Seeker 253.1

Test

Chapter 253.1. Accident

Occasionally, Kazane-san would sense the presence of monsters beyond the wall. 

Each time, we successfully defeated additional Killer Ants by using the [Tunnel] skill. 

The more Killer Ants we defeated, the more experience points we gained upon completing missions. 

We also earned experience points for defeating monsters in general.

Of course, we encountered Killer Ant groups, including higher-level species like Soldiers and Mages, in our assigned areas and successfully defeated them multiple times. 

Around the time we had defeated over 40 Killer Ants in total, including various species, we encountered a certain incident.

Even during this incident, we continued our exploration joyfully, chatting as usual and progressing smoothly.

"Hey, isn't it a bit monotonous to keep fighting monsters in this desolate environment? It doesn't feel like the world we came from."

"Yeah, how many encounters have we had so far? About 10 times, I guess."

"Probably around that number. We still have plenty of MP left, but I'd like to replenish it more."

"Seriously, isn't it about time to call it quits? I feel like we've been walking around inside this nest for almost an hour."

"Wait, Kazane-san, that imagination of yours is genuinely scary. Well, assuming there are at most a hundred bodies in a group, considering other parties' hunts, and feeling like we're approaching the end."

We continued our exploration in the underground tunnels, but the scenery remained mostly unchanged, creating uncertainty about whether we were truly making progress. 

However, the gradual descent indicated that we were indeed going deeper. 

If this path led to the Queen's location, it wouldn't be surprising to reach it soon. 

Alternatively, we might encounter a dead-end.

"Oh, Daichi-kun, again. This time, it's on that side."

At that moment, Kazane-san raised her voice and pointed to the wall on my left. 

As usual, she had sensed the presence of monsters.

"Understood—[Tunnel]."

I used the digging magic for the umpteenth time today, pushing the wall open to create a passage. 

On the other side of the newly created passage, there was another tunnel, forming an "E"-shaped connecting passage.

We passed through that tunnel and encountered four Killer Ants and one Killer Ant Mage on the other side, successfully defeating them without any issues. 

Afterward, as we tried to return to our assigned passage, something unexpected happened.

"Whoa!"

"Is that a pitfall!?"

From deep within one side of the tunnel, such voices reached us. 

I exchanged glances with Kazane-san and Yuzuki.

After a while, we heard screams resembling this.

"The Queen is still here!?"

"Don't mess with us! There's no escape route!"

At that moment, I made up my mind.

I quickly gave instructions to Kazane-san and Yuzuki.

"Let's go toward the voices!"

"Yeah!"

"Got it!"

We dashed towards the direction where the voices were coming from.

***