Chapter 31: Ais Wallenstein

Babel Tower, the Square.

As night fell, the magic stone lamps around the square were lit one by one, casting a bright glow that illuminated the towering white chalk tower that reached into the clouds.

Ais walked out of the tower, her dazzling golden hair remained neat, but her body was covered with signs of dirt and disorder.

However, even so, the young girl still attracted countless gazes, becoming the focus of the entire square.

"Look, it's the Sword Maiden."

"Is she from Loki's Familia?"

"She's as beautiful as ever, not inferior to the goddesses at all."

"Judging by her appearance, she must have just returned from the Dungeon, right?"

"Truly diligent. Loki's Familia just returned from a long expedition not long ago, yet she still explores the Dungeon every day."

"Even though she's already a Level 5, she's still the top female swordsman in Orario."

"I wish I could become a Level 1 adventurer."

"Is it that easy?"

Amidst the various discussions, gazes filled with different emotions converged on Ais. Some were filled with admiration, some with adoration, some with envy, and some with jealousy.

As one of the most famous people in Orario, Ais, the pride of Loki's Familia, was destined to attract attention wherever she went, especially with her beauty that rivaled the goddesses.

Ais had long grown accustomed to this, or perhaps she no longer cared.

The young girl simply lowered her head slightly, walking through the crowd, her mind preoccupied with other thoughts.

Or rather, she was thinking about herself.

Her gaze briefly swept over her back, and Ais first thought about today's battle and the achievements she had made yesterday.

Ais Wallenstein

Level 5

Strength: D535 → D536

Endurance: D531 → D532

Dexterity: A813

Agility: A810

Magic: A888

Hunter: G

Abnormal Resistance: G

Swordsman: I

This was the latest achievement Ais had obtained after updating her abilities with Loki yesterday.

If this information were to leak out, many people in Orario would be amazed.

Both "Strength" and "Endurance" had reached the D stage.

"Dexterity," "Agility," and "Magic" had all reached the A stage.

Even the developmental abilities, which could only be obtained during level-ups, Ais had three, though their levels were not high. Compared to those who gained nothing during level-ups, this achievement was still commendable, at least enough to make people envious.

To put it bluntly, Ais's ability values were at the top tier among Level 5s.

In Orario, and even in the entire world, there were very few who had higher ability values than Ais at Level 5.

However, thinking about her ability values, a shadow of gloom spread over Ais's heart.

"Too slow."

This was what the young girl was thinking.

In recent days, Ais had been diligently exploring the Dungeon, delving into floors that were difficult for ordinary adventurers to reach.

The floors she reached were at least in the 20s, and the monsters she faced were at least classified as Level 3 by the guild.

Ais fought countless enemies in those floors, from dawn until night, returning home exhausted and disheveled.

Despite all her efforts, over several days, she only managed to increase her "Strength" and "Endurance" by 1 point each, while the rest of her abilities remained unchanged, leaving Ais in a bad mood since last night.

Seeing the young girl's state, the God of Babel Tower had a few words to say.

"Ais, you're already doing pretty well. You're already at Level 5, and you're still growing after exploring floors with monsters far below your level. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't be able to do that."

The God of Babel Tower, who usually kept his eyes half-closed, now opened them and looked at Ais seriously, saying,

"How many people at your level have achieved such results after years, even decades of hard work?"

"You've only been at Level 5 for three years, and in that time, you've managed to bring your ability values to the top tier of Level 5. This potential is the highest in our Familia. Even Finn and Gries didn't grow as fast as you when they were at Level 5."

"I hope you all become stronger and better, but everything has its limits. Even we (the gods) don't expect you (the children) to become heroes overnight."

"You're already running fast enough. Any faster, and you might fall."

"So, sometimes you need to know when to stop, understand?"

The God of Babel Tower's heartfelt advice still echoed in Ais's mind.

But Ais was still dissatisfied with her growth rate.

It had been more than three years since she reached Level 5, and Ais knew that she had already achieved a performance worthy of praise from the gods.

However, recently, her ability growth had been minimal, which made Ais feel a sense of urgency.

Fighting hard in the Dungeon for several days, only to see a total of 2 points in ability growth, how could Ais be happy?

