Chapter 65

Waking up early and logging in!

That was the plan, but I lost to the magic of the futon. My eyes were awake, but I couldn't bring myself to leave the bed, so I ended up rolling around in it. Well, since I don't have any appointments with anyone, it's fine.

The Labyrinth City.

In the first ward to the west, close to the labyrinth, are the old-established shops, while the second ward to the east of the first ward is a relatively new part of the city. To the south is the residence of the Duke of Tarkant. Although it doesn't stand out on a high hill or by the water, nor does it have a spire, the functionality of the city, combined with the castle, seems to be impeccable. To the north, like the west, is a sheer cliff with exposed rock faces.

The Labyrinth City is also known as the Labyrinth City-State of Baron, named after its capital, Baron. This is because Baron is the only city in this country. The labyrinth exists, adventurers visit, merchants settle to cater to adventurers, and it became a country called Baron afterward. The hard, arid land does not yield crops, so the country is sustained solely by the labyrinth.

Wandering through the narrow streets of the first ward, you'll find rows of pharmacies, magic potion shops, magic stone shops, and other intriguing stores. However, the main shops will turn away first-time customers or those below Rank A unless they are introduced by a guild or similar. If you walk through the alleys to fill in the map, you'll find many pleasant views, making it quite enjoyable.

The area around the Adventurer's Guild and inns in front of the labyrinth is neatly organized, as if it has undergone urban redevelopment. However, a bit further away, the alleys are not straight and the layout is complex. The terrain is also very uneven, making it difficult to predict where you'll end up until you get used to it.

There are also residential areas for long-term residents. Sometimes, while walking through the alleys, you might end up walking on someone's roof. It's a bit of an adventure.

In the second ward, along the main street, you'll find inns, weapon shops, armor shops, and other stores necessary for exploring the labyrinth. Behind these, you'll find shops that buy and sell gems, minerals, herbs, and other materials. This area seems to have been planned, with straight and wide streets and level ground. It's easy to understand, but a bit boring.

Yesterday, before my second dive, I stopped by a repair shop to fix my equipment and bought a mage's robe, a swordsman's coat and pants, and new boots from a leather goods store for my usual adventures.

In this world, you can buy everything from underwear to armor, and you can even request appropriate defensive capabilities. However, most special effects cancel each other out when layered, and wearing a piece of armor with a defense of 100 under a piece of clothing with a defense of 10 does not add up to 110. The only exception I have is the Undergoddess's panties. Well, they were more effective when worn alone. I don't wear them, though.

I bought some suitable items for leveling up my decorations at the magic stone and mineral shops. They also buy back items, so there must be mining points in the labyrinth.

There is a commercial guild here, but it is run by representatives chosen from a few old-established shops. They are quite lenient with temporary or small-scale traders, but if you want to open a proper store and start a serious business, you'll face harsh "welcome" measures. They don't want to share their pie. This is quite different from the commercial guild in Zears.

Well, with all that, I'm currently in the second underground level of the labyrinth, this is Homura speaking.

Since I have to log out anyway, I'm not afraid of death penalties! I thought and came here boldly, but the pain trap is more about being afraid of the pain before the death penalty.

Wearing the "Ash White Flame Mask," the "Moon Shadow Sword," the newly purchased black coat, the "Dexterous Gloves," and the "Swift Boots," I'm quite confident that I look like a ridiculous and suspicious character as I tremble my way through the dark dungeon.

What I'm really afraid of is being left paralyzed with consciousness but unable to move. In this world, where even fatal injuries can be healed by magic, I can be more relaxed, but I need a bit more experience before I can fully embrace it, which is why I came to the labyrinth.

By the way, after activating "Pain Sensation Release," not only did I start to feel unpleasant sensations, but my clothes also started to get dirty. They are less prone to dirt than in the real world, but I was wearing a long, white robe and coat that I would never wear in the real world because of the dirt. I had to frequently cast "Dirt Removal" and "Cleanliness" to keep them from getting dirty. So, I decided to go with black, but now I realize that dust is more visible on white.

High Goblins are not scary enemies unless you have "Pain Sensation Release" activated.

I calmly take them down before they can attack me.

I dodge, parry, and deflect physical attacks.

The problem is magic and continuous area-of-effect attacks, not single-target attacks.

To avoid pain, I tried various things and found that opposing elements, such as water against fire or metal against wood, can cancel each other out. Some combinations caused explosions at the point of impact, but I don't care about that since I'm solo. I messed up a few times by misjudging the counter or using a combination that caused a big explosion, but it's all good.

