35 – 3rd Floor #4
The magic stored in [Abella’s Arrow Bracelet] was activated. A bright yellow arrow, “Magic Arrow,” was created and shot in just one second.
Swoosh!
The orc’s face was penetrated. It cleanly pierced through its brain.
It was a gruesome sight, but there was no psychological damage. I’ve become accustomed to demons dying by now.
I’ve seen human corpses often enough, so what’s a demon corpse to me?
Moreover, demons turn into dust and disappear as soon as they die. Compared to humans, it was rather convenient.
[Obtained a Demon Stone (D).]
The orc dropped a Demon Stone. It was a whopping D-grade stone. It had grown in size to the point where it was the size of a fist.
The E and F-grade stones were smaller than the palm of my hand. But starting from the D-grade, it could be called a primitive stone tool.
“Ray, what would happen if you suddenly used an artifact?”
Lauren approached me and grumbled. She had a problem with my sudden use of the “Magic Arrow” as if it were a sudden acceleration.
It was unfair.
I made excuses that were not excuses.
“I couldn’t help it… It was my instinct to shoot…. It felt like someone was poking my back…?”
I could be kidnapped by a female orc. Then I would experience something terrible.
Because of Lauren’s low voice, which seemed to intimidate me, I accidentally started imagining things.
Just like how describing food brings the taste to mind….
It was instinct. My instinct brought to mind the Ray who was trapped beneath the orc, the Ray from the parallel world who was kidnapped by the orc, and I blurted it out.
And I was shocked.
I had clearly been told not to open it, that Pandora would ruin the world, that knowing would hurt, yet I went ahead and pried into the past, like lovers who break up.
I was just like them.
The demon crouching in my mind imagined the worst-case scenario. It was something I couldn’t control.
“You said your instinct told you to shoot?”
“Yes…”
“Heh, how amusing.”
It seemed that Lauren softened her tone, saying, “I’m definitely not going to be kidnapped. Good to see.”
“…Are you not angry?”
“Why should I be angry? I just did my best to defend myself.”
On the first floor, she heard nagging every time she used an artifact. So she practically sealed the artifacts.
But on the third floor, Lauren’s attitude changed completely.
Is it the difference between goblins and orcs? Are artifacts valuable to goblins but not to orcs?
“You can use it. Just be mindful of the number of charges. If you can’t use it when you need it, it’s no good. Do you understand what I mean?”
“I understand.”
Lauren mainly gave advice that was helpful to our party. This was an extension of that.
The boy’s artifact played a significant role in battles. There was a stark difference between a party with it and one without it.
Well, that’s because if a boy has a defensive artifact, women can focus on attacks.
Conversely, if there is an offensive artifact, they can strengthen their defense and use magic for surprise attacks.
“Monsters aren’t human. They don’t have intelligence.”
The magic stored in the artifacts was very effective against monsters. Since they were ignorant and defenseless against magic, it showed maximum efficiency with pinpoint accuracy.
Of course, only I could use this method. Other parties would have disposable artifacts, not rechargeable ones.
Using artifacts like orcs was actually an impossible luxury.
“If I have several of Abella’s artifacts later, I might be able to go down into the labyrinth alone.”
That probably won’t happen. At the very least, one person had to be there.
Why?
Because I can’t rest when I’m alone. It was good to have someone to lean on.
I didn’t want to become someone who can only sleep well in the arms of my sisters.
I picked up the marble and moved. Walking was enjoyable, unlike on the first and second floors.
Soya, Soya-.
The sound of leaves rustling in the wind was so pleasant to hear. It’s a sensation that can be felt commonly outside the labyrinth, but since I was inside the labyrinth, it felt even more special.
Can I explore on the first floor now? Should I leave the third floor, with its good environmental conditions and abundant resources?
Crunch-.
Two orcs. Female orcs as sturdy as Swu.
They didn’t seem to be joking.
Swu activated “Beast Soul”. Only the first stage, not the second.
White and black striped fur sprouted on the upper and lower arms. Like a white tiger.
The muscles swelled and became remarkably solid.
“Shall we see Swu’s skills?”
Lauren didn’t participate in the battle. She watched from behind to see if Swu could handle the orcs alone and tested her.
Even though Lauren withdrew with an affectionate attitude, Swu didn’t show any displeasure.
She seemed to think it was necessary. Or maybe she read Lauren’s intentions with her “Perception”.
Swu leaped forward. She didn’t enhance her abilities with the second stage of “Beast Soul”, but she demonstrated overwhelming jumping power.
As an explorer, her abilities were top-notch.
Crunch-!
The orcs glared at Swu. Their protruding fangs between their lips looked quite intimidating.
The Confrontation.
