SYSTEM MESSAGE:

You have cleared the Chaos Dungeon: [Shadow Poison Jar]!!!

For having cleared the Chaos Dungeon for the first time, all Poison-type and Shadow-type skills are granted 1 free skill level.

Bonus objective: [Solo Clear].

You have acquired the item: [Total Antidote Elixir].

Bonus objective: [First Clear of the Shadow Poison Jar].

You have acquired the title: [First Clearer of "Shadow Poison Jar"].

You have been granted the Unique Item Series: "Nightmare Demon".

Bonus objective: [???]

You have acquired the item: [Strange Terminal].

You have acquired the title: [Dungeon Clearer].

You have acquired the title: [Serpent Slayer].

You have acquired the skill: [Dexterity Lv.1].

Skill: [Dexterity Lv.1] has been integrated into skill: [Dexterity Lv.50 (Max)].

You have acquired the title: [Lizard Slayer].

You have acquired the skill: [Resistance Lv.1].

Skill: [Resistance Lv.1] has been integrated into skill: [Resistance Lv.7].

Phew. I survived.

With the hydra monster's broken body raining over the boss room, a System Message telling of my victory over the Dungeon appeared. So this place only had 3 floors then. I used all the Badaboomb fruits I had left in my Storage after I'd managed to tie the idiot reptile to itself, but I never expected it would be able to tank those without any problems.

But after I saw the hydra tanking the bombs even after I shot that dragon-shaped mass of darkness at him, which supposedly was supposed to lower its stats, I...sorta panicked..., and attacked with my Thaumaturgy's Scythe. At full power. I planned on using the effect that spends 10 of the gems I had stored...but I used the self-destruct function by accident. I'M SUCH AN IDIOT!!

Gah, whatever! Time to move on. There's a magic circle in the middle at the opposite side of the room compared to the entrance that appeared after the hydra bit the dust. Honestly, the firepower from the self-sacrificing scythe terrifies me even now. Maybe I could have defeated even the king cobra from the Water-Knot with it?

Anyway, Bloom has investigated the magic circle and confirmed that it will open a "gate" to the surface. It won't disappear suddenly either, so let's take five.

First, is all the stuff in the Message. I seem to have gotten some free skill levels. Nice. But I got nothing from the Shadow-type levels, so you could say I only got 50% of that reward. It didn't even affect [Evil Eye of Dark Sight], which is a Gloom-type skill, and Shadow's supposed to be a skill from the Gloom category...

Other than that, I got lots of new titles. The Hunting titles, [Serpent Slayer] and [Lizard Slayer] must be from beating the hydra. They don't do anything new compared to the other Hunting titles.

Speaking of the giant, defeated monsters, I didn't get any EXP from beating the hydra. I reached Lv.20 right before we found the boss room, but still, something that big would give you a handful of levels normally. Must be some sorta rule for bosses.

As for the [Dungeon Clearer] title, it seems to slightly, SLIGHTLY boost one's self-recovery skills while inside a hostile Dungeon area. Not sure if it's gonna play a role at all, but never look a gift horse in the mouth.

And the [First Clearer of "Shadow Poison Jar"] thing is just an award-like title. No effects there. Tch...

All that's left are the "item rewards". There are two treasure chests in front of me now, one big that looks more like a closet fitting for the demon king's castle in some old JRPG, while the other is small enough to fit in my palm.

I made sure to store as much of the hydra's corpse as I could (this stuff will prolly sell a lot at the Union) before turning my attention to the two chests. Remembering an old folktale about something similar, I opened the smaller chest, just to be safe.

Inside was a small vial with golden-looking liquid. Is this vodka or some other spirits? [Identification] told me that I was dead wrong. This is the "Total Antidote Elixir" that the Message talked about.

Name: Total Antidote Elixir [Consumable - Potion] Rarity: Ep (Epic) Quality: C Durability: 100/100 Effects: Total Venom Cleanse Removes all poison-type Ailment Stacks from the target. Acquired Venom Immunity (Temporary) Makes the user temporarily immune to the same poison-type ailments that "Total Venom Cleanse" removed.

...Wow. That's rad. It works even on hydra poison? Probably not. That one feels like an instant-kill thing. *Sigh*...

Speaking of which, the poison's description (accessed by further Identifying the item) mentioned something about a "Lemean Hydra". Is that the super-evolution of the guy I just fought?

Whatever the case, I got some nice last-minute medicine in case of an emergency. And now for this wardrobe-looking chest. What's inside...

SERIOUSLY?! I gotta go and show this to Mira right away! But, maybe tomorrow. The hydra's poison is in a league of its own... I'm starting to feel a little sick. What about the last thing...? Hmm? Is it not working...? Whatever. I need some fresh air...*gulp*-!

