I Was Mistaken as a Genius Mage in a Game

The situation is getting more and more tangled.

It seems the demon who planted mines and stepped foot in this place is still clinging to life, even after all this time.

It’s been nearly two weeks since I demanded that the high-ranking demon withdraw from the Eucalyptus Forest region, so it means this demon has managed to survive in this dungeon for over two weeks.

Demons are creatures that can survive without eating or drinking. Moreover, as long as their 'core'—a crucial organ—is not destroyed, they can theoretically regenerate their body indefinitely, so it might not be too surprising.

However, ordinary low-ranking demons start at around level 20, and no matter how strong they get, they usually don’t surpass level 30.

But, judging from the fact that this demon has survived here for more than two weeks in a dungeon where even the common mobs have levels above 40, I suspect this demon is from a higher rank.

This dungeon’s difficulty is such that even low-ranking demons would struggle to survive more than two days, so for this demon to last for two weeks is remarkable.

"We'll track its traces immediately. Now that we know the demon is alive, we can’t leave it alive."

"You're right. If we leave it be, who knows what it will do with the mutations in this dungeon."

"This dungeon is obviously of a high level. If this demon survived here, it’s likely one with a high rank. We can’t waste time letting it recover while it's in a near-death state. Let's begin the pursuit right away."

"How did you know it was near death?"

"The mutated creature had very little strength. It was hard to believe a high-ranking demon from this dungeon could have created such a weak one."

Indeed, the mutated creature made from two enormous spiders was torn apart by a single shot from Triaan’s arrow.

"It probably didn’t have the strength left to make the mutation properly. But demons regenerate their strength over time, even without eating. We need to track it now."

Triaan emphasized his point again and walked past the spider mutation’s corpse toward the opposite door.

With his determined attitude, it seemed like he was ready to deal with the demon alone if we had any objections.

Lir and I lowered our heads and followed him. We couldn’t bear to stay in the same room with the shattered remains of the spider.

The spider’s body, with acidic blood splattered everywhere, was dissolving its own web and the floor beneath it. It was a sight that made one feel an unavoidable wave of nausea.

The word "disgusting" hardly did justice to the scene.

"We're increasing the speed from now on."

Without hesitation, Triaan opened the next door. It, too, showed clear signs of battle.

Tracking a demon wounded by an experienced and skilled elf ranger was not a difficult task.

Unlike his usual cautious approach, he moved with a speed that felt like a bit of a stretch.

"Phew... damn it..."

Though I tried my best not to show it, my breath had become increasingly ragged.

Luckily, Triaan’s keen senses seemed to have noticed my labored breathing. Just before opening the tenth door, he glanced back at both me and Rex.

"Listen."

Damn it, I was already struggling, and now he was asking me to listen?

As I was spinning around in a daze, a thick arm suddenly swept under my waist.

I found myself placed like a sack on top of the huge orc’s shoulder.

I mean, I’m a general, at least. I deserve a bit of dignity...

"Fix that damn stamina of yours. You're a nuisance around here. Acting like a soldier."

"...."

If I could, I'd fix it, damn it.

I gritted my teeth at the elf's infuriating attitude.

But no. Calm down first. There's no need to get mad until we've captured the demon and escaped the dungeon.

"Let's go. Stay close."

It was truly frustrating. There was a huge difference in speed between me actually running and being carried like a bag on Rex's shoulder.

It used to take about 30 to 40 seconds to clear a room. But after Rex picked me up, the time dropped to 20 seconds or even 10 seconds for the shortest rooms.

...And honestly, being on Rex’s shoulder felt far more comfortable than running with my own legs.

Though the solid shoulder muscles made my abdomen ache a bit, it was still much better than my legs trembling and struggling for air.

I hated myself for feeling comfortable on such a ridiculously wide and firm shoulder.

"Why are you running so well?"

"Huh?"

I picked on Lir, who was effortlessly keeping up with the movement speed of both the archer and the barbarian.

‘You’re technically not even in a physically demanding class. Why are you keeping up with a ranger and a barbarian running so fast?’

"Why?"

Lir looked up at me with her big, innocent eyes, as if she didn’t understand my question.

"...Never mind."

I couldn’t continue to be petty when she looked at me like that with such a pure expression.

Sigh. Should've been born an elf.

They’re pretty, live long, have naturally high agility, are quick, and flexible. Their stamina is good, and their senses are sharp...

Why did I choose to be human when I could’ve had all that?

"Stay alert, we’re very close."

While I was regretting my foolish choice, Triaan spoke in a low voice without stopping his pace.

Thanks to the fact that the demon had removed traps and monsters from the rooms it had passed through over the last two weeks, we had been able to clear over 60 rooms without encountering any monsters or traps.

I had no idea how Triaan could so skillfully find the right doors and follow the demon’s traces without fail.

...If only Triaan could fix that annoying attitude, he would be the best soldier.

"Stop."

After passing through nearly 80 rooms, we suddenly stopped at Triaan’s command.

Neither Triaan nor Rex seemed affected by the running, not even a hint of sweat, but Lir’s cheeks and forehead were covered in sweat, and her robe was rather damp.

"...Mutation."

Triaan pressed his ear to the door, then grabbed his longbow and walked behind Rex. Rex pressed himself against the wall next to the door and set me down on his back.

"Stick to the wall like me, it’s a crossfire."

Rex spoke as he reached into his soaked robe and pulled out his staff, signaling for Lir to do the same.

"Oh, okay."

Lir, gripping her staff, pressed herself against my back. The small staff in her hand was a crooked branch with blue threads wrapped around it.

