Kael ran through the forest as his home was on the outskirts of the city. The once vibrant forest now filled with withered trees and dead grass. Kael couldn't but feel pain in his heart, yet he had bigger worries that were important at the moment.

  I picked the worst day to oversleep. Time to see if I can find any weak or damaged monsters.

  The magic giveaway guild event was held a few days after most of the new adventurers became part of the guild. Low on money, Kael had taken on a mission the day before but overestimated his abilities. He tagged along with level 8 adventurers who only agreed due to needing someone to carry their belongings. To his dismay, his body was pushed to the limits. Dodging and weaving, twisting his body in ways he hasn't imagined, all to avoid as much damage as possible.

  Checking his stats was more frustrating as the XP barely moved. The reason for this is due to him getting the last hit, dealing the finishing blow on monsters that the other adventurers would overlook. This would be impressive if it wasn't for the fact that those monsters were already on their last leg. More XP would have been given if he dealt more blows.

  Kael shut his eyes, shame curling in his chest as the thoughts lingered. I couldn't let Astraea know this is how I actually am as an adventurer. Someone who lurks around until the perfect opportunity presents itself to me.

  A battle cry snapped Kael out of his thoughts. It was a disfigured kobold who appeared to have escaped from another battle. The kobold seemed to be between two and three feet tall with one working leg, carrying a sword.

  As Kael reached for his back pocket that carried a dull knife, he thought to himself, this should be easy, probably will take about two hits if I sneak up behind him.

  He stealthily hurried through the bushes, positioning himself behind the kobold. Ready, set… GO!

  "Ahh!" Kael jumped out of the bush with both hands holding his knife over his head. The kobold turned out trying to prepare itself but… it was too late. In two stiff slices, the kobold went down instantly.

  "Eh, no good again it seems." Kael squatted and searched the now dead kobold to see if there was any good items to steal. However, its' weapon wasn't in any better shape than his own. Let alone having any valuables on them.

  "What a shame, at least I received some xp from that." Kael stood up as he ruffled his hair, "That was a good warmup, let's go further and see what leftovers are left in these dungeons. " He smirked at the thought of the easy xp he could gain, " I should try to be quick before heading back to Astraea, she must be lonely without me." He giggled to himself, pacing his steps in a skipping motion delving deeper into the forest.

  Back at Kael's home.

  Astraea is currently surveying the house, placing her hand on her chin as if stroking her nonexistent beard. Even though he lives alone, I wish he took better care of himself and his home. She found clothes and dust all over the floors and counters.

  I got it! He will be so surprised when he comes back. Astraea walked towards a door that appeared to be a closet. This must be where the cleaning supplies are. Once Astraea opened the door, sure enough, she was correct.

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  She brought out all the cleaning supplies and found a random cloth to put over her attire to not dirty it. Astraea placed her hands on her hips as she looked at what's ahead of her, "Time to get to work."

  Astraea started with collecting all the trash bags laying around the home. One by one she picked up the fully loaded black bags. "Good thing these are already tied up, makes it easier." She walked towards the door that led outside but then….

  Astraea hand hovered over the door knob… the memories from what happened before she got saved flooded her brain. Can I do this? I don't know I'm scared…

  Astraea clenched her teeth as her head lowered.

  Crunch.

  Before Astraea knew it, her hands were straining from the force of gripping the trash bags.

  "Huh?" Astraea's eyes widen when the realization hit as she saw her hands.

  Thud.

  Cling clack.

  The thrash bags filled with glasses and other disposable things fell to the floor.

  The once widen eyes now back to regular, "What am I doing?!" Everything finally registered to Astraea fully.

  She got down to regain her grasp on the bags, "Going outside is too much for me at the moment it seems…" Astraea's voice softened, "I'll place them next to the door and have Kael take them outside."

  As Astraea stood up and placed the bags next to the door, she turned her attention to the bed and bathroom.

  In front of her was an unmade bed, covers everywhere, followed by clothes laying on the ground.

  "I don't know if it was best for him to be on his own." Astraea chuckled.

  While Astraea tended to the untidy room, Kael laid his eyes on the entrance in front of him.

  It was a dungeon known for having weak monsters, a great place for newbie adventurers. Just then...

  Boom!

  Boom!

  Kael turned to his right to see a few explosions go off.

  "What's going on over there? Hmm.. probably some crazed adventurer."

  It was too much trouble for a beginner like Kael, he will just leave it up to the more advanced ones.

  Inside the dungeon was usually calm near the entrance unless a monster was lured out. Kael walked further down a path.

  Cling! Clash!

  Kael quickly hid behind a corner.

  There was an party of four members; a healer, a tank, and two attackers. A pretty well-rounded group. They were in the middle of an battle against some orcs.

  Even though this group was somewhat new, the orcs stood no chance due to how well-coordinated they were.

  However, lucky for me, they weren't the type to fully check if their opponents were dead. The group quickly ran further down the dungeon hunting for more monsters.

  Slash! Slash! Slash!

  Kael quickly snuck in and finished off the orcs. He can already feel himself getting closer to obtaining magic.

  After a few more of this sequence, Kael decided that was enough for today.

  "Now, I should head back to Astraea." Kael wiped off the sweat from his forehead.

  By now, Kael was deep in the dungeon. While making his way back up to the entrance. his senses tingled.

  Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

  Oh no....

  Kael could already tell trouble was coming his way.

  Kael's eyes widened as he turned around, seeing the sight in front of him.

  Oh man, oh man, oh man.

  ROARRR!