Roland and his friends were walking in the snowy mountains, a silver world as far as the eye could see.
(It''s cold.)
Monica exhaled white breath and warmed her hands.
Although she was wearing the coat, boots, and gloves that Roland had prepared for her in anticipation of the quest to defeat the blizzard-breathing hippopotamus, her body was screaming at the difference in temperature, having been suddenly thrown out of the mild climate and into the snowy mountains.
''There he is! It''s a blizzard-spitting hippopotamus."
The Warrior (Warrior) next to Monica shouted sharply.
Suddenly, the soldiers around them began to clank their weapons and prepare for battle.
This time we will finish them off!"
Recognizing the blizzard-spewing hippopotamus at the top of the mountain, the Warriors drew their swords and ran up the snow-covered mountain to close the distance.
Hurry up," said the Warrior. Close the distance before the enemy breathes his ''frost breath''!
The warriors (warriors) run up the sloping slope, their legs caught in the snow.
Just as they were about to close in, Blizzard Hippopotamus opened its large mouth and let out a breath of "frost breath," a mixture of snow, ice, and water.
Stop for a moment! Wide-area recovery magic!"
Yuffine casts a recovery magic spell and deploys a "recovery magic battle line".
A furious storm of snow and ice hits the area, robbing them of their vision.
Snowmen (Yeti), who had been hiding in the snow, emerged and attacked the adventurers.
Just in time, the adventurers stood on top of the magic circle.
The Yeti attacked with their clubs, but soon recovered their strength with restorative magic.
The blizzard, which had reached an extreme density, deprived the adventurers of strength, and even whitewashed out their vision.
The adventurers were trapped in a white darkness, unable to distinguish friend from foe.
Meanwhile, the Yeti were able to strike the adventurers with precision.
For a while, the Yeti and the blizzard were one-sidedly torturing the adventurers, but as the blizzard cleared and visibility improved, they began to counterattack.
Eventually, the Yeti were defeated.
By that time, however, Blizzard Hippopotamus, despite its short legs, had left the battle zone with surprising agility.
d*mn. We missed it.
We''ll have to start all over again."
This is a 14-level snowfield area.
The dungeon was basically green and lush with early summer weather, but this was the work of a blizzard-spewing hippopotamus.
Roland and his team arrived at the 14th level and challenged the quest to defeat the blizzard-spewing hippopotamus.
As its name suggests, the blizzard-spewing hippopotamus was a troublesome monster that always breathed "freezing breath.
Wherever the Blizzard Hippopotamus was located, the whole area would be covered in snow.
Only cold-tolerant monsters can live around this monster.
In front of Blizzard Hippopotamus'' "Frozen Breath," armor and shields were useless.
No matter how hard they were protected, the icy breath would cause frostbite on the skin of the adventurers, stopping the function of their blood vessels and eventually causing necrosis throughout their bodies.
Moreover, the Blizzard Hippopotamus was constantly surrounded by snowmen (Yeti), who were harmless even after being hit by the "freezing breath," and they protected the Blizzard Hippopotamus.
Although the Yeti has no armor or sword, it is a troublesome monster with thick hair, a muscular physique, and eyes that can see everything around it even in a dense snowstorm.
Adventurers had to fight the Yeti while receiving "freezing breath," which in essence meant that they needed to constantly recover.
This is the reason why the quest to defeat the Blizzard Hippopotamus was considered a quest for healers.
So now, Roland and his troops were actually chasing around the Blizzard Hippopotamus, relying on their "battle line of recovery magic," but they were unable to make a decisive victory.
They do well up to the point of fighting off the Yetis, but in the meantime, the all-important Blizzard Hippopotamus escapes.
The Yetis were also repelled, but not to the point of death. They would retreat before they lost all their strength, dig out nuts that had been stored in advance throughout the snowy mountains, recover, and then come back to face them again.
Roland and his men lacked decisive moves against the enemy''s guerrilla warfare, and they were slowly losing strength and depleting their items.
But the troops fought hard.
Undeterred by the monsters'' relentless hit-and-away tactics, they steadily drove the enemy into the corners of the dungeon.
