Chapter Size: 1633 Words.]
Third Person POV
Somewhere, Orario.
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Leaving the area where he met Riveria, he decided to head to the commercial district on one side of the city where the god Takemikazuchi was, and the shops to buy essential oriental equipment to stay in the dungeon for several days. Since he wouldn't have Riekling with him, he first bought a backpack from the Pallums to use while he didn't have spatial spells, which he planned to acquire in this personal raid. He didn't want to depend on Riekling anymore, let alone carry a giant backpack on his back.
After buying a backpack, he visited a specialty adventurer equipment shop to buy some katanas and lightweight leather armor. Upon entering, he was greeted by the bell that tinkled above the door. The interior was filled with gleaming armor, weapons hanging on the walls, and a variety of items that caught the attention of adventurers, even though it wasn't from a renowned shop like Hefesto's in Babel Tower. A brown-haired attendant, wearing typical traditional Japanese shopkeeper attire, approached with a friendly smile. "Lucius, it's good to see you, good morning! How can I help you today?" greeted the attendant.
Lucius greeted the man who already knew him as an active customer who bought many katanas and explained his needs, mentioning that he planned to spend several days in the dungeon. The attendant nodded understandingly and began to show a selection of suitable equipment, which Lucius had already bought a lot of in the last month. After getting a new armor and some katanas, he put them in his backpack and headed to another area of the city. He may have his healing magic, but he went to Miach's pharmacy to have some stock for emergencies.
Lucius entered, and after greeting Miach and Naaza, he carefully examined the options. Even though Miach tried to give him some for free, he insisted on paying, to Naaza's delight, who didn't like giving away potions for free with the family's debt. So he left and went to a food supply store. Lucius's shopping list included travel rations, dried fruits, jerky, and packaged drinking water. He wanted to ensure that his team was well-stocked during the extended stay in the dungeon.
He finally ended his day with a full and organized backpack for his adventure to the floors he had not yet explored. Lucius returned to Mama Mia's bar, where his family had temporarily settled. The place was already opening, and it did not go unnoticed when the wizard entered with the giant backpack on his back. Upon entering, he was met with curious looks from the waitresses and customers. Mama Mia, the owner of the establishment, looked at him with a mix of concern and reprimand. "Kid, I hope you haven't caused more trouble out there!" she exclaimed, hands on her hips.
Lucius smiled, trying to dissipate the tension. "Just buying some things for the next adventure. I promise not to bring too many problems back here." Mama Mia snorted but didn't insist. Lucius headed to the room where his family was gathered at this moment. Hestia, Bell, Lili, and Riekling were there, chatting animatedly before Lucius arrived about their day. "Hi, everyone. I'm back," Lucius announced, putting the backpack on the floor next to him. Hestia looked at him curiously. "So, how was it? Did you manage to prepare for your next dive?" "Yes, it seems I'll have to do Riekling's job, but it's okay." Lucius smiled. "HEEEE!" The goblin was a bit displeased with the joke. "Don't get angry, just take care of them, okay?" Lucius commented.
"HE!"
"Lucius, you really think of everything, don't you?" Hestia commented, looking at the enormous backpack.
"It's the least I can do, Hestia. I need to be prepared for anything down there," Lucius replied.
Joining them, Lucius reaffirmed his plans. "Tomorrow, I'm heading to the dungeon. Hestia, you take care of things up here on the surface. Bell, Lili, Riekling, you train and get ready. When I return, we'll discuss our next steps. Hestia, can you handle Apollo and Heimdall before the War Game, right?"
Everyone nodded, accepting their respective responsibilities. Despite challenging circumstances, determination was evident on the faces of each member of the Hestia family. "Let's face this together, as we always have. No matter what happens, our family will remain strong," declared Hestia, looking at each of them.
The night progressed with conversations, strategies, and even some laughter, providing brief relief before the impending journey of the next days. The noise from the bar could be heard, but the family stayed in that room, talking and even ordering some drinks that the waitresses brought to them upstairs.
