The mini-boss of this floor is not a single, hyper-dangerous entity like the massive predators found elsewhere. Instead, it functions as a coordinator, summoning swarms of monsters similar to the elemental cores and hues that inhabit the rest of the floor. While it lacks the raw, singular lethality of a giant snake or a high-level predator, it is arguably harder to deal with for an unprepared party. The sheer volume of enemies makes the encounter much more dangerous than a standard group of regular monsters. It is a fight that demands perfect group formation and impeccable teamwork; a single gap in the defense can lead to the party being overrun by the elemental swarm.
As proof of this tactical requirement, I noted that all three parties waiting in the hallway were full teams consisting of six people each. Another significant downside to this boss is the time requirement. Because of the summoning mechanic, the encounter takes much longer to resolve than a straightforward duel. We were forced to wait for at least half an hour for every group that went inside.
It took a full two hours of standing in the dimly lit corridor before our turn finally arrived. Since dinner time was rapidly approaching, we rummaged through our travel provisions to find some light snacks to hold back our hunger. We spent the time resting against the cool stone walls, mentally preparing for the skirmish ahead. Finally, the glowing lines etched into the surface of the doors began to fade—a signal that the previous party had either succeeded or failed, and the room was once again empty.
Wyn and Woya had only just received their new jobs, so I viewed this upcoming battle as the perfect opportunity for them to practice their adjusted capabilities. Before we crossed the threshold, I provided them with a detailed breakdown of the boss’s characteristics and gave them specific instructions on how to position themselves once we were inside. They listened with the intense focus of good girls who were eager to please their master, and seeing their determination, I knew I had nothing to worry about.
As soon as we entered the chamber, the room began to shift, its dimensions expanding to accommodate the trail ahead. A large, table-like stone platform manifested in the center of the hall, upon which a faintly glowing ball emerged. The brilliance of the ball began to intensify, and as it did, secondary glowing spheres began to emerge from the right and left walls of the room.
***
Race: Power Source
Sex: None
Status: Normal
Level 20 Mini Boss
***
***
Race: Water Core
Sex: None
Status: Normal
Level 20
***
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Race: Fire Core
Sex: None
Status: Normal
Level 20
***
***
Race: Earth Core
Sex: None
Status: Normal
Level 20
***
The boss monster, that intensely glowing ball known as the Power Source, is a stagnant object much like the guardian on the 15th floor. It does not move to attack directly, but instead summons elemental-type monsters to fill the room. This summoning cycle is exactly why other teams take so long to clear the encounter. To defeat the Power Source, one must either find a way through the swarm or demolish enough monsters to deplete the boss's internal energy reserves.
As you kill the summons, the Power Source will immediately spawn replacements. With every new summon, however, the brilliance of the ball decreases. If the cycle is repeated a certain number of times, the ball will eventually stop glowing, the summoning will cease, and you can simply walk up and break it.
Of course, a direct assault is always an option. You can attempt to crack the ball at any time, but the summons are programmed to prevent you from getting close. More importantly, as you approach the platform, the boss shifts its tactics, summoning the more advanced "Hues" instead of the basic "Cores." As we had already experienced, Hues are much trickier to deal with than Cores—for normal delvers, at least.
“Hold your position here,” I commanded, looking back at the twins. “Only start to move closer to me once I’ve established a clear distance. If the swarm becomes too much to handle, fall back immediately. Your safety is my primary concern. Use this chance to get used to the feel of your new jobs as much as possible.”
I didn't wait for their vocal response. I simply dashed forward, my boots clicking against the smooth stone floor.
“Yes, master!” I heard them shout from behind. Their voices were filled with the same unwavering determination they brought to every fight.
Under normal circumstances, there is a fixed limit to how many monsters the Power Source can maintain at once. However, the closer an intruder gets to the platform, the more the boss begins to ignore those limits. Just as the thought crossed my mind, new cores began to materialize from the walls. The ones that had already spawned began a slow, hovering movement toward my path, attempting to intercept my route.
