episode_0050

『Current Status』

『Energy 2/4』

『Until Next Draw: 42』

[Stab (1)] [Evasion (1)]

Around 5m centered on the Orc Berserker.

This is the area it can detect.

Keep far enough away to not touch that circle, then make a wide turn and head towards the stairs.

Bang!!

The sound heard from behind indicates that combat has begun.

Even so, there’s no reason to lose to an elite monster, so I feel relieved and run to do my job.

Originally, the strategy for that orc was as follows.

Either somehow hold the orc in place or ignore it and ascend the stairs.

Then, 10 doors await, and inside, find and eliminate the Red Goblin controlling the Orc Berserker, and it’s over.

However, typically the Orc Berserker chases explorers attempting to climb the stairs, leading to a situation where you face both the Red Goblin and the Orc Berserker simultaneously.

Unfortunately, doing so is not easy, so many explorers restrain the Orc Berserker or send in special forces like this to eliminate the Red Goblin.

Of course, parties with a certain level of firepower just beat the infinitely regenerating Orc Great Warrior to death and then eliminate the Red Goblin.

This is the easiest way for us to catch it too.

However, we didn’t.

Because I thought it was the perfect situation to check the [Rogue’s Deck].

Furthermore, even if I failed, Hans would immediately tie up the Berserker, so I could challenge it without burden.

Tap-tap-tap-tap.

Quickly ascend the stairs.

Seeing the Orc Berserker, who still hasn’t discovered me, I intentionally make noise and try to draw aggro.

But it doesn’t notice me, who is [Stealthed], at all.

Even though it’s been enhanced with [Cat’s Paw], the performance is surprisingly good again.

So far, the only ones who noticed the [Stealth] were the deep-level explorer and Grace.

Continued up the stairs and reached the door leading to the next floor.

Out of a whopping 10 doors, only one is the correct answer.

Immediately tried to sense where the Red Goblin was, but unfortunately, I couldn’t feel a single thing.

As expected, I have to open each door myself.

In such cases, opening them in order is correct.

Opened the leftmost door and entered.

Creak.

Along with the sound of the door opening, a handful of mana gushed out from within.

Incorrect.

Immediately, goblin-like creatures are generated around me.

Originally, these would immediately judge the one who chose incorrectly. Unfortunately, they are merely looking around blankly.

It would be good to eliminate these and see a draw, but.

Unfortunately, the moment I attack, [Stealth] will be released, so I decided to hold back a little.

Ignoring the goblins, I opened the second door.

Creak.

It’s incorrect.

This time, it wasn’t a goblin, but a small orc that appeared.

And above all, the goblins rushing towards this place.

However, seeing nothing, they are frozen again.

“Kieeek!!!”

Watching them wildly swing their daggers at the empty air, I stepped back slightly.

Because there was also one who actually swung towards where I was.

Moving in search of something [Stealthed].

As expected, monsters are not as foolish as I thought.

There might not be many now, but if this accumulates, problems will definitely arise.

Let’s clear things up a bit here.

『Until Next Draw: 10… 9…』

Watching the decreasing timer, I moved away from the scattered goblins wildly swinging their swords around.

[Stealth] is canceled when I attack.

Meaning, if even one attack doesn’t land properly, I’ll be in danger.

However, there’s no need to worry.

Because this time I’ll sweep them away and draw a ton of cards.

『Until Next Draw: 0』

The timer reached 0.

Just then, 4 goblins and 1 orc began gathering in one place.

I threw a card and shouted.

“Self-destruct!!!”

A golem that popped out of subspace flew towards the goblin horde.

Simultaneously, a card I threw was engulfed in light and disappeared.

[Stab]

The mana gathered around my body became a single sharp sword and flew.

Simultaneously, I draw the next hand.

『It’s your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

[Evasion (1)] [Stealth (2)] [Betrayal (1)] [Into the Darkness (3) – Power] [Stab (1)]

As the 5 cards were drawn, Stealth was released.

Just as the goblins and orcs discovered it and were about to move.

The mana sword and golem were already in front of their eyes.

Thwack!!! Boom!!!

The mana sword was lodged in the orc’s neck.

