Chapter 54: The Tricky Judge V

Down in the second floor, more Skeleton Warriors lurk.  

We get to watch a skilled adventurer party hunt as soon as we descend. They split roles perfectly, wiping out five Skeleton Warriors in a flash.  

Unfamiliar faces from the guild. 

Like Wabid said, are these adventurers gathering from all over to take down the Lich?  

Teaming up to conquer tough dungeons—a classic move.  

“Big Bro, let’s not lose!”  

“Yeah.”  

Karen and I finally fight side by side in tight quarters.  

At first, Karen has to block Skeleton Warriors alone, and my attack support is inefficient. 

Next, I douse the lights and use Veil of Concealment, taking down a Skeleton Warrior solo—not ideal either.  

But now, we figure out how to fight without panicking. Even when we face a pack of five Skeleton Warriors, just like that party.  

“I’ll take two over here.”  

Karen speaks first, striking a stance.  

“I’ve got the other three.”  

Our Spirits hum around our b0dies, reflecting intense focus.  

We unleash all our skills, boosting each other’s strength.  

This is the perfect setup.  

Using Veil of Concealment, I make it hard for Skeleton Warriors to pinpoint us.  

Karen, a melee pro, thrives with this edge. In dire moments, she’s got the Spirits’ protection.  

No need to fear.  

I parry a Skeleton Warrior’s attack up close, then slam an overcharged Fire Arrow into it.  

Karen counters a missed swing, smacking weak joints with her sword to disable them.  

(Affinity increased)  

“We did it!”  

“You learned fast.”  

“I watched you, Big Bro!”  

Karen quickly masters using Spirit Arts to shield her b0dy.  

No clue about her skill proficiency, but her instincts outshine mine. She’s a talented girl, perfect for a Hero Candidate.  

Me? Back then, I struggled to accept Spirits protecting my b0dy. And stared down an orc for ages.  

But that’s old news now.  

“Let the Spirits rest, recharge Veil of Concealment, then we push forward.”  

“Got it!”  

Our Spirits have grown since their first space-jump training, but Wind Spirits still tire fast indoors. We must let them rest, or we can’t use Space Leaps in emergencies.  

Killing monsters helps Spirits grow, right?  

Fighting by entrusting my b0dy to the Spirit boosts our affinity instantly.  

“Guess we’re technically a party of four.”  

Karen laughs at my dumb remark.  

“True. Spent so much time together in the castle, but I never thought of us fighting as a team.”  

“Good we figured it out while we’re alive.”  

“Big Bro, you’re more upbeat than I thought.”  

“Young as you are, you can learn anything. You’ll probably outshine me soon.”  

“Really?”  

“Well, you’re already stronger. If you pounced on me like a bear, I’d probably lose.”  

“Don’t call me a bear!”  

Karen pouts, grumbling.  

“Big Bro, you just lack close-combat skills. Your skill-handling sense is way better than mine. If we both become Hero Candidates…” She trails off.  

“Dunno about that.”  

“Why not try the entrance exam? You’d ace it, Big Bro.”  

“No way.”  

Even as an Agent of the Goddess, I know the kingdom’s full of beasts like Noah and Isti.  

An academy that only takes students who pass this kind of test? It’s a monster den.  

“Don’t go drinking kimchi soup before you even have the vegetable. We might both flunk, you know.”  

“Obviously! …What’s drinking kimchi soup mean?”  

“…”  

“Big Bro, what’s kimchi soup?”  

“It’s a thing… just get the vibe.”  

I’m embarrassed for no reason.  

We take breaks, exploring Bordeaux Dungeon’s second floor.  

Tons of Skeleton Warriors greet us, but Karen and I now outdo seasoned adventurer parties.  

I’m growing in ways I never did fighting monsters directly. My reflexes, judgment, agility—stuff stats can’t measure—are sharpening. I feel my b0dy’s stronger than in the modern world.  

Leveling up will make it even better, right?  

The “Agent of the Goddess” title doesn’t just help with reading and translating—it amps up my stat efficiency.  

Simply put, I’ll get stronger. Stamina will improve, I’ll take hits better, and react faster.  

…Maybe even my stamina in other areas?  

I’ll claim more w0men.  

I don’t want to tire out, even with captivating w0men draining every drop of load from my balls.  

I’ve lived fine with average adult male stats, but…Karen, Isti, Bella—they ignite a man’s fire too much.  

One eruption, and I’m drained, like they’ve taken everything.  

No succubus needed.  

While leveling up, a sudden change hits as Karen and I reach Bordeaux Dungeon’s third floor.  

(Strength increased by one stage)  

(Magic increased by one stage)  

(Stamina increased by one stage)  

(Agility increased by one stage)  

What’s this? A surge of energy courses through my b0dy.  

I’ve been slaying countless Skeleton Warriors upstairs, leveling up, but…  

Let’s check.  

“Karen, let’s rest the Spirits a bit.”  

“Got it!”  

I check my status.  

Name: Decal  

Lv: 151  

Status:  

[HP] 10757/10999  

[MP] 3441/12381  

Stats:  

Strength 1 | Magic 1 | Stamina 1 | Agility 1  

[Beleira’s Blessing (True) – Fire immunity, boosted fire magic power, all skill proficiency ++] 

[Agent of the Goddess – Communicate in all languages, read all scripts. Qualified to cross worlds. Increased skill acquisition rate, boosted EXP, 5x stat application multiplier.]

