Episode 126: Army of Monsters
After that, the three members of D-Minor, along with the Seekers from Sakura Port, responded to the Self-Defense Force’s call.
In the white hall next to the dungeon entrance, about fifty Seekers stood lined up. Many were wounded and wore anxious expressions.
Amidst the crowd, glaring at us from the edge of the room was Okawara from IBI.
He wore a resentful face, but Kanzaki ignored him and looked forward.
“Seekers! I am Kakitani, a Lieutenant General of the Ground Self-Defense Force. I am in charge of the ground operation. Regarding the Salamanders that attacked you, our investigation has confirmed that they are no longer present on the first floor.”
At those words, the Seekers began to stir. It was impossible for so many Salamanders to suddenly disappear.
“Everyone, please calm down! The cause is unknown, but it is certain that there are no monsters on the first floor.”
Everyone seemed unconvinced, but Yuma and Kanzaki thought, “—Figures.”
“Regarding future plans, we have received reports that the advancing monsters are moving faster than expected. They will reach the first floor in thirty minutes. We ask that you descend to the first floor once more and work with our Self-Defense Force’s First Platoon to eliminate the Goblins and Orcs! And—”
Kakitani furrowed his brow and looked around with a serious gaze.
“In the worst-case scenario, we will engage the monsters on the surface. Therefore, a Ground Self-Defense Force battalion is on standby above ground, and all bulkhead doors will be opened to secure firing lines. Please do not overexert yourselves, and feel free to let the low-level monsters come to the surface. That is the outline of this operation. If you have any questions—”
Several people raised their hands and asked questions, but generally, the Seekers were convinced and decided to descend to the first floor.
◇◇◇
First floor of the dungeon. With the cave leading to the surface behind them, fifty-two Seekers and forty Self-Defense Force personnel awaited the monsters that would soon arrive.
While watching the silent Self-Defense Force personnel behind him, Yuma asked Kanzaki, who stood next to him.
“President, since there are so many Self-Defense Force members on the surface, couldn’t they send more here? It seems like we could defeat the monsters more easily that way.”
Hearing Yuma’s words, Kanzaki sighed.
“Listen, Yuma. The Self-Defense Force’s guns and the Seekers’ fighting style are a terrible match.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course! If Seekers are fighting monsters and you start firing support from behind, they could get hit by stray bullets and die!”
“Ah, that’s true…”
“The Self-Defense Force can defeat low-level monsters. In fact, they have been exterminating monsters until now. But it’s a different story when Abyssal Monsters and low-level monsters appear together like this time.”
Kanzaki took out a cigarette from his pocket, put it in his mouth, and lit it.
He took a puff, savoring the smoke. This would probably be his last smoke for a while… Thinking about that, Kanzaki opened his mouth.
“Abyssal Monsters can only be defeated by the magic used by Seekers. If the Self-Defense Force accidentally kills those Seekers, they’ll all be wiped out. That’s why the higher-ups are being cautious about this battle.”
“I see… But can’t high-ranking Seekers defend against bullets…”
“Certainly, a magic barrier used by a Seeker with high magical power could deflect bullets. But it’s not always deployed. A surprise attack could get through. Well, if anyone could react instantly, it would be Tennoji from Elceed.”
Yuma nodded, understanding why only a minimum number of Self-Defense Force personnel had come.
“Still, is it okay to open the bulkhead doors all the way to the surface?”
“Well, it seems the flames from Abyssal Monsters can melt the bulkhead doors. They probably chose a form that’s easier to attack than defend. Whether that’s the right choice, we won’t know until we try.”
Kanzaki threw the cigarette he was smoking on the ground and crushed it with his toe.
“They’re here.”
Hearing those words, Yuma turned his gaze far ahead. There, dozens of Seekers were running towards them.
It was the B-rank Seeker Clan that had been to the middle levels.
From beyond them, Seekers wearing matching battle suits quickly approached. They were probably the major Seeker Clans, including Elceed.
And—
Dust clouds rose. The air stagnated, and a mixed “sound” that could be taken as cries or screams could be heard.
Tension spread among the waiting Seekers.
First, they saw small, green monsters, Goblins. There were many of them, overflowing and running all at once.
Next, they saw large, pig-like monsters. Yuma thought those were probably Orcs.
They were rushing in as a group, but there were clearly more than they had initially heard. And then white smoke rose from behind them.
Through the steam, four-legged monsters appeared.
The ground they stepped on melted, and the atmosphere wavered just from their walking. Yuma recognized the reddish-black monsters.
“—That dog!”
Nearly thirty of them were coming together.
The Seekers gulped, seeing so many Abyssal Monsters coming up.
But what was even more concerning were the humanoid monsters coming from behind the Hell Garm. Their entire bodies were red, and they were exceptionally large.
Their hair stood on end as if burning, and flames rose from their shoulders and arms.
The ominous air emitted from those monsters was felt even by Yuma and Kanzaki, who could not sense Mana.
“What’s that? Is that also an Abyssal Monster?”
Kanzaki muttered while glaring at the monster. Answering him, Tanaka opened his mouth.
“That… isn’t that an Ogre?”
“”Ogre?””
Kanzaki and Yuma’s voices were in unison. It was a name rarely heard in the Red Dungeon.
“I have a ‘Dungeon Monster Encyclopedia’ that lists various monsters, and it looks a lot like the ‘Ogre’ monster listed there!”
“However, that is—”
Kanzaki raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, it’s a story from the White Dungeon. There have been no cases of Ogres being in the Red Dungeon, so it might be a mutated species!”
Tanaka puffed out his chest and spoke proudly. Yuma was once again impressed by his knowledge of monsters.
“In any case, it seems safe to assume that guy is the boss.”
Kanzaki held the Hexagonal Rod with both hands, putting strength into it.
“Everyone, take combat positions and spread out!”
Sakura Port’s Minazuki shouted. The C-rank Seekers spread out in a fan shape, with the B-rank Seeker Clan standing in front of them.
The top-ranking Seekers took their positions in the center, and preparations were made to intercept the monsters.
Tennoji, standing at the front, glared at the enemy before him.
“Now, let’s begin.”