Chapter 5

After finishing reading the diary, I dove back into the dungeon’s challenges.

On the 11th floor, the only enemies were berserk boars that charged straight ahead. Such foes were easily defeated by using the Skill: Phantom Dodge. So, I quickly dispatched the boars and used them as practice dummies for my Phantom Dodge.

The berserk boars gradually became more acrobatic as the floors progressed. For example, some moved sideways or jumped, providing me with valuable experience.

Thanks to this, my Phantom Dodge skill level increased to 2, for which I was very grateful.

Originally, skills were hard to level up. I matured faster than usual, growing at 2.2 times the normal rate, but even so, it took a lot of effort to gain just one level.

What a harsh dungeon this is.

Thus, I reached the 16th floor.

Surprisingly, it only took me about a day and a half from the 11th floor to get here. This must be due to my growth. However, since I can't tell the actual time, it's based on my internal clock.

As usual, I saw a resting area as soon as I descended the stairs.

I immediately entered the room, and there was a single single bed.

"Coming in! And I'll take the bed too."

"Hoo hoo."

I sank my tired body into the bed.

"Wait, who's there?!"

"Hoo hoo."

I quickly sat up and looked around the room. In the corner, a gray owl was perched, facing me.

Thinking it might be a monster, I readied my weapon, but it showed no signs of attacking.

After identifying it, I saw the following:

【Status】

Species: Spirit Owl

Level: ?????

Skills: ?????

Magic: ?????

Description: A rarely seen being. It is said that if you give it a gift, it may return the favor depending on its mood.

The identification results were displayed similarly to a monster.

Still, a spirit... that means it's probably much stronger than me.

No! That's not the point!

The description mentions something more important.

A return favor... What should I give it?

While thinking about this, I pet the owl's head. Building good will is important in such situations!

The owl seemed to enjoy it, closing its eyes in contentment. I operated my item box with one hand, searching for a suitable gift. My hand paused on one item.

What's this? I don't recognize it.

After taking it out and checking, I saw:

【Result】

Name: Boar's Gem

Effect: A gem formed inside a digging boar's belly. It is highly pure and has many enthusiasts. Rare drop.

Ah, it's a rare drop from the 10th floor's monster. I hadn't paid much attention to the drops since I was using them as practice dummies.

I brought the gem up to eye level and admired it, but the owl deftly snatched it with its beak.

"Hey, give it back! I really like it. Hey, Mr. Owl!"

The owl gradually faded and disappeared.

"Hey, don't run away! You thief owl! Give it back!"

【Contents】

Spirit Door × 1

Suddenly, the item box screen appeared in my vision. Hmm? Is this the owl's return favor?

After taking it out and checking the details, I saw:

【Result】

Name: Spirit Door

Effect: Allows you to occasionally meet spirits. Slight increase in favor.

The small door soon turned into particles of light and was absorbed into my body.

Hmm, a bit of a mixed feeling.

Being able to meet spirits is cute and nice, but it doesn't seem to match the beautiful gem.

With a slightly troubled heart, I sank back into the bed.

**************************

Good morning, dungeon.

As usual, I washed my body with Rain magic and ate flavorless goblin meat.

Now, let's start the dungeon challenge!

"Wait, this is different!"

No, this isn't what I imagined the dungeon challenge to be! I thought it would involve tough boss battles, skillful combat, and the excitement of finding treasure chests.

But I've never felt any of that!

Moreover, it's already the 50th floor. The 50th floor.

What's this about not being able to learn new skills after the 10th floor?

Yet, with my Super Dynamic Vision and Early Maturity, it's become a cakewalk. No, more like a one-man show.

Casting magic makes the monsters turn to light, and a single swing of my weapon does the same.

It's really different. This isn't the fantasy I was hoping for.

So, let's get to the 50th floor boss battle.

In front of me is a 4-meter-wide and tall, grotesquely large pig, sitting on the ground with fruits in both hands.

