Chapter 2

P/N let me know if there's any mistakes and I will try to fix them

CHAPTER 2

ADVENTURE INTERMISSION

After Hestia left the Denatus and Bell received the letter at Guild

Headquarters, the two met up at a café on Northwest Main Street, which

everyone called Adventurers Way.

Sitting directly across the table from Bell was Hephaistos, goddess of the

forge, who wore a large patch over one eye. Hestia had been on her way to

Hephaistos's northwestern branch store to get more details about "the notice"

when she ran into Bell coming from Guild Headquarters. In the end, the three

decided to sit down for a cup of tea.

"Hephaistos, is this letter that Bell received what you meant by a notice?"

Hestia asked, flapping the white envelope between her fingers. Her friend

nodded.

"That's right, Hestia.

"

It was late afternoon, and the sun was approaching the western city wall.

Bell and Hestia asked Hephaistos to explain more about the mission from the

Guild.

"Once a Dungeon-exploring familia reaches a certain rank, it has a

responsibility to go on expeditions at set intervals—and it has to produce

results on those expeditions,

" she said.

"Expeditions?"

"Yes. The Guild delivers an order, like the one you just received.

"

Hestia was startled by this news and hurriedly looked over the contents of

the letter again. Just as Hephaistos had said, the parchment signed by the

head of the Guild declared that their familia had a duty to carry out an

expedition.

"Lady Hephaistos, you mentioned a certain rank…?" Bell asked.

"It's rank D or higher, Bell Cranell. The biggest factions like Loki's and

Freya's do it regularly. Well, Loki Familia goes to the Deep Zone, so they're

not pushed to do it all the time.

"

"And what exactly are the results that we have to produce?"

"You can just improve your Dungeon range by one level, or you can

contribute to the discovery of various resources like an unknown mineral, or

map a Frontier. It doesn't really matter. I think even defeating a floor boss is

sometimes acceptable. Most familias just clear a new floor they haven't

reached yet.

"

In contrast to his patron deity, Bell seemed to be thinking about something

specific as he asked Hephaistos various questions. She gave him a look that

said, What are you up to? but nevertheless answered in detail.

"The Guild wants unknown areas of the Dungeon to be constantly

explored and new resources uncovered. Dungeon-type familias only exist in

this city, and if you want to call yourself one, then the Guild demands that

you have something to show for it.

"

"I-I didn't know that…

"

Hestia seemed as if she had received a minor shock. Given the Guild's

history and the fact that it held the real power over the only dungeon in the

world, it made sense that its ultimate goal was to explore and understand the

subterranean maze that sprawled beneath their feet. These as-yet-unknown

resources, territories, and discoveries would of course be closely connected to

the future development of Orario. That was why the Guild made things like

adventurer registration so convenient. Unlike commercial familias, Dungeon

familias didn't have to fill out any complicated paperwork, and the taxes

collected by the Guild weren't too high, either.

When Hestia started out, she had not felt any preferences for a particular

sort of faction, and she made the decision to register as a Dungeon-type

familia quite lightly, figuring a small-scale familia would be just right for her.

"I wish Miach or somebody had told me about this before I registered…

"

"No one thought you'd ever make it to rank D. I honestly didn't expect it,

either. Who would've guessed that you'd rocket to the top this fast…

"

Hephaistos smiled wryly at Hestia and shot a sidelong glance at Bell.

For his part, Bell knew he was the catalyst of all this. He pressed his right

hand to his temple, feeling a little guilty. Expeditions were required of only

upper-class familias—the ones who were able to explore the depths of the

Dungeon and come back alive. None of this should have affected any weaker

groups…At least, that was how it was supposed to be.

"I bet the reason Hermes doesn't report his children's true levels is

because he doesn't like expeditions…

" Hestia grumbled. As far as she could

tell, the condition for completing an expedition-type mission seemed to be

making a clear effort. Hermes's smile floated before her eyes as she

speculated that this was the reason the gentle god—who preferred a middle-

of-the-road position over a prominent rise—falsified the levels of his

followers on the public reports.

"Getting back to the subject at hand…What's important is that your own

familia does the expedition. You can hire adventurers from elsewhere, but

you can't simply tag along on someone else's expedition. Make sure you

keep that in mind,

" Hephaistos explained, emphasizing the importance of

taking independent action.

"And by the way, if you don't go on an expedition or don't produce

enough results, it'll be treated as a failure and you'll be penalized,

" she

added, wrapping up her lesson. Apparently, the penalty was generally issued

as a fine.

"That's about all there is to these expedition missions. Did you have

any questions?"

"No…It's just that this is all so sudden that it hardly feels real. I don't

even know what I don't know…

"

Hestia appeared to still be in shock after hearing her friend's lecture.

"Miss Aiz…and lots of other upper-class adventurers have succeeded,

haven't they?" Bell asked, looking straight at Hephaistos with his rubellite

eyes.

"

…That's right, Bell Cranell,

" she responded, squinting at him with her

good eye as if she understood everything. Her expression relaxed, and she

gave an affirming smile.

"Well, do your best. If you need me, I'll do what I can to help…I'm here

for you,

" she said. Then the beautiful goddess in men's clothing finished her

tea, paid the bill, and left. Bell and Hestia looked at each other and nodded.

"At last…an expedition mission.

"

Mikoto was sitting in the living room, murmuring contemplatively.

Dinner was over, and the whole familia had gathered around Hestia for a

meeting. The topic, of course, was what they would do about the expedition.

"When I was with Lady Ishtar, I went on a number of expeditions with

Aisha and the others,

" Haruhime said as she passed out tea, dressed in a

maid's outfit.

"Lady Hephaistos runs a smithing familia, so we didn't have to do them…

But Tsubaki was so curious she joined other peoples' expeditions just

because she wanted to.

" Welf added his experiences while sitting on a chair

with his legs crossed.

Bell and Mikoto pulled another seat over for the renart girl, who had

finished serving. She thanked them as she sat down.

"Lady Hestia, did you not know that expeditions were required? Didn't

we carry out a small expedition before?"

"Well, uh, we were invited by Takemikazuchi that time…But I guess it

wouldn't be a bad idea to do one now to improve our situation in the future.

"

Hestia gave a hollow laugh as she avoided looking at anyone. Lilly glanced at

her through narrowed eyes.

"Oh geez.

" The prum girl sighed, looking up.

"This is just like when we

delivered Wiene to the Hidden Village. We essentially have no right to

decline the mission. The only way we can get out of it is if the Guild

determines that our fighting strength has suffered a major blow or if we were

already on an important long-term quest or another mission.

"

"And taking on an important quest…would be impossible right now?"

Haruhime asked timidly.

"Yes, that would be prohibited.

" Lilly summarily discarded the

suggestion. Haruhime hung her head, but Mikoto already seemed to accept

that they would be going on an expedition.

"The lowest floor we've cleared is the twentieth…That means we'd need

to aim for the twenty-first, right?" she said.

"Well, it's not completely absurd to think we can do it. I mean, now that

Mr. Bell is Level Four, he might even be able to manage quite easily…

" Lilly

said.

The suggested standard for those aiming to reach the twenty-fourth floor

—the lowest floor of the middle levels—was Level 2 with ability levels that

were anywhere from C to S. Considering that Bell was currently Level 4, he

conveniently met these requirements.

"Of course, you have to be vigilant anytime you go to a floor for the first

time,

" Lilly added.

"This is a basic question, but how do we prove our expedition was a

success? Guild staff don't tag along or anything, do they?" Hestia had posed

the question to Lilly, but Haruhime answered instead.

"As I recall…Aisha used to bring back drop items from specific monsters

or chunks of ore. She used to say it was annoying because she had to return

with at least ten things according to the rules…

"

Although Haruhime was the weakest member of Hestia Familia, her input

was priceless, since she was the only one among them to have gone on an

expedition during her time spent with the large Ishtar Familia. There was a

lot she didn't know, because she had been a noncombatant, but she still had

much to share.

"Also…I don't really understand what they mean by your own familia has

to do the expedition. What does it matter if I go along with someone else's

party or if I organize people from other parties myself? What's the condition

for meeting the requirement?" Welf asked.

Hestia examined the letter from the Guild.

"Um, well…it seems that members of our own familia have to make up

more than half the party,

" Hestia answered, reading through the mission

order.

"Since the parties going on expeditions have been recognized as rank D or

higher, they probably have to produce results in line with their ranking,

"

Mikoto added.

To give an extreme example, if the Sword Princess were to join in a

Hestia Familia expedition, it would be easy for them to achieve results. But

the Guild expected members of the familia to act as a group when earning

excelia on their target floor to make sure they grew stronger. The ultimate

goal was to improve the efficiency of Dungeon exploration.

On the other hand, only the kindest people would be likely to dispatch one

of their best adventurers on another familia's expedition. That was all the

truer if the expedition was headed for a destination where party members

might be in danger.

Lilly, the brains of the faction, outlined their best plan going forward.

"To sum things up, if we care about our future, we can't shirk this

mission. And if we're embarking on this expedition…then our safest plan is

to gather a party including Mr. Bell, Mr. Welf, Miss Mikoto, Miss Haruhime

as an emergency supporter, and some upper-class adventurers from other

factions…

"

She had to hold back her emotions during the latter half of this speech.

Excluding herself from the party wasn't a sign of masochism. It was a

subjective, coolly made decision based on the fact that she was a Level-1 full-

time supporter.

In essence, Bell's level-up had brought on this expedition mission. The

Guild was saying that Bell the adventurer had gained both a qualification and

a responsibility. Now he had to choose companions suited to the task and

devote himself to the next level of adventuring.

A momentary silence fell over the living room. No one could come to a

decision easily in the face of such a huge event for the familia. Hestia, the

group's patron deity, closed her eyes briefly, then looked at Bell. As if

following her lead, Welf and the others also turned their gaze on their

captain.

