"Please."
Isagi stepped forward with a solemn voice. Not far away, the BOSS also nodded slightly, performing a knightly salute towards him. Only then did it draw one of the two longswords at its waist, slashing out that incomparably familiar, brilliant golden sword aura towards him.
Clang!
A golden flash oscillated through the darkness. Holding the [Blade of Myriad Skeletons], Isagi was fully focused, deflecting every single one of the opponent's attacks.
This was his cultivation!
What could be known was that the [Pale King] was definitely stronger than the [Golden Miracle] before him.
Therefore, challenging the Level Boss before defeating the opponent clearly didn't fit the "progression route." Of course, the main reason was that if he defeated the Level Boss and then came back to fight the Side Quest Boss before him, he would lose the "fun of the battle."
Furthermore.
Isagi was searching for and adapting to his own fighting style.
After having much contact with Ryuu-senpai, Miss Ais, including Anya and Tiona, and even Lefiya who had slowly begun to grow, Isagi realized one thing.
That is, regarding "how to defeat an enemy," everyone has their own innate method or inclination.
Anya excelled at straight-line attacks wielding a spear; the speed and destructive power displayed during her charges were simply terrifyingly strong.
Ryuu-senpai excelled at mid-range tug-of-war battles, using magic to constantly harass the opponent, looking for opportunities to seize openings with extreme speed and tearing them apart as a breakthrough point.
Tiona possessed extremely strong aggression, even trading injuries for injuries, attacking proactively without regard for her own safety, instilling fear in both monsters and opponents.
And Ais was the most special.
Isagi actually felt that a certain sense of disconnect existed between the Sword Princess's "Sword Skills" and herself.
The girl excelled at continuous, unceasing attacks to constantly suppress the opponent. Like the wind that flows endlessly. But she exerted too much force, causing her to lose the gentle sensation of being "wind." Ais's combat was not harmonious; this was Isagi's most intuitive feeling.
Having said so much.
What about himself?
What was his combat style?
Isagi, who had accidentally thought of this question a few days ago, conducted quite a deep reflection. Possessing "Character Cards," logically speaking, he could switch between various combat styles at any time.
There was no problem with this.
There was nothing bad about being well-rounded. In martial arts novels, there were peerless swordsmen who defeated all heroes in the world with a single sword, and there were also world-number-ones who knew all martial arts under heaven, countering every move as it came.
The key point was that with a hundred martial arts, there were always different applicable situations. How to judge and find the best way to confront the enemy was the path he should take.
Isagi had been clear about this from start to finish.
Therefore, he had come alone to the Dungeon these past days to practice. Facing the [Golden Miracle] before him, the best capture method Isagi found was "Deflection."
Clang!
The golden flashes lit up repeatedly in the darkness again. Like a rhythmic musical instrument, the sound of blades clashing resounding through the Dungeon was so soul-shaking.
Isagi was incomparably calm right now.
It was as if he had returned to the moment when he first explored the Dungeon alone. Paying no attention to anything else, everything around him seemed to have disappeared; there was only the monster before his eyes, and the weapon swinging down in its hand.
Every strike, every strike, every strike—
He must completely, at the absolutely correct timing, swing the pitch-black long blade in his hand to collide with it, bouncing it back at an extremely ingenious angle.
This continued for a long time.
The Golden Cock Knight's attacks were magnificent yet simple. At least, in the current one-on-one situation, Isagi hadn't found it to have any strange attack methods for the time being.
It was just constantly swinging its sword.
Either fast or slow, swinging that longsword brilliant with golden light with both hands in a unique rhythm. There were also some differences within that.
After several days of practice, Isagi discovered that, similar to the "[Glimmer Knight]" he had defeated before, every time the [Golden Miracle] swung the longsword in its hand, the brilliant light that streaked across would be an instant slower or faster than what the naked eye perceived.
This was the reason why he initially felt its continuous slashing was "weird."
