Infinite Competitive Dungeon Society Chapter 137-139

Chapter 137. The Third Explorer (1)

Using Return, we left the Antelope Canyon without anyone knowing. With what happened in Britain, people surmised that Thunder Knight and the Flame Witch had an ally that could use ma.s.s teleportation.

What was more troubling was that even in all the chaos, someone filmed us fighting the Flame Drake and spread it for the world to see. Perhaps… No, I was certain. It had to be Ciara Kenex's work.

All I did was to fight the drake on a black winged wyvern, so why were alll the channels on TV talking about Thunder Knight? In fact, because I defeated the drake on a wyvern, my name had changed from Thunder Knight to Dragon Knight.

All countries focused on Dragon Knight's ident.i.ty and were shocked by Dragon Knight's strength. The fact that I was the strongest ability user seemed to be going around like an undeniable truth.

To be honest, it was very troubling. It really felt like it wouldn't be weird if an organization was made. Thinking about how more troubling things would become if my ident.i.ty became known, I vowed to hide myself more thoroughly.

My father, of course, looked at me with envy. He was the world's greatest in terms of being unable to act his age.

"Kuu, I'm going to obtain a G.o.d's true name too, son!"

"Go ahead. Do you want a hint? I told you before, right?"

"I could have missed something! Repeat it for me!"

I doubted hearing it for the second or third time would help, but when I explained all the circ.u.mstances where I obtained a G.o.d's true name, father let out air through his nose and ran to the dungeon. Didn't you say you were trying to make a breakthrough in your spearmans.h.i.+p? What happened to that, father?

In addition, with this incident, mother had found out about Ye-Eun and Hwaya as well. Although Yua already knew about Ye-Eun and Hwaya, when she saw them on TV, she seemed even angrier.

As Ludia lived a disciplined life, she fell asleep at 10, and at the latest, 11. After she started climbing the dungeon, she stopped clinging onto me 24/7. Now, she only held me until she fell asleep and shouted my name when she woke up, so I was quite free from… Eh? Why did I feel like nothing changed?

In any case, with Ludia asleep, I was being interrogated by mother and Yua.

"So son, of the three of them, who's the real one?"

"None. They're all friends. Just friends."

"Don't they smack you every time you say that?"

How did she know!? When I opened my eyes widely, Yua let out a deep sigh, while mother laughed hysterically.

"Ahaha, that's so funny! I thought my son would die without ever dating a girl. When did he get so skilled? Not to mention, they're all so beautiful. Ehew, you're going to make my mouth rip from smiling too much."

"Why is Mom so happy? I won't give oppa to women like them. Never!"

Yua shouted, then stomped up the stairs to her room. I was confused, but mother chuckled and spoke.

"It's about time Yua graduated from her oppa too. I'm happy that you guys have such good relations.h.i.+p, but it's too much to be honest. You should really settle on one quickly. I won't say anything if you get married to Ludia now. To be honest, she's the most fair. Her personality too… Other than the fact that she relies on you a bit too much, she's kind. Although she can't cook yet, she's good at cleaning and doing the laundry."

It felt weird hearing someone say that Ludia was kind. Well, since mother only met Ludia recently, it wasn't… Wait, what? Marrying Ludia? I sweated and explained to her.

"Mom, I'm only 21 now. What do you mean settle down… And Ludia? Not Palludia?"

"That's what she asked me to call her. Isn't it nice? It's more friendly! Ah, that's not what's important! You shouldn't feign ignorance when a girl is openly telling you her feelings. That's the best way of getting hated!"

"I properly declined them!"

"What? Declined? Ehew, you don't know how lucky you are. Ah, wait!"

I forcefully ended the interrogation.

If Dark Wing Lotte was living anywhere near our house, my ident.i.ty would be revealed to the whole world in a moment. As such, I moved her to the dungeon. Instead of the cramped mansion (there was a new resident in the garden named Flame Drake), she was in a better place. It was Resting Place of the Angels.

[Wow, it's s.h.i.+n!]

The moment I arrived, Plene noticed me instantly and ran to my embrace. As it happened every time I met Plene, I had somewhat gotten used to her the softness of her body. Though, it was a lie… I mean, Plene's attire was too light!

[Are you sleeping? What do you want to eat? Should I catch you a fish?]

