Well, Astrea asked me to fill in our food reserves, but I have plenty of time available so we might as well explore a little. The shopping area is in the eastern district in this universe so I guess we'll start there. I wonder if I could not try these famous potato snacks, normally those Hestia and Takemikazuchi who run the stands for them, it will be an opportunity to see them. Moreover, in important matters, has Hestia already come down and if so, has she founded a famillia? It's universe is very weird from this point of view I have plenty of knowledge about this world but at least half are false or altered. Here is the market and... it must be Takemikazuchi so Mikoto and the others must also be here.
Me: Hello, a basic snack please.
Take: Right away young man.
Me: Excuse me, I don't want to seem rude but are you a god?
Take: Indeed, my name is Takemikazuchi, my famillia and I come from Faresast. Are you looking for a famillia to join?
Me: Oh no, I am already part of the Astrea famillia, it's just that I felt a divine aura and I wanted to be sure.
Take: Ahah no problem you are not the first. I know that a god who works in a street food stand is a rare vision. And otherwise, what becomes of Astrea? It's been a long time since I've seen her.
Me: She is fine, are you friends?
Take: Indeed, before we went down we often fought in friendly combat. She is an expert in the pancrax and we appreciated each other's talent in material arts.
Me: If you miss her, you could come to see her and fight her, she almost has no one who wants to face her, to tell the truth I think I am the only one who wants to face her.
Take: Well, if she doesn't mind, I would be delighted. Do you have the address of your residence?
Me: Of course we are installed in the western district, here is the address, you can't miss the mansion it's the most flowery.
Take: Ahah, that doesn't surprise me about her. Well here is the address of my family if you or Astrea ever wish to come by. To be honest, what would you say about meeting my family?
Me: It would be a pleasure but I have to finish the shopping by tonight.
Take: It's perfect my service finished in an hour, finish your shopping and come meet me here.
Me: Hmm okay.
Meeting the family of Take is not a bad idea for me, after all Mikoto and Ouka have talent. Mikoto even if she had the buff of Harurihme held and even defeated one of the bringar a level 5 adventurer, and Ouka decapitated a head of the Amphisbanea the monster Rex from the 27th floor. I am curious to see if their balance has changed in this world. The initial contact was much worse in the original story. A parade pass is not the best impression one can make.
An hour later, enter from the residence of the Takemikazuchi family. East Patinary in Orario.
Take: Chgiusa goes to look for the others have a guest for today's session.
Chigusa: Right away Takemikazuchi-sama.
In two minutes the small family was gathered in the courtyard.
Take: Children, I present to you Tank, a child of a very good friend of mine, the goddess of justice Astrea, he will accompany us for today's training.
Mikoto: Tank-dono have you already explored the Dungeon?
Me: Uh yes, up to the 6th floor, tomorrow I attack the 7th.
Ouka: Impressive, you must have been adventurous for some time, right?
Me: I have a week of experience.
Ouka: Ah I see a week... NANI?!
Mikoto: Wow... Tank-dono can I face you in a duel?!
Me: If you want, you would have a sword of centrianement to lend to me, I am training with a real weapon.
Take: Of course, I prefer that we stay with the non-lethal weapon.
Me: Of course. Ready?
Mikoto: Ready.
Clang!
Mikoto's fighting style is quite similar to that of Kaguya but less experienced. His attacks are slower and less precise. And then Mikoto is not one level ahead of me. Parrying his attacks is much easier. At my first opening, I entered his guard to try to end it quickly. As Kaguya would have done, Mikoto tried a kick. I jumped back before resuming my assault now out of position Mikoto no longer supports them to absorb all my strength. My first attack was blocked, my second too but its blade was offset on the outside, my third prevented Mikotot from repositioning my fourth attack reached his neck.
Take: Finished, nice fight Tank. The fencing of the Fareast generally surprises.
Me: It's because I'm training against Kaguya, she is originally from this region, and don't take it badly Mikoto but she is more experienced than you.
Mikoto: I know, I still have a lot to learn. Thank you Tank-dono for this chance.
