9 In the dungeon.
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A/N: I have come to realise how the level-ups could be distracting when reading. Coupled with the fact that they will start to add up. How do you guys feel about me putting the upgrades at the end of the chapter? I will keep going for a hands free system as usual. I like having the MC in control, although it makes writing a bit harder.
Also, about Freya. She is not going to be a love interest. You could try to convince me. I am only thinking whether or not to make a true whore she probably is, or curb it down a bit with some BS.
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I was sitting on the edge of my bed when a familiar blue screen came in front of me. There even was a mini fan-fare effect.
[ Special Quest: Conquer the dungeon!]
This is your first dive into the dungeon. You must show your enthusiasm.
-Reach the 5th Floor of the dungeon.
-Reach the 10th Floor of the dungeon.
-Reach the 15th Floor of the dungeon.
Rewards:
-20 Stat points.
-1x Premium item gacha token.
-1x Premium skill Gacha token.
The tenth floor is a reasonable goal. Going to the 15th Solo is going to be cutting it a bit too close with the minotaurs and silverbacks.
'I can handle a minotaur or two, but the problem with the middle floor is the quantity increase. That's why you need a party.'
And that's if I use some of the stat points I was saving up. Excluding the excelia, I could get along the way. The saving grace is I can 'update' my Status on the fly. Too bad I can't level up alone too.
I opened up my premium skill token I got the day before.
'Need all the help I can get.'
[Instinct: B Rank]
Through this skill, the user can halve the penalties inflicted by visual and auditory interference by granting him a 'sixth' sense.
'Well, I couldn't have asked for a better skill. This coupled with Gamer's Mind will make sure I am at optimal performance. The trip should be way easier now. Save the flashy skills for later, simple is best for now. '
[Status]:
Akagi Ken
Level:1
HP: 240--->250
MP: 110--->115
STR: 22--->26
Vit: 24--->25
Dex: 20--->24
Int: 22--->23
Unallocated Stat points: 52
Valis: 52300
-Strength: C612-->A824
-Endurance: B723-->B780
-Dexterity: D530-->B730
-Agility: D530-->B730
-Magic: C631-->C682
Perfect Body: EX
Sword-Mastery: D-->C
SKILLS: Gamer's Body - Gamer's Mind - Instinct(B).
MAGIC: Ele Magic - Non-Ele Magic - Inventory.
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I guess all those hours of smithing did help with increasing my stats.
'This is why I don't want to 'waste' my stat points when I can just increase them by training or fighting at the start.'
I will get more value out of them later on.
I equipped the armour I got yesterday along with my newly crafted sword and opened the door to get out only to crash into Tsubaki, the Familia captain.
''Bummer, you woke up early. I was about to really catch you by surprise there.'' She said as she grinned.
''Well, I was just heading to the dungeon after getting registered at the guild,'' I said, a bit puzzled by her appearance.
''I knew you would. That's why I'm here, can't have a new member dying off in the dungeon.''She said.
''Aren't you supposed to be a captain? Do you actually have time to babysit me?''
''Don't worry about it, minor details. Take it as thanks for that dagger you lent me— which you still haven't told where you go it from, by the way.'' She said as she waved my question off, and asked her own.
My instincts were telling me there was something else going on. But I chose to ignore them.
'Well, I am now a bit more confident in completing that quest with a lvl5 as a backup.'
''It came off with my magic.''
''I'm sure it did.'' She rolled her eyes.
As we were heading to the guild, she said ''Is it me or did get stronger overnight? How is that even possible?'' She asked
''Again, it's my magic.''
''This is going to be a thing, isn't it?'' She said, sounding not at all upset.
''Yep,'' I said drawing out the p.
She simply rolled her eyes yet again.
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We entered the guild. The registration process was simple enough. It may have helped to have a well-known high-class adventurer vouching for you. My case was a unique one so I could pass off as a high-lvl1 on the brisk of reaching lvl2. It would also
As we were heading to the dungeon, I had to have a certain conversation with Tsubaki.
''Well, just so you know. I plan on going a bit deeper than normal than you would on your first dive into the dungeon.''
''Go one. So what is this, 'a bit deeper than normal' ?'' She mentioned to me with an exaggerated hand gesture.
''Hmm, I plan to go to the 15th Floor''
''*Sigh*, so it really came down to this.'' She said in a defeated tone.
I was expecting her to at least be upset or shocked a bit.
That must have shown on my face. She snorted ''Ken, why do you think I'm here? Hephaestus knew you would do something incredibly stupid —something like staying in the dungeon for days, or maybe going to the 15th floor on your first dive. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.'' eying me for a few seconds.
I wanted to feel offended, but she pretty much hit the mark. That was something that I would have done.
''Anyway, let's just head in already. I would hope you don't interfere unnecessarily."
"That's what I'm planning. I will haul your ass back the moment you start getting reckless." She said decisively.
''Come on. You have so little faith in me?''
''It's the opposite, actually'' She shook her head
As we entered the first dungeon floor. I couldn't help but notice how narrow the alleyways were. It took me a few moments to adapt to how dark it was.
It was not nearly as esthetic as I thought it would be.
''I'll be following right behind you.'' Said Tsubaki.
The first two floors were mostly empty, save for a few isolated goblins or kobolds. I non-ceremonially dealt with them.
They were essentially the same as the surface ones, only they had tougher skin and were more motivated. They were overall a stronger variant.
We were on the third floor when I deliberately let a couple of goblins injure me, yet even my skin was too tough for them to inflict any meaningful damage. That drew a confused eyebrow raise from Tsubaki a dozen meters behind me.
I called out to her "Don't worry. I'm just testing out some things."
'I guess I'll have to test the healing magic on deeper floors. At least I can be a lot bolder with Tsubaki here with me.'
Things kept going that way for the next three floors. Although as we kept going, I noticed the number of parties we would come in contact with kept decreasing.
It was on the 6th floor when we came across two War Shadows.
Along with the Killer Ant, the two were known as "newbie killers" for killing a lot of newbie adventurers.
[War-Shadow-lvl1]
HP: 200
MP: -
''This is the first real monster in the dungeon. I don't think you'll have problems with them. Nonetheless, don't drop your guard." I could hear from behind me.
The war shadow was an eerie dark humanoid creature with knife-like claws. I was pulled out of my thoughts when the first one came at me with the most speed I have witnessed on any monster so far. Yet, it was not anything too hard to account for, especially with my 'instincts' making sure to keep me in 'optimal' flow in battle.
I parried the war shadow's thrust, which let me inflict a deep stroke in its moment of imbalance. The moment I heard a magic stone drop along with a ''puff'' sound, the other war shadow came onto me.
I decided to sneakily use dark magic on it, only to feel surprised when nothing happened to it. Save for stumbling.
'I suppose it makes sense. These monsters are more of a magical construct than a living beings. You can't suck the life of something that isn't alive.
I let it land a hit on me. It dealt a lot more damage than the goblins and kobolds did. Maybe letting it hit my flesh directly was not a good idea.
[Akagi Ken-Lvl1]
HP: 210/250
MP: 105/115
I used my healing magic. It was a weird feeling, I am not sure if all healing magic is like this. It felt more of exchange rather than healing. Which technically is true.
[Akagi Ken-Lvl1]
HP: 240/250
MP: 95/115
The monster served its purpose. I retired it with a thrust to the head.
''Did you just use healing magic?'' Tsubaki said.
''Yeah, it's what I was testing out actually. And yes, it comes with my magic.''
''Of course, it does. Next thing I know, you'll start teleporting around too.'' Tsubaki said sarcastically.
''You never know,'' I said as I grinned.
