The next morning, early while the foggy air from the south turned into gusts of sweetened amber wind.

Cold auras were active today and piercing looks seemed more frequent around the entrance of the dungeon.

Some shops and restaurants were closed today for some unknown reason. Though it may be because of recent events happening in the world.

More villages have reported adventurers clearing out monster lairs and several recently arrived deities.

More adventurers and traveling groups were following roads to Orario. Part of it was seasonal migration as well as planned events.

Business was picking up and there were excited folk listening in on joyful newcomers making it big. Even recent activity from different countries seemed to carry a tune to the liking of many amused deities.

I have said that there was bound to be a rise in new adventurers coming from around the world but actually seeing the effect is stimulating.

Anu, Tiamat, Bennu, Osiris, Anubis, Neptune and Medusa were recent additional players to the ‘game’ of running a familia. Or so my Goddess has said.

Different allied parties have been getting together in response to these new arrivals but most didn't seem to actively look for new members. Usually this means that the unbalanced groups with differing social hierarchies are putting in more practice time.

I don't know if that would be enough, considering how often you hear deities laughing over the unfolding of some hapless familias.

Crime or illness left out as a plausible cause. A few deities have been removed from this realm after losing in war games.

One of those being a very recently set up familia that had been gathering failed rouges to cause trouble in neighboring countries.

Mercury and Pluto were the ones to have taken care of that issue. Apparently Mercury took the lead while Pluto profited the most. A huge bet won and leftover adventurers being taken in after finding the distinction between criminal and cooperative.

I made preparations to enter the dungeon after staying in a stance before working on balancing.

With this, I finally went to the sixth floor. Mostly prancing into the sixth floor then skipping back to the fifth. Aggroing the frogs before leading them to bigger corridors. Often having to use corners to avoid attacks then committing to lunge attacks after dodging tongues.

War Shadows were like a dessert to me. My guts and viscera feeling warm and hot at the idea of facing them. Counters and crippling strikes being the focus of my strategy.

I know it is better to not underestimate the danger of facing them. My neck, arms and chest where the parts I fully protected. As much as possible, actually.

Swiping my sword up to literally disarm them. Bashing my sword into their heads when I had rare moments of ambushing them. Using long corridors to cast flame magick. Often breaking up groups of them before skipping back to conserve energy. Then listening in for enemies to take on Shadows one at a time. Backing up and side stepping their attention to build up leverage for when I am on the offensive.

Leaving a dagger in their eye before bracing for a hit. After a few of these types of encounters, I went back up to find party members to take through these floors. Tactics and transforming techniques with the intent to start long-term career plans.

No scars thanks to health potions I get for not much at all. Often attributing my fast recovery in part to how often I drink these potions. Sometimes to remove fatigue and enjoy the feeling of muscles hot from battle yet still warm by the time I encounter another War Shadow.

The only attacks I received were those on my chest plate and glancing off my shoulders.

Glaring back at the War Shadows is how I got over these mild occasions.

So far, this is fantastic. My magick has seen three times to ten times the rate of improvement than before I got this Harvest skill.

My Vitality and Strength have seen the same. Small naps and snacks are all I need before climbing back down into the dungeon for the rest of the day.

Now three War Shadows are what I consider a reward for being patient while in the dungeon. The kind that is becoming more frequently available.

And so, I started seeking new companions. Mostly people I haven't seen before or with the kind of behaviors recognizable in potential adventurers.

There were a few groups of amazonians and demihuma and even an elf or two. They were all cute and some eyed me after noticing my gaze. One elf almost gasped after hearing what their companion said when both looked towards me.

I wonder if I'm some of these girls’ type. That would be pleasing to know.

Not all of these encounters led to partying… it was often the case that they needed a mage or supporter rather than a new attacker.

Since it seemed there were more than one major familia sending in low ranking adventurers today, I decided to finally wear an outfit I had in mind for recruiting a full party. With the next few days for solo play and training.

After a first time experience in a bath house, I walked home slowly and steadily.

Drank some tea and wrapped a few treats for enticing more delicate-types.

Sandles and belt I found in a secluded shop behind several roads and a small stone square connected which stayed in front of a few mansions. High level adventurers sometimes roaming the area with ease.

I'm in my new outfit today. A robe reminiscent of those of the east but fluffier and meant for lounging in the wild. The kind of style that fits in a dungeon city.

My Goddess has agreed that recruiting now would be exactly what she needs for progressing past the point of entry-level exploration. She asked me to come up with ideas for several interlocking themes of what she calls “the peak of adventurous dungeoneering” or something like that. This is a heavy yoke, to be known for accepting and allowing her desires to take precedence.

