Chapter 7

Tart's performance is truly remarkable.

As we continue to advance through the 【Orphenoch Underground Labyrinth】, many monsters appeared to block our path. However, none of this matters to Tart, the floor boss of the labyrinth's strongest floor – Catastrophe Dragon.

Despite her small body and significantly reduced stats, she does her utmost to defeat the monsters.

Thanks to Tart reducing the number of monsters, I don't have to consume as much magic power. This is a great help to me.

Most of all, I find Tart's joy in being useful to me incredibly cute. The way she expresses her happiness with her whole body is very endearing. When I first met her, she was a huge dragon and a little scary, but now I'm confident I can find her cute even at her original size. Is this what they call "master blindness" rather than "parent blindness"?

Our adventure with Tart has been going on for about four hours. Including the time spent from the deepest level to the 390th floor, it's been about nine hours.

We've been walking and fighting continuously, but I'm not tired at all. This is probably due to the increased stats from Tart's correction values.

After nine hours, we've progressed from the 400th floor, the deepest level, to the 374th floor. Each floor is so vast that finding the stairs leading up is quite a challenge. Even so, this is considered fast.

I thought about speeding up from here, but I've noticed that the monsters are gradually getting stronger.

Monsters are said to become stronger and more active at night, though the reason for this is unknown. It might have been discovered during the time I was cut off from the outside world, but I don't know that information.

Therefore, I've decided to stop moving at night. I think that Tart and I could continue moving without any problems, but we need to take a break to eat.

I find a moderately spacious area and start preparing for the night camp.

First, I set up a barrier to prevent monsters from attacking. Although I have the Stealth skill, we're still in the lower levels, so there's a possibility of being detected by strong monsters. If we hadn't been detected, we wouldn't be in combat.

I use the Holy Light Magic – [Holy Light Domain Barrier]. Its strength is the same as my 'Magic Barrier,' so there's no need to worry about it being broken.

Next, I prepare the meal. Well, the only thing we have is the meat of the monsters we hunted along the way.

Some monster meat is delicious, but most of it is a miss. I've created rainbows from my mouth many times due to the awful taste...

After enduring such bitter experiences, I obtained the skill 'Gluttony' by meeting certain conditions.

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Skill: Gluttony

Condition: Eat monster meat 500 times

Effect: The taste of any monster meat improves slightly

- Recovery of vitality, magic power, and endurance from monster meat

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Personally, I wish the taste would improve significantly, not just slightly.

Since obtaining Gluttony, the taste of monster meat has improved slightly, but I still create rainbows from my mouth due to the overwhelmingly bad taste.

Eating only monster meat, I'm starting to miss the delicious food from the surface. When we get out, I'll definitely go eat something delicious. That's a must.

Tart also has the Gluttony skill, but as a monster herself, she has no resistance to eating monster meat. She's eating enthusiastically right now, and the way she stuffs her mouth full is also cute.

Tart seems to be satisfied and has fallen asleep after eating her fill.

Watching Tart's sleeping face, I'm starting to feel sleepy too. I'll take a short nap until the monsters' activity subsides. Even in the dungeon, the [Holy Light Domain Barrier] ensures safety, so there's no need to worry.