Rumble Rumble Rumble

  The ground quaked and danced with the rising of the m sun. But there was no chirping of birds nor rustling of streams to be heard, only the g of metals and shing of whips and vines as fights ensued across the dungeon.

  It was only a little over 7 o'clo the m, but Julius and Amelia were already in a tight spot, their bodies sweating as they tread between life ah, narrowly dodging the enemies' attacks and their stamina being leeched off at a stant rate.

  Meanwhile, as the two of them struggled, the other two characters only sat nearby, drinking hot ilk on their own whilst also eating some sweet, fragrant cookies, undisturbed by the se of their friends struggling desperately.

  "Here, Yuna, ahh～!" ［Grey］

  "Ahh～!" ［Yuna］

  Now that Julius and Amelia were focused on the oppos in front of them, the two were now flirting out in the open. Well, they were still restraining themselves, but their as are enough to warrant the jealousy of many, especially those who are single.

  Golems, treants, and high orcs. Such were the enemies Julius and Amelia faced. They couldn't even stand around a even if they wao, otherwise, their movements would be restrained by the treants' roots.

  It was fortuhat even if they were of the same rank, they are about two or three times stronger. It would have been a problem sihe enemies outnumbered them five folds. They were also annoying sihey didn't give them time to separate the enemies aroy them one by one.

  "Tsk! If that's what you want, then so be it!" ［Julius］

  Infuriated, Julius gave up on separating the enemies. Instead, he gathered them all in one spot. Every time one of them loses i in him, he would quickly wound them tain their attention. It was a simple yet effective strategy.

  As for Amelia, she only remaiill, or rather, she reparing to cast a strong spell. Julius hasn't instructed her of anything, she just knew after perf dozens of quests together with him in the past few months.

  "Amelia, now!" ［Julius］

  The preparations were plete. All the monsters have been gathered into a single side of the room. Julius quickly took a step back, utilizing his great physical strength to create a rge distan just a matter of seds.

  ??Burst Fre!?? ［Amelia］

  At Amelia's call, fmes roared and soared towards the enemies, dev what was served in front of it like a starving lion. The heat was enough to turn wood into ders in just a moment's notiot leaving behind a breathing soul.

  The lesser golems may not have been affected too much, but the same couldn't be said for the others. The high orcs received rge burns, their screams bursting eg all over the halls, while the treants were pletely turo charcoal. With it, the tides of the battle had shifted.

  With the eill puzzled by the attack, Julius didn't let the opportunity slip by and rushed back towards them the very moment the fmes died dowhen gripped her spear with all his might, charging towards the lesser golems.

  ??Howling Cleaver!?? ［Julius］

  Julius stopped on his tracks, pnting his foot to the ground aggressively, and in a single breath, he brandished his spear sideways, a burst of wind running wildly as soon as the attack finished, a howl eg soon after.

  Thud Thud Thud

  Soon after, a couple loud thuds echoed in the air as the lesser golems' bodies fell to the dungeon ground. They were all cut perfectly, not a single fw to be seen. The moment their bodies fell, they were already lifeless.

  ??Lashing Gale!?? ［Amelia］

  But the attack didn't stop there. As soon as the lesser golems fell, Amelia leaped towards the air. A torrent of shes came rushing towards the enemies, leaving rge, gashing wounds in their bodies and breaking their bones and limbs at the same time.

  In just a few seds, most of the enemies were already defeated and what was left were all injured and incapacitated. Well, even with that, their eyes were still burning with passion, passion to destroy Amelia and Julius that is.

  Buhiikkkk Buhiikkkk Buhiikkkk

  Along with their spirits, the high orcs raised their maces to the air as they charged towards Amelia who just o the ground. But even with their riot, there wasn't a single ge in Amelia's expression. She only looked at them with empty eyes.

  "You're too noisy. ??Lightning Cascade??!" ［Julius］

  But they couldn't even touch a single hair on her. Before they came to Amelia's range, a of lightning strikes ricocheted around the dungeon, zapping all of the high orcs that remained. After a couple seds, all that could be seen were bck, burnt bodies which fell with a thud.

  Light illumihe dungeons as the monster remains vanished into thin air. All that were left behind were a number of drop items and mana crystals which are already in the hundred-kiel rahings were starting to get valuable.

  "Hmm... Such a shame... There aren't any orkish maces. Those could go for 15 thousand kiels each." ［Grey］

  "That's right. We could buy hundreds of meat skewers with it..." ［Yuna］

  The two have fiheir battle fwlessly, but there wasn't a single praise to be heard. They were only thinking about food and random things, their minds totally not in lih what Julius and Amelia were thinking.

  "Grey, we're done here. You collect the drops now." ［Julius］

  "Alright, be there in a minute!" ［Grey］

  It was only when Julius called out to him that Grey actually started to work. At the same time, Amelia headed to where Grey was and took his pce. She was now chatting happily with Yuna, resting her body at the same time.

