Solo Expedition

After getting the information he needed to find out why the adventurers in the headquarters acting strange. Kai went to the room to rest and analyze what he should do in his expedition.

Kai felt his body was completely fine after waking up after nearly eight hours. The minor pain he felt after being attacked by the other adventurer seemed to have faded away.

He looked at the door and was certain he had locked it before going to bed. Hmm... One thought that occurred to him was that Alexa had gone to his room solely to heal his wounds.

She's too kind, Kai thought. Then, gradually pushed himself into a stood-up position and fixed his bed before he left the room.

As usual, the first thing he noticed was the cleanliness of this house. At the same time, he smelled that someone was cooking in the kitchen. Well, he already expected it was Alexa since just two of them were living in this house.

Even though he didn't see her presence, he opened his mouth to greet her politely. "Good morning, Alexa! Why did you wake up so early? The sun hasn't even risen yet."

Alexa peered through the small door's ledges, wearing a pink apron. "Good morning, Kai. I just need to come early to the infirmary today because it's Friday, which is usually the date when the number of adventurers getting injured increases," she replied before returning to the kitchen.

Kai raised his brows slightly, unaware that there would be a day when the majority of the adventurers would be injured or, in the worst-case scenario, killed.

'This information is based on her experiences and observations,' Kai said inwardly, stopping to question Alexa. To be more specific, he was thinking about what he should do with his spear, as it was the only weapon he had right now.

Using a spear wasn't all that bad as he could gain a significant advantage in distance combat. But the problem was that the monsters in the Nocturn tower were too aggressive, which meant he'd have a hard time using this weapon once the monsters got closer to him.

But what could he do? It was the only weapon he possessed. In addition, he didn't have enough coins to purchase a new sword.

In his opinion, since he belonged to the [Swordsman class] and had attained the [Sword mastery level I]. It would be better for him if he had a sword so he could hone his skills.

"I should kill more monsters today and buy a new sword before this day ends," he clenched his hand into a fist, determined to complete the quest made by himself.

Alexa finished cooking after a few moments, and the two of them enjoyed their delicious breakfast. It was unavoidable for Alexa to strike up a conversation with Kai while eating.

Initially, she reminded him to stay in her house for a few days so that he would be in good enough condition to go on an expedition. She eventually gave up on him after noticing that he had already made up his mind and that no one seemed to be able to stop him.

"Hais, I never expected you to be so stubborn," she sighed deeply.

"Sorry about that, Alexa," Kai apologized, unable to hide the fact that, aside from collecting money, he had another reason for having to kill some monsters. It was to gain EXP from them and level up so that he could earn attribute points and them in his intelligence. To be more specific, he believed that this was the only way to learn more about Kai Xinn before he became an adventurer.

"I can't stop since you made this decision, but let me help you with this: you should try to find trustworthy party members so you don't get betrayed by them," Alexa said solemnly.

Of course, Kai already knew what she was trying to say here, after meeting those creatures yesterday.

In the Nocturn Tower, in order to increase their loots, some of them were killed by their party members. Furthermore, everything that happened inside the tower stayed inside the tower, so if someone died there, no one would be held accountable unless the adventurer who died belonged to another guild.

"Don't worry about me, Alexa; I have no plans to invite or participate in other party raids." Kai smiled at her and pushed himself into a standing position, having already finished his breakfast.

"Oh, you mean you want to go on a solo expedition?" Kai's plan piqued her interest, and it appeared that she was not opposed to his decision.

He nodded as he washed all of the plates they had used. "Yeah, I'd like it that way."

"Well, you are a D+ swordsman, so I don't see any problems with that, but keep in mind that you should just stick to the 6th floor up to the 8th floor. If you want to climb higher, I recommend that you find party members as the monsters there are stronger than you thought. Don't forget that." She smiled at him, aware that this man was about to leave.

"Thanks, Alexa! I will never forget that."

Alexa suggested helping him get to the Nocturn tower. Kai, on the other hand, declined her suggestion and thanked her for her kindness. In his opinion, the Tower was too tall to be missed from afar, and he couldn't pinpoint its exact location. Aside from that, he decided to keep a safe distance from this woman while they were outside due to the possibility of the adventurers tailing them.

