My D Rank Skill is Actually SSS-Rank

Chapter 17: The C-Rank Challenge and the Pervert's Tactical Advantage

Alaric watched, a triumphant smile on his face, as Lyra stumbled into the 'F-Rank Optimal Obstacle Course', swinging her sword wildly but with an oddly joyful expression. Finn, looking terrified, reluctantly followed, clutching his pickaxe like a lifeline. This is going to be a very productive day. And maybe, just maybe, I can 'optimize' some of Lyra's armor while she was 'testing' the maze. For 'flexibility' and 'breathability,' of course. For optimal combat performance. And perhaps a subtle 'self-adjusting' feature for... optimal fit.

Lyra, under the influence of the 'Droplet of Absolute Persuasion', was a whirlwind of clumsy enthusiasm. She bounced off walls, tripped over her own feet, and occasionally swung her sword at a non-existent enemy, all while giggling blissfully. "This is so much fun, Master Alaric! The walls are so smooth! And the honks are delightful!" A faint, comical honk echoed as she stepped on another pressure plate.

Finn, meanwhile, was a picture of abject misery. He navigated the maze with extreme caution, flinching at every honk and muttering apologies to the unfeeling stone walls. "Oh, excuse me, wall! So sorry! Didn't mean to bump you!"

Alaric chuckled, leaning against a newly refined, impossibly smooth section of the dungeon wall. This is peak entertainment. My assistants are basically a live-action comedy show. And they're getting trained! Two birds, one SSS-tier droplet.

After Lyra had completed the F-Rank course for the tenth time, still blissfully agreeable and only slightly less wobbly, Alaric decided it was time to move on. Her 10-minute persuasion buff was probably wearing off, and he didn't want her to revert to her 'Unwavering Glare' state.

"Alright, you two! Excellent work! Lyra, your 'optimal performance' was... truly something. Finn, your 'observational skills' were... present," Alaric announced. Lyra beamed, while Finn just sagged in relief.

"Now," Alaric continued, "it's time for the C-Rank challenge. We need something that tests their agility, their reflexes. Something that teaches them to think on their feet. Literally."

He led them to a wider cavern, where the Dungeon Core's blue glow illuminated the rough stone floor. C-Rank material, perfect. He focused his skill, channeling mana into the floor. The stone rippled, then began to shift dramatically. Sections of the floor rose and fell in unpredictable patterns, creating moving platforms and sudden drops. Then, from the walls, perfectly refined, impossibly fast swinging blades emerged, narrowly missing each other as they swept across the cavern.

System Notification: [Basic Material Refinement] activated. Material: Dungeon Cavern Floor/Walls (C-Rank Stone). Result: Perfected 'C-Rank Agility Gauntlet' (SSS-Tier Artifact). Condition: Indestructible, Self-Resetting, Variable Difficulty, Teaches Advanced Movement, Minor Aura of 'Heart-Pounding Excitement'.

"The Gauntlet of Precision and Peril," Alaric declared proudly. "Simple. Effective. And it has a 'Heart-Pounding Excitement' aura. Perfect for adrenaline junkies."

Finn stared at the rapidly moving platforms and the gleaming, whistling blades. His eyes bugged out. "P-p-peril, sir?! Those blades look... very sharp! And the floor is moving!"

Lyra, however, seemed to have regained some of her stubborn resolve, though a faint, blissful smile still lingered on her face. "Master Alaric, this looks... challenging. My armor might get scratched."

"Don't worry, Lyra," Alaric said, pulling out the 'Droplet of Absolute Persuasion' vial again. "Just a little more 'Energy Drink'. For optimal performance. And optimal indestructibility." He winked.

Lyra eyed the droplet, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes, but the lingering euphoria from the previous dose seemed to win out. She took another tiny sip. Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushed, and she swayed slightly. "I... I feel... invincible!" she murmured, then stumbled.

Alaric grinned. "Excellent! Now, Lyra, don't you think this 'Agility Gauntlet' looks like the most thrilling challenge ever? And don't you just desperately want to prove your invincibility by dancing through those blades?"

Lyra's eyes glazed over. "Yes, Master Alaric! It looks... incredibly thrilling! I shall dance through the blades! For glory! And for optimal flexibility!" She then stumbled into the gauntlet, swinging her sword wildly, dodging the blades with surprising (if wobbly) grace.

Finn stared, utterly bewildered. "She's... she's dancing with swords, sir? What did you do to her?!"

"Just optimal energy boosting, Finn," Alaric said, trying to suppress his laughter. "Now, you. Go in there and observe her 'optimal performance'. And try not to get hit by any bouncing slimes. Or any accidentally refined projectiles. Or any dancing warriors."

Finn, looking even more terrified than before, reluctantly entered the gauntlet, attempting to mimic Lyra's movements but mostly just flailing. Alaric watched, a triumphant smile on his face. This was going to be a very productive day. And maybe, just maybe, he could 'optimize' some of Lyra's armor while she was 'testing' the gauntlet. For 'flexibility' and 'breathability,' of course. For optimal combat performance. And perhaps a subtle 'see-through' effect when she performs certain 'optimal flexibility' maneuvers. For research into dynamic material properties, naturally.

As Lyra danced (and stumbled) through the blades, and Finn screamed (and apologized) his way through the moving platforms, Alaric's mind drifted. He had a moment of peace to consider his own situation. He had the 'Coin of Infinite Prosperity' generating gold passively. He had the 'Lens of Universal Perception' for X-ray vision. He had the 'Net of Unseen Capture' for... well, for capturing things. And the 'Droplet of Absolute Persuasion' for making people agree with him. These were truly SSS-tier tools. He was basically a one-man cheat engine.

He pulled out the 'Lens of Universal Perception'. Time for some 'research'. He held it up, focusing it on Lyra as she spun through the gauntlet. The lens shimmered, revealing not just her skeletal structure, but the intricate weave of her leather armor, the tiny imperfections in its stitching, and... oh, hello. Optimal anatomical observation. For research into human physiology under extreme stress, of course.

He quickly lowered the lens, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. Okay, maybe that's a bit too much 'research' for now. Gotta maintain some semblance of professionalism. Even for a pervert-optimizer.

Suddenly, the transparent slime, which had been quietly observing from Alaric's shoulder, jiggled. Then, in a tiny, perfectly pitched voice that sounded eerily like Alaric's own, it squeaked: "Optimal anatomical observation! For research into human physiology under extreme stress!" It then giggled, a knowing, triumphant sound.

Alaric froze, his face going pale. "You! You little... you heard that?! You're mimicking my thoughts now?!"

The slime jiggled faster, then, in a perfect imitation of Master Elara's voice, added: "You insolent little pervert! Are you suggesting I need my emotions... refined?!"

Alaric groaned. This is worse than I thought. It's not just mimicking what it hears; it's mimicking what it perceives from me. It's a telepathic, SSS-tier pervert-exposer! My plausible deniability is officially at rock bottom.

He grabbed the slime and held it at arm's length. "You are on thin ice, buddy! Very thin ice! One more thought-mimicry, and I'm refining you into a perfectly clear, perfectly silent paperweight that only hums soothing lullabies and has a 'Permanent Mute' condition! And I'll put you on Agnes's desk!"

The slime jiggled, then let out a tiny, perfectly pitched, defiant giggle.

Alaric sighed. This is going to be a long, long dungeon optimization. And a very, very public one, if this slime has anything to say about it.