NOVEL NEXT Chapter 55
BANG!
A magic explosion erupted from within the creature due to concentrated focus.
In the end, unable to withstand it, the Pool Serpent BOOM exploded, and while covered in splattered flesh and blood, I stood still for just a moment to catch my breath.
“Not just the horn, but the scales and skin must be quite valuable…” I thought, feeling overwhelmed and despondent in that moment.
WHOOSH!
From the place where it burst, a strong light suddenly soared, transforming into eight round orbs.
‘What is this, a reward for defeating it?’
During the Epusio incident, only the top four contributors received unique items, so seeing eight orbs meant they weren’t unique items, obviously.
As I was staring at the shining orbs with a mix of surprise and expectation…
SWISH!
Each orb, except for one that was my share, began to float in the air and flew off somewhere.
After that, before I could react, they quickly dropped in front of each adventurer who participated in the fight.
‘So this time it’s a shared distribution from the start. Surely the level of rewards isn’t the same for everyone, right?’
Everyone contributed in that battle, but I still thought there should be some degree of differentiation in the rewards.
To be honest, I could accept that Gail, the Archer, and the Tanker, who did their part, would get something, even the Priest. But…
It didn’t sit right with me that the porter, who was hanging back with a backpack and only managed to click a scroll once, would get the same reward.
CRASH!
“Urk!”
Suddenly, the icy surface I was standing on shattered, and water began to violently splash all around me.
What the hell is this? Wasn’t defeating the Pool Serpent the end of it?
[Chaos says it seems it must exit the water.]
─Aren, you better get out of there quickly!!
I heard Yeriell’s telepathic warning in my ear.
Right. I don’t know what this phenomenon is, but I have to get out!
No, before that—
‘Byproduct! After all this hard work, I can’t leave empty-handed. I need to at least grab something!’
I looked around, shaking my head back and forth.
The surface was dyed red with its blood.
And besides, there were floating bits of oil and flesh.
The pelt was so torn apart that it was unrecognizable.
The gray hue was absent, so the power must not have activated.
Is there nothing? Really?
“…Found it!”
A severed head with one horn! I’ll take this at least.
Without further thought, I snatched the glowing orb in front of me, tucked the head under my arm, and started to run.
GULP!
SWISH!
Thud. SPLASH!
The splashing became more intense to the point where I could hardly keep my balance.
“AAAH!”
Desperately, I pushed off the ground to leap out, freezing the ground beneath me as I ran.
Finally, I leaped as if making a long jump and barely managed to escape.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I turned to look back.
BOOM— KABOOM—
…
With a loud bang, the water that had been splashing rose, as if a giant had slapped down, creating a massive puddle.
And all that water vanished in the blink of an eye.
“Huh.”
And there was the ground, looking as though nothing had happened, restored as though a puddle had never formed.
Did the water disappear because the upper species was dead?
Or did the Labyrinth recognize its death and forcibly restore the land?
Regardless, the Great Labyrinth… it really is a mysterious and unfathomable place.
“Aren—!”
Yeriell and Lumia rushed over, bringing Gail’s party with them.
They began to touch me all over in a panic, worried.
“Huh… You’re not seriously hurt, right? If you are even slightly injured, say so right away so I can heal you!”
“That explosion was insane; are you really okay?”
I awkwardly smiled and shrugged at their concern.
“Ha, don’t worry. It died at my hands, and I’m perfectly fine. Just… a bit fatigued.”
“Phew, thank goodness.”
They sighed deeply, saying they were worried since they couldn’t help at all being way back there.
[Chaos praises you for your effort.]
‘Geez, nothing comes easy, does it? Anyone else would think I hunted at least ten floors.’
Seeing the upper species made me initially underestimate my own ability, thinking I could take it on.
But wow, how wrong I was!
Even disregarding strength, just facing off against a monster of that caliber, every one of them possesses unique abilities, reminding me that complacency is perilous.
‘Now that I think about it… I definitely collected the rewards before running, right?’
It was only after everything had settled that I remembered the items still tightly gripped in my hands.
I carefully placed the Pool Serpent’s head down at my left side and opened my right hand.
The radiant orb of water I had seen earlier seemed to have vanished, maybe due to my contact.
In its place, a brilliant blue gem sparkled like sapphire.
────
[Essence of the Pool Serpent] (C)
The essence infused with the origin of the upper species Pool Serpent from the 2nd Floor.
Consuming it will increase your stats without side effects and grant a random trait.
─Upon consumption, random stats of C grade or below will rise one tier up to three times. The same stat cannot increase consecutively.
