The Labyrinth Raids of the Ultimate Tank

Chapter 68: The difference in strength

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

After that, we went through several more battles.

On the first floor, which has almost no obstacles, it all turns into a simple contest of strength.

Lilifell and Rinkin seem to be getting used to it, gradually getting more and more accustomed to fighting goblins.

Actually, this period of time before they learn how to handle things is the most difficult.

But it looks like they were able to successfully make their first step as adventurers.

To take a break we go back to the stairs leading from the first floor outside.

They use the chance to get rehydrated.

The temperature of each labyrinth is different.

Marius’ labyrinth is warm and comfortable.

It’s just fine if you stay put, but after repeated fights, you will get sweaty.

Putting away his water flask, Timeo wiped his mouth and donned a confident smile.

「I think we fought quite enough, isn’t it your turn, senpais?」

Though we gave them hints and tips, we didn’t directly participate in combat.

Though we didn’t have to fight, Lilifell’s eyes sparked up at Timeo’s suggestion.

「Ah! I want to see how Teacher fights as well!」

「I also……… Would like to see it…… Maybe I would be able to use it as a reference.」

Until now all of the fights were their own after all.

Even Marius was getting bored.

When I exchanged glances with Marius and Luna they both replied with nods.

「Okay, okay. Then, we will do a bit of fighting.」

「I’d like to see you three fight on the higher floors.」

「Me too!」

「Me, too…」

……Aren’t you awfully in sync?

Well, that’s what you’d expect from adventurers.

Even if they are usually arguing, as long as they can cooperate during combat it’s enough.

「Then, let’s go to the 6th floor. It has goblins, goblin leaders, and some occasional orcs.」

「Why not go even higher?」

「No. As small as the risk may be, I don’t want to take it here. So that should be fine. And also, even if we go higher, the only thing we will find there are fieldzauruses.」

「Okay…… I got it.」

Looks like that convinced Timeo, more or less.

Returning to the first floor we used Luna’s Dungeon Walk to teleport to the 6th floor.

Lilifell clapped her hands upon seeing Luna’s magic.

「Dungeon Walk is so handy! I’d like to learn it as well…」

「No way it can be learned that easily. Even I couldn’t do that. For the likes of you, it’s even more impossible.」

Timeo shrugged as we walked.

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「For the likes of me?! What’s that supposed to mean! Now I want to learn it even if it kills me!」

「Now, now. Everyone has an affinity for different magic. You might be able to learn it, or not. You won’t know unless you try.」

Which reminds me, none of them can use dungeon walk, huh.

From what I saw today, they should have no problems with monsters from the lower floors if we trained them a bit.

After that, I thought we could have them challenge this labyrinth, but without dungeon walk, it would be pretty inconvenient.

……Well, not a big deal if it’s only the first couple of floors.

Actually, it might be a good exercise for them to get more stamina.

「It’s been so long since I last saw the teacher fight! I~ am~ so~ excited!」

Lilifell sang as we walked.

「You saw it before?」

「Yes, I did~. That’s the reason why I decided to join this clan!」

「Oh, really? What was it like?」

「Well, amazing! Gah, duduh, bam! Is what it was like!」

「No idea what you are trying to say. Lilifell-san, you are an idiot, aren’t you?」

「Huh! Who are you calling an idiot?! I’m a genius! The one who calls others idiots is the real idiot!」

Lilifell said, pointing fingers.

Timeo didn’t pay her any further attention.

Goblins and goblin leaders spawn around us as we walk through the 6th floor.

They seemed pretty enthusiastic initially, when they just appeared, but noticing us, they froze.

Just staring at us.

……Can they stop? They are making the whole thing weirdly suspicious.

They have the question『EH? Are we supposed to fight you?』written all over their mugs.

Marius’ expression changed to a grin.

And it seems that smile told them everything they needed to know. Goblins shuddered, and then raised a battle cry.

Well, they are dungeon monsters after all. So they are trying to fulfill their duty.

And we also have to fulfill our roles as adventurers.

After I used taunt on the three goblins they all turned to me at once.

And then charged at me.

I block the first goblin’s attack with the sword.

Repelling the club strike with my shield I stagger the second goblin.

「……Amazing. The teacher doesn’t even budge from the attacks that broke my stance……」

「……As expected from someone who successfully fought in the labyrinths of the highest difficulty.」

Marius immediately cut the goblin, which had its guard broken with his katana.

The quick slash instantly split the goblin in two.

The monster disappeared. As expected, the other two were shaken, but the goblin leader shouted, pointing its sword at me.

After which goblins resolved themselves to resume the attack. The goblin leader charged at me, using the other goblin as a distraction.

I blocked the attack with the greatshield and pushed one of the goblins back.

Using that chance the goblin leader pounced at me.

I parried that incoming sword with my own. And turned it aside.

The very moment the goblin leader landed on the ground, Luna’s spell flew at his location.

Swift fire arrows. They poured on it like rain.

Pierced by a number of fire arrows goblin leader fell to the ground.

The remaining goblin tried to escape, but Luna’s spell mercilessly chased it down.

And that was the end of the monsters.

The precision and efficiency of Luna’s spells seem to have risen from before.

「……Even though the flow of the battle was completely the same, it felt completely different. I have to become like Teacher!」

「……It’s my first time seeing such a swift and powerful iai.」

Lilifel and Rinkin muttered, stunned.

Meanwhile, Timeo was looking at Luna with a hand at his chin.