[Wind Spirit (+3) – Called the freest spirit, it alters air currents and commands the wind.]

Skills:  

Fire Ball (★★) – Mid-tier fire magic with strong power. Burns targets to the bone.  

Fire Enchant (★★★) – Imbues objects with fire attributes.  

Search (★★☆) – Observes and analyzes traces with careful scrutiny.  

Space Leap (★) – Elf’s unique skill. Top-tier movement ability, usable only with sufficient wind spirit affinity.

Veil of Concealment – A concealment spell usable only when wearing the [Ring of the Innocent]. Kim Hyun-woo can draw out a veil to hide his b0dy.

What’s up? My stats are weird.  

Didn’t they drop? I don’t check every level-up, but I thought they were around 800 to 900.  

Yet, I feel way tougher now than when I first entered the dungeon.  

Even in this dark dungeon, my focus is sharp, like a honed blade.  

I’m so locked in, I’d never miss a monster, even if my mind’s elsewhere.

I clench and unclench my fist, thinking it over, then it hits me.  

The units changed.  

My stats crossed 1000, so they reset to 1.  

No other explanation fits.  

Like how Fire Arrow’s mastery maxed out and got replaced by another skill.  

A 1000 stat now shows as 1.

I wonder, is it like this for others?  

“Karen, do stat numbers change units after hitting 1000?”  

“Units? How?”  

“Like, 1000 starts showing as 1.”  

“…?”  

Karen shakes her head, like she’s never heard of it.  

“Nope. That’d be pointless. If everyone’s stats showed as 1, 2, 3, there’d be no distinction…”  

“Yeah.”  

A guy with 1900 strength and one with 1001 would both show as 1.  

Why’s it like this?  

Stats aren’t exactly familiar to me, but…  

Maybe these are god-tier stats.  

So, I’ve only taken one step?  

What if it’s human-based?  

From Karen’s reaction, hitting 1000 doesn’t seem to trigger a boost or anything.  

Maybe this is unique growth for a goddess’s agent…

I’m itching to test it.  

“How tough are Skeleton Warriors?”  

“…I don’t get what Big Bro’s questions are about.”  

“Wanna punch one.”  

“Pfft!”  

Karen bursts out laughing.  

“What? Suddenly wanna be a brawler? You’ll hurt your hand!”  

“There’s one lone guy over there. Should I try?”  

I pick up a rock and chuck it at a Skeleton Warrior’s head.  

“You’re really gonna punch it? It’ll hurt like hell. They’re tougher than they look.”  

Probably.  

Even regular bones are hard, let alone reanimated monster skulls.  

But this is the simplest test. I just need to know if I’m stronger or weaker.  

No magic, just block the Skeleton Warrior’s blade with spirit arts, then…  

I swing my fist with all I’ve got.  

The Skeleton Warrior staggers back, almost floating.  

“…Hand okay?”  

Karen stares, m0uth open.  

“Feels fine. Toughness went up too, huh?”  

My skin’s a bit red, but it’s bearable.  

Still, this thing tanks Fire Arrows, so one punch doesn’t drop it.  

Another Skeleton Warrior charges.  

I shove it back like Karen, shoulder-checking, punching, or wrestling it.  

It’s like handling a kid.  

“Hup!”  

I hurl the Skeleton Warrior, slamming it down.  

Eight punches or so?  

It stops moving, crumbling to dust.  

“Confirmed.”  

My physical ability’s definitely improved.  

Skeleton Warriors? Now they’re just an option for a brawl.

“…I thought I’d surpass Big Bro?”  

Karen gawks, dumbfounded.  

“Is that weird?”  

“Obviously! I’ve trained as a warrior since I was a kid. You’re like some god-chosen hero…”  

“…”  

Karen pauses.  

I mean, I’m basically a hero. Wait, does that mean Karen’s dream came true?  

Not the hero who saved kid Karen, just wordplay.  

“…No way, right? Two heroes showing up makes no sense.”  

“What’s with that fantasy? Me, a hero? I look like one?”  

“You’re the first I’ve seen who can do anything they set their mind to.”  

Feels good to hear that.  

Talent’s scary. Or is it connections? Being the goddess’s agent gives me this stat boost.  

Not connections—divine ties? Eh, sounds lame, better not say it out loud.

“Rest here? Or go deeper?”  

“Yeah.”  

We keep spirit cores close and descend further.  

At what I thought was the third floor’s final room, there’s a massive golden door, like it’s screaming “midpoint.”  

A party of adventurers gathers in front.  

All in groups of four or more, so Wabid, standing alone, sticks out.  

Adventurers greet Wabid as they pass, but to me, they seem wary.  

Maybe because Wabid’s on the monitoring side?  

It’s like how even innocent people dread the police station as they grow up.  

Wabid spots me and approaches first.  

“I expected Decal to arrive soon.”  

“Had some trial and error.”  

“…Something’s different.” Wabid stares, then speaks. “Your vibe’s changed.”  

“Hope that’s a compliment.”  

“It is.”  

Sharp observation.  

Pretty keen eye.  

“Ahead’s the Lich’s altar. If you’re after it, hurry. Lots of people went in.”  

I glance at the door.  

“You’re not going, Wabid?”