"Looks like we made it."
"Huh? What? Master, is this… the labyrinth?"
Roxanne seemed a bit dazed. However, the moment she looked around and realized where we were, her expression tightened. She wore a look of intense focus—the same almost frighteningly serious face she’d shown back at the inn when we discussed the labyrinth.
"It’s the first floor of the labyrinth just outside Vale."
"But Dungeon Walk is only supposed to work inside a labyrinth. Field Walk might work out there, but you shouldn't be able to enter the labyrinth directly with it."
I see. So Field Walk doesn't allow teleportation directly into a dungeon.
That made sense. I’d seen an adventurer party create a black wall on a tree in the forest near the entrance, then walk the rest of the way in.
"I thought that might be the case."
"Besides, Master, you’re an Explorer. You shouldn't even be able to use Field Walk."
She had seen my Intelligence Card, so she knew my current job.
"This is a movement magic called Warp."
"I have never heard of such a thing."
Apparently, Bonus Spells weren't common knowledge.
"There are probably very few people who can use it besides me. Keep it between us, okay?"
"Y-Yes, of course."
"I'm counting on you."
I managed to talk her into accepting it.
"Master, you are truly incredible."
My explanation had been a bit forced, but she seemed to believe me. She looked up at me with a gaze full of burgeoning respect.
"It’s not that big a deal."
Having a beautiful woman look at me like that certainly didn't feel bad.
I pulled a leather hat out of my Item Box and placed it on Roxanne's head as she watched me with sparkling eyes. The hat hid her wolf ears. It was a bit of a shame to cover them, but safety came first. I put on another one myself.
"Umm… the way you use your Item Box seems a little different as well. Is that another unique magic?"
"No, this is just a normal Item Box."
"I-I see."
Roxanne tilted her head. It was a standard Item Box, but was it really that different to her?
I pulled out the leather mittens and handed them to her. Once she had them on, I gave her the wooden shield. I put on my own leather gloves, drew Durandal, and we were ready.
I thought I saw Roxanne make a strange face when she saw Durandal, but she didn't say anything. Maybe she was being reserved since I was her master.
"By the way, take a look at my sword. What do you think?"
"It appears to be a very magnificent blade."
Her reply felt a little hollow, but I guess I couldn't expect more than that yet.
"So, Roxanne, have you ever been inside a labyrinth before?"
"Yes. In about three different locations."
"Are they all like this?"
I decided to start gathering information. I could have just asked her to tell me everything she knew, but that was a tall order. Specific questions were better.
"Yes. Since you are an Explorer, Master, I assumed you already knew…"
"…No. I haven't been in many yet."
"I see."
Maybe the open-ended question would have been better after all.
"Anyway, monsters won't spawn in this room, right?"
"Monsters do not appear in the transition rooms used by Dungeon Walk. I do not know if your magic follows the same rules, however."
"It'll be fine. This room is right inside the first-floor entrance."
I gestured toward the black wall behind us. That was the gateway back to the entrance or to other floors.
"Yes, it seems so."
"We're going further in. The monsters on this floor go down in one hit, so don't be too nervous."
"O-One hit?"
Well, only if I was using Durandal.
"Shall we?"
"Wait. I believe it would be best if you lent me a Monster Crystal."
Roxanne stopped me as I turned to leave the room.
"A what?"
"A Monster Crystal."
Roxanne nodded.
"Monsters are composed of mana. When you defeat one, that mana accumulates bit by bit to form a Monster Crystal. Once filled with mana, these crystals serve as an energy source for things like the Guild Temple."
"And you want me to 'lend' you one?"
"If you don't possess a Monster Crystal, the mana will not accumulate when you defeat a monster."
Well, I’d certainly dropped the ball there. I’d never even heard of such a thing.
"So, if I have one, I collect mana every time I kill a monster?"
"Yes."
"Does that mean Monster Crystals sell for a lot?"
"They do. Of all the items found in the labyrinth, they are likely the most valuable."
What? You’re kidding me.
"…Is that so?"
"Ah, please don't be discouraged. While they are valuable, the mana accumulates very slowly. Selling a full crystal isn't something one does often in a lifetime. Even if you didn't have one until now, it isn't a great loss. It will be fine."
