With an inexplicable "foster mother" suddenly added to his life, Roy returned to Stardust Garden in a rather complicated mood.
As expected, he was promptly interrogated by Ryuu. If Roy had shown the slightest disrespect toward Riveria, that royal elf, he would undoubtedly have faced a small but merciless punch.
When she learned that Roy had acquired two defensive spells, Ryuu's expression grew complicated.
"Since Lady Riveria taught them to you, make proper use of them from now on."
The flexible yet sturdy Rea Laevateinn, and the barrier-type spell with overwhelming defense, Dimension: Severance—these two magics filled in the final gap in Roy's abilities.
From this point on, Roy was a true all-rounder.
For wide-area attacks, he had Light of the Wind and the Spirit Holy Sword's blazing inferno, Scorched Heaven.
For healing, there was Noah Heal, and his burst-type skill, Blood for Blood.
No matter the position, he could hold the line.
Several days later.
The injuries Roy had sustained during the subjugation of the Floor Boss, Amphisbaena, had mostly healed.
At the time, his skin had been scorched, bones shattered, and internal organs damaged. For an ordinary person, such wounds would have meant quietly finding a place to lie down and await death.
But a Level 3 adventurer's body was already approaching the realm of the "superhuman." With potions and recovery magic, it took only a month for Roy to return to peak condition.
In the courtyard of Stardust Garden, two figures clashed at high speed, the sharp ring of steel echoing through the air.
It was Roy and Ryuu.
The celebration after the expedition had ended, and everyone had returned to daily life. The most important task now was mastering the power gained from leveling up—even Ryuu was no exception.
Roy, Ryuu, Daphne, and Cassandra took turns sparring, using combat to adapt to their improved abilities.
It was somewhat similar to the Freya Familia's "Battle Wilderness"—relentless combat to temper oneself.
If you didn't die, you fought as if you would.
During his bouts with Ryuu, Roy keenly felt the overwhelming strength of a Level 5. It was entirely different from Level 4—an entirely separate realm.
Without relying on external means, he would be instantly defeated within three moves once Ryuu became serious.
And Ryuu was no monster.
At the same level, an intelligent adventurer was unquestionably more dangerous than any beast.
Occasionally, Roy and Ryuu also sparred with Daphne and Cassandra.
Cassandra, in particular, was beaten to tears more than once.
Even so, the two girls gritted their teeth and persevered. The battle on the twenty-fifth floor had made them painfully aware of the immense gap between themselves and those monsters.
Moreover, Roy and Ryuu were improving at a frightening pace. If they did not push themselves, they would be left behind in an instant.
After leveling up, Cassandra gained the Development Ability Healing, strengthening her recovery magic.
By contrast, Daphne's status had grown far more impressive. She obtained the Development Ability Abnormal Resistance—the memory of those mermaids manipulating adventurers with their song had left a deep impression on her.
She also awakened a new skill and magic.
Her magic, Lamure, was a defensive spell.
It enhanced her Endurance and Agility, with its effect proportional to the caster's Magic. Its chant was:
"Relentless sun of the empty sky. All exists to escape thy presence. Bloom forth, armor of the laurel!"
Even from the incantation alone, it was clear how deeply Apollo Familia's relentless pursuit had scarred the young girl.
Her new skill, Laurel Reincarnation, consumed stamina and, when near death, greatly increased her Endurance. It could be activated on any part of the body, causing the skin to mutate.
Both her magic and skill centered on enhancing endurance—she was charging headlong down the path of becoming a shield.
As dusk approached, Goddess Astraea returned from the Denatus, a gentle smile gracing her face.
Daphne and Cassandra looked at her with anticipation—they were eager to know the titles the gods had bestowed upon them.
Astraea smiled.
"Daphne's title is 'Laurel Fugitive,' and Cassandra's is 'Dream Healer.' They sound rather nice."
"Ahhhh—!"
The two girls let out a wail of despair.
Those titles were far too embarrassing. From now on, the moment they stepped outside, countless adventurers would surely shout them aloud.
Which god had come up with these names?
Ryuu and Roy's titles remained unchanged. Neither cared much about such things anyway—and titles were like names; once heard often enough, they began to sound natural.
Roy no longer felt the same embarrassment he once had.
The new titles Astraea brought back helped dispel the tense atmosphere of training.
Ryuu went to dispose of the household trash, while Astraea, Daphne, and Cassandra prepared dinner.
Enjoying a rare moment of leisure, Roy still had one matter left to attend to—the treasure chest dropped by Amphisbaena.
Opening treasure chests always yielded something valuable.
It was one of the things Roy looked forward to most. In this life, he considered himself half a European in terms of luck—his draws had never disappointed.
Roy selected "Open Treasure Chest."
A special effect visible only to him appeared. A silver chest slowly opened, and several panels materialized before his eyes.
[Silver Treasure Chest opened. Congratulations: LV.7 Experience Card, Orchid Perfume, Phantom Mask!]
Name: LV.7 Experience Card
Quality: Unknown
Description: Upon use, raises the user's level and ability values to LV.7 for thirty minutes.
Name: Orchid Perfume
Rank: Advanced
Effect: Emits a charming fragrance that restores mental energy and refreshes the spirit.
Name: Phantom Mask
Rank: Epic
Effect: When worn, distorts the wearer's existence, preventing others from determining body shape, appearance, and even activated skills and magic.
Durability: 99%
Roy froze, his gaze flickering.
These three items were excellent—especially the LV.7 Experience Card. At this stage, it was equivalent to an enhanced version of that "lewd fox's" magic.
As for the Phantom Mask—
in a sense, it was even more formidable than the Hades Headgear crafted by Asfi, the "Universal." The wearer could alter their form in battle.
No—its significance was different.
More than ten minutes passed as countless fragmented thoughts raced through Roy's mind.
At last, the chaos in his thoughts converged into a single, straight line.
A surge of exhilaration filled him.
He knew what he could do with these three items.
After being schemed against by that madwoman Freya in the Dungeon and nearly dying, it was impossible not to harbor resentment. His fury had long reached its limit—he had merely suppressed it with the maturity of an adult mind.
Freya Familia was overwhelmingly powerful.
One Level 7—Ottar, known as the King.
Three Level 6 executives.
And too many Level 5 and Level 4 adventurers to count.
Bluntly speaking, a single executive squad from Freya Familia could easily annihilate them.
A small arm could not twist a large thigh.
To be honest, Roy had already prepared to swallow his anger and wait for an opportunity to repay it in the future.
But after seeing what the Silver Treasure Chest had yielded—
His thoughts began to stir.
Perhaps… he could make a move against her after all.
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