Chapter 63

"Let's go take a bath!"

"Sure, sure, go ahead."

"Next, it's my turn."

After paying for the room, I, Kikuhime, and Ochazuke took a room for the three of us.

Kikuhime and I parted ways as she headed to the room, and I went to the dining hall where Roy and the others were. There were also some unfamiliar faces.

"Hey! You made it!"

"Hi."

I raised my hand in greeting to Roy and looked at Crow. Who are these people?

"Welcome back~"

"Welcome back~"

Two people clung to Peter as he returned.

"Sure, a real lolicon killer."

Shin muttered.

"This is Enno, who is entering the dungeon for the first time."

Crow introduced the red-haired man sitting at the next table.

"He's the leader of that party and wants to hear about our strategy. Is that okay~?"

"Enno, nice to meet you."

He looked to be in his mid-teens, with a sturdy build and hair that flared out like a lion's mane, reaching down to his waist. The name "Enno" suited him well.

"Strategy..."

"Strategy?"

I had no idea what they were talking about, and Shin looked suspicious.

"Seriously, no plan!?"

Roy was surprised.

"The boss was just hiding behind a stone pillar, and the fast runners went to the distant stones, right?"

For someone used to games, it didn't seem like much of a plan.

"But what about the mid-dungeon, like stealing potions and such?"

We introduced ourselves and moved our tables together to sit down.

Enno's party members were at the next table, but they didn't join the conversation. I wasn't confident I could remember all the introductions.

"Kikuhime and I haven't done the [Pain Release] yet."

"Oh, that's a problem from the start."

Akebono said.

"Without [Pain Release], Nazu will swarm and immobilize you. It's annoying, so Kikuhime and I will go get it done."

Ochazuke explained.

"If you haven't done the [Pain Release] for the shield, it won't be helpful."

Enno looked quite displeased. His attitude was bad.

"For the healer, the pain will disappear, so even if the HP drops, you'll feel better and can recover quickly at first. Then, gradually increase the time between recoveries to get used to the pain. But if you take a big hit, recover as soon as possible."

...So, the reason the recovery was slow wasn't because the enemies were strong and Kikuhime was busy, but because it was intentional? New information.

"What about the goblin thieves? We ran out of potions, and Roy's recovery couldn't keep up, so we had to knock them out."

"Oh, sorry. Homura had [Theft Prevention], so I had him carry all the potions."

"Well, even without [Theft Prevention], a high speed makes it harder to be stolen. Maybe have that person carry them?"

"Also, drinking a [Life Activation Potion] made it much easier!"

Ochazuke explained, and Peter added, while Leo gave another tip.

"Yeah, even a little recovery reduces the pain and eases the anxiety of not getting healed."

"Life Activation. The potion shop in the dungeon city sells it. It doesn't heal much, but if it helps, I'll try it."

Enno, with a young character age but a prominent vertical crease on his forehead, crossed his arms and frowned in thought.

"Still, you have to gradually get used to the pain, right~"

Shirayuri, holding her coffee cup, said regretfully.

"You guys, as attackers, did well to endure the pain and reach the boss."

"Only because of those two S-types!"

"Who's an S-type only!"

Kikuhime, who had just come out of the bath, punched Shin in the side. It was a liver punch.

"Ah!! It hurts!!"

Shin screamed, clutching his stomach and falling face-first on the table.

"Hey, does [Pain Release] work even in the inn?"

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts."

Ochazuke grabbed Shin to check if it hurt. It seemed the skill didn't work, but he still felt the pain. Enno and Roy looked a bit taken aback. Sorry, sorry.

"Then, I'm going to take a bath."

"Go ahead~"

Ochazuke pinched Shin and then left for the bath. Don't worry, it's not that bad in the real world. But in the game, it's business as usual, so don't take it to heart.

"Is this small guy the shield? He doesn't look like he can handle the [Pain Release]."

"I don't like pain, but I'll try it."

Nazu must have really hated it. I would choose to endure the pain over being swarmed by mosquitoes.

"Besides, I got a good title."

