Chapter 48: Dead End and Hope

Navigating the increasingly complex maze without hesitation, Lila runs forward.

The place she’s heading to is likely the heart of the mountain. I can tell there’s a massive cavity there. As we get closer to the center, the number of Grids increases. Among them, several individuals exuded an overwhelming presence – the Silver Wolf Grids.

Faced with such adversaries in this perforated space, the battle seems far from easy. The temperature rises steadily, and we can’t rely on the power of ice magic.

I touch the collar of my cloak, taking a deep breath to confirm my readiness.

It’s a relief that I practiced a new element before coming here and had the experience of battling the Undead King, which gave me the courage to face the darkness.

All these experiences are becoming my strength.

“We can’t avoid the Grids any longer. Everyone, prepare for battle!”

Lila shouts out as she jumps into the space ahead. The area has angular surfaces, evidence of mining. Pickaxes leaning against the walls and abandoned baskets lie around.

From the holes around us, Grids armed with weapons spring forth.

“We can’t afford to lose the king! We’re going ahead!”

A rough voice shouts as one party pulls out from among us. Other adventurers show hesitation and follow them, breaking away.

In the midst of this, three men step forward.

“If this were a zombie movie, they’d have died instantly.”
“Yeah, well, this isn’t a zombie movie. What’s the plan, leader?”
“Stay the course. We’ll press on without wavering.”

“Understood.”

The pale mage adjusts his glasses, the large man cracks his knuckles, and the leader points his sword towards the enemy ahead.

About half of the adventurers chose to stay. It wasn’t betrayal. We’re in the same group but not comrades. If we can’t cooperate, the least we can do is part ways for consideration.

If Yuuka-san were here, our group wouldn’t have split like this. She refused to be the reins holder, which may explain why she left our group initially. So, this situation could be part of her plan.

The remaining members clash with the Grids.

“Lila wants to scout. Stay close, Itsuki.”
“Understood.”

We distance ourselves from the fight before us to consider our next move.

As Yuuka-san often mentioned, Lila sees things clearly. Her ability to scout this complex mine is possibly more valuable than her sword skills.

“Something strange is happening.”

Lila mutters.

“Grids appear suddenly where they shouldn’t be. It’s as if—”
“Teleportation?”

“Yes, that’s it. You’re knowledgeable, Itsuki.”

It’s common knowledge that Grids can use gate-related magic. Even if it wasn’t part of the pre-battle intel, it’s no surprise. The Undead King did it too.

The problem lies in how they use it.

“What about the party that went separate ways from us?”
“They’re fighting the Silver Wolf Grids. Also, Yuuka is heading this way.”

…I’m being made to think. This might be just what the enemy wants.
The enemy. Right. Dungeons are a clear enemy to adventurers, always carrying malice and instigating battles to the death.

The correct answer shifts every second.

Even if Lila and I don’t break through, someone will breach the encirclement and reach the center.

In that case, the path I should choose—

“Let’s advance while maintaining our strength. We don’t need to wait for Yuuka-san. She’ll probably come when needed.”
“Got it.”

Lila nods.

The adventurers who finished off the Grid group look at us. At the forefront, Toda-san seems to represent their collective decision.

“Can we move forward, Lila-san?”
“You’re coming with us, huh? Thank you!”

“Are the allies not too exhausted?”
“We’re fine. We rested a bit during the last battle.”

“Good, then let’s go.”

Following Toda-san’s lead, the adventurers, including those from ‘Monthly,’ start moving. It’s not just strength; people are drawn to his human warmth. Toda-san undoubtedly has the talent of a leader.

We send shadow soldiers down paths we don’t take. Though they’ll vanish if they stray too far, they’ll help disperse the enemy’s forces.

Onward, deeper into the mine as the number of Grids increases. Yet, the frequency of encounters doesn’t rise accordingly. It’s an unsettling feeling.

Monsters hidden in the holes observe our progress, neither interfering nor fearing us.

—It’s like they’re inviting us.

Just as that thought crosses my mind, we arrive at a massive cavity.
The ground is about ten meters below. Already, a group of adventurers has reached this point.

“Ora ora ora ora ora!”