─Upon consumption, one random trait possessed by the Pool Serpent will be acquired.
────
Wow, this is it!
Could it be a water attribute attack or breath? Maybe the ability to alter surrounding terrain?
Or perhaps a recovery skill in water, a barrier creation, or even sonic blast capabilities!
No side effects? Without hesitation, I tossed it into my mouth.
[You have consumed the Essence of Pool Serpent. Strength, Endurance, and Mana have increased by one tier.]
[Error… Mana cannot increase, so re-selecting.]
[Durability has increased by one tier.]
[You have acquired the trait, Water’s Blessing.]
Water’s Blessing?
────
[Water’s Blessing (C)] [P]
A trait acquired by consuming the essence of the Pool Serpent.
When exposed to water, vitality is restored.
Also, animosity towards water-related creatures decreases.
─When in contact with water, your vitality is weakly restored. This effect increases slightly as time in contact with water increases.
─When first encountering a water-related creature, if animosity is higher than affinity, animosity will decrease slightly.
────
What’s this… If I get hit with water magic, it will synergize with the engravings of Magic Devour.
Getting caught in the rain or being in water combat for a while will also likely yield benefits.
────
[Aren]
[Strength: D+] [Agility: C-] [Durability: D+]
[Health: C-] [Mana: EX] [Luck: D]
[Traits Held] (Fold)
Chaos inside
Chaos Dragon Heart
Weak Authority
One Language
Strong Body─Draconian
Violet Lightning
Super Rookie
Ivelyn Style─Blade Dance
Killing Intent Accumulation
Whisper of Wind
Hunting Token─The First Hunter
Kiss of the Gentle Breeze
Point Concentration
Engraving of Magic Devour
Frozen Frost
Water’s Blessing
────
This is a status window during Strong Body activation.
Wow… Stat increase and C grade trait acquisition. This is crazy.
“Did you get a good item? Heh, can I check mine as well?”
“Sure, let’s see.”
First, I looked at what Yeriell was holding.
────
[Soaring Barrier] (D)
The survival instinct of the upper species Pool Serpent took the form of a square talisman.
Carrying it will surely aid the holder’s survival.
─Minor resistance applied to all damage received while held.
─When the holder is in danger, a shockwave applies, and a water barrier rises. After activation, it has a recharge time of 30 days based on Labyrinth standards.
────
Oh! This is a good item for priests and mages, who generally lack defense.
And it even has a stacking effect to boot.
So Yeriell won this one. Next, let’s check the red orb that Lumia has?
────
[Chilling Gaze] (D)
The killing intent of the upper species Pool Serpent condensed into the shape of a sphere.
Looking into it gives the feeling of being watched from behind by something.
─While held, the power of attack-type magic is weakly increased.
─While held, minor mental attack resistance is applied.
─Occasionally, you may feel like someone is watching you.
────
This is pretty good too.
The magic attack power increase option can’t be bad at all.
Mental attack resistance is a broad field, making it a great option.
Though there is a penalty of occasionally feeling someone’s gaze…
But, since it’s a D-grade item, I expect it won’t be too distressing.
‘Anyway, I’m glad there aren’t any duds. It’s a perk that they work just by holding them too.’
I explained everything I learned about each item to Yeriell and Lumia.
Once they heard, they seemed pleased, jumping up and down or smiling faintly.
Hmm, I wonder what the others received?
Using the Emotion Scroll, everyone is happily holding their items, but I can’t sneak a look at them.
Gail got a spear, Robert the Tanker received a shoulder guard.
The archer, Leila, got leather gloves, and the priest received a blue potion.
The porter got a dagger.
…A dagger?
────
[Wave Stiletto] (D)
A dagger dropped as a reward for defeating the upper species Pool Serpent on the 2nd Floor.
When light shines on it, a wave pattern shimmers subtly.
Though it’s relatively thin and short like the Pool Serpent’s fangs, ignoring it could lead to a nasty surprise due to its sharpness.
─Weak bonus applied to stabbing attacks.
─Upon attack, a weak water element damage is added.
─While equipped, a weak cold resistance is applied.
────
Wow. He got a D-grade weapon just for hanging back and using a Fireball scroll once? Talk about luck!
‘Yeah. Well, it isn’t anything better than my reward.’
As long as it doesn’t come back to bite me, there’s no need to feel bad about it.
Even porters have their use in combat… Congrats, porter.
Looking at all the information, it seems everyone, excluding me, received similar levels of rewards.
