The Cave Rats rushed toward them.
Raphael stared at the swarm- there were too many.
Their bodies were larger than ordinary rats, each one nearly the size of a small dog. Their fur was dirty and patchy, their eyes glowed red in the darkness, and their teeth looked sharp enough to chew through metal.
One of them leaped onto the platform, causing Raphael to immediately step back. Another followed. Then another.
"Stay behind me," Elena ordered.
She drew her sword, the blade flashing. With one smooth movement, Elena cut down the first Cave Rat before it could reach Raphael. The creature split apart and dissolved into a cloud of black particles.
Raphael blinked. "That looked easy."
"It is easy," Elena said.
A Cave Rat lunged from the side.
She turned and cut it down without even looking. Raphael watched the creature disappear. Then he looked at his own hands.
’Right. Easy for her.’
The remaining rats spread across the platform. Some rushed toward Elena, while others moved around the broken benches and headed straight for Raphael.
Vanessa watched them approach with a bored expression.
"Pathetic creatures."
She raised one hand, and a thin purple glow formed around her index finger.
Raphael’s eyes widened. "Wait."
Vanessa flicked her finger.
The wave of purple energy passed through the platform, causing every Cave Rat within several meters to freeze. For half a second, nothing happened. Then their bodies burst apart, and the entire swarm vanished. Not even one survived.
The platform became silent again.
Raphael stood with his mouth slightly open while Vanessa lowered her hand.
"Why are you staring?"
Raphael slowly pointed toward the empty platform.
"I was going to fight that."
"You were going to die."
"I know."
Vanessa turned her head toward him.
"Then why?"
Raphael glanced at the system window floating in front of his face. Only he could see it.
[MAIN QUEST CONDITION]
[Host must personally participate in dungeon completion.]
He sighed.
"Because the system says I have to participate."
Elena looked at him.
"What system?"
Raphael’s heart skipped, and he immediately shook his head.
"I meant the dungeon system. The Bureau’s system. The rules. The regulations. The thing."
Elena stared at him.
"That explanation became worse with every word."
Captain Vale looked over from where he had been examining the remains of the first few monsters.
"Is there a problem?"
"No," Raphael said quickly. "Everything is fine."
Vanessa’s violet eyes narrowed. She could tell he was hiding something. Unfortunately for Raphael, she seemed to enjoy that fact.
"You are required to fight?" she asked.
Raphael lowered his voice.
"Apparently."
"You?"
"Yes."
"You are incapable of defeating those creatures."
"Thank you for the encouragement."
"I was not encouraging you."
"I noticed."
Vanessa looked toward the dark tunnel ahead and sighed. It was a long, deeply disappointed sigh.
"Very well."
"Very well?" Raphael looked at her in confusion and a bit of dread.
"I will weaken them."
Elena’s eyes moved toward Vanessa.
"You can control your output that precisely?"
Vanessa gave her a cold look.
"Do not compare your abilities to mine."
Elena’s expression remained calm.
"I was asking a question."
"And I answered."
Raphael stepped forward.
"Wait. You’re actually going to let me fight them?"
"I will reduce their strength to a level where you may survive."
"That sounds less reassuring when you say it like that."
"You should be grateful."
"I am. I’m just trying to process the fact that my first battle plan is to have someone else make the monsters weaker."
"That is not a battle plan."
"What is it, then?"
"An embarrassment."
Raphael looked toward the tunnel.
’At least she’s honest.’
A loud scraping sound echoed from the darkness, causing the Bureau operatives to raise their weapons. Captain Vale lifted one hand.
"Formation."
The team moved into position.
Elena stood at the front with her sword ready. Captain Vale positioned himself slightly behind her, while Dr. Moss remained in the center. The two operatives watched the flanks.
Raphael stood near Vanessa. He did not like how close he was standing to her- not because he disliked her, but because he knew that if anything attacked him, Vanessa would probably destroy it before he even noticed.
That would defeat the entire purpose.
"Can you weaken them without killing them?" Raphael asked.
Vanessa looked offended, but she still answered... coldly, "Of course."
"Good."
"Do you believe I am incapable of restraint?"
Raphael remembered the entire swarm disappearing with one finger.
"Yes."
Vanessa’s expression darkened. Before she could respond, several shapes crawled out from the tunnel: Lesser Goblins.
They were short, thin creatures with gray-green skin and long ears. Their weapons were crude, but their eyes were alert, and unlike the Cave Rats, they did not charge immediately.
They spread out.
Three moved toward Elena, two moved toward Captain Vale, and the others began circling Raphael.
Raphael noticed the movement.
"Are they surrounding me?"
"Yes," Elena answered.
"Is that bad?"
"It is usually considered unfavorable."
The Goblins suddenly rushed forward.
Vanessa lifted her hand, and purple energy flashed through the tunnel, causing the Goblins to stumble. Some dropped their weapons. Others fell to their knees. Their bodies trembled as the energy weakened their muscles.
A faint purple mark appeared over each creature’s chest.
"They’re still alive?" Raphael asked, staring at them.
"Unfortunately."
"Thanks."
Vanessa folded her arms.
"Go."
Raphael looked at the nearest Goblin.
The creature was still frightening. Even weakened, it was taller than him. Its jagged teeth were exposed, and it held a chipped dagger in one hand.
Raphael looked at his own weapon. He had been given a standard Bureau combat knife. It was not impressive, and it was barely longer than his hand.
Captain Vale glanced back.
"Matthews, you need to move."
"I’m thinking."
"You can think while moving."
The Goblin snarled and lunged. Raphael panicked. He raised the knife, and the Goblin’s dagger struck against it. The impact nearly tore the weapon from his hand.
Raphael stumbled backward.
His wrist hurt; his shoulder hurt- his entire body seemed to be protesting the idea of combat.
’This thing is weakened?’
The Goblin attacked again; Raphael ducked.
The dagger passed over his head and struck the wall behind him. He tried to counterattack, but his knife moved too slowly. The Goblin twisted away, then kicked him in the stomach.