Infinite Competitive Dungeon Society ICDS: Chapter 177

Chapter 177. The Power of the Hero (1)

Fighting the Twin-headed Ogre ten times a day was honestly just too easy. Now that I thought about it, fighting the Floor Master three times a day had been nothing at all. It didn’t even take 20 minutes to kill the Twin-headed Ogre, so fighting it three times would only take an hour. As I was now, I would be fine even if I continuously fought for 10 hours.

Plus, even though the Twin-headed Ogre was strong and fast, it was a normal ground-based monster that couldn’t even use magic. After I fought it a couple of times, I had memorized its movement and attack patterns and became able to defeat it in 10 minutes.

I had an incredibly high strength stat, which was even further amplified by Zeus’ power and Ogre’s tattoo. I also had Mad Typhoon, which showed greater strength than what was possible with my stats. Although it would be hard for me to block a Demon Army Commander’s regenerative ability like Peruta did, it was still extremely easy for me to deal a blow that surpassed a mere ogre’s regenerative ability. It was what greatly helped to shorten the time I spent fighting the Twin-headed Ogre.

After I left the Floor Master room, I was drinking a Fatigue Recovery Juice worth 100 gold when Loretta spoke with a dumbfounded expression.

“Shin-nim, you should know that there are explorers who go in as full 10-man parties and fight the Twin-headed Ogre for 3 hours. If someone saw you, they’d think the dungeon was made to be climbed alone.”

“There’s no reason for me to care about them. I only have to care about people stronger than me. I don’t have the time to turn back and feel proud seeing people weaker than me.”

Loretta slightly sulked at my cut-throat response.

“If Shin-nim ever collapses from working too hard, know that Shin-nim’s precious things will be missing when Shin-nim wakes up.”

“I won’t collapse in front of Loretta so don’t worry.”

I retorted with a grin, and Loretta made a scared expression. She looked like she was about to cry.

“A-Are you still angry?”

“No, that’s not it. It’s just that guys like to… Uh, no, nevermind.”

“What is it!? That sounds like some extremely valuable information! Please continue, now!”

“Never. Not even over my dead body.”

“Why!?”

I had no plans to say anything. I finally got her to stop, because if I had said anything, she would’ve gone on about the “marrying” thing. I stuck my tongue out at Loretta and headed toward the Floor Master room again. But from the happy expression I saw before I turned around, it seemed Loretta was making her own assumptions and being happy.

Perhaps in her head, she had already planned out our wedding. However, my prediction was immediately proven to be wrong. Loretta’s thoughts were leaking.

“Ehehe, then we’ll name our seventh kid this… I’m sure he’ll be just as cute as Shin-nim, uhuhuhu.”

Amazed at Loretta’s ability to surpass my expectations every time, I shook my head. Then, I opened the door to the Floor Master room.

“Fight me! Twin-headed Ogre!”

Like I said before, it didn’t take long for me to defeat the Twin-headed Ogre. I defeated it four times in one hour. In other words, after two and a half hours, I had nothing more to do for the day. Including the time for rest, four hours was more than enough.

Since I had to grind the boss 80 to 100 times on average, I would be forced to a leisurely lifestyle for a while. Although I grew impatient thinking about the 2 year time period I had, since I knew being impatient wouldn’t change anything, I thought about how to spend the time more efficiently.

First, I decided to talk to Yua, who was still sulking.

“Hmph!”

However, I failed at every attempt to appease her. I spent the remaining time sparring with Father or teaching Sumire spearmanship.

With the exception of Walker, who had to guard Yua for about a third of his day since school had just restarted, when they weren’t climbing the dungeon, most Revival members were socializing in the guild house. This made it extremely convenient for me to see and teach Sumire.

“Haa!”

With a shield on one hand and a spear on the other, Sumire charged toward me. Although she was attacking and defending rather sensibly, I still skillfully dodged her attack and lightly attacked her shin which her shield wasn’t covering.

“Your lower body’s guard is lacking!”

“Kuk, guide me more, Shin-nim!”

“Anytime!”

The moment I responded, Sumire clenched her teeth and thrust her spear toward me. Her basic battle tactic was to defend with her shield and attack with her spear. It was appropriate if she wanted to act as a tank who drew the enemies’ aggro while also acting as a damage dealer.

“The tip of your spear is shaking because you’re too focused on your shield!”

“Kuk! I’ll fix it!”

I did my best to point out her mistakes and to help her hone her spear. When I attacked Sumire’s opening, she would be hit, but by the time she got back up, the opening was gone. Seeing her grow, I couldn’t help but be excited as a teacher. As a result, I ended up overdoing it slightly, but Sumire happily accepted it. Perhaps this was how Father felt when he was teaching me. Regardless, I was happy that my guild was full of such talented people.

After we sparred for two hours, Sumire bowed, drenched in sweat.

“Thank you for your lesson, Shin-nim! My Spear Technique reached mid-rank level 5!”

