Chapter 649: Conquering the 4th Floor
Chapter 649: Conquering the 4th Floor
The incident with that trio had snowballed, and it took several days before it finally came to a close.
No, wait. Come to think of it, wasn't the incident with the trio just the beginning?
My misunderstanding was the root cause of it all... Just how long had this whole thing been dragging on before it was finally resolved?
Anyway, even though I'd resolved that lingering issue, I had no intention of ending this dungeon exploration here and heading back up.
After all, we had been waiting here in the 4th Floor's town for the trio to return, so the time we'd spent down in the dungeon was starting to add up.
But we were basically commuting from the town. The stamina drain was incomparably less than spending all day inside the dungeon proper. You could even say we had plenty to spare.
And it wasn't just stamina we had in excess. Since we were staying at an inn, there was no need to use up the items we'd packed in our inventory. We had a surplus of food and all the other consumables we'd need.
Given the situation, we concluded that there was no reason to head back up just yet.
Of course, the girls, who had noticed something from my expression and comforted me, seemed worried about my condition, but I waved their concerns away.
If anything, going back up now would just make me feel even gloomier.
The Arachne Clan House is in the same district as our mansion, so I'd end up seeing that massive building no matter where I went.
So right now, I'd rather just focus on hunting and clear my head.
Of course, I didn't mention the Arachne Clan, but after persuading the girls with that reasoning, we decided to resume our dungeon exploration.
And just as I'd declared, I focused every ounce of my attention on hunting.
It wasn't just to forget the incident with Alicia; I was genuinely fired up for the hunt itself.
“Uwahahaha! How about that?! You still think there's 'no problem' without me?! When I'm this helpful?!”
The enemy we just fought was a school of piranhas.
Compared to larger fish species, they're small, but they swarm in massive numbers to tear the flesh right off your bones.
Because there were so many, even Sara couldn't take them all out from a distance before they closed in. Naturally, that gave our tankers a chance to shine.
And I'd moved forward faster than Silvia, used Holy Ground Proclamation to draw all the aggro, and tanked them all by myself until every last one was dead.
Of course, I made full use of my Moon Shadow Warrior's traits, focusing primarily on evasion.
It was impossible to dodge every single one, since they were so small and fast, but considering how much movement is restricted underwater, I thought I did a pretty damn good job.
Of course, I got a few small scratches where they bit through the gaps in my armor, but that's fine! Nothing a little spit can't fix! I'm not kidding, either. Actually, it'll heal on its own even without the spit.
“Haaah... I told you, I'm sorry. It was a slip of the tongue, so please stop being mad. Okay? Oppa~”
Watching me boast about my accomplishments, Sara spoke in an uncharacteristically meek voice, even adding a hint of cutesy charm.
That's right. The reason I was so fired up all started with a single comment from Sara.
It all started a few days ago, the day after I returned from resolving my issue with Alicia.
“So, what should we do before we head back up? I can think of two main objectives.”
“Hmm. Whether to continue pressing on toward the 4th Floor's Layer Boss, or to go and check out the 4.5th Floor.”
In response to my musing, Diana nodded as if she already knew exactly what I was thinking and murmured her agreement.
That's Diana for you. We're on the same wavelength without even needing to say it out loud. Well, of course, it could also just be that she's incredibly smart.
Anyway, just as Diana said, those were the two objectives that came to mind.
We then discussed the pros and cons of each objective.
Summarizing the points from our discussion, from my perspective, it went something like this.
The first option, going for the Layer Boss, came with the risk that we might have to turn back before even reaching it.
Of course, while waiting for the trio, we'd grown much more accustomed to fighting on the 4th Floor, and our rhythm in underwater combat was now perfect.
Most importantly, we'd gained confidence in underwater combat.
It wasn't like before, where we were just advancing with a 'we'll fight the boss if we run into it' attitude. I felt we were now strong enough to seriously go and face the 4th Floor's Layer Boss.
If we could defeat the 4th Floor's Layer Boss on this trip, our future dungeon explorations would speed up significantly.
After the 4th Floor's boss comes the 4.5th Floor. From then on, we wouldn't have to worry about the 4th Floor anymore and could head straight for the 4.5th.
The problem, however, was that there was no guarantee we could reach the Layer Boss before our time ran out.
Even though we had a map, the area was still completely unexplored on the minimap displayed in the corner of my vision.