"Bell. You've held your tongue until now. What do you want to do?"

Hestia asked.

"I…

"

Bell had been quietly listening to Lilly and the others talk, and now he

finally opened his mouth to speak.

"I…Well, it's partly for Wiene and the other Xenos and partly for

myself…I want to become stronger than I am now.

"

He added a "but,

" then looked around at each familia member's face.

"If possible…I want to become stronger with all of you.

"

Lilly widened her eyes. So did Mikoto and Haruhime. Only Welf, the

single other male familia member, let a smile break out.

"I want to move forward as a familia.

"

His rubellite eyes, like his crystal-clear words, were full of determination.

Not a single speck of indecision marred his message. But in the next moment,

his usual apologetic expression returned.

"Uh…Sorry to be so pushy.

"

"Come on, man, I told you not to apologize! We were happy about what

you said…Right, everyone?"

"

…Yes, very happy!"

"Yes, yes, definitely.

"

"Absolutely. If we don't experience joys and sorrows together, why even

call ourselves a familia?"

Lilly smiled broadly, while Haruhime nodded repeatedly and Mikoto

pressed her hands to her chest as if she was deeply moved. Even Hestia

grinned, nodding firmly as she stood up.

"Let's work together with Miach's and Také's familias! We'll form a

faction alliance for the expedition!" she shouted.

The next moment, Mikoto, Welf, Lilly, and Haruhime joined in the

commotion.

"Yeah, we'll do it with Master Ouka and Lady Chigusa!"

"Forget about petty stuff like the twenty-first floor; I'm aiming for the

lower levels!"

"Don't get carried away, Mr. Welf! That's reckless!"

"I don't know if I'll be much help…B-but I'll try!" Haruhime added.

Bell laughed wryly at the sudden lively atmosphere in the living room.

Everyone had their eyes on the same target. Because a new goal had

materialized, the entire familia was enjoying a refreshing level of enthusiasm.

Hestia Familia had decided to go on an expedition.

The very next day, they began their preparations.

Of course, that included gathering all the necessary items and supplies, as

well as sharing information with Miach and Takemikazuchi Familias and

asking for cooperation from friendly factions. Nahza, Ouka, their fellow

familia members, and their patron deities all consented willingly. Only

Hephaistos Familia decided to stay on the sidelines in order to preserve their

position as a metalsmith familia.

A three-faction alliance was formed among Hestia, Miach, and

Takemikazuchi Familias. They would set out on the expedition in ten days. In

the meantime, each adventurer began working on the necessary preparations.

"So from Miach Familia, we'll be joined by…

"

"Myself and Cassandra. Our captain, Nahza, asks your pardon, but she

seems to have been traumatized by monsters.

"

"W-we are very grateful…!"

Lilly was meeting with Miach Familia members Daphne Laulos and

Cassandra Illion to confirm their participation. They were seated in the

reception room of Hearthstone Manor, which at first glance resembled a war

room. Dozens of parchments were spread out on pushed-together tables, each

covered in updated information about the Dungeon, such as whether floor

bosses were present in certain places and where Irregulars had appeared.

Maps of each floor, purchased from the Guild, were marked up in red pen

with their planned routes and rest points. Lilly, their chief strategist, was

using the room to meet with other faction members and consolidate pertinent

information about the upcoming expedition.

"What positions will you two take, Miss Daphne?" she asked.

"Recently we've been going in as a pair, but before, my spot used to be in

the middle and Cassandra was in the rear. I did whatever needed doing, but

she was a healer, so I think she'll really be an asset.

"

"D-Daphne, stop complimenting me…!"

"Why are you getting shy now?"

Ignoring the pair's comedy routine, Lilly licked her lips and made some

notes with her feather pen on a parchment. She was adding information about

the new all-rounder and healer to her notes about the party's formation.

"So how big do you think the party will be? It seems pretty big already,

"

Daphne asked casually as she located Ouka's and Welf's names in the

vanguard.

"Everyone in Hestia Familia will take part, plus Mr. Ouka and Miss

Chigusa from Takemikazuchi Familia, and then the two of you…and Miss

Aisha.

"

"Aisha…You mean Aisha Belka, the Berbera?"

"A-Antianeira…!"

Cassandra shivered as she uttered the former Ishtar Familia Amazon's

alias.

"Wow…

" Daphne gasped, eyes round.

"Yes…I don't know who she heard about it from, but she suddenly

showed up at our doorstep…

"

Lilly scrunched her eyebrows in an inscrutable wiggle as she thought back

on recent events. Barely any time had passed after the alliance was officially

formed when Aisha appeared, saying she'd heard they were going on an

expedition and wanted to know if they would bring her along. Like

Haruhime, Antianeira had been on numerous expeditions before, and her

addition to the party would greatly increase the power at their disposal. Bell

and the others had accepted her offer gratefully.

"But now, since the party is so strong, we've ended up aiming for the

lower levels…Lilly can't help but feel anxious about that. Although it's true

that an expedition made up of these members probably should already be

thinking about heading for those floors of the Dungeon…

"

Lilly let out a long sigh as she thought about how the hot-blooded Level-4

Amazon had tried to persuade her, boasting that they'd conquer the middle

levels before the monsters even knew what was happening.

Daphne drew her eyebrows together.

"Huh. So it'll be a combined expedition…Is that really a good idea? Will

everyone be able to cooperate properly?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" Lilly said.

"Well, when I was in Apollo's familia, we went on some of those, but

nothing much ever came of expeditions with other familias. The various

members only did what they wanted.

"

Like Hestia Familia, Apollo Familia had organized a combined

expedition when it rose to rank D.

"Usually, all you have to do is look at the patron deity to get an idea what

their familia members are gonna be like. In most cases they're pretty similar.

Like father, like son, as they say. Our experience was incredibly awful…

"

Daphne continued.

In other words, the familia of a deity who was always standing around

smirking wouldn't amount to much. Lilly tilted her head quizzically at

Daphne, although she was starting to understand her point.

"On this expedition, everyone knows one another, so I doubt there will be

any major issues among friends. But all the same, cooperation is critical.

Especially when you're heading to a floor appropriate for your level or even

deeper.

"

"!"

"Let's combine our strength and do this together. Cooperation is

everything,

" Daphne said.

Her words made Lilly realize that she had forgotten something in her

planning: the need to collaborate with other familias. Regardless of the

powerful individuals she had lined up, she had failed to fully investigate

whether her hastily drawn-up formations would really hold in the Dungeon.

"And what about you?" Daphne continued.

"You're just a supporter,

right? And Level One at that. Are you gonna get yourself killed and drag us

all down?"

"

"

…

"D-Daphne…

"

It was a merciless pronouncement. But despite Cassandra's gentle

remonstration, Daphne hadn't said anything that wasn't true.

Daphne, noticing that Lilly's hands were squeezed tightly into fists,

changed her tone.

"But if you still want to come along…well, then maybe you should really

put your foot down.

"

"Huh?"

"Insist you won't do anything yourself. Instead, make the rest of us do

stuff.

"

Lilly's chestnut-brown eyes were fixed on Daphne.

"You'll be the commander, right? I, for one, did a lot of things just

because I was forced to and had no other choice.

"

Daphne drew a dagger that resembled a conductor's baton from the sword

belt at her waist. With a swoosh, the human girl swung it lightly through the

air and shrugged.

"Having someone keep an eye on things from the tail end is important,

too, you know.

"

"

…!"

"This won't be like the wars from back in the day, but good leadership

can still really save a party. They say adventurers live or die depending on

who's in the rear guard. That's how Finn Deimne pushed his way to the top, I

hear.

"

Lilly felt like she was seeing something inside herself for the first time.

An image of Braver commanding the very best adventurers down in the

Dungeon, and, layered on top of that, an image of herself doing the same.

She felt like she had finally grasped the vision she needed to aim for.

"That prum's bravery is foolish, of course,

" Daphne said.

"

"

…

command?"

"So, what are you going to do? Want me to show you how to take

Cassandra, who had been left completely out of this conversation, was

looking back and forth between Lilly and Daphne.

Lilly realized that Daphne was peering down at her.

"Yes please!" she said.

"Yaaa!!"

An earsplitting shout echoed across the blue sky.

The god of combat used his hand to easily deflect the sharp kick that the

girl had sent flying toward his face.

"You're still weak.

"

"Oof?!"

"M-Mikoto!"

Mikoto and Chigusa, who had both been thrown to the ground, huddled

together. After parrying the Level-2, third-tier adventurer's high kick,

Takemikazuchi looked down on the two girls as he wiped sweat from his

brow.

"Mikoto, Chigusa. The two of you are thinking too much about your

status. Never rely on your weapons to settle things. Control the situation with

your spirit.

"

"Yes, sir, Master Takemikazuchi!"

Mikoto grabbed Chigusa's hand and pulled herself to her knees. Still

kneeling, she looked up at the deity. Beneath a clear blue sky, the lush

verdant growth of the lawn glinted in the sunlight. The three were in the

courtyard of Hearthstone Manor, which they had borrowed for training. The

girls were honing their skills in preparation for the upcoming expedition.

"Lots of adventurers get too caught up in their Status…That's what the

first-tier adventurers say, and I agree. When I use my skills fully, I can match

or even beat you.

"

While Takemikazuchi was dripping with sweat, Mikoto and Chigusa

showed only a light sheen on their skin. Yet they were covered in grass stains

from being thrown repeatedly onto the ground. The stark contrast made their

relative positions obvious. The girls possessed the physical ability to fight

monsters, while Takemikazuchi would have been as helpless as any ordinary

person in such a situation. But despite their power, the god of combat was

able to parry their blows and even use their momentum against them to send

them flying.

The outcome rested entirely on skill and tactics.

