episode_0150

The air instantly becomes stifling.

If just a moment ago the air was thin and light, making it difficult to breathe, now the air is too hot and heavy.

Immediately, there’s a feeling of the body being pressed down and it becomes heavy.

The air that was dry has absorbed a lot of moisture.

Looking up, where has the plateau that only had waist-high bushes gone, tall trees have filled the surroundings.

Of course, it’s not as dense as a tropical rainforest. They had grown enough to mostly block the sunlight that had risen again.

And more than anything, the soil of the place we were in has also absorbed a lot of moisture and become mud, giving a sticky, unpleasant feeling.

“Of all things, a swamp…”

Jack clutched his head and mumbled.

“Just how bad is a swamp?”

“You see the swamp over there?”

Even if it wasn’t the direction Jack was pointing, it was a swamp in all directions.

“The reason a swamp is a problem is that creatures living in the water can survive, creatures living on land can survive, and plants can survive, so there aren’t many desirable creatures to hunt.”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ultimately, on the 8th floor, where hunting monsters unsuited to the environment is advantageous, such an environment where various creatures can thrive is not easy.

At that moment, Grace, whose expression suddenly worsened, sniffed again.

“Furthermore, there’s the smell of monsters from inside that swamp. Quite a lot of it.”

“If the environment changes, do the monsters also reset or something?”

“No. Mr. Jack clearly said they remain the same.”

“Then were there originally monsters near us?”

Clearly, even after undergoing the transformation period, the monsters that were originally generated do not change.

I heard there’s also a method of catching a monster you want by waiting in the surroundings and then catching it when the environment changes.

“Swamps, lakes, etc., this is the problem. Creatures living in such water are in the ground when the environment changes. They don’t die because of that, and the creatures in the ground enter a kind of dormant state and are difficult to find.”

“Then explorers who want to catch many monsters might rather like it.”

“That’s right. But we’re not, are we?”

Unless our skill level was such that we could sweep away large numbers of 8th floor monsters, like the level of 10th floor explorers for example. From our perspective, already finding the 8th floor a bit overwhelming and only dealing with one or two weak ones at a time, a swamp is truly one of the worst environments.

“Then since things have turned out this way, let’s just rest here until we undergo the transformation period.”

According to Noah’s suggestion, we decided to take a proper rest.

We lit a bonfire, ate meals while lightly boiling stew and soup, scanned the surroundings without straying far, and checked if any monsters were approaching this place.

While doing so, something that had been staying in one place for a long time approached us.

“They are other explorers.”

“They also discovered us.”

In situations where explorers usually encounter each other, they usually tend to back off first, respecting the people who were there originally.

This time was different.

“They’re approaching from over there.”

At Grace’s words, we put down the stew we were eating and quickly prepared for battle.

From the opposite side of the swamp, explorers slowly approaching us.

Just in case, I wondered if they had a purpose somewhere in the surroundings other than us.

They walked exactly towards us.

“……”

What could their purpose be? Could they perhaps be raiders?

I heard they are almost impossible to find the higher up you go.

Fortunately, such an extreme situation did not occur.

“Over there… is that the Archmage’s disciple?”

The explorer who came out first immediately recognized me.

They immediately, as soon as they confirmed we were resting, demanded confidently.

“We found a monster in this vicinity, are you planning to catch it?”

“……?”

To catch a monster, why are they asking for permission?

Can’t they just catch it?

Around the time I had this thought.

Jack said, smiling broadly.

“Are you planning to catch the monster in that swamp?”

“That is correct.”

“Wow, it seems you’re quite a skilled party. We don’t have the skill to catch the ones in the swamp yet, so please do as you see fit.”

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

Immediately, the party that moved away from our vicinity headed towards the nearby swamp.

Well, anyway, we weren’t planning to catch the monster in the swamp, so it doesn’t particularly matter, but.

“Did they ask for permission because we were nearby? They’re polite.”

“No, 8th floor explorers are just so sensitive.”

“Sensitive?”

At my question, Jack relaxed his tense state again and ate a mouthful of stew.

“As I said before, on the 8th floor, you only choose and catch weakened monsters and avoid the rest as much as possible, didn’t I?”

“That’s right.”

“So compared to other floors, explorers often fight among themselves. It’s almost like an Orc sanctuary, I’m telling you.”

