Danmachi- Hell’s Forge

Deeper

Bell was unhappy with my arrangements but did decide to at least listen to them for now and went back to the church. Once I was sure he wasn't just trying to trick me into leaving so he could follow me I finally made my way to the dungeon. I was a bit later than usual but Hroldar didn't seem to mind.

"Lets go a bit deeper today since these first floor goblins aren't giving you much of a challenge. Fourth floor ought to do since that's when groups of goblins or kobolds start showing up." he suggested and I couldn't help but agree.

I won't say that killing the goblins on the first floor is boring exactly since if I fuck up I run a risk of serious injury or death. But at the same time theres no challenge in killing these goblins as I now have higher stats than them in all regards and add on my mind and it really is time to go deeper. I'm not ready for the newbie killer floors yet though as War Shadows and Killer Ants are a whole different sort of monster than the dumb goblins.-

I met my first Kobold on the way down to the fourth floor and I was rather disappointed. Kobolds were for the lack of a better description dog goblins. What I mean by that is that they were the same size as a normal goblin and had nearly identical stats but had the heads of dogs and fur all over their bodies. Unlike goblins however kobolds dropped their hide as well as their fangs as drop items with the former being used to make leather for low level armor and the later having the same use as goblin teeth.-

I wanted to get some hide to use but with Hroldar with me I couldn't use my technique as I pleased. Eventually though we reached the fourth floor and I noticed that the walls were a mix of two colors instead of the usual bluish color I was used to. This wasn't anything surprising as the fifth floor to the seventh floor all had light green colored walls from my research on the matter.

"Alright lad I've seen that you remember what I showed you yesterday, now it's time push it to it's limit. First group we find you'll deal with alone." He said and I nodded.

It didn't take long for us to find our first group either as no more than five minutes into looking we discovered a group of five monsters, three kobolds and two goblins with varied equipment and their backs towards us. Hroldar waited at the back as I rushed the group which drew their attention just in time to see me collapse the skull of the unlucky kobold bringing up the rear. 

"GRAAAHH!"

"AAARP!"

The monsters screamed their feral battle cries and came at me as I switched into my stance. First up was a goblin with a club that I deflected a strike from before sending my own to dispatch it. Things got tricky after that as the two kobolds and goblin all reached me at the same time and attacked as well. I dodged to the side before throwing a punch straight into the eye of one of the kobolds as I did so which made it back off while grabbing at the damaged eye. Using that opening I circled around it as the last kobold and goblin went to stab me with their spears thus having them dispatch the thing for me.-

Now there was only two monsters left and I chose aggression to keep them from recovering and possibly rubbing their two braincells together and figuring out how fucked they were. Monsters are murderous sure but they are also smart enough to run away in fear should it overcome their innate hatred of us adventurers. It tends to be rare though as there is usually not enough pressure on them to do so or the adventurer dealing with them is careful not to let them escape. Shortly after that I was taking deep breaths as I had pushed myself a bit to handle this group even if I had avoided getting injured.-

"You got the knack for it now lad so I think this'll be the last time I delve with you unless you manage to level up. I've got my own delving to do after all." Hroldar said with a hearty laugh.

"I appreciate the help either way so thanks." I said honestly grateful.

"Bah, don't worry about it lad I'm always happy to help a newbie get their legs under them." he said waving off my thanks.

I ended up fighting three more groups each with no less than three monsters and no more than six before we called it a day. I had to admit I could understand the appeal of diving deeper and deeper as while the danger increases so too does the rewards. This one trip earned me four thousand and fifty valis as well as two kobold hides that I kept to use for myself. Syr dragged me into the restaurant when I was about to pass by.

"You never came this morning!" she said with an angry pout.

"Sorry about that but I was running late due to the newest member of my familia not wanting to stay behind to work on his stats before he went to the dungeon." I said honestly.

She had a look of understanding as she calmed down "I suppose i can forgive you just this once but don't make a habit of it." she said firmly.

"Wasn't planning on it but I'll be double sure to keep that in mind from now on. Oooh maybe I'll write a note that says "Go see Syr or she'll stomp on your foot" that'll motivate me I think." I joked and the grey hared girl huffed in mock anger.

"If your not buying something go away and let her get back to work!" Mama Mia yelled our way and I hurriedly said my goodbyes before leaving.

On the way back to the church I grabbed a bunch of extra potions from the Blue pharmacy and when Naaza asked what was going on I explained about Bell and my side projects needed a bunch of energy to complete. She totally understood what i meant and handed over the potions without any problems after that. The whole free mana potion thing we had going on was a great thing in my opinion as I was burning through these things like a dehydrated man given water.-

Okay that was probably a bad description but you get the idea. Anyways I made it back to the church and found Bell staring at the sword in awe. 

"Not what you were expecting from it was it?" I asked with a knowing smile.

"Are all swords this amazing?" Bell asked excited.

I laughed "I believe I speak honestly when I say that all low level adventurers wished that was the case. No that particular sword is a drop that I got from a variant goblin and refined into what you see there, not very pretty but a better weapon than any level one adventurer should have normally." I said proudly.