Chapter 1

The Adventurer and The Lady

A group of slimes appeared before me—No, it appeared right after I thought that I had «Cleared» the first floor. Or to be precise, they appeared after I killed some of their crews. Though, I’m not so sure if that’s the reason.

I dashed backwards before even the slimes started to jump above me. And steadily managed to evade the attack. The impact that I received even when I evaded the attack of the slimes made me lose a little balance. However, I am readying myself to counter. I slightly bent my knee and raised the sword above my shoulder forming a curved angle, pointing to the group of monsters. I dashed towards the small monster, then thrust my one-handed silver short-sword to the «Core» of the slimes one by one as they jumped to attack me. 

*Crack!*

The sound of the core being stabbed could be heard like breaking glass. And the slime melted right after the core was broken. The number of slimes earlier can be counted over forty-two and was now reduced by ten. 

“Haaa...”

I let out my breath as I dashed backwards, analyzing the movement of the slimes and thinking of a better way on how to defeat them all efficiently. 

The slimes; one of the weakest monsters inside the dungeon, are usually a level nineteen monster, capable of using the skill called «Dissolve». Even though they are small-size monsters, their levels are around nineteen to twenty-four which is seemingly higher than mine. Though, I still had an advantage because slimes had a lower «Durability» than I had. Or much lower than any other monsters. 

The group of slimes started to charge towards me considering their bulk. They had a high ability to dissolve my garments and even my weapon. And as long as they outnumbered me, they could kill me. But as long as I hit their weakness, I can easily clear this floor.

Monsters aren’t fools as many adventurers think they are and that's why they got killed by this monster. Although, I think humans are much more foolish than monsters.

I slashed the approaching group of slimes in an instant after they entered my «Field of Attack», crushing through their cores. Now their numbers are exceedingly depleted as they keep on attacking me. And left with nothing over half of their numbers earlier. Now it seems the favor is with me. 

I slay all of the remaining slimes with nothing left except for the «Crystal Fragment» which is being dropped by the slimes that I had slain. Though, the receptionist of the guild said that it also works the same regarding the kind of monster it was as long as they are killed; they would always drop a crystal fragment. 

After I killed all of the slime on the first floor. I put back my sword on my sheath which was attached to my belt.

I’ve picked up all of the crystal fragments that were lying on the ground and put it to my satchel. The ground was paved with stones. I decided to continue on exploring the dungeon. I went inside to the door which is headed down below towards the second floor.  

Walking along the stairs in this passage gives off a labyrinthine feeling. Thanks to the torch that was placed in each brickstone wall, I didn't need to worry about my vision. 

Continuing from the passage. I ended up in a small room. There’s nothing attractive to the room; perhaps the other prior adventurers took some of the valuables after arriving here. Though it wasn’t completely empty, the only thing inside the room was the coffer. And for some reason I don’t sense any monsters in this area, maybe it’s safe.  

“Perhaps, I could bring this coffer with me back to the guild,” I muttered to myself, “Or not.”

But I wonder why I keep feeling uneasy in this room. Why are there no monsters or any information regarding this room?

It seems suspicious. Maybe this chest box was a bait? But I won’t know if the chest box was really a bait or not if I don't open it. 

As my hand started to reach the chest box handle. I heard a voice but it wasn’t very clear. So I looked behind me and there was a lady standing on the door, looking at me. 

As an outside garment she wore a short slightly purple cloak which was covering her brown sleeveless tunic with a slightly brown vertical colored strip as its center. Together with a black pants fitting through her slender thighs that made her look very well. She has long black hair passing through her shoulder to waist, and her beautiful ruby red intimidating eyes.

Though overall she was a gracefully thin lady with some kind of mysterious aura.

“You shouldn’t touch that.”

“Huh?”

I looked at her. She walked a few steps closer to me. And passed through my left. 

“This coffer is very dangerous,” she pointed to the box. “So you must be careful.”

“But how did you know that this chest box is dangerous?”

The lady looked at me with her red eyes. I tried to avoid eye contact with her. 

“I’ve been here before. That’s why I know.”

“Is that so? Then it’s useless to try to open that thing if it’s dangerous. In any case, I’m going back to the guild to report this to the guild master.”

I wave my hand to signify that I’m leaving the room and that I’m no longer interested in what was inside of the box. But when I’m about to leave the room, the lady stopped me with her alluring voice.

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“Please wait...”

I looked behind me. 

“What? Do you have something—” 

Before I managed to finish what I’m about to say, she quickly put her hand on my lips. And she slightly tilts her head and whispers to my ears, I winced.

“You can’t do that because this room will disappear before the other adventurers will arrive. Even if you report it to the guild master they wouldn’t believe you since they didn’t see the room.” 

I took a few steps backwards. I looked at the lady once again, now I didn’t try to avoid looking at her eyes.

“How did you know all of that?” 

She took a few steps backwards and stretched her arms and shook her head, “Well, I already told you, I’ve been here before.” 

I sighed.

“I’m going back to the guild.”

“You're going back now?” 

“Hmm...Yeah? Why? Aren’t you going back too?” 

