Sticky Sewer (7)

I reviewed the updated list of evolutions for [Agility, Stamina].

Then, with a rustling sound, the information window appeared.

As expected, it was exactly as the <Rank 1> had informed me, without a single variable.

The first path of the [Eyes of Reversed Heaven] was ‘Evolution’.

As the name suggested, it was a power that elevated an ability that had met a certain level or special condition to a higher rank ability.

In ‘GAL’, a skill’s name doesn’t change or gain special effects just because its level is high.

‘Even if the [Agility] level is 20, it simply stays as Agility 20.’

Therefore, I had to obtain something entirely new, and leveling was carried out independently for each.

However, Yu Seha could evolve as he pleased while maintaining his level.

This might not seem like much, but it was a tremendous advantage.

‘Skill copying becomes possible.’

If I evolved both agility and endurance into something else, they would become entirely different skills.

In other words, by reactivating the [Eyes of Reversed Heaven], it was possible to acquire the ‘Agility’ and ‘Endurance’ of Normal grade again.

Others might argue that it’s similar for them, but once a skill is acquired, a basic knack is developed.

‘With a bit of effort, I can get them again.’

Of course, due to the uncontrollable mana consumption, its actual usage would be limited, but its growth potential was very high just by looking at the stat increases.

Anyway, it was time to make a selection.

“There is something a bit tricky, though.”

[Agility] was a basic trait that increased movement speed by adjusting foot movement.

As it was the most basic skill, there were various types it could evolve into.

Currently, I had three options in mind.

All were Rare-grade traits, each with distinct advantages.

“First, [Powerful Agility].”

[Agility] purely boosts movement speed in proportion to the caster’s ‘speed.’

On the other hand, [Powerful Agility] also factors in ‘strength’ to some extent, enhancing speed as well.

In other words, if one had brute strength, a certain level of speed enhancement was guaranteed.

However, the increase was the smallest, and it didn’t have any special additional functions.

[Breakthrough Agility] had the powerful effect of increasing movement speed by 1.5 times, but only in a straight line.

This was a trait favored by ‘Supervisors’ who often used melee bruisers, as the combination with [Charge] resulted in a significant burst of speed, making it a frontline choice in PVP.

However, it was limited to straight-line movements only.
Thus, it was an ability that could be easily anticipated.

The last, third trait was [Fearless Agility].

‘This is absurd.’

It offered the ridiculous effect of increasing movement speed by 2.5 times at all times, but the body control became unmanageable.

In other words, it was impossible to control.

Unless you were aiming for comedic value, it wasn’t worth considering.

‘There are two types of endurance.’

[Persistent Endurance] provided a special adjustment that reduced incoming damage by 20% when health dropped below 50%.

[Strong Endurance] increased resistance to status ailments proportionate to the durability stat.

Hmm.
This is quite a task.
Choosing from so many options is quite a task.

After thinking for about a minute with my arms crossed, I made up my mind.

Good.
No matter how you look at it, this was the most stable and best choice.

‘It’s a bit disappointing that there are no acquisition rewards.’

It was probably blocked for balance reasons.
But it’s okay.
Level rewards would accumulate steadily.

On a side note, just looking at [Evolution], it could be a bit disappointing.

Honestly, when I first heard the explanation, I thought, ‘Is this really the next level of a legendary skill?’

But you need to know that.

‘It’s only the first stage.’

According to the Rank 1 player, the current [Eyes of Reversed Heaven] of ‘Yu Seha’ that he raised had a total of 5 stages.

He mentioned that there were stages that haven’t been found and ones that weren’t chosen.
So, if you combine them all, it would probably be about 7 to 8 stages.

And the fact that the first stage, or the path of ‘Evolution,’ had opened meant that there would be additional ‘changes’ in the rewards.

Just like this.
Normally, there would have been a high chance of learning just ‘Axe.’

However, the moment I acquired ‘Evolution,’ the rewards changed, and now I was given the choice to select either one [Upper Skill] or two [Lower Skills].

‘Is this also as Rank 1 said?’

Well, to be honest, this isn’t exactly a cheat.

You never know what abilities will come out.

It still wasn’t guaranteed that I could select exactly what I wanted, and as the word ‘probability’ indicated, it did not activate 100% of the time.

The Rank 1 said it feels like 30%.

Later, when you progress further, it supposedly goes up to about 80%, but that’s a story for the later stages, so it wasn’t very meaningful now.

Lastly, getting [Two Lower Skills] wasn’t guaranteed either.

If you’re lucky, you could get more than three, but if you’re unlucky, you might just get one.

Still, considering it as a bonus, it was a sufficiently good ability.

‘[Flowing Axe]…’

It was a skill I had never heard of.
The grade was Rare.
There was no description, indicating that I had to choose it to see more information.

Still, I could guess its capabilities.

Moon Bora’s [Ice Wall] used to trap the <Slime Knight>.

The peculiar axe technique she wielded at that time.

It was highly likely to be that.

Roughly guessing, it seemed to enhance proficiency and power when using an axe.

It granted attack range and unpredictability through strange movements… thinking of it that way seemed appropriate.

‘There are derivative skills too… and the growth potential must be high.’

However, my choice was decided from the beginning.

‘I’m not going to use an axe as my main weapon…’

Decisively, I was really tempted by the [Agility] trait.
A basic trait that slightly increases the owner’s ‘evasion rate’ and the success rate of ‘critical hit rate’.

It also reduced damage when landing from high places.

Especially good for close-range dealers.
The more related traits you have, the more amazing evasive maneuvers and jaw-dropping irregular attacks you could pull off.

I smiled with satisfaction as I looked at the well-filled [Status Window].

To be honest, I was quite anxious.

I confess once again, I did not raise Yu Seha in the game.

