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

“I, build, place, fight, now.” (John)

　The leader of the mercenaries, Angus, takes out a large ax from an Item Pouch strapped to his waist.

“That’s a drop from the Minotaur, right?” (Kei)

“Yes, probably. You have an ax in addition to your own weapon, right.” (Haru)

“We have to use our magic and skills. Do we have to do it in such a way?” (Kei)

“Most likely.” (Haru)

　While we were looking at and commenting on the ax, all of the mercenaries took it out and started chopping down the trees around us. The power of their ax swings surpasses our own.

“They have an Item Pouch that holds a lot.” (Kei)

　It’s probably an Item Pouch (Large) that they’re using. The one I’m holding is the Item Pouch (Medium).

　We have an Item Pouch (Medium), which can hold ten tons, but theirs is probably an Item Pouch (Large), so it probably has more capacity.

“Can it hold a hundred tons?” (Kei)

“The Item Pouch? We’ve been using one that holds 10 times more than the lower grade one. Is there a need for such a thing?” (Haru)

“Well, we wouldn’t need to use that much. Are they going to start a trade or something? Oh no.” (Kei)

　While we were talking, the members of the mercenary group started cutting down the tree we were in, so we hurriedly jumped to another tree.

　They had been doing this for almost an hour. Just as we were getting bored, they finally finished cutting down the trees. What a long time they took! It must have been the result of spending that much time. The land that had been opened up was quite large, and there would be more than enough space for Rimdobmur to lie down.

“We, fight, here, lure, next.” (John)

　The mercenaries’ said a few more instructions again. It’s amazing that they took this long and didn’t even take a break. I’m sure if you look at it in terms of physical strength, this level of work would be no hardship at all.

　But cutting down a tree is a simple task, and it requires you to pay attention to the monsters around you. It can be hard work for some people. We’re fine with it, though.

“One more, Before, This.” (John)

　The mercenaries and others started walking deeper into the forest. The deeper you go, the stronger the monsters appear. Well, the world’s strongest mercenary group is there, so I guess they don’t mind.

　I can clearly see that the four of them take turns defeating the monsters that come out one after another, thereby reducing the consumption of physical strength. It would be a good reference for a group battle, but unfortunately, there were only two of us. I don’t think we’ll get a chance to practice it.

　And how long did we have to walk? We arrived at the deepest part of the forest. What lay before us was not a tree, but a vast wall. Seeing this made me realize once again that we were underground.

　Then there was another stone monument in the shape of a man. If you look closely, you’ll see that it’s the same one we saw in the dungeon at home. Come to think of it, in the dungeon at home, the stone monument was located at the far end of the wall.

“This, Attack.” (John)

　Suddenly, Angus’ leader slashed the humanoid stone monument. Then,

“Huh?” (Kei)

“Why did—?” (Haru)

　One pale ball of light floats from the stone monument.

“Attacker, Trap, Range Attacker, Recovery, Maximum, 20 people.” (John)

　I couldn’t understand the Japanese phrases just by listening to them. However, besides them were the members of the mercenary group. A total of 20 people attacked the stone monument one after another.

　If they are vanguards, they use the weapon of their Proficiency. If they have magic Proficiency, they use magic. If they have Recovery Proficiency, they would attack with their skill.

　So, matching what they are doing with the unintelligible Japanese from before.

　Those who are going to fight will attack the stone monument according to their Proficiencies. There is also a maximum of 20 people who can fight.

“Hmm? That means this battle is…” (Kei)

“That’s right. It’s a common battle in online games. Just like Raids, right?” (Haru)

“That’s right. In other words, is Rimdobmur is a Raid Battle monster limited to 20 people.” (Kei)

　I sit down on a nearby tree, using [Stealth]. Haru also sat on the tree, throwing her hands.

　There are two reasons why we’re so shocked.

　First of all, the first is that we hadn’t noticed their simple strategy until now. And that their strategy,

“We only have two of us.” (Kei)

　It’s definitely not usable for us.

