Chapter 44

In the fantasy world, battle isn’t about nonstop 24/7 clash and fight. It’s not about endlessly exhausting your health while enduring for ages, right? I once thought that if you faced an opponent of similar strength, it would play out like some vague picture I had in my head—a naive daydream from when I knew next to nothing about combat.

Even now, I can’t claim to fully understand battles, but I do know how to fight.

KANG!

Confusing flames burst forth. The sharp clang of swords resounds through the narrow cave as our blades meet. The echoing noise syncs with the dark knight’s unhesitant shield charge.

“Huff!”

That yell was almost instinctual. With my posture slightly off, there was no avoiding the shield bash. Twisting my body, I step back, barely dodging. Even though there’s a perfect moment to slice the dark knight whose back is exposed, my stance is already compromised. Back to square one.

We prepare again, only having swapped positions. Taking deep breaths, I shorten my breathing rhythm to focus on the opponent’s reactions, ensuring I don’t lose any advantage in combat. By keeping my inhales and exhales brief, I can respond instantly to their sudden charges.

Against a shield-wielding foe, striking first isn’t ideal unless you have something like an axe or mace. Without enough force, even a sword won’t penetrate. Maybe when I grow stronger, but currently, I lack the power to break through.

Here they come.

Just like before. Our swords clash.

The metallic sound pierces my ears.

KANG!

This time it’s different. A prepared stance allows me to take the initiative. My chain boots—excellent equipment protecting my feet—prevent any damage from kicking maneuvers. Thanks to their history of safeguarding against obsidian and fiery zones, I can rely on them.

I push aside the dark knight’s shaky one-handed sword with both hands, breaking the balance of forces. Spotting the opening, I lunge forward.

KA-BOOM!

The shockwave from shield and foot colliding reverberates through my body, traveling up from my legs. Despite gritting my teeth against the pain, I don’t miss the chance as the knight stumbles backward.

With their guard open, I swing my sword twice—once across the chest, then slicing part of their face. Though they’re not truly alive, these minor wounds seem ineffective since they continue moving without hesitation. Clearly, severing limbs or immobilizing them first would be more effective. Slightly dissatisfied, I click my tongue.

“Hnn.”

These cold, ruthless thoughts make me fear myself momentarily. Is this what happens when my brain gets consumed by combat? Normally, I enjoy peaceful activities like farming, mining, logging, repairing, and relaxing. Yet during fights, I find myself calculating efficiency, feeling almost… transformed.

KANG!

KANG!

A few meaningless swings follow, likely due to distractions clouding my focus mid-battle. I shake my head to clear it.

From the gash on the dark knight’s chest, dark smoke seeps out. Their aura-like presence mixes with the rising smoke, obscuring their expression.

“Hmph…”

Their movements slow just a bit. Though subtle, I can sense it. Battle relies on instincts, timing, and perception. Trusting my gut, I lower my stance and strike.

An uppercut comes flying at me. I twist my body away, heading toward the opposite side of the shield.

The sword’s trajectory changes, chasing me diagonally. Blocking it lightly, the scraping sound confirms its path is perfect.

The smooth flow of my blade meets resistance only from air. The shield remains far away. This is my perfect opportunity.

In battle, mistakes aren’t tolerated. My sword cleanly slices through the dark knight’s neck.

As the knight collapses onto the ground, the dungeon’s 20th floor battle concludes. Shaking off the strange black smoke clinging to my blade, I move downward. While other floors let you bypass fights to descend, the 10th and 20th floors are structured differently. Likely, the 30th will be the same.

My steps feel weaker now. Just because your combat level rises doesn’t mean your nature changes overnight. Exhaustion is natural.

Level 22…

Level 25…

Level 27…

Level 29…

Breaking past the 20s, I feel the scent of decay embedded into my skin. Sniffing doesn’t help; my senses are numb.

Finally reaching the 30s, anticipation and tension mix with every step.

“Grgh…”

The boss guarding the 30th floor appears—a massive creature towering at around 5 meters. A stone golem, requiring me to tilt my head way back to see its full height. Its material suggests durability, but suddenly, inspiration strikes like lightning.

“Pickaxe!”

Naturally pulling it from my bag, the familiar mining tool glimmers with its mithril brilliance. Swapping my longsword for the pickaxe feels oddly reassuring. Even if my mining skill isn’t top-tier (mid-level rank 8), I’ve cracked plenty of stones before. This confidence boosts my resolve.

Rock.

Despite lacking high-end mining expertise, I’m skilled enough to identify weak points in stone structures. Holding the pickaxe calms me, reminding me of the stability and power gained through leveled skills.

Gruuuh…

Gruh…

The golem moves with surprising speed despite its size. Dodging its sluggish swinging arm, I aim for its sturdy legs.

KANG!

The slight impact resonates through my fingertips. The force transfers perfectly, bringing a smile to my lips. Who knew fighting with a pickaxe could work so well?

CRACK!

Fissures spread from each hit. Again and again, I strike.

KANG!

KANG!

KANG!

How fast can a golem really be? Not nearly as quick as the dark knight. With a few more hits, its leg shatters, sending dust billowing everywhere. I retreat briefly to avoid its flailing arms.

Losing a leg makes the golem easier to handle. The battle difficulty drops significantly. Still, I maintain appropriate tension, knowing complacency leads to injury.

Circling around, I treat the fallen golem like another rock to mine, hammering away with my trusty pickaxe. Its performance, combined with my experience and strength, proves too much for the golem.

With a thunderous crash, the golem disintegrates, leaving behind a faintly glowing blue core. Laughing at how easy it was, I proceed to Level 31.

From here, most monsters lack vitality—various constructs like golems and homunculi made of materials such as stone, iron, fire, and ice. Mining opportunities abound.

By Level 39, near midnight, I’ve cleared all nearby threats and set up camp. After pitching my tent, I strip down and splash water from my bag over my sweat-drenched body for a makeshift shower. Summer heat demands cleanliness.

Drying off with a towel, the cool water refreshes me, easing the lingering heat from earlier battles.

“Hmm, maybe axes work as weapons too.”

Reflecting on the fight with the dark knight, I realize using a logging axe to smash shields might’ve been effective. Activating logging-related strength and stamina could make this feasible. Smiling at the idea of skill synergy, I plan ahead.

Ten more levels and I’ll reach the dungeon’s end, fulfilling the conditions to unlock my greenhouse back home.

Drifting off to sleep amidst accumulated fatigue, dreams wait.

Day twelve of summer arrives.

Stretching and massaging sore muscles, I prepare breakfast: two servings of defensive buffs. Fully equipped and alert, I grip my sword, entering Level 40 with sharpened senses.

Pushing open a heavy stone door, I step into a dimly lit chamber adorned with strange runes painted in red and blue. Candles lie scattered and extinguished. Only my ring’s faint light illuminates the space.

“Finally…”

Rising from the central altar emerges a shadowy figure, faceless and unsettling. Its eerie laughter fills the room.

“Hahahaha…”

Though unpleasant, I remain focused, sword drawn. Combat has begun. Keeping peripheral awareness sharp, I anticipate its moves.

It continues laughing, motionless. Deciding to take the first strike, I aim for its vital areas, calculating multiple scenarios.

SWISH!

Its head cleanly separates, falling silently.

“At last… Truly…”

Leaving cryptic words, the shadow dissolves, dropping an item. This must signify true death, confirmed by the relic left behind.

Picking it up, I read:

[Shadow Remnant]

Curiosity piqued, I consult my encyclopedia.

[Shadow Remnant]

[A remnant left behind by an ancient shadow after death.

Contains fragments of its memory and experience.

Consumption grants partial acquisition of the shadow’s essence.]

“Consume…?”

Disturbing phrasing aside, I press onward to Level 41, prioritizing progress over curiosity.

Dark shadows dominate Levels 40+, including shadowy goblins, lizardmen, orcs, wolves, tigers, undead variants, and more. Most fall easily to either sword or axe. Eventually, hacking and slashing reduces everything to mush.

Arriving at Level 50, another stone door opens to reveal…

[ROAR!!!]

A dragon! Small, yet unmistakably a dragon. Why is it here?!

Stunned, I can only watch as it bellows.