Vol. 2 - Ch. 25 - To the Grade 2 Floors

After receiving the 11th Floor’s Mark of Passage, Ash and Clara passed through the entrance gate.Their whole world suddenly turned white and they couldn’t see ahead at all.

As they wondered whether to walk, their vision took on color once more.

The land was filled with lush grass, and several large trees could be seen before them.

A scene that could truly be described as a great forest spread out before their eyes.

"Amazing…" Clara exclaimed.

"Now this is a surprise."

"Ash, look! There’s even a sky here!"

Clara pointed excitedly to the heavens.

It was hidden by the tree canopy, but if one looked closely, blue could be seen beyond it.

"So it’s a place that feels like it's outside of the tower, despite being inside the tower."

Ash had assumed that the floors above the 10th Floor would maintain the same archaeological site ambiance.

He began to ponder whether the first 10 floors weren’t in fact a testing ground, and that the real challenge was from here on.

"God is amazing." Clara said.

"Well naturally. They’re amazing enough as to where they can build these towers and put monsters in them."

They were even able to distribute weapons to the challengers with the pretense of helping them.

Ash couldn’t help but want to meet them and see just what kind of being they were.

"Okay, let’s move."

There were no nicely paved roads, but the worn off ground made it easy to see where to head.

The problem was the raised ground and many trees that existed here and there.

There were far too many places for monsters to hide themselves.

And suddenly, Ash and Clara heard the sound of leaves rustling from somewhere.

(They’re quick to welcome us.)

"Something’s coming. Get ready!" Ash yelled, pulling out his stiletto and swordbreaker.

Clara, in turn, got behind Ash.

"There’s… three, no, four. One probably has a long-range weapon. It’s moving slightly and then stopping."

"It’s amazing you’re able to pick all that up, Ash."

"My eyes and ears are my pride. So don’t worry Clara. If you get lost I’ll definitely find you." Ash chuckled.

"Thank you… but I don’t plan on getting lost."

Perhaps having realized that Ash had noticed them, the enemy stopped trying to hide themselves.

Simultaneously the rusting of the leaves grew louder.

(They’re coming!)

One monster popped out of the ridges on either side.

The two figures were humanoid, yet completely devoid of flesh.

"If it isn’t Skeletons."

Both seemed like Fighters and carried long swords held in both hands.

The momentum of their fall further enhanced the strength of their assault.

However, there was no need to take their attacks.

Ash immediately jumped backward.

As he did, one of the Skeleton’s long swords slammed into the ground where Ash had just been standing. Naturally, the enemy's face showed no sign of regret at having missed.

Ash, however, did not miss the opportunity when the enemy was rigid after their landing and kicked the Skeleton’s torso as hard as he could.

He then severed the head of the remaining Skeleton with his swordbreaker.

Following that he tried to sever its wrists as well, but a wind-covered arrow flew straight at him, stopping him in his tracks.

With the flat portion of his swordbreaker, Ash immediately rejected it, but the surprising force behind the arrow made his face freeze up.

Ash kicked the Skeleton next to him and then retreated.

"There’s an Archer in the bushes upfront. Be careful." Ash said, using his left hand to push Clara back, while also moving back with her.

"U-Understood." Clara replied.

As they retreated, the first Skeleton Ash had kicked managed to regain its bearings and slowly began closing the distance.

Skeletons often appeared in the Towers of Trials on the outside as well, however, the ones here were way bigger, as big as grown men.

"Annoying ones showed up…" Ash mumbled.

"They don’t look that strong though… See, you’ve already killed one."

"Unfortunately, that’s not the case."

As Ash said that the headless Skeleton stood up.

Clutching its sword it started moving towards Ash and Clara alongside its companion.

"What?! It can still move?! But it doesn’t have a head?!"

Most monsters could be slain by chopping off their heads, but not Skeletons.

"The fastest way to kill them is to turn their body to dust using a hammer. If not, you chop off their head and limbs, making it so that they can’t move."

"T-They sound quite tenacious."

"Tenacious enough as to where they can move despite being only a bunch of bones." Ash said teasingly, however, at the same time an arrow flew between the Skeletons.

As before, Ash repelled it with his swordbreaker. In the meantime, however, the two Fighters closed the distance.

The headless one swung its sword down, and the other one threw a cleave.

Ash, in turn, stepped forward.

He received the headless Skeleton’s blow with his swordbreaker and flicked it away using the momentum.

He then turned his body toward the other Skeleton, which was cleaving at him, and swung the stiletto at its wrist. However, the stiletto was unable to penetrate the wrist, and only ended up scraping past it.

(Meat aside, penetrating through something as thin as bone is no easy feat.) Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ ɴøvᴇlFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Without a moment's pause, the enemy began its counter-attack.

Ash evaded and tucked away his stiletto, then switched the swordbreaker to his right hand.

The dagger then flowed without stagnation to the enemy's neck, both arms, and finally both legs, dismantling them.

Rattling sounds were heard as the Skeleton before Ash collapsed.

As soon as Ash turned the Skeleton into nothing more than a pile of bones, he noticed the headless Fighter coming towards him, thrusting its weapon.

Ash was able to quickly react, mostly because the enemy’s body was made entirely of bones which clattered when it moved.

After getting as close as he could, Ash dodged the headless Skeleton’s attack, and severed its wrists.

As the bone hands gripping the sword fell to the ground, Ash circled behind his enemy. Kneeling down, he swung the swordbreaker horizontally, separating the Skeleton’s legs from its torso.

Suddenly, the bisected Skeleton’s body disappeared along with the severed limbs and head.

(That does it for the two Fighters. All that’s left is the Archer.)

Immediately after Ash thought that, three wind arrows came at him.

He jumped back and looked in the direction from which they flew while dodging.

"Reinforcements…"

There were now three Archers. Moreover, leaves could be heard rustling from both left and right.

(Probably two more Fighters. The more time I take dealing with the Fighters the more Archers appear. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to deal with these Fighters quickly with my current weapons. Meaning I only have one choice. Flee.)

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

Suddenly, Clara screamed.

Turning around, Ash saw her frantically swinging her staff.

(Just what is she scared off?)

Ash couldn’t understand what was happening at first glance, but the moment he looked down, everything became clear.

A bluish-purple caterpillar, as long as a human’s torso, was crawling on the ground toward Clara.

"To think that there would even be a Crawler!"

"I don’t do caterpillars! I don’t do caterpillars!" Clara yelled, beginning to cast Frost Arrows without a moment’s thought.

However, Clara and Ash were currently in the Green Tower. This implied that the Crawler's resistance to the Blue Attribute would probably be higher.

That did not, however, imply that Clara's assault would be completely ineffective.

The attacks opened a small hole on the Crawler’s skin, from which a purple liquid began oozing out.

"EWWWW!"

(She must really hate caterpillars. I’ve never seen her this frightened and pale. If this continues she might really collapse.)

Dodging another flying wind arrow, Ash flicked the Crawler away using his whip. He then ran to Clara, who was in a state of relief, pulled her hand, and ran to the entrance of the floor.

"That’s enough sightseeing. We’re retreating!"