A Noble’s Request

With the ability to use magic, Karion, and Ruby dived into the dungeon depths of the silver level.

"Ruby, when Roosts shout, do they affect other monsters?"

"They do. Monsters on later floors seem to have a degree of intelligence. If in packs, Roosts are often in the front, while other monsters wait until they stop screaming."

"What if you provoke them with Taunt? Will they be blinded by the magic enough to disregard their formations?"

"I haven't thought of that before…" Ruby looked concerned. I will do as you order, but I don't want their shouts to harm you, sir."

"Ah, I'll hold my ears until they finish," Karion smiled, "Please, Ruby?"

Ruby battled her thoughts before sighing, "As you wish, sir."

Using Taunt, a deafening shriek echoed through the halls. After the shrieks subsided, the only monster that came was a black sheep with sharp horns. Its legs wobbled as it continuously shook its head.

{

Allure - Lv. 10 [Health: 25/25]

}

"'Allure'… Are they usually this… distracted?" Karion asked, [Its health is full, is this part of its hunting tactics..?]

"No, sir…"

Easily defeating the Allure with a swift cut, Karion turned the corner from where it emerged, only to find a hallway filled with disoriented monsters. Karion couldn't help but smile, "Has anyone tried this before?"

Ruby was in awe, "I don't believe so, sir…"

[We can easily get through this floor if the Roosts disable each other, but Ruby's mana needs to be higher.]

"Ruby, raise your level with these monsters. We'll continue like this."

"Yes, master!"

Progressing through the dungeon, Ruby used Taunt to lure any nearby monsters, waiting for the shrieks of Roosts to echo before advancing. Karion used magic against monsters who were able to avoid or shield themselves from the Roosts. With his strategy, they effectively made their way to the boss's room.

"Do you know what boss is on this floor?" Karion asked.

"Minotaurs, sir. They're large, fast, strong, and wield an axe. However, they're weak to magic."

[That's a relief, but it's still a boss. I'm not sure what its level might be, but if there are two of us, we can handle it…]

Quickly using appraisal, Karion noted Ruby's low mana, but since their vitality was high, he decided they were ready.

Entering the boss's room, a heavy stomp rattled the floors. A snarl escaped from a humanoid figure. With brown hoofed legs, a long tail, meaty hands, and the head of a bull. Noticing the duo, the monster roared, using its hands to wield a double-edged axe. 

{

[Boss] Minotaur - Lv. 20 [Health: 200/200] [Mana: 50/50]

-Labrys Axe

}

[It's higher than Ruby's health?!]

"Ruby, stay on edge! It's got enough energy to spare!"

"Yes sir!!"

Karion used Trinity's Frost, hoping to slam the Minotaur to the wall, only for it to slightly nudge the monster. With a roar, it charged at Karion, swinging its axe down.

Ruby was able to block the swing, but the brute force of the monster was overwhelming her.

[My level of magic is too weak…]

Drawing Ataria, Karion used the opening to stab its legs, opening a hole with Pierce.

The monster jumped backward with a limp, roaring.

[Ruby can't get close enough to punch, but she can't stay on defense forever…]

"Ruby, I'm going to face it alone. I need you to stay close to me - when it swings down, I want you to block it for me."

"…Yes sir!"

Positioning herself close to Karion, while not being in his way, Ruby focused solely on the Minotaur's movements. Swinging its axe left and right, Karion traded blows with the Minotaur.

[It's stronger than Veridas' blows… but it's a lot slower.!!]

With each swing he parried, Karion was able to cut the Minotaur's stomach. The battle was prolonged, but in Karion's favor, such details were insignificant. In a final effort, the Minotaur raised its axe.

"Ruby!"

"Yes sir!"

Switching positions, Ruby readied herself for the Minotaur. Blocking the heavy attack, in its weakened state, Ruby parried the beast, punching it into smoke.

Ruby collected the items left by the monster as Karion sheathed his blade.

[It took a while, but I'm glad it's finally higher..!]

{

Karion - Age: 19 [Health: 20/23] [Mana: 450/450]

Active Class: [Swordsman Lv. 4], [Magician Lv. 2] (Farmer Lv. 1, Villager Lv. 4, Taurus Lv. 2, EX - Jack+ Lv. 2)

Skills: [EX - Appraisal], [Slash], [Pierce], [Trinity]

Equipment: [EX - Ivory Ataria]

}

With a higher level of Swordsman, Karion took pride in his newly attained ability. [Swordsman was at level three for the longest time. Perhaps it's because I defeated enemies so easily, that it wasn't enough to gain experience. Trading blows with Veridas and the Minotaur gave me the experience I needed.]

"Ruby, let's keep this pace for a little while longer."

Staying on the silver floor, they continued to gain levels while collecting a great stash of monster materials. Their bountiful venture was unlike their previous expeditions.

Sorting their loot, they headed to the adventurers guild to sell some of their items.

[It's hard to imagine meats to be of any use in alchemy…. Especially if they're around the market to be sold as food.]

Selling the meat of 14 Allures, 18 Vinnies, 10 Roosts, and 16 Roost Eggs, Karion received 

1,460 bryas. Taking note of Vinny's meat being the most valuable among the normal silver-level enemies, Karion put away his earnings and was prepared to leave until he heard a desperate shout. 

