Chapter 33
Joshua began to move after confirming that Talleon and Gavinu had hidden in the room.
Now it was time to confront the bandits.
He leaned against the corner and opened his mouth in the direction they were standing.
"I will make one offer. If you throw away your weapons and come over here quietly, I will guide you to the exit."
"Keke."
A mocking laugh was heard from inside the passage.
Swish!
An arrow plunged into the wooden floor.
"Stop messing around, and if you want to save your friend, you come over and bow your heads! If the poison spreads too much, the antidote might not work."
"Is that your answer?"
"What if it is?"
"Understood."
I only extend a hand once.
There will be no forgiveness even if they change their minds.
"Do you think we can win?"
Tania swallowed her breath.
The opponents were four bandits.
They were men who had no aversion to killing people and were skilled at it.
Furthermore, they were full of caution.
They would not be careless like the bandit I defeated outside.
"It is possible as long as you help me."
Joshua suddenly pulled out a pen and paper from his backpack.
Immediately after, he began to write something on the paper.
What he completed, with the help of [Clever], was a spell circle.
"......Fire Attribute."
Tania could not close her mouth.
The principle for a mage was to only study the attributes they could handle.
It required agonizing effort to learn even one.
And most people stalled without mastering even that one.
"Why, how does Senior know the formula for the fire element!"
"I learned it."
"You can’t even use it."
"Indeed."
"Then why have you progressed further than me!"
"It just happened that way."
Tania was astounded.
He had no reason to learn the Fire Attribute.
Yet, his level was clearly outstanding at a glance.
If rated by grade, it was the 7th rank Mithios.
'It is not just a simple Mithios level.'
He had concisely simplified the complex procedures and easily explained them.
A skill that no professor would dare to imitate.
Tania swallowed dryly.
"Follow it."
"I have never used a 7th rank spell before."
"You can do it."
"Senior, you talk as if you know me very well."
Joshua smiled.
She had no idea.
That I had played as Tania before.
I knew her potential better than anyone.
"Just trust me."
"May I ask what spell it is?"
"I have extended the range and increased the intensity of the flame. Well, you will know once you use it."
"Where do I shoot it?"
"The door at the end of the passage."
Tania stood at the corner and peered out, looking at the passage.
A door was visible under the faint light.
"I see it. But attacking there will have no effect on the bandits."
"You’re right, but the flame you summon is not intended to threaten the bandits in the first place."
"Then what is it for?"
"It will attract the monsters."
Professor Gordon's laboratory had a few distinct characteristics.
One of them was that he only accepted Fire Attribute mages as disciples.
What was used to activate the laboratory's system was also the Fire Attribute.
A flame was also required to open the door.
"So monsters are in there you say...... is that some kind of detection spell?"
"It is roughly similar."
Joshua glossed over it appropriately.
I did not use a detection spell.
I was drawing out my experience and memories of coming to the laboratory through [Clever].
[Clever] was acting smug.
"......I will try."
"Good."
She began to incorporate the formula he showed her into her mind.
Normally, it would take an hour, even if the spell circle was simple.
But for Tania Rainwood, a few minutes was enough.
"Hey, if you don't hurry, the poison will spread throughout his body, and the antidote will be useless."
The bandit's voice was heard.
They were still observing the situation from where they had shot the arrows.
"The student who opened the door earlier, you are there, right? If you are not planning to abandon your comrade, why don't you open your mouth soon?"
They were looking for me.
Opening the door was not the end of the laboratory.
Knowledge related to magic was essential to explore the inside.
And that was information the bandits lacked.
"If you keep this up, it is no fun. Come out before we get angry."
Anxiety was evident in the bandits' voices.
Without the help of a mage, they could neither find the exit nor the treasure.
That’s what this place was.
"I am ready."
"Shoot it."
Flames soared from Tania's hand.
The flames brightly illuminated the dark corridor and collided with the targeted door.
Hot air reflected back.
She was surprised by the flame she herself had unleashed.
"I unleashed that spell?"
"Focus. The situation is not over yet."
The door reacted to the flame and swung wide open.
