Chapter 84

As we had some time left, we slowly reviewed the situation again, mainly rehashing our knowledge about the dungeon.

“Awh… a human-accessible area? What does that even mean?”

“That means an area you can enter.”

It’s not just the monsters that obstruct human movement in the dungeon. There are all sorts of naturally formed elements and obstacles that cause various strange phenomena. Accidentally stepping in the wrong place could result in being engulfed by boiling metal steam or falling into a pit filled with hazardous materials.

“Scouting is definitely important.”

“Let’s split into advance teams.”

At times like this, it’s best to deploy the clones. That way, we won’t have to struggle as much. We’ll also save time searching for a safe path.

“Have you finished explaining everything?”

“They understand that it’s an immensely rare relic, so they’re convinced. Let’s hurry and go.”

For now, we decided to quickly put our thoughts into action.

We’re giving the inventory to a friend!

*

A few days before the experiential learning trip, the armed Violet Squad advanced through the grayish ruins.

“One, two. One, two!”

The scouting party, armed with crossbows, shotguns, and short swords, moved through the ruins in search of danger.

Not far from the scouts, the main unit of Violet Squad in black uniforms was standing by.

Among the heavily armed troops with shields and rifles stood a beautiful girl with silver hair.

Daphne was checking the situation inside the dungeon by looking at the display attached to her mechanical staff.

“The current temperature inside the dungeon is 15 degrees, the ether concentration is average, and there are no anomalies in other readings. Should we depart?”

“This is a beginner area, right? There might not be any need to check that…”

“No way! Safety comes first. Didn’t you know that you must confirm all relevant details before searching a dungeon? It’s all done now. Let’s go.”

The Violet Squad walked down between the gray, mineral-like terrain.

“Violet, wait… you said Violet 12, right?”

“12 is that shield-wielding one up ahead. I’m 54!”

“I’m 31!”

“I’m 198! Nice to meet you!”

“76! Just trust me!”

Seeing us all a jumble, Daphne closed her eyes and shook her head, as if her head was pounding.

“Ah…! Stop! There are too many! Can you let me think for a moment?”

The sight of people who looked exactly the same reacting, speaking, and moving in unison seemed rather unfamiliar to her. But I get it!

Irene and Kalia also looked at us moving seamlessly like robots with uneasy expressions. When I asked later, they said it felt a bit creepy and scary.

And then there was the current scene of the Violets guarding her in the dungeon. They were decked out in combat uniforms, masks, and goggles. It was truly an inhuman sight.

I recalled something Yurik-sensei had once said. A clone army created by an evil secret society. It was a hard analogy to refute.

“Can we talk with just one person speaking at a time next time? Please.”

“Understood!”

“I got it!”

“I’ll do that!”

“…Oh dear, my head…”

The Violets looked a bit glum.

We were currently on our way to the depths of Novaastia Dungeon, the place where the dimensional storage bag was located.

I felt it would be better to give this precious bag to my friends rather than leaving it just idle.

If possible, it’d be better to give it to someone with excellent auxiliary abilities.

Aside from the occasional noise from battles and the cries of monsters echoing through the alley, this place was disturbingly quiet.

“Squad 1, what’s your situation?”

“We’ve encountered a group of Scrags. Annihilated them. Three minor injuries, no fatalities yet.”

“This is Squad 2. You hear that noise? Whatever clan has been dispatched, they’re making a ruckus while hunting. Some of the monsters that heard it are scattering and moving, and they’re on a collision course with our main group. Stay alert.”

As we passed a split road, the Violets from Squad 2 spotted the troublesome creatures.

– Gwoooorrrk!

A massive group of Scrags charged toward us. There were quite a number of Scrag casters mixed in among them. Daphne, who was behind us, stepped forward with her shield raised.

“It’s dangerous. Stay back…”

“No way, I can’t do that. Do you think I’d just watch as the Violets get hurt?”

Calmly yet decisively, she lightly tapped the end of her staff against the ground. A small, light green barrier appeared in front of each of us holding shields.

– Peeeiing!

The light orbs shot by the Scrag casters flew toward our front line. The orbs crashed against the barrier and dissipated without effect.

“Wow! A barrier? I thought you could only make one at a time?”

“That’s when I’m not using the staff! When I utilize the staff, the range of my unique ability amplifies!”

Daphne shrugged her shoulders, seemingly proud. While the creatures were recharging their magical orbs, we launched our counterattack.

– Gwoooorrrk!

The Violets holding shields immediately pulled out anti-riot shotguns and squeezed the triggers. The deafening bursts and recoil yielded massive amounts of shrapnel that ripped the leading Scrags apart.

“Whoa, this is amazing!”