  As for Julius, he remai where he was and observed at the dungeon's recovery fun. No matter how many times he's seen it, it really was fasating that walls were able to repair themselves after sustaining damage. Not only that, the repairs were perfect as well, looking the same as before.

  After which, he then looked at Grey, who was currently humming as he collected the monster drops, with a certain curious look in his eyes. It was a question which has been weighing down on his mind sihe day before. One he just found odd.

  "Grey, I ask something?" ［Julius］

  "Sure, go ahead." ［Grey］

  "So, yesterday, you were refusing to give us potions and elixirs, right?" ［Julius］

  "Yeah? What about it?" ［Grey］

  "Nothing really. I just found it odd that you're helping us collect the drops despite refusing to help in other ways. Why is that?" ［Julius］

  Grey's hands stopped as soon as he heard Julius' questiohen straightened his bad cupped his with his right hand, his brain put to work as he also thought about Julius' question. Not very seriously, of course.

  While it was true that he wao maximize the efficy of the two's training experience by not b with colleg the drops, it was also because he just didn't want to waste things which could be made into money or materials they could use for their hobbies.

  Of course, the total might not matter much to Julius and Amelia, having been born into the most powerful families in the kingdom. But that doesn't mean he could afford to waste things as they are. There really aren't many plicated reasons behind it.

  "Hmm... Just because, I guess..." ［Grey］

  "Hah...?" ［Julius］

  Julius was baffled, dumbfounded even as his mouth hung open in agape. He was expeg something more plex and sophisticated which goes along Grey and Yuna's training style. Never did he expect it was just because of a simple whim.

  After that, Julius didn't ask anymore questions. He just simply closed his mouth and started helping out Grey in colleg the monster drops. Meanwhile, trary to their silent atmosphere, the girls were chatting happily. Such a se pyed for several mio e.

  Time passed some more and it didn't take too long befrey and Julius ed up with colleg the drops. And just in time, the mana ihe dungeon has started to swirl and gather aggressively once again.

  "Oh, it seems like your enemies are spawning again... I'm going back to where Yuna is. Good luck." ［Grey］

  "Yeah, yeah, sure." ［Julius］

  Casual as ever, Grey returo the resting area. At the same time, Amelia was also called over by Julius. They haven't had enough rest for them to recover pletely, but it was enough to go another round. The cycle has started once again.

  M, noon, afternoon, all the way until evening, all Julius and Amelia did was fight a in a never-ending cycle. The only times they had a break was when they had meals during lund diastier aer the more work they poured into their training.

  Another day passed and such a cycle repeated once again. After resting a little while after breakfast, it was time to fight again. One day, two days, three days, the cycle tinued for a few days, sav all the time they had.

  Of course, with each passing day, Julius and Amelia's skills were polished further and further. It was a tough schedule, but they mao pull through every time. As for the injuries they received, there were only minor scratches. Grey and Yuna didn't even have to interfere even once.

  And it went without saying that they accumuted a lot of materials and mana crystals. Even with the smaller drop rates in dungeons and Labyrinths, they still mao gather a lot, enough to get a few dozen thousand kiels.

  ??Silver Pythons!?? ［Amelia］

  With a sh of Amelia's whip, the ground started to rumble and the dungeon walls growled. Binds of mana soon burst forth from the ground pierg the enemies araining their movements. They coiled around their bodies as if they were real snakes, strig tighter and tighter.

  Being of the Python css which specializes irig enemies, it was easy for Amelia to put the enemies ihe binds may not st long with how powerful and many ehere are, it was more than enough for Julius to make his strike.

  ??Crimson Thunders!?? ［Julius］

  A sihrust, but more than a dozen spears burst forth from Julius' strike. All enemies in front of him were pierced mercilessly, leaving rge, gaping holes in their bodies and spilling crimson blood all over the ground. An art worthy of its name.

  The only ones who survived were the lesser golems whose bodies were tougher thahers. Well, even if they survived, their bodies were now full of holes, some of their joints destroyed and their cores cracked.

  ??Crimson Thunders!?? ［Julius］

  And with arike, the golems were finally struck down, their bodies turning to mere rubble. Cloud of dust filled the air as the debris fell oer ahe only ones left were two people whose faces were trig with sweat.

  "Huff... Huff... What batch does that.. Huff... make it today?" ［Julius］

  "I... Huff... Huff... I believe that is the... Huff... Fifth batch... Huff... Yhness..." ［Amelia］

  Lunch is soon to e, and after fighting all m, Julius and Amelia's legs finally gave out. The exhaustion and fatigue they accumuted finally hit them, their breaths pletely rugged. If it wasn't dangerous, they would have id down on the ground already and had their rest.

