Chapter 219
"If I keep spending all my time practicing new instruments, I'll lose sight of why I came to the Spirit Realm in the first place."
"If I don't grow stronger now, who knows when I'll get another chance?"
"So this is the Bubble Dungeon? What a strange place..."
After using alchemy to prepare the sports festival equipment alongside the concert gear, we finally arrived at our original destination—the Bubble Dungeon.
Dungeon entrances are usually just gates appearing in empty spaces, but this one is special.
Soft, floating bubbles drift in the air, while beneath them stretches a vibrant field of multicolored flowers.
The bubbles are all born from these flowers.
"This dungeon is unique—it's a place where you can *create* dungeons."
These bubbles are the materials used to craft the Bubble Dungeon.
"If it's that easy, you'd think dungeons would be everywhere."
Yet despite the bubbles scattered all over, no dungeons are in sight.
"You need to follow the recipe, or you won’t get the dungeon you want." "Dungeons have *recipes*?"
Of course, you *can* make one randomly, but you won’t know what kind of dungeon you’ll get until you enter.
Amina seems surprised that dungeons have recipes, but this place is the only exception—no other method exists in the world.
"Well, technically, it's only possible here because of the Spirit King’s influence over the Spirit Realm."
As far as I know, this is the only place in the world where you can craft dungeons. And since the Spirit Realm is only accessible to players above Class 7, most just used it for material farming.
"But how do you actually make one? All I see are floating bubbles." "Then let’s start by making the dungeon for Claudiah’s job."
The Spirit King rules this realm, but even here, there are branch temples. It might seem convenient, but spirits and gods share a connection—not worship, but mutual recognition.
The Spirit King’s reason for reincarnating me probably ties into this.
In FBO, players theorized endlessly about the relationship between spirits and gods, but no one ever uncovered the truth.
The prevailing theory? Spirits are nature, and gods created that nature—making them parent and child.
The temples exist so the parent can watch over the child.
No priests tend to them; spirits merely clean periodically. Their only real purpose is to offer trials when someone visits.
"That’s fine, but the conditions are the same as before, right?" "Yeah, though we can still adjust them. You’re sticking with Martial Artist?"
As someone benefiting from this system, I see no need to question it. Instead, we focus on Claudiah’s job acquisition.
"Of course. Hand-to-hand combat is my calling—changing now would only bring regret." "Understood. And the epithet—*Skyrend* is acceptable?" "If that’s the pinnacle you know, then I’ll strive for it."
Claudiah’s job will be **Martial Artist**, enhancing fist-based skills—perfect for someone who treats her limbs as weapons.
Though she once held a lesser epithet, this time she aims for the highest tier.
"Got it."
*Skyrend Martial Artist*—written as "Heaven-Splitter."
To earn this epithet, you must solo a specific dungeon without weapons, clearing it within a time limit for a *chance* at obtaining it. Like Amina’s "Supreme," there’s a way to guarantee it.
"The boss is **Storm Falcon**, a flying unit with wind attributes. Expect heavy wind magic."
One method is a solo speedrun—defeat 100 dungeon monsters within the time limit, then the boss. Succeed, and you have a 99% chance of getting the epithet *and* the job.
A pure RTA (real-time attack) challenge.
Of course, just becoming a Martial Artist is simpler—defeat a few monsters bare-handed, and you’re set.
But for *Skyrend*, you *must* clear a dungeon ruled by flying units.
A brutal requirement for a melee-focused class.
"The enemy *does* engage in close combat, but they’ll also attack from range, so be careful." "Worry not. I’ve fought Storm Falcons and their Gyro Eagle minions before. And Libert gave me the dungeon map."
Still, Claudiah is no ordinary NPC—she’s a top-tier combatant, the **Heretic Monk**.
Her battle experience dwarfs mine. She’s neither careless nor prone to mistakes.
"Understood. Then I’ll start crafting the dungeon."
