58 I'm Not At Fault Here

"What are you?"

Otuko and I stared at each other; none of us broke our eye contact. Although she was wearing a mask to cover up her eyes, it was like I was able to peer through.

She continued, "A person who's able to tamper with an element whenever he likes, change their properties and create some bizarre new magic by various combinations must not exist."

"Beings like you are dangerous, the real threat to everything..."

While she spoke seriously and I stare at him, I couldn't help but notice something weird wrapping around my foot. It was coming directly "What are you?"

Otuko and I locked eyes, maintaining intense eye contact. Despite the mask concealing her eyes, it felt like I could see right through.

She continued, "Someone who can manipulate an element at will, altering its properties and creating unconventional magic through various combinations—such individuals shouldn't exist."

"Beings like you are dangerous, a genuine threat to everything..."

While she spoke earnestly, and we continued to gaze at each other, I noticed something strange wrapping around my foot. It extended from behind her... Was she planning a surprise attack?

Without breaking eye contact, I lifted my foot and stepped on the peculiar dark tentacles or appendages.

"If I were still working back then, I would have—EEEEEEK!!!"

Otuko let out a piercing scream that reverberated through the entire cave. The mask fell off, revealing tears streaming down her face.

"...Otuko?"

Dropping to her knees, Otuko's mouth foamed, and she collapsed face-first onto the ground. A gentle breeze fluttered her coat, exposing the dark appendage attached to her lower back.

...It was barely moving.

In that moment, I realized—I had unintentionally stepped on her tail.

"I..."

As I attempted to say something, a sudden notification appeared in my view.

[Congratulations!]

[You have defeated the Boss Monster.]

...Did I inadvertently kill her?

...

..

.

Staring at the ability panel before me, a mix of frustration and disbelief crossed my face.

[𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 (Rare)] : Enable the user to control mana much more efficiently.

...If only I knew that I'll be able to get this ability, I would have never wasted my two days with her, I mused, fingers pressing against the bridge of my nose.

The other abilities listed are not worth mentioning. Although good, this ability stand out the most.

After I finished reading through the description of the ability, I clicked the [Yes] button on the phone screen.

=====

𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲: Saber

𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸: ?

𝗝𝗼𝗯: [Ruler of Calamity]

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: [Lolicon, Emotional Damage]

[𝗛𝗣: 2,500/2,500]

[𝗠𝗣: 3,800/3,800]

𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:

- [𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 (Level 5)]: A passive ability triggered in response to threats or the targeting of bloodlust.

-[𝗩𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 (Level 2)]: Heightened sensitivity to vibrations in the environment, similar to how spiders detect movements through their webs. This power grants the ability to sense approaching threats, detect hidden dangers, and perceive subtle changes in the surroundings.

-[𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 (Level )] : Enable the user to control mana much more efficiently.

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀:

- 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 28

- 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 23

- 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 25

- 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀: 27

- 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 104

=====

With my fingers steepled beneath my chin, I stared at my status impassively

"My MP seemed to have increased so much... Was this because of the ability too?" I mused, closing my eyes briefly. Normally, it would range around few hundreds higher than my HP not thousand.

As for [𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿], It's level remained unchanged, likely due to its underutilization against Otuko.... I'm still curious on why it never affected him, though.

[Do you wish to move on to the next floor?]

[Yes/No]

"...I'll try and figure it out later."

Click—!

Upon choosing [Yes], my vision plunged into darkness.

***

Outside the Labyrinth.

Around the base, Solis could be seen carrying boxes filled with high-quality potions. It had been five days since Saber had disappeared. None of them knew where he went; all they knew was that he would be coming back tomorrow.

As she walked, Solis noticed Reaper in the distance. Placing the boxes down, she stretched her back and approached Reaper with a smile. "Whatcha doing there~?"

Glancing at her, Reaper returned her attention to her scythe before responding, "I'm just cleaning the blood from the target earlier."

Solis sighed heavily upon hearing that. "Didn't Contractor already give you an allowance? Did you spend everything in one go or something?"

"I'm not using it... I'll never use it," Reaper responded casually, leaning back against the wall.

Solis sighed again and shook her head. "You should stop being too overly cautious of others... You'll never find a boyfriend in that case."

Reaper's eyes twitched. Turning her head towards Solis, she forced a smile. "I don't f***ing care."

Picking up the boxes, Solis ignored her before proceeding to do her work.

"Wait... Did you finish what our Contractor ordered you to do?" She stopped her tracks and turned slightly towards her friend.

Reaper didn't respond immediately. She went silent and focused on wiping the bloodstain off her weapon.

"...You didn't, did you?"

Reaper once again didn't answer.

"You—"

"Solis!"

She was about to scold her when she was suddenly called out by Occiditis. Shaking her head lightly, Solis glanced at her direction before standing up.

Her hair fluttered as she approached Occiditis. "Remember what we are and what we live for," she mumbled, walking past Reaper.

—What are you guys even talking about...?

—Nothing important, Leader~

After Solis got to Occiditis, Reaper clicked her tongue in frustration.

"...What's the point?" She stood up and slashed her scythe downward. And thus, the moon was reflected beautifully through the sharp blade, casting a faint glow on her face.

"Besides, the deal was only to protect him from harm until he gets stronger..."

Assassinating a commander to save two lovely couples? That wasn't part of their job and it never was.

"It never mentioned that we need to obey his orders."