Because the proportion of hunting weakened monsters, affected by the ‘transformation period’, is high, does that mean conflicts arise because of them?

Therefore, to prevent such a thing from happening in the first place, they asked us for permission.

Just by looking at these facts, you can roughly feel the atmosphere of the 8th floor.

The difficulty level is easy if you catch weakened monsters, but since everyone targets such monsters, it feels like the competition gets tough. Ultimately, a structure where conflicts are bound to arise among each other.

“Huh?! A few are coming this way?”

The party that is about to start hunting in the swamp near where we are.

This vicinity is quite open, so their appearance is fully visible.

“Since things have turned out this way, shall we just watch?”

“They’re probably a party with quite good skill, even among 8th floor explorers.”

The monsters in the swamp are monsters perfectly suited to the current environment.

That is, compared to weakened monsters, they are stronger in terms of capability.

Even just to see the variation in how much stronger they become if they are perfectly suited to the environment, we started watching.

The number of people in that party is 5.

They were in front of the swamp preparing something.

A magic circle.

One mage was drawing a magic circle.

Was that man who spoke to us first a mage?

However, if he were a mage who frequents around the 8th floor, I would have to know him at least.

Is he not affiliated with the Magic Tower?

“Respond to my call!!!”

As if answering my question, that mage used magic that I had never seen even once at the Magic Tower.

A monster slowly rising from the magic circle… not exactly.

“Is it a spirit…?”

A round and round, small elemental spirit.

But compared to my Ifrit and Spirit of Memory, its size is significant.

The water spirit that was slowly rising from the magic circle immediately became a massive size, causing a shadow to be cast over the swamp.

Seeing that, I was certain.

That magic is the magic of ‘Spirit Masters’, a somewhat famous group among wandering mages.

“…A wandering mage.”

“That a wandering mage came up to the 8th floor. That’s also no joke.”

The water spirit immediately started manipulating the swamp.

Thereupon, the swamp strongly surged upwards, and the monsters within it appeared.

Fish, crayfish, crab, crocodile, etc.

Monsters modeled after animals found in swamps started coming out in abundance.

“There are too many, more than I thought?”

Just by catching 2 rock worms, we went through hell.

Compared to that, although their size is small, their numbers are overflowing.

But the explorers fighting without flinching against those many monsters.

Each and every one, their skill is even better than I thought.

The two warriors cut down and defeat enemies with swords and axes as they cut them down.

The Spirit Master summoned a few more spirits and attacked.

The archer aimed at the enemy’s weak points with a bow and neutralized them.

Lastly, the priest used a barrier to push back the enemy, then healed the wounds sustained by the warriors.

Two vanguards, two rearguards, and a priest helping everyone.

Truly, it’s a well-balanced party.

Stable enough to understand at once the reason they are active on the 8th floor.

Furthermore, since I could directly observe the battle of such 8th floor explorers up close, it is somewhat of a learning experience.

“Huh?! A few are coming this way?”

Some of the monsters that came out of the swamp got away from them and ran towards us.

Monsters running exactly towards us, as if they discovered us.

I quickly designated one card from my deck as a Joker card.

At the same time, the status window appears.

『You have been ambushed! Battle begins, draw 4 cards.』

『Joker Card – Draw 1 designated card additionally on the first turn.』

[Rain (0)] [Exchange (2)] [Crush (4)] [Lightning (3)] + [Electrifying Area (4)]

It’s common sense that electric attribute is a direct hit against water attribute monsters.

Whether it’s true, I’ll have to check from now, but.

One bipedal crocodile, one fish hopping on the swamp, and one giant water strider.

Perhaps because there are many that look particularly similar to ordinary animals, I wasn’t particularly scared or anything.

Quickly, I throw one card.

[Electrifying Area]

Crackle-

The electricity gathering at my fingertips immediately quickly swept down my body and advanced forward from my fingertips.

And the advancing electricity soon reached the place where the rushing monsters would arrive.

Eventually, at the timing I wanted, electricity surged up and electrocuted all the approaching monsters.

Thereupon, the monsters instantly electrocuted and stopped.

Towards them, Kylech’s arrow flies.

Kylech’s arrow perfectly penetrating the bodies of the perfectly stiff monsters.

Furthermore, Grace and Luka who rushed after quickly sliced the monsters, and they instantly vanished.

