Chapter 21 – Officers vs. 40th Floor Boss

　When I arrive at the assembly place, the members of the 9th and 10th Squads were already all there.

　As usual, Logan’s gaze at me is full of hostility. 

　For the time being, I’ve decided to let Logan do as he likes, so I call out to Caroline. 

“Caroline, for today, keep in mind the movements of a Defender.”

“Eh-, why-. I mean, in the first place, do we even need to work together?”

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　After Caroline replies with a dissatisfied voice, she asks about the necessity of cooperation. 

　Must I explain starting from there…?

　Even though this probably should have been something already taught by the Clan. 

“I’m strong, right?”

　Caroline continues to speak.

　Certainly, compared to the surrounding beginners, she is overwhelmingly strong, 

　If she continues to steadily develop like this, she’ll likely become a famed explorer. 

“Maybe, soon, I think I’ll become the Ace of this Clan! That’s why I kill demonic beasts. It’s okay as long as everyone can just support me.”

　What a selfish…

“That’s probably not okay. I hear that Albert, the previous Ace of ‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’ also placed importance on cooperation. There are limits to what you can do as an individual. So that’s why everyone parties up to explore the labyrinth, right?”

　Albert Sensible.

　Until the previous year, he was part of “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit” and was an explorer known as the “Absolute Ace” of “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit”. 

　Last year, “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit” had challenged the 92nd Floor Boss, and he lost his life in the battle with the Black Dragon. 

　His death appeared to have triggered the start of various kinds of internal trouble within the Clan, but since that’s a long story, I won’t mention more here. 

“And he ended up dying while covering his friends, right? Although he was a Defender. That person is stupid. Even though he should have known that if he died, everyone would stop smiling.”

　I feel an abnormal pressure from Caroline as she mummurs that. 

　She’s a kid who seems to harbour some kind of darkness. As an outsider, I think this isn’t something that I should tread into. 

　In the end, not only Logan, but also Caroline are acting as they please.

　……These guys have the ability, so is it alright?

　For now, I’ll just prepare in case I need quickly intervene in any situations that might become dangerous. 

　Well then, going ahead into the 36th to 50th floors, what are the traits–

“Ah, umm, Orn…!”

“-Hmm? What’s wrong, Sophia”

　As I am about to recall the structure and traits of the demonic beasts of the floors we are diving into today, Sophia called out to me.

“That, my party members have been adopting very rude attitudes to you, I apologise! Um, I, want to continue receiving Orn’s guidance, might you not be willing to guide…?”

　Sophia turns serious eyes straight toward me.

　In these past two days, what I felt from watching Sophia was that there were occasions when she was trying too hard. 

　Even on the day we first met, she had set out on exploring the labyrinth with a random party. And this was despite her being banned by Selma. 

　Her serious personality, I think, is a virtue.

　However, I can see that because of that, she’s somewhat wasting her efforts on misguided ways.

　I hope she won’t head in a negative direction.

　Nonetheless, it will also be bad to water down her motivation, and I do have time to spare since I won’t be giving instructions to the 10th Squad.

“Of course it’s okay. What do you want me to teach you about?”

“Err, then, what might it be that I am lacking?”

　Lacking…

　You’ve already cleared the level required of beginners.

　If so, then it will be good to tell her what she needs to advance to the next stage. 

“Got it. It’s almost time to enter the labyrinth so, after entering, I’ll teach you when there’s time to spare.”

“Thank, thank you very much!”

　Sophia faces me with a dazzling smile.

　　◇

　As has been thus far, the guided exploration begins from Selma’s command. 

　As I step into the 36th floor, while dividing my attention and remaining vigilant of the surroundings, I speak to Sophia. 

“Now, first Sophia, I want to know the degree of your understanding towards magic. Please explain to me about magic.”

“Y, yes! Err…, first of all, given the fact that mana exists in the air, using this mana to cause various phenomena is what is known as sorcery. However, sorcery cannot be used by other than demonic beasts. –The method of magic… was invented and based upon… sorcery. By imbuing mana into a technical formula that functions as an intermediary, humans, who by nature are unable to use sorcery, become able to cause phenomena similar to that produced by sorcery.” 

　It’s pretty much correct. 

　To be more precise, the technical formula refers to the thing that enables “the process of turning mana into a phenomenon”.

　In other words, sorcery and magic are essentially the same thing.

　It will probably be confusing to delve into more detail, so I will omit any further explanation. 

　In short, only the names are different, in actuality, both of them are pretty much the same. 

“You’ve got a good grasp of it. Then, next, what is the procedure for activating magic?”

“…The procedure for activating magic can be divided into two stages: construction of the formula and inflow of mana.”

“Okay, explain these two stages.”

“…Construction of the formula refers to, adding to the basic equation that makes up every magic spell, parameters such as power and range. Next, the inflow of mana refers to injecting mana into the completed formula.”  

　As long as you understand this much, you can have a passing score. 

　To be honest, I didn’t expect her to be able to answer this much.

　If it were an ordinary magician, “performing difficult calculations in your head, combining the derived answers with mana in the air, that’s how magic is activated” will probably be the level of understanding they usually have. 

　Magic is very complicated. 

　If you’re not thinking of developing new magic, that much level of understanding is fine.

“You have a fairly thorough understanding. Honestly, I’m surprised.”

“Eh, eheheh. Thank you very much.”

“Then, in order for Sophia to progress to the next level, I’ll teach you the kind of thinking and knowledge you need.” 

