Chapter 31: Path
「Flowing Stance」
「Level Requirement: 20」
「Cost: 20 SP」
「Skill Effect: A unique skill belonging to the Sword Soul. After activating the Flowing Stance state, increases stamina consumption in exchange for an increase in sword aura power.」
「Flowing Stance - Pierce」
「Level Requirement: 20」
「Cost: 20 SP」
「Skill Effect: This skill can only be used after activating the Flowing Stance skill. Launches a powerful thrust at the enemy in front. Additional attack effects are influenced by weapon type.」
"They're all buff-type skill methods, huh?"
"Also acceptable."
Liam's gaze swept over the skills he could currently learn. There were no new attack methods added; instead, they were based on his existing skill methods.
Enhancing combat damage.
At least when exploring deeper into the Dungeon, facing monsters with higher overall stats, he could break through their defenses.
If there was a real difference.
It was that learning higher-level skills required more SP.
"The efficiency of gaining experience has also decreased."
What he was more concerned about now was the SP cost of learning and upgrading skills. The increased experience required to level up, in exchange for…
Additional SP skill points.
Liam still felt it was quite worth it. As for his next arrangements, if it involved acquiring new combat methods and testing skill effects.
He had no objections.
Unfortunately, "Flowing Stance" was merely a combat buff-like effect.
After today's long Dungeon training, all the supplies he carried before adventuring, including pure drinking water, were completely finished.
Continuing to explore in a state of physical exhaustion.
Would needlessly increase the danger.
Liam felt it was appropriate to be steady. The experience required to level up had increased. Continuing to use the Killer Ant "entrapment" method.
The efficiency had decreased.
And the process was tedious and dull. Exploring the depths of the Dungeon was already a matter laid out before him.
"Next, it's about time to appropriately advance the floor progress, get all ability scores to S-rank. If I can pursue even higher levels…"
"That's the best choice."
"And then, that would be a truly satisfying great feat, raising my adventurer level!"
If he could become an all-around stats-based monster, Liam certainly wouldn't mind. Moreover, according to the DanMachi world's ability score level settings.
Raising a level required a great feat, which in some ways was similar to Dungeon experience points.
It just needed to be understood literally.
"Do something that people find very impressive."
Essentially, take down an opponent stronger than oneself.
Like a floor boss such as Goliath. Liam wasn't aiming that high yet. He could set his sights on stronger special species.
Of course.
There were other ways: encountering a Monster Party, fighting desperately to find a chance of survival, overcoming various tribulations to finally reach the target location.
But these concepts were relatively vague.
Liam, who considered himself relatively steady and pragmatic, temporarily set his sights on powerful special species for a great feat. He picked up the magic stones dropped on the ground.
The leveling up of the "Sword Soul Template."
Was accompanied by an extremely rich harvest of magic stones, already filling Liam's money pouch, which converted to nearly 30,000 Valis in income.
After resolving Hestia's debt issue.
He could roughly proceed with his next plans. After experiencing the doubled effect of "Secret Sword Art" with dual-wielded short swords.
Returning to the very initial stage again.
It was probably like…
"After experiencing this feeling, my body absolutely can't go back to how it was before!"
Dragging his weary body out of the Dungeon, it was already close to evening. The Adventurer's Guild had long since closed, so he dismissed the idea of exchanging magic stones.
The tedious and dull Dungeon exploration.
Had already become the main theme of Liam's life, but to say he regretted it was definitely not the case. This was the path his heart had chosen.
Effort yields reward.
This had already manifested in many aspects: not only the improvement of his Sword Soul class level and strength, but even his quality of life was gradually improving.
He still lived in the basement of the abandoned church.
But his meals had already upgraded from the leftover fried potato balls from Hestia's daily part-time job to takeaway bentos from "The Hostess of Fertility."
The next direction…
Was to optimize his weaponry: the two short swords equipped during combat, and other types of weapons to deal with various scenarios.
"Is there any way... to quickly get some money?"
