Kelly lvl 1
Strength C 504
Agility B 632
Reflexes C 575
Vitality A 905
Magic A 950
Skills
Family Love - anyone with the same falna will get increased healing
Magic
Nova Heal - heals all allies withing 50 feet
Healing specialist - removes status conditions poison, fear, paralysis, and stun on specific allies, results depend on level
Aphrodite welcomed Kelly in with open arms. Our familia grew but our housing situation didn't change. Obviously I can't let either of these gorgeous woman sleep on the floor so lucky me that's my new spot. I can't complain though now that Kelly can use magic again we don't need potions or antidotes anymore. We do need magic potions though. I went overboard with my magic the other day trying to level it up and got mind down. Basicallly I used all my mental energy to cast spells and passed out. Kelly had to carry me out of the dungeon. Luckily even with her relatively low strength she is still stronger then a normal person and was able to. Her and I each contribute part of our money to the familia so I have been able to save a bit. I really need a better sword and I would like two daggers once we start to fight faster opponents. A new house seems relatively far off. To celebrate Kelly joining the familia I took her to the bar Benevolent Misstress that Syr works at. I noticed two cute cat girls that works here and another human girl. Also an elf named Ryu that apparently knows Kelly so she spent a lot of time talking to us. Syr has been smiling and friendly but I think she is jealous of Kelly. Overall though I had a good night.
"Thanks for taking me out it was fun. It felt good to see Ryu again." Maybe getting drunk with her wasn't the best idea because Kelly became clingy.
"Kelly I'm surprised you seem close with Mr Josh." Apparently elves only touch someone that they recognize. They are pretty snobby and feel like any other race is filthy or something.
"Well to be honest at first I was hesitant but we have been in the labyrinth together for weeks I can tell he's a good man. I even joined his familia it's just us right now but I think he has potential as a captain I'm sure he will draw people to him" it feels wierd them talking about me like I'm not here. They are trying to be quiet but after getting a falna your senses are enhanced I'm sure they know I can hear them.
"So you joined lady Aphrodite's familia?" "Yeah I tried quite a few gods and they all turned me away I'm thankful to her for giving me a new home." Syr and Ryu told us to stop by more often and the two of us went home pretty wasted. I'm not quite sure how it happened but when I woke up I was in bed with lady Aphrodite. "Good morning" I practically fell out of bed.
"Uhh I'm sorry goddess I was pretty drunk last night I'm not sure why I'm here." That sweet giggle of hers I swear it makes her alluring charm that much more tempting.
"It's okay you practically carried Kelly in last night I figured you needed the rest and brought you in here."
"Also I have something for you both help me with breakfast first." After dragging Kelly out of bed we all ate together.
"First for Kelly this is a Goliath robe it was made from the drop from the Monster Rex on the 17th floor. It should have much better defense capabilities then anything we can afford right now." Another name for Monster Rex is the floor boss. The dungeon has several of these bosses through. The name is misleading though every floor doesn't have a boss.
"And for Josh I have a new sword, it's quite special. This one is made from Hephaestus herself". (I thought hard about this one since I liked the character from the series a lot but the actual Hephaestus is depicted as a male. Decided the forge goddess gets enough love to stay)
"apparently this weapon will respond to your falna since a top class weapon in the hands of a lvl 1 wouldn't be that helpful. You wouldn't be able to draw it's real power. So she said she would make an exception just this one time and made it." I sat stunned looking at this blade. It was a jet black long sword until I grabbed it. Then there was silver markings all the way around the blade and handle. The sheath was black with silver roses to symbolize Aphrodite. I have absolutely no words.
"How could you afford this my lady this robe is probably a few 100,000 and a weapon from Hephaestus herself would be more then any grimoire." I about fell out of my chair.
"Well Hephaestus and I are old friends so I used every bit of favors I had to get that sword so all I could do for you was the robe Kelly." "N-no please don't take it the wrong way goddess I'm so grateful you would trouble yourself with me I just joined and you would give me something so precious. I was just stunned is all." I finally recovered from the shock and kneeled before Aphrodite.
"My lady I promise I will prove worthy of such a gift." I couldn't contain my emotions I had a tear running down my face.
