Dungeon, seventh floor.
"Canoe, you're rushing too far ahead! There's a monster flanking us! Idiot, idiot—watch the right! There's a unicorn attacking over there! Emma, Link! Support fire!"
Charles darted around, waving his arms and legs like a conductor orchestrating a chaotic symphony.
"Hey, kid, don't just stand there being lazy! Go lure those killer ants away!" Emma shouted.
"I'm always watching the monsters' movements. How is that lazy?" Charles shot back, then glanced at Sven and called out, "Defenders! Take care of the threat on the right first!"
Whoosh—
An arrow thudded into the ground by Charles's feet.
Link shouted, irritated, "Quit your nonsense! If you don't want an arrow through your head, lead those killer ants away from the left side!"
"We're close friends—brothers! How can you aim an arrow at me?" Charles hopped in mock anger.
"If you keep talking, that's exactly what'll happen, horned rabbit!"
The arrow sliced through the air, piercing the pupil of a horned rabbit monster nearby, causing it to shriek.
Charles smiled awkwardly. Since entering the seventh floor, he'd been using his supporter identity to command Canoe and the others—though they mostly ignored him.
Satisfied, Charles stopped yelling, pulled out a pack of special monster-attracting herbs from his big pack, activated it, and dashed toward the killer ants on the left.
…
In the narrow corridor, Charles sprinted with a huge iron wine barrel cradled in his arms. Behind him, four or five killer ants clattered after him, their shells grinding ominously.
Their deep red shells, armored like plates, and massive jaws made Charles—still new to the dungeon—shudder with unease.
How did Bell use his dagger to strike the vital points through those shells?
Charles searched for an opening.
At least with his dagger, he couldn't penetrate their defenses.
All he could rely on was his skills.
Rustle...
A skittering sound echoed from above. Charles looked up to see the scarlet reticular eyes of a killer ant glaring down, its fangs snapping and glistening with saliva.
"Tsk, gross. They probably can't see me from here."
Charles stopped and used the iron barrel to block the ants descending from the ceiling. Using the momentum, he popped the barrel's lid, tilted his head back, and took a long swig.
A scorching heat radiated from within him, as if endless strength surged through his veins.
The killer ants raised their claws and clambered onto Charles's shoulders, lifting his ragged clothes but leaving only light scratches.
"Want a drink too?" Charles chuckled.
Behind him, the shadow of a bearded dwarf appeared, moving in sync as he raised the barrel and smashed it hard on the ground.
Boom—
A stream of wheat-colored liquor splashed across Charles, and the surrounding killer ants collapsed as if crushed by a massive force—their armor cracking.
Call—
Charles exhaled deeply.
The combined effects of "Drunken Fury"'s damage immunity and medium durability plus the small durability boost from "Carrying the Burden" raised his temporary durability almost to B rank.
With the damage increase granted by this durability, his blows hit with the power of a dwarf wielding a 200-pound hammer.
Coupled with a group-attack effect similar to "Avenger" Black Wind, the crushing impact was devastating.
Charles set down the barrel, drew his dagger, and harvested magic stones from four killer ants. When he reached the fifth, now crippled, he paused, smiled, and slipped it into his backpack.
How could I forget my beloved brothers and sisters?
Charles chuckled.
Killer ants release pheromones when dying, summoning nearby comrades. They're natural monster-gathering machines—a trick many powerful fanfic protagonists exploit.
But...
"They don't call for backup that fast. Gotta help my brothers while it's still fresh!"
He picked up the huge wine barrel, restrained the fleeing weakened ant, slung on his backpack, and trotted back to Canoe and the others.
…
Pantry.
At the dungeon's edge, a side area few dare enter. Hungry monsters gather here, feeding on liquid secreted by fluorite.
Unsurprisingly, most monsters here are fierce, attacking prey on sight.
At this moment...
Charles reunited with his brothers, carrying his "gift."
