Chapter 31

Currently, I am on the 3rd basement floor of the "Gorgo Labyrinth." Nina and Rena, as a team, can handle one Rank 3 monster each without any problems.

If there are multiple, it gets tough, so I support them. Especially for Rena, one hit could be fatal.

"…Cough… Cough…"

Rena is trying to hide her heavy breathing, but it's obvious. Her MP is also down to about a third, so we decide to take a break.

"This is a dead end, right?"

"Yeah, let's take a break here."

"…Pant… Pant…"

So far, we've obtained two Mana Potions and one Potion from three treasure chests.

"Hey, drink this Mana Potion."

I hand the Mana Potion to Rena. The Mana Potion, though small, has the effect of restoring MP. It can be created with materials like magic grass, clean water, and Alchemy Level 2. I saw magic grass in the Great Forest, so I'll gather a lot next time.

"…Hey… Pant… Pant… No…"

Ignoring Rena, I recast the buff spells. I also heal both of us with a Heal spell.

"Nina, how are you holding up against the labyrinth's monsters?"

"Hmm, with Yuu's buff spells and Rena's magic, we're managing somehow. The monsters in the labyrinth are stronger and have more varied attacks compared to those on the surface."

I was surprised by Nina's surprisingly calm analysis. Even though we're taking a break, I haven't fought much and am not tired, so I want to try alchemy.

I take out the Rank 2 magic crystal fragments from the monsters we defeated in the Great Forest. There are about 40 to 50 fragments of various sizes. I use alchemy on the fragments in my palm, and as expected, a complete magic crystal is formed.

"Wow! That's a complete magic crystal, right!"

"…Surprised…"

Rena doesn't seem very surprised, but to think that only two complete magic crystals could be made from so many fragments…

I try to imbue Nina's "Steel Dagger (Level 6): Fire Attribute" with the "Strength Up" and "Agility Up" buff spells using the magic crystal, but it doesn't work. Could it be that skill imbuing can only be done once?

Since that didn't work, I imbue the "Steel Knife (Level 6)" with the skills. It succeeds, and it becomes "Steel Knife (Level 6): Strength Up, Agility Up."

"Yay♪"

Next to the delighted Nina, Rena looks like she wants to say something.

"…Zzz…"

Rena looks at me with a "me too" expression. Ignoring her, she gets closer until she's right in front of me, so I give in and imbue the "Momon's Mantle (Level 6)" with "HP Up" and "Stamina Up" skills.

"…Hehe…"

I also imbue my Rank 3 and Rank 2 magic crystals with "HP Up," "MP Up," and "Strength Up" skills for my armor.

Obsidian Iron Armor (Level 5): HP Up, MP Up, Strength Up

Obsidian Iron Gauntlets (Level 5): HP Up, MP Up

I check to make sure the same skills don't overlap on each piece of armor, and they all work properly.

After that, we decide to return after reaching the 5th basement floor. On the way back, of course, we don't use the transfer stone and take the same route. Rena, with her pale face, looked a bit pitiful, but to train her low HP, I don't let her take it easy.

After finishing our meal and taking a bath, Rena fell asleep as if she had collapsed. Nina also looked sleepy, but I made her study arithmetic and writing for about two hours.

"Ugh…"

"Let's call it a day here."

"Yay~"

Nina is naturally cheerful but not stupid, so she is growing every day.

"I'm going to the labyrinth now, but if you follow me, I'll be angry."

"Why!?"

"I want to level up too. Nina, you worked hard today, so you must be tired. We'll go to the labyrinth again tomorrow, so get some rest."

"Muuu~"

Nina pouts, but I convince her reluctantly by telling her not to overexert herself.

At the entrance to the labyrinth, even though it's night, the Enchanter is still there.

"Oh, it's the monk from this morning. Alone?"

"Yeah, I'm done with the protection, so I'll do as I please from now on."

"Going to the labyrinth alone is dangerous, monk. But I won't stop you."

