ch21-ch40 · 039-ch39

Chapter 39: Floor 19 Grinding

When I came to the 19th floor yesterday, I didn't manage to defeat the Orc Knight.

I exchanged blows as we passed each other, but I probably didn't land a fatal blow.

Do monsters recover if you leave them alone?

The answer is yes, they do.

No, to be precise, they depop and respawn elsewhere.

Injured monsters disappear from sight as long as no one is nearby, in the same way that items and corpses get absorbed by the dungeon.

And then, whether it's the same individual or not, a new monster respawns.

There's a limit to the number of monsters that appear on each floor.

I've taken advantage of this to trap the maximum number of monsters without killing them on Floor 1.

Since they're constantly being watched, even if injured, they don't depop.

Therefore, no new monsters appear on Floor 1.

Not many people pass through the 19th floor of the Chiba Dungeon.

Probably just one party per day.

The Orc Knight I injured should have recovered by now.

I'd like to fight it one-on-one, but the Watchman Orc gets in the way.

First, I'll defeat the Watchman Orc.

Then I'll use [Gate] to cut my target.

After that, I'll just defeat them in order of proximity.

If I can manage to leave the Orc Knight for last, I can have it help me with my PvP training.

...Hmm, I feel like I've gotten stronger.

Not the orcs, but me.

Target cutting after defeating the Watchman Orc.

Up to this point, it's the same as before.

After cutting my target, I defeated the shield-bearer and mage orcs in a state almost like an ambush.

Once that's done, there's no need to run around anymore.

I just need to defeat the ones that come at me.

Right now, there should be no monsters on the hill except for one Knight.

This is what you call getting stronger, or rather, my fighting style has improved.

I've been thinking I want a [Scout]-type sub-job.

Jobs that appear depend on your actions within the dungeon up to that point.

I ran away, hid, and launched surprise attacks.

All of these are typical [Scout] class movements.

This makes me hopeful for the job list when I clear Floor 20.

Oh, the Orc Knight is at its limit, isn't it?

I didn't finish it off and practiced with it a bit, but once it became one-on-one, it wasn't much of a threat.

It was just tough.

The Watchman Orc gathers all the enemies, making the Orc Knight a threat since I can't defeat it in one hit, but that's a different story if I have time.

If I stop moving and aim for the gaps in its armor, I can deal damage easily.

Once it takes damage, its movements slow down, and it shows openings.

Hmm. This didn't really turn out to be PvP training, did it?

On the next hill, I'll leave the shield-bearer alive.

I'll intentionally strike its shield and practice receiving counterattacks with my spear's handle.

Oh, right, before that, I need to collect the magic stones.

Except for the first Watchman Orc I defeated, I should still be in time for the others...

It's around 7 PM now, and it's already getting dark.

I'll stop here for today.

I spent about 2 hours fighting around the hills near the 'Gate to Floor 20'.

I collected plenty of magic stones, but the PvP training wasn't great.

What's the point of intentionally taking attacks I could avoid...?

When I don't react to feints with my spear, is it because I'm unskilled, or are the orcs just too slow...?

On the other hand, I feel like I've gotten much better at surprise attacks.

Maybe I should just defeat Watanabe-san with a surprise attack too...

Stop thinking nonsense, I should use up my MP on Floor 2...

At level 20, my MP is 300.

Even at full power, super mode only lasts 5 minutes.

This should be over quickly.

Ah, I leveled up.

Name: Kasugano Haruki
Job: [Charge Spearman]
Lv: 21

HP: 601/660
MP: 274/315

Strength: 52
Endurance: 52
Agility: 42
Magic: 31

Skill: [Gate]
[Charge・Spear]
[Charge・Spear・Weapon Enhancement・Spear]
[Charge・Spear・Strength Up]
[Charge・Spear・Endurance Up]
[Charge・Spear・Agility Up]
[Charge・Spear・Aiming]

Skill Points: 11

I have 11 skill points left over.

I want new skills, but all of [Charge Spearman]'s skills are too specialized...

I'll look forward to the sub-job.

The super mode training was so-so.

As before, when I use [Charge・Spear・Weapon Enhancement・Spear], the [Charge・Spear] effect ends as soon as the spear touches anything.

But, if I don't use it, I've become able to maintain it even if wood slowly touches the spear tip.

If this trend continues, it seems I can maintain super mode even when using the spear tip for attacks other than thrusting.

Come to think of it, I damaged this tree quite a bit yesterday, but it's recovered.

Its position hasn't changed.

Maybe trees respawn in the same spot even if they depop.

I returned to the Association facility.

For the past 5 days until yesterday, Hiramatsu-san was here at this time, so he probably won't be here today.

What about the gyaru receptionist?

Ah, it's Sato-san.

She's not next to the black gal.

She's a strangely charming older woman.

Her eyes are slightly droopy, and the beauty mark near her mouth is quite charming.

I'm a bit far away, but I can see her well clearly.

Thank you, Status boost.

"I'd like to leave my weapon in your care."

I hand over my weapon and license.

"..."

To Sato-san.

Sato-san silently goes into the back.

The charming older woman is surprised.

She had been watching and noticed me, straightened her posture, and waited.

That's what you call a feint.

The results of my training came out immediately.

Sato-san comes back and presents my license.

"..."

Come on, say something.

"Good work."

Sato-san gives a small nod.

Well, whatever, so she really was the silent type.

Ah, I messed up the order again today.

Valuables locker → changing room → counter.

Also, I don't have a bag to carry the magic stones in.

I'll look for one when I get home.

Alright, I'll take a shower and go home, even though it costs money.

Oh, and Single-Rank members get a discount.

I was able to cash the Minotaur's magic stone too, so my wallet is actually pretty warm.

Maybe I'll treat Soushi to ramen tomorrow.

I should have about 200,000 yen worth of magic stones with me again today.

I want to cash them in soon.

Do your best, Watanabe-san...