Like her name suggested, Plene1 shaped her eyes like stars and looked at me, making it hard for me to decline. However, I first asked her about the new resident.

"Where's Lotte?"

[I don't know. She hates me. She keeps flying around.]

"Hmm."

Plene took the chance to complain about Lotte as she clung to me. Thinking the way Plene liked to cling was exactly the reason why Lotte didn't like her, I waited for Lotte to come. As I thought, it seemed Lotte could sense my presence too, as she soon flew down and landed with her wings folded. She was big no matter how many times I saw her.

[Are we going somewhere to fight, Hero?]

"No, you can rest a bit more. You too, Plene. When dungeons start appearing on Earth, you'll both get busy."

[I've been expecting it ever since I joined Hero's side. Once we killed that drake, it became too late to turn back. I will follow Hero.]

[Mmm, I like s.h.i.+n, so I'll protect the people s.h.i.+n likes! Monsters are bad, so I'll beat them up!]

Lotte then looked down at Plene and snorted.

[You are also a monster. I can't believe what you're saying, just because you fell heads over heels for a man.]

[Eeeek! But you like s.h.i.+n too!]

[I only kneeled at the difference in our strength. Since I swore I would follow him, I would continue to do so, but that is it.]

[Liar, liar! You like s.h.i.+n too! Loretta said Taming won't work if you don't like s.h.i.+n!]

[You biiiiitch!]

If they really fought, Plene would easily lose, so I had to protect her as I calmed Lotte down.

"Guys, don't fight and train your abilities. Please."

[Okay! Got it!]

[Tsk… If it's Hero's request, there's no choice.]

When I patted their heads, Plene was openly happy, while Lotte smacked her tail on the ground strangely. At least, it seemed she didn't hate it.

Now that I was done with checking out how things were in the Resting Place of the Angels, I had to return to my everyday schedule. Of course, that only meant one thing for me.

It was dungeon exploring!

… For the record, there was a very simple reason that I didn't bring Lotte and Plene along to explore the dungeon. For Plene, monsters on the ordinary floors weren't strong enough for me to need her, and monsters that were strong could resist Plene's ability easily.

Simply put, Plene was still too weak. Thankfully, it seemed she was content with just singing in Resting Place of the Angels. Although she was continuously growing her ability, she was still too weak to bring to real fights. That said, I suspected that I'd need to borrow her ability soon on Earth.

As for Lotte, I tried to bring her along once, but she was too big to freely fly in the dungeon. It was quite unfortunate. As such, I had to break through the 51st floor on Ruyue's back.

Before then, however, I wanted an answer from Loretta.

"Yes, s.h.i.+n-nim. There's… 20 years left."

"For what?"

At Loretta's response, I asked her again naturally. With a face on the verge of crying, she answered.

"Until Earth's protective barrier disappears and all monsters realize that s.h.i.+n-nim is the monster."

"There's 20 years… until then?"

"Yes."

'Wait… Hold on.' I put my hand on my forehead.

Wait, what? 20 years? When I asked Loretta about it before, why did she use an expression like 'a little while longer'? Don't tell me she's joking right now? No, but she looks like she's about to cry!

"Is it really 20 years?"

"Yes. There's only 20 years left… I'm sorry. This is why I didn't want to tell you…"

"Loretta, how old are you this year?"

"Yes, I'm two thou… Kyak! Rude, how rude! Why are you asking me that so naturally? I almost answered you!"

"Huk!"

Loretta screamed. The punch she sent out glazed past my nose. What? Two thousand…!? This elf that looked younger than me was at least two thousand years old!? Of course, I couldn't ignore the digits that followed. But, I see… With that, I understood.

No matter how much medical science had advanced, humans currently could not live past the age of 150. Although 20 years were long for humans, for Loretta who lived for over 2 thousand years, 20 years could be relatively short.

In any case, now that I knew, strength left my body. I fell on the ground in panic, and Loretta sat down next to me. She sobbed for a bit, and after seeing that I had fallen down, she blinked her eyes and looked at me.

'Sh, s.h.i.+n-nim? Did my punch hit you? Oh no, it must have hurt a lot!"

"If you think it'll hurt a lot, don't swing your fist around… And don't worry, I wasn't hit. I was just… relieved."

