“What is this guy…?”
This happened after we left the “Seidō” of the 14th floor, hunted a boss, and were on our way to the 20th floor.
I found a monster moving at high speed within the Dimension.
The monster was moving at a speed unsuited to the 14th floor. Thinking it was a powerful enemy, I focused my gaze on it from afar.
[Monster] Line Skitter: Rank 1
Contrary to my expectations, it was a boss monster of an unusually low rank.
It was unsuited for the 14th floor in the opposite sense of its speed.
It looked like a small, blue, glowing mouse.
However, its glow was unusual.
I became interested and decided to chase after it.
Snow in the rear looked as if she could fall asleep any moment, but I left her be and turned my feet towards the Line Skitter.
Despite being a boss, the Line Skitter ran around the area without staying put. It wasn’t easy to approach it.
However, as I continued to chase, I gradually began to understand the pattern of the Line Skitter’s movements.
And I became convinced that I would never encounter it if I only chased on foot.
There was no other choice, so I left Snow waiting in the “Seidō” and started acting alone.
If I started running seriously, Snow wouldn’t be able to keep up.
This was a consequence of our stat characteristics. I specialized in speed, while Snow specialized in durability. That was the difference.
After telling Snow not to sleep in the “Seidō,” I began to chase the Line Skitter with all my might.
I predicted the corridors the Line Skitter would pass through and gradually closed the distance.
A few minutes later, I succeeded in encountering the Line Skitter, which was running while cutting through the wind.
I immediately drew my sword from my Inventory and swung it.
However, the moment I swung—the Line Skitter increased its speed and dodged my sword.
“What—!?”
I was only allowed one cut.
The Line Skitter, having dodged the sword, passed by me and disappeared into the darkness of the corridor.
I tried to chase it—but then I remembered the speed with which it dodged my sword, and I stopped.
The Line Skitter’s top speed was probably faster than mine.
I realized that just chasing wouldn’t work, so I put my sword back into my Inventory. Then, I began to search for another method using my magic and my Inventory.
My most confident spell, “Dimension Winter,” would not be effective. That was a spell to intercept approaching enemies. Hindering the movement of an escaping enemy wouldn’t have much of an impact.
“Midwinter of Overcrowded Dimensions” was the same. Although it had a deceleration effect, it would be difficult to even get the Line Skitter within its range in the first place. I could consume magic power to expand the effect area, but even then, the success rate would likely be low.
Then there were ranged attacks like “Ice – Improvised Arrow,” but I wouldn’t be confident in hitting it with that speed, even with the magic “Dimension – Decisive Calculation.”
—Therefore, all I had left were trap-based spells.
I took out water from my Inventory and created a large puddle in the path the Line Skitter would likely take. On top of that, I placed one “Dimension Snow.” Of course, I didn’t detonate it yet.
There was a high possibility that the Line Skitter, running on the ground, would fall into this trap.
Furthermore, the information that it was Rank 1 suggested that even this flimsy trap might be able to capture it.
After creating about five similar traps, I ascertained the Line Skitter’s position.
With preparations complete, I approached the Line Skitter in the same way as before. I gradually restricted the enemy’s escape routes, intending to force it into this cluster of traps.
I had to be as quick as possible.
The base of the puddle trap was “Dimension Snow.”
If other monsters broke through it, the trap would be wasted.
And after chasing the Line Skitter around multiple times, it finally stepped into the area where the traps were.
I stopped chasing and focused all my attention on the timing of the trap’s activation.
The moment the Line Skitter stepped into the puddle, I detonated the “Dimension Snow.” The cold air burst forth, and the puddle froze in an instant. Of course, the Line Skitter’s feet were frozen with it.
I confirmed its capture with Dimension and quickly headed towards the frozen puddle.
There, the Line Skitter was chirping and trying to break free from the ice. It seemed to be a monster with speed but not strength.
My conscience ached slightly.
However, repeating “the survival of the fittest” in my mind, I cut down the Line Skitter with my sword.
[Title “Brilliant Line Runner” Acquired]
A +0.05 bonus is applied to speed.
I focused my gaze on the dropped magic stone.
[Crescent Pectoral Azure]
An aggregate of magic power that emits flashes of light.
Rarely dropped by monsters cursed with unparalleled speed.
From the description, I could tell it was rare, and I was relieved that I had obtained something commensurate with my efforts.
Having achieved my goal, I headed back to Snow.
I reached the “Seidō” and looked for her.
However, despite my caution, Snow was with her eyes closed at the edge of the “Seidō.” She wasn’t snoring, but it was still too much.
“Snow, I told you not to sleep…”
“…Mm. Nn? Nn. No, I’m not sleeping, not sleeping.”
“You were slow to react just now.”
“…Don’t worry about it. More importantly, were you able to defeat that thing?”
Snow tried to change the subject.
Her ingrained laziness meant that further admonishment would be pointless.
“Yeah, I caught it with a trap and defeated it. I got this drop.”
“…Ooh, ooh. This is rare, something that doesn’t even appear once a year even in the five Allied Nations. Is it the ‘Crescent Pectoral Azure’?”
“That’s correct. It was quite a struggle.”
“…Even after defeating that, it doesn’t always drop. So, it’s very rare. Good for you, Kanami.”
“Is that so? Then I guess I was lucky.”
It seemed I was lucky this time.
In fact, even sensing the Line Skitter in the Dimension was almost a coincidence.
“…Alright. I got something good, so let’s move on, let’s move on.”
Snow pretended to be motivated and tried to proceed into the labyrinth.
It was obvious she didn’t want to be lectured by me for taking a nap in the “Seidō.”
