Chapter 225 - Reversal (1)

Goblin Forest is one of the brighter areas on the second floor. It's dark, but the stars strewn across the sky provide some light.

Not this much light, though.

WHOOOSH!

Dozens of luminous orbs float in the air, lighting up the surroundings as brightly as day. It looks like a floodlit stadium at night.

'How much mana do they have to spare?'

That alone makes the difference in our abilities painfully clear, tightening my chest...

But that isn't what I should be thinking about right now.

“Jandel, those bastards are...”

“The Scholar of Destruction and the Corpse Collector. I don't know who the third one is either.”

I keep my eyes straight ahead as I briefly fill in the warriors coming through the portal behind me.

“Oh, so you didn't come alone after all?”

The Therianthrope man I have yet to identify chuckles. He looks pleased.

“We'll make a pretty penny even split three ways, won't we?”

His greedy gaze sweeps over us. It makes me feel like Trash Mob A in some ridiculously lucrative farming spot.

Ha. When he congratulated me, I'd actually hoped he might just let us go.

“How vulgar.”

The Scholar of Destruction, a white-haired mage getting on in years, clicks his tongue in disapproval.

“Why? Isn't that why you insisted on staying behind too?”

The Therianthrope asks, but the Scholar of Destruction doesn't bother answering.

Then the Corpse Collector cuts in with a laugh.

“Heh. Do you still not understand that old monster? Loot or no loot, all he wants is to hurry back, you know?”

“Hmm, is that so? Then I suppose we're the only two vulgar ones here.”

“Ha, what are you talking about? Do you think I stayed behind for a few pieces of equipment?”

“... Then why?”

The Therianthrope tilts his head at the Corpse Collector's words.

No, the Clown's words.

I pretend not to listen as I prick up my ears too. Knowing each one's reasons and objectives for staying here might give us more options.

Well, yes, that was the idea...

“Obviously! Because it sounded like fun!”

The Clown cries out theatrically, just as he does at the Round Table.

“We get to kill explorers who've barely made it through that arduous journey, clinging to one tiny speck of hope! What could be better?”

The Scholar of Destruction frowns again.

“What's with that manner of speaking? It's as though you've suddenly started putting on an act.”

“Ah, that? Well, if I'm lucky, someone here might recognize me! Heh.”

“Recognize you...?”

“Tsk, it's a long story. I've wanted to kill them all for ages, but simply killing them would be boring, wouldn't it? At least it's more fun if the people dying know who I am!”

“I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. Do as you please. I'll get back to resting.”

The Scholar of Destruction looks baffled, but I understand perfectly.

'You fucking psycho.'

He's hoping that if any Round Table members are among us, they'll recognize him. That's why he even went to the trouble of wearing his mask to reveal himself.

In a way, that gesture shows his resolve.

He has no intention of letting anyone leave here alive.

“Hmm, there are a lot more of you than I expected.”

The Therianthrope, who has been chatting nonchalantly even as our companions continue coming through the portal, gives us a puzzled look.

But he shows not the slightest sign of tension.

We're the dregs left behind by the royal family's elite forces. He must be confident he can handle us no matter how many there are.

'That's actually better.'

I decide to look on the bright side as much as possible. Things would have been far bleaker if they'd focused their attacks on us the moment we reached the second floor.

It's good that the enemy is underestimating us.

So...

“Heh. No one's coming through anymore. I suppose that's the last of you?”

Whether it's arrogance or not, we just have to take advantage of it.

“Good. Any more might have been troublesome.”

“Heh, troublesome? Hardly.”

A high-level necromancer, also known as a one-man army.

The Clown snaps his fingers.

WHOOOSH!

An enormous subspace opens in midair.

And...

[GRAAAAAAH!]

Out pours a legion of hundreds of corpses.

“VEHELLLAAAAAA!!!”

It's time to begin the final battle.

The one I've wished for so desperately.

* * *

The corpse legion surges toward us. They must have been painstakingly collected, judging by their proper equipment.

It's quite an intimidating sight.

But...

“Hey, we can go home if we win this one, right?”

No one runs away.

At least, no one around me does.

“Whew, finally a proper fight.”

The utterly exhausted warriors draw their weapons with smiles on their faces.

“Finally, I can save some face. I'm a whole rank higher than you, after all.”

It's different in so many ways from when we were clearing a path on the first floor. Swords, hammers, axes, maces, iron clubs, and all manner of other weapons shine brightly.

「Alessandro Bell has cast [Fury of Fire].」

「Ralph Kell has cast [Gale Sword].」

「Milton Teterud has cast [Flag of Fighting Spirit].」

「Energy consumption during combat is greatly reduced.」

Skills we haven't been able to use because of the field effect.

“Waaaaaah!!”

“Let's gooooo!!”

The warriors unleash them without reservation as they charge the corpse legion, as though they've been waiting for this moment.

I activate [Gigantification] and join their ranks.

That's right. We're out of stamina, not MP!

KABOOOM!

An explosive crash rings out as our vanguard meets the corpse legion.

The sound that should accompany any battle fought by explorers.

[GRAAAAH...]

The instant we halt the corpse legion's charge, support pours in from the rear.

Flying arrows. Offensive spells of various elements. And ranged Abilities.

Of course, the enemy doesn't simply stand by and watch.

「Aveth Necrapethor has cast [Curse of Stone].」

Bodies turn into stone statues mid-battle.

「Aveth Necrapethor has cast [Corpse Explosion].」

Corpses modified to self-destruct barge in and explode in a spray of flesh.