"Eh? Relieved?"

Loretta tilted her head adorably.

"How can you be relieved, hearing that there's only 20 years left?"

"Well, if I have 20 years, I should be able to reach the end of this dungeon. No, I will do so for sure."

Finding Loretta's stupefied expression cute, I laughed again. However, hearing my laughter, Loretta let out a dry cough and spoke with a stern expression.

"s.h.i.+n-nim, this dungeon was here before I was even born. Back then, although the method of climbing was a bit different, the difficulty wasn't too different."

"You mean two thou…"

Something flashed before my eyes and a deep hole appeared in the dungeon's wall. Even my Heroic Strike could only leave a tiny gap in the wall!

Loretta smiled sweetly, and I forced myself to smile back.

"What did you say, s.h.i.+n-nim?"

"1, 17 years ago maybe? Was that when the dungeon was created?"

I answered as I sweated. Loretta looked satisfied at my answer.

"Huhu, the dungeon was created long before I was born. In any case, many people challenged the dungeon during this time, but only three people managed to reach its end."

"But Ellos said no one had succeeded… Though, Loretta would know more about it."

"Huhu, he's also right. After the dungeon changed to the method it now has, no one has managed to conquer the dungeon. To be honest, the past method was much easier and lax. Because of that, there were errors between achievements and the blessings given out, causing more worlds to… No, never mind. There's no need to think about it."

'I can hear you perfectly, though…' I grinned, and Loretta also grinned. However, she was back to her stern expression in the next moment.

"The dungeon is strict. It is not a place that wantonly gives out strength to people. s.h.i.+n-nim, are you saying you will conquer the dungeon in only 20 years?"

"yes."

"In that case, there's something else s.h.i.+n-nim should know."

'What is it?' When I tilted my head and asked, Loretta spoke with a stiff voice.

"Does s.h.i.+n-nim… still think that First Dungeon is the most difficult dungeon?"

Author's note:

ICDS will continue for the next 20 years! (Lies)

Look forward to the future development, everyone!

Chapter 138. The Third Explorer (2)

I paused at her question, then grabbed her shoulders and shouted.

"So there really is one? I knew it!"

"Kyak! Sh, s.h.i.+n-nim, it's still day time… N-Not that I hate it. In fact, you're free to go ahead."

"Nevermind that!"

"That!? Did you just consider my okay sign as something petty!?"

"Loretta, is there a Dungeon higher than the First Dungeon?"

Loretta grumbled and answered.

"There is. Only administrative guild masters like myself or explorers that have gone there know about it."

"What are the conditions?"

"Before that, are you prepared? That dungeon certainly has higher rewards than all other dungeons, but the price you have to pay is equally high. s.h.i.+n-nim might even regret going there. Just climbing the First Dungeon might be better. I'm certain. Do you still want to listen?"

I became quiet at her words. Then, I somewhat realized why she brought it up in the first place. Thus, I asked.

"If I conquer the First Dungeon, will I be able to defeat the world's enemy?"

I asked again.

"What if I clear the higher dungeon?"

"If you can completely clear it… probably."

"Then isn't the answer obvious?"

"… Right. Really, s.h.i.+n-nim is…"

"I'm what?"

"No, nothing. Nothing at all."

Loretta shook her heads at my question. The corners of her mouth was curled up to a smile, unlike before. At her extremely pleasant smile, I also smiled.

"Okay. If it doesn't work, I'll bring you back to the First Dungeon even if I have to threaten the Lord!"

"It's fine. I'll break through it with my strength."

"Okay, then I'll teach you how to get to 'Beyond.'"

"Beyond?"

"Yes. It is somewhere only First Dungeon explorers can hope to reach. Even amongst them, only those with the greatest abilities, potential, and qualifications can enter it. As the reason for its existence is different than the other dungeons, it is called Beyond."

First condition. Being a First Dungeon explorer.

Third condition. Obtaining a G.o.d's true name.

Fifth condition. Being above Gold rank.
Sixth condition. Making achievements.

It was truly a path of blood and iron. However, I had already completed most of them. Loretta telling me about Beyond signified that she acknowledged me, so there was only one left for me to fulfill.

"Is the sixth condition what I think it is? Like the achievements I've been making so far?"

