Chapter 10

Thank you for reading!

The space beyond the door was so mysterious that it seemed to steal one's heart.

Rows of trees bearing ripe fruit, a clear stream flowing, and beautiful flowers that I had never seen before... There was even a pure white temple built of marble. This place was truly a "paradise."

"Is the true final boss here...?"

I muttered, but in fact, I had no intention of defeating the true final boss. According to that "strategy site," this area was originally one of the rewards for completing the game, designed for gamers who found the main story unsatisfying as a way to test their skills.

Therefore, the ghosts that appear in this area are overwhelmingly strong, and even in this first level, the minimum level is eighty.

In other words... the final boss class characters like Senpai are treated as mere grunts here.

"...We must be careful and avoid being detected."

"...(Nod)"

In response to my words, Gobu-Bi nodded nervously.

We followed the map from the "strategy site." Although it was a bit of a detour, this route was supposed to allow us to reach our destination without encountering any enemies. Or rather, it was something I had derived after simulating it multiple times in my head.

"Don't worry, Gobu-Bi. It will definitely work out."

As I said this to Gobu-Bi, I slowly moved forward. ...No, I was actually trying to convince myself.

"!?!"

At the crossroads, there was a ghost resembling a carved female statue at the end of the passage. However, its actual power was overwhelming, making Senpai's Guan Shengdi Jun seem cute in comparison... although Guan Shengdi Jun is cute to begin with.

Still.

"This is also according to the 'strategy site.'"

Of course, the presence of the ghost here was clearly stated in the "strategy site," along with the method to bypass it.

"Gobu-Bi... right now, the ghost is facing left, so it will immediately turn ninety degrees to the right. When it shows its back, we'll run as fast as we can to the other passage."

"(Nod!)"

We swallowed our saliva and watched the ghost intently from the shadows of the passage.

"Now! Go!"

At the moment the ghost showed its back, we sprinted towards the other passage with all our might.

After running at full speed, we immediately checked the ghost's condition...

"Phew... It seems to have worked."

I let out a deep breath in relief and high-fived Gobu-Bi. From here on, we shouldn't encounter any more ghosts.

We continued to move cautiously and then...

"We made it...!"

We had reached a dead end in the passage. But this is where what we were looking for was.

"Alright... let's do this."

I approached the wall at the dead end and carefully examined the floor as I moved forward.

--Click.

"...Here it is."

When the floor sank slightly, an old wooden box appeared in front of me. I took out a fist-sized stone I had prepared from the fuse box and placed it on the sunken floor.

"Come on... I hope what we're looking for is inside..."

Standing in front of the wooden box, I hesitantly lifted the lid.

"Oh...!"

"...!"

Inside was what we were looking for... the "Dash Pill."

The "Dash Pill" is a consumable item that, when consumed by a spirit, can slightly increase its speed stat. However, the Dash Pill itself is not particularly rare, and in the "Graham Tower" area, which is the second easiest after the beginner area, you can usually get one or two.

But for us, it has meaning to obtain it here.

"Gobu-Bi"

"...(Nod)"

When I called her name, Gobu-Bi nodded, picked up the Dash Pill from the wooden box, and swallowed it.

"How does it feel...?"

I asked Gobu-Bi hesitantly. She stuck out her tongue and made a face, indicating that the Dash Pill tasted pretty bad... but that's not what I meant!

"What I want to know is, do you feel any changes in your body?"

Gobu-Bi tried moving her body to check, but since there didn't seem to be much change, she tilted her head and shrugged.

"Well... it's only supposed to increase slightly..."

I felt a bit disappointed. But for us, this is all we have left.

So.

"Alright. Gobu-Bi, let's hurry and leave this area."

"(Nod)"

We retraced our steps, bypassed the ghost, and returned to the beginner area.

"Quite tired... huh..."

I placed my hands on my knees and slumped a bit. I was already exploring the beginner area, and the tension from the "Paradise" area's ghosts had left me exhausted.

But.

"Alright... let's go back to the 'Paradise' area one more time."

"! (Shake)"

Gobu-Bi stood in front of me, spread her arms, and shook her head.

"...What's wrong? Are you worried about my body?"

"...........................(Nod)"

It seems that was the case.

"Haha, thanks. But we can't slack off here. For Gobu-Bi and me to get stronger. So, come on."

"..........................."

I patted Gobu-Bi's head, and she reluctantly lowered her arms.

"Alright, let's go again."

"...(Nod)"

Gobu-Bi and I passed through the door and headed back to the dead end, where the wooden box was still there as it was the first time.

"Alright!"

Seeing this, I couldn't help but make a fist pump. Because this is the essential condition for us to get stronger.

I ran to the wooden box and opened the lid, and inside was another Dash Pill.

"Just as the 'strategy site' said..."

The content from that "strategy site." It stated that due to a game bug, if you leave the area while the floor mechanism is still activated, it remains inactive, and the Dash Pill in the "Paradise" area would respawn every time you enter and exit.

However, since the effect of the Dash Pill itself is not significant and can be found in any area except the beginner area, it was not highly valued.

But.

"...Even so, it's our only chance."

Even if we drink multiple Dash Pills, the only stat that can be enhanced is "Agility." But even with just one, we can surpass the protagonist.

"Alright, Gobu-Bi"

"(Nod!)"

Gobu-Bi swallowed her second Dash Pill of the day.

Today, we took the first step towards becoming stronger.

Thank you for reading!

If you found it even a little interesting and want to read more, please bookmark and rate it!