Episode(14)- Guardian
SOVEREIGN OF DEATH~(14)
[Kanata Nagisa–(Lv.40)]
[Class– Ruler of Death]
[Trait – Art of Death(EX-2), Master(EX), Reluctant(EX) ]
[Mana–5350]
"Skills"
[Perception(A)] [Swordplay(S)] [Martial Arts(A+)] [Kanata Footwork(S)] [Body Control(S-)] [Oneness(D)] [Mana UP(B-)] [Weapon Craft(C)]
I lazily rested my elbows on my knees while glancing over the status screen.
Sigh!
Even after killing so many wolves, I was only at level 40. The EXP gain must be smaller compared to before.
All that fighting should have at least boosted his level to 60, and yet-
It wasn't all bad though. Skill proficiency had improved and it would help to increase his combat effectivity which was a plus.
And with the improvements of my proficiency, my sword skills and control have sublimated beyond what it was before.
Another skill that caught his attention was the new 'Mana Up' skill.
Based on a person's class, non-magic related classes would improve magic stats anywhere from 1-3 points each level they went up.
Magic related classes on the other hand went up by and extra four to eight or nine points depending on the rarity of the occupation.
But, with mana up especially with 'Master' tweaking its effect a bit, Nagisa's mana rose by 20-100 points at the least per level.
Normally my mana should be somewhere around 460 if I added it to my original MP stats, but I was far above that already standing at the verge of 6000 magical units.
By the time he reached level 80 or 90 wouldn't he be a bottomless pit?
Even if I used mana for an entire day I doubt I'd run dry.
This is great, now even if farming EXP outside is not as good as inside the dungeon. The day I leave the dungeon, even if it disappears I will be completely different with my stats.
He wasn't sure what the average stats were like outside. What he knew was what the skill had informed him about.
But, at the very least my current strength shouldn't be weak right?
Otherwise that would be too embarrassing!
.....
.....
.....
The deeper I went into the dungeon, not only where there vastly more monsters than before but they were far stronger.
A mob on higher floors could pass for a variant on the floors below.
Thankfully, the number of monsters provided enough EXP for at least on level-up per floor allowing me to have enough strength to take on the challenge.
And even without leveling up, I was still confident since the further my magic control and efficiency increased so did the depth of my magical power.
There was also the fact that killing wolf monsters for every day since being trapped in the dungeon, I had gotten used to their attack patterns.
Even while taking a p*ss Nagisa could easily anticipate attacks from the wolves and kill them in one blow.
Even with my eyes closed it wouldn't be an issue.
But, thanks to the wolves and their erratic movements and quick attacks Nagisa had also grown his own fighting prowess somewhat eliminating certain vulnerable points he never considered before.
Even so, it's still boring fighting wolves.
Hopefully the whole dungeon wasn't themed after wolves and the 31st floor would be a different type or else I would really lose it.
And if it was truly the case that this wasn't a dungeon themed monster, this dungeon was likely to have several boss monsters and go beyond 50, no even 100 floors.
While thinking, the moment he left the passage Nagisa snapped out of it and twisted his body to the side.
Swoosh!*
Two sharp ice stakes like rockets passed by lodging into the cave wall.
Ice attacks?
Nagisa then looked up and was stunned.
Ahead of him, completely different from the 28th floor behind him, the 29th floor became an entirely different world.
Mountains, hilly terrains and trees. It was a snow covered plains that seemed no different from a genuine landscape.
Wasn't this a dungeon?
The sight was too realistic. Even the sky was created with such fine detail that there seemed no error at all.
But he did not have the time to daydream.
The ones that tried to ambush him, several white furred wolves stood on the plains glaring him down.
Nagisa tied his dancing blue hair into a ponytail in order to not let it get in the way.
I was just getting bored of the normal setting.
He grinned at the wolves. At the edge of the snowy plains, near what seemed to be a passage to the 30th floor stood a silver furred wolf clearly different from the rest.
It was the one who had formed the ice attacks before.
The moment it met eyes with Nagisa, the wolf howled. Mana swirled around it and several ice stakes spinning at high speed formed around it before piercing through the air.
My mind moved in slow motion.
Pulling the sword from the sheath, he sliced the sword through the air with fluid motion easily slicing the attacks into ice chips.
I glanced at the guardian.
Should I kill it first? Nah!
It would be a pain to have to chase down all that EXP if they scattered after losing a leader.
Then, as usual we target the mobs first!
His figure darted out.
The guardian also noticed his intention and formed several ice drills above him firing them down and created a cloud of snow.
Yet the next moment, an unharmed figure pushed aside the snow covering his figure and continued his pace even faster than before.
Howl!
Another ferocious howl echoed as several more ice drills were created and shot towards Nagisa.
But I grinned.
