Chapter 56: A Different Kind of Monster

Jumping to the right I dodged the attack of the Mammoth Fool in front of me.

I then began chanting.

{Ground and soil, heed my command and come forth!}

[Geo Force]

Several magic circles appeared in the air around me. After they did so several earth spikes rocketed out of them and pierced the Mammoth Fool in multiple directions, bringing the beast to its knees.

Once it was I moved in close and sliced it up using Vortex Vanquisher, ending the battle.

As the monster turned into smoke, its magic stone and a Mammoth Fool Tusk appeared on the ground in front of me.

I moved to collect it.

As I did so I noticed the others finishing up with their battles as well.

Five days have passed since we entered the Large Tree Labyrinth. Factor in the two days it took us to reach this point, and a week has passed since we began our expedition.

Which we are making good progress on.

We've already gathered up all the Bugbear nails, Lizardman nails, and medicinal herbs listed on the request form by the guild, and due to this battle we just finished we now have secured the five Mammoth Fool Tusks we need as well.

So the only item left we need to secure to meet our requirements is the Deadly Hornet Shell.

Things are going well.

Even so, I can't shake this feeling something is going to happen.

You can thank William for that, since he raised a flag during the start of this quest.

But since there is nothing I can do about it the only choice I have is to remain vigilant and keep my eyes and ears open.

I just hope whatever might happen isn't too bad.

Walking over to the others I saw Ardi, Diluc, and William drinking elixirs. Which makes sense since the enemy they just dealt with is a Dark Fungus. One of the most annoying monsters I've come across. Since those bastards release poisonous spores any time they take damage.

All of us have learned this first hand during this past week.

Let me tell you, getting poisoned does not feel good.

But at lease it's allowing those of us with Abnormal Resistance to train out developmental ability.

As for those in our group who don't have the ability, I can only salute them and give them a pat on the back.

Finishing his elixir William threw the bottle on the ground. "Ah, I hate this." He groaned. "As soon as I level up Abnormal Resistance is going to be the first developmental ability I get."

"I second that." Diluc added.

"Me three." Ardi spoke.

"I don't know the pain isn't so bad once you get used to it." Echidna spoke. "Actually it feels quite nice."

"Ok, ten minute rest and then we move out." I said.

All of us choosing to ignore Echidna's masochistic comments as usual.

Everyone nodded at my words.

We then carved up a bit of the surrounding area so monsters wouldn't spawn and then started our break.

As we did I sat with Ryner, Leonmitchelli, and Millhiore to discuss our next move.

"So thanks to this battle we just finished we now basically have all the required materials the guild asked us to retrieve on this request. The only thing we're missing is the Deadly Hornet Shell." I explained.

They nodded.

"This is great news. It means we're almost finished." Leonmitchelli said. Putting a soft smile on her face as she did so. "Ah, just a little bit longer until I have can a proper bath again." She mused.

"Right, but until the end we need to stay focused." I said.

"Of course I know that Morax, I'm not an idiot." Leonmitchelli retorted.

"I know, I know." I mused. "Anyway, I think we should call it a day, opinions?"

"Yeah, we definitely should." Ryner said. "The Deadly Hornet is not an easy opponent to deal with, and we're all tired. Facing it as we are now could lead to casualties." He explained.

"I'm of the same opinion." Leonmtichelli added. "Besides, whose to say we'd encounter it today if we went any deeper than we already are?"

Currently we are on floor 21 of the dungeon.

"Besides, those bastards on the lower floors of the Giant Tree Labyrinth are no joke." Leontmichelli said.

She's right.

Not only the Deadly Hornet, but also Trolls, Hobgoblins, and the strongest monsters of the labyrinth the Green Dragon and the Bloody Hive are waiting for us down below.

"Yes, I think we should rest and recover as well." Millhiore said. "In fact I'll make a nice dinner tonight to help us do so." She happily said.

"Alright then, we'll rest for the rest of the day and then set out again in the morning." I said.

Since everyone is of the same opinion.

I would be a fool of a leader to ignore the opinions of my comrades.

Once the decision was made I turned toward the others. "Guys, we're not going any further today. We'll set up camp and then move out in the morning." I spoke.

"Ah, finally we can rest." Ardi said. "Thank the gods."

As she did so we all shared a laugh.

But immediately after we did so we heard movement nearby.

