Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Defeating the Mimic
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“I think we need to recreate the pattern from that stone tablet we saw earlier.”
“Stone tablet?”
Kayla’s words brought the stone tablet we’d seen before back to mind.
‘Come to think of it...’
There had been some unknown pattern carved into it.
Once we slotted the rock into the groove, the complete pattern had formed.
And judging by eye from the twenty blocks in front of us now...
‘...It’s similar?’
It looked like we could roughly form that same pattern.
It even felt like this was the proper way to escape the dungeon.
The rest of the party seemed to be thinking the same thing, nodding in agreement.
“It does give off a similar vibe.”
“Worth a shot.”
Having reached a conclusion, we wasted no time and started assembling the blocks.
Clack! Clack!
Thanks to our collective brainpower, recreating the stone tablet’s pattern with the blocks wasn’t difficult.
Just as the rising water was about to pass Kayla’s waist...
“Got it, it’s done!”
We’d replicated the pattern from the stone tablet.
Everyone focused on the blocks in unison.
“Still no change...”
At that moment.
Whoosh!
A pure white light began spreading from the pattern.
Just like when we’d first entered this place.
And at the same time.
Splash!
The water filling the room started draining into the floor cracks, like bathwater going down the drain.
“It worked.”
“As expected, that was the answer. Impressive work, Miss Kayla.”
“It was obvious. Whew, I can breathe again now.”
“We’re not out of the woods yet.”
Whether we’d succeeded wasn’t for us to debate.
The dungeon would decide.
Fortunately.
Boom!
The dungeon deemed our clear successful.
After the water fully drained, a large chest dropped from above.
We all knew what it was.
The treasure chest—the true prize of any dungeon.
“Haven’t seen one of these in a while.”
“You know we can’t just open it recklessly, right?”
“Huh? N-No way, this one too?”
“Of course.”
Even if it was a dungeon clear reward, treasure chests could still be mimics.
In other words, one final hurdle remained.
But with our experience, we approached without panic.
I stepped up first.
“I’ll stab it.”
Whoosh!
I summoned a blade of light and thrust it straight into the chest.
Contrary to expectations, the blade sank in with a soft *puuk*.
“...!!”
It was a mimic.
“Damn, we got screwed. After all that effort.”
Thompson grumbled in frustration.
The others looked just as disappointed.
Barundel was the most optimistic.
“Well, if this keeps up, that means four more chests to go. The dungeon said we need to clear five rooms to escape.”
“Yeah, he’s right. But no way they’re *all* mimics, right?”
“No chance...”
As those worries crept in.
I spoke up, having paused for a moment.
“Don’t you all have a bit too little faith in yourselves?”
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean, top ranker?”
“Or maybe you haven’t even considered it.”
Step, step.
I walked over casually and tapped the chest.
“We’re not the same party we used to be.”
“N-No way!”
“That’s right. Mimics are no longer exempt from being rewards.”
With that.
Click!
I opened the chest.
***
Kieeeek!
Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap!
The eerie screech clashed with gnashing teeth.
Its overwhelming presence made everyone swallow hard.
Everyone except me, that is.
‘I can handle a mimic now.’
This was nothing like last time, when we’d barely escaped.
The whole party—including me—had grown tremendously.
Even judging by my game-like stats alone, taking down a mimic was no big deal for us.
That confidence was why I’d opened it.
“Still as ugly as ever...”
“Top ranker, you’re sure we can really do this?”
“Don’t be scared. You’re just inexperienced. Mimics aren’t that tough.”
Whoosh!
I calmed the party and slowly drew up my mana.
Kieeeek!
The mimic charged in response, but its movements were laughably sluggish compared to before.
Thud...! Thud...!
Each step landed heavy.
‘Gravity Weight spell.’
I’d restricted it using the spell from the secret grimoire.
Of course, it wasn’t all upside.
“M-My body...”
“We can’t dodge if it charges like this!”
Spells in [Devil Fantasy] affected everyone except the caster.
Our allies were struggling under the gravity too.
But I’d planned for that.
“No need to move.”
With the mimic and our allies restricted, it was to our advantage.
As I’d said before, the mimic’s specialty was ignoring all resistances.
Put another way: a mimic that couldn’t attack was weaker than most mid-tier demons.
Meanwhile, we had three mages.
We could intercept from range.
“Focus fire from now on!”
“...Got it!”
Whoosh!
At my signal, the party began channeling mana.
Soon, spells of various elements rained down on it.
Roar!
Fireball.
Boom!
Stone pillar.
Splash!
Followed by my [Light of Swimming].
“Moments like this make me feel so useless...”
Melee DPS Barundel had nothing to do with his movement limited, but the rest of us poured on the damage.
The result?
“K-Kieeeek...!”
Bombed by spells, the mimic writhed in obvious agony.
It was tough, as expected from its tier, holding out well.
It even counterattacked.
Crunch! Roar...!
It devoured Kayla’s spell, then suddenly gaped its massive maw.
Sharp objects shot from its mouth.
Rat-tat-tat!
“Teeth! Don’t block—dodge!”
The mimic’s teeth naturally carried its ‘resistance ignore’ effect.
Dodging was best.
The party reacted swiftly, minimizing damage.
“...Ngh!”
Only Thompson, delayed by his earth spell, took a hit.
His thigh bled red—grazed by a tooth, but not serious.
‘Take it down first.’
I issued orders quickly.
“Keep the spells coming! Pinning its feet is key!”
Then I approached the mimic alone.
‘I can move enough!’
Casters weren’t fully immune to their own spells.
Just partially resistant.
And that was enough for me to close in.
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
My steps felt heavier than usual as I neared.
“K-Kiek!”
Boom!
It thrashed, trying something, but Kayla’s fireball shut it down.
Boom!
Thompson’s stone pillar followed up.
It staggered badly, exposing an opening—and I struck.
Flash!
A blade of light infused with all my mana and holy power.
It sliced clean through the mimic’s body.
Schluck!
“K-Kiiiiieee!”
A scream that could shatter eardrums.
I clamped my hands over my ears reflexively as its body tilted.
Thud.
Half its upper body severed, it crashed to the ground.
An awkward silence fell.
But only briefly.
“We got it?”
“Whoa! We actually did it!”
“A mimic... this easy...?”
Thompson’s shout broke the tension, and the room erupted.
“This thing’s not so bad after all!”
“And we’ve definitely all gotten stronger. Honestly, I’m running out of things to teach you lot.”
“What do you mean burden? We haven’t even finished your physical training regimen, dwarf! We’ve got mountains left to learn!”
“...Thanks for saying that.”
“Whew, still, this mimic was no joke. Took seven fireballs. It swallowed a couple.”
“Alright, everyone, calm down a bit.”
I gestured to settle the excited group.
Killing the nightmare mimic was impressive, sure—but the real thrill was elsewhere.
Gurgle!
The mimic expired, vomiting up its loot like bile.
“The reward!”
Everyone rushed over, eyes gleaming.
I was just as eager.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Heart pounding, I scanned the drops slowly.
Dungeon treasure chests could yield five types of items.
‘Gold, gear, artifacts, stats, traits.’
Anything would do.
I was confident I’d make the most of whatever came.
Swish...
Digestive juices and corpse dissolved into gray ash, revealing the loot clearly.
Since we’d disabled the traps to enter, two rewards appeared.
‘Artifact!’
Kazandur gold coins and a mysterious artifact.
I set the gold aside and examined the artifact.
Palm-sized, with a transparent sky-blue gem at its center.
Its shape was familiar.
Reading my expression, Thompson asked.
“Top ranker, you know what this is?”
Of course.
One of the few artifacts even zombie swordsmen used often.
“[Ash Pendant].”
“[Ash Pendant]?”
“Yeah.”
Crafted by the master artisan ‘Ash’ a century ago, its effect was simple.
Auxiliary attacks synced to whatever gear you used it with.
“Wait. So every attack hits twice?”
“Exactly.”
“Crazy.”
Thompson marveled at its utility, but that wasn’t all.
The pendant’s performance varied wildly based on the synced gear.
And the best match in our inventory...
“G-Gimme? For real?”
“Yeah, I think you should use it, Barundel. With that axe.”
Barundel’s [Anatac’s Massive Axe].
“Thanks... Let me try it right now.”
Face beaming, he brought the [Ash Pendant] to his axe.
A transparent sky-blue light extended.
Swish.
It fully merged with the axe, and Barundel swung at empty air.
Whoosh!
The familiar sharp whoosh.
Followed by...
Bang!
An intangible energy of the same sky-blue hue flew along the axe’s path.
Like a sword beam.
Boom!
It smashed into the wall and exploded.
“I-Incredible!”
Thrilled, Barundel swung a few more times, the pendant assisting each one.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
About ten meters to the wall.
He was so excited his hands shook.
His voice thick with emotion, he said.
“Thanks... Really...”
The dwarf Barundel—the only pure melee in our party.
This was the moment he overcame his weakness.