Perhaps it was because they were creatures similar in size to Swoo. With them intermingled, the situation looked quite precarious.
The Orc reached out his arm first. He stretched it out, as if to grab Swoo and tear him apart.
Swoo read his trajectory and twisted his body, evading it effortlessly.
Thud!
At the same time, Swoo threw a punch. He struck the orc’s chest with great force.
With how much strength he put into it, the orc’s chest was pierced.
From Noble mtl dot com
Pop!
Not metaphorically, but physically. Swoo was indeed Swoo.
A Gokost race, a White Tiger tribe member like Swoo would never be defeated by an orc. I believed in Swoo.
[Acquired Magic Stone (E).]
The Magic Stone dropped lightly. It was the same size as the D-grade Magic Stone obtained earlier, but it had a lower grade.
What on earth is going on?
Lauren examined the Magic Stone in her hand. Then, she casually said:
“The concentration is diluted, that’s why. Didn’t I say it on the first floor? Staying in the same place continuously is a disadvantage.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“In addition to the difficulty of recovering party leader fatigue due to the increased frequency of monster generation. But more than that, the quality of the Magic Stones has decreased and it doesn’t match the hunting cost.”
Lauren said that there are businesses for adult women that boys don’t need to worry about.
“In the end, it’s all about money. To run an Adventurer’s Guild, you need money. We have to meet the quotas for the boys and take care of our share…”
When we settle down and go hunting, it’s more comfortable for everyone, including Lauren and the other sisters. There is no one who dislikes comfortable hunting.
But then, they couldn’t make money. So they continued their exploration, taking care of and soothing the children.
“We have a guild. Our parents are in our hometown. We have many responsibilities. We’re all adults, after all.”
“….”
Not all women enjoyed the adventurous life with the boy.
“It’s a sad reality.”
“It is indeed.”
Before I acquired this new body, I was an adult. I became responsible for my own life.
How should I live the rest of my life? Can I protect myself completely like this?
What about my ailing parents?
“Should I consider myself lucky?”
Since my parents passed away not long ago, I ended up like this. It was a great relief to know that no one in the world I used to live in would worry about me.
“Hmm?”
Soo, who was dozing off while listening to our conversation, expressed doubt.
“So, does that mean someone nearby is capturing orcs that have Grade E magic stones? Repeatedly?”
“That’s right.”
There are people. Whether they are adventurers or wanderers, I’m not sure.
“They must be close to the portal. Probably an adventurer party.”
Lauren said with conviction.
“It’s very rare for a wanderer to come near the portal to hunt. Except for when they attack to steal the portal… Even if they’re on the 3rd floor, it’s highly unlikely to encounter them.”
Advice based on experience.
“But it’s not 100%, right?”
“I can’t read the minds of outlaws, so I can’t guarantee 100%.”
“….”
“The reason they suddenly tightened security checks this time is because there were girls who went up to the second floor through a different portal.”
We have to prepare for the worst.
“Just the fact that someone is around makes us uncomfortable, right? Let’s first confirm whether they’re adventurers or outlaws.”
Lauren took the lead and walked through the bushes, heading in the direction where she sensed some activity.
I realize once again how important the role of a guide is.
“I don’t feel anything at all.”
Lauren stepped briskly. She didn’t hesitate in choosing her path.
Swoo and I followed behind her.
Not far away, we heard a commotion.
The sound of a knife piercing through flesh. The sound of determination.
It was a sound that would kill demons, no matter who heard it.
“E-grade mana stone. It’s running out little by little.”
“We should move our spot. We’ve gotten too close to the adventurers.”
I squinted my eyes and looked across. Unlike the adventurers, the outlaws wearing rugged gear were hunting the demons.
Distinguishing between adventurers and outlaws is simple. If there’s no boy, it’s a group of outlaws.
It was inefficient for outlaws who receive the “Soul Protection” effect from the totem to carry a weak boy with them.
“When the hell are they coming down?”
A vagabond sighed as he picked up a faded E-grade mana stone that had fallen to the ground.
“It’s been a while since we went up, why is there no news? Could it be that they’re dead?”
“We brought two totems with us. Most parties wouldn’t stand a chance against us.”
The vagabonds seemed to be waiting for someone. They grumbled under their breath and furrowed their brows.
“Let’s wait another day, and if there’s still no news, let’s go back.”
“Ugh. I said I would go.”
The frustrated woman locked eyes with me.
“Hey!”
The vagabonds all turned their heads at once. They noticed us and narrowed their eyes.
“Adventurers!”
“Run, Su!”
Lauren quickly grabbed me and turned back the way we came.
“I can run much faster while carrying you! We might get caught if we keep this up! So give me the Ray!”
Su, who was following behind, said something in Moorean, but I couldn’t understand.