Luna fights using two daggers and her higher agility as a cat type beast man to slay monsters. She moves swiftly and can take care of the smaller mobs quite well. She has a magic called "blink" where she can basically teleport a very small distance, maybe 50 feet, to surprise attack the enemy. Ragnar uses a great sword, quite bigger then my own, and his quite high strength, to kill his enemies. He told me he can't use his magic on the 12th floor but he will show us when we go down to 13. Honestly they are both amazing I think it's cause they will level up soon. I had to prepare an undine cloth for Luna since she belongs to a small familia and is poor. I have been using my "Ox slayer" daggers to get a feel for them. Today we attack the middle floors. I think our problem as a group is we have 3 melee damage dealers and no tank. Ragnar could probably fill that role to a certain degree, since he wears more traditional armor, but he's not used to the vanguard. The 13th floor has rabid rabbits and hellhounds. The rabid rabbits use the dungeon landforms on the floor which are basicallly like stone knives, not as long as my dagger. While the hell hounds use teeth and claws, as well as a fire magic they shoot from their mouths. Which is exactly why we needed the undine cloth with the fire spirt protection. We wear it over our armor so the fire damage doesn't heat up the armor we are wearing. Ragnar finally showed us his magic on this floor. "Blasphemous Burn 'Willow Wisp' "a really short chant magic that makes someone else who uses magic explode in an 'Ignus Fatuus' which is when their magic goes haywire in their bodies and detonates internally instead of casting as magic. "Damn Ragnar that's one hell of a spell" I say to him after he explodes a hellhound.
"I'm glad you like it 'Record Holder' "
"just call me Josh that goes for you too Luna" she seems way to serious all the time and a little quite. Still this floor gives us no trouble since she and I can out match the enemies here in speed. Day after day we attack the labyrinth slowly moving from 13 to 14 then the 15th floors. Getting the route memorized so we each know the way without much trouble. Ragnar being a smith he keeps our weapons sharpened and in top shape. My status is always climbing I went from F ranks up to D. Once we entered the 16th floor we met some Minotaurs but with a team of all level 2s we were fine if 3 or less came. Even being surrounded by monsters down here Ragnar and I usually handle the big ones while Luna dances through slaughtering to hellhounds and rabid rabbits like they are nothing. With her swift movements and 'Blink' spell she can cut down many in a matter of moments. But she will disappear when she blinks. Leaving Ragnar and myself alone to tank monsters. That's when we enter the 17th floor.
"I don't think we should be here the floor boss "Goliath" will spawn soon" Kelly warns us but Ragnar and myself get wicked grins after hearing that.
"Your don't say Moutning Dove, I wonder can we slay that big bastard" Ragnar is itching for a fight. I would say it's because in order to level up one usually needs to gain some 'special or excellent' "experience" usually by beating and enemy quite stronger then yourself.
"I have a new skill I have been wanting to try out can you and Luna hold its attention for awhile?" I have practiced with 'Argonaut' a little and learned I can charge it for 2 mins right now. It is a powerful charge attack. White lights will gather on my arm and a bell will ring out. Others can hear it as well not just me so it's an obvious flaw but the power is terrifying. "So you want to charge up that move on him huh? Yeah I think I can buy you 2 mins, Luna can harass and 'Blink' away but I don't think she can agro a floor boss."
"I could dodge for awhile easily even with its agro worst case I 'Blink' away in a bad situation." Luna seems down to fight it also. We made our way to the end of the 17th floor and found it. "The wall of sorrow" it's a huge crystal wall about 100 yards long and maybe half that in height. Adventurers have named it this since it's the first Monster Rex in the dungeon. Probably 70% of all adventurers are level 1-2 not many get passed that. Needing exceptional experience to level and the lower floors being so unforgiving most stop at level 2 and those without talent never level up at all. The Goliath here is graded as a level 4 from the guild so 4 level 2's fighting it sounds insane but I trust this party. We have a good plan and good coordination so it's do or die.
