Rochelle leaped down from her bed, her skirt swirling dramatically around her as if caught in a gust of wind, but she quickly snatched the hem to cover herself, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
I turned my head a full 180 degrees, feigning ignorance of the scene, as Rochelle glanced up at me, mortified.
The peaceful morning was shattered by a series of loud, echoing strikes — "Gong! Gong! Gong!" — reverberating through the walls, reminiscent of the deafening tolls that herald the beginning of an epic duel in a martial arts film.
Ellen, ever the quick one, grabbed the rapier she had strapped to her hip. Beside her, Rochelle peered out the window, and I followed their lead, curiosity intoxicating my senses.
The streets below teemed with adventurers, their hurried footsteps pounding against the cobblestones as they raced toward the guild hall. It wasn't long before our own inn swelled with excitement, the air thickening with the shouts and movements of rugged adventurers. Meanwhile, townsfolk scurried into their homes, slamming windows and locking doors in a frantic bid for safety.
Without a glance back, Ellen and Rochelle jumped through the window, their movements graceful and precise as they descended from our fifth-floor perch. I stood frozen, awestruck, unsure how they had managed such a feat. My gaze followed the shy, timid figure of Sheena, who hesitated but quickly joined the fray.
Feeling a surge of determination, I propelled myself toward the window, but the fear of the daunting drop paralyzed me. I gulped as I looked down at the street, the distance too great.
"Tadano, you're not like them," I muttered to myself, recalling their near-fearless nature. "All three of them are monsters."
Reluctantly, I turned to the bedroom door, apprehension gnawing at my insides.
"Watch out, brat!" shouted one adventurer.
"Get out of the way!"
"Adventurer coming through!" a voice bellowed, as a throng of rugged adventurers surged past me, filling the narrow hallway.
…
**Rochelle's P.O.V**
"Where's Sai?" Ellen asked, glancing back at our small party.
"I'm not sure, but his monster pet is here," I said, pointing discreetly to the goblin hiding under a cloak, clutching her staff with both hands as she gazed longingly over her shoulder.
"Don't worry, he'll show up soon," I reassured Sheena, noting how she tried to bury her face in the shadows of her hood, masking whatever emotions flickered across her features. It puzzled me why I felt such an urge to comfort her, considering she was in the same elusive class as Ellen and Rochelle.
Without warning, Ellen dashed up the stairs to the adventurers' guild, her eagerness palpable.
…
"Dear heroes, thank you for gathering here on such short notice!" boomed a voice that cut through the buzzing chatter.
We were met with an immense crowd, hundreds of adventurers converging under the high beams of the guild hall.
A stout woman stood atop a podium, her voice amplified by a loudspeaker. "The dungeon on the northern edge of the city has suffered a catastrophic fissure, and the monsters have begun to escape! We urgently need all able-bodied adventurers to help defend our city. I know many of you have families in peril, some even beyond our city limits, and the only incentive I can offer is… monetary rewards!"
She lowered her head and held her hands at her sides, the sincerity in her tone striking a chord among those present.
"Please, I implore you to help save our city and protect our homes!"
The room surged with a wave of energy as many adventurers were swayed by her earnest plea. One by one, swords were unsheathed, bows were readied, and lances were raised high. A visceral roar erupted from the collective crowd, shaking the very walls of the guild.
"Let's goooooooo whoaaa!" Ellen shouted, weapon held aloft. In a moment of camaraderie, she grabbed my arm and pulled me into her embrace, the thrill of adventure igniting a fire within me.
—
**On the 40th floor of a certain dungeon**
"Whoa, Sachi! That sword of yours is incredible! It slices through even the toughest monsters with ease; we're practically breezing through this!" Satsuki exclaimed, holding a book close to his chest. Suddenly, a deep crimson aura cloaked him, pages of the book fluttering as if caught in a fierce wind.
"Draconic Eden!" he declared. In an instant, everything within a ten-meter radius lit up in vibrant oranges and reds. The ground cracked beneath us, and fiery magma began to bubble forth from expanding crevices until ten looming black pillars emerged, encircling the trio.
"With this power, our physical and magical abilities will skyrocket, our regeneration enhanced fivefold, but our defenses—those will weaken significantly," he warned, tension rising in the air.
"Now it's my turn," Mizuki chimed in, thrusting his great shield into the ground as it stood steadfast, unwavering.
"Steadfast Aura!" His muddy copper aura surged around him, an imposing presence standing guard before his allies.
"Call of the Mountain God!" he bellowed, invoking a translucent giant that towered behind him, looming over him like a living mountain.
The colossal being withdrew a gourd from its hip and, after taking a hearty swig, slammed it down upon the ground, producing a thunderous roar that echoed like a storm.
Green orbs flickered ominously in the shadows beyond the reach of Satsuki's skill. A menacing roar filled the chamber as light exploded from behind, igniting rows of lamps that unveiled an enormous figure: a towering minotaur wielding a colossal battle axe, its goat-like legs reminiscent of ancient trees. Its upper body, rugged and devoid of fur, bore a human-like visage, yet its sheer size rivaled that of a titan, muscles bulging like those of the strongest bodybuilders.
A heavy bell around its neck quivered ominously as it advanced, emitting a chilling breath from its wide nostrils.
"Whooooooa, it's a minotaur!" Mizuki exclaimed, his voice tinged with awe and excitement.