Published: September 9, 2025
※From Zena’s perspective.
※Typo corrected on 3/20.
“Thank you for today.”
I greeted the baron’s young lady, Karina, in front of the Explorer's Guild.
She swept her luxurious golden hair back sharply, her beautiful face twisting into a displeased expression.
As expected, even though I was introduced by Mr. Satou, an outsider suddenly joining must be uncomfortable for her.
“Lady Karina?”
“It’s nothing. Just be careful not to be a burden.”
“Karina~?”
“No poking allowed.”
“Ms. Zena is an expert in wind magic. She won’t be a burden.”
Though Karina spoke sharply, Liza and the others mediated, and she reluctantly allowed me to join.
Seeing Karina blush after a private whisper from Mr. Satou stirred a strange feeling deep in my heart.
â—‡
“Gah~!”
“It’s a Maze Moth!”
Pochi and Tama, leading the group, pointed ahead as the winged tribe toddlers fired small light crossbows’ bolts.
The Maze Moth was pierced by two bolts and fell to the ground.
Despite their small size, their aim was as precise as Lirio’s.
They must have undergone strict training since they could remember.
So far, other explorers had done the heavy fighting, so we only faced weak monsters like Maze Moths and goblins.
Ms. Gina from "Moonlight" also mentioned that the main corridors connecting the sections had few monsters.
“We’re approaching the 19th section, so be careful.”
Everyone, including me, nodded at Mr. Satou’s warning.
We moved single file through the gaps between piled rocks blocking the main corridor.
Tama, at the front, called out “Trap,” and cautiously approached a corner of the corridor.
“Disarming~”
“As expected of Tama!”
—So fast.
Just a little rustling in the shadows, and the trap was disarmed.
“Monsters approaching from the front.”
“Needle Crawlers. They shoot paralyzing needles, so avoid getting hit.”
“No problem~!”
“If you don’t get hit, you’re fine!”
Despite their sluggish appearance, Needle Crawlers moved faster than a running person.
“Ms. Zena, please use defense magic.”
“Yes!”
I should have cast it before Mr. Satou prompted me.
Hurriedly, I began chanting the wind magic incantation “Wind Protection.”
But before the spell could take form, the Needle Crawler stopped and spread its needles, preparing to shoot.
—I’m too late.
Still, I couldn’t stop chanting.
I had to stop at least some of the needles!
“Worm! Mocking archers by shooting needles is laughable!”
Ms. Nana stepped forward with her Great Shield, taunting the crawler.
Countless needles shot from the crawler like thin swords, chilling me to the bone.
I envisioned Nana getting pierced along with her shield and dying.
—Fortunately, that vision did not come true.
Her Great Shield was made of a material I’d never seen, and the needles clanged off with heavy impacts.
Some needles that missed her shield were expertly intercepted by Pochi and Tama.
Finally, my Wind Protection spell activated, blocking the second wave of needles.
“This monster is a bit dangerous. Sorry, but let's exclude it from power leveling targets. If you see it, have Nana’s magic finish it before it gets close.”
“Yes, Master.”
Some technical terms slipped into Mr. Satou’s conversation, but now wasn’t the time to chat.
“Pochi, Tama, crush them. Move forward.”
“No worries~?”
“Roger!”
Liza and the others rushed into the area filled with the third wave of needles.
That’s way too reckless.
“Wait!”
Lady Karina called out to the three, but they didn’t stop.
I was mistaken.
Karina herself ran into the battlefield filled with flying needles.
Her golden hair flowed from her helmet, her beautiful figure soaring like the embodiment of beauty.
I stepped forward, drawn along, but Mr. Satou stopped me.
“It’s dangerous. Those four will be fine.”
Just as he said, Liza and the others easily dispatched the monsters.
Not only Liza’s spear but the weapons of Pochi and Tama left red trails of light — definitely demonic swords.
Karina swung the huge heavy hammer on her shoulder, but it slid off the monster’s body and struck the ground uselessly.