And through the opening, zombies poured out like a muddy torrent.
"Aaaah!"
The bandits let out sharp screams.
As expected, the zombies had swarmed them.
Thump thump!
A vibration occurred not far away.
Soon after, the vibration changed direction and approached me.
I gathered mana and blocked the passage with [Shield].
"Ack!"
The bandit who was jumping forward hit his nose on the wall and was thrown back.
"What the, something is blocking the way."
The bandit reached out his hand and felt the shield.
Then he moved his gaze and met my eyes.
"This is your doing! Release it quickly."
The bandit snarled and swung the mace he was holding violently.
A considerable impact was transmitted to my fingertips.
[Patience] exhibited its power, helping my mind not to be distracted.
"Release it! Release it! Release it I said!"
Thump, thump, thump!!! Three attacks were made in succession.
The bandit's momentum faltered, and he opened his mouth again.
"Monsters are coming from the front!"
His words were true.
Three zombies were running towards them along with two other comrades.
"Shit, what are you doing here."
"This bastard is not opening the way."
Another bandit glared at me with murderous eyes.
Bang! He lifted his leg and kicked hard.
"Why is this wall so sturdy!"
"You had better defeat the monsters coming from that side first, rather than confronting me."
Joshua made them realize the situation they were facing.
The group of zombies that had approached right in front of them.
The bandit gave up and turned around.
"Stop messing around over there, and come over here and help me kill this thing!"
The man frantically pushed the zombie back with a hooked staff.
The zombie did not retreat.
The tip of the hook pierced its chest, but it kept approaching.
Clack, clack!
The monsters gnashed their teeth without any sign of pain.
The bandits held their breath.
Only momentarily did they tremble with fear.
Each of them pulled out their weapons, severing the zombie's arm and slashing its shoulder.
"Just die already!"
If a zombie fell to the floor, it got back up, and if it had no legs, it moved by crawling.
The bandit fiercely stomped on the crawling zombie.
Sticky flesh and thick green blood splattered onto his shoe.
Three more to go.
It was fortunate that there were no variants.
Joshua cast a spell.
A spell that strengthens the power of the one who receives the [Strength Enhancement] spell.
The bandit swung his axe.
The axe he swung cleaved the zombie's head with unprecedented power.
His eyes widened.
"I helped you a little. Your strength should be stronger than before."
The bandit looked at me with a bewildered expression.
His mouth was itching to talk, but there was no time for chitchat.
Another zombie was coming.
He utilized the power of the spell I cast on him to confront the zombie.
"They are as tenacious as leeches."
The bandit gasped roughly.
The floor beneath their feet was littered with fallen zombies.
"By the way, you there."
The bandit shook a vial containing a green potion.
"If you need this, make a deal with us."
Joshua stared intently at the antidote.
"That is not worth trading for."
"What?"
"Why would I trade when I can just take it?"
Joshua reached out his hand.
The mana that extended from my hand passed through the shield and gathered on the opposite side.
A new shield was created instantly.
When I wiggled my finger, the shield moved closer to me.
"Hand over everything you have."
"W-Wait a minute, listen! If we leave everything we have, what are we supposed to do when we encounter monsters!"
"Search the rooms. You will probably find something useful."
"What if that fails too!"
"You need to think for yourselves from that point. How much do I have to teach you before you are satisfied?"
Joshua brought the shield right up to their faces.
The bandits now did not even have room to stretch out their arms.
"Please, spare us."
"The items?"
"Shit, we will die without this!"
"Then it is decided."
The bandit bowed his head.
Joshua sighed.
[Cool] advised me not to show mercy.
[Clever] felt great contempt for their actions.
"What did you do when the people you killed begged you?"
Joshua glanced at the corpses of the dead bandits.
Then he pulled the shield towards himself.
Bang!
When the two shields collided, blood splattered on the transparent wall.
[The group of barbarians has been annihilated.]
[3 Coins are acquired.]
[The doctrine of the Loner God has been executed.]
[3 additional Coins are acquired.]
