Dungeons are places where monster activity is the highest. Its methodological term is ‘Monster Nesting Grounds’. It is ruled by a ‘Ruler Monster’ or simply a Boss.

I know these things as the author of the novel. Hearing the knowledge directly from the class is different though, as I am now learning much more comprehensively.

The next day, we are separated into 8 groups with 5 members each.

My group mates are Bonbon, Sheila Sunscreen, Samael Iznik, and Pedro Picard.

What a lineup composed of spy-like characters! I secretly look at Samael. I’d love to get rid of this guy, but Sheila is here.

Samael Iznik, has dark long hair, dreadfully gloomy eyes, and nails as dark as coal. His mutation is Plague Control. It’s slow acting and can hardly produce variations, unlike poison-related abilities.

Still, Samael is a very dangerous character. He is just playing it easy so as to appear average. I can sympathize with him as we are both walking the path of mobs.

The five students gather in a circle, and not one is speaking. Ugh… Come to think of it, no one here is a leader-type, right?

We are in front of an F-rank Dungeon’s entrance. It’s a goblin cave leading downwards. The other groups were sent to dungeons with similar difficulties. As per Dungeon Delving’s prerequisites, it’s necessary that someone play the role of a ‘Party leader’ which will definitely not be me.

“Who will be our party leader?” I ask them, signaling for Pedro to point at Samael.

Unfortunately, it seems that Pedro doesn’t get it as he stares at me for a second, then a second longer.

Samael who I was eyeing a while ago seems to have a misunderstanding. “Alfir, you should be our party leader.”

Pedro had a look of enlightenment, and finally realized what he should do as his face brightens up. “Yes, Alfir… You should be our leader.”

Bonbon who was watching in amusement doesn’t really help. “Yes, Alfir… You do have leadership qualities…”

Ugh…

Sheila who was silent the whole time added fuel to the fire. “Please, Alfir… Become our leader…”

That’s how I became the Party Leader of this group.

“Fine, we’ll do it simply. Bon, play scout. I’ll be the vanguard. Pedro and Samael, do the flank. Sheila, stay in the center, and offer support by impeding the monster’s movements. Now, team, let’s go.”

Our party of five descended into the dark and cramped tunnel. “Pedro, don’t glow if I tell you. Let the scout hold the torch. Bon, get your ass out there.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah… If I get eaten, I will haunt you.” Bonbon sarcastically remarked.

Not a second later, Bonbon came running back in his small but nimbler form of a monkey. He was still holding the torch at that time while shouting. “Goblins!!”

“Kill the torch.” Bonbon did as I told. In the eerie darkness, I used my mutation’s night vision to see and hear the approaching hostiles. The goblins in this dungeon are quite primitive as they lack a torch and their weapons are merely made of stone.

This dungeon is E-class if the goblins have auxiliary items like torches and ropes, and would be D-class if its goblins have iron weapons. This dungeon is certainly F-class as the goblins in front of us lack any trace of civilization.

When the first goblin arrived within my reach, I shout at my group. “Close your eyes, Pedro GLOW!!” Closing one eye, I grab the goblin by its neck.

After Pedro’s dazzling glow, I close my hurting eye and opened the other. I then grab the slim torso of the goblin and stretch it, grotesquely ripping it into two.

I didn’t use my sword as the dungeon tunnel is cramped and we are in a group. I wouldn’t like it if we were to have a friendly fire. Context-wise, a friendly hit, misfire… ugh, whatevs.

I threw the next goblin in my reach at my flank, in Samael’s direction, generously sharing the work.

Crushing another goblin’s skull with my bare hands, we continued to push on. Goblins in F-class dungeons are incredibly frail as they are malnourished to the bones. The only thing difficult for them is their outrageous numbers.

I glanced at Pedro who are wielding dual knives. Even without Photon Transformation, he is doing incredibly well. Samael in the other flank is also doing well as he resorted to fist fighting as I do. Even Bonbon is being useful as he aims his bow in a parabola.

The only problem is Sheila who is acting meek and scared. She’s not even using her plants to bind the goblins as I requested. What a drama queen!?

Never mind, I don’t want to ruffle her feathers.

We repeated the strategy of using Bonbon as a lure, and Pedro as a flashbang. Quickly, we reached the Boss room’s level.

Standing three meters tall, an oversized Hobgoblin that resembles a troll bars our way. This guy is definitely a variant. Still, I am confident we can easily make work of it.

“Pedro, glow… Not too brightly. This will be a long fight, just be a good lightbulb and play vanguard.” Because of the open and wider space, I opted for my sword which I took from my [Inventory Storage].

Pedro similarly took out a sword, but this time, with a shield.

“Bonbon, rear. Samael, protect Sheila.” I said to my group with very brief words, with the message still intact.

Pedro while glowing, bangs his shield with his sword. The Hobgoblin rushes with its sturdy club made of stone. Pedro receives it with his shield, while subtly using his mutation on his innards effectively absorbing the impact while rolling backward.

It was a masterful display of a warrior’s abilities. I’ve long sneaked at the Hobgoblin’s rear, as such I don’t let up on the opportunity presented to me. I lunged with speed, driving my sword to the Hobgoblin’s calf.

I escape into the shadows once more, repositioning myself, so that I can find another opportunity.

The Hobgoblin roared, which Bonbon capitalized as he, or rather she, release a series of arrows. One hitting the eye, and two landing on the open mouth. The monster gurgles, as Pedro boosted me with his shield so that I can land the killing blow.

I step on Pedro’s shield and with alacrity and strength, I leaped into the air reaching for the Hobgoblin’s skull with my sword.

The Dungeon Delving eventually ended.