Chapter 62
Chapter 62
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: What a Dog's Dream
-----------------------------------------------------------------
What a dog's dream.
‘Fair point, though.’
I was just caught off guard that those words had come from Mine of all people, but she wasn't wrong.
Evil God worship, student assaults, kidnappings, murders, human experimentation, and all sorts of other atrocities.
Just looking at what the Tartarus Cult had done so far, it was clear their members weren't even human scum.
Human sacrifices to the main god's church?
Sure, they started that crap first.
Anyway.
In the Empire, the cultists' reputation was worse than cockroaches.
It wasn't surprising for Mine, who had been raised as a priest of Erandar before becoming a saintess, to think that way.
‘No real reason to fixate on dungeons, huh.’
Mine's current issues were her dungeon phobia and lack of combat sense. The latter could be trained anywhere, not just in a dungeon.
Unlike the spider dungeon, she was fired up this time, so there was no reason to turn her down.
“Alright, then we'll proceed with the assignment.”
Still, what needed doing had to be done.
“Mine, could you show me your Arts?”
“Y-Yes? My… Arts?”
“Yeah. We only did basic training for the past week, so I haven't checked. If we're fighting together, we need to know exactly what each other can do.”
It was something I'd put off because it hadn't mattered until now.
Checking Mine's level.
Unlike the original story, there was no direct way to check character levels here, so the best gauge was the stage of unlocked Arts.
Terminus Academy Arts unlocked in 9-level increments, excluding basics.
For example, Cecilia's White Heron Dance unlocked at level 9.
She knew the next one, Light Shadow Slash, but held back because it guzzled mana.
Since she'd also learned Radiant Fang afterward—an Art not in the original—that put her at least at level 27.
And that was the perfect level for tackling the Doll Dungeon.
I wouldn't have even considered taking her if she couldn't unlock Light Shadow Slash.
In that sense, checking Mine's level was crucial.
She had a ton of party-friendly Arts.
‘Even 18 would give us a shot.’
We moved to a nearby clearing.
Mine stood in the center and cast the basic Art [Heal] that I'd relied on so many times.
“Hyaah!”
Next, with a kiai, she launched a sphere of holy power into the air.
Her one and only attack Art, [Holy Calling], at level 9.
My brow furrowed involuntarily.
I'd thought she was a total level 1 scrub since she only spammed Heals.
But spamming that from range could melt an elite kobold without taking a single hit.
Meaning she could do what I'd busted my ass grinding kobolds for, with one casual shot from her bed.
I felt like an idiot.
“That's it?”
“Ah, hold on a sec.”
Mine clasped her hands and began to pray.
‘…There's more?’
Soon, a flash from the sky, and purple phantom butterflies started flitting around me.
Level 18 Art, [Divine Benediction].
It purged debuffs and ticked heals from the butterflies—a total boon.
She'd cast it on herself and spam Holy Calling from range. That was her main playstyle.
What the hell? Seriously, what?
I was stunned—in a good way.
I'd pegged her as trash-tier, but she was in way better shape than expected.
Level 18, three Arts.
That alone meant we could scrape by in the Undead Dungeon if she overcame her phobia.
“And…”
“Hold up, there's more?”
“Yeah… a couple more…”
No sooner had she spoken than purple roses of holy power bloomed around her, invigorating my body.
Level 27 field Art, [Rose Garden].
Standing in it gradually restored stamina and reduced damage from enemy attacks.
“And this is the last one.”
While I gawked, she gathered holy power in both hands like the finishing touch.
‘…No way. For real?’
The power flowed not just into her mace, but my sword and Alicia's fan.
Soon, my sword gleamed with pure white light.
“Haa… haa… That's all my Arts… Um, are you… disappointed…?”
I couldn't tear my eyes from the glowing sword.
The Art she'd just used was [Holy Enchant].
That was why Mine could solo the top healer role at Terminus Academy.
Holy Enchant imbued weapons with holy attributes and a chance to heal allies on hit—a premium buff.
Paired with Lumen, it enabled wild DPS-healer playstyles.
And above all, her having Holy Enchant meant…
‘No fucking way. Mine's higher level than me?’
Her level was at least 36.
I smacked my forehead.
Impossible to believe she'd spent a week shrieking in the spider dungeon with specs like this.
“Mine.”
“Y-Yes?”
I grabbed her shoulders.
“You're my equal. Or better.”
Mine looked utterly baffled.
But I was brimming with certainty, unlike her.
Holy Enchant was an Art I hadn't factored into my dungeon plans at all.
Stack it with Alicia's buffs and hit the Undead Dungeon?
For the first time in ages, I felt shaky.
About winning.
I revised my plans inwardly.
Time to flip the script on Operation Mine-Maker.
