31. Dungeon Boss

[A/N: Your feedback means a lot to me! Drop a comment below to let me know your thoughts on this chapter. Even a single word can inspire and motivate me, helping me understand that you're engaged with my work.

I've noticed some mixed feelings about the childhood arc, and trust me, I'm eager to fast forward to the MC's teenage years too. However, there's still much to explore and build in these early years.

Exciting news! To address the pacing, I've decided to whisk the MC into different worlds, swiftly wrapping up the childhood arcs. Brace yourself for the teenage years, launching across all verses soon. (Most probably as it's the current plan.)

Quick plea: When I share my confusion and questions in dedicated chapters, your responses are invaluable. It's a window into your perspective, guiding me to avoid missteps. If the interaction remains low, I might reconsider these 'Quick Questions' chapters. Let's make it a dialogue!

In addition, I've introduced the 'General' tier on Patreon—5 advanced chapters for just $3. Ideal for those on a tighter budget who want a sneak peek. Your support as a Patron is deeply appreciated, making this creative journey possible. Thank you for being part of this adventure!

PS: I'm also trying to almost double the length of the chapters. So stay tuned for the later chapters.]

Kouske's POV:

Numerous days have elapsed since my encounter with the devils, and now, accompanied by my unwavering companion, Hawks, I find myself deep within the dungeon's confines.

Realization dawned upon me, unveiling the untapped potential of my familiars in locating the elusive boss. With the command over thousands of slimes, I finally unveiled the hiding place of the elusive foe, hidden beneath the surface in a concealed fracture cave beneath the water.

The coward had sought refuge in the depths of a submerged cavern, concealed beneath the water's surface. With determination, I plunged into the aquatic depths and navigated through the cavern's twists and turns.

After minutes of swimming upward, I emerged within the cave. It was illuminated solely by scattered sea crystals, the entire space bathed in a mesmerizing blue hue, revealing a breathtaking scene that had remained concealed until now.

While this could be an enchanting place for a candlelight dinner, my focus was on the imminent confrontation with the hidden boss.

Unsurprisingly, the boss revealed itself to be a dark elemental slime.

Upon sighting me, it unleashed a barrage of shadow knives. Employing Whirlwind Shield, I attempted to block them, but a few managed to pierce through, inflicting wounds upon my limbs, and drawing blood.

Hawks, having shielded himself in time, remained unscathed.

Utilizing the Observe skill, I gathered information about the adversary.

Slime

- Race: Darkness Elemental Slime

- Age: 2 years

- Strength: F

- Endurance: E+

- Agility: E

- Mana: E

- Skills: Darkness Manipulation (E+)

- Overall Rank: E

The creature possessed an intermediate Middle-Class power level.

Although my wounds swiftly healed, the pain lingered from the unpleasant experience of having my limbs skewered. Employing Flash Steps, I instantly positioned myself behind the slime, slashing with my sword. Simultaneously, Hawks unleashed Wind Strike, a new spell thrusting forward with a ball-shaped hurricane wind.

Yet, the slime cunningly disappeared into the ground, reappearing behind me for a counterattack. Swiftly dodging its shadow knives, I prepared for the ongoing battle.

I was bewildered witnessing its ability to seamlessly swap between shadows. Is this Rimuru harnessing the power of the Shadow Monarch?

Without letting distracting thoughts linger, I swiftly re-engaged in the battle alongside Hawks. Defeating the entity proved challenging; its adept shadow swaps allowed it to evade our attacks and counter with ease.

After numerous exchanges, we finally cornered it. Coating my sword with cursed flames, I inflicted multiple slashes, hindering its movements. In its dying moments, I utilized my taming skill and a potion, saving it from demise. It swiftly returned to full health, and I named it Noctis.

Then Clarice's voice echoed in my mind.

[Congratulations, Kouske. You've finally conquered the tutorial dungeon.]

I pondered, "Tutorial dungeon, huh?"

[Indeed. After this, you can delve into dungeons with higher ranks.]

"Hm."

