The first floor of the Varie Labyrinth was incredibly spacious.
While we were exploring, it took us six hours just to get through it, which I didn’t expect.
Even with that much time, we only managed to fill about half of the map of the first floor. It might even be as large as a small country?
Because of that, all we could confirm about the second floor was that it was a snowy mountain area.
It also snowed heavily at times, and the mountains were about 1,000 meters higher than those on the first floor, so everyone said that the fact that we could use a Beast Carriage was our only saving grace.
After reporting to the Head Office of the Hunter’s Guild in Float, we returned to Alka. Even the Grand Hunter’s Master was struggling.
While the Monster Rank was low, the environment was harsh. At this rate, the floors seemed to be vast and deep, and we didn’t know how many days it would take to clear them.
The location of the Varie Labyrinth was also currently patrolled by high-rank monsters, making it extremely dangerous for not just ordinary Hunters, but even High Hunters, putting their lives at great risk.
So, they asked us if we could clear it as soon as possible, but we didn’t know how long it would take, and Yamato had a packed work schedule. Even if we could go, it would only be for a few days next month, after the Phantom King’s Coronation Ceremony.
They mentioned they would request an Ancient Hunter, but since they had just finished clearing a labyrinth recently, it would likely be difficult for them to respond immediately.
Feeling apologetic, Yamato promised to go and investigate when he had free time.
The next day, Mana, Meena, Lydia, and I decided to go to the Krater Labyrinth with Mako.
Actually, yesterday, Shirayuki evolved into what’s called an Aurora Light Tiger.
Before entering the Varie Labyrinth, we hunted many monsters. Among them was the A-C Rank Monster Ocean Howl Grand, which Shirayuki single-handedly defeated.
Shirayuki was a P-R Rank Monster, a Snow Mirage Tiger, but an Aurora Light Tiger is an M-I Rank Monster.
Individuals that undergo special evolution are considered equivalent to one rank higher. Considering it evolved into an An, Shirayuki would be equivalent to O-rank.
Its fur is a pale greenish-white with black stripes. While its size, at 5 meters in length, is smaller compared to normal An or Catastrophe Species, it possesses the strength to defeat even A-C Rank Leo Species head-on. More importantly, Shirayuki is the Summoned Beast of Mako, an Element Human, so it might not be outmatched even by an O-rank opponent.
I don’t think it could handle O-I or O-C rank monsters though.
“To think it’s an M-I rank monster that underwent special evolution. I saw it defeat the Ocean Howl Grand, and it’s become an incredible Summoned Beast.”
“I agree with that, but I wasn’t consciously trying for it either?”
It’s impossible to consciously evolve a Summoned Beast like that.
“That’s true. But with both Kaede and Shirayuki evolving, Mako’s Unique Magic will become even stronger.”
“Ah, you mean Field Cosmos.”
“Yes. It can prevent Demise Species on its own, and with the added magic power of her Summoned Beasts, it will become an impenetrable barrier.”
Summoning Mages can use the magic power and spells of their Summoned Beasts as their own.
So, even at the same level, the power of spells differs between a Summoning Mage and someone who isn’t, and controlling magic power becomes easier.
Mako hasn’t created Unique Magic that uses the magic power of her Summoned Beasts, but by slightly improving her existing Unique Magic, she can use their magic power without any problems. Therefore, the strength of Field Cosmos that Meena and Mana mentioned will become even more powerful than before, and she might even be able to overlay attack magic.
“Ah, about that, I completely forgot.”
“Eh?”
“You forgot? You forgot about being able to use your Summoned Beasts’ magic power?”
“Yes. The primary reason I contracted with Kaede was for protection and evasion of attacks while using Engraving Magic. But, aren’t most of you doing that already?”
“Well, the support Mako-san provides makes a huge difference, whether it’s there or not. Ah, so that’s why.”
I see. I wondered why Mako hadn’t created Unique Magic with her Summoned Beasts, but perhaps it was because she didn’t really need to.
“I understand. Indeed, Mako can do everything herself, so the necessity was low. Both Kaede and Shirayuki are terrestrial species and can’t fly. Conversely, Mako, by evolving into an Element Human, can sprout wings as needed and even has Wing Burst, so she often engages in aerial combat. There was also the issue of combat compatibility.”
“You can run across the sky with Summoned Beasts using Scaffolding, so that’s just an excuse.”
“Putting that aside, Mako-san has never been attacked even without our support.”
Ah, so there was also the issue of whether aerial combat was possible.
When Meena rides Breeze, she uses Scaffolding to make it run through the sky, and it’s Meena who’s using the Scaffolding. She uses it over a sufficiently wide area not just for Breeze’s direction of travel but also to prevent it from falling even when evading.
Because of that, Breeze has never fallen, but Meena, as her title Knight Princess suggests, is also a knight, so when fighting monsters, she has to get close regardless of the opponent.
Of course, she uses feint magic, but I think it’s precisely because it’s a feint that she can concentrate on Scaffolding.
However, if Mako, a mage, were to do that, it would affect her Engraving Magic and magic control. In the worst case, she might be attacked herself, and she could even fall along with her Summoned Beast.
That’s why Mako absolutely never flies when riding on her Summoned Beast’s back.
However, Mako has never been attacked by a monster, and for that matter, she’s never even been approached closely.
Oh, monsters are coming this way, so let’s pause our conversation.
“Hm? Ah, they’re here. That looks like… an Ice Wolf.”
“They’re in packs, but there are also White Wolves, so it’s not enough to test Shirayuki’s strength.”
“Well, yes. However, since we came here to test Shirayuki’s strength today, we have no choice but to have Shirayuki do her best, even if it’s troublesome. Right, Shirayuki?”
“Gauu. Gaaaaaah!!”
