Vel was constantly being alert and was paying close attention to her instincts. She dodged whenever she was alerted by danger. The same instincts that saved her when she was twelve were coming in to save her six years later. She kept trying to move as high and far as possible. However, that being seemed to be able to reach anywhere at any moment. The ground had a little more life the higher she went, but the life would disappear not too long after. Nothing survived here, not even the other traveler survived. Yet that fact didn’t despair Vel, she was full of adrenaline and willing to do whatever she needed to survive. No matter how hard she tried she still couldn’t process what that thing was. She didn’t care enough to find out. She wanted out, as soon as possible.

“Just gotta keep going, I’ll almost have enough mana to make a portal out of here.” She sensed that she was almost going to be able to leave. She was a little worried that the next portal would lead her to her immediate death. However, she was willing to gamble her life in hopes of a potential future. The being was the one constant of the world. It remained unharmed or changed, the natural colosseum was changed at the whim of the being.

“It’s messed up how this world tricks you into fighting that thing. It gives a whole natural coliseum that fools you into thinking that you can touch that bastard. Touching that thing has dire consequences. I’ll be livid if the next world is like this.” In order to keep her mind from numbing she was constantly thinking or speaking. “Just looking at that bastard annoys me. It’s trying to kill me but I can’t kill it or even touch it. That’s not a fight at that point it’s just a slaughter. Unfortunately for that asshole I don’t plan to be its victim.” She smiled as she felt her mana finally recharge enough to open a portal.

She opened a portal in front of her. However the moment it formed it was destroyed by that thing. Vel was not despaired by this however. Instead this majority annoyed Vel as she had spent a decent amount of time surviving enough to regain that mana. She thought it wouldn’t target the portal because it didn’t target it when she got there. She then reviewed the facts.

“So it didn’t target the portal then led into here. Maybe because it was external, it also only observed when there was a rain of elemental attacks. I’ve only seen it target one thing at a time. And only things with a decent amount of mana, anything too small it doesn’t pay attention to. Perhaps when there are multiple targets it gets confused and doesn’t attack. If that’s the case I have an idea on how I can finally escape. I just need to bide my time and get some more mana. Alright here we go!” Now that Vel had a plan she was full of confidence once more.

She kept her instincts sharp and dodged when necessary as she climbed higher and higher. Though it never seemed to end. After a while she was ready and had enough mana to enact her plan. First she pictured her pocket dimension portal opening at a 1 second delay.

A casting style that had once felt awkward. But thanks to the training she received from her mom as well as countless attempts, she was able to do it. She did this as after the time was up the portal would instantly form. The inter dimensional portal needed a little time to form while the pocket dimension portal was usually instant.

In order for her plan to work she had to open a portal to her pocket dimension at the same time as her portal to who knows where. She casted the inter dimensional portal spell with only half a second remaining for the pocket dimension portal to manifest.

The creature only looked at the portals and didn’t attack either one. She had been right, and now she was able to move forward with her journey. She went through the portal to finally escape the dangerous dimension. Before she went fully through she flicked off the being. After her portal had closed the pocket dimension one was destroyed by the beast.

Vel had finally escaped that annoyingly dangerous situation. The next place she landed at had solid ground full of life. The moment her instincts stopped screaming. She melted on the floor and just took a moment to gather herself. The adrenaline rush had finally reached its end. She took a deep breath and let out a big sigh.

“I’m finally out of that shithole. I can finally continue my journey without having to worry about dying constantly.” She yelled. Then she fell asleep, as she had worked her body and mind hard in order to survive. Where she was now was a question she would answer when she woke up.

She awoke in an unfamiliar room. The bed was kinda small. There was a small circular window. The room slightly rocked back and forth. She could tell she was moving. She got out of the bed and walked over to the window. She was eager to find out where she was. Or rather what she was on. Outside her window she saw a sea of clouds below her.

“That’s strange, I don’t feel like I’m that high up in the sky. Maybe I can get a better view of things outside.” Vel was confused. She then opened the door and was greeted by a hallway of similar doors. She walked through the hallway looking for a way out. She suppressed the urge to go through the doors because she figured they were just like the room she was in. After wandering the halls she found steps that lead upwards. She went up and was greeted by more hallways and steps. She continued her trek upward and eventually made it outside.

