Praise The Gravedigger (4)

When I saw the familiar bell, I quickly decided on a course of action. That is, to lead the focus of the heroes to another point.

"Umm… Excuse me, hero…"

"Call me Kawasaki--- no, call me Koujirou instead, Gren."

"… Okay, Koujirou, there is a ---"

While I was trying to come up with an excuse to shift their attention while not minding the gaze of some heroes here and there glaring at me with daggers, I found a path just behind the bell.

'Okay… Why didn't I notice that before… Anyway, I found an excuse, now to implement it…'

"A path just behind that bell… I don't know what lies beyond it."

"A path…?"

When Koujirou took a peek behind the bell, and thankfully not under it, he found a path just big enough to fit a person. He signaled the other heroes to come closer and examine it, after moving the bell aside of course. Although, when I saw them move the bell, my heart nearly stopped, but nevermind that.

"Where do you think this leads to Kawasaki-san?"

"Hmm… No idea…"

'… Are they idiots…?'

Well of course they wouldn't know where it would lead. They haven't even explored it yet! Setting aside my mental retorts towards the hero party that lacked IQ, I followed behind them with my shovel in hand.

"Come to think of it Gren… Why are you using a shovel as a weapon? Even more than that, it's made of some kind of metal."

While they were examining the path with their skills if it is safe to traverse, Koujirou came close to me and asked me a question I have an answer to.

"It's because I am used to using a shovel as a weapon. After all, I am a farmer's son."

"Hmm… I can agree with that…"

Even though it was one big fat lie, Koujirou accepted it like there was no problem. Just as we finished our conversation, the other heroes came up with the conclusion that the path is not under any traps that can be harmful to our party.

"Well then, shall we go…?"

Koujirou led the heroes onwards through the path. Even though they may lack IQ in some situations, their decisions are actually proper when taking their lives in account.

We moved through the path in a single line format, all of us alert as can be. I was with Koujirou at the middle. The backmost hero was a tank and the frontmost hero was a scout. If this was a formation where there was no other option but to proceed forward, then this formation is good. But if everything went south and we had to retreat, the tank at the back might spell our doom because of the lack of mobility.

While the entire party was silent, I was furiously coming up with a plan to make them retreat while forgetting about the bell. And a few minutes of walking and we came upon a clearing. Just then, an idea popped up in my head.

'If it's this place… Yeah, it just might work…'

"All of you spread out and examine the clearing. If you find anything suspicious, quickly report to me."

Koujirou quickly gave out some orders and the other heroes went into action.

'Well then, time to put my plan into action.'

"Koujirou, I'll search that part over there."

I pointed towards an area where there was nobody investigating.

"… All right, this is your quest after all."

He hesitated for a bit, but then agreed. Even though he might be overprotective to kids, this was just plain unsettling to me who has the mind of an adult mixed in. Also, this over-protectiveness just might be his doom.

I quickly moved towards the area nobody was bothering to investigate. Why? It was because it was just a huge rock and dirt wall. It stood about 5 meters tall. It is understandable since there is a mountain or hill just behind this wall. Anyway, because of that, the other heroes were first investigating the most suspicious spots first like a tree that was withered, a bush that was mangled, or even a puddle of water where there was no bodies of water near here.

'Well then, let's start…'

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~ Third Person POV ~

Kawasaki Koujirou, an honor student back in Japan, a child born with a diamond spoon in his mouth, was summoned to be a hero in another world. At first, it was hard, but now with his newfound strength after days of training, he had grown conceited, thinking that there was nobody to match him… Until now…

It all happened in an instant. It stood more than 2 meters tall, with a violet luster to its body. The blade in its hands looked big enough to slice a huge tree in half. Every step it took shook the earth. And once it swung its sword, there was no stopping it.

A child known as Gren had first investigated the mountain base wall. Then suddenly, this huge thing emerged from inside. The child quickly retreated and the other heroes did as well, forming around Kawasaki with their usual formation.

Big mistake.

If they were experienced, they would've run at the first sight, but their conceit as heroes has cost them dearly.

One hero in particular prided his defense as the strongest among the entire summoned heroes. And now, his shield, as well as his body laid on the ground, sliced cleanly in half.

The other heroes shrieked at this sight, and this caused more destruction. One hero was beheaded, another was crushed underneath its foot, and another was sliced in half. Blood and innards spread evenly across the ground, painting it a bright red underneath the bright sun.

"We need to run now!"

Gren, the child who probably has the most experience with death right now, screamed out loud and ushered the heroes to escape, but sadly, the minds of the heroes undergoing puberty witnessing their very companions dying a gruesome death led them to shock.

Only one was able to escape from shock, and that was Kawasaki's close friend, Yanahiro.

"Kawasaki-san! Get a grip!!"

Yanahiro gripped the shoulders of the stunned Kawasaki and shook him left and right.

"You are the only one who can command the shocked students!! Quickly!"

At that time, Kawasaki recovered, and mustered all of his strength to his voice.

"EVERYONE RETREAT!!!"

With that as the impetus, everybody recovered and quickly ran for their lives while trying to hold back the approaching enemy, the Giga Void Iron Golem.

They did everything they could, but lost more heroes on their way to escape. Once they were able to retreat, 12 died, only 10 remained.

This incident was known as when the Gravedigger first made its appearance.