Finding the entrance to the fifth floor only took two hours, and even though I was taking my time… we only found a few dead ends, so that had been easy. However, I decided to keep going and grind some levels of Envy for the sake of my magic.
"How long do you plan to do this?"
"Who knows? How much time do I have?"
"You need to be back at the castle at night, so around three hours. Returning to the entrance of the dungeon will take one hour. I can use the teleport circle, but my mana isn't free for you to use."
"So… I have all the time in the world? Great!"
"You really enjoy making her mad, don't you? That will only make things worse for you."
"We can say that we had traffic on the way back. Besides, I don't have to return, actually."
"I can't remember what I did in my seven hundred years of life to deserve this…"
"I am sure there are plenty of things. We are on this together, so my suffering is your suffering."
Although Roskarl looked troubled, I could tell that he was looking forward to seeing me back to my real strength… or at least the strength of the previous owner of the body.
{The skill Envious Flame leveled up. Magic has increased by one point.}
After using that spell ten times, the skill leveled up… it reached a point where I could defeat the goblin shamans by using that alone. That was fine progress, but I had a little more than half of my mana now. It would be better if I fought the monsters without using Mana until it was full again, and then I could challenge the boss of the dungeon… grinding there for a full day would make the challenge a lot easier, but it was better not to test my luck.
"What do you think is more fun, a tough fight or bullying the enemy by overpowering them?"
"I am a mage, I don't understand the thrill of having a hard fight. If I have one, it seems that I failed to prepare for it, and it means that I failed as a mage."
The coping in this one is strong… using the head to make the enemy dance with the palm of your hand can be fun, but the feeling of being that much stronger and better than the enemies was better, at least for my tastes.
"I guess I should prepare here for a day and then defeat the boss with that much preparation."
"Not happening. We might buy some time here, but soon, she will call us, and we will be forced to return immediately."
"She must have your balls in her hands, ready to crush them, huh? Anyways… just one more hour, and I will challenge the boss, and you won't have to keep crying. If we run to the entrance, we should return in time."
I couldn't test more of Roskarl's loyalty; it was already clear whose side he was on… It was better not to count on him for my plans. Considering what he said earlier, the whole kingdom should despise me… I only didn't realize that before in that town because I looked like an ordinary skeleton. Once I recover the strength that they think I should have, things will change.
Name: Deimos
Health: 220/220
Mana: 260/260
Power: 09
Magic: 22
Vitality: 11
Spirit: 05
Resistance: 05
Charisma: 09
Sins
Wrath Lv 03 (40/300):
Pride Lv 04 (110/400):
Sloth Lv 05 (50/500): Subjugation Lv 01,
Gluttony Lv 01 (0/100):
Lust Lv 01 (0/100):
Envy Lv 09 (600/900): Envious Flame Lv 02
Greed Lv 01 (0/100):
"All right, let's do this."
I was about to reach level ten in the Envy skill tree, but my mana was full, and we didn't have any more time to waste. If the vampire Queen calls us, we will have to return immediately, but if I am facing the boss, then Roskarl should buy me some time."
While going down the stairs for a while and through the darkness, I eventually was able to find some light ahead. Soon enough, we reached the fifth floor and confirmed that the place was just a large chamber in the shape of a dome. In the middle of it, I found a single large tent, and from it, a big humanoid creature emerged from the darkness.
The towering figure before me was unmistakably an orc hero, a formidable creature with weathered armor that bore the scars of countless battles. The armor, adorned with crude engravings and patches of rust, hinted at a long history of combat and conquest. Across its broad chest, a symbol of a skull and some fangs showed its allegiance that was etched deeply into the metal, a testament to the creature's fierce loyalty to its kin.
In one massive hand, the orc hero held a large round shield, its surface pitted and dented from deflecting blows that would have killed lesser warriors. Strapped to its back was a sickly-looking longsword, its blade jagged and serrated, hinting at the brutality with which it had been wielded in past conflicts.
Standing almost three meters tall, the orc emitted a primal strength that seemed to ripple through its muscular frame. Its large arms, thick with muscle, tensed beneath the weight of its armor as it shifted its stance, readying itself for the impending confrontation. Every movement spoke of a lifetime spent honing its martial prowess, a living embodiment of the savagery and resilience of its kind.
"Maybe I should grind a bit more…"
I looked at my sword and at that sword… mine looked like a toy. Unfortunately, before I could turn around, some iron bars emerged at the entrance of the chamber and sealed my escape route on both sides. At the same time, Roskarl was nowhere to be seen…