6 Monster party
I go back to my new home, the Blue Pharmacy. I show all the Drop Items that I have to Nahza. I expected that she would be surprised by the amount of what I gathered, but to see her this shocked ... It really throws me off.
'I thought inclining that I have been raiding the dungeon for a while would be enough! But what is this reaction?'
It turns out that she wasn't shocked about the quantity of the items but the quality. According to her, the majority of the items are in Pristine Condition.
'Drop Items usually get a little damaged from being tossed on the ground. As monsters turn into ashes after their Magic Crystal is removed'.
But in my case, the system extracts both the Magic Crystal and Drop Item at the same time. So, all my Drop Items are in their original condition.
She suggests that I shouldn't sell these items to the guild, and sell them directly to shops and Familias because they would pay more.
It seems that the guild disregards the condition and uses fixed prices for Drop Items.
I tell her that I'm new to the city and don't know the shops. Also, I don't know the value of each item. So I suggest that she takes care of all the Drop Items I gather from today forward, she would take whatever is needed for potion-making and sell the rest.
With that said and done, let's start the "home sweet home" process.
The Blue Pharmacy is a two-story wooden building. It has a decent size and is located on the backstreets just off West Main Street. It's a bit old and could use some repairs. I can see that a few rooms are sealed off due to the lack of use.
And most importantly, my new house is dusty. 'As a clean freak, I can't let that pass'.
And so, I stay a few days at the Blue Pharmacy for cleaning duties. During that time, Miach, Nahza, and I get to know each other better.
Miach is kind, trustworthy, and graceful, he carries himself with dignity. He matches Hestia's saying, "You resemble every bit of what a God should be".
Hestia visited us once to congratulate him on the new member, 'Me'. We exchanged greetings, then she took Miach out for a drink.
Nahza looks like she gives no care in the world, but she is actually carrying a pang of guilt that is eating her alive.
Miach took out that big loan to make her a prosthetic arm after she lost her right arm in the dungeon. The other members in the Familia didn't like that and left, leaving her alone with Miach.
She has strong feelings towards Miach, 'who is completely clueless'.
She brought me the money she got after selling the Drop Items, I told her that I don't need it since I got enough money from selling Magic Crystals and she should use it for our debt.
She apologized and thanked me as if I had done her a huge favor.
'I wonder how she would feel after I pay the whole thing'. The debts of my Familia are my debts anyway.
Ever since, she has been treating me so well, out of guilt, or maybe gratitude? I'm not sure which one it is, but I'm pleased by the way she treats me nevertheless.
And also, I got to know that Miach Familia's debt is 20 million Vals paid off as monthly payments of 500 thousand Vals each.
Although the debt circumstances were explained in DanMachi, the exact value wasn't mentioned.
'20 million seems to be too much but when paid as 500 thousand every month, it is doable'.
---
After that, I'm heading back to the dungeon. I had finished two Daily Quests inside the dungeon and four at home. So, I have 18 stat points ready to be distributed,
'Um, let's see ... This should be good for now'.
[*Stats:
Strength: 45 Endurance: 30 Agility: 45
Intelligence: 29 Sense: 35
(Available stat points: 0)]
On the ground floor of Babel, I buy some maps.
'The lower the Floor, the more expensive the map is'.
Now, I have all the maps for the Upper and Middle Floors.
'I wonder how far I can reach today'.
I summon the Beast Lord Sword in my right hand and start the hunt.
The sword is nothing like the flashy daggers that Jinwoo had. It's a longsword with a plain blade and the handle is black with silver rims, it gives you the impression of 'That's a usable sword'.
As I descend the dungeon Solo, I think that it's taking too much time. I have to cover a large distance to reach the 7th Floor where I stopped last time.
The weak mobs on the way wouldn't let me walk in peace they attack in groups, and eliminating them takes time.
'Looking at it positively, it can be considered as a warm-up'.
After a few hours in the dungeon, I pass through the 7th, 8th, and 9th Floors. They are pretty similar in difficulty, the monsters are weak and they don't give me enough experience points. So, I hunt my way through them.
Until I reach the 10th Floor, where monsters start to give me some difficulty.
'I can get a level or two if I hunt here today'.
So, I make the mist-filled floor my hunting ground.
I can see that adventurers here are having a hard time because of the terrible vision. But I can sense the monsters even if I can't see them, I even can guess their types from the Aura they emit.
'I guess the Sense stat is very effective'.
The monsters here are Imps (sneaky little devils - they are faster than most monsters here but they are slow compared to me – easy to kill if not in a large group),
Bad Bats (they're annoying and they use 'hit and fly' style - I have to focus my agility to be able to slash them when they fly near me),
And Orcs (big and strong and don't die in one hit – good targets for my skill 'Swift Strike').
[You have leveled up.]
'Alright! Let's call it a day'.