What she was greeted by was an open sky, clear blue sky with the clouds below. She was on a ship of some kind that sailed through a sea of clouds. The air was refreshingly clean and lacked the sense of dread the previous world gave off. She wanted to enjoy this peace for as long as she could. She had gotten lost in thought as she stared into the infinite sea of clouds. She had noticed not a single person on the ship had mana that she could sense. Either mana typically doesn’t exist here or she was just on a ship of people that didn’t have it.

Vel was snapped back into reality when her back was tapped by a young girl. The girl was holding a bunny doll. She had shoulder length brown hair and bright blue eyes. She was quite small and her head only reached to Vel’s thighs. She looked at Vel’s face before speaking.

“Oh you’re finally awake. You’ve been out for three days. Your eyes are so pretty. I spotted you when I was enjoying the view of the cloud seas with my Ricky.” The innocent little girl showed off her bunny when she said Ricky.

“Is that the bunny’s name?” Vel asked the girl in a sweet tone.

“Yep! And my name is Lana.” Lana introduced herself.

“Well Lana, didn't your parents ever tell you that you shouldn't talk to strangers. What if I was a bad guy?” Vel tried to spook Lana.

“You don’t seem like a bad guy to me.” Lana confidently said. “You aren’t a bad guy right?” She asked, a little nervous. She had started fidgeting.

“Well last I checked I’m still on the side of good. So I’m a good guy then.” Vel smiled, easing Lana’s nerves. “So where am I? And what are you all doing out here?” Vel asked.

“You are on my family’s ship. We own this passenger ship and are currently giving a ride to adventurers in search of treasure. My Grampa said we are sailing towards a newly discovered ruin. There is said to be treasure inside. I wanna go, but I’m too young and my dad says it’s too dangerous.” Lana explained. Her face became visibly disappointed. When she said sailing, Vel looked around and saw the ship had no sail to speak of. She had only read in books of boats with sails. She was rather curious how this one was sailing.

“Sailing? But there isn’t a sail?” Vel asked, confused but curious. That was when an older gentleman walked up to the two of them. He had the same brown colored hair as Lana. However, his eyes were green instead of blue. Lana also smiled when he walked over to them.

“That’s cause this boat uses a steam engine along with other technical stuff.” The older gentleman explained. “I see that you’re finally awake. Might I ask what your name is, and what you were doing sleeping in such a place?” The man calmly asked with a smile.

“My name is Vel, and I was just taking a nap. But it seems I was out for longer than I expected.” Vel laughed it off.

“I can’t say I’ve never had the thought to fall asleep on the ground. But to think someone would actually do it. Adventurer types are so reckless I swear.” The man shook his head before laughing as well.

“Well I guess I could be considered an adventurer. Though I’m just a traveler.” Vel replied.

“I figured you were an adventurer given your build. Your body seemed built to adventure so I just assumed. My bad, well where are you headed?” He asked.

“I don’t really have a destination in mind. Hmm how about I head in with those adventures and get you something. I’m quite strong after all.” Vel smiled and flexed her bicep. She looked at Lana when she said she would get something.

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Lana’s face lit up when Vel said that she would get her something. “Really? Thanks big sis Vel.” She said with a big smile. Upon being called big sis, Vel made a complicated expression before going back to a smile. She remembered the little ones she left behind all those years ago.

Maybe I should visit them when I learn to control my portals. It’s been six years after all. Vel thinks for a moment. She wasn’t eager to see her birth parents, but she did wonder how her siblings were doing.

“Are you sure? Many adventurers lose their lives to ruins. Usually those who risk it go on knowing they will likely not make it out.” The man was concerned.

“I have to pay this little one back somehow after all. I’ve already decided that’s how I’m going to do it.” Vel said with a determined smirk. There’s no way the ruins could be worse than what I went through in the previous world.

“I don’t really know your background, but if needed please stay by the main party if possible. That way you can be as safe as possible.” He sighed, realizing that Vel was going no matter what. “Well we’ll pack you some food for you to eat on the day of the exploration to make sure you don’t starve at least. Speaking of food, would you like to eat dinner with us? The little one would probably want you there haha.”