"Yes. It hasn't been revealed how many achievements you need to make, so I can't tell you when you'll be able to enter Beyond. As such, s.h.i.+n-nim has to focus on making achievements. Since you decided to climb Beyond, it's better to go as soon as possible. Just like its name suggests, Beyond is a dungeon that lies past the First Dungeon. Every time you clear a floor on the First Dungeon, you'll be able to challenge Beyond. When you clear a floor in Beyond, you'll return to the First Dungeon."

"In other worlds, I'll be able to climb more in Beyond the lower my level is."

"Exactly. Of course, since no one has succeeded in conquering the First Dungeon, it's too early to worry about this, but s.h.i.+n-nim really gives people hope."

For example, if the First Dungeon had 100 floors in total and I became a Beyond explorer after clearing the First Dungeon's 75th floor, then once I cleared Beyond's 1st floor, I would have to return to clear the First Dungeon's 76th floor. Once I cleared it, I would be able to challenge Beyond's 2nd floor. In that case, when I cleared the 100th floor of the First Dungeon, I would be able to challenge the 26th floor of Beyond. But that would be it. I wouldn't be able to challenge Beyond's 27th floor even if I cleared the 26th. I wouldn't be able to conquer Beyond, being able to only conquer the First Dungeon.

Even if the First Dungeon didn't end at the 100th floor, it was clear that becoming a Beyond explorer later was disadvantageous.

How unreasonable!

"Because no one has reached the end of Beyond, no one knows how many floors Beyond has. So don't worry about it too much and focus on the First Dungeon. If it's s.h.i.+n-nim, I believe s.h.i.+n-nim will be able to enter Beyond before the 70th floor!"

"I hope that's the case. Then, see you later."

As Loretta advised me with a big smile, I also answered with a smile. Then, I left for the 51st floor, vowing to myself that I would one day reach beyond the First Dungeon.

[You became level 52. You obtained 5 bonus stats.]

[You obtained the qualification to go beyond the First Dungeon.]

[Would you like to become an explorer of 'Beyond'? The moment you accept, you will be removed from the dungeon's ranking.]

[Please choose carefully. This place is entirely different than the First Dungeon, and those that pa.s.s this threshold may not go back.]

On the 51st Floor Shop, I looked at Loretta. She looked back and smiled sweetly.

"What's wrong, s.h.i.+n-nim? You were fast today, too! To think you'd break through the 51st floor, which is full of trolls, in just 5 hours!"

"Um… Loretta."

"Yes, s.h.i.+n-nim!"

"It looks like I got the qualification to go to Beyond."

"…What!?"

I must say, Loretta's surprised expression was extremely cute.

[You became a Beyond explorer! You can challenge Beyond's 1st floor. Once cleared, you can challenge the First Dungeon's 52nd floor and you cannot immediately challenge Beyond's 2nd floor.]

[You made an achievement of becoming the fastest to enter Beyond since the dungeon's founding! You obtained 4 skill points. Current skill points: 8]

[You became the current Beyond's third explorer. You are currently ranked 3rd in Beyond. Beyond's explorer communication channel has been opened.]

[The residence and resort in your possession has changed their affiliation to Beyond.]

After listening to the messages in a daze, I looked at Loretta, who was also in a daze.

"Loretta, what happened?"

"Mmm… I don't know!"

Loretta was too cheerful. When I sighed, she became startled and began to contemplate the matter seriously. She then came up with an answer.

"I think what s.h.i.+n-nim did in another world as a Dimensional Mercenary, then defeating the drake that appeared on Earth had significant impact."

"Those two were acknowledged as great achievements?"

"Yes! But you really are amazing. Fastest to become a Dimensional Mercenary, fastest to become a Beyond explorer… If it's you, you might really do it."

"Don't flatter me too much."

"Huhu. You don't know what I'm talking about yet."

Loretta rejoiced with her hands together, but I was slightly scared at her eyes that seemed to be looking somewhere far away. Would she tell me if I asked? Or would she tell me to wait again? Suddenly feeling my heart tighten, I turned away. Startled, Loretta grabbed my sleeves.

"s.h.i.+n-nim, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean? I have to go to Beyond now."

"Ah, right… You surprised me, geez… Really. Don't disappear without saying anything! You have to properly say you'll be back!"

