Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Labyrinth 21st Floor (4)
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I blocked the monster's head from spewing fire.
Instead...
-Crunch crunch...
'What the hell kind of scales...'
As payback, my right hand shattered. It was partly the recoil from the berserker combo, but more than that, this thing's scales were insanely tough. Tougher even than the minerals I'd been smashing nonstop on the 21st floor.
"Grraaaah..."
Anyway, I'd bought us some time. While the monster lay there with its head smashed into the ground, unable to recover, I approached Lena, who stared at me with wide-eyed shock.
"Uh... hey?"
This felt awkward. We partied up in the 9th floor ruins, but this was our first reunion. What should I even say? After I saved her life back then, her attitude had softened quite a bit.
"...Ah, yeah. Ian."
Lena was just as flustered by my sudden appearance.
Just a few months ago, I was a beginner adventurer poking around the 9th floor. Now here I was on the 21st—and I'd just punched a salamander straight into the dirt.
And if she remembered that I was the adventurer she'd... done that with because of her heat cycle... well, even more so.
"Graaaaaah!"
"Ah!"
As Lena hesitated for words, she snapped to attention at the salamander's roar clinging to Hiss and Karona. She quickly chugged a mana potion and tore a scroll.
"Ice Bomb!"
-Boom!
The scroll unleashed a blast of frost, staggering the salamander that had been cornering Hiss. As the flames rising from between its scales died down, Karona seized the opening, activating [War Cry] again and swinging her axe to draw its attention.
"Grraaaah..."
"Nngh..."
She'd rushed to help Hiss and Karona, but the situation was still dire. Pushing aside her questions, Lena calmly asked me for aid.
"Ian. I don't know how you got here, but can you help?"
"Of course. That lizard one's mine, though."
"Fine by us. Then first..."
"I'll handle this one, so you help those two, Lena."
"Can you hold it alone? Salamanders aren't something you solo..."
"Don't worry about—"
"Grraaah!"
As I started to reply, the salamander shook its head, regained its senses, and charged with a furious roar, flames erupting from its body. I raised my left fist and smashed down on its snout.
-Kababoom!
Another explosion rang out. Feeling my left hand shatter, I waved off the stunned Lena.
"Go on, don't worry."
"...Just hold on a bit."
Seeing me pin the salamander, Lena hardened her expression, handed me a scroll, and began chanting to support Hiss and the orc woman.
-Sizzle.
'Enchant scroll?'
I infused mana into the scroll Lena gave me and tore it. Frost settled over my gauntlets. Looking up at the charging monster, I kicked out this time—and a sharper sound echoed than before.
-Krrunch!
"Oh."
Something shattered. Not my bones—I'd held back [Limit Break] this time. This was its scales cracking.
"Cold's its weakness?"
If that's how it works...
As the enchant wore off without landing a solid hit, Hiss and Karona were being pushed back. But when Lena's magic flew in from afar, they lit up and glanced her way.
"Lena! You're safe... Huh? Ian?"
"What's with that human guy? Ally?"
"He's an ally! I know him!"
"Good! A reliable brawler showed up!"
They marveled at the human man who'd suddenly grabbed the salamander attacking Lena. Seizing the breather Lena bought them, they quickly pulled out enchant scrolls and frosted their weapons.
"Finish this fast and help that guy!"
Feeling the chill on her axe, Karona activated [War Cry] again and charged the salamander.
Lena tore scrolls as her mana recovered, supporting the pair. Hiss slipped in during Karona's distractions, stabbing her dagger into weakened scales.
-Boom! Kaboom! Bang!
'...Why the weird noises from behind?'
Odd sounds came from behind amid the fight, but they focused on the enemy. Before a new salamander appeared, their already battered foe couldn't withstand the trio's assault and collapsed.
"Quick, to Ian...!"
More eager to aid the lone fighter than celebrate, Hiss turned, panting heavily.
"Oh. Still leaking a bit of fire even dead. Can I make a flaming sword from this?"
"?????"
They blankly stared at Ian, who'd slain his salamander even faster than them.
'Monsters on the 21st floor are all so easy to handle.'
