Chapter 15: Dungeon city Altera, training in the dungeon

Two weeks after leaving Roseburg we finaly entered the Altera dungeon city. We rested for a day and then created groups to separately enter the dungeon.

Unlike Grubera dungeon, this one was made to look like a spire, although underground. Deepest floor reached was floor 68 by Adamantite blue group nurtured by my grandpa.

Every floor had crystal that allowed you to instantly travel between floors you’ve visited before. The catch was that you needed to defeat boss of previous floor to get to the crystal.

Me, Kiira, Taru, Ruzu, Goli and Alette were in one unit under code 'Strike'. The reason for that was that I can better protect them this way. Tifaana couldn’t come with us in the end as she was still under strict training with Setto. The rest of the groups had also it's own names, usually created by thier captains.

We had just a single problem, Alette was level 25. I’m not really worried about her, becouse Taru and Goli are level 30 and 37 respectively and Taru’s healing magic got really strong. The rest of us are above level 50 so we just need to make sure she can catch up safely. The reason why I worry about her, is her lack of combat skills. Light magic, swordmanship and hand to hand combat are good and are of high level, but her precision is lacking. It's like her level was risen just by training, not by combat.

The way I was taught swordmanship by the way, was one hour practice and two hours of combat after that.

We were the first group to enter the dungeon. Our first enemies… were slimes… how long has it been since I fought a slime again? Well, they are level 8 at best.

„Alette, show us your magic and skills please.“

„Yes, brother!“ she replied and cut down the slimes with only few landing hits on her.

Given that the dungeon is dimmly lit with LED-like lights our only enemies are those without physical body or those with invisibility skills, but still a slime gave her some serious troubles.

On our first trip we made it to floor ten, where monsters were around level 20 and they appeared in groups of four. Here I realised that Alette have problems with fast moving enemies so I decided to train her against fast moving enemies the most. Of course, if it was too much for her, I would step in with my gun and space magic enchanted bullet.

„So, what are our spoils?“ Kiira asked as she clung to my side.

„About fifty slime cores, fourty goblin horns, seventy olive treant twigs, ten oil sacks and about two hundread cores. With this Alette will be promoted to Goblin green rank and Goli and Taru will went to Blood red rank. Good job everyone.“

„Yes!“ they all replied and Alette moved closer to me.

„What is it?“ I smiled.

„Could you… praise us more?“ Alette said bashfuly and came even closer.

Now she was practically hugging me. Should I pat her head? Yeah let’s go with that.

„Sniff… thank you… brother Leo…“ Alette sobbed on my shoulder silently.

She must’ve heard that her father was to be executed for his actions while we are here… I must make sure to treat her in way that she will never feel down like this again. She chose the path of justice herself so she have to find answers to questions of her heart herself.

As I was calming Alette down, Kiira jumped from her seat and proposed her idea, „If we are all this thankful to Leo, we should ask him to kiss us on our foreheads at the very least!“

With those words everyone, even me, turned red.

„K-kiira what are you talking about?!“ Alette stuttered a little.

„You can kiss me on my lips if you want!“ Taru added oil into fire.

„That goes for me as well, of course, you can even use your tongue!“ Kiira added.

„H-he—“ I tried to run, but Alette's hands tighten and shemumbled ‚me too‘ in barely audible voice.

„W-well, if sister is doing it, then I probably don’t mind… a kiss on a forehead,“ Goli said weakly.

And what’s with this character development huh?!

„If everyone’s doing it, then I will go as well! Come master! I will show you the way of elvish kissing!“ Ruzu who was silent all this time added her portion of oil into this raging fire and licked her lips.

„So you’re kissing all of us?“ Alette said in embarrased tone.

„A–all right… on forehead, one each,“ the moment I said that, they all were in line.

Alette still hugging me smiled: „Seems I’m first.“

After this heartwarming moment. Some of the girls got overheated and fainted on the spot with Alette showing them the best example by turning pink and red right away.

After that I heard the report from captains of separate units in other room. No one died and they were to continue training for a week, after that I would apprise them and depending on their levels I would permit them to go to lower floors. Another reason, why I went ahead was to check on the monsters and their difficulty for safety of our people.

When the first few days were behind us, we started staying in the dungeon longer and longer. Fight after fight. Bruise after bruise. We kept pushing forward until we reached floor thirty, one month later. The monsters on this floor were mostly insects with levels between twenty five and thirty, but their numbers were off the charts compared to before. Every time we ecountered a group, there were between 10-17 monsters, which made us fight 2-3 monster at once every time.

