By Web Novel Written by Minkansukii ミンカンスキー
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Having the defeated the “Mandrake” and acquiring the “Lucky Band”, Sensei and I exited the room and resumed our exploration of the 2nd floor. Putting away the “Lucky Band” into my backpack.
Using the item though, I had thought about doing all sorts of erotic acts with Sensei while we were exploring the area, but you can never underestimate what could happen in a labyrinth. Given that there could be roaming monsters, it be really dangerous if we let our guards down.
Not to mention, if we were both taken out and force teleported back to the beginning, the “Lucky Band” would reset and return to its chest…..
Recalling the dungeons rules, I made sure to weigh the risks. If we receive too much damage and go back to the entrance, all items we picked up from exploring would just return to their proper areas.
Which is why, I don’t want to be caught with my pants down and get hurt by surprise. We managed to get the “Lucky Band” thanks to Sensei, but if we were to start over again, would it really be that easy? So as much as possible, it will be better to complete our exploration without being force transferred.
「Sensei, let’s go over there. Assuming the map is accurate, that area could be a dead end, but there’s also a small possibility it could be a treasure room」
「Hm, I see」
After going down several forked corridors. Sensei nodded towards my analysis after looking at the map displayed on my smartphone. It seems like Sensei is allowing me to take the lead when it comes to exploring the place. Or maybe that’s how much trust she has in me.
Moving forward down the corridor, Sensei follows behind me. Heading towards the unmapped destination we come across a dead end. Unfortunately, there was no treasure room in this area. Turning back around, we decided to move toward another unexplored area. And then soon after that――
「Whoops…..」
「……..Hm」
The moment we turned the corner, about 10 meters in front of us, something yellow stood in the hall. Rubbing itself against the wall of the passageway, could it be itchy or something? The typical appearance of this monster, was none other than the “Electric Sheep”
The monster was facing our direction, but it was too busy scratching its body to notice our presence. That’s a Level 9 monster, which is one level higher than me.
「…….Alright, Saino you should stay here」
「Are you planning on taking it on by yourself? Sensei, speaking of levels, I’m much higher than you…..」
「Sure. But didn’t I tell you, if we come across another Electric Sheep, I don’t think I will lose. Don’t worry and leave it to me」
Pumped up and holding her staff, Sensei moves forward. I was worried for her, but at the same time couldn’t oppose her. After all, Sensei did defeat an Electric Sheep when we first explored.
But I was too shocked to verify its level at the time, so even though Sensei won against it…. maybe she can win regardless of the level. It’s not good to overthink things, but my mind was still bothered by that uncertainty.
And there’s no way I would just let a woman fight all by herself, regardless of the danger. So rather than stop Sensei from charging, I just informed her I would be ready if anything bad happened.
「…..Alright, I understand. But I’ll standby and wait for an opening. I’ll jump in if you’re in a pinch.」
「Okay, that’s fine. I’m going now」
Affirming my words, Sensei rushes towards the unsuspecting Electric Sheep. Charging forth while swiftly rotating her staff compactly, I wondered if this was some form of preparatory measure.
Or could she be trying to build up momentum in her staff before concentrating on the tip? I’ve told myself already, there’s no way I would just let a woman fight all by herself. Ripping a torch off the nearby wall, I followed behind the path Sensei made.
「Hyaa!!」
「MEEEEE！」
Using the energy generated from twirling her staff, Sensei delivers a sharp thrust. But instead of a direct hit, the Electric sheep darted forward narrowly dodging Sensei’s strike towards it head.
A surprise attack was bound to fail, considering the monster was already facing towards us. But rather than follow up and strike it some more, Sensei begins to rotate her staff once more picking up speed. Sensei used the generated force of her staff and targeted the Electric Sheep’s jaw from below.
「MEE……!?」
Being struck in midair, as it was charging, the monster loses its balance as it falls to the floor. That last attack came from the creatures blind spot, which was why, it couldn’t react in time.
「Haa!」
Without missing a beat, Sensei’s staff wielded her staff again. This time twirling her body to create a bigger impact. Striking the electric Sheep with such force as if, her staff was being sucked straight in. Shuddering from Sensei’s attack the Electric Sheep wailed.
「MEEE……！」
Even though Sensei’s level was lower, her attack just now did quite the damage. Whimpering from the previous attack, the Electric Sheep draws back. Using that as an opening, Sensei rushes once more sweeping the Sheep’s forelegs.
Swinging right and then left. Extending forward and contracting it back, Sensei nimbly maneuvered her staff. It was the same like before, Sensei’s aiming for it’s weak spot.
In a little bit the, Electric Sheep won’t be able to recover after this. But then suddenly――
「MEEE！！」
「Huh?」
The monster raises its head letting our a loud battle cry as it lunged at Sensei, flipping the situation around.
Sensei’s strike….. didn’t work!?
Immediately moving her staff horizontally, Sensei planned to block it. But just as she did that――
「Rrrgh!…..」
This is bad!
