Then Frey turned and walked resolutely toward a side chamber, stopping only for a moment to glance back at Alex. "If you are truly Master," she said, her voice steady, "what is your dungeon password?"
Silence hung heavy in the air as Alex clutched the console to his chest, his mind racing. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke. "The password is… *******************."
Frey nodded curtly. "You are indeed the master. I know. Let me retrieve some suitable attire for you—clothes befitting a royal on their way to a grand revel."
"W-Well! It's not my fault!" Alex stammered, a blush creeping up his neck.
Frey, her brow furrowed with concern, gestured toward a side chamber that led deeper into the collapsing dungeon. "Follow me, Master," she said, her voice calm despite the tremors shaking the cavern.
Alex trailed after her, his mind still reeling from everything that had happened. They navigated a passage choked with piles of coins—bronze, silver, gold, and even rare diamond pieces glittering in the chaos. Reaching a doorway, Frey's fingers moved with practiced ease, shifting the coins to create a temporary path through the shimmering mass.
With a mournful creak, Frey pushed open the door, revealing a chamber that could only be described as a treasure trove. Walls lined with countless displays of costumes and armor stretched as far as the eye could see, each piece shimmering with an otherworldly glow. The sheer quantity was overwhelming.
But Alex didn't have time to admire the collection. His gaze darted through the rows, searching frantically for one thing—the Meteorite Armor, his prized possession from his past life.
"I hope the armor is still here!" he muttered under his breath, desperation edging his words.
He sprinted through the chamber, pushing past display after display, his heart pounding. Ten thousand, twenty thousand—the numbers blurred as he raced onward. Finally, he reached the end of the chamber, his breath ragged. But where the Meteorite Armor should have been, there was only empty space.
A cold dread settled in his stomach. He remembered now. After arriving in this world, his character's gear had changed to leather, thanks to a mysterious NPC—Kiara. And now, the armor was gone, vanished without a trace.
"Damn it all! F**k!" Alex cursed, frustration boiling over.
Frey approached cautiously, concern in her voice. "Why are you cursing, Master...?"
"My Meteorite Armor! It's gone!" Alex choked out, despair lacing his words.
"What?! How could this be possible!?" Frey exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Alex recalled the enigmatic NPC who had brought him here. "It looks like you're starting from scratch, God of Grinding," she had said with chilling amusement. "No more overpowered gear, no maxed-out skills. It's a new game, Alex, and this time, it's for real."
"That is most unfortunate, Master," Frey remarked, sympathy softening her tone. "It seems the grind begins anew."
Alex sighed, the weight of his loss pressing down on him. "Can you find me something decent? Armor with good defense and… the costume I used before. The one that looked like a bloodied adventurer."
"Bloodied adventurer?" Frey echoed, confusion knitting her brow.
"The one with a cape full of holes, stained and worn, like it hasn't been changed in years."
Frey thought for a moment, then nodded. "Ah, yes, that one. Very well, Master. Please wait here." With that, her form dissolved into shimmering particles, leaving Alex alone amidst the opulent chaos.
He sank onto the cool stone floor, despondency washing over him. Opening his inventory, he stared at its meager contents. Nothing remained but a single quest log entry:
[Quest Updated: Elera's Savior (Incomplete)].
[Gain trust from the people of Elera and create a religion (Hint: You are a god).]
"Wait… does that mean the quest is already done?" Alex muttered, recalling the strange window that offered him the reward of becoming a god race back in Baldor the blacksmith's shop. Perhaps that held the key to finishing the quest.
A soft hum resonated through the chamber as Frey reappeared, her hands laden with items. The armor, though not legendary, felt solid and reassuring, promising decent protection. The costume, tattered and stained, carried a grim charm—a testament to trials endured.
"Here you are, Master," Frey said, her voice tinged with hope. "May this new attire serve you well."
Alex nodded curtly. Focusing on his inventory, he unequipped his worn leather clothes, leaving him bare save for a faint tattoo pulsing with otherworldly energy—a mark of his new existence. He donned the armor, its familiar weight bringing comfort. Then he activated the costume. Unlike the armor, it had no physical form; instead, it merged with his presence, subtly altering how he felt and appeared.
