Having regained her composure, Takana Mika reassured the group, and they began discussing their next move.

Considering what they had seen earlier, it seemed wiser to clear away the Iblieth corpses in the plaza before advancing further. They decided to load as many Iblieth corpses as possible into the container box on the cart Mika had brought, carry them outside, and bury them in a large pit. The pit had been dug by the other three during the two days Mika was absent.

Dada, who was small and unsuited for heavy labor, kept watch to ensure no monsters emerged from the depths of the mine.

The monotonous, gloomy task dragged on, but Mika worked without complaint, transporting and burying every last corpse in the mine’s plaza.

“Dada, Gatt, Zurah—any lingering effects from the insecticide?”

After two days, the insecticide’s smell had naturally faded, but Mika was still concerned about the more sensitive trio.

She asked nervously, but even after handling the Iblieth corpses—which had likely been drenched in the chemical—the three seemed unaffected.

“Alright, shall we go check out the depths now?”

“Yes. According to the request form, there are three more plazas ahead, formed by mining. Beyond that, there are a few narrow passages just wide enough for Mika to squeeze through, but they don’t go on for too long.”

As they ventured deeper into the increasingly dark cave, Zurah cast a light spell. Along the way, Iblieth lay scattered sporadically in the passage.

Could it be that the insecticide had reached all the way to the back? A hopeful thought crossed Mika’s mind, but learning from their past mistakes, the four proceeded cautiously, ensuring they had an escape route.

The second and third plazas were completely empty. Letting out a sigh of relief but staying alert, they pressed on toward the final plaza. Just as they reached its entrance, a large, swaying black shadow emerged from a narrow, half-excavated mining tunnel ahead.

A pitch-black figure, standing about as tall as Mika’s chest. When it spread its wings upon entering the plaza, it appeared far larger than her. It was a massive Iblieth, unlike any Mika had ever seen.

“Th-that’s… Be careful! It’s a Succubus!”

Dada, who had been scouting ahead, raised a warning cry.

Mika dashed out of the narrow passage and raised her rake.

The Succubus soared up near the plaza’s ceiling, looking down at Mika. Its face and body were covered in short black fur, as if clad in a full-body velvet suit.

“Kee-kee! Kyiiiiiiiiiiiiii!”

With an ear-piercing shriek, a shimmering light spilled from the Succubus.

“Mika! That light is magic! Succubi use bewitching spells! …Zurah! Hurry!!”

Behind Mika, Zurah’s incantation—”Gyuu-gyuu”—could be heard. A stream of white light tangled with the Succubus’s magic, swirling violently in front of Mika’s eyes. It must have been a spell to counteract the enchantment.

Distracted for just a moment by the vortex of light, Mika barely registered the Succubus—still hovering near the ceiling—darting toward her at blinding speed, slashing at her face with its claws.

The Succubus’s sharp claws grazed Mika’s cheek, and before she could counterattack, it had already retreated upward again.

A sharp whoosh followed—an arrow, fired from behind Mika, pierced the Succubus’s wing. Dada’s shot.

Though thrown off balance, the Succubus remained airborne.

Gatt moved to Mika’s side, sword at the ready.

“Mika, are you okay?”

The small-statured Gatt looked rugged and imposing.

Mika couldn’t afford to lose. Wiping her cheek with her left hand, she tightened her grip on the rake.

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Then let’s go. Use that weapon of yours to knock it down. I’ll handle the rest!”

As the Succubus cast another spell from above, Zurah calmly countered it.

Mika stepped forward resolutely, gripping the rake with one hand and swinging it high.