The grand expedition to the Dark Continent via the 8th floor.
We had allocated 20 days for traversing Ice Rock on this expedition and brought enough food for three months.
This wasn't out of an abundance of caution.
Ice Rock wasn't a place where you could afford to take your ti.
We simply needed extra food.
Not only did the [Starvation] status effect make us consu three tis the usual amount of food, but the food itself could spoil.
Because of this damn thing.
"Ice storm!"
The blizzard that swept through the area every 30 minutes to 6 hours.
「Field Effect - 'Festering Cold' applied.」
「Accelerated decay rate for affected targets.」
This wretched storm could even spoil frozen food.
There was only one way to protect it.
Prioritize the food over the people and use magic to preserve it.
Of course, there was a problem with that too.
「Liard Ashid has cast the 4th-grade space-ti magic [Block].」
「Mckelly Leyaders has cast the 4th-grade space-ti magic [Block].」
「Bersil Gowland has cast the 4th-grade space-ti magic [Block]...」
The mana consumption of the 4th-grade [Block] spell was significant, and if you wanted to be ready to cast it at any ti, the cost would be even higher.
We had to take turns even at night.
"Ashid, go rest by the sled."
"Yes? But..."
"Don't worry, I'll call you if we need you."
"...I apologize."
Apologize? Why?
The other mages were all comfortably sitting on the sleds, resting.
「Field Effect - 'Festering Cold' deactivated.」
As soon as the blizzard subsided, we resud our march.
Crunch, crunch.
The snow reached our ankles with every step.
Rumble.
I was starving, but we had to ration our food.
We had managed to protect the supplies so far, but we couldn't be sure what would happen next.
What if a blizzard hit during a battle, and we ran out of mana to protect the boxes?
Things would get really bad.
'Well, I wouldn't say we're in a good situation right now...'
Third day in Ice Rock.
Everyone was exhausted, and there were no idle chatter or jokes.
We just silently marched forward, conserving our energy.
The atmosphere was tense and edgy.
'This is the team I'm supposed to lead into battle against Noark?'
Morale was crucial in war.
I wasn't sure if we would even be able to complete the mission in this state.
The only positive thing was the rapid accumulation of experience points.
「Frozen Soul defeated. EXP 4.」
「Tainted Snow Spirit defeated. EXP 6.」
「Frost Guardian defeated. EXP 7.」
「Lich defeated. EXP 6.」
「Glacier Giant defeated. EXP 7.」
「Frostfire Turtle defeated...」
「...」
Most of the monsters in Ice Rock were high-level, so the experience points flowed in quickly.
Well, we still had a long way to go.
Even if we killed every monster in Ice Rock, it wouldn't be enough to reach level 8.
'But it's a rare opportunity, so I should hunt as many as I can.'
We continued fighting monsters and marching forward, our bodies growing increasingly weary.
As the sun began to set, we set up camp by a cliff.
We unloaded the tents and sleeping bags from the supply boxes and set them up.
And...
「Heating Stone activated.」
We placed a few activated magic tools in each tent, creating a cozy shelter.
"We don't have any night watch duty today, so get so rest."
Only two mbers were assigned to night watch duty for the entire expedition force.
Our turn wouldn't co until tomorrow, so we could all sleep soundly tonight.
It was thanks to the four paladins.
They would take turns casting [Purge Evil], keeping monsters away.
And there was no chance of encountering a looting party in this barren land.
Even if there were, they wouldn't dare attack a group this large.
Not if they wanted to keep their heads.
"Good night, Mister. See you tomorrow."
The tents were for three people, separated by gender.
No matter how close we were, n and won shouldn't sleep together.
I also preferred sleeping with other n.
Well, the old man and the mage might feel a bit cramped.
"Ashid, Aldidi. You two go to sleep first."
"Are you going on patrol?"
"I'm the expedition leader, after all."
I sent Didi and Ashid to bed and then patrolled the campsite, checking for any problems.
There were already snoring sounds coming from various tents.
They must be exhausted.
'Everything seems fine, so I should go to sleep too.'
I walked towards our team's tent.
Crunch.
I heard footsteps behind and turned around.
"Kaislan, you're still awake?"
"I have sothing to tell you, sir."
"What is it?"
"Can we talk while we walk?"
We walked around the edge of the campsite, talking.
"There's a lot of discontent among the mbers."
Discontent...
I knew what it was about.
"Mostly about , I presu?"
Kaislan nodded with a bitter smile.
"Humans are like that. They don't question their happiness, but they always look for reasons when they're suffering."
His words reflected a deep understanding of human nature.
"Is that all?"
Kaislan shook his head.
"If that was all, I wouldn't have bothered you at this hour."
"There's sothing else?"
"...There's soone spreading malicious rumors within the expedition force."
"Rumors? What kind of rumors?"
"That the 1st Team is hoarding supplies while everyone else is on rations."
"I see..."
I couldn't help but sigh.
This was ridiculous.
They were acting like children.
These were the elites of the kingdom?
"Do you know who started the rumor?"
"Pike Neldain."
"Jas Kala's teammate."
He was a warrior, just like .
He had even greeted with a smile at the banquet...
Damn, that sneaky bastard.
Ah, maybe he was just hungry and couldn't think straight?
"What are you going to do?"
"Well..."
I trailed off, and Kaislan offered so advice.
"If you're going to punish him, I suggest doing it through ."
"To deflect the bla?"
