"Hello, Mr. Isagi. I am Alicia Forestlight. Thank you for taking care of Miss Lefiya for so long. I will be accompanying you on this adventure. I look forward to working with you."
"Hello."
Beneath Babel, in front of the Dungeon entrance.
Looking at the gentle, smiling, and approachable High Elf 'Onee-san' (big sister) before him, Isagi couldn't help but feel she was different from other Elves.
Although... Lefiya was also different from the average Elf.
Neither of them was like the typical Elf—stern-faced, acting high and mighty, or looking at others as if they owed them millions of Valis, giving off an immediate sense of coldness and heartlessness.
And it wasn't just on the inside.
It was the same on the outside. Elves were typically tall and slender. It wasn't obvious when they wore loose cloaks or robes, but their bodies were actually quite thin—not to the point of malnutrition, but they generally lacked a "mature voluptuousness." That was roughly the impression.
But Alicia was completely different.
The Elven woman wore a very fitting pale pink dress, paired with shoulder guards, gloves, and tall boots made of dark brown leather.
The outfit, not being particularly loose, seemed a bit tight against her naturally plump figure.
The first person Isagi thought of was actually the Goddess Demeter.
Although logically speaking, Elves shouldn't be that big, perhaps she belonged to a certain category of "outliers," much like the current Lefiya.
Not long ago.
Goddess Astrea had just altered Lefiya's clothes to make them looser, but recently, the Elf girl felt her chest was "too tight" again, feeling a bit suffocated.
Tsk tsk tsk, isn't the young girl's growth a bit too rapid?!
It even had the Goddess considering ordering a custom magic dress with an even looser fit for her in the near future.
She might continue to get bigger.
That was the deity's judgment.
After all, Lefiya is still growing. We can't let tight clothes hinder her; that would be a big problem for the future.
At the same time.
Isagi noticed that Alicia, like most adventurers, had a leather belt around her waist, from which hung quite a few items.
A longsword, a magic wand, arrows...
Alicia was an Elven Mage, but she could also engage in close combat and provide mid-to-long-range support.
This was something she had said softly herself before the adventure began.
Since they were adventuring together, it was natural to share intelligence so they wouldn't end up in the Dungeon about to start a fight without knowing what their teammates could do.
Isagi certainly welcomed the addition of the Elven Onee-san.
Because the most important goal of this adventure was to take down the strengthened "Lightless King." This guy didn't take much physical damage and required magic attacks.
So, he wondered if Lefiya had thought about her lack of magic attack methods and specifically found a helper?
That child has gotten smarter!
Why does he feel vaguely teary-eyed?
On the other side, Lefiya was also quite excited, greeting her senior from the same race—
It definitely wasn't because she knew the other party possessed two completely different "Ice Attribute" magics: the wide-area annihilation type that releases countless ice shards, [Hail Dust], and the enchantment magic that forms a giant bow and arrow with extreme piercing power, [Glacial Arrows].
If she could learn both, she would become even stronger! She would be able to chase after Mr. Isagi's footsteps a little faster!!
Therefore!
She absolutely had to get on good terms with this fellow Elven Onee-san!!
"Hello, Miss Alicia!"
"Oh, it's Lefiya. It's only been a few months, but you've grown a lot."
Alicia smiled.
Back when Lefiya was still in the School District, Alicia, as the Familia's recruiter, had met the Elf girl and even spoke with her for a long time.
The girl's initial wish to become an adventurer was sparked by what this senior had said.
She was moved by the spirit of exploring the unknown and pressing forward courageously.
And now.
"Lefiya has already become an excellent adventurer."
"No way... You flatter me, Miss Alicia... Hehe..."
Scratching her head and smiling foolishly after being praised, Lefiya didn't forget the most important thing.
"It is all thanks to Mr. Isagi."
"Is that so?"
Alicia looked at her younger kin, who had obviously become much stronger and more serious, but in reality, she had been observing the young man from the very beginning.
He was indeed handsome—
Wait!
What was wrong with that?!
Since she was vetting him for Miss Ais, being handsome was definitely a basic requirement!
Elves have a certain obsession with "beauty."
It wasn't just facial features, but also the overall "physique," "conversation," "aura," and so on. Only when everything was combined could one be called "good looking"!
And at this moment.
Alicia wasn't actually that old; she was a woman in her early twenties, which among Elves, still counted as a "young girl"... right?
But judging by her own aesthetics, Isagi was indeed very good.
He had the feel of a "Warrior" with great masculinity. Even though he was a very young boy, he gave off a sense of weathering derived from long experience on the battlefield, like a veteran who had walked through life and death countless times.
He hid his sharpness completely, yet within those indifferent eyes, there flowed a heavy, heart-palpitating chill.
He was the type who looked harmless.
But once he bared his fangs, he would tear his enemies to shreds.
It really makes one's heart ache—
Oh!
Alicia felt her heart skip a tiny beat.
For just a split second.
The Elven Onee-san, who was always gentle with others, didn't know why she was flustered or what on earth she was bubbling over about.
