Kazu stirred awake to find Kazike already up and ready. "Kazike… you're awake already…" he murmured, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Kazike flashed a thumbs-up. "Yeah, I'm ready."
Kazu hesitated before speaking again. "Um… Kazike… about the stone I found earlier while you were sleeping… I found out it's called a Rune Stone…"
Kazike's eyes widened as he took the stone from Kazu's hand. "Really? What does it say? Let me see…"
Kazike examined the stone closely, his face growing more serious with each passing second. "…Ho—HOW DID YOU GET THIS? This is one of the two rarest Rune Stones… it's called a Combat Rune… and the other rare one is the Defender Rune… Everyone hunts for these stones… If I were you, I'd keep it and never sell it… You can use it to enhance your equipment… You can even make an artifact with it…"
Kazu looked puzzled. "Oh, is that so? But I don't have any equipment to enhance… Do you want it, Kazike? So you can use it…"
Kazike shook his head. "Just keep it for now… You'll find a use for it in due time… After this Quest, we'll visit a smithing shop I know."
"What will we do there?" Kazu asked, curious.
"You'll find out…" Kazike replied with a knowing smile. "The important thing right now is this Quest… Let's go, Kazu…"
"Alright, Kazike…" Kazu agreed, and they continued their journey to Floor 26.
As they approached their destination, Kazu's eyes widened. "Kazike! There's something glowing over there… It looks like a magic circle leading to Floor 26!"
Kazike's face softened with a mix of exasperation and nostalgia. "Oh, take it easy, Kazu… (This kid reminds me of Hisuke… my younger brother…)"
Kazu's excitement was palpable. "Kazike, we're at the Magic Circle… let's go together…"
Floor 26
The moment they arrived, Kazu's eyes sparkled with wonder. "Wow! This place is amazing! There are so many sparkling stones around!"
Kazike nodded, his expression a blend of awe and caution. "It is beautiful… but difficult to obtain… They say you can only get them if you have Mining skill… And few low-level Adventurers have that skill… Usually, it's at S rank and Job Class Alchemists…"
Kazu frowned in thought. "Oh, is that so? Then let's find an Alchemist friend to help us get those stones… (I think I have Mining skill… Yes! My Mining skill… but it's only level 1… Can it be useful?)"
Kazike chuckled. "Usually, Alchemists profit from their skills by offering services… like Mining services, medical services, and making Abnormal Effect potions."
Kazu was taken aback. "Wow… You know so much, Kazike… Is it really that detailed?"
Kazike smiled. "Yes, and it's important to be prepared. But for now, we should focus on this Quest."
Kazu nodded and looked around. "Ahh, Kazike… Can I try to mine some of these stones?"
Kazike looked at him with a hint of skepticism. "Well… you can try, but you'll need sharp tools to extract the stones properly. My dagger won't do…"
Kazu considered this for a moment. "I'll try using my skill to see if it works… (Fire Pierce!) … It doesn't seem effective… Maybe I need proper mining tools… Kazike, what tools are needed to get these stones?"
Kazike replied, "From what I know, a Steel Pickaxe is used for that… but we'll have to get one from the smithing shop… They're expensive…"
Kazu nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, Kazike… Let's come back later. We can return after the Quest…"
Kazike agreed. "Sure, we can do that. You're strong enough to handle this."
Kazu beamed. "Yay!"
"Let's move on then…" Kazike said as they continued their journey.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Kazu's eyes widened in alarm. "Kazike…! The ground is shaking…"
Kazike quickly grabbed Kazu's arm. "Hold on to me, Kazu…"
A massive golem emerged from the rubble before them, its enormous form looming menacingly. Kazu gasped. "It's… so big…"
Kazike's expression hardened. "Golem…"
Kazu, panicked, tried to attack. "Kazike… How do we fight this? (Fire Pierce!)… It doesn't work…"
Kazike's face was grim. "Magic doesn't affect golems…"
Kazu's eyes lit up with realization. "I know! I'll drop a rock on the golem from above! Kazu pointed his hand upwards and used Fire Pierce It's working… Since magic doesn't work, I'll drop a rock…"
A huge rock fell from above, hitting the golem's head and weakening it.
