Chapter 165: Chapter 165 Exploration (4)

Exploration (4)

Exploration (4)

A 2-million-stone expandable backpack.

A steel dagger and various other equipment.

A bag full of consumables that are more effective against humans than monsters.

And…

“What kind of person was he?”

…a spoonful of lingering unease.

These were the things left behind by the masked man whose name we don’t even know.

“No matter how I think about it, he doesn’t seem like an ordinary marauder. Traveling alone, and that at the end…”

The masked man who chose to commit suicide as soon as the situation became unfavorable.

It’s clearly not a typical situation.

However…

“Stop worrying about it. There’s nothing we can do now even if we’re curious.”

The truth is already buried in darkness.

So we can only take what we can and move on.

That’s what explorers do, right?

“Bjorn, how many cotton candies can we buy with this?”

Ainar asks with sparkling eyes, and just as I’m about to answer, Raven speaks.

“It should be about 3.5 million stones in total.”

“…You’re knowledgeable about this too?”

“The exact amount will be determined after we sell it in the city, but the margin of error won’t be that big. I got a regular appraiser license a while ago.”

Hmm, so there’s something like that…

I ask her about it, and it’s different from a special appraiser. She said you need to be able to assess the value of items purely based on knowledge, not skills?

“Mr. Yandel, you should also study it when you have time. You don’t have to haggle and fight over prices if you can just show this.”

“It’s fine. I’ve never lost a battle of nerves.”

I cut her off before she can brag and resume exploration. The way we proceed isn’t much different from Team Misfits.

We focus on climbing the tower, prioritizing the Stairs of Wisdom and then the Stairs of Courage.

“…Ugh, we’re wandering through a maze again?”

“It can’t be helped since we don’t have a professional scout.”

It’s a pain in the ass to navigate every time we choose the Stairs of Wisdom, but I have to do my best.

Because I have a mother-in-law next to me.

“4 hours and 34 minutes.”

“4 hours and 11 minutes.”

“3 hours and 59 minutes.”

Raven times us every time we clear a maze.

Fortunately, the record gradually improves as we climb higher. It’s thanks to the know-how I’ve gained from also playing the role of a navigator.

Well, I’m still far from Rotmiller’s level.

“4 hours and 35 minutes. It suddenly increased this time.”

“…It couldn’t be helped because Ainar stepped on a trap.”

“Acceptable.”

Day 9, Day 10, Day 11…

Time flies by, and from Day 12 onwards, we just sleep without keeping watch.

“Are we going to decide on a watch rotation again today?”

“…It seems like a waste.”

“Phew, because of that bastard, seriously. Isn’t this too much? A surprise attack in a place like this…”

Misha is fuming as if a sacred place has been violated.

Honestly, I feel the same way.

This was the only place we could relax.

‘Damn it.’

Although there were various incidents, the expedition proceeded smoothly, and we reached stage 100 on Day 16.

Now we can also start searching for the portal to the 5th floor.

“2 hours and 41 minutes… you’ve gotten much faster.”

Even Raven, who had been acting like a mother-in-law every day, smiles with satisfaction.

For reference, I feel the same way.

‘Could it be that I’m actually a natural-born navigator?’

Even after struggling so much, the 3-hour wall was thick.

But I was able to break through that barrier and shorten the record after gaining one realization.

It’s easier and faster to just destroy traps.

“Ah, right, Mr. Yandel. How long did it take to get here when you had a professional scout on the team?”

“About 12 days.”

“Four days difference isn’t bad. It will be much easier on the 5th floor since we have a composition without a scout.”

I agree.

Although we lost four days because of the absence of a scout, we have a composition where everyone is a combat character.

We can make up for it in battles.

But…

‘Phew, can’t she just compliment me?’

Just as that complaint is lingering in my mind…

…Misha approaches me and pats my shoulder.

“Bjorn, good work. I didn’t know it would actually work. We’re probably the only team with a barbarian navigator.”

As expected, she’s the only one…

“Ahem.”

The bear-like man coughs awkwardly and steps forward at Misha’s words.

