Chapter 55
Unlike the light beam shot, the second skill didn’t require any special components.
It was one of those skills that only needed you to memorize a magic circle—like the split shot or other elemental-type skills.
Thanks to that, it was easy to learn.
After memorizing a magic circle shaped like plant vines and visualizing it in my mind, I fired the bullet.
‘Hmm, the more types of magic circles I learn, the messier my head gets.’
Thankfully, most of the magic circles were intuitive enough to memorize easily.
“Alright, this master will show you a demonstration first.”
Craig said that, aiming his old, battered pistol at a wooden training dummy.
“…Ah.”
Then he realized all the wooden dummies had been smashed and sighed.
“Uh, Miss Johanna, could you help me out a bit?”
“Tsk. You’re such a bother to this old lady.”
Johanna floated lazily toward us, unwilling even to walk.
Then, in an instant, she formed a new summon out of the broken wood pieces — a golem made of timber.
“There, that should do.”
“Yes, thank you!”
Now that there was a new target to replace the dummies I’d broken earlier, Craig fired the vine shot.
A leaf-shaped bullet flew out and tightly bound the wooden golem’s feet.
But the effect didn’t last long.
“Graaaah!”
The golem roared and tore the vines apart.
“Alright, now it’s your turn.”
My turn.
I carefully removed the component used for the beam shot, already getting used to the process.
As I held it, I wondered whether I should give it back to Craig.
“Oh, that part’s yours now. Keep it in your holster.”
“Ah, yes.”
With that, the first slot of my gun belt was filled.
Originally, it was meant to hold spare magazines.
I’d wondered why I even needed such pockets when I used magic bullets, but apparently, they were designed for special skill components like these.
After safely storing the piece, I aimed my gun at the wooden golem and fired the vine shot.
The visual effect — leaves fluttering in the air — was beautiful.
Unlike Craig’s, my shot produced stronger vines and thicker leaves that tightly wrapped around the golem’s body.
It struggled but couldn’t easily break free.
“Ohhh, as expected of the Goddess’s chosen hero…!”
At this point, you’d think I’d be used to hearing, “Wow, the Goddess’s warrior is amazing!”
But still, the praise made me feel a bit embarrassed.
After learning two new skills, I received two Rainbow Stones as a reward.
My business here was done, and it was about time to return to my dorm.
Just as I was about to leave the training grounds, something came to mind.
I paused and pulled out a leaf-shaped gem from my inventory.
“Um, I got this recently.”
“Hm? What’s that?”
It was a Memory Fragment — an item used to recreate past dungeon battles.
When I explained it, both Craig’s and Johanna’s eyes lit up.
“Oooh! So this is that Memory Fragment that can run the simulator! I’ve heard of it but never used one. Finally, I get to see it in action!”
“Oh ho, I’ve only read about this in records. How fascinating.”
Craig spoke in his usual booming voice — as if he’d swallowed a train whistle — clearly excited.
Even Johanna, the over-a-hundred-year-old woman who usually looked bored with everything, had bright, sparkling eyes.
It was quite the sight.
And judging by their excitement… were they planning to use it right now?
“…You mean, go inside it now?”
We’d gone into that dungeon at dawn and come out near midnight.
It was now two in the afternoon. If we went in again, we’d be staying up all night inside.
On top of that, my potion supply was almost depleted.
I wasn’t confident I could maintain the divine blessing spell through another full run.
“Hmm, we don’t have to go all the way. Just the starting area, maybe a short test?”
Craig said that, his big, scarred face somehow managing to look like a hopeful puppy.
Well, I supposed it made sense. The simulator could only be activated by the Goddess’s chosen hero — meaning they hadn’t been able to use it for centuries.
It was natural they’d be excited.
“…Alright, sure.”
I couldn’t bring myself to refuse those pleading eyes.
And so, an unplanned dungeon simulation began.
“This is the Simulation Projector,” Craig said, striking a triumphant pose with both arms spread wide.
It was impressive — in theory.
