It was another quiet night.
Natsuki Subaru sat alone in his room, flipping through the "Lugnica Children's Story Collection." After Ram's literacy lessons, he could basically understand the content now, although he still occasionally encountered a few unfamiliar characters.
"Hmm... this character should be read as 'road', right..." Natsuki Subaru scratched the back of his head, pondering, then suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly, "If Ram saw me looking so serious, she'd definitely say something like, 'Barusu is actually using his brain, how rare.'"
Unknowingly, waiting for Ram or Rem to come supervise his studies every night had become a habit.
However, most of the time it was Ram who came, as Rem's work was always very packed.
Today, the agreed time had passed, but Ram had yet to appear.
"Strange, it's already past the agreed time, huh?"
Natsuki Subaru looked up at the wall, where a magic crystal emitting a faint blue light was embedded. This was the timekeeping tool of this other world. Its function was similar to a clock from Natsuki Subaru's original world, but it used changes in magical elements to indicate time.
The magic crystal would change color according to different time periods: green, symbolizing wind, represented midnight to six in the morning (Wind Hour); scorching red represented six in the morning to noon (Fire Hour); deep blue represented six in the evening to midnight (Water Hour); and calm yellow represented midnight to early morning (Earth Hour).
According to this world's timekeeping method, the blue light meant it was now the Water Hour, which was six o'clock to twelve o'clock at night.
"Why hasn't Ram come yet today, was she delayed by something?" Natsuki Subaru rested his chin on his hand and muttered to himself, "Forget it, I'll review by myself first."
Then.
Natsuki Subaru picked up the quill pen and listlessly wrote familiar names on the paper: Rem, Ram, Emilia, then added Beatrice and Puck.
As he wrote, the characters under his pen unknowingly turned into Ram's name. And he wrote more and more, until the entire sheet of paper was covered with Ram's name.
"Huh? Why is it all Ram's name..."
Natsuki Subaru suddenly stopped the quill pen in his hand, looking at the paper somewhat dazed.
"Speaking of which, Ram has been teaching me literacy recently."
Natsuki Subaru was slightly lost in thought, chewing on the end of the quill. Every day, listening to Ram explain the pronunciation of each character in her unique cool voice, watching Ram's slender fingers elegantly demonstrate the stroke order, unknowingly, these images seemed to have been deeply imprinted in his mind.
"So, that's why I subconsciously wrote her name so many times..."
Just then.
The room door "creaked" open softly.
"Ram, you're finally here." Natsuki Subaru looked up.
"What's there to be surprised about." The pink-haired maid elegantly walked into the room. "For Ram, appearing on time would be more unusual, right?"
"Hey, hey, punctuality is clearly a virtue, okay?" Looking at the nonchalant Ram, Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but retort, "You haven't mixed up the concepts of punctuality and being late, have you?"
Ram blinked her wine-red eyes and calmly said: "Ram just happened to have work to attend to."
"Then, may I inquire, what important work was it?"
Natsuki Subaru asked with great interest.
"I wanted tea when I passed the kitchen, so I made a cup." Ram replied lightly.
"...You're completely twisting the definition of work, aren't you?"
Natsuki Subaru's mouth twitched, and he sighed, resting his forehead in his hand.
"Setting that aside," Ram changed the subject, "How is Barusu's new learning progress?"
"Uh... It's alright, I guess..." Natsuki Subaru handed over the paper filled with Ram's name, saying with a smug look, "I just wrote your name a few hundred times, that's all. Quick, evaluate it, isn't my progress incredibly fast?"
"Hmm... Barusu's handwriting is like the tracks left by an earth dragon." Ram took the paper, glanced at it, and then gave her evaluation expressionlessly. "This ugly handwriting... has defiled the pure paper..."
"Enough, enough!" Seeing Ram seemed to be getting more and more into it, Natsuki Subaru quickly raised his hand to interrupt her.
He should have anticipated this kind of answer. To think he foolishly expected some kind of good evaluation.