“You’re progressing well. You’ll be able to use it in real battles soon.”

“Although I’m lacking, it’s thanks to Shin-nim’s enthusiastic teaching that I’m improving so much! I’m extremely happy to serve Shin-nim as my master!”

“No, you’re doing well. You have talent and you’re putting in an effort. I’m happy to have Sumire as my first disciple too.”

“Shin-nim…!”

No, don’t look at me with those sparkling eyes of respect! It’s ticklish! I scratched my head.

“Alright, let’s go wash ourselves off and eat something.”

“Yes, Shin-nim! I’ll prepare the food!”

When I went upstairs after a refreshing shower, I unexpectedly saw Daisy there. Although there wasn’t anyone to prepare food, Daisy was sitting alone at the table with her head down. She was in her uniform, but her beret was on the side, while her chain whip was wrapped around her arm like an accessory. I was surprised that the whip could be worn in so many ways.

She must have felt my presence as she turned toward me. Her head was still drooped on the table. She flashed her red eyes ominously and spoke.

“Blood sugar… low. Need food.”

She said it in a cool way, but the content was anything but cool. It even made her outer appearance look worse.

“Where were you until now…? Well, that aside, just what did you eat for the past 73 years?”

“Preserved food… in inventory. Tasteless. I ate here, threw away all preserved food. My stomach wants tasty food.”

“Oh hey, that last sentence was grammatically correct! … You’ll have to wait a bit for the food. Eat this for now.”

I took out a chocolate bar from my inventory and gave it to her. Daisy’s eye’s flashed and she grabbed it. After peeling the wrapper, she took a big bite.

[Yummy!]

“You don’t need to use your Evil Eyes to tell everyone around you.”

Wait, wasn’t this the first time she shouted something!? She wasted such an important scene on a chocolate bar!? I wanted her to shout in a more emotional event… I felt slightly betrayed. Then, seeing Daisy put her hands out like asking for another, I flicked her forehead.

“We’re going to have a proper meal soon. You know Sumire, right? She’s a genius in various ways, but she’s especially talented in housework. You can look forward to her food.”

“Mmm… For yummy food, I can… wait.”

“Good.”

Daisy took her hands back and nibbled on the chocolate bar she had left. Although it was good that she had calmed down, I still didn’t know why she was here.

If I remembered correctly, after eating the melting tuna, she disappeared and was nowhere to be seen. Four days had passed since then, so that meant she had come back after four days.

Just when I was about to ask, Daisy opened her mouth as if she just remembered.

“Beyond… 12th floor. Broke through, thanks to you.”

“Ah…!”

So she went straight into Beyond that day! It was a rather quick decision, contrary to the slow and lax attitude she was showing now. I nodded my head with admiration.

“That was quick. Good job.”

“Your children, very strong. Pookie, Iana, Loro, especially strong.”

“What’s up with those cute names… I don’t know which monsters you’re talking about.”

“Flame… Drake and, Iron… Boar, Evil Rhinoceros. Beetle Lord.”

“Good job shortening their names to such cute ones!”

“Fighting together, I’m happy…”

Seeing her elated expression, I lost the heart to say anything. I simply made a sour smile and patted her head. Then, remembering that I patted her without thinking, I pulled my hand back. However, Daisy didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she looked at me curiously when I took my hand off.

“I don’t, mind. Continue.”

“No, sorry. That was rude of me.”

“You’re okay.”

She was really friendly. Was it because I was another Beyond explorer? No, that’s probably not it… Just when I was thinking about the reason, Daisy spoke out.

“You, surrounded by, pretty girls. Clearly showing feelings, but you’re virgin. With you, I feel safe.”

“You’re dissing me, right!? You’re openly dissing me! Wait, so you were actually listening to us properly!?”

I felt like I had my back stabbed thoroughly. I was so sad that I wanted to cry.

“Reliable. More than other girls, feel safer.”

“Don’t let your guard down, I’m a man too! Plus, other girls? What girls are threatening your chastity!?”

“World is… wide.”

“Don’t make that distant expression! You’re scaring me!”

I unwillingly came to find out that pretty girls were sought after by both men and women. I really did not need to know that at all…

In any case, Sumire, Daisy, and I, a rather unusual combination, enjoyed a lunch together. Then, when I was about to start my training after getting some rest, I got a message that broke the peaceful atmosphere. It was from Walker, who was protecting Yua on her way back from school.

[Come back to Earth now, Kang Shin! Your sister got done in by Luca Bruno’s ability! I’m running back with her in my arms, but… In any case, come now!]

“I’m coming immediately!”

People that got on my nerves even by doing nothing seemed to have gotten tired of living, as they pulled on my hair and opened the gate to Hell.

Author’s note:

You’ve waited a long time! It’s time to go take care of the people making you itchy just by existing! Walker, you were put on this duty for this very moment! Well… Good job Walker! You stopped the reader’s rage!

Chapter end