Shin let that slip.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

"Nice to meet you. I'm Enno, an attack-oriented warrior."

"I'm a shield-oriented warrior, Earth, nice to meet you."

Earth, wearing a helmet that covered most of his face, seemed sturdy from his jawline.

"I'm the archer, Kururu, nice to meet you!"

A cat-eared boy with cream-colored hair and red tips and ears.

"I'm the martial artist, Gilvatsa, call me Gil."

A tall woman with red hair tied back, wearing a red Chinese dress and black pants, and equipped with heavy knuckles. She looked like a wild man if she didn't speak.

"I'm the holy mage, Ochazuke, nice to meet you~"

"I'm the magic swordsman, Homura, nice to meet you."

I greeted them, following Ochazuke's lead.

So, we have three parties exploring together.

Kikuhime's shield party has Recovery A, attackers Leo, Shin, Momiji, and Mage B.

Earth's shield party has Recovery Ochazuke, attackers Enno, me, Kururu, and Gilvatsa.

Roy's shield party has Recovery Shirayuri, attackers Peter, Kaede, Crow, and Akebono.

A and B are placeholders.

I didn't remember all of Enno's party members, even after introducing ourselves. I'm sure Earth's hair is red too, and the others in Enno's party probably have red hair too, but that's the extent of my recognition.

With Concealment Level 30, I could change my skill levels. I had been hiding my production skills, but since cooking and alchemy were already known to Roy and the others, I kept my safe cooking skills visible and set my alchemy to Level 1. I drastically lowered my sword skills to make it look like I was a mage.

Players can't usually see each other's fake information, even with high Appraisal levels. They should only see the information on the guild card.

So, back to the dungeon.

I took all the potions from the potion shop and distributed them to everyone as the [Life Activation Potion] effects wore off, returning them all before the boss. I had the same number of each potion to make it easier to remember. I also exchanged Patka tokens for the potions.

We were a group of three parties, all willing to endure the pain from the high goblin's area attack. It was strange to be part of such a masochistic group. In the real world, I would never endure such pain, but that's why I challenge it in the game.

"Ugh! Let's go!"

"Ha!!"

"Let's go~"

Enno, who seemed calm, was actually very passionate in battle. Earth was just doing his job. This is more of a mood-based world than a real-world one, I get it. I don't mind it.

I was healing Ochazuke, who was healing everyone after his pain disappeared. I was in pain too, but Ochazuke had just done the [Pain Release] and wasn't used to it. I should be the one enduring the pain.

I'll tough it out.

"I have the power of life and death!"

I laughed and threw a potion at Ochazuke. Throwing it hard was fun; maybe I have S tendencies, I wonder.

"That's my job! I'll get it back! I'll definitely get it back!"

"Are you always like that?"

Enno was unimpressed by my small drama during the battle. Wait, so your passion is real?

"It's business as usual."

"Give up."

"Still, the coordination is solid, so it's not bad."

Enno seemed to give up after hearing me and Ochazuke.

"It's too painful to laugh~"

"It will open your wounds."

"Ochazuke will heal everyone at once."

"That's my job."

It's good to have such mentally strong people.

Of course, there are times when the pain slows down the battle, but since it's our second time, we progressed without much trouble. We were using fire, wind, and light magic, along with [Rufa] for group healing.

Because I missed the bath.

I was eager to take a bath, but I didn't have the courage to make the other twelve people in the other two parties wait. I used fire, wind, and light in the damp cave, and Enno commented, "You're using these three attributes, the opposite of Haruna," so I had to say I used all attributes equally. Thanks to the Master Ring, my spells were more powerful, so I specialized in these three attributes. Haruna must be the mage in Kikuhime's party.

And we finally reached the boss.

"Returning the potions."

"Thanks."

"Huh? This is the same number we gave you. Didn't you use some to heal us?"

"That's something I would have done even if you hadn't given them to me."

I was throwing potions to heal while enduring the pain.

"You healed a lot in the first half."

"Well, we both had to get used to the pain."

I said it in a patronizing way, but I was just having fun throwing the flask-like potion bottles. I even accidentally used [Throwing] because it was in my skill list, and it only cost 2 skill points.