The golem exploded, sweeping away the orc and goblins.

5 monsters shattering and disappearing.

Simultaneously, the status window pops up wildly.

『[Butcher’s Gloves] consume blood.』

『Energy increases by 1, and you draw 1 card.』

『[Butcher’s Gloves] consume bloo…』

『Energy i…』

[Evasion (1)] [Stealth (2)] [Betrayal (1)] [Into the Darkness (3) – Power] [Stab (1)] +

[Escape (1)] [Ambush (1)] [Banishment (4)] [Stealth (2)] [Stab (1)]

My hand is full all of a sudden.

Energy also became 9.

Feeling generous and secure.

Immediately use a card.

[Into the Darkness (3) – Power] – Gain 1 [Stealth] card each turn. [Stealth]’s cost becomes 1.

Darkness billows around me like fog, enveloping my body. The darkness soon disappears.

Is this applied correctly?

Checked my hand.

[Evasion (1)] [Stealth (1)] [Betrayal (1)] [Stab (1)] [Escape (1)] [Ambush (1)] [Banishment (4)] [Stealth (1)] [Stab (1)]

It’s working correctly.

Because [Stealth] became 1 cost.

Satisfying usage.

Immediately walked to open the third door.

But then, I heard Grace’s voice.

“It’s dangerous!!!”

The moment I heard Grace’s voice, I reflexively extended my senses.

Something leaped greatly and came up the stairs.

The Orc Berserker was falling towards me.

Like a spinal reflex, I didn’t even think and immediately rolled sideways.

Crack!!!

The Berserker’s axe striking the floor.

Fragments of the broken floor bounced high.

‘If I get hit by that, I’ll die in one hit.’

Still, there’s no problem. My comrades will come to help immediately.

But that thought was wrong.

Thump!!

Because an unknown barrier was spread, blocking the party members trying to come up the stairs.

“What is this?!!”

A barrier blocking even Cairek’s harpoon arrow.

Grace tried to get past the side of the stairs and come over, but she was blocked.

“What on earth is this?”

Seeing the flustered party members, I immediately threw a card and rolled.

[Stealth]

Melt into the world.

The Orc Berserker’s axe visible through my vision colored green.

After narrowly dodging, I roll sideways.

Whoosh!!

High-flying fragments scattered everywhere and touched my body.

Seeing that, the orc guessed something was there and threw its axe.

Whirl!!!

The axe that reached right in front of me.

It’s impossible to dodge this with my physical ability.

If so, I have no choice but to get help.

[Evasion]

Mana dyeing my body like paint dropped in water.

Immediately, I unconsciously exhibit superhuman movements.

Twisting my body with movements that seem to ignore inverse motions and physics, I narrowly dodge.

Whoosh!!

The axe moved in a circle through the sky like a boomerang and returned to the orc’s grasp.

This was the first time I actually used [Evasion]. However, like a basic card, I don’t like it.

[Blink] feels tens of times better.

Reminding myself once again that the card value of the [Elementalist’s Deck] is excellent, I watch the orc’s gaze.

It was clearly staring in my direction.

But it seemed to see nothing. Its gaze was slightly angled towards another place.

Anxiety gripped my body.

It felt as if it would find me using my movement as a medium if I were to move even a little here.

The basis for that anxiety is clear.

The Orc Berserker, which is completely different from the original strategy.

The anomaly that occurred in the labyrinth.

Meaning, there’s a chance the Black Mage is involved again.

Well, it’s not surprising.

It’s something I somewhat expected beforehand.

Since they would naturally know that their apostles and I are connected in the first place.

I wondered when they would show their true colors, but was this what they were aiming for now?

I recalled the conversation I had with Noah a few days ago.

[Certainly, those Black Mages will target you. Of course, since you have a god attached to you, they won’t be able to target you as much as they targeted me.]

[Even though Black Mages deal with labyrinths and monsters, massive changes like on the 2nd floor won’t be easy.]

[The reason? Of course. The 2nd floor was important even to the evil god. Plus, they used a lot of power to interfere with the labyrinth at that time.]

[The conclusion is, if those guys intervene, it would be something that could cause massive damage with just a little tampering, right?]

