Chapter 4

Today's goal is to confirm the effect of "Helmet Splitter." In the morning, I will observe without the cart, as it would be a waste if I can't cut through that shell. Yesterday, the remaining magic power in my sword was down to four uses, so I replenished it with magic stones.

Yesterday's battle alone consumed three sets and eight uses, a little over two magic stones, and twenty-two silver coins. I really need to recover the legs.

The crab was in the same spot as yesterday.

Where do they come from?

I started the battle with the same strategy as yesterday. However, the status effect didn't kick in easily. In the end, the sword's magic power ran out without it ever taking effect. I hurriedly replenished and resumed the fight, but this time I was killed instantly.

I couldn't test "Helmet Splitter."

To recover the legs, I activated "Helmet Splitter" and swung my sword. The shell shattered with a squishy sound.

Yes! It worked.

I managed to cut through after a few swings. Midway through, I felt dizzy and could only recover three legs before the corpse disappeared. It seems "Helmet Splitter" consumes stamina.

I collected the magic stones and carried the legs on both shoulders as I left the area. Unfortunately, I couldn't carry all three.

I sold two legs at the commercial guild attached to the adventurer's guild and bought two magic stones to replenish my weapon's magic. I also borrowed a cart for the afternoon challenge. The guild lent it to me for free, of course, but I would have to pay for any damage.

I realized my level had reached ten, and I had gained the "Stamina Recovery (1)" skill.

Hmm, what exactly are skills?

Skills that wouldn't be known without the "Recognition" skill. Skills that could be lived without knowing. Skills that the town ladies use in their daily lives, like starting a fire, freezing ingredients, creating wind to sweep away dust, and using earth magic to till the fields.

In the afternoon, I ventured into the dungeon again. This time, I moved with the cart. The sound of the wheels echoed in the quiet dungeon, making it noisy.

It's not a bear bell, so this will just attract enemies.

I left the cart in a random spot and headed to the morning's location.

It wasn't there. The legs I left behind seemed to have been eaten, with only the shells remaining.

Things don't go as smoothly as you hope.

I started exploring cautiously. After wandering for about five minutes, I found a similar room.

"..."

The crab was stuck in this room too.

How do they get in? Really, these things. Is this the default in dungeons? There are indeed huge monsters like dragons in the deeper parts of the dungeon. Considering the size of the dungeon's entrance, it's a mystery how they get in.

I got it! I won't think about it.

I think this kind of trivia was in my Bible. I'll check it when I go back home. For now, I need to focus on exploring.

I started the battle. This time, it started with poison, then plague, and finally petrification.

If it petrifies, I can't recover the legs!

I managed to collect the magic stones without issue but was disheartened. Without extra income, I won't be able to pay for tomorrow's lodging.

I rolled the cart and searched for the next spot.

This time, it was in the hallway.

Oh no, it's probably stuck again, I thought carelessly. It seemed to have noticed the cart's sound and was on guard. The blinding incense wouldn't work now.

I left the cart and quickly retreated to put some distance between us. I hid and observed. I activated the "Recognition" skill to peek from the shadows and repeatedly checked if the crab's guard was down.

After about ten minutes, it finally relaxed.

I burned the incense and rolled it on the ground.

Since it's not a closed space, the effect might be weaker. In a small area, it lasts about thirty minutes, but in a large area, it might only last a few minutes. Either way, it will take time.

I cautiously approached, ensuring there were no other enemies around.

"Helmet Splitter!"

I aimed the first strike at the front leg with the pincers. It successfully embedded in the shell. I thought I had it, but the next moment, I deeply regretted it.

The sword got stuck and wouldn't come out. It was the "Annoyance Sword."

If it gets stuck, I can't apply status effects!

I quickly drew the sword from my waist and struck the same spot with "Helmet Splitter" again. The leg and the sword fell to the ground.

I reached for the fallen "Annoyance Sword."

Suddenly, everything went white.

I was thrown back and slammed into the hard floor.

It felt like I had been hit hard on the head with a blunt object. Pain shot through my body.

Looking up, I saw the crab wildly swinging its large pincers. It must have hit me. It seems I took a clean hit through my helmet.

I tried to get up, but my legs wouldn't move. The shock to my brain had paralyzed my motor nerves.

"Damn!"

I need to get up quickly.

The pincers swung down again.

The floor next to me caved in, and debris of stone bricks and soil rained down on me.

I twisted my body and rolled away. I rolled to the corner and drank a recovery potion.

The headache slowly subsided, and strength returned to my legs.

I got up, adjusted my stance, and took deep breaths. I cautiously approached from a low position and retrieved the "Annoyance Sword."

The pincers flew at me again, piercing the floor.

This thing! Can it see me?

Its mandibles clicked busily, and the furry feelers around its mouth trembled. Its compound eyes stared at me expressionlessly.

I circled around to the opposite side of the pincers and approached to cut the leg. The status effect didn't activate when I needed it most. As the sword's magic power ran out, the crab spun its body, swinging its pincers to the maximum.

"Ah!"

I blocked the pincers with my sword. The sword flew to where the cart was, and I was slammed into the wall, losing consciousness.

When I came to, the crab was gone, leaving only the front leg.

"Did the instant death effect activate?"

The magic stones were also gone. I loaded the remaining front leg onto the cart and left the dungeon.

After all that, only one leg...

I hung my head in contrast to the morning's success.

When I returned to the inn, an unwanted post-mortem began in my head. Even if I tried not to think about it, bad memories kept resurfacing.

I should have run when it became alert. Using "Helmet Splitter" with the "Annoyance Sword" was ridiculous. I should have used my own sword. That sword has an attack power of one. Am I an idiot? The carelessness was too much. Without that, I wouldn't have wasted time. Fighting in that spot was a mistake. Using the terrain is a fundamental rule in combat.

As I lay exhausted, looking at the ceiling, I suddenly realized that if the instant death effect hadn't activated, I would be dead by now.

I felt a chill run down my spine and pulled the blanket over my head. No matter how tightly I wrapped myself, the shaking wouldn't stop.

"What do I do... After paying for tomorrow's lodging, I'll have no money left."

I'm caught up in the reserved posting settings. I've reserved a week's worth.

I'll keep revising the text as needed.

Even if I think it's fine, issues keep coming up.