Volume 1 Chapter 8 Interlude： The Collapse of a Certain Party (Part I)
*Third-person perspective.*
<hr>
In the vast underground labyrinth beneath the northern reaches of Bechmer, a short while before Ryuuji's arrival in Sartzstadt...
The Second Rank party, <Berserk>, ventured into the restricted third layer of the labyrinth.
Their formation consisted of Sean, the scout, at the forefront; Guy, the heavy warrior, as the vanguard; Marie, the cleric, and Suzu, the magician, followed behind, with Minori, the swordswoman, bringing up the rear.
"Ugh... Damn, I'm feeling so sluggish..."
"L-Leader, are you okay?"
Sean, leading the way, turned back with a lethargic groan, his tone fawning towards Guy.
This was a common sight for the Berserk party.
However, Guy seemed more unwell than usual, his breathing occasionally becoming labored.
"Are you sure you're alright? You don't look so good."
Minori interjected.
"Oh, Minori, you're worried about me?"
Guy replied with a smirk.
"If you can't hold your ground as our shield when the time comes, the party will fall apart! Stop making those disgusting noises and die!"
Minori shouted, her voice laced with irritation.
Guy, suddenly energized, responded with a playful tone, causing Minori to inwardly wish she could kill with words alone.
She truly despised this self-proclaimed leader, who, unlike her talented brother, seemed to attract nothing but trouble.
"But I do feel unwell... Maybe it's because we lost the Magic Stone of Sublimation. Damn that Ryuuji..."
"...What about Big Bro Ryuuji?"
Suzu, who caught the murmurs of Guy, asked him, glaring at him half-eyedly.
"Huh? Nah, it's nothing, heh heh."
Guy offered a forced smile, but the clever Suzu could easily discern that he didn't want to be pressed on the matter.
"Liar. You said you gave up the *Magic Stone of Sublimation*. Did you give it back to Big Bro Ryuuji?"
"Damn... Yeah, I gave it back. He even made me sign a damn letter of agreement to return it last."
Hearing this, Suzu and Minori froze.
"...Huh? What do you mean by 'last'? Does that mean you kicked Big Bro Ryuuji out of the party?"
Minori's face contorted with anger, and she immediately turned her glare on Guy.
Guy hastily turned towards Minori, waving his hands in denial.
"N-No! He left on his own!"
"That's a lie, too. Big Bro Ryuuji would never leave you guys behind and go on his own. I bet when this money-grubbing woman joined the *Berserk* party, you kicked him out because you didn't want to share the loot."
Suzu's accusation hit home, and Marie's face twisted in discomfort.
"W-Well, yeah, I had to..."
"How dare you blame me, Guy!"
Minori and Suzu watched with disdain as Guy and Marie bickered inside the dungeon, while Sean tried to calm them down.
"...Sis Minori, do you think there's any point in staying with a party that kicked out Big Bro Ryuuji?"
"...You know the answer to that."
The sisters exchanged glances, their expressions sour, just as a Stone Golem, apparently drawn by the commotion, appeared behind Sean.
"Talk later! Sean, something's coming from behind!"
"Huh? Oh no!"
With a sharp rebuke from Minori, Sean hastily retreats, using Guy as a shield and falling back to the middle guard.
Sean, known for his quick escape skills, has earned a reputation among his peers.
The Stone Golem, with its heavy footsteps echoing, approaches them with surprising speed for its massive size.
"As always, you two work while I defend! That's it!"
"If you're the leader, give us proper orders! Suzu, watch your back and use your physical impact magic! Call me if we get a back attack!"
"Hmm?"
Guy readies himself with his longsword and shield, but does nothing further, as it's Minori's role to give instructions.
This is the everyday life of the Berserkers.
"What should I do then?"
Marie asks, sounding a bit lost.
"Conserve your magic power! If that monkey gets hit, heal him! But you don't have to if you don't want to!"
Minori replies with a smirk.
"Hey, who are you calling a monkey, Minori?!"
Guy protests, indignant.
Ignoring Guy's outrage, Minori gives Marie some instructions while waiting behind Guy, aiming for the Stone Golem's weak point.
While Guy distracts the Golem, Minori and Suzu target its core.
This is their signature style.
However, this routine would soon be disrupted.
"Whoa!"
Guy, having taken the Golem's blow on his shield, stumbles, an unusual sight for a seasoned warrior.
He quickly raises his shield to block a head-aimed strike.
Even with his helmet, that last hit could have snapped his neck.
"Hey, what's wrong with you? Stand your ground!"
Minori shouts.
"Ugh, shut up! I'm just a bit weaker without the 'Magic Stone of Powerful Arms'! Don't boss me around──"
Guy turned to address Minori's complaint politely.
But it was fatal.
"Ugh──"
Guy was struck by Stone Golem's attack from the side, his entire body flying lightly and sliding across the floor.
And then, he became completely still.
"You idiot! Marie, heal him and then slap him awake! We'll retreat while Suzu and I buy us some time!"
"Okay, got it!"
Second Rank Party <Berserk>.
Their downfall was swift and sudden.
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