After defeating the Goliath, or more accurately, after a single adventurer one-shotted a boss monster while another merely watched, both Aurelius and Zephyra made their way down toward the 18th floor. Before leaving, they promised themselves that they would spend time together as new friends within the dungeon, treating the descent not as a mission, but as an opportunity to enjoy each other's company.
To anyone else, it would have sounded like a luxury reserved only for the strong. While most adventurers travelled to the 18th floor purely for safety and recovery, these two, along with a small handful of others of their capabilities, chose to approach it differently. Instead of seeking refuge, they intended to enjoy a bit of sightseeing, taking in the rare calm that the dungeon had to offer.
After some time walking, they finally reached their designated floor. The moment they stepped onto the 18th floor, a breathtaking landscape greeted them. Lush greenery stretched as far as the eye could see, with diverse plant life adorning the terrain in vibrant layers. The environment was so rich and alive that it felt as though they had returned to the surface world rather than standing deep within the dungeon's walls.
"Glad to see this place again," Aurelius said, his voice tinged with nostalgia as memories of his first visit resurfaced. His gaze wandered across the scenery, clearly appreciative. "It's as beautiful as ever."
"And yet somehow, you fought two identical boss floors in this safe haven," Zephyra replied, pointing out the lingering contradiction of the dungeon's nature. Her tone carried a hint of amusement. "It's beautiful and deadly at the same time, don't you think?"
Aurelius responded with a smirking smile, silently agreeing before voicing it. "Yeah. Couldn't have said it better."
With that, they advanced further into the floor. Their next destination was the village of Rivira, or more widely known among adventurers as the "Under Resort." The name alone carried a strange charm, reflecting the unusual comfort hidden deep underground.
As they walked, they couldn't help but take in the surroundings. Fresh greenery filled their view in every direction, and the air they breathed felt clean and rejuvenating. Above them, several monsters flew lazily across the open cavern sky, seemingly uninterested in the presence of adventurers as they minded their own business.
"It's still weird to me why monsters on this floor aren't attacking anybody," Aurelius remarked, watching the creatures drift by. "Are monsters on this floor just decoration? I don't think the dungeon cares about aesthetics."
Zephyra chuckled at his comment, clearly entertained by the joke hidden in his words. "Heheh. Though I wish it were that simple, it's not. This floor is considered a safe floor. The dungeon itself made it that way. Any monsters wandering in from neighbouring floors have their violent instincts suppressed. Well, at least, that's what people say."
She continued, her tone shifting slightly as she explained further. "Another theory suggests that the environment here is unusually stable. Researchers believe the crystals and the overwhelming presence of nature play a role. There's also the idea that this floor doesn't have an active spawning area for monsters, which contributes to the calm element of the floor."
Aurelius nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the explanation. "That makes sense, I guess."
Zephyra shrugged, clearly not invested in debating the truth behind it. "They're just theories in the end. Don't dwell on it. For all we know, the real reason could be something completely different."
"And honestly," she added, her voice casual and unconcerned, "I'm not obligated enough to waste my time thinking about something that isn't useful to me. All I care about is smashing monsters and levelling up."
Aurelius laughed openly at her blunt honesty. "HAHA! I guess we have that in common, then."
With the conversation drifting into lighter topics, the two continued their journey toward the village. They talked about trivial things, the kind of easy, passing chatter that made the walk feel shorter and more enjoyable. Before long, the structures of Rivira came into view, signalling that they had finally arrived at the village.
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Once they arrived, they wasted no time and went straight through the wooden gates of the village. Their pace was steady and purposeful, as if they had already decided there was no reason to linger outside. The moment they crossed the threshold, the atmosphere changed.
Inside, they were greeted by the sight of many rundown wooden stores and vendors, all actively displaying merchandise and items that would otherwise be banned on the surface. The marketplace was alive with quiet transactions and wary glances, each stall packed with goods that clearly did not belong in ordinary circulation.
Many of the items being sold were things that had somehow been deemed illegal or restricted above ground. Weapons, tools, and peculiar trinkets filled the tables, objects that had histories written into their wear and design. Since they could not be sold openly on the surface, merchants resold them here, where rules were looser and coin mattered more than legality.
Though—
"Why is it that items here are always so expensive? Especially this dagger here," Aurelius said, pointing at a normal-looking knife. At first glance, it appeared completely ordinary, with nothing visually remarkable about its craftsmanship.