„Okay, that’s enough for today,“ I announced when we cleared about a third of the floor 30.

„Why so soon?“ Taru asked.

„Becouse you and Goli have made it to level 49 and are ready for Warriors blessing ceremony.“

„Whoa, you mean it?!“ Taru’s eyes glittered.

„Good work you two,“ Kiira and Ruzu said.

„You two are also going smoothly, level fifty five is close.“

„And what about me?“ Alette asked.

„Well, I would said that your level is also nice. You started at level 25 and now you are level fourty. That’s some nice level up.“

„And what about your level Leo? You were getting monsters for us all the time… and keeping them in check all the time,“ Ruzu asked.

„I’m at level fifty seven,“ I replied casually and looked at my status screen.

Name: Leonard Hirano Netrose
Level: 57
Race: Majin (unawakened)
Titles: Third son, Father’s boy, Reincarnator, Natural enemy of monsters, Favorite child of Skill god, Natural predator

Skills:

Unique: King of greed, King of wisdom, Loyalty, Spell weaver

Supreme: Auto-heal (7), Magic power armor (7), Fly (4), Water manipulation (8), Water walking (7), Physical attack nullification (8) Poison nullification (1), Petrification nullification (1)

Exra rare: Increased mana recovery (10), Increased stamina recovery (10), Magic manipulation (10), Void magic (6), Space magic (10), Petrification gaze (8), Hide presence (9), Sense presence (9), Shock absorbtion (4)

Rare: Fire magic (8), Water magic (9), Wind magic (9), Earth magic (10), Ice magic (8), Lightning magic (10), Metal magic (6), Item box (10), Transmute (10), Apprisal (5), Analyze item (4)

Uncommon: Quick feet (10), Etique (10), Hereditary (10), Paralyze spore (3), Sleep spore (2), Taming (2), Sense temperature (6), Iron skin (8), Sticky thread (7), Charge (7)

Common: Leap (10), Kick (10), Hand to hand combat (10), Swordsmanship (10), Animal training (5), Dissolve (7), Marksmanship (5), Keen hearing (6), spearmanship (3), Metalwork (9), Deffence shell (6), Long sight (10)

Resist: Paralyze resist (10), Magic resist (10), Fire resist (10)

Blessings: Magic goddess (7), War god (7), Merchant god (7), Skill god (10), Alchemy god (7), Water goddess (8), Fire god (4), Wind god (4), Earth goddess (4)

Huh? My blessings rised and I got the rest of the four atributes?! …I should pay close attention to the status screen from now on…

„Isn’t that, like, really high?“ Taru said with questionmarks flying around her head.

„Well, my parents are both level fifty one so I guess. Let’s return now.“

Floor thirty two. Our current goal. The boss guarding the exit and teleportation crystal for floor 33 is giant beetle with swarm of insect monsters.

Not many adventurers made it here as this place is called final upper floor. From floor thirty three the floors are called middle floors. It’s belived that the floor 68 is last of middle floors and any floors down from that are the lower floors.

But for today, we will leave. After all it’s better to be safe then sorry.

We left and sold all our cores and drops, as I couldn’t use them for alchemy, and those I could use, were for shady bussiness' only.

„Sir Leo, could you wait for a moment?“ the receptionist called me out.

„Yes, what is it miss Tifa?“ I answered.

„It’s just an information for you. With your Team's power and number of cores you’ve submitted, you should be able to move to Silver rank together.“

„That’s great information, thank you,“ I gave her warm smile and she blushed… hold on, are you a shotacon?!

I left the guild and gave everyone the report. Alette was only one who was Blood red rank right now, as she had slayed the most monsters during our dungeon dives.

Together we moved to the church, where I requested a warriors blessing ceremony to be held in three days.

After all, Taru and Goli were not the only one who reached level fourty nine. About half of our troops had too. The other half was now around level 42 so they weren’t loosing that badly. Also their hunting grounds were moved to floors 26-28.

„Brother Leo,“ Alette sit up strightly on sofa and locked her eyes with mine.

„What is it?“ I smiled at her.

„Would you train me?“ Alette continued, not leting my eyes wander around.

