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Over the Infinite Chapter 20 Part 1

 

Volume 2 Episode 7 “Dungeon Dwellers”

 

-1-

 

「First off, our goal is the 30th floor,」the old man said casually.

By “goal,” he meant for this particular venture. They had previously conquered up to the 10th floor. From there, the dungeon’s structure became more complex, and the enemies significantly stronger. The idea was to conquer 20 more floors in one go.

「Our cargo has prepared the supply materials. So, you guys don’t need to worry about food, or anything needed for overnight stays. Ideally, I would have liked to provide you with some of our used gear, but the Dungeon Master prohibited that. However, any items obtained during the dungeon assault are all yours. Also, if you run out of space in your ((Item Box)), our cargo will carry the extra. 」

Their support system was impeccable.

「Sarges has already cleared up to the 30th floor, but he’ll join you guys,」 the old man continued. 「Yes, and as for clearing the 30th floor, it wasn’t just my own strength; it was a team effort. I’m happy to assist. 」

Ultimately, Sarges was selected. There were no better options for us, and he was eager to participate. We couldn’t afford to be picky about his quirks. I want to believe that this decision was not a mistake. I need to believe it.

「The path we’ll take will be the shortest. Our scout will confirm the shortest route, then we’ll move. However, we’ll push the limits of time allowed for each floor. We’ll spend the remaining time on training and fighting monsters. You guys just need to focus on combat and training, with a bit of moving, eating, and sleeping. We’ve also prepared a video player, so watch Arshelia’s videos during your breaks. We’ll spend over a day per floor, so brace yourselves for a long haul. 」

It was the start of a dungeon hermitage focused solely on getting stronger.

First, we’d test our combat abilities against monsters, especially since Sarges’ combat capabilities were an unknown factor. We had some idea about his class and skills from the interview, but you never really know until you see someone in action.

As it turned out, at least for these first 11 floors, Sarges’s combat ability was overwhelmingly powerful. I had my doubts about his method of fighting monsters with hand-to-hand combat, but they were unfounded. His attacks were incredibly fast, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks, weaving in deadly blows among them. His light footwork gave him high mobility and evasion. His spinning jump kick, the ((Tornado Kick)), closed the gap with the enemy in an instant. His ability to use counterattacks and enemy attacks to increase his damage was unmatched, and he seemed to have no weaknesses.

What’s more, this guy said to have some tricks up his sleeve.

「Using a skill called ((Purge)), I can release my armor… in this case, this suit, and become completely naked. By doing so, the combination of shame and exhilaration boosts my unique skill ((Immoral Boost)), enhancing my overall combat abilities. 」

I wish I hadn’t asked. Is he an exhibitionist or something?

「During battle, you become… completely naked? 」

「Yes. It’s quite thrilling. 」

That’s not what I was asking. His unique skill, ((Immoral Boost)), dramatically increases his physical abilities in proportion to sexual excitement, or so it seems.

Honestly, it sounds absurd, but having such a trump card is honestly a relief in our current situation.

It would be even better if Arshelia gets a bit shy seeing him naked. She seems a bit innocent in that regard.

「However, in the dungeons, it’s fine, but in the arena where the rookie battles are held, there are restrictions on this skill. I can’t go fully naked there; I can only go as far as removing everything except my underwear. Apparently, the private parts specifically are off-limits. It’s broadcasted live, after all. If it were broadcasted and I was exposed to public view, the enhancement would be even more significant. …What a pity. 」

This is all quite terrible. The old lizardmen are just as shocked by this explanation.

Does this mean he’s done it before in the arena? No, that can’t be. Right?

「From now on, even in the dungeons, try to follow the rules of the arena when you’re with us.」

「Understood. I will activate it only in a dire pinch from now on. It’s more exciting that way.

…Let’s call the full nudity version ((Full Purge)) from now on. 」

That’s completely irrelevant to me.

 

――――Skill Create ((Full Purge)) has been approved.――

 

「Something just popped up!? 」

It’s even been approved by the system.

「I’m curious, but without your armor, are you sure your defense is okay? …Right, you’re still in your suit. 」

「No problem. This suit doesn’t have any special abilities except being sturdy, and it will be restored after ((Purge)) ends.

The (Martial Artist) class doesn’t have many options for armor anyway, so I wear this suit.

Actually, my defense is higher during ((Purge)) because of the bonus. The downside of this skill is that it’s meaningless unless I take a certain amount of damage and my sexual excitement is heightened.

