Leaving

Izpalut's expression was unusually serious today.

"Lu Cang."

"Starting today, we're going on a long journey."

Lu Cang froze. "A long journey?"

Kumiloni answered, "That's right. Harvest Moon is here."

"We're going to take down a very dangerous dungeon."

Lu Cang said, "Wait, are you going by yourselves?"

"Can't you take me with you?"

Chicheng leaned against the wall and nodded solemnly. "Kid, this time is different from before."

"We're challenging a Tier 7 Dungeon."

"We might not have the strength to protect you."

A Tier 7 Dungeon?

"Wait, you're only level 5, aren't you?"

Lu Cang wasn't the clueless rookie he'd been before. Over the past few days, he'd crammed in plenty of basic knowledge about this world.

A Tier 7 Dungeon could almost be called the most dangerous kind of dungeon in the world.

Dungeon tiers corresponded to adventurer levels.

A team of level 2 adventurers could challenge a Tier 2 Dungeon.

Level 3 adventurers challenged Tier 3 Dungeons, and so on.

Even so, plenty of adventurers died in dungeons of their own tier.

The higher the tier, the more dangerous the dungeon.

A level 5 party exploring a Tier 5 Dungeon actually had a much higher death rate than a level 2 party exploring a Tier 2 Dungeon.

Lu Cang looked up and asked, "Iz, isn't this too risky?"

Iz said, "Lu Cang, we're stronger than you think."

Lu Cang answered seriously, "I know you're strong, but you should understand better than I do what it means to take on something two tiers above you."

Lu Cang looked up at Iz and asked, "Iz, be honest with yourself. Even you—could you have beaten me when I was level 4, back when you were level 2?"

Iz replied without the slightest hesitation, "I'd win."

Tsk...

He'd forgotten that Iz was an arrogant bastard.

Lu Cang didn't believe for a second that Iz could have beaten him at level 4.

At level 4, he'd have at least four God-Tier Talents.

Forget fighting Izpalut at level 2—even against Izpalut at level 4, Lu Cang didn't think he'd lose again.

Besides, Izpalut could beat him now only because he had years of combat experience, a deeper understanding of magic, more spells under his belt, and all sorts of hidden tricks...

As Lu Cang grew, he'd gradually catch up in all those areas.

"Iz!"

"You're the one who taught me not to act recklessly, remember?"

Their previous excursions had been one thing, but this time...

They were practically tempting fate.

Lu Cang couldn't just stand by and watch them go off to do something so dangerous.

But Iz wasn't the one who continued arguing.

It was Kumiloni.

Kumiloni crouched down to meet Lu Cang face-to-face and spoke softly. "Lu Cang."

"Our party isn't the only one taking part in this expedition."

"This is a large-scale raid. Powerful adventuring groups are coming from nearby kingdoms, not just the Kingdom of Loren."

"That's why we're taking a break in Rhein Town. Once Harvest Moon arrives, it'll be time for everyone to assemble."

"And we're not going to this dungeon just for the bounty. We have other reasons we can't ignore."

"You know that if a dungeon is left alone for too long, its monsters will leave and enter the outside world, bringing disaster with them."

"The monsters in a Tier 7 Dungeon would bring catastrophic destruction upon the world."

"During the coming Month of War and Fire, Month of Storage and Cold, and Month of Death and Destruction, the damage would surely grow beyond imagination."

"We have to clear out this dungeon during Fortune and Harvest, the best month for setting out on an expedition."

"It's our responsibility."

Kumiloni had explained it plainly: they truly had no choice but to go.

Chicheng crouched down too. "Don't worry, kid."

"We'll definitely come back."

Hey, hey...

That was exactly what Lu Cang was afraid of hearing.

Chicheng, your back was already covered in flags.

Nothing but one death flag after another.

If you said you had a childhood sweetheart back home waiting to marry you, you'd be as good as dead...

Iz crouched down too, wearing a bright smile. "We'll be back in half a month. Trust me."

"Besides, you need Kumiloni to oversee your ritual, don't you?"

"Without her, you'll have to wait until you're sixteen to continue leveling up."

"She wouldn't abandon you, either."

Seeing Iz's smile only made Lu Cang worry more.

I don't want to hear you say things like that, Iz...

The more you say, the more it feels like you won't come back.

But...

What could he do to stop them?

They'd decided long ago to clear a Tier 7 Dungeon.

After spending so many days with them,

Lu Cang knew how strong their sense of justice was. There was no way they'd leave a Tier 7 Dungeon alone.

They'd also promised the other adventurers they'd be there. Breaking that promise would let down everyone waiting for them.

He couldn't let his personal worries put everyone else in danger.

Iz saw the gloom on Lu Cang's face.

After a moment's thought, he said, "Lu Cang, Harvest Moon is the best time of year to explore dungeons."

"While we're gone, you can explore a dungeon yourself."

"With your talent, sooner or later you'll need to explore one."

"We can't be by your side all the time."

Iz patted Lu Cang on the shoulder. "I haven't left you any magic books."

"Because I'll be back. I'll teach you myself how to proceed with your magic."

Iz smiled with complete confidence. "I'm a mage with dreams of my own. I won't go down easily before I reach the Source of magic... Absolutely not."

"Besides, I'm strong. Stronger than every other mage. I'm the strongest mage, so... nothing will happen to me."

Lu Cang met Iz's gaze.

He bit his lip.

This body did have a tendency to cry, but this time, Lu Cang held it in.

Lu Cang nodded firmly. "Iz, I hope you're as strong as you say."

"I haven't learned anything beyond Magic Enhancement yet."

"If you die there, I'll lose my mentor."

Iz gave him a confident smile. "Of course."

Chicheng said, "And me! I'm strong too, you know... I'm no weaker than him! With the War Emperor in the party, you can relax, kid."

"Once we're done with this job, we'll be true heroes."

"Haha, though we already are~"

Lu Cang glanced at the warrior.

Chicheng, you're the one I'm most worried about.

Iz is one thing, but you seem the most likely to die out there. You're practically throwing up death flags every time you open your mouth.

Kumiloni said, "It's getting late. We should set out."

"The shift into Moon Star is when its influence is strongest... We can't waste this precious time or the protection of Fortune."

Iz looked at Kumiloni. "Mm."

He patted Lu Cang on the shoulder again. "We're off. Wait for me to come back."

With that, they waved to Lu Cang and went their separate ways.

Iz and the others' departure

left Lu Cang feeling hollow inside.

Ever since he'd arrived in this other world, he'd spent almost all his time with them.

After watching Iz and the others leave,

Lu Cang stood in the hall for a long time, staring at the doorway, as if this entire other world

had become a place where he was all alone.