[A Grand Achievement! You have defeated the Floor Master, Wraith Queen, alone! Amazing!]

[You have obtained the title, ‘Wraith Queen Slayer’. All stats have permanently increased by 1. This effect will apply even if the title is not equipped.]

[You have defeated the Wraith Queen alone. You have obtained the special reward, ‘Wraith Queen’s Shirt.’]

[You have obtained 3,000 gold.]

[Choose your reward.]

[1. Spirit Mastery Magic Book.]

“Whew.” I sighed.

As expected, I obtained another title for my efforts. Since I also had the Orc Lord Slayer title, all of my stats were now permanently increased by 2.

The implications of these titles stunned me speechless for a bit, and then I pinched my cheeks to shake myself out of it.

The first thing I did was check the Wraith Queen equipment’s set effect. I took off the Orc Lord equipment and put on the Wraith Queen equipment. Before I had gotten the full set, I had wondered if I needed to also use the whip but reality proved that I fortunately didn’t need to.

[You equipped the Wraith Queen Set. Your magic and charm increases by 5. When the Wraith Queen Set is equipped, you can use ‘Vengeful Spirit’s Wail’ once per day.]

“As expected…” I murmured. The implications made me lost in thought for a moment, but I shrugged at the end. Then I switched my equipment back to the Orc Lord Set. Vengeful Spirit’s Wail was a skill that changed the entire battlefield by affecting the enemy with confusion and fear status effects. There was no doubt that it was a good skill. However, compared to the Orc Lord’s Warcry, it felt too weak.

Why was this the case? The skill itself was powerful, but there were major drawbacks. For example, it was possible for an enemy to be immune to confusion or fear. In addition, enemies could also have the ability to use a priest-type cleansing skill. In those cases, the skill would be useless. On the other hand, unless there was a monster that had the ability to cancel the buffs, Orc Lord’s Warcry would always be useful.

I could only use one of the two skills, so I decided to choose the Orc Lord’s Warcry. Although the Wraith Queen was a higher rank Floor Master, her equipment set was made out of cloth, which was inappropriate for a warrior type like me.

However, the texture of the black jacket, white pants, and white shirt felt incredibly luxurious. It made me want to wear the set as daily wear.

Next up was the rewards. The 3,000 gold was nothing surprising as that was the normal amount given for defeating the Wraith Queen. What I was looking forward to was finding out what reward I got for defeating it solo.

[1. Spirit Mastery Magic Book.]

“Another magic book? Spirit Mastery, huh.”

It made sense. Wraiths, the Wraith Queen, and the Soul Tempering Elixir all had to do with souls, so a magic book like this was expected to a certain extent. However, I did hope that it would be a skill powerful enough to bring my strength to a new level.

I then admonished myself, “No, I shouldn’t complain. Magic books are said to be rare after all. Be more respectful, Kang Shin.”

The grass was always greener on the other side. Even though I knew I would slowly get stronger in the dungeons, I had become greedy for strength after seeing someone much stronger than me.  However, I soon realized that if I tried to rush it, it would only work against me. Slow and steady was the way to go. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't forget that mantra as I put my hand inside the partially transparent window.

[You have obtained the Spirit Mastery skill. Your affinity to souls and spirits have increased. The strength of all soul and spirit-related skills have increased. As the skill level increases, your affinity with souls and spirits will also increase.]

In other words, my Deific Manifestation skill would also get stronger. I already had a partner I could call once a month, Peruta. If Spirit Mastery’s skill level rose, I might be able to summon him more often and for longer durations. After I understood the full benefits of the skill, I became convinced that it was good.

“Alright then, let’s go.”

It was time to collect the long-awaited quest reward. How will Loretta react? A smile crept up on my face as I became excited to see her reaction.

[Quest Success!]

[You have conquered the Floor Master Wraith Queen alone. As a feat that has not been seen for the past 200 years, the Floor Shop owner, Loretta, is in awe. She regrets her decision in attempting to take revenge on you with this bet. However, she will still give out her reward. After all, she is an honest shop owner.]

[You have received a system reward. You have obtained 1 skill point. You now have 2 spare skill points.]

“Aguhueforkuralo.”

“Can you say that in a human language? It seems I haven’t mastered an alien language yet.”

“Uwaaaah, you really did it…”

She showed a reaction that surpassed my expectations. Yesterday she had been skeptical that I could finish the bet, but now she was babbling nonsense with a soulless expression on her face.  After I talked to her a few times, she started crying. How shameful.

“Sob, you’re right, I’m a bad woman who gives quests but hates seeing them be completed. Are you disillusioned?”

“No, it’s nothing new.” I shrugged.

“Uhuhuk!”

“Um, Loretta noona?” I asked in a hesitant voice and she turned towards me instantly.

She snapped, “What? Can’t you see that I’m crying?”

“Um…Give me my reward.”

Like I’d fall for your tricks to skimp out on my reward.

“Wahhhhhh!” she shrieked and sobbed.

“Now, now. Stop crying and give me my reward.”

“WAHHHHHHHH!”