After everyone went to sleep, hours later, Lucius decided to act. The silence of the early morning was broken only by Riekling's gentle snoring, sleeping peacefully beside his bed, and Bell sleeping next to him. Lucius opened his eyes slowly, his mind already alert even before the early hours of the morning.
Not wanting to disturb the sleep of the other family members, Lucius got up quietly, careful not to make noise as he moved. He dressed in his new lightweight armor, putting it on and then his Wizard King cloak over the armor, and settled the backpack on his shoulders, feeling the weight of the essential supplies for his journey into the dungeon and tightened the katana created by Welf, it would be the first time he would use it for real.
With light steps, Lucius left the room and descended the stairs of the Hostess of Fertility bar. The silence of the night enveloped the place as he crossed the empty hallway of the establishment. But when he reached the entrance door, a voice called him from behind.
"So, you're leaving?" A calm voice was heard behind Lucius.
"Mama mia?!" Lucius jumped with that and turned without noticing the woman. In front of him were the Level 6 dwarf and Ryuu, their presences were so hidden that not even Lucius noticed them there, leading to feeling helpless. 'Damn high-level adventurers, I could have died if they were assassins...' Lucius murmured, he might be a powerful wizard, but he still has instincts of a Level 2, how could he deal with a Level 4 specialized in agility and assassination and a freaking Level 6 hiding their presences? Mama Mia smiled warmly, crossing her arms as she watched Lucius with discerning eyes. Ryuu remained silent next to the bar owner, her expression inscrutable as always.
"Mama Mia, Ryuu... Were you awake the whole time?" Lucius asked, still recovering from the initial shock.
"This is a bar, kid. We never really sleep. There's always something happening, and I know everything that happens in this place all the time." Mama Mia laughed, casting a meaningful look at Ryuu. Ryuu remained silent, her blue eyes fixed on Lucius. Her silence was like a dense presence, difficult to read.
"You're heading to the dungeon, right?" Mama Mia asked, shifting her gaze to the dark entrance of the establishment.
"Yes, I need to prepare for what's to come. I want to ensure my family is safe." Lucius replied, adjusting the backpack on his shoulders.
Mama Mia took a step forward, extending her hand and placing it on Lucius's shoulder. "Good luck, kid. Take care of yourself and your family. Come back safe and sound."
"Thank you, Mama Mia. I'll be back, you can count on that, and I'll come back stronger." Lucius replied, appreciating the gesture of support, and left the bar under the gaze of the two women.
Lucius advanced through the silent streets of Orario, enveloped in the darkness of the night. The only sound accompanying him was the soft echo of his own footsteps and the distant hum of the sleeping city. Lantern lights created a melancholic atmosphere, casting dancing shadows on the walls of the buildings.
The wizard walked with determination, passing through narrow alleys and empty lanes. The city, normally bustling and full of life, was immersed in a deep slumber, oblivious to the activities of adventurers who chose to venture into the depths of the dungeon at this time.
As Lucius approached the entrance of the dungeon, the first signs of light on the horizon indicated the imminent arrival of dawn. The sky was tinted with soft hues of blue and purple, creating a gradual transition between night and day.
Reaching the entrance hall of the dungeon, the monumental door seemed to guard a great adventure, and the wizard felt the familiar thrill of anticipation mixed with a twinge of apprehension.
With the backpack securely adjusted on his shoulders, Lucius took a deep breath and took his first steps, passing by some guards on duty, none of whom he recognized, and no one stopped him or looked at him strangely as in the first time he came here after getting the system and his memories. Without hesitation, Lucius began to descend the first steps toward the lower floors.
With his backpack on his back, he seemed unfazed as he started to run towards the depths of the first floor while looking for the next staircase to the next floor. Goblins appeared in his path, but Lucius quickly dodged them as they attempted to attack him. He didn't have time to deal with these creatures because his goal was clear: accumulate enough experience to prepare for a level up, expand his repertoire of spells with some completed missions while studying Riveria's manual to increase his magical understanding, or maybe even unlock a new ability.
Thus, Lucius went full force with the agility of a level 3 once he applied an agility boost, ready to delve beyond the water capitals and with the intention of entering the deep floors.
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