"Goblins.

　I muttered, realizing the identity of the approaching shadow.
　A goblin, a green-skinned demon with a body similar to that of a human child. Humanoid demons move similarly to humans, making it easy to anticipate their actions, but their physical strength is incomparable to that of humans. Even though they have the physique of a child, their strength is greater than that of an adult.

It's not just goblins, there are ...... hobgoblins in the mix.

　Gran announced in a tense voice.
　Behind the goblins, there was a particularly large goblin.
　It was a hobgoblin, a goblin that had grown to the size of an adult. If it was a goblin, Mize could handle it, but if it was a hobgoblin, even this group would be in danger if they were not careful.

　He took a glance at Gran, Mize, and Elysia.
　There are four goblins. One hobgoblin. Encountering an enemy of this magnitude in a single layer is bad luck to say the least. Elysia is calm and ready to fight, but Gran and Mize are puzzled.

　--The bandits are probably following us.

　If we are reckless here and have to turn back to the surface, we might run into the bandits.
　And we want to lure them a little deeper into the labyrinth to defeat them.

"...... Oz, can you make it?

　I whispered to Oz, who was standing beside me.

Yeah. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to fight them, considering the fact that they'll be guarding you. What should we do with ......, and how much should we use?

"You can use up to ...... parallel activation. You can use ...... up to the point of parallel activation. Don't use ...... synthesis and outburst.

All right.

　With a small nod, Oz leapt in front of us.

I'll take care of this, okay?

But, Oz, you can't do this alone. ......

It's okay. It won't take long.

　With that, Oz thrust his arms out in front of him.
　There was a green light around his left arm and a blue light around his right arm. A high-pitched squeal sounded, and the magic power converged on Oz's arms.

　Perhaps feeling threatened by the converging magic, the goblins hurriedly approached Oz. But before the demons could stop Oz...

"Boom!

　At the same time Oz shouted, two spells were unleashed from his arms.
　Two cannons, one wind and one water, thrust into the crowd of demons.

　The two cannons exploded in the center of the crowd of demons.
　A roar reverberated through the underground space. We scowled at the ear-piercing sound of destruction.

"Yes, it's over!

　Oz says with a big smile on his face as he looks back at us.
　The goblins had scattered without a trace.

I'm sure you've heard of the C-ranked magic Wind Cannon and Water Cannon, right?　You can use them both at the same time .......

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

I'm sure you've heard of it.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

Do you know about it?

Yes. Yes, I read about it in a book I read in the library once. It's a technique that requires magic readiness to complete in a short amount of time, but magic staying power to activate over time.

　It was an exemplary answer, typical of the diligent Mize.
　Parallel activation does not require much magic control, as the magic construction itself is not complicated. However, since magic consumes magic power in the body even while it is being activated, parallel activation requires either magic speed to minimize the consumption of magic power or magic stamina to withstand the consumption of magic power.

　In the case of Oz, he has the latter ability, which allows him to use parallel activation.
　It takes a bit of time to build up the magic, but the instantaneous firepower is quite high. --That's why he came on this mission as my assistant.

It's not just a quick weapon, it's your main weapon. ......

"Hmmm.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that," Oz said, beaming at the shivering Gran.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

I forgot to decide beforehand, what about the materials for the demon?

　Elysia asks us all.
　I'm not sure what to do with them, but I'm sure they'll be fine.

However, there were still some parts that could be recovered as materials, "We don't need to recover them now. In the case of goblins, there is a demand for their eyes, and in the case of hobgoblins, there is a demand for their eyes and some of their internal organs, but both of these are tricky to remove. And if you collect them here, you'll have a bloody mess to deal with for the rest of the commission.

That's ...... disgusting.

　The other members of the group agreed with the twitching face of Elysia.
　The most highly priced internal organs of the goblin species are the testicles. By mixing them together, you can make an excellent energizer.



　I'm sorry.



　The search for the labyrinth "Kaishin-ohbo" went smoothly and we reached the fourth level.
　Since this labyrinth continues downward in a spiral, it is easy to predict the location of the stairs. Moreover, we had a map purchased from the guild, so we hadn't lost our way so far.

There are no walls beyond, so be careful. It looks like a wide path, but if you fall, it's the end of the world.

　Elysia said.


　The walls on both sides disappeared, and a passage like a suspension bridge appeared. From here on, we would be walking through these dangerous places.

I can't see anything down there. ......

I'm scared. ......

　Gran and Mize peered into the darkness beneath their feet and became nervous.
　They took their time and slowly made their way down the passage.

