Chapter 38: This Isn't Funny
Traversing into the DanMachi world, especially after encountering Lili from the Soma Familia, and considering the current progress of his "Sword Soul Template."
After finishing today's exploration, updating his status, and breaking through his adventurer level.
Helping her would actually be very simple, provided there was enough driving force for Liam to do so.
For example, a substantial reward!
"Explore deeper floors."
"It's just that rare species are harder to encounter; otherwise, the class level would rise even faster."
Leaving the passage where the rare Blue Butterflies dwelled, the nearby monsters had been completely cleared out. Taking advantage of the leisure time, he checked the changes in his Sword Soul template.
「Liam Moon」
「Level: 21」
「Experience: 13.3%」
「Skills: Secret Sword Art (Mastery), Triple Slash (Lv3), Moonlight Slash (Lv3), Backstep Cut (Lv3), Flowing Stance (Lv1), Flowing Stance - Pierce (Lv1)」
「SP: 60」
Liam quickly scanned the cheat template. After killing the swarm of rare Blue Butterfly monsters, the most direct change was the increase in experience points.
Secondly, it was the SP.
After learning the level 20 skill methods yesterday, he currently had 40 remaining.
It might also be that the experience required to level up had increased, ultimately leading to the SP gained after leveling up directly doubling.
"This can be considered good news."
"."
To learn skills after leveling up, the initial SP requirement increased, including subsequent point allocation.
If he still acquired SP at a rate of 10 points per level, he would easily fall into a situation where he didn't have enough skill points after leveling up.
And this change in the cheat template brought Liam a pleasant surprise.
His next goal was to explore deeper areas. With enough skill points, appropriately increasing his strength seemed very necessary.
He scanned the skill column. The one with a stronger combat buff effect was the "Flowing Stance" skill, which could effectively increase the damage and range of his sword aura slashes.
「Consume 20 SP」
「Skill Flowing Stance (Lv1) upgraded to (Lv2)」
As for the remaining 40 SP, there was still a long way to go before mastering new skill methods, and the efficiency of obtaining skill points had doubled.
Liam didn't hesitate when allocating points.
He raised his main combat methods, Moonlight Slash and Backstep Cut, to Lv4, only raising the strong dashing skill, Triple Slash, to Lv5.
A comprehensive and reasonable distribution.
And after filling his stomach, the food gradually converted into body energy after digestion. His tense muscles relaxed appropriately, allowing him to quickly return to a good adventuring state.
Looking at the somewhat unfamiliar floor passage ahead, Liam decisively strode forward to explore, reconfirming today's exploration goal.
"Max out ability scores."
"Then I can proceed with the sublimation of my adventurer level!"
After increasing the skill level of "Flowing Stance," the most obvious change was that the cutting power of his sword aura slashes was somewhat enhanced.
The price paid was an accelerated consumption of stamina.
When facing monsters like Needle-Head Rabbits, Purple Algae, and Killer Ants, he was like an unrelenting chariot, tearing apart all meaningless resistance!
Relying on this unstoppable momentum.
Liam pushed his adventure progress to the 9th floor in one go. He didn't encounter any rare species monsters, and the efficiency of gaining experience points was noticeably lower.
"Let's call it a day here for today…"
There was no accurate concept of time in the Dungeon. What truly drove Liam to stop his advance was the intense hunger pangs from his body.
The short sword held in his right hand.
With a single-handed flourish, he executed a smooth sword movement. The erupted sword aura sliced through a Purple Algae monster, and the ensuing airflow dispersed the poisonous scales.
Along with the monster drop.
There were not only deep purple magic stones but also this type of monster's drop: "Purple Algae Wing."
Exploring and collecting dropped magic stones and materials, and his first contact with the rare Blue Butterflies – Liam estimated their value would definitely be quite high.
Repaying Hestia's debt should be no problem? Then next, he had to consider his own issues more. The day after tomorrow, he had to return these two Second-Grade armaments. Even if his broadsword had been repaired.
The difference in equipment quality would also lead to an inability to unleash the full power of his sword aura slashes!
This was something Liam had to consider.
Moreover, after adapting to the dual-wielding combat style, returning to the simple and unadorned stage would reduce his exploration efficiency.
"."
Clearing these tedious thoughts, Liam followed the path in his memory, maintaining a steady and cautious approach, returning to the surface of Orario.
The time was even earlier than he had expected, just barely approaching dusk.
The specific reason was the "Flowing Stance" skill he used, which accelerated stamina consumption during Dungeon exploration, and his progress also increased appropriately.
This was good news for Liam. The Adventurer's Guild hadn't closed yet. He could exchange his exploration earnings for Valis.
It would be best after updating his status tonight.
And simultaneously bring this surprise to Hestia, announcing that her part-time work life at the Hephaestus Familia had officially come to an end!
He arrived at the Adventurer's Guild with practiced ease.
Liam looked around with a clear goal, finally locking onto the half-elf employee in the distance, who rarely had leisure time.
Standing beside her was Misha Flott.
Pink short hair draped over her shoulders. Her well-proportioned figure prevented the black Adventurer's Guild uniform from looking too plain.
There were fewer adventurers now.
And precisely because of this, Misha had time to chat idly with her good friend Eina.
When Liam, cloaked and with a distinct Far Eastern face, arrived at the Guild. He instantly attracted Misha's attention. It was the adventurer her friend had been patiently attending to during this period.
She had been friends with Eina since their time at the "Academy District."
Including these years working as a Guild employee, she had never seen Eina so enthusiastic towards an adventurer. Only Liam was an exception.
"Hey, hey, hey."
Withdrawing her curious gaze from Liam, Misha gently nudged her friend beside her with her elbow, her smile full of teasing as she covered her mouth.
"Your Mr. Adventurer is back~"
Even when teased by her friend, Eina still maintained her dignified and elegant posture. It was just the subconscious act of pushing her glasses.
Indicated an inner fluster that wasn't completely concealed.
She explained in a rather official tone, "Lady Goddess said that patiently attending to adventurers is our job responsibility."
"Besides."
"Misha, you really need to change this flaw of being too curious."
"...No way!"
However, as she walked towards Liam, Eina herself didn't realize the slight upward curve of her lips, nor the anticipation in her heart.
Today, what kind of adventure experiences would Liam share?
Her smile was relaxed, without the usual polite distance between a Guild employee and an adventurer. More like very good friends, "You finished your Dungeon exploration so quickly today."
"Liam-kun."
"Of course."
Liam nodded lightly, his gaze occasionally glancing towards the Adventurer's Guild lounge area. There was ample time now, and he indeed had something he wanted to ask Eina about in detail.
Getting straight to the point, he asked in a relaxed tone, "Miss Eina, I'd like to understand the monster situation beyond the 10th floor."
"Of course, no problem."
Leading Liam towards the Guild's lounge area, Eina, already considering what tea to brew, answered without hesitation.
But as soon as the words left her mouth, the half-elf young woman, realizing the critical nature of the question, her face rarely filled with seriousness, turned around and confirmed word by word.
"Did you just say you wanted to know the monster situation after the 10th floor?"
Worried that her serious attitude might scare Liam, Eina's expression gradually softened. She explained earnestly, "If you're joking."
"This isn't funny!!"
(End of this chapter)