บท 89: An Epic Battle Against A Strong Monster! …Or Not

Hey, Shun here!

I wonder which game started proliferating the idea that red colored monsters are spawns of the fire element while blue colored monsters should be ice or water element in nature. Was it Pokémon? I think it's rather likely that this is the case.

I mean, it's debatable whether or not they are the once who thought of such a brilliant idea that the color palettes of certain 'types' of Pokémon should be consistent with their typing but they are certainly the ones who really popularized the idea.

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(Shun's POV)

Lots of bustling squeaking noises could be heard around me as I traversed the path that leads to the boss room of our enemy dungeon, a branch of the well-known [Ivory Labyrinth] that is located in the middle of the Laverio Empire. I'm here, along with some reinforcements, to help our rat and rabbit platoon who found the entrance to the dungeon boss.

Speaking of the Laverio Empire, I'm quite curious about it. I wonder how it looks like?

A bona fide empire in a fantasy world… I'm really curious!

As an aside, the reason why there are many squeaking noises around me was because there are literally over a hundred rodents surrounding me. These rodents are our dungeon monsters, if you count rabbits and rats as one, carefully being instructed by our dungeon's Zenko.

If you're wondering, Rokuko and Ikumei are also controlling some golems and are following me to gain some battle experience. If you ask me, it's like the two are playing a VR game wherein, even if they die, they could just control yet another golems.

It's a powerful training tool. They'll be able to gather battle experience away from harm.

As I was thinking of such trivial things, my thoughts were interrupted by my arrival in the enemy dungeon's Boss Room. And, let me tell you, I'm genuinely looking forward for what's to come.

While me and my units stood in front of the door, it suddenly opened up. Immediately, we were greeted by a loud roar coming from two different creatures.

""GRAAAAAAAAAH!""

Within the Boss Room was a pair of Minotaurs. But, mind you, it's not just any run-of-the-mill minotaur.

The minotaurs that invaded our dungeon all had brown fur like you would expect from, well, a Minotaur from legends, but these Minotaurs have red and blue fur respectively…

Does this mean that I should call them Red and Blue Minotaurs? Come to think of it, they're really missing a Yellow Minotaur…

It's truly a shame that I wouldn't be able to see the Power Rangers Jungle Fury(Minotaur Version). That would be cool.

I kinda miss that obviously faked jumps of their whenever they are hit by attacks that causes explosions. Heck, now that I remember it, they jump or tumbling whenever they're hit by 'damaging' attacks, don't they?

Haha. It would be hilarious to see these minotaurs mimic that. Anyway, I gotta contact Rokuko and ask her about these two.

『Hey, Rokuko. Are you sure about what you said to me earlier regarding why these two minos are red and blue in color? Their colors really have something to do with their typing and stuff?』 I knew I already asked it earlier but I just want to make sure. Rokuko could be quite the airhead so…

『Uh-huh, I'm sure. Also, what typing are you saying, Shun?』

『You know? Pokémon and stuff… Anyway, I was just making sure.』

『Pokémon? What's that?』

Rokuko was obviously puzzled by what I said so I think I should stop this.

『Never mind that. So? This is kinda a matter of importance so I'm just making sure.』

『Umm… Well… It was Number 89 who told me that monsters of the Fire element usually end up being red. That's the same for monsters of the Ice element. They're usually blue in color. Fire monsters have high attack power while ice monsters have tough defense.』 Ah, okay, I understand now. The Red Minotaur was snorting fire out of his nose while the other one is snorting some kind of smoke you'd normally see on dry ice or something.

Anyway, based on what little knowledge I have about dungeons and their functions in real life, I think it's safe to say that we needed to defeat these guys before we could proceed any further.

『Okay then. Zenko, Ikumei, Rokuko! You guys will be in charge of that blue one. Do anything you can to defeat it. As for me, I'll handle the red one.』 I could take care of both of these monsters no problem, but I want these girls to train. This is the perfect opportunity for them to learn from experience.

『Okay, Shun! You can count on me! Huhu, I'm fairly confident about my sword technique after receiving your teachings!』

『Okay… Master.』

Both Rokuko and Ikumei readily acknowledged my instructions, except for one.

『Master. Can I also order the rabbits and rats to fight? Ah! Of course I will also fight, master!』 Why do you sound like you're afraid or something, Zenko? It's not like I will hurt you or anything for asking.

『Uh-huh, you can. Just be sure to use a few of the golems that came with me to practice what you've learned. It's not everyday that you'd get an opportunity like this.』

『Yes Master!』

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After giving out some orders, I immediately dashed towards the minotaur a speed faster than the fastest man in the world.

Why did I not use my max speed?

Well, the girls are watching and they could learn a thing or two from my fight. If I chose to finish it in a flash, it wouldn't be fit to become a learning material.