Using his defensive skills, superhuman martial arts, eerily perceptive

decision-making ability, and observational skills, Takemikazuchi led his

opponents in the direction he desired. Alone, his combat skills exceeded

those of a first-tier adventurer. His abilities were nothing short of godly,

much like the supreme metalsmithing skills of Hephaistos, which no mortal

smith could approach.

Certainly, if Mikoto and Chigusa kept up their attacks on Takemikazuchi,

there was little doubt that they would eventually defeat him. But they weren't

after a quick victory.

"Status can't be improved overnight. But—

"

"Skill and tactics are a different matter.

"

Takemikazuchi nodded as Mikoto finished his sentence.

"Of course, skills are not easy to acquire, either. But if you put in enough

effort and you have a strong desire to succeed…then it's possible.

"

Mikoto squeezed her hands into tight fists as Takemikazuchi spoke, the

looped buns of hair on either side of his face shaking. Just as he said, what

she wanted was the strength to take on a powerful opponent. She wanted the

skills that would let her save her companions and successfully navigate an

adventure in the enormous underground labyrinth.

"It's like I taught you in the Far East. Skills are the weapons you use

when confronting an opponent who is stronger than you. In terms of their

physical build, most monsters are overwhelmingly powerful…but if you use

your skills at the right time with the right breathing, you can defeat even the

largest enemy, crack even the hardest shell.

"

Takemikazuchi wiped the sweat from his naked upper body and drew a

dagger from the sheath tied around his waist. It was Tenka, the male half of a

paired set of daggers where the female half belonged to Mikoto.

Takemikazuchi raised Tenka in one hand and took up a combat stance

facing Mikoto and Chigusa.

"You've come a long way since your time in the Far East. Now it's time

for me to teach you the martial arts you didn't learn back then, as you wish.

Come and get me!"

"Yes, sir!"

The two girls ran toward him. Simply and earnestly, they gave themselves

over to the tough training he offered.

"What's up, Big Guy?"

A high metallic clanging rang out.

Thanks to the fire blazing in the furnace, the workshop was hot enough to

kill. Welf stood in front of the flames using his red hammer to shape the ingot

on the anvil into a weapon.

Ouka, of Takemikazuchi Familia, watched his motions from behind as if

entranced.

"I want to get as much done as I can before we head out on this

expedition,

" Welf said.

His workshop was situated in the backyard of Hestia Familia's home.

With the red flames casting a crimson glow, the room's dim interior looked

like a magical world. The hulking young man who had come to visit sat in

the chair Welf had lent him, arms crossed as the smith responded.

"Even if you and I were to train together, it wouldn't make much

difference.

"

"I know.

"

"And there's no way skills and magic are going to appear at the very

moment we need them.

"

"I know that, too.

"

Sweat rained down from Welf's chin, and Ouka's skin was damp, too, just

from watching. Each young man appeared to be trying to outdo the other's

ability to tolerate the blazing heat. It was like a scene in some fable where the

hero tries to persuade the stubborn craftsman.

"I'm a metalsmith. What I'm trying to do is…make the strongest gear I

can, so I can help Bell and the rest of the party in my own way.

"

Pieces of Bell's dir-adamantite armor leaned against the wall next to Welf,

already fully repaired. In addition to the armor, there were dozens of new

items that Welf had prepared for Bell, Mikoto, and other party members,

including broadswords, katanas, spears, arrowheads, throwing weapons,

shields, and magic swords.

Still immersed in his work, Welf's gaze was sharp and impassioned.

He raised the hammer and brought it down. Each time he repeated the

motion, the heat in the room seemed to pulse stronger.

"In combat, I may drag the others down, but this is my true role. I'm

going to do everything I can.

"

"

"

…

"I don't have time to hang out with you.

"

Like the sound of the hammer hitting the metal, Welf's voice rang out

decisively.

"Try the others,

" he said, his back to Ouka.

"Make me a weapon.

"

Welf's shoulder twitched in surprise at Ouka's words.

"

"

…

"Not some half-assed thing. Something that will let me protect Chigusa

and Haruhime and everyone else. That's what I want…Will you do it?"

Ouka's voice was just as strong and stubborn as Welf's.

Welf gave the metal one last, particularly intense blow, then turned

toward Ouka.

"A custom-made weapon from me will cost you,

" he said with a grin.

Ouka's eyebrows furrowed in consternation.

"

…Give me a deal.

"

"I'll give you a kick in the ass!"

"Haruhime, come over here with me.

"

With that, the Amazon Aisha pulled the renart girl into the study of

Hearthstone Manor. The books that had been on the shelves when they took

over the building from Apollo Familia were still there, giving the room the

atmosphere of a small library.

Aisha led Haruhime to the large table and sat her down. With the curtains

shut tight, the spacious room seemed quite dim.

"Um, Lady Aisha…What do you plan to do in here?" Haruhime asked,

peering around the room that she usually cleaned as a maid. Aisha sat on the

table directly in front of her and set down her bundle.

"Special training for you, of course,

" she said casually, her long black hair

swaying as she adjusted her ill-mannered perch on the table.

"S-special training?" Haruhime parroted idiotically.

The sexy, shrewish Amazon, whose outfit resembled that of a dancing

girl, swatted the fox girl's ears.

"You're the weakling. You know that, right?"

"Uh…

"

"If you don't learn some tricks before the expedition, you're really gonna

be in the way.

"

Aisha was right. Haruhime was part supporter, part sorcerer. Despite her

illegal ability to grant level boosts, her basic combat ability was even lower

than Lilly's.

"But I can't move around like Mikoto and the others…

"

Haruhime had learned some defensive moves from Mikoto, but she lacked

the makings of a warrior and did not pick things up quickly. Even if she

learned how to defeat a low-level monster in the Dungeon, it would be a mere

drop in the bucket.

"Idiot,

" Aisha said to the glum Haruhime.

"You're a sorcerer. You must

have at least enough magic to merit the name. I expect more from you than

clumsy bungling.

"

"Uh…So you mean we're going to practice to improve my magical

powers?"

"Nope. You're going to learn new magic.

"

Aisha smiled at the flabbergasted Haruhime.

"Skills and magic don't appear whenever people want them to, so we'll

just have to draw them out by force.

"

With a thud, Aisha set down the bundle she'd brought with her in front of

Haruhime, and then untied the cloth. Inside was a thick book, the cover of

which was decorated with an intricate pattern.

"This is a…!"

"A grimoire. I don't know what magic will come from it, but I doubt that

it'll be worthless, whatever it is.

"

The text would force magic to come forth. Even the unworldly Haruhime

knew the value of the tome that lay before her. The miraculous items were

never found in ordinary markets. They were so rare that it wouldn't be

strange to call them phantom books.

"Ishtar would've never let you read a grimoire, but that was because she

was so fixated on how potent the level boost was. If her sealed renart learned

more than one kind of magic, it would be a waste, since the smashed killing

stone would only allow a single power to be used.

"

Aisha was explaining Ishtar's rationale, but the information went in one

fox ear and out the other. Gulping at the grimoire, Haruhime timidly raised

her face.

"By the way, where did you get this…?"

"I waited till my patron deity and the rest of the familia weren't looking,

and then I filched it from our storeroom.

"

After a momentary silence, Haruhime coughed uncomfortably. Aisha

waved her hand carelessly, as if to say it was no big deal.

"It's fine. They take advantage of me and treat me like a convenient pawn,

so this is the least I could do to balance things out.

"

The Amazon, who had converted to Hermes Familia, looked proud of

herself. By now, the familia would have noticed the precious volume was

missing and was probably going crazy over it. Haruhime had known the

senior prostitute was daring since their time together in Ishtar Familia, but all

she could do at this renewed reminder of Aisha's character was sputter in

panic.

"You want to help the boys, don't you?"

"!"

"Then you don't have much choice. You're the weakling, and what you

need now is unvarnished greed for improvement.

"

Aisha brought her face right up to Haruhime's, who stared back at her in

shock. Still sitting on the table, Aisha suddenly curled her lips.

"Read it fast and start practicing. Ten days should be enough to master a

new kind of magic.

"

Aisha got down from the table and stepped away from Haruhime to make

sure she didn't accidentally steal the effects of the grimoire.

Haruhime had been following the movements of the smiling Amazon with

her eyes, and then, as she thought back to the conversation with Bell and the

others in the living room the other night, she pressed her lips together.

I'm…I'm part of the familia!

Her hand clasped the cover of the grimoire and energetically flipped it

open.

"Miss Eina, will you tell me about the Great Falls again?"

"Uh, um, yeah,

" she answered in a shrill voice.

Bell opened an illustrated book and showed it to Eina, who was sitting

across from him. She traced the words on the page with her slender finger.

It was night, and they were in the reference room of Guild Headquarters.

Bell was getting a private seminar from Eina. Drawing on her knowledge, he

was hoping to drill into his head as much information as possible about the

floors they planned to traverse and the monsters they might meet during the

expedition. Since they were heading into new territory, he had decided to

spend the entire ten-day preparation period studying.

When he came across something he didn't understand, he asked Eina, and

when he felt unsure of something, he pursued an answer until he was

completely satisfied.

Even though there was usually a gap between the information in books

and the reality in the Dungeon, Bell already knew after five short months as

an adventurer that information he gathered ahead of time could save his life,

as well as possibly serve as a potent weapon to protect his party.

He was determined to do everything he could right now. Thinking about

what would be needed, Bell looked to both the past and future for hints. He

had risked his life in the middle levels, and now he was reaching toward the

deeper floors where Irregulars were commonplace. As he examined the

material with his far-from-efficient mind, he became greedy for more

knowledge.

He's changed…

Eina watched him pore over the information. Her cheeks resting on her

hands, she felt her gaze drawn again and again to his rubellite eyes.

"Miss Eina?"

He had sensed her eyes on him and looked up.

