*

　The fifth level of the swarm dungeon - the zombies are swarming in droves.
　They're not juicy zombies, but fresh zombies.
　Naturally, they move fast.

I'll take care of it here!

　Laura jumped out and held her shield at the ready.
　The zombies closed in, pushing and hitting each other in the narrow passage.

Shield bash!

　Laura's body sinks and accelerates explosively.
　Several of the leading ones took a decent hit from the shield shot and were blown away.
　It also engulfed the rest of the group, causing them to fall into a general strike.

''Ha!''

　Laura cuts off the head of a zombie as it tries to get up.
　The way the zombie's head pops up every time she swings her sword is quite gruesome.
　It looks like something I would see in my dreams.
　Laura finished decapitating the zombie and stopped moving with a snap.

''The level has reached 20.''
Congratulations.

　Mako clapped her hands with a crackle.

''Thank you. I never thought I'd be able to reach level 20 so quickly.''
I hope this isn't a cessation.
"Puffer!

　Yuka said something unnecessary and Laura grunted.
　Considering that Fene had reached the upper limit at level 20, there might not be much room left to grow.

''I wanted to raise my level too.
You'll be fine at level 24. I'm still level 40.

　Liv said, sounding a little miffed.

'I'm sorry,'
Sorry, I didn't mean to say that.

　Liv scratched her head, looking bummed.

'Isn't it about time you took the request?
'I would have liked to get Laura's level up to 30 if I could.
It's important to build up your strength, but so is money.
....
What?

　When Makoto turned to look at her silently, Yuka glared back at her.

''You're staying at such an expensive inn?''
I'm not staying at that expensive inn.
How much is it?
...50A.

　Yuka replied after a pause.

'I'm surprised.'
What?
No, because you would have stayed at a more expensive inn.
What do you think I am, huh?

　Yuka's eyebrows knit together and her lips quirked up.
　If she squinted her eyes, she wouldn't look so cute.

'So, where are you staying?'
"The inn at the end of Main Street called the 'Lion's Fur' Inn.
Oh, you're staying there?
"There's a rich man. There's a rich man.

　Liv said admiringly, and Fene covered her eyes as if to say she was dazzled.

'Hmmm, is it a good inn?'
'There, there. It costs a lot of money to get it washed, but it's on the front street.
'Yuca, you're paying for your services, of course you are.
"Because Sherry said she'd do it for free. You didn't pay me to do it.
I paid for it.

　I add in my mind, "Until I had a relationship with Sherry.
　I haven't paid her since we got into a relationship.
　She takes care of me without saying a word, and she takes care of me personally.
　I feel a little - no, I feel quite sorry for him.

'And it's on the front street,'
I'm not like you guys and I don't see things at night.
'Don't talk like a girl,'
I'm a girl!

　Yuka shouted hoarsely.

'Girls don't kick bandits to death,'
Oh, it was an accident. It was an accident!　It's called unintentional intent!
Isn't that unintentional?

　In this case, Yuka would have kicked the bandit while being aware of the possibility of his death.
　I killed it on purpose.

Then it was self-defense!　Or emergency evacuation!
Have a little faith in yourself.
You've killed more people than I have and you ought to feel bad about that!
No, they're the only ones who didn't run.

　We warned them.
　It's the one who didn't run away.

"...and...
....

　Makoto and Yuka stared at each other in silence.
　At that moment, Laura opened her mouth as if she was timing it.

''Even so, there are a lot of zombies on the fifth level.
Yeah, lots of fresh zombies.
"....fresh zombies.

　Yuka grunted.

'Brother, what would you say to a zombie that isn't?'
A juicy zombie, of course.
'Oh, it sure is soupy,'
I'm afraid I won't be able to eat meat.

　Liv agreed with Makoto, and Yuka held her mouth as if to hold back the nausea.

'It looks like we're going to have strong undead in the pattern we've been following.
It's true.

　The only time you'll run into a fresh zombie is when there's a strong undead or a monster house.
　In short, it's when there's something that will kill the adventurer.

'It doesn't feel like a beginner's dungeon, does it?
Yeah.

　Yuka blurted out and Fene nodded.

'What happens if we run into a strong undead?'
Fene and Laura will handle it for now.
I don't wanna be a part of this.
That's when things got out of hand for the two of you.
Okay.

　Liv nodded with an air of reluctance.

*

　Makoto and the others continued their exploration of the dungeon and came out into a large space.
　Except for this place, they have finished exploring.
　If there is no hierarchy to follow below, then the dungeon has been conquered.

''........It's pretty big.''
That's three times as many as the others.

　Laura and Liv proceeded to be wary of their surroundings.