She was being incredibly considerate of my dejected state.
"How do I get one?"
"You can find them in the labyrinth, or you can go to the Explorer Guild and buy 'spent' crystals—the ones left over after their mana has been used."
"Then let's go buy some later. I haven't seen anything like that in here yet."
I didn't recall seeing anything like a crystal. Or maybe I had and just ignored it because I didn't know what it was.
"Is this a relatively new labyrinth, Master?"
"That’s what I heard. It’s only been open a few days."
"Then there might not be any crystals yet. It takes time for mana to accumulate and crystallize."
So I hadn't just overlooked them.
"Besides drop items and crystals, is there any other way to make money in here?"
"There are treasure chests."
Aha. So they did exist.
"I don't think I've seen any."
"They are rare in new labyrinths. Treasure chests are usually found in older ones."
"I see. Well, no worries then. So, which way should we go?"
It seemed my failure to find chests wasn't due to negligence either. I pulled myself together and looked toward the center path, but Roxanne stopped me again.
"Master, if you want to find a monster quickly, the right path is best."
"Wait, you can tell?"
"Yes. I can smell them."
Seriously? I couldn't smell a thing.
"Is it because you're a Wolf-kin?"
"Even among my kind, my sense of smell is particularly sharp. I am very good at tracking monsters."
"That’s amazing."
"Thank you, Master."
Following Roxanne's advice, I took the right-hand tunnel. Before we had even walked for a minute, a Needle Wood appeared.
"She was right."
Roxanne was the real deal. She looked great, she was great in bed, and she was great in a dungeon. She was the total package.
"I'll handle this."
"Wait—"
I stopped Roxanne before she could charge in. I rushed the Needle Wood with Durandal raised and delivered a diagonal slash. The monster fell in a single blow, dissolving into smoke.
"I-It really was one hit. Incredible."
Roxanne arrived a moment later, looking at me with a dazed, flustered expression. Being looked at like that by a beautiful girl was the best feeling in the world. Setting aside the fact that I was totally relying on Durandal, my stock had definitely gone up in her eyes.
"Well, the sword is the real star here."
"It is certainly an excellent blade. It’s so well-maintained, it looks brand new."
Roxanne inspected Durandal with a keen eye. It seemed my sword met her high standards. I suspected that when I pulled it out via Character Reset, it manifested in perfect condition. That would explain why it looked better than the Scimitar or the Copper Sword I’d barely used. Roxanne had already scolded me for the state of those two, even though I didn't know how they’d been treated before I bought them.
"Don't tell anyone about this sword."
"A secret?"
"Yeah. If people found out about a blade like this, well…" I grabbed Roxanne’s hand and pulled her close, wrapping my arm around her neck and holding the side of my hand against her throat like a blade. "Someone might say, 'If you want this woman to live, hand over the sword.'"
"I… I see. That is a very real possibility. I understand."
"Good."
I let her go. A little scare would ensure she didn't take the secret lightly. It was a plausible scenario, after all.
"However, Master… if such a thing were to happen, please do not hesitate. Choose the sword."
"In that case, I’d choose you, Roxanne. You’re more important than a sword. But either way, I’d like to avoid losing either of you."
"I understand… Um, thank you."
Now that she understood the risks, she wouldn't go blabbing. Roxanne picked up the Branch that the Needle Wood had dropped and stashed it in her backpack.
"Which way next?"
"Straight ahead."
"Got it."
"A-Ah, thank you!"
As we started walking, Roxanne bowed her head deeply.
"What's that for?"
"In the party I used to be in, I was a newcomer. No one ever listened to my opinions. Even in battle, I was told to stay back or only attack from the shadows."
"What a waste. You've got talent; it should be used."
"Yes. I am happy to be of use to you."
So she’d been looked down on as a rookie. I guess parties are like that, especially ones that have been together a long time. Since I was new to this world, I was a lot more flexible.
"I'm counting on you. Though for now, since battles end in a second, you'll just be watching."
"That in itself is amazing. The monsters on this floor are no match for you. Do you have no intention of moving to the higher floors?"
"Higher?"
"Yes. If you pay the Explorers at the entrance, they can guide you to floors that have already been mapped, even ones far above this one."
