A girl with fox ears expeditiously skinned a behemoth. The skinning knife flowed in her hand like it was an extended limb!

She whistled as she worked. Sheathing the skinning knife, she pulled out a sharp trowel. Gently digging in the skinned chest of the behemoth.

With insane dexterity, she guided the trowel around the sternum. Extricating the sternum, she started unraveling the behemoth's muscles with a dagger. She stopped after harvesting a big obsidian crystal.

The behemoth slowly crumbled to dust, leaving her to stumble back. She slouched, wiping out the sweats. Her eyes sparkled with greed as she eyed the crystal in her hand. It was big, a bit bigger than a handful with red tinges.

She shoved it in her traveling backpack. It was already bulging, at the verge of tearing. Besides the bag, there was a randoseru; it too was littered with weapons.

‘Woah, what a harvest!’ she bemused. ‘I must thank whoever cleared up the dungeon, leaving behind all the loot!

‘Even the boss loots too! I can’t be luckier!’ she greedily looked at the staircase leading to the descending floor, ‘Should I risk it?’

‘If... if ... I’m lucky, the loots will change my life!’

‘No... no, no! I should be happy with all these!’

She shook her head, stressed to what choice is best. She closed her eyes, trying to reason, ‘All my backpacks are already filled beyond oblivion. And I’ve never ever dived this deep. And I didn’t even do any work. What if the party that cleared the floors want the loots back?’

‘What if the monsters respawned on the next floor?’

She opened her eyes, stood up slowly, still hesitating. But finally decided to tag out. Arranging the baggage, she walked for the ascending stairs. But stopped, ‘I just need a little more!’

She bit her lip and tasted blood. Turning around, she piled up her baggage and took out the leathers obtained from the boss monsters, some rope, and woods too.

The makeshift bag was ready. Taking two daggers and healing ointments, she stepped into the descending stairway.

The first thing she picked up was the gut-wrenching foul stench of blood; the second was shouts and fading clangs of weapons clashing.

She was at the mouth of the stairway. Her entirety was screaming to flee, but she had no choice but to stay. One can’t leave the dungeon before it's cleared or if they manage to survive for 6 hours.

What are the chances?

She swept her gaze to find a possible hiding spot; if she was lucky, she could hide for six hrs. since berserked spawns necessarily don’t seek out to kill outsiders.

The terrain was rocky, with boulders and pebbles. There were some trees too, but only stumps were left for now. And she didn’t see any party.

Dropping the makeshift bag, she hid behind a big boulder, keeping the dagger by her side. She chanted under held breath, ‘Fox art: Transformation.’

Now there was a small rough boulder behind the big one. And if someone observed carefully, they could spot the smaller stone moving slightly.

It would be boring to cower behind the boulder, and she decided to observe the battle. Who knows, maybe she can get lucky enough to face a scenario where the trolls would kill themselves!

‘Yeah, not happening,’ she chuckled at her ludicrous thought.

Two hollow pores protruded at the anterior surface of the boulder. And it was making a low grating noise.

She watched with awe as the trolls slaughtered each other. But the trolls were more concentrated at one part, while there were few trolls, and they seemed far stronger?

An electric bolt crackled through the air and hit square on another troll’s chest.

‘Ooh, and they do magic!’ she sighed inwardly. Next, her gaze drifted to a more concentrated area. She saw sparks in the air. She squinted her eyes; at least she tried! But all she saw were sparks here and there.

Then she gasped as she saw a tiny figure facing against a troll with katana. The tiny figure, most prolly a human, wielded an oversized sabre. And they disappeared.

‘They were fast! Woah, that guy must be close to ascending to think he is clearing a corrupted dungeon himself. She watched it with hope, and she might make it out alive, after all!

The troll and the guy came to a halt. The troll sheathed its katana. A showdown!

The following fraction of a second was intense! She just saw the guy with the sabre disappear, and the next thing that her brain process was the cleaved ground behind the troll.

She was shocked at the display of such prowess. The troll seemed okay, ‘Wait, no!’ She watched with horror as the troll slumped at its own blood-puddle!

The next thing was admirable. The sabre wielding guy delivered a quick death to the troll.

