Chapter 21: Monster Drops & Level Up

(3rd Person: POV)

Charging towards the five orcs the Rois siblings siblings ran towards one of them together.

Reaching the beast Leonmitchelli swung her axe towards its right arm and cleaved it off easily, a feral grin on her face as she did so.

Once this happened the orc roared out in pain.

"Shut your mouth!" Gaul shouted.

Jumping up towards the orcs face he unleashed several rapid punches, destroying the beasts head with ease.

As he landed on the ground it disintegrated leaving behind not only a magic stone, but orc hide as well. A drop item.

Seeing their comrade easily defeated the remaining four orcs roared in fury.

One of them moved to a nearby tree and easily ripped it from the ground. The orc then ran at Leonmitchelli and swung its makeshift weapon.

Which she blocked using her axe.

Standing her ground Leonmitchelli pushed back against the orcs assault.

As she did so the remaining three started charging towards her.

"Keep your hands off my sisters!" Gaul shouted, drawing the orcs attention to him.

Right after he did so several bolts of electricity courtesy of Ryner hit all three orcs.

Which caused them to roar out in pain.

Right after they did so Leonmitchelli jumped back, ending the clash with the orc in front of her.

Deciding to switch things up Leonmitchelli placed her axe back in its holster on her back and then drew her broadsword.

Right after she did so she charged toward the orc still wielding the tree as a weapon.

"Rarrgghh!"

Roaring in anger the orc with the tree as a weapon swung it in Leonmitchelli's direction only for her to easily dodge its attack.

Closing the distance she moved to cut off the orcs head, and was able to do so easily.

Seeing another one of their comrades killed the remaining three orcs became even more enraged.

But the Athena familia party did not care.

Moving up Millhiore reached one of the orcs and used her blade to sever its legs from under it. Then she quickly stabbed her sword straight through its skull. Killing it.

Ryner moving close behind her, but keeping a good distance as she did so.

Since both of them needed to gain excelia to level up as well.

And direction confrontation with monsters helped with that.

Now filled with rage the remaining two orcs moved to picked up boulders.

But before they could Gaul moved towards one and kicked a hole straight though its stomach. He then quickly moved to the last remaining orc and punched a hole straight through its head.

Ending the orcs once and for all.

As soon as this was done they moved back to the battle with the Infant Dragon to assist Morax and Ryuu.

Doding a tail swing from the Infant Dragon Morax rushed forward and caused another wound on its neck with his spear.

But just like the numerous wounds he and Ryuu had given the monster in the last few minutes it barely bleed.

Since once again the wound wasn't deep enough to cause serious damage.

'Dammit. All our wounds are still too shallow.' Morax thought.

Over the past year and a half since he began adventuring he thought he understood just how dangerous and strong monsters could be.

But now he is realizing that was stupid of him.

Facing the rare and powerful monster in front of him Morax is finally coming to understand just how far he still has to go when it comes to the dungeon.

Despite his foreknowledge thanks to the memories from his past life.

He now understands the meaning of the phrase seeing is believing all the more thanks to this moment.

Still, he's not going to give up.

Jumping onto the Infant Dragons back Ryuu delivered a slash, only for the monster to smack her off with its tail and throw her into the ground.

"Ryuu!" Morax shouted in worry.

"I'm ok." Ryuu quickly answered. Standing back to her feet.

As she did so the others arrived to aid them.

"How's it going?" Ryner asked.

"We keep peppering its body with wounds, but this bastard just keeps coming." Morax quickly explained. "It's skin it just too thick. Which is why I think we need to focus on one spot and then chip away at it until this creature breaks."

Everyone nodded at Morax's words.

"Ok, so where should we place this spot?" Leonmitchelli asked.

"The creatures neck." Morax said.

Since he's notice its easier for him to cut the Infant Dragon's neck area than any other part of its body. Meaning that is its proverbial weak spot.

"Got you." Ryner said. He then held out his hands in the Infant Dragons direction.

{What I seek is thunder, Izuchi!}

A magic circle forming in front of Ryner's palm several thunder lances took shape and then fired out from it, slamming into the Infant Dragons neck.

The creature cried out in pain.

Ignoring this the Athena familia made its charge.

