Chapter 13

Somehow, we made it just in time.

This time, thanks to the detailed map of the third floor of the Stone Stage Dungeon and the information about where Milk was hiding, which I received due to the Dungeon's side's mistake. Since I was inside the PD during the briefing, there was almost no time lost.

However, these are Bite Wolves.

I caught them off guard and knocked one away with my sword (I didn't slash it; this sword is too dull), but it won't be that easy the second time around.

But I can't use the Hellfire here.

The Bite Wolves are too close to us.

I remembered the Lizardman who died from the heat even though the flames didn't directly hit him.

If I use that magic here, we'll be caught in the blast too.

That's the biggest weakness of that supposedly strongest magic. Once it comes to close combat, I can't use it anymore.

"Milk, are you okay?"

I asked, pointing my sword at the Bite Wolves.

Wait, what?

No response from Milk.

When I saw her for a moment earlier, her face was slightly flushed, but she didn't seem to be injured.

Could she have been poisoned by a monster?

I've heard that Acid Slimes' acid is also toxic.

"Milk, if you're okay, respond!"

"Is it really you, Taira? The real you?"

"It's me."

"Then run! The Bite Wolves are equivalent to level 30 monsters—"

"That's with a safety margin! I can fight them at level 20."

"Right! So for us, level single digits—"

Milk shouted, but that was the end of our conversation.

Two of the Bite Wolves attacked.

Basic Sword Technique One.

"Sure Hit Sword"

I used the Sure Hit Sword on the one in front.

It has low power but is guaranteed to hit a Bite Wolf.

Then, my sword technique smoothly transitioned to the next stage.

Basic Sword Technique Two.

"Swallow Return"

I changed the direction of the sword's tip, which I had lowered, and sent another Bite Wolf flying into the air.

This sword is double-edged (or rather, it seems to have no edges at all), but when used as a skill, this motion is inevitable.

The remaining Bite Wolves attacked.

I moved on to Basic Sword Technique Three.

"Horizontal Sweep"

I held the sword horizontally and swept away the Bite Wolves that attacked all at once.

Basic Sword Technique Four.

"Direct Slash"

Finally, I swung my sword at the Bite Wolf with a scar on its eye, which was at the back.

Most of them were taken care of, but the Bite Wolf I had knocked away with the first Sure Hit Sword was still alive.

Maybe my initial step-in was too shallow.

The Sure Hit Sword already has low power.

By the time I thought that, the Bite Wolf was charging at me with its sharp fangs bared.

I thrust my arm forward.

The Bite Wolf bit down on my arm.

"Taira!"

"I'm fine!"

The pain was intense, but it was nothing compared to when the Evil Ogre threw a rabbit's horn at me.

I dropped my sword and punched the Bite Wolf's side face.

The Bite Wolf crashed into the wall and died.

The impact on my arm when I punched the Bite Wolf was more severe than when it bit me.

There was a lot of blood.

I hope I don't get rabies.

I took out a healing potion and drank it.

Even though I failed at the end, it was still useful.

This Basic Sword Technique.

From One to Four.

Each technique is useful on its own, but when used in a flowing sequence, it becomes a combo technique.

The accuracy gradually decreases, and if one attack misses, the combo is broken.

The accuracy is determined by the enemy's agility, my skill level, agility, and luck.

With my extremely high luck, my accuracy is much higher than others.

Against Lizardmen, I can take down an entire group with a Horizontal Sweep, but this time, I managed to use the Direct Slash, which is great practical experience.

"Milk, it's safe now. I've taken care of them all."

As I said that, Milk gradually returned to her usual self.

She had been dazed and shouting just a moment ago.

Now, the calm Milk bombarded me with questions.

"What do you mean? You said you took them down, but Taira, your level is still 1 or 2, right?"

"My level is 27. With the safety margin, I can defeat a level 30 Bite Wolf with this level of injury."

"Taira, you only entered the dungeon two weeks ago, right? Were you awakened?"

"It's a long story, but I had good luck. That's all."

"That's not an explanation at all. Can you level up that much just with luck? And how did you get in? The entrance was full of Acid Slimes, right? The entrance was blocked by Acid Slime acid, right?"

"I didn't go through the first floor. I came directly to the third floor."

Question marks floated in Milk's head.

I decided to explain that in detail later.

Then, I collected the Bite Wolf's fur, fangs, and D-coins that had fallen.

"I'm glad you're safe, Milk."

"Thank you. If you weren't here, I would have definitely died."

"Next time, treat me to some delicious barbecue, and we'll call it even."

"Okay."

"Add some Sakura Yuke too."

"Okay. How about some ice cream after the meal?"

Ice cream after barbecue.

At an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant, you can usually get free soft serve, but at the place she goes, it's probably more like a Haagen-Dazs level of ice cream, maybe with seasonal fruits added.

I sat next to Milk and took a can from my bag.

"Want to suck on a candy?"

"Is this a dungeon drop? Isn't it expensive?"

"I don't know. There are a lot in the can. Oh, I thought this was pineapple, but it's mint. But it's good."

"I'll take one... Oh, it's delicious. It's strawberry flavored."

We rolled the candies around in our mouths and waited for help to arrive.

There were supposed to be other normal monsters on the third floor, but none were coming.

It's the same as with the Evil Ogre.

When a powerful monster appears, the usual monsters retreat to the corners of the floor.

"By the way, this. It's a birthday present. I thought I'd give it to you now because I won't have time to do so once we get out of the dungeon. Besides, it's better to give it early."

I took out a box containing the Ring of Growth from my backpack.

"Really, you could have given it to me later. But I'm happy. Can I open it?"

"Sure. It's pretty good, so be prepared."

"Normally, people say it's not much, but that's so Taira."

Milk laughed and opened the box, then froze.

"Taira... this is..."

"How is it?"

"How... You said it's better to give it early... Do you mean... that way...?"

"Both meanings, and look, it's written on the appraisal paper there."

I encouraged Milk to read the appraisal paper inside the box.

She read it nervously and, for some reason, looked visibly disappointed.

Huh?

"Isn't it amazing? It increases experience by 20%. I thought it would be better to give it early to make leveling up easier. I considered giving it to you before we left, but I thought it would be weird to give a birthday present before the birthday."

"Right."

"Wow, Milk's reaction is really disappointing. Do you already have one? Is it a famous magic item traded secretly among the rich, even though it's not on the information site?"

"No, no. Not that... It's extremely rare. But, is it really okay? Wouldn't it be better for you to use it?"

"I'm using one too. See, on my pinky."

"Oh, really... We have matching ones."

"Please bear with it."

"Okay, I'll bear with it."

Milk smiled and said that.

Then she handed me the ring—

"Put it on."

—saying that.

"Put it on yourself."

"When a man gives a woman a ring, he puts it on for her."

"That's for engagement rings... Well, whatever. On the pinky, right?"

"Right. It's fine for now."

"Sure. Make the adjustments yourself. I've thought about where to put mine and settled on this position."

I put the ring on Milk's left pinky.

The ring, being a magic item, automatically resized to fit her finger perfectly.

She looked at the ring happily.

I thought I might have chosen a bad present, but I'm glad she's happy.

Then, as we were talking about whether to have another candy, we sensed something.

"Milk—be careful. Something's coming."

"Something? A monster!?"

"No—"

It's not a monster.

But is it really human?

A presence even more powerful than the Evil Ogre is approaching.

I can sense something ominous in that presence.

Ominous... The kanji for ominous is already ogre.

I can tell that if I'm attacked by this, I'll be killed.

The presence seems to have noticed ours and is running towards us.

Then, a muscular, blonde man appeared from the corridor.

His eyes were bloodshot.

His breathing was heavy.

What is this guy? He's scary!

The muscular, blonde man is running towards us, tears streaming down his face.

Wait, that face—

"Milk! I'm so glad you're safe! My sweet angel!"

"Dad! You came!?"

It's really Milk's dad!?

I've seen him on TV a few times.

But wasn't Milk's dad supposed to be on Mount Fuji?

Personally, I called the Bite Wolf that first attacked Milk the Bite Leader.

So, the muscular dad appears.

It was funny. I'm looking forward to the next part. If you enjoyed it, please favorite, rate, leave a comment, or like it. It will motivate the author.