"If we get in over our heads the 18th floor is through there unfortunately Luna will have to drag the boss while we escape since she has the best escape abilities" Kelly gives us one last piece of advice and we enter the room. We took turns resting and killed monster after monster waiting for the Goliath, It took 10 hours. *crack *thud *boom "get ready guys" Ragnar is already on the move. We leave Luma behind to defend Kelly for now to see how this goes. *Boom. The whole room is shaking. The vast wall shattering as the Goliath walks out. The Goliath is almost completely gray, standing 25 feet tall. I approached from the front intending to draw agro for awhile I can't let Ragnar hold it if he needs to buy us time later. I realize there's no way I can block attacks from this guy so I intend to dodge. Bobbing and weaving I dodge attack after attack, not able to get close enough to do any damage. Can't even swing the sword. Ragnar does get a few good cuts in from the side though. Immediately though we feel the horror from a floor boss. "This bastard is healing all damage I do" after a few mins of fighting all damage we did was erased. "Luna get over here" I call her immediately we need back up. A huge roar echos in the cavern "blasphemous burn 'Willow Wisp' " the Goliath tried to use his shockwave magic. It blows up right in his mouth where the magic was pooling. *Ring *Ring "keep it busy" I start to charge my magic. I can't move very well while charging, I can run back but I can't dodge like I usually do. "Uhhhh" Ragnar has to take a punch head on. He is sent flying away and bounces along the ground gradually coming to a stop.
"Fuck that things strong" no fear in his eye only excitement the only word that comes to mind is "Viking" as Ragnar charges this colossal foe. *ring almost there, Luna handles the Goliath with ease dancing here and there never getting hit. Unfortunately all the damage is still being erased. Even Ragnar's magic looks like it was healed away. 2 mins, both my arms are completely white as I charge back towards the Goliath from Kelly's location. "Aaaaaaa" as fast as I can move I'm charging. The ringing sound draws the bosses attention clearly realizing I'm the only threat. *Boom, the massive impact of my skill echoes throughout the dungeon. I cut the Goliath's head clean of his body. "Yeeeaaaaahhhh" we are all celebrating when despair hits us. "Do you see that!!!!" Luna saw it first. The Goliath is literally growing a new head. "Fuck" I'm so out of mind and physical energy from that last charge idk how I can keep fighting.
"I'm to exhausted to strike again with Argonaut what do we do."
"Everyone come get healed and Josh take as many potions as you can if one doesn't kill it we will do it again and again." Kelly the most reasonable person here tries to encourage us. "Right" we engage it a second time. Ragnar intercepts all magic he tried to cast, Luna cuts his flesh time after time. I'm in the middle of it to drawing attention here and there trying to get some damage in. Then it's like I head a voice
"A hero is someone who sacrifices himself, He is willing to lose his life for the sake of the ones he loves. You may hit a few bumps along the way, but the victor will rise from the ashes.
LET YOUR FEELINGS BURN LIKE FIRE. CRY OUT WITH ALL YOUR DESIRE
LIMIT BREAK
*DONG *DONG * DONG
No longer a ringing of a bell. More like a crashing, banging, echoing of a grand bell *Dong instantly the Goliath knows this is dangerous. Instead of just my arms, my whole body and weapon are glowing white *DONG Ragnar is getting fucked up trying to block the Goliath. Hit after hit he is a bloody mess. "Aaaaaaaaaaa" he is feeling it to
"Josh hit the crystal in his chest" Kelly screams. I think everyone is stunned. Luna holds the boss as long as she can. Ragnar was beaten within and inch of his life. "Run" Luna falls down and is kicked by the Goliath *boom 2 mins *DONG I'm off crashing towards the boss. "DIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEE" I use every last bit of mind I have left. "Mind Load" *BOOOOOM
It feels like the whole dungeon shakes. The Goliath is cleaved in 2. Everything above his chest is gone and a huge crystal bigger then me is visible. "Haaaaaaa" I stab the Aphrodite blade all the way down to the hilt inside of it. HISS, the Goliath turns to ashes as I fall down the 15 or so feet to the ground.
The town of Riveria is located on the 18th floor, monsters don't spawn here so a certain group of shady adventures cleared it out and established a small town. I wake up in a bed staring at the ceiling confused as to why I'm in an unknown place. I sit up and look around my body is sore all over but I have no wounds anywhere. "Josh your okay" Kelly immediately throws her arms around me "oohhhh" "sorry" "where's Ragnar and Luna" she moves out of the way and I see a couple more beds in the room.
"They were in worse shape then you they haven't woken up yet. I had to drag all three of you here myself it was quite difficult."
