Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

She sat on the bed and waved to Ais, who was sitting on a round stool.

"I knew Ais would be the first one here—. I guess everyone wanted you to come first too—"

"yes."

"You can check it yourself, just talk to them. Come on, take off your clothes."

With her back to Loki, Ais did as she was told and took off her top.

She tied her waist-length golden hair together and let it fall in front of her shoulders. Without a single scratch, her delicate and beautiful back was exposed to Loki's eyes.

"Oops. Oh no, I'm a little drunk, I might accidentally slip...!"

God's gaze roamed over her skin, and his restless hands began to stir.

Sensing danger, Ais borrowed a short sword, drew half of the blade from its sheath, and made a "clang" sound.

"Ah, I'm sober now, I'm fine."

"Please hurry up."

"Uh, yes."

Sweating profusely, Loki immediately began his work.

She took a needle from the set of utensils on the bed and pricked the pad of her index finger.

Red blood gushed from the wound, and she touched Ais's back and the area near the base of her neck with her index finger.

Then, with practiced ease, she began to move her fingers, like signing a signature, drawing a blood-red trail on Ais's back, and finally, with a "hey," she drew a vertical line.

In an instant, it was like unlocking a lock.

Ais's back, which should have been blank, suddenly revealed vermilion inscriptions resembling epitaphs.

"I do have it locked, but it seems that besides God, there are also people who can unlock it with divine blood (ichor), so you can't let just anyone touch your back, okay? I've said that several times already."

"Yes."

"But for Ais, there's probably no need to worry about that."

A series of complex characters written in a horizontal style.

Those engravings, resembling both stone tablets and coats of arms, are the "blessings"—[ability values]—that the gods have inscribed upon their kin.

By using divine blood as a medium to inscribe the sacred script used by the gods onto the backs of their members, various abilities and possibilities can be discovered, thereby creating a definite phenomenon. Each ability value inscribed on their back can be considered a lifeline representing the member's abilities, without exception. Therefore, the chief gods of each member go to great lengths to conceal this information.

"Those gods who just arrived in the mortal realm, it seems some of them don't know how to lock their things—. If their backs are seen, everything will be exposed, wouldn't that child be so pitiful? Ais, it's so great to have me as your chief god—"

"I doubt many people can understand sacred writing..."

"Ah, that's true."

To keep Ais from getting bored, Loki talked while doing his homework.

She let another drop of divine blood seep into Ais's back, and just as the words suggested, circular ripples appeared on her back, spreading across the entire imprint. Confirming that the sacred text had faded, Loki wrote new text, thus covering the old parts.

The experience points accumulated by Ais and her clan will be extracted by the gods. The gods will then use these experience points as material to inscribe sacred script, transforming them into ability points, thereby altering the foundation of their growth.

The main activity known as "updating [stats]" is almost entirely done manually by the god. Therefore, [familias] with many members decide on the schedule or the priority of the upgrades to meet the needs of such a large number of people.

"Okay, all done. I'll write it down on a piece of paper. Wait for me!"

"OK."

After locking Ais's back to make her [Ability Values] disappear, Loki used a quill to write down the updated [Ability Values] summary on parchment.

The [ability values] etched on their backs are so indistinct that they're impossible to see even with a mirror. Furthermore, the [divine script] is difficult for most children to decipher, so the gods translate it into a common language used in the lower realms.

Ais put on her top and waited obediently; the homework was finished in no time.

"Here you are."

Ais took the parchment from Loki and scanned the text on it.

Ais Wallenstein

LV.5

力量：D549→555耐久：D540→547灵巧：A823→825敏捷：A821→822魔力：A899

Hunter: G Abnormal Resistance: G Swordsman: I

The competency items are divided into ten stages: S, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I, which indicate the level of competency.

Only the five basic ability categories representing base stats have a proficiency system: 0-99 is I, 100-199 is H, and proficiency changes with each ability stage from S to I. Adventurers must make the most of each ability for its proficiency to increase. For example, with "Magic," one must chant incantations multiple times, patiently use "magic" repeatedly, and strive to maximize its effectiveness on the target.

In addition, higher-level experience points are more easily gained when the opponent's strength is equal to or greater than one's own, making it easier to improve the level and proficiency of various abilities. To put it simply, defeating more weak monsters does not significantly help improve ability stats.

In addition to these, there are also the abilities, magic, and skills that can be learned freely when leveling up—for example, Ais is a "Hunter" and has "Abnormal Resistance," etc. This is the complete picture of [Ability Values].

"..."

After reviewing the updated [ability stats], Ais suppressed her emotions and fell into deep thought.

too low.

After about two weeks of "expeditions" and slaughtering so many powerful enemies (monsters) living in the deep areas, the proficiency of all his abilities did not increase at all.

