Chapter 21: Chapter 20: Running Away?
Kenji stood still, his grip tightening around his blade.
His right hand rested on the hilt, his left hand steadying the sheath.
Then—
His knees bent slightly.
His eyes sharpened, locked onto the horde ahead.
A faint hum of electricity crackled in the air.
Then—
Yellow lightning erupted around his body.
The intense glow reflected in Lili's wide eyes.
"What… is this?"
She had seen many adventurers, but this—
This was on another level.
Then—
Kenji drew his blade.
A flash of golden light cut through the dungeon—
BOOM!
Thunder roared, shaking the very walls.
In an instant—
A surge of electricity crashed forward, ripping through the charging goblins.
The monsters barely had time to scream before—
They burned to ash.
Their charred remains disintegrated, leaving behind glowing magic stones.
The air sizzled.
Smoke drifted upward, filling the corridor with the scent of scorched flesh.
Kenji slowly exhaled and slid his blade back into its sheath.
Then, without looking back, he spoke.
"Lili, your turn."
---
Lili snapped out of her trance.
"Ah—! Y-Yes!"
She hurried forward, grabbing the scattered magic stones.
But as she worked—
Her hands trembled slightly.
This man…
Was too strong.
If he found out about her plans—
She wouldn't just fail.
She would die.
Her heart pounded.
Her original idea—to steal his sword—
Vanished completely.
Now, all she wanted was to stay alive.
---
"Kenji-sama, I've collected all the magic stones."
Lili approached carefully, her voice polite, almost too polite.
Kenji smiled slightly.
He had already noticed her change in attitude.
"Good work."
"But don't push yourself."
"Rest for a bit before we continue."
Lili's body tensed.
This was…
Too kind.
Adventurers never spoke like this to supporters.
She felt a mix of emotions—
Part relief…
And part unease.
Still, she forced a grateful nod and sat down.
But her guard never lowered.
Not even for a second.
---
Deeper into the Dungeon..
After a short rest, the two continued forward.
Floor by floor—
Kenji effortlessly cut through every monster that appeared.
Soon—
They reached the familiar 15th floor.
---
Kenji stopped.
Then, he turned to Lili.
"Lili, I'm not going any further."
"I have something to do here."
He pointed toward a rocky high ground—a safe zone where Ais and her party had stayed before.
"Wait there until I'm done."
Lili hesitated.
This wasn't normal.
Most adventurers pushed forward, going as deep as possible.
But Kenji was choosing to stay here?
She glanced toward the open plains, where Minotaurs roamed.
Something about this…
felt wrong.
---
At that moment—
Kenji's eyes flickered slightly.
Without turning his head, he sent a silent message.
"Rider, watch over Lili."
Hidden in the shadows, Medusa smirked.
"Oh my, how protective."
"Don't worry, Master."
"I'll make sure your little supporter stays safe."
Kenji ignored her teasing and turned back to Lili.
---
Lili nodded hesitantly.
"Alright, Kenji-sama."
She didn't ask why.
She didn't ask what he planned to do.
She just silently obeyed.
Carrying her heavy backpack, she moved toward the safe zone.
Kenji watched her leave, making sure she was completely out of danger.
Then—
He activated Enhancement Magic.
---
White patterns surged across his skin.
His muscles tightened—power coiling like a spring.
Then—
BOOM!
He stomped the ground.
The shockwave echoed through the entire floor.
Instantly—
The dungeon responded.
From every direction—
Monsters emerged.
Minotaurs.
Killer Ants.
Poison Lizards.
Dozens.
Then hundreds.
The ground shook under their weight.
A tidal wave of death and destruction surged toward Kenji.
But instead of fear—
Kenji grinned.
---
Up on the high ground, Lili watched in horror.
"What is he doing?!"
Her hands clenched into fists.
"He's going to get himself killed!"
A powerful adventurer would fight smart.
They wouldn't summon every monster at once.
But Kenji…
Was doing the opposite.
"He's insane."
Her legs shook.
And for the first time—
She considered running away.
---
If Kenji died, then she would be free.
No one would know she had planned to steal from him.
She could walk away, disappear—
And never look back.
But…
As she watched him stand there, lightning crackling around his body—
Something inside her hesitated.
"He's strong."
"Too strong."
Was he really going to die here?
Or was he—
Something far beyond what she had ever seen before?
Lili's heart pounded.
And she couldn't decide.
Run?
Or stay?
==========
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