Chapter 134: Team Play (4)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 134: Team Play (4)

We were wandering through a maze. No breadcrumbs or balls of yarn, but that was okay because we had Rotmiller.

"Wait, I'll leave one more mark here just in case."

In the past, I wondered what use a scout was in places where even a guide couldn't find the way, but that had been arrogance on my part. Having built himself up from the bottom step by step, Rotmiller was a truly versatile man.

"Can I see the map?"

"Sure."

He was making a map based on the path we were taking. It wasn't just a crudely made map either, but an elaborate one reminiscent of a mini map. Just by pausing every ten minutes to draw, he had been able to make this.

"Okay, it's done, so give it to me. I need to update the map."

"...Here."

Each time I watched Rotmiller move his pen over the map without hesitation, I was amazed. I didn't ask how this was possible, though, because he had already explained it earlier.

"The terrain here is not too complicated, so I can memorize it just by walking. To measure distance, I can count my steps and note it down accordingly."

Apparently, map-making and surveying were what he was most confident in since he'd been doing both for several years. I never realized this man had such talent. It was a bit unfortunate. Rather than a talent, this must have been the result of years of hard work as someone without an innate aptitude.

"Sorry for taking up time. Let's go."

After stopping for about thirty seconds, we walked through the dark maze again. Rotmiller followed close behind. In his hand was not a crossbow, but a longsword. It was a change that had come about after several battles.

"This should be enough to hold off one of them."

Rotmiller, whose stats had risen, began to actively intervene in battle, just like the top scouts usually did to pull their weight in ways other than just navigating.

"This one's all yours."

After a warning from Rotmiller, who had an enhanced sense of smell, four Vaikundus appeared in front of us. Four rank-six monsters was a number I'd never dealt with on the fourth floor, but I wasn't particularly nervous or anxious. We had Dwalkie.

Shoooooot!

An Enhanced Ice Spear was launched as soon as the monsters appeared. Even this was different than before. Then came two Ice Lances that were several times stronger than usual.

I didn't realize he could double cast.

When I found out about this, I felt a bit embarrassed. Despite having been together for several months, I didn't really know much about them at all.

Goddamn it.

Despite having abnormally low mana, Dwalkie's talent in magic was considerable enough that he was able to use additional support magic while double casting.

[Riol Warb Dwalkie has cast the rank-eight attack spell Trajectory Adjustment.]

Ice spears flew over our heads like cannonballs fired from somewhere in the distance. We didn't even have to step aside to make room.

Kaboom!

Before the battle even started, two of the rank-six monsters turned into light and disappeared.

"Get rid of them and push forward. I'll take one of them with Missha again."

While I marked one of the monsters, Missha and Rotmiller teamed up to take on the other.

Shoooooot!

Around the time they killed one, Dwalkie finished chanting again and an Ice Lance shattered the head of the Vaikundus that had been knocking me down. This all took about four minutes.

"Bjorrrn, what are you doing? Let's go."

I cleared my head and started walking.

"Hahaha, no matter what appears, don't worry. I, Riol Warb Dwalkie, will take care of it." This was the last notable change to Team Half-Wit. Dwalkie became a douchebag again.

***

Usually, wizards benefited most from the Guardian of Balance field effect because wizards couldn't consume essences. This inevitably meant that their main stat, mana, had no choice but to skyrocket under its effects.

There's still a limit to that.

This was the first time I had ever seen such an extreme case as Dwalkie. However, when I thought about it, the change made sense. All the wizards I had brought here with me in the game were talented, so they had high mana-related stats—unlike Dwalkie, the former half-wit wizard.

"It really feels magical. Like all my shackles have been released."

Dwalkie was human and he had a body that was far from fit. Moreover, his mana was at rock bottom, forget average.

His stats alone were three times lower than ours.

I didn't know if it would be different for a team of all humans, but between me, Missha, and Hikurod, we had three different races with naturally high base stats on the team. As for Rotmiller? Although he was at a disadvantage, he couldn't be compared to Dwalkie since he was a veteran with four essences.

...Did our stats somehow all go to the wizard?

After taking the entire day to observe, I finished analyzing the team's strengths. I was the one who had suffered the most.

Could things really have worked out so well?

