Entering the Dungeon for the first time

The dungeon is a complex labyrinth located beneath Babel. Orario is the only place in the world that has a dungeon, attracting people from various races around the world to explore it.

Before the gods descended to Genkai, heroes fought against monsters with the help of Spirits. Once the gods began to descend into the underworld, they bestowed falna upon them, granting them status to fight monsters more effectively. Ouranos was the first god to bestow falna upon someone.

It is commonly known among experienced adventurers that the dungeon is alive. If an adventurer finds themselves in a desperate situation, the dungeon will not hesitate to make an effort to kill that adventurer. Often, the dungeon will also set various traps for adventurers.

The dungeon spawns monsters from its walls and ceilings and repairs itself if any of its walls are damaged.

The dungeon greatly despises the gods; it will immediately close the exit of a room if it detects them and will spawn black versions of monsters to kill them. These black monsters are much stronger than usual and display intelligence. Nevertheless, it does not spawn another black monster after the first one is killed, even if the targeted god does not perish, indicating that its ability to act is limited to a certain extent.

The dungeon is vast, with deeper floors that grow larger. On the lower floors, specifically after the 37th floor, it can even be the same size as Orario, which gives an idea of how expansive the lower levels are.

There are floors where monsters do not appear at all, known as safe points, and there are also several areas where monsters will not spawn. Adventurers typically use these areas to rest before continuing their exploration of the dungeon.

Footsteps echoed in the corridor of the first floor as Noah walked behind the team with Yui, who served as the healer, while Asuna and Yuuki walked ahead with weapons in hand.

Floors 1-12 are referred to as the upper floors by adventurers. This floor is very suitable for novice adventurers. Level 1 adventurers are recommended to explore here. Floors 1-4 have walls colored light blue, and the monsters that appear are Goblins or Kobolds.

The footsteps echoed in the corridor of the first floor as Noah walked behind the team with Yui, who served as the healer, while Asuna and Yuuki walked ahead with weapons in hand. The atmosphere around them was calm, but tension always lurked behind every dark corner.

They crossed a corridor adorned with light blue walls when suddenly a cracking sound came from the right. Asuna and Yuuki paused for a moment, exchanging glances. They quickly prepared to face the impending threat.

From the walls of the dungeon, two small figures emerged—Goblins with glowing green eyes and wicked grins. They leaped forward, ready to attack.

"Goblins!" Yuuki shouted, raising his sword with enthusiasm. "Let's crush them!"

Asuna nodded, gripping her rapier, stepping forward. "Be careful, don't let them get close!"

Noah took position behind, watching the enemy's movements. Calmly, he readied his spear, prepared to protect the team if necessary. Meanwhile, Yui raised her staff, ready to provide support.

Quickly, the two Goblins attacked simultaneously. One from the left, the other from the right. Asuna deftly dodged the first attack, swinging her rapier with precision. The blade touched the green skin of the Goblin, and the creature fell with a cry.

Yuuki was not to be outdone; she swung her sword at the other Goblin, but the creature managed to evade. "Come on, don't give them a chance!" Yuuki shouted, trying not to lose her spirit.

The remaining Goblin let out a harsh sound, attempting to strike Yuuki with a small club. However, Noah quickly responded. He stepped forward, aiming his spear precisely. With one thrust, he successfully pierced the Goblin from the side; it fell to the ground before turning into black smoke and leaving a small magic stone on the ground. Yui hurried over and picked up both magic stones before placing them into the small bag she carried.

They continued their journey before being confronted by three more Goblins.

With newfound confidence, Yuuki charged again. She leaped forward, swinging her sword fiercely. This time, the Goblin couldn't evade. Yuuki's sword penetrated the Goblin's defenses and struck its head, causing the creature to fall before it transformed into black smoke along with a magic stone.

"Good job!" Yuuki cheered, glancing at Asuna, who was facing the other two Goblins. Asuna dodged every Goblin attack like the wind, executing various rapier skills she had practiced in Aincrad, leaving only magic stones scattered on the ground.

