I Became a 6★ Gacha Character

Chapter 245: Call of the Underworld 5

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Posted in discord.

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Slow, solid, and huge.

For someone like me who dislikes fast and tiny enemies, could there be a better punching bag?

As I passed by the raw gems scattered at my feet, the king wiggler started going towards me.

This creature, which should be called a giant subterranean bug, clacked its huge jaws, capable of crushing rocks, in a threatening manner.

Watching it, I concentrated mana into my warhammer.

By invoking Durandal, I could emit aura outside the weapon, so I wanted to check if I could emit aura without Durandal.

'Is it still not working?'

Unfortunately, the result was almost a complete failure.

I could feel that it had become much tougher and more solid than usual, but there was no sign of aura bursting out and blazing around the warhammer.

The designers of Roland had made a very clear distinction.

When in tank form with a warhammer and shield, I guess I can't use any attack-related functions.

How come only my defense and health go up?

With a bit of irritation, I swung my warhammer.

Not with full power, since causing problems for the passage or the Vacuum Stone would be bad, but with the lightness of chopping firewood during a field trip - thump!

'It's heavier than I thought?'

Maybe because it's the mid-boss of the wave, the resistance I felt in my hand was considerable.

Moreover, even after smashing its head, the creature's struggle made the scene unexpectedly unpleasant.

Kyaaaak-!

Its tenacity was that of a named boss.

Despite my warhammer crushing its shell and smashing its head, the large body writhed, convulsing.

Even as it leaked black fluid from its crushed shell and flailed, its shell heated up to a bright red.

It was clear it was trying to use some sort of self-destruct or ultimate move, so I hastily retrieved my warhammer and repeatedly struck its head.

Clang- Clang- Claaaang!!!

Eating rocks might have evolved its shell into metal, because hitting the bug produced a clear and refreshing sound, unlike killing a bug.

Even though I moderated my strength, it was definitely tough since that level of strength could kill a black harpy in one hit.

"Roland, you okay~?"

"I'm okay!"

The voices of my startled companions came to me, thinking I would return with one blow at the sight of the king wiggler glowing red hot.

Although I inadvertently worried my companions, it gave me a rough idea.

My attacks do damage, but I'm not yet at the level where I can dispatch bosses with a single blow.

There's a phase you gradually start to feel when playing mobile games.

You reach a point where AoE skills leave mobs with a sliver of health, or when usual one-turn kills slow down the clear time, or when stages that were cleared on auto with 3 stars suddenly start showing 2 stars...

The 41st floor was that kind of phase for a natural 6 character.

Though it was ridiculous to say I breezed through to the 40th floor in the first place.

"Looks like this one was a boss. The shell, jaws, and what, a mana stone?"

"So it digs through the ground and lives underground using its impressive jaws?"

Thinking this, I eventually returned to the side of the Vacuum Stone, having collected the remnants of the king wiggler before it exploded.

The king wiggler, a boss, had dropped things along with a mana stone.

The piece of shell as big as a human head looked like a metal plate, and the large jaws looked like a terrifying industrial tool that could pierce through armor.

And the mana stone, well, it was the dense blue characteristic of bosses.

As I was looking at the remains of the king wiggler in my hand with my companions, stone dwarves rushed over.

"Hey, Squishy! Got any thoughts of selling that?"

"Did king wigglers always carry gems? And one that's been processed like that?"

"I don't know, I'm seeing a king wiggler for the first time too."

As expected of a craftsman race, they showed interest in the metal-like remains and the mana stone.

After all, in the world where the stone dwarves were from, monsters didn't disappear leaving behind a mana stone instead of a corpse.

Thanks to that, more stone dwarves were starting to believe a little about the stories related to the tower.

While the operation of the Vacuum Stone was paused, the stone dwarf artisans, including Old Bobo, gathered around and began to talk about the mana stone.

They requested a trade in a manner fitting of a craftsman race.

And there wasn't really any reason for us to refuse.

After all, once the passage was opened, exchanges between the stone dwarves and the city would begin.

"The alchemy workshop wants to buy that mana stone first."

"I want the jaws of the king wiggler. Such a clean piece without any flaws would be useful for metal processing."

