I estimated that over an hour had passed since we arrived on the 30th floor.
We were making steady progress, engaging in one battle after another. Our pace was slower than it had been during the previous Guided Exploration, but that couldn't be helped. Last time, we had been following the instructions of our seniors; this time, we had to make every decision ourselves.
Even so, we had already cleared about eighty percent of our planned route. At this rate, we would reach the Boss Area in just a little while longer.
"We’re about to come out into a wide space, so focus."
Since there were only three of us, we had favored relatively narrow paths where we could fight without being flanked. However, some areas were impossible to bypass without crossing through wide-open chambers. If a battle broke out in such a place, sheer numbers would work to the enemy's advantage. I had heard that groups of more than six Magic Beasts didn't appear on the 30th floor, but we couldn't afford to be careless.
"Ugh, what a drag. Why do I have to do this the second we get into town?"
"It’s unavoidable. We haven't been able to register the crystals at the floor entrances for the Great Labyrinth of the South yet. That’s why we had to hike all the way down from the 1st floor. My motivation is already in the gutter, so quit complaining."
As we entered the open space, we ran into another party of Explorers.
"It’s another party. Log, what do you want to do?"
Encountering other Explorers was common. Apparently, the frequency dropped in the Deep Floors because of the sheer vastness of the area and the scarcity of high-ranking Explorers, but it was a regular occurrence in the Upper and Middle Floors. When parties crossed paths, it was standard practice to coordinate so that each group took a different route. If two parties tried to push through the same area, it often led to pointless conflicts over Magic Stones and materials.
Or, at least, that was what Orun-san had taught us.
"We need to find out what their objective is first. If they’re just exploring, we’ll ask them to let us have the route we chose. —Hello! Could I have a moment of your time?"
"Huh? What’s this? Just some brats?"
When Log called out, a massive, muscular man answered in a listless voice. He was... a little terrifying.
There were three others with him, making it a four-person party. In contrast to the giant, there was a slender man and a woman. The last person wore a loose robe with a hood pulled low over their face, making it impossible to tell their gender.
"We’re currently diving to conquer this floor," Log explained. "If you’re just here to explore, would you mind letting us take the route ahead?"
"Yeah, whatever. Do what you want. I’ve got no business with kids."
The man was unpleasant, but since he was willing to yield the path, I figured we should leave quickly. I didn't want to get involved with people like that.
"Thank you very much. Then, we’ll—"
"Wait."
Just as Log turned to leave, the thin man called out.
"...Is something the matter?"
"Are you lot Explorers from the 《Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky》?"
I wondered why he was asking. Had he recognized us by our gear?
"《Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky》? I’ve heard that name before. Where was it?" the big man asked.
"Are you an idiot? Is your brain made of muscle, too?" the woman snapped.
"What’d you say!?"
"The 《Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky》 is the Clan that the 《Dragon Slayer》 belongs to!"
The Dragon Slayer... they mean Orun-san, right?
He really was famous. It was amazing...
"Oh, that’s right! Hey, you kids... do you know the 《Dragon Slayer》?"
" " "............" " "
All three of us fell silent. Orun-san had told us time and again that information was a precious resource. I felt it was better to say nothing until we understood why these people were asking about him.
"I’ll take your silence as a 'yes,'" the thin man said, his tone turning predatory.
"Zuriel, confirm it," the hooded figure commanded.
The voice was clear and beautiful—most likely a woman’s.
"As you command."
"—!?"
Log suddenly gasped.
What’s wrong?
"Bingo. This boy and the 《Dragon Slayer》 are acquainted. More than that, they seem to share a master-student relationship. We might be able to use these runts as bait to lure the 《Dragon Slayer》 out."
"How did you...!?"
Log was visibly shaken. We hadn't said a word—how could he possibly have known? Was it a Special Ability that allowed him to read minds?
"Hahahaha! We’re in luck! Now we don’t have to bother with something as tedious as a Labyrinth conquest!"
A foul atmosphere began to radiate from the four of them. It was a sensation I’d felt nearly every day during my childhood—pure malice. But it wasn't just malice; I could feel a heavy layer of murderous intent mixed in. I didn't understand why they were targeting us, but I knew we had to run. These people were far stronger than we were.
