Slash.
Tear.
Smack.
The battle was savage and chaotic.
There was no technique.
Only pure killing.
For monsters like beastmen, there were no combat styles.
Their only instinct was to kill humans.
As for Cao Ye, he had never been formally trained.
Everything he knew came from trial and error in real battles.
A completely wild style.
Because of his special abilities, trading injuries had become normal.
"ROAR!"
One beastman smashed a club into Cao Ye's back.
He didn't even react.
Instead, his sword pierced the eye socket of the beastman in front of him, stabbing straight through its skull.
After killing that one, he turned to deal with the attacker behind him.
Slash—
The sharp blade cut through the beastman's chest and pierced its body.
Boom.
The last beastman turned into black smoke.
Only a magic stone remained.
Cao Ye exhaled slowly and stood up.
His body was covered in bruises.
Fortunately, no bones were broken.
This made him realize something.
He had become much stronger.
If it were the old him, he would have suffered multiple fractures.
Now it was just bruises.
"That's enough for today."
After collecting the magic stones, Cao Ye decided to end his adventure.
Unlike many adventurers, he wasn't obsessed with exploring the Dungeon.
To him, the Dungeon was just a game dungeon.
He only entered when necessary.
Today's mission was already complete.
There was no reason to keep fighting.
As long as he steadily saved diamonds, he would become stronger sooner or later.
Besides—
He had a goddess sponsoring him.
One million valis per month.
Money wasn't an issue.
Why work so hard?
Enjoying life was better.
"Hmm."
Holding the magic stones, he absorbed their magic power.
The sensation flowed into his body like a stream.
The pleasure was intense.
After a few seconds, the process ended.
The stones turned transparent and were casually thrown away.
If magic stones weren't monopolized by the Guild in Orario, Cao Ye would even consider opening a magic stone exchange shop.
Exchange valis for magic stones and grow stronger without leaving home.
"Hmm? Mr. Cao Ye?"
As he exited the Dungeon, he saw a familiar figure.
"You're the elf advisor girl?"
"You can just call me Eina, Mr. Cao Ye."
"Oh, hello Miss Eina."
Cao Ye naturally had a positive impression of glasses girls.
"Finished exploring today?"
"Yeah. My objective is done, so I came back. I'm not the type who stays in the Dungeon all day."
"That's a good habit. Adventurers shouldn't take reckless risks. I don't want your name appearing on my missing persons list."
"Got it."
Cao Ye accepted her advice politely.
However, he understood his own situation.
He was currently Freya's sponsored "little wolf."
And Freya was a possessive goddess.
So keeping distance from other women was safer.
Unless…
One day he conquered the goddess herself.
Then he could truly live freely.
"Well, Miss Eina, I'll leave you to your work. I have some things to do."
"Oh… alright. Good luck."
"Thanks."
Eina watched Cao Ye's departing figure with a strange feeling.
Normally she was very popular among adventurers.
Some even fought each other just because she was their assigned advisor.
Although that caused her trouble, it also proved her charm.
Yet with Cao Ye…
It felt like she had no charm at all.
Every time he spoke with her, he seemed eager to leave immediately.
Almost as if he didn't want to stay near her.
Meanwhile, Cao Ye knew nothing about the thoughts of the sensitive elf girl.
Right now he was busy shopping.
It was already afternoon.
After a full day of work, he deserved a good meal.
On the bustling street, he started eating happily.
But today he wasn't going to the Hostess of Fertility.
That place was too dangerous.
Yesterday's lesson was still fresh.
One meal had cost him 30,000 valis.
Even with a million valis per month, that would quickly become unsustainable.
In the shadows of an alley, a rough-looking man watched Cao Ye with malicious eyes.
"That kid looks like a big fish."
"He buys whatever he sees and seems curious about everything. Probably some rich family's kid."
"So… you want to?"
"Of course. Let's make a move. Then we can buy some Soma wine and drink well tonight."
"Alright. What's the plan?"
"Follow him. Find a quiet alley along his route and drag him in."
"Leave it to me."
Hidden in the darkness, the two figures plotted.
To them, Cao Ye looked like a piece of fat meat.
And as Cao Ye continued wandering through the streets…
They followed closely behind.
Clearly, this wasn't their first time doing something like this.
Meanwhile, Cao Ye had no idea he was being targeted.
And even if he knew…
He probably wouldn't care.
After all—
He was the "little wolf" kept by Goddess Freya.
If something happened to him, no one involved would escape her wrath.