plentiful world and another beginning.

The library was a quiet sanctuary amidst the bustling chaos of Orario. Shelves upon shelves of books, scrolls, and maps lined the walls, their spines worn from countless hands flipping through their pages.

 The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and ink, and the soft glow of enchanted lanterns cast a warm, inviting light over the room. It was the perfect place to gather information, and I had a feeling I was going to need a lot of it.

I stepped inside, my footsteps muffled by the thick carpet that covered the floor. A few adventurers were scattered throughout the room, some poring over books, others whispering to each other as they studied maps of the Dungeon.

 I made my way to the nearest shelf, running my fingers along the spines of the books as I scanned the titles.

"History of Orario," "The Dungeon: A Comprehensive Guide," "Familias and Their Gods," "Monsters of the Lower Floors." The titles were promising, but I needed something more general—something that could give me a broad overview of this world and its rules. 

I pulled out a thick tome titled "Orario: A Beginner's Guide to the City of Adventurers" and flipped it open.

The first few pages were filled with illustrations of the city's skyline, its towering spires and grand buildings rendered in intricate detail.

 I skimmed through the text, my eyes catching on key phrases: "The Dungeon, a labyrinth of endless floors teeming with monsters… Familias, groups of adventurers blessed by the gods… The Tower of Babel, the heart of Orario and the entrance to the Dungeon…"

It was all vaguely familiar, like something I'd heard or seen before, but I couldn't quite place it. I kept reading, my mind racing as I tried to piece together the fragments of information.

"The gods descended to the mortal world centuries ago, seeking entertainment and purpose. They formed familias, granting their followers falna—a divine blessing that unlocks their potential and allows them to grow stronger. Adventurers delve into the Dungeon, battling monsters and collecting magic stones to trade for wealth and power…"

I paused, my brow furrowing as a memory stirred in the back of my mind. Gods, familias, the Dungeon… It all sounded like something I'd encountered before, but where? I closed the book, setting it aside as I tried to recall.

And then it hit me.

"DanMachi," I muttered under my breath, the name sparking a flood of fragmented memories. "Is this… *Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?*"

I leaned back against the shelf, my mind racing. Years ago, back in my old world, I'd watched a few episodes of an anime with that title. It had been about a boy named Bell Cranel, a rookie adventurer who joined a small familia and dreamed of becoming a hero. 

The setting had been a city called Orario, with a massive Dungeon at its center. The gods had lived among the mortals, granting them powers through something called falna.

But I'd only watched four episodes before losing interest. I couldn't remember much beyond the basics—Bell's encounter with a minotaur, his crush on a swordswoman named Ais Wallenstein, and the fact that he leveled up faster than anyone else. The details were hazy, but the broad strokes matched what I was seeing now.

"So, I'm in the world of DanMachi," I said to myself, a grin spreading across my face.

The thought was equal parts thrilling and daunting. On one hand, I had a rough idea of how this world worked and who the major players were from social media. On the other hand, my knowledge was limited, and I had no idea how much of the story had changed or how my presence might affect things.

I needed more information.

I grabbed another book, this one titled "The Dungeon: Floors 1-10," and flipped it open. The pages were filled with detailed descriptions of the monsters that inhabited each floor, along with tips for surviving encounters with them.

 I skimmed through the text, my eyes catching on familiar names: "Goblins, kobolds, war shadows…"

"This is definitely the Dungeon from the anime," I muttered, my excitement growing. "But I need to know more about the timeline. Where am I in the story?"

I set the book aside and began searching for anything that might give me a clue. I found a section on recent events in Orario, including a mention of the Loki Familia's latest expedition into the Dungeon. According to the text, they'd recently returned from the lower floors with a haul of rare magic stones.

"If the Loki Familia is active, then the timeline is probably around the start of the series," I reasoned. "There are also no records of a dungeon break like in episode 3."

I grabbed another book, this one a history of the city's most prominent familias. The Loki Familia and Freya Familia were listed as the two most powerful, with the Hephaestus Familia dominating the blacksmithing industry. There was also a section on smaller familias, including the Hestia Familia.

"Hestia Familia… that's Bell's familia, so they are already formed." I said, my grin widening. "So, if I'm right, Bell is probably out there somewhere, getting his ass kicked by goblins."

The thought was amusing, but it also gave me a sense of direction. If I wanted to make a name for myself in this world, I'd need to start by exploring the Dungeon and building my strength. And if I happened to cross paths with Bell or any of the other major players, so much the better.

I spent the next hour poring over books and scrolls, absorbing as much information as I could. I learned about the different types of monsters in the Dungeon, the hierarchy of the familias, and the economic structure of Orario.

 I even found a map of the city, which I carefully folded and tucked into my robe for later reference.

By the time I left the library, my head was spinning with information, but I felt even more confident than ever. I had a rough idea of how this world worked, and I knew where I needed to start.

As I stepped back into the bustling streets of Orario, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. 

I glanced down at the map I'd tucked into my robe, tracing the route to the Tower of Babel with my finger. The Dungeon awaited, and I was eager to see how much I can level up by.

I had checked up on monsters before and I was informed that monsters outside the dungeon were scarce and weaker so I now know why the wolf was the only monster I saw in such a vast wilderness.

But before I could dive headfirst into danger, I needed to prepare. I didn't have the luxury of a familia to back me up and take care of my expenses.

First things first: I needed supplies. I made my way to a nearby market, where stalls were packed with adventuring gear—potions, weapons, armor, and other essentials. I didn't have much in the way of funds, but I had a few coins I'd scavenged from the Shadowfang Alpha's remains. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.

I approached a stall selling basic potions and picked up a small vial of what the vendor called a "healing tonic." It was a pale green liquid that shimmered faintly in the light. "How much?" I asked, holding it up.

"Fifty valis," the vendor replied, a burly man with a thick beard and a no-nonsense tone.

I winced. That was nearly half of what I had. But I couldn't afford to skimp on something as important as healing. I handed over the coins and tucked the vial into my robe. "Thanks," I said, turning to leave.

"You're new, aren't you?" The vendor called after me. I paused and looked back at him. He was studying me with a knowing look. "You've got that fresh-out-of-the-Guild look. My advice? Don't go too deep on your first run. Stick to the upper floors until you get the hang of it."

I nodded, appreciating the advice. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

With my meager supplies in hand, I made my way to the Tower of Babel. The massive structure loomed over the city, its sheer size and grandeur a testament to the power and mystery of the Dungeon. 

As I approached the entrance, I could feel the energy of the place—a mix of excitement, fear, and determination. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes were coming and going, some laden with loot, others nursing injuries. It was a reminder of the risks I was about to take, but also of the rewards that awaited.

I stepped inside the tower, my eyes widening as I took in the sight of the Dungeon's entrance. A massive hole in the ground, surrounded by intricate carvings and glowing runes, led down into the depths. The air was thick with mana, and I could feel the faint hum of magic in the air. It was both exhilarating and intimidating.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Alright," I muttered under my breath. "Here goes something."

I descended into the Dungeon, my sword at the ready. The first few floors were relatively tame, populated by weak monsters like goblins and kobolds. I moved cautiously, my senses on high alert as I navigated the labyrinthine corridors. 

The walls were made of a strange, bluish stone that seemed to pulse faintly with energy, and the air was cool and damp.

It didn't take long for me to encounter my first monster—a goblin. The creature was small and wiry, with sharp claws and beady eyes. It let out a guttural screech and lunged at me, but I was ready. I sidestepped its attack and brought my sword down in a swift arc, cleaving the monster in two. It dissolved into a puff of black smoke, leaving behind a small magic stone.

[Ding.]

Experience Gained: 378 XP.

Level increase: 6>8

Stats gained: 6

I picked up the stone, examining it closely. It was a dull gray, about the size of a marble, and pulsed faintly with energy.

According to the books I'd read and the anime, these stones were the lifeblood of Orario's economy. Adventurers collected them from monsters and sold them to the Guild of blacksmiths, who used them to create magical items and weapons.

I tucked the stone into my pouch and pressed on. The next few hours were a blur of combat and exploration. I encountered more goblins, kobolds, and even a few war shadows—ghostly creatures that moved with unsettling speed.

 I have accumulated a hefty number of exp and stat points but I'll sort through once I'm out of the dungeon.

Each battle was a test of my skills and reflexes, but my system gave me an edge. My [Natural Elegance] passive ability allowed me to move with precision and grace, and my techniques added to my flow of movements.

As I delved deeper, I began to notice patterns in the Dungeon's layout. The floors were divided into distinct zones, each with its own type of monsters and environmental hazards. The first few floors were relatively safe, but the deeper I went, the more dangerous it became. 

By the time I decided to call it a day, my pouch was filled with magic stones and a few other monster drops. I made my way back to the surface, my body aching but my spirits high. 

The Dungeon was every bit as challenging as I'd expected, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I'd gained valuable experience, both in combat and in navigating the labyrinth, and I'd collected enough loot to turn a decent profit.

**End of Chapter 4.**