At this rate, even if you kill thousands or tens of thousands of monsters, your proficiency will only increase by one or two points at most.

(It's reached the top...)

The maximum proficiency level is 999. The closer an ability rating is to S, the faster the growth rate of the value will decrease. However, the reason for this update result is probably not just this.

Ais has no room for growth now.

Ais's current ability stats represent her maximum potential; there's no room for further development. This is unrelated to her strengths or weaknesses.

Three years have passed since I reached LV.5.

A transparent wall called the Upper Limit blocked Ais's way.

"..."

Further growth cannot be expected.

Ais gave up on her current self and began to consider moving to the next social class.

The rise of LV. A sublimation towards a higher level. Crossing high walls, surpassing limits.

Be stronger. Become stronger. Greedily stronger.

To gain greater power. To reach distant heights.

To fulfill his long-cherished wish.

Ais's doll-like expression vanished, revealing a strong will hidden deep within her heart.

"Ais..."

Loki, who had been silently watching her profile, slowly spoke.

When Ais turned around, Loki quietly told her:

"If you keep stumbling and running forward, you're bound to fall someday. I always say that, right? I'll keep reminding you of that. So don't forget."

"..."

"You can go back now. Good night."

She looked away from the smiling Loki and turned her back to her.

As she walked out of the room, she stopped, hesitated for a moment, and then simply said, "Goodnight."

Loki waved at her, continuing to smile.

"..."

She left the room and descended the spiral staircase.

Light and laughter streamed in from the windows of the towers as Ais walked alone down the dimly lit corridor. She didn't go anywhere else, but went straight to her room and opened the door.

It was a desolate room. There was only a table, a bed, and curtains. The furniture was minimal, and compared to Loki's room, it had no sense of decoration whatsoever. The moonlight streaming through the window bathed the dim interior in a deep blue hue.

Ais darted across the room and collapsed onto the bed. Her body sank into the white sheets, and a sword leaning against the window came into her field of vision as she turned.

The sword, sheathed in its scabbard, reflected the moonlight, radiating a cold and aloof brilliance.

"..."

Ais silently and slowly closed her eyes.

She surrendered her entire being to her drifting consciousness, plunging into the deep darkness.

▲

There was a young girl.

There was a girl with rich emotions.

Laughter, surprise, sadness, joy.

Her expressions were ever-changing; sometimes her cheeks would flush red, revealing an innocent smile.

A book is laid out in front of me, and someone is telling a story above my head.

Amidst the tranquil white expanse, the girl repeatedly urged the story to continue.

The tone of voice as he read the story was hesitant and full of affection.

The girl nestled in his arms looked up, and a woman smiled at her, her beautiful long golden hair swaying in the breeze. She was as innocent as a baby, no different from any other young girl. They were like sisters. The girl smiled too.

The story is finally over.

The princess, who is forever asleep, is imprisoned deep in a dark forest.

A young man woke her up.

Her frozen heart was thawed by the young man who saved her, and the two lived happily ever after.

She was saved.

"Did you like this story?" the woman asked. The girl nodded.

"And what about you, Mom?" the girl asked. The woman nodded.

I am happy because I have him. She smiled carefree.

With envy and longing in her eyes, the girl looked at the book, then looked up at her again.

The woman smiled innocently.

I hope you will also meet a wonderful person.

The girl smiled and nodded happily.

The scene changed.

The surroundings were instantly enveloped in dangerous darkness.

The monster's howls echoed all around.

The sounds echoed endlessly, and the ferocious roars continued incessantly throughout the scene.

The sky was obscured, and the air here was thick with dampness. The passageways were complex and narrow, and the silent, cold walls stretched all around.

In the underground labyrinth, the girl is attacked by a hideous monster.

Her eyes, brimming with tears, were filled with fear. Her fair skin was covered in scratches, and the hem of her clothes was stained with mud and dust. Like a doll with its strings cut, she collapsed to the ground, unable even to run away.

The shadowy figure grew larger and larger in her eyes. As she sobbed softly, the monster slowly approached.

Before the powerless girl's eyes, all she saw was a crooked claw waving at her.

The next instant, a sharp silver light swept past.

The monster collapsed before the trembling girl. In its place stood a young man.

A black scarf, thin armor, and a silver longsword. The girl's eyes widened as she rushed to his side.

The young man embraced the girl and placed his hand on her head.

The hand that awkwardly stroked her hair carried no reproach, only tenderness. The girl, tears streaming down her face, looked up, and he gave her an clumsy smile.

The girl's eyes immediately welled up with tears. She seemed to see the young man from the story in him, and she hugged him even tighter.

The young man knelt down, bringing his gaze level with the girl's, and said: