Ｓｉｄｅ: Prim
About thirty minutes after Eos flew us, we saw the entrance to the 4th Level.
We were attacked by three Desert Drakes and five Sky Scorpions on the way, but Yamato easily hunted them with his Unique Magic, Ice Edge Javelin.
“It appears to be empty, so we will land here.”
“Yes, please do.”
Fortunately, there was no one at the entrance to the 4th Level.
Eos landed near the entrance to the 4th Level and released her Dragon Transformation Magic.
“Thank you, Eos.”
“It was my pleasure.”
I thanked Eos and attached Honest to the Beast Carriage.
Given the time, we would be camping in the Safe Area just after descending to the 4th Level, so even the timid Honest should be fine.
We descended to the 4th Level, and as the information we had obtained beforehand suggested, the 4th Level was a vast forest.
It reminded me of the Howla Great Forest in Valentia, but with occasional open spaces, so perhaps it’s more like the mountainous forests of Mylight?
“No one else is here either.”
“Indeed. I’ve heard that most Hunters only go down to the 1st Level, and even High Hunters only go to the 2nd Level. Lesser Dragoons can appear on the 4th Level, so unless something extraordinary happens, it’s unlikely for Hunters to come this far.”
As Flam and Meena said, most Hunters don’t descend past the 2nd Level.
Lesser Dragoons appear on the 4th Level, and there are times when several Raids cooperate to hunt them, but it requires thorough preparation. Moreover, since the 3rd Level is a desert, I’ve heard that Hunters only come this far perhaps once every few years at best.
However, this is beneficial for us.
After all, Wing Crest has not only Hunters but also non-combatant Crafters and Healers.
Of course, we will be on night watch, but since this is a Safe Area, monsters will not attack us. Therefore, the most dangerous threat in a Safe Area is actually from fellow adventurers. However, I’ve also heard that such Hunters are rare.
“We’re camping here tonight, but what about tomorrow?”
“We plan to do some hunting on the 7th Level, so ideally, we want to advance to the 7th Level.”
Rudia and Yamato are discussing tomorrow’s plans.
The 7th Level is said to be a nest of M-rank Monsters, and there are also many Dragoons there. We intend to hunt a considerable number of them to obtain materials, especially hides.
After all, my and Yamato’s Crest Armor Coats are starting to become unable to withstand the magical reinforcement of Ancient Classes, so they will become unusable in the near future. However, the Arc Order’s Coat that Yamato was granted, which uses Gryphon leather, can withstand the magical power of Ancient Classes. Therefore, we’ve decided to remake everyone’s Crest Armor Coats using the hides of Elemental Dragoons.
“So, tomorrow’s plan will be hunting on the 7th Level and defeating the Guardian.”
“That’s right.”
However, the Solpre Labyrinth is not that large. The 4th Level, with its forests, is said to take about three hours, the 5th Level, a marshland, takes less than two hours, and the 6th Level, a snowy region, also takes less than three hours.
But I don’t want to camp in a snowy region, so camping near the 7th Level, which has numerous islands floating on a lake, would be the best option for tomorrow night.
“Since we have a little time to spare, will we be hunting tomorrow as well?”
“That’s likely. However, from the 4th Level onwards, only G-rank Monsters appear, with occasional Lesser Dragoons, and the 5th Level has a considerable number of P-rank Monsters. The 6th Level is said to have only P-rank Monsters. So, if we hunt along the way, it might be dark by the time we reach the 7th Level.”
Mana replies to Rebecca, and I agree.
Yamato and I can manage even against P-rank Monsters, but everyone else will struggle. We will have to support them properly. This will take more time, so as Mana predicted, it might be just the right time when we reach the 7th Level.
However, everyone’s levels will increase, and Mina, Flam, Rebecca, and possibly Athena can evolve if they try hard. So, as a worst-case scenario, camping on the 6th Level might be unavoidable.
Ah, everyone’s levels are as follows:
Yamato Hydrangea Mikami
17 years old
Lv. 73
Human Race, Ancient Human
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Hunter’s Rank: M
Order’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Float Outside
Order’s Rank: O
Primrose Hydrangea Mikami
17 years old
Lv. 68
Beast Race, Ancient Foxy
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Hunter’s Rank: P
Manalease A. Mikami
18 years old
Lv. 52
Human Race, High Elf
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Float
Hunter’s Rank: G-S
Yurianna Reina Amister
14 years old
Lv. 25
Human Race, Human Half-Elf
Healer’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Float
Healer’s Rank: G
Frederica Amatista
19 years old
Lv. 32
Human Race, Elf
Union: Wing Crest
Order’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Memoria Outside
Order’s Rank: B-C
Mina F. Mikami
17 years old
Lv. 43
Human Race, Human
Union: Wing Crest
Order’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Float Outside
Order’s Rank: B
Hunter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Hunter’s Rank: S
Flam Mikami
18 years old
Lv. 41
Yokai Race, Undine
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Hunter’s Rank: S-B
Lydia Highwind
16 years old
Lv. 50
Dragon Race, Hydragonewt (Ice Dragon)
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Valentia Dragon Country Dragunia
Hunter’s Rank: S
Rudia Highwind
16 years old
Lv. 50
Dragon Race, Hydragonewt (Fire Dragon)
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Valentia Dragon Country Dragunia
Hunter’s Rank: S
Athena Willness Earthlight Tomari
84 years old
Lv. 39
Dragon Race, Dragonian
Dragon Name: Earthlight Dragonian
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Valentia Dragon Country Dragunia
Hunter’s Rank: B-I
Raus
13 years old
Lv. 47
Beast Race, High Ulfy
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Hunter’s Rank: S
Rebecca
13 years old
Lv. 42
Yokai Race, Undine
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Hunter’s Rank: S-B
Carol Bernstein
15 years old
Lv. 27
Human Race, Elf
Union: Wing Crest
Healer’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Fielite
Healer’s Rank: S
Edward Albert
19 years old
Lv. 25
Human Race, Fairy Half-Dwarf
Union: Wing Crest
Crafter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Crafter’s Rank: P-G
Marina Albert
19 years old
Lv. 26
Dragon Race, Fairy Half-Dragonewt
Union: Wing Crest
Crafter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Crafter’s Rank: S
Trader’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Trader’s Rank: B
Fiana Albert
17 years old
Lv. 23
Yokai Race, Harpy
Union: Wing Crest
Crafter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Crafter’s Rank: S
Marisa
20 years old
Lv. 30
Yokai Race, Vampire
Union: Wing Crest
Butler’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Float
Butler’s Rank: S
Viola
15 years old
Lv. 26
Beast Race, Tigari
Union: Wing Crest
Butler’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Float
Butler’s Rank: B
Yuria
14 years old
Lv. 23
Beast Race, Rabitry
Union: Wing Crest
Butler’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Float
Butler’s Rank: C
Eos Willness Green
117 years old
Lv. 52
Dragon Race, Hydragonian
Dragon Name: Green Dragonian
Union: Wing Crest
Butler’s Guild: Valentia Dragon Country Dragunia
Butler’s Rank: G
Hunter’s Guild: Valentia Dragon Country Dragunia
Hunter’s Rank: G
Apricot Hydrangea
36 years old
Lv. 34
Beast Race, Foxy
Healer’s Guild: Amister Kingdom Feel
Healer’s Rank: G
Eos and I have been focusing on supporting everyone, so our levels haven’t increased, but everyone else’s levels have risen considerably. Yamato has also leveled up once, which is the first time in a while.
Some of them can rank up by completing the necessary procedures, but that will be after we return to Dragunia. Rika-san will have to wait until we return to Amister.
“Alright, I’m going to try it.”
“Don’t push yourself, Athena.”
“Okay!”
It seems Athena is going to attempt full dragonization.
