Chapter 28 - 2F Entry (1)

2F Entry (1)

Training in the dark had the power to make one forget time.

The darkness was an empty space – no sound, no texture, no smell.

Only I was there, and I concentrated on erasing my presence.

[Lower Surprise has become Lv3.]

I can’t be satisfied with that. I continued walking through the darkness, ignoring the notification window. Quietly, but quickly. Be careful that no one, even me, realizes my movements.

I also tried to reduce my consumption as much as possible, even when I was hungry.

It wasn’t easy. However, the more challenging it was, the more rewarding it will be.

I just practiced silently.

[Lower Surprise has become Lv5.]

Even as I reached Lower Surprise Lv 5, I simply continued walking through the dark passage. Then, I happened at the aisle frequented by Goblin Warriors.

“What?” I was embarrassed, not knowing how I got here. This aisle was on the ground floor. I was supposed to walk back to the boss room.

Apparently, a new Goblin King has been created in the boss room, so the passage that I was in, the space connecting 1F and 2F, led to a different space.

I would need a key to the boss room once more. I contemplated if it was worth it beating the new Goblin King, decided against it, and returned to the dark passage.

With this change in the passage, there was no problem to get food. I felt relieved as I started training in the darkness again. Time began to pass.

[Lower Surprise has become Lv6.]

[Lower Martial Arts became Lv3.]

Is Surprise also a technique related to Martial Arts? Or could it be a combat support type of skill? I was in the dark to practice Surprise, but somehow the Martial Arts ability also increased.

[Lower Surprise has become Lv8.]

I replenished my food twice and continued practicing. The notification window informed me that Surprise had reached Level 8. By that time, I was almost melting naturally in the darkness.

The increase made me hesitate. I wonder if I’m ready to go on.

However, this was not yet satisfactory. If I go out of the aisle and enter the 2F, I would have to deal not only with the Werewolves and Battle Spiders but possibly their higher classes.

Repressing impatience and anxiety, I remained back into the darkness.

It won’t take long now… Just a little more…

And finally, it came.

[Lower Surprise has become Lv10 and evolves to Intermediate Surprise. Be more hidden, faster.]

[Lower Martial Arts became Lv4.]

[You acquired the Beginner Fairy Tale skill.]

[Beginner Fairy Tale Lv1]

[Camouflage naturally in the surrounding environment. This is an advanced skill in which not only the physical but also the mana presence is matched to the surrounding environment. When combined with the Surprise skill, it increases the power of Surprise and increases the success rate.]

When the notification window appeared, I stopped walking.

When I first stepped into this dark passage, Surprise was at the beginning of the Lower class, but I grew it to Intermediate.

Moreover, aside from my ultimate goal of increasing the power of Surprise, I also acquired the Fairy Tale skill, which allowed me to camouflage with my surroundings.

It is described as an advanced skill. In other words, it had the same rating as Martial Arts skill.

This was an unexpected yet welcome reward.

I stood there pondering for a while; then, I nodded to myself. I decided to stop training.

I am not satisfied with the level of Intermediate. I haven’t mastered enough to make myself dissolve into thin air, be part of the darkness. However, I can’t just stay here forever. My main quest was not to master Surprise, but to clear out the 2F monsters. I was convinced that an Intermediate Surprise skill will be enough to defeat the top classes in 2F.

Moreover, there will definitely be another dark passage between 2F and 3F. If I don’t think that my Surprise is going to work on 3F, I can resume training when I get there.

“Okay, let’s go.”

But there is a place I had to stop by first. It is the place where I can get the information; I need to complete my new quest.

I head on to the dedicated store.

“You are here, Fate.”

The training in the dark would not have been that short. It was at least two days. No, to raise the Surprise skill from the Lower level to Intermediate, it might have been anywhere around three weeks to a month, but Rain welcomed me as if we saw each other yesterday.

I smiled and asked him.

“Rain, how long has it been since I came last time?”

“It is four days.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Yes. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Rain laughed and put down the glass.

“Fate’s talent is so… it’s ridiculously superior.”

He knows what I’ve been doing. He understood that I have been taking the Surprise skill to the Intermediate level.

Rain is a strong being. I couldn’t dream of reaching his level, but here he is at the counter of the dedicated store, teasing me.

I feigned impatience.

“I’m less than normal.”

“You are. I won’t lie. But in just four days, Fate has experienced great growth both physically and mentally. What would you call it if you don’t call it a talent?”

I was speechless as I listened to him, teasing me.

It really only took four days to raise a Lower skill to an Intermediate one…?

No, don’t be proud, I reminded myself. You should not be arrogant.

Maybe it was possible because the passage was too dark, and it felt like nothing existed except me.

Even without talent, the darkness was conducive for the Surprise skill’s growth.

In fact, my Martial Arts skill did not develop to Intermediate in four days. 

You cannot be satisfied with yourself for a skill that only grew because of a special situation. You should try harder…more…

I came out of my thoughts and looked up to Rain. He was holding a glass.

I started to explain to him about the quest I received, and the Jinma Tower.

Rain nodded after listening to me.

“Fate’s thoughts are all correct. Spiders and wolves live on the 2nd floor of the Black Palace District 7. They are fighting each other, killing each other—no doubt or worry. Go ahead. As you’ve always been, Fate will be able to go deeper and farther.”

“What about the Jinma Tower? Oh, do you need information fees?”

“No information fees are required. Fate may not know, but you have been there.”

“I have been there… ?”

“Sure. The Tower of Jinma.”

His smile grew darker.

“It is a safe training center.”

“A safe training center?”

“That’s right. This was where Fate is staying to train, and it’s like a dedicated store. It’s a safe place.”

“I see.”

I nodded. I understand now. The Jinma Tower is a battlefield, but without any danger.

I took Today’s Luck before I left the exclusive store.

Rain poured red wine, and it flowed like blood into the glass. It gave a subtle buff that increased my stamina by 30 for 3 hours.

Physical fitness is divided into two roles. The first role, stamina, is for defense, while strength was for the offense. Higher stamina enables your body to take more damage and last longer in dangerous situations. It was an important stat.

The problem is that Today’s Luck increases the amount of stamina – stamina that I could gain with a little predation.

It was different with magic. When Today’s Luck gave me a boost, my magical abilities got more powerful, along with giving me more mana. Even it was also possible to restore mana through predation, it won’t be able to increase the magical power, so it helped me a lot.

Rain looked at my face and noticed my disappointment. With a bitter laugh, he said,

“Oh, it seems you got unlucky.”

That moment.

I realized something through his words.

Today’s Luck is a completely random buff available once every 24 hours.

I am disappointed with the fact that my stamina increased, and was hoping for something else.

What was I thinking? I have trained so much! There is no point, depending on a random buff!

I slapped my cheeks with both hands. The rough pain made my mind clear. My cheeks were tingling.

“Fate?”

“No, I’m fine. I just needed to be awake.”

The exclusive shop with Rain is a kind and gentle space for me.

I am grateful for it, but I shouldn’t get used to it. Depending on a dedicated store is dangerous.

I had to improve and get myself stronger through effort and practice.

“2F is a place that I had to challenge with my skills,” I told Rain. “I have no complaints with Today’s Luck. Moreover…”

“Moreover?”

I laughed, looking at the hot drink.

“The wine was very tasty. It was worth the disappointment.”

Rain laughed heartily before he sent me off.