"This dagger here has poison effects on it. It was heavily restricted on the surface years ago after someone invented it. Things went out of hand because people used it to do bad things instead of good," Zephyra explained, recounting the history of the weapon in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
"Indeed, ma'am!" an Amazonian merchant said, eagerly agreeing with the Freyan's words. "By only the price of 600k valis, you could get this for yoursel—"
"No thanks," Zephyra cut in, stopping the merchant mid-sentence. Without another word, she turned and walked away immediately, clearly uninterested in entertaining what she saw as absurd pricing. She had no desire to negotiate in a place that thrived on inflated deals and opportunistic selling.
Aurelius simply shrugged toward the merchant, his gesture practically saying, "Better luck next time," before following suit behind the Freyan. His expression showed mild amusement, but he did not linger.
"Tch, bitch," the merchant clicked her tongue and muttered in malice once they were out of earshot, already shifting her attention back to the crowd as she waited for her next customer (victim).
Aurelius and Zephyra continued walking, surveying the wares being sold left and right. Merchant after merchant displayed goods meant to entice impulsive buyers. Some items were priced reasonably, though their usefulness was questionable at best. Others were blatant cases of exaggerated pricing, where the cost bore little resemblance to the item's actual quality.
In the words of the green-haired girl, the entire place could easily be called a "black market," given the sheer volume of illegal goods openly presented without concern. Every stall reinforced that impression, making it clear that this was a marketplace governed more by demand than by law.
They continued exploring for a while, weaving through the maze of stalls until they eventually decided to settle at a bar named "Golden Cellar." The constant noise and bargaining had worn on them, and they wanted to take a breather to eat for a minute. With that simple intention, they stepped inside, choosing the establishment as a temporary refuge from the chaos outside.
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As they stepped inside, they were greeted by the lively sight of adventurers scattered throughout the tavern, boys and girls alike, casually spending time with one another. Some wore solemn expressions, deep in quiet conversations or personal thoughts. Others laughed freely, clearly enjoying each other's company. A few looked as if they had just come from a rough encounter, their faces bruised and bodies bearing the signs of recent scuffles. And then there were those who simply looked happy to be there, content with the atmosphere around them.
The moment the pair entered the establishment, all eyes turned toward them. Conversations faltered, replaced by surprised glances as many immediately recognized who had just walked in.
Low murmurs spread across the room as people began whispering among themselves about the two newcomers. Aurelius and Zephyra, however, paid no attention to the gossip. Unbothered by the stares and hushed chatter, they moved forward and searched for a place to sit. Once they spotted an empty table, they headed straight for it without hesitation.
They settled into their seats, making themselves comfortable at the chosen table. Well, Aurelius had a bit of trouble adjusting at first, but he managed after a moment. The two waited quietly for a server to approach, and before long, one made their way to the table.
"Welcome to Golden Cellar," a male waiter greeted politely. "May I take your orders?"
Zephyra spoke first, ordering a bowl of fried noodles along with a drink. Aurelius followed, requesting a large portion of steak cooked medium rare, paired with a beverage to complement it.
"Very well," the waiter said after finishing their order. "Enjoy your stay, ma'am, sir. Your food will arrive shortly." With that, he departed toward the kitchen to relay the request to the chef.
Aurelius and Zephyra resumed waiting. After a brief silence, the Freyan leaned forward slightly, her voice lowered so others wouldn't overhear.
"Hey, big man," she said quietly. "Can we go somewhere private after this? I wanted to ask you about something."
Hearing her tone, Aurelius decided to tease her. A sly smile crept onto his face.
"Oh? What's this?" he replied. "Is it really that time of year for demi-humans? Are you really that desperate?"
A metaphorical tick mark formed on Zephyra's forehead.
"No, you idiot!" she snapped in a hushed voice. "This is serious. There's something I want to clear up and tell you."
Aurelius' teasing expression faded into a mild frown. "Is that so?" he asked, watching as she nodded.
'If this is what I think it is,' he thought, 'then she's risking her identity with possibly the wrong person. If it is what I'm imagining… then fortunately for her, she found the right person to tell. Though there's still a chance I'm mistaken.'
He remained silent for a moment longer, mentally running through possible scenarios of the conversation to come.
"Alright," he said at last. "Whatever it is, I hope you weren't lying about it not being that time of year. It'd be bad for your cramps."
A larger metaphorical tick mark appeared on her head as her irritation skyrocketed.
"Why you—!"
She didn't get to finish. A slurred voice interrupted.
"Hey, beautiful~ hic"
Aurelius turned toward the source of the voice, already anticipating the consequences for the intruder. A middle-aged man with a bulky build and an otherwise average appearance staggered toward their table.
The tavern fell tense. Everyone watching silently hoped, prayed, that the drunken man would stop before things escalated.
Unfortunately, that hope went unanswered.
