Loop Mob – A Mob’s Interdimensional Travel Caught in a Loop

Chapter 73: Earth Attribute Dungeon

The underground second floor is the stage of Clay Golems, earth elemental golems that can be created with the Golem Creation skill. This dungeon has 10 floors in total. As always, it’s unclear what’s going on, but the sun rises over the vast plains, and a pleasant breeze blows. However, despite the peaceful scenery, as we walk, the ground suddenly rises, and humanoid golems made of earth attack us. Moreover, since this is a large dungeon where you can see the entire floor, the guild-sold maps don’t clearly indicate where the golems appear. There are no landmarks at all. At best, the direction of the stairs to the next floor is roughly indicated.

Well, it doesn’t matter to me since I can fly. I could just use area attacks from above and take care of everything.

But today, we’re staying here for Luca-sama’s sake. I create a rock wall and build a tower inside with Rock Wall. It’s like one of those three-story houses in the city. We stand on the rooftop, looking down at the plains below.

*Rustle… Rustle…*
*Oof… Oof…*

The earth bulges up here and there, and earth golems begin to gather on the walls. Their slow movements and eerie voices (?) make them seem a bit undead and gross.

“Ah!”

Luca-sama, who was excitedly playing around with the rock wall and tower until a moment ago, is now trembling and holding onto the edge of my cloak.

“Luca-sama. Today, I will teach you the secret of silent casting that I showed you the other day.”

As I say this, his eyes change. Yes, he also has the scent of a research geek unique to earth attribute users like Professor Kabanel and me.

“Oh bountiful goddess of the earth, hear my plea in exchange for the mana offered. Small stone, soar, crush the enemy, Stone Bullet.”

The pebbles flew. This is the version we learned in class from the spellbook. Next,

“Small stone, soar, crush the enemy, Stone Bullet.”

This version excludes the modifiers. Again, the pebbles flew. Furthermore,

“Small small, stone stone, fly fly, hit hit, Stone Bullet.”

The minimal incantation and skill name.

“Stone Bullet.”

Even just saying the skill name, the stones flew effortlessly.

“Stone Boulder.”

“Stone Stein Bullet.”

In my native language, the neighboring country’s language, and finally, silently activated. It’s the same as what I demonstrated in front of the teachers in Marol during the second loop. He watches with serious eyes as stones burst out from the tip of the staff, crushing the earth golems. Actually, all of this is reproduced using magical tools, so it’s a bit cheating.

“Would you like to try it?”

He waved his staff and shot Stone Bullets at the earth golems. Occasionally, there were misfires, but he ultimately succeeded in silent casting. Of course, he can’t cast it many times with his MP. We spent some time resting inside the tower.

“Amazing, Alexi! Truly, no incantations are needed!”
“We already knew from the Tower’s research that you can activate Stone Bullet with just the minimal incantation and skill name. Some adventurers have noticed this mechanism and further shortened it.”
Talking about myself here.
“But if I research and present something like this, it’ll surely be amazing.”
“Adventurers don’t reveal their secrets. That’s how they make a living.”
“I see…”
Among adventurers, it’s considered bad manners to inquire about each other’s skills and strengths. So, when forming parties or taking on quests together, one must be careful in choosing companions. Also, adventurers who talk too much are disliked as party members, which can lead to isolation or difficulty in getting jobs. Trust is important not only for merchants but for adventurers as well.

After imparting this to Luca-sama, he solemnly said, “Understood.” He seems particularly pleased to be treated as an adventurer companion. I’m a bit worried because he’s too straightforward. But if he trusts me enough to worry about me, then I guess it’s fine.

“Now, Luca-sama, please wear this pendant.”

What I handed over was the Talisman of Akitsu Max, which is a magical stone with dragonfly wings attached. As you wear more of them, your flying speed increases, so I made three spares just in case, but I’ll give one now.

“Alright, let’s dash from above. Here we go.”

“Huh, wait a minute, Alexi… Eeeeeh?!”

I waved the staff of explosion.

The third floor is Brick Golem (feels familiar from a popular RPG), the fourth floor is Stone Golem. The fifth floor is Golem Soldier, more humanoid and agile. The sixth floor is Golem Horse, suitable for solo riding. It boasts considerable mobility and durability as a monster. The seventh floor is Golem Knight. From here, with a metallic body and swordsmanship skills, they are much stronger than soldiers. The eighth floor is Golem Carriage. I used to ride around recklessly in the previous loop, but it’s scary if it goes berserk. The ninth floor is single-seater Golem, and the boss on the tenth floor is a six-seater giant Golem for the entire party.

Shaped like a toppled egg with chubby legs and long arms made of metal. Regular adventurers stand no chance against it. Since there are few types of monsters here, it’s easier to devise strategies, and while it’s recognized as advanced, looking only at the boss’s difficulty, it’s no different from a superior-class dungeon. I wonder how the adventurers who have cleared it before managed to defeat this.

But an eye for an eye, a piloted Golem for a piloted Golem.

*Chuchuchuchuchu… BOOM.*

Riding on a sturdy Golem, I repeatedly fire Fireballs from within. Even Fireball, called the weakest fire attribute attack skill, when raised to level 10 Max, becomes a phoenix shape and flies as a homing projectile. In the end, this is the most cost-effective way to fight bosses.

The opponent is a huge lump of metal. It throws punches with its robust arms, tries to crush with its body, but we have the same thing, and with heavy firearms attached. We stand no chance unarmed. It’s a one-sided game, feels good.

“Amazing, Alexi! Amazing, Alexi!”

Luca-sama leans out of the pilot’s seat, completely engrossed in the monitor. There are no robot anime here, but boys still love this kind of stuff no matter how old they get. Before long, the Golem turns into ingots and coins. A treasure chest also drops. Ah, inside is a sword made of holy silver mithril. I wanted this one.

The piloted Golem sways violently. Although the battle ended quickly, Luca-sama seems a bit queasy. When I suggest going home soon, the response I get is, “One more time!”

In the end, we circled three times that day and returned to the dormitory late in the evening.