"......What?

　It's a good idea to have a map in your hand.
　Gran and I, who were leading the way, looked back at her to see if something was wrong.

The information here is slightly different from the map. Here, look.

"...... You're right. Did this place collapse in the earthquake too?

　Looking at the map held by Elysia, Mize said, "The map we're walking on now, it's a bit different.
　At the end of the passage we're walking down, the floor has fallen out. The hole was so big that even if I used my "toughness" I wouldn't be able to jump over it.

The hole is so big that you can't even jump over it with your Strength. There's a staircase up ahead. ...... It's a hassle, but we'll go around.

　Elysia says with a sigh.
　We decided to go back the way we came and take a different path to the stairs.

　Even though the search is going well, we are still consuming a lot of energy. Just as we were discussing whether we should take a break, this happened.
　Each of us was showing signs of fatigue, but this was the time to push on.
　We started walking with a lot of energy, but then...

"Stop!

　A small voice told everyone in the back.
　I peeked out from the corner of the passageway and saw a large shadow standing in the room beyond.

It's a chimera. It's a chimera. ...... It's going to be a little tough to fight that thing.

　A lion's head, a goat's body, a viper's tail.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. It looks distorted, but its body is strong, and it can spit fire from its mouth. In addition to the lion's head, it has a goat's head on its back and a viper's head on the tip of its tail.

　It's even stronger than a hobgoblin.
　It's not impossible for me and Oz to defeat it, but it's going to be a problem if it spits fire in this small space.

But the stairs are just over there. The other way is also impassable due to the floor falling out. ......

　Elysia said.
　Just then, the viper's head on the chimera's tail glared at us.

"Oh no, they've noticed us.

　The chimera lets out a shriek.
　I felt the pressure vibrating through the air, and my skin all over my body flushed.

　The chimera turns its head toward us and opens its large jaws.
　In the back of its throat, I saw a burning flame.

"Let's move out!

　At the same time as he told the four of us, flames shot out of Chimera's mouth.
　We turned the corner of the aisle and rushed for shelter, only to be hit by a blast of hot air from behind.

What should we do?

"We can't deal with that!　Let's get to a safe place!

　Gran replied in a panic as he ran and shouted.
　I agree with Gran's opinion.
　Anyway, let's just back up here...

"Twight, forward!

　Elysia shouted with an agitated face.

　--I know.

　I know, I know. I'll instantly use my toughness to greatly improve my physical abilities.
　I'll take the huge fist that's coming from in front of me and immediately adjust my stance.

　--Hobgoblin.

　It was just bad luck that I encountered them on the first level, but it's not that unusual to encounter hobgoblins on the fourth level.
　However, it was still bad luck for them to appear at this time.

"A pincer attack. ......

This one's a bit of a mess, isn't it ......?

　Gran said, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. If we had Oz's firepower, we might be able to wipe them out, but it's more likely that we won't be able to do so in time.

　But that doesn't mean there's no way out.

　While keeping an eye on the two demons, I took a glance at the suspension bridge-like passage I had just walked down.
　In fact, there are five layers of floors underneath that passage. It would take some courage to jump down, but if I used my toughness, I should be able to do so without getting hurt.

　I wanted to take the right route to the fifth level so that I wouldn't get lost, but ...... I had no choice.

　I give Oz a look.
　I was about to ask her to tell me that there was a way to escape the two demons, when...

"Down here!

　Mize shouted.

"There's a foothold down that corridor!　It's dark, so it's hard to see, but you should be able to land on it if you use your toughness!

Are you sure, Mize?

Yes!　--Please follow me!

　I'm sure you'll be able to see it in the dark, but you'll be able to land on it if you use your toughness!


　I looked at Oz as I followed him.

　--Why, Mize knows.

　It's dark down that passageway. At least with the naked eye, you can't see the floor where you jumped.
　Mize said this was his first visit to the labyrinth. Was that a lie?　...... No, I remember how curious she was when she first entered the labyrinth. I don't think it was an act. And there's no reason for her to lie.

　While we were panicking, Mize jumped straight down the passage.
　Mize's body is swallowed by the darkness beneath her feet. Immediately afterwards, however, we saw Mize land on the fifth floor, waving his torch from side to side to let us know he was okay.

Hey, it looks like we're really going to make it.

"Yeah. Yeah, we're going too.

　We have a lot of questions, but first we have to survive.
　We followed Mize's lead, activated our "toughness" and jumped down the passage.