Chapter 62

The orc, despite its massive body, wields a huge axe that, compared to a human, is enormous.

Another stone pillar was knocked down.

"Does this mean we have to knock down all the stone pillars before they all fall?"

"Yes, that's right."

At first, the roar was a loud sound that could be felt as a pressure wave. If hit by this, it causes a stun. Then, the orc swings the axe horizontally. I don't know the principle, but the horizontal attack hits everyone, no matter which direction they are in, and brings them to the brink of death.

Next, the orc knocks down a stone pillar.

Before the roar, make sure to have full HP. Hide behind the stone pillars to avoid the roar and the horizontal swing. If you fail to escape and get hit, recover while the orc is knocking down the pillar.

At first, we were caught off guard by the roar and were brought to the brink of death. We narrowly avoided a total wipe thanks to the active medicine and ochazuke's recovery, and each of us took a recovery potion. If the active medicine hadn't worked, I might have experienced unconsciousness for the first time. And if ochazuke's recovery hadn't brought us back to half health, we wouldn't have been able to move at all. It was a close call.

"You're moving well."

"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch."

"If you don't move, you die. If you don't move, you die."

"Either you don't reach the rock and die, or the rock disappears and you die."

Petro adds to my words.

"I can move, but my thinking ability is dead."

I admit this about myself.

The room is dark, so it's hard to tell visually, but the four attackers, including me, must look terrible. The night vision only shows a sepia tone, and it's difficult to distinguish light colors.

After experiencing that pain, just seeing the orc's every move makes my body stiff. The magic that used to activate regardless of my mental state no longer works.

Is this a part of the skill "Pain Release," where the power of skills is influenced by emotions? Fortunately, I can activate them without incantations, so if I can focus for a moment and forget the pain, I can manage.

If I can overcome it, feeling pain is not just a bad thing. The problem is whether we can overcome this battle, including this one, is uncertain.

"Hey, Leo, you've learned real martial arts, right? Try your best."

"No way!! I can't control it!"

"Speaking of injuries, Shin! You're used to pain."

"Stop it, I'm weak!"

"Don't use that creepy falsetto with that beard!"

I think it's great that we can still make jokes even in tough times.

"Sorry, but I can't move either, so do something."

"Same here, do something about it."

When I noticed, ochazuke and Kikuhime were surrounded by Nazu, looking terrible. They looked like corn cobs hanging in bundles in South America. I knew Nazu was in the boss room because I could see it at the edge of my vision, but I was so focused on avoiding the orc that I didn't realize they were being pushed to their limits.

Only one person can hide behind each stone pillar, and as the number of pillars decreases from the position closest to the orc, in the later stages, some people have to run to pillars far from the orc during the roar.

In our party, it's understood that Petro and Leo aim for the distant pillars. The timing to run is when we see the orc's preparatory movements for the roar, but Petro or ochazuke calls out to us. If Leo or Shin are hit near the pillar, ochazuke's recovery doesn't reach them, so I or Petro, who are closer, throw recovery potions to them.

At first, everyone could be reached by ochazuke's recovery when we ran to the pillars, but as the number of pillars decreased and the distance to run increased, there are now places where it doesn't reach.

Petro, who takes on the task of running to the farthest pillar, has only been hit by the roar once, the first time. He's a reliable man.

Aren't you okay with pain? Why can you move normally? Are you an M?

"Take this!"

Shin executes a combo. After a low kick, he punches several times and finishes with a quick kick wrapped in flames.

Fighting combos are cool.

"Oh, a successful part destruction?"

"Wow, first time!"

The orc's left leg was broken by Shin's combo, and it can't move from that spot. It's wildly swinging its axe, but it's not roaring and the axe can't reach us.

"Since orcs are known for their strong regeneration, let's finish it off before it regenerates."

"Got it!"

*Announcement: The Floor Boss of the Labyrinth's 5th Level, 'Furious Orc,' has been defeated by Leo and five others.*

*Reward for the first boss defeat: 'Bud of Life' obtained*

*Title 'Conqueror of the Labyrinth' obtained*

*4 pieces of Furious Orc's hide obtained*

*5 pieces of Furious Orc's pork obtained*

*Furious Orc's hand axe obtained*

*Furious Orc's magic stone obtained*

*10 pieces of black iron obtained*

*Ring of Vitality +3 obtained*

"Pork... meat?"

