Exploring the labyrinth was going smoothly.

　Strictly speaking, it was just mindlessly hunting monsters in a familiar area, so calling it "exploration" might be misleading.

　Still, I wasn't confident in my gear for advancing to the next floor, and there were other things I wanted to do anyway.

　Reflia had experience up to the fourth floor, and Grapeflour could even scout the third floor.

　So, I was being accommodated by hunting only on the second floor.

　After all, Refliah claimed that hunting monsters at my frantic pace was more profitable than forcing ourselves into the third or fourth floors.

　Yet, viewership was stagnating. It was time to move on to the next stage.

"Mantis!"

　That afternoon.

　The long-awaited monster had finally appeared.

"Reflia. Try taking him down with just my follow-up. No need to push yourself too hard, but try to do it as quickly as possible. If we're moving down to the lower levels, I want to test whether even strong enemies can be defeated within a minute."

"Understood."

Our coordination with Reflia had become remarkably seamless.

Shadowbind may have a short duration, but its instantaneous restraining power is high.

If we can exploit that brief moment of vulnerability skillfully, it's guaranteed to land a critical hit.

For the past few days, we've been perfecting the timing of this move.

Mantises aren't particularly aggressive among the monsters of this level.

Unlike groups of goblins or orcs that attack en masse, they approach slowly and strike with a sudden, piercing lunge.

That's why, as long as the scout spots the mantis first, escaping is the standard tactic. There are even smoke bombs sold specifically for fleeing.

I blend into the darkness, gradually approaching the mantis.

Refreia brandishes his greatsword, closing the distance.

The mantis's strength is remarkably straightforward.

It's stronger and faster than an ogre, with long scythes for arms. Unlike other monsters that might be unarmed, every single one of them is armed. Given that it can block and deflect Refreia's greatsword strike with those scythes, it must possess incredible strength and durability.

At first glance, such slender scythes seem like they'd snap under a single blow, yet I've never seen one break.

The mantis's praying mantis-like head reveals no expression at all.

The humanoid upper body, muscular and well-defined with no excess fat, was so strikingly attractive that it was almost mesmerizing—even though it was a monster.

Its lower body was entirely insect-like, supported by four legs that kept it balanced with apparent ease.

I had once knocked it down when helping Reflia… but now, thinking back calmly, I’m amazed I managed to defeat it at all. The mantis was an incredibly powerful monster.

Incidentally, mantises appear in the fourth and sixth layers too, meaning this one is a creature of that level. Why it appears in the second layer remains unclear.

At the moment the mantis and Reflia closed to within ten meters of each other, I expanded the range of Darkness Fog and simultaneously summoned a Night Bug to begin the attack.

In the darkness, monsters react to the slightest presence.

By the time they reach the mantis level, they begin attacking even in the darkness, reacting to our presence, but by increasing our "presence" with a Nightbug, we can neutralize their movements.

Additionally, we could obscure the approaching Refrea's presence.

"Shadow Bind!"

As Refrea entered their lethal range, I immediately dispelled Darkness Fog and instantly locked their movement with Shadow Bind.

The effect of Shadow Bind peaks right after binding, then rapidly diminishes, so the monster quickly regains freedom—usually within less than thirty seconds, depending on the creature.

While unreliable as a long-term hindrance, it was incredibly effective at creating that crucial moment of immobilization.

In other words, if you strike at the same time as binding the enemy, they won't be able to dodge or defend—especially right after emerging from the shadows.

This is the coordination between me and Refrea.

A guaranteed, fatal attack.

Especially one delivered with full force from a greatsword as tall as a human.

Its power is beyond description.

With a thunderous ZAN!, Refrea's powerful sweeping slash brought the mantis down in a single blow.

A glowing spirit stone, slightly larger than the ogre's, rolled across the ground.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a chaotic spirit stone, but a colored one—wind spirit stone.

"We did well. If this works against mantises, maybe we can handle the monsters of the third layer too."

What's scary in the maze is getting caught between monsters while struggling in combat. To prevent that, you need to use scouts, always launch surprise attacks, and finish fights as quickly as possible—those two points are crucial. If

we can take down a mantis in just 20 seconds, the second layer will be almost entirely safe. Of course, we mustn't get complacent. The

third layer probably won't be an issue either. According

to Refrea and Grapeflour, the third layer, 'Mist-Ensnared Great Garden,' doesn't feature large groups of monsters like the second layer does, making it ideal for our party. Anyway, we won't know for sure

until we actually go there, but this outcome gives us confidence. "It's going too smoothly... A single

hit, really...?"

"Reflare-san, amazing meow! I've been scouting for a long time, but I've never seen a party take down a mantis so elegantly meow!"

"No, the real amazing one is Hikaru. I think any warrior of Silver rank or higher could achieve the same result."

"No, what matters most is coordination. It's because Reflare trusts me completely. If there's even a moment of hesitation, the timing will be off and we'll be blocked."

If we're blocked, it'll just turn into a messy brawl.

Sure, we might still win, but it won't be clean, and the risk of injury will increase.

Fighting monsters in this labyrinth is about 'hunting.'

We should always aim to create a situation where we can strike unilaterally.

Of course, fighting dirty and gaining experience is important too.

"Alright. Let's call it a day for now."

"So, shall we start on the third floor tomorrow?"

"No, let's take tomorrow off. We've been fighting nonstop, and I'm starting to get worn out. Plus, our weapons are already finished. Once we pick them up, I'd like to do some light practice swings and warm up."

After exiting the dungeon, we'll head straight to the guild.

That's for selling the spirit stones and submitting our report, which I've already asked Refreia to handle.

Reporting to the guild also serves to increase our rank as adventurers, so ideally everyone should go—but one representative is acceptable. Of course, prior to that, we must register our party, and the representative must be someone with proven achievements at Silver rank or higher. There are several such rules, of course.

Well, if only representatives are allowed, it would mean even those who haven't participated in expeditions could be promoted in rank, so this measure is naturally necessary to prevent fraud.

Conversely, this also means that explorers at Silver rank or higher are considered trustworthy.

　

The funds for the short sword were barely enough, but earning twenty gold coins per person within just a few days is quite a remarkable pace—so much so that the guild's buyback agents were reportedly astonished.

　 To advance from Bronze rank (Spiritus) to the next rank, Ebony rank (Dryad), one must either wait three months after registration or complete thirty purchases of spirit stones.

That's why my rank remains the lowest—Bronze, sixth class—but apparently, it's almost unprecedented for someone at the Bronze level to earn this much.

...Well, I guess people think I'm just tagging along with Silver-ranked ( Silvestre ) Refreia, so I'm not doing much on my own.

Incidentally, to advance in guild rank, one must take an exam, apparently.

They say there are always those who try to cheat—like submitting spirit stones they bought illegally—so the exam system was put in place to prevent that.

　

"See you the day after tomorrow."

"Ah, um, Hikaru. Can I go with you to the blacksmith's tomorrow? I'm free anyway."

"Sure, fine... but I've got something to do this afternoon, so just in the morning. I'll pick you up then."

"Got it. So, you're waking up early, right? Promise?"

That's how it was decided.

Well, tomorrow's going to be busy.