Chapter 27

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 27

Chapter Title: 10th Floor (4)

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Tikhe carried me for just a short while before carefully setting me down.

"Here? Why?"

"Take a good look over there."

Tikhe gestured with her chin toward the floor.

"Huh?"

When I turned my gaze, there lay a bracelet on the ground—rough-hewn but radiating a heavy aura.

It was made of black metal inset with red gems, its form crude and rugged.

"The clear message hasn't popped up yet, but that's probably the reward for clearing the 10th floor this time."

"Whoa..."

No sooner had the words left my mouth than the system message appeared.

"...330,000 points?"

I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. 330,000 points? What the hell had we done?

I blankly stared at Tikhe beside me. Sensing my gaze, she shyly twirled her hair.

"Aw, quit staring like that. There's nothing else to praise."

Even as she said it, the corners of her mouth twitched upward.

"Oh ho."

Maybe because it was a boss fight, but it handed out three Fragments. My mouth went sweet like candy.

Well, I didn't really do anything... No, wait, I supplied the mana. That counts as my share.

And then, the long-awaited item information appeared.

"Whoa... Legend grade."

Leaning my exhausted body against the wall, I let out a small gasp. I didn't even have the energy to shout, but my lips curved into a grin.

"Wh-what's the effect??"

With trembling hands, I opened the item information.

The options were insane. Status resistance was great, but the second effect was the real deal.

Unyielding right before death with 50% HP recovery. For a frail mage like me, it was basically a free resurrection scroll every 30 minutes.

I shifted my gaze to the reward below it.

"...But what's this?"

Thick green smoke swirled inside the transparent orb.

"Tikhe. Do you know what this is?"

When I held up the orb, Tikhe tilted her head.

"Hmm? Beats me. First time seeing it for me too."

"You're a goddess and you don't know?"

"I don't know everything, you know? Besides... this world's setup is a bit weird. Even I've seen things for the first time here."

Tikhe poked at the orb curiously, mumbling to herself.

"Usually, stuff like this is a hidden piece or some super special material. The aura's no joke—looks pretty good."

"...Yeah?"

"Yeah. Hang onto it for now. It's a reward, so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it'll come in handy eventually."

She had a point.

This wasn't some mob drop—it was boss loot. The system wouldn't give trash.

"Right, let's keep it."

I stashed the orb in my inventory, a mix of unease and anticipation churning inside.

"Ooh, level up."

Common grade this time, though. A bit disappointed, I waited for the reward grade adjustment.

'Double evolution as expected.'

Rare grade then? I swallowed hard in anticipation—then a new message interrupted.

"Huh?"

I whipped my head toward her in surprise.

Tikhe winked at me, as if she'd known all along.

It worked here too?

Probability manipulation affected not just drops but the reward system?

And the identity of the skillbook that landed in my hand was revealed.

"???"

My eyes went wide.

"Wh-what????"

"What's wrong? Something up?"

"Uh, this is a skill I already learned?"

Astounded, I held up the skillbook.

The Knight Commander was my main summon.

Getting a dupe meant I'd rolled a total dud.

"Higher skills are rare, so dupes happen. But collect three and use them to evolve to the next grade."

"Huh? There's something like that?"

I blinked dumbly. Tikhe tilted her head as if I was the weird one.

"What? No such thing here?"

"Nope. First I've ever heard of it. Collect three of the same to upgrade the grade...?"

Never heard of anything like it.

"Really? Well, try it anyway. Should work."

Her voice rang with confidence. If the Goddess of Luck said so, it probably would.

"Alright, let's give it a shot."

Half-doubting, I used the skillbook.

Fwaah.

The skillbook dissolved into light and absorbed into me.

"...Oh."

It was real. Not proficiency—it showed a counter.

"One more and it upgrades for real."

"Ah... And this upgrade to Knight Commander grade? That was you, right?"

Common jumping straight to that wasn't coincidence. Tikhe beamed at my question.

"Of course! I'm the Goddess of Luck, after all. Goddess."

Kitty's eyes sparkled in awe as it tugged at Tikhe's hem.

The little one's a pro at sucking up.

The messages chimed one after another.

"Huh?"

I blinked.

"Wait, level up twice?"

