About thirty explorers were gathered under a huge mirror that radiated a red light. The symbol of a blue wolf on each of their chests meant that they belonged to a clan.
«Shift change!»
Shouting from a man, one of the teams lined up in front of the mirror changed seats with those who had finished their breaks. They began mechanically hunting the monsters that appeared from the mirror, a vision that all the explorers on the fifth floor had seen before.
«...Let's go somewhere else». The explorers who arrived at this place by chance saw them and, dejected, turned around. They were used to this. The entire fifth floor was like this.
«Stop! From this point on it is the domain of the Snow Wolf Clan. Please go somewhere else».
For an ordinary team, it would be impossible to resist. Most of the great clans on the fifth floor were made up of scouts skilled enough to be active on the sixth floor. These skilled individuals were killing time on the fifth floor for a reason: The sixth floor was dominated by even larger clans. With this method you earned more money.
«Deputy Commander, what is the total supply today?»
Mana stones were obtained by hunting in twenty-four-hour shifts, and anyone who had complaints was forcibly expelled.
«The essence of a Fire Fairy was obtained. Who wants to buy it?»
If a rank 5 essence appeared, it was stored in a test tube and sold in the city. Anything below that range was sold to nearby explorers at a cheaper price. An explorer looking for experience points was treated like a customer in order to maximize profits.
«I'll cast binding magic on you, so get out of the way and don't get into combat».
Thus, they hunted repeatedly, taking the fruits of the labyrinth normally.
«commander! It's a Berthas!»
«What?»
The man who was resting in the rear and commanding the clan quickly stood up and approached the mirror. Beyond was a monster.
«Kwohhhhhh!» Two horns sprouted from his forehead and his muscular body measured more than three meters. Berthas was a devilish type monster with a torso covered in black wings and four arms.
«This must be our lucky day». The corners of the man's lips curved. It was the first time they had seen this monster in a year.
How much was it sold for last time?
It was only rank 5, but because its scarcity was recognized, he remembered that it was sold to the magic tower for a high price. The mana stone supply was falling below standard in this exploration, but this should be enough to compensate for the loss.
«Everyone, in training!»
The man pulled out his own gun after a long time and stood in front. So, they waited for the Berthas to fully emerge from beyond the mirror.
«It's coming!»
A giant foot slowly spread through the door. The clansmen's eyes flashed with anticipation. None of them were worried about the battle. The mages had completed their highest firepower spells. It may have been strange, but it was still a rank 5 monster, so the battle would end as soon as it appeared. At least, that should have been the case.
«Behell-ahhhhhhhhh!»
A human roar was heard through the mirror. At the same time, the monster that was about to come out turned around and screwed up.
«...Who the hell are they?» The leader could not understand this situation at all.
***
«Behell-ahhhhhhhhh!»
The Berthas turned its head at the same time that I unleashed Wild Burst with all my strength. Soon, the mirror that formed beneath his feet disappeared. Fortunately, the aggro was attracted enough.
Ugh, I thought we lost it.
The monsters of the Hidden World entered the labyrinth through that mirror. Simply put, if he had been a second late, it might have been someone else who had caught that bastard.
«Kwohhhhhh!» As soon as I raised my shield, the monster pounced on me.
Bam!
From what I felt, his strength was less than that of a Troll. Unsurprisingly, this guy didn't live up to his terrifying face. From the looks of it, it looked at least rank 3.
«Mr. Yandel, are you okay?»
«I can handle it, don't worry about me!»
«Everyone except Mr. Yandel, back off. We need to learn his skill first.»
An unknown enemy had been found. Raven was nervous and gave orders for the first time.
It would seem strange if he acted like he knew.
I hoped I could last for hours, so I decided to watch without saying anything. To be honest, a part of me was curious too. What kind of judgment would a magician make in the absence of any prior knowledge?
«Marde Guarjour». The first magic Raven used was Evaluate Mana, the spell used at the checkpoint to convert mana stones. «Fortunately, it's rank 5!»
First, the danger level of the monster was assessed. However, that was all he found out. The rest had to be deduced through live combat.
BOOM!
The monster's fist collided with my shield and an explosion exploded: an ability called Explosive Scars.
«There were no signs of energy movement. I think it's a passive ability...»
First, passive was correct. If so, what were the activation conditions?
Bang! Hit! BOOM!
As the explosions continued one after another beyond my shield, Raven watched the battle with scrutinizing eyes from the rear. Then he came to a conclusion. «Same point! Explosions happen when you hit the same spot!»
Right. I didn't think he realized it so quickly. «So how long are you going to watch?»
«Uh... You seem fine on your own, shouldn't I watch a little more? Miss Karlstein or Ainar could be seriously injured».
Hmm, did that mean I wouldn't? For some reason, tank sadness and pride blossomed at the same time.
«If it gets dangerous, I'll throw you a potion right away!»
«High-ranking?»
«Yes, high-ranking!»
If you say so.
Maybe it depended on my mood, but from what I had experienced, high-ranking potions hurt less. Having resistance to pain didn't mean you couldn't feel pain.
«Oh, he also uses his feathers as arrows. Seeing as the energy doesn't move, I think it's just an individual trait!» Anyway, Raven's voice became much lighter once she came to the conclusion that she was not a very dangerous enemy for our level. «Mr. Yandel, try to hit him with the mace. You may have to hit it to activate it...»