Meaning, a place where even such a ‘minor change’ can cause significant damage.

With my mind working coolly now, the answer comes quickly.

There is already a monster with powerful specs, and.

A monster for which there is an exact strategy for catching it.

Meaning, a monster with a gimmick is the target.

‘I could have expected it.’

Was it because my thoughts were engrossed in how to build the Rogue’s Deck?

I acted too thoughtlessly.

Lately, life has been too good, my head was in the clouds.

This current situation feels like a mace coming down on a somewhat relaxed life.

I overcome it at once.

“Grrrrrr……!!!”

The orc is slowly walking towards me, drooling from its mouth.

Has the waiting ended?

I only roll my eyes to check the status window.

『Until Next Draw: 25….』

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like I’ll be given time until the next turn.

If so, I have no choice but to create a turn.

Throw a card.

[Banishment (4)] – Can only be activated while in [Stealth] status. Fires magic bullets that eliminate the enemy for 1 turn. [Stealth] is canceled during this time.

My body instantly appearing in the world.

Seeing that, the Orc Berserker throws its axe.

Knowing this would happen, I left one energy.

[Escape (1)] – Escape quickly. Enter [Stealth] status.

The world slows down.

I immediately ran sideways.

My body was so light.

As if walking by folding the world, one step becomes ten steps.

Fire magic bullets towards the orc that cannot follow me, who moved instantly.

The mana droplets gathered around me fly towards the orc’s body as if endlessly pouring bullets from a machine gun.

Not all bullets can pierce the solid orc’s body, but each of them piles up and beats its body relentlessly.

Furthermore, all of this doesn’t end for 1 minute.

It can truly be said to be effective for catching 1 monster.

While the [Elementalist’s Deck]’s 4-cost attack magic can defeat multiple monsters.

The [Rogue’s Deck]’s 4-cost attack magic attacks a single monster with a powerful attack.

Countless flying magic bullets tear the orc’s body.

Chunks of flesh rain down, decorating the sky, and blood colors the surroundings.

Nonetheless, the unstoppable magic bullets didn’t stop until they had completely turned the orc’s body into a mass of meat.

“…….”

It didn’t die.

Because neither the Butcher’s Gloves nor the status window reacted.

Masses of flesh merging and regenerating by an unknown power.

It absolutely won’t die until the Red Goblin is caught.

Then one might say it’s meaningless, but no. Because I bought time.

Immediately ran and drew cards.

『It’s your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

[Stab (1)] [Evasion (1)] + [Stealth (1)] [Ambush (1)] [Banishment (4)]

The deck cycled once and [Banishment] was drawn again.

I was lucky.

Turning my head, I saw the Orc Berserker was still not recovered.

Which of the remaining doors is the correct answer?

No matter how much I pondered inwardly, the answer didn’t come.

In times like this, it’s better to rely on intuition.

Lucky 7.

That was the door I chose.

But it was incorrect again.

“Kieeek!!!”

5 goblins pop out.

Just plain weak mobs from the 1st floor.

I can handle this much with just my bare body now.

Materialized the [Butcher’s Gloves] and took out the dagger I had tucked away.

Seeing the goblins rushing towards me, I threw a card.

[Stab]

A powerful mana sword pierces the body of the goblin in front.

Just as [Strike] can’t kill a goblin in one hit, [Stab] also couldn’t kill it instantly.

Feeling the terrible performance of the basic card, I charged towards the goblin.

The 4 goblins, excluding the one hit by Stab, rushed at me with strange cries.

“Kieeek!!”

The goblin’s sword attacks me, but my poor physical ability is already covered by equipment.

Simply infusing mana into the robe was enough to block a goblin’s sword.

Thwack!!!

Stab the goblin from top to bottom with the dagger.

The sharply and well-discarded dagger goes right in.

‘Training with Cairek was tough, but it helps me out in times like this.’

As soon as I pulled out the dagger, one goblin kicked the bucket.

『[Butcher’s Gloves] consume blood.』

『Energy increases by 1, and you draw 1 card.』

[Evasion (1)] [Stealth (1)] [Ambush (1)] [Banishment (4)] + [Stab (1)]

Although one card was drawn, it’s still crappy.