“……?”

However, something is strange. Even though the monsters that were approaching us fell, the status window doesn’t announce victory.

Is there something more?

“…Grace.”

“Yes.”

Immediately, Grace examining the surroundings using all her senses of smell and sound.

I also quickly spread my senses and tried to read what was in the surroundings, but.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling anything.

“Wait a moment?!!”

Along with Grace’s flustered voice, something jumps out from the swamp where the explorers are in front of us.

3 monsters with long bodies, as if seeing an Eastern dragon rather than a Western dragon.

Among them, 2 went towards them, and 1 ran towards us.

“…Tch.”

Unfortunately, although there are no cards I can use.

Fortunately, there is one emergency measure stored in the Spirit of Memory.

Immediately, one card slipped out from the mirror shard-shaped Spirit of Memory and melted into the world.

[Archangel’s Barrier]

A defense card in the Paladin’s deck that protects all directions.

Immediately, the widely spread barrier blocks the dragon-shaped monster that was strongly rushing.

Clang!!!

The barrier cracked, but it was not broken through.

Therefore, our counterattack begins immediately.

Kylech’s arrow penetrates the body, and Luka’s savagery pierces the hard shell and cuts the flesh.

However, it doesn’t die from just that.

It immediately retreated, swinging its long tail and trying to break the barrier, but.

Clang!!

The barrier held out this time too.

But it’s a matter of time.

Because it cannot hold out forever.

However, the monster avoiding attacks, moving quickly this way and that, as if it won’t be hit anymore.

As the creature, moving as if sliding while floating slightly in the air, revolves around the barrier and attacks it with its tail, damage gradually accumulates.

Eventually, the barrier could not hold out any longer and completely shattered.

Quickly, the monster rushes towards us.

“You’re really just having fun, aren’t you?!!”

At that moment, Jack, who gallantly ran forward.

Rejoicing at having broken the barrier, he blocks in front of the monster honestly rushing.

Immediately, as Jack succeeded in parrying using his shield.

Along with a satisfying thud- sound, the monster’s body bent exactly at a right angle.

And there, everyone except Jack was preparing for attack posture.

First, Luka’s savagery cuts and passes through the waist, Grace hacks at the whole body with a short dagger making ice tornado fries, and Kylech’s arrow pierces the head.

And lastly, the Avatar’s Scythe that Noah stealthily took out pierced exactly between the eyebrows.

Only then did it lose its life and start to vanish.

『Confirm card rewards.』

The status window announced victory.

“Sigh, but what a mess.”

Winning is good, but.

Our camp that was resting became a mess.

The small pot boiling stew fell over and spilled the food inside.

The bonfire that supposedly never goes out or whatever, unfitting its name’s value, was extinguished by being covered in stew.

We could light it if we just wash it roughly, but.

Should I say it feels like too much trouble?

Still, there was something we gained.

“It’s a High-Grade Magic Stone. It’s quite decent.”

Rather than the spilled stew, we earned more money, so that’s a relief.

“By the way, it’s much more manageable than I thought? Didn’t they scare us too much?”

Well, that monsters adapted to the environment would be strong, etc., not as much as I thought? That’s the feeling I got.

“Can we handle those 3 and the entire quantity?”

“That would be a bit difficult.”

“Look at them.”

Looking in the direction Jack was pointing, before I knew it, the other explorers who had even defeated all the quantity of enemies and two dragons were approaching us.

On their bodies, there wasn’t a single scratch.

“We apologize. We didn’t know they would go that way. Because the distance was quite far.”

The Spirit Master bowing his head.

Well, I guess so. Anyway, we also were watching while being a little off guard because the distance was far.

“Anyway, we also have finished our work, so as a token of apology, we’d like to treat you to something…”

“Uh, that is…”

Actually, it is indeed right for explorers to not be together as much as possible, but.

If they extend such goodwill, it’s also strange not to accept it.

While contemplating for a moment, Jack poked my side, poke poke.

“It seems it would be fine?”

Jack’s eyes, as he said that, turned slightly red and returned to normal.

Ah, I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere.

Well, anyway, there’s no reason to refuse.

If things go well, might we be able to obtain some information from explorers who hunt stably on the 8th floor?

“…Understood.”

The Spirit Master party temporarily joined our side.