I didn’t even look at him because he was a male character.

If I had any resources to raise a character, I was busy feeding my Ma Hana.

Therefore, even if I had the information, I couldn’t know exactly when the <Growth Event> would occur because I hadn’t seen or experienced it myself.

‘…I don’t even know the exact activation conditions for [Eyes of Reversed Heaven]…’

It’s a conundrum.

However, with the information window that just appeared, I gained confidence that I was progressing smoothly.

‘With this…’

I can do it.

Clearing the <Main Story> and guiding our precious Ma Hana and the characters to the ending they desire.

“O-oh my…?!”

Right after I gathered new information, pondered alone, and satisfied myself with a grand show.

Moon Bora let out a short scream.

What? Did something happen?

“Moon Bora. What’s wrong?”
“Oh, no… I just solved a puzzle…”

A puzzle?

The mystery was soon resolved by the ensuing vibration.

The wall where Moon Bora was standing began to shake, scattering dust as it started to rise.

What appeared was a translucent, glass-like door.

And inside that door was a small room that looked about the size of a single room.

‘…No way?’

I ran, feeling shocked.

Inside the room, there were gold and silver treasures that looked expensive at first glance, and a few pieces of equipment that seemed to be weapons stuck on top of a jar.

This was unmistakable.

“Oh my, it’s a [Treasure Room]?!”

[Treasure Room].
Simply put, it was a room where you received additional rewards after clearing all the dungeons.
Usually, it opened after defeating the boss in the [Boss Room].
It also served as a [Safety Zone] where you could rest without being attacked by monsters, thanks to the dungeon’s mysterious protection.

For reference, not every dungeon had this [Treasure Room].
At least, the <Sticky Sewers> I knew of didn’t have one.
I haven’t even heard a rumor about it being found in the community.

But no way…

“…To think it was hidden here.”
“Is this the… the room of rewards that all hunters dream of?”

Moon Bora, who solved the hidden puzzle, glanced inside with a slightly bewildered expression.

It seemed she couldn’t believe it.

Grab!

“…Hmm?”

Regardless, I grabbed Moon Bora’s hands and started dancing joyfully.

“U-uh?! S-Seha?!”

“As expected! Moon Bora! Wow, you’re truly not called <Snow Ice> the great magician for nothing!”

This was genuinely a big deal.

The rewards would multiply several times, so how could I not be thrilled?

I guarantee that no one else could have found this room.

Me included.

It was all thanks to her dedication to studying [Ancient Language].

“Uh, uh? Uh…”

Moon Bora was still flustered.
Her lips twitched at the praise.
“Heh, heh~” she lifted her head proudly.

Her characteristic ‘bouncy’ chest jiggled cheerfully.

“Of course! Who do you think I am?!”
“Amazing!”
“Pl-please praise me more!”
“Of course! Amazing!”
“Heh~”

A moment later.

With a click, a large mana stone was embedded at the entrance of the [Treasure Room].

The mana stone was none other than the mana stone of the <Slime Knight>.

I wondered how to open this place, but I never thought the mana stone would be the key.

It was clearly designed to be opened as a reward after defeating the boss.

Rumble!
Creak!
Thud!

The transparent door, which had been making noise, opened.
Moon Bora and I nodded to each other.

“I’ll go in first to check it out. Just in case.”
“Understood.”

I activated [Unprecedented Sense] and thoroughly searched the surroundings.
One might be puzzled.
I did say earlier that it also served as a [Safety Zone].

But there were always exceptions.
In fact, there were sometimes malicious traps that took advantage of this sense of security.

‘<Mimic>…’

A monster that transforms into a box and ambushes.

Or a kind of beetle called <Treasure Bug> that disguises itself as gold and silver treasures.

Having been wiped out by these things several times in ‘GAL’, I looked around with extreme caution.

After a while, I concluded that there were no such traps here.

“Moon Bora. You can come in.”
“…Phew.”

Moon Bora stepped inside.

That was when it happened.

She seemed unaware, but I definitely heard it near my ear.

Click! The stone slab beneath her feet descended.

In an instant, I realized I had made a mistake.

‘…Could it be a structure-type trap that activates only when more than two people pass by?!’

Then, I noticed the ceiling above Moon Bora’s head opening, and a transparent, sticky liquid falling.

‘Damn it!’

Did they set up a trap that only an <Assassin> could detect?

I was startled, but I immediately rushed forward.

“…?! S-Seha?”
“Moon Bora, stay still!”

I hurriedly embraced Moon Bora and bent over.

Making sure the liquid would hit my back first, I protected her.

Just in case, I didn’t forget to use [Stone Hardening].

With a squelch, the sticky liquid fell over our heads.

“…A-a trap…”
“Don’t speak. If it gets in your mouth, it’ll be a hassle.”

We sat still.
Should I wait to see the reaction and respond immediately…?

“…?”

What the? Nothing’s happening?

“Moon Bora. Are you alright?”
“I-I’m alright… huh? The liquid disappeared immediately?”

As she said.
The sticky substance evaporated in an instant.

Just as I was puzzled.

I heard a snapping sound and looked down.

…What the hell?!

“M-M-Moon Bora! Your shoulder strap!”
“…Huh?”

Moon Bora stupidly asked back.

At the same time, the shoulder strap of her dress snapped with a loud rip.

Flap.

“……”
“……”

As silent as a mouse.
A calm before the storm ensued.

“W-W-WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH…”

Moon Bora’s eyes began to spin wildly.

Turning as red as a ripe persimmon.

Oh, shit…

“M-M-Moon Bora… c-c-calm down…”
“No, I don’t want to calm down!!!”

Finally, a piercing ‘***Screeech’*** filled the [Treasure Room], echoing throughout.