About thirty researchers gathered under a huge mirror that emitted a red light. The blue wolf symbol on the chest of each of them meant that they belonged to the same clan.

"Changing of the guard!"

At someone's shout, one of the teams lined up in front of the mirror switched places with those who had an end of the break. They began to mechanically hunt for monsters appearing from the mirror - such a sight had been seen by all the researchers on the 5th floor at least once.

— ... Go somewhere else.

Researchers who happened to be in this place saw them and helplessly turned off course. They are already used to it. The entire 5th floor was like this.

"Stop!" From this place onwards, the domain of the Wolf of Nevis clan. Please go elsewhere.

An ordinary team would not be able to fight back. Most of the major clans on the 5th floor were made up of explorers skilled enough to operate on the 6th floor. These experienced people were killing time on the 5th floor for one reason: The 6th floor was dominated by even larger clans. This method brought more money.

"Deputy commander, what is the total stock for today?"

Mana stones were obtained by hunting around the clock, and anyone who complained was forcibly kicked out.

- Obtained the essence of the Doomsfire Fairy. Who wants to buy it?

If a rank 5 essence appeared, it would be placed in a test tube and sold in the city. Anything below this rank was sold to researchers nearby at a lower price.

A researcher looking for experience points was treated as a buyer in order to maximize profits.

"I'll cast [Binding] magic on you, so step back and don't fight.

This is how they usually hunted for the fruits of the labyrinth.

"Commander!" It's Berthas!

"What?"

The man who was resting behind and commanding the clan quickly stood up and walked over to the mirror behind which the monster could be seen.

"Whooshhhh!"

Two horns protruded from his forehead, and his muscular body was 3 meters tall. Berthas was a diabolical monster with a torso covered in black wings and four arms.

"Looks like we're lucky today.

The corners of the man's lips curled. They saw this monster for the first time in a year.

How much was it sold for last time?

It was only rank 5, but it was sold to the magic tower at a high price due to its rarity. The number of mana gems in this expedition was lower than the standard, but it should have been enough to make up for the losses.

"Everyone get in line!"

For the first time in a long time, the man took out his weapon and stood in front.

Then they waited for Bertas to come out completely from behind the mirror.

"And here he is!"

A huge leg slowly thrust into the passage. The clan members' eyes sparkled with anticipation. None of them worried about the battle. Mages have already prepared their most powerful spells. It might have been a rare monster, but it was still only a rank 5, so the battle would end as soon as it appeared.

At least, it should have been.

'Behellaaa

A human roar was heard through the mirror. At the same time, the monster that was about to come outside turned around and stretched out its leg.

— ... What just happened!? "The leader could not understand what was happening.

***

'Behellaaa

Bertas turned his head at the very moment I unleashed the [Wild Splash] with all my might. Soon, the mirror that had formed under his feet disappeared. Fortunately, enough aggression was involved.

Phew, I thought we lost him.

Monsters from the Hidden World entered the labyrinth through this mirror. Simply put, if I had been even a second late, this bastard could have been defeated by someone else.

"Whooshhhhh!"

As soon as I raised my shield, the monster lunged at me.

*Bam!*

In my opinion, his strength is less than that of the Troll. As expected, this monster does not live up to its intimidating appearance. Judging from his appearance, he was at least rank 3.

"Mr. Yandel, are you okay?"

"I can do it, don't worry about me!"

"Everybody except Mr. Yandel, stand aside." First we have to study his abilities!

An unknown monster appeared. Raven was excited and gave orders for the first time.

You don't need to be so careful.

… It would look strange if I acted like I knew about this monster.

I was confident that I could hold out for a few hours, so I decided to watch without saying anything.

To be honest, I was a little curious. What judgment can a magician make without any prior knowledge?

— [Marde Guardjour].

The first magic Raven used was [Mana Dimension], a spell that was used at the checkpoint when exchanging mana stones.

"Fortunately, it's about rank 5!"

First, the monster's level of danger was assessed. However, that was all she knew. The rest had to be clarified in a real battle.

*BOOM!*

The monster's fist collided with my shield, and there was an explosion — an ability called [Scars of the Explosion].

"There was no sign of energy movement. I think it's a passive ability...

First of all, it's right about passivity. If so, what were the triggering conditions?

*Bach! Kwang! BOOM!*

As explosions rang out from behind my shield one after another, Raven watched the battle from behind. Then she came to a conclusion.

"The same place!" Explosions occur when it hits the same point!

Faithfully. I didn't think she'd figure it out so quickly.

"And how long are you going to watch?"

"Uh... You seem to be fine on your own, shouldn't I watch more? Miss Karlštejn or Einar could be seriously injured.

Hmm, and I can't get seriously hurt, right? For some reason, a surge of sadness and pride rolled over me at the same time, like a tank.

"If it gets dangerous, I'll give you a potion right away!"

"High-rank?"

"Yes, of a high rank!"

Well, as you say.

Maybe it depended on mood, but from my observations, high-rank potions caused less pain. Having Pain Resistance didn't mean you couldn't feel it.

"Oh, he uses his feathers as arrows. Given that no energy is used, I think it's just an anatomical feature!

In any case, Raven's voice became much lighter when she came to the conclusion that this was not a very dangerous opponent for our level.

"Mr. Yandel, try to hit him with a mace. Maybe there's something that only triggers on hit...

Apparently, the opportunity to analyze the new monster gave her pleasure. Since it was the first time I had seen our Magus so excited, I obediently followed her instructions.

*Crunch!*

When I [Swing] struck one of the four arms, the joint bent.

The wings spread instantly.

"It's a special ability!"

This was one of Berthas' three active skills, [Wings of Greed].

*Shaaaa!*

The surrounding air was quickly drawn into the wings, like a whirlpool around a drain.

After about three seconds of suction, the wings folded with a clicking sound, and the broken arm healed.

"This is the ability to regenerate!"

Watching what was happening, Raven wasn't going to just watch and suck her finger, so she immediately used [Wound Flare-Up].

Phew, I was hoping she would...

The true value of this guy was the passive ability, but since we're going to absorb the essence, it's better to get to know the active one as well, which will also be useful.

[Berthas cast [Legion of Hatred]].

[Berthas used [Beam of Destruction]].

After all, summoning demons and light rays don't work for a barbarian like me.

*Ears!*

Having dodged the [Beam of Destruction], which took a full three seconds to use, I used [Gigantization] as I received permission.

"It seems that all abilities have been confirmed!"

"Well, shall I go to fight now?"

The moment I had been waiting for had come.

'Behellaaa

As Einhar struck down the summoned demons with her sword, Mr. Bear and Raven took out their special skills and took aim.

[Abman Urikfrid used [Hazardous Materials]].

[Arua Raven cast a rank 5 spell [Thunder Spear]].

These were the most powerful abilities that even the Troll, the embodiment of survivability, could not resist.

*KABOOM!*

A gigantic explosion rang out, and the monster's body turned into light.

[You killed Berthas. Experience +5]

The particles of light dissipated along with the black smoke. Curious about the result, Raven used wind magic to blow away the smoke. Then, the white essence appeared.

"E-essence!"

The [Wings of Greed] that I had hoped for have appeared. The chances were only 33.3%, but it really appeared on the first try. Suddenly I was a little nervous.

***

A rank 5 monster essence has appeared. Therefore, there were two options: store it in a test tube and sell it, or ask one person from the team to pay for it and let him absorb it.

"What are you going to do?"

"I think Ainar should take it.

"Huh?" I!?

Everyone ignored Einar. Although I was only one of the participants, I was the person who would become the leader of the barbarians in the future. Simply put, I could speak for all the barbarians.

"Hmmm... Although we haven't even confirmed what kind of essence it is?

The monster's skills were confirmed in battle. However, the skills contained in the essence could only be learned after consuming it. Furthermore, the basic stats of the essence were no less important than the skill itself.

"With that in mind, I hope you'll make it cheaper."

"How much?"

- 16 million stones.

When I made a preemptive offer, Einar jumped up.

"16 million stones?!"

"Ainar, please be quiet, okay?" Bjorn says.

"Oh, okay!

The conversation was interrupted, but Raven didn't even smile and continued with a serious expression on her face.

"If you divide them into four, I'll only get 4 million stones.

As expected, it didn't work. Therefore, I offered 16 million.

— I think that the amount is too small. It was such a rare monster that I didn't even know about it. Moreover, if I keep it in a test tube and sell it, then 40% of this amount is my share.

— ... Instead, I'll let you explore it.

"You're selling me to a mage!?"

"Hmm, how did you do it before?"

She looked interested now. After all, research is better for a magician than money.

Gaining momentum, I took out the prepared cards one by one, no longer testing its strength.

"Besides, if you put the essence in a test tube and use the magic of [Distortion], you won't be able to use it on anything else.

In short, wouldn't it be in vain to use [Distortion] magic here when we might discover treasures?

Raven seemed to understand this and nodded.

"Although there are only a few days left... Such a possibility cannot be ruled out.

It seems that I was able to convince her. Then it was Mr. Bear's turn.

"What do you say, Mr. Urikfried?" I can make up for the loss with research, but-...

"I don't care. Haven't I already earned enough? We only got here because Bjorn found the creature.

"Well, that's true, but... Are you sure about that? We don't know how much it can be sold for.

"That's why I don't care. If the barbarian lady becomes stronger, it will be good for us too.

"Okay, then we're done.

Now Einar had to pay 4 million stones each to Mr. Bear and Raven. Although she had earned a lot this time, she would have to be penniless again.

"Now quickly devour it before it disappears."

However, Einar seemed to be happy with the new essence, as she took it without resistance.

[Berthas's essence penetrates Einar Feneline's soul].

As soon as the essence came into contact with her skin, a radiance instantly penetrated her, revealing a black halo. Raven's eyes lit up with curiosity.

"Well, how do you feel?" What changes are most noticeable?

"Uh... I feel stronger, I think...

"Hmm, how ambiguous. You will have to study the indicators in the city. Why don't you try using skills?

"N-skills?"

"Oh, I guess it's hard to imagine.

Raven then reminded her of the three abilities of Bertas that he had used earlier, and advised her to use her Soul Force.

"You can try to pronounce a phrase." This is how we learn magic for the first time.

"Well... Then I'll give it a try.

Under Raven's guidance, Einar took turns trying out Bertas' skills.

Summon [Legion of Hatred]:

"Come out, come out!" Devilish bastards!

Long-range offensive skill, [Beam of Destruction]:

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!

And...

[Wings of Greed]:

"Wings!"

*Wave!*

Wings of light spread out behind her: a Barbarian (female) in Valkyrie Mode.

"N-Have I become a Valkyrie?"

Ainar looked at her appearance for a while, and then exclaimed with an admiring face:

'Behella

I'm glad she liked it.