THE MEANING OF ADVENTURE

She nodded to herself.

Aiz sat in an armchair, hugging her knees and deep in thought.

The room she sat in was decorated with light colors and filled with many round tables

and sofas. She wasn't alone; many other adventurers were putting their feet up and

relaxing in the wide room.

It was the reception room of Loki Familia.

"Hey, Aiz. Wha'cha thinking about?"

Aiz lifted her face from between her knees as a wheat-skinned, black-haired girl came

up to her.

She had only a strip of cloth around her chest, showing vibrant skin and toned muscles

around her midsection. She wore lose, traditional clothing from the waist down. She

looked more like a street dancer than an adventurer at the moment.

Aiz made eye contact with the young Amazonian girl sporting a long pareu-style skirt

around her waist.

"Tiona…"

"You've had a strange look on your face all week, Aiz. If something's troubling you, I'll

help you out!"

Aiz's cheeks warmed as she saw a friendly smile bloom on the young girl's face.

Just as Aiz was opening her mouth to say, "Thank you"…

"Don't even think about it, Aiz. Talkin' ta Tiona ain't gonna solve jack. You'll just get led

'round in circles."

"Get lost, Bete! I'm talking with Aiz, so keep your mouth shut!"

"Kind of sad that Bete has a point, though."

"Not you, too, Tione?! Don't take Bete's side for anything!"

A young animal-person male with ash-gray fur entered the conversation, along with

another Amazonian girl.

Bete and Tione walked up to Aiz's armchair, teasing the Amazonian girl along the way.

"But yeah, Aiz, where are ya disappearin' to recently? Nowhere t'be found in the

mornings, and yesterday y'were gone all day, weren't ya?"

"What's this? You hear that, Tione? Sounds like Bete's stalking Aiz. Even knows when

she's not home. Makes me sick!"

"Quit yer yappin', Amazonian thugs! We're leavin' for an expedition in a few days, and

Aiz is out doin' who knows what! That's what I'm sayin' here!"

"It's nothing big, so what's the problem? It's not like she's prowling the Dungeon alone

like before. Anything else is a million times safer… and who are you calling a thug?!"

Aiz sat quietly, knowing that she was most likely the reason for their argument.

However, she also knew that if she spoke up, it would only pour oil on the fire, so she

kept her mouth shut.

She watched them argue for a minute before her ears noticed something new close by.

She craned her neck to see who was there.

Clack, clack. Two people were playing chess at the table across from her: a tall elf

beauty and a short prum boy.

The elf had a head or two of height on the boy, with a very relaxed, almost playful

expression on her face, as opposed to the boy's serious face.

"Check."

"Oh…"

The boy moved a piece into position before declaring, which caused the elf's brow to

furrow. She still, however, retained her refined beauty despite her arching eyebrows.

Her eyes jumped for a moment as if she thought of something, but she just set her

hands on her knees and sighed.

"It's over. I've lost this round."

"That's very sporty of you, Reveria. You could hold out a while longer?"

"I don't like a losing fight, Fynn."

The expression on the prum's face was completely different from the Elf as the two

referred to each other by name.

Reveria noticed Aiz's gaze. Her jade hair swayed as she turned to Aiz and asked,

"What's wrong?

"Anything we can help you with? I doubt you want to play a round?"

"Ha-ha, Aiz the chess master. Now that I'd like to see."

While that got a lighthearted chuckle out of most of the group, the intelligent Fynn

softened his lake-blue eyes.

"Tiona asked before, but is something troubling you, Aiz?"

"Wow, that's a first. You can talk with me as well; I'd love to help if I can."

Aiz sat there for a moment after Loki Familia's "top two" leaders asked her if

something was wrong. Aiz suddenly started talking, the same thoughtful expression

on her face.

"What would the two of you do to teach an adventurer?"

"…Another strange question."

"Hmm. It is interesting to think about, though."

"Eh? What was that? Aiz, what'd you say?!"

The Amazons' argument came to a halt as they joined in.

Both of the girls found a spot close to Aiz's armchair, Bete not far behind.

"That's out of the blue. Aiz, did something happen?"

"When you say 'teach,' you're talking about teaching an adventurer weaker than

yourself, yes?"

"No need. You'd be wasting your time, tryin' ta teach a bottom-feeder. Don't be stupid."

Aiz still hugged her knees to her chest as her comrades formed a circle around her.

She decided to ask everyone at once.

"What would anyone do?"

"I would guide them through meditation. No one can improve without knowing

themselves first."

"Oh? I'd bring them with me to the Dungeon! Nothing like a baptism of fire to get

results!"

"Sparring, I believe. Get them used to the rough and tumble of battle."

"Tiona, isn't that exactly what sparring means?"

The ladies of the group each said their opinions in turn, but Bete scoffed at them,

snorting out his nose.

"Don't make me repeat myself! Bottom-feeders belong at the bottom. As long as

they're weak, there's no point in teachin' 'em anything!"

"…Bete, that's very philosophical of you."

"Hah! He's just trying to act tough!"

"I'll bite you in half, woman…!"

"On the other hand, those with power shouldn't think too much of themselves and

show their techniques without a purpose… I never thought I would learn something

such as this from Bete."

"You wanna get in line, old hag…?"

Aiz watched as the conversation broke off into several parts. She turned to face the

last person yet to speak, Fynn.

"What about you, Fynn?"

"Hmm, what would I do? For starters, I'd like to figure out what my student's

weaknesses are, and from there figure out a way to make them into strengths. But

getting that far seems difficult."

Fynn scratched his chin as his small frame sank deeper and deeper into the sofa.

He then answered Aiz's question with a question.

"Why do you ask, Aiz? Your answer will likely affect mine."

"…I…"

The reason for her question was simple.

She was trying to figure out the best way to instruct a certain boy.

It had been six days since she offered to become his teacher. At first she wanted to find

the cause of his rapid growth, but now she was curious to see just how much he could

improve.

Aiz herself didn't understand why she was so motivated to come up with a "menu" for

their next lesson, but Bell's desire to get stronger was a definite factor.

He was open and honest, in a good way.

More than likely he would bravely take everything Aiz might throw at him, enduring

and learning from Aiz's strict lessons, no matter how tough.

Since he never complained, and faced all situations head-on, he learned quickly.

Not that he was particularly good at learning—just quick to recover. Every time he

failed, he just lined up and tried again.

So that's why Aiz has been racking her brain these last few days. To teach him the best

way she could, and to reward him for his efforts.

Right now, she was his only example.

If Fynn were to figure this out, there might be problems…

However, even if there were a better way, she couldn't let her connection with Bell

come to light.

And then there was the incident the previous night, when she was away from her

Familia—a mysterious group (Aiz could only think of one "group" with members that

powerful) had attacked her under the cover of darkness.

To keep her interaction with Bell under wraps, she also had to keep the night raid a

secret.

"…was curious about it. Yes."

"…Okay, then. In that case, this is my conclusion."

Fynn's golden hair slightly shook as he tilted his head.

He gathered his thoughts before speaking.

"There are times when we as adventurers must go on adventures. Imparting the

mental toughness to face that time without fear onto a student would be the best, I

think."

Aiz listened well to her ally's words, taking them to heart. She gave a heartfelt "Thank

you" in response.

Stretching his shoulders, Fynn slowly got to his feet.

