Chapter 56: Dungeon Basics: Mastering Magic Control!

"First, let's start with what's essential for dungeon exploration."

Even though we just say "dungeon," they're divided into top, upper, middle, lower, and deep floors. Additionally, each dungeon—whether it's Shibuya, Hachioji, or Takayama—has different environments and monsters, so the way to approach them differs. Still, there are things that are universally important in every dungeon.

"In my opinion, the essential skill for dungeon exploration is… controlling the magic within your body."

"Hmm. That's an interesting way to start a basics lecture."

"Well, it's also the first thing I learned."

: So what does that mean?

: Sure, controlling magic is important, but...

: Is this about learning to use magic?

: What happens when you control your magic?

: Starting with a tough topic, huh?

"It's simple. Even if you just get a general sense of the magic flowing through your body and move it freely, as long as you can do that, you won't suffer major injuries from upper-floor monsters."

"Well, that's true. The most important thing in dungeon exploration is surviving."

: Prioritize survival, huh.

: How do you circulate magic?

: That depends on the person.

: For me, it's like rising from my stomach.

: Isn't that vomiting?

: I imagine it flowing from my heart.

: I thought it covered my body like a shield.

Everyone's image of magic differs. In my case, I imagine it flowing through my body like blood, and I can store it in specific places or speed up its overall movement.

"If you send a lot of magic into your arms, you can crush rocks, and even if a monster bites you, it won't leave a mark. It's said that many young people born with abundant magic do this unconsciously."

: Young people are dungeon elites, huh.

: Damn, I need to become an explorer now since I'm still young.

: If you're in your 30s, you're no longer "young."

: Lol.

: Among explorers, you're practically an old man.

: That's rough.

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: So, controlling magic flow is key.

"As I mentioned in a previous stream, magic is a versatile force... If you get the hang of it, you can even walk in the air."

I imagine a surface of magic under my feet, solidified like a staircase, and start walking in the air. The extent of this ability depends on the person's imagination, but at the very least, it's possible to fly, like Kamishiro-san does.

"Impressive... I've never seen someone handle magic so naturally."

"Huh? But Aizawa-san can do this too, right?"

"I can, but not that smoothly."

: Wait, you can do that too?

: So, there was a theory behind that floating trick.

: Floating?

: That wasn't floating, that was flying.

: He wasn't hovering; he was flying at high speed.

"That's just because Kamishiro-san is crazy. I can't fly that fast."

: But you can still fly!

: I tried copying that trick in the dungeon the other day, but it didn't work.

: Of course you can't fly, lol.

: Dude's casually talking while walking through the air.

What are the viewers even thinking while watching this stream?

Even Aizawa-san is walking in the air as if he's climbing stairs, so it proves that anyone can do it if they try. My grandma helped me polish my magic control skills early on, and it's been a huge help. The fact that I can cut through deep-floor monsters with an unnamed sword is all thanks to controlling my magic.

"For starters, you should at least practice the technique of hardening your body with magic. By the way, magic control training can be done at home. Try it before bed, like meditating for 10 minutes."

"They say that circulating magic within your body improves health too, so even if you're not aiming to become an explorer, it's worth trying."

: Oh, interesting.

: If it's good for your health, I might try it too.

: You can do it at home?

: I guess, since it's all internal.

: Seems easy.

: I'll give it a go since it sounds simple.

: Is it hard for beginners? Sёarᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

: Is it like muscle training?

"Even if you're not used to it, it's not too hard. You're just moving magic inside your body, after all."

Just like how no one gets tired from blood circulating in their veins, moving magic won't wear out your body. It's no more exhausting than taking a deep breath.

"Once you can control your magic, just go beat up some upper-floor monsters, and you'll be a full-fledged explorer."

"Wait, hold on!"

: Lol.

: That escalated quickly.

: That was fast, huh.

: As expected.

: EX-rankers are all muscle brains.

: Basic lecture (just a little).

: Well, to be fair, it's somewhat helpful.

: Is that it, though?

Is that all, they ask?

Well, yeah—if you have decent magic control, you can take down upper-floor monsters with ease. There's no need for more strategy beyond that. After that, just keep diving into dungeons, save up some money, and buy a better weapon. The middle floors are a different story, though, so be careful!

"Sorry, everyone... That's just how Kisaragi-kun is."

: We knew it.

: EX Reiman has it tough.

: He's the only sensible EX-ranker.

: Truly the "Light of the EX."

: Reiman, we're counting on you.

: Don't base an entire livestream around magic control.

: This basics lecture is a lie, lol.

: Saw this coming a mile away.

Ugh... what else is there to say? Like, "If an alarm goes off, evacuate immediately"?

"R-Right... so, next, let's talk about monsters' traits and weaknesses."

"For upper-floor monsters, there are no weaknesses worth talking about."

"Hmm... I think that's just you, Kisaragi-kun."

: This guy...

: "Upper-floor monsters aren't a threat" (self-centered thinking).

: Is he okay?

: Turns out he really is out of touch.

: People do get injured on the upper floors, you know?

: Occasionally, someone even dies charging in recklessly.

: Born to be EX, huh.

"Were there any monsters on the upper floors of Shibuya Dungeon you were cautious about? Maybe just the hard ants?"

"People have almost died from being bitten by those Steel Ants, you know?"

"Wait, really? From the bite that barely leaves a mark, like a bug bite?"

When I came back from my first dungeon dive and showed my grandma the spot where I got bitten by a Steel Ant, she just told me to put some steroid ointment on it.

: Lol.

: Dude, you're just too tough.

: Those ants can also spit acid, you know?

: They're a pretty significant threat.

: If you're not used to it, Steel Ants are a real pain.

"...I see."

"T-That's true... If you can control your magic, they're not much of a threat."

"No, it's fine... You don't need to sugarcoat it."

Honestly, I thought it was just internet people exaggerating as usual, but... Now that I think about it, I do remember Shinano-san telling me to be careful of the Steel Ants… I just can't recall it clearly.

But now I've learned. Steel Ants aren't just hard—they're pretty strong. I'll make sure to actually look up monster info for the next lecture instead of relying on my impressions.