Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The Diary-Writing Isekai Transmigrator
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[Welcome to the Type-Moon System!
We offer our most sincere blessings to you, our user.
As a beginner, you'll receive our initial care—a single free draw with a guaranteed five-star.
Additionally, you'll enjoy a beginner's privilege: a guaranteed strategy draw (up to three stars) until your beginner phase ends.
Moreover, if you decide to become a player now, you'll receive a pocket dimension for storing your items.
You'll also be granted special transmigration privileges, letting you experience what it's like to be the protagonist.
So, what do you say? Are you interested in joining?]
The boy sitting in front of the computer made up his mind and pressed the "Confirm" button.
At that moment, his consciousness froze, and a black hole appeared before him, swallowing him whole.
In the dimly lit room, the computer screen still glowed, displaying an unsettling line of text, as if it had snared its next victim.
[Welcome to join us.]
...
[Hello, everyone. My name is Bell Cranel, but most people who know me just call me Bell.]
[As everyone knows, I'm an isekai transmigrator. Not because I got hit by a truck, but because my desire and curiosity clouded my judgment, and I ultimately chose the one-way path of transmigrating to another world.]
The white-haired, red-eyed fourteen-year-old named Bell Cranel was writing in his diary on his second day in this new world.
It's true—normal people don't keep diaries. They expose too much, and if someone else reads them, it's instant social death. But Bell had decided not to be normal.
Being alone in such a strange and magical world had completely shaken his worldview. To relieve the pressure and vent thoughts he couldn't say out loud, he needed an outlet.
Writing a diary was the best option.
The house barely had any furniture—just two beds, a table and chair, and a fireplace. Bell sat by the warm fire.
[The guaranteed five-star from the free draw—I thought I'd pull a Servant, but it turned out to be a Craft Essence. Thankfully, it's actually a great five-star Craft Essence for someone at my current level, and it's fully limit broken. Heh, I guess this is the system's biggest gift to me.]
As he wrote, Bell sighed from the heart.
["Personal Training": Gain a large amount of experience through battle.]
[Hmm, this is probably meant to replace "Liaris Freese", in case I can't awaken the Early Bloomer skill.]
[With this five-star Craft Essence, I should be able to grow fast, even without joining a Familia.]
At this point, his crimson eyes reflected nothing but frustration and annoyance.
[Gacha is my biggest headache right now.]
[Right now, I'm stuck at the beginner stage. The best I can pull is a three-star, and only Craft Essences. I won't be able to get any Servants until I clear this stage and lift the restriction.]
[What does that mean?]
[It means that for now, I need to get used to only pulling one- and two-star Craft Essences.]
[The silver lining is that the Type-Moon System lets me keep all the Craft Essences I pull, with no limit on quantity.]
[That works in my favor. As long as I've got enough Valis, I can power up quickly by spending.]
[Each pull costs 1,000 Valis for now, thanks to a discount while the restriction is active. But once it's lifted, a single pull jumps to 10,000 Valis. That's a serious funding gap.]
[So, becoming an adventurer is my only option.]
Having written that, Bell set down his pen and carefully stored the notebook in the four-dimensional space granted by the Type-Moon System. This way, no one would ever read what he had written from the heart.
The firelight cast a warm glow on Bell's face. He rubbed his hands together and held them close to the flames. The room wasn't very warm—without the fireplace, he wouldn't be able to stay in this wooden cabin at all.
"Next stop is Orario."
Still, a faint unease lingered in Bell's heart.
"I hope this is the right choice."
"Time to sleep. We have to leave early tomorrow."
With a mix of anticipation and nervousness, Bell quickly drifted off. The quilt was rough, but surprisingly comfortable—it was the only time his mind could go blank, free from thought.
They say people who don't overthink sleep best. Bell wasn't sure if he was one of them, but for the past couple of nights, he'd been falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow—nothing like someone weighed down with worries.
He slept straight through until morning. When he awoke, he felt surprisingly refreshed—more than he'd expected.
"My stamina's back, and I'm feeling good."
Getting up, Bell walked to the window of the wooden cabin. The wind was still howling outside, but the weather was actually quite nice. In fact, it had been good for days now.
With no rain recently, the ground was dry. That meant crossing several dozen kilometers of forest on firm ground would be much easier.
Knowing today was the best day to depart, Bell packed all the essentials into the four-dimensional space provided by the Type-Moon System. Not having to carry extra weight was one of his advantages, giving him more agility.
Early in the morning, he was ready to set off.
He wore a thick woolen coat. The forest was still cold at dawn, and it was unwise to expose too much skin outdoors. The bite of a venomous insect out here could be deadly.
Bell lived in a remote village, and adventurers rarely passed through this route. That meant effective antidotes were impossible to come by. Poisoning was one of the many dangers he had to be wary of.
Once everything was ready, Bell turned to look back at the wooden house.
"I probably won't see this place again for a while. I hope I'll get the chance to return someday."
"Goodbye."
Once a man has made up his mind, he shouldn't look back. Hesitation breeds doubt, and doubt demands reevaluation—something that, in the end, leads nowhere.
At the crossroads of life, what matters is making a single choice. Too many options only bring confusion.
When you've chosen your path, just move forward. Don't let hesitation slow you down—overthinking will only trip you up.
Forget the other paths. Stay true to the one you first chose.
Bell didn't look back. With a mix of hope and anxiety, he set off toward the future.
In the distance stood the towering Babel Tower—his goal.
There was no need to think about anything else. All that mattered was continuing forward.
Leaving the village was like heading from a tiny rural town to a county seat—or even a big city.
The only problem was the transportation. If only there were vehicles, the trip wouldn't be so bad. A few dozen kilometers would just take a short nap in a car.
"That's the downside of the countryside. You can't even find a horse."
With a horse, he could cross the forest in half a day. But walking like this, who knew how long it would take?
Either way, camping in the forest at night would be suicide.
He had to make it through the forest by nightfall and find a plain to camp on.
Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Caution and Prudence
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Bell had set out at dawn, and by the time the sun was nearly down, he finally left the forest and stepped into the open plains and rolling hills.
"Phew… I really thought I'd end up spending the night in that forest."
To be honest, if he had been any later, Bell wouldn't have risked staying in the forest overnight.
Back in the civilized world he used to know, camping might have been normal—but only because those campsites were relatively safe. That kind of camping couldn't be compared to this world of swords and sorcery, where danger lurked behind every tree.
No one could say what kind of monsters were hiding in the forest.
Like acid-spitting ants.
Or camouflaged lizards skilled at ambush.
In short, without sufficient strength, stepping into the forest was a gamble. If you wandered into a monster's territory, they might treat you as an intruder and attack without hesitation.
That's why Bell would rather face whatever threats the plains held.
If the forest's danger came from monsters hiding in the shadows, then the plains' threat came from human nature.
This world was dangerous, and some people carried monsters within themselves.
Still, Bell wasn't afraid of those kinds of people. He didn't have anything worth stealing. Even if a bandit spotted him, they probably wouldn't even bat an eye.
Even counting the contents of his four-dimensional space, Bell's total assets didn't exceed 12,000 Valis. Of that, 10,000 had been left by his grandfather for living expenses. The remaining 2,000 Valis were tied up in clothing, camping tools, utensils, food, three short blades, and three whetstones.
He looked around and decided to set up camp by the side of the main road.
Both the depths of the plains and the hills carried unknown dangers. The road, on the other hand, was often traveled. While there was a risk of being spotted by passing adventurers, Bell was so poor he barely registered as a target. No adventurer would waste the effort on him.
And really—would adventurers camping on the roadside be wealthy or capable to begin with?
Every adventurer likely understood this truth: where there's no profit, there's no threat.
Besides, Bell was just a fourteen-year-old kid who had just come down from the mountains. He hadn't made any enemies. Camping by the roadside was the safest choice.
It also gave him a chance to observe how many people used this road.
Decision made, Bell scanned the area before carefully pulling a small, single-person tent from his four-dimensional space.
It wasn't big, but it looked decent once set up.
He had even stuffed the wooden bed from home into the four-dimensional space, but that was best left untouched. Without a means of transport, pulling out a full bed would only invite suspicion.
He struck a spark with a flint to start a fire, poured water from his supply into a pot, and while it heated, pulled out the prepped meat from the four-dimensional space and started slicing.
"Good thing the old man hunted a bear for me before he left."
Bell silently thanked the old man who had kept his identity hidden. A single bear yielded a lot of meat—enough to last him at least a month.
Since time didn't flow in the four-dimensional space, nothing stored inside ever spoiled.
He kept cutting the bear meat into chunks, cleaned the knife, and returned it to the space.
By then, the water had begun to boil. He carefully dropped the meat into the pot.
The bright red flesh quickly turned a pale white in the boiling water, and a layer of scum formed on the surface.
He scooped out the meat, dumped the water, wiped down the pot, and returned it to the four-dimensional space.
Then he pulled out a frying pan and added just a bit of oil.
Oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar—none of those were cheap, and Bell didn't have much to spare. He always used the smallest amounts possible.
He had no idea when he'd be able to restock again. Maybe not until he reached Orario. Best to conserve now.
Once the bear meat had browned on one side, he flipped it and let it cook through. When it was golden on both sides, he sprinkled a pinch of salt, flipped it again to melt the crystals, and finally took the pan off the fire.
By the time he finished cooking, dusk had faded into night. Darkness had swallowed the sky, and if not for the stars shining faintly, the world might have been pitch black.
Only at the border where forest met plain could one clearly see a single glow of firelight.
The thin trail of smoke curling upward was a clear sign that someone was here.
But the surroundings were unusually quiet—so quiet you could hear the buzzing of mosquitoes, which was actually a good sign out in the wild.
If even the insects went silent, that meant real danger was near.
Bell scanned the area, made sure nothing was amiss, then poured himself a cup of water. He pulled out a fork and began eating his dinner: pan-fried bear meat.
He took a bite.
"Hmm… this tastes a bit different from beef."
The moment his teeth sank into the meat, he noticed the difference—more tender, more springy than beef.
"It's ridiculously good. Just a bit of salt, and it still tastes amazing."
Who knew what was up with that bear, but the flavor was out of this world.
Without realizing it, Bell started eating faster.
Soon enough, the whole plate of meat was gone, safely tucked into his stomach.
Burp~
With a satisfied belch, he chugged the cup of water. The cool liquid made him feel even more content.
"Totally satisfied~"
Full and relaxed, Bell sat on the grass, feeling the tension melt away.
After a day of relentless travel, this time to eat and rest felt like the greatest luxury.
"Next, I need to speed things up… try to reach Orario within a month."
Bell understood that his real adventure would only begin once he arrived in Orario.
Out here, there wasn't anything like the Dungeon's monster respawn system. And for rookie adventurers, the upper levels of the Dungeon were far safer than the unpredictable wilderness.
The biggest advantage was that adventurers could choose which floor to tackle based on their own strength.
Out here, monsters still existed—but their levels were all over the place. Wander into an area beyond your capabilities, and that was it. Game over.
That's one of the downsides of a truly open world.
Newcomers could easily blunder into zones where low-level players had no way forward.
Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Center of the World, "Orario"
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Bell didn't slow down for even a moment, heading straight in the direction of Orario.
One thing struck him as odd: he'd been prepared to encounter monsters along the way, but hadn't seen even a single one—not even a monster's leg.
Still, that wasn't a bad thing. If anything, it let him travel much faster.
After crossing the plains and hills, he reached a main road.
Bell noticed faint wheel tracks on the ground. They weren't fresh, suggesting that a carriage had passed by some time ago.
Spotting this, Bell decided it was too risky to keep walking along the main road.
He was poor enough that he didn't worry about being robbed—but trouble didn't always come from robbery. Sometimes, seeing the wrong thing or saying the wrong words brought worse problems.
He always remembered this: don't look at what you shouldn't see, don't speak about what you shouldn't mention.
Because of that, Bell only took out his notebook to write in his diary during his midday breaks, using that time to vent his thoughts and emotions so he wouldn't bottle everything up on the road.
Fortunately, he wasn't talkative by nature, nor especially good at talking. In fact, sometimes staying quiet and just walking felt more relaxing than chatting.
After discovering those wheel tracks, he slowed his pace to avoid encountering others directly.
Even at a reduced pace, he still covered a good distance each day. The only difference was that now part of his attention was always focused on the road.
After several days of cautious travel, by the fourth day, Bell clearly felt his body adapting. His stamina had noticeably improved, and he found himself walking faster.
He had studied the ability description of "Personal Training" carefully. It was supposed to grant significant growth through combat, which made this physical boost a bit puzzling.
After all, he hadn't fought anything. So where was the experience coming from?
When he examined his Craft Essence more closely, Bell realized something from the phrase "Personal Training."
"Combat" could mean a lot of things. Training was part of combat—it was a way to build strength. As long as he was doing something that helped him grow stronger, it counted as "preparing for battle," and that qualified as combat in its own right.
Understanding this helped him grasp how broken his skill, "Early Bloomer" skill really was. No wonder the protagonist who had it became so absurdly strong.
That kind of advantage couldn't be matched with effort alone.
If "Early Bloomer" had even slightly fewer restrictions, it would be a god-tier ability for gaining experience.
And the version Bell now possessed was no weaker than "Liaris Freese" from the original story—maybe even more versatile in its applications.
Still, Bell wasn't about to pour all his time and energy into training just because he understood the skill's potential. At least not before reaching Orario.
He remembered hearing an old man in an anime once say, "Just surviving in the forest is hard enough—spending your energy figuring out how to stay alive is already more than enough."
Each day was already exhausting, between walking long distances and staying alert for signs of travelers. If he used his remaining energy on training, it would only slow him down—and might even delay his arrival in Orario indefinitely.
He carefully adjusted his daily routine, and the closer he got to Orario, the fresher the wheel tracks on the road became. Footprints also began to appear.
This meant passersby had started appearing nearby.
Realizing this, Bell began traveling at night instead.
Although moving along the main road at night came with its risks, daytime travel was just as dangerous. In fact, the closer he got to the forest, the safer it became—more people meant that most ordinary monsters wouldn't dare to approach.
After several nights on the road, Bell's eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness. With just the faint glow of moonlight and starlight, he began to see clearly in the dark.
It wasn't some honed skill—just a natural adaptation. As he grew used to moving in the dark, his eyes adjusted, letting him take in his surroundings like a nocturnal creature.
As his vision adapted, Bell found himself traveling for longer stretches at night, drawing ever closer to Orario.
He advanced cautiously each day, sharpening his focus. Over time, both his eyesight and hearing became noticeably keener.
Finally, after fifteen days and nights, Bell arrived less than ten kilometers outside the city of Orario. The city built atop the Dungeon now stood before him. Naturally, that meant more people were around.
"Orario is right in front of me. Next, I need to enter the city, register as an adventurer with the Guild, and find a suitable Familia."
Bell began seriously considering which Familia to join. Choosing the right one was crucial—it would directly affect his growth and future progress.
The stronger the Familia, the more support he'd receive in the early stages.
But joining a Familia wasn't easy, especially the well-known ones. Without proving himself, trying to get in would be pointless.
Of course, given Bell's abilities, he only needed to demonstrate his four-dimensional space power, and joining the Loki Familia would be practically guaranteed. Skills related to spatial manipulation were rare, and the ability to store an unlimited number of items was even rarer. For Familias that frequently went on expeditions, such abilities were invaluable—lightening the load meant exploring the Dungeon more easily and returning with more loot.
Still, Bell had his own thoughts. The Loki Familia was definitely a great choice, but so was the Hestia Familia.
Hestia was clearly an exceptional goddess, deeply devoted to her Familia. In the original story, she doted on her members—especially Bell.
"A god who loves her Familia deeply, and a Familia with incredible strength... this isn't an easy choice."
Faced with the decision, Bell found himself genuinely torn.
Chapter 4: Chapter 4: The Only Destination
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Choosing a Familia was a real headache. If he joined the "Loki Familia," his early growth would be rapid, and he'd gain access to a wealth of resources. The downside? It would immediately expose his unique skill—Four-Dimensional Space.
On the other hand, if he chose the "Hestia Familia," getting help in the early stages was out of the question. Everything would have to be built from scratch. The upside? He'd have an adorable, affectionate goddess by his side and could keep his special skill hidden.
Images of Loki and Hestia surfaced in Bell's mind.
Loki wasn't the male god of other mythologies, but a flat-chested, red-haired, squinty-eyed girl. She doted on her Familia but had a lewd fondness for women, harboring impure thoughts about her female followers. Though a bit careless on the surface, she was dependable when it counted.
Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth, was originally one of the Twelve Olympians and the eldest sister of Demeter, Hera, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—essentially the big sister of Greek mythology. Here, she held the authority of [Eternal Flame], a divine power that kept the sacred fire burning without end. Her rank among the gods was absurdly high. Standing only 140 centimeters tall, she fit squarely into the "loli" category, yet her exaggerated figure—with ample curves—made her the kind of person you simply couldn't look away from.
"Alright! I'm joining the Hestia Familia!"
After weighing it all, Bell ultimately chose the "Hestia Familia," just like in the original story. Despite its lack of foundational strength, the allure of the "Loli Goddess" was irresistible.
Who could say no to a loli goddess being handed over for free?
This was a straight-up divine blessing!
It was like Tiamat from FGO—who could resist when she said, "My child"? Who wouldn't want to bury their head in that warm, maternal embrace?
Of course, there was nothing wrong with that sentiment. Tiamat was the mother of all things, after all. But that didn't stop a devoted child from wanting to give her a future beyond divinity—a taste of a different kind of life.
To be fair, Bell didn't harbor any bad intentions. His plan was simply to prioritize maxing out his goddess first.
Meeting other girls? Forget it. Hestia was, without a doubt, the best encounter he could ask for.
Having made his decision, he no longer needed to agonize over which Familia to join.
But there was still one more issue: the Goddess of Beauty—Freya.
Freya possessed the ability to see the essence of a person's soul. No matter how well someone disguised themselves with words or appearances, their soul couldn't lie.
Bell was worried she might see through him.
But then he reconsidered. He wasn't as pure and naive as the fourteen-year-old Bell from the original timeline. There was nothing about him worth noticing. He wasn't the radiant type. To Freya, he probably looked no different from any ordinary person.
And someone like her wouldn't bother with the ordinary.
"Let's head into town and gather some intel."
After packing up, Bell threw on a windbreaker and stepped onto the main road, blending in as just another passerby.
As expected, ordinary people rarely ran into trouble. As long as he looked like one of them and didn't carry too much, he wouldn't draw attention.
For the final ten kilometers, Bell moved with extra caution.
Pretending to be a regular person was easy. Pretending to be a broke and struggling one… well, that was his reality.
Aside from his windbreaker, he didn't even have a backpack. If that wasn't the picture of poverty, what was?
At the fork in the road ahead, Bell spotted several carriages merging onto the main road.
Curious, Bell glanced toward the side road, where a steady stream of carriages was hauling in goods. He couldn't tell what they were carrying, but judging by how deeply the wheels had sunk into the mud, it was clearly a heavy load.
"Looks like a lot of supplies are still being transported into Orario from outside."
The idea of going into business was tempting. After all, the risks involved were much lower than adventuring.
"If I were smart enough, maybe I could actually make something of myself this way."
But in the next moment, he abandoned that thought. Business wouldn't let him fully utilize his five-star Craft Essence. More importantly, it required a sharp mind and careful calculation—something he knew he lacked. Bell wasn't cut out for such complex work with his straightforward thinking.
After that brief fantasy, he accepted reality and moved on.
He pulled his hood lower to hide his face. The last thing he wanted was to attract trouble or be taken as a threat before he had the chance to grow stronger.
Staying to the side of the road, Bell carefully avoided the center lane where the carriages rolled by—and that's when he caught wind of their conversation.
"This run didn't go smoothly either. We even ran into a Land Dragon out there—felt like running into death itself."
"No kidding. If we hadn't hired such a strong team, all our cargo would've been shredded under that thing's claws."
Land Dragon?
Bell frowned. He knew all too well that anything labeled "dragon" was far from an ordinary monster.
He perked up his ears, listening intently.
"Thank the gods it wasn't a Wyvern. If it had been, we'd all be dead."
"You're overthinking it. Just running into a Land Dragon was already freakishly unlucky. What are the odds of us bumping into a Wyvern too? Do you know how rare those things are?"
"True. Wyverns aren't nearly as common. Land Dragons can reproduce quickly, but Wyverns? Not so much."
"Land Dragons and Wyverns… this world really is dangerous no matter where you go."
"Without strength, you can't survive anywhere. One unlucky encounter with a monster out there and you're dead before you even get a chance to grow."
Bell let out a silent sigh and turned his attention to the group of mercenaries ahead.
They had shed their gear, wearing only thin outer layers. Bandages were wrapped around their heads, hands, and legs—clear signs of a brutal fight.
He didn't know how strong they were, but if even a group like that took such damage from a Land Dragon, it definitely wasn't an easy fight.
"Dragons really are legendary beings no matter the world. If they could be taken down easily, they wouldn't be called that."
"Compared to the unpredictable dangers outside, the Dungeon really is the most suitable place for me."
Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Orario's Rules of Survival
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Bell followed the transport convoy into Orario.
The team entered without issue, but Bell was suddenly stopped.
"Hold it."
Just as he was about to step through the gate, a soldier standing guard leveled his long spear at him. Clad in heavy armor and gripping a spear that gleamed with silver light, the guard radiated an overwhelming presence that made Bell's hair stand on end.
Even with all the experience he'd gained on the road, Bell could instinctively tell that this man was far beyond his league. The sense of power rolling off the soldier gave him the unmistakable feeling of being utterly outmatched.
After halting him, the guard gave Bell a good look. The boy seemed unfamiliar—clearly one of those newcomers drawn in by Orario's reputation.
"New here?"
"Yeah."
Bell nodded honestly. In truth, he was a bit socially awkward. His mind was constantly active, but when it came to actually speaking, he often stumbled.
Looking at Bell—who seemed like a rookie, or maybe even worse—the guard shook his head slightly. In a city like Orario, which devoured people alive, this kid probably wouldn't last long. His intimidating aura faded as he reassessed the boy.
"Come on, time to run a test. We need to check if you've received Falna."
Wait—there was a test to get in?
Bell had no idea there was such a process.
"It's to keep lunatics from pretending to be new adventurers and sneaking into Orario."
Seeing Bell's confused expression, the guard became even more convinced this kid didn't have long in the city.
Still, Orario was a magnet for people chasing wealth, power, fame, or women. Most who came ended up swallowed by the city—whether by monsters in the Dungeon or hidden threats lurking within the city itself.
"Alright."
Bell nodded without resistance. He wasn't sure who exactly the "lunatics" were, but there was no harm in taking the test.
He had noticed a faint trace of pity in the guard's eyes and didn't quite understand why. But it reminded him to stay cautious—especially when dealing with the people of Orario from now on.
The testing process was simple enough. The guard led him into a stone hut near the gate, where a translucent green gemstone rested on a pedestal. This was clearly the centerpiece of the test.
"Just place your hand on it. If everything's fine, it'll glow green. If there's a problem, it'll turn red."
Without a word, Bell placed his hand on the gem.
He felt a warm current surge into his body through his palm, circle through him, then exit the same way.
As the sensation faded, the gemstone glowed green.
"All good. You're clear to enter."
With the result confirmed, the guard stepped aside. Orario didn't welcome troublemakers—but as long as you weren't one of them, the city opened its gates.
Of course, most newcomers still ended up as prey in this man-eating city.
The guard looked at Bell's innocent, clueless expression and couldn't help but sigh. Kids this age really had no fear of death. Feeling a bit more sympathy, he lowered his voice and offered a warning.
"Once you're in, head straight for the Guild. Don't go trusting just anyone. This city isn't as nice as you think."
Bell was briefly stunned. The look of pity and concern in the guard's eyes caught him off guard. Was that why he gave him a heads-up?
"Thanks."
Bell wasn't ungrateful. He could recognize sincere advice when he heard it, and he quietly expressed his thanks.
He pulled his hood lower, doing his best to shrink his presence as he stepped into the city of Orario.
Watching Bell's cautious entry, the guard smirked to himself.
"So he's aware after all."
You could tell at a glance whether someone had a sense of caution. Minimizing your presence was one of the best ways to stay hidden. Orario devoured people—but only those with value. The truly worthless wouldn't even be noticed. They weren't worth consuming.
Realizing he had misjudged the boy, the guard shook his head and turned away.
"Only those who know how to hide themselves have the right to survive. This kid might live longer than I thought."
...
Once inside Orario, Bell began surveying his surroundings.
Both sides of the main street were lined with vendors. Most sold snacks and simple goods, while others offered trinkets—possibly enchanted pendants. Still, none of it stood out much to Bell.
There were also weapons and armor being sold at stalls, drawing attention from a few passersby. They looked like low-profile but decent-quality gear—nothing famous, but still usable.
Bell didn't stop to browse. He knew he didn't have the money for anything good. Considering he still had to budget for living expenses, it wasn't worth spending on things he wasn't sure he'd even use.
He made his way straight toward the Guild without hesitation.
There was no need to ask for directions. The towering Babel Tower stretched into the sky, visible from nearly anywhere. The Guild was located directly beneath it. All he had to do was head for the tower, and he'd arrive at his destination.
Of course, along the way, Bell noticed many eyes on him. Amid the street noise, he picked up snippets of conversation from the people watching.
"Another greenhorn, huh? Doesn't look like there's much to squeeze out of him."
"Orario's full of dreamers. Most of these newbies are useless. If they had real skill, they'd already be making a name for themselves."
"True enough. But getting famous in Orario isn't that easy."
"With so many newcomers pouring in every year, how many do you think actually survive this place?"
"Heh, someone like that? They don't even qualify to get eaten. Worthless people are just trash. Newbies are only useful when they start shining. Until then, they're nothing but garbage."
Bell didn't let it bother him. Being an ordinary, talentless person was exactly what would allow him to survive and grow in this city.
To stay alive in a place that devours people, you don't need vague ideals or illusions.
You need something simple. Something absolute.
Power.
Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Hestia Is Still Slacking Off
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The Guild was the largest organization in Orario, overseeing the entire city's operations. It managed both the adventurers and the Dungeon, and also handled the trade of magic stones and drop items. Because of this, everyone in Orario had to deal with the Guild at some point, and for new adventurers, the first step upon arriving in the city was to register with them.
For newcomers, registering at the Guild as early as possible was essential—followed by finding a Familia to join.
Of course, finding a Familia wasn't easy. For rookie adventurers, this was often the hardest part.
That said, the difficulty didn't lie in the adventurers choosing a Familia.
Anyone with a bit of sense would aim for the best Familia they could get into. Joining a strong Familia meant access to more resources and support, giving them a solid foundation for growth. Powerful Familias provided far more for their members than smaller ones, so finding the right Familia was crucial for any new adventurer.
The problem was, those powerful Familias never lacked promising recruits. So if you wanted to join one, you had to prove yourself—show that you had potential worth investing in.
When it came to these big Familias, it wasn't about the adventurer picking them. It was the other way around. You had to showcase your skills and let them decide whether you were worth taking in.
And that's where things got tough: the key was whether a new adventurer had any innate talent.
Like rare skills. Or natural-born magic.
Those with standout talents were the first picks for major Familias.
But for the average adventurer—those with nothing to offer and no unique traits? Forget about joining a big Familia. They'd struggle just to get into a small one.
For a new adventurer, innate talent meant everything. It was the difference between getting a shot at greatness or being dismissed entirely.
Bell had the qualifications to enter a major Familia—but he didn't want to.
Part of it was because of the god he intended to serve. The other part came down to his personality.
Joining a big Familia meant exposing his abilities, and doing that would immediately put him under Orario's spotlight. While it was inevitable that his powers might be revealed someday, Bell had no intention of facing that situation before he was ready.
So, when he finally stood before the Guild's receptionist, he asked the question that had been on his mind.
"Excuse me, do all the gods have to register at the Guild when they establish a Familia?"
The one receiving him was a young elf girl with a pair of oval glasses that gave her the air of a schoolteacher. Her soft, cute features made her instantly approachable, and her voice was gentle—probably a key trait for anyone in her role.
From their brief exchange, Bell had already figured out her name: Eina Tulle. She was the same receptionist who had guided the protagonist in the original story. No wonder she felt so familiar.
Serious and dependable—that was what defined Miss Eina.
"Yes, that's right. The Guild serves as a bridge between gods and adventurers. Every god registers with the Guild when establishing their Familia. The Guild may recommend certain adventurers with specific intentions to suitable Familias, but it's important to understand—these are only recommendations, not arrangements."
What Eina was really saying was, "If you're hoping the Guild will assign you to a Familia, forget it," though her tone was much softer and more tactful. It was easy to see why she was considered the Guild's top receptionist.
"I understand. I also know that a rookie like me won't have any connections to those big Familias, and I'm not here to trouble you with something like that, Miss Eina. I'm simply hoping to find an ordinary Familia—ideally one that hasn't accepted any members yet. As the first member, the god likely wouldn't be too picky about someone like me, who doesn't have any abilities."
Bell's words were clear and direct, and Eina realized she'd overthought it. She blushed slightly, surprised that a newcomer could be so self-aware.
To be fair, it wasn't entirely Eina's fault. Many new adventurers were downright delusional. They'd barely arrived in Orario and already had dreams of joining one of the "twin kings" of the city, thinking everything would be smooth sailing from there. Some were even arrogant enough to believe that becoming a top-tier adventurer was a given, and that joining the Loki Familia or Freya Familia was just a matter of time.
Honestly, every time Eina dealt with those self-important newbies, she couldn't help but sigh. She always wanted to tell them, "Please stop being so full of yourselves. Familias choose based on ability."
So when she encountered someone like Bell—someone with a grounded view of himself—she felt not just relief but also a little embarrassed.
"Sorry. I thought you were one of those adventurers."
"You've probably just met too many of them, Miss Eina. Don't worry about it. But if you do mind what I said earlier, then please help me find a suitable Familia."
"No problem. Just give me a moment."
Eina began searching for a suitable match. The criteria were simple: a Familia that wasn't too high-ranking and preferably had no current members. These filters weren't difficult to apply, so it didn't take long to reach a result.
"Hmm… Bell, your standards aren't high, but most Familias already have members."
"Is that so?"
Bell fell silent, lost in thought. He remembered that after Hestia descended, she'd spent a long time loafing around. Was this still that period of idleness? Had he shown up too early?
The answer left Bell uncharacteristically speechless.
There was no doubt that the best match for him was Hestia. But if she was still slacking off, what could he do? There was nothing to say.
'Join another Familia? No, none of them would take me seriously. Joining any Familia requires something in return. Some of them are even blatantly transactional—you'd have to bribe your way in.'
Bell quickly reached a decision.
'I'll hold off on joining any Familia for now.'
He wouldn't reveal his abilities, nor would he stoop to force his way into a Familia that didn't suit him.
All he could do now was wait—wait for the moment when Lady Hestia stopped slacking off.
Bell gave his thanks to Eina.
"Miss Eina, in that case, I'll hold off for now. With my circumstances, it's tough to get accepted into any Familia—and I don't have any money either. So I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye out for a Familia that doesn't have any members yet."
Seeing that Bell had made up his mind, Eina didn't press the issue. And of course, keeping an eye out for him was part of her job.
"I understand. If such a Familia appears, I'll let you know, Bell."
"Thank you very much."
Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Hestia’s Bold Move
Chapter Text
After leaving the Guild, Bell felt a little conflicted.
He had thought that entering Orario and joining the Guild would come with a difficult choice between two paths—but now it turned out the dilemma had only existed in his imagination.
"The Hestia Familia I wanted to join… even the goddess herself is slacking off. This is a problem. I thought I'd be early, but it turns out I was too early."
Since he wasn't sure when things would officially start, Bell had simply aimed to reach Orario as early as possible. But he'd overlooked a key issue—Hestia herself. If he wasn't mistaken, she was probably still hanging around with Hephaestus.
'Looks like I'll need to find another way to join the Hestia Familia. If I just wait around, who knows how long she'll keep freeloading at Hephaestus's place? I don't have that kind of time.'
Standing at the entrance of the Guild, Bell made up his mind. He couldn't afford to linger anymore. If he just sat around waiting, this city might target him before long. Taking initiative was the only way forward.
...
"Waaah! Waaah! Waaah!"
The relentless sound of sobbing echoed from inside Hephaestus's shop, drawing the attention of passing customers. No one knew what was going on, but the crying made it clear—it wasn't something trivial.
This was Hephaestus's equipment store. Normally, anyone causing a commotion like that would've been kicked out long ago. Yet the wailing continued, and now even complaints could be heard from within.
"Hephaestus! Why can't I find even a single follower? That guy managed to gather a whole bunch!"
The voice carried disappointment and frustration, but from the tone, it was clear the speaker was a god who had a close relationship with Hephaestus. Otherwise, they wouldn't be here venting like this. The customers outside hesitated, then thought better of going in.
It would be risky to interrupt now—what if the god inside shifted their problem onto them? Besides, the one crying had clearly just descended from the Upper World and was upset about failing to find a Familia.
What if that god tried to recruit them on the spot?
Joining a powerless Familia could spell disaster for their future. And if they refused and offended a god who was close with Hephaestus, they might not be welcome in her store again.
With that in mind, all the undecided Adventurers quietly slipped away.
Inside the shop, Hephaestus noticed and sighed softly. Looking at the still-sobbing Hestia, she couldn't help but think—did this idiot really not realize it was her own personality getting in the way?
"Hestia, don't come crying to me just because you haven't found a follower. And seriously, how are you even looking for one?"
Even the most hopeless gods managed to gather followers. Hephaestus found it baffling—Hestia might be a bit of an airhead, but not being able to recruit even one person? And given their relationship, all Hestia had to do was file a notice at the Guild. Someone would show up before long.
"I went around asking them one by one."
Hephaestus slapped a hand over her face. Through the eye not covered by her eyepatch, she saw Hestia looking back at her with an expression that practically said, "What? Why are you facepalming?"
Just imagining this idiot going up to every Adventurer and asking, "Would you like to join my Familia?" was enough to make her want to groan.
'Is she serious? Even if you're desperate to recruit followers, you don't go around asking people individually!'
Now it all made sense—why no one wanted to join Hestia's Familia. With a clueless goddess like her at the center, how could anyone take the Familia seriously? Gods recruiting in person just screamed, "My Familia is powerless!" to any half-aware Adventurer.
Staring at Hestia's oblivious, overly sweet expression, Hephaestus finally understood: every Adventurer in Orario had already labeled Hestia as a god to avoid. Not a single one would want to be her follower.
Frustrated beyond words, Hephaestus grabbed Hestia's cheeks and gave them a squeeze.
"Are you stupid? Don't you know the easiest way for gods to recruit followers is by registering at the Guild? And you're out here asking them one by one!?"
"Uuugh..."
Hephaestus sighed and let go. Hestia's eyes welled up with tears—not from the pinching, but from what Hephaestus had said.
"Then what am I supposed to do? I've already asked everyone..."
Hephaestus covered her face again, exasperated. She should've explained things clearly from the start. Letting this idiot act on instinct had been a huge mistake.
"Now it's a mess. With your approach, every Adventurer in Orario has probably blacklisted you."
"What!? Then... what do I do!?"
Hearing Hephaestus's analysis, Hestia panicked. This was about whether she could even start a Familia. If the Adventurers of Orario had truly written her off, how could she recruit anyone?
Faced with this mess, Hephaestus was just as at a loss. Honestly, she was the one who wanted to ask that question.
Hestia's ridiculous antics had clearly made the rounds in Orario. If anyone had wanted to join her Familia, they'd have shown up already. Instead, here she was, clinging to Hephaestus like a stray with nowhere to go.
"Sigh... Just give up."
Even as her friend, Hephaestus could only mutter, "You're beyond saving. Just wait to die. I'm out."
She didn't even feel like telling Hestia to keep trying anymore. It was obvious that no matter how much she struggled, the result wouldn't change. Unless—somehow—a complete newcomer showed up, someone who hadn't heard of Hestia's reputation yet... maybe then they could be tricked into joining her Familia.
Ding!
The bell above the door rang, instantly drawing both Hephaestus and Hestia's attention.
A figure stepped into the store, wearing a long coat and a hood pulled low over his head, hiding his face. But the moment he spoke, Hephaestus's eyes lit up.
"Greetings, Lady Hephaestus. My name is Bell Cranel. I've just arrived in Orario, and I'm an Adventurer."
'He really showed up!?'
In that instant, to Hephaestus, this rookie Adventurer was Hestia's last shot at salvation.
Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Facing Hephaestus’s Questions
Chapter Text
After leaving the Guild, Bell cautiously asked nearby shopkeepers for directions to Lady Hephaestus's store. He was fairly certain that Lady Hestia, who was still slacking off at this hour, had holed up there—so this time, he planned to strike directly.
While asking around, he got more than a few strange looks. Bell could practically hear what most of those eyes were saying: "What's a broke kid like you thinking?"
After all, Hephaestus was the Goddess of the Forge, famed for her unparalleled craftsmanship. Even the cheapest weapon in her shop would cost upwards of ten million Valis—a price high-ranking Adventurers had to think twice about. For a stranger to walk in hoping to buy something? Pure fantasy.
But Bell wasn't there to buy anything. He was there to find Lady Hestia.
From the moment he saw that she hadn't registered with the Guild, Bell had suspected she was freeloading at Hephaestus's place. What he needed was a reason to speak with Lady Hephaestus—and, through her, a way to connect with Lady Hestia.
And sure enough, he'd guessed right. Standing at the entrance of the shop, he spotted a black-haired girl with twin tails and a blue ribbon. There she was—the goddess he had been searching for.
'Found her. The goddess who suits me best—Hestia.'
Bell took a deep breath, steadied himself, and pushed open the door.
Ding!
The clear ring of the doorbell caught the attention of the two goddesses inside. Bell could feel their eyes on him, especially Lady Hephaestus.
He composed himself and addressed her with full respect.
"Greetings, Lady Hephaestus. My name is Bell Cranel. I've just arrived in Orario. I registered at the Guild earlier and am currently looking for a Familia willing to take me in."
He introduced himself simply and added that he was still unaffiliated—not just for Hephaestus's benefit, but also for Lady Hestia's ears.
Hephaestus steadied her thoughts. The boy clearly was new to Orario, and it made sense that he hadn't found a Familia yet. Without special talent, joining one of the major Familia was just a pipe dream.
"Bell Cranel, then why come to me? Do you want to join my Familia?"
"No. I understand that all of Lady Hephaestus's Familia members are gifted blacksmiths. As much as I would love to be part of it, I don't have any talent in that area. Even if I wanted to join, I'm simply not qualified."
That answer earned Hephaestus's approval. This child knew where he stood. Rather than chase after an impossible goal, he had made a realistic choice. Too many people obsessed over joining large Familia without realizing the fierce competition inside—those without talent would be crushed.
"Then why seek me out? If you're looking for a fitting Familia, wouldn't the Guild be the better place to ask?"
Approval didn't mean she understood his motives.
If he didn't want to join her Familia, then why show up at her store?
Bell answered with sincerity.
"The truth is, Lady Hephaestus, I know my abilities are lacking. I'm not qualified for any well-known Familia. That's why I hope to join one that hasn't yet taken on any members. At least then, the goddess leading it wouldn't have high expectations of me. Unfortunately, the Guild had no such Familia available."
"I believe Lady Hephaestus, as the goddess of blacksmithing, must have connections with many Familia. So I was hoping you could introduce me to one."
Hearing that, Hestia's eyes lit up. Talk about perfect timing! She'd just been worrying about how to find a follower and start her Familia. She had thought it was nearly impossible to get anyone at this point—yet here someone was, walking right to her.
Of course, Hephaestus wasn't that naïve. She didn't doubt the truth behind the boy's words—just looking at him, it was obvious he was a newcomer, fresh off the streets of Orario. But what puzzled her was why he thought she would be willing to make such an introduction.
That made Hephaestus ask curiously:
"And if I don't help you with an introduction?"
"Then I hope Lady Hephaestus would be willing to take me in. Even if I can't be a follower, I could at least help out around the shop. I know Orario is the center of the world, but I also know that without a place to stand, this city will eat me alive."
Hephaestus frowned slightly. In that moment, her impression of the boy shifted—he was no longer just some naïve rookie, but someone who could assess his situation and act with clarity, someone willing to make the choices necessary to survive.
Orario was a city that devoured people. Not just the Dungeon, but the city itself. New Adventurers arrived full of dreams and ambition, only to be crushed before those hopes could take shape.
Children of the Lower World couldn't lie to the gods, which made Hephaestus believe every word he'd said. Even knowing what kind of city Orario was, he'd still come—because of a belief, a resolve? That stirred a bit of curiosity in her.
"You knew how dangerous this city is, and you still came. Why?"
Bell recognized the question for what it was: a test. And he answered seriously. Maybe this was the original protagonist's answer, and now it had become his too. But the reason Bell had arrived at it might not have been noble—it was simply personal.
"I want power."
A straightforward reason, yet in the boy's eyes, Hephaestus saw a deep sadness and unwavering determination.
'Every child of the Lower World has their own reasons. They're not like us. They're too fragile, and they care too deeply.'
Hephaestus didn't press further. She had seen countless Adventurers and could guess why this child had come to Orario. For someone this young to arrive alone, it already said enough. And Hephaestus was not one of those frivolous gods who played with mortals for fun. She felt a measure of pity—and from that, a desire to help.
'Still… handing him off to that idiot Hestia might be the most irresponsible thing I could do.'
Now, she couldn't help but feel a bit worried. Would Hestia really be able to act like a proper goddess?
Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Hestia’s First Familia Member
Chapter Text
'This is my future Familia member!'
Eyes sparkling, Hestia was practically about to hijack the conversation and make it all about herself. But since this was Hephaestus's shop, and the child had come specifically to see Hephaestus, it wouldn't be right for her to jump in. She held herself back, watching carefully from the side.
'The hood's unnecessary. I can't even see the child's face.'
At just 140 centimeters tall, Hestia couldn't see the face hidden beneath the hood. That only made her more anxious—like a kitten pawing at curiosity. She was desperate to see the child's face. After all, this child might become her very first Familia member. That meant everything.
Hephaestus noticed Hestia's fidgeting and let out a soft sigh, silently hoping Hestia would be a good fit for the child.
"There actually is one god who hasn't formed a Familia yet, who hasn't even managed to find a single member."
"Ah! Hephaestus, that's so mean! I'm not some useless god. I only just descended from Heaven, so I'm still not familiar with the lower world's rules. I just don't know how to form a Familia yet, that's all. I'm definitely not useless—I'm the great and mighty goddess of the hearth, you know!"
Even though she secretly agreed she was a bit pathetic, Hestia wasn't about to embarrass herself in front of her potential first Familia member. She straightened her back and did her best to project the dignity of a true goddess. Not that it made much difference—Bell had already formed his impression of her long ago.
'With how pathetic you look, what do you expect me to say?'
The one who understood Hestia best wasn't even Hestia herself—it was her close friends and frenemies. Her true friends cared deeply about her and paid attention out of concern. Her frenemies watched closely just to find material to tease her. Hephaestus, naturally, fell into the former camp.
As much as she wanted to speak kindly about Hestia, Hephaestus couldn't bring herself to lie. Telling a falsehood to a child who had just arrived in Orario wasn't something a god should do.
"This one's my recommendation. Hestia, this kid's been crashing at my place for a while. She's got a thick skin but no brains at all. If you haven't joined a Familia yet, you might as well join hers."
'I knew it—this goddess really has been freeloading at her friend's place without moving out.'
Bell wasn't particularly surprised. He already had a good sense of Hestia's character. She wasn't a dangerous goddess—just one who genuinely cared for her Familia. Sure, she was easy to pick on, but that softness only made her all the more protective of those she took in.
Simply put, she had a wonderful personality.
After a brief pause, Bell turned to Hestia-sama.
"Goddess Hestia, I'm just an ordinary boy from the countryside. I became an adventurer in search of strength. Would you accept someone like me?"
"Of course!"
Hestia puffed out her chest without hesitation. She never picked only the best among lower-world children. She believed that any child willing to join her Familia had to be a good one. And taking in good children—that was exactly what a goddess should do.
Of course, Hestia was also terrified that if she missed out on this one, she might never get another chance in Orario. Especially after Hephaestus's blunt remarks, she was sure her reputation had already spread throughout the city. No matter what, she couldn't afford to lose this one chance at gaining a Familia member.
"No matter what kind of child they are, once they join my Familia, they become my most precious family."
Bell believed her. Even if she had said those words casually, he took them to heart.
Now that he'd made his decision, keeping the hood up felt rude. He reached up and pulled it down, then gave a small bow to Hestia-sama.
"Goddess Hestia, please let me join your Familia."
"Oh!"
When Bell lowered his hood, Hestia finally saw his face. Beneath a head of fluffy white hair were calm, crimson eyes. His expression was minimal—almost emotionless—but she could sense the steadiness in his demeanor.
Gods had a fondness for beautiful faces; after all, no one liked having unpleasant sights around them all the time. To Hestia, this child fit perfectly with her sense of aesthetics.
Of course, what mattered even more was that she had just gained her very first Familia member.
"Of course."
In that moment, Hestia finally experienced what it truly meant to be a goddess with a Familia. And the fact that her first member also happened to match her tastes? That just made it even better.
"Then let's not waste any time—let's begin the Falna ceremony right away."
"Here? In my shop?"
Hephaestus raised an eyebrow. Did this idiot seriously not know anything? The Falna ceremony was best performed within a god's own territory. After all, a member's personal status information needed to be kept private. If other gods happened to see any of it, it could lead to unnecessary trouble.
"Please, Hephaestus! You know I... still don't have a place of my own."
Hestia pressed her hands together pleadingly. Of course she knew it was better to perform the Falna ceremony in her own territory. But she had been freeloading at Hephaestus's place for so long, and without a single coin to her name, where was she supposed to find a home of her own? A decent piece of property in Orario wasn't something she could afford—not even with tens of millions of Valis.
Since her finances were effectively zero, she had no choice but to turn to Hephaestus for help—at least to let her perform this first ceremony here.
"Haa... Just this once. If you bring another Familia member here next time for a Falna ceremony, I'm kicking you out."
"Hehe~ Just this once!"
"In exchange, I want to see this kid's initial Falna status."
"No problem!"
Normally, letting another god view a member's status would be out of the question. But most newcomers had blank slates anyway—nothing significant enough to cause problems. Hephaestus understood that well. This was her way of giving Hestia both a warning and a little leeway.
As Hestia's friend, Hephaestus knew all too well that if you didn't rein this idiot in once in a while, she'd quickly get out of hand. But give her a little scolding now, and she'd remember the lesson next time.
Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Ultra-Rare Skills and Magic
Chapter Text
'Falna'—the blessing granted by the gods to the mortals of the lower world. It turns one's abilities into quantifiable data, allowing them to grow stronger through accumulated experience. As they continue to evolve, unique skills may emerge, unlocking new and unforeseen possibilities.
For any new Adventurer, this ceremony is vital. It essentially transforms one's innate talent into data—potentially giving rise to extraordinary abilities. Those born with such gifts are often given better treatment within their Familia, and that, in turn, elevates their standing.
Led by Hephaestus, Bell and Hestia ascended to the second floor of the shop, a workspace Hephaestus typically used. It served well enough as a makeshift site for the Falna ceremony—though it was clear Hephaestus had only relented under Hestia's persistent begging.
"Bell-kun, take off your clothes and turn your back to me."
"Yes."
Bell swiftly removed his windbreaker and the coarse linen shirt beneath it, exposing his smooth back. He turned around, now facing away from Hestia-sama.
Looking at his pale back and the faint outline of his muscles, Hestia thought, 'Looks like he's been training.' She reminded herself that this was just a countryside boy who had come to Orario in search of strength. Taking a quiet breath, she picked up a plain knife from the nearby table, gently pricked her finger, and let a drop of divine blood bead from the cut.
She smeared her blood across the chosen child's back, allowing his body to absorb the essence of a god. This act completed the ritual, bestowing the Falna upon her new Familia member—granting him divine power.
The godly blood slowly sank into Bell's skin, forming the unique tattoo marking him as part of Hestia's Familia. As the Goddess of the Hearth, the mark on his back took the shape of a stove and flames. Holy script appeared around it, and a soft blue glow radiated from Bell's back. His personal status had now been engraved.
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.1
Attributes:
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space": Storage
Skills:
"Personal Training": Early Bloomer]
"Ahhh!!!"
Hestia couldn't help but let out a shout. As her very first Familia member, Bell's stats meant everything to her. If he had both magic and a skill from the start, it would significantly boost his chances of survival. She had braced herself for disappointment, fully expecting him to have neither. Yet somehow, he had both.
Curious, Hephaestus stepped forward and glanced over the data. Her initial thought was, 'Even if he has a skill and magic, that's no reason to make such a fuss.' But one glance was all it took for her to understand Hestia's reaction.
'Early Bloomer and a space-type storage spell… Hestia, what did you do—save the world in a past life?'
Adventurers often awaken abilities that align with their nature upon receiving a god's blessing. To possess both magic and a skill from the moment one joins a Familia is a sign of exceptional talent. And among those abilities, some are mundane while others are exceedingly rare. Without a doubt, Hestia's first Familia member had drawn some of the rarest of the rare.
"Among all types of magic, spatial magic is the most unusual. And even if it's just for storage, it's still incredibly impressive. On top of that, he also has a skill—and not just any skill. 'Early Bloomer' is a rarity among rarities. Its value is obvious just from the name alone."
Once she understood just how special the magic and skill were, even Hephaestus—who normally didn't care much about the strength of Familia members—couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy toward Hestia.
'If the other gods find out about this kid's magic and skill, they'll definitely try to steal him away.'
There was no doubt about it—Hestia had struck gold. With enough time, this child would grow faster than anyone could imagine.
'The skill description doesn't mention any conditions. That means it activates unconditionally. It accelerates growth and reduces the number of party members needed to explore the Dungeon. If this child steps into the Dungeon, he could easily break every growth record to date.'
Hephaestus could already see it—a new heroic tale about to unfold. With talents like these, this boy wouldn't remain anonymous for long. He was destined to shock, excite, and captivate all of Orario.
"Hestia, you really need to be careful. This kid's abilities are far too exceptional. You won't be able to protect him on your own. Once those troublesome gods catch wind of this, they'll definitely try to take him from you."
"Ugh..."
Just moments ago, Hestia had been overjoyed about finding such a perfect first Familia member. Now, her spirits plummeted. She knew Hephaestus was right. If someone set their sights on Bell, she probably wouldn't be able to keep him safe alone.
"I get it. I'll make sure Bell-kun stays cautious from now on."
If his abilities were revealed too soon, she wouldn't be able to protect him. But as long as they stayed hidden, there'd be no problem.
'Is this really going to be okay? That child's fine, but it's Hestia I'm more worried about.'
Truthfully, Hephaestus wasn't all that concerned about Bell. From the moment he arrived, he'd shown a remarkable steadiness. For someone so young to be that composed... he had to have gone through something. 'It probably ties back to his past,' she figured.
'The magic isn't the issue—it's the skill. "Early Bloomer" has no activation condition. Hestia's kid is bound to walk an entirely different path than anyone else.'
Hephaestus let out a quiet sigh, casting a glance at Hestia, whose face couldn't hide her excitement and glee.
'It's seriously hard to get this idiot to understand anything. I'll have to make sure she doesn't go blabbing to the Guild about the kid's level. If his growth gets exposed too soon, way too many eyes will be on him.'
Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Temporary Foothold
Chapter Text
After becoming the god of a Familia, Hestia was immediately kicked out by Hephaestus—who, to be fair, had a solid reason.
"You've already established your own Familia, so you can't keep living here with me. As the head of a Familia, you should at least act the part of a god."
Even with tears brimming in her eyes, Hestia had no choice but to leave. She couldn't drag her child along and keep freeloading. The first thing any Familia needed was a proper place to settle. If even that had to be borrowed from someone else, then as a god, she'd be a complete failure.
The key issue was that she couldn't impose on Hephaestus while having her child in tow. If it were just her, she was sure she could have thickened her skin and stuck around. But with her child watching, how could she possibly bring herself to act that shameless?
So Hestia left Hephaestus' shop and went searching for a place her Familia could call home.
But without a single coin to her name, nowhere decent was an option. Money played a vital role in this society. It was essential, inescapable. Without it, they couldn't move forward at all.
That meant the Hestia Familia couldn't afford to look for housing in areas with any kind of cost. They had to turn toward places where money wasn't needed. What came to Bell's mind was that abandoned corner of Orario from the original story—one of the rare ruined places no one ever visited.
"Goddess-sama, is there any place in Orario that doesn't cost money?"
"Hmm… There is one place I know of that doesn't."
Hestia was aware of it—a place that didn't require money—but she also knew no other gods would ever choose it. The problem was, she wasn't exactly in a position to be picky. Financially speaking, she had nothing.
Still, using a place like that as a base for her Familia was just... depressing. She didn't even dare look back at her first child.
"It's just… that place is an abandoned church. It's remote, dark, and might not even have the space for basic living needs."
But Bell didn't seem to mind.
For the Hestia Familia, what mattered most wasn't wealth, power, or status—it was Hestia herself. She was the Familia's greatest asset. Everything else—wealth, power, influence—could be built over time. After all, what god could claim to have achieved financial freedom the moment they descended to the lower world?
Bell shook his head slightly.
"Goddess-sama, please don't worry about any of that. The growth of a Familia doesn't happen overnight. A newly founded Familia isn't going to have loads of money. And really, somewhere remote, dark, and overlooked suits us perfectly right now."
"Hm… Is that how I should think about it?"
"Of course. It's because of me that our Familia has been placed far from the others. It's to keep my parameters from being exposed."
Bell knew that Hestia was a sensitive goddess, so he blamed it all on himself. Thanks to the unique circumstances surrounding him, she could afford to worry a little less.
'Mmm, Bell is trying to spare my feelings.'
Hestia wasn't a total airhead. She understood why Bell was saying these things—to stop her from worrying about how run-down their new home was. But still, as a god being comforted by her own child... that wasn't a good feeling.
"Alright! Bell, I've made up my mind. We'll settle down in that abandoned church for now. Once our Familia saves up enough money, we're definitely getting a bigger house."
"That's the spirit, Goddess-sama."
Seeing Hestia smile again, Bell cheered her on from the side.
"Hehe~"
Even though her child was the one comforting her in many ways, it was the first time she had ever been on the receiving end like this—and Hestia found she liked the feeling.
Pulling herself together, Hestia steadied her emotions and took her child's hand.
"Let's go take a look at the new base of the Hestia Familia."
The ruins of the church really were in an incredibly remote part of Orario—practically the most out-of-the-way area in the whole city. No other Familia would ever choose such a place, and there wasn't a single other Familia nearby. Its level of isolation was unmatched.
Still, aside from the fact that it was in ruins, there wasn't much else wrong with it. If it could be properly rebuilt, it could make a decent base for a Familia.
Unfortunately, the cost of rebuilding this area was outrageously high—far beyond what it would take to simply buy a place. So, this spot was doomed to be just a temporary foothold.
It was Hestia's first time seeing it, and the level of decay was even worse than she'd imagined.
"Whoa, this place is seriously falling apart."
But thinking about how she'd designated such a wreck as the home of the Hestia Familia, Hestia felt like she'd completely lost her dignity as a goddess. She glanced nervously at Bell, worried about what her first child might think.
"Well, it is a ruin, Goddess-sama. You don't need to expect too much. As a temporary shelter, it's actually not that bad. With a little cleanup, the church should be livable."
'I should check out the area a bit later.'
Bell wasn't too concerned about the safety of the place. With only him and Goddess Hestia in the Familia, and as long as his Status weren't compromised, no gods would pay attention to them. Still, a basic inspection was necessary.
But if things went on like this, and he wanted to avoid exposing his situation, he'd eventually need another Familia to provide cover. The best candidate was clearly Loki Familia. As the second most powerful Familia, their strength left no room for dispute.
Of course, that would only be necessary once his personal strength reached a certain level. Without that, there was no need to hide, because no one would care.
Bell understood this very well.
"Goddess-sama, it's getting late. We should find a place to sleep soon."
"Ah, you're right."
Hestia noticed that the sky was darkening. They had to prepare before nightfall. It was hard to imagine there being any lighting equipment in this place, so they'd probably have to rely on firewood or something similar for light tonight.
At that thought, Hestia couldn't help but think, 'Ugh, I should've just kept freeloading at Hephaestus's place.'
But when she looked at the child beside her—her first follower—Hestia shook off that gloom. She used to feel hopeless because she was alone. But now, she wasn't alone anymore. She couldn't let herself spiral.
"Bell, let's figure out where we'll be staying before night falls. Hmm, we'll need to do some cleaning too."
"Goddess-sama, I can handle the cleaning myself..."
"No!"
Hestia cut Bell off firmly. She knew he could do a good job on his own, but as the goddess of the Familia, how could she just stand by and watch her child do all the work? She had to pitch in too.
'I have to reclaim my dignity as a goddess.'
Hestia cut him off again, her expression serious.
"Bell, this is the first task of the Hestia Familia. We may not have enough money to buy the best property, but at the very least, we should clean up our temporary home together."
Seeing her like this, Bell had no choice but to agree.
Hestia pressed on.
"Bell, don't think I'm some useless goddess who can't do anything. I can handle basic chores too, you know. So from now on, you should rely on me more."
"I understand, Goddess-sama."
Bell let out a small sigh but also relaxed a little.
Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Man-Eating Dungeon
Chapter Text
In the forgotten ruins, they quickly found shelter—a crumbling church that still had a roof to keep out the wind and rain. Inside, the pews used for worship were still mostly intact. Though dusty and worn, they could pick through and salvage a fair number of usable items.
There was also a confessional inside the church. Aside from being thick with dust, it surprisingly housed a decently preserved sofa and a bed. The presence of a bed in a confessional was puzzling—no matter how they looked at it, they couldn't figure out what purpose it served there.
The bedsheets didn't bear any of the strange marks you'd expect from adult comics, but they had turned gray from disuse. They'd definitely need to be replaced if not cleaned. Luckily, Bell had spare bedsheets stored in his mental space.
By the time the basic cleaning was finished, three hours had passed.
"Ah..."
Hestia dropped all pretense of her divine image and flopped face-first onto the freshly made bed. Cleaning up the ruin had been physically and mentally exhausting. In just three hours, she had done more work than she had since descending to the lower world. She was utterly wiped out.
Lying on the slightly stiff mattress, her body aching, Hestia couldn't help but long for her lazy days at Hephaestus's place.
But the moment she turned and saw Bell, who had just finished working as well, her slumped posture vanished. She sat up straight in an instant.
'No, Hestia! You're not in useless mode anymore. You've got a child now!'
With that single thought, Hestia sat upright.
"Bell."
Just done with his own cleaning, Bell looked up to see Goddess-sama sitting and watching him. Her posture, however, made him step forward and say, "Excuse me, Goddess-sama," before discreetly adjusting her rather uninhibited pose. Sitting cross-legged in that thin white dress had exposed more than was appropriate.
"Goddess-sama, with clothes that thin, you really need to be more careful. That kind of posture is a bit too revealing."
"Aah!" Hestia squeaked and quickly tugged at her skirt with both hands, a rosy blush spreading across her face. She'd completely forgotten that from now on, she'd be living with someone—someone who was, in fact, a boy.
'Hmm... If I'm going to be living with Bell, I'll have to be more mindful of things like this.'
Taking a deep breath, Hestia made a few adjustments before speaking again.
"Bell, from today on, you're the first member of my Hestia Familia. So you need to be careful too. You're my only follower, and if something happens to you, I'd be really devastated."
The unspoken message was practically written on her face: "Please don't go getting yourself killed."
Bell understood her perfectly. He wasn't foolish enough to throw his life away. Achieving results took time and steady effort—rushing headlong into danger only led to an early grave. It was because he longed for power that he knew he had to value his life even more.
"Please don't worry, Goddess-sama. What I seek is strength, not death. Taking risks and making efforts is part of the path to power, but I'll move forward step by step. I won't just charge straight into the Dungeon."
"Phew... That's a relief."
Hestia let out a visible sigh. She truly had been worried her child might get carried away chasing strength and end up in serious danger. She'd heard plenty of stories from her godfriends about reckless children diving into danger in Orario. She couldn't speak for others—but when it came to Bell, she sincerely hoped he wouldn't end up like that.
"So, Bell, what's your plan next? Heading into the Dungeon to get used to the environment?"
Bell gave a slight nod.
"That's what I had in mind. The outside world is already dangerous, but I've heard the Dungeon is far worse. 'The Man-Eating Dungeon'—that's what people call it. I know. The upper levels closer to the surface are relatively safer, but the deeper you go, the more perilous it becomes. Until I get used to it and level up, I won't go anywhere too dangerous."
There was no doubt the Dungeon was dangerous. But as long as that danger was kept within manageable limits, it could become a source of growth.
Because of its inherent dangers, Bell had no intention of diving too deep. Now or in the future, he intended to play it safe. He wasn't an experienced Adventurer, so he needed to build up experience step by step.
'Looks like I don't have to worry too much about this child after all.'
Hestia finally felt at ease. It wasn't bad to desire strength, but that desire had to be restrained. You should only take on what your current power allows—anything more would just invite trouble. At least on that point, she didn't have to worry about Bell.
She looked at him with clear approval.
"Yes, Bell, your thinking is spot on. The Dungeon is extremely dangerous. As a new Adventurer without much experience, what you need isn't to push into the lower floors, but to steadily gain experience. You have to get used to the Dungeon and understand that it constantly harbors a desire to devour everything."
"A desire to devour everything... So the Dungeon really is alive?"
Bell raised an eyebrow, then frowned.
Hestia nodded solemnly, her voice serious and cautious.
"The Dungeon is a living being. It doesn't have self-awareness, just instinct. It's always existed, like a womb that endlessly births monsters. It loathes the gods and can spawn monsters at any moment to devour the world."
"That's why Orario was built directly above the Dungeon—to suppress the number of monsters it produces and to keep them under control. If we don't restrain the Dungeon, the monsters it spawns would eventually consume everything. And at the very bottom lies the Dungeon's core. They say it's because the core is under control that the Dungeon became a breeding ground for monsters."
That was about all Hestia knew. The deeper secrets of the Dungeon were beyond her—truthfully, not many gods knew them either. She was telling Bell all this just to make sure he understood the danger.
And the first thing that came to Bell's mind when he heard it all was 'One-Eyed Black Dragon.'
Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Good Night on the First Day
Chapter Text
'So the Dungeon really is a womb that spawns monsters. That explains why they can emerge straight from the walls. But the fact that this womb is under the control of the Black Dragon... that part is unexpected.'
'No wonder Orario was built atop the Dungeon. Besides suppressing the birth of monsters, the city was probably also meant to seize the Dungeon's core once the Black Dragon is defeated. As long as the core is secured, taking down the Black Dragon wouldn't mean the Dungeon's destruction, and this playground of the gods wouldn't have to shut down.'
'Still, the joint expedition by the former Hera and Zeus Familias to defeat the Black Dragon ended in complete annihilation. That suggests the Black Dragon's control over the Dungeon core was a major factor. But there must've been other reasons too—otherwise, two powerful Familias, one with a Level 8 and the other with a Level 9, wouldn't have been wiped out so thoroughly.'
Bell instinctively felt that there were deeper secrets at play—truths not recorded anywhere. He hadn't even read the full story of Danmachi. Skimming wikis and reading character summaries didn't equate to understanding the whole picture.
When it came to the unknown, Bell always maintained the deepest respect.
He didn't like making baseless assumptions about things he didn't fully understand. But this part of the Dungeon's background—this he would jot down in his notes. Even if it was only speculation for now, gathering more information couldn't hurt. If he found new pieces later, he might actually be able to piece together some theories about what really happened back then.
Seeing Bell so focused and deep in thought, Hestia gave a small nod. After waiting a moment for him to return from his thoughts, she picked up where they'd left off.
"So, Bell. If you're heading into the Dungeon, don't underestimate it. There are many strange and unbelievable things down there. Once you're in, it's not easy for someone to come to your rescue. You'll need to protect yourself."
Feeling the warmth of Hestia's concern, Bell naturally took her words to heart. As he had said before, he wasn't someone who enjoyed taking reckless risks. Throwing your life away when you still had room to grow—that was just plain foolish. Even if he aimed to fight above his level, he needed the right conditions and skills first.
To move an entire era with your own strength, you needed a solid foundation. Without that, forget changing the world—you wouldn't even be able to defeat the enemy in front of you.
"Don't worry, Goddess-sama. I'll be extra careful in the Dungeon. I'm just a coward who's afraid of dying, so I'm not about to throw my life away that easily."
Of course, Bell's reasons for going into the Dungeon weren't just about growth.
There was also money—and technique.
The "Type-Moon System" gave him a way to trade money for progress. Naturally, Bell wouldn't pass up on that.
