Chapter 28: An Abrupt Holiday

Despite the radiant view, Hit did not have too much time to gawk at the sights, with Gareth insisting that he had to meet at the prearranged site as a safety measure, ensuring no one was left behind. Hit decided to take his order as a mild suggestion, and timeskipped behind a large boulder, before performing a strategic withdrawal. Hit had employed another of his emergent techniques: by intermittently activating time skip during a sprint, he could shorten the distance to his destination, and get there much more quickly, despite not running any faster. The dwarf's bellows and orders to come back were also interpreted as light encouragement.

Not long after, Hit bounded up the immense tree at the centre of the floor, likely thousands of years old, and made his way to its apex. Leaping from branch to branch reminded Hit of his initial training, in the village he used to call home. Pterosaur-like creatures and birds circled the canopy, likely nesting there. Looking at the vast forests below, Hit saw that the crystals were not restricted to the roof, conferring a blue glow to the vegetation.

"Beautiful... This is the perfect training and holiday spot."

Hit's other reason for coming here, was the floor's useful positioning. Since it was one of the middle floors, Hit could go straight to the floors above, and skip the fodder on floors 1-9; he would still need to avoid fights with too many level 2 monsters though. Although, perhaps not the best idea, he'd even be able to dip a toe into the unknown 19th floor. Hit's eyes caught the other reasons for his visit: Rivira and the immense pools of water.

Rivira looked like a brownish assembly of boxes from Hit's great height, smaller than he was expecting. Hit was no longer interested in exchanging monster stones illegally, but part of him missed exploring shady organisations. Prior to his demise, Hit had been doing his job for centuries; it was strange to have so much free time.

This floor was also a sort of tourist site, restricted to adventurers. For this reason, it was known as the Under Resort. According to the literature, many adventurers used the various pools of water here as bathing sites, due to their cleanliness. The water had been filtered throughout the entire dungeon above and was said to be enriched with magical healing properties. That might have been an exaggeration to draw in tourists, but Hit wanted to give them a try. He took off his armour and clothes and placed them into a neat pile.

"Time to fly."

Hit shot up and ran across a branch, directly above a deep body of water. Like a diving board, he jumped up from the springy limb, and plummeted down, like a falcon.

*BOOM*

Water erupted upwards like a geyser, spraying a wide area with glittery water droplets. Birds fled from their hiding spots and fluttered their damp feathers in consternation. Once the waters calmed, only a few bubbles suggested there was any activity.

"Fuaa..." Hit emerged a few metres away and settled in next to the shore, looking thoroughly pleased.

'I can get used to this... Adventuring and training in the day, and a well-deserved rest in the evening.'

Replacing the fodder of the upper floors with some alone time was quite a good plan, as Hit would be facing nothing but deadly opponents for some time. A normal person would consider the following day's trials as an increased workload, but Hit was going to relish it. An hour later, and he scurried back up the tree.

...

Hit's good mood soon became spoiled as he wandered around the "town" of Rivira. 'Nothing but an assortment of dilapidated shacks...'

The assortment of boxes Hit saw earlier, were exactly that: hastily designed stalls, containing old and worn-out equipment. Despite their low quality, the prices were astronomical.

'8,001 valis for a healing potion!? It's a wonder any of these predatory fools are still in business.'

The vendors stared back at Hit, matching his animosity. They were used to being harassed for their prices and could tell he wasn't going to buy anything. Hit stopped at the first edifice that could be considered an establishment. It was a simple wooden hut with a doorless entryway. The right side was open to view from the exterior, with a large counter. However, no items were on display.

Walking inside, Hit found himself in a cramped space, facing a muscular man. He was quite tall, wearing a scruffy vest and loose-fitting blue trousers; a red demon buckle held a kobold pelt around his waist. His brown hair was cut short, and left eye was covered in a black eyepatch, the organ likely lost in a monster attack, if the large scar was any indication. The middle-aged man wrung his hands together and smiled sickeningly sweetly. "Welcome! If it ain't a new face. Can I help ya?"

Hit recognised the shopkeeper's materialistic nature and dismissed him. "No."

A grating sound emitted from the man, as he ground his teeth in annoyance. "Oh...Kay..."

Hit glanced around and picked through the few barrels of equipment, ropes, and other dungeon provisions that were stacked around the small room. The items in his pack were leagues ahead of most of them. "This is all worthless...and outdated. Have you actually sold any stock in the past decade?"

The man's forehead throbbed at the jab, and he spat out in rage. "Stuff's rare down here, dammit! If you aren't buying, then get the hell outta here!" He paused for a second, before pointing right at Hit, with a suspicious look. "Wait... you're probably from the Loki familia... Must be a new level 2... Screw the lot of ya! None of ya's bought anything the entire day!"

Hit blinked at the man, utterly disappointed with the poor excuse for a town, and walked away. "I guess they're smarter than I thought..."

The bulky man's anger boiler over and he bid Hit goodbye with a string of profanities, some that Hit did not recognise, likely unique to this world...

