At this moment, Lunoa finally realized she had fallen into a passive position, but it was too late.
Weimiya seized this opportunity. In the instant Lunoa was stunned, he swiftly passed her side and gently tapped the back of her neck with the back of his knife.
Lunoa was stunned for a moment, then shook her head slightly and said, "Repair... there's no need to repair it."
Lunoa's fighting style was extremely rough, and the consumption of equipment was particularly large, so her equipment was replaced very frequently. For her, weapon damage was not a rare occurrence.
"Then, I will forge a new set of equipment for you."
Weimiya said.
Lunoa didn't refuse this time. She originally intended to say "I will pay for it," but swallowed the words back at the last moment.
So, she coughed dryly, her eyes slightly dodging, and then added a little embarrassedly: "I will pay for it... but after I have money in the future."
Lunoa didn't propose going to the dungeon purely to make money. Her real goal was "Level Ascension."
Ever since she saw Ryu, whom she often called a "useless elf," successfully break through and reach , Lunoa's heart had been greatly impacted.
However, Lunoa knew that level improvement not only relied on the accumulation of power, but also required the completion of a "great achievement"—a feat that could only be achieved in a life-and-death battle, breaking through limits, and defeating powerful opponents, to gain the approval of the gods and achieve true sublimation.
As Weimiya spoke, he revealed a gentle smile, but then his tone gradually became serious: "However, Lunoa, regarding the dungeon, you must pay attention—"
The goddess's expression suddenly became serious: "Never rely on your high level and face the dungeon with a relaxed attitude."
However, the goddess was unusually serious about the contemptuous attitude Lunoa faintly revealed.
A well-known fact is that in the dungeon, the highest mortality rate is often among those newcomers who are adventuring for the first time but are arrogant.
They often hold a fluke mentality and rashly enter the dungeon, resulting in tragic accidents.
The root cause of this phenomenon is their arrogance and contempt for the dungeon.
Weimiya knew a typical example—the team that Lefiya was in when she was in the 【Academy District】.
Her companions were all adventurers with certain achievements, and several of them were upper-level adventurers. Logically speaking, such a team already possessed the strength of a 【backbone】 familia in Orario.
This painful experience also left a deep psychological shadow on Lefiya's heart, and she still cannot completely get rid of this painful memory.
She looked at Lunoa, her tone with unquestionable strictness: "Lunoa, if you really want to enter the dungeon, you must first put down your arrogance as a high-level adventurer. Follow Weimiya and learn from scratch!"
She also had a more ambitious goal—she yearned to become a first-level adventurer, like Ryu, gain the recognition of the Guild, and whitewash her bounty hunter identity through transactions with the Guild, walk out of the shadows of darkness, and completely get rid of the stains of the past, standing in the sun openly.
Lunoa said.
"Lunoa, that's so cool~"
The goddess praised without concealment, her frank tone making Lunoa's face blush all of a sudden.
"The cat wants to join too! The cat wants to go on an adventure with you!"
However, Anya hesitated for a moment.
"It's different... the dungeon is different..."
Anya said in a low voice. The normally energetic cat girl suddenly revealed this posture, which made everyone hesitate for a while.
"No, I want to go!"
Anya suddenly raised her head, her voice firm and clear: "I want to go."
Her tone gradually lowered, as if recalling those days.
At that time, Weimiya was only , and Anya, as a , had to deliberately suppress her power in order to practice with him and let him gradually adapt to the rhythm of battle.
Now, Weimiya, who is , is already enough to compete with Lunoa, the strongest in martial arts. The boy who needed her care back then has grown into a strong man in a dignified manner.
Lunoa and Coroy are both geniuses, and they will reach sooner or later. And with Weimiya's talent, he already has the combat power of a first-level adventurer when he is .
Anya looked up at him, her eyes flashing with complex emotions: "Shiro..."
"And—although I can't guarantee that I can always do this in the dungeon, I will do my best to protect you."
Her tone was a bit playful, as if trying to hide her emotions: "The cat is , oh, it's so rude to say these things to a senior. Hmm... it seems like sand blew into my eyes, meow."
Anya, Lunoa \u0026 Coroy: "..."
Anya's ears drooped slightly: "So, who will tell Mama Mia about this, meow?"
Lunoa widened her eyes: "Hey, don't even think about shirking responsibility! If you're going to say it, then let's go together! Don't think about letting me face Mom's anger alone!"
