Chapter 86

"Alright, let me see Homura's status, shall I?"

In the transfer point between the boss room and the next floor, the inside is brightly lit with a warm, slightly orange-tinted light that is comforting.

However, with the three of them looking so excited, I can't help but feel uneasy, thinking about all the things that are about to be revealed.

"Hehe, don't be shy, show it to your big sister."

"Alright. But first, 'Heal.'"

After fighting the Ogres, we weren't left unscathed, and I was worried about the slight decrease in HP that hadn't been fully restored. ——This wasn't a time to stall.

"Kyaa, n!"

"Uwoh!"

"……!"

This wasn't a stall.

It was just that I used 'Heal' from level 25 'Holy Magic' when I obtained 'Favor of Fal.'

Their overly flirtatious reactions. Their ears, dyed red.

"Homura~?"

"Homura-kun?"

"Ho-Mu-Ra?"

"Um, I used 'Heal' during the battle... "

I'm scared of the three of them coming at me with flushed cheeks and veins popping.

To understand what had happened, I hurriedly read the description of 'Heal' from 'Holy Magic.' The 'Heal' I learned at level 1 also had a mental recovery effect. I had used the higher-level 'Heal' without reading the description, assuming it would be more effective.

'Heal'... HP recovery, amount based on MID. Additional effects: 'Stamina Recovery' and 'Arousal.'

However, during battles, the additional effect is only 'Stamina Recovery' except in special cases.

* If you have 'Art of Love' from 'Favor of Fal,' 'Fertility' from 'Favor of Dull,' and 'Night's Veil' from 'Favor of Verna,' the additional effects will manifest.

I collapsed to my knees.

What are these special cases!!!

No, that's not the issue.

How is this holy at all?!

This effect, here?!

What kind of light novel is this?!

I want to prostrate myself.

I've already used it on the three of them.

"'Dispel,' sorry. I didn't read the description of 'Heal.'"

It's questionable whether it will work, but I cast 'Dispel' just in case, then removed the mask and the concealment to make the status visible. I checked the option to temporarily reveal the party members' statuses in the menu. This will become invalid when the party is disbanded.

It's incredibly awkward.

Previously, a world announcement mentioned that if the "dimensional space" option was disabled, you would be affected by adult spells like 'Arousal.' If not disabled, they would be replaced with 'Charm' or 'Confusion.' I never thought I would be the one using such spells.

"No, wait. Just looking at the titles is strange."

"They've increased too much since the last time I saw them."

The moment they saw my status, their frowns turned into expressions of shock. I'm glad the topic changed.

"Level 25 'Heal' is clearly for nighttime use."

It was immediately brought up again!

"Shouldn't you be surprised by the Holy Magic first?"

Is this rare?

"Quite impressive."

"There are so many things to comment on just with this."

"The number is abnormal, and the titles are strange, right??"

"There are also a lot of spells, aren't there?"

Yes, I can't even remember them all, and leveling up skills is difficult. I'm staying quiet and obedient after my earlier mistake.

"Maybe we should put this aside for now. Let's finish our planned route and then discuss it."

"We have some leeway if we don't have to map everything out."

We plan to stay overnight at the 25th and 35th floors. The 25th floor is where the dungeon's floors become significantly larger, and the branching routes start from here. However, we have a map from Galahad and the others from the 26th floor onwards, so we can proceed without getting lost. The unpredictable part is the shallow floors we are currently in, up to the 25th floor.

If we can't find the stairs to the next floor and have to explore the entire floor, our schedule will be tight. But it seems they are accommodating me.

"Yeah, we need to let off some steam."

I don't ask what, and 'Dispel' doesn't seem to work. Sorry, sorry.

Thus, the investigation of my status was postponed.

I was forbidden from using level 25 'Heal' even during battles, but I had no intention of using it anyway. Sealed, sealed.

This world reminds me of adult content just when I forget about it. I can't let my guard down.

We took a light meal of thin pitapans with meat and vegetables and some sauce, then set off.

The 5th floor had Orcs, and the 10th floor had three Orcs.

The 20th floor probably has three Ogres, I thought as we moved forward.

The enemies on the 16th floor are poison.

There are mushroom-like things about ten centimeters in size, resembling jellyfish, hidden in the cave moss and rock crevices. They occasionally release spores when you pass by.