"While I want to avoid doing something careless, I think this is a good opportunity for

you, Aiz. Whatever group you've made a connection with, don't stop now. I don't know

how long I'll be able to play stupid, but I'll keep this a secret from Loki as long as

possible."

"..."

"However, I won't hesitate to tell her if I think your actions are putting our Familia in

danger. Let's leave it at that."

Fynn smiled one last time before leaving the reception room. Aiz silently watched him

go.

She now knew that she couldn't lie to either Reveria or the prum leader of the Familia;

they could both see right through her.

"But you know, Aiz, it seems like you're having a good time."

"...Having a good time?"

Tiona had broken away from the rest of the group and come up to Aiz's chair.

Aiz looked confused. Tiona simply nodded.

"When you're not in the Dungeon, you usually just space out or practice with your

saber. But now you're nodding to yourself, trying your hardest to figure something

out. I can see that much."

The Amazonian girl's toothy grin reflected off Aiz's golden eyes.

"Thinking about something, realizing something, trying something… You look like

you're enjoying yourself."

"…Maybe that's true."

"Yes, it is. You're having fun, Aiz."

The girl hit the nail right on the head as she confidently told Aiz how she looked.

Aiz smiled happily to herself.

Everything around me sounds distant.

A wave of shock tears through my motionless body as my eyes are locked on a piece

of paper in my hands. The paper is still pinned to the wall.

Words escape my mouth.

"Level six..."

The paper is a list of public level announcements of all adventurers, strongest at the

top. My spirit leaves my body the moment my eyes find the name Aiz Wallenstein.

"It was very recent. We only got news of Miss Wallenstein's rank a few days ago…"

Eina's words pass through one ear and out the other.

The shock of seeing that the person I'm trying with all my might to catch up to just put

even more space between us makes my head go numb. It feels like I'm on earth and

she's somewhere in the clouds.

I came by the Guild Headquarters on my way home from the Dungeon.

I don't normally look at the notice board in the Guild lobby, but I happened to catch a

glimpse of it on my way by and asked Eina if it was true.

"According to my sources, she slew a floor boss on her own. Not in the Lower Fortress

of the Dungeon, but in the even lower Deep Zone…"

Floor boss… Monster Rex.

By far the most powerful monster on their floor, it takes large groups of adventurers

to take one down.

Far outclassing all other monsters in strength and size, defeating a Monster Rex is

supposed to be the most difficult part of conquering a floor.

In fact, a Familia can be defined by how many of its members have been involved in a

successful battle against one of those gargantuan beasts. There aren't many that have

even slain one…

And she did it alone…?

"Um… Bell. This might be difficult for you, but you shouldn't think about this too hard.

Even I've never heard of anyone slaying a floor boss alone before. Miss Wallenstein

is… special."

It's probably just as she says.

Even still, that doesn't stop my spirit from sinking into oblivion.

What she did in that backstreet the other night is still on replay in my mind.

I can see her facing down five of the strongest adventurers in the city without so much

as a step backward, the flashes of her blade, the sudden bursts of sparks, the clash of

steel on steel.

I learned just how insignificant I am on that night, watching that battle between

masters.

Fast.

They're too fast.

Just how much stronger is she, compared to me?

Can I even hope to reach that high…? Way up in the clouds?

The cold, hard truth had taken hold of my soul, and is crushing it to pieces.

"Bell…?"

"…Ah, sorry. Kind of spaced out for a minute there. I'm going home."

Eina looks worried, so I do my best to smile at her and bow my head to be polite.

We exchange a few more words like "Good luck tomorrow" and "See you again soon"

before I turn to make my exit.

Eina sees me off, waving with a very uncertain look on her face.

I'll put on a strong face, but…

I'm floored.

The way my depressed body is walking, I'll probably trip over every stone in the street.

Loosing sigh after sigh, I walk with my head down, staring at my feet as I make my way

down Main Street.

The sun is setting in the western sky. The lower it gets, the livelier the street becomes.

The bars are open, drawing in customers one by one. I can hear a harp playing—that's

new. Itlooks like an elf, and he's singing in a beautiful timbre about the brave, powerful

adventurers of Orario.

I stop to listen, and he smiles at me. I didn't know what to do, so I smile back and give

him a few coins out of my pocket before making a quick escape… Some powerful, brave

adventurer I am.

Rather than going straight home, I double back and go into Central Park. Waves of

adventurers are coming out of Babel Tower, out of the Dungeon. But I'm just killing

time. After a while I decide to head back to West Main.

I don't feel like I'm part of this town; the noise of the street has nothing to do with me.

"—Bell!"

"Huh?"

I take my eyes off the street and look for the source of the voice that suddenly calls out

to me.

Swishing blue-gray hair is running toward me. Syr?

Have I already come as far as The Benevolent Mistress?

Just as I start recognizing some of the taverns in the area, Syr grabs my hand without

warning.

"Huh…?"

"..."

Both of her hands grasp my right, her smooth, milky-white skin against mine.

I'm lost for words as she lifts up my hand, looking at it. It's like she's saying me she

caught me, but she's enjoying the warmth of my hand, too.

My face is getting redder and redder. She looks up to meet my eyes, a very happy smile

on her face, and says these words:

"Bell, I've been looking for you…!"

"..."

Clatter, clatter. The sounds of running water and dishes fill my ears, steam in my face

as I work my way through a never-ending stack of them.

The cat-people chefs are busily running around the kitchen while I quietly wash dishes

in a corner, alone.

"I really appreciate this, Bell! To think you'd volunteer to help me at work!"

"I didn't volunteer to do anything! You practically forced me!"

She stopped her trotting feet to give me a light bow of apology as I yelled back with

enough force to send spit flying out of my mouth.

I said I'd come with her for a little while when we ran into each other outside, but

washing dishes isn't exactly what I had in mind.

"I ignored a lot of chores and went out this morning… That made Mama Mia really mad

at me, and now I've got so much more to do than before!"

"That is completely one hundred percent your problem!"

Didn't she just say "went out" after "ignoring chores"?!

But then again, she is running around like a madwoman, so I guess she really is busy.

Weaving her way in and out of other waitresses, Syr is taking care of odd jobs all over

the bar and kitchen.

"Meow, this is a surprise, White Head."

"Enslaved by Syr, meow. His duty, meow!"

"Ugh…"

Doing my best to take the teasing of the cat-girl waitresses Ahnya and Chloe in stride,

I continue attacking the white mountain of plates next to the sink.

Of course I'm not very happy with this… But the people here have helped me out so

many times before, and Syr is still making lunches for me, so why not do her a favor?

But why did it have to be washing dishes? I scream inside my head as I continue to fill

in for Syr.

"…"

Then again, having an endless-seeming task to do might be the best thing for me right

now.

The constant movement and the noise back here are keeping my mind off of her, after

all.

I keep my mouth closed as I continue whipping down dish after dish.

"Are you okay, Mr. Cranell?"

"Huh…?"

"This amount is daunting. I shall assist."

Now I have a guest—another bar employee next to me at the sink.

Arms so thin they seem like they're about to break set to work next to me. The girl's

long, thin ears flash in my vision.

An elf with light blue eyes, deep as the sky itself, looks up at me. It's Lyu.

"S-sorry. I know you're busy, too…"

"No, the situation is Syr's fault. And blame also lies with us, the employees who

couldn't cover for her. We owe you the apology. On behalf of all of us, allow me to

convey our apologies."

