Chapter 8
Chapter 8
The party began moving toward the escape portal.
Deric and Bernard took the lead, consulting the map as they forged a path.
Rustle.
As we continued, not far ahead appeared a goblin village, crudely fenced with wooden stakes and makeshift barriers.
The closer we got to our destination, the more we noticed cleverly twisted grass underfoot or rudimentary traps set up here and there.
Click.
Thanks to Bernard’s careful scouting and disarming, along with my own vigilance, nobody got hurt on the way.
‘After joining this party for a few days, I can say it—there’s no unimportant job, no matter what it seems.’
Bernard stood out even outside combat, and Hans, who at first seemed useless, now quietly fulfilled his role as a pack carrier.
Regardless of personality, if he weren’t here, it would have been much tougher.
“Stop. We’re almost at the entrance. Everyone remember what we discussed?”
The types of monsters in the village, their traits, combat positions, countermeasures in emergencies—all of it.
Seeing the party, including me, nod, Deric said,
“Good. Let’s go!”
The target was the center of the village.
As we advanced and reached the entrance, a goblin that looked like a scout noticed our intrusion and began sounding the alarm.
“Keurk! Kerruk!”
Snap!
Before other goblins could rush in, I dashed forward and slashed its neck.
“Ghk… kk.”
The goblin collapsed, clutching its spurting neck.
“It’s already too late. They’ve heard the alarm. From now on, it’s all about speed.”
“Erielle, buff! Keep it refreshed when it expires! Bernard, keep escorting Erielle and make sure we’re heading the right way!”
“Yes! May the light that punishes evil be with us!”
[Divine Weapon effect: Strength increases by one tier for 10 minutes.]
Receiving Erielle’s buff, I also channeled magic to activate Enhanced Body.
[Enhanced Body activated.]
[All physical stats increase by one tier.]
My blood boiled.
────
[Arlen]
[Strength: D] [Agility: E+] [Durability: E+]
[Health: D-] [Mana: EX] [Luck: E-]
[Traits: Open]
────
These were my stats with Erielle’s buff added.
Thanks to my core, mana that drained refilled from my heart, so as long as I could endure the excitement, Enhanced Body could remain active continuously.
[Chaos advises: Don’t get hurt.]
‘Of course! I’ll get to the portal safely without any injuries and make it to the city.’
“Let’s go, Arlen! I trust you!”
Deric’s shout marked the start of combat.
“Keurk!”
Goblin charges.
Screech.
I twisted my body to dodge and swung at its torso, feeling the familiar slowing effect.
“Kehk.”
‘No… this isn’t the main dealer position Deric described.’
Since falling to the third floor, I’d mostly fought reactively—watching attacks within Chaos, dodging, then countering.
But that method only worked when I was desperate to survive, or when a powerful mage was up front ready to dish out heavy damage.
Waiting for attacks like that won’t get us to the village center. Time isn’t on our side.
With stats boosted by Enhanced Body, it’s time to fight differently.
From now on, I go first.
“Uaaah!”
I charged, swinging my sword at the goblins.
Slice!
Confused by my speed and powerful strikes, they fell before me, and I forged a path forward.
Slash. Crack!
When slowing threatened dangerous attacks, I dodged precisely using Chaos.
Creak.
If an attack trajectory overlapped too much to avoid, I’d block with my leather armor at the least vulnerable spot.
“You pathetic little dwarf bastards, get out of my way if you don’t want to die─!”
A chilling silver arc cut through the green monsters.
Wherever I passed, a crimson fountain of blood erupted and their screams echoed.
“Arlen! Turn right!”
I’d been too caught up in the bloodlust, but Bernard’s voice snapped me back to reality, and I changed direction.
‘All this blood… I got too hyped.’
Fshh.
Ping, ping, peeng─
Archer arrows. They had concentrated and fired in waves; no matter where I dodged, at least one would have hit if I weren’t careful.
But…
“Shield them with holy light.”
[Divine Shield]
Bang. Thunk!
As expected! My party wouldn’t just stand by.
Erielle’s temporary shield blocked all the goblin arrows.
Bernard used the opportunity to take out the goblin archers one by one.
Deric held off the attacks, advancing step by step, and I followed suit, fiercely swinging my sword to claim ground.
“Look! I see the portal ahead! We’re almost there!”
Hans called out with a voice full of awe.
Amid nonstop movement, I turned and saw the portal.
Wait… there wasn’t just one portal.
“Why are there two portals?! I don’t remember hearing anything about this! Which one should we enter?!”
No one answered; I assumed it was just a choice to descend or escape through a single portal.
Yellow and blue. Which one leads out?
Deric’s face fell.
“Sorry, Arlen, it’s too basic for adventurers—I didn’t think! Take the yellow one! The blue goes to the next floor.”
Good thing we realized it now.
Damn. Once I get out, I’m memorizing every piece of adventurer knowledge.
The goblins’ attacks had nearly ceased, and the portal was visible just a few hundred meters away.
“Good, just a little more! Everyone, thanks for your effort. Meet at the labyrinth entrance! I’ll go first!”
Deric turned back, shouted, and sprinted.
Then—
Crackle, crackle─
‘What the hell is that sound?’
─Boom!
“Ghk!”
“Deric?! No!”
A purple lightning bolt struck from the air.
Deric, hit while running, collapsed convulsing.
‘What… what is happening?’
I rushed to support him, but something appeared at the portal, waving its hand.
Crackle─
The world slowed… my feet? I was standing right there!
Seeing a huge circle at my feet in slow motion, I instinctively leaped out of it.
