From that point forward, my solo training in the depths of the dungeon truly began.
Now that I was acting alone, there were several things I had to keep in mind.
First and foremost: I must not cross paths with the Vampire Eudite.
In our current state, where we hadn't yet formed a bond, there was a high probability she would kill me on sight. Even if I managed to navigate an encounter and win her over, that would only invite Ageha’s Ghost to attack.
Either way, both scenarios led to a dead end. Avoiding her entirely was the only viable path forward.
While taking care to stay out of Eudite’s way, I used the hideout as my base and dedicated every waking moment to slaughtering monsters.
▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽
Skill Points have been consumed.
Conditions for Level Up have been met.
Skill: Swordsmanship has leveled up.
Swordsmanship Lv1 ▶ Swordsmanship Lv2
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A mere half-day after starting my training, I successfully raised my Swordsmanship skill to Level 2.
"This is too slow..." I muttered to myself.
According to what I knew, the Dungeon Boss was so powerful that even the Vampire Eudite couldn't defeat it. That meant I had to become, at the very least, stronger than Eudite just to stand a chance of clearing this place.
At this rate, it wouldn't be enough. I felt as though I could spend an eternity grinding and still never reach the level required to slay the boss. I needed a more efficient way to farm Skill Points.
『You seem to be in a bit of a bind.』
"Huh?"
I jolted at the sudden voice. I hurriedly scanned my surroundings, but there wasn't a soul in sight.
『Right here, Master. It’s me.』
The voice came from the Black Blade in my hand.
The Black Blade was merely one of the forms of the Parasitic Sword: Kugutsumawashi. That meant the sword itself was speaking to me.
"You... you could talk...?"
I was genuinely stunned. I had used Kugutsumawashi extensively before, but it had never addressed me like this.
『Hmm, I suppose I’m a little surprised too. I thought it would take a bit longer before I could manifest a voice... My compatibility with your soul must be exceptionally high.』
"I see. So that’s it."
High compatibility allowed for verbal communication. Beyond its own explanation, another possibility occurred to me: perhaps the sheer amount of time I had spent wielding the blade across various loops had finally accumulated enough progress for this to happen.
『So, Master, what exactly is the problem?』
There was no use dwelling on why the sword could suddenly talk. I shifted my focus to the more pressing issue.
"Right... I need to farm Skill Points more efficiently. Do you know a better way?"
『Oh, if that’s all, I know the location of a Hidden Room where you can rack up points quite effectively.』
"Are you serious?"
Even Eudite had never mentioned the existence of such a room.
『I'll guide you there. Just follow my lead, Master.』
Under Kugutsumawashi’s direction, I began navigating the dungeon corridors. The location it described—a place where one could efficiently grind points—appeared to be on the Upper Floors relative to Eudite's personal territory.
『I’m fairly certain that pressing your hand against the wall around here should reveal the Hidden Room...』
Following its instructions, I began feeling along the walls. Eventually, my hand found a spot that felt like a mechanical switch.
Click.
With a heavy, grinding sound, a door leading to a Hidden Room manifested in the wall.
"How did you know about this place?"
『My previous master found it by accident.』
That made sense. Still, it was incredible to think there were hidden rooms even the Vampire Eudite didn't know about.
『A word of caution, Master. I know what kind of monsters are waiting inside this room, and quite frankly, you’ll definitely be killed in your current state.』
"I see. Thanks for the warning."
I didn't hesitate for a second as I stepped into the hidden passage.
『That’s unexpected. You’re going in without a moment's doubt?』
"Well, I’m used to being killed."
『Ahaha! What a morbid joke.』
"Maybe."
As I replied, I made a silent vow.
No matter how many times I had to die, I would conquer the monsters lurking within this Hidden Room.