Angel Volume 3, Chapter 7

Volume 3: Chapter 7 - Haruma Solo Exploration

　I left home as usual, visited the dungeon, and moved to the 20th Floor, which I had reached yesterday.

　The exploration went well.

　I had no difficulty in fighting in the field or against the boss monsters on each floor, and I was able to progress at a fairly fast pace for a solo explorer.

「If this were a game, the difficulty level would be low」

　I muttered to myself as I stepped into the open grassland.

　It is a very nice feature that you can continue from the highest floor you have reached.

　Thanks to this, the number of explorers camping out is quite small.

　After all, as long as I renewed the level, I could go home and start my next exploration from where I left off.

「Well, there are people who have strange tastes in every world, though.」

　I muttered to myself as I walked along the grassy plains, a little dismayed at the tents I saw here and there.

　It seems that most of the explorers who set up camp are mainly a clan or a party, and they must be of that kind of race.

　They proceeded through the meadow, hunting monsters moderately.

「Ohh, here they come!」

　A pack of wolves stands in front of me, blocking my way.

　They are Glass Wolf.

　Not only that but before I knew it, there was another pack behind me to my left.

　It was a pack of vicious-looking rabbits. Killer Bunny, I think.

　In an open grassland area, it is not unusual to be approached by enemies from multiple directions.

　To be honest, if you are moving solo, you are probably safer in the forest.

「Whoa there ......」

　I was looking up, keeping my front and left rear in mind, when I let out an involuntary voice.

　Several white birds were circling above me. If it is a white bird of prey that appears in this area, it must be the White Falcon.

　As I have only <Throwing Technique> as a long-range attack, flying monsters are troublesome opponents for me.

「Now then...」

　A pack of wolves and rabbits is slowly closing the distance.

　The White Falcon, circling above me, gradually began to lose altitude.

　Even if I stay put, I will only be swatted to death, so let's make the first move.

「Hot ......tto!」

　I throw something I took out of my inventory at the pack of Glass Wolf in front of me, then turn around, face the pack of Killer Bunny, and throw the same thing at them.

　――Bon!

　With a dull popping sound, white smoke spread around the area.

「Kyauu!?」

「Kyiee....!」

　The pack of Killer Bunnies falls into confusion.

　The pack of Glass Wolves is probably in a similar state.

　What I threw was an a【Tear Gas Bomb】.

　It was the perfect item for disrupting the beast monster's keen sense of sight or smell.

「Oraahhh!」

　I stepped into the group of smoky rabbits and swung my sword at them.

　Action-inhibiting items like this 【Tear Gas Bomb】 are only effective against enemies, so for me, it's just a little bit of visibility.

　Smoke is in the air, but I can at least catch a glimpse of the enemy, so I cut down the killer bunnies one after another.

　By the time I got here, I had gained two levels, and now I am level 23.

　With the extra skill slots, I was able to raise my <One-handed Swordsmanship> from "R" to "HR," which made the battle much easier.

　It may have been unnecessary to use 【Tear Gas Bomb】, but at the end of the day, I was outnumbered.

　There was no better way to have a safety margin.

「Seiyaahhh!」

「Gan!」

　After annihilating the killer bunnies, I run up to the pack of glass wolves and take down the individual that escaped the smoke.

「Gyuaahhhh!」

　Then the White Falcon swoops down from the skies above.

「Whoa there!」

　I quickly hold up my shield to block the attack.

　The impact from the high-altitude attack was considerable, but I managed to survive with my level correction and <Shield Technique> skill.

「Here is the payback!」

　I switched my 【Mithril Sword】 to my left hand and threw the 【Kunai】, which I took out of my inventory.

「Gyuaahhh!?」

　The White Falcon, which had been trying to escape to the sky, was hit by the 【Kunai】 on its wings and lowered its altitude.

「Take thiisss!」

　I quickly stepped in and swung the 【Mithril Sword】 with my right hand.

　After a solid response, the enemy's head fell off.

　After that, while the effect of the 【Tear Gas Bomb】 remained, the Glass Wolves were exterminated. Perhaps realizing its disadvantage, the remaining White Falcon disappeared.

　After several more battles, I proceeded through the meadow, and the boss area was approaching.

「We're almost there......, get a hold of yourself......!」

　Suddenly, I heard such a voice.

　Turning my eyes toward the voice, I see a group of adventurers.

　The fact that I could hear the voices despite the slight distance between us must have reached me on the wind by chance.

　It seemed to be an all-female party, and they were in a rather battered state.

　One of the women was completely knocked out and was being carried by an interesting woman in light armor.

　The woman also had a badly injured right arm.

　There were two other members of the party, but neither of them seemed to be able to stand on their own feet, and both of them seemed to be very tired.

　Are they okay, huh?

　As I looked at them, my eyes met those of a woman carrying a bow.

　She had a look on her face as if she was asking for help.

　Fortunately, thanks to the <Inventory>, I carry enough potions to sell.

　I thought I could share them with her if she needed them, but she and the other woman left.

「I think it's over there.......」

　I pulled out a notepad from my inventory and opened it.

　In it was transcribed the strategy information for the dungeon I had bought from the guild.

　Thanks to Yoshie-san's help, it was much easier to read.

「The one with the blue magic circle?」

　After determining my current position and checking the direction in which the girls were headed, it seemed that a few minutes walk would lead them to the blue magic circle.

　If that were the case, there would be no need to rush to their rescue.

　Only one member of the group was aware of my presence, and if she did not raise her voice, there was no need for me to go out of my way to help them.

　Even though I thought so, the expression on the bow woman's face was still haunting me.

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