Once they entered the Dungeon, Xien immediately switched into full-on XP farming mode—together with Ryuu… or more accurately, under Ryuu's watchful protection as he pushed himself through trial after trial.
The upper floors were nothing.
He sprinted through them without slowing down—goblins, slimes… all of it was just wasted time now.
Only once they reached Floors 6–7, where creatures like Killer Ants and poison spiders showed up, did the real grind begin.
Kill. Kill. Kill.
No matter what kind of monster it was, if Xien could see it, he'd pick a fight.
The advantages of his abundant vitality became obvious—combined with a physique that was almost immune to negative status effects, he moved through bizarre monsters like a fish in water.
He had practically become a tireless grinding machine.
Unlike other parties that carved a path and moved on, Xien attacked anything that wasn't already being handled. After more than half a day, several upper floors entered an absurd state:
There were almost no monsters left.
Because Xien had killed them all—and their respawn cooldown hadn't even finished.
But even that wasn't enough.
He could feel he still hadn't reached his limit.
He needed stronger opponents.
Food Problem… and Xien's "Other" Use of Vitality
Two people can only carry so many supplies. Even without counting loot, they still needed food to replenish stamina.
That was when Xien revealed something new about how his vitality could be used:
He could carry seeds for plant-based foods—then, when needed, force them to ripen instantly and eat them. And the quality was even better than what was sold on the surface.
Combine that with his excellent cooking…
Even with crude tools, the experience was surprisingly luxurious.
Ryuu, eating "Dungeon cuisine" made from vitality-ripened produce, fell into a spiral of thoughts.
"He's… really amazing. So vitality can be used like this?"
And then her mind drifted—back to the first time they met.
That look in his eyes had been so clear.
She had never seen that kind of purity in Orario… not even in her homeland.
Elves were naturally sensitive. Some were even more so—able to judge someone's general character by intuition alone. That was part of why Ryuu's pride was stronger than most of her kin. Her "cleanliness" wasn't just fussiness—it was instinctive disgust toward tainted souls.
That was why, until now, she had only ever been truly close to Alise, whose nature was genuinely upright and kind.
But this boy in front of her…
He never changed in the wrong direction.
If anything, he grew better step by step.
Ryuu had spent the most time with him out of anyone in the familia. She knew his changes were real—she had watched him grow with her own eyes.
Quietly, without fanfare, his will became stronger, his power grew… yet he still kept his original heart.
Or rather—
That heart grew even brighter.
Before she realized it, she had fallen.
But her pride kept her from admitting it.
She despised filthy souls—yet when she finally found the brilliance she pursued, she couldn't stop the inferiority from creeping in:
I'm not worthy to stand beside him.
Then came the last incident—her mistake nearly got him killed.
In that instant, terror and guilt swallowed her whole.
What had she done?
Why had she let her pointless pride hurt him?
She could have… she should have… forced herself to take him away and protect him.
That torn wound—she nearly despaired.
And then a miracle happened.
His unyielding will shook her again:
You can reject even death's fate?
Once might be luck.
Twice is certainty.
And later, when she saw him perform a miracle in front of everyone—dragging an already-dead old man back to life—
She made up her mind.
Pride didn't matter.
She would apologize.
If only for a chance to remain by his side.
And Alise—thoughtful as always—had given her the opportunity.
So Ryuu acted.
Ryuu's Apology
"Xien… um… do you mind… giving me a little time?"
"Hm? Not at all."
Xien, chewing half a potato, looked totally confused—but seeing how serious Ryuu's eyes were, he immediately tossed the potato aside, wiped his mouth, and sat up straight.
"Um… I'm sorry, Xien."
"Last time… because of me, you almost got killed."
"It's shameless of me to say this, but… I still hope you can forgive me."
As she spoke, she bowed stiffly in apology.
Her hands clenched awkwardly over each other, her expression dim, her ears drooping—like a child who'd made a terrible mistake.
Xien looked at her clumsy, earnest apology and thought:
Why is she… kind of cute?
He forced down the urge to pat her head.
Instead, he decided to tease her a little.
"So… you admit you were at fault?"
"Then would you accept any punishment I give you?"
He made a mock "grabbing" gesture with both hands and wore a sly grin.
"Eh…? You'll forgive me?"
"T-then… yes. That's fine."
Ryuu's face flushed red—her reluctance and stubborn sense of responsibility practically dripping off her words.
Xien almost laughed himself sick.
If he actually laughed out loud, he was dead.
"Then…"
He dragged out the word on purpose.
"Then?"
Ryuu stared at his deliberately serious face, nerves on edge.
"Show me your smile, Ryuu."
Xien dropped the act and returned to his usual gentle grin.
"Eh?"
"What—if you think you're wrong, you won't even fulfill that request?"
"Then your apology is pretty shallow. Negative review. Unacceptable."
He pretended to be angry, instantly lightening the heavy mood.
"A-absolutely not!"
"It's just… that's all?"
Ryuu couldn't believe his demand was only that.
Xien tilted his head.
"Making a girl you like show you a genuine smile…"
"Isn't that a pretty high-difficulty task?"
Ryuu froze.
Because she heard the phrase she wasn't prepared for:
"a girl you like."
