Volume 1 Chapter 11 After-Action Report
We managed to escape with seven people, and when we told the instructor that a Manticore had appeared, the training was immediately called off.
The Manticore is an enemy that is supposed to appear near the 10th floor, and in groups. The instructor said that it was unusual for it to appear on the 1st floor.
"It's probably a stray individual from the herd. It's not that uncommon. For now, you can go home today."
Then, the instructor turned to me, Ice, and the big guy and said,
"For regular trainees, it's normal to be wiped out by one Manticore. You did well to win. Amazing."
We received encouragement to keep doing our best without dying, and the three of us left the place with a smile.
We returned to the training facility and collapsed.
"...For now, good job, both of you."
"Yeah..."
"Phew, I'm tired..."
In response to my encouragement, Ice and the big guy answered. Then, I became curious and asked,
"By the way, what's your name?"
"Eh? Wade-kun, you didn't remember me?"
"Sorry, if you're not famous, I don't remember people I haven't really interacted with."
"I'm sorry, Clay-kun... Wade-kun is just a little different."
Not really different. Just normal.
So, it's my turn to introduce myself.
"I'm Clay, an Earth magician. I'm not a top performer though."
"Don't worry, Clay. Once again, I'm Wade, a Gravity magician."
"Ah, I'm Ice. An Ice magician..."
The three of us finished introducing themselves. Clay, the Earth magician. Names in this world are easy to remember overall. Clay sounds like a Earth magic kind of name.
...I guess I shouldn't judge others. Wade. Wait. Hmm.
And then something caught my attention, so I brought up the topic, "By the way..."
"This time, facing the Manticore was really scary, but if something like that attacked a party of two, it would be hopeless. Why did the instructor allow party formation with two or more under such relaxed conditions?"
"Oh, that's right."
Clay raised his index finger.
"Dungeons, you see, are malicious labyrinths. Malicious means that basically, 'even though there's a high chance of dying, they don't stop humans from entering.'"
"So, in other words?"
I prompted, and Clay continued.
"If it's a dungeon where you'll definitely die once you enter, no matter what treasure sleeps inside, you wouldn't go in, right? And for dungeons where you'll definitely die with less than three people, you wouldn't go in with less than two."
"...Oh, I see. It's definitely a malicious labyrinth."
"Huh, w-what do you mean, Wade-kun?"
Ice, confused, asked hastily. "Basically," I explained in simple terms to Ice, who didn't understand.
"Dungeons are designed to make adventurers die more inside them. So, since people won't enter dungeons where they'll definitely die, the number of deaths decreases as a result. If someone won't enter a dungeon where they'll definitely die with two people, then they won't enter if there are three or more, reducing the death toll."
"Oh, I see..."
"In other words, if two people can go in and not die as much as expected, then they can end up killing more overall. But that doesn't mean having five people is safer. That's what the malice of the dungeon is all about, I guess."
It's a harsh story, I think.
If you think about it, even if one person probably won't die, they won't have recovery or healing options alone. Probably the death rate is much higher compared to multiple parties. That's why it's prohibited.
Then, Clay looked at me with sparkling eyes. And I noticed Ice also looking at me with shining eyes.
Huh, what is it, really?
"Oh, but Wade-kun was really amazing! The way you didn't back down from the Manticore at all! Your determination to keep fighting even after losing your weapon! I feel like I witnessed the birth of a hero!"
"Yeah, Wade-kun was incredible! You flew in so fast and went 'whoosh,' then 'zap!'"
As they nodded in agreement, the two of them praised me. Um, oh no, it's embarrassing...
"Oh, it's not that big of a deal."
"No, it was amazing, really! And to think you created an opening with just your fist against the Manticore!"
"If it weren't for Wade-kun, everyone would have been seriously injured... Some might even have died. That's why Wade-kun really did something amazing... Our savior."
Trying to hide my embarrassment from their excited words, I scratched my head and replied, "Well, if you put it that way..."
"Clay helped me widen the opening I couldn't cover with my attack, and Ice delivered the final blow. I think both of you did an amazing job. Clay didn't lose his fighting spirit, and Ice managed to defeat the manticore with her bare hands in that situation."
When I praised their courage, they both looked surprised. Then, Ice's face turned red, and she covered her face with her hands. Clay began rubbing his nose a lot.
"S-stop it! You're embarrassing me..."
"I'm proud that Wade-kun said that. It makes the courage worth it!"
...These two are pretty straightforward, I must admit.
But, that just makes them likable. I shrugged my shoulders and said, "No, I really think you guys did great."
While we were talking, someone appeared with a frustrated expression.
"What are you talking about!"
"...Oh, Drop-chan..."
Uh oh, someone has arrived.
When I turned around, I saw Drop, who is known for her water magic. I gave her a tired look and asked, "What do you want?"
"...Nothing, really. I just heard something strange and thought I'd chime in."
"What do you mean by 'strange'?"
"Aside from Clay, Ice being helpful? There's no way that her half-baked magic did anything useful!"
I frowned and sighed, saying, "That's not true. We didn't have enough firepower to finish it off. Ice took the risk and did what we couldn't."
Then, I was annoyed, so I threw a little jab at her.
"And if we're talking about not being helpful, weren't you also pretty useless? Ignoring the manticore to do healing... What if we were killed while you were busy treating wounds?"
"Ugh... I know! I know I wasn't any help! That's why I came to thank you for saving me!"
Huh...? Did she create this current situation on purpose? She seriously lack social skills.
But Drop seems genuinely upset, tears streaming down. I feel weak in these moments, so I start comforting with a "There, there."
"My bad, I went too far. You were just trying to figure out what you could do in a scary situation. I can't say it was the right move, but I think you were trying."
"Ugh, uhhhh!"
I pat Drop's head as she starts crying, trying to soothe her. Well, unlike me, who remembers past lives, everyone here is just around 15. Facing the threat of death, they're bound to panic and be shocked.
Actually, I wouldn't feel out of place being shocked myself. I haven't had that experience in a past life.
In this life, though, I seem to have some kind of resilience to these things. Probably genetically have a high tolerance to it. Mentally stable, you could say.
"Anyway, got it. I know you've come to say thanks. Just, from now on, try to avoid mocking others. Alright? It's a good tip for living well."
"Yeah..."
"There you go, got it? You can go now. Actually, should we all just split up here? None of us injured or anything?"
"Uh, yeah..."
"Nope. Miraculously unharmed."
"...I'm fine too."
After checking in on each of the three, I nodded.
"That's good. Then let's call it a day. I'm tired, might as well take a nap."
I raised my hand and dispersed from the scene. Then, as if on cue, I glanced back to see Drop looking strangely sparkly-eyed at me, and Ice staring intently at Drop.
...Something feels off about those two. Better run away as soon as possible.
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