Have I been staring too long?
Gail was chatting with his party, and then came up to me, representing them.
“Thank you so much for saving us. I have much to say, but first… thank you!”
He said that and bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle as a show of gratitude.
“It was nothing. Had you not provided proper support, I would have struggled as well. Please raise your head.”
“Yes!”
Gail raised his head and opened his mouth.
“We were already more than blessed with the items we received, so we will forgo any byproducts!”
He added, scratching his cheek embarrassedly.
“Haha, though all that’s left is that horned head you brought earlier.”
“Still, with something like this, there should be no fighting over it. I’ll make sure it’s stored.”
Without declining, I put it directly into my backpack.
They’ve seen me using the Spatial Bag, but so what?
I’ve already shared everything; I’d be a monkey if I suddenly acted greedy.
It seems that his business isn’t finished, as Gail beats his chest and focuses his gaze.
This guy has a fire in his eyes! What’s he about to say?
“Excuse me, but may I ask your name?”
“My name? I’m Aren. Just Aren, no last name.”
He asks so formally, yet he doesn’t look too much older than me. It feels a bit awkward.
“I am Gail Ibeain. Please feel free to call me Gail. Actually, it’s a bit shameless, but I’ve been curious about one thing.”
Curious about something?
“What is it?”
“Yes! Actually, I’ve been curious about the secret to Aren’s strength! I know it’s a rude question, but I’d love to hear your thoughts no matter what!”
“Wha… the secret to my strength, suddenly?”
“Exactly! How can I become so strong like you? If I get stronger, could I fight like you someday?”
It seems he was quite impressed watching me fight the Pool Serpent.
I had a long way to go before reaching that level, but he’s treating me like I’m something more.
I thought carefully about how to respond.
‘Effort and traits. It’s a cliché, but those two seem essential. From an adventurer’s perspective, the trait system is the reason having good origins matters.’
In that sense, Gail has everything he needs already.
Just looking at his spear trait description showed he wasn’t neglecting effort.
Not everyone born into a noble family is blessed, but being a noble’s child surely means he was born with a silver or gold spoon.
“You seem to have everything you need to get stronger right in your hands, Gail. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I have anything more to say.”
“Exactly! So indeed, there’s no hope other than to keep working hard in the given situation. I’ve learned a valuable lesson.”
???
“Wha… right.”
Is this the classic case of a dream versus interpretation?
“Thank you. I won’t trouble you anymore. We plan to rest a bit here before heading to the 3rd floor, but what about you, Aren?”
“We’ll head to the next floor shortly.”
“I see! Oh, my party is calling for me, so I’ll take my leave for now. If we meet in town later, let’s have a meal together and chat! May fortune be with you!”
“Best of luck to you too. Fortune be with you.”
With loud laughter, Gail left.
What an energetic guy.
True, among countless adventurers, there are ones like Gospel and Kariks, but then there are also enthusiastic people like him.
After sending Gail off, Yeriell spoke up.
“Wow… today was a tough day. If we’re struggling at this level, I can’t comprehend how Derek made it to the 6th floor.”
“What? The 6th floor?”
What on earth is she talking about?
“Uh-huh. When he recruited us, including me and Bernard, he mentioned he was a top-tier adventurer who had conquered the 6th floor and said he could prove it, so we should follow him.”
…Did Derek claim to be a record holder for the 6th floor? With just those stats and traits?
Although I hadn’t known him for long.
He was indeed someone I was grateful to, and he didn’t strike me as an adventurer who would lie like that.
So yeah, he must have indeed made it to the 6th floor.
But I think he must have been a sub-tank or supporter before stepping out, after which he could create a party to grow with.
Of course, luck must have played a part too.
‘The 6th floor… I’m still quite a distance from that.’
Anyway, since Gail’s party was going to rest around here, we needed to head to the 3rd floor first.
After a brief discussion with the girls, they suggested we should promptly leave the 2nd floor if I was okay, to which I readily agreed.
“Well then, let’s go!”
For some reason, I had a gut feeling that the 3rd floor would be easier than the 2nd.
‘Please let the 3rd floor be a smooth ride, just like the other adventurers! No more, no less.’
I exchanged glances with the girls, who were waiting for the signal and stepped into the Portal.
WHOOSH—
*
THUD.
…?
What the?
I blinked in astonishment as soon as I landed.
Chaos opened its eyes wide in surprise.
I found myself face-to-face with a party of adventurers amidst the scattered corpses of various Goblins surrounding us.
And in the distance were two portals, glowing splendidly.