Infinite Competitive Dungeon Society Chapter 31-32

Chapter 31. From Today, I’m an Official Explorer (1)

Since I had already gotten the Elementalist cla.s.s, I had forgotten about it. I left the pocket watch stuffed into my inventory and never looked at it. But to think it would turn out like this. As always, the best feeling came from unexpected gains.

More importantly, it was a subcla.s.s. Unlike the Elementalist cla.s.s, it did not grant me any amazing abilities that changed the way I fought. That said, it would have been weird if my cla.s.s changed from Elementalist to something else. Being able to use Orc Lord's Warcry, Vengeful Spirit's Wail, and other equipment set skills without having to equip them was certainly beneficial.

Not to mention, the cla.s.s pa.s.sive skill 'Spirit of the Collector!' Although this skill seemed to rely on luck for the most part, it was clear that the skill would not be harmful in any way. As a pa.s.sive skill, it would help me for a long time.

After organizing my thoughts, I hurriedly took out the pocket watch. The pocket watch was shining with dazzling light from the jewels on the lid. It was as if a switch had been turned on.

The moment I opened the lid, the minute hand, which was between 11 and 12 o'clock positions, suddenly began spinning. At the same time, I heard a voice in my ear.

[You used the skill, 'Endow Skill.' You currently possess 3 skill equipment. Which of them would you like to endow?]

[1. Orc Lord's Warcry
2. Vengeful Spirit's Wail
3. Dark Thunder Explosion]

"Wow."

Although it wasn't like I had doubted it, but I could not help but smile seeing it with my own eyes. Without erasing the smile from my face, I spoke out.

"Orc Lord's Warcry."

[Designate the hour.]

"Hour? Ah, it's asking where. Then 1 o'clock."

As soon as the word left my word, the Orc Lord Set flew out of my inventory and fell on the ground. Then, the Orc Lord Set began to shine with red light. Soon, a red jewel flew up amidst the red light and went into the pocket watch.

Thinking I was being attacked, I almost let go of the pocket watch. But seeing that I was unhurt, I turned my gaze toward the pocket watch. The spinning minute hand had stopped and was now fixed on the 1 o'clock position. A red jewel was embedded there, replacing the number 1.

I now realized that these holes weren't actual holes where something came off. They were empty sockets where skills would be embedded.

"Vengeful Spirit's Wail."

Like before, the Wraith Queen Set shone with a gloomy grey light and spit out a grey jewel. It then entered the 2 o'clock socket. I continued with the Dark Ratman Set, which went into the 3 o'clock socket. For some reason, however, the jewel was yellow. Was it because lighting was yellow? But it's called dark thunder… how mysterious.

"Hu, so this means I don't need to wear the full set anymore. Though, since the Dark Ratman Set is the best, I'll continue wearing it."

It increased my strength and dexterity by 10 points each. That was a stat bonus equivalent to 4 whole levels! The Dark Ratman was comparatively difficult to solo, but I had also gained a lot from doing so. Feeling all around happy, I smiled from ear to ear as I patted Peika's head.

[Stop, my hair will get tangled.]

Since Peika said it while flushing her cheeks and twisting her body, I continued to pat her.

Hm? Why did I feel like I was forgetting something?

"Oh yeah, the reward."

The reward from defeating the Floor Master alone. I had almost forgotten about it. When I checked, it was a Return Magic Book. Return? Tilting my head, I used it immediately.

[You learned the Return skill. Using 80 percent of your remaining mana, you can teleport to any predetermined location. You can bring up to two people. You can only choose two locations at any given time, and you must have visited these locations before. You can only use this skill twice a day. You can change these locations every two weeks. The number of locations and the number of times Return can be used will increase with levels.]

[You cannot bring non-dungeon explorers to the dungeon.]

[You cannot bring those belonging to other worlds into your own.]

'Geez, why is there so many twos!? It's easy to memorize at least. Wait, now that I think about it, this skill…'

"It's… amazing."

There was no better skill for going to and from school! Imagining myself teleporting to the school and teleporting back as soon as cla.s.ses ended, I could not hide my excitement.

'Ah, going from school to home should be easy since I can just go into the restroom, but the other way would be hard… I'll need to look for a secluded area at school. Well, I'll think about this later.'

