Fwoosh!
Flames spread in all directions.
The flames heated the iron bars to a red glow as they approached me. I felt the heat on my skin. Even with my Flame Resistance, the heat was considerable. However...
I took a light step to the right and then leaped forward.
The flames chased after me, but it was too late. My blade was already at Iolka's throat. Iolka waved her hand with a displeased expression, and the flames vanished.
"Too slow. Can't you do it faster?"
"Didn't you tell me to increase the firepower first? While you cover my back?"
"I said that too, but it doesn't hurt to learn this."
I grinned and retracted my sword.
That marked my 10th victory. What I learned from several spars was that Iolka was useless fighting alone. Thanks to steady stat gains, her magic power had roughly doubled since the beginning, but her control remained the same. Lacking decent defensive magic, it was enough to engage in a speed battle and exploit her openings.
'It's about time she learned some chanting skills.'
Currently, Iolka needed skills like Multi-Chant or High-Speed Chant.
High-Speed Chant could drastically reduce casting time, and learning Multi-Chant would allow her to mix Psychokinesis with Flame magic for flexibility. This was the goal I had advised, and Iolka had agreed.
"My turn."
Velkist, who had been standing outside the arena, rushed in.
He already had his sword drawn.
"You guys don't give me any breaks."
"Watching was making me antsy," Velkist retorted.
"Alright, alright. Both of you come at me. I don't want to waste time."
Velkist looked at Iolka and raised an eyebrow. "I don't like fighting alongside a mage."
"If you dislike Miss Nerissa and me too, then who do you like fighting with?" Iolka shot back.
"I'd rather not answer."
"So prickly!"
Despite their grumbling, the two took their stances.
Velkist had also mastered Flame Resistance a few days ago. At the very least, he wouldn't get caught up in Iolka's magic. I settled into my stance.
"Here I come." Velkist's eyes narrowed.
Instantly, his form blurred and rushed to the left. From the right, Iolka's flames, conjured silently, surged forward. At first glance, it looked like a clumsy pincer attack, but the timing was precise. I brought out my shield and waited for the incoming attacks.
After the morning session ended that way...
[Skill Awakening!]
['Velkist (★★)'s 'Low-Rank Swordsmanship' has reached Lv.5!]
Velkist had raised his weapon skill level to 5.
His growth rate was considerable. His talent was excellent, and his efforts matched it. His willpower and patience were also strong. It was inevitable he'd progress quickly.
'My turn soon, too.'
It had been quite some time since my own weapon skill reached level 7.
I could feel it was time for it to rise. With just a slight trigger, I would break through to 8 and set foot into Intermediate Weapon Arts.
There's a vast difference between Low-Rank and Intermediate weapon skills.
Furthermore, along with a trained body, weapon skill was the most fundamental base. No matter how many miscellaneous skills one had, low weapon skill made one an empty shell.
Thwang!
In the archery range, Jenna was drawing her bow.
She wasn't using the small bow she had used until now, but a large one that covered her entire upper body. A heavy sound echoed each time she drew the string. The arrow struck the target 100 meters away sharply.
Her handling was different from when she used the shortbow.
Jenna's middle finger was stained with blood – injured from drawing the thick, heavy bowstring.
Thwang!
A second arrow embedded itself right in the center of the previous one.
Precise and elaborate skill, close to sniping. She had grasped the method without anyone explicitly teaching her. The power was incomparable to the shortbow. She would likely master the Power Shot skill soon.
In a resting area at one side of the training ground, Aaron and Usher clashed, spear against sword.
Both had weapon skill level 4. Until this morning, they were the same as Velkist, but now they had been surpassed.
"I can certainly feel the difference," Velkist commented from his seat, a wry smile on his face. Besides weapon skill, he had also raised his Insight level.
"I see everything clearly. If it were me, I could win within five minutes."
"Don't boast just because you leveled up once. Still far to go."
"Well, I suppose so."
There was only one sparring arena in the 2nd-floor training center.
Since Party 2 used it as well, we couldn't monopolize it indefinitely. We shared it according to a schedule.
Of course, we used it most of the time.
Because Party 1's leveling [for this section] was already complete. I whispered softly, 'Status window.'
[Han Yisrat(★★) Lv. 19(Exp 42/150)]
[Class : Novice]
[Strength : 43/43]
[Intelligence : 10/10]
[Stamina : 39/39]
[Agility : 37/37]
[ 보유 스킬 : Low-Rank Sword & Shield Arts(Lv.7), Mind's Eye(Lv.5), Flame Resistance(Lv.3), Pain Resistance(Lv.4), Composure(Lv.5), Berserk(Lv.4), Stealthy Movement(Lv.1), Horsemanship(Lv.1)]
My current level is 19.
Strength easily surpassed 40, and Stamina and Agility were close behind.
Flame Resistance, Composure, and Berserk had each gained 1 level.
Less than one full level remained until 20, the threshold for 3-star promotion and class change.
'...'
I tightened my grip on the water cup in my hand.
Crrunch.
The metal cup crumpled like paper. I placed the mangled piece of metal on the table. It would restore itself after a short wait.
'Something's a bit strange.'
Since promoting to 2-star, my stat gains had fluctuated between 5 and 6 points per level. 5 was the average for a 3-star, and 6 was the average for a 4-star. My total combined stats were already beyond that of a 2-star. Enough that another Master seeing my stats might laugh it off as manipulation.