Getting serious in an instant we all grabbed our weapons and got into formation, preparing to face whatever was approaching us.

Five minutes passed but eventually the source of those noises appeared in front of us.

It belonged to amazons.

A group of ten amazons exited the treeline.

But we didn't let our guards drop. For all we know these ladies could be part of Evilus.

Spotting us one of the amazons stepped forward.

"Hey now, no need to be hostile. We're from the Ishtar familia." She spoke.

As she did so I took in her appearance more, and realized the amazon in front of us is Samira from canon. Only a few years younger.

"Just because you say that doesn't make it true." Leonmitchelli spoke. "Can you prove without a doubt your from the Ishtar familia?" She asked.

"Yes, we can." Samira answered instantly. She then put a grimace on her face.

A moment later I understood why.

Coming out of the treeline dragging Mamoth Fool along by its neck is none other than Phyrne Jamil.

Even now people know who she is.

A level four adventurer and captain of the Ishtar Familia.

I guess is the proof Samira was talking about.

"Guys, lower your weapons. The amazon is telling the truth." I spoke. "That's Phyrne Jamil, captain of the Ishtar familia." I spoke.

As I did so Phyrne looked directly at me and smiled.

I got a shiver down my spine and did my best not to vomit.

Since she looks even uglier in real life than she ever did in the anime. It's like all the ugliness of every single amazon to ever exist got stuffed into her body.

And this toad considers herself more beautiful than Ishtar.

What kind of shit is she smoking?!

"Ah, for such a handsome young man to know me. I'm honored." She said. "Hey cutie, how about I show you a good time?"

No, no, no!

Absolutely not.

I'd rather watch Boku No Pico in 4k for an entire day straight than spend any time with Phyrne Jamil. I don't want to be abused, sucked dry, and then tossed out on the streets after all.

Which Phyrne is doing even now.

There are rumors circulating about her particular hobby of kidnapping and raping any man that catches her fancy. But because all of them are too scared to come forward no charges have been brought against her.

She might not be a dungeon monster, but she's still a dangerous monster nonetheless.

And now it looks like she has me in her sights.

Fuck.

This is probably what I have been sensing since William raised that flag all those days ago.

I mentally sighed.

I then got ready to answer Phyrne but before I could Ryuu of all people stepped up and then grabbed my hand. She then pulled me close, given Phyrne a cold look as she did so.

"Sorry, but he's already got someone." She said.

'Well, this is unexpected.' I thought.

But not unwelcomed.

At Ryuu's words Phyrne narrowed her eyes. She then began snickering. "Ok, girlie enough with the jokes. No way a prissy elf like you can be satisfying a strapping young boy like him. And even if you are, that doesn't compare to anything I could show him. So how about it, leave that stuffy elf and allow me to show you what a real woman is?"

"Eh, sorry. I'm good but thank you miss." I said. I then pulled Ryuu closer. "And like this elf girl just said I am already hers, so kindly back off."

At my words Phyrne showed some anger, but quickly covered it up with a smile.

Seeing it set us all on edge.

And not just us, but Phyrne's fellow amazons as well.

"Ah looks like I got rejected. Oh well. Let's go ladies." Phyrne said.

She then started walking, her fellow amazons following right behind her. Samira giving me a pitying look as she passed by.

Well, I get why.

Seems that fat toad has marked me as her next prey.

Just my fucking luck.

After the members of the Ishtar familia left Ryuu finally let go of my hand and I turned to her.

"Thanks for that Ryuu." I said.

"No, don't mention it." She said. Not looking me in the eye as she did so.

"Right." I said. A soft smile appearing on my face as I did. I then looked at the others. "Ok, let's move."

"Eh, why?" William asked.

"That person we encountered just now Phyrne Jamil has a particularly nasty hobby if the rumors are to be believed." Rogue said. "And she's marked Morax as her next prey." He spoke.

Rogue then explained the William, Diluc, and Echidna about Phyrne's disgusting habit.

As he did so their eyes went wide in shock.

"Yeah." Rogue said, after finishing. "So again, we need to move."

"Also, be prepared. We might have to fight those amazons we just encountered." Ryner added.

Those three nodded.

After they did so we started moving to a different location.

Keeping vigilant watch for the new monster on our tails.

To say this expedition just got ten times more dangerous in an understatement.

But that doesn't mean we're going to give up.

Not by a longshot.