Part Forty-Seven

Phew, that was a good workout. Too bad it takes these dummies so long to regenerate. They’d be perfect if they could repair faster.

I’d only been to the training grounds once before, but it had been enough to acquaint me with the training dummies inside. Each one had some kind of magic that would return it to its original state after an hour. Which was good, as every single dummy had been ripped to shreds.

I might’ve gone a little overboard here. I just got really into it. I’m not even sure I was even training halfway through it. So, now what? I’ve probably got a few hours until we get attack again, and I’m not tired enough to go take a nap. I wonder what Alicia’s going to do?

“Oh, you’re done? Wow, you really went overboard, didn’t you?”

“I already had an internal monolog about it and I’m reflecting on it. I’m gonna head somewhere else, are you done training?”

“…..No, I think I’ll stay a bit longer. I think I’m on to something here. I wanna see where this goes.”

“Well now I want to stay and watch. What exactly is going to happen?”

“I’m not telling you. Just look forward to it. If things go the way I’m hoping, I might have a way to deal with inanimate monsters like Golems.”

“Well, guess that’s one bit of good news.”

After bidding her goodbye, I left the training grounds in search of something else to amuse me. Well that, and I was looking for signs of potential sabotage. My guess was that whoever was responsible would attempt something in the next day or so. As to why I thought that? Mostly because I’d felt hostile gazes on me several times while training. The culprit wouldn’t be able to hold back for long.

Though it does make me wonder what I did to earn that much hostility. Could it be those guys that were in the same group as that douche who hit on Alicia? No, where would they have gotten the attractant? I doubt third-rate idiots like them could gotten something like that. Maybe I should’ve asked her. Then I could at least be wary of one group or person, rather than the whole damn fort.

The fort was rather quiet right now. Most of the others were either napping, eating, or on watch. And thus, I couldn’t find anything to occupy my time. Maybe I should’ve brought a few board games with me.

[Braddock’s POV]

This is bad. The mood in here has never been so somber. Everyone’s still reeling from Mark’s and the others’ deaths. We severely underestimated the danger of this Dungeon, and it’s cost us dearly. How we move on from this will probably determine whether we succeed.

Their group had gathered together after Kalia woke up, so they could hear about what happened after they were separated. The mood had taken a severe downturn only after she’d finished.

Kalia was taking it especially hard. While no one was blaming her, she thought that Mark would still be alive if she hadn’t gotten separated from everyone. A few of the others were concerned that she was pushing herself due to the guilt.

“So what do we do? We’ve lost three people. That’s not something we can just compensate for. Would it be possible to recruit some people to fill the gap, at least temporarily?”

“Oh yeah. Where are we going to find someone willing to do that on such short notice? Everyone in here’s already part of a group. There might be a few who’ve lost too many members, but would they want to join one of the groups doing most of the fighting?”

“Well maybe we just recruit a few more groups to work with us. Not only replenishing our numbers, but growing them at the same time.”

“That won’t work. We can’t bring too many people in all at once, or it’ll throw off our coordination. That’ll just cause more casualties.”

This is bad. We’ll start to splinter at this rate. I need to curtail this before it blows up. But how to do that?

That was when someone unexpected made an unexpected suggestion.

“What about Michael’s group? There’s three of them and they’re all pretty strong. And Michael worked well enough with us before. I think it would work.”

“Really Jansen? I thought you didn’t like Michael? Didn’t you say that he was too reckless?”

I agree with Kalia. I thought he didn’t him either. It’s odd enough for him to even suggest something, let alone this. I wonder what’s gotten into him?

While Jansen was technically their vice-captain, he rarely made any decisions. He usually preferred to stay in the background and work on the group’s logistics. So him voicing his opinion was a departure from his normal habits.

“Well sure. I think most people would think he’s reckless. He probably admits it himself. But, he’s also got a good mind for combat. When the second pack showed up and threatened to pincer us, he was the first to react. And there’s no need to mention the skill of Alicia and Cameron. Both of them are quite strong in their own right.”

“Huh, alright. I mean, we could do that. Even if it’s only for a short time, it’ll still help us. What do you think Captain?”

“Hmm, it’s not a bad idea. Though there’s no telling whether they’d join. Kalia, you’re the one closest to them, what do you think?”

“Me? Well um, Michael would probably be the least likely to agree. And if he does, then Cameron and Alicia will follow him. As for them actually joining, I think it would be best to present it as being on a temporary basis. He’d just reject it all together otherwise.”

“And who should ask him?”

“Mm, probably you or me. He’d just get all defensive if someone he didn’t know asked.”

“Alright. Then you and me will ask him tomorrow. Until then, we should get ready soon. We’re still expecting another attack today.”

