The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills ,Volume 2 - Chapter 25

Chapter: The Cave, Part 10

Two hours later, Melt and the others began moving toward the underground lake.

The seventy-eight adventurers navigated the twisted, narrow passages.

When they reached an open area, Melt, who was leading, came to a halt.

「…What is this?」

「What’s wrong?」 asked Gregg, standing beside him.

「Haven’t you noticed? We’re surrounded.」

From behind the rocks, over fifty Armor Golems appeared.

「I-I can’t believe it. There shouldn’t be any Golems here…」

Gregg’s voice was hoarse.

The Golems moved to the rear as well, cutting off all escape routes.

「I see. They anticipated our movements and gathered the Golems here.」

Melt gripped his twin daggers tightly.

「Melt-sama…」

The members of the group trembled with unease.

「Do not fear!」 Melt shouted.

「This is our chance! We’ll annihilate all the Golems here! Everyone, give it your all!」

The battle between adventurers and Armor Golems erupted. The Golems swung their long arms, knocking down adventurers.

Within minutes, more than ten adventurers had fallen, but the adventurers managed to take down seven Golems in return.

Melt felt cold sweat forming on his back.

—This is bad. Too many Golems. At this rate, we’ll all be wiped out.

「Melt!」

Kinako ran to him.

「You and I will handle the Golems on the right.」

「The right side?」

「Yes. Use the walls to set up a defensive formation.」

「But the Golems’ charge won’t stop at a formation!」

「Just do it! Gather everyone to the right!」

Melt began directing adventurers while taking down the Golems on the right. Once everyone moved to the walls, Almine cast a spell. A massive magic circle appeared in the air, releasing black mist that enveloped the Golems, slowing their movements.

「Now, we finish them off!」

Kinako charged, striking the Golems’ heads with her paw-like hands. The sound of breaking jewels echoed as a massive Golem fell.

The other adventurers transitioned from defense to offense. Slowed Golems were eliminated one by one.

「Go… Gogo…」

Five Golems surrounded Kinako.

「So it’s me now.」

Kinako bared her white fangs.

「Targeting the strongest isn’t a bad idea, but it’s a bit late.」

An arc of paper shuriken flew and struck the Golem directly in front of her, smashing its red jewel with a high-pitched crack.

「Gok… Go…」

The Golem collapsed.

「That should do it.」

Kinako grinned as she saw Yakumo and Piln running toward her.

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After defeating all the Golems, the adventurers collapsed to the ground. I called out to Almine.

「Almine, are you hurt?」

「I’m fine… barely.」

She exhaled deeply.

「Though more than thirty were lost.」

「…I see.」

I glanced at the fallen adventurers around us. If we had joined earlier, perhaps the casualties could have been reduced.

「Yakumo」

Kinako patted my thigh.

「Your guess wasn’t wrong.」

「Then…」

I knelt on one knee and spoke with Kinako.

「Yakumo, you saved us.」

Melt approached, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

「Thanks to you and your companion, we avoided total annihilation. I’m grateful.」

「No, we’re the ones who should apologize for taking a separate path.」

「You went to investigate the Golems you defeated earlier, right? Found anything?」

「No, that was a lie.」

「Huh? A lie?」 Melt blinked rapidly.

「Kinako said so.」

「I asked Kinako. If the truth leaked, the Dolls Religion follower might have escaped.」

「A follower of the Dolls Religion? Someone is nearby?」

「Yes. Among the adventurers.」

「…Huh? You mean a follower is one of us?」

Hearing this, the surrounding adventurers gathered.

「What are you talking about?」

Gregg approached, frowning.

「That’s impossible! We’ve fought Golems multiple times and almost died!」

「That’s why no one considered it—someone among the adventurers could be a follower.」

I scanned the group.

「If there is a follower, they could command the Golems to target the leader, Melt, and set up ambushes. Everyone knew we were heading toward the underground lake.」

「…Who is the follower?」

My gaze landed on a boy holding a crooked staff.

「It’s you, Teto.」

「…Huh? Me? A follower? What are you saying?」

Teto’s eyes widened as he stepped back.

「That can’t be true.」

「Exactly!」 Riza interjected.

「Teto is an F-Rank adventurer, only fifteen.」

「That’s what you learned from him.」 I continued, keeping my gaze on Teto.

「It’s hard to appear strong, but anyone can pretend to be F-Rank. They could intentionally miss attacks or fall down.」

「Ah…」

Riza covered her wide-open mouth in shock.

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