An unwanted encounter

It's been about two weeks since I've started dungeon diving and progress has been slower than I would like. My current strength allows me to walk the fourth floor unimpeded unless a larger group comes after me. Unfortunately I'm just a little shy of what I want to safely make it on the fifth floor. The main thing I'm worried about is the frog shooters. If I meet two or more without enough strength they could tie me up and get me caught in an endurance match long enough for some other monster to get me. Sure I could probably take them out, but the danger is enough to make it not worth it.

Of course I did go down to the fifth level and try my strength against one just to check, but the effort involved didn't match the rewards. So fourth floor it is for now. My stats are all comfortably in H range except for endurance which is stuck in I and magic which is zero. Once my strength makes it to G, I should have enough leeway to spend the whole day on the fifth floor. Also Lord Miach and I have discussed it and he will start letting me eat magic stones. We figured that should be enough to give me some room for mistakes or problems. It's not like one level 1 magic stone is going to revive Shendu after all.

Walking through the Babel lobby as usual I spot a group that sends my blood boiling.

'It's them! Soma Familia!' Not to far away is a group of four of which three were the men who tortured me.

'Not now, Jack. Keep it together. You don't know how strong they are and you're still weak. THINK! Should I avoid them or try to ambush them in the dungeon. No too dangerous. There's four of them of unknown strength. They probably will be level one like you but given that Soma familia is a medium sized familia, they should be on the lower floors. The best thing to do now is to get stronger and ambush them at a later time. But, I'll need to keep an I out so they don't get the drop on me. Going by their attitude I would bet money on them killing and robbing in the dungeon.'

I struggle to suppress my anger, but manage to at least control myself. Head down, trying to show as little of myself besides my armor I head into the dungeon. Figuring my best bet at avoiding them is to put some distance between us I rush at a steady jog down to the fourth floor, doing my best to look as unhurried as possible.

Once down on the fourth, I take a route that will lead me to some of the furthest areas of the floor. If they are really going down to the lower floors this will allow me to avoid them as they won't waste time coming to where I am. Thankfully Misha was able to get me some good info on how they act so I know for a fact they won't waste time going this deep on a floor they don't work on. After all time is money and Soma familia is money crazy.

Then I hear it. As I finish up taking the magic stone out of a dungeon lizard I hear footsteps coming in my direction. Anyone in this area of the fourth floor is either on a quest or going solo and there are too many footsteps.

'Well well how you doing there do you need any help. It must be hard going solo like that," The lead scum gives me this patronizing look like a wolf sizing up a lamb.

"Hey boss isn't that that guy we taught a lesson too a couple weeks ago."

"Hey, you're right. What did you not take it too heart? Now you got us in trouble with the guild you little shit. Guess we'll have to teach you how adventurers settle their problems."

I can feel the rage boiling up in me. My chest feels hot, my lungs are heaving, and I feel like I'm about to crush my spear or my fingers with how tight I'm gripping my spear. I take a furtive look around. I'm not surrounded so I might be able to get away if I run, but how did they find me in the first place? I made sure to put plenty of distance and adventurers between us.

"How did you find me. None of you are dressed as a tracker." Indeed all of them are using swords with two of them going sword and board, another with dual swords, and the last a large greatsword.

"Oh that will cost extra but it looks like you can pay up going by that backpack of yours. You see I've managed to awaken a magic that will let me track any target I pick so don't worry about forgetting to pay. We'll make sure to come remind you?" The man grins with sadistic glee while the others chuckle and move to surround me.

Great, not only am I outnumbered and probably outgunned, but I can't even lose them in this maze. My best bet is to run and try to use the monsters to even the odds. Slowly reaching into my backpack I grab a handful of magic stones before slinging them wildly at them.

"Ah, quick grab the stones! Hey you stop him!" It worked! I figured they wouldn't pass up the stones so I used them as a distraction before running for my life. The dual sword wielder chased after me and I could tell he was slightly faster than me. Not enough to jump in front of me but enough to make my monster plan a lot harder.

I ran as fear and rage coursed through me. Eventually he would catch up to me and I had to find a monster before that. It took longer than I hoped but before the scum could get in swinging distance of his swords I saw a dungeon lizard waiting on the wall of the tunnel. Dashing toward it I kept myself between it and my pursuer until it lept at me. Diving I slid under it letting it hit the scum behind me.

"What!" Success! He was caught off guard! Now I need to finish him. I jumped up and brought my spear ready to impale him only to see the now dead lizard at the scums feet.

*Hehe* "Nice try rookie, but I'm not gonna fall to some small fry lizard."

*Haha* "Yeah but did you see the look on your face."

I whip my head to the other side of the hall. There is the rest of the scumbags with evil grins on their faces. I'm surrounded.