Thinking something any other adventurer would faint at, I pummeled the salamander with my frost-charged fists.
I tried drawing my sword midway, but the temporary blade risked chipping against its scales, so I sheathed it.
"Graaaah! Grriiiah!"
The lizard—salamander, was it?—kept spewing flames from its scale gaps, scooping and hurling lava from nearby pools, even breathing fire. But...
-[Attribute Resistance Lv.6], [Regeneration Lv.6]
With Lv.6 [Attribute Resistance] plus a preemptive fire resistance potion, I ignored its flames and pressed the attack.
It was no pushover, though—my flesh still melted where the heat pierced through, but not fatally. And as long as I didn't die, [Regeneration] healed me.
"Kyaaak! Kyaak! Yak!"
Each time its body seared, I'd irritably cast [Sensory Transference]. After feeling its own melting agony whenever it tried fire on me, it freaked out and stopped.
Makes sense—scorching pain's the worst, right? And this lava-swimmer had never felt true burning. Plus a dash of my shattering fist pain.
"Kieee..."
-Thud!
Finally, my fist crushed one eye. It wailed pitifully and fell. Glancing back, their fight was wrapping up too. Humming happily, I peeled off heaps of its scales.
"Oh. Pretty nice-looking. And still flickering with flames even detached?"
As I gathered its drops, three sets of footsteps approached from the victorious battle.
"How'd you finish so fast...?"
"Ian! Long time no see!"
"Fine warrior!"
Hearing the voices, I set aside the salamander I was butchering and turned to greet them.
"Good to see you, Hiss. And you... first time?"
"...!!! Wh-what! Hiss, close your eyes!"
"Eh, huh?"
"Hmph! Impressive."
"???"
What? Why the shock... Oh.
Shit. My pants.
Only after pulling spare clothes from my inventory and dressing could I properly talk with the three.
"Ian—or Ian. Long time no see! We partied on the 12th floor last time. No way you came to the 21st solo?"
"Fine warrior. Name's Karona."
"......Thanks."
Hiss and Karona beamed grateful thanks. Lena stared blankly into my eyes a moment before looking away.
'Feeling awkward?'
Karona awkwardly explained that Lena got uneasy around men, but her demeanor seemed different. Her face was flushed—not just from heat. Well, after flashing her back on the 9th floor ruins...
Whatever.
"Ian. What brings you to the 21st?"
"Ah, I was..."
Ignoring Lena's averted gaze, I chatted with friendly Hiss. I'd been hunting materials for new gear, sensed minerals nearby, and ended up here.
"...Salamander scales are more mineral than skin. For gear, you could make flame-infused weapons—or at least high fire resistance stuff."
As salamander talk came up with Hiss, Lena sidled over to explain.
Looking up at her, she averted her eyes again like nothing happened.
'...What's her deal?'
"Ian. How long you staying? We're done with salamanders, heading back. Wanna come?"
"Together?"
"Yeah. You helped us—feels wrong ditching you. Let's go. I'll buy food when we return!"
"I agree. Share drinks topside?"
"........."
Karona's friendliness was a bit much, but I seriously considered Hiss's offer.
After heavy [Regeneration] use, I needed real food and rest. Fighting salamanders meant overusing it beyond plans.
I'd been easing [Regeneration] fatigue with [Heavenly Touch] massages...
'Honestly, I could use some sleep.'
Solo labyrinth runs suck most for sleep—no watches means no safe camping. I'd toughed it with massages instead, but piled fatigue without rest begged for proper shut-eye.
Partying temporarily with them to the surface would allow watches for safe sleep.
Hiss and Lena seemed trustworthy. Karona... too soon to judge, but she seemed fine. I could take her in a fight anyway.
'Time to head back anyway.'
Returning now lets me deliver Miranda my prepped materials before festival. These drops could enhance new armor too.
And... nah, no expectations. My luck with sex stuff warps my hopes weirdly.
"What about you, Lena?"
"...Do whatever."
Lena treated me awkwardly but didn't object. Fine, minerals gathered plenty...
"Let's go together."