Wait, above, not below? I’d always pictured labyrinths going down into the earth. And the Explorers at the entrance offered guide services? There was still so much I didn't know.
"It might be better to move up, but jumping ahead is dangerous. I haven't spent much time in labyrinths yet. I think I'll explore them floor by floor."
I didn't think I could just breeze through the whole thing after only a few days. There had to be monsters I couldn't beat and floors I couldn't handle. I’d seen that room packed with Needle Woods; there were probably other traps like that. If I got cocky, I’d pay for it. Cautious was better.
"I understand. Then I will guide you so that we may map as much as possible."
"I'm counting on you."
I followed her lead. Roxanne’s guidance was seriously impressive. We found monsters in minutes—it was twice as efficient as my solo runs. What was even more impressive was that she was prioritizing our exploration path. If the closest monster was in a direction we’d already been, she ignored it. Simply backtracking wouldn't help us map the place.
By the time we were done, her backpack was stuffed with Branches.
"This is great."
"It’s all thanks to you, Roxanne. Being able to smell monsters is a huge advantage. Can you tell what kind they are too?"
"If I have fought them before, yes. I can also tell how many there are, to an extent. But it isn't perfect. I might not smell them through a hidden door, or they might spawn right in front of us. I also don't always know the absolute shortest path."
"That’s still plenty incredible."
Since the bag was full, we headed back to the Adventurer Guild wall. It was bright outside now, but the exchange counter wasn't open yet. We returned to the inn, dropped off the loot, and had breakfast together. Afterward, we went back to our room to rest.
"Thank you for letting me eat the same food as you, Master."
"Well, breakfast is included with the room. Besides, you were a huge help today. I'm glad you're in the party."
I thanked her and sat on the bed. She really was an asset.
"Yes. Thank you. I look forward to working with you as well."
Roxanne bowed, standing near the door. Even after she looked up, she didn't seem to have any intention of moving.
"Please, sit."
"I have never defeated so many monsters in one go. You are incredible, Master."
"No, that was a first for me too. It only happened because you were guiding me. You're the one who’s incredible."
"That is not true. We could only kill so many because your power is overwhelming. So many things about you are amazing."
We were just stuck in a loop of praising each other.
"Anyway, come over here and sit down."
"Y-Yes."
I gestured for her to join me. Did I really have to tell her every single time?
"From now on, once we're in the room, feel free to sit wherever you like. Actually, stay close to me. I’d prefer it. Just because you sit near me doesn't mean I'll pounce on you—well, I won't say I never will, but I’ll try to keep it under control."
As Roxanne sat down beside me, I felt a sudden, irresistible urge to hug her. Resisting forever was just impossible. The sliver of pale skin peeking from the collar of her tunic was needlessly seductive.
"I… I wouldn't mind. If you did…"
Well, if she was going to say something as sweet as that, how could I not hug her? I’m pretty sure this was Roxanne’s fault. Did "I wouldn't mind" mean she was okay with me pouncing? Or was she just saying she was okay with me trying to control myself? Dammit.
Since I couldn't help myself, I decided to just pet her ears to calm my nerves. They were soft and springy—a wonderful texture.
"Can I have a taste?"
"Eh? Um… I don't think I would taste very good."
No, you’d definitely be delicious. Wait, what am I even saying? Roxanne looked down, looking a bit troubled.
"No, that's not what I meant. I'm not going to eat you. Just playing around."
I did want to give them a little playful nibble, though.
"O-Oh. I see."
"Does it bother you when I touch your ears? If it hurts or you don't like it, tell me immediately. I'll stop."
"As long as you don't do anything too strange, it’s fine. And… it actually feels quite good to be stroked."
Roxanne averted her eyes and whispered that last part. She was devastatingly cute. Can I please eat her now?
Petting those ears reminded me of something. Not a powder puff, but something edible. Not a cream puff or a marshmallow, but something chewier. Right—isobeyaki. Those drooping ears had the same stretchy, soft feel as grilled mochi. They were soft, elastic, and completely addictive.
I loved isobeyaki, but I might never eat it again. I didn't even know if mochi, soy sauce, or seaweed existed here.
"Do they have isobeyaki around here?"
"Isobeyaki?"
"Yeah. It was a favorite food of mine back home."
