When I activated the [Gluttony] skill, I felt an enormous surge of energy erupt from the eye, as if an entire universe was pouring into my body. Swirling black mist coiled around me, and my consciousness was thrust into a strange state—clear, yet drifting in a deep, dark ocean.
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Nice, nice!
I wonder if my stats have gone up...
Let's take a look.
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HP: 445/445
MP: 3875/3875 (+400)
SP: 485/485
Attack: 25652 (+387)
Defense: 25848 (+380)
Magic: 25567 (+379)
Speed: 33232 (+427)
Skills:
[Appraisal Lv7], [Poison Resistance Lv7], [Venomous Fangs Lv8], [Spider Silk Lv9], [Intimidation Lv6], [Sensing Lv7], [Stealth Lv7], [Endurance Lv6], [Fear Resistance Lv6], [Patience Lv4], [Holy Mana Lv5], [Holy Magic Lv7], [Vitality Lv6], [Invincible Shield Lv5], [Calm Mind Lv4], [Loyalty Lv4], [Faith Lv4], [Heaven's Net Lv7], [Plunder Lv6], [Wanderlust Lv3], [Enhanced Vision Lv6], [Enhanced Hearing Lv5], [Enhanced Smelling Lv5], [Enhanced Tactile Lv5], [Enhanced Tasting Lv5], [Paralyzing Evil Eye Lv7], [Poison Mist Lv6], [Prophecy Lv4], [Drill Leg Lv6], [Sleep Resistance Lv5], [Adamantine Body Lv9], [Focus Lv8], [Soul Attack Immunity], [Auto HP Recovery Lv7], [Flash Lv8], [Evasion Lv7], [Auto SP Recovery Lv7], [Corrosion Resistance Lv6], [Heaven Eye Lv7], [Soul Magic Lv2], [Rapido Lv5], [Hyper Memory], [Parallel Will Lv5], [Scan Lv9], [Pain Resistance Lv8], [Gluttony Lv5], [Big Eater Lv5], [Ravenous Devour Lv5], [Support Evil Eye Lv0], [Soul Chain Lv5], [Accuracy Lv6], [Inference Lv4], [Insight Lv6], [Virtual World Lv4], [Spirit Magic Lv2], [Spirit's Protection Lv2], [Soul Repair Lv4], [Soul Link Lv4], [Blade Leg Lv6], [Mana Sensing Lv4], [Mana Manipulation Lv4], [Dark Mana Vein Lv5], [Child of the Darkness Lv5], [Malice Lv1], [Dark God Gaze Lv1]
Skill Points: 280
Whoa, I can see my stats jumped by nearly 5000.
Nai wa!
Just one eye gave me that much? If I could absorb part of its flesh or an entire tentacle, how much more would I gain...?
Now I'm really looking forward to this.
Alright, time to check out the new skills.
<<[Dark God Gaze]: Inflicts multiple negative effects including: fear, weakness, charm, blindness, nausea, wither, slowness, fatigue, misfortune, paralysis, hallucination, bleeding, exhaustion, panic, deafness on target. If the target's willpower is weaker than the user's, the effects will be doubled. Consumes 200 MP per use>>
Whoa, this skill is totally OP.
With this many debuffs, I'll have a massive advantage in battle.
Next—
<<[The Devourer of Dark Gods]: Increases all stats by 20% when fighting dark-type or holy-type creatures. Boosts resistance to fear and all forms of magic>>
Ooh, anything that boosts stats is a win in my book. Definitely not a loss this time.
As the energy from the eye completely merged with me, my body trembled slightly. A strange, light sensation spread throughout. Meradis, Seina, and Suzu, who were nearby, all stared at me in astonishment.
"How do you feel, Shiraori?" Meradis asked, her eyes gleaming with concern.
"I don't really know how to describe it... but this power..." I clenched my fists, clearly sensing the overwhelming rise in energy. "...is truly terrifying."
"As long as you know how to use it, it'll be a strategic trump card for us." Seina said. "But don't forget—any power from the Dark Gods comes with its own risks."
I nodded, fully understanding her warning.
Even though I had absorbed the eye, I could still faintly sense the residual will of the Dark God. It was weak, but smoldering quietly, like a flame hidden in the darkest corner of my soul.
"Do you sense anything dangerous?" Suzu asked.
Not yet.
But I will be careful in the future.
After stabilizing my body and carefully checking all the changes, the group gathered to discuss our next destination. Our target: the 15th floor, said to contain the "Soul Lake" — a mysterious place rumored to possess the powers of rebirth and memory.
Huh?
Didn't I hear before that the 15th floor was home to a bunch of monkeys?
I'm pretty sure I heard that directly from old man Loyral's stories.
"That's right, it used to be the territory of the Antorest monkeys, but a few years ago, a mysterious creature showed up and took over the area," Meradis explained.
Hmm, looks like another surprise is waiting for us—but hey, surprises are part of the fun!
So, is everyone ready?
"Always!" Seina replied curtly, as usual.
Suzu nodded, Meradis smiled and said nothing, but I knew she was always ready.
Um, it's okay.
Then let's go!
Alright, let's go then!
I shouted excitedly, but suddenly, my stomach growled.
Ah... I guess I haven't eaten anything since I woke up…
Alright then, I'll eat on the way.
After grabbing a quick meal along the path, I blasted off toward the 15th floor like a rocket. My previously reduced stats had mostly recovered, and the monsters on the 14th floor were no longer a challenge. So, in just one day, I arrived at the entrance to the 15th floor.
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Leveled up twice, huh…
A bit low, but better than nothing.
When we arrived at the 15th floor, the sight before us left us speechless. A vast space opened up, bathed in a gentle pale blue light. At its center was a crystal-clear lake that reflected a starry sky—despite the fact that we were clearly underground.
But what was strange… was the air itself. It felt heavier, as if time and space were being compressed.
"Careful!" Seina warned, sensing a vague presence in the area. "Even the Inference system can't detect anything. Whoever's here has an extremely high-level stealth ability."
I nodded, activating [Adamantine Body] and [Invincible Shield].
Even so, driven by curiosity, I continued forward. But before I could approach the lake, a voice suddenly echoed—deep, commanding, and full of authority.
"Who dares set foot in my domain?"
I looked around, trying to locate the source of the voice. From afar, a figure emerged—a half-human, half-serpent being with piercing eyes and a body radiating intense magical power.
"Who is that...?" Meradis muttered.
"I think... we've just encountered one of this floor's guardians," Seina said, activating [Appraisal] to assess the opponent.
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HP: 78000/78000
MP: 40000/40000
SP: 50000/50000
Attack: 30000
Defense: 30000
Magic: 30000
Speed: 30000
Skills: [Deathly Poison Mist], [Soul Judgment], [Perfect Serpent Form], [Soulflame Magic], [Perfect Camouflage]
Nai wa!
What the hell are these stats!?
Can we even fight something like this?
Sure, the skill list is short, but with numbers like that, it could easily dominate this entire zone.
I thought my stats were already sky-high, but yeah… I really shouldn't get cocky.
Fight or not...?
Hrm…
"All you ever think about is fighting! Try talking first!" Seina snapped in my head.
Oh right—my bad… Hehe.