Chapter 67
How will the boss appear this time?
Could it be… that two Tree Giants will show up?
Unlike me, who was tense because I didn’t know what penalty we’d face for exceeding the party limit, the others didn’t seem particularly nervous.
“Master, this is the place! The spot where the Tree Giant showed up last time!”
As the clearing in the middle of the forest came into view, Darron excitedly began explaining the previous battle to Craig.
“Oh-ho, a Tree Giant, you say? I’m looking forward to this.”
Craig swung his shield-bearing left arm a few times to warm up, and Lena clenched her fists, brimming with fighting spirit.
It seemed no one was too anxious — after all, they’d already beaten this boss once before.
“Master, watch the ground carefully. When it starts rippling, roots will pop out and attack. Oh, but since you’re not usually standing on the ground, maybe that doesn’t matter…”
Lena even had the leisure to relay the strategy I’d once told her to Johanna.
“Um, everyone… shouldn’t we be more on guard? The monsters have gotten a lot stronger and more numerous. Who knows how the Tree Giant might’ve changed?”
I spoke carefully.
I didn’t want to spoil the lively atmosphere, but this was something we really had to watch out for.
“Even if they’re stronger and there are more of them, their attack patterns will probably be similar, right? We’ll be fine, Elaine. Don’t worry too much.”
Leo comforted me with a calm smile.
“I hope you’re right… but better safe than sorry.”
Maybe I was just worrying too much.
Still, life had a way of smacking you in the back of the head when you let your guard down.
And then we arrived at the clearing.
Sticky mud covered the ground, and a massive Tree Giant — far larger than before — stood waiting for us.
“W-whoa… it’s huge…”
It had already been big before, but now its thick, sprawling branches were so vast that it was hard to take in at a glance.
At least there weren’t two bosses this time, thank the gods — but it was definitely much stronger.
“The Tree Giant looks tougher than before.”
“Yeah, no kidding…”
Even the party members who had already beaten it once hesitated for a moment, overwhelmed by its sheer presence.
“It’s fine! Trust your masters! Let’s go!”
With that, Craig boldly stepped forward, sword and shield in hand.
As he charged, the Tree Giant noticed us and began its assault.
Maybe my fears were unfounded — its patterns didn’t seem much different.
Everyone fought while dodging root attacks, chopping at branches, and striking with fire-element spells.
Then—
“Graaaaah!”
The Tree Giant let out an enraged roar, furious at the tiny gnats that kept harassing it.
A chill ran down my spine for a moment—then it suddenly moved.
With shocking speed, the Tree Giant leapt to the far-left corner of the clearing, using its massive limbs.
It wasn’t teleportation, but it was fast enough to feel like it.
How is it moving that fast with that huge body? No, that’s not the point—!
That movement pattern wasn’t in the game.
So this was the penalty for exceeding the party limit…
My mind raced.
When a boss monster moves to a corner like that… it usually means a huge attack is coming from that direction.
But we were too far away to get behind it in time.
And sure enough — the Tree Giant looked like it was preparing something terrifying, its mouth opening unnaturally wide.
“It’s charging up a big attack from that side! What do we do—?”
I shouted in panic. Craig immediately raised his huge shield.
“Ugh—! Everyone, behind me! Johanna, you too!”
Without thinking, I darted behind his shield, and everyone else followed.
And then—
“Grrrrraaaaaahhhh!!”
With a monstrous roar, a torrent of poison spewed from the Tree Giant’s gaping mouth.
Wh-what the hell…?!
I mean—sure, sometimes you bring an extra party member or two, but this kind of punishment?!
Was the system insane?!
The poisonous breath kept pouring out endlessly.
All we could do was stay silent and pray behind Craig’s shield until it was finally over.
“Haah… is it… over?”
At last, the attack ceased.
Cautiously, we peeked around the shield.
The Tree Giant looked exhausted, panting heavily.
As for Craig…
He stood motionless.
“Master, you okay? You’re not dead, right?”
Darron nudged him nervously.
Gulp. I swallowed hard from the tension.
Then Craig finally spoke.
“…Yeah, I’m fine. My body just won’t move.”
“You’ve been poisoned — your movement speed’s been reduced! Here, antidote!”
I hurriedly handed over an antidote. Darron popped the cork and shoved it into Craig’s mouth.
Moments later—
“My disciples! This master is fine! But the enemy is tired! Haven’t I always told you—attack when the enemy is weak!”
Craig’s voice came out slow and distorted, like a video in slow motion, but he was alive and kicking.
“Ugh, if he’s still nagging, he’s fine. Let’s finish this!”
Darron sighed, gripped his massive axe, and charged forward.
Moments later, Johanna’s summoned Fire Spirit landed a blazing punch on the weakened Tree Giant — and with that, it collapsed and vanished.
Thanks to Craig’s sacrifice, we’d defeated the boss.
[Level Up!]
Lv. 29 → Lv. 30
Combat Power +100!
Total Combat Power: 4,750 (Equipment Bonus +2,250)
The moment the Tree Giant fell, I hit my goal — Level 30.
My combat power was nearly 5,000 now.
Compared to when I was Level 1, I’d become about five hundred times stronger.
But so what…!
If I’m getting stronger, that means the enemies will too…
The terrifying spiral of combat power inflation was real.
At this point, the monsters on this island would probably die if I so much as brushed them with a basic attack.
But in the next region, even my strongest skills might barely scratch them.
That was the problem with this world — a game where both heroes and enemies kept powering up endlessly toward the final boss.
Surviving is going to be rough…
Was that sweat trickling down my cheek — or a tear?
I wiped away the nonexistent tear and walked to the center of the clearing.
Time to claim the reward.
Last time, it was just a single coin.
Sure, that coin had been incredibly valuable, but still… I was hoping for something better this time.
An equipment item! Preferably for a Shooter!
Dungeon treasure chests here only dropped Unique-grade or higher gear — so whatever came out would definitely be good.
Maybe because of what happened last time, no one else even tried to open the chest. They all waited quietly.
After all, only I, the one marked by the Goddess, could open it.
I carefully lifted the lid—
“……!”
Something large was inside — folded neatly, like a piece of clothing.
Whoa, an equipment item for real this time?!
I couldn’t help grinning.
Each Edaphosia dungeon had its own themed gear.
The <Silvagrove Forest> dungeon, fittingly, dropped Forest Fairy-themed outfits.
They weren’t literally winged, but they had leaf-like frills and lace, all delicate and flowy.
And they weren’t gender-locked either.
That’s why opinions were split — some loved them, some hated them.
Female players who made beautiful male characters adored the outfits; others who hated frilly designs couldn’t stand them.
Personally, I didn’t mind a bit of lace or frill, so if I could just get a Shooter outfit here, I’d be thrilled.
But instead—
[Forest Warrior Outfit]
Warrior Only
+20% Skill Cooldown Recovery Speed
“……”
Warrior-only…?
I glanced sideways at Darron.
It was as if the Goddess herself had picked something just for him — even the size looked perfect for his tall, muscular frame.
“Whoa, look at all those frills… Looks like something Leo the nobleman would wear.”
Darron laughed, elbowing Leo playfully, unaware of his own fate.
The thought of him — buzz-cut head and all — wearing fluttering lace ribbons almost made me burst out laughing.
But I held it in and said:
“…This is a Warrior outfit.”
“Huh? What?! How’s a warrior supposed to fight in something so… so flimsy!?”
Darron gawked in disbelief, refusing to accept reality.
But Craig quickly crushed that denial with pure logic.
“No, Darron. Look closely — see the reinforced leather at the vital points? It’s well-padded. This is clearly designed for someone who swings a heavy battle axe.”
“……”
Darron fell silent, staring at me with pleading eyes — as if begging me not to make him wear it.
I smiled brightly in response.
“Here you go, Darron. It’s your reward.”
I didn’t get my own equipment this time, but… all in all, it had been a fun dungeon run.