Power might be something you could buy with money, but technique was something you had to earn. That made the Dungeon the best place to gather both early funds and combat experience.
The upper levels weren't especially difficult—they existed primarily to help beginner Adventurers get used to the Dungeon. It was all part of laying the groundwork for tackling the middle and lower floors later on.
Bell wholeheartedly agreed with that approach.
Hearing his reassurance, Hestia visibly relaxed. As long as Bell didn't charge recklessly into the lower floors, the danger would be much more manageable.
Once her tension eased, the fatigue from all the cleaning finally caught up with her.
Hestia let out a yawn, her eyes starting to close as she rubbed them out of habit.
Seeing how tired she looked, Bell didn't dawdle. He laid a blanket over the sofa, slipped off his shoes, and lay down.
"Goddess-sama, let's leave the rest for tomorrow."
"Mm, I'm so sleepy..."
As she spoke, Hestia's eyes drooped. Yawning, she lay down on the wooden bed. Her half-lidded gaze drifted to Bell, already asleep on the nearby sofa, and a soft smile tugged at her lips.
'Today really was a good day. Bell joined my Familia. I finally have a follower of my own.'
At that moment, Bell extinguished the candle beside him. A thin trail of white smoke rose from the wick, and the scent of burned wax spread through the room.
In the dim space, the two lay quietly—one on the bed, the other on the sofa.
Bell, exhausted from a long day, fell asleep almost instantly. After more than ten days of constant travel and wariness toward strangers, his body and mind had long since reached their limits. To finally rest in peace on the sofa—this was the best reward he could ask for.
While Bell slept soundly, Hestia, who just moments ago was drowsy herself, found her eyes fluttering open.
"Bell, are you still awake?"
Only steady, rhythmic breathing answered her.
'He's asleep? He really must've been tired.'
She didn't know what kind of hardships Bell had faced before arriving in Orario, but judging by how soundly he was sleeping, it must have been rough.
Without realizing it, Hestia sat up in bed. She didn't say a word, only silently watched Bell sleeping peacefully on the sofa nearby.
'I never imagined my first follower would come to me like this.'
Now that she thought about it, their meeting had been almost theatrical in its timing.
If she hadn't been in a bad mood from being rejected by Adventurers and gone to vent to Hephaestus, she never would've met Bell. She certainly wouldn't have become his goddess when he later came to Hephaestus asking for help.
Hestia narrowed her eyes slightly. A feeling she could only call "luck" welled up inside her.
Time ticked by as moonlight spilled in through the window.
The cool silver glow cast a soft light across Bell's face as he slept on the sofa.
Bathed in the moonlight, his fair skin looked even more radiant. His serene, flawless sleeping face made Hestia freeze for a moment, mesmerized.
'He's so cute~'
Hestia had always thought Bell suited her tastes perfectly. Now, seeing his peaceful face in the moonlight, she was even more certain. He looked so adorable—like a newborn child fast asleep, utterly content.
Though she really wanted to reach out and touch him, Hestia reminded herself it was bedtime, and held back.
'My child is just too cute.'
As his goddess, Hestia couldn't help the smile that curved her lips.
The longer she watched, the sleepier she became. Her eyelids slowly dropped, and before long, she drifted into a deep and gentle sleep.
Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Entering the Dungeon
Chapter Text
After more than ten days of nonstop travel, this was the first time Bell didn't have to wake up early—he could just keep sleeping.
Morning sunlight poured into the room, the bright rays hitting his face directly. The orange-yellow glow made it hard to keep his eyes shut, and he instinctively raised his hand to block it. But instead of open air, he felt something soft restraining him.
That made Bell's mind instantly flash with a giant question mark.
Squinting against the light, he forced his eyes open, needing several seconds to adjust. Once he could see clearly, he turned his head to check his arm.
"Hestia... Goddess?"
Bell stared in shock at Hestia, who was hugging his arm in her sleep, curled up right beside him. His gaze reflexively scanned over her. She wasn't covered by a blanket—almost her entire body was pressed against his. The soft sensation on his arm came from Hestia's indescribably generous chest.
'So big.'
Even though Bell already knew Hestia had an amazing figure, he still couldn't help but admire it inwardly. But he carefully and gently pulled his arm free.
It wasn't that he didn't want to enjoy the moment—honestly, a big part of him wanted to bury himself in her chest and fully experience that softness.
But this wasn't the time.
And it definitely wasn't the priority right now.
Strength was the foundation for fulfilling his wishes. Any kind of indulgent thought had to be backed by power. That was the cold, hard truth. If he wanted to earn the favor of a goddess, he needed to display qualities and abilities even a deity would covet. Without that, any so-called "wish" was just wishful thinking.
Taking a deep breath, Bell quietly got up from the sofa. Still, the movement was enough to stir Hestia from her sleep.
"Bell? You're up already?"
Normally, Hestia never woke this early. She was still groggy, her eyes barely open, as if she might doze off again any second. Seeing her like that, Bell gave a slight shake of his head.
"Goddess-sama, I was thinking I'd head to the Dungeon early."
That sentence snapped Hestia wide awake. She'd just warned Bell yesterday about how dangerous the Dungeon was, and now here he was, ready to charge in first thing the next morning. It felt way too sudden.
"You're going already?"
"I understand your concern, Goddess-sama. But the Dungeon is something I have to face. Besides, I'm not planning to go deep. I know I'm not strong enough yet."
Bell understood why she was worried, but he also knew his limits. He was fully aware that he was just a total rookie—not even on par with most beginners who had actually entered the Dungeon before. There was no way someone like him would dive into the deeper floors.
"This time, I just want to get a feel for the Dungeon—see what it's like. I'll stick to the first floor and get a taste of what fighting monsters is like."
The first floor was where most new adventurers gathered. It was specifically designed for them to get their bearings and build up experience. The deeper one went, the more dangerous it got—conversely, the closer to the surface, the safer it was.
That's exactly what the first floor was for.
Even so, Hestia couldn't shake the worry in her heart.
The Dungeon was inherently unpredictable, with a high frequency of unexpected incidents. That much was obvious from the fact that it claimed lives every single day. For the adventurers entering it, safety was never guaranteed.
Still, Hestia knew how much Bell longed for power—how badly he wanted to grow stronger. He wasn't going to back down from going into the Dungeon. Those who sought power often held a level of determination that didn't falter in the face of danger. If Bell could be dissuaded that easily, then he never would have made it to this city in the first place.
'I can't selfishly stop Bell from going to the Dungeon. It's his wish, and as his goddess, I should be doing everything I can to help fulfill it.'
Though Hestia was filled with worry, that concern soon gave way to a soft smile. She didn't want Bell to abandon his pursuit of strength just because of her anxiety. With that in mind, she knew she needed to rein in her fears—at least a little.
"Bell, you've only just become an Adventurer. As someone who just received their Falna, you need to be extra careful in the Dungeon. I'll be right here waiting for you to come back."
Bell's heart felt a bit conflicted, but he gratefully accepted her concern and words of encouragement.
"Goddess-sama, I have my own goals and dreams. No matter how pathetic I may be now, I can't stop here."
"Goddess-sama, I promise—I will return."
With that vow, and carrying Goddess-sama's blessing of "good fortune in battle," Bell made his way toward the Dungeon.
...
The underground passage leading to the Dungeon wasn't particularly spacious. Now that Bell understood why Orario had been built the way it was, he realized the narrowness of the passage was intentional—to help limit the number of monsters escaping to the surface. Before the city existed, monsters likely climbed out from the Dungeon in droves.
It was still early, and there weren't many people at the entrance. In fact, the streets themselves were almost empty. It seemed the city wasn't truly safe until later in the morning—though that unease likely stemmed from Orario itself.
'I should note that down.'
Bell always held a deep sense of caution toward this city. You couldn't guard against thieves forever, but Orario seemed full of people who had no sense of boundaries. Staying vigilant was never a bad idea.
He carefully pulled up his hood, covering his head, and quietly descended into the Dungeon. From now on, wearing his hood when going out would help reduce the risk of being recognized.
Once inside, the Dungeon didn't give Bell any particularly grand impression. Honestly, it just felt like a massive pit, albeit one with passageways extending in every direction.
Bell took out the Guild-issued map from his spatial inventory. While the lower levels of the Dungeon were known to change layout periodically to confuse Adventurers, that wasn't a problem in the upper levels. Up to the 10th floor, the internal structure remained stable, and the map provided detailed information for those areas.
Anything beyond the 10th floor was a mystery reserved for high-level Adventurers. The Guild advised teaming up—new upper-tier Adventurers were usually guided into the Dungeon by veterans.
The advice might have been well-intentioned, but those veteran Adventurers rarely shared that same goodwill.
Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Rapid Adaptation
Chapter Text
Breaking past the Lv. 1 stage was Bell's current goal. Achieving it would take time—not just to build experience and technique, but to raise his basic stats across the board.
He wasn't worried about his growth rate. Even before receiving a Falna, his physical abilities had been improving at a remarkable pace. His stamina and agility had grown far faster than average. Otherwise, there's no way he could have made it to Orario on foot in under a month.
Now that he had a Falna, that growth would only accelerate. Bell believed it wouldn't be long before he broke through this limitation. Still, he didn't want to attract the attention of anyone with ill intent during that process—it could lead to trouble.
That said, he knew he didn't have anything worth targeting yet. The only real risk was being seen using his four-dimensional space. If that got out, rumors would spread like wildfire through Orario—and certain people would come looking for him.
Of course, hiding his abilities was important, but more important than secrecy was not acting suspiciously. Caution, not paranoia, was key. Bell's life experience had taught him that suspicious behavior drew just as much attention. So, instead of sneaking around, he simply kept his hood up and descended into the Dungeon.
He listened carefully to the sounds around him—soft footsteps echoed nearby. Bell quickened his pace, heading deeper into the first floor as the surrounding sounds became clearer.
Eventually, he reached a spot well away from the entrance and came to a stop. The footsteps had grown fainter, but multiple sounds still reached his ears. Beneath his coat, his hand was already gripping the short sword he'd brought from home.
The sounds crept closer. The moment something approached from behind, Bell spun around without hesitation. His eyes narrowed as a small green goblin came into view.
He saw it lunge with a crude weapon, but Bell dodged easily with a pivot. As they passed each other, he slashed his blade across the goblin's neck.
"Shhk!"
A jet of blood sprayed from the goblin's throat. Apparently, their vital spots were the same as a human's.
The creature quickly disintegrated into black ash and faded into the Dungeon walls.
'I see. Monsters in the Dungeon die when hit with a fatal blow. After death, they turn into black ash and reintegrate into the Dungeon, becoming raw material for the next monster. A continuous recycling process—it must be one of the Dungeon's unique mechanisms.'
Bell then noticed a dagger and a small purple magic stone on the ground—the goblin's drops. He understood the magic stone, but the dagger surprised him.
Normally, a monster's weapon was part of its body, created together with it by the Dungeon. Unless the weapon dropped properly, it would disappear with the monster upon death, dissolving into ash.
'Looks like I got lucky.'
Bell stepped over the loot, and the moment it was concealed beneath his coat, he quietly stored it in his four-dimensional space. Then he took the dagger back out and held it in his hand.
He tapped it against the short sword he'd brought from home—immediately, a nick appeared in the blade of his own weapon, while the goblin dagger remained completely intact.
'No doubt about it. The difference in equipment is obvious. For a first-floor goblin to wield such a sharp blade... But can goblins really drop weapons this easily?'
A hint of doubt crept into his mind, but he quickly pushed it aside. Whether it was common or not didn't matter. If it dropped, that meant he could retire the old blade. He'd test it further—just see how often goblins dropped their weapons.
Right now, he needed time to steady himself.
The thrill of killing a monster for the first time had momentarily drowned out his fear of the unknown. Bell wasn't good with fear—especially not after growing up watching horror movies. But this was something he'd have to get used to. Unfortunately, there wasn't much time to adapt.
More footsteps echoed through the corridor, drawing closer.
They were controlled, quiet—likely more goblins.
Bell focused on stabilizing his breathing, pushing his body to adjust to the tension. Slowly, the trembling in his hands faded as he gripped the goblin's dagger more firmly. His breathing leveled out, settling into a calm, steady rhythm.
In survival, especially in the wild, the first priority is always stamina—and the same principle holds true in the Dungeon. Managing physical and mental energy is crucial. If you misjudge your limits, it's all too easy to get surrounded by monsters.
Before long, four—no, five—goblins had taken cover in the nearby shadows, hiding in places nearly invisible to the human eye. Luckily, Bell was already used to the dark. His eyes had long since adjusted, allowing him to clearly see the figures lurking within it.
Their skin was a deep, inky green. Their bodies were thin and wiry, ears slightly pointed, and their faces twisted with savage, feral expressions. Each held a slightly curved short sword in a reverse grip. The blades gleamed with a cold, deadly light, exuding an ever-present sense of danger.
'Four... no, five.'
Bell remained calm. It might have been his first time facing monsters, but his body had adapted quickly to the combat environment. He didn't know why, but both his instincts and reflexes were adjusting at an incredible pace.
His mind was sharply focused, more so than he'd ever felt before. The five goblins were spread out enough to avoid clustering. In a one-on-one scenario, they were nothing to worry about—but in a loose encirclement like this, the risks multiplied.
'I'll need to make full use of the four-dimensional space. Using the supplies I've stored there will definitely give me an edge in combat.'
'I'm far enough from the first-floor entrance now that even rookies wouldn't wander into a spot like this. That means I can act freely without drawing any unwanted attention.'
Bell had made up his mind. This fight wouldn't just be about refining his technique—it would be his first field test of how to use four-dimensional space in real combat.
Chapter 16: Chapter 16: First Battle
Chapter Text
'First, I need to cut off the extra targets completely.'
Since this was his first time fighting multiple goblins alone, Bell knew it was important to understand their behavior in one-on-one combat. He didn't consider slashing a goblin's throat in a single strike to be a sign of his own strength. If the weapon was sharp enough, any monster would fall to a hit on a vital point. That wasn't his power—it was the weapon's.
He immediately charged at the scattered goblins.
The goblins, lurking in the shadows, noticed and instantly rushed at him, brandishing their short swords. Dungeon monsters at this level weren't intelligent, but coordinated group attacks didn't require thought—they were driven by instinct.
As he ran, Bell singled out the slowest of the goblins. He pulled two short swords from his four-dimensional space and hurled them with brute force—he wasn't skilled in throwing, so precision wasn't an option.
Fortunately, his target's lack of speed and poor agility made it an easy mark. It had no choice but to take the hit head-on.
Clang!
Shkk!
The goblin instinctively deflected the blade flying toward its head, but the second blade—slower but well-aimed—stabbed straight into its leg. The two impacts rang out in sequence, just like the order in which Bell had thrown them.
"Yaaagh!"
The goblin shrieked, blue-green blood flowing from its leg. It wasn't a fatal wound, so it didn't turn to black ash. Instead, it glared at Bell with bloodshot, rage-filled eyes.
'Got it.'
Bell stopped suddenly mid-sprint. He raised his right hand toward the four goblins still charging at him. In the next instant, a fruit tree from his four-dimensional space materialized in midair.
Gravity did its work. The massive tree—so large it would take three people to wrap their arms around it—plummeted toward the four charging goblins.
Sensing the danger, the goblins reacted instinctively, trying to dive out of the way. But the tree fell fast. Two of them, just a fraction too slow, were crushed underneath.
Bell felt the ground tremble beneath his feet. He didn't spare the fallen goblins a glance. He vaulted off the tree trunk, another dagger appearing in his hand, aiming straight for the goblin with the injured leg.
Using the momentum of his leap, Bell came down hard. The fall sped up his descent, boosting his force even further.
The wounded goblin, acting on instinct, tried to yank the dagger from its leg—but it froze when it saw its human prey suddenly rushing straight at it. It quickly raised its blade to counter.
But Bell was already ready. His eyes locked onto the goblin, he raised his weapon to parry, shifting his body left mid-charge to redirect the force.
Crack!
The dagger in his hand shattered from the sheer force of the goblin's strike. A jolt of power surged through his palm, shocking Bell. If he hadn't shifted his weight just in time, that strike might've broken his hand.
'Short, fast, good at hiding in shadows... and ridiculously strong. So this is what a goblin on the surface-level floors is like?'
If not for his enhanced physical stats, that blow would've crippled him. It hit him then: sure, a goblin could be killed with a sharp enough weapon to the neck—but that didn't mean goblins were weak.
They were fast. They were strong. Their only real weakness was low durability. And it was precisely that weakness that made them suitable targets for Level 1 Adventurers.
'Yeah, a sharp weapon is absolutely essential against monsters like these.'
At that moment, Bell fully understood why adventurers poured so much money into their gear. In the Dungeon, having the right weapon in hand could mean the difference between life and death.
Without hesitation, Bell drew the goblin's short sword from his four-dimensional space. Before the monster could recover its stance, he slashed its throat.
Shhk!
A spray of bluish-green blood arced into the air. Bell, unable to dodge in time, was splattered across the face. There was no burning sensation, no discomfort—seemed like goblin blood didn't carry any special properties.
'So this is more or less what goblins on the first floor are like.'
As he thought that, the goblin whose throat he'd slashed crumbled into black ash and was reabsorbed by the Dungeon. On the ground, a goblin dagger and a small magic stone remained.
Bell was a little surprised but didn't dwell on the drop rate. He scooped up the loot and turned around, raising his hand to retrieve the fruit tree into his four-dimensional space.
It was then he noticed something: anything stored inside would be marked, and those marked items could be recalled later. Whether there was a range limit to this, though, would require testing.
With the tree reclaimed, Bell immediately pulled two more goblin daggers from his four-dimensional space. He threw them at the back of the head of a goblin that was still struggling to rise.
At the same time, he spotted one goblin had retreated a bit, while another had fallen face-first to the ground.
'Perfect!'
A recovered short sword reappeared in Bell's hand as he sprinted forward. His pace accelerated—less than a second later, he reached the goblin who was still on the ground, just starting to rise and get its bearings.
Shhk!
Just as the goblin raised its head, Bell's blade cut clean across its neck, sending another spray of blood into the air. This time, he didn't pause—just swept a quick glance at the two goblins he'd struck in the back of the head and turned his sights on the only one still standing.
"YAAAH!"
The last goblin let out a furious roar, watching its companions fall. Gripping its short sword in both hands, it charged straight at Bell.
Bell narrowed his eyes, pushing forward with even more speed. His dagger was at the ready, and he subtly shifted his weight.
Right as the two were about to collide, Bell suddenly changed his stance—only to find the goblin doing the same. It transitioned mid-charge, shifting from a two-handed grip to a one-handed slash aimed directly at him.
Chapter 17: Chapter 17: First Floor Accumulation
Chapter Text
'As expected.'
A faint smile tugged at Bell's lips. This time, instead of shifting his weight to the left, he'd shifted it diagonally back and left. The goblin's short sword missed him entirely, not even brushing his clothes.
Before the goblin could recover its stance, Bell's prepared blade swept across its throat. It wasn't a clean decapitation, but the wound was fatal nonetheless.
All five goblins had been eliminated.
Bell now had five goblin daggers and five small magic stones in his possession.
"This drop rate is kind of insane. Are monster drop items really supposed to be this easy to get?"
Even without having finished the anime Danmachi, Bell knew that monster drop rates weren't supposed to be high. With low-level monsters, you were lucky just to get a magic stone. Expecting consistent item drops was pure fantasy.
Yet here he was, with a 100% drop rate. That was... suspicious.
No matter how he looked at it, the only explanation that made sense was luck. After all, monsters in the Dungeon weren't being controlled, and even if they were, it's not like they were dropping items just for him. Bell didn't believe in targeted drop mechanics.
"Guess I'm just lucky."
He shook his head and dropped the thought. It wasn't like this would matter unless someone with an agenda started paying attention. Besides, Bell didn't plan on teaming up with anyone anytime soon. This was the Dungeon—better not to romanticize it.
The belief that 'teammates are often dead weight' was deeply ingrained in him. He wasn't like that idealistic protagonist from the original story who handed out trust like candy. Bell had learned the hard way not to put faith in others. Especially not in "teammates."
"I need to stay cautious for now. Keep a low profile until I've grown stronger."
To protect the uniqueness of his secrets, Bell had no intention of attracting attention anytime soon. Even if exposure became inevitable later, it would only happen after he'd gained enough experience. For now, secrecy was his priority.
"Those goblins... they didn't act like mindless creatures at all. The moment I reused a tactic, they immediately became wary. Were they knights in a past life or something?"
"Whether or not they've got the instincts of a Saint, saying they have zero intelligence is just absurd. Would something brainless be able to react to a trick it's only seen once? If I hadn't been careful, that last strike could've done real damage."
Bell was starting to doubt the common claim that monsters lacked intelligence. Even just from a single goblin, it was obvious—those movements weren't random. No unthinking beast could react that way.
He glanced down at the Guild-issued data sheet in his hand and frowned. The early inaccuracies in the guide had already made him question its reliability. Now he'd have to be extra cautious with the rest of its advice.
Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps echoed around him.
Bell snapped out of his thoughts and quickly stashed the goblin daggers and magic stones into his four-dimensional space.
In the Dungeon, now wasn't the time to overthink things—not unless he was absolutely sure it was safe.
'The data on the goblins has been collected. Their agility and flexibility are average, and their defense is extremely low—ordinary weapons can injure them. But their strength is surprisingly high.'
'Still, as long as you avoid direct confrontation, their strength isn't a problem. Considering their speed and agility, once you find an opening, you can hunt them in large numbers.'
'Next, I need to spend more time on this floor.'
Bell listened intently to the surrounding sounds. After that recent battle, he could clearly feel his hearing and sense of smell had become sharper. While he still couldn't pinpoint a monster's exact location through scent alone, he could now tell if one was nearby through sound.
Judging by the noise, Bell confirmed that monsters were moving nearby. The volume matched what he'd expect from goblins, so he assumed they were Dungeon-spawned goblins.
'Forget everything else for now. First, I need to earn enough for a ten-pull. Time to start grinding.'
Most adventurers didn't waste much time on the Dungeon's first floor. After all, only goblins spawned here, and even then, they only dropped magic stones—and not even consistently. So once they got past the beginner phase, adventurers rarely lingered on the first floor.
But Bell was an exception. The drop rate from goblins wasn't bad for him—magic stones, goblin daggers—it was worth it. Compared to the risk of heading to the second floor, spending his first day here was much safer.
And that's exactly what Bell did.
He entered the Dungeon at dawn, right as the sun came up, and didn't leave until sunset.
Just before stepping out of the Dungeon, Bell cautiously pulled up his hood to cover his face. It made him look a bit suspicious, and when a few people glanced his way, they quickly looked away.
Why? Because Bell wore only a simple windbreaker with nothing on his back—not even a bag. Anyone could tell he was a complete newbie. Most probably thought he was just covering up out of embarrassment.
Looking like that, Bell headed straight for the Guild. The magic stones he had gathered needed to be processed, and he had a pile of goblin daggers to deal with too.
For regular use, keeping about twenty was probably enough. The two top floors had weaker monsters, and goblin daggers were still effective. If he ran into something they couldn't handle, his only option would be to find a way to escape.
'I hope Miss Eina's still there.'
Bell picked up the pace toward the Guild. He still had to return home before sunset to let Goddess-sama know he was safe. If he didn't hurry, weighing the magic stones and drop items would take up too much time.
Actually, the Guild's working hours were surprisingly long—much longer than Bell had expected. From nine in the morning to seven in the evening, it was a full day. Still, the tasks weren't too complex, so even though the hours were long, it didn't feel exhausting.
There were shift breaks too, so if he came at the wrong time, he might not see anyone.
Fortunately, Bell was in luck today.
Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Eina's Shock
Chapter Text
Bell arrived at the Guild just before sunset.
At this time of day, with the sun dipping below the horizon, the adventurers still toiling in the Dungeon hadn't returned yet, while those working on the upper floors had already come back long ago. Because of this timing, the Guild was currently quiet, having just passed its busiest period.
The moment he stepped inside, Bell spotted Miss Eina sitting at the reception desk. His luck was pretty good—he didn't have to deal with an unfamiliar receptionist. With that in mind, he walked straight toward her.
"Miss Eina."
Eina, who had just wrapped up a round of busy work, looked up at the familiar voice. Wasn't this the new adventurer who'd just registered yesterday? She remembered his name—Bell Cranel. He'd struck her as someone with a decent sense of self-awareness. That was probably why she'd been a bit blunt with him.
Thinking back on the slightly harsh words she had said, Eina's demeanor grew more serious. As a receptionist, she hadn't been wrong in how she handled things—but as a person, she knew her words might have stung. Especially after realizing how thoughtful he actually was, she couldn't help feeling a bit guilty.
Still, Eina understood the importance of maintaining a professional distance from adventurers. Getting too close could lead to unnecessary complications. So the way she chose to make it up to him was through her work ethic.
Looking more closely, Eina noticed some green residue still smeared on Bell's face. It was blood—likely from a goblin. He must have just returned from the Dungeon, probably just the first floor.
"Bell, did you just get back from the Dungeon?"
"Yeah. I was just wandering around the beginner's zone, checking out the goblins. After facing them directly, I realized even the ones on the top floor aren't easy to handle. If I hadn't been lucky today, it probably wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
Eina studied the boy in front of her. Fourteen—still within the age of impulsive decisions. If he were a little older, he might have been better prepared to face the Dungeon's dangers. But that wasn't something she could control. After all, being an adventurer meant going into the Dungeon, just like a fisherman had to cast a line. It was simply inevitable. And as a receptionist, interfering with that would be overstepping her bounds.
"I came today because I was hoping Miss Eina could help me with something."
Bell didn't hesitate, going straight to the point. As an adventurer, there were only a few reasons to visit the Guild—usually to check on Dungeon reports or to process Magic Stones and Drop Items.
Eina understood right away but found it odd that he was asking for her help specifically. The Guild had a designated counter for buying and selling Magic Stones and drop items, and it was just nearby. Was he really just asking her to do something that basic? It didn't seem like that was all.
'Is there some reason behind this?'
She wasn't sure, but didn't press him. Maybe whatever reason he couldn't say out loud was the reason he came to her. So Eina gave a small nod, stood up from her chair, and pointed toward the adjacent room used for handling private matters.
"Bell, go wait in that room. I'll be right there."
"Thank you."
Bell was genuinely grateful that Miss Eina trusted him. She seemed even kinder than he had imagined. If that was the case, maybe he'd just ask her for help with handling Magic Stones and drops from now on.
He stood up and headed to the room she'd indicated.
There was no external lock—he pushed the door open and stepped inside. But as he closed it, he noticed several special locks fitted on the interior. Once the door shut, it blocked out all outside noise. The room had no windows, and its only light source was the soft glow of an orange-yellow Magic Stone.
'The room's confidentiality is solid. As long as no one sees me take out a large number of Magic Stones and Drop Items, no one can know. Unless Miss Eina is somehow controlled and accidentally lets something slip.'
'But anyone capable of doing that definitely wouldn't be human. As for hiding from the gods, that's just a matter of luck. As long as my luck holds, no one will pay attention to a small fry like me.'
In the middle of the room stood a long table, flanked by sofas on both sides.
Bell didn't sit down. He remained standing, waiting quietly for Miss Eina to arrive.
Before long, Eina walked in alone. Upon opening the door, she noticed Bell standing there. Slightly surprised, she gestured for him to take a seat.
"Bell, please sit down first."
"Alright."
Bell didn't hesitate and sat directly across from her.
"Bell, what is it that you need help with?"
Eina was genuinely curious why Bell insisted on speaking with her alone. If it was just to sell some Magic Stones and Drop Items, she might have to have a serious talk with him—messing around during work hours wasn't something to joke about.
Of course, Bell wasn't joking. Since he planned to rely on Miss Eina in the future to help handle Magic Stones and Drop Items, there were things she needed to know. Pressing his hands together with a soft sound, he slowly opened them—and countless Magic Stones spilled across the table like falling rain.
"Huh?"
Even someone as experienced as Eina froze. 'What did Bell just do?' She instinctively grabbed his hand to check—there were no holes, no tricks. So how had that many Magic Stones suddenly appeared?
Magic.
She understood instantly. That trick Bell had just used—he'd cast a spell. That was how the stones had emerged from his hands. And the nature of that spell explained why he had been so cautious.
"Bell... just now—was that magic?"
Bell gave a slight nod.
"Is it... space-type magic? The kind that stores items?"
He nodded again.
Eina immediately covered her face with both hands. In that moment, the weight of the situation hit her—if this ability were ever exposed, every god in Orario would be scrambling to snatch him up.
Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Strange Phenomenon
Chapter Text
'Spatial magic—and not just that, but storage magic too. Spatial magic alone is practically unheard of, and storage-type spatial magic is even rarer than rare. If Loki-sama found out about this, she'd probably go absolutely insane with excitement.'
Eina could practically picture it—Loki losing her mind. Everyone in Orario knew that every time the Loki Familia went on an expedition, they'd end up giving up simply because they couldn't carry everything back. In other words, if just one member of the Loki Familia possessed space magic, they'd be able to push their expeditions even deeper into the Dungeon.
'Too bad this kid didn't join the Loki Familia. If his ability remained unchanged after joining, Loki-sama might really have laughed herself to madness.'
Eina quickly looked up.
"Bell-kun, since this is something so important, you need to be extra careful. You should return to your Familia, repackage the Magic Stones there, and only then bring them here to sell. That way, you can keep everything under wraps, right?"
Bell knew that made sense—but he just couldn't do it. He pressed a hand to his face, frustrated. That kind of approach would only make him stand out even more. When it comes down to revealing a secret to one person versus the whole world, even with his eyes closed, Bell knew which option to choose.
"Miss Eina, it's not just Magic Stones I want to sell. If it were only that, I wouldn't have to expose my magic at all. But what I've collected in the Dungeon isn't limited to just Magic Stones."
Not just Magic Stones?
Eina was momentarily confused. Drop Items? But the drop rate for those was extremely low. Why would anyone need to reveal a secret like this just for one or two rare items?
While Eina was still trying to make sense of it, Bell acted. With a casual snap of his fingers, the empty room echoed with the clattering sounds of metal. Weapons dropped in a torrent, the noise ringing out again and again, until it finally stopped. In just that brief span of time, the entire room was nearly filled.
Bell let out a long sigh. He didn't know whether to blame his luck, but after killing a goblin, a Magic Stone and a short sword would always appear. The Magic Stone, sure—that was expected. But the short sword? That definitely wasn't normal. And that was exactly why he had to play one of his cards.
It wasn't that he wanted to reveal anything—there were just too many goblin short swords. If he sold them out in the open, he'd definitely attract unwanted attention. And being targeted this early on could be fatal. So Bell chose the safest person he could trust to show his hand to.
'That many!?'
Eina was completely dumbfounded by the sound and the mountain of short swords. Her neck stiffly turned toward Bell, finger pointing at the pile beside him.
"Bell-kun, are these... all Drop Items?"
Bell gave a sheepish, helpless nod.
Once that was confirmed, Eina's face twitched.
Just what was with this number of Drop Items? Not even a large Familia like the Loki Familia could bring back this many from a single expedition. This haul was several times more than what the Guild usually received in an entire day.
Eina picked up one of the short swords and examined it carefully. Very quickly, she realized where it had come from. She looked up at Bell, stunned.
These were goblin drops. But how on earth had so many of these ultra-rare items appeared?
Goblins aren't exactly hard to kill in the Dungeon—if anything, they're one of the easiest monsters to deal with. But precisely because they're so easy, their drop items are incredibly rare. So rare, in fact, that the Guild might only see about ten Goblin Daggers in one or two years.
But right now, there were easily hundreds scattered across the floor—enough to match what the Guild would usually collect over several decades. If someone had told Eina this was possible, she'd never have believed it. No one could be that lucky.
"Bell-kun, just how many goblins did you kill today?"
Bell gave a helpless look, pointed at the daggers around him, and answered.
"Two hundred and eighty-four."
That number alone was already way beyond normal. The first floor of the Dungeon shouldn't even be able to produce that many goblins. Most monsters respawn at fixed intervals, and for goblins, that usually meant three waves a day, with just a dozen or so each time.
So how did this add up to 284?
Eina took a deep breath, her expression turning serious as she looked at Bell.
"Bell-kun, did you run into a Monster Parade?"
"...Miss Eina, do you really think something like a Monster Parade could happen on the first floor?"
A Monster Parade—an anomaly unique to the Dungeon—meant a floor suddenly overflowing with monsters. But that kind of phenomenon only occurred on the third floor or deeper. It had been repeatedly confirmed that Monster Parades never happened on the first floor. If they did, the Dungeon entrance would've been swarmed and shut down long ago.
Eina quickly realized her assumption was wrong. A Monster Parade on the first floor was out of the question. But even if one did happen, it still wouldn't explain 284 monsters. That kind of number couldn't possibly appear all at once—not even a Level 2 adventurer could handle being swarmed by so many goblins.
"Then how did you end up fighting that many goblins, Bell-kun?"
To be honest, Bell hadn't really thought about it either. He had noticed that the number of goblins he encountered seemed unusually high for gaining experience—but they hadn't come all at once. Thinking back, it was more like every time he finished off a group, another would appear after a short while.
"I'm not really sure myself. It was like... after I took down four or five goblins, then paused for a bit to rest or regroup, another group would show up soon after. Except for the long break I took around lunchtime, every time I was ready to move again, I'd find another wave had spawned shortly after."
The moment she heard that, Eina fixed her gaze on Bell. The timing, the pacing—it all sounded like the goblins were appearing in response to him. Whether it was the lunch break or the staggered arrivals, it all seemed oddly aligned with his own rhythm.
But Eina wasn't sure if she was overthinking it. This was something she had never seen before. At least in all her time working here, nothing like this had ever happened.
Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Eina's Warning
Chapter Text
'It seems this anomaly is tied solely to Bell-kun. If anyone else were to find out, it would definitely attract the attention of the gods. There's a secret hidden within Bell—something that sets him apart. But the boy doesn't seem to realize it himself. From now on, I'll need to be even more careful. I can't let anyone discover his secret.'
Eina had no intention of revealing this to any god. Being entrusted with a secret meant that she had earned Bell's trust, and she wasn't about to betray that. She would do everything in her power to help him keep it hidden.
"Bell-kun, whatever we just talked about, make sure no one else ever hears a word of it. If the higher-ups in the Guild catch wind of what happened just now, you could become a subject of research. The Guild is constantly studying the Dungeon. If you're found to be interfering with its mechanics, even unintentionally, they'll start investigating you."
"That's why you must avoid forming parties with others. It might seem like a small thing, but for your future, it would be a serious setback. There are many floors in the Dungeon that can't be cleared solo. Teaming up is usually the fastest way to reach the middle levels. But if you want to keep your secret safe, you can't afford to take risks. Your only choice is to steadily build your strength on your own, one step at a time."
No party meant no support. Pushing your limits and moving forward wouldn't just require effort—it would mean taking real risks. The gap between Lv.1 and Lv.2 was immense. Crossing it took desperation.
Without question, it was dangerous. Eina normally preached that "Adventurers shouldn't take risks"—a belief she stood by. But for this child, she couldn't keep saying that. Not when he had a secret to protect.
"In fact, that works out just fine for me."
From the start, Bell had never been one to trust his so-called "allies." In a city like Orario, trusting someone was tantamount to handing over your life—and Bell wasn't the type to make foolish decisions like that.
"Because of my past, I can't bring myself to trust anyone. And Orario is a place where finding a trustworthy companion is easier said than done."
"If that's how you feel, then follow your own path."
Eina wanted to guide him—to offer a different perspective—but he'd already made it clear: he couldn't trust others because of something in his past. Eina didn't know what that past entailed, but in this moment, she desperately wished she did.
It was obvious Bell's maturity had come at a price. The way he quietly suppressed himself, the way he tried to go unnoticed—it all pointed to deep wounds. He had built up walls around his heart because he knew exactly where it could be hurt. Not everyone could break through those walls, and not everyone deserved to.
She'd only known Bell for three days. It was clear she hadn't earned the right to ask more.
Still, looking around at the goblin daggers strewn across the floor, Eina couldn't help feeling overwhelmed. There was no way to appraise all of them in a short time. And these daggers' existence had to remain a secret too—if word got out inside the Guild, Bell's secret would be exposed.
"Bell-kun, let's talk about the value of these Goblin Daggers. The Magic Stones from goblins aren't worth much—about 100 Valis apiece. But Goblin Daggers are a different story. They're exceptionally sharp weapons, and they can even pierce the thick hide of a Minotaur. That makes them worth around 100,000 Valis each."
The number stunned Bell. He'd assumed they were worth maybe 10,000 at most. Who would've guessed they were ten times that?
"Drop items from monsters are really worth that much?"
Eina realized then—she'd need to explain everything from the ground up.
"Bell-kun, the value of drop items from upper-level monsters typically ranges from 1,000 to 10,000 Valis. Most of them are materials for weapons or potions, so they need further refinement. That's why upper-floor drops don't fetch particularly high prices. But weapons are a different story altogether."
"The Goblin Dagger is a weapon capable of seriously injuring a Minotaur, a monster found only in the middle levels. That puts its value outside the standard upper-level range. Its sharpness alone—enough to wound even middle-tier monsters—is what makes it so valuable. On top of that, Goblin Daggers have an extremely low drop rate, so their worth is just a step below the low-grade weapons sold in stores."
With Eina's explanation, Bell finally understood why the daggers were so expensive. The key was that Goblin Daggers were finished weapons—they didn't need further forging or sharpening. Their quality was good, and they could even slice through a Minotaur's hide. That kind of effectiveness gave them real value.
"Bell-kun, how many do you have in total?"
"Two hundred sixty-four."
"That's 26.4 million Valis. Earning that kind of fortune on your very first trip into the Dungeon... If the other Familias find out, they'll be stunned by your earning potential."
Bell let out a bitter smile. "Stunned" was putting it mildly—this would terrify them. Even he was a bit frightened by what he'd just pulled off. Starting with 26.4 million Valis—if he could maintain this pace for a week, he could probably afford a top-tier weapon.
Of course, pulling this stunt again wasn't an option.
Once was already eye-catching enough. If he kept doing it, he'd inevitably draw the attention of people with less-than-honorable intentions. Just selling this batch already exposed him to risk. He wouldn't survive repeating the same move multiple times.
'This should be the last time. From now on, aside from Magic Stones, I'd better not sell any materials through the Guild. I might need Goddess-sama's help to offload these—or ask Hephaestus-sama for access to one of her channels.'
After the playful remark, Eina's tone turned serious. She could offer Bell a lot of help here at the Guild—but that support wasn't limitless. She needed to set some boundaries. This kind of operation needed to be controlled carefully to avoid drawing attention.
If Bell kept pulling moves like this, it wouldn't just be the gods watching—eventually, even the Guild wouldn't be able to cover for him.
"Bell-kun, we really need to talk about these daggers. Moving forward, you have to limit the amount of monster drop items you sell. Otherwise, it won't just be the gods watching you—the Guild will be keeping tabs too. I can help you smooth things over this time, but this trick? It only works once."
"So next time, Bell-kun, you'd better find a different way to handle the surplus."
Chapter 21: Chapter 21: The Overtime Appraiser
Chapter Text
Orario's currency typically comes in denominations of 100, 1,000, and 10,000 Valis, each corresponding to different sizes of gold coins.
Bell sold all his Goblin daggers for a total of 26.4 million Valis. Even so, the Guild still made a considerable profit. A single Goblin dagger only ranks slightly below low-tier weapons, so 100,000 Valis per piece was already a bargain. Once recycled, they could easily sell for 150,000 Valis apiece.
Eina had explained this to Bell as well, and he didn't see anything wrong with it. There's always a price margin in any transaction—there's no reason the Guild shouldn't profit from buybacks.
With a hefty sum in hand, Bell left the Guild quietly.
Since she needed to help Bell keep things under wraps, Eina had handed over the money even before the appraisal began. Naturally, once Bell left, the appraisal process in that room commenced.
Eina stepped out of the private room and entered the Guild's main hall. At that time of day, few Adventurers were around to conduct business. For Eina, it was the perfect moment.
"Faris, there are some items in the room that need appraisal."
The appraisers were lounging around at their stations, but at Eina's words, they all immediately stood up. Everyone knew that room was used for confidential meetings, usually involving items that couldn't be assessed out in the open. Still, had Eina entered with someone earlier?
Since Bell had been wearing a long coat and hood when he arrived—and he wasn't particularly eye-catching to begin with—few noticed him entering the room. Plus, Eina didn't exit until some time after Bell had left, so most of the Guild staff had already forgotten he was ever there.
Not that the appraisers cared much. The room was meant for transactions involving goods—or sellers—that needed to stay discreet. Not knowing who the seller was wasn't anything unusual in the Guild.
A few of the appraisers, well-versed in the routine, made their way into the room and shut the door behind them. Transactions in that room weren't meant to be seen from the outside, and the items were always handled with strict confidentiality. The appraisers, knowing the protocol, closed the door without a word.
"!?"
But the moment they stepped inside, they were stunned by the sight.
The entire floor was covered in short daggers of the same type. They were packed so tightly that a careless move could have someone tripping and falling. The blades shimmered with a cold gleam—so visibly sharp that no one in their right mind would touch them casually.
Snapping out of their daze, one appraiser crouched down and picked up a dagger for a closer look. The blade was in excellent condition, and the edge was pristine—it didn't seem used at all. From its features, he quickly identified the weapon.
"These are... Goblin daggers?"
"No way."
Another appraiser, skeptical, picked one up and gave it a thorough examination. Before long, he reached the same conclusion: "Goblin daggers." Judging by how new they looked, they must've been freshly looted.
"So many Goblin daggers? These things have such a low drop rate—you might not see one for months. What happened this time?"
Seeing the floor covered with so many identical daggers, the appraisers immediately understood what kind of transaction this was.
Still, understanding it didn't make them any less speechless. The two daggers they had just examined were in excellent condition, clearly freshly dropped. Once the Guild resold them, they'd bring in a tidy profit. But this many? The floor was packed, the sheer volume made it impossible to count them at a glance.
The two appraisers froze for a moment as the reality of their task set in. Their faces turned pale.
"Eina... you don't mean we have to appraise all of these, do you?"
Appraising Magic Stones was easy. Most monster drops were too. But weapons were another story—they required far more attention. The quality of a weapon directly affected its resale price, which meant appraisers had to be meticulous. That made it one of the most demanding parts of the job.
Still, that was what they were here for.
The two appraisers held on to a faint glimmer of hope. But Eina crushed it without hesitation. With a sweet smile, she delivered the line that sent them tumbling into despair.
"Weapon appraisal is an important part of Guild transactions. So I'll be counting on you two."
With that, she turned and walked out, leaving them behind. Guild rules were clear: once appraisal began, the appraisers weren't allowed to leave the room until it was finished. Which meant the two stuck inside wouldn't be making it to dinner.
They stared blankly at each other.
"She really just dumped us here?"
"Clearly. Eina's totally thrown us under the bus. We're not allowed out until it's all done. Just give up."
Neither of them were rookies—they both knew the rules. But as they looked at the room crammed full of Goblin daggers, they could only fall silent.
"Sigh... Eina really screwed us over this time."
"Let it go. A big transaction like this isn't necessarily bad for us. We'll get a cut of the profits once we finish the appraisal. It's just... a bit of a grind."
One of them let out a helpless sigh. He knew how these things worked. But there were just too many Goblin daggers in that room. Thorough appraisal work wasn't something that could be rushed, and judging from the quantity, they'd be at it well into the next day.
These two poor appraisers had clearly become the "sacrificial lambs" of this deal.
Still, the compensation afterward was nothing to scoff at. For big transactions like this, it was standard for appraisers to get a share of the profits. And if it meant working overtime, well, you could think of the bonus as hazard pay.
Outside the room, Eina let out a small sigh of relief. She turned back toward the door and whispered, "Sorry." But she didn't have the luxury of lingering—there was still more to do in keeping this deal under wraps.
Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Bell-kun Really Is a Good Kid
Chapter Text
With the day's haul in hand, Bell returned to the ruined church. The moment he saw someone standing outside, he picked up his pace and ran over.
"Bell!"
Waiting for him, of course, was Hestia, who had been worrying nonstop. Ever since Bell left that morning, she had been fretting at home—this was her child's first time entering the Dungeon, and she'd been terrified something might happen. Seeing him return safe and sound, her anxiety finally eased.
Relieved, she ran straight toward him and hugged him before he could even react.
Two soft impacts landed squarely against Bell's stomach. The sensation was unmistakable—so clear that even through his clothes, he could feel their shape. Even calm and composed Bell couldn't completely hold his expression together for a moment. Not because he lacked self-control around women, but because this particular goddess was... overwhelming.
"Mmm~ It really is Bell, not a ghost."
That firm, real feeling reassured Hestia that her worry hadn't been for nothing. She instinctively placed her hands over her chest—finally, her heart could rest.
"Goddess-sama, I told you I'd come back from the Dungeon. Plus, it was just the first floor. I can handle that much."
"Hmph, Bell, that's not the point. Even if I know you can handle it, I'm still going to worry."
She shot him a glance, but now that her anxiety had subsided, she felt much better. As long as Bell came back, that was all that mattered.
"So, Bell, how did your first trip into the Dungeon go?"
Listening to her Familia's first Dungeon experience was important. As a god, she was barred from entering the Dungeon and would never have that kind of experience herself. Hestia was curious—she wanted to hear about it through Bell's eyes.
"It felt like... the monsters were way stronger than I expected."
The first thing that came to Bell's mind when thinking of the Dungeon was the goblins he'd fought all day. Those creatures had intelligence—they knew when they couldn't win in a head-on fight and would try to gang up instead. Once they saw a move, they wouldn't fall for it again. They were quick to catch on.
"The goblins on the first floor... they're faster and more agile than regular people, and surprisingly strong too. If a normal short sword couldn't cut through their hide, killing them would've been really hard."
"And they definitely showed signs of intelligence. Once you used a trick on them, it was tough to fool them with the same one again."
Intelligence?
Hestia's eyes widened. She couldn't believe what she was hearing—Bell had actually said goblins possessed a certain degree of intelligence. She stared at him intently, asking him again and again just to be sure.
"Bell, are you sure you weren't just imagining it?"
"I don't think so. During the fight, I used the same move more than once, but the goblins that had seen it before reacted immediately and countered. I think that's a sign they possess some degree of intelligence."
Bell wasn't entirely certain, but based on how the goblins behaved, he believed they did. They definitely showed signs of intelligence. What he wasn't sure of was whether that intelligence was temporary—just a byproduct of combat—or if all Dungeon-born monsters had a certain level of awareness.
Hestia fell silent after hearing that. If what Bell said was true, then goblins really did possess a level of intelligence. But how could that be? Monsters were supposed to be mindless creatures. If they were intelligent... wouldn't that make them no different from humans?
Adventurers could freely slaughter Dungeon monsters because they were considered soulless threats. Monsters endangered the lives of innocent people on the surface—if not destroyed, it was the civilians who would suffer.
But if monsters possessed intelligence, if they could eventually think like people... then could killing them still be called justice?
Hestia didn't have an answer.
And she didn't dare keep thinking down that path.
Even she couldn't say for sure whether something like that could really happen in the Dungeon. But what if it did?
She stared intently at Bell.
"Bell, what if the monsters in the Dungeon someday gain the same intelligence as humans?"
Bell shook his head slightly. Whether or not that future existed, he didn't see it as something he couldn't handle.
"Goddess-sama, I made up my mind the moment I became an Adventurer. If something doesn't stand in my way, I won't bother with it. But if it does, I'll overcome it—sooner or later."
It was a simple truth.
The world Bell had come from had long since abandoned the idea of morality. The phrase 'if you didn't knock them down, why bother helping them up' had already torn down the values he was taught as a child. He'd discarded those elementary school ideals, like helping the elderly across the street. Those with morality were the ones morality came back to punish—so Bell had learned long ago to stay indifferent.
An old man collapsed on the road? What did that have to do with him? If it wasn't his problem, why get involved?
"If intelligent monsters really do appear, I'll treat them just like any other threat an Adventurer would face. If they come at me, I won't hold back."
"But if they help me... then even if people whisper behind my back, I'll return the favor."
Seeing Hestia stunned by his words, Bell scratched his cheek, unsure if he'd said something wrong.
"Goddess-sama, was there something wrong with my answer?"
Hestia snapped out of it and smiled, full of relief. 'As I thought... Bell really is a good kid.'
With that thought, her heart settled. She didn't know whether the Dungeon held such secrets, but one thing was clear—Bell had already made up his mind.
"No, there's nothing wrong, Bell. You're a good boy, and the choice you've made is the right one. Good and evil can't be rigidly defined—they're just perspectives. Bell, as long as you follow what you believe is right, that's enough."
Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Rapid Growth
Chapter Text
"Well, let's not talk about anything else for now, Bell. Let's update your stats."
Having a God update your status is a crucial step. Updating a Familia member's status provides a clearer picture of their growth in strength. Naturally, it's also a necessary means of getting stronger. The most important part is the update that comes with leveling up.
If an Adventurer has gained enough experience to level up but doesn't have their status updated by their Familia God, their level will never increase. The stats they've pushed to their limits at that level can't be improved further unless the update is done. That's why status updates are essential—and incredibly important—for any Adventurer.
For most large Familias, you usually have to make an appointment with the Familia God for a status update. But Hestia Familia only has one member—Bell—so there's no need to book anything. The update is all his.
Bell took off his shirt and turned his back to his goddess.
Hestia gently pricked her finger with a needle, then drew a vertical line down Bell's back with her bloodied fingertip. The tattoo on Bell's back, the mark of the "Hestia Familia," began to glow, revealing Bell's current parameters.
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.1
Attributes:
Strength: G284
Endurance: F304
Dexterity: E421
Agility: E474
Magic: F346
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space": Storage
Skills:
"Personal Training": Early Bloomer
"Heaven's Luck": High Luck]
"This is just one day's growth!?"
Even though Hestia knew Bell had the rare skill "Early Bloomer," which guaranteed rapid growth, this level of progress in a single day was far beyond what she'd imagined. In all of Orario, the fastest anyone had ever reached Lv.2 took over a year. That included accumulating high-level experience and steadily training their attributes.
But Bell had gone from I0 to these numbers in just a day. In one single day, he had achieved what would take others half a year—or even several years—to accomplish. In that moment, Hestia once again realized just how exceptional the "Early Bloomer" skill truly was.
Her gaze shifted downward, locking onto the new skill that appeared in the update. The name "Heaven's Luck," along with the words "High Luck," stood out clearly. Skills related to luck were considered to be on par with "Early Bloomer"—both were among the rarest of rare. And yet, Bell had both.
Seeing this, Hestia began to question the gods themselves. Back when she used to freeload at Hephaestus's place, she had never once heard of such rare skills showing up in Orario. If you counted Bell's innate spatial magic too, then he truly had started with a special-type magic and two rare-type skills.
'Did I save the world in a past life or something? Why would someone like Bell-kun join my Familia?'
Hestia couldn't help but wonder if she'd done some kind of good deed in the past. Starting out with a Familia member who had three special traits was just too much. She had no doubt that if Bell's abilities were ever exposed, the gods would immediately swarm him—he was far too extraordinary.
'But now that things have come this far, I absolutely can't let Bell-kun be taken away by another god.'
Snatching away members from other Familias was something nearly every god would do, and there were just too many to guard against. However, as long as Bell's existence stayed hidden from the other gods, it wouldn't be much of a problem. Hestia had already made up her mind: she would never let any other god find out about Bell's stats.
Once the update was complete, Hestia pressed the glowing light of Bell's status back into the tattoo on his back. Normally, she would transcribe the update for him to see, but given the current situation, leaving a physical record might bring unwanted trouble. So she decided to skip the transcription and opted to explain things out loud instead.
"Bell-kun, your update is finished."
"Got it."
Hearing that, Bell put his clothes back on. When he turned around and didn't see the usual status sheet, he immediately understood why. He'd grown too quickly in a single day. Leaving a record of that could easily become a liability.
Hestia took a moment to steady herself. Witnessing Bell's growth firsthand had really shaken her. She needed time to calm down too—any more shock and she might've been too stunned to speak.
"Ahem. Bell-kun, your growth today went far beyond what I ever imagined. Every stat saw a massive increase. Your lowest attribute is already nearing 300, and your highest even broke 400. For most Adventurers, even a year or two of effort might not get them that far."
"If you keep growing at this pace, you might hit the upper limit of Lv.1 within a month. But crossing that boundary won't be easy. You'll need to face much greater challenges—without collecting advanced experience, you won't be able to level up."
Ordinary attribute gains required steady accumulation over time. Only when at least one stat reached a minimum of D rank and enough advanced experience had been earned would an Adventurer qualify for a level-up.
For most, building up their stats was the most time-consuming part of the process. But for Bell, who had managed to push two attributes past 400 in just one day, this wasn't the bottleneck. The real hurdle was advanced experience.
That kind of experience came only from defeating monsters stronger than yourself. But the Upper Floors didn't have any opponents that strong. So once Bell reached a certain level of growth, his next step would be to break into the Middle Floors. Otherwise, he'd never gather the experience needed to level up.
"Bell-kun, don't worry about all those complicated things just yet. For now, your focus should be on maxing out your attributes. Once that's done, start taking on monsters stronger than you. I'll figure something out from there."
For Hestia, this wasn't entirely unmanageable. All she had to do was ask that annoying Loki for a favor. Knowing her, if Hestia so much as bowed her head, Loki would be all too happy to help just to see her humbled.
Bell glanced at Hestia's reluctant expression and instantly understood what that "solution" entailed. Considering which gods she was closest to, he quickly put the pieces together—Lady Hestia was planning to ask Loki for help.
Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Astonishing Number of Drop Items
Chapter Text
"Goddess-sama, there's no need to worry about that right now. I don't think we're at that point yet. Leveling up is important, sure—but I don't want to take the path where everyone notices. I'd rather level up quietly, out of sight. Even if I do level up, I think it's best to rely on my own strength."
Bell had made that decision from the start. If he ever needed to hide his level, it wouldn't be to exaggerate it—he would underreport it.
There was also the matter of favors.
Favors were one of the hardest debts to repay. If Goddess-sama owed Loki a favor, the entire Familia would risk falling under the influence of Loki Familia. And to owe that kind of debt just to advance from Lv.1 to Lv.2? Bell didn't think it was worth it. It would also jeopardize his desire to stay hidden, which made it even more unacceptable.
"But Bell-kun, it's dangerous to take on stronger monsters by yourself. If we had someone from Loki Familia watching over you, it would at least be safer."
"Maybe so, but everything that shouldn't be revealed would be exposed. And next time, Goddess-sama would have to repay that favor. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to face Loki-sama with her head held high."
"Ugh..."
Hestia could already picture it—herself bowing to Loki. Just imagining it made her shudder. Honestly, she didn't want to ask that annoying flat-chested pest for anything. She was the great Hestia, and yet she'd have to lower her head to her? Unthinkable. She was only willing to do it for Bell's safety. Otherwise, bowing to that flat-chested nuisance? Hah!
Still, Bell had a point. Asking Loki for help would mean exposing everything about his situation. Considering what was at stake, it was better to avoid that. At least until Bell had fully grown, he shouldn't be standing in front of too many gods.
Seeing that Hestia had calmed down, Bell continued from where he left off.
"Goddess-sama, I'm still in the middle of building myself up. Thinking about breaking past my limits now is just too soon. Besides, there's something else I noticed in the Dungeon today—something about the monsters, aside from their intelligence."
"Something else?"
"Yes. Actually, for some reason, my luck was unusually good today. Most of the monsters on the first floor were Goblins, and I was only there to get a feel for the Dungeon's atmosphere. But as I was defeating them, I realized something: they weren't just dropping Magic Stones—they were also dropping Goblin Daggers."
Hestia immediately understood what Bell was getting at. She had just seen it during the status update: his second skill, "Heaven's Luck," a skill that boosts luck. So it wasn't all that surprising. Since the skill had manifested, a few Goblins dropping weapons was within expectations.
Hestia was also familiar with Goblin Daggers. Having stayed with Hephaestus before, she had a decent sense for weapons. Goblins on the first floor wielded sharp daggers, posing a real threat to Adventurers. If one dropped, it was considered a solid early-game weapon.
"Goblin Daggers are rare drops, if I remember right. But if one does drop, you wouldn't need to switch weapons for a while. For a beginner Adventurer, they're incredibly useful—you could use one all the way until the Middle Floors."
Bell of course knew this was a great development. For early Adventurers, weapons and potions were the biggest expenses, and necessary for progress. But he wasn't talking about just a few. Goddess-sama clearly hadn't grasped the scale yet, so he emphasized it.
"Goddess-sama, there's something you should know. When I said Goblin Daggers dropped, I didn't mean just a couple."
Hestia paused slightly. 'Wait... does he mean there were a lot of Goblin Daggers?' She couldn't help but wonder. Weren't Goblin Daggers supposed to be extremely rare? But seeing Bell's serious expression and the way he emphasized it, Hestia began to grow curious.
"Bell-kun, how many did you say dropped?"
"Two hundred eighty-four."
"..."
Hestia fell silent. She instinctively covered her face, wondering if she'd misheard. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to let the number slide and asked again just to be sure.
"Bell-kun, what was that number again?"
"Two hundred eighty-four."
"Goblin daggers?"
Bell gave a slight nod.
After confirming she hadn't misheard, Hestia couldn't hold back her reaction. "Ah!" she cried out, completely stunned. It was a number that would shock anyone—her outburst was only natural. But as the surprise settled, she slowly pulled herself back together.
"That many? And they were all Goblin daggers? Bell-kun, what exactly did you do in the Dungeon today?"
The number 284 was outrageous. Hestia couldn't help but wonder what on earth Bell had done down there to get so many Goblin daggers to drop.
Truth be told, Bell hadn't understood it himself, even as he left the Dungeon. He hadn't gone in with any special plan—just to get a feel for the atmosphere, prepare for deeper floors like the second or third. He only fought Goblins because they happened to be in his way, and he figured it would be good training.
As for the sheer number of drops... Bell couldn't really explain it either. He tried to kill as many Goblins as he could while conserving stamina. Part of it was testing the limits of "Personal Training"; the other part was trying to save up enough to pull in the gacha. Somehow, he ended up slaying so many Goblins in a single day, and they just kept dropping Goblin daggers.
So when Hestia asked what he'd done, Bell could only give an innocent reply.
"Goddess-sama, I really didn't do anything special. I just wanted to kill a few Goblins to get used to the Dungeon, maybe collect some Magic Stones to make a little money. Before I realized it, I'd killed a whole lot of them... and they dropped a bunch of Goblin daggers."
Hestia rested her chin in her hand. She might still be a relatively new goddess in Orario, but she knew plenty about the Dungeon. Two hundred eighty-four Goblin daggers meant at least that many Goblins—and that was no small number. But how could there have been that many Goblins just on the first floor?
The number of drops was one thing. The number of Goblins was another.
Still, Hestia soon pushed those questions aside. No matter what, Bell had made it back safely. Even if he'd faced an unusual number of Goblins, in the end, he was fine.
"Let's not dwell on it, Bell-kun. More drops are always a good thing, after all."
Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The Guild Is a Big Sieve
Chapter Text
"But those were just Goblin daggers... you didn't take them to the Guild, did you?"
Hestia spoke with a lighthearted smile. From her perspective, there was no way Bell would have sold something like that to the Guild. Once anything ended up in their hands, it wouldn't be long before the gods caught wind of it. But Bell was careful and cautious—he'd never do something so reckless.
And under normal circumstances, she would've been right. Anyone with even a bit of experience living in Orario would've looked for an alternate channel to get rid of something that risky. But Bell had only arrived two days ago—he simply didn't have that kind of awareness yet.
Which is how he'd walked straight into the trap.
Listening to Hestia-sama, Bell felt his face heat up. He really had made a dumb mistake. He'd taken all those Goblin daggers straight to the Guild without thinking. He hadn't considered asking Hephaestus-sama for help or finding another route. He'd just gone straight to the most obvious option.
Hestia kept laughing for a bit, but when Bell didn't respond, her laughter slowly faded. She glanced at his reddening face, her own expression tightening with a twitch.
She had to ask.
"Bell-kun... you didn't really take them to the Guild, did you?"
"...Yeah."
Hestia's eyes widened in disbelief. Calm, composed Bell had made a rookie mistake like this? Didn't he know? The Guild might be an official organization, but its structure leaked like a sieve. Anyone who wanted information could pull it out of there.
"Bell-kun, don't you realize? The Guild trades in information. It's not just about Dungeon reports—they'll sell internal intel too. Even the kind that shouldn't be talked about. As long as you offer the right incentive, they'll give it up."
"Goddess-sama... I've only been in Orario for two days."
Ah, right. Bell was just a newcomer from the countryside.
Hestia slapped her own forehead. Bell didn't act like a greenhorn, so she'd forgotten he was one. Really, this wasn't his fault—it was hers. As his goddess, she should've warned him about this kind of thing.
But now the situation with the Guild could be a problem. Who knew if someone there had already connected the dots and tipped off the other gods? Just thinking about it gave Hestia a headache.
Seeing Hestia-sama's distressed face, Bell couldn't help but feel guilty. When he went to deal with the daggers, his first instinct had been to head to the Guild—it was just the most obvious place. It was his first time handling something like this, and he'd completely forgotten that the Guild itself could be a problem.
Miss Eina had told him the same thing just earlier. Thinking of her, Bell suddenly realized...
"Goddess-sama, I asked Miss Eina for help earlier when I went to the Guild. Since it was about the Goblin daggers, I had to explain a few things to her."
"Eina... Eina Tulle? The Guild's top receptionist?"
Hestia instantly pictured Eina Tulle in her mind. She knew the woman was a half-elf, having interacted with her recently. That half-elf wasn't a bad person—diligent and serious about her work. Still, Hestia hadn't expected someone like that to be Bell's assigned receptionist.
"Are you sure that's okay? I've met that half-elf before, but I wouldn't be so certain she'll keep your secret. Bell-kun, it's best not to place too much trust in everything related to the Guild. There are quite a few receptionists who've leaked sensitive information—that's one of the reasons Ouranos issued a policy against receptionists getting too close to Adventurers."
History had proven that overly close relationships between receptionists and Adventurers led to trouble. Hestia recalled Hephaestus mentioning that back when the Guild was first founded, it faced a serious incident like that, resulting in a full-scale purge of its reception staff. Since then, the Guild had established strict rules governing receptionist conduct.
But rules were one thing—people were another.
Even if receptionists weren't allowed to get too close to Adventurers, there was nothing stopping them from getting close to the gods. So many receptionists ended up casually revealing sensitive information—without even realizing it. It wasn't officially a leak, just idle chatter that a god happened to overhear.
And since they were exploiting a loophole, even if an investigation followed, the receptionists wouldn't be punished. After that first case, similar incidents started cropping up regularly. From then on, any gods looking to probe for intel would just chat up a receptionist, and if they got something useful, they'd offer a little compensation.
Of course, it wasn't called a "bribe"—just a standard payment for services. Nothing illegal.
After learning how the Guild operated from Hephaestus, Hestia had mentally filed it away as a giant sieve. Once a secret was known to the Guild, it could leak at any time.
Though still uneasy, Bell's confidence in Miss Eina didn't waver.
"Goddess-sama, I believe Miss Eina will help keep this quiet. She already warned me earlier at the Guild that selling Goblin daggers there could expose my identity. She even said she'd do her best to keep things hidden. I don't think it'll be a problem this time. But moving forward... I'll be counting on your help too."
Hestia was still uneasy about Eina. She trusted Bell—but not the Guild's receptionists. To her, the Guild was nothing but a sieve. How could she believe someone from there would help Bell keep a secret?
Still, Hestia kept those doubts to herself. Even if she had concerns about Eina, she didn't want Bell to start worrying too. She'd just have to meet Eina in person later and confirm for herself whether Bell's information had been properly safeguarded.
Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Collaboration with the Hephaestus Familia
Chapter Text
"Bell, how many Valis did you sell those daggers for?"
Suppressing her worries about Eina, Hestia shifted her focus to the final sale price. She also wanted to ask about how the transaction was handled. Though she didn't fully understand the inner workings of the Guild, she still had more experience than Bell, enough to form a rough judgment on the process.
"Each dagger was bought for 100,000 Valis. I kept 20 for myself, and sold the remaining 264. That came out to a total of 26.4 million Valis."
"That much!?"
Hestia wasn't completely clueless about money. Back when she was freeloading off Hephaestus, she'd picked up a decent sense of its value. That made her even more aware of what Bell had accomplished—this was just one day's haul. If he kept this up, they could have everything they needed in no time.
Seeing the gleam in her eyes, Bell felt the need to gently bring her back to reality. Today's earnings were indeed impressive, but that didn't mean it would be like this every day.
