Chapter 85: Damsel-in-Arms Takedown!
From a bystander's perspective, the spar between Liam and Yamato Mikoto ended quickly. Both being Level 2 adventurers, to achieve this level of disparity could only mean that Liam had accumulated extremely powerful ability scores through his previous training at lower levels and his current Dungeon trials…
Swordsmanship?
Following Lord Takemikazuchi, Kashima would occasionally train in swordsmanship, but if one were to say who was the strongest in swordsmanship among the Familia members, it would be Mikoto.
But the result was completely beyond his judgment. A casually picked withered branch against a scabbard – this battle had no suspense from the start!
"A casually picked withered branch can be used as a weapon. Is it a magic technique?"
"…"
"This... is a bit too exaggerated!"
No one could answer Kashima, especially after seeing the branch turn to dust upon being handed to Mikoto, his inner thoughts became even firmer.
An inconceivable method – he couldn't imagine anything other than "magic"!
"And his swordsmanship skills are also very impressive…"
The one who silently added this was the short-haired young woman, Chigusa, who timidly looked up.
After observing this battle, she actually didn't feel particularly surprised.
Especially when Liam proactively requested to use a tree branch as a substitute for sparring, from his attitude alone, one could see the difference.
If Mikoto's swordsmanship was about seeking victory through stability…
Then Liam, whom she had only known for a short time, had a style of proactively launching fierce offensives, pursuing the ultimate in slaughter!
"Feels like another... unreachable senior adventurer." Looking at Liam's back, Chigusa silently added in her heart.
A simple post-meal digestive exercise. The safety of their rest at night could be simply guaranteed, ensuring a better state for embarking on Dungeon exploration tomorrow.
Liam quickly went to rest. The environment of the temporary camp was a bit crude, but it was barely able to ensure the recovery of his mental state.
For the expedition team, especially the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia…
Intervening in another Familia's compulsory expedition as a support team, including the various scenes they saw during today's team expedition.
Left an indelible and deep impression on their hearts.
Especially Yamato Mikoto. Both were adventurers who used swordsmanship. Before the spar, she had never thought that the gap between people could be so vast!
"That shouldn't be magic, right?"
When it was her turn for the night watch, details of the spar with Liam constantly flashed through her mind. Even without using that inconceivable method.
Sparring with normal weapons, she would have no chance of winning against Liam!
It was just that the desire for victory had transformed into a novelty towards the unknown…
"Then what is it?"
Confusion enveloped the young woman's heart. After encountering something new, it was really hard not to be curious. But no matter how she thought, she had no clue.
"Could it be... the sword momentum Liam has trained and mastered during battles, not just the slaughtering process?"
"If the sword momentum is strong enough, even a casually picked branch can be used as a powerful weapon to kill enemies. If it's really like that…"
Thinking of this.
Mikoto's mood suddenly fell silent. She already couldn't imagine what kind of swordsmanship realm this was!
"I'll ask Lord Takemikazuchi when I get back…"
"If I can also master this method, during other Dungeon explorations, I should be able to help my teammates relieve some pressure, right?"
The Dungeon had no concept of day and night. After getting adequate rest and his body and mind had completely recovered to their peak, Liam made no further adjustments.
Leaving the simple tent, the Takemikazuchi Familia members on watch duty were still in good condition.
After a normal energy resupply, the team quickly advanced towards the deeper floors. Upon arriving at the 15th-floor area, the monsters encountered.
Were no longer simple Hellhounds. The first to appear were "Al-mi'raj" monsters, rabbit-form Goblin monsters.
And old friends, Minotaurs, and other powerful monsters.
For today's Dungeon conquest, Liam remained expectant. After all, the monster experience points would increase with these monsters.
As long as things went smoothly, he could significantly advance his template's level progress!
"Advance slowly. Unless it's a particularly dangerous situation, if you want to train your ability scores, try not to leave the team's line of sight to find monsters."
And these words, Liam said to Mikoto alone. After all, the magic skill she possessed was, to some extent, truly a trump card in group battles!
"Alright."
Her swordsmanship attainments were still a long way from Liam's, but last night's reminder had allowed the somewhat lost Mikoto to gradually find her way forward.
First was the problem pointed out: her own swordsmanship lacked aggression.
She knew it would be difficult to change in a short time, but after all, change was a good thing.
With an extremely strong adventurer like Liam in the team, there was no need to be particularly anxious about safety.
This also meant that she could cast aside her worries and fight! "Let's start from the 15th floor then…"
Following her Familia, the deepest Mikoto had reached was the safe floor on the 18th level.
The monsters encountered during that time were always defeated through teamwork. Inspired by Liam, she was also curious about where her own limits lay!
Without letting Liam scout ahead again, she instead used "Yatagarasu's" anti-monster special attack skill to search for monsters she had encountered before.
"It's here…"
With a nervous heart, Yamato Mikoto walked towards the corner of the cave passage.
Her vision was somewhat restricted, but when she arrived at an extremely spacious area, with the help of the lantern fruit illumination on the walls, the scene that entered her eyes…
Made the young woman's pupils contract sharply. A powerful Minotaur, a crisis she might not be able to easily resolve even in a one-on-one fight!
Now, the number appearing before her was completely beyond Mikoto's imagination.
"This…"
The young woman covered her mouth, holding her breath and preparing to retreat.
The tachi worn at her waist accidentally knocked off a weathered rock from the wall. The crisp sound of it hitting the ground echoed as it reached the spacious passage…
The echo reverberated throughout the area.
"Clang!"
"There's going to be trouble!"
This anxious thought appeared in Mikoto's mind.
An extremely vast number of Minotaurs. She couldn't even count them all. If she returned the way she came, attracting the monsters…
The consequences would be unimaginable!
Even a Level 3 adventurer, facing such a large number of Minotaurs, would think of avoiding them.
"What should I do…"
Just as Mikoto was considering her next move, the Minotaurs didn't give her time to think. Realizing the trace of an adventurer.
A Minotaur with an agile physique and tall, strong build rushed towards Mikoto's direction.
By the time she realized she needed to retreat, the extremely fast Minotaur, its massive body like a small mountain, had already dashed in front of her.
"HUUUUNGH!!"
"…"
The deafening roar that forced a halt interrupted Mikoto's magic chant.
The young woman looked up at the monster, whose tall figure blocked the light. Her movements paused for a moment. She recalled Liam's words from last night.
"As a swordsman, you must at least have the courage to swing your sword."
Even if the road ahead was uncertain.
Mikoto, of course, did just that. But faster than her was the Minotaur's clenched fist, charging up to hammer towards her head!
"Only realizing now…"
"Is it a bit too late?" This question was directed at herself.
The fist, right before her eyes, didn't cause Mikoto to be enveloped by fear. She knew this process would be very brief. But her shoulder was suddenly yanked.
What swept over her was not a sense of pain, but an extremely reliable shoulder.
"Will my soul be absorbed by the Dungeon?"
As this thought arose, Mikoto slowly opened her eyes. What came into view was Liam's perpetually calm and handsome face.
And... even through the armor, she could still feel the arm wrapped around her waist.
"Huh?"
"Close your eyes first."
The young woman didn't comply. From the bottom of her heart, she felt that Liam was really handsome at this moment. No one wouldn't want to be saved by someone when they were in danger.
But the subsequent development of the plot completely exceeded her expectations.
The Minotaur's arms were severed by a sword aura slash. Blood, from the cross-section of the wound, splashed onto Mikoto's delicate and pretty face.
Liam thought for a moment, and still decided to add, "I mean that literally."
Mikoto: "..."
(End of this chapter)
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