Even while I move, I keep getting updated information about the Golden Worm.
First, its stats, as confirmed by team C’s investigator.
＊＊＊＊＊
Name: Golden Worm
Level：36
Agility：30
Intelligence：75
Luck：None
Equipment: None
Skills: Adamantine Strength, Adamantine Wall, Adamantine Armor, Limit Break
Drops: Golden Seed, Golden Cup
Magic stone: Extra large
＊＊＊＊＊
So from what I’m hearing, its level is twice the level of the other ones, and its stats are one point five times higher. And it has that Limit Break skill I’ve never heard of and the magic stone got bigger.
But that thing isn’t the only one who got stronger.
Aki also sounds concerned, but I tell her it’s not a problem.
Well, it’s strong enough that it shouldn’t appear on the first floor, so it’s natural to be worried. Also, when I told her my stats, I wasn’t strong enough to beat this abomination, even with my skills. That adds to the concern.
I should update them on my stats.
Also, according to Aki, there are records of five monsters being hunted on the same day in another dungeon. But those weren’t defeated in all spawn points, or by the same person.
I feel like the truth about a stronger version spawning lies there.
“Thanks for waiting!”
“Ah, Amachi. Thank you for coming~.”
“…It really does look the same.”
Although its presence is on another level…
“Yes~. That’s why I didn’t use Appraisal right after it appeared~. But when I heard everyone was coming here, I got a very bad feeling~.”
“…I see. You have good Luck.”
“…? Maybe~.”
I say that after sneakily casting Appraisal on her. Her level is low, but she has thirty Luck.
Maybe she sprinkled points into it since she’s a receptionist and investigator, and was hoping for some nice things to happen. I don’t know if it happened through her Intuition because of her Luck, but I want to believe it did.
And I also figure I should cast Appraisal on the monster, just in case.
＊＊＊＊＊
Name: Golden Worm
Level：36
Agility：30
Intelligence：75
Luck：None
Equipment: None
Skills: Adamantine Strength, Adamantine Wall, Adamantine Armor, Limit Break
Drops: Golden Seed, Golden Cup, Golden Worm Trophy
Magic stone: Extra large
＊＊＊＊＊
…? What?
Trophy?
Apparently I’m the only one who can see that. Is there a reason why I can but she can’t?
Is it because of Appraisal Lv5? My Luck? Because I was the one who made it spawn?
In any case, this is still just the first floor. Dungeons really are full of mysteries. It’s so exciting…!
＊＊＊＊＊
Name：Shouta Amachi
Agility：333 (+311)
Intelligence：249 (+229)
Luck：678
Skills：Level Gacha, Appraisal Lv5, Appraisal Obstruction Lv5, Automatic Mapping (1/3), Hawk Eye, Adamantine Armor II, Physical strengthening LvMAX, Super Strength II, Adamantine Strength II, Swift II, Adamantine Wall II, Foresight (1/3), Dual Wielding, Swordsmanship Lv1, Throw Lv3, Fire Magic Lv1, Water Magic Lv1, Wind Magic Lv1, Earth Magic Lv1, Magic Energy Recovery Lv2, Magic Energy Transfer, Skill Compression
＊＊＊＊＊
My Physical Strength and Constitution have similar values to the monster’s. My other stats crush it, and I have more skills, so I have more than one way to fight. I don’t know what Limit Break is, but I shouldn’t lose unless I get careless.
“I’m ready. Team C, fall back.”
“…No, we’re staying. I want to see how strong this powered up rare monster is with my own eyes. And I want to be able to help if it comes to that.”
“…Do what you want. But it might fire like a shotgun, so keep your shields ready.”
“I’m scared, so I’m going to film from afar~.”
The investigator rushes to get away, and I walk in the opposite direction.
I’m talking like I’m an expert, but this thing looks passive even in this powered up form. It’s like it’s not even trying to look this way. But it’s still using Adamantine Armor.
I have no intention of losing, but… The ominous aura it’s releasing is just like a regular Golden Worm when it uses skills.
