We all stood before the Boss Room door on the 18th floor.

[8] Thus far, the Boss Rooms weve dealt with had so many monsters that they literally piled on top of each other. [6] Therefore, I had half expected to see the Boss Room bursting with hazy Wraiths, rotting Ghouls and clacking Skeletons

However, the room looked strangely empty.

[8] I peeked in and narrowed my eyes, Are those Skeleton Knights?

Its my first time seeing them, but they certainly fit the descriptions, said Elland-san.

The skeletons clacking about in the middle of the room was clearly bigger and more powerful looking than any other Skeletons Ive seen thus far. [1] It was clad in scale mail with a fine looking helmet over its skull. It also had a sword and shield that emanated some kind of menacing black aura.

They looked kind of terrifying. [5]

I cannot bring myself to be happy about dealing with much fewer enemies, not when the enemies are so terrifying!

I counted 13 Skeleton Knights.

13!

[4] Arent there supposed to be only 5? I hissed. Nadia-san said there should only be 5 of them! [5]

Perhaps this is also due to the special monster cycle, said Elland-san thoughtfully.

Ugh, Skeletons arent even living things, why should they be influenced by the breeding cycle? I complained.

[6] Well, most of the things spawned within the dungeon arent bred in the normal way,

[6] Yes, yes, I know, Im just Im just- you know,

It is rather unnerving, Elland-san agreed.

Hoh? Its been a long time since Ive seen a Skeleton Knight, Fers head peeked over mine.

Looks like a tough guy, eh? Bet I could take him!

Sui will not lose~!

Alright, lets take them down! Fer bounded in, followed by Sui and Dora-chan. [5]

Doooommm!!

Six pillars of lightning smashed into six of the Skeleton Knights, incinerating them on the spot. [5]

Dora-chan wreathed himself in flames and plunged into the Skeleton Knights chests.

Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab!

The flaming Skeleton Knights swords and shields were nothing against the tiny and determined dragon. Large holes appeared in their chests and they fell with a clatter-clang of bones and weapons.

Pew! Pew! Pew!

The Skeleton Knights brought their shields up, but these simply melted under Suis Acid Bullets. More Acid Bullets flew, striking the Knights on their helmets and armours before they simply melted with their weapons into the ground.

From the moment my familiars stepped into the battlefield until the moment the final body disappeared, less than 5 minutes have passed.

How pitiful.

Well, I said a little woodenly. Looks like its all over.

As expected, Dora-chan Elland-sans eyes were particularly shiny as he stared at the little dragon.

I sidled away from the slightly crazed Elf and began collecting the Drops. [6] Aside from the usual things, there was a sword. I remembered the ominous black aura around the Knights sword and decided to appraise it first.

[Cursed Sword]

A sword that bears a curse. When slashed with this sword, the cut part will decay.

What a dangerous sounding name!

Also, whats with this description?

The cut part will decay? Isnt that too disgusting?

Can I even touch this thing?

Fer, c-could you please Appraise this thing?

Umu, dont you have the [Appraisal] skill?

Fers [Appraisal] is more detailed, so please? The name of the sword is too scary and I want to know if its alright to touch it.

Hmm this sword hmm, its safe to touch the handle.

What if I happened to touch the blade? I asked, morbid curiosity overcoming me.

[8] Nothing, unless you cut yourself. Then, the cut limb will eventually decay and fall off

[6] Hii!!! Lets sell this thing off as quickly as possible, I dont want it near me! [5]

Aruji~ theres a box here~

Oh? A box? Im super glad for the distraction. I went over to where Sui was and found her bouncing next to an old wooden chest. Its shaped like a treasure chest but with none of the decorative features. It looked so old and worn out that it blended into the walls.

Good job, Sui!

While Sui was bouncing happily from the praise, I used [Appraisal] on it:

[Cursed Treasure Chest]

A curse will befall upon the person who opens this chest.

Eh, a cursed treasure chest

Obviously only an idiot would knowingly open a cursed chest!

Hmm, if its master, you should be able to open it without issue. You have Gods Blessing and Absolute Defence on you, said Fer boredly. [5] [8] do I have to? I mean, theres no guarantee, right?

Just open it, Fer was glaring at me now.

[8] Fine, fine, Ill open it, in the end, I did open the chest.

And

Nothing happened.

I dont feel particularly cursed either. It was kind of underwhelming

Never mind, lets have a look inside.

[8] Nestled within the chest was a black knife, as glossy as the wings of a crow. [1] Since the knife itself was not cursed (I checked), I picked it up.

According to the [Appraisal], it was a

[Vampire Knife]

A knife made from the combination of magic iron and vampire bones. This bloodthirsty knife sucks up blood endlessly.

Woah,

W-What a dangerous knife, who wants a bloodthirsty knife like this?!

Oho, a knife that sucks up blood? Isnt it useful for blood draining?

Ah! Thats a very good suggestion! I looked at the knife with new eyes. Yes, though the description is kind of creepy, having a blood-sucking knife means I can drain the blood out of our prey on the spot before bringing them in to be dismantled.

Hmm, Elland-san and I have agreed to talk about splitting our loot later, but maybe I could talk him into letting me have this knife

Eh? Wheres Elland-san?

[6] Dora-chan~ Come back~~

Ergh, that creepy voice

Oi! Do something about this guy! [5]

Please let me hug you~ Just a little bit~?

[6] It would be funny if it werent so pathetic and creepy. Dora-chan was flapping his wings, keeping just outside of Elland-sans jumping range.

Um, surely you could let him hug you a bit? I tried.

No way! Its too creepy!

[8] Im really glad Elland-san could not hear this complete rejection. Still, Id better get this situation under control.

Ah, Elland-san, if you keep doing that, Dora-chan will hate you.

Elland-san stopped hopping. He looked devastated, I I dont want Dora-chan to hate me but I really want to hug him

Haah it might be a little difficult now. However, a relationship of trust can only be build up slowly.

Ughhh, a relationship of trust

Thats right, you should wait for Dora-chan to come to you willingly. If you keep chasing him, hell just hate you more

Gununununu [5]

Relationship has to be built slowly, I continued diligently. One day, Im sure Dora-chan will let you hug him.

Ou, I understand. Ill do my best! [5]

Well, at least that situation has been diffused.

Fuu Im saved. Oi! that guy is too creepy, dont ever let him near me!

Elland-san would totally cry if he heard this.

[Gumihou: and they proceed to the 19th floor]

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