"This thing's magic stone alone should fetch a decent price."
Grokk nodded as he secured his share. "Aye. Better than expected."
Ais remained silent, though she glanced once more toward the dark water where the mermaid had vanished.
I decided it was time to move on. "Let's keep going. We still have a ways to go if we want to reach the thirty-eighth floor today."
Mira shot me a look. "You're really serious about that depth, huh?"
"I am," I replied calmly. "But we will take it at a reasonable pace. No need to push too hard on our first joint expedition."
"What about the supplies?"
I smiled. "Of course. Everything is already prepared."
Mira shrugged, clearly used to my strange abilities by now. "Figures."
"Speaking of which," Grokk interrupted, his sharp blacksmith eyes locked onto the sword sheathed at my waist, "where did you get that blade?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Grokk stepped closer, still staring intently at the Zanpakutou. "There is something about that sword I cannot quite place. It is no ordinary blade."
"It was made specifically for me," I said calmly. "As for where it came from, it is a family heirloom. Passed down through generations."
Grokk nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied with the explanation.
He paused for a second, then looked up at me with clear professional interest. "Would you allow me to examine it later? I would love to study the craftsmanship."
I offered an apologetic smile and shook my head. "Sorry, but I must refuse. This sword is very precious to me."
"I can respect that. Some things are more important than a blacksmith's curiosity."
He gave the sheathed sword one last lingering look before stepping back. "Still… if you ever change your mind, my offer stands."
I nodded.
We continued our descent, the mood light despite the growing difficulty of the floors. Before long, we reached the end of the twenty-eighth floor.
I glanced at the group and made my decision. "We will camp here for the night. This is a safe point."
The area known as the Under Garden opened up before us. It was a breathtaking field of flowers that stretched across the cavern floor. Soft, glowing blooms covered the ground in gentle waves of color, their petals swaying lightly in the underground breeze. Though the floor itself was noticeably smaller and narrower than the grand Under Resort above, its intimate beauty made it the perfect place to rest.
I chose a flat clearing surrounded by clusters of luminous flowers and nodded in approval. It offered both safety and a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere.
Grokk was breathing heavily, his broad chest rising and falling with clear exhaustion. Mira and Ais still looked relatively fine, though even they showed subtle signs of fatigue. The toll of pushing this deep in a single day was beginning to show.
"Let's set up camp," I said. "We have made excellent progress. It normally takes most parties five days to reach the fiftieth floor. The fact that we reached the twenty-eighth in just one day says more than enough."
Mira dropped her pack with a dramatic sigh and stretched her arms above her head. "One day? Ha! We're monsters." She grinned, though her tail flicked with clear tiredness. "Still, I'm not complaining about a break. My legs might actually file for divorce if we keep this pace."
Grokk leaned his hammer against a smooth rock and wiped the sweat from his brow. "My arms feel like they have been hammered all day. I will need to reforge half my equipment after this."
Ais quietly surveyed the glowing flower field, her eyes reflecting the soft light. She gave a small nod of approval but said nothing, choosing instead to begin setting up her own bedroll with efficient movements.
I had provided the tents from my inventory. They were premium models, the kind rarely seen even in the modern world. Lightweight yet incredibly sturdy, with smooth, high-quality fabric, clever ventilation systems, and reinforced frames that assembled in moments. Compared to the crude canvas tents most adventurers used in Orario, these looked almost luxurious.
Mira circled one of the tents with wide eyes, poking at the material. "What the hell...? This fabric is way too nice."
Grokk ran his calloused hand over the frame and seams, his blacksmith instincts kicking in immediately. "The stitching is perfect. The joints are precise. This is master-level craftsmanship. Where in the world did you get something like this?"
Even Ais, who was usually calm and reserved, looked genuinely impressed. She gently touched the entrance flap, tilting her head slightly. "It is... very well made."
Mira grinned and poked her head inside one of the tents. "There's actual padding on the floor! Boss, are you secretly a noble or something? These are way too fancy for a dungeon camp."
I simply smiled and shrugged. "They are just tents."
Grokk shook his head, still examining the construction with clear admiration. "Just tents, he says. I have never seen work this fine. If I could study the design..."
Mira laughed and flopped backward onto one of the sleeping pads. "Forget studying it. I'm calling dibs on this one. It's more comfortable than my room back at the inn!"
After a few more moments of awe, Grokk and Ais finally settled into their respective tents. Mira had already claimed hers with great enthusiasm.
Seeing how tired they all were, I spoke up. "You three rest for a while. I will be in charge of dinner tonight."
Mira's head immediately popped out of her tent. "Dinner? You mean we are not having jerky?" Her eyes sparkled with sudden excitement. "Whoooo!"
Grokk let out a deep chuckle from inside his tent. "Thank the gods. My teeth were starting to file a complaint."
Even Ais peeked out with a small, hopeful look in her eyes.
I could not help but smile at their reactions. "No jerky tonight. I will prepare something proper. Just give me a little time."
Mira pumped her fist weakly. "Best. Boss. Ever."
Mira pumped her fist weakly. "Best. Boss. Ever."
I pulled out a portable cooking set from my inventory and began preparing dinner. The rich aroma of seasoned meat and vegetables soon filled the flower-filled clearing of the Under Garden.
Mira crawled out of her tent almost immediately, her nose twitching. "That smells way too good. Boss, what kind of sorcery are you using over there?"