Suddenly, from deeper within, louder rustling sounds were heard. Yuuki raised her sword, alert. "Something big is approaching," she said, her previously calm tone turning serious.

From the darkness of the dungeon corridor emerged a much larger creature—a Kobold, with brown fur and glowing red eyes. Its roar echoed through the corridor, making the air feel heavy.

"This is a Kobold," Asuna said, looking at the creature seriously. "We need to be careful."

Yui immediately prepared, raising her staff. "I will protect you all!"

The Kobold stepped forward, brandishing its sharp claws. Yuuki, undeterred, jumped forward again, attempting to attack from the side. However, the Kobold moved quickly, dodging and retaliating with a deep strike.

Asuna stepped forward, trying to divert the Kobold's attention. "Come on, Yuuki! Attack from the left!"

Quickly, Yuuki followed the instruction. She attacked from the side, trying to distract the Kobold. Meanwhile, Yui took the opportunity to strike from the front. Her staff aimed precisely at the Kobold, successfully pushing it back.

Seizing the opportunity, Yuuki jumped up and delivered a diagonal slash that cleaved the Kobold in two.

Due to the horrific death of the Kobold, Yui and Yuuki couldn't suppress their feelings of nausea. Yui immediately used Healing Touch to improve their condition.

After resting for a while and regaining their strength, the team continued their journey deeper into the dungeon. The atmosphere around them felt tenser. Every step, every sound, triggered their vigilance.

"Where are we going next?" Yuuki asked, eager to explore further.

"We should look for the next safe point," Asuna said. "We need to recover our energy before continuing our exploration."

Noah nodded. "According to the map Eina provided, the safe point is at the end of this corridor. Let's move on."

As they moved forward, the sound of rustling was heard again, this time closer. Noah raised his spear, and the team prepared themselves.

"Get ready!" Asuna shouted, lifting her rapier.

From around the corner, a group of Goblins appeared, more than before. With piercing screams, they charged.

"There's no time to hesitate!" Yuuki shouted, jumping forward. "Let's fight!"

Noah took his position, waiting for the right moment to strike. Asuna and Yuuki moved quickly, protecting each other.

Yui, with her staff, provided support while preparing healing spells.

"Attack!" Asuna shouted, leading the charge. With coordinated strikes, the team faced the wave of incoming Goblins.

One by one, they managed to defeat the enemies. Noah maintained his position at the back, monitoring every movement. When a Goblin attempted to attack Yui, Noah quickly stepped forward and thrust his spear.

"Thank you, Papa!" Yui exclaimed, feeling safe behind Noah's protection.

As they continued their journey, they encountered several groups of other adventurers, but none approached each other out of fear of misunderstandings. After all, aside from the dangers posed by the dungeon itself, threats also came from other adventurers. No one knew what could happen inside the dungeon, making it easy for bad things like murder and robbery to occur. Thus, when several parties met by chance, they usually remained on guard.

With the strength of their group, it was easy for them to traverse the upper floors of the dungeon, and within just a few hours, they reached the 6th floor. If it weren't for the fact that this was their first time entering the dungeon and they weren't familiar with their surroundings, they would have been even faster. The tension was increasingly palpable. The rustling sounds grew closer, making everyone ready.

"We have to stay alert," Noah reminded, raising his spear firmly. Asuna and Yuuki exchanged signals, ready to face whatever would emerge.

From the darkness, a more threatening sound was heard. A War Shadow, a dark humanoid monster with long arms and three sharp claws like knives, passed in front of them.

"Here it comes," Asuna said, looking at the creature seriously. "We need to be careful. They're fast."

"Let me distract it!" Yuuki shouted, jumping forward with her sword raised. She ran toward the War Shadow, trying to divert its attention. Meanwhile, Noah stayed back, keeping Yui safe.

The War Shadow attacked swiftly, approaching Yuuki with its sharp claws. The War Shadow launched a quick attack that Yuuki evaded by jumping to the side. The attack left claw marks on the dungeon floor as if cut by a knife.

