31.2. Grinding and Learning
The alcove beca our temporary place of stay while in the Dungeon. We well, the Humans would leave and return to the alcove every day as we explored and mapped out the Dungeon. Daniel had brought with him a piece of paper to draw out our routes on, which slowed our progress at first, but proved to be helpful later on.
Every night or we thought it was night Edithe and Daniel would rest in the alcove as I went out to level on my own. Even though I had been consistently doing this, it seed that the gains I got in terms of experience and levels were quickly decreasing due to a number of reasons. The main one being how we encountered less and less Giant Spiders as ti went on.
Defeated [Howre - Lvl. 27]!
Experience is awarded for defeating an enemy!
I shook my head, walking away from the dead monsters all around . No levels today. I was Level 32 now, after a week of training in the Dungeon nonstop. I had maxed my [Fla Coat] at Level 10, now having a surplus of 3 Skill Points up from 2.
It was tiring, and I had nearly died on multiple occasions. The only thing that saved was my party that was what the two Humans had been calling us and my increased [Vitality]. I was incredibly glad I focused on raising it just before entering the Dungeon, because I definitely would have died if not for that. The Ring of Lesser Protection had absorbed all the hits it could and was now recharging slowly. Supposedly, it would take a week before I could use it again unless I had a magic tool to directly pour mana into it; however, Daniel said it would probably be usable again soon since we were a Dungeon with plenty of ambient mana to speed up its process.
I stalked through the tunnels, returning to the little alcove with Druma and Mistshard standing guard over. The two Spirits were now Level 36 and 33 respectively, leveling far slower than since I started at a lower level than them. Edithe had only gained a single level, and I still wasnt sure what level Daniel was due to his Necklace of Obfuscation.
I found the Human man awake when I entered the alcove, sitting by the campfire and writing on a leatherbound book. He didnt turn to , even when I walked up next to him and peered over his shoulders.
Whats this?
Daniel jumped and whirled around.
Salvos, dont sneak up on like that!
Sorry. I thought you noticed but werent saying anything.
Its fine. You dont have to apologize. Just dont do that again please.
He exhaled deeply, a hand on his chest and his book slamd shut. I nodded.
Good. I wasnt actually sorry. I only said it because I assud that was what you Humans would say in that situation.
You wait no. When did you co back? You usually return only a few hours from now.
I raised my shoulders in a shrug.
I was bored of killing monsters that couldnt fight back. They attack , but they can barely hurt . Not like the Giant Spiders.
I almost felt like a wild Demon when I actively searched for a small group of [Howres] or [Crimson Bats] to kill. Sure, they would charge at almost mindlessly. But I was just so much stronger than them I had no reason to even fight them in the first place. Maybe if there were more of them that they would actually be a threat I wouldnt have felt that way. However the groups I found were all small. So I ca back early for tonight.
I see
Daniel scooched away from , holding his book close to himself. He waited, but I said nothing more. Eventually, he lifted the book back up and continued scribbling away on its paper. I turned away from him and stared at the campfire.
I watched the way the small fla danced in its little area; the way it flickered and snapped even without a wind to push it about. It seed so weak. So I touched it.
W-what are you doing, Salvos?
I glanced up at the Human man as I felt a prickling sensation co over my finger. It was hot burning, even. But not as much as other flas I had felt before. Daniel blinked.
Do you have so sort of heat resistance or sothing?
Maybe.
You dont have a Skill for it?
Nope.
I answered simply as I pulled my finger back. It started to hurt it was burning after all. The Human man murmured to himself.
Hm, I guess it would make sense for a Demon to be more resilient to fire. But no resistance Skills? Or are you trying to gain one
I cocked my head, not really understanding what he said. I was only testing the heat of the fla; I wanted my [Basic Fire Creation] to get stronger to produce deadlier fires. That was the only reason why I did it.
Daniel muttered a nevermind under his breath before he continued writing on his book, making sure its plain cover was facing . I just stared at him for a mont, until he put the book down and raised a brow.
Uh, did you need sothing?
No. I was just thinking.
I said nothing more and he gave a confused look.
...what were you thinking about?
You tried to kill when we first t. You thought I was Lucerna. But after you found out that I was trying to go back to the Netherworld, you offered to help . Youre still helping , even now. Why?
He paused. He slowly lowered his book down, placing it on the stone floor as he drew his knees to his chest. He hugged them tight as he spoke softly, his gaze boring into the red flas.
You really ask the most annoying questions, dont you?
I cocked my head again but he turned to . I t his hesitant brown eyes with very own curiosity, waiting for his answer to co out.
At first, I had thought you were the Demon that destroyed Fairdale. The one who killed the innocent n, won, and children living there. I dont know why, but at the ti, I felt obligated to stop you. Even though you were higher leveled than , I thought I could beat you. I tried to beat you.
But I did not. I tried and failed to stop you, the destroyer of Fairdale. Even when you said you werent the one to do all that, I didnt believe you. I an, Demons are supposed to be evil creatures, right? Youre supposed to lie, cheat, and trick Humans to get what you want. Then you spared .
You spared . I thought I was going to die, but I lived. It made realize you were telling the truth. That you really wanted to return to the Netherworld. And I guess I empathize with that. The desire the longing to return to your ho. So I decided to help you do just that.
Daniel finished, slowly averting his gaze from . He stared down at the palm of his hands as he softy repeated himself.
To return ho.
There was a mont of silence; only the crackling of the campfire made any noise in the quiet Dungeon tunnel. Then I nodded.
Huh.
The Human man blinked. He turned to and frowned.
Is that all you have to say no more questions? Nothing?
Nope.
I shook my head simply. He sighed and leaned back on the rock wall.
And here I thought you were going to prod even more. Honestly I wasn't sure whether I could answer any more questions.
Dont worry, I dont care.
That kind of hurts, you know? I just poured out a lot of my personal thoughts for you, and your reply is that you dont care.
I shrugged nonchalantly.
You answered my question. Im satisfied.
I replied bluntly; I was pretty sure I was supposed to be more delicate in my response here. However, Daniel clearly didnt want to share more than he already did, so I thought this was the appropriate reaction. Maybe not. Humans are weird!
Thats for the best, I guess.
Daniel reached for his book.
Also
I spoke up, rembering sothing else Humans said when soone did sothing for them.
Thanks.
Oh, uh, no problem.
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