BobOfTheHedgeField
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The First Challenge
🕑 Added 2025-05-31 04:57:30 +0000 UTCI moved down the hallway and the Dungeon didn’t seem to be giving me too much of a challenge. There was the occasional Goblin here and there, but after the ten Kobolds I guess it decided I wasn’t worth the trouble until I got down to the next floor.
It had been an hour long quest of finding those stairs but I did in fact find them after my search. I hadn’t run into any other adventurer’s and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. The walls remained a light blue when I peeked down the long staircase and sat upon it for a moment while kicking my legs lightly.
I think I’m going to need to bring a packed lunch into the Dungeon from now on. I hadn’t really considered it before but this place is huge, and if it's anything like hiking (with fighting monsters thrown in) I’d have to bring food and water with me in order to not get exhausted.
As for using the bathroom? Well I guess I can just go anywhere. Maybe I should pack some toilet paper as well? These were important thoughts to have once I left the Dungeon. Either way I’d explore floor two and then make my great escape!
Entering floor two was an odd experience. I instantly felt the atmosphere change, as though I went from an ant in a cage, to an ant being watched. Creepy! I needed to set this Dungeon straight!
“Stop being a voyeur! Fight me!” For a moment my senses picked up, pushed by my frustration and I spotted a lizard climbing upon the ceiling. Hmph! I’ll have to use a technique I haven’t used since the First Floor!
“Agi!” I shot an exploding fireball at the thing and it looks like the usage of magic was starting to actually get to me. I gently held the side of my head as the lizard creature fell to the ground. The little pamphlet I read had told me about these guys.
Ambush predators that often killed newbie adventurers with the weight of their fall combined with a vicious attack to the head. Yeah I could see how that was a problem. Luckily I had magic but I was certainly running low, I wish I had a menu where I could see my MP or whatever it was called but alas I was a Shounen protagonist, not someone in a gamer fanfiction.
Either way I pocketed the Magic Stone with a light sigh as my stomach growled at me. Dang it. Alright I’d definitely need to start packing for lunch. Maybe magic use made me more hungry as well? I started turning back towards the stairs only to narrow my eyes.
Then I smiled.
“Thank you for listening to my request, Dungeon!” I hefted my sword off of my shoulder and threw myself into the sea of Kobolds. I was instantly on the defensive, forcing to shift my stance into one that would keep the Kobolds now surrounding me at bay.
Why would I throw myself into the twenty Kobolds you ask? Well that was easy. I wanted a challenge. Up to this point the closest thing I’ve had to a challenge was that Two-Headed Kobold and even that wasn’t too difficult.
The monsters ran at me pulling me from my thoughts. I spun in a massive rotational movement allowing me to cleave through multiple Kobolds at once. Only to feel a faint wind above me. On instinct I sidestepped the falling lizard and sliced through its neck before it could finish its attack.
The Lizard was dead before it hit the ground and I couldn’t help but be annoyed at the pathetic ambush attempt.
This was what the Dungeon had to offer? I frowned. While I understood the idea of weak mobs being first, this was getting ridiculous. I’d practically seen this fight play out before I ended it.
The twenty Kobolds and five Dungeon Lizards were killed with relative ease. It had come down to positioning in precision, things I was quite good at when wielding my Best Friend Sword.
Overall, I was disappointed.
“Stop holding back. It’s pissing me off.” A small pulse went through the ground as I raised an eyebrow as the magic stones of the monsters I’d previously defeated vanished.
A beat passed and nothing happened.
“Seriously!? Are you that petty-” My words were cut off as I threw my body sidewards in order to avoid the slamming sound of an absolutely massive fucking lizard that crawled out of the ceiling and attempted ot crush my body. There we go!
I almost didn’t sense this thing! I pointed my blade at it with a smile.
“Alright then. Challenge accepted!” Then I blinked as the creature covered itself in a faint sheen and turned mostly translucent. My senses could pick it up, but it was as though a film was interfering with my view.
The lizard had burly arms and legs as it circled me, my eyes followed its movement and it seemed to notice as it dived towards me with a claw crushing where I just was. I didn’t even have time to counteract during the movement as it whipped around with its tail forcing me to vault over the incoming appendage.
Then a claw nicked my cheek and forced me to draw blood.
I couldn’t help but smile.
This wasn’t like the Two-Headed Kobold at all! This was way better! I started laughing, this was a joyous moment after all!
