From an observer's point of view, the sparring match between Liang Yue and Wiene no Mikoto ended quickly.
For two adventurers who were both Level 2 to reach this level of performance…
It could only be because Liang Yue had, in his previous levels and throughout his current dungeon expeditions, continuously accumulated extremely powerful abilities.
Swordsmanship?
Under the guidance of their god Takemikazuchi-sama, Kashima would occasionally train in swordplay, but in terms of sword skill, Mikoto was the strongest among their familia.
Yet the outcome was far beyond his expectations. Facing a mere branch picked up off the ground against her sheathed blade, the match had already lost all suspense!
"Just a random branch, and he can use it as a weapon… is that some kind of magic?"
"…"
"That's… way too ridiculous!"
No one could answer Kashima. Especially when he saw the branch crumble into powder after Mikoto took it in her hand, his conviction only deepened.
Such an inconceivable feat—aside from magic, he couldn't imagine what else it could be!
"And his swordsmanship is amazing too…"
This quiet addition came from the short-haired girl Chigusa, who timidly raised her head.
After watching the fight, she actually wasn't that surprised.
Especially when Liang Yue had actively requested to use a branch instead of a proper weapon—his attitude alone showed the difference.
If Mikoto's swordsmanship was about winning steadily…
Then Liang Yue's style, even after such a short acquaintance, was about launching fierce, relentless offensives, pursuing the ultimate kill.
"He feels like… another unreachable senior adventurer."
Chigusa silently added this thought as she looked at Liang Yue's back.
After a light walk to aid digestion post-meal, they rested for the night under relatively safe conditions, ensuring they would have the best possible state for tomorrow's dungeon exploration.
Liang Yue quickly turned in for the night. The temporary camp was a bit crude, but it was enough to restore his mental state.
For the expedition party—especially the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia—joining another familia's forced expedition as a support team, and seeing the various things during today's joint operation…
It left a deep, indelible impression in their hearts.
Particularly for Wiene no Mikoto—also a sword user—before the spar, she had never imagined that the gap between people could be this vast!
"This probably isn't magic…"
When it was her turn for night watch, her mind kept replaying the details of the spar.
Even without those incomprehensible feats, if they fought with normal weapons, she still had no chance of winning against Liang Yue.
Her desire to win had already shifted into curiosity for the unknown.
"Then what exactly is it?"
Her thoughts were shrouded in confusion. After encountering something so new, it was hard not to be curious, but no matter how much she thought, she had no answer.
"Could it be… a kind of sword force he trained to wield, separate from actual combat?"
"If the sword force is strong enough, even a random branch could be a deadly weapon… if that's the case…"
At that thought, Mikoto's expression turned solemn. She couldn't even imagine what kind of swordsmanship realm that was!
"I'll have to ask Takemikazuchi-sama when we get back…"
"If I could master this technique, then during dungeon explorations, I'd be able to help ease my teammates' burdens."
The dungeon had no concept of day or night.
After a full rest, his body and mind completely back at their peak, Liang Yue made no further adjustments.
Leaving the simple tent, he found the Takemikazuchi Familia member on watch still in decent condition.
After replenishing their energy, the team pressed forward toward the deeper floors.
Upon reaching the 15th floor, the monsters they encountered were no longer simple hellhounds.
For the first time appeared Almiraj—goblin-like monsters in rabbit form—
And an old acquaintance: the Minotaur.
Liang Yue was looking forward to today's dungeon run. After all, these monsters would give much better experience.
If all went well, he could make great progress toward leveling up his template!
"Advance slowly. Unless it's extremely dangerous, if you want to hone your abilities, don't wander out of the party's sight to hunt monsters."
He said this specifically to Mikoto, because her magic skills were, in a sense, a real trump card in team battles.
"Understood."
Her swordsmanship might still be far from Liang Yue's, but his reminder last night had helped her find a clearer path forward.
The first problem was obvious—her swordsmanship lacked offensive power.
Changing that in a short time would be difficult, but change was still good.
And with someone as strong as Liang Yue in the party, safety wasn't as much of a concern.
That meant she could throw herself into battle without hesitation!
"Let's start from the 15th floor…"
With her familia, the deepest she'd gone before was the safe zone on the 18th floor.
The monsters she met along the way had always been defeated as a team.
But now, inspired by Liang Yue, she wanted to know her own limits.
Instead of letting Liang Yue lead, she used her Yatagarasu skill—particularly effective against monsters—to search for ones she had fought before.
"Here it is…"
With tense anticipation, Mikoto walked toward the bend in the tunnel.
Her vision was somewhat limited, but when she entered an extremely wide area, lit faintly by the lantern fruits on the walls, the sight before her…
Made her pupils shrink sharply—
Towering Minotaurs, each one a dangerous opponent to take on alone!
But the number in front of her… was far beyond anything she could have imagined.
"This…"
She instinctively covered her mouth and tried to step back quietly.
But the tachi at her waist accidentally knocked a chunk of weathered rock from the wall.
It hit the ground with a crisp clack, echoing through the cavern.
The sound reverberated all around.
BANG!
"This is bad!"
That was the only thought in her head.
There were so many Minotaurs she couldn't even count them.
If she ran back the way she came and drew them toward the party…
The consequences would be unthinkable!
Even a Level 3 adventurer would avoid a direct clash with this many Minotaurs.
"What do I do…"
But the Minotaurs didn't give her time to think.
Sensing an adventurer's presence, the towering beasts charged toward her.
Before she could even start retreating, one of them—a massive bulk like a moving wall—had already closed the distance.
"MOO!!"
The deafening roar shattered her focus and interrupted her magic chant.
The massive body blocked the light entirely.
For a brief moment, she froze, remembering Liang Yue's words from last night—
"As a swordsman, at the very least, have the courage to swing your blade."
Even if the road ahead was uncertain.
Of course she would do it—but the Minotaur's fist was faster, already swinging toward her head like a falling boulder.
"Now that I realize it…"
"Isn't it a little too late?"
She asked herself that question.
But before the blow could land, her shoulder was yanked back hard.
Instead of pain, what met her was the firm, steady support of a shoulder.
Will my soul be absorbed by the dungeon?
The strange thought crossed her mind as she slowly opened her eyes—
And saw Liang Yue's calm, unreadable face.
Along with… the arm around her waist, firm even through his armor.
"Huh?"
"Close your eyes first."
She didn't obey. In truth, at this moment, she thought Liang Yue looked really cool.
Who wouldn't want to be rescued in a moment of danger?
But what happened next was beyond anything she could have predicted.
The Minotaur's arms were sliced off by sword qi in an instant.
Blood poured from the clean cuts, splattering across her fair, delicate face.
Liang Yue, after a brief thought, added—
"I meant that literally."
Mikoto: "…"