Ram looked at Natsuki Subaru's dejected appearance, the corners of her mouth lifting almost imperceptibly:
"However... just this once, I'll give useless Barusu a tiny bit of praise. Although the handwriting is still like an earth dragon rolling around, compared to the initial scribbles, at least now you can tell they are characters."
"Wait!" Natsuki Subaru suddenly looked up. "Did Ram just casually insult me again?"
"You heard wrong." Ram turned away without changing her expression. "Well then, let's continue practicing. Today's learning task is..."
"Hey, hey, don't pretend you didn't hear me!" Natsuki Subaru chased after Ram, protesting, but also noticed a flicker of a smile in her eyes.
This girl is definitely doing it on purpose.
Although she was sharp-tongued, Natsuki Subaru knew in his heart that this was Ram's way of praising him. He was already used to Ram's poisonous remarks.
If only Ram's personality could be as soft and cute as Rem's.
But, on second thought.
If that were the case, then she wouldn't be Ram, right?
After all, the contrast in the personalities of these twins was their charm.
Looking at Ram's iconic cold expression, Natsuki Subaru suddenly felt that this sharp-tongued attribute suited her quite well.
"Why do I feel like Barusu is thinking something lewd?"
Ram keenly sensed Natsuki Subaru's gaze lingering on her and slightly narrowed her wine-red eyes.
"N-No, don't talk nonsense!"
Natsuki Subaru immediately denied, his voice unconsciously rising an octave.
"Answering so hesitantly, you're obviously guilty."
Ram's tone was still flat, but carried an undeniable certainty.
"Hey, hey, don't wrong an innocent person?!"
Natsuki Subaru protested, but inwardly, he was clicking his tongue.
Such keen observation, is this Ram's terrifying aspect...
"Is that so..." Ram replied noncommittally, her wine-red eyes turning to the fairy tale book in Natsuki Subaru's hand, her slender fingers gently tapping the spine.
"However, Barusu, you should have finished reading this fairy tale book by now, right? Do you recognize all the characters inside?"
"Of course!" Natsuki Subaru straightened his back, slapping the book, making a "pa pa" sound. "These past few days, I've almost worn out the 'Lugnica Children's Story Collection'."
After all, in this unfamiliar other world, literacy was indeed the primary necessity for survival. So, he had been studying literacy very diligently these past few days, even a hundred times more diligently than when he was in school before transmigrating.
Probably because... the teacher was a beautiful girl like Ram.
"Oh?" Ram elegantly approached, her pink hair glowing softly in the candlelight. "Barusu is actually reading voluntarily? It seems it's going to rain red tomorrow."
"Hey, hey, you make it sound like I never study!" Natsuki Subaru pouted, dissatisfied.
"Isn't that so?" Ram tilted her head. "The day before yesterday, a certain someone wrote the character for 'water' as 'fire'."
"Th-That was an accident!" Natsuki Subaru immediately defended himself. "Besides, those two characters look so similar..."
"Similar?" Ram feigned confusion, blinking. "Like Barusu's looks and an earth dragon's intelligence?"
"That's not similar at all! Wait..." Natsuki Subaru suddenly reacted. "Hey, you're insulting me, aren't you?!"
Ram blinked: "Oh dear, I've been found out."
Natsuki Subaru was at a loss for words, looking helplessly at the sharp-tongued pink-haired maid before him, a subtle sense of incongruity rising in his heart.
She speaks so harshly, yet she's always thinking of me.
This must be my illusion...
Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but recall Ram's different attitudes towards others: gentle and caring towards her sister Rem, friendly and amiable towards guests, and utterly loyal to Lord Roswaal.
But why is it that only towards me, it's all sorts of poisonous remarks and mockery?
"However..." Ram suddenly spoke, interrupting Natsuki Subaru's thoughts. "To reward Barusu for writing so many characters, I'll give you this."
"Ah? What?"
Natsuki Subaru looked doubtfully at the item Ram casually placed on the table.
A thick notebook with a pink cover.
"This... looks like a notebook?" Natsuki Subaru said, looking at the notebook in his hand.
"Correct." Ram nodded slightly. "It seems Barusu's abilities haven't degenerated to an unsalvageable point yet."
"Hey, you make it sound like I'm usually very stupid," Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but protest.
Ram ignored his protest and continued to explain:
"Use the characters you've learned to record daily events in this notebook. This way, I can check Barusu's learning progress, and you can also practice your handwriting. It's killing two birds with one stone."
"Isn't this just tricking me into writing a diary..." Natsuki Subaru scratched his head, his expression somewhat troubled. "I always feel like it would be very embarrassing if someone peeked at my diary."
"Oh? Barusu is so concerned about privacy..." Ram raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, looking at Natsuki Subaru. "Could it be you're planning to write something indecent in your diary?"
"Hey, hey, don't talk nonsense!" Natsuki Subaru hurriedly waved his hands in denial. "I just think diaries are inherently very personal, right?"
"Hmph..." Ram snorted lightly, a mischievous glint in her wine-red eyes. "Then Barusu can just write upright and proper content, so you won't be afraid of others seeing it."
"Tsk, what proper person writes a diary anyway," Natsuki Subaru pouted. "Besides, a sunny and cheerful boy like me, what indecent secrets could I have..."
Although, if he really had to count, he had far too many secrets, but those things were destined to remain buried in his heart, never to be written on paper.
"Suit yourself," Ram said faintly.
"Anyway... this notebook is specifically for me to practice writing, right?" Natsuki Subaru accepted the notebook and gave Ram a grateful smile. "Thanks, Ram, I'll try to record some things about my studies and then let you check them."
Although, she would probably still laugh at his ugly handwriting.
Then, Natsuki Subaru lowered his head and flipped through the blank notebook again, muttering thoughtfully,
"But, speaking of which, if I only write about daily learning content, it feels like writing a work log. What else should I record?"
"Writing praises for Ram is also fine, you know," Ram said calmly.
"Who would write that kind of thing!" Natsuki Subaru pouted.
However, speaking of which, occasionally recording some things with Ram might not be bad...
The moment this thought popped up, Natsuki Subaru was startled by himself, quickly shaking his head and flipping through the fairy tale book again to continue practicing writing.
These past few days of literacy lessons, under Ram's guidance, were truly like having divine assistance.
Literally divine assistance.
Whenever Natsuki Subaru's strokes were crooked, Ram's fingers would mercilessly tap the back of his hand; when his pronunciation was wrong, that mocking "As expected of Barusu," would ring in his ears.
But it was undeniable that although Ram always looked impatient, her teaching was exceptionally serious.
"This character, the stroke order is wrong again." Ram's voice suddenly came from behind, accompanied by a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance.
"I-I know!"
Natsuki Subaru's heart skipped a beat, and he replied, trying to maintain his composure.
Hey, hey, don't get so close... I can barely handle it.
Ram sighed lightly and straightened up, looking down at Natsuki Subaru's hand: "Look carefully, this character is written like this..."
Ram, is actually very gentle.
Natsuki Subaru secretly glanced at the pink-haired girl beside him, who was focused on teaching, his heart unconsciously beating a little faster.
The moonlight outside the window quietly crept onto the branches, illuminating this humble window, plating this long night of study with a soft, faint glow.
The next day, the weather was clear.
After telling Rem he needed to familiarize himself with the surroundings, Natsuki Subaru went alone to the edge of the forest near Arlam Village.
"This is the place."
Looking around and confirming no one was nearby, Natsuki Subaru took a deep breath and took out a key emitting a ghostly blue light from his system inventory.
It was a rare item he had obtained from a blessed random box.
"I almost died at the hands of the Bowel Hunter Elsa before, my strength is still not enough."
Natsuki Subaru clenched the key in his hand, his eyes becoming resolute.
Soon, he would have to accompany Emilia to the Royal Capital as a knight to participate in the Royal Selection.
At that time, the Mabeast White Whale, the fanatical Witch Cult, and that insane Sin Archbishop of Sloth, countless troubles would follow one after another.
"I must become stronger! Strong enough to protect everyone!"
