World's Fastest Level up!

Approximately 10 minutes after entering Sumifuku Dungeon, Hana and the others made their way to the third floor. This means they have gone to a location deeper than the first floor where they defeated the slime last time.

Different from slime, it seems the monster that requires a little fighting ability to beat will also appear on this floor. Thereupon, a skeletal monster immediately appeared in front of Hana.

Katagiri shouted.

"This monster is called Skeleton, a monster that can be defeated by anyone who has acquired status! In today's dungeon exercise, we’ll have everyone defeat this monster with your own power!"

Looks like the escorts were prohibited to help this time. It has nothing to do with Hana who didn't bring an escort, though.

"Yosh, let's do my best!"

While grasping the sword she had borrowed in advance, Hana put her spirit into words.

Perhaps because the effect of acquiring status came forth, she was able to easily swing the sword that normally was heavy and difficult to hold.

Hana doesn't possess any magic-type skill. Although she could use it if she used [Stock], after consulting with Rin, she decided that she needs to conceal the existence of that skill from the surrounding. That's why, she decided to wield a sword as her weapon by utilizing [Body Reinforcement] skill.

After that, under the supervision of Katagiri, Hana and the others fought the skeleton in sequential order. Just as Katagiri said, the skeletons were very weak. Even Hana and the others who were not accustomed to fighting could easily defeat it.

And Katagiri, who was looking at the situation, nodded with satisfaction.

"Splendid, everyone. It seems there is no problem in fighting the monsters for the time being. Next, we’ll have everyone learn about the regulations of being an adventurer while moving–"

However, Katagiri wasn't able to complete his words.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

That's because a scream echoed throughout the dungeon.

The one who screamed was a girl who was close to Hana. The girl pointed her finger in a certain direction while her body trembled. Albeit delayed, Hana also turned her sight to that direction and opened her eyes in shock.

"What, is that…"

The thing that stood there had an appearance beyond the understanding of Hana. If it was to be explained in words, it would probably be a human-shaped tree with a height that exceeds 3 meters. And the human-shaped tree, which seems to be a monster, slowly walks toward the group.

Even Hana, who had only entered the dungeon a few times intuitively knew that it was a powerful monster that was completely different from the Slime or Skeleton.

"A Trent?! Why is there a monster that has at least over 5,000 levels in this dungeon!"

Katagiri, who was in the opposite direction of the group, raised his voice in shock. Because of that, Hana understood that this was neither training nor a surprise but really an unexpected situation that happened.

"__!"

In the succeeding moment, the hand of the Trent stretched out at a terrifying speed and attacked Hana and the others who were at the head of the group.

As it was too sudden, everyone was in a state of confusion and just stood still, unable to move. But at that moment,

"It's dangerous!"

Yanagi, who slipped between Hana's group and the Trent, blocked the attack with his dagger. Because of that, the lives of Hana and the others were saved.

And right after that, the loud voice of Katagiri shook everyone's eardrums.

"Fire spear!"

The huge spear of flame boasting a terrifying amount of heat tore through the space and directly assaulted the Trent.

However–

"Ridiculous! It suffered almost no damage even after receiving fire-element magic which was its weakness?!"

As Katagiri said, the part that was hit by the fire spear was slightly burned which wasn't a result that could be called causing much damage to the Trent.

Because of how unexpected it was, a considerable amount of frustration could be sensed from Katagiri's words.

"Nee, what's happening?"

"A monster that couldn’t be defeated even by a member of the association appeared!"

"No way! Then, what will happen to us?!"

Confusion, uneasiness, and fear spread to the people who were here in an instant.

For the first time in their lives, feeling their deaths were approaching, their bodies couldn't move as intended. In the midst of that, the first one who raised his voice was Yanagi.

"Katagiri-san! Please take everyone to the surface first! I will hold it back here!"

"Wha-! That's reckless! At least you and I should remain while their escape should be entrusted to their escorts!"

"No, there might be another powerful monster in this dungeon beside this one! Please follow them, Katagiri-san! Besides-"

At the next moment, Yanagi disappeared from the spot and right after that, he appeared right before the Trent and slashed it with his dagger. Although the Trent tried to perform a counterattack by swinging its branch-like arm, Yanagi skillfully evaded.

"I am a speed-type adventurer! If I devote myself to evade, I should be able to contend with this enemy!"

"…. Understood! It shouldn't take 5 minutes to escape! After buying that much time, you too, come back to the surface! –Everyone, just like what we said! We'll be going to escape from the dungeon, please follow me! Although this is an emergency crisis, we will definitely protect you!"

Following Katagiri's words, everyone followed him one after another.

(_Quickly, I have to go too!)

Since she was in the opposite direction of Katagiri, it was unavoidable that Hana unintentionally ended up being at the end of the line. But the moment Hana took a step forward to follow them, something happened.

"Eh?!"

Feeling as if her leg was seized by something, Hana fell on the spot.