I glanced at her with hopeful eyes. Catching my look, Tikhe winked refreshingly, as if to say no worries.

If her luck fired again like before...?

'No way... Legend?'

The dream grade, a Legend skillbook, danced in my mind.

The skillbook glowed with the system messages.

Double evolution was basically guaranteed. All that remained was the goddess's blessing.

'Please... please... Tikhe...!'

I clasped my hands and prayed fervently. You're all I got, Goddess of Luck!

But.

Fizzle.

The brilliant light faded, leaving a purple-covered 'Hero' grade skillbook before me.

"......"

Nothing happened. No extra message, no blessing. It obediently stopped at Hero grade.

"......"

I slowly turned to stare at Tikhe. She averted her eyes, pretending nothing was wrong.

"......Huh?"

"It's not supposed to always work like that."

When I pressed her, Tikhe fidgeted nervously.

"Uh, well..."

"You were all 'Goddess this' and chill a minute ago."

"That was... just... um..."

Tikhe hemmed and hawed, avoiding my gaze. Her earlier swagger was gone.

"Truth is... it doesn't pop that reliably. Ugh... sorry for bluffing, honey."

Her voice shrank as she apologized. Kitty beside her drooped its cat ears too, like it was in trouble with me. It was kinda funny.

"Yeah, figured."

Legend grade isn't some clearance sale item at the corner store. Daily Legends would break balance.

"Honestly, if this happened often, it'd be weirder."

"No! It's just 'cause my level's low right now!"

As I nodded, Tikhe stomped her feet indignantly.

"Once my level goes up, the odds keep climbing! For real! Later, I'll make Legends rain just from breathing!"

"Sure, looking forward to it."

I half-heartedly replied and picked up the Hero grade skillbook. Hero was still welcome.

"Let's see..."

I used it without delay.

Shiiiine.

Purple light enveloped me.

"Oh..."

I let out a short gasp.

Mana Efficiency.

Simple description, but perfect for me right now. Tikhe's influence again?

I glanced at her, but she was playing with Kitty. Was I overthinking?

"Alright, shall we head out now?"

Having collected all the rewards, I barely managed to stand.

"Yeah, let's go."

Tikhe nodded lightly and was about to lead when—

"Ah, wait."

I urgently called her back.

"Yeah? What?"

"There might still be watchers outside. That guy who was spying when we came in."

"Oh, right. Could be."

Tikhe clapped as if she'd forgotten. I chewed my lip anxiously.

"What do we do? You and Kitty can Stealth, but I have no way to hide..."

As I frowned in thought, Tikhe asked out of nowhere.

"But honey, do we really need to hide your identity?"

"Huh? Obviously. I hate standing out."

I answered firmly.

"If word gets out I'm Blanc, guilds will swarm to recruit me, and who knows what the government's up to."

Ugh, just thinking about it tired me out.

"Plus, I'm an unregistered hunter. If they find out, it'll be a hassle."

Think the government or guilds would leave me alone? Hassle aside, I might not even get off easy.

"So roll the dice or something. Solve it with luck like on the way in."

"Sure? Let's give it a light roll then."

With a crisp ting, Tikhe flicked her finger.

A summoned die rolled across the floor before slowly coming to a stop.

"4...?"

Not a 1 or 6—kinda middling. Better than the worst 1, though. Tikhe shrugged with a smack of her lips.

"Hmm. Guess I used up a lot of luck today."

"......"

"Still a success, though. This should be enough."

"Effect?"

"It's a variable, so I don't know the details. It just works. Shall we go?"

If the Goddess of Luck said so, I had to trust it. I nodded at Kitty.

"Kitty, Stealth!"

Nyaang!

Kitty mewed shortly and activated Stealth. Its outline melted into the air. But something felt off.

"Huh? Why's your body doing that?"

At Tikhe's point, I looked down at my arm.

From my fingertips, it blurred like ink in water. The background showed through my arm clearly. My whole body was blending into the scenery.

"...Did I get Stealthed too?"

"Whoa, awesome. Guess Kitty's Stealth got boosted?"

Tikhe's eyes widened.

"Phew... good... Let's go now."

Taking a step felt like a ton of bricks. Tikhe steadied my wobbly body, and we cautiously moved forward.