DanMachi: Cheat? What's a Cheat?

Chapter 24– New Knowledge and Advanced Challenges

The smell of fresh bread hit my nose like a warm hug from a mom I haven't seen in forever.

After two hours of breathing in that damp dungeon air mixed with blood and dust a combo that sadly hasn't been marketed as eau de dungeon perfume yet.

this was like inhaling the world's most expensive perfume.

Or at least, that's what I told myself to feel better.

Walking through the busy streets.

I walked up to this simple wooden cart on the street corner.

The seller, a middle-aged guy with a worn-out apron, smiled warmly when he saw me approaching.

Like an NPC shopkeeper in a game, except this time he was actually real and could sell actual bread.

"Good morning. Got anything cheap and filling?" I asked, straight to the point. My stomach was growling after all that fighting.

"Oh, new adventurer, huh?"

He looked me over, still reeking of dungeon.

"This," he pointed to a brown bread that looked kinda perfect, "wheat bread with nuts. Not as pretty as the others, but it's the most filling. And easy on the wallet."

Looking at the bread he pointed out, I made a weird face. Not as pretty as the others?

Are you kidding me? This is clearly bread made with care.

Is this some artist selling bread as a hobby?

Is he trying to humble-brag?

For a second I didn't know what to say.

I bought two wheat breads and a small bottle of water.

Total: 50 valis.

Pretty cheap for breakfast that'd fill me up till noon.

Valis currency that used to be just numbers in anime now felt so precious in my hands.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Be careful in the dungeon."

I looked for a quiet spot to eat while reading the book Eina gave me.

After wandering around a bit, I found a small park with a wooden bench facing a simple fountain. The sound of trickling water and morning birds created this peaceful atmosphere, totally different from the chaos of the dungeon.

It felt like having a picnic, would've been even better if goddess Hestia was here.

Seems like if I get some free time, I should invite goddess Hestia on a picnic together.

I sat down comfortably, put the book on my lap, and started munching on the wheat bread.

The taste... wasn't bad.

A bit rough on the tongue, but the nutty flavor was pretty good and really filling.

Looks like I'll have to buy bread from him in the future.

I felt a little guilty eating without inviting goddess Hestia.

After all, in the Hestia familia it's just me and goddess Hestia. So we gotta share the good times and bad.

I put on a guilty expression but ate without feeling guilty.

Which made me feel guilty for eating without guilt.

"Every bite counts," I whispered while chewing slowly.

Now I appreciate every crumb like it's treasure. Ironic how reincarnation can make someone appreciate simple things more.

Maybe a hard life teaches people to be grateful for what they have.

While chewing bread.

I opened Eina's guidebook. Simple cover, but looked well-maintained.

On the first page was handwritten in neat letters: "For beginner adventurers who want to come home safe. - E.T."

A small smile appeared on my face.

"Eina-san really cares, huh."

Seeing characters I used to only know as animation turned out to give this weird feeling.

She's actually a real person with real feelings, not just a character programmed to help the protagonist.

I started reading from chapter one: "Understanding Floor 1-3 Monsters." The first part covered goblins and kobolds in detail. Descriptions I more or less already knew, but there were some interesting things I'd missed.

"Goblins have poor reflexes when attacking from higher positions," I read quietly.

"They tend to lose balance and leave an opening on the left side of their chest."

I stopped chewing.

"Shit, why didn't I know this yesterday?"

Reading further, I found info about predictable kobold attack patterns, how to efficiently dodge goblin claws, and tips for conserving stamina while fighting.

"If I'd had this book from the start, maybe I wouldn't have had to run from that senior goblin in such a... undignified way," I muttered while shaking my head.

My running scene would've gone viral if someone recorded it. Title: "Cowardly Adventurer vs Goblin"

On page 15, I found an interesting section: "Monster Variations and Anomalies."

"Monsters that manage to survive long on the upper floors tend to develop intelligence or strength beyond their species' norms," I read carefully. "They learn from every battle with adventurers and adapt new strategies."

My heart pounded.

This was exactly like that senior goblin I met earlier!

This was exactly like that senior goblin I met earlier!

"Some monsters show signs of having rudimentary 'skills' or unique abilities that their normal species doesn't possess. Adventurers are advised to be careful and not underestimate monsters that have survived for long periods."

I closed the book for a moment and reflected.

I started going through my memories with a thoughtful expression.

I know that in the original story there was discussion about intelligent monsters in dungeons, but my memory was so fuzzy I couldn't remember clearly.

Was it called genos? No wait, genos is that bald guy.

I started doubting my memory.

But for sure.

That senior goblin wasn't just a coincidence.

He really was a monster that had evolved, survived many adventurers, and become more dangerous.

Maybe he had a "Monster of the Month" membership card, dungeon floor 1 edition.

"So my strategy of running away earlier... was actually pretty wise," I muttered with a bitter smile.

