The first wolf to make a sound had my tentacles wrapped around its neck.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t break that thick neck with my tentacle strength. The pulling force was strong, but the squeezing force was weak—is that a weird kind of tentacle?
It was pretty big, but since I’d grabbed its neck, the two-headed hound couldn’t resist properly. I quietly left the cleanup to Lewis.
The two-headed hound, choked, couldn’t even scream before its head was cut off in one stroke.
One down.
“Wow, it really has two heads.”
This one walks on four legs, huh?
So, was the strategy to have the bipedal two-headed hounds and the quadrupedal two-headed hounds attack together? If I couldn’t figure out the strategy quickly, I was gonna face some serious hardships.
I brought my attention back. One had died so easily, and now the other two-headed hounds were in a state of shock.
If I missed this timing, the two-headed hounds would hide again, so I had to keep the momentum going and move forward. I turned my arm back to its original position and took a box out of my bag. Is there anything harder to endure than a bad smell for dogs?
“Everyone, put on your gas masks.”
Since I had experienced it once, my party reacted in an instant. I immediately opened the box and dipped my shovel into the crushed garlic. This sure has a sterilizing effect—an enchantment at its finest. I closed the box and watched the situation.
The two-headed hounds were on high alert and weren’t rushing in. Some hid in the shadows to avoid the light, while one or two seemed to want to act as bait, continuously revealing themselves.
They would probably all pop out as soon as I got close.
So…
“Lewis, hand me your sword.”
“Huh?”
“Quickly.”
Lewis handed me the sword with a look of disgust. I felt a bit sorry, but survival comes first—can’t be helped. I applied the crushed garlic all over the sword.
“W-what are you doing?!”
“Just a basic enchantment.”
After applying the enchantment to the sword myself, I placed the box at my feet. This should make it hard for them to approach. For us, it was just gonna make our eyes bloodshot and have us coughing, but for the two-headed hounds, it would be like chemical warfare.
“I’ll go on a bait run.”
They set the table for me—I wouldn’t not jump in.
“What?”
“Stay here and guard.”
They probably wouldn’t even approach.
I kicked the ground and rushed toward the two-headed hounds that hadn’t hidden themselves. The distance between their set of eyes and mine closed rapidly, and our gazes, full of intent to kill, clashed.
There was a mocking grin on the two-headed hound’s face.
The one who should be laughing here is me, you mutt.
“!()#&(!!!”
The distance between us was within about ten paces. As I got closer, the two-headed hound finally caught on and started to back away, whimpering. Even monsters have a hard time with such a stinking garlic smell.
“Where do you think you’re running? Crafting.”
I pierced the belly of the two-headed hound trying to flee. I turned my head and saw the hidden two-headed hounds in the darkness. Well, that’s how it goes. Seeing the ones who were stumbling back in shock from the garlic party brought a chuckle out of me.
“Not coming?”
Guess I’ll go to them.
I boldly jumped into the darkness.
————–
“Shuri, dispel the magic.”
“Got it!”
“Are you okay, uncle? Any injuries…”
“Nope.”
We didn’t catch many since they bolted quickly, but they shouldn’t pose any direct threats now.
At least I sent away five or so. It was a bit annoying how they got scared and ran off instead of fighting to the end like in games. If they were anything like the game, I could have wiped them all out.
“For now, it should be safe, so let’s move quickly.”
“Ah, y-yes, yes…”
“Shuri, don’t stray too far.”
“Yes, yes!”
Are they avoiding the smell? Lewis was looking hesitantly at his sword. I sighed as I retrieved the garlic box, which seemed to have lost its potency.
“Don’t try to avoid it just because it smells. It’s better for you to get used to it.”
“Do we have to do this every time?”
“No. But there will be worse times ahead. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, I guess…”
Sif immediately agreed with me. Since she was one of the few who entered the dungeon after me, she understood quickly, which made it easier. There was a need to supplement her lacking combat ability in some way, though.
“Now that we’re done chatting, let’s get going again.”
There was still a long way to go. I listened to the sounds around me and took out my compass. As expected, we got out of formation while fighting. I moved about a half turn to the side and repositioned us before lifting my feet off the ground.