Boom!
Dodged, just like the previous strike.
‘Even before Deric fell, there was a crackling premonition.’
‘Since it’s lightning, the attacks are fast and the slow effect wears off quickly. As soon as I see the trajectory, dodge. Otherwise, slow motion or not, I die!’
Looking at the source of the lightning, my eyes reacted.
[Named Entity detected.]
[Fetching limited info.]
────
[Purple Cicero]
A mutant hobgoblin, extremely rare on the 3rd floor.
Its purple skin corresponds to its mastery of violet lightning.
Surviving its devastating attacks will not be easy.
[Traits: Locked]
Purple Lightning
Lightning Resistance
────
Crazy. That “unlucky fall” from the third floor wasn’t just a simple fall.
I couldn’t see the details due to the locked traits.
Now it made sense why only goblin warriors and archers appeared until nearly reaching the portal. The mutated hobgoblin and the shaman-like ones were held back.
I never expected a lightning-specialist goblin here.
Could I survive and escape after fighting that thing?
No. Not “could I?” I must.
After all we’ve been through—20 billion gone, people killed—I won’t die to a goblin.
‘Damn it. Scarlet… I can’t die here. Let’s go!’
Gripping my sword, the creature smirked in front of me.
“Keurk. Krarak.”
Fine. Laugh all you want.
“If lightning targets me, Bernard and Hans will carry Deric far back!”
“…Understood!”
“Erielle, stay back, refresh my buffs, and shield if needed! Your safety comes first—don’t come close!”
As I finished giving instructions, it gestured mockingly as if waiting for me to finish my speech.
Crackle─
It’s coming! Where?
Soon, cross-shaped lightning arcs radiated from its body.
I rolled out of the range.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Chain lightning struck sequentially, but luckily none hit me.
Still, being nearby made the damage accumulate slightly.
“Uaaah!”
Perhaps delayed, I rushed at it and swung my sword.
Zzing.
Damn. Its body scattered into lightning.
Yet I felt a slicing impact.
[Chaos attacks partially ignore derived electric effects.]
Ah! That’s the ability attached to Enhanced Body—extra damage from chaos attribute.
Up until now, goblins died from one critical hit, so I’d never seen extra damage applied.
Now the doubt was resolved.
The trait said “weak extra damage,” but the attribute still worked.
Even as it turned into lightning, my strike cut its chest, blood spilling. I gritted my teeth, shaking off the earlier playful atmosphere.
“Kerruk. Kishaah!”
Arms raised, it screamed.
Time slowed again. Where now? Too many circles underfoot controlled the area around me.
Thinking where to dodge, circles disappeared one by one.
The smallest one, there!
“Erielle, shield above my head!”
Crackle─
Parking!
It had filled the area with small lightning, so I dodged into the smallest circle.
Luckily, Erielle’s shield absorbed the minor strikes, shattering but leaving only a tingling sensation.
Now!
Slice!
Zzing.
I dashed in, assumed stance, and cut its neck while it stood still.
This time, the cut was deep. As it reverted from lightning, it clutched its neck, blood streaming.
“Kk… krak.”
I was about to pierce its heart for the final strike.
Thud!
“What?”
Without using electric form, it grabbed my sword with its other hand.
Eyes wide, it screamed eerily.
“Keraak─!”
In slow motion, I sensed something off and tried to release the sword… too late.
Fzzt-zzt-zzt─!
“■■■■■■■■!”
Boom.
[Chaos warns: Focus!]
Purple lightning surged along the sword, scorching me from within.
It felt like my insides were popping like popcorn.
───.
Dazed, ears ringing, I barely opened my eyes to see it.
It seemed it had exhausted itself, now lying on the ground, barely breathing.
Its arm that held its neck drooped. Must’ve been tough for it too.
I forced my parched lips open.
“I… won, you… bastard.”
I reached for my fallen sword… but my charred right hand faltered, grip weak.
‘Ha. Completely screwed. Damn it, need a heal.’
I grabbed the sword left-handed, pressing the pommel with my right palm.
“Fuhh… you… sneered so much, now look at you.”
It glared at me, dying but showing murderous intent.
I drove the sword into its heart.
Thunk.
“Keheh.”
“Persistent little bastard. Rest well.”
Its eyes dimmed, grey appearing in the torso.
“Ha… haa.”
Exhausted, I collapsed, but felt elated.
‘Wow, jackpot. Even the luckiest payout comes eventually!’
[Chaos subtly wipes tears from its eyes.]
“Arlen─!”
Erielle rushed over, sat beside me, eyes brimming, then tears flowed.
“Oh… oh… how painful… I’m… sorry I couldn’t help…”
I lifted my hand, wiping her tears from her face.
“You helped enough. Don’t blame yourself. Can you heal my right hand?”
“Y-yes! May they rise from their suffering!”
Flash!
The skin regenerated, restoring strength. Soon, my hand regained full function.
‘Thank goodness. Still sore, but will get better. Now… time to farm!’
I placed my hand over the glowing grey center of Cicero’s body.
[Power activated.]
[Acquired trait: Purple Lightning.]
Crazy… the two traits I had were lightning and resistance, and I got this!
Wow… now I could wield the trait of the lightning goblin I’d fought. Unreal.
Then—
Cicero’s corpse glowed purple, condensing to roughly my torso size, radiating light.
“What… is this?”
Thinking it might be a post-mortem explosion skill, I scrambled to stand, but Hans’ horrified voice came from behind.
“Unique item! Unique items appear on the 3rd floor?! This is insane!”
…What?