episode_0082

“Ugh… Sorry.”

“Are you feeling better now?”

I had given Eve my embrace for a considerable amount of time.

Finally seeming calmed, she lifted her head, composing herself physically and mentally.

“I have so many questions… Should I not ask?”

“Do you… really need to ask them?”

A sniffle, muffled by the mana barrier, echoed behind my back.

Her eyes were bloodshot from crying herself out. I’d set up a privacy zone so the others wouldn’t see her like this.

But even that had its limits.

Everyone had been awake for a while, even finishing a quick wash, and they were starting to figure out what was going on.

I couldn’t keep hiding it any longer.

I gently placed my hand on Eve’s cheek.

“Mph-”

“Stay still.”

Bloodshot whites of her eyes. And swollen eyelids.

Through that skin flushed with redness, I slowly channeled earth attribute mana.

What was it… the incantation was definitely—

“O Great Mother, who embraces the mountain ranges and oversees the earth, please heal the wounded one here—” right?

[Recovery].

One of the spells I’d learned beforehand, a basic healing spell.

As the mana imbued with the healing spell seeped into her capillaries, which had been heavily stimulated…

Her tense muscles slowly relaxed, and the swelling began to subside.

Swish—

Soon, Eve’s face was completely clear, without a trace of tears.

“…I could have done that myself.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

I firmly addressed her, her expression now sulky and her head turned away.

“What should you say in a situation like this?”

This socially inept girl needed a good lesson.

I wondered what kind of upbringing she’d had. Seriously.

Being aloof and being rude are only a hair’s breadth apart, but simultaneously 180 degrees different.

Whatever had happened…

I didn’t want any party members who couldn’t show gratitude after receiving help.

My unwavering gaze seemed to shake Eve a little.

She lowered her gaze and whispered, almost inaudibly:

“…Thank you.”

Carrots after the stick. Discarding the stiff expression, I smiled brightly.

“Don’t mention it.”

.

.

.

“I never dreamed you two would be… like this.”

“It’s not like that, you old codger.”

After removing the barrier and walking out with Eve, Terrance nudged my ribs with his elbow.

“I apologize for the delay. Are the preparations complete?”

“Our Four-Star Guild is always ready.”

His party members stood in line beside him, straightening their rumpled clothes and standing tall.

Leaf, impeccably disciplined.

Lily, still looking half-asleep.

My eyes met Joey’s, who was watching me cautiously.

“…”

Her face flushed, and she quickly turned her head away. Then, she glanced back at us.

“I’ll be more discreet next time.”

“Ugh…”

We were the ones who’d gotten busy this morning, but the embarrassment was all Joey’s.

Why, why?

This side has the numbers.

The world always operates on the principle of majority rule, whether we suckle on tit, or cock, or indulge in orgies.

In a one-eyed village, two-eyed people are the outsiders.

I offered her a kind smile as she discreetly covered her face.

“Or perhaps you could join us—”

“Shut up—!!”

Whew… that’s why virgins are so difficult. Though, judging by her vibe, I doubt she’s a virgin.

Whatever.

Turning around, I saw that things were settling down on our side as well.

“Um…sorry.”

Nix, socially inept as always, apologized first.

“…It’s okay. I’ve sort of heard what happened, and it seems like you had good intentions. I’m really fine…”

Eve, socially awkward in her own right, readily accepted the apology.

It was a funny sight.

Nix and Yuri had a short period together but an intense connection, which produced a sense of rapport. Yuri and Eve also shared memories of living together at the academy.

Yet, Nix and Eve couldn’t have had less in common. It was as if they were talking to a wall, or even in different languages.

This is all caused by a lack of communication.

People are bound to have friction while living together. The lubricant for resolving things is conversation.

However, there’s one person who locks their heart away and is estranged…

But perhaps with a little more time together, they might start to open up.

Hoping for better relationships among them, I led them all back to our quarters.

.

.

.

After a quick breakfast, we assembled in the center of base camp.

Terrance unrolled the map of the middle levels of the ruins he’d brought.

One end showed our current position, the safe zone at the entrance. The other end showed the final destination—the safe zone connecting to the lower levels.