Center stage, myself and my budding leadership. To the side, my Goddess singing and fantasizing. Behind me, the markings she speaks of as often as I do.

A realization of how this world is and how strong I actually am now. Would this be enough to convince someone?

I've already convinced myself and I don't see any wiser starts to a conversation other than- ‘Do you seek adventure in this city?’/’Are you in need of a new party to support?’/’Does adventure and danger appear differently to you?’ all wonderfully noteworthy lines from the gut.

Yet, I am at the end of one of my plans. A full-fledged fantasy of lengthy combinations while I stand and breath.

I should seek the ones closest to becoming heroes, known specialists or talented artists.

If they are without a blessing, I should see them as they are. If they are without a leader, I should place them where they'd bring successful results. Whether they are seeking their own way to rise from the ranks of level one or need the absolute certainty of their own power to overcome odds into adventure.

Through the doors I open once I have mastered my own. If I could, I would support them in their first steps while reminding them to follow deeper into battles.

Flame Magick… this is what I'm keeping close to my heart and hand.

If they seek magick, I'll show them what they may see.

If they are wise and strong, I would take them.

If they are meant to support, I'll find the one that has more potential then their forefathers.

Darkness and monsters do not hold anything for me.

I know how to handle this quest.

Directly to the front of the gates and coming to the conclusion that I need glasses…

Other than that, having a set range of sight is good for me. I'll cherish the opportunities I have.

If heaven has something I can't say no to, I would give my strongest smile to know the end.

Thirst quenched and sweat barely lifting from my back and collarbone.

Pale brilliant light overtaking the sky as clouds pounce and dance under dry thunderous air.

My steps becoming slow and sequenced. Death and power are absent from my hands and hips. Light graces my shoulders and tilting pauses.

Deep darkening eyes accumulating soft quiet distances. The wind glancing off the steps in front.

Sounds falling after groups or bands of people pass by after the silent paths close to the arcing, thick air pulled in at this hour.

Children and young adventurers traveling in the city. Markets off to the back of this location.

Melting wax from candles and the smell of bread.

I see young beautiful elves, I see pale busty catgirls, I see tall feminine humanoids in armour, dresses, coats and carrying bags.

Some people are on carts or coming down from smaller carts.

Strong looking folk from different foreign lands.

Music drifts in from the smallest windows and alleys.

I walk up to a group of three girls I saw whispering about their own reasons for coming here while one had a sword strapped to their back and their companion playing with a dagger.

-”I'm not sure where to start but I know I'd love to see you two with me. I could at most help you in the first floor if you'll trust me!”

-”Got it. I'm more of a support with my height for now. I'll help you until we know what dangers there are.”

-”I've heard plenty about this city but it's not an easy path to walk on for new adventurers.”

The amazonian who just spoke tilted back with a curious look in their eyes.

A sudden movement echoed in the stance of their shortest friend.

I walked slowly from behind a light green haired girl with a robe. Then I said what I had prepared in the last few steps before encountering them.

After all of them had moved to the sides of their companions, their elf friend turned around and blinked with a shy smile.

“Are you three in need of a deity to bless your start as an adventurer? My Goddess has asked me to bring in someone to our home.”

At this point in the story, I must recount that while I'm enjoying this, I have very firm demands when it comes to the quality of a party.

For the sake of my career, we'll call these three light green-san, dark blue-san and intentional-san.

They all genuinely agreed to follow me to where my Goddess was ready to interview them. I spoke very little but responded to all important questions they had to ask. One by one they introduced themselves and demanded I convince them to join.

Intentional-san became amused by their elven friend's insistence to know how I could promise safety in the dungeon.

The shorter blue eyed girl behind them chimed in asking how far I had gotten through the dungeon.

I acknowledged the dangers of the first few floors and the farthest I reached. My comments on kobolds, war shadows and the approach one would have on the sixth floor were accentuated with the small rolling flames of a few flame spells.

Mostly the smallest puffs of red fire and pale, smokeless fire.

I had cast the spell to bolster their confidence in me and convince their friends.

I convinced them. They asked how many times I could cast this spell and I responded by asking for the amount that would cover their range of attacks since there wasn't an exact amount of times of casting that would deplete my mind yet.

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On we went to Ceres-Sama and she made sure to come to complete harmony with them. Finding out their hopes for facing monsters. An hour of preparing them for receiving their falna.

Light and shiny sparkles rose and coiled under a glowing hand before Ceres-Sama handed them their weapons to kneel to the side of a cushioned mat.

A sword held tightly by their small humanoid friend.

