Chapter 80

Not only Titiya, but everyone's level has increased. It was worth it to hunt for several hours straight. Tart, Roy, and I are now level 68, Mimosa is level 64, and Blitz is level 65.

Our levels have risen quite nicely, so if we keep this up, we should be able to defeat the boss, Luluyé. We can also smoothly help Kent and Cocoa, who have changed classes, to level up.

Here are the skills I have acquired:

Sharon

Level: 68

Class: Healer

Skills:

- "Blessed Light": Can create Holy Water with clean water and one "Potion Bottle of the Sky"

- "Heal" Level 10: Heals one person

- "High Heal" Level 5: Heals one person significantly

- "Area Heal" Level 5: Heals all targets within a 7-meter radius

- "Regeneration" Level 5: Restores HP every 10 seconds

- "Mana Regeneration" Level 5: Restores MP every 30 seconds

- "Body Strengthening" Level 10: Enhances physical abilities (attack, defense, speed)

- "Attack Strengthening" Level 3: Enhances attack power

- "Magic Strengthening" Level 3: Enhances magic power

- "Defense Strengthening" Level 3: Enhances defense

- "Goddess's Strike": Doubles the next attack

- "Goddess's Protection" Level 5: Creates a barrier

- "Cure": Cures status abnormalities

- "Holy Attribute Strengthening" Level 1: Enhances holy attribute

- "Resistance Strengthening" Level 5: Enhances resistance to all attributes

- "Indomitable Power" Level 5: Increases maximum HP

I haven't taken any attack skills and am specialized in support. I might consider taking some attack skills later, but for now, Tart is here, so it's not a problem. I want to focus on leveling up and acquiring passive skills that enhance my base abilities.

"If we get this strong, catching Rodney should be easy," Mimosa said happily, but I tilted my head in doubt. While it's hard to imagine the residents of this world being so strong, Rodney has many subordinates. Sometimes, sheer numbers can make a difference.

While I was pondering, Roy suggested, "I think we should advance a bit further."

"I think it's necessary to confirm where Rodney and his group are. If their numbers are large, we might need to retreat and level up more."

"Indeed, knowing the enemy's situation is important," I agreed.

There's a chance they might have been defeated by monsters and are lying around. If that were the case, it would be disappointing, but...

"Speeding up our progress will also serve as combat training, so let's advance."

Since our levels have increased, even while moving, we should gain a lot of experience. By the time we catch up to Rodney, we should be around level 70.

We decided to advance, but taking breaks is also important. We'll rest today and advance tomorrow. Since there's no clear night in the dungeon, we'll just sleep and then set out.

Before sleeping, I used the "Pure White Ring" to clean my body and planned to have a short strategy meeting... but Tart and Titiya fell asleep immediately.

"Oh, I was pushing them too hard... I'm sorry..."

Unlike me, who has been fighting monsters non-stop all day, they need rest. I resolved to take breaks every hour from now on. However, it was Roy, unexpectedly, who supported me.

"Indeed, Titiya must have been tired, but she was also very happy. We need to catch Rodney as soon as possible. Without Sharon, we wouldn't have been able to get this far, and our levels wouldn't have increased."

"Roy..."

"Sharon's leveling speed is insane..."

"Roy...?"

What is this priest saying to a girl?

"Hey, Roy, you're about to fall asleep too..."

It seems Roy was also very sleepy.

"I'll carry you to the tent," Blitz offered.

"Thank you, Blitz."

Roy entrusted himself to Blitz and told Mimosa, who also looked sleepy, to go to the tent and rest. I'll take the watch alone.

"Phew~"

After confirming everyone was asleep, I let out a deep breath. A few seconds later, I couldn't help but smile. Well, it's understandable. Our levels have increased significantly today, so it's natural to feel happy. With this, I might be close to becoming an "Archbishop" and a "Holy Maiden."

"But I don't know how much the 'Holy Maiden' quest involves."

It would be great if freeing Titiya and Roy from their curses completes the quest, but I don't think it will be that easy. After all, it would be too simple.

"Until now, no player has become a 'Holy Maiden.' Maybe the new patch involving the goddess Flordia is related...? But there's no point in overthinking it..."

Thinking about various things and Rodney's situation is making my head spin. For now, I'll focus on capturing Rodney and helping Titiya return as the Pope.

***

"Cross Shield!"

Blitz, who had gathered a few enemies, activated his defensive skill. Everyone launched a simultaneous attack, and I recast support skills on Blitz. Unlike yesterday, we are now hunting while moving, but we have become much smoother. Most importantly, Blitz's luring skills have improved!!

...If we can get him to join our party after dealing with Rodney, he would be a valuable asset, but all the "Paladins" love Titiya, so it's unlikely.

"Sharon, I think we've made significant progress. Do you know where we are now?"

"We're about 90% through the dungeon. We're almost at where the boss, Luluyé, is—"

"Quiet!"

Just as we were about to reach the corner, Blitz's voice stopped us. The tension in his voice indicated something was happening.

"...There are a dozen 'Cathedral Knights' and Rodney."

"!!"

We had expected this, but hearing Blitz's report made us catch our breath. It seems Rodney and his group are just around the corner.

Tart and Titiya covered their mouths to avoid making noise.

"...There are 'Cathedral Knights' and Rodney."

"!!"

I decided to observe their combat to gauge their strength. The knights generally fight, and Rodney occasionally uses support skills.

"Protect Lord Rodney!"

"Just a little more to reach Lord Luluyé!!"

The knights, wielding swords, were fighting the monsters. However, their movements were poor, and they often took hits. It seemed their levels were low, or they were inexperienced, or their coordination was lacking.

"Hmm...?"

I had a bad feeling, so I took out the "Fragment of Star Memory," a disposable item that reveals the level and class of anyone level 50 or below.

...I hope no one is below level 50.

I used the "Fragment of Star Memory" on everyone. The first "Cathedral Knight" was invisible, so he was level 51 or higher. I felt relieved, even though he was an enemy. The next one was also invisible. Good, everyone should be high level! But then—

"Oh, I can see someone... Who the heck is this?"

Rodney Harbus

Level: 46

"Healer"

—You?!

I couldn't help but facepalm. It seems Rodney was protected by higher-level knights.

"Ugh... 'Area Heal'!"

Seeing several knights injured, Rodney finally used a skill, but no one was fully healed. It seems his skill level was insufficient.

"Defend until my mana recovers!"

"Yes, sir!"

"More monsters are coming from behind!!"

"Absolutely do not let them reach me! 'Body Strengthening'!"

Rodney cast "Body Strengthening" on himself, shouting.

"What? Why are you supporting yourself? You should support the knights!"

...What a lousy supporter!

I wanted to confront Rodney, but Roy and Mimosa held me back.

"Sharon, what are you doing?!"

"But did you see Rodney? He's a terrible supporter!"

"What do you expect from Rodney, Sharon? We need to assess his strength and decide whether to capture him."

"Right!"

I had completely forgotten due to Rodney being worse than expected. That was dangerous.

"From what I've seen of the 'Cathedral Knights,' their levels don't seem that high. I think we should launch a surprise attack and capture them."

Roy nodded in agreement.

"...They're moving."

While we were talking, Rodney's group had successfully eliminated the monsters. The knights looked exhausted, but Rodney walked proudly.

"Let's go."

Everyone nodded and started running.