NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 33 - Treasure Box Monster
On the 16th day of reincarnation, we headed to the dungeon in the morning. We remained vigilant due to the possibility of encountering thieves who had escaped the recent crackdown on the Shaldina Thief Guild.
The simultaneous crackdown on the Shaldina Thief Guild two days ago seemed to be the hottest topic, with rumors spreading like wildfire.
Our mansion, a bit away from the dungeon, passed by a square where we had bought grilled pond squid for the first time. Since the stall was open today, we decided to stop by.
“Oh, it’s the cute girls! Uncle’s going to treat you well!”
It seemed he didn’t remember my face, which was fine because we had only met once.
He still believed I was a girl. Well, I didn’t mind; let’s just enjoy the service.
“I’ll take 15 grilled pond squids.”
“Wow, you’re buying a lot! I’ll throw in 15 extra tentacles like last time!”
“Do you remember that?”
“Well, I wouldn’t forget such a cute girl.”
Impressive memory. Although it was good for a merchant, offering 15 extra tentacles would be a loss.
“Come again!”
Waving to the generous man, we continued with smiles from Anneliese and Rosalina.
As we walked, Rosalina and I focused on the grilled squid, while Anneliese enjoyed the tentacles.
“Delicious, isn’t it?”
“It’s delicious.”
Despite having just had breakfast, the two kept repeating how tasty it was. I wanted seconds, but we were heading to the dungeon, so I refrained.
Before entering the dungeon, we bought some fruit. Kiwi-like and plum-like fruits were available. We had kiwi for breakfast yesterday, and today’s breakfast featured plums. Both were delicious.
Although it was almost winter, there was a lack of seasonal feeling. The fruits were imported from the south and were said to have a long shelf life. They ripened during transport, becoming sweeter. A bit expensive due to shipping costs, but I bought them because they were delicious. Deliciousness is justice.
Entering the dungeon, we immediately moved to the 5th floor. Dungeon Move was convenient.
It was said that once you could explore the 5th floor, you were considered a full-fledged explorer. I was finally joining the ranks of full-fledged explorers.
While walking as an explorer, I would switch to a dual-wielding sword hero during battles. It would be nice if the Treasure Hunt skill activated. I walked confidently as an explorer, hoping for that.
Rosalina was with us, so I wouldn’t let monsters approach while changing jobs. Anneliese was there too, but she was in the rear guard.
On the 5th floor, labyrinthine cows appeared. These maze cows, with their reddish-brown fur, had high defense, but their dangerous charging ability was the most threatening.
A labyrinth cow appeared immediately. With four horns on its head, a height equivalent to mine, and a broader body than the Black-haired Japanese cattle I knew, it made the corridor feel narrow.
While changing my job to a dual-wielding sword hero, Rosalina dashed forward. The dull sound of the labyrinth cow’s charge colliding with Rosalina’s charge reached our ears.
Surprisingly, the massive labyrinth cow was being pushed back. Impressive, Rosalina.
She followed up with an uppercut punch to the lifted upper body of the labyrinth cow, then added a kick.
Oh, the labyrinth cow disappeared.
I didn’t even land a single punch. Rosalina was strong, which was good, but I had no role.
Quickly, I changed my job back to an explorer. How heartless.
“Dropped labyrinth cow meat.”
Anneliese picked up a leaf-wrapped meat chunk. It weighed about a kilogram. Although it was lean red meat, skewering this for grilling would be delicious.
“Instead of converting all the dropped labyrinth cow meat into money, how about keeping a bit for ourselves?”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
Anneliese smiled happily.
“I love meat.”
Rosalina also had a beaming smile.
Moving forward, two labyrinth cows appeared.
Changing my job to a dual-wielding sword hero, Rosalina charged out, punching and kicking the labyrinth cow.
I can’t lose either!
“Haaa!”
I swung the Mithril dual-wielding sword down from above.
Slicing through the labyrinth cow, it disappeared with a sharp destruction sound.
The Mithril dual-wielding sword was still a powerful weapon on this 5th floor.
As I defeated one labyrinth cow, Rosalina defeated another simultaneously. Impressive, Battle Master.
We continued to advance and effortlessly defeated three labyrinth cows.
My skills seemed to have triggered some response. A treasure chest!
