I swiftly hatched a new plan.
'Hmm, then what to do.'
All 200 first-year students from the hero department are inside this underground dungeon.
It seems that just like my team, all the other students are probably suffering from the limited vision caused by the magic - it's like being blind.
But, going forward to B1 like this isn't smart.
My goal is to grab the treasure [Magic Cartridge] and take the top spot at the same time.
To get first place, we'll have to fight the Guardian sleeping at the exit to the surface.
Fighting the Guardian while practically blind is a no-go.
We need to get rid of this blind status once and for all.
'I have only 5 [Magic Nullification] uses left.'
Wasting each of my 4 [Magic Nullification] spells on my team members—Aisha, Ralph, Noctar, Travis—would be foolish.
Because I too will soon fall under 'Blind' again.
Such wide-ranging magic must surely have a source that keeps feeding it mana.
We need to find and destroy this magic source as soon as possible to cut off the mana flow.
While I was thinking all this over,
"Theo, what's going on?"
My team gathered around me.
"I want our team to be first."
I got straight to the point.
In a situation like this, it's best to cut out the fluff and be direct.
"...I like your attitude. But how? You're right in front of me and still look blurry. How can we even think of winning?"
"I can see a little better...but not by much. I can only see about 3 meters ahead."
Ralph and Aisha responded.
"Do you have a plan? Honestly, I can't think of anything. Other teams are probably blind too, so we have to rely on Aisha's slightly better vision and move slowly."
Travis also shared his gloomy opinion.
I met their eyes calmly.
"There is a way. I'll take the lead and make sure we're first. But before that, I need a promise from all of you."
"...?"
The team members looked in my direction.
Only Aisha was looking at my face, the others just turned towards where my voice was coming from.
The situation wasn't good.
But, other teams are probably having the same problems.
Only Jang Woohee's team, who also has [Magic Nullification], might be doing better.
"Trust me completely. Don't question me. If you can do that, I promise we'll be first. We don't need Neike, Piel, or anyone else. We'll reach the surface before their teams do."
Noctar would naturally trust me.
Travis had teamed with me last time, so he would likely comply.
And of course, Aisha would agree too.
That left only Ralph.
"...."
Ralph didn't utter a word, just silently staring towards my voice.
It was Aisha who broke the silence.
"I... I'll trust you, Theo," she declared, her gaze steady on me. "Even though I'm ranked 6th, I'm clueless in this situation. I lack your confidence. But I... I will do my best.”
"I'll follow your lead, Theo. But even Aisha is struggling, I doubt I can be of much help...” chimed in Travis.
Noctar, meanwhile, was chuckling to himself.
"What's so funny, Noctar?"
"It was funny how earnestly you're asking for trust. We're counting on you, Captain. Hey, Ralph. Let's go. A true warrior should always aim for first place."
"···Alright."
Ralph nodded his head.
······Good, it seems we've managed to establish some sort of order.
"So, I'll be the temporary captain. Remember, no matter what I do, or what happens, don't question it. If you have any doubts, save them for after we've reached the surface."
Let's go.
First place is ours.
'Luckily, the structure of the underground dungeon matches exactly with what I recall from the original story.'
So, where would the base supplying mana to this widespread status magic be located?
Quickly scanning my surroundings with my enhanced [Observer's Eye], I began to think.
'The secret room in the center seems likely.'
In the original story, there was a chest filled with gold coins inside this secret room.
It's a place inaccessible by ordinary means.
Such a location would be fitting for a colossal magic stone that can fuel such extensive magic.
"Let's get started."
I looked at my team.
"Got it, Captain. You're in charge again, just like last time."
"Alright, The...o."
"I'm pumped. A true warrior should be able to overcome such challenges."
"......"
Responses came from Travis, Aisha, and Noctar, one after the other.
Ralph remained silent.
'Haaaah, he's as big as a mountain but as sensitive as a sulky sixteen-year-old.'
Annoying as it was, there was no time to pick a fight.
'First, deliver a result he can't refuse.'
Before long, our team arrived at the secret room in the center.