"The Goliath?" "You killed it" I was stunned I remember charging Argonaut but then it gets fuzzy.
"It was incredible, the light, the sound, your skill was never like that before. You will have to ask the goddess when we get back."
"Is that you 'Lovey Dovey' " he called her that because her god given name is morning dove.
"shut up you prick" Kelly yelled. I couldn't control myself after that me and Ragnar about died laughing.
"Hmmp next time I'll leave you ass behind" still we couldn't stop. "Is this Riveria?" Luna woke up from our ruckus.
"Yeah don't worry we won but all 3 of you were passed out so I dragged you all here" as she explains what happened and that's it's been two days we finally realize what's up.
"I have been healing you all since then too so no adventures please I'm exhausted.
We decided to enjoy the town but everything was so damn expensive we just ate light. There's a bar down here as well but we decide to celebrate when we get out of the dungeon. There's a massive lake outside the town and part of this floor is a forest.
"The next few floors are the colossal tree labyrinth" I guess the forest leads further down. There are crystals covering the whole ceiling which are all blue like the sky, apparently at night they all stop glowing. Crystal of all sizes also litter the ground in this floor it's quite the beautiful sight.
"Knight of Roses" after resting and exploring we had decided to head back and run into the Thor Familia. "Yes" "it's Mr Argonaut" one of the Amazon girls calls me that "excuse me?" "Oh we saw you fight that Minotaur and it reminded me of that story you were really cool" she is adorable "anyway we wanted to say congratulations on level 2 and honestly we were surprised you made it down to 18 so fast."
"Hey Mr Argonaut how did you level so fast" it wasn't just the twin Amazon girls, the sword princess, and the prum leader Finn here talking to me. "Umm well"
"you see our Lady must be worried about us since we have been gone many days maybe we will chat some other time" Kelly breaks up the conversation "yes please excuse us"
"We made quite the hall" even without selling the Goliath drop we made 20 grand each. "I want you to try to make us some equipment with the Goliath hide Ragnar. Maybe some kind of clothes we can wear under our armor."
"It's pretty heavy for something like that, considering you two wear light armor. Give me Kelly's robe and I can make her something that fits better and the rest I'll use for just that. I'll need to measure everyone first." Having our own private blacksmith who we don't even end up paying is pretty much the best idea I had since I started adventuring. We are partying at the Benevolent Mistress as a group. The 4 of us plus Ms Ryu is joining us. Mama Mia sent her over to specifically take care of just us, probably trying to get us to spend more. We are all pretty much wasted.
"Mr Josh I would like to join your familia" Luna hit me with that out of nowhere. "Umm aren't you already in one?"
"My familia isint a dungeon focused one so I have to solo all the time. After beating the Goliath with you all I realized I belong with you." She is blushing like crazy right now. "Then we will talk to Lady Aphrodite tomorrow but for now we celebrate!!!!" I order more drinks. Ragnar and I joke and tease the ladies, and we all bond with each other and get a little closer. Ms Ryu and I talked for a long while. She told us she is a level 4 but hasn't done much adventuring in the last 5 years. Surprisingly she is about Ragnar's age. I can never tell with elves, Kelly is only 21. After paying for everyone's night myself I take Kelly back home when it's already way into the morning hours. Instead of the scowl Aphrodite had when I fought the Minotaur she was beaming with joy watching our fight with the Goliath.
Josh lvl 2
Strength SSS 1357
Agility SSS 1501
Reflexes SSS 1326
Vitality SSS 1309
Magic SSS 1403
"Somebody can level up" I was stunned "No freaking way. How is he already level 3" Kelly is throwing a fit right now. 'I never told him that his skill will help him grow faster the more he is in love just that it will grow more as he chases his desires. But it's seems that his feelings are intense.' Even being a goddess of love, the woman in Aphrodite is quite excited to see my devotion to her.
"Now for advanced abilities Immunity is still there but I would skip that. Hunter or chain attack" after thinking about it for awhile I took hunter, the boost in damage to any monster I had killed before sounds like it will make our lives easier in the dungeon.
