Name: Roy
Level: 3
Strength: 0 (1)
Endurance: 0 (1)
Dexterity: 0 (1)
Agility: 0 (1)
Magic: 0 (1)
Development Abilities: Adventurer (H), Abnormal Resistance (I)
The Development Ability "Adventurer" had advanced from Rank I to Rank H.
This time, Roy did not ask Goddess Astraea for help with his level-up.
The skill King of the Elves was far too significant. The elves would never allow a "king" to appear above them without reason. Even though Goddess Astraea was highly principled, he still did not dare let her know.
"Miss Ryuu, thank you for your hard work!"
Roy looked toward the greatest contributor of this journey. The beautiful elven girl stood atop the ruins of the Infinity Castle, cool moonlight cascading over her and making her glow.
The number of demons Ryuu had slain was at least double his own. In terms of mastery and control over the magic Wind of Light, she far surpassed him.
Conclusion: Miss Ryuu was the true MVP—he had simply ridden along to victory.
Seeing Roy unable to suppress the grin at the corner of his lips, Ryuu knew he must have gained considerable benefits.
"This is our contract."
Even though the two were already inseparable, Ryuu still insisted on calling it that. It was as if this goal alone sustained her. If she were to lose the objective of "reviving her dear friends," she did not know what she would become.
After finishing the battle, the two returned to the Stardust Garden.
Roy did not announce that he had reached Lv. 3. Otherwise, during the expedition, the Guild would certainly require them to explore deeper floors. For their first expedition, reaching the twenty-fourth floor was sufficient.
Daphne and Cassandra had already pushed their ability values to the limits of their aptitude. Roy had originally wanted them to reach Lv. 2 before departing.
But the drawback of rapidly raising ability values through dungeon instances had become apparent.
Their accumulation was insufficient.
Combat techniques, experience, mentality—they could not keep up. The two did not possess the capability to challenge opponents above their level.
Roy could do nothing about that. After all, he could not force everyone to achieve full SSS ability values like himself.
Accomplishing a Great Feat through other means was far more troublesome. It required years of deep dedication in a specific field and, at a certain moment, achieving something beyond one's limits.
Perhaps only by following behind him and Ryuu while they handled powerful monsters—gaining residual experience—could they reach Lv. 2. Since they would only receive leftover experience, the monsters would need to be of sufficiently high level.
Having completed his advancement to Lv. 3, Roy had only two matters at hand: mastering his new Lv. 3 power and preparing for the upcoming Dungeon expedition.
For the former, he could spar with Miss Ryuu.
Their figures flashed rapidly through the courtyard, weapons clashing with the sharp ring of steel. Until the expedition's arrival, they hardly paused.
Roy swiftly adapted to the strength of Lv. 3—and even learned to chant while moving.
"Lv. 3…"
Feeling the power emanating from Roy, disbelief filled the depths of Ryuu's sky-blue eyes.
This speed of advancement was simply too fast.
It had been only a little over forty days since Roy reached Lv. 2. Without a doubt, he had broken another adventurer record.
Ryuu's emotions were complicated. She vividly remembered their first meeting—back then, he had just received his Falna, a Lv. 1 novice riddled with flaws even in his walking.
Now he had grown into a qualified adventurer, rapidly catching up to her.
In the courtyard, Daphne and Cassandra watched as Roy exchanged blows evenly with their devilish instructor Ryuu, standing dumbfounded.
Comparing people truly was infuriating.
Ryuu withdrew her blade. "That's enough."
"Haa…" Roy exhaled in relief, rubbing his sore shoulders. There was a trace of admiration in his gaze as he looked at her.
With his current ability values, he was rarely matched among Lv. 3 adventurers.
Yet under her hands, he could only barely hold on.
The higher the level, the greater the gap—this was no exaggeration. Of course, Ryuu herself was also an exception.
She had advanced to Lv. 4 during the Great Feud two years ago. Since then, she had fought continuously, accumulating terrifying experience. She was already on the verge of reaching Lv. 5.
Orario never lacked geniuses. From Lv. 1 to Lv. 4, Ryuu had taken only three short years. Her aptitude was in no way inferior to Ais Wallenstein's.
After training ended, the group went out to purchase supplies and equipment for the expedition.
Fortunately, after defeating the Apollo Familia, their finances had grown abundant. Otherwise, they would have entered the Dungeon wearing shabby gear and risking their lives.
In this matter, Ryuu was far more experienced, so Roy did not interfere. However, he handed the Goliath Scarf to her, asking her to have it made into a cloak.
The Goliath Scarf possessed extremely high defensive power. It could withstand multiple spells without sustaining damage.
Roy now had the Demon King's Armor. Even without activating its blood-consuming special effect, its Epic-tier defense was highly reliable. Tsubaki Collbrande's failed work could finally retire.
The wide cloak was given to Cassandra—so their healer would not be instantly killed.
After the large-scale purchases, the Familia's finances returned to near pre-liberation levels. Their savings had fallen to less than 100,000 valis.
Roy laughed. "Looks like we'll need to earn a lot on this expedition—or we'll be living on air again."
Daphne and Cassandra gave wry smiles. Even the corner of Ryuu's delicate lips lifted slightly.
"But with such a huge pack of supplies… should we hire a supporter?" Cassandra asked timidly.
Everyone's gaze fell upon the enormous backpack before them, almost the size of a half-beastman. It contained all the supplies and equipment they would need.
Normally, a party required a supporter—someone specialized in logistics. But hiring one meant additional expenses.
Spending money was not the issue. Trust was.
In the complex and treacherous Dungeon, no one was willing to entrust their back to a stranger.
Daphne volunteered. "I can carry it!"
Roy and Ryuu were destined to be the expedition's main combatants. Cassandra, as a healer, lacked physical strength. That left Daphne as the most suitable candidate.
"No need to rush. I have a way," Roy said with a mysterious smile.
The others looked at him. He placed his left hand on the backpack. In the next instant, the enormous pack vanished before their eyes.
"???"
Their eyes widened in shock. Even the well-traveled Ryuu was no exception. They rubbed their eyes and searched the surroundings—nothing.
Their gazes finally returned to Roy.
"Just think of it as me having a special skill that can temporarily store supplies," Roy said with a smile.
Through his mental link to the Spatial Ring, supplies worth tens of millions of valis lay quietly within.
The others were already numb. No matter what happened around Roy, it somehow felt normal.
Then, realizing the value and utility of this "skill," their eyes shone brightly. It was practically a divine ability for travel and Dungeon exploration!
They immediately pulled Roy over to question him in detail.
Goddess Astraea stood at the entrance of the Stardust Garden, a gentle smile on her beautiful face, watching as Roy and the other three departed toward Babel Tower to begin their expedition.
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