Also, if there are no people around, the shame decreases, and the effect is reduced. Please keep that in mind. 」

I see. That’s why he’s been kicked out of other parties.

I wonder if he’s at risk of being banned from the labyrinth city. …The Dungeon Master probably doesn’t care.

Yuki seems to have stopped thinking about it, his eyes already dead.

「Additionally, there was a suggestion that I should start battles completely naked for more strength, but actually, that would almost nullify the effect of ((Purge)).

It’s about unleashing it at the right moment to gain the benefit of shame. 」

Getting to know the capabilities of a teammate is important, but this is all information I’d rather not remember.

And whose suggestion was that, anyway?

「Don’t you get excited by attacking? You know, they say a masochist is also a sadist. 」

「Unfortunately, I don’t have any sadistic tendencies. It would have been perfect if I did. 」

His perversion knows no bounds.

Well, that’s Sarges for you. He doesn’t see his flaws as flaws, which in a way makes him invincible.

As for us, there hasn’t been much change at the start of our dungeon dwelling. The only new thing is Yuki’s skill update.

He seems to have learned ((Poison Handling)) on the 5th floor and the mysterious skill ((Nin-Nin)).

((Poison Handling)) seems to increase the probability of inflicting poison status, probably learned from using (Cobra).

As for ((Nin-Nin)), I don’t understand it at all. The skill description just says “Nin-Nin.” It makes no sense.

Then there’s me.

I also had many mysterious skills, but their abilities became clear after checking the guild’s database.

Aside from ((Natural Trap Utilization)) and others, here are some that seem relevant. The descriptions were more detailed, but I’ll summarize them like this:

 

((Fire at Will)): Strength bonus when HP is below 10%

((Pain Tolerance)): Becomes more resistant to pain. Does not mean pain is not felt

((Indomitable)): Withstands an attack that would reduce HP to 0 once, leaving HP at 1

((Return from the Brink)): Once, when HP reaches 0, restores HP to 1

((Desire for Life)): When HP is at 1, nullifies HP damage for a few seconds

((Intimidation of the Strong)): Temporarily paralyzes the target with an action skill

((Life-saving Strike)): Increases the effect of attack skills when HP is 0

((Swordsmanship)): Enhances technique when using sword-category weapons

((Posture Control)): Assists in maintaining natural posture

((Mid-Air Posture Control)): Assists in maintaining posture while airborne

((Evasion)): Assists in evading mid-range attacks

((Emergency Evasion)): Assists in evading short-range attacks

((Mid-Air Evasion)): Enhances detection of attacks while airborne and assists in evasion

((Power Slash)): An action skill for sword-category. Adds acceleration and power to slashing

((Whirlwind Slash)): An action skill for one-handed swords, two-handed swords, katanas, and curved swords. A horizontal slash with a body spin

((Orc Killer)): A title skill. Enhances abilities when fighting orc species

((Rend)): An action skill for monsters. Adds critical bonus to biting attacks

 

HP-related skills only target the HP wall; they don’t affect physical damage.

Why do I have so many skills that are only learnable on the brink of death?

((Hero of the Remote Village)) seems to be a unique title skill, as the Dungeon Master said, and such skills are not listed in the database.

((Primitive Man)) is a true unverified skill with no existing data.

And the problematic ((Starving Beast)) also has no data.

I even called the Dungeon Master before coming here because there’s no data on the similar skill ((Ferocious Beast of Starvation)). I had to contact him through the guild, but he responded quickly. He’s very agile.

 

『I don’t have exact information on the similar skill ((Ferocious Beast of Starvation)) either.

Sorry for the vague information, but it’s definitely a monster skill.

The activation conditions seem to be HP at 0, a state of extreme hunger, and a certain level of physical damage.

The effects are a sudden restoration of physical strength for a limited time, an explosive increase in combat capabilities, and a loss of reason. I don’t think HP will recover. I’m not sure about the exact rate of increase or other specific numbers.

That’s the gist of it. Whether ((Starving Beast)) is an advanced or lower skill than ((Ferocious Beast of Starvation)), or perhaps a variant, I’m not sure, but I think its performance must be similar. What do you think? 』

This explanation almost perfectly matches my own experiences.

However, this implies that it “doesn’t activate unless HP reaches 0.”

Meaning, there’s little chance of it activating in the upcoming rookie match. Not just ((Starving Beast)), but also the numerous other skills related to HP 0. Essentially, most of these skills are unusable.