Testing My Luck in the New World

We left the first floor through the boss room and found a nearly identical set to those of the first floor's entrance leading downward the next level. It, like the rest of the dungeon looked almost uniform in every way. The only differences I could make out in the continuing inexplicable glow that lit this place, were all so minor that I was surprised to have noticed them myself. Whatever magical force rests this place every night really doesn't put much thought into the design, except maybe for where traps are placed.

I had no idea how the General up on ground level was able to differentiate them, but assumed it had something to do with just wanting to open a portal to the specified location, rather than actually thinking of the image. While my own knowledge of the Dimensional step spell suggested that you needed to keep an image of the location in mind, maybe it really was as simple as just wanting it in this case, as each floor entrance looking the same allowed for easier memorization.

At least, I thought so. Somehow, probably in no small part due to my Memorization ability, I was able to remember the exact location of each and every crack in the stonework, the placement of every crevice where two stone blocks met and where on the walls each little patch of mold clung. But here I noticed that all of these seemingly innocuous features were in entirely different places compared to the first floor as we walked. As usual, navigating this place would definitely have been impossible for me otherwise.

"This way, Master."

Yua had taken the lead again and had to force herself to walk a bit slower to keep pace with me after accidentally caused her to walk too far ahead a couple times without noticing. This was likely because I used the points she gained this time to level her Speed stat and round it off with her other main stats as we moved between the floors. While I was busy hoping she'd get used to how it felt by our next battle, she had already set about mastering this new speed the only way she could, by focusing on keeping pace with me. Seems she knew the benefits of controlling her body, rather than just making use of the force she could put out with it. Still, she'd have plenty of opportunities to use her speed to its fullest later, the thought of which I could already tell had left her excited.

How could I tell? Her tail, of course. Although, with her strength what it was now, and with how fast it flicked through the air, I was a little worried what might happen if I were to let it hit me.

"Master, there's a monster right around that corner."

"Alright, can you tell what it is?"

Yua's ears twitched as she focused on the sounds of our next enemy shuffling about.

"It sounds like a Trent."

"Trent, huh?"

If I remembered correctly, a Trent was a type of living tree monster. If the Proud Great Wolf's fur was anything to go by, my Fire Ball spell should be able to burn it easily.

I guess I might actually end up burning down a forest after all.

"Is there anything else you can tell me about it?"

"Yes, Master. Trents move really slow, but they make up for it with longer ranged attacks. They can also sling their branch-like arms around like a whip, so it's best to get in close of you can't dodge its attacks."

"Then I'll use my Fire Ball on it. Back me up."

"Yes, Master!"

I definitely can't let our progress today make us get ahead of ourselves. While the first floor took less than an hour to complete this time around, we needed to get as far as we could as fast as we could. And in order to do that, we both needed to make it through this in one piece.