Just watching from the side, it was very difficult to feel the profundity and disgusting nature within. Although the BOSS's movements were methodical, completely lacking the feeling of a mad dog, when one really began to face it, one would discover it.
The slashes differed from the movements observed by the naked eye—sometimes a bit faster, sometimes a bit slower—easily causing one to misjudge. Especially under the circumstance where you were still thinking about attacking.
That tiny time difference would cause you to be swept into the opponent's rhythm. One wrong step, and every step is wrong, thereby slowly causing both thoughts and movements to begin to distort and deform, ultimately leading to a mistake and being slain by it.
This was the result Isagi had finally analyzed using several lives.
So.
Since that was the case, then only defend, do not attack.
Deflect, deflect, deflect!
Isagi found the most suitable method to capture the BOSS before his eyes. At least, it was the capture method for its current Phase One. Fully focused, he simply constantly deflected the blade edges it swung over!
Although this was not an easy matter either.
When vision began to become unreliable, what one could rely on was "feeling." Not looking, but using the body to feel the opponent's slash. That was a rather profound state; Isagi could vaguely sense its existence from the very beginning when he entered the Dungeon.
Now at the level of Lv.3, although he still couldn't completely master it, he was much, much more proficient than before.
Of course, the most important thing was: The BOSS before him could kill him countless times, but he only needed to succeed once.
"!!!"
Following the interlacing of an unknown number of sounds of gold and iron, the longsword in the [Golden Knight]'s hand was suddenly deflected. But this time, it couldn't retract the sword to slash again as before; instead, it stumbled, suddenly retreating. Knocked down by the vibration accumulated for a long time, it knelt on one knee, revealing an opening.
It was this moment.
Defend, then counterattack!
Accompanied by the blade edge that had already condensed an unknown amount of power and become incomparably brilliant, he finally swung it proactively towards the opponent.
A wisp of an ethereal deep crimson thread emerged in Isagi's eyes. Very small, very small, but it definitely existed.
The long blade in his hand also slashed down towards it following the momentum.
In an instant.
It was as if time had slowed down. Isagi even had the illusion of losing all perception, even unable to feel the weight of the weapon in his hand. Even the BOSS became nonexistent. Among all things in his eyes, in the heavens and the earth, there was only this one blade he swung out.
Relaxed, simple.
There was absolutely none of that somewhat difficult heavy feeling from before, where he had to tense his nerves, inch by inch, moving forward along the "Death Line," concentrating fully and allowing no margin for error.
Isagi didn't even realize how it ended.
It was just a split second.
A massive amount of crimson blood flowers exploded from the Golden Cock Knight's chest, even splashing directly onto his face.
"..."
What the fck?*
What is this situation now?
Isagi seemed to still be savoring that slash just now, and then, he discovered that the golden blade edge had already pierced through his own chest.
Sht!*
You can't zone out when fighting a BOSS!!
And from afar.
Watching this scene unfold, the Elf girl's heart, which was still very unaccustomed to this, suddenly clenched tight. Almost subconsciously, she was about to run forward.
Then, she quickly saw the boy's body turn into mist and dissipate. Following a wisp of golden silk drifting out of the arena, he eventually stood up in front of the Sculptor's Idol holding high a blue flame at the entrance.
"Eh, Ryuu-senpai, why did you come?"
The boy was blinking his eyes and greeting her there just like nothing had happened.
Thinking of this, Ryuu felt even more heartache. This guy, could it be that he ran to the Dungeon every night just to die a few times, until his chances for resurrection were used up, and only then went back to the Familia?
What the hell!
Is this some ordinary and daily thing?!
Isagi completely didn't see the gaze of heartache from the Elf girl that couldn't be concealed at all. The boy was still immersed in that slash just now.
So relaxed.
Was it achieved by relying on instinct? Or did one have to relax their spirit and thoughts enough? Regardless, doing it one more time would suffice. As long as the number of attempts went up, he would naturally be able to slowly master it. Sure enough, one simply had to constantly engage in actual combat to obtain improvement!
