[10] Verbal Lenses

The rhythm of combat settled into my bones. Duck, slash, sidestep, collect crystal. Repeat. The monsters fell into predictable patterns - goblins charged straight ahead while kobolds tried to circle around. Child's play, really.

『Getting bored?』 Minerva asked as I added another crystal to my bag.

'Just efficient.' I wiped monster dust from my blade. 'The faster we clear this floor, the sooner we can-'

A kobold lunged from behind a corner, jaws snapping at empty air where I'd been standing. My sword found its neck before its feet touched the ground. The creature burst into ash, leaving only a small crystal behind.

'See? Efficient.'

『And predictable. You're not being challenged here.』

She had a point. The second floor's monsters posed about as much threat as practice dummies. Even with my mana reserves still recovering from the Dismantle practice, I'd fallen into an almost meditative state of slash-and-collect.

'Third floor, then?' I scooped up the kobold's crystal. 'Should be marginally more interesting.'

『Your head still hurts.』

'It's fine.' I started walking toward the stairs. 'Besides, pain keeps you sharp.'

『That sounds like something you'd learn the hard way.』

I paused mid-step. 'What makes you say that?'

『Just an observation. Though if I knew why I made it...』

'Right. The gaps.' I continued down the corridor. 'You know, for an AI advisor, you're suspiciously vague about a lot of things.'

『Says the amnesiac with inexplicable combat skills.』

'Touché.'

The stairs to the third floor descended into deeper shadows. The dungeon's walls seemed to press closer here, the air growing thicker. Or maybe that was just the headache talking.

A goblin's snarl echoed from below. I gripped my sword tighter, muscles tensing in anticipation of-

『Wait.』

I froze. 'What is it?'

『That sound. It's wrong.』

'Wrong how?'

『Goblins don't usually hunt in packs on the upper floors, but I'm hearing multiple sets of footsteps.』

I strained my ears. Sure enough, beneath the first goblin's growl came the patter of several feet. At least three, maybe four sets.

'Could be separate spawns that happened to group up.'

『Or it could be an irregular spawn pattern. The dungeon does that sometimes.』

'Meaning?'

『Meaning maybe we should-』

The first goblin appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Behind it came three more, their red eyes gleaming with unusual intelligence. They moved in formation, spreading out to block the narrow passage.

'Well,' I thought, 'this is new.'

『Dante...』

'Relax.' I raised my sword. 'It's still just goblins.'

The lead goblin charged. Instead of the usual mindless rush, it feinted left before diving right. I barely managed to deflect its claws.

The others attacked while I was off-balance. One scored a shallow cut across my leg before I could kick it away.

『Still just goblins?』 Minerva's tone dripped sarcasm.

'Shut up and let me concentrate.'

I backed up the stairs, giving myself room to maneuver. The goblins followed more cautiously than their kind usually showed, watching for openings.

My head throbbed. Using Dismantle would end this quickly, but in these close quarters, a missed slash could bring the ceiling down. No, this needed blade work.

The goblins charged again, this time from three directions. I spun, sword describing a deadly arc that caught two of them mid-leap. The third slipped past my guard, teeth snapping at my arm.

I slammed it against the wall, following up with a thrust through its chest. The final goblin retreated a few steps, studying me with unnatural focus.

'Okay, that's definitely not normal goblin behavior.'

『The dungeon's evolving. Adapting.』

'To what?'

The last goblin pounced. This time I was ready, stepping aside and letting momentum carry it past me. My blade ended its existence before it could recover.

I collected the crystals with shaking hands, adrenaline slowly fading. Four small purple stones - physical proof that I hadn't imagined the whole thing.

『We should report this to the Guild.』

'And tell them what? That some goblins showed basic tactical awareness?' I pocketed the crystals. 'They'd laugh us out of the building.'

『Then perhaps we should-』

'Head deeper.' I started down the stairs again. 'If the dungeon's changing, I want to know how far it goes.'

『That's either very brave or very stupid.』

'Why not both?' The third floor stretched before me, shadows concealing whatever waited ahead. 'Besides, I need those crystals for Miach.'

『The debt isn't worth dying over.』

'Good thing I don't plan on dying.' I moved forward, senses alert for any more unusual behavior. 'Consider it research. The more we know about these changes, the better prepared we'll be.'

The guidebook's pages flashed through my mind as I descended deeper into the third floor. Rose had been thorough in her explanations - this was where dungeon lizards started appearing. Fast, agile bastards that liked to climb walls and drop on unsuspecting adventurers.

『You're thinking about the lizards.』

'Just reviewing the intel.' I kept my eyes on the ceiling as I moved. 'Perfect test subjects for a little experiment.'

『The Dismantle variations?』

'Exactly.' I flexed my fingers, feeling the mana flow beneath my skin. 'If I can focus it better, use less energy...'

『Your head still hurts.』

'When doesn't it?'

A scrabbling sound echoed from above. I pressed against the wall, scanning the shadows. There - a brown scaled form clinging to the ceiling, watching me with predatory focus.

'Time to test a theory.'

I pointed at the lizard without moving my arm, channeling mana through the gesture. Nothing happened. The lizard tilted its head, probably wondering why its prey was standing still.

'Interesting.' I kept my finger aimed at the creature. "Dismantle."

The word carried power, focusing the mana into a razor-sharp line. The invisible slash hit the lizard dead center, cleaving it in two. Both halves fell, dissolving into ash before they hit the ground.

『Energy expenditure was approximately 40% less than your usual method.』

'And more precise.' I collected the crystal. 'The verbalization helps shape the mana. Like a lens focusing light.'