"I'm not sure what I did to deserve a goddess as divine as yourself, but I will carve a path with this blade to keep you out of harms way." My goddess giggles at me again "my my is that a knight's oath I hear very well. Josh I acknowledge you as my first child you will be my protector and the captain of my familia. Strive to spread out familia's great name throughout city. Show the people kindness, fight with honor, and make me proud." I'm literally shaking on the floor kneeling before her as I heard her divine will. Kelly seems to not be able to bear her will either and came to join me. Finally I'm able to come back to my sense and I look up at her. She has a mischievous smile on her face. I want to tell her I'm not worthy of such a gift but after listening to her thoughts I can hardly speak let alone refuse her.
"You are my children there is no need to kneel. With my ichor running through you I understand that you feel love deeply, I am the goddess of love after all. But please I want you to be comfortable with me, I want to see my children grow, chase your desires, live your dreams, write your own story." I help Kelly up. "Goddess I will prove worthy of such a gift."
"One thing about the blade, it will only work in the hands of someone with my falna all else who touch it, it will go dull and become useless. If you have other party members in the future it will not help them."
"I understand but honestly it will never leave my hands" now both of them giggle at me.
The next day in the dungeon we arrived on the 7th floor. We had been going to the 8th since it's the same monsters, but today is different. My new sword cuts through the hunt ants like they are an absolute joke.
"I know she said it was made by lady Hephaestus but man I'm impressed." "Jealous are we"
"whatever, anyways I think we should go to the 10th floor. There are orcs there, the first large category monsters in the dungeon. Also a different type of goblin, "hobgoblins", and bats that attack from the sky. I think with patience you can handle them. Arriving on the 10th floor I'm quite shocked at the difference there is fog everywhere.
"Well this sucks"
"yeah the next few floors are all covered in fog but I have been down as far as 15 so I know the way. Normally a level 1 wouldn't enter the middle floors which start at floor 13 but Kelly is a healer so she doesn't fight many monsters. She carries a cheap staff and a short sword,barely longer then a dagger, in case monsters get close. The staff helps her use less mind on magic. Orcs stand around the same height as that Minotaur I meet a few weeks ago. Orcs aren't all muscle though the seem fat honestly. What worried me at first was they rip small trees out of the ground of the floor and use them like a club. But they just swing them around with all their strength and have no technique. The bats are easily killed with my lightning bolt spell. I use this one since it seems the fastest. Wind nova usually trips the orcs, which is hilarious, but I need to conserve mind for the bats. The hobgoblins are the most tricky. They rush us in packs of maybe 6-8 getting surrounded leads to trouble so I always get a little nervous. One thing we learned was my wind nova won't push Kelly anymore. I think it's because we have the same falna, but we were in a tricky spot and I had to push away the goblins. Thankfully she didn't end up on the ground. We slowly explored up to the 12th floor for a few weeks.
"Rrraaaaaaaaa" I couldn't believe my ears. I was in a cold sweat, my hands griping my sword were shaking, I was paralyzed by fear. "Josh we got to move" Kelly didn't know what it was but she was sure it was bad. "Josh!!!! Hurry what's gotten into you" "rrrraaaaa" it a Minotaur. Finally Kelly realized something's wrong.
"When your ally is filled by fear, if your ally is burned or poisoned. When they fight for their lives, who will protect them. I will fight by your side, i will expel the darkness and show you the light, Eliminate status" Kelly had to cast her status magic on me. A warm glow radiates around me. I'm finally able to calm down. "Rrrraaaa" it's close now.
"Kelly it a Minotaur. We can't run they are too fast, and you can't make it up without me so I will fight it."
"Are you crazy there's no way we can take that thing it's level 2"
"Kelly I ran into one on the upper floors before it killed at least 5 people we won't get away"
"I understand then we will fight."
"I want you to try to stay back only heal me if I look bad understand." I was frozen with fear before. But how could I return to my goddess if I don't face my fear head on. My head held high, like a man, is the only way I will face her. I finally see it, I take a defensive stance and let it approach. He lowers his hands to the ground, still had the stone ax as a weapon, points his horns out and charges. Like a raging bull he storms me. I side step at the last min and strike. My weapon barely breaks his skin. "Fuck" the goddess said this weapon grows with my stats I guess I'm not strong yet. We swing blow for blow, ax vs sword, sparks flying the collision of stone and metal echoing in the dungeon. Thankfully the lower level monsters were frightened off with his roar. All of a sudden he kicked me in the stomach. I fly back and hit the ground. I roll to the side just in time to avoid being crushed beneath his ax. I climb to my feet. "Thunderbolt" it doesn't seem to do much damage but it froze for a few seconds. "Mind Load" *boom, I can't keep using magic but that strike got him bleeding a lot. We swing blow for blow again. I have to remember even though he has a ax that's not his only weapon. Last time he caught me slipping. I have to dodge and weave but I'm not fast enough, I take a blow to the back. Still I refuse to give up. He starting to bleed a bit more but without my magic it seems trivial. After a good parry, I have knocked his ax way off to the side, he is wide open. "Mind Load" I stab right at his neck, "cling" he blocked it with his horn but I managed to cut clean through. "Fuck" with the follow through I was left completely open and was punch right in the ribs. I dove forwards and rolled back to my feet to gain distance "rrroooaoaa" "wind nova" I had to blast him back 'fuck.' Out of the corner of my eye I see Kelly she came forward to heal me. I block the ax again and stomp on this big bastards knee, trying to displace it push to the outside. This Minotaur is just too strong and he just straight up ate the kick, snorting out his nose like is that it. "You did good to get this far I will take it from here" it's a woman's voice she must have followed it here. "Back off he's mine" I yelled
"shut the fuck up Josh let her kill it" Kelly is obviously pissed at me.
