What are you doing? The vanguard is lagging behind. Build a wall properly!
Monica, scolding, rushes to the hole in the vanguard and covers it with her bow fire.
Rick, who had fallen behind, had no choice but to watch the vanguard fight in frustration, breathing on his shoulders.
(d*mn. What a bunch of people. Even though they have been keeping a high pace, they don''t even seem to be getting tired.)
Rick''s arms were already trembling.
（d*mn. I can''t lift my arms.)
Roland also noticed that something was wrong with Rick.
(Rick''s movements are slowing down ......)
I''ll do a status appraisal.
[Rick Dyer''s status.
Arm strength (power): 40-90
Agility: 10-40
(Power is now 40-90. Agility is also down. (Agility is not very high, and trying to gain an advantage with agility is draining his power.
Rick had a habit of using his agility to dodge enemy attacks and try to flank and rear up during white combat.
However, in the end, he could not gain an advantage in agility, so he tended to unnecessarily deplete his arm strength (power).
（Since they have high endurance (toughness), why don''t they use their endurance (toughness) more in their battles? (Since he has high endurance (toughness), why doesn''t he use his endurance (toughness) more? Whatever the case may be, this kind of arm strength (power) is not good enough for the "underworld" of more than 15 levels. Barely usable (......)
Roland turned his attention to other statuses.
[Rick Dyer''s status.
Durability (toughness): 70-80
(Only durability (toughness)?
Ugh." I''m screwed."
Elsewhere, Marina slumps down.
Roland also appraised Marina''s status.
[Marina Fortuna''s status].
Magic: 10-90
(You really look tired this time)
Roland chuckled.
(Okay.)
Rick!"
Yes, sir.
Change your equipment. Take off the sword."
What? Sword?
Yeah, you''re at the end of your rope. If you remove the sword and use only your armor and shield, you should still be able to move. You can''t attack from now on. You should be a wallflower.
Wait a minute. I''m still ......"
No. You can''t use your power in the Underworld.
Rick was aghast to hear that.
（From the 16th level, he was told that only B-class adventurers or above would be accepted. (I wonder if we''ve already reached that point while we''ve been desperately following the main force.)
Once you have experienced the 16th level, you are recognized as one of the best adventurers in town.
In the "underworld," if you cannot demonstrate a status of 70 or higher, you will not be accepted. Your current power is 40-90, which is too unstable.
U......"
If they are going to fight with swords after this, they will have to be removed from the squad. What do you suggest?"
Gugu, I understand.
Marina. Put Rick''s sword away.
Yes, sir.
Marina stowed Rick''s sword with her skill "Equipment Holding".
Rick feels lighter and more mobile.
Marina," Rick said, "and Marina. That''s it for the skewer. From now on, I want you to concentrate on supplying items to the troops.
Yes, sir. I understand!
Marina replied with a big smile.
Yuffine frowned at Marina''s attitude.
(You are too honest for your own good, even though your task has been reduced.)
Roland continues his instructions.
Monica. As I just told you, ''skewer'' is no longer available. From now on, we will build our tactics around ''one-hit-kill. Remember the V-shape formation?
Yes, sir.
Shakuma. Shakuma, you are in overall command.
Yes, sir.
Yuffine. From now on, you are the captain. If the unit comes to a crossroads and must make a choice, you will make the decision.
Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Roland gave instructions to each of the five others.
Call on the most aggressive swordsman.
Freddie, you take up the rear of Rick.
I''ll cover Rick''s lack of arm strength (power) with my attack power ......?"
Yes," he said. The tactic is that Rick first catches the enemy''s attack with his shield and armor. Then you jump out from behind him, switch, and slash at the out-of-phase enemy.
Yes, sir.
Sharon!
Roland calls out to the most agile bowman (archer) in the unit.
You are to assist Marina in supplying items. You are to assist Marina in supplying items to the troops in distant positions, and when items are needed, you are to receive them from Marina and deliver them to them.
Copy that."
If acid slime and zombie archers appear on either side of you: ......
Roland gave other detailed instructions to each member of the squad, fine-tuning them to cover each other''s status depletion.
Rick listened to Loran''s instructions as he breathed on his shoulder and was once again in awe.
(Even fine-tuning the task according to each member''s characteristics and wear and tear. Not something a mere appraiser could do. Really ...... what the hell is this guy ......)
After giving all the instructions, Roland checks the status of the members again.