"Goddess-sama, I think you should calm down a bit. The main reason I earned so much today is because of the Goblin Daggers. They're easy to use, since they're weapons dropped by first-floor Goblins, so they don't have many restrictions. But they're also incredibly sharp—sharp enough to deal with mid-floor monsters. That's why they fetch such a high price. If the drops from other floors aren't similarly sharp weapons, they won't sell for nearly as much."
Hestia's overexcited brain cooled down a bit. Now that she thought about it, it made sense. Weapons that are both sharp and usable by Level 1 Adventurers were the key factor here. Without those conditions, upper-floor drop items wouldn't go for high prices at the Guild. Unless Bell spent every day farming Goblins on the first floor, building a fortune this way just wasn't sustainable.
And if Goblin Daggers started flooding the market in Orario, it'd raise suspicion. One batch might be written off as old stock, but a second or third? Eventually, it'd all trace back to Bell. The risk of exposing his secret was too high, so Hestia gave up on using this method to get rich.
"Goddess-sama, besides that, I think we should try establishing a long-term partnership with Goddess Hephaestus."
Hestia's eyes lit up instantly. Listening to Bell's report, she felt more confident about persuading Hephaestus. Hephaestus might not lack drop items, especially from the upper floors, but her Familia was huge—having extra materials for forging could only help. Plus, those materials wouldn't just be used by Hephaestus's own people. Other Familias could buy them too.
In Orario, most Adventurers were Level 1. So even upper-floor materials, if forged properly, could bring in a lot of profit.
Hephaestus probably wouldn't mind letting the Hestia Familia become one of her suppliers. With Bell's Luck skill, they could ensure a steady flow of drop items. As long as Hephaestus saw Bell's skill for herself, there shouldn't be any problem.
If it were any other god, Hestia wouldn't even consider it. Exposing Bell's abilities wouldn't benefit her at all. But Hephaestus already knew about Bell's two skills—that changed everything. If she could trust them as suppliers, it meant Hestia could go back to eating and drinking for free under Hephaestus's roof.
Just thinking about that made Hestia glance over at Bell. The adorable, innocent Bell stood quietly, his blood-red eyes calm—like a rabbit waiting patiently for her answer.
Looking at him, Hestia felt a strange sense of peace. Even her excitement over the chance to freeload again had mellowed. That's right—she wasn't alone anymore. Her words and actions now represented the entire Hestia Familia... and Bell, who had just become her child.
'I don't want to look too pathetic in front of Bell.'
That was the last bit of dignity she had as the head of the Hestia Familia. Hestia didn't know whether Bell still saw her as someone respectable, but she didn't want to go back to her old, lazy self—especially not in front of him.
"Ahem! It's definitely worth discussing things with Hephaestus. Bell's Luck is a skill that benefits us tremendously. If we establish a partnership with Hephaestus, Bell will have a proper channel for handling Drop Items. Plus, I could ask Hephaestus to forge a weapon for you."
"!?"
Bell was caught off guard. He hadn't brought up weapons at all—so how had Goddess-sama already gotten to the point of asking Hephaestus to forge him one? He quickly tried to stop her.
"Goddess-sama, do you know how expensive weapons made by Hephaestus-sama are? Even if we multiplied all our assets tenfold, we probably still couldn't afford to commission one."
In the original story, Hestia did ask Hephaestus to make an upgradeable weapon. Sure, it was labeled at 200 million Valis—but anyone with sense knew that kind of weapon wouldn't go for less than 2 billion. That 200 million was likely just the cost of the materials.
Hephaestus didn't even treat it like a favor—she just slapped on a 200 million price tag up front. That alone says everything about how much pull Hestia really has. If it were any other god asking, Hephaestus wouldn't have blinked before quoting over 20 billion.
But was 20 billion Valis really that outrageous? The "200 million" weapon from the story could grow with its owner—it was practically alive. Once the wielder hit Level 5, the weapon would match that power. It was like gaining an extra Level 5 all on its own.
So, wouldn't a Level 5 be worth at least 20 billion Valis? And this wasn't just a Level 5 weapon—it had the potential to go even further. As long as its user grew fast enough, reaching Level 6 or even Level 7 wasn't out of the question.
Thinking about it like that, it was clear—Hestia's connections were seriously valuable.
Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Hephaestus Questions Her Divine Life
Chapter Text
In the early evening, Hephaestus' shop closed much earlier than usual. Normally, her forge was buzzing with activity well into the night—after all, for most adventurers, nighttime was just the start of their day. But today was different. Today, she had two guests who required her personal attention.
Hephaestus stared helplessly at the grinning idiot in front of her. She'd just seen her off yesterday, and now she was already back—and this time, she'd brought her one and only Familia member with her.
At that moment, Hephaestus could tell without a doubt: Hestia had come bearing trouble. After knowing her for so many years, Hephaestus didn't need more than a glance to figure her out.
"Hestia, didn't you leave just yesterday? Shouldn't you be home reflecting with your child on his first day in the Dungeon? What are you doing here?"
Hephaestus chose her words carefully, avoiding any bait. She had a feeling Hestia was about to drop a bombshell on her, so she'd been on guard from the moment they arrived. She wasn't about to let this fool drag her into something she'd regret.
But Hestia didn't seem the least bit concerned by her caution. Her adorably smug smile never left her face—clearly pleased with herself. She hadn't just come to discuss a potential partnership; she was here to brag. Specifically, about Bell's progress and the new skill he'd awakened.
"Bell-kun's already told me everything about the Dungeon. After updating his Status, I brought him here. Hephaestus, want to guess what his stats look like?"
Hephaestus eyed that proud little smile. Just from that, she could already tell—Bell's growth must've been outrageous. Otherwise, Hestia wouldn't have made a special trip just to show off. Still, the exact numbers were anyone's guess.
'With a skill like Early Bloomer, it's no wonder his growth rate is insane.' That thought gave Hephaestus a rough estimate in her mind. She wondered if Hestia was about to completely blow her expectations out of the water.
"Did his total attributes surpass 500?"
Each adventurer had five stats. A total of 500 meant an average of 100 in each. That was already a generous estimate. No one had ever broken 500 in a single day before.
"Hmph~ Of course not. How could my Bell-kun be so mediocre?"
Hestia beamed with pride. Hephaestus' guess had fallen short, just as expected. Even she had been stunned when she updated Bell's Status—there was no way anyone else could predict it.
"My Bell-kun's growth today was incredible. Don't faint on me now, Hephaestus."
"Yes, yes. Out with it already."
Seeing Hestia's smug expression, Hephaestus wasn't exactly surprised. She'd known this was a bragging visit from the start—and honestly, she didn't mind. But to hear that even a 500-point gain was considered "mediocre"? That piqued her curiosity.
"Hmph~ Bell-kun's lowest stat grew by nearly 300 in one day. Two of them even exceeded 400. That's how much he's grown."
"!?"
Even though she was prepared, Hephaestus couldn't hide her shock. The weakest stat nearly hit 300, two were over 400, and the remaining two were also above 300. That meant Hestia's child had gained at least 1,700 total stat points in just one day!?
She turned to look at Bell, standing quietly behind Hestia, with a newfound sense of astonishment. If that was how much he grew in a single day, then it wouldn't take more than a few months for Bell to reach a level that would drive any god to madness.
'No wonder Hestia called a total of 500 stat points "mediocre." I was being way too conservative.'
Hephaestus was genuinely shaken. Even if she didn't usually care too much about the strength of her Familia members, she still hoped her children could grow quickly.
Just one day. In a single day, Hestia's child had climbed to a level that made others look up in awe, all thanks to his skills. It was a powerful reminder of just how broken the "Early Bloomer" skill really was—especially since the skills this kid had came with no restrictions at all.
She shot a glance at Hestia, who was still beaming with smug satisfaction. Since the fool was clearly on cloud nine, Hephaestus didn't even bother asking what she was thinking. Instead, she turned to the one who mattered in this conversation.
"Alright. Tell me—why did Hestia bring you here?"
Bell gave a slight bow. Since the question was directed at him, he stepped forward and chose his words carefully before answering Hephaestus-sama.
"Hephaestus-sama, Goddess-sama hopes our Hestia Familia can form a long-term partnership with your Hephaestus Familia."
"Oh? So you're here to talk business."
That got Hephaestus interested. She wasn't particularly thrilled by Hestia's usual freeloading antics, but a proper collaboration? That was worth hearing out. She gestured for Bell to go on.
Catching the signal in her eyes, Bell shifted gears smoothly.
"Well, when Goddess-sama updated my Status after I came back today, I gained a new skill related to luck. Also… I managed to get 284 Goblin Daggers from the Dungeon. I think I'll be seeing a lot of Drop Items from now on, and I need a way to handle them."
Hephaestus gave him a slightly weird look. Just yesterday, one skill and one magic spell had already been enough to raise eyebrows—now he was back with a newly awakened Luck skill?
Even Hephaestus thought it was a bit much. And more than that, the skill apparently caused 284 Goblin Daggers to drop in one day.
The sheer number was strange enough—but that drop rate? It was insane. No wonder Hestia had dragged Bell over to her forge all of a sudden. Turns out, she was here looking for cover.
Now that Hephaestus understood the reason, she wasn't all that against the idea anymore.
Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Watch Out for That Woman
Chapter Text
Although Hestia's smug grin made Hephaestus itch with annoyance, she wasn't truly upset. After all, they'd known each other for a long time. She understood that with someone as unique as Bell, Hestia had no choice but to show off a little—though only to someone she trusted. There was no way Hestia would dare flaunt him in front of others. She'd be targeted in an instant.
"I don't really mind that. But seriously, how did you awaken such an absurd skill?"
Luck-type skills were among the rarest in existence. If they came with limitations, that was one thing. But if there were none, it was essentially like enhancing your own fate. Even the gods had no way to manipulate fate like that. The stronger the Luck skill, the stronger the "destiny" it implied. Of course, this was just a figure of speech. Not even the gods could fully grasp what luck truly was. In a way, to wield Luck was to wield Destiny itself.
That said, Hephaestus knew better than to take such sayings literally. Still, awakening something as rare as a Luck skill was already outrageous. First it was a spatial ability, then the Early Bloomer skill, and now Luck—all within just two days. It was as if Bell had single-handedly scooped up every rare magic and skill in Orario.
'How is this kid so special?'
It baffled Hephaestus. Bell was supposed to be a simple country boy from the lower world—yet somehow, he'd awakened skills and magic that were anything but ordinary. She had spent enough time down here to know how rare this kind of thing was. And she'd never seen anyone as ridiculous as him.
As for Bell, the question left him a bit speechless. In truth, he really was just an ordinary soul—just a lucky transmigrator.
'Personal Training' came from a Craft Essence granted by the system. Who knew how that had ended up classified as a skill in the Falna?
'Four-Dimensional Space' was also a built-in storage feature from the system—another transmigration perk. It wasn't something he awakened on his own.
And as for 'Heaven's Luck,' maybe that was just the reason he'd been chosen to transmigrate in the first place. Whether it was a blessing or a curse… well, that was up for debate.
All three of those traits had been with him since he crossed over. There probably wouldn't be any more outrageous abilities beyond that. Bell didn't expect to awaken any new skills either. After all, he was nothing like the Bell from the original story.
"Hephaestus-sama, I'm not really sure myself. I'm just an ordinary person—how would I know how I ended up with skills and magic like this?"
Hephaestus nodded, not particularly surprised. The Falna was designed to accelerate the growth of lower-world children. And while it couldn't be controlled or chosen by the recipient, the skills and magic that emerged were deeply tied to the child's inner nature.
Falna itself couldn't be manipulated—but the more unique a child's soul, the higher the chance they'd awaken something special.
'Looks like this kid has an especially remarkable soul. Soul… It suits Hestia, sure, but the more exceptional he is, the more likely that woman will come after him.'
A subtle worry began to settle in Hephaestus's heart. If that woman caught a glimpse of Bell's soul, there was no doubt she'd think, 'This child belongs to me.' The other gods might not sense it as long as Bell kept a low profile. But that woman? She'd see right through it.
"Hestia, you'd better watch out for Freya. If that woman sets her sights on this child, with her personality, she'll definitely try to take him for herself."
Hestia puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. As one of the gods, she was well aware of the threat. Freya, the Goddess of Beauty, was one of Orario's two reigning powers. When she fancied someone, she'd stop at nothing to make them hers. Right now, she was the last god Hestia wanted to deal with.
"That's exactly why I don't want Bell to get on her radar. That woman's nothing but a seductive fox—any man she sets her eyes on, she wants to devour. My Bell is still just a kid. I can't let her target him."
With that, she spun around and threw her arms around Bell, holding him tightly. Her eyes shimmered as she stared up at him.
"Bell-kun, you won't fall for that woman, right?"
Bell, caught in her embrace, felt a surge of pressure. Of course he wished he had some sort of resistance to charm effects, but the truth was, he was just a regular human. If only the Type-Moon System could help him out here, he might at least have a shot at standing firm. But no such luck.
"Goddess-sama, I think the real problem isn't whether I'll fall for her—it's whether she'll resort to... physical methods."
"She wouldn't... right?"
Hestia paused, then glanced nervously at Hephaestus. The smith goddess simply shrugged, clearly resigned. Many gods had their boundaries, but Freya wasn't one of them. If she wanted a child, she'd stop at nothing to get them.
"Others might go through proper channels, like a 'War Game,' to take someone. But Freya? She doesn't play by those rules. She prefers her targets to come willingly, so using extreme methods isn't out of the question for her."
"Ugh..."
Now even Hestia was starting to lose confidence. Freya was a beauty goddess. She couldn't use divine power in the lower world, sure—but as the Goddess of Beauty, she possessed a mesmerizing charm. That was her "Authority." Since it wasn't divine power, it wasn't restricted by the same rules.
"She's completely out of line, using her Authority so freely in Genkai."
Authority?
The irritation in Hestia's voice reached Bell's ears loud and clear.
Hephaestus let out a sigh. Every god possessed a unique Authority. While divine power was restricted in the lower world, Authority—at least in its simplest forms—didn't require divine power to activate. That's why goddesses like Freya were so dangerous. Their charm could directly influence the children they had their eyes on.
"Authority isn't bound by divine power restrictions. Still, gods in the lower world are expected not to overstep. Most of them avoid using their Authority recklessly. If they go too far, it causes divine resonance. And if a god's divine power use exceeds the limit, Ouranos will forcefully send them back to Tenkai."
"Tch! Why not just ban it outright?"
Hestia grumbled without holding back. If the gods had already chosen to descend, they shouldn't bring their divine baggage with them. To her, it was nothing short of cheating.
Hephaestus rolled her eyes.
"You think all gods are like you? Just because you don't use your Authority doesn't mean the rest shouldn't. The gods were granted the right to use their Authority precisely so they wouldn't just turn around and head back to Tenkai. For most gods, their Authority is the only reason they can stay grounded down here. Even Ouranos can't completely ban it."
Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Since We're Partners, A Few Requests Aren't Too Much, Right?
Chapter Text
"So for now, just keep your child away from Freya. Her Familia members are all Level 5, 6, or 7, so under normal circumstances, they won't have direct contact with your child. And that woman only resorts to force when her softer tactics fail. Simply being seen by her shouldn't cause too much trouble."
Hephaestus knew a bit about Freya's personality. That woman preferred to discover things on her own, not rely on others. She would only act aggressively when every other approach had failed. After all, more than just wanting exceptional children, what she really wanted was their hearts.
"But still, you need to be cautious around her. Avoid direct encounters if you can. If she sets her sights on a target, she won't let them go easily."
Hephaestus had no way of shielding Hestia's child if it came down to facing Freya. Even as a god, he had to be realistic. No god from Tenkai wanted to go head-to-head with Freya. That goddess never held back when she moved from the shadows.
"That said, as long as the kid stays put and doesn't go to the Dungeon, the odds of running into Freya are pretty low. She may have the ability to see through someone's soul, but she can't just lock onto someone at will. If she doesn't look directly at your child, she won't notice anything."
There were just too many children in Orario's lower world to count.
Freya's ability only worked on individuals. Her ability to see through someone's soul required her to actually see that person amidst the crowd. So Hephaestus didn't think finding Bell among all those people would be easy.
Hestia fell quiet after that.
But Bell alone remained visibly tense. Not because of anything in particular—just the fact that he knew the Goddess of Beauty, Freya, had an alias. And that alias happened to own a rather famous restaurant in Orario. It was precisely because of that persona that she was able to keep discovering brilliant souls.
'My soul definitely isn't brilliant. There's no way I'd be the Goddess of Beauty's target.'
Bell could only try to reassure himself with that thought.
His one magic and two skills were all things he got thanks to the system and his transmigration luck—none of them truly his. So Bell was sure he didn't have what you'd call a brilliant soul. If anything, "pitch black" would be more accurate. After all, the soul's essence reflected one's inner nature, and Bell didn't think of himself as someone with noble character. So the essence of his soul couldn't be all that radiant either.
Of course, even so, Bell had no intention of going anywhere near that restaurant owned by the Goddess of Beauty. He really didn't want to go looking for trouble—unless he was already completely exposed.
"That's true."
Hestia was also nervous when it came to Freya. She knew she wasn't good at handling her. Hestia just wasn't the eloquent type, whereas Freya absolutely was. It wouldn't be surprising if she accidentally spilled some unnecessary information during a conversation.
Freya needed to be monitored, but there was no need to obsess over her.
Under normal conditions, the chances of Bell crossing paths with Freya were still extremely low.
"As long as Bell-kun doesn't attend the Denatus. As long as he doesn't draw too much attention when he reaches Level 2, Freya won't notice him."
Bell gave a slight nod. He, too, believed that as long as he kept his growth under control, Freya wouldn't take notice. After all, he wasn't some saint like the main character from the original story. There was no way she'd be interested in the essence of his soul. So as long as he managed his level progression carefully, there shouldn't be much of a problem.
'Even if this feels like stacking a bunch of negative buffs, it's not a big deal. With my current state, that goddess Freya definitely wouldn't be interested in me. As long as I play it safe and stay under the radar, I should be able to grow steadily.'
Bell took a deep breath. The anxiety in his heart eased a bit.
Hestia didn't dwell on the Freya issue any longer and moved on to the real reason she had come.
"Hephaestus, so we're good to cooperate between our two Familias from now on, right?"
"Since your child has such a skill, I'll agree."
Hephaestus accepted Hestia's request without even thinking it over. She didn't want Hestia to keep wasting her days, and naturally hoped she'd start developing her own Familia properly. The proposal wasn't one-sided—both sides would benefit—so Hephaestus had no reason to say no.
A smile curled at the corner of Hestia's lips. Forming an alliance was just the first step. What came next was the real reason she wanted this partnership—to ask Hephaestus for a favor. Wearing a flattering, almost sycophantic smile, she sidled up to her old friend.
"Since we're allies now, Hephaestus, would you mind doing me a favor?"
The moment Hestia spoke, Hephaestus gave her a look that said, 'I knew this was coming.' Sure, an alliance sounded nice, but this request was what Hestia was really after. Still, Hephaestus wasn't heartless—she decided to at least hear her out and see if the request was too outrageous.
"You can speak. But think carefully before you do—if it's too much, I might just throw you out and cut ties for good."
"Hehe~ It's honestly something really small for you, Hephaestus."
Hestia didn't seem the least bit worried, still grinning from ear to ear. But that smile only made Hephaestus more alert. She knew all too well—when Hestia wore that carefree grin, the request was always trouble.
"Actually, I'd like you to forge a weapon for Bell."
Well... for the Goddess of the Forge, that wasn't entirely unreasonable. Forging weapons was a routine affair in Orario.
What made it excessive was that Hestia had gone straight to asking Hephaestus herself. Even without divine power, weapons made by gods were on a whole different level than those crafted by ordinary smiths. The artisan's skill defined the weapon's quality, and with that skill came a price.
By asking Hephaestus directly, Hestia was basically maxing out the price scale. If such a weapon really were forged, it would undoubtedly be a first-class weapon unmatched by any other blacksmith or Familia.
Hephaestus just looked at her speechlessly. Yep—no way a day or two would be enough to change Hestia's shameless nature. Of all the gods she knew, only Hestia would dare make such a request.
Chapter 30: Chapter 30: A Request Made as a Friend
Chapter Text
'Goddess-sama... your request is seriously over the line.'
Bell, standing behind them, couldn't help but hold his forehead. He had actually tried to talk Goddess-sama out of this idea before they came. Hephaestus-sama was the Goddess of Smithing—her forging skills were far beyond what any craftsman of this era could hope to match. Asking a god to personally forge a weapon? Honestly, even as a transmigrator, Bell had never dared to think that arrogantly.
This wasn't just bold—it was shameless.
Even so, Bell figured that, since it was Goddess-sama making the request, Hephaestus-sama would probably just roll her eyes and agree in the end. Maybe she'd even settle for something simple, like asking Hestia to cover the material costs, just like in the original story. Still, Bell couldn't help but feel the request was pushing it a bit too far.
'If it weren't for Goddess-sama's status, we'd probably have been kicked out by now, right?'
That thought stung a little. Once again, Bell found himself impressed by just how much sway Hestia-sama held. She had connections with many gods in Tenkai and maintained good relationships with them. Even the goddess of blacksmithing had offered her significant material support just because of their bond. That had to be the most genuine kind of friendship—at least, Bell couldn't imagine treating anyone that generously himself.
Hephaestus took a deep breath. Without a word, she walked up to Hestia, expression unreadable. The eye not covered by her eyepatch said it all—speechless, exasperated, and ready to teach this fool a lesson. Stretching out her hands, she pinched Hestia's cheeks.
"You're the only one in all of Orario who dares to talk to me like this. And you even named me specifically to forge a weapon for you. Go ask any other god in their Familia—none of them would ever dare make this kind of request. Not even the two rulers of Orario, Freya and Loki, would push it this far. But you? You actually went there."
Despite having her cheeks pinched, Hestia was still grinning. Of course she understood the value of Hephaestus's work. No god had ever dared to request a custom weapon from her before. Hestia didn't think she could make that kind of demand as a god either. But that wasn't how she was approaching it.
"Because Hephaestus is my best friend."
That's right—Hestia knew how to play the friendship card.
She understood full well that it wasn't appropriate to make this kind of request as a fellow god. But this wasn't a divine request—it was a plea from a friend, asking another to help forge a weapon.
Hephaestus blinked, momentarily stunned. It really was a good reason—probably the best one anyone could give. Not a demand from a god, but a favor asked as a friend.
"That's a good reason. If it's a request from a friend, it would be too cold-hearted to keep refusing. So, Hestia, I'll take on your commission. But don't forget—there's still a forging fee for the weapon."
"Of course, I won't forget."
"Then let's begin."
Hephaestus glanced at Bell, who was standing behind them. Just two days had passed, yet the arrival of this child had already brought significant change to Hestia. She was starting to act like a proper head of a Familia, with more responsibilities to consider.
Smiling, Hephaestus turned around and twisted a wall ornament. The wall responded with a clicking sound—"ka-ka-ka."
A hidden room behind the workshop opened.
Inside was a blacksmith's workspace. The forge blazed with intense heat, and on the wall hung hammers crafted from various types of crystals. These were likely forging tools—different crystals, different hammers, each serving a specific purpose.
Those dozens of hammers didn't look like anything ordinary. Bell wasn't well-versed in blacksmithing, but he wasn't blind either. This was the workshop of the Goddess of Smithing—how could it possibly be simple? If it were, could she really still be called the Goddess of Smithing?
'So this is... Hephaestus-sama's workplace?'
Seeing the room for the first time, Bell couldn't help feeling overwhelmed. Something he thought impossible had just been agreed to so easily by Hephaestus-sama. Even if it meant incurring a debt for the weapon, Bell knew this was a debt well worth bearing.
He didn't actually have any expectations for a weapon. He had chosen a path of steady growth rather than one of instant power. Building strength little by little—that was what mattered. A powerful weapon could bring great convenience, but it could also make one lose the will to improve.
So from the very beginning, Bell had decided that as long as the weapon could cut through monster flesh, that was enough. A first-rate weapon was only meaningful when the user's strength matched it. It wasn't about using a powerful weapon to defeat monsters—it was about becoming strong enough to defeat them with whatever you had.
More importantly, Bell didn't have such grand ambitions.
'I didn't even hope for something like this... and yet, here it is.'
He couldn't help but feel moved.
Noticing the shift in Bell's expression, Hephaestus asked curiously.
"What's wrong? Hestia went out of her way to get me to forge a weapon for you, but you don't look particularly happy."
"Hephaestus-sama, you must be joking. I'm just a mere mortal—I would never dare to dream of something so extravagant. For me to receive a weapon forged by your hands... it feels like a dream."
That sounded about right. Hephaestus wasn't being arrogant—her weapons were undeniably the best in all of Orario, and every Familia would fight for one. She normally wouldn't personally craft a weapon for anyone, not even for her own followers. This was the first and only time.
As a deity, she had her pride. She wouldn't compete with the younger generation for work, nor flaunt her unmatched forging skills. If it weren't for Hestia's heartfelt request as a friend, she never would've accepted this commission.
Coming from a rookie adventurer, his words weren't out of place at all. Which only made Hephaestus even more curious—why did this kid still look so conflicted? Her interest piqued, she asked again.
"Then why do you still not seem the least bit happy?"
"Hephaestus-sama, it's because I'm wondering... do I really deserve a weapon like this? I'm just a newly registered adventurer, and yet here I am, holding something personally crafted by the god Hephaestus. I have no doubt—it's probably the strongest weapon in all of Orario. But I'm just a Level 1."
Flattery, no matter how subtle, was still pleasant to hear—even to a god. Hephaestus gave Bell another look. Sure, his words had a touch of flattery, but he wasn't wrong. What touched her more was that he seemed genuinely concerned for Hestia.
That attitude shifted Hephaestus's impression of him ever so slightly. She turned to look at Hestia, then let out a soft smile.
"The Familia goddess and her child really are alike."
Chapter 31: Chapter 31: The Birth of the Hestia Knife
Chapter Text
For three days straight, Bell and Hestia stayed with Hephaestus's Familia to work on forging the weapon.
Bell once again chose a short sword. Compared to longswords or greatswords, short swords were what he was most familiar with. Suddenly switching to a completely different weapon was a serious mistake, and in terms of agility, short swords still offered the best flexibility. So yes—the infamous "200 million" short sword was still set to be forged.
Naturally, during these three days, Bell took charge of all the assisting tasks that didn't require any special skill—pumping the bellows, keeping the forge temperature steady, and so on. Those kinds of chores weren't something a Familia god like Hestia-sama should be doing. As a result, the only ones truly busy during those three days were Bell and Hephaestus.
Throughout the entire forging process, Hephaestus had to stay alert and monitor the weapon continuously, making sure she didn't miss the perfect moment for each step. Likewise, the furnace had to stay at high heat the entire time, so Bell couldn't afford to fall asleep either.
Bell, who only had the stamina of an ordinary person, had dark circles under his eyes by the third day without sleep. He was constantly on the verge of dozing off during the forging process. By the end of the first day, he was already close to collapsing. But knowing that Hephaestus-sama was forging his weapon, Bell could only grit his teeth and force himself to stay awake.
After three intense days, Hephaestus finally completed the forging of the blade. But it wasn't fully finished yet—only in a half-complete state.
"Whew..."
Even for Hephaestus, it had been a long time since she forged a weapon like this. In fact, calling it a "weapon" barely felt accurate—it was more like a new form of life. It wasn't that the artifact had a soul; rather, life itself had been forged into the blade. This wasn't something Hephaestus had ever done before. It slightly diverged from her usual philosophy of what a weapon should be.
"It's done."
She exhaled slowly, still feeling satisfied with the result. Using strands of Hestia's hair as the base, she had created a weapon with metallic properties. Now, all that remained was for Hestia to complete the final step.
Hephaestus glanced over at Bell, who was swaying on his feet.
'His perseverance is impressive. He stuck with me through three days of forging... honestly, leaving a kid like this with Hestia is a bit of a waste.'
It wasn't the first time Hephaestus had thought something like that.
He showed concern for his Familia Head's feelings, cared about her pride, and even worried whether she might be overstepping.
Though their interaction had been brief, Hephaestus could already see what kind of person Bell was—level-headed, thoughtful, and grounded. As long as he didn't fall prey to someone like Freya's charm, he was clearly someone who truly belonged at Hestia's side.
Hestia, who had been waiting nearby, immediately rushed over the moment she heard the words "It's done."
"Is it finished?"
"One step left."
Hephaestus picked up the black short sword from its sheath. At a glance, it looked plain—no different from any other short sword. But its essence was entirely different. To truly awaken it, the blade still needed the blood of two people.
"This sword is like a living being. Hestia, you can inscribe your Familia's divine hieroglyphs on it. It's a weapon with growth potential, but it requires a special method to awaken."
"Hestia, complete the next step with your blood."
Without hesitation, Hestia took the silver needle and pricked her finger. A drop of blood ran down the blade, and divine hieroglyphs from Hestia's Familia immediately appeared on the surface. Though no Familia crest showed on the exterior, the weapon had now been fully activated.
The glowing blue script on the blade quickly faded away, and the once vividly inscribed weapon returned to its humble appearance—like it had always been nothing more than an ordinary short sword.
"Now it's complete. But Hestia, don't ever ask me to forge something like this again. I'm not making a second one."
Hephaestus was pleased with the blade, even though she had forged it entirely based on Hestia's initial, and rather demanding, request. It was perfectly usable by a beginner—lightweight, easy to handle, and exceptionally sharp. Despite her reluctance, she had crafted it.
Hestia carefully returned the sword to its sheath. This was the finest weapon—Bell's finest weapon. With the edge now honed, all that remained was to synchronize the blade with its wielder. The stronger the user's parameters, the more power the sword could draw out.
"This short sword is the perfect match for Bell-kun. He's growing so quickly that ordinary weapons won't be able to keep up. A weapon that grows with him—that's exactly what he needs."
Even Hestia was amazed that they'd managed to create such a weapon. Usable by a beginner, and capable of growing alongside its user—there was nothing else like it in Orario. Unless Hephaestus ever forged another, this blade would remain one of a kind.
Overcome with excitement, Hestia nearly jumped with joy. She couldn't wait to share this with her child.
"Bell..."
But the moment she turned around, Hestia noticed Bell standing frozen beside the bellows. Exhaustion was written all over his face. The whites of his eyes were bloodshot, and though his eyes were open, his consciousness had already slipped away.
Hephaestus noticed too. Her gaze passed over the unconscious boy. For a brand-new adventurer, three days of nonstop labor was pushing far past the limit. He had only arrived in Orario five days ago, and this was already beyond what his body could take.
"This kid's been going without sleep for three days. Let him rest for a bit. Hestia, you need to take care of yourself too—you haven't slept in two days."
But Hestia, eyes fixed solely on Bell, just shook her head without concern. As a deity, a few sleepless days didn't affect her much, but for a Familia child, it was a different story. Gently, she walked over to Bell's side.
"He fell asleep standing up. If he was tired, he should've just said something. Pushing himself like this... it's not good for his health."
Even as she said those words, her gaze was filled with nothing but warmth.
Chapter 32: Chapter 32: A Debt of "200 Million"
Chapter Text
When he woke up again, the first thing he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling.
'I'm not in the church ruins.'
Bell immediately realized he wasn't where he had expected. He remembered working with Goddess-sama and Hephaestus-sama on forging the "200 million" short sword. But he couldn't recall whether the blade had actually been completed. He must've passed out before it was finished.
'I went days without sleep... no wonder I blacked out. With the body I used to have, I probably wouldn't have woken up again.'
Sitting up in bed, Bell took a careful look around. There was a window nearby, and beyond it, night had already fallen. He had no idea how long he'd been asleep—he didn't even remember exactly when he passed out.
He focused his hearing. The steady clang of hammer on metal reached his ears. That sound alone confirmed his current location.
'I'm still in Hephaestus's Familia, huh?'
His head still ached slightly—likely the lingering effect of pushing through without sleep. In some ways, his body really wasn't in great shape. Just three sleepless days had already left such a strong backlash. Pulling back the blanket, Bell sat up straight. Now wasn't the time to keep lying around.
Just as he reached for the door, the sound of footsteps on the other side caught his attention. They were heavy, with a certain weight behind them. Maybe it was because the building was made of wood, but the sound was especially clear. Bell instinctively slowed his steps, particularly once the footsteps came to a stop.
Even so, he wasn't particularly worried. This was Hephaestus-sama's domain—anyone outside wouldn't be someone dangerous. He didn't believe that anyone not affiliated with the Familia would dare to act up here. With that assurance, he opened the door without hesitation.
Standing outside was a bold-looking young woman. Her skin was tanned, and an eyepatch covered her left eye. Whether it was for show or out of necessity, he didn't know—but even with it, her presence was overwhelming.
The moment Bell faced her, he felt it—a wave of pressure that hit him head-on. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but the weight behind it was unmistakable. That pressure made it perfectly clear just how wide the gap between them was. It felt more distant than the sky and the earth.
'So this is what a Level 5 feels like... Even if she's not a front-line fighter, just a blacksmith under the Goddess of Smithing, that presence is terrifying.'
Tsubaki noticed Bell's reaction right away. It was obvious he'd sensed the difference in their level. But what puzzled her was how he managed to notice anything at all. She had been suppressing her aura the entire time—others usually never picked up on it. Why could this boy?
Though a smith, Tsubaki was confident in her skill at concealing her presence. Yet somehow, he had still sensed it.
Still, she wasn't too surprised. Every adventurer had their own unique talents. Maybe this one just happened to have an especially keen sense. She had come at Hephaestus-sama's orders to check on things—and to deliver a message to the boy in front of her.
"You're awake, huh? Good. That means I can pass along Hephaestus-sama's message. Hestia-sama's resting with her right now. If you want to see her, you'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"Sorry, but... do you know when I passed out?"
"Oh, that was this morning. I'm the one who carried you here."
Bell gave a slight nod. So he'd slept through the whole day. After three sleepless days, his body had finally crashed and made up for it in one long stretch.
He made up his mind then—he wouldn't be diving too deep into the Dungeon in the future unless he was sure he could reach the 18th floor in a day. This feeling—complete mental and physical exhaustion—he'd learned it firsthand today. And he'd never allow himself to be that vulnerable in the Dungeon again.
"Thank you for your help. May I ask who you are?"
"Ah, I'm Tsubaki Collbrande. Just call me Tsubaki."
From their brief exchange, Bell could tell that Tsubaki was straightforward and easy to talk to. She gave off a bold, big-sister kind of vibe—someone who might seem brash but was refreshingly direct. Bell didn't mind that kind of personality. In fact, he preferred it; people like her tended to be more genuine.
After the short introduction, Tsubaki pulled out a contract she'd prepared earlier from behind her. Even she had been a little stunned when she first read through it—not because of the "200 million" debt written on it, but because it clearly stated that the weapon had been forged by Hephaestus-sama herself. As far as Tsubaki could recall, this was the first time in years that Hephaestus had personally forged a weapon for an individual. And it had only been priced at "200 million."
She didn't know exactly what kind of weapon it was, but at that price, it was undeniably a first-class weapon. So who was it for? Tsubaki's first thought had been the boy standing in front of her. He was the new member that Hestia-sama had just taken in yesterday—a complete beginner in the world of adventurers.
But a first-class weapon demanded a lot from its wielder. Normally, a Level 1 adventurer wouldn't be able to handle one. Then again, since this was something Hephaestus had specifically crafted, it clearly didn't follow conventional rules. Still, giving such a high-tier weapon to a beginner was wildly extravagant, and there had to be some kind of limitation built in.
Tsubaki was convinced that Hephaestus-sama had reworked the design to bypass those restrictions, perhaps altering the weapon's nature entirely. But without seeing it for herself, she couldn't say for sure. Only by examining it directly could she confirm what Hephaestus had done. That said, now wasn't the time.
"This is the contract. It covers the cost of the weapon and the total debt amount."
Bell took the document and gave it a quick read. The debt was clearly listed as "200 million." He wasn't particularly surprised—it was about what he'd expected. But as he looked more closely, he noticed something odd: the contract didn't specify any interest or repayment deadline. It really did feel like Hephaestus-sama was doing this as a favor.
"You're not shocked by a 200 million debt?"
"It's not that I'm not shocked—I'm just shocked it isn't more. A weapon personally forged by Hephaestus-sama is without a doubt the strongest in Orario right now. I imagine the 200 million was just the cost of materials, probably discounted out of respect for Goddess-sama. If it went on the open market, someone would easily pay 2 billion for it."
That definitely piqued Tsubaki's interest. Clearly, weapons crafted personally by Hephaestus were on another level. If she got the chance someday, she really wanted to see just what kind of blade Hephaestus had created this time.
Chapter 33: Chapter 33: A Very Real Gacha Pull
Chapter Text
After learning the situation, Bell didn't go looking for Goddess-sama. She was currently resting at Hephaestus-sama's place, so it wouldn't have been appropriate for him to go over. Since it was already nighttime, he just lay down on his bed. This was his own time now, and it was the perfect chance to try out the gacha feature of the Type-Moon System.
'Even though I'm 200 million Valis in debt, using a bit of spare change for gacha should be fine.'
Bell knew full well that paying off 200 million Valis wouldn't happen anytime soon. Of the 26.4 million Valis he had on hand, 20 million could go toward the debt, and the remaining 6.4 million would cover daily expenses. Early-stage ten-pulls didn't cost much—just 10,000 Valis was enough.
Waiting for future level unlocks would be too late. Sure, the required level for gacha would eventually unlock, but so would the cost. Right now, a single pull might only be 1,000 Valis. But what about later? It could rise to 10,000 Valis—or even 100,000. So now was definitely the cheapest time to roll. Even if most pulls only yielded one- or two-star Craft Essences, Bell figured even low-star ones were far more useful here than in the game.
Of course, there was another reason behind his decision.
Bell distinctly remembered that among the three-star Craft Essences, one of them was "Divine Construct." That CE was meant to boost Saber's Noble Phantasm in the game. So if he really pulled that card here, could he actually get Excalibur?
There was also the "Jeweled Sword Zelretch." Would pulling that CE really give him a sword with Second Magic capabilities? And there were others, like "Ley Line" and "Dragonkind." Anything related to dragons was bound to be strong. Sure, in the game, these CEs might seem unimpressive due to their star ranking, but if the game's limitations didn't apply, then all these three-star Craft Essences would be incredibly powerful.
So, while gacha was still cheap, it would be a waste to pass up this opportunity. In the future, both single and ten-pull prices would rise, and the pool would become more complex. Who knew if he'd still be able to draw the three-star Craft Essences he wanted?
Bell pulled out ten 10,000 Valis coins from his four-dimensional space. No need for extra words—time for a ten-pull.
As the ten gold coins appeared, they began to glow brilliantly. A crack opened in the void, and all the golden light was drawn into it.
It was the first time Bell had seen the Type-Moon System absorb coins like this, and he was momentarily stunned. The coins turned into golden particles and vanished into the crack. What exactly was the Type-Moon System absorbing? Was it really just the gold coins?
'It looks like what the Type-Moon System needs isn't the coins themselves, but something valuable tied to them. Aren't coins just symbols of trust? Could it be that the system is actually after something like faith?'
Bell couldn't quite grasp it. These ideas were still too far removed from his understanding. What he did know was that the Type-Moon System didn't accept magic stones for exchange. Logically, magic stones should contain energy. Yet the system didn't want energy—it specifically took gold coins, which in Bell's eyes only had monetary value. That meant there had to be a reason why coins were required.
"Let's do the ten-pull."
After accepting 100,000 Valis, the Type-Moon System immediately kicked into action. Instead of mobile-game-style spinning animations, a hundred cards flew out from the void. Bell gave them a quick glance—most were one- or two-star Craft Essences. Aside from the guaranteed three-star CE from the ten-pull, there wasn't even a single extra three-star.
Not that he was surprised. Even though he had the "Heaven's Luck" skill, Bell could easily guess that the Type-Moon System had blocked all external influences. In other words, being lucky in the outside world didn't mean you'd be lucky in this system.
'As expected, looks like my luck only gets me the guaranteed minimum. Still, once the one- and two-star Craft Essences are maxed out, they're not bad. I'm just not sure what kind of practical use they'll actually have.'
Bell had never done gacha before, so he had no idea if these Craft Essences would really be useful. "Personal Training," for example, was an Early Bloomer-type CE that simply boosted experience gain. It was basically useless in the game, since by the time you could exchange for it, you already had more than enough EXP. But in the real world, the value of something like "Personal Training" was enormous.
After getting a taste of blatant cheats, Bell no longer saw experience as something trivial. In this world, a skill like "Early Bloomer" was invaluable. Just having it could drastically shorten the time needed to achieve success and accelerate one's growth. It was, in essence, a straightforward god-tier ability.
One- and two-star Craft Essences in the game were mainly for boosting the output of Three Color Cards. That wasn't what Bell needed. What he really wanted were those that could enhance his skills. Since you could only carry one Craft Essence at a time, anything that could be directly absorbed into his strength was what truly mattered. For now, though, there probably wasn't anything better than "Personal Training."
Bell shook his head and shifted his focus to the ten guaranteed three-star Craft Essences. He could look over the lower-tier ones later. The real key was these three-stars. But the moment his eyes fell on them, he couldn't help but mutter in his heart, 'Damn, not bad at all.'
[Three-Star Craft Essences: "Extremely Spicy Mapo Tofu" ×2, "Hidden Blade: Pheasant Reversal" ×5, "Kuji Kanesada" ×1, "Hydra Dagger" ×1, "Spell Tome" ×1.]
'Kuji Kanesada should be the katana Shiki Ryougi uses, right? Not exactly a divine weapon, but still a Ryogi family heirloom, so the quality shouldn't be terrible. Then there's "Pheasant Reversal"—that has to be a variant of Tsubame Gaeshi. I'm not sure if it's the same in function, though. "Extremely Spicy Mapo Tofu" is a healing-type CE—might even help with hunger.
'The Hydra Dagger's not a bad piece either. But from the start, it wasn't made for killing—it's a tool for poisoning. The thing's got tons of barbs and is double-edged. Great for ambushes, not so much for proper combat.'
Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Upgrading Costs More Than Gacha
Chapter Text
Bell drew the card "Hydra Dagger." The card-shaped Craft Essence instantly vanished, transforming into a silver-white dagger with dual blades and multiple barbs.
"So it really can materialize from a card. In that case, the Divine Construct I was imagining might not be just a fantasy after all. Still, it's best not to pin too much hope on that holy sword. Just getting it would be good enough."
For now, he'd use a short sword forged by Lady Hephaestus. If he were lucky enough to draw a "Divine Construct" later, it might serve as a long sword. Ideally, he needed to pull it before reaching Lv. 2—otherwise, once the gacha restrictions were lifted, the odds would only get worse.
Of course, to Bell, a "Divine Construct" was just a trump card—one he wasn't even sure he could use. Not everyone could wield a holy sword like Excalibur, and who knew whether a holy sword pulled from the gacha would have usage restrictions. If it did, even drawing it might be pointless. It was better to assume he couldn't use it from the start and not get his hopes up.
He turned his attention to "Hidden Sword: Pheasant Reversal." Out of ten three-star Craft Essences, he had pulled five of this one. Derived from Sasaki Kojirou's Tsubame Gaeshi, it was unclear whether this Craft Essence could replicate the legendary "multi-dimensional spatial twist."
"Type-Moon System, I want to enhance this Craft Essence."
No sooner had Bell finished the thought than a line of text appeared before his eyes.
[Enhancement requires 1,000,000 Valis.]
The steep cost nearly made him hit "No." He only had 6.4 million Valis in total, and enhancing a three-star Craft Essence cost a million? That was far more than a single gacha pull. He didn't know if this was a standard enhancement fee or just specific to three-star Craft Essences.
With a pained heart, Bell clicked "Yes." He heard a click beside his ear, and his available Valis dropped from 6.3 million to 5.3 million. Just one enhancement had cost him ten times more than a pull. It hurt.
The five "Hidden Sword: Pheasant Reversal" cards floated in the air, slowly spinning before merging into one. There were no special effects—just a silent fusion. Bell took a deep breath, picked up the card, and glanced at it. The name had changed. And as he read it, the sting of his lost Valis faded, replaced by a strange sense of joy.
"Hidden Blade: Tsubame Gaeshi." The "Pheasant Reversal" was now "Tsubame Gaeshi." The old background featuring Sasaki Kojirou and Fuuma Kotarou was gone—replaced by Kojirou alone, sword raised, in the Tsubame Gaeshi stance.
"So that means I got Sasaki Kojiro's Hidden Blade for less than 1.1 million Valis? Let's see if this Hidden Blade can become one of my skills."
Bell was eager to test the power of the Hidden Blade. But… how was this Craft Essence supposed to be used?
As he pondered this, the Craft Essence in his hand dissolved into data and flew straight into his forehead. In that instant, a man's life began to unfold before his eyes. Nameless, origin unknown—his past and future both blank. This man's life was equally simple and unadorned.
No thrilling adventures, just a quiet life of swordsmanship. No pursuit of fame, only a path he chose for himself. The nameless swordsman showed Bell the entirety of his life.
Starting from the thought, 'How do I cut down a swallow?', this nameless swordsman dedicated himself to relentless training. His entire life revolved around swordsmanship—his only pursuit was finding a way to cut down a swallow flying at high speed.
A single strike was easy for the swallow to dodge. Even two strikes could be avoided. But a third—three perfectly timed slashes—was what finally brought the swallow down. The nameless swordsman painstakingly refined this technique, and on his deathbed, he at last completed it, managing to cut down the swallow.
Bell had clearly witnessed the entire life of that nameless swordsman. There were no dramatic lows, no soaring highs—just a continuous, steady pursuit of his passion. The swordsman never aimed for supreme mastery of the blade. All he wanted was to fulfill that original wish of his heart: to cut down a swallow in mid-flight. He gave his life to this goal, and in the end, he succeeded in mastering an unbelievable technique. That lifetime of dedication became nourishment for Bell.
"It's really Tsubame Gaeshi."
At that moment, Bell felt as if his brain was telling him, 'I've mastered Tsubame Gaeshi.' But of course, he knew that was just an illusion. It was a sensation that only came from having accepted the swordsman's entire life. It wasn't actual mastery—only the understanding of how it could be achieved.
Beyond just Tsubame Gaeshi, Bell had gained far more. A life capable of completing such a technique carried with it countless insights and combat experiences beyond the technique itself.
'I've grasped the way to perform Tsubame Gaeshi... but that move isn't something a normal person can pull off. A technique that causes spatial distortion like that—no amount of time or effort alone will get you there. Without extraordinary talent, you'd hit a dead end. Without experiencing that life, I might as well have been dreaming if I thought I could master it.'
Bell understood that he lacked the natural talent to perfect Tsubame Gaeshi. But he had obtained the key to reach that level. Maybe he didn't have the qualifications, but he now possessed the life required to accomplish it. Finding the keyhole would still take time, but it was far easier than forging the key from scratch.
After calming himself, he remembered there was still one Craft Essence he hadn't looked at yet—the Spell Tome. Bell couldn't recall what effect the Spell Tome had. After all, there were so many Craft Essences in FGO, and he only had a general knowledge of them, not deep expertise.
'Come to think of it, could the Spell Tome become that kind of thing in this world?'
Bell vaguely remembered that in Orario, spell tomes that allowed people to learn magic did exist. In the original story, the protagonist had received a spell tome as a special gift from the Goddess of Beauty, which granted him magic—and not just any magic, but the kind that didn't require chanting. Bell recalled that these tomes were priced nearly the same as top-tier weapons.
'Wait, if it really is a Spell Tome, could I use it to pay off debts?'
But Bell didn't know if the Craft Essence called "Spell Tome" had that kind of effect. Even if it did, he couldn't afford to hand it over. There was no way to explain where it came from. If it truly was a Spell Tome, it would be best to keep it for personal use. Using it to settle debts would only stir up unnecessary trouble.
Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Chapter 35: "We"?
Chapter Text
After hesitating for a moment, the Craft Essence "Spell Tome" appeared in Bell's hand. In that instant, the Craft Essence transformed into a thick book, with the words "Spell Tome" written on the cover in Chinese—as if the author had been worried he wouldn't be able to read it. The thoughtfulness of it left Bell slightly speechless. Honestly, he could read the script of this world just fine.
When he opened the tome, the contents were entirely in Chinese. Every character was in Song font, perfectly legible. It was only after reading the text that Bell truly confirmed the tome was genuine.
'So aside from Divine Constructs, Three-Star Craft Essences can include surprises like this Spell Tome. It might be a good way to make money, but something priced on par with a first-class weapon really isn't easy to sell. Trying to offload something like this is asking to be targeted.'
Though the idea lingered in his mind, once he considered the practicality, Bell dismissed it and turned his focus back to the Spell Tome.
The text on the page quickly caught his eye.
[Magic is divided into two types. One is innate, rooted in racial qualities. The other is acquired, awakened through the grace of the gods.]
The words seemed to etch themselves into Bell's vision, disappearing rapidly as he read.
[Acquired magic, simply put, is self-realization. Interest, recognition, hatred, admiration, awe, longing, desire—the trigger to unleash it always lies within oneself.]
As this string of explanatory text concluded, Bell's vision was suddenly flooded with a blank white field. The words he'd just read guided him toward the right path—toward his own trigger, the source where his magic would be awakened.
[Now then, let's begin.]
The white world shifted into a vivid, modern one. Bell looked around at the familiar scenery, heard a voice in his ears that he hadn't heard in a long time—not the voice of this world, but his voice from before. At the same time, a plain, unremarkable version of himself appeared before him.
"You are..."
[It's me.]
The figure before him smiled—barely, awkwardly—forcing an expression onto an otherwise emotionless face. The result was eerie, but Bell didn't feel any discomfort. Because the one standing in front of him was himself.
[So, what is magic to us?]
'We...?'
Bell was slightly taken aback by the phrasing. He wasn't sure why he used the word "we"—shouldn't it have been 'I'?
The other Bell seemed to understand his confusion. With a snap of his fingers, another person appeared in this unique cognitive space—and their presence left Bell utterly stunned.
"Bell Cranel, you... you've been here all along?"
The Bell Cranel standing before him wore simple linen clothes, his face lit with a pure, innocent smile. So pure, in fact, that Bell couldn't help but feel a pang of shame. Maybe it was because he had taken the place of the one person he couldn't face—the one he had replaced.
"Replaced... is that really what you think?"
The other Bell Cranel suddenly spoke, and something in his tone made Bell sense a deeper meaning behind those words.
"What do you mean?"
"I failed."
"Huh?"
That abrupt statement—'I failed'—left Bell momentarily stunned. But the other Bell continued without pause.
"The Black Dragon subjugation. In the end, all I found was failure. We... Hestia Familia met the same fate as my grandfather and the others. We were completely wiped out."
Bell's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he was hearing—couldn't believe that those words were coming from the mouth of Bell Cranel. The man standing before him had spoken of the Black Dragon subjugation, but that shouldn't even be possible. The story hadn't progressed that far yet. Which meant... the Bell Cranel in front of him was one who had failed to defeat the Black Dragon.
"Failed... you're the Bell Cranel from the future."
"Don't say that name so casually. It's not just mine—it's yours too."
"But it's not my name."
As Bell voiced his denial, the other Bell suddenly appeared right in front of him, eyes brimming with mocking amusement.
"Eh~ you didn't seriously think you were the only one who transmigrated, did you? That this was your first time crossing over?"
The words made Bell go cold. He could tell—the man was completely serious. And worse, it sounded like this transmigration had happened many times already. The Bell standing before him gave a wry smile, reluctantly affirming the thought.
"That's right. Our transmigrations were never accidents. Stop thinking of them as random. They're just part of fate. Again and again, we reincarnate—until we finally defeat the Black Dragon. Even though we're different individuals, we all share the same identity."
"The original Bell Cranel was the first. Then came us—his counterparts from other worlds. We're all Bell Cranel. Even though our identities and appearances differ across worlds, the truth doesn't change. At first, there were quite a few of us. But with each failure, more and more fell."
"And those of us who failed—faced true death. We're irrelevant to the parallel worlds, with no effect on their flow. We're like grains of sand in a desert—unseen, unnoticed. The world doesn't care whether we live or die. Only we, the parallel versions of Bell Cranel, are caught in this cycle—endlessly repeating and endlessly failing."
"As long as this loop continues, our souls will stay trapped in it, never free."
Bell was fully calm now. The truth of transmigration, of the endless cycles and countless parallel worlds, had been laid bare.
"So... it's my turn now?"
He grinned.
"Exactly. That's our fate. The failure to defeat the Black Dragon, the refusal to accept Hestia Familia's annihilation—that unwillingness bound all of us across parallel worlds. Every version of us with the right conditions is sent into another world, carrying our shared will to resist death."
"Maybe it started for the world's sake, but now... it's just for ourselves. Originally, this cycle was meant to go on forever. Reincarnation, failure, death—over and over. I once believed that too—that this was our purpose. To repeat the process and reset the world doomed to ruin."
"But then we realized something—our countless selves... were no longer countless. That was when we knew fate had reached its final threshold. Either we accept that the world will be destroyed... or we accept our own end."
"Maybe, for us... this really is the only way to break the cycle of suffering."
Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Nothing to Lose? It's About Not Wanting to Lose!
Chapter Text
"..."
From the beginning, Bell had a feeling that his transmigration wasn't just a matter of tapping a screen, but he hadn't expected things to be this complicated. They were counterparts from entirely different worlds—beings who shouldn't have had any contact at all—yet here they were, meeting face to face.
'Himself' didn't seem bothered by Bell's silence. Anyone would be speechless after hearing something like this—just like he had been when he first learned the truth. It was simply too unbelievable to accept right away.
Bell suddenly lifted his head. A question had come to mind.
"Since we're counterparts from different worlds, what about the skills we awakened?"
"Unfortunately, while there are some differences in magic, our skills are exactly the same."
A flicker of realization flashed in Bell's eyes. It seemed his transmigration came with something that his parallel self lacked. That meant the key to changing the situation likely lay with him. If every counterpart's skills remained unchanged, then he, the one whose skill type was different, was the outlier. With that thought, Bell made up his mind.
"What kind of monster is the Black Dragon? Why can't any of our counterparts defeat it?"
A shadow crossed both 'his' and Bell Cranel's face. The battle against the Black Dragon was an eternal darkness for them—not something anyone could face lightly. But they weren't planning to hide anything. As counterparts, they were bound by the same fate. Sooner or later, they too would have to confront the Black Dragon, if only to break free from this cycle.
"That thing isn't just hard to fight—it's monstrously difficult. It's been manipulating the Dungeon from behind the scenes, using it to nourish and regenerate its wounds. Back when Zeus and Hera's Familia tried to slay it, they were ultimately wiped out, but even so, they managed to inflict injuries that couldn't be healed. That damage is the only reason those of us who came after still have a sliver of hope."
"Also, there's something important you need to remember—defeating the Black Dragon has nothing to do with the sky."
"Huh? I remember the Three Great Adventurers saying the Black Dragon is the 'King of the Skies'. Don't tell me it's actually a Land Dragon?"
Bell's question made both 'himself' and Bell Cranel chuckle. It really was the one ironic part of the whole thing—once hailed as the 'King of the Skies', the Black Dragon had completely lost the right to fly. That was thanks to the tremendous efforts of Zeus and Hera's Familia. They had stripped the Black Dragon of its dominion over the sky.
"That achievement belongs to Grandpa and Hera's Familia. Together, they permanently took away the Black Dragon's ability to fly and sealed the sky itself. That forced the beast to retreat into the deepest depths of the Dungeon. But even that came at the cost of a Level 8 Hero and a Level 9 Empress."
"Since then, the Black Dragon has been in control of the Dungeon, using its power to slowly recover. But no matter how much it tries, those wings are gone for good. That's why it hates Adventurers so much. Just seeing one makes it want to tear them apart."
"Still, even grounded, the Black Dragon is no pushover. Its hide is so tough that even first-rate weapons struggle to leave a scratch. Its scales are incredibly durable and even offer special resistance against magic. Powerful spells can barely hurt it—unless they target its wounds. And to make things worse, it has self-regeneration. If the damage isn't from a curse-type weapon, it can heal within just a few breaths."
Just hearing all this was enough for Bell to grasp how hopeless the situation was. They were up against a monster with overwhelming strength, a massive health pool, and instant regeneration. Unless they could vastly outpower it, even throwing their lives at it might not be enough. Yet, defeating the Black Dragon was a challenge they couldn't avoid—it was a dead end.
But in Bell's eyes, this situation was already expected. If the Black Dragon were easy to defeat, Zeus and Hera's Familia wouldn't have been wiped out. Its overall strength was probably around Level 10. Against such a world-threatening threat, a single person's power was far too little. 'At the very least, I'll need to rally other Familia to join the fight,' Bell concluded almost immediately.
As for whether he could actually defeat the Black Dragon, Bell didn't want to think too hard about it. Even if they were his counterparts, being the same person in different worlds didn't mean they had the same power or thoughts. He had no intention of letting anyone know how he planned to face the Black Dragon. He could also tell that his otherworldly counterparts didn't have a system. So perhaps—he was the turning point.
"What about Loki's Familia and Freya's Familia?"
"They joined as well, but in the end, they just repeated the mistakes of the past."
'Myself' didn't elaborate on the outcome, but Bell could already guess. If the Familia that set out to slay the Black Dragon ended up making the same mistakes as Zeus's and Hera's Familia, then it could only mean complete annihilation.
"I see."
Taking down the Black Dragon was never going to be easy. Total annihilation was practically expected. Still, Bell couldn't imagine who else could possibly rise up after even Freya's and Loki's Familia had failed. But that wasn't something he needed to think about right now. At least for the moment, he didn't have the time to dwell on it.
"One last question. You're not the only ones across all the parallel worlds, right?"
'Myself' and Bell Cranel fell into an unsettling silence. Bell gave a slight shake of his head. He had expected as much. Even across supposedly "infinite" parallel worlds, their counterparts had been brought to this point—it made the odds of defeating the Black Dragon seem vanishingly small.
"Let's move on to the magic topic. I know everything I need to know. From here on, leave it to me. If I fail, it means the world falls into ruin, and we're finished. But I don't plan on dying young."
Bell had never intended to go down so easily. He wasn't some hero driven by a desire for power, nor did he care about being one. All he wanted was his own 'freedom'—not this fate that shackled him. Especially after "fate" had shown him those crushing chains and the endless abyss, the fire of resistance in Bell's heart only grew stronger.
'Myself' let out a silent sigh. All of them across the worlds shared the same feelings—fear in the face of despair, and refusal to bow to fate. Maybe it was because those feelings were too strong that the cycle, which should have repeated endlessly, had begun to unravel. He could only offer his blessings to the Bell of this world. This was likely the last time he'd say these words.
"Do your best. Even if we lose everything, there's nothing to fear. We had nothing to begin with."
A flicker of 'disappointment' passed through Bell's eyes. Nothing to fear? No way. It was precisely because they had nothing before that they now feared losing everything. Because they had finally found something worth holding onto. They never started with nothing—what they feared most was losing it all.
Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The Reason to Surpass the Black Dragon
Chapter Text
'What is magic to you?'
"Power. Pure power—the strength to forge a new era for myself."
'And what does magic mean to you, specifically?'
"Lightning."
'Then, what kind of magic are you striving for?'
"To become lightning itself—swift as a flash, allowing me to seize that fleeting moment. Lightning that's unpredictable, lightning that can cross vast distances in an instant. Maybe it's just a faint glow, but I want that faint light to illuminate my future."
'...To grasp fate itself. What a naive dream.'
"Yeah, I'm that kind of naive guy."
The world before Bell shifted dramatically. A colossal black dragon stood in front of him. Its flesh-covered wings had been violently torn off, and a thick black miasma spread outward, quickly engulfing Bell. But he didn't back down—not even a step.
The grinding of clenched teeth echoed from his mouth. It wasn't that he didn't want to retreat—he couldn't. Behind him loomed an endless abyss. There had never been a path back.
This was his fate. This was his choice!
The dragon's massive eyes locked onto Bell, who stood his ground, teeth bared in defiance. Though the creature bore only hatred and disdain for humanity, even it withdrew its scorn. It didn't fear any human challenger—granting humans the right to fight was its fate. Just as it was destined to be challenged by humanity, everything was part of fate's design.
It offered no contempt to those who could meet its gaze. One by one, humanity's champions had left their marks upon its body. The wounds it bore were proof of that acknowledgment. Just like how it now acknowledged this frail challenger standing before it.
[Try to surpass me, hero of mankind!]
The voice rang suddenly in Bell's ears. Surpass me? For the Black Dragon—an embodiment of "evil"—to say such a thing...
But Bell didn't have time to contemplate its meaning. He wasn't particularly clever, and he didn't understand the true significance of the Black Dragon's existence. What he did know was that this was a dead end—a trial he had to face head-on.
"Zzzt—!"
Crackling arcs of blue lightning surged across Bell's skin. A second later, his entire body was enveloped in flashing blue and white currents. The crushing pressure around him lifted. His feet, once paralyzed, stepped forward—and in a flash, he became lightning itself, hurtling toward the Black Dragon.
'Let me surpass you!'
Bell knew he wasn't a hero. He was just a nobody. A counterpart from another world? Were they even the same person? Maybe, at their core, each of them was completely different—their desires and thoughts never fully aligned. Yet, they were all doing the same thing. In that one purpose, they were the same.
To overcome the insurmountable!
Excitement. Joy. Longing. Dreams. Power.
Everything he'd ever imagined was here. But it had all come together into one worn-out, clichéd tale that wasn't even particularly satisfying.
Bell, who usually kept his expressions in check, couldn't help but break into a wide grin. Transformed into lightning, he stomped down hard, leapt into the air, and with fists raised like a fool, charged straight toward the Black Dragon's maw.
'You are my dead end.'
'That's why I have to surpass you—and kill you with my own hands!'
There was no deeper reason. Simply put, the Black Dragon was standing in his way, blocking the path forward. Bell didn't care about anything else.
Saving the world? That kind of lofty purpose was way too grand for someone like him.
People like him didn't need grand ideals—just one reason was enough.
The moment Bell's fist collided with the Black Dragon's maw, everything began to dissolve into nothingness. The two consciousnesses that had come into contact returned to their own bodies.
...
"!?"
Bell's eyes snapped open as he gasped for air, his oxygen-starved body forcing deep, frantic breaths. That black dragon he saw, the voice he heard—they didn't feel fake. So... were those so-called "counterparts" real?
"No way."
"The real Bell Cranel wouldn't think like that. Failure was never an option, and someone in his position wouldn't allow it."
Yeah, Bell couldn't accept that those people were his former selves—or Bell Cranel at all. Anyone who admits defeat could never be the protagonist. At least, he didn't believe that naive, saint-like guy would give up so easily. Maybe that guy was just some melodramatic brat at heart.
"Was it some kind of guidance?"
Bell wasn't sure. Everything had happened so fast, and his brain wasn't exactly keeping up. But one thing he was certain of—it wasn't something the Black Dragon orchestrated. From what it had said, that dragon wasn't the type to play cheap tricks.
He didn't know exactly what just happened, but he accepted it—he was just a transmigrator. Whether or not he was a counterpart didn't matter. The responsibilities tied to this identity were still his to bear. It was a fate he couldn't run from.
Bell let out a slow breath, his overstimulated brain beginning to settle. Maybe it was all just a hallucination from his overactive imagination. That would actually make sense. It sounded like something someone like him—bad at expressing himself—would dream up. Maybe the whole experience was just a side effect of reading that Spell Tome.
'My brain really isn't built for thinking through complicated stuff.'
Bell sighed in exasperation at his own mind. Sure, he was great at daydreaming, but whenever it came to actual thought, he hit a wall. After some consideration, he figured it didn't matter whether it was real, fake, or just a fantasy—he should write it all down before he forgot.
After jotting down some quick notes, Bell flopped back onto the bed. The whole ordeal had left him mentally drained. He'd only just woken up, but reading that Spell Tome had already made him sleepy again. He stretched out his limbs to relax, but his foot bumped into something hard. Sitting up, he saw the Spell Tome lying near his feet. Curious, he picked it up and flipped it open.
'The text disappeared. Looks like it's useless now.'
Tossing the Spell Tome into his four-dimensional space, Bell lay back down and shut his eyes.
Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Don't Underestimate One-Star Craft Essences
Chapter Text
When Bell woke up again, it was already daylight.
'It's morning? How long was I out?'
Groggy and disoriented, Bell rubbed his head and looked out the bright window.
He remembered everything from the night before—the Spell Tome, the counterparts, and the Black Dragon. But the whole situation was just too convoluted for him to think about clearly. Even though he experienced it firsthand, most of it was still a blur. For all he knew, it could have been real or just a dream.
