Chapter 16

“Crap! I let one get past!”

“No matter. Leave it to me!”

While holding back the ice golem’s attack, I shout a heads up, prompting for Melina to respond in kind from the back line.

A chant, following along with a flash of lightning magic, the Aqua Salamander that got loose got scattered into the dust.

Melina’s magic now bears her personal “Magic Affinity” enhancement, and Kokoru’s “Magic Affinity” buff causes a battle with even the lower depth monsters to look like this.

Our party has reached the 32’nd layer of the “Cave of the Setting Sun”

Below the 30th layer of the dungeon is called the “Abyssal Layers”

The monsters that appear here become increasingly stronger, and if you can consistently make it down here, then you can be considered part of the higher tracks of adventurers.

Even if it were me, this is as far as you’ll make it if you were to go solo.

But now I’m part of a balanced three-man party.

Although the number of people is on the lower end, considering our average levels though, there’s still way to go before we should worry about it.

“Phew”

After finishing off the ice golem, I sheathe my sword and catch my breath.

“Good work. …………What’s wrong?”

“…..Well-.”

Maybe because I had a stern gaze in front of the scattered drop items, but Melina called out to me.

I answer with what’s on my mind.

“I was just thinking that this was a deeper dungeon than I thought it would be.”

Most, if not all small scale dungeons have their boss rooms pinned in what would be the middling layers.

I had for sure thought that it would have been the same as the other ones, but it subverted my expectations.

If I was solo, I’d have already turned back by the time I reach this point. Challenging the Abyssal Layer bosses would be beyond reckless and tantamount to suicide.

“……I have to agree. There’s also no mid-boss, and I also thought that there would be a boss room on a far shallower level.

“Uhmm, Sir Alvin.”

Kokoru, who was collecting the dropped items, directs me a worried look.

“If it seems to be too much of a burden on you, then might I suggest we go back a layer? If we end up going further, we have no guarantee that we’ll find a safe point.”

It’s as exactly as she says. I don’t have a map of the further areas.

It didn’t seem to be available at the market anyhow, so I couldn’t get my hands on one and it led me to chart the dungeon as we progress through it now.

She has a point though, not knowing the safe areas are a cause for concern.

–But I digress, and shook my head.

“You don’t need to worry about me. Level-wise, It’s a layer where I could still continue on solo. Let’s go ahead.”

“Are you sure? I do think that being a lone vanguard is difficult however……”

“Just having both of you manning the back line is far and away good for me already. With both the supporting and firepower, I’m now better off than being by myy lonesome.”

“Hmmm, if that’s how it is, then it’s fine and all but……”

“It isn’t just Alvin that you should be worried about, Kokoru. Aren’t you overexerting yourself too?”

“Eh, me? I have yet to do a lot. I haven’t even used heals, or status recovery spells all that much either, and the “Jealous God’s Curse” isn’t anything to worry about after one or two battles worth of it.”

“Aren’t you casting buffs on us? Although, since it is you we’re talking about, so I guess you’re probably still in tip-top shape..”

Reaching the lower depths, Kokoru has been casting buff more than ever before.

Although, in addition to her Level 80 status, she had the skills like “MP Increase – Large” and “MP Recovery Speed Increase”, so her remaining MP makes it seem like its completely untouched.

“But isn’t that pretty nerve-wracking? Isn’t it difficult to not run out after using so many different types of spells like that.”

“He~He~. I’m used to it. It’s only natural for a priest!”

“Say, aren’t Kokoru’s buffs last strangely long. Is that also the effect of some skill?”

As I said so, Melina posed me a quizzical look.

“What are you talking about? Not really, I think it’s the norm though.”

“Ah, Ehh, uhmm, Isn’t it fine!?! I’m A-Ok. Come, let’s quickly find that next safe point!”

Declaring so, Kokoru pushed me and Melina’s backs.

Our shotgun constructed party of 3 went further in the 32nd layer.