It seems like he’s embarrassed that he, the Guide, had to rely on a barbarian for navigation.

“Then it’s my turn now.”

I readily hand over the reins.

To go to the 5th floor, we need to open the doors in a specific order…

“Which door should I open?”

“That one over there.”

This is why Guides are OP.

Even if their sensory stats aren’t high enough, they can sense the magical energy of portals with their natural talent.

「Chose the Stairs of Courage.」

「Chose the Stairs of Wisdom.」

「Chose the Stairs of Courage…….」

And so, we head towards the portal hidden somewhere in the tower, using the bear-like man as a compass.

Opening doors, clearing trials, and repeating.

After spending another night and opening 10 more doors…

“Finally, the last door.”

…we reach the stage with the portal.

It’s already the end of Day 17.

I thought about resting and then opening the door and entering tomorrow since it’s almost time to camp…

But…

“I think I’m more focused now.”

…we decided to proceed today, considering Raven’s tendency to be weak in the morning.

The portal room is also a boss room.

It’s better if the mage is in good condition.

“Like I said before, a 5th-grade monster will definitely appear here.”

“You mean that vampire-like monster?”

Ainar grips her greatsword with eyes filled with excitement and anticipation. It seems like she wants to see how much she’s changed since that time when she was powerless.

Smirk.

I can’t help but laugh.

I was originally planning to tell them not to let their guard down, that the survival rate of graduating explorers who reached this far is less than 50%…

But…

“Um, why did you stop talking?”

…it doesn’t seem necessary.

It wouldn’t be very barbarian-like either.

“I forgot.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s just go kill it.”

I open the door.

And we climb the stairs to the next stage.

It’s a stone chamber with a familiar stele in the center.

As soon as all five of us enter, the door closes, and a monster is summoned.

[Graaagh—!!]

I can’t help but laugh again.

I was wondering what kind of bastard would appear…

“It’s a troll!”

Right, something like this has to appear for it to feel like graduation.

____________________

Troll.

The bastard who smashed my keyboard when I was in my first year of playing [Dungeon and Stone]…

…and the one who put Team Misfits in danger of being wiped out.

“Should I cast the Distortion spell first? I heard troll byproducts are very expensive.”

Geez, this girl is bold.

Even a 5th-grade monster has a considerable aura, but…

“No need. The essence is also expensive.”

“If you say so.”

Just as Raven and I are exchanging a few words…

Thud!

…the troll roars and takes a step forward.

Therefore, I also push off the ground to fulfill my role as a tank.

「Character has cast [Gigantification].」

The size difference is instantly reduced.

As soon as the distance closes, the troll swings its giant fist.

Kwaaang!

A heavy impact is transmitted through the giant shield.

But maybe it’s because I absorbed the Ogre essence?

It’s not very effective.

‘And the shield is fine too.’

Even the Laetium shield, which used to get dented every time I blocked a punch, is completely unscathed this time.

It’s thanks to the 6th-stage engraving effect, [Unification].

The equipment I’m wearing is now enhanced in proportion to my total stats.

Right, this is what I spent so much money on!

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

I boost my stats with [Wild Release] and swing my mace down with all my might.

「Character has cast [Swing].」

「The destructive power of blunt weapons is greatly increased in proportion to Strength.」

I aim for the head.

However, the giant mace hits his shoulder as he twists his body.

Crack!

His shoulder collapses with a satisfying impact.

It’s dislocated with just one hit.

Back then, I had to strike six times just to break his exposed joints after stripping away all the flesh.

[Graaagh—!!]

Of course, as expected of a troll, the poster child of regeneration, the bone reattaches in a few seconds.

But this is enough to gauge my combat power.

‘Let’s see.’

I focus on defense and observe my teammates.

First, Misha, the founding member.

Although she hasn’t absorbed any new essences since then…

Slash!

…her sword cuts through the troll’s hide with ease.

It’s the power of money.

It’s an Iril longsword that cost a whopping 12 million stones.

If it can’t even do this much, we should go get a refund.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

It’s Ainar’s battle cry.

Ainar, perhaps envious of Misha’s performance, immediately joins the front lines and swings her greatsword.

