BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM

  Vials and bottles tio rain, explosions of all colors painting the pce with life and vibrance, and the swirls of mana orchestrating chaos and ruin. There were thuds, booms, crashes, crackles, howls, and bellows, music to the ears.

  Such terrible theatrics ying by the tune of a young dy, her silver hair aflutter in the air as she hurled otle after ahere was a bright smile on her face as she peppered the pce with all sorts of destructive cos.

  However, such fun wasn't oo st long. Soon enough, Yuna's stash became fully empty, all but a lotle to be seen. She threw the final piece, the final note sing in the air with a loud and splendid bang.

  "Mmn... That was the st one... That was a 100% solution, too..." ［Yuna］

  "Don't be too sad now. You did quite a bit of damage, didn't you? At least we could firm that it's useful against S-rank monsters and below." ［Grey］

  "That's true... But it's not really that useful against Camity-Css monsters and above. At best, all it could do was make an okay-ish wound." ［Yuna］

  "There aren't many who do that, you know? You should be a little more proud of yourself. You've already done great, Yuna." ［Grey］

  "Mmn... I guess you're right..." ［Yuna］

  The young dy was down, but her expression quickly brightened up as soon as Grey showered her with praises and pliments. She didn't dwell oion matters any longer and simply smiled like an adorable little rabbit.

  It was still the Labyrinth, but the atmosphere was sweet as be. It was as if the two were having a quid light stroll, a date so to say. It was so sweet, even ants would die from diabetes. The only problem was...

  BANG BANG BOOM BANG BOOM GHIEEEEKKKKKKK

  ... That there was quite a noisy and persistent morying to get at them. It was swinging its cws, lightning and thunder g at every strike. It was quite ferocious, beating Grey's barrier again and again without rest.

  It was a Shog, no, to be more specific, it hantom Shog. It is a lightning-attribute monster whially sits at S-rank, but the buff the Labyrinth provides, it is now sitting at the bottom of Disaster-Css.

  Such a monster also happens to be the test subject for Yuna's experiments, utterly and pletely enraged after Yuna bombed it without any shred of remorse. The wounds are already starting to heal, but the searing pain was still fresh as new.

  "Now... What should we do with this thing?" ［Grey］

  "Master... Mistress... Destroy... Enemy...?" ［Scheat］

  "Fufufu! reciate the thought, Scheat, everyone, but it would be difficult for yht now. How about when you all grow a little bit more?" ［Yuna］

  "Okay... Uood... Stay... Now..." ［Markab］

  The spirits were als to go, but sihey're still at E-rank, there isn't really much they could do. Even if they pour it their all, they wouldn't even leave a scratch. Still, the thought was quite adorable, Grey and Yuna smiling to themselves.

  Well, despite all that, with the rate they're currently abs corruption. Sooner or ter, they will be s through the ranks and before long, they should also be able to hahem. One could only wonder how such cute spirits achieve such feats.

  "Then, why don't we have your Master defeat the enemy for us? It should be over in a jiffy! Won't you show us how cool you are, Sir Grey?" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, really... You make me blush, My Dear." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! I 't be the only one receiving pliments, after all." ［Yuna］

  The sweet and sappy atmosphere was now back, and giggles could be heard floating adrift in the air. Though the spirits didn't uand much of what was going on, they still cheerfully danced around, their soft chimes ringing in the air.

  It oio waste any more time. With suticipation bearing down on his shoulder Grey soon walked towards the rioting enemy and cracked his hands a little. He looked at the monster, dead in the eye, not a single fear to be spotted.

  If it was him back when he was still oh, he may have already ran away or stood still and trembled in fear, but now, he felt no such thing. Rather, he is quite excited to face off with su enemy, his heart rag with enthusiasm.

  'Cool, huh... I guess I've bee one... Just kidding.' ［Grey］

  A smile blooming on his face, Grey quickly took out the barrier, creating a new oo cover Yuna and the spirits at the same time. His sharp eyes locked towards the enemy, thunder resounding with every step he took.

  It wasn't just him. As soon as the barrier was broken, the Phantom Shog also rushed out like a literal lightning bolt, booms and crackles darting out the air as his lightning-cd body shed out trey.

  It raised its long arms and thunder answered, streaming trey at tremendous speeds... However, it still wasn't fast enough. Grey didn't even have to use his broken abilities, simply relying on his battle sense he has hohrough the years.

  The young man saw the attack clear as day, his eyes moving faster than lightning and his body following through. He easily dodged the attack, and ched his fist soon after. There was no need fic. Brute strength was more than enough.