Canoe swung a battered giant axe, hacking down killer ants surrounding him.
"Why are the monsters multiplying?" Sven complained, parrying a killer ant's mandibles with his sword.
"This is the Pantry, isn't it natural there are many monsters?" Charles replied casually.
"Damn it. Where are the blue butterflies? Anyone see them?" Canoe didn't answer but charged three killer ants ahead:
"If this keeps up, I'll have to scrap my gear. No clue if I can earn enough to repair it."
The seventh floor monsters range in strength from E to D. Canoe and the others barely have one attribute hitting E rank and are still acclimating.
No time to worry about that now.
Charles scanned the cave, pointing excitedly toward ten o'clock.
"There! One, two, three... nine total!"
"Good!"
"I'll catch them!" Charles offered, bounding into the cave.
A hand grabbed his collar from behind—Link.
"What are you doing? Let me go, or they'll fly away!" Charles kicked frantically.
Link sneered. "If it's just you, how do we know you won't lie about the numbers and hide drops?"
"You've got it wrong again. How could a brother do that?" Charles pressed.
"Hmph. Since we're brothers, help us out." Link grinned, pulled out monster-attracting powder, and shoved it into Charles's arms.
"What... what are you planning?" Charles's eyes widened, lips trembling.
"Same as always. Help delay the monsters, little brother!"
Link grabbed Charles's collar, ready to throw him out—but slammed into a massive weight and staggered.
"What the—? It's so heavy!"
Charles carried a wine barrel nearly 200 kilograms on his back. Without level 2 strength, throwing him was a pipe dream.
With a whistle, Link shot arrows at the killer ants around Canoe and shouted to the vanguard, "Go!"
Everyone surged forward, brandishing swords to drive back monsters, leaving Charles alone to face the onslaught.
Before departing, he called out, "Brothers, help me! This is my last request!"
Charles took two steps to follow but was knocked down by Canoe passing by.
The wine barrel rolled out of his backpack, spilling some magic stones.
Canoe paused, grabbed the pack, and called, "Brother Kid! I'll hold this for you!"
Without a glance, he snatched it and charged into the cave.
Lying on the ground like prey awaiting death, Charles slowly lifted his head.
"If I want it all, it'll only hurt you."
He hadn't expected the plan to go so smoothly. He'd planned to toss the backpack after they'd entered the cave—now it was easier.
Feeling the killer ants close in, Charles grabbed the barrel, took a swig.
Strong damage reduction made the biting ants ineffective. More killer ants chased after Canoe and the others.
After they disappeared from view, Charles smashed the barrel hard, turning the monsters nearby to ash.
Avoiding the main path, he saw more killer ants rushing toward the cave, then crept out.
Spotting the untouched wine, he quickly followed and hid outside the food storage cave.
Inside, Canoe and the others had caught the Blue Papilio and stood back-to-back fending off monsters.
Charles chuckled, raised the wine barrel, and shouted at the cave's mouth:
"Lord Canoe, I'm here to help!"
Canoe turned, shocked to see Charles in tatters.
How is this guy alive after so many killer ants? And he even came back with reinforcements?
But soon, a smile spread across his face:
"You came just in time! You really are our brothers and dearest friends!"
He was a tough sandbag—and still alive!
"Use him again!"
"Little brother! Quick! Help us! Lead those annoying bugs away!"
"Got it! No problem! Brother Link, watch my aim!"
Next moment, a black iron lump half a person's height flew toward Canoe.
What the—!?
Canoe swung his axe instinctively and chopped it down.
Crash—
The barrel shattered, spilling concentrated strong liquor over the four adventurers—almost like pure alcohol!
Charles laughed, "Happy time is about to begin!"
Before they could react, the magic stone lamp in Canoe's backpack, lit earlier by Charles, flickered.
Suddenly, flames roared upward, spreading with the spilled liquor, engulfing Canoe's entire body in fire.