182
Chapter 182 Newcomers.
The girls stood in a row in front of Mia's boss. From their perspective, Mia's face was hidden in the shadows, and only her sharp eyes could be seen, coldly overlooking from above. The atmosphere was so oppressive that people couldn't breathe.
Mia glanced at the girls kneeling on the ground and said in a cold voice, "You guys stay here first, Shiro, come in with me."
Her tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction, "Even Syr is messing around with them all day long. None of them are worry-free."
Weimiya smiled as he listened, without refuting.
"I'll leave these to you."
Mia glanced at him: "For you, the famous 【King of Swordsmiths】, 100 million Valis shouldn't be a big number, right?"
"I understand."
Weimiya nodded, then took out a bill with the Guild and Hephaestus Familia crests from his arms, preparing to fill in the amount and sign.
Mia sighed slightly, looking out the window with a complicated expression: "They all have their own pursuits. Ryu, that 'useless elf,' has stimulated these confused children, and they have all found their goals."
Weimiya smiled softly and nodded in response: "I will tell them."
Weimiya looked at her and nodded without hesitation: "Yes."
Mia was silent for a moment, as if she had some emotions she wanted to express but hid them. In the end, she just waved her hand and let him leave.
Eina stood in the center of the classroom, set up a small blackboard, and spoke earnestly to the four girls sitting in front of her, listening attentively.
When she learned that Weimiya was forming an adventure team, Haruhime also expressed a strong desire to join. After careful discussion and consideration, Weimiya and the others finally agreed to her request.
And now, Haruhime will join the seniors and face their first test.
Her race is half-elf. Her appearance is dignified and elegant. As a hybrid of humans and elves, she inherited the exquisite appearance of the elves.
She is serious, kind, and considerate. In addition to her sweet appearance and good figure, she is very popular among male adventurers and male colleagues. She is the most popular employee in the Guild, and many adventurers even argue over pursuing her.
Eina: There's nothing I can do, Mr. Weimiya gave too much...
Lunoa "Although I haven't been to the dungeon, I have fought monsters on the surface many times. Moreover, with my combat power, defeating a normal shouldn't be a problem."
Coroy was about to agree, but before she could finish speaking, Eina suddenly interrupted them.
The unexpected situation left her unable to accept it for a moment, even briefly stunned in place, staring blankly at the damaged gauntlet in her hand.
“I took a shortcut in this battle.”
Wei Gong said, with a hint of apology on his face, “Sorry, Lunoa, I broke your weapon. I'll help you fix it.”
Her [Fighting Gauntlet] wasn't actually top-tier equipment. Although it could barely be considered a Tier 2 armament, its overall performance wasn't outstanding; it could only be considered a Tier 3 armament with a focus on attack power.
However, today's situation was different. In battle, having her weapon directly destroyed by her opponent was a first.
She realized that she was penniless and owed Mother Miya a large debt. Even her daily expenses required careful budgeting, let alone having extra money to pay for new equipment.
As soon as she finished speaking, Lunoa suddenly seemed to think of something, her eyes lighting up, and she said with some excitement, “Shirou, what do you think about us going on an adventure together? We can even drag those two stupid cats along!”
From then on, she began to train herself even harder, desperately improving her strength. Now, her strength stat had reached A870, not far from S-rank.
Relying solely on daily training would never allow her to achieve such a 'great feat.' The dungeon, that realm full of the unknown and danger, was the stage she needed now.
“Actually, I was already planning to invite you all on an adventure together,”
Before he could finish speaking, the goddess Demeter, who had been watching the battle from the side, stepped forward and gently tapped Lunoa's head.
“Lunoa, dungeon adventures aren't as simple as you imagine.”
181
Chapter 181: Anya's Awakening.
Goddess Demeter did not object to Lunoa's idea of entering the dungeon to adventure. After all, challenging the dungeon was the best way for adventurers to improve themselves.
Especially those adventurers from small familias, without experienced seniors to lead or guide them, and who ignored the guidance courses offered by the guild.
However, besides these reckless rookies, the mortality rate for those adventurers who had already achieved some success in the outside world, even those who had completed 'Level Ascension,' was shockingly high when they first entered the dungeon, far exceeding that of ordinary, cautious rookies.
