Chapter 83

We were sprinting through the underground labyrinth, aiming for the next level.

"Amazing, it feels like it's not even my body."

"Yeah, this must be what it means to become Rank 2."

Anne and Kuna spoke with voices full of surprise.

"Did you understand what I meant? Rank 1 and Rank 2 are fundamentally different."

Indeed, our speed in breaking through levels has increased exponentially compared to before.

And for good reason.

The physical abilities of Rank 1 and Rank 2 are completely different.

I can run faster and jump higher.

I can move at nearly twice the speed I used to, and shortcuts that were previously impossible are now possible, allowing us to explore more efficiently.

"At this speed, we should be able to reach the ninth underground floor relatively easily!"

"Right, with this speed, we can even avoid enemies that we couldn't before."

After the fourth underground floor, in the past, there was a significant risk in turning our backs on the monsters, and it was difficult to shake them off.

But now, we can easily do so.

"If this is how different Rank 2 is, I wonder how different Rank 3 will be. I'm starting to get excited."

"You can look forward to it. Rank 3 is in a completely different league."

"The way you talk, Soji, it sounds like you've been Rank 3 before."

As expected, Kuna is sharp in her observations.

"Well, I've been doing a lot of research. Let's pick up the pace. Focus on getting used to your Rank 2 body by the time we reach the ninth underground floor. Spread your awareness throughout your body as you run. If you don't recalibrate your perception, you'll leave yourself vulnerable in a pinch!"

"You're right. Suddenly becoming stronger can be scary because your mind and body are out of sync."

"I thought I was used to my Rank 2 body after repeatedly sparring with Soji to prepare for the duel with Crane, but running in a wide space is completely different from a duel in a confined space. I need to get used to it quickly."

As they said, suddenly becoming stronger comes with its own risks. Moving too quickly and making mistakes is a common error among explorers.

If you don't understand your own performance, not only will you fail to utilize your newfound strength, but you might even make fatal mistakes.

"Understanding that much is enough! Let's get focused!"

And we ran through, ignoring all the monsters and traps, taking the shortest path.

Dealing with monsters in such shallow layers is just a waste of time.

◇

"I think we should take a break and have lunch here for about an hour."

"We've already reached the seventh underground floor, which is surprising."

"The last time we came, it was starting to get dark."

We arrived at the seventh underground floor around noon.

This is where we once fought the goblins.

Goblins tend to set traps in the forest and are extremely cautious, preferring not to come out into open areas.

Conversely, as long as we don't enter the forest, we won't encounter many goblins. The open space around the fifth and sixth floors is suitable for a break.

It's the perfect spot for lunch.

We'll camp here too.

The monsters on the eighth and ninth floors are highly aggressive, abnormally fast, and unpredictable, so we don't want to set up tents there. The fourth floor, where many explorers gather, is too far away.

"Today's lunch is Redhorn, which we just hunted."

To avoid using our precious preserved food, we only killed one monster on the sixth floor.

The miasma has been removed with [Purification], and the meat has been artificially aged with magic, making it ready to eat.

We couldn't bring all the meat, so we only brought the prime cuts.

...I didn't want to forage for food in this layer. Only goblin-related monsters live here, and I can't bring myself to eat them.

I have a strong aversion to humanoid creatures.

"It's beef! I'm looking forward to it since we don't get to eat it often!"

"Beef is expensive, so it can't be helped. But I'm not sure if monster beef will be tasty."

"Redhorn is delicious. It's one of the most popular among monsters."

Among players, information about tasty monsters is shared.

Redhorn is considered one of the best in the lower floors.

"However, it's a bit tough, so we need to be creative with the cooking."

I cut the meat into thin steaks, laid them in a frying pan, and sprinkled salt and pepper.

If cut too thick, it would be inedible.

While thin cuts might seem less satisfying, the strong flavor of Redhorn makes it enjoyable.

"Here, Kuna, it's up to you."

"Got it!"

I handed the pan to Kuna, who started cooking the meat with a light tune.

