Roy liked to save the toughest challenges for last, so he decided to take Cassandra and Daphne into a "Dungeon" first.
"Mr. Roy, what's going on?" Daphne and Cassandra looked at him curiously. He had summoned them mysteriously, even avoiding the Goddess's gaze.
"I'm taking you somewhere to train your stats. Are you willing?" Roy asked.
"Of course!" Daphne's eyes lit up.
Cassandra, however, spoke up timidly. "I'm just a healer... surely I don't need to go?"
"What are you saying? Of course you're coming!" Daphne forcibly dragged her along.
"Waaaaah~" Cassandra wailed.
"Let me be clear," Roy said seriously. "Whatever happens next, you cannot tell anyone. Not even the Goddess. This is our secret." Seeing his gravity, both girls nodded solemnly.
Roy gave a calm smile. He wasn't actually too worried about the "Dungeon" being discovered; his confidence came from his strength. He was no longer the powerless "muggle" he once was. If he were a weakling, possessing such a secret would be a death sentence, but for him, it was a tool. At worst, he could pick a "World Dungeon," hide there for a few years to level up, and then return.
"Close your eyes."
They did as they were told. Roy operated the panel, and their bodies dissolved into light, entering the Instance world.
Name: Highschool of the Dead
Difficulty: Level 1
Description: Over 90% of the global population has turned into zombies; a world lost to chaotic disorder.
[Rewards Adjusted: Rewards are based on the individual stats of members!]
[Roy: Kill 6,500 zombies for 1 Stat Point. Reach 1,000,000 for a Bronze Chest!]
[Daphne: Kill 8 zombies for 1 Stat Point. Reach 1,500 for Bonus Stats!]
[Cassandra: Kill 5 zombies for 1 Stat Point. Reach 1,200 for Bonus Stats!]
Roy's lip twitched at the reward panel. Compared to his first time, this was ridiculous. Killing thousands just for one point? His arms would fall off. But it also proved the massive gap in levels. Even if a hundred thousand zombies surrounded him now, he wouldn't blink. However, the stars of this trip were the girls.
"Where are we?"
When they opened their eyes, they were met by towering modern buildings and streets swarming with zombies.
"What are those things?" Daphne and Cassandra stared at the grotesque creatures, feeling a surge of fear.
"Don't worry," Roy said. "They are weak. Their bodies are only slightly stronger than an average human's, but since they only move on instinct, they are easier to handle than an adult man. Go on. Those are your targets."
Roy led them to the street and struck a steel pipe against the ground. The sharp cllang made the surrounding zombies snap their heads toward them, eyes filled with hunger. Seeing the horde rush forward, the girls turned pale.
But after killing the first one, they realized Roy was right. They were weak—comparable to the Goblins on the first floor of the Dungeon. Aside from their numbers, they had no advantage. Even Cassandra, who had weak melee skills, could kill them easily. Their confidence grew, and they began to work together.
Roy didn't steal their experience; such "mosquito meat" was meaningless to him. Instead, he watched their movements to judge their growth over the last month. If he wasn't satisfied, he would rather leave them on the surface during the expedition than carry two liabilities.
He nodded privately as he watched. Their movements were a bit unrefined but respectable. Daphne was a natural warrior, and Cassandra, the healer, was holding her own with a dagger. Even when blood splattered on her face, she didn't panic.
------------------------------------------------
My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Starting with an Elf (232 Chapters, Ongoing)
------------------------------------------------
Ryuu's Spartan-style training had clearly paid off. While Roy was away, Ryuu had drilled them mercilessly. Initially, they couldn't handle it—Cassandra cried every day—but they realized how pampered their lives had been in the Apollo Familia. Ryuu hadn't forced them; she told them plainly that if they didn't want to train, they could leave the Familia. They chose to stay. Ryuu taught them what it meant to be an adventurer: to struggle and defeat the enemy even if you only have your teeth left.
Roy used the Instance to push their stats to the limit. For over two weeks, the girls slaughtered countless zombies until the corpses piled up like small hills. Roy wasn't worried about them being bitten; Elixirs were a "higher-dimensional" cure for zombie venom.
By the end of the month, their stats had reached their personal limits:
Name: Daphne
Level: 1
Strength: 57 → 628 (C)
Endurance: 42 → 555 (D)
Dexterity: 36 → 813 (A)
Agility: 68 → 889 (A)
Magic: 5 → 456 (F)
Skill:Laurus Wreath (Increases Agility when being pursued)
Name: Cassandra
Level: 1
Strength: 17 → 238 (G)
Endurance: 18 → 211 (G)
Dexterity: 18 → 252 (G)
Agility: 12 → 489 (E)
Magic: 90 → 815 (A)
Skill:Miracle of Tragedy
Magic:Heal Sight (Area recovery magic; range increases with Mind)
Goddess Astraea updated their stats daily. Seeing the numbers skyrocket like they were free, she was surprised the first day but soon became accustomed to it. She knew it was Roy's doing. Roy expected her to ask questions, but she didn't. She simply gave him her usual gentle smile. She kept her promise: she did not pry into his secrets or reveal his information to others. This was the "Justice" she upheld.
Roy couldn't help but feel lucky. Among all the gods looking for entertainment, he had found one as principled as Astraea.
"Mr. Roy, thank you!" Daphne and Cassandra looked at their updated status sheets with pure excitement. Stats that usually took years to accumulate had been maxed out in just over ten days!