Akatsuki Translations

The rampage of the crystal golem, or rather, the crystal “beast” began, causing the adventurers to retreat in unison. 

However, they hadn’t escaped from the dungeon. Far away from the chaos caused by the rampaging crystal beast, a group of scattered adventurers observed the spectacle of Ur and Shizuku engaging in combat with the creature. 

“Hey, hey, that brat’s been taking a beating! Do they even plan on winning?”  

“Damn it! They ruined our chance to earn a fortune! Let ‘em get crushed!” 

“Oi, there! Hit ‘em! What are you doing?!” 

Taunts and jeers filled the air, but their morale was low. None of them possessed the will to confront the crystal beast. Most were intimidated by the creature’s frenzied behavior. Some among them wielded copper rings, and with better equipment, they might have stood a chance against the crystal beast, possibly even surpassing Ur and Shizuku. Yet, no one had the determination to take that path. 

The risks were too great compared to mere “mouse extermination.” The enemy was overwhelmingly powerful. So they chose not to fight. While they might miss out on today’s opportunity, they still had the dungeon to explore and survive for another day. In a sense, they were wise, not willing to act as recklessly as the pair. 

Thus, while remaining further back than the members of the adventurers’ guild, some shouted at Ur for getting in their way, while others calmly checked their equipment and party status. A few others prepared to snatch valuable items when Ur and Shizuku inevitably fell, assuming their defeat and death. 

Amidst this scene, a woman approached Glen, who was observing the two up close. 

“Hey, you, delinquent teacher, Glen.” 

It was Nana, one of the patrons of the tavern where Ur’s group was currently based. She was usually drunk but appeared sober today, wearing a troubled expression. 

“Oh, Nana, long time no see. You joinin’ in too?” -Glen 

“I’m part of the staff. I’m worried about those kids.” -Nana 

“Who cares about me right now,” said Nana as she shook her head. She gazed at Ur and Shizuku. They seemed desperate. She had sensed that from the time they started coming to the tavern, but she never imagined they’d get involved in such a dangerous gamble. 

“Think they have a chance?” -Nana 

“Who knows? Depends on them.” -Glen 

“I’m asking for your opinion.” -Nana 

Hm, Glen tilted his head and looked ahead. In front of them, Wolf was still being beaten mercilessly. Observing the scene, Glen spread both his hands. 

“Fifty-fifty.” -Glen 

“You’re saying there’s a fifty percent chance…?” -Nana 

From Nana’s perspective, the strength of the crystal beast was formidable. While crystal golems were normally classified as rank ten monsters among the thirteen ranks of monsters, judging solely by their attack power, it seemed more like a rank nine monster. It was unthinkable for children who had become adventurers just a month ago to face such a creature seriously. 

“That monster is forcefully harnessing power beyond its natural limits. It’s no wonder it can’t remain sane.” 

He pointed towards the crystal beast, directing attention to the right arm of the creature. The joint of the arm that had been relentlessly pounding Ur, hitting him over and over again, had numerous tiny cracks if one looked closely—just around the part that would correspond to a human’s shoulder. 

“What’s that…?” -Nana 

“That ain’t just Shizuku’s magic at work, ya’ know? That’s ‘self-destruction.’” -Glen 

“You mean it’s on the verge of collapsing due to its own attacks? The crystal golem?” -Nana 

“The dungeon provides magic power to its monsters, but only enough to maintain ‘em. It won’t go as far as restoring ‘em completely.” -Glen 

However, intentionally causing the crystal golem to go berserk and self-destruct was not a feasible strategy. The dungeon dutifully supplied the “required magic power for the berserk state.” However, if one were to force an even higher expenditure by destroying it, it would lead to it being unable to regenerate. 

“You might get distracted by its monstrous appearance and get scared, but in reality, it’s a monster on the verge of losing its balance and collapsing. Hit it in the right place, and it’ll shatter easily.” -Glen 

“Does that mean they can win as things stand? But then, why only a fifty percent chance?” -Nana 

“Because there ain’t a second one.” -Glen 

Nana sensed a strong conviction behind those words. 

“What they’re doing is like walking on a tightrope. One misstep, and they die. It’s a battle of whether they can make it across without falling until the end. They lack the fundamental training to keep that up.” -Glen 

Ur possessed no outstanding talent, and he didn’t have the time to dedicate solely to training. As an ordinary person, Ur’s tightrope walk was incredibly unstable, always teetering on the edge. Even a slight breeze could send him tumbling into the abyss. 

