The Fastest Evolution of the Unrivaled Slime: My Rejected Skill was a Cheat for Super Efficient Leveling, So I Trained 100 Times Faster to Become the World’s Strongest

126. The Gray 26th Floor

I followed Laura down the stairs. The stairs looked the same as ever, and I stepped carefully on the stone steps, pondering her words.

Then, I noticed something. With each step down, my surroundings grew brighter.

“Huh… what’s this?”

“You didn’t know? I thought you knew more about dungeons than I do.”

Raize seemed to recognize this phenomenon and proceeded with confidence.

Determined not to fall behind, I followed… and as we reached the bottom, I was taken aback by the sight before me.

The dungeon floor was covered with tall, slender mushrooms, about a meter high.

These mushrooms emitted a fantastic gray light that illuminated the entire floor. The source of the light was these giant white mushrooms.

Each mushroom glowed with a bluish light, which reflected off the cave walls, bathing the entire floor in gray. I was captivated by the sight and gasped.

“The dungeon’s structure constantly changes. But the floor with the floor boss and this 26th floor remain unchanged.”

Now I understood why Laura suggested resting. This floor was unaffected by the dungeon’s structural changes, it was spacious, and there were no monsters. It was a perfect place to rest.

“But why doesn’t the structure change here? Are there other floors like this?”

“No, as far as I’ve seen, apart from the floors with floor bosses, this is the only one.”

If Laura says so, it must be true. We moved to the center of the floor, bathed in light.

“…Alright, let’s take a break.”

Laura sat down and leaned against a mushroom, relaxing. We followed suit.

“Still, why doesn’t this floor change? It’s so quiet, unlike a dungeon.”

“I don’t know. But sometimes, I think the dungeon maintains this floor by its own will.”

“The dungeon’s will?”

Laura’s unexpected words intrigued me. She continued.

“Haven’t you ever wondered? Dungeons constantly spawn monsters. Monsters are said to be created by magic, but why only in this dungeon?”

Indeed. When I think about it, it feels odd.

“I believe the dungeon has a will. I don’t know what drives it. But I think the dungeon created this 26th floor by its will.”

“For what purpose?”

“For those who died in the dungeon and those who live. Humans and monsters alike can find solace here. This unchanging place is the only one where we can connect with those who have passed on.”

Laura’s story was just her belief, not necessarily the truth.

However, her expression as she spoke to us was both sorrowful and reminiscent, as if recalling something dear.

“…Did you lose someone in this dungeon, Laura?”

“…Yes. Many of my comrades have gone ahead.”

Laura placed a hand on her sword and looked away.

“…But that’s why I think it’s meaningful for me to fight for them. Coming here reminds me of that.”

I felt like I understood her strength a bit better. Noah said humans grow stronger not just through leveling up but also through mental growth.

Laura carried different burdens than ordinary people. As a member of the strategy team, she fought on, carrying the memories of her past comrades.

She was strong and deeply cared for her comrades.

Laura took a deep breath and stood up, looking at us.

“From here on, it won’t be like before. Below, from the 27th floor, every five floors, there are floor bosses on the 30th, 35th, and 40th floors, and likely the 45th too.”

“Every five floors…? So we have to defeat at least three more like that Minotaur!?”

“Are you scared?”

Laura asked, testing my surprised reaction.

Having struggled in the recent battle with the Minotaur, it was indeed daunting.

But more than that, I was excited to delve deeper into the dungeon.

Floor bosses. What kind of creatures would they be? How strong could I become after defeating them?

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m looking forward to it.”

I can’t afford to lose here, for the sake of freeing Laura!