Chapter 18 – Boss Fight: Backyard Dungeon
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Second floor.
Once again I was advancing through the ant nest with its dim lighting. I checked the various, branching ant roads many times over, just to eventually arrive in rooms and slaughter the ants in those.
Taking on soldier ants was reasonably fun, but worker ants posed no challenge to me any more and I feel like Dragon Eater got tired of their taste, too. Well, they still served as experience points, so I did annihilate all of them without exception.
Given that the ant eggs stuffed in the rooms were alive as well, I destroyed each and every single of them. I was the one doing it myself, but I still felt like it was a fairly nasty thing to do.
I cut through the torso of soldier ants, who came straight at me, with practiced movements. I’ve been sensing it vaguely for a while now, but these guys basically got one attack pattern, don’t they?
It’d be different in open terrain and places overgrown with vegetation, but the ant roads here were nothing but straight, continuous paths, so I think the ants couldn’t show their real abilities as these paths didn’t allow the ants to capitalize on their strength of group combat.
The ant roads did have an inclination, and I also had to jump down holes every once in a while. All of this gave me the impression that I was descending quite deep into the nest, so I thought I was soon going to reach the boss room.
Or rather, please let me reach it soon.
Me constantly praying for this to happen apparently bore fruit eventually. At the end of an ant road, which had been continuing downwards, I ran into a dead end. On the other side of the wall, I perceived a ridiculous number of ants and one especially big specimen.
Going by my experience thus far and the knowledge I gained through my skills, I was convinced that I’d be able to win against the ants crowding the room to protect the boss of this nest. I was certain that it’d be no problem and that I wouldn’t be stopped at a place like this.
After I poured the maximum amount of mana into Dragon Eater, a deep blue glow engulfed the blade. As soon as I quickly swung down my katana, that glow rushed off as if gushing out off the blade.
The deep blue light wave destroyed the wall, which the ants had probably constructed in a hurry, and pushed through all the way to the queen ahead of me.
Inside the dim space, worker and soldier ants threw themselves in front of the wave, thus forfeiting their own lives, to try blocking the deep blue sword wave running through their midst. The ants, which attempted to serve as shields, were blown away in a comical manner.
It was a moving spectacle to watch the ants sacrifice themselves for their queen, but it felt like I’d receive a “Monster Kill!” announcement any moment. Ah, but I guess Dungeon Seekers isn’t that type of game.
I stared at the ants, who were overflowing in such numbers that I worried I might actually get goosebumps, while facing them boldly from the front with Dragon Eater in my hand. My whole visual field was blanketed with light brown colors
I’ll be fine since I got Dragon Eater, but clearing all of these would be impossible for a normal player, wouldn’t it…? Oh wait, if they can use poisonous gas or magic like Venom did, they should be able to kill them all in one go, I guess. Otherwise, it’s unrealistic, I’d say…
As I was pondering about methods to clear this place without Dragon Eater, a single, huge ant stuck out in the mountain of ants. Its mandibles were big enough to let it crunch down a house. Seeing its big belly, I vaguely thought that it probably had to be like that for producing eggs.
I doubt that this boss specializes in combat. It’s pretty clear that its body isn’t made for fighting. The ogre looked a lot more powerful than this ant because of its brawny, muscular body. To be frank I don’t feel like I’ll die if I don’t give my best.
This dungeon is probably one of those types where they try to overwhelm the intruders with numbers. And it’s also the type of dungeon that currently suits me the most.
“Alright, I suppose I’ll give it a try then.”
Thinking of the three skills I acquired earlier, I decided that now might be the best time to attune them. I enhanced my body with mana based on 『Magic Tactics』 and used the knowledge of 『Magic Swordsmanship』, attempting techniques other than the sword wave I’ve been using so far.
Because I was in a situation where 『Banner of Revolt』 applied, my body felt in great shape since charging into the dungeon thanks to its effect, and I could grasp even the faintest movements of the ant teams.
“…I’ll exterminate them all.”
Dragon Eater, it’s an all-you-can-eat course for you.
｡ ₊°༺🫀༻°₊ ｡
I continued hunting ants and feeding them to Dragon Eater, and after I eventually slaughtered the ants clinging to the queen, trying to act as some sort of exoskeleton to protect her, only the sound of explosions as the enemies turned into embers filled the room.
Ignoring all the ant’s creaking cries, I jumped and whirled through the air. After revolving, I used the force of the fall to lop off the queen ant’s head, killing her for good. As her body lost all its strength, I heard her collapse with a thud.
Her gigantic body burst into embers, so I was surprised as it seemed like my whole body would end up covered in ash.
“Alright, this was the last one.”
The smartphone in my pocket informed me of a message again.
Somehow, it wasn’t that hard of a battle and because it kind of felt like doing assembly-line work instead of the exciting combat I wanted to experience, it was a bit underwhelming. Or rather, I think Dragon Eater is just too overpowered for this sort of enemy. It was almost like I was entirely compensating for the difference in strength, which would originally apply here, with my weapon.
But, that in itself has allowed me to establish my own combat style, so I’ll take it as a plus. My own style is that of a magic swordsman who capitalizes on the defense granted by Dragon Eater’s 『Gluttony』. Not only can I shoot slashes by using mana, but I can also extend the blade or simply kick my enemies with my reinforced physical abilities. It feels like the stereotypical fighter capable of everything, making it a very solo-friendly combat style.
I wonder what sort of combat style the other players use. I’m kind of curious about it. Maybe they fall into dedicated roles when entering dungeons in groups.
After I eradicated the ants, a magic circle, which would probably allow me to enter the reward room, appeared inside the big but now deserted room. I don’t think I’ll get my hands on another weapon like Dragon Eater, but it’d be nice if I could get another equipment piece, making it easier for me to clear dungeons.
Just as I turned towards the magic circle, trying to head over…
“Please wait.”
A dignified voice so clear as the azure sky after a rain called out to me from behind.
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