Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

The labyrinthine area between the "great circular walls" on the 37th floor, like the "Water City," forms a multi-layered structure. Even in any of the chambers, the ceilings are terrifyingly high, requiring one to climb endless staircases to proceed. This time, I faced a group of monsters at the top of these towering staircases.

Needless to say, it's difficult to attack monsters that climb up from below, but it's much harder to defend against attacks from my higher vantage point.

This is the advantage of fighting on stairs; in other words, it's about taking advantage of the elevation difference.

"Drink it!"

"Gah!?"

Facing the "cunning wolf" that had exposed its weakness, I raised the white stone stick (a natural weapon) I had stolen and brought it down on its head.

For the wolf-headed monster residing on the lower level, this was tantamount to a blow from the upper level. It hurriedly raised its arm, only to have it smashed from head to chest.

Before I could finish watching the "Magic Stone" turn to dust and return to the earth, I discarded the shattered white stone staff and immediately drew the "Adventurer's Legacy Sword" from my waist.

Immediately afterward, the skeletal sheep pounced, and I accurately pierced its "magic stone".

(Make sure you see the movements clearly.)

Miss Ryu already said that.

She wanted me to carefully observe the enemy's movements and make inferences.

Since we can use "psychological warfare" against monsters, we can use calculation and wit to make up for physical burdens (weaknesses) such as injuries.

"Roar, roar!"

"Waaaaah...!"

If you keep your eyes peeled and pay close attention to their movements, you'll clearly see that the monsters in the lower positions don't know how to attack.

The stairs and the passageway I stood on were unusually narrow for the 37th floor. This meant that the number of enemies attacking at once could be reduced to a maximum of two. Not only could the monsters not outnumber me, but they were also pinned down by me, and could only bark futilely as they piled up their corpses.

A monster that approaches recklessly can be dealt with with a single, powerful kick.

The "Lizardman Elite," who charged forward with a furious roar, had its jaw shattered by my kick, causing other individuals to fall to the bottom of the stairs, where it broke its neck and died.

(My right arm will float up—)

This is also something Miss Ryu said.

Therefore, I am not afraid of the monstrous waves rushing up the steps. I am not anxious or overexerting myself. I pay special attention to seizing the opportunity—a single thrust!

"Gugah!?"

The sharp sword strike beautifully pierced the enemy's central nervous system.

Caught off guard, the shrill howling "cunning wolf" turned into gray smoke.

(It's achievable, visible, and feasible—we can leap forward.)

As long as we make good use of Miss Ryu's teachings, we can handle it.

Due to the terrain effects, the monsters' movements are significantly restricted compared to fighting on flat ground.

Therefore, I made my thinking "leap forward".

Restricting an opponent's movements means I can guide them to follow my will.

The ability to induce means my predictions will be almost prophetic.

I took in all the monsters that were approaching and wanted to engage in hand-to-hand combat, aimed at them, and launched my attack.

"Phew!!"

I lured the lizardman in front over and chopped off its head at an angle.

Before long, a pair of cunning wolves dodged the decapitated corpses and attacked from the left and right. I turned my sword and thrust it into the chest of the one on the right. The claws approaching from the left were easily deflected by the "Goliath Scarf" wrapped around my arm.

A torrent of pain shot through my left arm and into my brain.

I put it out of my mind and made a small, semi-circular slash.

Even if a single blow isn't enough to finish the job, the movement should be kept to a minimum. I cut off the leg of the wolf that was lunging at me from the front and then from the side. Seeing the enemy's posture shift, I immediately struck it with the pommel of my sword hilt.

The wolf was stabbed in the face mid-air, bleeding from its nose, and was pierced in my place.

It was a ranged attack from behind by the "Skeleton Sheep"—the bone "stakes".

Taking advantage of the skeleton sheep's momentary lapse in concentration upon seeing its kin (monster) being used as a human shield, I hurled my sword without hesitation. As I watched the sword tip pierce through the "magic stone" along with the skull, I simultaneously equipped the "White Illusion" in my free hand.

The cunning wolf that silently leaped above my head, I told it with my eyes "I saw you"—regardless of the astonishment hidden in the wolf's eyes after being lured in—and cleaved it in two.

With effortless grace, as if it were a predetermined outcome, I turned all five monsters into dust.

"Woohoohoohoohoohoohoohoo!"

The sixth one.

I can't handle this "cunning wolf" with my skills alone.

and so……

"—Eek!?"

Then let her handle it.

Behind the passageway I was facing away from, Ms. Ryu, who was waiting, threw a short blade.

The timing was perfect, perfectly timed as I retreated from the firing trajectory. I had my extremely reliable backline (teammate) cover me, and with a determined heart, I pierced the monster's chest, which was writhing in agony as its eyes were pierced by the short blade.

