Demon-Hunting Genius Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 50

"Uwaaaaah-!"

The middle-aged man's loud scream echoed throughout the maze.

However, Barundel and I couldn't help him even though we heard it.

We had to go ahead and dismantle the traps in advance.

Clang!

The blades that were protruding like thorns on the floor were swept away by the Sword of Light.

This was the last trap to clear.

Our role was over.

The next step was up to Thompson.

"Mister, hurry!"

"I'm goinggg-!"

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Thompson, with earth magic on his legs, came running like a cannonball.

Screeeech!

The creature was chasing after him with a chilling shriek, but fortunately, it wasn't close enough to catch up easily.

"Huff... Huff..."

Thompson, who had arrived, stretched out his arms and pressed himself against the wall.

I patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"Mister, please do your best. You can't die."

"Damn it... I don't plan on dying either!"

"This is really the last one."

With that, Barundel and I left the wall.

Staying at the dead end would only hinder Thompson's movement.

As we held our breath...

The creature, not noticing us, rushed into the spot where Thompson had been.

Soon, its excited shriek was heard.

Screech! Screech! Screech!

"Come in! You surprise box bastard!"

Screeeech!

Perhaps provoked by Thompson, the Mimic ran at full speed.

Its large head was facing directly at Thompson.

Screeeech!

Its mouth slowly opened, revealing dozens of teeth clustered together.

That was when Thompson threw himself.

Thud!

Crunch!

By a hair's breadth, the Mimic's bite missed Thompson.

At the same time, the Mimic's teeth bit into the wall that was blocking its way.

Crumble.

True to its 100% penetration ability, the maze wall, which wouldn't even get a scratch no matter how much you hit it, crumbled like tofu.

And behind it, the open space we had been waiting for appeared.

"Th-the exit!"

"Get out first!"

Thompson, who had somehow evaded the Mimic, shouted at us.

And then he provoked the Mimic again.

"Did you eat a slug or something! You glutton! This way!"

Assigning Thompson as bait was indeed an excellent choice.

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He was the most dedicated person to the role of bait.

Screeeech!

Enraged by Thompson's provocation, the Mimic changed direction again and ran towards him.

Thanks to that, the escape route was completely empty.

"Go ahead, Barundel. I'll help mister."

"Alright. Come out right away."

Barundel nodded and went through the exit first.

After confirming that, I quickly created a light attribute sphere.

Woooong!

"Mister, this way!"

"Okay!"

At my signal, Thompson made a sharp U-turn and ran between the Mimic's legs.

At the same time, I bombarded the Mimic with spheres from afar to prevent it from attacking him.

Bang! Boom!

The light attribute spheres struck the creature and exploded relentlessly.

However, after the explosions subsided, the creature looked completely fine.

'As expected, it's still too early.'

With my current mana level, I couldn't even leave a scratch on it.

Perhaps I would need to be at least 6th Circle to deal any effective damage.

But for now, it was enough to keep it from opening its mouth.

"Let's go!"

Thompson, who had somehow dashed over and reached me,

I crossed the exit I had created with him.

The Mimic immediately followed us...

Screeeech!

...but it couldn't do anything to us once we crossed the exit.

It was a monster that could only operate within the dungeon.

Its existence would probably be extinguished if it took even a single step outside the maze.

Perhaps aware of that, it fumed for a while and soon turned around and walked away dejectedly.

Seeing that, Thompson collapsed on the ground in relief.

"Huff... Huff... I'll never be bait again!"

"It's better than being a lost child in space, isn't it?"

"Good work. You were truly the perfect bait."

Barundel patted Thompson's shoulder.

Meanwhile, Thompson asked with a curious look,

"But is this really okay? I don't think dungeons are designed to be this vulnerable."

Our strategy was to deliberately awaken and lure the Mimic, then break the wall and create a straight path through the maze.

We had succeeded perfectly, but he was asking if escaping with such a trick was really allowed.

And as a 10-year veteran of [Demon Fantasy], my answer was,

"No problem."

It was possible.

No matter the method, as long as you escaped, you could get out of a dungeon.

This was one of the reasons why [Demon Fantasy] was praised for its high degree of freedom.

Moreover, this strategy wasn't just a simple trick.

It required running around to avoid the Mimic and also leading its attacks towards the wall.

It wasn't something just anyone could do.

It was possible only because of Thompson, who could explosively increase his speed.

Whoosh

Soon, as if to prove my words, a faint light began to emanate from the three of us. It was considered that we had cleared the dungeon, and the escape sequence was initiated.

I accepted the light and recalled the things I had gained here.

Although I had entered the dungeon unintentionally, I had gained more than I expected.

