Chapter 66 Field Boss (2)

Chapter 66 Field Boss (2)

Field Boss (2)

Field Boss (2)Yôur favorite stories at novelhall.com

The Floor Master.

It's a field boss-like monster that exists on each floor.

These guys have different names, attributes, and patterns, but they share one thing in common.

It's impossible for explorers of that floor level to fight them, no matter what they do.

For example, to defeat the 1st-floor Floor Master, you need to form a raid of at least 30 people.

Of course, that's assuming they're all at least 4th-floor explorers.

That's the absolute minimum number of people.

Therefore, I contemplated.

Misha and I.

If the two of us happen to encounter it, it's game over. It's a monster that's impossible to outrun at normal movement speed.

So where should we go?

What should we do to increase our chances of survival, even if it's just a little, instead of just trembling and praying that we don't encounter it?

The answer was to head to the Orc Encampment.

Just like most of the explorers here.

"Bjorn, why are there so many people here?"

"The Dzarwi Clan is here."

The Dzarwi Clan is a large clan that operates on the 6th floor or higher. The dwarf mentioned that they have hundreds of members.

It's unlikely that all of them are gathered here at the same time, but...

'At least 10 teams must have come down. Even though it's the 3rd floor, they need that many people to control the hunting grounds.'

Of course, even with this much manpower, subjugation is difficult.

Well, it's not impossible if they're willing to accept casualties...

But that's assuming they know the proper strategy and have prepared for months.

'Still, if we stay with these guys, even if we encounter the Floor Master, we'll at least have time to escape.'

Having made a decision based purely on practicality, I lead Misha towards the dense crowd of explorers.

A rather strange situation is unfolding.

"Ex, excuse me! I heard there's a high-ranking mage among you! Please cast a dimensional gate spell for me! I'll pay you any amount of money..."

"It's you! You guys summoned the Floor Master!!"

"Wh, what's going to happen to us? They're a large clan, they wouldn't kick us out, would they?"

Those who plead earnestly.

Those who deny reality and seek someone to blame.

And those who try to calmly assess the situation.

Amidst the cacophony of various people's cries, an executive of the Dzarwi Clan speaks up.

"Everyone, please calm down. This place is safe. Our priestess has cast Evil Banishment, and our scout is already keeping watch in all directions."

"Our Dzarwi Clan will do our best to ensure that as many explorers as possible return to the city alive, in accordance with the regulations agreed upon with the royal family and the guild."

"However! If anyone disobeys our control or causes trouble! We have no choice but to expel them, so please understand."

Although it's a bit long-winded, it's a fairly clear announcement.

The warning at the end was particularly effective, as those who were shouting recklessly all disappear.

"At least we don't have to worry about getting kicked out."

"Whew, that's a relief..."

I look around for a moment and then sit down with my back against a tree at a suitable spot.

"...Isn't that too relaxed?"

"There's nothing else we can do."

We should rest as much as possible when we can.

No one knows how the situation will change in the future.

"Hmm, that's true."

Misha seems to agree and sits down next to me.

"Misha, just in case, are you good with your ears?"

"I don't know, but some people have said they like my ears."

What is she talking about?

"I meant, are you good at hearing sounds from afar?"

"Ah, if that's what you mean, I'm quite confident."

"Then listen carefully to their conversation. Don't stare obviously, it'll be noticeable."

"Got it."

Misha closes her eyes as instructed.

And as if concentrating, she keeps twitching the triangular ears on top of her head.

"Hmm, I'm not sure, but it seems like they're arguing."

"About what?"

"I can't hear very well because of the distance. But one thing's for sure, they're talking about the Floor Master."

Well, of course they would be.

What else would the executives be discussing urgently in this situation?

'If we get any closer, they'll notice, so is this the best we can do...?'

"Keep listening for now. If there's anything special, let me know."

"Got it."

“There’s no way we would have that many magic stones, and asking us to hand over our equipment in this situation is basically telling us to die!”

The one who raised his voice the loudest was Jack Reacher.

“Our 100-strong suicide squad will not stand idly by and watch your tyranny!”

With a powerful shout, Jack Reacher looks around. I, who had anticipated this and was already looking elsewhere, manage to avoid eye contact.

But was it the same for the other 100 members of the suicide squad?

“Uh, uh... Everyone, please say something. If we just stay silent, we can’t resist their tyranny...!”

Jack Reacher stammers, flustered.

And that’s the end of the short protest.

“1 million stones is reverence for God and a protection fee. You might lose a few pieces of equipment for now, but what’s there to worry about when we’re here?”

Of course there’s something to worry about, you bastard.

Evil Banishment is an OP skill, but it’s like a piece of paper to the Floor Master.

Of course, it’s just a complaint I keep to myself.

I’m a barbarian who knows how to compromise with reality.

“Misha, leave the consumables like potions and just take out anything we don’t need.”

“Got it.”

Just like the other explorers, we hurriedly rummage through our backpacks and sort out anything that can be turned into cash.

Since we looted equipment from the marauders earlier, we don’t have to take off what we’re wearing.

‘Phew, 1 million stones just to rest on the dirt floor...’

It’s a huge waste, but it’s worth paying as a fee for using Evil Banishment.

And besides, didn’t he just say it himself?

That it also includes a protection fee.

“If those guys don’t try to rip us off, this should be enough.”

We finish preparing our offerings, having gathered a few pieces of equipment from the religious fanatics’ party.

However, not everyone is as well-off as us.

Although they’ll probably be able to get 1 million stones if they hand over the equipment they’re wearing...

“Without this, you’re telling me to starve to death next time?”

“To ask for 1 million stones just to survive for a day, it’s ridiculous.”

Quite a few people refuse to pay the protection fee and choose to leave voluntarily.

The clan doesn’t stop them.

And they continue to collect protection fees from newcomers.

At least from over three hundred people.

‘They earned at least 300 million stones. In just one day...’

It’s practically like printing money.

Damn it, is power truly invincible and divine?

I don’t know, but in the end, even these guys have to pray to the heavens.

If the Floor Master arrives here...

At that moment, the market will crash.

‘In the first place, if it weren’t for that possibility, they wouldn’t have even collected the protection fees.’

I keep feeling that the people here lack imagination.

Of course, they must have had their reasons for making this choice.

They probably thought that the 3rd floor is vast, so the chances of not encountering the Floor Master are higher than encountering it.

Since it’s Day 15, even if we encounter it, we just need to hold out for one day, they probably thought.

That this much manpower is enough to do that.

Yes, that’s what they must have thought.

As positively as possible.

In a way that’s most beneficial to them.

But they need to understand.

No one knew that the Floor Master would be summoned, and that all the explorers on the floor would have to stop hunting and face this situation.

‘Well, the same goes for me.’

However, at least I imagine the worst-case scenario that could happen to me.

Of course, these imaginations don’t come true more often than they do...

But what about this time?

‘We’ll see.’

I quietly close my eyes.

And after some time, like the calm before the storm...

[19:07]

5 hours left until Day 15 ends.

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter-

Black raindrops fall from the ceiling between the trees, staining the ground black.

「The location is eroded, and [Evil Banishment] is deactivated.」

The pure white pattern that covered the ground instantly loses its light.

And also...

[Grooooowl—!!]

A giant beast roars from outside the forest.