Chapter 27: If It's Not Off, It's On?
To test the changes after increasing skill levels, using Triple Slash, which had high stamina consumption and placed a greater burden on the body, would be more intuitive. Liam, of course, did just that.
The ant swarm, baited by the danger signal, all gathered before his eyes. It was unclear if it was because too many Labyrinth monsters had been slaughtered.
He always felt…
That the scale of the Killer Ant swarm before him seemed slightly larger?
"That's fine too."
"Clear out this wave of monsters, and the level target can also be achieved!"
If this were treated as a Dungeon adventure, then facing such a large number of monsters would inevitably cause a surge of adrenaline.
But after experiencing countless battles.
Liam's eyes were somewhat numb. The reason driving him to continue fighting was the effect of the skills whose levels he had raised by consuming SP.
The dim environment of the passage.
High-intensity, unceasing combat, essentially treating the Dungeon like a grinding quest, made it difficult to maintain his initial enthusiasm.
He had no intention of lingering.
As he walked towards the Killer Ant swarm, he prepared the opening stance for "Triple Slash." The power gathered in his legs instantly exploded.
The resulting increase in speed was something even ordinary adventurers couldn't react to.
Let alone monsters fighting on instinct. The short swords held in forward and reverse grips, each forward dash and the ensuing slash.
Now intertwined, forming a moonlight-like sword aura.
It greatly increased the attack range, not only mincing all the monsters in Liam's path of advance, but the area affected by the sword aura also expanded.
Even the Killer Ants that, relying on instinct, wanted to swarm up and tackle Liam.
Were slaughtered without exception…
Three consecutive dashing slashes allowed Liam to directly break out of the monsters' encirclement. He steadied his footing and immediately changed his target direction.
Just as he was about to continue clearing.
The scene before him left him somewhat stunned. After that round of assault, looking around, the number of Killer Ants had directly plummeted.
Compared to when his skills hadn't been upgraded and he wasn't equipped with two short swords.
The skill effect was somewhat like a general charging through enemy lines, pursuing ultimate offense to clear the path ahead…
After upgrading.
The number of weapons and the increase in skill level brought a qualitative leap to the final effect of "Triple Slash"!
The range of the slashes increased.
Preventing these monsters, as persistent as a sore on the bone, from breaking through Liam's flanks. The slashes, faster than his dashing speed.
Had already torn them apart…
Compared to a lone charge into the fray, the current skill effect was somewhat akin to.
Infantry-tank coordination?
"Dual-wielded sword aura slashes are very effective against large-scale monster groups."
"After leveling up the skills."
"I can feel the stamina consumption decreasing, and the physical burden of using skills is reduced." He analyzed the recent battle.
The final conclusion greatly alleviated Liam's mental fatigue.
The Killer Ants that hadn't been affected had no concept of fear and once again launched an offensive towards his position.
"Challenge the body's limits."
This thought suddenly sprouted in Liam's mind. Skill cooldowns were transformed into stamina consumption and the burden his body needed to bear.
If he pushed his limits, could he continue to use skills?
"Theoretically feasible."
"The burden on my body is still within a controllable range. There's no harm in trying!"
Liam quickly made his decision. Still using the opening stance of "Triple Slash," he once again attacked the Killer Ants swarming towards him.
Repeatedly using the skill in a short period.
He could visibly feel his stamina draining. As he dashed forward to attack again, the skill's effectiveness didn't diminish in the slightest.
The unstoppable sword aura cut through the thorns, carving out a path forward.
「Exp +68」
"."
As far as the eye could see, there were no monsters left, only magic stones scattered on the ground, symbolizing the annihilation of the Killer Ant swarm.
Leaning against the wall.
The soreness in his muscles enveloped Liam. As he panted heavily, the smile on his face didn't diminish in the slightest. He had successfully verified his inner thoughts.
No cooldown time limit.
As long as his physical strength was sufficient, he could continuously use the same skill.
Recalling the ability score improvements gained from these days of Dungeon training, and the newly discovered ways to use his skills.
At this moment, he just wanted to say.
"If it's not off, it's on, right?" Even if the physical discomfort enveloped Liam, that was his own problem, having nothing to do with the skill itself.
After all…
This was Liam's unique Chinese-style Iai.
"All-in semi-trailer." (Metaphor for overwhelming, unstoppable force)
Like a heavy-duty truck accelerating at full throttle into a pile of monsters, delivering salvation to all enemies who dared to block its path!
The passage of time alleviated the muscle soreness. Only when he had recovered enough to safely return to Orario did Liam choose to set off.
Thanks to the Killer Ant swarms.
The magic stones dropped had already filled his money pouch. Counting yesterday's Dungeon exploration harvest, if all exchanged for Valis.
He conservatively had 40,000 in adventure income.
"."
Leaving Babel, Liam looked at the sky, which was approaching dusk. The fiery clouds stretched to the furthest point of his vision, with an occasional breeze sweeping past.
Carrying the scorching heat from the sun-baked ground.
Under normal circumstances, he would probably find such a scene very interesting, but now he had no intention of admiring it.
He decisively headed towards the Adventurer's Guild.
After exchanging all the magic stones and dropped materials on him for Valis, he would fulfill the promise he made with Syr this morning.
Go to "The Hostess of Fertility" restaurant for dinner.
As for her specific intentions…
Liam couldn't be bothered to think about it. Quickly fill his stomach, then go home and lie flat. Only sufficient rest could make his body's fatigue disappear quickly.
Arriving at the Guild counter, there were quite a few adventurers who had finished their exploration for the day.
Even the windows for exchanging magic stones and materials had queues. He didn't mind this short waiting time.
And on the other side of the Adventurer's Guild hall, Eina, patiently handling adventurers' affairs, noticed Liam's figure.
Standing at the very end of the adventurer queue.
She gently pushed up her glasses. She hadn't seen Liam at the Adventurer's Guild yesterday, and her mood had been inexplicably tense.
Now, seeing that familiar face.
The deep weariness between Liam's brows made even Eina's expression turn grave. This child must be exhausted, right?
Single-handedly supporting his Familia, possessing talent, yet a young man who put in extraordinary effort. She naturally had a good impression of him.
Moreover, their private interactions were very harmonious.
This made Eina pay more attention to Liam. If there was a cup of hot tea at this time, it should make things a little better?
"Um..."
"Miss Eina."
The adventurer waiting beside her also followed Eina's line of sight and found that she was paying attention to another adventurer.
He became inexplicably impatient.
He decisively invited, "Thank you for your care during this time. I'd like to treat you to dinner. I wonder if you have time?"
"Sorry."
"During working hours, there are regulations against discussing other unrelated topics."
Eina, having regained her composure, had a professional smile on her proper face as she directly rejected the adventurer's invitation.
The consultation was already over.
She turned to the counter behind her, skillfully took out hot water, brewed a strong cup of tea, and then walked towards Liam.
Passing by the adventurer she had just consulted, Eina didn't even spare him an extra glance.
Using consultation as an excuse but actually harboring other intentions – she had met many such adventurers. If not for her official duties.
Eina really didn't want to make small talk!
The adventurer who had been directly rejected remained in place. Seeing Eina carry the freshly brewed hot tea towards Liam.
His facial expression stiffened slightly, instantly understanding her intent.
He forced a smile and couldn't help asking, "Miss Eina, preparing tea for that kid conforms to the regulations?"
"It's my break time now."
Eina paused her steps. The smile when she turned around was noticeably gentler than before. "So I can arrange it freely."
"???"
(End of this chapter)