Chapter 26 - The Root of the Apex
He had wounds all over his body.
Xerius and his party were reduced to just three people, including Xerius.
The other humans were injured from the traps and the battle with the demons, and Xerius mercilessly moved on.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Why is this not working!?"
"Xerius, Fred and George are dead because of your recklessness!"
The leader of the men that Xerius had hired as his companions tearfully snapped at him.
Even though it was part of the contract that he would die, the loss of his friends would naturally make him angry.
And it's even worse when it's because of an unreasonable march. His own exhaustion is also a factor.
"Shut up! I didn't hear they were that bad! You said they were stronger than that!"
"If you wander around the dungeon without a break, We'll end up like that! That's why I've warned you so many times!"
With less than an hour's rest to eat and sleep, they continued to walk.
The vastness of the dungeon, the decreasing amount of food, recovery supplies, and consumables such as arrows.
Unlike Mars and the others, Xerius and the others were wearing armor that weighed about fifteen kilograms when fully clothed.
They also carried water and other necessities on their backs.
In total, each of them weighed around forty kilograms. And yet, they were moving at the same speed as or faster than Mars and the others.
It was far faster than the normal speed of dungeon adventurers.
Mars and the others, who had their own treasure room, carried nothing but the bare essentials. They were also lightly dressed.
The burden of doing the same thing was too different. However, Xerius and the others are the ones who usually attack dungeons. Mars is the exception.
No matter how many traps they disarmed, there were still more, and they had to fight a series of battles with powerful types of demons that they never saw on the ground. Moreover, the dungeon is the demon's home ground. Even the demons you know are more powerful than the ones on the ground.
Unlike the demons, the surrounding area is completely away from them, so just by walking carefully, their spirit has long been worn out and their physical strength is nearing its limit.
The surviving members of the group, except for the leader, did not say a word as they walked with their eyes downcast.
The never-ending adventure was eating away at their hearts.
The distance was too great to go back, and they could no longer say they would.
The best thing to do would be to continue on and conquer the dungeon. All they can do is hope that there are no more obstacles.
But even that seems difficult. Since they didn't have the belongings of their missing friends, there was a possibility that they would end up starving to death. Many of the demons could not be eaten by humans.
They're all regretted it.
They should have had Hazuki calculate the numbers obtained from the dungeon as they had originally planned, and asked the nobles for more men.
Even so, the reason why they broke into the lower levels without permission was the result of the influence of the charisma of the name [Thunder].
He was a talented person who was trying to break through for the second time. The reward would be great if he could break through with the least number of people. That's what he told them, and they was taken in.
In fact, Xerius was very strong.
That's why this situation arose.
He couldn't walk in unison, so he let his companions go with him because he could still go.
Xerius was also suffering from mental weakness due to fatigue.
He had a delusion that a real [Thunder] was coming from behind him.
The [Thunder] in Xerius' mind was powerful, its body as big as a mountain, and its personality cruel.
It seemed to be more terrifying than any demon he had ever encountered.
――I have to conquer it quickly, quickly and get the most powerful magic from the [Forbidden Magic Book]. If I don't, I'll be killed.
In the beginning, Xerius had aimed for money and status, but the danger to his life that he felt on several occasions was changing his purpose.
The horror of the dungeon had enlarged the real [Thunder].
――He is capable of conquering such a scary place. And he doesn't brag about it.
That means that I could afford it. It was not something for the [Thunder] to be proud of.
In reality, it took Mars a lot of effort to break through alone, but Xerius doesn't know that.
"Shut up, ......! Consider your share increased by the death of your friends!"
"My share. ......
"Yes. If there were two less of us, that would free up some money. I don't know the total amount of treasure in the dungeon, but it should still be enough to play with and live on. Besides, it's almost over. The demons are getting stronger, and their numbers are decreasing. Even the demons in the dungeon are not infinite. If numbers are becoming quality, it means the end is near."
"――Wait, could it be that there is a pinnacle of quality ......?"
The leader imagines something unpleasant from Xerius' words.
Xerius had thought of that possibility from the beginning.
As he descended the dungeon, he saw a change in the types of demons.
At first, it was the weaker ones, such as those similar to herbivores, followed by a chain of carnivores.
There was a clear division between the eaters and the eaten at each level.
In the hierarchy where Xerius is now, there are only a small number of lion-like demons walking around in packs, and in the hierarchy before that, there are larger cow-like demons.
In the next level, there must be a demon stronger than a lion.
If the repetition continues, there is a good chance that eventually there will be something stronger than all the demons in the dungeon.
"I guess so. In order to break through the dungeon, you have to become the strongest person in this world of dungeons. ――I can do that."
"No, you've got to be kidding! We're all near the limits of our strength and magic! We should at least get some rest somewhere!"
"Where? It will be the same everywhere. If I fall asleep like this, I'll be food for the demons. ――This is where life steps in."
――If you don't become real, you can't become anything.
I don't want to live a miserable life.
"If at least we have Hazuki here. ......! Why did you leave her!? She's the one who was supposed to be doing the magic battle and calculating the trophies! She's your girl!"
"It would have been the same if I'd brought her. She would have died out there anyway. Women are only used for men's sexual needs. It doesn't matter. Come after me and I'll take good care of you."
He just left behind a useless tool.
Xerius's perception of Hazuki was more like a thing, and he didn't think much of it.
That's the extent of his affection.
He has a possessive desire for her as a tool, but he has no love for her.
It was an act of instinct and calculation, but it can be said that Hazuki's choice of Mars was the right one.
"――Do you see it?"
"Aah ... what's that? The road to the lower levels ... isn't it big?"
Xerius and his group encountered a huge staircase.
The air was similar to the one that led down to the lower levels, but the size was much different.
Until now, the path was wide enough for two people to walk side by side, but this time they found one that was wide enough for ten people to walk side by side.
"The lowest level……It's the lowest level! I read about it in a book once! That the lowest level is the biggest floor in the dungeon, that it has no walls and is spread wide open!"
"Did you make it through ......?"
Contrary to Xerius' excitement, the leader did not accept it.
Considering what he had seen so far, he could not help but think that it must be some kind of trap.
"Let's go! Hahaha! Now we're going rich!"
Staining his white armor, Xerius forgets his fatigue and runs off.
He doesn't know yet that what follows is the toughest part.
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