So, according to the original future timeline of this world, how did Welf get promoted to Lv.2?
Uh… doesn't seem that difficult…
If I remember correctly, he got screwed over by the Takemikazuchi Familia in the Middle Floors. His three-man party ran into both a "Pass Parade" and "Terrain Collapse." He broke one of his legs and had no choice but to drag himself and his two teammates all the way down to the 18th Floor, constantly blasting lone Hellhounds with Will-o-Wisp, holding on until he reached Mind Down.
After that, on the 18th Floor, he encountered the enhanced Floor Boss, Black Goliath, whose potential level was Lv.5. He used his own magic sword "Fire Moon" to land a decisive explosive strike, earning himself a key assist…
And then he reached Lv.2.
Sounds easy, right?
Easy your ass.
A "Great Achievement" that allows a mortal's body to undergo divine evolution through the Gods' Blessing is not something one casually earns.
If it were easy, why are the majority of adventurers in Orario still stuck at Lv.1?
And if you count the supporters who aren't even considered adventurers… the ratio of people who actually achieve a "Great Achievement" becomes even more absurdly small.
Therefore,
"Comrade Welf, how about you go solo a Minotaur?"
"Hah?"
That evening, after finishing nearly a full day of live combat training, the completely exhausted Welf dragged his worn-out body as he walked beside Renjiro (Aether) down West Main Street.
Having already exited the Dungeon and left the Babel Tower, the two were on their way to The Hostess of Fertility to reward themselves with a good meal after over ten hours of fatigue… okay fine, the only one who was actually exhausted was Welf.
As for Renjiro (Aether)…
Sure, he wasn't at the "top-player-bullying-newbies" level yet, but after having visited the Deep Floors once, the Upper and Middle Floors felt… kinda whatever.
Honestly, any other Familia, even the mighty Loki Familia, would not dare think lightly of those floors.
But Renjiro… well, he could teleport.
Must be nice.
Anyway, as they approached the tavern, the red-haired youth froze when he heard his friend say that.
"Uh, Aether…"
"Mm?"
"Do you… secretly hate me or something?"
Seeing the blond, golden-eyed boy look back at him in total confusion, Welf's mouth twitched as he asked:
"If you don't, then why are you telling me to go die?"
Because yeah, going after a Minotaur as a Lv.1 is basically suicide.
Minotaurs are pure power-type monsters, and even Lv.3 adventurers have been crushed by them before.
You need to be a high-stat Lv.2 just to qualify for the challenge.
Don't let the anime fool you, it didn't convey the fear properly.
Imagine: a normal seven- or eight-year-old facing a three-meter Titan from Attack on Titan.
That's the difference between a Lv.1 adventurer and a Minotaur.
"So Minotaur is a no-go, huh? Then how about a swarm of Soldier Ants?"
"If that doesn't work, at least solo a Baby Dragon, right? Otherwise it really doesn't count as a 'Great Achievement.'"
Welf didn't even want to respond anymore.
He knew Aether wasn't wrong. Achieving a Great Achievement to level up is hard.
But the things he was suggesting… were ridiculous.
Soldier Ants, the upper evolution of Killer Ants… which are also called "Newcomer Killers."
Worker Ant → Killer Ant → Soldier Ant.
If even the lowest tier is famous for massacring newbies, one can only imagine the terror of a swarm of Soldier Ants.
Welf wasn't even sure his greatsword could scratch them.
And Baby Dragons…
Yeah sure, they start appearing on Floor 12, but they're extremely rare, and they're dragons.
Plenty of Lv.1 teams have suffered horrific casualties from encountering even one.
And now Aether wanted him to fight one alone.
"Man… a 'Great Achievement' really is hard."
Welf couldn't help but sigh.
He remembered clearly, when the Twin Stars of Orario leveled to Lv.2, they only fought swarms of Killer Ants. But those two siblings fought for seven days and seven nights without rest.
Honestly, even if it weren't Killer Ants but goblins, fighting nonstop for seven days would still count as a Great Achievement.
Didn't the gods go speechless when the news spread?
A "Great Achievement" is essentially something that makes the gods go:
"Holy crap, what the hell was that?! That's insane."
If it doesn't shock the world, it's not a Great Achievement.
So by that logic…
"My own Great Achievement requirement might be even higher."
Welf wasn't the only one troubled, Aether was just as distressed.
During that accidental fall into the Deep Floors with Lefiya, he had slain multiple potential Lv.4-class monsters.
Not to mention, he soloed two Lambton Serpents.
And yet, he still had not met the criteria to rise from Lv.1 to Lv.2.
So what now?
"Don't tell me I have to solo Goliath to level up…"
Because if that's the case, that's just messed up.
A potential Lv.4 ordinary monster and a potential Lv.4 Floor Boss are not remotely the same thing.
The Dungeon literally provides unique incubation chambers for each Floor Boss.
That's how much priority and significance they hold.
"Sigh…"
Both Welf and Aether let out a long, tired breath at the same time.
Their hearts felt heavy.
Just then,
"Huh? Isn't this, ah, I mean, welcome back, Aether-san, nya~"
A distinctly catgirl-like voice came from beside them.
"Welcome~"
Chloe stood at the entrance of the tavern, smiling her most professional smile.
But in her slightly narrowed eyes was unmistakable desire.
Hold on, did you just lick your lips?
Oh hell no.
"Ahem, I think we should maybe eat somewhere else, "
"NLumineLumineLumineya?"
Like a cat whose freshly grilled fish was about to be stolen, Chloe instantly stepped behind Aether and pushed him into the tavern.
And unless she did something truly outrageous, Syr, and even Mama Mia, wouldn't stop her.
Because this was "customer acquisition."
And that has the highest priority.
Yep. Total scam shop.
Helplessly,
"This one… the unfamiliar face, sit wherever you like, nya~"
Chloe said to the bewildered Welf, before continuing her "customer collection" efforts.
She's Lv.4. In pure basic stats, Aether couldn't beat her.
So,
"Yo, look who it is, the Star Kid."
As Aether was forcibly seated at the counter, Mama Mia, who had already noticed the situation, rolled up her sleeves and with a BOOM slammed a massive pot of stew in front of him.
"Adventurers need to eat properly. Look at that scrawny frame. If you're still hungry, I'll bring more."
Aether could only smile helplessly.
And beside him,
"Hehehe~"
Syr was hiding her mouth behind her fingers, eyes curved into crescents.
She was clearly enjoying this very much.
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