The identification results are as follows:

【Status】

Species: Greedy Rich Pig

Level: 70

Skills: Slave Control Lv.max

Throwing Lv.4

Self-Regeneration Lv.3

Earthquake Lv.2

Magic: Summoning Magic Lv.4

What an ugly monster.

The Greedy Rich Pig immediately summoned a large number of small golden pigs. There were about 30 of them.

Let's start the battle.

"Rain"

I cast the water magic Rain, causing rain to fall throughout the room, hindering movement. This magic affects everything in the area, including myself.

However, it's not a problem.

This pig is incredibly slow. Plus, I've been focusing on agility in previous battles, so with my Super Dynamic Vision, the slow pigs look like turtles.

I ran around and slashed the golden pigs with my dagger without hesitation.

The drops left behind were "Golden Pig Meat."

It looks incredibly delicious. So, I quickly dispatched them, and when I defeated one pig, a non-meat item dropped.

【Result】

Sapphire × 1

Wow, a gem! As expected of a greedy rich pig's slave.

Oops, I've already defeated all the golden mini pigs.

Since I don't want to waste MP, I canceled the Rain magic.

The Greedy Rich Pig threw the fruit in its hands. However, the throwing motion was so large that it was obvious where it was going.

I easily dodged and cast a wave of water at its flabby belly. The Greedy Rich Pig screamed and turned into particles of light, disappearing.

The drop that fell was shining.

【Result】

Prime Marbled Pork × 1

Wow, marbled pork!

I can't help but drool. I haven't eaten anything but goblin meat since entering the dungeon.

But, since it's marbled pork, I'd like to have some seasoning. I'll wait until I can get some.

I skipped down to the 51st floor.

"Let's see what's in the resting area here."

I muttered and opened the door.

But there was nothing. Just a square space.

"What, nothing?!"

On the 6th floor, there were kitchen items; on the 11th floor, books and glasses; on the 16th floor, a bed; on the 21st floor, a grill; on the 26th floor, a warm blanket; on the 31st floor, a comfortable pillow; on the 36th floor, soaps; on the 41st floor, paintings; and on the 46th floor, a large amount of cloth. All of these were absorbed into my item box.

Perhaps the ancient heroes ran out of things to place here. Still, with the items I have, I can live comfortably. Thank you, unknown heroes of the past.

So, I thought about going to sleep, but my body wasn't tired yet. I decided to provoke the 51st floor monsters a bit before sleeping.

So, let's set off again!

I hope a new skill comes soon.

******************************

Right now, I'm running with all my might.

"No way, no way, no wayyyyyy!"

I'm running straight to the resting area.

Ew, what a disgusting monster. Physically, I can't handle it.

At first, I was having a bit of trouble with the 51st floor monster, the Beetle, but I was smoothly defeating them. Then, after defeating about five, something happened.

A white, large, and disgusting larva-like monster appeared.

It's a physically impossible form, but as a gamer, I was determined to gain the experience points it offered. Normally, I wouldn't retreat; I'd only move forward.

But there's a reason for this strategic retreat.

This monster is a bad match for me! It has the Skill: Water Magic Resistance and is almost immune to physical attacks!

I have no way to defeat it!

So, I quickly ran into the resting area.

"Ah, a monster with resistance skills finally appeared. Well, I've passed the 50th floor, so it's not surprising. Even the regular Beetle was strong. With more than two types of monsters on one floor... the dungeon's algorithm is probably changing."

I lay down on the bed, slightly slumping my shoulders.

If I had a party, this floor would be easier.

But I've always been alone, both in the past and now. Even in games, I usually play solo.

Well, starting tomorrow, I'll grind the 50th floor to get a new skill. Maybe I can get a new magic spell. I need to be able to use more than two types of magic to avoid getting stuck on future floors.

With these thoughts, I closed my still not very sleepy eyes.