Josh lvl 3
All basic attributes are back to zero
Luck D
Hunter E
Skills
Eros Physis - rapid growth
Argonaut - active action, charges to perform 'Hero Shot'
Magic
Mind Load - active action, uses mind to add power to an attack
Quick Attack Magic
-Firebolt
-Lightningbolt
-Icicle Spear
-Earth Bullet
-Wind Bova
After our status updates we had Luna meet Aphrodite and her and Luna's old god performed 'Conversion' so she could switch familia's. Her god was sad to let her go but he understood she had to follow her own path and follow her dreams. Aphrodite was the one who brought her to level 3
Luna lvl 3
All attributes return to 0
Hunter D
Chain Attack E
Skills
Stealth - can erase one's presence
Dagger Proficiency - does more damage with daggers
Magic
Blink - can instantly move with a range of 50 feet
"I didn't expect you to level up as well" Luna was shocked when we told her I had leveled up. "I guess it makes sense since you could keep up with me before our agility had to be close but you just hit level 2 about a month ago!" Having Luna around has helped me greatly I have a partner to spar with. My biggest problem has been lack of combat experience so we fight often. A few days went on like this and we made a few smaller trips to the dungeon. Then we got the horrible news from Aphrodite.
"Ares has found out I'm on Earth and has sent Apollo to challenge me to a war game. That bastard gets jealous so easily that's why I divorced him." Ughhh now we are caught up in her drama.
"We are having a Denatus to discuss the particular way we will have to fight Apollo children please forgive me." Even though I was complaining I won't let her feel bad about us being involved.
"I promised to be your sword and clear all obstacles in your path, if I don't solve this for you my words were meaningless please count on me." She had the biggest smile on her face as she left.
"I will buy you 7 days one of his children is quite a strong level 4 so I need you to grow as much as you can." I had to clear my head so I was walking around the city when I spotted her. The sword princess, Aiz, a level 6. With barely any interaction with her I don't know how I got the balls to ask "please ms sword princess will you teach me to fight. I don't know if you heard but Ares and Apollo are causing trouble with my goddess and I need to get stronger. It's hard to raise status in a short time but technique can be sharpened." By some miracle she agreed to spar with me. Every morning before the sun came up she would beat me senseless until noon. Then I would go to the dungeon, without Ragnar, with my familia to raise my status. On the third day training with Ms Aiz, when I was just waking up from her having knocked me unconscious, she asked me "it may be rude of me but I have been curious about you. I saw your status at level one had gone beyond S rank. Now you are already level 3 it's quite impressive, how did you manage it?"
"Truth be told I have no idea. I want to protect all those I love and to do that I need strength. I want to stand at the pinnacle of the world. So I chase that with all my desire, all my strength, and with my very soul." I see her thinking it over. One thing I learned from her is she doesn't show any emotion.
"You need to let your feelings burn like fire, cry out with all your desire, find something you love and hold on to it with every single breath, chase it with all your strength, you need to be willing to lose your life for the ones you love. To sacrifice yourself, to be a hero." After a long pause.
"That's what I believe and that's what I'm pursuing. If every fiber of your being is screaming for success amazing things can happen." I realize now she agreed to train me to learn how I got past the barrier of all falna, 999 in a single attribute, but I'm thankful. After a few more days of practice my swordsmanship and knife work had improved. "You rushed me" she says after putting me on my ass.
"I thought I saw an opening you faultered and your guard was bad, but it was bait"
"humans and monsters fight differently. Monsters will relentlessly pursue you with all their strength. Humans are different, they use tactics, techniques, skills, and can be devious. I found out a long time ago victory and death are only a few seconds apart. The moment your opponent thinks he won will be when he lets down his guard." After the week was over my status was pretty good. Already around 400's in everything, and my technique was much better learning from someone who had several years of experience.
"Well I did the best I could he will only use 20 of his children and it will be a gladiator style event one from each side will enter the ring at a time. The winner, however, can not leave the ring until he is completely victorious or is defeated. I was only allowed one helper outside of the familia since there is only 3 of you, but it's better then fighting all 100 of his children." Aphrodite said
"Fuck" it's basically 2 vs 20 since Kelly is a healer. "Who can help us lady Aphrodite?" Kelly always more aware then me asks her. "We need to find them ourselves obviously the top few families aren't aloud so we need to find someone else maybe that blacksmith friend of yours?"
"I'll go talk to him Kelly go ask ms Ryu." "Huh" "she is a lvl 4 and may be our ace"
"I can't guarantee maybe you should come with me." "Okay" we leave Luna with the goddess since everyone is on edge and head to Ragnar's forge. "You here about the war game?"