“If you’ll allow me then sure. I haven’t eaten in a bit and I’m feeling a little hungry.” Vel laughed. She plays with little Lana before dinner is ready. Once it’s ready Lana drags Vel into the dining area for family and friends. Inside there is a ton of food waiting to be consumed. With different styles and types of food in the middle. Vel sits down and awaits the time to eat food. She is also introduced to the family. A woman with black hair and blue eyes introduced herself as Lana’s mother. The grandfather who has gray hair all over and blue eyes introduced himself. He had a prosthetic leg. After introductions were done, they began eating food.

Vel had a lovely time chatting with the family and in the end they all wished her luck on surviving the ruins. The grandfather used to be an adventurer before losing a leg to one, after that he retired. He then established a boating company where he would transport passengers on his ships. It became the family business after it exploded in popularity.

A couple days passed and the day of the exploration had arrived. Vel just hung around Lana and the family, not really getting to know the adventurers at all. Once everyone was prepared and ready to leave the ship. The adventurers walked together towards the entrance. The number of adventurers was in the hundreds. It looked to be a giant doorway with nothing on the other side. The doorway was made of ancient gray stone. Once it was activated the once empty other side led to another area. The true ruin, as Vel entered she saw Lana waving to her. Vel was wearing a cloak in order to not stand out amongst the adventurers. She gave a light wave back to Lana.

“Will she be okay?” Asked Lana.

“She will be fine. After I lifted her inside I saw a little of her body. I could tell she was experienced in facing dangerous situations, and she had the presence of being incredibly strong which I saw while she was awake.” The grandfather explained to Lana. He reassured her that Vel was going to be perfectly fine.

Once Vel was inside the ruin she noticed a group taking the lead. The leader seemed very charismatic, but Vel was zoning out his speech. Though it inspired most people in the group. She did pick up that the place the ruin transported them too was called a dungeon. They moved as a unit further into the dungeon. Throughout the journey it was a cycle of monsters, puzzles, and traps. The repetitive nature of the dungeon made Vel a little bored. However, while observing the adventurers she realized they were pretty weak. Or perhaps she was too strong and she knew she went far past human level years ago. She never partook in any of the monster fights but no one seemed to mind. Due to her features not being very unique aside from her eyes, she was able to blend into the crowd. Of course under her cloak she had a very well built body, that would attract some attention. But that’s why she hid it because she didn’t want to stand out.

Throughout the trip they hadn’t been any casualties, but that changed once they made it to the third floor. Everything had become much more dangerous. The charismatic guy was constantly throwing himself into danger, but somehow surviving. Not everyone was so lucky though. Monsters tore through the weaker adventurers, or the traps killed them. So long as it wasn’t someone on their party no one seemed to mind the death of others. People were being skewarded or burned by the traps. Yet no one seemed to react to any of it outside of the party members.

By the time they made it down to the fourth floor. Only fifty adventurers remained, the hundreds had been reduced to only that much. The fourth floor reduced the number of adventurers to twenty. The charismatic guy’s party was all alive and healthy.

This place really is no joke for adventurers. Every floor we go down, the fewer number of adventurers survive. Though I don't know how hard it will get, I would assume most of the people alive now will survive. Vel was casually going through the dungeon without much worry. She was glad that she didn’t get to know the adventurers because otherwise she would feel the need to protect them. However, she wasn’t looking to put too much effort in. Aside from a couple monsters trying to attack her from behind which she quickly took care of with her superhuman degree of strength.

“Once we get through the fifth floor it will be time for the boss of the dungeon. I would ask for the cooperation of everyone. We fought long and hard to make it to this point.” The charismatic guy said. They made it to the end of the fifth floor which was a mini boss fight. The mini boss was a giant slime monster. Its gelatinous body housed a big red core. Which was the clear weakness of the slime. However, the adventurers kept trying to slash at the body to no avail. Vel took some pity and shouted out. “Hit the core, hitting the body won’t accomplish anything.” She echoed her voice.

