Chapter 23: Delinquent and Fox: Into the Armoury!

Ryuji and Yumiko stood in the training yard; they no longer rushed or held back any desires since they confirmed their worries and feelings the night before.

Today was the second week in this new world; for Ryuji. It felt like months or even years had passed because of the intensity of his training; thanks to Alan. So most of the money earned from his quest got added to the party budget. The rest he kept inside his item ring with twenty silver, even after giving half to the party!

'I am glad. This means they won't suffer if I keep it up.'

Knight Alan then entered, interrupting his thoughts as Yumiko grasped his hand because she worried he might get sent on a dangerous quest again without her.

"Morning, Heroes! It is my pleasure to have spent a week with you all, training and guiding you forward. From this week onward. You will enter the dungeon at least twice a week and give progress reports. All so we can assess your abilities for the future test three weeks from now."

As he finished his speech, people flooded the training ground. Including the Heroes and their new mentors, along with knights who would guide them through the dungeons.

"The Hero party, Erika, Fuuka, Haruki, Kenta, and Yuki. You will enter the D-rank dungeon Visala and clear the first floor by Sunday." Alan smiled with his handsome face.

'That's not the dungeon I went to, so they should be fine,' Ryuji thought.

"Next are the Heroes, Heba, Sedeki, Lea, Suko, and Sena. You will clear the first level of the F-rank dungeon Thetis within one week."

Knight Alan spent several minutes giving each party their dungeon and a target while finally coming to Ryuji; Yumiko, Akari, and Ryo were just behind them, looking a little scared.

"Ryuji, Yumiko, Ryo, and Akari will enter the E-rank dungeon Vallos and the F-rank Terigosa and complete them within one week."

He paused for a second to think.

"Ryuji, I suggest you start with Terigosa, and when comfortable, move to Vallos."

Ryuji and the others nodded as they received the dungeon locations from an older knight waiting at the yard's entrance.

Some members of the main hero party looked at them with strange glances, while Erika's face was concerned, likely because they were the only group with two dungeons to clear.

'I know this is the request of the king. He wants me to prove myself this way.' While looking at the worried Akari and Ryo, Ryuji noticed their fear and slight shaking.

'To be honest, this is like a vacation compared to the D-rank dungeon.'

He smiled, a little confident because he was with Yumiko, this time with her new ability to learn his martial arts skills and him having her life-saving skill thanks to the ring; he wanted to boost their confidence a little.

"Understood. Thank you for the information. Before we leave, please let us meet with the merchant who sells weapons and armour?"

"It's getting late now. Let's finish our training and head out. Akari, Ryo, you got the money from my work, right? Enjoy a nice hot meal. Tomorrow, we will dive into the dungeon!"

"Okie Dokie," Akari said with her radiant smile, while Ryo and Yumiko nodded.

An hour later, the party finished their daily training, and Ryuji with Yumiko followed an older knight towards the armoury.

"Welcome to the Armoury; I am Knight Captain Stevan. You can enter the first and second floors, but avoid the third; it is off-limits, and you will face punishment. Understood?" He looked at Ryuji and Yumiko.

"Understood, thank you for the directions," Ryuji and Yumiko bowed.

"Excellent!" He nodded and walked away.

"Ryuji..."

Yumiko's hand grasped his tightly. The walls were full of armour, from helmets to clothing, with shields, spears, swords, daggers, bows, and everything else lined on them.

"My god, how much does this cost?" he murmured, shocked at the number of pieces. The first floor held at least three hundred different armour sets, and he only counted from left to right, not back to front.

The room gave an eerie vibe because of the aura from the weapons: low light, dark stone walls, dripping water in the distance, and the taste of copper and bronze on his tongue.

"Why don't you look for the armour you think will fit Akari and Ryo, and I will look for myself. Is that alright?" Yumiko asked.

Ryuji nodded and turned towards the area with scale and leather armour. He thought about dealing with Ryo first, and at that moment, he saw a huge cleaver! It was like those Asian ones he saw online, almost 30cm long, but the blade was heavy and a huge chunk.

"If even a non-combat class hit something with this, it would die... especially a chef."

[Chef's Deadly Cleaver + 2]

Ryuji wore it over his shoulder before taking it to the next display case for scale armour.

'This is it! Ryo told me he had no skill with armour, so this should be good.'

[Lightweight Scale Armour + 1]

"I found everything for Ryo so easily. But what about myself and Akari... Let's find a robe or something; maybe there are some magically enchanted ones?"

'I hope Yumiko is alright...'