Chapter 52: Heading for Fran

Author's Note:

It's a bit short, sorry .

Urushi, who is holding me in its mouth, runs vigorously . Will I be able to reunite with Fran just like this? No, wait, isn't this bad?

「Wait! There's a trap!」

Amanda shouts such words from behind . The worst possible outcome would be to have a Transition Trap activate right now .

『Urushi, because there're traps here be careful!』

「Ohwn?」

『You're unconcerned?』

That's right, it has Aerial Jump Lv8, doesn't it . So long as it doesn't step on the trap, it won't be activated . Furthermore, there seems to be magical power within Urushi's eyes . I believe it's Dark Magic, but... Hmm .

Perhaps it's a magic that allows one to see the locations of traps? That would explain why Urushi occasionally makes unnatural movements, seemingly avoiding something . Well, regardless, it seems that it has a trap-sensory system in place .

No traps have been activated at all thus far . However, after running about 300 meters from the small room, Urushi suddenly stops in place .

『Urushi?』

「Hwoon?」

『Where is Fran?』

Urushi places me on the ground and sits down in place .

「*Hah-hah-hah-hah*」

『Not *hah-hah* -』

「OnOon!」

All of a sudden, Urushi starts scratching at the wall, digging with great vigor .

『Eh? Is she perhaps on the other side of that wall?』

「Ohn」

「Is Fran over there, by any chance?」

With a face of astonishment, Amanda approaches . Or rather, how the heck did she manage to keep up with Urushi?! — No, in terms of AGI Amanda should be higher, so perhaps that's only natural?

「――Wind・Vortex!」

Using Storm Magic, Amanda shatters the wall .

『A hidden passage!』

「This Dungeon... It's because of places like this that I hate it . Even detection spells from Wind Magic wouldn't have worked . 」

This place must be an end location for Transition Traps, one meant solely for imprisoning people .

I've searched for presences within, but I can only feel signs of Spiders . Is she really there? I can only feel an indescribable sense of unease .

『Urushi, go!』

「Oon!」

Urushi uses Aerial Jump and runs nimbly over the ground .

『There!』

Amazing, Urushi! She really was here! I can see Fran!

However-

『S-She is... Fighting...?』

Fran was at the far end of the passage, alive and moving .

However, she was surrounded by small spiders . Spider larvae, most likely . Those spiders clustered around Fran one after another . Even if they're weak alone, their number is clearly dangerous!

『Urushi, hurry!』

「Hwon!」

However, I notice something strange . In Fran's hand is something akin to a dagger, a weapon that she shouldn't have had . What is that? Fran should have been unarmed... Was luck on her side, allowing her to find it from a treasure chest?

No, that's not the case . It seems to be the Hidden Claw Necklace that we took from Gyuran . If it's imbued with magic power a dagger-like claw protrudes from the inside, but its efficiency isn't good .

『Run away, Fran!』

It's no use . She's not within the range of Telepathy yet . But why is she not running away...? The reason why Fran refused to escape despite being surrounded by spiders was clear after taking a closer look .

Behind her were the figures of two fallen Humans . They were Clad's party members who had transitioned together .

Fran was trying to protect them .

『Fran!』

Damn, these small fry spiders are irritating! Even if I try to use Magic, because these guys' webs are in the way the spiders surrounding Fran wouldn't be affected in the slightest .

『The level of your Sword Arts is low, Fran!』

Fighting in such a state is suicide!

I could only watch as spiders jumped on Fran . Not good! The current Fran can't fight that number of — no . She can...?

Her movements are certainly slower, but the way she's wielding the blade isn't that bad . She cuts down a small spider and dodges the shot threads nimbly . Was Sword Arts Lv1 ever that strong? Ah, another one was cut down .

However, the cluster of small spiders remains on the offensive . Climbing along the wall, they've started aiming for the fainted Adventurers this time . Fran makes use of the Hidden Fang immediately, but it isn't enough to stop the spiders . All at once, the Spiders pounce .

『Fran, don't be reckless!』

Using her body as a shield, Fran puts her life on the line to protect the adventurers . With that, the fangs of the small spiders make their way into Fran's flesh .

Blood...! Furthermore, a big one has...! A parent spider?!

With the parent spider's momentum, she was thrown to the ground .

『UOOooooo! Mooveee!』

「OOoon!」