He was no longer just Alex, the God of Grinding. He was the Bloodied Adventurer, a symbol of resilience, ready to carve his own legend.
As Alex finished equipping the costume, a faint blush crept across Frey's cheeks, though her gaze remained unwavering. She quickly pushed aside her thoughts, focusing on her duty.
"Hey Frey," Alex called out, his voice echoing in the chamber.
Frey turned to face him, the blush still lingering. "Yes, Master?"
Alex tossed two items toward her: gleaming steel armor enchanted to level V and the Heirloom Costume. Both landed at her feet with a soft thud.
"Put these with the collection," he instructed, already turning his attention elsewhere.
"Yes, sir," Frey replied, scooping up the items. The weight of the enchanted metal felt reassuring, while the Heirloom Costume seemed to whisper tales of forgotten heroes. A flicker of amusement danced in her eyes. Despite his gruff demeanor, her master still showed surprising thoughtfulness.
"Also..." Alex paused, his brow furrowing.
"Hmm?" Frey asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Can you get me the strongest sage and warrior weapons we have in this room?"
Frey's eyes widened. "The strongest ones?"
"Yes," Alex confirmed.
Frey nodded solemnly. This was a big request. The strongest sage-warrior weapon wasn't easy to give up, but she understood Alex's determination. Turning toward the chamber's depths, she disappeared into the shimmering piles of coins.
Alex didn't wait around. He walked over to the towering mounds of treasure, his eyes sharp with purpose. He started scooping up handfuls of bronze, silver, and gold, the clinking sound echoing through the cavern. Each coin he added to his inventory felt like progress, a small step forward.
As his inventory filled, the numbers changed dramatically: [20,000 Bronze] gained, bringing his total wealth to an impressive [17,253,194 Gold]. What had been empty was now overflowing, proof of his relentless drive to grow stronger.
He kept going, driven by instinct. Gathering, accumulating—it was second nature to him now. These coins weren't just reminders of past victories; they were the foundation for his future. He wasn't just grinding anymore—he was building himself into something greater.
"Master," Frey's voice interrupted his work.
He stopped, his back aching slightly from bending over so much. He looked up to see Frey returning, holding a magnificent weapon. Its polished surface practically glowed with power, radiating an aura that made the air feel heavy.
"Here you are, Master," Frey said, awe in her voice. "This is the strongest one we have."
Alex's eyes widened as he recognized it immediately. It was the sword-meteorite, the same weapon he'd wielded in his past life. Relief washed over him, pushing aside the frustration of losing his armor.
"Oh, I just remembered," he said, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone. "I already have the sword-meteorite. Is it enchanted to level V?"
"Yes, Master," Frey confirmed.
He reached out and grabbed the hilt. The familiar weight and balance brought a wave of comfort. This wasn't just a weapon—it was part of him, forged through countless battles. Losing the Meteorite Armor still stung, but having his signature sword back gave him some stability.
The golden glow of the sage-warrior weapon pulsed brighter, its energy blending seamlessly with the sword-meteorite. Now, he held something truly fitting for someone aiming to be a god among men—a weapon that represented both his past and his future.
"Thanks," he said, a genuine smile breaking through for the first time since arriving in this world.
A soft chime echoed through the chamber as the system registered the change.
[Success! Sword-Meteorite added to inventory!]
Frey tilted her head, curious. "What are you planning to do now, Master?"
Alex hesitated, his earlier determination wavering. "Uh… I don't know," he admitted.
Frey smirked, her lips curling into a knowing grin. "I thought maybe you'd have something grand in mind. Like sitting on your throne, your powerful weapon at your side, waiting for your friends to show up and see how mighty you've become."
Alex's eyes lit up. "That's actually not a bad idea…" he said, a playful spark returning to his gaze. The image of himself—the Bloodied Adventurer—sitting on a makeshift throne surrounded by wealth, his legendary sword resting nearby, had a certain appeal. It could definitely impress the people of Elera.
With renewed focus, he picked up the console he'd set aside earlier and reactivated the monster summoning program. A mischievous grin spread across his face. Maybe a dramatic entrance was exactly what he needed to start his journey as a godlike figure.
