After a bout of dizziness, Aomori returned to his basement. He first glanced at the timer he had set before entering the dungeon: [7:12:02].
He checked his clothing, which had reverted to his custom-made combat suit. The stones and the Caterpie he had been holding just before leaving the dungeon were gone.
Ding!
[Congratulations to Player Aomori on completing their Dungeon Debut. Mission Rating: A. Plot Rating: B. Monster Slaying Rating: S. Overall Dungeon Rating: A. Reward: 5,000 Points.]
Ding!
[Congratulations to Player Aomori for successfully completing the Dungeon Mission and achieving the maximum number of Stars. Do you wish to spend 2,000 Points to set this as a permanent Level 5 Dungeon? If you select 'No', a new dungeon world will be selected the next time you open a Level 5 Dungeon. Friendly Reminder: Permanent Dungeons do not have Dungeon Missions, and the experience and points gained from defeating or slaying non-human entities will be halved.]
"Yes," Aomori said without hesitation.
The Pokémon world has a vast power gradient, ranging from a Level 1 Caterpie up to Arceus, the Creator Pokémon. It would certainly be sufficient for Aomori's long-term growth.
Ding!
[World JL1024 has been set as a permanent Level 5 Dungeon. This cannot be undone.]
Aomori opened the system to review the gains he had acquired from the dungeon.
[Player Name: Aomori (Omohara Aomori)]
[Main World: One-Punch Man]
[Level: LV8]
[Titles: A Small-Time Novice (Equipped: All Attributes +1), Ultimate Hottie (Charm +5)]
[Attributes: Physique 27, Energy 29, Spirit 23 (Remaining Free Attribute Points: 0)]
[Points: 17,732]
[Talents: Primal Body (Can adapt to any energy system), Energy Manipulation LV2 (Can simply control one's own energy and convert it into other variant energies), Lightning Affinity LV3 (Slightly increases the efficiency of mutual conversion with Lightning-type energy)]
[Life Skills: Singing LV5, Dancing LV4, Cooking LV4, Mechanical Mastery LV6]
[Combat Skills: Lesser Healing Spell LV3, Thunder Breathing LV3, Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist LV3, Knight of Owner LV1, One-Sword Style: Flying Dragon Blaze 1/3, Meditation LV1]
[System Inventory: Training Gi Set (Blue), Polymerization (Blue), 13 Totem Pole (Blue), The Best Sword in the Village (White), Zero Score Test Paper (White), Anesthetic Watch (White), Sanae's Homemade Bread (White), Cyclone Magnum (White), A Bag of Dog Food (White), Icha Icha Paradise (White), Novel Recommendation Ticket (White), Treasure Map Fragment x4, Poké Ball (White) x7, Big Pearl (White), Fire Stone (Blue), Potion (White), PP Max (White)]
[Pet Slot 1: Absol]
[Species: Absol]
[Individual Name: Absol]
[Level: Lv16]
[Type: Dark]
[Stats: Physique 15, Energy 20, Spirit 17]
[Affection: Lv3]
[Ability: Justified]
[Moves: Leer (LV2), Tackle (LV3), Quick Attack (LV3), Taunt (LV1), Razor Wind (LV2), Thunderbolt (LV1)]
[Pet Slot 2: Pidgeotto]
[Species: Pidgeotto]
[Individual Name: Pidgeotto]
[Level: Lv25]
[Type: Normal, Flying]
[Stats: Physique 21, Energy 24, Spirit 15]
[Affection: Lv2]
[Ability: Keen Eye]
[Moves: Gust (LV4), Tackle (LV3), Sand-Attack (LV2), Quick Attack (LV3), Hurricane (LV4), Whirlwind (LV2)]
Among the new gains, the skill [Meditation] was the reward for completing the third part of the dungeon mission. Using it allows him to slowly raise his Spirit attribute. Aomori had tested it and found that entering a state of [Meditation] allowed him to stay mentally sharp without sleeping. This meant he could potentially engage in extreme, 007-style training. The extra items like the Fire Stone came from the 10x Dungeon Treasure Chest opening.
'I have over ten thousand points, huh?'
Aomori thought for a moment and decided to save them for now. Aside from a long-range combat skill, he currently had no other immediate needs. It would be better to save up for a Silver Treasure Chest.
He released Absol and Pidgeotto. Both were uninterested in the basement. Seeing no issues, Aomori recalled them. In a world with powerful Monsters, it was inconvenient to have them out.
Pidgeotto looked like a large, normal bird, but Absol didn't resemble any ordinary creature and could easily be targeted.
Aomori left the basement. It was already broad daylight outside. He picked up his phone from the bedroom and turned it on. Several messages popped up.
They were from Ms. Fujiwara, informing him that he had no work today and could schedule his own time.
After thinking it over, Aomori decided to proceed with his morning exercise as usual. After his run and a shower, he changed into casual clothes and drove out.
Stopping by a supermarket, he bought a large quantity of fruit.
One hour later, Aomori arrived at his destination: the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist Dojo.
Carrying two large bags of fruit, Aomori walked up to the dojo entrance and immediately heard thunderous shouts.
It was currently their collective practice time.
The main doors were open, and Aomori walked straight into the dojo.
"Aomori-senpai is here!" A sharp-eyed disciple noticed him and yelled out.
Respect for the capable was paramount here. Although Aomori had joined relatively late, many disciples referred to him as senpai.
"Tch!" Standing at the front of the formation was the head disciple, Garou. With his iconic silvery, horn-like hair, his face held an expression of rebellious arrogance.
Aomori, the handsome, popular, and heroic type, was the kind of person he most deeply disliked, as he reminded him of unpleasant memories.
"Keep your movements going." The white-haired Bang walked back and forth around the formation, occasionally correcting the postures of disciples whose movements were imperfect.
"Bang-sensei, I'm free today. I was hoping to receive your guidance." Aomori was being sincere. In the dungeon, he had gained a new understanding of Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist but had also accumulated quite a few confusing questions that he hoped Bang could clarify.
"Oh, no problem, Aomori. Go change your clothes first," Bang said kindly, his eyes narrowed.
Ignoring the various stares from the disciples, Aomori walked past the practicing formation to the resting room. He set down the fruit, changed into his practice uniform, and returned to the back of the formation to follow the rhythm of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist's basic forms.
An hour later, the collective training ended, and it was time for individual practice.
Aomori immediately approached Bang and presented the questions he had encountered.
Bang answered each one, then chuckled and said, "Well done, Aomori. It seems your understanding of Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist is much more thorough now. I'd say you've formally reached the introductory level."
"It's all thanks to your excellent instruction, Bang-sensei."
Garou, who was training alone nearby, watched the pleasant scene between master and disciple. For some reason, he felt annoyed. He threw down his training equipment, strode over to Aomori, and said in a harsh, nasty tone, "Hey, Mr. Show-Off. I haven't seen you for days. How about a practice match?"
Since joining Bang's school, Aomori had regularly sparred with Garou, often ending up with a bruised and swollen face.
To learn martial arts, you must first learn to take a beating.
Thus, Bang rarely interfered with their spars.
"I'd be delighted to practice with you, Garou-senpai." Aomori was eager to test his improved strength.
Bang also nodded, "Garou has a deeper understanding of Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist. Aomori, you should learn from him."
"Yes, sensei."
"Don't worry, old man. I'll make sure to put him through his paces." Garou showed a predatory grin.