Basement Dungeon ~Poor Siblings become the Strongest and Enjoying Exploration~

　Returning to Haru’s area, I sense the presence of multiple monsters approaching rapidly.

　The ground around Haru was scorched, and some fallen items have been ruined. Well, she’s probably at it for some time, so it can’t be helped.

“Haru, just because you’re stronger doesn’t mean you can’t lure more.” (Kei)

“Brother, I also wanted to try to fight a harder battle.” (Haru)

　The monsters that are approaching now have received [Impact] from our direction, so they are not just coming one by one from all directions like before.

　Instead, all the monsters are moving as one group. And both of us have now witnessed such a scene.

“They’re like an avalanche. No, a natural disaster.” (Kei)

“Brother, there are some Unique monsters mixed? Look, it’s the bear on the far right.” (Haru)

“Look at it. It threw a tree towards us. However, the monster in front of it was crushed instead because it didn’t have enough distance.” (Kei)

“Waa, it’s killing its family. How terrible.” (Haru)

　It may unexpectedly be of some help.

　If we hunt with the minimum firepower as before, we will soon be swallowed by their numbers.

　However, the basic tactic in our mass annihilation was to use firepower in tandem with tactics. This makes our firepower stronger.

“Haru prepare for your attack. I’ll set them up. [Unprotect] [Bind]” (Kei)

　Only the toughest monsters will have their defenses weakened by [Unprotect] using [Positioning].

　And then there’s [Bind]. I’m not going to use it to stop the enemy, but to narrow down the path they could take.

　The thorns grow on both flanks of the monster pack and keep the monsters in one place.

　The trees along the direction of the monster’s movement were toppled by the force and weight of the monsters.

“Haru, please. [Power]” (Kei)

“Okay. [Impact] [Decaple]” (Haru)

“[Chain]” (Kei)

　With Haru’s [Impact], enhanced by my [Chain], the Area of Effect her spells have greatly increased.

　And the aim is a large number of monsters approaching us like a flash flood.

“Go!” (Haru)

　As Haru holds her Tonfa in front, 10 balls of light flew to the monsters. And then,

　Boom!

　A huge explosion echoes through the air.

　The explosion sends even the trees hurtling into the air, and smoke billowing high into the sky.

　Swoosh!

　With a horrifying chill, the magic around me shakes.

　It’s not the regular movement of skill or magic. It’s like the [Magic Manipulation] that Haru uses. And yet, it is not manipulation, but a violent flow of magic power that seems to be forcibly pushed away.

　And that flow of magic power is coming from above.

“[Speed] [Guard]. Haru, let’s run away!” (Kei)

　I apply Speed and Guard to myself and Haru, and we start running.

　Sand clouds caused by the big explosion from [Impact]. A huge shadow emerges in the smoke flying high in the sky.

　Huge wings and a long tail. It is, of course, Rimdobmur that had previously attacked us.

“Gugya!” (Rimdobmur)

　The shout carried the same magic power as before and instantly blew away the dust cloud.

“I’m going to buy us some time. [Slow] [Slow] [Slow]” (Kei)

　Is the [Slow] I used affected by the opponent’s magical amount? Since I cast it multiple times, it should stack.

　The speed of Rimdobmur was only slowed down by a fraction.

“[Barrier] take these!”

　Haru also unleashes her magic. The barrier that appeared in front of Rimdobmur is destroyed in an instant. At the same time as it was destroyed, several invisible balls hit Rimdobmur.

“Brother, [Magic Bullet] is effective.” (Haru)

　Haru strikes a “good job” pose while we were running.

　The entrance to the Forest, the cave with the spiral, was approaching. But it was faster for Rimdobmur to open its mouth.

“Brother! Incoming breath!” (Haru)

“Oh, that’s it. Scythe!” (Kei)

　A scythe appears in my hands.

“[Power] [Chain]” (Kei)

　I’ll add more attacks. The cave is almost there. But not close enough.

“Haru get back!” (Kei)

　I pushed Haru towards the cave, and while I was running, I firmly readied my scythe.

“Gugyaaa!” (Rimdobmur)

“Yaaaa!” (Kei)

　Sensing the turbulent waves of magical power that are steadily moving I used [Spatial Awareness], and swing the scythe into the gap of the turbulent waves of magical power at just the right timing.

　The breath was split in half by the swing of my Scythe the trees knocked down by the split breath.

　I feel like I’m being crushed and my body is pushed towards the cave, but I decide to stand firm.

“Brother!” (Haru)

“It’s okay, I’ll follow you!” (Kei)

　We left the Forest floor before the next attack came, escaping inside the cave.

“Haa” (Kei & Haru)

　We sat down in the middle of the stairs and let out a sigh of relief.