"Huh?…Uh, nothing, sorry!" she said in a flustered voice, waving her

hands at him.

He gave her a funny look. She waited until he returned his gaze to the

book, then sighed. Her face felt hot.

I've changed, too…

Eina had been suffering ever since the day the black minotaur defeated

Bell. She wasn't in pain—in fact, it could even be called a pleasant feeling—

but she didn't know how to deal with it, and it made her a little embarrassed.

She was astonished by how her heart had soared when Bell asked her to help

him study.

The space between them as they sat on opposite sides of the desk was

irritating her. Being so close and yet so far was driving her crazy. Fidgeting

at the fact that no one besides the two of them was in the room, she stole

another glance at Bell's face.

I didn't realize boys could grow up so much…

Bell was still absorbed in reading the heavy volume. In the past, he'd been

a poor student, but now he was taking the lead in asking for lessons. When

she'd given him a pop quiz earlier in the night, he made some mistakes but

far fewer than in the past.

Ever since that day, he'd been trying to shed his old skin. No—perhaps he

already had.

What in the world happened that day? I wish I could ask him…

Eina didn't know anything about the incident with the Xenos. She'd

wanted to ask him about it but ultimately had found herself unable to form

the words.

In the past, she wouldn't have had any trouble asking him, much like a

concerned sister questioning her little brother.

But now, Eina didn't want to bother him. It was as though she was a

woman silently protecting her man.

…This is not good…I'm in trouble.

Eina surrendered herself to the situation, acknowledging once again the

bind she was in.

She'd never fallen in love before, not as a child and not as a student. Now

all she could do was remain aware of her emotions.

That was the first time I saw a boy, a man, cry out loud.

Her heart fluttered sweetly as the memory of the events of that night came

flooding vividly back to her. Suddenly, her face felt hot again.

I have to stop this!

She laid her head on the table and wrapped her arms around her face.

Bell looked at her in surprise.

"Uh, um…Miss Eina, are you all right…?"

"Even though I know you idolize Miss Wallenstein…

"

"Huh?"

"Nothing.

"

She pressed her burning cheek against the cool desk and sniffled.

And he's so much younger than me…I can't even look straight at him. I'm

such a child, even at this age!

Eina felt embarrassed by her own feelings.

"Eh?!"

"What's wrong, Hestia?" Miach asked as the goddess jerked in surprise,

her black pigtails twitching.

"I sense a sweet-and-sour aura bearing down on Bell!"

"What are you talking about…?" Takemikazuchi said. He looked

surprised. Following her deity's instinct, the young goddess had turned

around to scan her surroundings.

As the stars twinkled in the night sky outside, she and the two gods

crowded around a table in a bar on a quiet side street. They'd decided to have

a casual meeting over drinks, since their familias were about to embark on a

joint expedition.

"I'm worried about Bell…But thank you again, Miach and Také, for

lending us your support.

"

"No need to thank me, Hestia. Just doing what good neighbors do,

" Miach

said.

"He's right. Anyway, when it comes to expeditions, we're not strangers,

"

Takemikazuchi added.

Hestia bowed her head in appreciation. The two gods laughed. They'd

become friends because all three were at the bottom of the familia hierarchy,

and they'd get together to poke fun at themselves. Hestia was grateful to call

such upstanding gods and their familias her friends. She smiled. Without

them, neither she nor Bell would have been able to make it in Orario.

"Still…I do feel a little guilty about leaving all the work to the kids while

we go out for a drink,

" Takemikazuchi said, reaching for a snack.

"What else can we do? Bell and the others have everything taken care of.

When I tried to help, my supporter said,

'I don't want you messing up all my

preparations, so why don't you go to your job or something'! I was kicked

out of the house!" Hestia replied with a pout, imitating Lilly's voice. The two

gods laughed wryly.

"Mikoto has really been working hard, coming to me every day to ask for

training,

" Takemikazuchi added.

"Same with Nahza. She's trying to develop some new medicines for Bell

and the others…Everyone is working toward the same goal. Things are going

well, I think,

" Miach said.

Lessons, training, magic, studying…Everyone was preparing for the

expedition in their own way. Although Miach's voice was tinged with envy

toward the humans who, unlike the deusdea, were able to improve

themselves, he smiled brightly.

"It's not just Bell…Everyone is growing up. They hardly need my help

anymore!"

"What's this, Hestia, do I detect a little loneliness?"

"Of course I'm lonely! I can't follow them into the Dungeon, can I?"

Hestia drained her cup and lurched forward.

"Drunk already?" Takemikazuchi teased, leaning away from her.

Hestia blushed, then switched moods and smiled.

"But I'm equally happy! No, proud is a better word for it!"

"Hestia…

"

"When everyone talks about how much Bell has grown…I get this feeling

deep in my chest.

"

She would never reveal such motherly pride to the children, of course. But

they'd been through a lot together, she and Bell. He had survived many

adventures, tasted frustration, and learned to keep running forward even

when he was covered head to toe in mud.

The familia story she had traced onto his back was a precious treasure.

Hestia grinned like the young goddess she was, and the two male gods

narrowed their eyes as if they understood how she felt.

"He used to be such a crybaby, but now he's able to speak his mind

clearly in front of everyone. He's grown up beautifully…I've fallen for him

all over again! I had butterflies in my stomach just watching him! Damn it,

I'll never hand him over to another soul!"

"That was real beautiful, except the last bit.

"

"Yeah!"

The gods sipped their drinks as Hestia threw both hands in the air and

crowed.

"To tell you the truth, I'm a little worried about this expedition…but I

have faith that Bell and the others will get through it,

" she said.

"If anyone can do it, that group can.

"

"Yeah, just like Hestia said.

"

The three deities raised their glasses.

"Let's drink to Bell and the rest.

"

"Shouldn't we give them a toast?"

"Let's save that for when they get back.

"

The warm light of the magic-stone lamps illuminated the dusky blue

atmosphere of the lively bar. A bard struck up a tune for the drunken patrons,

the pleasant melody evoking the prelude to an adventure tale.

"Here's to a successful adventure for the children—

"

The three deities gathered at the round table smiled at one another and

clinked their glasses together.

""Cheers!""

The sky that day was nearly cloudless.

As the sun peeked its face over the massive eastern wall of the city, Orario

opened its eyes and leaped into action. Sunbeams poured down from the blue

sky where a few white clouds floated. In front of Hearthstone Manor, in the

city's sixth ward, a crowd of humans and demi-humans gathered. They were

adventurers from various factions, about to set out on an expedition.

"Are you all ready?"

"Yes! I've packed as many items, extra weapons, and provisions as I

could fit.

"

Lilly adjusted her backpack, which was stuffed even fuller than usual.

Aisha smiled at her, resting her huge sword called a podao on her shoulder.

Nearby, Mikoto and Chigusa ogled Ouka's sparkling silver weapon.

"Sir Ouka, has Sir Welf made a new weapon for you as well? Oh my, that

looks like a fine blade,

" Mikoto gushed.

"What an ax!…But Ouka, the money…?" Chigusa said.

"

…I'll make the cost back on this expedition,

" Ouka responded solemnly.

Welf, who was standing just behind him holding his greatsword, grinned.

Meanwhile, Nahza was handing Haruhime a sack bursting at its seams.

"Haruhime, I've just finished making these new potions today…Please

take them. Fight hard, sister…

"

"Th-thank you, Lady Nahza!" Haruhime said as she accepted the bag

from the chienthrope, who had dark circles under her eyes. Touched by the

words of encouragement from this member of her race, Haruhime bowed in

her hooded black cloak, the Goliath Robe.

Takemikazuchi, Miach, Hephaistos, and the familia members who would

stay home stood at a slight distance from the adventurers headed for the

Dungeon, wishing them well on the expedition.

"Leave it to me to guard our home. Go raise hell!"

"Don't do anything too crazy.

"

"Take care of yourself!"

Nahza and several members of Takemikazuchi Familia were in charge of

watching their homes while everyone else was gone. As for Hestia Familia,

whose members were all participating in the expedition, Hephaistos planned

to assign one of her High Smiths to guard their home. Once word got out that

such a fiercely powerful smith was there, not even the dumbest thief would

dare approach. The adventurers were able to take part in the expedition only

because of this assistance on the home front.

Bell looked at the two groups—those departing and those staying home—

and then glanced up at the sky. The weather was good, and so were the

expressions on the faces of his companions. Morale was high.

Of course, there were exceptions.

"Daphne…Can't you stop this expedition?"

"Huh? Isn't it a bit late for that?"

"I had a premonition last night…I have a feeling that something horrible

is going to happen…

"

"That again? You know we can't stop it now!"

Cassandra was on the verge of tears, having been rebuffed by her partner.

She turned to Bell, who was on her other side, as if to cling to him.

"Um…I'm sorry…

" Bell said, scratching his head.

Gently turned away by him as well, Cassandra hung her head. Bell

directed a strained smile at the girl, who had been pulled back by Daphne,

and turned his eyes to his patron deity.

"Well, Goddess.

"

"Bell, whatever you do, don't let down your guard!"

"I understand.

"

"

…Fight hard!"

"

…I will!"

As the sunlight poured down on them, Hestia and Bell exchanged smiles.

Bell engraved the image of her smile and the sunny sky into his memory. He

would not see either for quite some time.

When he turned back around, he saw that Welf and the others were

waiting eagerly for his signal to embark on their journey. Bell nodded and

turned again toward Hestia and the other deities.

"We're off!"

Exactly five months had passed since the boy arrived in Orario. Now, he

was departing on Hestia Familia's first expedition.

The faction alliance expected the expedition to last one week.

Aisha assured them that a party like this could easily make it to their

destination and back in five days, so they had planned their trip accordingly,

including where they would set up camp beyond the safety points.

