Chapter 9: Anomaly (Genio)
Tsuna finally descended the massive staircase and stepped foot into the Dungeon.
"So this is... the Dungeon..."
He gazed around in awe. A sprawling, seemingly endless cave system stretched out before him, the distant, echoing roars of unseen monsters bouncing off the damp stone walls.
The Dungeon was broadly categorized into four main sections: Upper Floors, Middle Floors, Lower Floors, and Deep Floors. Floors 1 through 12 were the Upper Floors. Floors 13 through 24 were the Middle Floors. Floors 25 through 36 were the Lower Floors, and everything below that was the Deep Floors. Currently, they were on the 1st Floor—the shallowest and safest level of the entire labyrinth. As one descended deeper, the monsters grew exponentially stronger, and the environment became increasingly hostile. This meant that the 1st Floor was objectively the easiest and most forgiving area.
"Listen well, Tsunayoshi-sama. If you feel even the slightest bit overwhelmed, do not let your pride get in the way. Call for help immediately."
"Got it."
Despite her earlier complaints, Lili made sure to properly warn Tsuna to ensure his safety. With that said, she pulled down the hood of her cloak. Her head was finally visible, revealing dark hair and a pair of distinctly feline ears perched atop her head.
I thought she was human, but she's a different race entirely...
Tsuna realized she wasn't a human at all, but some kind of beast-person.
But something feels... weird...
As he looked at her, an inexplicable, nagging sense of wrongness tickled the back of his mind. However, knowing he needed to focus on the Dungeon, Tsuna pushed the thought aside, reached into his pocket, and slipped the '27' mittens onto his hands.
"Incoming!! Goblins!!"
At Bell's shout, three small, grotesque humanoid monsters with green skin charged out from the shadows. These were Goblins, the weakest monsters in the Dungeon.
"Remember what I said, Tsunayoshi-sama! Do not push yourse—eh!?"
"Eh...!?"
Lili was about to reiterate her warning, but her words died in her throat, her face freezing in absolute shock. Bell mirrored her expression perfectly. The three Goblins that had been charging at them mere seconds ago had vanished entirely. Instead, standing a few paces ahead of them, was Tsuna's back.
"They're down."
"Ehhhhhhhhhh!?" x2
Tsuna slowly turned around. His woolen mittens had transformed into sleek gauntlets, a brilliant orange flame burned fiercely on his forehead, and his eyes glowed with the same intense light. The sudden, impossible transformation left Bell and Lili utterly speechless.
"Tsuna!! You're on fire!! Your head is literally on fire!!"
"It's fine. Don't worry about it."
"Of course I'm going to worry about it!! And how are you so calm when your head is on fire!?"
"Because these flames don't burn me."
While Bell and Lili practically hyperventilated over his Hyper Dying Will Mode, Tsuna replied with chilling calmness.
"Hm...?"
He glanced down at the spot where the Goblins had fallen. Three small, purple crystals rested on the stone floor. He crouched down and picked one up.
"What are these...?"
"T-Those are Magic Stones..."
"Magic Stones?"
Seeing him inspect the crystal with genuine curiosity, Lili cautiously spoke up, explaining their significance.
Magic Stones were crystallized cores of magical energy found inside every monster. They acted as a monster's heart and power source. Once extracted, they were strictly regulated and exchanged for currency at the Guild. Naturally, stronger or rarer monsters yielded far more valuable Magic Stones.
Furthermore, these stones were heavily refined and utilized to power modern conveniences, such as igniters and magical cooling units. They were the lifeblood of Orario's daily life and industry.
"I see. So when you said adventurers could earn massive wealth if they were successful, this is what you meant."
"Exploration Familias are the most common type here in Orario. It's an incredibly dangerous job with a high risk of death. But if you succeed, you can earn massive amounts of wealth and fame. Those who brave the labyrinth are called Adventurers."
Recalling Hestia's words, Tsuna fully understood the value of the crystals and scooped up the remaining two.
"U-Umm... Tsuna..."
"Yeah?"
"H-How exactly did you beat those Goblins...?"
"It wasn't anything special."
Having completely missed the fight, Bell desperately asked for an explanation. Tsuna simply ignited the flames on his gauntlets.
"I used the flames as propulsion to instantly close the distance, and then just punched them head-on. Like this."
"...!?"
The moment he finished his sentence, he blasted a burst of flame backward. His body vanished in a blur of motion. Bell and Lili gasped in shock as he completely disappeared from their line of sight.
"Do you understand now?"
"...!?" x2
Using high-speed propulsion, Tsuna had instantly maneuvered directly behind them. Hearing his voice coming from their blind spot caused both of them to violently flinch.
"Please don't scare us like that!! It's bad for the heart!!"
"S-Sorry about that... Anyway... I just give these Magic Stones to Lili, right?"
"Y-Yes..."