Truth—spoken casually—became a blade that shattered the emotional wall she'd built to avoid getting hurt, forcing her to face reality.
"E-eh?! 'Like' as in—?"
"Yes. Exactly what you think."
"I admire you."
"I don't blame you."
"If there's anything to blame, it's my own weakness… and those damn bastards."
"And you—someone who gave me the courage to live here…"
"How could I bear to blame you?"
"Besides… you did nothing wrong."
His words soothed her panic, smoothing her heart into quiet calm.
Something ugly that had been binding her inside… seemed to dissolve in that moment.
Xien took her hand.
She didn't pull away.
"Ryuu… maybe you don't know this."
"But the first time you appeared before me…"
"You saved me."
"You made me feel this world could bring me happiness."
"You gave me the courage to keep living here as a human."
"So it's not you who should apologize."
"It's me who should thank you."
"Thank you, Ryuu of the elves."
"Thank you for appearing before me."
"Thank you for helping me all this way."
"And… thank you for staying by my side."
He meant every word.
Before, he couldn't have said something like this.
But after everything he'd been through, he realized expressing the truth mattered more than anything.
Whether she accepted it or not—he could accept it either way.
To him, Ryuu—and that old man he saved—were special.
They were the first people in this world to offer him kindness.
So he wanted to repay them with every scrap of goodness he had… and repay this world too.
A single thought can make a god or a demon.
Because he loved—he chose to become the god who saves.
Ryuu smiled.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
And she showed him the smile that belonged to her truest feelings.
"…Mm. You're welcome."
"From now on, I'll always stay by your side."
"Please take care of me."
In that instant, a masterpiece was born.
In that instant, Xien had only one thought:
This life… was worth it.
He turned to the Orange Cat.
"Orange Cat. I don't need to spell out what to do."
"Of course, meow. It's fully recorded and perfectly edited, meow."
Top-tier photography, micro-adjustments, ready anytime—honest service guaranteed.
"…Reliable."
Xien couldn't help giving a thumbs-up.
"Obviously, meow."
If Alise saw this, she'd probably say:
"Ehh—making an innocent girl cry? Xien, you sinful man!"
Back to the Trial… but Something Feels Off
After they took some time to calm down from the emotional rollercoaster, the two continued their journey.
But Ryuu occasionally zoning out and smiling to herself…
Honestly looked more dangerous.
Did I… accidentally tease her into stupidity?
…She was still cute as hell though.
Another problem:
This Dungeon run felt weird.
Forget magic stones—the drop rate of materials was ridiculous.
Before, ten-plus monsters might drop one or two items.
Now, Xien stared at a pile of drops that almost outnumbered the stones.
"What is this… a rare 'double drop event'?"
"There's no such event," Ryuu shot back.
She couldn't help but think Xien's personality was drifting closer and closer to Alise's.
Or maybe they just smelled the same kind of stupid.
"Then what is this?"
"More income is nice, but without a supporter it'll take forever to pick all this up."
"Agreed. It's strange."
"And along the way… it feels like only we're experiencing this."
The drops felt like the Dungeon was gifting them.
That was abnormal.
"Ryuu… did you awaken some 'Luck' stat?"
"No."
"But between the two of us, aren't you the one most likely to awaken weird abilities?"
Everyone in the familia was used to Xien randomly having absurd powers.
"Oh. I see. Totally understood. Not at all."
He tapped his fist into his palm like he'd grasped enlightenment—while understanding nothing.
Still… if he didn't understand, he'd stop thinking about it.
For now it was a good thing.
"Our storage is limited," Ryuu said while sorting through the drops.
"Let's prioritize high-value items."
"And next time… we might need to hire a supporter."
"Doesn't our familia have anyone specialized in that?"
"Not really."
"We spend more time dealing with the Evil Faction than the Dungeon."
"And even when we fight monsters, drops have never been this extreme."
"Our carrying capacity has always been enough."
"That's part of why the familia has always been… financially tight."
"I see…"
"Everyone's been working hard…"
Deeper — The Dungeon Feels "Quieter"
After Floor 13, entering the Middle Floors, Xien felt the weirdness grow.
Compared to last time, the pressure seemed sharply reduced.
Not because he'd grown stronger—
But because there were fewer monsters.
Or rather…
It felt like their respawn rate had slowed.
Man-eating plants, armored beasts, war shadows, skeletal soldiers…
Before, as long as the Dungeon had energy, it would keep producing without pause.
Now—even if it had energy—it produced monsters at a fixed frequency.
So Xien wasn't constantly overwhelmed.
He didn't know why.
But it didn't seem immediately dangerous.
And it reduced their burden significantly.
Meanwhile, Somewhere in Orario…
Alfia arrived at a quiet, unremarkable tavern—perfect for talking with friends.
"You're all pretty relaxed."
"If you have something to say, say it."
"There's been a lot going on in the familia these days."
"And Freya and Loki… aren't exactly quiet either."
"Oh?"
A handsome black-haired god watched her changed aura, seeming to guess the reason.
"You feel different, Alfia."
"Did your body improve?"
After all, the boy's "miracle" wasn't a secret.
And the disturbance a few days ago had been impossible to ignore.
Reviving the dead wasn't a joke.
....
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