In the end, Kiriya and the others had no choice but to push forward with their mission—even though the conditions were far from ideal. Tension clung to every step they took, as if even the air had grown heavier, harder to breathe.
The situation was downright hostile. Some of them were still reeling from Kiriya’s report about what they’d found in the goblin den, while others were quietly unraveling into panic beneath a brittle silence.
And who could blame them? What could you expect from kids born in the 21st century—kids from a world where conflicts were settled through mediation, not blood and real death staring them in the face?
But this wasn’t the world they knew. This was a world that demanded combat—a world where survival instinct was worth far more than modern ideals or moral codes.
Kiriya knew that, and that’s why he had to step up as party leader. He had never wanted the role, but no one else was mentally stable enough to take the reins right now.
He looked around at the tired, fearful faces of his classmates. Some gripped their weapons with trembling hands; others still looked like they couldn’t believe this was real.
(We’ve been spoiled by fantasy...) Kiriya thought bitterly. This isekai world wasn’t some video game or light novel where everything ends happily; it was more like a nightmare they were being forced to survive.
Thinking back, Kiriya tried to find an opening. He and Ren had once participated in an airsoft gun competition during school, and in one tournament, they’d been coached by a tactical FPS game junkie and military strategy enthusiast named Fujisawa.
Fujisawa wasn’t your average guy. The man was infamous for his borderline unhealthy obsession with combat tactics. While most laughed at his eccentricity, Kiriya knew that behind the weird exterior was someone whose strategies could rival real military minds.
"Hm..." Kiriya murmured quietly, scratching something into the dirt as he tried to recall one of Fujisawa’s plans—a survival-based tactic where winning wasn’t the goal. Staying alive was.
Fujisawa’s concept was simple: in war, morality is a luxury. Surviving—even through underhanded means—is the only real victory. That principle was carved deep into Kiriya’s thoughts now.
"Alright..." he whispered. With his decision made, he stood up and brushed the dust from his knees. The six students on his team turned toward him, their faces tight with anxiety.
Kiriya met each of their gazes, making sure they looked him in the eye. "Listen carefully. We can’t win in a head-on attack—they’ve got the numbers, and we’re not used to killing living things in real combat situations."
The group fell silent—until a timid voice finally broke the hush. "U-Um... C-Can’t we just go back? Report to the city or—or wait for reinforcements?"
Kiriya whipped his head around, his eyes sharp enough to pierce straight through the speaker. He leaned forward slightly, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, great idea. Let’s wait for reinforcements while we have a picnic outside the dungeon. Maybe the goblins’ll join in for a round of Uno?"
A few students frowned, while others couldn’t help the bitter smiles tugging at their lips. Kiriya had never been one for sweet words, but that was exactly why he got results—sharp, direct, and if necessary, brutal.
"I know you’re scared. I’m scared too," he continued, this time with a heavier, deeper tone. "But we’re here for one reason—because someone has to finish this mission. If we run now, the people taken hostage will die. Or worse... they’ll live on as livestock."
That hit harder than any of them expected. The mood didn’t lighten—but it did sharpen. Their unease didn’t vanish, but now it had shape, a new clarity: this wasn’t a game.
"Listen. We’re going to set traps at this entry point," Kiriya said, pointing at the rough sketch he’d made on the ground. "Haruno, you can use earth magic, right?"
"Ah, um..." Haruno stammered, eyes darting around as if hoping someone else would speak up.
"Okay, you can." Kiriya didn’t give her room to refuse. "Dig a deep pit. Deep enough that they can’t get out easily."
He turned next to Shizune, the shy girl who specialized in plant magic. "Shizune, help her. Create thorns or sharp roots at the bottom. Make sure it’s a death trap."
Shizune gave a quiet nod, her fists clenching as if to gather courage. She knew it was a hard task—but not as hard as living with the guilt of letting others die.
"Next, Mizuki and Goda—you’re going to draw their attention," Kiriya continued without hesitation, locking eyes with the two.
"Wait... you mean we’re the bait?" Mizuki asked, his voice rising in shock and frustration.
"Yeah. Bait," Kiriya answered flatly. "Any objections?"
