Chapter 72: Awkward Goodbyes

I'm the type who doesn't bring many weapons into the dungeon. Sure, I carry a sword made from deep-floor materials, but I mostly rely on magic. It's just easier to cast spells, even though I'm more comfortable with physical combat. When I do use my sword, it's more about the feel and the flow of battle.

If Miyamoto-san wants to take her skills further, she'd probably benefit from advice from someone like Aizawa-san, who regularly fights with weapons. I'll have to ask him next time we meet.

"Do you channel magic through your weapon, Kanakon-san?"

"Huh… what?"

: Wait, what?

: How do you channel magic through a weapon?

: Are we talking about magical weapons?

: No, magical weapons have magic embedded in them during their creation.

: Is it like making the weapon absorb magic energy?

"Think of it like covering your body with magic, but instead, you do it to your weapon."

"How do you even… do that?"

"Well, the fastest way is to convince yourself the weapon is just an extension of your own body."

At least that's how I do it. I treat my sword like it's just another limb, channel magic into it, and increase its hardness. That way, I can draw out more power than the weapon would normally have. Of course, if you push it too far, the weapon itself can break from the strain.

I guess it'd be easier to show her, so I pull out my katana from my shikigami, Kasha, to demonstrate.

: He just casually pulls out his sword.

: For a guy who's a shikigami user, he sure fights a lot himself.

: Everyone knows he's stronger than his shikigami.

: We all know this.

: That sword looks awesome.

: Is that custom-made?

: The blue blade is really cool.

I take a deep breath.

The harder the blade, the more things it can cut through. There's an advanced technique where you sharpen the magic around the blade to make it even more deadly. I don't do it often since I'm not that precise during high-speed combat, but Aizawa-san apparently does. Asakawa-san, who uses a spear, is also using a simplified version of this technique, though she's still working on it.

I channel magic through the katana, refining the edge. Slowly honing the magic feels a bit like tuning a musical instrument—something I enjoy when I have the time. But in real combat, I do it quickly, so it loses that charm.

With the sword fully honed, I swing it forward. The air tears with a sharp sound, and the forest in front of me is cleanly cut down in a several-meter radius. This is the kind of skill deep-floor explorers need when wielding weapons.

"How was that?"

"...Are you even human?"

"I'm human, yes."

: No way.

: Nope, not human.

: I don't know what kind of human can do this.

: At least call it magic!

: Somehow, magic would make it easier to accept.

: Yeah, if it's magic, it's slightly less insane.

Even if Miyamoto-san isn't great at refining magic power, she should still be able to wrap magic around her weapon. It's just a matter of getting used to magic manipulation. She's already good at circulating magic, so this should be within her grasp. Though with her current magic reserves, it'll be more of a temporary fix.

: Can I do this too?

: So this is what magic manipulation feels like?

: Alright, I'm going to seriously practice magic now.

: Are you serious? seaʀᴄh thё Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"If you can manipulate magic, you can do it. It's not guaranteed, but mastering magic manipulation is definitely the quickest route."

"...M-Magic through my weapon…"

Hmm, it looks like she's still struggling with consciously controlling magic. She seems to circulate it instinctively, so maybe we need to go back to the basics.

"Kanakon-san, first, you should focus on sensing your magic flow. Even if it's just a vague feeling, try to become aware of it. Before bed, take about ten minutes to meditate and consciously circulate your magic."

"Meditation? Like… yoga?"

"Well, something like that."

It feels a bit different from that, but as long as it works for her, that's fine. The flow of magic is a personal sensation, and my method isn't going to work for everyone.

: Yeah, this is tough.

: Did anyone expect it to be easy?

: If anyone could do it, we'd all be diving into the middle floors.

: Man, I wish I could be a full-time explorer.

: Keep at it.

: Meditation, huh?

"For now, let's keep fighting the monsters in the middle floors."

"Wait, what?"

"You'll be fine. You've already got the basics of channeling magic through your weapon, even if it's a bit rough."

: "Rough" is a mean way to say it.

: Give her a break, man.

: Be gentler with your words!

: Freaking superhuman.

: It's still impressive if she can do it.

: I'm literally in the Shibuya Dungeon right now, and there are people standing still with their weapons, probably trying to figure this out.

: Don't explore the dungeon while watching a stream, people!

: LOL.

: Real-time training, huh?

Wait, there are people exploring while watching the stream? I didn't expect that… Maybe that's where that gaze I felt earlier came from—someone from the stream.

"Exploring while watching is dangerous."

: Facts.

: Why are you suddenly the voice of reason?

: You can't just switch to normal logic like that.

: Hypocrite.

: LOL.

: Yeah, don't dungeon dive while watching streams (RIP me).

: Rest in peace.

Experience new tales on m v|l e-NovelFire

There's a clearing up ahead in the forest. I'll let Miyamoto-san fight there for a while. The best way to increase magic reserves is through steady combat experience.

"Th-Thank you… for everything."

"Good job."

I had Miyamoto-san battle middle-floor monsters for a while before ending the stream. It might have been a bit of a dull stream, but there's no shortcut to becoming a strong explorer. You need to hone your skills, and then it's up to your own talent to see how far you can take it.

"Thank you for today. I learned a lot, and the person at the reception desk said I should be able to apply for D-rank now."

"Yes, but don't push yourself too hard. You still need to work on the basics."

"Y-Yes!"

The moment you level up and can access new floors, that's when explorers are most at risk. Specifically, when they reach D-rank and can enter the middle floors or C-rank for the lower floors. Most people don't dive into the deep floors immediately after reaching A-rank, but that's because B-rank explorers tend to be more experienced by that point.

With Miyamoto-san's current strength, there aren't many middle-floor monsters that could seriously threaten her, but a dungeon is a place where even extreme caution might not be enough.

"Um…"

"What's wrong?"

What should I do…? I've helped her this much, so I wouldn't mind if she contacted me again with questions, but we didn't exchange contact info… If I ask her for her contact now, would it come off as weird, like I'm just looking for an excuse to hit on her? Miyamoto-san's pretty and probably sensitive to those things… But if she's going to become a top-tier explorer, wouldn't it be better to—

"Um, could I… get your contact information? I might have more questions."

"...O-Of course!"

Thank goodness!

If she asked first, there's no way it'll seem weird. I definitely won't come off as creepy!

Later, when I got home and remembered exchanging contact info, I felt a little too excited and died a bit inside from embarrassment.