I was moving at high speed, so it didn't take long for me to reach the first line of defenders. They weren't fast enough to physically block the path, so they resorted to long-range bombardment. Fireballs, wind blades, earth bullets, and high-pressure water bubbles were launched toward me from multiple directions.
I dodged the majority of the projectiles simply by maintaining my running speed, weaving through the gaps in the barrage. For the few attacks that were aimed too accurately to ignore, I twisted my body mid-stride, letting the magic whistle harmlessly past my cloak. As I continued my approach, the summoning rate intensified. The light from the Power Source pulsed rapidly, and I began to see the distinct, colorful auras of the Hues manifesting among the basic Cores.
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Just as these new, more dangerous types of enemies began to appear, several Cores drifted within reach of my blade. While I could have easily neutralized the distant ones using my own magic, I saw no need to waste the mana. Since they were physically obstructing my path, I simply prepared to cut through them as I ran.
My new sword, the masterpiece from the auction, was already gripped firmly in my hand. I swung the blade in a few calculated arcs without slowing my pace. With every rhythmic swing, a Core would shatter into fragments, leaving behind the clink of coins as they fell to the floor. At the same time, Hues began to converge on my position from the front, back, and sides. Only the ones appearing directly ahead of me were fast enough to actually intercept me.
I could sense that the monsters spawning behind me had shifted their focus away from my back and were instead moving toward the entrance of the room. I assumed this meant the girls were attempting to close the distance as well, drawing the attention of the Hues and the remaining Cores. Noticing the shift in the battle's gravity, I increased my own speed further. I began cutting through the Hues in my path as if they were made of soft butter—with the exception of the Earth Hues, which felt more like striking a dense, oversized watermelon.
After a few dozen seconds of sustained sprinting and slashing, I was nearly in front of the Power Source. Behind me, the sounds of combat were clear; Woya’s shield and Wyn’s blades were busy dealing with the monsters I had bypassed. I wasn't overly worried about them; I knew that the vast majority of the swarm was still fixated on me, and the girls were only just engaging the smaller secondary group.
I had no intention of letting the fight drag on and endanger them. Since the glowing core was now only a few dozen steps away, I pushed my body to its absolute limit, readying my sword for a final strike. Once I was certain that my blade's reach would intersect with the center of the glowing ball, I launched an attack with my full strength.
The strike was devastating. The blade shattered the Power Source instantly, the force of the blow continuing through to tear into the stone platform itself, carving halfway through the heavy pedestal. The fragments of the ball scattered across the floor before the mana that had constituted its form began to dissolve into thin air. In their place, a pile of coins and a singular, glittering gem appeared.
With the boss defeated, the summons that had not yet been destroyed began to vanish, their forms fading away as if they had never existed. I collected the coins and the drop from the platform and turned to head back toward the girls. As the room began to return to its original, dormant state, the extra corridors and platforms faded into the shadows.
I gathered the coins dropped by the monsters I had defeated along the way, noting that the girls were doing the same as they walked toward me. When we finally met in the middle of the chamber, they handed over their loot, and I merged it all into a single pile. Between the twenty-odd summons and the boss itself, we had collected approximately 63 silver Obscuras.
This single boss room had yielded more than half a gold coin. If we had chosen to wait and farm the summons for a longer period, we could have earned much more. However, the modest income provided by dungeon coins had long since lost its primary value for me; my other business ventures were far more lucrative.
***
Amethyst
Amethyst is one of the important materials that make up the Power Source. It can be used to create magical tools to reinforce elemental magic.
50g
***
The boss had dropped a high-quality amethyst. This was a stroke of luck; starting from the 15th floor, boss monsters become more inconsistent and don't always provide a material drop. According to the rumors I’d heard, the probability of a Power Source dropping an item increases in direct proportion to the intensity of its brilliance at the moment of destruction. That was the reason I had pushed to destroy it so quickly while its light was at its peak. Holding the cold gem in my hand made me much more inclined to believe that theory, regardless of whether it was scientifically sound.
From what I knew of the local markets, a piece of jewelry-grade amethyst like this would be worth anywhere from 30 to 45 gold coins. It was a significant sum. However, when I considered how Woya and Wyn had been injured during our ascent of this floor despite my help, it was clear that the income in this dungeon increased in direct proportion to the physical danger.
