[Ron
Level: Lv1
Strength: SSS1224
Endurance: SSS1490
Dexterity: SS1199
Agility: SSS1201
Magic: SS1078]
...
These were the ability values Ron had locked in before undergoing level ascension.
To be honest, they were utterly outrageous. Any single attribute, taken on its own, would be a dimensionality-reduction strike against the current adventurers of Orario—values that shattered the theoretical limits of Falna-based abilities!
Not only that, they even created the fastest legend on record!
The one year it took Ais to achieve the fastest breakthrough to Lv2 was directly shortened to sixteen days—an absurd benchmark that later adventurers would find utterly impossible to surpass.
"Is it opened?"
From an observer's perspective,
the one who understood Ron's growth most clearly was none other than Hestia. Although she did not know just how difficult the exploration was under the effects of "Despicable Outsider", the extreme, limit-breaking ability values had already provided the answer...
And when an adventurer within a Familia advances in level, it is mandatory to submit the specific numerical values to the Guild, so that the Familia's overall strength can be evaluated afterward.
This is to prevent things from being too shockingly eye-catching.
Also, out of concern for Ron's protection, Hestia made adjustments to the ability values—changing the averaged stats to "A" and "B" ranks.
That made them look far more normal...
Finally...
The young goddess rubbed her hands together excitedly.
"Very good."
"Let me see what kind of surprise this level ascension will bring me!"
After a level ascension, all ability values are cleared—but they do not disappear. Instead, they are transformed into the adventurer's foundation and integrated into Ron's body.
It was equivalent to drinking up a "container" filled to the brim with water.
Once the container was emptied again, it could then begin accumulating ability values anew.
Hestia looked over the detailed status panel. After leveling up, adventurers would all gain development abilities, which were acquired based on their personal experiences.
Things like "Abnormal Resistance", "Hunter", "Swordsman", and so on...
Then, she saw a development ability named "Tenacity".
'Why does this development ability look kind of strange—don't tell me it's physical toughness, like being better at taking hits?' Hestia tugged lightly at the corner of her mouth.
Combined with Ron's Endurance attribute, her line of thought gradually became clear.
[That which does not kill me makes me stronger!]
'Reasonable.'
From the perspective of someone who relied on brute endurance, Ron felt that all of this was perfectly reasonable. Taking the parchment from Hestia's hand, his gaze went straight to the skills section.
At the current stage, relying on the Tarnished Character Save Slot, dungeon exploration had been proceeding fairly smoothly.
And according to the skill description, the number of character cards owned could be re-drawn after leveling up, and freely switched for use.
...
Skill:
[Character Save Slot]
Consume Soul Shards to draw character cards and obtain different abilities
Only one character card can be used at a time
The number and strength of character cards increase with personal level
Current character card:
Tarnished (Lv2)
Weapon Mastery
Combat Art: Seppuku
Combat Art: Bloody Slash
Combat Art: Lion's Claw
...
A combat art used by the Redmanes forces who once fought side by side with a legendary general.
Allows the user to leap forward while spinning and strike with their weapon.
[Lion's Claw]
...
This was a combat art automatically obtained when the Tarnished character card was upgraded to Lv2.
There weren't many other changes, but even so, the surprise brought by this brand-new combat art was more than enough to wash away the fatigue accumulated from these days of high-intensity exploration.
Who could possibly refuse such a practical combat art?
Thinking of his greatsword Great Fortune, and pairing it with this brand-new complementary combat art to ruthlessly operate on special monsters in future dungeon explorations, Ron couldn't help but hum softly.
'Now I get why Lion's Claw is considered top-tier…'
'But, it still seems like I'm quite a bit short of Soul Shards before the next Character Save Slot?'
...
[Revival]
Cost: 353/5 Soul Shards (limited to once per day)
[Random Character Card]
Cost: 353/500 Soul Shards (exchange cost increases with personal strength)
...
Holding onto his expectations, his gaze lingered on the detailed skill breakdown. Converting it roughly into special monsters, he would still need to slaughter at least fifty more in the dungeon.
The distance was not all that far.
'The key point is that Character Save Slots can be freely switched—does that mean I might have a chance, during dungeon exploration, to become a noble spellcaster someday?'
After finishing his review of the panel, Ron handed the parchment back to Hestia.
After becoming a Lv2 upper-tier adventurer, he was still not quite ready to step onto Orario's main stage, but at the very least, he wouldn't be kicked to death like a stray dog on the roadside.
He took a deep breath, working hard to steady his emotions.
And after undergoing level ascension, for at least the near future, Ron had no plans to head back into the dungeon for exploration. The main reason was this—adapting to the qualitative transformation of his body.
'I still need to keep settling in.'
As for the goal of settling in—he could only trouble Miss Ryuu at the Hostess of Fertility restaurant. Actual combat training was absolutely the fastest way to adapt.
More importantly, Ron also wanted to test something.
After becoming an upper-tier adventurer, would he be able, during real sparring, to truly land an attack on Ryuu using a training wooden sword?
Just as Ron was planning his next objectives, Hestia had already completely burned the parchment away, her Familia having created a brand-new world record.
As a goddess, her emotions were naturally surging. Immediately afterward, however, a question began to trouble her. Usually, after an adventurer completed a level ascension, a title would be bestowed upon them.
On this matter, she had to ask for Ron's opinion.
"Ron."
The girl lightly swung her legs, the slightly curved corners of her eyes brimming with joy. "About the title—do you have any thoughts?"
"Well…"
"Titles aren't really something we can fully decide on ourselves."
This was precisely what Hestia was worried about.
After reporting the adventurer who had ascended to Lv2 to the Guild, the Guild would later select a time to convene a Gods' Assembly, comprehensively reviewing the adventurer's experiences at that stage.
Then, through deliberation among the gods, the final title would be determined.
In other words, it was purely about face. Back in Heaven, as long as one had good divine connections, the title chosen for their Familia member would usually be granted without much objection from the other gods.
And as for herself in Heaven… she basically stayed at home every day, rarely participating in gatherings with other gods. The only ones she was truly close to were Hephaestus and Takemikazuchi.
Thinking of this, a sparkle burst forth in the girl's eyes as she added, "If you have a fairly concrete idea, Ron, I can also ask Hephaestus for help."
"As long as she makes the proposal, the other gods will be willing to go along with it."
"I haven't really thought it through yet."
Titles could be replaced and overwritten anyway.
Besides—Ron did not particularly care about such empty fame. If he truly had a choice, then "Tarnished" would probably be a decent option.
After all, the reason he transmigrated into the world of DanMachi was that he had stayed up all night, messing around while clearing Elden Ring using Frenzied Flame weapons and incantations—and then got run over by a truck.
Compared to all that, Ron looked to his side, at the girl whose eyes seemed to contain a sky full of dazzling stars, and made a serious suggestion: "Lady Hestia, I think right now…"
"We should go to the restaurant and properly enjoy a celebratory feast for the level breakthrough!"
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