"I don't know it by that name, but if you go to the coast, people often grill fish on the beach and eat them."
Ah, literal "beach-grilling." I guess my translation skill was being too literal. Just because the word was translated didn't mean the concept existed.
"I see. Well, I'll look for it eventually."
"Um… Master? Will you… will you return to your hometown someday?" Roxanne asked. She seemed genuinely concerned.
"To my hometown?"
"Yes."
"I've found something much better than my hometown right here." I said, continuing to pet her ears. Japan didn't have these. This was worth ten isobeyakis. Soft, smooth, springy—perfection.
"…"
"I'm not going back. I probably can't anyway." Roxanne had gone quiet, so I gave her a serious answer. It was something I had to accept.
"Is that so?"
"Unfortunately for you, that means I won't be setting you free just because I'm going home." I lifted her ears and gave them a little flap.
"No, I didn't mean it like that!"
"I know, I know."
"It’s just… usually, when a slave is no longer needed, they are sold."
I see. So that was her real fear.
"I plan on keeping you around forever."
"Yes! Thank you, Master."
"Though, I’ll probably need to increase our party members eventually to keep up our strength."
I slipped in my harem declaration under the radar. I only said I’d increase the party, not that they’d all be girls, but let’s be real. Even if the front line ended up being some burly guy, the back line was going to be nothing but beauties. It was only logical.
"Yes, that makes perfect sense."
I don't know how much she understood, but I took that as consent. I wasn't sure if it was "natural," but building a party meant we could keep earning in the labyrinth. Besides, what else was I going to do? I didn't have any specialized knowledge that would help me in agriculture or commerce. Even if I tried to invent something from Earth, there was no guarantee it would work.
I once read a biography of James Watt. He was a successful businessman, but only because he won his patent battles. There were no patents here.
Maybe I could train Roxanne to be a midwife? That was a female-dominated profession. If I taught her about disinfecting hands with lime water and boiling medical tools, we could probably wipe out puerperal fever. She’d be the most successful midwife in the world. The Kaga School of Obstetrics was a nice dream, but not very practical. qualifications might be different for different races, and who knows what local customs we’d run into.
What about music? If the hits from my world worked here, we could form a band. I knew hundreds of songs—pop, oldies, classics. Even if people started pirating them in a week, I could stay ahead of the curve for years. But I couldn't play an instrument or read music, so that was out too.
It was depressing how much I had to rely on Roxanne. In the end, the labyrinth was the most reliable way to make a living, especially with my skills. And it wasn't like it was super dangerous—as long as I didn't rush to the higher floors, we could just take our time and level up. We could even stay on the low floors forever. With Roxanne, we could easily clear a thousand Nahl a day. We’d be set.
"By the way, I heard owners have to provide food and housing for their slaves. Is an inn okay?"
"Yes, of course."
"Even sharing a bed?" I leaned in and hugged her.
"Y-Yes. In fact, I'm very grateful for it."
I just wanted to hear her say it. Maybe I was being a bit of a jerk, but she’d expected to sleep on the floor, so this was a win for her. Her soft, rich curves pressed against my arm. I could feel her through the thin fabric of her tunic.
This was dangerous. I wanted to pounce, but I’d already promised I’d try not to. Why did I open my big mouth?
"Well, as long as we have you in the labyrinth, we won't have to worry about money for a while."
"No, it’s your ability to kill monsters in one hit that is truly amazing, Master."
Oh right, taxes.
"I forgot to ask about the tax system. How do we pay?"
"Um… taxes are…" Roxanne looked uncomfortable.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No, it’s fine. It’s just… after my parents died, I lived with my aunt. This year, we couldn't pay the taxes for everyone, so…"
"I see."
So she was sold because they couldn't afford the tax. I thought that only happened in old stories. I stroked her head gently to comfort her.
"It’s a poll tax. You pay it to the lord every winter. For a free citizen, it’s 100,000 Nahl. For a slave, it’s 10,000. Someone probably paid yours for this year already."
"I see."
I doubted that, but I wasn't going to correct her. So 110,000 Nahl for the both of us. That was something to keep in mind. I pulled her head closer.
"Umm… since it meant I could serve you, Master, I think it turned out well for me." Roxanne leaned against my shoulder.
