Chapter 114: Labyrinth exploration Part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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Next is Joe’s turn. The party’s arrangement has been reverted to the beginning.

I am behind Joe by about 5 meters. Behind me are Naga-san and Mother. And Singari is paired with Ashera.

After walking for about 5 minutes, a Windwolf appears… just one.

I notice Joe trembling when looking at his back.

“Joe, are you… scared?”

“No, it’s not that. Don’t be stupid!”

“Then why are you shaking?”

“Just because it’s too easy dealing with one of these things!”

As Joe is yelling at me, the Windwolf attacks… ah!

Joe manages to dodge, but it seems like he was cutting it really close, with his attention focused on me.

Joe loses his balance… the Windwolf seizes the opportunity as Joe falls and intensifies its attack.

When Joe dodges another attack, he almost falls over. He manages to avoid falling by bracing himself with his greatsword against the ground.

However, the Windwolf is relentless. It aims for Joe with a deadly blow.

The sound of teeth sinking into flesh echoes…

I never imagined Joe would fall behind to a creature like the Windwolf.

But the Windwolf’s fangs reach Joe… they’ve reached him!

Joe braces himself by thrusting his greatsword into the ground, much like an old man leaning on a cane.

It’s a posture that presents his rear to the Windwolf.

The Windwolf decides to deliver its fatal blow to Joe’s rear!

The labyrinth resonates with Joe’s screams. The Windwolf folds its front legs and hangs onto Joe’s rear… ha!

“Aldo! Help me!! Get this thing off me!”

I draw my dagger and throw it at the Windwolf’s forehead. In case it heads towards Joe, I’m prepared to pull it back with the magical force of gravity.

As intended, the dagger is sucked into the Windwolf’s forehead.

Although the Windwolf is completely lifeless, it doesn’t let go of Joe’s rear.

I have no choice… I forcefully pry open the Windwolf’s mouth to release Joe’s rear… Pupu!

Joe must have been in pain. He suddenly takes off his pants and tries to inspect his rear.

Naga-san, expressionless, without a word, places her hand on Joe’s rear and starts using healing magic.

As the healing magic activates, the four fang marks on Joe’s rear begin to disappear.

Naga-san is not only skilled in buffing magic but also as a healer.

In contrast… bitten on the rear by an E-rank Windwolf and seeking help from a C-rank adventurer.

I look at Joe with a glare. Glaring at him!

“W-What… that was a bit…”

Joe starts shrinking.

“Al, don’t tease him. Joe-kun, why don’t you try again? It’s okay, right?”

“Y-Yes, Rafina-san!”

Mother is relatively kind to everyone except me. It seems she’s giving Joe another chance.

Dealing with just one Windwolf seems like a job better suited for Lewis or Nero than what Joe is capable of.

Naga-san tries to reapply the buff magic. However, Joe, with determination in his eyes, declines the buff magic. He must have some pride after all.

Once again, we walk for about five minutes with Joe leading the way.

The faint sounds of beasts and the rustling of a considerable number can be heard.

“Naga-san, can I ask for the buff magic after all?”

Joe retracts his earlier statement and asks Naga-san for the buff magic. Naga-san smiles at Joe’s calm decision-making and applies the buff magic.

“Alright… here I go!”

Joe reinforces his body and rushes towards the pack of Windwolves.

By getting closer, the full extent of the Windwolf pack becomes apparent.

There are a total of 13 Windwolves.

As I take out my dagger and move to assist Joe, Naga-san stops me.

When I give her a protesting look, Mother, who was standing next to Naga-san, speaks up.

“Did Joeguna-kun call for assistance?”

“The number is too much for Joe!”

“Whether it’s impossible or not, you’ll see if you’re watching. Al, you’re underestimating adventures a bit too much.”

Am I underestimating? The adventurer I defeated recently was Rank B. I heard Mother was almost Rank A.

If that’s the case, then dealing with this many Windwolves is impossible for Rank C Joe… or am I missing something?

Amidst my self-reflection, Joe starts engaging the Windwolves.

Even though they’re Rank E monsters, there are 13 of them. It’s certain that he’ll be overwhelmed as soon as he’s surrounded.

However, Joe doesn’t seem to be in dire straits at all. In fact, the number of Windwolves gradually decreases.

Observing Joe’s movements, he constantly positions himself with the labyrinth wall at his back.

Even with their numbers, the Windwolves can only attack in groups of 2-3 at a time.

Thanks to Joe’s tactics, it’s effectively like facing 2-3 Windwolves in 5-6 sets.

I can’t help but be impressed. While I’ve been training in group combat recently, it’s a whole different story to see individual tactics like this.

I understand what Mother meant by “underestimating adventurers.”

It’s nearing the end of the battle. There are only 2 Windwolves left.

Joe sheaths his greatsword and draws his one-handed sword from his waist… he doesn’t have a shield, but his swordsmanship is clean and knightly.

In no time, he defeats the remaining 2 Windwolves and returns to us.

“How was it?”

Joe asks Naga-san, the leader.

Naga-san smiles and responds,

“No complaints. Impressive tactics and swordsmanship.”

Joe looks relieved at Naga-san’s answer.

“Weren’t I and Ashera a bit too plain compared to Aldo and the others?”

“If you compare yourself to those two, everyone else would disappear.”

“I see…”

Joe has redeemed himself… but I believe someday he’ll truly redeem himself…

Now, it’s Naga-san or Mother’s turn.

