“You are alone but you have more monster cores than some of the C-rank parties,” Joe said before handing him the bag of coins worth 3 million shekels for the B-class monster cores that he brought.
After few months of exploring the dungeon, Dio finally finished roaming around the first thirty floors. He actually used the lower floors to practice his magic, senses, reflexes and dagger skills in order to improve. He also chose to stay in the safe zone instead of ascending to the surface and he used his time to observe other adventurers come up with new techniques.
“I heard that the illegitimate Romanov cleared the whole 30th floor alone.”
“Are you serious? In his last descent, didn’t he clear the 22nd floor too?”
“That’s impossible! How could a fourteen-year-old kid clear the most difficult lower floor on his own?”
The whispering adventurers continued to gossip
“Forgive me for the late introduction. I am Amery Claire von Flavian, the third daughter of the lord of the southwest territory.” The lady curtsied gracefully. “I am Arkin, my lady.” Dio held out his hand and the lady took it with a smile. “Please allow this humble adventurer to guard you as you roam around the market.” “Thank you for granting my selfish request, Arkin.” Dio’s lips curled to form a subtle smile as he let the young lady lead the way. Amery was just a normal young noble who seemed to be amazed by the world outside their estate. Judging by her age, it seemed like Amery had not debuted in high society just yet. Dio felt conscious when he noticed that the young lady was openly staring at him as they walk towards their fourth destination. They already finished visiting a teashop, a public library, and an armor shop. Their next stop was the last one—the potions store. “Is there something on my face, my lady?” The girl frowned
Dio opened his eyes and he saw himself inside a dark place on top of a flattened stone that served as a bed. Where am I?‘You lost consciousness so I had to drag you here in the safe zone,’ Blur reprimanded.He chuckled but he immediately stopped when he felt the pain near his abdomen. He tried to sit up but Blur’s paw pushed his forehead down to stop him.‘A part of your soul was sucked by the bunny so you need some time to recover. Be a good boy and don’t push yourself too hard.’He sighed as he relaxed his body. He was planning to finish the quest within 6 weeks but it seemed like he needed to spend some time for his recovery. He never thought that his fight with the devil bunny would be that bothersome. If he just knew, he would’ve been more careful.“You’re awake now?”Dio’s forehead wrinkled when he saw Calyx enter the safe zone. “What ar
In the whole manor, only the light in the guild master’s office was turned on. His disappointed eyes were on the servant he assigned to investigate Archie Romanov’s death more than a year ago. In his hand were the report and the insignia of the most notorious underground guild was printed on one of the pages. “I finally found a lead, but it felt like I bumped into a huge wall.” The servant sighed. He had been investigating for more than a year but sneaking up with the midnight serpents was not an easy feat. “What about the boy?” Royce clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. If he couldn’t save his lord, he should at least find the young master.“Have you found the young master?” “He disappeared without a trace.” The servant bit his lip as he felt his master’s glare. “ I searched the whole city but the residents don’t know the young master’s whereabouts.” Royce slammed the desk. “Don’t just search in the city. Search the entire continent if need
The annoyed expression on Dio’s face didn’t change all throughout his walk towards Albert’s office. It had been 2 months since he left to venture the middle floors and he was welcomed with rumors and gossips about him as soon as he ascended.“Welcome back to the surface, Monster Rookie.”“I’d like to wipe that smirk off your face, Chief.” Dio threw himself on the couch after putting the spatial bag on the center table.“Is this all the soul stone you collected?” Albert jeered.Dio smirked as he sat up and snatched the bag. He turned the bag upside down and a numerous amount of soul stone appeared.“How did you get this much?” Albert’s eyes grew wide as he stared upon the soul stones in front of him.“I worked really really hard,” Dio said nonchalantly as he crossed his arms and leaned on the couch.“That’s pretty obvious, young lad. J
“Blur, watch my back!”“Roger that!” The kitten on Dio’s head leaped and transformed into a large panther. With an intense killing intent, it immediately ran towards the minotaur, a monster with a body of a man and the head of a bull, behind Dio and clawed it.Dio felt secured when he saw how competent his bond was. He turned to face the manticore in front of him and smirked. It opened its wings and its lion-like body moved to a fighting stance.“How dare you go here alone? No adventurer came out of here alive!” The manticore roared and used its venomous scorpion tail to attack him but he jumped and landed behind the monster.“There’s always a first for everything.” Dio tried to provoke the manticore more and in response, the manticore turned to attack him with its claws. “Slow!”Dio lifted his hands and vines sprouted out of the ground. It immediately attacked the manticore bu
Dio didn’t notice that it was already morning when he woke up. If it wasn’t for his rumbling stomach and the nudges he received from his bond, he wouldn’t even think of standing up.“Are you awake now?”Dio immediately stood up when he heard Mr. Hearth’s voice. “What are you doing here?”“Is this the feeling of watching your son grow up?” Mr. Hearth said with a fake sad and teary voice. “It had been a year and a half but you didn’t contact me even once.”“You never called for me. Besides, I’m too busy clearing the dungeon to visit you for chitchat,” he said in an annoyed tone.“I told you I want to see how your potential will blossom.” Mr. Hearth smirked before he leaned closer to him. “How was it? Did you find another reason to live?” he whispered.Dio gently pushed him back and smirked. “Yes. Thanks to you, I found
What should he do next? Those were Dio’s thoughts as he watched people went back and forth through his window.He watched how everyone seemed to be sure of what they were doing and move towards the destination that they intended to reach. How about him? He was done with his training and he reached the lowest floor of the dungeon. He wanted to be the strongest-- to be the best. Deep inside, he knew that he could do it. He could be the best in the empire but he still needed to be covert. He couldn’t catch any more attention than he already caught. “Arkin! Won’t you come with us to the market?” Calyx waved his hand with a grin on his faceas he looked up at Dio’s window. Dio closed his eyes for a second before he nodded his head. “Wait for me.” He wasn’t planning to go outside for that day but he believed that he should also take a breather. His mind wouldn’t clear up if he kept on going in circles. “The door is there
“Blood!” Crystal exclaimed as he watched Dio wipe the blood on his mouth. “We need to take you to theinfirmary!”“I’m fine. Don’t be such a worrywart, Crystal,” Dio said with an annoyed tone. He took a few steps and looked down on the young man, probably around his age, who barely made it safe. “Give me a valid reason for such disturbance.”The man smirked as he stood up. “I am Mikael Armani, the second son of the Armani Merchant Guild’s master and one of the marquis’s retainers.”“Ah! Mr. Kael, what brings you here?” Calyx said with a respectful smile.“Calyx! I told you not to treat me that way! You’re my friend, right?” Kael grinned as he hugged Calyx.Dio stood there as he watched the man with olive-green hair. Did he just say that he was Mikael Armani?Kael turned to him and smiled. “Don’t tell me that you