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Chapter 108: Challenger

I was checking my status and skills after returning to base, but before I realized, the sun was already setting.

「Sorry, I wasted half a day.」

「Nn. It’s okay. We were able to have a long rest after such a long time.」

「Aun-sama, are you feeling okay now?」

「Yeah, I’m feeling great. I can dive into the dungeon right now even, but shall we start tomorrow morning instead?」

「Yeap! More importantly, how was the evolution? Did you learn any new skills?」Drake.

「Yeah, my stat and skills have been greatly strengthened! And so, there is something I would like to discuss with you all, is that okay?」

「What is it?」Kinu.

「I’m thinking of not absorbing the Ruins of Silence and the Morphia Dungeon for a while. The reason is, the nurturing of our juniors. It’s not just Mare and Cherry,but all those people who would want to work outside as adventurers won’t be able to raise their level in Plainevelt, right? That’s why I thought that intermediate level people could level up in Morphia, and advanced level people could level up in the Ruins of Silence.」

「That’s true… We were able to raise our level efficiently because we had this dungeon. I think the other guys will stumble at our level as well.」Drake.

「I will follow Aun-sama’s decision.」

「Kinu, Nelfie, do you two agree? I think that’s the best course of action.」

「Nn, no problem. If we can capture it, you can absorb it at any time.」

「I also agree. I think it would be better to tell the juniors where the traps are before diving into the Ruins of Silence…」Nelfie.

「You’re certainly right! I’ll tell them to consult with you when the time comes.」

「No problem.」Nelfie.

「One more thing. I am being selfish with this one, so feel free to express your opinion. I’m thinking of having a rematch with the Arch Chimera in the next round, but I want to fight it one-on-one. Is that okay?」

「Are you serious? Have you gained that much power?」Drake.

「Honestly, I think my stats are still inferior, but I acquired a powerful new skill. In addition, I also have the magic barrier that Quereble taught me. If it gets dangerous, I’ll give up and teleport back to the dungeon. I want to use my current full strength before the battle with the demons, and perceive my own potential.」

「I understand your feelings, bro. I’m okay with it.」

「If I think it’s dangerous, I’ll cast Healing without hesitation and I’ll also intervene…those are my conditions.」Kinu.

「Sure, I don’t mind.」

「We also want to test our own limits. If Aun-sama does not absorb the core, we can also challenge the Arch Chimera from the following rounds onwards. So there’s no problem.」

「Indeed. I will also agree on the same conditions as Kinu mentioned.」Nelfie.

「Thank you! Then we’ll resume the capture tomorrow morning!」

The next day, as planned, we started raiding after breakfast and were able to defeat the Lich in about two hours. Our capture speed has increased considerably, and it has become possible to reach this point in about half the time compared to our first lap.

Since I will be fighting the Arch Chimera solo this time, I had the other four defeat the Lich in order to preserve my MP. As for taking down the Lich, there was no problem even if I was not participating. Their stat has increased a lot by leveling up, but thanks to learning the magic barrier, safety has also increased a lot.

「It’s a rematch after about two months.」

「Nn. Good luck.」

「You can do it, bro!」

「I think it would be okay, but if it gets dangerous, I will jump in right away.」Shinku.

「I’ll be careful not to let that happen. Let’s go, then.」

I opened the door and stepped inside the boss room

Even though it was daytime outside the dungeon, a full moon was floating in the sky and the grassland was gently swaying in the wind.

Looking in the distance, the Arch Chimera raised its giant body and stared at me.

From there, I was the only one to walk forward, closing the distance to about 10m. The Arch Chimera had yet to attack, but there was no opening on it. However, it was ready to intercept immediately if an attack was launched from my side.

As I thought last time, this guy seems to be quite intelligent. It probably understood what I said before teleporting out last time.

「Yo. I’m back as promised. And this time, it’s one-on-one with me.」

The lion head’s eyes narrowed. I was assailed by the feeling of being appraised.

Does this guy have the Appraisal skill?

The Arch Chimera’s status was partly hidden, so I could not tell if it had the Appraisal skill. Is it because my level is not high enough or the proficiency of my Appraisal is not enough?

Well, whatever. I just want to fight with all my might as quickly as possible.

I naturally started grinning… Now that I think about it, perhaps I’m quite the battle fanatic.

No, that doesn’t matter now.

It doesn’t look like it’s going to attack me, so I shall make the first move.

I’m the challenger here. Gotta show what I can do!

「[Thunder Drum], [Max Thunderclap].」

I activated the attack-type magic barrier at the same time as the double buff.

Since then, I’ve continued to use the magic barrier even when doing the laps, and I’ve been able to reduce the MP consumption considerably. Moreover, I became able to move around and attack freely even while having it activate.

An aura of lightning clad my body and a blackish-purple electric current erupted.

「Here I come!!」

I unsheathed Shiranuemaru and poured mana into it, stepped on the ground with my left foot, and instantly slipped into the bosom of the Arch Chimera.