A golden horse with wings on its back, Pegasus, attempts to trample the adventurers with its hooves from above the troop.


    Monica fires an arrow, but it is consumed by Pegasus'' magic.


    Monica quickly fires a custom-made arrow made of silver.


    This time it pierced her leg without burning, but it was not enough to finish her off with a single blow.


    The pegasus flees into the forest bushes.


    She can use recovery magic and will come back as soon as her wounds heal.


    ''Haa haa. Kuku."


    Monica breathed on her shoulder, but there was no time to rest.


    She immediately switched her viewpoint to "Hawkeye" and prepared for the next enemy.


    Soon a group of centaurs can be seen from the forest on the right.


    Enemy attack!　A squad of centaurs is coming from the right. Those in the White Guard should hurry up and get ready.


    What?　Are they still coming?"


    We''re too busy dealing with the enemy in front of us!


    Swearing comes from those in the white army.


    They were busy dealing with the swarms of chimera in front of them.


    (d*mn, what should I do?)


    Monica. Let''s deal with the newcomers only with the rear guard. Even if we can''t fight them off, we should be able to at least slow them down."


    I got it."


    Monica and Shakuma, accompanied by a squad of bowmen (archers) and attack mages, headed to check the enemy on the flank.


    Fortunately, this time we were able to fire a burst of flame magic and arrows at the enemy before they noticed our approach, so the group of centaurs stopped advancing.


    However, they did not retreat completely, but hid behind trees and bushes to seek a chance to attack.


    (Successful checks and balances. But will they retreat? ......)


    Monica looks toward the white army unit with "Hawkeye".


    Fortunately, the white army unit seemed to be almost ready to put away the chimera.


    Shakuma, it looks like the white army is almost done. There seems to be no more need for checks and balances.


    Monica gave Shakuma an earful.


    I understand. Then let''s meet up with the vanguard unit."


    After Shakuma created a fog with his "illusion magic" to block the centaurs'' path, they all hurried to join the vanguard unit.


    In the meantime, Monica''s "Hawkeye" caught another new hand.


    "!　Shakuma, another new hand is coming. This time from behind the troop!"


    Heck, new moves keep coming one after the other.


    As soon as Shakuma and his team met up with the vanguard unit, they gave the order to leave immediately.


    The unit ran to fend off the new enemies without even a moment to catch their breath.


    (This is the 16th level "sacred space. We can''t let our guard down even for a moment.)


    Monica bites her lip at the different level of enemies.


    Since a while ago, she had been unable to defeat most of the monsters and had to do her best just to get by.


    The reason for the struggle was not only the strength of the monsters in the "sanctuary.


    Monica and her team felt the size of the hole that Roland had left.


    Even though he was useless as a combatant, his quick judgment and instructions, thoughtful follow-up, first-step movements, sense of the big picture, maintenance of morale, and above all, the sense of security backed by his high level of experience, in short, his significance as a spiritual pillar was immense.


    Now that these were gone, the troops were momentarily lost in everything they did, and the precision of their judgment and coordination was slowing down.


    The toughness of the enemy in the "sacred area" is quite different from the enemy in the "sacred area".


    Shakuma said.


    Hey," Shakuma said. Still, don''t you feel a strange sense of pressure from earlier?"


    Yuffine said doubtfully.


    That''s because it''s a ''sanctuary'' ......."


    Monica said.


    ''I still think the encoutrement rate is too high.


    ''If you ask me, it''s true. Monsters keep popping up, no matter what we do.


    Hey, maybe we''re at the head of the attack?"


    What?　Well then ......"


    If we keep going, we may reach the deepest part of this dungeon before the Golden Eagle does.


    At that moment, Monica''s "Hawkeye" caught sight of another unit marching a few kilometers behind them.


    (A heavily armed contingent, with every man from the vanguard to the rear guard in full armor. That''s ...... the second main force of the "Golden Hawk Eye", the Sebasta Corps!)


    Monica, what''s wrong?"


    Sebasta Squadron is ...... behind ......


    Sebasta Squad!


    Isn''t that the main force of the Golden Eagle?


    Then I knew it. We''re in the lead now."


    What do we do now?　Our goal is not to conquer dungeons.


