episode_0044

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EP.44: 3rd Floor

After acquiring the elf’s crafting ability, I discovered several of its effects.

By imbuing it with my magic, I could draw out the inherent flavor of the ingredients, temporarily boosting stats.

‘Still, it’s just minor stuff.’

Like this, for example.

[Stamina +3 for 30 minutes.]

‘It’s trivial, but a boost is a boost.’

And one more thing— If this could also be applied to preserved food…

‘Then direct enhancements might be possible even inside the labyrinth.’

That would be a beneficial upgrade. After testing it to that extent, I glanced at Erme in front of me. Last time, she devoured the spaghetti, and now she was eating the jerky I’d just made.

“Heh, hehe…”

The reason was simple. She said it smelled too good.

“B-but, you felt it too, right, Yuseong-ssi? Even the innkeeper said she’d waive the lodging fee if you cooked for her.” “…….”

Honestly, it was unexpected. My cooking wasn’t some fantastical dish straight out of a manga. Her eyes nearly popped out before she started scarfing it down in a frenzy.

‘……It’s just regular tasty food with MSG.’

Truly bizarre.

—……I-I’ll never taste anything more delicious than this in my life.

Assuming the innkeeper was experiencing MSG for the first time, Erme’s reaction was different.

—Haa, it’s been so long since I’ve had something this good.

She acted like she hadn’t tasted food like this in ages.

Well, that aside.

“Why are you here?” “Why else? To cross blades once more with my warrior comrade!”

Burkhan crossed his arms and declared. I’m not a warrior. And I’m not your comrade.

Since when were we ever comrades? I genuinely paused to ponder.

“……What’s this guy now?”

Volkan stared at Burkhan with a blank expression. Burkhan, in turn, stiffened as he looked at Volkan.

“S-Sword King Volkan!” “Yeah, that’s me. The one and only Volkan.” “W-why are you— No, did you come to see my comrade…? As expected, you truly are my friend.”

Who said we were friends? As I gave him a dumbfounded look, Burkhan snorted and nodded proudly.

But now that I thought about it…

“……Your names are oddly similar.” “Of course. My father owed a debt to Volkan-nim, so he named me after him.” “Hence, Burkhan. Kehahaha! Look at this guy. I’m that kind of presence. Right?”

His gaze, directed at me, brimmed with confidence. As if to say, I’m that kind of legend.

‘I already knew, but…’

Seeing it like this… It’s kinda irritating.

“So why are you here?” “It just occurred to me. Whether you focus on the rear or the front lines, you still need training.” “I am training.”

I avoid most fights, but I always carry the iron weights Volkan gave me. By now, they’ve become light enough that they don’t bother me much.

“You call that body trained?” “My comrade, I acknowledge you as a warrior, but even so, your physique is too frail. It’s not the body of one who trains.” “…….”

As if these two loudmouths weren’t bad enough alone, together they were unbearable.

“Hahahaha! But fear not, my comrade!”

Burkhan struck a bizarre pose, flexing his muscles.

“We orcs have crafted a magnificent potion! It’ll make your muscles bulge like ours—!” “No thanks.” “Ah, so you refuse to rely on such drugs. Admirable.” “Splendid. For a swordsman, you’ve met the bare minimum qualifications.” “Fufu…”

The two nodded at each other in mutual respect. Why do they get along so well?

‘Volkan’s sharper than he looks.’

Burkhan just happened to match Volkan’s wavelength.

“Anyway, my point is this: True strength isn’t gained overnight. It’s built layer by layer, until one day, it sublimates into enlightenment—that’s when you appear strong.” “Indeed, comrade. Let us train together!” “…….”

Resigned, I joined their training. But I hadn’t expected the sheer volume of profanity involved. If you asked how brutish their methods were, the answer would be unfathomably brutish.

They added weight to the iron weights I’d just gotten used to, then strapped a weird tire to my body and made me run until I nearly died.

A few days passed like that.

[Acquired Running (D).]

So skills can be gained through action. There was one other benefit.

I raised my swordsmanship to Lv. 20 in the training hall, practiced archery to reach Lv. 18, and my hand-to-hand combat was now Lv. 5.

‘Hand-to-hand is oddly slow.’

I assumed it was because I lacked a related Gift.

By the time my body was honed, the promised week had arrived.

‘Guess it’s time to head in.’

Into the labyrinth.

—

Rejoining the party after so long, I noticed how much everyone had changed. Starting with their gear, they all felt stronger.

‘I’ve grown a lot too, but…’

If I could better utilize the specs I’d relied on until now— Erme, Teresa, Glasses, and Rosenta seemed to have outright upgraded theirs.

‘They’ll adapt quickly.’

It’s weird that I, who arrived less than a month ago, have come this far.

“You’ve been well. Your face looks different.” “You… worked hard, I see.”

I was surprised when I saw Glasses. His glasses had changed. Before, they were black horn-rimmed—now, they were flashy purple.

“Fufu… Can you sense my heightened mana?” “……You got new glasses?” “Ah, a celebratory purchase after leveling up. But that’s the first thing you ask?”

Well, they are his defining feature. I swallowed the remark and looked at Erme instead.