  "Sorry, but... I 't acool in front of my fianow, I?" ［Grey］

  Whispered the young as his fist ected towards the Phantom Shog's open and vulnerable body. What followed soon after was....

  BOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM

  ,.. A thundering shockwave which ran rampant all throughout the corridors, followed by an explosion of mana and pressure produced solely by brute force.

  The Phantom Shog received the force of the attack straight on, and all its bones and ans were crushed immediately, a massive hole bore through its chest and its limbs torn apart, its dismembered body bsted away in all dires.

  Lightning and gales tio sh out, and scars were carved all throughout the Labyrinth. Both dust and blood was cleared out by the bst, leaving only a space as soon as the lightning bolts died out, a lone man standing victorious.

  "So, how was it? Was I cool?" ［Grey］

  "Un! Very!" ［Yuna］

  The battle was already over before it even started, only bright smiles to be seen as Grey headed back to everyone else. The young dy already knows how powerful Grey was, but it's in moments like such she could squeal like any normal girl.

  Happiness and silliness in the air, Grey, Yuna, and the spirits soon tio tread oing all sorts of mohey saw, taking a look at the treasure rooms, and carefully disarming the traps from quite some distance away.

  They could afford to py around before, but ih floor where lightning veins are powerful enough to ie S-rank monsters in a mere instant, there was o pce themselves in unnecessary harm. It was far too risky.

  Just like that, Grey and Yuna progressed through the Labyrinth smoothly. It was an arduous and demanding task, the spirits soon unsummohe very moment they ran out of mana and energy. It was a shame, but it was best for them to rest.

  GURRRUUUKKK THUD THUD CRAASSSHHHHHH

  "Was that the st one, Grey?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah. I don't see any more monsters around." ［Grey］

  The monsters were defeated oer another as if they were nothing, and all the valuable drops and items were collected, things quickly getting doh the use of magic. It was just the staple routine, normal as beー

  "Hm? Isn't that..." ［Grey］

  ... Or so it was normal for quite some time. However, just as Grey checked with his "Heaven's Eye", he saw something iing poking out from the er of his eyes. It wasn't really a rare thing per se, but it was still iing to say the least.

  It was a treasure room, but not just any type of treasure room, but a rare and special treasure room Grey and Yuna had only seen for a couple times. Evehe one Grey is seeing is inparably more massive than any they've seen before.

  "Yuna, I just found something iing. Wanna e and join me?" ［Grey］

  Hesitation was not even an option. As soon as Grey said out his words, Yuna quickly brightened up and she nodded her head ever so adorably. She doesn't know what Grey was talking about, but it was still aing thought.

  Riding along such excitement, Grey and Yuna quickly rushed away, the young dy following after the former. There were a lot of sharp twists and turns in the massive maze-like Labyrinth, some series looking simir despite being different.

  GURRAAAAAKKKK BUHHIIIIKKKKKK KRUAAAKKKKKKK

  And of course, like any good old Labyrinth, there were also lots of traps and monsters present in every other hallway, all trying to kill them without sparing a sed thought. Not that they could, anyway. All were crushed in a sirike.

  "Almost there... And here we are!" ［Grey］

  "Ohh... Ohhhh... Ohhhhh...! Ohh～waah～!" ［Yuna］

  It was beautifulー no, it was beyoiful. There weren't just simple ores, crystals, and precious stones present, but fairly high-grade metals, magic crystals, precious gemstones, and all sorts of wonderful earthy items dispyed in abundance.

  The previous enviroype treasure rooms Grey and Yuna have been to were mostly filled with magits, ore deposits, aquatic items, and many more. Yet all of them pales in parison to the abundant treasure room before them.

  Not only is it over 5 times bigger than most of them, the ores present were also top-notch. There weren't just High-Grade materials, but Superirade, and even some Legendary-Grade materials as well. It was a treasure trove waiting to be mined.

  "G-G-Grey! A pickaxe! Hurry! Give me a pickaxe! Please!" ［Yuna］

  And as usual, Yuna was the one most excited about the materials she could mine. Despite Grey being a bcksmith and the one who usually deals with such items, his joy could never hold a dle against Yuna's excitement ahusiasm.

  It doesn't matter whether they are herbs, magits, ores, fruits and nuts, crystals, monster drops, equipment, or anything else. A hoarder will be more than happy to hoard what they ahem all even if they areirely useful.

  Of course, as the Queen of Hoarders, Yuna didn't want to lose out on the ce to get her hands on some good stuff. She may not be able to use them in smithing, but she could very much experiment with them using alchemy. She was gettied.