Welf, Ouka, and Bell made up the vanguard of the formation heading into

the Dungeon. The center was split into two groups: Mikoto, Chigusa, and

Daphne would act as floaters to protect the combatants and supporters, while

Lilly, Haruhime, and Cassandra served as supporters. In reality, the function

of the latter three was more like a rear guard. Aisha, a powerful Level-4

fighter, was stationed at the very end to dispel any attacks from behind.

Of course, this was the first time Hestia Familia was acting as part of such

a large group, so they expected to carefully observe how the coalition worked

and make temporary changes in positions as needed.

Ultimately, they were headed for the lower levels.

"

—Aah!!"

A screech split the air.

Bell's Hestia Knife flashed in a violet arc as it cleaved a monster in half.

"OUUUUUUU!!"

Belatedly, the mad beetle's death cry thundered through the passageway.

"Little Rookie! No, I mean Rabbit Foot, right? Keep it up! Kill them all!"

Daphne cried as the two halves of the enormous beetle rolled over the bark-

covered floor, pressing her against the wall. Bell narrowed his eyes sharply

and nodded as he raised his new knife in his left hand and kicked off the

ground.

They were in the Colossal Tree Labyrinth on the twenty-fourth floor.

The party had rapidly broken Hestia Familia's previous record for

Dungeon floors cleared and was now in the lowest section of the middle

levels. One reason for their speed was Bell.

"UOO?!"

In place of the purple arc, a heroic white flash emanated from his left

hand.

The beautiful, glittering white knife reduced the monster to a cloud of ash

with a single blow.

Like the Hestia Knife in his right hand, Hakugen—the new weapon in his

left—was quickly racking up an impressive bodycount. Measuring thirty-five

celch from tip to base, the long knife fell just between the Hestia Knife and a

baselard in size. Incredibly, it was made from unicorn horn, a rare drop item.

Welf had crafted it for Bell with great care, and its blade was even sharper

than the lost Ushiwakamaru. Every time Bell moved his arm even slightly, a

flash of light instantaneously shot forth, proclaiming death to herds of

swordstag monsters.

As usual, Bell wore his dir-adamantite armor, currently on its fifth

reincarnation. The durable, lightweight set shined like new thanks to Welf's

repairs. For the moment, it was still scratch free. His left leg was wrapped in

a new holster made of old bison leather, far stronger than his previous one.

Fitted out in new gear from Welf, Bell got to work driving off the

monsters circling the party, just as Daphne had requested.

"Hornet at two o'clock!"

Lilly was shouting out a constant stream of information to Bell, who had

moved away from the main formation. Jet-black deadly hornets were

zooming in for an attack, wings buzzing.

"Smith, get down! Your shield isn't in position!" Ouka warned from his

spot in the vanguard.

"Unfortunately, I'm bad with shields!" Welf shouted back, holding his

massive shield with both hands. As the deadly hornets bore down on them at

an angle, their defensive positions wavered. Multiple giant insects attacked

with claws, poison stingers, and body blows. The two young men up front

took the brunt of the attack but managed to hold strong.

Protected by Welf and Ouka, Mikoto and Chigusa shot arrows at the

hornets from their position in the center, but—

"They're fast…!"

"Damn…!"

The deadly hornets flew nimbly through the air, easily evading the arrows.

Even when one hit its mark, it bounced right back off again; the hornets had

exoskeletons even harder than those of killer ants. As they harassed the

Level-2 adventurers, it was obvious why they were also known was "high

killer bees.

"

"

…!"

At that very moment, Bell intervened with lightning speed.

He had just finished off some monsters away from the rest of the party

when he immediately raced straight toward the Dungeon wall. Living up to

his new nickname, he launched himself from the wall and leaped into the

swarm of hornets.

"

"

—

Taken off guard from behind, they froze. Bell's rubellite eyes glinted as

he swung the Hestia Knife.

"

—GAAA?!"

The white blade sliced through their rock-hard exoskeletons and sets of

double wings like butter.

Bell kept flying forward from the extreme force of his leap. Still in midair,

he stuffed the Hestia Knife back into its sheath and used the momentum from

his blow to spin halfway around, thrusting out his now-free right hand and

shouting.

"Firebolt!"

Two deadly hornets burst into fragments as two shots of electrified flames

drilled into them.

Thanks to Bell's recent level-up, the firepower and speed of his Swift-

Strike Magic attack had been boosted. The monsters had no time to dodge.

As gravity pulled Bell back to the ground, motes of fire fell around him.

"W-wow…

"

"There was a time when you would have been running for your life from

those guys, but now…

"

Cassandra and the others in the formation's center were dumbfounded.

Welf sighed in amazement and grinned as if he thought they were invincible.

"Uaaaaa!"

A second later, he and Ouka thrust out their shields and knocked down

several more hornets zooming in for an attack run. Instantly, Mikoto and

Chigusa jumped out from between the two young men and thrust their

daggers into gaps in the exoskeletons.

"But this is pointless…As long as we don't get rid of that, these hornets

will keep attacking us. Even if we run from the bees, we won't get far,

"

Aisha muttered. As the front and middle ranks worked together to reduce

monsters to ash, she was left alone at the rear to fend off swarms closing in

on them from behind.

She glanced back at the Dungeon wall, where a massive hornet's nest was

buried in sap. The colony was covered in countless deadly hornets, but it was

also a monster itself—a rare one that existed co-dependently with the hornets.

It was a bloody hive.

The seven-meder-long, pinecone-shaped black mass looked like some

hideous fruit. An immobile trap-type monster, it normally buried itself inside

a hollow big enough to allow deadly hornets to fly in and out. But the instant

prey approached, it burst through the Dungeon wall to reveal its full form.

When one of these monsters appeared on the main route, things got

extremely nasty. Bell and the others were experiencing that misery at this

very moment.

"There's no end to it! Cassandra, can't you get this mucus off yet?!"

"Sorry, Daphne, I still need more time!"

"Everyone, I'm sorry I can't help!"

The nest's means of attack was a liquid it shot out that didn't kill or

wound but was so adhesive that it completely immobilized anyone who was

hit. Deadly hornets would then fly out and impale the trapped victim.

Haruhime had been caught unawares by the emerging colony and lay helpless

on the floor, covered in orange goop. Welf and Ouka were trying to guard the

supporters, but their shields were also smeared with the sticky material.

The worst part of it all was the ludicrous number of deadly hornets that

were spawning. Since the bloody hive was directly connected to the

Dungeon, hornets were appearing at a much greater rate than usual. As the

adventurers focused their energy on fighting off the insects, other monsters

approached from side paths. It was a vicious downward spiral.

"Don't waver! We have to take it down!"

Occupying the main route and spitting out hornets one after the other, the

colony was the key. Calling it a citadel for monsters would not be an

overstatement.

The adventurers quickly set about taking the veritable fortress down, just

as Aisha—who had wiped out all the monsters approaching from the rear—

had instructed.

Ring, ring!

Light radiated from Bell's right hand. As he continued intercepting deadly

hornets, he initiated a Concurrent Charge.

In place of an activation chant, the sound of a bell rang out. Bell finished

up his current attack and fell back from the vanguard to Lilly's position in

order to stand at the ideal range.

"Center, step back! Form a circle around Mr. Bell!"

Lilly's order echoed out to each member of the party. Mikoto, Chigusa,

and Daphne quickly took the shields handed to them to ward off the ferocious

swarm of attacking and receding hornets. Aisha did the same with her

weapon, the podao.

Ouka and Welf joined them in the battle line, beating back the violent

attacks.

"

—I'm gonna fire!"

It had taken only seconds for Bell to assume his position.

The adventurers split off to the left and right to open a direct path for Bell,

who had transformed into a living gun ready to fire.

He had charged for twenty seconds.

Using his radiating right arm as a barrel, he let loose.

"Firebolt!"

A massive blast of electrical fire edged in white light shot forward. All the

hornets in the line of fire were instantly incinerated. The hideous colony

exploded with tremendous force.

"

—AAH?!"

The monsters still inside the nest shrieked wretchedly, and an earsplitting

roar followed.

The Dungeon wall burst into fragments along with the bloody hive, filling

the passageway with masses of ash and smoke.

"Whew…I'm exhausted. It feels like I just finished fighting a floor boss!"

"Well, it's practically the same thing. That hornet's nest is the worst thing

around here.

"

The conversation between Daphne and Aisha, who were sitting on Lilly's

backpack in the middle of the passageway chugging down potions and water,

echoed through the now-quiet space.

Bell and the others were taking care of the aftermath now that their

biggest battle of the day was over. That meant collecting magic stones and

drop items. Purple crystals far purer and larger than those found at higher

levels were laying among pieces of the deadly hornets' tough exoskeletons

and piles of ash. They set about gathering the loot and extracting magic

stones from the remains of the monsters.

"I'm sorry, Master Bell…I slowed you all down.

"

"It's not your fault, Miss Haruhime. In fact, we should have been

protecting you.

"

Haruhime had finally been freed from the viscous liquid and was helping

with the cleanup. Since there had been so many monsters, everyone—not just

supporters—had to join in.

"Mr. Bell…you're so amazing.

"

"Huh?"

Chigusa, who was working nearby with Ouka, had broken into Bell's

conversation.

"You've killed more monsters than anyone else so far…I thought you

were incredible before, but…you're just, I mean, you're really incredible

now!" she said, bubbling with excitement as she peered out from behind her

bangs.

Ouka's eyebrows scrunched at an odd angle as he listened.

"It's the same

with Antianeira. Level Four is just a completely different world. Makes me

feel like a worthless oaf…

" His voice was tinged with frustration and

competitiveness.

"I-I think so, too. The way he moves, compared to the War Game, it's,

how can I put it…?!" Cassandra said as she scoured the area for items.

"Sharper, is that what you mean, Lady Cassandra?" Mikoto said.

"Yes, exactly!"