As I pumped the shotgun, the brass shell casings clattered to the ground, puffing smoke. The Violets in the second row also pulled out automatic rifles and crossbows and started to unleash a flurry of fire.

– Tatatatatat!

“Ha ha! Die!”

The Scrag horde was reduced to mush before they could even get close to us. Bullets and bolts struck down the fleeing creatures.

“Yippee!”

“Human civilization triumphs!”

The Violets were ecstatic.

After this, with Daphne’s support and overwhelming firepower, we continued forward smoothly into the depths.

“Gooorrrk…!”

“Monsters detected! Five Growlers!”

Muscular monsters that resembled large human forms came charging at us across the rooftops of the buildings. They hurled huge chunks of concrete at us.

“Watch out!”

Under normal circumstances, we would’ve scattered, but now there was no need. Daphne deployed a barrier right away.

– Kukun!

As the concrete boulders crashed into the barrier and shattered harmlessly, the Violets fired shotguns and crossbows. Our automatic rifles lacked power.

Bolts stuck into the creatures’ bodies and exploded while shotgun pellets splattered their skin with blood. Yet the Growlers continued to fight on. Truly, they had tenacious vitality.

“Command center directive! Use the combat rifles! Don’t forget to conserve ammo!”

The Violets promptly took out their Federal combat rifles and targeted the Growlers. A large hole was blasted in the chest of one.

Realizing their companion had fallen, the Growlers roared in anger and attempted to leap, only to stumble as magical chains restrained their limbs.

“Two o’clock! Fire!”

“Concentrated fire!”

While Daphne magically restrained the Growlers’ movements, crossfire turned them into a pulp.

As we were in the heat of battle, a colossal monster appeared nearby, brought forth by the crashing buildings.

The strongest intermediate monster of Novaastia Dungeon. The Crawler. That caterpillar-shaped monster that devours rock and metal crushes anything that stands in its way.

“Run!”

Daphne made a hand sign with her fingers, magically sealing them once again as she tapped her staff lightly on the ground. A green magical current swept over the Violets and made them feel lighter. This enhancement added even stronger buffs to their reinforced bodies.

“I feel like I’m faster!”

“It’s just a simple application of my abilities and magic! I don’t have time to explain, just run! Huh?”

“This will be faster; let’s go!”

The Violets, carrying Daphne, sprinted down the alley with all their strength. However, the Crawler continued to pursue us.

“Waah! It’s coming!”

“What’s going on! Why is it still chasing us?”

“The Crawler isn’t that aggressive! It’s just that we happened to be in its path!”

Of course, on either side of the road we were sprinting down were buildings difficult to leap over even with our enhanced bodies!

“Argh! We’re gonna die!”

Violet 198, who was running behind us, was crushed beneath the Crawler’s massive form. Daphne, who was ahead leading us, heard the scream and turned back. Her face went pale like a corpse.

“Kyah! Violet! No! That’s 198, right? What do we do!”

“Don’t worry! 198 lives on in our hearts!”

“Are you really saying that now?”

At this rate, it seemed we would have to run away for the rest of our lives. After sending Daphne ahead, the main force of 20 soldiers charged toward the Crawler.

“Everyone, pile on!”

We quickly circulated magic throughout our bodies and jumped onto it. Five landed on it, while fifteen managed to cling onto its massive form. We summoned five more.

“Die!”

One Violet pulled out a combat rifle and began to fire. However, the Crawler’s armor repelled the bullets. It was indeed true that its durability matched that of a tank.

The Violets switched to melee weaponry and began to hack at the Crawler. Let’s add five more.

– Uooooooh!

The red sword energy sliced through its shell like a hot knife through butter. The creature writhed in pain. When 31 chipped away at a portion of its head shell, green flesh was revealed underneath.

“Eat this bomb!”

I shoved a homemade bomb into its head and leaped away.

– KABOOM!

The Crawler couldn’t manage its gigantic body and toppled onto its side.

“We won!”

However, the fight was far from over. The crumbling buildings fell one after another due to the Crawler’s massive fall.

“I’m trapped! Get me out!”

The Violets who emerged from the wreckage were filled with various injuries. Once safety was confirmed, Daphne returned, scolding us.

“Are you insane? Even though you feel less pain and come back to life, this isn’t right!”

“Hehe… but we won, didn’t we? This is how our Violets operate.”

Daphne made a distressed face. Reluctantly, she slammed her staff on the ground.

“Ooh…!”

“I’m feeling revitalized!”

Healing light enveloped the bodies of the Violets present. We stood up, feeling refreshed.

Having fought like this, it became clear that the combination of Daphne and us was beyond imagination. Healing, support, protection! And the effects applied universally to the entire Violet Squad.

Within less than an hour, we arrived at the depths, at the area where the inventory was located, without any further incidents.

So fast, so swift.