Still, there was one thing he was sure of. If those counterparts from parallel worlds really existed, then it made sense they would have encountered the Type-Moon System like he did. But none of them seemed to be outliers like him. The Type-Moon System had practically pulled him completely out of the "counterpart" category. His transmigration wasn't because of some alternate version of himself—it was because of the Type-Moon System.
So the conclusion was clear: either those visions were his own imagination, or someone had been pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
'Don't overthink it... maybe it's just me.'
He gently patted his chest, trying to calm himself down. He didn't want to dwell on what happened yesterday. In truth, he suspected the Spell Tome had influenced his thoughts, nudging him to rationalize his transmigration as something it wasn't. That might've been what triggered that strange conversation, even giving him an excuse to stop thinking about the real reason behind it all.
'First, I need to be clear about one thing. This transmigration—whatever else it might be—was the result of my own decision. Maybe I was just being reckless... but it was still something I did myself.'
Clicking on that sketchy-looking website was entirely on him, and Bell had to own that. Whether it was soul hijacking or soul transmigration, it didn't matter now—the fact was, he had transmigrated. After slapping his cheeks to snap himself out of it, Bell straightened up and refocused.
When he was looking at the Spell Tome yesterday, he hadn't even bothered checking out the one- or two-star Craft Essences. The three-star ones were mostly usable—things like weapons, Spell Tomes, or experience-based items like the Hidden Blade: Tsubame Gaeshi. But actual holdable Craft Essences? Not a single one. Even now, Bell had no idea if those low-star Craft Essences could actually become part of his power.
If they could, though, then the 100,000 Valis he spent would've been totally worth it.
In the game, one- and two-star Craft Essences were basically trash. But in the real world? Completely different story. These things came with all kinds of bonuses. Take something like "Personal Training"—in the midgame, it's practically useless. But in reality? That kind of experience gain could be game-changing.
Experience = Accelerated growth?
That equation alone was terrifying. It turned "Personal Training" from a worthless piece of junk into a god-tier Craft Essence for catching up fast.
Bell took a deep breath, walked over to the door, and leaned against it as he began examining the one- and two-star Craft Essences he'd drawn yesterday.
Ninety different Craft Essences floated in front of him, neatly arranged. Every five cards, their appearance shifted, showing a total of 18 different types.
'After ten full pulls with the guaranteed rate, I've probably drained the entire one- and two-star pool, haven't I?'
Looking at those 18 types of Craft Essences, Bell felt exhausted. It wasn't that he was upset about the guaranteed draws—it was the cost of upgrading them that had him feeling drained.
'The enhancement cost for a three-star Craft Essence is one million Valis. Hopefully the cost for one- and two-star Craft Essences won't be that high.'
Craft Essences only reach their full potential when enhanced. Given the chance, Bell intended to max them all out with money. After all, maxing out a three-star Craft Essence was incredibly difficult—so far, the only one he'd fully enhanced was "Hidden Blade: Tsubame Gaeshi."
And even that didn't grant him the technique itself. It merely gave him a way to reach that level, along with the finely honed skills required. That synthesized Craft Essence gave Bell an opening—a shortcut to executing Tsubame Gaeshi.
"Enhance all Craft Essences."
[Enhancement will cost 1.8 million Valis.]
'So, it's 100,000 Valis each for the one- and two-star Craft Essences?' Bell nodded slightly. That was a cost he could manage.
"Do it."
As soon as Bell gave his confirmation, the 1.8 million Valis stored in four-dimensional space turned into golden light and was absorbed by the Type-Moon System. At the same time, the 90 floating Craft Essences in front of him began to fuse.
Eighteen Craft Essences completed their enhancement.
"And now?"
One of the Craft Essences floated toward him. Bell immediately noticed the label "NO.1" on it.
But before he could react, the Craft Essence named "Tenacity" dissolved into glowing particles and started drifting around his body.
The sight made Bell freeze. He still had "Personal Training," a Craft Essence with the "Early Bloomer" trait, yet now he was seeing this one-star Craft Essence turn into light and encircle his body.
'Wait... does that mean there's no limit to how many Craft Essences I can have active in reality?'
The glowing particles slowly began to merge into his body.
Boom!
In that instant, every muscle in his body pulsed violently, his flesh seething like it was boiling. A strange blood-red hue spread across his skin. The surging blood made Bell feel like it might burst from his body—and that wasn't just a metaphor.
He wanted to scream, but he couldn't. All he could do was grit his teeth and endure. He could feel it clearly—his body was changing. Every drop of blood in him seemed to be reacting to some extreme stimulus.
After about three minutes, the rush of blood finally began to settle. But the effort to suppress it had drenched Bell in sweat.
"Ha..."
A heated breath escaped his trembling lips.
It shot out like a white arrow across the room, flying three or four meters before dissipating.
But Bell, the one who exhaled that heat, was in bad shape. The wild surge of blood had nearly made him lose control. He could feel his blood vessels and even his heart straining to the breaking point. The sensation was awful—so bad it was beyond anything he could have imagined.
'Craft Essences... so they actually directly enhance the body. If I hadn't received Falna's blessing, my blood probably would've exploded on the spot.'
Right then, Bell could only feel thankful he hadn't rolled the gacha earlier.
'Good thing I was broke back then.'
Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Almost Killed by a Craft Essence
Chapter Text
Just then, another Craft Essence appeared before Bell's eyes.
"Again!?"
This time, the Craft Essence turned into a beam of light and shot straight into Bell's brain. A wave of unprecedented coolness swept through his consciousness. The frantic nerve activity caused by his surging blood and flesh came to a halt. His heightened emotions were rapidly suppressed, giving way to a profound and unusual tranquility. All the surrounding sounds faded away.
That stillness made Bell slowly close his eyes.
"It's so quiet..."
His tense body relaxed. He felt weightless, as if even his soul was drifting free.
'Meditation.' In that moment of silence, one comes to understand the origin of humanity.
The 'Technique' that humans can never escape.
The "Preemption" that seizes the initiative in battle.
The purest impulse in the human soul—"Destruction."
The "Flash" that lights up the sky and the road ahead.
The perfectly timed "Pleasant Chance."
The fruits of growth and "Plentiful Harvest."
"Concentration". Sharpen the mind.
When the path is unclear, a revelation from above brings "Divine Oracle" and the truth.
Clutching weapons and bracing oneself, the road ahead is bound to be filled with "Conflict."
The "Catena" that strings together attacks and techniques in succession.
Withstand damage, "Divided" from all harm by a barrier.
In darkness, "Awakening" opens eyes that see all.
The "Famine" buried deep in the soul constantly reminds one of desire.
Even in betrayal or hardship, never forget "Compassion"—though at times, it may also be the signal of a fall into the abyss.
Endless vitality symbolizes "Prosperity," the yearning for life itself.
The river of death flows without end, its steady current bringing forth the creeping shadow of "Somber."
One by one, the eighteen Craft Essences, each bearing its own symbolic meaning, turned into light and merged into Bell's body.
A torrent of power far beyond what his fragile frame could endure poured into him—endless vitality, extraordinary strength, and enhanced flexibility surged into Bell in an instant.
At almost the same moment, Bell's body was pushed to the brink of collapse under the weight of multiple forces. Yet just then, the life force symbolizing "Prosperity" surged forth, delivering a drop of life to the silence nearly crushed by overwhelming power—pulling his nearly lifeless body back from the edge.
At some point, the river of death had reached Bell's ankles. The power of death climbed upward from there, and in an instant, black markings spread across his entire body. But the "Compassion" from the heavens suppressed that death, once again reviving his fading body.
The soul of "Famine" constantly craved sustenance. The deathly waters of that river made his soul tremble, hunger, and ache—all while slowly being devoured.
Gradually, the black markings were consumed by the soul of "Famine." The dull, lifeless soul began to emit a faint glow. Something once deemed worthless now gave off a small glimmer—just a trace of light born from devouring the river of death.
But that glow was quickly enclosed. A thick barrier formed around the barely glowing soul, completely "Divided" from the outside. No matter what, nothing outside could see the light, nor sense the transforming soul of "Famine" within.
The power of the Craft Essences was simply too overwhelming. Bell's body crumbled multiple times, but thanks to the combined strength of "Compassion" and the vitality of "Prosperity" from the heavens, his broken frame kept regaining life. In the cycle of collapse and rebirth, Bell's body underwent a reconfiguration. His organs grew more resilient, and even his life force began to steadily increase.
Even as he remained immersed in "Meditation," Bell was aware of the changes occurring within him.
And it was precisely because he was aware of them that he didn't dare disrupt the process by breaking from "Meditation"—especially after noticing that the abnormal transformations were actually improving him.
Only after the changes finally settled did Bell pull himself out of his "Meditation."
"!!!!"
A surge of unbearable pain nearly knocked Bell out as soon as he regained control of his body.
Though his willpower kept his mind from slipping away, the agony coursing through every organ, every cell, was so intense that he couldn't even make a sound.
'I knew it… I knew it…'
'Good thing I didn't jump out of meditation earlier, or I'd be dead for sure.'
The physical pain was bad enough, but his soul hurt too.
The curse from the river of death was like a festering plague, rapidly spreading from his ankles. If not for the other Craft Essences pushing back against it, his body would have died completely. On top of that, his soul had devoured part of the river of death—and the pain that followed was like his very soul being torn apart. That river really was inedible. One bite, and he almost killed himself.
Leaning back against the door, Bell gradually felt the pain lessen. But he knew it wasn't truly fading—it just hurt slightly less than before. In truth, his body still ached just as much. Maybe he was simply getting used to it.
Using the door for support, Bell staggered over to the bed. Today, he was completely done for. This kind of pain wasn't going away anytime soon. He'd need to wait until his body stopped screaming before he could do anything. Otherwise, if he went into the Dungeon now, a goblin would probably finish him off instantly.
It hurt. Gods, it hurt so much.
"I've never heard of this... It was just a Craft Essence enhancement, why did it almost kill me?"
Thankfully, he hadn't actually died—because if he had, Bell wouldn't even know where to start crying. Who would've thought that even one- or two-star Craft Essences could be this terrifying? If he'd known how painful it would be when they entered his body, he never would've used them all at once. At the very least, he should've gone one by one.
Carefully, he lay down on the bed and pulled the blanket over himself. Honestly, after that kind of pain, all he wanted was to sleep. Maybe it was the body's way of protecting itself. Bell didn't resist. He let the drowsiness take over and allowed himself to fall into sleep.
Even as he slept, his body continued to twitch slightly.
The pain he'd endured was just that unbearable.
Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The God Who Cherishes His Familia
Chapter Text
"Mmm..."
Early in the morning, Hestia slowly woke from a sweet dream. With the lingering thought of how soft and cozy the bed was, she lazily opened her eyes. But from the look on her face, she clearly had no intention of getting up.
The problem was, the other person in the room had had enough.
"Hey! Do you even know what time it is?"
Hephaestus glanced at Hestia with an irritated look. This idiot had only just become a Familia Head not long ago, and yet she was already slipping back into her lazy habits. It made Hephaestus seriously question whether partnering with her had been a huge mistake.
"C'mon, don't be like that..."
Hestia pouted, her cheeks puffed up as she buried her face deep into the blanket, looking like she had no plans of leaving the bed. And of course, she had plenty of excuses.
"Those few days I spent outside made me realize how tough life really is. The beds were rock-hard, the blankets smelled awful, and the basement of that church had this nasty moldy odor."
To anyone listening, she sounded like some rich kid who'd gotten a taste of real life at the bottom and came away full of complaints. Naturally, Hephaestus could hear the not-so-subtle undertone of wanting to avoid effort altogether—and that ticked her off.
Without hesitation, she reached into the blanket, grabbed Hestia's face, and yanked her up despite her cries of "Ow!"
"What are you whining about? And who do you think made things this way? It's you, you lazy freeloader! You just sit around in my place all day, never once stepping outside to look for a few capable or promising Familia members."
"You think all gods are as idle as you? If Freya and Loki acted like you, they'd never be the Twin Kings of Orario!"
Hephaestus had no patience for Hestia's attitude.
Sure, all gods wanted to slack off sometimes—even Hephaestus wasn't immune to that. But laziness was only acceptable when you were actually putting in effort on a regular basis. Taking an occasional break was one thing. But Hestia? She never did anything. Just lazed around all day. That wasn't laziness—that was outright idleness.
Back when the gods descended from Tenkai to Genkai, nearly all of them were doing their best—whether by scouting out potential Familia candidates or showcasing their abilities to catch the attention of Genkai's children. That was what every god was striving for.
To Hephaestus, that process was far more exciting than anything back in Tenkai. She genuinely enjoyed it. Which only made her even more disgusted with Hestia's slacker behavior. And to top it off, Hestia's ridiculous stunt of personally inviting adventurers one by one into her Familia? Hephaestus hadn't seen that coming at all.
If it weren't for what happened next—the arrival of a certain very promising recruit—Hephaestus had seriously considered kicking Hestia straight back to Tenkai.
"Mmm..."
Having had her cheek yanked, Hestia knew she had no leg to stand on and didn't argue. After all, everything Hephaestus said was true. But the moment she thought about her adorable Bell, pride swelled up in her chest again.
"If I hadn't been slacking off, I never would've met Bell-kun! So really, slacking off was the right call."
That kind of logic made a vein twitch visibly on Hephaestus's forehead. She genuinely wanted to crack open this idiot's skull and see if it was stuffed with pig brains.
"You've got some nerve saying that! You think you just happened to run into him? Please. You're just a blind cat that got lucky and bumped into a golden mouse that walked right up to your door. Don't go acting like it's thanks to your own skill. If you had even half a brain, the Guild would've already lined up a bunch of new recruits for your Familia."
In Orario, it wasn't gods who struggled to find Familia members—it was adventurers who had trouble finding a Familia to join.
Hephaestus had no doubt: if this idiot Hestia had just gone to the Guild and said the word, they'd easily have arranged some rookie adventurers for her. Sure, it wouldn't have been easy at first, but watching those kids grow and develop—that's the whole reason most gods descended to Genkai in the first place.
But Hestia had somehow managed to mess up what should've been a standard start for any god, and she even seemed to be making it worse.
Sure, meeting Bell had been nothing short of a miracle—but in Hephaestus's eyes, it was just dumb luck.
"Hmph~"
With a smug grin, Hestia lifted her head and puffed out her chest.
"But I have Bell-kun! Isn't having one Bell-kun way better than getting stuck with some weirdos from who-knows-where?"
"You… don't actually think you can just get by without recruiting anyone else, do you?"
Now Hephaestus was genuinely concerned. Bell was great, no doubt about that—but no matter how amazing he was, one adventurer didn't make a full Familia. And from the sound of it, Hestia really had no plans to recruit anyone else.
"Of course I don't."
Hestia nodded without even a second of hesitation. Ever since Bell joined, she'd completely lost interest in expanding the Familia. She did know that once Bell truly grew, the Hestia Familia could potentially rival Freya's or Loki's—but that was in the future. At least until Bell had fully matured, she had no plans to add anyone else.
"My Bell-kun will absolutely surpass Finn from Loki's side and Ottar from Freya's. But that's something for after he grows stronger. Bell-kun already told me he doesn't trust any of the other adventurers in Orario. So unless he gives the okay, I won't be bringing in anyone else."
"You… ahh…"
Hephaestus had every intention of talking her out of this, but when she saw the look in Hestia's eyes—firm and unwavering—she swallowed the words, letting them dissolve into a sigh.
Gods who genuinely loved their Familia weren't rare in Orario. In fact, many gods deeply cherished their children, and more than a few even fell in love with them. But the truth was, most romances between gods and mortals ended in tragedy.
And yet, gods still pursued them. Not because they sought a fixed, unchanging future, but because they yearned for the unpredictable—new encounters, new experiences. Even if it meant flying straight into the flame, many gods embraced it willingly.
It was clear now—Hestia was one of them.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 41: Chapter 41: This Kid Is Truly an Outlier
Chapter Text
"Bell-kun~"
After finishing her morning wash-up, Hestia, barefoot and wearing a short white dress, bounced cheerfully into Bell's room. But the moment she stepped inside, she froze. She'd expected that, after sleeping an entire day, Bell would have been up early. Yet here she was, already awake—and he was still lying in bed.
"Hestia, stop running around in the room."
Just as Hestia was puzzling over why Bell was still asleep, Hephaestus walked up behind her. A quick glance into the room made her pause as well.
'He's been asleep for a whole day now, hasn't he? Why hasn't he gotten up?'
Three days of nonstop work without sleep would definitely take a toll, especially on a kid who'd only just started out as an adventurer. That kind of exhaustion was understandable—but this still felt like too much. Hephaestus narrowed her eyes and looked more closely. Her pupils contracted sharply.
'What the—his life force has increased this much? And it's still rising?'
For those born in Genkai, life force was essentially tied to lifespan.
Ordinary people didn't have a life force that increased endlessly. Instead, it rose and fell in accordance with each race's developmental stage.
In essence, life force reflected a person's physical vitality and whether they were in a growth or decline phase. Everyone had a fixed ceiling for their life force—reaching that limit usually meant they'd hit the peak of their life.
For a growing child, an increase in life force was normal. But what Hephaestus was seeing had clearly gone far beyond what should've been possible at Bell's age. It had skyrocketed to three or four times the expected maximum.
And yet she was sure that just yesterday, Bell's life force had been well within the normal range. For such a drastic change to happen in a single day—it was just too sudden.
While Hephaestus was deep in thought, Hestia had already approached Bell's bedside. As she got closer, she noticed subtle spasms running through his body. They weren't dramatic, but they were frequent. Her expression immediately shifted to worry, and she quickly turned to Hephaestus, who was still frozen at the doorway.
"Hephaestus, what's wrong with Bell-kun?"
"Yeah… I was about to ask the same thing."
Snapped out of her thoughts, Hephaestus walked slowly to Bell's side. The spasms were clearly visible. Under normal circumstances, they would've called someone right away—but this clearly wasn't a typical situation.
She carefully checked Bell's mental and physical condition and found that his body was completely tense. Even in sleep, his expression was strained—and whenever she touched him, it only worsened. From that alone, Hephaestus had already reached a conclusion.
"There's been some kind of change in his body. Just look at his face—you can tell he was in serious pain. But he toughed it out all on his own, didn't even make a sound."
Hephaestus might not have been a medical expert, but she wasn't clueless either. Gods who didn't specialize in healing could still recognize the basics. They just didn't have the same detailed understanding as those who did.
There were many causes for muscle spasms, and not all of them were so straightforward. Some were symptoms of deeper issues. But when it was just simple spasms, one common trigger stood out:
Pain.
Intense pain.
It was a well-known cause of muscle spasms. How much pain it took to provoke such a reaction, though, depended entirely on the person. Those with stronger constitutions could naturally endure more. But Bell was still just a rookie—a kid who'd only recently received his Falna. His constitution definitely wasn't anything special. Which meant whatever pain had caused this reaction must have been extreme.
'If he were just an average Level 1 adventurer, he'd probably be dead by now.'
That was the answer Hephaestus arrived at internally. She wouldn't dare say it aloud in front of Hestia—if she did, the idiot would probably run off and start asking every god she could find for help. The fewer people who knew about this, the better. Keeping it between the two of them was ideal.
"There's something abnormal going on in his body. Hestia, keep a close eye on his life force."
"Life force?"
Hestia immediately focused her vision—and then she saw it. Bell's life force was practically spilling out of his body.
"But... that can't be right. It shouldn't be increasing this fast. Bell-kun's condition was completely stable before. How could he change this much in just a day?"
It was clear Hestia understood the implications of life force. And because she understood, she was even more bewildered by the sudden transformation happening within Bell.
Hephaestus had come to the same conclusion. Still, the fact remained: his body had changed, and it had happened overnight. That alone told her one thing for certain—this boy was either born different, or he was something else entirely. From his aura, he was definitely human—not some monster wearing a human disguise. Still, another possibility crossed her mind.
'Could he be a child raised by the Evilus?'
That explanation made a lot more sense. The Evilus was known for training incredibly talented individuals. But their purpose in raising them was fundamentally different from that of the gods—while the gods nurtured their Familia for joy and connection, the Evilus raised theirs to destroy Orario.
It was a plausible theory—but Hephaestus didn't quite buy it. No matter what schemes the Evilus had in play, they wouldn't just toss out someone this gifted as bait. If they wanted to attract the attention of the gods, there were far easier and cheaper ways to do it. Besides, the boy's cautious and low-key behavior didn't line up with that kind of setup.
Given that the Evilus wasn't a bunch of fools, Hephaestus leaned toward a different conclusion: this boy might simply be a unique outlier.
As for the changes taking place in him—when she considered the skills and magic he possessed, Hephaestus felt this kind of transformation wasn't that surprising after all.
Chapter 42: Chapter 42: If It Hurts, Then Scream!
Chapter Text
It took nearly another full day before Bell finally woke from his sleep.
"Phew..."
The moment he opened his eyes, Bell let out a long breath—and immediately winced. A wave of foul air escaped his mouth, filling the room with an awful stench. Grimacing, he forced himself out of bed and hurried to open the window.
A refreshing breeze swept in, carrying away some of the stench and easing the heavy atmosphere in the room. Bell leaned out the window as far as he could—the smell inside was just too much.
'Seriously... was that my breath? It reeks worse than a public toilet.'
Worried, Bell cupped his hands and breathed into them, then cautiously sniffed. Fortunately, there was no trace of that horrible odor. He let out a relieved sigh. The last thing he wanted was to walk around with breath that could clear a room.
After catching his breath, Bell had a vague idea of what had caused the foul stench—it was probably tied to the Craft Essences he'd absorbed. Unlike the overwhelming pain he'd felt before falling asleep, his body now felt surprisingly good. His breathing, physical condition, even his vision and hearing were all sharper than before.
'I really need to be more careful next time. Craft Essences were made for Heroic Spirits. In the game, there were no physical compatibility issues—but this is real life. It's different.'
He'd meant to be cautious and deliberate, but he'd completely overlooked this part.
In the end, it came down to faulty assumptions. Once you decide something ahead of time, it's easy to let that initial bias distort all your future judgments.
'Still, the fact that Craft Essences aren't locked to a one-time effect like in the game... that's actually good news. No matter what kind of Craft Essence I pull, I just need to work toward getting five copies. Maybe I can absorb them in reality, but I probably can't absorb duplicates. Or maybe I need to Max Limit Break them before I can absorb at all—otherwise, their effects might be weak.'
Bell didn't know for sure if absorbed Craft Essences could be further enhanced. But precisely because he didn't know, he had to assume the worst. Still, there was room to experiment. If it turned out he could keep upgrading them post-absorption, then he wouldn't need to wait for Max Limit Break before fusing them.
Still, it was better to test things with low-star Craft Essences first. If it failed, the loss wouldn't hurt as much. Risking a higher-rarity one right away would be a waste. Using low-star CEs as testing material was the smarter move.
'If I include the time I was unconscious, it's probably been about a week since I arrived in Orario. From here on, I need to start building up my stats bit by bit, then gradually make my way to the lower floors.'
'But before that, I still need to confirm my magic. I'll need time to get used to casting it and figure out where my limits are.'
There was time. Bell wasn't in a rush. He was still just a fledgling adventurer—there was plenty of room to grow, and no need to rush. Right now, the first floor wasn't too crowded, so it was easy to stay under the radar. But once he started venturing deeper, the number of adventurers would increase, and staying unnoticed would become much harder. He'd need to find more secluded routes.
'On top of building strength, I also need to keep myself hidden. That's going to be a little tricky.'
But only a little. As long as he confirmed that the Goddess of Beauty hadn't taken notice of him, there was no reason anyone would pay attention to a no-name rookie in Orario. Absentmindedly, Bell rubbed his chin. Next time he entered the Dungeon, not only would he wear a coat, but he'd add a face mask—maybe even disguise his voice a little.
If he was going to stay hidden, he needed to do it properly.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside—one heavy, one light. Sounded like two people.
Bell pulled his head back in from the window. He sniffed carefully—thankfully, the foul odor from earlier had been blown away by the breeze. Unless someone had a particularly sharp nose, they wouldn't notice a thing. He walked over and opened the door.
The two people standing outside caught him slightly off guard.
"Goddess-sama, Hephaestus-sama."
Hestia rushed into the room and threw herself at Bell, quickly checking him over. After confirming that there was nothing visibly wrong, she finally let out a breath of relief. She looked at him again. Though the overflow of life force had calmed somewhat, it was still steadily rising, slowly pushing beyond the range of an ordinary human.
That, of course, was good news for Hestia. It meant Bell's future lifespan would be longer than a typical human's. If she had her way, she would never have to watch her first child grow old. And right now, the signs pointed toward that hope becoming reality.
"Bell-kun, do you feel anything strange in your body?"
"Goddess-sama, do you mean the pain I felt earlier?"
That question made Bell realize that his Goddess had visited his room. He wasn't too surprised. After all, he'd been out cold for a long time—it was only natural for her to check in on him. And the damage caused by the Craft Essences wasn't something he could hide. Not that he needed to.
"I woke up once because the pain was too much. But after it passed, I fell back asleep."
He fell asleep after the pain?
Hephaestus couldn't help but be impressed by Bell's pain tolerance. The soundproofing in this guest room wasn't great—any noise would've easily been heard outside. Yet Bell hadn't made a sound the entire time. That kind of endurance was definitely rare. And judging from what he said, it wasn't that he passed out—he had grit his teeth and endured it all the way.
But Hestia wasn't impressed in the slightest. In fact, she looked upset.
"Bell-kun, if you're in pain, you should cry out! How else am I supposed to know if you don't call for me?"
Bell smiled wryly. He had kept quiet precisely because he didn't want her to find out. This was his biggest secret—he didn't want her to see him in that state.
Hephaestus reached over and grabbed Hestia by the back of her collar, stopping her from saying anything more. This idiot. Couldn't she see the boy didn't want his Goddess to see him like that? Boys had their pride too.
"Hestia, your child's fine. Let's not push this any further. Right now, you should focus on linking him with that short sword."
"Oh, right! Bell-kun, take your clothes off."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 43: Chapter 43: The Dagger of "Indestructibility" and "Growth"
Chapter Text
With his shirt removed, Bell sat on the floor, back facing them, as Hestia gently let her blood drip onto his back. A pale, white light began to slowly take shape. She was updating Bell's Falna and synchronizing him with the short sword—this would make Bell its sole wielder.
But midway through the update, Hestia froze, her eyes locked onto a newly appeared entry in Bell's magic section. She clearly remembered—Bell hadn't stepped foot into the Dungeon for three days since he started forging weapons. After finishing the sword, he'd collapsed into sleep for a day, and then spent another whole day asleep for reasons still unclear. So how did he awaken a brand new magic without even leaving his room?
"Hephaestus, come take a look."
Something again?
Hephaestus instinctively glanced at Bell's turned back. Ever since this kid had joined Hestia's Familia, surprises just kept coming. She stepped forward and peered at the data now glowing on Bell's back—and her expression twitched slightly.
"Another magic?"
[Lightning Command]:
Quick-Cast Magic
Controls Lightning
A brief and simple description.
But that simplicity was exactly what raised the alarm. The Falna had only listed this minimal information—there wasn't even an incantation provided. And that could mean only one thing: this magic required no chant. That alone placed it in a rarefied class of spells.
Then there was the name itself—[Lightning Command]. Nothing more than "controls lightning." The word "command" carried broad implications. The fact that the system didn't narrow down the spell's type only meant one thing: its use was practically unlimited. That kind of flexibility was another reason this magic stood out.
No incantation, no usage constraints—those were the first impressions Hephaestus got from this spell. Even she knew what that implied. A spell this open-ended had incredible potential—but also came with a terrifyingly low floor.
'It all hinges on how deeply he develops it. If he pushes the boundaries, this spell could have countless applications. But if he fails to master it properly, its weaknesses could be just as dangerous.'
'This is the kind of spell that could be a perfect fit for an adventurer. It's a combat-focused magic that evolves through actual use. But for a complete novice... this is way too experimental.'
Hephaestus could see the depth of this spell. With enough exploration, it could carry an adventurer further than dozens of conventional spells. It was the kind of magic that promised a future—if Bell had the will and skill to pursue it.
And of course, if Hephaestus could see that, Hestia could too.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Hestia grasped its true nature. She saw that this magic had the potential to carry Bell far. But in the present, its utility was still limited—too raw, too undeveloped to offer any real immediate help.
'Let's place our hopes in the magic of the future. Bell, you've obtained another sharp weapon. But this magic won't immediately make you stronger.'
The greater a magic's potential, the more underwhelming it is at the start.
'We'll talk about the magic later. Right now, the priority is to link the dagger to your Falna.'
Hestia composed herself and drew the newly forged black dagger from its sheath. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary blade, but once stained with Hestia's blood, divine script began to emerge on the blade. The glowing white characters resonated with the pale light on Bell's back.
Connection.
Hestia synchronized the divine script on the dagger with the holy markings on Bell's back. Slowly, the symbols on the blade began to shift, and a new line appeared at the front—signaling that the engraving was complete.
With the connection finalized, Hestia let out a breath of relief. Now, as long as Bell kept growing, the dagger would grow with him. It had already synced with Bell's data and would start developing through battle. She was certain that once it fully matured, it would become Bell's most vital weapon.
She pressed the Status Board back into the tattoo on Bell's back.
"Bell, it's done."
Bell nodded and began putting his clothes back on. Once dressed, he turned around and saw the black dagger held in the goddess's hand. 'How should I put it? It looks a little different from what I remembered.' The divine script on the blade had been concealed—unlike what he recalled. 'Weren't the characters always visible from the start? So why are they hidden so well now?'
Still, this was undoubtedly good news. No one would covet something that looked ordinary. Even in the original story, the protagonist's sword attracted the Pallum only because of its visible divine markings. But now, this black dagger appeared completely normal—aside from the blackened blade.
Noticing Bell's gaze, Hestia smiled and handed him the dagger.
"Bell, we made this blade together. It's alive, and as long as you keep using it in battle, it will continue to grow. I've named it the 'Hestia Knife.'"
"This weapon was specially forged by Hephaestus. Don't let its plain black appearance fool you—the materials used are anything but ordinary. It also has the traits of 'Indestructibility' and 'Growth.' You don't even need to maintain it. As long as you keep using it, it'll steadily become sharper."
If other Adventurers in Orario found out about this dagger, they'd be green with envy. "Indestructibility" is one of the best traits a first-class weapon can have—it means there's no need for frequent replacements. And "Growth" ensures that the blade maintains its exceptional sharpness without any upkeep.
Now, this blade was in Bell's hands.
Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Another Magic Awakening, Huh?
Chapter Text
Bell stared at the short sword in disbelief. A weapon with both "Indestructibility" and "Growth"? Wasn't that basically cheating? It didn't even need maintenance—just using it would make it sharper. Wasn't this practically the same as a "pen that never runs out of ink"?
'The original said this weapon had the ability to grow, and Goddess-sama mentioned it too. But does this level of growth mean the sword doesn't need any upkeep at all?'
It already had the "Indestructibility" trait, and now "Growth" on top of that. Wasn't this every Adventurer's ultimate dream? And if a weapon like this truly existed, didn't that make every other weapon obsolete?
Bell glanced cautiously at Hephaestus-sama, wanting to ask how she even came up with such a concept.
The mature, big-sisterly goddess Hephaestus instantly caught the doubt in Bell's eyes. She sighed inwardly. 'What a waste, following such an idiot of a goddess. If only he'd joined Freya Familia or Loki Familia, he would've gone far.'
"That's exactly why I said this weapon is practically made to put blacksmiths out of business. As a smith, I really didn't want to forge something like this."
She folded her arms as she spoke, the motion only emphasizing her mature, elegant demeanor. That older-sisterly aura washed over Bell. But compared to the mature and intelligent goddess, his eyes were still drawn to the short sword.
After all, there were plenty of graceful, intellectual big sisters in the world—but this sword was one of a kind. And wasn't "one of a kind" way more interesting than another big sister?
Even though Bell didn't feel worthy of wielding such a first-rate weapon with both "Indestructibility" and "Growth," now that it was in his hands, he felt nothing but gratitude toward Goddess-sama for going out of her way to request it from Hephaestus-sama.
Bell knew full well that if it hadn't been for Hestia-sama's personal request, Hephaestus-sama never would've made such a weapon. Forging something like this was practically saying every other weapon was trash. There was no doubt—this dagger was now the strongest weapon in all of Orario.
Hearing her friend say that, Hestia immediately sprang to her feet, ran over, grabbed her arm, and began shaking it playfully with a cheerful grin.
"Hehe~ I know. That's why Hephaestus is the best~"
Even though she'd been the one to make the unreasonable request, Hephaestus still fulfilled it. Hestia wasn't clueless—she knew full well Hephaestus only agreed because of their friendship. So she was genuinely grateful that Hephaestus had only charged her the minimum for such an outrageous favor.
The contrast between the lively loli goddess and the composed, mature blacksmith painted a vivid scene, bathed in a soft, glowing light. From an outsider's perspective, it gave off some serious yuri vibes.
Bell noticed it too but quickly looked away. He couldn't help but mentally fill in the blanks with a full-blown R18 yuri manga. The scene was just too perfect—like Rin Tohsaka and Sakura Matou getting close, or Artoria and Morgan cozying up. It was hard to tear his eyes away. If not for his immense willpower, he might've found himself on the receiving end of Hephaestus-sama's not-so-friendly glare.
Lowering his head, Bell continued examining the "Hestia Knife" in his hand. With both "Indestructibility" and "Growth," it was no wonder this little black dagger was so durable. Even with added magic and a Heroic Strike, it held up just fine—any ordinary first-class weapon would've broken under that kind of stress. And the fact that it required no maintenance? That saved a fortune. This dagger was practically every Adventurer's dream.
Of course, the real appeal was its ease of use and absurd cost-efficiency. It was a weapon even a Level 1 Adventurer could wield, and it could grow alongside its user—potentially lasting an entire lifetime.
But unfortunately, this incredibly cost-effective dagger also had the "Unique" trait. Weapons like this were considered "personal favors." Without that kind of connection, there was no way Hephaestus-sama would agree to make one.
Now, the strongest weapon was in his hands. It may have been a short sword, but it was far more agile than a longsword and much better suited for close-quarters combat. Paired with the magic he had chosen, it would be perfect for melee. That said, the magic he picked still needed a few additional components to function properly.
'I wonder if I can pull it off like in the manga... No—I have to believe it's possible.'
The reason Bell chose lightning magic from the start was all because of a manga. He wanted to transform his body into lightning—like flipping on a speed hack. What he needed was acceleration. Just like in that strange illusionary world, where in the end, he charged toward the Black Dragon in a lightning-formed body.
If he could do that in the illusion when he first received the magic, then it meant the magic was granted through the Spell Tome. Rather than being awakened, the magic seemed more like a manifestation of his own desires—guided and shaped by the Spell Tome into something real.
'I'll ask Goddess-sama about the details later.'
Bell had high expectations for this magic. Maybe it was just a self-acceleration type spell and not some all-purpose enhancement—but even that was more than enough. With the "Hestia Knife" in hand, if he used the magic well, he might even be able to take down higher-level Adventurers with lightning speed.
He wasn't sure if it would work on someone two or even three levels above him, but it was worth dreaming about. As long as he kept getting stronger, the enemies he could face would keep getting tougher too.
"Bell!"
Hestia suddenly dove onto Bell's back, hugging him tightly. Her ever-smiling face always had a way of putting people at ease, and every time Bell saw that smile, his heart would gradually settle. To him, Hestia was a very special goddess. Her smile calmed his spirit—but her figure stirred something entirely different.
"The update and connection are complete. Also, Bell, you've awakened a new magic!"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 45: Chapter 45: A Divine Authority in Magical Disguise
Chapter Text
"Lightning Command???"
Bell's expression twisted into confusion as he listened to Goddess-sama's explanation. All he wanted was a magic that could transform his body into lightning—yet what he ended up with was "Lightning Command." And once he learned it was categorized as both "Quick-Cast Magic" and "Lightning Manipulation," he knew something wasn't right. This was overpowered—way more than the "Firebolt" the original protagonist had.
In the original, that was still clearly a spell. But this? Manipulating lightning directly—was that even still magic? It sounded more like an Authority. But could an Authority even be obtained from a Spell Tome? Bell prided himself on being adaptable, but this realization had him stumped. He didn't ask for something so extreme, yet there was no way this fit within the boundaries of normal magic.
After a long silence, he couldn't hold back the question nagging at his mind.
"Goddess-sama… is this magic or an Authority?"
The question triggered an instinctive response from Hestia.
"Of course it's magic. Authority is a special privilege unique to gods. It's a divine authority—completely different from magic. Gods use Authority to govern specific principles, while magic is something expressed through chants and mana, using structured formulas to produce results."
"To put it simply, magic needs to be constructed. Authority, on the other hand, is innate to the gods—it doesn't require construction. Some magics may resemble Authority, but those are just spells designed to mimic aspects of divine authority."
But even as she gave her explanation, Hestia started reexamining the distinctions between magic and Authority. The more she thought about it, the more Bell's newly awakened magic felt off. Something strange crept into her thoughts, and stiffly, she turned to look at Hephaestus.
"Hephaestus… what do you think?"
At that moment, Hephaestus froze.
The moment Hestia reintroduced the comparison between magic and Authority, Hephaestus had already realized the implications. Authority and magic were fundamentally different—magic needed to be cast, while Authority was immediate. Authority was broad, flexible, and powerful. Not something magic could replicate. But Bell's spell… it fit that description far too well.
'Could he have awakened an Authority?'
'But can a child of Genkai even awaken Authority?'
Hephaestus found the idea absurd. Even demigods couldn't awaken Authority—how could a mortal child from the Genkai possibly do it? Then again, if this wasn't true Authority, but something masquerading as magic under the Falna system, wasn't that even more outrageous?
"Hestia… even demigods can't awaken Authority."
"I know. Not even a demigod can seize divine authority, even if a god willingly abandons it. But Bell… everything about this magic—it feels just like Authority."
'Even demigods can't awaken Authority, let alone a child from the Genkai.' Hestia understood that better than anyone. And that's what made it so disturbing. Even she could see it—Bell's magic was deeply problematic. To be blunt, it was Authority disguised as magic. Otherwise, it wouldn't have such an absurdly wide range of capabilities.
And the word "command" was troubling in itself. Can someone "command" magic? Isn't that term reserved for Authority?
The more Hestia thought about it, the more she felt that Bell's magic was completely abnormal. This didn't look like the awakening of a magic—it looked like the awakening of an Authority. If there was any difference, it was that the Falna system was simply labeling it as "magic."
"Maybe... in terms of raw ability, it's just a little lacking."
Even Hephaestus wasn't sure how to describe what was happening. The more she thought about it, the more it felt real—this might be the first time she'd ever seen someone awaken a magic that essentially acted like an Authority. Or perhaps this was the only real case in all of Orario. And if this so-called magic really was just an Authority wearing a magical disguise, then whatever was going on with Bell, Hestia had hit the jackpot.
After descending to Genkai, gods were forbidden from abusing their Authority. Authority was tied directly to divine power, and overusing it would trigger a resonance with that divine power. While gods weren't explicitly banned from using their Authority, they all understood the unspoken rule—cross the line, and it was as good as getting forcibly summoned back to Tenkai.
But if Hestia's child had awakened something that was essentially Authority in the form of magic, then that made her the only god with someone who could wield divine power freely. In Familia terms, that was beyond a jackpot. There was even a chance Hestia's Familia could rise to match the glory once held by the Hera Familia and the Zeus Familia.
The thought made Hephaestus glance at the idiot goddess again.
'This idiot must have saved the world in a past life. What else could explain her luck? A child just walked through her door, and in a few days, ended up with Space Storage, Early Bloomer, and Luck as skills and magic. And now, he's awakened an Authority hidden under the label of magic.'
For a moment, Hephaestus genuinely questioned her own luck. All gods should have decent fortune—unless you were one of the poverty or misfortune gods. And yet, despite having good luck, how did she end up with nothing like what Hestia had? Why did a shut-in like Hestia end up with a child like that just falling into her lap?
'Ah… right, the kid did come to me first.'
Hephaestus paused. Just a few days ago, when the boy arrived in Orario, he'd come to her looking for a way to join a Familia. He had low expectations and was very clear about his own position. She was the one who referred him to Hestia. Realizing this, Hephaestus felt a brief flicker of regret. But the moment she saw Hestia's smile, that regret vanished.
'Well... I guess this is fate, the bond between this child and Hestia. I just didn't expect I'd be the one who tied the thread.'
With a quiet sigh at how unpredictable life could be, Hephaestus gave a small smile and let the whole matter go.
Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Preparing for the Second Trip to the Dungeon
Chapter Text
Since the day he returned to the ruins of the church with the small black knife, Bell hadn't set foot in the Dungeon. He needed time for preparation, and to develop and study his new powers.
As for the nature of Bell's Awakening Magic, Hestia and Hephaestus had already reached a conclusion. Given how similar its application was to an Authority, they both agreed it was essentially a disguised Authority—only taking the form of magic to manifest as Bell's power. However, using this so-called "Magic" Authority consumed a great deal of mana and lacked the overwhelming power typical of true Authority.
Their guess turned out to be spot-on. When Bell tested the power of his magic afterward, he clearly sensed that the moment it left his body, its mana consumption increased exponentially. But as long as it remained within his body's range, the mana cost dropped just as drastically.
In other words, Bell had successfully obtained the acceleration-type magic he'd been hoping for. Transforming his body into lightning didn't consume much mana, and only required more when he wanted to increase its power. In addition to lightning transformation, he could also imbue his weapons with lightning attributes—something that didn't demand much mana either.
These two magical applications were more than enough for Bell.
Now, what he needed was to fully convert this enhanced state into a part of his own power. But Bell wasn't worried about that process. After all, the effect of "Personal Training" was no joke. As long as he categorized it under "Preparation for Battle" and continued to accumulate power, it would activate the effects of the Craft Essence.
...
As night fell outside the church ruins, Bell held Kuji Kanesada and maintained a combat stance.
Not a single light surrounded the ruins, yet Bell could clearly see everything. His eyes had long since adjusted to the darkness—just a trace of light was enough for him to perceive the world in the shadows. He was even beginning to see clearly in places where there wasn't any light at all.
"Hoo..."
The night breeze stirred around him. A leaf from outside Orario's wall was blown inside by the wind.
By chance, the leaf floated to a spot less than five meters in front of Bell.
"Szzzt!"
A thin arc of blue electricity danced across Bell's skin. The lightning flashed in the night, leaping across the five-meter gap. His long blade traced an arc through the dark sky, and the instant it passed his body, the leaf was sliced cleanly in two. But because the speed surpassed the limits of time, the vertically cleaved leaf hadn't fully split apart. Bell spun quickly, using centrifugal force to slash at the already-cut leaf again.
The arcs of lightning faded from Bell's skin. At the same time, the seemingly frozen leaf split evenly into four pieces as time resumed. The heat from the slash ignited the fragments instantly, burning them to black ash in midair before they had the chance to scatter.
Finishing the motion of sheathing his sword, Bell let out a small breath.
'I'm finally starting to get the hang of it.'
Lightning transformation wasn't something easily mastered.
Once the body was transformed into lightning, all normal sensory perception and sense of speed changed completely—it took time and training to adapt. Bell knew this thunderified state would become his default when traveling or fighting, so getting used to it was essential.
Fortunately, his "Personal Training" had helped a lot. When he first activated lightning transformation, he couldn't control the distance or speed of each step, even crashing straight into a wall. But with repeated training, he slowly adapted—and at the same time, he worked hard to accelerate his thought processes to match.
The momentary nature of Lightning Transformation came with a serious drawback—that fleeting "instant" was its greatest weakness. During that transformation, Bell lost all sense of distance and speed, making it easy to be countered if not used properly. That was why accelerating his thoughts alongside his body was essential when using Lightning Transformation.
'Aside from gradually gaining control over my magic, my swordsmanship has also improved a lot. But I have no idea how long it'll take to pull off that technique.'
"Hidden Blade: Tsubame Gaeshi" was the pinnacle of swordsmanship—and currently the highest-level combat technique Bell possessed that wasn't tied to magic or a skill. The technique could trigger a multi-dimensional distortion phenomenon, bypassing the boundaries of time and space. It was almost a guaranteed kill. But executing it was absurdly difficult—almost unimaginably so.
Even after inheriting a master swordsman's entire life's worth of experience, Bell still couldn't pull it off. Not because he lacked the technical skill, but because he couldn't produce that dimensional distortion with a simple, unembellished sword swing.
His blade work had already come infinitely close to the dying level of that swordsman. Yet despite that, he still couldn't execute the move. Perhaps what he lacked was a certain breakthrough—or maybe there were still aspects in which he fell short compared to that man.
'I still need to keep training the basics of swordplay. Every day, once my daily tasks are done, I have to find time to keep practicing. The gap between me and that swordsman probably lies in our persistence. If he could do it, then with all the experience I've inherited, there's no reason I can't.'
It wasn't arrogance that fueled Bell—it was just that his conditions were far better than that swordsman's had ever been. What's more, Bell had inherited the experience needed to perform "Hidden Blade: Tsubame Gaeshi." Even if he couldn't use it yet, that didn't mean he never would. From the very start, he had been building on that swordsman's legacy, standing on his shoulders. Unlike a swordsman groping through the dark, Bell had a clear path forward.
After storing Kuji Kanesada back in four-dimensional space, Bell steadied his breathing to calm himself.
"Three days in, and my body's already adapted to its enhanced state. I've also grasped the basics of both magic and swordsmanship. Next up—the Dungeon."
Bell hadn't rushed to the Dungeon immediately after returning. Charging in without stabilizing his condition would have been reckless. Life only comes once. That's why caution and careful preparation were essential.
And three days of preparation had been enough. Now it was time to head to the Dungeon and start accumulating real combat experience. After all the prep work, it was time for live training. Power forged through training existed for battle. If it couldn't be used in a real fight, then that training was meaningless.
The Dungeon would be the proving ground for everything Bell had worked on these past three days.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 47: Chapter 47: You Are My Fateful Encounter
Chapter Text
"Bell-kun."
The moment he heard the voice, Bell instinctively reached behind him to catch the goddess who had leapt onto his back. After being tackled like this dozens of times, his body reacted on its own. Though he felt the way he was holding her might be a bit impolite, since Goddess-sama didn't mind and had given him permission, he had gradually gotten used to it.
"Bell-kun, are you done with your evening training?"
"Yeah, I'm done for today. I've mastered the magic and sword techniques I can at this stage. Now, I need to go into the Dungeon to test the results of all my recent efforts."
It was time to see how far his hard work had taken him. Bell wasn't worried that his efforts would go to waste. Given how the Dungeon worked, he believed he'd be rewarded. Still, that meant facing the Dungeon's challenges firsthand.
It had been eight days since his first descent. He needed to reacquaint himself with the atmosphere down there. That said, Bell wasn't planning to mess around on the second or third floor. To test his strength, he didn't need equal opponents—just ones suited to his current level.
Hestia knew that once Bell had adjusted to his strength, he'd head back into the Dungeon. But unlike before, she no longer felt anxious. She believed her child would return safely and grow little by little in the Dungeon.
"Bell-kun, are you planning to move on to the Middle Floors soon?"
"No."
Bell immediately shook his head. He had considered the Middle Floors, but not yet. He still needed to assess whether his current strength was enough before making that call. For now, advancing deeper wasn't part of his plan.
"Goddess-sama, I'm going to keep gathering combat experience on the Upper Floors while steadily raising my basic stats. Only when I've reached the upper limits of the Upper Floors will I prepare to head to the Middle Floors. Until I'm fully ready, I won't even consider it."
The worst thing a person can do is aim too high too soon. You can only walk the path that lies in front of you.
Bell understood this well. From the start, he had chosen a steady path over trying to leap ahead. Just because he had magic akin to Authority and a first-class weapon didn't mean he could do as he pleased in the lower levels. The biggest threat there wasn't the monsters—it was the Adventurers.
He had to keep his abilities hidden. That meant staying alert and finding the deepest parts of each floor—areas Adventurers rarely visited. To make that work, he couldn't keep pushing forward as if he were chasing other Adventurers, and he certainly couldn't treat the Middle Floors as his initial goal.
Even so, after laying out his plan, Bell felt like he might be playing it too safe. A little embarrassed, he turned to Goddess-sama and asked,
"Goddess-sama, is this way of thinking a bit spineless?"
Hestia snapped out of her daze. She suddenly let out a laugh, and after a while, pressed her forehead against Bell-kun's cheek.
"Nope. Being afraid of death is perfectly normal. It's not just the children of Genkai— even we gods from Tenkai fear death. Maybe we're different in that we don't truly die. At worst, when we do, we end up stuck in Tenkai for a very, very long time. But for us gods, what we fear most isn't death—it's endless life filled with boredom."
"Bell-kun, a long, long time ago, we gods weren't like this at all."
Hestia had never wanted to talk about what they used to be like. But now, she couldn't help but share the gods' past with her child—a past that was both dull and meaningless.
"From the moment we were born in Tenkai, we were each given our divine roles. Back then, we were pure white—blank. We were always unsure of our purpose, because we gods didn't have to do anything. We didn't care about the meaning of existence, not even about time. For us, there was no such thing as 'change.' That's what made our existence feel so empty."
"But then, one day, a connection was formed between Genkai and Tenkai. We saw everything happening in Genkai. We saw change—something completely unlike us, something that had never existed in our world. And from that moment on, we began to change. We started gaining a bit of humanity."
"We learned what joy is, what sadness feels like, what it means to be excited, and what it is to look forward to something. After billions of years of sameness, we finally changed. It was then that we created the rules for Genkai. We gods came down to search for all sorts of things—those fluttering feelings, that sense of anticipation."
"We, who had once been stagnant, began to evolve. No one knows if that change was good or bad, but every god welcomed it. After Genkai brought us change, Tenkai was no longer the lifeless place it once was. We became vibrant—alive."
In Hestia's eyes appeared a lifeless figure, like a puppet with no will of its own. But in the next blink, it changed into the always-smiling Hestia. Back then, none of the gods could have imagined that they, divine beings, would one day be influenced by the children of Genkai.
"One by one, gods came down from Tenkai, each in search of something personal. And during this process of change, we all began to shift in different ways. Some good gods moved toward kindness. Some evil ones leaned further into wickedness."
"No matter what you do, there will always be people who like or hate it. Maybe it's because of different ideals. Maybe it's just frustration needing an outlet. But I really dislike those kinds of gods. If only we could send them back to Tenkai, things down here would be a lot better."
"But Bell-kun, you must remember—we all came to Genkai seeking our own encounters. We love the way the children of Genkai change, and we respect every choice they make. So, Bell-kun, whatever decision you make, I'll support it."
"Because you're my fateful encounter."
Chapter 48: Chapter 48: The “Lively” Dungeon
Chapter Text
"Zzzzt!"
A bolt of lightning streaked across the first floor of the Dungeon. As it passed, every Goblin in its path was instantly reduced to black ash, leaving behind only their Magic Stones and short swords as proof they'd ever existed.
"Clack, clack!"
Strange noises echoed from the walls. Dozens of holes suddenly opened in the once-smooth surface, each containing a curled-up Goblin clutching a short sword. This was how Dungeon monsters were born. Any first-time adventurer witnessing this would feel a deep discomfort—because only in moments like this did they remember that they were inside the belly of a living creature called the "Dungeon." That thought alone was enough to unsettle many.
Dozens of Goblins hit the ground at once—a truly overwhelming sight.
But before any of them could move, the same bolt of lightning flashed through again, instantly turning them all to ash, just like the wave before.
This time, however, the streak of lightning came to a halt, revealing the figure within.
"Phew..."
Bell, having taken lightning form, came to a stop and let out a breath. He had burned through quite a bit of stamina and mana. Over the past fifteen minutes on the first floor, he hadn't paused once, and maintaining that form had drained nearly eighty percent of his mana. If he kept going like that, he'd hit mana depletion and risk passing out in the Dungeon. That was something he couldn't afford—so he stopped.
Listening carefully, Bell noted the walls had quieted, no new monsters emerging. With the lull, it was a good time to gather the Drop Items. Goblin Magic Stones were cheap, but their short swords? Those had value.
After catching his breath, Bell quickly moved to collect everything off the ground.
A quick count revealed 241 Goblin short swords.
In just a matter of minutes, he'd taken down that many Goblins. The first time he'd entered the Dungeon, it had taken him an entire day to do the same. Here, Bell could clearly see how much he had grown. Compared to his first time, he was without a doubt much stronger now. But the fact that magic could push his efficiency to such extremes—that was something else entirely.
'The practical use of Lightning isn't bad. But… isn't the mana consumption a little too low?'
That was what puzzled Bell. The magic he used on himself had drastically reduced mana costs, but still—this spell shouldn't have lasted so long and left him with twenty percent of his mana. Over the past three days, Bell had carefully measured his mana capacity and knew exactly how much Lightning Command used. But today, it had lasted far longer than before.
'There must be a reason. If I can figure it out and use it properly, I could extend how long I stay active.'
With that thought, Bell stored the "Hestia Knife" in his dimensional space and took out Kuji Kanesada. First, he needed to recover his mana. Then, it was time to figure out why he had been able to maintain his magic for so long. This wouldn't be a blitz tactic—it was time for a research battle.
These were the two combat styles Bell used: research battles when things were going smoothly, and blitz battles when under pressure.
The first floor no longer posed a threat to him, so there was no need to keep speed-clearing Goblins. He'd be better off using this time to refine his technique and work toward mastering Tsubame Gaeshi. Besides, something unusual had occurred—something he didn't recognize. And with the unknown always came risk and unpredictability. He needed to understand what was going on.
After a brief rest, Bell felt his mana had recovered by nearly twenty percent—a frighteningly fast rate. But he knew why. "Meditation." As long as he entered a meditative state while resting, he could quickly recover both stamina and mana. On top of that, his five senses were sharpened during meditation, allowing him to stay aware of his surroundings—perfect even for resting in the Dungeon.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed nearby. Bell tensed, frowning slightly, and slipped into the shadows.
Two sets of footsteps approached. Both were heavy—one dull, the other even heavier. Judging by the weight, they were likely two well-built Adventurers.
"There aren't even any Goblins on the first floor today?"
A gruff voice came from further down the passage, laced with irritation. From the sound of it, Bell could tell the man was annoyed. Normally, only fresh adventurers came to the first floor. On most days, this place was deserted. So why were people here today?
"It's chaos down below, but the first floor's dead quiet. What the hell's going on?"
Chaos?
Bell perked up at that. In the Dungeon, the word "chaos" was never a good sign. If the Dungeon was "chaotic," it meant the monsters were acting up. No Adventurer ever wanted to see a "chaotic" Dungeon.
As the footsteps came closer, Bell finally got a good look at the two.
One had a face covered in stubble, a vicious expression, and sharp, narrow eyes that gave off a cruel, indifferent vibe. He was tall—easily over 180 centimeters—with a burly build. His gear was cheap, and the massive sword on his back had visible chips along the blade. Clearly, it hadn't been maintained in ages.
The other figure caught Bell by surprise. He hadn't expected to see her here.
Dressed in a white trench coat, her face hidden beneath the hood, the only thing visible were eyes filled with numb despair. On her back was a massive pack several times her size, which immediately gave her away—not an Adventurer, but a supporter. Her job was to handle Drop Items, Magic Stones, and baggage.
Liliruca Arde, a supporter from the Soma Familia. Because of her role, and her addiction to Soma's wine, she was treated as the perfect target for exploitation by the Familia's Adventurers.
Bell noticed the hopelessness on Liliruca's face. There wasn't a shred of light in her eyes. Still, he didn't focus on her too much. What really caught his attention was what the other Adventurer had said.
"Hey, aren't you gonna say anything?"
"..."
"Tch, so boring."
Annoyed by her silence, the man clicked his tongue and scowled. But he didn't press the issue. For someone who was constantly exploited, it was only a matter of time before they ended up like this. Talking to someone who had already given up was pointless. As far as he was concerned, this Pallum was only good for that one thing.
After that, the Adventurer said nothing more, leaving Bell with no way of knowing what exactly he meant by "chaos."
'Is it... because of me?'
Whenever he couldn't make sense of a situation, Bell's first instinct was to suspect himself. Maybe the Dungeon's abnormal monster spawns were caused by him. But could his presence really affect the entire Dungeon?
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 49: Chapter 49: The White Rift
Chapter Text
After circling the first floor, the adventurers and supporters still hadn't seen a single monster. It struck the adventurer as odd.
"Did someone already take care of all the goblins?"
The Dungeon was only just starting to become "lively," and he was sure that normally no one would bother coming to the first floor. Goblins were low-tier monsters, and most adventurers who had moved past the beginner stage wouldn't waste their time here. That was what he thought too, but to his surprise, someone had already cleared out the floor.
Did that mean they had to go back to the second floor?
The adventurer frowned at the thought. It was still early, and heading back now would mean he wouldn't even make a single Valis today. But the second floor? That place was practically a monster party. Unlike the first floor, it wasn't just goblins. There were things like Killer Ants and Frog Shooters—monsters no Level 1 adventurer wanted to mess with. Getting surrounded by that kind of horde would be a death sentence.
Still, the fact remained: there wasn't a single monster on the first floor.
Frustrated, the man ran a hand through his hair. He didn't want to waste an entire day and leave without earning even one Valis. If he couldn't make any money, he might not get to taste divine wine this month.
He glanced at the supporter beside him, and his irritation eased just a bit. Not because he was happy to see the Pallum, but because he realized—if the second floor turned out to be dangerous, the supporter might come in handy.
"Hey, we're heading to the second floor."
Liliruca, the supporter, didn't say a word and simply followed behind him.
Once the two had left, Bell stepped out from the shadows, frowning.
'Looks like the Monster Parade is happening on more than just the first floor. Is this because of me?'
There were too many questions swirling in his head, but deep down, Bell felt that this "commotion" probably had something to do with him. Otherwise, why would the first floor, where he was, suddenly spawn so many monsters? Maybe that incident caused the Dungeon's internal mechanisms to ripple out to other floors too?
That could be the reason.
'Is this luck too? Seems like this luck is only working for me. The other adventurers might be suffering because of it.'
Not that Bell felt guilty about it.
Guilt? Why should he feel guilty? It wasn't like he was the one controlling the Dungeon. If he had done it intentionally, sure—but maybe the Dungeon was just rewarding him for his good fortune. If others got caught in the chaos, that was just bad luck on their part.
Of course, this suffering mainly applied to weaker adventurers. For those with real strength, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
For adventurers, Drop Items were rare rewards, and most of their earnings still came from Magic Stones. A surge in monsters meant more Magic Stones—but only the strong could capitalize on that. The weaker ones were probably struggling just to make it out alive.
Bell shook his head slightly and simply sat down to rest. He wasn't in a rush to figure out why his endurance had increased.
'The Dungeon must have responded to my expectations. With high Luck, it triggered a Monster Parade throughout the entire place. I never thought my luck could even influence the Dungeon itself.'
The last time he returned to the Guild, Miss Eina had brought up a similar topic—and had even issued a warning.
'I guess I'll need to keep a lower profile from now on. If this kind of phenomenon keeps happening, the Guild will definitely launch a deeper investigation. Once that happens, my secret might be exposed.'
'Now's not the time.'
Even though he knew it would come out eventually, he wanted to keep it hidden as long as possible.
Bell hoped to grow as much as he could during this relatively peaceful period. Maybe if he reached at least Level 5, he'd be able to live a bit more comfortably in this city.
'I need to be careful—not just for myself, but to avoid causing trouble for Goddess-sama too.'
That was Bell's current rule of conduct: don't bring trouble to himself or to Goddess-sama. Being too exceptional always attracted the attention of other gods. That's why staying inconspicuous was necessary.
Bell sat for quite a while, and once both his magic and stamina were nearly fully recovered, a goblin finally spawned naturally on the first floor.
Unlike before, where dozens had appeared at once, this time only a single goblin stood in front of him.
Listening closely to his surroundings, he heard something land in the distance. It seemed that this time, the monsters hadn't spawned at a single point but were instead scattered across the floor. Still, that wasn't unusual. After all, goblins didn't appear in large numbers on the first floor to begin with, so it was normal for them to be spread out.
Bell gave the goblin time to prepare. When it stood up with a short sword in hand, he drew Kuji Kanesada from his four-dimensional space.
"Alright, let me see it."
This time, Bell didn't rush. Speed-oriented fighting focused too much on results and missed the finer details. What he wanted now was to observe subtle changes.
The goblin hunched over and charged forward, shrieking wildly.
Eight days ago, Bell would have dodged first and looked for an opening. But now, there was no need. He stepped forward, and a flash of silver erupted from his blade.
"Splurt!"
"Thud!"
With one clean stroke, he sliced off the goblin's weapon-wielding hand. Green blood sprayed into the air—and in that moment, Bell noticed something.
There was a white slit on the goblin's body. Against its green skin, the white stood out starkly. Bell narrowed his eyes and slashed again.
The slit was on its chest. With one arm gone, the goblin had no way to defend itself. Bell cut across horizontally, slicing directly through the white gap. Instantly, the goblin disintegrated into black ash.
'Dead?'
'I didn't cut that deep. There's no way such a shallow wound could have killed it… but it turned to ash. That white gap—was it the monster's lifeline? Something like what the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception would reveal?'
But the whole thing still felt strange. Even if he could see it… why had it only appeared just now, on that goblin?
Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Critical Hit and Mana Absorption
Chapter Text
'If it were the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, I wouldn't be seeing it only after I attacked. And even then, I wouldn't be seeing just one.'
After a brief analysis, Bell concluded that the white mark wasn't a "death line." It was something else—something he hadn't considered.
'What exactly is it?'
For the moment, he had no answer.
Still, Bell knew he couldn't just stand around. He resumed searching the first floor for other newly spawned goblins. As he listened carefully to the surrounding sounds, he noticed his hearing had become even sharper than it was just minutes ago. Even the faintest noises now reached his ears.
He understood the reason. It was a familiar sensation—part of his ongoing growth and evolution. More questions had surfaced, but that didn't make him impatient. Finding the answers was more important. If he couldn't identify the problem, he wouldn't know which direction to take next.
He needed to understand the cause of his extended magic endurance.
And he needed to figure out what was behind those white slits appearing on the goblins.
Sword in hand, Bell moved cautiously toward the source of the sound. But the sound was already drawing near—and before long, three goblins came rushing toward him.
'Must've heard the last goblin's dying cries and came running. Well, that saves me the trouble.'
Three goblins charged straight at him. This time, Bell didn't hold back. Lightning arced across his skin as he activated Lightning Command and moved in.
In a blur of speed and flashing steel, he swung his sword while zipping through the battlefield.
A single flash of lightning later, and the goblins' arms were already airborne. Bell immediately turned and scanned their bodies—once again, the white slits appeared. Two on their backs, one on the front. He slashed at the two with slits on their backs.
His previous strike had already been shallow. But this time, the depth was reduced by half again—barely more than a scratch across the goblins' skin.
"Aaaah!"
The two goblins let out piercing screams, their bodies trembling violently as if enduring searing pain. The strange reaction caught Bell off guard, but he quickly realized something—no matter how shallow the wound, if it touched that white gap, it inflicted overwhelming damage. It wasn't a lethal "death line," but a "damage line" that caused massive pain.
The sight sparked a feeling of déjà vu. It was right on the tip of his tongue, but he just couldn't place it. He pushed the thought aside and used Lightning Command to flash in front of the last goblin. The white gap was still there—for about three seconds—before it finally vanished.
Then it hit him.
'Critical hit!'
That's what it was—the white glowing marker that appeared after striking the goblin. In FGO, critical stars would drop after dealing damage, and the more stars you had, the higher the chance of landing a critical hit on the next turn. And a critical hit, naturally, meant a huge damage spike.
With that realization, everything clicked into place.
Bell swung his blade in a horizontal arc. The goblin, too stunned to react, was decapitated on the spot. He stepped forward, turned, and brought his sword down on the two goblins still writhing in pain on the ground. Their heads fell, and their bodies dissolved into black ash.
At that moment, Bell clearly felt something flow from the void into his body, quickly replenishing the little magic he had spent.
All his earlier questions now had answers.
'A critical hit… I didn't expect that bright white slit to be a critical hit indicator.'
'No wonder the Lightning Command used up less magic than I expected. It wasn't that it cost less—it's that when I damaged the goblins, I absorbed the energy stored in their bodies. That energy was converted into magic I could use.'
That explained the initial boost in endurance. It was definitely a good thing for Bell. The discovery about critical hits was just as important. After enough combat and damage, a glowing marker would appear on the enemy's body. Striking that point would result in devastating damage—an advantage that would be vital in future battles.
When facing monsters with thick hides or massive stamina, where clean kills were difficult, landing critical hits would be essential. And for someone like Bell, who planned to operate solo, maximizing damage mattered a lot. He wouldn't be able to last in prolonged fights, so avoiding them altogether—and relying on critical hits to end battles quickly—was the ideal strategy.