    There have been too many encounters since the beginning, and I''d give up the lead if I could, but ...... I guess I can''t say that."


    Euphine glances toward the forest bushes.


    Another group of centaurs emerged from the forest.


    We just have to keep going.


    Monica and her team felt the pressure of being chased by the "golden hawk" as they proceeded to explore the dungeon.


    (Since a while ago, I can''t stop sweating even though it is never hot. (It''s not hot, but I can''t stop sweating, and it''s not cold, but I can''t stop getting goosebumps. Is this the pressure of being the first team to attack?)


    Monica bit her lip.


    Her heart was beating faster than ever.


    The attacking gods and beasts were formidable, but the pressure of Sebasta''s team coming up behind them was far greater.


    I had never imagined that being chased from behind could be so terrifying.


    And was it my imagination?


    Monica felt something like a murderous intent coming from behind her.


    Perhaps she was being overly concerned, but that was how wildly Sebasta and the others were advancing.


    Monica frequently checked the position of Sebasta and the others with "Hawkeye" as they advanced.


    (They''re getting a little closer again. ......)


    Monica felt as if her heart had been squeezed tight.


    Monica. I see a fork in the road. Which way should I go?"


    Shakuma asked.


    ''Go to ...... to the right.''


    Monica was so taken aback that she chose the road less obstructed rather than heading for her destination.


    (Faster. We need to move forward faster.)


    Let''s hurry up and keep going. Everyone please run."


    The troop, faithful to her instructions, proceeded at the speed of its march.


    From the way they looked, Monica realized that the rest of them felt the same way.


    A bad feeling was approaching from behind.


    However, after advancing some distance through the 17th level, the presence of the monsters suddenly stopped.


    (What?　What the hell is it this time?)


    Monica thought with an agitated yet strangely awake mind.


    She tried scanning the area with Hawkeye, but the area was hazy and indistinct, as if enveloped in a haze.


    He asked, "Is this ......?"


    The enemy''s presence has disappeared.


    A few tens of seconds after Monica, Shakuma and Yufine also seemed to have noticed the unusual situation.


    Hey," she said. Monica. Can''t you see anything in Hawkeye?


    I don''t know. I can''t see. I can''t see anything!"


    Monica said, panicking a little.


    She was on the edge of her seat, too tense from earlier.


    Oh," she said. The guardian of the magic tree. That''s an unusual one, isn''t it?


    Monica and the others were startled by the sudden sound of a man''s voice.


    When they turned around, they saw a man sitting there, dressed in black with only one long sword on his back.


    I thought for sure that the "golden hawk" would be the first to attack this time as well," he said. I thought the ''golden hawk'' would be the first to attack this time.


    Monica looked at the man as if he were a fox.


    （What is this man? Is he human?　How did you get to the ''sanctuary'' (......) alone?


    Um, you are ......"


    I am Yugan, a swordsman belonging to the guild ''Knights of the Crescent Moon.


    Yugan!　When you say Yugan, you don''t mean that Mr. Yugan, do you?"


    "Shakuma, do you know?"


    I don''t know anything about him, but he''s an S-class adventurer, Mr. Yugan.


    Class S!


    That''s right. That''s right, I''m Yugan, an S-class adventurer.


    The man smiles wryly, stands up, and approaches Monica and the others.


    (This man is an S-class adventurer. (This is an S-class adventurer, someone who can reach the deepest part of the dungeon by playing solo. We finally got here with thirty people and a great deal of ingenuity in our organization, but ......, this man got here with a single sword.)


    Monica forgot about her earlier near-panic state and observed the S-class adventurer in front of her with a serious look.


    He was indeed slender at first glance, but his behavior was flawless, and the garb he wore and the long sword he held radiated an unbelievable magical power.


    Monica felt that no matter how hard she tried, she would never be able to surpass him.


    ''How did an S-class adventurer end up in a place like this?''


    Shakuma asked.


    I heard a rumor that a Turtle Dragon appears in this dungeon. I came all the way to this town on good authority, and it seems the rumors were correct.


    Yugan points with his thumb to a small hill at the end of the road, a place shrouded in a white haze that makes it impossible to see.


    He was just up ahead. The boss of the dungeon.


    The boss of the dungeon!


    So you''re saying this is the deepest part of the dungeon?"


