Chapter 82

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In a café built above the underground labyrinth, we, the "Tail of the Magic Sword," were holding a meeting.

The three days of the week with classes had ended yesterday, and today, including today, we have four days to explore the underground labyrinth.

"Are we going to explore the underground labyrinth today? ...Sōji, are you really feeling well enough?"

Kūna looked at me with a worried expression.

The reason for her concern was my poor condition. The amount of Kūna's altered magic power in my body had increased significantly, and I could no longer hide the damage.

I was frustrated with my immaturity for making Kūna and Anne worried.

"Don't keep asking me the same thing. I'm fine."

"But, Sōji, you look so uncomfortable..."

Kūna's eyes were slightly moist.

Seeing Kūna like this, Anne spoke up.

"Kūna, if Sōji says he's fine, we should believe him. Sōji won't do anything reckless that would cause trouble for others. He knows his limits."

"That's right."

As expected, Anne understands me well.

I'm saying I'm fine because the discomfort is at a level I can endure, not because of stubbornness.

"I understand, Sōji. But don't push yourself. ...And, you don't need to absorb my altered magic power anymore. Thanks to you, I feel much better. I'm fine now. I don't want to see you suffer any more because of me."

Kūna, sitting next to me, placed her hand on mine, which was resting on her knee, and whispered while looking down.

Since the day I first absorbed Kūna's altered magic power, I've been absorbing it every day.

Thanks to this, the altered magic power in Kūna's body has almost disappeared, but naturally, the amount of altered magic power in my body has increased significantly, and it continues to rage. ...This amount would have driven a normal person mad long ago.

"If I say I'm not suffering, it would be a lie, but I've made a lot of progress in analyzing the altered magic power, and I've learned how to control it. My body is adapting. This is the critical point. Once we get through this, it will get easier. I can also teach Kūna how to use her power. Besides, I have my reasons for carrying a large amount of altered magic power. Kūna doesn't need to blame herself."

The main reason I've been absorbing magic power every day is not to make Kūna feel better, but to accumulate as much altered magic power in my body as possible.

It seems that the more this altered magic power increases, the more active it becomes, making it easier to analyze.

...Also, since I've been carrying the altered magic power, my maximum magic capacity and constant production have increased. I'm definitely getting stronger.

"Are you just being tough?"

"Of course not. In fact, I've become stronger because of this altered magic power. I should be thanking Kūna."

There are two reasons why I've become stronger.

The first is that the altered magic power wreaks havoc in my body, destroying my magic circuits and physical body, which are then restored to a stronger state due to the adaptability of a homunculus.

The second is that the altered magic power itself has the effect of strengthening the host. Originally, this altered magic power is meant to change existence by activating a certain factor, but as a preliminary step, it has the effect of strengthening the host to withstand its power.

"You're making that face again. ...But, the fact that you can make that face is reassuring."

Kūna sighed in relief and moved away from me. I felt a bit nostalgic.

"So, I'm telling you, I'm fine."

Becoming stronger by carrying the altered magic power was a pleasant surprise.

I had expected to gain some transformation abilities, but it was unexpected that my basic stats would be raised.

Moreover, this is not a raise in "Rank," but an improvement in raw potential. Such an experience is rare.

Probably, Kūna, who is unaware, has also become stronger due to the altered magic power, just like me.

The only downside is that this is only possible for someone with Kūna's level of talent or a homunculus with the highest adaptability. Anne can't use it.

"Of course, Sōji. At this rate, the magic that consumes the altered magic power, which you mentioned before, will be completed in no time. Then, you won't have to worry anymore."

"Unfortunately, that will take some time."

I clenched my teeth.

The analysis of the magic that consumes the altered magic power and transforms is stuck.

I understand the process of activating a specific factor, but that factor does not exist in my body. I'm trying to construct a pseudo-factor by reverse-engineering the altered magic power's behavior, but the difficulty is too high. If I could just clear this, everything would be fine.

"Let's move on to the main topic. Today's exploration. We're aiming for the ninth floor underground."

