Akatsuki Translations

【Collision】

The main reason why adventurers entering a dungeon do not travel in groups larger than five.

Monsters attack humans, and this behavior intensifies with more humans around. Five is the limit for a group exploring a dungeon. So, what happens if this number is exceeded? Monsters in the vicinity actively charge at that location.

The phenomenon, where adventurers collide with each other or with monsters, is thus named “Collision.” Generally, monsters become more aggressive, and the likelihood of encountering a larger number of monsters than usual is high. Therefore, when such an incident occurs, there is only one choice of action.

Escape immediately. If they don’t, the adventurers who caused the collision will continue to attract an endless number of monsters.

“RETREAT!!” -Ur

“RUN!!!” -Jain

The directives from the leaders of the two guilds were clear and identical.

『GB――――GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG』

“There’s a ton of slimes coming from underground! There might even be a ‘Owner’ among them!” -Ravin

“【【【Sing, O Ice, Pierce and Align】】】” -Shizuku

The beastperson’s observation and Shizuku’s incantation occurred simultaneously. Huge ice pillars formed in the air and fell to the ground with gravity, continuously slamming into the fissures.

“Woah, fast! And a lot!!” -Ravin

“This should hold them off for a while. Let’s retreat while we can.” -Shizuku

While the rabbit beastperson expressed surprise, Shizuku casually spoke to Ur. The Black Swamp Crocodile was blocked by the ice pillars, but the slimes were still oozing out from small gaps. They would likely attack soon.

The leaders of 【The Walkers】 and 【White Serpent】 exchanged a glance.

“We’re heading to the south exit.” -Ur

“We’ll take the east. Don’t come our way.” -Jain

“Will do.” -Ur

Escaping to the same place and causing another collision would defeat the purpose.

“Regarding the information trade, we’ll discuss it after returning.” -Ur

“Only if you’re not dead.” -Jain

Ur didn’t mention who was responsible for the collision.

If he had truly been cautious about the collision, he would have immediately fled instead of engaging in conversation with the White Serpent. Accepting contact and continuing the conversation was their decision, meaning they had anticipated this situation. Hence, their quick judgment.

“Alright.” -Ur

“Wait, a piece of advice.” -Jain

“Huh?” -Ur

As Ur turned to leave, Jain swiftly beheaded a crawling Black Swamp Crocodile with his hatchet, flicked off the bodily fluids, and pointed his axe behind Ur, specifically at Echelle, who was frozen in fear from the sudden appearance of monsters.

“You’d better cut ties with that woman fast. She’s like someone abandoned by Gradol.” -Jain

After delivering his message, Jain leaped away with agility that belied his size, followed by his subordinates. Ur, probably facing a furious and red-faced Echelle, turned to her to figure out how to appease her…

“…” -Ur

…but found her, contrary to expectation, pale as a ghost.

“What’s wrong?” -Ur

“――――No, no…thing.” -Echelle

Her reaction was clearly not ‘nothing’. She was rigid, clutching her gun, not moving even in the face of the monsters.

“Hey…… guess it can’t be helped.” -Ur

Ur sighed and hoisted the immobile Echelle onto his shoulder, treating her almost like cargo. Echelle made no complaint.

“Rock, lead the way. Shizuku and Lynne, assist Rock.” -Ur

『Do I not need to protect the knight anymore? 』-Rock

“She won’t accidentally fire her gun in this state. Let’s go.” -Ur

　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

At the same time,

The White Serpent was also successfully retreating to the outskirts of the city. Despite the occasional attacks by monsters that leaped out at them, their coordination was seamless. Jain, after splitting open an eyeless serpent that suddenly emerged from a side alley between buildings, glanced back at Ravin following him.

“Worthless rabbit. How were they?” -Jain

“The silver-haired one’s crazy. What’s with that magic deployment and rotation speed?” -Ravin

“Ya’ can tell just by looking at ‘er. What about the others?” -Jain

As Ravin hopped over the broken structures, she hummed thoughtfully.

“That helmet-wearing knight was odd, sounded strange. I don’t think he’s a beastperson or anything.” -Ravin

“Silver hair’s familiar or something wearing armor? What else?” -Jain

“The hobbit’s a magician, probably specializes in magic tools? And Ur, their leader, didn’t have any particular notable features. Maybe he’s just a puppet of the silver-haired one?” -Ravin

The silver-haired woman’s exceptionally abnormal magic activation skills and her guts to step in and negotiate with the intimidating Jain made it clear she was a standout in the group. It was a logical assumption.

However, Jain shook his head.

“At least that Ur kid is acting as their leader.” -Jain

“You’re basing that on…?” -Ravin

“He don’t have the eyes of someone who’s thoughtless or without burdens.” -Jain

If he was just a puppet, he wouldn’t have much responsibility to bear. There would be no need to worry. Just fulfilling the given role would suffice. But his gaze was different. It showed caution, calculation, struggle, and the intent to make decisions in the face of Jain’s presence.

The fact that he couldn’t hide such expressions indicated he was indeed inexperienced.