    The humans in the unit buzzed.


    We had finally reached the place where we were the boss.


    （We''ve reached the deepest part before we knew it.)


    Monica was stunned, not knowing what to make of this fact.


    She said, "Normally, I''d be the one to attack it myself. ......"


    Yugan looked bitter.


    The battle elephant that''s with me is in the way," he said. It''s a little tough to attack alone. So I have a suggestion: why don''t we join forces?"


    Team up?


    I''ll join your squad.


    What?


    We''ll form a joint front and together we''ll take down the boss down the road. The management of the dungeon will be handed over to you, the ''Guardians of the Magic Tree''. In exchange, I will take all the items dropped by the monsters. What do you think?　I don''t think that''s a bad deal."


    Monica and the others looked at each other.


    Their expressions showed clear confusion.


    Yugan ran his eyes over Monica and her unit.


    As far as I can see your party is ......, oh, it''s just 29 of you. You are just one person short of the maximum number of 30 in your troop. That''s good. No need to get into trouble.


    As Yugan said this, he tilted his head inwardly when he saw the organization of Monica and the others'' unit.


    (What is it?　Their unit. There are so many shield bearers. The rear guard may be the main attackers, but even so, there is too much bias. And the lineup of these guys. I thought they were Lilianne''s unit because they were called "Guardians of the Magic Tree," but ......, they are all faces I''ve never seen before. (Is this a newly established unit?)


    Yugan wonders, but smiles wryly.


    （Well, that''s more convenient for me.)


    Monica and the others looked at each other.


    The three of them looked at each other and their faces showed their feelings of hesitation.


    I''m telling you, the boss is a tough nut to crack, even for an S-class adventurer like me," said Monica, "and it''s going to be tough to take him on by yourself. From the looks of it, it seems that your team has a lot of shields and a high level of defense, but I''m not sure about the attack, am I?　If you''re going to take on the boss, I think it would be in your best interest to include me in your team."


    Um, actually, we''re not here to attack dungeons.


    An?　What''s that?


    We were just about to try a quest to improve our skills and adventurer ranks in ...... this level, respectively.


    Huh?　What''s that? You''ve come this far and your goal is to advance your adventurer class?"


    Yes, I am. I''m an appraiser at ...... under the direction of the person who is teaching us. ......"


    What''s an appraiser, you ......?"


    Yugan said in dismay.


    (Are these guys for real? They''ve come to the deepest part of the dungeon and they listen to what the appraiser says? How did these guys make it this far? They''re not even newbies. (Or are they ...... rookies ......?)


    From what Yugan could see, there were some veterans mixed in among those in the white army unit, but upon closer inspection, Monica and Eufine still had that teenage primness that is characteristic of teenagers.


    Shakuma looked like a student at a training school (the equivalent of a modern junior high school student).


    （I had to somehow convince them to take on the boss. ......)


    Yugan frowned at the unexpected challenge.


    He had been a solo player all these years and was not good at this kind of consensus-building process, let alone negotiating.


    Suddenly, from behind him, he heard angry shouts, yells, and the sound of metal clanging in battle.


    What now?"


    When Yuffine turned around, she saw Sebasta''s group fighting a pack of human-faced lions (sphinxes).


    They were coming toward us, coming at us wildly.


    It was obvious to everyone that they were furious.


    What is that?　Sebasta Squad!"


    Um, ......, aren''t those people kind of angry?"


    Shakuma said, squinting.


    ''Ahhhh. They''re furious because they think they got the credit.


    Yugan said it as if it were someone else''s problem.


    Intercept?"


    They think we''ve already conquered the dungeon they''ve been trying to conquer. If things continue as they are, there may be a battle.


    Oh, no. We didn''t mean to ......


    What do you mean by "battle?" ....... No matter how many adventurers are in a dungeon, it is not legal for adventurers to get into a fight with other adventurers.


    Shakma said in exultation.


    ''I wish I could get through to those guys.


    Yugan put his arms behind his head in a "good grief" attitude.


    Sebasta is famous for being a hardcore, brainy, single-celled guy," he said. "Sebasta is known to be hard-core, brainy, and single-minded.


    Sebasta and the others acknowledged the presence of Monica and the others.


    Captain!　There''s a squad over there that''s not ours!"