However, reality was exceptionally cruel. They ignored the [School District]'s warnings and rashly ventured into the middle levels, resulting in one team member dying on the spot and another seriously injured, suffering lifelong disabilities.
Goddess Demeter's attitude was extremely serious. Although her familia focused on production and did not often directly participate in battles or adventures, she had seen too many similar tragic lessons in her years living in the city.
Lunoa was silent for a moment. Finally, she raised her head, her eyes shining with determination, and nodded, saying, “I understand… Even so, I've already decided. I want to enter the dungeon. I want to adventure with Wei Gong.”
Once, she was just a girl struggling in confusion, simply seeking a place to belong. Now, her heart was fuller, and she had more pursuits.
“By then, we won't need that useless elf; I can protect the goddess.”
Wei Gong: “Then, next, we need to ask Anya and Coro's opinions.”
Coro immediately raised her hand and said without hesitation.
Lunoa: “What's wrong, stupid cat? Are you afraid of the dungeon? You even dare to provoke Mother Miya.”
Coro had words of mockery on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back down.
Wei Gong noticed her emotions and immediately said softly, “It's okay, Anya. If you don't want to go, you don't need to force yourself—”
Anya calmed down and continued, “At first, the cats helped Shirou train.”
However, soon, Wei Gong quickly advanced to . From then on, their training was no longer a solo effort, but a group effort, facing the strongest Ryu.
At the same time, Ryu had also risen to , and Lunoa and Coro were about to embark on their adventure.
Anya felt a deep sense of crisis. If she didn't act, she would probably be left far behind.
What would she do then?
“I don't want… to be left behind again.”
Anya finally spoke her mind.
Hearing this, Wei Gong was silent for a moment. He stepped forward and gently took Anya's hand, “Anya, I promise, I won't leave you behind.”
Anya was stunned for a moment. After a while, she turned her head away and rubbed her eyes, “Really, Shirou, what are you talking about?”
Sylph, who was standing to the side, quietly stared at Wei Gong and Anya's clasped hands. When Anya's emotions had calmed down slightly, she finally couldn't help but ask, “Speaking of which, you're all planning to change jobs from waitresses to adventurers. Does Mother Miya know about this…?”
Coro immediately pushed Lunoa, looking as a matter of course, “Of course it's Lunoa. She came up with the idea, and she should take responsibility, meow.”
Coro: “Speaking of which, do you think Mother Miya will agree to us becoming adventurers? Don't forget, we still owe her money…”
Sylph originally wanted to protest that this matter had nothing to do with her, so why should she be scolded as well, but seeing the terrifying atmosphere, she ultimately chose silence and didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
Wei Gong nodded and followed Miya into her manager's office.
Entering the office, Miya complained while organizing the menus on the desk, “Really, those stupid girls only know how to cause trouble. The tavern is already short-handed, and they want to run off to adventure.”
Miya sighed, opened the desk drawer, took out two IOUs, and handed them to Wei Gong. Those were the debts that she had forced Lunoa and Coro to sign, 50 million valis each, for damaging the tavern.
However, Miya waved her hand, “Keep this money. You can use it to make equipment for those stupid girls.”
She paused, turned to look at Wei Gong, and her tone became gentler, “In the future, if they want to come back and live here, they can come back, but they'll have to pay for lodging. As for being waitresses again—tell them I don't want those clumsy, stupid girls.”
Miya: “Also, including you, everyone has to come back alive, okay?”
“First of all, everyone, please start learning from scratch—no, you should say start relearning from negative numbers!”
The students in front of her were Anya, Lunoa, and Coro, three veteran adventurers, and a true rookie, Sanjo Haruhime.
Haruhime's special magic [Thousand Jewel Hammer] destined her future to be extraordinary. Rather than protecting her in comfort, it would be a good thing to let her hone herself and accumulate experience now.
Eina Tulle, an employee of the Adventurers Guild.
A talented woman who graduated from the [School District] and passed the [Comprehensive Theology] course, which had a pass rate of less than 10% in the [School District].
She was hired by Wei Gong to provide training for new adventurers for Anya and the others.
As for why Wei Gong was able to invite the guild's most outstanding and popular employee to teach the girls, and have her ignore the [Black Cat] and [Black Fist]'s criminal records, the answer was simple—tuition.
Anya quietly raised her hand, “Um, the cat has adventured in the dungeon before. Although it's been so long, the precautions and such are basically forgotten.”
“The cat also…”
