NBAA Vol. 8 Chapter 5 Part 1
CHAPTER 5
The next moment, Reito and the others’ field of vision changed.
The first thing they saw was a beautiful, endless blue sky.
The sunlight was dazzling, and the brightness blinded them. When they squinted, they saw a place resembling the grassland on the first floor.
“Oh, what’s that?”
“W-What is this…?”
“What’s going on?”
“…Did we go outside?”
“No, we’re not. Look closely at the sky. The ceiling of the fifth floor is made of a crystal wall.”
Everyone looked up at the ceiling. When Reito used his “Observing Eye” to investigate, he saw that the ceiling was made of glass, which reflected the scenery outside. The rest of the floor was covered with brick walls. There was no doubt that this place was a large labyrinth.
“…It seems that we’ve come out to the grassland area on the east side. Well, maybe we were lucky.”
“Grassland area…”
“On this floor, the characteristics of each floor are apparent on the east, west, north and south sides. The east side is grassland, the south side is desert, the west side is wilderness, and the labyrinth spreads out to the north.”
“Apart from the other three, what do you mean by the last labyrinth spreading out…?”
“It’s more like a maze than a labyrinth. You’ll understand when you get there, but for now let’s head to the place where the resting spot is.”
“Where is it?”
“In the center of this floor… that is, inside the temple guarded by the White Dragon.”
“White Dragon!?”
Everyone was shocked by Honemin’s words. No one expected to go to a temple in the territory of the strongest dragon species. However, Mina could not be saved unless they went there.
“Then, let’s move. Please follow me closely.”
“W-Wait a second! The temple is… where Excalibur was, right? Does that mean you can’t get in without passing in front of the White Dragon?”
“It’s okay. I won’t ask you to fight the White Dragon, no matter what.”
“Really?”
“Rather, I would like you to deal with the monsters that appear before we reach the temple. Look, they are coming this way as we speak..”
“Eh?”
Everyone turned to where Honemin was pointing, and figures approached from all around.
Everyone was stunned at the sight.
“… You’re kidding, right?”
“W-What is this…”
“Is that the Goblin Kings?”
“Gyaaaaaah!”
What appeared in the grassland was the horde of Goblin Kings that they had encountered on the fourth floor. There were more than a dozen of them, and they were already surrounding Reito and the others, gradually closing in on them.
After checking the scene, Honemin pointed ahead and shouted.
“Follow me! No matter what happens, you mustn’t stop!”
“Wait…”
“We’re running away!”
“Ugggggggg!”
Honemin, the guide, ran out of the grassland first, and Reito and the others hurriedly followed behind. Naturally, the Goblin King’s horde roared in rage when they saw them, and chased after them.
“Gugggggggggg!”
“One in front!”
“Leave it to me!”
Hanzo, who was ahead of them, warned, and Shizune pulled out her Four Seasons and charged towards the Goblin King, wrapping the blade in cold air. Though she was slower than Hanzo, Shizune was confident in her speed, and she held her sword and stabbed with force.
“‘Thrust’!”
“Gufuu…?!”
“Ohhh!”
The moment Shizune pierced the Goblin King’s abdomen, the cold air of Four Seasons was sent into the Goblin King, freezing him instantly. When she pulled the blade out, the Goblin King cracked and broke into pieces.
“Gyaaaah!”
“One on the left!”
“Leave it to me!”
However, the Goblin Kings were surging in from all sides, and just as she had defeated one, another was already approaching.
Gonzo moved to punch the one approaching from the left.
“‘Fist Strike’!”
“Guggiiii!”
A powerful straight right fist slammed into the Goblin King, hitting him through the jaw, causing a concussion and making him fall to the ground.
The weak spots of humanoid monsters were almost the same as those of humans. Without finishing him off, Gonzo hurried after his comrades. He was the slowest among them, and if he hesitated, he would be surrounded by the Goblin King.
“Next are two on the right!”
“Dain!”
“M-Me?! Shit, I got it!”
“Giiiiiiiii!”
Dain cried out in surprise when he was called while running, but he stopped, thrust his staff into the ground, and cast a shadow spell at the Goblin King.
“Shadow Slip!”
“Gyaaah!”
The Goblin King was heavier than a normal goblin, so he was slow. Unable to avoid the shadows that were approaching him along the ground, he was swept off his feet and fell spectacularly.
Dain’s magic had low offensive power, but in terms of ease of use, it was outstanding among all magic, and in some cases it could even seal opponents who were stronger than him.
“Now is the time! I’ll take care of him!”
“I’m counting on you!”
“Don’t push yourself!”
Since Reito, who should be the most reliable, was carrying Mina, the others have no choice but to deal with the Goblin King. Hanzo stopped and let everyone go ahead. She turned her eyes to the ten Goblin Kings chasing from behind, clasped her hands together and cast a spell.
“I may not be as good as Dain-sama, but I can handle the dark attribute too, that I can! ‘Dark Night’!”
“Oh!”
“A beginner’s magic of dark attributes… but on this scale!”
A dark magic power was released from Hanzo’s palm, spreading over a wide area.
The Goblin King frantically tried to shake it off, but this was no ordinary fog. It was sticky, and the fog clung to his body, and the Goblin King’s screams echoed throughout the area.
“Giigaaaaaahhhh…?!”
“Now’s the time, that it is!!”
“You’re so dependable!”
“Teach me that magic later!!”
“We’ll get out of the plains soon!!”
Hanzo, who succeeded in holding them back, rushed over to Reito and the others.
Honemin ran ahead of them, pointing to the end of the plain. However, a shadow fell over their heads, and a roar rose from the sky.
“Giaaaaaaahhhh!!”
“Honemin-sama!!”
“Ouch!!”
Instantly, Hanzo embraced Honemin, who was running in the lead, and lowered her to the ground.
The next moment, someone descended from the sky where the two had been standing. Reito cried out when he saw them.
“Goblin… King?”
“No… that’s not it.”
“Grrrrr…!!”
Standing before Reito and the others was a giant with a toned body on par with the Goblin King, wielding a battle axe and a large shield in each hand.
The face was that of a goblin, but it was covered in muscular armor that was unbecoming of a goblin. It had the jumping power to overtake Reito and the others, so its physical abilities must have surpassed that of an average Goblin King.
“It seems I was greatly mistaken… this is the real Goblin Lord.”