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Over the Infinite Chapter 17 Part 2

 

I’ve finished eating the dry bread, so, dragging my heavy body, I move on.

I could sleep here, but if I do, my motivation would plummet.

Once I get through this, I likely won’t have the urge to turn back.

From here on, there’s no returning until either I die or conquer the 10th floor.

 

-2-

(Infinite Corridor, 9th Floor)

A treasure chest stands before me.

This is the first chest I’ve encountered so far. I can’t afford to linger here, as monsters are likely to swarm. I need to either open it quickly or move on. Otherwise, I’ll end up overwhelmed by enemies, much like before.

As Kuro mentioned on the train, there’s a high likelihood this chest has a trap. If you don’t have a skill like (Scout) to disarm traps, it’s best to pass it by.

「But however」

Having heard that in advance, Yuki and I discussed countermeasures.

I thought it’d be a waste since I haven’t encountered anything up to the 9th floor.

I pull out a single key from my pocket. This ‘Magic Key’ can supposedly bypass any locks or traps on the chest. Though it’s a bit pricey.

In the case of chests with highly complex locks and traps, it seems that this type of key would have no effect. However, we have confirmed that there should be no problem if you are dealing with the lower levels of the Infinite Corridor.

It’s a one-time-use item, so whether the chest’s contents are worth it remains to be seen, but I brought one just in case.

I mean, it’s not mentally satisfying to skip all the chests. I would be left wondering what could have been inside.

「Alright, unlocking. 」

I cautiously scan my surroundings as I insert the key. With a click, the key disappears, and the chest lid magically opens.

「A fishing rod? 」

Inside is a fishing rod, complete with line and hook. No reel, but it seems usable if you attach bait. Though in a dungeon, there are neither rivers nor oceans.

What’s this? Am I supposed to fish for pandas?

Sure, there’s a joke like “Why would I, the great bear, be bait,” but that’s about bears, not pandas. Well, pandas are a kind of bear, maybe.

Never mind, it’s probably random.

I’ll likely not use it, but it doesn’t mean it’s useless. After all, you can’t always expect convenient plot points like in novels. My experience in the trials must have been special.

It looks like a decent fishing rod, might fetch a good price.

I don’t do recreational fishing, so I won’t be using it myself. If I want fish, I’d rather dive in and catch them hands-on.

The romance of a fisherman is lost on me. When it comes to food, I’m all about practicality.

I hold the mysterious fishing rod and leave the area before enemies can gather.

It was mainly a test, so this is fine. Even if it’s junk, it’s still a decent loot.

Since the rod isn’t carded and too big for my bag, I have no choice but to carry it.

It’s a bother, but there’s nothing I can do.

If only it could be converted into a card. (Materialize) is a one-way, irreversible skill; I can only materialize from a card.

Probably someone has a skill to convert items into cards or something like that.

In terms of a game, it feels like this would be a skill exclusive to a specialized class. I don’t know the name, but maybe something like a (Card Master).

Those sorts of people must be participating in TCG tournaments at the guild hall. I did see a poster about it after all.

I sling the fishing rod over my shoulder and press on, swinging my Fuhigekiri.

I have faith in my stamina, so as long as my spirit doesn’t wane, I can explore for 20, 30 hours no problem.

The deeper I go into the floors, the larger the structures seem to get, but as there are fewer floors left, I also start to feel the drive to push on just a little further.

By the time I found the stairs leading to the 10th floor, I’d already been exploring for over 20 hours. Exhaustingly long.

From the floors above this one, it’s likely I’ll need to prepare some camping gear like tents.

Thankfully, areas near warp gates and stairs seem to be safe zones where enemies don’t spawn, so taking a rest there is also an option. I’ll have to consider that going forward.

I’m sure handling that sort of stuff is what the (Cargo) class is designed for.

I don’t know how much can fit into a standard ‘Item Box,’ but considering such a specialized role exists, carrying larger items like tents must be difficult.

Walking around with cards is also an option, but items converted to cards are expensive, and you’ll still have to carry them once materialized.

If I had money to burn, I could just throw them away after using them like consumables, but I’d rather not think about that at the moment.

Such bourgeois acts are probably the domain of wealthy adventurers.

… Come to think of it, Kuro comes from a wealthy family. I wonder if she also uses that kind of strategy. Jealous.

Let’s wrap this up and head for the 10th floor.

 

(Infinite Corridor, 10th Floor)

From here, I need to find the boss room, but I can’t let my guard down as the ecology of enemies changes every five floors.

I’ve been somewhat careless due to fatigue so far, but from here on, I need to proceed cautiously.

After some time, I noticed a change in the types of monsters appearing.

In addition to goblins and hound dogs, a new monster has made its appearance.

It’s a panda.

「Why!? 」

I can’t help but question the sudden appearance of the panda, but it’s not my fault.

I mean, isn’t the boss of this floor a panda too? Why is it appearing as a regular enemy?

Is this a zoo or something?

「Damn. 」

I begrudgingly kill the adorable-looking creature and proceed.

The strange addition of a panda to the lineup of goblins and hound dogs feels extremely out of place.

Visually too, but these pandas are surprisingly strong.

They’re a species of bear, after all. It’s not surprising they have power.

Their attacks, unleashed from their claws, are on another level compared to goblins and hound dogs. Plus, they’re somewhat large, so they’re intimidating.

And what’s more, these pandas are oddly coordinated with the goblins and hound dogs. What’s the deal, are you guys friends or something?

Up until now, the goblins and hound dogs acted alone, but they’re attacking in some sort of strange formation with the panda at the center.

It’s like when people who don’t get along find common ground through a neutral party, establishing some odd form of communication. It’s like there’s a microcosm of society here.

The goblins act recklessly to maximize the power of the panda.

The way they act, it’s as if they have an absolute trust that even if they fall, the panda will sort things out. It’s as though they share an unquestionable bond of trust.

I feel a mysterious, strong bond emanating from these creatures. There must be some backstory between them, a friendship that transcends race or species.

Well, it doesn’t concern me. I dodge the panda’s claws and relentlessly strike it down with my sword.

Even though they’re strong when they team up, it’s not that formidable.

Actually, I can’t use ((Power Slash)) with this sword. I think only certain weapons are allowed to utilize skills.

However, ((Whirlwind Slash)) seems to be an exception; I can use it even with the Fuhigekiri. The main technique I use to defeat the pandas is the ((Whirlwind Slash)).

As I’ve been slashing through pandas for a while, I arrive in front of what appears to be the boss room just as my level increases.

[Level Up. Lv10 → Lv11]

The message seems to have changed slightly. Perhaps the system has also been updated a little for some reason, like the card changing.

Through the battles up to here, my (Gladiator) class level has also reached Lv3. I’m not sure if that’s fast or slow, but the vampire told me that I would acquire skills in my class around Lv5. I don’t want to choose the option to fight just to increase my class level by 2 at this point.

「Alright, let’s go. 」

Without hesitation, I open the door to the boss room.