Danmachi : The Strongest Adventurer

Babel Tower, Orario City

Rein stepped into Babel Tower, the center of the world-famous dungeon.

The air inside was damp, carrying the scent of wet earth and the faint stench of monster blood that had dried on the walls. The stone floor was marked by the footprints of adventurers, mixed with the slimy residue left by monsters.

Since it was still early in the morning, not many adventurers had entered the dungeon. Only a few small groups could be seen on the first floor, fighting goblins. Rein observed a group of novice adventurers ganging up on a single goblin.

"Three against one... Overkill," he thought with a slight smirk.

However, he paid them no further attention and continued walking deeper. His sharp eyes scanned for monsters that could serve as his training opponents for the day.

As he passed through a dungeon corridor, the walls beside him suddenly trembled. A goblin emerged, clutching a rusted dagger.

"An ambush?" Rein quickly jumped back to dodge, but before he could counterattack, two more goblins crawled out from the walls behind him, surrounding him.

The goblins lunged at him with wild, brutal movements.

Rein swiftly unslung his spear from his back, his eyes gleaming sharply as he faced the three goblins. Though they were only low-level monsters, their attacks were aggressive, leaving little room for error.

The first goblin leaped at him with its rusted dagger, while the other two flanked him from the left and right. But Rein remained calm. With a quick step, he shifted to the side, letting the first goblin's attack hit nothing but air.

"Fast, but not fast enough," Rein thought.

He didn't stop there. In a fluid motion, he reversed his spear and struck the first goblin on the back with the blunt end. A faint cracking sound echoed as the goblin tumbled forward, landing face-first on the ground.

"One down," he murmured.

The remaining two goblins weren't deterred. One attacked from the left with a wooden club, while the other swiped at him with its filthy claws. But Rein had already read their movements. With a swift spin, he swung his spear in a full circle.

"Whoosh—!"

A sharp gust of wind followed the motion. Before the goblins could react, the spear's blade sliced through one of their chests, while the other was sent flying by the shaft of his weapon. The goblin that was cut collapsed instantly, its body oozing dark green blood.

The last goblin stumbled, its rough claws scraping against the floor as it tried to regain balance. Its pupils trembled as it met Rein's cold gaze.

"Trying to run? Don't even think about it."

Rein smirked.

With a quick step forward, he drove his spear into the goblin's skull. A dull thud echoed as the monster's body slumped lifelessly to the ground.

Rein took a deep breath, surveying the aftermath. All three goblins had fallen. Their magic stones flickered faintly before fading.

"Dungeons really do spawn monsters endlessly..." Rein muttered, glancing at the wall where the goblins had emerged.

Although this fight wasn't particularly difficult, it served as a reminder that dungeons were full of surprises. Without experience and sharp instincts, one could die in an instant.

After collecting the magic stones, Rein flicked his spear to rid it of the green blood. A faint smile played on his lips.

"A beautiful stone," he mused as he picked up another magic stone.

Pocketing the stones, he looked around at the remains of the battle.

He started to feel that the monsters on the first floor were too weak for him.

"At this rate, I can't truly test my limits," he thought.

His violet eyes gleamed as he made a bold decision.

"What if I fight without weapons?"

This wasn't just a reckless idea. He wanted to see how much his body had improved and what it felt like to fight monsters barehanded.

Without hesitation, he secured his spear on his back, straightened his posture, and strode deeper into the dungeon.

It didn't take long for another goblin to appear from the shadows!

The goblin spotted Rein, who seemed unarmed, and let out a mocking laugh as if seeing easy prey.

But the reality was the opposite.

The goblin charged aggressively, swiping its claws at Rein's face! However…

"Slow."

Rein didn't move much. He merely tilted his head slightly, letting the attack graze past him effortlessly.

The goblin stumbled forward, losing balance.

Rein casually raised his hand—

Smack!

A light slap landed on the goblin's head.

The goblin was sent flying like a child slapped by an adult.

"Huh?!"

The goblin struggled to get up, but before it could—

Thud!

Rein's heel crashed into its stomach. The impact forced the air out of the goblin's lungs in a muffled shriek before its body was flung against the dungeon wall.

Yet, Rein wasn't satisfied.

"Maybe I should play a little longer?" he murmured with a faint smirk.