Furthermore.
Just now, he had hit the BOSS with one slash. Having the first slash, naturally there would be a second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth... And there would be a time when he finally captured the opponent!
Although, because of his death, and since there was no one else in the arena, the wound that had just appeared on the [Golden Knight]'s chest had already been repaired by the Dungeon. Even the fresh blood on the ground had been completely recycled.
He didn't know what kind of mechanism this was either.
But thinking about it carefully, the Dungeon was quite fair, right? Because this meant it could actually repair the injuries the monster suffered at any time, right? It was a bit like a young lady welcoming a challenge fair and square.
Isagi didn't pay too much attention to the Familia senior beside him. He simply explained that he was training and would go back later, and told her not to come in. Subsequently, he walked into the arena again.
And watching the boy's back.
Ryuu had mixed feelings in her heart. Especially watching him continue as before, simply swinging the long blade, fighting with that powerful monster.
If he wasn't careful, he would be killed, then resurrect in front of the gate again, and walk inside once more without becoming discouraged. Just what kind of spirit was this...
Ryuu didn't know how long passed. Finally, she saw the boy, whose clothes were tattered, beckoning her to leave.
On the way back.
Isagi seemed to still be savoring and thinking about something, and he also asked the Elf girl beside him.
"Has Ryuu-senpai ever had that kind of feeling?"
"No."
Regarding the "very naturally swinging a strike that was originally incomparably difficult and required high mental concentration" that the boy mentioned, Ryuu was completely ignorant of it.
It wasn't that the girl hadn't fought against powerful enemies. During the [Great Feud] three years ago, the [Excelia] that allowed all members of the entire Astrea Familia to level up was that they had together defeated the remnant of the Hera Familia, the Lv.7 adventurer known as [Silence].
Logically speaking, this should have been almost impossible. When Ryuu recalled it now, the opponent's overwhelming power still made one feel dread and terror.
But according to the Goddess's later explanation, whether it was [Silence] Alfia or [Gluttony] Zard, the two Lv.7 remnants of the Familias of the strongest God and Goddess in the city, had come to Orario using themselves as [Excelia], unscrupulously, in order to stimulate the younger generation of adventurers in the city.
They used themselves as kindling to light the path forward for the young adventurers. So, that was not a death match. It wasn't even their strongest form at their peak.
If one really had to say it, the most terrifying battle Ryuu had experienced was actually that nightmare she didn't want to recall on the 30th Floor back then.
But at that time.
The Elf girl was merely a fellow who was protected by her companions. She simply didn't have time to engage in any so-called battle with it and could only flee in a sorry state.
To tell the truth, being with Isagi now, looking at the Dungeon that had become strange because of the boy... Ryuu was actually very unaccustomed to it.
She had no real sense of reality regarding the matter of "becoming an adventurer again." It was only the sense of responsibility as a Familia senior telling herself that she must go adventuring together, and take care of and protect the juniors. That was all.
With such a half-hearted resolve, she would die. Ryuu knew this deeply.
[I must start working hard.]
No.
[I must become a true adventurer again.]
This was Ryuu's requirement for herself.
On the way back, the Elf girl walked a bit behind the boy. The city's night was quiet. Along the direction of North Main Street, most buildings had long since extinguished their lights; only the glow of the Magic Stone lamps on both sides of the long street was still shining.
From afar, the towering city walls under the night looked like giants standing there. Ryuu and Isagi spoke intermittently. They were still chatting about adventuring.
The boy was still recalling the battle just now, and following his words, Ryuu was also imagining: If it were me fighting him, what would happen?
Images began to emerge in her mind.
This was also a very wondrous feeling. Especially looking at Isagi's profile under the Magic Stone lamp at this moment, showing no drowsiness and arguably being overly energetic. Ryuu couldn't help but be stunned.