"No-no-no-no, you don't have to go that far!"

I stop washing for a moment to face the always-serious Lyu, who's almost too serious

right now, and respond to her. I know she's very conscious of manners and protocol,

but this is a whole new level of correctness.

Whatever it is, Lyu must be a great example of elfish integrity.

"Has something happened?"

"Eh—"

"I don't mean to be forward, but you appear to be depressed."

I stand next to her in shocked silence as her hands fly around the sink, washing the

dishes with amazing precision.

Elves are known for their good looks. Lyu is no exception. Even just looking at her

profile, she's a radiant beauty with a bit of a cold aura. It's enough to make me nervous

standing this close to her.

"If you consider me worthy, I'll listen."

"…"

"I owe you for your assistance at this station. If you have no reservations, please allow

me to help."

Honestly, standing here and admiring her beauty like this, part of me wants to tell her

everything about anything.

But no, I can't do that. I don't want to.

I can't tell her that the person I idolize has left me in the dust and exposed just how

weak and pathetic I am. There's still some sorry piece of me that has hope that I can

catch up to her by trying harder.

It feels a bit cowardly, but I decide to ask Lyu about something else instead.

After hearing that Aiz had leveled up earlier today, there's something I'd like to know.

"Um, Lyu… Were you an adventurer?"

"…Yes. There was a time I was known as one. What are you getting at?"

I quickly explain to her that I'm not trying to find out about her past, before asking my

question.

"It's about getting stronger… How does an adventurer level up?"

I've always thoughtthatif I continue fighting and gaining excelia I'd rank up eventually,

but that doesn't seem to be the case.

The difference between Level One and Level Two… It feels like there's a wall between

them. A very steep wall, one that I have to climb over if I'm ever going to level up.

Lyu listened to my question, her eyes on me. She opens her mouth to respond.

"You must do something great."

"…Huh?"

"You must complete a great task, something that even the gods cannot ignore."

Great…?

"Defeat an enemy more powerful than yourself… Acquire an incredible amount of

excelia in one shot. That is the requirement."

Gaining a large amount of excelia all at once… So that means no matter how many

lower-level monsters I slay, I'll never rank up. Only my basic stats will improve.

If I don't take down something really powerful, if I don't pull off something great like

the hero in Tales of Adventure… I'll never reach her?

"An adventurer's level is the strength of their soul—a 'container' within them. A god's

blessing allows the soul to grow, but only those who have proven themselves

deserving."

"Well, what about my abilities? My basic stats…?"

"In short, they are there to prepare you to do something great. Nothing more."

But they are also qualifications.

Lyu goes on to tell me that an adventurer can level up once all their basic stats are

above D.

"But fighting a monster that's more powerful than you are… doesn't that mean you'd

lose?"

That's what "stronger than you" means, right?

"Overcoming that disadvantage is part technique and part strategy… I'll tell you a

common way to overcome it: form a battle party."

"A party?"

"Yes. Using combined strength and strategy to slay a beast stronger than any of the

party members. Adventurers in Orario repeat this many times to get stronger."

Sounds like the excelia would be split between all party members, but it's a fool-proof

way for a weakling to become powerful.

"Mr. Cranell, if you truly wish to become stronger, a battle party is required. Please

keep this in mind."

"Okay…"

But that means that she…

She took down a floor boss, slew a monster of that size and strength, on her own—

such heights are…

Feeling trapped by just how high my goal is, it reminds me just how far up top-class

adventurers really are.

"…I have advice to offer you. Is this acceptable?"

"Ah, yes. Go ahead."

Lyu's voice brings me out of my reverie. She starts talking.

"Mr. Cranell. Every adventure has a meaning."

"..."

"No one knows what awaits them on an adventure. However, do not lose sight of the

meaning of setting out, the purpose."

Pausing for a moment to give me a chance to think about her words, she continues.

"You are an adventurer."

Her words plunge into my ears and make their way to the bottom of my soul.

"What you seek, most likely, cannot be obtained without venturing forward."

"U-um…"

"But no, please don't worry about it. My intuition is often wrong."

For a second there, I think she smiles at me. I blink quickly to clear my eyes, and she's

wearing her usual cold expression.

I rub my eyes, just to make sure. She asks me if I'm all right; I wave it off and say it's

nothing.

After that, the two of us manage to conquer the beast that is the mountain of dirty

dishes.

"Well then, Mr. Cranell. Please visit us again when you have an opportunity."

"Sure, I'll drop by again soon."

Lyu has more to do, so she sees me out of the kitchen as I walk through the door into

the main bar of The Benevolent Mistress. The bar is alive with voices, busy as usual. I

look out onto the cafe terrace for a moment before making my way to the exit. It's time

to go home.

"Bell."

"…Syr."

I turn around to the voice that called me, and there she is, standing right in front of

me.

Her white cheeks are pinkish, and I wonder if it has something to do with finishing the

job she dragged me into.

"I'm really sorry about today… Thank you so much for your help."

"Ah, well, I said a few things at first, but you've helped me out many times, too…"

My words come out a bit clumsily because she's bowing to me. Her usual hair bun with

a ponytail sticking out the middle is right in front of my face.

I can't exactly tell her off when she's like this; it's like an aggressive apology.

Not that I really need one.

"…Bell."

"...?"

She raises her head and looks me square in the eyes.

Her lips open, close, open again. But there's no sound. Is she trying to tell me

something? I tilt my head in confusion.

"I'm not an adventurer, so I don't really know how to put this…"

"Syr?"

"…But you don't have to go on adventures, right?"

My eyes open wide as her soft voice reaches my ears.

She breaks off eye contact, looking over her shoulder and forcing a smile.

"Please don't do anything reckless. That's what I'm trying to say."

"..."

"…To think I'd lose my nerve, now of all times."

I've never seen her like this. It looks like she's got a lot of weight on her shoulders as

she whispers those words under her breath.

Did she hear my conversation with Lyu?

She's just a civilian, so some things in that conversation might have been a little

shocking.

"Sorry, that must have sounded weird."

"No, no…"

"I'll always have a lunch prepared for you. Please keep coming from now on."

A nervous smile comes to my lips as I suddenly understand the true meaning of her

words.

To make sure that the day when I don't come will never arrive, it's her way of warning

me.

She gives me one last beautiful smile, still in her waitress uniform, before turning

around and getting back to work.

"..."

With warm, orange light coming out of the windows and the happy voices of

customers spilling out the front door, I look up at the night sky.

It feels like I've hit a fork in the road.

On one side is the path the Lyu has set before me. The other one has been suggested

by Syr—and also Eina, now that I think about it.

—You are an adventurer.

—Adventurers must not go on adventures.

They are maybe, probably, complete opposites, for sure.

I do my best to clear my mind and let their words stew for a moment.

Unable to choose a path at this fork in the road, I keep staring at the stars in the black

sky.

The first sunbeams of the morning burst over the horizon, lighting up the top of

Orario's city wall.

The mountain range in the distances lights up in a flash as I feel the sun's warmth on

the side of my face.

It's almost over.

I'm still in the middle of a fierce training session, but I know.

The girl with the blond hair launches an endless barrage of merciless attacks.

This is the task she has given me: while being peppered by blow after blow of her

sheath, to move my body to protect the targeted area.