And at this moment, as if catching onto something.
Not far from the central plaza, having just left the "Hostess of Fertility" pub with a basket to go shopping, a gray-haired waitress suddenly sensed something.
Walking through the square, amidst the coming and going of adventurers, she precisely noticed Isagi's group.
"Oh~"
The girl named Syr, her pale gray eyes suddenly changed.
In that tiny instant.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a "mischievous" look identical to that of the Goddess Freya, as if she had discovered something amusing.
The Goddess of Beauty is also the Goddess of Love, Fertility, and Desire.
So at this very moment, she discovered the Elven woman's violently trembling soul, which was emitting the purest signal of "love at first sight."
This was rare, very rare, but it definitely existed.
That was why the Goddess of Beauty found it interesting. Especially seeing that Isagi was involved, she found it even more amusing...
...
"The Lightless King possesses four arms, wielding a javelin, a greatsword, a scepter... and one hand holds something currently unknown. The ability of the scepter is also still unknown.
"For now, try not to tank any of its attacks, because [No Light] can penetrate weapons and armor. Perhaps... and this is just my guess... it can bypass the body and bones directly to cause damage to fragile internal organs."
"So, wait for us... Miss Alicia?"
"Ah!"
With the young man's call, the Elven woman barely snapped back to reality.
Eh?
Where is this?
Unknowingly, the four of them had already arrived inside the Dungeon, passed through winding caverns, and under the young man's lead, traveled a familiar route to the [Border Fortress] on the 4th Floor.
Then, taking a shortcut via an elevator, they arrived at the bottom of a pit. Further down was the Governor's Castle located on the 5th Floor.
The Lightless King was inside.
So before entering, Isagi was laying out the battle plan.
"Sorry, I was a little... ah..."
She looked at the ground pieced together from pale stones, the large circular pit, the stone gate that had already been opened before her, and the interior which looked completely like a castle hall scattered with Goblin "fragments."
Alicia was actually fine.
Since she had heard Tiona talk about it before coming, she was mentally prepared and naturally wouldn't be too surprised—regardless, as a second-tier executive of the Loki Familia, she was a seasoned Level 4 adventurer.
She wouldn't make a fuss now just seeing a Dungeon that had changed due to the influence of the young man's skills.
So.
What was she thinking about just now?
Alicia recalled that along the way, she seemed to have been secretly observing Isagi—
Spoke appropriately, didn't talk too much, and was very considerate of others' emotions. Points added!
Always unknowingly guarded the front of all his teammates, extremely brave. Points added!
His planning for the adventure was organized; a leader with considerable wisdom and calmness. Points added!
Always reminding her to stay safe and not push herself, considerate and gentle. Points added, added, added...
Full marks!
Alicia pursed her lips, deciding that upon her return, she would truthfully report to Lady Riveria!
After all, she was paying such close attention to the boy because she had a mission.
Mhm, mhm, mhm.
That's right, that's right, that's right!
Regarding this.
Isagi simply thought the Elven Onee-san wasn't used to it since it was her first time here, which was normal, so he repeated what he had just said.
This time, Alicia was much more serious, even a bit overly so.
She actually took out a notebook and wrote down every sentence he said, just like an elementary school student scribbling furiously in class.
Is that really necessary...
Lefiya and Tiona, standing aside, were dumbfounded.
The Elf girl thought, Is this the professionalism of a veteran adventurer senior?! I wasn't that serious... Damn it! Sure enough, there are still many things to learn!!
As for Tiona—
She wondered what on earth Alicia was doing. Did Mama Riveria tell her to write down everything Isagi said?
Was that necessary?
Or perhaps...
Her racial talent, the "Emotion Radar," suddenly went on alert. The Amazon girl narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly noticing the Elven Onee-san's somewhat pink face and eyes that kept deliberately avoiding the boy.
Hmm?!
"Let's go."
He jumped down first, followed by Lefiya, Alicia, and finally Tiona bringing up the rear.
Sure enough.
The Lightless King was waiting for them right there!
Just as they entered the hall, what greeted them was a pitch-black greatsword capable of cleaving the entire room in two.
Dodge, then flee directly towards the corridor on the side.
Isagi naturally carried Lefiya on his back. Having leveled up, he no longer needed to ride on Tiona's back.
On the other side, Alicia's speed was even faster than the Amazon girl's—she was, after all, a veteran Level 4 adventurer.
"Go!"
Logically speaking, Isagi could take the girls and continue jumping down directly to the [Management Layer] to evade the Lightless King's pursuit.
But in that case.
To return to the plaza town outside the Governor's Castle, they would need to cross the "three hundred and sixty-five miles" of the [Meat Pit].
Too far. Isagi was too lazy to walk.
So he chose a shortcut. They just had to run forward a bit longer to reach a corridor with windows.
"Just ahead!"
Behind them came the sharp sound of breaking wind again; it was the Lightless King's javelin. However, this time, the upgraded Isagi was indeed much faster. Without needing Lefiya to cast defense magic, everyone arrived at their destination.
The window next to them overlooked the undulating pitch-black town.