After dodging, Yuuki swung her sword vertically and slashed the right arm of the war shadow that she had just used to attack.

As if she had formulated a tactic, Asuna stepped forward to deliver the final blow. The star-like flash of the rapier pierced the war shadow and shattered its magic stone into small pieces.

"Let's get that stone!" Asuna shouted, rushing to pick up the stone lying on the ground. Meanwhile, they continued on their way, feeling the tension in the air.

However, not long after, a rustling sound was heard again. This time, a group of red ant monsters with four legs and two arms appeared. They were killer ants, which had hard shells and high attacks and used pheromones to attract allies in emergencies.

"Killer Ant!" Yuuki shouted, preparing to fight again.

"Keep your distance!" Noah warned, raising his spear. Asuna and Yuuki moved forward, protecting each other, while Yui stayed behind, ready to use healing magic if needed.

The Killer Ants attacked quickly, trying to penetrate their defenses. Asuna managed to dodge and strike one of the Killer Ants with her rapier. "Let's attack together!" she commanded.

Yuuki, feeling her spirits rise, leapt forward, swinging her sword hard.

"Get this one!" She managed to slash one of the Killer Ants, knocking it down.

Meanwhile, Noah stayed behind, waiting for the right moment to strike. When one of the Killer Ants tried to attack Yui, Noah quickly stepped forward and thrust his spear, finishing it off before it could get close.

"Good job, Papa!" Yui exclaimed. She quickly used Healing Touch to make sure her team's health was maintained. "You guys can keep fighting, I'll protect you!"

After a while of fighting, they managed to defeat all the Killer Ants and continued on their way, perhaps due to the special nature of the killer ants or perhaps because they were unlucky, on their way they were surrounded by a group of killer ants before stopping as they entered the 10th floor.

The floors had increased in number and size and the length of the hallways between the rooms had become shorter. In addition, the ceiling had changed in height from three to four meters on the upper floor to almost ten meters above. Moss covered the brown walls and the ground beneath them became a carpet of short grass. In addition, this floor was also covered in thick fog.

Due to the siege by the killer ant group, Asuna and the others had exhausted a lot of energy so they needed a place to rest.

"We should find a safe spot," Asuna said, looking ahead. "We need to rest for a while before continuing."

Noah nodded. "According to the map, the safe spot is at the end of this corridor," he said, looking in the direction indicated. They moved forward, but the rustling sound was heard again, this time more frightening.

"Get ready!" Asuna shouted, raising her rapier. From around the corner, a group of Orcs appeared, with large bodies and large clubs in their hands.

"This will be a tougher fight," Asuna said, readying her rapier.

The first Orc attacked brutally, swinging its club at Yuuki. "Take care of yourself!" Asuna shouted, jumping to distract the Orc. Quickly, she stabbed the Orc, but the creature did not fall.

Yui quickly prepared Healing Touch, giving Asuna support.

"You can do it, Mama!" she exclaimed, pointing her staff. Healing energy enveloped Asuna, giving her the strength to continue fighting.

Yuuki, not to be outdone, jumped to the side, trying to outwit the Orc.

"Come on, let's attack together!" she shouted, trying to unite their strength.

With coordinated attacks, they managed to take down the Orcs one by one. Noah kept his distance, focusing on every move, watching Yui and making sure she stayed safe. When the Orc tried to attack Yui, Noah quickly moved, blocking the attack with his spear, breaking the Orc's threatening defense.

"Thank you, Papa!" Yui exclaimed, feeling protected. "Come on, we can do this!"

As they fought more, they figured out the Orc's attack patterns and made the next fight easier. After a while, they finally managed to defeat all the Orcs that attacked.

"Good! We did it!" Yuuki cheered, though she was out of breath.

"Noah, we have to find a safe spot now!" Asuna added, feeling fatigue starting to eat away at them.

Maybe because the Dungeon felt that Noah's Party was difficult to deal with level 1 monsters and stopped sending out monsters to attack them, so their further journey went smoothly until they reached a safe area to rest.