Not cowardly, but tactical retreat.

Sounds cooler, right? Like a general reorganizing his troops, when in reality I was running like hell.

I kept reading. On page 23, there was a section about "The Importance of Potions in Dungeon Exploration."

"Basic healing potions (Minor Potion) are highly recommended for Level 1 adventurers. Although relatively expensive, this investment can save lives in emergencies."

I counted my remaining valis. After buying bread and water, I still had about 8,150 valis.

8,150 valis + 2,483 valis I got yesterday means I have 10,633 valis.

From my anime memories, healing potions were indeed pretty expensive for beginner adventurers.

If basic healing potions cost around 500-1000 valis per bottle...

"Gotta buy some," I decided.

"No point saving money if I end up dead. I don't have a resurrection cloak protecting me."

Better to spend a little money than become a permanent dungeon resident who can't check out.

After finishing the bread and absorbing important info from the book, I got up from the bench.

But before leaving, I did something I should've done from the start: proper warm-up.

I started with light stretching. Arms, legs, back, neck. Then some light jogging in place to warm up my muscles. Very simple movements, but they made a huge difference.

"That stomach cramp earlier was a valuable lesson," I muttered while stretching my abs.

"Won't happen again."

The dungeon never shows mercy.

After feeling my body was ready, I started looking for a potion shop.

Not hard to find in Orario.

Almost every street corner had a shop selling adventurer gear, including potions.

Just like typical fantasy worlds.

The shop I chose was the one that looked most... affordable.

A simple wooden building with a faded sign: "Basic Potions - Affordable Prices."

An honest, straightforward slogan, no fancy "Premium Quality, People's Prices" nonsense.

I went in and was greeted by a weird smell mixing herbs and chemicals.

An old man with a white beard stood behind a counter full of small bottles containing colorful liquids.

"Good morning," he greeted with a hoarse voice.

"What do you need?"

"Basic healing potions. For a beginner adventurer."

He looked at me with sharp eyes. "Hmm, rare for new adventurers to buy potions right away. Usually they think they're still safe on floor 1."

"Experience teaches that nothing's safe in the dungeon," I replied seriously.

What bullshit was this guy spouting? If I hadn't met that senior goblin earlier, I might've thought the same as him.

I was traumatized enough from almost dying to a senior goblin.

Movie experience also taught me that characters who underestimate danger usually end up badly.

He smiled thinly.

"Good. That's the right attitude."

He picked up a small bottle containing pink liquid.

"Minor Potion. Can heal minor to moderate wounds. 800 valis per bottle."

I calculated quickly. Two bottles would cost 1,600 valis. Pretty expensive, but...

Looking at the guy in front of me, I felt something was off but didn't know what.

"I'll take two bottles."

"Wise choice." He wrapped two bottles with soft cloth.

"Easy to use. Drink directly for serious wounds, or drop on wounds for just scratches. One bottle's good for 3-4 minor wounds."

I handed over 1,600 valis and carefully put the potions in my bag.

My wallet got way thinner, but I felt my heart hurt a little.

Hopefully I won't need to use them all at once in one fight.

If not, I'll definitely be bleeding.

"Thank you."

"No problem. Hope you come back safe."

Coming out of the shop, I saw the sun was already pretty high.

Around 8 AM.

The dungeon must be crowded with other adventurers by now.

I walked toward the dungeon entrance with different feelings than this morning.

This time I wasn't just bringing a sword and reckless courage. I was bringing knowledge, strategy, and minimal protection.

Like a student heading to an exam with complete notes, hidden cheating tactics, and a good luck charm.

The dungeon entrance was indeed crowded. Adventurers of various levels gathered, some just leaving, some just returning.

A lively atmosphere full of energy.

Like a bus terminal that's always busy with various destinations.

I stepped into the familiar darkness. But this time, I had specific targets:

First, find and defeat that senior goblin. Not out of revenge, but because I knew he was a challenge I had to face to grow.

I felt my inner demon would emerge if I couldn't beat that senior goblin.

Ahem, forget it, there are no inner demons in this world.

Anyway, I had to beat that goblin.

Second, start exploring floor 2. With knowledge from Eina's book, I felt ready for bigger challenges. Hopefully there's no mini-boss more annoying than the senior goblin there.

Third, no longer just "surviving," but start "living smartly." Like playing a game, from "just charge in" mode to "use strategy" mode.

My steps were steadier than before.

I was no longer just a lucky survivor.

I was an adventurer starting to understand his world.

Little by little.

Like a baby learning to walk, but with the risk of being bitten by monsters.

A small smile appeared on my face as the dungeon's darkness swallowed me.

"This time," I whispered to myself, "we do this right."

And with Eina's guidebook absorbed, healing potions in my bag, a properly warmed-up body, plus some knowledge about this world from my previous life, I stepped toward real adventure.

That senior goblin was waiting for me. And this time, I wasn't going to run.

Maybe.