Chapter 66

“What is this?”

“What do you mean what? It’s luggage.”

I bluntly replied to Camian ‘s question.

In front of me were three sizable bags.

“You promised to supply us. A promise should be kept.”

Right.

It was a supply.

These bags were filled with supplies for the residents of the underground space.

Even though my efforts had prevented them from starving to death, surviving on moss alone was not sufficient for sustaining life.

In order to use them as a viable force, it was necessary to feed them well and improve their condition.

That’s why I had decided to take time out to go down.

However, that was not the only purpose.

‘Real combat’

The third stage, real combat.

The end of skill training was, of course, real combat.

Only when you can use it properly in real combat can you say it’s truly your skill.

But one could not simply practice real combat against humans.

So, inevitably, something non-human.

Today, for instance, the undead on the 10th floor underground would be the opponent.

‘Besides that.’

Today was not just about simple combat training; there was another special curiosity.

The strike of the executioner trained by Hylesia had evolved into an improved strike due to the training.

I had never experienced such a sudden skill evolution before.

Therefore, I was very curious about the power of this evolution.

Just how much better it had become compared to the original skill.

Moreover.

The proficiency had also skyrocketed to an unbelievable 20.1% without a single real combat.

Normally, it wouldn’t even reach 20%, let alone 10%.

This must also be a testament to the power of skill evolution.

‘There are quite a few things I do not know.’

Especially in relation to Hylesia.

I shouldn’t simply consider this as luck, but rather take it into account for future matters.

Who knows, it could open up new and favorable paths.

“Ugh.”

Camian groaned and frowned as he lifted a bag to test its weight.

“Why is it so heavy? What’s inside?”

“There’s a lot inside.”

“A lot? It doesn’t look that big, though?”

“It’s a subspace bag.”

A subspace bag.

As the name suggests, it was a magical bag that had a subspace within, allowing it to hold much more than it appeared to.

Even though it had weight reduction magic applied, it was still heavy when filled to the brim.

“Wow, a subspace bag? That’s expensive…”

Anette exclaimed, her eyes wide.

“Why? Do you need one? Should I buy you one?”

“No, no, that’s okay.”

“Is that so? Well then, you should also carry one.”

“Me?”

“Since there are three of us, it’s only fair for each to take responsibility for one. Don’t complain since it’s the lightest bag.”

Members of a party each have their responsibilities and duties.

There are no exceptions, even for women.

That’s the right attitude for a leader.

Like me.

“Ah, right. Of course, I should also contribute.”

Anette quickly approached the bag I had pointed out.

And she began to exert effort with groans.

“Ugh.”

Even though it was the lightest bag, it seemed a bit difficult for her.

But I had no intention of helping.

This too was part of her training.

Even as a healer, being weakly frail would only make her an easy prey for the enemy.

“Wait a minute, senior. Isn’t this too much for someone with little strength?”

Camian protested.

It seems like the spirit of chivalry was coming out, seeing as they were close childhood friends.

I understood, but there was no way I was going to blink at that.

Apart from the responsibilities and duties as equal party members, Anette, along with the hero, was also part of those I intended to nurture.

“Aren’t you the one underestimating your friend by being overprotective? Anette is a legitimate student of the top academy’s Royal Class, a proud member of our party, and not someone who should be overprotected by anyone.”

I answered sternly.

Camian ‘s expression hardened at my response.

He looked like he wanted to retort, but he just bit his lip and could not easily open his mouth.

Probably because he was caught off guard by an unexpected point.

“You’re right, senior. I’m part of the party too, and I’ll naturally do what I need to do.”

Anette spoke in a surprisingly calm voice.

However, she seemed quite moved by my words.

Her eyes sparkled, and her face flushed.

A legitimate academy student.

A proud member of the party.

She probably had never heard such affirming words from someone, especially a senior, hence the reaction.

Honestly, I hadn’t aimed for such a response, but it turned out well in the end.

It was apparent that she had gained a positive sense of confidence.

Sorry. I think I was a bit short-sighted.’

Camian accepted the situation and closed his mouth, probably having realized something himself.

That was enough.

“Then let’s go. Follow me.”

I picked up the remaining luggage and moved.

***

The place we moved to was the secret entrance we stumbled upon when we first got involved with the underground space.

We could not exit through it, but we could enter.

“Is it clear of people?”

“Yes.”

“Good, then let’s go.”

I pushed the seams of the wall where the entrance was upon Camian ‘s reply.

Clunk!

The entrance opened, and we were swept into the underground.

However, unlike the first time, we were prepared, so Camian and Anette landed lightly on the ground without screaming.

Whoosh.

Anette lit up the place with her light magic.

The surroundings brightened instantaneously.

“Nothing has changed.”

Camian murmured as he looked around.

“It should be the same here. Not sure about over there though.”

“I hope everyone is safe…”

Anette said with a somewhat worried expression.

“We don’t know. But wouldn’t they be? We’ve reduced the number of enemies to one.”

We had dealt with the monsters, so the only forces left on the 10th floor underground were humans and the undead.

And today, we planned to annihilate the remaining undead.

Then the 10th floor underground would become a completely safe area, and the path to a new floor would open up.