That, and block the sheath.

My eyes catch glimpses of her attacks as I have steadily increased the number of

blocked attacks since early this morning.

There's a technique I've seen her do hundreds of times, her defensive trump card.

Rather than block an enemy attack head-on, redirect the weapon's path by hitting it

from the side and let the blade travel harmlessly away from your body.

After everything that's happened, how hard I've tried up until first sun on the last day,

it's time for me to use it against her.

"—!!"

I move my feet into a safe position, take a deep breath, and face her attack head-on.

Shifting my weight, weaving through the onslaught, I dodge some blows and redirect

others before seeing an opening to slash with the dagger in my right hand.

Then.

I drop my guard and go on the offensive for the first time.

"...!"

The sound of metal on metal.

Her armor easily deflected my attack. But it hit.

I let my arm fall, breathing heavily as the girl, Aiz, looked at me in silence.

The sun clears the mountains, bathing our stage in soft morning light. I squint as my

eyes adjust.

But in that moment, she smiles. It's not that I can see it at the other end of the light,

but I can feel it.

"This is the end…" Aiz quietly says as she looks at me.

Part of the sun is visible in the eastern sky from where we're standing on the top of

the city wall. It's the sign that this week and our training sessions are over.

I watched the city light up below me for a moment. Once I realize Aiz is watching the

same thing, our eyes meet. I lower my head.

"Thank you, for everything."

I bend my waist into a deep bow and look at the stone path once again.

Thinking back on this week, it may have been short, but every moment felt like a

dream come true.

I straighten my back and make eye contact once again with Aiz. She's wearing her

usual aloof expression, but her eyes seem soft as she replies in a warm voice:

"Thanks, from me too. This was… fun."

The golden sunlight shines on her face, brightening her golden eyes as her lips form

the first true smile I've ever seen her make.

Even now, on the last moment of the last day, I blush in front of her. I try to respond,

opening and closing my mouth a few times before giving up and nodding a few times.

"…Well then, do your best."

"…I will."

Leaving those words, she slowly turns and walks away.

As I watch her disappear in the light, the only thought in my mind is: Will I ever be

able to reach her?

Will there ever be another moment like the one before, where I get close enough to

reach out and touch her?

If there's one thing I've learned this week, it's that my path to her is an extremely long

one.

Long enough to make me stop in awe and even fall into despair.

Is it really possible for someone like me to catch up to that girl walking away?

"..."

But I have to try.

If I don't try, I've already failed. Failed before I even start.

The possibility of standing next to her, of catching her is gone if I don't try.

Getting to her level, that incredible height… touching that shoulder. I have to reach out

once again.

I may be a weakling right now, but I swear to the rising sun I will reach her one day.

After taking one last look at her flowing blond hair, I turn my back and sprint in the

opposite direction.

Eina organized all the paperwork strewn out on her desk and sighed.

Many of her coworkers had finished their work for the day and were getting ready to

leave.

The clock close to the ceiling on the wall facing her read eight o'clock in the evening.

They were in the office section in the corner of the Guild lobby. Since only people

working overtime were still there, the Guild itself felt very empty.

Just as Eina thought about going and getting a cup of coffee, she heard the pouting

voice of her friend and coworker in the same department.

"Heeh, Eina, a little help—! I can't finish this all alone by morning?!"

"…You reap what you sow. You've done nothing about those documents until this

afternoon, Misha. It's your fault."

Misha's whine did nothing to convince Eina to reconsider her refusal.

The human Guild employee named Misha returned to her desk, which was lined with

enough paperwork to rival Orario's city wall.

They have piled up this much because her continued neglect of requests to post

information from the gods and goddesses of various Familias around Orario.

"Just why the heck are so many adventurers leveling up at once?! A last-minute levelup rush?! This is insane! Someone's got it in for me…!"

"Hey, none of that! That's the result of many adventurers' sweat and blood on your

desk, and all you do is complain. If you'd taken care of a little bit each day, this wouldn't

have happened, yes?"

"Yes, I'm repenting, Eina, repenting…! So please help me, Eina?!"

"N-O."

Eina turned her back to make her point final. She sighed after Misha's final appeal:

"Why are you so heartless?!" Eina thought it might be a good idea to bring her

coworker some coffee as well.

"..."

Feeling the effects of a long day's work, Eina moved her right hand from her elbow to

her chin as she looked down at the document she had just finished writing.

It was an application for approval to formally investigate the internal affairs of Soma

Familia.

It contained information that she had gathered personally from both Bell and the

Goddess Loki herself.

However, Eina was not trying to disband Soma Familia. Of course she had her own

thoughts about how that Familia was operating—plenty of them.

If talk of disbanding the Familia came up, the supporter whom Bell had mentioned,

Lilly, would have to be punished, from a strictly just standpoint. No matter the

extenuating circumstances, there would be some kind of punishment.

Eina was not some kind of goddess of justice; she had no sword or scales to wield.

She had half a mind not to get involved; this wasn't her fight.

But this was something more than that for her.

If she could make something better for adventurers—anything at all—by bringing

circumstances to light, then she had no problem overstepping her bounds to do so.

Eina wished for nothing more than the safe return of all adventurers, and she was

willing to get burned in the process, to make sure that came to pass.

There was no turning back after I got involved with that Familia…

Eina knew just how much personal information was in this document, and that she

was incriminating herself by writing it.

That Familia… Bell's Familia.

In the end, her desire to help Bell was what convinced her to go to Loki Familia, and

ultimately get involved with the problems in Soma Familia.

This was something that a Guild employee—someone who was supposed to be neutral

and in the background at all times—should never have done. Her actions were

completely different from simply giving Bell advice and leaving it at that.

It was an abuse of power, as well as cause for her removal from the Guild.

However.

…Ignoring this situation is much worse.

Even if it meant failing in her duties as a Guild employee, it was much better to follow

through with this than fail as the person, Eina Tulle. It might have been flawed logic,

but her mind was already made up.

The same noble blood that flowed within Reveria also flowed within her. She might be

only half-elf, but she didn't want to do anything to disgrace her name or kin.

If I do get dismissed… Perhaps I should try to join Hestia Familia.

Telling herself a joke to keep her spirits up, Eina thought about her options for a new

place of employment.

As she chuckled to herself, Eina's shoulder-length brown hair lightly swished around

her neck.

"What is it, Eina? You sure are grinning all of a sudden."

"I'm not grinning. Don't exaggerate."

"Yeah, yeah, but really. Did something happen? Tell me, tell me!"

"Nothing major… I was just thinking about my next job…"

"Next job… No way! You're quitting the Guild?!"

Slide, scrape, slide. The moment Misha raised her voice in surprise, half of their

coworkers jumped out of their seats—the male half.

Feeling the sudden pressure of many sets of eyes trained on her, Eina quickly corrected

her friend's misunderstanding.

"N-no, no. Just thinking about 'if I were to be fired,' that's all. I have no intention of

quitting the Guild."

"Don't scare me like that… And there's no way you'll be canned, Eina."

That's not entirely true… Eina thought, and forced a smile.

Meanwhile, the men who stood up let out a small "Oh" in unison and sat back down.

In any case…

Once she turned in this document, an investigation into Soma's managing policies

would be under way.

Even though there was no problem with the group itself, many of its members had

been flirting with the darkest side of the gray zone. Considering the information in

Bell's testimony, it was almost guaranteed that some of them would be punished for

crimes against civilians.