Loretta flapped her ears quickly as if she was angry. I was relieved. She was properly looking at me now.

"Then, I'll be back."

"Eit!"

Loretta tried to kiss me habitually, but as I was expecting it this time, I easily dodged to the side. Then…

[You received Queen Elf's Blessing. For the next 5 hours, you receive the following effects: You are protected against all low-rank and mid-rank status effects. You can maintain your consciousness for 5 minutes after falling in half-dead state. Your luck increases by 100. All members of the Faerie race will see you favorably.]

"Eh? Didn't I dodge it just now?"

"T-That's…"

Seeing Loretta dodged my eyes as if something p.r.i.c.ked at her conscience, I realized. It seemed these blessings didn't need to be applied with kisses. Loretta had always used Blessings under the guise of kissing, and when I dodged her this time, she failed to kiss me, but the blessing had gone through.

Dumbfounded, I murmured.

"You really kissed me just because you wanted to?"

"I, I already told you. I'm kissing you because I love you…"

Even as she said that, she seemed embarra.s.sed as she tried to cover her face with her ears. Of course, even with her long ears, it wasn't possible. This person, or rather, this elf… why was she so cute? Feeling the sense of unease I just felt disappearing, I reached my hand out to pat her head.

"Eh?"

"Mm, well, I appreciate it. It's just that I don't know what's what. To be honest, my head is already full because of the dungeon and the matter with being a Hero. Sorry. You don't have to wait for me, so…"

"S-Stupid. I'm extremely used to waiting! Even if I don't want to!"

For some reason, she called me stupid.

"R-Really?"

"Really! So don't worry about something like that, and go!"

Just like that, Loretta chased me away. I didn't understand what just happened.

Since thinking about it wouldn't help, I tilted my head.

In the place where the stairway to the 52nd floor should be, a grey gate had appeared. Without much thought, I jumped into it.

[Commencing exploration of Beyond's 1st floor. You cannot leave Beyond whenever you want. The only way to leave is to let your vitality hit zero and being chased out to your home in the residential area or your world. You need one month to re-commence exploration, and you cannot climb the First Dungeon during this time.]

'Loretta, before trying to kiss me, you should have told me about this! Though, even if you did, I would have gone anyways… But this means I won't be able to go back to Earth until I clear Beyond's 1st floor!'

In any case, the first impression of Beyond I had was that it was quite big. Also, its structure was a bit different than the dungeon floors I've climbed so far.

"Is it a maze?"

There were hard brick walls to my left and right. When I tried to attack it with my spear imbued with mana, it didn't budge in the slightest. In fact, the red bricks absorbed my mana and reflected it back to me. I could read the mana's movements and avoid the attack, but it was stronger than my original attack. It seemed the walls had strengthened my attack before reflecting it back. I would have to keep this in mind as I went on.

"Kuaaaaaang!"

Then, I suddenly heard a rather familiar roar. 'Strange… I definitely heard this roar before!' I tilted my head and walked forward. If I didn't, nothing would get done.

"Kuaaaaaang!"

'Hm, the sound is closer.'

The fact that I couldn't break the walls down stressed me greatly. On the other hand, I thought that this dungeon was more true to its role than the dungeon I've climbed until now.

Slowly, I approached the source of the roar. As I walked, my increased intelligence clearly drew the maze's map in my head. As I understood the maze's structure little by little, I understood how far I would need to walk to meet the source of the roar.

"Kuaaang!"

"Eh?"

'This… is a bit different than the other voice.' I suddenly felt a chill down my back. Feeling uneasy, I immediately took out Gluttony Spear. Then, with one hand on the right wall, I slowly walked forward. I was certain. The source of the roar was up ahead.

As I thought, when the wall came to an end, a large open area appeared. It was s.p.a.cious enough for the Flame Drake to lie down.

There, I found them.

"Orc Lord?"

My G.o.d, how long had it been!? Orc Lord, it was an Orc Lord! The one that had helped me become a proper dungeon explorer! Glad to see him again, I raised my voice and 'they' looked back at me. Their eyes were bright red.

"There are… many Orc Lords?"

I found the source of the chill I felt. My G.o.d, there was a small conference being held here! But let's think carefully. Orc Lords were bosses from the 5th floor. No matter how fancy their armors were or how much they exuded imposing auras, they shouldn't be able to win against me, who was level 52…

"Kuaaaang!"

