“But, having a member who can use Thunder Magic is amazing, isn’t it?”
Tanaka exclaimed in admiration as he watched the IBI company members off.
When Yuma asked, “Is that so?” Tanaka replied cheerfully, “Of course!”
“It’s rare for people in small to medium-sized companies to learn “Thunder Magic.” Usually, they go to major corporations. I can understand why Okawara-san would want to brag.”
“Heeh.”
–Certainly, I’ve heard that the “yellow Magic Gem” that allows you to use Thunder Magic is quite expensive. I want to use it too, but…
As Yuma and the others were having such a conversation, a group of about ten people wearing unified battle suits approached.
“Everyone, please listen! I am Minazuki from Sakura Port. I have been asked by Honda-san of Elceed to be the coordinator for the Seekers on this first floor.”
The one who stepped forward and raised her voice was a woman in her late twenties.
She tied her long brown hair back and looked around with a dignified gaze. Holding a sheathed longsword in one hand, her slender figure was like that of a model.
“According to Elceed, the target Monsters will be coming up in two hours! It seems that the Goblins and Orcs we will be facing are increasing in number. Everyone, please be vigilant and prepare for battle!”
Minazuki finished her brief explanation, returned to her Seeker Clan, and began a meeting with her members.
Although she was called a coordinator, it seemed she was just a liaison for Elceed.
Kanzaki picked at his ear with his little finger, looking disgusted.
“They’re still increasing! Even if they’re just Goblins and Orcs, if there are too many, we won’t be able to handle them!”
Ever since talking to Okawara, Kanzaki had been in a bad mood. Yuma, trying not to provoke Kanzaki, quietly spoke to Tanaka.
“Is that Minazuki person a famous Seeker?”
“Ah, Minazuki-san? No, she’s not exactly famous. Sakura Port is one of the larger small to medium-sized companies, but it’s essentially a subcontractor for Elceed.”
“I see…”
From her resolute stance, he thought she might be a strong Seeker, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.
Ignoring Kanzaki, who was grumbling, Yuma stared at the sun created by the Labyrinth Mirage, muttering, “We have to wait two hours?”
But the abnormality occurred immediately after that.
The rocky area where the Cave leading to the lower levels was located suddenly became noisy.
Yuma and the others, who were over a hundred meters away, also noticed the change.
“What’s going on?”
Kanzaki shielded his eyes with his hand, looking at the rocky area with a dubious expression.
Then, several Seekers hurriedly jumped out of the Cave in the rocky area, as if being chased by something.
“That’s strange. There should still be time before the Monsters come up…”
Kanzaki agreed with Yuma’s words.
“It’s definitely strange.”
As the Seekers moved away from the Cave, the ground trembled slightly.
An earthquake? Yuma gasped and turned his eyes to the rocky area. A faint rumble could be heard from the direction of the Cave.
The next moment, a large amount of something poured out of the Cave all at once.
Crawling on the ground, rushing towards them like an avalanche. It looked like lizards or crocodiles, but —
“Salamanders!!”
Kanzaki’s eyes widened as he roared. Large lizards with red, rugged scales, sharp claws, and flames spewing from all over their bodies were heading towards them.
“Salamanders? I’ve heard of them, but were they such large Monsters?”
“Those are Salamanders from the 40th to 50th floors. The ones in the deeper levels are larger.”
Tanaka answered Yuma’s question.
“Hey! This is no time to be saying such leisurely things! They’re coming this way!!”
Hundreds of Salamanders that had poured out of the Cave were surging towards them like a wave. The Seekers who were on guard were also panicking and confused about what to do.
“Calm down! It’s just that Monsters from a shallower level have come out before the Goblins. Each of you, defeat them individually!!”
It was Minazuki of Sakura Port who gave the instructions in a loud voice. She took out her longsword and headed towards the Salamanders with her Seeker Clan.
The longsword she drew was clad in shimmering blue Water Magical Power, slicing through the leaping Salamanders.
The male and female Seekers who rushed in later also imbued their longswords and spears with the power of Water Magical Power and attacked.
It seemed that everyone was a Seeker Clan that used Water Magic. Their teamwork was excellent, and each of them seemed to be a skilled expert.
However, there were too many Monsters. They were gradually being pushed back by the Salamanders, who were attacking while spewing fire.
“President! Let’s join the fight.”
Tanaka shouted in a desperate voice, but Kanzaki shook his head.
“No, it’s not wise to confront them head-on! We’ll run away and take down the Monsters that chase us!!”
“Yes!”
The two of them turned their backs on the Salamanders and ran, following Kanzaki’s instructions. Yuma spoke to Kanzaki, who was running alongside him.
“President, I’ll use Metallization!”
“Okay! I’m counting on you.”
Yuma put strength into his whole body and transformed it into steel. He pulled the hood of his parka down low to avoid standing out and looked back.
Dozens of Salamanders were chasing after them.
Their eyes gleamed, and flames leaked from their mouths.
“President! Do these guys have Regeneration?”
Yuma asked as he ran, and Kanzaki replied curtly, “No, they don’t!”
–Then there’s no need to use Water Magic.
Tanaka was running clumsily behind him. He was about to be caught because he wasn’t fast. Yuma extended Liquid Metal like a shadow from his feet, branching it out in three directions.
The moment the shadow slipped under the Salamanders, countless blades protruded from the Liquid Metal, piercing the Monsters’ bodies.
The skewered Salamanders let out a painful “Gugya!” and burst, turning into sand.
Tanaka, who was watching the scene while panting, said, “Eeeeh, how did you do that just now!?” with wide eyes.
As Yuma was wondering how to explain it —
“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
A scream could be heard from a group that was fleeing in confusion. When Kanzaki and the others turned their eyes, they saw the IBI company’s Seekers and Okawara.
They were desperately fighting while surrounded by Salamanders.
They seemed to be defeating some of them using Water Magic and Thunder Magic, but they were in a desperate situation because there were too many Monsters.
“Those guys… they were too confident and got left behind!”
Kanzaki gritted his teeth.
The IBI company members were engulfed in flames, and Okawara’s stylish hair was frizzling. Everyone was waving their Magic Enchanted Armaments around while asking for help.
“Yuma! Can you handle it?”
“Understood!”
Yuma jumped out and ran towards Okawara and the others. In his right hand was the Water Vein Club. But he couldn’t use Water Magical Power yet.
–I have very little Water Magical Power. I can’t waste it in a place like this.
“Bloodstained Ore (Bloody Ore)!!”
Red veins flowed through his entire body, and his muscles swelled.
Yuma, whose leg strength had greatly increased, rushed to Okawara in one breath.