The domed ceiling was covered in intricate shadows which were cast by the light of the magic stone in the center.
While standing in this cavern, carved out of a natural cave, Shelban looked at the sorcerers who stood around the magic circle.
“How far has the excavation work gone?”
“Hole, much bigger. Little more, should dig down.”
Said the goblin. And then he handed over the expansion plans which were drawn on a sheepskin.
This place that he had been put in charge of. It seemed like it was on the verge of collapse, even before the arrival of the Hero.
They had desperately rebuilt it, and come this far. Dungeons gave power to the Demon King and his castle. And so it had to be managed with the utmost care.
“Lord Shelban. We have finished sending the magic energy to the castle.”
“Good. After some rest, continue with the crafting of tools with the remaining energy…”
Suddenly, the light of the stone grew dim. This meant that the exploration net around the dungeon had detected something.
“It seems an enemy has appeared outside of the dungeon. They’ve been intercepted near the entrance!”
“How many are there?”
Shelban asked, and one of the sorcerers used the power of the magic stone to project an image. Upon seeing it, Shelban’s eyes widened.
“What is…!”
An arrow with three layers of blessings shot through the air, blasting away the orc who flew out of the cave. Still, new monsters kicked the old corpses as they rushed forward.
“Salia! How many more, will come out!?”
Sheto asked while hiding behind the stone wall that was meant to protect the dungeon. As soon as he had taken down the guards, the dungeon was on full alert. And now, monsters wielding weapons had created a wall of flesh to block his path.
‘Wait a moment… I just got word. About ten more are headed that way.’
The confusion over being attacked by a single kobold had died down, and they were now barking orders and raising large shields.
“Fi. Not found yet?”
‘…He said the invisibility has worn off, but he is fine because the enemy is distracted now.’
Sheto nocked another arrow and looked at the monsters. They were known for their strength, and were now advancing towards the wall while carrying shields.
“Salia. It’s time to go fishing!”
‘Understood. Canila, tell Keita to do as we planned.’
‘Yes. I understand.’
After hearing them, Sheto pulled out his whip and rushed up the wall and jumped.
“Arghhhhaaa!”
A flash as he swung down. And then the orc’s shield was severed in half. The blades cut into the arms and chest and the pig-faced monster screamed as he fell to the ground.
“What is that?”
“How could a kobold…!?”
He swung wide again, pushing back a group that were thrusting their spears. From what he could see, there were around ten of them. And he sensed more approaching the entrance.
“What’s the matter! Come at me!”
He purposely provoked them and swung his weapon. With the blessing, the whip was as sharp as a sword and could easily break through their weak wooden shields.
Still, he could only do so much against so many. The goblins crowded around Sheto with their shields, trying to seal his movement.
‘Sheto! Fi says a troll is headed…’
“Argh! Ah! Get out of my way!”
It appeared just as Salia warned him. A bald-headed giant wielding a mace came out of the cave.
“Mmm. Shelban said, I to fight it. You all. Move back and pick up bows.”
And so the shield-wielders drew back. The troll then glared at Sheto as he approached.
“You, kobold. Killed Gaide, eh?”
Sheto did not know that name, but nodded anyway.
“You kobolds, are food. You an enemy. I hunt for revenge.”
“Wooo. Awooo. Awooo!”
It was certainly a howl that was lacking. However, there was a certain rage in it.
“Then, I hunt you back!”
He swung the whip. It dug deep into the troll’s thigh and tore away flesh.
However…
“ARGHHHHHHAAA!”
As if not feeling a thing, the troll’s mace slammed into the ground, causing rock and sand to fly towards Sheo.
“Tsk!”
He jumped back, dodging it desperately. Still, the shards scraped his body. By the time the troll had stood up again, the wound on his leg was mostly sealed.
“Trolls really trouble. Wounds heal, quickly.”
‘Sheto. We have finished preparations over here. We can go at any time!’
“Then do it!”
He quickly put away his weapon and took out the bow. At the same time, the troll’s body lowered and he held the mace over his head.
“You. I know you use wyvern poison. So, I drank antidote. But still, stay on guard.”
‘…We shouldn’t have left the ogre corpse. Still, I’m surprised they share all of that information.’
As he listened to Salia’s grumbling, Sheto pulled out a few arrows and unleashed them into the air.
The arrows bounced off of the troll’s chest, caused the shield-wielding goblins to draw back, and pierced into a few spear-wielders.
Still, the monsters continued their attack.
While relying on the toughness of their bodies, they pushed Sheto back to the wall.
As he began to become frantic, Sheto heard the goddess’s voice.