69 The Middle Layer of the Elro Dungeon

E… eeeeeee…?

W… what’s this?

I don’t understand at all.

What is this supposed to be!?

This can’t be right!

This isn’t possible!

Are you serious!?

What is magma, anyway!?

Why is magma flowing through a dungeon!?

Ah… because it’s a dungeon, maybe it’s fine.

No, no.

This isn’t acceptable!

Heat!

It’s not just hot—it’s burning!

Ugh, HP decreased by one!

So this means damage is being taken from the heat?

Ugh, areas with terrain damage aren’t even funny.

Before I could finish speaking, HP dropped again.

There is a path to avoid the magma.

There is, but can we really proceed through here?

Even at this distance, from the magma, we’re still taking damage. If we go near it, HP will drop sharply.

If it’s this intense this close, touching the magma by accident…

No way—

Just when we finally escaped the lower levels, this?

There’s no way we’re getting out of this area.

Hmm?

Sighting detected—monster, at a distance.

Visual enhancement is performing its function, quietly.

Wait— that monster’s swimming through the magma as if it’s nothing.

A bit unsettling to look at, but please,鉴定 result.

『Elrogenelash LV7

Status

HP: 167/167 (Green)

MP: 145/158 (Blue)

SP: 155/155 (Yellow)

AP: 156/165 (Red)

Average Attack: 85

Average Defense: 83

Average Magic: 81

Average Resistance: 79

Average Speed: 89

Status assessment failed』

Huh?

Assessment…?

Could it be my imagination?

The status seems to have additional data.

Oh— oh!

Assessment is incredible!

Only a moment ago, only HP was shown. Now attack power is displayed too!

Even if the success rate isn't 100%, this means we can now know the opponent's exact strength!

Oh— oh no.

This is… really bad.

Knowing an opponent's strength? That's insanely advantageous.

And logically, the next thing to appear should be skills.

If we can see their skills too, it's like stripping them bare!

We’ll win!

We’ll definitely win!

Ah— I wish we could level up faster.

Still, I’ve understood the greatness of the鉴定 (Assessment) system. That said, that monster isn’t that strong.

It looks like a tatsu no otoshi go with limbs growing from its body, but it’s calmly swimming through magma.

Unbelievable.

I mean, I said it’s not strong, but stat-wise, it’s more stable than me.

I can't use magic, so my magic stat is a death stat. My physical abilities are all low except for speed.

Even with speed, I realized I couldn’t run much longer—Explosive Speed isn’t sufficient.

Running drains the yellow gauge rapidly. When it reaches zero, breathing becomes labored and painful.

I suppose I’d be at a disadvantage if we fought properly.

Shall we examine further with dual verification?

"Elro Genarash: A creature belonging to the lesser dragons inhabiting the middle layers of the Elro Great Labyrinth. Manipulates fire and is protected by flames."

Kita Kole!

The middle layer of the Elro Maze!

Elro Great Labyrinth Mid-Level: Area located between the upper and lower regions of the Elro Great Labyrinth. The entire area has transformed into a scorching terrain of flowing magma, with numerous fire-resistant creatures dwelling within.

...Seriously?

Uwah...

I can't.

Is this true of the entire middle tier?

Must pass through this to reach the upper tier?

Impossible, right?

Terrain that inflicts damage merely by presence.

Magma rivers and pools—fall in, and it’s instant termination.

Creatures dwelling there possess fire resistance. Meaning fire-based attacks are entirely plausible.

Do you understand what my spider silk’s weakness is?

Fire!

Wait a moment.

If you take my spider silk, what remains?

Poison and speed.

Well, having something is better than nothing, but losing my primary weapon is too severe.

Besides, this means my poison silk can’t be used at all!

I was looking forward to using it so much—what is this!?

Ah, HP is significantly reduced.

Temporary retreat.

Phew.

Return to the lower level beneath the slope.

Heat remains, but HP does not decrease.

After a brief rest, the auto-recovery effect will restore full health.

But auto-recovery—well, there is one, isn't there?

Even if it exists, damage still accumulates, right?

No matter how hard I try, this seems impossible.

If I wanted to clear it, I'd need healing potions or cool drinks.

But I don't have either.

Maybe getting fire resistance would help a little?

But probably, it's not just my thread—it seems the core is weak to fire too.

I just noticed while checking the skill list—there's no fire resistance listed.

So that means, 200 points won't grant fire resistance?

Other resistances exist, but not fire resistance.

I suspect—because I myself am weak to fire, fire resistance is harder to obtain.

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Prediction LV4' upgraded to 'Prediction LV5'.]

Ah, yes.

You're leveling up very quickly.

Is this also due to Pride's effect?

Never mind that.

What are we supposed to do, really?

To ascend to the upper tier, the middle tier must be conquered.

Yet, I do not believe they can secure control over the middle tier.

Then, look for another method?

One established route back is climbing the vertical shaft of a bee's nest.

Return to a place where a earth dragon resides?

No.

Impossible.

No.

Then, find the other vertical shafts?

Is there another convenient vertical shaft elsewhere?

Not impossible.

There was a case when I was above where bees got caught in a net. There is also a vertical hole in another location, and it is possible bees have built a nest there in the same manner.

But it remains only a matter of possibility.

Break through the middle layer.

Search again through the lower levels, seeking a vertical shaft that may or may not exist.

Now then, what to do about this...