18 Finally Entering the Dungeon City of Orario
It was noon where the sun is at its peak illuminating the whole sky and land with its radiance.
Within the woods at the outskirts of the fishing city of Melen, approximately three kilometers Southwest of Orario was Ash, mounted on a saddled white stallion...
*Neigh* *Neigh*
"Hmm... Do you want to take a break Whitey?"
*Neigh*
Seemingly understanding the whining of the complaining mount, he asked which was replied with a neighing sound of the stallion as if nodding and saying yes to his question.
"Alright, let's take a break then. I also wanted to cultivate since I'm close to a breakthrough."
He just got around the southwest part of the continent from his journey in the west but hasn't gone to the city yet and decided to stop for a break in the woods to cultivate.
Ash dismounted and lightly pulled Whitey's, his horse's reins, and tied it to a tree while he found a place to sit on, however...
"Hmm? hahaha... What's with that look? you had a meal just a while ago, you glutton..."
He was about to close his eyes and meditate however, he felt Whitey's gaze giving him a look as if saying 'Where's my food and drink?' with a deadpan expression.
Ash could only shake his head while stretching the corners of his lips, smiling bitterly and heaving a sigh in defeat.
Pulling a haystack and a basin bowl filled with water out of his storage ring, he couldn't help but think...
'I should've left you alone at that time. Now I regret stealing you from that dumb warmongering muscle-head...'
He couldn't help but feel a bit of regret taking the horse which he named Whitey.
He got it after beating up a dumb muscle-brain who's always spouting 'Come, my valiant soldiers! Let's show the world the power of the Kingdom of Rakia!' nonsense. But that's a story for another time.
After giving the white glutton what it wanted, he finally closed his eyes and meditate. Activating the integrated basic mana cultivation art within his core.
He unknowingly went at it for a number of hours until he finally decided to stop and opened his eyes and checked his status.
"Fuuuh... Wise, let me see my Status please..."
[*Affirmative...*]
[...]
The surroundings were already pretty dim upon seeing the already setting sun.
And so, after checking his status, he turned his attention towards the white glutton who was leisurely relaxing and laying underneath a tree without a care in the world.
After giving it a slight nudge despite its annoyance, awoke it, mounted it again, and rode onwards entering the city of Melen.
---
The Dungeon City of Orario, Babel Tower...
On that same night, at the centermost part of the bustling city of Orario stood a magnificently built colossal building... a skyscraper if you must call it, overshadowing everything at its feet.
Originally built as a regular-sized building but was later destroyed and rebuilt by the first Gods/Goddesses who came down to the lower world.
The tower is known and built to have fifty floors with the dungeon closely lidded underneath it.
Aside from its main purpose of tightly containing the opening and locking the monsters inside the dungeon-
the tower also serves as a hub for Familia Businesses, Guild Facilities, Monetary Transactions, and also the residences of the most prominent Gods/Goddesses in the city.
Currently, inside one of the tower floors, a gathering of a large number of people... or rather, Gods and Goddesses are taking place...
"Right boys and girls!... Seems every one of ya's already here!... I hereby declare the commencement of our monthly Denatus!"
*Woooooh!*
*Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!*
*Whistle*
A cheerful slender-bodied light red-haired Goddess with her eyes hidden from everyone's sight was presiding the gathering of the Gods and Goddesses who resided in the city.
The 'Denatus' is an event exclusive among Gods and Goddesses. It is where they meet and discuss things concerning the city, the development in the dungeon, and etcetera.
This is also the time when certain individuals/adventurers under each familias who recently progressed and leveled up are given aliases.
The 'Denatus' is originally held once every three months.
However, due to the recent events which will be the main agenda for the current gathering and the ever-growing uneasiness amongst them for the past year, they had agreed to hold it once every month.
After the red-haired Goddess's words ended, it was immediately followed by loud cheers and a huge round of applause by the majority present.
Although, the same could not be said to some of them because...
"But! before we directly discuss the main agenda for this month's Denatus... Mwehehehe~"
She slowly glanced around, seemingly eyeing each and every one of her fellow Gods and Goddesses while dramatically and purposely dragging her words keeping the thrill high.
And wherever her face moves and, although ironic since she keeps her eyes closed, her sight lands, she could see the glint of excitement from their eyes.
But while some of them had the sense of excitement, some of them were...
'Please don't start with me... Please don't start with me...'
'For the love of... I just hope my child can get a good alias... Sigh...'
'I hope they won't give my child that ridiculous damned name they discussed previously... what was it again?... Burning Fighting Fighte- whatever...'
Dread and grimacing expressions can be seen in some of them who are present. Although giving aliases to certain interesting individuals who show promise and potential can be considered good-
The same could not be said to those who don't. It can even be considered a mockery.
Truth be told, it was just a formal way of these Divine Beings to throw insults at each other by giving 'chuni' names to individuals under certain Gods/Goddess. Especially to the weaker familias.
"We will be giving Aliases to the rookies who recently leveled up!"
*Woooooh!*
*Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!*
*Whistle*
And along with her words, another set of cheers resounded expressing each of their excitement.
Clamors and bickers from the rowdy atmosphere went on for at least a couple of hours until...
...
"Now that we're done with Loki's shenanigans... on to the main topic."
An incredibly beautiful Goddess far superior from any of the Goddesses present with an aura of superiority exuding from her suddenly spoke, causing the lively atmosphere to suddenly turn silent and serious.
She has long silver hair with flower-like ornaments attached to each side of her hair, vibrant purple eyes, and white smooth skin akin to that of fresh snow.
She's wearing a black and red-themed extremely revealing outfit that accentuated her curves and almost exposes most of her intimate parts, especially the breast, stomach, and leg parts.
With everyone turning silent either due to her words or probably entranced by her beauty, the once cheerful and mischievous personality of the red-haired Goddess named Loki opened her eyes and spoke.
"Right, on to the more pressing matter..."
---
[7:30 AM]
At the Southern Gate of Orario...
A tall and lean-statured young man with luscious snow-white long hair that is neatly tied in a low ponytail.
With the lower half of his face covered underneath a black scarf not wanting to cause a commotion due to his appearance was following a line of people to gain entry into the city.
He is wearing a plain black long-sleeved fitted shirt that failed to hide and further accentuates his sturdy and lean muscles.
A sword in white sheath and hilt properly tucked in a white belt around his waist, black pants, boots, and finally, a white leather padded fingerless gloves.
Over his shirt is a same-colored short-sleeved long single vent coat with white outlines.
Overall, his attire is similar to Rimuru Tempest when he became a demon lord from 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime'.
"Right... identifications please"
Upon finally approaching the gate, a city guard blocked his entry and asked for credentials.
Learning from previous incidents and not wanting to attract attention to himself, he paused for a moment and hid his left hand behind his back as if grabbing something from his pocket.
But in truth, he's taking out his credentials from his storage ring.
He only recently knew that spatial storage tools like his ring aren't a thing in the Danmachi world when he started visiting cities.
A scene like making things appear out of nowhere of couse attracted some greedy numbers of people every time he takes out things from his storage ring. But of course, every time it happens, it didn't end up well for them.
When he came to that realization, he started getting wary of showing that kind of scene and learned from it.
"Hello, My name is Ash Alfheim. I just got here from Melen wanting to explore the famous dungeon beneath the city..."
Extending his hand with the papers he got when he entered Melen, he showed it to the guard, greeted him politely, and spoke.
"Hmm... Alright, everything checks out. Just pay the entrance fee and you're good to go..."
"Hey! this guy is good. Let him enter."
Seeing no issues with his credentials, the guard nodded his head yelled to his fellow guard, and allowed him to enter.
