Published: January 22, 2026
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About a week had passed since we conquered the Keglis dungeon.
The other day, we completed the conquest of a dungeon in another town, and now we were racing at full speed on horseback toward Sabona Village, where our third dungeon target awaited.
The reason was that the dungeon we were currently targeting was flooding right now.
Thanks to Mr. Haruto’s bird's-eye vision, we had caught wind of this information and were hurrying to the village.
"Damn it, why does nothing ever go as planned!"
As we hurried toward Sabona Village on horseback, Haruto grumbled from beside me.
Things rarely go according to plan.
Plans are merely guidelines.
In reality, you have to adapt flexibly to the circumstances as they happen.
Well, I’m sure Haruto knows that very well too.
"Complaining won’t help. First, we need to act to solve the immediate problem. So, what’s the situation in the village?"
"The village’s seekers are holding their ground, but there just aren’t enough of them. The barricades set up around the village will probably be broken through before we arrive."
When a flooding occurs, humans fall behind.
The village must have already been informed by the Seeker’s Guild about the possibility of flooding.
Because of that, barricades were set up in advance, and some seekers had already gone out to intercept, so the response wasn’t totally reactive.
If they hadn’t had prior information, the demonic beasts would have already stormed into the village.
Even so, the situation was still critical.
"...I’ll go ahead and defend the village. Haruto, pick out the strong demonic beasts coming from the flooding and relay them to Fuuka. Fuuka should prioritize exterminating those beasts. After that, Haruto, focus on heading to places with many demonic beasts and reduce their numbers."
"Got it."
"Understood. Fuuka, let’s go!"
After confirming that those two agreed to my plan and changed their course from the village toward the demonic beast horde, I dismounted.
I moved the horses to a safe spot and began casting a technique to reduce the gravity affecting me.
"Reflective Barrier!"
I created two translucent gray barriers, one on the ground and one in the air.
By manipulating the direction of gravity through these two barriers, I moved horizontally toward the village, falling parallel to the ground.
This method was physically taxing but faster than riding a horse.
Before I knew it, I reached the sky above the village, then manipulated gravity again to return to normal.
Standing on a platform of magical power I created in the sky, I began constructing multiple techniques.
(Thank goodness, I made it in time!)
I glanced around from above and, though the barricades were about to be breached, I felt relieved to have arrived before any harm came to the villagers.
Then, I updated the information about the situation around the village from what Haruto had told me to the latest.
Still, Haruto’s supernatural ability to always monitor the situation from the same perspective I had was really amazing.
I had a similar viewpoint, but not as broad as his, which made me truly appreciate his presence on the battlefield.
"...Seal release (calmination)."
After finishing assessing the situation, I dispelled the bindings on me just as the barricade protecting the village was destroyed and demonic beasts tried to rush in.
"The demonic beasts are coming in!"
"It’s no use!"
"Do something! Protect the women and children!"
Fear spread among the villagers, and the inside of the village was on the verge of panic.
"—Space leap, heavenly thunder hammer (mjölnir)!"
I teleported those standing against the invading demonic beasts inside the village, then struck the beasts with a massive thunderbolt.
Watching the startled villagers, I brought an amplifying magical tool to my mouth and raised my voice.
"I’m Orun, a seeker entrusted by the kingdom to conquer the dungeon in Sabona Village! We will exterminate the demonic beasts coming out of the dungeon. Please gather in the center of the village and avoid going outside if possible!"