106 Eel, Again

Whoa.

This is bad.

Before me stretches a vast lake of magma, endless in every direction.

And no path.

Did I take a wrong turn?

But this middle layer is structured as a single, wide passage extending endlessly—about one kilometer across.

Calling it a "passage" is misleading.

Still, to advance, I must cross this lake of magma.

Fortunately, though there is no path, small islands dot the surface.

My leaping ability should suffice to jump between them. Worst case, I could traverse the ceiling.

This I can manage—only because of me. Impossible for a human.

Human limits are clearly capped at the upper layer.

A labyrinth spanning the area of Hokkaido? No one could realistically conquer that.

Even someone with the strength of a hero or legendary warrior would be needed for that.

Whether such a person exists is uncertain.

Perhaps a handsome youth favored by the administrator gains special abilities.

Ugh, that’s unfair.

If such a person exists, give me some too!

Not allowed? Oh well, expected.

Ah.

I’m escaping reality for a moment.

The claim that it can be passed through only holds true under the condition of simply crossing it.

What makes this place dangerous is the sheer number of monsters lurking within.

This magma lake is vast, but its depth is equally extreme.

In some areas, it reaches depths of around two hundred meters.

One might think magma would cool and solidify if packed so densely.

Yet it remains as a massive lake.

And within this wide, deep lake, countless monsters reside.

If these are just common foes, fine. But some of them look dangerous.

I detect faint fish-like shapes in my detection range.

Damn.

I’d like to bypass the monsters, but based on past experience, I’ll likely get drawn into trouble here.

Unstable footing.

No escape.

Fall in, and it’s a death trap.

Multiple strong enemies.

This is hopeless.

This is hopeless.

My danger sense is screaming.

But I can’t proceed without pushing through here.

What even is this labyrinth?

You’re not making this easy, are you?

Am I supposed to die?

The gods speak—this is my fate to die here.

Administrator. Is this your doing!?

Huh.

Alright.

Let’s go.

Avoid combat whenever possible.

Strategy—let’s push hard. Prioritize survival.

First, jump to the nearest island.

Graceful landing.

A eel materializes with a slash.

Oiyyyyy!?

But there is no time to panic yet!

The eel is a strong opponent, but I should be able to defeat it now!

Still, safety first—better to flee.

Body Specialist, Magic Specialist, what’s your take!?

[Uneven terrain, difficult. One vote for fleeing.]

{Agreed. No need to fight on disadvantageous ground.}

Alright, let’s flee!

[Yes sir!]

{I’ll support.}

So, we’re fleeing!

But something about the eel’s behavior seems off.

It should have noticed us. Yet it isn’t attacking.

No—its body is frozen in a stance meant to attack.

Hmm?

[Information Specialist, is this paralysis?]

Ah, that’s it!

Right, right.

I obtained the Paralyzing Gaze when I reached level five.

Initially considered either the Death Gaze or the Petrification Gaze, but ultimately chose the Paralyzing Gaze.

Reason: I experienced paralysis firsthand, and realized its severity.

It’s dangerous.

You cannot move.

It nearly killed me—HP-wise, I was already dead.

The Death Gaze could be viable if it granted offensive power, but the corrosion mechanic makes it risky—damage would affect myself.

Also, using it on weak enemies leaves no corpse, so consumption becomes impossible.

Same applies to the Petrification Gaze.

Stone cannot be eaten, after all.

I know petrification firsthand—had it inflicted by a petrification lizard—but yes, it is troublesome. The effect takes time to activate.

Having a part of an opponent's body petrify—certainly unpleasant from their perspective—but from my standpoint, the benefit is minimal.

If the goal is to disable a limb, paralysis that immobilizes the entire body would be more effective.

Therefore, the second cursed eye is confirmed as paralysis.

Like the curse eye, it consumes MP while active.

Yet even when both are active simultaneously, the effects of Magical Apex and Gluttony result in a net gain.

Ah, regarding Gluttony’s stock—apparently, it automatically replenishes on its own.

Extremely convenient.

As a result, HP is gradually accumulating.

HP recovery is slow, especially against heat damage.

MP, however, replenishes rapidly, so I use it at a corresponding rate.

A skill known as Martial Combat Magic allowed temporary enhancement of physical capabilities through MP consumption. I tested it by circulating magic within my body, and acquired it with relative ease.

I now maintain this effect constantly.

Another skill, Qi Combat Magic, provides the same effect but consumes SP instead of MP. I activate it occasionally, depending on SP reserves.

Additionally, magic is primarily focused on Shadow Magic, with the magic specialist maintaining some form of spell activation at all times.

Currently, I am unleashing Poison Magic against the eel.

The eel remained paralyzed, sustained poison damage, then slowly eroded from a curse, until it collapsed from exhaustion.

[Experience points have reached threshold. Individual, Zoa Ere, has leveled up from LV6 to LV7.]

[Base stats have increased.]

[Skill mastery level-up bonus acquired.]

[Skill proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Weaving Talent LV3' has advanced to 'Weaving Talent LV4'.]

[Skill Points acquired.]

[Experience points have reached threshold. Individual, Zoa Ere, has leveled up from LV7 to LV8.]

[Base stats have increased.]

[Skill mastery level-up bonus acquired.]

[Skill Points acquired.]

Since it was a shame to let the meat sink, I used thread to pull it ashore somehow.

Exchanging the burning thread quickly, one after another—barely managed it.

Perhaps this was harder than combat.

An eel that had put up such a struggle, defeated so easily.

I’ve gotten really strong.