I’m being looked at! They’re staring real hard at me, and they’re being super obvious about it!
[Resist analysis...failed!]
[Resist analysis...succeeded!]
[Resist analysis...failed!]
Something popped up in front of me. Three people had tested their Analyze on me, and it seemed two of them succeeded.
“Right! It looks like a level 1 mimic!”
That’s all you figured out after staring so much?!
“Okay then. You, what are levels?”
“Yes! They’re a number that indicates the overall strength of something.”
“Exactly. The thing to watch out for is that levels are just a general indicator, meaning that it doesn’t differentiate between races. So, it would treat a level 1 slime and a level 1 dragon the same. Of course, there are no level 1 dragons.”
Um, is it just me, or am I being left by the wayside for a lecture? I guess that means he doesn’t think I’m a threat at all. That’s fine with me, though! I’m just a level 1, sorry about that! Still, I didn’t know about this level stuff either, so it’s interesting.
“Now then, while levels are an indicator of power, never forget that they only indicate base strength. They don’t take anything that might enhance strength—like equipment or magic—into account. Also, skills are another troublesome factor. If, for example, something were to have an instant death spell, there would always be a chance it could kill us regardless of level. A beginner’s Analyze skill does not reveal your target’s skills and equipment, so please be careful on that point.”
“Got iiit.”
“Well, when all’s said and done, this mimic is still only level 1. There’s no doubt you’re all more than capable of fighting it. This brings me to an unwritten rule of dungeon diving: no dungeon will ever go all out on the first floor. This place, the Aldora Labyrinth, is no exception. So, though this one’s a little strange, it shouldn’t be that much of a threat.”
I wasn’t just idly listening to the lecture. I was also actively trying to find a way out of this situation while the guide continued his explanation. Well, the keyword was try—it turned out there was nothing I could do. I was cornered at a dead end, trapped like a rat. From where I stood, there was no escape for me from my end.
Since that was the situation, I had to do something about the beginner’s tour in front of me. Unfortunately, there were so many of them that the passage was jam-packed. As you’d expect from a bunch of newbies, they all seemed on edge and full of openings...but not in the physical sense.
“Let’s see... You guys, the level 10 warriors—come forward. All of you together should be enough to deal with this mimic.”
Talk about overkill! Is that seriously necessary against a level 1?! Come on, you can let your guards down a little more than that!
“Hey, man! I’m a level 9 warrior, but that’s not far off from level 10! I wanna get in on this too!”
“The warriors fought last time too, didn’t they? I think we martial artists should have a turn!”
“I’m a level 15 mage. Couldn’t I just take care of this in one hit from here?”
“Aghh, fine. Then anyone who wants to give it a go raise your hands! There’s a lot of you... Okay, let’s decide with rock paper scissors.”
Now’s my chance—my only one! I can’t retreat, so I can only go forwards. And if I have to advance, it has to be now while they’re all disrupting each other. There’d be no point in just charging at them, but I do have the Crimson Rose. Plus, it comes with the Explosive Legs skill. I’m not quite sure what it does, but it should be some sort of killer move. This’ll be a trial by fire, but it’s my only option!
With that decided, I concentrated all of my strength into my legs and made a mad dash!
*BOOM!*
For a moment, I couldn’t make heads or tails of what happened. Pain shot through my head, forcing me to grab my lid with my hands.
Huh? Was I attacked? What happened?
The sight of the adventurers was split between me and the ceiling. When I looked up, I saw that the ceiling had cracked.
I see. I must’ve crashed into the ceiling. When I kicked off the floor to try and go into a dash, I must’ve flown upwards instead and hit it. Could the Crimson Rose be raising my leg strength? Well, if that’s true, then...!
I got up and approached the adventurers at a decent speed.
“Explosive...LEGS!”
I thrust forward, launching a kick at the group with full force! If I’d been able to send myself careening into the ceiling with just a fraction of my power, imagine the damage this would do—
*Kerclank!*
The guide’s shield intercepted my kick with ease.
Uh, wha...? I’m starting to get the feeling that it wasn’t actually all that powerful...
“Looks like it’s got increased movement speed somehow. That surprised me a little, but it’s still only as strong as a level 1 monster in the end.”
Really?! So movement and attack are different?! Huh, isn’t that weird? If I have the leg strength to move at amazing speeds, then I should also have the strength to kick really hard too, right?!
The guide raised his sword, and I bolted with all my might.
*Fwhooosh!* *BOOM!*
Unfortunately, I ended up retreating too far. Yep, I crashed into the wall. It seemed that my movement really was the only thing being buffed.
Aghh, so there’re no more options! If I were only fighting one enemy, my attack would’ve created a gap for me to slip through, but... Wait, what about from above?! Yeah, I can just jump over their heads!
With all that decided, I prepared to jump right over them.
*Pop!*
I froze after seeing what had just happened in front of me.
Whuh?
The guide’s upper half had disappeared. Or rather, it had exploded. Yep, it had been a spectacular one too—way more worthy of being called a crimson rose than my shoes.
I’d expected the skill to just be a really powerful kick or something, but apparently the name was literal—it caused the target to explode.
I see, I see... I totally see! Which means... Wouldn’t a hit-and-run strategy basically guarantee my victory? I just need to land hits before escaping to safety!
Just as I was starting to be convinced of my victory...
*BOOMBAMBOOM!*
All of the newbie adventurers on the tour exploded at once.
Uhhh...what just happened?