Looking at the team as a whole, it had become at least twice as strong. Because Dungeon and Stone was a team battle game, rather than one person being particularly exceptional, things were best when everyone was able to pull their weight. It was a bit bittersweet, but that was also why I wanted to leave Team Half-Wit.

This will be our first and last proper team play.

Today I had been able to see something I hadn't ever seen in both Rotmiller and Dwalkie, but this changed nothing. With a lot of effort and luck, it would be possible for the two of them to permanently reach the level they were at today.

However, it would take several years.

Besides, that would be their peak. In that sense, their weaknesses were too clear. Rotmiller's combat power could be compensated for with essences. However, in order to execute the kind of strategies that I wanted, I would need a scout with the Guide ability from the fifth floor onward. Dwalkie? Double casting or not, a wizard's most important quality was their mana stat. That was probably why he hadn't been accepted into the Magic Tower. It was a cold-hearted assessment, but according to the Magic Tower's standards, Dwalkie's talent was nothing special.

Just as I was thinking that, my heart suddenly froze. Not just metaphorically, but literally.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

[You have taken Cold damage.]

A chill cut through my skin and bones. When I came to my senses, Missha was snorting. "Hey, Bjorn! How long are you going to ignorrre me!?"

"Oh, what did you say?"

Shoooooot!

Around the time they killed one, Dwalkie finished chanting again and an Ice Lance shattered the head of the Vaikundus that had been knocking me down. This all took about four minutes.

"Bjorrrn, what are you doing? Let's go."

I cleared my head and started walking.

"Hahaha, no matter what appears, don't worry. I, Riol Warb Dwalkie, will take care of it." This was the last notable change to Team Half-Wit. Dwalkie became a douchebag again.

***

Usually, wizards benefited most from the Guardian of Balance field effect because wizards couldn't consume essences. This inevitably meant that their main stat, mana, had no choice but to skyrocket under its effects.

There's still a limit to that.

This was the first time I had ever seen such an extreme case as Dwalkie. However, when I thought about it, the change made sense. All the wizards I had brought here with me in the game were talented, so they had high mana-related stats—unlike Dwalkie, the former half-wit wizard.

"It really feels magical. Like all my shackles have been released."

Dwalkie was human and he had a body that was far from fit. Moreover, his mana was at rock bottom, forget average.

His stats alone were three times lower than ours.

I didn't know if it would be different for a team of all humans, but between me, Missha, and Hikurod, we had three different races with naturally high base stats on the team. As for Rotmiller? Although he was at a disadvantage, he couldn't be compared to Dwalkie since he was a veteran with four essences.

...Did our stats somehow all go to the wizard?

After taking the entire day to observe, I finished analyzing the team's strengths. I was the one who had suffered the most.

Could things really have worked out so well?

Looking at the team as a whole, it had become at least twice as strong. Because Dungeon and Stone was a team battle game, rather than one person being particularly exceptional, things were best when everyone was able to pull their weight. It was a bit bittersweet, but that was also why I wanted to leave Team Half-Wit.

This will be our first and last proper team play.

Today I had been able to see something I hadn't ever seen in both Rotmiller and Dwalkie, but this changed nothing. With a lot of effort and luck, it would be possible for the two of them to permanently reach the level they were at today.

However, it would take several years.

Besides, that would be their peak. In that sense, their weaknesses were too clear. Rotmiller's combat power could be compensated for with essences. However, in order to execute the kind of strategies that I wanted, I would need a scout with the Guide ability from the fifth floor onward. Dwalkie? Double casting or not, a wizard's most important quality was their mana stat. That was probably why he hadn't been accepted into the Magic Tower. It was a cold-hearted assessment, but according to the Magic Tower's standards, Dwalkie's talent was nothing special.

Just as I was thinking that, my heart suddenly froze. Not just metaphorically, but literally.

[You have taken Cold damage.]

A chill cut through my skin and bones. When I came to my senses, Missha was snorting. "Hey, Bjorn! How long are you going to ignorrre me!?"

"Oh, what did you say?"

"What did I say?! I said everyone is going to sleep, so keep watch!" After landing some punches on my chest in annoyance, Missha softened her tone, clearly worried. "But... are you all rrright?"

"I'm fine. It's still cold, but it doesn't hurt."

