How did I turn my victim into a phoenix-like hero?

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Cliff stretched his neck.

"Boss, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Someone has been watching us."

"A monster? Where is it? I didn't sense anything!"

The younger brother raised his shield and looked around.

"It's probably because it triggered the monster's aggro lock. Anyway, the monsters here don't give much experience, so killing them isn't worth it."

"Indeed... as expected of Cliff, as sharp as ever, so reliable."

Ignoring his younger brother's praise, Cliff released the magic that had been swirling around his body.

Just now, when that monster pounced, I used a skill to pierce through it, but unfortunately, it didn't fall for it...

"You are lucky."

Brid whispered, her body going limp as she steadied her breathing.

"I don't know what talents and skills the others have. If there's a [Priest] among them using a body enhancement buff, then I won't be able to escape. In addition, the terrain here is narrow, so the success rate of a sneak attack isn't very high."

Sirocco's reminder brought a thought to Brid's mind.

Even if they succeed, it will only render Cliff incapable of taking action; who can guarantee that his henchmen won't retaliate?

If we fail, what will Cliff and his ilk do to me, given their methods?

The persistently high disappearance and death rates in dungeons aren't solely due to monsters...

Instead, I would become a burden that threatens my companions.

Brid convinced herself of this.

—I told you not to take on this challenge, now you deserve it—

...I feel like if they fail, Sirocco might mock them like this.

Thinking of that fair face, Brid felt inexplicably irritated.

Those who used to follow behind are now gradually closing the gap.

What is that guy doing now...? I'm kind of craving some of Sirocco's cooking.

As night falls, the danger of dungeon monsters increases dramatically.

Bridt intended to leave quickly, taking a step forward and then stopping.

It's rare to see Cliff and his group.

It would be a waste to leave empty-handed.

At least we need to figure out Cliff's talents and skills, and assess his strength, so we can develop a strategy for next month's match.

"Just look at a little bit..."

Brid reminded herself to keep a safe distance and to run away immediately if anything seemed amiss.

She changed direction and followed the footprints, quietly tracking Cliff's group.

33. Katya's Determination

"Sirocco... If Brid isn't lying, you were only Lv2 when you enrolled, right?"

Sirocco returned the well-maintained straight sword to Cass, who still looked completely incredulous.

Cass, who transitioned from an amateur to a professional explorer, knows how tough it is.

There is a bottomless chasm between each level.

"That's because you were training incorrectly before. Once you master the method, you can also improve this quickly."

"Could it be that we're going to grind levels deep inside the dungeon tonight?"

Sirocco smiled.

Cass swallowed nervously.

I understand.

Sirocco is someone who walks on the edge of a knife, fighting to the death with monsters, which is how he achieved such a huge improvement.

You can't judge a book by its cover. This seemingly frail person fights monsters for her life every night.

Despite having such strength, he has remained humble and unassuming in the class.

Looking at it this way, my so-called becoming the strongest is nothing more than daily basic training. This level of effort won't bring me the "strongest" power...

"?"

Sirocco couldn't understand why Kas looked like he was about to worship.

Before level 10, it's considered the beginner period. Isn't it normal that leveling up is easier in the early stages?

Aside from the initial training with Brid and being chased by goblins during his first dungeon run, Sirocco was rarely in mortal danger.

Normally, when I go into dungeons, I just block the monsters' respawn points and grind for experience points to level up. But recently, my experience gain efficiency has started to decrease.

The combat mechanics in this world are still based on a level system, not dynamic difficulty.

Therefore, as long as you find a place where you can efficiently gain experience points, leveling up quickly is inevitable.

Ultimately, it's just a game.

"Cass, I'm asking you, you want to be the strongest, right?"

"of course."

"Is the goal still the same?"

"I..."

"Don't answer me so quickly. Slow down, think carefully, is this your goal?"

The first thing Sirocco did was to strengthen Cass's resolve.

The next leveling strategy follows the second playthrough route.

Cass in the first playthrough is not mentally strong enough yet.

The responsibility lies with oneself.

The damned minotaur incident that could have mentally traumatized him was avoided; he never experienced any hardship.

Now, I get easily excited and lose my composure just talking to Victoria.

At the very least, he shouldn't be led astray by his emotions during battles. He needs to learn to separate fighting from life.

Kas—or rather, Katya—bowed her head.

Reflect on and ponder Shilock's words.

Becoming the strongest is Cass's wish.

He imitated his brother saying the same things, trying to make his performance more convincing.

So, what made me an explorer?

Katya, what made you give up an ordinary life and embark on this blood-stained path?

For the game that his mother, Victoria, talked about?

To ensure her brother's survival?

These are all there, but not all of them.

Recalling the days with my teammates.

The bitter sweat from exercising.

Fighting monsters, and brushing with death countless times.

The horrific sight of the enemy falling.

Finally, imagine your mother, Victoria, kneeling and begging for forgiveness...

Ah, what an ugly heart.

The answer has always been hidden deep within my heart.

"I see........"

Katya suddenly felt a sense of clarity.

"I quite like it. To fight with all my might, to defeat a powerful enemy, and to see their humiliated and resentful attitude—I really, really want to see that. For that, I need the strongest power."

Katya fidgeted, her face flushed, and breathed out excited white mist. At this moment, there was not a trace of confusion in her eyes, which seemed to have grasped the way to save the world.

Eh?

A sadistic statement?

A posture of humiliation and resentment?

...Cas would never say such lines in the game.