Whoosh!

A strong gust of wind follows the trajectory of the sword, and an afterimage appears.

Ah, is it even right to call it an afterimage?

「Ainar Frenelin has cast [Double Slash].」

It’s the active skill of the 4th-grade essence she inherited from the elder.

The effect is simple.

It deals the damage of two hits with one swing.

Slash! Slash!

Ah, of course, the effect is negligible against the troll.

Despite her superior strength and the weight of the greatsword, it only penetrates about 3 centimeters.

It’s because Ainar’s only skill is [Double Slash].

It’s a skill that’s difficult to use to its full potential with normal attacks.

“This bastard’s hide is tou— Aak!”

Ainar takes a hit from the troll’s fist and is sent flying. She gets up quickly, but blood is trickling down from her mouth.

It seems like she injured an internal organ.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

However, Ainar doesn’t drink a potion and rest, but charges back in and swings her greatsword.

It’s a rational choice, not stubbornness.

Because this time, her greatsword is glowing red.

It’s the active skill of the Bone Knight essence she obtained from the Crimson Fortress.

「Ainar Frenelin has cast [Life Absorption].」

「Temporarily increases regeneration when dealing damage to a living being.」

Ainar’s health recovers when she hits an enemy.

She has excellent qualities as a sub-tank and damage dealer.

Ainar recovers to her original state after a few sword strikes, using [Life Absorption] and [Double Slash] together.

‘Her damage is lower than Misha’s, but she’s much better at tanking.’

I observe their battles and check their strengths, weaknesses, and areas that need improvement.

‘I need to get Ainar a decent offensive skill. And Misha needs to absorb more Beast’s Blood and raise her Spirit Beast level.’

That’s when, as I’m casually fighting the troll…

…the bear-like man asks from behind,

“Can we join now?”

“Ah, were you waiting?”

“I was curious to see how well those two ladies would fight.”

“I’m not a lady!!!”

Anyway, regardless of Ainar’s shout, the bear-like man joins the battle as soon as I give him the okay.

「Avman Urikfrit has summoned Iron Bear Iradun.」

However, did he judge that the front line is already more than enough?

He summons his Spirit Beast behind him like a bodyguard and then starts shooting his crossbow.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The arrows pierce deep into the troll’s body with a loud thud every time they’re shot.

His skill is evident even in the areas he targets.

He aims for joints like elbows and knees to restrict movement.

Slash!

Misha and Ainar join forces and sever the troll’s arm.

And the [Ultra Regeneration] pattern begins.

The regeneration speed is slow because Raven cast the ‘Deterioration’ spell beforehand.

‘There’s nothing else to see.’

Just as I’m about to smash the troll’s head with my mace…

“Stop!”

…the bear-like man stops me.

“The third lady also needs to show off her skills.”

“…Would you please stop calling me a lady?”

Raven then grumbles and swings her wand.

She doesn’t tell us to dodge like Dwarkey did.

It’s not that she’s inconsiderate, but rather that she judged that there’s no need.

「Arrua Raven has cast the 5th-grade attack spell [Lightning Spear].」

A white bolt of lightning is shot, zigzagging past us.

My vision flashes.

And then I hear the sound.

Kwaaang!!

When I come to my senses, the troll’s head is already gone.

Thud.

It collapses to the ground and then disappears into light.

Ah, of course, there’s no essence again.

_____________________

We defeated the troll.

And very easily, at that.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that there’s no danger on the 5th floor. 5th-grade monsters appear in groups there.

Whoosh!

The portal opens as the troll dies.

However, we camp instead of going up to the 5th floor right away. It’s better to sleep comfortably for a day since we’ll have to sleep up there anyway.

‘It’s really starting now, huh.’

I toss and turn for a moment, feeling both anxious and excited, and then fall asleep.

And the next morning…

To be precise, around 7:00 AM on Day 18…

“Wow, I can’t believe I’m actually going to the 5th floor…”

…we finish packing and enter the portal.

「Entered 5th Floor Great Magical Forest.」

We’ve graduated from the early stages.

It’s time to go on a real exploration.