Danmachi : The Strongest Adventurer

Rein stepped down onto the third floor of the dungeon.

The air here felt heavier than the previous floors, carrying a damp scent mixed with the distinct stench of blood. The silence was unsettling, broken only by the occasional drip of water falling from the moss-covered stone walls that faintly glowed in the dim light.

But Rein knew… This silence was not a good sign.

Tsskkk... Tsskkk...

A strange rustling sound echoed from the distance. Rein stopped, his eyes narrowing.

"This opponent… is faster?"

Moments later, a creature slithered out from the shadows. A subterranean lizard, long and sleek, its dark brown scales blending seamlessly with the surroundings. Its yellow eyes glowed as its tongue flicked out, tasting the air as if sensing Rein's presence.

And it wasn't alone.

Tsskkk... Tsskkk...

Two more emerged from the other side, their movements swift and eerily silent as they glided between the dungeon rocks.

Rein smirked slightly.

"Come on…"

Without warning, one of the lizards lunged!

ZRAK!

Rein leaped back, narrowly dodging the sharp claws aimed at his chest. But the attack was only a distraction—two more lizards had already pounced from both sides!

Rein's violet eyes gleamed.

In an instant, he crouched low and swung his leg—

SWOOSH!

His kick struck one lizard in the stomach, sending it flying into the dungeon wall! But the other was still coming, its jaws wide open, revealing razor-sharp fangs glinting in the faint light.

Without hesitation, Rein jumped back and spun, swinging his spear in a sweeping motion!

WHAM!

The spear's shaft slammed into the lizard's head, making it stagger. But before Rein could follow up, the last one had already leaped down at him from above!

With lightning reflexes, Rein stabbed his spear into the ground, using it as a pivot to launch himself sideways.

SLASH!

The lizard's claws tore through empty air as Rein landed gracefully and counterattacked.

DUGH!

His fist smashed into the creature's throat with brute force, knocking it to the ground.

But unlike goblins or kobolds, these subterranean lizards were different.

They were much more durable.

The one Rein had struck was already getting back up, its glowing eyes filled with rage.

"I see… You guys are tougher, huh?" Rein grinned. "Alright, I guess I'll have to get serious."

This time, he didn't rely solely on strength.

He observed their movements—the way they slithered, how their tails shifted before they attacked, and the small openings between their strikes.

And once he had it all figured out—

Rein moved.

In a flash, he dashed forward, launching himself off the ground with explosive force!

BOOM!

Dust scattered as he leaped at the first lizard, his spear spinning rapidly in his hands.

Before the creature could react—

STAB!

The spearhead pierced straight between its eyes, killing it instantly.

But the other two didn't hesitate.

One attacked from behind, while the other flanked Rein from the right!

This time—

WHAM!

Without looking, Rein swung his spear backward, smashing the lizard's jaw with the shaft!

The last one—

ZRAK!

It lunged, aiming to sink its fangs into Rein's arm—

But before its teeth could pierce flesh, Rein had already raised his knee—

CRACK!

A brutal knee strike shattered the lizard's skull in a single blow.

Rein exhaled, glancing at the three lifeless creatures sprawled on the ground.

"This… was much harder than goblins or kobolds."

He collected their magic stones one by one, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

So far, the battles on the third floor had drained more energy than he expected.

"I should rest before moving to the next floor."

Finding a safe corner, he leaned against a large stone, regulating his breathing.

"The monsters here are faster and tougher… But if I keep improving, I can handle them more easily."

After resting for a while, Rein stood up, tightened his grip on his spear, and advanced toward the fourth floor.

The Fourth Floor

The moment he stepped in, Rein immediately noticed the difference.

The air grew even heavier, and the atmosphere turned more oppressive. The faint glow from the moss was dimmer, making visibility much worse.

But the most unsettling part was the sounds.

Tsskkk... Tsskkk...

Many.

Far too many.

Rein's eyes sharpened.

"This floor… is swarming with subterranean lizards."

And just as he realized this—

SRAAK!

From the shadows, four lizards lunged at him at once!

Rein's eyes widened slightly.

"No time to think—"

He swiftly dodged to the side, avoiding the first strike. But before he even landed, another lizard was already attacking from a different angle!

With no other option, he blocked with his spear—

CLANG!

The shaft absorbed the impact, but the force was far greater than the lizards from the previous floor!

"These ones… are even faster?"

Rein acted immediately.

With full strength, he kicked the attacking lizard in the gut, sending it flying!

But the others weren't stopping.

This time, Rein didn't dodge.

Instead—

He planted his spear into the ground and used it as a pivot, flipping into the air and spinning—

BAM!

His heel smashed into a lizard's neck, slamming it into the dungeon wall. But the other two were still unrelenting, their glowing eyes filled with bloodlust.

Rein smirked.

"These guys are stronger… But that's exactly what I wanted!"

With a burning battle spirit, he charged forward once more.

Several Minutes Later

Rein stood in the middle of the dungeon corridor, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped from his temples, soaking his messy black-and-purple hair. His body felt heavy, his muscles tense after the relentless battle against the monsters on the fourth floor.

Around him, magic stones glowed faintly, casting dim light across the dark passage.

He had no idea how many creatures he had slain.

Today's hunt had been exceptional—but also incredibly dangerous.

His spear…

Rein lowered his gaze. The once-pristine weapon was now reduced to half its original length. The tip had broken off during his final battle with the last subterranean lizard.

He let out a deep sigh.

"I think that's enough for today," he murmured, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

His bag was full. There was no more space to carry additional magic stones. If he continued fighting, he'd be risking his life for little gain.

Rein glanced down the corridor. Further ahead lay the path to the fifth floor.

But he stopped himself.

"Not yet."

Even though he had managed to fight through the fourth floor, his body felt drained. If he got reckless, he could die.

Slowly, he turned around.

As he made his way toward the dungeon exit, Rein noticed something—

He wasn't injured at all.

Yet, exhaustion clung to his body like a heavy chain.

His legs ached from all the kicks, each step feeling like wading through sinking sand.

And yet, despite it all, a faint smile crossed his lips.

Today had been a major step forward.

Even though he was still only level 1, he had made it through the fourth floor.

Without a single wound.