"Pork."

"Orc pork."

"Orc meat."

"I'll take the skin and fur."

"Same here. Good job on the flag recovery!"

"Wait, don't try to stuff me with orc meat."

"No, no. It's just pork that the orc happened to have, pork."

"Is it delicious? Pork."

"We have to give ingredients in exchange for the meal!"

"Even though we got the first defeat, the topic is pork."

Ochazuke's words shift the topic from the pork to the joy of the first defeat.

The pork was pushed on us, and they plan to cook it.

"Yay! Yay!"

"Who else came to the labyrinth? I thought there were other parties."

"Flame King? It's dangerous here without everyone having recovery potions, so they might have failed."

"Leo is famous."

"Hahaha, I didn't do much because of the pain!!"

"Can the 'Bud of Life' only be used to make accessories or integrated into weapons and armor?"

The 'Bud of Life' is a milky white gem with a slight rose hue, about the size of a fingertip. Given its abilities, it's better to use it for accessories rather than weapons and armor that will be updated.

"Wow, the effect is continuous HP recovery."

"Combine it with Homura's active medicine, and it will progress faster!"

"Can't afford to fail the production."

"Ah, there's a skill called 'Disassemble,' which decomposes completed production items back into materials, but only half the materials return, and it's random which ones."

"Thinking about disassembling a pig."

"Back to a pig."

"The title 'Conqueror of the Labyrinth' gives the party a 'High Spirits' effect and increases the drop rate of rare items in the labyrinth."

"I'm in! I'm in! Treasure galore!"

"High Spirits is just like Leo's usual self."

"Maybe it means not giving in to pain? I think the drop rate only increases by 0.01%, so don't get your hopes up."

"The original drop rate was 0.0001% in a previous game! I only got the title 'Labyrinth Slayer.'"

"I got the unmarked version too."

"Is it because of 'Pain Release' or not?"

"So, what do we do? Keep going? Take a break and come back?"

"I want to rest at the inn."

"I want to take a bath after being sucked by the yellow stuff."

"Let's take a break and come back."

"The cost to return from the labyrinth transfer is fine, right?"

My words made everyone except ochazuke freeze.

"Either we keep going or start over from the beginning."

"Then, let's start over. I'll use 'Pain Release,' Nazu is annoying."

"Same, I want to start over. I took 'Pain Resistance,' but I want to get used to this floor."

"When will 'Pain Resistance' start to feel effective?"

"Well, if I got those injuries in real life, I don't think I could move, so it's probably working."

"Maybe."

"Usually, skills that don't have levels are designed to reward effort."

"The fact that I didn't need skill points is a relief!"

"If I spent skill points on skills that only appear with 'Pain Release,' I'd cry!"

My skill points increased to 3. I'll save them.

"Then, let's register the transfer and go out."

"Bath time!"

There was a short cave on the opposite side of where we entered the battle with the orc, leading to a dead end with stairs going down. There was a small room with a transfer array nearby.

The corridor leading out of the boss room was slightly brighter, and the walls and floor seemed to glow faintly, like in the previous dungeon.

"Oh, we can hear clan chat here, even though we couldn't when we entered the labyrinth."

"Huh? Kronos'?"

Ochazuke had left Kronos' clan chat on.

"Right. They must be outside the labyrinth. I thought they were on their second attempt, but they're excited about our defeat. It's a bit awkward to just listen, so I'll say hello."

Ochazuke: We're back~

Homura: We're back.

Roy: Oh?

Kikuhime: We're back~

Petro: We're back, w

Leo: Hahaha

Momiji: Welcome back~

Kaede: Welcome back~

Shin: Survived!

Crow: Good job, congratulations on the defeat.

Shirayuri: Welcome back, congratulations~

Ake: Are you safe?

Ochazuke: We're fine.

Momiji: The defeat announcement came up.

Kaede: Of course you're safe.

Petro: We're going to the inn to rest and start over.

Homura: Training.

Roy: Oh, then, let's talk at the inn.

Leo: Sure!

"Leo, you said 'yes.' Don't we need to move to the second ward's inn?"

I ask casually.

"Oh!"

Well, that's it.

It seems it will be a while before we can get the money back.

