Wondering about it, I checked my magic and skills.
They were the same, no change, only the proficiency of the skill Fault Perception and Float had gone up a little.
"Still, I'm now a Level 2 huh,"
With an excited smile on my face, I looked up staring up at the ceiling full of sparking crystals, and let the sensation that I am a Level 2 sink in fully while waiting for lunch.
----------------------------
Dungeon, 17th Floor.
Ting!
I stepped back a few paces, letting the force from the monster's tail strike dissipate harmlessly.
Facing me was a Lamia Mormos, a monster from the middle floors.
A female-type monster with the upper body of a woman and the lower half of a snake, she had a long, orange tail and claws sharp enough to tear apart an inexperienced Level 2 adventurer, especially one distracted by her alluring upper body.
Twang!
Channeling mana into my sword, I unleashed a Moon Slash*, not giving the Lamia any breathing room. The slash cut her clean in half, her two halves falling on either side of me.
Both halves dissolved into ash, her death confirmed by the shimmering magic stone fragments left behind.
Swoosh!
Alert, I crouched down instantly, dodging the attack that had just come from behind.
My spatial sense had detected another Lamia sneaking up, claws swiping where my head had been just a moment ago.
Had that hit, it would've hurt. A lot.
As she lunged past, I took a deep breath.
"Hupp!", and stood quickly, thrusting my sword into her exposed back. It pierced through easily.
She collapsed forward, my blade sticking out from her chest.
...
Why was I here?
Well, I was back to monster-farming after lunch.
Now that I was a Level 2, I could handle these monsters on my own.
Earlier, right after I'd defeated a group of three minotaurs, five Lamia Mormos' suddenly spawned behind me.
Fortunately, with spatial sense active, I reacted instantly.
I used Accel to flicker in front of them, taking out two before they could even register what was happening. In the chaos that followed, I finished off a third one before the last two managed to launch a counterattack.
They were gone now too, just more stones for the pile.
...
I stood at a dead-end, pulling up my virtual map. It showed I was in one of five arms of the 17th floor, laid out like a starfish, each corridor ending abruptly.
Strangely, although a solid wall stood before me, the map still displayed the area beyond in light black: unexplored.
"Oho? A secret area?"
Excited at the prospect of a hidden room, I started examining the wall for an entrance and hit it with my sword.
Roar!Roar!
Bad idea.
Trying to break through the dungeon wall with my sword had triggered a response, two minotaurs spawned instantly.
They roared and charged, but dropped dead within seconds.
My Fault Perception skill had improved, it now revealed multiple weak points on monsters rather than just one.
After retrieving their magic stones, I searched around a bit longer but found no way in.
Eventually, I gave up and returned to monster-farming, deciding to come back when I was stronger or had a new skill to help.
...
...
...
Time Skip~ The Next Day~~
Closing the system screen, I stood up from the tree branch I'd been sitting on and jumped down, heading toward the distant expedition base.
Reaching the makeshift wooden gate, I flashed my guild badge and made my way toward my tent.
The camp was bustling. Adventurers moved about, blacksmiths hammered steel over anvils, and the temporary potion store was packed.
As I turned a corner, my tent came into view, and with it, a familiar dwarf.
"Yo, Garun-san, need my help with something?"
It was the same dwarf I'd met on the first day, the one who'd given me my tent. Over the past two days, I'd helped him with a few things getting to know him better, so seeing him here waiting was not surprising.
"Ah, no, no," he replied, scratching his head. "Just came to tell ya the second leg of the expedition's startin' soon. Didn't see ya when Master Finn made the announcement."
"Also, ya came in as a supporter, right? Just wanted to know, ya still in for the second leg, or quittin'? To make the final arrangements."
"I'll 100% continue."
'This is my chance to map a full path to the 28th floor, and maybe beyond. No way was I backing out.'
Garun looked troubled. "I heard the monsters are stronger now, only Level 3 and above are goin'. You're still Level 1, yeah? Think about it again."
I paused, Dwarves were simple. Help them, and they help you. Then looked at him seriously, then gave a firm nod. "Yes, Garun-san, I've decided. I'm joining the expedition."
"Sigh… Tried my best. Your choice." He handed me three potion bottles. "Antidotes for the Big Tree Labyrinth. Good luck."
"Thanks."
"See ya later."
I sat beside my tent and examined the swirling blue liquid in the bottles using Appraisal.
...
Antidote – Special
Made to negate stronger venoms, but only for a limited time.
Ingredients: Black Mist Grass, 2 drops of Trent Dew, 1 Treasured Tree Leaf, 1/8 drop Red Spring Poison, Water.
Effect: Grants increased venom resistance for 7 hours. No side effects.
...
The "1/8 drop of poison" gave me bad vibes, but "no side effects" eased my doubts.
After that, I picked up a support bag from the supplies tent and headed to the open space at the camp's center.
I confirmed my assignment, store and distribute extra potions, and collect magic stones after battles.
...
"Everyone, it's time to set out. I trust you've all taken the new antidotes distributed before."
"Take one immediately upon entering the 19th floor, and the next after seven hours, "
At the front of the group stood Finn, delivering final instructions and boosting morale.
It was the third day of the expedition, and we were finally about to start the second leg of the expedition making our way to the Under Garden.
Looked like the entire situation had come under control now.
Also only 30 to 40 adventurers had gathered instead of the 100+ that had initially joined the expedition, but every one of them was Level 3 or higher.
According to Loki Familia's pallum captain, the plan was to pass through the Big Tree Labyrinth (floors 19–24), then the Water City ( Floors 25–27), and reach the Under Garden (Floor 28) in a single day, with only short breaks.
Every adventurer gathered here had been given three modified antidotes and a set of Undine Spirit clothes for the Water City.
Finally, we were split into two teams, the stronger vanguard would push ahead, while the second group followed their trail.
...
"Isn't this just great?"
"The monsters are all one level stronger now, so all the Level 2s are basically useless, but we Level 1 supporters still have to tag along!"
Next to me, a Level 1 supporter named Raine was grumbling to two others nearby.
He'd introduced himself earlier when he noticed me standing alone, lugging his supporter bag.
He was a cheerful, cowardly type, dragged into this expedition by his Familia. Now that they couldn't join (being only Level 2), he was stuck here alone.
After venting to me twice, he spotted the other supporters and dragged me over and continued grumbling about the situation to those two too.
"Everyone, the second leg of the expedition officially begins now."
Finn's voice cut through the chatter.
'Finally, the second half of the Middle Floors... and into the Lower Floors. Here I come!'
I made my way to the second group's gathering point, Raine trailing behind.
Among the adventurers already assembled, I recognized a few familiar faces.
------------------------
Hey Everyone! I'm back!! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o
*Moon Slash – A special ability granted by his sword. When sufficient mana/mind is infused into the blade, it unleashes a powerful, flying slash. Earlier known as: Flying Slash.
...
Mana = Mind~