'Mmm, what's that?'
An altar?

　Mako squints.
　In the direction Fene pointed, there was what looked like an altar.
　There, a four-armed skeleton was propped up on one knee.
　He is holding a rather short sword in his four hands.

''Yuka, status.''
I'm checking. A variant of the Skeleton Warrior, level 30, strength 20, strength 30, agility 25, agility 25, magic 0, skills are self-repairing.
'Hmmm, that's a very subtle level.'

　We'll be fighting two against one, so I think we'll be able to handle it - but.

''Why don't you just go and help them if it comes down to it?
'No, well, yeah, but...'

　I'd like to be very careful about this since I have a criminal record of causing the death of Laura's colleague.
　As I was thinking about this, Liv put her arm around my shoulder.

"Don't worry about it so much. I'll find out exactly what it is.
That's what I'm worried about.
Don't you trust me?
I don't trust the Bison Horde standards.

　It sounds like he's trying to pick a fight, but Liv doesn't seem to be offended.
　I guess he knows what kind of reputation his race has.
　With that out of the way, I think Liv's attitude is admirable.

Trust me, I'll be very careful in assessing the situation.
Oh, I believe you.
Yeah, I'm on it.
I believe in you.
Oh, yeah.

　Liv choked on her words as Laura gave her a clinging look.
　It seems that a single word from someone who normally says nothing is bearable.

'Do you think those four arms are strong?'
I've never seen anything like it.

　Liv replied, looking at Fene and Laura.
　It was Laura, of course, who was ahead of them.
　She approached while holding her shield at the ready.
　The fact that she has a wider stride than when she's facing the enemy is probably because she thinks she won't be attacked yet.
　Fene follows at a slight distance.

''Since that many adventurers are dead, they must be strong.
'It was certainly pretty well equipped, wasn't it?

　Yooka seems to have inferred strength from the results and Liv seems to have inferred strength from the adventurer's equipment.

'Oh, it's about time,'

　Mako heard Liv's words and turned her attention back to Laura and the others.
　Laura narrowed her stride and slowly approached.
　As soon as she stopped moving, the Skeleton Warrior - actually a subspecies, apparently - stood up and spread its arms.
　He kicked the altar and jumped at Laura.
　Laura catches the four flowing blows with her shield and tries to fight back.
　But the Skeleton Warrior caught the attack with his sword.
　He also uses his free arm to unleash more attacks.
　It's a simultaneous attack from above, left and right.
　Laura's shield is large, but not enough to cover her body.
　How to deal with it?

''Shield shot!

　Laura blasted the Skeleton Warrior, ending the attack itself unsuccessfully.
　The Skeleton Warrior didn't fall over, but it lost its balance greatly.
　There--.

''There's a gap!

　Fane fires a sling shot of mithril alloy.
　A high-pitched sound echoes.
　The Skeleton Warrior popped the bullet with his sword.
　Although it didn't make a direct hit, white smoke rises from the blade.
　Perhaps the sword is part of the body.

''One more shot!''

　Fene fires another mithril alloy bullet.
　The Skeleton Warrior bounces the bullet with his sword just as before, and jet black flames swell up.
　The flames engulf the sword and arm--.

''How dare you!

　Fene shouted in astonishment.
　The Skeleton Warrior detached the arm that was engulfed in flames.
　The severed arm collapsed in the flames and the arm began to regenerate.
　It was quite slow compared to the Skeleton Lord.



　Fane readied his slingshot and grunted softly.
　The Skeleton Warrior had blocked her line of fire with Laura.
　Laura must have known that she was being used as a shield.
　She tried to secure Fene's line of fire, but the Skeleton Warrior would not allow it.

''Shield fire!''

　Laura accelerated like an unleashed arrow.
　She thought she could secure the line of fire if she kept her distance.
　But the Skeleton Warrior ducked the shield shot with excellent bodywork.
　The shield shot has a drawback.
　It is necessary to accumulate power.
　It will show up as a sinking motion of the body.
　The Skeleton Warrior raises three swords.
　Laura has a gap.

''I won't let her!

　Fane fired a mithril alloy bullet.
　The Skeleton Warrior jumped back in a big way and ducked.

''Konnyaro!''

　He fires a series of mithril alloy bullets in rapid succession.
　Skeleton Warrior ducks the bullets and flicks them with his sword.
　I ducked the bullets that were filled with the power of the seven evils, and the bullets I played were not.
　White smoke rises from the blade.
　Does this mean that the damage is less if you prevent it with the sword?
　The Skeleton Warrior turns his gaze to Fene.

''Hahhhh!