“You hurt me! Well done!” The creature’s four eyes stared back at me as its film faded away and it sent a claw hurling towards me from the side. Instead of stepping away from the attack I stepped past it and towards the creature whose jaws opened wide. It’s massive tongue shot out towards me and I just barely reacted in time to the sudden grapple attempt.
I sliced its tongue open, but couldn’t fully sever it with a swipe of my blade before being forced to pivot at its headbutt attempt. I jumped onto its head with a leap and slammed my sword into its back causing it to let out a brutal roar before attempting to flip its entire body over and crush me. I rolled off its body in the opposite direction, and before it could attempt to flatten me again I moved backwards and drew the knife I’d been told to get by someone I treasured.
Then I threw it. While I wasn’t a master of throwing knives, especially ones that required different throwing techniques like this one, I knew the fundamentals. More importantly I had drastically enhanced perception from the Joy that flooded my body.
The knife flew towards its eye, but it never reached its target. Instead its maw opened and the wounded tongue batted away the bladed weapon. Ha! You’ve fallen right into my trap!
“Agi” The fireball shot towards its mouth right next to its rapidly recalling tongue. It would either have to take the hit or sever its own tongue.
It chose blood, and with a crunch its own tongue flew from its body and its mouth shut tight. It barely was able to move its body in order to let the explosive blast impact its head instead of its insides.
Its eyes shut for a moment before opening in hatred as it glared at me only to realize I was right in front of it with my blade flying towards it. The attack hadn’t done as much as I’d liked it too, but I’d be foolish to not press the advantage.
It could avoid my attack and my sword stabbed deep into its eyeball as I mounted it again, I drew the blade causing a fountain of blood to spray outwards and my momentum carried me over the back of the lizard only for it to strike me in the side with its large tail.
I was sent flying across the room, my dagger now being on the other side of a large area caused my eyes to narrow at the rapidly cloaking lizard. Or should I call it a Chameleon?
I couldn’t help but let out a stifled laugh at the pain in my gut. I chugged the potion Naaza gave me and threw the empty bottle towards the lizard that seemed to hope I couldn’t see it in its cloaked form.
Don’t you know that showing me anything means I’ll figure out how to counter it? The bottle cracked as it slapped it away before letting out a roar and charging me. The potion was already making the pain go away, and the cut on my face was no longer leaking blood much to my internal joy.
Getting blood in your eye during a fight was awful! Luckily that hadn’t happened yet, and I didn’t plan on it happening either! Well . . . at least to me. An idea formed at the sudden thought.
While it charged me I decided to use a classic technique. Just as it was moments away from slamming into me I flipped off of the wall in order to get behind it however something surprising happened.
Instead of crashing into the wall like I’d expected it just started climbing, then while on the wall it suddenly rotated and pushed off towards me like a rocket. A sharp blade like claw flew towards my eye.
Then I let out a light breath. Then I roared. I brought up my blade and the clash of steel echoed throughout the entire cavern, my sword instantly chipping from the massive wave of force that permeated the area. I slid backwards from the impact and the lizard continued its charge.
The vibrating pain wrecked through my arms and I recovered my balance as I dodged out of the way of another attack, mid movement I spotted my dagger and grabbed it. Damn, that clash really did send me far!
Then my eyes narrowed while I let out labored breaths. Alright, as my younger cousin would say I needed to ‘Lock in’. I gave a small nod to the creature as its four eyes narrowed at me.
“Let’s end this.” It blitzed forward with a new burst of speed, the brief rest being taken advantage by both of us it would seem. However I hadn't just recovered my stamina from our engagement. I’d recovered my knife as well.
The massive claw flew towards me and my knife weaved between the sharp blades upon its hand as I threw it. I had to clash steel with claw again in order to deflect the attack, but suddenly the attack lost much of its power as a horrid screech echoed throughout the area.
My knife was embedded deep into its top left eye. The blood leaking down blinding its other eye as well. I smiled maniacally as it blindly swung towards me while it turned and tried to bat me with its tail.
Instead of dodging, I rode the wave. As the tail moved towards me I moved with it in a burst of speed allowing me to negate the force by becoming part of it. Then as the tail swung I let go and was sent flying over the Chameleon.
As I flew over it I ran my blade through the area next to its spine in a straight line. I let out a roar as my blade flew upwards and cleaved out a large chunk of flesh. The creature tried to flip, but I had a handle I could use.
