Even if Yua needed to tame new monsters, I couldn’t delay my dungeon progress to make time for it. I only had two years left, and a month had already passed.

However, there was a way to hunt monsters on Earth and not slow down my dungeon progress. That was the period of time where I needed to grind Floor Masters, which meant I had free time once I finished my daily grind. Since the 65th Floor Master was a Succubus Queen, the 70th Floor Master was likely the Incubus King. Even if he was three times stronger than the Succubus Queen, I still had the confidence to defeat him in under five minutes. Thus, it took me at most 50 minutes to finish grinding him 10 times, so I could easily take an hour to rest afterwards. In other words, I would have about 22 hours of free time. It was more than enough time for me to take care of Earth’s monsters or travel to Mars and back.

Telling Yua to wait a week was the same as declaring that I would reach the 70th floor in a week. This was possible because I was able to breeze through the First Dungeon’s floors now. In addition, the special floor properties in Beyond were helping me too.

To be fair, I was a bit worried about the Grim Reaper. He was one of the most difficult Floor Masters I had fought. However, with the terrain property helping me, it seemed doable.

[Guooooo!]

[Hateful human, do you not know the word ‘fair’!]

“That’s what I want to ask you bastards,” I grunted.

After breaking through the First Dungeon’s 67th floor in the blink of an eye, I immediately charged into Beyond’s 17th floor. There, I thoroughly scorched the Dullahans. While they possessed powerful skills and tough bodies, they must have left their ability to learn and their manners at home. It was the first time I was able to sweep Beyond’s floor so easily. Against the Orc Lords, I really had to use my brain.

[You have cleared Beyond’s 17h floor. You have obtained the qualification to challenge the First Dungeon’s 68th floor.]

[You have obtained 5 bonus stats. Your maximum HP and MP have increased by 2%.]

[Experience has been added to skills you frequently used to progress through Beyond’s 17th floor.]

[You have mastered high rank Martial Arts Technique! Your body and mana have reached a perfect harmony. Positive effects will be added to all actions done with your body. All physical attack damage and speed have increased by 20%.]

[Although you have the groundwork to create a higher martial path, you cannot create a new technique yet due to your lack of understanding in Martial Arts.]

“Oh!” I exclaimed.

The only thing I did on the 17th floor that could be considered Martial Arts was kicking the heads that flew at me. I only did it out of annoyance as the Dullahans literally used their heads when I snarked that they didn’t try to use their heads. I didn’t think it would lead to this!

I especially liked Martial Arts Technique as it affected other abilities and skills. I didn’t think I would master it so quickly. I couldn’t complain as the 20% increase to physical attack damage and speed applied to my Spear Technique as well.

However, I suspected that it would be difficult or even impossible to create a higher Martial Arts Technique. I had only learned and honed what was passed down in my family. After experiencing the creation process of Mad Typhoon, I couldn’t even begin to understand how to create a new Martial Arts Technique.

I muttered happily, “I’m getting stronger. It really feels like the best way to move has been ingrained in my mind.”

A 20% increase to attack power and speed looked simple in terms of numbers, but in truth, it only meant that I could more skillfully draw out the power hidden in my body. Mastering a skill using Beyond’s skill experience enhancement was great, but I still needed time to thoroughly understand the change. Of course, as I didn’t have much time, I would have to get used to it through brawling with monsters.

“Alright, let’s bring Lotte and head to the 68th floor!” I shouted excitedly and jumped into the gate. Being able to focus solely on the dungeon was a refreshing feeling!

After finishing our joyride through the 68th floor, I sent Lotte back to the mansion. I was about to jump into Beyond’s 18th floor when I received a message. It was a man’s voice, so I thought it was Ren or Father. When I heard the entire message, I froze in front of the gate to Beyond.

[It’s been a while, friend.]

Right, I was thinking it was about time I got interrupted… Someone didn’t want me to just freely climb the dungeon! After letting out an inaudible sigh, I opened my mouth.

“It’s been a while, Ellos.”

How many months had it been? From what I could recall, the last time I talked to Ellos was when Ludia and Shuna went with Ellos’ party to defeat the 40th Floor Master. Immediately after that, Ludia’s Luka continent was…

When I contacted Ellos after everything had been taken care of, he didn’t pick up. Ludia was able to climb the dungeon with just Shuna after she obtained an ability on Earth, so there was no problem on that end, but we were both worried about being unable to contact Ellos. After all, he was the first friend I made in the dungeon.

I continued, “I was worried sick. I knew you weren’t dead because you didn’t disappear from my friend list, but…”

[Haha, sorry. A lot… happened.]

Just like always, he sounded calm and collected. If he had been gone for a few months, he must have been so busy that he could barely sleep, but his voice did not show any such signs.

“Is everything taken care of?” I asked.

He replied, [Yeah. We stopped the invader’s major attack. The Hero survived too somehow.]

I smiled. “That’s great.”

[Yeah… It’s great that you and Palludia are alive too. I’ll see you later. We can defeat a Floor Master together or something.]

“Haha, yeah, hurry up.”