Her problem wasn't specs—it was her mental state and lack of real combat experience that kept her from using them.
Dungeon phobia would hobble her again.
In her current state, she'd turn level 1 scrub the moment we entered.
Which made this cult branch wipeout the perfect live-fire training.
Field battle, not dungeon—against living humans.
Way more effective than half-assed spider dungeon practice.
Ironic that combat sense honed on humans would transfer to monsters, but whatever.
One lingering doubt, though.
‘How the hell did she level up?’
No dungeons, no field grinding—how'd she hit such heights?
Then it hit me: the message when I'd partied with Cecilia.
[Party Bonus: Goddess of Luck]
Partying with Cecilia definitely felt luckier.
Hell, I'd even based strategies on it.
‘Maybe Mine has something similar? Experience or level-related.’
If she could auto-level without dungeons…
‘…Partying with her alone accelerates my growth?’
Speculation, but worth considering.
My own growth had stalled hard.
I was riding gear and Shards; even after the Doll Dungeon, Gale Force hadn't unlocked the next Art.
‘Handle the assignment first, think later.’
⁎⁎⁎
Afterward, I checked Alicia's Arts too.
As expected, four unlocked—same level ballpark as me.
In the original, she joined late at level 40+, but earlier timing meant lower level.
I parted with them and returned to the dorm, where Aren unusually greeted me warmly.
“Welcome back? Early today.”
“Mine's training wrapped up quick.”
“I see. Should've waited for dinner together.”
A warmer smile than before.
“What'll it be? Dinner first? Bath? Or…”
The familiar lines sent chills down my spine.
Aren gay…? The phrasing's too iffy.
But then I realized I was the problem for even thinking that.
“Don't sweat it. I'll handle myself.”
I shook off the thoughts and started undressing like always.
“Haribal. Got a question.”
I turned at the voice behind me. Aren stared with uncharacteristically serious eyes.
‘No, not uncharacteristic.’
That was the gaze from the original story.
Whatever it was, the protagonist's intensity demanded a serious response.
“What's up?”
“This special training assignment—what'd you get? Can I ask?”
“……Huh.”
Tough call on answering.
It was classified, after all.
If I blabbed to Aren and it leaked, they might raze the branch hunting for me.
Sensing my hesitation, he added,
“At least tell me if it's dungeon-related.”
“Not dungeon-related.”
Instant reply. That much was fine.
Non-dungeon assignment didn't block dungeon runs.
“……I see?”
He reacted oddly, then asked,
“Then… could you tell me about the Evil God's Abyss?”
My mind snapped alert.
His tone screamed, ‘I'll conquer this Abyss myself.’
Trouble.
‘…I overdid it.’
Aren had heard from his master long before Louidel that he was fated to conquer the Evil God's Dungeon.
In the original, that's why he risked dungeons.
But I'd beaten him to two already.
No wonder he didn't like me.
‘That's why he walled me off.’
Never thought I'd get jealousy from the original protagonist.
Or maybe I'd sensed it subconsciously.
I still hadn't handed over ‘Sun Shine.’
No real reason—just a vague gut feeling not to give everything away easy.
“Please. I beg you.”
Anxiety shone raw in his eyes.
“One question first. Why are you so dead set on the Abyss?”
“Promise to my master. And… it's why I came to Louidel.”
Unhesitating.
Protagonist through and through.
Not testing resolve.
Just confirming.
Confirmation.
Changed appearance, but the man before me was still the Aren I knew.
“Got it. I'll tell you.”
Aren's face lit up.
Childlike, innocent smile—the first I'd seen since entering this world.
I stood and went to the desk, grabbing paper and pen.
“Everything I know and experienced.”
That night, the original protagonist and I had our first real talk.
The night deepened.
⁎⁎⁎
‘Fuck.’
Couldn't sleep.
Not because of Aren. Because of Mine's holy power from earlier.
Holy power boosted vitality.
Too much boost—clock said dawn, but my mind was razor-sharp, eyes wide.
Forced my eyes shut, and pencil scratches filled my ears.
Aren.
Scribbling nonstop what I'd told him.
‘Can't disturb him.’
But I needed sleep.
Short on rest from Mine's training stress.
Skip it, and the upcoming cult branch raid would suffer.
No choice—folk remedies it was.
Eyes shut, counted sheep in my head.
One.
Two.
Three.
Working…?
Four.
Five.
Six.
Then.
A familiar, welcome voice intruded.
『Seven.』
Eight.
『…Hey. Space here's pretty tight. Can you stop sending them already?』
Eyes open, I stood in the blue gem shrine after ages.
Rene sat on the massive jade throne ahead.
At her feet:
- Baaah.
Eight sheep huddled.
『Long time no see, Haribal Belder.』
Yeah.
What a dog's dream.