I heard screams and desperate cries for help, so I immediately sprinted toward the source.
Fortunately, the distance wasn't that great. I arrived at the scene shortly after I started running.
And there—
"What the...!?"
I froze in shock at the sight before me.
About five Explorers were facing off against a single large monster. One of the Explorers seemed to be severely injured, slumped on the ground. The other four stood in front of them as a shield, but they were pale with terror and looked ready to bolt.
And for good reason.
The monster they were facing was not an opponent an Explorer active on Floor 4 could possibly defeat.
It was a giant wolf whose head reached about the level of my solar plexus—and riding atop it was a well-built Goblin clad in light armor, brandishing a spear. The Goblin’s head was two full heads higher than my own, and its mere presence radiated an intense pressure.
—A Goblin Wolf Rider.
In the Shinjuku Dungeon, this monster only started appearing from Floor 7 onward, with a minimum level of 17.
It was a monster that absolutely should not have been here.
"This isn't in my data!?"
Why the hell is it here!? I thought, even as I uttered a line that gave me a strange sense of déjà vu. Then I snapped back to my senses. "Wait, come to think of it..."
Now that I thought about it, I’d run into a Goblin Knight on Floor 3 a while ago. Lately, there had been rumors spreading about monsters moving between floors in various dungeons.
In other words, my guess was... this was a "large-scale update."
The kind you see in online games or mobile games. Since this real-world dungeon was equipped with a game-like Status system, it wouldn't be strange at all for a Modern Dungeon to undergo an update. Probably. I mean, I didn't know for sure.
—But that didn't matter right now.
"Ah!? H-H-Help! P-P-Pleathe help meeeee!!!"
On the opposite side of the Goblin Wolf Rider—commonly known as a "Rider"—one of the Explorers, a man in his mid-twenties, screamed with teary eyes.
That's right. I had to help these people first.
"Understood! I'll help you!!"
I shouted as I drew my sword, then immediately activated a skill toward the Rider.
I raised my middle finger and roared.
"Hey, you disgusting chimera bastard!! Decide if you're a Goblin or a wolf, damn it!!"
It was, of course, the skill Taunt.
Since I was behind it and the group hadn't dealt much damage, it seemed even a Level 1 Taunt was enough to pull its aggro.
The Rider turned around, glaring at me with the eyes of both the Goblin and the wolf.
By the way, the reason I shouted "chimera bastard" at the Rider becomes clear if you observe its form closely.
It looks like a Goblin riding a wolf... but it isn't actually "riding." It isn’t mounted.
What I mean is, the Goblin's body from the waist down is literally "fused" with the back of the wolf.
And yet the name is "Wolf Rider."
Talk about taking "being one with your mount" to a ridiculous level.
It was a monster that frequently sparked debates over whether it was a Goblin, a wolf, or a chimera... but the moment I faced it, my Goblin Slayer title took effect, so it seemed "Goblin" was definitely the correct category.
Maybe I'll present my findings to an academic society if I ever get the chance.
"Woof!!"
While I was lost in thought, the Rider charged.
Its speed was, without exaggeration, like an arrow.
The Rider is a monster with a high Agility stat; even at its minimum level of 17, that value reaches 70.
And since its level range is wide, its Agility supposedly hits around 120 at the highest levels... but judging by its size and speed, this was likely a Rider from Floor 7.
Without panicking, I calmly waited for it to step into my range.
Currently, my HP was still below half, so Blood Vengeance was active. I considered using Fighting Spirit just in case, but with Danger Sense active, it didn't feel necessary.
And these were my buffed stats.
―――――――――――――――― Strength: 112 (+42) Constitution: 104 (+39) Intelligence: 10 (+4) Spirit: 48 (+18) Agility: 104 (+39) Dexterity: 106 (+40) ――――――――――――――――
Maintaining its charging momentum, the Rider thrust its spear.
Its target was my heart. Apparently, even if you dodge the spear, you’re supposed to be sent flying by the wolf part. Therefore, I moved the bare minimum required to evade the attack range indicated by Danger Sense—
"Hraagh!!"
The moment the Rider sped past my side, I swung my sword upward from a low stance and took off the Goblin's head.
Then I spun around, facing behind me.
The Rider, having sped past, turned around as if losing its head was no big deal and charged at me again at high speed.
Seeing that, I felt a surge of joy. Aha! I studied this on the Modern Dungeon Strategy Wiki!
Yes, the Goblin Wolf Rider actually has two heads—the Goblin's and the wolf's. If you’re going for a decapitation kill, it won't die unless you cut off both heads.
Seriously, it's not a "Rider," it's totally a chimera.
This is the kind of enemy that catches you off guard if you think you’ve won. Because I’d studied the wiki beforehand, I managed to avoid a surprise attack.
The Rider... or rather, the thing that was now just a wolf, used its running momentum to leap and pounce at me.
It looked like it was aiming for a bite following a claw strike from its right front leg.
I lightly hopped to the side to avoid the space where the sharp claws were projected to pass, landing outside the wolf’s right front leg.
