Chapter-11 · EP-179

Episode 179: Exploring the Unexplored Area

Having formed a party with Hikaru and Mei, we headed toward the unexplored area Susa-san had told me about.

As we walked, I slyly helped myself to Mei's skill, Stealth, now that we were in a party.

Shirou Ichinose: LV6 ▶
Skill: Skill Camouflage (Hide) ▶
       Healing Magic LV2 (Active, Display) ▶
       Water Magic LV1 (Active, Hide) ▶
       Analysis (Active, Hide) ▶
       Lightning Magic LV1 (Active, Hide) ▶
       Presence Detection (Active, Hide) ▶
       Stealth (Active, Hide) ▶
Party: Hikaru Kujo, Mei Kisaragi

But looking at my own status, I was amazed at myself.

Even though Kazuma-san's double skills and Susa-san's triple skills are considered truly special and rare, I already had seven. If this were discovered, it would cause a huge uproar. I absolutely had to keep it a secret.

Still, Mei's skill was Stealth. What kind of skill was it, anyway?

"So, Mei-chan, what's your skill?"

I tried the direct approach of asking her.

"Like I'd tell you, idiot."

As sour as ever. She didn't seem inclined to tell me.

But Hikaru quickly stepped in.

"Mei. Ichinose-san has been helping us this much. Don't you think you could at least tell him?"

"If Hikaru-sama says so…"

Nice one, Hikaru! Mei herself didn't seem convinced, but she reluctantly agreed to explain.

"My skill is Stealth. By erasing my presence, I can get a preemptive strike on monsters. Once I attack, the stealth is broken, so the skill's effect only lasts for the first blow."

"So that means you can guarantee a first attack? That's amazing!"

"W-well, maybe."

Mei looked somewhat pleased at being praised by me.

But this skill is incredibly useful for me. As a solo explorer, the monsters always attack me first. When facing an enemy faster than me or when I don't notice one, this would prevent me from taking a preemptive attack.

"Huh? Does that mean you can go anywhere as long as you stay hidden?"

You can't progress to the next floor without defeating the floor boss, but maybe you could avoid fighting altogether on the way?

But apparently, it wasn't that easy. Mei explained.

"It has no effect on enemies stronger than you. It only works on floors up to your own level."

"I see."

So it wasn't a universal skill that would work anywhere.

Still, this was a very useful skill.

I hadn't even used Murasakimura's skill yet. I wanted to do some solo exploring soon.

I was getting excited.

Was it okay to have this much fun?

"What's with that creepy smile?"

Mei's sharp-tongued retort hit me.

Apparently, I'd been grinning unconsciously. I needed to be careful.

With such moments along the way, we finally reached the unexplored area Susa-san had told us about.

We hung the rope ladder and descended the cliff. It was the same place where I had fallen before and been attacked by the Acid Slime.

When we walked to the dead end, just as Susa-san had said, there was a slightly bluish wall.

"This is it!"

"What is?"

Mei kept butting in.

I decided to explain.

"This wall here is a slightly different color, right? This wall can be destroyed."

Well, I was just repeating what Susa-san had told me.

I tapped it lightly with my sword. It made a sound that seemed to echo inside.

When I tapped the normal rock wall, it felt solid and dense.

Just as I thought, there was a hollow – a hidden passage – behind the bluish wall.

"The sound is different, isn't it?"

Hikaru seemed to notice the difference immediately.

"Alright, I'm going to break it now, so stand back."

I swung my iron sword with all my might.

With a satisfying feel, cracks appeared in the wall.

Good! It could be broken.

I struck the wall several more times, and suddenly, it crumbled apart.

Hikaru let out a surprised cry.

"It really exists…"

The other side of the broken wall came into view.

It was a so-called unexplored area. A passage stretched ahead, where no one had ever set foot.

"Good! Just as Susa-san said. This area ahead is unexplored! Let's proceed carefully."

Hikaru and Mei silently nodded at my words.

With me in the lead, we slowly advanced into the unexplored area.

After walking a few meters down the straight passage, we reached a three-way fork.

I stopped in the middle.

"Now, which way should we go…?"