I guess being able to analyze a new monster was nice for her. Since it was the first time I had seen our magician so excited, I obediently followed her instructions.
Crunch!
When I hit one of the four arms with Swing, the joint bent. The wings spread instantly.
«It's a special ability!»
It was one of Berthas' three active abilities, Wings of Greed.
Shaaaaa!
The surrounding air was quickly sucked in like a whirlpool around a drain. After about three seconds of sucking, the wings folded with a snap, and the broken arm healed.
«It's a regenerative ability!» As he watched, Raven had no intention of standing idly by, because he immediately launched Aggravate.
Ugh, I really hope this comes out...
The real value of this type was in the passive, but since we were going to eat an essence, it was better to choose an active one that was also useful.
[Berthas has launched Legion of Hate.]
[Berthas has cast Lightning of Destruction.]
After all, summoning demons and rays of light did not suit a barbarian.
Whoom!
Avoiding the Destroyer Lightning, which took three seconds to launch, I attempted gigantization because I had received permission.
«I think all skills have been confirmed!»
«Uh, so should I go fight now?»
It was the long-awaited moment of defeat.
«Behell-ahhhhh!»
As Ainar wielded his greatsword and annihilated the summoned demons, Mr. Bear and Raven took out their finishers and aimed.
[Abman Urikfried has released Dangerous Material.]
[Arua Raven has cast Thunder Spear rank 5 attack magic.]
This was the ultimate damage ability that not even the Troll, the epitome of resistance, could resist.
Kaboom!
There was a giant explosion and the monster's body turned into light.
[You have defeated a Berthas. EXP +5]
Light particles dispersed with black smoke. Curious about the result, Raven used wind magic to eliminate the smoke. Then, a white essence appeared.
«U-an essence!»
The Wings of Greed he had been longing for had appeared. The odds were only 33.3%, but it really appeared in a single attempt. Suddenly, I was a little nervous. The essence of a rank 5 monster had appeared. Therefore, there were two options: keep it in a test tube and sell it, or have a person on the team pay for it and absorb it.
«What are you going to do?»
«I think Ainar should take this.»
«Hey? I?»
Everyone ignored Ainar's commotion. Although I was part of this incident, I was a man who would become Lord Barbarian in the future. Simply put, I could represent all the barbarians.
«Hmmm... Although we haven't even confirmed what kind of essence it is?»
The monster's abilities were confirmed throughout the battle. However, the skill contained in the essence could only be known after consumption. Furthermore, the basic statistics attached to the essence were as important as skill.
«With that in mind, I hope you make it cheaper».
«How much?
«16 million stones».
When I made a preventive proposal, Ainar jumped. «16 million stones?!»
«Ainar, please shut up. Bjorrrn is speaking. Bjorrrn is speaking.»
«Okay!»
The conversation was interrupted, but Raven didn't even smile and continued with a serious expression. «Divided by four, I only get 4 million stones». As expected, it didn't work. That's why he had suggested 16 million. «I think the amount is too low. He was such a strange monster that I didn't even know him. More importantly, if I keep it in a test tube and sell it, 40% is my share.»
«...Instead, I'll let you investigate.»
«Are you selling me the magician?»
«Hmm, just like you did before?» Now she seemed interested. After all, research was better than money for a magician.
Gaining momentum, I drew the cards I had prepared successively without testing the ground further. «Also, if you keep it in a test tube and cast distortion magic, you will no longer be able to use it». In a word, wouldn't it be a waste to use distortion magic here when you could discover treasure?
Raven seemed to covet him and nodded. «Although there are only a few days left... The possibility definitely cannot be ruled out». Well, it seemed like convincing her was over. Next, it was Mr. Bear's turn. «What do you want to do, Mr. Urikfried? I can make up for the loss with research, but-»
«I don't care. Haven't I won enough already? We only came here because Bjorn discovered that creature in the first place».
«Well, that's true, but... Are you sure about that? We don't know how much it will sell for».
«That's why I don't care. If the barbarian girl gets stronger, it will be good for us too.»
«Okay, so we're done here.»
Now, Ainar had to pay 4 million stones each to Mr. Bear and Raven back in town. He won a lot this time, but he would have to go white again. «Now, hurry up and grab it before it disappears».
Still, Ainar seemed happy with a new essence as he took it without resistance.
[The Essence of Berthas has seeped into Ainar Fenelin's soul].
As soon as it came into contact with his skin, the puddle of light filtered out instantly. Raven's eyes lit up with curiosity. «Well, what does it feel like? What is the most notable change?»
«Hey... I feel stronger, I think...».
«Hmm, ambiguous. I'll have to research the statistics in the city. Why don't you try using the special ability?»
«Special ability?»
«Oh, maybe it's hard to imagine». Raven then advised him to remember the three abilities of the Berthas from before and use his mana. «You can also try saying a line. This is how we learn magic for the first time».
«Hey... then I'll try it». Under Raven's instructions, Ainar attempted Berthas' abilities one by one. Summoner, Legion of Hate: «Come out! Damn bastards!» Long Range Attack Skill, Lightning of Destruction: «Arrgh!» Wings of Greed: «Wings!»
Alas!
Wings of light unfold behind him: Barbarian (Female) Valkyrie mode. «Have I become a Valkyrie?». Ainar looked around and down at his appearance for a while, and then exclaimed with a pleased face: «Behell-ahhhhhhh!».
Thank goodness he liked it.