Eina seemed to have an early shift today.
Linn yawned as he pushed open the door to Eina's house.
"I'm heading out," he called out to the empty house before closing the door behind him.
His destination today was clear: the deeper levels of the Dungeon. He wanted to reach at least the Middle Floors to see if the monsters or the environment there held any specific clues regarding the "Shadows of the Great Runes."
He strolled toward the Adventurers' Guild, planning to restock on consumables and see if there was any fresh intel on the Middle Floors.
The Guild hall was as bustling as ever. Adventurers were gathered in small groups, loudly discussing yesterday's hauls and today's plans. Linn expertly wove through the crowd toward Eina's counter.
"Good morning, Miss Eina."
"Ah, Mr. Linn! Good morning!" Eina looked up and gave him a warm smile. "Heading to the Dungeon again? Is your body..."
"I'm fine, really. Back in tip-top shape," Linn waved it off and asked directly, "I wanted to ask—is there any map data or monster distribution intel for the areas past the 13th Floor? The Middle Floors?"
"The Middle Floors?" Eina's expression turned serious. "Mr. Linn, the Middle Floors are extremely dangerous. Usually, only parties of Level 2 adventurers or higher dare to enter. You're still a Level 1; I strongly advise against—"
Before she could finish, a manic, familiar voice boomed through the Guild hall like a clap of thunder, instantly drowning out the chatter.
"Oi! You, the black-haired brat named Linn! Get your ass out here!"
The entire hall fell silent in an instant.
The eyes of every adventurer present snapped toward the source of the noise. Standing at the Guild's entrance was Bete Loga, radiating a murderous aura. His golden, wolf-like eyes scanned the crowd like searchlights.
His undisguised bloodlust and the sheer pressure of a Level 5 powerhouse made most of the adventurers present feel a pang of dread, causing them to shrink back and clear a path.
"It's... it's the Loki Familia's 'Flashing Wolf'!"
"What's he doing here? Who's he picking a fight with?"
"He shouted a name... Linn?"
In the crowd, a few adventurers who knew about the conflict from a few days ago wore expressions of people expecting a good show. The majority, however, were just bewildered, wondering what idiot had managed to provoke this mad wolf.
Linn let out a sigh. This guy again. He remembered him as the rude one with the permanent scowl.
He turned around and waved a hand at the aggressive figure by the door, his tone as flat as if he were greeting a neighbor.
"Yo. Looking for me?"
Bete's gaze locked onto him instantly, his eyes flashing with a terrifying, predatory light. He closed the distance in a few strides, looming over Linn and snarling through gritted teeth:
"Finally found you, you coward who only knows how to hide behind a turtle shell!"
"Turtle shell?" Linn blinked, only then realizing Bete was talking about his buckler. "Oh, that. What's the matter? Was the kick last time not enough? Is your foot better and you want a round two?"
"You...!"
The veins on Bete's forehead throbbed at Linn's casual attitude. He fought down the urge to cave in that face right then and there, growling, "Cut the crap! I came here today to prove something!"
He jabbed a finger out, nearly poking Linn in the nose.
"Today! Right here! We're having a rematch! I won't be fooled by that shield again!"
His voice was loud, ensuring everyone in the building heard him clearly. The surrounding adventurers erupted into a frenzy of whispers.
"What? The 'Flashing Wolf' is challenging a rookie to a duel?"
"Isn't that just bullying?"
"Who is this rookie anyway? How did he get Bete this worked up?"
Eina, panicking, hurried from behind the counter to stand between the two. "Mr. Bete! Please, calm down! This is the Guild; private duels are strictly forbidden!"
"Get out of my way!" Bete shoved Eina aside—though he controlled his strength well, only making her stumble back a few steps. His eyes were fixed solely on Linn. "Well? Do you have the guts? If you don't, admit right now that you're just small-fry, and I'll let you walk!"
Linn looked at his "I've got you now" swagger. Instead of getting angry, he found it somewhat amusing. He usually wouldn't bother with such nonsense, but Bete's words reminded him of something.
Shadows of Great Runes... Demigods...
This guy in front of him wasn't a god, but he was supposedly one of the top adventurers in Orario. Could he find some clues from him? Or rather, if he beat the man up, would something special drop?
At that thought, the look in Linn's eyes shifted. A glint appeared in his pupils—the look of a hunter spotting prey.
"Sure."
Linn agreed cleanly, even taking a step forward to close the distance. That calm gaze made Bete's heart skip a beat for some inexplicable reason.
"However, this place is too small to move around in." Linn glanced around the Guild hall and shrugged. "How about we go to the training grounds outside the city? Or, we could just head straight into the Dungeon."
"You're asking for death!" Bete laughed in fury. He hadn't expected the kid to not only agree but to turn around and provoke him further.
The crowd was in a total uproar!
Is this rookie insane? A Level 1 actually accepting a duel from the Level 5 'Flashing Wolf'? And he suggested a no-holds-barred location?
"Mr. Linn!" Eina's face turned pale. She never dreamed things would escalate to this point.
Just as Bete's muscles bulged and his battle intent reached its peak—just as he was about to grab Linn by the collar and drag him out—
"Both of you, stop this instant!"
A crisp voice, laden with a frost-like anger, cut through the noise. It wasn't loud, but it clearly suppressed every other whisper in the hall.
Everyone turned to look. Eina Tulle, the half-elf clerk who had looked so anxious just a moment ago, was now standing between the two men.
The gentle smile she usually wore had vanished, replaced by a sternness that made people's spines tingle. Her beautiful eyes, usually full of warmth, were now fixed coldly on Bete Loga.
"Mr. Bete," Eina said, her voice devoid of emotion. "You are an executive of a top-tier Familia, a first-class adventurer at Level 5. Meanwhile, Mr. Linn is a rookie who just registered a few days ago and is only Level 1."
She took a step forward. Her small frame seemed to radiate the pressure of a mountain, forcing Bete to instinctively halt his movements.
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Danmachi: My Primary God is Hidetaka Miyazaki? (Simulpub – Ongoing)
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