Not long ago, she had joined the Familia's expedition to the ultra-deep layers below the 50th floor, fighting for about two weeks and slaying countless Level 4 and higher monsters. In the end, Ais only gained a total of a dozen points in ability growth.

This was too slow.

Too slow to satisfy Ais.

Too slow to lift the gloom from her heart.

Especially after seeing someone grow at an almost unfair speed, Ais's dissatisfaction turned into urgency and anxiety.

At this rate, when would she become strong enough?

"['The Fool's Obsession']?"

Ais thought of the unheard-of and unseen skill, her mind filled with杂念.

A skill that could accelerate growth and increase potential limits.

Why didn't she have such a skill?

"What kind of obsession could lead to the creation of such a skill?"

Abilities discovered through divine blessings, whether magic or skills, were related to an individual's essence or interests.

In other words, they were the crystallization of thoughts, the fruits of imagination.

It might sound like a miracle that could turn imagination into reality, but that wasn't the case.

In this world, there were countless people who wished to become strong quickly, but none of them had awakened such a skill that could accelerate growth and increase potential.

If it were that easy, why didn't she have it?

Was her desire and determination to become strong any less than others?

So, to possess a skill like ['The Fool's Obsession'], mere imagination was not enough.

The more exaggerated and powerful the skill, the more it tested a person's inner essence. Only when this inner essence was recognized and strong enough could it manifest as a tangible ability through divine blessings.

So—

"What kind of obsession led to the awakening of such a skill?"

Ais pondered this question, her mind filled with the image of a man who seemed calm and composed but whose eyes held a sharp and passionate gleam.

Ais Wallenstein yearned for strength.

Desperately.

Because she had a tragic wish, a deep-seated grudge.

For this, she had to become strong as soon as possible.

With this tragic wish and grudge in her heart, the young girl continued to seek the secrets of becoming stronger.

However, just as Ais was about to leave the square and enter the main street, she noticed some commotion.

"Quick, to the guild!"

"We must report this!"

"Something's wrong! Something's seriously wrong!"

"An abnormal situation has occurred on the 6th floor, and adventurers have already been injured!"

A group of adventurers, clearly just returned from the Dungeon, were causing a commotion on the road, their terrified expressions and bloodstained bodies making Ais stop in her tracks.

"Abnormal situation?"

Hearing this term that always made adventurers tense, Ais frowned slightly.

Especially the last part caught her attention.

"Someone saw a male human swordsman fighting an unknown monster, with a young elf mage by his side?"

Unfortunately, Ais knew of such a combination.

A combination that had only appeared today, surprising even Ais.

This was something she had overheard from Familia members in the morning.

"Could it be Rik and Reia?"

Ais felt a sense of unease.

Would another team of a human swordsman and an elf mage coincidentally appear in the upper floors?

Ais didn't think so.

"6th floor"

Muttering to herself, Ais turned and began to run.

Destination: Babel Tower.

Dungeon, 6th floor.

As soon as she entered, Ais's unease turned into reality.

For no other reason.

In this floor, usually explored only by new adventurers, Ais saw many bodies lying on the ground, their equipment indicating they were skilled adventurers who should have been exploring deeper floors.

Their deaths were gruesome, with some disemboweled and others reduced to mere limbs, their blood staining the ground and walls, making Ais feel deeply uncomfortable.

This told Ais that an abnormal situation had indeed occurred, and a powerful monster had appeared.

The image of the human man and her close Familia junior lying in a pool of blood flashed through her mind, and Ais shook her head to clear it, her speed unconsciously increasing.

"Is it here?"

Not long after, Ais detected a loud noise, the sound of a battle.

So, Ais hurried over.

Soon, she arrived at the battlefield.

And she saw a familiar figure.

"Reia!"

Ais called out involuntarily.

But the junior, who would usually run over with a grateful and happy expression upon hearing her call, just stood there, staring blankly ahead.

Ais followed her gaze and lost her voice as well.

"Roar!"

A massive creature, characteristic of a large species, appeared in the narrow passage, emitting a deafening roar.

In that roar, there was anger, ferocity, madness, hysteria, and even a hint of fear.

Ais saw a huge monster she had never seen before, roaring in pain.

In front of it, a blood-soaked figure was charging and dashing.

New book, seeking support! Seeking recommendations! Seeking collections! (*^▽^*)

(End of Chapter)