The three remaining by the wall stared blankly at Mika, dumbfounded.

Mika, now covered in nearly all the Iblieth around her, strode powerfully toward the center of the plaza, a mass of black clinging to her body.

Once she confirmed she was far enough from the other three, she tightened her grip on the rake, spun in a full circle, and shook off the creatures clinging to her. The Iblieth caught in the rake’s trajectory were sent flying, creating a small clearing around Mika.

“Ahh, so annoying. Alright, let’s test the insecticide’s effectiveness.”

She raised her left hand, checked that the spray wouldn’t hit Dada and the others, then pressed the nozzle with all her might.

In the dimly lit cavern, a faintly glowing mist spread. At first, the Iblieth ignored it and tried to approach Mika again, but those directly hit by the mist began gasping, letting out gigigi cries as they dropped to the ground one after another.

Once dozens had fallen, the rest finally sensed the danger and tried to flee the mist. The swarm of Iblieth split into several groups, flying toward the ceiling. Mika kept spraying, targeting the largest cluster among them.

The insecticide Mika carried seemed far more potent than standard commercial products—its packaging read “Industrial Use: Wipes Out Even Those.” The spray’s force was strong enough to barely reach the roughly 3-meter-high ceiling. Iblieth continued dropping like flies, and soon, none dared approach Mika. The remaining creatures scattered, hiding behind rocks or in the corners of the plaza.

It seemed like Mika’s overwhelming victory—until the insecticide ran out. There wasn’t enough to wipe out the hundreds of monsters at once. Still, by the time she’d downed two to three hundred, the spray finally sputtered dry.

“Dada, Gatt, Zurah, cover me!”

With that shout, Mika tossed the empty can aside and dropped her backpack.

Dada and the other two, already equipped with the gear Mika had given them earlier, moved closer.

Gatt, walking on two legs in leather garb, sword in hand instead of a dagger, wore a child-sized dust mask over his mouth.

Zurah, humanoid but covered in scales and wielding a magic staff, also had a child-sized dust mask.

And Dada, the only one extremely short in stature, wore a floral-patterned mask specially made by Mika.

Adorable.

Since the insecticide was highly toxic even to this world’s humans, the masks might’ve been little more than reassurance—but they’d been prepared in advance. Gatt and Zurah couldn’t wear them over their ears, so they’d tied the straps around their heads instead.

Mika, quietly amused by the slightly ill-fitting masks on the three, gave instructions.

“The insecticide’s effects are still lingering, so be careful. I need you to finish off the Iblieth that fell to the ground.”

Due to their numbers, the dosage per creature hadn’t been enough—many of the fallen Iblieth were still barely alive.

Fortunately, those that had fled to the edges remained cautious, not approaching yet.

One by one, they finished off the creatures, piling them up in one spot.

Meanwhile, Mika pulled a spare can of insecticide from her backpack.

“I’ll go take down some farther away.”
“Understood. Be careful.”

Though many Iblieth still clung to the walls and ceiling, they couldn’t escape the mist, and their numbers dwindled steadily.

A little over an hour after entering the mines, the first battle in the plaza seemed decided.