Tapping my feet, I avoided getting hit while using the drills as footholds to launch myself in the air.
Seeing that its attacks had no effect, the wolf guardian poured an even larger amount of mana into its attack creating a giant ice drill.
There's no way to avoid it!
The ice drill flew through the air with visible currents behind it. Still, Nagisa grinned and waved his sword high.
The moment the drill arrived, he swung the sword down splitting it into two.
With that I landed on the ground with a tuck and roll diving into the group of white furred wolves and began a sword dance.
Before I knew it, fanfare like the signing of a Sunday choir constantly echoed in my mind!
'Grrr!!'
Standing not far from Nagisa, the wolf guardian and run over and growled in displeasure.
But it was too late for its anger since all its minions had already died!
It was angry, this anger manifested into a sight of countless ice drills blotting out the sky.
Even this human being that seemed extraordinary would never survive this barrage. With that instinctive feeling, the guardian released the magic.
But, under the rain of attacks like arrows Nagisa wore a cool smile.
The ground rippling around him like the calm waters of a lake with every step, the swing of his sword containing no wasted movement.
His every move danced like a graceful fairy unhindered by the minimal space presented.
Finally, feeling the momentum build up Nagisa swung the sword tearing open a path in the curtain of attacks.
In the next moment his figure appeared beside the guardian slicing down through the air.
Clang*
A wall?
A wall made of ice blocked the attack before he could make contact.
At the same time, two drills from opposing direction shot towards him and crashed into each other as he somersaulted away.
This guy migh be smarter than I gave him credit for.
Inverted in the air, Nagisa was thinking of a good place to attack next when a drill emerged from the snowy ground and shot towards him.
!!
I used the sword to block however the force still sent me back quite a distance.
It didn't end with that attack as several more ice drills seemed to follow him like a tracking attack.
Hm, I guess it makes no sense dodging when they follow you.
Since that was the case, after evading one drill with a leap and a twist, he stomp the ground.
Compared to before where his steps flowed smooth like water and he was fast like a jaguar, now his figure vanished in a strength of light like thunder!
As I ran, everything in my path was turned to minced slices.
The moment he closed the distance, an ice wall was summoned again but I would never work twice.
Nice try!
The shield didn't even stand a chance and tore open like paper.
Compared to the slash before where Nagisa only wanted to test things out, there was no way a mere wall could block it now.
Yet, behind the split wall the guardian was nowhere to be seen!
Heh!
With a mocking laugh, I spun the sword with a twirl and a twist of my body slicing through the several drills that came from out of nowhere.
Then moved avoiding the ice cold claws that passed nearly inches away from his neck.
Landing in the distance with a slide on the snowy ground, the wolf began to run full circle around Nagisa and a spectacular sight occurred.
Several duplicates of itself appeared.
Clones?
It was a good trick. However, since he had been able to see the fire of vitality in all beings through perception, using such a trick was simply asking to be called a fool.
Without even so much as a twist, the guardian met its demise becoming fodder under my sword.
...
I sheathed my sword the moment the fight ended and glanced around.
This floor was rather easy having to just defeat a single monster and some minions in order to enter the boss floor.
It was suspiciously easy, however he had received the EXP and knew the wolf was not playing possum to fool him.
In any case, with a guardian monster at such a high level it would be a waste not to make a sword.
…
Minutes later, looking at the sword in my grasp I smiled.
『Frostily Cold Wolf Slayer sword』
[Rank: Unique]
[Description: Uses the Ice element and can launch ranged attacks however there is a cool down time of 2 minutes for each range attack. Otherwise, it causes 'Frost' effect to activate in an opponent's body. When using this sword your resistance to ice element also increases to 70%]
[Requirements to use: Nagisa Kanata]
Just as highly ranked as the last sword.
He was bit confused.
Do high ranked swords just pop out this often, or is it because the rank of my trait is so high?
One was rare while the other was unique.
Just how high powerful were these two swords in the eyes of those outside the dungeon? Maybe it was weak, maybe it was strong.
All that matter now was having another weapon to use.
After strapping the swords to my waist, I felt things were finally coming along and it was beginning to feel like a real adventure.
Now it was time to face the big boss of the game!
Behind this door was a monster unlike any other he had fought before. It was nerve wracking but definitely exciting!
He couldn't wait.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Kanata Nagisa–(Lv.49)]
[Class– Ruler of Death]
[Trait – Art of Death(EX-2), Master(EX), Reluctant(EX) ]
[Mana–6100/7130]
"Skills"
[Perception(A+)] [Swordplay(S+)] [Martial Arts(A+)] [Kanata Footwork(S)] [Body Control(S)] [Oneness(D)] [Mana UP(B)] [Mana Manipulation(D)] [Weapon Crafting(D-)]