**[1st Named Boss]**
- **Level 45 Ancient Golem Minotauros**
- **HP: 947,051/8,600,000 (11%)**
*Pa-pa-pa-pat!*
As the Minotaur slammed its horns into the wall, entering a groggy state, my sword *Astaroth* danced across its massive body.
*Srrng, pak!*
White streaks slashed deep into the ancient golem’s solid body, and its HP rapidly drained.
With my glowing white sword returned to my waist, I launched myself like a flash of light, directly toward the stunned Minotaur.
*Flash!*
A brilliant white line connected me and the Minotaur.
*Ooooooh!*
With a swift movement, I turned my body, reset the cooldown with my bracelet, and prepared for a second strike, this time aiming diagonally from the right.
*Flash!*
*Pa-pa-pak!*
My sword and body carved a new path, splitting the magical stones that made up the Minotaur’s form. I landed in mid-air, positioned above the beast.
Now, it was time to unleash the power of *Astaroth*.
**[Unique Ability: Reset All Skill Cooldowns (Cooldown: 10 minutes)]**
*Paah!*
With the cooldown reset, I was able to use my skill once again.
I twisted in mid-air, facing the kneeling Minotaur from above, and brought my sword down in a swift, vertical slash.
*Flash!*
*Ooooooooh!*
*Crash! Crackle!*
I flicked my sword clean, glancing at what was now just a pile of rubble—the defeated Minotaur.
“Phew.”
I sheathed *Astaroth* and took a moment to reflect on the battle.
When I used to rely on standard temple weapons, I couldn’t drain the remaining HP during the groggy state after the wall crash pattern. But with the legendary weapon *Astaroth*, it became possible.
With both the cooldown reset from my bracelet and *Astaroth’s* ability, I was able to reset cooldowns twice in quick succession. The three consecutive *Moonlight Slashes* dealt an incredible amount of damage.
Additionally, the *60% damage increase* option on *Astaroth* applied to all skills, including *Moonlight Slash*.
There are elite dungeon weapons that also increase *Moonlight Slash* damage, but in terms of DPS (Damage Per Second), the *Moonlight Slash Damage Increase* option, which boosts *Starlight Slash* as well, is more advantageous. This is why single-skill damage increase options aren’t as popular.
Even if an elite weapon’s skill multiplier increased to 80% or even 100%, *Astaroth*, with its overall damage boost to all skills, is still superior.
Although PvP damage or extra damage to human players doesn’t matter much to me, *Astaroth* is a broken weapon by itself, thanks to its raw attack power and options. The speed of my battle against the Minotaur was close to what it would’ve been if I had Chris and Beimerung running the bus with me.
A legendary weapon, indeed. I’ll be able to use this for quite some time.
“Wow...! That was amazing!”
“Whitey—no, Rain! How did you use *Moonlight Slash* three times?”
The sourc𝗲 of this content is frёeωebɳovel.com.
The female passengers, who had been huddled in the corner as the boss room shook, excitedly approached me, asking questions the moment the Minotaur fell.
“Oh, um, *Astaroth* has a cooldown reset ability, and I also have this.”
I linked the information about the *Hammer and Anvil Bracelet* to show the passengers.
**[Hammer and Anvil Bracelet]**
- **Elite**
- **Strength +35, Agility +35, Intelligence +35**
- **Bonus damage to NPCs +5% (Max Strengthened Magic Stone)**
- **Unique Ability: Reset All Skill Cooldowns (Cooldown: 10 minutes)**
A tall female passenger clapped her hands in excitement.
“I’ve seen that! Someone recently posted on the community forums about finding it after maxing out their dwarf reputation to 100 by discovering a top-tier magic stone vein!”
“Really!? Now I want one! I’ll have to start working on those dwarf reputation quests too!”
“Did you grind out those reputation quests, Rain?”
“Uh, yeah, something like that.”
In reality, I got it for free the moment I entered the dwarf village...
---
After my first group of customers, the *Rain Safe Bus* continued to see a constant flow of passengers today.
Since the demand for the bus was overwhelming, I didn’t take reservations. I simply picked and chose my passengers.
Mostly women.
For some reason, I preferred older sisters over men.
Maybe it was a lingering effect of my faint memories from a past life.
Most women like cool guys, but I like cool older sisters.
Like Chris, or someone like Chris.
But this could be a problem...
“You’re so tiny... your hands are so small... Can I hold them?”
“I want to pat your head!”
“Eek! A monster appeared!”
