Chapter 61

The next day, Seiki descended to the 10th floor with Kuren. Since it was Saturday, Shuon, who was in charge of Kuren's development, couldn't leave the store.

This was a good opportunity.

To resolve some of the questions up to this point, Seiki took out the status board.

"Kuren, was the magic you used yesterday lightning?"

"Um, I think so."

"When did you start being able to use it?"

"A while ago. I practiced a lot, and then I could do it."

"Hmm."

Seiki placed his right hand on his chin.

I thought it was a blessing...

"Ever since the blessing appeared, I've been able to use magic outside the dungeon. So, I tried various things with magic at the hotel, and I could do it."

"Oh, that's great news."

Kuren can now use magic outside. Just that alone significantly reduces the drawbacks of magic.

It's a wonderful change.

"...Why did you show your magic to Shuon?"

"That's..."

In response to Seiki's question, Kuren hesitated.

Something bad must have happened.

Kuren's face slightly distorted.

Still,

"Can't it be a secret...?"

She refused to explain.

There must have been some issue.

An issue significant enough for Kuren, who never uses magic in front of others, to use it.

But it's already water under the bridge.

However, if the situation is explained now, it might bring up the issue again.

That's why she kept silent.

From Kuren's wry smile, Seiki inferred as much.

If so, there's no need to press her.

"Understood."

Seiki nodded without prying further.

Even as a team member, there's no need to know everything.

It's fine to have some secrets.

Seiki swiped the skill board to display Kuren's tree.

Kuren Kurosaki (18) Gender: Female

Skill Points: 4

Evaluation: Spirit Hammerer

Blessing: Human <?????>

- Vitality

Stamina 1

Natural Recovery 1

- Strength

Strength 1

- Magic

Magic 3

Magic Aptitude 2

Magic Manipulation 3

Change <Lightning> 0 → 1 NEW

- Agility

Explosive Power 0

Dexterity 1 → 2

- Technique

Weapon Proficiency

Blunt 1

Light Armor 1

- Intuition

Detection 1

- Special

Luck 1

Blessing 1

"Wow... it's branching out."

This confirms that Kuren's magic is lightning.

The name 'Change' suggests that she manipulates magic to transform it into lightning.

"Hey, Kuren. You get stronger by increasing your blessing, but is it okay if I do it?"

"That's true."

Kuren's eyes widened in surprise.

However,

"Sorry, can I keep it like this for a while?"

Seiki, who expected her to say 'go ahead,' felt taken aback.

"Can I ask why?"

"I just want to level up on my own for a bit longer. I might end up relying on you soon, though..."

"Using the board, you can get stronger quickly."

"If I get power without effort, I won't know how much effort it takes to get that power. Plus, if I take it easy now, I might not be able to work hard later. It might already be too late."

A slightly more resilient light shone in Kuren's eyes than before.

Seiki's lips curved into a smile.

"I see."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. If you want to develop your skills, let me know."

"Thank you!"

Seiki thought she had changed.

Striving to get stronger through her own efforts.

By saying this, it's clear that Kuren's greed for leveling up hasn't diminished at all.

What has changed is her approach to getting stronger.

Perhaps she changed after combining her strength with the 9th floor boss.

Or maybe because Shuon considered her as a sponsorship candidate.

By increasing her blessing on the skill board, Kuren would undoubtedly get stronger.

And quickly.

But the experience of hard work will be useful when she's cornered or faces a wall.

And she won't misjudge the amount of power she has.

Kuren's answer was unexpected, but her goal is welcome.

Seiki welcomed her decision with a smile.

"Then let me see your efforts right away!"

"---Hii!"

Seiki moved nimbly, and Rare launched potatoes, pulling in the large army of Lutz one after another. Kuren squeezed out a voice from the back of her throat.

Still, she kept casting magic without fainting, perhaps because the situation left her no choice.

Seiki, who has a higher base level, let Kuren handle almost all the Lutz.

Leading a half-crying Kuren, Seiki searched for the stairs to the 11th floor.

The location of the stairs from the middle floors varies by dungeon.

They might be by the wall or in the center of the floor.

Not all dungeons have a single middle floor.

Indeed, the only way to efficiently explore the middle floors is through thorough mapping.

Seiki predicted that the stairs would be by the wall and advanced along the wall, but couldn't find them.

It seems the stairs leading down are somewhere other than by the wall.

The overgrown vegetation made it impossible to see the stairs from a distance.

Seiki pushed through the grass, which was waist-high, as he advanced.

After defeating Lutz for a while, he discovered a particularly large Lutz under a particularly large tree.

It was about 5 meters long and 1 meter in diameter.

"Looks like a boss."

"Finyu..."

As soon as she saw the boss, Kuren collapsed.

I don't want to see any more Lutz!

Such a voice seemed to echo.

Kuren had been in continuous battles up to this point.

To be safe, he decided to let her rest for the boss battle.

With short swords in both hands, he closed the distance quickly.

