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Tl: Sam

…

「Isn’t this bad!?」
「There are tons of monsters」
「The Ice Orc’s face is way too scary」
「I-I-I-It’s not time to panic yet」

　At the sudden turn of events, the comment section grew hectic.
　Many of the explorers were also panicking due to the sudden emergence of the monsters. In the midst of that,

“Form ranks! Don’t show your backs to the monsters!”

　Kumaiwa-san, president of Obsidian Bear, shouted.
　Immediately, members of the same guild gathered and formed a defensive formation.

　The tanks formed a circle facing outward with their shields raised, while the attackers and magic-users gathered in the center.
　It was a well-drilled, efficient maneuver. It seemed they trained properly as a team.
　As expected of a veteran team.

“Tanaka-san! What should we do!?”
“Calm down, Hoshino. If you panic, you’ll be tripped up.”

　Saying that, I calmed Hoshino down.
　In a dungeon, those who lose their composure die first. You can’t serve as an explorer unless you stay calm, especially during a crisis.

“In a dungeon, not getting surrounded is ideal, but teleportation traps and such can get you surrounded. When that happens, tracking every single monster with your eyes is impossible.”
“Yes, what should we do at times like that?”
“It’s simple. You read their presence. Once you get used to it, you can move in pitch darkness just like during the day.”

「Super hard routine (regular)」
「He said ‘It’s simple’ lolol」
「If we could do that, nobody would…(omitted)」
「The modern Last Samurai」
「Is he a bat?」

“Read… their presence?”
“Yeah. You also sense the opponent’s footsteps, breathing, the sound of air currents, and the like. That way, there’s no need to rely on sight.”
“Understood.”

　Saying that, Hoshino readied her sword and closed her eyes.
　Incredible concentration. To think she could grow this much when I had only taught her a tiny bit.

『Grrr…』

　While I was feeling impressed, the Ice Orcs steadily closed the distance. They probably thought we were easier to defeat than an armored, organized group.
　Unfortunately for you guys, the girl you’re targeting is my prized disciple. You’re going to regret this, you know?

『GAAAAAAAH!!』

　Three Ice Orcs charged simultaneously.
　At the same time, the Ice Goblins in the trees fired arrows.

　A well-coordinated attack. The threat level of each individual wasn’t that high, but with coordination like this, ordinary explorers would be taken down without being able to do a thing.
　Yes, if it were an ordinary explorer.

“…I see it!”

　Leaping up, Hoshino dodged the Ice Orc’s club, then spun horizontally while swinging her sword, blowing away every falling arrow.

“Haaah!”

　Riding that rotational momentum, she slashed at the Ice Orc, cleaving its tough body in two with a single blow.
　Seeing that, another Ice Orc lunged from behind to avenge its fallen comrade, but Hoshino sensed it without looking and dodged with a backward somersault.

「Ehh!?」
「Her movements are insane」
「When did Yui-chan get this strong?」
「No, she had brute strength before, but her movements are way too sharp now」
「She lives with Rin-chan and Amatsuki-san, so she has no shortage of masters, huh」
「Still, isn’t she way too strong lol」

“How’s… this!”

　Controlling her posture in mid-air, Hoshino swung her sword downward, slashing the Ice Orc’s body.
　Caught off guard, the Ice Orc let out a cry of 『Guoh!?』, crumpled to the ground on the spot, and vanished, leaving behind a few materials.
　Efficient, excellent movement. I’d give her a perfect score.

『Guu… uu…』

　The Ice Orc flinched at Hoshino’s unexpected counterattack.
　Seeing its comrades defeated, it attempted to flee, but I grabbed its wrist, stopping it in its tracks.

“Where are you going? You’re the one who came over here; don’t just leave as you please.”
『Gua…!?』

「Eep」
「This corporate slave is way too terrifying」
「Those dead eyes really add flavor」
「I feel bad for Ice Orc-kun」
「It’s starting to look pitiful」
「Trying to run, but his arm isn’t budging an inch lol」

　The Ice Orc struggled desperately, but I had no intention of letting it go.
　Now then, how should I deal with it?