Then.
Tiona leaped up, directly hugging his neck and climbing onto his back, just like Lefiya.
"Miss Alicia, please take my hand!"
Lefiya, as always, was very considerate of her kin's incomprehensible "mysophobia."
"Okay!"
This battle plan had been discussed before jumping down, so the Elven woman quickly grabbed her kin's slender hand.
Then.
Inexplicably, she felt a bit envious of the two girls who were currently hugging the boy's neck and lying on his back.
Crash!
The four of them smashed directly through the window.
"?"
So high!
So what do we do now?!
Alicia didn't even have time to be shocked by the large city built by Goblins before her, because the next second, Isagi took them swinging on a rope in mid-air!!
"!!!"
Miss Asfi certainly hadn't lent him her flying boots.
But it didn't matter; using the Shinobi Prosthetic's grappling hook could achieve a similar effect!
Pulled by the rope.
The boy and the girls, huddled together, leaped over the sky of the pitch-black town, then constantly changed positions, heading towards lower houses and the long street that was still full of various monster fragments.
Behind them, the incompetent and furious roar of the Lightless King rang out again.
What are you yelling for! I'll mess you up later!!
Before long.
They finally stopped in front of a certain building.
"Woohoo!"
Tiona jumped down immediately, thinking this was much more exciting than flying in the sky last time!
Lefiya, on the side, looked at her senior with concern.
"Are you okay, Miss Alicia?"
"No..."
It was indeed a bit stimulating.
Mainly because she had never experienced anything like this in the Dungeon before!
The sudden opening finally made Alicia understand just how "special" Isagi and his group's adventures were.
Even her face started to burn!
"Drink some water."
"Th... Thank you..."
Still avoiding Isagi's concerned gaze.
The Elven woman silently followed behind the boy, weaving through the town. Soon, they arrived at a corner between several houses. Looking down carefully, they could spot a small cave.
Isagi took the "food supply" kept from before—a nutrient fluid produced in the Dungeon that monsters would eat—from Lefiya's hand.
He placed the small bucket containing the viscous liquid at the cave entrance.
A moment later.
Sounds of a Goblin squirming came from inside.
"You have come. Is it to tell Pal that you are ready?"
Pal appeared.
A talking Goblin monster... it really existed.
Alicia rubbed her temples, also having the thought that others had before: had she arrived in some "Isekai" (Otherworld)?
"We are ready."
"Understood."
Pal nodded.
"Then, fight to resurrect the Lord, adventurers. Of course, Pal will help too, Kukuku—"
Accompanying the Goblin's somewhat irritating laugh.
In the distance, a roaring explosion rang out.
"?"
Isagi had originally thought this little Goblin would take them to some place to fight the BOSS.
But the result...
Turning around, the castle that existed just a moment ago had actually been blown up?!
Amidst the sky-filling fire and smoke, the collapsing castle even gave the illusion that the earth was shaking.
Moments later.
The dust settled. Amongst the ruins filled with rubble, a pitch-black giant stood blankly, seemingly unaware of what had happened.
"The most troublesome thing about the Lightless King is that in a closed space, it can ignore walls and pass through them at will. So, I couldn't make it come 'outside.' Adventurers, from here on, it's up to you—"
"Kukuku, go quickly. Pal will pray for your victory. Also, rest assured, even though the castle no longer exists, it will not leave the original range of the castle. That is, after all, a shackle bestowed by the King; it isn't so easy to break free..."
...
Meanwhile.
In a secret hideout of the Rudra Familia within the city, Jura, who was drinking, suddenly received a report from a subordinate.
"The special monsters of the upper floors have appeared?"
"That's right!"
That pale city appearing in the upper floors again was witnessed by quite a few people with their own eyes.
"Good, set out immediately!!!"
Recently, due to "Gale" (Ryuu), the monsters he tamed had suffered heavy casualties. Jura urgently needed to replenish a wave of "new children."
At the same time.
Those special Goblins equipped with weapons and armor, possessing strength of Level 2 or higher—if they could be sold outside the city, they would be priceless treasures in a sense!
And more importantly...
Before leaving, Jura didn't forget to take the treasure Olivas had given him not long ago.
The [Jewel Fetus].
Depending on the monster it parasitizes, it can be cultivated into a completely different powerful monster. What if he parasitized it on those special Goblins?
Or even on a stronger special monster?
When the time comes, so what if it's Gale? Just a Level 4, hmph! Who knows.
Maybe he could even tame that guy.
That incredibly powerful monster that once killed the entire Astrea Familia—
Right, right.
Once he tamed that guy, he would have it kill Ryuu Lion as well.
Just like it once killed her companions.
Gegege~
The ugly Cat Person youth revealed a nauseating smile on his face, quickly gathering his Familia companions and heading towards the Dungeon...
...
___
🔥 New stories are available now! 🔥
We're handing out that '25% bonus' that makes your wallet smile. 😄
✅ Access up to 40 advanced chapters of ALL stories!
✅ Receive exclusive content and updates!
Help us hit our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 180 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan