"You are a fast learner, young man."
The fourth week.
Ars and Yin had just finished sparring for the fourth round, with Ars' victory.
Ars stood unsteadily, panting breathlessly. It was still hard for him to match the speed of Yin sword swing.
"My teachers used to call me a genius."
"But a genius like yourself ended up in this hell, what a shame."
Ars cannot deny that.
"At least after I have 10,000 Cash, I can get out of here to pay off my shitty dad's debt."
"Woah, that's a lot."
Ars didn't intend to hide the fact why he ended up in that hole. At least in front of a real man like Yin.
"But are you sure you can get out of this hole?"
"Can't I?"
"It has been seven years since Abyssal Terra emerged from the sea. You said you just got dumped here for two months. Did you hear any news before entering here about someone leaving the Abyss?"
Ars just realized it. Even though Yin had been in that giant hole from the start, he knew that there was no one, or no information about someone leaving Abyssal Terra.
"You won't find Legend rank Hunter in the starting city either, right?"
"Not. Aside from you in this floor, where's the rest?"
"They're downstairs."
The first month in the Starting City, Ars only found rookies like himself, a few Silver rank Hunters, and most likely weak Veterans.
"Why did you guys decide to stay here? "
"Actually, there are a lot of my comrades who asked to go home. But, if you, the novice Hunter who has only been here for two months, do not know any information about a single Hunter who managed to leave the Abyss. It strengthens the perspective of the Guild has done something with my old Hunter comrades, and the other Hunter who wants to leave."
The guild is the organizer and the administrator of all the affairs in Abyssal Terra. The guild has been trusted by the United Nations to provide information on whatever happens in Abyssal Terra. But in reality, the outside world doesn't know any information about the Hunter inside, nor the conditions in Abyssal Terra.
"Another reason is, we were just as simple as wanting to see all this through to the end."
"See all this to the end?"
[If you can get to the depth of Abyss, all your wishes will come true.]
Sweet words given to all Hunters to continue fighting in that hell called Abyssal Terra.
Ars got Fafnir's support thanks to those sweet words.
Ars unconsciously muttered, "I'll get to that bottom."
"I didn't say you couldn't."
Yin said something that got Ars hooked. But he's not done yet.
"But you can't do it if you're alone. Gather friends you can trust. Find a rival you can work with. In other words, a party. "
Party, a Hunter team that contains strong comrades who can be trusted. Ars doesn't want to admit, despite how awful Bryan's Party is, they are a solid party, except at the last second before Fafnir killed them.
"If that does not satisfy you, you can form a family."
"Family?"
"Groups that bound by a pact, usually done by making a blood covenant."
"Blood covenant?"
"That, for example, you cut your hand til it bleeds, and shakes hands with someone you want to become a subordinate."
"Hmm," That made Ars think. Then he unconsciously looked at Yin's right hand.
"You can't tie me up, young man?"
"Why?"
"In order to form a family, there are two conditions that you must fulfill. First, you should at least be Diamond rank. "
"Diamond."
Ranked fifth highest in the Hunter rankings above Platinum.
"Second, you must have an item called, [Token of Conqueror]."
"Where can I get that thing?"
"You can only get that thing after conquering a dungeon."
Dungeons, yes, there's no mistaking it, dungeons. That one word made Ars a little confused, "Huh?".
[Trophy Earned: Dungeon Finder]
[Find 1 Dungeon location]
Fafnir lair. A cave behind Silver Steel Mountain.
"Hmmmmmmmm."
"What is it, young man?"
Ars has a crucial question that he must find out. But he postponed it for now.
"Dungeon, huh." Ars got up with a little wobble. "What are you waiting for, old man, hurry and train me more?"
Ars points his sword at Yin. Even though he had just beaten up badly, he asked to continue for another round.
Yin smiled wryly. Never in these past few years someone made him work hard.
"It looks like I have to level up the training session."
"That's what I asked for."