'Three pieces of expensive equipment, one stat, a rare artifact, and 200 gold coins...'

It was a satisfying reward for the first clear.

We didn't even sustain any injuries and were able to gain dungeon experience.

Of course, I still felt unpleasant about it.

'...I'll have to find that bastard as soon as we get out.'

I had already heard from Thompson and Barundel and gained certainty.

That all of this was planned by the suspicious passerby.

But his intentions were still unclear. Why did he want to throw us into the dungeon?

Whoosh!

"Oh... finally."

"We're back."

Now it was time to hear the answer directly from him.

***

About three hours after we safely escaped the dungeon, we arrived at the temporary shelter where we had stayed on the first day.

However, we couldn't enter even though it was right in front of us.

The reason was...

"...What's going on here?"

Dozens of demons were swarming around the temporary shelter. It seemed that the passerby had returned here... This confirmed my suspicions.

"It seems he was indeed related to demons."

There was no other reason for the demons to gather like this.

Unless Kayla had deliberately gathered the demons... Wait, Kayla?

"Ha, was that it?"

Now I seemed to understand why he had thrown us into the dungeon.

He had been targeting Kayla from the beginning. No, more precisely, anyone would have done. The four of us were all mages.

He must have been waiting for a situation like this where we were separated.

'Damn it, I should have noticed it when Valefor came here.'

"Wh-what! Did you find something?"

"That passerby, he's a demon subordinate. Kayla is in danger right now."

"What? Subordinate?"

I nodded instead of answering.

There was no time to explain everything now. If we hesitated any longer, our companion's life might be in danger.

The only fortunate thing was...

Boom!

We could hear explosions coming from inside the building periodically, and we could feel mana and demonic energy clashing.

We weren't too late yet.

Slash!

"Stay close! We're breaking through!"

I summoned the Sword of Light and dashed forward with a shout.

At the same time, dozens of demons, noticing me, swarmed in.

Keeeeeek!

Grrr, grrr!

Guoooo!

The demons quickly closed in like a net.

But it was fine. I had already assessed the situation.

'If it's about breaking through, not defeating them all... it's doable.'

Goblin demons, Scorpion demons, Ant demons, and more. The dozens of demons gathered here were all low-ranking Imp-level demons.

In other words, the three of us could handle this.

"Barundel! Block the left side!"

"Mister, stay in front of me! Opening a path is the priority!"

I calmly commanded the members while quickly assessing the situation. Perhaps thanks to the teamwork we had built in the dungeon...

"Hup!"

Slash, slash!

"Uwaaaaah-!"

Crash!

Barundel and Thompson moved proactively, following my simple commands.

As a result...

Keeeeeek!

A path gradually began to open amidst the fearsomely approaching demons. We didn't lose momentum and pressed forward even stronger.

Slash! Slash...!

Thud! Thud! Crack!

Zap!

Starting with the demons in the front row, they were beheaded, blown up, and electrocuted one after another. We were breaking through the encirclement faster than they could close the distance.

'Alright!'

We successfully entered the building.

Rumble!

I immediately erected a stone wall to block the entrance, and the demons belatedly approached and pounded on it.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

It was a terrifying force, proving that even low-ranking demons were still demons.

With dozens of them clinging to it, it seemed like the stone wall wouldn't last long.

It was time to make a decision.

"I'll hold them off."

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Barundel stepped forward before I could even speak.

"Are you sure?"

"This is something a veteran should do. Don't worry about me and go save Kayla."

Barundel said so and took out the weapons from his bag one by one and laid them on the ground. As expected of a former demon hunter, they were specialized equipment for demon hunting.

"...I'll be back soon. Just hold them off."

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

I trusted him and climbed the stairs with Thompson.

We arrived on the second floor. The place was filled with white smoke, and loud explosions continued to erupt.

Kaboom!

"Ugh, I can't see a thing... Mr. First Place, can you see anything?"

Of course, it wasn't a problem for me.

Thanks to my 'awakened' state, I could clearly see where Kayla's mana was.

"This way."

I led Thompson and delved into the thick smoke.

At the same time, I generated a light attribute sphere and heightened all my senses.

'...If I sense it, I strike.'

I was determined to throw this sphere the moment I felt any demonic energy.

However...

Contrary to my expectations, the demonic energy didn't threaten us at all.

It was so calm that it was doubtful that a battle was even taking place.

Soon...

We reached Kayla without any danger.

Thud

"Kayla."

I found Kayla crouching in the thick smoke and grabbed her.

Then...

"Ah, you're here?"

She turned around nonchalantly. With a faint smile.

"You're late."

Only then did I notice.

The figure of the passerby lying beneath her.

No, not just lying, but the subordinate was completely beaten to a pulp.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]