[Total Coins: 60]
Joshua deactivated the shield and picked up the antidote that had fallen to the floor.
Next, it was time to search their corpses.
"Senior!"
Tania raised her voice, giving a warning.
At the same time, [Cool] flashed.
Another zombie appeared from the direction of the passage.
The white beard and the partially burned coat were stylish and luxurious.
And the eagle-shaped insignia on the coat symbolized a professor.
It was Professor Gordon, who had turned into a zombie.
"Let us go back to where Talleon is first."
I abandoned the bandits' corpses.
It was not the time to confront the boss of this place yet.
* * *
"You dead?"
Gavinu lifted his head.
His friend Talleon, who was guarding the door, spoke to him.
The bleeding from his wound had subsided.
But the problem remained.
The poison on the arrowhead was paralyzing Gavinu's body.
"......I am still alive, so don't treat me like a dead person."
Gavinu's voice was as weak as his pale face.
"How does it feel to be hit by an arrow?"
"It hurts enough to die."
"How does the poison feel?"
"My head is dizzy. I feel like I have a fever, too. Ha, it is hard to breathe."
"If it were me, I would have avoided it by a hair's breadth."
"Haha, you’re funny. You were just lucky."
"Hehe, you are right. I was lucky."
The two exchanged trivial talk, trying to lighten the mood.
"Is it okay to keep hiding here?"
Gavinu trembled with anxiety.
"Sir Joshua said he would come find us if we hid, and we have to follow orders."
"That is true."
In a real fight, commands are the top priority.
The two were taught so by the instructor.
Gavinu sighed and turned his gaze.
'Hold on, Gavinu.'
He did not close his eyes.
Don’t lose consciousness.
He struggled to abide by the words Joshua had left behind.
If he lost consciousness, the returning Joshua would be disappointed.
He did not want to disappoint him twice.
His competitive spirit towards his friend and his desire to be acknowledged by the leader held his consciousness.
"Someone is coming."
Talleon opened his mouth.
Knock, knock!
The boy's eyes widened like a startled rabbit.
The opponent had the audacity to knock on the door.
The boy pulled out his axe and moved his body to the opposite side of where the door would open.
And he waited for an answer.
He thought he should not speak first.
"It is me."
Talleon did not open the door immediately.
He did not rule out the possibility that it could be a different person, even if the voice was the same.
"Tell me the place we started from before coming to the laboratory."
"Line Tower."
The boy felt the tension drain from his entire body.
He barely managed to stop himself from collapsing.
He unbolted the door, and when he opened it, Joshua entered.
"Were you testing me?"
"I-I apologize."
"It was excellent for a first time. If you had opened it right away, I was planning to educate you to death."
"......Haha."
Talleon laughed awkwardly.
He did not think it was a joke at all.
"Was that an imitation of Senior just now?"
Tania entered right after and poked her head at Talleon.
Talleon felt his cheeks flush.
"Was it strange?"
"Yes, very."
"Endure it even if it looks strange. I did my best, imagining what Sir Joshua would do."
"It was not bad."
"I appreciate that."
Talleon grumbled briefly and bolted the door shut again.
In the meantime, the two approached Gavinu.
"You held up well."
"You told me not to lose consciousness after all."
Gavinu raised the corner of his mouth.
"I will give you 50 points. I don't know if you still care about the score though."
"With this, I have overtaken Talleon."
Gavinu wore a triumphant expression towards Talleon, who had not left the door.
Talleon clicked his tongue.
He felt sorry for his injured friend, but he also felt frustrated about losing the competition.
"Should I tell you one way to get double points?"
"Is there such a thing?"
Joshua pulled out the antidote he had stolen from the bandits.
"It is the antidote."
"You defeated those bastards then."
"Yeah."
"That is incredible. You succeeded in dealing with the bandits!"
"To drink this, you have to pull out the arrow embedded in your shoulder."
Gavinu's spine suddenly tingled.
He understood what the method for increasing points he had mentioned was.
"I am going to dig out the arrow. If you don't scream, I will give you an additional 50 points. How does that sound?"
"......That might be a bit difficult."