I was happy until the "Area Magic" came, but it's all good.

Right now, with close combat, "No Chanting" is great! In a party, I should have more time to react since the enemy is usually at a distance. I'm currently practicing magic cancellation, but I can also deflect single-target spells with my sword, or so I thought.

《By successfully countering 500 consecutive spells from enemies above your level, you have obtained the skill "Magic Cancellation"》

This skill allows me to identify the element of an enemy's spell during casting and cancel it with a compatible element, such as water against fire or metal against wood. However, if I use a weaker spell to counter a stronger one, the weaker spell will only increase the power of the stronger one. Also, if the difference in power between the spells is too great, even a strong element will be overwhelmed. In short, I can't do anything against a spell that is stronger than my own.

However, I can now nullify physical attacks! Specifically, I can cut through magic! I can already do this with the "Moon Shadow Sword"!

It's a bit fun.

Thanks to the effects of the title and mask or just getting used to it, I can proceed without making mistakes due to pain. Before activating "Pain Sensation Release," I didn't expect the "Healing" spell from "Holy Magic" to be so helpful, especially since it also restores mental strength. I also learned "Dispel" at level 20, so I'll level up other spells when I have time.

"Since that's the case, White, I'm getting used to it, so please."

"The first thing you say often doesn't make sense."

"Well, I've gained confidence that I can recover without succumbing to pain."

"Isn't that something you should say when you lack confidence?"

"I can't leave a mark on this fur that I've brushed so carefully and made even softer."

"Your priorities are off. And stop petting things in the dungeon!"

"I don't want to. I need healing right now."

This soft touch. Bliss.

By the way, I have "Presence Detection" active all the time, so don't worry. When I'm not in combat, I also use "Threads" to explore.

After indulging in petting, White snapped back to reality and bit me in a few places, but we progressed smoothly.

Too smoothly, we're at the boss.

Today's third Orc battle.

I stomped the ground and leaped.

The hem of my black coat flared in the wind.

The jump was high enough to easily clear the Orc's back.

As I flew over, I slashed at the shoulder, spun, and landed gracefully without a sound.

Black feathers spread and faded.

A preemptive attack launched just as the Black Obsidian defensive magic effect faded.

"Beautiful," White said, running past the Orc after me.

I don't have the strength to block or deflect the Orc's axe.

But what about limb destruction?

I thought I could do it.

The Orc, having dropped its axe and hanging its arm limply, was paralyzed by White's touch.

"Ah, if it's paralyzed, limb destruction wasn't necessary," he said while continuing to strike.

"No, my power is still limited. I can't keep this big guy down for long."

True to his word, the enraged Orc started moving. With its dominant hand immobilized, it flailed its other arm wildly and thrashed about with its thick legs.

"Rose Cage"

Even with "No Chanting," I say the spell name in a party to let my teammates know what I'm doing.

So, why do I say the spell name when I'm alone?

To identify the spell I'm casting, especially if it's one I'm not used to. A vague image won't do. Spells like Light Eagle can be cast instantly, but not this one.

This spell, which I don't like to use in front of others, summons vines and roses from the ground to entangle the enemy, and the white roses bloom and turn red as they drain the enemy's HP. The damage depends on INT and isn't massive, but it hinders the enemy's actions while active. It has a cooldown, so it can't be spammed, and it's less effective against bosses or higher-level enemies like White's "Paralysis," but the "Rose Cage" reliably hinders actions, making it convenient. However, its appearance makes me hesitate to use it.

Since it's a level 20 "Wood Magic" spell, Crow should be able to use it too, I thought while attacking the immobilized Orc.

"White, use 'Roar' from the shadow of the pillar."

"Understood."

The enraged Orc, freed from the "Rose Cage," let out a "Roar."

Since it used "Roar" without launching any regular attacks, it must be triggered by time or damage. Hiding behind the trembling pillar, I avoided the next area skill.

"You're ruthless."

While the enraged Orc was knocking down a pillar, I destroyed its knee.

It knelt but its already recovered—regenerated?—arms were swinging wildly, and its axe was slicing through the air with a whoosh.

If it hits, it will deal significant damage, but it's much better than being hit by an unavoidable skill. I have no intention of getting close.

"Lightning Arrow"

Naturally, I charged and fired two in succession.

A level 25 "Light Magic" spell, "Lightning," which I can't learn until "Light Magic" is level 25. At the same time, meeting the condition of "Dark Magic" level 25, I can also use the area spell "Lightning Cage."

