Chapter 76 – Path to Become Stronger
Chapter 76
Path to Become Stronger
Date : Day 5 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren shook his head a bit. Trying to dispel his thoughts about Ina. Pushed down at the back of his mind. The attraction was there. The interest was growing. But he needed to focus. He had Elise now. He didn't want to betray his first partner and lover in this world. The commitment was clear.
He was cheated on before by his childhood friend, Kana. And he knew how hurt it was to be cheated on. The betrayal was not something he wanted to inflict on another. Not on Elise. Not on anyone.
He then looked down. Focusing on the journal of Gregorius. He needed distraction. The book was the solution. The words were the escape.
He smiled wryly. The original goal became a distraction. Talk about irony. The book was supposed to be the main purpose. Now it was the diversion.
He flipped the cover. The journal was not printed. It seemed when this copy of the journal was made, printing technology was not yet widespread. The handwriting on the parchment was neat, clean, and organized. The one who copied this was skilled. The care was evident. The dedication was visible. Each letter was precise. Each line was even. The effort was substantial.
He started to read the first entry.
Day 13 Highsun, 301 AY: Managed to avoid castle guard to register in guild. The guild still reported me to the guard though. I hate their guts. But at least. Finally, I'm officially an adventurer.
Hyoren smiled while reading the journal. He was not expecting a runaway prince. He was expecting a stern, charismatic prince. The stark difference was amusing. The reality was surprising. The prince was rebellious, rash, but very determined. Not the polished hero of legends. But a young man seeking freedom.
He continued reading. The journey of Gregorius. Always running away from the castle to do adventurer's works. Until after a few months of game of cats and mouse, he was permitted by the King—his father—to become a full-fledged adventurer. His struggle was real.
Day 8 Sunslumber, 302 AY: Finally old man give me freedom. And today was really a good day! I found a beautiful girl in the guild. And we promised to party together tomorrow!
Hyoren chuckled. The character of Gregorius kept amusing him. He was not charismatic, sleazy even, fooling around with women left and right. The criteria of who became his party member was not based on their capabilities. But based on how beautiful they were.
All his party members were women. And those women became his Queens and Concubines later in his life.
Despite all that, thosse women proved to be really strong and could hold their own after adventuring with Gregorius. The irony was rich. The superficial selection led to genuine strong partnerships.
Day 12 First Thaw, 302 AY: I can't quickly level up anymore. The monster on the surface is too weak and gives me low experience points. They are also sparse too. I need to go to the dungeon. I don't really care about guild ranking. I will stop taking quests and change my focus to dungeon exploring.
Hyoren noted. After a few months adventuring, Gregorius found the surface monster to be lackluster for leveling up. And he changed his priority to become a dungeon explorer. He kept tackling dungeons, grinding, and finding treasure. Moving to another dungeon when he cleared one. The progression was clear.
He closed the journal after reading about a third of his journal. The direction of Gregorius’s path was clear afterwards. Find more party members. Getting stronger together through multiple dungeons diving.
He will read more after this, as it's a good reference point for him. But he was done for now. He finally sees the path for him. The direction was visible.
He would follow Gregorius' direction—not the sleazy and full women party of course—but his way of adventuring. For now, he would do a quest with Elise. Prioritizing monster subjugation around Akela. Then after he was strong enough, he would go to the dungeon. And at the same time, he would try to seek more party members. The plan was forming. The steps were defined. The future was mapped.
He looked down at the journal. Gregorius was a magic warrior. Something Hyoren aspired to be. He even used both light and dark magic, magic which Hyoren planned to learn.
The difference between them was that Gregorius was a tank. He wielded a sword and shield. He led his party members to victory by leading them on the frontline. Protecting everyone on his back.
A tank huh. I never considered becoming a tank. But actually lead people from the front line, protecting everyone. That looks badass.
The image of heroic posture of Gregorius leading people to stop the advance of the Demon Army formed in Hyoren’s minds. The figure stood at the front. The shield was raised. The sword was ready. The party was behind him. The enemy was ahead.
He looked down at his storage bag. Where his new spear—Mithril-alloy Yari—is stored. He has been trained with spears since his days on earth. Trained by his father. And the spear already became the extension of his arms since his survival days on the Forest of no Return.
Should I change my direction and follow Gregorius' path? This way I will protect Elise better. She would not be in danger if i can keep all the enemy aggro on me. Just like Gregorius protecting all his women.
The thought of Elise getting attacked by Alpha Wolf was still clear in his mind. The horror of monsters switching targets to attack helpless Elise still made him shudder. The fear was real. The memory was vivid. The helplessness was visceral. By becoming a tank, it wouldn't happen. Tank would have skill to keep monster aggro on himself. The protection would be absolute. The safety would be guaranteed.
