"Reaching a Safe Floor"
Entering the 13th floor, Drake understood why ordinary Level 1 adventurers almost never survived venturing into the middle levels.
In the upper levels, accessing the next floor required using designated entrances.
However, the 13th floor was riddled with shafts leading down to lower levels; a fall could easily send an adventurer into areas inhabited by stronger monsters.
Of course, the most immediate danger was the Level 2 monsters that roamed this floor.
Starting from the 13th floor, Hellhounds capable of using low-level fire magic appeared, and usually not alone.
Therefore, the Fire Fairy Cloth, which offers protection against fire-attribute damage, is essential for adventurers in the middle levels.
It's said to be a high-level item craftable only by fairies. Drake made a mental note to purchase and study one when he had more funds.
Fairies are called the "embodiments of the gods"; the first heroes drove the surface monsters back into the Dungeon with their help.
However, they've vanished since the Familia era began; only the Fire Fairy Cloth available on the market proves their continued existence.
The Fire Fairy Cloth is a special item; it offers no defense but immunity to most fire magic attacks, ideal for the Hellhound-infested middle levels.
For Drake, however, it held only research value; fire was merely a minor inconvenience.
Three Hellhounds unleashed fire, all hitting Drake, but the flames were instantly consumed.
Before the Hellhounds could react, Drake closed the distance, delivering a flying kick that sent the central Hellhound flying.
The Hellhound crashed into the cavern wall, exploding into black mist.
Drake then grabbed the other two Hellhounds by the heads, smashing them together until they also disintegrated into magic stones.
Drake collected the three magic stones, placing them in his bag, when he heard a high-pitched shriek.
Looking up, he saw a small white figure on the cavern ceiling.
It was a rabbit, with white fur and crimson eyes. Uniquely, it had a small horn on its head; it looked quite cute.
Anyone mistaking it for a pet would be sorely mistaken.
This was the Dungeon, the 13th floor; a cute-looking creature wouldn't be here by chance.
The Horned Rabbit, also called the Killer Rabbit, is a genuine Level 2 monster. Not only is it incredibly fast, but it also wields or throws stone axes.
In the original story, this monster was nicknamed "Bell" by the protagonist's companions, due to its striking resemblance to Bell Cranel.
Both share similar features: white hair and red eyes, like a rabbit. Bell later earned the title Rabbit Foot.
This was partly due to his high Agility and Dexterity stats, and partly because of his extremely rare Regulus Arne ability.
In fact, Drake almost saw a silver-haired boy emerge from the ceiling.
Unlike the kind and handsome boy, however, this rabbit was brimming with malice.
With a shriek, the Horned Rabbit picked up something and threw it.
The wind whistled past Drake's ear; he dodged a stone axe that embedded itself in the ground.
The small creature possessed incredible strength; it was truly on par with a leveled-up adventurer.
The Horned Rabbit, furious at missing its target, hopped and shrieked.
Drake used his foot to dislodge the axe from the ground, catching it and throwing it back.
The shrieking Horned Rabbit's head exploded; its body collapsed into black mist.
Drake approached, finding a magic stone and a piece of fur.
Good fortune; a material drop! Horned Rabbit fur is a valuable material, ideal for making light armor.
Drake remembered that Bell's first proper armor was crafted by Welf using this material combined with metal.
Collecting his loot, Drake continued his descent into the lower levels.
The middle levels had a much higher monster density than the upper levels; newly leveled adventurers are easily overwhelmed and killed.
Drake kicked a Hellhound into another, the impact causing both to explode into black mist.
Five more Hellhounds remained; two unleashed fire, three lunged to attack.
"[Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!]"
Drake's fist struck the fastest Hellhound; a large burst of flame erupted.
The flames engulfed the three attacking Hellhounds, even drawing back the fire they'd sprayed, consuming the remaining two.
When the flames subsided, only several magic stones remained.
Drake only found four. He sighed, "Did one get destroyed? Such a waste!"
Orario produces the most low-level magic stones from the upper levels.
This is not only because most adventurers are Level 1; high-level monster magic stones are difficult to obtain because they're easily destroyed during combat.
High-level adventurers' attacks are powerful, and for many high-level monsters, the head and heart aren't vital points; only the magic stone is a critical weak point.
Like the special Goliath the rabbit fought, it couldn't be killed without destroying the magic stone.
Even though Drake had tried to minimize his power, he still destroyed one magic stone.
Level 2 monster magic stones are still valuable; Drake, forced to be thrifty, felt the loss keenly.
Drake's descent was rapid; he quickly reached the 17th floor, where Goliath, the floor boss, spawns, and saw the white wall known as the "Wall of Sighs."
Goliath's respawn cycle is two weeks; according to information, it had been defeated by adventurers on the 18th floor four days prior.
Drake wouldn't encounter this Dungeon Lone King, so he proceeded directly to the 18th floor.
Entering the 18th floor, the sudden brightness made Drake squint. Unlike the previous cave-like floors, the 18th floor was covered in a lush green forest, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
The 18th floor was indeed a relaxing floor; not only was the environment pleasant, but it was also a "safe floor" where no monsters spawned; adventurers had even built a small town here.
Drake planned to rest here before ending his first adventure and returning to the surface.
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