Danmachi : The Strongest Adventurer

While Rein Was Waiting for Eina

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed, making Rein turn his head. He saw a half-elf woman with brown hair and an expression full of curiosity. Eina Tulle, the Guild receptionist he had previously met, looked at him with slightly widened eyes.

"Reinhardt...? I didn't expect you to come back so soon," Eina said as she walked toward her desk.

Rein smiled casually, resting his hand on the table.

"Of course I came. I want to get an adventurer's license so I can enter the tower tomorrow," he replied lightly.

Eina nodded slowly, but her eyes still held curiosity. Not long ago, she remembered how stubborn Rein was about joining the Hestia Familia. Now, she was wondering whether he had actually managed to join or not.

"So… have you joined the familia you wanted?" she asked.

Rein's smile grew thinner, and he nodded.

"Yeah, I was finally accepted into the Hestia Familia," he answered calmly.

Eina was slightly surprised, though she had expected his response. What shocked her more was Rein's strong determination to join that familia, despite many people considering Hestia Familia to have no promising future.

"I'm curious… why were you so stubborn about joining the Hestia Familia? Not many people choose to join a newly developing familia…" Eina asked carefully. But before she could say anything else, she quickly added,

"Of course, if you don't want to answer, that's fine. I won't force you."

Rein looked at her for a moment, then with a relaxed expression, he spoke in a light tone:

"I'm in love with Goddess Hestia. That's why I wanted to join her familia."

Silence filled the room. Eina stared at Rein with wide eyes, her hands slightly trembling as the registration form she was holding slipped from her grip, landing on the table with a soft rustling sound.

"W-what…?" Eina finally spoke, still unable to believe what she had just heard.

Some adventurers nearby who happened to overhear glanced in their direction. Some struggled to hold back laughter, while others simply shook their heads as if they had just heard something ridiculous.

Rein remained calm, enjoying Eina's bewildered reaction.

"I'm in love with Goddess Hestia, so of course, I want to join her familia. Isn't that a good enough reason?" he said casually.

Eina was still processing his words. An adventurer so determined to join a familia with no strong reputation… just because he was in love with the goddess? This was the first time she had ever heard something like that.

After a few seconds of silence, Eina finally let out a long sigh and rubbed her temples, as if dealing with something troublesome.

"You really are… I don't even know what to say, Reinhardt…" she murmured.

"Just say 'good luck'," Rein chuckled.

Eina gave him a resigned look before bending down to pick up the form she had dropped.

"Alright… I'll help you get your adventurer's license. But don't think I won't scold you if you do something reckless, understood?" Eina said seriously.

"Of course, of course. I'll listen to all your lectures, advisor-san," Rein replied playfully, making Eina click her tongue softly, though she couldn't hide the small smile on her face.

The tense atmosphere finally eased, and Rein's registration process began.

---

After Rein officially received his adventurer's license, Eina began giving him a detailed explanation about the Dungeon. Her face was serious, and her tone firm, showing how important this information was.

"Alright, now I'll explain the basics of the Dungeon. Make sure you listen carefully, Rein. Once you enter the Dungeon, your life will always be in danger."

Rein, usually relaxed and playful, sat up straight with a serious expression this time. He understood that the real world was different from anime. If he was careless, he could die easily in a place like the Dungeon.

Eina began explaining with a serious expression.

"The Dungeon is a massive underground labyrinth located beneath Babel Tower. The deeper you go, the more dangerous the monsters you encounter. Each floor has different characteristics, so never assume they're all the same."

"On the early floors, you'll only find Goblins and Kobolds. But on the deeper floors, there are much stronger monsters like Minotaurs or even Goliaths. And remember, the Dungeon can 'birth' monsters directly from the walls, so you can never let your guard down!"

Rein nodded slowly. He remembered this from the anime, but hearing it explained firsthand made him even more aware of the Dungeon's dangers.

"Monsters in the Dungeon emerge directly from the walls. This process is called Monster Birth. There are no sounds or warnings before they appear, so you must always stay alert."

"Moreover, the more frequently a certain type of monster is killed, the more they adapt to adventurers' strategies. They can become stronger or smarter. So never underestimate monsters that seem weak!"

Rein frowned. This wasn't explained in detail in the anime—monsters could evolve? That meant if he kept using the same strategy, sooner or later, the monsters would learn how to counter it.

"When you kill a monster, they will leave behind a Magic Stone inside their body. Magic Stones can be sold to the Guild for money. Additionally, there's a chance of obtaining Drop Items, rare items that can be used or sold for high prices."

"However, be careful when retrieving Magic Stones from monsters. If you don't destroy the monster's body properly, there's a chance it's still alive and can attack you!"

Rein recalled scenes in anime where careless adventurers were attacked by monsters pretending to be dead. He made a mental note—always ensure the monster is truly dead before taking its Magic Stone.

"Rein, as a beginner adventurer, you must always remember these survival rules:"

Never Enter the Dungeon Alone

"The Dungeon is not a place to be taken lightly. Entering alone, especially without experience, is basically suicide. At the very least, find teammates or form a small party."

Always Bring Emergency Supplies

"Don't just bring weapons. Carry potions, antidotes, and food. You never know when you might get trapped inside."

Don't Be Greedy

"Don't stay in one place too long just to collect Magic Stones or Drop Items. If you feel tired or notice something strange, leave immediately!"

Learn How to Escape

"If the situation turns dangerous, don't hesitate to retreat. A smart adventurer isn't one who fights all the time, but one who knows when to withdraw."

Beware of Hunter-Type Monsters

"Some monsters, like War Shadows and Ligerfangs, don't just attack randomly—they actively hunt adventurers they deem weak. They can stalk you and wait for the perfect moment to strike."

Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings

"The Dungeon has many natural traps—hidden pits, shifting corridors, and danger zones where monsters are more aggressive. Don't just focus on the monsters; pay attention to your environment as well."

Rein listened intently, memorizing every detail. This wasn't just theory—it was knowledge that would determine whether he survived or not.

After finishing her explanation, Eina looked at Rein with a serious expression.

"I hope you remember all of this, Rein. Don't get reckless just because you think you're strong. Many beginner adventurers die on the early floors just because they underestimated the Dungeon."

Rein gave a thin smile and nodded.

"Of course. I have no intention of becoming a transmigrator who dies foolishly just because of carelessness," he thought, his expression relaxed but his eyes filled with determination.

Eina sighed, slightly relieved that Rein wasn't acting recklessly.

"Good. I don't want to hear bad news about you, got it?" she said in a softer tone.

"Of course, advisor-san. I promise I'll listen to all your advice," Rein replied with a grin, making Eina click her tongue softly, though a small smile formed on her lips.

With that, the Dungeon briefing ended, and Rein now felt ready to enter the Dungeon.

He could barely contain his excitement—he wanted to rush in and fight monsters right away.

But then, he glanced out the window. The sky was already dark.

"Sigh… looks like I'll have to wait until tomorrow," he muttered in disappointment.