Year 7444, Month 8, Day 19
Just in case, we went to the 1st floor and tested the bracelet out. The bracelet of Myun I mentioned could be used with a frequency of once in every 10 days but since it was worth trying we tried waiting one day and entered the dungeon soon after eating. Since I just want to finish this and sell it off right away, and I already know it will be possible to use it again by this evening, I said we should confirm it's abilities right away. Since there's no real enemy for us on the 1st floor the members were me, Zenom, Toris, and Zulu, just the four of us.
I gave the women the day off today. Use times like this to conveniently all have your periods. Since we didn't have the special skill Super Sense of Smell we couldn't find monsters at all.
I used the spell {Audible Clamor} and lured over monsters. After repeating that 10 times, we had monsters gathered up like a small hill. If we're going to do it, it's more efficient to investigate the limits on how much can be converted as well.
Goblins, Gnolls, Orks, Hobgoblins we piled up over 100 of these stinky corpses, and managed to gather an amount that I think probably won't completely be converted and have some left over. I can handed Zulu the bracelet and had him use the magic infused in it. Obviously, since we don't want to become like wet rats, we're watching over from quite a distance away. Zulu came along knowing he'd get wet so he isn't wearing his armor from the start. Zulu looks considerably foolish with only the lower party of his body in under armor.
Of course, since we had the time we made sure to take the magic stones from all the corpses we placed together other than the goblins. Well, there were Orks as well, so we needed to at least gather enough money to pay for the entry tax for today.
Zulu raised his hand and gave the sign.
Nothing is happening.
I pulled out my clock magic tool and the time was just before 3 pm in the afternoon. We're going to test it every 30 minutes after this. Yesterday, I think it was around 3 pm in the afternoon when we changed the Roper to water. We should probably be able to use it again pretty soon. I almost want to put it inside of a lamp or something that tells if it's finish charging.
30 minutes, just as I had identified we were able to confirm that the majority of the corpses were converted to water. Even the ones we didn't take the magic stones from had properly become water as well.
Just in case, after Zulu tried touching the remaining corpses that didn't change to water and said "nuhireki" once again I collected the bracelet and that was the end of today's experiment. When I was collecting it and saw the soaking wet Zulu I thought.
(He..He's huge...)
Since it somehow pissed me off I immediately used the spell drying to dried him off. It's a good thing we didn't bring along the women. Somehow I don't want to show it to them. It's bad for their education..or I guess it's fine. They're already adults. But, it would have been the best to let Bel do something like this. It's extremely unfortunate there's no artificial fibers or cottons that are soft, durable, and thin like a T-shirt.
..............
Year 7444, Month 8, Day 21
"That's right."
Zenom and Toris said at the same time. Certainly, there's no need to force myself to sell it right now.
Starting yesterday we entered the dungeon again and are just about to break into what's probably the last room on the 5th floor. It's that one room with an altar. I went and took a look at the room before returning, and I started giving out orders for the usual formation of Zulu and Angela taking care of the gargoyles while the rest of the members attack the altar. Bel and I are support.
Since it's already something we're used to, I thought of starting off with just the gargoyles heads outside of the dirt and told them that. And, I also instructed the altar team to take their time a bit on charging in. I was thinking of sealing it in ice at the same time as it's summoned. That's why, this time I'll have Bel start on helping with the gargoyles and once a monster is summoned by the altar I'll freeze it.
After confirming things once again and just as we were about to slowly turn around to head towards the room.
We could heart the sounds of shouts and combat from the room.
Including me, everyone was surprised and exchanged glances but immediately realized.
Another party of adventurers charged in first.
"A~~a, we were beaten to it."
Ralpha said disappointed. Certainly that's true.
"How unfortunate.."
Toris whispered regretfully while putting his long sword back into it's scabbard. I am too.
"Wun, even though I thought about buying some clothes if we found something good..."
Gwine sharpened her lips. Even with her beard growing it's somehow a charming gesture with that small body.
"It can't be helped.."
Bel said while returning the arrow to her quiver. It can't be helped indeed.
"Hmph, it's unfortunate but the first one to it is the winner so it can't be helped. Since we have the chance how about we frankly just go and watch the battle?"
Zenom said carrying his axe on his shoulder while rubbing his pink jaw beard.
"Yeah, I agree. If it seems like it'll draw out then we could eat something like as well. Hey, Giberuti, is there something simple we can eat?"
"If you're fine with some simple sandwiches then I can prepare them right away in 5 minutes."
It's quite strange to start eating while watching the desperate struggles of a different party from a safe place. It was often done to us on the 2nd and 3rd floors when we charged into rooms first after all. Or rather, unless they request for assistance, it could cause misunderstandings so it's basically an unwritten rule of Baldukk not to do anything until then.
Particularly, this is the 5th floor. Even if we mention other parties there should only be the top teams here. Since there's no way they could be slacking off against a room boss on the 5th floor we should be able to see them fighting at full. It's a good chance to find out their skill.
We all started chatting while looking in at things from the entrance. As expected we won't go to the point of sitting down. We're remaining standing. Since the width of the passage is about 8m there's still room even if all 9 of us line up side by side.
Now then, I wonder who stole our prey that was dangling right before our noses?
