Chapter 228:


    Dungeon Stampede 2.0 Love


    Oh, come to think of it, I''ve leveled up.


    Continuing from yesterday, I fought by swinging around a giant rock salt warhammer, so my power has increased significantly. I also tried precise attacks with a thrusting sword, but my ‘dexterity'' remains elusive.


    Current Previous


    Level 17 16


    Race: Human?


    Occupation: Teacher


    Stats


    Strength: 537 479


    Stamina: 557 485


    Intelligence: 543 513


    Spirit: 563 521


    Agility: 512 455


    Luck: 586 555


    Melancholy: 282 282


    Blessings:


    [Salt Spirit] Kiyomikami, [Fairy Queen] Sachimitama, [Red Slime] Junkimitama, [Spatial Monkey] Minion, [Fighting Frog] Minion, [Great Slug] Minion


    Skills:


    [Strong Acid 2], [Agility 2], [Disease Resistance 7], [Usurpation], [Mucus 7], [Space 6], [Good Luck 1.4], [Footwork], [Meditation], [Salt 5], [Art], [Maggot 2], [Woman], [Martial Arts 6], [Paralysis 4], [Leap 9], [Sturdy 8], [Charm]


    Titles:


    [Bug King], [Salt Mate], [Salty Guy], [Bug Queen], [Woman Killer], [Bug Friends]


    This results in a flat attribute distribution with a balance over 500. The race being ‘Human?'' has completely removed the 500 cap. Due to the transfer of life energy, my level has fluctuated, resulting in incredible attribute changes.


    (Hmm, at the beginning, leveling up only changed my attributes by about 3, but now it fluctuates by 50 or so. That''s an absurd volatility...)


    But in percentage terms, it means the base value has increased. Normally, leveling down doesn''t happen so easily, so this must be a special case...


    "Uh, please be gentler there..."


    "Oh, did it hurt? Sorry, sorry. How about this?"


    "Yeah, that''s good... Ah, feels nice!"


    Yesterday, he tried to stop a pointless argument among evacuees but was pushed away and told, ‘Who do you think you are?'' A passing self-defense officer settled it, but Shozo felt his powerlessness deeply.


    (Being a judge without the courthouse is utterly powerless...)


    Gathering the scattered cans from the asphalt, he felt lonely. He thanked the young volunteer and returned to the shelter.


    "Ah, Katehina-san. How was the volunteer work?"


    "Oh, well, I got tired quickly and ended up being a burden, so I left early."


    A colleague, also evacuated, greeted him.


    "Ah, I see... But that''s understandable. We''re getting old."


    "Yes, you''re right. Age is unbeatable."


    "But it''s nice, isn''t it? You have such a kind and beautiful daughter. It''s rare for someone to come looking for their father in such dangerous times."


    "Oh, well... yes, indeed..."


    Shozo, recently feeling down, felt a bit better hearing compliments about his daughter.


    Ruu, his beloved only daughter. She was often ill as a child, causing many worries. Despite the danger, she had braved a city filled with monsters to find him.


    While it seemed reckless, he felt immense joy.


    Just then, the long-unused communication devices in the shelter began to ring. One was Shozo''s.


    "Go ahead. It must be your family."


    "Ah, excuse me..."


    He picked up the device. The number displayed was his home.


    "Hello?"


    [Oh, hello, dear! Are you okay? I heard you were injured.]


    It was his wife''s voice. He could hear her again.


    "Yeah... I''m okay. I''m glad to hear your voice. Are you safe?"


    [Yes, Ruu brought a friend and came back. We''re fine!]


    "Really... Ruu came to me too. Even though it''s so dangerous..."


    [I know, I know. I''ll talk to her. I''m glad you''re okay. Hearing your voice...!]


    Though he wanted to talk more and hear his wife''s voice, tears welled up, and he couldn''t speak further. His colleague watched him kindly.


    The shelter was filled with the voices of people reconnecting with their families.