Afterward, I took the lead, exterminating the monsters that appeared.
After using my skill, God's Acceleration-God Axel, I needed to retreat temporarily due to a 60-second cooldown.
"Leave it to me Iron Wall!"
The tank, Gaizen, activated his unique skill. His large shield, armor, and entire body's defense hardened beyond diamond quality, repelling the onslaught of monsters.
"Keep them at bay- Infinity Mana!"
The mage Sorcerer Pearl raised her staff, boosting her magical power. Her unique skill, Infinity Mana, held limitless magical energy, allowing her to cast powerful advanced spells in rapid succession. However, it required a significant amount of intelligence.
Quadruple Destruction Magic - Quartet Blast !!!
A large magical circle, four layers deep, appeared above the entrenched monsters. From it, high-density magical particles were emitted, annihilating all the monsters in their path. It was the culmination of overwhelming destructive power and magical prowess that even allies found terrifying.
This was no feat for a mere 10-year-old girl.
Though the Rogue's enhancement buff was certainly a contributing factor.
As we continued to clear the enemies and follow the safe route guided by Rogue, powerful monsters emerged, causing delays.
Eventually, we had casualties.
"Ugh! My leg's been eaten-!!!"
The barbarian warrior Forges sustained severe injuries. Fellow second-string members Daniel and Larissa also suffered deep wounds in their battles with the monsters.
"Everyone, don't worry- Saint's Breath!"
Shannon clasped her hands and activated her unique skill, praying as she did so. A divine apparition enveloped in light appeared behind her, breathing healing light into the injured. Forgas's lost leg was fully restored, and Daniel and Larisa's wounds were healed in an instant.
Saint's Breath is a versatile skill that heals all injuries and diseases of the party members. However, it consumes a large amount of magical power.
Shannon took a mana potion from the Rogue and drank it.
Indeed, all the executive-level members are reliable. Even without the Rogue's support, their current combat abilities seem sufficient.
On the other hand, the other members still seemed lacking. Only the Samurai Girl, Kanade, with her usual training, managed to keep up.
But we couldn't afford to be too happy.
After all, the veterans had become stronger thanks to the Rogue's Ability Grant. Naturally, including myself.
Thus, the only one fighting with genuine skill is likely Kanade, the newcomer.
However...
"Hey, Rogue. Are we really on a safe route? It feels like the monster encounter rate is unusually high."
At my question, he turned around and whispered to me.
"Alfred-san, I think it's about time you needed my skill."
"Huh? What are you talking about? I told you to stick to the safe route, even if it meant taking a detour."
"But everyone... I think they won't make it without my Ability Grant."
What? What's wrong with Rogue? His eyes are bloodshot and glaring.
"At this rate, we might be wiped out before we reach the executive Jadam. I have no choice but to enhance everyone!"
Oh my God.
This is bad. Rogue is genuinely a psychopath.
He seems to be driven by an impulse, like a trigger-happy person, to enhance his comrades with his unique skill.
I'd call him a Skill Junkie.
What kind of protagonist has Tanaka-sensei created?
Anyway, if we let him take charge, we're doomed!
"That's enough, Rogue! Fall back! Larisa, I'm entrusting you with scouting duties as a thief!"
"Eh? Captain, I don't like danger. If you promise me some sweet rewards, I might consider it."
Larissa sweetly leaned towards me, pressing her index finger to her lips.
What is this bitch saying in the middle of a fight!?
"Larisa-san, this is inappropriate during a quest!"
"You're such a detestable bitch."
"Seriously, there's no sense of tension!"
Shannon, Pearl, and Kanade, the female members, protested fiercely. They all stared at me, sulking and pouting.
Why are they getting mad at me?
I haven't done anything wrong!
Unable to avoid it, I took the map from Rogue and decided to take on the scouting role myself.
But since it's not my job and I don't have such skills, I was at a loss. I've read the web version, the book version, and the comic version, but none of them showed the best route.
I realized this quest was only briefly mentioned in a flashback scene. It made me appreciate the difficulty of the real situation.
"Everyone, my skill should be necessary. It has to be mumbling."
Rogue muttered like a prayer from the back of the group. It seemed like he was experiencing withdrawal symptoms, craving the urge to use his skill.
I didn't expect him to be this unstable...
I should avoid relying on him.
But despite being at the front, I could hear him clearly. Either out of the samurai's compassion or because they were ignoring him, the others pretended not to hear.
This is probably a flaw of Tanaka-sensei's protagonist bias.
We finally reached the depths of the ruins.
It was clear that having me as the navigator made things smoother. The monster encounter rate was noticeably lower.
Rogue... is definitely a confirmed culprit.
Upon opening the doors of the ruined temple, we found a spacious area with a lone demon standing.
"You've made it this far, adventurers."
A man with silver hair and horns like a bull. Clad in armor, he wielded a sword engulfed in flames.
This was Jadam, an executive of the Demon King's army. In the original story, he was gathering monster troops in this ancient ruin dungeon to invade the Rumirio Kingdom.
"Not that it matters God's Acceleration-God Axel !"
I activated my unique skill and slashed at Jadam, who was in super slow motion.
With a series of overkill slashes, Jadam was instantly killed without even realizing it.
As time resumed, Rogue screamed in panic.
"Ahhh! To defeat him before I could enhance him with my buff!
Alfred-san, this is too much!!!"
This guy is so annoying.
And what a drastic character change!
Ignoring the skill junkie, I discovered an object rolling away from Jadam's fallen body. It was small, round, and grotesquely designed like a lead ball.
It looked just like a human eyeball.
But I knew what it was.
"-A cursed item, Alluring Eye."
This magical artifact, when pressed against one's own eyeball, could charm and control anyone who entered the user's view.
Yes.
Alfred used this Alluring Eye to seduce Shannon away from Rogue.