Chapter Fourteen

As he ventured further, Muichiro realized that the dungeon was not only a physical challenge but also a mental one.

The changing environments and escalating threats tested not only adventurers' combat skills but also their adaptability to different environments.

.....

Hours passed and the battles began merging into a blur of motion and boredom. The walls grew darker, the air more stifling. Muichiro's focus remained unbroken, his calm facade belying the intensity of his efforts. The monsters were relentless, but he was unyielding.

Finally, as the darkness seemed to reach its peak, Muichiro emerged from the dungeon's depths. His clothes were clean and without a single wrinkle, his breath was calm and his clothes as clean as they came in.

It was like he hadn't even gone to the dungeon at all. Well, his cleanliness could also attribute to the clothes he was wearing, they were made of moon silk, silk from an ancient moon moth that went extinct ages ago.

The clothes Moon had made for him, were not only stain-proof, but were extremely hard to rip, and if they somehow did, there is an auto-repair sequence inside each thread.

The journey back to the surface was both contemplation and a moment of reflection. The Beginning Road seemed to stretch longer, it was just a reminder that there were over 50 floors he still hadn't seen yet.

As he emerged into the circular chamber, the painted sky above seemed almost mocking, a reminder that there was still so much left to explore.

Muichiro stepped into the bustling streets of Orario, his expression unchanged. He had faced the dangers of the dungeon and emerged victorious. While he may not have felt the same emotions as others, there was a sense of accomplishment that radiated from his every step.

The first dungeon dive had been a test of his abilities and as far as he could tell he passed with flying colours. And the next few floors were not going to be a problem for him whatsoever.

But he wasn't in any rush to venture any deeper, for now, he would just head back to the Guild and exchange all the magic stones he collected for valis.

....

At the Guild, he stood in line, his stoic demeanour drawing curious glances from other adventurers. When it was finally his turn, he approached the counter where a guild staff member was waiting to assist him.

"Back from your dive huh?" the staff member remarked, eyeing the magic stones Muichiro had placed on the counter.

Muichiro nodded silently, offering the stones for inspection. The staff member took a moment to assess their quality before nodding in approval.

"Looks like you did well today, your party must have been in the dungeon since the early morning, you've got quite a haul here," the staff member commented, tallying up the valis he would receive in exchange.

The total was 28,200 valis, in total which may have sounded like a lot but really wasn't all that much money.

As the transaction was completed, Muichiro received his valis and turned to leave. Just as he was about to exit the Guild, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Muichiro-san!"

He turned to see Rose Fannett, the red-headed werewolf Guild member who had been assigned as his advisor. Her tough exterior seemed to have softened, and there seemed to be a relieved smile on her face before it quickly went back to neutral.

"Back already? How did your first dive go?" Rose inquired, her curiosity evident.

Muichiro met her gaze, his lifeless eyes revealing nothing. "Successful."

Rose nodded, seeming to understand that Muichiro was a man of few words. "Well, don't hesitate to come to me if you ever have questions or need advice. It's my responsibility to help after all."

Muichiro nodded and was about to leave but before he left, Rose had informed him that a god had taken an interest in him and had set up a possible meeting.

It was a potential chance for Muichiro to join a familia. Muichiro wondered which god, as he hadn't even met any yet, but Rose said the god wished to remain anonymous until the meeting.

Not minding, Muichiro agreed and left. Rose informed him that the meeting would take place in the afternoon, and he acknowledged what she had said before walking back to the inn to take a bath.

As he soaked in the warm water, Muichiro's mind drifted. The concept of joining a familia was intriguing, and he couldn't help but wonder about the god who had taken notice of him. What could they see in him, he who felt no emotions and carried a lifeless gaze?

Moon said that it wouldn't be bad for me to join a familia, but if I so wished I didn't need to either.' Whatever you feel is right, follow through with it, no matter what anyone thinks or says, including me.'

And he would do just that, if he saw no benefit in joining a familia he wouldn't.

But regardless of the god's intentions, Muichiro saw this as another opportunity to further his journey.

He had entered Orario with the purpose of finding his lost emotions, and if joining a familia could aid him in that quest, then he was willing to give it a try.

After his bath, Muichiro dried himself off and dressed in clean clothes. He lay down on the bed, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and possibilities.

The city of Orario held so much for him to discover, and this meeting with the mysterious god was just the beginning.

As he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, Muichiro couldn't help but feel a hint of expectation deep within him.

Tomorrow would bring new opportunities, challenges, and perhaps even a chance to unlock the emotions he had been searching for.

With that thought in mind, he allowed himself to succumb to sleep, ready to face whatever tomorrow held for him in the bustling city of Orario.

.....

The next morning, Muichiro woke up with a renewed sense. The anticipation of the upcoming meeting with the mysterious god added a subtle energy to his normally calm demeanour.

He dressed up and prepared himself for the day ahead. Leaving the inn, Muichiro decided to spend the morning exploring the city once again.

He walked through the familiar streets, observing the people going about their daily lives. The sights and sounds of Orario felt more vibrant today, but he couldn't quite tell why that was.

As the afternoon approached, Muichiro made his way back to the Guild. He found Rose at her usual spot, attending to various tasks behind the counter.

She looked up as he entered and gave him a nod of acknowledgement. He returned the gesture, his expression unchanged.

"Your meeting is about to take place, ate you ready." Rose said, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and professionalism. "

"Yes I am, please lead the way."