"I need your help Ragnar." I answer honestly "lady Hephaestus was forbidden from helping since everyone knows they are friends, also because our captain is lvl 5, I think they purposely got us removed." "Fuck"
"I won't leave my little bro hanging I have new armor for everyone and daggers for Luna. They aren't as good as 'Ox slayer' but a close second. Also….. I decided I don't give a damn I put my pride aside and made you a magic sword, there's only one, it's a fire attribute sword 'Ignus' will call out the magic."
"Are you sure I would rather us remain close then to accept this sword."
"Haha ha that's why it's yours little brother. I can't send you into a ring to fight 20 people alone now can I! I'm sure Luna will take a few down with her but… unfortunately Kelly won't be much help this time."
"I'm right here jerk"
"Lovey Dovey don't get mad I'm just being practical."
"Oh screw you very funny."
"I can't ask for more Ragnar I'll have to be rude and accept your kindness with nothing to give you in return."
"It's okay I have been working on this since Hephaestus forbade me from helping its all I can do for my friends." With that we left with our new gear for the bar.
"Hephaestus this is wrong I won't abandon them" Ragnar stormed into Hephaestus' office right after we left.
"I told you already the gods forbade us from acting."
"I refuse to leave my friends to fight alone they mean to much to me. If Josh needed my life I would surely give it, and you sit there and tell me I'm no use to him. NOT ACCEPTABLE, I REFUSE. I will stand by his side as brothers no matter what comes. Please allow me to leave the familia." The goddess was stunned by this display of emotion. "Childish you expect me to just let you leave?"
"The goddess I know and love would be furious with me if I did nothing!"
"What about your dream of being a master smith?"
"As long as I have metal, a hammer, and a strong fire I can forge anywhere. Who taught me that?"
"Tell me why do you insist on this?" She let him feel her divine pressure.
"Because Josh is like a brother to me. Even if the time I have known him has been short. Yes he is impulsive, runs head first into the unknown, and feels thrill in the face of overwhelming odds and overpowering strength, but then again so do I. He brought forth my passion again in that decrepit dungeon. Kelly and Luna are my friends I want to help them. I NEED to help them, how can I look them in the eyes I if I turn my back on them. How can I stand beside Josh if I'm not there when they need me. How could I be a man if I ignore what's in my heart. Please let this selfish man follow his heart." A big grin appears on Hephaestus' face
"my how you have grown, okay I'll allow it." Our familia grew to 4 that day.
"So that's what happened" Kelly and I finish explaining to Ryu why we need her help. "2 vs 20 that's a lot to ask a person" "please me Ryu, Josh will take 10 just help Luna finish off the first 10 you can bow out then."
"Well the gods will want to see Mr Josh finish it since it's a battle between familia's. Apollo only has one level 4 so I will take 5 opponents down for you and no more." And with that Ms Ryu joins the war game.
There is a big coliseum in the Easter part of the city, that's where our gladiator match's will be held. They don't want us to fight to the death, but indeed some may die today. We decided Ms Ryu will start first since she isint in our familia. We learned Apollo familia has 4 lvl 3s and 1 lvl 4, The rest are level 2s. The odds don't seem to bad but unfortunately Ryu is right, the gods want to see me, the captain, fight their captain who's level 4. With her wooden sword, guess it's an elf thing, Ryu destroys 5 lvl 2s in less then 30 mins. Her status and that of a lvl 2 are worlds apart. With her job done she forfeits the match. "Thank you Ryu we owe you" I bow and thank her. "It's nothing I find it dispicable how these gods find enjoyment from Apollo bullying you all." Ragnar enters the ring. He has his great sword and the magic sword, I told him to clear as many as he can so Luna and I can handle the upper leveled people. With her blink I think she can take a couple 3s. Ragnar's strength is very good the lvl 2s he faces can only block a few attacks from his sword before he carves them up. They sent a magic caster to deal with him and his willow wisp made their magic explode in their face and were knocked out quickly. After 7 victories "Ignus - ever burning" his nickname, was being chanted like crazy. The other familia sent out a lvl 3 to stop him and he collapsed under the hellfire of the magic sword. Unfortunately the sword shattered and I understood why he hates magic swords. To lose a trump card like that makes you feel naked. Imagine being on the dungeon more powerful enemies are coming and your sword is just gone. Having beaten 8 opponents Ragnar loses to the next one. A level 3 with great agility he couldn't connect with that huge sword at all. Ragnar was carried out of the ring, unconscious, and brought to Kelly for healing. Luna is up next. 8 left and 1 lvl 3 down I'm feeling better. The opponents speed surpassed the newly leveled Luna and she tried furiously to block his attacks. 'Blink' with the element of surprise she appears behind him and stabbed him right in the neck. "Fuck Luna" I think she killed that guy. With swiftness and cunning all the level 2s fell to her blades. 3 left, another lvl 3 entered the ring. Luna danced around the ring dodging everything she looked majestic. Unfortunately they have seen her blink and she can't land any decisive blows. The other guy started chanting. It wasn't very long but not short either. "Inferno" a fiery tornado appeared right where Luna was. She used blink to exit but the thing followed. "Damn it" she was defeated. I was a little disappointed but truthfully I was worried they would try to kill her after she butchered that one lvl 3.