'Still, critical hits probably don't appear every time. This isn't a game where just attacking drops crit stars. In reality, they must work differently.'
'Maybe it's related to the body's movements or blood flow—creating temporary points of extreme sensitivity. So the glowing indicator… maybe it's just showing me exactly where that pain point is.'
That explanation felt far more grounded. It made more sense than some game system—it was scientific, even plausible. With the mystery solved, Bell's tension eased. His goals for the day were accomplished:
He'd practiced Lightning Command in combat, refined his sword technique, uncovered the nature of the white highlight, and learned why his magic endurance had improved.
"Time to head back."
Shaking his head, Bell put the questions to rest. He was the cause of today's "commotion" in the Dungeon. But even if he blended in with the crowd and acted like someone overwhelmed by the Monster Parade, no one would suspect a thing. If the same phenomenon occurred on other floors, plenty of low-level adventurers would retreat early—making it easy for him to disappear among them.
With that thought, Bell returned Kuji Kanesada to his four-dimensional space and quickly headed for the exit.
As he neared the surface, he saw numerous wounded adventurers climbing the stairs. Their complaints reached his ears.
"Man, what's with the Dungeon today? It's like a riot broke out—Monster Parade on almost every floor."
"Tell me about it. I barely made it back alive."
"What the hell's going on? This kind of thing never happens."
"Yeah. This is the second time since that mess a week or so ago. I don't want to keep facing this kind of chaos. Who knows if we'll even make it out next time."
"Right! It was the same deal seven or eight days ago."
As he listened, Bell instinctively lowered his hood, doing his best to minimize his presence.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Full-Floor Dungeon Riot
Chapter Text
Sure enough, as long as he kept a low profile, Bell blended right into the crowd—just another quiet, unremarkable kid who wasn't great at socializing.
Staying with the crowd, Bell successfully made it out of the Dungeon.
As he glanced back at the grumbling adventurers behind him, he made a silent resolution.
'I can't let anyone find out that the Monster Parade on every floor was caused by me.'
If they did, Bell had no doubt that the adventurers of Orario would be ready to kill him on the spot.
He'd have to be more careful with his luck the next time he entered the Dungeon. In fact, Bell had noticed something—so long as he didn't want to encounter a flood of monsters, the Dungeon wouldn't respond so strongly. Just like earlier: when he wished for fewer goblins, the Dungeon had returned to normal.
That might mean fewer chances for training, but at least it would keep the Guild off his trail.
Bell was confident that he could grow step by step. Even if the monster spawn rate on the upper floors was slow, the middle floors were a different story. That was where high-level adventurers truly began to face danger—especially because of how fast monsters appeared. There was no need for Bell to stir up trouble on the upper floors using his luck.
Most importantly, there was no benefit in doing so.
Stirring up chaos in the Dungeon helped no one—least of all him. It would only bring more problems and create openings for the Evilus. And Bell hadn't forgotten about them. When it came to causing trouble, those lunatics didn't hold back.
Glancing at the people around him, some headed toward the Guild, others toward the taverns or the Pleasure District. Bell took one look and quietly walked in the direction of Hephaestus-sama's shop.
The crowd split as they reached the Dungeon's entrance, each group heading off to their own destinations. Bell, cloaked in a trench coat and hood, was just another face in the crowd—easy to miss, hard to notice.
After walking for a while, he slipped away and entered Hephaestus-sama's store, having thoroughly concealed himself.
A girl in formal work clothes came forward to greet him.
"Welcome... Bell-kun!"
The one in the uniform was none other than Hestia herself. Saddled with a debt of 200 million Valis, she had reluctantly asked Hephaestus for help finding work. Even though Bell was a top-tier earner, Hestia wanted to lighten his burden somehow. After some discussion, she ended up working part-time at Hephaestus-sama's shop as a waitress to repay the debt.
"Goddess-sama."
Seeing her in high spirits, Bell gave a small smile.
He was well aware that Goddess-sama had started working at Hephaestus-sama's shop. Given the current partnership between the Hestia Familia and the Hephaestus Familia, placing her here was undoubtedly the safest choice.
After her initial delight, Hestia suddenly looked alarmed. She flipped the sign at the entrance to "Temporarily Closed" and pulled Bell into the store, asking questions as they went.
"Bell-kun, did something happen in the Dungeon?"
Bell looked a bit awkward. Goddess-sama wasn't clueless—if he came back this early, clearly something had gone wrong.
"Something did happen. It's kind of related to me, so I couldn't stay down there too long today."
"That serious?"
Hestia couldn't imagine what had happened that would force Bell to leave the Dungeon so soon. Still, she didn't press the issue right away and instead brought him upstairs to meet Hephaestus. She figured they'd have to explain everything to her soon enough anyway.
...
Upstairs, Hephaestus was enjoying a cup of tea while reviewing recent orders from her Familia. She wasn't too surprised—after every expedition, it was always Loki's Familia who rushed to place orders, and they were never small ones.
"But for the order to come this quickly, and with a request for 'indestructible' specs… Looks like Loki's people ran into something nasty down there. That kind of request usually means they encountered monsters capable of breaking weapons."
"But how come no one mentioned anything about monsters like that before?"
While it was true the Dungeon still held many unidentified species, any floor that had already been explored should've had its monsters reasonably catalogued. Something like this shouldn't happen—unless a new variant had appeared.
"Is it a new species? Designed specifically to target adventurers' weapons and gear?"
If that were the case, it made sense why Loki's Familia had rushed to place an order the moment they got back from the deeper levels. Crafting "indestructible" weapons was no small task—it required both time and significant effort.
Across all of Orario, only two Familia could forge such weapons: Goibniu's and hers. And from what Hephaestus knew, the Goibniu Familia was already overwhelmed with backlogged orders and had no bandwidth to take on Loki's request. So naturally, the job had fallen to her.
"Bam!"
The office door slammed open, and Hephaestus reflexively covered her face. She was more than used to this by now. Whenever Hestia had something to say, she always barged in like this. Didn't that idiot know how to knock?
Suppressing her frown, Hephaestus looked up—only to see Hestia dragging Bell behind her.
'Huh? This kid's back early today?' The thought popped into her mind before she could stop it. But then, glancing at the time, she realized—way too early.
A flicker of concern crossed her face.
"What happened?"
She wasn't asking Hestia.
"Hephaestus-sama, it's… today the Dungeon erupted into a full-scale riot. Every floor."
"...???"
Bell's response left Hephaestus stunned.
A riot across every floor? What happened to Ouranos' prayers? Was the Dungeon reaching its limit?
Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Riddler, Get Out of Orario
Chapter Text
"What exactly happened?"
A "Dungeon riot" is no small matter. There have been similar incidents in the past, but the most recent one I can recall was over a decade ago. Hephaestus remembers that day fairly well—it was when Zeus's Familia and Hera's Familia set out to slay the Black Dragon.
"Riots don't usually happen in the Dungeon. Normally, the worst you'd run into is a 'Monster Parade.' Bell, what exactly did you encounter?"
"Hephaestus-sama, to be honest... I think I might've caused it."
Bell scratched his cheek, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Huh!?"
Hestia's reaction was even more dramatic than Hephaestus'. As Bell's main goddess, she was bound to be more shocked than anyone else.
"Bell-kun, how did you get caught up in something this serious? You don't have any magic or skills that could trigger this kind of event. Was it Evilus? Bell-kun, have you been in contact with them?"
Hestia's string of wild guesses left Bell a little exasperated.
Hephaestus glanced at the frantic Hestia, clearly unimpressed. Contact with Evilus? Frankly, if those guys really had the power to trigger a Dungeon-wide riot, they would've razed Orario years ago. Why would they still be hiding in the shadows?
"Hestia, do you really think they're that powerful? They can barely stir up trouble on a single floor of the Dungeon. If you think they can shake the entire thing, you're giving them way too much credit."
"You're right."
Hestia nodded bluntly, realizing she may have jumped to conclusions.
But now that they'd ruled out Evilus, Hestia turned back to Bell.
"Then, Bell-kun, why did you say it was your fault?"
"I think... it was because of my 'Luck.'"
That answer left both Hestia and Hephaestus puzzled. Luck was a rare skill that usually guided its bearer toward favorable outcomes. How could it possibly be connected to something as massive as a Dungeon riot?
Hephaestus went quiet for a moment, then something seemed to click. She looked up at Bell, still finding the answer she'd reached hard to believe.
"Bell, you've already figured it out?"
"Yes."
"So it really was because you were too lucky?"
"I think... maybe that's it."
Bell's expression was filled with helplessness. His Luck was simply too absurd, and that had thrown the entire Dungeon's operation into chaos—possibly even triggering the riot.
Now that she had her answer, Hephaestus found herself at a loss for words. She let out a quiet breath, her white shirt barely concealing the allure of a mature woman. Leaning back in her chair, she stared ahead, stunned. The idea that a single child's skill could cause this much disruption was almost too much to take in.
"You really are a strange child, causing a full-blown riot in the Dungeon just because of your luck. Bell, if other Adventurers find out, I don't think you'll be able to stay hidden anymore."
As she spoke, Hephaestus wore a mischievous smile. Bell had always seen her as a dependable older sister figure, but now he was starting to sense a hint of slyness beneath that mature charm.
"Hephaestus-sama, please don't joke about something that dangerous. If word really gets out about me, wouldn't all the gods in Orario slice me into pieces?"
"Heh~ fair enough. If your situation were ever fully exposed, I'm sure that woman would make a move. But even for her, protecting you from all the gods in Orario wouldn't be easy."
Right now, Hephaestus found herself wanting Freya to learn about Bell. With that woman's personality, there was no way she'd resist her desires after seeing someone as rare as him. But if Bell's existence were known to the gods at large, even she might be outmatched.
'I shouldn't think like that... but now I kind of want her to know about Bell.'
Of course, this was just a fleeting, self-indulgent thought. Even just considering Hestia's feelings, she couldn't go through with it—otherwise, Hestia might truly break down. Hephaestus could see clearly how deeply Hestia cherished Bell.
Just then, Hestia, who had been silent till now, suddenly burst into the conversation and threw her arms around Bell.
"I won't let Freya take Bell-kun away from me!"
Held in her embrace, Bell felt an overwhelming pressure that only he could understand, and quickly tried to explain himself to the goddess.
"Goddess-sama, with the way things are, I already take every precaution when I'm outside. The chances of me being targeted aren't that high. Besides, who would think a Dungeon riot happened because of a single Adventurer?"
"I'm just a rookie who's only been active on the first floor. No rational god would focus their attention on someone like me. And I'm pretty sure Hephaestus-sama was only joking just now."
Hestia noticeably calmed down after hearing that. She turned to look at Hephaestus, and sure enough, there was that teasing smile on her face. Realizing she'd been tricked—and by Hephaestus of all people—Hestia puffed up in frustration.
"Ugh! Hephaestus, you tricked me again!"
Her cheeks were puffed up in anger, and her eyes sparkled with frustration. The last thing she wanted to hear was someone trying to steal Bell, and Hephaestus knew that—yet still teased her about it.
But Hephaestus just chuckled.
"Well, it's your fault for being so slow. You still don't even know why the Dungeon went into a riot, do you, you dummy?"
A rare look of embarrassment crossed Hestia's angry face. The truth was, she hadn't understood a word of what Hephaestus and Bell had been talking about. It felt like the two of them were speaking in riddles that only they understood—and she couldn't solve.
Seeing how in sync they were made her feel like the odd one out, like a fool who'd been left behind.
"Hmph! That's right, I don't know. And Bell-kun, why are you so in sync with Hephaestus? Why do you two talk like you're both in on some secret?"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Hestia, Aren’t You the Least Bit Curious?
Chapter Text
There was a faint bitterness in her chest—the sense that Hephaestus now shared a deeper understanding with Bell than she did. Hestia had never felt this kind of jealousy before, and it made her uncomfortable. Her eyes locked onto Hephaestus, and a strange emotion began to stir inside her.
But Hephaestus and Bell didn't seem to notice.
"That's just because you're slow to catch on."
Hephaestus rolled her eyes at her.
"Bell is your child. Have you already forgotten what his skill does? Didn't we just talk about this not long ago?"
Hestia paused, forcing herself to rein in her jealousy. They had discussed something related to Bell last time, hadn't they?
"It was... the monster spawn rate?"
"Exactly."
With a snap of her fingers, Hephaestus looked as if she'd just solved a riddle. Everything tied back to that "Luck" skill. She had already found it strange last time—why were so many monsters appearing on the first floor? The Dungeon followed a strict spawning pattern tied to floor levels. There was no way 264 Goblins could be born on the first floor in a single day.
"Normally, each floor has a fixed spawn rate and timing for monsters, especially the first floor, which is closest to the surface. But under the influence of Bell's skill, an abnormal number of monsters were generated. That, in turn, disrupted the Dungeon's operation."
"This abnormal disruption spread to the other floors, causing them to experience the same phenomenon as the first—leading to the full-scale Monster Parade."
"Seriously!?"
Hestia was dumbfounded. She hadn't even realized the Dungeon could be affected like this.
"Of course it can. The Dungeon loathes the gods—and it also despises Adventurers blessed by them. Bell's Luck didn't make the Dungeon favor him; it just made it harder for the Dungeon to expel him. And because Bell was so hard to remove, the Dungeon ramped up its efforts across every floor, trying to force him out."
In Hephaestus's view, Bell's Luck was more a curse than a blessing. It didn't make him favored—it made him hated. How could mere Luck bend the Dungeon's system? But hatred? That could.
Because the Dungeon couldn't detect Bell's presence thanks to his Luck, it simply followed its standard spawning rules. But the moment his Luck faltered, it went wild—desperately targeting him—causing an unnatural flood of monster spawns that shouldn't have happened.
Still, all of this made Hephaestus even more curious about Bell's background.
She cast a subtle glance at him. 'He wields divine power and is hated by the Dungeon... Just what are you, really?'
Though she was intrigued by his identity, Hephaestus wasn't overly worried. Bell didn't strike her as the kind to be involved with the Evilus. In fact, he seemed just as clueless about who he truly was.
"Even if it was short, judging by your expression, you got a lot out of today, didn't you?"
"Yes."
Reflecting on everything he'd learned, Bell felt that many of his lingering questions had been answered—definitely a big gain in itself.
The power of low-star Craft Essences was nothing to scoff at, and the Type-Moon system was extraordinary.
He had assumed low-star Craft Essences wouldn't be that effective, but today's experience felt like a slap in the face for thinking that.
The tests had proven just how powerful low-star Craft Essences could be.
At the same time, Bell was starting to look forward to seeing what kind of strength the others might hold.
Four-star and five-star Craft Essences had all sorts of overpowered abilities.
Of course, Bell also remembered that in the later stages of the game, one- to three-star Craft Essences became increasingly rare, while four- and five-star ones kept being added—though most of those were limited Valentine's Day editions and basically junk.
Still, with the ability to keep summoning, what Bell really had his eye on was the three-star Craft Essence "Divine Construct." If he got lucky, he might pull a holy sword. Even if he couldn't wield or fully unlock it, the weapon itself would still outclass any standard-grade weapon.
"I also picked up 241 Goblin Daggers. I'll need to trouble Hephaestus-sama with the sales."
'He got that many in such a short time?'
Hephaestus was visibly surprised by the number.
Given the time he'd spent in the Dungeon today, Bell hadn't been down there long. But to kill that many Goblins in such a short period... it clearly showed how far he'd come since last time.
'Well, with a skill like Early Bloomer and magic that's practically divine authority, it's no surprise he's grown this fast.'
Even so, Hephaestus couldn't help being impressed by how rapidly Bell was improving.
While other Adventurers advanced slowly and steadily, Bell's growth was like he'd strapped himself to a rocket. If this continued, he might max out the stats of a Level 1 Adventurer in just a few more days.
"Bell, how much do you think you've grown from your second trip into the Dungeon?"
"...Hephaestus-sama, I really couldn't say. Only Goddess-sama will know after she updates my status."
How much had he grown from his second Dungeon run?
Bell had no idea. But he was confident that aside from Endurance, the rest of his stats had probably jumped significantly.
That growth wasn't just from the Dungeon—he'd also been training for the past three days on the surface. He hadn't updated his status during that time, but he could feel a noticeable increase in his magic power. Still, he had no concrete idea of how much he'd actually improved.
Hephaestus then looked toward Hestia, who was still clinging to Bell.
"Hestia, aren't you even a little curious?"
What was Hestia supposed to say? Of course she was curious about how much Bell had grown. But seeing how eager Hephaestus was made her pout a little, letting out a soft, sulking sound.
"Mm..."
Watching her stubborn expression, Hephaestus could tell this idiot was throwing a tantrum again. But she already knew exactly how to deal with Hestia in this kind of mood.
Just poke the right nerve.
"Don't tell me you don't care about your own child's growth?"
"Who said that!"
Hestia leapt up like a cat with its tail stepped on. But she was still puffed up with frustration, and it looked like it would take a while before she cooled down. For now, though, she had no interest in dealing with Hephaestus—she was starting to find her annoying.
"Bell-kun, let's update your status!"
Chapter 54: Chapter 54: The Bottleneck of Attribute Values
Chapter Text
Hestia pricked her fingertip and let a drop of divine blood fall onto Bell's back.
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.1
Stats:
· Strength: G284 → E487
· Endurance: F304 → D524
· Dexterity: E421 → C674
· Agility: E474 → B787
· Magic: F346 → B784
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space":
· Storage
"Lightning Command":
· Quick-Cast Magic
· Lightning Manipulation
Skills:
"Personal Training":
· Early Bloomer
"Heaven's Luck":
· High Luck]
"He's growing so fast!"
Hestia could hardly believe the numbers. This rate of growth was downright abnormal.
Hephaestus walked over to Hestia and glanced at Bell's updated stats. Even though she'd mentally prepared for Bell's rapid development, seeing it firsthand still shocked her.
"This is beyond expectations. Compared to the growth from his first time in the Dungeon, it's nearly identical. Normally, when an Adventurer reaches around 500 in their attributes, they hit a bottleneck—it becomes much harder to grow at the same pace. But four of his five attributes are now over 500, and there's no sign of that growth slowing down."
Hephaestus understood—this didn't mean there wasn't a limit, just that Bell's cap was much higher than most Adventurers'.
Maybe 600.
Maybe 700.
Maybe even 800.
'If that's the case, then maybe... 999 isn't an impossible threshold for this child.'
The idea echoed through Hephaestus's mind.
For the vast majority of Adventurers, breaking past 999 was a fantasy. That number essentially represented the ceiling of what a normal person could achieve in their lifetime. But throughout Orario's history, a few had managed to surpass it—and those individuals had carved their names into legend.
They were known as "Heroes."
Of course, that was the Orario of the past, not the Orario of today.
Since the fall of the last heroes, almost no Adventurers have managed to surpass the 999 attribute limit. That "almost" includes nearly every Adventurer currently active in Orario.
'Now that the age of heroes has ended... is a new one about to rise?'
In that moment, Hephaestus realized it—this child, Bell Cranel, was the hero born of this era.
But this era's "Hero" was vastly different from those of the past.
In earlier times, heroes often emerged in an age where "heroes drew heroes." Many powerful Adventurers would rally around a central figure, rising together.
This era, however, was completely different.
Today's "Hero" didn't trust others and refused to accept companions. And the god of this so-called hero? She doted on her child to the point of spoiling him, indulging his every whim.
'Ugh... is this generation of Orario's hero already doomed?'
'I just hope he opens up to other Adventurers someday.'
Bell's distrust toward others was all too apparent. Hephaestus wasn't sure whether that would ever change, but all she could do was hope that someone would break through to him. After all, tackling the Dungeon solo wasn't exactly a walk in the park.
"His growth is unreal. Hard to believe he's only entered the Dungeon twice and already accumulated this much. At this rate, he might hit his limit in under a month."
Ordinary Adventurers would need three to four years to reach this level of progress.
Even top-tier talents would take at least one or two years.
Bell had done it in less than ten days. That wasn't just surpassing—it was transcending. The former could be reached through sheer effort; the latter was out of reach no matter how hard you tried.
But this was just the beginning. Real adventuring began after the basics were laid.
To reach Lv.2 from Lv.1, one had to risk their life—take on monsters stronger than themselves—and accomplish feats so great that even the gods took notice. Only by amassing enough remarkable exploits could one take that next step. Otherwise, they'd remain stagnant forever.
'He'll definitely go for it.'
'That look in his eyes says it all. He won't settle. To gain strength, he'll take that step—no matter the cost.'
Hephaestus believed it without doubt.
Bell finished putting his clothes back on after the Status Update. Oddly enough, he didn't feel significantly stronger. Maybe the physical growth would kick in a bit later, something his body would gradually register.
Or maybe it was just his imagination.
"Bell-kun! You've grown so much today!"
No one was happier about Bell's progress than Hestia.
This time, his growth was just as impressive as last time—if not more. As Hephaestus had mentioned, 500 was the attribute bottleneck for most Adventurers. Beyond that, growth would slow dramatically, almost as if the Falna was nudging them to start achieving great deeds to break through to Lv.2.
Yet even with multiple attributes over 500, Bell showed no signs of slowing down. If anything, he was still accelerating.
"Bell-kun, maybe you'll be the one to break through this era's attribute limits."
Bell caught the meaning behind her words and asked immediately.
"Goddess-sama, have there been others who broke through those limits before?"
"Of course! Rare, but they did exist. Some Adventurers have surpassed the attribute limits, going beyond even what the Falna was designed to handle. But only those who exceeded even the gods' predictions ever managed to break through the ceiling."
'I see... that makes sense.'
Bell nodded thoughtfully at her explanation. He had always believed such people must have existed. It only made sense. Maybe there weren't many of them, but certainly not none.
"But everyone hits their own bottleneck eventually. You might too, Bell-kun. And when that time comes, don't get frustrated. Attribute values reflect your aptitude. Most people slow down when they hit a wall, but all you need to do is keep building up your achievements."
Hestia was doing her best to prepare him—to warn him not to let frustration get the better of him when that day arrived.
"Please don't worry, Goddess-sama. I won't let myself get emotional over my limits. I probably understand better than anyone that everyone has a breaking point."
Bell understood bottlenecks well. But he wasn't afraid of them.
He was just deeply curious—wondering where his own limit might be.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 55: Chapter 55: The Impact of the Dungeon Anomaly
Chapter Text
"Huh? A full-blown riot in the Dungeon?"
Eina looked at the Adventurer complaining at the Guild with a puzzled expression.
"Yeah, Miss Eina. You wouldn't believe it—this all started early in the morning. It felt like the whole Dungeon was unleashing a Monster Parade."
The Adventurer gestured to the bandage wrapped around his hand.
"Look at this, Miss Eina. I got this injury during the commotion in the Dungeon."
Blood was still seeping through the wrapping. Eina could tell right away this wasn't just a minor cut. But rather than worry about the Adventurer in front of her, her mind instantly drifted to a certain child she hadn't seen in a while.
'That child… he didn't get caught up in all this, did he?'
Snapping herself back to the present, Eina focused and asked seriously for more information.
"Mr. Doran, what exactly happened? Just how many monsters were there in this so-called Monster Parade?"
The Adventurer—Doran—still looked shaken as he recalled the earlier chaos in the Dungeon. He had hoped to chat with Eina more casually, but the terrifying memories still made his back break out in a cold sweat.
"It came out of nowhere. And it wasn't like the usual waves of monsters spawning from the walls."
"I've seen Monster Parades before, but Miss Eina—have you ever heard of one with over a hundred monsters showing up on the upper floors?"
Even after saying it aloud, Doran felt goosebumps rise on his skin. Honestly, if he hadn't been with his party—and if other Adventurers on neighboring floors hadn't been retreating too—he might not have made it back at all.
Looking at Doran's pale complexion and shaken demeanor, Eina didn't think he was exaggerating. A lower-tier Adventurer wouldn't be able to stay that composed if he were lying.
Still, having over a hundred monsters appear on the upper floors was unheard of.
And if this was happening across all levels, then something was truly wrong. If the Dungeon was behaving like this, even the city of Orario wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure for long. What could have triggered such a sudden and widespread Monster Parade?
"Mr. Doran, do you have any idea what might have caused this?"
Doran looked a bit lost for words. As a lower-ranked Adventurer, how could he possibly know the cause of something this bizarre?
But he didn't want to seem completely clueless in front of Miss Eina. So he wracked his brain, trying to recall if anything unusual had happened recently.
And then—unexpectedly—something came to mind.
"I've got it! I remember now—seven or eight days ago, the Dungeon had the exact same situation. Waves of monsters spawned all at once, just like today."
Eina, who hadn't expected much from Doran's recollection, froze for a moment.
Something that serious happening twice in one month was definitely suspicious.
But what really struck Eina wasn't just the frequency—it was the timing. She remembered that day vividly. After all, that child had shown up at the Guild with over two hundred Goblin daggers. That left quite the impression.
Back then, Eina had already wondered how the Goblins on the first floor could have spawned in such numbers. How had one person managed to collect so many daggers in just one day? And in the end, she'd determined that the cause was most likely that child.
Still, that incident hadn't caused the kind of chaos she was hearing about today. There hadn't been a mass exodus of Adventurers from the Dungeon.
"Mr. Doran, but I recall things didn't get this intense that day."
"Ah, that's probably because the monsters didn't appear all at once. I remember there were a lot of them, though—my party and I spent nearly the whole day down there, so I know just how many we had to deal with."
As he recalled the details, Doran didn't notice Eina's use of "that day" with uncanny precision. He'd pegged the date through his experience as an Adventurer—but for Eina, a Guild receptionist, to recall it so clearly? That was odd.
Still, Doran remained focused on piecing things together.
"It felt like the other floors were also overrun that day, but the monsters didn't come out in huge batches. The waves were staggered, so most of us managed to hang on. A lot of Adventurers I knew still died, though."
He remembered earning sixty or seventy thousand Valis just from selling Magic Stones. Others earned even more—some walked away with over a hundred thousand Valis, making Doran green with envy.
For low-tier Adventurers, that was a huge windfall.
Normally, they'd spend their days looping between floors two and eight. On a lucky day, they might bring in thirty to forty thousand Valis. On a bad one, they'd be lucky to make ten or twenty thousand.
Looking back, that day and today shared many similarities. The key difference was the spawning rate.
That day, it had been steady—one wave after another, a near-constant rhythm that allowed Adventurers to manage.
But today? Today was different.
The spawn rate was unnaturally aggressive—like the Dungeon was trying to kill them outright. Dozens of monsters would appear in an instant. Blink, and more would crawl out of the walls.
...
The memory made Doran shudder with regret.
Meanwhile, a drop of cold sweat trickled down Eina's forehead.
'Could it really have been that child who caused this?'
'What did he do on the first floor today to trigger this level of chaos?'
Even with her eyes closed, Eina could guess that the Guild would absolutely step in and investigate something with this much impact.
Things had clearly escalated, and now the Guild would want answers—who or what caused this phenomenon in the Dungeon?
'Bell-kun, please don't still be in the Dungeon!'
If she weren't working, Eina would've rushed to Hestia-sama's place immediately to ask where Bell was. But abandoning her post now would only draw suspicion.
By this point, word of the incident had already spread across Orario within a single morning. All the gods knew something had happened in the Dungeon.
Not that it would've stayed secret for long. Even if the gods didn't investigate, their children would've told them everything.
The divine interest in the Dungeon's sudden unrest was growing fast.
And among those intrigued, one god stood out.
High atop Babel Tower, a goddess held a wine glass in hand, gazing out through the floor-to-ceiling windows at Orario below.
"Was it those rats? Or is the Dungeon itself stirring?"
Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Bell-kun, Will You Fall in Love with a God?
Chapter Text
What happened in the Dungeon quickly spread to the ears of every Familia in Orario. And yet, the one responsible for all this walked hand in hand with his own goddess, returning quietly to their home.
The streets of Orario were still bustling with people. Humans weren't the only ones—dwarves, beast humans, and elves were a common sight as well. The various auras radiating from each individual revealed their level of strength and status.
Bell didn't enjoy such crowded streets. Or rather, he simply disliked noisy places. He preferred peace and quiet. Holding tightly to Goddess-sama's hand, he made sure they wouldn't get separated in the crowd.
They turned into a small alley off the main street, winding through several bends until the noise gradually faded away. This was a dead-end corner of Orario, a place few ever visited. It was also the base of Hestia Familia.
Familiar with the route, the two entered a rundown church.
The building was worn down, with a gaping hole in the roof that let in wind and rain. Much inside had already been damaged by water, making it hardly a place fit for rest.
Deeper inside was a staircase leading underground. After opening the door, Bell and Hestia descended one after the other.
The basement wasn't dark, thanks to a few magic stones lighting the space. In addition to illumination, magic stone devices purified the air and kept the temperature steady.
The first time Bell saw such things—civilized tools replaced by magical substitutes—he had thought, 'This stuff doesn't use electricity, and it's cheap and practical. It'd be a bestseller in the modern world.' In this magical world, he could still feel the traces of civilization.
But that made sense. While the science of this world couldn't match that of the modern one, its unscientific phenomena far surpassed it. Building a civilization with magic was only natural—and in terms of clean energy, this world might even be far ahead.
"Ah~"
The moment she reached the basement, Hestia leapt forward and flopped onto the bed with a thud. The mattress was no longer as stiff as it had been in the beginning—it had long since been replaced with a much softer one. Otherwise, with that dive, she probably would've left dents in the bed frame.
"Mmm, nothing beats relaxing in my own doghouse."
"Goddess-sama, calling our home a doghouse is a bit much."
Bell glanced around the basement—it was a lot cleaner than it used to be.
"I just meant it's easier to relax at home. The children in Genkai often say that having your own place makes a world of difference, and I think I finally get what they mean."
Hestia shifted from lying on her stomach to resting on her side, her tone much more lazy and relaxed than when they were outside.
Bell knew that Goddess-sama was fully under the effect of the "home" buff now—utterly relaxed in both speech and behavior.
Sitting on his own bed, Bell relaxed too. He could understand how she felt. The world was vast, but this was the one place he could feel truly at ease. Here, he didn't have to watch his words, or worry about being targeted.
"Home is a magical place. Outside, you have to be careful—put on an act in front of others. But only at home can you truly relax in ways you never could out there. You can say things to your family at home that you'd never dare say to outsiders."
"When you're wronged outside, you have to endure it. But at home, you can let it all out."
That was Bell's definition of "home."
Home wasn't just a place to shield from wind and rain—it had to be a refuge for the soul, too.
Hearing those words, Hestia immediately sat up in bed, eyes burning as she stared intently at her child.
"Bell-kun, do you see me as family?"
"Of course I do."
Bell replied without a moment's hesitation. Ever since joining Hestia Familia, he had always seen Goddess-sama as family—his most important family.
"Goddess-sama has always been the most important family member to me."
"Mmm, Bell-kun, I really do love you the most!"
Hearing that, Hestia's eyes grew misty. She looked at Bell sitting on the bed and sprang up at once, stepping to the edge of the mattress and leaping toward him.
Bell hurried to his feet to catch the flying Goddess-sama.
Held in Bell's arms, Hestia felt her heart melt. She never worried about being let down by her child—she knew he would always be there for her.
Once he was sure he hadn't dropped her, Bell sighed in relief. Then, seizing the moment, he took the chance to scold her.
"Goddess-sama, that was really dangerous! What if you had fallen?"
"Hehe~"
Despite having just done something reckless, Hestia didn't seem concerned in the slightest.
Wasn't that perfectly natural?
If she truly thought about the risk, what Familia God would deliberately act like that?
Spreading her arms, Hestia leaned into her child, wrapping her arms around Bell's neck. Kneeling in his arms, her height disadvantage disappeared entirely.
In the quiet stillness, a Familia God and her child held each other close.
"Bell-kun, you said you'd treat me like family?"
"Yes. Goddess-sama has always been the most important family to me."
Hestia silently savored the words "most important" in her heart, her young face glowing with happiness.
That joy, and the little daydreams dancing in her mind, pushed her to ask one more question.
"Bell-kun, did you know that some gods who came down from Tenkai have even formed families with children of the lower world?"
Realizing where this was going, Bell's expression instantly turned serious.
"I know. But most gods from Tenkai live forever, while the people of Genkai only have a limited lifespan. I think that kind of love is beautiful—but the difference in lifespans will always bring sorrow in the end."
Hestia understood that, too. She didn't shy away from the truth.
"Everyone knows that. But even so, many gods still choose to do it. If, someday, you met a goddess who truly loved you... would you accept them?"
Straightforward.
Bell took a deep breath. He knew this might be the most important encounter of his life.
"I would."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Ambition Unleashed – Target: Level 10
Chapter Text
"Wow! Bell-kun, I love you!"
Bell, already hit with a direct confession, was instantly struck again—twice over.
Even someone as rational as Bell found his mind wandering. With such a sweet and innocent girl in his arms, who wouldn't?
Unable to resist the emotion stirring inside, Bell hugged Hestia tightly.
Hestia held him just as tightly. To her, Bell was truly one of a kind. As her very first Familia member, he carried the label of "the only one" in her heart. Add to that the fact that Bell fit her ideal type perfectly, and Hestia couldn't help but imagine the kind of fated encounter that might happen between a god and a child of Genkai.
Before descending to Genkai, she'd often talked about this sort of thing with other gods who had returned from Tenkai. But Hestia herself had never been particularly interested in the opposite sex. The male gods up there were all handsome enough, sure—but none of them ever made her feel anything.
The only exception was when she met her first Familia member in the lower world.
Hestia admitted she was a bit of a face-con. And since Bell was her first, that naturally made her feelings for him all the more special.
"Bell-kun, let's kiss!"
That blunt request left Bell at a loss.
"Goddess-sama... isn't it a little too soon for that?"
"Is it?"
Haa...
Bell took a deep breath. He had to admit, what first drew him to Hestia Familia was her divine beauty. But feelings between a god and their Familia member needed a real foundation. He didn't think there was any need to rush into something deeper just yet.
"Goddess-sama, how about hearing my thoughts first?"
Hestia immediately turned around, settling into his lap with sparkling eyes full of anticipation.
"Okay."
Bell finally had the chance to speak his mind.
"Goddess-sama, I think I've mentioned it before, but the reason I came to Orario in the first place was to become stronger. My grandfather was cornered and killed by monsters while hunting in the outside world. It was after that happened that I decided to come to this Labyrinth City."
"Eh~ Bell-kun, was it really just for power?"
Hestia blinked, staring at him without looking away.
"...Alright, I'll admit it. I was also hoping to meet a girl."
"Mmhmm, now that sounds more honest."
Hestia didn't mind that at all. Every Adventurer came with hopes like that.
People who came to Orario were here for fame, money, women, or strength. Everyone had their own goals and desires—there was nothing wrong with wanting a fateful encounter with a beautiful girl.
"Bell-kun, who exactly were you hoping to meet?"
Can I say it's you?
Bell couldn't help but mutter that thought to himself.
Truthfully, from the very beginning, the girl he'd wanted to meet wasn't just anyone—it was her. The one he'd tried so hard not to think about.
In the entire Labyrinth City of Orario, the only god who had both "loli" charm and "big" appeal... was Hestia.
From a divine perspective, she doted on her Familia and was even willing to go into heavy debt for their sake.
From a girl's perspective, she was nearly flawless.
Choosing Hestia didn't just lead him to the ideal encounter—it also led him to the perfect Familia.
Wasn't that the best of both worlds?
"Goddess-sama, isn't that you?"
"If it was me, then why did you go looking for Hephaestus first instead of me?"
I was looking for you from the very beginning!
But how could Bell say that? He couldn't admit that he'd known Hestia was recruiting a Familia member, and had targeted Hestia Familia from the start. It was only because he couldn't find her that he ended up trying his luck with Hephaestus.
Bell composed himself—those thoughts weren't something he could say aloud.
He simply held the slightly jealous Goddess-sama tightly in his arms.
"No matter what I thought before, right now, the only person I want to meet... is you, Goddess-sama."
Now that's more like it.
Hestia, who just moments ago had been sulking with jealousy, brightened considerably.
As for why Bell had gone to Hephaestus first, she decided not to ask anymore. Pushing the issue might damage the fragile bond they had just begun to build. Besides, Hestia firmly believed she was in no way inferior to Hephaestus—well, except in height.
"Ahem! Anyway, gaining power and meeting you, Goddess-sama—that's why I came to Orario."
Bell cleared his throat, steering the conversation away from the earlier topic.
"Now that I've met you, half of my goal is fulfilled. The other half is to gain power."
"But aside from that, there's another issue I have to face."
"How can I live a little longer?"
Meeting a goddess wasn't the hard part. But making the time they had together last—that was the real question. When Bell brought up lifespan, Hestia wracked her brain, trying to remember whether there were ways to extend life in the lower world, Genkai.
She didn't want Bell to only stay with her for the span of a human lifetime. She had desires too—she longed for more time with him.
"...If we were in Tenkai, there would be many methods. But here in Genkai, unless a Familia member breaks through their limits and surpasses those of ordinary mortals to reach Level 10 and become a demigod, there's really no other way to extend a lifespan."
After thinking it through, that was the only solution Hestia could come up with.
"Level 10..."
Bell's face twitched slightly. In all of Orario's history, the highest-ranked Adventurers had only reached Level 9. And now he was aiming for Level 10?
It felt impossibly far.
Still, after letting that reality settle, Bell felt his resolve return.
After all, he was doing it to live longer. Wanting more from life wasn't a bad thing—and reaching Level 10 likely meant far more than just gaining longevity.
"A demigod, huh..."
"Goddess-sama, if a Familia member really did reach that level... would they gain a lifespan like a god's?"
Hestia thought carefully, then nodded.
"Yes. Even a demigod would have transcended the limits of mortal life. They wouldn't have divine Authority, but aside from that, they'd be nearly indistinguishable from a god."
But even as she said it, Hestia couldn't help but worry.
In theory, neither humans nor demi-humans in Genkai should be able to reach that level. If only reaching Level 10 were that easy...
What troubled her most was the fear that Bell might do something reckless in pursuit of becoming a demigod.
"Bell-kun, maybe... maybe there's another way."
"No need, Goddess-sama. This is the best way."
Bell feared death, yes—but he wasn't a man without goals.
As someone who had transmigrated to this world, the one thing he didn't lack was ambition.
With the support of the System, he might just accomplish what no other Adventurer ever had.
Of course, that didn't mean Bell was without backup plans.
Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Hot-Blooded Youth
Chapter Text
Once you have a clear goal, you need the determination to pursue it.
Bell had never lacked that kind of resolve.
He wasn't seeking fame—his only wish was to live longer, to stay by Hestia's side for as long as possible. And with that goal in mind, the determination to fight for it had taken root in him.
...
The next morning.
The magic stone lamp in the room was still glowing. Hestia and Bell were sleeping in the same bed, sharing a single blanket.
Bell lay on his back, sleeping normally, but Hestia was sprawled across his body. The blanket covered them, yet from the way it was draped, it was obvious how close they were—pressed together with barely any space between them.
"Mm…"
Hestia stirred slightly. The restful sleep from the night before triggered a natural reflex, nudging her awake. Her eyelids fluttered as her body twisted instinctively, trying to find a more comfortable position.
But that slight movement spelled trouble for the still-sleeping Bell.
Early mornings were a dangerous time for boys, after all. That small shift increased the contact between their bodies—and it was enough to jolt Bell awake instantly.
His eyes were bloodshot and full of tension.
Fuck!
The moment his brain caught up to his body, Bell realized what was happening. The heat coursing through him, the pressure building—it was all because of the goddess currently lying on top of him.
As his body shifted with his sudden awareness, Hestia frowned unconsciously, instinctively reaching for the blanket to cover herself.
That tiny action was the final trigger.
Bell activated Lightning Command and shot out from under the blanket like a bolt of lightning.
Thud!
With the sudden absence of the warm body beneath her, Hestia's face dropped directly into the mattress, forcing her groggy eyes open.
"Mn…"
A soft whimper slipped from her lips. Still half-asleep, she slowly sat up in a uniquely girlish pose, resting her hands on the mattress and blinking at her surroundings.
"It's still warm… Did you get up this early?"
"Yaaaawn…"
She stretched with a wide yawn, her figure accentuated by the motion. Her curves were even more noticeable in that moment.
Unfortunately, the basement was empty—no one was there to appreciate the sight.
The one person who could have had that privilege had just fled moments earlier.
"F…"
Outside, Bell stood facing the wall, trying to bring his heart rate under control.
'You're pathetic.'
'Hestia's practically your girlfriend already, and you still get flustered like that first thing in the morning?'
Bell cursed himself in the depths of his mind.
He wanted to rip that white dress to shreds, to see Hestia's face flushed with bliss—but in the end, he was too weak to act.
Frustrated, he looked down—then slammed his forehead into the cracked wall.
Just another layer to his self-loathing.
He'd never been into drinking, gambling, or even temples. But lust? That was the one vice he couldn't quit.
Anyone who managed that probably already moved to Thailand… or turned to the other side of the trade.
He was just an ordinary guy—a little pervy, a bit reserved.
Maybe… just maybe… he still had the soul of an otaku.
After taking a few deep breaths and cooling the blood rushing through him, Bell finally pulled himself out of his spiral of shame.
Now that his mind had cleared, his thoughts turned to the massive goal ahead.
Black Dragon? That thing was nothing!
Black Dragon was just one more wall he'd have to smash through on the way to reaching Level 10.
But first, he needed to be realistic.
Before chasing after Black Dragon or Level 10, he had to focus on reaching Level 2.
Fortunately, Bell knew exactly where his strengths lay.
Other Adventurers, no matter how gifted, need a long period of steady accumulation. But Bell could shorten that process exponentially.
What might take an ordinary Adventurer a year or two to build up, Bell could achieve in just two trips into the Dungeon.
So even though his ultimate goal was to reach Level 10, he still planned to follow the regular path of growth step by step.
The real challenge wasn't in raising his stats—it was in finding the right opponents. Great achievements could only be earned by challenging enemies stronger than oneself. That was the part Bell found most troublesome.
...
Creak.
The dilapidated door to the basement creaked open, and the dull sound made Bell turn his head.
Morning light streamed in through the broken wall of the church. The early rays were tinged with a chilly hue, casting a cool glow over Hestia's sleepy face. Her half-lidded eyes and serene expression gave her a rare, cold beauty.
But that fleeting elegance didn't last more than three seconds before it was replaced by a goofy smile.
"Bell-kun."
That sweet voice felt like a warm breeze washing over Bell, instantly dissolving all his earlier frustrations and self-loathing.
Looking at her like this, Bell couldn't help but smile back.
"Goddess-sama."
Hearing his reply, Hestia's smile remained unchanged. Barefoot, she walked straight over to him and dove into his arms without the slightest hesitation.
"Bell-kun, you're up way too early! Mornings are meant for sleeping in!"
Bell gave a slightly bitter smile.
He wasn't someone who had trouble sleeping in the morning. Even if his internal clock went off, he could usually manage to sleep a bit longer.
But it wasn't about whether he could sleep—he wanted to. The burning restlessness inside just wouldn't let him.
'Damn this morning energy... Can't you give it a rest?'
Maybe it was the result of too much training, but Bell felt like his stamina and energy had been steadily rising day by day. Not by leaps and bounds, but his strength, endurance, and magic were all being sharpened little by little.
It was exactly the kind of growth Bell needed.
But there was a downside. When you were this energized, and the goddess who changed your life (and your living situation) was right there, all that physical vitality had nowhere to go.
The most obvious problem? Morning tension.
Of course, that wasn't something he could ever say aloud in front of Goddess-sama.
"Goddess-sama, I guess I just got a little excited this morning after setting my goals yesterday."
Hestia understood that feeling well—but she still needed to say her part.
"Bell-kun, even if reaching Level 10 is an amazing goal, it's not something you can achieve overnight. Don't let your excitement make you think you can skip steps."
She huffed a little.
"And next time, don't jump out of bed so suddenly. Morning time is when I get to be spoiled."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 59: Chapter 59: A Wish Bordering on Obsession
Chapter Text
Although it was already past time to get up, morning cuddle time was non-negotiable.
So what now that she was awake?
Well—she could just continue it on the sofa.
Hestia pulled Bell back into the basement room, had him sit down on the sofa, then stretched out and rested her head on his lap.
Thankfully, Bell had already calmed down. Otherwise, this would've been a social death sentence.
"Bell-kun, even if you've set your goal already, don't rush it."
Hestia was genuinely worried he might get too obsessed with leveling up.
"Level 10 isn't something you can just reach easily. What matters most for you, Bell, is one thing—'be careful.'"
"The Dungeon doesn't welcome gods. We're forbidden from entering. If a god steps into the Dungeon, it will immediately react and try to hunt us down. If you're ever in danger down there... I wouldn't be able to help you."
Bell knew that well. The Dungeon hated gods—it never let any who entered leave unscathed.
That was just the way things were.
"I understand."
"So, Goddess-sama, let's make another promise. I won't act recklessly in the Dungeon. I'll level up step by step, in proper order. In exchange, you must promise not to enter the Dungeon under any circumstances."
Bell wanted to cut off any chance of Hestia ever setting foot in the Dungeon again. No matter what the reason—even if it seemed important—it was absolutely forbidden.
Hestia went quiet.
She honestly wasn't sure whether she could stop herself from rushing in if she found out Bell was in danger.
But Bell refused to back down.
"Goddess-sama, you must never go into the Dungeon—no matter what you hear."
Seeing how firm he was, Hestia gave up trying to argue.
"Alright. No matter what I hear... I won't go into the Dungeon."
"But—if I ever don't see you return from it, Bell, I'm going straight back to Tenkai."
Even though she had agreed to Bell's request, Hestia had one of her own.
As long as Bell returned safely from the Dungeon, everything was fine. But if he disappeared—if he never came back—then Hestia had no intention of staying in this fascinating lower world.
That statement placed a heavy, silent weight on Bell's shoulders.
And he knew it wasn't something he could run from.
"Alright. I promise, too. No matter what happens, I'll make it out of the Dungeon."
Hestia's serious expression finally softened, and she smiled once again.
She hadn't said those things lightly.
If Bell couldn't return from the Dungeon, she wouldn't remain in Genkai. She might even choose never to descend from Tenkai again—just like the goddesses she'd seen return home in the past.
Never assume a goddess is frivolous.
Many of them are known for their unwavering devotion—so devoted, in fact, that they refuse to accept anyone else ever again.
Most of the goddesses Hestia knew who had returned to Tenkai were just like that.
And once, she had asked them why.
"You're really not going back to Genkai?"
The answers she got were shockingly unanimous.
"Why would we go back? To meet another so-called fated one?"
"One is enough. One is all it takes to remember. Why would we need more?"
"We're not goddesses of beauty or love—why go chasing after so many encounters?"
"And besides, for us, the first is what truly matters. Chasing after more just makes you forget the most important one."
Hestia remembered how radiant those goddesses looked when they spoke those words.
There was a time when she didn't understand them. But after meeting Bell, she had started to.
Mortals in Genkai might be fragile, unlike gods who enjoy eternal life. Yet it's those same fragile mortals who often shine the brightest. That brilliance—the way they lived—was something gods could never have. And that's why the gods descended: to seek a true encounter.
But an encounter, by its very nature, only counts the first time.
Everything after that—can you even call it an encounter?
'Are you really looking for love? Please. Don't make me say what's actually going through your head.'
Most goddesses weren't creatures of passion. Those who returned to Tenkai almost always clung to their first and only encounter.
The reasons for their return were varied.
But even if offered the chance to descend again, many of those goddesses would still choose to stay in Tenkai, guarding the pure memories they carried with them.
So, Hestia made her own decision too.
She would not seek another encounter.
Bell could tell that Goddess-sama wasn't joking. But that didn't mean he was ready to die in the Dungeon either.
After all, he was a guy who was terrified of death.
"Well then... I'm heading out, Goddess-sama."
"Hmm, alright."
After curling up in Bell's arms for a bit longer, Hestia stood up as well.
She wanted to move forward alongside him—she couldn't let him be the only one striving.
As she watched him leave, Hestia gathered her own resolve.
"Okay! I'll work hard at Hephaestus's shop today too!"
...
After parting with Goddess-sama, Bell headed straight for the Dungeon entrance.
'The pressure's... kinda overwhelming.'
Going into the Dungeon alone—yeah, that was rough.
If he ever got into real danger, getting out would be close to impossible.
But in this moment, Bell was unexpectedly calm. Serious.
This wasn't a game. He only had one life. If anything happened to him down there... Hestia would go back to Tenkai.
And from the look on her face, she clearly didn't intend to come back down.
He couldn't let that happen.
'I hate stories with bad endings.'
'Back when I was grinding for Futaba's 250 lines in Persona 5, it was because I couldn't stand things not ending right.'
'Don't they know I've got OCD?'
Bell had never been ambitious. But that didn't mean he was without desire.
It was precisely because he understood his own limits and background that he had buried those wants. He wasn't someone who could easily fulfill his dreams.
But now—now he had one powerful, undeniable desire.
'I'm going to marry Hestia!'
'I want her body!'
'And not just for a few decades. I want her forever!'
One thought after another surged through him, each one more intense than the last.
And so, in that moment, Bell began to seriously consider how he would tackle the impossible—becoming Level 10.
Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Beginning the Floor Conquest
Chapter Text
Upon entering the Dungeon, a tall spiral staircase immediately came into view. At its base lay the true entrance to the Dungeon. This staircase was the daily path for all Adventurers.
Today, Bell descended the stairs as usual, but his mindset had changed.
In the past, he had no strong desires—at most, he was just trying to earn some money. But now, he had a goal that would make most people burst out laughing.
'I will make the Black Dragon my stepping stone.'
'I'll reach Level 10!'
How absurd.
How ignorant.
A mere lower-tier adventurer dreaming of surpassing Level 10—a feat no one had achieved since the gods descended to Genkai.
And yet, this arrogant boy had made such an outrageous decision, with an equally outrageous reason behind it.
He wanted to extend his lifespan, to live as long as the gods.
Not for fame.
Not for so-called glory.
Simply to gain a godlike lifespan—this ignorant young man had made the decision to reach Level 10.
Such naivety was bound to be mocked, but Bell didn't care.
Even if defeating the Black Dragon was his fate, his aim wasn't to become a hero or complete the world's three great quests.
That kind of reason seemed even more laughable and meaningless to Bell.
For the world? To become a hero?
A hero isn't someone you become just because others wish it so. If you truly want to be a hero, you must hold yourself to that standard. But right now, Bell wasn't thinking about any of that.
He was never the type to proclaim his goals loudly like a fool. Some things were better kept to oneself.
'Just saying it out loud won't make it happen anyway.'
Bell stepped into the Dungeon's entrance, where the paths began to branch and weave.
Though it was only the first floor, the Dungeon was already a complex maze of intersecting paths. Each floor had its own unique traits.
That's why it was called the "Underground Labyrinth."
With a quick scan of his surroundings, Bell chose a rarely used, secluded passage.
He listened carefully. No signs of other adventurers nearby.
He gripped the "Hestia Knife" tightly. A deep blue light flared across his body.
Lightning Command—activated!
A streak of blue lightning darted across the first floor. Every Goblin along the path was cut down in an instant, their throats slashed in a blink. Even their dropped magic stones and short swords vanished along with the flash.
This time, Bell didn't linger on the first floor.
Having made up his mind, it was time to change his approach.
A steady strategy for each floor was necessary, but there was no longer any point in wasting energy on the lower levels.
The next step was to understand the monster composition of each floor and push the strategy forward.
The first floor was filled mostly with Goblins—basic monsters compared to the rest.
But on the second floor, Shadows appeared. These were elusive beings—soundless, formless.
Bell stayed alert. Upon reaching the second floor, he canceled his Lightning Command.
He needed to carefully analyze the second floor's enemies before proceeding further.
Soon, a semi-transparent black substance drifted out of a wall—not in front of him, but from behind.
The shadow raised a part of its body—not a hand, but a mass of darkness. That mass quickly took shape, condensing into a sharp spear.
The spear thrust straight at Bell's back.
But just as it was about to strike, Bell vanished.
Before the shadow could react, a short sword crackling with lightning sliced through its form.
'Good at ambushing adventurers from behind, moves without a sound, and can shape its body into various forms.'
'Its drop item is a Shadow Chunk—an alchemical material.'
Bell picked up the dark lump on the ground, which looked like part of the Shadow's body, along with the magic stone.
Shadow Chunks were among the rarer drops from Shadows, but they weren't particularly valuable.
Their drop rate wasn't high, but they didn't have much alchemical worth either.
The Shadows on the second floor were troublesome enemies—silent, stealthy, and capable of surprise attacks. They weren't hard to defeat, just incredibly annoying.
...
That's why most adventurers avoided staying on the second floor. Those things were always lying in wait, ready to backstab at any moment.
However, most adventurers explored the Dungeon in teams, making it harder for Shadows to get the jump on them. Aside from a few careless fools, as long as there were at least two people, getting taken out here was rare.
After all, Shadows often appeared in numbers and moved silently, but their speed and reaction time were sluggish.
In fact, they were the kind of trash mobs that backline mages could whack to death with a staff.
'The monsters on the upper floors of the Dungeon are relatively simple, but the deeper you go, the more diverse they become.'
Bell firmly believed that was true.
The monsters on the first two floors were very basic. The strategy guides even said that most of the first ten floors shared this trait. But from the tenth floor onward, the real challenge began.
Most floors had more than one type of monster—sometimes several—and the rate at which they spawned was nothing like the upper floors.
Still, it helped Bell understand why most adventurers in Orario remained at Level 1.
If the first ten floors were this easy, wasn't this basically an adventurer's retirement zone?
Maybe that thought was a bit arrogant or self-satisfied.
But Bell truly believed it.
Very few monsters in the first ten floors had "hard skin." Even a knife that was just slightly better than a kitchen knife could kill them.
If someone was only adventuring to make a living, then a two- or three-person party could easily farm the first ten floors and earn enough to survive.
With things so easy, it was no wonder Orario attracted adventurers in droves.
Even those with decent talent could earn a living once they received a god's blessing.
And in such a comfortable environment, how many of them would actually choose to take real risks?
Bell felt this might be one of the reasons why there were so many Level 1 adventurers.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Mid-Range Attack Methods
Chapter Text
Bell hadn't cleared the entire floor, so the adventurers following behind didn't sense anything unusual.
Right now, he just needed to find a suitable floor to explore at a slower pace. Pushing forward too quickly often led to unnecessary trouble.
On top of that, the riot in the dungeon yesterday had been caused by him. Adventurers who hadn't gotten any work done would no doubt want to make up for lost time today. The number of people entering the dungeon was bound to be unusually high.
Stopping on the early floors to study monster behavior now would just be asking for trouble.
Bell had no intention of mingling with the other adventurers.
He continued to the next floor.
The Third Floor was much like the ones above. Upon entering, numerous intersecting corridors came into view. But starting from this level, dead ends began to appear, and many paths led to the same destination.
All roads might lead to "Rome," but Rome had started branching out.
That's just how things were from the third floor onward.
And this pattern would only grow worse. After the tenth floor, it would truly turn into a dungeon maze, with more and more dead ends each level—almost as if the Dungeon were trying to say: 'Keep going, and all that awaits is death.'
If that were really the case, Bell thought, then maybe this Dungeon wasn't meant to be conquered at all.
'Why does this Dungeon feel... kind?'
But it didn't take him long to realize—that wasn't kindness.
It was a calculated effort to weed out high-level adventurers.
The gentler the upper floors were, the more vicious the Dungeon's intent became.
The Dungeon was hostile to the gods. Would it really be kind to adventurers who bore divine blessings?
Of course not. That was unrealistic.
So what was the Dungeon trying to do?
Just look at how many Level 1 adventurers there were in Orario.
Wasn't this the so-called "Orario Wasteland Project"?
A life of ease had made many adventurers complacent. Even if their potential went beyond Level 1, they were content to stay there without pushing themselves further.
Why wouldn't they want to level up?
Because advancement came with the risk of death.
The Dungeon constantly reminded them of that, and the Guild did too. Naturally, this made most adventurers hesitant to gamble everything.
Bell understood that mindset—he used to be one of them. After all, surviving was surviving, right? Why go through all that exhaustion?
But he didn't have the luxury of thinking that way anymore.
Now that he had a goal, he couldn't afford to slowly accumulate stats like before. It was time for a change.
In the darkness, something black, like a fluttering ribbon, shot toward him.
Bell's sharp eyes instantly caught it—a long pink tongue, coated in disgusting mucus.
Lightning Command!
Just as the tongue was about to wrap around him, Bell's body surged with lightning once more.
The tongue missed by a hair's breadth, sweeping through his electrified form but unable to touch him.
This was another trait granted by Lightning Command—physical attacks were ineffective.
Only magic, enchanted weapons, or anything capable of interfering with mana could touch Bell while in his lightning state.
Of course, that assumed Bell didn't dodge. At a speed of 150 km/s, hardly anyone could react to him with pure reflexes.
The missed tongue snapped back instantly.
But Bell had already closed in on the source.
The monster that spawned on the third floor was a green frog, its large, bulbous eyes glowing like night pearls—though their size alone made them outright grotesque.
Half a meter tall and a meter long, this thing was massive by any standard. Its nickname: "Frog Shooter."
Just as normal frogs feed on insects, these Dungeon-dwellers hunted adventurers.
Its tongue could shoot out in a flash, wrapping around its prey and pulling them into its maw, where a corrosive mucus would begin dissolving them within seconds.
The Frog Shooter also excelled at jumping. In these narrow caves, that agility made them especially dangerous. Combined with their incredible visual acuity, once one was on the move, it became a serious problem.
But even these creatures had fatal flaws.
When they began secreting mucus after swallowing a victim, they became immobile.
In other words, as long as multiple adventurers acted together—and didn't all get swallowed at once—the Frog Shooter would be unable to resist.
Another fatal weakness: if its tongue was extended and hadn't retracted yet, the Frog Shooter couldn't move.
Clearly, Bell had the speed advantage.
With a clean slash of the lightning-enhanced "Hestia Knife," the Frog Shooter was reduced to a heap of black ash.
At that moment, the sharp whistle of five incoming projectiles broke the air.
Bell, always alert to his surroundings, was already ready.
He switched out the "Hestia Knife" for Kuji Kanesada. This time, he didn't activate Lightning Command.
His keen vision immediately picked out five tongues flying at him.
His trained body responded instantly, dodging them all in a flash.
Thud!
Though they missed Bell, the tongues struck the rock beneath him, piercing clean through the stone floor.
So these tongues weren't just for grabbing—they could also pierce like spears.
Ordinarily, a Frog Shooter's tongue was extremely tough to cut. While flexible, its sudden explosive force could penetrate Dungeon stone, proving it wasn't just soft.
Its extreme pliability allowed it to absorb impact force, making even Goblin daggers ineffective against it.
Sizzle!
But Kuji Kanesada, now crackling with lightning, wasn't bound by those rules.
A flash of lightning split the air.
In his free hand, Bell formed five lightning-charged needles. With precise control, he launched them in the direction of the flying tongues.
He heard five sharp cracking bursts—impact confirmed.
The Frog Shooters were wiped out.
'Just as I thought. As long as I shape the lightning and stabilize the mana, the energy loss after discharge stays minimal.'
Bell had been experimenting with mid-range attacks for a while now.
And now, he had a working theory.
As long as the mana was fixed in advance, there was no sustained drain.
Since the lightning was formed directly in his hand, the cost remained low.
It might not pack as much punch, but it was a mid-range technique that belonged solely to him.
Chapter 62: Chapter 62: The Minotaur on the Fifth Floor
Chapter Text
After dealing with the Frog Shooters, Bell finally picked up their drop items.
'Ugh, aren't these Frog Shooter drops just way too gross?'
Aside from the standard Magic Stones, the Frog Shooters also dropped frog tongues and frog eyes. But both items were disgusting, especially since they were coated in some unknown slime, making them even more revolting in their own way.
Still, there wasn't much choice. These were considered rare drops, and according to the guide, they had value in alchemy and potion-making.
That made sense. After all, most monster drops in the dungeon could be put to use—otherwise, the dungeon wouldn't even bother producing such creatures.
Once he finished collecting everything, Bell quickly moved on toward the fourth floor.
As soon as he stepped in, he spotted the monsters native to this level.
Their entire bodies were covered in a purplish-black exoskeleton with a metallic sheen. A tail stinger swung relentlessly behind them, while their mandibles emitted strange noises. Their claws gleamed ominously, clearly not to be underestimated.
'Venom Scorpions. Their tails are laced with an unimaginably potent neurotoxin. Getting stung doesn't kill you right away, but it gradually paralyzes your nervous system. Their claws are sharp enough to cut through steel—once an adventurer is poisoned, those claws can tear them apart with ease.'
The scorpions on the fourth floor posed the first real test for an adventurer's weapon.
Their only soft spot was the abdomen, but since they crawled so close to the ground, landing a hit there was extremely difficult. Fortunately, the tail stinger was also a viable target.
Although their claws were deadly, their attack range was limited to the front. The area behind and above them was clearly outside their effective range.
If you could remove the tail stinger right away, they'd lose their ability to pose a threat.
The stinger was not only their main weapon but also connected to vital organs, making it their greatest weakness.
However, the stinger was incredibly tough. While ordinary weapons could make shallow cuts, unless the blade was as sharp as a Goblin dagger, it would take dozens of strikes to sever it.
As for pulling it off with brute force—that required at least Lv. 2 strength. A Lv. 1 adventurer simply wasn't strong enough.
A flash of lightning.
The blade, wreathed in lightning, cleaved through everything in its path.
The bolt vanished in an instant, leaving behind the scorched stench of burnt air.
The scorpions' armored shells parted like butter under a hot knife, with glowing red cuts visible across their carapaces.
Their lifeless bodies crumbled into black ash, leaving only Magic Stones and severed tail stingers behind.
After storing the loot in his four-dimensional space, Bell let out a quiet breath.
He listened carefully.
No footsteps yet. The teams that had split off at the entrance hadn't made it down this far.
'Looks like those adventurers are prioritizing caution over speed.'
Bell wasn't particularly fast himself. His magic favored one-hit kills.
But he knew better than to go all out from the start. After all, you never knew when you might have to turn those techniques on allies.
When no one was watching, he could move faster.
But under observation, he had to hold back.
The scorpions on the fourth floor didn't pose much of a threat. It was time to move on to the fifth.
Without lingering, Bell pushed onward.
The fifth floor was a bit different from the previous ones. The most notorious monster here was the Killer Ant—giant ants, hundreds of times their normal size, that liked to lurk in the walls and ambush unsuspecting adventurers.
While Bell listened carefully to his surroundings, he couldn't hear any signs of the ants moving at all.
'Strange... The guide clearly said that if you listen closely, you can pinpoint the Killer Ants by sound. Is this part wrong too?'
Looking down at the strategy guide in his hand, Bell began to question its reliability.
This would be the second time, wouldn't it?
The first was when the guide claimed dungeon monsters lacked self-awareness or even intelligence.
And now, this was the second.
But rather than treat it as a definite mistake, Bell simply took note of the inconsistency and chose one of the branching paths near the entrance to investigate.
...
At a junction in the corridor, a distant noise brought Bell to a halt.
'A cow's bellow?'
'This is the fifth floor, not the fifteenth, right?'
Just as Bell was wondering what was going on, a series of footsteps drew nearer—not just one or two, but four or five sets coming at once. The sound grew heavier and heavier.
"!?"
From around the corner, five axe-wielding Minotaurs charged out.
Minotaurs—humanoid monsters with the head of a bull—were classified as Level 2 monsters. They were only supposed to spawn on the fifteenth floor. So why were they showing up here on the fifth?
But Bell didn't have time to think about that.
At that moment, he heard rapid footsteps approaching from behind, clearly aimed at the Minotaurs.
And suddenly, it all clicked.
'This is when the main story begins.'
Bell's eyes flicked to the five Minotaurs, all glaring hungrily at him.
'Wasn't there supposed to be only one in the story? Why are there five when it's my turn?'
He took a deep breath. If this really was the start of the story, then the identity of the person approaching from behind was obvious.
Ais Wallenstein—the "Sword Princess" of the Loki Familia, and currently the youngest Level 5 adventurer in Orario.
"In other words, I don't have much time."
Bell immediately drew the "Hestia Knife." Since the prey had come to him, there was no reason to let it escape.
Besides, he wanted to see if five Minotaurs would be enough to earn him the "Excelia" he needed.
Lightning Command—activate!
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Loki Familia
Chapter Text
Bell, cloaked in lightning, surged toward the Minotaur.
In a flash, the sharp Hestia Knife sliced through the creature's throat. The Minotaur disintegrated into black ash almost instantly, leaving behind only a Magic Stone, a broken horn, and an axe.
"I can't stick around. I need to get out of here immediately."