“Well, yeah?” 

We climbed back to the stairs, heading to the first floor, leaving the room. I looked back to the room and like what she said the room really did disappear. The room changes into the normal passage that must be continuing towards the second floor. Though, I’m not sure if I can trust this lady that is walking along next to me in the first floor hallway.  

“About what you said earlier, the room really did disappear.”

 “Told you.” 

“By the way, you haven’t told me about your name.” 

“You must first give your name before asking the person for her personal information.” 

She sounded mean as she said those words. 

“You're very formal. Well, the names, Ryfindrae. What about you?” 

“Did I say that I would give you my name?”

“Huh!? But I thought you wou—”

She sighed. The lady looked towards me, “Haha...I’m just kidding.” 

“I thought you were serious for a second there.”

“To be honest you should be careful, Ryfindrae. Giving a personal name to someone you just met is no good.” 

“Yeah, it indeed would turn out bad if I just randomly gave my name to someone that I just met but you’re not the type of person that would trick me, though. And besides, telling someone my name isn’t really a big deal to me. Well, I usually prefer not to say my name, though.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yes.”

“If the name is the only thing you want then I could give you that.”

“Really?” 

“I’m Qhuinnea, nice to meet you, Ryfindrae.” 

Now that I looked at her closely she was a little attractive except that her smile isn’t the same as a genuine one. Or perhaps I’m just imagining things. 

“By the way, Qhuinnea, I’ve never seen you in the guild before. Are you perhaps from a different guild?”

“Hmm...I’m not really sure.”

“Huh? You’re kidding. You’re not sure but you knew a lot about that coffer?”

“Well, first who said that I’m an adventurer? Do I look like I am one for you?”

“Hmm...”

Now that I think clearly about it, why did I even think that she was an adventurer like me? In any way, I don’t like digging up a lot of information about someone. After all, my motto is; If I’m not interested in something, I wouldn’t care about it, which contradicts some of my opinions. 

“And Ryfindrae.” 

There’s a serious tone when she said my name before continuing, “You shouldn’t say anything about that coffer, okay?”

“Understood.” 

“Good, starting now this is our little secret, okay.”

Again with her smile like that.

“...”

In any case I’m not really planning on telling anyone though. Why would I? After all, there’s no way they would believe me even if I did say. For some reason, I ended up having a secret with a beautiful mysterious lady named Qhuinnea. 

* * * * *

I'm currently inside an «Inn». Looking at the warm food served on the table where I’m sitting. Thinking that I hope I could enjoy eating food alone. Though, I want to enjoy the money that I earned from slaying those monsters. I just can’t waste them all at once. And now that this lady named Qhuinnea was sitting across from me at the table. And I hate to admit that the lady that I thought was very mysterious is also here being treated by the money that I earned.

“So why are you here, tagging along with me, Miss Qhuinnea?”

“Don’t be so cold to me, Ryfindrae. I’m broke now, besides, aren't you lucky that you’re eating with a beautiful lady like me?”

“That’s not what I’m trying to say, you just attract a lot of attention from that old geezer over there. He was staring swords at me like he would kill me any minute.” 

“Don’t worry about it, Ryfindrae.”

“Huh? How can you be so unworried?”

“That ‘old-geezer’ that you mean, was my grandfather.”

“Huh! Y-your grandfather? Why didn’t you say that he’s your grandfather.”

“Well, you seemed to be not interested so I decided that I won’t introduce you to him. And besides? Why would I introduce you to my family? Are you my boyfriend?” 

“You got it wrong. I’m not even planning to become your boyfriend, not even in my thoughts!”

“Oh, really? Are you trying to say that I’m not attractive enough?”

“I’m not really saying that you’re not attractive, it's just, hmm...how should I explain it? I think I just viewed you as nothing more than a lady?”

“You!”

She suddenly stood up from her seat and punched me on the left cheek. 

“What was that for!? Why did you suddenly punch me? Did you know how it hurts?”

“I just wanted to punch your face, that's all.”

My gums ended up bleeding from her punch that was quite strong. I wiped it with my cloth. I looked at the people that were eating inside the inn and they looked confused by what just happened. Did they all perhaps hear what I and Qhuinnea argued about? Or maybe not. Well, I hope not.

I looked at Qhuinnea.

My very first impression of this lady was ruined to dust. I thought she was the girl that I could get along with since she said we had a ‘secret’ that we should not tell anyone. But now I think I don’t want to keep a secret with her anymore. Though maybe, tomorrow we won't run into each other again. So for tonight I will just endure my time with her. 

“Ryfindrae,” Qhuinnea said my name in a bashful tone.

“What?”

“To be honest,” she smiled before continuing, “It was the first time I punched someone.”

After saying those words she gave a smile. It made me realize that she was indeed a girl and a pretty one if only she were to always smile.

Is that smile, perhaps, her genuine smile? Or not?

From now on, I think I’ll be careful with my words whenever I’m together with this lady. And not just with her also for anybody. Well, I just hope we won’t encounter each other again after this. 

Or so that was what I'm hoping.