There were cases in which entire Familias had been banished from Orario for ignoring

the Guild's warnings.

For a god who was only interested in his hobby, like Soma, a warning like this ought to

be enough for him to reconsider some of his policies.

And it turns out the supporter named Erde wasn't a bad prum, after all…

Eina had tracked down and visited the elderly couple who'd gotten caught up in Lilly's

issue with Soma Familia. They told her what happened after that horrible day, with a

tinge of guilt in their voices.

Ever since they kicked her out, money started appearing in front of their store. Since

it came on a consistent basis, they never filed a damage report to the Guild.

They asked Eina to apologize to Lilly in their place, but Eina refused. It was the elderly

couple's duty to tell Lilly directly, no one else's.

…The sweat and blood of adventurers, eh.

Eina remembered the words she had spoken only minutes ago.

She looked up, as if looking far off into the distance.

If adventurers trample others under their feet… then some of that sweat and blood

doesn't belong to the adventurers, does it?

Not all of it, anyway, Eina thought.

Eina earnestly hoped that all adventurers would make it home every day, and wanted

to support them. But there was one thing that made her question herself: the

adventurers who were able to commit such atrocities without so much as batting an

eye.

Her own emotions contradicted each other; a very strange feeling. This wasn't the first

time that Eina had questioned whether or not she was doing the right thing by

supporting adventurers. Eina's body shuddered where she stood.

She knew that she was overthinking it, but that didn't stop a twinge of uneasiness from

flowing through her.

"…Tulle."

"Ah, yes?"

The call of one of her coworkers brought her out of her reverie before she could find

an answer.

A man whose desk was close to the reception counter waved his hand and pointed

toward the lobby.

Eina looked in that direction in time to see Bell walking toward the counter.

"…Thank you."

She did a quick bow and left her desk.

Her face had been rather dark, but now a small ray of light had broken through.

Eina quickened her pace and met Bell out in the lobby.

…But there are also adventurers out there giving it everything they've got.

Bell smiled when he saw Eina emerge from behind the counter.

Eina smiled back at him.

Of course there were many kinds of adventurer, but seeing their passion and ability to

ignore inconsequential things made Eina happy.

While there might have been adventurers willing to abandon a supporter, there were

also adventurers willing to save a supporter.

If it was to help them, Eina felt like getting fired or depressed was worth it. Her wish

for adventurers to stay alive was pure.

Eina realized it as she looked at the rather diminutive adventurer standing before her.

It's been said that the good ones die young, while the bad live on…

Eina didn't believe this, however; she didn't want to. But she could do her best to keep

the good ones alive.

It was time for that "superstition" to come to an end.

This was the Labyrinth City, Orario.

A city with a will of its own where even the gods didn't know what would happen next.

Kanu froze on the spot.

"K-KANU?! HELP ME—GYA!!"

He could only stand and watch blood burst out of the other adventurer's body.

"GYUAAAAHH…!"

Bloodred, mad bull.

A fresh wave of the red liquid ran down its toned, two-meder-tall body as it looked up

to the high ceiling, before unleashing an explosion from its vocal cords.

"UWOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!"

A monstrous howl.

Kanu's ears bled, his body still frozen with fear as he came crashing down on his rear

end.

With muscles like boulders, the beast's entire body looked like a weapon. Far less

could strike real fear into the hearts of many adventurers.

A Minotaur.

It was a name given to this type of monster, but this particular example wielded a large

cleaver as it hacked and slashed its way through adventurers one by one.

This all started when Kanu happened across a group of Amazons fighting against a

giant of a man.

Their heated battle covered well over half of a wide room. It was a battle between

masters, adventurers who were far too powerful to waste time in the upper floors of

the Dungeon. The battle that unfolded in front of Kanu's eyes was beyond epic.

At first, Kanu and his battle party couldn't believe their eyes as they watched the

attackers gang up on the solo adventurer, but after noticing the emblem on the beast

person's armor—the profile of a goddess surrounded by a golden necklace—they

realized this was a battle between members of the same Familia.

The mountain of a man belonged to Freya Familia. As the goddess of love and beauty,

Freya had many enemies based on that alone. The power of jealousy knows no bounds.

So it was only natural that her enemies would try to get back at her in any way

possible. Freya herself didn't seem worried by the fact that her adventurers were often

targeted when they traveled alone in the Dungeon.

While it was still unknown to Kanu and his group, rumors that this man, Ottar, was

prowling around the seventeenth level for the past week had been circulating for some

time now. This attack on Ottar was all part of a goddess's plan to keep things

interesting.

These combatants were far out of their league. Kanu and his compatriots could only

gawk at them from a safe distance. That is, until someone noticed something peculiar.

The beast person was completely ignoring the difference in numbers, instead

choosing to protect a large cargo box behind him.

That was the moment of truth.

Kanu and his battle party circled around behind the battle and waited for an

opportunity to steal it. Once they made their move, all they heard behind them were

the sounds of combat. Kanu was confident that Ottar had to fend off too many

attackers to pursue them immediately.

They raced through the Dungeon with the cargo box in tow. That being said, it was

slow going due to the size and weight of the box, but they needed to get as far away

from Ottar as they could, as quickly as possible.

Kanu was convinced that this cargo box was full of loot from the lower Dungeon—the

hard-fought gains of a top-class adventurer. The magic sword that he'd recently

acquired from a… former associate of his was fresh in his mind, and Kanu had no doubt

that his good luck would continue.

Then.

Once they had put enough distance between themselves and the beast man, Kanu and

his party lost their patience and decided to divvy up the loot right then and there.

That's when they saw exactly what was inside.

A bound and extremely angry Minotaur.

Without exception, every member of that battle party's minds went blank.

It wasn't long until red filled their eyes.

The Minotaur ripped the chains that restricted its hands clean off in a rage, crushing

one of Kanu's allies into a pulp in the process.

Letting out a howl that signaled the end of the world, the enraged Minotaur emerged

from the cargo box with fresh blood on its hands.

"Hyeeaah… yaaaaahh?!"

A man—one of the last survivors of his battle party—let out a scream that sounded no

better than a broken flute as he ran in circles.

The normally grassy floor had become a bloody marsh. His battle party was nothing

more than fertilizer now, part of the gruesome field of death. The room had become

an abattoir.

However, the man had lost the ability to think rationally and ran himself into a corner

trying to escape.

The Minotaur advanced on the human at a leisurely pace, its eyes locked onto the back

of the adventurer's exposed neck.

Kanu looked over his shoulder to see an extremely unnatural sight: the Minotaur

carrying a massive cleaver that happened to be in the cargo box, as if the monster were

an adventurer.

"I-It's a dead end…?!"

"Mroooooooo…!"

"Yaaaagh?!"

Understanding the part his ally had to play in this episode, Kanu could only smile.

Neither his body posture nor his expression changed, only the color of his face as he

watched the beast approach the man.

"Hrrrrnnn…!"

"Why, damn it all! Why are you here?!" The human screamed with his back to the wall.

The Minotaur looked down on him, its shoulders heaving with each breath.

This Minotaur listened to its instincts and raised the cleaver as the whimpering human

shrank to the floor.

All of the beast's muscles tightened in rhythm, raising the blade high like a guillotine.

