Chapter 151 - Zestbar 4 (2/2)

Sienna spoke with a calm voice.

“No matter how I think about it, something is twisted about this ruin, oppa.It has always been like that when we enter a ruin!”

“Ooh-ooh.I’d like to enter the Demon world sooner rather than later.Artpe-nim·····.”

“Artpe, it’s the staircase leading to the next floor!”

Maetel was the only one overflowing with energy!On the other hand, the rest of the party was sick of fighting the Wisps.This was a rare break, and they weren’t even thinking about going down the staircase.

“Well, we’ll do this here then…...”

Artpe spread a mat on the floor.He placed a birthday cake, which he purchased from the Dungeon Merchant(It wasn’t Mycenae.), on top of it.When she saw this, Sienna’s expression suddenly relaxed.

“Uh?Oppa, now that I think about it….”

“Yes.Sit here, Sienna.”

“Ah.Yes!”

“Let's hurry up and go to the next floor….Ah!”

It was a very special day.It had been exactly 3 years since Artpe’s party had met Sienna.Sienna knew her age, but she didn’t know her birthdate.This was why they had decided to celebrate this day as her birthday.

“Hurry up and sit here.You are 15 years old.”

“Hoo-hue-hue.I’m of marriageable age now?Didn’t I grow a lot, oppa?”

“Marriage······.”

“M...marriage….”

For a brief moment, a cold wind blew when Sienna spoke in joy.Artpe quickly changed the topic before Maetel and Vadinet said something weird.

“On top of that, I want to congratulate you for reaching level 370.”

“You guys are a cheat.No matter how I think about it, you are a cheat.”

Of course, Artpe, Maetel and Regina had pushed past level 370.Vadinet and Elrick was lagging a bit behind, but they were around level 365.Aside from Elrick and Vadinet, the average level of the party was 310 when they had initially entered the ruin.Basically, they had leveled up once every four days.

In the past life, the hero was level 374 when she attacked the Demon King’s castle.Finally, they were getting close to that level.If one compared the time it took them to level up, they were leveling slower than the past life’s hero.

Despite knowing how fast the past life’s hero had leveled up, Artpe judged that his party’s progress was truly exceptional.The reason why he thought this was extremely simple.

‘The average level of the hero’s party from my past life was high, but Maetel was unrivaled amongst them.There were over 30 level difference between her and her other party members….’

However, that was no longer true this time around.Maetel’s Innate ability Acceleration was being applied to all her party members.In truth, Artpe and the other party members possessed similar levels as Maetel.

The past life’s Maetel had traveled around the world doing good.She felt pain of others as if it was her own.In comparison, the current Maetel was filled with selfish desires.The current Maetel should be way behind Maetel from past life.

For some reason, it seemed her Innate ability was more developed in this life.It was easier for her to share her Innate ability with others.Artpe couldn’t comprehend it, but it was a good thing.He decided to leave it at that.

“Since our levels are rising fast, it is time for us to exit this place.If the Demon King’s army start their conquest before we enter the Demon world, it is all for naught…...”

“Is the ruin this long, because the reward is amazing?”

“I’m not sure······.”

Artpe was already sure that this place was different from the ruin from his past life.Even a Demon King wouldn’t be able to clear this terrifying ruin in one week.

“However, it is time to eat right now.Sienna, let me congratulate you on your birthday once again.”

“Yes! I like oppa so much!”

Amongst the party members, she looked and acted the most mature amongst the party members.However, at times like this, she was completely a kid.She received the biggest slice of cake from Artpe.When he saw her be happy, he was filled with pride as he smiled.When Regina saw all of this, she grumbled.

“Artpe, you don’t care about my birthday.”

“You have to tell me when it is for me to arrange a celebration.”

“Even if I don’t say anything, I want you to notice it.This is what a girl wants.”

“Wouldn’t it be scarier if I did know about it?”

“From now on, today will be my birthday.”

“Alright, alright.Happy birthday, Regina.”

“Satisfied.”

Regina followed Artpe and Sienna by sitting on top of the mat.Vadinet was the next one to sit on top of the mat.

Maetel wanted to immediately head down to the next floor, but she was powerless in front of a cake.For a change, Elrick took off his armor, and he started eating his slice of cake.The image of him eating a cake was more fitting than him eating a drumstick.However, if such an opinion was voiced, Elrick would probably get angry.

At the end of clearing a floor, there was no danger to the party.This was an absolute rule for a Dungeon and ruin.This was the only place where they could get a proper rest.

“Artpe, A――”

“Nope.It has been awhile since we’ve had a break.Don’t stir up any trouble.Please…..Mmmm?”

At some point, the ruin started to experience a minor tremor.

Artpe had no choice, but to respond to Maetel’s urging.He had been speaking when his expression immediately stiffened.He activated his Mana.

Everyone could hear a loud vibration ring in their ears.

[Your power······ Similar power as me·····!]

“Ah.”

Regina spoke in a low voice.

“It seems it is an Elemental.”

“Elemental?Wait a moment.That…..”

[Me······ Are you here to persecute me?]

When Artpe felt the overwhelming Mana within the vibration, he quickly got up from his seat.The party members, who hadn’t eaten all their cake, started stuffing their mouth with cake.

At that moment, the staircase heading towards the next floor collapsed!

[Me······ You came here to persecute me!]

Of course, the hallway they were sitting on was affected by the destruction.Artpe quickly extended his Mana Strings, and he was able to secure his party members.Then he used his support magic.He had been in a hurry, so he couldn’t secure the mat, which had been placed on the floor.

[Me!Persecute!Came here!]

“······.”

The 39th floor was forcefully combined with the 40th floor.The being, who had been waiting for the party in the floor below, raged.It started to activate its Mana.

The party members gulped as they raised their weapons.The boss battle had finally arrived.However, only one person remained frozen in place.It was Regina.

“Cake······.”

Regina vacantly mumbled to herself.Her mouth was small, and she ate very slowly.Over half of her slice of cake had remained, yet it was set flying alongside the mat.It had fallen, and it was crushed against the floor.

[Me!Persecute······!]

“Unforgivable.”

Regina spoke with an ice-like voice, then an overwhelming cold erupted from her.The Mana of destruction, which had been rushing towards the party, froze in place.The frozen Mana crashed to the floor!

“Unforgivable!”

“It is the first time Regina used an exclamation point!She did it over a cake!?”

When Regina raised her head, her eyes were colder than ice.She glared at the 40th floor boss.It was the moment when the boss battle of the Ocean’s Grave commenced!