Dungeon And Slave: The Lustful and Violent Slave Harem of the Guard and Students Chosen as Testers for the Succubus Dungeon - Chapter 63: Rare Spellbook and Trap

Chapter 63: Rare Spellbook and Trap

Accompanied by Rock, I opened the Copper Treasure Chest, revealing a single book inside.

“Oh, a spellbook!”

Indeed, the chest contained a spellbook.

I’m not dissatisfied with my current magic, but free additional magic is always welcome.

A defensive spell would be nice. It could buy time when pinched from behind. I hesitated to buy one since it’s useless if it only covers one person’s width, but if it’s free, that’s a different story.

“Hm? It’s fire-based, but the design differs from Fireball.”

In high spirits, I pick up the spellbook and examine it. The pattern on the cover depicts a fireball.

But it’s much smaller than the fireball on the Fireball spellbook. Multiple lines around it give the impression of a fast-moving fireball.

“Well, I’ll find out once I learn it.”

I open the spellbook to learn it, and as usual, it burns up and vanishes.

“Let’s see… Oh, this is useful.”

Recalling the newly acquired knowledge, my lips curl upward realizing how valuable this magic is to me.

“Shall we test it?”

As usual, I point my index finger at the treasure chest and cast the spell.

“Fire Bullet!”

A small, bullet-like fireball shoots from my fingertip and hits the chest.

“Whoa! Faster than I expected!”

It doesn’t explode like Fireball upon impact.

But its activation speed and flight velocity are far superior.

“Mana consumption… Hm? It’s quite low.”

“Wind Cutter!”

“Fire Bullet!”

To measure mana usage, I cast Wind Cutter, then Fire Bullet again.

“This… about half of Wind Cutter’s mana. Pretty efficient.”

Is it because it’s single-target?

However, with lower mana cost, its power—or rather, penetration—seems limited. Unlike a physical bullet from a gun, it’s not a solid projectile.

It could pierce Kobold or Goblin skin, but against stronger monsters later, I’m not sure.

Still, Goblins will likely be my main foes for a while, and this spell suits me perfectly.

The fact that it’s the size of a pistol bullet and shoots from my fingertip is ideal. I’m confident I’d master it better than any other tester.

Fireball is powerful but slow, often dodged by distant enemies. You need to aim at tightly packed Goblins at a range they can’t evade.

Fire Bullet, however, activates and flies faster than Wind Cutter.

“Next, let’s see what happens with more mana.”

I try casting it with double the mana.

“Fire Bullet!”

“Hm, feels like the bullet speed increased.”

That likely means more power, too.

I attempt tripling the mana, but it won’t channel.

Checking the spellbook’s knowledge, it seems my rank is too low. I don’t want my finger blowing off, so I stop.

Double mana should handle monsters beyond Goblins. Once my rank increases, I can triple the mana. It’ll activate slower, but I can use it like a sniper rifle then.

Magic that grows stronger with the user is great. It motivates me to get stronger.

I cast Fire Bullet a few more times to check its effective range.

It turns out its effective range exceeds Wind Cutter’s.

Wind Cutter’s invisible blade is hard to dodge, but its power diminishes with distance, starting around 10 meters.

Fire Bullet, however, maintains its power even at distances where Wind Cutter weakens. It can reach 20 meters—double Wind Cutter’s effective range.

Half the mana for this power and range is appealing.

With double mana, the effective range doubles to 40 meters. Hitting a target that far is another matter, but it’s significant.

Though not invisible, no Goblin could dodge a fire bullet this fast.

“But the shop didn’t sell this spellbook…”

Since it came from a Copper Treasure Chest, I’d assume it’s valued similarly to Fireball.

A chest-exclusive rare spellbook, perhaps?

It makes sense. If everyone used the same magic, it’d be odd for those advancing versus those who don’t.

Advancing means facing stronger monsters, so learning corresponding magic is logical. The shop not selling it likely differentiates those who progress from those who stay behind.

If everyone could easily learn this, it’d be like arming everyone with guns. Good thing it’s not for sale.

“Now that I understand the magic, let’s check out the 8th Floor. Rock, let’s go.”

I call to Rock and open the black gate, revealing another labyrinth as expected.

Sick of tedious mapping, I step through with Rock.

Thanks to the Return Medal, I don’t need to confirm the Transfer Room’s location.

After passing through and verifying the Transfer Room, I proceed with Rock in the lead.

About three minutes in, Goblin cries echo from ahead.

“Rock.”

At my call, Rock firmly raises his shield, preparing to charge.

Three Goblins appear.

Like on the 7th Floor, they wield Rusty Swords and Rusty Knives, but one has a different weapon.

“An archer, huh? About time.”

Among the three, one Goblin holds a bow—let’s call it a Goblin Archer.

Two Goblins charge at Rock, swinging their sword and knife. The Goblin Archer stops behind them, nocking an arrow.

“Fire Bullet!”

No way I’m letting it shoot.

Pointing my machete-gripping index finger at the Goblin Archer, I fire a Fire Bullet.

A stationary enemy is just a target. Unable to dodge the high-speed fire bullet, the Goblin Archer takes a hole to the chest and collapses.

This is really useful. Maybe I’ll aim for a headshot next.

While thinking this, Rock’s charge lands, sending a Goblin flying.

Rock and I stay alert for additional Goblins while finishing off the downed ones as usual.

“Rock, from now on, besides knives thrown desperately by Goblins, arrows will fly too. Watch your face and neck.”

“Wan!”

“Good boy. We’ve got time, so let’s push a bit further.”

With that, I advance deeper with Rock in the lead.

After a short walk, I notice a patch of the floor in the passage’s center with a different color.

“Rock, stop!”

I halt Rock and approach the discolored floor.

Examining the wall, I spot a small hole at Rock’s head height.

“A trap.”

Stepping on the discolored patch likely triggers arrows or poison gas from the wall’s hole.

I instruct Rock to crawl forward. At that height, arrows from the hole should miss.

Rock barks and crawls toward the trap area as ordered. I prepare a Status Ailment Recovery Potion, ready to give it to Rock if needed.

Click!

Whoosh!

As Rock steps on the trap, a click sounds, and an arrow shoots from the side hole.

It passes over Rock’s head, hits the opposite wall, and falls.

“An arrow, huh.”

Relieved, I stow the potion and tell Rock to stand.

I pick up the fallen arrow.

“No poison on it.”

The arrow’s trajectory was at Rock’s head height when standing—around my collarbone or lower. For Goblins, it’s just above their reach.

If spotted beforehand, like now, it’s no issue, but stepping on it during combat would be trouble. Other trap types might exist, too.

I should limit Rock’s charges. A pitfall would be the worst.

This floor is tough for solo runs. With Goblin Archers around, I’ll rely heavily on magic.

Looks like I’ll be chugging Grade 5 Mana Recovery Potions again, I think, as I end the scouting and return to the Transfer Room.