A dark shadow fell over the human adventurer, pure despair filling his mind.

The man's wordless screams of panic and fear filled the room until—

"Mooooooooh!!!"

Thok. The sound of a slicing impact shot through the room, accompanied by the beast's

ferocious howl.

SPLASH. Yet another wave of fresh blood ran down the monster's body.

"…Huh?"

Only able to see the beast's shoulders from his vantage point, Kanu couldn't see exactly

what had become of his former party member.

But he only needed to look at the red splatter of blood and guts on the wall to know

all that he needed to.

Kanu stood there in shock, a sitting duck out in the open, as the smallest of sounds fell

out of his mouth.

"Mroo—"

But it was enough for the Minotaur to hear him.

The Minotaur turned, its face still contorted by rage.

Its eyes, surrounded by a splatter of fresh blood, shot through Kanu like hot knives

into butter.

The adventurer's body stiffened, as if chains had enveloped him from the inside out.

Kanu started to hyperventilate.

"Mroooooooo!!"

He ran.

Breaking free of his mental chains, he put so much power into his first steps that he

nearly fell flat on his face.

Regaining his balance, Kanu ran as fast as he could, the echoes of the beast's roar right

on his heels.

He was moving so fast that his boots sounded like whips as they hit the floor, his eyes

wide. His mind was beginning to leave him.

The hideous god of death was catching up.

You've got to be kidding—?!

His breath was ragged, panting like a rapid dog. His thoughts were going all over the

place, but none of his thoughts came to any kind of conclusion.

It was as if his mind was boiling inside his own head. Hot, much too hot.

Rivers of sweat flowed from his body as he sprinted like a madman.

Kanu had been running without much thought to where he was going. He nearly lost

his balance many times, focusing only on making his escape.

It was nighttime outside the Dungeon. There were no other adventurers prowling

these halls. He was truly alone in the Dungeon. It had become an endless labyrinth

where the same walls and patterns went on into eternity.

Can't shake it, can't shake it, can't shake it...?!

He couldn't escape the overwhelming presence that was just behind him.

This wasn't right. The beast's aura was drowning him in his own fear.

Minotaurs were supposed to be known for their head-on bull-rush attacks, or so Kanu

screamed at nothing in particular as he tried to put some space between himself and

the monster.

Half of one of the Minotaur's horns was missing, broken off by something else. It was

as if through that pain, the beast gained intelligence.

The Minotaur held the cleaver in its right hand, giving chase with all speed.

"Haa-ha-haahaa?!"

Kanu gasped for breath as he made a sudden change of course, throwing his body into

a small side path.

Desperate to go forward, desperate for distance.

All semblance of calm gone, the man wished for nothing more than a release from the

fear that consumed him.

He had absolutely no idea where he was or how he got there.

His boots treaded grass as he prayed for the speed to escape death.

Before he knew it, he'd run himself into a room with no exit.

"Son of a—?!"

His eyes nearly jumped out of their sockets.

His voice sounded tight, like his vocal cords were seconds from snapping.

Once he realized what had happened, Kanu turned around with his eyes shaking.

The thundering footsteps that had been chasing him were gone. It was a moment of

silence so thick it was suffocating.

The next moment, out of nowhere…

The half-horned Minotaur stuck its face out from around the corner.

"—?!"

A scream to end all screams rocketed out of Kanu's ragged throat.

He had crossed the line from fear into sheer terror. Panic flooded his body.

The Minotaur fully emerged, gripping the cleaver in its powerful grasp. The massive

sword would require two hands and an incredible amount of strength for a normal

person to wield. However, in the hands of the Minotaur, it looked like nothing more

than a longsword designed to be held in one hand.

Savage breath passed through intimidating, sharp white teeth.

Its dripping red weapon and bloodshot eyes were starving for another kill.

"G-get away!"

Kanu reached behind his back and pulled out a crimson knife.

Aiming the magic blade at the slowly oncoming monster, he waved it frantically until

its power was unleashed.

"GUWOU...!"

"Go! Scram! Get the hell away from me!"

The flames that shot forward from the magic blade hit their target head-on.

Kanu shook the blade with all of his might; volley after volley of flames found their

mark. With nowhere to run, this wall of fireballs was the only thing between him and

certain death.

The Minotaur shielded itself from the onslaught with one of its huge arms. Kanu

launched round after round after round… That is, until he heard a loud crack. The

blade fell to pieces in his hand.

"Haa… whaaa?!"

The now lifeless magic blade had reached its limit, crumbling into smaller and smaller

pieces as it fell to the ground.

The adventurer somehow managed a scream of surprise as his last line of defense

fizzled out.

At the end of it all, Kanu was betrayed by his own weapon.

"Hnfff, hnfff…!!"

"Eeee-eeeeeeee!!"

Sparks still smoldering in its blood-soaked fur, the Minotaur had come close enough

for Kanu to smell the beast's putrid breath.

Enraged eyes bore into him.

The Minotaur's muscles tightened as its shadow on the wall, and it raised its sword

high.

"N-nooooo—!"

Kanu's consciousness disappeared into oblivion with a crushing, splitting pain in the

center of his head.

Crack!

The handle of a mug broke off.

"..."

Hestia stopped moving, her gaze snapping to the spot.

The white mug broke on its own, the separated white handle teetering on its back like

a seesaw.

It was a clean break; the mug had become a handle-less cup.

"..."

Hestia stood there quietly, staring at the former mug, feeling uneasy. This kind of a

break wasn't normal. The sound of hurried footsteps and heavy clothing made her

turn her head in time to see Bell walk past the table.

He had just finished his training with Aiz. Whether he was anxious to put his new skills

to the test or not, he seemed like he was in more of a hurry than usual to get an early

start in the Dungeon.

Hestia looked at Bell as he passed by. The boy paused for a moment, just past the

broken mug. A sudden feeling of dread overtook her; she had to stall him.

"All finished cleaning up, Goddess! If you could turn off the magic-stone lamps before

leaving, that'd be great!"

"Ah… Bell!"

Hestia managed to get words out of her mouth the moment that Bell had one hand on

his light-armor-filled backpack, and the door handle in the other. She knew that there

was no way she could convince to him to stay here today just because she "had a bad

feeling." She didn't fully understand it herself.

However, she couldn't ignore the tightness in her chest, either. She felt like the cup was

trying to warn her. Hestia finally took her eyes off of it and looked up.

"A, ah—… Wha… what about your status? We haven't updated it in a few days, yeah?"

"That's… true…"

"What are you worried about? It'll only take a minute, so… please?"

Hestia tried so hard to hide her unease that a confused smile emerged on her face.

Seeing this very strange look appear on his goddess, Bell let his eyebrows relax and

accepted her offer.

Hestia did her best to get the cup out of her mind and quickly set to work.

"…So, um, Bell. How are things with your supporter?"

"Goddess… you've asked that at least ten times already."

"I-is that so?"

The silence was getting to her, so Hestia said the first thing that she could come up

with to start a conversation, but it only got an uncomfortable smile out of Bell.

Hestia had her own reasons for wanting to know exactly what was going on during the

days that Bell and Lilly went into the Dungeon together, and as a result had been

asking almost nonstop since she'd allowed them to work together.

Her face went red as she sat on the small of Bell's back. Pricking her finger on a needle,

she drew out the ikoru—the power in her blood—and set to work inscribing

hieroglyphs into Bell's back.