Apologizing for startling them, Tsuna dropped the Goblin cores into Lili's outstretched hands.
"So the basic flow is: we move forward, kill monsters, and collect these stones. Is that right?"
"Y-Yeah... Oh, but sometimes monsters drop parts of their own bodies—those are called Drop Items. If you see any, collect those just like the Magic Stones."
"Understood."
"H-Hold on just a minute!!" Lili suddenly yelled.
"What is it?"
"Don't 'what is it' me!! Just who exactly are you!? Is this really your first time in the Dungeon!?"
Seeing him effortlessly obliterate monsters mere hours after receiving Falna, Lili couldn't hold back her incredulous demands.
"I had plenty of combat experience before I ever came to Orario. Enemies at this level aren't an issue."
"That doesn't explain anything! How are you already perfectly mastering magic!?"
Assuming his Dying Will Flames were a form of magic granted by his Falna, Lili aggressively pressed him for answers.
"That's a secret."
"Wha—!?"
Invoking his right to remain silent regarding his flames, Tsuna completely shut her down. Lili flushed with indignation at being stonewalled.
"What is that supposed to mean!? Are you mocking me!?"
"Not at all. I just want to keep the nature of my power a secret. Just like you're keeping yours a secret."
"W-What are you...?"
Lili flinched, her eyes darting nervously.
"The moment I saw your head, I felt it. It was like I was looking at something that wasn't your true form."
"...!?"
H-How!? I never told him anything about my magic!?
A violent wave of panic washed over Lili. Bell, who also knew her secret, looked equally terrified.
"It's probably some kind of illusion or transformation ability. I have no idea why you're hiding your real appearance, but I'm assuming you have your reasons?"
"T-That's..."
"I have no intention of prying. I don't get a bad vibe from you, anyway. So I won't ask about your secrets, and you don't ask about mine. Sound fair?"
"Y-Yes..."
Bonded by mutual secrecy, the two agreed to a silent truce regarding their respective mysteries. With the matter settled, the trio continued deeper into the labyrinth.
"B-Bell-sama!! Did you tell him about my magic!?"
"I didn't say a word... I'm just as shocked as you are..."
As they walked, Lili and Bell furiously whispered to each other in the back. Concluding that Tsuna had somehow seen through her flawless disguise purely on instinct, they were left deeply unnerved.
Tsuna's ability to pierce through Lili's facade was thanks to his Hyper Intuition—a bloodline trait passed down through the bosses of the Vongola. It was the absolute power of the 'Blood of Vongola' that allowed the user to instantly see through any deception or illusion. The nagging sense of wrongness he had felt earlier was his Hyper Intuition screaming at him. Unaware of this legendary ability, Bell and Lili were left anxiously wondering if he knew everything about them.
However—
"Gyaaa!?"
"Gohya!?"
"Gagya!?"
"..." x2
They were currently on the 9th Floor. The walls were caked in thick moss, and the terrain had opened up into a sprawling underground pasture covered in short grass.
Ever since they entered the Dungeon, Tsuna had been instantaneously slaughtering every single monster that spawned before it could even initiate an attack. Bell and Lili had been reduced to glorified scavengers, doing nothing but picking up Magic Stones and Drop Items in his wake. They stared at Tsuna's overwhelming display of force in utter stupefaction.
What do I do...? Goddess Hestia told me to teach him the ropes, but I feel like I'm the one who needs to be begging him for lessons...
What a terrifyingly arrogant fool I was... To think I actually called this monster a hindrance...
Bell's desire to act as a mentor had completely evaporated, replaced by a deep desire to become his student. Meanwhile, Lili trembled in sheer terror at her earlier disrespect. Any lingering suspicion she had toward Tsuna was entirely overwritten by primal fear.
My body feels incredibly light, and power just keeps surging through me... So this is the power of Falna...
Tsuna stared at his right hand, slowly clenching and unclenching his fist, marveling at the unnatural strength coursing through his veins.
I could keep going for hours...
He knew he had plenty of stamina left, but he figured it was best not to push his luck on his first day. It was time to head back to the surface.
"Bell. Lili."
"Y-Yes!! Excellent work today, Tsunayoshi-san!!"
"Are you injured anywhere, sir!? If you are thirsty, I have water prepared immediately!!"
"W-What's with the sudden change...?"
Completely broken by his sheer dominance, Bell and Lili had instinctively adopted a tone of absolute reverence and servitude. Baffled by their sudden subservience, Tsuna blinked in confusion.
"I was thinking it's about time we head back to the surface..."
"U-Understood!! We shall return at once!!"
"Please allow me to carry your bags, sir!!"
"No... seriously, why are you talking to me like that...? And I'm not even carrying any bags... You're the one carrying everything, Lili..."
For the entire trek back up to the surface, Bell and Lili treated Tsuna like a mob boss, acting like terrified underlings eagerly catering to his every whim.