　Laura's voice echoed through the dungeon.
　Mako frowned at the sensation that made her skin churn, and the Skeleton Warrior turned to Laura.

''Heh~ You do it!''
Do you understand?
'The Knight's Yell I don't know the official name of it, but knightly jobs can make a voice that attracts opponents.

　Liv replied with a smirk.
　Laura and Skeleton Warrior kicked the ground at the same time.
　The distance between them instantly closed in.
　The Skeleton Warrior unleashes three swords at the same time.
　Laura thrusts out her shield and twists her body to the side.
　It's to protect Fene.

''Shieldge--!

　Laura's body sank, and the Skeleton Warrior jumped back.

'I won't let you go!

　Laura kicks the ground and strikes the Skeleton Warrior in the chest with the edge of her shield.
　But it's shallow.
　Skelton Warrior quickly recovers his stance.

'Head down!'

　Laura bowed her head, and a vial passed right over it.
　The Skeleton Warrior knocked the vial off with his sword and flames flared up.
　Not jet black flames, but ordinary flames.
　Fane threw the improvised Molotov cocktail at him.
　The Skeleton Warrior didn't even bother with the flames and pounced on Laura.
　After three powerful blows, Laura staggered back.
　The Skeleton Warrior is now ready to give chase.
　The sound of clashing swords and shields rang out.
　Laura was forced to defend herself against the furious attack.
　It's the best that I can do to hold my shield.

''Ugh!

　There was one loud noise and Laura was blown away.
　The Skeleton Warrior followed her as a toddler and stopped moving.
　In front of her, a jet black fire - a foxfire - floated in front of her.
　Laura guided him to the foxfire while blocking his view.

''Mo, no more!

　Puh-leeze!　And the moment Fene exhaled, the foxfire exploded.
　The swelling flames engulfed the Skeleton Warrior.
　The sword, the body collapses, but not enough to defeat it.
　The flame disappears--.

''Hah!''

　Laura swung her sword down with the spirit of a cleaver.
　The Skeleton Warrior crossed her arms and caught the sword.

''Ahhhh!''

　Laura threw down her shield and gripped the hilt of her sword with both hands.
　Then she put all her strength into it.
　It must have been brittle from Fane's attack.
　The sword shattered his arms, his collarbone, his ribs, and reached the magic stone.
　The Skeleton Warrior stiffened and fell to the ground in pieces.

'Good work, both of you.'

　Liv moves closer to them with her arm around Mako's shoulder.
　Her breasts are bobbing in front of her.
　I hope you don't.
　Laura looks up into the void.

'Oh, we've raised the bar.'
Level 21.

　Yuka adds.

'You beat the boss, you could have gone up a bit more.
This is a swarm dungeon, after all.

　Fane picked up the magic stone and put it in his pouch.
　Is he trying to say that the boss is weak because this dungeon is made by multiple undead?

''Brother, how was my success?''
'Yeah, good work on that last one. Well done to both of you.
Not so much.
Thank you, Miss Makoto.

　Fene flapped her tail and wagged her tail, and Laura said shyly.

'Laura, when did you learn that voice?'
Oh, I thought we'd do it straight.

　Laura's shoulders narrowed apologetically.

'I've been practicing, but I haven't been able to use it.
Is it usually a quick fix?
That depends on the person, but I'm not the gifted one, apparently.

　Laura is looking more and more apologetic.

'Is there a proficiency level set?'
Proficiency?

　Laura tilted her head curiously.
　It's an innocent gesture that reminds me of a baby girl.

'Proficiency isn't a game, you know.
I don't know what in the world I'm talking about.

　It's a world where not only swords and magic, but even skills exist to level up.
　I wouldn't be surprised if there is a proficiency level set in place.

If it's a hidden parameter, there's no way to be sure.
You're obsessed.
I'm just trying to power up efficiently.
...efficiently.

　Fane looked at Mako.

'Don't look at me,'
I'm sorry.

　Then he turns his gaze away from Makoto.

'Maybe we should try it once.
Don't do it.

　It was Liv who stopped Laura.

'Why?'
Makoto doesn't light up like a piece of wet wood. We have to give them something to do.
Is that why you have your arm around my shoulder?
That's what I mean.

　Mako pulled away from Liv.


Yes,
Well, as soon as you cross that line, you're mine!
I see.

　Liv laughed vigorously and Laura clenched her fists.

'I suppose it's only a matter of time,'
Yeah.

　Still, I'm tempted to postpone the problem.

'So, you've conquered the dungeon, what are you going to do tomorrow?'
Ask Liv to cash in the magical stones, and then go to the church to collect the payoff. Then we'll look for a good deal.
I can't wait to get the nomination.

　Yuka let out a small sigh.