Chapter 9

"Ah, finally max level."

I had just finished a couple of laps on the 75th floor boss, Red Crow, when my Phantom Dodge skill reached level 25 and the display changed to LV.max.

Skills seem to cap at 25, don't they?

But 25 is a bit of an awkward number, isn't it?

"Quaa~"

While I was thinking about this, Kuu, who was around my neck, finally woke up.

"Good morning, Kuu. You really do sleep a lot, don't you?"

Since Kuu joined me, he's only been awake about a third of the time.

If there are three days, he usually sleeps for about two days, wrapped up like a scarf.

Well, the grinding here is done, so let's head to the 76th floor, shall we?

For a regular dungeon, around 100 floors is the norm.

If that's the case, we have 25 more floors to go, let's push through.

When I get back to the surface, I want to eat sushi first.

I'm starting to get tired of eating nothing but monster meat all the time.

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

'Ice Planet'

A massive ice mass crushed the monsters mercilessly with a loud rumble.

I defeated the boss on the 99th floor.

The 99th floor boss was a pattern where 50 skeletal knights charged in formation.

Of course, there were also skeletons using magic from the back.

Normally, this would be a tough battle.

However, I changed my fighting style to focus on magic.

I decided to counter quantity with quantity.

Well, in my case, it's more about quality.

But recently, I've been thinking.

Focusing on magic makes it feel like I'm playing a turn-based social game.

In other words, the battles have become even more boring.

So, I think I'll switch to an all-rounder type that can handle both magic and close combat.

After picking up the boss drop, I checked my status as usual.

[Status]

Name: Aikawa Hotaru

Title: Number 1

Skills: Passive > Super Dynamic Vision LV.max

Early Maturity LV.max

Magic Power LV.max

Active > Interdimensional Appraisal LV.6

Item Box LV.max

Phantom Dodge LV.max

Shape Manipulation LV.4

Magic: Water Magic LV.12

Ice and Snow Magic LV.10 (Symbiosis)

Equipment: Armor Spirit Cold Fox

My skill and magic levels increased significantly from fighting on floors 76 to 99.

I think this is because the deeper the floor, the more experience points I get.

Water Magic went up 3 levels to LV.12, Ice and Snow Magic went up 4 levels to LV.10, Interdimensional Appraisal went up 1 level to LV.6, and Shape Manipulation went up 3 levels to LV.4.

[Water Magic]

Water Sorcerer Clear (NEW)

Water Jet Whip (NEW)

Water Floor

Water Bullet

Water Bind

Wave Water

Water Healing

Water Moon

Water Light Sword

Ocean (NEW)

[Ice and Snow Magic]

Snow Area

Ice Sword Double

Ice Shield

Ice Thorn

Ice Chain

Instant Freeze

Black Burn (NEW)

Hail (NEW)

Ice Planet (NEW)

Ice Crystal (NEW)

In Water Magic, I learned one new spell, and two existing spells changed.

First, Ocean.

This spell generates a vast amount of water.

Even with Shape Manipulation, it's difficult to control such a large amount of water, so it's a bit tricky to use.

Then, "Water Sorcerer" changed to "Water Sorcerer Clear."

It seems the water became even more delicious.

As usual, it's not very useful in battle.

However, the spell name became unusually long and hard to use.

Out of curiosity, I tried saying just "Clear," and it worked perfectly.

It seems the change allowed for spell abbreviation.

Next, "Water Jet Whip."

Like Clear, the quality of the spell changed.

Previously, it was just a spell that shot about 1L of water forcefully.

Now, it can be held and used like a whip without disappearing.

However, it's still a bit tricky to use.

In Ice and Snow Magic, I learned four new spells.

"Black Burn" creates invisible ice on the ground to trip up enemies.

"Hail" can only be used when Snow Area is active, and it rains hail over a wide area, dealing area-of-effect damage.

"Ice Crystal" turns the target into a very hard crystal.

It can be undone at will.

While similar to Instant Freeze, this spell makes it much harder to destroy the target.

The significant increase in my magic and Shape Manipulation levels wasn't just due to battles; practicing during breaks and before bed also helped.

For Water Magic, I practiced by forming a Water Light Sword in my palm and changing its shape, and now I can easily form simple shapes like circles and squares.

For Ice and Snow Magic, I practiced by forming Ice Sword Double in both hands and changing them into shapes like scythes and axes to level up.

With more practice, I think I can create more complex shapes.

Next is the 100th floor.

However, the boss battle might start immediately when I go down.

I think this will be the final floor.

Considering that, I want to level up Shape Manipulation a bit more.

Alright, let's go back to the 96th floor, take a break, and then grind this floor range!

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

"Finally, I did it!"

I couldn't help but shout out in triumph.

I'm currently in the resting area on the 96th floor.

There, I finally managed to form an ice rose in my palm, something I had been wishing for.

"About a month, I did a great job!"

Indeed, for about a month, I repeatedly grinded floors 96 to 99 and practiced Shape Manipulation every day.

I really did a great job.

For now, the only use is that it looks beautiful when I look at it.

Eventually, I'll make it useful in battle!

Well, since I've achieved my goal, let's head to the 100th floor and take on the boss battle!

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

'Ice Planet Rose'

A massive ice rose, with a huge mass, crushed a large group of skeletal knights with a loud rumble, and then the ice rose scattered beautifully.

"Yeah, it was worth the effort. It's a really beautiful spell. I wish I could share it with someone."

When I get back, I'll show it to my sister.

Then, from the remains of the ice rose, a blue-glowing monster stood up unharmed.

