When I returned from exploring the dungeon to save the world, I found out that my lover had been stolen, and I was blamed for the failed expedition. Enraged, I quit Japan's strongest party—only for them to self-destruct on their own. - Chapter 5

Ahhh, this feels amazing.

A vast, endless ocean stretched out before me, blending seamlessly into the sky.

The gentle warmth of spring sunlight, the crisp sea breeze—it was the perfect day.

The sun’s reflection sparkled on the waves like scattered jewels.

And I was soaring over it all.

What was I doing, you ask?

I was heading to the Pacific Dungeon.

This was one of the world’s lesser-known high-level dungeons.

According to official claims, clearing the seven high-level dungeons scattered across America, China, Germany, India, Brazil, Australia, and Japan was the key to saving humanity.

But I had my doubts.

There were plenty of other dungeons that seemed just as dangerous—like the ones in Antarctica, the Pacific, the Atlantic, and South Africa.

A high-level dungeon was defined as having 100 or more floors.

Maybe those “chosen seven” had some special significance, but…

Honestly? I didn’t care.

What mattered to me was survival.

And being an explorer was the only way I knew how to live.

But after quitting the Japan Dungeon Association, I could no longer enter any dungeons in Japan.

So, my only option was the Pacific Dungeon.

Unlike most dungeons, whose entrances were on land, this one floated over the ocean.

That meant hardly anyone could even reach it.

The World Dungeon Association ruled that any high-rank explorer capable of entering on their own was allowed to do so.

So, here I was.

I could already see the entrance ahead…

Wait.

What the hell?

Why was the entrance covered in dark mana?

The perfect mood I’d been in completely shattered as I approached with caution.

The inside looked relatively normal, aside from the slight excess of mana in the air.

As I scanned my surroundings, I noticed something strange lying on the ground.

It was…

A tiny creature, no bigger than the palm of my hand, covered in silky white fur with a faint golden sheen.

It almost looked like a kitten, but it had no tail.

Its ears were more rabbit-like than feline.

I picked it up.

Unconscious.

The fur was so soft that I found myself absentmindedly stroking it.

“Mmm… huh? Who—AHHH!”

Suddenly, it woke up.

The moment it saw me, it flailed in surprise and nearly fell from my hands.

I caught it just in time.

Wait.

Did it just speak?!

“Are you okay? I found you passed out over there.”

“What? You saved Effie?”

“I just picked you up.”

“Are you someone who can enter here? …I see. You have strong mana.”

It was analyzing me.

Well, two could play that game.

I activated my Appraisal skill.

“Waaahhh—!”

The little thing wobbled in dizziness.

So, Effie was its name.

According to the appraisal results, it was a fairy with high mana resistance.

“Why is a fairy here?”

“Effie came to defeat the monster that bullied my people! I will find it and destroy it!”

It didn’t look remotely combat-capable.

Yet it clenched its tiny fists and punched the air with determination.

Adorable.

“Are you sure you can handle this monster?”

“I’m not supposed to say! But Effie will do her best!”

“I see.”

Wishing for something didn’t make it happen.

I’d learned that the hard way.

“So? What does it look like? I’m not busy—want some help?”

“Really?! You’re so nice! That would be great!”

Effie bounced happily in my palm.

I tried petting it with my free hand.

It got mad.

“Alright, so where is this thing?”

“Hmm… I don’t know, but I feel like it’s this way! LET’S GO!”

“Hey! Wait! Don’t just run off blindly—”

“EHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!?!?!?!”

I called it.

Sigh. Guess I’d better help.

I sighed and followed Effie deeper into the dungeon.

“So, where do you live?”

“Effie lives in Effie’s village!”

“And where is that?”

“Umm… over Buffy Hill, past Anphy Forest, near the edge of Raffy Plain!”

“…That tells me nothing.”

And so, we chatted aimlessly as we ventured deeper.

The upper floors of the Pacific Dungeon were mostly mechanical enemies and golems, with the occasional fishman.

Not exactly strong.

Monsters still attacked in waves, but I effortlessly wiped them out as we progressed.

“You’re super strong! Effie is shocked!”

It was just a normal high-level dungeon.

Still, before I knew it, I had reached the 50th floor—all while carrying Effie.

And that’s when the real horde showed up.

Last time I was here, I came as part of the World Dungeon Association’s investigation team.

We had only explored up to the 40th floor to classify its difficulty level.

Generally, we determined a dungeon’s class based on:

1. Magic density
2. Boss monster strength at floors 20 and 40

From those, we estimated:

• Low-tier: Up to 30 floors
• Mid-tier: Up to 80 floors
• High-tier: Over 100 floors

But this time, I was going all the way.

I had too much pent-up frustration.

I needed to see how far I could go.

And now, Effie’s revenge mission had been added to the mix.

If its enemy wasn’t here by the 50th floor, that meant it was even deeper.

If a creature strong enough to wipe out an entire fairy village was roaming these depths…

Could Effie’s people even stand a chance?

“THERE IT IS! THAT’S THE ONE!”

Effie’s shrill cry rang through the air.

We had reached the 79th floor.