บท 227: Horrors of the dungeon (2), intermission
Whatever is guarding this place, it can't be that strong. Casualties for this dungeon have been unnaturally low. If a few explorers hadn't died, the dungeon would have been classified as a riddle type only.
While I am doing my video thing, Ponto eases open the next door leading into the corridors and takes a quick peek before hastily closing it again.
"Guards, humanoid wearing armor and holding weapons. Can't tell what kind of monsters. They seem to be patrolling."
Ponto calmly states what he saw and waits for us to voice our thought or ask for clarification.
"Their weapons, were they all using the same kind?"
Brigitte is naturally most concerned about what weapons we will be facing. As a guardian, it's her job to act as a tank and absorb as much damage as possible. Depending on the weapons those monsters carry, her job can be much harder.
"They all appeared to be carrying the same weapon. It looked like a staff but I couldn't make out any details."
"Body build and number?"
"Sturdy and I think they're tall. The high ceilings of the corridors make it hard to tell. Numberwise, I counted two guarding an intersection and three patrolling our corridor."
Considering the number of corridors this place is suspected to have... That's a lot of guards.
How to proceed... Engaging the guards could go badly. If others are attracted by the sounds of battle we will be overrun or forced to leave early.
Savi also takes a quick peek outside and seems to have come up with a plan.
"I just saw the patrol walk past a door. They don't seem to be inspecting the rooms. If we can get the timing we can move around the corridor."
"The guards at the intersection don't move. We would be confined to this corridor."
"Right, if we can't progress it's useless. We need more information. How far was the patrol from reaching this door?"
"They should be right outside in another twenty seconds. Why?"
"We'll lure them in and ambush them. Then we'll know what we are up against."
Larissaʼs plan seems sound. We all hide and when the guards should be passing by outside, Larissa drops a clay pot that shatters as it hits the ground. A few moments of utter silence go by before the door is pushed open by an armor-clad hand.
Three figures enter and I strain to keep myself from exclaiming in shock. Are they badger kin?
They have the heads of badgers but with human bodies albeit bulkier than most. The weapon they each hold is a sort of spear with a very wide spearhead that seems more suited to slashing than stabbing.
All three patrolling monsters enter the room cautiously and unfortunately, the door leading to the corridor remains wide open. We'll have to kill them as fast as possible to avoid drawing attention. The only good news is that I don't feel much of a threat from these guys so their level should be at least thirty levels below mine.
As a ninja, I am the most suited for ambushing and therefore make the first move. I leap out of my hiding place and throw out two shuriken while in midair.
The shuriken hit one of the badger kinsʼ wrists. The first shuriken is repelled by the armor but the second one uses the dent of the previous one to slice through the armor and sink into the monsterʼs wrist.
The badger kin in question has noticed me but the sudden damage to its wrist causes it to drop its weapon. Without the weapon, the badger kin throws a punch at me which I didn't in midair by twisting my body.
Having gotten past its arm I stab my kunai into its neck and spin around to slam the door shut. The moment the door shuts, Clive bursts out from behind a mountain of pots and pierces straight through one monsterʼs head with his rapier that is now wrapped in lightning.
The last badger kin swipes at Clive with its wide spear only to be bodyslammed by Brigitte. It is launched into a wall where the blade dancer twins finish it off.
The clash was short and our victory has been easily secured. The only worry I have is my first attack and the slam of the door alerted the other guards.
"You were way too loud!"
Of course, the first thing Larissa does is berate me. I fight down the urge to snap at her and peek outside. Shit. Can't argue with her now.
I can only see one side of the corridor and there are a dozen guards coming our way from there. I turn and smile wryly at my companions.
"It looks like we're about to have company."
"Not a problem. From how easy these guys went down, I'd estimate them to be around level 80 at best. Even if they come at us by the dozens we can still deal with them."
Clive seems to think rather little of these guards. I admit that I also feel they aren't very strong but...
"We shouldn't be worried about the guards but fighting them may attract something truly dangerous. We should keep all fights to a minimum and deal with them quickly."
Exactly my worries! Brigitte voices out what makes me hesitant. However, her solution should work out. If the fight is over before long stronger monsters won't have time to approach.
"Let's go then!"
Clive kicks open the door and charges at the approaching guards. The rest of us hurriedly follow him.
As he gets close enough to the guards, flames begin to coil around Cliveʼs rapier and with a mightly leap he launches himself forward. The coiling flames expand to form a fire cone that annihilates all the guards ahead of us.
Why don't I have that kind of offensive power?!!
We keep running without much direction with Clive in the lead blasting through any guards in our way using the same fire cone attack over and over.
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