Hey.

Back with improved Chapter 3.

Not a whole lot else to say, tho, as most of you probably already know what happened in this Chapter.

So I'll just leave it at that.

Kay bye.

XXX

"Will this be all?" The beautiful silver haired girl asked as she placed the potions on the counter. Fuzen had been told by his seniors in the Guild that their Familia and the Dian Cecht Familia had a sort of alliance, at least as far as business partners could use the word.

As Loki Familia was one of the few remaining Familia in the city who had the strength to launch expeditions beyond the 50th Floor of the Dungeon, they were always in need of potions as well as healing items. It was only logical, then, to strike a deal with a likewise well known medicinal-type Familia. In exchange for good discounts on potions, Loki Familia would gather rare materials needed for high-tier potions from the Deep Levels. A give and take exchange, so to say. Even the Quest he did a while ago was the result of this deal between Loki and Dian Cecht.

With that in mind, he was advised to buy anything potion related from their Familia, as he would receive discounts, and also show good loyalty as a customer to thealliedmedicinal Familia.

Fuzen looked over the potions on the counter: six low-tier healing potions, three mid-tier healing potions and lots of anti-poison potions, low and mid tier alike. He certainly needed those more than anything else. Though most Level 2 Adventurers had the Abnormal Resistance Development Ability, he himself lacked it.

After all, he arrived in Orario after he reached Level 2, and by then he had already received another Ability upon his Level Up, called Sword Disciple. Thus his heavy reliance on potions which cured ailments.

After doing a quick check, he nodded, and looked back at the girl behind the counter. They were certainly not friends, but she was always there when he came for potions, and so he at least had a solid customer-doctor relation with her.

Still, he wonderer why she was the only one tending to customers all the time. As far as he knew, she was also a Level 2, so focusing on making potions would be a more effective use of her abilities...No, it wasn't his business. He would not ask. "Yes, this will do."

"Then that will be seventy thousand Valis." She informed with a warm smile. However, something felt off.

Fuzen knew most potion prices on the fly, thanks to his frequent use of them. The potions he was buying should come to a total of...eighty five thousand Valis, more or less. Though he was part of the Loki Familia, the discount anyone but the executives received was somewhere between five and eight percent off, depending on what they bought. However, going all the way down to seventy thousand was...like, fifteen...no, seventeen percent? Urgh..He disliked mathematics.

"...I apologize for doubting you, but mayhaps you made a mistake while calculating? The discount seems too much." Was he making a mistake by pointing this out? If he were to use a western mindset, they most probably yes, this was a mistake. Even if it was not his fault but the clerk's fault for miscalculating, he was getting a good deal. Meaning he could save some money and use it somewhere else. That might...no, that most probably is what a person born in this city would think.

However, he was not that person. Though he did not walk the path of Bushido like the Samurai of his country, his own school of sword style also had strict moral codes. Making use of this girl's mistake was definitely something he was not taught to do.

"Please do not worry about it. The discount is as it should be." She assured him.

"...No, I am certain this is not correct. Mayhaps if we both calculate it, we can find the error."

"As I said, please do not worry about it."

He could not understand.

Why was this girl so stubborn about it? Maybe...her mistake was shameful to her, and she tried to cover it behind a smile? Even though he could understand being frustrated at one's own shameful mistakes and conducts, he could still not allow himself to use this for himself. "But-"

"You are going to the Dungeon, yes? By yourself?" Amid cut him off before he could press the matter further.

"...I am."

"Then make sure to return safely, ok?"

….I don't understand. Why did she say that all of a sudden? And what does it have to do with our original discussion regarding the discount…?...No, I cannot comprehend.

"...I still believe we should calculate this to avoid an unfair turn of events in my favour…But I will believe in your words, Teasanare-sama. I gracefully accept this price." He bowed his head respectfully before proceeding to take out the amount of Valis out of his medium-sized backpack which he prepared for today's journey. Once the transaction was complete, he bowed once again to Amid and made for his next stop: the Adventurer's food shop.

Dungeon exploration involved a lot of walking and many hours, or days, depending on the Floor you were aiming for, to reach your destination. Naturally, one had to pack food with them, but the food also had to be suitable for the Dungeon. This meant dried food, and as this was the Dungeon City of Orario, there were shops who specialized in that.

In reality, it would be better to simply buy food from the town on the 18th Floor, Rivira, however the people living there put mind-boggling prices on their wares, and though Fuzen did not lack financially, he also did not possess the wealth for the prices there.