　Also, I heard later that people with Proficiencies such as Recovery and Trap also have their own means of attack. With my Enchant, the magic of debuffing my opponent seemed to be treated as attack magic.

　I wondered why the mercenary group had found that way. If you are a vanguard, you can just attack with your own weapon, so is that why it was easy for them to realize it?

　Even if you appraise it, especially?

“Haru. What was the result of the appraisal of that stone monument?”

“Well, let’s see…?” (Haru)

　Haru nodded her head, trying to answer my question. She froze for a few seconds and then clapped her hands.

“I haven’t used it. [Inspection].” (Haru)

“How is it?” (Kei)

　I notice that I haven’t seen the stone monument. It would be nice if we could make it so that we could always use [Material Cognition] or [Inspection], but then our mind would overflow with too much information. It would be a shame if we fell asleep feverish every time we went diving into a dungeon.

“Brother, I got it.” (Haru)

　Show your strength here, you who are powerful.

　Join forces of 20 or less

　Defeat the evil dragon.

　Those without strength will remain untouched.

　Those of you who dare, declare it.

[We peep into the abyss.]

“The result from [Inspection].” (Haru)

“That’s right. Why didn’t we see this coming? No, it doesn’t change the fact that we can’t win even if we knew.” (Kei)

While we were talking about it, everyone must have finished attacking the stone monument. There were twenty lights floating around the monument. The mercenaries also did a final check of their weapons and lined up neatly.

“Everyone, don’t move, don’t defend, don’t attack, Or else.” (John)

　Angus said and put away his translation tool. He slowly looked around and raised the large sword in his hand upwards.

“We peep into the abyss!” (John)

“Brother!” (Haru)

“I know. Let’s put some distance.” (Kei)

　We hurriedly distanced ourselves. Then we saw something happen when Angus’ Leader put away his Handheld Translator and said something in English that we couldn’t hear.

　The reason is simple. Something similar to an enormous magical power overflows from the stone monument. It is not some simple power like magical power, but it was just strong and terrifying.

　With a shout from Angus’ leader, the mercenary corps ran towards the place where they had just cut down the trees. Turning around and looking behind, something like a magical power is stretching straight towards Rimdobmur.

　The invisible, chain-like form, which can be seen only because of the passives [Detection] and [Perception], wraps around Rimdobmur.

　It was probably just a coincidence that I was able to see it. It was only one fragment. Even though the dragon’s body was large, the change was so small that it could not be seen unless one looked closely.

　The reverse scale on the neck, below the face. w was able to see the reverse scale disappear into a black mist.

　In the meantime, the mercenaries and we had returned to the place where they had cut down the tree. At the same time,

“Haru, use [Inspection].” (Kei)

“I can’t, it would be an intervention in the battle. And also.” (Haru)

“It’s the opposite when we peeled off the reverse scale.” (Kei)

“How strong is this one?” (Haru)

　I felt that the sign of Rimdobmur weakening. However, Rimdobmur’s magical power is the same. That’s all I can observe

　The amount of magic has not changed, only the strength has decreased. When the reverse scale was removed by us, only its magic power seemed to have increased.

　What happened this time is the opposite. Its strength is reduced. And the cause is.

“It must be a spell, right?” (Kei)

“It’s a much higher level debuff than the one brother can use right now. Maybe a Seal?” (Haru)

　That was when it happened. The shadow of a dragon is seen from above and it was much darker than usual.

　It was farther down than usual. A sign that it was flying low, just past the trees in the forest.

“Guaaagyeah!!!” (Rimdobmur)

　An earth-shaking roar echoed. There was not a shred of reason in that roar. When I turned up, Rimdobmur, who had some black muddiness mixed with its beautiful green scales. It was also emitting a huge amount of murderous intent.

　Here was the beginning of the battle between the world’s strongest mercenary group and a dragon.