"This fucking cow will die by my hand." I refuse to back down. This beast had me frozen in fear, I told my goddess I will put her on a throne above all others. I told myself I would be the pinnacle of strength in the whole fucking world. I will be lady Aphrodite sword, I will be her champion, I WILL BE HER HERO. How could I do that if I back away from a stupid ugly cow. The Minotaur and I practically enter a street fight punching, kicking, elbows, sword, anyway to hurt this guy and he gives it right back. Mind Load, Wind Nova, Lightningbolt, I give this bastard hell. Time lost meaning we could have fought for hours or minutes I couldn't tell. I couldn't breathe, it felt like my ribs were trying to tear out of my chest. One eye had so much blood pouring into I couldn't see out of it. My armor was completely destroyed under this beast reckless assault. My magic was so low I could hardly think. But the Minotaur had deep gashes covering his chest, arms, and back. His stone ax finally crumbled under my onslaught. So the beast charged, *boom, I was pinned into the wall by his head. His one horn stabbed into my shoulder.
"Haha fuck you cow." I let out a pathetic laugh "eat this, Firebolt" my arm shoved against his chest shot hellfire into his body.
"You want more!! Firebolt, Firebolt, Fire ….. Bolt" time and time again I shot magic. His body began to swell, I refused to give up. My entire right arm from the elbow down was charred black. My chest and face as well. Being this close to my magic was hurting me. "Firebolt" *BOOOM the Minotaur's whole upper body explodes and all that's left are his legs. His horn, glowing red from magic, drops to the ground followed closely by his legs "Josh" Kelly runs over to me. "It's mind down" I'm passed the fuck out standing up. My shirt was burned completely off armor lost and broken somewhere in this room, the only thing I have is the sword still in my hands. Kelly is busy chanting healing magic. I had only barely acknowledged the person who arrived but there are now 6 people in the room. Most of the battle party from the Thor familia. The sword princess Aiz, the werewolf Bete, and elf name Revieria, two Amazon sisters Tione and Tiona, and the prum captain Finn. "I don't fucking believe it that's tomato boy not long ago he was on floor 5 running from one of these how the fuck is he here" Bete says.
"Didn't you write him off as a reckless rookie look at him now Bete" Finn says.
"I don't believe it Reviera check his status" "isint that wrong to look into others status'?" "Well isint his back completely exposed I'm not saying we tell anybody I just want to know" "okay fine I'll" she doesn't finish her words "hello Riviera fine whatever Aiz what's it say" she didn't take her eyes off my back apparently she was reading it as well.
"How is that possible" the elf says barely noticeable "well" "all of his abilities are S" Aiz says then looks at Riviera as if to question if what she sees is correct. The elf returns a nod of understanding. 'How can someone break thru the bounds of every race's capabilities' there on my back plain to see are abilities higher then S rank. SSS for all except magic which is SS. "Who the fuck is this guy?" Bete asks "Josh, Aphrodite familia"
Josh level 1
Strength 1335 SSS
Agility 1400 SSS
Reflexes 1356 SSS
Vitality 1330 SSS
Magic 1200 SS
Aphrodite couldn't believe what she was seeing. She was able to watch the fight with the Minotaur through the falna and was frowning. She didn't like my reckless attitude. I'm currently getting my status update from her. "Your ready to level up to level 2 there something we need to discuss"
"the advanced abilities?" "Correct you have 3 to choose from Luck, Hunter, and Immunity. I would say this Luck must be similar to divine protection and strongly recommend it but the others are perfect for an adventurer."