The wolf was in a position where its own leg was in the way, making it impossible to bite me.
"—!?"
The moment the claw strike hit empty air, I swung my sword down from an overhead position from my safe vantage point.
The slash cut more than halfway through the wolf's neck.
The wolf landed from its jump, sprayed a massive amount of fresh blood, staggered a few steps due to inertia, and then collapsed with a heavy thud.
After confirming its body had vanished into particles of light, I finally lowered my sword.
"Hmm... It looks like I can handle myself on Floor 7 without any issues."
So this is what they call "level violence."
Though it wasn't a bad matchup like the Goblin Knight, I had achieved an overwhelming victory against a Rider that should have been stronger than a Goblin Knight.
●◯●
"Is everyone okay?"
Now that the battle was safely over, I called out to the group who were staring at me in a daze.
By the way, the party consisted of four men and one woman. They all looked to be around the same age—mid-twenties. I couldn't tell their exact ages.
"T-Thank you so much...! You saved u—wait, Leveling Junkie Bro!?"
One man, acting as the representative of the party, started to thank me, then suddenly shouted after seeing my face.
Well, given the name he used, he clearly knew who I was, which explained the surprise.
I’ve really become famous... though I feel like the way I gained that fame was, in some parts, highly regrettable.
Regardless, it wasn't just the man and his party members who were shocked to see me.
『Wait!? Leveling Junkie Bro!?』 『For real, Leveling Junkie Bro is here!!』 『I can't believe we actually ran into Leveling Junkie Bro...!!』
From the Drone Camera floating near the man, I heard the voice of a VOICEROID reading out comments.
Wait, these guys have a Drone Camera too?
The cheapest ones cost over a million yen.
Bourgeoisie... I thought for a second, but then I realized I could afford one now too. For Explorers who can reach Floor 4, it might not be such an expensive purchase.
『Wait, Junkie Bro didn't use Fighting Spirit just now, did he!?』 『For real!? He took down a Rider without any buff skills!?』 『No way...!! That's a monster from Floor 7 or lower!!』 『And in two hits!? Swish-swish and a KO!?』 『Uh, wait, even if he can beat it, isn't he way too strong!?』 『"Swish-swish" lol. Someone's IQ is dropping because of Junkie Bro's unexpected strength, LMAO』 『"Swish-swish" lolol. But I get the feeling lol』 『No, this isn't the strength of an Explorer on Floor 4...!!』
Ignoring the viewers' comments for now, I approached the group.
I spoke again to the men, who were flustered for some reason.
"Um, is that man over there okay? He looks injured."
Looking over, I saw a man with a pale face clutching his left arm.
It wasn't just a case of having an extra joint in the forearm... the bone was visible, it was clearly fractured, and the wound was a mangled mess. What on earth happened? I wondered, and another man told me.
"A-Ah... actually, the Rider... er, the wolf part bit him."
"I see."
So that's what happens when a wolf bites you. It looked excruciatingly painful.
I looked around at the party to check the situation. Fortunately, it seemed the man with the mangled arm was the only casualty, but...
"Um, I’ll ask just in case, but is there anyone who can use healing magic..."
"No, there isn't."
Unfortunately, it seemed they didn't have a healer.
Well, that was expected. There were almost no Explorers active around here who could use healing magic. Hinata-san was the exception of exceptions.
"Um, Leveling Junkie Bro, I feel bad asking this after you saved us, but if you have any potions, could you spare some? Of course, we’ll pay you properly."
The man asked me with a pleading expression.
I wanted to help, but... I had no choice but to shake my head.
"I'm sorry. I've used up all my potions..."
"I see... No, don't worry about it. Thank you for saving us. I'll definitely make it up to you later."
"Oh, no, please don't worry about it."
"No, I can't let it go. I can't do much, but I'll definitely repay the favor, so please wait for me....Everyone, let’s get back to the surface quickly."
After speaking to me, the polite man turned back to his party members and urged them to head back to the surface. His voice was tense; he clearly recognized that every second counted.
Hearing those words, I made a decision.
With the state of that man's arm, he might be left with permanent damage. If he was lucky enough to get a potion—specifically an Intermediate Heal Potion—it would heal completely, but the chances of getting one were low even if you had the money.
In that case, even if it wasn't a total cure, it would be better to treat it as much as possible with a Beginner Heal Potion. Two or three bottles should probably be enough to recover to a point where there would be no lasting damage.
If treated to that extent, an Explorer's natural self-healing should be enough to bring it to a full recovery, provided they stay within the dungeon.
And Beginner Heal Potions could be found in abundance here on Floor 4.
"Wait a moment."
"Eh?"
"I have an idea. Let's go get some potions right now."
"Huh? No... even if we go to get potions, there's no guarantee they'll drop... and his HP is slowly dropping from the bleeding, we have to get to the surface soon—"
"It's fine. It won't even take five minutes."
"...What?"
Going to a Monster Room would be much faster than going to the Teleportation Circle from here.
In a tone that brooked no argument, I urged them forward.
"Come on! Follow me!"