  Cp Cp Cp

  A series of appuse echoed from the back as two figures approached them without much care in the world, two of the few people who could afford to be carefree in such a dangerous dungeon. It was Grey and Yuna who just finished cooking lunch.

  "You did it, Julius, Amelia! I'm so proud of you!" ［Yuna］

  "Good job, you two. Now, why don't you both stand up and we'll be having our lunch shortly." ［Grey］

  They really were carefree. Grey was still wearing his apron while Yuna was holding a spatu in her hand as they approached the two. It really was a unique sight. After all, there aren't many people crazy enough to cook so carefreely in a dungeon.

  In the first pce, people only bring jerky, bread, fruits, and long-sting foods in the dungeons. Cooking is totally out of the window for on sense. Most adventurers would surely be shocked ohey learn of how luxurious Grey and Yuna's meals are, a fortune only Julius and Amelia knew of.

  "That's a little harsh, Grey. My legs are still trembling, you know? How about you lend me a hand? That would be greatly appreciated." ［Julius］

  "Haah... You really are hopeless... Are you sure you're a royal?" ［Grey］

  "Oi, that's too much! I also have feelings, you know?" ［Julius］

  "Yeah, yeah, sure you do." ［Grey］

  It was just an insult oer another, but Julius didn't mind it too much as he also pays him ba kind whenever he has the ce. Such was the friendship betweewo. A totally chaotic yet also harmonious retionship.

  "Amelia, do you need a hand?" ［Yuna］

  "Thank you, I would really love that." ［Amelia］

  "Fufufu, sure!" ［Yuna］

  Oher side of the dungeon, Yuna and Amelia's iion only radiated warmth and sweetness. Not only did Yuna lend Amelia a hand, she also made sure to cast holy magi her to ensure her wellbeing.

  It wasn't that the girls were gentle and boys were rough, no, not at all. Julius was just one unfortunate d. Both Grey and Yuna liked teasing him while being totally geh Amelia, pletely different to how people would treat him in the kingdom. Only the two have the guts to treat him in such a way.

  Lunch soon started and Julius and Amelia's souls were healed with a hearty lunch. Despite being pletely exhausted just a few minutes ago, after having a taste of their meals, they quickly became eic. A plete recovery!

  "Fuu～! I k! Meals really are the best!" ［Julius］

  "Yhness, please calm down. We're still having a meal." ［Amelia］

  "You're too stiff Amelia, here, have some of these." ［Julius］

  "Y-Yhness! That's too much!" ［Amelia］

  It was so lively, and it wasn't just Amelia and Julius. Grey and Yuna were also having their owogether. They might not be able to flirt as much with Julius and Amelia around, but it didn't mean they couldn't be sweet at all.

  Their stomachs as full, lunch went on smoothly. They then ed up before themselves as usual and had a little rest before tinuing their journey, only that there was a little ge in their routines.

  "Julius, Amelia, we'll be stopping your training now. It's already been a few days. We might get te at the opening if we stay any longer." ［Grey］

  "Oh? It's that time already?" ［Julius］

  "Yeah. And si'll be a waste if we just leave the dungeon be, Yuna will be clearing it. As for the three of us, we'll be colleg any drops left behind until the dungeon closes." ［Grey］

  "Oh, so Yuna'll be the one clearing it? I thought it'd be you, Grey." ［Julius］

  "I also thought that too. Since Grey is the stro out of all of us." ［Amelia］

  ented Julius and Amelia, but little did they know Grey was also rearing to go clear the duoo. And it totally wasn't because he couldn't deny Yuna's request. It was actually one of the rare instahat he did.

  Unfortunately for him, Grey lost in a game of rock-paper-scissors. The ce of seeing how a dungeos cleared slipped pass through his grasp. It was a shame but there was nothing he could do about it.

  "Everyone, I'll be going now～!" ［Yuna］

  "Tell me ter about the boss, alright?" ［Grey］

  "Yuna, don't fet to take care of yourself, okay?!" ［Amelia］

  "Good luck!" ［Julius］

  "Un! Bye, everyone～!" ［Yuna］

  Waving her hand goodbye to everyone, Yuna slowly turned her around, her eyes fixed towards the unknowhs. She has explored a Labyrinth before and it was undoubtedly more exg. But just the thought of clearing a dungeon riles her up much more. Her blood is boiling iement.

  In just the blink of ahe silver haired dy suddenly vanished into thin air. her Julius nor Amelia could see her movement. They both stood there in shod awe of Yuna's unbelievable speed.

  "Damn... So that's what a High-Ranker is, huh..." ［Julius］

  "I couldn't even catch a glimpse of her... Yuna is amazing..." ［Amelia］

  She was so close yet so far. Both Amelia and Julius couldn't grasp the distaween them and Yuna, it was simply te. Strangely enough, they weren't disced a little bit. Rather, a new fire was lit abze in their hearts. A fire fiercer than any before.