"What are you planning, Master?" Frey asked, concern in her voice as the ominous hum of the summoning program filled the chamber.
Instead of answering, Alex's eyes narrowed in thought. "Wait, isn't there an AFK exp farm below this room?"
"Yeah? What about it?" Frey replied, still unsure where he was going with this.
"Take me there," Alex said firmly. "I want to level up—at least to level 58."
Frey nodded, understanding dawning on her face. While summoning monsters could make for a flashy entrance, raw power was more important. A higher level would make a bigger impact.
"Alright, Master," she said, leading him out of the opulent chamber and down a winding passage. The air grew cooler as they descended, the sounds of the chamber fading behind them.
They arrived at a hidden chamber, its walls pulsing faintly with magic. This was the AFK exp farm, designed for rapid leveling.
The setup was simple but effective. Deep in the dungeon, a spell summoned weak monsters—goblins, orcs, and the like. These creatures were docile and drawn to a specific spot, essentially trapped. Magical runes funneled experience points directly to Alex, even if he wasn't the one landing the final blow.
Without wasting time, Alex settled into position, closing his eyes and gripping the sword-meteorite. Frey activated the farm, and the chamber came alive. Monsters began appearing in waves, weak but numerous. Each one that fell contributed a small amount of experience, slowly pushing him closer to his goal.
Swing! Swing! Alex moved with practiced ease, cutting down the monsters that wandered into the kill zone. The rhythmic clang of steel against flesh echoed through the chamber, a testament to his single-minded focus.
Hours passed. Alex stayed locked in, his mind blank except for the rhythm of the fight. Level by level, he climbed, his strength growing steadily. The frustration of starting over began to fade, replaced by cold determination. He was the God of Grinding, after all. This was just another grind—albeit a weird one.
Finally, a soft chime rang out:
[Level Up! You are now Level 58!]
A satisfied grin spread across Alex's face. He'd hit his initial goal, a solid base to build on. Now, it was time to return to the chamber and make his grand entrance—a powerful figure ready to face whatever came next.
From a distance, Frey watched him, her gaze unwavering. There was something mesmerizing about the way he fought—the raw power in every swing, the intensity etched on his face. It was terrifying and captivating all at once.
Master… you rarely come home, and when you do, you almost forget me… what am I to you…
A pang of loneliness tugged at her heart. She was his loyal servant, yet he seemed so distant, consumed by his ambitions. Did he see her as anything more than a tool? The thought brought tears to her eyes, but she blinked them away.
No, she wouldn't dwell on that. Her duty was clear: support him, no matter what. Maybe someday he'd see her as more than just a servant—as a companion, a confidante. Until then, she'd stay by his side, watching silently, her loyalty unshakable.
Then, something extraordinary happened. As Alex reached level 58, a surge of energy rippled through him, visible even from afar. His body began to glow faintly, his muscles rippling as he grew taller and broader. The power radiating from him intensified, sending shivers down Frey's spine.
Then something extraordinary happened. As Alex hit level 58, a surge of energy coursed through him, visible even from a distance. His body began to glow faintly with a golden light, his muscles rippling as if charged with newfound strength.
Within minutes, he grew taller, his frame broader and more defined. The raw power radiating from him sent shivers down Frey's spine.
It was an Awakening, a sudden leap in power that marked a major step in one's evolution. A rare event, it usually took months or years of training to achieve, yet Alex had done it in hours. This was proof of his unique potential, the latent strength waiting to emerge.
As the golden glow faded, Alex opened his eyes, exuding newfound confidence. He'd not only reached his goal but also taken an unexpected stride toward becoming something greater. Turning to Frey, he looked surprised to see her watching him so intently.
"Frey," he said, his voice deeper and stronger than before. "I think I've… evolved."
Frey nodded, unfazed despite having seen many Awakenings in her time as his servant. "Well done, Master," she said, pride evident in her tone.
Alex smiled a genuine smile, the first Frey had seen since his arrival. He could feel it now, the power flowing through him. It wasn't just the power of his character; it was his own, a part of who he was.
"What are you planning to do now, Master?" Frey asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes as she noticed the mischievous glint in his.
Alex smirked, a playful edge to his expression.
< Chapter 8 > Fin.