I knew it would be impossible to party with Ellos. Even so, I encouraged him fully. Ellos probably didn’t think that I could have reached the 70th floor in just a few months.

Not a long time had passed, but many things had changed. Thinking about everything that happened, I was about to say goodbye.

Ellos, however, seemed to have something else to say.

[I heard you became a Dimensional Mercenary.]

“Hm? Oh, yeah, you knew?”

He continued, [I’m really proud to be your friend. I respect you as a friend too…When you’re free, can you come to my continent? We’re currently preparing a final offensive to drive away the invaders.]

I replied, “When my Dimensional Travel cooldown time ends, I’ll be more than happy to go.”

[Haha, thanks. You couldn’t be more reliable.]

Apparently, the war between the Edias continent and its invader was coming to an end. Unlike the Luka continent and the Panan continent, the Edias continent seemed to have the power to resist and was even winning by the sound of it. Perhaps, there were warriors as powerful as me fighting alongside the Hero.

If Ellos’ world could drive away the world’s enemy, it was a cause for celebration. They would probably be happier if I could give them a hand. I made a note to myself to place the Dimensional Mercenary mission on reserve before jumping into Beyond’s 18th floor feeling refreshed.

[Foolish human.]

[Why must you give yourself to death?]

As expected, I ran into Grim Reapers filling up a wide passageway.

The Grim Reapers possessed several abilities. They were skilled in handling their large scythes, able to emit aura waves, could shoot out dozens of small scythes, and could even blink behind me suddenly. Their Death Roar doubled the undeads’ attack power and halved the livings’ defense. They could even make scythes pop up from the ground. I really wanted to ask, couldn’t they have conquered a world by themselves? Not to mention, they were even stronger in Beyond.

[We shall guide you to death.]

[Come with us.]

I snapped, “Who’d want to go with you floating hobos!?”

I prepared myself for what was to come, leaving everything to continued use of Divine Speed and mana recovery through Absolute Soul. The Grim Reapers teleported like ghosts from horror movies and sent aura waves flying toward me. Using Ruyue’s power to block them, I flew up.

[Die!]

In the next moment, a Grim Reaper appeared behind me and swung his scythe. However, the cape hanging on my back immediately fluttered and hit the scythe away. The Grim Reapers’ sudden blink attack was the most annoying attack, but it was considered an ambush type. As such, Felixes’ Chaotic Cape nullified it with its anti-ambush effect.

I snarled, “You’re first! Heroic Strike!”

[Kiaaaaa!]

The spear I thrust out penetrated the reaper’s body. Small scythes shot out, but they were easily blocked by my armor. Even though the Grim Reapers had gotten stronger, my increase in strength had more than made up for it!

With an evil grin, I twisted the spear which was still stuck inside him. The reaper instantly became particles of light and scattered into the air. Just a single Heroic Strike with a normal amount of mana could kill a reaper.

[This human is resisting.]

[Foolish!]

After sending one reaper away, I turned to the others. In the air, dozens of large scythes were slashing down towards me.

“Don’t you get tired?” I grumbled.

I quickly dodged and the scythes also struck the ground. The passageway immediately began to transform. The floor was made of a stone-like material, and it became metallic and sharp spikes protruded out, making it impossible to step foot on the ground. Of course, I didn’t believe that the spikes would stay on the ground forever.

The Grim Reapers shouted together, [As you rejected a comfortable death, you shall face a cruel gruesome death!]

[Kuaaaaaaa!]

[Grim Reaper has used Death Roar! Absolute Soul, Overwhelm, and high charm has nullified Death Roar!]

[What!?]

[O-Our roar…!]

I was also surprised. I didn’t think I could completely nullify Death Roar. I thought only worlds’ enemies could ignore the dungeon’s skills. However, not only did I nullify the debuff from Death Roar, but I had also nullified the self-buffing part of Death Roar. Wait…then was it the same for Orc Lord’s Warcry…?

[His league…A truly lofty league…!]

[Overwhelming Grim Reapers…Is this man human!?]

The reapers also seemed shocked as they froze in the air. I didn’t miss the opportunity and used Elemental Tempest and Sacrifice.

[Kuaaaaak!]

[You…You are the dungeon’s…!]

The reapers disappeared, muttering things I couldn’t understand. After absorbing elemental power, the passageway began to glow in a five-colored light and shot out its spikes. However, with no reapers attacking me, dodging them was a piece of cake. I quickly wove through the spikes and flew across the passageway, murmuring, “If I’m already this strong, then the world’s enemy… I need to get stronger.”

I was no longer the kid that didn’t know anything. Now that I could fathom the enemy’s power, I could set a clearer goal for myself.

The dungeon was powerful, but it undoubtedly had a limit. Perhaps, the dungeon wanted me to surpass the power it had bestowed upon me. Overlord, gods’ true names, and Absolute Soul were all ways to accomplish that.

I should have been happy, but I wasn’t. I progressed through Beyond with a stiff expression, believing that someone beyond the dungeon could answer my questions.

Four days later, I reached the First Dungeon’s 70th floor. I had gotten there two days earlier than my promised day with Yua.