“So? How did it feel?” I asked, looking at them with curiosity. “How are you liking the new jobs?”
“Master, I can definitely feel that my raw strength and my movement speed have increased,” Wyn replied, a look of satisfaction on her face. “But the biggest difference is the energy. I feel much more... alive, somehow. Much more energetic.”
It made sense. Her agility and strength stat bonuses had shifted from "minor" to "small" tier. Her percentage bonus had likely increased from 18.4% to 26%, even though her numerical level had reset from 42 back to 1. As for the energetic feeling she described, it was likely the result of the improved vitality scaling of the Beast Champion job.
“And what about you, Woya?” I asked.
“Hmm… Master, I also felt the increase in my strength and speed,” she explained, though she sounded a bit more clumsy in her description. “I don't feel the same surge of energy that Wyn mentioned, but I find that I can wield my sword and move my limbs with much more precision than before. Also, my mind feels clearer. It’s easier to focus on the fight.”
Woya had received the Swordmaster job. Her strength, agility, and dexterity bonuses had improved, but unlike Wyn, she had received a bonus to her Intelligence stat rather than her Vitality. Since her focus was now shifting toward dealing more accurate and powerful damage, I began to think it might be time to transition her from her current setup to a heavy, two-handed sword to fully utilize that precision.
“Listen closely, girls,” I said, gathering their attention. “Remember the sensations you experienced when you first received your previous jobs. Since these new roles are a direct continuation of those paths, it is only natural that those specific aspects would develop further. The Beast Champion job provides a bonus to your vitality, which is why Wyn feels so energetic. The Swordmaster job, however, focuses on developing the mind and your coordination, which is why your movements feel more precise, Woya.”
I paused to let them process that before moving on to the more practical side of the change.
“But the benefits aren't limited to just these. You’ve likely noticed that you grow stronger as you hunt more monsters, but you’ve also gained access to new active skills. Wyn, you should now have a skill called Beastification, which allows you to trade a temporary loss of intelligence for a massive boost in physical power. Woya, you’ve gained Breathing Correction, which will allow you to manage your stamina better and tire more slowly during a long engagement. I assume you felt these skills manifest during the job change. Make sure you practice with them.”
I finished my explanation with a genuine smile, glad to see their progress.
“Whoa, master! You really know everything!” Woya exclaimed, her eyes wide.
“Indeed. There is truly nothing that our master doesn't know,” Wyn added, her eyes shining with admiration.
“Come now, girls. Even I have plenty of things I don't know,” I laughed, waving off the praise. “In any case, let’s get moving. It’s getting late, and we still have to get home.”
“Yes, master!”
We had cleared the room and finished our business on this floor. While I already had independent access to the 21st floor, we made the climb together so the girls could register their entry as well. As soon as we set foot on the next level, I activated Warp. A shimmering portal opened before us, and a moment later, we stepped out into the familiar, quiet interior of the small hut located beside our home in the city.
We had already eaten a little in the dungeon, but we were still far from full. Wyn and Woya quickly brought out a selection of fresh fruits and served them to me. I insisted that we eat together, and we spent the next hour chatting about the day's events while we enjoyed the fruit. The quiet domesticity was a welcome change from the mechanical atmosphere of the elemental floors. It also gave us a chance to rest and recover our strength, ensuring we would be ready for the tiring night that awaited us. Looking at the girls, I was certain they were looking forward to it just as much as I was.
That night, we fell asleep in each other's arms, the success of the 20th floor behind us and the growth of the guild ahead.
***
Beast Champion:
- An honourable job for beastkins.
- Strength increase (small)
- Vitality increase (small)
- Agility increase (small)
- Sense increase (medium)
Skill: Beast Instinct
- Agility and sense stats increase by (1 + 0.01 * level) % for 10 seconds.
- Skill cost = 20 mana
Skill: Beastification
- All stats except intelligence and wisdom increase by (20 + 0.2 * level) %, and intelligence and wisdom stats drop by half.
- When health drops below 30 percent, this skill is disabled.
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Heroes:
NaTaS