"Thank you for your help. I will come again next time."
Ringing ~
While closing the door of the blacksmith's shop.
I began to feel pain as my wallet became light.
Honestly, walking with an empty wallet feels worse. Besides, I have to repay my debt to Naaza
Sighing at my own poverty. I began to head for the adventurer's guild.
I was walking through Main Street. A constant noise of residents in the city is coming from all directions.
"Excuse me"
I walked myself through the crowd. Light armour on the body and a sword at my waist, undergrown repairs by a novice blacksmith.
I have to earn more today, nothing in my wallet will be left for tomorrow.
Most of my money gone to the maintenanceof my equipment.
I felt awkward walking with my wallet so light.
Shuttling through the crowd, I made my way to the adventurer's guild.
Stepping inside the guild, I join the queue on the rightmost side, which is Miss Eina's counter.
After a few minutes, it's my turn to submit dungeon loot.
Miss Eina, upon seeing me, recognised me and asked about yesterday.
"Kael? How was your dungeon raid yesterday?"
"Joined the party of adventurers, though it didn't go well and we disbanded."
I replied, while setting the sack of the dungeon loot from yesterday on the counter.
"adventurer's party? It's good for rookies to team up but considering you are alone on your Familia, it's not surprising that you disband after one day"
She replied, as she wrote down in a book in her hand, then she checked the sack of monster's drops and gave me 10 gold coins - 500 vals.
"Here you go. And don't go to deeper floors. Take care and be careful!"
"I will!"
I replied. Storing money in my wallet, I leave the adventurer's guild after saying goodbye.
———
Swish
Tilting my head back as goblin claws pass in front of my face, another goblin jumps at me from the right, taking a step back as his claws cut through a strand of my hair.
Stab.
As he passed by me, I drove my sword straight at his chest from behind. With reverse-grip.
"Grahh"
Goblin's body collapsed in black smoke. Dropping a tiny magic stone.
I don't relax just yet, as a goblin from before attacked my face.
Did I offend you? Why are you targeting my face!
Ducking down to dodge his attack, I jump with my sword pointing at his chest.
Crush.
Oh boy! Did I crush his magic stone?
My money!!!
Regret drowned in my heart, as I watched his body collapse in black smoke without leaving behind any magic stone.
Sahh.
Sighing to myself, I flip the goblin's blood from my sword and Sheath it.
I picked up a single magic stone and stoned it on my backup in my back - which I borrowed from Lady Hestia.
I finally have my full range of motion back; It still stings a bit, though.
But I'm glad.
I've become stronger.
I'm much stronger than before, just like Lady Hestia said yesterday during the FALNA upgrade.
According to her, my growth rate is at the top among fellow adventurers.
—Of course, potential is potential. If I become arrogant, I'm not far from dying.
Gusse, I'm heading to level 2, huh!
Walking towards the stairs for floor 2, I couldn't help but notice my progress in these three days.
Although I don't become a master or something, still. Compared to my first fight against a goblin, I have made quite a progress.
In a happy mood, I descend to floor 2 through the stairs.
Unlike before, when I could barely follow monsters' attacks, now I can completely follow and dodge their attacks.
Now even in the dark, I can feel their presence.
As if my five senses have been enhanced!.
Not only has my movement become more streamlined and devoid of unnecessary hesitation.
Even when I swing my sword, my hand no longer tremble!.
While satisfied with my growth, I can still find my sort coming.
I can't expect to become a combat expert in a few days.
I rein in my greed and once again step at second floor.
But this time I'm alone.
"Gotta be more careful. I don't have someone to watch my back or apply medicine!"
Become more cautious, and I start to walk through the narrow corridor.
———
In the morning, I have to go to the blacksmith's shop for repairs.
Because of this, by the time I step into the dungeon, it's already afternoon.
But fortunately, after going to the second floor my earnings for today will be even higher.
Back at the surface. The sky is already turned orange.
From the floor 2 to the surface. I've already memorised all the twists and turns, it didn't take long before I returned to the surface.
Although I don't spend much time on floor 2, my small backpack was already filled and I had to return.
Once again step into the guild and queue on the rightmost line. I waited for my turn.
"Oh? Have you returned? Did your dungeon raid go safely? Which floor did you go to today? Didn't you find any party?"
Wow, she is asking too many questions at once!
Miss Eina asked me after seeing me alone. Her expression is serious but she still can't hide her fatigue in her eyes.
"No. I don't find any; I spent little time on the second floor, then came back, and I didn't encounter danger today,"
I replied while unloading my backpack on the counter.
"Second floor?! Don't I tell you! You can't go deeper into the dungeon, honestly. Don't you listen to what I say?"
Miss Eina raised her voice; her tone was a little harsh, but it also contained her concern.
Though, I don't mind. After all, she is a stranger who doesn't even know me for three days yet she is concerned for my life. How can I, as a loner, get angry?
All the bloodlust that was accomplished during the life and death battle on my body faded.
A warmth enveloped my heart. My muscles relax from the tension of the constant battle.
"I've listened; If I don't earn more today, there will be nothing left to eat tomorrow. And besides, I've only gone to the second floor after confirming that I can handle it, and I have to also pay my debt " I replied in a slightly lower voice
After hearing me, Miss Eina opened her mouth, but she didn't say anything and sighed in resignation.
After all, the job of an adventurer is quite laborious; if I don't have a full stomach, my energy will be low. That would be dangerous.
And I'm not alone, almost all low-rank adventurers in small Familia have to go through this process.
How many can she help?
"Then you should pay attention to your safety, and tomorrow morning, come a little early. I will explain to you about the dungeon and its various floors and what you should do or avoid when you encounter it"
She said; her voice softened. While she gives me 700 vals in exchange for today's monsters drop.
"Then, see you tomorrow morning!"
Storing money in my wallet - alongside morning 500 vals - I left the guild.
Man, only having a heavy wallet can give you a sense of security.[1]
Walking back west main district, slipping through the crowd as I thought to myself.
After some walking, I reached an alley. stepping inside and going through a few twists and turns.
Looking ahead, I can finally see the abandoned church.
"Lady Hestia? Are you home?"
I asked as I descended to the basement.
"Kael!! Welcome home! How was your day today? Are you hurt somewhere?"
She was sitting in sofa while reading a book. After hearing my voice, she bounced on her feet and her foot tapped the floor as she skipped towards me.
She started to touch me in every place on my body while asking me questions.
"Lady Hestia!; I won't get injured every day!!" My cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
Though, since I have started to go to the dungeon. I have been injured almost every day. Well, at least today I've returned in one piece.
"Besides, we don't have to worry about tomorrow. Combine with yesterday's income. I've earned 1200 vals!!!" Placing my hands on my hips and puffing out my chest. I replied proudly.
She also goes along with my childish ways.
"Wow!!! My Kael is awesome" leaning forward. She replied with shining eyes
Then, she also put her hand on her waist and puffed her chest. Her already massive breasts jiggle.
"Hee-Hee, I also get a surprise for you. Ta-Da!" she picks up boxes of packages on the table with her and shows me.
While I was trying my best to avoid looking at mountain peaks, I replied.
"WOW!!! What's in it?! "
"Our dinner, given by Hephaestus. Tonight is party time! I'm not gonna let you sleep tonight!!!"
She replied.
While selectively filtering obviously misunderstanding words, I also cheer her up.
"yesss!!!"
[1] I began to feel jealous. bro at least don't have to worry about tomorrow, and with his talent, bro can become rich in no time. 😑😶