Chapter 14

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014＿Greater Rat

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Although it's not something to talk about in the dungeon, I told Annelise about the detailed appraisal. My personal information won't be disclosed, so there's no worry about it leaking to others through her.

I don't know Annelise, whom I've only known for a week, well enough to trust her completely, but even without the slave constraints, she wouldn't say anything that would disadvantage me.

What I'm trying to say is, Annelise won't betray me. Even if she weren't a slave, I have this baseless confidence.

"I understand. Your unique skills are the Item Box and Detailed Appraisal. With that in mind, I will assist you to the best of my ability, Master."

Even when she was an old woman, she sometimes made cute gestures, but when she does them in this form, it's dangerous. I might fall for her.

We resumed our dungeon exploration, but Annelise's pace was fast. I used to adjust to her, but this time, she is adjusting to me by walking slower. People really do change.

I'm still the one fighting. It's for my level-up, so it's natural. Plus, with the mithril greatsword, I don't struggle.

After defeating the fifth Greater Rat, my level increased. Since the Greater Rats are only level 2, it's not a simple comparison, but I think I'm leveling up faster than when I was a villager.

After defeating 12 more Greater Rats and moving forward, we reached a dead end.

"Dead end?"

"No, this is the boss room."

What I thought was a stone wall adorned with arabesque carvings turned out to be a door.

As we approached about 2 meters, the door slowly opened. It's like an automatic door.

"Nobody's here. Let's defeat the boss."

It seems the door won't open if someone is inside the boss room.

"Can I defeat it even now?"

"To be honest, Master's combat skills are amateur. I don't think you can defeat it normally."

"O-oh..."

She really is honest, isn't she?

"But, Master, I'm with you. You won't be outmatched by the first floor boss."

That's true. A level 21 mage isn't just for show. But I want to defeat the boss alone.

"I want to defeat the boss alone. Give me advice for that."

"Alone...?"

"Relying on Annelise is easy, but that's not right. I want advice on how to win. Even if it means I need to level up more, that's fine."

"Excellent thinking!"

"Huh? Is it... really?"

Annelise jumps up and down, repeatedly praising me. She's so cute.

"You have the mithril greatsword, and your armor is solid. It will be a tough fight, but I believe Master can defeat the boss. You move fast, so watch carefully and fight."

"Watch carefully, huh?"

"Yes. Master can do it! You will definitely defeat the boss!"

Annelise seems more proactive and energetic since she got younger. Maybe she's just excited to have a younger body again.

What should I do? Should I believe Annelise's enthusiastic words? It's not that I don't trust her, but I'm worried she's too excited.

"Got it. Let's fight the boss!"

"Yes!"

I don't want her to look at me with those sparkling eyes. She's too cute.

When we entered, no one was there. Of course, if someone was there, the door wouldn't have opened.

"Huh? Something's on the floor."

There's something at the back of the room. Is that the boss? No, it's not...

"It seems the explorer who entered before us died."

"Huh?"

"That's what the boss defeated explorer was carrying."

"Really...?"

The body of an explorer defeated by the boss is absorbed by the dungeon, but their items remain.

"I don't think that happens on the first floor, but on higher floors, items left by defeated explorers can change over time, turning weapons and armor into something different."

"Change?"

"Like a steel sword turning into a magic sword."

"Magic sword..."

I think I'm not the only one who wants to get a classic fantasy weapon. I'll get a magic sword someday.

Particles of light rise from the floor.

"The boss is appearing."

I ready my mithril greatsword, preparing for the boss's appearance.

As the particles of light dissipate, a Greater Rat appears.

"It's a Greater Rat."

It looks the same, but it's about twice the size. This is the boss.

Its stats show high AGI. As Annelise said, it's quite fast.

ATK and DEF are much lower than my current stats. I should be able to defeat it with one hit from the mithril greatsword.

I close the distance with the Greater Rat, aiming for a first-strike victory.

"Take this!"

I swung the mithril greatsword, but the Greater Rat jumped to the side and avoided it.

"What!?"

The Greater Rat pounced.

"It's fast!"

I managed to block it with the mithril greatsword, but its speed makes the fight tough.

I focused on getting used to the Greater Rat's movements. Buying the armor was a good decision. A scratch only reduces my HP by 1 or 2 points. I can endure this. Armor is really important.

The scratches are increasing, but I can still endure. I need to get used to its movements and find the right moment to strike. One hit is all I need. I don't need to match its speed.

I hunkered down like a pill bug, waiting for the right moment.

I've gotten used to its movements, but it's still fast. I need to endure and build up my strength for that one hit.

"Master can do it! You will definitely defeat the Greater Rat!"

Annelise cheers me on from the wall. I wish she would cheer in a cheerleader outfit instead of her robe.

No, no. I shouldn't be thinking about that now.

"Hehehe"

I can't help but laugh.

I'm not losing my mind against a stronger Greater Rat. On the contrary, I'm laughing because I have the luxury to think silly thoughts while facing such a strong opponent.

"Master!"

I even have the luxury to look at Annelise waving her hands in support.

I think this luxury comes from the security of knowing Annelise will help if I'm in danger. But I don't intend to rely on her.

I endured and endured, and finally, the moment arrived. All my endurance paid off.

The Greater Rat's movements are repetitive: up, down, down, up, middle, down, up, middle. This is its attack pattern. When I attack or counter, it's different, but when I defend, it follows this pattern.

It's hard to grasp its movements due to its speed, but once I know the pattern, it's easy to deal with.

In the middle of its attack pattern, there's a pause before the middle attack. It seems like it's inviting me, but that's unlikely. It's a low probability, but not impossible. So, in a sense, it's a gamble.

"Your luck and my head. Let's see which is better."

Up, down, down, up—here it comes.

I kicked off the ground without hesitation. If it's a trap, I'll take major damage. But if I hesitate, I won't get a chance to win. Gathering my courage—this is my all-or-nothing attack to win!

"Haahhhhhh!"

The Greater Rat's eyes widened. It tried to dodge, but it was too late. My mithril greatsword pierced its forehead deeply.

A sound like shattering glass. The Greater Rat's form vanished.

"I... I won..."

"Of course, Master!"

"Whoa!"

Annelise jumped on me. I caught her, but ended up sitting on the floor.

My face is buried in Annelise's chest.

I'm so happy I could die right now.

"..."

"Master, Master, Master, Master. You're amazing."

I take back my previous statement. I'm going to die! I can't breathe!

"..."

I need to tap her with both hands to get out of this, not to surrender to happiness, but to breathe or I'll die!

"Ah!? S-Sorry!"

"Phew... I'm okay. In a way, it was very happy."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Nothing, never mind."

Desires can sometimes kill. I'll remember that.

"Master, here's the drop item."

Annelise picked it up and showed it to me.

"Is this a tail?"

"It's the Greater Rat's tail. It can be used as a material for medicine."

"Medicine material?"

▼Detailed Appraisal Result▼

Greater Rat's Tail: Can be used as a material for a food poisoning remedy. A normal drop item from the Greater Rat. Guild exchange value is 1500 grils.

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