―39― There's No Need to Obtain It
"......Huh?"
I wake up.
How did I die again?
Oh right, I was devoured by the Puppet Core. Remembering that fact, a frustrating sense of emptiness washes over me.
What should I have done differently...?
For me to leave this dungeon and achieve my revenge, I need to become much stronger than I am now.
"I don't really need to obtain the Puppet Core, do I?"
The Puppet Core is just one means to become stronger.
But if its end result is being devoured by the Puppet Core, then it's pointless.
In that case, I should look for ways to become stronger without acquiring the Puppet Core.
With that resolution in mind, I begin to move.
First, I head to the hidden room where the Crystal of Wisdom is located.
On the way, I mustn't be spotted by the many monsters. If they find me, I'd be easily killed in my current state.
However, thanks to having repeated this process many times, I manage to proceed smoothly.
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Please select 'one' skill you wish to acquire from the following skill list:
S Rank:
<Item Box> <Enhanced Recovery> <Enhanced Magic Recovery> <Intimidation> <Clairvoyance> <Precognition>
A Rank:
<Healing Magic> <Fire Magic> <Water Magic> <Wind Magic> <Earth Magic> <Lightning Magic> <Alchemy> <Curse> <Telepathy> <Enhanced Magic>
B Rank:
<Swordsmanship> <Archery> <Axe Techniques> <Spear Techniques> <Unarmed Combat> <Staff Techniques>
C Rank:
<Enhanced Physique> <Sensation Detection> <Magic Generation> <Fire Resistance> <Water Resistance> <Wind Resistance> <Earth Resistance> <Sharpness Enhancement> <Accuracy Enhancement> <Evasion Enhancement> <Dark Vision>
D Rank:
<Appraisal> <Strength Enhancement> <Endurance Enhancement> <Agility Enhancement> <Stamina Enhancement>
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Using the Crystal of Wisdom will show the list of skills that will appear.
I was about to choose <Swordsmanship> as usual when...
"Hold on. Is choosing <Swordsmanship> really the right thing to do?"
I pause.
The reason I always chose <Swordsmanship> was because of the existence of the Parasitic Sword Puppet Core.
Choosing a skill that complements the Puppet Core's abilities was a natural course of action if I intended to fight with it.
However, this time I'm not planning to obtain the Puppet Core.
In that case, I'll need to choose a skill that complements not using a sword in combat. So, <Unarmed Combat> would be the logical choice.
After all, there's no other way to obtain a weapon aside from the Puppet Core—
"But if I think back, there are plenty of opportunities to obtain weapons, aren't there?"
With this realization, I chose <Swordsmanship>.
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Skill <Swordsmanship> acquired.
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Usually, after this, I would retrieve the Puppet Core, defeat several monsters, and raise <Swordsmanship> to level 2.
But this time, I won't retrieve the Puppet Core. And since I can't defeat monsters without it, I'll also give up on raising <Swordsmanship> to level 2.
So, with <Swordsmanship> at level 1, I head to the hidden room where the golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor, is located.
"Hey, you weaklings, come at me!"
I use <Provocation> on the golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor.
Then, by skillfully evading attacks, I cause them to accidentally attack each other.
With a crash, one golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor, strikes another with its sword.
The struck golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor, falls to the ground and struggles to get back up.
Using this opening, I snatch the sword from that golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor.
"Come to think of it, I can procure as many swords as I want from these guys."
Obtaining swords. The method is to take them from the golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor.
If I can equip a sword, the <Swordsmanship> skill will undoubtedly make me much stronger in combat.
At least, that's what I'm thinking at this moment.
"Man, this is difficult!"
Though I expected it to some extent, I'm having a much harder time than I anticipated.
With the Puppet Core and the swords from the golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor, fighting these battles is overwhelmingly difficult. The Puppet Core is far stronger.
But there's no point in complaining.
Now that I know I can't use the Puppet Core, I have no choice but to fight with this sword.
And in the next tense moment—
"Ah!"
I feel a sharp pain as my back is sliced.
I lose consciousness at the same time.
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Attempt number approximately 560.
I repeatedly challenge the room with the golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor, without using the Puppet Core.
"...It's impossible."
And after experiencing death once again, I finally let out a cry.
I managed to defeat up to five golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor, through sheer effort.
But with this method, I honestly can't foresee defeating all 20 golden unmanned armor, Golden Living Armor, and the mounted knight, Living Knight, which are currently present.
"Maybe I really do need to use the Puppet Core..."
But if I use it, I'll end up being devoured, and that's pointless...
Wait a moment.
The reason I was devoured by the Puppet Core was that I reached level 3, acquired the derivative skill <Cruel Predator Predator>, and transformed into a monstrous creature with a giant jaw.
"In that case, what if I deliberately stop at level 2?"
The allocation of skill points is carried out according to my intentions.
So, I can simply choose not to level up to level 3.
Furthermore, the level 2 derivative skill, <Pulsating Great Sword>, of the level 2 Puppet Core is extremely useful. It's undoubtedly strong enough even at level 2.
Hence, there's no need to risk leveling up to dangerous level 3.
"Let's give it a try..."
Having made up my mind, I head to the location of the Parasitic Sword Puppet Core.
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