Rara, on his back, launched potatoes.

They hit the boss, but the boss deflected them.

Rara's throwing skill, enhanced by the blessing, had more power than its skill level.

Yet, it had no effect on the boss.

The reason no damage was dealt is that Lutz has high resistance to impact weapons.

Still, the impact was felt.

The boss, having been hit by the potato, targeted Seiki.

However, due to its large size, its movements were sluggish.

It was easy for Seiki to dodge the boss.

Seiki delved deep into his consciousness.

He concentrated and focused.

Suddenly, light appeared before his eyes.

Seiki circled around to the boss's back and selected a light orb.

He found a few orbs of light that didn't disappear.

He slid his short swords into them.

"Boooom!!"

The boss made the air vibrate with its mouth.

It writhed several times.

Seiki dodged the massive body and cut it into pieces.

"...It's light."

The resistance was light.

The light orbs Seiki targeted were visualized weaknesses, a new skill he had obtained—Weakness Perception.

Aiming at these weaknesses, his blade cut through the flesh without resistance.

When he cut the lizardman, he felt more resistance...

"This might dull my skills."

Naturally, the technique of targeting weaknesses is necessary.

But with Weakness Perception, the key is precision rather than skill.

Seiki could visualize all the positions of the weaknesses.

He could also predict and remember the movements of the opponent.

For Seiki, hitting the weaknesses wasn't particularly difficult.

Just observing, remembering, predicting, and practicing.

If he could cut this well, his short sword skills might become lax.

If he aims to improve, it might be better not to rely on Weakness Perception.

"Mr. Aokaze..."

Kuren approached with a serious face, pressing her lips.

"Um, how did you cut a torso about a meter wide with a blade about 40 centimeters long? Is it a new skill like a blade of wind?"

"Hmm, no, it's a normal attack. The principle is similar to splitting bamboo."

"Normal..."

The weakness Seiki targeted this time was like a gap in the fibers.

By inserting the blade into this gap, the fibers separated.

When you insert a machete into the tip of a bamboo, it splits to the center.

Seiki imagines a similar phenomenon is occurring.

Still, he's not sure if this is the correct principle.

A side effect of quickly increasing his blessing on the skill board, Seiki hasn't fully mastered his skills yet.

He can use the power.

But it doesn't feel like his own.

Until now, he only allocated 1 point at a time, so he didn't notice.

He was too focused during the battle with the lizardman to realize.

When you allocate more than 2 points, the gap between reality and perception becomes this significant...

"What do you mean by 'normal'?"

His power still hasn't settled, and he clenched and opened his hand. Beside him, Kuren, with a strained face, muttered something philosophical.

After a long struggle, the boss finally died.

The floor flickered, and a staircase appeared under the large tree.

"Wow..."

Seiki's eyes sparkled at the newly appeared staircase.

Imagining what lies ahead, he couldn't sit still.

His body felt a warm heat.

"Let's go."

"Yes!"

Seiki, excited about the adventures to come, was followed by Kuren, who was relieved to escape the Lutz's curse.

* * *

The 11th floor had almost the same landscape as the 10th floor.

But as soon as they descended, an unpleasant atmosphere enveloped Seiki.

"...We're being watched."

He expanded his detection, but couldn't sense any monsters nearby.

Looking into the distance, he could see the grass moving here and there.

The distance was about 1 kilometer.

The monsters on this floor were aware of Seiki and Kuren from 1 kilometer away.

The monsters on this floor seem to have highly developed senses.

—Being watched from a distance!

—What a wonderful place!!

He wanted to greet each and every monster!

Seiki flared his nostrils, excited by the monsters' gazes.

Trying to calm himself, Seiki activated the gate and started searching for monsters.

Then, a monster approached Seiki from the front with a confident stride.

"...Not a stealth type?"

Seiki was slightly disappointed, thinking it would be a stealth type.

But he couldn't afford to let his guard down.

From the other side of the grass, a bear-like humanoid, Chacha, appeared.

Chacha means "old man" in Ainu.

It was named after the bear being called "old man" in Ainu folklore.

It's a cute name, but don't underestimate it.

The brown bear is the strongest combatant on Japanese land.

Its sharp claws can pierce oil drums, and its arm strength can decapitate a human with a single slap.

It can run at 50 km/h and has endurance.

Its sense of smell is several times better than a dog's, allowing it to track prey for kilometers.

Its tough fur and subcutaneous fat reduce all attacks.

Even bullets are ineffective unless they hit a vital spot.

The opponent is a highly combat-capable brown bear humanoid.

Despite the cute name Chacha, Seiki didn't let his guard down at all.

As Chacha approached, Seiki drew his short swords and closed the distance.

Then, he struck.

The short swords and claws clashed.

* Apology and Correction

Seiki's statement, "Being watched from a distance!" is his personal impression and not entirely factual.

Here, we apologize and correct Seiki's misunderstanding.

Seiki "isn't" being watched.

Unfortunately, it's only natural...