"No, not that... You've had a serious look on your face since earlier."

I cocked my head in genuine confusion. "I have?"

"Yeah. It's hard to explain in words, but... oh! It was kind of like the face you make when I tell you to eat your carrrots."

Uh, that just makes it harder to understand.

"Whatever, just go to sleep. I'll keep watch, so don't worry."

"Mm, okay." Missha went back to her spot, slipped into her sleeping bag, and chatted with our other teammates. "Ugh, today was rrreally tiring."

"Haha, understandable. Dragged into unknown territory and fighting all those rank-six monsters..."

"...Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I kind of had fun. It felt like being on a proper expedition for the first time. Up until now, the expeditions I've been on have been different from the one I've longed for."

"Ah, I think I know what you mean, Rotmillerrr."

"Haha, I felt like an adventurer in a story."

A few words were exchanged as they lay down at the day's end. Of course, the conversation didn't last long as this was meant to be a time of rest.

"Oh, right. Dwalkie, you werrre amazing today."

"I-It wasn't a big deal. Being able to shoot spells without having to conserve mana or figure out the formula over and over again? A-Any wizard could've done that."

"Uh... rrreally? I don't know about that. Anyway, you worked hard today. Good night."

"G-Good night, Miss Karlstein."

After the sparse conversation ended, silence descended. It was 1:04 a.m. An hour had passed since the start of the twentieth day. I kept an eye on our surroundings while reviewing my plans.

I'll be able to get that item in a few more hours, so now I just need to find the boss's lair.

With our current strength, the boss fight didn't seem like it would be too much trouble, so I wasn't overly worried. However, the downside was that if we were unlucky, we might not be able to reach the boss's lair in time.

If we had just a week more, we could've taken everything we needed...

While I was licking my lips in disappointment, I turned my head at the sound of rustling. It was Dwalkie, who had risen from his sleeping bag. "Um, Bjorn..."

"Sleep, even if you can't. Tomorrow—"

"It's not that I can't sleep." Before I had time to say anything, Dwalkie stood up and came toward me. He lowered his voice so that the others wouldn't wake up. "I have something to tell you."

Yesterday it was Rotmiller, so it seemed it was Dwalkie's turn this time. "...Say it."

"Remember what you said about Miss Karlstein's taste the other day?"

"I remember." I never forgot a lie once I told it. That way there wouldn't be any discrepancies later. That wasn't relevant right now, though. "So, what do you want to say?"

As I stared at him, Dwalkie opened his mouth with a determined look on his face. "I was going to ask if what you said was true. But now that I think about it, it doesn't matter if it's true or not." Dwalkie's voice was different from usual. There was not the slightest hint of a tremor, and the eyes looking up at me were also firm. "Whatever her tastes are, it's fine. It would be cowardly to wish for her to be honest without showing my true self."

"What did I say?! I said everyone is going to sleep, so keep watch!" After landing some punches on my chest in annoyance, Missha softened her tone, clearly worried. "But... are you all rrright?"

"I'm fine. It's still cold, but it doesn't hurt."

"No, not that... You've had a serious look on your face since earlier."

I cocked my head in genuine confusion. "I have?"

"Yeah. It's hard to explain in words, but... oh! It was kind of like the face you make when I tell you to eat your carrrots."

Uh, that just makes it harder to understand.

"Whatever, just go to sleep. I'll keep watch, so don't worry."

"Mm, okay." Missha went back to her spot, slipped into her sleeping bag, and chatted with our other teammates. "Ugh, today was rrreally tiring."

"Haha, understandable. Dragged into unknown territory and fighting all those rank-six monsters..."

"...Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I kind of had fun. It felt like being on a proper expedition for the first time. Up until now, the expeditions I've been on have been different from the one I've longed for."

"Ah, I think I know what you mean, Rotmillerrr."

"Haha, I felt like an adventurer in a story."

A few words were exchanged as they lay down at the day's end. Of course, the conversation didn't last long as this was meant to be a time of rest.

"Oh, right. Dwalkie, you werrre amazing today."

"I-It wasn't a big deal. Being able to shoot spells without having to conserve mana or figure out the formula over and over again? A-Any wizard could've done that."

"Uh... rrreally? I don't know about that. Anyway, you worked hard today. Good night."

