plentiful world and another beginning.

The moon hung high over Orario, casting a silvery glow over the city as I emerged from the Dungeon's entrance. The streets were quieter now, the usual bustle of adventurers and merchants replaced by the occasional drunk stumbling home or a lone guard patrolling the area.

 My body ached from hours of fighting, but the weight of my pouch—filled with magic stones and monster drops—was a satisfying reminder of the progress I'd made. I couldn't carry all the magic stones because I didn't have a larger bag but this should do for a while.

I made my way to the Guild, my footsteps echoing in the empty streets. The building was still open, though the usual crowd of adventurers had thinned out. A single receptionist manned the counter, her head bent over a stack of paperwork. She looked up as I approached, her tired eyes lighting up with recognition.

"Back already?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise. "You must've had a productive dive."

"You could say that," I replied, setting my pouch on the counter with a heavy thud. "I've got a lot to sell."

She opened the pouch and began sorting through its contents, her eyes widening as she pulled out magic stone after magic stone. There were dozens of them, ranging in size and quality, along with a few rare monster drops I'd managed to collect. She worked quickly, her fingers moving with practiced efficiency as she tallied up the total.

"This is… quite the haul," she said, her tone impressed. "Let's see… with the quality and quantity of these stones, plus the drops… that'll be 98,750 valis."

I grinned, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Let's call it an even 100,000."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "You're pushing your luck, but fine. 100,000 valis it is." She handed over a heavy bag of coins, the weight of it reassuring in my hand. "You've got a knack for this, you know. Most rookies don't bring in half this much on their first few dives."

"I'll take that as a compliment," I said, pocketing the valis. "Thanks for the help."

"Anytime. Just… be careful out there. The Dungeon doesn't forgive mistakes."

I nodded, her words echoing in my mind as I left the Guild. She wasn't wrong—the Dungeon shouldn't be unforgiving, and I'd already had a few close calls. But I was learning and growing stronger with every dive. And that was what mattered.

---

My next stop was an inn. After hours of fighting and exploring, I was desperate for a hot meal and a bed. I found a modest place not far from the Guild, its sign creaking softly in the night breeze. The common room was nearly empty, save for a few adventurers nursing drinks and a barmaid wiping down tables. 

I approached the counter, where the innkeeper—a stout man with a bushy mustache—greeted me with a nod. "Room for the night?" he asked.

"And a meal, if you've got anything left," I replied.

"Coming right up. Gonna cost you extra though." He handed me a key and gestured toward the stairs. "Room's on the second floor, last door on the right. I'll bring your food up shortly."

I thanked him and made my way upstairs, my body heavy with exhaustion. The room was small but clean, with a narrow bed, a wooden desk, and a window overlooking the street. I dropped my top robe on the floor and sank onto the bed, letting out a long sigh.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. The innkeeper entered, carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of stew, a hunk of bread, and a mug of ale. "Here you go," he said, setting the tray on the desk. "Eat up. You look like you need it."

"Thanks," I said, my mouth watering at the smell of the food. I dug in as soon as he left, the stew warming me from the inside out. It was simple but hearty, exactly what I needed after a long day.

Once I'd eaten my fill, I turned my attention to the most important task of the night: checking my status. I pulled out my status sheet and laid it on the desk, my eyes scanning the numbers.

[Name: Zephyr Kane.]

[Race: Celestial Human.] 

[Level: 8>14]

[Class: Unassigned.] 

[HP: 850>910| MP: 850>910.]

[Constitution: 45>48] 

[Stat Points Available: 0>24]

(each stat is 20 mp/hp)

The stat points available were astonishing. I was so into fighting and ignoring the system notification that I noticed the growth in my level. my constitution has risen by 3 points, probably thanks to all the fighting and maneuvering I'd done in the Dungeon. 

After a while a question came to me. "How strong am I compared to the other adventurers?" 

I frowned. According to the books I'd read, the leveling system was granted by falna. Those with falna gain a superhuman physical prowess upon being bestowed with it and can gather 'excelia' to raise their status and grow even stronger. 

I, on the other hand, gain strength through my system. Although the concept of development abilities is intriguing, I surely don't like the idea that I'm at the behest of someone.

Even if the god/goddess is kind to their children, at the end of the day, a god is a god… they're whimsical. Losing access to that strength I work hard for because that god/goddess met an unfortunate end is off putting.

I set the status sheet aside and leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. I needed a plan. Grinding the upper floors of the Dungeon was a good start, but if I wanted to get stronger fast, I'd need to take bigger risks. That meant delving deeper, facing stronger monsters

But for now, I needed rest. My body was still sore, and my mind was foggy with exhaustion. I changed into the set of clothes I had at the start, a clean set of clothes and crawled into bed, the soft mattress a welcome relief after hours of hard stone floors.

As I lay there, my thoughts drifted back to the Dungeon. The monsters, the loot, the thrill of battle—it was addictive, in a way. But it was also dangerous. I'd been lucky so far, but luck wouldn't last forever. I needed to get stronger, smarter, and more prepared.

And I needed to figure out where I fit into this world. The knowledge I had from the anime was helpful, but it was incomplete. I didn't know how my presence would affect the story, or if I even wanted to interfere with it. Bell Cranel, Ais Wallenstein, the Loki and the other familias. 

Ugh… the world would continue with or without my presence so who cares. And I don't know anything for me to say I can use my knowledge.

I didn't have the answers yet, but I knew one thing for certain: I wasn't going to sit on the sidelines. I'm gonna show off and steal the spotlight. I wonder… how would the world react to me being powerful without this 'falna?'

With that thought, I closed my eyes and before I let the sleep take me. 

[Stat points available: 24>0]

Ahhh… that cool feeling, I'm getting addicted. A small smile crept onto my face unknowingly. Tomorrow was another day, and the Dungeon was waiting…

8 hours later~~~

The morning sun streamed through the window of my inn room, pulling me from a deep, dreamless sleep. The small aches from yesterday's dive had become nonexistent, and my mind felt sharper, clearer.

Stretching, I sat up and glanced at the desk where my status sheet lay. The numbers hadn't changed, but the memory of last night's gains brought a small smile to my face. 

I dressed quickly, strapping my belt and slipping the pouch of valis into my robe. The innkeeper had mentioned breakfast was included because I paid extra, so I made my way downstairs, my stomach growling in anticipation. 

The common room was livelier now, filled with adventurers chatting over plates of food and mugs of ale. I found an empty table and ordered a meal—eggs, bread, and a side of roasted meat—before digging in.

As I ate, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation around me. 

"Did you hear? The Monster Feria starts today!" 

"Yeah, I heard the Loki Familia's bringing in some rare monsters from the lower floors." 

"I'm just here for the food stalls. Last year, they had this grilled skewer that was to die for."

I frowned, curiosity piqued. 'Monster Feria?' I hadn't heard of it before, but it sounded like some kind of festival. Finishing my meal, I left the inn and stepped out into the bustling streets of Orario.

The city was alive with activity, the usual flow of adventurers and merchants now joined by colorful banners, street performers, and the mouthwatering scent of food wafting from stalls lining the roads.

The crowd was thicker than usual, and I found myself weaving through groups of people, all heading in the same direction. Curious, I tapped a passing stranger on the shoulder—a young man with a satchel slung over his shoulder.

"Hey, what's going on? Why's everyone heading that way?" I asked, gesturing toward the flow of the crowd.

He looked at me like I'd just asked why the sky was blue. "You serious? It's the Monster Feria! It only happens once a year. They bring in monsters from the Dungeon—tamed ones, of course—and put on all kinds of shows and exhibitions. There's even a market where you can buy rare drops and gear. You've really never heard of it?"

I shook my head. "Second day in Orario."

His eyes lit up with excitement. "Well, you're in for a treat. It's a huge event. Everyone comes out for it—adventurers, familias, even the gods. You should check it out!"

"Thanks, I will," I said, nodding as he hurried off to join the crowd.

I followed the flow of people, my curiosity growing with every step. The streets grew more crowded as we approached the central plaza, where the festival was clearly in full swing. Brightly colored tents and stalls filled the square, their owners shouting to attract customers. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and the occasional roar of a monster.

I wandered through the stalls, taking in the sights and sounds. There were vendors selling everything from potions and weapons to exotic foods and trinkets. 

As I continued through the market, I noticed a large crowd gathered around a roped-off area. Curious, I pushed my way to the front, where a group of adventurers were showcasing a massive creature—a minotaur, its horns polished to a shine and its eyes calm, almost docile. A man in a flamboyant outfit stood nearby, narrating the creature's origins and abilities to the captivated audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, behold the mighty minotaur! Once a fearsome foe of the Dungeon's middle floors, now a testament to the skill and bravery of the Loki Familia!"

The crowd erupted into applause, and I couldn't help but be impressed. The minotaur was massive, its muscles rippling beneath its fur, yet it stood calmly, almost regally, as the adventurers demonstrated its strength by having it lift a boulder with ease.

As I wandered, I found myself drawn to a quieter corner of the plaza, where a small group of people had gathered around a storyteller. He was an elderly man with a long beard and a voice that carried like the wind, weaving tales of ancient heroes, legendary monsters, and the gods who watched over Orario.

I listened for a while, captivated by his stories, before finally deciding it was time to head back. The festival was incredible, but I had my own path to follow. The Dungeon was waiting, and I had no intention of falling behind.

But in the end, I got lost.