"Hello Ais-san"
"Hello Ais-san"
Anakitty and Raul both said at the same time. Wow they both are perfect in sync.
"Hello Anakitty, Raul and to you as well Arin."
"Hi Ais, haven't you seen you since yesterday something happened?"
"I… was training." She said quietly.
Wow, she is a hard worker… no wait a moment, she did not mean that she was training throughout the night did she?
"Umm... Ais you don't mean that you were training continuously since yesterday did you.
"That's what I meant."
Anakitty winced. "Reveria-sama would be mad again."
Ais paled at that. "Please don't…tell her." Ais requested with a worried face. Though I say that her face did not change much, I did notice a little frown on her face and her lips tightened.
"I don't think we need to tell her that she must have guessed already, since you were not present, Ais-san." Raul added a little apologetic look on his face.
Ais shoulder visibly dropped at that.
"Are you okay Ais." I was starting to get worried now, even if I know Riveria punished Ais when she overdoes it.
"I am not Okay."
Ok now I am getting more worried.
"Don't worry about it Arin, Riveria won't punish her that harshly, probably. Besides Ais-san we should get going to the dungeon, it's Arin's first time in the dungeon. It won't do him good if he constantly worries about you.
Ais strength up at that." You are right, Arin, don't worry about me, I will… take the punishment." Although you say that Ais with your face being pale it is not helping it.
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We waited a little until Ais calmed down a little. And then entered the dungeon, or rather The entrance to the Dungeon, which is on the first underground floor of Babel. In the center of the room is a ten meter long hole that leads straight into the Dungeon. Within the circular room are multiple columns at equal intervals, and above is a beautiful azure painting of the sky that resembles the real sky. Along the circle are gentle stairs that spiral down into the Dungeon. We took the stairs down. And entered the 1st floor.
The walls were light blue colored. There is also a wide hallway.
"This hallway is known as the Beginning Road. Newbie Level 1 adventurers with status of I to H in their basic abilities normally spend time on these floors." Raul explained to me as I looked around.
When we continued our Walking, a little later a goblin appeared in front of us. It was a green and plump humanoid monster with large eyes.
Amidst my observations, it sprints forward raising his worn out dagger to an overhead strike, but to me it was moving very slowly, I parried his strike and gave him a kick to his side, the next moment the goblin was sent flying and before its impacted with the wall, it burst into ashes leaving behind a small magic stone.
Looks like when I was trying to understand its strength I ended up underestimating my own.
As for the disgust that comes with killing a living being, I did not feel it that deeply maybe because it's not my first time killing something that's alive.
"You don't need to pick that magic stone, it will be far more productive for you to keep fighting since they don't sell for much."
While I ran up to pick the magic stone I heard Raul.
"Raul I don't think you know that but I am practically broke, so even this stone is worthwhile for me at least for now. Besides, won't other monsters eat this stone to grow strong?"
I know this information from the anime but I also confirmed it in in the *basic information about dungeon* book that Riveria brought me.
" If it's about money then we will pick those stones so you can just focus on fighting. As for your doubt, this floor is flooded with newbies and they won't leave free money lying around on the floor.
"I see, in that case I will appreciate your help."
And with two high level-2 adventurers and one level-4 adventurer we advanced quickly through the dungeon and before I knew it, we were at the entrance of the 2nd level.
The 2nd floor was the same as the previous one except for one difference: this one has a new monster.
"This is a kobolt monster, which is one of the common monsters along with goblins on the first 4 levels. They also appear on the first level but are pretty uncommon." Raul explained that the kobolt rushed at me, opening its mouth trying to take a bite of me. I took a step back and thrust the sword below his mouth as the tip of the sword came out of his head, killing it in one blow.
"I knew you were strong. But still you make taking care of these monsters so easy. Do you even know how much it troubled us when we first fought it." Anakitty complained.
Ah.. I guess for them I must look like I am cheating or something.
"My race really does give me an unfair advantage huh…" Anakitty looked a little panicked which is a rare sight. Maybe she didn't expect me to take her so seriously.
"I don't particularly think that is a bad thing." It was Ais who, until now was just silently observing and picking up magic stones, spoke.
"If being of a particular race gives you an advantage over the others then I don't think it's cheating, for me it's just a part of what makes you, you."
.
.
.
That really surprised me. I did not think Ais would be the one to try to cheer me up. At least not until we have made a little deeper bond with each other.
.
"Thank you Ais." Maybe I will keep Riveria a little busy tonight so she is not able to punish Ais, at least for today.
"I did not do anything to get thanked for?" Ais tilted her head. So cute.
"Don't worry about it. Should we go deeper?"
.
.
.
After that we were able to make our way to the floor easily, and reached the entrance to the 5th floor.
"Do you want to go deeper?" Raul asked.
"I am not feeling much exhaustion, my weapons are looking good too. I think we can go a little deeper."
"Ok then lead the way. But if you feel exhausted, do let us know and we will go back."
I nodded and entered the 5th level, The walls changed to a light green color.
"Stronger monsters, such as War Shadows and Killer Ants, appear starting from this level and the monster birth time is faster, which is why these floors are where a lot of newbie adventurers start to die. It is recommended for Level 1 adventurers to have a status of at least G in their basic abilities to explore these floors." Raul once again acted like a Walking wikipedia.
I can see why he is sent to guide a new adventurer. He has a talent for it.
Shortly after a war shadow appeared, it was a dark humanoid monster that had long arms with three claws that were sharp like knives.
"It is the strongest monster on the 5th and 6th Floor. Along with Killer Ant, it is known as "newbie killer" for killing a lot of newbie adventurers." Raul continued, as I fought it.
It was a lot faster than the goblin and kobold, his sharp claws were working as living weapons. As I deflect its right arm claws it follows with its left one's. But after a few blows exchanged, I was able to find its weak spot. It is like an amateur boxer that focuses solely on using its hands while leaving their legs unused. I exploited that weakness, after deflecting its next blow I crouched down to avoid its next attack and kicked it off its legs. As it fell I swung my sword on his chest killing it in the process.
"That was good thinking." Ais gave a compliment.
"Thank you Ais." After that talk on the upper floor Ais started talking a little more giving some insights here and there. Which I appreciated greatly.
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We were safely able to make it to the end of 7th level.
"Do you want to take a peek at the 8th floor?" This time Anakitty asked.
I remember Loki's words, to not go deeper than the 7th floor, and while I think I will be able to tackle most monsters on the upper floor I don't want to risk raising a flag so just for today I will follow Loki's words. Besides, I want to know how many points I have gained from these fights.
"No, I think that's enough for today."
"Okay, then let's go back and get your magic stones turned into money, I wonder how much you will get. Be sure to give us a treat" Anakitty seems excited.
As we made our way back Ais came close to me.
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"Do you want to train together sometimes?" She asked.