Chapter 19
In the darkness of the Dungeon's tenth underground floor, after defeating the boss, Yuurai sheathes her swords and smiles.
"Claire, how was that? I managed to defeat the Skeleton Lord here without using magic. I haven't gotten the Swordsmanship skill yet, but don't you think I've got a talent for swords?"
"......You might have some talent. But honestly, fighting with magic suits you better."
(Does that mean I don't have talent after all? Without the Swordsmanship skill, am I just not cut out for this......? Well, I am a Lich, after all...... A Lich wielding a sword is pretty weird......)
"Hmmm, I do admire swords, though...... Claire, you look so cool......"
"Being able to use a sword isn't a bad thing. There are enemies who can nullify Dark Magic. However, in your case, fighting with just two swords is a waste. If you have the mental capacity to handle dozens of blades at once, you should do that instead."
"Hm......? What do you mean?"
"Ordinary humans struggle to handle even a single sword. Wielding two swords at once is already difficult. That's the limit of a human mind."
"Limit......"
"From what I can see, you do have talent with a sword. Even without skill bonuses, you're already on par with someone who has the Swordsmanship skill. But if you have the mental capacity to control dozens of blades, it's a waste not to use it."
"......I see. It's like I have dozens of arms, and I can control them freely, so only using two arms is a waste, right?"
"Exactly. You're not like ordinary humans. You should develop a fighting style that suits you."
"Got it......"
"Fighting with two swords isn't bad as a foundation. But ultimately, I think you'll end up fighting in a completely different style."
"Okay. Thanks for the advice."
"You're welcome."
"So, shall we head to the eleventh underground floor?"
"......I don't mind. But be careful. From the eleventh floor onward, the enemies get much stronger. I can only clear up to the eleventh floor on my own."
"......So the enemies are all just a bit below your level, Claire. That's dangerous......"
"If you use magic, they're enemies you can defeat easily."
"Magic is more of a trump card for emergencies. Let's head down first."
Descending the stairs that appeared in the boss room of the eleventh underground floor, the two of them head to the eleventh floor.
"Wow, the atmosphere completely changed. Even though we're inside the Dungeon, there's a sky......"
Unlike the cave-like interior up to the tenth floor, the space now opens up like the outside world. A sky...... or rather, a night sky is visible, and a grassland stretches out. Monsters can be seen here and there.
"The Dungeon becomes a different world from the eleventh floor onward. You can see the sky, but there's still a ceiling. If you shoot magic toward the sky, it'll hit something midway."
"Huh...... That's amazing......"
As Yuurai gazes at the sky in wonder, Claire speaks in a sharp tone.
"Monsters are approaching. Two Black Basilisks. ......Well, they might not be much of a threat to you."
"Are they a threat to ordinary humans?"
"Just looking into their eyes casts a Curse of magic sealing, darkness, and paralysis."
"......And for me?"
"You have strong Darkness Resistance. It won't be a problem."
"Got it. What about you, Claire?"
"I fight with my eyes closed. I can sense my surroundings through magical presence."
"......Wow. You do something incredible so casually."
"It's the same thing the Eyeless Tribe does. Of course, I can't perceive everything as accurately as they can."
As declared, Claire closes her eyes and readies her sword.
Yuurai faces the Black Basilisk as she always has.
The opponent is a Monster resembling a mix of a snake and a lizard, over five meters in length. It has eight legs, black scales, and its bright red eyes seem to hold strong magical power, though to Yuurai, they just look menacing.
"Let's each take one, Claire."
"Understood."
Yuurai targets the Black Basilisk on the right.
Using her natural physical ability, she closes in and swings her swords at its front legs. She manages to scratch the tough scales, but it doesn't seem to deal any real damage.
"So tough! Is fighting with just swords too difficult after all!?"
The weapon Yuurai is using is a Magic Sword she found at a weapon and armor shop in town. Though it lacks any elemental attributes, it's durable and sharp. If Claire used it, she could likely cut through the Black Basilisk's scales, which means Yuurai's technique is still immature.
"It's only been about five days since I started using swords...... I still need a lot more training......"
As the Black Basilisk tries to bite her, Yuurai lightly jumps to dodge. Avoiding attacks doesn't seem too difficult.
(Oh, Claire has already cut off three of its legs. The skill gap is insane...... And honestly, she looks so beautiful, her sword strikes and movements...... Even if I'm told fighting with a sword is inefficient, I can't help but admire it......)
Five minutes later, Claire has already taken down one Black Basilisk. Meanwhile, Yuurai hasn't even managed to cut through a single scale.
"......I seem to recall hearing something about each of us taking one, or was that just my imagination?"
Claire teases her calmly. Yuurai gives a wry smile while dodging the Black Basilisk's attacks.
As she does so, other Monsters approach, and Claire takes care of them as well.
(......Claire is so strong. As expected of a former Holy Knight...... If I couldn't use my special magic, I'd never be able to beat her......)
Another thirty minutes pass. Yuurai continues fighting the same Black Basilisk tirelessly.
Finally, she gets the hang of cutting through the tough scales and ultimately defeats the Black Basilisk.
"Yes! I did it!"
"Congratulations."
Claire claps for her with a blank expression.
However, while Yuurai took down one, Claire has already slain over twenty Monsters.
"......Sigh. I want to get stronger soon."
"If you used magic, it'd be over in one hit. You're the one imposing limits on yourself."
"Well, yeah, that's true. But if I defeat them with magic in one shot, it's not training at all, right?"
"That's true."
"Right...... Oh, more Monsters are coming. Isn't there a lot of enemies here?"
"That's how this floor is. If you're aiming to go lower, it's best to bypass them moderately. But it's also a convenient place to build strength."
"True. Sorry, but stick with me for a while."
"If that's an order."
"Let's call it an order!"
The two of them continue fighting for several hours.
At a reasonable stopping point, they return to the surface.
Outside, it's dusk.
And there, near the entrance, lies a young girl from the Eyeless Tribe, collapsed with an arrow piercing her back.