"Kuaaaaaaang"

[Orc Lord used 'Warcry'! All orcs are cleansed of negative status effects! All orcs temporarily become super-armored. Their attack power increases by 50%!]

[Orc Lord used 'Warcry'! All orcs are cleansed of negative status effects! All orcs temporarily become super-armored. Their attack power increases by 50%!]

[Orc Lord used 'Warcry'! All orcs are cleansed of negative status effects! All orcs temporarily become super-armored. Their attack power increases by 50%!]

I couldn't help but think, 'Don't tell me. The Orc Lords' Warcries…'

"Whenever one uses them, do the others' attacks go up…?"

"Kuaaaaaang!"

[Orc Lord used 'Warcry'! All orcs are cleansed of negative status effects! All orcs temporarily become super-armored. Their attack power increases by 50%!]

All the Orc Lords charged towards me. The ones that didn't use Warcry shouted as they ran.

Looking at them, I grinned. Then, I turned around and ran.

It seemed I was underestimating Beyond too much.

Author's note:

The third explorer referred to s.h.i.+n becoming Beyond's third explorer! I bet no one thought he'd immediately go to the higher dungeon! This is what's called Toika quality! Fast, fast!

Also, there is something our clumsy s.h.i.+n missed. I'm sure the readers will be able to pick up on it. ^^

Chapter 139. The Third Explorer (3)

I threw some useless items and tested their attack power. It wasn't as strong as I thought. It was just enough for the troll's bones I obtained on the 51st floor to become dust by touching their weapons.

… If I get hit even once, I'll die! I'll definitely die!

Once I ran into them once, Orc Lords suddenly began to appear from all pathways. Once I got surrounded, it would be the end. I realized I had stepped off the wrong foot. I should have killed them the moment I saw them. This wouldn't have happened if I didn't run away!

"Kuaaaaang!"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it, you b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! Eat this!"

Confirming that an Orc Lord appeared in the path I was trying to charge through, I threw out a Heroic Strike. Although I managed to kill him, five more Orc Lords appeared behind him. Now that it had come to this, there was no other choice!

"Uwaaaaaaaaak!"

[You used Crimson Roar. Everything blazes as flames.]

Although I had not thought about it, the flames that began to burn everything continued to get stronger. It seemed the reflective property of the dungeon's walls had strengthened the flames. Of course, as the flames were created by Crimson Roar, they did not harm me, while they served as poison for the Orc Lords.

"Kuaaang!"
"Hu, Humaaaaaan!"

However, even after taking Crimson Roar, which could be said to be my strongest area of effect skill, a few Orc Lords were still alive. If they were the same Orc Lord as the one on the 5th floor, it would not have been possible. It seemed their defense was much higher as well.

Even so, Crimson Roar was still a powerful skill. After inhaling the smoke, the few that survived the flames staggered, and were then easily killed by Peika's Thunder Spears. Each of them gave 1,000 gold. It was the same amount as what the 5th floor's Orc Lord gave. Even though Beyond's Orc Lords were much stronger, they still only gave 1,000 gold. It was very infuriating.

"Huff, huff… It's been a while since I ran so hard. I didn't even have my elementals summoned… Peika, Ruyue!"

[Ugh, it smells burnt.]

[Meat? Are you eating that?]

"You'll get sick if you do, Ruyue. First, materialize."

[Okay!]

Telling Ruyue not to eat the Orc Lords once more, I checked the corpses of the Orc Lords, which were disappearing into particles of light. After gifting me gold, they were disappearing completely. I gritted my teeth at the sight.

I could only use Crimson Roar once per day. As it was the same for Floor Master skills, I had to come up with a way that relied on my own strength only. No matter how confident I was in my spearmans.h.i.+p, against the Orc Lords, I couldn't continue to attack and retreat repeatedly. I could toy with just one or two Orc Lords, but since more Orc Lords always arrived when I found one, doing so would be foolish.

"No choice then. I have to use my crossbow."