“Don’t worry for nothing; let’s just go. They must be waiting for the supplies, necks craned.”

“Ah, yes.”

Anette lifted the bag again.

It seemed hard by the way she bit her lip, but there was no disorder in her expression.

She may be kind and gentle but she is certainly not weak.

Her perseverance and will are more than enough.

It’s no coincidence that she is one of the main characters in this game.

Camian seemed to sense something from Anette’s demeanor as well.

I smirked internally at the sight of them.

Such a naïve pair.

If this were a simple youth school story, they would enjoy a happy, fun academy life and head straight to a happy ending.

But it just happens to be a game where people die mercilessly, without blood or tears.

Truly pitiable guys.

No, I’m in the same boat, really.

A snicker naturally escaped me.

I shook my head lightly and proceeded to walk.

“Ooh?”

“Well, who are you?”

“Huh, really coming.

“Fi, Finally, can we receive the supplies!”

The residents buzzed with excited faces.

There were also several residents who looked surprised.

Despite any promises made, it seemed they thought no one would come back to such a place.

“You’ve arrived. Been waiting.”

Leader Gwen approached with a pleased face and extended a hand.

“I’m busy, so it took some time.”

I didn’t particularly want to shake a man’s hand, but I did so out of courtesy.

“Haha, I understand. It’s naturally different for us who are only trapped underground.”

Gwen shook hands enthusiastically.

He looked very happy.

It must be because of us.

He also exchanged pleasant handshakes with Camian and Anette.

I waited for the greetings to end and then got straight to the point.

“As promised, I’ve brought the supplies.”

“Oh, really thank you. You all are practically our saviors.”

Gwen’s expression brightened immeasurably.

The other residents also looked on with bated breath, swallowing saliva.

Completely intoxicated with anticipation.

Then I decided to meet that expectation right away.

“Then I’ll proceed.”

“Sob sob, bread, bread.”

“Su, Such killer taste.

“I am happy, truly happy.

“It’s sweet! Sw, Sweet!”

***

The residents tore into the bread I brought with faces drunk on happiness as if they had taken some drug.

They almost looked like they could die of happiness at any moment.

Having only eaten tasteless moss, the luxury of eating bread surely warranted such expressions.

“Lo, Looking at this makes my throat clench, so have a drink with this as well.”

I thumped the wine I had brought.

It wasn’t particularly fine wine, but to them, it must have felt like the tastiest drink in the world.

“Wow!”

“Ye, Yeah. Wi, Wine!”

“Le, Let’s drink!”

“I’ll, I’ll drink too!”

The residents swarmed like a horde of zombies.

Fortunately, there were no clashes.

They took the wine in order and started drinking like crazy.

Gulp gulp.

Gulp gulp gulp.

The swallowing was fierce.

“Kyahah!”

“This, this is it! This is the taste that melts sweetly from the throat

“Kuhah… Su, Such killer stuff!”

The reaction was no less than the bread, if not more so.

It was natural, since it was alcohol.

I looked on with a quiet chuckle as the reinforcements helping me filled themselves with happiness.

Then, I turned to Gwen standing beside me and spoke.

“Gwen, why aren’t you eating?”

“I’ll be satisfied being last. I wish all the comrades who have suffered to fill up first.”

He was a man of character and strictness, but also of deep consideration.

Such a man must be the leader for the residents to have survived until now.

“I see. You are indeed a leader.”

“That’s high praise.”

Gwen let out a light smile.

Then, after a moment, he spoke again in a soft voice.

“You didn’t come here just for this, did you?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Didn’t you say so last time? You want to find out the secrets of this underground space. For that, you need our help.”

“Ah, that’s right. I did say something like that.’

I nodded once and continued.

“Today, there’s no particular agenda. Just clean up the 10th floor.”

“10th floor cleaning?”

“Yes. Let’s push and clear out even the undead.”

Gwen chuckled incredulously at my words.

“Huh, to say that isn’t a big task, you really are a different caliber.”

“If you and we join forces, it’s definitely doable, so that’s how I put it.”

“Hm, is that so.”

Gwen looked thoughtful.

Then he said again.

“Indeed, the undead have been provoking us with unusual force lately.

“So, what did you do?”

“What could we do. Didn’t you advise before you left? To avoid major fights and concentrate on defense, we did just that.”

Gwen was indeed a cautious man.

And I could tell he had a lot of trust in me, who played a decisive role in annihilating the monsters.

He must have practiced my advice like a golden rule.

“Well done. Seeing no significant damage, it seems like a very wise choice.”

“Haha, it’s thanks to you, isn’t it?”

I waited for Gwen to finish speaking and then spoke with emphasis.

“But now there’s no need for that. Today we will end the undead for good.”

“Do you have a good strategy like last time?”

“I do.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“My good junior.”

I pointed to Anette with my eyes.

“Huh?”

Gwen didn’t understand.

“Me? Did you call me?”

Anette looked at me, puzzled.

“Yes.”

“What for…??”

“You are our secret weapon.”

“Yes-

?”

“There’s such a thing.”

I smiled slyly.

Soon everyone would know.

The true value of Anette.