‘……Erme’s stronger too.’

Everyone seemed to have leveled up. The most noticeable changes were Rosenta and Erme. Glasses had also improved, but not as drastically as those two.

‘……In comparison.’

Teresa’s changes were external. She was decked out in gear I’d never seen before.

“I got new equipment.” “……Must’ve cost a fortune.” “……Yeah. So I need to earn money seriously now.”

Teresa nodded blankly but firmly. Her mace had more than doubled in size, and she was clad head-to-toe in armor. The others’ gear had also changed slightly, but Teresa’s entire vibe was different. If she used to seem like a mercenary, now she resembled a knight in full plate.

‘She was desperate for money before.’

Did something get resolved?

Lastly, Rosenta.

“……How do I look?”

Her eyes sparkled with expectation. I wasn’t sure what to say.

‘I can sense some change in her aura, but…’

To me, that was about it. So—

“Should we get ready to go?”

Best to shift the topic. Fortunately, Rosenta didn’t seem too invested, puffing her cheeks before nodding.

Preparations were quick. Since everyone had been dungeon-crawling and rested yesterday.

‘Normally, parties take three days off after a run.’

But our party was diligent enough to skip that.

“Before we enter, let me outline the plan for this dive.” “Okay.” “We’ve brought five days’ worth of supplies. Our minimum target is the 3rd floor.” “That’s fast.” “Fufu. While you were building your foundation, Yuseong-ssi, we all leveled up.”

Is leveling normally this quick? I glanced at Erme. I’d leveled fast due to unusual circumstances, but—

‘Even so, this feels off.’

I was the one who solo’d Rishiel during the elf raid. That’s why I gained so much EXP, shooting up in one go. But Erme arrived around the same time as me—how was she already leveling?

‘……She must’ve worked really hard.’

If Erme’s identity is what I suspect, she might have other methods.

“Finally, the ascent to the 3rd floor.”

Glasses’ voice dripped with emotion. But Teresa and Rosenta frowned slightly.

“3rd floor… hate it.” “The 3rd floor is the bug floor…”

Their reactions made sense. Bugs would explain that disgust.

“The 1st stratum is the goblin den, the 2nd is hobgoblins. The 3rd is Arachne’s domain. Remember how hobgoblins sometimes rode Arachne? That’s because they come down from the 3rd floor.” “So then…” “Yes. We’ll be fighting spiders.” “…….”

Did I bring fire arrows? If not, I could just spam Lightning Arrow, but—

‘The mana cost is brutal.’

I looked at Glasses.

“What’s wrong, Yuseong?” “Can you use fire magic?” “Basic spells, yes. But they won’t be very threatening.” “I think he’s considering fire arrows.” “Fire arrows? With your archery skills, even basic magic could be useful.” “Worst case, we can coat arrows in paralyzing venom.” “Venom? You handle poison too?” “Learned it while leveling.”

The elf’s alchemy came from a quest, but others here gain Gifts innately. Some evolve through hardship, but cases like mine—continuously acquiring new ones—are practically unheard of.

“Was the food you made back then also…?” “A minor application.” “No wonder it was so delicious.”

Erme licked her lips nostalgically.

As we talked, time flew, and soon, the portal to the labyrinth opened. Stepping inside, I made a silent wish.

‘Please, just this once—’

No, this time— Let us clear the labyrinth without incident.

—

Darkening vision. The air felt slightly acrid.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar labyrinth corridors.

‘Thankfully…’

No abnormal changes were apparent. Nokgolmar’s interference was due to someone reaching the 24th floor.

‘……But it’s strange.’

The [Cradle]’s peak expansion was centuries ago, not now. Back then, the Adventurer’s Guild’s forces were far stronger, relatively.

So why did Nokgolmar appear now? That nagged at me.

‘I’ll ask later.’

Volkan might know.

I focused ahead. The vicinity seemed empty.

“……How’s it look?” “No one nearby.” “Then let’s advance. Today’s goal is the 2nd stratum.” “Taking it slow?” “Our party’s safety is the priority.”

I led the way at Erme’s suggestion. At one point, I wondered if I was moving too fast—

‘They’re keeping up fine.’

Maybe I could speed up further. Just as I thought that—

A presence ahead.

“Seven enemies up front.” “……Huu, a bit rough. Ironically, goblins are the better option.” “You’re keeping up well?”

As I bantered with Glasses, I drew my bowstring taut.

“It was tough. Probably from all the dungeon-running.” “But you took breaks between sections, right?” “We call it ‘securing the next zone.’ Necessary rest. Mages are delicate, you know.”

Despite the chatter, everyone prepared for the goblins.

Twang!

The released arrow pierced a goblin’s skull, skewering two more behind it before stopping. The goblins froze mid-charge.

“……Wow. Your archery’s improved absurdly.” “Didn’t slack off.”

While Glasses gaped, Teresa bulldozed through like a tank, with Erme and Rosenta mopping up.

“How’s that?” “Pretty strong.”

I smirked at Glasses’ praise and surveyed the party. Even if we part ways someday— For now, we’d keep moving forward like this.

—

(Translation complete. Formatting, line breaks, and symbols preserved as per original.)