CH 130

We really can’t advance. Hikari reaches forward, but her hand is stopped, like there’s a wall there.

The staircase to the sixth floor is in a hole in a hollow root of a big tree. It seems pretty easy to miss if you’re just walking and not really looking for it. I guess there can be staircases in places like this too.

At this point, seventy percent of this floor is filled on Map. We sure walked a lot, but that’s also because we fought monsters and picked things, instead of just walking in a straight line.

The wolves might be back to where they were before by now.

As for our fighting strength, we have the four of us, plus ten adventurers, including Fred. Eight of them fight at close range, and two use magic.

I’ve heard about their strategy in the last battle, but they tell me it might be hard to draw them out again. The shadow wolf didn’t seem to have much control over its underlings, so maybe it could work, but we shouldn’t assume it will, especially because we really lack manpower.

That means we’re going to have to fight at close range.

The magic users should hide and support the others by firing magic magic from afar. If they don’t have a place to hide, they should at least stay far. One of the adventurers says that they are experienced, but probably wouldn’t be able to handle wolves if they get surrounded by them.

I guess that makes sense for people used to being in the back row, but we can’t spare people to guard them.

Our plan is simple. Take down as many wolves as possible before the shadow wolf joins the fight, and when it does, have Sera keep it busy while we take out the rest.

If the shadow wolf targets someone else first, they’re just going to have to deal with it until Sera gets there. It’s a matter of luck. If we can take down the others, we can then focus on the shadow wolf. Mia can look for openings and try shooting her Holy Arrow too, but we shouldn’t expect too much from her.

As we talk, I notice we’re relying a lot on what might happen. It’s kind of like we’re leaving it up to god. Or more like how a poor marksman will always hit the target if given enough shots.

First, even if Sera’s blows don’t break through the shadow armor, it could cause damage to accumulate over time. Also, shadow armor is a type of magic, so it could run out of magic energy if it has to keep using it. This possibility comes from Fred and the others, who say that mage type monsters stop using magic attacks once their magic energy runs out.

In any case, we’re looking at a war of attrition. Who knows if they’re right anyway… I guess we just want to believe that’s the case.

Among the adventurers are some who were scouting, so they take the lead as we approach the territory of the wolves.

Map gets filled, and what’s displayed is updated. Using Magic Energy Detection, I can see less than fifty reactions, with one conspicuously big one.

We walk until we reach the edge of the forest, and observe the wolves from afar. It looks like the shadow wolf has spotted us, but I guess it’s not interested, because it doesn’t react at all. The other wolves don’t seem to know we’re here.

“It looks like they haven’t noticed us.”

Says Fred, and the other adventurers nod. Really? I hope they’re just talking about the wolves.

Let’s put the plan into action. Attract their attention with magic, and use that opening to get closer.

They’re firing themselves up. They know it’s over if we fail here.

No one seems too keen on fighting that shadow wolf, but we’re not getting out of here before its’ down. I feel like they had half given up already.

I don’t think that whole system of the guild sending a rescue party would be put into effect in such a short amount of time, but considering how boss rooms work, I don’t think anyone was counting on that anyway. That much is commendable at least.

The magic users start chanting and preparing their spells, Hikari and Sera ready their weapons, and I also unsheathe my sword.

I look at Mia, who is standing next to me, and notice she looks pale. She started trembling the moment she laid eyes on the shadow wolf.

I would’ve reacted the same way if I came across one of those things when I was new to this world, but I’ve gone through all sorts of things, and it feels like the fear I should be feeling is numb. Although it’d be a problem if things even stronger than that were around.

I grab Mia’s hand with my free hand, and she holds it tightly. I can feel it’s sweaty.

I also grab hers tightly, like I’m telling her it’s going to be all right, and I feel like she’s trembling less.

The battle starts with the thunderous sound of magic. We’re a bit far, but they say it’s within their range, although their accuracy suffers.

Area magic is activated, and luckily for us, it hits and roasts a few wolves.

And just as they become alert, I hear adventurers yell triumphantly and see them running forward. Why? Why are you drawing their attention? What happened to the plan?

As I think this, the battle continues.

The wolves’ attention turns to these adventurers, and Hikari and Sera move freely. I guess in a way it worked out.

The adventurers steadily take down one wolf after the other, with their backs turned to each other so as not to leave any blind spots when they get surrounded.

Hikari is also taking down wolves, while not pushing herself too much. She slashes with a knife, and the wounds cause paralysis after a while.

I see Sera bisect a wolf with one swing. It borders on overkill, and it brings down the value of the materials. Only the meat and fangs would be salvageable like that. Not that it matters now.

The battle has been going for thirty minutes, and the wolves don’t seem to really want to fight anymore.

But they can’t back down. Certain death is waiting behind them.

There’s only a few left, but that’s when the shadow wolf finally moves.

It stretches its shadows to pierce everything, including the wolves that are currently attacking adventurers.

Fred senses danger, and tells everyone to pull back, but it’s too late for the two adventurers that get caught.

They don’t sustain fatal injuries, but their limbs are severely wounded.

“Pull back. Everyone else, cover them.”

Yells Fred, but the shadow wolf isn’t stopping.

Its shadows creep like tentacles and strike at both friend and foe. It’s like it’s toying with them.

Is it because it’s so powerful? Is it being manipulated by something? Those attacks don’t seem logical, but they sure are overwhelming.

The wolves can’t dodge them, and go down one after the other. The adventurers block them with their swords, but that’s all they can do. They’re getting scratched too.

Just as I’m thinking that we’re not going to defeat it like this, the attacks suddenly ease.

I look at the shadow wolf, and see Sera managed to get close and is currently attacking it.

The shadow attacks are like sharp spears being thrown, but Sera expertly dodges them, repels them, and strikes at the shadow wolf’s body.

I hear a loud blow, but it doesn’t work. It’s blocked by the shadow armor.

However, the armor doesn’t stop the shadow wolf from being pushed back a little.

The shadow wolf looked completely disinterested until now, but it’s angry. It bares its teeth and growls, as its squinting eyes recognize something as a real enemy for the first time. Sera.

She takes some distance, and gets ready to attack again.

I can feel the tension between those two from here.

The adventurers all gulp and do nothing but stand and watch this display of high level attack and defense, almost like they forgot they’re in the middle of a battle.