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

This is the first time I've encountered such a visual obstruction since entering the dungeon.

"Lily, don't leave me."

"……yes."

I said to Lily what I've said countless times since just now.

I was certainly worried about getting lost in this fog, but what made me even more alert was the attack by the male adventurer from yesterday. Before coming to this floor, I had repeatedly checked on Lily to make sure she was safe; I might have annoyed her.

(But then again... this weapon is actually quite useful.)

I kept an eye on Lily's presence while glancing at the double-edged dagger in my hand.

It's quite easy to use. Although it feels a bit clumsy when maintaining distance from enemies because I'm used to short swords, it's still passable. It can even easily take down killer ants.

The attack range is truly novel. It's like launching an attack from a safe zone without any scruples.

Even though its power is not as great as the Goddess's Blade, we can't expect too much.

"...!"

After passing through the passage I was originally walking on, the view became wider.

The grassland stretches out into spacious caves. Although mist is spreading, the space in the middle of the caves is still visible.

And in this scenery, there are scattered dead trees that have lost their leaves and branches.

"..."

The many trees standing eerily in the mist made me frown. In any case, I avoided the walls where monsters might spawn and headed deeper into the hall.

I approached the grove of dead trees, each one or two meters tall. The bark was tougher than I had imagined, and the trunks were thicker at the bottom and ridiculously thinner at the top, exhibiting a distinctly unusual structure.

—Ah, this really is…

After looking at all the trees with a bitter feeling, I turned to look at Lily.

"What should we do? Should we cut these down first?"

"No, it seems there isn't time."

I was surprised to see Lily staring intently ahead.

Feeling a tension that made my back taut, I looked back.

The silhouette of a massive figure swayed on the other side of the fog. Deafening footsteps and the incessant tremors of the ground traveled through my shoes and into my entire body.

I forced myself to keep my expression from twitching and clenched my teeth.

"Bugu waaaah..."

With a low growl, the large-scale monster "Orc" appeared.

Brown skin paired with a pig's head. Ragged, peeling old skin covered his waist, like a tattered dress. He was probably over three meters tall, a little taller than the Minotaur.

However, compared to the bull-shaped monster's muscular physique, the orc was round and plump.

"It really is huge..."

"You can't run away, Lord Bell!"

This was a path that was bound to happen sooner or later. Hearing Lily say this, I swallowed and nodded.

That's right. If I don't defeat this orc, I won't be able to conquer the other large monsters I encounter in the future... and I won't be able to conquer the Minotaur.

Don't be scared half to death just because your opponent is much bigger than you.

I took a deep breath and widened my eyes.

"Buji, ooh ooh ooh ooh...!"

The orc stared at Lily and me with its useless yellow eyes.

The fat pig monster spotted its prey at a glance, stomped on the ground with a loud thud, and slowly stretched out its hand through the trees.

Then, with its massive arms, it uprooted a tree.

The dead wood that was originally part of the nature of the maze turned into a rough stick in an instant.

"Landform: The Labyrinth's Armory"

One of the tricky aspects of dungeons.

This living underground city provides natural weapons for the monsters that roam within its labyrinth.

This terrain effect, which appears starting from the 10th floor, is specifically designed to enhance the abilities of monsters.

Monsters that can be defeated bare-handed will transform into special enemies that cannot be underestimated after receiving support from this dungeon.

"The timing is terrible..."

While the "Arsenal of the Labyrinth" can be destroyed, it is also part of the dungeon and will naturally repair itself over time. The same applies to weapons used by monsters. For example, this dead tree is said to sprout a new one in the same spot after a while.

Normally, if you have time, you can destroy the "maze's armory" first to prevent the monsters from strengthening... but this time the timing is too bad.

I kept a short distance from the fully armed orc, and the two sides faced off.

"..."

The intervals between the orc's heavy breathing became shorter and shorter.

Their ugly eyes gleamed with a menacing light, ready to strike at any moment.

The first battle against a large-scale monster. A thrilling sense of urgency.

