Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: [Abyss Miner] Stats Are Being Copied
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"Found it."
A single flower bloomed alone in pitch-black darkness, radiating a brilliant blue glow through the crevice I'd slipped into.
Petals as transparent as if crafted from glass.
Silvery liquid shimmering within.
Just approaching it filled my nostrils with a refreshing scent that cleared my head.
"Ha, it's really here."
The fateful encounter the original protagonist Kyle stumbled upon by accident.
The bastard ate this and transformed from a mana cripple into a mana genius.
Then he swept through the world, sucking up every drop of honey it had to offer.
"Now it's mine."
Drool pooled at the corners of my mouth.
I reached out without hesitation.
That instant.
A siren blared in my head.
Chills raced down my back.
An overwhelming mana wave warped the space itself.
'Behind me!'
My body reacted faster than my thoughts.
I reflexively ducked and rolled across the floor.
KABOOM!!!
A massive shadow slammed into where I'd stood moments ago.
The rocky ground crumbled like tofu, shards flying everywhere.
Grazed by that, I'd be dead.
Two fluorescent eyes gleamed through the dust cloud.
"KIIISSHHAAAHH!!"
The monster revealed itself with a shriek that tore at my eardrums.
Its body was covered in obsidian-black scales, purple mana pulsing through the gaps like veins.
A colossal beast at least ten meters long.
Every time it opened its maw, toxic mist hissed out, melting the floor.
"...Ha."
I was floored.
A curse slipped out.
"What the fuck? You shitting me?"
Nothing like that in the original story.
Kyle just went, "Huh? What's this?" and scarfed it down.
Not a single line about monsters guarding it.
So why the hell does a boss-tier monster pop up when I show up?
I laughed in disbelief.
What a bullshit law of the world.
"Fine. If you're pissed, then I'll play the protagonist."
I gripped my Black Iron Hexagonal Rod tighter.
Better this way, actually.
Free handouts always give you indigestion.
Smashing its head in myself and taking it—that's how you digest properly.
I stimulated my mana circuits.
Vmmm-!
My heart began pumping furiously.
Mana surged through my veins like mad, muscles swelling as my vision sharpened.
"Come at me, you worm bastard."
Shwick!
It sprang like a coiled spring.
Fast.
Even with mana-enhanced sight, hard to track.
But [Mana Detection] traced its trajectory like a line in advance.
'I see the path.'
Its tail whipped in like a lash.
I'll smash it.
"Hraaah!"
I full-swung the rod at the incoming tail.
Crack!!
Metal clashed with hard scales, sparks flying.
My wrist buzzed from the impact.
But it was pushed back, not me.
"Kiek?!"
The tail bounced off.
A few scales shattered, purple blood spraying.
My destructive power exceeded its expectations.
Closing in instantly, it panicked and spat venom.
"Ugh, fuck!"
Spraying wide like a sprinkler—no dodging that.
Only trait to trust.
As expected, [Steel Body] didn't betray me.
The venom hit my armor and skin.
Sizzle. Skin bubbled red, stung a bit, then stopped.
Armor a little scorched, but fine overall.
"Knew I could count on you! Fuck!"
Charging through the poison fog, I saw terror in its eyes.
"Right in the skull, you fucker!"
Thwack!!
The rod smashed into the crown of its head.
But it wasn't ordinary.
Taking the hit, it twisted and coiled around me.
Ssssslither!
Instantly trapped in a serpent's vise.
Tremendous pressure crushed my body.
Any normal person would've been mangled into a pulp of compound fractures.
"Grrraaah!"
It shoved its head right in my face, confident of victory.
Maw wide to swallow my head.
'Who you calling a sucker?'
I smirked.
Breathing tight, but bones intact.
[Body Reinforcement] and [Steel Body] aren't for show.
Grab.
I seized the soft flesh inside its throat.
"Kiek?!"
The serpent thrashed in panic.
Its fangs sank into my forearm, but it was mana-reinforced.
Poison teeth couldn't even scratch.
"Let's see how tough the inside is."
Rip! Splat!
Flesh tore free, blood geysering.
"KIIISSHHAAAHH!!"
It screamed in agony, loosening its grip.
Chance.
Slipping free, I kicked the fallen rod into my hand.
Click.
Heavy grip settled in.
It writhed on the ground, blood pouring from its throat.
[Mana Detection] revealed its weakness clearly.
A red-hot blaze near the heart.
Anyone could tell: hit there, it's done.
"Die!!!"
Krunch!!!
The rod pierced scales deep into its heart.
The massive body convulsed, then slumped limp.
"Fucking refreshing."
Kyle never tasted this thrill.
Handout mooch. Poor bastard, missing out.
Stats up too.
I rummaged the corpse immediately.
Splitting the chest revealed a gleaming dark-blue orb.
