Journey to Planar World

”Finally, we’ve reached Floor 24.”

Carrying Aishia on his back, Charlie breathed a sigh of relief as they passed through the end of the corridor connecting Floor 23 to Floor 24.

It took them 12 hours from Floor 21 to reach Floor 24. The biggest reason for their slow journey was that Charlie chose not to avoid every monster they encountered.

No matter what kind of monster he met, he would defeat them and collect the magic stone after their death. Compared to other adventurers whose goal was to gather resources in the Great Tree Labyrinth, Charlie’s main focus was to defeat monsters to gain Excelia.

The reason he was carrying Aishia was simply because she wanted to be carried, not because she was tired or anything.

”Get down, Aishia. We can’t be reckless from now on. From what I know, Floor 24 is home to the Green Dragon, a monster with the potential of a Level 4 adventurer and the strongest monster in the Great Tree Labyrinth.”

”I understand.”

Aishia obeyed Charlie’s words and got off his back.

”Aiz and her group haven’t caught up yet.”

”It’s natural for them to be far behind us. After all, they’re moving in a group, while we’re only two.”

”I see.”

Aishia no longer looked back and walked beside Charlie.

They explored Floor 24, which was said to be half the size of Orario. Remember that Orario is a very large place, capable of accommodating two to three small kingdom capitals within it. You can imagine how vast Floor 24 is.

”There’s an enemy approaching.”

”Yeah.”

Even without Aishia reminding him, with his sharp sixth sense, Charlie already knew.

From the darkness behind the trees, a group of Hobgoblins emerged, monsters much larger and more fearsome than ordinary Goblins. They were over two meters tall, with muscular bodies and rough greenish skin. Their glowing red eyes stared fiercely at Charlie and Aishia, full of bloodlust.

”Hobgoblins, huh... I’m not a Goblin Slayer...” Charlie said helplessly.

Hobgoblins were unique monsters that only appeared on Floor 24. So this was his first time fighting Hobgoblins. Even so, he swung his Damocles Sword without fear.

”Charlie handle the Hobgoblins, let me take care of the air.” Aishia said calmly and began to float in the air with her Spirit Art.

Whether it was luck or misfortune, besides the Hobgoblins, a more troublesome monster arrived, the Deadly Hornet.

Deadly Hornets were large bee monsters with stingers strong enough to pierce heavy armor and kill a Level 2 adventurer with a single stab. Deadly Hornets were largely responsible for preventing Third and Second Class Adventurers from entering the Lower Floors.

In a short time, Charlie and Aishia were surrounded by monsters both on land and in the air.

If any other duo of adventurers were in this situation, they would have no choice but to run. But Charlie chose a different option, and Aishia would follow whatever decision he made.

”I’ll leave the Deadly Hornets to you, Aishia.”

Gripping his sword tightly, Charlie said without turning, completely trusting her.

”Mm, I’ll take care of them soon. Be careful, Charlie.”

Facing a swarm of Deadly Hornets, Aishia remained calm as usual.

The next moment, they both attacked at the same time.

Of course, the monsters wouldn’t just stand there waiting their turn to attack like in the FGO game.

”GYSHAAAA!!!”

The first Hobgoblin charged with terrifying speed, the large axe in its hand swinging towards its enemy’s head. With a smooth movement, Charlie dodged to the side and slashed the Hobgoblin’s waist in one swift motion.

*Pu-chi*

His slash was so deep that it cut it in two. The Hobgoblin fell with a heavy thud, its body vibrating for a moment before beginning to fade. Only a magic stone remained, glittering amidst the green blood that soon disappeared with the Hobgoblin’s body.

”That’s the first one. No, don’t count the number of Hobgoblins defeated. My behavior imitates Goblin Slayer.”

Charlie complained about his subconscious actions, it seemed his brain’s nature was starting to awaken after he discarded his naive idealism.

”GYSHAAAA!!!”

”GYSHAAAA!!!”

The next two Hobgoblins attacked simultaneously from left and right. Charlie jumped back, avoiding the sharp claws that tried to tear him apart. He twisted his body and with impressive speed, his sword split the air, hitting one of the Hobgoblin’s chests right in the heart.

*Pu-chi*

The Hobgoblin groaned, its body shattered before vanishing, leaving only the magic stone that fell to the ground with a soft sound.

At the same time, the other Hobgoblin jumped, trying to slash Charlie from behind with its large club. However, Charlie was ready. With a quick reflex, he swung his sword upwards, deflecting the attack.

*CLANG*

A loud clang echoed as the sword’s steel met the club’s iron. Charlie held the attack for only a moment before he swung his sword downwards, severing the Hobgoblin’s wrist.

”GYSHAAAA!!!”

As the Hobgoblin roared, Charlie beheaded it with a single slash. Then, he slaughtered the other Hobgoblins.

Compared to fighting humans who could use dirty tricks, schemes, and conspiracies, facing monsters that only had a killing instinct wasn’t difficult for Charlie.

Meanwhile, the aerial fight was no less intense than the ground battle.

The swarm of Deadly Hornets began to attack. Aishia calmly raised her hand.

”I won’t let you guys bother Charlie.”

Without the need for spells or magic circles, Spirit Art began to work.

*FWOOOOSH... SWIRL..*

The air around her swirled rapidly, forming invisible wind spears. With a smooth movement, Aishia directed the spears towards the swarm of Deadly Hornets attacking her.

*WHOOOSH... WHOOOOOOSH... SWOOSH...*

*Pu-chi* *Pu-chi* *Pu-chi*

The wind spears shot out with incredible speed, piercing the bodies of the Deadly Hornets one by one. They fell, their bodies beginning to fade before they hit the ground, leaving only magic stones.

However, their numbers were still large. Some of the remaining Deadly Hornets tried to attack simultaneously.

*FWOOOOSH... SWIRL..*

With a single hand movement, Aishia summoned a large whirlwind that surrounded her, creating a small storm that destroyed every Deadly Hornet that approached. The storm sucked them in, tearing their bodies apart before they could reach her.

Even so, the attack didn’t stop. A group of Deadly Hornets, fearless of death, recklessly attacked Aishia to break through the storm.

”It’s useless.”

With a calm gaze, Aishia spun in the air, her body moving like the wind itself. Every movement was smooth, avoiding the deadly stingers that were only inches from her body.

”Charlie is almost finished. Let’s finish this quickly.”

Glancing towards Charlie, who had already wiped out most of the Hobgoblins, Aishia decided to get more serious.

She used Spirit Art to create a whirlwind that spun around her. The wind spun with great power, creating a humming sound that filled the air.

But this time, she didn’t stop there. With deeper focus, Aishia summoned the element of fire into the wind. The flames, burning with a red-orange glow, began to spread into the whirlwind, transforming it into a fire tornado that emitted a blindingly bright light.

*FWISH... FWOOOOSH...*

The storm that formed was no longer just wind, it was now a raging fire tornado. With tremendous power, Aishia directed the tornado towards a group of Deadly Hornets. The scorching fire spun within the swirling wind, creating a spectacular and terrifying sight.

*FWOOOOSH*

The fire tornado shot towards the Deadly Hornets, consuming everything in its path. As the Deadly Hornets were swept into it, they screamed in agony as their bodies began to burn. The fire devoured their wings and bodies in an instant, turning them into ashes.

*WHOOOOOSH*

The tornado swept up all the Deadly Hornets around it, eliminating them in a blinding light before finally disappearing. All that remained was a flash of magic stones falling.

”Done.”

Aishia landed gracefully beside Charlie, who was standing in the middle of the field now littered with magic stones.

”My Essence is running low, let’s find a place to set up camp and rest. We’ve been fighting too much, we only have fifteen Dual Potions left.”

While collecting the scattered magic stones on the ground with Wind Spirit Art, Charlie suggested ending today’s exploration.

”Yes, Charlie is pushing himself too hard.” Aishia looked at him with concern.

”I can’t hide anything from you, Aishia.”

”Our souls are connected, there’s no one who knows Charlie better than me.”

While chatting casually, they both searched for a location they thought was safe to set up their tent.