Earth Dungeon 110.2

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Chapter 110.2. Excursion

"Is the children's school play over? Well then, let's get going. We've come this far, too."

This is beyond the bridge of the Amatsugahara Corporation. It's near my place, except for managed dungeons, there are no dungeons left. We've hunted too much.

Well, there are plenty of dungeons. There's a swarm beyond the bridge. They eat so much that the cooler box gets filled with the catch.

"And spare us shooting from behind. I don't want to kill you either."

"Understood. Thank you, Amano-san."

I shrugged my shoulders at Fuuka, who nodded obediently and turned to Serika and Karin.

"Hey, girls in heavy armor over there. Armor is a bit too much for a snack."

Serika and Karin were wearing futuristic sci-fi-like armored suits. Serika wore thick armor that looked like Western full-body armor made of thick metal, while Karin wore light armor with glowing lines. These girls were too heavily equipped. Especially Serika, her weapon seemed impressive. She had a large gun that looked like a bazooka.

"No, you never know what might happen. I might die if a monster like the Snowflake appears again. I brought barley tea with sugar in a water bottle, so I'll treat you later."

"The latest model. It's Neko-chan's exclusive enhanced armor."

"Enough."

Serika's teasing made me chuckle, and Karin spun around happily. I envy them, but I think I prefer a ring I can use daily.

"Well then, let's depart."

"Understood."

"Honda Tadakatsu, too, is okay."

"Yes."

Shingen and the others nodded, carrying their guns on their shoulders, wielding spears and shields in their hands, and started walking. Thanks to the enhanced stats, they could effortlessly carry heavy tower shields made of iron. The lineup consisted of Shingen, Ooki-kun, Baba, and Hana. Hana... Jun was waving his hand with teary eyes as he bid farewell, but she was an unavoidable girl. And Ooki-kun, where did Neo go?

Although it's a dungeon in the snow, once you enter a little from the entrance, the temperature becomes slightly colder but still manageable. The ceiling is about 30 meters high.

The surroundings get covered in grasslands. It's a field trip with about 25 people in total to the Grassland Dungeon.

The passage is like a country road, with knee-high grass and a mix of forests with trees growing, providing a warmth similar to spring without us noticing. The ceiling illuminates the dungeon with a radiant light as if it were midday. It's a mysterious land ruled by an inexplicable law.

"This place is mainly dominated by beast-type monsters. It's a difficult place to hunt."

They may be stupid animals, but they are more ferocious than Goblins. We can fight Goblin with a bow. But with them, if our arrows get blocked, beasts approach swiftly. Moreover, they crawl through the grass, stealthily getting closer, making them troublesome.

"Alright, form a formation! Scouts!"

Shingen gave instructions, and the scouts cautiously started moving with swords at the ready. By the way, I don't know about skills. This time, it's an excursion where we fight without skills, on average.

Everyone walked silently. There was no one chatting. As I walked slowly next to the metal clunking of the walking armored lump, making creaking sounds, I thought it was a man's romance. Won't you give me one?

"This has an operating time of only 20 minutes. We'll stop to change the battery on the way, but please don't mind."

I take back what I said earlier. I don't need it after all. How much does that enhanced suit cost?

"We've spotted wolves approaching rapidly! About twenty of them!"

They would use hand signals or communication devices, but since they had already been spotted, the scout loudly called for attention.

"Raise shields! Archers, aim!"

Amidst the calm atmosphere, 4 vanguards with shields propped against the ground faced Grass Wolves, each about 2 meters, sprinting through the grass. Behind them, soldiers with bows aimed at the wolves.

"Fire!"

Judging the distance to the approaching enemies, Baba signaled, and arrows were released simultaneously. Some Grass Wolves fell, but others continued to approach.

Soldiers from Fuuka's group, armed with automatic rifles, were on guard but didn't seem intent on fighting. I asked them for a favor, but I wondered if their presence was causing the number of enemies to increase.

[There's no restriction for the seven of us, so there's no problem.]

[I see. Then we should deal with this to be on the safe side.]

Nodding in agreement with Shizuku's words, I watched the battle unfold.

"Charge!"

Soldiers with shields raised their morale and tried to intercept the wolves. However, the wolves leaped over the shields, approaching from the rear.

It's natural for beasts. Maybe I should change equipment for each dungeon conquest.

"Take this!"

"Strike!"

Though unexpected, the archers quickly picked up spears left behind, reacting to the unexpected enemy movement. Ooki-kun struck one with a powerful thrust, impaling it, while Hana swung her spear, sending another flying with a horizontal sweep.

However, being within the wolves' range, they hindered each other from swinging their spears. Sighing at the chaotic scene, I thought this was typical for a first battle.

[Shadow Threads]

Creating shadow threads by shading my hands. I sent them towards the Grass Wolves. In front of the confused soldiers, I released the shadow threads and snapped my fingers.

[Loosen and send them flying.]

The Shadow Threads obstructed the Grass Wolves' charge, and upon contact, they rebounded, creating a twanging sound like a bowstring. The shadow threads, imbued with slack and repulsion, covered the surroundings, temporarily pushing back the approaching wolves.

"There, one more time. Think about your next move."

Clapping my hands, Shingen grinned and nodded.

"This is a training exercise! Spear formation!"

"Ooh!"

Soldiers with shields pressed against each other, forming a spear formation. Phalanx formations are weak when surrounded, but it's what we have.

As expected, the Grass Wolves began circling, trying to attack from the sides.

Looks like this will take a while. Once again, I sighed at the chaotic scene of confused soldiers.