Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Layer 2
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Layer 2.
We sorted through our loot methodically.
Hobgoblin Champion.
The spoils from taking it down were...
'The greatsword it wielded, and a massive magic stone.'
The magic stone was enormous.
About the size of my palm, after all.
Considering a fingernail-sized one was worth a single silver coin, this was quite valuable.
And the greatsword.
The moment I claimed it, its size shrank.
A blade at least three meters long had reduced to about my height.
This might be the biggest score from here.
'Like Whisper of the Wind.'
If so...
'...Does it grow or shrink based on the user's height?'
I used Appraisal.
📦 ITEM INFO 📦 Champion's Sword (B-) A greatsword that changes based on the user's capabilities. ◇Transforms into the most suitable form for the user.
◇Consumes the user's mana to generate Blood Battle Aura.
'...?'
It consumes mana. I have no idea what that feels like.
'But.'
If that's the case, how was that thing moving so nimbly while having its mana drained?
'No wonder.'
It was a monstrous bastard.
If it was moving purely on muscle, then it truly was a monster.
'Maybe I should test it once.'
Champion's Sword.
It consumes mana, but how much exactly?
I gripped the greatsword.
'...!'
My body swayed for a moment.
My head throbbed like it was splitting open.
'Can't use this.'
Even just holding it briefly made me feel like something was draining out of my body.
'This is mana.'
Drip.
Warm liquid trickled from my nose.
Probably a nosebleed.
The miscellaneous bag in my Hidden Space.
I pulled out a cloth and wiped the blood.
'If it drains this much mana...'
I wouldn't have known what would've happened if that thing had ditched this sword and attacked us instead.
If it had dragged things into a prolonged fight, slowly wearing down our stamina.
'...Not that either.'
What made it tricky was the power of Whisper of the Wind or the defense that blocked the Blood-Soaked Dagger.
Without that, things might've played out differently.
That was the reward for defeating it.
"Shall we open it now?"
I saw Ermé grinning mischievously.
After entering the hidden room, we'd gotten two things from the boss: the magic stone and Champion's Sword.
And apparently, the hidden room itself had its own reward.
'What could it be.'
Ermé said it was worth looking forward to.
Tiriel and Marcel's expressions looked thrilled too.
-Of course.
Rishiel crossed her arms as she spoke amid our reactions.
-Hidden room rewards are exceptionally special. Experience and magic stones are standard labyrinth drops, but here the boss itself is a reward while also granting special powers.
'Special powers?'
-Yeah. Like acquiring one of the powers the monster guarding the hidden room possessed. Or maybe an elixir that boosts your stats.
'Elixirs that raise stats exist?'
-That's not all. Very rarely, you can even get a Gift.
'I see.'
But that reward wouldn't go to everyone.
Probably split among us.
'Distribution will be a hassle too.'
So I tempered my expectations.
I was already playing sugar daddy because of the Whisper of the Wind distribution ratio.
From my food expenses, to training hall fees, to inn stays.
All coming out of Ermé's pocket.
'...Thinking about it makes me kinda sad.'
Ermé loved it, though.
That wasn't my thing.
Or, more honestly...
'I kinda like it a ton.'
There's not much entertainment here. No dopamine hits.
That's why I've been training idly.
If I returned to the modern world, I'd want to live like that.
I approached the treasure chest without much hope.
If something expensive came out, I could sell it to offset my share.
'Plus, with Champion's Sword already dropping.'
This time, I might actually get a proper settlement?
Grade-wise, it's on par with Whisper of the Wind.
-Take that back...!
'Huh?'
Rishiel suddenly looked outraged.
Staring at me like I'd said something utterly unforgivable.
-Retract that statement right now! Saying a sword used by some filthy goblin is on par with an elven heirloom...!
"...".
That's what sets her off?
I shot Rishiel a sidelong glance at the ridiculous response.
'Retracted.'
-...What? Feels like I got played somehow.
Anyway, we stepped forward.
Ermé, Teresa, and Marcel stood eagerly before the treasure chest.
"I wonder what'll come out? Anything usable by our party would be great."
"Not for me."
Teresa countered Marcel's words.
Marcel glanced her way, and Ermé chuckled in response.
"Money first for you, Teresa. No worries, though. We'll split it as evenly as possible."
"Yeah."
"And everyone knows, right?"
"Ah, the distribution rules?"
"Got it."
"Just in case, I'll repeat: If a party member can use the item, they have priority claim by principle."
Listening to Ermé, a slight sense of unease crept in.
This labyrinth had scavengers.
With all these riches, who wouldn't betray?
Lots of scams probably.
'Ah, that's why the Adventurer's Guild exists.'
Screening talent who steadily delve, gather real treasures.
That felt like the guild's true purpose.
"Hope we get something useful."
"Yeah."
I agreed with Marcel.
At least something for Teresa, Ermé, or him.
'Teresa needs cash, so she might sell whatever she gets.'
The worst would be something for me.
Since I can get Gifts from quests and such.
"Yuseong, open it please."
"...Shouldn't you do it?"
"I'm jinxed. Always get duds."
"Same."
"Me too."
Marcel and Teresa raised their hands at Ermé's words.
Feels like they're all dumping it on me.
'Whatever.'
I'm pretty lucky anyway.
Maybe more than anyone here. Time to show Pangyo Beetickwang's power.
I approached the chest.
Tension building for some reason.
'...Hope it's something good.'
I opened it nervously.