"Moving on, it's only been a week, right? The Kenki must have beaten the living

daylights out of you. Your Defense has increased enough to close the gap with your

other abilities."

"…Ha-ha-ha-hah."

Bell's empty laugh in her ears, Hestia quickened her pace.

It had become the usual pattern. Whenever Hestia updated Bell's status, her mood got

steadily worse as time went on. The cause of her foul mood was, of course, the skill

behind Bell's rapid growth rate: Realis Phrase.

Hestia didn't look at all amused as she suddenly asked something that had been

bugging her since she'd found out about his training sessions with Aiz.

"Bell. Sorry to bring up the past, but you and that Kenki… You didn't do anything…

touchy-feely, did you? Like having your head in her lap or something like that."

Bell sputtered from his facedown position on the bed until: Cough, cough. As she

watched, his ears turned bright red.

Damn you, Wallensomething...!! Hestia clenched her teeth.

The boy's status had made a considerable jump, for some reason. Judging by Bell's

reaction to Hestia's question, she had more than enough reason to believe that they

had much more contact than just his head being in her lap.

That vixen! Jealousy reared its ugly head in Hestia's heart.

"A-ah, Goddess! Do you know if my status can go up without fighting monsters in

combat? Like, through training?"

Ran away, didn't you? Hestia thought, but didn't make any comment on the matter. She

was a goddess, after all. She had the ability to do that much.

Her needle hand slipped.

Bell could only whimper in pain. Hestia ignored it as she answered the question.

"Yes, it'll grow. Excelia can be gained through fighting monsters or training to do so.

However, playing around will do nothing for you. Remember that only hard, honest

work will leave an excelia imprint that I can use to make your abilities increase."

"So what you're saying is…"

"Whether you're taking your experience seriously or not. Your focus determines the

excelia that is left behind. After that, all gods have to do is find them in a status update."

This winding conversation was close to Hestia's way of explaining how to use his Skill,

but she didn't come right out and say it. She thought that putting it this way would be

easiest for Bell to understand.

Once Hestia finished updating Bell's status, she sat back for a moment to see what it

said. Her lips started to quiver.

"Dah…! Goddess, look at the time. Sorry, I've got to get moving!"

Bell happened to look up at the clock and started to get up.

Shifting his weight to the side so that the goddess would fall lightly to the side, he

jumped from the bed. Grabbing his backpack, Bell was out the door seconds later.

"B-Bell! Your status…!!"

"Sorry, tell me when I get home tonight! See you then!"

Bell looked very rushed as Hestia watched him close the door.

Alone now, Hestia lowered her outstretched arm and let out a long sigh.

She glanced up at the broken mug on the table again, before sitting up to look at the

spot where Bell had been just seconds earlier.

She thought about what see had seen written on his back.

Bell Cranell

Level One

Strength: S 982 Defense: S 900 Utility: S 988 Agility: SS 1049 Magic: B 751

"Just what is 'SS' supposed to mean…"

Hestia put her right hand on her cheek, as if holding her head as she spoke under her

breath.

The sun was starting to rise over the mountain range outside the eastern edge of

Orario's city wall.

Aiz watched the sunrise from a square window in her room. She was just high enough

to see over the wall and take in the more natural scenery beyond the city limits.

The still, reddish-orange morning glow reflected off her hair as she pulled it back

behind her ears.

After fixing her saber—the only weapon she carried—to her waist, Aiz tapped on her

wrists guards. Satisfied with how they fit her arm, she looked forward.

She was completely armed and ready.

The sunlight surrounded her in an orange outline, blue armor, silver breastplate, and

hip guards all glinting in the morning glow.

She was the lady of the sword, the Kenki. Aiz looked every bit the warrior princess

that had become her reputation.

"Hey, Aiz, ya still in there? How long ya gonna make us wait?"

"…I'm coming, now."

Responding to Bete's voice from the other side of the door, Aiz took one last look at

her reflection before reaching for the handle.

Ten and two days had already passed since she ranked up to Level Six. Today was the

day she had been waiting for: the expedition into the Dungeon.

A group of Loki Familia adventurers was planning to venture below the Lower

Fortress, and the expedition was beginning.

Aiz had become too strong for "normal" trips into the Dungeon. This was her chance

to venture to new depths, her only chance to see just how powerful she was.

"Aiz, let's get going! Let's see who can slay more monsters, too!"

"Such a pain… What the heck are ya doin' here, Tiona?"

"Look who's talking. The lowly dog should act like one and keep his tail between his

legs!"

"I'm no dog, I'm a wolf, damn it! And whaddya mean by 'lowly'?!"

"You were flat-out rejected, remember? 'I have nothing to say to a lowly dog,' was it?

Heh-heh!"

"Grrrrrrr!!"

The area outside her door had become noisy, but Aiz ignored them. A sudden, different

sound caught her attention and she looked back outside.

A deep echo reached her ears. The morning bell towers had been struck.

She found the closest one outside her window to the east as the bell rang out again.

Ping. A sudden pain in my neck.

"..."

"Mr. Bell?"

I rub the spot with my hand as I look around the area.

A wide room with a thick, grassy floor and yellow walls. We're on the ninth floor, but I

can't hide my anxiety.

Lilly's staring up at me, but there's no way I can make an excuse.

"Is there something bothering you, Mr. Bell?"

"…It's probably nothing."

…Is something watching me?

I just can't shake the feeling that there's an eye on me right now.

It doesn't feel like it wants to hurt me, or anything like that… I just feel this strange

weight on my shoulders.

Lilly and I had decided that we'd prowl the tenth floor today, so I left early to get a

head start. I think I saw a few adventurers a couple of floors up, but the Dungeon is

still mostly empty.

There was that one beast-person adventurer a few rooms back—that guy was huge.

Could these eyes be his? He'd have no reason so follow us… but it's getting to the point

that I can't just ignore this feeling.

"Lilly, could we swap equipment here?"

"Ah, yes, sure."

Looking flustered, Lilly quickly takes my protector and the baselard off her back and

hands them to me.

I get my light armor out of the backpack and equip everything, double-checking that

every piece is strapped on tight.

I was hoping that the feeling of protection that this armor gives me would help

alleviate some of this nervousness… but the weight in my neck and shoulders is still

there.

It's putting pressure on my heart. My insides are screaming.

"Isn't this a little strange…?"

"A little strange?"

"There aren't enough monsters."

I finally mention another thing that had been bothering me for a while. Even Lilly looks

back over her should and whispers, "Now that you mention it…"

The Dungeon has been eerily quiet ever since we arrived on the lower ninth. We've

been here a while, too, the stairwell that leads to the lower tenth is just a room or two

away, but we haven't encountered a single monster yet.

Well, there was a group of goblins running around, but they didn't attack us. It looked

more like they were running away from something, actually.

Anxiety is sinking even deeper now; my guts are twisting into knots.

I've felt like this before, and it's bringing that back into my mind.

Yes.

On that day, the Dungeon was this quiet, too.

I violently shake my head.

"M-Mr. Bell?"

"…Let's go. To the tenth floor."

My hand over my mouth to steady myself, I manage to get words out through my

fingers.

I want to say, "Let's get out of here," but I just can't.

It's like my spirit is trying to push my body forward, away from here.

We enter the next room. It has two exits. One I remember leads to the stairwell—that's

when it happens.