Overall, he did not use much money for himself. He had been raised in a minimalistic household, and he needed few things. Being a Level 2 Adventurer who dwelled into the Middle Floors on his own after training, he made quite a lot of money, and even after donating most of it to the Loki Familia, he was still left with a good amount.

However, he had been entrusted with an important sword, and that sword needed regular tending. When he arrived in Orario and joined the Loki Familia, he asked the Goddess to be told the name of the best smith in town. Only that blacksmith would know how to tend to the sword. Luckily for him, the Executive Gareth already had a contract with the Hephaestus Familia Captain, and she was more than happy to tend to his sword after realizing it's worth and weapon class.

Still, it was a Captain of the best smithing Familia in town, and her services were not cheap. That is where most of his own earnings went.

All things said, he stocked up on jerky, dried food and nuts and biscuits to last him for a week, and made his way to the Babel. As he walked, his eyes drifted to his hip. The sword entrusted to him was not there, instead replaced by another katana forged by Tsubaki, the Captain of the Hephaestus Familia, herself.

Fuzen had exactly four swords in his possession, all of them katana: Raiju no Yoki, the sword entrusted to him, the Raiju no Yoki replica he used exclusively for training, his chisa katana for his quick draw techniques, and this other katana, which Tsubaki named Ichigeki, translating to One Hit Certain Kill. She forged it specifically for him, free of charge, simply as a display of gratitude for allowing her to hold and tend to a weapon as ancient as Raiju no Yoki.

He declined quite extensively, however the half-dwarf woman was way over the level of pushy Fuzen could deal with, and so in the end, he accepted the katana gratefully. It was also a good blade, and although nowhere near the level of his entrusted sword, it was nonetheless a second-tier weapon of reliable sharpness.

For the journey ahead of him, Fuzen only took Ichigeki and his chisa katana with him. Raiju no Yoki was wrapped neatly in a cloth and laid on his bed back at the Twilight Manor, along with a note that should something happen, his wish was for it to be transported back to his country, to the God he grew up under.

He brought shame to his Sword Style two weeks ago, during the Quest. He had grown comfortable after defeating the same monsters from the Floors he dwelled into after his daily training. And so, when he stepped foot into the Floors required by the Quest for the first time, he failed.

He let his emotions get the better of him.

He didn't let it show, mostly because he had a hard time expressing himself emotionally. Emotions were something that he only felt on the inside, but never showed on the outside. He knew he had been of help to his party.

He still defeated the Monsters. He still defeated the Green Dragon. But not how he should have done it.

All the training he did, all the studying of the Dungeon Floors and it's Monsters he went through, all the meditations he engaged in, all of that, and he still panicked in front of Monsters he saw for the first time in front of him, and not in rough sketches from the books.

Was my spirit truly this weak?

Though he mostly braved the Dungeon on his own, as it was still training and within the agreement between him and Loki, there was a time when he had to be in a group until he would get more familiar with the Dungeon. That was the entire duration his first month in the Familia, nine months ago. It was when he reached his highest achieved Floor, the 17th Floor, as part of a party of Level 2's from his Familia.

However, after his first month he had to focus even more on his training, for he realized that his mastery over his Sword Style was lacking against the Monsters there, and thus left the party for his training. Six months later, after diligent training each day followed by going all the way to the 17th Floor, he broke past the wall that was the Monsters there. Now he could even nap there and it was no danger to him at all.

And that was exactly the problem.

For the last two weeks, he meditated on why he failed himself and his Sword Style during the Quest, and that was the answer he came up with.

He grew comfortable and no longer strived for the next wall to cut through. After honing his skills to surpass that of the 17th Floor, he continued with the training for that level of difficulty. He believed it would be enough for the Floor beyond that, as well.

And when the time of truth came, he understood that he was wrong. The Monsters on the 24th Floor were stronger, faster and more durable than he expected them to be. He had failed the very path he choose to walk.

He had not failed if he were to compare his actions to the world's standards. The Monsters still fell down before him in a single strike. But nonetheless, he failed, for he had been shaken by the unexpected strength they had, and fear leads to panic, while panic leads to strikes unfit of his Sword Style.

He had killed the Monsters instead of cutting them. This...could not be allowed anymore.

