156 155.40 floors.txt (1/2)

This was the fourth time we had conveniently explored the labyrinth since we had passed the 30th layer.

Now that we had grasped the trends of the labyrinth, we were able to explore more efficiently. The underwater layers were no exception.

The basic strategy is simple. Centering on Snow, who is strong in underwater warfare, we continue to avoid the enemies with the magic of the Reaper.

We comfortably crossed the 36th layer entrance that we turned around in our previous exploration and entered the 37th layer of underwater layers.

I'm fully prepared this time. I'm not as tired as I used to be, and the air in my ”possessions” is twice as strong as before.

The only difference between us and the 35th layer is that there are more obstacles caused by aquatic plants.

Then we descend again to layer 38 and are surprised to find that the area is different.

As above, the corridor is lined with shallow water, but the surrounding stone walls are covered with plants as if it were a tropical rainforest.

The impact of being underwater had caught my attention, but there was certainly more vegetation a few layers earlier. This is where the feature has been pushed to the fore.

Not since one layer had the area been so green.

A new world opened up, and Rustyala was excited.

'Wow, there's a lot of plants I've never seen before!　I wonder what kind of monsters are out there: ......!

”Don't touch the plants, Rastiala. Don't wander around. And don't stray.

He nailed it to Rustyala, who was likely to get lost if he took his eyes off her.

'I know, I know. The plan is to train at the 39th layer. I can hold out for at least one more layer.

I was relieved to see him nod back quickly.

''Alright, then, this layer is business as usual.

The number of aquatic monsters had decreased and the number of plant monsters had increased. Plant monsters, in general, had poor mobility. Speaking of just avoiding the enemies, the 38th layer was the easiest layer.

As long as they had the 'Dimension', they could advance without the need for the Reaper's Dark Magic. As a result, he could reach the 39th layer without any problems.

At the 39th layer, more green features were pushed to the fore, and it was no longer a forest.

The water underfoot is still there, but the vegetation has doubled in size.

Everywhere I looked, vines and ivy were growing.

''We've finally arrived at ....... Alright, let's hunt the monsters here.

I'm here.

Finally realizing that I could ramp up, Rustyala drew her sword with great vigor.

Before she starts running, I search for monsters around me.

The structure of the 39th layer is similar to the special area of the first layer. However, there are fewer insect-type monsters than I expected. The majority of them are plant-shaped monsters.

Flowers that scatter noxious pollen. Grasses with large mouths that look like flytrap grass. Trees that drip a viscous-looking sap. A wide variety of plants are wriggling - and walking.

It's a bizarre scene.

Of course, some of them don't move. These are the types of monsters that mimic harmless plants and wait for their enemies.

Even with the power of observation in Dimension, it is not easy to detect mimicry. They are quite troublesome monsters.

However, monsters that hide themselves are a good match for me.

As long as there is 'watchfulness' and 'display', I can't mistake monsters for plants, so the danger is close to zero.

I'm going to check the strength and experience level of each type of monster, you can defeat them with Rustyala and the others. I'll be in charge of the search for the enemy.

The reapers who don't have a 'display' can concentrate on the battle, and I'll conduct a thorough search and surprise alert.

Okay, annihilation!

Led by Rastiara, Snow and Reaper enter the battle with the enemy.

The first one is a huge red flower that looks like Rafflesia. The monster's name is 'Stru'.

''Everyone, hold your breath and fight!

As soon as Stroud saw the enemy, he scattered the pollen, a move that reminded me of a twenty-four-layer Poison Salamander.

From the rear I fly my instructions and prevent the pollen from being absorbed.

Stroud returns fire with a wave of plant vines following. But my opponent is bad.

The three people that Stru is facing right now are specialized in melee combat.

In the blink of an eye, the vine is chopped up, allowing the enemy to approach. Unable to respond to the slashes from three directions, Stroud is ripped off the petals and the stem is broken from the base.

Until now, monsters could crush the head or heart and they would disappear as light. However, it was difficult to tell whether or not the plant-based monster had been defeated. Even if it was clearly no longer able to form a plant body, it was still alive and was scattering pollen.

When it was dismembered into more than a hundred pieces, the strew disappeared as a light.

The enemy also struggled, but the end was uneventful.

Perhaps this monster called Stroud. It's probably a monster that weakens its opponent with pollen before it fights. But because it was discovered ahead of time by my 'display', I couldn't take advantage of it.

I'm convinced that the 39th layer is a delicious hunting ground.

Since it's a deep layer, it seems to be full of monsters with strong ground power, but most of them specialize in mimicry and surprise. And if I'm there, I can counteract those advantages.

''...... Yeah, not bad. Let's continue to fight the monsters on the 39th layer. We'll find the easiest opponent and gather experience with that one.

Everyone seemed to think the same way and had no objections.

And one by one, they defeated the plant monsters.

The good thing about this layer is that even if you defeat them, the enemies don't gather around them. Although the pace is slowed down, you can take down the enemies unhindered and without risk.

I thought Rustyala would complain about that work as if he were reaping rice, but that's not the case. It's satisfying to be able to fight all kinds of enemies.

I've already found the stairs to the 40th level. But I keep filling up more and more of the 39-layer map and keep looking for the ideal hunting ground.

Of course, he avoids the bosses with Dimension. Even the belligerent Rastiara didn't lose his footing, perhaps because he was so familiar with the dismay of the battle against the boss (Gulfrad Jerry).