Natsuki Subaru lowered his head and stared at the key in his hand, the item information appearing before his eyes.
[Item: Temporary Dungeon Teleport Key]
[Type: Consumable (One-time use)]
[Quality: Rare]
[Use Limit: 0/1]
[Description: A special key forged by some unknown monarch, capable of opening an entrance to a randomly generated temporary dungeon. The internal structure and Mabeast types within the dungeon are completely random. Successful clearance will grant generous rewards commensurate with the difficulty.]
[Warning: The flow of time inside the dungeon is different from reality, but the risk of death is real.]
"If we go by the settings in games," Natsuki Subaru picked up the dungeon key in his hand and muttered to himself, "this kind of single-player instance should allow for rapid acquisition of experience points and rare items."
"My strength has also improved considerably recently, I should be able to handle the monsters in the dungeon."
Saying this, Natsuki Subaru called up his attribute panel.
Host: Natsuki Subaru
Level: 8
Occupation: None
Title: Mabeast Slaughterer
Spirit: 46
Strength: 60
Agility: 44
Stamina: 35
Health: 420/420
Mana: 500/500
Experience: 208/20000
Allocatable Points: 0
Passive Skills:
Life Resilience, Advanced Dagger Arts, Blessing of the Great Witch God Kandiaru.
......
After persisting in completing daily tasks during this period and adding all 2 attribute points rewarded by daily tasks to strength, Natsuki Subaru's strength attribute had now reached an astonishing 60 points, far ahead of all other attributes.
"This is perhaps strength beyond that of an ordinary person!"
Natsuki Subaru clenched his fist, feeling the power surging in his muscles.
This level of physical fitness not only far surpassed that of ordinary humans by several times, but perhaps even the demi-humans of this other world would find it hard to match. Every punch could create the sound of breaking air, and heavy weapons in his hands felt as light as nothing.
"It should be fine now."
Natsuki Subaru took a deep breath, his gaze firm as he looked ahead.
For this moment, he had made thorough preparations; his system inventory was filled with supplies, with plenty of water and food prepared.
Most importantly, he had deliberately waited until now to use this dungeon key, precisely to ensure everything was foolproof.
After all, he only had one chance.
"Then... enter the dungeon."
With a thought, the key in Natsuki Subaru's hand suddenly burst forth with a dazzling light.
The space in front of him twisted and tore, and a stone door engraved with ancient runes appeared out of thin air.
Natsuki Subaru unhesitatingly inserted the key into the lock, then twisted it forcefully—
With a "click!"
The stone door slowly opened, a pitch-black vortex churning behind the door, as if leading to another world.
"Let's go!"
Natsuki Subaru stepped forward, his figure instantly swallowed by the darkness.
......
[Notification: You have entered a temporary dungeon.]
[Notification: Time flow ratio between the main world and the dungeon - 1:10]
[Notification: You cannot leave the dungeon, you must kill the lord or use a return stone.]
"Is this the dungeon?"
Natsuki Subaru stood in the dim dungeon, looking up and around at this vast underground structure.
Glowing moss crawled all over the towering stone walls, casting an eerie fluorescent light in the gloom.
The echo of water droplets falling into a puddle reverberated in the distance, layered in the empty corridor.
"A 1:10 time flow rate... Meaning 1 hour in the outside world is equivalent to 10 hours here..." Natsuki Subaru stared at the dungeon information prompt on the system panel, his brow slightly furrowed.
"It's just like the legendary Hyperbolic Time Chamber."
"Unfortunately, the dungeon key is a one-time consumable... I must make good use of this opportunity."
"And the system prompt is very clear, I can't leave without defeating the lord."
"So, I have to clear the entire dungeon by myself... The system really thinks highly of me."
Thinking of this, Natsuki Subaru clenched his fist, his eyes growing sharper, "But so what? To become stronger, to protect those smiles, I'll carve out a path of survival with these hands!"
Tap, tap, tap—
Natsuki Subaru's footsteps echoed in the dim corridor.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from ahead, and five pairs of crimson eyes lit up in the shadows.
___
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