After that, I asked her more about the labyrinth. Apparently, people believe the labyrinth is a living organism.
"Wait, what?"
The idea was that labyrinths were scattered around because they were individual creatures.
"So like… an antlion larva?"
"An antlion?"
"Never mind."
The labyrinth lured humans in like ants. It used monsters to kill them, then digested and absorbed them to grow and multiply. It was a space created by magic; if you dug into the ground where a labyrinth stood, you’d find nothing. That’s why they grew up, not down. To kill one, you had to reach the top floor and kill the boss. Lords were responsible for clearing any labyrinths that popped up near settlements.
"And if you clear a labyrinth in an area that has become uninhabitable, you can be knighted as the lord of that land." Roxanne explained with surprising enthusiasm.
"Got it. Thanks for the lecture."
"You're very welcome."
I decided to end the lesson there. We grabbed our stuff and left the room.
"By the way, how many days are in a year?"
"Three hundred and sixty, plus a few extra."
According to Roxanne, a year had four seasons of ninety days each. There were one or two holidays between seasons—basically leap days. That meant a year was about 364 days, almost exactly like Earth.
"Do you know the date?"
"It’s early spring. I'm sorry, I don't know the exact day."
Tax season was in winter, so we had plenty of time. We headed to the Explorer Guild. First, I sold the loot. A backpack full of Branches got me six silver coins and some change. Over six hundred Nahl. My 30% bonus was great, but Roxanne’s efficiency was the real game-changer.
Next, I went to buy the crystals she’d mentioned.
"Give me two Monster Crystals."
"Black crystals, I assume?" the clerk asked.
Wait, Roxanne didn't mention they were black.
"Uh, yeah. The spent ones."
"Black crystals it is. One moment."
Roxanne had wandered over to the bulletin board and was reading the posters intently. It was really handy that she was literate.
"Here you go. Ten Nahl each."
Wait, what happened to my discount? I’d swapped my skills, but it didn't seem to apply. The 30% markup worked when I was selling, but the discount wasn't kicking in here. Maybe it didn't work on certain items? I didn't get it. I handed over twenty copper coins anyway. The clerk carefully exchanged the coins for two crystals, counting them out to be sure.
The crystals were round pebbles about the size of a chicken egg, and as the name suggested, they were pitch black. I hadn't seen anything like them in the dungeon, though they were small enough that I might have missed them. I used Appraisal. The name was just "Monster Crystal."
"They called them Black Monster Crystals." I said, showing them to Roxanne.
"They change color based on the mana they’ve stored. Ten kills turns it red. A hundred turns it purple. A thousand is blue, ten thousand is green, a hundred thousand is yellow, and a million is white."
"So since they’re empty, they’re black."
"The price changes based on the color. Usually, people sell them when they hit yellow or green. Very few people wait until they turn white."
So the price was the same whether you had a hundred kills or nine hundred—it was just a "Purple Crystal." But a million kills? If you killed a hundred monsters a day, it would take thirty years to reach white. Roxanne was right; selling one was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
"Alright, back to the labyrinth."
We stepped outside. Even though we’d spent a while talking, the sun was still low. I found myself glancing back as we walked.
Specifically, at Roxanne’s chest. Every time she stepped, I could see them swaying. It was hard to tell under the baggy tunic and jacket, but they were definitely rippling with her movements. It wasn't my imagination. The backpack straps were acting like a push-up bra, and those heavy, sweet fruits were bouncing around in there.
It was absolute poison for my eyes. Roxanne caught me looking and gave me a sweet smile.
She totally knows.
All the respect I’d earned was going down the drain. I hurried toward the labyrinth entrance, feeling her gaze on my back. I could have had her walk beside me to get a better look, but men and women didn't really walk side-by-side in this world. Besides, having her behind me kept other men from staring at her chest.
We warped to the first floor.
"Monsters to the right," Roxanne said immediately. She seemed perfectly willing to ignore my staring. What a lifesaver.
"Got it. Do I just need to hold the crystal?" I pulled out our gear and the crystals.
"Yes. Keeping it in your backpack is enough. They won't collect mana inside an Item Box."
I put the crystal in my pack, geared up, and we headed into the right-hand tunnel.
"Um… Master? May I ask something?"
"What is it?"
