Chapter 414
Now then, suddenly, would you think that clearing a stage and moving to the next is the normal flow of game progression?
"Phew, being level-dropped really makes me lack firepower."
The answer is, that *is* normal.In other words, normally, after defeating a giant hippo-shaped monster like the Forest Eater, it would turn into black ash, spawn a treasure chest, and deploy a warp gate, and the natural course would be to proceed directly to the next floor.
The storm's intensity subsided, and the rain was gradually letting up.Proof that the gimmick of this floor had been conquered.
Having my stats reduced to Class 3, I protected my weapon with Magic Edge to prevent wear and tear, and maneuvered to seal the opponent's movements—zero damage taken.
Clear time: barely five minutes.
"Hmm, one potion and... oh, getting a pouch is much appreciated."
From the wooden treasure chest that appeared as a reward for defeating the Forest Eater came the minimum guaranteed Class 2 potion.Having it is certainly better than not, so I put it in the small pouch attached to my belt and equipped it immediately.
"Well then."
Nothing left to do on this floor.One would think there's no reason to linger, but there's actually an easily misunderstood point here.
"One more round, I think."
For a normal person, clearing a stage means they can proceed forward, so they just go ahead.However, knowing that this gimmick can be used multiple times, I ran off to secure necessary items in one go.
"There they are."
Moreover, Spireons driven off by the Forest Eater tend to cluster together, and the time to spawn the next Forest Eater is often shorter.True to form this time too, I discovered a group of Spireons that had fled and gathered in a specific location.
With a Yakuza Kick, I knocked Spireons down from the trees again and resumed defeating them.In my current level-reduced state, there's no worry about leveling up.
So, without hesitation, I kept defeating Spireons.
"There it is, there it is."
Then again, the Spireons' behavior changed, and the storm began to intensify.This is the signal that the Forest Eater is appearing, so no risk of missing it.
Finding it is easy too—just run in the opposite direction from where the Spireons are fleeing.
"Foooound you!"
This time, I launched a surprise attack from the trees and severed the jaw muscles again, rendering it immobile.
"It's okay, I'll finish you off properly this time too!"
Resolved to compensate for the desire sensor's avoidance through sheer volume, I swung the dagger reinforced with Magic Edge once more.
"KAHHAHAHAHA! Mass production, mass production!"
And so, repeatedly defeating Spireons and Forest Eaters, items naturally accumulated.Transformed from starter gear, my equipment was now reinforced with Forest Eater leather goods. My weapons weren't just the starter dagger anymore—I had three one-handed swords crafted from fangs and, lucky enough, even obtained a spear.
"Should be enough to move to the next floor."
Additionally, I'd secured some food rations: jerky and raisins.Thanks to hunting Spireons in large numbers, I also got plenty of hyoid bones.
Weapons and armor without the Indestructible effect degrade with use and will eventually break.Although I minimized wear by reinforcing with Magic Edge, after repeatedly defeating Forest Eaters so many times, the dagger eventually snapped in two.
So my current main weapon is this Forest Eater one-handed sword made from its fangs.I want to conserve the spear as a trump card as much as possible.
Quests with this kind of restriction system impose heavy limitations at the start, but by procuring resources within the quest itself, you can cover a fair amount of loss.
I secured plenty of potions, and while not abundant, I had a surplus of food.
"Well now, what's the next floor?"
After hunting the boss extensively, the next floor I faced was...
"Isn't this just incredibly bad luck?"
A mountainous region plagued by a blinding blizzard.
"If I still had starter gear, I'd be screwed."
My meticulous preparations paid off—by acquiring gear that offered some protection against the cold, I could still operate.
"Now then, what's the next gimmick... *sigh*."
Before I could scan the blizzard-obscured terrain to see what trial awaited, the sound of drums echoed through the mountains.No, more accurately—
"Drumming... They're drumming."
A sound brimming with life force rather than musicality, and mixed with the drumming, the cry of *"Uho!"*
"Ice Yetis... I feel a certain contrivance here."
Among the monsters appearing in this snowy terrain, these are the next most troublesome after dragon species.Squinting through the blizzard, searching for the sound source, I spotted several individuals cloaked in snow, attempting to encircle me.
Their hearing is sharp.Using the echoes of their drumming, they can even see through stealth skills.They've already located me through the echoes.
And worst of all, this drumming can trigger avalanches, so I can't recklessly defeat Ice Yetis either.
I could dismiss the streak of bad weather—from the stormy forest to this blizzard mountain—as simple misfortune.Or perhaps, instead of investigating the cause, I should act first.
"Snow depth is... considerable, but I can manage."
I adjusted the hood of the cloak I acquired on the previous floor, took a step forward, and firmly stamped the ground.Using that foothold, I leaped.
In normal circumstances, aerial combat with unstable visibility in a blizzard should be avoided, but—
"I think it's here."
