Chapter 52

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 52

Chapter Title: Floor 7 - Lv. 46 Extraordinary Exile (1)

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Most races have performance stats that fall within a certain consistent range.

Trolls, for example, boast powerful close-combat prowess and regenerative abilities as their strengths.

But in trade-off, they suffer from intelligence penalties that hinder not just spellcasting but logical thinking, along with their massive bulk and the drawbacks of a hyper-fast metabolism.

Exaggerated strengths come with exaggerated weaknesses.

That's how balance is maintained.

On the other hand, certain races treated as higher-tier ones are overwhelmingly powerful without real downsides, or their strengths so vastly outweigh their weaknesses.

Angels and demons are prime examples of races with no notable flaws.

They possess above-average physical abilities and magical aptitude, plus lifespans so long they're practically immortal.

And the benefits from the labyrinth's faith system.

Being somewhat vulnerable to specific elements hardly counts as a weakness.

If the darkness attribute is potent enough to neutralize an angel, it'd do the same to a human.

It's more like they have high resistance to other elements, not low resistance to darkness.

Even their appearances get buffs.

Nothing drastic if they're already good-looking, but things like flawless skin come standard.

These two races are quite similar, but if I had to point out a difference, demons lean more toward magical prowess, while angels excel in physical capabilities.

A labyrinth angel can shrug off most spells barehanded, is born with free flight, has wings as a sub-weapon,

and on top of all that, gets troll-level racial bonuses to strength, without any speed penalties from their size—in fact, they even get speed buffs.

And yet, their magical aptitude rivals that of grove fairies and leaf fairies combined.

All this with zero penalties.

No wonder they're a straight ticket to kingdom life.

Plus, their run count isn't certain, but you can assume a decent level of proficiency.

The girl's face darkened as she took in the explanation.

"How are we supposed to beat that?"

"It's not all bad, actually. We've already taken down what amounts to a cheaty, overpowered character."

Angels don't regenerate damage they take.

Being physical-focused, they can't overwhelm everything with massive AoE firepower.

Nor do they force persistent bleeding from minor wounds with bizarre divine powers.

Compared to a human barbarian, it's a matchup we can handle without much difference.

"You call that encouragement?"

"No Night Crow this time, either."

Excluding the youngest who believes in me as God's apostle and follows blindly, the other two voiced their worries.

"God agrees. Boss."

No, the goddess is backstabbing me.

If we start off intimidated, we've already lost half the fight.

Realistically, she's the only one here I can debate with. The others lack the experience.

I shook my head.

"That guy's angel proficiency is low right now."

She's right. Usually, just encountering one is a huge boon.

Hell, plenty never see one in their lifetime and settle after 100 years—among non-settlers, even.

It's the same post-kingdom.

Higher-race cards cause a massive uproar.

Everyone wants one for settling down, thanks to that endless lifespan.

But there's an exception to that rarity.

I know when higher-race cards have higher drop chances in the game era.

I know which encounters guarantee them as rewards.

And I can engineer it all to happen on my terms.

Info the vast majority of exiles—who can't disassemble game clients—don't know.

"Angels are a very straightforward physical race, so I've done them often. Around 100 times, I think."

"And Goddess isn't human right now either, is she?"

'Devil, huh.'

Demons vary by type but are fundamentally magical races.

Goddess is basically a pure warrior, though.

Still, she's changed races willingly—higher-race addiction is real.

Surprisingly considerate. Even as Chaos God.

I declared it.

"As an angel expert, I say that guy's a first-time angel."

"How can you tell?"

"Clumsy cantaloupe roll. Trying to flip the entire glacier map, treating combat too simply, overusing physical force unnecessarily. That's why I thought it was a troll."

Angels are a refined race. Closer to agility warriors than strength ones.

They could make those brute-force destruction noises now echoing around, but no reason to.

It's troll-style play. Just smashing with overwhelming stats.

Whatever else, the clumsiness screams newbie angel player.