"I can't buy all the shells, but I'd like to buy at least three pieces."

Instead of the noisy young stone dwarves, only the more mature artisans had gathered, their deep voices sharing opinions.

Since it's impossible to distinguish between young and old by appearance among them, one had to rely on their voices.

What they offered for the trade was, of course, various metals used in the underground city.

Since these could sell for a very high price at the Magic Tower, it wasn't a loss for us.

"Still, let's leave one side of the jaws and two pieces of the shell for the Magic Tower. And about this mana stone, should we sell it to the Magic Tower or to the stone dwarves?"

"Uh, um... Can the Magic Tower do something with the mana stone if they buy it?"

The only problem is the single mana stone of the king wiggler, the giant subterranean bug.

While we've already collected dozens of mana stones from normal subterranean bugs, so selling some to the stone dwarves wouldn't matter, the mana stone from the giant subterranean bug is one of a kind.

So, this annoying decision should be made by Han Se-ah, the leader and the hero.

-If it's the only one, it's right to hand it over to the Magic Tower.

-If we sell it to them, wouldn't we get more rare metals?

-Giving the mana stone to the Magic Tower means they just research it among themselves and that's it, just sell it to the stone dwarves.

-Still, it's the only one, it would be better for the Magic Tower to research it.

-Selling it to the Magic Tower might just fetch a few silver coins, better to get gems, it's a damn better deal.

"Ah, is that so? Since it's a boss mana stone, maybe we could get not just enhancement metals but also accessories or something?"

[Roland's Majestic Flame Greatsword donated 10,000 won!]

You might miss out on some research and get screwed over technology-wise, just go to the Magic Tower.

[Porter Turned Pet donated 50,000 won!]

It's a virtual reality game. Negotiate and rip them off, you brainless.

As expected, the moment opinions were sought, viewers lashed out at Han Se-ah like a storm.

Han Se-ah flinched as she took another paid punch.

Seeing Grace and Katie lost in thought, I also pretended to be considering while looking at the chat's reaction; about 70% were pushing for selling to the stone dwarves.

It was like imagining a limited exchange item.

"I think selling here is also a good idea. When I was looking at arrowheads, I felt that there were a lot of alloys and catalysts for alchemy here. It would probably be very helpful for Hanna."

"I feel the same. The whetstones that repair swords, and the technological prowess of the stone dwarves, are much better. It is more beneficial to get a good magical tool than just receiving gold."

While looking at the chat, the two had finished deliberating their opinions.

I also silently nodded in agreement, and Han Se-ah nodded back, indicating she understood.

Glancing at Irene, who hadn't offered an opinion, she only smiled softly, as if supporting whatever choice was made.

Seeing her smile, which didn't oppose Grace and Katie's opinions, Han Se-ah spoke up.

"Then, for this mana stone, um... it's a bit precious, so how about we leave it to an auction? We'll tell Old Bobo we want to sell it through an auction, and give him our coins as a fee for his trouble."

"Coins, will he like that?"

"The innkeeper happily accepted the silver coins... Maybe he'll like it if we give him the leftover copper and silver coins from shopping?"

"Well, they're a race that enjoys the taste of silver coins, not their value."

After checking her inventory at Irene's words, Han Se-ah nodded.

With a jingle of copper and silver coins from her inventory, and just in case, a gold coin, Han Se-ah, holding the mana stone, headed towards Old Bobo.

The stone dwarves were heatedly discussing as they fiddled with the jaws and the shells.

They were fascinated by the difference between armor directly stripped from monster corpses and the remnants that magically appear as the body vanishes, as they inspected the remnants from various angles.

"You want to sell it through an auction? I welcome it!"

"Ah, really now... Old man? Don't be too greedy."

"If you have complaints, you could just buy it yourself, no?"

Old Bobo, belonging to a race accustomed to frequent trades, accepted the proposal to hold an auction without a hint of hesitation.

Despite the grumbling from the alchemy workshop dwarf beside him, he went ahead and gulped down the silver coins Han Se-ah offered in one bite.

Eating the money handed over, truly something hard to get used to.