『An apt analogy. Though speaking does telegraph your attacks.』

'True. But having options is never bad.' Another scratching sound drew my attention. 'Speaking of options...'

Two more lizards emerged from the shadows, one on each wall. They moved in perfect sync, clearly coordinating their attack. Just like the goblins had.

'You seeing this?'

『The synchronized movement? Yes. This confirms the behavioral changes aren't limited to one species.』

I pointed at the left lizard. "Dismantle."

The creature exploded into ash. Its partner immediately changed course, scrambling across the ceiling to get above me. Smart. But not smart enough.

I waited until it committed to its pounce before stepping aside. As it fell past me, I drove my sword through its body. The blade came away clean as the monster disintegrated.

'The verbal casting definitely uses less energy.' I rolled my shoulders, feeling the difference in my reserves. 'But you're right about it being slower.'

『Perhaps a compromise? Use the silent version for immediate threats, verbal for precision work?』

'Could work. Though I'd rather-'

Movement caught my eye. A whole group of lizards emerged from a side passage - five, no, six of them. They spread out along the walls and ceiling in a loose semicircle, cutting off my retreat.

'Well. This should be educational.'

『You could retreat.』

'Where's the fun in that?' I raised my sword, studying their formation. 'Besides, I need to know how far these changes go.'

The lizards attacked as one, coming from all angles. I pointed at the ceiling. "Dismantle!"

The slash caught two of them, but the others had already adjusted their trajectories. I spun, blade flashing, taking a third out of the air. Claws raked my shoulder as one slipped past my guard.

I grabbed it by the tail and slammed it into another, following up with a quick thrust that caught them both. The last lizard retreated, watching me with that same unnatural intelligence I'd seen in the goblins.

'Come on then.' I gestured with my sword. 'Show me what else you've learned.'

It charged straight at me - a feint. At the last second, it veered up the wall and launched itself at my blind spot. I was already turning, point raised.

"Dismantle."

The lizard dissolved mid-leap, its crystal clattering to the floor.

I hefted the small sack, feeling the weight of crystals shift inside. The bag strained at its seams, threatening to spill its contents across the dungeon floor.

'Getting full,' I thought, securing the drawstring tighter.

『And your mana reserves are at thirty percent,』 Minerva added. 『Not to mention that shoulder wound.』

I rolled the injured joint, wincing at the sting. The lizard's claws hadn't cut deep, but they'd left their mark.

'I could push further.' My eyes traced the path ahead, where the dungeon's passages wound deeper into darkness. 'Test how far these changes go.'

『You could. But consider the risk-reward ratio.』

Another group of footsteps echoed from around the corner - more of those coordinated goblins, by the sound of it. I pressed against the wall, letting them pass by.

'Point taken.' I checked my sword's edge. Still sharp, but it had seen better days.

『The responsible choice? I'm shocked.』

'Don't get used to it.' I started backtracking toward the stairs. 'Just good business sense. Can't spend valis if I'm dead.'

The journey up proved easier than the descent. Most monsters seemed more interested in adventurers heading deeper, leaving the path relatively clear. Still, I kept my guard up. The dungeon had already shown it could surprise me.

A lone kobold blocked the stairs to the second floor. It bared its teeth, hackles raised.

"Dismantle."

The monster burst into ash. I collected its crystal, carefully squeezing it into the overstuffed bag.

'Last one,' I decided. 'Any more and this thing's going to burst.'

『Better than your head bursting.』 Minerva's tone carried a hint of concern. 『That verbal casting method still draws more power than it should.』

'But less than before.' I climbed the stairs, keeping my footsteps light. 'Progress is progress.'

『Speaking of progress, what will you tell the Guild about the monsters' behavior?』

I paused on the landing. 'Nothing yet. Need more data first.'

『You mean you need proof.』

'Same thing.' The second floor stretched before me, quieter than I remembered. 'Rose seems sharp. I'd rather have something concrete before bringing this to her attention.'

『Assuming these changes continue.』

'They will.' I resumed walking, staying close to the wall. 'The dungeon's testing us. Learning.'

『That's a disturbing thought.』

'That's why we need to understand it.' A familiar corridor appeared ahead - the main path to the first floor. 'Knowledge is power, especially down here.'

『Says the man who can't remember his own past.』

'Low blow, Minerva.' But I grinned despite myself. 'Low blow.'

The first floor welcomed me with its usual phosphorescent glow. I kept moving, ignoring the few scattered monsters that crossed my path. The crystals in my bag clinked together with each step, a pleasant reminder of the day's work.

'Not bad for a first dive.' I approached the entrance stairs. 'Cleared three floors, tested new techniques, discovered evolving monster behavior-'

『And nearly got eaten twice.』

'Details.' Sunlight filtered down from above, real sunlight this time. 'The important thing is we learned something valuable.'

『And earned enough to start paying off Miach.』

'That too.' I climbed the final steps, emerging into Babel's grand entrance chamber. 'Though I doubt this will cover the whole debt.'

『One step at a time.』 Minerva's presence felt lighter up here, away from the dungeon's oppressive atmosphere. 『Speaking of steps, Guild or Miach first?』

I considered the question as I walked toward the exit. The bag of crystals weighed heavy at my hip, and my shoulder still stung from the lizard's claws. The smart play was to hit the Guild first - Rose would give me a fair assessment of their value without the desperate gleam some merchants got in their eyes.

『Planning to charm our favorite Guild advisor again?』 Minerva's tone carried a hint of amusement.

'Just being practical.' I started toward the Pantheon, Babel's shadow falling away behind me. 'Besides, she actually knows what she's talking about.'