...

Hit settled into his bedroll and made himself comfy. The waves ebbed and flowed at a nearby lake, generating a soothing white noise. The "sun" portion of the crystalline ceiling had disappeared, leaving behind a faint glowing blue light, matched by crystals dotted about the forest. Fireflies buzzed around the shoreline and danced the night away.

'Son Goku and the Grand Priest did me quite the favour, sending me to this place. Everything may be quite weak, but it's ... pleasant. I cannot complain, considering the alternative...'

Hit's birthday wish had come true, and Mary would be proud of him, with all her heart. The tranquil scene quickly swept Hit to sleep, preparing him for the start of his holiday.

Several days later, a lone boy gazed out at the scenery below him, with an almost imperceptible smile. Shimmery green reflections flittered over his clothes, originating from an object resting next to him. The tip of the 18th floor's enormous tree had become Hit's temporary base, and now held his most recent quarry: a crystal mantis wing, along with a pile of monster stones. Five days had passed since his arrival.

He had encountered the crystal mantis a few hours ago, on the 15th floor, where it was battling against a young, brown-haired human. She was revealed to be a mage, repeatedly casting fire magic on the creature, to no avail. Hit had stood nearby, until the insect had carved a deep gash across the girl's face, bloodying her blue and white robes. When the adventurer's light of despair had died into acceptance, and the brunette closed her eyes, Hit shot out and shattered the monster with a flurry of well calculated blows. The monster stone was particularly easy to track within the translucent foe, and he had plenty of prior experience dealing with these crystalline bugs. The woman's face had blossomed as shimmery green icicles dusted the battlefield.

Hit had stridden off with the drop item, likely the main reason he intervened; however, his pack was also short of a healing potion, which he had dumped on the awed girl's face. The woman, who had been rudely awakened from her trance, declared herself as Elfy Colette, and spluttered out a tearful thank you, and blubbery sentences that Hit did not quite catch. Hit couldn't stop thinking about her strange name... Honesty, what kind of parent would call a human child, Elfy?

Hit stretched himself, unintentionally knocking over a small stack of Minotaur and Ligerfang magic stones, acquired over the past few days. He then sprung up, balanced the spindly drop item on his shoulder, and leapt down, heading for Rivira.

...

"Ya want how much!?" The middle-aged man from the rickety shop thumped on his counter, aghast. He had just been offered a crystal mantis wing for an eye watering 200,000 valis. The man was further vexed by the identity of the customer: the brat from a few days prior.

Hit tapped the crystal mantis drop item, eliciting a high-pitched ringing sound, which only served to annoy him further. "...Stuff's rare down here."

The man gritted his teeth and furrowed his brow, at having his own words parroted back to him. "Snarky brat... 90,000, and no more. That's 50% more than what you'll get up top."

Hit nodded his head, happy to be rid of it, and stuck out a hand. Carrying such a cumbersome load back would be incredibly uncomfortable. Perhaps, if Hit had any use for it, such as for weapon smithing, he would have risked it.

The shop owner shook his hand with a smirk. "Good! Seeing how you're too rude to introduce yerself, I'm Bors, city representative of Rivira."

There was reason for his purchase. Bors would be able to hold on to it for a while, and find a client easily enough. It was common for weapons to shatter this far down, leading to a high demand for drop items, equipment, and craftspeople.

Hit disengaged and put his hand away, allowing Bors to gather the coins. "That would explain its condition..."

Bors gained a gleeful expression as he funnelled valis after valis away, before rage boomed again. "Thanks! Hey...Wait! That wasn't a compliment, was it!?"

The elder put the sack down, and crossed his arms. He fixed Hit with a serious look, akin to a hardened mercenary. "Now, listen. We work hard ta protect each other down here... It ain't Orario, which ain't all that great, might I add! But it's all we have. Us and our ancestors have rebuilt it hundreds of times, never giving up on our founder's dream, no matter what."

Hit's dissenting opinion dimmed at that, and he was forced to respect the man a little. "There is honour in that ...Your prices remain abysmal, however..."

Bors spluttered, knocking down a few rusty tools from the shelves behind him. "Hah!? Says the guy who just tried ta sell me a mantis wing for over three times market value!"

Hit shrugged nonchalantly, ruffling his coat. "I'm blending in with the locals."

Bors completely lost his mature attitude, and violently shoved a bulging coin bag towards Hit's chest. Although, it seemed to enter the boy's grasp before it even grazed him, leaving Bors with an empty hand.

"Take ya cash, and go bother someone who deserves it! ...Huh? What the...?"

Hit jingled the pouch, and sauntered off, leaving the confused peddler behind. Hit had made up the 200,000 valis figure mostly as a protest... mostly. He'd be very pleased if the idiot actually bought it. He hadn't brought any valis with him for the expedition, not seeing how coin would be useful; however, a nearby tavern necessitated inspection. The prices would almost certainly be ludicrous.