If the boss does not appear after reaching the 20th level, return to the city at once."
(Okay, I guess I''m at ...... so far)
At the 15th level, Roland left the unit.
After receiving new instructions from Roland, Monica and her team quickly conquered the dungeon, and by the time Arik''s team reached the 15th level, they had reached the 17th level.
Astrologers were monitoring the dungeon in the Astrology Department at the quest reception station.
(Did a zombie wizard appear on the 17th level?)
Through the crystal, the astrologer confirmed the appearance of the quest target monster.
He spoke to the clerk beside him.
A zombie wizard appeared on the 17th level, 32-41.
Zombie wizard on level 17, 32-41."
The clerk adds the map and zombie wizard to a blank sheet of paper.
After this, the map is taken to the Quest Department, where the reward is determined and then officially announced as a quest.
The clerk leaves the room with the map and the letter.
(Well, probably doesn''t make sense.)
The astrologer sighed.
Roland''s troops are on their way under the zombie wizard.
Sure enough, within an hour, the zombie wizard is defeated by Shakuma''s support magic.
(So now Shakuma is an A-class adventurer.)
I just wanted to add a note about the zombie wizard I mentioned earlier.
The astrologer instructs a different clerk than the previous one.
He says, "Ha. What are the contents?"
We''ve already taken them down. The zombie wizard is no longer in the dungeon.
She twitches her eyebrows and a look of surprise comes over her face for a moment, but she quickly remembers her duties, acknowledges the letter, gets up, and runs to the quest department.
(That''s awfully fast, by the way. Roland Squad)
The pace of the attack did not seem to slow down at all, even though Class A and B monsters had blocked the way many times earlier.
The gap with Arik''s team was only widening.
(At this rate, in three days'' time,......?)
The astrologer frowned at the black shadow that suddenly lit up in the crystal.
(A black shadow. And it''s big.)
It was a sign that a powerful monster had appeared, but he had never seen such a large shadow in all the years he had served.
(Is this the ......12 hierarchy? No way!)
When he strained his eyes to get a close-up of the area, he saw a giant dragon walking there despite the fact that all the skin and flesh had been scraped off, leaving only bones.
(Skull dragon. I knew it! (It''s an S-class monster!!!)
You!"
The astrologer approached the remaining clerks.
''Yes.''
The Skull Dragon appeared."
What?" That''s ......."
It''s an S-class monster."
Tension in the room.
I cannot take this matter to the Quest Department on my own. Contact the director. Hurry!"
The clerk ran out of the room in a flurry.
Countermeasures were immediately discussed with the warden.
The Quest Reception Office reported the appearance of the S-class monster in a big way and invited applicants for the quest to defeat it.
However, strict conditions were put in place for taking quest orders.
Adventurers in Class C and below are not allowed to participate.
Even in B class, only the higher levels are allowed.
Even A class adventurers are not allowed to participate alone.
Only S-class adventurers can receive quests unconditionally.
Ladies and gentlemen! An S-class monster has appeared. We are therefore urgently seeking adventurers who are willing to take on quests to defeat them. However, please do not approach S-class monsters easily. C-class and lower adventurers should never approach the 12th level of the "Mine Dungeon. Please have your status and skills appraised at the From now on, only high ranking adventurers who have been approved by us will be allowed to enter the "Mine Dungeon". Please spread the word among yourselves and to other adventurers. OK? Never ......"
Hey, hey, they say it''s an S-class monster. What are you gonna do?"
You idiot. We can''t handle this.
The adventurers gossiped about the news.
Dianna was among them, listening to the announcement from the quest office.
（I wondered what they were talking about, since they said it was a special report from the quest office...an S-class monster showing up.)
However, it was the battle between Arik''s and Roland''s squads in the "Mine Dungeon" that was rather interesting.
The difference between the two squads shown on the board was over two levels.
(Tsk. Arik''s team doesn''t look good. The difference between the two units is two layers.)
Dianna bit her nails in frustration.
Wow. Monica and her friends have already reached the seventeenth level.
Dianna huffed at the familiar voice.
''You are ...... Claria.''
''Oh, Dianna. We meet again."
You came to check out the message board, too?"
Yes," he said. I''m just a humble errand boy. I have to do whatever chores I have to do.
Claria sighs.
I''ve got a lot of work ahead of me after this. I''m really getting tired of it. But I''m sure I''ll be fired soon if I skip work even a little bit.
