.

In order to get out of the collapse area as quickly as possible, Lefia quickly jumped into one of the passages.

"Nano──────────────────────────!"

The boy's voice calling for the girl was abruptly drowned out by the deafening roar.

*

"Loki—! Something terrible has happened!!"

While Ais and the others had been resting in the reception room since morning—

With a series of hurried footsteps, Elfie rushed in.

"Rumor has it that a massive collapse has occurred in the 'middle level' of the dungeon! The 'guild' is in complete chaos!"