Equipping even ordinary Third-Grade armaments would conservatively require nearly 500,000 Valis. To continue letting Hestia go into debt.
Liam still couldn't bring himself to do such an unconscionable thing.
Nearing midnight in the Labyrinth City Orario, the atmosphere on the streets was somewhat desolate. Even "The Hostess of Fertility" restaurant was about to close.
Wearing maid uniforms, beautiful young women in every sense of the word.
Were cleaning up before closing the restaurant. The first to notice Liam's arrival was Mia, who was wiping platters with a cloth at the counter.
Noticing the young man in a cloak entering the restaurant.
She lifted her head slightly. She had a rather deep impression of Liam; every evening, he would come to the restaurant to pack a takeaway dinner for two before leaving.
Barely a regular customer.
And the main reason for her deep impression was that he was the pitiful child recruited into the Familia by the "Natural Disaster" of North Main Street.
He adventured in the Dungeon every day.
As the former captain of the Freya Familia.
She subconsciously held more goodwill towards diligent adventurers. Mia put down the wiped-clean plate and looked up to greet him.
"So late today. There are still some leftover ingredients in the kitchen. Ordering from the menu might be difficult, but making a dinner for two shouldn't be a problem."
"How about it?"
"Want to try a stewed mixed vegetable set meal?"
"."
"Lost track of time a bit, sorry Auntie Mia."
Considering the restaurant was about to close, coming at this time would only increase their workload. Liam's smile held a hint of apology.
Being able to order dinner at all was already a blessing.
He nodded earnestly, "Just as you say, as long as it fills my stomach!"
"Alright."
"I'll have the kitchen prepare it now; it'll be ready soon." No one would dislike a customer who was humble and polite in their words and actions.
Mia picked up a glass and poured Liam a drink.
Placing it on the bar, she noticed the young man's puzzled look. She waved her hand, her tone direct, "Unsold drinks, pouring them out is a waste."
"Just consider it part of the set meal."
"Thank you."
Having finished the work at hand, Mia looked at Liam, who was sitting quietly in front of her. Without any regard for him being present, she directly commented.
"Very polite, just completely lacking an adventurer's boldness!"
"."
If she were just an ordinary restaurant owner, Liam's attitude would naturally be much more relaxed.
The key was that standing opposite him now was Mia Grand, the former captain of the Freya Familia, and also a Level 6 adventurer.
Being a bit more proper in his attitude was always a good thing.
With everything settled before closing, Mia, now at leisure, actually developed some interest in Liam and initiated a conversation.
"I remember a few days ago, you came to our restaurant with your Familia's goddess to celebrate."
"Kid, how does it feel to be an adventurer?"
"After the novelty wears off, it inevitably feels a bit tedious and dull." After some simple thought, Liam gave a relatively objective assessment.
A repetitive daily cycle, that's how it is after the novelty fades.
Mia didn't think Liam was talking nonsense; she could even understand it somewhat. Exploring the Dungeon alone, loneliness would be the main theme.
"The upper levels are like that, all those monsters…"
Consider it advice for a new adventurer. Her tone paused slightly before she continued, "The situation with your Familia is a bit special."
"You could consider teaming up with adventurers from other Familias."
"I've seen many new adventurers in the restaurant. Very few return safely from their daily Dungeon training, precisely because they are fearless in the face of danger."
"Kid."
"Don't push yourself too hard. The restaurant's business will only be better with regulars like you!"
Mia spoke very directly, and he could feel her well-intentioned concern. After all, it was a strong adventurer's summary of her own experiences.
Useful, but the effect was ordinary.
He knew clearly that the paths people take cannot be replicated.
And the direction Liam was currently pursuing was to train his swordsmanship on a journey full of danger, heading towards the ultimate end of the way of the sword!
Facing Mia's calm gaze.
Liam's smile was relaxed, yet his tone was exceptionally firm, as if responding, "Auntie Mia, of course, I'm not fearless."
"It's just simply that I don't want to stop moving forward."
(End of this chapter)