studiobondurri Chapter 400: Ice Rock (1)
Chapter 400: Ice Rock (1)
Chapter 400: Ice Rock (1)
The grand expedition to the Dark Continent via the 8th floor.
We had allocated 20 days for traversing Ice Rock on this expedition and brought enough food for three months.
This wasn't out of an abundance of caution.
Ice Rock wasn't a place where you could afford to take your time.
We simply needed extra food.
Not only did the [Starvation] status effect make us consume three times the usual amount of food, but the food itself could spoil.
Because of this damn thing.
"Ice storm!"
The blizzard that swept through the area every 30 minutes to 6 hours.
「Field Effect - 'Festering Cold' applied.」
「Accelerated decay rate for affected targets.」
This wretched storm could even spoil frozen food.
There was only one way to protect it.
Prioritize the food over the people and use magic to preserve it.
Of course, there was a problem with that too.
「Liard Ashid has cast the 4th-grade space-time magic [Block].」
「Mckelly Leyaders has cast the 4th-grade space-time magic [Block].」
「Bersil Gowland has cast the 4th-grade space-time magic [Block]...」
The mana consumption of the 4th-grade [Block] spell was significant, and if you wanted to be ready to cast it at any time, the cost would be even higher.
We had to take turns even at night.
"Ashid, go rest by the sled."
"Yes? But..."
"Don't worry, I'll call you if we need you."
"...I apologize."
Apologize? Why?
The other mages were all comfortably sitting on the sleds, resting.
「Field Effect - 'Festering Cold' deactivated.」
As soon as the blizzard subsided, we resumed our march.
Crunch, crunch.
The snow reached our ankles with every step.
Rumble.
I was starving, but we had to ration our food.
We had managed to protect the supplies so far, but we couldn't be sure what would happen next.
What if a blizzard hit during a battle, and we ran out of mana to protect the boxes?
Things would get really bad.
'Well, I wouldn't say we're in a good situation right now...'
Third day in Ice Rock.
Everyone was exhausted, and there were no idle chatter or jokes.
We just silently marched forward, conserving our energy.
The atmosphere was tense and edgy.
'This is the team I'm supposed to lead into battle against Noark?'
Morale was crucial in war.
I wasn't sure if we would even be able to complete the mission in this state.
The only positive thing was the rapid accumulation of experience points.
「Frozen Soul defeated. EXP +4.」
「Tainted Snow Spirit defeated. EXP +6.」
「Frost Guardian defeated. EXP +7.」
「Lich defeated. EXP +6.」
「Glacier Giant defeated. EXP +7.」
「Frostfire Turtle defeated...」
「...」
Most of the monsters in Ice Rock were high-level, so the experience points flowed in quickly.
Well, we still had a long way to go.
Even if we killed every monster in Ice Rock, it wouldn't be enough to reach level 8.
'But it's a rare opportunity, so I should hunt as many as I can.'
We continued fighting monsters and marching forward, our bodies growing increasingly weary.
As the sun began to set, we set up camp by a cliff.
We unloaded the tents and sleeping bags from the supply boxes and set them up.
And...
「Heating Stone activated.」
We placed a few activated magic tools in each tent, creating a cozy shelter.
"We don't have any night watch duty today, so get some rest."
Only two members were assigned to night watch duty for the entire expedition force.
Our turn wouldn't come until tomorrow, so we could all sleep soundly tonight.
It was thanks to the four paladins.
They would take turns casting [Purge Evil], keeping monsters away.
And there was no chance of encountering a looting party in this barren land.
Even if there were, they wouldn't dare attack a group this large.
Not if they wanted to keep their heads.
"Good night, Mister. See you tomorrow."
The tents were for three people, separated by gender.
No matter how close we were, men and women shouldn't sleep together.
I also preferred sleeping with other men.
Well, the old man and the mage might feel a bit cramped.
"Ashid, Aldidi. You two go to sleep first."
"Are you going on patrol?"
"I'm the expedition leader, after all."
I sent Didi and Ashid to bed and then patrolled the campsite, checking for any problems.
There were already snoring sounds coming from various tents.
They must be exhausted.
'Everything seems fine, so I should go to sleep too.'
I walked towards our team's tent.
Crunch.
I heard footsteps behind me and turned around.
"Kaislan, you're still awake?"
But now they were all adapting.
"I'm starving. I understand why everyone avoids this place."
"I usually look at my daughter's picture when I'm struggling, but I couldn't even do that here. I should have taken it out of my subspace pocket before we left the ship."
"Oh, you have a daughter? How old is she?"
It wasn't just the atmosphere that had changed.
The expedition force, which had been struggling to work together, was now moving as one.
"Enemies approaching from the flanks and front!"
"The 1st Team will hold them off while the 2nd and 3rd Teams take care of the flanks!"
They followed my orders without hesitation.
「Frozen Webter defeated. EXP +5.」
「Unmelting Cocoon defeated. EXP +6.」
「Frostfire Goblin defeated. EXP +5」
The battles were much easier now.
They were finally acting like an elite force.
Their teamwork had improved, and they were able to unleash their full potential.
And there was another positive development.
"Schuitz, that guy... he's a beast in battle."
Explorers respected strength.
As I stood at the front, taking on the most dangerous tasks, my reputation started to improve.
The rumors about me hoarding food had vanished.
Actions speak louder than words—
Crackle—
What was that?
My instincts, honed by years of experience, sensed danger.
"Erwen, did you hear that?"
"I don't know. It came from behind us..."
Behind us?
I turned around.
Crackle.
Spiderweb-like cracks were spreading across the ground, unable to withstand the weight.
'Damn it!'
It was where the troll pulling the sled was standing.
"Summon! Unsummon it now!"
I shouted, and the summoner, who had been spacing out, quickly unsummoned the troll.
But it was too late.
Crack, crack!
The cracking sound intensified.
"...Everyone, get back!"
The explorers near the collapsing ground scrambled to safety. Some, however, prioritized the supplies over their own lives.
"Supplies! Get the supplies!"
"We're done for without them!"
"Move it!"
They carefully pulled the sled away, trying to reduce the weight.
But the ground was collapsing faster.
Kwaaang!
The ground caved in, like a sinkhole.
One of the sleds and two explorers disappeared into the darkness.
And at that moment...
「Liard Ashid has cast the 5th-grade auxiliary magic [Levitation].」
The two explorers floated into the air.
Their expressions, filled with despair, turned to relief.
And then we heard a splash from below.
Splash!
Damn, there's water down there?
We can't retrieve the sled now.
I quickly gave orders, despite my despair.
"Everyone, get away from the edge! Spread out, don't stand too close!"
The team members finally started moving.
I cautiously approached the edge and looked down.
The mage illuminated the area with a light spell, and as expected, there was a river flowing below.
The sled was nowhere to be seen.
"Akuraba!!"
"Yes, sir!"
"How much food was in that sled?"
"About half, sir!"
Damn it, we lost half our food supply.
"..."
Akuraba looked at me nervously.
"Um..."
"Be quiet. I'm thinking."
"..."
I couldn't understand.
'The ground collapsed the first time, and now it's happening again?'
This didn't make sense.
So...
"Akuraba."
"Yes, sir."
"Ask everyone. Now."
I had to confirm something first.
"Is there anyone who changed their name? And was that name Hans?"
That would tell me whether this was just a series of unfortunate coincidences.
Or...
"Hurry up. This is important."
Someone's malicious intent.