"If you wish, I can make an example of him in front of everyone. They'll forget all about their resentnt towards you."
Wow, he's a loyal subordinate.
I listened to his suggestions.
"Or we could use Akuraba. She's in charge of supplies, and this happened because she failed to fulfill her duties."
He wasn't wrong.
Regardless of the circumstances, Akuraba was responsible for protecting the supplies.
But...
"She's a respected explorer, so everyone is being quiet now, but if this gets out, they'll bla her."
I didn't like that.
I had to make a decision.
"Kaislan, why are you going this far to help ?"
I was suspicious of his motives.
But Kaislan looked in the eye and answered without hesitation.
"Because you're the expedition leader, whether I like it or not."
An unexpected answer.
"The expedition will fail if you're shaken by these rumors."
I thought he would be the first to try and take my place if my authority was weakened.
Was this a soldier's mindset?
Kaislan was prioritizing the mission over his personal ambitions.
"Tell what you want to do."
He offered two options, but they were essentially the sa.
Whether it was Akuraba or him, he wanted to make soone else the scapegoat.
I appreciated his advice, but my decision was already made.
"I'm not going to do anything."
"...?"
Kaislan looked confused and cautiously asked,
"If you do nothing, the mbers will bla you for everything that goes wrong."
That's true.
But so what?
"I don't care what they say."
"...?"
"They're the mbers, and I'm the leader. That's how it works."
I wasn't going to shirk my responsibility.
__________________
Ninth day in Ice Rock.
The expedition, which had been plagued with problems from the start, was finally reaching its midpoint.
We had left the plains behind and were now facing a giant ice mountain.
We weren't going to climb it.
Our destination was at the base of the mountain.
"We found the entrance!"
Jas Kala's team found the path to the next field, and we followed it, descending into a massive ice cave.
Thud, thud.
The sound of our boots echoed through the cave.
But the atmosphere was different from before.
Even in military training camps,
People form bonds when they go through hardships together.
"The ice is so clear, it's like we're in a fantasy world."
"Haha, I feel the sa way."
Of course, the improved mood was also due to our recovered stamina.
Half of the mbers were experiencing Ice Rock for the first ti, so there were a lot of hiccups in the beginning...
But now they were all adapting.
"I'm starving. I understand why everyone avoids this place."
"I usually look at my daughter's picture when I'm struggling, but I couldn't even do that here. I should have taken it out of my subspace pocket before we left the ship."
"Oh, you have a daughter? How old is she?"
It wasn't just the atmosphere that had changed.
The expedition force, which had been struggling to work together, was now moving as one.
"Enemies approaching from the flanks and front!"
"The 1st Team will hold them off while the 2nd and 3rd Teams take care of the flanks!"
They followed my orders without hesitation.
「Frozen Webter defeated. EXP 5.」
「Unlting Cocoon defeated. EXP 6.」
「Frostfire Goblin defeated. EXP 5」
The battles were much easier now.
They were finally acting like an elite force.
Their teamwork had improved, and they were able to unleash their full potential.
And there was another positive developnt.
"Schuitz, that guy... he's a beast in battle."
Explorers respected strength.
As I stood at the front, taking on the most dangerous tasks, my reputation started to improve.
The rumors about hoarding food had vanished.
Actions speak louder than words—
Crackle—
What was that?
My instincts, honed by years of experience, sensed danger.
"Erwen, did you hear that?"
"I don't know. It ca from behind us..."
Behind us?
I turned around.
Crackle.
Spiderweb-like cracks were spreading across the ground, unable to withstand the weight.
'Damn it!'
It was where the troll pulling the sled was standing.
"Summon! Unsummon it now!"
I shouted, and the summoner, who had been spacing out, quickly unsummoned the troll.
But it was too late.
Crack, crack!
The cracking sound intensified.
"...Everyone, get back!"
The explorers near the collapsing ground scrambled to safety. So, however, prioritized the supplies over their own lives.
"Supplies! Get the supplies!"
"We're done for without them!"
"Move it!"
They carefully pulled the sled away, trying to reduce the weight.
But the ground was collapsing faster.
Kwaaang!
The ground caved in, like a sinkhole.
One of the sleds and two explorers disappeared into the darkness.
And at that mont...
「Liard Ashid has cast the 5th-grade auxiliary magic [Levitation].」
The two explorers floated into the air.
Their expressions, filled with despair, turned to relief.
And then we heard a splash from below.
Splash!
Damn, there's water down there?
We can't retrieve the sled now.
I quickly gave orders, despite my despair.
"Everyone, get away from the edge! Spread out, don't stand too close!"
The team mbers finally started moving.
I cautiously approached the edge and looked down.
The mage illuminated the area with a light spell, and as expected, there was a river flowing below.
The sled was nowhere to be seen.
"Akuraba!!"
"Yes, sir!"
"How much food was in that sled?"
"About half, sir!"
Damn it, we lost half our food supply.
"..."
Akuraba looked at nervously.
"Um..."
"Be quiet. I'm thinking."
"..."
I couldn't understand.
'The ground collapsed the first ti, and now it's happening again?'
This didn't make sense.
So...
"Akuraba."
"Yes, sir."
"Ask everyone. Now."
I had to confirm sothing first.
"Is there anyone who changed their na? And was that na Hans?"
That would tell whether this was just a series of unfortunate coincidences.
Or...
"Hurry up. This is important."
Soone's malicious intent.
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