—Now then, show me.

Wha?

A voice, suddenly in my head. Not my voice—it's like something is talking to me from

inside. I'm on full alert.

A second later…

"—Mrooooooo—"

My legs freeze.

"..."

"W-what was that…?"

Lilly is saying something. I don't hear her.

My ears are busy with something else.

That sound… it sounds too much like that sound. Every nerve of my body is on fire as

the noises are on replay in my mind.

"…"

Like a rusted door with no grease, my neck clicks ever so slightly until I can see behind

me.

The sound is coming from the room we were just in. There's something in the exit.

I'm hyperventilating. My fingers are shaking. I can't make a fist.

My throat won't budge, but in my mind I'm thinking, It's not true. My mental voice

sounds like a kid crying.

Lilly's eyes are shaking; she sees it, too. I'm praying to something like my life depends

on it.

Then…

"…Woouu!"

There it is.

"—Huh?"

"..."

I was right. Damn it.

Then again, there's no way I could forget that voice.

I don't know how many times I've heard it during nightmares. It's impossible to guess

how many times I've heard similar howls from other monsters and flashed back to

that day.

I can't count how many times I've been scared by it.

"Woooohoooohooo…"

Minotaur.

"W-why is there a Minotaur on the ninth floor…?"

That's what I'd like to know.

But there's something I do know.

I know this feeling of helplessness.

This despair that words can't describe, I know it too well.

My body has felt this uncontrollable shiver before.

It's the same.

Exactly the same as before.

"Mroooooooo!!"

The mad bull roars.

Its overwhelming power and force wash over my body; I can't hold it back. It's a sound

powerful enough to break the fighting spirit of anything the Minotaur comes up

against.

Lilly and I are no exception as a torrent of fear hits us full-force.

It takes one more step into the room, into the light. Its broad, silver weapon is stained

with fresh blood.

"L-let's get out of here, Mr. Bell! We don't stand a chance! Quickly, while there's still

time… Mr. Bell?"

My eyes are locked in place.

My legs aren't moving, either.

Fear has frozen my spine; I can't budge.

It might be my own body telling me to give up.

It reminds me of the scarecrow Gramps made when I was a kid. He put armor on it

and everything… That's me, right now.

"Mr. Bell? Mr. Bell?!"

Scared scared scared scared scared scared.

So scared.

The monster is absolutely terrifying.

Tears are pumping into my eyes. My lungs are on the verge of jumping out of my chest.

I can't close my jaw.

I don't have any words to describe the color my face is right now.

The Minotaur's aura gets heavier with each step of its hoofed feet. It's crushing the

grass beneath it, getting closer and closer.

Fear itself has materialized in front of me. My body feels like it's about to explode.

"Mroooooooo!"

The Minotaur springs forward like a cannonball.

The beast covers this distance between us with breathtaking speed.

I have to draw a weapon, but my arms won't move. I can't do anything.

It's over.

Its sword is raised high, poised to slice me between the neck and shoulder. And here

it comes.

"—ah?!"

"Huh?"

My eyes suddenly see the ceiling, and a soft cry hits my ears.

Even before I realize I'm still alive, I sense Lilly's warm body make contact with my

stomach.

I look down and see her head, as well as a heck of a lot of blood.

"L-Lilly…?"

I've been thrown to the ground. The beast didn't hit me; this has to be from the force

of Lilly's tackle.

Thanks completely to her jumping into me from the side, I managed to get out of the

path of the weapon. But in return, Lilly got hurt.

Did the sword hit her? No—but one of the rocks the Minotaur kicked up in its wake

must have.

My body hits the ground at a shallow angle. Grass and chunks of the floor fly into the

air behind me as I slide a good meder or two.

Lilly's head shifts, and a soft moan comes out of her mouth.

Gah… My whole body comes back to life, burning from the inside.

"!!"

Energy floods into my cowardly muscles as I climb to my feet.

I'm scared. I'm absolutely frightened. Utterly terrified.

Seeing that Minotaur right in front of me is even scarier than when it was at the other

end of the room. I can't control my fear.

But the thought of Lilly dying is far more terrifying!

"MROOOOOOOO!!"

SORRY! I silently yell to the girl in my arms as I throw her to the side with all my might.

I don't wait to see where her small body lands. Instead I turn to face the beast's

heaving, gigantic frame head-on.

I brace my teeth against my quivering lips. Staring down the beast as it raises its sword

for another killing strike, I raise my right arm and scream at the top of my lungs:

"FIREBOLT!!"

"Mrooo?!"

A web of scarlet bolts of flame envelopes the Minotaur's body.

Overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of flames, the Minotaur backs away, shrouded

in cloud after cloud of sparks.

As far as I can see, there's little hope that my Magic can finish it off. But I have to try.

Fighting back fatigue, I fire again.

"YEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

Again. Again. Again.

Blindly taking shot after shot, I put all my faith in the Magic.

My sharp bolts of flame keep finding their targets, explosions igniting on the monster's

flesh. A new plume of flames erupts with each blast echo.

I didn't have this power then. The Firebolt is my one ray of hope—and I'm not letting

up!

I just keep pulling that trigger in my mind.

"Haa-haa…!"

Once I come back to myself, all I can see is a cloud of black smoke.

All of the grass around me is burned; I can smell it. As for the Minotaur, I don't know.

I can't see or hear it.

—I won?

With only the sound of the still-burning plants around me, I lower my arm.

"Mrooo…"

"—"

A sudden, unexpected sound pierces the silence and slams into my eardrums.

The smoke cloud parts without warning; a massive arm emerges.

The arm drops down before swinging up like a wrecking ball, and straight into my gut.

The living boulder hits my armor dead-on.

Shock waves tear through my body as my armor cracks.

"DAHH?!"

My line of sight spins. All the air is forced out of my lungs—what just happened? My

mind is going in circles as I fly backward.

But there is one thing I do know: Aiz saved me.

Since my body flew back immediately, I don't absorb the full force of the blow.

Of course, that doesn't mean I felt nothing. If I'd taken that hit flat-footed, there's no

doubt in my mind my stomach would have exploded. That grim thought in my mind, I

fly helplessly backward and into the dungeon wall.

"—?!… ah, gah?!"

The wall cracks on impact. A new wave of pain floods in from my back as I realize

something very disheartening: I'm wedged into the wall.

I can't speak. There's a loud crack near my head and I fall bottom-first onto the floor,

along with a small avalanche of rubble.

My armor is, in a word, broken. Totaled.

The back plate must have shattered; it's lying in pieces beside me. With the support

piece gone, any part that was still intact fell off my body the moment my butt touched

the ground.

How many times is this thing going to send me flying?!

Reduced to only my damaged and torn inner shirt, I climb to my feet on trembling legs.

"Hnnnnfff…!"

"...!"

Its face is scrunched. It looks angry.

But not hurt.

I hit it with more Firebolts than I can remember, but there it is, the picture of health. I

can't even see a wound on its body.

Sure, burn marks are scattered all over it, but there's nothing even close to lifethreatening.

I'm too weak.

With a quick glare at my stunned face, the Minotaur throws back its head and howls

toward the ceiling.

"MROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAHH!!"

So this is an adventure.

The first one for the adventurer, Bell Cranell.

—It's hopeless. I can't win.

I can only see despair as I look at the ferocious beast in front of me.