Though Bell hoped the one approaching was just a low-level rookie, the reality was that Adventurers had terrifyingly sharp perception. Trying to fight at this range while hiding from someone rushing over was a fool's dream.
Since hiding was no longer an option, a swift and decisive battle was the only choice.
Studying Minotaurs could wait. That was something to think about after reaching the fifteenth episode.
The other Minotaurs sensed the change in atmosphere. They roared, trying to intimidate their surroundings, while frantically swinging their axes.
Unfortunately, all that showed was their complete inability to perceive any movement.
A bolt of lightning flashed through one Minotaur's eye socket at the base of its calf.
"Pssht!"
"Gaaah!"
Blood spurted across the ground, and the Minotaur's screams echoed throughout the fifth floor.
Even the one rushing over paused instinctively.
Bell seized that brief window. Without hesitation, he swung the Hestia Knife in a graceful arc, the air around him thick with the smell of scorched ozone.
In one swift motion, he cut down the four kneeling Minotaurs. They too crumbled into black ash.
Almost the moment they fell, Bell collected the dropped items into his four-dimensional space and bolted from the scene.
He couldn't afford to linger on the fifth floor. Even if he wanted to train, the third or fourth floors were safer options.
The chances of being spotted under the watchful eyes of Loki Familia were far too high.
Bell wasn't willing to take that kind of risk here.
As for the "Sword Princess" of the Loki Familia, it was best to stay away until he had grown stronger. Getting close now could attract unwanted attention from her more... enthusiastic fans.
Suppressing his lightning form, he quickly vacated the area.
...
Almost the moment Bell left, a blonde girl wrapped in wind arrived at the battle site.
Clad in silver armor and a white underlayer, her lightweight gear accentuated her slender, well-proportioned figure. The curve of her hips beneath her skirt drew the eye.
Her name was Ais Wallenstein, a Level 5 adventurer of the Loki Familia.
Youthful, beautiful, and powerful—these were her three most captivating traits. Her rapid rise in strength made her one of the most watched adventurers in all of Orario.
But now, the very adventurer admired throughout the city tilted her head slightly in confusion.
"So fast...?"
Taking out five Minotaurs quickly wasn't particularly difficult, but the speed just now had been beyond expectation.
Ais was certain that from the moment she heard that faint thunder to her arrival here, not even five seconds had passed. Yet, in that short span, the Minotaurs were already dead.
She listened closely. The thunder had vanished—whoever it was had already gone far.
She scanned the area but sensed no one nearby.
Which meant... whoever had killed the Minotaurs had fled immediately after?
Lower-level adventurers couldn't pull it off, and higher-level ones wouldn't bother.
"Ais!"
The rest of Loki Familia arrived one after another, having been a step behind Ais.
"Ais, where are the Minotaurs?"
The one asking was a boy wielding a golden spear—but don't mistake him for a child. In Orario, there existed a unique race called the Pallum. No matter their age, they looked like children.
This particular Pallum was no ordinary one. He was Finn Deimne, the captain of Loki Familia, known by the title "Braver."
Ais shook her head, looking puzzled.
"I heard the Minotaurs scream and the sound of thunder, but by the time I got here, they were already gone."
Finn frowned slightly.
Someone had managed to kill five Minotaurs before they and Ais even arrived—that kind of strength was anything but ordinary.
And considering Ais had rushed over the moment she heard the Minotaurs' cries, only to find that both the enemies and whoever fought them had vanished... it meant this person wasn't just powerful—they were also deliberately hiding their presence.
As for the thunder, it was likely caused by some sort of magic.
"Riveria."
The elf holding a gem-encrusted, ornate staff gave a small nod.
She was Riveria Ljos Alf, one of the three Level 6 members of Loki Familia, and its vice-captain. A royal elf, the strongest mage in Orario, and known as the "Nine Hell."
Being royalty among elves, her affinity for magical elements was exceptionally strong—magic itself was the elves' greatest strength, and the same held true for Riveria.
After sensing the lingering lightning element in the area, her brows furrowed.
Finn noticed the shift in her expression and asked, "What is it?"
"A very aggressive lightning element... completely unlike any other I've encountered. Even with my elemental affinity, just brushing against it was enough to get rejected."
"There are only two explanations for this."
"First, the opponent's power vastly surpasses mine, to the point where the lightning elements they command are beyond my reach."
"Second, the opponent is using a unique form of lightning magic—one that causes the element to become volatile and unusable by others."
"Then it must be the second."
Level 6 was near the pinnacle in Orario. Aside from Ottar, the sole Level 7, no others existed. So the idea of someone being vastly stronger than Riveria and still unknown? Impossible.
Riveria agreed. If someone truly were that powerful—stronger than her in both raw strength and elemental control—they couldn't possibly be a nobody.
That made the first scenario unlikely.
Finn hadn't expected there to be such an adventurer in Orario.
"Ais, how long did it take from when you heard the sound to when you got here?"
"Five seconds."
Ais thought for a moment, then gave the exact answer.
"In five seconds, they killed five Minotaurs, collected the Magic Stones, and avoided Ais's detection."
"That means the other person must have sensed Ais's approach, wrapped up the fight within five seconds, and deliberately vanished. Looks like they're intentionally concealing their identity."
"If they're hiding who they are, it's either because they have something to hide... or they're a newcomer."
Most seasoned adventurers with that level of power were already known—there'd be no need to stay hidden.
As for Evilus members, they wouldn't be active on the fifth floor.
Which meant, at this point, they could only be classified as a "newcomer."
It typically takes a Level 2 to kill a Minotaur, but there were always exceptions.
If this person had some kind of special magic, then taking down a Minotaur in such a short span wasn't impossible.
Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Misguided Line of Thought
Chapter Text
When they returned to the fourth floor, Bell waited until he found a suitable spot to rest before deactivating his lightning transformation.
As he let out a breath, a trace of contemplation appeared in his eyes.
'I didn't expect it to be this late already.'
'I really haven't been paying much attention to Loki Familia lately… I didn't think they'd already gone on an expedition and even made it back.'
While in Orario, Bell hadn't gone out to gather information, so he wasn't very clear on the internal situation. He couldn't judge the exact time either—only make rough guesses based on events that had occurred.
Before he realized it, so much time had already passed.
Of course, that information wasn't particularly important. Details about Loki Familia merely served as a time marker. What mattered more to Bell now was whether the five Minotaurs would be enough to earn him the Excelia needed to level up. Normally, it should be. After all, a Level 1 adventurer only needed to solo a Level 2 monster to qualify for advancement.
After all, accumulating Excelia to level up requires going on adventures.
The issue was, Bell was still a Level 1 adventurer, and in terms of raw stats, he was indeed weaker than a Level 2 Minotaur. He had mostly relied on the sharpness of the Hestia Knife and the speed from his lightning transformation.
Even if it was thanks to magic and weapons, it was still an overwhelming feat.
Bell figured this should definitely count as part of his achievements.
'If I really have enough Excelia to level up, then the next step is to max out my stats.'
That way, he wouldn't need to return to the surface just yet.
He also had to be cautious about Loki Familia.
Loki Familia members weren't easy to deal with. Each of them had ambition and drive. Dealing with them wouldn't be simple.
When it came to the Loki Familia, it was best to expect the worst.
'The one who caught up with the Minotaur was probably Loki Familia's Sword Princess.'
'Then, the others in Loki Familia must have witnessed what happened earlier.'
'Looks like I need to be more careful going forward.'
Assuming the worst, it was possible Loki Familia had already figured out his location—or even guessed his identity.
Bell definitely didn't want to end up targeted by Loki before even attracting Freya's attention.
Being cautious and developing in secret was the safest route.
Maintaining the appearance of being Level 1 was critical.
So, minimizing contact with Loki Familia members was essential to avoid being recognized.
After preparing himself mentally, Bell resumed his training on the fourth floor.
He no longer relied on speed or weapon advantages to crush scorpions. Instead, he began practicing with Kuji Kanesada.
Letting go of efficiency, Bell focused on grinding his swordsmanship at the slowest pace possible in the Dungeon.
With the swordsmanship experience passed down from that swordsman, Bell's technique with Kuji Kanesada was solid—but he still lacked the true essence of that swordsman's path.
So, Bell resorted to this grueling method to sharpen his skills.
Although it was a slow and somewhat clumsy approach, it still allowed for steady growth. Especially after fully calming his mind, Bell found his sword swings felt more natural than before.
After all, that swordsman had once managed to fully execute "Tsubame Gaeshi" in his lifetime.
And what Bell needed now was time to truly immerse himself.
...
While Bell was focusing on refining his spirit and sword in the Dungeon, Loki Familia had already returned to their stronghold.
As soon as they got back, Finn went straight to Loki and reported everything that had happened on the fifth floor.
"Oh~ So you're saying, you suspect the one who killed five Minotaurs and slipped away right under Ais's nose is a newcomer in the Dungeon?"
After hearing Finn's report, Loki's interest was immediately piqued.
"Yeah. They deliberately avoided Ais and the rest of us to keep from exposing themselves. If it were someone familiar, even if they had the strength to kill Minotaurs, they wouldn't need to move so quickly or go out of their way to hide their identity."
"I see. Based on your analysis, it's certainly plausible that this is the kind of thing a newcomer to a Familia might do."
Cautious and deliberately concealing their identity—wouldn't that mean it's someone whose background is still unknown to others?
Loki agreed with Finn's assessment. She also believed the person in question was likely one of the new arrivals in Orario.
"Still, a newcomer like that won't be easy to find."
"None of the recent newcomers are well-known. If they meet your criteria, then they must possess magic strong enough to one-shot a Minotaur. Especially after narrowing it down to 'newcomers'—someone who deliberately stays hidden clearly isn't chasing fame. Otherwise, the gods would've noticed them by now."
In Orario, the easiest adventurers to find are those with ambition, desire, and drive.
To achieve their goals, the talented ones will show off as much as possible, making them stand out in the eyes of the gods.
But adventurers who choose to remain hidden even during their "newcomer" stage? Those are the hardest to track down.
Even someone as interested as Loki found it difficult.
Finn understood this point well.
If someone could keep their identity hidden at this stage and proceed with such caution, it would be one thing if it was their god's instruction—but if it was their own decision, then finding them would be nearly impossible.
That said, Finn was only mildly curious about the newcomer.
Right now, two other matters had more of his attention.
"Loki, you've heard about yesterday's incident in the Dungeon, right?"
"Of course I have. It was a huge mess—how could I not?"
The monster disturbance in the Dungeon had even caught Loki off guard, to the point that she paid a visit to the Guild herself.
But the Guild's response left her completely dissatisfied.
"I went to the Guild to ask, and Ouranos gave me a straightforward answer: 'The Dungeon is stable.'"
"Finn, do you think that's the right answer?"
The great god Ouranos offering such a strange explanation?
Finn also found it a bit odd. A problem that obvious in the Dungeon couldn't possibly be summed up as 'very stable.'
But… was that answer actually wrong?
Finn fell silent for a moment.
"I'm not sure."
"But I don't think Ouranos-sama gave that response out of neglect. Maybe 'there's been no unrest in the Dungeon' is actually the correct answer."
Loki narrowed her eyes, then opened them slightly.
"So it wasn't a Dungeon riot, but someone manipulated things behind the scenes?"
Finn gave a small nod.
"And that manipulation wasn't a riot in itself."
"I think if it had truly been a Dungeon riot, there's no way things aboveground would still be so calm."
Loki agreed completely.
If it really had been a full-scale riot, her entire expeditionary force might've been wiped out in the Dungeon.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Eina's Reminder
Chapter Text
It was near sunset when Bell emerged from the Dungeon, timing it almost perfectly with the setting sun.
Blending in with the crowd streaming out of the entrance, he made his way to the Guild first.
Since today's haul from the Dungeon wasn't particularly significant, he figured he could handle the materials at the Guild. He didn't feel right troubling Hephaestus-sama with low-tier drops and Magic Stones.
By evening, the Guild had gotten noticeably busier. Many receptionists were tied up with the adventurers they managed.
As it happened, Eina was also busy handling issues for some of the adventurers she was responsible for.
Receptionists weren't assigned to just one person. Typically, each one handled several adventurers.
And as the most popular receptionist in the Guild, Eina Tulle was constantly sought after. Many adventurers vied to have her as their consultant.
Unfortunately for them, the Guild assigned receptionists at random, making it quite difficult to be placed under Eina's care.
Of course, that didn't apply to Bell—he was already one of Eina's assigned adventurers.
As the adventurer in front of her left, Bell stepped forward.
"Miss Eina."
"Bell-kun."
Eina barely had time to catch her breath when she heard the familiar voice. Looking up, she saw the child she'd been worried about all this time.
Her eyes scanned him quickly. Seeing he was unharmed, she finally felt the weight of her recent worry lift from her chest.
She was just about to speak when she stopped herself.
She hadn't forgotten all the secrets this child carried. Some things just weren't appropriate to discuss out here.
Even the Guild's secret trading room wasn't suitable. Too many eyes were watching—if anything unusual caught someone's attention, things could get messy fast.
Eina looked at Bell and couldn't help but smile.
"Bell-kun, even after all this time as an adventurer, you're still the same, huh?"
Bell was a little puzzled by the comment at first, but as soon as he saw the expression in Eina's eyes, he understood right away.
He nodded slightly, a bit sheepish.
"I... I'm not very good at situations like this."
Eina sighed and pushed herself up from the table with both hands.
"You really should try to get used to it. As an adventurer, you'll be dealing with a lot of people. Saying you 'don't like these situations' isn't going to help."
But looking at the boy in front of her, she sighed again.
"You just got back from the Dungeon. Let's go to the lounge."
Bell didn't say anything—just gave a quiet nod and followed Miss Eina to a nearby room next to the Guild's secret trading chamber, one meant for resting or casual conversations. It was a space often used by receptionists and adventurers alike.
These rooms were designed for private chats, for helping adventurers decompress, or for providing key information.
Usually, only two people were allowed inside at a time. When in use, a sign reading "In Use" was hung outside. As long as the sign was up, others knew not to enter.
There were quite a few of these lounges throughout the Guild's exchange area. They were created for convenience, so naturally, there wasn't just one.
Of course, these rooms didn't offer the same level of confidentiality as secret trading rooms. But unless someone was actively monitoring them, nobody would go out of their way to eavesdrop on one.
Eina led Bell into one of the more tucked-away lounges and hung the "In Use" sign on the handle outside.
Once inside, they took seats on opposite sofas.
Though Bell still wore his hood, hiding any visible emotion, his voice didn't carry the same distant tone it had when they were outside.
"Miss Eina, your acting was so good, I almost didn't catch on."
Eina, flattered by the praise, beamed with a bright smile.
"How do you think I got this good?"
"At the Guild, I deal with all kinds of adventurers, and I need to adjust my attitude accordingly. Otherwise, how would I have become the Guild's top receptionist?"
'Speak differently depending on who you're dealing with'—that's the core professional skill every Guild receptionist needs to master.
You can't treat everyone the same way, even if the differences are subtle.
Eina had always put her work first, and naturally, she had long since perfected this fundamental skill.
Of course, putting on a fake face wasn't the goal. Her approach was grounded in responsibility and duty—meeting each adventurer with a fitting attitude was exactly why Eina Tulle had become the Guild's ace.
Without changing her expression, Eina suddenly brought up a much more serious topic.
"Bell-kun, those ten incidents yesterday... that was you, wasn't it?"
"…You could say that."
Bell didn't deny it.
"My Skill gives me certain advantages, but it also brings bad luck. That's what triggered the riot in the Dungeon."
"But I've already tried my best to keep things under control today."
Eina clearly looked relieved, but she still felt the need to give Bell a warning.
"Keeping it under control is absolutely necessary. Do you know the Guild has already started taking action because of yesterday's disturbance?"
"They haven't pinpointed the cause yet, but if you keep triggering that kind of chaos, it won't take long before they trace it back to you."
"And from what I've heard, it's not just the Guild that's looking into this—the entire Orario is investigating the cause of the Dungeon unrest."
"So you understand, right? You really need to keep that urge buried for now. At least for the time being, don't do it again."
Honestly, the fact that Eina was covering for Bell at all was already the biggest help she could offer.
Even though she knew the true cause of the Dungeon's riot, she had to keep it hidden. Otherwise, this child would immediately become a target for the gods.
"Good thing I know you're not part of Evilus—otherwise, I'd have turned you in myself."
Bell looked a little ashamed. The truth was, what Eina was doing bordered on aiding and abetting. If the truth ever came to light, she would be held accountable too.
He felt incredibly fortunate to have Miss Eina's help. If it had been anyone else, the Guild probably would've already found out.
"And one more thing, Bell-kun—you need to be cautious of the Evilus. Even now, those people are still lurking in Orario. If they find out you can influence the Dungeon, you'll definitely become their target."
"I don't think you need to worry too much, Miss Eina. I know how dangerous this is. I've been doing everything I can to keep it under control."
Bell was still taken aback when Eina mentioned the "Evilus."
But considering her position in the Guild and the fact that the Dungeon had previously been thrown into turmoil by their actions, her concern wasn't unwarranted.
As for how Eina knew Evilus was still hiding in Orario—maybe that was just a not-so-secret secret.
Chapter 66: Chapter 66: False Level Report
Chapter Text
Eina poured Bell a glass of water. There was already tea prepared in the lounge.
Thanks to a special heat-retaining magic item, the tea in the pot stayed at the perfect temperature. Holding the teacup, Eina took a small sip. The light fragrance of the tea gently filled her mouth, allowing her tense mind to finally relax a little.
"Bell, next time you run into trouble in the Dungeon, make sure to tell me ahead of time. That way, I can be prepared."
Even when dealing with the Guild, they needed to be on the same page beforehand. If she didn't know anything, she wouldn't be able to help at all.
Knowing that Miss Eina was genuinely trying to support him, Bell naturally nodded. Having someone in the Guild who truly had his back was a huge relief.
"I understand. From now on, I'll tell Miss Eina everything that happens to me in the Dungeon."
"Good."
Eina was glad to hear that. After interacting with him a few times, she had a decent grasp of his personality.
From the beginning, he was someone who understood his place and chose the Familia that best suited him. Eina was almost certain something had happened in his past that made him grow up quickly.
Of course, such growth came with its downsides. His overly rational mindset made him see adventurers in a very logical, and often pessimistic, light.
Eina didn't know what he had gone through to become this way, so she didn't press the issue. Besides, his abilities really weren't suited for dealing with unfamiliar adventurers—if he wasn't careful, his skills could quickly become known all over Orario.
"Bell, your skills are far too rare. If they get exposed, you'll be facing a lot of trouble."
"But even if you want to keep them hidden, you can't do that forever."
"So I suggest you avoid revealing your magic until you've gained enough strength."
Bell understood that well. There was no way he'd reveal his four-dimensional space magic in front of someone when his strength was still lacking.
"I actually have a question about that."
"But you don't have to answer directly—just give me a hint."
Since her next question might be a bit intrusive, Eina gave him a heads-up.
"How strong are you really?"
Bell paused for a moment. That question touched on his greatest secret—the fewer people who knew, the better.
Still, since Miss Eina had helped him keep it from the Guild and even offered him advice and intel, he figured she deserved to know at least a little.
"Miss Eina, how long did it take the fastest adventurer in Orario to reach Level 2?"
"Right now, the record for fastest promotion from Level 1 to Level 2 belongs to the 'Sword Princess,' Ais Wallenstein of the Loki Familia. She reached Level 2 in just one year."
"So, I'm currently at about two-thirds of Ais Wallenstein's level."
"!?"
Two-thirds?
He had only entered the Dungeon a few times and was already two-thirds of the way to where the "Sword Princess" was when she reached Lv.2?
"Doesn't that mean...!?"
Miss Eina immediately fell silent.
Bell gave a slight nod under her astonished gaze.
"If I'm lucky enough, I might be able to make significant progress in just about a month."
That would mean cutting down the fastest record—set by the Sword Princess eight years ago—by a factor of twelve.
Keep in mind, Ais had grown up in Orario. She had been familiar with adventurers from a young age and began her training early.
But Bell? He was just a countryside kid who hadn't even been an adventurer for half a month. Yet now, he might actually achieve something that most of Orario would find unbelievable: reaching Lv.2 in less than a month.
After her initial shock, Eina quickly regained her composure.
"Bell, there's no need to rush your promotion."
"Even Ais spent a full year accumulating enough stats before she hit the limit and could level up."
"Leveling up too early will only waste your growth potential."
The implication was clear—Eina hoped Bell would remain at Lv.1 a while longer.
There was no need to chase the title of "fastest promotion." He could use the extra time to improve his stats properly, rather than waste his talent for the sake of a record.
Of course, Bell understood Miss Eina's point—and it was a reasonable stance when it came to ordinary adventurers.
Still, he didn't argue. He needed to discuss his promotion with her anyway, since when the time came, she would definitely have to help keep things under wraps.
"Miss Eina, actually... I'll probably be staying at Lv.1 for a very long time."
Eina blinked, then quickly caught on. She sat up straight, her expression turning serious.
"Bell, that's perfectly normal for any adventurer."
"Orario has the highest number of Level 1 adventurers—it's the same wherever you go."
Falsifying levels was something Eina was well aware of. Many Familias underreported their members' levels.
And it was always underreporting.
The number and levels of adventurers directly impacted a Familia's rank. Once a Familia hit Rank D, they were forced to participate in long-range expeditions. They had to accomplish specific objectives to avoid failure—and failure carried severe consequences.
To avoid leveling up their Familia and being drafted into expeditions, many chose to suppress the reported levels of their members.
Some did it simply to keep their strength hidden.
Technically, falsifying levels was a violation, but if done discreetly enough, it didn't count—at least not officially.
Bell was relieved that Miss Eina was the one overseeing him. If it were anyone else, his secret would've been exposed long ago.
"I'll be counting on you, Miss Eina."
"This is my job, Bell."
They exchanged a smile, then shifted the topic with unspoken understanding.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 67: Chapter 67: The Right to Challenge the Strong
Chapter Text
He sorted out the Drop Items afterward—2 Goblin Daggers, 1 Shadow Chunk, 6 Frog Tongues, 12 Frog Eyes, 35 Scorpion Tails, 5 Minotaur Horns, and several Magic Stones.
Bell held onto the Minotaur Axes. Their quality was nearly on par with the daggers and could fetch a good price, but now wasn't the time to sell them. He had to be cautious of drawing the attention of Loki Familia. At most, he could sell the Minotaur Horns, but the axes were out of the question.
The horns were common drops, while the axes were rare—rarer even than Goblin Daggers. Goblin Daggers might be uncommon, but if someone put in the effort to hunt Goblins, they'd find them eventually—especially since most adventurers were still at Lv.1.
But Minotaur Axes were a different story. The difficulty of encountering an adventurer at Lv.1 versus Lv.2 was worlds apart.
What would really raise eyebrows was if an unknown adventurer suddenly sold a Minotaur Axe at the Guild. If that kind of information got out, it could become a serious problem.
After selling what he could, Bell earned around 500,000 Valis. It was nothing compared to the 26.4 million Valis from before, but it still put him well above the average adventurer in Orario.
Once everything was done, Bell slipped into the crowd and walked through a quiet alley toward the old church ruins he used as a training spot.
He entered the church and carefully made his way into the basement.
Hestia had already come home early today. He found her lying on the bed, legs swaying lazily as she read a book.
The sight completely put Bell at ease.
"I'm back, Goddess-sama."
"Oh! Bell, welcome home, oooh~!"
Hearing his voice, Hestia immediately sprang up from the bed. With a single bounce, her little feet pushed off and she leapt straight at him.
Having gone through this once before, Bell was ready and caught the charging Goddess-sama in his arms.
"Goddess-sama, you're back early from Hephaestus-sama's place?"
"Yeah. Today's the day Loki Familia returns from their expedition. Hephaestus has to start handling their new orders, so she let me leave early."
When the leaders of expeditions reach a certain level, they're officially drafted into large-scale Dungeon campaigns. The deeper the campaign, the stronger the Familia needs to be.
Loki Familia, with three members at Lv.6, obviously takes on the deepest levels.
And they're notorious across Orario for their enthusiasm for deep Dungeon expeditions. The Guild rarely has to assign them anything—they go far beyond what's required all on their own.
Of course, the term "expedition" had absolutely nothing to do with Hestia Familia at the moment.
There was only one member in the whole Familia—and he was still just a Lv.1 adventurer.
To be blunt, a Familia like this couldn't even take care of itself. Being asked to join an expedition was out of the question.
"Speaking of Loki Familia... Goddess-sama, I think I might've run into them in the Dungeon today."
"Huh? You ran into the Loki kids?"
"Not directly. When I reached the fifth floor, I ran into five Minotaurs. I could sense that someone was chasing after them—I'm guessing it was Loki Familia."
"Minotaurs!?"
Hestia instantly tensed. For Lv.1 adventurers, Minotaurs were one of the deadliest threats. Countless rookies had fallen to those monsters.
She immediately rushed over to inspect Bell's body. Only after confirming he was unharmed did she finally let out a long breath.
But the shock had clearly rattled her.
"Seriously, Bell, you should've told me about this earlier!"
"Most Level 1 adventurers would die if they ran into a Minotaur. Even just one level of difference can mean the world—it's the difference between life and death for adventurers."
In Orario, it was extremely rare for a Level 1 adventurer to defeat a Level 2 opponent. Even if they had maxed out their stats, going up against someone who had just reached Level 2 still left them with slim odds.
Only truly exceptional adventurers could pull off something like that—ordinary ones wouldn't even dare to consider it.
That's why Hestia had nearly jumped out of her skin.
But Bell wasn't just any adventurer.
"Goddess-sama, the reason Level 1 adventurers struggle against Minotaurs is because of their tough hide, which regular weapons can't easily cut through. Even if you have a weapon that can pierce their skin, their densely packed muscles make it hard to deal any serious damage."
"In a situation where the damage trade-off is so one-sided, that's what makes Minotaurs the first and biggest hurdle for adventurers."
In terms of raw stats alone, Bell knew that if a Minotaur landed even a single hit, he'd be seriously injured.
When it came to a straight-up comparison of base ability scores, he was no match for a Minotaur that was already at something like Lv.2.
"Even though I don't have the advantage in stats, I've got the edge in technique."
"With Lightning Transformation, I'm immune to physical attacks, and my speed far outpaces the Minotaur's reaction time. Plus, the 'Hestia Knife' in my hand was crafted personally by Hephaestus-sama."
"With these two advantages, I can take on a Minotaur even if its stats are way above mine."
"Minotaurs can't use magic, which means they never had a chance against me to begin with."
Sure, a huge gap in stats and level could be overwhelming, but that kind of domination still depended on compatibility.
Bell's Lightning Transformation was practically a nightmare for both magic users and close-range fighters—nullifying physical attacks and boosting speed to insane levels.
That alone gave him the qualifications to take on enemies above his level.
"Personal Training" allowed him to grow at a rapid pace.
"Lightning Command" gave him the ability to challenge stronger foes early on.
Together, those two traits drastically accelerated his development.
"Goddess-sama, speaking of which, I'll need your help again today."
"I want to see if killing five Minotaurs counts as a worthy feat to level up."
Chapter 68: Chapter 68: A Nighttime Date
Chapter Text
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.1 → Lv.2
Attributes:
• Strength: E487 → D574
• Endurance: D524 → D597
• Dexterity: C674 → A854
• Agility: B787 → S901
• Magic: B784 → S924
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space"
• Storage
"Lightning Command"
• Quick-Cast Magic
• Lightning Control
Skills:
"Personal Training"
• Early Bloomer
"Heaven's Luck"
• High Luck]
His [Attribute Grades] had once again grown significantly—Magic and Agility had both entered the S rank, and Dexterity had reached A.
The only downside was that Strength and Endurance hadn't improved as rapidly.
Of course, what caught Hestia's attention the most was that Bell had already accumulated enough Excelia at Lv.1 to qualify for a level-up. The discovery had her practically bouncing with excitement.
"Bell, your Excelia is more than enough. You could level up right now if you wanted."
Leaning back against the Goddess-sama, Bell wasn't all that surprised.
Those five Minotaurs had been more than enough to push him from Lv.1 to Lv.2. In fact, given how one-sided the fight had been, even just one might have sufficed.
"Congratulations. See?
Even though the goal is still far away, you've taken the most important first step."
"So, Bell, should I level you up now?"
"No, not yet."
Bell shook his head slightly. He wasn't finished growing at Lv.1.
"Goddess-sama, my [Attribute Grades] still have room to go up by the thousands, right?"
"Yes, there's still plenty of room to grow."
For a typical adventurer, those stats would already be enough for a level-up. But Hestia knew this wasn't Bell's limit.
It had only been about ten days since he became an adventurer—not even two weeks. There was no need to rush.
"Magic and Agility have already reached S, Dexterity is at A, and while Strength and Endurance are still in the D range, they're approaching C."
"Magic and Agility rose the fastest?"
Bell suddenly realized something—[Attribute Grades] were more a reflection of his combat style than anything else.
The reason Magic and Agility hit S was likely due to his frequent use of Lightning Transformation, which had driven rapid growth in both stats.
Dexterity was a bit behind, but given how much high-speed movement he was doing, that too was bound to improve quickly.
The biggest gap was still in Strength and Endurance.
"Next time I head into the Dungeon, I'll change up my fighting style and focus on boosting those two."
Bell's goal was to become a well-rounded, hexagonal warrior.
Because of his current combat style, Strength and Endurance had lagged behind and needed to be balanced out.
As long as the conditions for growth were still there, Bell had no intention of leveling up before reaching the peak of his [Attribute Grades]—doing so would only limit his potential later on.
He got dressed and pushed aside any lingering thoughts.
"Goddess-sama, if you're free today, want to go out for a walk?"
"Sure, sure!"
Bell looked at her, a little startled by how excited she was—he even felt a bit embarrassed.
Since arriving in Orario, he'd been so focused on his own goals that he hadn't really spent much time with her. She had helped him so much, believed in him, and yet he'd hardly made time for her.
"This is the first time Bell-kun has invited me out. I'll go change into something nicer!"
Seeing her so happy only made Bell feel more guilty.
He needed to take her out more often.
...
By evening, the sky had darkened, but for Orario, nightfall was just the beginning of the city's lively nightlife.
Once they stepped out of the alleyway, the darkness didn't dull the bright lights of the city streets in the slightest.
"Wow~ I haven't been out at night in forever."
The air was cool, so Hestia wore a white coat over her usual outfit. Bell, meanwhile, stuck with his slightly worn trench coat—though today, he left the hood down for once.
He looked around with interest. The stalls were different at night—mornings were all weapons and gear, but evenings were filled with food vendors.
Walking the streets, Bell could feel Orario's vibrant atmosphere. Everyone seemed so relaxed, laughing freely as they embraced the night.
The streets buzzed with life, and delicious aromas drifted from the open taverns nearby.
Bell had always been socially awkward—not good with strangers, not used to chatting on the street—so the nighttime view of Orario was something new and refreshing for him.
"Did you used to come out often, Goddess-sama?"
"Hehe~ That was back when I freeloaded at Hephaestus's place. I used to ask her for money to come out and eat!"
Bell's face twitched slightly.
In some ways, he was certain that Hephaestus really did love Goddess-sama. Otherwise, who would let someone eat and drink for free and still hand them pocket money to go have fun?
If one of his old friends had tried that at his place, he would've kicked them out without hesitation.
'Goddess-sama... sorry, I can't be as generous as Hephaestus-sama.'
For some reason, Bell felt a pang of guilt.
He reached behind him and pulled out a small pouch he had prepared in advance.
"Goddess-sama, this is for you."
"A pouch?"
"Yes. After setting aside part of our funds for repaying debt, I kept a bit for daily expenses. This pouch is that portion."
It wasn't much—just 200,000 Valis. Before leaving the Guild, he had even taken the time to exchange some larger coins for smaller denominations.
He had prepared this as her spending money.
Bell wasn't worried about her going hungry while working for Hephaestus-sama, but after her shift, she should at least have something to treat herself.
"I got it ready earlier today. I was going to give it to you tonight."
"Ooooh!!"
Hestia took the pouch—it was pleasantly weighty. From the feel of it, it had to be over 100,000 Valis.
"Bell, you're the best! I love you so much!"
She had her cravings too. There were things she wanted to buy. Not having money really sucked sometimes.
But that was the old her. Starting today, she had her own little money pouch, filled with spending money from her beloved Bell.
With eyes full of emotion, Hestia clung tightly to Bell's hand, leaning her whole weight against him.
To anyone passing by, they looked just like a sweet couple, deeply in love.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 69: Chapter 69: A Date Encounter with a Working Goddess
Chapter Text
"Big bro, look at that coin pouch."
"!?"
Instinctively glancing where his underling pointed, the older man's pupils shrank. Without hesitation, he spun around and smacked the kid across the face.
Smack!
The younger one nearly flew from the force of the slap.
What the hell was that for?
Before he could react, his big brother grabbed him by the collar, his voice dropping to a chilling growl.
"You idiot… you set your sights on a god!?"
"!?"
The kid finally understood why he got slapped. His body started trembling uncontrollably.
He had almost targeted a god.
For adventurers in Orario, the one type of being you never lay a hand on is a god—those who grant Falna and enable them to grow.
Unless you're someone who's prepared to betray everything, even thinking about touching a god means you're ready to shoulder consequences you can't possibly handle.
Everyone knew the stories—adventurers who dared raise a hand against a god never met a good end.
And his idiot underling had just been eyeing the coin pouch in a god's hands?
What kind of death wish was that!?
The older man leaned in close, voice dark and threatening.
"Remember this well."
"Don't even think about touching what belongs to a god. Don't even dream of stealing from them. Plenty of fools have tried... and believe me, you do not want to know how that ends."
Honestly, just hearing the girl was a god had already scared the younger one stiff. Now, with his big bro's warning ringing in his ears, he was shaking all over.
"B-Big bro, I swear I didn't mean anything like that..."
If he'd known that short girl with the ahem impressive figure was a god, he never would've thought about doing something so suicidal.
"You better not have."
The older one grunted, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead after scolding the fool.
Trying to snatch something from a god? That was beyond stupid. That was asking for death.
As an adventurer, he'd always held reverence for the gods.
After all, they were the ones who gave adventurers the chance to grow—and they could just as easily take it all away. Gods weren't harmless. They might have descended to Genkai for fun, but that didn't mean they'd laugh off trouble.
Anyone thinking otherwise was just too naive.
Gods were fundamentally different from mortals.
...
"Oh! Bell-kun, this grilled octopus is amazing!"
"Yeah, it really is."
At Goddess-sama's suggestion, Bell tried a skewer from the food stall—and the flavor burst in his mouth instantly.
He wasn't great at describing food, but even he could tell this was worth the 200 Valis. The portion was generous, and the taste was exceptional.
"Of course! Takemikazuchi always looks super serious and doesn't smile much when he's manning the stall, but he's got real talent when it comes to cooking. Takemikazuchi..."
Bell nearly choked.
He stared more closely at the chef manning the grill—dressed in a white cook's uniform, his hair styled in a way that screamed "Japan."
Wait... he's a god!?
This really was Orario. Bell knew Takemikazuchi was one of Goddess-sama's old coworkers, but running into him like this still went way beyond anything Bell had imagined.
"Hestia, calling me serious and unable to smile is unnecessary."
Takemikazuchi, known for his stern demeanor, looked exasperated. He clearly wished Hestia wouldn't introduce him with those kinds of remarks.
Bell studied the god in front of him—this Far Eastern deity was also revered as the God of Thunder, God of Swords, God of Archery, and God of War. Judging by his divine roles, Takemikazuchi had clearly taken martial prowess to the extreme.
As for being labeled "serious" or "incapable of smiling," Bell didn't find it odd at all.
A war god naturally exuded strength and discipline, not lighthearted cheer. With that thought, Bell found Takemikazuchi's stern expression more fitting, even comforting.
It was hard to imagine that such a serious face could ever pull off a goofy grin.
"You're Hestia's child, right?"
Takemikazuchi eyed Bell with interest. Lately, whenever Hestia had a bit of free time, she'd come by just to brag about her new Familia member.
'Lightning...?'
'It's probably magic, but why does it feel like an Authority?'
Takemikazuchi was particularly sensitive to lightning—his own Authority encompassed that very domain.
But he quickly dismissed the thought. Children of Genkai couldn't wield divine Authority, nor could they obtain it.
"I see. No wonder Hestia keeps bragging about how amazing her child is. Seems it's not just empty boasting."
If it wasn't divine Authority, then Takemikazuchi could at least be sure that Bell possessed a potent lightning-element magic.
Adventurers capable of using magic were rare in Orario. A child at Level 1 who could already use magic? That was almost unheard of.
No wonder Hestia kept showing him off.
"Good day, Takemikazuchi-sama."
Bell quickly offered a polite greeting. He definitely didn't want to embarrass himself in front of Goddess-sama.
"Hmm. Polite kid."
"Hmph! Of course he is!"
Hestia crossed her arms proudly, puffing up with pride. Bell had to bite back a laugh—she really looked like she'd come here just to brag.
Takemikazuchi noticed the joy on her face and decided not to call her out, even though he could easily expose her real motive.
Still, he had to admit: Hestia had scored a remarkable first child.
To have found a magic-capable adventurer as her first Familia member—this was a true beginning for her in Orario.
"So, did you come out just to help drum up business for my stall?"
Bell felt a bit awkward. There was no way Goddess-sama had thought of that. He was the one who suggested going out today—any idea about visiting other gods had to be spur of the moment.
Yeah, it was probably just an excuse for her to parade him around in front of her divine friends.
"Hehe~ of course not."
"...I figured as much."
Hestia gave a bright, cheeky grin as she answered. Takemikazuchi wasn't the least bit surprised.
"And I'm not here to show him off either."
Now that actually caught Takemikazuchi off guard.
But before he could react, Hestia clung to Bell's arm and declared with a big smile:
"I'm on a date with Bell today."
Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Deep into the Monster Den
Chapter Text
"...?"
Takemikazuchi paused for a moment, his expression shifting as he looked at Hestia's radiant, blissful smile with quiet surprise.
He wanted to ask, 'Do you really understand what this means?'
Forming a 'bond' like that with a child from Genkai... more often than not, it ended in tragedy.
He wanted to remind her of that.
But when the words reached his lips, they wouldn't come out.
Takemikazuchi knew Hestia had always gotten along well with the goddesses who had returned to Tenkai. This sudden notion of hers surely had something to do with their influence.
Many gods had proposed to her in Tenkai, but she always brushed them off. That's why she was known as the 'Virgin Goddess.'
Of course, calling her that carried a hint of mockery.
Still, the title wasn't harsh enough to cause offense, and the gods didn't take it seriously. After all, Hestia wasn't the only one in Tenkai to bear that name—Athena and Artemis were also called 'Virgin Goddesses' for their complete disinterest in male gods.
He just hadn't expected Hestia to come to Genkai and actually find someone she could truly bond with.
Takemikazuchi gave a small shake of his head, unsure of what to say.
He sped up his grilling, flipping the skewers deftly, then handed over a freshly cooked octopus skewer to Hestia's child.
"This one's on me."
"Hestia is a fool. I can't really say what I want to, but... try your best to protect her."
Bell accepted the skewer, his gaze meeting Takemikazuchi's—and in that moment, he understood the weight behind the words.
He didn't flinch. Instead, he looked more resolute than ever.
"I'll protect her with everything I have."
Takemikazuchi looked into the boy's eyes—steady, unwavering, filled with fierce determination.
Now he understood. This child was the one Hestia had truly chosen to bond with.
And he saw something else too: a fire, an unshakable resolve burning in Bell's eyes.
'He's definitely a child with rare potential.'
The boy understood what he meant—far more than most adventurers would have. And instead of hesitating at the idea of forming a bond with a goddess, he had already made up his mind.
The road ahead would be filled with hardship.
Bonds between gods and children from Genkai rarely ended well. Most were doomed to end in heartbreak.
And yet... so many gods still sought them.
Takemikazuchi understood why. Gods longed for these encounters—not just for fun, but for something they could carry in their hearts forever.
That's what worried him—that Hestia might become one of those goddesses.
But in the end, he stopped worrying.
Because he knew there was no point. This kind of bond was exactly what gods sought, and the sweet moments and painful ones were all part of it.
He couldn't stop it.
And he had no right to.
"Well then, Takemikazuchi, see you tomorrow."
"...Don't come tomorrow, idiot."
Hestia grinned at Takemikazuchi, then tugged Bell along as they headed off.
Takemikazuchi watched her retreating figure and gave a small shake of his head. That fatherly concern in his heart had nowhere to go.
Hestia walked with Bell through the streets, picking up all kinds of interesting trinkets along the way. But since it was their first date—also their first meal out—she wanted to take Bell somewhere a bit more formal for a proper dinner.
Bell followed along quietly. He wasn't too familiar with the layout of Orario's streets. After all, he wasn't the kind of guy who went looking for trouble.
Who knew when a goddess might suddenly appear in the streets?
So ever since arriving in Orario, Bell had been extra cautious, often sticking close to the crowds while walking. Being among people was the best way to stay under the radar.
He also made a point of avoiding dangerous areas.
And when it came to danger, the most notorious spot in Orario was a tavern called the "Hostess of Fertility."
The interior of the tavern was a blend of low-key luxury.
...
That elegant decor made it a popular hangout for many adventurers.
Of course, the prices weren't cheap.
For upper-tier adventurers, a meal there wasn't a big deal. But for those at the bottom, eating there was like signing away their life savings.
It was said that the average cost per person was around 2,000 Valis.
To put that into perspective: a low-level Lv.1 adventurer might earn between 10,000 and 20,000 Valis per trip into the Dungeon on a good day. So a single meal here would burn through a tenth of that—and that's for the budget option, which included drinks and decent veggies.
...
It wasn't unusual for a single meal to cost a Lv.1 adventurer a full day's work.
And even that 10,000 to 20,000 Valis income was only if things went well.
A little bad luck, and it'd be a nightmare.
But for Bell, the real danger of that tavern wasn't the steep prices—it was the spy of the goddess hidden among the staff.
That spy served Freya, the Goddess of Beauty, who could see an adventurer's potential just by looking into their soul.
In the original story, Bell Cranel had been targeted by Freya, so he wouldn't dare risk letting her catch a glimpse of him.
Even if he was sure his soul lacked any kind of brilliance—what if he was wrong? What if there was some kind of light after all? He'd be screwed.
That overwhelming survival instinct had kept Bell far away from the "Hostess of Fertility." He hadn't even dared to ask about it.
Because just "asking around" could leave traces—and Bell wasn't about to take that risk.
So he never tried to find out anything about the place.
Which was exactly how, completely unaware, Bell ended up being led into what he considered a den of monsters by Goddess-sama herself.
Even after sitting down, he didn't immediately realize where he was.
Not until the silver-haired waitress walked over.
"What would you like to order?"
Bell caught sight of the expression on the waitress's face—and almost froze.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Acting Is a Necessary Skill for Adventurers
Chapter Text
Bell, always cautious by nature, had finally let his guard down.
Worried about drawing attention, he had never dared investigate the "Hostess of Fertility." Doing so would have been too obvious a move. After all, why investigate something unless you already suspect it's out of the ordinary? In that sense, the act of investigating was practically an admission—and Bell had always avoided such self-defeating behavior. So, aside from training and Dungeon runs, he kept to the area around the old church ruins while in Orario.
What he didn't expect was that the very place he worked so hard to avoid would be the one his own Goddess-sama dragged him into.
Not that he had a choice now. He decided to treat it as a chance to test the waters.
Bell masked his brief shock by pretending to be suddenly absorbed in the menu, flinching at the sound of a voice beside him.
"Goddess-sama, I'm not too familiar with the menu here. Why don't you order?"
"Oh? Sure, I'll handle it."
Hestia didn't find it strange at all. She took the menu from Bell and started ordering swiftly. As a regular, she knew exactly what was tasty and affordable.
Since they were dining together, she picked dishes sized for two and added two servings of fruit wine.
"Got it. Please wait a moment, Lady Hestia."
"Oh, thanks, Syr."
As a regular here, Hestia naturally knew the silver-haired waitress.
Syr Flova, the face of the "Hostess of Fertility," was a well-known server. With her cute looks, youthful charm, petite figure, long silver-gray hair, and matching eyes, plus a smile full of innocent delight, she was easily the tavern's brightest star.
But none of that was what made Bell wary. The real reason lay in her hidden identity.
Syr wasn't just a poster girl—she was a spy for the Goddess of Beauty, Freya.
She had offered up both her body and name to Freya, earning the right to serve as the goddess's earthly incarnation.
In truth, "Syr Flova" was Freya's human form. She had been placed here deliberately to search for those with radiant souls.
The "Hostess of Fertility" itself was anything but ordinary.
Its manager was a former captain of Freya's Familia, a Level 6 adventurer strong enough to destroy a Familia on their own.
And the other staff weren't ordinary waitresses either. Aside from the manager, all the female staff were Level 4 adventurers. There were four of them—enough to rank among the top powerhouses in Orario.
That such a powerful group operated freely inside a tavern was nothing short of unbelievable.
If the adventurers enjoying their meals here knew who was serving them, their hair might stand on end.
But right now, what was making Bell's scalp tingle the most was the thought—had Freya noticed him?
As they waited, Bell didn't sit stiffly. Instead, he kept a careful eye on his surroundings.
"There's actually a tavern like this in Orario."
Bell remained alert to Freya's reaction, but he couldn't help being intrigued by the tavern's décor. It was clearly well-designed, and the dim lighting added an elegant touch to the atmosphere. Surrounded by this ambience, even Bell felt himself relaxing a bit.
Still, unlike the typical drunkards, Bell was better at keeping his emotions in check and wouldn't display any excessive behavior.
"That's right! The 'Hostess of Fertility' is a well-known tavern in Orario. It doesn't open in the morning—only after the sun sets."
Bell nodded in understanding. It operated like most normal bars.
Taverns in Orario catered to the night crowd. With the constant pressure adventurers faced, living life on the edge, never knowing what tomorrow might bring, it made sense that they'd occasionally need to blow off steam with a drink.
"Oh? You look new, young man. First time in our tavern?"
"Yeah, I just arrived in Orario... and I'm not really into this kind of scene."
Hearing the voice, Bell turned to see who spoke—it was an older woman, tall and impressively muscular...
Mia Grand. The tavern's manager, known as the Hostess of Fertility herself. Rumor had it she was a temporarily retired Level 6.
Facing the formidable manager, Bell didn't panic. He just looked around, a bit uncomfortable with the environment. He preferred quiet places, so this kind of noisy, lively atmosphere wasn't to his taste. He understood this was what taverns were like, but that didn't mean he had to enjoy it.
"This is what Orario is like at night. As an adventurer, you'd better get used to it sooner rather than later," Mia said.
One look at Bell's youthful face told her he was a complete rookie—probably hadn't been an adventurer for long.
Bell was aware of that himself, but adapting to this kind of atmosphere wasn't going to be easy for him anytime soon.
"Is Goddess-sama a regular here?"
"Well, sometimes I tag along with Hephaestus for a drink," Hestia said.
She didn't want to admit she always had to beg Hephaestus to bring her along for free drinks. So unless Hephaestus happened to be free, Hestia didn't usually get the chance to enjoy a drink here. The prices were steep.
"It's just too expensive for me."
"And Hephaestus won't give me that much pocket money."
Bell's eyelid twitched as he watched his Goddess-sama grumble. He could fully understand Hephaestus-sama's exasperation.
Still, it wasn't like Goddess-sama spent all that much.
Right now, with just the two of them in their Familia, they could easily cover her expenses. Bell also knew that while she could be a bit spoiled in daily life, Hestia was serious and responsible when it came down to important matters.
"I think Hephaestus-sama just doesn't want you to develop the bad habit of expecting everything to be handed to you. Spending her money just to indulge your cravings isn't really a good thing for a Goddess."
"She probably hopes you can learn to keep your desires in check."
Hestia pouted. She understood perfectly well what Hephaestus was thinking. If she were in Bell's shoes, she definitely wouldn't act that way.
After all, in front of Bell, she had to maintain her image as a dignified goddess.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected] / PinkSnake
Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Successfully Evading the Goddess of Beauty's Gaze
Chapter Text
'This kid... is just ordinary.'
While preparing the food, Syr's eye color shifted slightly.
Her gaze naturally landed on Bell, the newly minted adventurer. But it only lingered briefly before moving on.
A brilliant soul is something no child of Genkai can hide. For gods who can see into the soul, such things are simply too obvious to miss. Yet when Syr's eyes locked onto Bell, the moment she saw that dull, dim soul—it was enough to make her lose all interest.
Bell might be cute for a rookie adventurer, but Syr wasn't the type to steal Hestia's Familia member just because he was adorable. She wasn't looking for cute. She wanted someone with a dazzling soul.
Unfortunately, Hestia's child didn't have that brilliance. That alone doomed his future to mediocrity.
With that realization, the faint hue in Syr's eyes faded back to normal.
Bell, who had been on edge while observing his surroundings, finally felt a wave of relief wash over him.
His sharpened senses had been warning him just moments ago—someone dangerous had been watching him.
And in this tavern, only one person could give him that kind of feeling: the goddess behind it all, Freya.
'Looks like I made it through.'
'Freya isn't paying attention to me.'
'What a blessing in disguise.'
The cold sweat he'd broken into had somehow lifted his spirits. There was just no helping it—if Orario's biggest troublemaker wasn't targeting him, then that meant, as long as he stayed cautious, he could finally go about his life without unnecessary complications.
No more divine meddling. No more worrying about being whisked away by Freya on a whim.
'Now that I think about it, I really was overthinking everything.'
'My soul's not even the same one anymore. I'm a modern-day guy—how could I possibly have a "brilliant" soul? If anything, it's probably dark as tar.'
After confirming that the eerie, oppressive gaze was gone, Bell was certain Freya had lost interest in him. That alone resolved one of his biggest concerns.
Maybe he wouldn't get the kind of growth he did in the original story, where Freya coddled him like a mother doting on her son—but it also meant he'd have far fewer problems.
Going forward, Bell would have to tackle everything on his own.
But that was fine.
He'd known from the beginning that surviving in this world required keeping a low profile. He had no intention of standing out.
As long as he stayed under the radar, there'd be a lot fewer problems to worry about.
Keep your wealth hidden, stay unnoticed in the Dungeon—if he stuck to those principles, leveling up in peace wouldn't be too hard.
Heh... no matter how he looked at it, a quiet and peaceful life lay ahead.
"Hmm? Bell-kun, are you in a good mood?"
Hestia, who had been watching him all along, noticed the shift in his expression.
Bell looked back at Goddess-sama, caught off guard.
"You noticed that too?"
"Yeah, your expression didn't change, but the whole atmosphere around you shifted."
Hestia didn't know what had caused the change, but she still pointed out what she sensed.
"Goddess-sama really is sharp."
"Maybe I'm just starting to get used to things."
Hestia looked at Bell, puzzled. Her instincts told her he wasn't lying—but somehow, it felt like they were talking about entirely different things.
"Meow~ The reserved guests have arrived."
A catgirl in a classic maid outfit walked into the tavern. Through the shadows outside, a group of people could be seen waiting.
As they began to enter one after another, the leader quickly became clear.
A red-haired girl with narrow eyes and a cute side ponytail stood at the front—her striking figure hard to miss.
Almost every adventurer present knew her by name.
She was Loki—one of Orario's current Twin Kings.
And since Loki was leading the group, it was obvious: these were the elites of the Loki Familia.
Finn Deimne, the golden-haired Pallum youth.
Riveria Ljos Alf, noble of the elven royal line.
Gareth Landrock, the dwarven elder.
The Amazoness sisters, Tione and Tiona Hyrute.
Bete Loga, the fierce werewolf.
Lefiya Viridis, the young elf mage.
And of course, Orario's beloved Sword Princess—Ais Wallenstein.
This lineup practically included the entire main force of the Loki Familia, a perfect display of the power behind one of Orario's Twin Kings.
Even Bell, seeing them for the first time, was taken aback by the overwhelming presence they carried.
He could clearly sense the aura each of them radiated.
It might have been subtle, but his sharp instincts picked up on the vast gap between them and himself.
"Tch."
The sound snapped Bell back to reality. Beside him, Hestia clicked her tongue, her gaze locked tightly onto Loki.
"Oh ho~"
Maybe Hestia's intense stare had drawn attention—Loki, standing at the front, seemed to notice and strutted over with a smug grin.
"Yo, shorty. What brings you out for dinner today? No Phae-Phae tagging along? You sure you can even afford the bill without her?"
Loki's sharp words instantly got on Hestia's nerves. She smacked the table and shot to her feet.
"Smack!"
"Stop looking at me like I'm still stuck in the past! I've got the best child now!"
As Hestia flared up, Loki finally noticed Bell sitting at the table.
"Oh~ So this is your kid, huh?"
"A real fresh recruit."
Still, something felt a little off. Loki couldn't immediately figure out what it was. Judging by his aura, Hestia's child couldn't be more than Level 1.
"Hey, newbie, must be tough supporting someone, huh?"
"Hestia's infamous for being a handful. Loves wasting money on junk. Being her kid's gonna be rough."
Her words were laced with mock sympathy, nearly setting Hestia off again.
But Bell didn't react.
"Thank you for your concern, Loki-sama."
"But I believe I can manage Goddess-sama's living expenses just fine. And she's not nearly as bad as you make her sound."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 73: Chapter 73: No Need to Worry for Now
Chapter Text
Loki had to give him some credit—this newcomer actually had the guts to say something so pointed to her.
Sure, she usually joked around and acted carefree, but that didn't mean she didn't care about anything. Not many people dared to talk to her like that, or even use that kind of tone. And yet, Loki actually appreciated kids like this. Especially ones who stepped up to defend their Familia God when they sensed someone was trying to slander them.
Hestia immediately stood up, eyes sharp as she glared at Loki.
"Loki, don't you dare lay a finger on my Bell."
"Don't make me out to be so petty, shorty."
Loki rolled her eyes at Hestia's outburst. Sure, she could be willful, but she wasn't petty enough to get angry at a brave kid just for standing up for their god. And besides, did she really look like the type of goddess who only knew how to throw tantrums?
Loki ignored Hestia's vigilance. She genuinely liked this brave kid, and from the looks of it, he hadn't been an Adventurer for long. But this kind of personality? Definitely her type.
"Newbie, I really like your personality."
"Standing up to defend your god when they're being mocked—while I wouldn't exactly recommend doing that, I do admire the courage."
"Since you're this brave, if you ever run into trouble, feel free to come find me."
Bell only shook his head slightly. He could tell what was really going on between Loki and Goddess-sama.
"Loki-sama, I think the only reason you're going easy on me is because I'm part of Goddess-sama's Familia."
Was I really that obvious?
Loki couldn't help but question if her acting had gotten that bad. For a kid who just became an Adventurer to see through her that easily...
She admitted, her appreciation for this "newbie" had a lot to do with that shorty. After all, she hadn't known that the shorty had already picked up a follower—and not just anyone, but someone with some real potential.
'As expected, Goddess-sama really has some pull among the gods.'
Bell could tell from Loki's reaction that his hunch had been right. The relationship between Loki and Goddess-sama was... complicated. The kind where neither could stand the other.
But they weren't mortal enemies. If anything, they were like frenemies—each waiting for the other to trip up.
Bell couldn't help but reflect.
Goddess-sama isn't without her advantages. She's got strong social skills and good relationships with many gods, and that alone is a huge asset for any Familia.'
'Massive.'
Though Goddess-sama started from nothing as an unaffiliated god, it wasn't like she was truly empty-handed. She had a circle of friends that were basically billionaires. Starting out might've been tough, but with a network like that, she was bound to gain ground fast.
"Unlike the shorty, you're actually pretty sharp, newbie."
"What did you just say!?"
There was no mistaking the implication—she'd just called Hestia dumb. She exploded on the spot.
"Of course I mean you, you dumb dwarf."
"Hah!? Like you're any smarter, you flat board!"
"Flat... flat board!?"
That hit Loki hard.
As a goddess, she was the rugged type. Even if she personally didn't care too much about it, comparisons were still comparisons.
What she hated most was being compared to this damn shorty.
No matter how indifferent she pretended to be, she still didn't want to lose to the shorty—especially not in the one area she, as a goddess, took pride in.
But for some reason, she was the type who could see her toes just by looking down.
And this shorty, who was way shorter than her, was the kind who could drink milk tea without even using her hands.
The contrast between them was like the earth and the Babel Tower—ridiculously far apart.
Every time someone poked at that sore spot, Loki couldn't help but tear up a little.
It wasn't that she didn't want to grow, but as a god, she simply had no room to.
That completely ruined her mood for the day. She grabbed the shorty's cheeks with crab-claw-like hands and pinched down with all her might.
"You damn midget, don't you know it's low to insult people by pointing out their flaws?"
"Hmph! You're the flat one! Flat as a board, yet you go after girls with curves. You're just jealous, aren't you? Jealous of my amazing figure."
Each jab struck Loki right in the heart, bringing tears to the corners of her eyes.
"Uwaaah! Mama! This stupid midget is bullying me!"
Though she was the one being teased, tears streamed down Loki's face. She didn't feel like pinching the midget's cheeks anymore. Instead, she turned and dove into the arms of one of her Familia members.
"Who's 'Mama'?!"
The royal Elf she pounced on gave her a sharp glare. She was barely of age—still a young adult—and definitely not old enough to be called a mother. But for some reason, people in their Familia kept calling her "Mama."
The whole thing had started thanks to their ridiculous deity.
...Riveria's gaze swept toward Hestia's Familia, landing on the white-haired boy.
"Hmm?"
Loki caught Riveria staring, changed her expression, and sat back down.
"What? You interested in the midget's kid too?"
Riveria shook her head slightly.
She wasn't sure what it was, but just now, for a brief moment, she felt a strange sense of unease from that boy. His aura clearly marked him as a mere Level 1 adventurer.
Maybe it was just the aftereffects of the expedition. Her nerves might still be frayed.
"Loki, did you sense anything?"
Loki's narrowed eyes deepened slightly.
"So you felt it too, huh."
Even if it lasted only a moment, she'd definitely sensed something unusual—something oddly familiar—coming from that "newbie." It was right there, on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't quite say it aloud.
"That lucky midget. His first kid turns out to be someone like that."
She didn't know exactly what the "newbie" was hiding, but she was sure he wasn't just some nobody.
Maybe in a year or two, he'd make a name for himself.
Still, lately, it had been harder to read anything about Hestia's children.
With that thought, Loki dropped the idea of watching him any further.
"Whatever he's hiding, it doesn't matter for now."
"...Yeah."
As long as he was still a rookie, there was no reason to be concerned just yet.
Riveria quietly withdrew her attention as well.
Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Our Familia Doesn’t Have a Rank Yet
Chapter Text
"Hmph!"
Today was supposed to be her first date with Bell, something she'd worked hard to make happen. But just her luck—she ended up running into that person, and her rare good mood was completely ruined.
With a fork in hand, she popped a piece of fish into her mouth. The delicious flavor of the fried fish helped Hestia temporarily forget her irritation.
She glanced back at Loki, who was sitting with her own Familia at a nearby table. With a snort, she turned away.
"That damn woman had to show up and ruin my mood."
"Goddess-sama, weren't you having fun talking with Loki?"
"Hardly. We've been at odds since forever."
Bell's words made Hestia puff out her cheeks. Her rivalry with Loki dated back so long it was hard to even trace when it began.
"Of all the days to run into her..."
If she'd known Loki would be coming to this tavern too, Hestia definitely wouldn't have dragged Bell here today.
"Today's the day Loki's Familia returned from their expedition. They're probably celebrating."
"I heard Loki's Familia is the most proactive when it comes to exploring unknown floors. I bet this expedition brought back a lot."
"...Well, probably."
Hestia didn't really disagree. Given how aggressively Loki's Familia pursued the unknown layers of the Dungeon, their return likely meant significant achievements.
"Even if I don't get along with Loki, her kids really are talented. Every single one of them is among the top Adventurers in Orario."
It was a fact Hestia couldn't deny. Being part of Orario's 'twin kings' held real weight.
If her children weren't that exceptional, Loki's Familia wouldn't always be pushing to conquer uncharted floors.
"Loki's Familia is so focused on floor conquest, yet Freya... Even though her Familia is stronger and more suited to Dungeon exploration, she doesn't seem all that interested."
The other member of Orario's twin kings also had plenty of outstanding adventurers. But Hestia hadn't heard much about Freya showing any particular drive to conquer new floors.
Loki's group, on the other hand, would dive into the Dungeon every few days, often without any prompts from the Guild. They just launched expeditions on their own.
"I suppose that goddess has her own areas of interest."
Bell said this casually, but he knew full well what the Goddess of Beauty was truly interested in.
Compared to Dungeon exploration, she was far more drawn to adventurers with brilliant souls.
'If it weren't for her specific preferences, I wouldn't have needed to be so cautious since arriving in Orario.'
'But now that more areas of the city are open, I can at least go out and get to know Orario better.'
This date with his goddess unexpectedly served as a test to see if the Goddess of Beauty had taken notice of him.
Now that Bell was sure she wasn't targeting him, he could finally move with a bit more freedom.
He couldn't exactly roam around without any care, but at least it was better than before—when even taking a step outside felt risky.
Bell also understood he couldn't stay cooped up at the Hestia Familia headquarters forever. Sometimes, he had to go out and gather intel—especially floor intel.
The Guild didn't provide information beyond the tenth floor for free. Most of the deeper levels' data required time and money to obtain.
Only with accurate knowledge of each floor could he make the necessary preparations.
Bell had always believed that thorough preparation could greatly reduce the risks he faced.
"Goddess-sama, will our Familia have to deal with that kind of problem too in the future?"
"Hmm... Probably not."
Hestia shook her head, dismissing the idea outright.
"Conquering floors isn't something that can be done easily. Normally, it takes multiple Familia members working together to ensure everyone's safety."
"The Guild doesn't just throw Familias into the Dungeon to die. Usually, only Familias evaluated at rank D are required to go on mandatory expeditions."
"For smaller Familias, they won't even be considered for D rank. Most of their members need to be at least Lv.2 before the Guild even gives them a basic rating. Our Familia doesn't even have a rank yet."
The implication was obvious—Hestia Familia, with just one member, wasn't going to be considered rank D any time soon. Not unless she recruited more people—and they had to be high-level Adventurers at that.
Unfortunately, Hestia didn't think she'd be able to attract many top-tier recruits.
More importantly, she didn't want anyone else besides Bell.
Right now, she and Bell living together was just right. Adding more members would only bring unnecessary complications.
Besides, the most important point was that Bell didn't want companions in the first place.
Hestia had heard before that Bell didn't trust other Adventurers, so the chance of him teaming up with others was close to zero.
Considering that, Hestia had long since given up on expanding her Familia.
This way, Bell would also have more room to grow at his own pace.
And knowing Bell's exact [Status], Hestia wasn't worried about whether he could grow quickly—she was more concerned he'd grow too fast.
"Bell-kun, we don't need to worry about expeditions. Our Familia will never be ranked that high."
"I understand."
Thanks to Hestia's explanation, Bell now had a rough idea of how Familia rankings worked.
After all, he wasn't some lore expert—he'd only skimmed Danmachi in the past. And as a legitimate victim of gacha addiction, there were plenty of details he'd already forgotten.
Bell also understood that his growth wasn't the issue. The real challenge was making it from Lv.2 to Lv.3 smoothly.
The next great feat—the one to take him from Lv.3 to Lv.4—was clear in his mind.
He had already decided that the floor boss on the 18th floor would be the one.
That boss, set at Lv.4, was the perfect opponent to accomplish the feat he needed to break past Lv.3.
But before that, he needed to do some more pulls. Ideally, he'd draw some critical Craft Essences—otherwise, soloing the floor boss would be next to impossible.
And speaking of Gacha, he really didn't want to think too hard about the state of his wallet.
Being 200 million in debt was no joke. Especially when he had to both repay it and save money on the side.
After all, both summoning and Craft Essence enhancement were ridiculously expensive.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Whoa! A Golden Orb!
Chapter Text
After their date, Bell and Hestia returned to their base.
Today's outing had left Hestia in a great mood—it was their very first date, after all, and that made it special. Even though it had been interrupted and a little chaotic, the day still held a unique significance.
Of course, Bell felt the same way.
"Mmm... After such a good meal, I can't help feeling sleepy."
Rubbing her eyes, Hestia struggled to fight off the drowsiness. Getting sleepy after eating... honestly, it was probably a sign of good health.
"Goddess-sama, if you're tired, you can go to bed early tonight."
"Mm."
Hestia had been thinking the same, though a small part of her couldn't help feeling a little excited inside.
"Bell-kun, today—"
"Ah, Goddess-sama, before I sleep, I want to get some training in."
"Eh?"
Seeing Bell suddenly turn serious, the words Hestia was about to say got stuck in her throat.
