Chapter 3

This place, the Orphenoch Underground Labyrinth, is composed of naturally formed passages and rooms like a cave.

The further down you go, the more complex the paths become, like a maze. It would be disastrous if you got lost and were ambushed by monsters.

So, I proceed cautiously while using my skills.

After walking for a while, I saw shadows moving in the distance.

A monster called Deathscythe slowly appeared.

Deathscythe is a type of skeleton monster.

It hides its skeletal body under a pitch-black robe and floats eerily, which is quite unsettling.

Moreover, Deathscythe's scythe has the ability to inflict instant death. I have resistance to status effects, so I don't think I'll die instantly, but I have no intention of finding out.

Since it's a straight path, it seems impossible to avoid combat. Let me check the information with 'Appraisal' before the battle starts.

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【Name】Deathscythe

【Title】"The Reaper of Life"

【Status】【Base ± Adjustment】

Level 606

HP 75,916【63,026 + 12,890】

MP 93,171【68,991 + 24,180】

Stamina 72,515【61,425 + 11,090】

Attack 91,194【65,334 + 25,860】

Defense 78,499【63,229 + 15,270】

Spirit 77,554【64,004 + 13,550】

Skills

'Automatic HP Recovery' 'Automatic MP Recovery' 'Automatic Stamina Recovery'

'Dark Magic' 'Summoning Magic' 'Levitation Magic' 'Spatial Magic'

'Darkness Magic' 'Instant Death Magic' 'All Attribute Resistance' 'Status Effect Resistance'

'Evasion' 'Increased Status Effect Success Rate'

'Parallel Chanting' 'Multiple Chanting' 'Blessing of the Reaper'

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If Adol and the others were to reach here, their chances of survival would be virtually zero.

If they had the same status as me after three years, it would be a different story. But that's too convenient, right?

Well, while I'm doing this, Deathscythe has noticed me.

It seems to be full of enthusiasm, ready to attack with its scythe.

I also prepare my two staves, not to be outdone.

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Name: 'Moonlight Magic Divine Staff'

Power: Spirit +18,000

'Increased Healing Effect'

└ 40% increase

Name: 'Twilight Magic Divine Staff'

Power: MP +18,000

'Increased Magic Power'

└ 20% increase

'Increased Status Effect Success Rate'

└ 20% increase

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White and black. The divine staff and the ominous staff are borrowed from the building I used as a base. I also borrowed other useful equipment...

However, since it has been abandoned for three years, the owner is practically non-existent. If there were an owner, they would have come to retrieve it by now.

Besides, anything found in a dungeon is free for the finder. So this isn't theft; I just picked it up.

Now, back to the battle.

Deathscythe summoned nearly 30 minions using Summoning Magic.

They look like ordinary skeletons, but don't be fooled. As high-level monsters, the summoned creatures also have formidable stats.

The skeleton army charged at me without hesitation.

The narrow path means I have to counterattack or risk being overwhelmed.

But I'm not anxious.

One of the skeletons swings a sharp saber, but it is deflected by an invisible wall between us.

This is due to the 'Automatic Magic Barrier Activation' ability of the advanced class 'Holy Sorceress.'

The magic barrier's strength increases with my Spirit stat.

To penetrate the magic barrier, an attack must exceed my Spirit stat or be a high-powered magic.

My Spirit stat, including equipment, is around 200,000. Any attack below that won't hit me.

The skeleton's attack was deflected, meaning its attack power is lower than my Spirit stat. Incidentally, Deathscythe's attack power is about 90,000, so it won't work on me either.

So, this was actually a one-sided battle.

The level and stat gap is too wide for me to lose.

Now, I will eliminate Deathscythe and the skeleton army.

I aim the Twilight Magic Divine Staff at Deathscythe and use the highest-level ice prison magic, "Absolute Zero."

Normally, a long incantation is required, but with the 'Long Incantation Bypass' ability from the title "The Seeker of Magic," it can be done in one verse. It's a title that any mage would envy.

In the blink of an eye, the passage turned into an ice cave.

The skeleton army was trapped in ice blocks and shattered like glass before they could react, clearing them all.

Deathscythe, however, seems to have some resistance and is still alive, though the damage from frostbite will finish it off soon.

As expected, the ice block shattered with Deathscythe inside after about a minute.

The battle is over.

Still, I've become quite strong, haven't I?

My strength is unimaginable compared to three years ago. In a way, I should be grateful to Adol and the others.

Now that I've defeated Deathscythe, I should hurry on.

But first, the range of "Absolute Zero" is too wide, extending to the end of the passage.

If I continue like this, I might catch a cold before reaching the surface, so I'll cast "Body Temperature Increase" on myself.

This is actually a terrifying spell depending on how it's used, but it can also make your body warm and cozy. I can proceed without feeling cold for a while.

With preparations complete, I resume my journey to the surface.