*Whoosh!*
Pretending to be startled by the monster that popped out of the mob area, I quickly distanced myself from the older sister who was trying to get too close.
“D-don’t worry. Just follow behind me.”
As a proper bus driver, I had to take care of my customers.
But dealing with these kinds of customers was exhausting.
---
*Vrrrrrr!*
The bus service for the overly enthusiastic older sisters had ended.
Back at the entrance of the Verbeia Ancient Temple, I let out a sigh of relief after sending off my passengers.
“Haaah.”
I exhaled deeply, shaking my head.
Dealing with female passengers trying to get close to me was more tiring than fighting the named boss.
Dungeon bus service is a type of customer service job.
I’m starting to realize that I’m definitely not cut out for this kind of work.
I even have a weak heart. If someone gets too close, I panic.
Can I really continue running solo bus services like this?
But I have to keep earning money. I still owe Chris a lot of gold.
Chris said it was fine, but *I’m* not fine with it.
Just as I was sighing and typing up another promotional message in the regional chat...
“Rain~?”
“Wah!?”
I let out a high-pitched yelp.
The voice came from right behind me, startling me.
My radar hadn’t gone off.
There’s only one person who could sneak up on me like that.
I carefully turned my head to look behind me.
Red hair, tall, a beautiful onmyoji.
It was Chris, as I expected.
But today, her expression seemed a bit displeased.
I suddenly felt a jolt of fear.
“U-unnie?”
“Rain. Were you running the bus by yourself?”
“Y-yeah. I need to earn some gold.”
Why does she look so upset? Did I do something wrong?
“You could’ve told me, and we could’ve run the bus together.”
“But you had work today.”
I puffed up my cheeks slightly.
Why is she questioning me when *she* was the one who went to work?
Chris, looking a little concerned, opened an internet window and showed it to me.
“Look at this. This is a social media site. Your face is all over it.”
“W-what!?”
Screenshots of me fighting the named boss, taken from multiple angles, were filled with 'likes.'
There were even close-ups. Compared to the shots from the Green Dragon raid, these were much clearer. You could even see the fine hairs on my face.
One of today’s bus passengers must’ve been an SNS user.
“Rain, your face in the game looks exactly like your real-life face. It’s one thing in-game, but if people start recognizing you when you’re out in the real world, it could get annoying.”
“T-that’s true.”
Chris was worried about how I’d handle strangers approaching me, given my aversion to people.
It’s not like I leave the house much in real life, but it wouldn’t be good to have my face so exposed.
But I can’t run the bus without accepting this kind of risk...
What do I do, Unnie?
I gave Chris a pleading look.
Chris softened her expression and let out a small laugh.
“There’s a feature in the game to block in-dungeon screenshots and videos. The party leader can set it. I’ve always had it turned on whenever we run the bus together. Of course, external programs can still get around it, but at least it shows that you don’t want your face shown.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Ever since virtual reality became as integral to people’s lives as reality itself, there’s been a lot of debate about privacy for virtual avatars. Now, avatars in the metaverse even have something similar to portrait rights. These days, even game companies have to sign contracts with users if they want to use their avatars for advertisements.”
That surprised me.
So in the future, even virtual avatars are treated like real people.
Chris cleared her throat and avoided my gaze as she continued.
“A-anyway, your face is valuable. You shouldn’t just let anyone get a close look at it.”
“Okay. I understand.”
Chris let out a sigh of relief.
“Haaah, that’s why I left work early today. By the way, would you like to go grocery shopping with me? We could order online, but I wanted to spend some time outside with you.”
“Sure. Let’s go grocery shopping together.”
Chris had always picked out high-quality ingredients
and cooked meals for me, considering my weak body.
She was a great cook, and I always enjoyed the food she made.
We exchanged smiles as we agreed to go shopping.
But then Chris suddenly grabbed my shoulders, her expression turning urgent.
“Wait—did any of today’s bus passengers try to touch you or pet you? If any of them did, you have to tell me right now! I’ll make sure they regret it!”
“No, no one touched me.”
Some of the female passengers did get pretty close, but I managed to avoid them.
I only allow Chris to touch me. No one else.
Well, I don’t mind Beimerung-unnie a little, but Chris-unnie is still special to me.
I belong to Chris after all, considering I owe her 20,000 gold.
In a way, I’m kind of her property.
I could understand why she was worried.
I gave her a reassuring smile to put her at ease.
“I’m yours, Unnie, so only you can touch me.”
“Cough!”
Chris clutched her chest dramatically.