With a roar, the wall on the opposite side shatters. A giant man, probably two meters tall, charges in wielding a weapon resembling an ogre’s club. He leaps, falls freely, and lands with a cloud of dust.

“Is that a human?”
“Could be a type of bull.”

I respond casually to Lila’s question. If he heard us, he’d probably beat us up.

We also descend to join them. The adventurers who made it through this complex mine must be the elite of their groups. Including us, there are 40 people, eventually reaching about 60.

“This is a dead end.”

Lila says.
Apparently, the king is below, but there’s no path leading to him. There’s talk of creating a hole, but that risks collapsing the mountain itself.

When you think calmly, there’s teleportation magic. There’s no reason to prepare a road directly to the king.

—Then what is this space?

An unavoidable question grows in my mind.

—Why were we stalled?

Since entering this space, the Grids haven’t attacked. It’s safe and more adventurers continue gathering.

Gathering—

It’s just like how I fought earlier.

My temple feels like it’s being pulled by a thin thread. An unpleasant ripple of mana. Above, in the center of this space, something floats.

“A staff?”

Someone says. Yes, it’s a staff.
That Grid is holding a staff. The tip of the staff distorts, melting as it expands.

I sense no harm. It’s not an attack spell.
It’s eerie, causing most adventurers, including myself, to ready ourselves.

Only Lila immediately jumps into the air. Ascending as fast as a shooting firework, she draws her sword and strikes down. The gleam of her blade burns into my retinas—

Blink.

“What—”
“How—”
“Why are we here?”
“No way—”

Even seasoned adventurers can’t hide their confusion. Despite being prepared for that bizarre magic, no one could respond to it.

I rub my hand against the ground. It’s flat. And solid, made of stone.
In front of me, a fountain rises, spewing golden liquid.

An inorganic city. My mind refuses to understand. Yet, I must acknowledge it. It’s too familiar to claim ignorance.

The Grids lured us here. Stopping us just enough, hiding their aim, so that powerful adventurers would gather at the center simultaneously.

And then, seizing the moment the forces gathered—

“Returned to the [Fallen Holy City].”

I bite my lip.
It was a possibility I should have considered. Grids utilize gates. I should have accounted for individuals capable of using gates at will.

This is bad. Really bad. Not for us. The danger level for the adventurers left in the [Scorching Mines] has skyrocketed. There will be casualties. Is Rokuro-san safe? Without him, evacuation isn’t possible. Even if he returns, to rescue those there, a large number of Grid corpses is necessary.

Impossible.
We can’t go back.

Lila runs towards me from afar. Ah, Lila is safe. Thank goodness.

But…
Toda-san and the others are not here.

◆

—At that moment, two adventurers made the right decision.

One was Lila.
The girl who chose to eliminate danger without hesitation, cutting off the Grid’s arm right after the magic activated. Though it didn’t stop the activation, her choice was correct.

The other was the leader of ‘Monthly.’
While most adventurers took a stance to intercept, only he gave the order to retreat. As a result, some adventurers who came with them succeeded in avoiding the magic.

“What happened, Mitsui?”
“If I must surmise, that was a gate. It doesn’t cause harm, but I’d assume those involved won’t be returning.”

“The enemy’s objective is division, it seems. They’re more cunning than anticipated.”

Grids now flood the previously quiet and safe space, including the silver wolf Grids. The number of adventurers facing them has significantly diminished.

“It’s a dead end.”

Despite saying this, Genzo stands at the forefront. Mitsui is already chanting. The remaining members of the ‘Yggdrasil Order’ are ready for battle.

The fight continues.
What is required is the resolve to live.

“—By the way, I never got your thoughts on the chilled tantan noodles.”

Muttering this, Shigeatsu smiles.

◇

Lila rushes over, clutching something in her hand—

“A staff?”

Not just any staff. The very staff of the Grid that transported us here.

“Lila, that’s…”
“I couldn’t stop the magic in time. So, I decided to take it.”

Beyond her red hair, her blue eyes catch my gaze. They are straight and filled with light.

A mage’s staff bears more magic as it is wielded. It’s a weapon that grows with its user.

If that’s the case—

“You can do it, Itsuki.”

Hope remains, connecting us further.