The adventurers followed her advice and aimed for the core. In the process ten more adventurers died from being trapped in the slime. Vel was feeling rather disappointed by how weak the adventurers were. Eventually, the charismatic guy gets a lucky strike and destroys the core. After the slime is slain, the stairs open up which allows the group to head to the final floor.

The boss that awaits them in the final grand looking floor is a Minotaur. It’s quite large and it looks like it’s bored, while observing the adventurers. However, once it glances over Vel it suddenly feels excited. The other adventurers were weak, but Vel’s presence stood out to it.

“It seems this won’t be boring after all. One of the humans is not like the rest. Here I come.” The Minotaur smiled and lunged itself towards Vel with its giant ax in hand. The rest of the adventurers had forgotten she was there as she never did anything. So they thought it was going to challenge the charismatic guy.

“Good eye, but can you entertain me?” Vel smugly asked. The moment she spoke everyone recognized that she was the one who said the slime’s weakness. Vel dodged the initial overhead ax swipe. She was curious if she could beat this Minotaur without using any magic. Since magic didn’t seem to exist here. She then dodged the attacks from the Minotaur and when it got its giant ax stuck inside the ground. She kicked its jaw and knocked it back. This made it lose grip of the giant ax.

“My turn now.” She picked up the ax to the shock of the adventurers and the Minotaur. She quickly swung at the Minotaur but her swings were much faster and harder than the Minotaur’s. After grazing the skin repeatedly she went for a two handed horizontal slash. Which cut off the legs of the beast. She then jumped up and did an overhead attack while the Minotaur couldn’t move. It attempted to block with its arms but those were cleanly cut through along with its head. The moment it died the stairway to the treasure room appeared. Everyone cheered for Vel including the charismatic guy. Vel just yawned at how weak this world was. She kept the giant ax and then went into the treasure room. Which was filled with gold and gems. Vel wandered through and grabbed a decent amount of gold and gems, but she couldn’t find anything for Lana. She had an idea on what she would give Lana.

Once everyone was ready, everyone teleported out using the magic circle in the room. Only ten people made it out including Vel out of the hundreds that initially entered. Vel kept the giant ax with her, it was pretty durable and the material seemed pretty good. Lana saw Vel while she was on the ship’s deck. She happily waved at Vel with both hands. She accidentally dropped Ricky in the process. Vel quickly caught him before he hit the water, running at a superhuman level of speed.

“Ricky is important to you, make sure you don’t drop him.” Vel smiled as she jumped onto the ship with Ricky in one hand and the ax in the other. The moment she landed on the ship, Lana hugged her. Her excitement was noticed by her family who saw Vel arrive completely unharmed. The grandfather laughed as he realized she was casually holding a giant ax with one hand.

“I couldn’t really find anything for you in the dungeon, but how about you make a promise with me. Once I come back you’ll be strong enough to wield this ax. It’s the only thing I could think of giving you after all, haha.” Vel laughed as she carefully placed the ax on the deck. Vel then hands Ricky over.

“I’ll train and become really strong like big sister Vel.” Lana said fired up, she tried to lift the ax, but could only part of it off the ground with both hands.

“Haha I’m sure you will. Still it’s pretty impressive to be able to lift it just a little bit at your age.” Vel comments. “Is there any place that would be better to leave the ax for now?” Vel asked the grandfather.

“How about my main office.” He lifted the ax with two hands. Then gleefully carried it to his office.

“Well I’ll be leaving now. Goodbye Lana next time I see you, you better be able to wield that ax haha.” Vel laughed, as she opened a portal and then went through it.

Lana was surprised by the portal and then Vel disappeared. She fired up and ran to her grandfather. While she was running, she ran into her dad.

“Where did Vel go?” He asked.

“She left. I’m going to get Grampa to train me to be strong!” Lana said all fired up. She then continued to run towards her grandfather’s office. She then saw the ax on a holder in the office. “One day, I’ll be able to use that.”

Vel had gone through the portal, curious to where it would take her next. Everything seemed normal when she looked at the ground. However, once she looked up, instead of the sky it was the land she was on but upside down.

“This will be interesting.” Vel said with a smile. She looked around this strange world and it seemed like it was only the land that was reflected. However, there were animals living on both the top and bottom.