---

The next day, at the hospital:

"You are away for a few days and come back looking like that?!" - Mira

"Hey, people not knowing the context is gonna interpret that the wrong way." - Garami

"Good point. Let me do a retake. *Cough*, you are away for a day and come back looking that awesome!? Unfair! Let me in on that deal too! Which king did you assassinate to afford that outfit!?" - Mira

Again, don't forget the context...

Allow me to explain! I got a little sick after the events in the poison Dungeon, followed by the Union shanghaiing me to tell them everything about what happened, so it took me a day to get all better and come to visit the guys at the hospital. I'm glad that I didn't need to use that super-antidote...

As for why Mira's tension has crashed through the roof with rocket speed, it's because of the flashy new equipment I'm wearing. I'm showing it off in the common area of the hospital so everyone on my team (plus Noire) can get a look at it. Well, the other hospitalized adventurers are also looking at me with cheers..., maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all...

Name: Nightmare Demon's Armor [Armor (Set) - Light Armor] Rarity: Ex Quality: S+ Durability: --- Item Slot(s): Upper Body, Lower Body, Hands, Feet, Back, Accessory (1) Owner: Garami Stats: VIT: +50 RES: +75 SPD: +75 DEX: +50 Effects: Immortal Nightmare Item cannot be destroyed. Any potential damage to this item from outside forces will slightly recover the wearer's MP. Nightmare Allure Positive correction to the odds of inflicting status ailments on targets. Nightmare Growth: [empty] Name: Nightmare Demon's Blindfold [Armor (Head) - Light Armor] Rarity: Ex Quality: S+ Durability: --- Owner: Garami Stats: MAG: +20 RES: +25 Effects: Immortal Nightmare Item cannot be destroyed. Any potential damage to this item from outside forces will slightly recover the wearer's MP. Nightmare's Eye Grants spatial awareness effect + enhancement to spatial awareness-related skills. Enhances Evil Eye-type effects. Nightmare Growth: [empty] Name: Nightmare Demon's Scythe [Weapon - Scythe] Rarity: Ex Quality: S+ Durability: --- Owner: Garami Stats: STR: +50 MAG: +30 DEX: +20 Effects: Immortal Nightmare Item cannot be destroyed. Any potential damage to this item from outside forces will slightly recover the wearer's MP. Nightmare Blade Enhances damage with magic-type properties and status ailments. Consume MP to enhance the above effect even further. Nightmare Growth: [empty]

Regardless of any embarrassing bad ideas at the moment, the "wardrobe" treasure chest I found at the bottom of the Dungeon was indeed a wardrobe! For me!

Bloom called them "Unique Series" items, stuff rewarded by the World System when someone defeats a Dungeon solo on their first try. The items are tailored to their user, not only in appearance but also in the stat bonuses and effects they possess! Nobody else can use them, nor are there any other copies of them in the whole world! My very own special and unique items, solely for me!

The "armor" looks closer to a fantasy thief's outfit. It consists of shorts and a top that leaves my stomach bare, but there's a cape hanging from my shoulders that covers it most of the time, so I don't mind. The cape also comes with a hood so that I can hide my face from the sun, and it honestly looks damn cool!

There are also a pair of cool, fingerless gloves, thigh-high stockings, and leather boots that has a modern vibe. The boots look nasty to be kicked by. Can't wait for the opportunity. Other than that, there are some metallic gauntlets and knee guards made outta some dark metal. As for the rest of the outfit, black is used the most except for the cape, which is dark purple. And finally, there are gold trimmings and accessories here and there.

Then there's this "blindfold". It is mostly black with some golden markings, but despite wearing it, I can still see clearly, and it's even possible to use my Evil Eye skill! It is unfortunately not possible to use the Magic Eyes. I gotta evolve them ASAP...

Back to the blindfold. It somehow generates a "3D map" with me in the center. It feels like I traded my first-person view with a third-person one. The total range of this 3D map is not that great, but I can remove the blindfold whenever I need to see long distances. Maybe it gets better if I upgrade it. Or maybe I need to use some special skills alongside it?

Then, there's the scythe. It's made outta the same black metal as the metal armor of the outfit, and there's a decorative spider "holding" the blade onto the pole part. It's kinda cute. Oh, and the other end has a nasty spear tip. The weapon's blades are jet-black, much darker than the rest of the weapon, and it is decorated with dark purple lines here and there.

"I agree with Mira. Not the assassinating thing, but your outfit. It looks extremely...fitting for you." - Alf

"Did you just call me scary?" - Garami

"He's not wrong! You could take a part-time job as the grim reaper with that outfit." - Mira

Guh...I can't refute it...