    I see you!　Take assault formation!　We must strike first before the enemy is ready."


    Monica and the others are upset.


    What are we going to do? They''re in an assault formation.


    Euphine said in dismay.


    We can fight them. Fight them or fight the boss? It''s one of two things.


    Yugan said pleasantly.


    What is it? Those guys. They''re going to do it? I''m in!


    Come on if you''re coming!　I''ll be your partner."


    Two of the warriors (warriors) said in a bloodthirsty tone.


    Some of them seemed to agree with them.


    Hey, hey, hey, you guys wanna do this here?　Give me a break. I don''t want any trouble.


    Yugan said in a troublesome manner.


    ''Hey. Let''s just attack the dungeon already."


    Yuffine said.


    They seem to be ready to fight. Even if we win in court, it won''t be worth it if they get seriously injured. Then let''s just clear the dungeon, get the management rights, and get them out of here.


    Sure thing. That seems like the best plan to me.


    Shakma agreed.


    They look at Monica.


    ''Ugh, okay. If you two say so. ......"


    Monica turns to Yugan.


    She looks at him and says, "Mr. Yugan. Will you sign a contract with us?"


    That''s the way it''s got to be.


    Yugan broke into a smile.


    He said, "I''ll take the drop items you get from defeating the boss, ......, is that correct?"


    Yes, sir." In exchange we will take management rights."


    Okay," he said. We have a deal.


    Monica and Yugan exchanged the guild emblems on each other''s clothing.


    This is an abbreviated form of contract between adventurers.


    The boss is just beyond this haze. Follow me!


    Yugan ran toward the haze.


    Monica and the others hurriedly followed Yugan.


    (Kuku. Once we get into the boss battle, we''re in control. We can change the contract as much as we want.)


    Yugan smiled wryly.


    Monica and the others could not see the expression on his face.


    Soon, all the people in the troop went into the haze.


    Then the place where Monica and the others were just a moment ago is also enveloped in a deep haze, as if a door is closing, and it closes.


    Sebasta and the others followed Monica and the others into the haze, but for some reason, their sense of direction was confused, and no matter how straight they went through the haze, they were returned to where they had been.


    They continued toward the haze, and before they knew it, they were standing in a long, wide corridor lined with colonnades.


    The light shining through the columns was a blood-red evening sun.


    There was no ceiling, and the colonnades stretched as far as the eye could see toward the sky.


    Through the gaps between the columns, we could catch a glimpse of the stages of the dungeons we have been adventuring in.


    From this vantage point, it was obvious at a glance that each level of the dungeon was multi-layered, and it was a view that made sense that this was the structure of the dungeon.


    But there was no time to admire the view.


    At the end of the corridor, there is a throne, and in front of it, there are 11 magic circles drawn as if to protect the throne.


    Behind it was the haze that we had just passed through.


    The magic circle at the back of the cloister shines strongly.


    It indicated that the boss would appear soon.


    He''s coming!"


    Yugan shouted shortly.


    The magic circle glowed brightly and ten battle elephants were summoned.


    The battle elephant immediately started running.


    It rushed toward the adventurers with sharp spears attached to both sides of its snout.


    Behind the battle elephant, a shell-clad dragon (Turtle Dragon) emerges from a magic circle with a long diameter.


    Yugan rushes out.


    Mr. Yugan!


    I''ll take the Turtle Dragon!　You guys take care of the battle elephants."


    (Well, I wouldn''t hold out much hope.)


    While the battle elephants are attracted to Monica and her group, the Turtle Dragon is defeated.


    Yugan''s plan was to help Monica and the others, who were having trouble with the battle elephants, to extract more rewards.


    （I''ll take the items and the dungeon management rights!)


    Yugan leaped with a running start and lightly leaped higher than the battle elephant''s head.


    He passed over the battle elephant with his hands on its back like a jumping box.


    The battle elephant, which has a hard time stopping once it starts running, runs past Yugan and runs toward Monica and the others.


    Monica and the others counterattacked by forming a battle line.


    The battle elephants, not caring about the battle line, used their weight to blow away the shield squads, laying waste to the troops.


    Yugan looked at Monica and the others as he ran toward the Turtle Dragon.


