In the dim room, Freya's voice echoed.
Ota. That child has become stronger again.
Hearing this, a burly and strong, stern-faced man also nodded.
That's for the best, isn't it?
The man who spoke was named Ota, the strongest man in the City.
His personal level is Level 7, famous as the strongest first-class adventurer in the City.
As a martial artist, his rugged appearance reflects his inner self; he can be called a silent seeker of the path.
Not only that, but he also holds absolute loyalty to the goddess Freya, putting her words first.
There weren't many daily necessities in the room.
The spacious interior, like a high-class suite, was incongruously lacking in decoration, yet conversely, every single item was extremely luxurious. At the same time, it complemented the room's decor.
A massive bookshelf, an oversized bed beyond common sense, and a stylish dark red carpet.
Paintings of the sun and moon, demarcating boundaries, hung on the walls.
Freya held a wine glass in her hand and said with a look of emotion.
That child's growth rate is truly unbelievable... He's like a completely different person compared to before. As these days pass, that child's radiance has also become even more distinct.
As she spoke, a light chuckle appeared on Freya's face.
To me, it's like a vessel being polished brighter.
Freya smiled, narrowing her silver eyes, and brought the wine glass to her lips.
Hearing this, Ota also said with a serious expression.
Does this indicate significant progress in the vessel's development...?
You could say that.
However... although Ling Xuan's progress has been unexpectedly smooth.
But these past two days, it's as if he's hit some kind of bottleneck.
Freya slowly half-closed her eyes.
However, there is only one... only one accumulation hindering the radiance. It's like shackles binding that child.
...
Hearing these words, Ota could only remain silent.
After all, as an adventurer himself, he had also encountered the bottlenecks that adventurers face.
Including the famous Sword Princess...
She's currently stuck at Lv. 5...
And every adventurer's ability to level up comes from different events.
So he offered his guessed answer.
Perhaps he needs some monsters to hone himself.
If it's just monsters, that child Ling Xuan should be able to overcome them quite easily. He'll become stronger on his own without me interfering.
But Freya didn't want to just stand by.
Someday, soon, when the time comes... always talking about these things, well, it makes her feel too timid, as if she's degenerating.
Especially when seeing those talented Familia members, she felt that leaving everything to time didn't seem appropriate.
So this time, she didn't intend to let time handle everything.
Therefore... an adventurer's problem should be handled by an adventurer.
How to give that child a push this time will be entirely up to you, Ota.
As she spoke, Freya also put down the glass wine cup in her hand, then closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair somewhat lazily.
Hearing these words, Ota's face revealed an expression of undisguised surprise.
...That's not like you?
Because you understand that child's current situation better than I do.
As she spoke, a sulky expression appeared on Freya's face.
I'm starting to get jealous.
.....
Dungeon 17th floor.
In the levels where LV.2 adventurers made their base, the strong and sturdy Orc Ota was exploring alone.
He had come to the Dungeon this time precisely to complete his mission...
To select a suitable monster to serve as a whetstone for Ling Xuan.
Looking at the scene before him and the Underground Labyrinth.
Ota couldn't help but let out a sigh of emotion.
"It's been a long time since I've stayed on this floor..."
Although his heart was filled with endless emotion, Ota had no intention of lingering here and continued to move forward.
"Moooh!"
Accompanied by a deafening sound.
A Minotaur appeared before Ota.
A large monster with the appearance of a Minotaur, its muscles bulging.
And Ota's goal was to capture this ferocious monster before him.
On the other side, the Minotaur also let out an excited roar upon seeing the adventurer.
"Moooh!"
Carefully observing this Minotaur, Ota also slightly narrowed his eyes.
Undoubtedly, this monster was in an excited state.
And he was much stronger than the Minotaurs he had previously assessed.
He even utilized the labyrinth's armory, and a natural weapon appeared in his hand - a stone axe.
The single-handed axe had red liquid adhering to it, as if it had been splashed on.
Perhaps he had fought with adventurers, or perhaps he had split open an opponent's head.
There were no obvious injuries on his entire body.
Such a monster was perfect as a stepping stone.
He hit the jackpot, Ota narrowed his earthy red eyes.
As a LV.7 adventurer, it would not take much effort to subdue a LV.2 monster.
Therefore, this Minotaur didn't even last a second in his hands.
After calming the monster down, Ota reached behind his back, took one of the two swords crossed at his waist, and threw it to the Minotaur.
"Based on your movements just now, it should be fine. Use it flexibly and show me."
The Minotaur did as he was told, and Ota nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the monster before him.
But it wasn't enough, it was far from enough.
This monster before him... had to be thoroughly educated to be qualified as Ling Xuan's stepping stone.
Only then could that goddess be satisfied.
The scattered sparks never stopped, and the clang of metal echoed and overlapped in the vast cave.
Hours, dozens of hours.
The poor Minotaur was thus forced into hellish training, and all because of a goddess's whim, this Minotaur became a stepping stone.
Ah, this is the fate of the Minotaur.jpg.
.....