"After seeing the presence of Loki Familia today, it made me realize just how far I am from those top-level Adventurers."
For Bell, today had been a trial.
Confronted with a level of strength that felt completely out of reach, he wasn't discouraged. Instead, the encounter awakened a strong sense of inadequacy—one that only pushed him to improve.
Bell knew he still had the chance, and more importantly, the drive to keep going. That meant he couldn't afford to retreat now.
He didn't have the option to back down.
If he faltered here, how could he face Goddess-sama? How could he stay true to his goal of reaching Level 10?
So in this moment, Bell chose to step forward—to move beyond his limits, and fully embrace his hunger for strength.
"I know I can't get stronger overnight, but I still want to give myself as much training time as I can."
"...In that case, Bell-kun, promise me you won't go into the Dungeon tonight."
She wanted to object outright—nighttime was meant for rest, and he should be home recovering. But looking into Bell's clear, unwavering eyes, she found herself unable to say no. All she could do was steel herself and speak the words she didn't really believe.
"Don't worry, I know how dangerous the Dungeon is at night. I'll just stay up here and do some training."
After reporting his plan to Goddess-sama, Bell headed out to the open space outside the church.
Since the area was far from the main street, the surrounding sounds were faint, and Bell didn't sense anyone watching him.
'Let's begin the Gacha.'
Just like before, he committed a full 100,000 Valis upfront.
[Ding!
You have two special Gacha attempts remaining.]
Bell paused, then quickly understood why the Type-Moon System issued that reminder.
'Last time, I only managed to get five low-star Craft Essences at most—even the three-star ones.'
'Looks like the upper limit for low-star Craft Essences is five per pull.'
At least, that's how it seemed based on current results.
'Only two limited Gacha pulls left, and I've already locked in the final two low-star Craft Essences... Guess the system doesn't want me abusing its draw mechanics.'
Still, Bell knew he wasn't losing out here.
These limited-time Gacha draws had a guarantee system—each 10-pull guaranteed at least one three-star Craft Essence. That meant he couldn't pull the last two low-stars in a single roll; it had to be two pulls minimum.
In other words, with the five-card limit on low-stars, these last two 10-pulls would likely net him at least ten three-star Craft Essences. That was about equal to everything he'd pulled across ten previous 10-pulls.
'Gacha.'
The Type-Moon System kicked into action, but this time, instead of displaying results directly, a spirit summoning circle appeared.
"...?"
Bell instinctively reached out, but his hand passed right through it.
'Is it just a visual projection?'
'Maybe it's special because these are the last two discount Gacha draws.'
He continued watching the summoning circle spin rapidly, light orbs flying across it as Craft Essences began to appear before his eyes.
[Two-star Craft Essences: "Deception" ×5, "Conformity" ×4]
[Three-star Craft Essence: "From Uruk" ×1]
Bell wasn't all that surprised by the outcome.
The final two types of two-star Craft Essences had appeared. What caught his eye, though, was the unexpected three-star pull—"From Uruk."
Still, what truly drew Bell's attention was its description.
[From Uruk: Restores 1% of MP per minute.]
As a three-star effect in-game, this would be considered mediocre. After all, 1% was a painfully slow rate in a turn-based system.
But in real life, it made a world of difference. Even 1% regeneration per minute significantly improved magical endurance.
'That's just the base effect. Max Limit Break should raise it by another 1%.'
'2% MP recovery per minute definitely isn't bad.'
In FGO, activating a Noble Phantasm required NP, and characters started each battle with 0 NP unless supplemented by Craft Essences. Because of the turn-based system, 1% NP per turn felt almost useless.
But in the real world, that turned into passive MP recovery—no activation required, constantly regenerating.
'Continue.'
Bell took a deep breath and focused on the summoning circle before him. This next draw would be his last before reaching Lv.2. Whatever he pulled now would determine how much stronger he could become.
The ring of light around the circle began to spin...
Bell watched quietly as one Craft Essence after another emerged from the summoning circle.
'The first one's the final "Conformity," huh?'
'They're really making sure I pull all the low-stars before giving me the guaranteed three-stars.'
Three-star Craft Essences began appearing one after another.
Bell didn't pay much attention to which ones they were. At this point, any three-star Craft Essence was welcome—he'd go over the details later.
[DING!!!]
A sharp chime suddenly rang in his ears, snapping his eyes wide open as he looked at the summoning circle.
What he saw stunned him.
The orbs circling the platform had turned gold.
'No way... Is this actually happening?!'
Anyone who'd ever played FGO knew what golden orbs meant.
It signaled the summoning of a Heroic Spirit.
And the appearance of that golden glow meant one thing—he had pulled a rare four-star or even five-star Heroic Spirit.
Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Shock and Delight
Chapter Text
'I... I... I'm going!!!'
The golden light burst out so suddenly that Bell was completely caught off guard. He quickly drew in a sharp breath and stared intently at the summoning base in front of him. No matter what rank the Heroic Spirit was, this draw meant everything to him right now.
The glowing sphere slowly stopped spinning, and a card with a figure holding a wand and wearing a cloak appeared before his eyes.
It wasn't a golden card—so it wasn't a four-star or five-star Heroic Spirit.
But that was to be expected. Even with the current promotional rates, the guaranteed minimum was only three stars.
The image on the card gradually became clearer.
'Caster Cu!'
'It's Caster Cu!'
Cú Chulainn in the Caster Class—affectionately known as Caster Cu.
Just like his Lancer counterpart, though he wielded a staff, he was still someone who loved playing with spears. Known as "Caster Hound", he was quite formidable and used chantless Rune Magecraft.
Compared to other Heroic Spirits, his raw stats were quite plain, but in FGO, power isn't just about numbers. Skills and synergy mattered just as much.
And there was no doubt—Caster Cu was among the stronger Heroic Spirits.
His chantless Rune Magecraft made him no weaker than his Lancer version.
"System, how do Heroic Spirits work? Can they be summoned? Or do I just gain their power?"
[Warning: Different world detected. Heroic Spirit Summoning not permitted.]
'Damn it!'
That answer jolted Bell back to his senses.
He could understand it though. If different worlds allowed such things freely, everything would be in chaos.
[Additionally, the summoned spirit is incomplete.]
[The world rejects external entities. Only one element from the Spirit Origin may be retained.]
A bucket of cold water. That completely sobered him up.
There really was no shortcut to success in this world. He had finally drawn Caster Cu—only to get an incomplete Spirit Origin.
'This Type-Moon system... feels kind of underwhelming.'
Bell couldn't help but complain.
Drawing Craft Essences was no big deal, but summoning Heroic Spirits came with way too many issues.
[Warning: Please make your choice quickly. The incomplete Spirit Origin is collapsing.]
...'Fuck!'
Bell swore hard in his mind, then immediately made his choice.
'Keep Rune Magecraft.'
[Primordial Rune successfully extracted.]
[Cost to extract Primordial Rune from Spirit Origin: 10 million Valis.]
#!!!
'Not only did I draw a broken Heroic Spirit, I can only keep one of its abilities—and now I have to pay 10 million Valis just to extract it?
Isn't this a scam?'
Right now, Bell felt like he'd been completely screwed by this damn system. It felt like walking into a trap—and in the end, he had to foot the bill himself. Otherwise, he'd just have to watch the Spirit Origin slowly fade away.
But what choice did he have now?
Sunk cost.
'What else can I do but pay up?'
He could practically hear a heartbreaking "crack" echoing in his ears. The 24.1 million Valis he had saved from selling those Goblin daggers was instantly cut in half.
He had originally planned to use 20 million of that to repay his debt.
Now, it was down to 14.1 million Valis.
After setting aside 4.1 million Valis for daily expenses, he only had 10 million left—just enough to cover the debt.
[Fusion with "Primordial Runes".]
The voice in his ear made Bell close his eyes to receive the power.
But this time, unlike the discomfort he had felt when accepting one-star or two-star Craft Essences, Bell experienced no resistance at all.
He quickly understood why.
'It's not a skill or magic—it's knowledge.'
'Primordial Runes… it's not even Rune Magecraft.'
Rune Magecraft refers not to the original Runes, but to the altered versions that emerged later, ones that had already lost their divine essence.
Yet this power extracted from Caster Cu's Spirit Origin was the true Primordial Runes. Normally, it would only evolve into Primordial Runes after Caster Cu's Spirit Origin had been fully restored.
But now, the power removed from Caster Cu's Spirit Origin was already Primordial Runes. In that case, the money spent wasn't such a huge loss...
'The power of Primordial Runes is far greater than that of Rune Magecraft.'
'At the very least... I haven't lost out on this deal…'
Bell took a deep breath to steady his wildly fluctuating emotions, trying to calmly face the situation.
'So his master really passed the Primordial Runes to Caster Cu just to have him kill her. Otherwise, there's no way the master would've made such a choice.'
'No wonder Caster Cu exists. It probably only became possible because of the Primordial Runes.'
'The only downside is that Primordial Runes isn't a skill or a spell, but just knowledge.'
Honestly, spending ten million Valis on the "Primordial Runes" felt like a steal to Bell. Money can always be earned again, but if he missed the chance to get the Primordial Runes, there would be no second opportunity.
'Runes have powerful applications in offense, defense, healing, and support. Once mastered and used proficiently, Primordial Runes becomes an incredibly versatile force.'
'Perfect. I need to keep "Lightning Command" hidden for now—Runes can serve as a temporary substitute magic.'
Bell thought about his imbalanced stats. To become a well-rounded fighter, he needed to strengthen his weaker attributes. Strength and Endurance were next on his list.
Attributes typically aligned closely with the combat style one pursued. The type of battle one engaged in would influence which stats grew.
If he wanted to raise both "Strength" and "Endurance," then relying on "Lightning Command" for quick battles would be counterproductive.
'Rune Magecraft also takes time to understand and master. Good thing I've still got time.'
For Bell, rushing to raise his level at the cost of long-term potential would be putting the cart before the horse.
'So this is the Heroic Spirit, huh... I really can't expect too much from him.'
The Spirit Origin couldn't be fully summoned, and even weapons or Noble Phantasms weren't allowed—outside items were simply forbidden. That's just how this world worked.
Bell stopped overthinking it. Right now, the most important thing was to train in using Runes.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 77: Chapter 77: An All-Nighter for Study
Chapter Text
A pale blue Rune character appeared in front of Bell—it was the very first Rune he had ever inscribed.
"It's so difficult to write these Runes using mana as ink."
After finishing the first character, Bell let out a small sigh of relief, but he was surprised by just how hard it was to write Runic Letters.
'Primordial Runes aren't some modern creation. There are only eighteen characters, but the combinations of those eighteen Runes can encompass all things.'
This portion of knowledge had been extracted from Caster Hound's understanding of the "Primordial Runes." The information was so vast and intricate that it could've turned Bell into an idiot just trying to comprehend it.
If not for the Type-Moon System helping him absorb that immense volume of knowledge, there was no way he could've learned it on his own.
Of course, even with that assistance, all Bell had was enough knowledge to start using the Runic Letters. To truly master all eighteen Primordial Runes would still take time and practice.
At the very least, he needed to inscribe all eighteen Runes first before he could begin learning the more advanced applications.
At the same time, Bell began to have doubts about Caster Hound's identity.
'Is the person who wields this kind of power really that Caster Hound who supposedly doesn't like using Rune Magecraft?'
'Wasn't it said that Runic Letters could only be used individually? Then why does the knowledge I've received include all kinds of combination functions for them?'
Bell fully acknowledged Cú Chulainn as a great hero. A Caster Hound who fought with a spear certainly deserved that title—his strength and personality were both top-tier.
But Bell couldn't bring himself to believe that a hero like Cú Chulainn, who wielded a spear, could also master the Runes to such an extent, even using them in multiples. In his Lancer form, he should've only known standard Rune Magecraft—so how did that shift into mastering Primordial Runes as a Caster?
If you insisted that he had learned them from Scáthach... maybe that could be justified.
But would someone who barely used Rune Magecraft secretly master it to such a high level?
To put it bluntly, wasn't that a bit much for even Scáthach?
'There's only one real possibility... possession!'
'Someone must have taken on Caster Hound's identity at the First Singularity, making others think he was just Cú Chulainn, while hiding who he truly was.'
As that thought formed, Bell felt like he'd hit upon the truth.
If Caster Hound wasn't the real Cú Chulainn, then it made perfect sense why the Primordial Rune knowledge he provided was so detailed, profound, complex, and versatile.
'In the Type-Moon worldview, there really are Heroic Spirits who would pull something like this.'
'But those are Heroic Spirits that possess ordinary people. A regular Heroic Spirit shouldn't be able to possess another Heroic Spirit. Only a god could pull that off.'
'Descend from the heavens?'
'Or maybe possession through Runic Letters?'
Bell couldn't even imagine which god would be capable of such a feat.
As for tracing the Root through the current Primordial Runes... he had to admit he didn't know much about that subject.
'I don't know which god might be possessing Caster Hound, but getting the Primordial Runes out of it was a real stroke of luck.'
'Otherwise, even if you could extract Primordial Runes from a Spirit Origin, I imagine only Scáthach or the Lostbelt Skadi could pull that off.'
But those were five-star Heroic Spirits.
In the Type-Moon System, Bell already considered himself lucky just to draw a three-star Heroic Spirit. He wouldn't even dare to dream of a five-star.
Without fate, pulling a five-star Heroic Spirit was impossible.
Rather than daydreaming, he figured it made more sense to earn more money and keep drawing Craft Essences.
'It's good to clarify the identity of Caster Hound, but the matter of the Primordial Runes still has to take top priority.'
In truth, when it came to Caster Hound, the first person Bell thought of was the beauty goddess Freya, who had pulled a similar move.
He really was getting a bit of PTSD from all this.
Bell shook his head to clear it of those messy thoughts and returned to inscribing more Runic Letters. These eighteen Runes would be the part he could show publicly, and that way, he could temporarily conceal the use of his "Lightning Command" magic.
Continue writing!
Thanks to the golden orb, Bell's mental state was unusually good at the moment.
Meditation.
Concentration.
Those were the two Craft Essences he had received last time. Maybe they didn't seem all that useful in-game, but in the real world, their impact was significant.
Meditation allowed him to rest while remaining aware of his surroundings.
Concentration helped him focus, enhancing his senses during battle, and outside combat, it helped keep his mind sharp, strengthening his mental state overall. Entering that mindset while training allowed him to learn more efficiently. Sure, it consumed more energy—but as long as he wasn't doing it in the Dungeon, the cost didn't matter.
'Very good! Let's begin!'
Bell quickly moved on to writing the second Rune.
...
The night passed.
Bell had spent the entire night up on the open space above the church, studying and inscribing Runic Letters with unwavering focus, right up until sunrise.
His concentration had held the entire time.
By the end, Bell's eyes had gone panda-colored, bloodshot and tired, but his mood was still riding high.
'Good! All done in one night.'
'Eighteen Runic Letters.'
In just a single night, Bell had managed to complete the preliminary study of the Runes. He had succeeded in mastering their basic forms.
Taking a deep breath, his fingers quickly traced character after character in the air.
The speed wasn't great—nearly twenty seconds to complete all eighteen Runes—but for a beginner, that was already impressive.
If he kept studying, there'd come a time when he wouldn't need to use his fingers at all—he'd be able to draw the Runes using nothing but fluctuations of mana.
But that wasn't something achievable in a single night.
Drawing Runes with mana fluctuations was far more difficult than doing it with fingers.
Still, for now, Bell could finally take a break.
But before that...
Bell's sore fingers moved through the air, drawing three Runic Letters.
The symbols glowed faintly blue, slowly merging into his body.
It was a form of spiritual healing, accelerating his mental recovery.
His exhausted mind gradually felt replenished. His panda eyes visibly lightened. In less than a minute, the emergency healing had done its work.
'Phew... Runes really are something else. That effect is amazing.'
Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Money Can Solve the Problem
Chapter Text
It was noon when Bell finally woke up.
The basement was pitch black, but Bell's eyes had long since adjusted to the darkness. To him, it made no difference whether it was light or dark.
"The magic lamp isn't on."
He shook his head slightly, then casually slid his fingers through the air.
The entire basement instantly lit up.
'Runic Letters really are more versatile than I expected.'
When Bell had received this knowledge yesterday, he'd already realized just how powerful the Primordial Runes were—almost to the point of omnipotence.
If something couldn't be done, it wasn't because the Runic Letters weren't capable, but because the user lacked the skill.
Bell didn't get up right away. Instead, he checked his mental state.
'Much better than I expected.'
'Using Runic Letters to enter deep sleep really does help recover mental and physical energy faster.'
The basement clock showed it was exactly ten in the morning. He'd gone to sleep around eight, which meant it had only been two hours, yet he'd fully recovered from the fatigue of an all-nighter.
Of course, that likely had a lot to do with how he had used Runic Letters to heal his exhausted spirit. Otherwise, even deep sleep induced by Rune wouldn't have restored him this quickly.
'Focusing intensely for an entire night really did a number on my mind.'
The stress had pushed his spirit to the brink of collapse after he finished his studies that morning.
Thankfully, he had used Rune to restore his mental state. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have woken up for another two or three days.
He sat up in bed, sensing the flow of mana in his body.
'Runic Letters don't use that much mana—it's totally manageable.'
Then Bell froze.
'Right, I got so excited seeing that three-star Heroic Spirit yesterday, I completely forgot to test whether the Craft Essence I absorbed could still be enhanced afterward.'
'I didn't even look at the rest of the Craft Essences.'
'I got way too carried away.'
He rubbed his temples in frustration. Sometimes, he really was careless.
This was something he should have paid close attention to, yet on such a crucial point, he'd let it slip.
Fortunately, the Craft Essences were safely stored. Even if the ones he absorbed early couldn't be strengthened further, Bell wouldn't have chosen to absorb them so soon if he hadn't been confident.
Absorbing them after Max Limit Break was definitely better than before.
Even when his excitement clouded his judgment, Bell still made sure to stay cautious about things like this.
'But there's really no rush when it comes to three-star Craft Essences.'
Right now, Bell wasn't particularly concerned about those.
Just one Runic Letter was enough to steadily carry him from Lv. 1 to Lv. 2. Whether or not the other Craft Essences could self-enhance wasn't a major concern.
After all, whether they'd be useful at all depended on whether the absorbed Craft Essences could actually be strengthened.
'Let's start by testing whether a Craft Essence can be enhanced again after being absorbed.'
Bell projected his mind into the Type-Moon System and immediately focused on the two-star Craft Essence "Deception." This Craft Essence increased the success rate of inflicting debuffs. Even against max-level Development Abilities like "Abnormal Resistance," it could still raise the success chance—though the base probability was a bit low.
'Absorb two-star Craft Essence: Deception.'
A two-star Craft Essence appeared in front of Bell and slowly dissolved into points of light, merging into his body.
Unlike last time when he absorbed eighteen Craft Essences at once, absorbing just one two-star Craft Essence barely affected his body.
Still, after the absorption, Bell clearly felt a slight soreness in his eyes.
After a short while, as the soreness faded, he felt his eyes evolve once more—he could now see even tinier lifeforms.
'Looks like different types of Craft Essences strengthen different parts of my body in varying ways.'
'Alright, next is enhancement.'
'Enhance two-star Craft Essence: Deception.'
[Requires 400,000 Valis.]
The prompt made Bell pause briefly, then his expression changed.
'So even a pre-absorbed, non-limit-broken Craft Essence can still be enhanced—but it has to be done immediately.'
'The cost is three times higher than directly enhancing five of them at once.'
'So as long as you've got money, anything's possible, huh?'
Having once again experienced how stingy the Type-Moon System could be, Bell got the confirmation he needed.
But this also made one thing clear to him—unless it was a crucial Craft Essence, he'd always aim to pull five copies, enhance them to Max Limit Break, and only then absorb them.
He could stomach the triple cost for a two-star, but what about a three-star? Four-star? Five-star? That kind of price hike would bleed him dry.
No matter how rich he was, even Bell couldn't afford to waste money like that.
Besides, this was only the beginning. Bell couldn't repeat the same cash farming methods from before, and right now, every coin mattered—he had no choice but to avoid tripling his expenses just to enhance a Craft Essence.
'Still, at least I now know that even in an emergency, I can enhance and use a Craft Essence right away.'
That realization gave Bell both a headache and a sense of relief.
A headache because he still had to solve his money issues.
Relief because he wouldn't have to worry about wasting valuable Craft Essences.
"Enhance two-star Craft Essences."
[Requires 500,000 Valis.]
"Confirm."
Nine Craft Essences appeared simultaneously. Four turned into light and merged into Bell's body.
The remaining five first fused together through enhancement, then turned into light and entered his body as well.
With that, all his low-star Craft Essences had been both enhanced and absorbed.
He'd done everything he could for now. To keep improving, drawing more cards wouldn't be enough.
From here on, he'd need to level up and build up solid experience.
It was a time- and energy-consuming process—but at his current pace, it felt like riding a rocket.
And for now, no gods were paying attention to a small fry like him.
Well, except for that trickster Hermes.
That guy was the most unpredictable, so Bell couldn't afford to slow down. If he ever caught Hermes' attention, he'd be in for ten times the trouble.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Hydra Dagger Max Limit Break
Chapter Text
After completing his basic training, Bell didn't rush into the Dungeon.
Caution was necessary—being too impulsive or overly excited might make him lose control, just like when he drew that Heroic Spirit last night.
Once he had calmed himself, Bell started reviewing the three-star Craft Essences he had drawn yesterday.
[Three-star Craft Essences: Hydra Dagger ×4, Yggdmillennia's Pedigree ×1, All Three Forms ×1, Kuji Kanesada ×1, From Uruk ×1]
None of them were particularly rare.
In fact, aside from "Divine Construct," most three-star Craft Essences weren't all that uncommon.
Still, with four Hydra Daggers already in hand, he now had enough to perform a Max Limit Break.
Bell didn't think twice—if he had five copies, then it was time to limit break.
He was also curious to see how weapon-type Craft Essences would change after a full enhancement.
"Enhance three-star Craft Essence: Hydra Dagger."
[Requires 1,000,000 Valis.]
"Confirm."
After enduring the pain of previous spending, Bell was noticeably calmer when facing this cost.
It wasn't like the money was going elsewhere—it was being used to strengthen himself, so it was worth it.
And through spending this 1,000,000 Valis, Bell realized that materialized items didn't require additional enhancement costs. From now on, directly materializing items would be the smarter choice.
He took out the Hydra Dagger from his four-dimensional space.
The dagger had changed significantly. The previously flashy, dual-edged design had become a simple, deep purple blade with no barbs—plain and unadorned.
But under the sunlight, a faint purple aura shimmered along the blade's edge. The visual effect from the enhancement made Bell pause in awe.
At the same time, a description appeared above the dagger:
"Hydra Dagger: A dagger imbued with the toxic blood of Hydra, whose venom not even the gods can withstand."
"Note: Grants the special properties 'Blood of Hydra' and 'Indestructible.'"
So, weapons could gain traits after being maxed out.
Not only had its form changed—its very nature had been transformed.
'Now this poison blade might actually come in handy.'
Bell hadn't liked the flashy appearance of the original Hydra Dagger. If mishandled, it could have backfired and caused him problems.
But now the blade was reshaped into a regular dagger, and with the addition of the "Indestructible" trait, its value had skyrocketed.
'When facing tough opponents, poisoning them might be a pretty good tactic.'
'And...'
Bell poured some water onto the Hydra Dagger.
The droplets instantly reacted with the purple aura surrounding the blade, turning a faint shade of purple—just like the Hydra's venomous blood.
Bell looked down at the Hydra Dagger in his hand, satisfied.
'It's like I just paid to get a permanent supply of Hydra's blood.'
'I don't know exactly how lethal the poison is after it's transferred through the blade, but even if it can't kill outright, it'll definitely make them suffer.'
Poison would be essential in the future.
Hydra's blood had the power to slay even gods. That alone showed just how terrifying it truly was.
However, Bell could also tell—the blade itself had lost some of its sharpness.
'This knife can catch opponents without tough skin off guard.'
'But if I'm up against someone whose physical toughness can resist a blade, I'll need to pair it with another weapon.'
Even so, Bell didn't deny the value of the Max Limit Broken "Hydra Dagger."
'This round of Gacha really paid off—and it directly influences my combat style.'
Previously, without any abilities, Bell had naturally chosen the most efficient fighting method available.
That's also why he acquired the "Lightning Command" magic.
But now, Bell aimed to develop himself more comprehensively. While efficient combat couldn't be abandoned, he needed to cover the two areas he had been lacking in.
Simply put, Bell's new development goal was direct confrontation.
By fighting head-on, he would raise his Strength and Endurance stats, working toward becoming a well-rounded, pentagon-style warrior.
'Next up... keep learning to inscribe Runic Letters.'
'Now it's time to start learning advanced techniques for drawing Runic Letters.'
Runes were a form of magic that required no chanting, and their effectiveness depended on how fast they were drawn.
Which meant, mastering instant rune inscription was the most critical skill Bell needed right now.
'But I can't afford to keep dragging things out.'
'I still need to keep progressing through the Dungeon, and I've got to continue Rune training too.'
'My next priority is to max out my [Attributes Grades] in the shortest time possible—then level up.'
Leveling up was something every Adventurer looked forward to.
It signified a leap in power.
For Bell, it meant even more.
Once he leveled up, the Gacha restrictions in the Type-Moon System would be lifted. Four-star and five-star Craft Essences would become possible pulls, and three-stars would become standard.
Naturally, once he reached Lv.2, new areas of the Dungeon would open up—he could even try challenging the Middle Floors.
This was usually a long grind for normal Adventurers, but not for Bell.
At most, it'd take one or two months. Maybe less than a month if things went well.
Still, his formal status as a Lv.1 wouldn't change.
And because of that Lv.1 title, Bell would have to handle most future activities solo. Entering the Middle Floors would require much more preparation—otherwise, even ten seasoned adventurers could get wiped out in a careless moment.
'Alright, back to work.'
'Tomorrow's a live combat day in the Dungeon—I don't have the luxury to keep spending all my time just learning Runes.'
This afternoon was Bell's last stretch of free time to study Runes. Starting tomorrow, he'd return to the Dungeon for real combat—and he would need to apply Runes in battle to raise his [Attributes Grades].
After all, Strength and Endurance were next on the list for intensive growth, and Runic magic played a big part in enhancing attributes during training.
Without delay, Bell focused all his mental energy on practicing instant rune inscription.
As for rune combinations, that wasn't a priority. He could get familiar with those gradually through actual combat—there was no need to waste too much time on them now.
Chapter 80: Chapter 80: You Can Head Back This Afternoon, Hestia
Chapter Text
"Wow, there are so many people here this morning."
During her lunch break, Hestia, who had been working non-stop at Hephaestus's shop, finally had a moment to relax.
"Around this time, Adventurers usually start coming in to maintain their weapons. That's also when the shop gets the busiest."
"Geez, but maintenance isn't the same as buying weapons! Why is it so crowded this early?"
"You idiot. Do you think weapon maintenance can be done right away? I only have so many children in my Familia, and not all of them can handle maintenance work."
Blacksmiths and Adventurers go hand in hand. Blacksmiths forge and maintain weapons, while Adventurers use them to make a name for themselves in the Dungeon.
However, not every blacksmith is willing to take on just any client.
There are some Level 3 and Level 4 Adventurers in Hephaestus's Familia, but they generally don't take random orders. Only the Level 2 blacksmiths who need experience are less picky.
Even so, high-level blacksmiths in Hephaestus's Familia are limited, so reservations are required in advance.
The higher the level of the blacksmith, the more reservations they tend to have.
Take Tsubaki Collbrande for example, the captain of Hephaestus's Familia. As a Level 5 blacksmith, she undoubtedly has the most requests. But she usually only handles orders from the major Familia.
It's not about arrogance—it's just that she's only one person.
A single blacksmith simply can't take on too much work.
There's only so much one person can do.
That's why this period always ends up being incredibly busy at Hephaestus's shop, with an overwhelming number of orders for forging and maintenance.
And that's exactly why Hestia had been swamped all morning—this was her responsibility.
Hephaestus looked over at Hestia, who seemed a little gloomy, and immediately guessed the reason.
"You're not in a great mood today. Did something happen to your child?"
"Of course not."
Hestia shot her a glare. Hephaestus never missed a chance to make a snide comment.
"Bell is perfectly healthy."
"It's just... he's been throwing himself into training lately. He didn't even sleep at all last night. I'm worried that if this keeps up, it's going to seriously affect his health."
"Oh?"
Hephaestus raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
"That kid always seemed calm and cautious, very aware of how dangerous Orario can be."
"For someone like that to suddenly start chasing power... his goal must be enormous."
Back when they first met, Hephaestus had already noticed that Bell wasn't one to care about honor or power. So what had lit this fire inside a boy who once had so little ambition?
In the end, it all came down to setting a goal so lofty that only through sheer effort could he hope to reach it.
Once that happened, changing his lifestyle was only natural.
And looking at this hopeless idiot, Hephaestus didn't need an explanation to figure out that Bell was doing it all for Hestia, that fool.
"The goal... really is a bit too grand."
Even Hestia struggled to describe just how far Bell was aiming.
After all, his goal was Level 10—a height no Adventurer in Orario had ever reached.
"So even you think it's a big deal, huh?"
Hephaestus couldn't even begin to picture how huge that goal was.
She already knew something special had started to grow between Hestia and Bell—just like so many other goddesses who returned to Tenkai—but even her imagination wasn't wild enough to guess what his goal really was.
"Hestia, whatever his goal is, you need to talk some sense into him."
"A goal is something you reach step by step. If he can't take care of his own health, how is he supposed to take care of you?"
Hestia, sitting on a stool with her chin resting in her hands, swung her slippered feet lazily. She pouted—she wasn't blind to the fact that Bell pushing himself like this wasn't good for his body. But she also understood his desire to keep getting stronger.
After all, the goal he set from the beginning was far too ambitious.
Just one look, and Hephaestus could see the uncertainty and helplessness on Hestia's face. It was clear this idiot had no idea how to bring it up.
"Hestia, just talk it through properly with Bell."
"The body is the foundation for progress. If that foundation crumbles, there's no point in continuing forward."
After saying that, Hephaestus gave a dismissive wave.
"That's it for your work today. You can head home."
"Huh? But isn't there still the afternoon shift? You said this morning that it would be even tougher."
"I'm giving you a half-day off today—for that kid's sake."
"Yay! Hephaestus, you're the best!"
Overjoyed, Hestia jumped up from her seat.
Since she was being let off early, there was no need to hold back.
Bell had just gone to bed when she left earlier, and now she was genuinely worried that staying up all night might have affected his health.
Without even bothering to change out of her work clothes, Hestia pushed open the door and rushed out.
"I'll wear my work clothes back tomorrow!"
Watching her dash out, Hephaestus shook her head slightly.
'Just what kind of goal is that quiet child chasing so desperately?'
Bell was an unusual kid, much like the rare skills and magic he possessed.
He was someone with a strong sense of purpose.
Normally, if he believed something could be achieved with steady effort, he wouldn't be in such a rush to improve himself.
But now, that calm child had lost his composure.
"Seems like he's chasing more than one goal."
"And Hestia... she's not even trying to stop him. If he goes too far, he might just burn himself out."
"But she's changed too."
Hephaestus had known other goddesses who lost their composure after a fateful encounter.
Even Hestia—who she'd thought would never change—had started to shift. Maybe Genkai really did change the gods more than they realized.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Phased Learning and Progress
Chapter Text
Bell remained completely focused as he continued his studies at home.
That unwavering focus allowed him to make gradual progress in using magical fluctuations to inscribe Runic Letters.
It was similar to transcribing characters from memory—magic served as the ink, and Bell's memory acted as the mold.
At the moment the magical wave passed, he had to vividly recreate the image of the rune in his mind and shape it using magic.
It might sound simple, but the process was incredibly difficult.
There were no shortcuts when it came to mastering Runic Letters. The only path was through painstaking trial and error.
Only with a deep enough understanding could the runes be applied in actual combat. A single mistake in how a rune was constructed could alter its entire effect. And because Runic Letters held such broad and potent power, even a small error could completely change their function.
That's why Bell had to become familiar with each and every rune.
However, trying to master all of them at once would take too long, so Bell decided to study them in phases.
He would start with the most commonly used runes, focus on getting those down, and once he was confident, begin practical training. The rest could wait until after combat practice.
Right now, the runes Bell needed were: "Heal," "Body Reinforcement," "Spirit Recovery," "Power Enhancement," and "Presence Concealment."
These were carefully chosen support buffs and recovery effects tailored to the two Status parameters he needed to improve. As for "Presence Concealment," that had simply become second nature to him.
Bell had always been cautious, constantly hiding his presence no matter the situation.
With only a few runes in active use, the number of characters he needed to master dropped from eighteen to fourteen.
If he only had to learn four runes, Bell felt confident he could begin applying them in battle as soon as tomorrow.
'The magic flow feels stable. Finally finished one.'
An invisible rune shimmered faintly in the air.
'A trained mage might notice it with close observation, but the fluctuation is so weak that it shouldn't be detectable in combat.'
In battle, there was simply no time to perceive such subtle fluctuations.
But outside of battle, someone might sense it.
'After returning from the field, I'll have to find a way to hide the inscribed runes.'
Bell already knew the solution. It was just like how "Presence Concealment" worked within the runic system—he could apply it to the rune at the time of inscription to suppress its presence.
Though it required adding another rune and using more magic, as long as it wasn't during combat, he didn't need to worry about magic consumption.
Bell paused briefly, then used his counterforce to inscribe a layered rune.
"Presence Concealment" was a simple application—just one rune was enough to activate it. As for how effective it would be, that still needed testing.
...
The door to the church's secret basement creaked open.
Hestia tiptoed down the stairs quietly from above.
She had come home early today just to check if Bell was getting proper rest.
But the basement's magic lamp was still on, and Bell—who should have been sound asleep in bed—was nowhere to be found.
"???"
Puzzled, Hestia quickly walked over to Bell's bed and reached out to touch the blanket.
Cold.
"Hmm... don't tell me Bell-kun went to the Dungeon again?"
She wasn't sure if that was truly the case, but the signs in the room clearly suggested that Bell had already left home.
Fuming, Hestia plopped down on his bed with a huff.
"Seriously, Bell-kun, doesn't he realize that his body is more important than his Status?"
"If he keeps rushing to level up like this, he's going to wear himself out sooner or later."
Sure, raising one's Status was crucial for an Adventurer.
But maintaining their body was just as important.
Hestia didn't want Bell to fall into a mindset of chasing power at the cost of everything else. That kind of recklessness could lead to serious consequences.
"No! When Bell-kun gets back, I'm definitely going to sit him down and have a proper talk."
No matter how lofty the goal, making such irrational decisions was never worth it...
Of course Hestia was happy to see Bell's strength grow—but only as long as it happened steadily and safely.
Impulsive behavior could easily get someone killed in the Dungeon.
...
"I didn't go to the Dungeon, Goddess-sama."
"!?"
The sudden voice startled Hestia.
But once she recognized Bell's voice, she quickly turned her head.
Bell was sitting calmly on the sofa.
'Was Bell-kun sitting there the whole time?'
The basement wasn't tiny—but it wasn't spacious enough to miss someone sitting on the couch either.
That made Hestia all the more curious. She jumped off the bed and hopped over beside Bell.
"Bell-kun, were you sitting there just now?"
"Yeah."
After hearing Bell's confirmation, Hestia leaned in closer, peering suspiciously at his face.
"There's no way I wouldn't have seen you."
"You're not exactly small. Even with bad eyesight, I wouldn't miss you sitting there."
Seeing how genuinely shocked she looked, Bell inwardly confirmed the effectiveness of "Presence Concealment."
If even Goddess-sama hadn't noticed him, then using "Presence Concealment" when going out would definitely make movement easier in the future.
Of course, he couldn't rule out Adventurers with heightened perception.
That's why his usual clothing and disguise were still necessary. "Presence Concealment" was to fool those without perception skills, while proper disguise helped avoid those who did.
As Hestia's curiosity grew more intense, Bell decided not to keep it a secret.
"Goddess-sama, I stayed up all night outside working on this."
As he spoke, Bell quickly traced his fingers through the air. A glowing Runic Letter appeared before them.
"This is a special type of magical symbol. Different characters produce different effects. The reason you didn't see me right away earlier... was because I used the power of this rune."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 82: Chapter 82: The Adventurer Becomes a Supporter
Chapter Text
"This is... a script I've never seen before."
Looking at the letters floating in the air, Hestia frowned slightly. She didn't recall any script like this.
Now, Bell was certain—his understanding of Runic Letters was correct. It seemed this world didn't have Runic Letters.
If that was the case, then there was no need to keep them hidden.
Without grasping the secrets embedded within the Runic Letters, it was impossible to use them. Otherwise, Bell wouldn't have spent nearly an entire night just to inscribe a single one.
After all, his studies and training were all part of his battle preparations.
In other words, even during his studies, Bell had triggered the Craft Essence effect of "Personal Training."
Under such conditions, a single night for Bell could be equivalent to one or two years of progress for an ordinary person.
This was the amount of time it took after Bell received the "Primordial Runes" extracted from Caster Hound's Spirit Origin by the Type-Moon system. Had he relied solely on his own ability, even one or two years would be a conservative estimate for an ordinary person to master them.
"Bell-kun, have you awakened a new magic?"
"...Goddess-sama, if I really had awakened a new magic, you'd be the one to know first."
"That's true."
If it were new magic, it would've already shown up during the last update.
Hestia also dismissed the idea that he had awakened a new spell.
But if it wasn't that, then what were these letters?
"Then what is this?"
"These are magic letters, but not magic themselves. However, when combined, they produce magical effects. That's why I spent yesterday learning how to control them."
Bell then took out a blank Spell Tome from his four-dimensional storage.
"It's a bit unexpected, but those magical letters were indeed written in this book."
"A Grimoire!?"
Hestia's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
A Grimoire was equipment on par with First-class weapons—and extremely rare.
Only one person could read it, and once read, the tome would be rendered useless. But the reader would have their latent abilities drawn out by the tome—meaning they'd learn magic.
Hestia quickly took the Grimoire from Bell's hands and inspected it. She finally confirmed—it was indeed a Grimoire, and it had already been used.
"Bell-kun, where did you get this Spell Tome?"
Grimoires were priceless. They weren't something you could just buy with money, since they were far too rare.
"Goddess-sama, would you believe me if I said I found it in the Dungeon?"
No way!
That's what Hestia wanted to blurt out instinctively.
While the Dungeon did spawn many rare materials, the idea of a Grimoires appearing there felt far too absurd. That wasn't the kind of item you'd find on the lower floors.
Even if it did appear, it would be something that only showed up during boss-floor encounters.
Yet seeing the serious look on Bell's face made Hestia hesitate.
The answer she'd been so confident in suddenly didn't feel so certain anymore.
At the very least, with Bell's absurd luck that could even affect the Dungeon itself, Hestia couldn't rule out the possibility of a Grimoire appearing on the upper floors.
But as she looked at the Grimoire in her hand, she still couldn't come up with any better explanation...
"In the Upper floors... maybe there's a chance to find a Grimoire... right?"
The possibility was nearly zero, but Hestia couldn't shake the thought—what if Bell had actually come across one?
No, it wasn't a question of "if." He had encountered one.
The used Grimoire in her hand was undeniable proof that Bell had really obtained one.
"So, does that mean what Bell-kun used just now was magic?"
"Uh... I don't think so."
Bell thought it over, then shook his head. The "Primordial Runes" that had been removed from his Spirit Origin shouldn't be appearing in his [Status] as a spell.
Still, that was based on the updated data. Bell wasn't sure if the Primordial Runes had actually shown up in his [Status] now.
To confirm it, he took off his shirt and turned his back toward the Goddess.
"Goddess-sama, could you take a look?"
"Alright, let me see."
Hestia pricked her fingertip with a needle and drew a line of divine blood across Bell's back.
His [Status] appeared.
She didn't bother with the stats and focused directly on the Magic section.
"It really isn't magic."
Hestia saw that under Magic, only Four-Dimensional Space and Lightning Command were listed—there was no third spell.
"You can put your shirt back on, Bell-kun."
After saying that, she glanced down at the Grimoire in her hand with mild surprise.
"So instead of gaining a new spell, he gained knowledge related to magical script? I didn't know Grimoires like this even existed."
But since it came from the Dungeon, anything was possible.
"Goddess-sama, has something like this ever happened before?"
"Never. Normally, after reading a Grimoire, the person just gains a spell that suits them. This is the first time I've seen something like this happen." Perhaps it just went to show how unpredictable things in Genkai really were.
All kinds of possibilities could occur.
Once her surprise faded, Hestia pushed the matter aside. Since it wasn't a bad thing for Bell, she didn't ask any more questions.
Whether it was magic or magical script, as long as it made him stronger, that was what mattered.
Still, she felt the need to give a warning.
"Bell-kun, don't let anyone find out about this."
"As long as you keep it to yourself and don't show your [Status] to anyone, no one will know that what you used earlier wasn't actually a spell."
"If word got out about magical writing, it'd definitely attract unwanted attention. Some might even try to learn those scripts from you."
"But if they think it's just a spell, none of that will happen."
Hestia understood all too well how much the gods craved the unknown, so keeping it a secret was the safest choice. It would save them a lot of unnecessary trouble.
"This works out, actually. Bell-kun, from now on, don't use your spells in front of others—just show them the magical script instead."
"And that script you used earlier is quite interesting. You could even position yourself as a supporter instead of an adventurer."
A supporter, not an adventurer—that, in Hestia's eyes, was the perfect cover.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 83: Chapter 83: A Way to Make a Living
Chapter Text
The identity of a supporter is even more inconspicuous than that of an adventurer.
In Orario, supporters hold a very low status. Their attributes are generally weak, making it hard for them to serve as the main force in dungeon expeditions. As a result, they're treated very differently from adventurers.
No real adventurer would ever disguise themselves as a supporter. And that's exactly why, for an adventurer, posing as a supporter is the perfect cover.
Bell, who preferred to keep a low profile, immediately considered this option when Goddess-sama mentioned it.
However, the outcome left Bell a little disappointed.
"Goddess-sama, I can hide my identity, but I can't pretend to be a supporter."
"Why not?"
"Because no one would believe it."
It was precisely because of this that Bell gave up on the idea entirely.
"If I claimed to be a supporter instead of an adventurer, the first person to doubt me would definitely be Loki-sama."
"That Goddess isn't an idiot. I just defended you in front of her. With her personality, there's no way she wouldn't realize I'm not a supporter."
"Besides, supporters have to be affiliated with a major Familia."
"Even if you're on good terms with Hephaestus-sama and let me join her Familia, the problem is that Hephaestus-sama's Familia focuses on production and commerce. They're not required to conquer the Dungeon."
"If Hephaestus's Familia did go into the Dungeon with another Familia, which one do you think it would be?"
"Definitely Loki's Familia."
Hestia replied without hesitation.
Bell let out a helpless sigh.
"Exactly. The only Familia that could invite Hephaestus's Familia to join a Dungeon expedition would be Loki-sama's."
"So we're back to the beginning. Do you really think I could keep this a secret from Loki-sama?"
...No way.
At that moment, even Hestia realized that having Bell pose as a supporter was completely unrealistic.
As for Hephaestus's Familia joining forces with other Familias... Hestia knew that was extremely unlikely.
Being a production Familia, the Hephaestus Guild had no set goal of conquering the Dungeon.
Most of their blacksmiths weren't good at combat. They usually acted as supporters, tagging along with larger Familias into the Dungeon. During expeditions, they'd handle weapon maintenance and repairs to ensure their allies had the best gear possible.
From what Hestia knew, the Hephaestus Familia had friendly relations with several major Familias. Occasionally, when their craftsmen needed to level up, they'd be asked to deliver letters of recommendation or the like.
Of course, that kind of opportunity was only available to members of the Hephaestus Familia. If someone from another Familia tried to leech off their Excelia? The big Familias wouldn't even give them the time of day.
So Bell posing as a supporter from the Hephaestus Familia would be totally implausible.
And Bell was certain—if he acted under that identity, it would immediately raise suspicions.
There's no way he could pass as a supporter.
'If I could, I'd really prefer to use the identity of a supporter.'
'Too bad that identity just can't hold up—it'd only draw more attention to me.'
Bell's goal wasn't to stand in the spotlight. What he wanted was to stay hidden, letting his strength quietly match or even surpass those standing on the stage.
"It's a shame. It would've been great if I could've acted as a supporter."
Even Bell found it regrettable.
If it hadn't been for what happened last night, posing as a supporter would still be an option. But now that he'd caught Loki's attention, that route was no longer viable.
"It's unfortunate, but I'll have to abandon the idea."
"I can't fool that Loki with a supporter disguise, and I'm not part of Hephaestus's Familia. Trying to force my way into a large Familia's Dungeon party would just seem suspicious."
Still, Bell wasn't too disheartened.
While the role of a supporter really suited him, he wasn't willing to expose his four-dimensional space.
He didn't even want to reveal the magic "Lightning Command." The only thing he was willing to share with others was the Primordial Runes.
"Goddess-sama, let's forget about the supporter identity."
"But if it's just to broaden my experience, I think I can explain my intentions to Hephaestus-sama. I should be able to tag along with a party into the lower floors."
"Besides, I also need to figure out a way to make a living."
Money was being spent too fast. Relying solely on income from the Dungeon would only lead to more trouble. That's why Bell had been thinking—it was time to find a sustainable way to earn.
As long as they had a stable source of income, Hestia's Familia could finally start running properly.
"But Bell-kun, our Familia isn't a production-type. How are we supposed to find a way to make a living?"
Hestia naturally hoped her Familia could find a legitimate income stream. That way, she could pay off her debt to Hephaestus sooner.
But she also knew she wasn't the kind of goddess skilled in business.
The things she excelled at didn't bring in profit in Orario. Otherwise, she wouldn't have ended up freeloading at Hephaestus's place in Genkai.
"Please don't worry, Goddess-sama."
"Before this, I couldn't think of any viable way either. Our Familia isn't famous, so finding a reliable path in Orario has always been difficult."
Hestia gave a small nod. She'd run into the same problem—hence, the freeloading.
"But now I've found something that might work."
Bell swiped his finger through the air, and ten Runes appeared, glowing faintly in midair.
"As I said before, these magical runes create different effects depending on how they're arranged. And they can be engraved onto objects while still retaining their effects."
Hestia's eyes lit up.
"Bell-kun, you mean... we can sell items engraved with these magical runes?"
"Yes. That's the only practical way I can think of to bring in income right now."
Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Astonishing Effect
Chapter Text
"Talking business with me?"
Early that morning, Hephaestus was greeted by two familiar faces. But to her surprise, the first thing out of their mouths was about doing business, leaving her a bit puzzled about what kind of game they were playing today.
"Alright, let's hear it."
From Hephaestus's perspective, these two had absolutely nothing to do with the word "production," but who knew—maybe they had something unusual up their sleeves.
Such things would be impossible for most people. But when it came to that kid Bell, Hephaestus wasn't so sure.
She immediately guessed that whatever business they were talking about definitely involved Bell.
Hestia? There was no way she had anything to do with it—Hephaestus had known this airhead long enough to rule her out in a heartbeat.
"Hephaestus-sama, it's related to the magical script I learned yesterday."
That didn't surprise Hephaestus one bit.
She looked at Bell with a hint of pity. If only he hadn't ended up with that goddess, he'd probably be in a much better position by now.
Founding a Familia and building up its foundation—sure, those were the follower's responsibilities, but even then, they couldn't be expected to carry everything on their own.
As for those magic runes Bell had picked up yesterday… Hephaestus had gotten used to this kid being unconventional.
He'd only been in Orario for less than two weeks, and yet he'd already shocked her more times than she could count.
"Magical script—what, did you learn a new profession?"
"No, it's not a new spell. Just magical knowledge."
"Well, that's new."
It wasn't magic itself, but knowledge about magic. That actually piqued Hephaestus's interest even more.
"So you're saying you've mastered a special kind of magical script that could be used in trade?"
"Yes."
"No wonder you dragged Hestia here first thing in the morning."
Now Hephaestus understood why they had come running so early. If this could be turned into a business, it might be a big one.
"What kind of effects are we talking about?"
She was genuinely curious about what these magical scripts could do.
"They have all sorts of effects," Bell explained. "Physical enhancement, weapon sharpening, increased agility, strength boosts—all kinds of beneficial effects. And then there are the debuffs for monsters: weakness, fatigue, sluggishness, weapon corrosion, higher mana consumption, healing suppression, that kind of thing."
"Besides that, they can also add special attributes to weapons or even deal direct magical damage."
Even with such a brief explanation, Bell had Hephaestus's full attention—her eyes practically sparkled.
She had clearly underestimated the extent of Bell's magical knowledge. Who would have guessed it could be this wide-ranging?
Still, it also made her even more curious.
"Bell, where did you learn that magical knowledge?"
Bell paused briefly, then pulled out the already-used Grimoire from his four-dimensional space.
Hephaestus's gaze paused the moment she saw the Grimoire, then turned toward Hestia.
"Hestia, I didn't think you had it in you to get your hands on a Grimoire."
It was clear that she assumed Hestia had provided it for Bell.
But Hestia looked a little embarrassed, unable to say anything in response.
Honestly, she wished she could say she had prepared that Grimoire for Bell—but she knew she wasn't capable of something like that.
Bell gave a small cough and stepped in front of Goddess-sama.
"Ahem, Hephaestus-sama, let's set the Grimoire aside for now. The key point is that it gave me knowledge about magical script."
Hephaestus looked at Hestia, being shielded behind Bell. Even as a goddess herself, she couldn't help feeling a bit envious.
How did someone like Hestia end up with a kid like this?
Once the moment of envy passed, Hephaestus shifted into business mode.
"What about the crafting process? You still have to go into the Dungeon every day. Do you even have the time to make these things?"
"Well, to be honest, it's more of a 'practice' for me."
Bell looked a little sheepish admitting this. He felt a bit guilty turning something like this into a business, especially since he'd be the one profiting the most from it.
"Crafting these is part of how I reinforce and refine my understanding."
"I definitely make time for it. Even after coming back from the Dungeon, I spend a lot of time consolidating what I've learned."
"Hephaestus-sama, I don't mean to boast, but those talisman stones I made? Their effects might rival that of a magic sword."
Hephaestus didn't think Bell was exaggerating.
If he was comparing them to magic swords, then these scripts he'd mastered must carry something truly unique.
"In that case, did you bring a finished product?"
"I did."
Hephaestus could barely contain her excitement. She was eager to see what this finished piece looked like.
Bell gave a small nod and pulled out a seemingly ordinary stone from his four-dimensional space.
To the naked eye, it looked like nothing more than a plain rock—but Hephaestus could tell something was off.
She could faintly make out a special symbol hidden within the stone. That must've been the magical script Bell mentioned.
However, the energy radiating from the rune was completely unfamiliar.
Hephaestus didn't know how to activate it, nor could she determine what effect it would produce.
But now she understood why Bell had compared it to a magic sword.
She carefully took the stone and examined it. The symbol was clearly embedded inside, and she could sense a subtle but rare kind of pressure within it.
"How do you use it?"
"This one enhances weapon sharpness. Just bring it close to a weapon and crush it—that activates it."
The usage was extremely simple—even someone with no magic could do it.
Bell was well aware that many adventurers lacked any kind of special ability.
Magic wasn't something every adventurer had.
In fact, magic was considered a mark of the gifted—meaning most adventurers didn't possess it.
And naturally, if you didn't have magic, you didn't have the mana needed to cast spells.
So activating talismans using magic would be impractical.
If Bell wanted to make talismans accessible to a broader audience, then using magic as a trigger would've been a terrible idea.
Now that she understood how it worked, Hephaestus nodded slightly. She walked over to the wall rack and took down a beautifully crafted weapon—a standard piece used by second-tier adventurers, priced at around ten million.
Then she took out a "Goblin Short Sword" from the weapon shelf.
Holding the talisman stone next to the Goblin Dagger, she crushed it. A faint white light seeped into the blade, visible only for a second before fading completely.
Then Hephaestus swung the dagger toward the second-tier weapon.
The blade sliced through it like it was tofu.
The result made Hephaestus's expression shift—clearly stunned by the effect.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Lady Hephaestus, You're Asking Too Little
Chapter Text
"This effect... is insane."
A Goblin Dagger was considered a third-tier weapon, yet with just the "Weapon Sharpening" enhancement, it could effortlessly slice through a second-tier weapon.
After feeling the blade's sharpness firsthand, Hephaestus was certain—the dagger now had the cutting power of a top-tier weapon.
And this was still just a Goblin Dagger.
The fact that a simple "Weapon Sharpening" rune could push a third-tier weapon all the way up to top-tier sharpness—it was a ridiculous leap in quality.
Bell, already expecting this outcome, wasn't too fazed. Instead, he brought up the real question.
"Hephaestus-sama, do you think 200,000 Valis is too much for one of these talismans?"
"Not at all."
Hephaestus truly didn't think the price was high.
A basic rune stone, paired with a simple weapon enhancement spell, could elevate a third-tier weapon to top-tier cutting power.
Pulling that off for just 200,000 Valis? That wasn't expensive.
It was a bargain.
"Letting a third-tier weapon reach top-tier sharpness for just 200,000 Valis? That's more than fair."
But Hephaestus quickly realized—this kind of talisman was a one-time use. So the next question was obvious.
"Bell, how long does the magic last?"
"I tested it. When the 'Weapon Sharpening' rune is used, the effect lasts about five minutes."
Five minutes. Hephaestus repeated the number in her head, then gave a thoughtful nod.
"That's reasonable."
Five minutes of top-tier sharpness for just 200,000 Valis was absolutely worth it.
Especially since the user could choose when to activate the rune. Even if the effect was brief, the advantage it offered was huge.
In fact, it could even turn the tide of a battle.
"Is it hard to make?"
"Not really. Talismans that only require a single rune character are easy. Once you're used to it, you can make dozens in a minute."
That really wasn't difficult.
Hephaestus's lips twitched slightly. Producing something this effective—at that speed—was more profitable than what her own Familia could manage.
And she could already tell: these rune stones were going to become hot commodities among the adventurers of Orario.
With an effect this powerful, even a basic third-tier weapon could match a top-tier one temporarily.
And that was just for third-tier gear.
What if someone used a rune like this on a first-tier weapon?
The result would be astronomical.
"Then raise the price. One million Valis per rune."
That's robbery!
Even Bell couldn't help but cry out internally when he heard the number.
After all, his production cost was practically nothing. Even ordinary rocks picked off the ground could serve as the base material.
In other words, the cost was nearly zero—and now, just by using his knowledge of Rune Letters, he'd be making a million Valis per piece.
"Hephaestus-sama, isn't that price a bit too high? Wouldn't it scare off buyers?"
"Bell, can the effect be enhanced any further?"
"Uh... are you asking about the weapon sharpening effect?"
"Yes."
Bell thought for a moment, then nodded with some hesitation.
"There is a stronger version. The upgraded weapon sharpening rune requires multiple characters to work together, and it takes significantly more time to make—but the effect is roughly three times stronger than the current version."
Three times!?
Hephaestus was stunned. Even doubling the effect would be incredible, but tripling it? Especially when it was already based on an enhanced sharpening effect.
Ordinary blacksmiths usually described weapon enhancements in small percentage gains. Bell talking about tripling the effect so casually—it was a little terrifying.
Sure, the crafting process became more complicated and time-consuming, but the end result was absurdly powerful.
"Alright then. Let's price the basic weapon sharpening rune at 500,000 Valis per piece, and the advanced version—ten runes for 3 million Valis."
It was a steep price, but the basic version's cost had been brought down a bit.
For many solo adventurers, 500,000 Valis might be a fortune. But for the major Familias, that was entirely within reach.
If the effect was strong enough, they'd definitely be willing to pay.
As for the advanced version, Bell didn't mind setting a high price. Those runes were complicated to make and clearly targeted at top-tier users, not just anyone.
...
"Bell, switch the materials for your talismans—use ores sourced from the Dungeon."
"That's fine... but Hephaestus-sama, I don't have access to those materials."
"I can supply them. In return, I want 30% of the profits."
Thirty percent? That low?
Bell paused, then glanced subtly at Goddess-sama behind him. A moment later, his expression eased.
But then, Bell shook his head.
"Hephaestus-sama, I think that's too little."
Hephaestus blinked in surprise.
Too little?
"Hephaestus-sama, I want all the rune materials to be provided by your Familia."
"And under certain conditions, I also want to keep my identity hidden."
"At the same time, I hope to build a deeper relationship with your Familia."
"I propose we split the profits fifty-fifty."
An extra 20%, just like that?
That was a full half of the profits.
Even Hephaestus couldn't help feeling a little envious—yet Bell was offering it up without hesitation.
And the reason? To deepen the bond between their two Familias.
He was clearly trying to tightly bind the Hestia Familia and the Hephaestus Familia together.
Hephaestus took a deep breath. She could feel it—Bell was doing this intentionally, to forge a long-term alliance.
That meant their Familias' relationship would be far from ordinary in the future.
If this had happened before, Hephaestus would have rejected it outright.
But now, with Bell showing more and more potential, she found herself reconsidering.
This partnership could greatly benefit her own Familia as well.
Especially since Bell was clearly someone destined for greatness—getting in early was a smart investment.
And most importantly, the other side of this deal was the Hestia Familia.
If it had been any other group, Hephaestus wouldn't have even entertained the thought.
But because it was Hestia's Familia—because it was Hestia—Hephaestus found herself thinking differently.
"Deal!"
Chapter 86: Chapter 86: The Cruel Orario
Chapter Text
He successfully forged a deeper alliance with Hephaestus's Familia, tightening the bond between their two Familias.
The benefits of this partnership far outweighed anything the Hestia Familia had to offer in return.
The most immediate perk? Hitching a ride into the Dungeon.
While Bell had absolute confidence in his future—believing his current abilities would one day place him among the strongest in Orario—there were still countless trials ahead before he could reach that peak.
And when simpler paths were available, there was no reason to charge in headfirst.
Going solo wouldn't get him far. Bell didn't believe someone like him, a no-name with no backing, could accomplish anything alone. Building quiet, behind-the-scenes connections was essential.
Naturally, Bell had zero interest in attracting Hermes's attention.
For a god like that, the best-case scenario was not being noticed at all.
After setting a time to meet with Hephaestus-sama in the afternoon, Bell prepared to head to the Dungeon alone.
As he descended the stairs, he activated the "Presence Concealment" rune, suppressing his aura and dimming his presence.
He paid close attention to his surroundings but didn't sense anyone's gaze lingering on him.
'These Runes really are effective.'
Pushing open the shop door, Bell stepped out of Hephaestus-sama's store.
Ding!
The bell above the door rang as he exited.
"Welcome... huh?"
The clerk who'd heard the chime and turned to greet the guest froze mid-sentence. She hadn't seen anyone enter—or leave.
"That's weird... I definitely heard the bell, so where's the person?"
Outside, Bell didn't blend into the crowd but instead walked calmly down the side of the road.
He continued monitoring the people around him, yet none of them even glanced his way.
Even as he reached the Dungeon's entrance—where adventurers constantly came and went—not a single one noticed him.
Right then, Bell was sure: not only had his aura been completely masked, but even his presence had been nearly erased.
...
Standing near the entrance, Bell deliberately bumped into an adventurer walking toward the Dungeon.
Bang!
Bell remained rooted in place while the man stumbled back several steps from the impact.
The moment their bodies collided, the "Presence Concealment" rune was disrupted.
Bell's figure suddenly appeared in the adventurer's eyes.
'Where... did this guy come from?'
The man was stunned—but before he could speak, he felt a sharp sting in his shoulder.
And then he met Bell's eyes—cold, piercing eyes that sent a chill down his spine.
"Watch where you're walking."
The hoarse voice left no room for argument.
The adventurer stood frozen, clearly uncomfortable.
Wasn't it you who ran into me?
But the words caught in his throat.
Because those eyes held such quiet menace, it felt like saying even one wrong word would cost him his life.
It was the same fear he'd felt when facing monsters in the Dungeon...
No—worse. This was more dangerous than any monster he'd ever encountered.
"Y-yeah, sorry."
The adventurer who'd been bumped into stammered out an apology.
Even though he was the one who'd been hit, he understood how Orario worked—the strong ruled over the weak. In this city, strength was everything, no matter the circumstances.
"Watch yourself next time."
Bell's voice was low, his eyes cold as they swept over the adventurer in front of him before he turned and walked toward Daedalus Street.
The man who'd been hit looked frustrated but kept it bottled up inside.
After Bell left, his companion finally approached.
"Will, talk about bad luck. You didn't even make it into the Dungeon before running into some big shot just coming out."
Will, the unlucky one, looked helpless.
"I keep telling you to watch where you're going. How does a whole person walk right past you and you don't even notice?"
"I... I really don't know."
"Alright, alright, he didn't actually do anything over the line. Just be careful next time. If you bump into someone a level above us again, it might not end with a simple apology."
The companion's tone shifted to quiet concern.
"Don't go doing anything reckless. Adventurers like us—Level 1s—they don't even bother to acknowledge us."
Will brushed his friend's hand off his shoulder.
"Screw that. Do I look like some idiot trying to get himself killed?"
"...Tch."
Will glanced back reluctantly, hoping to catch another glimpse of that figure—but whoever it was had already vanished.
"That guy... he looked like a Pallum or maybe just a kid. We're already 25, and we can't even see the dust off his heels."
Hearing Will's bitter muttering, the joking tone from earlier disappeared from his companion's face.
"Yeah... that's the reality we're stuck in. We need to face it."
"As Level 1s, we're at the very bottom. There's no real hope of climbing higher."
"Stop dreaming about change. You've got a wife and kid waiting for you to come home."
Will shook his head, forcing himself to let go of the frustration.
The two of them turned and stepped into the Dungeon—completely unaware that the person who'd seemingly vanished was still standing nearby.
Bell watched the two figures disappear into the Dungeon and, for some reason, felt a quiet pang of guilt.
'Orario really is a harsh place.'
'Without enough strength, I'd be just like them.'
'At least now I'm certain—Presence Concealment is broken the moment I come into physical contact with someone.'
Bell had always known how brutal Orario was, but today, hearing it from the mouths of those two adventurers, it hit a little deeper.
Shaking his head lightly, Bell turned and walked into the Dungeon.
Today's goals were clear: put Runes into live combat practice—and raise his own Status.
Compared to his other attributes, Strength and Endurance were still lagging behind.
It was time to fix that.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 87: Chapter 87: There Are Many Like That in the Dungeon
Chapter Text
This time, Bell kept Presence Concealment active the entire time he was in the Dungeon.
His earlier tests had already given him a clear understanding of its traits.
As long as he didn't make direct contact with anyone, no one could detect his location.
The technique might have some flaws, but even if it did, they weren't anything major.
Besides, there was an advanced version of Presence Concealment—but it required seven Runes instead of just one, which was still beyond his current capabilities.
For now, the one-rune version worked just fine for daily use. There was no need to push for the higher variant yet.
As he moved deeper into the Dungeon, Bell continued to observe how Presence Concealment functioned in different conditions.
'Yeah, both my breath and sound are completely suppressed.'
Several Scorpions crawled right past him, completely unaware of his presence as they moved along the walls and ground.
'Unless I approach them directly, it's almost impossible for monsters to locate me.'
'I need to test a few more things.'
Focusing on the last Scorpion in the group, Bell stepped down on its shell and slashed off its tail with the Kuji Kanesada in his hand.
Before the others could react, he reactivated Presence Concealment.
The other Scorpions, startled by the sudden kill, turned back toward the fallen Magic Stone and severed tail. All four of them began searching frantically, but they couldn't locate the enemy.
From this, Bell confirmed something critical.
'As long as I break line of sight, I can reapply Presence Concealment and hide.'
'Even after killing one, the rest can't track me down.'
'Looks like this technique isn't just essential for assassins—it's also effective during an actual assassination.'
Satisfied with his test, Bell didn't linger on the fourth floor and continued heading deeper.
Level 1 Adventurers weren't suited for the Middle Floors, but the Upper Floors offered good training grounds.
The first ten floors were considered upper levels, though the monsters in the first five weren't ideal for direct combat.
Some didn't even have physical bodies. Others naturally carried sharp weapons.
Endurance training required sustained contact. Fighting monsters with bladed weapons wasn't ideal for that.
Shadows used spiritual attacks, which weren't suitable either. Frog Shooters dealt more psychological trauma than physical damage. As for Scorpions, you needed high resistance to status effects to deal with them effectively.
So while the first five floors served as an introduction to the Dungeon, real adventuring often started on the twelfth floor.
However, most Level 1 Adventurers looking to improve their Status would head to the seventh or eighth floor, where Ogres and Infant Dragons roamed. Not only were these monsters strong, but they also respawned quickly.