Kazike's eyes sparkled with admiration. "That's brilliant! I'll try hitting it with a rock too." He picked up a large stone. "Fist Strength Enhance!!" He hurled the sharp stone at the golem's head.
Kazu noticed something. "Kazike! There's a glowing spot on the golem's forehead…"
Kazike nodded. "That might be its weakness. I'll aim for it…"
Kazu shouted, "Okay, Kazike! I'll drop another rock on the golem while you aim for its forehead!"
Kazike grinned. "You got it, Kazu! Basic stuff!"
Kazu concentrated. "Fire Pierce! (Wait… My Fire Pierce seems stronger…) Kazike! It's your chance! The golem is weakening!"
Kazike charged with determination. "WAAAAAHHH!!! HERE IT COMES!"
The golem was obliterated, its pieces scattering everywhere.
Kazu looked around at the debris. "Kazu! There are broken crystals from the golem… Can these be sold?"
Kazike shook his head. "Broken crystals aren't sold… Only whole crystals can be sold, but for a small amount… Only Alchemists can refine them into Rune Stones…"
Kazu sighed. "Oh, that's a pity… Look, there's a magic circle over there… Could the boss of this floor be the one we fought?"
Kazike considered this. "It's possible… The magic circle usually appears after the boss is defeated…"
They continued their journey, reaching Floor 34.
Kazu's stomach growled. "Kazike… let's rest for a moment… I'm getting hungry…"
Kazike smiled and handed Kazu some food. "Alright, here's some food, Kazu… Let's eat first."
Kazu's eyes lit up with joy as he bit into the bread. "Wow! Thank you, Kazike! This bread is delicious!"
Kazike smiled thoughtfully. "In this place, you can't tell if it's day or night because the sun isn't visible… You just feel tired and need rest…"
Kazu nodded. "Thank goodness you brought food for times like these… I didn't realize how vast this dungeon was…"
Kazike checked Kazu's status.
[STATUS]
Level: 76
Name: Kazu Gonomiya
Age: 12
Job Class: God
Passive Abilities:
Divine Knowledge
Infinite Mana
Maximized Self-Healing
Active Skills:
Blink
Explosive Blink
Bloodlust
Rage: Locked
Magic Spells:
Fire Pierce
Fire Spirit Flare
Unique Skills:
Exploration Level: 87
Assassin Level: 86
Cooking Level: 8
Mining: 1
Smithing: 1
Kazike smiled, handing Kazu a bottle of water. "I'm used to traveling, Kazu… I've been an adventurer for about six years… So I know what to bring and what's important. Do you want some water?"
Kazu gratefully accepted the water. "Yes, thank you, Kazike!"
Kazike's eyes twinkled with thought. "By the way, is there a place in Druzka where I can study magic? I'd like to learn more about it…"
Kazike shook his head. "There's only one magic school in our area… Would you like to visit it after your Quest?"
Kazu nodded eagerly. "Yes, Kazike… But maybe after this Quest… We're going to the smithing shop, right? What will we do there?"
Kazike replied, "Yes, we'll visit the smithing shop to get a weapon suitable for you. You're an Assassin, right?"
Kazu nodded. "Yes, Kazike…"
Kazike continued, "Then you're skilled with daggers…"
Kazike explained, "Assassins usually struggle with swords… Their weapons are typically daggers or threads because they are lighter…"
Kazu understood. "I see… Ahh, Kazike, I'm rested now… Let's move on to Floor 34!"
Kazike grinned. "Alright, let's go… (He's so energetic even after just a two-hour nap…)"
Kazike and Kazu proceeded cautiously through the dimly lit corridors of the dungeon, their senses heightened.
"Kazike, what is the 'murderous intent' skill?" Kazu asked, curiosity in his voice.
"It's a skill of the assassin class, an ability to sense when someone wants to kill you. Why do you ask?"
Kazu hesitated. "Well, I think I might have it… I'm not sure, but I can feel when someone wants to kill me."
Kazike's eyes widened. "Really? That explains why you said you felt many presences earlier… but that skill is quite rare."