After forming a Dragon Resonance Contract with Yamato, she can achieve full dragonization for short periods. However, Athena is the first Dragonian to form a Dragon Resonance Contract with an Ancient Class, so the effects are unknown. Yamato suspects she might experience symptoms similar to acute mana fluctuation, and I can’t deny that possibility. It’s said that Dragon Resonance Contracts resonate the mana of the contractor and the Dragonian to enhance each other’s mana. Even Lord Gaia didn’t know what would happen if Athena, influenced by the mana of an Ancient Class, were to dragonize.
“Athena, how is it?”
“I have more mana than I expected.”
Athena replies to Yamato, who is worried, and indeed, she seems to be fine.
Athena in her fully dragonized form was slightly smaller than Eos.
However, her slightly yellowish-silver body was incredibly beautiful.
“Eos, what do you think?”
“Lord Gaia also predicted that there would be no problems during the dragonization process. The issue is after she reverts. The mana, stamina, and damage consumed during dragonization will all come crashing down with fatigue when she reverts her Dragon Transformation Magic.”
I see. So, the mana and stamina consumed in the dragonized form, along with any damage taken, all strike at once with fatigue when the Dragon Transformation Magic is released. Thus, full dragonization is a Dragonian’s trump card and last resort. In particular, even minor injuries in the dragonized state can sometimes turn into severe wounds upon reverting. If there is remaining mana, some injuries can be healed upon reverting, but since full dragonization for normal Dragonians assumes near-complete mana depletion, Dragonians rarely dragonize.
“This time, I haven’t sustained any damage, and I have the contract with you, so I expected my exhaustion wouldn’t be that severe, right?”
“Yes. Regardless of who you form a Dragon Resonance Contract with, as long as you don’t sustain damage, mana consumption can be suppressed. In Athena’s case, her mana capacity has increased since contracting with Yamato, so that should be fine. The issue might be stamina.”
That’s the problem.
Indeed, I’ve heard that Athena’s mana has increased significantly since forming a Dragon Resonance Contract with Yamato.
However, she hasn’t evolved yet and has never descended from Mount Willness, so there are concerns about her stamina. In Eos’s case, her mana has also increased by contracting with Mana, but as she is both a Butler and a Hunter, there are no concerns about her stamina. In fact, although we had her fly twice today, she only seemed slightly tired.
“Then, I’ll revert now.”
“Understood.”
Despite our worries, Athena released her Dragon Transformation Magic.
“Athena!”
“S-sorry, Yamato…”
Yamato hastily caught Athena as she stumbled, but she looked quite exhausted.
“Her mana and stamina haven’t been depleted as much as expected. Athena, please use the Hunter Magic Regenerating. That should make you feel a little better.”
“Okay, got it. ‘Regenerating.’ Ah, it’s true.”
Sustained stamina recovery magic, Regenerating. It’s one of the Hunter Magics, and it not only recovers stamina but also suppresses exhaustion, making it indispensable for Hunters. In this case, the stamina recovery effect is likely working more effectively.
“Only Hunter Magic and Knight Magic have stamina recovery spells, so as a Healer, I feel frustrated that I can’t help.”
Yuri says this, and Mother and Carol nod in agreement.
Did Knight Magic have stamina recovery spells?
“You mean Refreshing. This spell recovers stamina all at once, but unlike Regenerating, which can only be used on oneself, this can be used on others.”
“Oh, really? Then, right away. ‘Refreshing.’ How is it, Athena?”
“I feel so much better! Thank you, Yamato!”
After being taught by Rika-san, Yamato immediately used the stamina recovery magic Refreshing, and Athena hugged him.
“This should be fine.”
“Yes. However, Athena-san, Refreshing recovers stamina but doesn’t alleviate fatigue, so please rest well today.”
“Okay, I will.”
Come to think of it, the leader of this Union is Yamato, Rika-san, and Mina.
Normally, outsiders cannot join a Union, but since all three are considered outside collaborators, it’s not a problem. Moreover, since Yamato is the leader of this Union, Wing Crest, we would be in trouble if they said no.
That aside, I’m relieved that Athena seems to be alright.
However, we can’t push her too hard, so it would be best to let Athena rest well tonight by not having her on night watch.
