Stepping into the Dungeon again gave Hanyu Genichi the strange feeling that an entire lifetime had passed.
He stood before the enormous bronze doors at the Dungeon’s entrance and looked up at the weathered reliefs above them.
The carvings depicted ancient heroes battling monsters.
Years of weathering had blurred the images, yet they still carried an overwhelming sense of history and weight.
Adventurers constantly passed through the entrance.
Some traveled in groups of three or five, while others walked alone.
Several carried greatswords or longbows, while others had belts covered with potion bottles.
Excitement, nervousness, or numb indifference filled their faces as they entered the enormous cavern leading underground.
Genichi drew a deep breath.
The air carried a mixture of soil, sweat, and faint blood.
It smelled unpleasant, but the scent somehow calmed his anxious heart.
He had originally believed that he would never need to enter the Dungeon.
Having sex inside his dreams should have been enough to increase his strength.
Who could have imagined that the requirement of accomplishing a great feat would stop his plans completely?
Genichi looked down at his equipment.
A polished leather breastplate covered his torso.
It wasn’t high-grade, but it was light and flexible enough to avoid restricting his movements.
A short sword hung from his waist.
Its carefully sharpened blade gleamed coldly beneath the dim light.
A small round shield was strapped to his left arm.
A simple wheat emblem—the symbol of Demeter Familia—had been carved into its surface.
Demeter had recovered the equipment from the belongings left behind by a retired adventurer in her Familia.
They were hardly legendary weapons, but for a Level 1 novice, they were excellent starting equipment.
‘At least my status is far stronger than an ordinary newcomer’s.
That’s one blessing in all this misfortune.’
Genichi silently encouraged himself.
He remembered his miserable condition when he first entered this world.
Every attribute had been I0, and even a Goblin could chase him throughout the cave.
Remembering that helplessness and humiliation still made his cheeks burn.
Now, however, his Magic had reached S999, while his Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, and Agility were all H199.
He remained Level 1, but his numbers already surpassed those of many veteran Level 1 adventurers who had spent years inside the Dungeon.
However, Genichi couldn’t carelessly use the two magic he had acquired from Alfia.
Doing so would undoubtedly attract attention.
[Satanas Verion] and [Genos Angelus] were once the signature magic of Alfia, the adventurer known by the alias “Monster of Talent.”
If someone recognized them, Genichi would face enormous trouble.
He had no desire to be surrounded and pursued by curious adventurers demanding to know where the magic came from.
More importantly, he didn’t want giants like Loki Familia or Freya Familia noticing him.
To remain safe, today’s targets would only be the ordinary monsters found on the first and second floors.
This expedition was merely a warm-up to help him adapt.
“All right.
Let’s go.”
Genichi encouraged himself, stepped forward, and entered the enormous cavern leading underground.
Cold, damp air struck him as soon as he entered.
It carried the smell of soil and stone mixed with a faint stench of decay.
Light stones embedded in the passage walls emitted a weak blue glow.
They weren’t particularly bright, but they provided enough light to see the path and surrounding area.
The ground beneath Genichi’s feet was uneven, with puddles gathered in several places.
Each step through the water produced a wet squelch.
After walking for over ten minutes, Genichi finally encountered his first monster.
A green Goblin crouched at the corner of the passage with its back toward him.
It appeared to be chewing on something, producing a steady crunching sound.
The instant Genichi saw it, his pupils contracted as complicated emotions surged through him.
When he first entered this world, Goblins just like this one had charged toward him with crude wooden clubs and mouths filled with sharp teeth.
Terrified, Genichi had turned and fled until the Transmigration Gate closed behind him.
The memory of his pathetic retreat had continued to trouble him ever since.
Now, however, everything was different.
A savage smile gradually spread across Genichi’s face.
“You Goblins were the ones who chased me before, weren’t you?
Now it’s my turn to repay you!”
Genichi drew a deep breath, gripped the hilt, and pulled the short sword from its sheath.
His movement remained somewhat unpolished, but compared to the transmigrator who couldn’t even hold a weapon properly one month ago, the difference was enormous.
He raised the small round shield on his left arm to protect his chest and neck.
His feet spread slightly as he lowered his center of gravity.
Genichi had practiced those movements countless times inside his dreams.
The training might not have happened in reality, but the motions were firmly engraved into his muscle memory.
The Goblin heard the noise behind it and abruptly turned around.
Its small yellow eyes spotted Genichi, and it released a harsh cackle.
It dropped the remains of its meal, grabbed a wooden club from the ground, and charged.
Dried blood and moss covered the club, making it appear especially vicious beneath the faint light stones.
One month ago, Genichi’s legs would have weakened before that charging monster, and he would have immediately fled.
Now his gaze remained steady and his breathing even.
He could calmly observe the Goblin’s speed and posture as it charged.
‘Too slow.’
The Goblin’s seemingly vicious attack was filled with obvious flaws.
Its steps were unsteady, its balance was poor, and its club followed an overly direct path without even the simplest feint.
When the Goblin reached him and raised its club, Genichi stepped slightly forward and to the left.
He leaned with the movement, allowing the club to scrape past his right shoulder and strike nothing.
At the same time, Genichi drove his short sword diagonally between the Goblin’s ribs, using the monster’s own forward momentum against it.
Schlk!
The blade pierced the Goblin’s thin green skin and sank into its soft muscle and organs.
The Goblin released a short, piercing scream.
Green blood flowed down the blade, dripped onto the floor, and began sizzling.
Genichi didn’t hesitate.
He twisted his wrist and churned the blade inside the Goblin’s body before quickly pulling it free.
He moved two steps to the side, putting distance between himself and the wounded monster.
The Goblin staggered and clutched the wound in its abdomen.
Green blood continued pouring between its fingers as its eyes gradually lost focus.
It finally collapsed with a heavy thud.
After twitching several times, the monster stopped moving.
The corpse immediately transformed into black smoke and slowly dispersed, leaving behind a small Magic Stone fragment that struck the floor with a clear chime.
Genichi exhaled, bent down, and picked up the shard.
Dungeon monsters dropped Magic Stones that could be exchanged for money.
They were the most basic source of income for adventurers.
“First one down.
That was easy.”
Genichi quietly spoke to himself as the corner of his mouth rose into a satisfied smile.