Three rifts began taking form along with a loud humming noise.
"Iron, we should totally take down one of those things!" Alexei yelled ecstatically.
Gaining some power would be nice, however the contents within the dungeon are unknown. We may end up coming across something way stronger than us and be put in a corner. Alexei did say that she's won a few battles of Conflict though. Having someone like her could be helpful actually.
"We could try, but are you confident that we won't come back as intestines?"
"Totally! We've got this in the bag! Alexei and Iron! Wait, would 'Iron and Alexei' work better?"
"All Gevagens, please gather!"
The shout of a young man gathered us to back to the center. He stood in front of the gates with a hardened expression and spoke in a blunt voice. Me and Alexei occasionally stared at each other blankly during the arduous speech we were given.
"Now then, are there any volunteers who are willing to take this task."
In what seemed like millisecond, Alexei clutched my hand and rose it in the air high before triumphantly declaring, "We totally will!"
"I love the enthusiasm. May I have your names before your departure?"
"I'm Alexei and this guy is Iron!"
"It's actually Kairon…"
Laughter erupted from the young man and the crowded Gevagens. Alexei scorned at their mocking laughs.
"Sorry you two, but do you really think this is some kind of game? Seriously, what kind of comedic show is this?"
Alexei tightly grabbed hold of the young man's neck. She glared at him with great disdain.
"Does any of this sound like a comedy to you? How about you step up instead of giving your totally half-assed speeches?"
Alexei let out a sharp scream as I grabbed the hood of her scruffy jacket and threw her into the rift. The young man groveled to the floor, gasping for air. I kicked the young man into a neighboring rift and waved the perplexed Gevagens goodbye with a soft smile.
The rift shocked me with powerful sparks once I entered.
The blue atmosphere surrounding me slowly morphed into the interior of a humongous castle. Demon-like corpses were scattered with their blood staining the resin flooring. Alexei could be seen sitting in the middle of this grotesque scene.
"Did you do all of this?"
"Of course I did! This bow can do about anything! These devils couldn't stand a chance!"
She displayed her obsidian bow with an enthusiastic expression. The bow was almost as big as her body. How can someone like her be able to carry that thing? Was she really only a teacher before this?
"If that's the case, then you should've went on to the next floor."
"Why would I wanna leave my buddy Iron all alone? If my students can work hard together, then we can do the same! Let's move!" Alexei dashed straight to the staircase leading up to the next floor.
I quickly grabbed the sword off of one of the corpses. Using Oblivion now may be a waste, so this should suffice for now.
['Low-grade Demonic Blade' has been acquired!]
The second floor of the dungeon mirrored the previous one. Demons began rushing towards us all at once. Alexei drew her bow and three arrows were launched from her bow, knocking down multiple flying demons. I tore into the stomachs of the demons on foot. All of them were able to be taken down with one stab or slash.
[You've gained 1 stat point!]
[You've gained 1 stat point!]
[You've gained 1 stat point!]
With each kill came that message. I wipe the warm blood off my face as I open my stat window.
_______________________
[Personal Profile]
Gevagen: Kairon Shunya
Strength: 5
Movement: 5
Defense: 10
Area Power: 0
Prowess: None
Stat Points: 8
_______________________
My defense was my highest stat due to the cloak I was wearing. Figures why these demon's blades could only scratch me. With 8 stat points to spare, I better try balancing my stats out while I can. Who knows what could be on that final floor later.
_______________________
Strength: 10
Movement: 8
_______________________
"Alexei, how are your stats looking? I'd make sure to keep everything balanced."
Alexei looked at me with an anxious expression.
Whenever we were talked during the first objective in Honokaido, she told me about a certain function that lets me check profiles of other Gevagens.
"View Profile."
_______________________
[Gevagen Profile]
Gevagen: Alexei Chernov
Strength: 12
Movement: 11
Defense: 6
Province: Honokaido
_______________________
Dammit, of course. Why am I even surprised?
Alexei shook violently as we locked eyes. Her voice dripped with guilt. "I-i'm sorry, Iron! You know since I'm an archer I'm more long distance, so I focused on strength and movement more!"
I let out a breathy sigh. My fist bumped her shoulder as I reassured her, "Don't sweat it. Whatever kind of build helps you in combat is what matters. You can completely ignore my orders."
Alexei expressed a contagious bright smile.
"Thank you, Iron! You're totally the best!" Her blissful eyes caused a smile to break out on my face.
_______________________
The dungeon's floors began changing as we progressed further through. On the third floor, a long carpet red leading towards the next floor. The fourth floor is where lit torches hang off the side of the corners on the floor, and when items began dropping from the corpses of demons.
[Mid-Tier Demon Horn has been acquired!]
On the fifth floor was a mini-boss. The demon was terrifyingly stronger in comparison to the past floors. Despite that, we took it down with little to no problem. The items it dropped were also useful.
['Burning Heart of A Lesser Demon' has been acquired!]
[You've gained 10 stat points.]
_______________________
[Item Profile]
Item: Burning Heart of A Lesser Demon
Class: Material
Rank: A
The heart of a Lesser Demon that burns eternally by the flame of Hell. It is a useful forging item if used correctly.
_______________________
Alexei begged me for it and I eventually gave in. We would have to find a blacksmith somewhere once we make it out of this dungeon.
_______________________
Strength: 22
Movement: 17
Defense: 23
_______________________
I've also been able to raise my stats pretty high.
On the sixth floor, stone statues holding varying weapons stood in between the blazing torches. Nothing changed on any floor after that. That wouldn't be the case of the tenth floor though. Me and Alexei shivered as a breeze blew out the torches.
A humongous, lengthy demon, about 10 meters tall, sat down on its throne. Their face was obscured by the skull of a demon. Two crimson wings deployed from its back once they squinted at our presence.
[Lesser Demon King Barbog has been agitated.]
[You have enraged Lesser Demon King Barbog.]