Dianna wonders a little.
''You''ve become Roland''s mistress, haven''t you? Why don''t you ask to be excused from work for a little while?"
What are you talking about? I''m not.
Really? I mean, you''re a secretary, so there are plenty of moments when you and I can be alone, right?"
That''s not the case at all. Roland, your guard is very tight. There is a lot of competition.
Heh. Really?
Well, I''m hoping I''ll be one of the first to slip through the cracks.
Claria said in a slightly sleazy tone.
Oh, yeah. That''s too bad. I''m sorry you didn''t get the job.
Dianna smiled pleasantly.
Dianna smiled amusedly. Isn''t it about time?
About time? Of what?"
It''s time to dump Mr. Lucius."
Claria said in a hushed voice, whispering into Dianna''s ear.
Dianna''s face hardens for a moment.
Lucius, to put it bluntly, you''ve fallen off the wagon, haven''t you? Maybe it''s time for a change?"
......"
Wouldn''t you like to be on our side? Mr. Roland is very generous! I am sure he will let your rudeness slide."
Don''t be ridiculous.
Dianna said, showing her composure.
I don''t want you to underestimate me. It''s true that we''re a little outnumbered, but the more our foothold is shaken by this, the more the ''Golden Eagle'' will ......"
Oh, I see. Then that''s fine. I''ll let someone else handle it.
So saying, Claria quickly goes over there.
(d*mn. You little b*tc*. ......)
A few hours after the announcement of the quest to defeat S-class monsters, a man was invited to the "Golden Eagle" headquarters.
Lucius greeted the man with his usual politeness.
He greeted the man with his usual politeness: "Welcome, my friend. Mr. Yugan.
In front of Lucius was Yugan, an S-class adventurer from "Knight of the Crescent Moon," leaning his back and arms on the sofa and crossing his legs.
He did not look honored to have been invited to the "Golden Eagle," but rather as if he was unwilling to accept the invitation.
Lukius was annoyed by Yugan''s attitude, but somehow managed to control himself.
(Now that Arik was unlikely to be available, he had no choice but to rely on him.)
Realizing his disadvantage in the dungeon attack, Lucius decided to set his sights on S-class monsters.
Defeating S-class monsters would yield a profit equivalent to the dungeon attack.
The investors might also be able to relax.
While he was taking steps to conquer the quest, Yugan, who had heard about the appearance of the S-class monster, appeared in the city.
Lukius immediately made an offer to Yugan and asked him to come to the guild.
If you join our guild, we will be a hundred strong," he said. In the meantime, you can visit ......."
Don''t get me wrong.
What?
The only reason I was willing to take the job was for the money. I have no intention of giving you any favors. I will participate under the name of ''Knight of the Crescent Moon,'' not ''Golden Eagle.
Lucius was inwardly frustrated, but somehow managed to keep smiling.
Twenty million gold.
What?"
I''ll take 20 million gold up front. I''ll take 100 million gold as my reward."
(Heck, 20 million gold and 100 million gold.)
Isn''t that a bit outrageous?
If you don''t want to, that''s fine. I''ll just turn down the job."
I understand. We''ll find a way to make it work.
At that moment, someone rushed into the guild leader''s room.
The guild president! Oh my God. Jill Irwin is on her way to ...... to take down an S-class monster.
The messenger''s face paled when he saw that Lukius and Yugan were negotiating.
(d*mn, you idiot, you''re an afterthought in front of Yugan. ......)
Lucius glares at the messenger.
But Yugan rather amusedly spoke to the messenger.
''Ah, fine, fine. I was just talking with the guild leader about that S-class monster. And? What did Jill Irwin say?"
Yeah, well, you know, ......
The messenger glanced at Lucius as if to ask him a question.
No matter. Go on.
Lucius said with abandon.
''The word is that Jill Irwin has put her name forward for a quest to defeat an S-class monster under the name "Guardian of the Magic Tree". He has already been approved at the quest reception office and is on his way to the dungeon."
Lucius clenches his fists in anger.
(Curse you, Jill. You''ll stand in my way to the end.)
Hey, hey, Jill Irwin, wasn''t she a promising newcomer to the Golden Eagle, as I recall? I''m pretty sure I heard he''s an S-class candidate. He''s going after an S-class monster ...... and under the name "Guardian of the Magic Tree"? Are you sure? I''m going to go ahead and take down the S-class monster."
No problem. We are already proceeding with legal action against Jill''s act of treason. Besides, we have already taken other measures against her.
Hmmm?" Is that so?"
Yugan seemed disinterested in saying so, but inwardly he was dismayed.
(The guild is falling apart, isn''t it? I''ve never heard of such a blatant conflict between a guild leader and an ace. I even heard what sounded like a demonstration earlier.)
Demos are shouting for Lukius to step down.
(This guild ain''t gonna be around much longer. (This guild won''t be around much longer.)
Well, anyway, I can proceed with the S-class monster defeat, can''t I? Then let me get on with it."
Kukk. It''s not my fault. It''s that woman who is to blame.
Lucius looked down and smiled darkly.
（What the hell is this guy? What the hell is he thinking? That''s creepy.)
Meanwhile, Jill had arrived at the front of the dungeon with only a few supporters.
He said, "All right, I''m going to go to the dungeon. Let''s go, let''s go kill the S-class monster, the Skull Dragon!"
(I don''t care about guild ties or even my fate anymore. I''m going to prove my ability to Mr. Roland. That''s why I am ......)
Jill dives into the dungeon with determination in her heart.
By the time Jill entered the "Mine Dungeon," Roland had returned from the dungeon and was awake after 24 hours of sleep.
They also boarded the carriage that Claria had prepared for them and went to work together at the "Guardian of the Magic Tree".
In the "Mine Dungeon," Monica and her team reached the 17th level. Arik''s group is still on the 15th level."
I see."
Roland was relieved to hear that.
(Thank God. Monica and the others seem to be doing just fine without me.)
How are things going in the other dungeons?"
Yes. In the "Forest Dungeon," the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" is currently exploring the ninth level, and the "Golden Eagle" is also exploring the ninth level. In the "Dungeon of the Magic World," the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" is searching on the 9th level, and the "Golden Eagle" is searching on the 8th level. Overall, the "Guardian of the Magical Tree" has the upper hand.
So the "forest dungeon" is still a close battle. I guess we better take some countermeasures just in case.
Roland said in a muttered voice.
''And it''s an S-class monster. ......
!" Did you get out after all?"
Yes, sir." On the twelfth level of the "Mine Dungeon. Mr. Jill is already on her way.
I see. ...... what about class S weapons?"
That''s ......, and it''s not finished yet. So, Jill, you can keep your previous equipment at ......."
(Status-wise, it''s perfect, so you probably won''t die even if you fight an S-class monster, but I doubt you''ll make it to the finish line. ......)
I understand. I will meet the guild leader at the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" and then head to the "Arsenal of Spirits.
The Arsenal of Spirits?
S-class monsters can''t be defeated quickly. It will probably take several days of work. I don''t know if I can make it in time, but I want to be ready to deliver the S-class weapons to Jill as soon as they are finished.
I understand.
Later, Roland met with Lilianne at the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" headquarters to discuss countermeasures regarding the dungeon.
The "Mine Dungeon" should maintain its current advantage and be prepared to deploy additional forces once Monica and the others return at the 20th level.
Lilianne should join them in the "Forest Dungeon," where they are competing with each other.
Roland will remain in the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" and act as acting guild leader.
After making these decisions, Roland headed for the "Arsenal of Spirits.
As agreed, when the team returned from the "Forest Dungeon," Lilianne joined the team with a replacement team and infiltrated the dungeon again.
Lelio was also among the replacements.
Roland saw them off to the front of the dungeon.
The guild leader is a first-rate commander. Lelio, let me study him."
Yes."
Lillianne was more relieved than nervous to be free of her guild leader duties as she faced the dungeon.
(After all, I am an adventurer in my own right.)
Let''s go, Lillianne Squad."
Lillianne says so and dives into the dungeon.
When Lillianne and Lelio joined the team, the barely competitive balance between the two guilds began to collapse, and the "Guardians of the Magic Tree" began to expand their lead.
The next day, Monica and her team returned to the city from the 20th level.
After 24 hours of sleep, they headed back to the dungeon.
Despite having come through 20 levels at a high pace, Monika, Shakuma, and Yufine were extremely energetic.
Rick and Marina could not recover in a day, so they temporarily left the unit to wait at the "Guardian of the Magic Tree.
Roland also appointed other members who were not part of the team to stand by at the headquarters of the "Guardians of the Magic Tree.
Two days later, Arik and his team finally returned to the city from the 20th level.
