Chapter 27: If It Isn't Closed, Does That Mean It's Open?

To test the changes after increasing his skill level, using the Triple Slash—a move that consumes significant stamina and places a heavy burden on the body—would be the most intuitive method. Liang Yue certainly did just that.

The ant swarm, lured in by the danger signal, converged before him. It was unclear if it was because too many dungeon monsters had been slaughtered, but he couldn't help but feel that the scale of the killer ants before him was slightly larger than usual.

"That's fine, too."

"Clearing out this wave of monsters will also help me reach my leveling goal!"

If this were a standard dungeon adventure, facing such a large number of monsters would inevitably trigger an adrenaline surge. However, having experienced countless battles, Liang Yue’s eyes were somewhat numb. The force driving him to continue fighting was the effect of the skills he improved by spending SP points.

In the dim environment of the tunnel, the high-intensity, non-stop combat felt like a tedious labor shift, making it difficult to maintain his initial enthusiasm. He had no intention of lingering.

As he walked toward the swarm of killer ants, he prepared the starting stance for the "Triple Slash," the power gathered in his legs erupting in an instant. The resulting speed was so great that even an ordinary adventurer would be unable to react, let alone monsters that fought purely on instinct. With short swords gripped in a reverse-hand style, every dash and slash he executed now formed intersecting, moonlight-like sword energy.

This greatly increased his attack range, not only shredding the monsters in the direction of his dash but also expanding the reach of his sword aura. Even the killer ants nearby that were instinctively rushing to pounce on him were slaughtered without exception.

Three consecutive dashes and slashes allowed Liang Yue to break through the encirclement of monsters. He stopped firmly and immediately turned toward his next target. Just as he prepared to continue the cleanup, the sight before him left him momentarily stunned: after that last round of impact, the number of killer ants had plummeted.

Compared to before his skill was upgraded and he was equipped with two short swords—when the skill functioned similarly to a soldier charging into battle, focusing on ultimate offense to clear a path—this upgraded version, bolstered by the number of weapons and the higher skill level, brought a qualitative leap to the final effect of "Triple Slash."

The increased range of the strikes meant that these parasites could no longer break through to him from the sides. The slashes, moving even faster than his dash, tore them to pieces before they could get close. Compared to a lone charge, the current effect felt more like coordinated infantry combat.

"The dual-wielded sword aura strikes are very effective against large-scale monster swarms..."

"After leveling up, I can feel the stamina consumption decreasing, and the physical burden of using the skill has lessened." Analyzing the battle, the final result significantly eased Liang Yue’s exhausted mind.

The killer ants that hadn't been caught in the crossfire possessed no concept of fear and launched another offensive toward him.

"Challenge the limits of the body." This thought suddenly sprouted in Liang Yue's heart. If skill cooldowns were converted into stamina consumption and the burden the body had to bear, could he continue to use the skill if he pushed his limits?

"Theoretically feasible."

"The physical burden is still within a controllable range. It seems worth a try!"

Liang Yue quickly made his decision. He adopted the starting stance for "Triple Slash" again and charged at the incoming killer ants. By using the skill repeatedly in a short period, he could physically feel his stamina draining, yet as he dashed and attacked again, the skill's effect showed no signs of weakening. The unstoppable sword aura cut through the "thorns," carving out a path forward.

[Exp +68]

"..."

Looking around, there were no monsters left. Only magic stones remained on the ground, symbolizing the total annihilation of the ant swarm. Leaning against the wall, enveloped in muscle soreness, Liang Yue panted heavily, yet the smile on his face remained undiminished; he had successfully verified his hypothesis.

There was no cooldown time limitation. As long as his physical strength was high enough, he could perform the same skill continuously. Recalling the increases in his attribute values from his dungeon training over the past few days, and the newly discovered ways to use his skills, he only wanted to say:

"If it's not turned off, does that mean it's turned on?"

Even though his body was overwhelmed by discomfort, that was his own problem, having nothing to do with the skill itself. After all, this was a Chinese-style Iaido unique to Liang Yue.

"Full-Force Semi-Trailer."

Like a heavy-duty truck accelerating with full throttle into a pile of monsters, he sent every enemy that dared to stand in his path to the afterlife.

***

As time passed, the muscle soreness eased. Only when he had recovered enough to safely return to Orario did Liang Yue decide to set off. Thanks to the killer ant swarm, the dropped magic stones had already filled his money bag. Including his gains from yesterday’s dungeon exploration, he converted everything into Valis, resulting in a conservative estimate of 40,000 Valis in adventure earnings.

Leaving Babel, Liang Yue looked at the twilight sky. The sunset clouds spread to the edge of his vision, and an occasional breeze swept away the scorching heat radiating from the sun-baked ground. In the past, he might have found such a sight interesting, but now, he had no desire to appreciate it.

He headed decisively toward the Guild. After exchanging all his magic stones and dropped materials for Valis, he fulfilled the promise he had made to Syr that morning: heading to the "Hostess of Fertility" for dinner.

As for the specific intent... Liang Yue couldn't be bothered to think about it. After filling his stomach, he would go home and lie down; only sufficient rest could quickly wash away his physical exhaustion.

When he arrived at the Guild counter, there were many adventurers finishing their day of exploration. There was even a queue for the window to trade in magic stones and materials, but he didn't mind the brief wait.

On the other side of the Guild hall, Eina, who was patiently handling adventurer affairs, noticed Liang Yue standing at the end of the line. She reached up and gently pushed up her glasses. She hadn't seen Liang Yue at the Guild yesterday, and she had felt inexplicably nervous.

Now, seeing that familiar face, she noticed the deep fatigue between Liang Yue's brows, and her expression grew solemn. This boy must be exhausted, right? She had a natural fondness for this youth who supported his own Familia alone, possessed talent, and put in efforts far beyond ordinary people. Moreover, their private interactions had been quite harmonious.

This made Eina pay more attention to Liang Yue. If there were a cup of hot tea now, wouldn't he feel a bit better?

"Um..."

"Miss Eina."

The adventurer waiting nearby followed Eina's gaze and realized she was focusing on another adventurer. Feeling inexplicably impatient, he boldly invited her: "Thank you for your care during this time. I would like to invite you to dinner. Do you have any time?"

"I'm sorry."

"There are regulations during working hours; we do not discuss unrelated topics." Recovering her composure, Eina wore a professional smile and directly rejected the adventurer's invitation.

With the consultation over, she turned toward the counter behind her, skillfully prepared a cup of strong tea with hot water, and walked in the direction of Liang Yue. As she passed the adventurer who had just tried to solicit her, Eina didn't even spare him a glance. She had met many adventurers who used "consulting" as a pretext to harbor ulterior motives; if not for her duties, she really wouldn't want to engage in small talk!

The rejected adventurer remained in place, watching as Eina brought the freshly brewed tea to Liang Yue. His expression stiffened, and he instantly realized her intentions. He twitched his mouth and couldn't help but ask: "Miss Eina, is this... preparing tea for that kid consistent with the regulations?"

Eina paused and turned around, her smile noticeably gentler than before: "It is my break time now. So, I am free to make my own arrangements."