Explaining the strategy feels like giving a speedrunner all the best routes—overkill, really.
So I leave it at that and turn to the flower field to begin.
"Make what, exactly?" "A flower crown."
Crouching down, I start weaving one.
"A flower crown? *That* kind?" "I’ve made one before!" "Ah, these flowers are all **Otherworld Blossoms**, infused with the Spirit King’s power. A crown woven from them acts as the dungeon’s key."
The types and number of flowers determine the dungeon’s properties.
I start with green flowers as the base, adding in feather-like leaves to represent birds, working silently.
"The size sets the dungeon’s class, the color determines the attribute, and the leaf shape defines the monster type. Right now, I’m making a wind-attribute avian dungeon." "But with just that, wouldn’t there be tons of possible dungeons?"
True—even narrowing it to Class 3, wind-attribute birds are common.
"The final filter is the bubbles floating around." "The bubbles?"
To refine it further, I pluck a green-tinged bubble from the air.
"It doesn’t pop?" "Only if you squeeze too hard. Normally, it’s fine."
The delicate sphere rests in my palm, its squishy texture oddly satisfying. Under everyone’s gaze, I move to the next step.
"The key here is **visualization**." "Visualization?" "While holding the bubble, vividly imagine the dungeon’s boss. The bubble will change shape accordingly."
Back in the game, this system blew my mind.
The first time a spirit taught me, I was baffled—*"Grab a bubble and think really hard?"*
Monster knowledge is mandatory. The flower crown is the foundation, and the bubble is the blueprint.
"Whoa—it’s a giant bird!"
The bubble in my hand swells, morphing into the silhouette of a massive falcon—a sovereign of the skies.
Its sleek, sharp form looms larger than me, wings outstretched.
"Once shaped, touch it to the crown—"
It’s been a while, but muscle memory takes over.
*Poof.*
The crown glows upon contact, dissolving into light that forms a gate.
"Unlike dungeon keys mixed with **Weakling’s Proof**, this is a one-time consumable. But as long as you can remake the crown and visualize, you can recreate it endlessly."
This is the **Bubble Dungeon**.
Its only flaws? The hassle of remaking the crown each time, the flowers that grow *only* here, and the requirement of the Spirit King’s domain.
Otherwise, it’s no different from any other dungeon.
"So, Claudiah—if it gets dangerous, retreat. You can always try again." "Thank you for your concern. Don’t worry, I’ll return if I sense real danger."
After a final equipment check, Claudiah steps forward—her light footsteps betraying excitement—and vanishes into the dungeon without hesitation.
"Claudiah really loves fighting, huh?" "Yeah, I kinda figured."
That carefree aura? She’s *not* coming back unless she’s half-dead.
*Thud. Crash.*
Distant impacts echo from inside. Nel and Amina watch the entrance, concerned but not anxious, before turning to me.
"While we wait for Claudiah, let’s get Esmeralda her job." "It’s finally time?"
Claudiah won’t be back soon. Next up—the last party member without a job: Lady Esmeralda.
"Magic-user jobs are tiered, as I explained before." "Indeed—Apprentice, Mage, Archmage, Sage, and finally, the crowned **Demon King**. Five stages." "Correct. Our goal is the magic-system’s apex—**Demon King**—topped with the ultimate epithet: **Elemental**."
Her job path focuses on magic enhancement.
Despite the name, **Demon King** isn’t a world-ending villain here—that role belongs to the **Evil God**.
Instead, it’s simply the strongest magic class, reducing MP cost while boosting spell power.
And **Elemental Demon King**?
A title that enhances *all* magic attributes.
Its effect range is unmatched—no other epithet even comes close.
Couple that with top-tier stat boosts, and it’s downright broken.
"Yes! By the name of Edelgard, I *will* claim it!!"
...Well, a villainess-looking girl becoming a Demon King *does* fit, I guess.
If she’s fine with it, who am I to argue?