"...*Staaaare*..." - Noire

"Hey, what's with the angel that's been glaring at me all the while?" I asked Mira with a voice as low as I could make.

"As if I know. Hey, what's with the staring contest?" - Mira

You're asking her directly!? W-well, that is the fastest option...

"...Is that a genuine Unique Series?" - Noire

"Say what?" - Garami

"I have seen someone with those items before...and honestly, you look like a budget version of that person. Heh." - Noire

WHAT?! Th-this stupid angel making fun of me! Why you-!

"Noire, just a warning, but our valiant Guild Master is highly volatile. I would want to be on her good side more than anything else." - Mira

"Tch...fine. Can I still count on you for gathering materials? This hospital visit has honestly been a big deterrence for me..." - Noire

"For clearing your debts, you mean." - Garami

"Do not mention that part!" - Noire

"Don't mention that word!" - Mira

Hmm? Have these two gotten closer while I wasn't around?

"Fine, I'll not mention the D-word. And while we're on the subject, I've prepared some plans for the next material-gathering trip. Are you ready to go out tomorrow?" - Garami

"I HAVE to be ready! The time limit before 'those people' come for my money is getting near!" - Noire

"Ugh, I hate 'those people'..., they are simply not human!" - Mira

"..." - Alf

Ah, they must be talking about "debt collectors"...wow! Their bodies suddenly got shivers down their spines and started looking around in fear! It's visible even for me, and I got this fancy blindfold on me!

"N-no worries. The trip will take a few days, forcing us to camp outside, but we'll be swimming in Sol once we return." - Garami

"Enough for a bathtub or a pool!?" - Mira

"We have to camp... But the time limit is getting close... Fine. I will prepare myself for tomorrow. Good day." - Noire

And with that, Noire went back to her hospital room. Mira was about to do the same, but I stopped her.

"Hmm? Is there something else?" - Mira

"Just one thing. That Noire-girl wasn't wrong when she said this item isn't as impressive as any other Unique Series...at the moment." - Garami

"What do you mean?" - Mira

I secretly showed Mira the information about the last of the Unique Series' item effects. The "Nightmare Growth"-portion.

Item Effect: "Nightmare Growth" Ability: Allows one to sacrifice items and skills to alchemize new abilities for the item. Sacrificed skills cannot be reclaimed. Must sacrifice at least 1 skill/item, or at most 3 of them. One must also sacrifice an equal amount of skill/item. Using multiple items/skills makes it easier to alchemize a desired effect, especially when the sacrifices are rare and powerful items/skills. The new effect takes shape in new forms that the item can take. The new forms replace some of the item's effects with a new one based on the alchemized result. A new effect slot is unlocked every time the racial level of the owner, [Garami], goes up by 10.

"Wha-... Is this for real?" - Mira

"Probably. This stuff is supposed to be tailored to me, right? And I have Alchemy and Weaver as two of my classes. That may have affected the result." - Garami

Some bad news is that I only get 1 "effect slot" every time my level goes up by 10. As in, one shared among all three items. I'm Lv.20 out of 50 now (which is quite a handy coincidence), so by the time I've evolved into a D-rank demon, I would have only unlocked 3 new slots!

"Yeah, and you have a stupid number of skills I bet only collect dust on your status page." - Mira

Why you... But she's got a point. I have a stupid number of skills. Not to mention, if I continue challenging Extra Trials, albeit on safe mode rather than the surprise trial I experienced with that cursed Dragon Medal, I bet I could amass even more rare skills. Then all that remains is some good materials...

"Hey, Terra Sol to Garami? Are you in there?" - Mira

"I am, so stop patting my head. What do you want?" - Garami

"Just wanted to ask, our goal from now on won't only be the last Magic Stone, we also need stuff and skills for your main gear?" - Mira

"Yeah, probably. Which means we'll most likely start hitting Extra Trials more often." - Garami

"Sweet~! I want a portion of the cash we earn there!" - Mira

"We gotta make sure of that too. Is that fine with you Alf? ...Alf?" - Garami

"...*Snore*." - Alf

When did he-!?

"Let's say he's agreeing with us." - Mira

"S-sure..." - Garami

I'm a little dubious, but for now, materials are more important. Tomorrow is gonna be a busy day! Luckily, "busy bees" are far from what we need to worry about. Well, not the "bee"-part, at least.

Still...Bloom has yet to find anything about that strange "terminal" item. It has no effect, and I can't even use it for alchemy. Bloom said it may be something akin to a "key item" that can be found in the games I used to play in my previous life... Mysterious. Well, it doesn't have any bad effects, so I'll keep it for now. What I gotta focus on now are materials, materials, and more materials!