For non-primary attribute spells, like "Healing" in "Holy Magic," there are conditions that must be met to learn them. By default, the range of area spells is about two meters in diameter, so they only affect nearby enemies. However, by stacking the "Area Magic" skill, the range of single-target spells can be significantly increased, making them much more useful.

However, "Area Magic" itself only became practical at level 25. At first, the range was too small, and the spell power was reduced, making it useless.

If I can avoid the "Roar" and take out the enraged Orc's HP or bring it to near death with a skill, it's not that difficult. I couldn't destroy the same part again, but by destroying the arms and knees, I could proceed with the battle at a significant advantage.

Since this is the first boss, once you understand how to fight, it might be this easy. Of course, it helps to have a sword and equipment powerful enough to destroy parts with one hit.

《You have obtained the solo first kill title "Prepared Defense"》

《You have obtained the solo first kill reward "Scattered Hair Ornament"》

《Announcement: The Labyrinth Underground 5th Floor Boss "Enraged Orc" has been solo defeated》

《You have obtained 5 Enraged Orc Skins》

《You have obtained 4 Enraged Orc Pork》

《You have obtained an Enraged Orc Chest Band》

《You have obtained an Enraged Orc Magic Stone》

《You have obtained 10 Black Iron》

《You have obtained a +3 Vitality Ring》

"Good work, White."

"Hmph, it wasn't dangerous."

White snorted, unimpressed.

"It's the third time. Do you have time for tea?"

I thought the Enraged Orc was also a practice boss for limb destruction, in addition to getting used to pain, as I returned to the surface.

I want a physical attack skill like a finishing move.

After seeing Kikuhime and Flame King use flashy ones, I mentioned how envious I was, and Kikuhime told me to start with slashes, which I haven't practiced much. In my fighting style, it's hard to use a slash that requires a setup. It's faster to just slash.

The title "Prepared Defense" makes me less likely to have my parts destroyed.

The item "Scattered Hair Ornament" is interesting. It's a thin silver chain with six small bases where you can attach your favorite gems. The hanging bases look like tiny bells, making it simple and elegant. If it had big, flashy decorations, it would have ended up in storage.

However, it's called a hair ornament, and the instructions say to attach the ends to the top of your ears and let it hang down the back of your head. It might have had large decorations on the ends of the chain originally, but now they're gone, and when equipped, it attaches to the mask and hangs down the back.

Yeah, it's similar to a decoration for hanging glasses.

My thoughts are full of the "Different World," but I have work to do.

A real-world quest that I must prioritize over any final boss.

□ □ □ □ □

・Increase

Title

【Prepared Defense】

Skill

【Magic Cancellation】

□ □ □ □ □

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】【－】

Title

■General

【Communicator】【Circulating Power】【Mystery Solver】

【Economic Pioneer】【Lone Adventurer】【Nine Lives】

【Sage】【Elegant One】【World Soarer】

【Pain Sensation Releaser】【Overcoming Labyrinth Slayer】

【Prepared Defense】

■Blessings of the Gods

【Blessing of Asha】【Favor of Val】

【Blessing of Dull】【Blessing of Fal】

【Favor of Tasha】【Blessing of Verna】

■Titles from the Gods

【Asha's Brief Guide】

【Dull's Earth】

【Fal's Saint】

【Tasha's Disciple】【Tasha's Mage】

【Time of the Gods】

■Slayer Series

【Lizard Slayer】【Bug Slayer】

【Beast Slayer】【Gel Slayer】

【Bird Slayer】

【Dragon Slayer】

■Master Rings

【Sword King】【Wise King】

Skill (1SP)

■Magic and Spells

【Wood Magic Lv.27】【Fire Magic Lv.30】【Earth Magic Lv.28】

【Metal Magic Lv.27】【Water Magic Lv.27】【☆Wind Magic Lv.29】

【Light Magic Lv.26】【☆Dark Magic Lv.28】

【☆Lightning Magic Lv.27】【Scorching Magic Lv.6】【☆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.22】

【Illusion Lv.1】

■Other Magic

【Magic Shield】【Stacking】

【☆Area Magic Lv.25】【☆Attack Recovery Magic Lv.19】

【☆Magic Effect Lv.16】

【☆Action Chanting】【☆No Chanting】

【☆Magic Charge Lv.12】

■Swordsmanship

【Swordsmanship Lv.28】【Slash】

【Sword Lv.29】【☆Flash Lv.24】

【☆Phantom Blade Lv.19】

■Throwing Weapons

【Threads Lv.25】

■Other Physical Skills

【Throwing Lv.4】

【☆Reading Lv.27】

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