Chapter 15: Descent
Each title was awarded a different rank based on one’s achievements, hard work, and talent.
Nith’s new teammates didn’t have outstanding titles. Anyone could obtain them, given enough time and persistence.
Judging by Kyouka’s body language, she didn’t seem to be impressed by them either. Of course, there was more to one’s power than met the eye, so she hadn’t labeled them just yet.
That being said, Kyouka’s titles made others sit up and take notice of her greatness.
The Alchemist (A), Potion Master (S), Mage (B), Eagle-eyed (B), Gravity Master (B), and Prodigal (S)—that much Kyouka shared with her new teammates, except for each of her titles’ rankings and the skills they granted her.
The first three titles were self-explanatory.
Eagle-eyed allowed Kyouka to lock a crosshair onto her targets, ensuring anything she threw hit her foes dead-on.
Gravity Master also complemented Kyouka’s battle style. She often used it to mitigate muscle strain and add more power to her throws. There was more to this title, since it was ranked B, but only Nith knew about it.
Prodigal, however, even surprised him. This title rewarded Kyouka for spending money, potions, resources, and more—basically, anything.
The more potions she threw, the less mana her Reverse Mana Stream cost her.
The more potions she concocted, the better their effects.
And the list went on as Kyouka explained the title’s effects to Nith while the two were alone, packing up things on their island. Their new teammates left them alone for this very reason.
“If it only saved you money,” Nith muttered while covertly hiding some of his stuff in his inventory.
Kyouka sighed, “Right? I’d be able to go shopping more!”
“Nah, you’d pay off your debts!” Nith spat.
His reaction drew laughter from Kyouka as she expected that much from him. She didn’t pursue the topic and focused on gathering up the tents’ parts, putting them into her jewelry-like box.
Nith did the same, shaking his head each time he saw her chuckling at him. How could he be the only one feeling uncomfortable with the debts?
At last, no foreign items littered their island. Ramon, Netta, Norman, and the other teammates got on board and joined the crew. Their porters were nowhere to be seen, probably already beyond the heart of the swamps.
It seemed the porters knew how to return alone and had enough self-defense measures to leave their teammates behind.
“We’re ready,” Norman said.
Nith nodded at him and extended his hand toward him, startling the group. A second later, each of them received a status notification, which stopped them from drawing their weapons.
No, it froze them, except for their eyes, which widened, gawking at the new status window floating before their faces. Bewildered much more than Kyouka, the noblewoman, the six normies accepted Nith’s invitation and then silently turned their heads toward him, staring at him differently.
Just a single skill put him on par with Kyouka, or maybe even above her.
She hadn’t exaggerated—anyone with the power to control the status was highly sought after.
After explaining how his party skill worked, Nith also wished for his other title to reveal the path toward the second floor. It responded to his wish, taking control over the island.
The island trembled before cutting through other small islands, much to everyone’s shock. Nith’s ship headed deeper into the heart of the swamp, turning the heads of every adventurer around them.
Some even shouted and tried to forcefully join them, which only served as a reality check for Norman and his team, prompting them to glare down at anyone trying to breach their island’s borders, threatening to cut down its vines.
Holding onto Nith’s arm, Kyouka gazed ahead. The two perched close to their island’s bow, trying to see through their direction. The wind battered their ears and blew their hair back, compelling them to narrow their eyes.
What happened next went beyond their imagination.
The swamps ahead of them parted like the jaws of a monster, revealing a black abyss. The waters, forcefully torn apart and dropping into the unknown, acted like the monster’s shrieks, booming throughout the swamps.
Catching many monsters off-guard, the abyss swallowed over a hundred of them, some desperately trying to swim against the current.
Alas, the waves proved to be too much to handle, inevitably pulling them into the abyss.
Amidst this chaos, Nith’s island drew closer to the black hole. Once it dangled above it, the island started gradually descending into the unknown, cold domain, where countless monsters had fallen and more dangers surely lurked inside.
Looking over his shoulder, Nith checked on Norman and the others. These guys were smiling from ear to ear, excited about the unknown adventure.
‘After years of the same shit, they’re finally about to feel the real thrill, huh?’ Nith thought, retracting his gaze.
He clenched Kyouka’s hand and said, “Enjoy it.”
Kyouka barely heard him because of the ongoing havoc. But as she locked eyes with his, she could hear him clearly, as if his words came straight from his heart to hers.
“Enjoy it, because you will gain your seventh title on the second level and rank up to The Second Grade. Nothing dangerous will befall you because I’m by your side. Our story begins now, Kyouka.”
‘I love this bastard too much!’ Kyouka inwardly exclaimed, her fears gone, replaced by the thrill and adrenaline of adventure.