“Guh, it’s no good!”
“These guys are a pain!”

　The voices of struggling explorers reached my ears.
　Looking over, the members of Iron Stag were having a hard time with the monsters. Apparently, they were being thrown into disarray by the monsters’ coordination.
　Alright, guess I’ll lend a hand.

“Hup.”

　Gripping the Ice Orc’s wrist tightly, I threw the Ice Orc into the horde of monsters.
　Hurl-thrown at supersonic speed, the Ice Orc scattered shockwaves as it collided with the other Ice Orcs and blew them apart.

“Gyaaah!!”
“Wh-What happened!?”

　The Iron Stag explorers gasped in shock as the monsters suddenly exploded into pieces.
　I broke into a cold sweat wondering if I threw it a bit too hard, but it seemed the explorers didn’t suffer any damage.

「Hii!」
「Too absurd」
「Is this bowling?」
「Strike! lol」
「The explorers are genuinely freaked out lol」
「Well, can’t blame them for being shocked」
「Ice Orc-kun is pitiful too」
「Dirty fireworks」

“Hey, are you alright?”

　I approached the members of Iron Stag.
　As far as I could see, there were no serious injuries. I have to be more careful when people are nearby.

“Th-Thank you, Tanaka-san. You saved us.”
“Taking down an Ice Orc that easily… Tanaka-san really is incredible!”

　The explorers looked at me with sparkling eyes.
　It felt kind of embarrassing.

「Shachiken blushing lol」
「He never dives in dungeons with others, so he’s probably not used to this」
「Yui-chan making a bored face lol」
「Does she think her husband got stolen? Cute」

“Are you alright too?”

　I spoke to an explorer who had an injured arm.
　However, that person glared sharply at me despite my concern.

“I am fine. We can handle monsters of this level by ourselves.”

　I was flatly rejected like that.
　…Hm? Looking closely, isn’t this the explorer called Mikami who picked a fight before we dived into the dungeon?
　He was acting tough, but seeing that he had been injured in the previous fight, I couldn’t just leave him alone.

“No, but your injury…”
“I said I’m fine! Please leave me alone!”

　Saying that, Mikami ran off toward where the monsters were.
　Hey now, is he going to be okay?

「What’s with that guy, so rude」
「It’s Mikami from Iron Stag. He’s in a slump lately, so he’s on edge」
「A little while ago, he was appearing in magazine interviews and stuff all the time」
「He was talking all high-minded, but he’s nothing special lol」
「Well, monsters have been getting stronger lately, so can’t be helped if he can’t shine」
「Not everyone is as strong as Tanakaaa after all…」

　I was worried about Mikami, but from what I saw, he could probably defeat an Ice Orc alone.
　Is there anyone else who might need help?

“Uwah!? A huge one came!”
“Hiii!? Help me!”

　Looking in the direction of the voice, an enormous boar monster was standing there, looking furious.
　A monster whose fangs were made of ice, a Frost Boar.
　Sharp fangs and thick fur. While it didn’t possess any unique special abilities, the charge unleashed from its massive body would knock out an average explorer in a single blow.
　It was fair to say it belonged to the considerably stronger class among monsters appearing in the middle level.

「Whoa, that guy looks strong」
「Frost Boars are lower-level class monsters, after all」
「Having something like that in the middle level, this dungeon really is dangerous after all」
「Go get him, Shachiken!」

　The comments didn’t even need to tell me.
　I tried to step in to help, but… faster than that, a figure stood before the Frost Boar.

“Little boar-chan. Your opponent is me. I’ll play with you a little♪”

　The one standing in front of the Frost Boar was Yuki-san.
　Drawing their rapier, Yuki-san took a stance. Apparently, we were about to see Yuki-san’s sword technique for the first time in a while.

…..

Tl Note: That’s a lot of chapters for today, to celeberate my birthfay, I decided to go all out today. My birthday is 22nd btw, Depeding on where you are and when you’re reading this, it could already be my birthday(timezones) Come drop your birthday dates in the discord, and happy birthday to me.

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