Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty-Three: Izay – Originally, I Actually Refused It…..

Previously, when Izay and Raul encountered a Murder Ants swarm, it wasn’t really what one would call a “Monster Feast.”

It was more like the Dungeon hiccupped while generating monsters and accidentally produced over a dozen extra.

What Izay was facing now, where monsters suddenly filled his surroundings, was without a doubt a true “Monster Feast.”

The low growls from the monsters continued endlessly, snapping Izay out of his cynical musings.

As he felt the monsters closing in around him, Izay took a slight breath.

His first reaction was to glance at the floor passage behind him that was about to be blocked by the monsters.

Then…

“Steadfast as a Rock!!!”

My Lord, shield!

In the next moment, several massive rock pillars shot up from the ground, instantly clearing the way back to the tenth level.

At the same time, a layer of rock elemental shield, emanating with black-gold rubble and heavy light, enveloped Izay.

Reality isn’t a game; Izay himself could decide how many rock pillars to release with his self-developed magic.

How sturdy the shield could be depended on the amount of magical power Izay imbued it with.

As for the incantation changing…

Ahem, it’s just a formality. In reality, Izay’s self-developed magic didn’t even need an incantation to be cast.

Reciting spells was because they looked cool… no, it was for the sake of ceremony and covering his tracks.

If the deities outside in Orario found out about Izay’s uniqueness, who knows what kind of chaos it would cause.

Fortunately, during his previous exploration, Izay hadn’t wasted too much magic, and his body was now full of magical energy.

Even after releasing a bunch of rock pillars and casting a shield all at once, he still had plenty left.

Physically, before entering the eleventh floor, Izay had already used high-grade recovery potions to restore himself, so his condition was excellent.

All that remained was to reserve some strength for the return trip, then he could try going all out!

“Let the Curtain Fall (Orionids)!!”

A lofty chant rang out.

In an instant, the night sky filled with stars appeared!

Izay was suddenly enveloped in a scorching aura, and an azure starflame rose from his body, spreading and flowing.

“Silver Starfall (Orionids)!!!”

Boom—!!!

The air exploded violently, the azure starflame flickered incessantly, fully revealing its ferocious nature.

The powerful energy dispelled the surrounding mist, revealing the true appearance of this area. Surrounding vegetation and dead trees withered and melted away!

Even the rock element shield was assimilated by this energy, changing from bright yellow to pale blue, finally disappearing into a transparent barrier surrounding Izay.

“Come see how many spears you can block!”

With a quick spin of his spear in both hands, there was a sharp sound as Izay shattered the ground beneath him, transforming into a cannonball hurtling into the monster crowd.

……

Time always passed quickly in the dungeon.

Encountering and battling spawned monsters often made time slip away unnoticed.

When Izay emerged from the dungeon, carrying a backpack full of magic stones and dropped items, it was already near dusk, half the sky gradually turning ochre red.

Still exchanging today’s collected magic stones at the Babel Tower headquarters, after completing the exchange, Izay immediately left the tower.

Today, he alone earned more Valis than he and Raul together did yesterday.

This was related to the number of floors explored.

The magic stones from those large beast-type monsters were more valuable than Izay had imagined, due to the quality difference between them.

Not counting the drop items he hasn’t sold yet, purely based on the value of the magic stones, Izay’s earnings approached ten thousand Valis.

“But should I find a supporter? Having one might speed up exploration…”

On his way back, Izay pondered the feasibility of this idea.

But after thinking about it for a while, he dismissed it.

Putting aside whether or not the supporters outside could be trusted,

It was uncertain if they could keep up with Izay’s pace. Hiring a supporter to help clean up battlefields might end up with Izay having to focus on taking care of them instead.

These professional supporters hired by adventurer teams usually have some shady pasts, or are down-on-their-luck weak adventurers.

Forget it.

Carrying the day’s haul happily back to Twilight Manor, Izay stopped by a few clothing stores along the way to buy a few sets of clothes.

Even though he became an adventurer, his wardrobe still needed some enrichment.

After all, one couldn’t keep wearing the same few pieces of clothing, right?

This was an improvement in living conditions, a necessity.

Arriving at Twilight Manor, after putting away his luggage, Izay immediately headed to the bathhouse with his newly bought clothes.

He was drenched in sweat after a day of fighting, and it would be uncomfortable not to wash.

When he came out of the bathhouse, Izay ran into several members of a faction heading out together for dinner.

Upon seeing Izay, they kindly invited him to join them, but upon hearing they were going to The Bountiful Mistress, Izay immediately declined.

Just earlier in the day, he had been personally selected by the owner Mina. If he went again tonight, she’d surely prepare top-notch drinks for him.

Izay must’ve been malfunctioning to agree to such a thing.

He had no doubt that the moment he sat down in the shop, a certain unscrupulous female shopkeeper would smile broadly and keep handing him drinks.

But, life doesn’t always go as planned…

“What? You’re going to Mama Mia’s place to drink? How could you not bring me along!?”

As if using a lifetime flash-step, Loki, who had appeared behind Izay at some point, immediately agreed.

She also draped her arm around Izay’s neck and patted his shoulder heartily.

“Izay-kun has to come along too~ Mama Mia’s tavern is the best in all of Orario! Not going would be a huge loss!”

“But I’ve already been there this morning…”

“Alrighty, our destination is the most fashionable tavern on West Street! Kids! Let’s go!!!”

“Actually… I don’t feel like it right now…”

“Oh oh oh oh oh!!!!”

“…”

In this situation where every attempt to explain was interrupted, Izay was dragged out of the gate of Twilight Manor by Loki, looking like a little cat dragging its feet.

The color of the sky was about to transition from a vivid chestnut red to the dark of evening.

In the western part of Orario.

West Street, crowded with craftsmen returning home from work and adventurer groups who had finished exploring the labyrinth, was bustling as usual.

At the entrance of the tavern “The Bountiful Mistress,”

“Mama Mia! We’re here for drinks again!!!”

“Oh! Welcome! Loki.”

Mia Grand, the lady owner working her shift, immediately smiled upon hearing this familiar voice.

However, the next moment, when she saw the blond figure being dragged inside by Loki with a sullen expression, her smile grew even wider.

Izay: “…”