“We’re heading straight to the 3rd Floor. Keep your guard up until we reach the stairs to the 3rd Floor. There could still be more two-headed hounds lurking around.”
At my words, everyone silently nodded.
Then let’s set off.
We pushed through the underbrush, stepping on branches scattered across the ground. If I had my way, I’d want to build walls on the sides as we progressed, but if there were bipedal two-headed hounds lurking, it would be a bad idea to box ourselves in.
Even though this was technically a game world, it was still reality. If walls burst due to magic, the debris could injure us. It was also a problem that visibility was limited, making it hard to notice enemy ambushes quickly.
That’s why having the Crafting skill is a bit tricky. It originates from the non-combat side, so its utility in battle is quite limited. The tentacle magic I recently learned is nearly pointless against a size difference like this.
Not to mention, the way my arms changed essentially left one hand sealed. It might work against these mindless dumbheads, but swinging tentacles in a one-on-one against intelligent foes would be practically a death wish.
…It’s too quiet.
I could no longer hear even the rustling sounds while keeping my ears on alert. I couldn’t sense any gazes either.
Maybe they realized they couldn’t fight and ran away?
That’d be fine, but it’s also possible they’re preparing their ultimate ambush. No matter how awful the smell is, they can adapt. It’s not weird to slowly start getting used to the stench of garlic while waiting for the right moment.
So where will they launch their final assault from?
Even if we win, the 2nd Floor is still the two-headed hounds’ home ground. Those monsters won’t miss out on the geographical advantage. There’s no creature more cunning than a predator when it comes to cutting off an animal’s breath.
Thus, I needed to find out their intentions in advance.
Let’s think from the monsters’ perspective for a moment.
The reduced number of monsters would likely make them attack from the most favorable terrain.
What would that advantageous terrain be?
The forest is certainly favorable for them, but the forest also provides us with a definite advantage. We could reduce blind spots using the terrain.
If things go wrong, the ability to craft a solid fortress on the spot is a strength our party has.
Having already shown that, it’s unlikely the two-headed hounds would want to engage us in the woods.
So the place we are likely to come under attack would be…
“The entrance to the 3rd Floor.”
That’s the only place left for the final showdown. It’s not a wide space, and the last pathway leading to the 3rd Floor is narrow and perilous. The sides are cliffs, after all.
It’s obvious the two-headed hounds will dare to make a move there.
So as we neared the final path to the 3rd Floor, I raised my left hand overhead, signaling the others to stop.
“Shuri, use Search Magic.”
“Right now?”
“Yep. You can use a 3rd-grade magic, right?”
“Yup.”
“Then use it now. Let’s set the search radius to about 50 meters. How much magic power do you think you’ll have left after using the spell?”
“About… 30%.”
“Is that enough to use a 3rd-grade magic?”
“A-aah, no…”
“Understood. Then start now. Everyone else, keep an eye on the surroundings.”
We formed a circle around Shuri as she cast the spell. The forest only stared down at us with its eerie sounds, but we couldn’t look up at it. The moment we let our guard down, a fang would dig into our necks.
“…Search.”
The wave of magical power spread out. Shuri leaned against Lewis, looking exhausted as she did so.
“Shuri, notice anything?”
“…Seven of them. They’re all hiding near the pathway to the 3rd Floor.”
“I see. Let’s proceed as is. Try to act as though we don’t know they’re there.”
An ambush that had already been noticed is more likely to end in retaliation. We quietly walked ahead while pretending to let our guard down. It didn’t matter whether the two-headed hounds could sense our magic. Since the ambush had been revealed, its effectiveness would likely be diminished.
“Once we get past here, we’ll be free.”
I turned my head and intentionally took an unguarded stance, looking back at my party. They seemed to have understood my signal and awkwardly struck up casual chatter.
“I guess we’ll meet the boss on the 3rd Floor?”
“I hope the rewards are generous!”
“Even so, we shouldn’t let our guard down until the end. Something could happen like what happened to me.”
Viola raised her prosthetic arm and cracked a joke.
As I listened to the increasingly natural conversation, I stepped onto the last narrow path leading to the entrance of the 3rd Floor with my shovel in hand.