"When you opened the Item Box just now, you didn't chant. I realized that was what felt strange. Do your skills not require chants? I thought all magic and skills needed them."
So that’s why she thought my Item Box was special. I usually mumbled something in public to make it look like I was chanting. I’d even used a fake spell for Warp. But alone with her, it was too much of a hassle.
"Do you know about Character Reset?"
"Character… Reset?"
"What about Bonus Points?"
"Is that a special reward?"
She had no clue. Explaining "Chant Omission" via Character Reset was going to be impossible.
"It’s something only I can do. I'm only showing you because I trust you."
"T-Thank you very much!"
"But don't tell anyone. It’s a secret."
I was really leaning on the "secret" thing. But how else could I explain it? Even if I told the truth, she’d probably think I was lying. It was better to keep her out of it and take the secret to my grave.
"Another secret?"
"Please. Not like there are many people in here anyway."
"True. The first floor hasn't even been cleared yet."
"Cleared?"
"The declaration that the entire floor has been mapped."
"Does it get crowded after that?"
"Before it’s cleared, there might still be rooms packed with monsters."
Right, like that Needle Wood room.
"Do those go away after it’s cleared?"
"If it’s cleared, it means someone has already found and dealt with those rooms. When monsters spawn in a tunnel, they wander around. But if they spawn in a room, they get stuck. Over time, the room fills up with them. It’s a deadly trap for beginners. Even after the declaration, you have to be careful, but the most dangerous time is right at the beginning."
So there were more rooms like that. That was terrifying. I had Durandal’s HP Absorption, but Roxanne was at risk. If we hit a room like that, I might not be able to protect her. I needed to be more careful.
"Maybe we should go to a labyrinth that’s already been cleared?"
"The declarations are only for low floors to help beginners. On these floors, the monsters are slow anyway. It’s fine. You can't be an Explorer if you're afraid of a few monsters in a room."
"O-Oh. Right."
She seemed confident, but I wasn't so sure.
"Besides, if there’s a large group like that, I’ll be able to smell them."
"Oh, right. I forgot."
Her nose was our early warning system. I was starting to realize how vital she was.
"They're coming."
A monster moved in the shadows ahead. I rushed in with Durandal and cut it down. A single Needle Wood was zero threat.
"Nice."
"One hit… simply incredible." Roxanne picked up the Branch and stashed it.
But even with one-hit kills, a mob would be a problem. I needed a way to hit multiple enemies at once. My Hero skill, Overwhelming, let me act faster, but it wasn't a multi-target attack. Warrior and Swordsman skills were the same. Realistically, hitting multiple enemies with a sword was just hard.
But there was magic.
"Are there any area-of-effect spells?" I asked as we walked.
"I have heard of them. But I don't know the details. Only nobles and the very rich can become Mages."
"Because of that medicine you have to take before you're five?"
The village merchant had told me that. So, since I was way past five, I couldn't be a Mage? But wait—I became a Thief by stealing, a Hero by saving the village, and an Explorer by entering the dungeon. Maybe if I used magic, I’d get the Mage job?
But I hadn't gotten it from using Item Box or Warp. Those were utility spells. To be a Mage, you probably had to use offensive magic. It was a chicken-and-egg problem: you need to be a Mage to use the magic, but you need the magic to become a Mage. That’s probably why they used special items to bridge the gap.
But I had Bonus Spells. I could use Warp without being a Mage. If I used an offensive Bonus Spell, would that unlock the job? I was Hero Level 6 now; maybe I had enough MP.
"Do you know a Mage we could recruit?" Roxanne asked.
"No, just me. But we'll definitely need more people eventually."
"Finding a Mage slave would be very difficult, but they would be a massive asset."
"Well, I'm counting on you when the time comes."
"Of course!"
She didn't seem to mind the idea of more companions. Even if they were harem members.
I opened Character Reset in my mind and checked Meteor Crash. I didn't have the MP for it at level one, but surely now…
If it unlocked the Mage job, great. If not, at least I’d have an area attack.
A Needle Wood appeared.
Meteor Crash!
…Nothing happened. I tried to focus, but the spell didn't trigger. The Needle Wood just kept trundling toward us. I rushed in and finished it with Durandal.
