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[20ps]
The silence after battle was almost unnerving.
Ethan stood among the debris, battered bodies of monsters scattered around the blood-stained floor. The corpses of the Goliath and the mutant Minotaur were still steaming, the dungeon walls oddly calm now — as if acknowledging the victor.
Lili leaned against a rock, panting, her hands still clutching her crossbow.
"We survived…" she whispered, still in disbelief.
Ethan looked at his sword — now cracked at the edge from the battle. He sheathed it, the weight heavy at his side. He then slowly opened his stat window. A faint blue glow danced across his vision.
[Stats Updated]
Strength: SS 999
Endurance: SS 999
Dexterity: SS 999
Agility: SS 999
Magic: SS 999
Abilities: Enhanced Reflexes (S), Dungeon Adaptation (SS), Battle Instinct (S), Will of Steel (S)
Development Abilities: Hunter, Abnormal Resistance, Strong Body, Killer Instinct[Status: Pinnacle of Level 1]
Level-Up Available
Ethan stared at it quietly.
He'd finally hit the peak — the absolute limit of what a Level 1 adventurer could achieve. There was no higher. He felt it in his bones, in every muscle, in every breath.
A sense of stillness washed over him.
But he didn't smile."This power… was earned. Through blood and grit. And it's time.""Lili," he said after a long silence. "Let's gather the loot. We're heading back."
She stood, nodding quickly. "Right."
The Goliath had dropped a core the size of a boulder, along with rare drops: its horn, its bones, and a shimmering red crystal embedded in its chest. The mutant had no core — but its flesh had hardened like armor, and its bone claws were infused with some unknown mineral.
It took them over an hour to pack up everything, even with Lili's massive backpack and Ethan hauling the heavier parts manually.
Back in Orario – Guild Hall
The Guild receptionist blinked at the size of the haul.
"Y-You defeated a floor boss and brought this much back? And you're still Level One?" she gasped.
Ethan just shrugged. "You'll want to process these fast. Some of them might start decaying."
The other adventurers stared, murmuring in disbelief. A few recognized Lili — and gave her impressed looks. She stood proudly by Ethan, no longer the timid supporter.
Soon, the Guild staff returned with a number."Total reward: 3.8 million valis."Lili almost dropped her crossbow.
Ethan just exhaled. "We'll take it in parts. Deposit some into the Hestia Familia account, and the rest in cash."
"Yes, of course!" the receptionist said quickly.
As they left the Guild, dusk was settling over the city. The golden sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone roads, and the buzz of adventurers quieted in the evening air.
Lili walked beside Ethan, grinning.
"We're rich," she said softly. "Well, temporarily."
"We'll use it well," he replied, his voice low. "And I'm leveling up tonight."
Lili turned to him, wide-eyed. "You are?"
He nodded. "I've hit the limit. There's nothing left to gain at this stage. It's time."
Back at the Church
The fire crackled quietly in the hearth. The old church, now slowly becoming a home, was bathed in orange light.
Hestia sat on the couch when Ethan and Lili entered. Her eyes lit up with relief.
"You're back! Are you okay? What happened—"
Ethan smiled tiredly. "We made it through. Goliath and... something else."
He held up the core. It shimmered in the dim light.
Hestia's eyes widened.
"You... killed that?! Ethan, you…"
He sat beside her, pulling off his gauntlets, his movements heavy with fatigue.
"Hestia," he said quietly. "Check my back."
Hestia blinked, confused. "W-What? Why?"
"I'm ready."
She froze — then slowly moved behind him. Her fingers trembled as she placed them on his back.
A soft blue glow appeared. Her eyes widened."Strength… SS… Endurance, Dexterity, Agility… everything's SS. Abilities… so many.""He's really… done it."Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.
"Do it," Ethan whispered.
Hestia bit her lip — then reached for her pen.
She inscribed the Level-Up sigil onto his back.
A gentle surge of light pulsed through his body — warm, clean, almost divine.[Level Up: Ethan – Level 2]He shuddered, but the pain never came. Only a feeling of release.
Power settled into him like a second skin.
He exhaled.
It was done.
Hestia hugged him from behind. "You did it… you really did it…"
Lili stood at the doorway, smiling softly.
The night had come — and with it, the birth of a Level 2 adventurer who had earned every drop of strength.
But Ethan's eyes were still forward.
There was more to come.
Much more.
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