"Please… You must have someone who can make them!!"

Attracting attention from the other guild staff and surrounding adventurers, the receptionist speaking to the troubled lady could only apologize.

"I'm very sorry, miss. We just don't have any suitable adventurers in Qirsley…"

"Can't you do something about it??" The young, brunette lady, around her mid-teens, wore a red and white dress adorned with small jewelry. A female knight wearing a black uniform stood by her side, urging her outside.

"My lady, please… There's nothing they can do."

She retorted to her aide with tears in her eyes, "But Qirsley's our last stop!! There has to be someone who can make potions here, I know it!!"

[Potions?] It didn't take a genius for anyone to understand she came from nobility, but Karion wondered why she would need to ask adventurers for help.

{

[Magician Lv. 2] [Noble Lv. 8]

(Herbalist Lv. 5), (Jack Lv. 1)

-Voodoo Doll, Amulet of Veracity

}

{

[Swordsman Lv. 5] [Tutor Lv. 2]

(Villager Lv. 7), (Farmer Lv. 3), (Jack Lv. 1)

-Voodoo Doll

}

[She's a magician too! And her guard has Swordsman maxed…] Looking through their status, Karion's eyes squinted at the lady's class, ["Noble"? How is that a class?]

"I will provide the materials necessary, I will generously pay them for their service!!"

The receptionist had a troubled look, "I'm sorry, I just can't do anything about it…"

Ruby turned to Karion, whispering in his ear, "Is it possible to help her with your abilities, master?"

"Hmm…." Although he was not against helping someone in need, Karion was worried about his abilities being revealed. If it were known that a weapon was responsible for brewing potions, he feared for Ataria being confiscated by the state. [If she's honest with her words, we'd get a lot of bryas… I'd rather get a house as soon as possible, but the drawbacks…]

"-aster..? Master!"

"Huh?" Deep in thought, he was deaf to Ruby's calls. She nodded her head to the noble and her guard.

The guard had stared at Karion for a brief moment before whispering something in the noble lady's ear. The noble immediately faced her head to Karion, marching up to him.

Before he could say a word, the lady lowered her head, "Please lend me your aide!"

"Sorry, what..?"

"Your sword, it's unlike anything I've ever seen! You must be a noble yourself, yes?" She grasped Karion's hand, Ruby twitched at her actions, "Please, you must help me find an alchemist!!"

[Ahh, so her guard told her about Ataria…]

With a soft groan and scratch of his head, Karion sighed, "For now, let's talk elsewhere…"

Hearing this, the guard immediately faced the receptionist who then swiftly prepared a key. Being led to the second floor, the key unlocked a private room. Ruby and the guard stood behind their respective partners as they sat on a couch facing each other.

[The layout's so much like Strayice's waiting room…] Karion observed the private room.

"Would you happen to have connections to alchemists??" The lady pressed against the table.

"My lady, " The guard coughed, "Perhaps introductions are in order?"

"Right, sorry…" Straightening her posture, the noble lady rested her hands on her lap, "My name is Viscount Ria Lyazon. My loyal guard is Myla."

"…A pleasure, Miss Ria. My name is just Karion. By my side is, Ruby - my slave and partner."

"A slave..?!" Ria exclaimed. Myla had a look of surprise. "No wait- what about your rank??"

"If you mean nobility status, I don't have one, sorry."

"B-But that sword…"

Karion drew Ataria, resting it on the table, "It was a gift from my master."

Ruby's face was mortified, but she was silent. Myla, who seemed irked, slowly rested her hand on her blade.

[Did I do something wrong??] Karion noticed the sudden movements of Myla and Ruby but tried his best to ignore them, unaware of what he had done.

Ria inspected the blade closer, "But then is your master a noble..?" She mumbled various theories of the sword's origins before Karion interrupted.

"Um… Isn't there something you need..?" 

"Right! Yes, of course!" Ria's questions piled in her head, but under desperation, she didn't mind if Karion was a noble or not. "My father has fallen ill in the dungeons. I've been told that a potion of B-Grade or higher can save him. Please, if you know of an alchemist, you must show me!"

[B-Grade or higher, huh?] Trusting his skill of appraisal, his synthesis clearly stated being only to create low-grade items. Unaware of the highest grade he currently can make, but positive brewing a B-grade potion was impossible, it didn't take long for him to make a decision.

"While the reward is very enticing, unfortunately, I don't have the right connections-"

The blade of Ataria began to glow, catching the attention of everyone. Myla, on her guard, shielded Ria.

{

Ivory Ataria - Owner: [Karion]

Skills: [Restore], [Victory], [Recall], [Synthesis+], [???]

}

After immediate appraisal, nothing seemed to have changed at first glance, but looking closer, Ataria's Synthesis had changed.

{Synthesis+: Creates items with equal to materials received.}

Karion had a troubled and confused expression, [Hmm..?!?!] He wasn't given time to think before Myla interrogated him.

"What are you planning to do?! Know that harming nobility is no different from suicide!"

"What-? No- sorry, "Karion touched the gleaming blade that soon returned to normal, "See? It's nothing dangerous!"