Ch.283October’s Dungeon, and Community Work (6)

The gimmick of this dungeon was a maze, commonly found in games. If you went the wrong way, your consciousness would black out and you’d return to the starting point.

It’s been a classic since the old days. Like the Legend of Z*lda’s Dream Island. Normally, you’d have to gather hints for a strategy or memorize the path through trial and error… but as time passed, such gimmicks disappeared. Gamers’ perseverance diminished with each passing generation.

That’s why even when these gimmicks appear now, they’ve changed to blatantly hint at the correct path. Like having distinctive cacti or conspicuous trees marking the way.

“Aiiing… today’s gamers have no perseverance. None at all. I don’t even like how they hold their joysticks. Back in my day, we’d tighten our core and press those controller buttons with purpose. Not loosely holding them like people do nowadays.”

I muttered to myself while looking around.

“Master… you sound like an old fogey.”

Pinocchio said, half-materialized.

“If you think that’s bad… want to taste what a real old fogey is like?”

I made a motion like I was about to flick his forehead.

“S-sorry, sir!”

Pinocchio immediately cowered. That’s right. Sometimes you need to maintain discipline.

As expected, there was a distinctive cactus. It was oddly shaped like a human. The path was clear—just follow the cacti to complete the maze.

“Let’s go with chicken legs~!”

Imitating an annoying fairy who shamelessly spams Q skills and only uses ultimates on themselves, I started walking.

Of course, a simple maze wouldn’t be any fun.

“PWOOOOONG!!!”

With a sound like a trumpet blast, I immediately materialized the Pinocchio Sword.

“PWOOOOONG!!!”

A massive elephant with a mace attached to its trunk charged toward me.

“Welcome to the Smashing World!!!”

I materialized the Pinocchio Sword right away. When I hear that “pwooong” sound, I can’t help but say this line.

WHOOOOSH-!!

The elephant swung its trunk like a mace. It certainly lived up to its status as a large monster. If I had blocked with an ordinary sword, its durability would have been shattered.

This was the perfect opportunity for the Pinocchio Sword to shine.

WHOOOOSH-!

I quickly materialized the Pinocchio Sword.

CLAAAAAANG-!!

The sword collided with the elephant’s trunk. Sparks flew as an intense shock wave rang out.

However, my stance remained unbroken.

I had raised my sword at the perfect timing to deflect the attack.

“PWOOOOONG!!!”

The elephant swung its trunk vigorously.

CLAAANG-!! CLANG-!! CLANG-!!

The power of the attacks was fierce, but the pattern itself was intuitive. I deflected the sword strikes with the Pinocchio Sword.

Being a clearly stupid-looking animal, its actions were extremely simple. “Huh? You keep deflecting my attacks? That makes me angry!” With that mindset, it kept pounding at me with its trunk.

CLAAAAAANG-!!

Soon, I perfectly deflected the attack for the fourth time.

KUUUUUNG-!!

With that, the elephant’s stance completely collapsed.

Now was the time to counterattack.

FWASH-!!

After charging Burning Stance in my legs, I leaped high.

“HYAAAH!!”

Neutralizing the enemy was the first priority.

“PWOOT…!!”

The elephant tried to rise from its collapsed stance. But my sword had already struck directly at its trunk.

SWOOOOSH-!!

As the blade of the Pinocchio Sword flashed, the elephant’s trunk was severed.

“PWOOOOONG!!!”

The elephant-type monster threw back its head in unbearable pain.

SHRIIIING-!

Immediately after, I dismissed the Pinocchio Sword and drew Tomato from my waist.

“DIE!!!”

Then, I delivered an overhead strike, the basic kendo stance.

SWOOOOOOSH-!!

As Tomato’s red blade flashed, the elephant-type monster was split in two and scattered.

No matter how monstrous, nothing survives being cut in half. That took care of the elephant monster.

“Okay!! Let’s move on quickly.”

I smiled and proceeded forward.

———

“CLANG! CLANG!”

“KIYOOO!!”

Various oversized monsters charged toward me.

This was also an opportunity. A chance to master how to effectively wield the Pinocchio Sword.

CLAAAAAANG-!!!

It was a repetitive pattern—parry the monsters’ heavy attacks with the Pinocchio Sword, then when their stance broke, cut them down with Tomato.

‘Pinocchio Sword… not bad.’

Honestly, if I had only used Tomato or other swords, their durability would have been destroyed by now. Using the Pinocchio Sword as a defensive strategy was quite effective.

CLANG-!! SWOOOOSH-!!!

Slaughtering the monsters one-sidedly, I headed toward the path indicated by the cacti.

I had definitely become stronger than before.

“Gerreuk. Are you watching?”

I gazed at the sky, recalling something from the distant past. Those days of swinging around an iron pipe seemed so long ago. Though it feels like just three months… more than half a year has already passed. Time really flies.

Anyway, my companions and I were steadily growing stronger. At this rate, we might be able to resolve the upcoming tragedy. That hope was growing.

“Master!! I’m good, right?”

Pinocchio called out.

“Yeah… you’re good, but… you’re still not the best sword I’ve ever used.”

I replied.

“Do you mean Tomato?”

Pinocchio tilted his head.

“No… there’s a sword equal to or greater than Tomato. The one called the Sausage Sword…!”

I couldn’t forget the taste of that moment.

There was a pleasure in its heaviness. It was one of the finest swords I’ve ever used. The impact sensation was just different. I miss it. Sausage Sword… will I ever get to use it as a sword again?

“I-I’ll try harder!!”

Pinocchio burned with a strange competitive spirit toward the Sausage Sword.

———

Soon after, I succeeded in escaping the maze.

Am I first? I had that expectation, but… someone had arrived before me.

It was Umi. No, this is really unexpected.

“Ah! Shota!!”

Umi immediately ran toward me.

HUG-!

Umi embraced me right away.

“Yes, yes.”

I patted Umi’s head.

“Shota! I missed you!”

Umi said while repeatedly giving me bird kisses.

“Yes, yes. I missed you too.”

I smiled and kissed Umi back.

“But… how did you get here so quickly?”

I asked Umi. Honestly, I thought Umi would be the last to arrive.

“Ah! There were all these scary things coming out… I just ran away. They didn’t chase me this far. When I got hurt, I just used healing.”

Umi said with a smile.

So she just used self-healing while running? Since there was no instant-death damage, she just kept healing while running. Almost like a speedrunner.

“Umi!! Well done!”

I slipped my hand under Umi’s skirt and patted her bottom. Oh… Umi’s bottom is always plump. Definitely works as a baby cushion.

After that, Thumbs-up Man walked in.

“Ah. Shota. You’re here.”

Thumbs-up Man’s entire body was covered in monster blood. With his bald head and muscular build, he looked like a hero of reversal.

“Good job.”

I said to Thumbs-up Man. We cleared the same maze… but in very different ways.

By the way, Thumbs-up Man arrived before Kana? That was impressive. Since joining our party, Thumbs-up Man has really gotten stronger. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say his growth was remarkable.

“Shota. I prepared something in advance.”

At that moment, Thumbs-up Man rummaged through his bag for something.

POUR-!

Then, Thumbs-up Man poured coffee from a thermos for us.

“You must be thirsty from working hard. Have a cup.”

Thumbs-up Man said with a smile.

“Really!! Thumbs-up Man!!! You precious thing!!”

I roared with joy as I accepted the cup.

How does he always know exactly what will make people happy?

Truly a social skills monster…!! Thumbs-up Man scares me!!

——

Anyway, eventually all members arrived. Everyone was safe. No issues. Everyone had definitely gotten stronger.

“Cyber Psycho Kana… an overwhelming fourth place.”

I said to Kana, who was slightly hunched over without realizing it.

“Shut up!!”

Kana immediately got angry and transformed into Cyber Psycho after a long time.

“Ah… so this is the skill level of the top student from Tushin High.”

I said with a smile.

“Hey!! Are you mocking me?! Let’s duel!”

Kana blushed and tried to draw her sword.

“I don’t take orders from people slower than me.”

I said in a strict, solemn, and serious tone.

“ARRRGH!! Really!!”

Kana took deep breaths. Hehehe. That’s it.

———

Anyway, we all cleared the maze.

“Alright, everyone! The boss is coming up soon. Let’s all focus.”

I said.

Beast Tamer. Literally a monster that fights by training various beasts.

Even if you take out the beasts first, this vicious opponent would replenish them from everywhere.

Eventually we’d have to take down the main body, but if our firepower was insufficient, the boss fight would drag on endlessly.

“Sausage. Your role is the most important.”

I said.

“M-my role is important, you say.”

Sausage spoke nonchalantly, but the corners of his mouth were twitching. Yes. It’s time for you to do something protagonist-worthy, Sausage!!

“Your firepower is the most crucial here. First, bring out the Plague Doctor and apply debuffs. Then, don’t pay any attention to your surroundings—summon all six of your spirits and focus only on attacking the Beast Tamer. Got it?”

I said.

If things went well, we could cheese the boss fight in just a few seconds.

“Okay. I’ll trust you guys.”

Sausage nodded seriously.

Sausage would focus on single-target damage, while the rest of the party members would deal with the beasts. The beasts would respawn infinitely anyway. Our role was to hold them back.

“Everyone! Let’s go!!”

Sausage finally made a statement worthy of a leader.

We headed straight for the boss room. It was time to finish October’s dungeon.