Chapter 9

As I ascend the levels, the monsters become weaker.

That makes sense, doesn’t it? Since I’m going from the bottom up.

The monsters along the way now only look like money to me. Repeatedly defeating and collecting them has filled nearly 40% of my once empty [Interdimensional Storage Box].

However, considering my current funds, I need more materials that can be sold. Although the storage capacity has increased and there’s still room, I should prioritize heading towards the surface. So, I’ll prioritize heading towards the surface and, while doing so, defeat the monsters and collect materials.

As I was progressing through the [Orphenok Underground Great Labyrinth], I encountered an unexpected scene.

At the end of the passage was a large lake.

It’s bigger than the one at the lowest level. When I stepped out of the passage, the footing was slightly wider, but otherwise, it was all water. There’s no other land in sight.

Looking around carefully, I saw natural stone pillars from the ceiling piercing the lake. However, at the location where the passage continues, there was a similar footing, visible only with enhanced vision from [Enhanced Senses].

Having confirmed the situation, the actions I can take are:

1. Cross to the other side using [Levitation Magic].

2. Evaporate the entire lake using [Inferno Magic] and walk on the lake bed.

3. Freeze the entire lake using [Ice Prison Magic] and walk across.

4. Swim.

Well, 1 is the most reasonable, right?

Since I can fly using [Levitation Magic], I should use it. I think there are monsters in the water, but even if they suddenly attack, my [Magic Barrier] will activate automatically, so there’s no problem.

2 and 4 are out of the question.

First, 2 is technically possible.

I can use [Inferno Magic]—specifically [Inferno Magic Bullet]—to evaporate the lake and eliminate the monsters. However, fire-based magic, which is more like an explosion, has the risk of collapsing the space, so I try to avoid using it.

Actually, I could cast a spell at the ceiling to create a direct route to the surface, which wouldn’t be bad.

The walls and ceiling of the dungeon are sturdy; a mediocre attack won’t even scratch them.

But with my magic, I might be able to break through. If I could, I could use [Levitation Magic] to fly out in no time. However, this would come at the cost of the [Orphenok Underground Great Labyrinth] collapsing.

I have three years of memories here, and other adventurers might be exploring the upper levels of the [Orphenok Underground Great Labyrinth]. If they get caught in the collapse, they’ll surely die. So, I’ll stop that.

Regarding 4—there’s a bit of a situation...

To be honest, I can’t swim.

If the bottom is deep, I’ll sink.

No matter how hard I flail my arms and legs, I’ll still sink.

I have a few things I’m not good at.

I don’t think about overcoming them.

There might be monsters in the water.

If they attack, I might panic and use the [Destruction Magic] I obtained from Tart.

From the name alone, it sounds dangerous, so I want to try it outdoors, but I can’t risk accidentally collapsing the [Orphenok Underground Great Labyrinth].

So, 4 is even more out of the question than 2.

As for 3, it’s neither good nor bad.

If I use [Absolute Zero], which I used during [Death Size], the entire lake will freeze, and the monsters will freeze as well, making them easy to deal with.

However, walking on a slippery surface is risky. Even with my [Magic Barrier], which prevents my vitality from being drained, pain is still pain. If I fall backward and hit my head, I’ll be in agony.

I once slipped and hit my head on a rock. Thanks to my [Magic Barrier], I didn’t suffer any serious injuries, but it was painful.

Maybe I’m clumsier than I thought?

No, that’s just my imagination. I’m not clumsy.

However, slipping, right...?

I’ve heard of a game in a certain northern country where people wear shoes with blades on the bottom and slide on ice.

I think it’s called ice skating.

I didn’t have a place to try it and wasn’t that interested, but if I had the opportunity, it might be worth trying. I’ve had no entertainment for the past three years, so it would be nice to have some fun.

Is it a waste of time? Should I prioritize heading to the surface?

Humans will eventually break if they’re always under tension. It’s necessary to take a break.

With that decided, I’ll act immediately.

First, I’ll freeze the entire lake with [Absolute Zero].

It froze instantly, but there are uneven parts. This won’t allow me to slide properly.

I’ll use [Storm Magic] to cut it.

Swinging my staff, I cut the protruding parts and flatten them. I’ll use [Storm Magic] to crush the cut parts.

After making various adjustments,

Now, the place is complete.

When I touch it, it’s smooth. It will definitely slide.

Let’s try this ice skating game right away.

At that moment, I was only focused on the immediate task and overlooked something important.

I realized it about 5 seconds later.

I took a step onto the ice.

“Kyui!?”

Tart suddenly made a surprised sound, and I turned to look, but what I saw was the ceiling of the room. Then, a sharp, dull pain hit my head.

“...uuuuu...”

I rolled on the ground, holding the back of my head with both hands.

I, of all people, stood on the ice in regular shoes.

Ice skating probably requires the blade on the bottom of the shoe. My lack of knowledge led to this mistake. It makes sense that I slipped and fell.

The spot where I hit my head was the boundary between the ground and the ice.

And, as always, I hit the edge perfectly.

To be honest, it’s excruciatingly painful.

Maybe I am clumsy after all...