The Nineteenth floor certainly lived up to its name, the labyrinth of the dungeon had shifted from the normal stone that made up the walls, ceiling and floor of the dungeon giving way to wood, that now composed the corridors and pathways.
The new monsters were the largest challenge however: Bugbears, Battle Boars, Lizardment, and Firebirds.
These four were entirely new monsters that appeared on the nineteenth floor with none of the monsters from earlier floors appearing as well.
There was also more environmental monsterkin as well such as Mad Beetles, Dark Fungus, and Gun Libellula that were less like traditional monsters and instead were trying to cause adventurers travelling the floor to succumb to poison or even paralysis which would either force their party to turn back or use up costly antidotes to press on.
Which was the reason why when it came to ranking up, most if not all adventurers who planned to continue diving into the dungeon after reaching level 2 chose Abnormal Resistance as their first development ability.
This would allow them to avoid the pitfall on the floors beyond the first safe zone.
Though for Neme this floor turned out to be the first test for his own new DA's.
The first few monster encounters were just business as usual, however when he first ran into Dark Fungus he hadn't even noticed it was there, and walked into a spore cloud earning him the poisoned status condition.
Causing an instant weakening to his constitution, and a burning sensation like someone had poured acid into his veins.
But with a simple use of about 100 units of Mana, he produced a flasks worth of golden ichor that was collected into a simple wooden cup on his person, the drinking of which removed the status ailment.
But beyond that, the taste of the wine that passed his lips was truly uplifting.
He had accumulated a mild bit of fatigue and stress over the last week, the increase of his stats helped, but he was still human afterall, thought this one cup of wine.
Served the job of soaking in a hot spring for an entire week.
His stress melted away and his fatigue all but vanished making him feel like he'd just spent an entire weekend lazing around in his room doing nothing at all except rest.
As he took this moment to relax and recover.
Neme recalled the unique monster that also existed on this floor.
A creature that was only referenced deep into the story after nine volumes had been released, and in comparison the information the guild could provide was just as limited.
This monster was a rank of unique above event he Infant dragons of the upper floors.
Still a form of dragon though this one was humanoid, as in a Dragonkin.
With a distinguishing feature of a red stone in their forehead also known as a Vouivre Tear.
Its uniqueness was on par with a Unicorn, and to make matters worse the stat makeup of this unique monster was specialized in Agility and Defense, which made them a highly mobile tank.
Capable of escaping encounters before excessive damage could be dealt making this monster more of a mythical reward monster that was the subject of rumors than a common occurrence providing a lottery winning situation for those who came across the beast.
Thanks to the success of his first tested use of Eucharist of the vine, then throwing himself into another few rounds of conquering the new floor the days adventure came to an end, and using his accumulated agility to its utmost, Neme raced back to the 18th floor before bypassing Riveria, and racing towards the surface.
Blitzing the path from the 17th to 1st floor in just over an hour, a pace that would shock anyone who knew he was without a familia, or who knew he was only a level 2.
Upon emerging up the grand staircase that led to the surface, Neme was greated with the twilight sky of Orario, as the sun was just about to set causing a cascade of crimson colors to clash with the encroaching purples and dark blues of nightfall.
His pack was laden with drops but as always he was prohibited from exchanging them himself for valis and would need to rely on Lily for the task.
Joining the other adventurers who likewise were exiting the dungeon and heading into the city.
Neme walked the streets heading towards his inn.
The inn he'd chosen when he first started living here in Orario, and remained loyal to even one his earning far surpassed the rental fee for more high scale places.
However as he approached the inn, thoughts swirled in his mind that rather than stay in an inn perhaps upon reaching the middle floors he should inquire with a realator in purchasing or even merely renting some property to allow their godless familia to have a familia base of their own.
A real home for the pair to return to.
And a place where he could practice his new ability without fear of others watching or sensing his use of a divine ability.
But he prevented himself from deciding this on his own.
Lily may be a submissive character, but even still he wanted to include her in the desciion making process, that would help to build up their camaraderie further, and prevent possible clashes later on about him being bull-headed or stubborn to a fault.
Upon his return, without pausing on the first floor he headed straight for his room on the second but before he could unlock the door and drop off his equipment and bag, he ran face to face into Lily who was just coming out of her own room.
"Neme!" ₍₍⚞(˶˃ ꒳ ˂˶)⚟⁾⁾
The little pallum girl looked tired but not in a utterly exhausted kind of way, there was a glimmer of light in her eyes that had only recently returned to her eyes the last couple of days from her previous state of looking like she was dead inside.
The moment she saw me she cried out my name and dove into my embrace for a hug.
It had only been about a half day since we had last seen one another, but given her state she must have gone back into the dungeon again after a period of rest to grow further.
And now she had only just gotten back a few minutes before himself.
As much as he enjoyed the embrace, Neme was still forced to give the girl a pat on her back requesting she release him from her embrace, citing the need to get ready in his room before the two could dine together.
She was reluctant to do so, but did release him, looking like she would follow him into his room before stopping after a half step.
Inside Neme quickly dropped his pack, before stripping off his gear and swiftly changing into a fresh set of clothes that made him look nothing much more than a common citizen and nothing at all like an adventurer.
After nothing more than a quick wipe down of his face with a wetted cloth Neme emerged only a few minutes later seeing Lily still eagerly standing there waiting for his return.
(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)