Falna

Roaming the floor, I eventually found a smith who gave me a reasonable price on upgrading my xiphos, however he said it was better to get a new spear, as my current one was more likely to break than be upgraded.

I sighed at that. This spear had been my first large purchase, and accompanied me through a majority of my adventuring life. Hearing that I had to replace it stung a little, but considering I was getting closer to a level up, I needed a weapon that could withstand my usage.

I handed over my xiphos and 60,000 Valis, bringing my total down to 205,000. The smith said he would use Needle Rabbit Horn and Dungeon Lizard scales, making it lighter and harder than before. Signing the contract, I exited the store, making my way back down Babel.

I would look for a new spear in a few days, when I had more money available.

Sighing at that, I exited the Tower, making my way through the busy streets. Walking towards my home, I was looking forward to seeing if I could get an update to my status from Bia.

Entering the house, I was met with the scene of Bia and our mysterious benefactor lounging at the table, Bia drinking while the other woman just sat there.

Nodding towards them both, I quickly made my way to my room, tossing off my gear and putting it where it belonged. Moving back to the kitchen, I placed the remaining 205,000 Valsi on the table, making Bia smile slightly at the loud 'Thunk'.

"How does your first proper payout feel?"

Hearing the woman's fluctuating voice, I smiled at her and bowed slightly.

"It feels amazing, Lady. I managed to get some good armor and upgrade my xiphos!"

The woman nodded at me, before getting up. Ruffling Bia's hair, the woman leaned towards her and whispered something before leaving.

Bia looked at me for a moment, before smiling again.

"How much did you make?"

"Before spending anything? 404,000 Valis. After? 205,000."

Bia's eyes widened, and she opened and closed her mouth a few times, looking at me in disbelief.

"404,000? How did you..."

I chuckled at her stupor. Bia was always surprised at how much I could bring in previously, and now? With the Guild actually paying me the correct amount?

"I went down to Floor 12, and managed to find quite a few strong monsters, which dropped good crystals and some items."

Her smile widened at that, though like always she had a mixture of pride and worry in her gaze.

After all, while they were just the 'Upper Floors', many people died there, even full parties. So me going in solo? I was defying the odds every time.

I gave her a smile before asking "Could you update my status? I want to see how close I am to reaching Level 4..."

She nodded at me, pointing at a chair. Throwing my shirt off and quickly unwrapping the bandages, I sat on the chair, my back open to the air as my chest pressed against the backrest.

Feeling Bia's cool hands wander over my back, I felt my heartbeat accelerate slightly.

Will I finally get a stat up to S? Will I have multiple A's?

I was excited. It had been a bit since I last had my status updated.

After a few moments Bia placed a sheet of paper over my back, before whispering something in her own language.

I couldn't make it out, nor have I ever been able to. It was something she always did, and I just assumed it was a prayer or something.

Handing me the paper, Bia sat back into her chair, uncorking her wine bottle.

Looking over the sheet, I smiled slightly.

[Nikoleta Bia

Level Three

Strength: B-732 -> A-802

Endurance: D-584 -> C612

Dexterity: B-768 -> A-823

Agility: B-793 -> A-854

Magic: E-487 -> D-541

___

Magic:

(Keres Stride)

- {By my Blood, By my Might}

(Warrior's Ichor)

- {I plead thee, Warrior's of Elysium; Lend this Spirit of Unclean Blood thy Ichor}

___

Skills:

(Bloody Laurel)

- {The longer one is in battle, and the more heavily damaged they are, the stronger their strikes become. Additionally, after every kill they receive an increase in Strength.}]

I blinked a few times, surprised by my new Status.

My three main stats are all A rank, with my endurance and magic understandably lagging behind.

I still had both my spells; Keres Stride and Warrior's Ichor.

However, I had somehow gained a skill. I had been unlucky to have never gained a Development Ability, which is like a skill, but it levels up. You earned it through hard work and luck.

But a normal skill? They are quite rare. In fact, most people may never get one.

Looking at Bia, I saw her take a long sip of wine, sighing.

"I got a skill, mitera..."

Nodding, she smiled at me, saying "I know, I saw. Congratulations, agapi."

A wide smile bloomed on my face, and I looked back down at the paper again, rereading everything.

Chuckling, Bia stood up, pulling out two wooden tablets. They were engraved with the stats I had when I went from Level One to Two, and Two to Three.

"It seems you are getting closer to filling up on High-Level Excelia. Probably two or three more runs in the dungeon, and my little Ker will be Level Four..."

I smiled at her, looking down at the two tablets. Quickly adding their totals up, my collective stats from Level One and Two were around:

Strength: ~1500

Endurance: ~1200

Dexterity: ~1300

Agility: ~1400

Magic: ~400

My first spell was Keres Stride at Level Two, and I used it rarely. When I received Warrior's Ichor at Level Three, I still rarely used magic, allowing my magic stat to grow at a snails pace.

However, my stat totals were the culmination of almost a decade of delving into the dungeon, and I was proud of where I was at. If I had a powerful familia backing me up, I could probably held back from leveling up for a bit, getting as much as I could from those foundation levels, but I was just one, really determined, but just one woman. I couldn't take the time to squeeze every little bit of excelia from my adventures. I had to get stronger, to protect myself and Bia.

I leaned back into my chair, looking down at the two tablets and the sheet of paper. These three items displayed the work I had put in over the last decade, back when I was just some brat around Nine or Ten.

Reminiscing slightly, I was awoken from my stupor by Bia, who placed an envelope on the table.

"What is it?"

"Our mysterious benefactor asked me to give this to you. Open it."

Picking up the envelope, I looked at the stamp, raising a brow when I saw it was the Guild's Insignia.

Slicing the seal open, I took out the letter, reading it.

The further I got, the more my eyes narrowed.

"What does the Guild want Agapi?"

Sighing, I slid the letter across the table, saying "The Guild is organizing an Expedition into the Middle Floors, specifically Floor 24, to gather resources. They are asking the Loki Familia to lead a group of various other Familia into the dungeon. If I had to guess, Loki Familia did something too upset the Guild, or owed them a favor, and the Guild is calling it in. And they decided to finally acknowledge that we exist..."

Sighing, Bia placed the letter back on the table, taking another swig from her wine bottle.

"Be careful Agapi. The people from those large Familia's... they're arrogant. Much too arrogant. Stay quiet, let them do their thing. Don't provoke them. Especially not those from the Loki or Freya Familia's. They mind as well be from a different continent with how powerful they are..."

I gave a small smile to Bia, nodding.

"I'll be careful Mitera. Truly. Especially around the members of the Loki Familia."

Bia sighed again, grabbing her bottle and making her way up the stairs.

"As long as you know, Agapi. As long as you know..."

Watching her leave, I looked between the Guild summons and my Status sheet.

This may be annoying, but the payout is worth it. Besides, what better way to get High-Quality Excelia than the Middle Floors?

The monsters there are much stronger than the Orcs and Hard Armored I am used to fighting.

Placing the status sheet between the two wooden tablets, I returned them to their drawer before making my way back up to my room. The summons was for three days from now, meaning I would have time to get my remaining gear together.

I made my way towards the bath, deciding to relax for the remainder of the day.

---

So, like I said, Dungeon Delving soon. Might do a half chapter lemon paired with getting her remaining gear, might not.

Anyways, let me know what you think of her stats. Are they too high?

Also, the Romance Character has yet to be guessed~

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