---
The next day, I hunt on the 11th Floor. Silverbacks are strong and agile, but they can't be compared to Koffac, I just have to avoid getting hit and deliver a few good strikes, that's all.
Hard Armoreds have the highest physical defense among the Upper Floors' monsters. They are a pain in the ass individually and in groups, they can be very dangerous.
They roll on the floor and attack at high speed and their outer shell is hard for me to break with a sword, I have to deliver a few good punches in the same spot to crack it.
I deal with them by using 'Swift Strike' to attack them in the tummy area, which is the only place not covered by the thick shell. But it's hard to do so since they cover their weak spot by rolling.
I raid my way through the 11th Floor to the 12th, which will be my hunting ground for the day.
[You have leveled up.]
'Leveling up seems to be getting harder and harder'. It's already too late, so I go home for the day.
'I wanted to fight the 'Baby Dragon', looks like it hasn't respawned yet ... such a shame'.
---
The next day, I venture deeper and reach the Middle Floors, Hell Hounds and Almirajs are what I meet on the 13th Floor.
This floor is actually easier than the 12th. The monsters are weaker than Silverbacks and can't be compared to Hard Armoreds.
Almirajs are fast and they carry Nature Weapons like pickaxes but I deal with them easily. Hell Hounds are physically even weaker than the rabbits but they use magic. They can spew dangerous Fireballs from their mouths.
I avoid the Fireball if I'm fighting a few enemies. When I fight a large group, all I have to do is stick close to one of the monsters. The Hell Hounds avoid friendly fire and don't use their magic.
I knew that monster spawning rates and numbers increase drastically in the Middle Floors but I didn't expect this. Oh boy...
---
It starts with a wide room, I enter the room to slay a group of Almirajs (about 7 of them).
And while I'm doing so, the four walls of the room start to crack at the same time. At first, I don't know what this is. 'Earthquake?'
Then the walls are shattered and I see several dozens of Hell Hounds emerging. That's when I remember, "Monster Party". It's when a large number of monsters are spawned at the same time.
Right now I can run, as the hell hounds are still near the walls. I can head straight for the entrance, I'd have to kill only a few to get out of this room. But,
'I can't let all these experience points go to waste now, can I?'
Alone in the middle of the room, surrounded by what seems to be a hundred monsters, I jump to the nearest monster to avoid being showered by Fireballs and begin the struggle. I stab, slash, punch, and kick, I do whatever it takes to kill, kill, slay, and slaughter monster after monster.
'There is no end to this...'
No matter how much I kill, they will be replaced. The dungeon is ruthless, Monsters are entering the room from the surrounding corridors, others are being born from the walls. All to keep me trapped in the middle of this 'party'.
With my Agility stat at 47, the monsters are moving in slow motion, but they are too much. 'I'm supposed to stop a dozen attacks with just one move, how is that even possible?'
I get wounded, I kill, kill and kill only to get more wounds to appear on my body, I don't stop and continue killing, the pain disappears with a warm light covering my body, 'Oh... A Status Recovery, must be a level up.' No time to check, I just feel content hearing the messages ring ring ring~
The cycle repeats again and again.
Endless spinning between monsters to cover my back. If I slow down for even a fraction of a second, I'll be buried under.
I don't know how many hours had passed until I leveled up enough to break the cycle. 'Their numbers are decreasing.'
'...'
I'm standing in the middle of the room, the sword in my hand, its tip is touching the ground... No, not the ground ... But the dead body a monster, 'An Almiraj'.
I look down, oh, I'm standing on a hill formed of monsters' dead bodies. I just sit down and let my mind go blank... Status Recovery recovers Health, Mana, and Fatigue. It doesn't recover the mental tension caused by the continuous stress that I felt for hours. After a while, my mind and my heart calm down.
'First, let's change the scenery'.
I collect every single Magic Crystal and Drop Item, which is way more than what I had collected the last time. The monsters turn into ash after I take the Magic Crystals from their corpses.
Then I realize that I'm not wearing clothes right now, just a few strands remaining, the rest of my clothes were shredded by the fangs and claws of these damn monsters.
'Good thing that I always have extra clothes in the inventory.'
---
On my way back, on the Upper Floors, killing monsters often gave this message.
Ring~
[The enemy's level is too low. You have gained no experience points.]
Not that I care about anything right now. I just go straight to bed.
---
The next day, I wake up at noon. I stay in bed retracing everything that happened yesterday, I try to recall every single bit of my carnage on the 13th Floor. Every mistake I made, what I should have done instead. I memorize every smart move I made, maybe I'll need to use it again.
I should never act carelessly again in the dungeon. When those weak monsters ganged up, it became a deadly situation for me.
All monsters on the 13th Floor were Beast-type, I should've tried to tame some of them to help me in the fight. 'Damn... Did I just survive because of the title's +40% increase in all stats against Beasts?'
I was very reckless. I take a vow on myself, I will never ever act rashly again.