    (Uh-oh. How dare they foolishly form a line of battle against the battle elephants. You''re not good at this, the way you fight.)


    Yugan felt like covering his eyes at the poor fighting style of Monica and the others, even though he was a stranger to them.


    A cloud of dust was rising from where Monica and the others had been.


    By now, they must have been crushed one by one by the battle elephants.


    （This is no time to be idle. If I am to defeat the Battle Elephant, I must quickly defeat the Turtle Dragon.)


    While he was thinking about this, a bladed tail was shot down toward Yugan.


    It was the tail of a turtle dragon.


    Despite the blow from a monster that weighs many times more than Yugan, Yugan easily parries the blow with his long, thin sword, and not only that, he repels it.


    He also dealt with the attack by the tail with sword again as if it was a normal kumite, moved into the gap, and slashed at the Turtle Dragon''s neck.


    The Turtle Dragon quickly retracted its head and settled into its shell.


    Yugan''s sword ended up only slightly carving the shell.


    The Turtle Dragon spun around and tried to crush Yugan at close range with the weight of its shell and the force of its rotation.


    However, Yugan easily repelled even that with his sword.


    The Turtle Dragon was blown away and slammed into one of the pillars.


    The column collapsed, sending a cloud of dust into the surrounding area.


    However, the Turtle Dragon itself stuck its head out and looked unconcerned.


    It did not seem to have sustained much damage.


    (Tsk. This is it. The Turtle Dragon''s high defense makes it a nuisance. If we take our time, we can definitely defeat it, but we have to hurry. It''s hard to deal with Battle Elephant''s rush while dealing with this thing. (What''s going on with those guys?)


    While trying not to divert his attention from the Turtle Dragon, Yugan looked sideways in the direction of Monica and the others, and his eyes widened.


    There was an incredible sight.


    Yugan had hoped to at least buy some time, if not to defeat the battle elephants, but what he saw was a troop fighting on unscathed and two fallen battle elephants.


    (Stupid ....... Unharmed by the rush of the battle elephants!　On the contrary, how could you kill two battle elephants in such a short time?　How on earth did you ......?)


    Yugan continues to observe Monica and the others while fighting off the bladed tail of a Turtle Dragon that is coming down on him.


    The battle elephants were once again forming up to charge.


    The shield team also formed up in a tight block.


    The long, vertical blocks were made so that more than one could strike at a single animal.


    Protect Yuffine!　As long as we protect her, no matter how much damage she takes, we can rise again and again!"


    One of the men in the shield squad shouted.


    The shield team takes the assault of the battle elephants, and although they are blown away, they succeed in changing the direction of the battle elephants so that they do not go toward Yuffine.


    (Now I can move the magic circle at will!)


    Yuffine manipulates her wand to move the magic circle.


    The recovery magic was already in effect.


    Under Yuffine''s manipulation, the magic circle that was under the person who was blown away followed the person who was blown away and made him recover.


    (A moving magic circle......?)


    Yugan''s eyes widen in astonishment.


    When the battle elephants reach the end of the corridor, they turn again and attempt to charge.


    They had no other ability but to keep up this one-patterned attack instead of their high attack, defense, and physical strength.


    I got it!"


    At that opportune moment when the body was changing direction, the attacking mage shot an explosive flame.


    One battle elephant screeched and stamped its feet.


    Monica takes advantage of this opportunity to kill another one with a "one-hit kill.


    The battle elephants again rush in, but once again, they are evaded by the skillful blocking of the shield squads and are unable to sink their tusks into the rear guard.


    In the meantime, Shakuma found a perfect firing point that was not exposed to the battle elephants, but still had range over the entire corridor.


    （There it is!)


    Shakuma dived into the space between the columns and behind the fallen battle elephant and built a redoubt with "crust magic.


    In no time at all, a high plateau was formed.


    Monica!　It''s okay."


    As Shakuma said this, Monica ran up the stairs and stood on top of the raised platform.


    Monica looked around the cloister from the top of the raised platform.


    (You can see the entire cloister. That''s Shakuma. (He made a perfect shooting point.)


    With the entire corridor in her sights, Monica took out the battle elephants one by one.


    Monica, who had already been given "attack granting magic" by Shakuma, was able to kill the battle elephants with a single blow.


