A large slash had been made both on the ground and on the ceiling, showing that the attack was strong for circle two levels. Grakka stood up, showing she was fine even after unleashing that strike. From the first time Enrico had seen her, he had noticed that her mana amount would definitely be in the top 10 of the first year.
"Good job, Grakka."
"It's thanks to you, best friend Enrico."
"I'd prefer if you just called me friend Enrico like before, that title is too long."
"If that's what my best friend wants, then I'll do it. But in my heart, that's how I'll always call you."
The two smiled. Grakka approached and extended her hand to help Enrico up, which he gladly accepted, rubbing his shoulder as he stood up from the strain of enduring the Minotaur's strength with just his body.
[You should have used magic to strengthen your muscles like he did.]
'Why? If I can endure with my body without wasting unnecessary magic? I even had a backup plan in case this one failed, so I had to save it.'
Besides, it wasn't serious, and his shoulder would heal in just a few minutes with his own water magic, so it was fine.
"Enrico, Grakka, that was incredible."
"Looks like you recovered well, Sylvia."
"If I hadn't healed properly, then Caelan should've focused on fighting instead of healing."
"Hey, I want to be both a good fighter and a healer, don't underestimate me."
His eyes were determined, especially after seeing the power of the two. In fact, they were all determined—particularly Elian, whose gaze was fixed on Enrico.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Elian? What, did you fall in love after I saved you?"
"W-what are you talking about? I'm looking because you simply never stop evolving. Don't get the wrong idea, idiot!"
"Why explain so much? Don't tell me I hit the mark."
Sylvia blushed at their bickering, imagining them as lovebirds, while Luam huffed at how Enrico enjoyed teasing Elian, who kept insisting his gaze wasn't what Enrico thought.
'If you act that nervous with that embarrassed girl face, no one's going to believe you.'
Ignoring Elian's feminine appearance, the dungeon began to vanish, transporting everyone outside as a chest appeared in their midst. But the only thing Sylvia could think about as the others approached the chest was the battle.
'Those two are insane. It took at least four of us to damage that boss, and the two of them managed to finish it off?'
Now she looked at Grakka differently, realizing there was another person she had to try to surpass.
'Grakka is strong, but Enrico definitely more.'
She was sure of it, since he had fought that boss alone for a while before grabbing the axe, and even after dropping it, he had still managed to match the Minotaur's brute strength.
'I think, just like with rank one and two, I'll let Enrico stay ahead and focus on the others.'
"Here, Elian. If you drink this potion, your speed will permanently increase by five percent."
"Are you sure you want to give me this? Because I'll really accept it."
"Better take it quick, or I'll change my mind."
Seeing Enrico and Elian so close, Sylvia's eyes sparkled. Her lips curved into a mischievous, almost sinful smile.
"Fufufu, one day I'll see them together. I'll make sure of it."
"What the hell is this lunatic talking about?"
Beside her, Liam looked horrified at how confident she sounded. Shaking his head, he walked over to Enrico, only to be handed a Nartheis core.
"What's this?"
"It's the strongest core from the second-phase Nathans. If you absorb it, you'll get an improvement with spear handling."
"Thanks."
Enrico handed two enhancement items to Sylvia and Caelan, leaving both with sparkling eyes of excitement. The rewards they had received were great, making the adventure worthwhile.
[No one would be satisfied if someone died.]
'Shut your mouth and wish that doesn't happen, damn system.'
Stretching, Enrico stored away the items he would give Kai and Valença, while drinking a potion similar to Sylvia's, one that improved magical affinity.
[Great. Now your learning speed for fire and water magic has increased. I'm so happy.]
'Your happiness is my happiness, your sadness is also my happiness, so thanks for your sadness.'
[Bastard.]
Leaving the place, they all walked back to the city. Once there, they noticed the dungeons must have closed, since all the mages who had entered were also returning—some injured, others calm.
"Isn't that Firki, rank four of our class?"
"You're right. What's he doing here?"
"He must have gotten authorization to enter a low-rank dungeon since he lives in this city."
"Makes sense. Should we talk to him? He's pretty quiet."
Enrico waved at them and was the first to approach. He had to, since this was the moment Kai and Firki began becoming friends, especially after he agreed to help him with personal matters.
'This will start tomorrow's arc, but it'll be easy.'
[Those useless arcs shouldn't even count.]
'Keep whining, it only makes me happier.'
This arc would be easy, since he only had to solve a problem between brothers who had grown distant after the younger felt inferior to the older.
'Solving family problems is hard for me, so I'll just copy what Kai did in the original story.'
The six gathered around Firki, who was nervous, thinking about his older brother. Behind them, someone following clenched their fist—Deymon, who had been asked by Jago to watch Enrico from afar.
'Why do I have to watch him?'
'Because I saw something interesting in him that might help me, that's all.'
That answer from Jago made Deymon furious. Enrico was getting too much attention, and it stoked his burning rage.
"Enrico and Kai… neither of them will escape me."