Thankfully, food was not an issue, as the floor was abound with fruit trees and indigenous wildlife, ripe for harvest. Most of the vegetation was safe to eat, including a juicy yellow fruit; however, it was far too sweet for Hit's liking. Shimmery trout had been a joy to catch, flying out of the water after every palm strike. Hit reached into a pocket and took out some colourful berries, verified not to be poisonous using a handy field guide, and munched on them. 'Someone who deserves it, huh? Perhaps I should turn around and go straight back in...'

*...*

*...*

Suddenly, Hit's ears picked up some shuffles and whispers emanating from a nearby secluded alleyway. He faked a yawn and rested his body against a nearby wall. Peeking over, Hit's red pupils pinpointed two hooded figures, conversing. One sounded quite nervous, whilst the other spoke in a sweet, snake-like voice.

"...g-got the bo-merchandise?"

"Of courssse; you worry too much... Let'sss not keep them waiting..."

The two shady individuals exchanged packages, turned, and began marching into the shadows. Hit's eyes had no issue detecting their faint silhouettes, and he traipsed after them, looking quite calm and serene. He continued to follow, until the duo made their way out of Rivira and into a nearby forest. The two mysterious figures sensed absolutely nothing, as a phantom manoeuvred through the trees, just within reaching distance. This was child's play to Hit, someone who could sneak up on a fully prepared Son Goku with ease.

Visibility dropped as the air began to cool, and bluish mist rolled in from all sides. At a small hill, one of the hooded fellows tripped on a jutting tree root, nearly keeling over; his companion seemed quite exasperated, although it was difficult to tell. "Huff. Now, now... ssstop being so clumsy...you'll spill the little onesss..."

The clumsy cultist dusted himself down, but froze suddenly. "Sorry...H-hey...Where is it!?"

Frantically, he patted all about his body, evidently searching for something. Failing to find his quarry, he scrounged around in the dirt, flailing his arms about.

*Snap*

The two figures froze as a twig snapped from behind them, splintering the silent atmosphere. Red dots shone in the murk, growing in intensity like a ravenous fire. An imposing figure stepped out of the mist, revealing a robust looking young man. Hooded faces glanced up, slowly. The well-dressed stranger took something out of his pocket and shook it. "Looking for this?"

The jittery figure shot up and pointed a shaky finger at the intruder's brown bag. Sweat dotted his forehead and streaked down as he moved. "T-that's m-mine! Give it back!"

The mysterious intruder toyed with him, tossing the bag upwards, and catching it. The boy's face made their hairs stand on end; it was completely emotionless, as if he did not even view them as human, simply a task to fulfil.

The quaking cloaked man shot a fervent glare to his companion, who, unfortunately, shook their head. "...Why are you looking at me? It isss your missstake... Retrieve it yourssself..."

Robes stretched as the cowardly man gripped his hands and gritted his teeth. After a moment of collecting himself, the dark robes fanned out around him, revealing a serrated black blade. He screamed, eyes bulging, and ran at Hit with deadly intent. "Graaah!"

*Shing*

Hit stared at the man's raging form with utmost distaste. 'That's your strategy? Your speed is level 2, but your mind is that of a child.'

*Bam*

Hit's gloved hand struck the man's neck in a knife hand strike, delivering a perfect pressure point attack. As Hit rejoined the flow of time, the body fell past him and thudded against the ground. Hit's fighting style was especially useful against humanoid opponents, who he had hundreds of years of experience with. They were true living beings, and had no defence against his pressure point attacks and deadly techniques; although higher level adventurers were conferred greater durability and could somewhat resist them.

The other cloaked adversary flinched, but did not flee. A nearby crystal illuminated their face, revealing a shaky expression. Their slitted snake eyes widened at the impossible display: one moment, his colleague was running at the enemy, and the next, they were falling to earth, likely a corpse. A silky-smooth voice, and expert acting skills, were the only attributes that hid their fright, which trickled down as a cold sweat. "Well... Aren't you a ssscary one. Keep him, I hold no loyalty to that filth."

The slithery person reached into their belt and clutched a round object, before raising it upwards and throwing it down. Silvery teeth glistened in the fog, as their bearer revelled in their own ingenuity. The brown object clicked, and burst into smoke, rendering Hit's vision inert.

*crack* *crash*

Thankfully, Hit's hearing was better than ever. He picked up the unconscious body under him, and flung it towards the sounds of escape. Hit's eyes had darted to the knife; however, its sticky residue suggested deadly poison.

"Guuuhh!?" Cloaked bodies collided and crashed down, noisily. A black creature with eight limbs flailed around as the runaway tried to throw off the dead weight above them. Finally free, the terrified cultist whirled around to survey their surroundings. A rapidly approaching fist was the last thing they saw, before stars welcomed them to unconsciousness.

Author's Notes

I like to think that the exterior counter at Bors' shop was built to foster unity and allow people to purchase survival materials, and discuss strategies. However, he was forced to remove items due to rampant theft, showing that criminal ties will always run throughout the town.