---

Level +1

Title

[Conqueror of the Labyrinth]

---

Homura Lv.34

Rank C

Clan: Zodiac

Class: Magic Swordsman, Alchemist (Assassin)

HP: 1161

MP: 1484

STR: 50

VIT: 26

INT: 100 (+1)

MID: 34

DEX: 30 (+1)

AGI: 60

LUK: 39

NPCP: [Galahad][—]

Titles:

General

[Communicator][Circulating Power][Mystery Solver]

[Economic Leader][Solitary Adventurer][Nine Lives]

[Sage][Elegant One][World Soarer]

[Pain Releaser][Conqueror of the Labyrinth]

Blessings of the Gods

[Asha's Blessing][Val's Favor]

[Dul's Blessing][Fal's Blessing]

[Tasha's Favor][Verna's Blessing]

Titles from the Gods

[Asha's Guide]

[Dul's Earth]

[Fal's Saint]

[Tasha's Disciple][Tasha's Mage]

[Gods' Time]

Slayer Series

[Lizard Slayer][Bug Slayer]

[Beast Slayer][Gel Slayer]

[Bird Slayer]

[Dragon Slayer]

Master Rings

[Sword King][Sage King]

Skills (3SP)

Magic & Spells

[Wood Magic Lv.27] [Fire Magic Lv.27] [Earth Magic Lv.28]

[Gold Magic Lv.27] [Water Magic Lv.27] [☆Wind Magic Lv.27]

[Light Magic Lv.23] [☆Dark Magic Lv.28]

[☆Thunder Magic Lv.27] [Scorching Magic Lv.2] [☆Ice Magic Lv.22]

[☆Heavy Magic Lv.21] [☆Air Magic Lv.23]

[☆Time Magic Lv.21] [Druid Magic Lv.22]

Healing & Holy Magic

[Holy Magic Lv.21]

[Illusion Lv.1]

Other Magic

[Magic Shield][Stacking]

[☆Area Magic Lv.24][☆Attack Recovery & Magic Lv.16]

[☆Magic Effect Lv.15]

[☆Action Incantation][☆No Incantation]

[☆Magic Charge Lv.12]

Swordsmanship

[Swordsmanship Lv.28][Slash]

[Sword Lv.27][☆Flash Lv.24]

[☆Phantom Blade Lv.19]

Throwing Weapons

[Thread Lv.19]

Other Physical Skills

[☆Insight Lv.27]

[Physical Effect Lv.7]

Defense

[☆Sturdy Shield of Earth]

Summoning

[White Lv.11]

Spirit Magic

Water Spirit [Rufa Lv.15]

Dark Spirit [Kurokagayaki Lv.21]

Talents

[Body Techniques][Evasion][Way of the Sword]

[Code Deciphering]

Movement & Actions

[☆Carry][Jump][☆Hover][☆Sky Soar]

Production

[Alchemy Lv.19][Refinement Alchemy Lv.18]

[Cooking Lv.18][Jewelry Lv.1]

Gathering

[Harvesting][Mining]

Appraisal & Concealment

[Appraisal Lv.26][Insight]

[Aura Perception Lv.34][Aura Dilution Lv.34][Concealment Lv.30]

Enhancements

[Strength Enhancement Lv.5][Intelligence Enhancement Lv.6][Spirit Enhancement Lv.6]

[Dexterity Enhancement Lv.6][Agility Enhancement Lv.6]

[Swordsmanship Enhancement Lv.5][Magic Enhancement Lv.6]

Resistances

[Alcohol Resistance][Pain Resistance]

Other

[HP Natural Recovery][MP Natural Recovery]

[Night Vision][Map][Telepathy][☆Bedroom Techniques]

[Equipment Change][☆Weapon Hold Lv.24]

[Lifestyle Magic][☆Attraction]

[Theft Prevention Lv.24][Trap Disarming]

[Lockpicking][Unlocking]

☆ indicates initial acquisition or enhancement through events.

Financial Situation

Leo: "Street stalls are fun! There's a lottery stand! And production is booming!"

Shin: "I want the prizes from a card game similar to Hanafuda."

Ochazuke: "Business has to be efficient.☆"

Kikuhime: "Don't waste money. I'm still using found items for production."

Petro: "Assassination has good rewards."