Isekai Rohan

Crystal Quarry Entrance

The group had long since separated with the merchant. Traveling the rest of the distance, encountering zero monsters. Courtesy of [Phantom Menace] scouting ahead of the group. "No need to waste time dealing with level 5 vargs. They don't even give XP anymore." Figured Asai.

Finally arriving at their destination. The mission was incredibly easy. It was to simply enter the dungeon and scout. To see if the crystals were beginning to grow back yet. Ever since the explosion incident. The crystal spawn rate has been sporadic. Feeling somewhat at fault, Asai had abused his authority as duke to hire Mimi's party for the job. Thus, hiring himself in incognito.

Honestly, the man found it hilarious that they were living within his territory, and constantly spoke about "duke this, duke that." In front of the man himself. However, he didn't think himself to be so big headed that every single citizen must know of his image and appearance.

Chalking it up to the party as being completely fresh arrivals from the far north. Which wasn't as developed because of the great distance back to the capital. It made sense, somewhat.

"Asai, what do you think? We'll be fine right?" Questioned Lucas. Now that they had arrived and were on the verge of entering, his nerves were starting to kick in. The man was diligent enough to gather rumours on the way here. Which told of a past party of adventurers who were completely wiped out because of an unfortunate cave in.

Asai thought back. "The [Rigal Bomb] was around level thirty if I remember correctly, so the little guys must've been around twenty?"

He looked back towards the party.

[Asai Trichia: Lvl 72]  [Mimi: Lvl 25] [Lucas: Lvl 31] [Lucy: Lvl 24] [Marvin: Lvl 29]

"Yeah, we'll be fine. I'm confident everything's going to be okay." "Anything they can't handle, I'll just secretly assassinate. I just hope I didn't jinx myself."

"Let me enter first. Don't enter until I say so." Asai quickly popped through the portal.

The cave walls, the nicely paved cobblestone floor... "Wait, is this how it was back then?"

[Phantom Menace]

"Go kill everything over level 30" Asai popped one arm through the portal presenting a thumbs up. Backing away, he then watched as the four entered. The amazement and astonishment in their eyes. Like tourists they entered and wobbled about, trying to obtain their bearings.

Lucas, as the self declared leader was the first to remember that they were on a mission and not a vacation. Already having checked their food stock and gears prior to entering. With hands in hand, Lucas lead the march in.

"I always thought it was amazing that even though there are no torches, the place is still bright enough to see. Common sense really doesn't apply here huh?"

The first group of  monsters appeared, and just like before. They came in hordes. With mana imbued eyes, Asai peered into the distance whilst the rumbling of footsteps came ever closer.

"Humanoid bodies, really skinny limbs, no facial features and tree? Blackish-grey bark looking dry skin."

[Taint: Lvl 29]  [Taint: Lvl 25]  [Taint: Lvl 26]  [Taint: Lvl 25]  [Taint: Lvl 28]  [Taint: Lvl 28]  

Asai followed the party, brandishing a sword just like theirs. Since he was here, he may as well practice his swordsmanship. As much as he loved his karambits, because of his inner chuunibyou. The man wanted something more practical. However, it was definitely hard to replace a weapon with stats like [Yomi & Yami]

The taints were now close enough that the humans could see the whites in their eyes, if they had any.

"Throw!" Ordered Lucas.

The four pulled out their little axes and launched them towards the monsters. Unlike throwing knives, these axes had decent weight and enough mass to puncture beast skin. The axes plunging into their heads from above knocked a few out. A few others behind tripped over their comrades, instantly lessening the pressure on the front line as the monsters now came in waves staggeringly.

"I could probably abuse a trick like that with [Inventory] but I don't imagine simple axes doing much damage to the kind of monsters I'm fighting at my level though. Mmm." As seen before, for Asai to be able to cut through leather and metal alike like butter. His weapons had to be imbued with mana. The instant he threw any of his weapons, the mana without its connection to the heart, would sizzle out.

Only someone like Robin, who actually had skills that gave her mana projectiles could abuse ranged tactics.

As the frontline entered melee range, whilst one party member blocked their long limbs and claws, the other would pierce. Only aiming for the head. Nostalgia flooding Asai, as he remembered the line he had once held back then with Mel...

Out of curiosity, when a taint approached him, he deliberately cut its torso. However, to his dismay. The beast paused, seemingly frozen. Then fell backwards and perished, shattering into dust.

"Fuck. My level is too high that I can't even hide it."

Entertaining another one of his curiosities, instead of his blade, he punched the next one. Obtaining the same result.

When Lucy who was the closest saw him throwing fists against the humanoid monsters. She honestly couldn't believe her eyes.

...

The cat, was definitely out of the bag...

kophzi