Both seemed completely in awe of Bell's combat prowess. As for the boy

himself, he was more embarrassed than pleased by the praise. He didn't know

what to say in this kind of situation. The same had been true when he moved

up to Level 2. He simply wasn't good at accepting compliments. He rested

his hand awkwardly on the back of his head.

As his mind rambled incoherently, he suddenly felt a pair of eyes on him

and shifted his gaze.

Haruhime was standing right next to him, staring at his face.

"Miss Haruhime?"

"Uh…I-I'm sorry, I'm being impolite…

"

"It's not a problem…but is something the matter?"

She seemed to be wondering about something and wanting to say

something. Bell urged her on with his eyes.

The renart shifted her gaze away, then timidly opened her mouth.

"When…um, before, when the thing happened with the Xenos, you were

very troubled by it, so I was worried…about whether you'd really be able to

fight monsters again.

"

Bell widened his eyes slightly as he listened.

He had considered the exact same thought himself before. At one point,

he'd been extremely concerned about whether he'd still be able to kill

monsters—or even continue as an adventurer—after learning about the

Xenos. He'd never been able to come up with a good answer.

Haruhime, aware of his state during that time, was confused by the

present Bell, who took down monsters with such unfettered enthusiasm that

he garnered praise from Ouka and the others.

Confronted by the concerned look in the girl's green eyes, Bell was

momentarily wordless. As Mikoto and the others returned to work, Bell

turned away from Haruhime and kneeled by a pile of ash. He sifted through

the gray dust that slipped through his fingers like sand and withdrew a

beautiful purple crystal. Then he stood and, staring at the monster's magic

stone in his hand, answered Haruhime.

"I decided to become a hypocrite.

"

Now it was Haruhime's turn to be surprised.

Hypocrite!

Bell recalled the violent hunter's insult, and then the words of the wise

fool: Those criticized for hypocrisy possess the necessary qualities to become

a hero.

Those words had remained in his ears and heart all along, and he had

accepted them. After the black minotaur had defeated him, he had made up

his mind.

To save Wiene and the other Xenos, he would kill their brethren.

He would do it even though he knew ordinary monsters could be reborn as

Xenos.

To save those who were important to him, he would take countless lives.

They may have been monsters, but he would still be snuffing out their

very existence.

No one had ordered him to do it. He had chosen this path for himself.

He had decided, and set his mind to it.

He would content himself with either being honored as a hero or

disgraced as a villain, so long as it was a consequence of those actions.

Let me become a hypocrite, then, he thought to himself as his gaze bored

into the glittering crystal.

"

…!"

The renart girl gasped and shuddered at the sight of his resolute face. Her

cheeks flushed red with admiration.

Totally oblivious, Bell squeezed the magic stone firmly in his palm.

"He was plenty strong before…but now, it's like I feel more secure,

"

Welf said.

"Is that so…?" Lilly replied.

The two were watching Haruhime and Bell from a distance. In contrast to

the smith, who seemed pleased, the prum girl looked troubled.

"What's the gloomy face for? It's not like he's dangerous now or

anything.

"

"I know that…

"

Just as Welf said, there wasn't so much as a hint of a threat on the boy's

face. He hadn't become rushed and reckless. His was the face of someone

who had overcome indecision and arrived at a definite answer. His decisive

gaze cut straight ahead into the distance. As his unchanging feelings grew

stronger, so did he.

"Compared to before, he is much…much, much more dependable. But it's

like he's grown distant in equal measure…

"

That was Lilly's honest impression. Her voice was sad and dejected as she

told Welf how Bell seemed to be racing further and further ahead of and

away from them.

Welf stared down at the girl, whose head hung glumly, then laughed

provocatively.

"Isn't it your job to back him up, Supporter?"

Lilly looked startled, then sullen.

"I'm going to be right up there with him. Actually, I'm going to be even

stronger than him. So don't get left behind!" Welf said.

"O-obviously!! Lilly is Bell's supporter, his number one partner. She

won't be beaten by Welf or anyone else!"

"Back to your old self, I see…Hey, stop hitting me! That hurts!"

Smack, smack!!

Lilly laid into Welf a couple of times, then slapped her own cheeks.

She had made up her mind once again to fortify herself. The sight of Bell

fighting so hard had renewed her own enthusiasm.

"

"

…

Aisha gazed at the scene ahead of her and thought about their situation.

Their arrival on the twenty-fourth floor definitely hadn't been due to

Bell's strength alone. As they moved from floor to floor, Mikoto, Ouka, and

the others had cooperated seamlessly. They'd seen Bell's performance, and

they'd tried to fight just as hard as him.

It was like Lilly and Welf were saying: An individual's actions could raise

the morale of all his companions. A single person could inspire determination

and strength in many others.

If that's the case, then it's exactly like…

He must be what the deities called…a "hero.

"

At the very least, he had the raw potential to become one.

No…he didn't have them; he grabbed ahold of them.

From the most ordinary of places.

He'd lamented his own weakness, then stared up at the peaks of strength.

He was still running, reaching out for whatever handhold he could find. His

progress was still surprising even for the deities.

Everything had begun in chance encounters.

And all these opportunities were what made the boy strong.

Even Aisha admired him.

…He's almost ripe, I think, she muttered, narrowing her eyes.

Some distance from her, Bell shuddered imperceptibly.

As Lilly pops open her cracked watch with a snap, she announces that night

has fallen up on the surface.

We're done exploring for today, so we decide to take an extended rest in

the Dungeon. In other words, it's time to set up camp.

The spot we've chosen is a gaping tree hollow alongside a small path off

the main route on the twenty-fourth floor. We decide to use the pocket of

space a short way inside. The "room" was one of the candidates for a rest

point that we identified beforehand on the map provided by the Guild.

The first thing we have to do before taking a major rest is wreck the

environment of the Dungeon.

We attack the surrounding walls and floor of the labyrinth with our

weapons. Doing that forces the Dungeon to prioritize repairing the area,

meaning no monsters will spawn there for some time. The next thing to do is

station a guard at the entrance to the room to ensure no monsters make it

inside. Then we quickly wipe out any monsters already occupying the room

and at the same time, go to work on the walls inside with our axes and

hammers.

I guess the best way to describe the room is to say it's like a space

underneath a tree. It's about the size of a small common room. The walls are

covered in little white flowers and leaves, along with the occasional herb.

When you look up at the ceiling about three meders above, a dome formed by

tree roots is visible. Clumps of Lamp Moss on the surface of the dome emit a

greenish light, which actually makes the room quite bright.

"I chose this spot randomly off the map, but it's pretty nice!" Lilly says.

She's taken off her heavy backpack and is breathing in the deep-green air

with relish.

On the way here, we took a break on the eighteenth floor at Rivira—the

335th-generation post town has already been repaired since the Xenos

destroyed it—but maybe because we're finally able to relax our tense nerves,

everyone seems exhausted. Still, there's a feeling of accomplishment and

relief in their long sighs.

In order to spend the night here according to time up on the surface, we

quickly set to work preparing our camp and getting ready for tomorrow's

exploration.

Haruhime and Cassandra got Ouka to help them set up camp, and they're

romping around clapping their hands like kids. Mikoto and Chigusa are in

charge of cooking, and Aisha is guarding the entrance. Lilly and Daphne are

discussing our route as they look at a map.

Since our party is so small, all our gear fits in our backpacks, so while it's

nothing like a Loki Familia base camp with cargo and supplies lying around,

our rest point is still starting to look like a real camp.

"Hey, Bell, let me do that one, too.

"

"Okay, thanks.

"

I accept Welf's offer and hand him the Divine Knife in exchange for

Hakugen, which he's just finished sharpening. Whetstones, hammers, and

even a miniature furnace in a box surround him. He seems to have brought all

his smith's tools on the expedition. Thanks to our High Smith, we'll be able

to keep our weapons at peak performance and not lose any of their edge. It's

incredibly helpful, since we can't return to the surface during the course of

the expedition.

"It's such a luxury to have a smith in your familia. I doubt that even

famous factions like Loki Familia have someone like that on hand all the

time,

" comments Daphne, who's finished up her work.

"How's that new weapon working for ya, Bell?" Welf asks.

"It's amazing. The blade feels so good it keeps surprising me…It even

cuts right through metal monsters…

"

"That's 'cause I used an insanely valuable drop item that would make a

healer or a mage scream if they found out. Oops, don't tell Li'l E! She'll yell

at me for treating you special.

"

The smith's eyes are fixed on the Divine Knife, but he's grinning like a

mischievous little kid who likes to play tricks. I smile back at him wryly and

look down at Hakugen. The unusual white blade flashes brilliantly. I can

sense that compared to the Ushiwakamaru series of weapons, which I'd been

using until recently, it's far more powerful. More than that, the edge is much

keener. And the best part is how light it is. The handling is incredible.

Perhaps it's not so well suited to defense or fending off attacks…but

overall, I don't have any complaints.

Since it's custom made, the grip is molded to match to my fingers exactly.

Even though I'm using it for the first time, it feels like an extension of me

more than anything I've used before. Welf is clearly gaining mastery over his

skills. I feel so proud and happy to be working together with him like this,

adventurer and smith, polishing each other's abilities to ever greater heights.

It's probably thanks to Hakugen and all the other weapons and gear Welf

has made for us that we've made it to the twenty-fourth floor.

…The twenty-fourth floor…

I mull over the number once again.

We've made it from the surface to the twenty-fourth floor in about a day.

That's an extremely good pace.

No, considering the fact that we used to have trouble even reaching the

twentieth floor, you could say it's too good.

I'm a bit afraid that things are going so well…

Why is that?…It's strange how calm I feel.

It's not simply that I'm no longer terrified of the middle levels after I

reached Level 4.

It's more like…I've crossed blades with things much more terrifying—

and much stronger—than anything I can expect to run into around the middle

levels.