"Bingo."
This'll be juicy too.
Eating with the flower should amplify effects.
'Mana affinity, flower, heart.'
Mana effects triple-packed.
Scales, fangs, hide—all looted.
Now for the main course.
I wiped bloody hands on my clothes and approached the flower.
The [Spirit Flower] still shimmered brilliantly.
All this suffering for this.
"Thanks for the meal."
Uprooted and stuffed in mouth, chewed the serpent heart too.
Crunch, crackle.
Flower's freshness mixed with heart's fishiness into something odd.
Ding-! Ding-! Ding-!
[Skill: Mana Coating (F)]
[Coats weapons or body parts in thin mana, dramatically boosting durability and destructive power. May enable elemental infusion based on mana properties.]
"...Ha."
I exhaled, collapsing onto the floor.
Pain vanished, replaced by overflowing power.
Strength +2, Agility +2, Mana +5.
Plus the earlier +1.5 Strength, +1 Agility, +1.2 Mana from the kill.
Stats straight-up copied—and more.
New skill [Mana Coating] too.
If [Body Reinforcement] boosts overall specs, this maximizes attack power.
My rod's now a steel-chewing monster weapon.
"Worth the grind."
A grin spread across my face.
Protagonist got it easy; I risked my life but scored bigger.
Snagged that serpent heart too.
Exiting the mine, the world was dim again.
Later than usual.
Makes sense.
Round trip to the third floor takes time.
Especially scouring every corner for this.
Later, delving fifth or sixth floors means camping inside, not daily exits.
'Now what?'
Sack full of serpent parts, monster materials, ores.
But guild and shops long closed.
Sell tomorrow; food first.
Orc Belly from yesterday? Nah, craving upscale tonight.
Money made, fateful encounter claimed, strong foe smashed.
Time to treat myself.
The upscale restaurant next to [Golden Pickaxe Inn].
[Le Mans Secret].
A bit fancy, but earnings justify it.
Scanning for seats, a familiar silhouette at a corner table.
Lush golden long straight hair.
Slumped shoulders.
Bottles lined up before her.
"...Luna?"
Luna, the guild receptionist.
No uniform; flowing dress instead.
Off-shoulder exposed pale shoulders and collarbone—eyes drawn there.
'Damn, casual makes her even prettier.'
Luna nursed her glass alone, expression sour.
'Something wrong?'
Ignore? Nah, turned toward her.
Acquaintance at least.
Better than solo; favorability's there.
Won't kick me out.
Probably.
"Mind if I join?"
"...?"
Luna whipped around startled, bleary eyes focusing on me.
"...You? How here?"
"Grabbing dinner?"
"Right. Said you'd blow cash."
She chuckled, swirling her glass.
Tipsy flush on cheeks—fucking adorable.
"What's up? Looking all mopey alone."
"Mopey? Enjoying solitude."
"Bottles emptying fast; looks like alcoholism, not solitude."
"Shut it. Dealing with assholes all day; stress relief."
Luna grumbled.
"Miners getting ruder daily. Wanna yell at 'em to stop staring at my chest."
"Can't blame 'em for pretty. Should've been born ugly if it bothers you."
"Hilarious. That your pickup line?"
Awkward.
Called the manager, ordered.
"Biggest T-bone. Medium rare. Lotsa salad, fries. Same booze as her."
"Got it."
Soon, sizzling behemoth arrived.
Sizzle-!
Three fingers thick.
Crispy grill marks outside, rosy juices within.
Mouth watering on sight.
"Thanks for the meal."
Knives for girls.
Speared big chunk with fork, bit in.
Crunch.
"Mmm~!"
Juices exploded like fireworks.
Rich fat, salty seasoning, tender meat.
This is meat.
"Eating like you starved days."
"Work-earned meals taste best. Want a bite?"
"Pass. Dieting."
"That figure? Nothing to lose."
Eyes flicked to her chest, yanked away quick.
"Men."
Luna tsked but didn't shoo me.
Tipsy guard down?
Decent vibe with drunk Luna.
"Hey, cutie! Alone over there?"
Uninvited guests.
Loud rowdies from next table.
Luna's face soured.
"Join us? Big bros'll show fun."
"With company. Leave."
"Company? That anchovy bitch? Looks like a retard."
They cackled at me. Gear said not miners—mercs or adventurers passing through?
No cleanup crew if I kill 'em.
"Kid, read the room. Bros hunting; don't cockblock."
One sauntered over, slapping my shoulder.
'Cheeky fuck.'
Kill?
Hold, master.
Manners make the man.
Suppressing bloodlust at boiling point, polite as possible.
"Don't wanna die? Fuck off, asshole."
"What? Say that again?"
Face red, yelling.
Helpful repeat.
"Deaf as fuck? Don't wanna die, fuck off. Retard."