Despite Blizzard Hippopotamus'' "freezing breath" and the heavy snowfall that obstructed their vision, Monica''s "Hawkeye" prevented surprise attacks by the enemy, and Yufine recovered her troops with "wide-range recovery magic" whenever the enemy came toward them, steadily hunting down the snow men (Yeti) and Blizzard Hippopotamus.
Only while the troops were recovering with "Wide Area Recovery Magic," they were free from the cold and felt as warm as if they were by a bonfire.
During the march, the members of the troop were so eager to benefit from the "wide-range recovery magic" that they were secretly hoping that the monsters would come at them soon.
After eliminating the Yeti inhabiting the vicinity, Roland and his team finally cornered the main blizzard-spewing hippopotamus (Hippopotamus) at the edge of the snowfield.
Blizzard Hippopotamus kept the troops in check by releasing cold air that was even stronger than the previous ones.
The troops were unable to escape from Yuffine''s "wide-area recovery magic" while Blizzard Hippopotamus was emitting cold air.
Gghh. What kind of cold air is that?
I can''t move forward.
In the face of the intense cold air of Blizzard Hippopotamus, the men of the white army swore involuntarily.
But that didn''t stop any of them from making weak noises.
It never stopped the troops from advancing.
They endured the enemy''s attacks, and every time the Blizzard Hippopotamus stopped breathing cold air, they moved a little closer to the enemy, scraping through the snow.
Even now, another opportunity was about to present itself.
Blizzard Hippopotamus closed its large mouth once and stored the cold air in its mouth.
Soon another breath of ice would be pouring down, but it would be another chance to close the distance.
If they are caught in range of Monica, they can decide the match.
But to do so, they must first deploy Yuffine''s "Battle Line of Recovery Magic". (It was no longer safe to take "Frozen Breath" seriously without recovery magic)
Yuffine. It''s recovery magic. Move the battle line forward."
When Roland gave the order, Yuffine activated "wide-area recovery magic.
However, the magic circle is scattered in pieces.
(Tsk, another misstep.)
Roland inwardly clicked his tongue.
The hit rate of Yuffine''s recovery magic was as low as ever, and she was only able to form a proper battle line about once every three times.
It could be said that she had been missing out on many opportunities to win because of this.
(After all, this low hit rate is not good enough for a professional healer. ) However, I was afraid of being attacked directly by the rear guard without forming a battle line. We just have to keep trying until we succeed.)
Yuffine. Can you do the recovery spell again, ...... Yufine?"
Yuffine continued to release magic even though the recovery magic had missed.
(Yufine? (What the hell)
In the meantime, Blizzard Hippopotamus is about to exhale cold air.
If they falter, the troops will suffer catastrophic damage.
"Yuffine," he said, "I''ve got to go. What''s wrong? We need to move fast. ......"
Mr. Roland. I ......, the magic circle is ......"
Roland was surprised when Yuffine said so.
Her magic circle was moving, not staying where it was.
(The magic circle is moving? Once a magic circle is activated, it should not be able to be moved from that location, so why? No way!)
Roland appraised Yuffine''s skills.
Her "wide area recovery magic" was A.
(She can move her magic circle at will. (Is this the A level of "wide area recovery magic"?)
She was able to move her deployed magic circle at will.
Roland''s invented tactic of continuously activating recovery magic not only compensated for her low hit rate, but also accidentally triggered the awakening of her true power.
The circular magic circles, which had been triggered in disparate positions, were connected by her manipulations in a bead-like pattern, forming a battle line.
Not only that, she created a magical path toward the location of Blizzard Hippopotamus.
Blizzard Hippopotamus opens its big mouth and spits out a mouthful of cold air.
Monica! One-hit-kill!"
Yes!"
Roland and Monica communicated only through this exchange.
Monica ran through the magic circle and shot Blizzard Hippopotamus at point-blank range with a "one-hit kill," despite the blizzard of cold air.
Blizzard Hippopotamus shattered like ice and fell apart.
The light blue tusk of Blizzard Hippopotamus, the item "Ivory of Cold Air," comes to Yuffine''s hand by itself.
(Good. Now Yuffine is in class B.)
Roland looked again at Monica, Shakuma, and Yuffine.
(Now all they have to do is conquer the quests for the A class and they will be at the limit of their growth. My mission is complete ......?)
