Chapter 10: First time in the dungeon
[Enkidu POV]
'What skill should I buy? Or should I just buy a whole branch and train them like I did with Sukuna's path?'
I was currently walking through the first floor of the dungeon, still in my normal attire. No shirt, white Tai Chi pants, but this time I had shoes! Yes, this whole time I was shoeless, but now I got some Nike-Sike. I got black adventure boots which were surprisingly comfortable, also courtesy of Artemis! She said, "No, you need shoes at least! I won't let you come back in this manor with dirty feet!"
I didn't really care, but I wanted to go to the dungeon quick, so I just nodded, took the shoes, and left. More importantly, a red Kobold, actually multiple, equaling ten were charging at me. I looked to the left and right, seeing no other adventurers which was weird. I sent multiple dismantles - one for each Kobold - slicing the pathetic excuses of existence into halves!
Seeing them dead, I sent a normal flame out to burn their corpses to ash. Unlike with the Artemis Familia, I didn't want to leave any proof of my techniques. Why the difference between them and everyone else? Well... I showed my prowess for money, yes, but also to show them that I'm strong so they feel like they can accept me, which in turn gives me a name to rely on. Since I don't need a god or goddess to level up, that's all they're good for! Except Artemis, she actually might have something else, but that will take more looking into.
'I maybe could have used those kobolds... nah. Artemis has enough money to buy beginner equipment for at least a party-size group. I should check the financial situation of this family, Rethusa - otherwise known as Rethy - did give me a million, but that doesn't mean that she's rich rather than she wanted to not lose any more members.'
Losing myself in my head, I traveled all the way down to floor 4, which wasn't filled with anything better than the previous 3. Thus, in no time, I was on floor 5 which has light green walls and the structure of the dungeon changed!
'Fascinating!'
The sheer mystery behind this dungeon and how it worked is astounding. I wonder if I studied it, if I could get inspiration for improving techniques. Oh! I need to buy a weapon but should I go with a spear, sword, or bow for my first one? Weapon mastery gives me proficiency in all weapons; I just need to practice with them.
(A/N: You guys can choose out of the three mentioned weapons. You all have until he leaves the dungeon if you want to choose, if not, I'm going to randomize it.)
Floor 5 didn't have anything either, so I went down to floor 6 and 7 but alas, nothing of true interest, and this whole time I didn't run into any adventurers. Was it a holiday or something? Not that I really care; this only made it easier for me to travel and explore! I'll stop using cleave and all that; I'll practice with a new concept.
This concept you may be wondering? Well, I figured out early within my new life that my body can't heal like a cursed spirit and it can't heal like a Jujutsu Sorcerer using RCT. Well not all the way at least; I can heal it to a certain degree before it's blocked by a barrier of some sort! It's like the energy-type isn't correct or not in the right order. Over the last year, I completed many experiments and I arrived at one answer every single time; I need completely net neutral energy!
How do I achieve this? Apparently, instead of multiplying C.E (a negative) by another negative to get positive energy more commonly associated with RCT, I have to take this positive number then combine it with the same value of negative energy to create a NET 0 or completely neutral energy. Of course, the energy doesn't disappear and is completely clean of both negative and positive attributes!
Taking this neutral energy, I then infuse it within my body, and it enhances my body's overall ability to sync with my mind to project what I want done onto my body. I haven't been able to figure out an easier method, nor have I been able to manipulate my body structure in any way, so I'm under the assumption that whatever I will onto my body has to be achievable by a certain margin by it (the body).
I really need more practice. I can already see the huge applications of learning this method could bring! Revamps or alterations to fix certain aspects of techniques or even my own body if I discover a problem later. It should also link or support well with some other techniques that while not sharing the same principles, do share the same intentions!
Entering floor 8, the amount and size of rooms increase and the length of the hallways between them became shorter. Also, the ceiling changed height from three to four meters to nearly ten meters above. Moss covered the brown-colored walls and the ground below became a short grass plain. The strong light from the phosphorescence or whatever reminded me of the sun. No new monsters it seems from what my Six Eyes can make out, however, they do seem stronger!
---
[Five minutes since Enkidu entered the 8th floor]
"Scree~! Scree~!" Numerous killer ants - ants red and way more vicious - swarmed towards me. I didn't even do anything to piss them off; it was like one noticed me and the rest linked up with the messenger. Not that I care, as this was the perfect opportunity to test myself!
'I've always wanted to try this! Plus, the weakness can be diminished by inscribing the marks in the right place. Advanced Curse Energy knowledge was really a good purchase. If the system didn't recommend it, I probably wouldn't have bought it, being blinded by other prospects. Anyways...'
[Curse speech obtained! Choose where to inscribe the mark of the Snake Eyes and Fangs]
"My soul."
[Affirmed]
I let the system do its work and just focused on the ants. We were engaged in a dance of attacking and dodging! They attacked, and I dodged; with each evasion, I counted their numbers, at the moment reaching 97 of the red bastards. Sure, I could use Cleave, Dismantle, and other skills, but what would be the point? If I did that, the corpses would be ruined and no money would be made, especially when I need a weapon!
Sure, Artemis could help me out, and I could just go spend the 1 million I got earlier, but I want something special! Something that will last and not something that I will have to constantly replace. I'm sure Artemis will agree, as she did stare strangely at Hephateus Familia earlier on the carriage. Knowing her, even if very little, she would want to be allies or closer allies with the blacksmith goddess. Hestia could also be a reason she wants to get closer to Hephateus; I remember that endowed midget being close with the sexy-muscular tanned skin goddess!
