Chapter 7

"Haah, haah..."

I stand in the room, panting heavily after incinerating the hellhounds.

The pack of hellhounds attacked in coordination, and in my panic, I unleashed my breath without restraint. Almost all of them are now reduced to ashes. The smell of burning flesh is nauseating. Surrounded by charred corpses, it feels like I'm in hell.

The first one I encountered is the only one whose head is completely burned, but the rest of its body is in better condition, so I decide to eat it. Still, I'm in a bind. I don't have anything to cut it with...

I take out the Minotaur's axe from my storage and, with great effort, lift it with both hands to stab the hellhound. I repeat this several times and manage to get some chunks of meat, though they are messy. I pick up a small piece, dripping with blood, and put it in my mouth.

It's tough and smells bad.

And it's raw.

The overwhelming smell of blood spreads through my nostrils. I almost vomit but force myself to keep chewing. The meat is incredibly tough, and I don't know when to swallow. I push it down my throat forcefully. It tastes terrible. Still, I feel satisfied that I've managed to put something in my stomach, and I continue to devour it for a while.

I manage to stave off my hunger and have a bit more time to think. I lie down on the ground and gather my thoughts.

First, what should I do next?

If I keep this up, I might be able to make it back to the surface, but what will happen when I get there?

I doubt the vicious members of the Golden Wind will let me go. They will surely try to eliminate me like a bug to preserve their party's honor the next time we meet.

Even if I were to fight them, this dragon breath attack is a one-shot kill. If they see it coming, they'll easily counterattack.

I need to get stronger!

I have to get stronger!

I'll use this dungeon as a stepping stone to become strong enough to face them.

Fortunately, I still have water and food.

I will hunt every monster in this dungeon and become as strong as I can!

I will make them regret what they did to me, absolutely, without a doubt!

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I am now standing in front of the pit.

The place where the warrior Danny pushed me in.

Tears well up in my eyes, though I'm not sad...

I'm back!

I don't remember how many days have passed since then. Judging by the length of my hair and beard, it must be about ten days.

I was in constant tension and nearly died many times. But I've slaughtered every monster on this level, thinking only of my revenge.

After the first encounter with the hellhounds, I tried to rely as little as possible on my limited dragon breath, and fought using the Minotaur's weapon, even though I was staggering. I've become better at fighting by taking weapons in and out of my storage. I have the entire route to this point memorized, and I know I fell from the 49th floor because I climbed ten flights of stairs.

I clench my fist, remembering the day I was expelled.

I'm finally back!

This is just the beginning!