[Name: Kang Shin Race: Human s.e.x: Male
Cla.s.s: Elementalist (Sub - Skill Collector) t.i.tle: Dark Ratman Slayer Rank: Bronze 1
Level: 20
HP - 5,870/5,870 MP - 3,860/3,860
Strength - 55(+15) Dexterity - 49(+13) Const.i.tution - 59(+3)
Intelligence - 20(+3) Magic - 74(+3) Charm - 43(+3) Luck - 20(+3)
Normal Skill - Mid-rank Martial Arts (Lv 9), High-rank Spear Technique (Lv 4), Peruta Circuit (Lv 3), Mid-rank Heroic Strike (Lv 2), Low-rank Provoke (Lv 7), Return (Lv 1), Deific Manifestation.
Cla.s.s Skill - Low-rank Spirit Mastery (Lv 5), Low-rank Spirit Aura (Lv 1), Low-rank Elemental Control (Lv 1), Low-rank Elemental Contract (Lv 2), Low-rank Elemental Tempest (Lv 5)
Subcla.s.s Skill - Endow Skill, Spirit of the Collector]

Huu. Now that I looked at my status, one thing stood out in particular. It was that my highest stat was magic. It was because I received bonus magic stats when I became an Elementalist and a Skill Collector.

Of course, since magic could strengthen spear techniques, it was not a bad thing. Other close-combat cla.s.ses most likely received bonus strength, dexterity, or const.i.tution stats. But the compressing elixirs I consumed easily covered that difference. Not to mention, the bonus from the Dark Ratman Set should have made me surpa.s.s them. I knew for certain that equipment that raised strength and dexterity by 10 were rare.

When I visited the Floor Shop afterwards, Loretta was smiling without saying anything. Even when I showed her my sparkling pocket watch, she seemed to have expected it as she maintained her tranquil smile. Her leisure irritated me for no apparent reason.

"So you'll be challenging the 20th Floor Master next."

"Yes, although I won't go for a complete conquer until I'm level 25."

At my words, Loretta seemed to ponder over something, then said, "Customer, the 20th Floor Master, Lizard Knight, is a monster that separates the Bronze rank and the Silver rank. It is a cruel and formidable monster that slaughters explorers who do not meet the qualifications to rise to the Silver rank."

"Is that so? But why are you telling me this?"

"For customer, it might be easier to defeat the Lizard Knight than the Dark Ratman."

"Why is that?"

Loreta stayed silent for a moment before she opened her mouth again.

"Customer, if the Dark Ratman appeared with a stronger defense, but without its ratmen minions, what would you have done?"

"I probably could have defeated it at level 15. I would just have to dodge its skill."

There was only one reason the Dark Ratman fight was so hard. It was because of how difficult it was to fight the fierce ratmen minions while dodging the Dark Ratman's lightning. But if there were no ratmen minions to worry about, defeating the Dark Ratman would have been easy. In fact, it might have been easier than the Wraith Queen fight. No matter how much its defense increased, it would not stand a chance against my skills. I just had to use it a couple more times.

But at my answer, Loretta became speechless and stared at me fixedly. When I gave her the 'why are you looking at me' face, she cleared her throat and continued.

"That's exactly how the Lizard Knight is. He does not have any minions that fight for him. However, he is strong, fast, and robust. With these qualities, he has forced countless explorers to kneel and despair. But if customer is confident, it would be fun to challenge him alone."

"Dare to adventure. That's what you're saying, right?"

"Do you remember what I told you? That the fruit of adventure is always sweet."

Loretta was giving me a hint. But what did she mean by the fruit of adventure being sweet? The t.i.tle of Lizard Knight Slayer should be the same no matter when I earned it. What difference was there in getting it now or later?

Ah.

"Don't tell me, there's a difference if I succeed in a solo raid in my challenge?"

"Who knows? Hwi hwi~!"

Loretta avoided my gaze as she whistled. It was obvious to the point it was doubtful, but Loretta had never said anything to put me at a disadvantage. She did try to con me into buying more items though.

… Could I trust her?

"One more thing, customer."

As I was wondering whether a mere level 20 adventurer like me should try to do something that doesn't seem particularly appealing, Loretta added, as if to put the nail on the coffin.

"The 'first' is always special."

The first. I felt a strong attraction to that word. It also implied that I had never truly been the first. Being the idiot that I am, I felt my pride being provoked. Even her eyes seemed to be saying 'you can't even do this?'

"Alright, I'll do it. The first."

Loretta stared into my eyes for a moment before flushing her cheeks and turning away. Then, she shouted as she took something out of her pocket.

"Then here's an offer from the Floor Shop, customer! This here is a magical item that holds down the enemy's movement for 5 seconds! Now it's only 10,000 gold!"

"I'm not buying it."

"Why!?"

I'll challenge it. At level 20, I will solo the 20th Floor Master! Without that magical item, of course!

Author’s note: Mastered lower-ranked skills have been removed from that status to avoid cluttering!

Chapter 32. From Today, I’m an Official Explorer (2)

Trusting Loretta's words, I stood in front of the door to the 20th Floor Master and ignored the recommendation to find a party. I put my hand on the door, but soon took it off again. No matter how easy Loretta said the Lizard Knight would be, if I went in blindly, I might face the same situation as I had with Orc Lord 4 years ago.

