Chapter 85

"Formation: I'll be at the front with Eagle, Camilla at the back, and Homura in the middle. I remember that on the 11th floor, they used a lot of ranged weapons like bows and daggers. Be careful, as attacks can reach the back row too."

Hmm, I'll have to leave the rear to the women. I want to get stronger quickly.

No, I should be stronger with my magic equipment! But it seems useless here since the enemies mainly use ranged attacks. I'll just follow Galahad's instructions obediently.

VIT 29.

I am getting stronger, right? My INT is barely in the triple digits, but my other stats, except for AGI, are too low. I'm not just here to surprise Ruba with my silver ingots from the Water Dragon, am I? (far-off look)

"We'll probably stay overnight in the dungeon from the 11th floor."

It seems there's a superstition that the drop rate increases the longer you stay in the dungeon, and many adventurers follow this, even if they don't fully believe it.

"Let's go then!"

As everyone got on the plate, Galahad activated it, and the formation glowed, turning the view white. It costs 100,000 silver, but there's no choice in this situation.

《Announcement: The 10th floor boss of the dungeon, 'Three Orcs,' has been solo defeated by Akira.》

Oh, Akira with red hair and Percival are also in the dungeon.

Still, there are a lot of redheads around me. The Flame King's party is probably the one raising the ratio.

Is Percival always being summoned to defeat the boss? Come to think of it, we meet up through emails, but I've never used Galahad's party partner summoning ability. Well, there's no need to.

While thinking about this, I followed Galahad's back.

The 11th floor cave is covered with moss here and there, giving it a different atmosphere from the 10th floor, which was just rocks. The air is occasionally refreshed, making the environment better than the 10th floor.

【Thread】can now handle longer threads up to level 30 and has learned 'Disappearance' and 'Detection.' 'Disappearance' makes the thread invisible, and before this, I used dark threads in dark places and brown threads in forests, but it's much easier now. The thread's presence also 'disappears' according to the level of 【Presence Dilution】.

'Detection' allows me to know what the thread touches.

Presence detection lets me know if there's an enemy around a corner, but with 【Thread】's 'Detection,' I can even know what kind of enemy it is. However, I can only identify what I know. So, I can't tell what the enemy is around the next corner.

"A fat humanoid with a bow, what kind of enemy is that?"

"It's probably a Snaga here."

"A smaller type of Orc. They're weaker but smarter and always move in groups of two or more. Some can use basic magic."

"There are probably two Snaga archers and two Goblins around the next corner."

"I can sense four presences, but you can even tell the types?"

Eagle asks, but is 【Thread】 an assassin's skill? I can't explain the assassin's skills. It might not be a dedicated skill, but it's better not to say.

"I have a skill like that."

"Having 【Mana Detection】 would be useful when the enemy doesn't have a physical form, like a wraith."

"There's also 【Spirit Sense.】 Oh!"

While talking, we turned the corner and started the battle. As expected, the enemies were as predicted.

"‘Wings of Darkness,’ I'd rather not use it."

I summoned 【Black Radiance】. Even if it's not necessary, I'm told to summon it and level up to 31 to increase my defense and options. The time to summon the next one decreases as the level increases.

But it's huge!?

The 【Black Radiance】 that appeared seems to have grown so much that I can't handle it. Is it because of the 【Gods' Mark】 or the 'Tasha White Leaf Hat'?

"No good against ghosts?"

Galahad laughed and deflected a dagger thrown by a High Goblin with his sword, then charged at the enemy.

"I don't particularly want to meet them. ‘Haste.’"

‘Haste’ is a time magic level 20 spell that increases the target's speed for a certain period. It can also be a defensive measure by slowing down the enemy or reducing their attack power, so I decided to level up 【Wood Magic】 and 【Time Magic】 for now, as they have many status effect spells. I also plan to level up 【Druid Magic】 which might have status effects.

"‘Haste’ is great. It's faster than a cleric's buff."

Eagle, under the effect of ‘Haste,’ deflected an arrow with his sword and cut down a Snaga. These two are still fighting in a specialized way, with defined roles, unlike the integrated attack and defense style of specialized players.

"The effect time is short, though."

"We don't have a dedicated healer, so we go for a quick attack."

While saying this, Camilla also cast a spell.

The flames Camilla cast burned the Snaga that Galahad and Eagle attacked, leaving two High Goblins. My level increased after defeating the Snaga. I got 3 skill points! No, something seems off with my stat increase... Is it because I'm level 35? Do stats increase significantly at multiples of 5? Or is it the effect of 【Favor】? Well, it's fine as long as they increase.

