"This gate will lead you to your world."
The soldier said, standing in front of a swirling blue wormhole gate which was contrary to what Raith thought.
"This?"
He mumbled looking at the gate in a disbelieving manner.
"Yes, this."
The soldier responded with an affirmative tone. Even though both of them had the appearance of a human only one of them truly was and the other was a hater of the true one. Hence, the vibe between them all through the short journey was a pure display of arrogance by the latter.
Raith had been given simple clothing, a red tunic with closed sleeves and a waist jacket accompanied by black pants and a leather knee boot.
Raith looked at the gate and couldn't deny the resemblance.
'It looks just like a normal dungeon gate in Therut.'
He paused and continued his train of thought.
'...I'm going back to Therut. It's strange. I have no idea how much time has passed.'
He sighed and walked forward entering the gate in a very cool way.
Raith's vision opened to various fields reaching for the horizons, only disappearing after rolling over the hills in the distance.
Passing through the various fields ran a weed-ridden, cobblestone road. The road eventually arrived at an immense farmhouse overshadowed by several enormous oak trees. The farmhouse was beginning to show signs of weathering, but it was still in good condition.
The sky was bright and the wind was chilly but comforting to his skin.
"How shocking."
Raith had expected to arrive straight into his room where he was taken from. He showed no outrageous signs of surprise since he expected this scenario at the very least. Now all he had to do was find his way out of this farm and into the city.
At least, that was what he thought.
[You are in a field dungeon]
Raith was not oblivious to the fact that open fields exist in dungeons. So he didn't mistake it for a normal field in therut where monsters could be found–and to better note, it said 'Dungeon'
[Emergency Trial generated]
'eh?'
[Trial Of The Goblin King]
This is a dungeon that flourishes with a colony of goblins. Take advantage of this opportunity to bud your power.
> Defeat 10 goblins
> Defeat 20 goblins
> Defeat 50 goblins
> Defeat 4 hobgoblins
> Defeat the goblin king.
[This trial will not earn you rewards]
[Seek your path to strength in the bosom of failure and darkness]
[Success will spoil you but failure will mold you]
[The Abyss will be watching]
Raith raised his head up–looking tired of everything from a second-person view. The bang of his hair covered his eyes making it hard to tell what expression he was making, but the way his hand dangled lifelessly was as though he would drop to his knee soon.
But the entire view of his demeanor changes the moment a naughty smile spread on his face.
He swung his face straight.
"I will get stronger, and go back to Felfhiem!!"
He shouted and ran into the fields.
***
"Thaw Sanada, how do you feel to be the center of discussion after you cleared one of the level 10 dungeons that plagued Nelgal nation."
"ah... well, I can't say I feel one way or the other, but I just think I am glad that I believed in heroes of the nature archons when the world thought of no use for them. I honestly did not foresee this happening, I just wanted to create a safe space for others like myself. But as the saying goes, even the world rewards consistency.
I am glad that we the Elemental guild can render these services and save nations. And I am also using this medium to tell the government and people of Rigeria republic that I am going to save them too."
"Hmm... there you have it. Thaw Sanada the uprising superhero of these troubling and disastrous times has spoken. The next topic is about the Empire's victory, now that the empire has cleared all the level 10 dungeons in their nation. We hope that they can lend a helping hand to other nations. What do you think partner."
The news report turned to a partner who was a man in a grey suit, seated next to Thaw Sanada on an arched table.
"Well, I honestly think so too. The empire has always been the center of all nations because of its strength and age. But I really think what the world is not talking about is the death of Yao Djansi and the silence of the pontifices.
Yao Djansi, a legend was killed by a swarm of monsters, we don't know how hell we don't even know if he is dead or alive."
"Hero Yao has always had an arrogant personality but still most of us looked up to him while growing up. Along with this retired hero... uhm."
"Eren Yogilith, you must mean Eren Yogilith."
The suit guy responded.
Thaw Sanada smiled and nodded before continuing.
"Both of them were the pinnacle of heroes and were constantly brawling for the position of the number one on the ranking board. They made our childhood, I must say it saddens me to hear that something like that happened to him. That is even one of the reasons I decided to accept Rigeria's offer knowing very much how dangerous it will be. But I am assured of my victory. I have done this before and I can do this again."
...
"Look at you doing the same thing you hate in someone else."
His friend and assistant guild master of the elemental guild Virgo Blackman said to him as they ended the interview.
"Well, I am different from that bastard and I never thought getting famous will be so much of a hassle."
He replied losing his tie and walking out with his assistant.
"Thaw."
Virgo called his name with a serene tone.
"What? You sound like you are about to repeat that question."
He responded even though they were still walking and had reached outside the building with their car parked in front and waiting for them.
After they had both entered the car, Virgo began to speak.
"The level of difficulty of the dungeon in Rigeria, it is possible that it might be above level 10. Just like Hero Pedus warned us."
"My response remains the same, Virgo. It is obvious this guy is hating. People can bear to see their juniors prosper. I will go to that guild and clear it, just like I cleared the two before now."
"After that will you clear the remaining one in Nelgal? I know you declined because it is a water-type dungeon, in a dungeon like that your ability will be rendered useless."
Thaw's expression crumpled and he did not respond to Virgo. That was their last discussion until the car sped off on the higher to whatever location they were going towards.
***
"Young lady, you are here again?"
Mr. Fatty said to the blonde-haired girl that walked into the motel reception.
"Yes, is he back?"
"No, seeing how you have been frequenting this place, I presume that bastard owes you a lot of money right? Because there's no way you'll be his girlfriend."
"No way,"
She responded with a sheepish giggle as the man kept spitting saliva with every statement.
"Then why do you keep coming?"
"I just owe him an apology."
"Well, whatever it is, you can drop your number I will make sure to call you when he comes."
He said with a suspicious smile.
"Ah, don't worry... I can just come back."
Amber Rose said with tightly closed eyes pleading with her mind to forget that unhealthy smile she just saw.
"Well, suit yourself."
The man said acting like he wasn't intending to spam her with calls and texts if she had dropped her number.
She turned away disappointingly and walked her way out of the slum and into a car waiting for her. By resemblance alone, the car was looking like a Maybach but the logo was that of a crane. So, there was probably a distinct difference.
She looked back at the slum with a sad countenance as the car drove away.
***
[You have killed 1 goblin]
"Ah, hunting has been made easier thanks to this dagger."
Raith praised the black obsidian dagger with crimson hilt after splitting the goblin's face with it.
'Is that the monsters in Therut are too weak or I am just too strong... how am I supposed to get stronger if these monsters keep dying in one go.'
Raith expressed his frustration as he threaded his path deeper into the forest. His last fight was with Fenrir, even before now all his fights he had always been at the weaker spot, a spot where he is the one that has to struggle to protect his life. This feeling of superiority and easily defeating monsters was strange to him and in truth was not enjoyable.
wham!
He staggered forward as the goblin jumped down from a tree, smashing his head with a club.
With a pause in everything, his movement and that of the goblin's blood dripped down his temple and forehead.
"hieek!"
The goblin suddenly jolted and step back as it looked at him. Its eyeballs began to shiver with a pale face, and the monster's shoulder trembled to its hand with every drop of blood that fell from Raith's face.
[Title Effect Intimidation is in use]
[Weaker target will be inflicted with 'Fear']
"Booo!"
"welp"
The goblin yelped and ran away, falling and picking itself up while discarding its weapon.
"Oh, did that scare it? I guess."
Raith swung his dagger playfully as he continued deeper into the forest.
