After briefly adjusting our next objective, we soon arrived at the dungeon's second level. So far, the cave environment hadn't changed significantly.
However, the knowledge about monsters and dungeon features that Eina from the Adventurer's Guild had taught proved useful.
The underground lizard posing the greatest threat here was completely different from what Akihiro knew. Covered in grayish-brown scales and about human-length, it used its size advantageously in attacks.
The geckos were smaller in every aspect but preferred attacking adventurers in groups, crawling along the labyrinth walls and cave ceilings.
These required special attention.
Akihiro cautiously explored the area. This was the disadvantage of solo adventuring - no party members to cooperate with.
He had to take full responsibility for his own safety.
Not that he was nervous, of course. If anything, he felt more determined to master the "Ghostblade Technique".
The Sword Soul class was, in every sense, a weapon master.
It could utilize any sword-type weapon, and in the game, the technique's final effect varied depending on the weapon used.
As skill levels increased, points accumulated.
After mastering this technique, the most noticeable change for Akihiro was no longer needing to adjust when switching weapons.
The transition was seamless!
"There probably aren't light weapons in this world."
"When I have enough money, I'll buy a katana. Using a dual-sword style with a horizontal blade shouldn't be problematic. It could enhance my actual combat power."
"Are monsters cleared by other adventurers really this scarce here?"
As he continued exploring, Akihiro's frown never relaxed. Many adventurers passed through this floor, yet he hadn't encountered any monsters blocking his path.
He hadn't even had the chance to use his enhanced skills, making him consider going deeper.
A faint crunch reached his ears.
Turning his head suddenly, an enormous lizard, perfectly camouflaged against the cave walls with its grayish scales, appeared before him.
If not for its massive mouth full of sharp teeth and snake-like tongue, Akihiro would have struggled to spot it so quickly.
"Is this what they call 'when sleep comes, someone brings a pillow'?"
After its failed ambush, the underground lizard abandoned camouflage completely. Its human-sized body displayed surprising explosive speed.
Sharp claws dug into the wall as it lunged at Akihiro.
This was a typical attack pattern - their tough scales could withstand common weapon strikes, and they used their body mass to overpower adventurers, ending fights quickly.
Having studied beforehand, Akihiro's subconscious made him grip his sword firmly and counterattack.
He flexibly applied practical Ghostblade techniques.
A crescent-shaped energy emanated from his blade, which didn't even touch the lizard. It was a slash containing pure sword intent.
The monster was cleanly bisected, its body exploding into dust instantly!
A magic stone, slightly smaller than a thumb, fell with a clear clink, announcing the lizard's demise.
"EXP+34"
"Sword Qi!!"
Akihiro had been worried whether his weapon could penetrate the lizard's defenses, but never expected sword energy to manifest during the slash!
Monsters dissipated rapidly after death.
His sharp eyes briefly registered the attack's details - the lizard's front half had been severed cleanly.
This served as a benchmark. Sword energy could extend a dagger's attack range.
The memory of that instant kill still moved him.
Ghostblade Technique combined with a dagger-type weapon released sword energy. Akihiro never imagined mastering this skill would have such an effect in the underground world!
"If youth doesn't strive, their attacks won't brim with sword energy."
"In this life, I'll achieve it!"
Kneeling to collect the magic stone, he couldn't help feeling excited. Though he hadn't mastered other skills, a fighting method that extended range through sword energy...
From then on, his leveling speed would increase dramatically, akin to restoring game settings for faster map clearing.
Most crucially, sword energy extended range without additional stamina consumption.
Eager to level up quickly, Akihiro didn't even consider resting. The novice swordsman craved intense combat!
"Let's push hard and reach level 5 today."
After understanding the lizards' attack patterns, subsequent exploration went exceptionally smoothly. Unfortunately, these monsters rarely dropped materials but provided ample EXP.
With "sword energy" integrated into Ghostblade, even facing numerous geckos simultaneously remained manageable.
He reached the fifth floor. In the caves' perpetual darkness, time lost meaning - only the steady EXP gain provided feedback.
Physical exhaustion was considerable, and his meager breakfast had been consumed long ago.
After clearing a group of geckos in a dead-end passage, Akihiro decided not to continue. Maintaining good condition was always wise.
Though he could defeat many monsters, opening the miserable lunch bought in Orario instantly dampened his progress-induced joy.
Barely blanched vegetables, not a trace of oil. Coarse dark bread, hard to chew. Eggs were the only protein.
"After this meal..."
"I'll get proper bentō from a decent restaurant from now on!"
This sad meal cost only 300 valis. For a bit more, he could enjoy a satisfying lunch at "Hostess of Fertility".
The katana purchase could wait.
"Improving meals is the current top priority!"
Akihiro struggled through the tasteless food, needing cold water to swallow it. During the brief break, he checked his "Sword Soul Template".
**Akihiro**
Level: 4
EXP: 51%
Skills: Ghostblade Technique (+)
SP: 30
"Tomorrow I'll bring proper energy-replenishing food, then consider going to the sixth floor to level up."
Food was serious business. If the goal was just stomach-filling unpleasantness, it wasn't worth the effort.
Finishing the last dark bread chunk, he drank more cold water. Leaning against the wall, he felt a slight ground tremor.
Subtle footsteps came from a distant cavern.
Instinctively, he gripped his weapon. Neither lizards nor geckos made that sound. Another monster type?
He stood and left the tunnel's isolated corner.
"This shouldn't be possible."
Looking toward the sound's source, his sight confirmed the impossible - a monster that should never appear on this floor.
A humanoid creature of extraordinary strength.
The bull head on its shoulders betrayed its identity.
"Minotaur."