Kuna can cook perfectly without the hassle of a campfire. Moreover, her cooking skills ensure the meat is cooked to perfection, retaining the juices while being thoroughly cooked. I doubt I could ever match her in cooking.

"Done!"

"Here you go."

While Kuna was cooking, I prepared a sliced bread, spread butter on it, and added dried tomatoes and the cooked meat.

Thus, the sirloin steak sandwich was complete. I handed the sandwiches to the two of them.

"Quite a simple dish, isn't it?"

"The ingredients are excellent. It's best to enjoy the Redhorn sirloin without much alteration. Dig in boldly."

I followed my own advice and took a bite of the sirloin steak sandwich.

The meat juices burst out, and the rich flavor of the Redhorn filled my mouth. The acidity of the dried tomatoes cut through the richness, making it refreshing.

"Soji, that's unfair. I'm going to have some too."

"Me too, me too."

Kuna and Anne quickly took a bite.

"Mmm, it's a luxurious taste! Such a simple dish, yet it feels so high-class."

"Right, it's delicious. It's a real treat to eat something this nice in the underground labyrinth."

Both of them were engrossed in eating the sirloin sandwiches.

Seeing them so happy made me happy too.

"Here, tea."

"Thank you!"

"Soji is quite considerate, isn't he?"

I handed them herbal tea.

This is purely for my own enjoyment. I saw a new variety in the capital and wanted to try it.

"Phew, this is relaxing. I feel full and relaxed after the meal, and it's hard to believe we're in the underground labyrinth."

As she said, Kuna had a warm, dazed expression.

"With this, we can tackle the exploration in the afternoon."

Anne smiled at Kuna.

I also enjoyed my share of the herbal tea. This new variety is quite good.

I hope they sell it in Erin too.

Just then, I noticed Elna's abnormal movement.

"Kuna, Anne! Get ready! Something's happening!"

This movement of Elna is similar to when we faced Tiranos!

As I predicted, all the Elna in the forest gathered to create a powerful monster.

A Goblin King emerged, clearing the trees with its massive 3-meter tall body. It wore a necklace made of skulls and, for added effect, a crown on its head.

"Gooboooooo!"

The Goblin King roared.

What's going on?

The Goblin King moved in the opposite direction of us.

"Sure enough, it's him."

A girl stood where the Goblin King was heading.

She had light brown hair and a high-exposure combat outfit in green.

She held a massive bow.

...I've never seen such an outfit before, but it was undoubtedly Yuriko-senpai.

Yuriko-senpai smiled mischievously.

The Goblin King swung its thick, crude greatsword. It was longer than Yuriko-senpai's height and about 30 cm thick, a fearsome weapon.

Yuriko-senpai blocked it with her bow.

No, just before the impact, the bow's ends folded and connected, and the handle extended, transforming into a strange greatsword with a hollow center.

"Ugh!?"

The Goblin King was surprised that a small human could block its greatsword.

But that wasn't the end.

Yuriko-senpai deflected the Goblin King's sword.

I could tell from the movement of magic. It was wind. She used the power of wind. When blocking the sword, she used multiple layers of wind barriers to reduce its momentum, and when deflecting it, she used an updraft to push the greatsword back.

"Let's end this."

Yuriko-senpai's voice echoed.

Her greatsword transformed back into a bow.

She drew the string, but there was no arrow.

No, a mass of wind magic gathered in her hand, forming an arrow. This wasn't a simple mass of wind. The density was so high that it was more like a wind missile.

"Goodbye, then."

The wind missile was launched.

It pierced the Goblin King.

The Goblin King twisted and compressed, turning into mincemeat through the hole.

What power. A typhoon was sealed in that single missile.

I was speechless.

It wasn't just the sheer amount of magic. The construction of the magic formula was flawless.

"Hey, you're watching, right? Soji."

Yuriko-senpai looked at us with a mischievous smile.

"Truly, what a coincidence. I didn't expect you to see me harvest."

Harvest? What does that mean?

"It smells delicious. I haven't had lunch yet. If you feed me, I can tell you a lot."

She smiled devilishly.

I accepted her offer and invited her in.