Chapter 35: Prepare For Battle (2) (1)


    I took a deep breath, drawing it in and exhaling gently.


    Phew.


    Beside my bed, a brazier with firewood emitted a flickering warmth. It had be a ritual, countless times of self-inflicted pain. I stuffed a rag into my mouth and reached my hand into the brazier.


    !


    A torrent of profanities automatically echoed in my mind.


    Counting to ten, second by second.


    Beyond the pain, my senses began to fade away. Instead of the searing agony in my flesh, an unfamiliar sensation trickled through my fingertips.


    [Han () has acquired the me Resistance skill!]


    Atst.


    I hastily withdrew my hand. The faint scorch mark caught my eye. As I turned my head and waited, the numbed sensation gradually receded.


    Now, it was time to test the difference before and after acquiring me Resistance.


    This time, I managed to endure for over thirty seconds. I swiftly extinguished the fire by cing a water jug beside the brazier. I couldnt bear to witness it any longer. Just as the mes dwindledpletely, a new message materialized.


    [Aaron () has acquired the me Resistance skill!]


    He did it.


    Aaron had extraordinary patience. It was as expected.


    But there was one individual who posed a slightly different problem. Shortly after, Jenna entered my room, her eyes glistening with tears.


    I cant do it. I cant put my hand into the fire.


    She decided to have the Fire Resistance Skill too, but she couldnt gather the courage to go through the process.


    You could ask Eolka to burn you, but only to the point where you wont perish.


    I dont want to do this. If I had known, I would have begged to have that old man instead!


    Help me.


    I reignited the fire in the brazier.


    Jenna approached me, her voice choked with sobs. She sat on my knee, shielding her eyes with my shoulder. I put the rag in her mouth, ensuring she wouldnt bite her tongue from the ensuing pain. Before her mouth was filled, Jenna whispered softly.


    Why me?


    Why me, huh?


    We were brought here,pelled to fight without understanding the reasons behind it. Perhaps those who instantly synthesized, without evenprehending the situation, may be happier than us. At least they were spared from experiencing any torment.


    Jenna had fainted numerous times before finally acquiring the me Resistance skill.


    And the following day arrived.


    Edis party ascended to the 9th floor.


    Kururur.


    The entire waiting room quivered leisurely. The vibrations were more profound than during the facilitys constructiona sensation peculiar to ascending floors.


    It didnt take long before Party 2 emerged, and Edis seemed rather unsettled. Dica and Asher wore strained expressions. With a grin, I spoke up.


    Did they chop off your limbs or something?


    Both of them hurled, unable to provide an answer. Roderick came to their aid, supporting them as they made their way back to the lodging.


    So, what was the mission about?


    We were tasked with conquering the Goblin Lair. There were approximately 50 of them.


    Anything else?


    Asher and Dica


    Besides that. Did you notice anything peculiar about the ce? If there was anything strange, spill the details.


    Edis narrowed her gaze and responded.


    The floor was like a pool of mud as if a torrential rain had just passed.


    A mud pool. Was that it?


    Im not sure about anything else.


    Understood.


    Edis wearily retreated to the lodging, appearing exhausted from the intense battle,cking the energy for further training.


    As Party 2 left, Iselle, with an air of authority, summoned the next members.


    Han, Jenna, Aaron, Eolka!


    Im already here.


    Oh, really?


    Party 1 had gathered instantly.


    We ventured into the rift of space and time.


    Are we not filling the fifth spot in the party?


    We were nearing the 10th floor, yet I couldntprehend Anytngs strategy.


    If he intended to fill the spots, he should have done so earlier. Bringing in recruits from the training camp at this point doesnt seem doable, they simply cant adapt now.


    As the mirror on the left began to enshroud the room, I spoke up.


    Eolka!


    Whats the matter?


    You remember what I saidst time, right? Only use the first tier until I say otherwise.


    But


    But what? Do you understand? Or should I say it again?


    Yes, I got it


    Good.


    Through my conversation with Eolka, I gained a rough understanding of how she employed her magic.


    Currently, Eolka is ssified as a 3-ss mage. And that simply means that she has three tiers of magic.


    The first tier involved invoking mes.


    The second tier involved igniting the mes explosively.


    The third tier involved spinning the explosion into an updraft.


    As the tiers increased, the consumption of magical power intensified.


    [Floor 4.]


    [Mission Type  Subjugation]


    [Objective  Annihte the enemy!]


    [Goblin Lv. 4 X 3]


    [Harpy Lv. 6 X 2]


    It was a familiar forest that we had traversed many times before.


    To the designated location.


    Following my instructions, the party members scattered. I took the front position, Aaron on the left, Jenna on the right, and Eolka in the center. We formed a triangr formation, emphasizing the protection of the central figure.


    The goblins and harpies eyed us warily, well aware of the significant difference in power. They cautiously started to encircle us, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.


    I stood firm, my sword and shield at the ready, observing the unfolding scene.


    Kee-yah!


    Finally unable to contain themselves, two harpies swooped down,unching their attack against me. As I deflected their sharp ws with my shield, I stole a quick nce behind me. Eolka was in the midst of casting her spell. mes danced from her feet, reaching up to her head.


    Now.


    Ignite!


    I swiftly sidestepped, evading the onught.


    In an instant, the billowing mes engulfed the two harpies like a crashing wave, leaving nothing behind.


    The remaining two goblins met their demise swiftly, courtesy of Jennas well-aimed arrows.


    Huh, they even put up a fight. We cant practice our formation this way.


    [Stage Clear!]


    [Eolka () leveled up!]


    [Reward  2,000G, Iron Ore (C) x1]


    [MVP  Eolka ()]


    Through this battle, Eolka reached level 4.


    It marked the highest level attainable on the 4th floor.


    Im at level 10, Jennas at 8, Aarons at 6, and Eolkas at 4. Decreasing by two with each level.


    We have raised our levels as far as possible.


    Party 2, led by Edis, experienced the same growth. Especially Edis, who quickly rose to the challenge after her initial defeat against Jenna. Her low-level dagger skill soared to level 4. Now, in their dagger duels, she could win 6 out of 10 matches against Jenna and even managed to secure victory in 7 out of 10.


    The 10th floor drew closer and closer.