“Wait a moment.”
Stopping the two, I touched the wall.
…
It seemed like an ordinary wall.
“Anneliese, there’s a treasure chest ahead. Can you break the wall?”
“Leave it to me!”
Anneliese activated Mana Hand and started punching the wall. After several hits, the wall collapsed, revealing a passage beyond.
“No monsters in the passage,” Rosalina cautioned.
Entering the passage, we found a treasure chest. Now, what would be inside this time?
“Wait a moment. That chest feels suspicious.”
“A trap?”
“It’s not exactly a trap, but it feels strange.”
Anneliese sensed something unpleasant with her magic, so we decided to discuss and use Mana Hand to open the lid.
I raised my shield, and Rosalina crouched low, readying herself.
“I’m opening it.”
Mana Hand extended, opening the lid. Suddenly, the treasure chest leaped at us. The chest was a monster!
The lid opened like a mouth, revealing sharp teeth. The bottom was a deep black, reminiscent of an abyss.
Reflexively, I activated Detailed Appraisal.
“It’s a Treasure Box Monster!”
I shouted the name of that monster species.
Seriously, did they keep the naming convention straight!?
“Yah!”
Rosalina kicked the leaping Treasure Box Monster with a counter.
“This thing has abnormally high VIT and HP.”
“I’ll join the fight too.”
“Please.”
Anneliese’s magic didn’t care about VIT. It was because resistance to magic depended on MIN.
I also changed my job to a dual-wielding sword hero and joined the battle.
“Hah!”
Dodging the Treasure Box Monster’s attempt to bite, Rosalina landed three punches.
“Urya!”
Slashing from the side, but it was tough.
“I’ll shoot!”
Anneliese’s magic activated. Rosalina and I jumped back.
A ball of flame hit the Treasure Box Monster, burning its wooden(?) body.
Although the monster seemed to dislike it and retreated, Rosalina and I pursued.
Rosalina pounded the monster relentlessly.
I slashed at it. It didn’t make a cutting sound.
Despite a few close calls, Rosalina covered for me, effortlessly dodging the attacks.
“I’ll shoot!”
Jumping backward, a fireball soared, burning the Treasure Box Monster. This final blow caused the monster to vanish.
There was a dangerous moment for me alone, but thanks to Anneliese and Rosalina, I didn’t get hurt.
“Ah!”
Rosalina, trying to pick up the dropped item, exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Master, look at this!”
Rosalina brought over a book.
“Is that…!?”
Anneliese also exclaimed.
“Could this be…?”
“Yes. It’s a grimoire.”
“Wow!”
“Incredible!”
While taking a break, Anneliese gave us a lecture about grimoires.
The grilled pond squid was delicious!
“When you use a grimoire, you can change jobs to become a mage. But there’s another job you can change to.”
“It’s not just a mage?”
“Yes. Occasionally, you can change to a sorcerer.”
“Sorcerer?”
A new term for me.
“Sorcerers use curses instead of magic. Curses require catalysts, but they can do things equivalent to magic.”
“Catalysts… So, do you buy those catalysts, or do you get them in the dungeon?”
“You make them using items dropped by monsters. Only sorcerers or alchemists can make catalysts.”
Making catalysts seemed time-consuming, and obtaining items would also have financial implications. Magic users seemed more cost-effective. But sorcerers had the advantage of using all attributes unlike mages.
“Sorcerers are popular for their versatility, but unlike mages, they can use curses of all attributes.”
“Attributes of the catalyst, right?”
“Yes. Depending on the catalyst’s attribute, sorcerers can use curses of all attributes.”
Sorcerers had versatility, but mages seemed more convenient in terms of cost.
“I’ve heard that the chance of becoming a sorcerer is about 1 in 30.”
It felt like I might hit that 1 in 30.
Thinking about it, having a mage like Anneliese might be better, as sorcerers could complement each attribute. But I hadn’t decided whether to use it or sell it yet.
“Are there any floors where it’s better to have more mages or sorcerers?”
“There are quite a few monsters that are resistant to physical attacks. Magic or curses are more effective against such monsters.”
“…Alright, let’s hold off for now. Anneliese’s magic is enough for now. I’ll decide whether to use or sell it as I see how things go.”
The grimoire was stored in the item box.