I grabbed the knife embedded in its eye while it moved and tore the thing out of its head causing more blood to shoot out onto the floor. I kicked off of it, and looked at the heavily wounded beast.
I wasn’t just going to let it bleed out though. That would be lame!
“Are you ready for the final engagement?” The lizard let out an enraged howl before its body became cloaked again and it started zig zagging towards me. Ah, my emotions calmed down a bit, so it was harder to see now!
I couldn’t help but let out a laugh! This was awesome! It was like natural difficulty scaling based on how I was feeling! With that laugh my senses cleared a bit and the maw was right next to me. Coming from the side the beast prepared to eat me in a single bite.
How could I not respond with an ultimate attack of my own? My sword pierced the inside of its upper mouth as the thing moved through where I was previously. For a moment the faint lights of the dungeon were present, then all that remained was my inner fire.
“AGI!” A burst of flame melted the entire top part of its head in a massive explosion as I sent the flood of power through my sword. The movement was fluid with my previous stab, for not one moment did I stop my motion as the creature died and vanished into black ashes, my sword being pulled out as I faced forwards towards the suddenly falling object. I caught the huge stone and tucked it under my arm with a smile.
Hell yeah! That was awesome! Wasn’t it awesome Best Friend- My sword fell apart in my grasp and the broken steel clattered against the ground.
“Thanks for holding out buddy.” I picked up my dagger and I wiped away the small nose bleed I’d gotten. Looks like using too much mana had some adverse effects. I rolled my neck and checked out my stomach only to realize my arm had three lines of blood on it. My leg had one as well.
Adrenaline is a hell of a drug. Looks like I got nicked when I’d clashed my sword against the massive creature.
The crystal I’d gotten was the size of my pouch so I put the thing in and started on my way out of the Dungeon. Today was a good haul! Even if I got a little hurt, it was certainly worth it! A night or two of sleeping with Hestia would fix me up anyways.
As I moved the Dungeon felt it necessary to spam me with Goblins which was mildly annoying, but not an actual threat. I could use knife techniques, but I mostly used them in combination with mixed martial arts.
After killing like fifteen goblins over the course of my little adventure I eventually made it back to the surface!
The Sun was a welcome light, but not as bright as Hestia. Speaking of which, I wonder where she is? Probably back at the church . . .
“Andrew, are you alright!?” The woman immediately started fretting over me, I was covered in blood to be fair. I nodded at her words and smiled.
“Of course! Just a few light scratches is all.” The pain had already faded, though I wondered if they had any antiseptics here. Something to ask Naaza, speaking of which I should go buy those potions! They’ll hopefully kill any infections I've gotten, if any at all.
“Do you need a potion? Let’s go get you a potion!” She started dragging me towards the pharmacy I’d been to earlier and I stopped her.
“Of course! I just need to trade in my haul so I can actually buy something . . .” She raised an eyebrow at me before patting the pouch of Vali’s at her side.
“1,000 Valis can get you a minor health potion for scratches and bruises. I know we’ll be dipping into what little funds we have but I don’t want you to be in pain!” I blinked at that before tilting my head.
“Ah, that pharmacy only sells the good stuff then. The potion I’d bought earlier cost 10,000 Valis. It was super useful though!” Her eyes widened.
“W-wow you really don’t waste money on potions.” I nodded. Rose said I should get the good stuff, and while Naaza might have marked it up a bit I trusted her craft. Call it a gut feeling!
Or maybe it was just my shounen instinct, I’m not really sure.
“Either way Hestia I want to see how much this is worth, so let’s check it out!” She nodded and I sprinted off towards the guild.
“I lived!” A couple of adventurers threw glares at me because of the sudden noise, then an elvish woman approached me and handed me a black towel.
https://i.postimg.cc/HsM0bQgy/Eina-Tulle-Anime.webp
“Sir, please don’t track any blood inside of the Guild.” She took a pause to smile then continued. “I’m glad you lived though.” I turned towards her and she gave me a little head tilt and I couldn’t help but grin.
“Ah, thank you. Sorry about that, I was just excited to see Rose again.” She blinked at that and polished her glasses for a moment before grinning with an odd expression.
“Oh? Are you the adventurer Rose took on as an Advisor for?” I gave a nod and smiled.
“Yep! It required one of my signature speeches but she’s been nothing but amazing since I’ve started working with her.” Shounen monologues are unbreakable!