There’s no particular reason to use it.

Continue swinging the dagger, looking for a timing to attack the Orc Berserker anytime.

Thwack!!

Second one.

Thump!!

A goblin body-slams me, but with its weak body, it can’t even push me back.

Pushing one away roughly with my body, leaving it falling, I stab the dagger into the jaw of the goblin rushing towards me.

Third one.

Immediately turn and bring the dagger down.

The dagger penetrating the hard skull.

As expected, expensive things always have a reason.

Finally, stabbing the dagger into the heart of the goblin hit by Stab, it was all over.

[Banishment]

The magic bullets formed on my body again riddle the body of the Orc Great Warrior, whose regeneration is almost complete.

Time is pressing.

Opened the door right next to me.

Creak.

As soon as the door opened, I realized it was incorrect again.

What came out this time was an orc.

Thanks to their size, I could handle goblins, but orcs are not easy.

Unlike goblins whose weapon is a dagger from the start, it’s an axe.

It seems my modern sensibilities still remain; seeing broken and rusted axes here and there gives me goosebumps.

I’ve gotten used to swords and daggers to some extent, but axes are still a ways off.

Whoosh!!

Dodge the swinging axe by moving back.

The axe slightly grazing my robe.

This is dangerous as is, so I threw a card.

[Evasion]

Narrowly dodging the cleaving axe, I stabbed in my dagger.

“Kuaaaaaa!!!”

The orc screaming and pushing me away with its arm.

Fortunately, I didn’t lose the dagger, but I was pushed back significantly.

‘As expected, I can’t overcome it with a dagger.’

Only goblins can be killed with a dagger; it’s not easy for an orc with large muscles.

Because I can’t stab weak points in an instant like Grace can.

I wanted to save it, but it seems I should start using it.

Retreating far back, I checked the Orc Berserker, which had become a pulp again.

Immediately turn on the status window.

『Please check your card rewards.』

7 mid-level rewards obtained after entering the 4th floor.

Though I missed some by visiting ? here and there, 7 chances are enough.

At least I should be able to find the Red Goblin before using all 7.

I’ve already roughly checked what rewards there are, and I’ve also thought about what to choose in order.

My choice is [Neurotoxin (3)].

As soon as I chose the reward, the deck began to shuffle.

Immediately, 3 cards are drawn.

But before I knew it, the orc had approached my side and was swinging its axe.

『Combat Start. Draw 3 cards.』

『Energy 4/4』

[Escape (1)] [Neurotoxin (3)] [Evasion (1)]

First, I used [Evasion].

Dodging the axe swung at me with unbelievable movements, I narrowly avoided it and went into the orc’s arms.

Immediately threw a card.

[Neurotoxin (3)] – Fires a single deadly毒 dart. Becomes unable to move for 2 turns.

A single poison dart generated around me.

It gets stuck in the orc’s neck from point-blank range.

“……?!!”

Seeing the orc unable to move as if it had been hit by [Electrocution], I stabbed the dagger into its heart.

I can’t be assured with just one time.

I kept stabbing until the status window popped up.

Thwack!! Thwack!!!

About the time the orc’s blood splattered on my face and slowly began to trickle down.

The status window announced victory.

Ding!

『[Butcher’s Gloves] consume blood.』

『Energy increases by 1, and you draw 1 card.』

Seeing the orc dying standing there unable to even fall, just as I was about to walk back to the door.

“I smell something at the very end on the right!!!”

Grace’s voice faintly heard beyond the barrier.

I don’t trust myself, but I trust my comrade’s senses.

Immediately ran to the door on the far right.

The moment I placed my hand on the door handle.

Creak!!

The door opens before I even open it.

“Die!!!!”

A Black Mage inside swung a sword of darkness at me.

A situation too late to react.

[I’ll protect you!!!]

If the automatic defense golem that popped out of subspace hadn’t put up a barrier, I would have been caught by the surprise attack.

The Black Mage is pushed back significantly by the barrier.

The golem frowns and raises its barrier.

“This bastard!!!”

Immediately, skeletons pop out from the widely expanding space.

Seeing that, I shouted at the golem.