Shizuku possessed special talent, but, the same as with Ur, she hadn’t had the time to cultivate it. Untouched talent was no different from being an ordinary person. The risks she faced were the same as Ur. 

Their gamble was reckless and unpredictable, a dangerous game with an uncertain outcome. Taking blows from one side to the other, then rising with a stagger. This repetition made the situation clear. He was on the verge of losing consciousness at any moment. 

“Thanks to all the preparations we’ve made, I’m barely holding on, but can we make it to the end?” -Ur 

“…” -Shizuku  

Amidst their conversation, roars and thunderous noises echoed around them. The crystal beast relentlessly tormented Ur, swinging its arms, legs, body, and head without restraint. Glen had claimed they had a fifty percent chance of victory, but Nan found the claim highly dubious. 

Helpers like Nana were allowed to intervene and rescue adventurers when they deemed the situation too dangerous. Of course, doing so would disqualify the adventurer in question ――― 

” ――― Hey?” -Nana 

“Don’t interfere. At that moment, their chances will vanish,” Glen warned, firmly gripping Nana’s shoulder. Over the years, people had begun to wonder if this man could truly read minds. 

“Your disciples might die.” -Nana  

“They might.” -Glen  

“In that case…” -Nana 

“From now on, they’re gonna witness hell. If they stumble at its entrance, then so be it,” Glen’s words were calm and collected, but they struck at the heart of the truth. 

　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆ 

The battle between the Crystal Beast and Ur seemed to have reached a stalemate. 

『AAAAAAAGAAAAAAGA!!!』 

“Gah!!” -Ur 

Ur deflected the sweeping strike from the crystal beast’s elongated arm with his chalk shield. He crouched, maintaining a diagonal stance, yet the impact still sent him tumbling to the ground, crashing against a wall. Pain shot through his arm, shoulder, and back. There wasn’t a part of him that didn’t hurt. 

“I’ll divert its attention!!” -Shizuku 

Upon hearing Shizuku’s voice, Ur quickly got back on his feet. He watched as Shizuku threw a magic-sealing orb. Without hesitation, Ur reached for a recovery potion from the pouch at his waist and gulped it down. 

The pain began to subside. Out of the five potions he prepared, three were already used, leaving him with just two remaining. He checked the count, tightly gripping his Dragon Fang Spear once again. 

『GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! GAA?! 』 

“Focus on me dammit!!” -Ur 

Ur lunged at the crystal beast that had started to divert its attention toward Shizuku. He had to draw its focus back to him, as she still had three more chances to use magic, and he needed to create openings for them to be used. 

However, it was clear that they were at a disadvantage in a prolonged battle. 

With only two recovery potions left, and Shizuku having already used her magic-sealing orbs as planned, their remaining resources were limited. At most, they had two or maybe three valid options. 

They had to find a breakthrough. If they could just smash the magic core inside that mouth, they might have a chance to turn the tide. Somehow, somehow, they had to do it! 

“Ooooh!!” -Ur 

Ur swung his Dragon Fang spear at the crystal beast’s right arm, a calculated attack to divert its attention away from Shizuku. 

And that seemingly insignificant strike had an unexpectedly decisive result. 

“……Eh?” -Ur 

『GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!?! 』 

Ur had overestimated the crystal beast. 

That previously unyielding crystal golem, not to mention its rampaging form, had become a complete and unprepared-for monster. It was an opponent that posed an impossibly dangerous gamble, no matter how much preparation they had made. 

In reality, Ur’s assessment was accurate. The crystal beast, which had mutated from the crystal golem, was an opponent far too strong for Ur and Shizuku to handle at their current level. That’s why Ur had entrusted Shizuku with the attacks. 

He had somewhere in his mind the belief that he wouldn’t be able to harm the rampaging crystal beast himself. 

However, just as Shizuku’s magic had started to work, Ur’s attacks, continuously launched to lead the crystal beast towards him, were, in fact, effective. The state of rampage had made the golem’s physical body far more brittle and vulnerable than Ur had expected. And it was Ur’s attack that dealt the decisive blow. 

Yet, Ur had not foreseen this outcome at all. Overestimating the enemy and underestimating himself clouded his judgment. The result— 

“—Ur-sama!!!” -Shizuku 

“—Wha?!” -Ur 

The unexpected turn of events created a fatal opening, even if it seemed like an opportune moment. 

『GAAAAAAAAAAA! 』  

「―――――」 

The sweeping attack of the crystal beast struck Ur directly.