[Sampson’s POV]

“So, what did we learn this time?”

“Uh, that we’re too focused on smashing enemies?”

“Exactly. Up until now, we’ve just used brute force to push through anything and everything that got in our path. But this won’t last. We would’ve all been slaughtered if we’d gone in there by ourselves. So, we need to start diversifying our strengths.”

“And how do we do that Boss? Most of us are pretty set in how we fight.”

“Easy. We recruit more people. There’s going to be plenty of groups who’ve lost too many fighters and need to disband after this is all said and done. We’ll pick and choose who to pick up then. Though it wouldn’t kill you to learn something new.”

“Sorry Boss, but hitting things with big heavy objects is just too much fun. I don’t think I can give it up.”

“Whatever, it’s your funeral.”

I know exactly who I want to recruit. It won’t be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. Now, how am going to go about it? Do I entice them with money? Or power? They could probably acquire them themselves, so I should find something they want.

Leaving that aside, we should be on the lookout for opportunities to show off. The other mercenaries will be more willing to join us if we’ve done impressive feats. I’d like for us to kill at least one Mid-boss before the Dungeon is cleared. Michael’s and Braddock’s groups will probably be our biggest competition, so I’ll set someone to keep a general eye on them. He who strikes first wins.

[Cameron’s POV]

Status

Race: Human

Age: 36

State: Healthy

Titles: Razor’s Edge,

Rank: D

Skills

Normal Skills: Analyze, Crushing Aura Rank D, Survival Instinct,

Equipment Skills: Charge,

Equipment: Brutal Full Metal Armor, Ring of Lesser Mana Reflection, Bangle of Power,

So it’s just as I thought. I’m not growing at all. There’s a disparity in Michael and Alicia’s power compared to mine. They’ve both experienced a great deal of growth since we entered this Dungeon, but I can’t say the same. I don’t know if it’s a difference of talent or because I’m older than them, but mine is slowing down. I haven’t even hit C-Rank yet.

Even after all the trials and tribulations they’d overcome together, he felt as if the two were leaving him behind. If this kept up, he’d start holding them back, and could even get one of them killed. C-Rank and above monsters weren’t something they could beat with simple teamwork or tactics. They needed true power to back them up.

Cameron sat alone inside his room, brooding over his stagnant Status. Not only hadn’t he reached C-Rank yet, but he hadn’t managed to learn Charge on his own. His sole Skill was growing at a snail’s pace. Michael had tried to give him some tips, but he simply couldn’t grasp how to manage Aura efficiently. His usage of it was still clumsy.

Even acquiring better weapons will only be a temporary stopgap. Maybe it’s time to think about other employment options.

[Finnél’s POV]

Hmph. To think I was only able to afford such useless tools. What did I expect from Human peasants?

Out of the thirty pawns he’d brought, twelve were dead. This was surprising, as their base abilities were on-par or better than the mercenaries in the assault squad. It was just that they continually ran into monsters beyond what they could handle. That, and that Finnél didn’t actually care what happened to them.

Thankfully, there are still more then enough to enact my plan tonight. I’ll have to deploy almost all of them, but it should still succeed. The Earthlings are horribly unprepared for an attack.

The only possible hiccup would be that rat. He’s survived two situations that should’ve killed him. Sávos has already promised to personally kill him, but I no longer fully believe him to be capable of the task. I may have to take extra precautions. If Sávos fails, there is a high likelihood that I may have to deal with him myself.

Hm, do I have any items to boost resistance to Grudge Magic? No, I don’t think so. This is going to be a problem. If it comes to it, I might have to….

“Master? Are you okay?”

“Of course I am. I was just considering all the various ways things could play out tonight. Number 1, tell the others to gather after the fighting has settled down.”

“Yes Master. Whatever you say.”

[Protag’s POV]

THERE’S NOTHING HAPPENING! Whyyyyyyyy!?

I’d wandered from one corner of the fort to another, and nothing had managed to catch my eye. It seemed like everyone was too preoccupied to be out and about. I don’t really blame them. Ensuring you’re in top shape is paramount to performing well in battle. I’d be sleeping too if it were up to me. Stupid insomnia.

Still, things are a lot calmer then I would’ve expected. I think this is the first time we’ve been forewarned of an attack, and no one’s panicked, at least publicly. So we might get through this without any kind of mayhem happening before the main battle. Which is fine and all, but it still leaves me bored as hell.

Okay. I’m looking at this positively. Nothing’s going to happen before the monsters attack. And that’ll happen shortly. Yep, it won’t be much longer now.

*Gong…gong…gong…gong…gong…gong…gong…gong*

See? What did I say.