Chapter 51: The Tricky Judge II

Our task now is to explore Bordeaux Dungeon and deal with the “Lich” said to lurk in its deepest depths.  

We also took on the Bordeaux Dungeon exploration mission, but that’s not a big deal.  

This country—whatever it’s called—issued urgent mission directives nationwide to select the next hero candidate.  

Dry Village’s urgent mission is to handle the Sin Wolf in the Black Forest.  

Isti brought this mission.  

She’s a diamond-rank hunter, an elf archer who doesn’t even like sharing her name with humans.  

The day Isti arrived in Dry Village, I cast a suggestion spell on her.  

Then, meeting Karen, my c0ck-house, I got roped into the hero candidate selection unexpectedly.  

We handled the Sin Wolf mission splendidly… well, in a slightly unconventional way.  

But Veil Noah, the examiner in the village, pointed out several suspicious details, forcing me to spill everything.  

Normally, that’d mean instant disqualification.  

But we were attacked by another adventurer, and Isti, with her influence, defended us, earning an unexpected chance at a follow-up test.  

That test? Take down the Lich on Bordeaux Dungeon’s lowest floor.  

I can’t risk my life, but this is unavoidable now.  

I know the way to Bordeaux Dungeon well.  

It was the first dungeon I challenged shortly after transferring to this world—unforgettable.  

Back then, it felt like a newly explored dungeon.  

Who’d have thought it had deeper levels?  

We walk about an hour to reach Bordeaux Dungeon’s entrance.  

More adventurers are gathered here than before.  

The wide-open plain lets me see the adventurers clearly—seems like more than at the Black Forest entrance.  

“Are these all here for the Lich?”  

“Looks like it. Word’s spread among adventurers. Their gear’s top-notch…”  

“No need to feel intimidated.”  

Karen takes a deep breath.  

“I’m not worried about others. Just whether I can do my part.”  

“If it gets dangerous, we Space Leap out. Got it?”  

“Yeah. That’s the last resort.”  

We prepped for Space Leap and head underground.  

Karen lights a lantern, holds it in her shield hand, and leads.  

Vindel used to light the way with a torch. Is he assisting other adventurers now?  

“Big Bro, monster ahead.”  

“Fire Ball.”  

I chant and form a fireball above my hand.  

Strange. 

Only goblins should appear here. They’re aggressive but just goblins. Nothing to fear, yet something feels off.  

“More coming!” Karen shouts.  

Something charges at us like lightning—a skeleton. 

But not the kind I know.  

It wields a sword in one hand, its eye sockets glowing red with sinister magic.  

It looks similar but moves with agility unlike any skeleton.  

Karen blocks its sword with her shield, braces with her wa!st, and shoves it back hard.  

We’ve fought together enough that timing attacks is easy.  

I aim and launch the Fire Ball.  

The skeleton takes the hit and explodes, burning bone fragments scattering, briefly lighting the dark passage.  

Cold sweat drips.  

“What was that?”  

“Skeleton Warrior. It’s tough, but Big Bro’s magic worked well.”  

So… to reach level 150, I’ve gotta face those?  

Fighting a knife-wielding thug feels less scary now.  

“Karen, you okay?”  

Karen’s face looks pale.  

“The flames were too hot…”  

“Oh…”  

I forgot.  

Beleira’s blessing makes me immune to heat, but Karen isn’t.  

The Black Forest was open, but Bordeaux Dungeon’s cramped. The passage barely fits three people—can’t just tell her to endure.  

She’d get serious burns.  

“Fire Ball’s out. I’ll use Fire Arrow. It has less power, but…”  

“…Thanks.”  

Not Karen’s fault.  

In a restrictive environment, we need the right approach.  

“Big Bro, ahead!”  

Karen readies herself. Another Skeleton Warrior charges.  

Karen blocks its wild sword swings, buying time.  

“Fire Arrow!”  

Haven’t used it since learning Fire Ball.  

It’s a basic skill, weaker than Fire Ball, but no choice.  

We need compact attacks, not overwhelming power. Fire Arrow’s better for that.  

Cast in under a second, it hits the Skeleton Warrior’s head.  

“Ugh!”  

But the power’s lacking.  

The Skeleton Warrior withstands it and starts overpowering Karen.

“Karen!”  

“Got it, I’ll knock it back!”  

Karen shoves with her shield, breaking its balance.  

“Fire Arrow!”  

Another hit to its b0dy, but it doesn’t fall.  

I realize how strong Fire Ball was.  

“This is endless.”  

“Let’s go back to Fire Ball, Big Bro…!”  

“I’ll boost the output.”  

Using my focus bracelet, I overcharge Fire Arrow.  

MP drains fast, but the power surges.  

“Fire Arrow!”  

The Skeleton Warrior’s b0dy explodes.  

(Level up!)  

“Haa… haa…”  

“Karen, you okay?”  

“Yeah. Just tired from the struggle.”  

“Can you handle the heat?”  

“My skin’s a bit scorched, but I can manage.”  

Her arm’s red, like she touched something hot, though she didn’t take a direct hit.  

“Come here.”  

I pull a starlight clam from my inventory and press it to Karen’s arm.  

“Oh…”  

“Feel okay? No pain?”  

“How’d you do that? Doesn’t feel like magic…”  

“Item from Bella. Like an artifact.”  

“…Amazing. Just holding it heals wounds.”  

“But…”  

Burns hurt.  

Even if wounds heal, I can’t blast magic carelessly, ignoring Karen’s pain.  

There’s gotta be a better way.  

“Big Bro, don’t worry about me. If I hold you back, that’s…”  

Karen notices my concern, her face sad.  

“It’s not like that, Karen. Even if you’re ready to face pain, we can’t keep going with you getting burned. If a monster gets you, I’m done too.”