After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students
We ran through the green tunnel prepared by the dark elves, heading toward the “tower.”
"I see it! The entrance!"
Just as I had expected, the entrance to the tower was exposed above ground, just like the one that appeared in the Edright Republic’s old royal capital, Jo-Koco.
It was the same entrance, adorned with majestic decorations, through which we once descended into the Achromatic Darkness.
"Drrrroooohhh!"
Just as we were about to reach it, the ground shook, and the trees ahead were crushed and snapped apart.
Amid a cloud of dirt and debris, with leaves and branches whirling about, a massive dragon appeared before us — so large we had to crane our necks to see its head.
"Wha…!? That’s… an Earth Dragon, Land Dragon!?"
Its brown scales identified it as a lesser dragon, classified as a lower species without intelligence or wings… but a dragon nonetheless.
The Adventurer’s Guild ranked it as an A+ monster — in other words, one of the most formidable creatures in the world.
According to Anubis’s record of the Achromatic Darkness expedition, they had encountered one on the 45th underground floor.
No wonder Nene had chosen to call this a Stampede rather than just an Overflow.
If even a dangerous, mighty monster like this had made it to the surface, then calling it a Stampede was more than justified.
"This is… not good at all…"
"It’s like… a gatekeeper or a floor boss."
"That makes sense."
I narrowed my eyes at the massive lesser dragon, gripping my short sword in my left hand.
"What do you mean by that?"
"If you think of Finis city as a single floor of a field-type dungeon, the idea fits."
"So… it’s like the Ruins of Aurius Castle Dungeon?"
"It’s just a hypothesis. Either way, it’s not going to let us through quietly…! No choice. Time to use my trump card. Everyone, cover me."
I began channeling mana through my amberized left arm, preparing my chant.
"Yuke… don’t. You’ll collapse again."
"I can control it this time."
I smiled faintly at Rain’s worried face and steeled myself.
The blessings/curses that dwelled within my body were proof that I was both a Hero and an instrument of culling.
A power outside the rules of this world — an aberration. With it, I should be able to crush even the mighty Earth Dragon roaring before me.
"Wait, Sensei… Biblion has a prophecy…"
"What is it?"
"…It’s coming."
The moment Silk spoke, something shot in at incredible speed and slammed into the Earth Dragon’s head.
With a cry — it was unclear if it was a scream or a roar — the lesser dragon staggered back as someone landed in front of it with a heavy thud.
"Haaah… good grief. This old body is getting too old for this."
A towering man in a business suit loosened his tie, turned to me, and grinned.
"You damn fool of a disciple. Don’t go rushing off on your own. You’ve ruined my whole plan."
"Benwood…!"
"You didn’t explain yourself clearly enough, Benwood. But Yuke, you were a little rash too."
Mamal appeared silently behind him, chiding both Benwood and me.
And then, behind her, came Maniella — a stout old woman who looked like a walking hunk of iron — laughing loudly as she appeared.
"Pretty good control, huh? Muscle-brain old man."
"You’re just too much of a brute, muscle-brain old hag."
"Even you, Maniella…?"
"Being reckless is proof of youth. Well… good thing you’re safe."
With a sly grin, Maniella hoisted her massive mace onto her shoulder and looked up at the recovering Earth Dragon.
"Still, this one’s a real handful. Too much for us old-timers alone."
"Ho ho ho, not even ‘Bludgeoning Death’ can beat back the years, hmm?"
"Shut up, you old monster. We’ll make your young’uns earn their keep too."
Maniella clicked her tongue at a familiar voice coming from somewhere.
"Of course. That’s the plan. I know my job."
With that confident voice came a rush of wind.
Moments later, a group of adventurers in full gear descended gracefully from the sky.
"Scordia, commencing royal decree mission: King’s Order."
"Lucent…!"
"You’ve done well to make it this far, Feldio. We, Scordia, will clear your path so you need not worry."
Lucent drew his longsword, glaring at the Earth Dragon, and stood at my side — the leader of the kingdom’s top A-rank party.
"Ah, are we live-streaming? Should Anubis introduce ourselves too?"
"Too late for that, you old fool."
"Indeed. And I don’t even know which name to use anymore."
"With our leader absent, we’re just the extras here."
Faced with these legends standing beside me, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Extras? Not a chance.
That uncle of mine once entrusted his back to them and made it to the bottom of the Achromatic Darkness.
This kind of modesty was just too much.
"Drrrrrroooohhh!"
The Earth Dragon let out a threatening growl as it regained its stance.
No — I hadn’t forgotten about it.
I was just momentarily stunned by what I saw.
"Well then, members of Clover. Are you ready?"
"…Yes. We’re grateful for your assistance."
"Don’t be so stiff. We’re comrades who’ve already conquered a dungeon together, aren’t we?"
Lucent chuckled lightly and exchanged glances with his companions.
In response, I also gave my teammates a hand signal.
Slipping past the massive Earth Dragon was too risky.
We’d have to time it perfectly.
"Enough dawdling. Hey, Moria! Smash that big lug with your magic!"
"Hmph, so they say? What do you think?"
"Let’s leave it to Master Moria. Our job is to escort them to the tower, after all."
The moment Lucent finished speaking, Moria lightly waved his staff.
With just that, the Earth Dragon’s front right leg crumpled and gave way.
"Leave the big one to the elders! Scordia, move up! Support Clover’s advance!"
"Calling us elders, huh? You’ve got guts, kid! Fine then, let’s cut loose for the first time in ages!"
"I’m supposed to stay put in the guild’s chair… but the whole building and the chair are gone now. So for today, I’ll do my job as a plain old adventurer!"
"Don’t overdo it, you two. You’re not young anymore, you know."
Maniella and Benwood shot forward at absurd speed.
A black shadow — Mamal — silently glided past even them.
Behind those three, the old mage Moria stood calmly, his staff glowing as he channeled plasma-like mana.
There it was — the backs of Anubis, the legendary party my uncle once led.
Honestly… none of them had aged a bit, had they?
I almost felt sorry for the Earth Dragon.
"All right, we’re through. From here… it’s your job, isn’t it?"
Lucent stopped at the entrance to the tower and looked back at me.
"Yes. The presence of the otherworld is strong beyond this point… The inside of the tower would be poison to all of you."
"Then we’ll leave it to you. Doing what one can — that’s the way of an adventurer."
I grasped the hand he held out to me and lowered my head.
"Yes. Thank you very much."
"We’ll move on to supporting the surrounding area. Good luck."
With that, the members of Scordia departed.
There were still many monsters in the central district.
No doubt they were going to secure a path of retreat.
"Finally, the tower."
"Yes. Let’s bring Marina back."
"Not just Marina — we have to take back the city too."
"I’m fired up! Leave the forward scouting to me!"
"Mana levels… good. I’m ready anytime."
I met my teammates’ eyes, answering silently, then turned to face the tower.
"Marina. I’m coming for you…!"
With that resolve, I stepped into the tower.
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