Seeing that Ryuu's killing intent had diminished, Roy secretly sighed in relief. The deal was set!
"As an extra bonus…"
Roy said,
"I can tell you information about the 'Juggernaut.' This is information even the Gods don't know, so you can at least find out how your companions died."
Ryuu stared intensely at Roy, wishing she could tear open his mouth. Why did he love building suspense so much?
Roy explained,
"The Juggernaut, also known as the 'Calamity,' is produced when massive destruction is caused on a particular floor, leading to severe damage to the Dungeon's structure. The Dungeon gives up on repairing it and instead generates this extraordinarily powerful monster to eliminate the intruders."
"Fire Stones!"
Ryuu's ice-cold face faltered. They were pursuing the Dark Familia, who used a large number of Fire Stones. Although they weren't killed by the explosion itself, it did destroy the floor structure.
Based on the Dark Familia's reaction, they didn't seem to know this would happen either.
Unexpected situations arising from the unknown Dungeon were completely normal.
To think they were wiped out for such a reason.
"Damn it!"
Ryuu gritted her silver teeth. As the faces of her companions flashed through her mind, she could no longer maintain her vengeful facade. Her eyes became misty, and she collapsed onto the bed.
Roy mentally grumbled, Don't cry on my bed! Now I have to wash it again.
Her suppressed, low sobs were like a stream struggling under a massive rock. Roy dropped his flippant attitude. Ryuu Lion right now was just a sixteen-year-old girl who had just lost all her companions.
A moment later, when Ryuu looked up, she forcefully wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. The resilience shown on her young face was enough to put an adult to shame.
Ryuu looked at Roy.
"And you are?"
Roy extended his hand, flashing a bright smile.
"Roy. Please take care of me from now on, Gale Ryuu!"
Ryuu did not take Roy's extended hand but simply nodded slightly.
"I agree!"
Roy didn't mind. He had secured a Level 4 fighter!
The contract was formed!
The Elf girl would work for Roy for three years, and he would help the Elf girl obtain the Resurrection Secret Art!
Elves, who valued contracts and promises above all, were the least likely to betray anyone among all the races, let alone Ryuu Lion, who was renowned for her integrity even among Elves.
Roy felt a slight pang of guilt for manipulating an underage Elf girl in this manner.
All he could do was try his best to increase his own strength.
For, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
If, three years later, he failed to help her obtain the Resurrection Secret Art, Ryuu would inevitably kill him without hesitation, and her methods would definitely be more terrifying than her revenge against the Dark Familia.
Roy asked,
"What is your condition?"
Ryuu replied,
"Don't underestimate a High-Level Adventurer!"
Roy wasn't surprised. The physical conditioning and habits of High-Level Adventurers were monstrous. For those who spent years in the Dungeon, falling asleep instantly and replenishing physical and mental energy in minutes were routine operations.
The fatigue on Ryuu's face vanished without a trace.
More importantly, knowing that her companions had a chance of resurrection brought a spark of vitality and hope to Ryuu's face, a far better look than her previous lifeless state.
Roy manually operated his panel. He could add teammates when entering an instance world, allowing a powerful ally to carry him.
There was only one empty slot in the teammate interface.
A nearby prompt indicated that he could add one extra teammate for every level he gained.
$$\text{[Ryuu Lion added as a Teammate!]}$$
$$\text{[Demon Slayer Instance: Hunt Upper Rank Two Doma, Reward: 600 stat points, Bronze Treasure Chest!]}$$
...
Roy quickly selected the instance quest. The Demon Slayer world was suitable in terms of intensity, scale, and duration for testing the capabilities of Ryuu, his Level 4 hired fighter.
Ryuu couldn't see the System Panel. Seeing Roy clicking and pointing at the air, she frowned. Had she put her trust in the wrong person? Was this man just a simple lunatic?
Roy smiled.
"Let's go!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Ryuu was shocked to find her body turning into specks of starlight, becoming increasingly ethereal. This was something she had never encountered before.
When Ryuu opened her eyes again,
The tent they were in had vanished. What greeted her was a silent forest. Night covered the sky, scattered with brilliant, picturesque stars.
"Is this a secret realm similar to the Dungeon?"
Ryuu looked around, silently astonished.
"You can think of it that way,"
Roy conceded, going along with her assumption. The Danmachi world was vast. The Dungeon was one of the three great mysteries, but there were also many smaller secret realms. The forest where Elves lived was considered a secret realm by others.
Ryuu felt relieved. To be transported from Orario to a secret realm in an instant—this capability was comparable to a God utilizing their Divine Power. Not immediately attacking Roy had been the right decision.
Otherwise, if he escaped into this secret realm, her search would be fruitless, and she would likely regret it for the rest of her life.
Involuntarily, this young man became shrouded in mystery in Ryuu's mind, as if he were covered in a thick layer of fog.
This very mystery significantly increased the credibility of the "Resurrection Secret Art" he spoke of.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The sound of clashing metal echoed from deep within the forest.
Roy and Ryuu exchanged a look, suppressing their presence and silently creeping forward.
The distance wasn't far. After covering about two hundred meters, they saw two figures fighting in a clearing, their figures moving quickly.
The girl wearing a butterfly haori (kimono jacket) was covered in wounds. In contrast, the eccentrically dressed young man held two iron fans, a maniacal grin plastered on his face.
Kanae Kocho had encountered Upper Rank Two, Doma!
"Is that the target this time?"
Ryuu stared coldly at Doma. Roy had brought her here, so he certainly wanted her to hunt this monster.
"Not so fast!" Seeing Ryuu about to rush forward, Roy quickly stopped her.
Roy knew that Kanae Kocho would manage to hold out until just before sunrise without being eaten by Doma, and she would later pass on information about Doma to Shinobu Kocho.
There was still some time before the sun rose.
Roy kept his voice low.
"Let me tell you the target's information first. That is a Demon (Oni). They are different from ordinary monsters; Demons have self-awareness."
"A Demon? A monster with self-awareness?"
Ryuu glanced at Roy and saw that he wasn't joking. Then, looking at the fight in the clearing, the young man was speaking volubly, able to converse with the girl, which genuinely surprised her.
Roy wasn't surprised by this. Before the appearance of the Xenos (Monster People), a monster possessing self-awareness was practically a fantasy to the people of this world.
Roy continued,
"That Demon has ice-like magic. Ice crystals condensed from blood permeate the air. When you get close, be careful to block your breath, or your internal organs and blood will freeze.
"They also have extraordinary regenerative capabilities; they can recover even if their head is blown up or their body is sliced apart."
Listening to Roy's description, Ryuu frowned. Even a Floor Boss might not possess such unique abilities.