Hunter basically does increased damage to any monster I have slain before, shown in my "experience"
Immunity stops status effects such as poison
"With a healer in the family I will wait on immunity so one of the other two."
"While you decide I will do Kelly's"
Kelly also leveled up to level 2 I guess the experience was well worth it in my opinion. She choose sorcerer ability which gives her more magic "mind" also lets her control her use of it better to heal more or less depending on what's used. I decided to grab Luck
Josh lvl 2
Strength F 0
Agility F 0
Reflexes F 0
Vitality F 0
Magic F 0
Luck E
Skills
Eros Physis - rapid growth
Argonaut - active action, can charge an attack to deal increased damage
Magic
Mind Load
Quick attack magic
Firebolt
Lightningbolt
Icicle Spear
Wind Nova
Our abilities reset every level. Our buffs from before are still active they are just hidden after the level up.
A new skill called Argonaut, I hear the goddess giggling as she finishes my status. "And what is so funny" I ask annoyed
"my hero" she replies and I get frustrated and embarrassed. Can she read my mind through the falna too, or is she making fun of the skill name.
"Somebody wants to be a hero so bad he went and got himself a skill called Argonaut." "What he has a new skill?" Kelly is jealous "well he did take on a monster stronger then himself thank you Kelly for saving him" now she is embarrassed to.
"Of course as the older sister I must make sure he doesn't run into trouble all alone." And just like that I have a sister.
The gods and goddess have a meeting a few times a year called Denatus where they gossip, talk about major news, and give adventurers who leveled up a sort of nickname if you will. It's a huge honor for any adventure and usually a newcomer for or goddess such as Aphrodite is picked on and her children given bad names. Being a goddess of beauty she has some sway with the others and she is well liked so. I am now "Knight of Roses" which I thought was terrible but it made my goddess happy so I'll bear it. Kelly is now "morning dove" which I though was equally terrible. I guess our goddess is pretty vain, what can you do. It is a gentle name which suits Kelly as a person and as a healer and she seem to be proud of it. I can't bring myself to tell them my opinion. I went to the guild to tell Mira, my advisor about my level up and that I plan to go to the middle floors and she told me what I would need to prepare. She also warned me not to go with just the two of us. Shit that is a problem, I don't know anyone. But as if in answer to my trouble I meet a beast girl, cat girl, named Luna. Her fur is a blackish blue color. With silver eyes she is quite stunning. Maybe not as curvy of a figure as Kelly or the goddess but she has a really nice shapely butt I can't help but stare at. Mira introduced us saying she was going to attack the middle floors and was looking for a party. She uses daggers and her agility to quickly clean up weaker opponents but struggles with large scale monsters in a head to head fight. We decide to meet the next morning and will attack the 12th floor together and see how we do as a team. I'm not sure really about people from other familia's but we need more allies. At the guild quite a few people were talking about me being the record holder for fastest level up from 1 - 2 in history. When I told Mira I killed a Minotaur she practically fainted. Then they all talk about my god given name.
"Knight of Roses" well fuck. Anyway my armor was scraped and it took me a couple days to get around to buying more so I head back to the shop from before. The Tower of Babel has many of these shops, from weapons to armor and even potions. One thing I needed to prepare was spirt protection armor or the "Undine Cloth. The one I need is the one blessed by the "fire" spirts. Grabbing a shirt and pants for me and Kelly cost me over 350,000 grand "Fuck." In the armor shop I look everywhere for good light armor. I find some good pieces here and there but I can't help feeling upset. The name Ragnar Brokkr from my last set was whose armor I was looking for. One of the guy in the shop saw how long I was taking and tried to help. "Yeah… uh I know him hold on."
"Haha ha so the record holder 'Knight of Roses' is looking for my armor." This obvious Norse looking guy, with blonde hair, is Ragnar. Surprisingly he stands taller then me by a bit when I'm about 6'1" he has to be several years older then me maybe 24. "Yeah the last set of light armor I had was made by you and it was incredible unfortunately it got smash to bits by a Minotaur."
"Say I heard the rumor going around but you really did beat a Minotaur at only level 1 huh?" "Yeah it was an incredible fight thought I was dead about 3 times!"
"Ha you know you seem like fun guy anyway I have something to ask. Us smiths sometime like to sign an exclusive contract with adventurer's meaning you bring me drops and materials from the dungeon and I'll make you armor and weapons made to fit you no charge. Would you sign one with me"
"Wow seems pretty boss so of course but let me ask, what's in it for you?"
