Danmachi: I'm Leveling Up In The Dungeon

Aston has returned from five years ago, bringing Alise and the others back with him from that point in time.

Currently, Alise and the others are listening to Ryuu explain the situation, while Aston quietly sits on a large rock, checking his attribute panel.

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Host: Aston Glycias

Level: 38

Abilities: [Meditation]: Void Furnace, [Magic]: Fire Ring, Big Fireball, Lightness, Requip, Divine Speed, Hurricane Blade [Skill]: Instant Kill, Nature Affinity, Shapeshifting, Puppet Doppelganger, Time Projection, Spatial Transfer [Eye technique]: Lv. 4 Mangekyo Sharingan (20/100000), Reincarnation Eye (2/3).

Sub-profession: Alchemist Master (1000/100000), Blacksmith Master (0/100000), Dragon Chef, Brewer Master (300/100000), Enchanter Master (3000/100000), Beast Tamer Master (0/100000).

Functions: Team Formation, Quests, Shop

Items: [Noble Phantasms]: Excalibur, Avalon; [Grandmaster Blacksmith's Forge] Long Knight Sword, Light Knight Armor; Faction Card (148/150), Divine Blood Elixir (1), Healing Fruit (1), Magic Medicine Field (10 acres), Barrier Orb (1), Magic Turret (10), Legion-level Magic Card (20/50), Linkage Seal.

Experience Bar: 190000/900000

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Aston has leveled up again, reaching level 38. After killing the Juggernaut five years ago, Aston suddenly gained 200,000 experience points. Originally having reached 790,000, just 10,000 short of leveling up, he easily exceeded the requirement, with an excess of 190,000 experience points.

Moreover, during this time, Aston's Reincarnation Eye completed its first awakening and has now begun its second. With the upgrade of his Sharingan to the Mangekyō Sharingan, Aston gained two new Dōjutsu techniques: Time Projection and Spatial Transfer.

He also acquired the ultimate Dōjutsu technique, Susano, although at the Mangekyō level, Susano can only reach the armor stage and cannot transform into a giant warrior form. To achieve the warrior form, the Sharingan must be upgraded again to the Eternal Mangekyō level.

The Eternal Mangekyō level Susano could indeed enhance Aston's power. However, the current Susano'o doesn't offer Aston much utility. It's somewhat dispensable. The truly useful abilities that the upgrade of the Sharingan to the Mangekyō brought Aston are Time Projection and Spatial Transfer.

Speaking of which, it's impossible not to mention the uniqueness of Aston's Mangekyō Sharingan. Due to Aston possessing Avalon, no matter how he uses the abilities of the Mangekyō Sharingan, his eyes won't deteriorate. As long as Aston has enough physical strength, he can use its abilities however he wishes without any negative consequences.

It's precisely for this reason, after acquiring the Mangekyō Sharingan and understanding his Dōjutsu abilities and guessing Ryuu's intentions, that Aston decided so decisively to help Ryuu. Without Avalon, even if Aston wanted to help Ryuu, he would have waited until after upgrading his Sharingan to the Eternal Mangekyō before taking action.

After all, it would only take a few months to accumulate the 100,000 experience points needed, so there's no need to risk his vision just to save Ryuu's companions a bit sooner.

As for the reward for this level-up, it was quite ordinary – not a skill or magic, but items. The reward this time was three Legion-level Magic Cards, allowing Aston's magic legion to inherit abilities for three more people.

"It seems the Hestia Familia will need to recruit new members again. It's just uncertain if there are any unemployed elves in Orario." Aston pondered while touching his chin, looking at the number on the Legion-level Magic Cards on his attribute panel. The elves in Orario have been almost entirely enlisted by the Hestia Familia; it's unknown if any new elves have arrived in Orario recently.

"However, it doesn't matter if there aren't any. Even though the number of recipients possible with the Legion-level Magic Cards has increased, the Power Cards can't keep up."

"These days, I haven't been able to refresh and obtain Power Cards, so I can't add new members to the Familia."

At this moment, it seemed that Ryuu had finished explaining things. Alise and the others seemed to have accepted their current situation and started walking towards Aston.

"Ryuu has explained everything to us, Aston-san, and we're very grateful for your generous help. If there's anything you need in the future, just let us know," Alise said, approaching Aston with a hand on her hip and a hearty tone of gratitude.

"There's no need for thanks; this is what Ryuu deserves," Aston replied with a slight smile.

He had used the Time Projection ability to save Alise and the others entirely because of Ryuu. Ryuu had protected him from his weakest moments and helped him grow; he would not forget her support. Now that he had the ability to repay, he naturally would not ignore it.

"Aston-san, thank you very much. I will find a way to repay you," Ryuu, however, did not agree, feeling that she hadn't played any significant role in Aston's growth. She hadn't helped Aston grow stronger; his rapid development was due to his own capabilities, not any favor she had done him.

This act from Aston, allowing her to reunite with Alise and the others, was a tremendous gift to her. She vowed to repay Aston's generosity wholeheartedly.

"Well, as you wish," Aston said with a look of resignation, then sighed lightly and accepted.

Then, Aston turned to Alise and the others, inquiring about their next steps: "So, what do you plan to do next?"

"First, we plan to convince the Guild to revoke Ryuu's fugitive status. After that, we'll head to the Sword Smithing City Solingen to take back our goddess and restore the Astraea Familia to its rightful place in Orario," Alise responded with a gleam in her eyes, full of confidence.

"Is that so? Then I wish you all the best of luck."

"Thank you."