Alik desperately chased after Monica and the others, but the gap between them was not bridged at all.
It was a gap that had grown to the point of hopelessness.
(Even the operation of the troops was no match for them. (Is this the true power of the liberated Roland?)
Alik, who was unable to use his magical powers, somehow contributed to the dungeon attack by wielding a sword, but he could not shake the feeling that he was a liability.
After a one-day recovery period, Alik''s status did not fully recover, and he was forced to leave the unit.
Still, he wanted to do something, so he decided to at least see his men off to the front of the dungeon.
On the way to the dungeon, they saw the "Magic Tree Guardians" unit attacking the "Dungeon of the Demon World.
They asked, "Is that ......? A unit of the "Guardians of the Magic Tree"? "
It looks like you''re headed to the ''Dungeon of the Demon Realm''."
Come on, everyone, let''s go!"
Shakuma was leading the troop.
''Is that ......, the support mage who was part of Loran''s squad?''
Why would she be in the ''dungeons of the demon world''?"
Seeing this, Arik realized Roland''s intentions.
The trend in the "mining dungeon" had been decided.
There was no longer any need to deploy three A-class adventurers.
(Roland, you''re telling me that I''m no longer even worth giving it my all?)
Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit."
Two days later, Monica and her team conquered the "Mine Dungeon," defeating the 26th level boss, the Zombie King, without a hitch.
It was the 10th day after the dungeon appeared, the shortest time ever recorded for conquering a dungeon.
The "Guardian of the Magic Tree" has conquered the "Dungeon of the Mines.
A staff member at the quest reception desk reports in front of the bulletin board.
A cheer erupted among the adventurers.
Wow, that''s great!"
It''s too soon!"
You''re breaking records."
Dianna looked at the board with a pale face.
(No way. I can''t believe I conquered it so fast.)
The other two dungeons were also dominated by "Guardians of the Magic Tree" across the board.
Moreover, from now on, A-class adventurers who had belonged to Roland''s unit would join other units as well.
The situation was expected to become even worse.
Oh, my God, it''s terrible, isn''t it? Dianna-san.
You ...... Claria ......
I think the investor must be crowning himself after having three dungeons taken. You''ve earned almost nothing this month, right?"
We still ...... have a lot of S-class monsters left to take down."
Even so, Jill seems to be ahead of the pack. It''s not a rock-solid start, is it? Plus ......."
Claria moved her mouth close to Dianna''s ear.
''''The ''Arsenal of Spirits'' has finally developed some S-class equipment.
!"
I''m sorry, but we''ll take it all this month. My Mr. Roland will get all of ......."
Claria grinned triumphantly.
Dianna thought she could hear her feet rattle and crumble.
But I can''t just be fired.
Dianna was also involved in the accounting irregularities that Lucius was doing.
What would happen if it was discovered?
She would be pursued as a criminal.
She and Lucius would run away together in the night.
She would spend her days on the run, poverty-stricken and frightened of the public eye.
（I don''t want to do that. I don''t want to do that. I have to do something, something.)
But when it came down to it, there was nothing that could be done.
Oh, well, I should get going.
Claria said, looking at her watch.
''Ms. Dianna. I know it''s going to be tough from now on, but please do your best in your job search. I will always support you. Bye.
Dianna looked at Claria''s back, stunned.
However, she quickly huffed and went after Claria.
Wait!"
Dianna called frantically to Claria''s back.
''Please. Let me see Roland! I will tell you everything that Lucius is doing, his wrongdoings, his weaknesses. I''ll do whatever it takes to put Rukius at a disadvantage!"
By the time Monica and her team had conquered the "Mine Dungeon," Jill had reached the 11th level.
(Ghosts flee the mine. ....... Did Roland''s troops conquer the "Dungeon of the Mine"? That''s fast, I think you broke the record for the shortest time.)
Monsters leave the dungeon.
But nevertheless, Jill felt it.
The presence of S-class monsters.
The Skull Dragon''s hostility does not seem to be weakening, but rather, it even seems to be getting stronger and stronger.
"Phew. The master of the dungeon has left, and yet he still remains. I guess they don''t like the fact that we cleared the dungeon in the shortest time.
The air is shivering.
The enemy was one level ahead of us, but we could already feel the killing intent.
It seems to be hungry for human blood.
Jill advanced through the dungeon, shaking with a warrior''s trembling in the face of an unprecedentedly powerful enemy.
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