POV: First Person (Protagonist)
A few days passed, and I didn't kill many monsters during that time. I only hunted those fish-like monsters and their less evolved versions. However, I still couldn't find a dragon.
Fortunately, I haven't encountered any of those anomalies so far. The problem is probably in the Upper Stratum. I just hope this "virus" doesn't spread to the rest of the dungeon.
'Honestly, I'm thinking about staying here much longer. This place is amazing. My fire resistance has increased enough that the heat doesn't bother me anymore, and the food here is very tasty.'
There's no reason for me to rush out of here.
Although, I'm very eager to leave the labyrinth. Hunting monsters and evolving is fun, but I want to see the world outside. I don't know anything about the outside world in this universe, since as far as I read, the Web Novel Kumoko hadn't explored it yet.
I'm really curious.
Is the outside world as dangerous as the inside of the labyrinth? I highly doubt it.
The only things I know about the outside world are that there's an ongoing war between humans and demons, and that a Hero exists. Speaking of which… if the Hero discovers my existence, he'll come hunting for me, right?
I don't want that.
I may be strong, but I don't know if I could kill a "Hero." He's definitely extremely powerful.
'Well, I think I'm safe for now,' I thought while chewing the last piece of meat.
[ Skill proficiency achieved ]
[ The skill "Defense Enhancement LV4" has become "Defense Enhancement LV5" ]
[ Skill proficiency achieved ]
[ The skill "Fire Resistance LV7" has become "Fire Resistance LV8" ]
At this rate, it won't take long for my Fire Resistance skill to reach the maximum level. If that happens, I won't need to worry about the dangers of this floor anymore. Though, to be fair, nothing here really threatens me at the moment.
'Now then, shall we keep going?' I thought as I started walking again.
My eight legs moved quickly as I avoided getting too close to the lava pits. I didn't go looking for monsters—they came to me.
After a few minutes of walking, I was finally attacked—this time by two monsters at once. They were two giant seahorses that emerged from the lava to attack me. They swung their tails and tried to fling lava at me.
I increased my defense and speed to avoid the attack.
I ran around the lava pit and moved behind them, then used Heretic Magic to inflict pain on them. Neither of them had resistance to this type of magic, and they began writhing in agony.
I smiled and waited for one of them to get closer to the edge of the lava pit.
They're so weak I don't even need to adjust my strength to kill them.
They're only level 3 and 4, respectively, and their stats aren't high.
When one of them approached the edge, I moved in instantly and bit the back of its head, poisoning it. That was enough to make it agonize in pain. Its body disappeared into the lava.
The second seahorse recovered from my magic and tried to take advantage of the fact that I was close to the lava pit. It attempted to strike me with its tail while casting fire magic.
I didn't even notice that this little guy could use fire magic. I should've paid more attention to his skills.
I easily dodged his attacks and moved to the ceiling. The seahorse looked up and stared at me. I was right above the lava pit.
If I make a single wrong move, I'm screwed.
I fired my web at the ceiling and slowly began descending, drawing its attention.
I didn't really need to do something like this, but I wanted to take a little risk. This could be fun.
Acting like bait, I dangled there. Even though it had no teeth, the seahorse still tried to bite me. It was funny watching it try to reach me.
Then I waited for the perfect moment.
When it got close enough to the edge of the lava pit, I released my web.
I fell onto its head and bit straight into its forehead, injecting my poison. Then I jumped toward the edge of the lava lake. I escaped the lava without any problem, and the seahorse agonized until it died.
While I smiled in satisfaction, a powerful monster emerged from the lava pit behind me.
A powerful flame burst toward me, and I only managed to dodge it thanks to my Detection skill.
If I didn't have that ability, I would've been hit. I didn't hear any sound—this thing is very stealthy!
'What is it? Is this the dragon I was looking for?'
It's very different from that dragon that was an anomaly.
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Its appearance… it looks nothing like that anomaly or any other earth dragon. It doesn't have front legs like they do. Its body is basically shaped like an eel.
A long body, similar to those seahorses.
I activated my Appraisal skill to check its status.
Elroe Gunesohka LV6
Stats
HP: 2,985
MP: 2,522
SP: 2,542 / 2,781
Offense: 2,616
Defense: 2,501
Magic: 2,199
Resistance: 2,196
Speed: 2,310
Skills
Fire Wyrm LV8 • Imperial Scales LV5 • SP Recovery Speed LV6 • SP Lessened Consumption LV1 • Flame Attack LV8 • Flame Enhancement LV7 • Cooperation LV5 • Leadership LV5 • Hit LV10 • Evasion LV10 • Probability Correction LV8 • Presence LV8 • Danger Perception LV7 • High-Speed Swimming LV4 • Impact Resistance LV2 • Heat Nullification • Life LV8 • Instantaneous LV6 • Persistent LV5 • Strength LV9 • Solidity LV8 • Technique User LV5 • Protection LV5
Fortunately, it's not an anomaly, and its stats are pretty low. An average of around 2,000 isn't a big deal. It's much stronger than the other monsters in this area, but it's still very weak.
I adjusted my speed and defense, and the dragon roared.
Once again, it used its Flame Attack skill. It looked almost like a flamethrower.
'What a cool attack.'
And its aim is good. Probably because of its skills. If my speed weren't at 5,000, I definitely wouldn't be able to dodge these attacks.
'You idiot, get out of that lava and come attack me!'
It's right in the middle of the lava lake. It's impossible to reach it—unless I jump and land right on it.
'Should I do that?'
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