After the training class, which Ren didn't even stay till the end, he left for the library. He was beginning to get a grasp on the skills he was reading on, and with his own note on the side, he began forming his own theories of how the skill he wished to create would work, and for the most part, it was coming together.
While Ren was engrossed in his study, new word was spreading around among the first year students. "Have you heard? Ren's been going to the library each day after practice."
"Really? Do strong people need to read that much? It is even useful?"
"Well, follow the example of the strong."
"I heard Ren's in the library, if we go, we might able to catch a seat beside him."
Ren who was focused on his research had no idea that he was about to pull in students to read at the library just because he was there. The popularity came in positive light, but that wasn't the whole story either.
That day, the library was rather lively with students walking up and down finding books to read. Ren also noticed that a small group of three girls sat together with him on the table he was on. Since he had many books he took to read, the space for individual reading wasn't enough, so he needed to use the one that could contain more than one person.
'No matter how I look at it, that was definitely strange.' Even though he had acknowledged his handsome face, he was still yet to understand just how much influence he held in his hands, not only based off his looks, but talent also.
'I would have loved to borrow a book to read later, but I have other plans for today.' Ren wasn't heading in the normal direction this time, he was headed elsewhere, to the dungeon that was located all the way across the academy grounds.
'It's Ren, but why is he headed in that direction?' Linda who happened to be coming out of nearby public restroom caught sight of Ren who had just casually walked into the bushes that no one would enter normally. She was curious what his reason for doing so was, but she decided it would be best to mind her business.
"…" It seemed Linda couldn't control herself, so tailed him.
'Damn, if I wasn't sure that there would be no wild monster walking these forests, I would have never used this route.' Ren complained to himself. Through the forest, there was no path to find one's way around, so he constantly had to go round trees and things like that. 'Well, this is still better than following the normal open route through the academy.' That was a whole roundabout journey that wasn't worth it.
Also, since he was running all the way there, Ren made sure not to overexert himself, so he wouldn't tire too much by the time he had gotten to his destination. It was more like jogging rather than a run.
Oblivious to the fact that he was being tailed, Ren kept going until he reached his final destination without any breaks.
'Where exactly is he going?! And why's he in such a hurry?!'
With plans for this, Ren left around 6:00 pm, and he arrived at the hidden dungeon at around 7:05 pm.
"So far away, damn. Imagine if I was on the other extreme end before starting the journey?" He questioned himself.
When Ren had slowed down to start walking towards the location why looking around carefully in case things had changed and the dungeon entrance shifted, he heard the sound of leaves rustling, more like a body hitting the ground.
'What was that? Did someone follow me?' Ren was curious, so he moved closer slowly until he was standing over the body that made the sound.
"Linda?"
Ren could clearly see her long brown hair scattered all over looking like a female ghost, and she was sweating all over. Seeing who it was, he didn't need much of an explanation to figure out what had happened. Well, she hadn't fainted, so after catching her breath for three minutes she pulled herself back up.
"What are you doing here?" Ren asked. He had already gone around, and luckily, this last dungeon had formed.
It was also possible that the MC's bloodline was the one that triggered the other dungeons, so Ren didn't feel too at loss. These dungeons were just an appetizer, once the first year students had cleared and given access to enter dungeons and participate in raids, that was when the world would here his name. Knowing that, Ren only focused on creating skills and techniques for the time, and hunting the secret dungeons.
Anyway, back to Linda who wore a serious look on her face at the moment, "that, is what, I should be, asking you… why did you need to come all the way here?" She asked, and Ren could feel the determination from her voice.
'Well, it is suspicious, and the possibility of me coming out here to meet with a syndicate is also possible, since they have spies in many places, everyone knows that.' Because of these reasons, Ren didn't bother providing a false story. If she wanted, she could just alert the academy and they would be unto Ren, and even though they would find out that the dungeon was what brought him out there, he wasn't yet authorized to raid dungeons, so he would lose the opportunity.
"I know what you are thinking, but it's nothing like that." Ren said, ceasing his attention away from her. She could already see her making a posture as though reaching for her watch. "I discovered a hidden dungeon in this area and came to raid it today." He said.
"A hidden dungeon? How'd you discover one all the way here? In the middle of the forest." She was still wary, but it was nothing unexpected, and she was right.
"Luck? Come on." He said, changing the pace so he had the edge in the conversation. If she tried to send any sort of signal, he planned to just enter the dungeon, that way even if the academy people arrived, they would have to wait for him to clear the dungeon, and he would gain from it regardless.
Listening to Ren, Linda didn't have much of a choice than to follow. Taking the first step, she quickly realized just how weak her legs were causing her to fight to maintain her balance, but she fell to her knees regardless. Ren only continued walking forward, not sparing her the attention, so she picked herself back up and followed.
"What do you plan to do? Were you planning to raid the dungeon alone?" Linda asked, very curious.
"What of it? Want to come along? Though…" Ren looked at her and how weak she looked, all from running that much, not that he didn't understand, this were just what a difference in stats could do.
'How is he not tired?'
'It pains me that I would have to share to the rewards with her, but it should be alright since the one who contributed the most get the most, it's a fair system.' Ren thinks to himself. He had a plan in his mind.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be alright. More importantly, what is the rank of this dungeon?"