‘Woah, is he using air essence? Trolls are hard to kill without magic,’ she exclaimed.

But she shuddered at the sudden outburst of mana accumulation. She frantically looked for the source, and it was rather easy to pinpoint the cause of the anomaly.

The troll had a mark on its body, a pattern of electric spark. To think these trolls can do such overpowered magic. It was preparing something, something terrible!

She looked at the guy next, who seemed rather calm. He should kill the troll before it can pull off such devastating moves; is what she reasoned.

But she was clueless at what the guy was doing, ‘Did his body gone stiff at terror?’

She was simply too far to see any details. She watched with anticipation as the guy started squatting and placed both of his hands on the ground.

‘What in the world is he doing?’ with each passing second, her heart thrummed like a racehorse galloped to reach the finish line.

The sky darkened with each passing second. The guy was still squatting when the world turned white, and crackles boomed continuously.

When the world reinvigorated with color, there was a massive crater with an earthen-dome at the mid of it unscathed!

She found it hard to believe, she initially thought he was using air essence, but he used earth essence too! But more than that, what unfolded before hollows for her eyes was just mind-boggling.

The whole floor was overflowing with life essence, so pure that it was suffocating! The dome withered away, and amidst was the guy. And the ground where he stood was teeming with vines, plants, flowers, and life.

She was petrified!

(Oops, she already transformed to a boulder, does that count as petrified already?)

The outcome was already decided! It was an almost one-sided slaughter. Though the guy with the sabre sustained some deep injuries, he nosedived the trolls. Next, he most probably used a quicksand spell with insane aoe. When the few remaining trolls were already drowning knee height, he used earth-spikes to impale all of the trolls, multiple times, till they all collapsed into puddles of purple goo. And he, too, collapsed!

She waited patiently. The influx of mana was gone. The air was heavy with a putrid stench. When she was sure no trolls were left, she reverted to her original form and rushed to flee out of this fucking dungeon!

‘He is probably going to be okay. He had such suffocating life essence,’ she dawdled.

Indeed, she can’t leave her indirect savior to die from blood loss. She slowly staggered across the floor, trying her best to avoid stepping in a puddle!

She was now standing beside the guy and did a thorough check top to bottom.

‘He seems really young! And damn, he is handsome!’ But she grimaced, looking at his wounds. There were too many gashes sored out through his body. And the one that extended from his navel to the left side of the mid trunk was putting the rest to shame. Luckily, the bleeding stopped!

She squatted by his side, hastily talking out the jar of healing ointment. Before she started applying, she scoffed at the last thought that crossed her mind, ‘He won’t kill me, right?’

And just as she caressed the ointment, his eyes flickered open, and those weren’t the eyes of an appreciating person.

.

The last of the battle was completed in a daze. I sprinted and killed the remaining trolls with reinforced earth spikes, paying no heed to any injuries. It was exhilarating, and I was enjoying each of the moments, and for a while, I was thrilled!

There were only a few trolls left; then, I used an area skill called quicksand. I guess the name already implies what the spell does! When the trolls were stuck, I finished them off with repeated, reinforced earth spikes.

And I, too, was tired. I collapsed on the ground! Feeling the warmth of it, making me all snuggly!

Closing my eyes, I enjoyed the moment. The depression was gone for now!

A faint musky smell invaded me, and I felt tiny fingers caressing over the gash that ran across my mid-trunk. I didn’t bother healing myself. Lately, experiencing my enhanced senses, I have had excellent control over most aspects of my body.

I opened my eyes to see a small figure. She had auburn-colored hair, clearly not washed for days. She wore a dirty olive jacket, an undershirt which was most probably white but now had hints of grey, with grease and oil smudges. And the pant was baggy!’

She looked at me and scrambled backward. Now that I see her face, ‘She is a kid, man, a cute Asian, with big eyes, milky tones! Oily skins with soot, and she seems oblivious to her appearance. And is that fox ears!?’

‘Woah!?’

Her lips moved, and she looked scared. She was saying something. ‘What was she saying?’

“Oh~ wait,” I crunched up and winced a bit, the wounds stung. I fixed the strand that connected my hearing senses. And I heard an adorable stammering voice, “Um...I..I.. am sorry. I mean no harm!”