Unable to suppress it, Sensei was about to be trampled. I immediately rushed forth, trying to go around Sensei and strike the Electric Sheep directly.
……But, I didn’t get there in time.
Or rather my timing was fine, it was just at the last minute. There was an obstruction blocking my way. It was actually Sensei’s 6-Shaku long Staff, which she held horizontally. Even though Sensei’s skill in staff arts was very helpful, her weapon was 180cm long. In a close quarters fight like this, it suddenly became our Achilles heel.
「Ugh!」
「Fuck!」
Sensei immediately lost her balance. Unable to prevent it from pushing further, I had awkwardly struck the creature on its head.
「ME！？」
Was that a critical hit? Or did I just give it a nice surprise? Because astonishingly enough the Electric Sheep stopped and moved backwards instead. At the same time, Sensei gets up vigorously after having falling on her butt. Protecting Sensei, I thrust out my torch, waving at the monster.
「Sensei, are you okay!?」
「Ah, haah~…….」
At my question, Sensei just gets up without replying. Checking up on Sensei while keeping an eye on the Electric Sheep, it didn’t look like Sensei was severely hurt or anything. But clearly the expression plastered on her face was that of shock.
I couldn’t just leave it to Sensei to handle this.
「…….Leave the rest to me!」
Crying out my intentions, I charged towards the enemy that was before me. Responding to my shout the Electric Sheep props itself back, pawing the ground, before charging at me.
Sidestepping to dodge its charge, I position myself for a counterattack on the Sheep’s flanks. Purposefully swapping the torch between hands, feinting before attacking its sides.
「MEE！ MEEE……！」
「Huh!」
My last attack missed by hair, as the electric sheep dodged by veering slightly. Confident in itself, the sheep stooped low even further to charge again. It intends to ram me with its body. If it really manages to ram me, all the electricity flowing through its body would be discharged through me leaving me in a critical state.
…..But I already expected that.
Tossing the torch aside, I pulled out my combat knife while raising my left arm to guard my center.
「MEEE！！」
It began its charge towards me. Clenching my teeth, I stood-fast as――
「Rrgh!!! Fuc- damn!!…..」
The moment we made contact as I blocked its charge, my vision flickered as pain rain through every part of my body. But squeezing every once of will I could muster, I moved my knife to strike.
「MEE……!?」
The numbing pain which assaulted me disappeared. Focusing in the distance, the Electric Sheep had drawn itself back, a large gash running down one of its eyes. It seems like that last blow, struck a vital spot.
Gathering what energy I had left within me, I darted towards the electric sheep. Gripping the combat knife with both hands. With one of its eyes injured, I used that opportunity to approach it from its blind spot. And thus driving my blade firmly into its skull.
「Take that!!」
「ME, E……！？」
Did we injure it past its threshold or was the brain its weak spot? Staggering back with my knife driven deep into its head….. The Electric Sheep drops to the floor. And at that moment it burst into particles of light and was absorbed by the labyrinths surroundings.
Somehow we managed to win.
「*Heavy Sigh*………」
Gathering all the energy I had left, I went to retrieve my knife which had fallen to the floor, picking it up and returning it to my sheath. It was desperate fight.
It reminded me of the fight I had with the Laughing Jack-O-Lantern in which I struggled so much. I thought my insides were cooked.
….But from that battle, I learned two important things.
The first one “Don’t disregard the difference in levels” which was very important. The double strike which Sensei’s executed perfectly like before, the Level 9 Electric Sheep withstood it and countered her attack instead. The obvious truth……. the amount of damage inflicted was not enough to overcome it.
The difference in levels between the creature and Sensei was just 3 levels. It was about the same situation with me and the damn pumpkin. Looking back it, the Jack-O-Lantern didn’t even flinch from my attack. And from the looks of it, if the difference in levels is greater than 3, our attacks won’t be enough to critically damage to our enemies.
Sensei’s attacks are able to connect and rapidly hit their marks, but if not enough damage can be achieved, then she’ll just be countered.
The second important fact I learned out of this….. Our teamwork is really bad.
In a pincer formation, neither of us would get in each other’s way. But when we fought side by side in this narrow corridor, there were some hurdles. At a time like that, Sensei’s long staff was a detriment. Using a staff weapon, while fighting as party in a labyrinth isn’t as easy as we thought.
「…………」
「…………」
Neither of us said a thing to each other. It’s possible Sensei was thinking the exact same thing I was. I mean….. What could we say to each other, to make it less awkward.
U~ugh…. I need to do something about this…..
Thinking about how to remedy the situation, I pretended not to care about what just happened and reminded Sensei to continue exploring.
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Narko: Overconfidence can lead to conceit. It’s a fine lesson indeed.
Kai: You need to come clean MC, you need to tell her how she can level up faster, its the only way.
Narko: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) MC has priorities. Dungeon first, Girls second.
