However.
The Dungeon.
As the most malicious creation of the Gods,
and the very womb that birthed endless monsters,
it was like a giant living organism.
Whenever intruders stepped into its territory, especially those carrying powerful auras who wantonly slaughtered its offspring,
it would feel pain.
It would feel anger.
And consequently,
it would accelerate its pulse.
From the deep bedrock, from the ends of dark passages, it would breed more killing intent, attempting to completely drown these overconfident intruders.
Every floor
was not simply a case of more complex terrain.
It was the malice from the Dungeon itself, gradually revealing itself.
...
"Wait."
Just as Kashima and the others had filled their first backpack and were beaming over the heavy load,
Inaba Tsukiyo, who had been standing quietly on high ground, suddenly turned sideways.
Her unfocused red pupils gazed toward the deep recesses of the cavern, into the darkness where even light could not penetrate.
Her waterfall-like silver hair moved without wind.
"Here they come."
A cool voice sounded.
Like jade beads dropping onto a plate.
"What's coming?"
Chigusa, who was bending over to pick up a large magic stone, paused, raising her head in confusion.
However.
Before she could react.
"Ching—!"
The sound of a blade being drawn.
Almost at the same instant.
Rin, who had just been wiping bloodstains off her blade; Hanazake Warabi, who was leaning against her chest licking a lollipop; and even Tamaba Satori, who seemed to be dozing off.
The auras around them changed.
The killing intent that had just subsided was like a freshly reignited stick of dynamite, exploding instantly.
There was no verbal exchange.
No command was necessary.
"Are they coming?"
Rin gripped her [black crow] with both hands.
Hanazake Warabi patted the Fierce Person.
The Fierce Person immediately changed direction and let out a low roar, baring its fangs.
"Rumble—"
The next second.
"Crack... crack..."
Under the horrified gaze of Inaba, Kashima, and the others.
The solid rock walls surrounding them began to crack.
The next second.
"Boom—!!"
The solid rock walls instantly shattered!
Countless fissures spread across the rock layers!
Red light spots lit up densely.
Those were eyes.
The eyes of monsters.
"Roar—!!"
Ten? A dozen? Twenty?
No.
This was a massive number sufficient to fill their entire field of vision!
—The [Delusion of Struggle]!
This was the Dungeon's most direct response to the Adventurers.
...
"Monster Feast!"
"It's over..."
Chigusa's legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.
This many monsters.
Even an elite Lv.3 party would probably turn tail and flee, right?!
However.
The monsters' screams were more piercing than ever before.
A Hellhound opened its gaping maw and bit down on Kirukiru Amou's shoulder.
"Crack!"
What sounded out was not the crunch of bone, but the crisp snap of teeth jamming.
Kirukiru Amou grabbed the Hellhound's head with her free hand and swung it forcefully against the rock wall.
"Bang—!"
The Hellhound was instantly smashed into black ash.
Kirukiru Amou stood bathed in the resulting dust.
The [Incarnation Blade]!
The [Delusion of Struggle]!
These two skills operated frantically at this moment.
The thrill of power surging with every punch almost drove her mad.
...
Shards of rock flew.
Amidst the swirling dust.
Accompanied by roars, more monsters poured out from the cracks in the rock wall.
"I am the eyes."
Inaba Tsukiyo remained standing on the high platform.
The long sword named [white egret] was already pointing diagonally toward the ground.
"Three o'clock, five Hellhounds, preparing to breathe fire."
"Nine o'clock, a swarm of Almiraj, charging up their leaps."
"Received~!!"
"Fierce Person! Charge!"
"Roar!!"
The Black Bear Fierce Person instantly charged into the group of Hellhounds at three o'clock with unstoppable kinetic energy.
Before the Hellhounds could even spew the fireballs from their mouths.
"Crack, crack—"
They were already smashed into the ground, heads and fire included, by those bear paws capable of crushing rock.
Hanazake Warabi used the momentum from the Fierce Person's charge to leap off the bear's back.
The tachi in her hand cut a cold glint through the air.
Precisely slicing the throats of several monsters attempting to flank the Fierce Person.
As sword and black ash intertwined.
"..."
Tsubaki, standing high above, watched everything, unable to help but murmur softly.
"A second large-scale monster attack."
"At this rate..."
"These little monsters... are they actually planning to advance to Lv.2 today?!"
It was important to remember.
The current record holder, the one hailed as the'Sword Princess,' Ais Wallenstein,
took a full year to advance from Lv.1 to Lv.2!
These little monsters...
"..."
Below Tsubaki.
Inaba, Kashima, Chigusa, and the others were completely stunned.
...
Meanwhile.
On the surface.
In Orario, time had reached noon.
Heimdall was aimlessly weaving through the crowd.
"Hey, did you hear?"
By an outdoor cafe table, two Adventurers were gossiping in hushed voices.
"About that new Familia that arrived yesterday?"
"Yeah! The one with the giant bear!"
"My brother saw it with his own eyes!"
The man gestured.
"That black-haired woman, without even drawing her weapon, punched the head right off a Half-Orc with a single blow!"
"Really?! That's a Half-Orc!"
"Is that woman a monster?"
"Who knows! She's terrifyingly brutal!"
"..."
Heimdall walked past, hearing these discussions, and raised an eyebrow.
—Brutal.
That evaluation was quite fitting.
But.
This was only the beginning.
Just as Heimdall was preparing to move to another spot to continue strolling.
"Tap!"
Suddenly, a small hand lightly tapped his shoulder from behind.
"Yo!"
"Heimdall~"
"I have some information to tell you!"
Heimdall furrowed his brows and turned around.
He saw
a flat-chested tomboy with short red hair, narrow, elongated eyes, and that signature 'I'm a bad guy' smile.
—Loki.
The Goddess of Loki Familia.
Behind Loki,
there was a small figure.
She had soft, orange-yellow short hair and a pair of pointed elf ears.
A young elf girl dressed in a mage's robe, holding a staff taller than herself.
She stood awkwardly to the side, stealing glances at Heimdall.
—A magic swordsman of Loki Familia, Lv.3.
—Thousand Elf, Lefiya Viridis.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/Rexlent
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"