Grinding

After walking in the cold dungeon for a long time. I can feel my toe started to get numb.

I level up and gain some sword skill, but I can't seem to master them. From the four sword skill Retto show me. All I get is the first skill called Cut.

Right now, we're still training and searching for a monster to spar.

I'm a bit disappointed with the result, I always think that I can become a mighty swordsman in no time.

Reality and expectations are always not always the same.

Retto stopped walking and I bump to his back because of the absence of my mind.

After I fall, I rub my head and turn my glance to Retto whose having a serious expression.

His demeanour is making me nervous. Did he sense something? Better be prepared on anything that come.

"Hey, Retto, Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

He replied without looking to my face.

I stand up and sweep the dust in my cloak and replied.

"Why are you so mean to your squad? Your so bad in treating your squad. I saw it when youre fighting the salamander the last time."

"You already saw my ugly side… I'm not going to say I'm a good guy. Because I know how selfish I was…"

"You're aware and not apologetic about it."

"I have my own reasons."

Well, I'm quite happy that he knows that he is trash. Sophia is a cutie and if she is born in modern Japan I can say that she can become an idol or an actress. That Sophia loves him despite him being rude. It's a shame for Retto. Judging Retto's appearance I can say that he is not bad at all. He looks like one of my classmates who is popular with girls but never had a girlfriend because many people are scared of him.

"Anyways… Do you have feelings toward that mage girl, Sophia?"

"Stop talking… Stay focus."

Retto looks in front of us and put his hand to the handle of his sword.

"Grrr… You're no fun at all."

The ground started to rumble.

I immediately stay focus and drew my sword.

Looks like a monster is coming, but where?

Beneath us from the ground, a long limbless monster appeared. Attempting a surprise attack.

I'm thankful that I learn "Detection skill" for this kind of situation.

A purple giant snake appeared. The Snake sprays out fluid on our direction. Immediately we avoided it by running around.

The fluid that came from the snake's mouth melted the rocks and plants.

"That fluid is acid."

"It's a Violet Poison Snake."

Retto immediately places himself behind the snake.

I didn't even saw Retto when he got there? That's incredible speed he has.

"Sword skill: Cut!"

With the horizontal swing, the Vipers head has cut down.

"That was fast."

"Many novice knights didn't know this but Cut is one of the strongest skills because of its simplicity. If you gather enough magical energy for the skill. The skill got lots stronger… Master this skill and you're already 1 step ahead of the 99% of the novice knights in the entire continent."

I make applause to his words and started clapping.

"Wow! If I level up more I can become like him."

Retto is already level 115, but still grinding to level up, He's really a hard worker. With hard work, I guess, I can do it too.

Okay, Fight Mayu! Fight Mayu! No way I'm dying here.

While clapping. I lost my focus.

Retto suddenly kick me away.

"That hurts! Why did you do that?!"

I protested with an angry tone.

A giant monster suddenly appeared in the place where I standing before.

Immediately used a Appraisal skill to see the monster stats.

Name: Black Viper

Level: 100

HP: 400,000 / 400,000

MP: 3000/3000

Type: Poison, Dragon

Ability: Poison breath, Poison scales, Poison heal.

A level 100 monster?! Retto just saved me from my death.

Retto's level is higher, does that mean he is stronger?

"Mayu find a safe spot. I will take care of this monster."

"Are you really gonna be okay?"

I asked.

"This monster is a high-level monster. If I defeated it I can level up."

Retto is very serious to his opponent.

The ground cracked and splits apart.

My detection skill triggers my brain.

"Another monster is coming."

The shaking of the ground is intense I hold to the boulder of rock and slip. I fell to the cracked hole and found myself on another layer in the dungeon.

I fall straight to the lake water and immediately float to catch some air.

"This place? Another lake?"

A giant snake-like monster swims through this lake and its shadow alone scared me.

It's going to be bad.

Expression of anxiety is drawn all over my face.

Slashing sound and giant waves of water. The monster appeared.

Name: Coral blue Serpent

Level: 80

HP: 120,000/ 120,000

MP: 10,000/ 10,000

Type: Water, Dragon

Ability: Marvel scale.

I'm at a huge disadvantage in this battle.

Thanks to the giant waves I reach the lakeside. The lakeside and the area where I can step on in this place was very limited.

Also, my level is very far from this monster. Retto who can defeat this serpent is busy with that Black viper.

I can only rely on myself in this situation.

"No way I will let myself defeated!"

My spirit is on fire.