BOOM!

The explosions are about as powerful as rank-six fire spells. Not enough to instantly kill warriors made tougher and faster by their active skills.

But...

SSSSSS.

As expected of corpses controlled by a poison necromancer, the bodies of those splashed with blood at close range melt in an instant.

“Aaaaargh!!”

Amid all that...

“Hey, barbarian! Are you the leader here?”

The Therianthrope, one of the trio, takes a massive leap and lands in front of me.

He looks completely different now.

Vicious protruding fangs. Fur covering his entire body, and a blue mane. A height and frame comparable to mine under [Gigantification].

He's transformed into a beast reminiscent of a lycanthrope.

'No wonder he barely had any equipment.'

I quickly size him up.

'The enhancement type?'

Spirit beasts, the unique power of Therianthropes.

He seems to be the enhancement type, like Misha. One of the powers he acquired by leveling his Spirit beast over and over must have been a transformation.

'Then what Essences has he gobbled up?'

Setting aside a question that will answer itself soon enough, I cover my face with my shield.

He's swinging his enormous forepaw at me.

BOOOM!

A heavy impact rattles my bones.

'His Strength is higher than mine.'

As expected, this won't be an easy fight—

WHOOSH!

Just as I pull back to avoid a contest of strength, a sword swings down.

Not at me, but at that wolf bastard.

“I'll take this one! Fall back!”

It's Melter Fend, commander of the Nartel Clan.

“You'll take him?”

“Master Kyle's orders.”

Well, in that case.

I readily leave the opponent to him and retreat. The right person for the right job, as they say.

Melter Fend is the expedition's only rank-three explorer. He and his clan members have also been conserving their strength for the battle on the second floor.

'He said he used to be an apprentice knight, too.'

He'll be far better at fighting another person than I am.

[“Jandel, can you hear me?”]

The moment I turn away, leaving the wolf bastard to Melter, Kyle's voice comes from the message stone.

“I hear you.”

[“My apologies. I was delayed dividing up our forces.”]

“Skip the apology. Get to the point.”

[“Focus solely on leading the others against the Corpse Collector. Melter Fend and his companions have agreed to handle Blue Mane.”]

“Blue Mane?”

[“Oh, you didn't know? He made a name for himself during the campaign against Noark. He was the heir of the Blue Wolf Tribe, but apparently hid in Noark after committing a crime and fleeing.”]

Hmm, so he isn't an Orculus member.

No wonder no one came to mind when I saw him.

“Understood. I'll handle things here.”

[“That's reassuring. Then I'll devote everything to holding off that old geezer.”]

By old geezer, he must mean the Scholar of Destruction, right?

Maybe that old man is the one Kyle mentioned wanting revenge on.

“All right. I'll leave him to you.”

I say it to end the conversation, swinging my mace at the corpses filling the area.

Then his voice comes again.

[“Ah, one more thing.”]

“...?”

[“Your companions will be arriving shortly.”]

“What?”

[“...”]

No answer comes.

CRUNCH!

Just then, I'm crushing a corpse shielding its head, shield and all.

SHHK!

An adamantium greatsword buries itself in the temple of a corpse aiming for my flank.

“We'll help from here on!!”

Aynar.

And...

“Bjorn!”

Misha.

The melee damage-dealing duo naturally takes up fighting stances behind me, one to either side. It's Team Apple Naraq's usual favorite formation.

“You're not going to insist on fighting alone again, are you?”

I look back to see Raven riding Teddy, Mister Bear's summon.

'Wait, if Teddy's here...'

I check nearby, and sure enough, Mister Bear has come along too.

“Why are you two here instead of staying in the rear...?”

The melee duo I can understand, but why have these two come all the way here? They'd be much safer in the back.

Mister Bear loads a bolt into his large crossbow and answers.

“Arcing shots aren't my specialty.”

Hmm, that's true enough.

Though I doubt that's the real reason.

'Once we reach the sixth floor, I should get him [Leaping Arrow] first.'

I swing my mace while thinking about the Essence I'll have Mister Bear absorb later.

But the corpse falls before my mace even reaches it.

FWOOSH!

A fire arrow is embedded between its eyes.

“Mister!!”

Right, you've come too.

I see her older sister Daria beside her as well. She seemed intent on keeping herself and her sister out of harm's way. Has she suddenly had a change of heart?

I don't know, but it's not a bad thing.

“Protect the commander!”

Melter Fend and his clan members have carved out their own space on the battlefield and are busy beating down the wolf bastard.

“You worthless dregs...!”

Judging by that glowing praise, they seem to be handling him nicely.

It does bother me a little that the Scholar of Destruction has been quiet so far...

'Have faith.'

If he tries anything, Kyle will stop him. I just need to do my job.

So...

“...”

I sweep my gaze across the battlefield ahead.

With [Gigantification] active, it isn't hard to spot the Clown in the distance.

He's sitting atop a giant corpse monster, watching the battlefield. As though he's enjoying a genuinely entertaining spectacle.

'There's a limit to how much you can look down on people.'

For some reason, I laugh.

Come to think of it, that Dragonslayer bastard had the same look in his eyes when we first met.

“Misha, Aynar. We're breaking through.”

I begin advancing in earnest, smashing through the corpse legion.

The target: the Corpse Collector.

The objective: crack his fucking skull open and see whether there's something wrong with his brain.

“Jandel! Jandel's about to do something again!”

“Is he going after the Corpse Collector?”

“Follow the great warrior!!”

“Let's gooooo!!”

The explorers begin rallying around me.