So far, we've only reached the seventh floor underground. In the past, we had a tough battle on the seventh floor when we fell into the goblins' trap.

The difficulty increases from the eighth floor underground, and the ninth floor is the last of the forest area.

The tenth floor and beyond is the volcanic area, which we have no intention of going to yet.

"Finally, we've come this far."

"Yes, being able to hunt on the ninth floor underground is considered a mark of a top explorer."

As they said, being able to hunt on the ninth floor underground is a status symbol.

Most of the monsters on the ninth floor are at the top of Rank 1, with a few at the lower end of Rank 2. Hunting on the ninth floor is challenging even for a full Rank 2 party.

Rank 2 parties hone their skills here for years before reaching Rank 3 and challenging the volcanic area.

Only a select few can reach Rank 3, so being able to hunt on the ninth floor is a condition for being considered top-notch.

"As long as we don't get complacent, we should be fine."

This is not arrogance but a pure analysis of our strength.

I, of course, along with Kūna, whose condition has improved, and Anne, who can release the power of Kvar Besta, possess strength that exceeds a mere Rank 2.

With our current strength, we should be able to handle even Tiranō if it appears on the ninth floor.

If we can hunt without issues on the ninth floor, we might as well challenge the tenth floor soon.

"Hey, Sōji. I don't think aiming for the ninth floor is a bad idea. But, it's not a good idea to go hunting when neither Kūna nor you are in top condition. It might be better to skip this week. If we do go, we should hunt on a familiar floor for safety."

Anne's words are correct.

Sometimes, taking a break and preparing for the next step is a good strategy.

But, that won't do.

"The situation is urgent. We need to raise our 'Rank' as much as possible. My current basic stats are not enough to analyze the altered magic power. Additionally, to suppress the altered magic power and use magic that utilizes it, we need to raise our 'Rank'."

Even with the analysis not yet complete, I understand this much.

We need to take the risk and obtain high-level magic stones.

"I understand. If that's the case, we have no choice but to go."

"I'm glad you understand."

"But, Sōji, the ninth floor is far. Do we have enough time? It took us quite a while to reach the fourth floor. It might take two days just to reach the ninth floor."

Indeed, it would have taken us two days to reach the ninth floor with our current state.

"That's a good point. It took us half a day to reach the fourth floor. If things remain the same, it would take even longer to reach the ninth floor. After all, not only does the distance increase, but the difficulty of each floor also rises."

Kūna and Anne were surprised by my words.

That's understandable. If we don't return in four days, we won't make it to class. If we only have enough time to reach and return, it would be better to hunt on a shallower floor.

"Sōji, is that really okay? I think we'll be fine with food and water thanks to Sōji's 'Purification,' but I'm worried about making it to class on time. We've already missed a lot of days when we went to the capital, and we can't afford to miss any more."

"Don't worry. You'll understand once we start exploring."

Kūna and Anne looked puzzled.

But once we start exploring, they'll understand what I mean.

This is our first hunt since all of us reached Rank 2. They haven't yet grasped what it means to be at Rank 2.

"If Sōji says so, I guess it will be fine, but I'm not entirely convinced."

"Being so mysterious is one of Sōji's bad habits."

I chuckled at their skeptical looks.

"I'm not being mysterious. It's a feeling you won't understand until you experience it. More importantly, I'll brief you on the information about the monsters that will appear on the way to the ninth floor and the traps set on each floor. ...But, don't rely too much on this information. The labyrinth is constantly changing. The traps and monsters are more vicious and cunning than before. You'll encounter creatures that make goblins and slock chimps look cute."

The moment I mentioned slock chimps and goblins, they both made disgusted faces.

They probably remembered the tough battles with those creatures.

In fact, the deeper the floor, the more monsters with troublesome characteristics appear. This is unavoidable.

I spent thirty minutes briefing Kūna and Anne on the information needed for the exploration up to the ninth floor.

"Alright, let's go. Talking here any longer is a waste of time. Let's make a good haul this time."

And so, we set out on our first hunt since returning to the sealed city of Erin.

Thanks to everyone, Volume 1 was successfully released yesterday.

Thank you!