"You did well the rest is up to me" getting her safely out of the ring and to Kelly I whispered to her. Only beating 4 opponents but it left me a path to victory. The one in the ring was exhausted as soon as the match started "Lightningbolt" and he was defeated. I had the Aphrodite Blade strapped to my back and the ox slayers in each hand. I'm going to try to trip these guys up on how I fight. When the second fight began I literally cracked the ground as I pushed off. The one in front of me is a dwarf, with a big ax, maybe I should have used the sword. If I have to I'll switch, getting in close I dodge his swing and connect with his armor but I didn't pierce anything. I jump back and run around him. Dwarfs have low agility I need to keep moving. I charge in again when I hear "Impenetrable Fortress" I managed to find a gap in his armor but still didn't hurt him, it must be the skill he used. He is slow full of flaws and openings. But his armor is like a solid steel wall I do no damage. That's when I realized he had a "magic weapon" like Ragnar's swords. As he brings the ax down I hear "thunder" and I realize it's do or die. I swing my dagger with all I have and manage to separate the head of the ax from the shaft. "Wind Nova" I push them away, both the dwarf and the ax, and he slams into the wall. Not a second later the ax hits the ground and the lightning is set off. The dwarf was paralyzed by his own weapon. He seems fine for the most part dude is a tank for sure. I charged in at full speed and connect strike after strike. By the time he could move again I had ripped through his armor and he was bleeding bad. "Lightningbolt" since I showed this magic before I hit him with it again. He collapsed on the ground defeated. Potions and such aren't allowed so I walk to my side and lean against the wall. Man he was a tough bastard, I'm still good the first guy I took down in seconds. And this guy had to count for a few people at least. I put the daggers away and draw my sword when I see my opponent, the lvl 4 captain of Apollo familia. Some pretty boy asshole who chases Apollo's dick if the rumors are to be believed. I glance back to Kelly and Ryu, the others are passed out and I can't see them, I give the two gorgeous elves a nod and focus on my opponent.
"Wow who would have thought that 4 members of Aphrodite familia would get this far, we have our two captains in the ring who will be victorious" they announced the beginning of the last round. We both fight with swords so we go blow to blow. I don't dodge and strictly met his blade with mine. He's quick but I can keep up. I test his skill and try to keep distance. The training with the sword princess paid off. "Wind Nova" I drag his ass to me with my spell making him lose his footing. "Mind Load" I make my swing powerful and my blade cuts his into two, continuing the strike I carve a gash from should to shoulder all the way across his chest. I plant my feet then kick him squarely in the stomach. "Wind Nova" pushing away this time he crashes into the wall from the force of the kick and the magic. *Hhhwwwpp the next second I had buried my blade in his stomach. "Lightningbolt" at point blank range I blast him with magic. After that I don't pull my blade out, but opened up his whole side by carving my blades way out. It was disgusting to be sure watching his guts fall to the ground. "Aphrodite is the winner"
"Knight of Roses beat 2 lvl 3s and butchered a lvl 4 what a powerful show of force from the lvl 3 record holder" when I turned to leave I saw Aphrodite with the rest of my familia. I walked over to the woman, no the goddess, I love knelt before her "victory is your my lady"