...
"What a failure… What did I do wrong? I wasn't mean to her…"
After their three-day agreement ended, Liliruca fled from Arthas in a panic.
Arthas couldn't understand why she was avoiding him.
He'd used her to lure monsters, but he'd always saved her unharmed.
"Why… it was perfect, yet she ran away?"
Thanks to Liliruca, Arthas encountered many monsters. He'd frozen some, but mostly used his sword.
He was getting better with the sword, surprisingly so.
It felt natural, as if he were born to wield it.
His strength hadn't improved much; he relied on skill and frost to defeat monsters.
Despite trying to control it, he couldn't stop his frost. It seemed connected to his thoughts; often, monsters froze to death before his sword reached them.
At least, with his control, he obtained magic stones, unlike before.
"Why did she run away… I treated her well…"
Arthas sighed on the fifth floor. Thanks to Lilly, he'd earned over ten thousand valis in two days. It was a lot, but far from enough for a luxurious house.
"Should I find another support member?"
Without Lilly as help, he wouldn't encounter monsters. As he considered this, he felt a surge of emotion.
This feeling… could it be?
Arthas's eyes widened; he stood and walked in a direction.
Two adventurers entered the fifth floor.
Not from above, but below.
Ais and Riveria, uninjured and steady, had spent three days ascending from the 37th floor. The journey was arduous, with constant monster attacks, yet they showed no fatigue.
They were almost back on the surface, but Ais stopped.
Riveria asked,
"What's wrong?"
"He's here!"
Ais, who'd defeated the 37th-floor boss alone, was excited. She was qualified for Level 6.
"He… here?"
Riveria was confused. Then, a figure emerged from a corner.
"Ar… Arthas?!"
Riveria hadn't expected to encounter Arthas like this.
Since their last meeting, Riveria had avoided Arthas subconsciously. She felt something might happen if they were together.
She'd heard Loki's complaints after the Monsterphilia; her initial reaction was disappointment, followed by relief that she wouldn't be alone with Arthas.
Being alone with him, given his personality, was unpredictable.
Riveria wondered what she'd do if he did something.
"Riveria…"
Arthas was initially excited, but now, facing her, he was calm.
A sense of contentment washed over him; her well-being was enough.
His feelings for Riveria hadn't faded; they were stronger.
Perhaps it was his personality; his emotions, though unexpressed, were intense.
Ais was excited to see Arthas; after defeating the floor boss, she wanted to spar with him.
She hadn't expected this encounter.
But seeing them together… Ais watched them show affection.
"Are you ignoring me?"
Ais said resentfully; Riveria realized this, looking embarrassed.
"Sorry, Ais… I haven't seen Riveria in a while."
Arthas said openly, making Riveria blush.
Don't say that so seriously…
"Arthas, I defeated the 37th-floor boss and am now Level 6."
Ais said; Arthas was surprised, then congratulated her.
"Congratulations, Ais."
"But before Level 6, I need to do something. To resolve my feelings, I want to spar with you!"
"Spar with me?"
Both Arthas and Riveria were surprised.
"Why me? I'm not your opponent, Ais."
Arthas said; Ais shook her head.
"You defeated Bete effortlessly; you're worthy. And I can't move on without sparring with you."
Ais recalled their first meeting.
To reach Level 6, I must overcome the shadow of that frost!
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