Puppet Master in the DanMachi World

Even though Orario had yet to experience the Seven Days of Death and many adventurers still remained in the city, there were not that many people on the Dungeon's upper floors.

Perhaps because of the "hero's return," the adventurers were all celebrating as well.

"Detection Wave."

Centered on Ming Ge, a layer of perceptive waves meant for detection spread outward.

In an instant, information about the surrounding life auras and environment flooded into Ming Ge's mind.

"Hmm?"

Ming Ge paused.

His Detection Wave could sense "life auras," and within his perception was a familiar presence.

"Is that... the Hera Familia?"

Ming Ge murmured.

The Blessings bestowed by each god had the same functions, but members of the same Familia possessed a certain shared "aura."

Therefore, Ming Ge could use his Detection Wave to analyze which Familia someone belonged to.

Within the range of Ming Ge's Detection Wave, aside from monsters and adventurers, there was also a girl closely following behind him.

And this girl's life aura carried the same aura as his lover.

"No killing intent. More curiosity... protection?"

Ming Ge understood.

Most likely, Meitellia had asked a member of her Familia to protect him?

The corners of Ming Ge's mouth lifted slightly.

He was not angry. After all, he was not some chauvinist.

Rather, if he really had such pointless ideas, he would never have survived until now. After all, he had relied on a woman to get through the frail period after his transmigration.

Meitellia had not told Ming Ge about this. It was neither because she did not respect him nor because she did not trust him. She was simply afraid of hurting his pride, so she had asked a member of her Familia to protect him "in secret."

If she did not do that, Meitellia would feel uneasy.

Even if only to soothe Meitellia's emotions, Ming Ge would accept it.

At times like this, he should feel warm, not angry.

In truth, he himself was also very nervous. Facing monsters was simple enough, but a monster's sneak attack could still kill him.

And more terrifying than monsters were people—if he encountered a higher-level adventurer with ill intent, he would truly be finished.

The Dungeon never lacked "accidents."

Therefore, being a little safer was also a good thing.

Having thought that through, Ming Ge calmed down.

And at that moment, monsters had already appeared before him.

Chapter 17: Combat Awareness

They were the Dungeon's lowest-level monsters: three goblins and two kobolds.

Goblins were a kind of monster with dark green skin and extremely vicious appearances.

Kobolds were dog-headed monsters that used their sharp claws and fangs as weapons. Like goblins, they were the lowest-level monsters.

If a newcomer encountered a group of monsters like this right away, they could only turn around and run.

To encounter an attack of this level on his very first entry into the Dungeon showed just how hostile the Dungeon was toward adventurers.

After all, to the Dungeon, adventurers were invaders.

"Magic Bullet."

Two Magic Bullets shot out in an instant, directly blowing apart the heads of two goblins.

His casting speed was fast. With just a thought, he had killed two goblins.

"The power is too high. Reducing it to one-tenth should be just enough to pierce their brains."

With that thought, Ming Ge condensed another Magic Bullet.

In an instant, a bloody hole appeared in the head of one kobold.

"This is the Dungeon. I need to conserve my magic."

Ming Ge watched the scene and nodded in satisfaction.

Though with attacks of this level, as long as he did not use them on a large scale, his magic recovery speed was actually faster than his consumption.

Ming Ge dealt with the remaining kobold using a shockwave. It blew the creature away, while the impact struck its internal organs. After struggling twice on the ground, it died on the spot.

Only one green-skinned goblin remained. After stopping its charge, it looked around from side to side, seemingly at a loss over its situation.

"Next, let us have a fair and just duel, Mr. Goblin."

Looking at the goblin, which did not have a single weapon on it, Ming Ge smiled as he drew the short sword in his hand.

"Uwaaaah!!"

Even after losing its companions, the goblin merely hesitated for a moment before charging forward with bared claws and fangs.

Although they possessed every characteristic of living creatures, ordinary monsters would not flee even when afraid. Instead, they would rush forward in a frenzy, trying to tear their enemies apart.

With only one goblin left, even Ming Ge could easily defeat it.

Given the weapon's range, all he needed to do was grip it tightly and swing with force to sever the creature's head.

When the goblin's head separated from its body, Ming Ge's tension eased slightly. Only then did he feel the thrill and pleasure brought by cold weapons.

"Detection Wave."

After releasing another Detection Wave and confirming there were no monsters nearby, Ming Ge picked up the seven fragments of magic stones that had fallen to the ground.

They were only the size of fingernails. Calling them magic stones was giving them too much credit.