Although only 10 monsters could attack us at the same time because the width of the passage was limited, there are still hundreds of them. Moreover, their level was around 15,000 ~ 25,000, and they have strength that couldn't be taken lightly.
At first, I fought them relying just on my speed, but their numbers were higher than I had imagined. Thus, when they began to push me, I had to rely on Time Zero.
My current MP is about 85,000. If I have to continuously activate Time Zero, which consumes 100 MP per activation, my MP will surely run out in a blink of an eye. This made me strongly realize that even if this ability is extremely effective in overwhelming an enemy in a one-on-one battle, it is not suitable for attrition warfare like this. Even so, I had no choice but to fight.
And approximately 5 minutes since the battle began–
"This is the last one!"
Having succeeded in defeating all monsters that emerged from the passage on this side, I turned my gaze to the other side, where I saw Yagami-san activating his magic.
"Prominence!"
A torrent of burning flames was fired as if to fill the passage. That one blow killed the monsters in one swoop. It seems because the number of monsters from that passage was smaller, and the width of the passage was narrower, they managed to defeat all of them without any trouble.
"I-it's finally over…"
"I don't know what happened at all, but it's fine to assume that they killed all the monsters, right?"
"With this, we are saved?"
Apparently, ordinary people couldn't even see our fight properly. In addition, they didn't understand their current situation. Some of them even misunderstood that they were saved, even though that was only the first wave…. But then, for them, it's like being involved in an unexpected life-threatening situation all of a sudden after all. Moreover, they probably didn't have any knowledge about dungeons, so it's something that can’t be helped.
At any rate, having subjugated the monsters, all adventurers gathered in the center of the room for the time being.
"For now, we were able to repel the monsters' onslaught but… answer me honestly. How many battles of the same scale could you do?"
In response to Yagami-san's question, everyone displayed a strange expression on their faces. Naturally, it was the same for me. Despite trying not to consume as much MP as possible, my MP has already been reduced by 60,000 points. And most likely, Yagami-san and the others have consumed a similar amount of MP as me.
After seeing everyone's reactions, Yagami-san frowned.
"…. I see. Then, it seems impossible to take those people to the surface, huh,"
"Don't you think we won't know unless we try it!?"
"No, of course I understand that. Actually, I tried to activate Enemy Detection in the midst of battle, but this is probably the lowest floor. Assuming this is an A-rank dungeon, it is better to think that this dungeon has at least 60 floors"
"Then, what should we do, leader? We can't just wait here and gradually be killed by the attacking monsters, right?"
"Of course, I don't plan to give up. Right now, we only have two options left. One is to endure the onslaught of the monsters until rescue comes. The other one is for everyone here to challenge the boss, and return to the surface after subjugating it with the transfer magic."
"-! Are you sane?!"
"Although I too don't want to choose this option, if we're going to challenge it, we have to be fast. We have to challenge it while we still have some HP and MP left after all."
Everyone challenging the boss together–hearing that suggestion, everyone frowned. However, I nodded, understanding why this could be an option.
Even if we captured a dungeon, those who don't have status won't get a capture reward. But, the transfer magic to return to the surface is applied to everyone. If we make use of this mechanism, it may be possible to escape from this predicament.
However, this strategy is too risky. If we were defeated by the dungeon boss, we would surely get annihilated. In that case, most people will definitely think that it is better to endure the attacks of monsters and wait for help.
But even if we wait here, who will even come to rescue us? I think only S-rank adventurers could challenge an irregular A-rank dungeon that emerged all of a sudden, and reach the lowest floor in an instant–
"… It's not like there isn't one."
–What comes to my mind was a girl with long silver hair, Claire. But, I immediately shook my head. She has said to me that she also went to Onizuka Dungeon for further investigation after we captured it. Which means, she is currently in the middle of intermission. Unlike me and Yagami-san's party who suddenly got swallowed by a dungeon outbreak, Claire couldn't enter the dungeon.
In other words, there is only one option left–
"… It seems, they won't even give us time to think."
When I heard the sound of marching echoing in the area once again, I muttered. Meanwhile, after clicking his tongue, Yagami-san said with a determined expression.
"If they still left us for a few more minutes, I was going to take a wait-and-see approach but…looks like it's better to decide it now"
"That means…"
"Yes, I think we should head to the boss room. However–"
After stopping his words, Yagami-san turned his gaze towards me.
"–Amane. Whichever option we choose, we will end up relying on you. So, could I hear your opinion on this?"
My answer has already been decided.
"Let's challenge the boss."
"…. Understood. We will start moving now. Everyone, please work together to guide the ordinary people. We have no time to waste here. You can threaten those who refuse to follow. I will be responsible for it!"
""Yes!""
While waiting for the monsters to arrive, we explained the decision to the ordinary people, about how we're going to enter the boss room and aim to return to the surface from there. Although most of them thought that we're crazy to choose to go to a more dangerous place, when we told them that there would be no adventurers who remain here, they reluctantly followed us.
As I have used [Enemy Detection] before, I already knew that the boss room is close from here. We should arrive there in less than a few minutes.
"Yagami-san, please push forward while breaking through the monsters! Leave the rear to me!"
"Please!"
Like that, with Yagami-san's party at the front, followed by ordinary people, Hana's group behind them, and finally me at the rear, we started moving with nearly 80 people.
◇◆◇
Five minutes later. Having repelled the onslaught of the monsters, we finally arrived at the boss room. Everyone promptly entered the boss room one after another, following Yagami-san’s party.
"Onii-chan too, quickly!"
"Aa!"
When everyone except me entered, Hana called me. After cutting down the monster, I turned my body and immediately headed towards the boss room.
As soon as I entered, the huge door of the boss room closed. Then, after sighing in relief knowing that the onslaught of the monsters had stopped for the time being, we directed our gazes to the inside of the boss room.
— Then, I opened my eyes in shock.
"What on earth is that…?"
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