The presence I sense is probably bigger because its stats are higher across the board. What will happen when it adds skills to that?
“Ahh…”
I’ve only beaten Golden Worms before they used their skills, or after the effect ran out. I told Aki not to worry, but the more I stare at it, the more anxious I feel. I feel like it’s going to be tough, but I’m going to stay optimistic.
I activate the transceiver.
“Aki.”
‘Hn? What is it?’
“Cheer me on.”
‘Eh? O-oh all right. Ahem… Do your best, Shouta!’
“…All right, now I’m motivated. Here I go.”
“Good luck~.”
I’ve been fighting the same exact way since the second one, so first, I throw a rock to remove the effect of the skill.
Bam!
“Shrr? Shrrrr!!”
“Uh!?”
The moment I try to jump out after throwing the rock, the monster’s intensity gets way stronger.
I feel my skin tingling. Is it already using skills!?
“Shrrrrr!!”
I stop my attack and instead stay cautious. This swelling of its presence can’t just be from higher skills. Is this Limit Break?
We’re five meters away from each other, but it swings high.
“What’s it doing?”
“Dogagah!!!”
“…!!”
I looked at the stats. I looked at the skills. I didn’t get careless. But I wasn’t expecting this.
First, its attack crashes against the ground, and it explodes.
Rocks of all sizes fly around, covering my vision with a rainstorm that comes at me horizontally. I can’t dodge this, so I hold up my sword and shield and activate Adamantine Armor II.
Being II means its effect is stronger. Now it not only blocks the first attack, but it makes me invincible for two seconds after that first attack.
I assume the magic energy it uses has also gone up, but my Intuition tells me I can use it two more times. I tried it when I was fighting the fourth one over in the D spot too.
Thankfully, the barrage of rocks doesn’t last two seconds, and my vision clears.
“It’s like the site of an explosion.”
This place is a mess. So this is the attack of a monster with high stats… It might be a common sight for adventurers that explore the lower floors, but it’s a new experience for someone who has only gone to the second floor, like me.
I’m so excited.
It’s strong, but I don’t feel like I’m close to death, like with that Murder Rabbit.
I can win this!!
“First, the same method of attack… Fireball!”
I fire once just to see, and while the scorch mark is shallower than with the regular types, it does take damage.
“Shr…”
“It was weak, but there was an effect. Here’s ten more!”
Boom.
“Shrrr…!”
“It works… But if I overdo it, I won’t be able to use Adamantine Wall.”
I still have a bad feeling, but without a real way to finish it, I have no choice but to get up close and attack. If I leave too much distance, it’s going to fire that shotgun again.
“Swift II! Uoryah!!”
Bam!
Shrr!”
“That’s not gonna hit!”
Regular attacks don’t have much of an effect, and it feels less like I’m dealing damage by cutting with my sword, and more like I’m hitting it.
This is what happens when my weapon and Physical Strength meet its Constitution… But I can dodge its attacks, and its explosive attacks won’t reach me if I hide behind it.
I’m going to keep using my agility to confuse it, and hit it until the skill’s effect runs out!
Bam, clink!
“Shrrr!”
“Over here idiot!”
“Shrr!?”
“Too slow!”
Clink, whoosh!
“Oh?”
I keep attacking it, and one of my attacks just happens to hit perfectly. I manage to slash its golden skin.
It doesn’t look like Limit Break and Adamantine Wall have run out, but I’m going to keep attacking to widen this wound.
“Oryah oryah oryah!”
“Shr, shrrr…!”
It keeps getting bigger with my repeated attacks, until it’s big enough for my Ghost to cut into it.
“Super Strength II, Adamantine Strength II. Let’s finish this!!”
Slash!!
My Ghost enters the wound like it’s sucked into it, and liquid sprays from the Golden Worm. The monster stays frozen for a moment, but it falls while making noise.
Depending on how I attack it, I can beat it even if it uses Adamantine Wall.
The Golden Worm turns to smoke, which dissipates immediately.
【Received Golden worm trophy.】
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