Silver Bone Crossbow, obtained on the 30th floor. I thought that I was too strong to use it now, but with Spirit Aura, any weapon would become powerful, regardless of its quality. Plus, I could use the 51st floor's troll bones as crossbow bolts for additional damage. It would be nice if I could use Flame Cartridge as well, but it only added the flame attribute and small explosions. As Peika's ability was much stronger, it wasn't useful at all now.

"It would be ideal to shoot crossbow bolts at their mouths, so they can't use warcry…"

[I can bait them!]

Peika shouted with confidence. With Spirit Aura's increased level, she could now control the trajectory of projectiles as well. I patted her head to thank her for letting me know. With this, I may have found a way out.

"Kuaaaang!"

"I've already killed dozens of them… Just how many of them are there? Alright. Ruyue, Peika, let's go!"

[Okay!]

[Run? Do I run?]

"Yeah, run!"

[Auuuuuuuu!]

Ruyue kicked off the ground. With a potion in my mouth, I raised my crossbow.

"Peika, I'll give you as much mana as you need, so put lightning into the bolts like they're Thunder Spears."

[Huhu, okay! I really like Master lately. It feels like Master is filled with lightning from head to toe!]

[No! Every strand of hair on s.h.i.+n is ice cold!]

That's a compliment right? You were trying to compliment me, right? It seemed elementals thought of me strangely as my affinity to different elements got higher. As I broke through the pathway, I shot a bolt at an Orc Lord's head.

"Kuak!"

"Nice, Peika!"

The bolt went directly into the mouth of the Orc Lord as it flickered with lightning. There was no need to doubt Peika's ability. With that, I just had to raise my reaction speed so that I could attack the Orc Lords the moment they appeared.

"Kuaakuk!"
"Kuaaaakak!"

"I won't stop shooting until you guys shut up!"

Ruyue continued to run. Once they used Warcry, they would continue running regardless of whether I shot a bolt in their mouth or up their a.s.s, but as long as they didn't use Warcry, they didn't have the temper to withstand the pain and shout.

If other Orc Lords didn't appear, I could simply use Elemental Blade to cut them down. If they did, I just had to shoot bolts into their mouths too.

"Kuaaagaaaga!"

"Elemental Blade! Can you stop making those weird noises!?"

[Critical Hit!]

Shooting, slas.h.i.+ng, shooting, shooting, slas.h.i.+ng. Although simple, I had to make sure the bolts I shot did not miss their targets. If one accidentally hit the wall, it would change trajectory and fly back. If it hit me, even I would feel pain.

[Twenty two up ahead!]

"d.a.m.n, there sure are a lot of them."

Beyond's maze had a completely different structure than the First Dungeon's. Unlike the First Dungeon, where I could just hunt monsters and move forward, Beyond had multiple pathways that twisted and turned. Monsters appeared in the pathways, but there were also s.p.a.cious areas where a large number of monsters were gathered. The worst part was that they resp.a.w.ned rather quickly. In other words, if I got lost and went back to where I was, the monsters I defeated would have resp.a.w.ned. However, as I said before, my intelligence stat was preventing that from happening.

"Agh, d.a.m.n it!"

"Kuaaaang!"

[Orc Lord used 'Warcry'! All orcs are cleansed of negative status effects! All orcs temporarily become super-armored. Their attack power increases by 50%!]

If even a single Orc Lord succeeded in using Warcry, like just now, I had to stop using my crossbow to shut them up. As they became super-armored, it was impossible. I had to take my spear and aim at their vital spots, as I weaved through them on Ruyue. It was the start of an exciting fight of cat and mouse. That said, if their number went over 30, I couldn't handle their increasing numbers with my crossbow or with elemental magic.

As a result, I had to do what I had not done for a long time.

"Peika, materialize!"

[I've been waiting for those words!]

Confirming the number of high-grade Mana Potions (379) in my possession, I materialized Peika. The elemental magic of a materialized elemental was incomparably stronger than when the elemental was unmaterialized. Of course, there were downsides to it as well. When materialized elementals got attacked, they would lose mana, and excessive damage might reverse-summon the elementals.

"Kuaaaaang!"

"An elemental, it's an elemental!"

After appearing in midair with her elegant dress, Peika did not even have the chance to show off her beauty, as she swung around a lightning whip. Although Orc Lords charged toward her, as Peika could fly, they were unable to catch her.

"They can't get paralyzed, so you have to just damage them!]