"Ga, ga"

That monster was the skeletal knight I just defeated.

However, it was different from the other monsters; its bones were black and glowed blue.

A unique individual.

Then, the black skeleton flickered.

Suddenly, a skeleton with a raised arm appeared next to me.

I instinctively blocked the attack with my arm but was sent flying a few meters.

At first, I didn't understand what had happened.

"Ouch!"

Then, pain shot through my arm.

No way, no way.

It hurts so much.

Even with my Super Dynamic Vision, I could only see the attack at the moment it hit.

Moreover, my arm is numb.

That blue light, it must be a lightning attribute.

Still, it's fast.

What should I do?

Then, the black skeleton flickered again.

'Black Burn'

I instantly created an invisible ice floor on the ground.

The black skeleton slipped on the ice and fell forward.

"Black skeleton, that was a reckless attack. I'm also a speed type. Even if you're faster than me now, I have countermeasures. Don't underestimate gamers."

I was shaken the first time I was attacked, but now I'm calm.

I used magic again on the black skeleton, who was still trying to get up.

'Ice Thorn'

From my feet, an ice floor spread out and ice thorns pierced the black skeleton's body, which was full of holes.

Without hesitation, I used another spell.

'Instant Freeze'

I froze the black skeleton instantly through the ice floor.

I walked over to the frozen black skeleton and canceled Black Burn.

"Phew, that really hurt. But I realized again that this is a fantasy world. I don't want to feel pain anymore, but I experienced the thrill of battle for the first time, and I'm grateful for that. See you, thanks."

Saying that, I tapped the black skeleton's skull with my finger and shattered it.

Then, a completely plain black treasure chest appeared.

"Wow, a rare drop. Since the unique individual was quite strong, I'm looking forward to what's inside."

I muttered this while healing my arm with Water Healing.

It was the first time I used a healing spell on myself, and I couldn't help but smile at the scene.

This is it.

This is what dungeon exploration should be like.

After confirming that the pain in my arm was gone, I reached for the treasure chest.

Inside was a black flintstone gem, with a blue aura-like glow in the center.

Wait, this shape of gem...

[Result]

Name: Spirit Sealing Stone (Black)

Description: A gem containing a spirit. To release it, a door is required.

I knew it!

When I held the gem, it glowed even more.

At that moment, electricity ran through my body.

"Pon!"

"Pon" is so cute.

There was a small raccoon standing on two legs, black overall with a white belly.

The raccoon said "Pon!" and waddled over to me.

"Alright, let me appraise you first."

"Pon!"

I pet the raccoon's head and appraised it.

[Status]

Race: Armor Spirit Thunder Raccoon

Name:

Contractor: Aikawa Hotaru

Skills: Passive > Symbiosis

Active > Armorization (Clothing: Top and Bottom)

Magic: Lightning Magic LV.5

"Wow, you have a charming spell like Lightning Magic!"

"Pon!"

The raccoon pushed its belly out even more, as if to say, "How about that?"

Still, it's unique to have Lightning Magic instead of Thunder Magic.

"I'm your contractor, Aikawa Hotaru. Nice to meet you."

"Pon!"

When I held out my hand, the raccoon gently placed its small black hand on mine.

"Alright, let's decide on a name. I don't have a talent for naming, so don't expect too much."

The raccoon made a face like, "Oh well."

"Hmm, how about we make it similar to Kuu? Since you say 'Pon,' how about 'pon' in hiragana?"

"Pon!"

Pon nodded vigorously with its small head.

"Alright, can you try armorizing?"

"Pon!"

When Pon said "Pon," it gradually grew to my size, then tapped its belly.

"Are you telling me to put myself in there?"

"Pon!"

Pon spread its arms wide, as if to say, "Go ahead."

I decided to go for it and pushed myself into the belly.

Then, it felt as if Pon wasn't there at all.

Huh?

Where did Pon go?

"Pon!"

I heard a sound from my belly.

Looking at my outfit, I saw that my familiar tracksuit had changed to a sporty black top and bottom.

"Wow, this is what Pon looks like when armorized!"

When I moved my body, it felt very flexible.

It felt like my movements were constantly assisted.

"Pon, you're amazing! This makes my body move so easily! But, since you're an armor spirit, does this outfit have high defense too?"

"Pon..."

Pon made a sound as if to say, "I'm sorry."

No way, the defense is still paper-thin.

"Well, just being able to move so easily is a big help, so don't be so down."

"Pon"

"Looking forward to working with you!"

"Pon!"

Saying that, I got motivated. Since the boss hasn't respawned yet, I decided to test out the Lightning Magic.

Here are the spells I can use.

[Lightning Magic]

Lightning Palm Strike

Discharge

Magnetic Force

Thunderbolt

Electric Speed

Lightning Magic is generally more focused on offense compared to Thunder Magic.

"Lightning Palm Strike" seems to have a paralysis effect when striking with a palm.

"Discharge" is a single-target attack spell that discharges a directional purple lightning.

It has some penetration power and a fast attack speed, so it seems quite useful.

"Magnetic Force" is a spell that applies magnetism to the target.

Depending on how it's used, it could be quite effective.

"Thunderbolt" drops a high-damage lightning bolt from above the target.

It's effective against tough targets, but there's a slight delay after use.

And "Electric Speed."

This is the spell the black skeleton used.

It seems to turn the user into electricity and move to a desired location at the speed of electricity.

I have no idea how it works, but it's a true fantasy spell.

Additionally, it's very easy to use and will be very useful in the future.

So, the respawn time is approaching, so I stepped down the stairs to the 100th floor.