(The leap forward was successful – the application method was correct.)

Luring the enemy.

This is something Miss Ais taught me before.

"It is easiest to be careless when delivering a fatal blow."

"When you're pushed to the brink, the biggest turning point will surely come."

Make a move that could trigger a fatal blow.

At that time, it was a battle against people... or more specifically, a one-on-one battle.

Now, I extend this premise, through Ms. Ryu's teachings, to "all enemies."

Working backward from the goal of a single, decisive blow, we can observe and deduce the actions of each enemy.

Make good use of the terrain and deliberately make moves to lure monsters, limiting the choices your opponent can make.

I can now analyze the entire "battlefield" and strategize to achieve victory.

(The training I did with Miss Ais and the advice Miss Ryu gave me have created a connection.)

He integrated the teachings of the [Sword Maiden] and [Gale] into a coherent whole.

The moment I understood this, I felt the whole world suddenly become much wider.

The brief feeling of omnipotence seemed to grant me strength.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to be moved.

However, I can continue to become stronger.

Only this real feeling lit up my heart, and without realizing it, I cried out, my throat trembling:

"Aa ...

○

"...That's amazing."

The sound of its fierce roar was as powerful as that of a monster.

Seeing the boy fighting, Liu murmured something.

(Growth... no, it's a "leap forward." It's amazing that it's still able to grow and thrive.)

It's not just about fast absorption.

In Ryu's eyes, she used to think that Bell Craney was a boy who readily accepted advice and suggestions, and would honestly and repeatedly put what he had learned into practice. Although he was good at improving his weaknesses, he only knew how to do one action with one command.

What's the result now?

Today's youth not only listen to teachings, but also apply them.

The foundational knowledge gained goes beyond the basics; it enables independent thinking and further development.

Ryu had no idea that this was remarkably similar to Bell's actual experience of re-evaluating his "skill" and developing his "ultimate move (Holy Flame Heroic Slash)." Independent thinking and practice, trial and error—these are fundamental requirements for any adventurer.

There were signs all along. The great storms before reaching Lv.4, his encounter with the "heretic" and his meeting with the "formidable rival" all brought about changes in him.

However, it is precisely this extremely harsh environment of the "deep level" that forces the boy to make an even greater "leap."

If you don't become stronger, you'll only die.

The boy, pushed into the abyss of hell, is forced to grow up in the most dangerous place of death.

Ryu narrowed her eyes, as if looking at something dazzling.

"────!!"

"!"

Just as she was watching the boy slaughter the monster...

Behind Ryu, who was positioned at the back post, a monster's distant howl echoed from deep within the passage.

They are hordes of "lizardman elites".

"Miss Ryu!?"

Bell was taken aback and turned around to call out.

They are currently in a single-path passage. Ryu and Bell are caught in a pincer movement, with nowhere to escape.

Bell, worried about Ryu who was still kneeling on the ground and unable to move easily, was about to go to her rescue...

"Mr. Crannie, you should focus on dealing with your own enemies!"

But Ryu's sharp cry stopped him.

"But……!"

"I can no longer cover for you from now on. I don't have time to look around."

This is the "deep layer." It's impossible to keep leaving the fighting to the vanguard, with oneself only responsible for providing cover.

Since it was a two-man cell, Ryu knew that the defenders would eventually have to launch a counterattack. And that was exactly what was happening now.

Even though the pain in her right leg made her break out in a cold sweat, she still showed a resolute expression.

"I can't hold you back. -- I have to fight too."

Ryu turned his back to Bell and assumed a fighting stance.

When attacked by the monsters, Bell didn't even have time to hesitate. He could only trust Ryu and continue the battle on the stairs.

"Woohoo ...

Faced with the lizardmen who were closing in, Ryu drew his Japanese sword.

This steel sword was salvaged from the remains of adventurers, likely a treasured sword forged by a blacksmith fascinated by Far Eastern weaponry. The blade, crafted from materials produced in the labyrinth, remains as sharp as ever.

Ryu held the sword at his left waist, facing the horde of enemies head-on, and knelt on one knee.

"...?"

Seeing the elf kneeling on one knee, the lizardmen's eyes showed suspicion.

The elf remained motionless, his hands resting on his sheathed waist. To the monster, this appeared utterly bizarre.

The lizardmen, seeing their prey as silent as stone statues, paused for a moment, but then launched a swift attack.

The lead one strode over, wielding its longsword as a natural weapon, intending to cut its prey in two.

Even if one is not proficient in swordsmanship, any human would recognize that the posture as a "stance".

Faced with the bewildered monster that lunged at him, Ryu handed over the "answer".

"Phew!!"

"Ugh!?"

Liu's body swayed, and a flash of silver-white sword light disappeared.

The moment the monster entered the weapon's attack range, she drew her sword at lightning speed and unleashed a slash.