His legs stopped, and he looked at the stairs in front of him. With all the self-examination he ran through his mind, he had already arrived at the Babel Tower on auto-pilot without his realization. Fuzen looked around him: it was still early, so only a couple of parties were gathering outside the stairs which led to the bowels of the Dungeon.

He took a couple of seconds to gather himself. He had not told anyone at the Familia where exactly he was headed. He only left behind a note which resembled something akin to his will.

His Goddess and his Captain were good people, too good for him. They would probably worry and send someone to look for him. He knew he was going to cause a lot of problems for others, but he needed to do it like this. Had he told someone beforehand of his plan, even if they nod and say they understand, he was more than certain at least a member would tail him and intervene if things looked dangerous.

That, he couldn't allow to happen. If fear was what was holding him back, then he would look it in the face and overcome it. And if, by some chance, the training he endured for so many years would fail him, then that simply meant he was a man who could only go so far.

It would simply mean he was not worthy of the goal he set for himself.

With a nod, he took his first step forward, and began the long descent into the Dungeon. His mind was set. In the end, nothing truly changed. Everything in life was do or die. He trained for the do part, but forgot that the die part was also a very real thing. Time to remind himself of it, then.

These stairs...will either take me up, or down...Heh...stairs, up, down...Heh...Hehe…

"...I want to turn back…"

XXX

The sword flashed downwards, and another leaf had become two, as did the many others before it. A step forward, a roll on her heal, and with a single horizontal strike, three more falling leaves were cleanly bisected. In a single fluid motion, the rapier found itself back in it's scabbard, it's owner golden eyes following the leaves as they slowly descended to the ground.

As fate would have it, the Loki Familia did not have a single driven swordsman as one of it's members, but rather two. Nonetheless, with seven years of experience in the Familia, it was a fact that Ais Wallenstein had been the first...abnormal swordswoman under Loki's wing.

Her desire...no, at this point one could call it a thirst for power was well known among the other Familia members. She was the only person thus far to become Level 2 within a single year, and that at the age of eight years, no less. Truth be told, the drive and ferocity she showed had been abnormal enough to make even older and more experienced members fearful of her. Poor Raul.

Without losing time and training as hard as she could, the girl quickly conquered the Levels others needed years upon years to achieve.

Level 3.

Level 4.

And now, even Level 5.

In the beginning, her rising fame was enough for powerful members from other Familia to actively seek her out, be it outside or inside the Dungeon. One by one, she had defeated them all.

And so, at a point in time, it ceased. She is the Sword Princess, not like I can win against her. With thoughts like that, people no longer tried to compete to her. They no longer challenged her.

Ais didn't exactly miss the countless people running after her, begging to fight her, nor the sketchy ones attacking her by surprise in the Dungeon. However, she was slightly...disappointed that no one challenged her simply because she was the Sword Princess.

And then, he appeared before her.

A foreign boy, who waited two days simply to challenge her. Inside her heart, she felt a bit of excitement upon hearing of this. She doubted a young boy could actually prove a match for her, but she welcomed his drive. Even know, she could vividly remember that duel.

She drew her rapier, and took her stance.

The boy grabbed the scabbard of his shorter katana, and leaned forward, towards her.

Finn gave the signal to start.

She took a dashing step forward, rapier ready to strike the boy horizontally from her left side.

The boy did not move. He was still waiting. His eyes were not following her movement, they were simply fixed on her centre.

Ais reached him, ready to strike. The boy also stepped forward, getting closer to her. As her sword arm began to get closer to striking him, he stepped to the side.

The pommel of his katana struck the hilt of the rapier in her hand. Her weapon flew away, he stepped back in front of her, and fully drew the katana.

After many years, Ais got to feel again the cold touch of a blade pressing against her skin. She also felt her blood being drawn. Thankfully, the boy was skilful enough to stop his strike before it would have truly hurt her.

And so, with her mouth agape just like everyone else present, her Captain and Goddess included, Ais Wallenstein lost.

A Level 5 against a Level 2.

Even now, she could not comprehend how that was possible. A Level 2 could barely win against a Level 3, and that was only possible if said person was a high-end Level 2.

And still, she lost. A few months after said boy, Fuzen, joined her Familia, she had asked him how he did it.

...Alas, that is a matter for another time.He dismissed her question entirely, and asked in return if he could be allowed to continue training. That was the case for the next six times she asked him. It was infuriating, but it's not like she could force him to tell her. All she could do was challenge him to fight her, as she had done regularly after he joined. Sadly, she never won.

