Chapter 16 – Walking Through the Desert

We began our trek across the desert. The heat pressed down on us, carried even by the faintest breeze. All around were rocks, cacti, meter-tall beetles, snakes slithering about, and the scattered skulls of long-dead beasts. Every step brought us closer to the dungeon, fifty kilometers away. Reaching it wouldn’t be easy, but it wasn’t impossible—not with the resources we had.

Kori wiped the sweat from her brow. “It’s so hot… this is starting to get rough.”

Akane answered firmly, “I know, Kori. But we can’t return home until we’ve slain that Demon Ogre Lord. We have to keep moving.”

Mizuki, clearly irritated by the heat, added, “Then let’s stop talking. It’ll be easier to endure if we just focus.”

Mizu, who had been walking beneath the shade of a floating rock, chimed in calmly, “Relax. With this cover, we can hold out a while longer.”

I smiled at them. “Girls, don’t worry. It’s only fifty kilometers. We can do this.”

Reluctantly, they nodded, their faces twisted in discomfort, and we pressed onward.

After just five minutes, we spotted two figures in the distance—two Black Minotaurs with fiery red fur, locked in combat. Their horns gleamed as they swung massive clubs at each other, shouting in rage as they fought to the death. I clasped my hands together and silently prayed to the goddess that they wouldn’t notice us.

The heat grew heavier by the minute. I couldn’t understand how those Minotaurs endured it—surely they needed water to survive? There must be an oasis somewhere nearby. And they were both males… did that mean the females were gathered at this hidden place? I shook my head. That wasn’t our concern. Our mission was the Ogre Lord.

But then, the girls suddenly stopped walking.

“Huh? What’s wrong? Why did you stop?” I asked, confused.

They didn’t answer. Instead, they stared ahead, their faces pale. I followed their gaze—
—and froze in shock.

The mutilated corpse of an old man lay split in half, half his skull crushed into pulp. His eyes dangled lifelessly, blood pooling around him. My stomach churned. No doubt one of the Minotaurs had killed him. Did they really treat humans this savagely?

I swallowed my fear and shouted, “Quickly—we have to move before those monsters decide to do the same to us!”

The girls nodded sharply, and we broke into a desperate run. Fear drove us faster than ever before. We left no trace in the sand, our feet barely touching the ground as though chased by death itself. It was more terrifying than being cornered by a rabid dog.

After ten minutes of frantic sprinting, lungs burning, we finally slowed down near the dungeon’s outskirts.

Panting heavily, Kori handed us water to rehydrate. Akane tried to stand but staggered. Mizu and Mizuki collapsed onto the sand, exhausted. My own heart hammered so hard I thought it might burst. I sat down, inhaling deeply, trying to steady my breath. It felt like drowning in hot air.

After fifteen minutes of rest, we were calm enough to continue. But just as we were about to move, one of the Minotaurs appeared before us.

And then—something strange happened. My vision flickered, and I saw its stats.

Monster Race: Minotaur
Attack: 150
Defense: 100
Intelligence: 15
Speed: 20
Endurance: 60
Stamina: 30
Elemental Type: Earth
Elemental Weakness: Wind
Rank: B

“Tch… this is bad. We’re screwed.”

But even so, we wouldn’t go down without a fight.

I turned to Mizu. “Can you use ice magic?”

She hesitated for a moment. “…I can, but it takes time. Stall it for me.”

We all nodded and rushed in together. Each of us unleashed our elemental attacks, but the Minotaur barely flinched. It countered with its massive club, forcing us to dodge frantically. Whenever one of us was targeted, the others attacked to draw its attention away.

Meanwhile, Kori began to chant, magic gathering at her fingertips. She glanced at me and winked. I understood.

I taunted the beast, yelling, “Bet you can’t kill me, you horned bastard!”

Roaring, the Minotaur charged at me. I sprinted as fast as I could, then leapt high into the air. Its heavy body barely left the ground in pursuit—just as we had hoped.

“It’s ready,” Kori declared. “Die, savage beast—Ice Blade Cutter!”

Her icy disk whirled through the air. The Minotaur tried to dodge, but it was too late. The spell sliced clean through its body, splitting it in half.

We cheered for Kori’s brilliance, but she cut us off with a serious tone. “Save the celebration. We’ve still got ten kilometers left to the dungeon. Let’s move before another one shows up.”

We obeyed, sprinting again. The dungeon soon came into view—a mountain with a weathered wooden gate, so old it looked ready to crumble. By the time we arrived, night had already fallen.

The dungeon seemed abandoned, but we couldn’t waste time. Breaking through the door, we entered. Inside was pitch dark, save for a faint glow illuminating the cavern. Exhausted, we agreed to rest and take turns keeping watch.

Kori skewered some giant scorpions she had killed and set them over a fire. “This will be dinner. Don’t complain.”

Akane shrugged. “I don’t care. Food is food.”

Mizuki smiled. “I used to eat these when camping with my grandpa. Brings back memories.”

Mizu grimaced. “…Not exactly my favorite, but it’s better than starving.”

I chuckled. “As long as we have some salad to go with it, I won’t complain. Mizuki, can you seal the entrance with earth? We can’t risk another Minotaur attack while we rest.”

She nodded, raising a sturdy wall of stone to block the doorway. With that, we finally sat down to eat, our bodies trembling with fatigue. I could only hope this ordeal would end soon.