“Self-destruct.”

[It’s dangerous if it explodes here, Master.]

“There’s a way.”

[Self-destructing!]

Watching the golem charging at the Black Mage, I used [Escape] to flee.

Boooooooooom!!!!

The explosion swallowed the Black Mage and his minions.

Simultaneously, the barrier blocking the party members breaks.

I’ve done everything I needed to, now it’s your turn.

“We’ve come to help!!!”

Grace, who had approached before I knew it, stunned the Black Mage who was still breathing and threw a dagger at the Red Goblin hidden inside the door.

Simultaneously, Luca slashed the Black Mage’s remaining minions.

Hans blocked the half-assembled Orc Berserker, and Cairek pierced the Orc Berserker’s body.

Watching the situation resolve instantly, I wiped away cold sweat.

“Easy.”

From now on, I should absolutely never act alone.

Just as I was making that resolution.

Rumblerumblerumble!!!

The spire began to shake.

The 10 doors merged into one, becoming a single door.

“Oh dear.”

Exhausted, I wanted to sit down right there, but.

It wasn’t over yet.

“We’ve captured the Black Mage!!!”

The Black Mage who had lost consciousness and fallen.

Because I need to get information from him.

Immediately extend my senses and examine the magic inscribed on the Black Mage.

Magic that kills without being able to extract information.

Last time when I met them on the 2nd floor, I couldn’t find out anything because of this.

But then and now are different. My skill has also improved.

Since I also tried dispelling the magic that bound Grace.

Immediately read the inscribed magic.

Reading it closely, it wasn’t Black Magic.

Surprisingly, it was the shape of orthodox magic.

However, even though I figured out what it was, I couldn’t dispel it.

It felt like I could dispel it, but couldn’t.

The level was still too high for me to figure out.

I shook my head.

“I don’t think I can dispel it yet.”

“That’s a shame.”

Grace slit the Black Mage’s throat.

According to the result of their contract with their god, the body doesn’t remain and disappears.

Watching that blankly, I made a plan.

‘I should try learning magic properly at the Magic Tower.’

For some reason, I felt like if I did that, I’d be able to extract information from Black Mages.

*

After catching the 11th-floor elite monster, there were no problems.

Even when I met the 22nd-floor boss monster golem.

“Right!! This is the golem I originally knew!!”

“That’s right. It’s different from the one we fought last time.”

Unlike before when a cubic golem stubbornly blocked the front of the stairs.

The golem originally existing on the 4th floor was a bipedal golem.

Moreover, one that walks around openly showing its core.

There was no big problem with hunting either.

Because it was defeated with just 2 shots of Cairek’s harpoon arrow.

“Those Black Mage bastards did this to such an easy guy……!!”

Grace raging.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but laugh as I was properly collecting the dropped cards and magic stones.

“Well, we lived, so it doesn’t matter.”

“That’s right.”

People tend to think lightly of things that have passed.

After breaking through the 22nd floor, we slept for a night and rested.

The next day.

We stood before the door leading to the 5th floor.

“Th- Then, are you ready?”

Smiling as I looked at Grace, who was very nervous.

“Why are you so nervous? We went there once before.”

“That time I was unconscious, so it doesn’t count. This is the first time.”

“…Agreed. That time, we came out as soon as we entered. It didn’t even feel like we saw anything.”

“There won’t be a saintess waiting in front this time, right?!!”

“Surely not, that’s unlikely.”

We are relaxing by chatting about various things, but.

It’s natural to think this is the first time going there, since the 3-minute glimpse of the 5th floor last time wasn’t really going there.

In fact, only Cairek among us has experience.

I wasn’t much different either.

Because I was unnecessarily fiddling with my cards, tap! tap!, due to nervousness.

“Nothing major will happen, right?”

Something major always happened when I said things like this, but.

Surely not.

“Then, I will open the door!!!”

Our charge leader, Hans, opens the door.

White light bursts out, enveloping our bodies.

Whoooosh!!!!

A strong blizzard hits our bodies.

Opening my eyes, a space entirely covered in snow welcomed us.

[Severe Cold Zone]

It was the moment we finally set foot on the 5th floor of the labyrinth.