„You mean about combat?“

„Yes, I learned how to use body strenghtening and self deffence so I would like some physical training for them as well.“

„I see, that is deffinitely important as well, but wouldn’t it be better for you specialize in magic?“

„Well, my light magic mostly takes form of a sword…“

„oh, I understand. I belive that me or Father would be the best teachers. We can’t really talk to my teachers as your skills are rather, special,“ I wiked at her and continued: „But, well, we only have two more months before our return. So let’s make it worth it. I won't be going easy on you. Don't cry and fight through my training.“

"Yes sir Spartan!" Kiira saluted.

I didn’t have self deffence skill, but just by protecting herself from my attacks her skill level should rise to level 2 before Warriors blessing ceremony.

The day of the ceremony came and our group got bigger. Unexpectedly, three more dragonfolk made it to level fourty nine and joined the group as well.

I let the guys go first and they all safely made it through to level fifty. But none of them evolved into higher species. I’m really interested in what determinates the requirements for evolution.

The last one were Goli and Taru. When they made it through I realised something. They both looked sleepy, unlike the rest of our group, which was as lively as ever.

We returned to our home mansion-cum-barracks and the two fell asleep right away.

It took a week before Goli woke up.

„Uh, what happen… master?“ Goli was still half asleep.

„You went through evolution, you became Elite Scaleman now.“

„Elite huh… like father…“ Goli smiled weakly.

I checked her status.

Name: Golilgri
Race: Elite Scaleman
Level: 50
Title: Spear master, Fallen knight, Siscon
Skills:

Unique: Destruction spear

Supreme: Helix spear (1)

Extra rare: Magic blade (10) Sence presence (7)

Uncommon: Heraldry (5), Etique (5), Heavy blow (7) Quick feet (4)

Common: Spearmanship (10), Painting (8)

Blessings: Dragonfolk god (8), War god (6), Water goddess (6)

„You’ve got some nice skills and your blessings rose as well. Taru fell asleep as well so rest for now, she’s fine and will be stronger when she wakes up too.“

„Alright… I will trust you… master,“ she said and fell asleep again.

With her saying that I checked the Loyalty tab: Kiira (10), Ruzu (10), Tina (10), Tarumipemi (10), Nina (8), Setto (7), Golilgri (6)

So she moved from level two, which she had almost all this time to level six? She probably met with Water Goddess, that’s probably the case. Also, what the heck is Siscon title?

As I send silent thankful prayer to Water goddess and questioned Creator goddess for her naming sence, I moved to Taru’s room. She didn’t changed much physicaly, but her stats were constantly increasing, especially magic and MP stats got absurdly high, rivaling Ruzu’s and mine.

It took three more days before she woke up.

„Darling… you’re here?“ she said to me as she woke up, completly ignoring Kiira, who was standing behind me.

Her body catched up to the stat increase and she now looked like typical fourteen years old girl.

„Yeah, I’m here,“ I pated her head with warm smile and used Apprisal

Name: Tarumipemi
Race: Dragonman (Sea)
Level: 50
Title: Priestess of Water goddess’ temple, The last child of Sea, Reincarnator, Favorite child of Water goddess

Skills:

Unique: Foresight

Supreme: Water manipulation (1), Water walking (1), Water breathing (1), Scale cover (1)

Extra rare: Increased magic recovery (10), Mana manipulation (10), Holy magic (10)

Rare: Water magic (10), Ice magic (8)

Uncommon: Etique (7), Hereditary (5)

Common: Service (9), Doll making (8), Sewing (9)

Blessings: Water goddess (10), Dragonfolk god (7), Magic goddess (9)

„I evolved didn’t I?“ Taru asked.

„Yes, you evolved splendidly. You are a Dragonman now, and our stats are on par… no actually, your magic stats surpassed mine.“

„Whoa, really?“ Kiira got suprised.

„If you think about it, isn’t it wierd that a [human] had higher magic stats then elves? So I don’t think that Dragonman having more magic than said [human] is suprising. It shows that there are still limits for me,“ I smiled.

„Why are you smiling about this?“ Taru said.

„Becouse if there are limits, then there are ways to surpass them.“

„That’s something you would say,“ Kiira hugged me from behind and Taru grabbed my hand softly.

I promised them that I will get myself a title so we can stay together forever. I need to get stronger in order to protect them.

With such thoughts I had, we returned to dungeon.

Monster after monster. Kill after kill. We made our way down to the thirty second floor’s boss room.

Smell of rotting flesh was all around us. I took a deep breath to calm my heart, but it only angried my stomach. Hell beetle was standing before us. It’s servants were standing before it in order to protect it and some of them were charging at us.

„«Tidal wave»“ Taru chanted her spell.