Oh?
If it isn't sis Anderson.
"Huh, Black Topaz?"
"Oh~ That's the {Frost Lizard}. I wonder what they'll do? Are they going to run?"
"It seems they've noticed us."
"Yes, I understand."
"How unexpected, so they're going to fight.."
Since we thought Black Topaz might run we remained ready for combat just in case. However, please stop with running away before doing anything at all. It's dangerous for even us to fight without taking the initiative. And just as I was thinking that, unexpectedly it seems that Black Topaz chose to fight.
Anderson glanced over here for a moment but immediately went back to concentrating on the combat and her allies while using magic.
It's {Flame Javelin}.
Without missing it's mark it hit the ice monster, AKA, {Frost Lizard} in the flank. Her subordinates are boldly fighting against the gargoyles one on one and the remaining three are charging at the {Frost Lizard}.
Ah.
One was sent flying by the tail. However, of the remaining two one has a kite shield and long sword on the front and the other is in the back with a spear facing off against the {Frost Lizard}.
""Oh!""
A voice was raised from my party the {Slaughterers}. It wasn't in regards to the guy who splendid took out a gargoyle. It was because the {Frost Lizard} used it's ice breath. The human with the kite shield in a defensive role in front of the {Frost Lizard} gradually started to freeze as I returned my sights to him and was rendered unable to fight.
"Oh my~"
I couldn't help but let my voice out as well.
"Guoo~!!!!"
The Laios who was swinging his battle axe to finish a gargoyle just now turned around and let out a battle cry while going to help the Wolf-people sister using a spear and they finished off another gargoyle in no time at all. After that they quickly turned around and went running to help out the human who was rendered unable to fight with the {Frost Lizard}. It seems he used his special skill Instant Speed. But, it's already about to end. I think it would be smarter to finish off one more gargoyle before it ends.
Sis Anderson seems like she's going to use magic against the {Frost Lizard} once more as she faces her hand towards it and is concentrating. A blue light overflows from her right hand and a {Flame Javelin} is sent flying towards the {Frost Lizard}.
It was fired with nice timing but the {Frost Lizard} managed to evade it taking nothing more than a scratch. Sister is still planning to use magic without learning.
The elf man who was blown away by the tail at the start has gone on guard with his long sword and kite shield again and rejoined the battle.
"Hmm"
I can hear Zenom's composed voice. If Zenom is composed then it should be fine.
"Hpmh..they aren't all that much."
Ralpha crossed her arms and commented on them conceitedly. I couldn't help but make a bitter smile. Well, I thought so as well so it's fine.
"But, Bal-san, he's so cool!"
Gwine said. You, just because he's big and strong you think they're all cool. Ah, Bal is the Laios using the battle axe.
Once again I returned my gaze to the combat. Just now, the three Wolf-people woman, Elf woman, and Dog-people man fighting the remaining two gargoyles gained the advantage in their fight. It seems like one of the remaining gargoyles is considerably weakened so they should be able to finish it off soon.
In regards to the {Frost Lizard}, the Elf man, Laios man, and Human man are taking it on. It feels like the leader Anderson is backing them up with magic. If you can only use fire and water magic then it limits the magic you can use for support so it seems quite difficult.
It doesn't seem like the guy who was frozen in frost has died yet. If it's about 20 minutes then while he might get frostbite it's still possible to take care of it with healing magic.
"Oh!!?"
And just as I was thinking that while watching the battle the {Frost Lizard} used ice breath again. Aa~, it's no good if you don't defeat him before you let him use his ice breath..Look, this time the human using the spear behind the Laios in front was frozen.
"Gioooo~!!!"
However, as expected Anderson is still the leader of one of the top teams. She managed fire a {Flame Javelin} into it's mouth. With this it shouldn't be able to use it's ice breath anymore. If they slowly damage it without letting their guards down they should be able to win.
"Just a bit more! Everyone, give it your best!"
After Anderson used a spell she called out like that to her party and pulled out her short sword before charging at the {Frost Lizard}. She only has 13 MP remaining. Since her maximum MP is 31, it totals up to just the {Flame Javelins} portion that she used.
"Hn"
Zulu and Angela let their voices out for the first time. It seems that Dog-people man and Elf woman were properly taking on one of the gargoyles while the Wolf-people woman used her spear to finish one off. It's already three versus one. It's defense is already to shit. If it starts getting hit from all sides by the three of them then it's just a matter of time. It seems that the gargoyle is the one struggling.
After Anderson charged up to the {Frost Lizard} she,
"Ya~!!"
put in a yell like that as she cut at one of it's front legs. The elf man on the other side from her didn't miss the chance it was focused on her attack and attacked with his long sword as well.
"It seems they decided it."
Toris said. Yeah, certainly that attack just now was the deciding hit I'm sure.
A few minutes after that, when they finished off both the {Frost Lizard} and remaining gargoyle the members of Black Topaz were breathing with their shoulders. The only ones unharmed were the leader Anderson and the Wolf-people sis, everyone else has minor and major wounds.
I had everyone wait there and I slowly approached Anderson.
Now then, if we walk for another hour or so we should be able to arrive at the teleport room on the 5th floor.