28 27. Leveling experiment.txt (1/2)

First, we went to the shops in the city to get our equipment in order.

Of course, using the 'display', it's shopping to check the good and bad of things. However, there are not many bargains in the shops for ordinary customers. This is because there are only mass-produced goods lined up in disorder.

Also, I asked the owner about expensive weapons, but he said you have to go to the auction house or a special store related to the Hoosiers to find such items.

However, since I am using a first-class item called the ”Treasured Sword of the Areis Family”, I didn't want to travel far to get an expensive weapon. I bought Maria an easy-to-handle dagger and some light and strong armor to protect herself, and then the shopping is over.

''Um, even the knife is heavy: ......

You'll get used to it, you'll be fine.

Maria was dressed in leather armor and held a dagger in both hands.

That was all it took to make me wobble.

I'm going to get used to it - or rather, my muscle strength is going to increase by leveling up.

Thus, having finished our preparations, we are now standing in front of the labyrinth in perfect condition.

I think back to Maria's leveling plan that I've been thinking about this morning and put it into action.

So, Maria. Let's go for a ride.

I bend down and turn my back to Maria.

By the way, the sword's sheath is designed to be used as a chair.

''Huh?''

Maria sounds dumbfounded.

I can understand that feeling. I'm going to risk my life to go into the labyrinth, and if my master wanted to give me a piggyback ride, I would doubt my sanity too.

I'm serious. Trust me, and ride on my back.

What about ......?

To show that I'm serious, I ask again to ride on my back in a dignified voice to show that I'm serious.

But still, Maria only gave a curt reply.

'For now, I'm going to fly all the way to about five layers at once. And since it's faster for me to run than for Maria to run, she wants you to ride. Also, it would be easier to protect you if you were on my back.

'Oh. I see. ...... No!　No, no!　I've never heard of anyone walking into a labyrinth with a piggyback!

By the way, the target level of 5 is the one where Maria won't die instantly. My shallow combat experience is a guide, so I'm not confident.

Maria understood the story and almost nodded her head ...... and immediately shook her head.

It's a shame.

But this is one of the top ideas of what I want to try.

I'm not going to back down cheaply.

'I've never heard of it either. 'But I'd like to try it. Just a little bit of ....... Just a little bit. Please.

If my calculations are correct, it's possible.

A skilled seeker's - and a big man's swordsman's - muscle strength is about 5.

Their physical strength is also about the same. Compared to that, my status muscle strength and physical strength has reached 6. That means I have the same muscle strength and stamina as a well-trained two-meter tall man.

I'd like to experiment with how much effort it would take to carry a girl who weighs about forty kilos with this status, and I'm guessing that I can lightly carry her for about five layers.

''Shh, it can't be helped: ......

Maria reluctantly and shyly got on my back.

I felt Maria's weight on the sheath of my sword and stood up.

The weight on my hands is unusually light, though it is a physical sensation.

It's a response that would be impossible for me in my former world.

The lightness of the situation convinces me that my guess is correct.

Okay. Okay, I'm going to take a run at it, so hold on tight.

Yes ......

After confirming that Maria had a firm grip on my shoulders, I deployed my magic 《Dimension》 and started to run.

''--Hi!

With Maria's screams, I run through the labyrinth's 'positive path'.

My status speed is 10.

I don't even know how fast it is in this world.

After all, there's no one to compare it to.

”--Wait a minute!　Wait!

Immediately, Maria put a stop to it.

I slowed down and spoke to her.

...... still can't do it?

Maria wasn't even running and she was out of breath. Apparently, it takes a lot of energy just to hold on to it.

''No, no ....... I was just surprised at how monstrous my master was. That was a bad position to be in right now, so ...... next time, I'll be fine.

With that, Maria puts her arms around my neck in earnest and clings to me.

We are so close together that I can feel my face growing redder and redder. I don't look back to make sure she doesn't see that.

'Let's run then, okay?'

Yeah, come on in.

I start running without hesitation.

The more I run, the stronger Maria's clinging arms become.

On the way, I pass another explorer.

I'm surprised by the excessive events, but I leave it all behind.

Since they are running through at an unusual speed, they won't be easily identified. But we are sure that we are conspicuous, and there is no guarantee that our faces will not be seen.

But it doesn't stop me.

It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

But after selling Tida's magic stone to Valt, I've given up on it. It's partly because I've become so strong that I can't hide it, but it's also because that strength allows me to escape from most problems.

'Great!　It's fast!　It's like riding a riding horse (Al-Ana)!

Maria is getting used to it and seems to be enjoying herself.

I wonder if Al-Auna is the name of some animal. Maybe it was because of her experience riding that animal, but even at this speed, Maria had plenty of time to spare.

As I recall, Maria's skill was called 'hunting'. Before she became a slave, she might have run a hunt on an animal like a horse.

'You shouldn't talk too much. You might bite your tongue.

'Oh, yes. Okay.

I nail Maria, and we pick up more speed.

Then we reach the fifth level.

It took about thirty minutes.

'S-awesome!　Master, we're really here!

'Zeez, zeez, ......!　Hah, hah, hah, hah ......!

But the cost was great.

My plan was that it shouldn't even be painful in about thirty minutes.

It seems that even if I had a physical strength of 6, I wouldn't be able to endure a thirty-minute sprint.

The physical strength in this world may not be directly related to what is called ”endurance” in my world.

The nuances of the words are close, but they are definitely not the same.

'Oh, are you okay ......?'

'Ha, ha ....... Yeah, it's all good now. ......

Maria sees that I'm out of breath with my hands on my knees, and she worries about me.

I nod back emphatically in response.

Some of the results were as predicted, and some of them didn't go as I had hoped. However, it is a harvest to know that I can run with Maria in my arms. This gave me the assurance that I could evacuate with Maria in the event of an emergency.

I caught my breath and put Maria down. Then I draw my sword with both of my free arms and start walking out of the 'straight path'.

'You're leaving now?　Can't you just rest a little longer before you do that?

''No, it's a waste of time. I'm not going to fall behind a monster of about five layers when I'm out of breath.

''Huh. As far as I know, the fifth layer is a realm where even mid-level explorers can lose their lives: ......