He shook his head. Trying to dispel the intrusive but tempting thought. The decision was not simple. The choice was not immediate. The consideration required time.
This is not something I can decide instantly. I will think about it more. And maybe ask for Elise's opinion.
The prospect of becoming guardian instead of spearman started to formed inside Hyoren's mind. The seed was planted.
***
He looked up from the journal just as Ina put down her pen. Their eyes met—a coincidence, but it felt synchronized.
Ina smiled at him, warm and welcoming. The work was done. Her attention had returned to him.
"You finished reading the Journal, Hyoren?"
She closed the documents folder and turned to face Rinne.
"Is this all, Rinne?"
Rinne took the documents from the table and stood. Her glasses reflecting the lights as she took the documents.
"Yes, Senior Ina. Flawless and quick work as always. We really can't do anything without you..."
Rinne bowed, then made her way to the exit. Her steps were light, the worry about the documents lifted. Everything had been taken care of. Signed and approved by Vice Guild Master.
The door closed afterwards. The sound was soft. Their privacy returned. The reference room was theirs only again.
Ina looked back at Hyoren, catching his direct gaze that had lingered for a while now.
She giggled. Her cat ears perked, her tail started to swish. The playfulness had returned. The professional mask had fallen away. The flirtatious cat was back.
"Is staring at me really fun, Hyoren? Fallen for me already? Fufu."
Hyoren averted his eyes, heat rising to his cheeks.
"Ina... no... I'm just surprised to see you in a totally different image from your usual."
Ina leaned forward. Her large amber eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Hmm... What do you mean, Hyoren?"
She licked her lips—that predatory gesture that surfaced whenever she found interesting prey.
"I'm always like this, you know. Fufu."
Playful and teasing Ina was back. The professional had vanished. The change was abrupt, but both sides were genuinely her. Duality woven into a single person.
Ina leaned forward again, her cat ears perking with renewed interest.
"Anyway, have you finished reading the journal? Is it good?"
Hyoren smiled wryly and scratched his cheek. Glad the conversation had shifted.
"It's good, Ina. I only managed to read his early adventurer days, but it already gives me a lot of insight on how I should proceed."
Ina giggled, pleased that her recommendation had been validated.
"Good. I'm glad you liked my book recommendation. Fufu."
Hyoren crossed his arms. A thought forming on his mind.
"I have a few questions though, Ina..."
Ina's cat ears perked, and her head tilted slightly.
"Hmm... Do tell. Do tell..."
Hyoren nodded, ready to ask questions which formed on his minds..
"Firstly... is this journal available to buy somewhere? I truly want to have it so I can read it anytime..."
Ina giggled. Her soft sounds echoed in the reference room.
"Fufu. Of course. It's a famous book. I think most bookstores would have them."
Hyoren heaved a relieved breath. He'd worried he'd need to copy the entire journal himself or keep coming to the guild's reference room.
He made a mental note to visit Dandi's store later to buy the Gregorius journal for himself. The plan was set. The destination was chosen.
"I see. That's good. I don't want to go to the guild every time I want to read it..."
He chuckled. Happy that an inconvenience was avoided.
He paused for a while. Trying to form his next question. He was curious about the dungeon Gregorius mentioned in his journal.
Hyoren's knowledge about dungeons is based on fantasy stories and games from his old world. A labyrinth which spawns endless monsters. A place for grinding experience. A place to seek for treasure. Dungeon explorers would raid dungeons to get rich quickly.
He needed to check if his knowledge about the dungeon was correct before he made a weird assumption and before he embarrassed himself. Elise already noted some of his knowledge couldn’t be applied to this world. He needed to trod carefully.
"Okay, Ina. Next question... What is a dungeon? I read that Gregorius went to a lot of dungeons..."
Ina tilted her head. Her amber eyes laced with confusion. Her fingers found their way to her chin.
"Huh. You never heard about a dungeon in your village, Hyoren?"
Her cat ears perked with questions. Dungeons were common knowledge in this world. His ignorance was unexpected.
"How far is your village from other settlements... for you to never have heard about dungeons. It's so weird..."
His backstory which he and Elise carefully weaved started to lose some credibility. The inconsistency was glaring. He said he was from remote villages far from settlements. But for everyone who lives in this world, knowledge about dungeon was common sense. Not knowing about dungeons might hint about his original situation of being a Spirited Away.
