Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 295: Assessment and Search
Tauro continued through Floor 86, the ‘labyrinth within the labyrinth,’ following the human-shaped reactions detected by [Presence Detection].
“They should be beyond this wall.”
Whenever he followed one passage, it carried him away from the reactions. When he attempted a longer route around, he found himself moving above or below them instead.
The labyrinth also contained mechanisms designed to deceive even people with an excellent sense of direction. Some apparent dead ends concealed simple transfer devices that transported anyone stepping on them to a matching device elsewhere, where the passage continued.
Numerous traps complicated the route. Without Pella’s warnings, Tauro would have stumbled into several dangerous ones.
Some traps had already been disarmed, presumably by dragonfolk who had passed through before him.
“The Storm’s sensory paralysis is returning again.”
By now familiar with the recurring symptoms, Tauro combined [Abnormal Status Recovery] with [Magic Manipulation] (Extreme) and focused the treatment on his senses.
“Phew… It returns after a while, and curing it consumes a great deal of magical power. Still, my reserves seem much larger than before. Did [Heroic Style] increase them?”
One of the dragonfolk’s great heroes had explained that [Heroic Style] was an ability heroes commonly acquired near the beginning of their growth. It increased charm, resistance to illusions, and basic attributes, but those improvements became relatively unimportant once a hero grew powerful.
Tauro reconsidered that explanation.
The improvements might be minor by the standards of a fully developed hero. For a thirteen-year-old whose natural physical abilities were still limited, however, they could be remarkable.
“I felt much stronger during the Minotaur battle. The equipment certainly contributed, but my agility and other basic abilities have improved as well. Perhaps I haven’t noticed my growth because I keep comparing myself with unfamiliar dungeon monsters and extraordinary dragonfolk.”
Defeating the Minotaur, even after a prolonged battle, gave Tauro some confidence that he was genuinely becoming stronger.
“Getting lost was terrible, but at least it helped me recognize my progress.”
Encouraged by that thought, Tauro pressed onward.
At last, he caught up with the rear of the escort team.
Tsugumu and the other escorts didn’t respond to his calls. The Storm’s sensory paralysis had evidently affected them, and they were advancing with extreme caution.
Tauro approached Tsugumu and tapped the captain’s shoulder.
Despite being deprived of normal senses, Tsugumu instantly sprang backward, and the other escorts assumed combat stances.
Their ability to react through instinct alone, even while the Storm disabled their skills, demonstrated the value of the dragonfolk’s relentless training.
Impressed though he was, Tauro had no desire to be cut down by mistake. He quickly used [Magic Manipulation] (Extreme) and [Abnormal Status Recovery] to remove Tsugumu’s sensory paralysis.
“Ah! Tauro! You’re safe. What just happened? My senses returned as though a veil had suddenly lifted.”
“I treated the condition with recovery magic. Please wait while I help the others.”
Tauro moved through the group and treated each escort in turn.
“Thank you. I never imagined anyone could cure the sensory paralysis caused by the legendary Storm.”
“The treatment is only temporary. The symptoms will return after some time, so we should locate the missing party before then. Have the search teams already separated?”
“Yes, but under these conditions, finding them and regrouping would be wiser. While sensory paralysis is active, even relatively weak monsters on this floor, such as Minotaurs, could inflict serious casualties.”
Tsugumu casually described the monster Tauro had struggled desperately to defeat as relatively weak.
“A Minotaur is weak? How long would it take you to defeat one?”
“In the condition I was just in? About three minutes, perhaps. Their strength is considerable, so caution is still necessary. You must be especially careful; allowing you to be injured would be disastrous.”
Three minutes.
Tauro had spent nearly an hour defeating his Minotaur.
His newly discovered confidence collapsed on the spot, and he quietly abandoned the theory that he had become exceptionally strong.