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Ryoji – Level 3
Strength: H (199) → A (807)
Endurance: H (169) → B (758)
Dexterity: G (259) → SSS (1204)
Agility: F (357) → SSS (1476)
Magic: I (98) → D (567)
Development Abilities:
Hunter: H
Mind Recovery: I
Magic:
None listed
Skills:
Ten Years of Sharpening a Sword
Brave Sword Heart
Charm
"A total increase of over three thousand points, Iyaaa!" Loki took off the silk scarf, shielding her forehead with her hand as she stared down at the parchment.
"I knew Ais beat the Floor Boss Udaeus, but what the heck did you do?"
"Mm… I guess I killed a few dozen Level 4 monsters."
"Well, no wonder."
They truly had to thank Udaeus's Spartoi spam; without it, Ryoji probably wouldn't have gained even half the proficiency he did. Thanks to slaying so many monsters, his Hunter ability leveled up too, rising from Rank 10 to Rank 9.
Ais walked in and examined the parchment closely.
As expected, he'd exceeded the stat cap again.
Judging by the numbers, he was probably just ten days to half a month away from reaching Level 4. To keep things simple, Loki didn't bother transcribing Ryoji's skills, or Ais would've had a lot more questions.
"Oh yeah, Ais. Could I ask you to help with some special training over the next few days?"
"Special training?"
"Yeah, I want to reach Level 4 as soon as possible. I'm right on the cusp."
"Sure." Ais nodded without hesitation.
"That quick?" Ryoji was surprised.
"Because it's you who asked." Ais gave a faint, nearly imperceptible smile, so fast it felt like a trick of the eye.
"Also, I want to test the strength I've gained since leveling up to 6."
"Thanks a ton! Let's do it in the Dungeon then."
"Okay." Ais nodded obediently.
Ryoji let out a sigh of relief and couldn't help but feel deeply satisfied. Choosing to join the Loki Familia was the best decision ever. If he had joined the blue-ribbon Familia, where would he find a high-level Adventurer Senpai willing to help him train like this?
With Ais's help, it probably wouldn't take him more than a few days to hit his Level 3 stat limits.
Once he leveled up to 4, with all the hidden parameters and swordsmanship he'd accumulated, he might even be able to fight toe-to-toe with Level 5 first-tier Adventurers.
The next day, Ryoji and Ais set out early in the morning.
They entered the 10th Floor of the Dungeon, deep within the Misty Prairie, and found a secluded area to begin one-on-one special training.
Sure enough, Ais had grown much stronger.
Although Ryoji had made significant improvements reaching the upper range of Level 3, Ais's strength had skyrocketed since her Level 5 → Level 6 breakthrough.
If the old Ais had to go all out just to launch sonic-speed attacks, the current Ais could casually unleash supersonic slashes.
Her strength had grown by leaps and bounds. Ryoji specifically requested her not to hold back.
As a result, he barely lasted ten seconds before being knocked out cold, even when using his special abilities, he could only hold on for about a minute before losing, usually due to Magic Power depletion.
Under these conditions, three more days passed.
On the 57th day of Ryoji's arrival in the DanMachi world, "Ugh…"
Ryoji groaned as he opened his bleary eyes. His head hurt like hell. Ais really doesn't pull her punches.
"Are you okay?" Ais's face appeared upside-down in Ryoji's vision, her eyes showing a hint of worry.
Ryoji felt a soft sensation beneath his head.
Ais wasn't wearing armor today, only a pair of dark-blue, soft leather thigh-high boots wrapped around her slender legs. The texture was superb.
From Ryoji's angle, he could also see a nicely shaped curve. The size was honestly average, but given Ais's petite build, it stood out and was quite eye-catching.
Despite her overwhelming strength, her body barely looked like it had any muscle.
Just goes to show, 2D logic really defies common sense. Thankfully, Ryoji himself could actually build muscle.
Compared to before, his physique had become even more defined. That frail look he once had was completely gone, yet he didn't look bulky either. His figure was balanced, the ideal "slim in clothes, ripped underneath" kind of body. Even Freya couldn't get enough of it.
He now exuded a rugged masculinity.
"I'm fine. What time is it now?"
Ais took out a pocket watch and glanced at it.
"A little past six. Almost evening."
Even though DanMachi was another world, since it stemmed from human fantasy, traces of Earth's civilization could be found everywhere.
"Then we can head back." Ryoji sat up from Ais's lap and stretched his sore body, baring his teeth in pain.
"I'll probably level up tonight."
After getting mercilessly beaten by a Level 6 for three days straight… Ryoji's ability values had definitely hit their absolute peak.
"I'm looking forward to it too."
There was anticipation in Ais's eyes. Compared to a few days ago, her mental state had noticeably calmed down.
Maybe it was Ryoji's words sinking in, maybe leveling up had eased her anxiousness, or maybe it was thanks to meditation. Whatever the reason, the envy she once had for Ryoji was completely gone. Now, she simply saw him as motivation to push herself harder.
The two of them dusted themselves off and began walking toward the passage leading to the 9th Floor.
CLANG!
As they passed through a patch of withered woods, the sudden sound of combat reached their ears.
"Lily! Where are you, Lily?!"
In the middle of the withered forest, A white-haired boy, looking only about fourteen or fifteen, was surrounded by three half-beastmen, with over a dozen Imps prowling around the edges. He was clearly in trouble.
Clutching a black dagger, he darted left and right in desperation, but the sheer number of enemies had him overwhelmed. He anxiously scanned the area, calling out with concern.
"Who's that?" Ryoji tried to remember.
It seemed like they had briefly crossed paths with that boy three days ago when they returned from the Deep Floors. White hair and red eyes, that wasn't something you saw every day.
"White hair and red eyes… Hoh, isn't this the main character?"
It suddenly clicked for Ryoji. Those rabbit-like traits were a dead giveaway, that was the standard build for DanMachi's protagonist.
What was his name again?
…He forgot.
"Should we help him?"
Ais also noticed the boy in peril. Her hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her rapier as she turned to Ryoji and asked.
"I'll handle it." Ryoji drew the katana from his waist, originally meant for disguise.
Then, with a sharp stomp, he burst forward like a gust of wind.
SHING!
SHING!
He moved so fast that the eye couldn't follow him.
Dashing in a swift circle around the enemies, he cut down the Imps and half-beastmen with just a few slashes. Compared to his strength just a month ago, he was a completely different person.
"...Thank you. I'm in a hurry!" The white-haired boy was stunned for a moment.
Before he could even get a clear look at the face of his savior through the thick mist, he darted off toward the edge of the Misty Prairie, vanishing from sight.
(End of Chapter)