Grokk emerged shortly after, his heavy footsteps accompanied by a low groan. "If this tastes even half as good as it smells, I might have to rethink my loyalty to ale."
Ais quietly sat near the cooking area, watching with quiet curiosity.
I stirred the pot calmly while the meat sizzled. "It is nothing special. Just some simple grilled meat with herbs and vegetables."
Mira leaned in, eyes gleaming. "Can I taste it yet? Just a tiny piece. I'm starving."
"Not yet," I replied, gently pushing her hand away with the spoon. "Patience."
She dramatically flopped onto her back in the flowers. " I'm dying here."
Grokk laughed deeply. "Look at her. One whiff of real food and the battle junkie turns into a beggar."
"Shut up, blacksmith," Mira shot back without getting up. "At least I'm honest about my suffering."
Ais tilted her head slightly, a faint trace of amusement in her usually stoic expression. "You two argue like siblings."
Mira sat up instantly. "Hey! I am older than you, Miss Sword Princess."
"By how much?" Grokk teased. "Two whole weeks?"
I shook my head with a smile as I began plating the food. "Dinner is ready."
The moment I set the plates down, Mira practically pounced. She took one bite and let out an exaggerated moan of pleasure.
"Oh my gods..." she mumbled through a full mouth. "This is illegal. This should be banned in the Dungeon. How am I supposed to go back to eating jerky after this?"
Grokk took a large bite and nodded approvingly, though his words came out slightly muffled. "The seasoning is well balanced. The meat is tender. Leon, if you ever get tired of adventuring, you could open a restaurant. I would invest."
Ais ate quietly but steadily, her usual composure cracking just enough for a small, satisfied hum. "It is delicious."
I sat down with my own plate, watching the three of them enjoy the meal. "Eat as much as you want. There is plenty."
Mira pointed her fork at me accusingly, though her cheeks were still stuffed. "You're spoiling us, Boss. At this rate, I might never leave the familia. Not that I plan to."
Grokk raised his cup of water in a mock toast. "To our mysterious leader who brings luxury tents and actual cooked food into the Dungeon. May your inventory never run out."
I laughed softly. "Eat first. You can flatter me later."
The glowing flowers of the Under Garden swayed gently around us as the four of us shared a warm meal. For a brief moment, deep within the dangerous Dungeon, the atmosphere felt surprisingly peaceful.
Just then, a cheerful voice echoed through the quiet cavern.
"Doesn't that smell delicious?"
I turned around and saw a very familiar face.
Hermes.
Mira and Grokk immediately froze, their expressions shifting from relaxed to shocked in an instant. Even Ais straightened up, her golden eyes narrowing slightly.
"A god...?" Mira muttered, her fork still halfway to her mouth. "Hermes? What the hell is a god doing down here?"
Grokk set his plate down carefully, his blacksmith hands tensing. "Isn't it dangerous for you to be in the Dungeon? I thought the Dungeon doesn't like gods. One wrong step and the entire floor might try to swallow you whole."
Hermes flashed his usual easygoing smile, completely unbothered by their reactions. He strolled closer with that signature carefree gait, his orange hair catching the soft glow of the flowers.
"Well, well. Such a warm welcome," Hermes said lightly. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he glanced at the group. "And here I thought I might get a bite to eat. That aroma is truly unfair, you know."
Mira narrowed her eyes, still clearly on guard. "You didn't answer the question. Why is a god wandering around the middle floors like it's a casual stroll?"
Grokk nodded in agreement, his voice serious. "The Dungeon reacts badly to divine presence. Everyone knows that. You should not be here."
Hermes waved his hand casually, his usual playful smile never leaving his face. "You all worry too much. Of course I have means to hide my presence from the Dungeon. Do you really think I would stroll in here unprepared?"
Mira and Grokk stopped talking and simply stared at him, clearly unconvinced. Even Ais watched the god with quiet suspicion.
I set my plate down and spoke calmly. "Why are you here, Hermes?"
Hermes chuckled softly, tilting his head as he looked at me with evident interest.
"Isn't it obvious?" he said, his tone light but sharp. "You have piqued my interest, Leon Mishima. I simply wanted to confirm something."
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "And what would that be?"
Hermes' playful smile remained, but his eyes grew more serious.
"Whether you are capable of taking down the One-Eyed Black Dragon."
I fell silent.
The weight of his words hung in the air. Mira and Grokk exchanged uneasy glances, while Ais watched the god intently.
After a moment, I spoke again, my voice calm. "And how exactly would you determine that?"
Hermes' grin widened.
"Of course… by this."
Suddenly, he released his divine presence.
The entire floor trembled violently. The glowing flowers swayed wildly as a powerful pressure filled the cavern. The Dungeon itself seemed to react, letting out a low, angry rumble that echoed through the walls.
"Boss…" Grokk muttered, tightening his grip.
Mira clicked her tongue.
Ais stood there silent, but her expression is solemn while he place her hand on the handle of her sword.
I didn't move.
I just watched Hermes and he look back to me.
The pressure lingered for several long seconds before he finally pulled it back.
Then he let out a satisfied laugh, his expression bright with amusement.
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
Hermes turned around and began walking away, waving lazily over his shoulder.
Monsters were already beginning to emerge from the shadows at the edges of the cavern.
As his figure faded into the darkness, his voice echoed one last time.
"Oh thee… could you be the hero this world has been waiting for?"
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