Chapter 46

Today, we will tackle the 11th floor and beyond of the Gorgo Labyrinth.

According to the information we have, starting from the 11th floor, High Kobolds will appear. Among them, the High Kobold Priest is a nasty creature that not only uses white magic but also buff magic to strengthen the surrounding monsters. However, our goal is to take the buff magic from this High Kobold Priest to raise my buff magic to level 4. Once the buff magic reaches level 4, I will be able to use 'Energy Absorption' and 'Magic Absorption.'

I already have a Rank 4 magic orb, so I can immediately imbue Nina's dagger with the skill.

"Those people from yesterday aren't here, right?"

"They seemed persistent, so don't let your guard down."

"...Fights within the labyrinth rarely come to light. The bodies are all eaten by the monsters."

According to the information from the guild, it seems that recently, many rookies who enter the labyrinth don't return. While it's not uncommon for overconfident rookies from the countryside to die without proper information or preparation, it's abnormal for none of them to return. Even if they don't prepare well, they usually at least bring a teleportation stone to escape and seek help in a crisis.

This has led to rumors of rookie hunting.

While it's common for veterans to harass or bully rookies under the guise of initiation, the fact that none of them are returning suggests that this group is clearly targeting them with the intent to kill.

It's entirely plausible that the trio from yesterday is involved in this rookie hunting.

In the crystal room on the 9th floor, I turn the defeated magic ape into an undead using necromancy and control it.

As expected, there's no new boss on the 10th floor, so we teleport to the 11th floor. After exploring the area and confirming that no one is around, we also teleport.

"Starting from the 11th floor, High Kobolds will appear in parties. Prioritize taking down the High Kobold Wizard. I'll take care of the High Kobold Priest."

"Got it."

"...Finally, it's time to use the new lightning magic I learned."

As we move down the corridor, we immediately encounter a party of High Kobolds.

There are four of them: a High Kobold Fighter, a High Kobold, a High Kobold Wizard, and a High Kobold Priest.

"Sorry~"

Nina instantly moves to the High Kobold Wizard and slashes its throat.

Surprised by her speed, I rush over to prevent the Priest from being killed as well.

"Screech!!"

Lena's first-tier black magic, 'Thunder,' strikes the High Kobold Fighter and the High Kobold.

They're not dead, but they seem paralyzed by the electric shock. I take the opportunity to steal the buff magic from the High Kobold Priest and split it in two.

When I steal the buff magic, information about the spells the High Kobold Priest can use flows into my mind. Most of it I already knew, but there was a buff magic that increases casting speed, so I immediately cast it on Lena.

"Seems like the 11th floor won't be a problem."

"Hehe~ The tails of High Kobolds are valuable, you know~"

High Kobold meat is tasteless, and their skin has no demand, but their tails are in demand.

"...The lightning magic is cool."

Lena seems to like the new lightning magic she learned. She's been excited and looking at me from the corner of her eye. By the way, since I saw Lena use the lightning magic, I can now use it too.

We continue without any issues.

From the 11th to the 19th floor, it's mostly just High Kobolds, with the occasional Ogre.

We found a trapped treasure chest, but Nina disarmed it and obtained a silver mirror, which apparently nobles will buy at a high price.

By the 19th floor, the buff magic has already reached level 4.

"Go."

In the crystal room on the 19th floor, I send the High Kobold I turned into an undead ahead.

It seems there was a boss, and the High Kobold was defeated.

By the way, I should recall the Goblin King I turned into an undead soon. I had him explore the forest and hunt monsters, but I've been neglecting him.

"The boss on the 20th floor is an Iron Golem, with four Stone Golems as minions."

I update the buff magic and touch the crystal to teleport.

When we teleport, we find ourselves in a larger stone-paved room than on the 10th floor.

After a while, the Iron Golem and the Stone Golems appear from the back.

"Golems are tough, so I'm not good at fighting them~"

Nina, with her daggers, is not well-suited for this opponent.

"...No problem."

Lena says and casts Earth Wall. Normally, Earth Wall is used to block enemy attacks, but Lena's Earth Wall is formed to entangle the Iron Golem's legs.

After seeing my magic, Lena has started to improve and use her own spells. We often discuss the use of magic now.

Lena mercilessly casts spells on the immobilized Iron Golems. She uses Thunder on the Iron Golems and Earth Lance on the Stone Golems.

The Iron Golems, in a panic, break the Earth Wall and regain mobility, but cracks are already forming on their surfaces.

Nina wraps the cracked areas with threads generated by her magic and attaches the other end to the Iron Golem's arm.

The Iron Golem swings its fist to strike Nina. The threads wrapped around its arm pull tight, cutting into its and the Stone Golem's bodies.

"...Stop."

Multiple Fireballs form around Lena.

The sweat on her forehead tells me she's concentrating.

The Fireballs gather at the tip of her staff, forming a large fireball. She then compresses it further with wind magic.

"Hey, you..."

She releases the compressed high-energy ball at the Iron Golems.

Nina has already sensed the danger and moved to a safe distance.

The spell Lena casts is... the fourth-tier black magic, 'Explosion.' Lena's black magic is at level 3, so she shouldn't be able to use it normally, but she's using it by combining multiple spells, just like I do.

The already cracked Iron Golems are blown to pieces by the explosion. The flying debris from the explosion is quite painful. Nina skillfully dodges, and Lena protects herself with a barrier.

I didn't expect anyone to use explosion magic in the labyrinth, so I forgot to use Earth Wall to protect us.

"Hey, do you have anything to say?"

"...There's nothing I can't do!"

I gave her a light tap on the head.

Still, to be able to use Explosion, which I've only shown her a few times, is scary.

Fortunately, the explosion didn't cause significant damage to the room.

The treasure chest contained a steel greatsword and a steel bracelet.

Steel Greatsword (Level 6): Paralyzes on hit

Steel Bracelet (Level 6): Increases defense

"Both are duds."

"Too bad~"

"Nina, what are you doing?"

Nina has been touching my body. Well, more specifically, my butt.

"Checking if you were hurt by the debris?"

"Do you only touch my butt when you're worried?"

"I... That's not true!"

I gave her a light tap on the head as well. Both of them looked at me with unsatisfied expressions, which irritated me.

I apologize to those who were uncomfortable with the previous chapter due to the lack of a warning about the graphic content. In the future, I will include a warning in the preface if there is any graphic content.