Chapter 9: Collections and other things.

I was checking the map and the map percentage for floor 2 was 100% with this every map of the Labyrinth dungeon is now mapped.

>[Cruel Heart's Labyrinth Map (Floor 2) added to the map database]

>[Cruel Hearts Labyrinth Exploration Map Full Set Acquired]

>[Explorer Title Acquired]

With this the whole dungeon's map has been explored. Ford and I acquired the [Explorer] title for our efforts. Now to find that [Aurum] guy.

We were still in our journey back to the surface looking at the map few players have entered the area...

"Took them long enough..."

Ford muttered with a mocking tone and smirked in the end. If someone (new comer in the dungeon) were to see you right now you'd be long dead.

"I wonder? Will we be the only one getting that artifact? I mean there is only one [Kobold King] right?"

"It'll respawn, Aira... They will also accomplish our deeds. Though in our case we didn't get to fight the [Kobold King]."

With my gaze still fixated at the map. I noticed something peculiar. A group of players are not moving from one place... There are several glowing red dots in their position. Were they ambushed? I inform the guys since we are moving to that direction.

"Eh? How troublesome that's the way to the stairs right? I thought it'll be smooth sailing till we get to the surface."

Aira complains while pouting her mouth. She's quite cute if I have a little sister I would prolly want someone like her.

"So Ford, what's the plan?"

"Why've you asking me?"

"You're the leader! You have to be responsible at times like this..."

"But it's a pain!"

"Oh, shut up!"

He imitates Aira and pouts his mouth matching cross arms...

"You know you're only making it worse! I'm gonna hit you!"

"E, eh? Don't be like that! You were so happy when Aira did it!"

"It was because it's cute and yours was comparable to a cockroach flying in the air!"

 *SHOCK*

"He really said it!"

The drago race player muttered in a low tone as Ford kneeled down in the orz position. While the girls in our team started whispering to each other... I didn't mention it earlier but their earlier team when there were still eight people in their party. Was a balanced 4 boys and 4 girls having lost the two boys in the first and third floor the equilibrium shattered. Now there are three boys including me and four girls. Their names respectively are Aira, Leona, Tara, Shiva.

Aira is part of the Human Race, Leona was an Elf, Tara is an Inka and Shiva is a Crazlun. On the boy's side Me the Ylka, Ford the Human, and Grazel the Drago.

Our parties match up is pretty balanced. I equal in both support and attack. While Ford, Grazel and Aira focus on attacking and Leona, Tara and Shiva in supporting, mostly in range and magic.

Changes in body structure of monsters appeared after we got the artifact. They seem sturdier and much stronger than they were now... The [Shard Beetle] shell change colored from Blue to Green the tiny opening that I've seen before was no longer there. The monsters became stronger that much I could tell while fighting them. I was just glad we didn't meet any [Icy Hounds] down the 2nd floor.

"Aira, you flank the right I'll go left."

"Roger..."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Right now we are fighting three [Shard Beetle] it came flying at us expecting to ram against us. With Grezal's strength they were mowed to the ground with his hammer. Before they recover me and Aira swoops in for the kill while Grezal and Ford do the same to other enemies.

"Tei!"

"Take that!"

Doing a pincer attack to eliminate the still recovering [Shard Beetle]. Aira kicks the beetle's body while I slash the soft muscle part of the beetle while it was thrown away by the kick in mid air. Performing combo attacks were much more effective against the beetles since I'm far too weak to make the beetle fly with my bare legs.

Aira is a taijutsu instructor back IRL. So her moves was that of a master though she complains sometimes because her body won't do as she wish. It seems her stats can't cope up with her vast knowledge in the art of taijutsu. She acquired [Kicking] and [Punching] skills. She also has [3D Maneuver] and [Nature Magic: Wind] skills added.

She uses wind magic to boost her speed or the strength of her kicks that why she could blow the beetles mid-air. I on the other hand only has [Sword Mastery: Short Sword] and [Short Sword Arts] though the fluidity of my movements with the sword was a bit more refined than it was earlier I still felt something lacking.

It seems the Ylka race is a sad race... Well I already knew that it was a race with no benefits but I still went on and picked it anyway. Ford's friend was also an Ylka. They were the party I saw in the first floor with 8 members before. He was the one who died back then he reported that he could no longer login after dying to Ford. So the account will be deleted once you die, huh...

Taking beetle shells became a normal thing to me... After always recovering this sturdy shells after battle it grew on me and now I automatically move near the fallen beetle and take their shells.

"I wonder how much this is going to fetch me once we go to the surface?"

"Well it's not sure if we'll be picked yet so chill bro!"

Ford said so while helping me take the shell out of the beetle.

"You and Aira are great at doing combo moves, huh!"

"She's strong but she complains a lot though."

"Hey, you talkin about me?"

The beetles that was killed is being stepped on by the girl in light clothes. She's cute though I can't say she's beautiful but she's cute. With one of her hands occupied with a beetle body, she dragged it and threw it in our direction.

"You've been collecting shells so I moved the body from there."

She pointed at the place where Leona and Grazel were. Tara and Shiva seemed to talk in another place. While the three of us are collecting shells and piling the bodies in one place. Will they become zombies if we don't burn them?

"Seriously... Those two are so happy together it makes my body itch.. I somehow want to destroy that relationship."

Ford said while clicking his tongue. While Aira looked at them with an unconcerned expression. I glanced at them for a moment then moved back to collecting shells.

"It's better to let them be... Some relationships don't last let them break up without you interfering..."

"Woah! Even though you're a girl your quite cruel, Ryo-chan!"

"I'm a boy... and stop calling me like that you weaboo."

"Says the one who names herself in a Japanese like manner."

"Kh... I'm a boy!"

After we finished our collection we gathered everyone and moved together once again.