Exercising wasn't effective unless I wore sandbags close to 30kg.
My 100-meter dash time approached 8 seconds. I could do handstand push-ups endlessly. If my body was previously near the peak of human limits, now it clearly surpassed human boundaries.
And most importantly,
each time I swung my sword, I felt something different.
I realized this right after changing class to 2-star. While using sword and shield together felt natural before, it was gradually becoming slightly unnatural now.
'Is it time to ditch the shield?'
I lack aptitude with shields.
The fact I haven't learned any defense-related skills makes that clear. Once Floor 20 is cleared and I have some leeway, I'll probably need to separate the skills.
[Party 2, gather in the plaza!]
Yisel's voice calling Party 2 echoed.
A summons following yesterday's. It seemed she intended to put them through the Floor 18 grind like us.
"Not much time left until the deployment," I announced, rising from my chair.
The crumpled cup was already back to normal. Velkist stood up as well.
"We'll go as soon as Party 2 reaches an adequate level. Prepare yourself so you have no regrets."
"You be careful too, Senior. It'd be troublesome if I caught up to you."
"I admire your confidence, at least." I grinned and drew my sword from its sheath.
Iolka was in the Magic Hall, researching books related to casting in the library.
That night.
[Skill Awakening!]
['Han (★★)'s 'Low-Rank Sword & Shield Arts' has reached Lv.8!]
I broke through to weapon skill level 8.
Even while I trained, preparations for the climb proceeded steadily.
The latest equipment crafted was D+ rank leather armor. Considering the materials, it was quite a decent grade. Several sets of leather armor were made and distributed to Party 1 and Party 2. Besides that, Amkena continuously crafted consumables like throwing daggers, antidotes, and healing potions.
Useful talents steadily arrived on the 2nd floor.
First, an apothecary who could create healing potions. She was assigned to the Magic Hall.
Next, Dika, now an instructor, also returned to the 2nd floor. Dika came to me, bowing repeatedly, thanking me for recommending him for the instructor role. Additionally, a few assistants for support roles were mixed in.
Party 3 also began full-scale operations.
Party 3 was climbing at a steep pace, surpassing even Party 2.
It was a logical measure. There was a possibility Party 3 might also be needed for the Floor 20 clear. Perhaps after this upcoming clear, they would join the 2nd floor not just as a promising group, but as a formal clearing party following Party 2.
'She's preparing diligently for Floor 20.'
Floor 20 is difficult.
If she saw the guide I sent, she couldn't possibly not know.
I had quite a bit of trouble on Floor 20 myself, suffering exactly three total party wipes. But here, we couldn't afford even a single failure. Not just on Floor 20, but in all missions that follow.
I knew better than anyone how absurd this condition was, but I had no intention of giving up.
Use everything available.
Survive and return to Earth.
My goal, unchanged since arriving here.
'Whatever happens.'
I closed the file.
Inside were records of boss fight types and various patterns. I couldn't know exactly which one would appear, but I had memorized most of the clear strategies.
I looked up at the sky.
It was shrouded in a whitish darkness.
A time when everyone should be asleep. The dead of night had passed into deep dawn.
Deployment would likely be tomorrow.
Party 2 finished their leveling yesterday.
Enhanced equipment had also been fully distributed. Everyone sensed it.
'Predictable timing is good, though.' I smiled lightly.
I used to do the same thing – give unspoken signals before a major clear attempt.
Then, the next day, the Heroes would come prepared on their own.
In the morning, I addressed the people gathered in the dining hall.
"No training today. Stand by until evening. Don't needlessly exert yourselves."
All members of Party 1 and Party 2 were gathered in the dining hall.
"Report if there are any issues. Like if you're utterly terrified and can't go out. Then I'll actively speak up for you."
"To request Synthesis, you mean?" Velkist chuckled.
"Was I that obvious?"
"It's scary because it doesn't sound like a joke," Edyth interjected.
"Party 2, ready?" I looked at Edyth and asked. Behind her sat the members of Party 2, including Roderick and Aaron, in sequence.
"Mostly. We should be able to deploy."
"You guys are going out this time too. It's different from Floor 15."
"I know."
'And though not present here, Party 3 as well.'
Looking over the faces of the Heroes, I opened my mouth.
"There'll be some time before the Master logs in. Finish any undone business. Write a will, whatever. Anyone who writes a will, if they die, I'll find it and tear it up myself."
"We'll be able to return safely from this mission too, right?" Edyth looked at me, anxiety in her eyes.
I smirked. "If you do your job properly."
I stood up from my seat.
Taking this as a signal, people began to rise one by one and disperse. Some headed to the kitchen to order tasty food, others towards the dorms. A few groups went towards the lounge. And amidst this, someone was actually writing a will.
"Are you really writing one?"
"None of your business! Mind your own!" Iolka stuck out her tongue. She folded the paper quickly and headed towards her room, likely to finish writing it there. The dining hall emptied in less than a minute.
I spoke to Aaron, who had remained quietly seated. "Make sure I don't break my promise [about taking him to Niflheim]."
Aaron smiled faintly and gripped his spear. "I have absolutely no intention of dying."
"Good to hear."
"Where are you going, Hyung-nim?"
"I'm going to take a nap."
Naturally, I had no intention of doing something so leisurely.
I planned to review the materials one more time in my room. Until Amkena logged in.
Floor 20 was right before us.