Kazu suddenly stiffened, his eyes darting around. "Kazike, what is that? It feels like someone is watching us."
"Where?" Kazike asked, instantly alert.
"Just ahead of us… they might be hiding in the darkness."
Kazike felt a chill run down his spine. "I have a bad feeling about this… stick close to me, Kazu. Stay alert."
"Okay, Kazike…" Kazu whispered, sweat forming on his brow. "Wait..."
"What is it, Kazu?" Kazike asked, sensing the urgency in his voice.
"It want to kill us… I can feel it. It's a person… WHO ARE YOU? SHOW YOURSELF!"
From the shadows, a figure emerged, cloaked in black. The glint of a blade was visible under the hood.
"Impressive… you have sharp senses, kid. Let me guess, you're an assassin?" the figure sneered.
"Who are you?" Kazu demanded.
Kazike's face turned pale. "C—Cloyde… S-rank assassin… Why are you here? This is bad… we need to run, Kazu! He's an assassin who works for the Assassin Guild and likes to ambush and kill the weak in this dungeon… he's feared here."
Kazu's eyes narrowed. "Cloyde? Kazike, we're looking for something important on Floor 35… can you let us pass? (I can sense his murderous intent.)"
Cloyde grinned wickedly. "Oh, this? hehek… a scroll from a noble family, right? Nyeheheha! NYAHAHAHAHA! You're out of luck, kid. I got to it first! I heard it's important."
Kazu nodded. "Yes, that's what I'm looking for. Can you give it to me? I can trade you something I found. (I'd rather try to negotiate than fight… he's human too…)"
Cloyde's grin widened. "And what will you trade, kid? What's your name again?"
Kazu bowed slightly. "Ah, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Kazu Gonomiya, Assassin Class! Nice to meet you! I'll trade you this… Rune Stone [C]… Kazike says it's important. I want to trade it so I can complete my quest."
"Kazu! This is dangerous!" Kazike warned, his voice tense. (Is he joking?)
Cloyde laughed. "That's a nice offer, kid, but why would I agree when I can just kill you both? I can take it from you without losing this scroll, right? RIGHT???!!! RIGHT!!! WAHAHAHAHHA!!!!! WHAT AM I, CRAZY???!! I'll just kill you and take everything! HAHAHAHHA!"
"Kazike, please…" Kazu whispered. (If he won't agree, I might have to fight him…)
"YOUR END IS HERE!" Cloyde shouted. He vanished into the shadows, dashing from the wall and teleporting behind Kazike.
Kazike and Kazu reacted instantly, their eyes widening. (He's so fast!)
Cloyde whispered menacingly, "You're dead..."
"Sorry, Cloyde…" Kazu muttered, surprising Cloyde with his calm tone as he leapt away.
"Huh?! How did he see me? (Damn it! I'm an assassin; he shouldn't be able to sense me, even if he is one!) Are you mocking me, kid?! YAAAAH!!!"
"Dodge it, Kazu!" Kazike shouted.
Kazu blinked in front of Cloyde, grabbing the scroll from Cloyde's pocket. "Kazike, this is all we need… sorry."
"The scroll! Give it back! Rain of Blades!" Cloyde rained blades down upon Kazu. "I'll kill you! WAAAAAH!!"
"Stop it! BLADE STRIKE!" Kazike intervened.
Cloyde blinked away. "You can't hit me, A-rank Assassin! You're still weak! He unleashed a thread attack, severing Kazike's arm.
"Kazike! Your arm! (Explosive blink…) Why did you attack us? A dark aura emanated from Kazu.
Both Cloyde and Kazike noticed.
Kazike whispered, "Ka—Kazu… (here it comes again…) that aura…"
Cloyde stepped back. "What are you going to do now, kid?! Cry to your… realizing Why is he so strong? (I need to get out of here) *Lurk…"
Kazu's voice was calm but menacing. "Cloyde… I told you we only needed the scroll… but you cut Kazike's arm off…"
Kazike thought, (Kazu is such a sweet kid, but this is terrifying!)
Kazu grabbed Cloyde by the throat and pointed his hand at his head. "Fire… piercing…"
"W—wait… WAIT!!" Cloyde screamed.