Ears red and hands clenched by the elf girl with light green hair.

Deep red undertones to the eyes of the amazonian now finally bowing to accept an inked page from their Goddess.

First they spent a night getting close and enjoying asking questions. They were informed of our stance in the community. Leading them to a room with weapons, leather armour and cloth rolls on racks in-case they needed new clothing.

A dark blue robe for dark blue-san was prepared.

After adjusting a dress made from elven silk for light green-san, we were brought to a table to plan our first moves as a party.

I asked to be given three days to train them, guide them through the first floor and practice with spears while being taught swordsmanship by our Goddess.

And so we did that while withholding their first update. Saying the fifth day before meeting with parties with similar balances of ability scores would be when they'd know their initial potential.

If they needed more time to practice on the second afternoon, we would have them fight against me and our Goddess.

At first, they frantically asked Ceres-Sama to reconsider but after being tossed around with a wooden stick after walking into the garden, they started nodding more frequently whenever her ideas seemed possible.

Intentional-San asked her if focusing on scouting and ambushing was acceptable.

Light Green-San chimed in saying that magick and support would be her choice.

Dark Blue-San waiting until after their teacher spoke for her part in how we would delve into the dungeon.

Focusing on the sword was what Dark Blue-San desired most.

They were all given their own small room filled with only a bed, a closet, a shower and two different bags to be shared between their two small supporters.

The curls of Dark Blue-san would glow in the sunlight and dampened the lighter tone of her soft, soft skin.

The long hair of Light Green-san wasn't included in any of our conversations. We enjoyed the moments where she would form sentences with her honest requests in the instance that we were to rank up.

Finding out the basis of Ceres-Sama and her allies’ direction as new and experienced representatives of their children. Then continuing to turn the conversation into a strategy meeting on cooperating with prospective adventurers.

I chimed in to mention the ones I would party with more often to stabilize our schedules.

If magick was to be improved naturally, we would gather to practice and compare new additions to parties.

If they needed a higher Defense to actually enter and leave a floor, we would measure their physique with their equipment.

If they knew how to carry themselves then we would have them in front on the second day.

We saw the magick of the elves as a wind blade that curved into the next hallway of the dungeon floor we started on.

Then a combination attack where their wind blade carried the force of a flame spell rising at the outermost edge of the wind spell. A spear batting away a goblin while a shorter spear stabbed away the goblin.

Her accuracy being very high while the spell was a concentrated slicing lull of mana of the wind attribute.

The back of the slicing movement glided over and across in a straight line.

Their chant was only two poems long and mine was timed after it seemed to be formed properly.

I scouted ahead while Dark Blue-San guarded.

We had one of the recent additions to Dangerous Smile-Sama's familia.

She had found someone with the exact same height as Dark Blue-san whom decided to be a supporter with a spear.

A high Defense and Agility ability score were her main good points.

I planned to see which specific allied adventurer from the many familias with switching configurations would be a permanent invite.

Results were popping up all the time now. A handful of adventurers were now level two after five years of adventuring, their recent expedition to the ninth floor led to these rank ups. The more prominent deities of the alliance began initiating plans that had been set in motion after the most of each one's children had reached their full potential.

Adventurers from one of five familias had ranked up successfully.

Two powerful mages, a swordsman, an adventurer with the hunter development ability and someone whom was transferred to a smaller familia with potion brewing knowledge.

The strength of each party didn't represent the total they had reached after this much time.

I knew the challenges they may have faced were no greater than what they've known and lived through.

Though their names were not specifically mentioned on the fifth day when we had gathered together to cover the basics of battle.

Important news was shared while young adventurers sparred or warmed up.

A practice spell was shared with the elven mages whom realized they were from the same forested mountainside.

They were left alone together in a room while only one lantern was lit.

It was the smallest of spells but it improved their magick ability scores. As to why the deities had this chant, we do not know but it had close to only a one in a 9000th of a possibly of fluctuating into reflexive combustion.

Visibly seeing the affect of a spell somehow did the same to one's conscious efforts as finding interest in a story.

The magick of each newly joined adventurer with a high enough ability score was to be displayed to their own deity in front of either mages with an affinity to the same element or to rows of parties with some amount of potential for manifesting magick.

The extent of mind while chanting could be an impactful experience for some of our allies.

We could reference these displays as how well versed or rehearsed each one was in casting their magick.

Some skills were displayed as well afterwards. With small matches held between individual adventurers.

Sore muscles and quick counters were the highlight of the day.

A small run around the boundaries of each familia with a full party was performed while smaller parties were to race in relays to time their skill with the momentum of their bodies.

