Dragged along by several Iblieth, the darkness shifted and lunged at Mika and the others. It surged over their heads, slipped past their sides, and surrounded the group—the mine’s exit was now completely out of sight.

“Mika! Can’t you clear out the Iblieth blocking the way to the exit?”

“Hmm… It’s too narrow. Hard to move.”

Mika answered while swatting away the approaching black demons with her free left hand. They were too densely packed, making it difficult to use the insecticide effectively.

“Gyah!”

Zurah let out a small groan. As the party’s mage, she possessed more magical energy than the others, making her a prime target for the Iblieth.

“Got it. If the exit’s no good, we’ll just head deeper in. Zurah, give me your hand! Dada, Gatt, stay close!”

Grabbing Zurah’s hand—now nearly engulfed by the swarming black mass—Mika pulled her in and hoisted her onto her left shoulder.

Her right hand held the rake, but the tight space made it hard to swing. Her left arm was busy carrying Zurah. Yet, the Iblieth kept harassing her like persistent insects.

Gatt and Dada fought back fiercely with their daggers, pressing close to her. Confirming they were secure, Mika exhaled sharply through her nose and—”Hmph!”—swung her left leg upward.

“K-Kikikii!”

With an earsplitting shriek, over ten Iblieth at her feet were sent flying.

Then, she brought her raised leg crashing down where a cluster of Iblieth hovered ahead.

“Kieee! Kikii!”

Several were slammed into the ground, and two were crushed underfoot.

Next, she swung her right leg up.

That’s right—Mika had begun marching deeper into the cave. With overwhelming force.

With each step, ten Iblieth were sent flying, and several more were trampled. Step after step.

Her relentless, ogre-like advance gradually thinned the swarm at her feet.

Seizing the momentum, Dada flapped his wings and sliced down the Iblieth swarming Mika’s upper body—one after another. Gatt, too, cut down those attacking from behind while keeping pace with Mika.

Eventually, the ceiling grew higher, and they finally reached a space wide enough to swing the rake freely.

“Can you three hold out here for a bit?”

Mika set Zurah down from her shoulder, brushing away the Iblieth buzzing near her face as she asked.

“Understood.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll manage.”

Hearing their replies, Mika grinned. “Alright, I’m going in!” She gripped the rake with both hands.

“Hraaaaaaaah! Taaa!!!”

For the first time in this world, she let out a roar from the depths of her gut, channeling her fighting spirit. Swinging the rake high, she brought it down diagonally with tremendous force. The rake’s head struck the ground with a loud “Clang!” The rebound sent several more Iblieth flying, instantly clearing the space.

Continuing to swing the rake left and right, the four of them advanced together toward the edge of the mine’s open chamber.

Once they reached a large hollow in the uneven wall, Mika pressed her back against it, swatting away the noisy Iblieth as she glanced at Zurah.

“You okay?”

“Yes. They drained a fair bit of my magic, but I can still fight.”

“Good. But stay here for now, all right? Gatt, Dada, protect Zurah with me.”

“Yeah, we’ve got this.”
“What about you, Mika?”

“Me? Heh. This place is wide enough now. I’m going to thin out these annoying demons. Just wait here a little longer.”

She gripped the rake in her right hand again and pulled out the insecticide with her left.

“Now then—time for the counterattack!”