The New Home is a Dungeon (2)
"Unmeasurable...? What does that mean?"
"Exactly as I said. The conclusion is that Master's combat power is unmeasurable."
"...Why?"
"Because this unit lacks confidence in the value it calculated."
Erin wore a puzzled expression, unable to grasp Emilia's words, when Alex, who had been listening quietly beside her, spoke up.
"Why can't you be confident in it?"
"This unit calculated Master's combat power at approximately 32,000."
"...For reference, what's mine?"
So far, only Iliana and Aisha had undergone combat power measurements via Emilia. With values of over 70,000 and 10,000 respectively, the gap was too wide, leaving insufficient data to judge if Eunhyeon's figure was high or low.
"Analyzing new subject's data. Estimated combat power: approximately 22,000."
"...Quite the gap. So even after calculating it, you can't trust the number yourself?"
"Affirmative."
"Why?"
The answer came not from Emilia, but from an unexpected direction.
"Simple. There are factors that can't be quantified."
"Princess?"
The party members turned to Yuria at her words.
"What do you mean by factors that can't be quantified?"
"Numbers are the most accurate and honest way to convey information in the world, but they're also the medium most prone to giving the most misleading info. Emilia, was it you who streamed that battle between the man and the dolls in the 'Palace of Trials' to us?"
"Affirmative."
"Do you know the combat power of the dolls he fought?"
"Set between 30,000 and 40,000."
Yuria nodded with an "I knew it" look on her face.
"By this doll's calculations, the man should have lost that fight against the doll squad. But reality was different. He neutralized them all with his own power. Numerically speaking, a one-on-one between 30,000 and 35,000 might be feasible, but one against many was an impossible condition for the dolls."
Equal power, but overwhelmingly outnumbered.
"In that scenario, the reason that man beat the doll squad was his superior judgment, born from unique abilities, experience, and skills, right?"
"Mm."
Alex groaned. He recalled sparring with Eunhyeon in Iliana's training room basement. Just thinking about Eunhyeon discarding his sword, closing in, and coiling into a fist stance still sent chills down his spine. It had stopped just before contact, but that alone forced Alex to admit defeat—the attack implied instant death on impact, its power immense. The skill gap was clear, yet Alex vaguely sensed the effort and time poured into that technique.
"Skills..."
Alex murmured the word, lost in thought.
"In other words, Emilia's combat power measurement only captures raw mana reserves and physical specs. It can't account for indefinable elements like experience, skills, or battle sense."
"Correct. The total combat power of the Dominus doll squad was nearly 890,000. Master's was a mere 30,000—giving him only about a 7% chance of victory by this unit's calculations. Breaking those odds means Master's combat power can't be measured by this unit's analysis methods."
Eunhyeon had too many variables for precise measurement.
"Just hearing about it makes him sound superhuman..."
Aisha muttered with a hollow expression, as if he weren't human at all.
"Mm..."
Erin frowned suspiciously, then questioned Emilia directly.
"Um, Emilia, you said Hyun's combat power was around 30,000 earlier?"
"Affirmative."
"And Iliana's was over 70,000?"
"Affirmative."
"So... out of everyone you've analyzed so far, how many exceeded 70,000?"
"8,678."
"...And over 30,000?"
"171,487."
The number ~170,000 didn't hit hard. With ~1.6 million citizens in the Pernias capital, it didn't seem that impressive. But Erin didn't drop her dubious look.
"...And total people analyzed?"
"52,878,923."
"......"
The party halted, staring at Emilia.
"Out of ~53 million, only 170,000?"
That put Eunhyeon in the top 0.3%.
"Wait, then the Black Witch is..."
Aisha paled, mentioning Iliana. Realizing she ranked in the top ~8,000 out of 53 million left the party speechless.
"...How many humans over 20,000 total?"
"6,845,709."
"Damn, it spikes hard."
Even Alex ranked in the top ~12%—not weak by Emilia's data. Yet it highlighted the overwhelming gap between them, Eunhyeon, and Iliana, filling the group with a profound sense of inadequacy.
"We've got a long way to go. The top is endlessly vast."
Still, Alex felt unbridled joy at the potential for growth here. Despite his near-royal status, the world was vast, full of superiors—a humbling realization.
"Wow... Hyun and Iliana really are amazing..."
"Erin, it's not just something to gawk at..."
"Leave her be."
Eira and Elenoa sighed at Erin's starry-eyed awe.
"Let's hunt these beasts and head back."
The newly motivated Alex led the party into the fray.
"Surprising, honestly. You offering to help build the house so readily."
Eunhyeon had planned to build alone in Arkys Great Labyrinth's depths before the expedition. Iliana volunteering caught him off guard.
Iliana replied calmly to his mutter.
"I'm building my room and lab here too. And it's not free."
"Fair enough."
"Something happen?"
"Huh? What're you on about?"
"Aisha tipped me off earlier. You cried?"
"......"
Eunhyeon stiffened in embarrassment. How she knew was secondary—someone witnessing his tears irked him. He realized Erin had sensed his low mood over Arkys, helped bury it, and checked on him.
"Can't have that. Making her worry."
"So what? Spill."
"...Just realized how pathetic my past self was."
"Hmph."
Iliana glanced at his bitter face but didn't pry further.
'He seems fine now...'
"Let's start."
"Yeah."
Eunhyeon began producing construction materials via Replication, paying with his mana.
"Only starting now?"
'Yes. The line's blurry, but if it's an issue, you'll stop me, right, Lady Urd?'
He was creating materials for items beyond this world's civilization—normally forbidden excessive interference for Eunhyeon. But circumstances had shifted.
"No need. Sister's probably watching from the divine realm anyway. She's left all your authority usage to me. I permit it—use freely."
Most materials were Earth tech like concrete. Previously restricted to avoid advancing or abusing this world's civilization, constraints eased since Verdandi manifested through him. Goddess approved private use without harm.
Eunhyeon, long restrained, went wild experimenting post-permission—like the mana pulse grenades tested with Iliana. He'd sought a spot since; Arkys timed perfectly. Who'd live in a dungeon? It'd be his secret base—known only to trusted allies like Armitas folk, Yuria, Merdin, Aisha.
'A personal secret base is every guy's dream.'
"You mutter the strangest things sometimes."
"You could make stuff besides weapons?"
First time seeing non-weapon creation, Iliana asked curiously.
"Yeah, didn't realize till recently—tried and it worked."
"Hmph."
Iliana eyed his effortless lie skeptically. She'd long sensed it wasn't magic—defied this world's laws. Mana-born items, yet no chants possible. Eunhyeon insisted it was magic, hiding the truth; she let it slide, waiting patiently. Oblivious, he worked happily, showing blueprints and directing.
"Handle the frame, interior pillars, outer walls. I'll do the rest inside."
"Got it."
Four-Digit Magic
Psychokinesis
⟨ PSYCHOKINESIS ⟩
Rumble...
Pre-formed massive concrete slabs floated skyward via Iliana's magic. Mastering the space with psychokinesis, she positioned and secured them precisely with finger twitches—like assembling giant prefab toys, absurdly comical. Amid massive vibrations and dust clouds, large-scale construction began.