…I can’t seem to wake up.
As I slept soundly and opened my eyes, unexpected trials clung to me on both sides.
I glanced back and forth at Elisa and Karina, who were stuck to my sides.
…I feel like I shouldn’t move.
Wait, why is Elisa sleeping next to me?
Millia must have… oh wait, was it her turn last?
I turned my head to gaze toward the entrance. The last team was Millia and Shuri.
I seriously pondered how to escape from the two sleeping beauties using my arms as pillows.
Waking them up or waiting until they wake up is an option, but the way they were clinging to me felt a bit dangerous.
The soft and fluffy sensation on both arms.
Setting aside the thought that they felt like cushions made of fat, I was terrified of how others would react to this scene.
With so many women around, I have to be careful, and to end up in a situation like this is extraordinary.
It feels like I’m the protagonist of a harem story, but that kind of thing can’t happen in reality.
…Even if this is a world where polygamy is possible, that’s only for the high-ranking people, and I’m just a mere knight.
Although I’ve gained a bit of a reputation now.
“…Johann…”
What kind of dream did she have to call my name?
I briefly looked at Elisa and then slowly and carefully started to extricate myself.
Every time I moved, I was tempted to stay still with how nice it felt, but I didn’t want to be misunderstood.
I have so much to do.
“…It’s tougher now than when we fought Harpas.”
Finally managing to free myself, I quietly tossed a few logs that I brought from outside into the almost extinguished campfire. The chilly air of the Fog Graveyard began to be pushed away by the warm heat gradually.
As I looked at the still-sleeping people, I stepped out toward the entrance.
“Johann?”
“Johann-nim?”
“Both of you go in and get some sleep. I’ll handle things alone.”
“Thank you…”
I can’t even keep watch properly when I’m full of drowsiness. I let Shuri inside and turned to Millia, who was sinking deeply into my arm, nearly dozing off.
“You should go inside and sleep too.”
“I’ll just sleep like this…”
“…You’re not a kid anymore.”
“Then I’ll be a kid.”
“Didn’t you tell me to call you ‘sister’ last time?”
“Well, that’s that and this is this.”
As I plopped down onto the floor, Millia leaned against me and closed her eyes. I gently stroked her hair and stayed alert.
Well, nothing major should happen… but I still have to work.
—————
“Overall, it will be similar to yesterday. But don’t let your guard down; stay sharp.”
“Four!”
“Yes…”
“If Karina uses her Purification Magic, wouldn’t everything just disappear?”
“It’s not good to waste energy on unnecessary things.”
If Karina were to spam Purification, dungeon exploration would be much easier.
But that can’t happen.
Not only would we not gain any experience, but if we can’t use Sacred Magic in a dangerous moment, it could hinder our dungeon clear.
“The formation remains the same as yesterday. We’ll maintain a similar speed. When you start seeing vague shapes in the fog, tap the shoulder of the person in front. Understood?”
Everyone silently nodded at my words. That means preparations are complete.
“I’m off.”
We moved our feet diligently like yesterday. It was a mundane journey since we couldn’t freely chat, but dungeon exploration is typically like this.
Full of tension and relaxation.
It was a bit less urgent here, so the fatigue was also less.
The dragon’s tomb had been chaotic due to the wyverns harassing us the entire time we explored the dungeon.
Tap-tap.
Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I looked over to Lewis. A blue light shimmered in his eyes.
Did he enhance his vision with mana?
I raised my right hand and made a stopping motion, then looked at Lewis.
He pointed with his left hand and extended three fingers with his right.
Three figures.
Are we about to move in earnest or just scouting? I tilted my head to the side and lightly tapped my eye with my finger.
“Stay vigilant.”
Everyone nodded and turned to focus on their assigned directions.
They’re sharp.
“Johann-nim. I see vague shapes on the right as well…”
“Uncle, over here too.”
We’re surrounded.
But there was no need to worry. With just one Purification Magic from Karina, everything would be swept away. However, there was one issue.
What are the intentions of the Fog Graveyard’s master, who possesses enhanced intelligence due to reality correction, for surrounding us?
It’s not exactly the same as in the game, but the Fog Graveyard had been a place where undead constantly respawned. Essentially, there were no safe zones until you defeated the boss.
The camp we set up last night was only made possible by using Purification Magic to create an area free from undead invasions.
Getting back to the topic, if the master of the Fog Graveyard intends to engage in a battle of attrition, that would be troublesome.
Given the nature of the Fog Graveyard, dealing with enemies that surround us is a real hassle. If it’s just sending undead our way, then it’s not a big problem…
“Johann, should we use Purification Magic?”
“No. Conserve your strength.”
I set up walls on either side. That alone secured safety in the areas not in front or behind. The monsters existing in the Fog Graveyard can’t do a thing if I physically erect barriers like this.
No matter how many there are, they are still merely low-ranking mobs among monsters.
“Lewis will handle the front; I’ll move forward.”
I need to assess whether they really want to engage in a battle of attrition or are just haphazardly sending enemies our way.
We continued advancing.
After about an hour of sending zombies and skeletons back to the ground, I signaled to stop and looked at Lewis.
His face was completely stiff.
“The sounds are different from before.”
It wasn’t the weak cries and clattering sounds but rather the sound of the ground trembling. Since the members here consist solely of zombies and skeletons, it was obvious who the heavy footfalls belonged to.
They arrived faster than I expected.
But I…
“…Everyone prepare for combat. Sif and Millia, don’t stray from Karina’s side. Karina, use Purification Magic immediately. Lewis, get ready to fight with your sword. Renny, I’ll leave the back to you.
Elisa and Shuri, prepare fire magic. Viola, be ready to throw the potion at any moment.”
After giving orders, I surveyed the situation.
The boss of the Fog Graveyard. I’m curious how strong it will be.
I pulled out the shovel hanging by my backpack and extended it. With a clang in my hand, I caught sight of the mithril shovel. It sparkled even in this environment; it really is mithril.
[Contractor, I sense mana in the left diagonal direction.]
“Lewis. Keep an eye on the left diagonal direction.”
The vibrations gradually grew stronger. Are they approaching? I floated a fireball the size of a baseball on my palm.
“Rue, can you give me a general location?”
[Um… based on the one with the sword, it’s almost straight ahead? If you tilt slightly to the right from where you’re looking… ah, it’s coming.]
I think I get it now. I shot the fireball straight away. A brief explosion echoed in the fog as the ball vanished, followed by a chilling scream confirming the fireball hit.
“Elisa. Shuri. Use your magic in the direction I threw the fireball.”
Without hesitation after my command, two fireballs flew toward the same direction my previous fireball had gone. This time, a much louder explosion reverberated through the air.
“!@*!#($&!!!”
“There it is.”
“…Please.”
The brief combo of Purification Magic left it bewildered, and it fell while screaming in pain.
“Is it… over?”
I shook my head at Shuri’s question.
“No. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the real one.”
“Excuse me?”
While it was indeed a boss, it was more of a mere clone. It had some combat power but was infinitely weaker than the main body.
“It will continue to appear, so don’t let your guard down.”
The dull exploration resumed. We continued moving forward in silence.
In the day and a half that we advanced, the thing appeared five times again. By the last time it showed itself, we even took it down without saying a word.
But now, it was over.
“We’re almost there.”
[The mana is overwhelming.]
The heart of the Fog Graveyard.
We had finally arrived at our destination.
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