The violent hunters, for one, and my great rival for another. Those

experiences have affected both my body and my soul. I'm realizing that once

again as I stand here on the twenty-fourth floor of the Dungeon—which is not

at all an easy place to be—and listen to the calm, measured sound of my own

heartbeat.

The same goes for my improved sense of courage and my thoughts,

swirling inside my head at this very moment.

I return Hakugen to its sheath and look up.

"Hey, Welf. The Divine Knife is made of mithril, right?" I ask him

slowly.

"Yeah. It's a great material because of how easy it is to work with. On top

of that, it conducts magical power really well. Mithril weapons are common

for fighters who combine magic and ordinary combat ability.

"

Welf replies while he gently turns over the black blade etched with

hieroglyphs.

"But just because it conducts magic easily doesn't mean it's enchanted,

"

he continues.

"Even if you beat magic into a regular knife, it just seeps out

and disperses. Anyway, why were you asking?"

"Uh, I just…

"

Sitting next to Welf, who's immersed once again in his work, I stare down

at my right hand. Very softly, so that no one will notice, I start to sound the

chime. A few particles of white light converge on my hand.

The pitched battle I fought and ultimately lost at the hands of my rival has

made me more diligent. Before, I simply used my magic and skills. Now I

study them.

Especially Argonaut.

I've been conducting a kind of secret test ever since I entered the

Dungeon today. There are quite a few things that I've learned already. First,

the maximum charge time for Argonaut is four minutes. It used to be three

minutes, so I've gained an extra minute by advancing to Level 4. The power

raised by the charge increases wherever the particles of light gather, up to my

action limit for attacks. This applies for slashing, punching, and magic, but I

can initiate the charging at only one place at a time.

Charges and Concurrent Charges are zeroed out if an enemy attacks me or

I get distracted. When that happens, the physical and mental strength that I've

been amassing disappear as well. This seems to be similar to what happens

with a mage's chants. Even right now, if I will the particles of light to

disappear from my right hand, I instantly feel overwhelmed by exhaustion. I

can restore my energy using recovery items, but it's best to save those for

crucial moments and avoid constantly charging.

What I've been most interested in as a result of these tests is convergence,

which is the most outstanding attribute of Argonaut.

It's—

The high magical conductivity of the knife…The convergence of my skill…

I've realized something about myself.

I'm not smart enough.

To make up for that, I'm currently relying on Lilly and some of the others.

Without the support of my companions, having me be the leader of anything

would be ridiculous. My title would be worthless.

I've got to use every last bit of my insufficient brain.

If I don't, I, Bell Cranell, will not amount to anything.

I won't ever be like Aiz, who's constantly adding new sword skills to her

repertoire. I won't be like Finn, who spins out countless inspired strategies.

I'll never get to the other side of genius.

If I don't use every last idea in my head, I'll never be able to invent

anything new.

So I've been thinking and thinking until I can't think of anything else—

then right when the flash of possibility shoots through my mind—

"Everyone, dinner's ready!"

"

…!"

Lilly's voice rings out from the tent.

"You heard the little lady. Let's go, Bell. I'm done with my maintenance.

"

Welf hands me the Divine Knife.

"

…Okay!" I answer, setting aside my thoughts as I stand up.

Welf and I head toward the center of the room, where Lilly and the others

are waiting.

There's just one last thing to do before the evening—or rather, night—

meal. We take out our knives and longswords to shave the green Lamp Moss

from the walls and ceiling, toning down the amount of light in the room.

After we finish, the plant-filled green space takes on the atmosphere of a

forest at night.

One reason we do this is to help adjust our internal clocks to match the

time on the surface, but it's more important as a measure to prevent monster

attacks. Though there is variation depending on the species, most monsters

are wary of areas in the Dungeon where the light is different from usual. In

this case, we've made the room dimmer than normal. At least that's what

Aisha and Daphne, who have been on many expeditions, are explaining to us

as we hurry to follow their instructions.

We gather the shaved-off Lamp Moss and stuff it into jars, setting them in

the middle of the room. They're like lanterns lighting up our night camp.

"Well, guys, let's eat! There's plenty for seconds, too!"

"I-I hope you like it…

"

We gather around the pot set next to the lanterns and begin to eat. Mikoto

and Chigusa prepared risotto—or rather, an Eastern porridge dish. We're all

drooling over the thick gruel studded with glistening golden threads of egg,

finely torn dried meat, green herbs, and a scattering of nuts and fruit. They

scoop the steaming mixture into wooden bowls, and we dig in with our

spoons.

"We added some ingredients found in the labyrinth that Lady Aisha said

were edible…How is it?"

"Tastes a little odd…but it's good! I like the earthy flavor, and the fruit

has an interesting tartness to it. At the very least, you won't find this outside

Orario.

"

"We don't have this in the Far East, either. It's a Dungeon original.

"

"Mr. Ouka, this is where you compliment the cooks…especially

Chigusa!" Lilly scolds him as he and Welf make their comments while

scarfing down the stew.

"M-Miss Lilly, he doesn't need to do that…! But I'm happy they like it,

"

Chigusa says, relieved to have succeeded at her task.

Since Mikoto and I live in the same household, I know what a good cook

she is, but Chigusa, who grew up under the same circumstances, appears to

be just as talented. Welf and Ouka aren't the only ones who have taken a

liking to their handiwork, either.

"You should quit adventuring and open a restaurant,

" Aisha jokes, mixing

a dash of teasing in with her compliment.

Incidentally, we picked up the eggs earlier in the day when we stopped by

Rivira. Bors, the head of the post town, gave them to us to celebrate our first

expedition. Apparently, some of the residents brought a few chickens down

from the surface. For adventurers starving for more familiar fare, they really

could be called golden eggs. The only problem is keeping them fresh.

"Um, is it okay that we used so much water…? They say having enough

potable water makes or breaks an expedition. We wouldn't want to turn back

because we ran out…

" Cassandra says, worried about the supplies we used

for the meal.

"There's so much water on the floors below us that you'll practically

drown in it. Nothing to worry about. Anyway, this party isn't as big as the

Apollo Familia parties you used to be part of. There's no way we'll end up

fighting over water.

"

Aisha responded while waving her hands carelessly as if to brush off

Cassandra's concern.

Perhaps because they're remembering rough past expeditions, or perhaps

because Aisha has nailed their concerns, Cassandra and Daphne—who are

former Apollo members—both groan.

In the end, Cassandra is right. Conserving water may be the most crucial

thing in the Dungeon.

Clear streams like the one on the eighteenth floor are generally few and

far between in the labyrinth. Planning out water collection at accessible

sources on specific floors is the foundation of a successful expedition. Before

we set up camp here in the Colossal Tree Labyrinth, Aisha and Mikoto went

to draw water at some springs, so we're okay for now. Maybe Aisha's

relaxed confidence that even extends to matters beyond fighting is due to

how many expeditions she's been on.

"I think Bell Cranell is suited to the center of the formation. When I first

heard about charge attacks, I was like,

'Huh?' but with that level of power, he

could easily be in the rear, too. And he's plenty fast,

" Daphne says.

"In terms of personality, I don't think Mr. Bell is cut out for for the rear

guard…

" Lilly says.

Dinner is over, and the party is sitting in a circle talking about the day's

events and each member's particular interests.

"Now that you mention it, he does have trouble standing still…And by the

way, good job with your leadership so far.

"

"Thank you.

"

Since when did Daphne and Lilly develop this master-and-pupil

relationship? They're sitting around bobbing their heads at each other.

"Unlike last time, no one got a level boost. The magic swords are still

waiting to be used, too,

" Welf says.

"Well, we have more people this time, so our coordination and responses

are faster. Of course, there's also the fact that Master Bell and Lady Aisha are

supporting the formation…

" Mikoto answers.

"We're all covering one another's weaknesses…That's how party

exploration should work,

" Ouka says.

"And there I am doing nothing and holding everyone back…Ugh…

"

Haruhime sighs.

Next to them, Chigusa and Cassandra are having a surprisingly animated

discussion about healing and first aid. The hastily put-together party seems to

be getting along just fine. Everyone is chatting pleasantly.

"Hey, Antianeira. I've never been to the twenty-fourth floor before, but is

this what it's always like? I'm worried we'll get careless because things are

going so well,

" Daphne says.

Her voice echoes with terrible loudness through the room. Everyone looks

at her, which is probably what she intended. Aisha, who's sitting on the floor

with one knee propped up, shrugs.

"As long as you keep an eye out for attacks that inflict irregular ailments

and you have enough people, the Colossal Tree Labyrinth isn't too big a deal.

I mean, it might be tough if you only had Level-Two people…Coming down

here unprepared would also mean getting totally wiped out by traps and

weird goblins that aren't up in the Cave Labyrinth. Aside from that,

obviously, it's the amount of resources.

"

The twenty-fourth floor is the lowest of the middle levels, and most

consider a Level-2 status the minimum requirement to justify going there.

But I've heard that the Guild sets those basic standards with an eye to

preventing deaths caused by first-timers being caught off guard. Of course,

the monsters also have more abilities at their disposal than they do on the

seventeenth floor or higher.

The main thing that sets apart the Colossal Tree Labyrinth that starts on

the nineteenth floor is the huge number of Irregular attacks, like ones that

involve poison. Monsters also appear with greater frequency than they do on

the upper floors.

But the scariest thing in the Dungeon is the limitless amount of resources

it can draw on. You have to watch out for that no matter what floor you're

on.

"Below this floor…you could probably squeak by as a Level-Two

adventurer down to the twenty-seventh floor. From there on, the problem is

the terrain. They say that's the reason it's considered a separate zone that we

call the 'lower level.

'"

According to the battle-hardened second-tier adventurer, that tricky terrain

is also the reason that the standard for the lower floors, starting at the twenty-

fifth, is Level 3.