"Carol! Log! Let’s fall back and run!"
The moment I shouted, a thunderous boom echoed behind us. I spun around to find that the passage we had just come through was now sealed by a solid wall. It wasn't just our entrance, either; the other two passages had been blocked off as well.
"As if we’d let you escape!"
Apparently, it was the big man's magic. Despite his brutish looks, he was a capable caster.
"Why are you doing this!?" Log demanded.
"It’s quite simple. Because you are close to the 《Dragon Slayer》. You don’t need to know anything beyond that," the thin man replied, his voice cold and imposing.
"Hey! You lot stay back," the big man growled, stepping forward. "I’ll handle these kids myself. I’ve got some frustration to vent!"
"I do too, honestly," the woman sighed. "But fine, I’ll let you have them. I’ll save my fun for when I actually get to kill the 《Dragon Slayer》."
Kill Orun-san...? Why!?
"There's no way out," Carol said, stepping to the front. "You two, break down the walls! I'll buy us some time!"
Before we could stop her, Carol charged the giant.
"Stupid! Don't go in alone!" Log yelled.
Ignoring him, Carol launched her attack. "You scared my friends! I won't forgive you!"
"...Huh?"
—What?
Carol, who should have collided with the big man, was suddenly sent flying backward. She tumbled past us and slammed into the far wall.
"Carol!?"
"...Ugh... ah..."
It took me a second to realize that the man was now holding a massive greatsword. He must have swatted her away with it in the blink of an eye.
"Heh. She jumped back to dampen the impact... good reflexes. But she’s out of the fight now."
Just as he said, Carol had lost consciousness against the wall. There were no obvious wounds, but she could easily have broken bones.
"—! Sophie! Snap out of it! The three in the back aren't moving yet! Assume we only have to deal with this guy for now and focus!"
"Y-Yeah!"
Log’s shout pulled me back. I was terrified for Carol, but I could see her chest moving. She had 【Self-Healing】, so she would probably be okay. We just had to figure out a way to escape before he finished us off.
I was trembling with fear, but if I didn't fight, "death" was the only thing waiting for us. I had to resist! I didn't want to die here!
"【Thunder Shock】!"
I unleashed my attack magic in tandem with Log's movements. Log pressed the attack valiantly, but the big man was incredibly agile for his size. He evaded and parried our efforts as if they were nothing more than a nuisance.
"Gah!"
A heavy blow sent Log skidding across the floor to land near my feet.
"Log, are you okay!?"
I didn't see any blood, but I cast 【Heal】 on him immediately. If only I could use Parallel Construction at a time like this...
"...The girl from before was one thing, but you’ve got some decent moves too, kid."
"Compared to Master, your movements are like slow motion!" Log spat, using his spear as a crutch to haul himself up. "Are you just naturally pathetic with a sword?"
He was talking tough, but I could see his legs shaking. He was just as scared as I was.
(I knew it... we can't win. At this rate... No, I can't give up! Orun-san always said to keep thinking! There has to be a way to break this situation...)
While I racked my brain, Log and the giant clashed again.
"Haha! I like your spirit, kid! But—you're too weak."
Just as he had done to Carol, the man swung his greatsword in a wide horizontal arc. Log managed to get his spear up to block, but the wooden shaft snapped like a twig. The blade didn't slow down; the lethal edge continued its path toward Log’s chest.
"NOOOOO!!"
In my desperation, I reached out. I didn't use a formula. I simply reached for the strange "sensation" I had been feeling lately and pushed with everything I had. It was a complete gamble—a plea to the world to interfere.
And for the first time, I won.
"...Wh-!? What is this!? I can't move...!"
The greatsword stopped dead in the air, inches from Log's body.
(............So that's what it was.)
In that single instant, I understood my Ability.
"If I can do this... then get away from us!!"
I poured my will into the interference, focusing it on the giant. The force of it sent him hurtling backward across the chamber. I had wanted to slam him into the wall, but the distance was too great. Still, for the first time since the fight began, he was the one on the defensive.