She held a hand over her mouth to hide her growing smile before waving me over.
“Well then it's nice to meet you, let’s go speak with your advisor. I’m sure you have much to discuss.”
“Yep, I’ve got to tell her about the Dungeon Lizard I fought. It was super awesome!” She threw me a light glare to berate me for my passion.
“Adventurers shouldn’t go on adventures. It's super dangerous, don’t throw your life away.” I awkwardly rubbed the back of my head, I got that now that I fought the Chameleon guy, but even then I still won.
She let out a sigh from my lack of response and I could only give her what assurance I could.
“Don’t worry Ms. I’m Andrew Ariti and death isn’t on my to-do list!” She rolled her eyes at my badass line causing some embarrassment to float through me.
“Alright then Mr. Ariti. I’m Eina, but you can simply call me Ms. Tulle alright?” I nodded as I was brought into a room where Rose awaited me.
“Hi Rose!” She looked up from her papers to acknowledge me and for a moment I saw a ghost of a smile before she hid it with a nod and went back to work.
“Well then I’ll leave you alone-” I set the huge stone on the table causing Eina to gasp and Rose to let out a strangled cry of confusion.
“Fought a big lizard, it actually gave me a little bit of trouble, but I ended up winning anyways!” Definitely not going back into the Dungeon without a new weapon though. I need my Best Friend to reincarnate and join me once again!
“What happened.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement from Rose as she demanded an answer. Eina looked at me in shock during the whole process.
“Isn’t this your second time in the Dungeon?” I nodded at her question and Eina plopped her stunned self in the nearby chair.
“So I went to the second floor and everything was really weak. I got jumped by twenty something Kobolds and some Dungeon Lizards. Then after I killed them all the stones melted into the ground and out popped this super big lizard that could turn invisible.” I took a breath and continued spinning my tale.
“Then I stabbed it a lot and it died.” It truly was my ultimate technique! Rose ran a hand through her hair and she locked eyes with me. Then she grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward her.
“You will tell no one that you defeated a Dungeon Chameleon.” She stared at me before pressing her words. “Promise me that.” Making me forge a sacred pact . . . truly Rose was dangerous!
“Alright, I promise Rose. I trust you.” Rose let out a sigh and stared at me like she didn’t know what to do with me before Eina spoke up.
“My lips are sealed as well, do you have any idea how insane what you’ve done is?”
“Uhm. Not really?” She practically face palmed at my words causing me to grumble slightly. This is my one weakness as an Isekai Protagonist. I don’t have anything to measure what goes on around me as being weird or not!
“Not only are they extremely rare, they are nearly undefeatable to a party of level ones. It essentially necessitates a level two, and even a level two can get assassinated by one if they are caught off guard.” She sent Rose a glance before giving a small chuckle.
“You really have found a troublesome person to become the Advisor of, haven’t you?” She didn’t respond as she just stared at me. There was an invisible light behind her eyes, then she let out a small grunt.
“Alright. Let’s get you a light backpack. You’re going to need it to hold all the Vali’s. I’ll deduct it from your total.” She stood up and exited the room. Leaving me alone with Ms. Tulle.
“So presumably you have a skill or something? That’s impressive for someone even if they do have a skill.” She smiled as she looked me over and I laughed lightly at her query.
“Rose told me not to tell anyone.” She nodded with a growing smile.
“Good because I would have done the same if she hadn’t.”
“Rose is the only advisor I’ll need, but thank you Ms. Tulle.” She smiled at that, then she frowned.
“You better follow her advice, she’ll keep you alive unless you’re an idiot.” I went silent at that. I was kind of dumb to be honest. Maybe it's time I hit the books!
She gave me an incredulous look and went to speak but I cut her off.
“I’m an idiot, but I’ll follow Rose’s advice. I have 1000% faith in her!” She was the only reason I think I won that fight anyways. That knife was vital and Best Friend Sword didn’t fall apart until the very end . . . Rose is the best insurance ever!
Rose re-entered that moment with a small brown leather backpack that was filled with thousands of Vali’s! Hestia and I were rich . . . I think!
“This bag has 149,300 Valis in it. Keep it in a secure location, and don’t blow it all on gambling.” I looked at her with incredulity. Did I really give the vibe of a thrill seeker- Ok, I totally did! But I was the type of person to bet it all on a final attack with my instincts and heart as my guide. Not money!