"The thirtieth floor is where you really start to need a high level and

status. There are swarms of bloodsauruses and other dangerous monsters

down there. It's like the middle level for Level Ones…They're the kind of

things that a Level-Two party has no way in hell of defeating.

"

Everyone is listening to Aisha with serious expressions.

"

…The thirtieth floor, huh. It's hard to imagine what it's like, considering

we still have to get through six more floors,

" Welf says.

"Speaking of which, the Guild doesn't publish any detailed information

about the lower levels, does it…?" Mikoto asks, tilting her head curiously.

"The Guild restricts information about the lower levels and the Deep

Zone…especially everything below the fiftieth floor,

" Lilly says quietly.

"Why would they do that?" Mikoto asks.

"Everything is so different down there…If people knew too much, they

might lose heart. That's what I hear,

" Lilly replies. Everyone falls silent.

"Ha-ha-ha…No way—

" Cassandra says, trying to laugh it off. Aisha cuts

her off curtly.

"Well, as far as Ishtar Familia goes…We didn't get any information

about the fiftieth floor or lower, either.

"

All of a sudden, Lilly's account takes on a ring of truth. It seems that

things are set up so no information about the Deep Zone is released until you

get close to those floors and are qualified to access it.

"If you believe the rumors…dragons leap between floors down there. And

that's not the worst of it. There are herds of monsters all as strong as floor

bosses.

"

"

…Th-that must be a lie!"

"Who knows? But even if it is, it's a sign of how bad things are at that

level.

"

Chigusa gulps audibly, and silence descends on the camp. Everyone

shudders as they imagine the still-unknown abyss of the Dungeon while

picturing the bottomless extent of the labyrinth.

The lanterns illuminate the tight-lipped faces of the party.

"Damn…You spineless chickens are getting the shakes all the way up

here?! That stuff is way in the future,

" Aisha says in an attempt to lighten the

mood.

"Haruhime, bring out the drinks!"

"What? Lady Aisha, I didn't bring any alcohol…!"

"Maybe not, but I snuck some into your backpack!"

The shocked Haruhime paws through her backpack and finds…exactly

what Aisha said would be there.

A buzz runs through the party at the sight of the liquid in the thick bottle.

"Hey, boys! You'll have a glass, right?"

"

…When an Amazon is egging you on, all you can say is yes.

"

"Mr. Welf!" Lilly says reproachfully.

"It's okay, Li'l E, I'll just have a sip! Think of it as a nightcap. Big Guy,

you'll have some, too, won't you?"

"You're not gonna overdo it, are you?" Ouka replies. He likes to drink

and seems surprisingly willing to jump onboard.

"You talking to yourself, eh, Ouka?" Chigusa teases.

"Should we really be treating ourselves like this on the first day…?"

Cassandra is the last to speak, and her soft mumble disappears in the

excitement of the impromptu party.

Haruhime, dressed in battle gear that resembles a shrine maiden's getup,

looks like an alluring temptress as she fills our cups on Aisha's orders; well,

she does have experience working in the Pleasure Quarter. Even Daphne,

who appears astonished, and Mikoto, who's scowling, are eventually drawn

in by Aisha. Cassandra tries to escape unnoticed into the tent but is forced to

join the others.

Before long, someone starts laughing happily, and then others join in.

"

"

…

I'm watching the scene from outside the circle.

It's my turn to guard the party right now. Since the meal began, I've been

sitting on the stump that Aisha had been occupying until we switched places,

watching the entrance to the room. Although I have to admit, I've been using

only one ear to listen for monsters. The other has been following the

conversation inside.

I take a bite of porridge from the bowl in my hands and feel my eyes

soften as I watch my friends. How long have I been smiling?

"Mr. Bell! How about seconds?"

"Oh, thank you, Lilly.

"

Somehow, she's managed to slip away from the devil's grasp and escape

to where I am, pot in hand. I gratefully accept another serving.

"It's completely absurd! Getting drunk in the Dungeon, and not even at a

safety point…

"

"Well, we're on an expedition, so I doubt anyone is really letting loose…

"

"What if a monster hears all the commotion?!"

She's right…I hunch down without answering and take another bite of

porridge.

But I don't try to stop Welf and the others.

In the room that feels like a forest at night, the Lamp Moss stuffed into

bottles gives off a strange blue-green glow. It's both mysterious and cozy.

Fragments of light cast faint shadows of the party that dance on the walls and

floor, and the plants growing on the ground wave along with them.

Camping is the real pleasure of an adventure.

I read as much from heroic tales, but to see such a scene before my own

eyes makes me happier than I can put into words.

"

…Are you enjoying this, Mr. Bell? I see you're smiling.

"

Lilly is giving me a strange look from her perch by my side.

"Oh, sorry…What can I say? I've always wanted to camp like this with

"

everyone.

"But didn't we do the same thing when Loki Familia saved us on the

eighteenth floor?"

"I guess so…But it's just so great.

"

I scratch my cheek, feeling self-conscious, and smile wryly to hide my

embarrassment.

Lilly watches me in silence. I cock my head at her.

"

…I'm glad,

" she mutters as her expression relaxes.

"I'll make a confession to you, Mr. Bell…Lilly was just the slightest bit

scared.

"

"Huh?"

"Ever since that day, you've had your sights set high for the sake of

Wiene and the other Xenos…I thought you'd changed.

"

She'd been confused and a little afraid. She'd worried that if I set my

sights so far ahead, I'd gradually drift away from the rest of the group. I fix

my gaze on her as she admits her fears. Her cheeks flush, but then a dimple

appears.

"But in the end, Mr. Bell is still Mr. Bell.

"

As she smiles happily at me, I can't help feeling tenderly toward her. It's

not a romantic feeling but something much kinder, like I'd feel toward a

sister.

Before I know it, my right hand is reaching out toward Lilly's head.

She starts with surprise, but then accepts my hand and sits sweetly still as

I clumsily ruffle her hair.

"I'm sorry I made you worry,

" I say, smiling at her to ease her concerns,

like Wiene did, but—

"

…No, you might have changed after all. It's like you've become, how do

I put it…more of a womanizer…

"

"Whaaat?!"

All I get in return is criticism.

Maybe she's mad, because her puffed-out cheeks are red and her chestnut

eyes are narrowed.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry—!" I say, apologizing in a panic, since apparently it

was very rude of me to pet her head.

Lilly interrupts me by giggling.

I give her a blank look, but then her mood spreads to me and I let slip a

smile.

"M-Mr. Bell, would you like a drink? Not alcohol, I mean, but a drink of

water.

"

"Hey, Miss Haruhime, why'd you come over here? Read the mood a little,

geez!" Lilly snaps at the renart, who is the second escapee from the party.

"Miss Aisha let me stop serving, so I wanted to join in the pillow talk over

here…!"

"Eeergh!! Everything you say is so obscene! Do you do it on purpose?!"

"Um, why are you arguing…?" I interject.

This fight that Lilly is provoking with Haruhime is making me sweat.

Predictably, some monsters hear the commotion. When a herd of Metal

Rabbits approaches the entryway, we're momentarily caught up in

intercepting their attacks.

So goes the first night of the expedition.

After the modest drinking party ends, a quiet like the tranquility of a forest

falls over the room.

When I listen carefully, I can hear the soft breath of Lilly and the other

girls sleeping in the tent. Out of consideration for them, Welf and Ouka are

sleeping in the open, leaning against a wall of weeds and brush. Their arms

are wrapped tightly around their greatsword and ax, respectively.

UOOOOON…Far down the passageway, I hear a howl. It's probably a

beast-type monster, but from the way the howl echoes, I can tell it's far away.

I decide it's not a threat.

I've been on guard duty since the party. One of the bottles stuffed with

Lamp Moss is at my feet, lighting up the dim entryway. As I look around, I

see that the room is slowly but surely repairing itself. Just to be safe, I keep

adding new gouges to the walls with my knife.

I sit down on a stump and open the broken watch Lilly lent me. It's two in

the morning. Almost time for someone to take my place.

"

…?"

I hear the sound of cloth rustling and turn around.

A woman emerges from the tent and walks toward me. She has long hair

and gorgeous legs. The Lamp Moss that lingers like starlight on the ceiling

illuminates her sheer battle garment, reminiscent of a dancer's outfit, and her

immaculate brown skin.

It's Aisha.

"Miss Aisha…? I thought Welf and Ouka were taking over next!"

"Obviously. I just finished my turn.

"

"So what's going on?"

"What would you do if I said I was creeping into your bed?"

I jump up from the stump and back wordlessly away from her.

"Just kidding!" Aisha says, but her smile leaves me unsure if she actually

is or not.

…She's really beautiful.

I can't help thinking that as I stand in front of the Amazon. She's close

enough to touch and is smiling seductively. But even though she's gorgeous,

her raw sex appeal intimidates me a little. The same goes for the look in her

narrowed eyes that are staring right at me.

I can't stand the silence, so I try to make some conversation.

"Um…I should have said this earlier, but thank you, Miss Aisha…for

coming along on our expedition…

"

"It's no problem. I was planning to get you to help out with one of our

expeditions anyway. The timing was perfect.

"

If she had added,

"In exchange for helping with the Xenos situation,

" I

wouldn't have had any response. Plus, despite her words, she was probably

worried about Haruhime. I smile back at the rough-and-tumble woman who

hates formalities. She sweeps her bangs away from her face.

"I thought your nerves might be getting to you,

" she says.

"Huh?"

"That's why I came to check on you.

"

She looks away from me down the long, dim passageway.

"There's a passageway connecting to the lower levels right over there.

Tomorrow we'll attack the twenty-fifth floor, our goal.

"

"

…!"

"You probably overheard our conversation, but the next level—the lower

levels—they're a whole different deal.

"