However, along the way, he finds a few altars.

There was no reason not to go and see them if there was no danger.

And I would know.

'There are no altar items again: ......

I find the remnants of a person.

'Maybe it's Hailey and Shea: ......?　I don't think I could have gotten this far with that body after that. ......

I predict who Lastiara took the items from.

'No, she said they were a party. It's not impossible if there are other friends besides those two. But to begin with--

'Parallel Thinking' gets the answer.

-- In the first place, it's possible that on the day of that encounter, Heili had already reached the 39th layer.

No, not even that, but beyond the 40th layer.

''Maybe we should change our plans and take a peek at the 40th layer: ......

Hm!　I think it's fine!　Let's go, let's go!

Rustyala agrees to my proposal with all hands raised. However, the other two don't look good.

''Eh, um ......, if you go to the 40th layer, aren't there guardians (guardians) ......?''

Are you sure you're okay, brother?

I'm worried about getting into battle with the guardians (guardians). But I had some sort of certainty.

'No, I think it's more likely that no one else will be there.

Then Rustyala follows up with more.

''If there are, if there are any guardians who can talk, you can make them your friends, and if they're not, you can run away. It's okay, Snow. I'll protect you no matter what, so don't worry.

”Dear Mr. Rastiara... ......!

Rustyala hugs a frightened Snow.

The Reaper is taken aback by the sight, but he seems to agree with what Rastiara said. He agrees to go into the 40th layer, ready to run away at any time.

Having walked around on the hunt, I've already found the stairs. He heads straight to the 40th level and finishes his preparations in front of the stairs.

Then, with great care, we descend to the 40th level.

The dark green color of the walls faded as we descended the stairs.

Dark green to green, green to yellow green. The dense forest was being re-tinted with bright colors.

Beyond that, the world spread out.

It was a 'prairie'.

There is no obstacle whatsoever, and grass a few dozen centimeters high grows underfoot. It feels a little humid, but that's all. A world that posed no threat or interest to me.

Rather, a cool breeze caresses my cheeks, making me feel at ease.

Compared to the scorching hell and jeweled flower fields of the past, it feels like a drop in the bucket.

There's really nothing there. And there's no one there.

If you look around, you can grasp it from one end to the other. But there were no guardians anywhere in the 40 layers.

The sky is empty.

Rastiara said ruefully.

I knew it, it looks like Heili called the guardians first.

'Looks like it. And by the looks of it, the guardians (guardians) of the 40th layer are still alive: ......

If someone has defeated a guardian (Guardian), it would be strange if it wasn't as inorganic as the other guardian's (Guardian) room.

'Ah, you've beaten me to it. I guess it's a bit frustrating: ......

'No, it's not a bad development. We don't need to defeat all the guardians to get to the deepest part. If anything, we can push them to that party and it's just easier for us.

I don't mean that in a strong way. I mean it sincerely.

Whether it's Arti or Rowen, if we end up working together, we're going to be swept up in the Guardian's (Guardian's) unfinished business.

Right now I want to focus on Palinclone, so this situation is rather convenient.

It's certainly easier though: ......

Rustyala agrees with an unflattering look on her face.

I can understand her concern. She's probably worried that the Guardian's (Guardian) magic stone will end up in the hands of someone different.

However, getting that one is no mean feat.

Somehow, I have a feeling that it's okay.

I don't know why. But in the end, it is our role to cut off the guardian's (guardian's) unfinished business - that's what I feel.

And at the same time, I think.

And at the same time, I should have been the one to greet the master of this prairie. I had to be the first to hear his wishes.

The thought stuck in my mind.

'It's all on schedule. Let's spend the rest of the time defeating monsters.

Shaking off the odd regret, I invite everyone to the 39th level.

Now I'm going to level up as much as time allows.

I carefully kill the slow-moving plant monsters one by one. Sure enough, although they attack me with the effects of a state defect, I can treat them with Rustyara's sacred magic if it's not too bad.

So, there are only four things I use for the 39th layer of hunting: the slight 'Dimension', Sacred Magic, and the 'Display' and skill 'Sword Technique'.

It was stable and could continue to hunt for a long period of time. It was also great to be able to take a break in the 40th layer with no one else in sight if I got tired.

It wasn't MP that was limiting me, but hunger. Although preserved food is included in the 'possessions', the ship's food is still safer.

The search is cut short as Snow insists, desperate to cut it off before drowsiness and other factors make us lose our concentration.

When we returned to the ship, the sky was dark and the only lights were the moon and stars.

A worried Maria greets us on deck. Apparently, she had been waiting for us to return for the rest of the night.

If the Reaper had remained, she would have been able to tell us if we were safe or not through the ”connection,” but this time she was with us, so she couldn't see us from the ship's side.

It's best for me and the Reaper to split up as much as possible. I'm going to cause you unnecessary worry.

I'm home. ...... Sorry I'm late.

'Welcome back, Kanami. It's fine. I'll have dinner ready in a minute.

Immediately, Maria goes inside the ship and begins to get ready.

As she looks away, a reaper runs to the helm of the ship at the same time. He unfolds the chart and seems to be checking the ship's position.

The Reaper, who is in charge of the bulk of the voyage, seems to be concerned about the progress of the ship while he is away.

'Reaper, we haven't veered off course, have we?

Oh, yeah. It's all right. Do you think we'll be there in the morning?　You've arrived at a good place to cut.