kscans

Chapter 84 - First Clear

◇ You have cleared the [Spiral Crimson Tower] ◇
・First Clear rewards have been granted—You have obtained [Crimson Rabbit Brooch].
・Solo Clear rewards have been granted—You have obtained [Spiral Crimson Ring].

◇ Titles Acquired ◇
・'Conqueror of the Spiral Crimson Tower'
・'Infinite Mobility'
・'Bullet Runner'

◇ Skills Acquired ◇
・《Ignition》
・《Fatal Leak》

◇ Skill Evolved ◇
・《Swallow Flight》→《Rabbit Run》

――――――――――――――――――
◇Status◇
Name: Haru | Lv: 100
STR (Strength): 300
AGI (Agility): 350 (+10)
DEX (Dexterity): 100 (+10)
VIT (Vitality): 0
MID (Mind): 0
LUC (Luck): 300

◇Skills◇
・All-Weapon Aptitude
《Blink Switch》
《Piercing Dart》

・《Quit Counter》
・《Ignition》 New!
・《Floating Leaf》
・《Fatal Leak》 New!

・Embodied Protection
・Heavy Attack Manipulator
・Combo Accelerate
・Idaten
・Rabbit Run Up!
・Fataless Jumper
・Rhino's Heart
・Guardian's Cradle

・Telepathy
――――――――――――――――――

“Ugh…”

At the end of the spiral staircase, I dove through a particularly radiant crimson arch that seemed to be the goal. With the momentum of my leap, I crashed straight into the floor. I bounced and tumbled dramatically like a cartoon character before being mercilessly flattened against the crimson rock, letting out a scream like a squashed frog.

That was a lie. The impact stunned me so hard I couldn’t even make a sound.

Since I had come through the kill zone where a single graze meant instant death completely unscathed, I managed to avoid the tragedy of dying from impact damage, even with my VIT having finally vanished from its original 5. Still, my HP dropped from full to nearly half, so I made a mental note to myself: “If you slip up during high-speed movement, assume you will die.”

Also, the moment I passed through the arch, it looked like the whole tower lit up. What was that? A clear animation for the dungeon?

—Anyway.

“Ha, haha…—HELL YEAH!!! I did it, you bastards!!!”

I unleashed the joy and excitement welling up from the bottom of my stomach, letting out a triumphant roar at the top of the crimson tower. A first clear of an unconquered dungeon—an undeniable feat on my third day since debuting in the main fields.

It’s a great achievement, but… honestly, it’s surprising how little there is to say or recall about it. This dungeon literally had no elements other than “run,” “dodge,” and “memorize.”

But well, it served as an unparalleled training ground for shaking off my sloppy avatar control habits. I can confidently say that the me of today, though my stats are unchanged, is on a different level from the me of three days ago.

“Right now, I feel like I could take on [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] one-on-one… for about two minutes, anyway.”

Of course, support from Sora-san's 《Scareless》 is a must… which brings me to—!!

“The moment I’ve been waiting for… reward time!”

Although I went in with the mindset of clearing it, I honestly didn't think I'd actually be able to conquer an uncleared dungeon.

Having attacked without even looking up the rewards for clearing a dungeon, I was now bursting with excitement over the first reward ever bestowed upon me by the game system.

The acquisition and evolution of skills, which had stagnated since Sora-san's rampage began after the [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] battle, was a welcome surprise, but… first things first, the ‘First Clear Reward’.

A reward given only to the first player to conquer a labyrinth—undoubtedly a unique item! What gamer wouldn't get excited about this!!

“Let’s see it… come on out, [Crimson Rabbit Brooch]!”

My heart racing, I navigated my inventory and materialized the reward, its newly acquired icon glowing. And what appeared in my hand was—a small jewel, true to its name, gleaming with a crimson brilliance.

It was probably shaped like a rabbit, but the sleek silhouette of its ears flowing backward made it look like a shooting star. It had a slightly cute impression overall; Sora would probably love it if I showed it to her.

The visual detail was outstanding, as expected of a unique item. I assume it’s an accessory, but… taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, I tapped the gem with a grin on my face to bring up its details window.

[Crimson Rabbit Brooch] Accessory: Gemstone Non-transferable
A jewel that holds the blessing of the Ruby Rabbit. An undying prayer grants protection to the wearer, warding off the fate of death. Can be processed by the hand of a skilled artisan.

As usual, the text only offered flavor that didn’t spell out the exact effects. But through [Arcadia]’s trademark brain-installation, the special effects hidden within the gem were firmly imprinted in my mind.

“—This… is…”

In conclusion, it was insane.