Inside: a glass vial with swirling crimson liquid, a blue one sloshing around, and a single card.
"Oh, a Gift card?"
Ermé beamed as she approached.
"The crimson elixir is for Strength, the blue for Magic Power. And this card... not a Gift, a skill."
"Skill? What kind?"
"Makes a shield. Decent for mages, what do you all think?"
"Marcel was eyeing the Magic Power elixir too."
"...Magic Power's vital for mages."
"Crimson one's wanted by three, it seems."
"I'm good."
Having gotten Whisper of the Wind last time, better to yield this one.
'Kinda curious, though.'
Appraisal.
I checked the Gift card Ermé held.
🛡️ SKILL INFO 🛡️ Shield Creation (C) ◇Can summon a shield in midair.
'Doesn't look great.'
Wouldn't block a Hobgoblin Champion's strike.
Next, the elixirs.
📦 ITEM INFO 📦 Elixir of Increased Strength ◇Increases Strength by +3.
The Magic Power elixir was similar. Boosts Magic Power by 3.
'Are stats that hard to raise?'
Didn't seem worth their gleaming eyes.
And what did these have to do with the Hobgoblin Champion?
"Yuseong, what'll you do?"
"About what?"
"You shone brightest here, so you pick first."
Pick first, huh.
I looked them over again.
The Strength elixir didn't appeal.
-Good instincts.
Rishiel commented on my choice.
-Elven swordsmanship, Dark Moon, prioritizes Agility over Strength. You sensed that intuitively.
'Is that how it is?'
I don't think so.
My intuition says I can learn it regardless.
'This one's reliable at least.'
S-grade Rogue Mastery infers from tiny details.
"Give me gold."
Good chance to upgrade armor or weapons.
"Got it."
Ermé nodded and headed back to Marcel and Teresa.
Moments later, after their discussion, she reported.
“Strength elixir's mine. Marcel takes Shield Creation and Magic Power elixir.”
"I'm taking cash."
Teresa made a V-sign with vacant eyes.
“What now?”
"I wanna regroup here and farm Layer 1 more."
Marcel replied to Ermé.
Seemed he'd spent a lot on this distribution.
"Sounds good."
"I'm fine too. Yuseong?"
"Same."
"Unanimous then. Rest here today, then hunt more goblins."
"What about this sword?"
I pulled out Champion's Sword and showed them.
"Sell it? Doesn't look great."
"You think? Seemed similar to Whisper of the Wind."
"Whaaat?! No way that's the best here...?"
Is Whisper of the Wind that good?
-Like I said, it's a weapon with strong symbolism.
Fair enough.
Same grade, but symbolism changes things.
"What about this weapon then?"
"My Gift's for blunt weapons. Can't use a greatsword."
Teresa raised both hands, forfeiting first.
"Got Magic Power elixir and Shield skillbook, so I'm out."
One left.
Just Ermé.
"Ahem, two sword users, but this greatsword suits me, so I'll take it."
"Cash is fine by me."
"...Tight on funds, but it'll work."
Ermé lit up and took Champion's Sword.
After, Marcel cast alert spells and such, set up a simple tent.
First night in the labyrinth passed.
*
Layer 1 of the labyrinth.
Goblin central, easier than expected.
I alone could handle ten goblins easily now.
'I've gotten ridiculously strong.'
Thanks to Teresa leveling up and boosting her power.
I glanced at Teresa.
A shield-bearing goblin stood before her.
"Hup!"
A light grunt, and her mace sent the goblin flying shield and all.
Crushing the ones behind too.
"Wow, you've gotten amazing."
Ermé said casually. But she wasn't one to talk.
Champion's Sword plus Strength elixir?
She was slaughtering goblins even easier now.
'Practically a massacre.'
So thinking, I eyed the goblin glaring at me.
-Kieeeek!
It charged. I sliced it with Blood-Soaked Dagger.
'About a hundred down now.'
Maybe because of that.
The dagger I'd just used seemed to thrum with more malice.
Might be imagination, but my body felt lighter too.
'Oh.'
I checked the item info right away.
📦 ITEM INFO 📦 Blood-Soaked Dagger (B) A dagger that grows stronger by absorbing blood. ◇Unlocks abilities every 100 living beings slain.
◇Can use Blood Spirit Aura with absorbed blood.
◇Agility +3
'Blood Spirit Aura?'
Info surfaced in my mind.
A technique using blood from kills with the dagger as sword aura substitute.
Like Whisper of the Wind's pale blue gales.
'Wanna test it.'
Then, I felt eyes on me.
The whole party watching.
"...?"
"What's your take, Yuseong? Think we can head to Layer 2 soon?"
Fair point.
Our current power was overkill for Layer 1.
'No issue going to Layer 2.'
Layer 2's not much different from 1.
Goblins just evolve to hobgoblins.
Boss is a bit annoying-looking, that's the issue.
'Annoying in appearance only.'
We took down a Hobgoblin Champion; shouldn't struggle.
"I'm good."
"Our power's overkill for Layer 1 right now."
Marcel adjusted his glasses.
"Plus, Teresa and I aimed for Layer 2 from the start."
"Normally wouldn't say this, but..."
Teresa's eyes turned to me and Ermé.
"You two are strong."
"So, what do we do?"
Ermé grinned at me.
'Layer 2, huh.'
She's nudging us downward.
No problems then.
"Yeah. Our power could handle Layer 3 even."
"Yep. We're strong."
Marcel and Teresa's words.
I nodded.
We headed for the path to Layer 2.