Before entering his new courtyard, John made plans to dine with the two girls later, and they parted ways for the moment. Once inside the courtyard, John inquired of Max, "What do you make of all this? This place seems more akin to a fantasy realm than one of cultivation. Plus, being in the company of others, I couldn't converse with you without arousing suspicion. The presence of the crows provides a convenient cover, at least." Max replied, "Indeed, it serves as a suitable pretext in public. To address your query, I have recorded the conversations of the crowd and will analyze them to discern any new information." John proceeded to clean up and don his new uniform, knowing it would be hours before he could dine.

Opting to exercise first, he practiced his fly-chi. He executed push-ups until his arms were sore, followed by sit-ups, and then lunges, moving with fluidity and precision. He relished the feel of the fly-rod in his hand, yet the fear of damaging it made him wary of fully incorporating it into his combat style. For the time being, he would stick to tai-chi. Having never engaged in combat in his past life, John was uncertain of what to prioritize. Max offered, "John, I possess some advanced tai-chi techniques. I can show you the videos I archived before we journeyed to this new world.""Okay, show me what you've got," he said, and then closed his eyes. John observed an older man performing a one-handed handstand, followed by a move resembling a low leg sweep. It reminded him of the Jamaican character from the video game Street Fighter. He just discovered another method to refine the flow of his fighting style.

John was absorbed in the rhythm of his leg sweeps and hand flips, oblivious to time slipping by until a knock at the courtyard door jolted him back to reality. "Crap, it's already time for dinner," he muttered to himself. Approaching the door, he was taken aback to find only the two girls waiting. "Did we come too early?" Ayna inquired. "No, I just lost track of time during training," he replied. "Where are the others?" Alana chimed in, "They aren't coming. They said they'd meet up soon and mentioned something about intense training sessions ahead." "Ok then let's go get some food." The two turned around john started to follow. "Where are we going for food is there a diner hall?"

"Ayna, we could try, but I'm intrigued about your method for catching fish," she remarked. "Are fish delicious?" inquired Alana. John, taken aback, asked, "You've never tasted fish?" She negated with a shake of her head. "The concept of eating fish is foreign to me. Why would one, when the flesh of beasts is so laden with spirit energy?" he wondered aloud. "Today, that will change. We'll venture beyond the city to the river upstream. It's an ideal fishing locale. Additionally, I plan to prepare some extra fish for the crows," he announced. The pair of elven maidens followed him closely.

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"As you're aware, I belong to the high elves. Everyone seems to think my life is flawless. My family is ancient and wealthy, bound by countless peculiar traditions that I'm expected to cherish. Yet, to be frank, it's all rather dull. I'm in search of something... different. That's my sole motivation for venturing into a dungeon," he declared. Elena then added, "I know some high elves who believe their lives are perfect, but mine is far from it. My family wields power, and they have their set of rules, but I refuse to be dictated by them. Surely, life has more to offer than extravagant soirees and age-old customs, wouldn't you agree?"

John could grasp their reasoning, yet he yearned to delve deeper into this world. He posed several inquiries about dungeons, seeking clarity on what to anticipate. Alane responded first, explaining, "Upon completing the first level, a number appears on your left hand, ranging from one to nine. With each subsequent level, you receive an enhancement in your cultivation. The rewards vary for each individual, depending on their experiences on that particular floor. The critical aspect to remember is that each entry is solitary—no groups, teams, or parties allowed. That's why your individual talents are crucial. Once you finish a floor, you may choose to keep the beast cores and exit or continue onward. You're allowed to restart at any previously conquered level, but once you embark on a new floor, it's a definitive pass or fail—there's no retreat after you've stepped forward. Bear this in mind. Moreover, if you conquer multiple floors consecutively without exiting, you receive additional bonuses based on the highest level achieved during that run. This is the point where many succumb to greed, attempting numerous floors in one go to obtain the grandest rewards."

The trio had just passed the city gate when two crows descended and perched on John's shoulder. "Nice to see you two again," John greeted. With dinner in mind, he found a nearby spot. Suddenly, his fly-rod materialized in his grasp. He swung the rod back and forth three times, releasing the line, then with a flick, he allowed the fly to settle gently upon the water's surface. Shortly after, a large fish snapped up the bait. John wrestled with the hefty fish and, following a brief tussle, he landed it on the shore. He collected some fallen branches from the riverside and, gathering stones, he fashioned a fire ring. Producing fire gel, he ignited a flame swiftly. "What's that stuff? How did it start the fire so fast?" Anya inquired. "It's magic," Alana declared. John, with a smile, simply called it a trick. He then expertly sliced the fish and laid it upon a flat stone.

The aroma of cooking fish permeated the air, taking the pair by surprise. John retrieved some salt, pepper, and upon finding a pine tree, he gathered a handful of needles to sprinkle over the fish. As it began to cook, he returned to the riverbank. In just ten minutes, the fish was ready. During this brief interval, John managed to catch four additional fish. He then skewered them on sticks and arranged them around the fire to cook.