Furthermore, given the nature of the 4th Floor—a vast, open space completely filled with water—this damn map was almost useless.
We could only get a rough idea of our location by spotting the unique terrain features and objects that served as landmarks on the map. It was all just guesswork.
Because of that, it would naturally take longer than the map suggested to reach the Layer Boss, and in the worst-case scenario, we might have to turn back due to dwindling supplies.
Of course, even if that happened, it wouldn't be a complete waste. We'd be able to travel faster on our next attempt, and if we couldn't reach it in one go this time, we wouldn't be able to next time either, so it was necessary progress.
The other option was to check out the 4.5th Floor and then return.
This was a relatively simple goal we could accomplish if we just set our minds to it.
The route to the 4.5th Floor was already fully revealed on the map, so all we had to do was go, take a look, and come back.
However, this option wasn't without its own problems.
There was a chance the monsters on the 4.5th Floor would be swarming the entrance and charge us all at once, just like when we first entered the ant nest. And even if there were only a few, they could be far stronger than we anticipated.
Most importantly, even if we did check out the 4.5th Floor, there might be no immediate benefit.
Unlike the penguins in the ice cave, the monsters on the 4.5th Floor might not be efficient for grinding experience.
In other words, it might just be a floor we have to pass through quickly to get to the 5.5th Floor.
And as for facing the 4.5th Floor's boss and the hidden male, we needed to test our strength by taking down the 4th Floor's boss first, rather than just charging in recklessly.
After laying out all the points, it was clear what we had to do...
“Let's aim for the 4th Floor's Layer Boss first.”
After a thorough discussion, that was the conclusion I reached.
It was the decision made by the party leader after everyone had shared their opinions.
Of course, none of the girls voiced any opposition.
So far, so good.
Up to this point, the atmosphere was that of a skilled adventurer party, easily reaching a consensus.
The problem came next.
“Come to think of it, I was so preoccupied I forgot to ask. You all went hunting without me yesterday, right? Was everything okay? Did anyone get hurt? You all look fine, but if anyone is injured, tell me now. We'll end the expedition here and head straight back up.”
“Honestly, you worry too much. We were fine. There was no problem at all, even without Guwon... Ah!”
In response to my concern, Sara casually blurted that out in a tone that said 'you're impossible,' as if telling me not to worry... then, realizing her mistake mid-sentence, she hastily covered her mouth with both hands.
The way her cool expression instantly crumbled into a flustered panic was a little cute.
But for me, that wasn't the issue right now.
Even though she'd covered her mouth, I'd already heard everything.
“'No problem... even without me...? I'm the party leader... the leader... your man...'”
“'Y-You idiot! No, Oppa! I told you that's not it! That's not what I meant, I meant...!'”
“'Fine, if that's how you feel! I'll show you just how essential I am to this party!'”
And that's what led to the current situation.
When a tanker who can freely pull all the aggro gets fired up, the party's hunting speed increases beyond comparison.
We were now experiencing that fact firsthand, a lesson learned deep in our bones.
In just the past few days, we had progressed so far that even with this terrible map, we could tell we were almost at the Layer Boss's location.
“'Not yet, not yet! My fists still thirst for blood! I'll show you how useful I am! Alright! Next up...!'”
“'Oppa~. Please don't be like that, let's just rest for a bit. Okay? Hmm? Sara is asking nicely. Sara's a little tired.'”
As I continued to be excessively motivated for days on end, Sara seemed to grow more and more anxious, her cutesy pleading increasing by the day.
Hmph. See? You can do it just fine when you put your mind to it.
“'What are you talking about? There's no way a Hero like you would be tired from just this... is what I'd like to say. But I'm a man who's warm to his woman. Your fingers must hurt from drawing your bow, and we can't have those pretty hands getting calluses.'”
“'Yes. Yes. Oppa. So...'”
“'However! Your way of asking is still wrong.'”
“'Huh? It is?'”
“'When you ask for something, shouldn't you bow your head politely and use honorifics? And of course, you can't forget the sweet cutesy charm to melt away my anger. So... say this: 'Master. Sara's fingers hurt so, so much. Master is the heart of the party and could of course go on, but please rest just a little for Sara's sake. I'm sorry for holding you back. If you wish, I'll wear a maid outfit later and even lick your feet. So please, I beg you, Master Oppa. You who are so cool, so wonderful, a man of great character, and as a bonus, whose 'thing' is big, beautiful, and magnificent... Gyaaaaaah!'”