"G-Good night, Miss Karlstein."

After the sparse conversation ended, silence descended. It was 1:04 a.m. An hour had passed since the start of the twentieth day. I kept an eye on our surroundings while reviewing my plans.

I'll be able to get that item in a few more hours, so now I just need to find the boss's lair.

With our current strength, the boss fight didn't seem like it would be too much trouble, so I wasn't overly worried. However, the downside was that if we were unlucky, we might not be able to reach the boss's lair in time.

If we had just a week more, we could've taken everything we needed...

While I was licking my lips in disappointment, I turned my head at the sound of rustling. It was Dwalkie, who had risen from his sleeping bag. "Um, Bjorn..."

"Sleep, even if you can't. Tomorrow—"

"It's not that I can't sleep." Before I had time to say anything, Dwalkie stood up and came toward me. He lowered his voice so that the others wouldn't wake up. "I have something to tell you."

Yesterday it was Rotmiller, so it seemed it was Dwalkie's turn this time. "...Say it."

"Remember what you said about Miss Karlstein's taste the other day?"

"I remember." I never forgot a lie once I told it. That way there wouldn't be any discrepancies later. That wasn't relevant right now, though. "So, what do you want to say?"

As I stared at him, Dwalkie opened his mouth with a determined look on his face. "I was going to ask if what you said was true. But now that I think about it, it doesn't matter if it's true or not." Dwalkie's voice was different from usual. There was not the slightest hint of a tremor, and the eyes looking up at me were also firm. "Whatever her tastes are, it's fine. It would be cowardly to wish for her to be honest without showing my true self."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"You should know that I have been secretly infatuated with her."

Ha, so this was how it was going to go. I wished he'd at least wait until we were back in the city.

"If we survive this and get back to the city—"

"Stop." I hurriedly cut Dwalkie off. There was a distinct difference between thinking that and saying it out loud.

However, he seemed to have misunderstood my sincere concern. "As expected, Bjorn, you also..." Dwalkie pressed his lips together and shook his head as if to shake off his thoughts. When he spoke again, his voice was firmer than ever before. "Still, this doesn't change anything."

"Stop talking. I know what you misunderstood—"

"When I return to the city, I will reveal my feelings."

No, that's a flag. Goddamn it.

Suddenly, I started to feel as anxious as when I met Hans.

"That's all I had to say. I'll go now." Dwalkie then turned around and ran away to bury himself in his sleeping bag. Soon after, his breaths evened out. I had been worried that he wasted his precious sleep for this, but it seemed today's journey had been pretty tiring after all.

...At least he's not planning on proposing.

I tried to shake off my worries too and focus on my watch. Two more hours passed like that, and after waking up Hikurod for his shift, I lay down.

When I opened my eyes again, it was time to leave. For tonight, we had decided that just the dwarf and I would be on watch for four hours at a time.

"Both of you must be tired, but you worked harrrd."

"Haha, well, it can't be helped. There is not much time left now."

"Tomorrow is my and Rotmiller's turrrn, so after today you can get some rest."

We sufficiently cleaned up camp and resumed our journey. Today's goal was clear. Rotmiller summarized: "As Bjorn said, it seems that we have reached the outer walls of the maze. From now on, we'll go in just one direction along this wall."

In a corner of the Labyrinth of Larcaz was a square structure. We needed to defeat the mid-level boss there and get a hidden reward. For reference, I didn't know which of the four mini-bosses would come out. It had always been random in the game.

Whatever shows up, though, we can easily take it down with our current combat power. Aside from that one guy, they all have obvious weaknesses.

"Mehhg!"

We sped up while defeating even more Vaikundus, which we had probably already defeated hundreds of. There was still no sign of an essence coming out, though. Instead, our mana stones were piling up high.

"Hahaha! Just the mana stones alone are a nice reward."

In fact, this was the second gift the labyrinth granted its visitors. There was no place on the fifth floor where a single type of rank-six monster spawned over and over for easy hunting. On the fourth floor, it was normally difficult to encounter even twenty of them in a day.

After traveling for about twelve hours, we reached our destination, a point in the corner of the maze.

"...A dead end?"

"No way, there rrreally is nothing here."

"It could be in another direction, or in a completely random place."

