30 minutes ago. Atop the southern walls of Crossroad. “I’m going alone.” Everyone looked at me as if they didn’t understand. Lucas, standing in front of me, stammered. “…E-excuse me?” “The rescue party consists of me and me alone. I will rescue Evangeline myself.” I told them, “None of you are joining the rescue party.”…

‘It’s okay, Evangeline. Nothing’s going to happen.’ It was a memory from her childhood. Monsters had ambushed the city that night as well. The city had become a battlefield, and the Margrave of Crossroad had urgently dashed out from his mansion towards the front lines. As always, her mother had come to Evangeline’s room and…

Boom-! Boom-! Boom-! Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-! The tumultuous sounds of drums and bells echoed through the city. Soldiers hastily assembled, scurrying to take up arms and station themselves on the city walls, where cannons and artifacts were swiftly being installed. Porters, laden with arrows, cannonballs, boiling oil, and fiery artillery, bellowed out offers to help ferry supplies….

Originally, in a tutorial stage that wasn’t meant to be conquered, I had vanquished the Black Spider Queen, a foe that should have been invincible, and procured its Magic Power Core. Typically, squaring off against the Black Spider Legion wouldn’t occur until midway through the second year. I had anticipated that equipment created from this…

“I didn’t realize you enjoyed the cultured pastime of reciting poetry.” Evangeline’s words drew an awkward smile from me. “I felt it didn’t suit the moment, so I shared it quietly. Seems I’ve been discovered.” “You’ve got a pleasing voice, how about sharing aloud next time?” Her face held no expression, her thoughts unreadable. I…

Lucas’s eyes were a vibrant blue. A deep, brilliant, emerald-tinged azure. Typically, his gaze was tender, much like a large dog gazing up at its master, but in this moment, I couldn’t quite gauge the temperature of his stare. Did he ask his question out of genuine concern for me? Or was it a test…

Their expedition had started in the afternoon, and by the time they returned, it was approaching lunchtime. They had been moving continuously through the day and night. The tension of the dungeon had masked their fatigue, but the moment they set foot outside, their bodies felt heavy almost instantly. “Today is a rest… everyone did…

Ding! Ding! Ding! The damage slot began to whirl with a vengeance. A wave of unease swept over me as I observed the frenziedly spinning numbers. I surely wouldn’t falter here… right? I won’t be greeted by any unsavoury figures, will I? “I intervened because Jupiter and Damien cannot risk injury!” Better for me to…

Our group assembled at the threshold of the boss room. The building tucked away in this side street was unlike any we’d encountered before; an imposing edifice of stone that, judging by its size, might have once served as a warehouse. Like the decrepit structures we’d passed earlier, this stone building’s entrance was blocked by…

“What’s on the market today?” Hunched over the humble stall, I posed the question to Nameless, who nonchalantly motioned towards his offerings. “The inventory’s dynamic, always changing, but one thing’s for sure: these are relics you won’t stumble upon in the world of humans.” Indeed, that much was evident. The dungeon we were in, a…