  "Yuna... You know... When did we ever have a pickaxe?" ［Grey］

  "Eh?! We don't?!" ［Yuna］

  "We rarely do mining quests, after all. And even if we did, we just borrow from the guild or just use magic. Are you really that excited that you've fotten about it?" ［Grey］

  "ht! Teehee! Silly me!" ［Yuna］

  In public, she is like any normal girl. In front of children, she is gentle and mature. In front of Grey, she is sweet and childish. But in front of untapped resources, she is a maniac ready to rip everything apart in the name of h.

  As soon as she put her mind on it, Yuna immediately started to move and used magic to harvest the ores oer another, dashi and right as she collected all that she could. They were in a Labyrinth, so there was o hold herself back.

  "Grey, aren't you helping? You use these for bcksmithing too, you know? There are all sorts of rare materials here that I'm sure you'll like." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, yeah, I'm ing, Midy." ［Grey］

  "Oh, and you please start mining over the other side? We should be able to finish much faster that way! Time is of the essence!" ［Yuna］

  "Haah... So all you wanted was a helper, huh..." ［Grey］

  Yep, he was just a helper. After all, with such a rge area to mine, no matter how fast Yuna is, there is no way she could finish mining everything before the day ends. She needs help, and she knows Grey was more than capable.

  Even then, even knowing that his fiancée just wants ara hand, there was nothing Grey could do about it. He is too much of a fool for her, after all. All he could do inch Yuna's cheeks a little, much to the tter's fusion.

  "Eh? Why? Did I do something wrong?" ［Yuna］

  "Not really. I just want to pinch my dear fiancée's soft cheeks... Just sider it as payment for helping you out... I guess...?" ［Grey］

  "Uuu... You bully..." ［Yuna］

  Shenanigans aside, Grey soon started to work on the mines, letting bursts of winds swirl and sh out with a flick of a finger, and making them dig out ores, big or small, oer another with much precision, aided by earth magic,

  They may just be mining ores, but with magivolved, one which could easily shred metals into scraps, they o be extra careful to not damage the ores. They had to be precise and stable in their trol, gently sweeping the dirt and rocks away.

  There weren't just gold, ptinum, and paldium, but High-Grade minerals such as Falnov, Bck Iron, Bncium, Noirite, and so much more. There's also Superirade metals like Celberin and Lodesteel, and Legendary-Grade like Mithril.

  "With this amount, I could probably make a ring or something..." ［Grey］

  The amount endary-Grade Ores wasn't much, but sidering they go for millions, one could only imagine how much a couple dozen grams would cost. A small and simple ring made from such would be priceless. As for equipment...

  "I really o practice more, huh..." ［Grey］

  ... Apart from the fact that the amount was too little, Grey is still far too inexperienced. He has a rge sto his Iory, but being a Tier-8 bcksmith is a drawback. If he wants te better gear, he o train himself much stricter.

  After all, Grey has now reached Disaster-Css, his progress slowing down a little as it became harder to find enemies of the same level. It would be good to spend more time on his hobbies and improve himself in different aspects as well.

  CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE

  However, not even a couple minutes has passed since Grey started and bolts of lightning had already started to sh out all over the pce. There wasn't just one or two, but a whole squad of "Arfluses" heading towards him.

  "Ah, right... I totally fot about those guys..." ［Grey］

  Enviroype treasure rooms, like the name suggests, pose as some sort of separate enviro ihe Labyrinth. Not only in appearance, but its character as well, housing several "lifeforms" as if it was like a living, breathi.

  These monsters are picked at random, and spawns monsters of different ranks that do not rely on the depth of the Floor, funing something like a from the surfao, rather, it is a , a big o that.

  This time, they are fag "Arfluses", lightning-attribute monsters whose bodies are made of lightning, only a core remaining solid. There are G-rank "Lesser Arflus", E-rank "Arflus", k "Greater Arflus", and A-rank "Thuorm Arflus".

  There are even higher variants of such monsters as well, but it seems like the Boss is but an A-rankー No, an S-rank "Thuorm Arflus". Lightning-attribute monsters receive quite a rge power-up, after all.

  "Now, what to do with these..." ［Grey］

  It would be easy to deal with them with a little bit of magic, but the problem is, the ores and materials would also be damaged if he sh out ihere was no way Grey could risk it... Yuna may get sad, after all...

  Do you need help, Master? I could create barriers for you to protect the pce. You rest assured as you fight. ［Arcturus］

  No need. I think I hahis. Thanks anyway. ［Grey］

  Uood. Please do not hesitate to call us if you ever need something. We will be more than happy to be of use and assistance. ［Arcturus］

  Hahaha. I'll keep that in mind. ［Grey］

  Well, if the enemies could damage the surroundings, then the solution retty simple. All Grey o do was bee so fast and overwhelming, the enemies wouldn't even notice what hit them until they already lost their lives.

