Wshh!
Mirra dodged the attack of the red beetle, which had become slower.
Mirra wasn't surprised, since the beetle had a large, deep gash in its body. Blood kept gushing from its wound.
After using her sword's skill, Mirra had decided to wear the beetle down. It wasn't worth using the skill again.
Even so, she wouldn't let her guard down. Even a wounded monster could fight desperately.
—Mirra, get back
At that moment, Nim's voice rang out. Mirra was surprised for a moment and stepped back without hesitation.
The next instant, Nim fell heavily onto the beetle.
Boom
The beetle was crushed and exploded like a pumpkin; its broken shell couldn't protect it.
Nim rose from the beetle's remains.
—Nim, are you alright?
Mirra approached upon seeing that the beetle had been killed.
—Don't come —said Nim hastily.
—What's wrong? —asked Mirra.
—The blue beetle's attack burned my clothes
Mirra understood quickly and took a large backpack from her storage belt, then placed it on the ground and stepped back several meters.
Nim approached the backpack and began to change.
After a few moments, Nim finished changing and approached Mirra.
Seeing Nim, Mirra wanted to say something, but the words caught in her mouth. In front of her, Nim had several burns on his face, though to her surprise, some were already healing.
Even so, she realized Nim had gone through a tough battle.
—Are you really okay? —Mirra asked again.
—Yes, though I suffered injuries, they'll heal in no time
—Alright... still, take this —Mirra pulled out a potion, the same one she had given Nim the first time they met.
Seeing that Nim didn't take it, Mirra said—Don't worry, I still have plenty of potions for personal use, these are just spares.
In the time they had spent together, Mirra had come to understand a bit of Nim's personality.
Sometimes this boy worried more about others than himself.
—Alright, thank you, Mirra —Nim accepted the potion.
—I told you not to be so formal, we've already been through a lot
—You're right
After that, Nim drank the potion. His remaining wounds began to visibly heal. Nim marveled once again at the potion's effects.
Mirra smiled; a potion like that was supposed to fully heal someone at Nim's level.
What Mirra didn't know was that Nim had already recovered a lot after leveling up. Otherwise, Nim would've looked like a lump of charcoal.
Before continuing, they decided to rest; they had to be at their best in case they encountered more monsters like the beetles.
During that time, Nim asked Mirra for a new sword—the previous one had been burned in the battle with the blue beetle.
Of course, Mirra didn't refuse and gave him a new one. Nim could tell that to Mirra, those swords weren't a big deal.
It was truly useful to have a strong backup.
After resting, they got up. They still had to find the exit portal.
...
—This level is huge —said Mirra as she looked at the map.
Nim followed in silence.
Several hours had passed since they had arrived on the fifth floor.
Along the way, they had continued eliminating monsters, but none were as strong as the beetles.
During that time, Mirra had had some trouble finding the right path. All the places just looked the same.
—Nim, help me figure this out; there's supposed to be a path here, but in front of us, there's only a lava lake —said Mirra after failing to solve it alone.
—I...
—Yes, with two brains together we'll figure it out faster
Nim came closer and looked at the map. On the map, there were many crisscrossing lines. Nim got dizzy from all the information.
—So, what do you think? There should be a path here, or maybe if we go around at this point, we'll find it.
—There are so many lines...
—What are you saying —said Mirra, looking at Nim's confused expression.
—I'm sorry —said Nim, scratching his head.
—You... fine, just leave it to me —said Mirra as she focused again.
Nim kept quiet so as not to interrupt her. Besides that, he had noticed something else. Mirra was distracted.
Maybe her attitude didn't give it away, but Nim had managed to see some signs.
It had started after the battle with the beetles—or rather, after she reached level 10.
—Alright, we'll go around in that direction
Mirra seemed to have found the solution and resumed leading Nim. After a few moments, they found a path and Mirra smiled.
At that same moment, monsters appeared. They looked like normal iguanas, except their color and size were different. They were over a meter long and had a deep red color. Flames burned on their tails.
—Basilisks —said Mirra after noticing the monsters.
The strength of these monsters wasn't anything impressive, but they had an annoying ability.