After contemplating my actions, "Status window... Woah!"
[*Name: Rick Stark *Miach's Blessing (Level: 1) - Cooldown: 12:35:47
*Level: 27
*Class: None *Title: Beast Lord
*HP: 11,070 *MP: 972 *Fatigue: 0
*Stats:
Strength: 52 Endurance: 41 Agility: 52 Intelligence: 36 Sense: 42
(Available stat points: 0)
*Damage Reduction: 10%
*Skills:
- Passive Skills: Unknown (Level: MAX), Advanced Sword Technique (Level: 1)
- Active Skills: Swift Strike (Level: 1), Whirlwind (Level: 1)
*Equipment: - Koffac's Cloak 'A' (10%)
*Gold: 10,740]
'....'
[Advanced Sword Technique (Level: 1)
Passive skill.
Having used swords for a long time, you can now handle the sword freely and efficiently.
+33% Damage with swords.]
[Whirlwind (Level: 1)
Active skill.
Mana cost: 500 Initiation + 20 per spin
You rapidly spin around in circles while simultaneously swinging your sword. Deals radial damage equals to your attack power to all enemies surrounding you in 3 meder radius.]
'Five levels and two new skills..?'
If I had used Whirlwind back then, it would have been a lot easier. But I didn't have time to breathe, I can't imagine what would've happened if I had stopped to read messages.
'Oh, Miach's Blessing is on cooldown!' Looks like it was activated without me noticing. I should be more careful.
Next time, I have to notice, because its activation is supposed to be my cue to run. "Better safe than sorry."
...
I leave the room and put last night's Drop Items by the stairs and walk to the kitchen
"Oh, you're finally awake! I didn't hear you come in last night, when did you get home?"
"I don't know myself, but it was pretty late... I left yesterday's loot for you by the stairs."
"Oh, I'll sort them right away."
"Hello, Lord Miach."
"I'm glad you returned safely, Rick". Believe me, I too am glad that I returned.
"Can I have my Status Updated?"
A few minutes later,
"What? How can this even be? What happened in the dungeon yesterday?"
And before he could express himself more, Nahza barges into the room,
"Rick! Where did you get the loot of Middle Floors' monsters?"
She asks suspiciously, 'does she think I stole it?' ... I just look at her and then look at Miach, 'I guess he got his answer now.'
"Rick, this was beyond reckless, this is stupidity ... Until you level up, I forbid you from going any deeper than you have."
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that." I'd rather be rude than dishonest. "I can't even level up without an adventure, that means I have to go deeper to level up."
"Then I'd rather you stay a level one forever. I'm saying this for your safety, it takes one thousand steps to get a little stronger and one misstep to fall and die."
"In my case, it takes two missteps."
I regret it as soon as the words come out of my mouth, I can see Miach's eyes getting wider and wider. 'He knows that I'm not lying.' .. 'You can't lie to your god', is an undeniable fact in this world.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I have a trump card that can save me in desperate situations. (I can't say it's YOUR Blessing, can I?) ... Also, my Sense Ability is strong enough to make me sense and avoid dangerous foes... So, it actually takes three missteps ... I care about my life and I don't plan on dying anytime soon."
All I get is silence, he is looking at me in the eye trying to decide whether to trust my word or not.
I'm not really sure why he is so worked up, he just met me a few days ago. More importantly, he doesn't even have the ability to stop me from doing whatever I want. I don't even know what we are talking about here. 'I'm going deeper', end of the story.
"Sigh... Then promise me this, you'll buy a good armor, always have extra potions, and do not get in a situation that requires you to use that trump card of yours. And if you ever find yourself in that situation, then use it and survive. Your life must always come before your strength."
"Well, how can I refute that? ... I promise."
"Good, I will take care of the shop. Nahza, you and Rick have some shopping to do."
Standing there speechless, Nahza nods meekly. Still half-naked on the stool with my back facing Miach, I ask,
"Mhm, Can I see my Status now?"
"There is something very strange about you". Miach says this, I flinch as turn around to look at him.
"Without leveling up, you obtained an Advanced ability, a one that is obtainable only after level three ... This is strange, it's as if you are not bound to the rules of my Blessing, huh! ... Anyway, the ability makes you stronger when using the sword".
He dazedly gives me the paper he wrote my Status on.
"..."
'What is he thinking? Did he figure something out?'
I resignedly look in the paper,
----
Rick Stark - Level One
Strength: A 820 → S 920 Endurance: C 620 → B 720 Agility: A 820 → S 920 Magic: D 520 → C 620
Sense: I Tamer: I Swordsman: I
Magic: -
Skills: - Swift Strike - Whirlwind
"..."
This time I allowed Miach to read everything, this is the result,
Both Unknown (Level: MAX) skill and Miach's Blessing (Level: 1) are nowhere to be seen. Advanced Sword Techniques seems to have been changed into Swordsman Advanced Ability.