Something felt off to Ina. Her perceptive mind—honed by years as Vice Guild Master—registered the problem. A single question about dungeons. About common sense everyone knew. She knew something was off. She had a hunch, there is more behind his backstory.
Her eyes narrowed. Her tail stopped swishing. The playfulness receded. The professional emerged. The scrutiny began.
Hyoren felt sweat on his back. He tried to maintain his poker face, but his mask was crumbling. He'd been careless. Everyone in this world knew about dungeons. Even children from remote villages. His mistake was significant.
This question wasn't like asking about food or culture—things that could be explained by isolation. Or could be diverted as ignorance of remote villages. But asking about common sense which even all kids knew is triggering something on Ina’s mind.
He made a big mistake. He should ask Elise instead of Ina about the dungeon.
"You not knowing about the dungeon is really weird. But oh well. For now, I'll think your village is too remote and reclusive for a thousand years."
She smirked. Licked her lips. The gesture made clear that she knew something was off—but she was choosing to let it slide—for now.
Hyoren's back was drenched now as he still trying maintained his poker face. He maintained it, but barely. He shut his mouth, afraid of digging his grave deeper. Arguing with someone as perceptive as Ina would only make things worse.
Ina seemed amused by his reaction. Almost like she could read his mind. But after a moment, she let him go, shelving her interrogation.
"Anyway, Elise also hasn't told you about the dungeon?"
Hyoren exhaled with relief. Ina was still suspicious, but she wasn't pursuing it.
He nodded slowly. His sweat starting to recede.
"Elise mentioned it before, Ina. But she didn't really elaborate about it."
Ina nodded, her cat ears bobbing with the motion.
"I see. So basically you're completely clueless about the dungeon huh."
She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair.
"So I need to start from the very basics."
She smiled. Her tail swished again in quick motions. The enthusiasm had returned. The teacher had emerged.
"This will be a long lecture, Hyoren. Prepare yourself."
***
Hyoren straightened his posture in his chair. His shoulders pulled back, his hands resting on his knees. Ready to receive the lecture about dungeons.
Ina leaned forward, her elbows finding purchase on the table between them. Her amber eyes glinted with the light of someone about to share knowledge.
"Firstly. Dungeons were a new occurrence in this world."
Hyoren's eyes widened. The shock was apparent on his face. His jaw slackened slightly.
"Huh?"
Ina shook her head, her cat ears flattening just a bit. A soft sigh escaped her lips.
"Shuuush. Let me finish."
Hyoren nodded, feeling sorry for the interruption. He pressed his lips together, determined to let her speak without another outburst.
Ina continued, her voice taking on a rhythmic cadence like a practiced lecturer.
"Dungeons started to appear 1000 years ago. They suddenly just appeared. No one could predict where or when they were going to appear. Even now, new dungeons still appear suddenly. Though for the last few centuries it's been a rare occurrence."
Ina crossed her arms. Her cat ears perked forward, emphasizing the importance of her next words.
"We do know the cause though, why they appeared. The Dungeon creator was Demon God Gidol."
Hyoren's eyes widened again. The revelation struck him. His hands gripped his knees tighter.
"Demon God Gidol you say?"
Ina nodded. Her cat ears bobbed with the motion.
"Yes. Dungeons are pocket dimensions created by Gidol. They act as some kind of disruption for humanity."
Hyoren tilted his head.
"Disruption? What do you mean, Ina?"
Ina gestured vaguely with her hands, her fingers tracing shapes in the air as she spoke.
"You know about the war with the Demon Army which has been waged for a thousand years already, right?"
Hyoren nodded. Elise had already explained the war to him. The basics at least—the endless conflict that defined this world's history.
"Yes, Ina... they attacked every few decades, from the Blighted Continent."
Ina's hands moved again, this time forming a vague door shape in the air.
"While the Demon Army attacked from the frontline, Gidol tried to make a diversion on our backline. Basically, Demons never come through the dungeon themselves. So demons never attacked humanity through the dungeon. But humanity still needs to divert their attention to the dungeon or there will be catastrophic consequences."
She looked toward the windows. Her gaze reached far away, as if seeing something beyond the glass, beyond the walls, beyond even the city itself. The afternoon light caught her profile, casting soft shadows across her features.
"Inside the dungeon, monsters spawn indefinitely. And their bodies are made from Aethell. Unlike monsters on the outside, when you kill monsters inside a dungeon, they disappear into particles. Leaving only magic stones or loot. We don’t really know why such things is possible. Scholar of old decided that the cause is Demon God Gidol own power that make those feat possible."
Hyoren nodded slowly. The concept was familiar to him. It was truly game-like. The dungeon ecosystem was completely different from the outside world. Perhaps because it was artificially created by Gidol, not by the original Gods of Kresneger.
