Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: [Abyss Miner] Purification Herb
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Kaboom!
A massive iron mace slammed into the turtle's shell.
But the beast didn't even flinch.
The crystal shell gleamed brilliantly without a single scratch.
"Goddamn, it's tough as hell!"
Its physical defense truly was the strongest on the fifth floor.
But there was something it didn't know.
My weapon didn't win through raw damage.
I'd originally aimed for bleeding.
But the shell was crystal, so no blood vessels— the bleeding curse wouldn't stick.
"Fwooo!"
The thing whipped its head around to chomp my leg.
Slow.
[Mana Detection] made its trajectory crystal clear.
"Not a chance."
I twisted my body to dodge and wrapped the mace's chain around its neck in one motion.
"Does it hurt? My arm hurts too, you bastard."
I yanked the chain, and the thorns embedded in the mace scraped its neck hide.
And even though it clearly wasn't wounded, red haze rose up.
Sizzle!
The bleeding curse activated.
Black-red smoke billowed from the spot, and blood began to flow.
Defense-ignoring DoT damage.
This was the taste of capitalism.
"Groooargh!"
The crystal turtle thrashed in agony.
Every time its massive forelegs slammed the ground, the cavern shook like an earthquake.
Bam! Bam!
"Where do you think you're swinging?"
I focused mana into my legs to keep my balance.
Power surged through my lower body.
Just enduring wouldn't cut it.
This was my chance.
I released the chain and leaped onto its back.
Thud!
The slippery crystal shell should've been treacherous, but body enhancement kept my footing solid.
It shook its neck to throw me off, but it was too late.
I smashed down on its head with everything I had.
"I'll bleed you dry."
The crystal turtle glowed as it upended the lake water.
Water cannons flew, its tail whipped like a lash.
But I clung to its head like a leech, unshakeable.
"Haaargh!"
Bam! Bam! Splorch!
I relentlessly targeted its exposed head.
No real damage thanks to the defense, but the bleeding kept stacking.
Its movements slowed over time.
The curse was eating away at its life force.
And finally.
"Kieee..."
The light faded from its eyes.
Its massive body crashed to the cavern floor with a thud.
"Huff, huff."
I panted raggedly as I slid down from its back.
Sweat soaked me head to toe.
As a boss monster, its tankiness was undeniably impressive.
Ding!
"Oh, nice. It leveled up."
Body Enhancement finally hit E-rank.
You really had to fight the strong ones to rack up proficiency fast.
But skill ranks weren't the priority right now.
My gaze fixed beyond the corpse, on the rocky island in the lake's center.
A single white flower bloomed there, quietly glowing.
That was it.
I quickly packed up my gear and swam to the central island.
Splash, splash.
A fresh scent pierced my nose as I approached.
Just inhaling it felt like it purified deep into my lungs.
"Up we go."
I carefully uprooted it and wrapped it in damp cloth to keep it fresh, tucking it away.
"Mission complete."
I harvested the turtle's shell and meat too.
All of it was money.
I skipped the guild straight out of the mine.
My feet headed directly for the fifth district shanties.
The sun dipped low.
The acrid smoke unique to the shanties hung in the air.
Creek.
I threw open the door without knocking.
"I'm here."
"Cough, cough... B-Brother?"
Lisa greeted me amid painful coughs.
She looked worse today; the black spots on her face seemed darker.
Hans, rubbing her back, stared at me in surprise.
"Lad, you're back already? I heard it'd be late today."
"Had some business. Open up, Lisa."
I strode straight to her and pulled out the Purification Herb.
Their eyes widened at the glowing white flower.
"I-Is that...?"
"Eat it. Chew every leaf."
"What's this? It's such a pretty flower..."
"Medicine. The kind that cures you."
Hans pointed at it with a trembling hand.
"No way... Purification Herb? That legend?"
"Legend, my ass. Just a weed. Eat up."
Lisa glanced at me hesitantly, then popped a petal in her mouth.
She chewed it right up—no bitterness.
Gulp.
The reaction hit the moment she finished the flower.
Whoooosh.
White light bloomed from Lisa's body.
Color returned to her pale cheeks, her ragged breaths eased.
And most of all.
The hideous black spots covering her face and neck melted away like snow.
"Huh...?"
Lisa stared at her hands and arms.
Clean.
"Grandpa... Breathing's easy now. My chest doesn't hurt at all."
"Oh, oooh! Lord have mercy!"
Hans swept her into a hug.
Tears streamed from his wrinkled eyes.
"You're all better! Our Lisa's cured! Damn it!"
"Waaah! Grandpa!"
They sobbed in each other's arms.
Watching made my nose tingle for no reason.
'Ah, shit. Dust in my eye or something.'
I rubbed my eyes, and suddenly Hans crawled to my feet, bowing low.
"Sir! How can I ever repay this grace? You saved my granddaughter! You!"
"Whoa, cut it out! You're embarrassing me!"
I yanked the old man up by the shoulders.
"Just grabbed it on a quest detour. Nothing special."
"On a detour?! Do you know how rare and dangerous that place is? We know you risked your life for us!"
Sharp old coot.
Then Lisa latched onto my waist.
She buried her little face in my stomach and bawled.
"Brother... Thank you. Sob, really, thank you..."
"I got it, stop crying. You're cured, that's what matters."
Kid snot and tears smeared my clothes.
Couldn't shove her off when she was this happy, so I patted her back awkwardly.
Ding!
