Chapter 18: First Battle

We passed through the massive iron door and set foot into the dungeon.

A chill air caressed my cheeks, and a peculiar smell—a mixture of earth and mold—assaulted my nose.

The ground underfoot was damp and sticky, and a cold sensation slowly seeped through the soles of my shoes.

“Ugh… Dungeons really do have their own unique atmosphere…”

I heard Prefa’s small voice from behind me. Her voice was a little stiffer than usual. She must be nervous.

As if in response to her words, Elena unconsciously gripped the handle of her morning star, squeezing it tight.

“Alright, everyone. Let’s be on our way.”

My voice echoed through the silence of the dungeon.

My chest swelled with anticipation for the unknown adventure ahead and the exhilaration of leading these four.

I will command this party perfectly and establish my superiority over them through sheer skill.

That firm resolve began to burn within me.

We proceeded cautiously through the dungeon.

The dirt floor beneath us made a damp sound with every step, quietly marking our tracks.

“This way.”

I unfolded my map, cross-referencing it with the surrounding terrain as I led the group.

Inside the dim dungeon, the light from my map was the only thing we could rely on.

“There should be a large chamber straight down this passage. Stay sharp and be careful.”

“Ugh, a drop of water just fell from the ceiling. Right on my shoulder… It’s cold…”

Carnelia said with a wry smile, looking up and patting her shoulder.

Hmph. She has zero sense of urgency.

I told myself that I, as the leader, had to be the one to keep everyone focused. After we had walked for a while, a wide-open space came into view.

We had emerged into a spacious, cavern-like area, a stark contrast to the straight passage we’d been following.

Before our eyes, four small shadows were stirring.

“They’re here,” Carnelia noted, her voice tinged with surprise.

They were bipedal creatures about the size of a human child, with faces like dogs.

I had learned about them in class.

“Kobolds…”

As I muttered the word, Elena’s face twisted in fear.

I remembered them from my Magical Creatures lecture.

Kobolds are weak monsters that inhabit the shallower floors, but they are known for moving in groups.

However, it was rare for them to be in a pack on such a low floor.

Noticing us, they bared their sharp claws and fangs, charging toward us with high-pitched shrieks.

“Michelle-sama, what do we do!?”

Prefa asked in a frightened voice.

I could see her fluffy ears trembling with fear.

“Calm down. I will give the orders. First, Ichinose-san will draw their attention. In that opening, Carnelia and—”

It happened in an instant.

“……!”

Fwish—

Ichinose’s form vanished from my sight.

“Huh…!?”

The next moment, she was already in the dead center of the kobold pack.

Her movements were soundless, like a gust of wind rushing past.

She kicked off the ground, leaned in, and closed the distance in a single breath.

The sword in her hand flashed, tracing a brilliant blue arc.

Its tip found the throat of a kobold with perfect accuracy.

The sound of a blade slicing through the air echoed twice.

Thud, thud.

Following the sound, the bodies of two kobolds collapsed to the ground.

It was an instant kill.

“…!?”

I couldn’t help but gasp.

Before I had even finished giving my command, she had already cut down two of them.

The remaining kobolds let out rage-filled snarls and lunged at Ichinose.

To her, their movements were far too slow.

Ichinose moved as if dancing, her light steps carrying her around the space as she effortlessly dodged the kobolds’ attacks.

“I’ll back you up!”

BANG! BANG!

Just then, Carnelia raised her rifle and fired two successive shots.

The gunshots reverberated throughout the dungeon as the bullets accurately pierced the heads of the remaining kobolds.

Without so much as a chance to scream, they crumpled to the floor.

The battle was over before I could finish giving my orders.

“So fast…”

I was speechless.

They were so fast that my leadership wasn’t even necessary.

In the face of their overwhelming individual power, teamwork and tactics were meaningless.

My plan to lead everyone with my perfect command had been shattered. Their abilities far surpassed my imagination.

Ichinose sheathed her sword, and Carnelia slung her rifle over her shoulder.

There was no trace of agitation on either of their faces.

“Phew. Battles on these floors end in a flash, huh?”

Carnelia shrugged, sounding bored.

She spoke as if she had just finished some tedious chore.

“…Not even warmed up yet.”

Ichinose slid her sword quietly back into its scabbard.

There was no sign of tension or fatigue on either of them.

That skill with a gun… It’s frustrating, but in terms of pure destructive power, Carnelia is superior.

But I couldn’t just back down like this.

I forcibly suppressed the sense of desperation welling up in my chest.

Just then, I noticed something lying on the floor.

“Something’s been dropped.”

Crouching down to get a better look, I saw that it was a kobold’s fang.

When you defeat a monster in a dungeon, sometimes a part of the monster will remain without disappearing.

These items have various uses, like serving as catalysts for magic or being crafted into weapons, and since the academy buys them, they’re a good way for students to earn some pocket money.

“Spoils of battle. I’ll pick it up.”

Ichinose said, reaching for the fang.

“Ichinose-san, if you start picking things up from such a low floor, your bag will be full in no time.”

Ichinose scowled at my words.

“Besides, a kobold’s fang is only worth about 100 shekels. You can’t even buy rations with that.”

“There are times when you’d cry over that 100 shekels.”

Her words carried a strange, persuasive weight.

With that, Ichinose carefully picked up the fangs that were scattered on the ground.

“Let’s move on.”

Ichinose turned her back to us and started walking again.

…That’s the line I wanted to say.

A sense of panic welled up inside me at the feeling that my position as leader was already being stolen away. But I couldn’t say anything, and simply stared at Ichinose’s back.

We followed behind her, continuing deeper into the dungeon.