...I'm stronger than last time. This time...for sure...She made up her mind, and made her way to him.

As it so happened, both Ais and Fuzen used the same garden to train, the only difference being that Fuzen trained on the left side of the Manor, while Ais on the right. It wasn't even something which they agreed on, it just...happened, and both accepted it as such.

"…Hm? Strange…" For as long as he had been part of the Familia, Fuzen had always trained his sword techniques in the spot Ais was now standing on. However, he was nowhere to be seen.

Strange indeed. He woke up earlier than even her.

Is he...on a break? I'll just wait here...He should return here, as always…

XXX

The Dungeon was a strange thing. Simply a construct, but also alive at the same time. It's depth, undetermined. It's danger...well, that was yet to be seen exactly. Monsters were being born from the very walls, and everything from forests, deserts, snow-covered fields and much more could be found inside the Dungeon.

Throw a stone, and you'll hit a Monster. Destroy a wall, and it will heal on it's own...Cut through the floor and you'll land on the next Dungeon Floor.

Efficient life-cheats for the win.

Fuzen thought to himself with a solemn nod as he stood on the circular floor disk he had cut out, now falling from the ceiling onto the 20th Floor. Naturally, not everyone could cut through the thick floor of the Dungeon, but with the right movement and technique, it was possible. I wonder if this would actually be seen as being lazy…?...No, I don't think so. It's simply the most efficient way of utilizing my surroundings to my advantage.

Now nearing the ground, he jumped off the falling debris, and landed safely on the ground. The noise from the debris would quickly draw the attention of Monsters. He had only a short while before they would show up.

He quickly jumped onto a tree, and placed his backpack there. Though it was only medium-sized and he packed lightly, it's size would hinder his movements once the fighting would begin. He grabbed an anti-poison potion from the inside and drank it. It's effects would hold for a while, so he didn't have to worry about getting poisoned. He also doubled-checked the pouch at his hip: healing potions, check, anti-poison potions, check, two rolls of bandages, check. That was all he could carry without hindering his movements. The pouch was also enhanced, so it would withstand a great amount of pressure, keeping the potions safe and intact.

...Right. Time to do this...Fuzen turned around, and looked quickly at his surroundings from the high ground. He had memorized most maps of the Dungeon Floors, however overlapping them on one another was still slightly too hard for him to do. As he used the Floor Diving Technique to cut the time needed on descending into the Dungeon ever since the 10th Floor, he kind of lost track of where exactly he was on each Floor.

Hmm...I think I know where I am...The stairs up are that way...The way down in that direction...From his vantage point, he noticed Monsters making their way towards him. Trolls, by the look of it. And a whole group of them. ...This is what I came here for. Fight the unknown, get over the wall called fear, which was born out of my own mistakes. Because I got too comfortable...Sigh...Do or die, as always.

He jumped down, and waited for the group of Trolls. There were five of them. Sickly-green skin, over three and a half meters in height. Sharp teeth, a nasty smell and big, bulging eyes.

...Yeah. I can take them out in one hit, and they can take me out in one hit. This is good. This is fair.

His hand reached for his sword. It trembled a bit, but after getting his breathing under control, it stopped. Now he was feeling it. Unlike on the Floors he had grown comfortable in, he was sensing his own mortality. One hit, one mistake, one slip, one miscalculation and it's all over.

The Trolls didn't lose any time, either, and they all grabbed onto the bark of the nearest tree to them. The tree bark disintegrated, as did most of the tree itself, leaving behind only a hardened, wooden club for the Monsters to use as weapons.

And so, it begun. As expected, the Trolls attacked first, the front runner raising his club and letting it fall down on Fuzen. The Adventurer saw it coming, and stepped to the side, then rushed forward. Thanks to the heavy weight of the club, the troll was still leaned forward, not having regained his footing yet.

Fuzen dashed forward, close enough to strike. Immediately, he noticed countless openings: the knees, the arm, the shoulder, the sides, even the neck was within cutting distance as the Monster was leaned forward.

It's fine. I can do it. I can kill-

"No."

He raised his leg and used the Troll's body to push himself backwards, once again gaining distance between himself and the group.

It was shameful, but he had to admit it: he was scared at the moment. Scared that if his strike did not bring the enemy down on the first try, an opening would be created, which the Monsters could exploit, resulting in his death. As such, unconsciously, he was about to turn his strike into a pure killing strike.