“Yes. Let’s move on.”
If I had my way, I would have lectured her for about an hour.
I wanted to explain at length about the possibility of monsters entering the “Seidō,” the possibility of being attacked by other explorers, and many other unforeseen circumstances.
However, given Snow’s personality, it was highly likely to be a futile effort.
I had no choice but to advance into the depths of the labyrinth while thinking of ways to correct Snow’s personality.
***
Although I had declared that Snow wouldn’t have to fight, that promise was broken in the middle of the 19th floor.
As expected, unforeseen events are common in labyrinths, and once surrounded by monsters, Snow had no choice but to fight.
The enemy was a 19th-floor monster, the Carmine Minotaur.
However, the fight between Snow and the Carmine Minotaur was more one-sided than I had expected.
Snow’s iron battle axe, swung with one hand, severed the Carmine Minotaur’s right leg.
The enemy, not to be outdone, let out a scream and swung its axe back. However, Snow lightly blocked the blow with the greatsword she held in her other hand.
With a deafening clang, the Carmine Minotaur was sent flying backward.
The Carmine Minotaur, several times Snow’s size, was instead blown away.
Seeing that sight, I was amazed.
And then, Snow decapitated the blown-away Carmine Minotaur and plunged her sword into its heart.
Just then, I had also finished defeating the monster I was fighting.
Feeling relieved by its overwhelming strength, I muttered.
“Is that it?”
I collected the magic stones from the monsters that turned into light and looked at the sword in my hand.
Covered in blood and chipped, I put the sword into my Inventory. Then, as I took out my spare sword, Snow handed me her weapon.
“…Here.”
It seemed she wanted me to put her weapon in my Inventory.
Snow knew about the Inventory system. It was an ability I really didn’t want anyone else to know, but I had to tell her.
Not only would we be cooperating for a long time, but the Inventory system was absolutely necessary for transporting Snow’s weapons.
Thanks to Snow’s Dragon Person racial bonus, she possessed strength beyond her stats. Because of that bonus, she was strongest when fighting with heavy weapons. However, perhaps because she relied on brute force for her attacks, her weapons wore out quickly, which was a weakness.
In summary, the condition for her to perform at her best was when she could carry a large number of heavy weapons. In the nature of labyrinth exploration, Snow would not normally be able to achieve this peak performance. However, with my Inventory system, I could ignore the labyrinth exploration constraint of weight limits.
With such a great benefit presented before me, I had no choice but to reveal my secret.
Looking at Snow’s weapon, I asked her intention.
“What’s wrong?”
“…It’s heavy.”
“No, if you don’t carry that, even you, Snow, wouldn’t be able to defeat a Minotaur, right?”
“…If I get surrounded, I’ll take it out again.”
However, now that she knew about the Inventory system, Snow seemed to think of it only as a way to explore empty-handed. She was constantly trying to be as unburdened as possible.
“You won’t be able to react to sudden situations, so please carry it. I’m begging you.”
“…Hmph.”
I clearly refused and stepped forward to the 20th floor.
Once I had her carry a weapon, I had to make sure she never accepted it back. If her movement was slowed, forcing her to fight monsters, then Snow would properly fight. If I made her light, she would just dart around and try to goof off.
“Snow, I’m leaving you behind.”
“…Ah, my hands are getting tired.”
Snow carried weapons on both shoulders and grudgingly followed.
Seeing this as an opportunity, on the way to the 20th floor, I threw monsters at Snow multiple times for her to fight.
As we repeated this experience point grinding that bordered on harassment, we finally reached the 20th floor.
Beyond the stairs lay a desolate space, just like the 10th floor.
Just as I did on the 10th floor, I set up a Connection in a corner of the 20th floor. This would allow us to travel in and out of the labyrinth anytime.
“Okay, goal achieved.”
“…Alright, let’s go back. And let’s call it a day.”
“It’s not over, but going back is an option. Shall we have an Epic Seeker heal us?”
“…H-heal? You still want to use me?”
“You haven’t worked that much. Come on, let’s go.”
Snow and I moved to the office at the Epic Seeker headquarters.
Then, we immediately searched for members who could use healing magic within the Dimension. Perhaps because I had finished most of my work yesterday, it was easy to find idle members.
I called out to members proficient in Divine Magic and had them heal our wounds. However, since we hadn’t struggled much, they were all minor scratches.
The mages who healed us were grinning eerily as they treated our wounds. When asked why, they said that healing the wounds of strong people was their life’s purpose. Truly the healers of the Epic Seekers. They were a bit crazy.
After confirming that Snow’s and my HP were fully restored, I intended to go back to the labyrinth. However, Snow protested against the continuous challenge.
“…R-rest.”
“No. Our physical condition is perfect. There’s no reason not to go.”
“…This is relentless. T-that’s right! Bring out that ‘Crescent Pectoral Azure’ from earlier.”
“What about it?”
I took out the “Crescent Pectoral Azure” from my Inventory and showed it to Snow.
“…Let’s take this to our blacksmith. If they can process it, we’ll commission them to forge a new weapon. With a magic stone this rare, it should be interesting.”
“Ah, the Epic Seekers have a dedicated blacksmith? That certainly sounds interesting.”
I was in favor of forging a new weapon.
Today, I had also broken several swords. I thought mass-produced ones would be fine, but in the long run, perhaps an expensive, one-of-a-kind item was necessary.
“…Alright, let’s go. We’ll have them make various things. I’ll be watching from the side.”
“You mean you’ll be sleeping next to me, right?”
With a wry smile, I accepted Snow’s proposal.
And we headed to the workshop located at the edge of the Epic Seeker headquarters.