    The last of the battle elephants rushes into the shield squad''s block with the last of its strength.


    The Battle Elephant''s spear and the Warrior''s (Warrior''s) shield collided so violently that the spear broke and flew through the air.


    The spear flew toward Shakuma and hit his armor.


    Shakuma is blown away by the impact and rolls to the ground, his armor slipping off his body with the bounce.


    Shakuma!"


    Yuffine turned pale.


    (This is not good. If Shakuma runs out on me now, ......)


    Someone. Seize Shakuma!"


    ''It''s all right. Yuffine."


    Shakuma stands up, relying on his cane, while turning his hand toward Yuffine to restrain her.


    Shakuma?"


    ''Mr. Roland taught me. The true role of a support mage is ....... Now I no longer lose myself and abandon my role."


    Shakuma, freed from the weight of his armor, squeezes his eyes to suppress his raging emotions and runs up the redoubt stairs at a run.


    Monica finishes off the last of the battle elephants.


    That''s the last one!"


    All that''s left is the Turtle Dragon.


    Shakuma comes up next to Monica and looks toward the Turtle Dragon, which is still going head-to-head with Yugan.


    He then casts "illusion magic.


    (Tsk. They''ve already defeated the battle elephant. Our positions are completely opposite, aren''t they? I was going to use them and sell my gratitude to them, but on the contrary, I''m being used to buy time.)


    While confronting the Turtle Dragon, Yugan could feel the fog coming in around him.


    (Is this "illusion magic"?　That little support mage is doing it!)


    Monica was about to unleash a one-hit kill toward the Turtle Dragon.


    (No good. The light spot didn''t emerge. (No, it doesn''t appear.) She still hasn''t accumulated enough damage, I guess. But if only Shakuma''s illusion magic would work (......)


    Thus, the fog thickened and the Turtle Dragon fell into a state of delirium.


    It begins to beat its own head against the columns.


    Yugan looks at the Turtle Dragon behind the fog, frustrated.


    (A chance to finish off the Turtle Dragon ......, but the fog is too thick. You can''t even get close to it or aim a bow and arrow at it.)


    (Still ......, I have "Hawkeye")


    Monica switched her viewpoint to "Hawkeye.


    The fog completely blocked the Turtle Dragon from all sides, but it was clearly visible from above.


    Monica''s arrow hit the Turtle Dragon in the neck.


    The Turtle Dragon gasped in pain.


    （The Turtle Dragon gasped in pain. The light spot from "One Strike, One Kill".)


    (That woman. She''s shooting arrows into the mist. She can see the enemy in this thick fog?)


    Yugan''s face contorted in astonishment.


    (What the hell is it with these guys? Their unbalanced composition, peculiar tactics, and unparalleled skill level. Above all, they are archers, support mages, and healers with skills equivalent to A-class. Why were these troops unknown until now?　(No, wait.)


    Monica released an arrow.


    The arrow pierces the Turtle Dragon''s vital spot without missing a beat.


    (I''ve heard of this. Lillianne of "The Guardian of the Magic Tree" became an A-class student in a short period of time because of the existence of a skilled trainer and an S-class appraiser. No way, these guys too (......).


    The Turtle Dragon ran out of strength and collapsed and broke.


    The view of the corridor changed drastically.


    The color of the sky, which had been sunset, changed, and morning came with a white light.


    The throne disappeared and a hidden treasure chest appeared in its place.


    A new coat of arms appeared on the far wall.


    It was the emblem of the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" and the "Knight of the Crescent Moon.


    From the sky, the sound of bells ringing in praise of the victors rang out loudly.


    At the same time, the dungeon visible from between the columns had also changed.


    Signs of the conquest appeared at every location in the dungeon.


    The changes in the "sanctuary" were particularly dramatic.


    The mists were blown away, the luster of the trees and fruits seemed to melt away, and freshness was restored.


    Insects began to sing, birds chirped, and wild flowers and trees were full of life.


    Immortality is gone, and life and death are coming.


    Immortality is gone, and cycles are coming.


    All the monsters living in the "sanctuary," upon learning that the master of the dungeon had fallen, dispersed and left the dungeon.


    They will never visit this dungeon again.


    The world cheerfully celebrated the birth of the new ruler.


    <>