As I am right now, my strikes would only kill my enemies. I would not be able to honour my Sword Style, and keep it's foundation behind my every blow.

Do not kill the enemy, cut the enemy.

During the Quest two weeks ago, he made that grave mistake. He didn't cut the Monsters which attacked him and his party, he simply killed them.

That could not be allowed.

During his short exchange with the Troll, another group found it's way towards him, from the right side. Three of them, all also equipped with clubs. A horizontal swig came his way. Fuzen ran towards it, sliding underneath at the last second. As the enemy was still regaining his footing from the big motion, Fuzen jumped on his forearm, then again on his shoulder.

Once again, he grabbed the hilt of his sword. The enemy's neck was there, before him. One single strike, and he could kill-

"No."

Disappointed in himself, Fuzen jumped down again, to a position where all enemies were in front of him. So disappointing, how he could honour his Sword Style when confronting enemies he had experience against, enemies he knew would fall to one strike of his sword, but not against Monsters he was facing for the first time.

I do not need to kill. I know I can kill. My natural talent with a blade can assure that. I need to honour the ideology behind my Sword Style, and just cut the enemy before me. That is all.

But how? As he dodged attacks from left and right, each of which had enough power behind them to turn his bones into powder, he realized what he needed to do. Using a gap between the enemies, he managed to leave the Monsters which surrounded him.

His idea was not wise, far from it, but it was all he could think of.

If it's my mentality, my subconscious, which is holding me back from cutting by trying to force me to turn my strikes into pure killing strikes to ensure my survival, then I just need to show myself that my Style will work against the enemy. Starting with the non-combat techniques.

With a nod, he drew both swords from his waist, still sheathed in their scabbards, and threw them on the ground. "...There. I am no longer a threat to you, but now you are a complete threat to me."

Growl!

As if understanding his taunt, the nearest three Trolls all took running, their weapons raised and ready to strike down on the Adventurer before them.

"...No-Sword Lightning Style: Amble Lightning Stride." With his breathing lowered to a rhythm applicable for the Movement Style he decided to use, Fuzen took a slow and relaxed step forward, then another, then another. From another's point of view, he would appear to be enjoying a relaxing walk through the park, would he not walk right towards Monsters many times his own height.

Rooar!

The first club came down on him. He continued to walk forward. His eyes were not darting around trying to look at the enemy, he simply looked forward. All else did not matter. The club continued to come down, closer and closer to him. It would be a mere second before it would make contact with him.

Finally, it came down, powerful enough to leave a hole in the ground. If it had any sort of intelligence, the Troll might have smirked at his certain victory.

Fuzen continued to walk forward, his body now facing just slightly to the right as to pass by the Troll, like a person might pass another while walking on the same narrow street.

And so, the second round began.

XXX

He's late. Ais thought as she noticed the difference in the sun's position, high above her. She decided to wait for the easterner boy at his usual training spot, but unable to simply stay still, Ais decided to practice her own strikes while waiting. Going by the sun's position, roughly one hour passed since she decided to wait. And still, this was strange.

The boy never skipped on his training regime. Going by the time of the day, he should be here, practicing his sword techniques, as he had been doing since joining the Familia. So then, why was he not here?

...I want to spar...Ais pouted as she sheathed her rapier. Should I go look for him…?

She turned around and made her way back inside. Just as she was about to open the door leading inside at the terrace, she almost bumped into her Captain.

"Finn?"

"Oh. Hello, Ais. Finished training?" He asked. As the Captain, he knew what most of his subordinates did in their free time, and so he knew Ais had been training.

"...Yes."

"Don't forget to rest, too. That too is important."

"...Yes."

"Anyway, I have some business with the other swordsman, so I'll be going." He waved at her, and made for the garden.

"…? Fuzen's not there."

"Hm?"

"He's not there. I've been waiting for an hour, but he didn't show up."

"Hmm...Strange."

"Yes."

"...I doubt he would go to the Dungeon this early. He might be in his room." The Captain stated with a certain nod. "He does receive regular letters from someone, and he always takes his time reading them."

"...Oh. I didn't knew."

"Few do. I'm the Captain, though." He laughed lightly. Indeed, as the Captain, he needed to know things about his members. Not all of them were open to the idea, though, so it fell upon his shoulders to find out more. "I'll go and check his room."

"...I'm coming, too."

"Hmm?...Ah, a duel again?"

