Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Faced with Chris's rebuttal, Rachel's question, and Nina's confirmation, I answered them all fluently.

Iglin seemed to recall that I had checked the notice board at the guild headquarters, and he asked in astonishment:

"Did you... anticipate this would happen...?"

"I—didn't expect to encounter this situation. But just in case, I made preparations in advance... because, as far as I know, the most capable supporters are these kinds of people."

I responded with a wry smile and stood up to spread out the maps of the 16th and 17th floors.

To assist us adventurers, Lily always prepared all sorts of items, carrying her bulging backpack on her back.

When I decided to become a supporter for the "Third Squad," I took Lily as my role model.

That's really all there is to it.

Therefore, I can proudly declare that she is the most powerful supporter in the world.

As Iglin and the others gasped, I turned my gaze to Nina.

"Nina, it doesn't matter what choice you make."

“Eh…?”

"The 'Third Squad' is incredibly powerful, so no matter which path you choose, you're guaranteed to return to the surface alive."

I smiled at Nina, and her emerald green eyes opened wide.

After giving everyone a little encouragement, I handed the choice over to Nina and the "Third Squad".

I always felt that at this moment, it was not my place to make the choice.

I don't think this is the responsibility of a "rabbi".

I am not here as the leader of a [Family] or a first-class adventurer, but as "Lavi Flamish".

I don't think I have the capacity to guide others.

However, I also believe that now that I have reached Lv.5, I cannot just keep charging forward alone as usual.

Instead, it's about the "vision" that Miss Ryu mentioned—

Share and transmit.

Or perhaps it is to spread the light called hope.

Perhaps Hermes, Baldr, and Mr. Lyon were trying to teach me this lesson through the "school district."

At least that's how I see it now.

"...!"

Her long, brownish-red hair and a tuft of emerald-colored hair, signifying her noble lineage, swayed gently.

Nina, who was gripping the staff as if holding it with both hands, suddenly looked up.

"Let's move forward."

Iglin and the others looked surprised, while I smiled.

"If we stop here... it feels like we're no longer 'Squad Three (us)'!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Iglin and Chris also smiled.

Rachel's face, hidden by the mask, lifted slightly, presumably revealing the same expression.

"Alright! Let's head to the 18th floor! Let's make those who looked down on us look at us with new eyes! Let's redeem ourselves from the stigma of being the 'worst squad in history'!"

"I believe this will greatly enhance my heroic deeds! And Iglin, it's not about redeeming yourself from a stain, but about getting rid of it!"

"It's rare to hear... Chris... complaining about people... This is definitely a... good omen."

Although the three of them reacted differently, they all shared the same goal and decided to forge ahead. Nina couldn't help but smile when she saw this, and when she noticed Nina looking at me, I nodded in response.

The policy is to keep moving forward.

The "Third Squad" set off towards the 18th floor.

"Hey, something terrible has happened... Everyone who came back said they can't go to floors below the 15th floor..."

"Experienced adventurers would definitely seek refuge on the 18th floor... and those brats from the 'school district' will surely do the same. It's all our fault for lying about the floor master; who knows how many people will suffer because of it when the time comes...!"

"I... I had no idea things would turn out like this! I just wanted to scare those kids!"

Lyon overheard the adventurers' conversation, but there was no point in going forward to investigate now. So he looked at the Tower of Babel standing directly in front of him.

"I never imagined that the students would be trapped in the underground city under such circumstances."

The central square was in complete chaos. As adventurers from various clans and teachers from the school district rushed back and forth, one could see that the man was wearing a silver-white suit of armor on his upper body.

On his back he carried a "long sword".

Actually, the "school district" just happened to withdraw the underground city's supervisors back to the surface today. Leon couldn't help but sigh at how unfortunate the timing was, as he walked towards the gray-white giant tower.

"This is what they call the bittersweet spring... Unfortunately, the situation isn't optimistic enough to say that. Leon, please go and save the children who should still be celebrating their youth!"

"Given the urgency of the situation, please forgive me for being unable to offer any comforting words, but I will do my utmost, Goddess Eden."

The goddess, who had humbled herself to ask for a favor, smiled confidently after hearing the promise made by the absolute powerhouse like a "knight," and immediately shared the information she had gathered.

"Among the students still trapped in the dungeon are the 'Seventh Squad' and the 'Third Squad' of [Baldrban]. The former is an elite squad and should be relatively safe; however, the latter, known as the 'worst squad in history,' is quite worrying..."

Eden is not a goddess who governs "war" or "fate".

Seeing the unease on her face, Leon simply thought it was "overthinking" and smiled gently.

"Regarding this, I dare say there is no need to worry."

"oops?"

In the blink of an eye, Lyon seemed to transform into a legendary steed, displaying unparalleled speed, while leaving behind a single sentence.

"Because the 'unfeathered hero (him)' is in the 'Third Squad'."

"Roar! Ro ...

"Get out of my way, all of you!!!"

Eglin raised his sledgehammer to meet the large "fanged lion-tiger" blocking his way head-on.