“As expected… most of the Gray Wolf pack will likely be concentrated here.”

Terrance pointed to the latter.

The safe zone where the adventurer party that sent an emergency request was hiding. The beasts chasing them probably haven’t gotten to them yet.

“We’ll need the results of the reconnaissance…”

“Let’s assume so and plan our first operation.”

He nodded quietly; experience suggested this scenario was likely. You should always have several plans.

“If they’re concentrated, it’ll be easier to wipe them out at once. The tank holds the front, the casters fire spells; it’s textbook.”

“Meanwhile, the healer provides magical support, and the ranger secures the retreat.”

A very basic tactic. Gather them together, then unleash powerful attacks. The most efficient method for dealing with large groups of beasts.

The optimal strategy was selected based on the data accumulated from the adventurers who had died; in the end, the first plan came together quite simply.

“We should consider other scenarios. What if they are not in the inner middle levels but right here in front.”

“That might actually be better.”

The safe zone where the adventurers were trapped is literally safe. Our approach depends on their condition.

If combat-capable personnel remain, we can join the reconnaissance team and launch a pincer attack from the opposite side. Otherwise, we send them back with return stones and clear the remaining beasts.

“If they’re scattered across the middle levels…”

“…It’ll be more troublesome.”

If both sides are equally matched, we’ll be at a disadvantage with our scattered personnel and goals.

The Gray Wolves can unify the consciousness of the entire pack. If one group takes action, they’ll all focus there.

A spiderweb of traps spread across the middle levels. If it comes to that, strategy goes out the window, and it’ll be a massive brawl.

And that’s not the worst-case scenario. The real worst-case scenario is…

Thump-thump-

Suddenly, footsteps were heard from outside the camp.

“…They’re back.”

Leaf and Eve, returning from reconnaissance. Their expressions were quite grim.

Leaf’s pupils trembled violently, clearly shaken. Even Eve could barely speak.

And then, I noticed the blood on her boot soles.

“…This is it.”

Terrance’s face paled with horror.

“This is…!!”

“You’re right. The Gray Wolves… obviously started infighting.”

Those in the Four-Star Guild turned pale upon understanding, while Nix and Yuri were bewildered.

I took a deep breath and turned to them.

“Gray Wolves are a species with a strong sense of belonging, even to the point of participating in group hunts rather than reducing food intake when there is a shortage; they are highly unified, individuals cooperating to secure collective goals.”

That part was predictable. What follows isn’t so clear.

“But what do you think will happen if they really feel that the pack is on the verge of extinction?”

Yuri couldn’t answer. Nix slowly processed and gave a response.

“…They’ll start to prey on their own kind.”

“Right. Once they cross that line, they will lose any trace of pity for those with whom they share a species.”

They’ll only focus on slaughtering prey and taking its flesh.

There’s no consideration of blood ties. They’ll devour whoever is weaker without hesitation.

The survivors will be the strongest, their hunger replenished, in top condition.

Those bloodthirsty monsters are about to attack— in a large group.

“Their location?”

“…The entire middle level.”

“Damn it…”

One setback after another. Bad news compounding the bad news, turning this mission into an insurmountable challenge.

Naturally, everyone in the camp was speechless. The oppressive atmosphere hung in the air.

I shook my head.

“…Let’s move. Even if the situation has changed, our mission remains the same.”

But hearts do change. Joey, shivering violently, stepped forward.

“So…you mean you have a way to deal with those enraged beasts?”

A statement uttered with strained rationality overcoming the terror gripping her.

The tears in the corners of her eyes revealed her only desire:

To survive.

So I answered. That she could.

“Special-class spirit, Nix. Specializes in mind control and various dark magic.”

“…?”

Nix hid her face in shame.

“Yurias Philbrogue. First-year at the Naifrantz Academy, and among the top scorers in the combat exam.”

Yuri clenched her trembling hands.

“And Eve and I. First years at the Academy, and the top contenders for the top spot—the strongest within the group.”

Eve slowly stretched her limbs.

“A Unique-ranked adventurer, and a user of four elemental attributes.”

And I smiled silently, watching them.

“Words can’t really express it. Let me demonstrate.”