That was, when they sensed a threat to their life, they could self-detonate.
Because of that ability, adventurers often avoided basilisks, as their explosion could cause serious injuries or even death.
Nim also observed the basilisks. Mirra had already explained the traits of various monsters on this level. For that reason, he didn't attack recklessly.
—This is the path, but we can't avoid the basilisks —said Mirra as she watched them. The basilisks still hadn't noticed them.
—I have an idea —said Nim.
Nim told her his idea.
—Only someone as reckless as you could think of that —said Mirra, shaking her head.
Nim simply smiled. Either way, they had to face the basilisks.
After a few moments, Mirra agreed—besides, she wouldn't have to do anything but watch.
Nim put on a serious expression and ran toward the monsters. He had to move fast.
The basilisks noticed the new intruder and charged at him.
Basilisks always attacked together and didn't separate easily.
Seeing the monsters approach, Nim drew his sword.
Swoosh
The closest basilisk was sliced in two instantly. Nim didn't stop and cut down the others.
The second basilisk, which hadn't reacted yet, met the same fate as its companion. Its two halves split apart as blood sprayed.
The third sensed imminent danger and began to glow, but Nim didn't back down and slashed again.
In the next moment, the third basilisk didn't complete its attack and was sliced in two. Its blood spilled like lava, burning the surroundings.
Nim narrowly dodged the searing blood, but his sword was melted by it.
(Another sword) Nim thought.
When it was over, Mirra approached.
—You're seriously reckless.
Mirra had seen everything and noticed that he had barely managed to cut the last basilisk. Even the blood had been dangerous.
—It's fine; I defeated the three monsters in the end —said Nim.
—Whatever, we can move on now —said Mirra, pulling out a new sword.
Nim received the sword in silence—it was lucky for him to have someone like Mirra.
Without lingering much longer, they continued.
Along the way, Mirra kept looking at the map, and if a monster appeared, Nim would defeat it as quickly as possible.
After Mirra had reached level 10, she had decided to find the exit as quickly as possible. Nim agreed with the plan and handled the monsters.
Also, Mirra found out that Nim had also leveled up—no wonder she had noticed improvement when he defeated monsters.
—Mirra, do you have something on your mind —said Nim suddenly.
—What? What do you mean —said Mirra, puzzled. Nim wasn't one to ask those kinds of questions.
—Well, I mean, are you thinking about something, like something you can't stop thinking about —Nim felt he hadn't explained well and started rambling.
—Are you asking me if something's wrong?
—Yes...
Mirra was surprised that Nim had noticed. Seems like Nim didn't think as simply as she believed. Of course, she wouldn't tell him that.
—Alright, if even someone like you noticed, then I must need help.
—What?
—Nothing, I'll tell you what's going on.
Mirra explained that she didn't know what class to choose. At first, because of her father, she had wanted to be a swordswoman. Then she thought it might not be such a bad idea to be a mage, even if it annoyed her that the professors insisted.
After reaching level 10, her doubts had only grown. After saying all that, she asked Nim's opinion.
—Can't you just choose the one you like the most?
Nim had asked Mirra, but upon hearing her, he came to a conclusion. Mirra was overcomplicating things.
—The one I like the most... If only it were that simple —said Mirra.
Seeing Mirra's expression, Nim put on a serious face and said—Mirra, I might not understand the responsibilities of a noble or aristocrat, but I do know one thing: the choice is yours because it's your life.
—My life... —Mirra repeated those words for a few moments.
Then, after a pause, her expression changed and she said,
—You're right. Why not choose a class I want?
Mirra regained her attitude. She had only thought about what her father and teachers wanted. But never once had she thought about what she wanted.
It seemed Nim's simplicity had saved her.
—I never thought you'd be able to say something like that
—I'll take that as a compliment
Mirra and Nim laughed.
—Alright, in the end it looks like this item will be useful —said Mirra as she pulled something from her belt.
Nim noticed that Mirra had taken out a large staff. This staff had a rectangular gem on its tip. Mirra had taken out another precious item.
Nim could guess what class Mirra had chosen.
—From now on, you'll call me the Great Mage Mirra.