PICK ME UP, ANOTHER LOBBY!

[Floor 4]

[Mission Type – Subjugation]

[Objective – Annihilate the enemies!]

Whoosh!

A single arrow swiftly cut through the air and struck an approaching harpy.

Kreee!

The projectile plunged right in the monster's eye, felling it down lifeless.

The precise aim was thanks to Darius's Eagle Eye skill.

Howl!

Two wolves came charging from the other side.

Darius quickly retrieved two more arrows from his quiver and consecutively launched each one to the canine pair, courtesy of the archer's Rapid Fire skill.

The arrows hit the two wolves right in the eye just like the previous target, instantly ending their lives right there and then.

Witnessing the kills, a goblin with a crossbow fired a bolt toward the middle-aged archer.

Whoosh!

Darius was aware of the attack and swiftly shifted his head away from the bolt's trajectory.

He quickly nocked another arrow, fletching to his chin, and launched it toward the goblin.

The monster did not have the same reflex as the man, however.

The arrow was fired so quick and flew so fast the goblin could barely move aside before being hit by it, as expected of someone with level 4 in Basic Archery.

Kekeke!

Kreee!

Two machete-wielding goblins and a harpy were now making their move. Approaching the archer from three directions.

Unwavering, Darius retrieved another arrow and sent it toward the harpy.

Shuck!

The arrow could only strike the harpy's wing, impeding its movement instead of killing it.

The three monsters were drawing near.

Darius quickly slung his bow across his back, pulled his two daggers and engaged the enemies head on.

Clang!

Clang!

The two goblins clashed their weapons against Darius's daggers.

But they could not compare to his strength that the two creatures were immediately pushed back by the strong recoil.

Off balanced, the two goblins were left exposed. Darius immediately rushed ahead and slit their throats.

Slash!

Slash!

It was a simple task with his Basic Dagger skill.

Kree!

The injured harpy then swooped in, trying to catch the man off guard.

But Darius saw the ambush coming and jumped aside. He quickly took his bow again and swiftly fired another arrow.

Shuck!

This time the projectile struck the harpy's head.

His swift movement at changing weapons was due to his Switching skill, an ability that allowed one to shift weapons efficiently.

[Stage Clear!]

['Darius (★★★)' levelled up!]

[MVP – 'Darius (★★★)']

[Reward – 1000G]

With the monsters killed, we, Party 1, were soon engulfed in light and returned to the mirrored chamber.

It had been a week since the 3-stars arrived in the forged land.

Few things had happened since then.

Master approved my recommendation of putting Darius into our party, while Zecht and Norn in Party 2 together, and Jyrgil in 3.

Ever since then, master had been actively sending Party 1 to the fourth floor to level up Darius. 

Considering it was more difficult for the higher star heroes to gain experience, we went there at least twice a day, sometimes three.

After spending a week of putting that effort, Darius managed to level up to level 3.

Unfortunately, the others in Party 1 could not level up despite going to the fourth floor many time.

As mentioned before, the fourth floor did not provide us with a significant experience points anymore.

Jonah, Shanny, and I had even stopped gaining experience.

So instead of levelling up, we used the opportunity to improve our teamwork.

For the first few days, we positioned Darius in the back with me while letting Jonah, Shanny, and Trudy handle the enemies at the front.

Being an experienced mercenary, Darius quickly understood his role and provided reliable support with his bow and arrows.

We also made him acquire the Fire Resistance skill as soon as he joined us.

It did not take long for Darius to match our fighting styles.

Once we were used to fighting together, we let Darius handle the enemies by himself so he could level up.

From our time in the forged land so far, we had come to understand that those who did not participate in the battle in a trial would not receive any experience point.

While the one who contributed to the battle the most would receive the most points.

It was for that reason we let Darius handled all the battle for the last four trips.

And from what we had seen so far, I could say for sure that a 3-star hero was definitely a cut above the 2-stars and 1-stars, pardon a few exceptions like Jonah and Shanny.

"You fought really well, Darius. I expect no less from a veteran mercenary like you."

Jonah told him.

"I sure am glad to have someone strong like you watching our backs."

Trudy said to the archer.

"The fifth floor would had been easier to clear had you been around then."

Shanny said.

"I believe you're overestimating my abilities. There's no way I could make such horrendous trial any easier."

Darius replied humbly.

He also had seen the fifth floor trial through the Replay Stone. We had gathered several through Tarran's gatherer parties.

Master made Darius watch the record as soon as he was included in Party 1.

"Well, despite whatever you think of your own abilities, you'll soon face such great challenge now that you're in our party. I hope you'll give it your all when that time comes."

I said to him.

"Of course, Lady Zeref! I'll do my best to bring us victory."

He said to me politely.

Honestly, if I did not know any better, I would had sworn he was a knight before coming here.

"For the last time, just call me Serafina."

I said as we left the rift of space-time.

When we poured into the first floor square, the fairy appeared and announced another sortie.

[Zecht, Norn, Maddock, Luan, and Tarran! Come to the square!]

As I said, few things had happened since the 3-stars arrived.