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𝟒𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬
Beyond the fifth layer, there were no particular problems, and soon they arrived at the 48th layer that Luke and his team were in charge of.
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As they descended to this level, the cobblestone flooring and stone walls began to crumble, creating a cavern-like atmosphere.
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“According to the plan, a volunteer corps will support the subsequent teams heading to the lower levels, while the Rampart team will focus on hunting demon beasts within the dungeon.”
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Holst explained this, looking over the plan.
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“A volunteer corps?”
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“Yes, this time we’ve recruited adventurers to form a volunteer corps, under the goal of making the public more aware of the large-scale subjugation. Ah, speaking of which, it seems they’ve arrived.”
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Turning around, they saw a group of about twenty adventurers approaching from deep within the dungeon.
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Unlike the lord’s or kingdom’s soldiers, this mixed team consisted of various adventurers, including swordsmen, mages, and martial artists.
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“You are the volunteer corps, then. I am Rampart Margrave, in charge of the 48th layer. Let’s cooperate to make this nation-wide large-scale hunt a success.”
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“. . .Skip the formal greetings. We’re just here for the money. We don’t care about the nation’s cause or whatever.”
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The adventurers didn’t even try to take the hand Sir Wilfred extended.
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“How rude! Isn’t at least greeting the bare minimum of courtesy?”
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“Well, well, they must be tense about the dungeon hunt.”
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Luke somehow managed to calm down an irate Alma.
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“Then, we will head to hunt the monsters. We leave the support of the subsequent teams to you.”
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“Do whatever you like, we’re just going to do our job.”
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Leaving the still surly adventurers behind, Luke and his team entered deeper into the dungeon.
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“What’s with them! Are they really a volunteer corps?”
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Alma couldn’t contain her anger and stomped her feet.
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“Calm down, don’t be so angry. . . .But it is a bit concerning.”
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Luke frowned as he looked at the plan Holst had handed him.
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“If the goal is to inform the public, deploying adventurers in the deeper layers seems counterproductive. . .”
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As he muttered this, a tremor accompanied by a rumbling sound suddenly came from behind.
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“No way!”
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They hurried back, but the path was completely blocked by a collapsed wall.
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“What does this mean?”
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“Could it be the work of demon beasts?”
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“No, it seems different.”
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Luke, who had been examining the fallen wall, quietly answered.
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“Magic traces are left here. It seems someone intentionally collapsed this wall.”
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“Ridiculous! Why would someone do that?!”
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“I don’t know. But as Flora-sama said, we cannot let our guard down.”
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Luke slowly stood up.
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“Anyway, let’s continue with our mission. It looks like we can still find a way back, though it will be a detour.”
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Thus, they resumed their advance, but no matter how far they went, there was no sign of demon beasts appearing.
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“I have a bad feeling about this. Maybe this is. . .”
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Tyrone muttered, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.
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Luke also realized this.
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The unusually low number of monsters indicated the possibility of an extremely powerful monster being present.
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“Yes, like the striped dungeon boss, the chimera. . .”
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“It seems better to quickly explore the inside of the dungeon.”
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Luke said this and picked up a pebble from his feet, throwing it into the darkness ahead.
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“Gwah!”
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A scream echoed from the darkness.
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“What, what is it?!”
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“Be careful! There is someone lurking inside the dungeon!”
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Luke shouted, raising his left hand.
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“Reveal light!”
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Light filled the cave, revealing the figures surrounding them.
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It was the adventurers who were supposed to be guarding the rear guard.
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“Damn! A special lighting magic that neutralizes the invisibility magic!”
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An adventurer with a scar on his cheek exclaimed.
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“Why are you here! What about your escort mission!”
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Holst raised his voice in protest to the adventurers.
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“Escort? What are you talking about.”
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The scarred adventurer smirked.
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“Didn’t I say, we just do our job. This is our job, to finish you guys off.”
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“What did you say!”
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An arrow struck the ground at Sir Wilfred’s feet.
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“Whoa, don’t move. Even though you can see us, the fact that we’re surrounding you hasn’t changed.”
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“Who are you people.”
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“I don’t have the hobby of introducing myself to someone I’m about to kill. But you can call me Gash.”
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“Was it also your doing that collapsed the path with magic earlier.”
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“Yeah.”
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Gash shrugged.
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“We’ve collapsed several other places too. You had no choice but to come here if you wanted to go back.”
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“So you were ambushing us. Whose order is this.”
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“I’d like to say I can’t tell, but this is like finishing up. A job left over from five years ago.”
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Saying that, Gash extended his left hand.
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The hand was missing several fingers.
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Seeing this, Luke’s expression changed drastically.
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“. . .No way! That hand?!”
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“That’s right.”
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Gash grinned.
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“I never thought you were still alive. Young master Luke.”
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It was the man who had tried to take Luke’s life five years ago.