  Grey heaved a sigh and activated "Triple" using "Authority". His whole body has been amplified and the winds howled to greet him. He was light as be, riding on the ge raging winds as he hopped up and dowing himself a little.

  "Really... The things you do for love..." ［Grey］

  Grey mumbled to himself, and soon enough, he burst forth at speeds not even sound could pare. There was a soni, and Grey's figure was soon o be seen, only a light blur, his afterimages soon fading away.

  CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE

  The Arfluses were wandering aimlessly throughout the mines, sparks flying out left and right, bolts of lightning crag as they took their steps. Before them was a beautiful mine and soon, there was darkness.

  Before they could even notice, an illusive figure had already rushed past them aroyed their cores in all but a split sed. The winds followed soon after and their bodies were blown away as they all shattered intments of mana and light.

  It was all too sudden, all the Arfluses disiing oer another without magic a single sound in rapid succession, happening almost simultaneously. They simply fell towards the ground, erased by a blurry fsh without even notig.

  ??Phantom Caliber?? ［Grey］

  Grey's punch rushed out and ected towards the Greater Arflus, cracks showing up as sh throughout the core, breaking apart and soon turning itself into fine powder in just a matter of seds, not a tick or tock to be heard.

  It wasn't just one. All the Arflus behind it also suffered the same fate, their cores all broken in under a minute and their bodies fading away afterwards. Grey tinued such a trend, eliminating hundreds of them in all but under a minute.

  Soon enough, he arrived at the ter of the , and surely, there was a massive figure waiting for him. It was the Thuorm Arlfus, t over 5 meters i and body tirely but scarlet red lightning.

  GHIIIEEEEEEEKKKK CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKー

  "Hey, I'm afraid we 't be having that here." ［Grey］

  It was S-rank, yes, it was S-rank... But to the eyes of Grey, it was an insignifit speck of dust, just as worthless and troublesome as the others before it and all he needed was a single punch, bolting faster than a bullet.

  ??Phantom Caliber: Omega?? ［Grey］

  The punch ected, and much like the ones before it, its core has been shattered before it could even muster any power. Shod pain rang throughout its senses, its whole being slowly torn apart as its core slowly pulverized itself.

  The Thuorm Arflus tried to sh out its hands, but it was already far too te. It had already lost its strength, all power slowly leaving its body as his lightning bolts slowly faded away with time, scattering aimlessly.

  CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE

  Well, the Thuorm Arflus wasn't the only one in the room. There were also a couple Greater Arflus present, however, they also suffered the same fate as their boss, disiing into the air as soon as they caught Grey's eyes.

  It didn't even take a minute, and before long, the whole treasure room was cleared of monsters, only metals and minerals left waiting to be mined. Light soon filled the boss chamber and a certain something materialized out of thin air.

  After all, what kind of treasure room was ohout a treasure chest?

  As soon as the Thuorm Arflus was defeated and turo mana, the treasure chest quickly showed itself, looking magnifit as ever. It was decorated with both gold, silver, and a couple gems, looking fancy as be.

  The exterior was already luxurious, what more of the treasures stored inside. Grey soon took a peek and surely enough, it did not disappoint. There were quite a lot of valuable things ihe young man soourning to where Yuna was.

  "Waah～! So many Legendary-Grade ingots～! There's Mithril and Orichalcum! There's even Scarletite! And some Argooo!" ［Yuna］

  Such was the bright expression which greeted Grey as soon as he returhey weren't just raw ores either, but processed ingots of the highest purity and quality. They were items which would sell billions, amazing as be.

  Of course, Yuna, as someone who loves resources quite dearly, was very overjoyed by such a sight. Her eyes were sparkling ever shtly, head turni and right as she examihem, Grey chug to himself all the while.

  "Do you love them? You have them all if you want." ［Grey］

  "Really? No takesy-backsies?!" ［Yuna］

  "Of course. I still have a lot for myself, anyway." ［Grey］

  "Waahhh... Thank you, Grey! You're the best!" ［Yuna］

  In exge, Grey got a tight hug and a light pe the cheeks. It may not seem much sidering how sweet and flirty they usually are, but it was more than enough to make Grey satisfied. He is a simple man.

  "Ohh～! Getting such a nice present really makes me excited! It feels like I'm full of energy! I think I fly!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Flying may be a little bit much for now. Why don't we tinue colleg the ores, My Dear? We don't have all day, after all." ［Grey］

  "U's keep on mining! Yeah～!" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah～." ［Grey］

  He's just a fool, after all.

  CHAPTER 437 END