"Be careful not to step on them. The poison is stronger than a normal vomit."

These mushroom-like things are called Seidels.

The enemies we encounter are Orcs who use ranged weapons and High Goblins who use magic and healing. They are familiar enemies, and I don't think they have become much stronger, but fighting while being cautious of the ground is nerve-wracking.

I thought Leo would rush in and step all over them, but Peter and Ochazuke skillfully avoid them.

"Inducing the enemies to step on them is also an option, but the ranged weapon users won't come close."

"It's easier to have the enemies step on them and make the fight easier."

"I see."

The terrain is equal for both us and the enemies, but specialized enemies appear. Currently, Seidels are scattered between us and the enemies, who are attacking us with ranged weapons.

I briefly considered using 'Lure' but decided against it because there are multiple groups of enemies that can detect our presence.

"Unfriendly to melee classes!"

While saying this, Galahad and Eagle skillfully avoid the Seidels and run towards the enemies.

There is no delay at all.

I want to test our resistance, but we should focus on training for that. Currently, I'm a "Mage." In the narrow cave, three melee fighters are inefficient, especially with limited footing.

Camilla's positioning seems to anticipate the next area to move to, even with her healing focus.

We have all taken 'Antidote,' but we haven't been affected yet. I'm a bit embarrassed to be the only one to get hit here. I need to be careful not to step on them, and I don't want to be surrounded by Seidels after moving two meters!

I changed the color of the 'Devil's Belt' to white and equipped it. It's not much different at a glance, but it's not the same. However, I can't change it, so I decided to make the best of it.

Thanks to this, my initial VIT deficiency is no longer a concern, and I no longer have a pressing reason to improve my immobilizing spells.

"Since we got VIT equipment from the last boss, I don't think we'll become incapacitated anytime soon. Should I join the attack?"

I thought it would be easier to fight from a distance, so I suggested it.

"We have some leeway up to the 25th floor, so why don't you use this time to level up the spells that are hard to improve without a party? You had a lot of spells, but some were at low levels, right?"

"Sure, sure, I'll do that much."

"We're making good progress with you healing, but please spare us from that 'Heal.'"

Galahad winks while swinging his sword.

"Thank you. And I'd appreciate it if you could forget about that 'Heal.'"

Really, I mean it.

The enemies become significantly stronger from the 25th floor, where the routes branch off.

It might be suggesting that we should spend more time outside the dungeon to level up. I can see mining and gathering points, but I'm holding back. I'll mark them on the map and come back later.

The dungeon's changes are still in the early stages, and I don't think any players can set up permanent barriers yet. We should be fine for a while.

As we get closer to the Seidels, a creature with several vine-like legs hatches and attacks. This creature also spreads mycelium, producing more Seidels as it moves.

"These Seidel Sees are weak, but if you don't take them down quickly, the whole area will be covered in mushrooms."

The hatched ones are called Seidel Sees, with 'See' added to the name.

"Sometimes, the previous party left them, and the walls are covered. It's a hassle, but it's polite to clear them."

I see, we shouldn't inconvenience the next group.

This is the 19th floor, a multi-area where we can encounter other parties. I don't think anyone has reached this far yet. Multi-areas are usually set before the boss floor, probably to encourage players to help each other and share potions.

The three of them, being experienced adventurers, guide me through the dungeon while fighting. Even if I become stronger than them, I think I'll never match their expertise in these areas.

And so, we face the boss.

The boss on the 20th floor is the 'Seidel See Dorn,' a massive mycelium ball.

"Fire will make it spread, so it's strictly forbidden."

"Understood."

Oops, I almost burned it without being told. That would have been dangerous.

I switched to two staves and charged my magic.

I cast 'Haste' on Galahad and Eagle, and 'Haste' on myself and Camilla.

"Thanks!"

"Take out the small ones first."

Galahad and Eagle have already started cutting the mycelium.

There are cocoon-like structures of various sizes entangled in the mycelium. It seems we need to cut the smaller ones first before dealing with the larger ones. The smaller ones spread different status effects, while the larger one casts powerful spells.

I can now equip three weapons since my weapon proficiency is 30, but the power of the off-hand weapon increased only slightly when I reached 25. The two