"I Was Reincarnated Into Another World So I Want to Teach Them a Lesson in the Dungeon." ~I May Have Been Expelled as a C-Rank Sorcerer, but Since It Seems Everyone Wants My Cheat Skill, I Think I'll Teach Them a Lesson~ - Chapter 6

Mule’s location was constantly monitored through Lokiel’s unique skill, Clairvoyance.

“Seriously, we’re running out of time. Stop dragging your feet!”

I led the way, cautious of traps, while Lokiel guided us with his Clairvoyance. We marched on, detecting traps he pointed out along the path.

Miria walked beside me. After Edgar’s death, she was now the Ryner Investigation Team’s sole archer, her unique skill [Scouting] made her indispensable.

“[Scouting] allows me to detect enemies within its range, and since I’ve inherited Edgar’s unique skill [Target Tracking], the arrows I shoot automatically seek out enemies within that range.”

True to her word, Miria found a goblin at a distance we hadn’t noticed and drew her bow. The arrow weaved through the trees and branches as if threading a needle, defying the laws of physics I had learned and tracing a path like a child’s scribble.

“There’s one stubborn one hiding in there—”

“Got it. The life signal’s gone; we’re clear.”

“You’re more than capable in battle, Miria.”

“No, it’s thanks to the unique skill.”

“Of course, it’s all thanks to Edgar’s lucky skill.”

“Don’t get cocky, okay? Just because you took down a few goblins—”

I let out an obvious sigh.

Lokiel, Miria, the newbies carrying bags at the back—they all felt the same way.

“We can keep pressing forward.”

“Having Miria here is a lifesaver. Right, Soma?”

“Yeah. It’s good we don’t have to detour.”

Detours meant lost time, and that allowed Mule to widen the gap. Plus, there was no guarantee that alternate routes would be safer—they could lead to dead ends or be rigged with traps.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Miria had returned, having retrieved the arrows that pierced the sheepskin. Indeed, the goblins were hiding in the shadows, beyond our reach.

“These goblins seem to have developed intelligence.”

I focused on the leader-like goblin’s leather armor.

“They’ve boiled it in wax to harden it. That’s why the arrows had trouble penetrating.”

“Tough little guys.”

“Which means the area boss’s lair must be close. Proof of that is that Clairvoyance shows we’ll catch up with Mule very soon.”

“Don’t space out; keep moving.”

We sighed again at Ryner’s orders.

“Did you get all the arrows?”

“Yeah, thanks, both of you.”

“Sure. But it’s funny, the people who can’t move properly without us are the ones ordering us around.”

“From Ryner’s perspective, who does he think allows him to enter the dungeon? He probably thinks that way.”

“I’m definitely going to get back at that area boss and quit this place soon.”

“Hey, how about the three of us form our own investigation team after this dungeon is cleared?”

“That’s a good idea, but I’m not confident I’ll survive.”

“Then how about a compromise? We all join the same investigation team?”

“Heh, if that’s the case, I might survive without dying.”

Lokiel reported to Ryner that he was nearing Mule through Clairvoyance and took a step forward.

“Huh?”

◆ ◆ ◆

The ground where Lokiel stepped lit up with a dazzling brilliance, revealing an engraved circle containing a complex pattern interwoven with a hexagram—a magic circle.

“Hey, Soma! Isn’t this a trap?!”

“No, I didn’t detect any trap response.”

“Don’t lie! Admit your mistake!”

“I’m not lying! The [Trap Detection] skill wasn’t activated—!”

The tension between me and Ryner spread across the investigation team.

“Both of you! Now’s not the time to argue! Lokiel, get away from there right now!”

“Right—!”

Following Miria’s instructions, Lokiel immediately moved away from the magic circle.

“Soma, you idiot! Even if you had a trash unique skill, to not even be able to use it properly!”

“Caroline, stop making a fuss! We need to focus on the situation at hand!”

“Who do you think you are, standing up to me, an A-rank, with your C-rank self!”

My unique skill was indeed [Trap Detection].

There was no deception in that. It was the undeniable truth.

So why did the trap magic activate? I couldn’t comprehend it.

“Why… Why did the trap activate…?”

I couldn’t understand.

I didn’t understand at all.

“Soma-kun, we need to concentrate.”

“Miria…”

From the magic circle, an orc with a boar’s head and bipedal stature was summoned.

“Guooooh—!”

Belching a foul stench, the orc bellowed loudly. Its long shadow stretched out, casting a dark veil over us. The orc’s massive frame was intimidating enough to be a threat.

“An orc…?”

“Not just any orc. It’s not a wild one, so don’t let your guard down!”