Chapter 3 - Floor Two and Many Wounds
It's been a week since I killed my first goblin.
And since then? I've nearly died seven times.
But hey... I'm still alive, right?
"Good morning, Vrem! Don't forget your lunch!" exclaimed Hestia while handing me... a hard bread that tasted like wood.
It's called "adventurer's bread," but it's more suitable as a "goblin bashing tool."
"Thank you, Goddess..." I said half-dead while storing the bread in my pocket.
Not for eating. For throwing at monsters' faces if I'm cornered.
—
Today I'm going back into the dungeon. But this time, my destination is... the second floor.
Yes. The second floor. Where goblins aren't alone anymore. They have friends. Sometimes they form deadly duets with Killer Ants, crazy ants the size of dogs.
Cool? Maybe. If you're Bell Cranel. Me? I'm still wearing the same clothes since day one. Armor? Still a dream.
Weapon? My kitchen knife has been replaced... with a used iron knife from the discount store. Its name is "Fang," but its teeth are dull.
---
I stepped down to the second floor, my breathing growing heavy. The air is more humid. The atmosphere quiet but feels like I'm being watched.
"Grrrkk..."
Ah. Two goblins emerged from the shadows. This time, they're carrying bone clubs and sharp branches. One of them has a battle helmet—an upside-down pan.
Is this... post-apocalyptic goblin cosplay?
I gripped my knife tightly. This time, I'm more prepared.
CLANG!
I deflected an attack, then shifted left, stabbed at the first goblin's chest—MISS.
My knife hit bone, deflected. The second goblin slashed my back. A shallow wound, but the pain was like being cut with hot cloves.
I backed away, thinking quickly. My eyes landed on the "hard" bread in my pocket.
Good grief... Do I really have to use this?
But I had no choice.
I threw the bread at the second goblin's face.
SLAP!
It was surprised. The first goblin gaped.
My chance.
I charged both of them at once and stabbed one from below.
Green blood spurted.
The second goblin panicked. I jumped and hit its head with the knife handle—coincidentally striking the temple. It collapsed.
Two dead.
I fell sitting down. Breathing heavily. Body trembling.
But I smiled a little.
This is... progress.
—
When I returned to our small headquarters—an old church transformed into Hestia's family home—I checked my status.
---
Name: Vrem
Level: 1
STR: I 12
END: I 11
DEX: I 14
AGI: I 13
MAG: I 0
Skill: -
Magic: -
Development Ability: -
---
A slight increase. But still level 1, all status I, and without any skills or magic.
I sat in the corner, staring at the night sky through a small window. Hestia slept on her bed, hugging her divine pillow.
Suddenly a small voice appeared in my head.
"If you don't have talent, then you have to be more stubborn than anyone else."
I clenched my fist.
Three months before the main story begins.
Three months to develop, before the boy named Bell Cranel starts his journey.
Three months to prove that Vrem... isn't just an extra in this world.
—
"I need a real weapon."
That was the only thought crossing my mind this morning after nearly getting hit by a goblin with its own brother's thigh bone yesterday.
"What did you say, Vrem?" asked Hestia, while scratching her adorable twin-tails that now looked as tangled as a charging cable.
"I want to buy a weapon."
"...Money from where?"
I went silent.
Yes. I forgot. We're poor. Very poor.
If there's a level for poverty, we'd be at God Level But Without Offerings.
—
So, I went to the Guild today, not to report on the dungeon, but to look for information.
I approached Eina Tulle. The half-elf half-human who could make any guy forget they're in a world full of monsters.
"Excuse me, Miss Eina," I greeted with a face full of suffering, "is there any way... for beginners like me to level up quickly?"
She looked at me with that classic public service employee stare: confused, sympathetic, but too lazy to get involved.
"There is... but it's not recommended for beginners..."
"I'm ready to die."
"...What?"
"Uh, I mean... I'm ready to face the risks!"
She finally gave in and showed me a mission paper. Written in large letters at the top:
"Destruction of War Shadow Nest – Floor 4"
"This is... a gathering place for War Shadow type monsters. Fast, cunning, and can appear from shadows."
"Perfect for someone with no skills and good weapons like me," I said with a fake smile full of resentment toward the universe.
—
That night, I told Hestia.
She screamed.
"ARE YOU CRAZY!? VREM, YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE ARMOR—EVEN CLOTHES HOW CAN YOU CALL THAT!? THOSE ARE JUST RAGS!"
"Goddess... this world won't wait until I'm ready."
Silence.
Our eyes met.
Finally, she sighed and pulled something from her pocket.
"Keep this. My sacred cloak from the festival. It's torn, but at least it can withstand one stab..."
I accepted it, mentally screaming:
I'M GOING TO FLOOR 4 WITH A GODDESS'S FESTIVAL CLOAK!??
—
The next day.
I stood at the entrance to the fourth floor. Behind me: stairs to the comfort zone. In front of me: a shadow hell.
First step. Strange sounds immediately came from the walls. Then...
ZAAAP!
A shadow jumped at me. The first War Shadow appeared. Its eyes glowed red.
I threw a rock at its face, then jumped to the side.
Stab! Stab!
Knife hit. But not deep.
The War Shadow struck back, its claws nearly catching my neck. I shifted backward—slipped.
It jumped. I used my only trump card: my own body.
I headbutted it.
It fell. I stabbed repeatedly.
Black blood splattered.
My heart was racing. But I won.
The second War Shadow came.
"Well then, let's dance again!"
—
One hour later. I left the dungeon. Body full of wounds. Clothes torn. But...
I smiled.
My hand gripped a large crystal from the War Shadow. Its value enough for...
"A new weapon. And meat for dinner tonight."