"Haha, there has to be a way out, right?"

"There must be, since this is a maze."

As the group reached the dead-end wall and each made a comment, Rotmiller studied the wall carefully. "Wait a minute," he muttered, "something's strange."

I was honestly a bit surprised. Was it because of the Sixth Sense stat attached to the Mimic's essence, or was it just this old-timer's observational skills? I didn't know the exact cause, but thanks to this, I wouldn't have to step forward pretending I had found it by coincidence.

Click, rattle.

When he touched something, the wall slid to the side to reveal a hidden space.

"Wow, the doorrr is open."

"It could be dangerous, everyone back away!"

Hikurod jumped forward and raised his shield, and I was quick to join him. Of course, no monsters suddenly popped out.

"...I guess nothing is coming out."

This was not that kind of place. The space inside the wall was obscured by darkness, making it impossible to see inside with the naked eye. But none of that mattered to me.

"I will take the lead."

"Bjorn! It could be dangerrrous!"

"I'm fine. That is my role."

When I stepped forward instead of the hesitant-looking dwarf and went inside, the torches on the wall lit up the hall ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at once. I quickly examined my surroundings.

"This is..."

There was a stone chamber of about four square miles, a magic circle with geometric patterns drawn on the floor, and a pole with a goat's head adorning it.

"This place is kind of freaky..."

"I don't see a portal here. Can't we just leave?"

Hearing Missha and Dwalkie's muttering, I hid a smile. Well, they didn't know that compared to the other rooms, this was nothing.

Anyway, since we got this room, finding the boss's lair will be a piece of cake. As for how to do it, I can just give Rotmiller some hints...

That took a weight off. It would make it a bit more difficult to take the boss down, but if we had been unlucky, the quest could've ended without us ever seeing the boss's face.

How do I summon him? If I just do it, it would look very suspicious.

I was happily thinking it over when everyone, including me, flinched at the same time.

"Huh?"

"...You too?"

I wasn't the only one who sensed the change.

"What is this? My mana suddenly increased tremendously."

"M-Mine too. Why is my body like this?"

The slightly burdensome pressure of my heavy armor after my loss in strength stats vanished, and it now felt almost like I was wearing the Styrofoam armor people used in cosplay. What was happening? As soon as I realized, curse words flew out.

What the f—!?

Energy had rushed into my whole body, the sort of change that I couldn't manage even with Giantization. And I already knew the reason why.

"Rotmiller."

"...You seem to be thinking the same thing as me."

Another adventurer had entered this place.

The hidden level on the fourth floor, the Labyrinth of Larcaz, allowed a minimum of one to a maximum of five people to enter.

Common sense suggested that it would most likely be a team of five, but it was still too soon to be sure. Anything was possible. But at least one thing was certain.

[Field Effect – Guardian of Balance has activated. The stats of the occupants have been evenly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠distributed.]

Whether it was one person or several, they were frighteningly strong.

"...What do you mean by that?"

"You should know that I have been secretly infatuated with her."

Ha, so this was how it was going to go. I wished he'd at least wait until we were back in the city.

"If we survive this and get back to the city—"

"Stop." I hurriedly cut Dwalkie off. There was a distinct difference between thinking that and saying it out loud.

However, he seemed to have misunderstood my sincere concern. "As expected, Bjorn, you also..." Dwalkie pressed his lips together and shook his head as if to shake off his thoughts. When he spoke again, his voice was firmer than ever before. "Still, this doesn't change anything."

"Stop talking. I know what you misunderstood—"

"When I return to the city, I will reveal my feelings."

No, that's a flag. Goddamn it.

Suddenly, I started to feel as anxious as when I met Hans.

"That's all I had to say. I'll go now." Dwalkie then turned around and ran away to bury himself in his sleeping bag. Soon after, his breaths evened out. I had been worried that he wasted his precious sleep for this, but it seemed today's journey had been pretty tiring after all.

...At least he's not planning on proposing.

I tried to shake off my worries too and focus on my watch. Two more hours passed like that, and after waking up Hikurod for his shift, I lay down.

When I opened my eyes again, it was time to leave. For tonight, we had decided that just the dwarf and I would be on watch for four hours at a time.

"Both of you must be tired, but you worked harrrd."

"Haha, well, it can't be helped. There is not much time left now."

"Tomorrow is my and Rotmiller's turrrn, so after today you can get some rest."

We sufficiently cleaned up camp and resumed our journey. Today's goal was clear. Rotmiller summarized: "As Bjorn said, it seems that we have reached the outer walls of the maze. From now on, we'll go in just one direction ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠along this wall."

In a corner of the Labyrinth of Larcaz was a square structure. We needed to defeat the mid-level boss there and get a hidden reward. For reference, I didn't know which of the four mini-bosses would come out. It had always been random in the game.

Whatever shows up, though, we can easily take it down with our current combat power. Aside from that one guy, they all have obvious weaknesses.

"Mehhg!"

We sped up while defeating even more Vaikundus, which we had probably already defeated hundreds of. There was still no sign of an essence coming out, though. Instead, our mana stones were piling up high.

"Hahaha! Just the mana stones alone are a nice reward."

In fact, this was the second gift the labyrinth granted its visitors. There was no place on the fifth floor where a single type of rank-six monster spawned over and over for easy hunting. On the fourth floor, it was normally difficult to encounter even twenty of them in a day.

After traveling for about twelve hours, we reached our destination, a point in the corner of the maze.

"...A dead end?"

"No way, there rrreally is nothing here."

"It could be in another direction, or in a completely random place."

"Haha, there has to be a way out, right?"

"There must be, since this is a maze."

As the group reached the dead-end wall and each made a comment, Rotmiller studied the wall carefully. "Wait a minute," he muttered, "something's strange."

I was honestly a bit surprised. Was it because of the Sixth Sense stat attached to the Mimic's essence, or was it just this old-timer's observational skills? I didn't know the exact cause, but thanks to this, I wouldn't have to step forward pretending I had found it by coincidence.

Click, rattle.

When he touched something, the wall slid to the side to reveal a hidden space.

"Wow, the doorrr is open."

"It could be dangerous, everyone back away!"

Hikurod jumped forward and raised his shield, and I was quick to join him. Of course, no monsters suddenly popped out.

"...I guess nothing is coming out."

This was not that kind of place. The space inside the wall was obscured by darkness, making it impossible to see inside with the naked eye. But none of that mattered to me.

"I will take the lead."

"Bjorn! It could be dangerrrous!"

"I'm fine. That is my role."

When I stepped forward instead of the hesitant-looking dwarf and went inside, the torches on the wall lit up the hall at once. I quickly examined my surroundings.

"This is..."

There was a stone chamber of about four square miles, a magic circle with geometric patterns drawn on the floor, and a pole with a goat's head adorning it.

"This place is kind of freaky..."

"I don't see a portal here. Can't we just leave?"

Hearing Missha and Dwalkie's muttering, I hid a smile. Well, they didn't know that compared to the other rooms, this was nothing.

Anyway, since we got this room, finding the boss's lair will be a piece of cake. As for how to do it, I can just give Rotmiller some hints...

That took a weight off. It would make it a bit more difficult to take the boss down, but if we had been unlucky, the quest could've ended without us ever seeing the boss's face.

How do I summon him? If I just do it, it would look very suspicious.

I was happily thinking it over when everyone, including me, flinched at the same time.

"Huh?"

"...You too?"

I wasn't the only one who sensed the change.

"What is this? My mana suddenly increased tremendously."

"M-Mine too. Why is my body like this?"

The slightly burdensome pressure of my heavy armor after my loss in strength stats vanished, and it now felt almost like I was wearing the Styrofoam armor people used in cosplay. What was happening? As soon as I realized, curse words flew out.

What the f—!?

Energy had rushed into my whole body, the sort of change that I couldn't manage even with Giantization. And I already knew the reason why.

"Rotmiller."

"...You seem to be thinking the same thing as me."

Another adventurer had entered this place.

The hidden level on the fourth floor, the Labyrinth of Larcaz, allowed a minimum of one to a maximum of five people to enter.

Common sense suggested that it would most likely be a team of five, but it was still too soon to be sure. Anything was possible. But at least one thing was certain.

[Field Effect – Guardian of Balance has activated. The stats of the occupants have been evenly distributed.]

Whether it was one person or several, they were frighteningly strong.