For me, with complete geographical knowledge, this aerial battle isn't an unfavorable match.I lunged toward a rocky cliff face that appeared, thrusting the bone sword reinforced with Magic Edge into it to secure a vantage point.
My movement triggered the Yetis' drumming communication, and they began sharing my position, but I withdrew the bone sword and relocated.
There are roughly four conditions for opening the gate to the next floor in a trial dungeon:
1. **Elimination-type** — like the previous floor.2. **Rescue-type** — saving someone under attack.3. **Search-type** — finding a hidden entrance.4. **Riddle-type** — solving puzzles.
Given the blizzard conditions on this snowy mountain with Ice Yetis, elimination-type is the first to be ruled out.Fighting Ice Yetis in this weather is a genuine waste of time, and their drops are only magic stones and fur—just unnecessary baggage in this dungeon.Elimination-type requires clear weather.
Next to be ruled out is riddle-type. No one would set puzzles in this environment, and there's no guide presence.
Remaining are rescue-type and search-type...
"High probability is rescue-type."
I judged this as rescue-type.To find the decisive evidence, I attempted that large leap from the starting position.
"Not here."
I was searching for snow-covered caves. In rescue-type, Ice Yetis behave as if searching for a spirit hiding in these caves.There are eight cave locations, all buried in snow.
Normally, you have to search while fighting within the Yetis' encirclement.Extremely troublesome.
However, I have the map of this mountain in my head.
Using Aerial Step, I flew through the blizzard from one location to another, meticulously searching each cave.Meanwhile, the Ice Yetis drummed to communicate their positions and reported mine, but—
"Shadow Cloak."
In this blizzard with poor visibility, enveloped in shadows that absorb and disrupt echo patterns, I obscured my position.
Consequently, zero combat so far.Calculating my Aerial Step usage and cooldown times, I stepped into the final rescue area.
*'......!? Who!?'*"I've come to rescue you."*'......! A spirit presence...?'*"Yeah, well, I have many acquaintances among spirits. Maybe that presence rubbed off on me."*
Huddled there, desperately hiding in the shadows, was a lesser fire spirit, utterly incongruous with this blizzard mountain.A fire spirit on this snowy mountain—normally impossible.The cave was warm; I could tell instantly from the temperature.
*'Is that so?'*
The spirits in this dungeon aren't real spirits.They're illusions created by the dungeon.They possess will and can converse, but you cannot contract with them.
"Yeah. Anyway, are you hungry?"*'...A bit.'*"I see. Want some raisins?"*'Yes!'*
Still, that doesn't mean conversation should be neglected.Forcibly abducting them might cause fear, leading to refusal to accompany you.I'm meeting this spirit for the first time.
Fortunately, the spirit presence emanating from my body seems to give a good first impression.This reaction normally occurs when spirit users challenge this trial, but in reality, such reactions happen too.
I gave a wry smile, thinking that my tenure as president of Amina's fan club was paying off in unexpected ways.
To deepen our relationship slowly while remaining vigilant, I gently placed the raisins I obtained on the previous floor in my palm. The fire spirit timidly reached out, took them, ate, and smiled.
If the relationship deteriorates, this spirit will refuse rescue and flee elsewhere.Then the search starts over, and the next contact begins with negative favorability.
The reason I avoided combat with Ice Yetis and maintained stealth was that attempting contact while being pursued carried only risk.
"Take your time, eat slowly."*'Okay!'*
The fire spirit munching away also warmed my body.Even so, the distant drumming gradually grew closer.
I leaped along the cliff face, concealing myself within the blizzard while heading here, but their search capabilities in this weather are formidable.They'll find this place eventually.
*'Thank you for the meal!'*"Good, are you full?"*'Yeah!'*
There's still time.But not enough to rest leisurely.
"Alright, let's move to where your companions are."*'Really!?'*"Yeah."*'But outside there are big white monsters...'*"It's okay, leave it to Liberta-san."
Fortunately, I still have stamina, and with the fire spirit, I can endure the cold from here on.
*'Really?'*"Yeah."*'...Okay.'*
I picked up the fire spirit, about the size of a small child, and exited the cave.
"It's okay, hold on tight."*'Okay.'*
Exiting the cave, the drumming sounds, now even closer, reached my ears.I activated Shadow Cloak again and leaped from the spot with Aerial Step.
As soon as I began moving with the spirit, the Ice Yetis all started chasing me in unison, as if following a predetermined pattern.
They filled the encirclement as though they knew the spirit's exact location.
But unfortunately—
"You think you can catch me with this?!"
I know their movements, and I know how to break through encirclements.The blizzard might be a gimmick that advantages the enemy, but it's also a gimmick that works for me.
Feeling the presence of Ice Yetis sprinting at full speed behind me, I dashed through the snowy mountain.