Episode 12 F-class dungeon 3/4

"I can't understand."

After that, there was silence for a while.

5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes. It seemed like that.

But finally breaking the silence, Shihayaka spoke.

As we walked through the dungeon, Shihayaka's voice reached my ears from behind. I was a little surprised and stumbled. What, what don't you understand?

"The fact that you overwhelmed the Death Mantis is understandable because it's E-rank. But... wiping out a group of ten monsters in the Monster House with just one blow is incomprehensible."

"T-That's right!! It's, it's too strong!!"

Joining Shihayaka, Kuroba-senpai also spoke. I see, both of them were bothered by that. But--

"...Even if you say that..."

I just cast a spell normally, that's all.

Nothing special, just normal.

So even if you say you can't understand, it's troubling.

"Could it be related to your level?"

"Because Shion-kun's level is high, is your magic stronger than normal?"

"Indeed. That's possible."

Now that you mention it, that's true.

Just like how the Death Mantis reigns supreme among F-ranks, it's conceivable that my magic is more powerful than same-rank magic due to level differences.

If that's the case, am I reigning supreme even among E-ranks? If that were the case, it would be a little proud. I've never had anything to be proud of before, but if only I could level up... I gained a little confidence.

"If your strength comes from your level, I envy you. I wanted to become strong like you."

"I-I do too!! I want to level up!!"

I feel a little sorry for them being envious of me.

"We couldn't have cleared the dungeon without teaming up with you because we can't get stronger without acquiring skills. Because we couldn't clear the dungeon on our own, we couldn't expect any further growth. Thanks to you, we can clear the dungeon, so I can't thank you enough."

"T-That's right!! Thank you!!"

...In that case, I don't feel bad at all.

"While we were talking, we arrived."

As we walked through the dungeon, we arrived at the deepest part in no time. In front of us was a huge iron door, from which a strong miasma leaked out. The atmosphere was much more ominous than in the tutorial dungeon.

Although it's not my first experience, it seems to be the first time for both of them to arrive here. Both of them were breathing heavily and their gazes were wandering. Their bodies were trembling, showing signs of fear.

"Are you two okay? If you're anxious--"

"W-We're fine!! We're okay!!"

"Y-Yeah, we're fine!! We can do it!!"

They were clearly pushing themselves too hard.

But it would be unwise to use the return stone just because they're scared. If they did that, they would never be able to grow stronger.

That's why the only thing I can do is wait until their tension and fear are relieved. I silently watched over them.

"...Alright, we're really okay."

"Y-Yeah...!! We can fight!!"

"A-Alright. Let's go--"

10 minutes later, it seemed like they had made up their minds.

And then, I reached for the door.

What awaited us there was--

"Oooooooh!!"

A pig-headed humanoid monster. About four meters tall.

It wielded a battle axe about the same size as its height.

Its equipment was poor, with only a flimsy leather armor.

An intense stench permeated the air, reminiscent of a temple, far stronger than the smell of a pigsty, making it difficult to stop coughing.

The culprit emitting such a smell seemed to be grinning. Since its head was that of a pig, its expression was hard to read, but it seemed to be laughing lewdly as it looked at the two of them. As seen in doujinshi and the like, orcs seem to have a strong sexual desire.

"Orc..."

Shihayaka unconsciously muttered the name of the grotesque creature. At the same time, she was trembling.

It seems she was trembling not because her chastity was in danger... but rather because she was simply terrified of its strength. Its giant, sturdy physique, powerful weapon, it seems she fears those battle capabilities.

"...Th-This is the worst. F-rank, but the strongest class of monster, appearing as a boss..."

"...Yeah, the worst. But... we have to win."

When monsters appear as bosses, they tend to be several times stronger than when they appear as normal enemies along the way. Since an orc, the strongest in the F-rank, appeared as the boss, its strength is probably equivalent to an E-rank.

But even so, the two of them stood before me.

With trembling knees, trembling in fear.

Yet still, they summoned up their courage.

The two of them took a deep breath.

In this stench, choking.

And then, the two of them--made up their minds.

"Shion... leave it to us!!"

"W-We'll do our best!!"

"...A-Alright. I'll leave it to you."

I showed respect for their courage and decided to leave it to them here. If things get dangerous, I'll help them.