The level 20 spell consumes 90 MP, so I'm only casting it on Galahad and Eagle for now. I could mix in attack spells to recover MP with 【Attack Recovery and Mana】 but that would attract all the enemy's attention, so I'm holding back. I don't want to break the pattern where they attack, and Camilla follows up with area spells to finish off the remaining enemies, so I'm just taking potions. I also realized that I don't need to use attack recovery right now.

This time, I'm equipped with a staff and threads. Thanks to 【Non-Verbal Casting】, one staff is enough, and I'm focusing on using 【Thread】 for detection.

The 11th floor is going smoothly. If there are four or fewer enemies, I cast ‘Haste’ on the two of them. If there are more than four, I cast ‘Slow’ on all the enemies. If there are fewer, I use 【Wood Magic】 spells like ‘Poison Grass’ and ‘Enchant’ to level up. ‘Enchant’ is used on me since I can't tell what attribute the Snaga has and it doesn't affect the battle.

‘Rose Cage’ is a spell I haven't used in front of others, but I want to level up 【Wood Magic】. At level 20, it has a movement restriction effect and continuous damage, but it's a dangerous spell that can be used for bondage, seduction, or comedy depending on the situation.

"Ouch!"

Still, attacks can come. The Snaga's bow is powerful, and the arrows are iron with barbs, dealing significant HP damage.

However, the High Goblins' daggers have status effects, making them more troublesome, so Galahad and Eagle prioritize defending against them. My 【Pain Resistance】 skill is still weak, so I need to recover quickly.

Sometimes Snaga cast Fireballs, but with their low INT, the arrows are more painful.

In addition to Snaga and High Goblins, snakes and spiders appear individually. They have high attack power and HP, but Galahad and Eagle handle them, so I'm not worried.

The 12th floor goes smoothly, but on the 13th floor, High Goblins disappear and some Snaga with shields start to appear. The deeper the floor, the higher the enemy level, and even the same Snaga with bows can use new skills.

The 14th floor has Snaga with shields, bows, and maces, and High Goblins with healing abilities. The shield Snaga protect the healers, making them a bit tricky.

Every time I use 【Black Radiance】, I think:

Wouldn't it be amazing if I could use attack spells? I want to secretly try it on a boss. I haven't mentioned the existence of 【Bedroom Techniques】 and 【Asha's Peeping Guide】 because of the titles and skills, but if I go to a level that doesn't match, I should probably do it, even though I don't want to be found out.

"You don't need to heal so often, right?"

"I'd like to say, 'Are you trying to conserve MP?'"

"Can I ask how much MP you have?"

MP not decreasing is suspicious, so he asks.

"4000."

"Huh?"

"You have as much as me at this level!?"

"Aren't you a magic swordsman!?"

"Ouch!"

Even against lower-level enemies, it's not good to be distracted during battle.

My INT and MP are increased by the 'Tasha White Leaf Hat,' and further boosted by the 'Verna White Night Robe.' With the equipment, my MP exceeds 4000. The Tasha hat seems to increase MP proportionally to the increase in INT.

A magic potion that recovers MP by a percentage, 3% per use, recovers 120 MP.

I realize I'm fully recovered while moving. It seems I don't need to attack to recover.

I wonder if this equipment is meant for when I learn spells that use 500 MP. The most MP-consuming spell I know now is a level 25 spell that uses 120 MP.

"Don't worry, I also think this is a bit strange."

"Is it okay to be reassured?"

While recovering, I honestly answered, and Eagle pointed out the inconsistency.

"Can you explain a bit to the ladies after we defeat the next boss and take a break at the resting area?"

"…If you promise not to laugh, I'll show you my stats and equipment."

"Is there a reason to laugh?"

"I'm trying to look away and use polite language."

I don't like showing only part of my stats and equipment, but I don't want to reveal 【Bedroom Techniques】 and 【Asha's Peeping Guide】 at this point.

"Hehe, let's clear it quickly and expose Homura's secrets."

"Yeah! Let's go!"

"Don't get too excited and trip over your feet."

Despite the warning, Eagle seems to be enjoying it.

After that, we rushed to the boss room.

Camilla's magic is more ruthless than Galahad's.

The 15th floor boss is a blue-skinned, golden-eyed 【Blood Combat Ogre】.

A melee-type boss that is fast.

But it's fast.