From trustworthy to someone she likes.
Kids' pointless favorability shot up the fastest.
I patted Lisa's head, pried them apart, and backed toward the door.
Melodramas weren't my thing.
"Old timer, no more overmining for medicine money. Bones like yours won't heal if they break."
"Sniff, got it. I'll remember."
"And eat properly. You're all skin and bones—looks bad."
"Okay, okay! I'll do as you say."
"Brother, thank you so much. I'll repay you someday."
"Forget it. Just don't get sick. I'm out."
I left without looking back.
Heard shouts from behind, ignored them.
'Feels good.'
A weight lifted from my chest.
Now I'd repaid the debt from day one.
Time for my real business.
The guild was noisier than usual when I walked in.
Crowd around the counter.
A familiar blond head at the center.
"Whoa, you really went to the second floor?"
"Got talent, huh? How long you been here?"
"Look, he mined decent iron ore too."
It was Kyle.
He smugly piled his loot on the counter.
'Oh ho.'
Looked like he'd broken through to the second floor.
Glancing at the haul: mid-low iron ore chunks mixed with low-grade, iron-shell crab shell fragments.
"Impressive, Kyle. Second floor already."
Luna's praise sent his cheeks to heaven.
"Just luck. Good party helped."
His humble head-scratch made my mood sour.
'Luck, my ass. Protagonist correction.'
Talent was talent.
Accomplishing in half a month what took others months.
Normally I'd clap, but.
Today, I needed to steal his protagonist spotlight.
I strode up behind him.
"Make way a sec."
"Huh?"
Kyle turned.
Frowned at me.
"Wait your turn?"
"Busy. Quick."
No chance to reply—I shouldered him aside and dumped the sack from my shoulder.
Thud!!
The floor shook.
All eyes on us.
"Wh-What's that?"
I grabbed the sack's bottom and flipped it dramatically.
Crash!
Contents spilled out.
Troll hide and giant centipede shell, poison sac from the fifth floor.
Crystal turtle flesh and shell from the underground lake boss.
Then venom lizard sacs from fourth, assorted monster parts.
Mid-grade iron ores piled high, topped with high-grade.
No low-grade in sight.
Amid them, gleaming silver ore and platinum gems glowing white.
"...Gasp?"
Someone swallowed hard.
Silence.
The guild went dead quiet, like ice water poured over it.
"Wh-What is all this?"
"Troll hide? From the fifth?"
"Insane, platinum gems?! How much is one of those?"
Murmurs erupted.
Kyle's eyes bugged out.
His iron scraps looked pathetic now.
Luna gaped at me.
"Lee Jun...? Where'd all this come from?"
"Where else? Fifth floor run."
I casually flicked a platinum gem.
"Fifth floor?!"
"That Viper Killer from the rumors?"
"Yeah, the crazy newbie! Sells fifth-floor stuff at the general store—it's real!"
Viper Killer?
That nickname?
Murmurs turned to gasps.
I snuck a glance at Kyle.
He stared blankly between my loot and my face.
'See the class difference, punk?'
I leaned on the counter, grinning at Luna.
"Tally it up. Starving—dizzy here."
"Y-Yes! One sec!"
Luna fumbled the appraisal.
Her hands shook as the total climbed.
"A-All together... 275,000 Lumina."
"Sweet."
I took the heavy pouch.
Luna grabbed my hand lightly as she handed it over.
"Lee Jun."
"Yeah?"
"Go easy. Skill's one thing, but soloing that deep? What if something happens..."
No playful tone.
Genuine worry in her eyes.
"I won't die. I'm tough as nails."
"If you could just keep your mouth shut."
Being worried for felt nice.
Checked her favorability window.
Favorability unchanged, but the words were sweet.
Maybe time for a meal invite?
'Nah. Too soon.'
30 was just acquaintance.
This worry might be customer service.
Rush it and get shot down? Too embarrassing to show my face here again.
Needed a solid hit.
'Love and Peace.'
That world's reward: [Charm +50].
With that, my charm hits 48.
Might snag Luna and every girl in this world.
"See you tomorrow, Luna sis."
I waved coolly and left.
Felt Kyle's blank stare on my back—ignored.
Back at the inn, I sprawled on the bed.
"Ahh, beat."
Body fine, mind wrecked.
Cured Lisa, killed turtle, crushed Kyle.
Busy day.
Opened inventory.
"Needs sorting."
Stuff from the real world.
Baton and vest useless now.
Morningstar one-shots what they might handle, and vest's too conspicuous.
Haven't worn it since arrival.
Bear spray surprisingly handy.
Good for slimes, creates variables.
"Refill in reality?"
And some chicken while at it.
Local food good, but no crunchy spicy fried chicken match.
'Time passes here while I'm gone.'
Time stops here, but I feel it pass.
Planning a few days rest.
'Handle that before I forget.'
The first-floor opportunity Erika should've claimed.
[Hakunakirimaru].
Messing with Hans's fate screwed hers.
Pictured her struggling with that cheap longsword.
My conscience pricked—just a bit.
'Drop it off.'
Can't use it anyway.
Her stronger means better for me later.
Teammate or whatever.
She's harem-bound eventually—gotta treat her right.
"Early start tomorrow."
Showered clean with rude sister's toiletries before bed.
Started for charm upkeep, now feels gross without.
Something about her giving it?
Smells like little sis, good for jerking.
Shower faps are guy gospel anyway.
Cleanup's easy.
Then crashed in bed.