[I know!]

Peika's whip was strong enough to instantly burn the Orc Lord's defensive equipment, and it was fast. Her whip, which was condensed from her elemental power, weaved through the Orc Lords as it damaged them. Meanwhile, I secured our escape route and knocked down the Orc Lords that stood in its way. This d.a.m.ned area was half made of air and half made of Orc Lords.

[Master, the walls have amplification and reflect enchants!]

"Oh, so those things are called enchants!?"

I pretended to thank Peika for her currently useless piece of info, and continued to swing my spear. Then, a strange voice rang out in my ear.

[Alright, with this, I'll take care of them at once! Thunder Dragon Wave!]

"Mm?"

When I looked up, Peika's powerful lightning whip shot up past my head diagonally from below. Frightened, I jumped back, and the whip hit the ceiling, bouncing to the ground with greater strength, bouncing again and going through my legs. At the lightning whip's destination was an Orc Lord that was about to strike her.

"Kuaaaak!"

The lightning whip easily tore through the Orc Lord's head and continued to fly forward. After hitting the wall again, it bounced back and hit another Orc Lord's arm. The whip continued to bounce around, hitting an Orc Lord's leg, then hitting Peika's body. Surprisingly, Peika looked even stronger!

[Huu, it got more energy!]

The lightning whip then went through Peika's body, having gotten even stronger, and burned or detonated the Orc Lords one by one. It didn't matter that they were super-armored. The whip, which endlessly strengthened itself, pierced through them without ever giving them the chance to counterattack. When it sometimes pierced through Peika's body, it only became stronger before continuing on to annihilate the Orc Lords. Me? I was frantically dodging Peika's whip!

After some time, the Orc Lords gathering here to attack us dwindled until not many remained. Eventually, when I could no longer hear Peika's spirited shout and the flickers of her lightning whip…

[Done!]

Peika put down her whip refres.h.i.+ngly, like she just finished doing her laundry. The whip that had been bouncing around struck Peika's body and was completely absorbed by her. Peika's face was sparkling even brighter than when she first materialized, as she looked at me and winked.

[Didn't I do well, Master!?]

"Y-Yeah. Since you don't get injured by your own weapon, you can even do that… Amazing."

[Huhuhu, right, I'm amazing!]

[Chii, I can do it too!]

To be honest, I was surprised seeing Peika utilize the environment's special trait in her attack. Although I knew attacks got stronger when the walls reflected them, I didn't think to use that property as I needed to calculate the trajectory. After all, it wasn't my forte.

However, after seeing it once, I could understand it more easily. It was just that I had not thought about it before. Now that I did, I understood how to reflect my attacks three or four times to amplify the damage. Any more could be a bit tricky as I would need to dodge the attack and calculate the trajectory again, but it wasn't impossible if I tried it once or twice. In fact, I already had a few trajectories in mind.

I finally realized. If I didn't try to use my brain, it wouldn't be used! I was underestimating my intelligence too much. With all the bonus stats, my intelligence stat was now at 76. If I wanted, such calculations should be a piece of cake.

"Peika, you helped me realize something important. Thanks."

[Really?]

"Yeah."

Until now, I thought I had fought rather intelligently. However, that wasn't the case. I had mistaken using the techniques I learned with my body and my reaction speed with using my intelligence.

Right. Until now, I was able to get by with no problem with my superior ability. Rather than intelligence, technique and strength were more important in fights. However, from now, in Beyond, that was no longer the case. If it wasn't for Peika, I would have had difficulty fighting them just now.

The hint had been given to me already. The stacking Orc Lord's Warcries. The dungeon wall's power of reflection and amplification. I had wasted my effort when the answer was already there. To defeat the Orc Lords, I had to do the same thing they were doing. Using the wall's property, I had to amplify my attacks. Luckily, I even had a long-ranged weapon.

"Hu… Good. Let's use my brain."

I felt quite awkward saying it, but I ignored the awkwardness for now. What was important was to clear Beyond's 1st floor. It was important to utilize my potential. For a long time, I did not apply my intelligence stat in battles. Now was the time to right that mistake.

Just like that, two weeks pa.s.sed.

I was still in Beyond's 1st floor.

Author's note:

Look forward to how much s.h.i.+n grew in 2 weeks!