Instead, I sent somebody a message. Thankfully, he was in the dungeon.

"Ellos."

[Oh, Shin. What's up?]

"I want to ask you about the Lizard Knight."

[Wow, you're already on the 20th floor? Amazing. You might really end up meeting us on the 25th floor.]

"Of course I will. More importantly, tell me about Lizard Knight's fighting style or skills."

Normally, I learned these things through experiencing them directly. But now, I was in a situation where I had to defeat it on my first try. Since Loretta guaranteed a hefty reward, I had to defeat it even if I had to break my usual style.

[You usually don't ask these things. I wonder what happened. Well, I'll tell you anyways. Lizard Knight appears alone unlike the other Floor Masters, and wears a set of scaled armor made from its own scales. With it, he has a truly formidable defensive power. He uses an incredibly swift and powerful spear. If anyone who's not a tank is. .h.i.t by it, they will most likely be half killed.]

"Hm, fast and powerful…"

[And if a lot of people jump at him at once, he suddenly swipes with his tail. This attack has a bigger range that you'd think. Not to mention, it hurts incredibly. Watch out for it.]

"Actually, that seems like something I can exploit. What else?"

[Oh, yeah. When he feels like he's at a disadvantage, he strikes down on the ground with his spear. The ground then rumbles and a huge damage is dealt to all explorers touching the ground. You need to dodge this one for sure.]

"He strikes down on the ground with his spear? So I can just dodge it by jumping?"

[Yep. But if you do, he immediately attacks you with a spear thrust, so be careful.]

"Alright. What else?"

[After that attack, he uses a skill called Dragon Skin. His body becomes red and incredibly tough. For the next 5 minutes, no attack will work on it. The worst part is that he continuously strikes down on the ground in that state.]

"That does sound bad. Wait, his armor gets harder too?"

[Yep. That's what makes it so troublesome. Neither physical nor magical attacks work when he's in that state. But if you last long enough for Dragon Skin to end, your victory is mostly secured. Because when Dragon Skin runs out, he's exhausted. All the party members can just throw out their attacks and kill it.]

"How many tries did it take you?"

[… 7 tries. For the record, that's considered outstanding. It's even considered good if you defeat him in 20 or 30 tries.]

"Haha, thanks. I'll contact you again once it ends."

[Kuk, you mean you have the confidence to beat him on your first try. Alright, we'll see.]

I ended my conversation with Ellos and grinned. It tooks Ellos 7 tries with a party of 10 to defeat the Lizard Knight. He would never expect that I'd try to defeat the lizard alone.

[Master can do it! Because I'm here!]

"Yeah, I can do it. Because Peika is here."

I formed a plan based on what Ellos told me. After checking over it multiple times, I nodded my head and boldly opened the door.

"Fight me, Lizard Knight!"

"… A human."

The Lizard Knight was standing alone in the s.p.a.cious room. He was about 2.3 meters tall, and as Ellos said, on top of his scaled body was a set of full body armor made from its own scales. In its hand was a 5 meter long spear with a razor sharp head.

"You are challenging me alone? This is a first."

"Yeah, I am."

I smiled at him. He was trying to look cool unlike the other Floor Masters, but to me, he was no different.

When I first heard Ellos's description of him, I was nervous. I had once imagined what would happen when monsters, who were born strong, took the time to train in martial arts. However, that wasn't the case for the Lizard Knight.

In fact, he fell below my expectations. I could tell from the fact that he had not taken even the most basic stance. It was likely the result of easy growth from his natural-borne strength. How foolish.

'I'll show you what a truly spearman is.'

I held my spear up and took my stance.

"Peika, can you go inside?"

[I like the way you asked!]

At the same time Peika nodded her head looking pleased, I activated Spirit Aura. She was sucked into my spear in an instant, and my Orc Lord's Glaive began to flicker with sparks. 'You worked hard too. I'll let you rest soon.'

"You, you're a spearman. Great."

"Yes, it's great. Great indeed."

I was father's one and only disciple. No matter how busy I was as a dungeon explorer, as father's son, I often had friendly matches with rising stars in Korean martial arts. Father ran a dojang that was in name only, and one of the only times we actually used it was when we held friendly compet.i.tions.

I didn't know anything about the validity of father's claims as being undefeated or strongest on Earth.

However, I knew that I had never lost in a formal match.

"Haap!"

"Die!"

When I charged at the Lizard Knight, he opened his vertically slit pupils wide and thrust out with his spear fiercely. However, the spear Ellos described as swift was lackl.u.s.ter, almost like the swing of a baby. I easily dodged his attack and stabbed the center of his armor.