Thank god for Chant Omission. If I’d shouted that out loud and nothing happened, I’d have died of embarrassment. Was my MP still too low? How much did that thing cost? It must be incredibly powerful if it took this much mana. I’d just have to wait.
Next, I tried Gamma Ray Burst.
Nothing.
Extreme Drop Dead?
Nothing.
Damn. Were all the offensive Bonus Spells locked? There was Self-Destruct Attack, but that seemed like a bad idea. I’d probably die. That was a last-resort, end-of-the-world kind of move.
There was also Equivalent Exchange. It sounded like it might swap my life for the enemy's—or maybe it just shaved off an equal amount of HP from both of us until one hit zero. If I had more HP than the enemy, I’d survive. But I didn't know how much HP monsters had. It was too risky.
I guess I just had to keep leveling until I could use Meteor Crash.
We killed about ten more Needle Woods. Roxanne’s tracking made it incredibly fast.
"Thanks, Roxanne. Now, let’s check the crystal."
I opened my pack. The black pebble was now glowing red.
"How’s yours?"
"Still black. The mana only goes to the one who deals the final blow."
So we didn't share mana. But I had a Bonus Skill called Crystallization Acceleration. I’d ignored it before, but now I knew what it was for. I used Character Reset and pumped it up to 32x.
"It took ten kills to turn red. How many for purple?"
"A hundred."
I killed three more monsters with the 32x multiplier.
"Roxanne, look at this."
I pulled out the crystal. It was already purple. 32x3 was 96, plus the 10 I already had—106 kills.
"Wh-What? How? Why is it purple already?"
"It’s a secret."
"Master… you are truly beyond comprehension."
She was properly shocked. I put it back. "Secret" was becoming my catch-all answer, but it worked.
"How much does a green one sell for?"
"Ten thousand Nahl. A yellow one is a hundred thousand."
Green was ten thousand kills. So one Nahl per kill. With my multiplier, that was 32 Nahl per kill. It was way better than loot drops. I could prioritize money with the multiplier, leveling with Experience bonuses, or raw power with Durandal. It was a well-balanced system.
Since we weren't desperate for cash, I went back to Character Reset and swapped the multiplier for Experience bonuses. I also noticed the "Unlock" skills: Level Limit, Damage Limit, and Party Item. I didn't need the first two yet, but "Party Item Unlock" sounded interesting. I checked it.
My screen refreshed. A new spell appeared: Partylization. I also got a new skill: Party Job Setting.
I tried Partylization in my mind. I didn't feel anything, but it felt like the spell was waiting for an item. Maybe it shared item effects with the whole party?
"Roxanne, feel anything different?"
"No, Master."
Nothing on her end. I looked at her and tried Party Job Setting.
A list of jobs appeared in my mind.
Beast Fighter Lv 6, Villager Lv 8, Farmer Lv 1, Warrior Lv 1, Swordsman Lv 1, Explorer Lv 1.
So those were her jobs. She didn't have any Thief levels—she was a good girl.
Beast Fighter: Lv 6. Effects: Agility (Medium), Stamina (Small), Dexterity (Small). Skill: Beast Attack.
It was a solid job. Better than Swordsman or Warrior. I decided to leave it as it was. This was going to be a game-changing skill.
"The only thing left is healing," I said.
"Healing?"
"Yeah. We’re fine now, but we’ll need it eventually."
I had Durandal’s HP Absorption, and I could let Roxanne use it to top off, but in a real fight, that wouldn't work. We needed a dedicated healer.
"Priests and Monks can use healing magic," Roxanne said.
"How do you become one?"
"Through rigorous training. I’ve heard they stand under waterfalls or visit eighty-eight different guilds on foot."
Waterfall training? Pilgrimages? It sounded like it was all about spiritual enlightenment. If Mages needed offensive magic, then Priests needed a mystical experience. That sounded impossible for me.
"Kashikomi, kashikomi… Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi… Namu Amida Butsu… Kyu-kyu nyo ritsu ryo… Eloim, Essaim… Allahu Akbar… Amen."
I tried every religious and occult chant I could think of. I checked my Job Settings.
Nothing.
"Rin, Pyo, Toh…"
I didn't even know the rest of the hand signs. Was my knowledge of tropes really this shallow?
"God has forsaken me. Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani."