Killer Ant.
A main monster of floors 13 through 15. It boasts rock-hard armor plating and jaws with enough bite force to sever human bones if they clamp down properly. Average height around one meter, body length about three meters.
For a Crawler party capable of exploring floors 13 to 15, the hardness equivalent to rock wasn't actually that big a deal.
But the ant's characteristically streamlined body and slick surface meant that unless you assumed the perfect stance and focused your power in one explosive burst, your striking point would often slip or fail to transfer properly.
But.
Pakak-!
Kikikikik-!
With the sound of a hard-shelled fruit being crushed, the Killer Ant's head exploded, spraying bodily fluids as it thrashed about.
"Krgh."
In a single blow, Rask had shattered the Killer Ant's skull. He swung his bardiche-style spear in a wide arc, like a windmill, toward the Killer Ants crossing the defensive line.
This was indiscriminate flailing—far from the ironclad rule for hunting Killer Ants: focused, effective strikes on their carapace.
Foolish attacks that utterly ignored the key principle for slaying Killer Ants.
But it was justified.
Those strikes weren't ineffective. Every time Rask's spear connected in that wild frenzy, the Killer Ants burst like balloons without resistance.
"Krgh. This is dangerous. If we get used to things like this, our combat senses will completely fall apart."
"...Agreed."
Not long after, Rask muttered to himself as he surveyed the mountain of Killer Ant corpses. Kaiden responded.
He stared down at his gauntlets, soaked in Killer Ant fluids, and mumbled.
"Didn't expect it to be this much..."
His body felt light.
Power overflowed.
With his body at ease, his mind relaxed too.
With his mind at ease, his judgment sharpened.
It was a stark departure from the party's usual battles.
To the point where the Kaiden Party's combat speed was so overwhelming that the Killer Ants couldn't even form a proper formation.
The reason Killer Ants were infamous wasn't because each individual was exceptionally strong.
On the contrary—for upper-floor monsters—their attacks weren't lethal beyond those formidable jaws, and their movements were simple.
A first-floor Greyhound might be trickier to handle one-on-one.
What made Killer Ants terrifying was their numbers.
True to their nature as corrupted ants, they always encountered in units called "swarms."
Their tough, slippery exoskeletons made one-shot kills difficult, allowing front-line ants to tank while the rest encircled from all sides.
No matter how simple the monsters, facing dozens—or in bad luck, nearly a hundred—with a 4-6 person party was dangerous.
Even the mid-layer Kaiden Party was no exception.
They were seasoned against Killer Ants, but they were tricky foes that couldn't be cleared without taking some damage.
But now, the Kaiden Party's attack power had surged so much that the anvil-role Killer Ants couldn't fulfill their job.
With the anvil crumbling, the hammer-role ants had to step up—but the transition happened too fast. Their encirclement failed to form, and they were unilaterally popped.
In the end, they'd butchered this many Killer Ants without a single casualty.
"Krgh. So this is what a blessing is like? I heard it was just a little power boost."
"...Who knows. I don't really get it either."
As Rask said, it was a massive change—one that could warp their senses if they grew accustomed to it.
Enough to make you wonder if mere muscle enhancement could enable this.
It felt like they'd grown several times stronger.
Unable to properly judge the party's drastically improved capabilities, Kaiden turned his gaze to Arjen, who remained calmly enjoying her smoke.
No point brooding over the unknown alone.
Better to ask the expert who knew best.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"It's because it's not a one-dimensional expansion."
I answered Kaiden's question while holding a skewered sausage over the crackling campfire.
"...My lacking understanding. Could you explain in more detail?"
"Hm."
What a hassle.
Kaiden stared at me with a serious expression.
Diligent types like this are exhausting.
But since I'd taken their money, outright ignoring him felt off.
"For example, the basic physical amplification blessing I used, Thrill-Cress, enhances overall bodily functions. The degree varies by person, but for this party... I'd estimate an average multiplier of 1.5 to 2 times."
"1.5 to 2 times..."
Kaiden mulled over my words for a moment before asking again, still puzzled.
"...Embarrassing to admit, but watching our battles so far, it's hard to see how that alone boosts our party this much."
"What're you saying! Kai! You calling our party weak!?"
Miella, who'd been listening in, bristled at Kaiden's words.
But Kaiden ignored her outburst and kept looking to me for answers.
"What the..."
Stung by Kaiden's cold attitude, Miella grumbled once before sulkily lapping at the steaming white stew.
"As I said at the start, doubling physical abilities isn't just linearly doubling strength."
For example, imagine a marine unit.
Attack power 6, defense 1, move speed 2, range 5, sight 8, HP 40.
Now, create a super marine by doubling all stats.
Is its combat power simply twice that of a regular marine?
Of course not.
Even head-on, by Lanchester's laws, it'd gain the advantage after four volleys. But leveraging increased mobility and range strategically? The regulars wouldn't stand a chance.
I explained the concept in rough terms they could grasp.
"...No, it wouldn't."
"Exactly. Enhancing base physical abilities is multi-dimensional expansion, not one-dimensional."
Increased strength boosts not just destructive power, but speed and endurance too.
In a game, it'd be split into strength, agility, move speed, etc. But reality's muscles aren't so neatly divided.
Plus, handling usual tasks with less effort means huge stamina savings.
Stronger, more enduring, and lower cost per attack.
"And when stats rise this much, vastly outstripping the enemy, strategic advantages emerge too."
Like the battle just now.
Encirclement annihilation relies on the anvil holding. But theirs couldn't withstand the Kaiden Party's attacks.
It should be swarm tactics leveraging numbers, but every moment turned into a tournament-style beatdown.
If Kaiden and Rask's hits had been one-kills instead of two-kills against Blood Giants or Killer Ants, it'd have dragged in the speed war.
"Of course, my blessings do make you far stronger—that's true. But the strategic edges vanish once monsters catch up in strength."
The shocking battles on these 13-15 gateway floors had sparked some illusions, so I had to clarify.
Deeper down, these blowouts would dwindle.
Hell, even entering mid-layers proper would make it felt.
This area's all about quantity over quality—purely favorable matchup.
"...I see. Any precautions? First time dungeoning with a priest."
"I'll manage mostly, but know the blessing durations."
"Ah, right. If it lapses mid-fight."
"Krgh. The gap between blessed and unblessed senses is huge. In heated combat, failing to adjust quickly could be fatal."
Veterans of the dungeon, they grasped it without excess explanation.
Small talk followed as we had a light meal.
Campfire-roasted smoked sausages, white stew laced with instant coffee powder, biscuits, and a bit of cheese.
A luxurious spread possible only in the dungeon's upper reaches, where resupply was feasible.
Once in mid-layers, it'd be perishables and bulky stuff—goodbye to meals like this.
The Kaiden Party, wise from experience, savored it.
The post-battle high faded, wrapping the party in a mellow mood.
Especially Kaiden and Rask's gazes toward me brimmed with trust.
Hm.
Paid work or not, reactions like this always make my shoulders lighten.
"Hm? Got boiled water right here?"
Despite the white stew bubbling over the fire, I pulled my canteen and drank. Miella tilted her head.
"I prefer this."
"Hmph. Some folks are like that—fussy clean freaks who need their own stuff... Sniff sniff... Sniff... Huh?"
Mid-chatter, Miella paused, wrinkling her cute nose.
"Hey! That booze!?"
She yelled in horrified shock.
"What kind of lunatic drinks in a dungeon! Smells potent as hell."
"...Miss Arjen. Really?"
"Seems there's some misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding my ass!"
I smiled steadily at them.
"Alcohol is the king of medicines. It warmly replenishes my body, depleted by combat and blessings."
"What!?"
Miella let out a disbelieving scoff and bellowed.
"First time seeing someone chug booze in a dungeon! Why even bring it? Total nutcase!"
"Miella. Calm down—"
"Calm down!? How lightly do you take the dungeon to smoke mid-fight and booze!? Crawlers ain't a joke!!"
"..."
Miella was ranting as usual, but Kaiden's attempts to rein her in felt half-hearted.
Rask and the ever-quiet Laira too—their usually impassive eyes held traces of shock.
Hm...
I glanced at the canteen spout, then back at the party.
"Not allowed?"
"...Well... booze is a bit..."
I see.
Same here, huh.
Not understood here either, I felt oddly glum. With a downcast look, I capped the canteen and tucked it away.
Even after the commotion passed, the post-meal warmth didn't return.
Kaiden looked deep in thought, and the others' occasional glances carried strange emotions.
Felt like a line had been drawn between me and them just now.
Sigh. Atmosphere was nice till a moment ago.