The goblin growled, its red eyes burning with fury.

With a wild scream, it lunged at him again, aiming for his throat!

But before its claws could reach—

Thud!

Rein's fist crashed into its face.

The goblin's nose shattered instantly, green blood gushing from its nostrils.

It collapsed, writhing in pain, clutching its ruined face.

Rein watched with a bored expression before sighing.

"Too easy."

The goblin, half-conscious, tried to crawl away, terror evident in its eyes.

But before it could escape—

"Sit."

Rein's foot pressed down on the goblin's head, pinning it to the ground.

"Grkkhh!!"

The goblin squirmed, but it lacked the strength to resist.

Rein gazed down at it, unimpressed.

"You're weaker than a child," he remarked before applying more pressure—crushing the goblin's skull until it went limp.

Rein dusted off his hands as if he had merely brushed away dirt.

He exhaled slowly.

"This isn't even training," he thought.

Glancing at the magic stone left behind, he picked it up casually and continued walking.

"The first floor is too easy. I need to go deeper if I want a real challenge."

After effortlessly dispatching goblins, Rein finally descended to the second floor.

The atmosphere here was heavier. The dungeon walls were darker, the air was damper, and faint footsteps echoed from different directions.

Rein took a deep breath.

"Alright, let's see if the enemies here are stronger."

Not long after, two shadowy figures emerged from the darkness.

"Awooo!!"

A kobold appeared from the right corridor, its red eyes gleaming menacingly.

Another one leaped from the opposite side, baring its sharp fangs.

These kobolds were much larger than goblins. Their muscular bodies, longer claws, and feral movements made them far more dangerous.

But instead of fear, Rein's lips curled into a small smile.

"Interesting. Let's see how strong you are."

Without hesitation, he clenched his fists and took a combat stance.

Boom!

One kobold leaped high, claws poised to slash his face!

But…

"Too easy."

Rein subtly sidestepped, dodging by a hair's breadth.

Just then, the second kobold attacked from behind!

Rein felt the air shift behind him.

Without turning, he kicked backward with his heel.

Thud!

The blow struck the kobold's stomach, sending it sprawling.

Meanwhile, the first kobold lunged again!

With fluid precision, Rein spun his body, delivering a roundhouse kick—

Smash!

His foot struck the kobold's jaw, snapping its head sideways.

Yet…

The kobold still stood.

Rein raised an eyebrow.

"So tough?"

Both kobolds stood up again, their fangs bared, their eyes growing even wilder.

Rein steadied his stance.

"In that case, I should get more serious too."

This time, both kobolds attacked at the same time!

One lunged in to bite, while the other swiped its claws at his chest!

Rein jumped back, bending his knees, then-

WHAM!

He exploded forward, delivering a powerful kick straight to the first kobold's chest!

The kobold was sent flying backward, crashing hard against the dungeon wall!

But the second kobold was still attacking!

Rein ducked low, narrowly avoiding the claws that nearly slashed his neck.

Then…

With lightning speed, he slipped to the kobold's side and swung his leg downward!

CRACK!

A brutal low kick struck the kobold's knee, making its leg tremble violently, nearly collapsing.

But before the kobold could recover—

WHAM!!

Rein jumped and delivered a spinning back kick straight to its face!

The result?

The kobold was sent tumbling across the floor!

"Grrrrr!"

The two kobolds still refused to give up!

They growled furiously, attacking even more wildly and aggressively.

However...

"Their movements are too predictable."

Rein smirked, his eyes reading every motion they made.

As the first kobold attempted to slash at him-

Rein caught the attack with one hand, then smashed his knee into its chin!

CRACK!!

The kobold collapsed onto the floor instantly!

Meanwhile, the second kobold tried to attack from behind.

But…

Rein was ready.

He spun around swiftly, leaped slightly, then performed a backflip kick!

WHAM!!

His foot struck the second kobold's chin with perfect precision.

The result?

The kobold was instantly knocked out, its body crashing hard onto the floor!

Rein exhaled, staring at the two unconscious kobolds lying on the ground.

They were stronger than goblins, but their attacks were far too predictable.

"Still not enough," he thought.

Without wasting time, he drew his spear and finished off both kobolds.

Then, he retrieved the magic stones from their lifeless bodies.