[But the next one's a challenge. Ranging from (E-) to (B+), creatures from Mid to Satan class might appear. So, you will have to proceed with extra caution.]

"Mid to Satan? It's a bit ambiguous what I will face then."

[Hm.]

"So, there will be beings as powerful as me inside the dungeon?" Vritra inquired, intrigued.

[Yes!]

"Then it will be fun. Fufufu~"

[Kouske! Before I forget, let's give you your reward for clearing the tutorial dungeon.]

"Hm? What?" I asked curiously.

[It's a summoning card. Theoretically, you can summon anyone or anything from anywhere in the multiverse. However, it employs a gacha system for summoning, so the outcome is uncertain. But whoever it is will be your ally. That's guaranteed. You can only use it once.] Clarice explained with excitement.

"Really?!" Even I got excited hearing that. There are so many awesome possibilities. Regardless of who comes, as long as they're somewhat helpful, I won't be disappointed.

I exited the dungeon with Hawks over my shoulder and Noctis on my head.

I called Lavinia to show her Noctis. When she came she was all over Hawks and Noctis, cuddling and hugging them. I think I heard Hawks and Noctis calling for help. But.... it might just be my imagination. So I went out for a walk.

I was extra happy as I crossed the threshold of the Low-Class power level and entered the Middle-Class power level. The fight with the strays and especially with Noctis helped me a lot. My spirits soared, evident in my enhanced abilities and the array of skills I now possessed.

Kouske Miyamura

- Race: Human-Dragon Hybrid

- Age: 6 years

- Strength (Str): E-

- Endurance (End): E

- Agility (Ag): E

- Mana: E+

Skills:

- Summoning

- Taming

- Hypnosis (D)

- Body Transformation (E)

- Teleportation (D)

- Memory Manipulation (D)

- Dark Curtain (D)

- Senbonzakura

- Flash Step

- Cloud Steps

- Whirlwind Shield (E)

- Skill Sharing (D+)

Currently Shared Skills:

- Wind Manipulation (Hawks)

- Darkness Manipulation (Noctis)

- Ice Manipulation (Slime)

- Fire Manipulation (Slime)

- Water Manipulation (Slime)

- Earth Manipulation (Slime)

Items in effect:

- Vritra's Sacred Gear (B+)

- Fountain of Youth (A)

Resistance:

- Poison Resistance (E)

Points: 356500

Overall Power: E

Seeing my points I bought some skills from the shop.

Mutated Sabnock Bloodline (A+): Power over alchemy, armory, and weaponry. It turns the user into a devil.-85000.

Metamorphic Mastery (B+): Allows semi-permanent race transformation, but samples are required to activate the magic-45000.

Ethereal Doppelgängers (B+): Constructs loyal body doubles with shared memories and thoughts like a simultaneous existence. Inspired by Shadow Clone Jutsu-45000.

Demiplane (A+): Commands a dimension under the user's absolute control-85000.

Falna (C): A Danmachi-inspired modified skill, empowering self-status updates and control. In the event of betrayal by the recipient, the falna is forfeited. Additionally, the user can enlist others to bestow falna. This unique skill paves the way for ascension to godhood, yet its application to oneself is restricted. Cost: 20000.

Cognizance Nexus (D+): Bestows mind-reading capability-15000.

After that, I was left with only 61,500 points.

Suddenly, my entire body underwent a transformation. I could inherently tell I belonged to the dark side—I was a devil.

"You have really become a devil," Vritra said.

"Hm," I replied as I unfurled my wings, fortunately still dragon wings. However, I was aware of my devilish nature.

I invoked my clan trait and instantly weapons like swords, spears, knives, etc formed in front of me, and I instinctively wielded them as if they were an extension of myself. All my other magics became easier to control; this was the power of a devil's imagination-based magic.

"That's really like the Sabnock's. It's fascinating how you can use their power so easily. They were the devil's backbone during the war. But becoming a devil will just add an extra weakness for you," Vritra commented.

I agreed with Vritra, which is why I purchased the Metamorphic Mastery skill. Using it, I returned to my normal state, and Vritra seemed pleased with the outcome.

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