"Anyone not an idiot realizes that's not how to use it after a month as an angel."

"No idea, never tried……."

"Just take my word: first time playing angel. Got it?"

The Hunter, who'd been quiet struggling to follow, groaned.

"So we have a shot?"

"If not, we make one."

The Hunter's eyes flicked briefly to the youngest.

I knew what that glance meant but didn't call it out.

He seemed uncomfortable with his own thought and quickly looked away.

The youngest, never intending to keep up, just beamed innocently.

Devoutly listening to the apostle's words, no doubt.

'Of course, brief her on the situation and she'll stick to me.'

Of course. Better than anyone.

Including that her vanguard role becomes obsolete.

But.

'Goddess, I'm human. Still.'

'You know that's not what I mean.'

After a brief pause, the goddess spoke.

'No problem. My God.'

Godhood is boring. Mismatched aptitude might be worse than mere survival.

But her cool-headed advice befits an exile who's reached the throne.

"So we're going to take it down now. Luckily, our situation isn't terrible."

We could've faced bigger groups or riskier gambles.

But we already know this map has at least one automatic rifle.

"Operation name: 'Shoot for the Angel' or something?"

Everyone roasted it as corny in unison.

Damn.

The angel party's strategy is solid in outline.

The iceberg was crumbling bit by bit from repeated impacts.

But there was still time.

At worst, the upper sections were twisting slightly.

Now we go hunting for the gun wielders.

They've likely grasped the situation anyway.

Unlucky if they're gun-armed foes or parties who've earned automatics through trials befitting the reward.

They'll cooperate once they learn about the angel.

Strategic teaming, in other words.

"Collapse that one."

The girl uses Heavy Strike. She always carries a bludgeon as backup.

The exit we'd come from caved in.

"Collapse a couple more, wait a bit over there, and they'll have no choice but to come out."

"How do you know?"

"Memorized it wandering during wait times. These are ice worm tunnels. Easy once you know their habits."

"……Do all veterans do this?"

"Goddess knew, I bet."

Affirmation came via divine word.

The Hunter's face turned peculiar.

"I keep thinking I won't be surprised anymore, but it never ends."

"What else is there to do in the labyrinth besides eat, challenge, and explore? Ha ha."

No outside life could match the labyrinth's intensity.

Even two years of military service changes a person—what about here?

Fortunately, timing worked out.

They were the type to settle things in the ant-hill-like iceberg passages, prioritizing guns.

Great strategy this era—guns dominate, but open fields have magic variables.

If not for someone trying to wreck the whole iceberg.

The girl, with the sharpest ears, signaled footsteps.

Everyone went silent.

Then a distant thud.

The glacier shuddered like a scream.

How many survivors left?

The footsteps' owners appeared. Gun barrels first, as expected.

Other parties who'd delved deeper probably fell to them.

Good thing we made shields quick—automatics in tight tunnels are brutal.

Without reason to force them out, it would've been tough.

But now, perfect ambush.

The girl's ghostly movements took out the two in back.

Hunter and I each downed one in front.

Finally, the youngest scowled fiercely, leveraging her wild looks, and slammed her shield down.

The heavy boom echoed.

Even our party got chills.

"Wh-what?"

"Shit."

They seemed reasonable.

Labyrinth veterans resign quick.

Don't love death, but lives aren't singular.

Surprisingly, this party we'd subdued easily was heavily armed.

After disarming them, I laughed in disbelief.

"Anti-materiel sniper rifle? What the hell?"

Fitting for the timing. Our party lost a month to the Abyss.

Parties meeting us now are similarly delayed, for whatever reason.

On floor 5, mostly underperformers lagging.

Now past boss, many spent time grinding brutal floor 6.

Snowfield theme—no joke.

"Fled from attack helicopters……."

The enemy leader answered dazedly. Heavy regret.

That armament should've felt godlike—now facing death, pity.

"Man, no fights? Just pure evasion?"

"Don't remind me. Ran a month straight. Snatched weapons on raid, bolted downstairs. Ha. Ends like this."

All four were rangers.

Or rather, four guns made rangers inevitable.

Originally three warriors, one mage.

Guns make the class—damage buffs favor ranged now anyway.

Asked the weary four.

They figured the run was over.

"Hey, not planning to kill you here. Hear the booms?"

Another vibration rippled as I finished.

"Some strong race, huh."

"Angel."

"What?"

Incredulous faces.

"Heard of 'em, never seen."

They exchanged looks. No real veterans among them.

"Gotta take it down."

No hard sell needed.

Game over, but extra life offered.

Who'd refuse?

Surprisingly, they'd only hunted two parties in the caves.

Missed more post our encounter, too cautious.

"Wait, we got nine."

"Angel party probably bagged plenty."

I shook my head.

"Doubt it. Can't handle angel advantages right. Escapees hid in tunnels."

If they thought huntable, no iceberg smashing.

Even angels hesitate in complex caves.

Party humans too—likely tried leveraging flight outside.

Gave Hunter the anti-materiel rifle.

They ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠didn't complain. We'd claim all guns, no beef.

Oddly puzzled we returned three.

Enemy leader eyed suspiciously.

"Expected you'd stick to originals. Why return guns?"

"Girl can't shoot. He needs shield."

"You?"

"Mage."

"……That bludgeon a staff?"

Rude.

Temp mage, so not magey.

Leather armor avoids spell penalties, though.

Once plan set, move fast.

More sacrifices complicate ambushes.

Everyone curbing mana detection now.

Hiding from angel awareness.

Deathmatch turning hide-and-seek gimmick.

"Hide."

All dove into nearby tunnel.

Angel flew past.

A few feathers drifted down, sparkling, vaporizing surroundings.

Fallen feathers that potent.

Good—not a familiar face. Definitely not fixed named.

Those are unforgettable.

Angel's hearing superhuman—whispered.

"Set trap."

"What kind?"

Ranger leader asked.

Face said guns alone won't drop higher race.

Asked the girl.

"Quetzalcoatl blood left? One vial?"

"Yeah. I have it."

Doping crucial as gear in game days.

Early game, even more so.

Gear for sustained stats, doping temporary bursts.

Which shines now? Obvious.

These games: survive one crisis, you're good.

"They've got boss doping too. Unknown beast blood."

"My job to neuter it?"

"Smart kid."

Girl downed blood. Birth advantages matter.

Leaving floor 5, my vial standard 5:5 mix.

Hers 9:1 for short bursts.

Others left as potions.

Now doping-free angel parity physically.

Free flight? Chain Dashes.

"Clip the wings."

"Like floor 2."

"Unfair if only they fly? Angels fight fair."

Ranger leader looked disgusted.

Not used to me yet.

Worried, whispered in girl's ear.

"Fight like against me. Got it? Won't lose."

"Stronger than Uncle?"

"If I were troll, I'd smash."

Girl tilted head, puzzled.

Then pondered,

beamed, leaned in.

"Dangerous job—what's my good luck charm?"

Hmm, women said that in past life sometimes.

Pushed back hair, bared forehead.

Cute skull.

Girl panicked.

"Uh-uh?"

Light forehead kiss.

Her gulp audibly loud.

Hid face, spun away.

"Kyaaah!"

Ran off hands-covering-face.

Ears red.

"What? Not what she wanted?"

"Pure kid."

"Very pure."

"What'd you do?"

Hunter, youngest, ranger leader respectively.

Hunter chuckled.

"Our leader's smooth."

"Go easy, she's a kid. Boss."

Absurd, retorted.

"Did go easy—'cause kid."

'Wronged! Loner who just ate and gamed.'

True story. Pre-labyrinth, never held girl's hand.

'Goddess, ever read manga? They all do this.'

Sigh. At least tension broke—good.