Chapter 24

A few minutes later.

We encountered a Rock Golem (Recommended Level: 27). We defeated it using the same method as the Bound Skeleton, and Shuna's level increased to 24.

However, one issue arose here.

"Sorry, Zeros. I've almost run out of MP with that..."

"It's okay, I bought potions for just such a situation. Here."

As I handed Shuna the potion, I reorganized the current situation.

The MP consumption of skills varies slightly depending on the level and various stats, but with Shuna's current status, she consumes 75 MP for a Magic Missile with holy attribute. Currently, Shuna's maximum MP, including the increase from leveling up, is 168. The regular potion we bought this time restores 100 MP per use, totaling 268 MP.

Considering the characteristics of the boss here, I want to ensure that with the maximum MP plus potion usage, we can attack at least four times, including as a safety measure. In other words, a total of 300 MP—Shuna needs to have at least 200 MP before leveling up. The target for this is level 30.

As I thought this, Shuna finished drinking the potion.

"Thank you, Zeros. I can still fight with this."

"Yeah, let's keep going at this pace."

After confirming our current status and taking a short break, we resumed our exploration.

After that, we continued exploring for a few hours. We took appropriate breaks and used potions regularly to avoid running out of MP. As a result, my level and Shuna's level had risen to 27 and 26, respectively.

It's a pretty smooth pace. I nodded with a satisfied smile, and Shuna was surprised each time her level increased.

"It feels like I'm still in a dream. It took several months to level up to 20..."

...A dream, huh. If you think about it, my situation could be described the same way. After being reincarnated into the world of Creon, which I had played extensively in my previous life, and growing steadily, this situation still felt somewhat unreal.

(Well, there's no point in thinking about that.)

After switching my mindset, I decided to use the detection skill at regular intervals.

"Detection"

The detection range is not very wide at skill level 1, but it can still cover a radius of several dozen meters. Thanks to this skill, we were able to find and defeat the only monster so far.

However, this time the situation was a bit different. The number of detections was higher.

Furthermore, there was a more troublesome point—

"Hmm. We're surrounded by a group."

"Huh? Is that okay?"

To Shuna, who looked worried, I reassured her.

"Don't worry. There are five in front, which is a bit more, but only two in the back. With Shuna's remaining MP, you can fire two Sacred Missiles, and we should be able to break through without any problems."

"O-oh, I see. So we don't have to fight a large group, right?"

"...No."

"Huh?"

I recalled the dungeon map from the Creon era and a certain special strategy. If we only consider safety, it would be quicker to retreat and defeat the two in the back, but there should be a small hall ahead. Using the terrain there, we can efficiently defeat specific monsters. And from the current detection results, the ones approaching are the specific monsters in question.

"Since we've come this far and our levels have increased, why don't we wait in the hall ahead and fight?"

"But there are seven of them. I don't have the confidence to escape..."

"It's fine. There's a way to take them all out without taking any risks. Of course, it's up to Shuna..."

No matter which option we choose, time is limited, but I don't want to rush her for an answer. As I waited silently for her response, Shuna looked at her staff and spoke softly.

"‘...’-sama wouldn't retreat here, right?"

"Huh?"

Her voice was too low to hear clearly.

However, it seems Shuna made some kind of resolution. She looked at me with determined eyes and said firmly.

"Alright. Let's go, Zeros."

"Great, it's settled then."

Thus, we decided to face the group of monsters in the hall.

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