He waved his hand at her as he opened the door. "I'm leaving first, Alexa; take care of yourself while in the infirmary, and have a nice day!"

Her face flushed slightly because she hadn't expected Kai to say those words to her. "Y-Yeah, good luck with your expedition, and make sure you come back here as you're helping me pay this rent," she stuttered, then said these words in a jokingly way so Kai would notice.

"Of course, I'm not going to die!"

"That's better to hear! Take care."

Moreover, when Kai left the house and closed the door. Suddenly, Alexa held her cheeks with both hands, as she felt mild heat burst in her entire head.

"What's the matter to me, why do I feel this? But wait..." Those thoughts easily faded away after she remembered Kai was carrying a huge bag and spears when he left. "That stupid man... Why did he bring a spear on his first expedition? He's a swordsman, not a Lancer."

***

On the other hand, the sky was still dark and he was able to see the glittering stars up there. Around him, was too quiet as there was no one on the street beside him.

"I guess I'm too early. But this is good, I can collect more monsters' cores before the day ends." He said inwardly, then stopped when he saw the two city guards standing on each post and guarding the Nocturn tower's entrance.

They were red skinny clothes inside while outside they were protected by silver armor and holding a spear.

When he reached the area. First, he narrowly bowed his head, then greeted them. "Good day, Sir! I would like to enter the tower."

The guards greeted him back "Good day, young man! You are too early, huh." They said at once before one of the guard two guards asked him. "We are glad to do that. But you are all alone?"

He nodded his head. "Yeah, I would like to have an expedition around the 6th floor up to the 7th floor, if it's possible." Kai said politely.

The guards were looking at each other while raising their shoulders as they were surprised by this young man's decision. Well, one of the guards stepped forward and wanted to check something from him. In their minds, if this young man met the basic standards there was no reason for them to not allow him.

"Let me see your Adventurer's template first, young man." Guard asked.

Kai bestowed his template without hesitation, then the guard checked it for verification.

Deranium City Adventurer's Template

•Name: Kai Xinn

•Age: 21

•Class: swordsman

•Rank: D+

The guard gave back the template, then nodded to the other guard. "You meet the qualifications, Adventurer Kai. The D+ adventurer like you is allowed to step from the 6th floor up to the 8th floor. Good luck with your expedition!"

"Thanks, man!"

Those guards opened the door for him and Kai entered it with a suspicious smile on his face. "It's time to hunt!"

[Dash!]

...

One hour had passed when the young man entered the Nocturnal tower alone. After that, the two guards spotted 5 adventurers coming their way, with the robes they were wearing. They already knew which guild these adventurers came from.

"Oi! The Union Guild is here! Let's greet them." The guard said to another guard.

"You're right!"

GOOD DAY, ADVENTURERS OF THE UNION GUILDS!

One of the adventurers had white silver spiky hair, blue eyes, black gloves, and wearing a blue robe complemented those guards with their energy. His name was Granfel Din B+ adventurer and belonged to the brawler class.

"You two are quite energetic, huh! That's right! This is how you should treat the adventurers who came up in this early morning to kill the monsters for the city's safety."

One of the guards lifted his head, "Honestly, you are the second group who will enter the Nocturn tower." Guard said.

Granfel and even Carman took a glance at the guard. "We are the second group? Then, who's the first one?"

Guard smoothly kneaded his chin and looked at the dull gray as the sun was about to come. "Not actually, second batch since that young man was just having a solo expedition. Hmm... His name wasn't ordinary so I perfectly remember it."

"Solo expedition?" Granfel stepped forward, then held the guard's collar while gritting his teeth. "You didn't answer my question. What is his name?"

"You know the rules, adventurer Granfel. We are not allowed to release other adventurers' information!" Guard coughed as Granfel let him go.

"Solo expedition, huh! Let's find him on each floor!"

Carmen was the last one who stepped into the Nocturn tower as she remembered the face of the man she saved yesterday. Apart from that, she can also sense his power above them, so she can tell.

"The D+ guy."