After conquering Blizzard Hippopotamus, Roland and his team reached the 15th level in the shortest distance, using Monica''s "Hawkeye" to pick up energy recovery items.
The 15th level was a rest point (save point).
All right," said Roland. All teams, please report back to me.
Roland called out to them, and each group began to report.
Team 2, no problems.
Team 3, no problem.
Team 4 is short of potions. Please start with the group that has more.
Team 5, please wait a moment while I restore your magic.
Yuffine said as she took out her "Magic Cherry.
''It''s not too worn out, and I''m fully stocked up on items.
You don''t mean to tell me you''re coming home, do you?"
Mr. Roland. We can still explore."
Monica and Shakuma struck a fighting pose with both fists in front of them as if to indicate that they could still do it.
Roland chuckled at the low attrition of his troops.
(It''s been 10 levels and up, no big deal. ......? That''s true, too. With Monica''s "Hawkeye," Shakuma''s support magic, and Yuffine''s recovery magic, we can clear any dungeon.)
I agree. We can still explore."
(But ......, that''s as far as you go.)
Listen up, everyone."
Roland called out to them and they all paid attention.
You''ve done very well so far. From now on, we will finally be in the "God''s domain" after the 16th level. However, there is nothing to fear. There are A-class archers in this unit. Shakuma and Yufine can be considered to already have the equivalent of an A-class ability. The rest of the members are also elite, comparable to B class. Even the monsters that live in the "Shinto realm" should be no match for you."
The members of the unit all looked satisfied, and their faces were filled with joy.
The dungeon may be more difficult to conquer this time," he said. At the pace at which they have been conquering dungeons in the past, the second main unit of the "Golden Eagle", the Sebasta unit, should have reached the deepest part of the dungeon by now. Soon, this dungeon will be off limits to all but the Golden Eagle. However, there is still time. I want you to advance as far as you can, conquer the quests, and get as close as you can to the dungeon''s deepest point while you still can."
(What about you guys?)
Monica was sensitive to Roland''s tricky phrasing.
''Monica, Shakma, Yuffine. Take this to ......."
The three receive the quest information distributed by Roland.
This is the quest you are to pursue. Complete as much as you can before the dungeon is invaded by the Golden Eagle."
Mr. Loran. ....... Mr. Roland isn''t coming with us?"
Monica said inconsolably.
Roland shook his head sadly.
My skills, my status, and my equipment are limited here," Roland said. As a matter of fact, it''s all I can do to keep up with you guys.
Roland laughed with a resigned look on his face.
While all the members of his unit were wearing B-class equivalent equipment, Roland was still wearing D-class equivalent equipment.
For Roland, who had decided to specialize in appraisal skills, reaching the deepest level of the dungeon was a dream he had given up long ago.
If I follow you any further, I''ll be dragging you down," he said. Besides, in time, your students will leave your hands and leave the nest.
Roland said sadly.
You should be able to explore the dungeon without me now. No, perhaps it was too late to let you go off on your own. It''s been a while since I''ve been entrusted with the responsibility of leading adventurers, and I''m so happy about it that I''ve gotten carried away.
Roland looked sad with a huff.
(Mr. Roland ......)
Monica could tell from Roland''s expression that there was a hint of sadness behind him, a hint of his past, a hint of the painful experiences he had had in the past.
And that his wounds had not yet healed.
Perhaps he had been through something much more painful than she had experienced in her own life.
Monica felt choked up.
Somehow she wanted to share in Roland''s grief and pain.
She wanted to be his support, but she was frustrated that she could not.
Roland looked at Monica''s wistful face and curiously scowled.
Monica, what''s wrong with your face?
Mr. Roland, I ...... couldn''t be by your side because I couldn''t ...... be by Mr. Roland''s."
I''m just going away for a little while," he said. You''ll see each other again eventually when the dungeon is conquered."
No, it''s not. I''m ...... I mean, that''s not what I''m ...... trying to say."
Now, look forward. You''re an ace and you need to get your act together. From here on out, you''ll never make it in your lifetime as an ordinary adventurer. It must have been your dream, too. And now you are qualified to open the door to your dream. You have to go forward with your heart held high.
Ugh. Hi."
Roland hugged Monica and cheered her up.