Ais simply nodded as she followed a single step behind her Captain. Once on the first floor of the Manor, the two took the left corridor, and then another left at the far end. This was the Loki Familia's storage area, and where Fuzen's room was located. Naturally, he was offered the chance of living in a room with other Familia members, like most others besides the Executives. However, he declined the offer, and asked for the smallest room they had available. At the time, the only one which would fit that description was a small storage room which had not been used. That is the room he choose for himself, as Loki said they didn't need the storage space anyway, so why not let him have it if he wants it?

"Fuzen, it's Finn. I'm coming in." The Captain knocked thrice and then opened the door. Behind the door was a small, three by three meters square. A simple, one person bed on the right, a wooden desk and chair on the far left and a drawer at on the right side of the entrance, and a small window on the opposite side of the door. However, no sign of Fuzen.

"...He's not here, either?" Finn voiced as he stepped inside the room. "Well, that's certainly a first-...Hm?" Once he looked closer, Finn noticed the distinguishable form of a sword, wrapped in a clean white cloth, laying on the bed.

...His sword?...He never leaves this sword out of his sight...

Besides the sword, Finn also noticed a folded piece of paper on the desk. He picked it up, and read out loud. "...I am off to training. If I do not return by the time two weeks pass, please make sure that the sword is returned to the God Hachiman from the Far East. In my drawer is a bag with money, use it for the transportation fees. Fuzen."

"...Finn."

"...Yeah. He probably went to the Dungeon."

"...Is it alright?"

"Hmm…" A good question, one which Finn needed to ponder on. He was a Familia member. However, he had struck a promise between him and Loki herself. There were conditions they agreed upon: he would have free reign over his time in the Familia, training as he saw fit. Likewise, he would do whatever Loki decided on. Even Finn had to ask her if it was acceptable to send Fuzen on that one Quest a while ago. He knew she would agree, as she wanted to hear more about the boy's achievements, however had she disagreed, then Finn would have been forced to find another member. That is also why the one expedition that the Loki Familia launched in the months since Fuzen joined did not include the boy.

...But even so, this letter clearly tells us that he decided to go do something dangerous which might result in his death. Even if this is between him and Loki, or for the sake of his training, to leave him alone...is not what a Captain does.

"...Well, as luck would have it, I am done with my work for today, and I was just about to go and stretch a bit in the Dungeon. Might as well look for Fuzen while I'm at it."

"...I'm coming, too."

"Hmhm, why not?" Finn shrugged, placing the letter in his pocket. "I'll grab my gear. Meet me by the gate in twenty minutes."

"Mhm." The blonde girl nodded, and the two split apart, each going to get prepared.

I don't think there is a need to get desperate in our search. He can take good care of himself. Finn thought as he contemplated on his member's actions. I wonder why the sudden change of heart, though. From what Aki reported to me a while ago, Fuzen was remarkable during the Quest he was part of...Doesn't matter, I'll ask when I find him.

Oh, and he would find him.

But, where to start? He could be anywhere within the Dungeon…

Something must have changed after he stepped foot into the 24th Floor with the party. He would definitely begin his training there. However, he does not have the Abnormal Resistance Ability. Anti-poison potions are a necessity for him...Yeah, Dian Cecht Familia. He was definitely there before descending into the Dungeon. I'll ask there first.

XXX

If his inner clock was right, roughly half an hour passed since his arrival on the 20th Floor. Naturally, his initial group of eight Troll enemies got larger the more he extended the fight, the battle sounds and the monstrous roars drawing ever more Monsters to his locations. Eight Trolls soon turned to fifteen, and fifteen to twenty-three and twelve Gun Libellulas.

Nonetheless, he continued his Amble Lighting Stride. Even when the enemies tried to bludgeon him to death by attack simultaneously with their clubs from above, he simply changed the direction he walked towards, and the attacks brushed past him. Even when the flying Gun Libellulas tried to shoot him with their projectiles from above, he simply walked in a zig-zag pattern, and the projectiles misses him.

The Monsters were fuming with frustration. He could see it. He could sense it. He was but a small fishing ship caught between an armada of man-of-war ships, all shooting at him. No offensive nor defensive skills, surviving by simply trusting in the water currents which were, in his case, the Lightning Sword Style Techniques to pull him out of this ordeal.

As luck would have it, however, the Trolls low intelligence, combined with their accumulated frustration, brought them to the point where they began to swing their clubs around while roaring, hitting their own kinsmen in the process. Four Trolls were reduced to dust that way.

