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I. The Labyrinth City and the Divine Power
The team stepped out of the portal, landing on a street of wet cobblestones. Towering above them was a gigantic, conical structure: Babel, the central point of a bustling city filled with adventurers.
—Environmental analysis: The energy in this location is complex. I detect a constant, almost magical, energy source radiating from the city center. Additionally, I note a subtle, divine energy flowing from the sky towards the people—Kaguya reported, adjusting an energy-detecting bracelet.
—It looks like everyone has a sort of "Divine Ki"—Goku commented, smiling at the immense energy filling the air—. It feels strong! But it's not for a fight! I feel hungry!
—That structure beneath the tower... it radiates monsters—Tatsumaki said, frowning—. It's a fight factory. Too chaotic.
—That is the Dungeon—Erza explained, vaguely recalling a magic tome she had read in her dimension—. It is the heart of this world, where the gods descend and grant "Falna" to mortals. The Dimensional Anchor must be in the depths.
—The depths! Great! A race to the bottom!—Goku prepared to enter.
Megumin, however, paused, pointing her staff at the immense dark pit of the Dungeon. —A place with such a high concentration of monster energy. If my Explosion could land there, the echo of annihilation would be glorious.
—First the Anchor, then the destruction—Erza cut in, leading the way toward the Dungeon entrance, the most logical place to find a stable dimensional nexus.
II. An Encounter on the Deep Floor
The team decided to avoid the main entrance, opting for a hole Megumin had "accidentally" created in a side wall of the first floor (a very small Explosion, just for practice, according to her). They used Goku's Instant Transmission to jump directly to a deep floor, Floor 37 (home of the Goliaths, for example).
They appeared in a cavernous chamber, illuminated by magic crystals embedded in the walls. The air vibrated with the roar of beasts. The presence of the Dimensional Anchor, the Ki pulse Kaguya was tracking, was much stronger.
—It's here. The Anchor is on the next level, guarded by a high-level monster—Kaguya said.
At that moment, a deafening roar echoed through the floor. A Black Minotaur, much larger and fiercer than those on the upper floors, charged at the team.
Goku smiled. —My turn!
But before Goku could unleash his Ki, a silver sword of light intervened.
The figure was Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess. She belonged to the Loki Familia, the city's most powerful adventurer group. She was on a solo mission.
Ais, with her blonde hair and slender sword, intercepted the Minotaur's blow with blinding speed. Her attack didn't kill the creature, but it forced it back. Her golden eyes fixed on Goku and his team. They were not Orario adventurers; their equipment and aura were utterly unknown.
Ais turned toward Goku, intense but silent curiosity etched on her face.
—You... who are you? Where does your power come from?—she asked, her voice, though soft, resonated with the authority of an elite warrior.
III. Pure Strength and Admiration
Goku smiled, raising his hand. —Hi! I'm Goku! We came to look for something and accidentally got in here! Do you need help with that bull?
Ais, who was obsessed with becoming stronger and unraveling the mysteries of her own strength, felt Goku's aura. It was pure, immense, and unlike anything the Falna could provide. It wasn't magic, it wasn't a divine blessing; it was pure strength.
Ais took a step back, allowing the Minotaur to focus on Goku. She wanted to watch him fight.
—The Black Minotaur. It's fast. It's your turn.
Goku laughed, happy for the opportunity to fight. Instead of launching a Ki blast, he simply rushed at the Minotaur. The monster launched a blow with its axe, an attack that could have split a rock wall.
Goku dodged it in a flash and hit the Minotaur in the side with a simple punch. The Minotaur, which normally withstood attacks even from Level 4 Adventurers, was sent flying, shattering a rock pillar before crashing into a wall. Goku's hit was not just physical; it was a Ki shockwave.
Ais watched the scene, and the intensity in her eyes grew. She didn't feel fear; she felt the thrill of discovery. His strength... it's not from experience. It's innate. It is... the truth.
Megumin and Tatsumaki did not miss the moment.
—A simple punch! How boring!—Tatsumaki complained.
—If he had given it a Super Explosion Punch, it would have been a work of art!—Megumin retorted.
Erza, ignoring both, addressed Ais. —We need to get to the floor below. What's down there?
—The Floor Guardian. A Rock Dragon. And the Anchor is right in its cave—Ais said, still looking at Goku.
IV. The Dungeon Farewell
The Black Minotaur, though wounded, rose up in a rage.
—I'll handle it!—Erza shouted. With her Emperor's Armor, she launched a barrage of swords that neutralized the Minotaur's charge.
Kaguya took advantage of the distraction to open a small dimensional portal, right next to the stunned Minotaur.
—The Floor Guardian, quickly! Megumin, prepare your magic! Goku, take us!
The team jumped through the portal Kaguya opened, appearing right in the cave of the Floor Guardian: an immense Rock Dragon.
Megumin saw the opportunity she had been waiting for. This was a target worthy of her power.
—By the gods of this dimension! And by the strength of pure warriors! Witness the annihilation! EXPLOSIOOOOON!!!
The magical explosion was so massive that the Dungeon ceiling trembled, and the Rock Dragon was reduced to ashes, opening a massive crater. The Dimensional Ki of the Anchor, already unstable, suddenly broke free, opening a swirling portal waiting for them.
The team hurried inside.
Ais, who had arrived at the spot following the immense tremor, stopped before the smoking crater. She saw Goku's shadow just before the portal closed.
Ais didn't wonder what they were, but how they were. Her curiosity was absolute.
—Incredible strength... and great magical power—she murmured, sheathing her sword—. They have the power. I need to understand its origin.
She returned to the surface, now with a new motivation: to find these strange warriors who had entered and exited the Dungeon as if it were a playground. The Dimensional Anchor had closed, leaving a Sword Princess intrigued and focused on Goku's path.