Cheat na Kaineko no Okage de Rakuraku Level Up

As we arrived at the forest entrance, we were about to enter when—

“Wait at the back. It’s dangerous up front,” a man from another party told us.

“They all like to act like seniors,” Misha whispered. She didn’t seem too bothered.

“Well, no one knows how fearsome you are.”

“You, Master, are quite strong too. There’s no need to lag behind.”

“Let’s just follow everyone else for now.”

There was no point in stirring things up right away.

We entered the forest, each party taking its turn.

The path to the tomb was a single road, so we followed the cobblestone path inside.

At first glance, there were no monsters, but then a tree in front started moving.

Someone shouted, “That’s a Living Wood! And it’s a big one!”

It was indeed over ten meters tall, a size not seen in dungeons.

We watched other parties take on the Living Wood first.

They attacked its roots relentlessly, dodging its branches and stabbing or slicing with wind-blade magic.

“Burning it would be effective, right?”

“We can’t, Boss. That would cause a forest fire.”

Indeed, burning down the royal tomb’s forest wasn’t an option, not explicitly forbidden but obviously to be avoided.

The Living Wood was mobile, its roots allowing it to move.

Adventurers were being thrown around by the roots.

Their clerics cast healing spells as needed, managing the fight without major issues.

Eventually, the Living Wood fell, blocking the path like a fallen giant.

The dropped magic stone was unusually large and probably quite valuable.

The adventurers ahead were discussing, “There seem to be many high-level monsters.” “The army couldn’t handle this.” “One misstep could mean more than just injury.”

The difficulty of the quest became even more apparent.

“Everyone, listen,” said an elderly man from the castle’s basement who belonged to no particular party.

“With so many of us, it makes no sense to move in a single file. Let’s split into two groups and clear the monsters. As long as we reach this cobblestone path, we can return safely.”

The groups agreed, and we were assigned to attack the right side of the path, joining Martina’s party and others.

“We’re together again,” Martina said, joining us. It seemed there was no need to stick only to our party.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

I was somewhat tense, considering the threat posed even by the Living Wood.

“Most of the work will be done by our five-member party. With this many adventurers, we can certainly handle a small number of monsters.”

Her strategy seemed sound.

Indeed, a huge insect-like creature emerged, and her party struggled but managed to defeat it.

Next, a large mole-like creature appeared, and Lena and I also joined in the attack.

Meanwhile, Misha, appearing the most frail, was pushed to the back and couldn’t actively participate.

“Lena looks more like a lady than I do…”

Misha’s mood seemed to sour a bit from being excluded from the fight.

“Don’t worry. Your magic might cause too much chaos if used here.”

Using fire magic could burn the entire area.

“I know. Showing off isn’t cool. I’ll stay quiet.”

Misha chose to play a role of lacking confidence in battle, sticking to healing magic.

However, as we were smoothly hunting, a gigantic monster appeared in front of another party.

It was the size of an elephant, but with a face resembling a lizard.

“A Terra Dragon!” the leader of the other party yelled.

So, this was the Terra Dragon.

“Spread out! Otherwise, we’ll all be blown away together!”

Right after he said that, the Terra Dragon’s arm extended, knocking the swordsman away.

“Damn it! Die!”

The party’s warrior hit it with a huge war hammer, but the blows seemed ineffective.

I struck from behind, but my blade mostly bounced off its hard scales.

“Master! Get back!”

I immediately reacted to Lena’s warning.

The tail, like a whip, lashed at the spot I had just left.

If I had been hit, it would have caused serious injury.

This dragon was indeed formidable…