But contrary to his proud stance, the machine behind him looked rather shabby.
Centuries of disuse had left it dusty and neglected.
It resembled a cylindrical pedestal, with a glass dome on top.
Inside the dome was a slot for inserting the gem — the Memory Fragment.
“Alright, let’s give it a try.”
I carefully pulled out a pair of full work gloves from my inventory — not the combat gloves that only covered my palms.
The reason? The dome was covered in a thick layer of moss and grime.
‘I’ll have to clean this later…’
Adrian would have fainted if he saw the state of it.
Even if it hadn’t been used for ages, it was still training equipment — shouldn’t someone have cleaned it?
Then again, look at who was in charge here.
Craig? The man didn’t exactly scream “attention to detail.”
Johanna? If I asked her to wipe dust, she’d probably give me that frosty stare and say, “Do I look like I’m of the rank to do such chores?”
And honestly, asking a woman over a hundred years old to do it, even if she looked younger than me, felt wrong.
So, it was up to me. As they say, the thirsty one digs the well.
Carefully, I opened the glass dome and placed the gem into the groove.
Then, as soon as I closed the lid—
A blinding light erupted from the simulator.
I instinctively shut my eyes. When I opened them again, the scenery had completely changed.
‘…Wow.’
I couldn’t help but gasp in awe.
Just a moment ago, Craig, Johanna, and I had been in the training grounds.
Now, we were standing at the entrance of the Silvagrove Forest.
It wasn’t teleportation — neither of them showed signs of nausea.
And the most surprising thing…
“Miss Ferdia?”
Right before me stood Ferdia.
I blinked rapidly.
Was this really a simulation? Not the real thing?
“I’m not the real Ferdia. I’m a guide modeled after her. I have her personality, habits, and knowledge, but I’m not actually Ferdia.”
The Ferdia-lookalike smiled gently.
The mischievous expression was exactly like hers. It was uncanny.
So this was like… a holographic AI, huh?
“Alright then, shall we begin? Follow me!”
“Ohh, fascinating!” Craig said, scratching his head in wonder.
The scenery around us was indeed identical to the real Silvagrove Forest.
“Ah, wait a sec.”
I quickly activated the Divine Blessing technique.
On the ground around me, luminous wing patterns — matching the mark on my hand — began to spin in gentle light.
“Hmmm, so that’s the famous spell Adrian mentioned finding in an old text,” Johanna mused.
“Um, it won’t last long,” I said.
My mana potions were nearly gone.
I still had a little left, but using it all just to satisfy their curiosity felt wasteful.
Following the AI guide that looked like Ferdia, we entered the dungeon.
The path wasn’t exactly the same as before; the forest layout was quite different.
‘Ah, that’s why a guide is needed.’
Without Ferdia, I’d probably have gotten hopelessly lost.
Her value was clearer than ever.
And soon after—
I realized saving my potions hadn’t been necessary.
‘Wow, this is easy mode.’
Craig and Johanna were like professional chauffeurs on a luxury ride.
They plowed through monsters effortlessly.
I still participated — firing off my usual flame and frost bullets, plus the new beam shot — but honestly, they didn’t need my help.
Craig, as a paladin, held the front line with his massive shield, blocking every attack.
Johanna summoned strange, powerful creatures that melted enemies — figuratively, not literally, but that’s how it looked.
‘Sorry to my teammates, but… taking these two into dungeons would make life way easier.’
No wonder they were instructors.
Their levels must’ve been sky-high.
Of course, because of their teaching positions, I knew they couldn’t actually join my team.
Still, Darren, Lena, and Leo would get stronger with time and experience.
After an incredibly comfortable “power-leveling bus ride,” we wrapped things up.
I picked up the loot the monsters had dropped and ended the simulation.
‘Man, this is so convenient. You just say “End Simulation!” and you’re instantly back outside.’
No need to trudge out of the dungeon with a tired, battered body like in real life. That alone made it perfect.
With that happy thought, I returned to the dorms.