"What are you hic doing in a place like this, baby?" he slurred as he leaned closer. "And what are you doing with a brute like him~? You'd be better off with me, no~? hic"
Zephyra sat still, her bangs casting a shadow over her eyes as the harassment continued.
Aurelius heard every word, yet outwardly remained calm. 'Honestly, I don't care if you mock me,' he thought, sweat forming on his forehead. 'I just hope you survive what you're about to do.'
The drunken man didn't stop. His gaze wandered over Zephyra with shameless lust, drool gathering at the corner of his mouth.
"You've got a nice body~"
Then he made the fatal and crucial mistake.
He touched her breast.
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The entire tavern froze.
Everyone present, except Aurelius, went pale. The sheer disbelief was palpable.
Aurelius clasped his hands together in silent prayer. 'May you rest in peace, foolish warrior.'
'May you rest in pieces,' echoed the collective thought of the onlookers. As if hearing Aurelius's prayers.
Zephyra rose from her seat in one smooth motion and turned to face the man.
"Oh~? You want to go with me?~" he slurred, glancing smugly at Aurelius. "Hah! Your girl's been stolen by me~ hic"
Aurelius remained in his prayer pose.
"Eh~? What are you hic praying for?" the man jeered. "Praying she changes her hic mind~? Too bad buddy. Your hic girl doesn't want yo—"
His words died instantly.
Zephyra's hand clamped around his face with terrifying force.
Before he could react, she hurled him toward the wall of the bar. His body smashed through it with explosive speed, continuing through the next building… and the next... and some more… until he finally stopped somewhere far beyond sight.
Silence returned.
This time, even Aurelius shared in the stunned quiet.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Zephyra's breathing was heavy, not from exertion, but from the absolute frustration of the encounter.
Aurelius wiped sweat from his brow, swallowing his saliva with an audible *gulp* sound to it. 'So this is what Jun En meant when he said he was scared of women,' he thought, recalling his friend's words from his previous life. Now, he truly understood.
The waiter returned with their food, accompanied by another server. Both trembled slightly.
"H-here's your f-food, m-ma'am, sir."
They placed the dishes down quickly before retreating without delay, clearly fearing the wrath of Zephyra.
Aurelius glanced at her as she ate with sharp, frustrated motions. He sighed internally.
'I hope she cools down after this… I might not get to hear what she wanted to tell me. I just hope it doesn't come to that conclusion.' He thought.
They continued eating in silence. Aurelius gave her space, allowing the tension to settle after what had just occurred.
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After they finished eating their food, they went to pay for their order and stepped out of the bar. However, the Freyan's appetite had been in the gutters throughout the entire ordeal, all because some drunk idiot thought it would be a good idea to sexually assault a Level 8. The unpleasant encounter lingered in her mood, dulling what should have been a simple dinner.
As they walked through the streets of Rivira, they drew wary looks from passersby. Rumors about what had happened in the bar had already begun to spread, traveling faster than either of them cared for. Despite the attention, both the Freyan and the Hestian continued forward, setting course toward their designated meeting place for a discreet exchange. Their pace was steady, neither rushing nor slowing, as if trying to ignore the weight of curious eyes around them.
Zephyra walked ahead while Aurelius followed suit. The green-haired girl wore a disinterested expression as she moved, her posture relaxed but distant. She led the way without hesitation, her steps confident and familiar, guiding her friend through the crowded streets with quiet certainty.
Aurelius watched her from behind in silence. He wasn't sure if it was the right time to break the ice, especially with how quiet Zephyra had been since leaving the bar. The silence between them felt heavier than usual, stretching longer with every step they took.
After a moment, Aurelius let out a small sigh. "I'm sorry that I didn't step in to stop that guy earlier."
Zephyra listened to her friend's words. She released a sigh of her own, noticeably deeper than his. "It's fine," she said calmly. "It's not your fault to begin with."
She slightly turned her head back toward Aurelius, offering a small smile before facing forward again. "It's just… it's hard becoming a girl, especially when you're racking a pair of big ones."
Aurelius raised an eyebrow at her words. "How would he know that you had that size? You literally concealed it."
Zephyra rolled her eyes. "Well, duh. I'm quite literally the only Level 8 in the entire city. People tend to eagerly want to know what that adventurer looks like. And when it turns out to be a thick milf, they tend to get excited, of course.
Especially men."
Aurelius simply listened to her reasoning, absorbing her words without interruption.
"Of course, not all men are like that," Zephyra added, her expression softening into a calm smile. "Some of them are noble, I guess. The kind of guy that does the right thing just because it's good. Though that doesn't rule out the fact that they still have thick layers of forest under their pants."