“Rose . . . thank you again. I really appreciate all of this.” She was so easily able to get a read on me too and it made me blush. She looked me over for a moment as Eina left with a quick word.
“Alright, I’ll leave you two too it . . . no surprises this time.” She softly closed the door behind her and Rose sent me a solemn look.
“Andrew.” I perked up at that and sent her a smile only causing her to frown more.
“This is enough money to start a life for yourself. You seem like a good person, a rarity in this city. Please don’t throw everything away in the Dungeon.” I stared deep into her eyes and I would be a liar if I didn’t consider it for a moment.
Things would be easier if I did that right? I didn’t want to make Rose and Hestia sad if I just disappeared one day without a word.
But that would mean giving up on my dream. Giving up on Hestia who has put her faith in me. Giving up on myself. Small tears pooled in the corner of my eyes. I’m weak to this sort of thing. People who truly and deeply care about me cause my heart to tremble when they clash with me because I know deep down I just want them to know that I’m going to be alright.
Rose hasn’t been the first person I’ve had this sort of conversation with. And she probably won’t be the last.
“Rose. I’m not going to throw everything away in the Dungeon.” She seemed surprised but I had to douse the hope in her eyes. “Because I won’t lose-” She slapped me across the face as her expression turned feral. She grabbed me by the collar just past my armor and looked deep into my eyes.
“Ow.” My instinctual reaction to the light pain didn’t calm her down.
Her eyes had turned red with rage as she stared at me for a moment, then her grip became weak.
“. . . is there really now way to convince you?” I needed to get strong in order to achieve my dream. That was the only way.
“Rose . . . please have some faith in me?” She pushed me away and sat back down.
“Do you have any idea how many times I’ve heard that line alone?” I shook my head.
“Twenty three times.” Ah. That's . . .
“That’s terrible. I’m sorry.” She looked conflicted and stared at me for a moment and I continued with a small smile.
“Though I beat that Kobold right? And that Lizard too? That has to mean something?” She seemed to only get angrier at my words, her expression twisting in pain before shaking her head and returning again to her neutral expression.
“Your feats are astounding. But that’s exactly the type of arrogance that gets you killed.” I nodded at her words. A plan formed in my mind after a brief pause. She wasn’t wrong after all.
“All right. You said this amount of money could let me live well for a while? Then I won’t enter the Dungeon for a week. I’ll improve my training, I’ll find a party member like you wanted, and I’ll stock up on supplies.” She paused as she stared at me inquisitively, her anger seemed to settle as I continued.
“I need to get a new weapon anyways, my old sword broke in the fight . . . Rose, can I ask you to help show me the path I’ll need to take if I want to survive? I’ll walk this path no matter what, but having you there to keep me grounded while I face the Dungeon brings me some peace.”
She softly tapped on her desk and nodded without a smile.
“Alright. No Dungeon for a week. Find a party member. Restock, and Resupply.” She stared deep into my eyes for a moment before letting out a sigh. “Andrew. Don’t die.” I smirked at that and nodded happily.
“With you having my back? That would just be embarrassing?” Her lip quivered up for a brief moment before she shut down the feeling.
I would make her smile a genuine smile without being afraid of my death, no one deserves to seal their heart off from the world!
Especially not someone as amazing as her.
Rank 4: Advisor’s Guidance - Increases training speed. Increased training speed for all allies while training with you.
That’s amazing! This will potentially let me improve my techniques to a new level, and I can help my new party member when I encounter them! This also gives us something to do for the week!
“Rose. Thank you! Thank you for trusting me!” She let out a small sigh as I left, her eyes clinging to my retreating form as I walked out with the backpack over my shoulder. A massive grin on my face as thanks for her putting her faith in me. Even if it was only a small amount.
Either way I’d have a big day tomorrow.
There was so much to do . . . ah crap I still have to buy potions!
AN: Belle arrives in the next chapter! She’s actually been in the city for a little bit already, she just hasn’t run into Andrew yet. Orario is a big city after all. Rose has a reasonable crash out in front of a shounen protagonist (punishment is emotional bonding time and compassion).
Also Andrew almost got obliterated against the Dungeon Chameleon but he didn’t die and got PAID instead! Gotta get our money up!
As always go ahead and leave some comments and questions down below, I love to seem em’!
Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time!
Comments
Ray
Got here from questionable and I'm loving this fic so far. I'm not a persona fan so I don't really know the power system well but the concept is great for danmachi here's to 20 more chapters.
