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The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills ,Volume 2 - Chapter 20

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Chapter : The Cave, Part 5

We returned to the circular chamber riddled with holes and reported the situation with the Armor Golems to Melt.

“So you encountered them too.”

Melt’s expression tightened as he spoke.

“You mean… other parties were attacked by Armor Golems as well?”

“Yeah. Three different parties ran into them. We’ve already lost five adventurers.”

“Five… people?”

The words scraped out of my throat, hoarse.

“For now, I’ve sent word through the far-talking magic tools, ordering all parties to regroup here.”

“That’s for the best,” Kinako said firmly.

“Those Armor Golems are strengthened with gems used by demons. Honestly, I doubt adventurers below D-rank can even hope to beat them.”

“…I agree,” Melt replied, his gaze fixed squarely on Kinako.

“Kinako… how do you see this situation?”

“There’s a high chance demons are involved.”

“So you think so too?”

“Yeah. Using special gems to enhance monsters… that’s a demon’s favorite trick. It wouldn’t surprise me if one’s lurking in this cave.”

At those words, the faces of the Flame Dragon Company members turned pale.

“So it’s not just the Armor Golems… but demons too?”

“We don’t know that for sure yet.”

“But if there are this many Golems, doesn’t that mean the demons and those Dolls cult fanatics are working together?”

“That’s…”

“Enough! Calm down!”

Melt’s sharp, commanding voice cut through the tension.

“Even if a demon is here, I’ll kill it. And don’t forget—we’ve got the Demon Slayer Kinako with us.”

That name alone loosened some of the stiffness in the company’s faces.

“Melt.”

Greg, the Flame Dragon Company’s vice-leader, stepped forward.

“In this situation, we should send only our strongest fighters to look for an exit. Even without demons, those enhanced Armor Golems are too dangerous for anyone else.”

“Agreed. Also, mark the locations where you found the Golems on the map. The exit might be beyond one of those points.”

“Yes… that seems plausible,” Greg said, hand resting on his chin.

“In that case, we should form a strike party of the strongest members to take out the Golems. If Rikkel’s group is with us, we should manage.”

“Count me in for that party.”

“You too, Melt?” Greg sounded surprised.

“But then… what about overall command—?”

“I’ll leave that to you.” Melt clapped Greg on the shoulder.

“You’d handle it better than I would.”

“…Hah. Well, if it’s you, Melt, I suppose an Armor Golem won’t even be a warm-up.”

That’s when Tet—a mere F-rank—stumbled out of one of the holes.

His face was pale. Blood stained his jacket.

“S-something terrible happened! Rikkel… Rikkel-san—”

Tet collapsed to the ground right in front of us.

“Hey! What about Rikkel?!”

Melt dashed to Tet’s side.

“R-Rikkel-san… he was killed by an Armor Golem!”

Tet’s voice quivered as he forced the words out.

“What?! Rikkel was a B-rank! How the hell did that happen?!”

“We… we were ambushed. The whole party scattered. I stuck with Rikkel-san, but then… he…”

“Damn it…”

Melt’s clenched fist trembled.

“Where? Show me the way!”

“O-okay!”

Tet scrambled to his feet and bolted toward the hole. Flame Dragon members tore after him.

“We’re going too.”

I exchanged a glance with my companions, then sprinted after them.

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