  ...

  Buhiiikkk Gruwaakkkk Krrukkkkk

  Screams filled the air as a silver streak bolted across the dungeon halls. Be it ogres, golems, treats, or whatever monsters were present, all were quickly killed in a fra of a sed without even being able to defend themselves.

  Heads were decapitated, cores were shattered, and blood illed all over the dungeon floor as the silver streak tis killing spree, not even slowed down a little bit by the number of enemies. It didn't matter what was in front of it. All of them were defeated without a sed thought.

  Third Floor... Fourth Floor... Fifth Floor... Sixth Floor...

  It didn't even take several minutes. With each passing sed, the silver streak went deeper and deeper into the dungeon. And evehe enemies got stronger, all of them still suffered the same fate as those before them.

  She was merciless, she was cold, and she owerful. If oo see such a se, they would surely be uet it throughout their whole lives. Some may think of it as only a halluation, some might think it's only a dream, but to the eyes of the monsters she had sin, she was undoubtedly real.

  "I see... So this is how the boss room looks like..." ［Yuna］

  The massacre only stopped when the silver streak arrived in a massive metal door. All one needs is a single gnd they would be able to tell the level of danger lurking behind it. It was only a door, but it was already so intimidating.

  "S... So... So... So cool!!" ［Yuna］

  But to the eyes of the silver-haired elf named Yuna, such a sight was not scary at all. Rather, it looked fantastid mesmerizing. Her eyes were now sparkling as she ied every siail of the massive structure before her.

  She was pletely different to the indifferent dy who was just massag several hundred monsters without a sed thought. Now, there was only an adorable dy who was like a child who just got herself a oy. Her childish personality has e out yet again.

  "Ah! Yuna, get ahold of yourself!" ［Yuna］

  Thankfully, she was able to get her priorities straight and her mind was now ba the right track. It was a shame that she couldn't py around too much with the boss room door, but she couldn't do much about it.

  Her eyes, cold as deep blue ice, a cold gaze pierced the door as she looked at it. She was now in her battle mode, ready to take down the boss monster with her utmost capabilitiesー or so how it should have been, but there was just oiny problem...

  "Ah... How do I open it again...?" ［Yuna］

  ... She was too excited about clearing the dungeon, she pletely fot to ask Grey how to open the boss room in the first pce. She was now at a plete loss, uo believe herself and embarrassed about her little blunder,

  Of course, Yuna could just use her "Phaseless" and phase through the doors, but she wao experiehe whole dungeon experiehere was only one solution which came to mind. One which she truly felt sorry about.

  "Sorry, about this door. I really want to study you, but I have no other choice. I'm really sorry...! ??Winter Gale's Parade??!" ［Yuna］

  tless icicles formed in the air as Yuna's cold words echoed in the byrinth. The very moment, a torrent rained down upon the doors, the silhouettes of frozen knights ging though it to be seen.

  The air's temperature dropped down dramatically in just a single sed, the moisture starting to freeze into snowdrops. At the same time, holes appeared in the door oer another every siime an icicle passed though, such a se tio unfold until the sturdy door finally fell.

  BANGGGG

  It wasn't even a thud. The door was so heavy, it was a straight up bang, the rumbling of the ground following it soon after. Yet even with such a booming here isn't a single shred of emotion in Yuna's face, only a little bit ret from breaking down the boss room door.

  "Dungeon boss, I've e to challenge you!" ［Yuna］

  Soon after the ground rumble, Yuna's decration followed. Such a decration was issued towards the gargantuan figure who stood still in front of her, frozen spikes c its body and its build being the very definition of "scary". It truly deserved to be called a dungeon boss.

  It wasn't just the dungeon boss itself. The very boss room was very intimidating as well. With frozen spikes running across the walls and ceiling, it looked like a frozen room straight from hell. One which would literally make cold chills run down one's spine.

  But something was strange. Even when Yuna already ehe boss room, there was only sileno movement nor o be observed throughout the whole area. It was only then that Yuna had realized something...

  "Ah... The boss was a water elemental, right...?" ［Yuna］

  The battle was already over before it even started. Yuna's spell was too powerful, not only did it break down the massive doors, it also froze the flooded room and the boss at the same time. It was a plete overkill.

  Crack Crack Shatter

  Along with Yuna's realization, the massive figure in front of her then started showing cracks, breaking and falling apart, and turning baana soon after. It was anti-climatiot a trace of excitement to be seen on Yuna's face evehe treasure chest appeared. There was only disbelief and disappoi,

  It was on that day that a certain lesson was deeply engraved in Yuna's heart. That any attacks that break through a dungeon door easily kill a boss. It was a lesson she'll never fet her entire life.

  CHAPTER 174 END