Published: January 22, 2026
Escorted by Mr. Orun, we teleported to the entrance of the thirtieth floor.
“How is it? Does it suit me?”
Carole asked, showing me the necklace she had just received from Mr. Orun, hanging around her neck.
“Yeah, it suits you.”
“Thanks! Sophie, it looks good on you too!”
“R-Really?”
I looked down at the red necklace Mr. Orun gave me.
(A gift from Mr. Orun... Hehe, I’m so happy.)
“Both of you, focus. Even though this is a safe zone, we’re already inside the Great Labyrinth,” Log warned us.
But Log’s face was subtly trying to suppress a smile, so even though what he said was correct, it didn’t carry much weight.
“I mean, it’s hard to take that seriously with a face like that,” Carole pointed out as expected.
“I-I can’t help it! I didn’t expect to get a present from our master! It was such a surprise attack!”
I think Log has changed a lot in this past month.
Not long ago, he had this attitude of looking down on everyone around him, but now that attitude has completely disappeared.
Maybe Mr. Orun defeated not only the black dragon but also the unpleasant side of Log?
Just kidding.
“Anyway, let’s review the route and strategy one more time.”
I suggested to the two of them that we do a final check.
I wanted to keep staring at the necklace I got, but we came here to clear the thirtieth floor.
We pushed Mr. Orun to let just the three of us take on this challenge.
I want to show Mr. Orun how much we’ve grown.
I don’t want to disappoint him.
The two of them agreed to my suggestion.
I took out the map of the thirtieth floor from my storage magical tool and did the final confirmation.
I remember the layout of the thirtieth floor almost perfectly, including the route to the floor boss.
I also planned escape routes just in case, so it’s all good.
For the battle formation, Carole is the vanguard, Log is the mid-guard, and I’m the rear guard.
The damage dealers are Carole and me.
Log supports us with buffs and switches between front and rear lines depending on the situation.
This puts a heavy burden on Log.
As Mr. Orun said, we have to avoid prolonging fights as much as possible.
“Yeah, this should be fine. Since we have Mr. Orun’s approval, let’s proceed without letting our guard down!”
““Alright!!””
While staying alert and trying not to get overly tense, we moved along the planned route.
“Stop! I hear footsteps ahead.”
Log is in charge of scouting for our party.
He activated the [Hearing Up] technique that Mr. Orun taught him, greatly enhancing his hearing.
It seems Log’s enhanced hearing caught the footsteps of demonic beasts.
“Do you know what kind they are?”
“Sorry, I can’t tell that much. But probably three of them.”
Since this is a narrow, single-path area, magic is better for battle here.
There are enemies with ranged attacks on the thirtieth floor, but their power is low, so we don’t have to worry too much.
“If they’re coming from the front, Log and I will intercept with magic. Carole, please watch the rear for any demonic beasts.”
“Got it.” “Right!”
As I gave instructions, I began constructing my technique.
Four goblins appeared, walking toward us from the front.
They haven’t noticed us yet.
“Sorry, I miscounted.”
“That’s okay. We’ll take them down with magic as planned! I’ll cripple all their legs. Log, take three from the right! I’ll handle the left! Aero Cutter!”
A blade of wind, about as wide as the corridor, sliced through the goblins’ legs from the knees down, sweeping like it was crawling over the ground.
“Rock Needle!”
The ground surged up like a spear and accurately pierced the vital points of the three fallen goblins.
“Thunder Arrow!”
Right after casting Aero Cutter, I unleashed the magic I had prepared to finish off the remaining goblin.
I’m still not good at parallel technique construction.
Log seems to have mastered it already and can cast magic faster and more precisely than I can, even though I’m a mage.
I know it’s no use envying what I don’t have, but I still feel frustrated.