He said a few words to Shakuma, Yuffine, and the others.
Monica, Shakuma, and Yuffine. From now on, you are in command of this unit, and the three of you will consult with each other as you move through the dungeon. Good bye."
Roland said that much and climbed on top of the "magic circle of return.
Roland-san. Until we meet again.
Shakuma waved Loran off with an exaggerated wave.
Roland waved back.
Soon, light surrounded Roland.
The magic circle carried Roland to the city.
Monica, with her heart full of the feelings she had failed to convey, regained her composure and turned to face the transition magic circle that would take her to the 16th level.
Yufinee popped the bunch of "magic cherries" she had finished eating with a pinch of her finger and threw them away.
The bunch of "magic cherries" falls to the floor.
Good. The magic is restored! Anytime."
Yuffine said in a crisp tone that seemed to shake off the pungent odor.
She maintained her dry side, not showing her emotions even in such a situation.
The prepared troops took up positions on the transition magic line to the 16th floor.
The members of the troop could not contain their excitement as they faced the transition to the 16th level.
It''s the 16th level!
Oh."
Hey, have you ever been to the sixteenth level?"
No, this is my first time."
They couldn''t wait to face the door to the new adventure that was looming ahead of them.
After the troops had gone through the transitional magic circle, they found themselves in a mysterious world.
The overgrown trees, growing plants, and hanging fruits were all shining like jewels.
The creatures, the plants, the ground, and the air were all dimly luminous white.
There was nothing in this place that did not shine.
(...... beautiful)
Monica gasped at the sheer beauty of the world.
There were no ordinary monsters there anymore.
Only monsters called "divine beasts," the messengers of the gods, were allowed to live there.
Monica stepped out of the magic circle and onto the 16th level.
She was now, without a doubt, about to venture into the "Divine Realm" on her own.
A few hours after Monica and the others stepped onto the 16th level, Sebasta and the others, who had taken the items from the cooter''s unit, arrived at the 15th level.
''Oh dear,'' said Sebasta, ''we''re going to have to go back up. I''ve wasted so much time on these cooters.
Sebasta crossed the room at the save point with a chagrinned look on his shoulders.
But I don''t understand. What in the world were they doing there? Even they must have known that they would not be able to explore beyond the tenth level with such a weak unit and equipment.
Sebasta''s second-in-command wondered.
Hmmm," Sebasta''s second-in-command said curiously. Most likely, they thought they could outmaneuver us, and in their greed, misjudged their own capabilities. They''re stupid.
Hm. Well, I guess that''s that.
I don''t care about the coaters. It''s more about the future.
Sebasta sat down on the edge of the fountain and glared at the troops.
We are now about to enter the 16th level, the "sanctuary. You must get back into the swing of things. For now, let''s see how exhausted each group is. ......
Captain! Captain! Oh, my God!
What a surprise. What''s the matter with you? Why don''t you calm down a little?
Sebasta frowned when he saw one of his deputies rush forward.
Look at this.
The second-in-command points a thin, stem-like object in his hand in front of Sebasta''s eyes.
This is ......."
We think it''s a bunch of ''magic cherries.
What the hell is ......?"
We don''t consume ''magic cherries'' here. That is, ......."
It means someone other than us got here."
Sebasta''s face turns grim.
''Nonsense. Who else but us could be in this hierarchy?"
Calm down. We''ll figure it out through item appraisal."
One of Sebasta''s unit, who has the skill of "item appraisal," appraises a bunch of "magic cherries.
In his mind''s eye, he could clearly see Yuffine dumping a bunch of "magic cherries" on the floor.
He could also see the emblem of the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" engraved on the breast of her dress.
How''s that? What did you find out?"
Yes, I could see it clearly, Captain. The person who dumped this bunch of ''magic cherries'' here. That person is an adventurer belonging to the Guardians of the Magic Tree.
Curse you! You have conspired against us!"
Sebasta''s eyes widened with a snap and he stood up as if he had been played.
He grabbed his beloved axe and announced to all the troops.
The "Guardian of the Magic Tree"! You are a ''guardian of the magic tree,''" he said. All of you take up arms. We''re going after them right now.
（You will pay for your crime of outwitting us!)
<>