"GRAAAAAAAH!"

As I was approaching, the Red Minotaur swung his metal club sideways, scraping it against the floor. It was quite the strong attack but it was honestly not gonna hit me.

Raising Akujiki, I tried to block the incoming attack… or so I thought. Unfortunately, I forgot that my swords are too sharp.

Once the edge of the Red Minotaur's large warhammer touched Akujiki's blade, the expected sound of metals clashing never came. Instead, the edge of the minotaur's warhammer was sliced off by Akujiki.

…Well, this is rather awkward. Ooooh, right, right. How could I forget that even though this is a fantasy world, this is also real life. I kinda take for granted how sharp my katanas are given how players or monsters could more or less block it using their own weapons in VR.

They do lose a ton of weapon durability for doing so though. Mind you.

Glancing at the girls, it seems like they aren't paying attention to my fight. C'mon girls, atleast worry about my well-being!

"*sigh*… Guess I should finish this fast so that I could busy myself with other things."

Without a moments' notice, I used [Body Flicker] and appeared in front of the minotaur. It seems to have noticed me, or is it instincts that told him so?

Raising its warhammer, it tried to attack me. However, it was just to slow. Before it could even bring down the hammer to me, I already sliced its neck while using [Flash of Life].

*THUD*

The Red Minotaur dropped onto the ground, accompanied by a loud thud. It's already dead.

Whilst I was looking at the body of the minotaur, I saw someone magically appear out of thin air. Oh, I know this gu… No, girl.

"It appears that you are more powerful than what we thought. We severely underestimated you…"

"Oh, so you're here to stop me from winning this match, Chloe. Don't you think this is cheating?"

"Not as much of a cheat as the guardian of your dungeon…"

"Hahaha. Did you meet Tsuka already?"

Chloe's ice cold face seems to have changed every so slightly when I mentioned Tsuka. Hmm? Did Tsuka do something to them?

"We did. It was quite the welcome, if I may add." By the end of her words, she took out a gaudy looking red lance. In conjunction with its appearance, a huge wall of flames covered the entrance to this dungeon's dummy core.

Well, looks like I have to resort to plan B if we want to win this.

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(Third Person's POV)

Meanwhile, whilst Shun was busy with the Red Minotaur, Zenko, Ikumei, and Rokuko was having their intense battle against the Blue Minotaur. Well, that's atleast what the people involved thought.

To the Blue Minotaur though, it was nothing but a nuisance. Never mind dealing a lethal blow, their attacks could barely even deal a scratch the monster.

Rokuko, Ikumei, and Zenko are controlling a golem each. Rokuko and Ikumei are attacking the Blue Minotaur in turn while Zenko is standing at the side for now, giving orders to the rats and rabbits.

"Rabbits, rats, ATTACK! Try and bite the minotaur on its feet! If you can't, fall back!"

The rodents responded to Zenko's order by biting the minotaur's feet. But they were flung aside after it shook its feet.

Incidentally, it also managed to crush several of them after it brought its feet back down. It seems like the rats and rabbits could only deal a scratch to this bipedal cow at best.

While Zenko was deep in thought, reflected by how even the golem she is possessing is in a thinking pose, the voice of their dungeon's core interrupted her train of thought.

"Zenko, come and help us! Just standing there won't help us defeat this mino you know?"

Rokuko and Ikumei just possessed another pair of golems after their previous ones got crushed by the minotaur's warhammer.

"H-Ha! I-I'll come with you!"

Upon hearing Zenko's determined shout, Rokuko also felt quite pumped herself.

"Yosh! Let's goooo!"

"Ou…"

Along with their rats and rabbit platoons, Ikumei, Rokuko, and Zenko charged towards the Blue minotaur bravely… Only to get crushed by the minotaur the next second.

Since the golems that the girls are using are not in possession of their dungeon's magic swords, they were all having a hard time damaging the minotaur. By the looks of it, this is a losing battle.

That's until someone came up with a rather 'bright' idea.

"Wait, Zenko, Ikumei. I have an idea on how we can win this. Should we try it out?" Rokuko said as she smirked confidently, her tone dripping with pride.

Zenko and Ikumei didn't interrupt her since they were also out of ideas. Seeing as the two didn't say anything, Rokuko confidently continued.

"Okay. You girls listen up, okay? I'm about to tell you something really amazing! Believe it or not… Minotaurs die if their heads come off!"

Amazing idea indeed. In fact, the idea was so amazing that it left the two beastkins dumbfounded.

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※~To be continued~※

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Author's Remarks:

※ After… I don't know, two days(?) of being unable to write a chapter due to some rather unfortunate course of events, I finally got back to the groove. Cheers to having a few days of rest!