"So Ina, the consequences... is it because we need to cull the dungeon periodically as the monsters inside spawn indefinitely? And if we neglect the culling, will the monsters flood outside?"
Monster flood was staple on fantasy stories about dungeon. He thought it going to be similar on this world as Ina mentioned there’s consequence if dungeon was left alone.
Ina's cat ears shot up. She leaned forward with a quick, eager motion. Her chair scraped softly against the wooden floor.
"Yes, that's correct, Hyoren. How did you know? I thought you were clueless about dungeons?"
Her large amber eyes glinted with interest. The curiosity was genuine.
"Well... You did say Gidol made the dungeon to distract humanity, and the monsters spawned indefinitely... I just tried to connect this and that..."
He tried to glide over his knowledge about fantasy dungeons from another world. He couldn't let Ina know he came from Earth. The backstory he'd constructed had to hold.
Ina giggled. The soft sound felt calming in the heavy atmosphere of dungeons and demons. A gentle contrast to the weight of the topic.
"Fufu. Your mind is truly something, Hyoren. For someone who claims not to know about dungeons, you understand the concept quickly."
Her interest in Hyoren kept growing. The spark in her eyes made that clear.
She raised her fingers, making a point with deliberate precision.
"Originally, dungeons were a menace to humanity. But we adapted. We now treat dungeons as an inexhaustible resource of magic stones. Some people even joke they need to thank Gidol for creating the dungeons. Fufu."
She giggled again, amused by the irony. But it was understandable. Dungeons had become commodities. Resources to be managed, harvested, and exploited.
"I see, Ina. I can see why they said that. Monsters respawning indefinitely without need of reproduction inside the dungeon means we can harvest their magic stones without fear of them running out."
Hyoren nodded. The logistics made sense. Infinite supply. Controlled access. Sustainable exploitation.
Ina looked up toward the ceiling. Her eyes traced the wooden beams overhead as if searching for answers in the grain.
"Maybe that's why the Gods of this world didn't say anything about dungeons when asked about them when the dungeons started to appear. Maybe They already predicted this result."
Hyoren found himself agreeing with Ina. He'd already met two of the Gods. One of them was very pragmatic, saying Demon God Gidol was not a problem for Kresneger—the natives would adapt. This world didn't need a Hero to defeat demons. Maybe the rest of the Gods thought the same.
He turned the knowledge over in his mind.
"So Ina, is a dungeon good for increasing our level because of the same reason?"
Ina smiled. Her eyes sparkled with approval at his quick grasp of the concept.
"That's right, Hyoren. You don't need to look for monsters inside dungeons. The monsters will find you. And their level is generally higher than normal monsters outside the dungeon, so they give higher experience points overall."
Hyoren crossed his arms. The dungeon was very tempting indeed. An endless supply of stronger monsters. Higher experience. Better grinding places.
"So Ina, can anyone enter the dungeon? Or are there any restrictions?"
Ina nodded her head, her cat ears swaying with the motion.
"Yes, Hyoren. The Adventurer's Guild manages the dungeons. And they've placed strict rules on them."
She leaned forward again, ready to explain the regulations.
"Only registered adventurers can enter the dungeon. And each dungeon has a rank set by the guild. It's similar to Adventurer's Rank. From Iron-rank to Gold-rank dungeon. Plus, one unconfirmed Platinum-ranked dungeon. And adventurers who want to enter a dungeon need to match the dungeon rank. For example, only Gold-ranked adventurers can enter Gold-ranked dungeons."
She crossed her arms, her expression becoming more serious.
"This rule was set because dungeons have level recommendations to enter, for example, minimum monster level on Copper-rank was 5 while Gold-rank was 50. Before the Guild enforced these rules, anyone could enter without restriction, and casualties were high."
Her voice dropped a few octaves.
“Imagine, Copper-rank adventurer who only level 6, entering Gold-rank dungeon which teemed with over level 50 monster. They will be killed instantly”
Hyoren nodded in understanding. Everything was clear now. Strict rules, but necessary ones. Protection for those who might otherwise throw their lives away.
"I see. It's easy to understand, Ina. Thanks for the explanation. Now the path forward is clear..."
Ina smiled. Her large amber eyes sparkled in the warm light streaming through the windows.
"Happy to help, Hyoren. Don't be shy to ask me any question. I'll gladly answer everything for you. Fufu."
New knowledge settled into Hyoren's mind. The dual suns of Kresneger had shifted during their conversation. Their light now streamed through the windows at a lower angle, painting the guild reference room in warm orange hues.