The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills ,Volume 2 - Chapter 21

Chapter : The Cave, Part 6

After walking through the winding passage for about ten minutes, Teto, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped.

「Huh? This is where Rikkel was killed…」

「Hey! There’s nothing here.」

Melt scanned the surroundings.

「Lord Melt!」

A nearby guild member spoke up.

「Down there… Rikkel is down there.」

The guild member pointed with a trembling hand toward a deep hole.

We approached the hole and peered inside.

There lay Rikkel, bleeding from his head.

Was he thrown in by the Armor Golem?

I bit my lip hard.

「Rikkel failed to dodge the Armor Golem’s attack.」

Teto’s voice reached my ears.

「It was huge, but incredibly fast…」

「…Rikkel.」

Melt’s eyes trembled.

「You… you just had a newborn child. What were you thinking?」

At those words, the surrounding guild members began to sob softly.

I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing.

Even a B-rank adventurer can lose their life from a single mistake. Armor Golems are stronger than Ogres, so the risk is even greater.

At that moment, Raiza appeared from the depths of the passage, accompanied by a member of the Flame Dragon Guild.

「Raiza!」

Teto ran up to her.

「Thank goodness. You managed to escape.」

「Yeah. But a Flame Dragon Guild member was killed by the Armor Golem…」

「Jim and Taccas are dead.」

The guild member beside Raiza said in a low voice.

「Damn it…」

Melt closed his eyes tightly and looked up at the ceiling.

After that, we returned to the circular chamber full of holes.

Other parties gathered as well, and we all discussed our next steps.

「First, let me report the casualties.」

Vice-leader Greg began speaking.

「Thirteen were killed by the Armor Golems, and four are missing.」

「Missing? What does that mean?」

Albel asked.

「It means we’ve lost contact with them. Since those four were in the same party, they’re likely all dead.」

Greg’s words made the adventurers’ faces tense up.

「Currently, there are ninety-two adventurers here. Among them, we’ll select the higher-ranked ones and form new parties. Those parties will take down the Armor Golems—that’s the basic plan.」

「Can I join one of those parties?」

「…No. You’re E-rank.」

Greg answered firmly.

「The new parties will consist of C-rank and above. The rest will provide support. We can’t afford meaningless deaths.」

「Wait!」

Albel stepped forward.

「I’m E-rank, but I have three combat skills. That means I’m at least as strong as a C-rank!」

「No! We’ve decided there will only be two exceptions.」

「Exceptions?」

「Yes. Only D-rank Berserker Piln and E-rank Yakumo will join the new parties.」

「Yakumo?」

Albel turned to me in shock.

「Why is Yakumo an exception?」

「Because Kinako, an A-rank, recommended him.」

Greg explained.

「Plus, Yakumo fought alongside Kinako and killed ten Armor Golems. That’s proof enough.」

「That’s only because Kinako the Demon Slayer was in the party!」

Albel raised his brown eyebrows in anger.

「I’m stronger than Yakumo!」

「He’s right,」 Camilla said.

「I can use magic equivalent to a C-rank mage!」

Dazzle joined in.

「Yakumo can only materialize paper. We have multiple combat skills. We should be in those new parties!」

「…You’re the new recruits from the Holy Sword Guild, right?」

Greg asked, and they nodded.

「I see. You definitely have talent. But you’ll still provide support.」

「Why?!」

Albel shouted angrily.

「We told you—we’re stronger than Yakumo!」

「That may be true, but you have a weakness.」

「A weakness?」

「Yes. You’re overconfident and too eager for glory.」

「Overconfident?!」

「Yes. People like that are more likely to make mistakes.」

「We don’t make mistakes!」

「Really? One reason you triggered the trap in this cave was because your party spread false information.」

Dazzle’s face twisted at those words.

「Anyway, focus on your support role. It’s important too.」

「…Tch!」

Albel clicked his tongue and turned his back on Greg.

They haven’t changed a bit.

I sighed.

There’s no doubt those three have talent and high combat ability. But they’re terrible at teamwork. They only think about defeating the enemy in front of them, without paying attention to the overall situation.

I’m sure they’re frustrated, but Greg’s decision is the right one. Against Armor Golems, a single mistake means death.

I recalled the image of Rikkel lying dead in that hole.

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