Dungeon Battle (1)

The day of the Dungeon Battle against Core Number 10.

We synchronized the time for simultaneous applications and combat start. This connected our dungeon, [Cave of Desires], with Core Number 10's dungeon through a gate.

We were participating from the sub-dungeon [White Beach].

The most crucial moment in this Dungeon Battle would be right after the gate connection happened. The outcome of the initial assault would slightly alter the subsequent developments.

If we managed to overcome Core Number 10's charge, we would establish a frontline base on their side, allowing the various cores to unilaterally pour in their forces. We could then launch a full-on attack.

If we failed to stop Core Number 10's charge, the vanguard dungeon core would have to pull the enemy into their own dungeon for a defensive battle. Other dungeon cores would have to split their forces to assist the vanguard and simultaneously invade the then thinly guarded dungeon of Core Number 10.

In either case, we could take advantage of our numerical superiority, but the vanguard would have the most dangerous position.

Given that the opponent was Core Number 10, a core from the initial series of cores, it was decided that Haku-san, the faction leader, would personally serve as the vanguard.

We were watching the situation unfold on the monitor in the Master Room via a communication monster we'd left with Haku-san. Monsters from other cores in our faction were also present.

"There are various monsters here, but are they all from our faction members? There must be at least 20."

"It seems there are some dummies mixed in. The total number of faction members is kept secret."

"Ah, like protecting privacy, huh?"

This setup made it difficult for faction members to identify each other, thus preventing betrayal or information leaks. Veteran cores could probably tell to some extent though.

[Here we go.]

Right after Haku-san spoke, her dungeon connected with Core Number 10's through the gate. On the other side, Core Number 10's domain was swarming with undead, zombies, and then—

—immediately after that, a torrent of water gushed from Haku-san's gate.

The flood swept away Core Number 10's monsters, the zombies, in a one-sided deluge.

After disrupting the enemy's formation with the water, Haku-san's Minotaur brigade trampled through them.

"This tactic… Kehma, didn't you do something similar with Haku-san in a previous Dungeon Battle?"

"Yep. I should charge for the idea… But judging by the steam and screams from the zombies that the water's touched, is that all holy water? Damn that's brutal."

Haku-san, knowing the opponent would use undead, prepared this tactic. Holy water is a classic weakness of the undead, but using it on this scale must be unprecedented.

There are tales of sprinkling holy water on the dead to prevent them from becoming undead, but witnessing a funeral rite where the dead are swept away by holy water was indeed a torrential burial.

The initial assault right after the gate connection ended in Haku-san's victory.

After establishing a frontline base, Haku-san herself moved there along with monsters representing us.

The entrance to Core Number 10's dungeon on the other side of the gate was filled with the corpses of undead drenched in holy water.

[We've established the base. Everyone, connect now.]

"Alright, Haku-san gave the signal. Time to apply for a Dungeon Battle with Core Number 10, Rokuko."

"Okay!"

A beat behind the vanguard, we connected the gate and sent in a fully-prepared army of monsters. As planned, everything was going smoothly. With this, it was just a matter of conquest. Everyone was eager to join the winning side, albeit with somewhat coordinated efforts.

[Kehma! My squirrels will take the lead nkyuu! We'll be first to explore the uncharted areas nkyuu!]

"Go for it, Mikan. Map exploration is all yours."

[Fuahahaha! My Glorious Self shall wreak havoc and bury his enemies!]

"Don't get too carried away, Number 564."

Mikan's squirrels and Number 564 himself charged into Core Number 10's dungeon. Notably, the squirrels slipped through other monsters' feet, racing straight to the dungeon's depths for map exploration. Yep, leaving map exploration to Mikan was a good call.

It was almost time for us to join in.

"Rei, are we ready?"

"Yes. G Tester, ready whenever you are!"

G Testert was the name of our secret weapon prepared by Rei and me.

It was a giant robot, about 14 meters tall, looking exactly like the Giant Black Steel Golem. As we maneuvered it to crawl through the gate, Haku-san raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Haku-san spoke to us through the monitor, in a state of mutual communication.

[Kehma-san? Isn't that a bit too large?]

"Yes, it's too big in its current state."

Responding to Haku-san's query, I snapped my fingers as a signal.

"G Tester, disassemble!"

"""Understood!"""

Rei's subordinates, the dungeon management fairies led by Ereka, responded.

G Tester detached its arms and legs from the main body. For passage through the corridors, the torso was also divided into several parts.

The detached limbs were each individual entities. They were originally separate entities that were combined. The idea was to use slime for the connection mechanism, thinking of it as a collective forming one unit. It was somewhat similar to train couplings.

[Ah, so these are slimes. Like Shell Slimes wearing armor.]

"Exactly right."

The description of armor was spot-on. The giant slimes were essentially wearing golem-derived armor, much like how I wear a fabric Clothes Golem.

Furthermore, the Joint Golems, responsible for the connection mechanism, played a significant role, making the joints a weak point—fittingly robot-like in execution.