[Flowing Heart]
Level Requirement: 20
Cost: 20 SP
Effect: A unique Sword Soul skill. Activating Flowing Heart increases sword energy power at the cost of higher stamina consumption.
——
[Flowing Heart: Thrust]
Level Requirement: 20
Cost: 20 SP
Effect: Can only be used while Flowing Heart is active. Performs a powerful forward thrust, with added attack effects depending on the weapon type.
——
"They're both buff-type skills, huh?"
"…Not bad."
Liang Yue skimmed through the skills currently available for him to learn. No new attack styles—just enhancements that boosted the damage of his existing abilities.
At least this meant that when delving into deeper Dungeon floors, he could break through the defenses of stronger monsters with higher stats.
The main difference now was that higher-level skills required more SP to learn.
"The EXP gain rate has also dropped…"
What concerned him more was the increasing SP cost for learning and upgrading skills, and the growing EXP requirement for leveling up.
Still, the trade-off—more SP points per level—was worth it.
If it was about gaining new combat techniques and testing skill effects, he had no complaints. But "Flowing Heart" was essentially just a battle buff.
After today's long grind in the Dungeon, all the supplies he had brought—including his clean drinking water—were gone.
Continuing to explore in this exhausted state would only be adding unnecessary risk.
It would be better to play it safe for now. The EXP needed for leveling was growing, and his ant-fishing method was getting less efficient and more tedious.
Pushing deeper into the Dungeon was inevitable.
"Next, I should advance the floor progression a bit, get all my stats to S-rank, and aim even higher if possible…"
"That would be the best choice."
"And then, it's time for a truly satisfying feat—a level-up."
If he could become a "stat monster" with maxed-out attributes, he'd welcome it. In Danmachi's system, leveling up required performing a great feat, which in essence wasn't all that different from earning EXP.
The simplest way to understand it was:
"Do something impressive."
In other words, take down an opponent stronger than yourself.
Something like a floor boss such as Goliath.
Liang Yue wasn't arrogant enough to set his sights there just yet. His target would be a powerful special variant instead.
Of course, there were other ways—like surviving a Monster Feast, fighting through endless waves until reaching the designated destination.
But those goals were more abstract.
Being practical by nature, Liang Yue decided to set his feat as defeating a strong special variant.
The level-up of the Sword Soul Template had brought not just strength, but also a generous haul of magic stones, filling his purse with almost 30,000 valis.
Enough to resolve Hestia's debt problem.
After that, he could move on to his next plans. Once again, he thought about the doubled effect of dual-wielding short swords with "Inner Rekkaken."
Now it was back to square one.
Something like—
"After experiencing this, there's no going back!"
——
By the time he left the Dungeon, it was close to evening. The Guild was already closed, so he shelved the idea of exchanging magic stones for now.
The monotonous routine of Dungeon exploration had become the main theme of his life. But regret? No—never.
This was the road he had chosen.
The effort he put in was already paying off in many ways—not just in level and combat power, but also in his quality of life.
Though he still lived in the basement of the abandoned church, his meals had gone from leftover potato balls Hestia brought home from work to bentos packed from The Hostess of Fertility.
His next step would be to optimize his weapons—two short swords for general combat, plus others for different situations.
"Is there a way… to make some quick cash?"
Outfitting even basic third-class gear for all of them would cost around 500,000 valis. He couldn't bring himself to make Hestia put it all on credit again.
Late-night Orario was quieter, the streets dim. Even The Hostess of Fertility was about to close.
Inside, the uniformed waitresses—each beautiful in their own way—were doing their final cleaning.
The first to notice him was Mia, wiping dishes behind the counter.
She glanced up at the cloaked youth entering the restaurant.
She remembered him well—coming here every night to order two dinners to go.
A regular, of sorts.
What made him stand out more was that he was a poor kid recruited by the "Calamity" of North Main Street into her familia, who still went into the Dungeon every day.
As a former captain of the Freya Familia, she had a natural soft spot for diligent adventurers.
"Pretty late today," Mia said. "Kitchen's got some leftovers, so the menu's limited. But I can make a two-person dinner, no problem."
"How about trying the stew special?"
"…Got caught up and lost track of time. Sorry, Auntie Mia."
He smiled apologetically—coming this late just meant more work for them. Being able to get dinner at all was lucky.
"Just as you say—as long as it fills the stomach, I'm fine!"
"Alright, I'll have the kitchen whip it up. Won't take long."
No one disliked a polite customer.
Pouring him a drink, she slid the glass over to him. Noticing his hesitant look, she waved it off.
"It's leftover stock. Throwing it out would be a waste. Think of it as part of the set meal."
"Thanks."
Once she'd finished her tasks, Mia looked at the boy sitting quietly before her and—without any pretense—spoke her mind.
"Polite enough, but you've got none of that adventurer boldness!"
He could take her as just another restaurant owner and be relaxed around her.
But facing Mia Grand—the former captain of Freya Familia and a Level 6 adventurer—it was better to be a little more proper.
With the shop almost ready to close, she found herself curious and struck up a conversation.
"I remember you came here with your goddess a few days ago to celebrate. So, kid—how's the adventurer life treating you?"
"Once the novelty wears off, it does get a little monotonous," Liang Yue replied after a moment's thought.
The day-to-day cycle was like that once the freshness faded.
She didn't think he was lying. In fact, she understood—solo Dungeon dives were lonely by nature.
"That's how the upper floors are. All the same monsters." She paused, then added, "Your familia's situation is a bit special. You might consider teaming up with other adventurers."
"I've seen a lot of rookies in this restaurant. Few make it back safely from the Dungeon every day. They're fearless about danger."
"Kid—don't push yourself too hard. Customers like you are good for business!"
Her words were direct but warm—a veteran's advice distilled from years of experience.
Useful, but only to a point.
He knew better than anyone—each person's path was unique.
And his goal now was to walk the perilous road of honing his swordsmanship… to reach the end of the Way of the Sword.
Meeting her calm gaze, Liang Yue smiled lightly, but his tone was firm.
"Auntie Mia, it's not that I'm fearless."
"It's just… I don't want to stop moving forward."
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