　The explosion was bigger than I expected. Even Rimdobmur, who doesn’t mind the noise on the ground, will still get angry if it is suddenly covered by dust and smoke.

“Well, it’s good to find out the clear conditions that trigger Rimdobmur.” (Kei)

“I don’t think it’s a rigid set of conditions, it’s more general, like if you make him angry.” (Haru)

“I suppose. I mean, really, how did the Americans beat that thing?” (Kei)

　I question the sanity of the person who defeated Rimdobmur due to the huge difference in power between us and Rimdobmur that I can still clearly see.

　By the way, I knew that  Rimdobmur had been defeated, but I hadn’t looked into the details of it at all. I’ll have to look into that when I get back.

“I guess we didn’t make any harvest today.” (Haru)

“I haven’t collected anything. I’ve defeated a unique monster though.” (Kei)

　I killed a unique bird monster and Haru killed a unique bear monster. Aside from the Bird, the Bear seemed to be strong, so I could expect a good drop, but it would be impossible to get it back now.

　I think I’ll have to leave my life behind in exchange for the drop items.

“Do you want to go home today?” (Kei)

“Yeah. Let’s go home. I’m tired.” (Haru)

　We were afraid to transition from the entrance of the forest, so we climbed up the long staircase and transitioned to the first level from the 15th level exit.

　Then we got home.

“Arghhhhh!” (Haru)

　Haru was making a strange noise. Haru’s eyes were on her computer. I’m cooking lunch, and Haru is doing some research on Rimdobmur.

“What’s wrong, Haru. What’s the matter you sound funny.” (Kei)

　I jokingly warn Haru, who is sprawled on the floor and making strange noises. No, is she just ranting?

“Brother. I’ve got some information about the defeat of Rimdobmur in America. I mean, it was written on the website we looked at yesterday.” (Haru)

“What did it say? It doesn’t say the level of the person who defeated it, right?” (Kei)

“Yeah. So there’s not much information. I’ll explain in order.” (Haru)

　The first one to defeat Rimdobmur was one of the American mercenary groups. They have expanded their activities into the dungeons and are currently considered the strongest in the United States and the world, and they are cooperating with the government during their explorations.

　The number of people in the mercenary group is quite large, with more than 20 people over level 40 alone. At this point, we can see the difference in strength between us and Japan.

　Well, I don’t know what would happen if the Self-Defense Forces, which Japan is probably hiding behind, were to make their activities public.

　In terms of technology, items, and so on, looking at the market, it would be strange if there weren’t people who had production skills and were also of a higher level than us.

　There are things on the market that would be hard to get in our home dungeon. All of those things, though, are going to be very expensive, over 100 million.

　Back to the topic at hand, it was 16 members of the mercenary group that defeated Rimdobmur. It seems that the government has a certain skill that prevents them from violating the rules of the dungeon.

　In other words, things like the time of Gan Ceann will not happen.

　And finally, there were sixteen people who participated in the defeat of Rimdobmur, and thirteen who returned. We know that three of them were killed in the battle.

　However, this is the only information.

“There’s a lot we don’t know, isn’t there? How strong is that mercenary group?” (Haru)

“Why aren’t they breaking the rules when there are sixteen of them fighting?” (Kei)

“What kind of skill does their country have in the first place?” (Haru)

“How is it that three people died when they were supposed to have been carefully planned?” (Kei)

　The two of us fell silent together. Most of our knowledge of dungeons came from our own dungeon diving.

　I guess you could say that our dungeon experience consists of this house alone.

　But that’s why we know too little about our surroundings.

　If we were normal explorers, this would be fine, but we are stronger than the Strongest Five.

　Information Vulnerability, that’s the word that comes to mind. Our current situation is that we are Muscle Brains, for an easier term.

“Maybe we need to gather more information than just our own search for answers once. Fortunately, we have the money.” (Haru)

　Haru chuckles. That’s right. There is only so much information available in society. I think it’s essential to ask around and get information from the lips of people who don’t have to hide it.

　If that’s the case.

“If that’s the case, then I guess I’ll have to do a field survey. Either way, we’ll have to do it sooner or later, right?” (Haru)

“I guess it’s just the two of us on our first trip. I’ll look into it. So if I had to sum up our goal in one sentence…” (Kei)

“In search of information and power, go to America.” (Haru)

“Okay, I’ll start searching for information for today. Before that.” (Kei)

“I’m hungry and won’t we have lunch first?” (Haru)

　I put the lunch I had made on the table.

“Thank you for the meal.” (Kei & Haru)

　With a new goal in mind, the Kizaki family enjoyed a slightly brighter meal than usual.