Chapter 43: A Change in Thinking
To effectively improve ability scores, combat intensity was exceptionally crucial. Fighting the Orc monsters appearing on the current floor.
Was no different from other floors.
It was just that the mist mechanism shrouding the 10th-floor area increased the floor's danger level.
"Monster Party."
"If I kill a large number of monsters, will it trigger this Labyrinth mechanism?"
Applying the characteristic of Killer Ants calling companions when injured to the Dungeon Labyrinth, Liam felt he could make a simple attempt.
This didn't conflict with his goal. Picking up the magic stones dropped from kills, he slowed his pace, concentrating on observing the surrounding environment.
Mist permeated the surroundings. Even if a slash cut through the airflow, his vision would only be clear for a short while. As time passed.
It would gradually return to its usual state.
"A bit tricky..."
"Pass through the current area quickly."
Considering that continuously using "Triple Slash" would bring a huge physical load and drain most of his stamina.
Liam shelved this idea.
One absolutely couldn't use common sense to fathom the Dungeon's treachery. If a Monster Party suddenly appeared when his stamina was depleted.
Without other adventurers to team up with, acting alone would definitely be a dead end!
Forcing himself to endure the extremely poor visibility, Liam cautiously explored the current area, avoiding sudden monster attacks.
His overall advancement speed was relatively slow.
And lacking visual reference points, to avoid going in circles, whenever he encountered a withered tree trunk, he would leave a distinct mark with his sword blade.
He didn't encounter any dangerous interludes. It was only when approaching the outer area that the unusually quiet atmosphere nearby alerted Liam.
Apart from the Orc he had encountered earlier, he hadn't met any other monsters. For the 10th floor of the Dungeon.
This was very wrong!!
The facts were no different from what Liam had anticipated. When he stopped, he could faintly hear the sound of something rustling through the dry bushes.
Realizing a monster was about to appear.
Liam paused his steps, gripping the short sword in his hand. He already had a simple judgment about the monster that was about to appear.
It definitely wasn't a massive Orc.
Then it could only be "Imps," monsters with higher intelligence than Goblins, who preferred to attack in tribes during combat.
"It really is!"
"."
As the monsters continuously approached, these Imps, their silhouettes blurry within the mist, appeared before Liam's eyes.
Their physique was similar to Goblins.
If there was a real difference, it was that they didn't have green skin; their entire bodies were covered in red skin.
Observing the Imps' heads closely, one could still see underdeveloped, protruding sharp horns, making their appearance exceptionally ferocious.
Possessing higher intelligence than Goblins, after adapting to the environment, they would use the mist shrouding the current floor for simple concealment, achieving the effect of ambushing adventurers!
What concerned Liam was the number of Imps appearing before him. Using a reference for comparison, after just a short pause in place.
Without waiting for long.
The surroundings were already enveloped by at least dozens of these small-type monsters.
"Quite a lot of them."
If one disregarded the mechanisms of the current floor, using this place to level up the "Sword Soul Template" would definitely be efficient.
After all, there was a probability of triggering a Monster Party.
Liam's gaze swept over them. Having killed countless monsters, a species slightly stronger than Goblins posed absolutely no pressure.
To be precise, all these monsters were just nourishment for him to train and improve his ability scores!
Looking at the relatively large gathering of Imps to his front-left, limited visibility was always a problem to face. Without the cover of mist, the process would be much simpler.
In combat, those who seize the initiative often gain the advantage.
He didn't continue to use two short swords. After sheathing one Mithril short sword, his left hand held the scabbard while his right hand gripped the hilt.
Liam took a lunge stance, then slightly turned his body sideways.
Temporarily distributing his strength to his right hand, the instant the short sword was drawn, only an afterimage of sword light remained, imperceptible to the naked eye.
Accompanying it was the sword aura erupting from an Iai Drawing Sword slash.
The airflow swept up by the sword aura, carrying the mist, surged towards the Imps. This provided a brief moment of clear vision.
"Found them!"
Seizing the brief attack opening, Liam's eyes locked onto his targets. The change in physical strength brought by the increase in his stats. Made his short-distance burst far exceed imagination.
He gave the Imps hiding several meters away, waiting for a chance to ambush, absolutely no opportunity to react.
Looking at the several monsters within his attack range, he raised his hand and slashed. Even the Imps maintaining a relatively far distance.
Couldn't escape being cut by the sharp sword aura!
「Exp +91」
"."
After confirming this area was cleared, Liam turned back, shifting his direction, and only then cast his gaze towards the mist-shrouded area.
An Iaijutsu technique like "Drawing Sword."
The skill effect he "manually inputted" might not be as powerful as the original version, but against a large number of low-level monsters.
It was still useful!
And the practical combat skill training against monsters was only effective in the Dungeon. After all, as long as one mastered a monster's combat style.
One could cleverly kill it.
Currently, his PVE ability, relying on the sword aura effect of "Secret Sword Art," meant he wouldn't encounter any threats in the upper levels, at least.
But his practical combat experience against adventurers.
Liam was a blank slate in every sense. Any adventurer with a bit of strength wouldn't just stand there like a target.
He had to practice more when he had the chance.
First, he had to achieve a thorough understanding and flexible application of all the skills in the "Sword Soul Template"!
Otherwise, no matter how high his level and stats were, he could only grind monsters in the Dungeon. Facing adventurers of the same level, it would be difficult to guarantee victory.
"In that case."
"Let's start training directly!"
Changing now was better than suffering a loss when fighting adventurers later. Liam thought this way in his heart and put it into action.
The subsequent clearing of Imps made Liam abandon using the Flowing Stance skill's sword aura range and damage buff.
Powerful stats were certainly reliable, but in long-term Dungeon training, it was easy to forget the essence that tipped the scales of victory.
"Technique."
Second only to magic and skills in effect.
Abundant combat techniques could make it easier to find an enemy's breakthrough point during battle, easily defeating them.
If augmented by monstrous stats, the effect would definitely be doubled!
The blueprint laid out before him was vast. Imagine an adventurer with extremely rich combat techniques, using magnificent skills.
The feeling of being directly steamrolled in the face!
Liam was quite looking forward to it. This was the ultimate path the Sword Soul pursued. Stats were certainly important, but technique was equally so.
Utilizing the comprehensively enhanced physical constitution after updating his status.
He broke down the basic sword moves of Secret Sword Art, flexibly applying them in the environmental conditions encountered when fighting monsters.
When encountering a monster's counterattack, analyze the situation and handle it afterward.
Skills like "Moonlight Slash" and "Backstep Cut" were integrated into his own combat system. A change at the conceptual level.
Judging from the results.
It made Liam's monster clearing much more effortless. He even became somewhat engrossed in it. Confirming there were no remaining monsters nearby.
He picked up the dropped magic stones.
As he prepared to leave the current area, a strong sense of crisis襲 (assaulted/surged) through his heart, compelling him to stop. The sense of crisis was very strong.
In the area ahead, soon to be filled with mist.
He could faintly see several massive Orcs approaching. Not only that, but the surroundings were enveloped by low-frequency echo waves interfering with his concentration.
The Imp monsters that had already been cleared.
Were once again gathering here, rustling through the low bushes. It could be said that all the monsters on the current floor.
Were converging towards him.
Thinking about what was happening now, Liam felt no fear. Instead, it was a strong fighting spirit caused by a surge of adrenaline.
"Finally waited for you."
"Monster Party!"
(End of this chapter)