After letting out a cry, Shirayuki roared at the Ice Wolves that were about to charge at us.
Upon hearing that, the Ice Wolves completely cowered.
“Gauaa!”
Then, Shirayuki created and unleashed Ice Arrows around her, annihilating the Ice Wolves in an instant.
“Fighting Ice Wolves and White Wolves won’t give us any useful reference.”
“That’s true.”
White Wolves are C-U Rank, and even Ice Wolves are B-R Rank. For an M-I Rank like Shirayuki, they are insignificant opponents.
“At this rate, it seems unlikely they’ll be a match for Shirayuki even on the second floor.”
“It might depend on whether there are Spinosaurus.”
“Ah, now that you mention it.”
I had forgotten, but it’s true that P-R Rank Monster Spinosaurus inhabit the rocky and lava volcanoes on the second floor.
They are a rare species, so their numbers aren’t large, but it’s said that there are usually two or three of them. Furthermore, Shirayuki was the same P-R Rank Monster as Spinosaurus until yesterday, so they could be considered a good match.
“So, are we going to use the deepest floor transition instead of the one ahead?”
“It will get us there faster in results, and there are many Hunters on this floor, so let’s do that.”
“Mana-sama and Meena-san have work tomorrow, so that would be better.”
Right.
Mana has work in Feel tomorrow, and Meena has work in Float, so our plan was a day trip today.
Although Shirayuki isn’t the first Summoned Beast to evolve into an An, she seems to be the first one that can actually fight. So, it’s better to confirm her capabilities quickly.
With that decided, we headed towards the floor transition at the innermost part of the dungeon.
There were monster attacks, but since there were monsters of B-rank, let alone C-rank, I found it troublesome.
Feeling that way, we reached the second floor.
“As usual, this volcano isn’t very popular.”
“They have monsters from G-rank all the way up to P-rank. While their materials are valuable, whether you can defeat them is another matter, and compared to other volcanoes, there are many monsters that are one rank higher.”
“There are also scattered Kobold settlements everywhere, making it a dangerous area where even High Class Hunters can’t afford to be careless.”
The monsters inhabiting this rocky and lava volcano also included many Saurian types.
Among them, Kobolds are inferior, but within the labyrinth, they become equivalent to one rank higher, and sometimes Anomalous Species are born.
On top of that, they form settlements, so if we underestimate them, we won’t have enough lives to spare.
“Now, I can see it right away. That’s a Megalosaurus.”
“It seems so. Well, it’s only natural for them to be here since it’s their territory near the floor transition.”
“Indeed. Well then, Shirayuki, please.”
“Gauu!”
Following Mako’s instructions, Shirayuki headed straight for the Megalosaurus, unleashing Ice Arrows.
The Megalosaurus also noticed Shirayuki and is counteracting with fire-attribute magic.
Whoa, Shirayuki’s Ice Arrows are being neutralized. Does that mean this Megalosaurus might be one that even a P-rank can defeat?
“Heh, this is convenient.”
“Yes. Being able to neutralize Shirayuki’s ice magic means it can probably defeat monsters of one rank higher as well. I believe the environment also plays a role.”
Mana and Lydia are thinking the same thing as me, so I guess Meena and Mako are too.
However, Shirayuki is only using Ice Arrows for feinting, and she’s already entered the Megalosaurus’s close range.
The Megalosaurus swung its claws to meet her, and Shirayuki matched its claws with her own.
At that moment, the Megalosaurus’s body was flung backward, and Shirayuki, not missing the opening, sank her fangs into its neck.
The Megalosaurus, its neck torn off, fell to the ground powerless, moved slightly, and then never moved again.
“That was quite anticlimactic.”
“The Monster Rank is two levels different, and they are an upper species and an An, respectively.”
“I think it would be a little different against a Spinosaurus, but based on its current performance, it wasn’t dangerous, and I don’t think the outcome would change.”
“I feel that way too.”
After all, it defeated the Ocean Howl Grand by itself.
I also think there wouldn’t be much difference even against a Spinosaurus.
As if to prove my prediction correct, Shirayuki easily defeated not only the Megalosaurus but also Magma Spiders. The single Spinosaurus present was also defeated in the same manner. It took a little effort to deal with Pteranodons and Fire Drakes that could fly freely, but they were also defeated without incident.
“A satisfactory result.”
“Satisfactory is an understatement, it’s more than enough.”
“Yes. To think it’s this incredible when evolving into an An.”
Mana looked enviously at Mako, who had a satisfied expression despite saying it was “satisfactory.”
As a fellow Summoning Mage, and Mana actively using the magic power of her Summoned Beasts, it must be incredibly attractive.
Mana has three Summoned Beasts: Star Ruby, War Horse, and Frost Bird, all of which are normally contracted individuals that have already evolved into rare species.
Mana herself is level 91, and if she could evolve into an Element Elf, I believe her Summoned Beasts would also be pulled along and evolve.
Evolution is not easy for humans or Summoned Beasts, and Mana is busy with work right now, making it difficult to find time to hunt, but I still think she might be able to evolve someday.
I’m envious that Dragonians cannot use Summoning Magic or Familiar Magic.
“Well then, let’s head back for today.”
“I have work tomorrow.”
“Indeed. Well, it’s for Yuri, and for Saki, Asuma, Satsuki, and the babies in Prim and Flam’s bellies, so I have to work hard.”
Ah, we’re going home already.
But today’s objective was to confirm Shirayuki’s strength, and we’ve hunted a considerable number of monsters. So, this might indeed be a good point to withdraw.
Everyone has work tomorrow, and there’s no point in getting overly tired by overdoing it, so it’s probably best to go home.
I don’t have anything in particular to do, so tomorrow I’ll look after Saki and the familiars with Yuni.