What is this, it’s completely broken… no, not broken, but it synergizes way too well with my current build. Then again, if the assumption is that any player capable of clearing this dungeon would be an AGI-focused warrior, then I guess it makes sense…

“W-Wait… this is something I need to discuss with Kagura-san.”

It seems it’s in a raw material state and can’t be equipped as is, so I decided to toss it back into my inventory for now. The effect was so far beyond my imagination, in a completely different dimension, that I had to suppress my shock and move on to the next reward.

Next up was the [Spiral Crimson Ring]—and this one also looked like an accessory. Well, not just looked like it, it was a ring. The material was very similar to the [Crimson Rabbit Brooch], and as its name suggested, it had a twisted, spiral design.

I didn’t have any store-bought accessories, so all my equipment slots for them were empty. Without hesitation, I went to equip it—wait, there’s no chance this is a cursed item that I can’t take off once I put it on, right?

Getting cold feet at the last second, I tapped it again before putting it on. The window that appeared displayed—

[Spiral Crimson Ring] Accessory: Ring MID +100 Non-transferable
A proof of the Ruby Rabbit's affection, given to one who conquered the tower alone. The wearer is treated as one of their kind and earns the right to win the symbol of their pride.

“MID +100????”

I don’t get it. That’s a stat bonus equivalent to +10 levels.

Wait, is that normal? Are high-end items in this game supposed to come with such ridiculously overpowered stat boosts by default?

Or is the ‘Solo Clear Reward’ also in the same broken category as the First Clear reward?

“Well… but still.”

Other than a solo clear, how would you even clear this dungeon with a party? Maybe a healer surrounded by multiple tanks, trying to endure their way up…?

Even if I try to think about it, I’m still critically lacking in ‘knowledge.’ I don’t even have a clue about the general specs of veteran players…

Well, if I don’t know, I can just look it up later. My slots are wide open, and it doesn’t seem to be a “cursed ring” trap, so I’ll gratefully equip it.

There’s one accessory slot on each hand for rings, and it seems you can wear them on any finger. Wondering how the size would work, I tried putting it on my index finger—and with a faint glowing effect, the ring automatically resized and settled comfortably at the base of my finger.

I see, all hail fantasy logic!

I tried it on all the fingers of both hands in turn and decided on my right middle finger, which felt the most natural… just to be clear, it’s a complete coincidence that it’s the same spot as Sora’s [Cradle of Sword-Craft]. Who am I even clarifying this for?

――――――――――――――――――
◇Status◇
Name: Haru | Lv: 100
STR (Strength): 300
AGI (Agility): 350 (+10)
DEX (Dexterity): 100 (+10)
VIT (Vitality): 0
MID (Mind): 0 (+100)
LUC (Luck): 300

◇Skills◇
・All-Weapon Aptitude
《Blink Switch》
《Piercing Dart》

・《Quit Counter》
・《Ignition》
・《Floating Leaf》
・《Fatal Leak》

・Embodied Protection
・Heavy Attack Manipulator
・Combo Accelerate
・Idaten
・Rabbit Run
・Fataless Jumper
・Rhino's Heart
・Guardian's Cradle

・Telepathy
――――――――――――――――――

There we go. I had no intention of putting a single one of my own status points into it, but if my equipment can fill the gap, I’m grateful.

The Mind stat primarily affects magic-related things. It directly influences the power of magic skills and also acts as a resistance when taking magic damage. It also affects your total MP, so it’s generally a recommended stat for all players, regardless of whether they’re physical or magical.

What’s that? Look at my own stats? I’m well aware by now that I’m not a “basic player.”

Anyway, an MP increase will never go to waste. The problem is that among the skills I have, only 《Floating Leaf》 consumes MP—which brings me to the three new and evolved skills I’ve acquired. Let’s take a look. First up…

《Rabbit Run》—Assists the avatar's movement during running and jumping.
Reduces the actions required for push-off and increases initial acceleration.
Provides an upward correction to the DEX function that supports AGI during maximum speed operation.

“You’ve come a long way, 《Swallow Flight》-kun…”

It started as 《Adaptive Running》, a skill that helped with running on rough terrain, but I never once used that effect. After being flooded with a massive amount of experience from the [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] battle, it evolved, or rather, transformed into a completely different skill, 《Swallow Flight》.

Before its evolution, its effect was to “stabilize jumps from unstable footing,” which was specialized for the jump-switching of my Quick Change skills—but what’s this? It’s transformed into an incredibly useful composite skill with nothing but strong effects written on it.

Giving this undeniably god-tier skill my wholehearted praise, I move on to the first of the newly acquired skills.

《Ignition》—By paying a cost of 10% of your HP, either actively or passively, you can skip the ‘acceleration’ process in any action.

“Huh?”