Getting in close Leonmitchelli slashed the dragons neck several times with her sword before backing off.

Once she got her turn her brother Gaul moved in and punched the dragon's neck several times. Opening up even more wounds with his metal gauntlets.

"Take this you bastard!" Gaul shouted.

He then delivered a kick to the beasts neck, forcing it back a few inches.

Once that happened Ryuu launched her attack.

Using her speed to shot under the Infant Dragon neck and slapped upward. Creating a rather long wound which began leaking blood as soon as it was made.

But Ryuu managed to step back just in time to avoid being touched by any of it.

As the Infant Dragon began stumbling Morax suddenly knew it was time to finish things.

So he ran forward and then once he was a few feet away from the Infant Dragon he stopped in his tracks momentarily before launching forward with a burst of speed.

Getting under the dragon Morax thrust his spear upward without any hesitation.

His weapon piercing the Infant Dragon's chin and going all the way up through its head.

As soon as this took place the beast stopped moving, falling to the the ground a few seconds afterwards.

The second this happened Morax and his comrades put smiles on their faces.

Since they had defeated a level two monster and the unofficial floor boss of the dungeon upper levels.

As the beast disintegrated a rather sizeable magic stone was left behind, as well as a drop item of all things.

Seeing this Morax raised a brow. "Did that dragon leave behind a drop item?" He questioned. Since he wasn't expecting this at all.

"Yeah, and it's dragon's hide." Leonmitchelli said. "A super good materail for crafting different types of armor and clothing because of its toughness." She explained. "My parents told me about it once, but they said since the Infant Dragon spawns so rarely most never get a chance to get a hold of it. However it looks like today is our lucky day."

"Yes, it is." Morax said.

A smile on his face.

Since he felt something change inside of him the moment he killed the Infant Dragon.

He doesn't know how to describe this feeling, but he is sure of one thing.

That he can now level up.

-------------------------------------

(Morax: POV)

After the battle ended we collected the orc hide, the dragon hide, and the magic stone and the hightailed it off the 12th floor and back to the surface.

We then went to the Babel tower exchange and got a whopping 5 million valis for the Infant Dragon magic stone.

A welcome treat.

Once the money was obtained we hightailed it back home, ignoring the stares and whispers we were getting.

We don't have time to bask in the glory.

Not yet anyway.

Arriving home we all entered and found Athena safe and sound.

"Welcome back." She said. "So then, who would like to go first?"

"I think it should be Morax." Ryuu spoke up. "He devised the plan to kill the dragon and delivered the finishing blow. Any objections?"

No one spoke up.

"Thanks guys." I said. I then looked at Athena. "Ok then, shall we?"

"Let's." Athena said.

Once she did so I put down my spear and then followed her to her room.

As soon as we got inside I removed my armor and shirt and then showed my back.

A second after I did so I felt a warm feeling like the first time I got Falna happen. I then saw a faint flow appear behind me.

"Well?" I asked in curiousty.

"Morax. Congratulations, you can now level up." Athena told me.

Hearing this I smiled.

"Ok, do it." I told her.

Athena nodded.

Once she did so I felt another change across my entire body.

I can't put it into words, but a few seconds after I told Athena to level me up I felt stronger, faster, and the like. Leveling up must always feel like this.

It's a nice feeling.

"Oh, yes Morax you also have a choice between developmental abilities." Athena told me.

"Well then, what are they?" I asked her.

"Hunter, Mage, and Abnormal Resistance." Athena spoke.

I let out a low whistle as she did so.

All of those are great.

Taking a moment to think I made my choice.

"For this go around I'll take Hunter." I said.

Since the [Hunter] Developmental Ability is supposed to be difficult to obtain and there's not guarantee it will appear again when I level up the next time. So I'll take it now while I can.

"Understood." Athena said.

Once she did so I felt another wave of unique energy hit my body. Then it faded.

"It is done." Athena said.

Once she did so I slipped back on my shirt, and then took my new status sheet from her.

"Thank you goddess." I told her.

"Of course." Athena responded.

Once she did so I left the room to get one of the others, a skip in my step as I did so.

Since I am now a level Two adventurer.

I'm moving on up.