The Enchanter grins. He probably knows from years of experience that it's pointless to tell reckless adventurers anything.

"Want me to cast a buff spell?"

"I don't need it anymore, thanks."

The Enchanter looks stunned but lets me go into the labyrinth.

On the 1st basement floor, I defeat Golems, Salamanders, and Cyclopes. Salamanders look like lizards, about 1 meter long. Cyclopes are one-eyed giants, about 2.5 meters tall, with a club like a log, but they're not a threat just by swinging it. Golems turn into dirt when defeated, and they don't drop any materials, which is disappointing.

Salamanders can be defeated in one hit with a water-attribute magic sword. Golems in one hit with a magic punch, and Cyclopes in one hit with a black obsidian greatsword. I progress smoothly.

Here are their stats:

Name: ***

Race: Golem

Rank: 3

Level: 18

HP: 322

MP: 16

Strength: 264

Agility: 3

Stamina: ∞

Intelligence: 1

Magic: 9

Luck: 8

Passive Skills:

None

Active Skills:

None

Unique Skills:

None

Name: ***

Race: Salamander

Rank: 3

Level: 15

HP: 296

MP: 136

Strength: 164

Agility: 93

Stamina: 207

Intelligence: 19

Magic: 99

Luck: 16

Passive Skills:

Fire Resistance Level 1

MP Recovery Speed Up Level 1

Active Skills:

Spirit Magic Level 1

Unique Skills:

None

Name: ***

Race: Cyclops

Rank: 3

Level: 22

HP: 571

MP: 120

Strength: 510

Agility: 99

Stamina: 284

Intelligence: 23

Magic: 88

Luck: 30

Passive Skills:

Night Vision Level 2

Active Skills:

Combat Skills Level 2

Unique Skills:

None

Of course, I take all their skills. Especially the Salamander's "MP Recovery Speed Up," which I want to take as soon as I see it.

When I reach the 9th basement floor, other adventurers are taking a break. A party of five, with levels 22 to 24, consisting of one shield user, two front-line fighters, and two back-line fighters, a well-balanced party. One of the adventurers notices me and calls out.

"Alone, kid? Where are your companions?"

"I'm solo."

When I tell them I'm solo, the adventurers look extremely surprised.

"This is the 9th basement floor! Unbelievable!"

"Even we took eight hours to get here. How long have you been down here?"

"About two hours ago."

"Two hours!!!???"

A female healer in the party suggests letting me join, but the leader looks skeptical. The other adventurers are skeptical that a kid like me could make it this far solo and wonder if I'm a monster or something.

Ignoring the commotion, I try to leave, but I detect three monsters approaching with "Detect." The adventurers also notice and get ready for battle.

"Grrooaaarrr!"

Three Ogres appear, one of which is a subspecies.

"Worst case… Three Ogres… And one is a subspecies!"

"Roaaarrr!"

The Ogres roar in unison, making three adventurers flinch. The shield user steps in front of the Ogres, but I slip past him and head toward the Ogres.

An Ogre swings its fist down at me from above.

"Watch out!!"

The adventurers shout, but I block the attack with my left hand.

"Huh?"

The adventurers are shocked that I blocked the Ogre's attack with one hand.

"An Ogre, so this is about right…"

Disappointed by the expected arm strength, I use Sword Skill Level 4 "Flash." The Ogre's body splits in half. It's a technique I learned from Mr. Joseph, but I can use it now.

"Roooaaarrr!!"

Another Ogre, surprised by its companion's quick defeat, charges at me. I dive into its chest and unleash a "Magic Punch" to its abdomen. The magic I infused is wind magic, making the punch incredibly fast and embedding my fist into the Ogre's stomach. The karate course I read at the city library came in handy. The Ogre, with a dull "Meh," collapses with a sunken abdomen. It was still alive, so I decapitate it, and the Ogre (subspecies) tries to escape, but I cut it in half from behind. Ogres are now easy for me.

"Sorry for taking your prey."

When I turn around, all the adventurers are staring with their mouths open.