It took a long time before I could calm her down. Although it was obvious that she was trying to stall, I had no choice as I had to collect my reward. She only stopped crying after I promised her I’d bring her ramen from Earth. Apparently, a previous dungeon explorer from Earth had treated her before. 

She sniffed, “You’ll really bring me one?”

“Yeah.”

“Sob… Okay, I’ll trust you.”

Loretta wiped away her tears, then handed me something.

“Take it. It’s the best reward I can give you, customer.”

“This…?”

After receiving it, I tilted my head to the side. It was a pocket watch. When I opened the lid that was adorned with fancy jewels, I saw a clock with only one hand. Just when I was wondering where the hour hand was, I realized the clock did not have any numbers written on it. Instead, there were twelve small holes in the places where the numbers should have been. The minute hand remained fixed between the 11th hour hole and the 12th hour hole.

The pocket watch was on a silver chain. In sharp contrast to the outer case, which was adorned with fancy gems, the inside looked antique and rustic. I couldn’t help but be disappointed when I opened it up. It…didn’t even have a crown.

“Can I get angry?” I groused.

“Tsk, tsk. You have no eye for valuables. Try reading the item info.”

“I don’t think that would change my mind. Let me see.”

I gave Loretta a look full of doubt as I checked the pocket watch’s description. A few seconds later, my eyes were about to pop out from their sockets.

[???? (Secret – Subclass)

A pocket watch filled with unknown powers. Its beholder will eventually obtain a class befitting it.]

“…Class!?”

“Huhu, now you realize what a precious treasure that is!?” Loretta crowed triumphantly.

I stuttered, “N-Noona, there’s a way to obtain a class?”

When I first entered the dungeon, I realized that I did not have a class assigned to me. Given my skills, I expected to eventually get a class like spearman, but after all this time, I still hadn’t been assigned one. I was pretty sure that Ellos and Palludia had received the Knight and Priestess classes respectively, so I couldn’t help but think something was wrong with me.

Not too long ago, when my father became an ability user, he obtained a cool sounding class called Wave Attacker. Although he complained, saying that a traditional spearman like him should not have such a superhero-like class, I knew he was secretly bragging as he talked about getting bonus stats and few additional skills. My father really was childish.

In any case, I was the only dungeon explorer I knew that didn’t have a class! I felt bad, as it was like being told I had no ability. If possible, I wanted to at least have the Crown Prince of 5F as my class.

At a time I least expected, the issue of class had shown up. 

Loretta explained, “Of course there is. In the first place, dungeon explorers from other continents who are appointed as knights or ordained as priests already possess classes before entering the dungeon. But you, customer, are different.”

“That’s right. I haven’t been appointed a knight or ordained as a priest.”

“Nor did you have the qualification.”

“That’s why I didn’t have a class?”

“Yes.”

I see, there was a reason I had been treated like an unemployed person. Then, I remembered my father who had the Wave Attacker class, and asked Loretta.

“What about my father?”

“Ah, that ‘ability’? That’s like a seal engraved directly on one’s soul. It would be a different story if he already had a class, but since he didn’t, of course he would get a class.”

I narrowed my eyes. “…There’s more that you know, right? About the things happening on Earth.”

“My, that’s a secret, customer,” Loretta coyly said.

I really didn’t expect that my questions about classes would lead to a topic like this. Although I always wanted to find the relationship between the dungeon and what was happening on Earth, I didn’t think I would hear hints of it from the Floor Shop owner, Loretta.

Now that I thought about it, something was strange. Both the Edias continent where Ellos came from and the Luka continent where Palludia came from were being attacked by invaders, the so-called Demon race. Earth was also in a similar situation, having to fight against invaders. This did not seem to be mere coincidence.

When my idle thoughts stumbled across this revelation, I could feel my hair stand on end. However, before I had the chance to speak, Loretta placed her hand on my mouth to block it.

Her eyes were incredibly serious. “Remember, customer. In the end, I am a shop owner that sells items to customers in need. I am on your side. As long as your willpower stands firm, the dungeon, too, will be of help to you.”

“…”

“So for now, don’t ask anythi-Kyaa! Why did you lick me!?”

Loretta screamed as she hurriedly pulled away her hand. I also wasn’t sure what to feel after experiencing what it was like to lick a woman’s hand for the first time. It was strange.

“It tastes weird…a bit salty, maybe?” I mused.

“It’s not salty! Don’t say something like that so casually!” she scolded.

“What should I say then?”

“That’s…”

“Hehe, this is fine then, right?”

Loretta’s face turned red when she saw my mischievous grin. She smiled, as if she had forgotten her earlier rage.

“…Really, what a strange customer.”

“You’re the one to talk, Loretta noona.”

“You can just call me Loretta, customer. Noona sounds like you’re emphasizing our age difference.”

“Loretta.”

“…Don’t call me without a reason. Really.”

On the day I conquered the Wraith Queen, I obtained many things and learned a lot about the situation surrounding me. I felt that I had taken one more step toward becoming a true dungeon explorer.

The next day, I challenged the 15th Floor Master, Dark Ratman. Unfortunately, I died. The dungeon was off limits for me for the next week.