And now, after half an hour of observing his enemies, and getting to know them? He was surrounded by Magic Stones as big as his own palms.

Once he felt something within him change, the fear within his heart starting to melt away, Fuzen walked back to his swords through the ranks of Monsters. He only grabbed Ichigeki, and drew it from the scabbard, which he let fall down on the ground again. For now, he would not require quick-draw techniques.

He began to walk towards the group of exhausted Trolls.

One of them rushed him, club raised high. He let it fall down once again. Before the swig could reach even half of it's motion, the Troll's hand went flying from the wrist down. It howled and cried as the pain spread through his arm. Fuzen walked on, slashing low once, cutting both of the Troll's knees. As it fell down on the now useless joints, the boy switched to a reverse-grip and slashed the Troll's abdomen as he walked past him. One enemy down.

Next, he used the Troll's bodies to jump high towards the Gun Libellulas, and bisected the giant flying dragonflies before they could fly away before descending down towards his initial enemies and taking one of them down after each jump.

And now?

Now, only two trolls remained. He cut their clubs in two already, and the Monsters only had their fists as weapons now. The closer of the two Trolls decided for a straight punch. It was something Fuzen expected, and so he held his katana to his side, ready to strike. Once the Troll's arm was perfectly straight, Fuzen slashed from the ground upwards, and cleanly cut the arm in two, from the centre of the middle finger all the way up to the elbow. The Monster roared in pain as it withdrew the now useless and parted arm. In it's blind anger, however, it still raised it's left arm and tried to crush Fuzen under the weight of it's fist.

The easterner boy jumped forward, as low as possible, low enough to avoid the enemy attack. A forward roll. A quick turn, his back now to the enemy, and an arc slash upwards. The left arm came cleanly off. A perfect cut.

"...Rising Lighting." He had disarmed his enemy. But, it was not over. With a knee still on the ground, he grabbed the hilt of his katana with both hands. "...Half-Moon Lightning Arc." With a spin almost fast enough to create an after-image, he turned and cleanly cut off the left leg of the troll. After he fell to the ground, Fuzen walked past him and slashed at his throat.

One enemy remained. Incredibly enough, he did not run away. Mayhaps some sort of Monster pride to not run away from the puny human?

It didn't matter.

He would fall.

Fuzen took his stance, sword held with both hands to his side. The Monster gritted his teeth in anger, and clenched his fists. He took a step forward.

"Lightning Sword Style: Replacing Heaven and Earth."

As it tried to take the second step, the Troll no longer felt he had the necessary appendage for the action, and fell face-first into the ground. Now behind the Monster, Fuzen slashed downwards once, getting the blood off his katana. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed the dust trail he lifted off in his dash. It was one of the techniques he did not manage to master just yet.

Having cut the head off the last legless Troll, Fuzen sheathed his katana again and fastened them to their original place at his hip. Luckily no one touched the tree where he left his bag, and so he climbed on the branch and took out his water canteen. After so much usage of his Amble Lighting Stride, his throat felt completely dry and parched.

...It was...better. I no longer felt forced to turn each strike into a killing strike. However, I also did not experience the mindset my Sword Style teaches. Does this mean I have not completely overcome my fear? Or...something else?...This is complicated...

He jumped down from the tree, backpack over his left shoulder, ready to be thrown aside as soon as the situation called for it. There was only one way to truly test himself, and for that, he needed stronger enemies.

He could even kill the Monsters on the 24th Floor in a single strike. He needed...something else. A bigger challenge, one which he could not cut down in a single strike. But where could he find such a challenge…?

...For now, I'll simply descend further down. If I can get an answer to this dilemma I have, then no risk is high enough.

Following the image of the Floor map he had in his mind, Fuzen walked to the spot he believed would be the best, and began cutting away at the Floor. He wasn't going to waste time by taking the stairs down Floor by Floor.

Wait. He thought as he was falling down fast onto the next Floor on the piece of ground he cut from the Floor above.

...Falling down Floor by Floor is a good and efficient life-cheat, but...how do I get back up-..?….Ahhh, man...He thought he was clever when this idea popped in his mind.

Again, how wrong he was...In the end, there was no escaping the stairs.

XXX

PS: Fuzen doing his best to be lazy while calling it an efficient use of time to avoid bringing shame upon his Sword Style. Certainly not the influence of a certain laughing maniac.