Chapter 35

This is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictional and have no connection to any real entities.

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033 - Treasure Box Monster (Chapter 2 - Start)

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On the 16th day of my reincarnation, I entered the dungeon early in the morning. I need to be cautious because there might be thieves who managed to escape the crackdown.

The recent raid on the Chaldean Thieves' Guild is the hottest topic right now, and rumors are flying around.

The mansion where we live is a bit away from the dungeon. On the way, we pass through a square where I bought grilled pond squid from a street vendor for the first time. The vendor was open today, so I stopped by.

"Hey, cute girls! Uncle will give you a special service!"

He doesn't seem to remember my face. It's fine since he probably wouldn't remember me from just one meeting.

He still thinks I'm a girl. I don't mind, so I'll take the service.

"I'll take 15 grilled pond squids."

"Oh, you're buying a lot! Just like last time, I'll give you 15 tentacles for free!"

"You remember?"

"Of course, I can't forget such cute girls."

He has a pretty good memory. As a merchant, he's likable, but giving away 15 tentacles for free would put him in the red.

"Come back again!"

I wave to the generous uncle and give him a charming smile. Anneleise and Rosalina are smiling too.

Roselina and I eat the squid, while Anneleise eats the tentacles as we head to the dungeon.

"It's delicious."

"It is delicious."

They just had breakfast, but they kept saying it was delicious and finished it all. I think it's delicious too, but I'll hold off on a second helping since we're going into the dungeon.

We bought fruit at the entrance to the dungeon. They were kiwi-like and peach-like fruits. The kiwi-like ones were from yesterday's breakfast, and the peach-like ones were from today's breakfast. Both were delicious.

It's almost winter, but there's no sense of the season. Apparently, the fruits are imported from the south. They are both fruits that keep well and become sweeter during transportation. They are a bit expensive due to the transportation costs, but I bought them because they are delicious. Delicious is justice.

We moved to the 5th floor of the dungeon right away. The Dungeon Move is convenient.

It is said that when you can explore the 5th floor, you are considered a full-fledged explorer. I'm finally joining the ranks of full-fledged explorers.

When walking in the dungeon, I act as an explorer, and during battles, I become a Two-Handed Sword Hero. I would be happy if the treasure hunt skill activates. I walk as an explorer with that level of expectation.

With Rosalina around, I won't let any monsters get close while changing my job. Anneleise is also there, but she is a backliner.

On the 5th floor, Labyrinth Bulls appear. These bulls, protected by reddish-brown fur, have high defense, but their most dangerous feature is their charge.

A Labyrinth Bull appeared immediately. It has four horns on its head and is about my height, but it's much wider than the black cattle I know, making the passage feel narrow.

While I was changing my job to Two-Handed Sword Hero, Rosalina charged forward. The dull impact of her charge colliding with the Labyrinth Bull's charge reached my ears.

Surprisingly, the massive Labyrinth Bull is being pushed back. Rosalina is amazing.

She follows up with an uppercut and a kick to the Labyrinth Bull, which is now standing up.

The Labyrinth Bull has disappeared.

I didn't even get a chance to hit it. Rosalina is strong, but I didn't get to participate.

I quickly change my job back to explorer. It feels a bit cold.

"The Labyrinth Bull dropped meat."

Anneleise picks up the meat wrapped in leaves. It's a chunk of meat about a kilogram in size. It's red meat with little marbling, but the skewers are delicious.

"Instead of cashing in all the dropped Labyrinth Bull meat, let's take some back."

"That's a good idea."

Anneleise smiles.

"I love meat."

Rosalina is also beaming.

As we move down the passage, two Labyrinth Bulls appear.

I change my job to Two-Handed Sword Hero. In the meantime, Rosalina punches one Labyrinth Bull and kicks the other.

I can't be left behind!

"Haah!"

I swing my mithril two-handed sword from a high position.

The Labyrinth Bull is cleanly sliced and disappears with a hard sound.

The mithril two-handed sword is a powerful weapon even on the 5th floor.

At the same time I defeat one Labyrinth Bull, Rosalina defeats the other. She's a strong Battle Master.

We keep moving forward and easily defeat three Labyrinth Bulls.

My skill reacts to something. It's a treasure chest!

"Wait a moment."

I stop the two of them and touch the wall.

"......"

It just feels like a normal wall.

"Anneleise, there's a treasure chest ahead. Can you break the wall?"

"Leave it to me!"

Anneleise activates Mana Hand and punches the wall. After a few "thuds," the wall collapses, revealing a passage.

"There are no monsters."

Rosalina keeps watch on the passage.

Inside the passage, there is a treasure chest. Let's see what's inside.

"Wait. This treasure chest feels suspicious."

"Is it a trap?"

"It feels different from a trap, something strange."

Anneleise's magic sense detected something unpleasant, so we decide to open the lid with Mana Hand.

I hold up my shield, and Rosalina crouches and braces herself.

"I'll open it."

Mana Hand stretches out and opens the lid. Instantly, the treasure chest lunges at us. It's a monster.

The lid opens like a mouth, revealing sharp teeth. The bottom is pitch black, evoking a sense of the abyss.

I instinctively activate Detailed Appraisal.

"It's a Treasure Box Monster!"

I shout the name of the monster.

Seriously, that's its name!?

"Yah!"

Rosalina counters the lunging Treasure Box Monster with a kick.

"This thing has abnormally high VIT and HP."

"I'll fight too."

"Thanks."

Anneleise's magic doesn't affect VIT because the resistance to magic is low.

I change my job to Two-Handed Sword Hero and join the battle.

"Taah!"

I dodge the Treasure Box Monster's bite and Rosalina lands three punches.

"Uryah!"

I strike from the side, but it's tough.

"I'll cast a spell!"

Anneleise's magic activates. Rosalina and I jump back.

A fireball hits the Treasure Box Monster, burning its wooden (?) body.

The Treasure Box Monster retreats but Rosalina and I follow up.

Rosalina pounds it with punches.

I slash it with my sword. This is the sound of cutting, not slicing.

The Treasure Box Monster tries to bite us a few times, but Rosalina covers for me. She dodges its attacks without any trouble.

"I'll cast a spell!"

She jumps back and a fireball flies, burning the Treasure Box Monster. This is the finishing blow, and the Treasure Box Monster disappears.

I was in a dangerous situation, but thanks to Anneleise and Rosalina, I didn't get hurt.

"Ahh!?"

Rosalina shouts as she tries to pick up the dropped items.

"What's wrong?"

"Master, this is it!"

Rosalina holds up a book.

"Is that...!?"

Anneleise also shouts.

"Could this be...?"

"Yes, it's a magic book."

"Wow!"

"Amazing!"

While taking a break, I receive a lecture on magic books from Anneleise.

The grilled pond squid is delicious!

"Using a magic book, you can change your job to a Mage. However, there is another job you can change to."

"Isn't it just a Mage?"

"Yes. Occasionally, you can change to a Sorcerer."

"Sorcerer?"

It's a new term to me.

"Sorcerers use sorcery, which is different from magic. Sorcery requires a catalyst, but it can achieve the same effects as magic."

"Catalyst... Do you buy it or get it from the dungeon?"

"You make it using items dropped by monsters. Only Sorcerers and Alchemists can create catalysts."

Creating catalysts requires effort, and purchasing or obtaining items can be costly. Mages seem more practical.

"Mages are popular because they don't require much money, but Sorcerers can use all attributes of sorcery, unlike Mages."

"Is it the attribute of the catalyst?"

"Yes. Depending on the attribute of the catalyst, Sorcerers can use all attributes."

Sorcerers are versatile, but Mages are easier to use.

"From what I've heard, the probability of becoming a Sorcerer is about 1 in 30."

I wonder if I'll be that 1 in 30. Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Since Anneleise is a Mage, being a Sorcerer might be more practical. However, I haven't decided whether to use it yet.

"Is there a floor where having more Mages or Sorcerers would be better?"

"There are not many monsters that are resistant to physical attacks. Magic and sorcery are more effective against such monsters."

"...... Alright, I'll keep it on hold. For now, Anneleise's magic is enough. I'll decide whether to use it or sell it based on the situation."

The magic book is stored in the item box.

Thank you for reading.

Chapter 2 begins.

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