Chapter 22: Returning to the Surface, Familiar Faces Again

For the rest of the day, Ryota continued his monster farming strategy.

He used Clone Jutsu to lure the Killer Ants closer, then trapped them within a genjutsu illusion using his Sharingan, tormenting them mentally until they emitted shrill cries of agony. As their screams drew more of their kind, he promptly finished them all off with Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu or Great Fireball Jutsu.

His dungeon farming factory was running at full throttle!

Wave after wave of monsters were ruthlessly reduced to ashes under his relentless attacks.

At the same time, as his supply of magic stones steadily increased, he grew so casual about it that he didn't even bother to properly close his backpack, simply stuffing the spoils inside.

However, as time passed, Ryota gradually noticed something odd.

The Killer Ants, which had previously gathered within mere minutes, began appearing less and less frequently.

He frowned slightly, muttering to himself:

"Could it be… the monsters' spawn rate is slowing down?"

After a brief moment of thought, Ryota quickly realized the reason.

He had farmed them too aggressively!

What normal adventurer would use a method like his?

Attracting monsters, controlling them, and then wiping them out repeatedly with Fire Style jutsu, wave after wave without pause—

Even the Dungeon's robust ecosystem would need some breathing room!

Ryota roughly estimated his haul.

Today's spoils already vastly exceeded what an average Level 1 adventurer could earn in a whole month.

If he continued being greedy, not only could it potentially trigger larger-scale irregular events, but he might also attract unwanted attention from the Guild or other Familias.

He certainly didn't want to cause a huge commotion immediately after joining the Loki Familia.

"Moderation, moderation…" Ryota chuckled quietly, adjusting the bulging pack on his back as he turned around to retrace his steps.

As for exploring the eighth floor? There would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

After all, Orario's Dungeon would never run out of prey.

Before long, Ryota made his way back from the seventh floor up to the first floor.

Passing through the familiar dim corridors and ascending the spiraling stone stairs, he smoothly exited the Dungeon through Babel Tower's entrance.

Looking up, he saw the sky already dyed in the gentle hues of twilight.

Night slowly spread across the city above him. One by one, the streetlights of Orario flickered to life, casting the entire city in a warm and unique glow.

"It's already… almost nighttime, huh?"

Without realizing it, he'd spent the entire day exploring the Dungeon.

But the most surprising—and delightful—thing was this:

Despite having continuously used his Sharingan and Fire Style jutsu throughout the day, he still didn't feel particularly tired!

His chakra continued flowing smoothly, and his mental energy remained abundant.

As he walked, Ryota pondered thoughtfully:

"It seems… the Large Chakra Boost reward I received from completing that side quest earlier really made a significant difference."

With a mental command, his personal status panel appeared before his eyes:

[All-Encompassing Divine Eye System]

[Host: Ryota]

[Chakra Level]: C → B+ (Stable)

[Chakra Control]: A → A+ (Refined Control)

[Chakra Nature]: Fire

[Sharingan]: Three Tomoe

[Ninjutsu]:

· Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu (Mastered)

· Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu (Mastered)

· Three Basic Jutsu (Mastered)

[Taijutsu]: Basic proficiency

"Oh? It improved again!"

Looking at his updated personal status panel, Ryota felt his mood lighten even further.

Adjusting the heavy bag on his back, he headed towards the magic stone exchange counters within Babel Tower.

In Orario, magic stone exchanges weren't limited only to the Adventurer's Guild headquarters.

Even Babel Tower itself had numerous exchange windows inside.

Since the exchange rate was identical between the two locations, most adventurers who exited the Dungeon preferred to exchange their spoils directly in Babel Tower—saving both time and effort.

Only those who needed to handle additional procedures, like submitting quest commissions, would specifically visit the Guild headquarters.

Along the way, Ryota spotted many other adventurers like himself, each carrying bulging packs and wearing satisfied expressions from their successful hunts.

The air was tinged with a faint scent of blood and a unique faint glow from scattered magic stone fragments.

Ryota's appearance quickly drew several curious gazes from nearby adventurers.

Among the adventurers traveling in small groups of two or three, Ryota stood out conspicuously as a lone individual carrying a sack swollen to the point of distortion.

Numerous gazes, both open and concealed, fell upon his back like invisible knives.

Some even carried undisguised greed and malicious calculation.

Although the Ganesha Familia maintained order within the city, there were always those willing to take dangerous risks.

Especially for someone like Ryota—young-looking, alone, and clearly carrying a full load—he was practically begging to become a target for greedy eyes.

The Dungeon's rules were simple and brutal: strength ruled supreme.

Even above ground, robbery, ambushes, and assassinations…

These things were still far too common.

Of course, anyone caught faced severe consequences.

Yet even so, countless adventurers still took chances every day, hoping to get lucky.

Ryota coldly glanced at a few figures whose eyes shone with ill intent, snorting softly:

"Idiots really exist everywhere."

He was about to approach an empty exchange window when he suddenly heard an urgent and familiar shout coming from behind him:

"Senior!!"

Turning slightly, he saw three excited figures quickly running toward him.

It was none other than Lain's party—the trio he'd previously saved on the Dungeon's fifth floor!

At the forefront was the red-haired youth, Lain Hait, his face filled with joyful surprise.

Beside him stood the older adventurer Lota, whose arm was still wrapped in bandages, and Lia, the lightly armored female adventurer. Both wore bright, happy smiles.

Clearly, they hadn't expected to run into Ryota here.

The three quickly approached, and Lain grinned widely, calling out:

"Senior! It's wonderful—we didn't think we'd see you again so soon!"