She showed me a jar; it smelled like balm. I asked, “What’s that?”

“It’s a healing ointment,” she replied hurriedly and implied to my wounds. Realizing her goodwill, I laid back to let her apply the ointment, though I didn’t need that.

I think it's rude to deny someone’s kind gestures!

She asked hesitantly, “Are you soloing the dungeon?”

“Hmm.”

“If you want, you can get your loots back.”

“What?”

“Loots from the upper floors.”

“You mean the crystals?”

“Crystals and the weapons, yeah!”

“Nah! You can have them. I don’t need any.”

She chirped excitedly, “This floor too?”

“Sure~”

She didn’t reply. I looked at her. She seemed visibly stressed. I pressed, “What?”

She replied after a long pause, “It’s just wrong. I can’t take the loots, but thanks!”

Her mood delighted. She was almost done with applying the ointments, but I gently pushed her hand away and said, “I really don’t need any. I’m gonna leave the loots. So don’t stress about it. Payment for your healing ointment.”

I gave her the best smile I could. Her cheeks reddened a bit. She stared at her lap, “It doesn’t even cost anything. We can split it.”

“Sure, if you are that reluctant.”

“Um, can I ask a question?”

I nodded. She stammered, “Are you planning to dive deeper? If so, can I tag along?”

“Nope, for both,” I stood up. Stretched out a bit and asked, “Do you have a mirror?”

“Yeah, but it’s on the upper floor in my baggage.” She replied, dusting her pants as she stood up.

“Okay, let’s go then,” I started for the upper floor. I turned to face her. She was few inches short than 5 feet, I think the growth spur still didn’t hit her, or she is just malnourished. I asked, “Oh, I almost forgot! I didn’t get your name.”

“Sorry I forgot to introduce myself. Megumi, Tsukiko Megumi.” She replied with a quick smile.

‘That’s a very Japanese name!’

I introduced myself, reaching out my hand, “You can call me Garm!”

Megumi took my hand to shake it. For a second, I was doubtful if people greeted like that in this world.

She sat down next to a decapitated troll and stabbed its chest. I asked her, “What are you doing? Retrieving crystals?”

She nodded, continuing to search for the crystal. I said, “Get up and take few steps back. I’ll make it fast!”

Megumi perked up, skittering quickly beside me.

‘Sandy, do please tell me the most effective method.’

‘Oh, you’re finally talking!’ Sandy sounded a bit edgy, ‘Sure, you can use chain combustion. Thanks to your mom, you can become a sorcerer and also got some crazy skills!’

“Uhmm… Garm?” Megumi, stared at me.

“It’s a big spell, and Mr. Garm,” I replied politely.

She burst into childish laughter, “Bwahahaha~ you look younger than me, though!”

I smiled slightly, glancing at her, and shook my head, ‘I need to change my appearance!’

I closed my eyes. Thanks to my flame affinity, and mum’s gifts, I am overpowered to have been born a few hours ago. There was no fire-essence in the surrounding, so I had to use mana from my own reserves.

‘Chain Combustion,’ I muttered, focusing on all the troll corpses. The mana drainage was too much, giving me momentarily vertigo.

But damn, was it effective. The corpses burned in a pale orange flame and were cindered in seconds. I peeked at Megumi; her expression was a masterpiece.

Megumi looked at me disbelievingly, then to the glittering obsidian crystals in lumps of ashes. I gave her a slight smile and said, “Can you collect the crystals for me?”

Without saying anything, Megumi started gathering. She seemed lively, which was good, and quite startled!

‘Sandy, can you sort out the things mum left me with?’ I sat on top of a boulder, observing Megumi.

‘It’s already done.’

‘Do I have anything good to wear? Whatever the world is, it’s not good to wander around in bloodied shorts!’

‘There’s only Yukatas, and kimono, and only two white undershirts. No undies!’

Seriously? I never wore yukata or kimono, but they could be worn without undies, I guessed. I told Sandy to give out the most plain-looking yukata with an undershirt.

It was dark blue, with thick fabrics, quite coarse yet soft. Wearing the yukata was a bit harder than I imagined. Luckily, Sandy came in handy in these sorts of things!