Aurelius' face formed a frown while one eyebrow lifted in confusion. Trying to make sense of her comment, he asked, "And how would you know that? Slept with anyone before?"
Zephyra shook her head immediately, denying the implication. "No." She stopped walking, and Aurelius halted beside her in response. Turning slightly to face him, she continued, "Actually, you'll understand it after I tell you what I wanted you to know."
She then faced forward again and resumed walking, heading in a direction only she seemed to know.
Aurelius remained still for a moment, looking more confused than before. 'Odd,' he thought, trying to follow the Freyan's logic. 'What does this have to do with what she wanted to tell me?'
After a brief pause, he shrugged to himself and continued walking, following Zephyra toward their unknown destination.
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After leaving Rivira, they headed toward a distant cliff visible from the town. With a mix of steady walking and casual sightseeing, they gradually drew closer to their destination. Each step brought the towering edge into clearer view, the landscape unfolding around them in quiet beauty.
"We're almost there, big man," Zephyra said, encouraging the Hestian to keep going. "Don't give up now."
Aurelius scoffed at her motivational tone. "I'm not tired, you know. What do you think I am? A falna-less person?"
Zephyra giggled at his response. "I know you're not. Just messing with you, big man."
"Tch," Aurelius clicked his tongue. "Yeah, whatever."
They continued walking uphill, their pace steady as they neared the cliff they were aiming to reach. The incline tested their legs, but neither felt any fatigue. After taking their final steps, they arrived at the designated spot.
"Woah…" Aurelius mused in awe. "It's been a minute since I've seen this view from this kind of place."
Zephyra looked at the Hestian with a satisfied smile. Seeing her newly found friend happy from something as simple as this felt like a victory in her book.
Though that wasn't the only reason she was smiling.
"It's been a minute, huh?" Zephyra muttered, her gaze distant as if piecing something together in her mind.
Aurelius glanced at her when she spoke. "Hmm?" Confusion returned to his expression, unsure what thoughts were forming behind her eyes.
"Oh no, it's nothing," Zephyra said, looking down at the grass beneath her feet. "It's just… I think I've figured it out now."
She lowered herself to sit on the grass. "And I think I made the right choice to tell you this." She patted the space beside her, inviting Aurelius to sit.
Seeing no reason to refuse, Aurelius obliged. He stepped closer and sat beside her.
Zephyra stared up at the crystal filled sky as it shone like a real sky would. Silence settled between them, broken only by the rustling leaves carried by the soft wind. The peaceful moment stretched on, calm and unhurried. After what felt like an eternity of quietness, Zephyra finally decided to reveal her secret.
"You see," she said, "I'm a reincarnated soul from a past life."
Aurelius' eyes widened slightly in mild shock. Although part of him expected something like this, hearing it aloud still struck him somewhat.
"Shocking, isn't it?" Zephyra continued. "Fellow reincarnator." She turned to him with a confident smile.
She then sarcastically feigned an act of a person in a wrong. "Unless I'm wrong and just made a fool of myself by revealing my identity to a native of this worl—"
"No," Aurelius interrupted. "I'm a reincarnator as well. Just like you."
Zephyra stared at his face blankly for a moment. Then relief softened her expression, her smile returning as she realized her secret now rested with the right person.
"I'm glad to hear that." She shifted her gaze back to the landscape before them. Aurelius followed suit.
They enjoyed the scenery together, the soft wind brushing against their skin. Time itself seemed to slow, wrapped in a quiet harmony that asked for nothing more than their presence.
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"So what now?" Aurelius asked as he broke the silence, feeling slightly lost after learning the Freyan shared his origin. Another thought struck him suddenly. "Wait, are you even from the same planet as m—"
"Planet Earth," she said, cutting him off. "That's where I'm from. Specifically, the northern American continent."
"Oh really?" Aurelius said in surprise. "Which country?"
Zephyra didn't answer directly. Instead, she gave a different reply. "Honestly, I don't want to say anything about my past life. I want to forget about it. I'm telling you this in the first place because… I don't know. Just the feeling of familiarity, I guess."
Hearing this, Aurelius chose not to push further. "Understandable. If you have things you want to keep to yourself, just keep them. I'm not one of those people who pry into others' pasts."
Zephyra smiled softly. "You're a good guy. I respect that."
Aurelius laughed haughtily at her comment. "You don't have to praise me. It's common sense. Especially if you had some devastating breakup with a boyfriend in your past life. I gotchu, haha!"
Zephyra kept smiling, but a quiet chuckle escaped her. Aurelius raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What's so funny?"
She continued smiling gently at him. "Nothing. It's just that—"
Her smile widened slightly, white teeth showing.
"I was a guy in my past life actually."
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"What?"