With sheer willpower, I suppressed my heart pounding and relaxed my shoulders.

In an instant, the orc let out a roar.

"Ooh o ...

The signal that the battle has begun.

Upon hearing the roar, I dashed toward the orc.

(Cannot be attacked!)

It's obvious from their physical differences that I couldn't withstand the orcs' attacks.

If you get hit, you'll be sent flying. Don't even think about using protective gear to defend yourself.

(As for when I'm going to attack...!)

Aim for the lower body first, especially the feet that are firmly rooted to the ground.

Bigger isn't necessarily better. Okay, to be honest, that behemoth terrified me, but big guys have their weaknesses too.

Besides being a large target, it is also easier for us to carry out small-scale operations.

This is especially true for slow-moving monsters like orcs. Their excessive weight also makes it easy for them to lose their balance.

one strike.

Just one hit.

As long as I can dodge my opponent's attack, I can launch a powerful counterattack.

The orc in sight was closing in!

"Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh!"

The orc raised his club as he charged straight at me.

The large, round wooden mallet, originally part of the tree root, was raised high above the head.

It needs to be waved from top to bottom, which means...!

"!"

I charged forward without fear.

Vertical swing attacks differ from horizontal sweeps in that their effective range is very narrow. As long as you can clearly see its trajectory, dodging it is much easier.

The weapons will be knocked to the ground, so there's no need to worry about being attacked repeatedly.

Until the opponent raises the stick, he will be full of openings.

I'm going to launch a full-scale attack!

"Bugu waaaah!"

"I won!"

"—Burp!"

I dodged the swinging stick with ease.

I maintained my charge as I passed the orc, slashing at his side as I brushed past him.

Green blood splattered from the ripped wound in his abdomen, and the orc screamed in agony.

The grassland was stained with a deeper shade of green.

"call!"

From behind, completely unsuspecting, I attacked his right foot as planned.

The attack is launched from a position close to the ground.

The short sword, held in both hands, sliced ​​across the grassland, its silver blade then slicing into the orc's short, stubby foot.

"——!"

A deafening roar.

The double-edged dagger, having severed the knee and slid into the flesh, paused temporarily. The hard bone, combined with the orc's full weight, rendered the blade immobile.

But I gritted my teeth.

As if lifting an orc, I used all my strength to thrust forward with the double-edged dagger.

"Watch this—!"

Disconnect.

The short sword flew violently from his right foot, and the orc, who had lost a leg, immediately fell to the ground.

A hoarse wail accompanied the shockwave that shook the entire cavern. The orc struggled in agony, but I did not stop.

Tap, tap, I ran up the orc's huge back, came to the back of his head, and thrust the tip of my sword down into the double-edged short sword directly below.

With a low thud, the blade pierced the orc's head.

"Chirp, ugh..."

"Lord Bell, another one has arrived!"

"!"

I lifted my head from the monster that had just convulsed and was now groaning. Just as Lily had said, I could see an orc emerging from the opposite direction of our path. Perhaps it had heard the sounds of battle, and now it was in a state of excitement, charging straight out of the misty sea, ignoring even the natural weapons around it.

I jumped off the lifeless orc and stretched out my right arm.

It's impossible for it to miss.

My vertically oriented eyes were fixed on the enormous body, and I shouted out the trigger for the magic in one breath.

"[Flame Lightning]!"

"Ughhhhhhh!"

The flaming spear, as swift and unpredictable as lightning, struck the orc in the chest.

The orc roared and staggered a few steps, but that was all. His charred chest was torn and mangled, but he was not yet defeated.

It seems I've only just learned it; my magic isn't strong enough to defeat an orc in one hit yet. The power of [Fire Lightning] is still too low.

but--

"—Fire and Lightning!"

rapid fire.

The "quick-fire magic" was unleashed again, striking the orcs once more.

The orc, struck precisely in the same spot, had his jaw flung off by the explosion in his chest, and staggered backward, staring at the ceiling... before coming to a stop.

"..."