“So, are we selling them information?” -Ravin

“Why not? Given time, they could gather that information themselves anyway. Best to sell it before it rots. If we can make a deal that keeps ‘em out of our way, all the better.” -Jain

“You’re such a cheapskate.” -Ravin

“If I weren’t, I wouldn’t be making a killing in a place like this. You want money, don’tcha?” -Jain

“Well, yeah, I love money. And I love Boss who earns it.” -Ravin

“Die.” -Jain

“Is that your way of hiding your embarrassment?” -Ravin

“I’ll kill ya’.” -Jain

“Stop swinging that axe around!!!” -Ravin

The rest of the group watched their exchange with a familiar air, keeping a safe distance to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

“Lynne! Scatter talismans behind us! Shizuku, cast a barrier in the same direction!” -Ur

Meanwhile, Ur and his party were in a dire situation.

Four or five black crocodiles pursued them from behind, followed by a succession of slimes. Like heavy rain flowing down a street, slimes filled the passage and pressed forward.

Considering the number of monsters that appeared during the collision, it was clear that a higher proportion of monsters was now targeting them instead of the White Serpent. The reason was…

『They’re targeting the easier prey, right? 』-Rock

“The weaker ones, huh! Fuck!” -Ur

“Did that Jain guy do this on purpose?!” -Lynne

“It’s not possible to choose down to the type of monster, it’s just our usual bad luck, HAHA! 』-Rock

“Stop saying that every time!” -Ur

Ur grabbed the dragonfang spear and released another roar. The light bullet exploded behind them. He couldn’t see the extent of the damage, but he could hear the sound of his magic stone collection bag automatically gathering, indicating that some monsters were taken down. However…

“There’s no end to them!” -Ur

“【Ice Barrier】!” -Shizuku

“【Thunder Formation Talisman】!!” -Lynne

Shizuku and Lynne activated their barriers. Some were repelled, frozen, or burned by lightning, but the onslaught didn’t stop. The monsters trampled and climbed over their fallen comrades, attacking in even greater numbers.

“Rock! Where’s the exit?” -Ur

『Almost there! Keep it up! There are fewer monsters ahead! 』-Rock

Rock yelled as he thrust his bone into the monsters leaping from the front. Being light and agile, Rock was clearing the way, preventing Ur and the others from being slowed down.

The problem was at the back, especially for Ur at the rear.

“I got it! Damn it!” -Ur

“Hii… HIIII…!!” -Echelle

Ur dodged and fended off a slime that had almost reached him, continuing to move forward. The reason for his slow pace was clear: he was carrying Echelle on his back. It wasn’t that she was heavy, but protecting her while running hindered his movements, particularly since his weapon was a spear, which he couldn’t swing freely.

“Ur-sama!!” -Shizuku

Shizuku shouted sharply. Ur glanced back. Among the swarm of monsters, a shadow, like a huge column but writhing, approached with tremendous speed.

A monstrous creature with no eyes and a massive mouth, resembling a serpent but more accurately a leech. It shone dully under the magic light, scattering its slimy membrane as it charged at them with abnormal speed.

“【【【O Flames】】】” -Shizuku

Shizuku released an echoed incantation of fireballs, and three fireballs struck the giant leech. The leech writhed voicelessly but still continued to approach straight towards them. Unstoppable.

Ur broke into a cold sweat. They would certainly be caught up. And if they stopped, they would be swallowed and trampled by the wave of monsters. But the dragonfang spear was still recharging, and there was no time to aim and shoot.

Faced with imminent danger, Ur shouted.

“Echelle!!!” -Ur

“HIII! Eh?! I-I ” -Echelle

“Shoot the big one!!! NOW!!!” -Ur

Confused, Echelle followed Ur’s commanding orders from above.

Ur firmly gripped Echelle’s legs, stabilizing her. Despite her confusion, Echelle aimed her magic rifle and fired―

『ＢＵＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯ！！！』

In the midst of it all, a black crocodile leaped over the storm of magic. Its mouth, lined with teeth designed for tearing flesh, opened wide, descending upon Ur and Echelle’s heads.

This is bad, we could really die. Ur thought.

“――――【　　　】!!!” -Echelle

At that moment, Echelle screamed something. Her voice, mixed with a shriek, was indiscernible to Ur. But at that instant…

『ＢＵＯ！？』

“Huh?!” -Ur

The black crocodile, in mid-air, followed a strange trajectory and crashed to the ground. It was as if it had been repelled by an invisible wall in front of Ur and his group. The crocodile itself seemed to not understand what had happened to it, as it fell headfirst, flailing its body.

“HIIIIII!!!” -Echelle

In that moment of opportunity, a thin flash of scarlet light shot from Echelle’s rifle.

Echelle was by no means an amateur when it came to aiming and shooting, so her shot accurately hit the black crocodile and the head of the giant leech that had fallen to the ground. The light and heat from the shot severed the crocodile’s head and ripped apart its body. As the leech’s body fell sideways, its oozing slime emitted a foul stench, and the oncoming wave of monsters was temporarily hindered.

『The exit is there!!! 』-Rock

Covered by the dragon’s barrier, Ur and his group plunged into the southern gate’s exit.