Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: 6th Floor. Buy Now for a Steal..!
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Clank— clank—
The clashing of armor joints, which would normally be utterly grating, now sounded like the roar of a fierce lion demanding to get out of the way.
To think I could feel this safe just wearing a single suit of armor.
As long as I had this on, wasn't I basically invincible?
'But what's this "unappraised" tag on it?'
The "unappraised" modifier on the Lion Knight Armor meant the item had unidentified magic or a curse attached.
That implied some special ability, but without an appraisal scroll, there was no way to check right now.
Besides, my backpack was full, so carrying it around until I found an appraisal scroll was out of the question. Not that I could just toss away something this good.
After agonizing over it, my decision was to roll the dice on a curse.
'If it's a total game-ruiner, I'll just lean harder on my summons.'
The worst curses on armor didn't just counter specific builds—they slowed natural recovery or accelerated hunger and thirst drain, crippling survival for every character type.
But thanks to the canned goods I'd brought from reality, I didn't need to worry about hunger or thirst for a while. Even if it was cursed, I could tough it out until I found the Shrine of Stars or a proper anvil and hammer.
Weeeeng—
More annoyingly than that, every step attracted swarms of flying insects.
These vicious bugs buzzed right in my ears, sucking blood the moment I let my guard down, driving me insane.
"These damn bugs... no effect even after spraying?"
Chiiiik—
I drenched myself head to toe in bug repellent, but the effect faded fast. Soon enough, another one latched onto my cheek with a pop.
Chiiiik— pssh, chiik—
Every time, I'd flail my arms and spray more, but it was the same routine over and over.
In just two hours, I chucked the empty can away.
The aluminum canister bounced off the ground, rolling until thick grass stopped it.
'Should've bought insecticide instead... though that probably wouldn't work either.'
What could bug spray that couldn't even kill a single house mosquito do against these endlessly spawning pests? Same result as the repellent, then empty.
A Molotov cocktail was screaming from my chest— the soul of protest rising up, demanding just one fiery drink.
Molotov cocktail. Sticky, and it looked like it'd catch fire nicely.
Of course, this wasn't a bar, so wishful thinking.
I swatted at the tiny, barely visible bugs dancing in front of my face as I trudged through the verdant prison.
>
Carnivorous plants occasionally blocked the path, but unless they swarmed like summon traps— a dozen at a time— they were no big deal with my boosted defense.
The only hassle was wiping the sticky digestive juices off my axe after chopping one down.
While scouting rooms on the way back to the one with the teleport scroll, I picked up a few items.
Thin leather gloves, leather pants, a scholar's pointy hat— better than nothing, but not game-changers.
Mysterious pink herbs, unappraised seeds— semi-consumables.
And the digestive fluid from the plants was drinkable, too. Out of curiosity, I tried it: sour, like yogurt.
It even sparked a conspiracy theory from my childhood— was yogurt secretly plant digestive fluid with flavoring?
"Hm. Layering everything on made my look ridiculous."
The ornate lion-embossed plate armor clashed with my ragged leather everything else, topped by that goofy pointy hat.
I'd never worn one even on my birthday. Huge humiliation. Off it came.
"Still... better to wear it, right?"
Sometimes outfits just don't match when you're mixing and matching.
Couldn't pass up +1 defense, though.
This freakish thief-knight-mage hybrid was the best getup for hacking through the green hell.
'Anyway, it should appraise soon.'
It'd been ages since I equipped the armor.
To appraise unappraised gear without scrolls, wear it for enough turns— about 300, and it auto-appraises.
Right as I thought it was due...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [This item is flawed!] [You feel a horrific sensation enveloping your entire body.] Ah, fuck.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Lion Knight Armor was cursed gear.
I'd braced for it, but actually getting hit with a curse was disheartening.
『Cumbersome Lion Knight Armor (Upper)』
The silver lining: "cumbersome" wasn't a heavy curse.
It just made more noise while walking and reduced evasion against attacks and traps in narrow passages.
No big deal when tanking with Strength and Constitution over evasion.
Just a bit annoying, drawing enemies easier.
'But fuck. I just hit Agility 15.'
Agility 1 gives 2% evasion chance.
Thief's Luck boosts it— 45% at 15— but the curse halves final evasion.
'Heavy armor cuts it more... down to under 20%. Worse than starting Agility.'
Explained why I felt sluggish.
Even dodging whipping vines should've been doable with focus, but post-armor, I kept getting tagged.
Defense soaked it up fine, but...
With low Constitution and HP, 7th floor's ramping attack power would be trouble if I kept it on.
"So that's how evasion works. Intuitive stat conversion."
High evasion: quick reflexes. Low: sluggish reactions.
"Tch. Should've hit Constitution 15 first. Put it on the Wanderer?"
Past experience said it'd curse HP if I specced Con first. Pointless gripe.
'Knew it. If no curse remover this floor, slap it on the Wanderer.'
The juggernaut warrior Wanderer could wear it near penalty-free.
Downside: back to paper-thin me. But that's summoner life.
Two days into scouting, chugging sour yogurt-like plant fluid— even used to protein chunks— when I spotted a familiar pale silhouette ahead.
Sad Ghost, Maria. The auxiliary merchant I'd rely on from 6th floor on.
"Finally, we meet again. Glad you look unscathed."
"Yeah, same."
I waved back at her cheerful tone, approaching.
Her ghostly beauty held, but her legs looked fainter than in the graveyard.
Noticing my gaze, she explained.
"Ghostly forms aren't very mobile by nature. Expanding range takes soul power."
Meaning she'd burned soul power following me, hence the fade.
Explained why Sad Ghost sprites dotted regions more than other NPCs or foes.
'Suspicious Merchant takes gold for a reason, but why pay Sad Ghosts too? Maintenance fees.'
Users griped about cheap goods but gold cost for "journey aid." Never dreamed I'd learn this.
Who dungeon-dives to ask?
"I brought some useful items for you, Hero— meager selection, but hope it's helpful."
"Hm..."
Ten types of goods laid out on the floor from who-knows-where.
Sad Ghosts were auxiliary merchants: way cheaper than Suspicious Merchants, but limited stock.
And fixed until boss kill and next area.
Suspicious Merchants every 3 floors randomized goods, higher odds for key items.
'Still... beats nothing.'
Feeling the pain of D.D.'s consumables hard, Maria's reasonable prices looked beautiful.