Author: Shizuku	Original Source: Syosetu	Word Count: 2647 characters
Translator: Nomad	English Source: Re:Library	Word Count: 1274 words
Editor(s): Robinxen

Dinoduxphuros¹ was still a hardly known type of monster. That was due to their low population in the wild, and because those who encountered them hardly ever survived.

All the documented information about them was that they evolved from Man Eaters, and that they were exceedingly aggressive. But none of the soldiers in Fort Paniccia knew about that monster, and they would likely not survive to share that information either.

Fort Paniccia had been built under the guise of upkeeping the border with Seperion, but in reality it was meant to be the key position to break into that country. Because of that, all the soldiers stationed there had been hand picked, and underwent rigorous daily training.

There were vast plains around the fort, perfect to train the soldiers, and also kept it distanced from the forest to avoid monster attacks. Even when monsters wandered out of the forest, two platoons from the fort were enough to deal with them.

And yet, the situation outside of the fort had become far more gruesome now. There were piles of corpses strewn about, with rivers of blood staining the grass red. That was all that remained from the soldiers that went to fight the incoming monster, and those who went out as reinforcements.

Seeing the fate of those soldiers, those within the fort closed the gates, and then used ranged magic attacks from atop the fort walls and the slits and windows. But the monster, the Dinoduxphuros named Erika, ran faster than her large size would suggest, evading the rain of magic, and the tentacle-like vines on her back swatting away whatever got too close.

When she reached the fort’s gates, she spewed a large amount of powerful acid, which began to dissolve the gates into a steamy mess, even though they were supposed to be protected with magic.

All the while she did not seem bothered by all the fire from the soldiers above the walls, instilling terror into the hearts of even the most seasoned soldiers present.

“Shaaaaaa!!”

As Erika roared, the grass she had stepped on when running there began to rise up and change shape. Eventually, they became what looked like oversized chickens, except that their bodies were of a grassy green color, and their heads were flower buds.

Erika had been releasing mana into the grass as she ran, transforming it into small monsters that would obey her every command.

The gates that had been weakened with acid broke down when Erika kicked them, and the small grass monsters rushed in. With that, the destruction from outside the fort spread into its interior.

I run with Dominic to the secret room with the teleportation gate, kicking away the small monsters scurrying around. Dominic said they’re called Evil Chasers, they can sometimes be found deep in the forest, and they aren’t particularly strong.

Even I can kick them away effortlessly, but they’re way too numerous here. Killing one only attracts ten more. On top of that, I need to be conservative with my mana since I’ll need it to open the portal, so Dominic is doing most of the fighting.

The Evil Chasers let out shrill cries as they beeline towards us, their heads opening like blooming flowers, showing six petals lined with sharp teeth. But before they reach us, Dominic shoots a fireball at them.

They all get enveloped by the blaze, and then fall motionless while smoke rises from them. We pass next to them, still being careful in case they stand up again.

“Itski, where’s the hidden room?!”
“We’re almost there!”

This is the first time I hear Dominic so riled up, and I also accidentally raise my voice.

Either way, we had already agreed that we would hurry up to leave. It’s just that the monsters are so numerous that we have to constantly keep watch on the corridors as well as the windows leading outside.

Doing that, I see the soldier I stopped in the dining hall earlier, cornered against a wall outside. He’s swarmed by Evil Chasers and soon all I can see is his raised hand, which is consumed by the monsters a moment later.

But before I can even consider mourning him, a different monster appears from amongst the droves of Evil Chasers.

It looks like a Tyrannosaurus², but its head has large petals around it³, and there’s vines like tentacles with claws all over its back. That’s probably the monster the soldier told me about first. And now it slowly turns to look at me.

Our eyes meet. Or well, I don’t think that monster has any actual eyes, but that’s how it felt.

“Dominic, move that painting to the side!”

I say that while pointing at a painting on the wall, which looks out of place in a military installation like this. Dominic does as told, revealing a switch made of Magic Stones.

I press the switch and a portion of the wall starts to move, opening the hidden room.

“Let’s go!”

After rushing into the room, I channel mana into the floor, making the magic circle I prepared there before to start glowing. Usually, this would require tens of sorcerers able to use magic storage, but I can also activate it on my own.

But before I can finish, the ground shakes and a cloud of dust hits me from behind. I turn around and see that the dinosaur monster broke through the wall and is running through the corridor.

“Shaaaaaa!!”
“Ugh, why is it all the way here?! Fiamma Arciere!”

Dominic shoots an even bigger fireball than before. The fireball flies straight out of the hidden room and strikes the monster, filling the corridor with smoke.

But the monster doesn’t seem to have taken much damage, as it just shakes its head to clear the smoke before turning our way again. By then, I’m done activating the spell, as what looks like an endless black hole opens up above the magic circle.

“Hurry Dominic!”
“Right, I’ll wait for you on the other side!”

Dominic runs into the black hole without hesitating and disappears.

“SHAAAAAaaa!!”

The monster roars as it charges forward. Luckily, I still have some mana left after opening the portal.

“Turn life and breath into claws…”

I quickly start chanting. Considering Dominic’s magic did nothing, I’ll have to do this much to have a chance. Just as the monster’s jaws are about to reach me, I finish my chant.

Once I manage to calm down my emotions, I pick up Black Hawk and White Viper from where they fell and follow Dominic’s trail to the fort.

I knew Erika had gone ahead of me, but she’s done even more than I anticipated. All I can see are piles of dead soldiers everywhere. But I can’t be bothered to think about that. I feel like my body is being torn apart, and my head hurts like it’s splitting in two.

Argh, dammit. It keeps getting worse with every step I take.

I’ve started using my mana to regenerate my body again now that I’m not actively fighting, but I barely feel an improvement. I feel like I’m about to pass out from the pain and I can hardly think straight, but somehow I’m still fully awake.

I really don’t understand what’s happening with myself.

My feet feel unsteady as I continue to walk for a while, finally reaching the fort itself.

Things look even uglier there, with the soldier’s bodies minced and torn to pieces, with not a single body preserving its shape. There’s also plenty of blood splatter and puddles everywhere, making me doubt there’s anyone who survived.

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