118 The Meaning of Killing a Dragon

Well then, skills, skills.

Proper verification of skills is important.

Truly important.

Why?

Because I failed to notice the resistance-adding property of Universal Thread until now!

Honestly.

I'm such an idiot.

How could I overlook something this vital?

One of the effects of Universal Thread is Resistance Affixation, which, as the name suggests, allows the transfer of my existing resistance-based skill effects directly onto the thread.

That is to say, Fire Resistance can be affixed.

Applying resistance to status effects like Poison Resistance is useless, but affixing Acid Resistance makes one exceptionally strong against frogs.

Resistance Affixation was discovered by chance during a recent skill verification.

Yes, I was genuinely surprised.

Shock at discovering such an effect, and dismay at having accidentally overlooked it entirely.

Ah, if I’d discovered this effect a little earlier, the thread might have had more use.

That said, even with increased fire resistance, flammability remained unchanged. The opportunity for dramatic impact wasn’t significantly greater, really.

Still, that’s something of a relief.

Now, reviewing the newly acquired title and skill.

Perhaps this is what one expects from a dragon.

Never thought I’d get a title just for defeating one.

What’s the effect like?

『Dragon Killer: Acquired Skill "Fate LV1", "Dragon Force LV1" — Condition: Defeat a dragon-type enemy — Effect: Increased damage against dragons and dragon-types — Description: Title granted to those who slay a dragon-type』

Feels like an upgraded version of Dragon Killer.

The skills themselves seem plausible.

『Fate: Grants HP bonus equal to Skill Level × 100. Additionally, upon level-up, grants growth bonus equal to Skill Level × 10』

『Dragon Power: Temporarily gains the power of a dragon』

Good work!

A skill that compensates for low HP has been acquired!

Though not as flexible as I’d hoped, HP is still HP, after all.

MP will inevitably be expended, just as it was this time.

Ah, but this time, leveling up was determined earlier, so it feels a bit wasteful to have gained four levels’ worth of potential.

If the title acquisition process had come before the level-up processing, the growth bonus would have been even more advantageous.

Hmm. Well, no help for it.

Dragon Power appears to be an evolved form of Dragon Strength?

If so, it’s a straightforward temporary stat boost skill. But how significant the difference is between Dragon Power and Dragon Strength must be verified later.

This is important.

Extremely important.

Abyss Magic was attempted without prior testing, a direct trial-and-error approach. Still, verifying the skill’s effect is crucial.

Ah.

Abyss Magic, huh.

I’d really like to test-fire it at level 2 or higher, but this… the power is ridiculous.

It’s a level 1 spell that can alter terrain?

What happens when it reaches higher levels?

MP consumption is nontrivial. This isn’t a spell you can cast casually.

Even if the area is vast, we’re deep underground in a labyrinth. If we accidentally trigger a collapse by unleashing Abyss Magic recklessly… no one could bear to look.

Currently, even level 1 is absurdly powerful. Higher levels? I’m too afraid to test.

Until a foe appears that Gate of Hell can’t handle, Abyss Magic beyond level 1 will remain sealed until we escape the Elro Great Labyrinth.

Now, moving on, several skills evolved or branched out during this level-up.

Evasion and accuracy both gained probability correction as a derivative.

Spatial mobility evolved from three-dimensional maneuverability.

Probability correction—similar to what eels possess.

Well, that was predictable, given what we’ve seen of eel skill configurations.

Both evasion and accuracy have reached maximum capacity. Now, only need to enhance this probability correction.

That will raise both evasion and accuracy.

This skill might even improve luck.

Perhaps a brief prayer is in order.

I’d like to live a slightly more peaceful life, please.

Alright.

The one that catches my attention is the evolution path of three-dimensional maneuverability—now spatial mobility.

Let’s see.

‘Spatial Mobility: Ability to move freely within any space.’

Hmm?

Seems impressive, but unclear.

Any space?

In midair?

Does it allow double jumps or something like that?

This will need confirmation later.

Skills often become significantly more usable when they evolve.

A previously disappointing skill might suddenly transform upon evolution—space mobility might even be a promising one.

The ability to double-jump could drastically expand tactical options.

That’s about it.

Yes.

The skill has improved considerably.

Still, it’s frustrating—just one more level-up would have made all the difference.

A greater leap was within reach.

Regrettable.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

A dragon has been eradicated? Location: the Elro Great Labyrinth. Was it his doing? No, that cannot be. There is an unspoken agreement of non-aggression. He would not act himself. Then what? Administrator Authority activated....What is this? Ruler status? And three of them? What is the meaning of this? I have no knowledge of such wisdom. Only D could achieve this. But why? What is this skill?...Verification is required.