"Hey, Homura, the others are eating seriously."

"Ah, too late."

I had that feeling on the way. Unlike our party, which stopped at the stairs to eat leisurely, the others were eating and drinking while walking.

We were resting on the stairs before the boss, but the others were eating food appropriate to their jobs. Mostly skewers and other portable foods. In contrast, Ochazuke and I were eating curry udon, ignoring the status boost effects.

The smell must have attracted their attention.

"Think about the situation more!"

"Stop slurping. You're guilty too."

"But it's cold here, and the curry udon is delicious."

"Kikuhime was right; we need a tray."

"Let's check out a general store later."

"Still, if your stats are enough, you can eat freely."

Enno looked very conflicted.

"It smells good~"

"It is a bit cold here."

Earth, who rarely spoke, had a deep, good voice, but his tone was like a self-defense officer.

"I didn't notice it before the [Pain Release]."

"Would you like to eat?"

"Sure, I'd love to!"

The curry udon was well-received.

□ □ □ □ □

• Increase

Skills

[Throwing]

□ □ □ □ □

Homura Lv.34

Rank C

Clan Zodiac

Job Magic Swordsman, Alchemist (Assassin)

HP 1161

MP 1484

STR 50

VIT 26

INT 100

MID 34

DEX 30

AGI 60

LUK 39

NPCP [Galahad][—]

Titles

■ General

[Communicator][Circulating Power][Mystery Solver]

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

[Sage][Elegant One][World Flyer]

[Pain Releaser][Overcoming Dungeon Slayer]

■ 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 Magic]

[Time of the Gods]

■ Slayer Series

[Lizard Slayer][Bug Slayer]

[Beast Slayer][Gel Slayer]

[Bird Slayer]

[Dragon Slayer]

■ Master Ring

[Sword King][Wise King]

Skills (1SP)

■ Magic

[Wood Magic Lv.27] [Fire Magic Lv.29] [Earth Magic Lv.28]

[Gold Magic Lv.27] [Water Magic Lv.27] [☆Wind Magic Lv.28]

[Light Magic Lv.24] [☆Dark Magic Lv.28]

[☆Lightning 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 and Holy Magic

[Holy Magic Lv.21]

[Illusion Lv.1]

■ Other Magic

[Magic Shield][Stacking]

[☆Area Magic Lv.24] [☆Attack Recovery Magic Lv.17]

[☆Magic Effect Lv.16]

[☆Action Chant][☆No Chant]

[☆Magic Charge Lv.12]

■ Sword Skills

[Sword Skills Lv.28] [Slash]

[Sword Lv.27] [☆Flash Lv.24]

[☆Phantom Blade Lv.19]

■ Throwing

[Thread Lv.20]

■ Other Physical Skills

[Throwing Lv.1]

[☆Insight Lv.27] [Physical Effect Lv.7]

■ Defensive Skills

[☆Sturdy Shield of Earth]

■ Summoning

[White Lv.11]

■ Spirit Magic

Water Spirit [Rufa Lv.16]

Dark Spirit [Kurokagayaki Lv.21]

■ Talent Skills

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

[Code Deciphering]

■ Movement and Actions

[☆Carry][Jump][☆Hover][☆Fly]

■ Production

[Alchemy Lv.19] [Alchemy Synthesis Lv.18]

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

■ Collection

[Harvesting][Mining]

■ Appraisal and Concealment

[Appraisal Lv.27][Insight]

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

■ Enhancement

[Strength Enhancement Lv.5] [Intelligence Enhancement Lv.7] [Spirit Enhancement Lv.6]

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

[Sword Skill Enhancement Lv.5] [Magic Enhancement Lv.7]

■ Resistance

[Alcohol Resistance][Pain Resistance]

■ Other

[HP Natural Recovery][MP Natural Recovery]

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

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

[Life Magic][☆Attraction]

[Theft Prevention Lv.24][Trap Disarming]

[Lockpicking][Unlocking]

☆ indicates initial acquisition or event bonuses.