Personal weapons were carried during races between evenly matched adventurers afterwards, based on Agility and Dexterity compared to Strength.

If someone had not received their status yet they were to find someone to spar against before we left.

I was sent to collect books from a few stores that would be good for specific members, including ink, paper, clay and journals.

The clay was also intended for gardening tall dense vegetables and herbs but a small portion would be for playing.

Once I had returned I noticed our Goddess had taken a bath and found a young girl who looked very tired, once they decided to walk around for a short while.

This girl is a short bear demihuma. Ears and tail making this obvious though she had a tendency to hide her tail from me.

After hearing her out and feeling very happy with their personality, our Goddess gave her a falna in front of us.

For the sake of my career, we shall call this person Panphan-Chan.

While she could be described as curvy, her limbs were lithe and she had a bit of a tummy. Small as she was, while being 170cm tall.

Twenty centimeters taller than Dark Blue-San.

Fourteen centimeters taller than Intentional-San.

Twelve centimeters taller than Light Green-San.

My height was the same as her’s before I received a falna. My diet could improve though, even with the many choices I would actually have available to me.

Healthy doses of medicine and honey whenever I knew it to be better for me.

Measuring the length necessary for crossing barriers and making an impact on the dungeon's daily developments. Giving more of my attention to what is likely most important at this time.

The current season was late summer, two trips to the sixth floor once everyone met the minimum requirement was planned, though most could do well enough when regrouping and chain in threes.

Some floors being better for cutting through an aggroed group of monsters. Magick and focused attacks where monsters couldn't flail or crash into kill spots.

…

I had already imagining their potential for growth while they started having intermittent conversations related to the upcoming days.

This is result of the following day of exploring.

Intentional-San

Level One

Strength I 10 { I 26

Vitality I 12 { I 32

Dexterity I 15 { I 16

Agility I 10 { I 12

Magick I 5 { I 6

Dark Blue-San

Level One

Strength I 5 { I 35

Vitality I 10 { I 14

Dexterity I 15 { I 36

Agility I 15 { I 36

Magick I 3 { I 5

Light Green-San

Level One

Strength I 4 { I 8

Vitality I 1 { I 13

Dexterity I 5 { I 15

Agility I 9 { I 20

Magick I 50 { I 55

I also made some progress.

Sen Hyunyunmun

Level One

Strength I 53 { H 101

Vitality I 67 { H 135

Dexterity H 193 { F 350

Agility I 65 { I 92

Magick I 71 { G 239

Magick

(Flame Magick)

Summoning the power of flame to create and manifest flame magick.

Skils

(Harvest)

Gaining increases in status leads to improved benefits.

One of my ability scores moved up to H and Magick somehow is already at G.

This is good.

I now have what may be the fastest growing magick ability of the newest batch of adventurers currently venturing into the dungeon; with results like these.

Panphan-Chan also got some results.

Strength I 5 { I 25

Vitality I 5 { I 9

Dexterity I 6

Agility I 3

Magick I 2 { I 3

These were good for only a single day of intense preparation and floor clearing.

This was now the third week since I came to Orario.

All the many plots and schemes that I knew were implemented by multiple entities were fulfilling the goals established at the start.

To find the most fitting weapon for each party member. To plan formations and responses to danger. To defeat enemies, monsters and surpass rivals.

Dangerous Smile-Sama came out to me about considering me a small friend, after tense moments of quiet and shy glances.

Asking me to keep this a secret so that my Goddess doesn't misunderstand her intentions in getting close to me. She seemed sincere.

Though the blushing behavior she impressed upon me was dangerous in its own way. Grabbing my attention to ask me how well I was doing lately.

“Do you imagine it would be soon that you may start delving deeper into the dungeon?”

“Yes, I am searching for a permanent party and close allies to lead my familia to a high rank. Either I am to have a rotating line up of supporters from allied familias when we are looping through the surface levels or to commit to gaining Excellia at the very ends of the dungeon.”

“I know whom you have in mind… well- if you ever do plan to do so, feel free to always consider my family's supporters to be open for your explorations. They'll be happy to help you. I'm sure.”

“Thank you.”

“If I enter as often as possible, I would surely see a trend in the timing of movements on different floors of the dungeon. Either in the morning or whenever I enter alone.”

Relaxing my arms and back while finishing my words.

“If I combine my knowledge with my intuition, I could .”

She took a moment before exclaiming when her eyes looked about ready to jump at me with her sharp nails.

“You should play against me in something, just a few times.”

“If you'll let me know your thoughts on a few specific parts of Orario… and if there are any adventurers likely to be active in the middle floors in the following years.”

“Is it something difficult you're planning?”

“I'm planning to network by focus on only one favoured child of each familia, rotate supporters every week and exchange cooperation on deeper levels for a say in how talented adventurers are to be placed.”

“We know we treat you all well enough. The results we share have been more than we projected after our first month here. Well, some of us at least.” *sigh*

“What's the matter?”

“I only have one attacker and several supporters. A lot of them actually. My plan to be a supporter-heavy familia is slow to show results.”

“I know a few adventurers who could explore well enough to avoid being murdered. I'll see your supporters and let them know about possible cooperating.”

*sigh* “That would be good, thank you.”

By the time night had come on, I had finished my conversation with Dangerous Smile-Sama. Obtaining her support.

I had finalized my party system for ranking up.

Dark Blue-san, Intentional-San, Myself, Light Green-san, Panphan-Chan and either a supporter or one of my more talented helpers would be how my party would be set to return.

With future new members either being trained as specialized professionals.

Running into the most effectively profitable floors and not forgetting to make quick work of venturing deeper.

If I saw a cute young elf or a demihuma with friends, I would place them under me to ensure their success in their field.

Our work being the kind full preparation seemed most beneficial for.

I have gotten more sleep, my eyes don't hurt at night and I don't see any stressful events playing in the background or foreground.

…

…

…

This led to fantasies and moments where I forgot the possibility of people with higher stats seeing my semi-embarassing moves.

Dancing and marching ever so often.

This is how I spent my first night on patrol around the territory of our familia and allied groups.

In the morning, I went to the guild to ask for guidance on my advancement through the dungeon with ability scores. I described my current party and how it would be entering at every recommended level of status for a party and then known parties of the same familia thereafter with plans in case of having someone join each party or several parties of allied familias.

My advisor agreed to this and went on and on about my livelihood while reinforcing the idea of investing in my equipment whenever necessary.

“You can never be too careful on the first five floors but since you're already planing to reach the sixth, bring higher quality potions with you. Or someone to carry a few. You'll need to catch up if you intend to overtake the adventurers in front of you on this road.”

“I'll keep that advice for reference.”

“It is likely that they won't be too much of a problem though.”

“Be that as it may, be careful. Now carry on with your day, I have paperwork.”

“Yes, Advisor-San~”

“Hmph.”

*smiles*

:3

It was a calm day and a peaceful night after that.

It was a full schedule most days with rest for my party when I was to group up with supporters on the first few floors.

Often with their better-equipped friends.

Either the young swordswoman from the Eastern lands or a wolf demihuma would join us on explorations.

Developing our tactics and gaining experience in adventuring.

These two girls were Cold Rain-San and Broad Tail-San.

Broad Tail-San is a tank with magick which increases their Vitality in exchange for Agility depending on the length of their spell while also increasing their Vitality the more they are defending with their shield.

Longer casts would increase Vitality at a lower cost of Agility and Mind.

Cold Rain-San had started planning to build up Excellia before asking their deity to update their Status later.

Fully focusing on raising Magick and Vitality while only raising the remaining three Abilities in 10s before moving on to preserve excellia.

This actually showed results and she informed me of these when we had privacy far from the places we normally met.

Magick was left for the end of each week and Vitality was updated as often as possible.

I shared my own way of having a deity update the blessing. Starting with Magick, moving on to write the Magick part of the Falna, then the level before raising Vitality before bouncing from Agility and Dexterity in single digits before writing in skills.

Full power and a build up of secondary abilities is how I described it.

They asked if they could do the same. I responded that it would be at their discretion.

They asked me after a silent moment about their theory and methodology of improving by updating their blessing.

If they updated their Magick every week, the gains would overcome the time difference between competing adventurers.

If they updated their Vitality as often as possible, the results would improve their capacity to pull through in the dungeon.

If they asked for their Excellia to be prioritized somehow then their rate of growth would not be limited by their actions.

I asked if they gained more Strength over time in this way. They said yes.

I asked if the rate of gaining Excellia had improved so far. They said it was more in-line with the depth they reached in the dungeon so far.

My answer was as direct as I could make it.

“It may be the case that updates made before progressing in a floor would show where improvements could be made. Vitality and Strength could be balanced depending on the quality of excellia needed for increasing them and Magick would be where your potential would rise as you gain more and more experience.”

“Ask your deity if increasing each Ability one point at a time with intervals of measuring the increases leads to a more synergistic base status. Then allowing yourself to return to raising each one in full after you're happy with your base total.”

“I'll do exactly that, Sen.”