"Who the hell would want to do that!?" Mizuki nearly stood, but Kiriya’s glare stopped him cold.
Kiriya leaned in, voice cutting and cold. "Dude... you don’t have the guts to let the girls act as bait, but when it’s your turn, you back out? You think war’s supposed to be fair?"
Goda just shrugged, his calmness almost unsettling. "I’m in. Better than standing here waiting to die."
Mizuki huffed, annoyed but silent. He knew, like it or not, this plan was better than having no plan at all.
"Last," Kiriya said, standing and pointing to the western edge of the dungeon sketch, "I’ll sneak in through the back route. I know where it is—it’s narrow, but passable. I’ll get in, burn their huts, stir up chaos, and try to rescue the prisoners."
All eyes now turned to the last two without roles—Hana and Mori. Silence hung for a few seconds before Hana finally spoke.
"I’m going with you," she said softly but firmly. "You’ll need someone who can handle evacuation."
Kiriya looked at Mori for a moment, making sure there wasn’t a shred of hesitation in the boy’s eyes. After a calm, steady nod, Kiriya returned it with a short nod of his own. "Good. Mori, you’re coming too. You’re good with illusion magic, right?"
Mori swallowed nervously but managed to answer with a steady voice. "Yeah. I can make thick fog or distort our visuals... as long as I can stay focused and not get distracted too much."
"Use that when we’re escaping. We don’t have a backup plan if this fails, so don’t mess it up." Kiriya stood, his shoulders tight, but his eyes carried a calm confidence. "We move in ten minutes. You all know your roles. Alright, go!"
Everyone scattered immediately, moving swiftly but with control. Haruno and Shizune headed toward the trap zone, already chanting spells with intense focus to manipulate the earth and grow thorny roots.
Goda and Mizuki worked fast, placing magic stones and sound bait at the key locations Kiriya had marked. They made sure each item was hidden behind rocks and brush within the dim cave—but close enough to draw the goblins’ attention.
The plan was simple, but high-risk: lure the goblin fighters away from the prisoners and create a gap for the infiltration team to get in and free the captives without a head-on clash.
Mizuki glanced at Goda, giving him a brief nod. Without hesitation, they each took a magic stone the size of an apple and hurled them toward the dungeon’s main entrance, where a goblin stood guard.
The stones struck the stone wall with a sharp crack, then burst into sparks of red light. The flash and sound startled the goblin, making it whip around in panic, eyes narrowing to search for the source.
One stone hit the goblin square in the shoulder, drawing a harsh shriek that echoed through the corridors. In seconds, that cry became a signal—and more goblins began spilling out from behind walls and narrow cave passages.
"Perfect. They’re coming," Mizuki muttered as he backed away slowly, drawing the goblins further in. He threw another magic stone onto the ground, setting off a rumble and a flash of light to reinforce the illusion of an outside assault.
Goda readied his spear—not to fight head-on, but to hold the line if needed. He stood at a junction in the path, prepared to block the route once the goblins reached the trap zone.
Several goblins, armed with spears and axes, rushed forward with glowing red eyes. They had no idea the ground ahead had already been tampered with by Haruno and Shizune.
As soon as they were close enough, Goda stomped the trap trigger—a magic stone linked to an earth spell. The ground suddenly gave way, collapsing into a four-meter-wide pit. The goblins tumbled in, screaming in panic.
"Now, activate the thorns!" Mizuki shouted.
Shizune and Haruno, waiting by the cave wall, chanted their next spell. Sharp roots and spikes burst from the pit’s floor, wrapping around the trapped goblins. Bloodcurdling screams echoed—then silence.
Mizuki let out a long breath, his body still tense from the adrenaline. "That’s it... trap’s a success."
Goda patted his shoulder, his expression serious but visibly relieved. "It’s not over yet. We still have to make sure the team inside gets out."
They returned to their previous positions, watching carefully to make sure no goblins had broken through the decoy plan or were heading toward the prisoners. They stood ready—just in case reinforcements came from another tunnel.
The trap was set, the distraction worked—and now, everything rested on Kiriya and his small team to complete the rescue.