She felt that the boy at this moment overlapped with the past again. But this time it wasn't Kaguya, but the close friend who always, no matter when, no matter what challenge or difficulty she faced, would never be depressed, but would welcome its arrival with a happy smile—Alise.
[Ryuu sometimes, you know, just likes to think too much!]
Clearly an idiot, yet she always lectured her like this.
Ryuu remained silent. She didn't know since when she had returned to the Familia base with Isagi. By this time, it should have been late at night. Yet in the yard, Tiona and Lefiya were actually still doing training there—with the Goddess.
At some point, Astrea had also come to the yard. The Goddess of Justice held a longsword; while guiding Lefiya's [Concurrent Chanting], she was also practicing with Tiona.
On the other side.
The workshop in the corner of the yard was still brightly lit. One could see the blue-haired girl's busy figure within. If nothing unexpected happened, the clinking and clanking sound of iron forging that constantly came from there would ring out all night.
The juniors were truly full of vitality. No, they were working hard earnestly and diligently. It wasn't just the boy alone, but everyone was like this.
Ryuu was somewhat in a trance about this, and subsequently, she quickly joined the practice with the Goddess.
Not tomorrow, nor waiting for some other time.
But now, immediately, right away.
Although the Elf girl was clumsy, the stubbornness and purity brought by it were sometimes quite good "virtues."
As for Isagi, the moment the boy returned home, he prepared to go to the kitchen to make a late-night snack. After training hard for a whole day, naturally, he had to eat and drink his fill, then go back to his room to sleep soundly!
There was no life more wonderful than this!!
This was the current daily life of the Astrea Familia, and also an incomparably ordinary day.
And in such leisurely summer days...
Port Capital, Melen.
Loki, who had risen early, received another message sent from the city. The Freya Familia had truly decided to launch an expedition to go to the Deep Floors to subjugate the special monster encountered before.
The tentative target was the 59th Floor.
This originally shouldn't be a difficult matter for the strongest Familia in the city, possessing one Lv.7, three Lv.6s, as well as the Prum brothers who were all Lv.5 and were said to be comparable to a Lv.6 when the four combined forces.
Unlike her own Familia, where apart from Finn, Riveria, and the others, the young ones of the second-string unit hadn't grown up yet, the Freya Familia's combat power was sufficient.
The reason the floors explored previously weren't deep was entirely because they were all fighting alone. But this time, it was decided by the Goddess personally, announcing the organization of a large-scale expedition. Now, the entire Familia had already begun preparations and was about to set off.
Therefore, the entire Familia mobilized. The fierce warriors turning completely around the Goddess's will were currently conducting preparations methodically in the city, purchasing logistical supplies, and arranging teams, launching the expedition towards the Deep Floors with the fastest speed.
This was also the Guild's idea.
Since they clearly knew the special monsters of the Deep Floors were related to the Dark Familias, then taking the initiative to attack and investigate was also a choice.
Loki quickly put away the letter paper.
That fellow Freya was working so hard, huh? Then she couldn't fall behind either. So—
She must hurry up and nurture the younger generation of the Familia.
Loki blinked her eyes.
No.
This wasn't just her own thought. It was that after seeing Tiona's growth, the others finally couldn't sit still either.
Become stronger, and then, protect the things one wants to protect, and fulfill the dreams one wants to fulfill.
This is an [Adventurer].
Danger, difficulty, and even losing one's life are not enough to scare them off.
No, it should be said that precisely because they know this, they want to become stronger even more selflessly. Because facing danger, someone always has to step forward, and someone always has to defeat that invincible, powerful enemy.
Just dread and fear are useless.
Loki walked to the window, looking at the werewolf youth and the others who were already preparing to return to the city.
The "Starting Squad" heading to adventure in the Dungeon, which had mutated due to the influence of the boy Isagi, was already ready and would set off immediately now!
____
New Story: Starting from Their Seventeen Years Old
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