"So, this place existed..."
Apart from Theo, only Aisha, who had slightly better vision, could see the secret room.
An odd room, encircled by stone walls on all sides, without a single door.
'It's the same as the original story. We have to break through this stone wall.'
Theo spoke calmly, surveying the secret room.
"Noctar, Travis. Demolish that wall."
"Got it."
Noctar and Travis promptly hefted their primary weapons.
Noctar wielded a hand axe, while Travis had a short spear.
Bang, bang, bang───!
They swung their weapons against the stone wall.
However, the wall remained strong.
In contrast, their weapons seemed on the verge of shattering.
Unable to just watch, Aisha offered her assistance.
"I'll help too!"
"No, you need to conserve your strength for later."
"Ah, okay. Let me know if you need me..."
"Understood."
“······.”
Aisha suppressed her habitual response of 'Ah, could you please respond a bit more enthusiastically~'.
'I wish things could go back to how they were.'
But all she could do at the moment was to follow Theo's orders.
She watched Noctar and Travis, relentlessly pounding on the wall, a worried look in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Theo turned his attention to Ralph.
"Break it, Ralph."
"......"
Ralph hefted his weapon, a mace. A perfect choice for smashing down a wall like this.
Theo's voice was firm.
"Do it thoroughly."
"···Okay."
Ralph activated three buff skills.
They were only self-buffs, but they didn't require any casting time.
With renewed vigor, Ralph struck his mace against the wall.
Crash, crash, crash───!
Bits of stone started to chip away, a notable change compared to before.
'At this pace, it'll take forever.'
Theo quickly reconsidered his plan.
He remembered that in the original story, Neike's team had managed to break through the wall without much trouble.
'Is this the difference between us?'
His thoughts were interrupted by Noctar's voice.
"Hmm, this seems like it's going to take too long. Should we try that method?"
Noctar tapped his temple with his fist, hinting at forcibly triggering the Battle Instinct, Blood Rage, and War God's Blessing.
Theo shook his head.
"No, that's out of the question."
That was a last resort.
Once triggered, orcs would need a long period of rest.
Smashing the wall was merely the beginning.
They still had to confront the guardian of B1.
'Then......’
Theo turned his gaze back to Ralph.
"Bring it out, Ralph."
"···What are you talking about."
"Your hidden ace."
"······."
Ralph's eyes widened, his gaze focused on the direction of Theo's voice.
'Use that?'
Most active heroes had a hidden card up their sleeves, a secret ace unknown to others.
Ralph, although a student, is a future hero.
He too had a concealed ace—a fourth enhancement buff.
'But... how does he know?'
Theo was a little mysterious nowadays, but he hadn't expected him to know about this.
Ralph had never revealed his fourth buff to anyone since enrolling in the academy.
"You agreed to follow my orders without question."
Theo's insistent words echoed, his powerful aura pressuring Ralph.
"Ugh, uh."
"I won't ask again. Your hesitation could jeopardize the rest of the team."
"······."
Ralph could feel the intensity of Theo's aura, his gaze locked on the source of that overpowering presence.
His eyes weren't visible, but... his red eyes must be blazing with a fury like magma.
Theo's words weren't wrong.
However, conceding to someone he had once lost to bruised Ralph's deeply rooted pride.
'But right now, he's the only one we can rely on...'
Soon, Ralph decided to comply.
He may still be a student, but he is also a future hero.
He would sacrifice the small for the greater good.
He decided to swallow his pride.
"Got it."
Ralph activated his secret, fourth buff.
A radiant glow enveloped him.
An explosive surge of strength coursed through his entire body.
“Whoooa......”
Ralph started swinging his mace with a force that seemed to reverberate through the very air.
Crashhhhh───!
The impact of Ralph's powerful mace strike was staggering.
In no time, the stone wall crumbled, revealing the hidden chamber and its secrets.
***
Chamber... secrets... get it? There was "Break it, Ralph." but decided not to :P
Another chap later today.
3/5 Enjoy the chappy!
Coming soon!