I can’t quite grasp it just by reading the text from the status screen, and even when I try to decipher the installed knowledge, I can’t quite picture its function.

Activated by actively paying the cost… does that mean it doesn’t automatically consume HP, but I have to reduce it myself? A self-harm trigger skill?

“Hmm… well, I guess I’ll have to try it.”

I stood up, summoned a [Steel Dagger] into one hand, and thought for a moment. Unsurprisingly, I’ve never harmed myself before, in either the real world or a virtual one. Feeling a sense of aversion and, frankly, being quite scared—

“…Here goes!”

I crossed my arms, holding the dagger in a reverse grip with my right hand, and plunged it into my left arm. A jolt and a strong numbness ran through my arm, an unpleasant sensation that was a bit hard to just shrug off.

“Guh… Hey, VIT zero is surprisingly tough…!”

The result of this visually gruesome act was less than 5% of my total HP in damage. It seems the cost for activating 《Ignition》 needs to be paid in a single instance of damage, so this wasn’t enough to meet the requirement.

Well then, I guess I have to commit…!

“Nngh-RAAAH!!”

Right into my gut, for Buddha’s sake!

I can say with certainty that if Sora had seen this, she would have let out a genuine scream, followed by making me sit seiza for a serious lecture.

Even though it’s a game avatar in a virtual world, the sensations are 100% real. The madness of plunging a blade into my own stomach. An overwhelming sense of aversion and a massive jolt of numbness shot through my entire body, and even I broke out in a cold sweat—

“…Ah.”

In that moment, I understood. I found myself ten meters away from where I started, applying the brakes and letting out a voice of comprehension—I see, so that’s how it works.

This skill, 《Ignition》, is for moving at one hundred percent from a standstill.

After my adjustments, my current AGI value is 360, including equipment. As for how much speed that actually translates to, it’s surprisingly simple.

Simply put, AGI value = km/h.

That said, it’s not like AGI: 0 means 0 km/h. To be more precise, a starting avatar’s top speed is about 30 km/h. From there, each point in AGI increases the effect exponentially, and once you pass 100, the conversion of AGI: 1 = 1 km/h becomes established.

In other words, if I run straight at full speed now, I’m a monster that surpasses a bullet train at 360 km/h. But that’s just my top speed. Just like a car doesn’t instantly hit its limit the moment you step on the gas, even a superhuman avatar has its limits.

If you’re constantly going all-out at top speed, your hidden stamina parameter will deplete in no time. Plus, a run-up is essential, and you need a decent amount of distance to get up to top speed.

So, even AGI-specialized light warriors have these speed-related circumstances, and what I’m trying to say is extremely simple—

“It’s broken.”

Welcome, 《Ignition》-kun. My build welcomes you with open arms.

Being able to unleash top speed without a run-up is just plain insane. I can think of countless useful applications for both offense and defense. I’ll have to think about the cost… but worst case, if I get used to self-harm, well.

I wonder if Sora-san will be angry…

Anyway, there’s one more new skill. Now, this one is—

《Fatal Leak》—When activated, visualizes the predicted path of hostile attacks. Consumes MP continuously while the effect is active.

“??????”

Wait, calm down. It’s okay, I’m cool. Since I’m cool, I am calm. Therefore, this is reality (?).

Just to be sure, I stared once more at the window displaying the skill’s description text.

《Fatal Leak》—When activated, visualizes the predicted path of hostile attacks. Consumes MP continuously while the effect is active.

“—Hhhnnnnnnggggggh………………”

The text, along with the installed knowledge, whispered to me—It’s broken. Are you scared?

“FAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Leaving all reason behind, I turned on my heel from the seemingly safe goal area and dashed back at full speed. I ducked back through the arch I had just escaped through, back into the kill zone—and in that instant, a torrent of crimson bullets rushed toward me.

A deathtrap where exposing yourself without a plan or focus would get you instantly sliced and diced. Returning to this extreme territory on a whim, I shouted at the top of my lungs.

“《Fatal Leak》!!”

Without a shred of doubt, I activated the new skill dwelling within my avatar. The moment I did, the saturation of my vision dropped as if a filter had been switched—and reflected in the faded world were the brightly shining, crimson lines of death.

“Welcome, you glorious god-tier skill!!!”

I can see it! I can see it!!

The countless lines probably indicate the fatal future a few seconds ahead. Just by avoiding them and running through, the rabbits that were so difficult to evade before can’t even graze me!!

“Hah ha! What’s the matter, [Ruby Bullet Rabbit]s?! You can’t hit me! Can’t hit me, huh!? How dare you riddle my body with holes—BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!??”

—Cause of death: Got carried away taunting, ran out of MP, and exploded.