Before I could even finish, Sara's hand moved at an imperceptible speed and latched onto my side.
Hey now, Miss Hero. No matter how broken your job class is, this is just too much.
I'm the one with the speed-related job, so why are you moving at a speed even I can't see?
Archers and hunters are speed-related jobs too? That's just sophistry! No matter how you slice it, it's weird for one to be faster than an Assassin!
Goddess! We need a balance patch!
“'Hey! You were just acting this whole time, weren't you?!'”
Of course, I didn't even have time to voice such complaints. Sara, who had been trying every cutesy trick in the book on me for the past few days, was now exploding with rage instead.
Kuh! How, how did she find out?! It was a perfect plan!
Dammit! Did I get too greedy partway through?! She's already worn the maid outfit once, maybe I should have left that part out?!
No. No matter what, I still have the moral high ground!
“'Kuuuhk... W-Well, if you really can't do it, then it can't be helped! Alright, girls! We're pushing on with the hunt! Today's the day I'll clearly imprint upon you just how necessary I am to this par—gyaaahk...'”
I stubbornly persisted, even as Sara pinched my side.
“'This guy, seriously!'”
“''This guy'?! Did you just call me 'this guy'?! Can't you call me Master Oppa right this instant?!'”
“'Neeever! I will ab-so-lute-ly never call you that! Who in their right mind would use such a stupid title!'”
“'What did you say?! Did you just call a man's romance stupid?!'”
“'Romance?! So you really were just acting this whole time to pull this stunt?! You idiot! And here I was, genuinely worried!'”
“'You two! Save your lovers' quarrel for after we leave the dungeon!'”
In the end, we only separated after getting a sharp scolding from Diana.
“'You, stop this at once and sit down! We are resting here! Besides, you were only truly shocked for a moment on the first day, were you not!'”
K-Kuh. So Diana saw through me too. As expected of the Archmage.
No, wait. This probably has nothing to do with her being an Archmage.
“'And you, Sara! It is true that your slip of the tongue started this problem, so just close your eyes and say what this man wants! Simply saying a few words is not such a difficult task, is it!'”
“'But, Diana!'”
“'Go on!'”
“'Ugh...'”
Normally, our dear Hero is a master of debate who can go toe-to-toe with Diana—no, even overwhelm her. But when Diana gets genuinely strict like this, it seems even Sara can't help but be intimidated.
After all, Sara is the youngest member of our party.
“'...Master. Sara's fingers hurt so, so much. Master is the heart of the party and could of course go on, but please rest just a little for Sara's sake. I'm sorry for holding you back. If you wish, I'll wear a maid outfit later and even lick your feet. So please, I beg you, Master Oppa. You who are so cool, so wonderful, a man of great character, and as a bonus, whose 'thing' is big, beautiful, and magnificent, Master Oppa.'”
In the end, after a quick glance at me, Sara instantly recited the entire line I'd given her in a voice so fast it was barely audible.
It's amazing she remembered all of that. To be honest, I was just spouting whatever came to mind, so I don't even remember it all properly.
And it seemed Diana was just as surprised to hear Sara's words.
“'Ah, no. I only meant for you to call him 'Master Oppa' once...'”
“'Hmph!'”
“'Fuhahahaha! She said it! She said it! That she'll wear a maid outfit and lick my feet...!'”
“'I take it back! I take it all back!'”
“'B-Both of you, can you not calm down!'”
“'This is your fault, Diana!'”
“'N-No! That is not what I meant...!'”
Ooh. Sara's starting to win against Diana again.
Come on, Diana. You're an Archmage. You should practice maintaining your dignity for a little longer.
“'Guwon-ssi.'”
While Sara and Diana started bickering, Leia came over to my side.
“'Hmm?'”
“'Those two seem like they'll be at it for a while, so why don't we go ahead and start preparing the meal?'”
She then wrapped her arms around me warmly, sat me down, and whispered.
Ah, okay. So you have no intention of stopping them, either.
Well, trying to talk to Sara right now, while she's on a rampage with her face beet-red from embarrassment, would just get me caught in the crossfire. This is probably for the best.
“'Yeah. Let's do that.'”
In the end, I decided to prepare the meal with Leia.
“'...So this is what it means for Leia to be sneaky.'”
Watching us, Matilda seemed to mutter something quietly, but her voice was drowned out by an agitated Sara shouting at Diana.