Using my shovel as a reference point, everyone pretended to lower their weapons. This made us appear defenseless.
And then it happened.
A rustling sound.
“There are three!”
Crafting.
Sharp pillars shot through the bodies of the two-headed hounds that ambushed us. The two-headed hounds twisted, a giant hole pierced through their bellies, and they met their end.
Just three?
“The others are hiding near the exit.”
“Let’s keep going.”
Since the entrance to the 3rd Floor was so narrow that only two people could pass side by side, the person leading would inevitably have to fend off the two-headed hounds. But we had no reason to enter unfavorable terrain.
I reached out my hand toward Viola, who was watching the surroundings from behind.
“Viola, hand me two paralysis potions.”
“Hang on… here.”
I received the potions from Viola and picked up two stones from the ground. They were about the size of tennis balls. I stuffed the stones into my pouch and moved forward a bit. This should be close enough.
I took the heavy potions and threw one on each side of the entrance to the 3rd Floor. Before the paralysis potion hit the ground, I quickly drew out the stones and threw them.
Crash! The shattering sound of glass echoed, and the paralysis potion scattered around the entrance. One missed its mark, but as it hit the ground, the potion spread enough.
I heard a whimper immediately afterward.
“Now we enter. Keep an eye on the rear, and Lewis, charge in first!”
“Understood!”
Lewis kicked the ground and dashed down the narrow path. By all means, the two-headed hounds should have reacted to that swift advance, but only one jumped out. The one that did must have felt hopeless, as its body was cut in half almost instantly.
“Locate the dazed one and finish it off!”
We watched as Lewis handled the two-headed hound, crossing the path slowly. By the time we made it across, Lewis had already gathered the bodies into one spot.
“That was easier than I thought.”
“Thanks to you all following my directions well.”
At this age, it wouldn’t be weird if they rebelled and didn’t listen, but they were exemplary.
I buried the bodies suitably beneath the ground and set up camp beside the entrance to the 3rd Floor. Since there was only one access point, blocking it off should guarantee our safety.
I built a wall to barricade the narrow path and established a small base camp in front of the entrance to the 3rd Floor.
“I’ll take a nap and then we’ll jump into the last floor. Everyone should rest and regroup.”
At my words, smiles bloomed on everyone’s faces.
It seemed the journey through the 2nd Floor had really worn them out.
But what can I say?
The 3rd Floor is bound to be hellish.
If the 2nd Floor has two-headed hounds, the 3rd Floor will probably… No, there’s no need to jump to conclusions before we know for sure.
I started a fire in the center of camp, set up a pot over it, and began cooking. It wasn’t really dinner, but a mishmash soup made with beef jerky and dried vegetables, thrown in whatever else I had.
They used to call this kind of stuff everlasting soup in medieval inns or something.
“Johann, you cook well!”
“To live alone, cooking is essential. It’s better to learn simple recipes. You’ll rarely enjoy tasty meals on adventures.”
“Ah, true.”
“Did you just buy a new pot? It looks expensive. I think the last one was 5 gold coins…”
“That’s right.”
Apparently, it doesn’t retain soot well, but I didn’t really know what that meant—I just bought it. Thankfully, it seemed like it was indeed true. I handed the ladle to Shuri, who looked very interested, thinking she’d do well with stirring.
Sitting on a convenient rock, I wiped down the misused mithril shovel with a cloth.
The garlic smell was so intense that it brought tears to my eyes.
“Johann, but what if the reward on the 3rd Floor is something like a magic book again?”
“If that happens, we’ll sell it and split it five ways.”
It didn’t seem like it would be a magic book again. Something like gold coins or magic items wouldn’t be bad either. Magical items could fetch quite a high price at the Mage Guild or at auctions.
At least we’d recover more than what we spent exploring the dungeon.
“Dinner is ready!”
“Got it. I’ll be there soon.”
I covered the now clean shovel and sat at the spot my party had vacated, blankly watching Shuri ladle out the soup.
…Going on adventures together like this isn’t so bad.
When everyone got their food, Shuri exclaimed cheerfully.
“Let’s eat well!”
Hearing that, we smiled and softly replied.
“…Let’s eat well.”
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