「……You are way better than I imagined.」

「……Well, we have our share of experience as adventurers. There is no way you can do the same in just one or two days. You will have to grow over months and years.」

Being rushed is not what an adventurer should do.

Pushing oneself too hard can easily result in an injury, which can’t be called optimal. Though there is no reason to worry about that while they stay in this labyrinth.

「Then, it’s your turn to fight again. 」

And so we made them fight on the 6th floor as well.

With the addition of goblin leaders, the cooperation of goblins went up a notch.

After that, Timeo and the others struggled their way through a number of fights.

〇

We walk towards Avancier under the dusk sky.

Rinkin looked crestfallen on our way there.

He was the least effective today.

Halfway through it he clearly began having doubts.

Leaving Marius to lead the way I lined up next to him.

「Rinkin, don’t mind it. There is no one who was able to fight at the very beginning. Rather, just keeping up with the others is plenty. 」

「……I’m sorry. I barely had any combat experience. Though I did my best, to not be a burden.」

「Yeah. That’s more than enough at first. As long as you have the motivation, you will have many opportunities to get stronger from now on.」

I told him, but Rinkin’s expression remained just as dark.

「Well, Rude-san, now you probably understood well enough the difference between me and them.」

Timeo said, brimming with confidence.

「Well, I understood the difference in your abilities.」

「Right? Then…」

「Thank you for taking that into account and properly cooperating with the others. Today you did a good job as a leader.」

「……Who cares about that. Don’t you think that putting me into the same team as these people is a waste?」

「No, I don’t.」

「……I want to party with stronger people. With Rude-san for example……」

Timeo was intently looking my way.

「No, you should party with them.」

……In his words he can’t show any care for others.

But in the fight, he was able to fight taking into account the weaknesses and shortcomings of others.

He acted like it is a pain, but he actually did a pretty good job at that.

「Timeo, talk to Luna if you want to get better at magic. You still have many sloppy aspects.」

「Okay…」

Seemingly sour from my response he went to Luna.

When I turned my gaze back to Rinkin he was even more depressed than before.

「Rinkin. Why did you decide to become an adventurer?」

「……I’m sorry for not having a talent.」

「That’s not what I meant. You had your own considerations, right? There was a reason why you chose this path, right? If you will be as passionate about this as back when you decided to become an adventurer, you will grow a lot stronger.」

As I said that, Rinkin cast his eyes down.

「I didn’t want to stay weak. I was incredibly weak when I was still in my hometown. And I couldn’t…… properly talk with others. So I often was bullied and ridiculed…… And I didn’t want to continue like that. Most of my peers joined something like militia…… And I wanted to change. I thought that if I try hard, I might change……」

「I see…… Me too, I didn’t want to remain weak and strived to get stronger. So in that aspect, we are the same.」

「……Rude-san, was there a time when you were weak?」

「Of course. I come from the slums. So I wanted to become stronger to protect my little sister. At first, I might’ve been even weaker than you. Even so…… Now people are claiming that I’m strong. if you apply yourself you should be able to become stronger.」

Talking with him, I could sense a deep conviction from his tone and the eyes.

「Is that, so…… I will do my best.」

「……Yeah, go for it. Marius also seems to have taken a liking to you. Learn how to use a katana from him. He is quite an open person. He will be happy to teach you. And fortunately, we don’t have many members at the moment. So he will be able to give you his undivided attention. Use that chance.」

「Yes…… Thank you very much. 」

He clenched a fist, a bit bashfully.

……I wonder if I did well as a leader.

I also have my own doubts.

Reaching Avancier I look back. This is where we part ways today.

「Good job everyone. For now, we are planning to look after you like today. After you get the hang of things you will be free to act on your own. And well, I’m not demanding an immediate answer. Take your time, take a look around the city, consider everything.」

「I’m joining the clan! I’m going to become an invincible tank under your tutelage, Teacher!」

「……Well, for today, take a rest. If your opinion won’t change tomorrow, then you are welcome.」

I’d prefer if they make a calm and informed decision.

No, I of course would like them to join, if they want. But it would be a problem if they begin to second guess their decision after joining.

Just having a high turnover of members can cause unwanted rumors among adventurers.

「Yeah. I will take my time to consider things as well.」

Timeo seemed angry.

……He seems to want to get into the party with me.

After the two left, Rinkin approached Marius.

Marius left smiling, together with him.

After seeing them off, Luna and I returned home.

We returned when Nin and Manicia were cooking.

Turning around, Nin revealed an apron that seemed to be covered in splatters of blood.

「Nin, what happened?」

「Fufun. Isn’t it cute?」

「Rather than cute, it’s scary……」

Manicia made a bitter smile. Pouting, Nin brushed up her chestnut-colored hair.

「For you to be unable to recognize its charm. You still have much to learn. Rather than that, Rude, how were new kids? I didn’t get to talk with them yet…… The church is so busy these days.」

「Yeah, it would seem so. Well, as for the trio, just leave them to us. You can help out when things calm down.」

「Hmm. Well, I’d like to invite you to go for a drink, and we can call them at the time…… If I actually get that time.」

「We are fine any day, so it’s for you to find a day.」

「We can just adjust the date later…… Ah, the dinner will be ready soon, prepare the tableware. By the way, look at the cute cup I bought from a merchant.」

「Sure.」

A pattern looking like fresh blood was depicted on the cup that Nin pointed at.

I don’t understand her sensibilities.