Me: No need to be so formal, you know. We are both beginners. Besides, I didn't ask you, where do you explore?
Ouka: Mikoto, Chigusa and I can go up to 10 floors, but with the new ones we limit ourselves to the first 4 for now.
Me: You are ahead of me. I will have to catch up with you.
Mikoto: Tank-dono do you explore alone?
Me: Not really, I fight alone but for now two members of my family protect me in case I am overwhelmed. If I can manage the 7th floor, I think I will start the solo exploration. They are falling behind compared to the others by staying with me.
Take: Solo exploration is dangerous, make sure to take maximum precaution.
Me: It's planned, I have my equipment in the process of improvement, and I already have my potions. Shall we resume?
Ouka: I would like to be your next opponent.
Me: Of course.
Ouka is a tall and wide fighter using powerful two-handed weapons like axe or lance. Kaguya told me about the orcs and how to fight these large monsters with haruching strength. Remained mobile aiming at the knees and tendons, put him on the ground. Ouka can face the monsters of the 10th, so his stats are vastly superior to mine without counting his build. But I have the experience of my fights and my race is naturally agile.
Mikoto: Tank-dono refuses contact.
Take: He knows that Ouka is beating him by force, he plays on his speed and agility. Do you remember the guild's advice against large enemies?
Chigusa: Aimed at the legs to cancel their strength and size.
Take: He demonstrates a school case here. He attracts Ouka, and as soon as he hits Tank counter-attacks with his speed on Ouka's presses. If he fought with a real weapon, Ouka would already be on the ground.
Stay short, waiting for an opening, he gets angry with each keystroke. I just have to wait, it's probably a dirty way of fighting, without honor maybe but I'm not a noble knight, I'm an adventurer so I use everything at my disposal.
Take: Mikoto, what do you think of this way of fighting?
Mikoto frowning: He plays on these forces but I can't help thinking that this is just a coward's tactic.
Chigusa: He should face Ouka as a warrior.
After my 7th consecutive request on these knees, Ouka gave up not being able to stand.
Me: Thank you for the experience, it's the first time I've faced an enemy relying so much on brute force.
Ouka: Thank you, but my strength is worth nothing if it doesn't reach you.
Chigusa: Tank-dono why didn't you face Ouka as a warrior?
Me: Simple because I am not a warrior, I am an adventurer, the Dungeon leaves you no choice if you want to progress you have to use everything no matter that it is a 'poorly regarded' practice what matters is that you and your team come back alive. I think many avneturier dies because he doesn't understand that the Donjon does not care about style or principles.
Take: Keep these words in mind because they are entirely true. Honor dictates the way we live but it must not prevent us from living. Tank I think you should come in, the night will soon fall.
Me: Indeed, Lord Takemicazuchi and all of you were an honor and a pleasure to meet you.
Mikoto: Same Tank-dono.
Take: Get home safely and say hello to Astrea.
Manoir poussière d'étoile:
Me: Goddess Astrea I am back.
Astrea: I expected to see you come in earlier, is there an issue with the guild?
Me: No worries, it's when I went shopping that I met one of your former sparring partners, he invited me to his family for a little training session, charming people and my level. It's good to win for once.
Astrea: Oh interesting, what was the name of this god?
Me: Takemicazuchi.
Astrea: Is Take in Orario? I thought it was in the Fareast.
Me: He came with a small group of orphans whom he takes care of, they are there to gain experience and send money to their shrine in the country.
Astrea: Interesting, I'll have to go see him, it's been a long time since I've faced him. Even in Orario, gods with Take's talent are rare.
Me: Who else can confront you out of curiosity?
Astrea: Hum, Freya, Ganesha it doesn't seem like he has incredible strength but lacks a bit of technique and I think that's all. I surely forget some, but the majority of them having a talent for combat need to move away from it or at least teach it more than fighting by themselves.
Me: Oh, well, Take will be delighted to face you.
Astrea: Me too, and if you have a good relationship with them, could you maybe assist them in their descent?
Me: At the moment they are training new ones and therefore limited to the first 4 floors. Maybe later.