"Kuk! For a human, you aren't so bad!"

"This is the 5th time I've heard that since I came to the dungeon, Lizardman!"

Even as I retorted, I continued to attack. Repeatedly stabbing his armor with my spear, I made sure that the shock damaged him. Realizing what situation he was in, the Lizard Knight tried to step aside, but I followed his movements tightly and continued to attack.

Although I knew my attacks would not pierce his skin, I knew Peika's lightning was effective. Electric sparks flickered on his armor, slowly breaking it.

"Kuk! Human, you were an Elementalist! You tricked me!"

"I said I was a spearman, I never said I wasn't an Elementalist!"

"Kuhaaaap!"

He let out a rough shout as it swung forward with his spear. Of course, that was within my expectations. I ducked in a hurry, and ran forward into him. At the same time, my spear was shining out with white light.

"Heroic Strike!"

"Kuk!"

Parts of his armor broke off and flew into the air. The Lizard Knight himself also flew back and hit the wall. When I was about to run after him, he seemingly ignored the shock from hitting the wall as he stood tall and spit out blood. At least he knew how to look cool.

"Kukuku, not bad. To think you could drive me into a corner like this…"

"Stop blabbering and come! I'll show you my strength!"

[You used Orc Lord's Warcry! All party members are cleansed of negative status effects. All party members' attack power increases by 50 percent for the duration. All party members become super-armored, unfazed by enemy attacks.]

"Kuk, what is this loud noise!?"

"Good question."

As I approached him, I shouted.

"Dark Thunder Explosion!"

"Kuk!?"

Black lightning shot out from my body and struck the Lizard Knight. Although it tried to jump back in surprise, having taken the initial hit, it could no longer dodge the attack.

"Die!"

Although I did not think it would die with just this, I shouted out in hopes that it would. Immediately afterwards, countless bolts of lightning shot out from my body enough to block out my vision. Even with Floor Master's st.u.r.diness, it seemed impossible to endure an attack of such scale as the Lizard Knight screamed out in pain.

"Kuaaak! W-What's this!?"

"It's my skill. Eat up!"

Even though I had never lost a formal match, this was the dungeon. It was natural to fight the explorer's way!

Dark Thunder Explosion was truly powerful. Perhaps it was because of the 50 percent boost from Orc Lord's Warcry, but when the Lizard Knight emerged after being swept by the flood of lightning, its armor was almost entirely worn out. In addition, I could see blood spurting out from parts of its body.

"Kuk, Human! I won't forgive you!"

'Eh? He's already using it?'

The Lizard Knight raised his spear up high and struck down. It was the earthquake attack. What followed would be Dragon Skin. Ellos said I just had to endure for 5 minutes.

'You're wrong, Ellos.'

"Tempest!"

I shot out Tempest, aiming at its spear. Almost in an anticlimactic way, Tempest forced Lizard Knight to drop his spear. In an instant, the Lizard Knight made a panicked expression.

This was a chance. A chance to beat it to death.

"Die!"

I did not need to use any skills. While he stood blankly in place, I stabbed forward with my lightning clad spear. First, I destroyed the armor that barely hung on his body. Then, before he could snap out of his daze, I crushed his knees and his right arm.

As I swung my spear at his left arm, he cried out in pain and used Dragon Skin, blocking my attack. However, it was too late. Three of his four limbs were no longer in a state to fight.

'See, Ellos, it's as I thought.'

If he knew the Lizard Knight would use Dragon Skin after the earthquake attack, why would he just leave it to use it freely? I knew from my own experience with using skills that they had clear openings.

As such, before I used any of my skills, I made sure to put myself in the super-armor state with Orc Lord's Warcry, or to immobilize the enemies with Vengeful Spirit's Wail, or to be at a good distance away from the enemies. If I could not do any of the above, I made sure to mix in my skill with my normal attacks as well as possible to ensure I was safe from counterattacks. Of course, even with all that, I could not say I was 100 percent safe. That was the nature of skills.

Although the skills Floor Masters used were extremely powerful, they had their moment of weakness. And as long as there was even a single weakness, I could exploit it. In truth, it was shocking that someone like Ellos failed to see through it. It seemed I needed to tell him about it later.

"Kuk, you! I will kill you! Try attacking me!"

After activating Dragon Skin, the Lizard Knight flashed his crooked teeth and provoked me. With a snort, I picked up its spear and threw it far away. Then, I deactivated Spirit Aura and threw my spear down.

"Human?"

"I'm a martial artist. I don't just know spearmanship."

Of course, I didn't tell it that I learned martial arts because I liked the feeling of beating people up with my bare hands!