„«Freezing touch»“ I released my spell alongside Taru’s in order to freeze our enemies.

„«Shining blades»“ Alette prepared her sword magic spell and with Ruzu’s spirits enveloping her, she charged in.

Kiira and Ruzu were using wind magic to keep servant monsters away from us, in order to get us chance to finish this battle quickly.

I was sniping anything that got too close to them with my colt.

But then the boss moved. It invoked it’s fiery aura and melted the ice around it swiftly. Next it started flaping it’s wings to gain altitude.

„I won’t let you! «Dimensional cut!»“ I shot two blades at the hell beetle and sewered it’s wings.

„Now! Let’s finish it!“ We all closed in and destroyed the beasts head.

In next moment the monster turned to black dust and instead of it appeared a chest.

„Open it Leo!“ Kiira shaked my shoulders.

„I’m on it,“ I slowly opened the chest.

Inside was core of the beast. One handed sword, staff, spear and bow, all of them were magic weapons of Mithril grade. Next there was some kind of dark blue coat.

„Okay, Kiira take the staff, it have fire magic boosting ability. Alette you should take the sword, becouse it have power boosting effects for Light magic. Goli, your’s the spear. Ruzu please take the bow, you have the highest aim skill from all of us. I will take the coat.“

„Is something interesting about that coat?“ Alette asked.

„It’s called Gunner’s Ace, it was enchanted with temperature adjustment, garage spell, automatic aiming, self-repair and size adjustment. I can wear this all time from now.“

„What’s garage spell?“

„Aparently it’s ancient space magic spell, allowing people to store many things. The magic circle was lost for quite a long time, but I can see it here with one of my skills so I think I will be able to add it to some other equipment. Oh, it seems I won't be able to recreate it completely, part of the circle is overwriten with other enchantment... also the inside space is depending on users mana capacity.“

„That’s amazing! Now we all can have our own item box with little magic reasearch you love so much Leo!“ Alette jumped with joy.

I looked into the chest that still didn’t disapeared like it always did.

There I found eight rings. All of them were enchanted with magic resistence level 8 and Physical attack nullification level 5. The rings were made from silver and had deep blue crystal embedded inside them.

Enchanting skills onto items, is form of ancient technology which current technology can’t reproduce properly. In present time only thing we can attach to magic items are spells. But in ancient times, people were able to attach skills as well.

„Seems, we found skill rings. They seem useful so why you all take one?“ I handed everyone one ring.

Kiira and Taru turned beet-red.

„Wh-what is it?“

„P-proposal…“ Kiira said first and while still shaking. With hands in that state she smiled and put the ring on her left ringfinger.

„YES!“ Taru said and put it on as well.

„Wait what?“

They surrounded me in an instant, with Goli and Ruzu standing by side.

„What are you doing?“

They got so close that I could feel the warmness of their bodies.

„We promise to take care of you in future as well, dear husband. Now allow us to give you a kiss of vow to seal the deal,“ Kiira spoke for the two and put her hands on my face. In next momen she landed a deep kiss on my lips.

After Kiira, Taru followed the suit.

Alette came next. She was red in face as she hold my hands. Her hands were really hot and her grip was strong.

„Brother Leo… I know that I was a burden to all of you, but I managed to catch up, so I want you to take me as well, I love every day being by your side,“ as she said that, her hands stopped trembling and she gave me resoluted look. Then we kissed. She was still beginer in it so I guided her a little.

*

„So, I was thinking,“ Kiira started after Alette calmed down a little from our kiss, „There are the three of us, but there is eight rings right?“

„Yeah, so what about it?“ I responded as I was taking sacks with different materials from chest to Item box.

„I just wonder who the rest will be? You are deffinitely taking more wives right?“ Kiira continued.

„I-I don’t know what you are talking about…“ I turned my eyes away, scratching my cheek.

„Well, there’s Lulu, Nina and the King really wants you to marry that Victia girl.“

„That magic obsessed princess?“ Ruzu asked.

„I remember that one, she’s the one who wrote three carriages worth of letters in one day right?“ Taru added.

„Getting through all of that was really exhausting,“ I smiled bitterly.

„Well, if you lived together, then you wouldn’t need to write each other letters. But it’s wierd you didn’t got a single one after coming here, she should know where you currently are,“ Taru told me with straight face.

„Yeah, I’m also worried about… that… what is thi­– a skill orbs?“

At the very bottom of the chest were six skill orbs. For the very first time in history, more then two appeared