I take it back. Walking was quuite hard, but comfortable. It’s like a bathrobe. Megumi was busy gathering all the materials, even the weapons. In the meantime, I skimmed over new additions to my prowess.

Skills:

Divine Obscurance Abnormal Superior Regeneration Thermal Fluctuation Resistance Hypnopompic Aura of Life Superior Fire Manipulation Fire Shaping Abnormal Earth Manipulation Abnormal Earth Shaping Superior Mana Manipulation Ambient Mana Manipulation Water Manipulation Wind Manipulation Electricity Manipulation Spatial Manipulation Gravity Manipulation Mana Shield Mana Hemorrhage Decay Paralyze Fatal Strike Menacing Aura

I looked at my new skills dubiously. I mean, thanks, MUM! She is the ‘Best MUM!’ What do I even need? It’s all there already! Able to control fire, earth, water, wind, electricity, like Whaaaaaat in the!??!?!!

THAt makes me an Elementalist, and as per mum, I am not even a day old!?

Sandy chirped delightfully, ‘More of a sorcerer. Your mum was a sorceress and one insanely powerful at that! These aren’t all the skills, I can tell you how to use them, and you’ll learn them in no time. These are the most used ones! But getting the system Subscription will change it!’

She paused dramatically, ‘And in a very good way...’

‘Sheesh~ take a breath, Sandy!’ Sandy seemed bluish. ‘So, about the system...’

“Garm, Let’s go!” I was interrupted by an overly enthusiastically waving fox-eared girl.

I stared at the heap that she dragged along behind her.

“You sure you can carry all that?”

Megumi nodded energetically. I leaped off the boulder, dusting my back, reaching out my hand. I said, “Here, give me the stuff!”

Megumi looked at me wide-eyed, then her cheeks reddened a bit, “Oh~ Thanks! But I can carry them myself!”

She was making circles with her left leg, intently looking in the same direction.

Ahem~ I coughed loudly and flashed my rings. This time her eyes grew wider in realization, and the way she looked at me was cute!!

“Yeah,” I couldn’t control my laughter as she made a cute ‘eeehhh!’ sound.

Megumi scanned me all over, once more then took a cautious step back. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke, “You sure someone won’t be out for my head after this?”

I scratched my chin, grinning sheepishly, “I’m not sure!”

I exasperated under breath, "Even after being so careful, my cover got blown!"

Megumi took another cautious back-step. Her eyes grew larger, fear visible in her black eyes. “Yo..”

She coughed, clearing her throat. She bends forward slightly, arms resting on her hip, “Look, I’m sorry if I offended you! And I hope to leave without having to do anything regarding an escaped young capitalistic prick!”

“Hey!” I complained, “That’s rude! Anyway, you can fantasize whatever you want but here- “I reached out my hand for her, “You either take my aid or leave!”

Megumi eyed me dubiously, “Without getting myself decapitated?”

“Yup!”

Megumi turned around and started pacing towards the stair, leaving behind all the things she gathered up. I sighed, storing all the battle spoils in my ring.

“Wait for me!” I shouted behind Megumi, only for her to sprint. Man! She is cute! By the way, ‘Capitalist Prick’ not ‘Young noble’. I am getting more curious to learn about the social structure around here.

Megumi got quite ahead. I chuckled dryly, blinking right in front of her. She halted abruptly. Time stopped as she was about to crash with me. I tilted my upper half slightly to dodge. Before she hit the ground face first, I caught her by the jacket, which gave in with a tearing sound followed by a thud and yelp!

Oops!

Megumi got up and stared daggers. I held my hands up, “Not. My. Fault!”

She just grumbled and muttered gibberish as she dusted her pants, “What. DO YOU WaNt?

And stop grinning!”

I unbarred my teeth, “Nothing! Just I don’t need anything. You are totally allowed to take them!”

“Okay, fine!” Megumi sighed, “Sorry, I can’t take your goodwill for granted! Let’s write up a contract where no one gets hurt!”

I sighed loudly, “Sure~.”

“Wait a sec!” And to my surprise, after a moment of blindly searching through her pocket, Megumi pulled out something that looked awfully similar to a smartphone!