“I look forward to receiving your instruction!”

　　◇

　The conversation with Sophia was interrupted due to a battle with demon beasts, but that can’t be helped. 

　Anyway, Logan is really quiet. I did tell Selma not to scold him, but she might have said a little something to him. 

　Repeating this pattern of talking and fighting, we arrive at the 40th floor Boss Arena.

　So far, the Floor Bosses have been fought by Anthem, Bernard, and the Healer Officer – her name is Kathy – just the three of them. 

　If all the Officers challenge upper layer Floor Bosses, the Floor Bosses will be defeated in an instant.

　Therefore, to show the beginners how a fight with Floor Bosses should be like, up to now, only those three people have been involved. 

　Onwards from the 40th floor, we enter the middle layers where the Floor Bosses jump up in strength. 

　And in addition to that, there will be two Boss battles today. 

　Therefore, the 40th and 50th Floor Bosses will be subdued by all five of us.

“Orn, counting on you!”

　Bernard, standing next to me, shouted out. 

“Yes. Although this time I’m just mainly acting as support. My time will come on the 50th floor.”

“What you said during the meeting, can you really do it? Even with your gap period as a Swordsman? Though, I don’t think it can be done even if there was no gap…”

“There’s no problem. Then, let’s quickly finish it!” 

　Five Officers enter the Boss Area. 

　The beginners follow suit.

　The Boss Area is like a huge hall.

　The beginners watch the battle of the Officers while standing-by along the wall.

　In the centre of the hall, around five-metres tall, a four-armed Giant stands imposingly. 

　All of the Giant’s muscles are pumped – its characteristc, hard muscle natural amour.

“Though we did have a meeting, this is our first battle with this party. Aim to move according to your individual roles! [Strength Up], [Vitality Up], [Agility Up].”

　After Selma calls out to the members, she applies buffs to Anson and Bernard. 

　By the way, because I want to cast my own buffs according to the situation, I had conveyed to Selma that I didn’t need her buffs.

　The two who had received the buffs, approach the Giant from the front with lighter movements than in their previous Floor Boss battles.

　I cast the buffs [Strength Up], [Dexterity Up], [Agility Up] on myself, and manoeuvre around to the opponent’s blindspot. 

　While paying attention to make sure I’m not attacking too much such that the Giant’s attention becomes directed to me, I slash at the relatively softer parts of its body, like the joints.

　The two Defenders can afford to attack while blocking the Giant’s attacks with their shields. 

　Our Vanguard attacks mainly target the lower body, Selma and Kathy aim for the upper body with magic. 

　In front of five advanced explorers, the Giant is helpless.

　Five minutes after the start of the battle, we subjugate the Giant without difficulty.

　When demonic beasts die, their physical bodies transform into something like black mist, leaving in place, only the magic stones within their bodies.

　During this time, there are rare cases when a part of the body does not change into black mist, and instead remains where it is. 

　This is known as demonic beast material, and can be reborn by a craftsman’s hands into a weapon, armour, magic tool, or an item entirely irrelevant to explorers. 

　However, in the case of the Floor Boss, after you subjugate it, a demonic beast material will always appear, although the specific parts will be random. With good fortune, the entire corpse can also remain as is, intact. 

　I leave the collection of the Giant’s magic stones and demonic beast materials to the two Defenders, and I return to the beginners.

“You just poked at it from the back, what a passive way of attacking. Even If you hadn’t been there, the battle situation wouldn’t have changed, would it? Are you really a Vanguard Attacker?”

　As soon as I return, Logan makes some snide remarks.

　To begin with, my main role in that battle was support, and it had concluded more abruptly than I had thought it would. 

　Certainly, I myself did also think that it would have been fine even if I didn’t participate in that battle. 

“Maybe.”

　After my curt reply, Logan softly clicks his tongue and says nothing more. 

　　◇◇◇◇

“O, oi! Anson! What was that just now!?”

　When I was checking and storing the materials of the Giant, Bernard utters in a confused voice. 

　I can understand his confusion. The battle was too one-sided….

　We are A-rank explorers.

　We have reached the 87th floor of the Great Labyrinth. 

　Still, the opponent was a Floor Boss.

　Even with Selma’s support magic, it shouldn’t have been an opponent that we could defeat that easily. 

　The biggest factor making that possible – definitely Orn Doula.

　The speed and strength of his sword is better than the Vanguard Attacker in my party. 

　Looking only at his ability as a Swordsman, Orn is probably at the level of approaching A Rank. 

　However, Orn’s actions could not be properly summarised in such a one-dimensional way. 

　This time, as Orn himself said, he was devoted to support. The Giant’s movements…. were entirely sealed….

　Demonic beasts are also living things. They always have tells that show before they move. 

　This is a guess but, it looked like Orn was predicting what sort of attacks the opponent would be making next from its tells.

　Then, by first attacking the critical point required for the opponent to make that incoming attack, everything was surpressed by him. 

　The result was that the Giant couldn’t make any threatening attacks, and was easily defeated by us. 

　It was my first time participating in such a dominating battle. 

“Seriously, what was that? I can’t believe that was with a few gap years.”

　Orn had said yesterday, “even if your physical abilities are low, you can compensate with skills and experience”. 

　That battle seemed desgined to demonstrate this. 

　On top of that, if he really can do that thing he claimed he could during the last meeting, Orn will likely be pretty close to what he himself described as his ideal Swordsmen.

　It looks like we might be once again in for a surprise during the 50th Floor Boss battle.