'Didn't she have a curse? I wonder if anything could cure or remove it? I should go digging through the skill tree to see. However, that's for later, and I'm damn sure I am not doing it for free! Another thing, my "inner demon" has been real quiet. Did the Six Eyes really affect it that much?'
I wryly shook my head and focused more on the ants in front of me. I was waiting for the system to let me know when the marks were complete; I thought it would be quick, but maybe not; Oh, 104! Looks like that's all that would respond or maybe the others were killed by other adventurers, but who knows.
[Curse Speech (0/10): Imbue your will with cursed energy!]
Will, huh? To think placing the marks on my soul would change the skill by that much. Normally, it would just be words; either way, time to test it out!
"STOP!!" My voice echoed, and with no resistance, every single ant stopped in its tracks. These ants have very minuscule energy, so they couldn't resist, and they didn't really have a mind strong enough to resist, making them very easy practice.
'The next few hours are going to be great!'
----
[Random Adventurer POV]
"Roll!" "Lay Down!" "Number 103 kill yourself!"
What is going on? I just entered the 8th floor after celebrating with my party members for our successful harvest on the seventh. It was surprisingly empty by the time we got there, so we assumed someone was just a little bit ahead; maybe we could head back up together to ensure our safety. Sure, it might sound foolish, but we always believed to help others, and we would be rewarded! It hadn't failed yet either.
I waited for my party to catch up, and they shared the same confusion as me. Who the hell was screaming and attracting the attention of most of the monsters! Did they want to die?! We hurried towards the voice, and the sight in our eyes truly is something out of imagination.
Numerous red ants all in different positions and fates. Some burst apart and some crippled but still alive! The only man...No, demon would be more accurate with his shirtless self bathed in what could only be blood standing in the center of all of the ants, even some that hadn't even been damaged but for some reason not moving. The blood masked some of his hair, but it was easy to tell that it was a lighter color of some sort and his blue eyes from the side were truly menacing!
I turned to another member of my party, a 23-year-old woman with long brown hair, "Shuri, what do you think? S-Should we leave?"
She didn't even respond and started to back away. The other two followed suit, and taking one last glance at the man, I started backing away as well. However, it was then!
Swoosh~!
A strong breeze swept past me and nearly knocked me over.
"Gah~?!"
It did, however, knock me into Shuri, who then knocked into something else. I opened my eyes after feeling I was good, and my face went ashen. I could feel the blood drain, my feet started shaking, and my hands were so still you'd think I was a statue! This is all what I could feel, seeing the same man before with his menacing blue eyes peering deep into all of us. However, that wasn't the worst part.
"Heh~, You all are quite unlucky! Did you really think I was going to let you all just see my technique and then leave? Hahaha!."
"P-Pleas?!" The friendliest member of our party who had long blonde hair and green eyes tried to plead, but her body suddenly was split in half from the waist down!
"None of that." The blue-eyed man's voice was unnaturally cold.
"It would ruin the fun~!" His eyes scanned the last three of us, but strangely, his eyes focused on Shuri and then me.
"I see, so man you have feelings for this woman huh? Be honest or else it may cost you!"
I nodded my head. I didn't get to see Shuri's reaction, but as long as she was safe.
"Heh, well then, I'll offer you a choice~! You can suffer or she can suff. If you suffer, she dies painlessly-!"
"NO! Don't Shu-HMPH?!" The man covered Shuri's mouth. I looked him in his eyes and asked, "Will she really die painlessly?" I know it's foolish to believe an enemy, but some hope couldn't escape me.
"Yes! However, you will suffer. Oh, before any of that, let me get rid of the useless one of there." He swiped his left hand, and the last member was bisected.
'Fuck! We should have just gone back up!'
I concealed these thoughts and answered, "I'll suffer, please grant her a painless death." I'm so pathetic; if only I was stronger, I could have at least let her escape.
"Hey! Hey! Don't close your eyes. You have to watch this, or else I'll make her death more painful!"
'Fuck! He's a lunatic!' I stared directly into Shuri's eyes, and she stared back. The blue-eyed man nodded his head and let go of Shuri's mouth, giving her the ability to say her last words.
"Go on, I'll grant you some last words. Mainly because your man has a brain and hasn't tried anything." Shuri nodded regretfully and spoke.
"I-!?"
Bang!?
"N-NO?! YOU LIED, YOU BASTARD!" Shuri's body was torn to shreds by some weird force, but I didn't care in this moment. He had to die!
"Oh~, your sanity finally snapped! I'll give the reigns back to the original I wonder how he'll handle this situation!"
The menacing aura disappeared, replacing it was a calm aura which hinted at no regrets, but I didn't care about the strange words. I swung my right fist aiming straight for this bastard's face!
"Dang. You really are unlucky. Hahaha~"
Pah!
He caught my fist like it was nothing. I was a level 1 adventurer with stats all in the A range! He caught my fist even besides that! What was someone like him still on the bottom floors for?!
"Hey guess what?" He looked at me with a serene smile; it felt like an angel was staring at me, however, his previous actions didn't allow me to be fooled.
"W-WHAT! YOU BASTARD!"
"You should Kill yourself~!"
Huh...All I could remember was my own hand piercing through my heart, and after that, the world turned dark
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone