"They're out there fighting, and here I am, damn it, Rumi," she muttered to herself. She acknowledged her own inadequacy as a player, evident in her [Crude Mana Control] skill, which was at the lowest tier of mana control.
Improving mana control required manipulating mana without relying on any skills, and that was quite challenging. For someone like her, who lacked gaming skills, it wasn't an easy task. Players like Yohan, who excelled at handling mana in the Eternal World, could effortlessly transfer their skills to this game, hence Yohan's [Perfect Mana Control].
She steeled her resolve and retrieved a staff from her inventory. Examining its stats, she recalled that it had been purchased for her by the two of them. They believed that although they could manage with subpar equipment, investing in a decent staff would compensate for her lack of skill. The staff was valued at 200 Salapi and had been obtained from a specialized shop in town that catered to expensive items and equipment. Despite its price, it possessed considerable power and even boasted a magical effect. This was also why Yohan never hesitated to seize the opportunity to earn money from the old lady; they were running low on currency after acquiring their essentials, and this quest would undoubtedly aid them in that regard.
[Item Name: Azure Flame Staff
Rarity: Uncommon
Tier: 1
Level: 1
Requirements: 10 Magic
Stats Bonus: 17 Magic
Effects: 10% Extra Mana Capacity, 20% Increased Potency Increase for Flame and Water Magic
Description: A magic staff made by skilled artisans of Floor 1. It is meant for dual elemental mages who can skillfully combine the clashing elements of Water and Fire.]
Her grip tightened around the weapon as she muttered to herself, "Dammit, let's just do it already."
She wasn't confident due to her own skills, but rather because of the weapon she held. Overcoming her fear, she ventured out into the barely visible cavern. Taking one last glance at her weapon, she shifted her gaze to the equipment set she wore. Embarrassment washed over her as she realized she had spent her own 300 Salapi and some of the duo's hard-earned money, on this weapon and equipment set just to become a decent mage.
[Item Name: Novice Mage Set
Rarity: Common
Tier: 1
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Level: 1
Requirements: None
Stats Bonus: 10 Vitality, 5 Magic
Effects: None
Description: A standard mage equipment set for floor 1]
As she stepped out, a gruesome battlefield presented itself, blood staining the surroundings. She stood in awe of the duo's movements. Each action they made had the power to instantly kill the wolves, no matter how many kept coming. Yohan strategically placed pillars of flame throughout the cavern, illuminating the entire area.
"I can do this," she thought, her fear of the dark vanishing. As the wolves noticed her, she began casting her spells.
"[Water Blade]!" A crescent-shaped water attack shot out, hitting one of the wolves that was preparing to unleash a sonic sphere attack. Due to her imperfect mana control, the trajectory of the attack wasn't precise. Nevertheless, it managed to sever one of the wolf's front limbs, causing it to lose balance and halt its attack.
Without delay, she cast another spell to deliver the final blow. With each kill, her experience points grew, motivating her to press on and eliminate more wolves. It wasn't until she had taken down seven of them that they finally realized she was a stationary target compared to the agile duo. The remaining wolves redirected their focus towards her, while the rest attempted to hold off Yohan and the other person to prevent them from aiding her.
Yohan chuckled. "Can you believe these damn dogs can actually strategize?"
"I know, right?" Yuuki replied, sporting a smile.
The duo swiftly moved to her aid. Though the wolves attempted to trap them, their low-level opponents were no match for their skill. The sharp claws and powerful bites had no effect as the two easily maneuvered through the wolf pack, laughing together as they defied the planned entrapment. With the wolves closing in on Rumi and her [Water Blade] alone unable to protect her, Yohan prepared to conjure a stone wall. However, to their surprise, she unleashed a powerful spell they were unaware she was capable of.
"[Tidal Surge]!!" A massive wave of water surged forth, instantly submerging everything within the cavern.
"Shit!" Yuuki exclaimed, picking up the pace.
[Tenth Form: Shadow Step]
He accelerated, his footsteps becoming almost imperceptible. Swiftly, he reached Rumi, grabbed her, and carried her towards the nearest tunnel above where Yohan was already waiting. As they entered the tunnel, Yohan sealed it shut with an earthen wall. Thankfully, only a small amount of water managed to seep in; otherwise, they would have drowned alongside the wolves.
They sat there in silence for a few seconds, exhaustion etched on their faces. Suddenly, Rumi's excitement broke the silence, startling the other two.
"Wooohhh!!! I told you guys! I specialize in Water Magic!" She raised her hands in the air, still brimming with excitement.
But Yohan and Yuuki weren't amused. Yohan retorted, "That was incredibly reckless, you know?"
"Huh?" Rumi feigned ignorance, replying, "I was just trying to help..." Her eyes welled up with fake tears.
"Don't make me stupid, you created those tears with mana..."
"Whatever!" Rumi exclaimed. "If it wasn't for me, you two would've died." She then chuckled arrogantly.
Yuuki sighed at the sight of people arguing, reminded of his earlier argument with Rumi. He stood up and spoke, "Let's go, guys. There are only 12 minutes left on the clock. We need to pick up the pace."
The expressions on the other two's faces instantly turned serious as they got up.
Rumi clenched her fists together and declared, "Heh! Let's be the first to clear the hard difficulty of this Dungeon!"
However, Yohan dashed her hopes of acting like a badass. "Nah, have you forgotten about the quest? We need to retrieve those hearts."
"Oh, shit! That's right... hehehe," Rumi chuckled sheepishly, scratching her head.