Immediately afterward, the Dark Elf wielded his twin swords to attack the "Unicorn Rabbit," while the Dwarf swung his two-handed sword to slay the "Dungeon Worm" that emerged from a hole drilled in the ground. The two unleashed a series of sharp slashes, sending their opponents flying.

"Keep it up, everyone!!"

Nina unleashed a wave of wind slashes forward using her "magic sword," followed immediately by a healing spell.

Thanks to the support of the defenders, the three forwards became energetic again.

Nina continues to serve as commander, and her judgments have been remarkably accurate. In the current situation where physical and mental energy cannot be wasted, she seizes crucial moments to unleash magic, continuously providing cover for Iglin and the others acting as the vanguard. Having learned a painful lesson on the 12th floor, she decided to wield the "Magic Sword." Although already an excellent healer, her aptitude as a squad leader has also grown rapidly.

(We used the vertical tunnel to reach the 16th floor, where the monsters' attacks became even more ferocious! Now even the center (Rei) is on the front line, they have no strength left!!)

That's why Nina was well aware that she was facing a very critical "adversity".

The dungeon exploration time has now far exceeded what was initially estimated when they set off from the "school district." The "Third Squad," constantly breaking records for the number of rounds of combat, continues to push their limits and, like many advanced adventurers, is undergoing the "baptism of the dungeon."

Their stamina has waned. The problem can't be solved by restoring their strength with magic; the continuous battles have made it difficult for their overworked brains to concentrate. This extreme situation, where even the slightest mistake can lead to the immediate collapse of the battle line, is gradually eroding the students' remaining energy like a leech. As long as the monsters continue their relentless attacks, it will eventually turn into a "bitter battle" they have never experienced in the "school district" before.

Sweat could be seen streaming down the forehead of the wounded Iglin, and sweat seeped from the exposed brown arms of Rachel, whose sleeves had been torn. Chris, who had fought a bloody battle, was also covered in sweat. Nina was in the worst condition; she was about to exhaust her mental energy due to the constant use of magic, and large beads of sweat streamed down her soft skin.

If it weren't for the rabbi always providing the elixir of mental energy at the perfect moment, she would have long since fallen into a state of mental exhaustion.

(We've been moving forward, even when our lives are hanging by a thread! Rabbi has been helping us with all his might, and we can definitely overcome this obstacle! As long as we have a chance to catch our breath, we'll definitely reach the 18th floor!!)

Including Rabi, who constantly uses various props such as purple moth poison bags for cover, the "Third Squad" is now united in fighting and unleashing the team's potential.

(So ​​please, don't let the situation worsen...!)

There are ways to deal with the enemy ahead.

With three forwards and their own support, there's a way to break through enemy lines from the front.

If the attack comes from only one direction, it can be handled.

So please, let's hope there are no more unexpected situations.

—As if mocking Nina's prayers, the labyrinth summoned a scythe of death.

"Nina! Watch out behind you!!"

Chris, who was fighting on the front lines, suddenly turned around.

The little people, unusually anxious, loudly reminded him, saying the other person's name.

"It's the Minotaur!!"

A terrifying roar slammed into Nina's back, causing her to stop breathing for a moment.

She turned her head with difficulty, only to be met with three fierce bulls in those emerald green eyes.

"Moo ooh ...

At this critical juncture, the large Minotaur, encountered for the first time, unleashed a roar that could restrain their opponents, launching an overwhelming attack.

Nina, almost in a state of panic, stretched out the "demon sword".

But that was the last one.

The green blade, which had exceeded its usage limit, was covered in cracks and then shattered.

"──────"

Nina was stunned, and Chris and the others were also speechless with astonishment.

It was as if a deadly "pincer attack" had been planned in advance.

Iglin and his crew were already overwhelmed by the large number of monsters ahead, and if they were to come to their rescue, they would be wiped out.

Therefore, the first prey targeted by the bulls is the supporter at the rear of the group.

That was the orc boy who was completely powerless and had no ability to fight.

"Ah────"

Despair opened its blood-red maw.

The maze grinned and burst into laughter.

Just as Iglin, Rachel, and Chris were about to give up because of this "setback," only Nina screamed at the top of her lungs.

"—Run! Lavi-kun!!"

In response to the scream, the boy's answer was—

"It's alright."

He pulled his hands out from between the straps of his backpack.

"Leave it to me."

The large backpack fell to the ground with a thud.

With fluid, effortless movements, the boy drew out two spare short swords.

Then it turned into a gust of wind.

"────────"

Nina saw it during the time it was compressed to its limit.

The moment the distance between them closed, the Minotaur unleashed a powerful punch at its target; at that very instant—

The boy's figure swayed slightly.

He appeared in the bull's arms as if he had teleported, his right hand transforming into a silver flash.

Then came a loud "Bang!!" sound, which I thought I must have misheard.

The piercing blow, like a cannonball, pierced through the Minotaur's chest, instantly reducing it to ashes.

But the shadow did not stop.

It accelerated again, as if trying to throw all the ashes behind it.

As the shadow approached the second bull, now without its companion, it brushed past it, causing the silver blade in its left hand to flash.

The short sword pierced through the chest again, and the bull exploded instantly.

"Moo hoo ...