Freya, who is determined, separates from Sera and heads towards the dungeon.
This time, I don’t go to the usual intermediate-level dungeon “Hallway of Lament.” Instead, I head towards the lower-level dungeon “Dark Cloud Forest.”
Why go to the “Dark Cloud Forest,” which is lower in leveling compared to the “Hallway of Lament”?
It’s because I’m searching for an item that can only be found in the “Dark Cloud Forest.”
Certainly, my strength is increasing at a surprising pace. At this rate, level 50 is not far off. However, it’s better to be even slightly prepared for the upcoming events of the second half of summer. We are no longer in a virtual world where you can respawn if you die.
A decision of mine could mean the loss of many human lives. That’s why it’s crucial for me to prepare thoroughly.
In some way, as I delve into my second lower-level dungeon, I feel different emotions compared to when I faced the intermediate-level dungeon. Even though I’m only level 30, getting excited in this situation is dangerous.
As I advance towards the lower-level dungeon, surrounded by a haunting atmosphere searching for intruders, I descend the stairs and encounter a lush, dense forest. Although the structure is completely different from the “Hallway of Lament,” I’m not surprised, as I have everything under control.
Observing the jungle-like landscape, I reflect once again on today’s objective.
“Now then… let’s begin. To conquer the lower-level dungeon, Dark Cloud Forest!”
Why would a noble lady like her venture into a lower-level dungeon? It’s for the longing of a daughter for her great father.
Artemis, who always admired her father, whom she loved deeply and gently, follows in the footsteps of her beloved father, regardless of whether he returns from the dungeon or not.
Clad in the adventure gear her father had prepared for her last birthday, she ventures into the lush forest.
As she touches the hilt of the dagger at her waist, she feels a certain tension on her first adventure. It’s not the same as on the surface. As much as she had some experience on the surface, in the dungeon, that experience is almost useless. The only difference is the level increase that makes the fight a little bit easier.
This is because in the dungeon, the immense magical energy creates endless monsters to attack invaders. Compared to the finite surface, a small misstep in the infinite dungeon could lead to death.
Artemis, who has heard stories about her father’s dungeon since she was young, takes her first incursion seriously. However, this further increases her sense of nervousness.
Constantly looking around, hand on the dagger’s hilt ready to draw it at any moment, slightly containing the tremor, a monster appeared just in time.
“Eeek! Eeek eeek!”
“<Mischievous Monkey>…!”
The <Mischievous Monkey>, a small species of monkey that frequently appears in wooded areas. They are low-level monsters characterized by their small heads and brute force tactics when in groups. Their individual statistics are very low. Due to their low intelligence, they basically don’t flee even if they see an opponent.
As the first opponent, it wasn’t so bad. Artemis must have thought so too.
Anyway, facing an opponent who showed no intention to flee, without any thoughts of escaping, she quickly drew her dagger from its sheath and prepared for whatever may come.
“I’m going to take this little life!”
Running towards the monster hanging from a branch, her naturally high AGI generated a speed that low-level monsters could barely keep up with, swiftly approaching the Mischievous Monkey. Watching her leap while quickly kicking the tree, the monster frowned. It instinctively tried to counterattack with arm strikes, but Artemis, easily holding the daggers in both hands, effortlessly blocked the movement. Then, with the free dagger in the other hand, she cut the monster. Her high AGI translated into swift and precise attacks.
“Final blow!”
After receiving a sharp blow, the Mischievous Monkey staggered back from the pain and impact, losing balance and falling from the branch.
Artemis pursued it to the end, plunging the dagger into the monster’s abdomen as it landed.
The bleeding Mischievous Monkey died without a fight, and the small amount of experience points were absorbed by Artemis.
“Well… mission accomplished!”
The mass of magical energy that formed the body dissipated into nothingness with death. As she picked up the remaining core of the monster, the “Magic Stone,” Artemis sheathed the dagger.
While regretting a little her arrogance at realizing how easy it was to hunt low-level monsters even for her at that moment, she remembered something. Low-level monsters tend to gather, both on the surface and in the dungeon.
Realizing too late, she found herself surrounded by several monsters. They were all Mischievous Monkeys.
Preparing again with the dagger in hand, Artemis filled herself with energy. It was not a problem at all to face this situation. Rather, if she couldn’t overcome a situation like this, she couldn’t become a great adventurer like her father. As she muttered to herself, she fixed her bright eyes on the monsters in front of her.
As the monsters began to move, Artemis lunged against the ground.