“Normally, we, as rear guards, don’t showcase our solo combat abilities.”

That’s true. Rear guards only fight solo when the vanguards are wiped out.

“However, since we triggered the ‘teleport trap,’ I judged that solo abilities for rear guards are necessary.”

With that, Naga-san walks to the front of the party.

“So, I’ll be the one to show you.”

About 10 minutes after Naga-san starts leading, Windwolves come into view.

There seem to be more than 5 from here.

Naga-san takes out three small vials from her pouch. She lightly grips one of them and flicks it towards the Windwolves with her thumb. It’s a technique called “thumb flick.”

The vial explodes upon hitting the Windwolves, dealing significant damage not only to the one hit directly but also to the ones around it.

One dies instantly, two are on the brink of death, and three remain. It seems there were six Windwolves in total.

Naga-san activates wind magic without incantation and continues to attack the Windwolves.

She manages to reduce the active ones to two.

She’s like a veteran adventurer, never letting her guard down. Carefully, she throws the second vial with a thumb flick.

The vial hits the Windwolf’s body, and the liquid inside attacks the Windwolves.

Smoke rises from where the liquid lands, and the Windwolves thrash around.

Within a minute, the Windwolves change from thrashing to completely motionless bodies.

Only one remains. When Naga-san shifts her gaze to the last one, it runs away like a startled rabbit.

Even after the battle ends, Naga-san remains vigilant, not letting her guard down.

Once she confirms that the enemies are completely gone, she finally speaks.

“How was that? Did it meet everyone’s expectations?”

Immediate responses come from everyone.

“I didn’t know Naga-san was this strong.”

“As expected of Rank B. I wouldn’t stand a chance…”

Both mine and Joe’s thoughts from the bottom of our hearts. Mother seems to know of Naga-san’s strength, as she smiles and nods.

Only Ashera is fixated on the vials Naga-san possesses.

The ‘Elf’s Elixir’ is attributed to the fact that Elves have their own unique magical system.

The manufacturing process is known only to a select few Elves, kept secret from outsiders.

“The ‘Elf’s Elixir,’ is it?”

I ask Naga-san, who smiles wryly before responding.

“Yes, that’s right. However, for someone like me who left the village, it’s not easy to obtain.”

“Can’t you make it yourself?”

“Only a select few can make elixirs, and each person is only taught one recipe.”

“One recipe per person…”

“In case someone is captured or escapes, only one recipe being revealed ensures the secret of the elixirs remains safe.”

“They’re thorough…”

“It’s said to be because of past conflicts between races.”

“That’s a long time ago…”

“Yes, indeed. I couldn’t stand the closed-off nature of the village, so I decided to leave.”

As she says that, Naga-san jests, appearing very adorable.

I think being pinched on the rear by Ashera is a badge of being loved.

Finally, it’s Mother’s turn. I know the power of the “Ice Witch” all too well.

I’ve never won in a magical battle against her. There’s something… impressive about Mother’s fighting style.

She always strikes at the perfect moment, like now.

Let’s see the long-awaited battle of the “Ice Witch” once again.

After walking at the front for about 10 minutes, Mother spots the pack of Windwolves.

Their number is at a maximum of 15. It’s easy to count in this well-lit area.

“Mother, isn’t the number a bit too much for a mage?”

“No problem.”

“I already know Mother’s strength, no need to overdo it.”

“Do you think I’ll struggle against mere Windwolves, Al?”

“I don’t think so, but…”

“Then it’s fine. Just watch.”

No more words are needed. With that, the conversation ends.

Around Mother, ten Wind Bullets (for monsters) are deployed.

Ten! I can only manage up to eight… Truly befitting of the “Ice Witch.” I’m genuinely impressed.

As I glance at me in surprise, she makes a mischievous face and then…

Five more Wind Bullets appear.

A total of fifteen… I get goosebumps. How much mastery of magic manipulation does it take to reach this level…

Mother glanced at me with a smug look before casually shooting Wind Bullets.

Wind Bullets (for monsters) are magic that can penetrate creatures like Windwolves and even take down those behind them.

She fires off fifteen shots… Blood mist and dust rise, temporarily obscuring the Windwolves’ condition.

After a while, the view clears… There remain only the remnants of Windwolves, with not a single threatening enemy left.

Naga-san is so shocked that she freezes. Ashera and I were prepared, but it seems Mother’s growth was beyond what anyone imagined.

“Naga!”

“Eh? Wind… wait… huh…”

Naga-san’s freeze thaws, but she seems to be in a daze.

After a short time, Naga-san comes back to herself.

“Rafina! What was that magic just now? You couldn’t do something like that before!”

“It’s Al’s magic.”

Naga-san looks back and forth between me and Mother several times, then lets out a heavy sigh.

“Haah… Aldo-kun, you’ve been learning magic?”

“Yes. This Wind Bullet is incredibly easy to use. It doesn’t consume much mana either.”

Naga-san rubs her temples, deep in thought.

Some time passes like this. It seems Naga-san has given up on probing further, as she starts speaking as if nothing had happened.

“Your individual combat abilities are impressive. Next, let’s test combat in this formation. Since our goal isn’t to defeat them, shall we prohibit magic?”

“Ice Witch” seems dissatisfied, but if it’s not said like this, she’ll end up just shooting Wind Bullets.

With this, we have a rough understanding of our individual strengths. Next is testing our party coordination. I think the greatsword won’t be a hindrance since Lewis is accustomed to it… It’s a little exciting.