"Sure so basically when an adventurer gets famous everyone wants to know, what familia is he from, who's weapons and armor does he use, what skills/magic do they use, what floor can they get to? For a smith nothing gets our name out there faster then a powerful adventurer claiming they make the armor and weapons they use in the dungeon."
"Ah then I'd say we have a deal but first I need a new set of armor for the dungeon." Ragnar brings me to his forge which is located pretty far from Babel, in the north side of the city. I've never seen a smith workshop before and look around at all the stuff he has made. There's a great deal of armor and swords.
"Wow this swords is amazing." He stands there grinning like a fool.
"So you really didn't want any magic swords from me huh?" I stand there looking confused.
"You see Josh my family name is Brokkr and we are the famous magic sword smiths from Ares empire. I thought for sure you heard about me from Aphrodite considering their relationship."
"Wow magic swords huh, never knew you were famous it just seemed like your armor was top quality and something a rookie like me could afford. To be honest before the Minotaur nothing left a scratch and I thought there's no way I got this all for under 10 grand. Now that I had some more money I wanted to see what you could make for me if I had 200 grand."
"Ha ha I swear you don't disappoint now then take this armor here for free and by the way can I ask you something?"
"Of course"
"I want to join your battle party." I was a little shocked by this."
"See I'm close to level 3 and my advanced ability is forge I want to level it up to make better gear, my familia and I don't see eye to eye and I figured if your about to attack the middle floors below 13 I would have a new battle party to go with."
"Of course I need to expand my party anyway right now it's just me and an elf name Kelly that's my whole familia. I met a cat girl named Luna earlier today who will join us tomorrow your welcome to come. I won't promise the lower floors right now I want to see how we all fight together before exploring down. Shouldn't be long though since me and Kelly already conquered the 12th floor. I also got the undine cloth for the both of us earlier today because my advisor said we needed it." "My man then as a thank you let me make you something what do you need."
"Well with the armor I'm probably set for right now."
"Listen Josh as an adventurer you should always be looking for something better tell me."
"Well I have been wanting to get 2 daggers to fight with on top of my sword" Ragnar looks me once over.
"Okay first let me get your measurements." He measured all sorts of things. Chest size, arm and hand length, should width, even forearm size. "Is that horn from the Minotaur you slayed?" He notice the horn in my leg pouch. Ever since Kelly joined I stopped using a backpack and have a pouch strapped to my thigh to keep a couple potions.
"I could bring myself to sell it. It was a real battle to the death, both of us fought as warriors to the end. Leaking blood, flesh flying, one move away from death. I respected that beast warrior's resolve."
"How about I make you daggers out of that. They will be ready by tomorrow." He starts getting to work "I'll have it ready for you when we meet at the Tower of Babel tomorrow." I go to leave "hey Ragnar can I watch"
"it's going to get hot but I don't mind." I watch him split the horn in half and start to adjust the flame in the forge.
"Can I ask why you don't like magic swords!" He sits quietly for awhile.
"A man's weapon is like a part of himself. It gives him strength" he pauses for a while as he works. "I hate magic swords everyone come to me for the famous and powerful Brokkr magic sword. They see my name in my work and all I hear is magic sword magic sword. They don't see the time and care I put into my pieces." Again a long pause. "Everyone says that want a weapon to make them strong or make the famous they don't understand at all. Magic swords bring the worst clients" He takes out the horns and metal he was melting and begins to work them with a hammer. "A weapon should stand with its owner and carve the path." Ding, ding. "I hate magic swords because they will abandon you. They can only wield so much power before the break. They desert their weilders, ruin a smiths reputation, and give power to people who are powerless." Ding, ding "if you want to become strong go train, level up, people just want a shortcut." Ding "but where will they be when the magic sword breaks? It won't take long before they need another one, a stronger one, more magic swords. I want to make a weapon stronger then magic swords. One that can match the soul of the wielder, one that won't abandon them." Ragnar and I talked for hours
. "Here you are two daggers" there's no guard protecting the hand between the blades but it's one of the nicest blades I've seen besides my sword. "I call the set the Ox Slayer. To honor his warrior spirit. With the forge ability they got a small effect one is the sharpness of the blade, the other was sort of already in the horns. Maybe because of all the fire magic you fired at him, but they do a trace of burn damage as a added effect."
"That's badass thank you Ragnar."
"I want to make you some armor later that will be a bit stronger then what I gave you today. Also I will make it to fit your body exactly now that I have your measurements. Please let me know if there is anything else." After a bit I headed back home to my goddess.