CH 10

I descend the stairs and dive into the second layer, the highest point I have reached so far.

You will see a room surrounded by shining walls. The design of the second level is no different from the first.

I’ve just gone through the entire first level and collected every item. Rather than rushing to the next level, scared of demons, the survival rate would jump if we took our time to scavenge. 

And if you rush, you’ll also divert your reaction when you step on a trap. I remember stepping on a poisonous fog trap because I was in a hurry, and I was poisoned so badly that I vomited filth and blood.

“That time I completely panicked and drank a bunch of poison potions.”

At that time, I had a poison recovery potion and a poison potion, but the names were so similar that I mistook them.

As if to punish me for my ignorance, the cumulation of poisons caused me pain that I cannot describe.

Now that I remember the shape of the bottle, I’m sure I won’t get it wrong anymore……

” Gahahaha!”

A painful memory flashes back and I can’t help but laugh. This is a defense mechanism of the human mind. It’s God’s way of telling me to laugh when I’m in pain.

“Oops, no, no, no.”

Pull yourself together. This is a battleground.

And the poison potion is extremely, no, ruthlessly useful. Apply it to your sword to make a poisoned sword, or mix it with food to make poisoned food.

If you’re in a pinch, you can throw it directly. If you’re lucky, your opponent will be affected by the contents.

One thing to keep in mind about the second level is the type of monsters. Many of them are stronger than those in the first level. The Small Dragons, which are the younger forms of Dragons, are the best example, they can spit out a breath for each attribute.

Red Small Dragons have fire breath. Yellow Small Dragons have lightning breaths. Any of these can be fatal if you get hit by it.

“That’s where the scrolls come in.”

Scrolls are a lifesaver. There are many different types of scrolls in this Trial of Beginnings with their effects being all different. 

“Let’s give it a try.”

I open the 「Sword Sharpening Scroll」that I had picked up, and my Steel Sword +2 lights up. The enhancement value is now +3.

It’s only slightly stronger, but if you’re going to be challenging a long dungeon, this enhancement will be very important.

I also picked up some armor from the previous level: bronze armor and an iron helmet. Personally, I find this armor to be weak, but it’s better than nothing.

A thin shirt will not protect you from anything. Arrows can still pierce the silky soft skin, and a slash can cut through the juicy flesh.

So, when you pick it up, you should equip it. The best thing to do is to switch it out each time you pick up better equipment.

I look around the room.

There are no enemies or items around. An eerie silence reigns over the place, and all I can hear is the sound of the wind in the dungeon.

I take a few breaths and take out the items I want from the item box. It’s a「Walls Erasing Scroll」and a「Thunder Scroll」.

With this, I can annihilate the enemy in two moves.

“Kukuku……”

The disaster that is about to happen. I can’t stop myself from laughing when I imagine it.

With a joyful feeling, I vigorously open the scroll of the wall eraser to display its effect.

With an explosion, all the walls come crashing down. Strangely though, the ceiling doesn’t fall down.

More than ten monsters are staring at me. Their eyes fill with murderous intent. All they want to do is burn me, melt me, tear me apart, rip me apart, and eat me.

I stare back at the monsters without fear and open my mouth.

“Let the deaths begin!”

I’m too excited and say something weird. I’m so glad there’s no one else around!

Regaining my senses, I tear off the「Thunder Scroll」and spread it out with all my might. Eat this!

The thunder roars and shakes the dungeon like an earthquake. All the monsters die to the lightning, and the smoke from the burnt corpses crawl on the ground.

The result is as I expect it.

The「Thunder Scroll」casts lightning onto the monsters in the room. Then, if you use the 「Walls Erasing Scroll」to unite all the rooms, it will work on all the monsters.

The problem is that the「Walls Erasing Scroll」is a valuable item. It’s a rare item that is rarely seen in the dungeon.

“Hahahaha……”

A dry laugh escapes me at the outcome of the great battle. I thought there might be some monsters that survived, but unfortunately, not a single demon survived. It was truly an annihilation genocide.

I walk through the enemy-free level as if I own the place. I can pick up as many items as I want, and the only thing to watch out for are the traps.

If you pick up too many items, your item box will fill up, so I need to be selective.

The next level is the final one, so I eat all the food and throw away items that can be picked up everywhere, such as rocks.

It’s a shame to throw those away. It’s better to keep this one. It’s very fun to organize the item box while thinking like that. It stimulates my hoarder’s spirit.

I finish organizing the items and wander around the area until I find a staircase. The next one is the final level.

“It’s my first time on the third level…….”

I slowly descend the stairs, feeling a little anxious and excited in my heart. I’m in perfect physical condition and have all the items I need. If you have wisdom and courage, there is nothing to be afraid of. Although I can’t say that I have it in me.