episode_0026

The reason we are exploring the sewer is simple.

Because we received a request.

Once we receive a request, we can’t just sit still out of fear.

That’s why we are wandering around like this right now.

“It seems like they’re not coming out because they’re scared.”

“That’s true.”

Although I think it’s because we’re still at the entrance, I decided not to say anything.

So we walked around, illuminating our surroundings with torches.

It was definitely noisy back in Baruk, but when we came down to the sewer, it became quiet without much talking.

It seemed like everyone was overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

“Um… Should I use Light magic? It might help brighten up the dark surroundings.”

I tried to save mana as much as possible, but since it seemed like we would never make progress if we continued passively, I took the lead to move forward.

“But won’t you run out of mana?”

“Well… It does consume a little, but since I’m not alone and others are watching over me, it should be fine.”

“That’s true, but really. Always relying on the mage, huh.”

Donatass muttered as if he was dissatisfied, but he didn’t try to stop me from using magic.

Well, there was nothing I could do about it.

The rumor that the sewer was a place avoided by adventurers had spread.

But still, the reason people gathered here was simple.

The pay was really good.

I, of course, accepted the proposal without looking at the pay, just because Esilly suggested it, but other people must have carefully considered the conditions before joining this party.

Having a mage in the party must have played a big role as well.

With that in mind, we continued our exploration.

[Light]

I cast the spell and infuse mana into it.

As a result, the surroundings brightened up.

It was almost like broad daylight.

I didn’t expect the output of the Light magic to be this strong since I had never used it before, but it was indeed powerful.

I thought it would be better to reduce the output a bit next time I used it, so I started moving forward.

“Um… Have you ever seen a transformed monster before?”

I initiated a casual talk to lighten the mood.

Engaging in such casual talk would help us relax and move more comfortably during actual combat.

“Well, as a member of the Shurk Paladin Order, I’ve seen many transformed monsters. Even on the way here, I encountered an Ogre variant and ran away immediately. No matter how confident I am, I can’t face such a monster.”

Even for a Paladin, facing an Ogre variant seemed daunting.

To be precise, it seemed difficult to face.

Ogres were already known for their strength, but if they became variants and became even stronger, it would be even more challenging.

It was a natural enemy in terms of fighting in close combat with unarmed combatants or warriors who had to rely solely on strength.

Well, if we all worked together, who knows.

“Wait a minute, you encountered an Ogre variant and came back alive? Is that even possible?”

“Haha, I was lucky. And as a Paladin, I inherited the unique blessings of the Paladins. With that, it’s much easier to escape.”

Certainly, many people seemed to understand why someone would want to become a Paladin.

By becoming a Paladin, you could learn Paladin-exclusive swordsmanship, magic, and even receive healing.

There were many advantages to it.

“By the way, how strong is an Ogre? I’d like to meet one at least once.”

I did want to meet an Ogre or a Troll at least once.

They were known for their incredible strength.

It seemed like a good opportunity to test my magic.

I also wanted to confirm if my mana would be completely depleted.

“..Ogres are crazy monsters that even Platinum-ranked adventurers find difficult to deal with, so it’s best not to meet them if possible.”

“Ah… I see.”

There was no need to show confidence and express a desire to meet an Ogre here.

I didn’t even want to meet a monster that I could meet.

How long did we wander around chatting like that?

Thud-!

I heard someone running away.

And then-

Whoosh-!

Hartz, who was next to me, leaped in an instant and disappeared before my eyes.

And a moment later.

“I caught the runaway.”

In that short time, the unidentified person who was running away was caught.

It could be considered impressive.

How could someone move so fast?

Even if I used acceleration magic, it was a movement that I could barely see.

Thinking like that, I checked the appearance of the person I caught.

“Eek…! Please spare me..!”

He was a strangely skinny man.

He was so skinny that you might think the saying “skin and bones” was referring to him.

Thinking like that, I cautiously spoke.

“So, there was a monster here that was a combination of a slime and a werewolf. Do you happen to know its location?”

I asked very politely.

Although he ran away when he saw us, looking at Dontas next to me, running away was a reasonable choice.

It was a problem for us to catch him.

So I asked, and the skinny man cautiously opened his mouth.

“I… I don’t know..”

“Mr. Mage, step aside. I will interrogate him.”

I was not confident in interrogation, so I handed the man over to Dontas.

His tone seemed like he knew something.

And a moment later.

“Aaahhh..!!!!!”

The sound of agony echoed in the sewer.

And the information we obtained from the interrogation was one.

If we go down one more level from here, the monster we were talking about will appear.

It took about 30 minutes to find out this one piece of information, but I didn’t regret it.

It was necessary.

So I used a binding spell to tie the skinny man to the wall, and we headed downstairs.

But-

Thud-! Thud-!

I kept hearing someone running away around me.

Hartz tried to catch the person running away, but after catching one and getting the same answer, he didn’t catch anyone else.

He focused more on protecting me.

Maybe my light was more precious to Hartz.

While thinking that-

Snap-! Snap-! Snap-!

Swoosh-

Various sounds were heard, and an enormous swarm of rats appeared in front and behind us.

And cockroaches appeared in large numbers from the side.

“Wow.. it’s really disgusting.”

I expected there to be creatures like this in the sewer, but I didn’t expect them to organize and attack us like this.

But to attack us all at once like this.

It seemed like someone was controlling the vermin to delay time.

So I pushed myself a little and unfolded the spell.

First, the first one was Lightning Chain.

[Lightning Chain]

Zap-

The lightning chain penetrates through the enemies, electrocuting them in an instant.

The second one was Fire Spear.

[Fire Spear]

Whoosh-

A spear made of fire pierces the enemy’s location, setting them on fire.

The third one was Storm.

[Storm]

Using the remnants of Lightning Chain and Fire Spear around, Storm enhances them even further.

And a spectacle unfolded.

A storm of fire and lightning swept through the sewer.

Even though I used magic to this extent, I didn’t feel like my mana was running low.

I used the optimal mana when unfolding the spell and infusing mana from the beginning.

And I originally had a lot of mana.

Crackle-!

The storm of fire and lightning was sweeping through the enemies, but there were rats approaching us as if they had lost their minds, burning their bodies.

The rats were huge.

It’s hard to describe the size of an average cat.

That’s probably why it looks so grotesque.

Just as I was about to cast a spell-

“Stop, from now on, we’ll handle it. We can’t keep relying on others for help.”

“Right. We’ve seen enough of your skills, so let us take care of it from now on!”

Harz and Dontas said as they started showing off their skills.

It was a show of strength, even though they could easily handle it.

I had to periodically purify the area.

And then.

Crackle-

Somewhere, a very ominous sound could be heard.

A voice that seemed to say, “I’m the boss.”

It didn’t send shivers down my spine, but rather made me think, “Oh, is that so?”

It didn’t seem that powerful.

And a moment later.

Crackle!

A face of a wolf.

A body of a slime.

Arms and legs of a human.

“What is this.”

It was incredibly grotesque, to say the least.

There’s nothing pleasant about something looking like that.

“That’s a really ugly monster.”

“Oh, I need to go to the bathroom.”

“What?”

“I need to go to the bathroom because I’m nervous.”

“Oh, I see.”

Why is it that there are only strange people around me.