I entered the dungeon, Hicho's Descent, and immediately began my exploration.
True to its name, the dungeon was filled with bird-type monsters flying around.
"Keey!""Shaah!"
"And here we go."
Barely inside, two monsters lunged at me.
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Beak Bird
Recommended Level for Defeat: 11
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Hungry Bird
Recommended Level for Defeat: 13
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Both monsters were flying types, which would normally be quite troublesome for a player using melee weapons. However, reality proved different. Despite the abundance of flying monsters, the dungeon's corridors were narrow with low ceilings. The monsters could only charge head-on, making them easy to handle.
"Well, they'd be more of a nuisance if they attacked in swarms, but..."
Regardless, they were no match for me.
"Haah!"
"Peey!?""Shaah!?"
I dispatched the approaching monsters with ease and continued deeper into the maze.
My destination wasn't the boss room as usual.
You see, the conditions to unlock the Inheritance Shrine Grand Point vary greatly. Sometimes, it involves fulfilling specific conditions and defeating the boss, while other times, it requires solving various gimmicks. This dungeon fell into the latter category.
"Ah, here it is."
After 30 minutes of exploration, I reached a dead end and noticed a slight discoloration on a part of the wall.
Placing my left hand on it, I whispered softly,
"May the tides of magic test my aptitude. Let the door of wisdom open now."
Immediately after I spoke,
'Keyword confirmed'
'Crest name: Crest of Void confirmed'
'Conditions met. The door of trials will be opened'
The system's voice echoed, and the wall transformed into a door.
"Great, it worked."
As expected, it was a hidden door. Beyond it lay a trial, and overcoming it would grant me a skill. Unlike the Recruit's Training Ground, this required knowledge of the gimmick and keywords just to attempt it.
I opened the door and stepped inside. Despite being in a dungeon, sunlight shone down from above.
"...Bright."
Looking up, I saw a clear blue sky filled with numerous bird-type monsters.
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Fire Bird
Recommended Level for Defeat: 16
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Wind Bird
Recommended Level for Defeat: 15
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Freeze Bird
Recommended Level for Defeat: 16
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As expected, all the monsters could use magic and, being part of a trial, they were higher level than the usual dungeon monsters. As I analyzed the situation, the system's voice echoed again.
'Challenger confirmed'
'Magical Trial: Hicho's Descent begins now'
'Challenger, please eliminate all flying monsters'
Right after the announcement, the monsters began casting spells and attacked from high above.
"Whoa."
Dodging the attacks, I looked up, recalling the mechanics of this trial and the nature of the Crest of Magic in Creon.
The Crest of Magic, as its name suggests, allows the use of various magical skills. Not only does it offer high firepower, but it also has great versatility, making it a highly popular crest in Creon.
When first obtained, the Crest of Magic grants one of three initial skills at random:
Magic Arrow: Excellent for rapid-fire and MP efficiency, but low in power.
Magic Ball: Balanced in terms of rapid-fire, power, and MP efficiency.
Magic Missile: High in power, but low in rapid-fire and MP efficiency.
Each has its pros and cons. Early on, players favor the MP-efficient Magic Arrow, while later they prefer the powerful Magic Missile.
Efficient progression requires acquiring all three skills, so players with the Crest of Magic typically aim to complete Inheritance Shrine Grand Points that grant the remaining skills.
In this dungeon, you can acquire Magic Arrow. The trial requires you to eliminate all airborne monsters, necessitating long-range magic skills.
Though I currently can't use any magic, that doesn't mean the trial is impossible for me.
"Because I have this skill now—Slash!"
"Keeey!?"
A flying slash attack sliced through one of the monsters in the air.
Exactly. Even without magic, I can complete this trial with flying slashes.
"Perfect."
With a satisfied smile, I continued launching slashes one after another.