She started muttering something in a voice so quiet it was almost inaudible, and soon sparks began to fly from the tip of her staff.

"We’re ready."

Triaan, who had pulled the bowstring and created some distance from the door, spoke in a calm tone. He had positioned himself perfectly to shoot as soon as the door opened.

"...."

Rex quietly nodded, gripping his ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) axe with both hands, and then grabbed the door handle with his other hand.

The mechanical prosthetic fingers were slightly spread out. Just before opening the door, he began folding each finger, signaling Triaan with the timing.

3.  
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5.  The moment all the prosthetic fingers were folded, the door slammed open with a loud noise.

   As soon as the door opened, a massive amount of poison poured out toward the entrance. The enemies must have realized we were right up against the door.

   The dozens of liters of poison seemed to be made of something unknown, but it dissolved nearly a meter of the dungeon floor, creating a massive pit. If I or Lir had been standing at the entrance, we would have been completely destroyed.

   Whoosh!

   After the poison flowed out, an arrow from Triaan’s longbow whizzed past the threshold.

   The sound of flesh and bones splitting came from behind Rex’s large back. I couldn’t see it from my angle, but it seemed like Triaan’s arrow had hit its mark.

   "Not yet."

   Triaan, who had maintained his distance while keeping an eye on the inside of the room, ordered the wait.

   He checked the situation beyond the door, then quickly let another arrow fly.

   Whoosh!

   With the sound of air splitting, a huge lump of flesh fell to the floor with a thud.

   Something definitely died.

   Rex, gripping his axe with both hands, stuck his head slightly beyond the door to secure his line of sight.

   Just as the poison liquid targeted his head, Rex reacted with exceptional reflexes and swiftly pulled his head behind the wall.

   "11 o'clock! One more!"

   After confirming the situation in the opposite room, Rex shouted the information loudly.

   Hearing Rex’s voice, Triaan quickly repositioned and shot another arrow.

   About three arrows flew across the threshold. The sounds of flesh and bone ripping came in quick succession. It seemed like it was the same creature.

   "Tough."

   Triaan commented as his arrows hit the monster, but there was no sound of it collapsing.

   The sound of heavy footsteps from beyond the wall chilled my ears.

   "...Tsk, Lir!"

   The reason Triaan called Lir’s name, not mine, was simple.

   We were in a situation where we were exchanging attacks with the enemy through a small door.

   In such situations, it was crucial to attack through the door and quickly hide behind it. Since I was too slow, Triaan must have judged that I wasn’t suited for this kind of combat.

   "Ah, yes!"

   Lir could only respond with a delayed reaction because she was focused on her staff, preparing to cast her magic.

   If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

   Rex slightly pulled back to give her room to breathe and then made sure she could move past him.

   Once she passed Rex and me, she pressed herself against the door. Then, immediately after, she stuck her head just slightly through the threshold to spot the enemy’s position.

   "...Wait, what are you doing!"

   The problem was that Lir’s movements were far from expert-level.

   When Rex carefully poked his head through the door, only half of his head peeked out beyond the threshold. But when Lir tried to peek through to spot the enemy, her shoulder and feet both clearly extended beyond the door.

   "Do you want to die?! What are you doing sticking out so much...!"

   Rex panicked and yanked on her robe in disbelief.

   Immediately after, a fresh wave of poison liquid surged through the air, precisely targeting the spots where her shoulder, head, and feet had been exposed.

   "Didn't you have basic military training?! When you’re exposing your body through a door where the enemy is waiting, you need to minimize your exposure! Keep your shoulder as close to the wall as possible, and only stick half your head through the crack!"

   "Damn it, this is why people who just sit at desks don’t get it! Lir, are you out of your mind?!"

   The two experienced veterans shouted together. From their perspective, the clumsy movements Lir had shown were simply unforgivable.

   "...But, I still confirmed the location with my eyes!"

   Lir, perhaps due to the adrenaline of the battle, confidently responded to the harsh scolding from the two soldiers without losing her composure.

   I couldn’t help but be amazed at how much Lir had changed in such a short time. Not long ago, she had nearly died from a Taurus attack and was crying her eyes out. But now, here she was, standing firm and unshaken.

   "This time, I’ll definitely hit it."

   "...If you make a mistake, you’ll die. Don’t forget!"

   Rex looked into Lir’s determined eyes and decided to trust her once more.

   "Focus on keeping your shoulder pressed firmly against the wall! If you stick out like that again, I might not be able to save you."

   Despite his concern, Rex quickly grabbed her robe with his large hand, making sure it stayed close to her body.

   Lir was entirely focused on the electric energy in her staff and the target beyond the door.

   "...Hoo."

   After taking a deep breath, Lir again stuck her arm and face just slightly through the threshold.

   Her movements exposed far more of her arm and face than necessary. If she wasn’t careful, her face and body might have melted away in a stench.

   It was clear that her movement was far from professional.

   "Tsk...!"

   And just as Lir extended her body beyond the threshold, Triaan’s arrow flew past her, brushing her hair.

   The sharp arrowhead grazed her blonde hair and precisely pierced the grotesque mass of flesh that was ready to spew poison.

   The poisoned creature stumbled, and the deadly poison sprayed all over the ceiling instead of coming toward Lir.

   "Thunderstrike."

   Even as an arrow narrowly missed her ear and poison was spraying everywhere, Lir remained steady.

   The tiny light at the tip of her staff expanded instantly. The air became charged with energy, and the surroundings grew hotter.

   Her spell, a brilliant white lightning bolt, was nothing like her earlier clumsy movements. It was powerful and beautiful, striking with unmatched precision.