The only catch was that both floors had Imps acting as advance scouts for the Ogres—and when Ogres spawned, they came in groups. Unless you were confident in your strength, entering alone was a bad idea.
Still, the seventh and eighth floors were prime farming grounds for Adventurers.
By tossing down a few chunks of meat, you could quickly lure out Ogres. In a way, it was a form of "monster bait."
It was a specific tactic used to lure monsters and use other Adventurers as bait.
In simpler terms, it was a common "kill-without-lifting-a-finger" tactic among Orario's Lv. 1s.
You didn't have to risk yourself, and the success rate was high. What could be better?
Of course, this only worked if your target wasn't stronger than you. If they were, it could backfire—hard.
As soon as Bell stepped onto the seventh floor, he immediately noticed the difference.
The first six floors felt like narrow cave tunnels, but the seventh had moved beyond that—it actually started to resemble a true dungeon.
It wasn't a cave anymore. This floor had a dome-like ceiling, and the entire space was covered in a white mist, making visibility poor and giving monsters plenty of natural cover.
'Not a bad environment. The dome above is a sea of white, almost like a sky of its own.'
Bell looked up at the ceiling and could tell right away it was all an illusion. The dome wasn't that high, and the so-called "sunlight" wasn't real either. It was just light emanating from the walls, as if the Dungeon were deliberately trying to create a particular atmosphere.
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
A scream from not far away drew Bell's attention.
He casually walked toward the source of the sound and saw a young Pallum girl—barely taller than the large bag she carried—firing a volley of bolts from a hidden sleeve weapon, taking down a group of Adventurers that had been surrounded by Ogres.
Bell didn't spare a glance for the unlucky Adventurers. His eyes were fixed on the Pallum girl.
Her expression showed nothing but numbness to killing—no shame, no hesitation.
Adventurers like her were a dime a dozen in Orario. One more or less made no difference.
And Bell recognized her immediately.
'Liliruca Arde.'
'A Pallum girl enslaved by Soma Wine, and a long-persecuted member of the Soma Familia.'
Bell felt no sympathy for her.
Maybe she still had a sliver of hope to change—but Bell had no intention of reaching out to save her.
She had chosen her path. The corpses she left behind would be her only companions.
Without help, she'd never escape the suffocating grip of Soma Familia.
But again, Bell felt nothing for her.
So, he spared her only a glance and turned away.
He had no desire to expand his Familia, especially not for someone like her—someone entirely replaceable. Whether she joined or not simply didn't matter.
Bell didn't linger on the seventh floor. Instead, he continued downward to the eighth.
While the monsters on the seventh and eighth floors were similar in type, the number and scale of them increased significantly on the eighth.
Chapter 88: Chapter 88: One Trapped in Despair
Chapter Text
'The layout of the eighth floor is indeed quite similar to the seventh.'
From the internal structure alone, the resemblance was striking.
Bell stayed alert, carefully observing his surroundings. He could hear plenty of heavy footsteps, but no screams—unlike the chaos of the seventh floor, this level seemed relatively calm. The thick fog served as a cover, making it easier for him to move around.
With a kick off the ground, a pale blue light enveloped Bell's body, dramatically enhancing his physical abilities. Even without activating Lightning Transformation, his speed surged.
He quickly spotted a group of Ogres and Hobgoblins wandering this floor.
"Yaaah!"
Hobgoblins had exceptionally sharp senses of smell and hearing. Even in this thick fog, they could detect footsteps and pinpoint the location of Adventurers.
The moment they reacted, the nearby Ogres also gathered around.
Seven or eight Ogres moved in at once—an intimidating sight.
Hobgoblins might be child-sized, but Ogres were as tall as grown adults. Together, they formed a literal wall of muscle and menace.
But Bell, the focus of their attention, remained calm.
"Roar!"
A massive Ogre charged in, swinging its spiked club.
Bell didn't dodge immediately. Instead, he shifted his center of gravity ahead of time. Just as the club nearly struck, he tilted away, narrowly avoiding a direct hit while letting it graze past him.
With his body enhanced by Rune, even a direct blow wouldn't be too damaging—but Bell had no intention of taking hits head-on.
Endurance needed to be trained through impact. Strength, on the other hand, required unleashing power through weapon strikes.
That meant he couldn't afford to go easy in this fight, especially while focusing on raising those two stats.
He twisted to evade part of the blow, taking about 20% of the force. His shifted balance helped absorb most of the impact as he fell back with control, dissipating the momentum.
Though he was pushed back a fair distance, the hit barely hurt him.
At the same time, Bell had grasped the Ogre's capabilities.
'Its strength is impressive—not far off from a Level 2 Minotaur.'
'That massive frame must offer extreme physical defense. Combined with that dense muscle, it's clearly a monster built for strength and durability.'
'No magical power. Its resistance to magic must be weak.'
'So I only need to worry about physical attacks.'
'It's the perfect training dummy for me right now.'
Bell wasn't surprised. Ogres were heavy hitters with tough defenses, but their speed was lacking.
If he kept up the pace, they wouldn't be able to touch him. Their main advantage lay in sheer numbers.
But numbers didn't mean much to Bell.
In fact, to raise his Status, he needed a lot of Ogres.
Unlike before, he couldn't trigger massive monster spawns in the Dungeon again—he'd draw the Guild's attention. That meant he needed monsters like these: fast-spawning, numerous, and ideal for building up his stats.
'Time to begin.'
...
At the same moment, back on the seventh floor, the Pallum girl had just finished luring and killing three Adventurers who had entered the Dungeon together. She quietly gathered their "inheritance."
Her face showed no emotion.
Ambushing and killing—these acts were routine for her.
Everything she did was for one goal: survival.
She knew what she was doing was wrong. She knew that in Orario, she would be despised for it.
But to survive, she had no choice.
The Pallum girl knew full well that these were just excuses to cover up her disgraceful deeds. Yet she needed them—without those excuses, she might start to hate herself.
'How much longer do I have to keep doing this?'
Liliruca had no idea when it would end.
Wearing a numb expression, she carried her belongings and made her way to the upper floors.
When she reached the sixth floor, two figures suddenly appeared before her.
The moment she saw them, Liliruca's body began to tremble uncontrollably.
She recognized them—fellow members of the Soma Familia. But unlike her, they were Adventurers, not Supporters.
"Yo, Lili. Looks like you made a decent haul today."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, and his greedy gaze zeroed in on her bulging backpack.
He knew exactly how much a supporter like Liliruca could rake in when she succeeded. He was simply waiting for the moment she finished so he could swoop in and take everything for himself.
Liliruca knew she was the target. This was robbery—plain and simple. But she was powerless to resist. She wasn't even allowed to say no.
"Hand it over, unless you want a beating."
His face twisted with greed and menace. He felt no guilt at all about preying on a small Pallum girl. To him, it was just the natural order of things.
The weak were meant to be consumed by the strong. Just like what he was doing now to Liliruca.
Not because of any grand reason—just because he was an Adventurer, and she was merely a Supporter.
Liliruca didn't dare fight back.
She knew resistance would only get her beaten. Thankfully, she had stashed her valuables near the entrance to the seventh floor. All she carried now were the things she couldn't easily hide.
She had been through this so many times that she knew better than to think about fighting back. All she could do was try to lower the risk however she could.
The man rifled through her bag, satisfied. But when he saw it was full of worthless junk, his face darkened.
"Tch. What a bunch of broke losers."
Even though it was all garbage, he took everything anyway.
As he left, he flashed Liliruca a smug grin.
"Work hard again tomorrow, slut."
Liliruca kept her head down, fists clenched tightly behind her back—but there was nothing she could do.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Final Sprint Toward Level 2
Chapter Text
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.1 → Lv.2
Attributes:
• Strength: D574 → S907
• Endurance: D597 → S921
• Dexterity: A854 → SS1034
• Agility: S901 → SS1087
• Magic: S924 → SSS1120
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space":
• Storage
"Lightning Command":
• Quick-Cast Magic
• Lightning Control
Skills:
"Personal Training":
• Early Bloomer
"Heaven's Luck":
• High Luck]
Looking at these nearly abnormal "Status" numbers, Hestia felt completely numb.
'Dexterity and Agility have both broken past the S rank, and Magic has reached SSS—something that theoretically shouldn't even be possible.'
'Strength and Endurance have also made remarkable progress, both stepping into S rank.'
Even the gods would feel dizzy seeing growth like this.
Moreover, Bell had already accumulated enough Excelia for an upgrade. At this point, leveling up wouldn't be a problem at all. But even Hephaestus understood—Bell's limit wasn't just S. It was beyond even what the gods had defined as the highest ceiling.
And now that he had enough great achievements to level up, the fact that he was still holding back—wasn't that just so he could push his "Status" to its absolute peak before upgrading?
'He's cautious, but steadily moving forward.'
'It won't be long before he reaches Level 2.'
'Still, this kid won't go out of his way to reveal his level.'
Hephaestus wasn't worried about Bell exposing himself too early. That simply wasn't his style.
Though this was technically against the rules, from what she knew of the Guild, a Familia with only one member pulling this kind of trick would be overlooked.
The gods didn't descend to Genkai just to make things harder for themselves. Wasn't it fine for one or two of them to dote on their children and try to protect them?
Besides, if a god only had one child in their Familia, would the Guild really back them into a corner?
Normally, the Guild wouldn't crack down too harshly on a small Familia like that.
As long as the Familia didn't expand, and the member hiding their level didn't blow their own cover, the Guild would just pretend nothing happened.
'Once he hits Level 2 and enters the Middle Floors, his Status growth might accelerate even further.'
'That's why, even if he gives up more of his profits, I hope to form a deeper bond between him and my Familia.'
Hephaestus now understood that Bell was giving up half of his profit from the magic stones to secure a better future.
A Level 2 Adventurer is classified as an upper-tier Adventurer.
And once you're Level 2, you're usually recommended for expeditions into the Middle Floors.
But monsters in the Middle Floors aren't like the ones in the Upper Floors. They're far more vicious and don't grow at the same sluggish pace.
For a Level 2 Adventurer, the Middle Floors meant far greater dangers than anything faced before.
But for someone like Bell—who was already far beyond the norm and had magic at his disposal—that danger was also a golden opportunity to grow even faster.
Still, even with enough strength, the safest move was to join a party diving into the Dungeon. That way, he could better keep a low profile.
Finding the right party was exactly why Bell was willing to give up half his earnings.
Even at Level 1, he'd already started paving the way for his future.
Hephaestus had seen many Adventurers, but Bell was something else entirely.
And she didn't dislike his cautious planning. If anything, she was eager to see just how far this boy could go.
"Great! Bell-kun, if you keep going at this pace, it won't be long before all your 'attributes' break past their limits."
Hestia was clearly the happiest one there as she looked at Bell's Status.
In just one day, his Strength and Endurance, which had been around 500, had surged past 900. At this rate, promotion wasn't far off.
"Goddess-sama, what are the specific values?"
"Strength and Endurance are at S rank. Agility and Dexterity are both at SS. Magic has even reached SSS."
Bell gave a slight nod. That growth rate was already fast enough.
'Strength and Endurance developed just as I expected.'
'Strength increases just by actively swinging a weapon, while Endurance rises when you take actual hits.'
'Though it doesn't have to be full-power attacks—you just need to manage the damage intake properly.'
At this point, Bell had fully grasped the different training methods for each stat.
His previous attribute imbalance had been due to his overly one-sided combat style. After he leveled up, he planned to fight in a more balanced way.
"With this kind of progress, I'll need a few more days to finish training all my abilities. Once I'm done, I'll level up."
Right now, the Ogres on the eighth floor were ideal for training his Status.
They still posed a certain threat. If one of their spiked clubs hit him directly, the damage would be significant.
But that was exactly why Bell could stay alert and focused—making the training even more effective.
He hadn't leveled up yet because he was still testing his limits.
Once his Status started leveling off, that would be the time to move up.
"If other adventurers in Orario heard what you just said, they'd probably lose their minds," Hephaestus joked with a smile.
"For most adventurers, S is the limit. Sure, there were some in ancient times who managed to break through, but even then, it was only one or two stats. You, on the other hand, show signs of breaking through all of them."
"Maybe I'm just lucky."
"Limits aren't decided by luck. They come down to your own quality and talent."
Hephaestus smiled gently at Bell, her gaze filled with admiration and anticipation. Clearly, Bell had already surpassed the achievements of most adventurers in history. Only a handful of heroes from ancient times could stand beside him.
"Right now, not a single child in either of Orario's two strongest Familias has broken a Status limit."
"You're the only one in Orario."
"You're also the most unique individual in Orario today."
"Your growth will undoubtedly become the most watched and most important thing in all of Orario."
"But since you've chosen to act cautiously, the number of gods watching your progress has dropped. That's a good thing for you, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
Bell answered without hesitation.
To him, staying under the radar was the best outcome.
"Less attention will help me grow better."
"I don't want to catch some god's eye and bring trouble to myself or to Goddess-sama."
"Even if it's inevitable someday, I'd rather it not happen yet."
Revealing just a part of his abilities at Level 1 was enough.
Showing too much would only cause trouble—and Bell hated trouble more than anything else.
Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Crafting Rune Stones
Chapter Text
"Hephaestus-dono, the red, blue, and green stones have all been polished."
The territory of the Hephaestus Familia was on par with that of the Loki Familia. As a production-focused group, Hephaestus Familia was one of the few incredibly wealthy Familias in all of Orario.
After receiving the order, Tsubaki immediately instructed her people to prepare the materials.
The red, blue, and green stones were just ores from the upper floors—minerals with little use but some value.
Yet Hephaestus had ordered these nearly useless ores to be polished and made uniform in size.
Tsubaki couldn't help but feel curious about the reason behind it.
"Hephaestus-dono, these ores can't be used for forging, right? Even if we were selling them... we wouldn't use such cheap materials to make accessories, would we?"
"It's just a special request."
Hephaestus tossed a stone to Tsubaki.
"Tsubaki, crush this stone and see what you feel."
Though puzzled, Tsubaki still crushed the stone in her hand.
"!?"
A sudden surge of power erupted from within her.
As a Level 5 smith, Tsubaki wasn't just good at forging—she was also skilled in hand-to-hand combat.
Since blacksmiths had to personally test the weapons they created before selling them, Tsubaki was very familiar with the changes in her own body. The abrupt boost in strength gave her quite a scare.
"Hephaestus-dono, what just happened? Why did my stats suddenly spike like that?"
"How does it feel?"
Rather than answering, Hephaestus asked her about her reaction.
Tsubaki paused, examining her physical state carefully, and realized she felt better than ever.
"It feels great, but the strength increase is too much—I can't control it properly."
The sudden jump in her physical stats had major consequences. Most notably, she could no longer control her strength like before due to the drastic rise in her 'attributes.'
"Aside from not being able to manage my strength, everything else is positive."
"Hephaestus-dono, this stone that boosts stats... is this some kind of enchantment?"
"But isn't that jump a little too extreme?"
As a seasoned blacksmith in Orario, she wasn't inexperienced.
The spike in her 'attributes' right after crushing the stone clearly meant it was a type of buff magic.
Orario had its fair share of people who could use such enhancement magic, but none of them could produce such dramatic increases.
"It's exactly because the increase is so abnormal that it's such a valuable deal."
Hephaestus was fully aware how unnatural the boost was. Just like sharpening a weapon yields clear results, this type of enhancement effect had no subtlety at all.
...
Tsubaki quickly caught on to why Hephaestus-dono had ordered the ores.
"Wait... are you planning to imbue that kind of buff magic into this much ore?"
Despite her discontent, there was something odd about her expression.
"Hephaestus-dono, are you trying to drain yourself dry?"
Enchantment magic was notoriously taxing—it transferred a specific magical effect into a material, allowing that object to retain and exhibit that magic.
Having just experienced the buff herself, Tsubaki could clearly tell how extraordinary the magic was from the drastic surge in her 'attributes.'
The mana cost for this kind of magic had to be staggering.
If all the ore polished here were to be imbued with that level of enhancement magic, wouldn't that completely drain the mage?
"...Tsubaki, if you've got nothing useful to say, then keep your mouth shut."
"Yes."
A vein twitched on Hephaestus's forehead. If the one talking wasn't her own Familia's captain, she really might've smacked some sense into her so she'd think before speaking.
Once both of them fell silent, the room quieted down.
"Hephaestus-dono, is the person you're waiting for still not here?"
Tsubaki looked around, confused. Even as the captain of Hephaestus's Familia, she had no idea who Hephaestus-dono had scheduled a meeting with today.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Hephaestus."
"!?"
The sudden voice made Tsubaki jump.
She turned her head immediately—less than three meters away, two figures were standing there.
One of them was a child in a hood. He looked like a boy, but with his face hidden, she couldn't tell who he was.
The other was unmistakable—Hestia, who had recently been hired by Hephaestus.
'When did they get here?'
That was her only thought. It was the first time someone had gotten this close to her without her noticing.
"We came straight here. Had to stop by the Guild to sell off the magic stones—it took a bit."
"Bell, didn't I say we could've handled that directly?"
"Goddess-sama, Ogre weapons are fine, but the magic stones are a different story. I go to the Dungeon often. If I don't regularly turn in magic stones at the Guild, someone might get suspicious."
His words were simple, but they showed caution and foresight.
Tsubaki found his voice increasingly familiar. She was certain she'd met this boy before, but he hadn't left a strong impression.
"Bell, the ore is ready. This should be enough, right?"
"Yeah."
Bell crouched down and picked up a red stone. It wasn't even the size of his palm—just about right. Since the enchantment only involved a single Runic character, cheap ore would do.
"This is enough."
"A single-character enhancement spell doesn't need a high-grade carrier."
While even regular stones could serve for such a basic enchantment, since these were being sold, handing out plain rocks wouldn't sit right. At the very least, using actual ore showed some respect to the Adventurers.
Hephaestus gave a slight nod. As long as the carriers were sufficient, it would work.
"The basic enhancement is all that's needed for now."
"How long will it take to finish all of this ore?"
Bell glanced over the pile of ore on the ground and quickly estimated.
"About an hour."
Hephaestus was a bit surprised, but didn't question it.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"This is my Familia's backyard. I've already made sure no one will come here today. You're free to work as you like."
"Understood."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Three Types of Rune Stones
Chapter Text
There were only three types of Rune Stones to make this time: the auxiliary type "Weapon Sharpening," the reinforcement type "Self-Strengthening," and the offensive type "Fireball."
Although Bell had mastered a number of Runic Letter applications, there were still some things best kept under wraps—three types were already plenty. Even just these three would be enough to draw Orario's attention.
Naturally, there were upgraded versions of these runes, but they were expensive and fully custom-made. In other words, they wouldn't be produced unless specifically ordered. Bell certainly hoped someone would place those custom orders.
After all, crafting Rune Stones was part of his daily training. If he could earn some money from the products of his training, what could be better?
What's more, the Rune Stones had helped him establish a solid friendship with Hephaestus's Familia. He'd only given up half the profits, and in Bell's view, that was practically pure gain.
He'd traded Rune Stones—whose cost was almost nothing—for a partnership with Hephaestus's Familia and half of the profits.
That was insane profit.
And since the Runic Letters were unique to him, it naturally gave him a monopoly.
Whether in modern society or in this world, monopolies were always the most profitable.
Bell picked up a blue stone and inscribed "Weapon Sharpening" into it. The moment it was completed, a Runic character appeared on its surface.
He had intentionally added this particular character—not that it served any actual function. Since these Rune Stones were meant to be sold, and the surfaces had already been polished by Hephaestus-sama's Familia, he figured they might as well come with a bit of extra flair.
More importantly, the added mystique might spark interest among Adventurers and help boost sales.
Once he was done, Bell casually tossed the finished Rune Stone aside and moved on to the next.
Nearby, someone crouched down and picked up the blue stone that had been inscribed with the Runic character.
"So that's it? Is the effect similar to body strengthening?"
Bell glanced over and, seeing that it was Tsubaki—someone he'd met before—he didn't mind and explained while continuing to write.
"The blue ones are for Weapon Sharpening. They make weapons sharper for a period of time."
Tsubaki's eyes lit up.
"Seriously? How effective is it?"
Bell paused briefly, having just completed a red Rune Stone.
"I haven't tested it myself, but Hephaestus-sama already did—used a goblin short sword and another weapon I'm not familiar with."
"And? What happened?"
"The goblin short sword enhanced with 'Weapon Sharpening' sliced clean through the other weapon. I think it boosted the goblin blade's sharpness by at least a full tier."
A whole tier!?
Tsubaki was almost stunned by the information.
A goblin short sword was a third-tier weapon. If it could be bumped up to second-tier value-wise, the increase would be significant.
If even top-tier weapons could gain a level in sharpness, then these Rune Stones would easily become the most popular consumables in Orario, rivaling magic swords in value.
As she watched Bell pick up one ore after another, each one of a different color, she noticed each had a different Runic character on it. They all seemed complete.
"Is it really that easy to create a buff that increases a weapon's sharpness by an entire tier?"
It looked way too simple.
The speed at which Bell produced them made Tsubaki question her entire understanding of crafting.
"It's only easy for me."
"Anyone who doesn't understand this magical script wouldn't be able to produce even a single prototype, no matter how long they fiddled with it."
Runic Letters weren't some cheap trick.
They were characters discovered by the god Odin within the World Tree—letters born from the very foundation of a world. That's why Runic Letters possessed such vast and diverse power.
The reason Bell could understand them at all was thanks to the Type-Moon system extracting the concept directly from Caster Hound's Spirit Origin.
The system had forcibly implanted that knowledge into Bell, making it part of his own understanding.
So crafting Rune Stones wasn't something just anyone could do. Bell simply had the rare qualifications that allowed him to make them so easily...
Was it really okay for him to say that out loud?
Tsubaki silently watched as Bell continued to craft the Rune Stones at remarkable speed—each one finished in moments.
"What about the other two Rune Stones?"
"The red one is inscribed with 'Fireball,' and the green one has 'Self-Strengthening.' It's the same type of buff magic you're using right now."
"This ridiculous buff on me is from the same kind of stone?"
Tsubaki felt like a bumpkin seeing advanced magic for the first time. The sheer intensity of the enhancement was making her head spin.
"It's the same effect, but it only lasts for five minutes."
"Five minutes... phew, that's a relief."
The time limit made it more manageable. If this kind of insane boost in 'attributes' lasted too long, it would be hard to accept.
Still, even with a time limit, the effectiveness of the buff magic couldn't be denied.
"Five minutes might not sound long, but it's enough to get a lot done."
Tsubaki didn't think five minutes was too short for an Adventurer. In the Dungeon, most encounters with monsters were either even fights or one-sided beatdowns. The only difference was whether the Adventurer was doing the crushing or being crushed.
In situations where the power gap wasn't too big, this kind of direct 'attribute' enhancement could make all the difference.
Even if it only lasted five minutes, a skilled Adventurer could either win or at least escape with their life in that time.
"And the fireball?"
"Simply put, it's a small explosive fireball created using magic script. The kind that actually explodes."
A Fireball was essentially a magical grenade, except when it exploded, it generated intense heat and flames.
Its main purpose was to help Adventurers who didn't have access to magic.
Compared to "Weapon Sharpening," it was much cheaper—so even a Level 1 Adventurer could save up and carry a few for emergencies.
Chapter 92: Chapter 92: The Goddess of Beauty's Interest
Chapter Text
Hephaestus's new product had spread throughout Orario in just three days, drawing the attention of gods and Familias alike.
At the peak of Babel Tower, inside the residence of the goddess who reigned over Orario, slender fingers gently brushed over three small stones that, in her eyes, looked rather cheap.
In that moment, Freya—the goddess of beauty—became deeply intrigued by the identity hidden behind these seemingly ordinary ores.
"Ottar, what did your investigation uncover?"
"There's a result."
Freya noticed the subtle shift in Ottar's expression and smiled.
"Looks like you hit a wall."
Ottar's face darkened slightly. To him, it felt like he had failed to carry out the goddess's request.
Freya found the rare glimpse of complexity in Ottar's expression amusing and lingered on it for a moment longer, though she resisted the urge to laugh—no matter how much she wanted to.
"So, what did you find?"
After a brief pause, Ottar bowed his head.
"As you suspected, the one who created these Rune Stones isn't a member of the Hephaestus Familia."
"Hmm, not a surprising outcome."
The Hephaestus Familia might be a production Familia, but crafting Rune Stones of this caliber required far more than manufacturing skills alone.
Freya's gaze settled on the stones. The runes carved into their surfaces were strange—similar to inscriptions she had seen before, yet distinctly foreign.
They weren't divine characters, nor any form of script known in this world.
The letters themselves were inherently special. Even when lightly infused with magic, they could remain intact indefinitely.
And more than that, each rune radiated a power far beyond what its simple form suggested.
"Ottar, tell me—who made these stones?"
"A newcomer from the Hestia Familia."
Hestia?
Freya blinked at the answer. Through Syr's eyes, she recalled seeing that white-haired boy sitting beside Hestia. He must've been her child.
But this revelation sent Freya into deep thought.
'That boy had no radiance of his own.'
'So why is he surrounded by letters that shine so brightly?'
Freya had always trusted her ability to judge people.
It was that very confidence that had led her to so many children with souls beautiful enough to break.
But now, someone had escaped her gaze—someone she'd overlooked.
That alone stunned her.
'It seems... there's something about that child I failed to see.'
'What a surprise. I never thought I'd misjudge someone.'
Her look of shock gradually faded, replaced by a spark of curiosity.
"Interesting."
"I didn't expect something like this to fall into my lap."
This rare moment of excitement made Freya feel genuinely entertained, but she quickly reined in her emotions.
"Ottar, tell the others to stop watching Hestia and Hephaestus."
"If you keep your eyes on them too long, they'll eventually notice."
Seeing Freya's amused expression, Ottar gave a slight nod and stepped back.
...
Freya wasn't the only one paying attention to the Rune Stones from the Hephaestus Familia.
As one of Orario's twin kings, Loki's Familia was equally interested.
Today, all three of Loki Familia's Level 6 elites had gathered in a room, seated around a table.
At the center was a Rune Stone—purchased straight from the Hephaestus Familia.
Their deity, Loki, leaned forward with her chin resting on her hands, eyes locked on the Rune Stones before her.
"So, do you all really think those Rune Stones from Phae-Phae's side were made by her own Familia?"
The three of them glanced at the stones on the table and subtly shook their heads.
Finn Deimne, captain of Loki Familia and the one who understood the Hephaestus Familia best, gave a clear and certain response.
"No. Based on everything we know, there's no one with that kind of talent in the Hephaestus Familia."
"More accurately, there's no one like that in all of Orario."
"Someone capable of temporarily boosting their own 'attributes' to that degree with enhancement magic wouldn't stay unknown in this city."
"That's why I did a bit of digging."
Finn let out a helpless sigh.
"My investigation confirmed that this person really has been living quietly in Orario for the past half-month."
"Almost no one knows his name, no one's seen him in the Dungeon, and not a single person has solid intel on him."
"It's like he's living a completely secluded life."
"My conclusion is that he doesn't have the usual ambitions an Adventurer is supposed to have."
"Hmm..."
"He doesn't care about fame or power, right?"
"Exactly."
Loki picked up where Finn left off.
Finn nodded again, still finding it difficult to believe.
"What about wealth?" asked Gareth Landrock, one of the three core members of Loki Familia.
But Finn shook his head.
"I asked around through Tsubaki. Apparently, the Hephaestus Familia and the Hestia Familia have developed a significantly deeper relationship."
"Wait—are you saying...?"
Everyone in the room was shocked by the news, even Loki herself.
Finn gave a weary nod.
"As of now, the Hephaestus Familia and the Hestia Familia have formed a formal alliance. It's something we've never seen before."
"This isn't a merger, just a closer bond. So it won't affect the Guild's rankings for either Familia. And since it's a partnership between Familias, the Guild has no authority to interfere."
"Still, from what I can tell, this alliance is heavily tied to the Rune Stones that Hephaestus Familia recently launched."
"So I'd say this person doesn't have any real desire for wealth either."
"Otherwise, with the value of those Rune Stones, he could easily make a fortune beyond imagination."
An Adventurer who wasn't driven by fame, power, or money—this was something far beyond what Finn could have imagined.
But then, Loki—who had been quiet all this time—suddenly stood up.
Unlike Finn and the others, who still hadn't figured it out, Loki had already realized the reason.
"So that's what it is..."
Now she understood why that white-haired kid of Hestia's had stood up so boldly that day at the Hostess of Fertility.
She finally knew why.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Loki's Amazement
Chapter Text
Combining all the scenes she'd seen, Loki finally arrived at a clear conclusion.
Why would an adventurer with strong abilities, yet indifferent to power, wealth, and fame, choose such a secluded life?
There was only one answer—what that kid cared about wasn't material at all.
Still, this conclusion genuinely surprised Loki.
"Loki, what did you figure out?"
Finn looked at her, guessing she'd reached some kind of realization.
"Well... I've got the answer and the conclusion, but I didn't expect that shorty to actually respond."
"???"
Her words sounded like code—each part made sense, but together, they were hard to grasp.
Unlike Finn and Gareth, Riveria Ljos Alf, being a woman, vaguely caught Loki's meaning.
"I see."
"Fell for a god's follower, huh? But Loki, didn't you say Hestia-sama was a virgin goddess?"
Thanks to Riveria's comment, Finn and Gareth finally pieced things together.
"Virgin goddess isn't a divine title. It's just what those idiots in Tenkai started calling that shorty after getting rejected."
"Athena and Artemis also get called virgin goddesses—it usually just means they're stiff and avoid the opposite sex."
"That shorty got hit on by tons of gods, but always had the same response. Eventually, those guys just started calling her 'virgin'."
"That term wasn't meant kindly."
In the end, it was just some gods feeling humiliated after being turned down. And for those shameless types, Loki had only one thing to say—
"Pah! Disgusting!"
Returning to the actual point, even Loki opened her usually narrowed eyes when the topic turned serious.
"That shorty would never even think about building a friendship with Hephaestus's Familia... And his little hands aren't the kind to freely form that kind of relationship with another Familia."
"This clearly has a lot to do with Hestia's child."
From what she knew about the shorty, there was no way he'd do something so forward.
It was obviously a decision made entirely by Hestia's child.
Still, even Loki had to admit—at this moment, there wasn't a single Familia in Orario that would dare lay a hand on him.
Hephaestus's Familia was one of the top production Familias in Orario. Picking a fight with the little dwarf's Familia now was practically a declaration of war against Hephaestus herself.
What did that mean?
It meant any Familia doing so would have to be ready to get cut off from weapons and gear.
In other words, they'd be finished.
So, yeah—this move was brilliant.
By forming ties with Hephaestus's Familia, it ensured that as long as the shorty didn't do anything reckless, no one would dare cause trouble.
Moreover, all of Orario's Familias were watching closely. The moment one Familia made a move, the rest would follow immediately. Now that they understood the function of the Rune Stones, none of them would want to give up using them. This mutual deterrence led to a deadlock where no one dared to act first.
Loki let out a faint sigh. At this point, there was nothing more to be said.
"Riveria, have you deciphered the writing inside the Rune Stone?"
Riveria shook her head slightly. The text hidden within the Rune Stone was identical to the inscriptions on the surface, but studying it yielded nothing useful.
"It's a special kind of magical script. Simply deciphering it doesn't do any good."
"The creator must've known that, which is why they deliberately engraved the script on the Rune Stone."
"I see. So much for getting a technique out of it."
Loki wasn't particularly surprised by the outcome. If someone's livelihood could be easily cracked, they wouldn't be putting it on the market in the first place.
"We'll still need to keep purchasing magic swords, but we should allocate part of the Familia's funds specifically for customizing Rune Stones."
"Let Finn and Mama handle the details."
"I'll go check in with Phae-Phae later and see what I can find out."
Loki remained highly interested in the Rune Stones. There were only three types available right now, but each one was effective. One increased weapon sharpness, another enhanced personal attributes, and the third—though small and cheap—was as powerful as a magic sword. In fact, its cost-performance ratio far exceeded that of ordinary magic swords.
Loki was even considering stopping magic sword purchases altogether and switching entirely to Rune Stones. A single magic sword typically cost at least a million Valis, but an attack-type Rune Stone only cost 100,000 Valis. Just this alone would save the Loki Familia a substantial amount of money.
As for the other two types of Rune Stones, they were even cheaper. Even mid-tier Familias could afford to buy a good number for Dungeon exploration.
But Loki couldn't afford to waste any more time here. She needed to head over to Hephaestus's place and see if she was willing to meet today.
Ever since Hephaestus started selling the Rune Stones, she had refused all visitors. Loki had gone there every day for the past three days and returned empty-handed each time. Still, she had to keep trying.
There were just too many questions she needed answers to.
Originally, Loki had planned to find a shortcut and talk to the shorty directly, but she hadn't come out of Phae-Phae's shop in days. Even the creator of the Rune Stones had seemingly vanished without a trace. Clearly, they were hiding.
So in the end, Loki had no choice but to rent a carriage and head to Cranel...
At that moment, on the second floor of Hephaestus's shop, after three days of rigorous training, Bell was preparing to update his stats once again.
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.1 → Lv.2
Attributes:
Strength: S907 → ???1347
Endurance: S921 → ???1412
Dexterity: SS1034 → ???1523
Agility: SS1087 → ???1549
Magic: SSS1120 → ???1689
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space":
· Storage
"Lightning Command":
· Quick-Cast Magic
· Lightning Control
Skills:
"Personal Training":
· Early Bloomer
[Heaven's Luck]:
· High Luck]
Just like three days ago when she updated his data, Hephaestus was once again left speechless by these dazzling numbers.
Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Bell's Only Choice
Chapter Text
"Three days, and you've already reached this level."
Three days ago, Hephaestus had already known that Bell's "Attributes" wouldn't be confined to the limits of an ordinary person. But seeing today's results, she wasn't just unsurprised—she was genuinely impressed.
In fact, his "Attributes" had far surpassed her expectations, reminding her once again what true astonishment felt like.
"All of your 'Attributes' have gone beyond the limits the Falna system can detect."
That string of "???" made everything clear.
Most Adventurers are eligible for a rank-up once any of their "Attributes" reach around 500. Yet Bell had raised all of his "Attributes" to nearly double that threshold.
"Right now, your 'Attributes' are nearly equivalent to those of an average Level 2 Adventurer who's trained to their peak."
Hephaestus could now objectively assess Bell's true strength.
The gap in "Attributes" alone had almost erased the difference of an entire level.
It was terrifying.
This was purely an attribute-based comparison, and even without having ranked up yet, Bell already possessed the solid capabilities of a mid-tier Level 2 Adventurer.
If Bell continued progressing at this rate with each level, Hephaestus was confident that his strength could one day rival Adventurers two levels above him.
And an Adventurer's power isn't determined by "Attributes" alone. Magic and Skills also create considerable disparities.
Factoring those in, he might not just match someone two levels above—but even three.
'Skills with Early Bloomer traits really do make the power gap grow the further one advances.'
But Bell simply shook his head, unconvinced.
"These 'Attributes' aren't that far off from the strongest Adventurers. I just have an edge compared to the average."
"Exceptional Adventurers inevitably push all their 'Attributes' to the limit. Hephaestus-sama, feel free to compare my data to those who've maxed out their stats in the future."
"...You think all of Orario's Adventurers can do what you've done?"
Hephaestus was left speechless by Bell's indifference.
There were countless Adventurers in Orario, but perhaps fewer than one in ten ever reach Level 2.
Of those Level 2s, maybe fewer than one in ten manage to raise all their "Attributes" to 500 or above before advancing.
And of that already small number, how many could train their stats to the S rank judged by the gods?
Maybe not even one in ten.
Among those one-in-a-thousand Adventurers, perhaps only one or two ever achieve S in all "Attributes."
That narrows the odds to one in ten thousand—possibly even three in a hundred thousand.
And right now, Bell was one of those rare few.
He might even be the only one in a million to have shattered the gods' upper limit on "Attribute" grading—so much so that the Falna System could only respond with "???".
"Bell, don't compare your circumstances with those of other Adventurers.
Your 'Attributes' clearly set you apart.
But it's exactly because of that difference that you're at your most dangerous right now—before you've fully grown."
Hephaestus was certain that Bell was the most exceptional Adventurer in all of Orario. His growth might very well shape the city's future, which made it hard for her not to speak up.
Bell understood this perfectly.
He knew he had once been an ordinary person, but crossing over had changed that. He couldn't afford to view himself through the lens of his past self.
Sometimes, expanding your perspective is necessary—you can't stay confined by old standards.
Concealment is one thing. But hiding doesn't mean losing sight of your own standing.
And Bell was fully aware of where he stood now. He knew his path forward demanded caution.
Seeing Bell's composed expression, Hephaestus couldn't help but admire him a little.
His mindset hadn't changed in the slightest, and that was the best-case scenario.
Still, Hephaestus felt she had to give him a warning.
"In the past three days, ever since the Rune Stones went on sale, gods from across Orario—big and small—have been showing up at my door. It's clear that information about you and Hestia has already been dug up."
"Trouble is heading your way."
But Bell didn't show the slightest hint of panic.
"The fact that none of them came trying to steal me away means they've realized the positions of both myself and Goddess-sama aren't something they can shake so easily."
"The deterrent force of Hephaestus-sama is more than enough to keep most of Orario's Familia in check."
That was the plain truth.
The reason most Familia hadn't made a move was because the Hephaestus Familia was too well-known. Anyone who dared to target the Hestia Familia would inevitably face their retaliation.
And even then, success wasn't guaranteed.
Those who had witnessed the power of the Rune Stones already understood—these were strategic resources no Familia could afford to lose in the future.
Since no one could afford to go after the Hestia Familia, the only play left was to stay neutral and build favor.
Right now, any Familia that tried to step out of line would find themselves the target of every other Familia in Orario.
So even after three days, everything remained calm.
No one wanted to be the one to stick their neck out.
In fact, everyone was hoping to play the hunter, waiting for someone else to make the first reckless move.
Hephaestus could only sigh.
"But all I can offer is basic deterrence."
"Even if you ask for help, there's not much more my Familia can do for you."
Bell had already anticipated that.
The most Hephaestus could offer was the threat posed by her weapons and gear. But right now, her Familia lacked the kind of overwhelming force needed to intimidate all of Orario.
What they needed was a deterrent so strong that no one would dare act.
That left Bell with only two real options.
The first was Freya's Familia.
Now that his abilities had come to light, it was inevitable that the goddess of beauty, Freya, would take an interest.
Bell didn't want that to happen—but he knew it was unavoidable.
Which meant Freya's Familia was absolutely not an option.
That left him with only one path.
Loki's Familia.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Officially Ascending to Level 2
Chapter Text
One of Orario's Twin Kings—Loki Familia.
A faction powerful enough to disrupt the balance yet strong enough to intimidate the entire city. That's why Bell had no other choice.
"Bell, have you forgotten what you're doing right now?"
Hearing the voice of his Goddess-sama from behind, Bell blinked, suddenly remembering—he was still in the middle of a status update.
"Apologies, Goddess-sama. Our conversation just touched on something I had to think about."
"Really now... even if it was something important, you can't forget you're in the middle of a status update!"
Suppressing the slight sourness in her chest, Hestia refocused. After all, updating a status wasn't something to take lightly.
"Well then, Bell-kun, can we confirm your level-up now?"
"Yes. I'll leave it to you."
Once the level-up was confirmed, Hestia began the ritual—something only a Familia's head god could perform.
Bell's level rose from 1 to 2.
Along with it, his "Divine attribute boost" increased as well.
He had been paying close attention to every change, and at that very moment, he could feel his body undergo a subtle transformation. His blood flowed faster, and his heartbeat grew stronger.
He also noticed the invisible shackles on his body seemed to loosen, and even his breathing became more efficient.
'So this is the effect of leveling up?'
'No wonder hitting Level 10 earns you the title of demigod—leveling up literally elevates your very existence.'
Now he understood why reaching Level 10 granted a life span on par with the gods.
Adventurers don't just gain overwhelming strength out of nowhere upon leveling up.
Power comes through training and accumulation. The level-up ceremony alone doesn't conjure power from thin air.
The water in a vessel doesn't magically increase—what the ceremony does is expand the vessel's size, allowing it to hold more.
And when that vessel is filled again, it's time for the next level-up.
Everything Bell was feeling now stemmed from the increase in his capacity. On this expanded foundation, he could further dig into his potential—filling the newly enlarged vessel to the brim.
"Development Abilities... there's so many!"
The ceremony might've ended, but the status update wasn't done yet.
Upon leveling up, there's a chance to gain a Development Ability—something beyond basic "Attributes," marking deeper growth in a specific direction.
For instance, only by gaining the "Blacksmith" Development Ability can a smith become a true craftsman. Without it, they'd remain just a regular blacksmith.
It can be said that Development Abilities determine an Adventurer's future path, so making the right choice is crucial.
[Development Abilities: Swordsman, Fist Fighter, Mage, Initiative, Healing, Strong Defense, Strong Body, Chain Attack, Mystery, Abnormal Resistance, Spirit Healing, Mixing, Stealth.]
That's quite the luxurious list—nearly every Development Ability an Adventurer could possibly choose from.
"Even Mystery is on there."
Hestia hadn't expected Bell to show compatibility with Mystery.
In Orario, only a handful of Adventurers possess the Development Ability "Mystery," and each one has carved out a name for themselves.
"It probably has something to do with those Rune Stones Bell made."
Hephaestus wasn't particularly surprised by Mystery. For someone capable of creating those absurd Rune Stones, it was no wonder Bell had a natural affinity for it.
The other Development Abilities also closely aligned with Bell's individual aptitudes.
Still, gaining so many potential abilities upon his first level-up just showed how much potential Bell truly had.
'I wonder which path this child will choose?'
Bell had a high affinity with all of them, but only one Development Ability could be chosen per level-up.
Unlocking a Development Ability on his first level-up was undoubtedly a blessing.
The real question was which direction to take.
"Bell, which one do you want to choose?"
As Goddess-sama listed each Development Ability, Bell immediately locked onto his choice.
"Stealth."
I knew it!
The moment they saw that last ability on the list, both Hestia and Hephaestus had a hunch that this would be Bell's choice—and they were right.
Stealth was undoubtedly one of the rarer abilities. At least as far as Hestia knew, no Adventurer in Orario possessed it.
Needless to say, Bell's compatibility with this ability clearly stemmed from his habit of acting independently.
"Alright."
Though Hestia didn't fully understand what the "Stealth" Development Ability actually did, she respected Bell's decision.
And with that, his stats were updated.
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv. 2
Development Ability: Stealth I
Attributes:
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
Magic:
"Four-dimensional Space":
· Storage
"Lightning Command":
· Quick-Cast Magic
· Controls Lightning
Skills:
"Personal Training":
· Early Bloomer
"Heaven's Luck":
· High Luck
"The Poor Man's Desire":
· Accumulate Power]
All his base stats reset to their initial values. The strength he had accumulated at Lv. 1 wasn't erased but instead preserved within his body as a hidden ability.
An increase in capacity meant he would need to build up his basic stats again from scratch.
This was completely normal.
But what caught Hestia's attention was the new skill added to his status panel after leveling up.
[The Poor Man's Desire: The weak long for the strength of the powerful, yearning for the day they too can possess such extraordinary might.]
[Note: Grants the ability to store power for future actions.]
Though the entry was simple, there was a lot hidden behind those few words.
'The weak long for the strength of the powerful…'
'I didn't think Bell-kun saw himself that way.'
Just from the wording, Hestia could clearly see the depth of Bell's desire for strength.
The fact that he had turned that yearning into an actual skill said it all.
But Hestia didn't believe Bell was weak anymore.
He was already walking the path forward—not a weakling, but a challenger.
Still, she could tell Bell hadn't realized that himself yet.
Even so, gaining a skill like this was definitely a good thing.
Chapter 96: Chapter 96: The Conditions for Gaining Loki's Protection
Chapter Text
"The Poor Man's Desire..."
When Bell saw the name of the skill, he fell silent for a moment.
'My yearning for power... has actually become my strength.'
'And it's because of that yearning... that I gained this power.'
Accumulate Power—without a doubt, it was an exceptional skill.
The ability to charge power for any action was already incredible on its own. With enough time, it could unleash a devastating force.
Though he hadn't tested it yet, Bell was certain this would become one of his strongest offensive techniques.
Still, mastering a new form of attack would take time. He'd need to get used to it, adapt, and gradually develop it.
This skill was quite similar to the original "Argonaut"—it carried the same kind of potential, the kind that could evolve over time.
If he could develop an even stronger version of Accumulate Power, his combat capabilities would become even more overwhelming.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to set that thought aside for now.
...
"Bell, have you decided what kind of backing you're going to seek?"
After the promotion was complete, Hephaestus-sama shifted the conversation.
"Yeah. Right now, there are only two Familia that can offer protection to me and Goddess-sama."
"One is Freya Familia, the other is Loki Familia."
"As the two ruling powers of Orario, either of these Familia can provide the greatest support. With one of them backing us, I think I won't have to worry for a while."
Hephaestus nodded slightly. She agreed that these two were undoubtedly the best options.
However, one of them might be facing a serious crisis—that was something Hephaestus had to warn Bell about.
"Bell, I suggest you don't consider Freya Familia."
"Hestia should understand why I'm saying this."
"Mhm!"
Hestia nodded firmly. She knew exactly why Hephaestus was warning him.
"With Freya's personality, she always takes what she wants. She's done it many times before."
"Most of the children she sets her sights on end up falling to her charm."
"So, Bell-kun, you should keep your distance from Freya."
"Approaching her now is just too dangerous. With her personality, she might really try to take you by force."
"Ugh… I don't want Bell-kun to be taken away by Freya."
By the end, Hestia was nearly in tears.
It was clear that Freya's presence weighed heavily on her.
Of course, any goddess would feel threatened by someone with such overwhelming charm and influence.
No Familia could easily resist the recruitment efforts of the Goddess of Beauty, Freya.
Bell understood just how terrible it would be to align with her. No matter what, he had to avoid Freya—minimize contact as much as possible.
"Goddess-sama, I never intended to treat Freya Familia as our backing."
"Freya Familia may be the strongest in Orario, but that very strength could become the force that crushes both me and Goddess-sama. I've heard plenty about how the Goddess of Beauty, Freya, operates. Especially now, what I need isn't to approach her—but to stay away."
Bell was a little uneasy, but he knew that as long as he remained hidden, the Goddess of Beauty would gradually lose interest in him.
When a god confident in their ability to judge mortals is wrong, it naturally draws their attention. But once they confirm that the human in question is just average—clever, maybe, but nothing special—their interest fades.
Back when they met at Hostess of Fertility and Freya showed no interest in him, it proved his soul wasn't her type. Maybe she was paying attention now, but that was only because of his use of Stealth.
So once Freya lost interest again, the situation would settle down.
A goddess who loses interest twice in a row won't bother a third time—unless he exposes himself on purpose.
'I need to be even more careful under her gaze.'
'Looks like choosing "Stealth" as my Development Ability really was the best decision.'
To grow while under a god's watchful eyes takes more than courage and caution—it demands the power to stay hidden, without leaving the slightest trace.
Bell didn't yet know how much Stealth had strengthened him, but at the very least, it was helping him specialize in the art of staying unseen...
"But before that, I need to make Loki Familia our backing."
"Convincing Loki shouldn't be too hard. We can just have Hestia talk to her."
"No, that won't work!"
Bell immediately shot down Hephaestus-sama's suggestion.
"I can tell that Goddess-sama and Loki are more like old rivals than friends. And yeah, I can see that Loki would do her a favor—but that's only because she considers Goddess-sama a friend."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"No. That's actually the worst outcome."
Bell knew Hephaestus-sama had a point. Having Hestia talk to Loki would probably be the easiest way.
But he didn't want Goddess-sama to spend her favor on something so trivial.
"If Goddess-sama goes to Loki, then she'll owe her a massive favor."
"And in my view, that's the kind of favor you can never truly repay."
"Even if Loki doesn't care about being repaid, Goddess-sama would never again be able to stand tall in front of her."
...You spoil her too much!
Hephaestus was a little speechless.
Sure, Bell made a fair point—but did that shameless Hestia even care about that kind of thing? She'd probably forget the moment she turned around.
Even Loki wouldn't mind much. At most, she'd throw a couple of "shorty" jabs at her the next time they met.
And right now, Hestia's eyes were practically sparkling.
Hephaestus couldn't help but feel a little jealous that this silly goddess had met such a good kid, but she still had to offer a warning.
"If you won't let Hestia talk to Loki, then you'll have to do it yourself. What kind of terms do you think you can offer that would make Loki agree to protect you both?"
"I do have terms."
Yes—Bell had some very special information.
And its value was more than enough to make even Loki consider offering her protection.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 97: Chapter 97: The One Who Gives Loki a Headache
Chapter Text
Today, Loki once again arrived at the entrance of Hephaestus's shop.
For the past three days, Hephaestus hadn't returned to her Familia's headquarters. She had stayed inside the shop the entire time, not setting foot outside.
Still, Loki could understand that. In fact, she understood Hephaestus all too well right now.
The emergence of Rune Stones had completely stirred up the stagnant waters of Orario.
First, everyone was already aware of just how astonishing the Rune Stones were.
At the same time, they all realized how rare and valuable their creator was—and it wasn't hard to guess that there were still plenty of hidden functions those stones hadn't revealed yet.
In a situation like this, it was no surprise that Hephaestus, caught in the eye of the storm, would choose to shut herself away.
Anyone who made the mistake of stepping out into the chaos would likely be swept up and crushed.
"Loki-sama."
"Hm? Phae-Phae still doesn't want to see anyone?"
Interrupted from her thoughts, Loki glanced at the receptionist and voiced what she'd assumed from the start.
And she wasn't wrong—under the current stormy circumstances, it was hard to believe Hephaestus would agree to meet with any other gods.
"Hephaestus-sama has asked that you come upstairs."
Loki, who had just been about to stand and leave, froze in place.
She turned to the receptionist, even wondering for a moment if she had misheard.
"Phae-Phae wants to meet with me?"
"Yes, Hephaestus-sama is waiting for you upstairs."
...
Loki was clearly caught off guard. She had just convinced herself that Hephaestus wouldn't see anyone until this whole situation blew over—yet the moment she turned around, Hephaestus was already calling her up.
She paused, then quickly regained her composure.
There was no way this was just a casual invitation. Not at a time like this. Hephaestus's actions were speaking for her—directly and unmistakably.
'It's that shorty, isn't it!'
And just like that, Loki immediately thought of Hestia.
Her thoughts sharpened in an instant. The lazy gleam in her half-open eyes narrowed to focused slits.
"All right. Let's go."
She could already guess what Hephaestus and the shorty were planning.
Even though this storm was raging across all of Orario, there was still a way to calm it down.
You just needed someone powerful enough to stop it.
And right now, there were only two Familia in Orario capable of doing that—Freya Familia, and her own.
Wasn't the reason behind this meeting obvious?
As she climbed to the second floor of Hephaestus's shop, Loki immediately noticed Hestia—dressed in a waitress uniform.
The black-and-white maid outfit showed off her pale shoulders. She wasn't tall, but her chest was… annoyingly prominent.
Loki found her figure infuriating to look at.
Every time she saw that ridiculous body, it reminded her of how that damn shorty never missed a chance to mock her own figure whenever they met.
'Cut it out! They're so big, they're bound to sag sooner or later!'
Loki couldn't help but curse viciously in her heart, but deep down, envy and jealousy still burned in her eyes.
Even as she threw out that spiteful curse, she secretly wished someone would envy her the same way.
Still, she casually plopped down on the sofa without the slightest courtesy.
But the moment she sat, something felt off.
'Weird, why does the sofa feel warm?'
She glanced around, saw nothing unusual, and subconsciously shrugged it off.
"Phae-Phae, and... Shorty, you two know why I'm here, right?"
"Of course."
Seeing Loki get straight to the point, Hephaestus didn't bother with pleasantries either.
"It's about the Rune Stones—and Hestia's affiliated child too, isn't it?"
"Exactly."
Loki shot a glance at the smug little shorty and pursed her lips in annoyance. Watching that shorty so full of herself over something not related to her size was seriously irritating.
"I hate to admit it, but this shorty really got lucky this time."
Loki had full confidence in the talents of her own children, but she had to admit—this shorty's children were just as capable.
If managed properly, Hestia Familia could easily become Orario's top production Familia.
After all, Rune Stones were incredibly useful. Any serious Adventurer would make sure to carry some.
And judging by the range of effects, there were likely plenty more hidden types with powerful uses behind the scenes.
What Loki wanted was the hidden catalog.
Everyone knew the stuff on open sale was just fluff.
The real treasures were buried in the hidden listings—top-tier items that wouldn't be sold to just anyone.
"Hmph! What do you mean lucky? My encounter with Bell-kun was fated!"
Hestia was beaming with pride. It was rare for her to have the upper hand in front of Loki, and she wasn't about to waste the opportunity to show off.
"Bell…-kun?"
This unfamiliar name clearly belonged to Hestia's child.
"Huh? Loki, don't tell me you didn't even find out his name?"
Hephaestus gave her a curious look. With Loki Familia's intel network, not knowing a name was almost unbelievable.
Even Hestia looked at the dark-faced Loki in surprise.
"Argh! What was I supposed to do if I couldn't find out anything?!"
"That kid always wears a trench coat with a hood, never talks to anyone, and keeps all contact to a minimum. Even the Guild staff barely remember him. How am I supposed to get his name?"
Frustrated, Loki couldn't hold back and exploded—but once she let it out, she slumped in defeat.
"I've never seen such a bizarre Adventurer. There's practically no intel on him in Orario—not even in the Dungeon. No one has ever seen him down there."
If she hadn't personally seen Hestia's child at the Hostess of Fertility, she wouldn't even know where to begin.
That complete lack of leads was driving Loki crazy.
And knowing Hestia's child didn't care about fame, power, or money only made things worse.
'If it weren't for the fact that he clearly had his eyes on Hestia, I wouldn't even be sure this kind of person would ever step out of the shadows...'
Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Caught at a Weak Spot
Chapter Text
'Ah, that really is just like him.'
Hestia and Hephaestus couldn't help but think to themselves.
Both gods, familiar with Bell's usual behavior, understood that this outcome suited him perfectly. Wearing a trench coat and hood while heading out wasn't something a typical adventurer would do—yet it was exactly what Bell would do.
But the fact that the same held true even in the Dungeon genuinely surprised them.
In Orario, blending into the crowd made it easy to go unnoticed. But the Dungeon was a different story—it wasn't a place where one could hide easily. With so many adventurers moving around, even in such a large space, there were bound to be encounters with familiar faces.
So, for no one to have noticed him at all was definitely strange.
Even if Bell stayed alert and paid attention to his surroundings, surely someone would've caught a glimpse of him from a distance?
Just how lucky would someone have to be for that not to happen... Ah!
Speaking of luck, Hestia and Hephaestus suddenly remembered—Bell had a "High Luck" skill. And that skill could directly influence the Dungeon.
Under its effects, paired with his natural caution and a stroke of luck, it was entirely possible that Bell really had managed to avoid detection.
'This outcome really caught us off guard... to think his luck skill could even affect something like this.'
"Ahem, Loki, can we get back on topic?"
Hestia abruptly cut Loki off.
Loki gave the shorty a slightly odd look but didn't press further about the investigation.
While the results were clearly questionable from her perspective, the investigation had been handled by her own familia. Criticizing it would be like slapping herself in the face.
If it wasn't her children who'd made the mistake, then it had to be the shorty's familia.
"Let's talk more about the Rune Stones."
"I want to ask—are there still many functions of the Rune Stones that haven't been uncovered yet?"
"That's right."
Hephaestus made no attempt to hide it. There was no need—any god who saw the Rune Stones would naturally think the same.
And indeed, it was true.
"Weapon enchantment, healing, curse removal, enhanced weapon sharpening, and direct-attack magic of other attributes."
"Comprehensive stat enhancement and further upgrades, specialization in a single attribute, even the creation of internal organs and severed limbs."
Those functions made Loki's eye twitch.
Even just the upgraded weapon sharpening was enough to make her pulse race.
Loki had already seen the Rune Stones. Finn had tested one himself. When used on a basic third-tier weapon, it instantly boosted the sharpness to top-level quality. Used on a top-tier first-line weapon, it could even raise it beyond measurable standards.
And now there was an upgraded version of that?
If Hephaestus hadn't said it herself, Loki would've thought she was being lied to.
Not just weapon sharpening—there was an upgraded version of stat enhancement too? That was absurd.
After Finn used the Rune Stone, his stats had increased by 200 points across the board.
If Loki hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed a single rune could raise stats by that much.
Especially since this Rune Stone's boosts exceeded the gods' restriction limits.
After using it, Finn's Agility alone had broken past the 999 cap and shot up to 1199.
And every stat had risen by a set amount—1,000 points total across all five parameters.
That wasn't just a moderate increase.
It was an explosion.
Even that one effect alone would be enough to drive any adventurer crazy.
And now Hephaestus was saying that even this enhancement magic had an upgraded version?
'Can you not be so over the top!?'
Loki was practically grinding her molars as she screamed internally.
That only made her more certain: She had to fully uncover this hidden list within ten attempts—no matter what.
But at the same time, it helped her calm down.
She knew that losing her cool now would mean giving up the initiative, and that wasn't an option. This was a moment where clear thinking was critical.
There was no need to worry about Hephaestus actually selling those ridiculously powerful Rune Stones. The fact that she hadn't already proved those hidden Rune Stones weren't something to casually throw on the market.
The real focus was her position in this deal, and the benefits she could tightly hold onto.
'The shorty probably has more than just me as an option. She could always choose to connect with Freya...'
As one of Orario's current Twin Kings, Loki understood better than anyone just what Freya was capable of.
'So then, why didn't the shorty choose to partner with Freya?'
Then, a thought struck her.
Hestia's child was a boy.
'Ah... so that's it.'
'Shorty, no wonder you're not willing to work with Freya.'
Loki, who knew Freya's personality all too well, suddenly realized that her own position in this deal was far stronger than she'd originally thought.
With that understanding, Loki's scowl vanished. She smiled wide, squinting as usual like everything was normal.
"Hey, shorty, you don't want to team up with Freya, do you?"
"!?"
Hestia, who had been smug just moments ago, froze on the spot.
Seeing that, Loki grinned even wider.
"Hoho~ Looks like I guessed right."
"I thought partnering with Freya would be the smarter move here, but you came to see me instead."
"I was wondering what your reason could be... and now it's clear—you're protecting your child from Freya's gaze."
Caught red-handed, Hestia puffed up her cheeks and glared at Loki, fuming.
She knew Loki had just seized the upper hand, and her position had turned completely passive.
...
Watching from the sidelines, Hephaestus had seen it coming. Loki wasn't an idiot—once she got over the initial surprise, she'd start thinking and quickly find the most troublesome weak point.
"Hestia, I told you—you can't outplay Loki."
"She's a lot sharper than you give her credit for."
"Hmph~ Naturally."
Loki accepted Hephaestus' praise without the slightest hint of modesty.
"Hey, Phae-Phae, today's meeting was arranged by shorty's kid, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then let him come out and talk to me. For him to make such a decisive move... he must've already figured out a way to deal with me, right?"
"I'd like to hear what kind of plan shorty's kid has cooked up to go against me."
As shorty's backing force, Loki didn't mind stepping in.
Even if it meant clashing with Freya, the benefits of those Rune Stones weren't something she was willing to hand over.
But right now, what she really wanted was a conversation with that kid she'd met before—to see just what kind of idea he had in mind to counter her.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 99: Chapter 99: An Entrance That Stuns Loki
Chapter Text
The situation had completely flipped.
The side that once held the advantage had been caught off guard and now found itself at a disadvantage.
Still, this outcome wasn't all that surprising.
That Loki would seize on this weakness was entirely expected.
She might not be the most powerful god in Tenkai, but when it came to crises and unexpected situations, she was one of the quickest thinkers among the gods.
Accepting defeat obediently just wasn't in Loki's nature.
Of course she would try to turn things around and put herself back in the most favorable position.
On the surface, she acted relaxed, but inwardly, she was on high alert.
'The shorty's kid must have predicted this shift... so what kind of plan did he come up with to make me agree to his terms?'
Now that she knew about the hidden list of Rune Stones, Loki's greed had grown. She wanted even more.
'But that kid definitely knew this.'
Loki was sure that shorty's child had taken that into account—and yet, he was still confident she'd accept his conditions.
That could only mean one thing: the boy had something truly extraordinary up his sleeve.
And that uncertainty, that sense of the unknown, was making Loki's heart race.
She was genuinely curious to see what kind of leverage the kid had that could force her hand.
"Shorty, bring your kid over already."
With her legs crossed, Loki couldn't help but look forward to meeting that white-haired boy again.
Just then, she suddenly felt the sofa behind her shift slightly.
"I apologize, Loki-sama. Actually, I've been here the whole time."
The voice from behind made Loki freeze.
She stiffly turned her neck to look back—and only now did she realize she had been sitting on shorty's kid's lap this entire time.
She couldn't wrap her head around it.
She'd felt something was off when she sat down, even turned to check, but everything had seemed normal. So how...?
That confusion kept her frozen in place—she didn't even think to stand up.
"Ugh! Loki, aren't you going to get up!?"
While Loki still hadn't reacted, Bell had already moved.
With his cheeks puffed out in mild irritation, he grabbed Loki and pulled her off his lap.
Dragged up by force, Loki finally snapped out of it. She stared stiffly at the white-haired boy sitting calmly on the sofa.
"You... since when were you sitting there?"
"Loki-sama, I've actually been here since the very beginning."
"So when I sat down and felt something off... that wasn't my imagination?"
Now it made sense.
No wonder the sofa had felt warm when she first sat down.
Of course it had—she'd been sitting on shorty's kid. Of course there'd be warmth.
But she'd checked! She was sure she had!
"You... how did you do that?"
Bell didn't answer. He simply activated the same technique again, masking his presence.
And right before the eyes of three gods, Bell vanished into thin air.
The sofa appeared completely empty, and an eerie sensation made their minds subconsciously gloss over that spot.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would have truly believed there was no one there.
Even though the sensation was clouding their perception, they still remembered someone had just been sitting there.
"!?"
Loki, who had been watching the entire time, couldn't hide the shock on her face.
She had seen shorty's kid vanish right before her.
No—more accurately, she couldn't feel his presence at all.
Her vision was obscured, her senses blocked. Even when she tried to focus, some inexplicable force disrupted her concentration entirely.
"Is that also the power of those magical scripts?"
A living, breathing person had vanished right before her eyes—and now, she couldn't sense a single trace of him.
...
A moment later, Bell released the concealment and reappeared before the three goddesses.
Originally, this state would have been forcibly dispelled upon contact with another person.
But just now, Bell had completed his promotion ceremony and chosen "Stealth" as his initial Development Ability, which had further enhanced the function of "Presence Concealment."
So yes—his choice had been the right one.
'Stealth' truly suited his current needs better than any other ability.
"I guess you could say that."
Bell rose from the sofa. He knew he owed an apology for startling Loki with that kind of entrance.
"My apologies, Loki-sama. I didn't mean to meet you under such circumstances."
Loki took a moment to steady herself. Her curiosity toward the power of those magical characters deepened—and her surprise at the boy's abilities grew even more.
That move alone was impressive enough.
While the power of the gods in Genkai was restricted, that didn't mean they were powerless.
Just as children in the lower world couldn't lie before a god, it was also said to be impossible for them to completely hide their presence—especially in such close proximity—and still go unnoticed by a deity.
And yet, he'd done exactly that.
If he could remain hidden even from gods, didn't that mean he could pull off the same trick in front of other dangerous entities?
Loki couldn't say for sure.
But even the possibility was enough for her to raise her internal evaluation of the boy dramatically.
"Forget it. Let's just put that earlier thing behind us."
Loki wasn't the type to hold grudges—not unless it involved that shorty who always annoyed her.
"Since you're here, I assume you heard everything I was just saying to Shorty and Phae-Phae."
"Of course."
"Then let's get straight to it."
Loki didn't bother sugarcoating anything—she got right to the point.
"I know you and Shorty need a strong backer."
"What you've made has already stirred up a storm in Orario. If you want to keep living in peace amid all this chaos, Phae-Phae's deterrence alone won't be enough—you'll need real, tangible power to back you up."
"And in Orario, the only Familia that can offer that are mine and Freya's."
"But it seems Shorty doesn't want to team up with Freya. That leaves you with just one option—my Familia."
"So, tell me—what can you offer that would convince me?"
"And just so we're clear—those Rune Stones of yours alone won't cut it."
Chapter 100: Chapter 100: Intelligence That Cannot Be Overlooked
Chapter Text
"...I'm sorry, Bell-kun."
Hestia felt a bit disheartened by how things had turned out. What should have been a perfect opportunity had been spoiled by her own actions.
"Please, don't worry about momentary setbacks."
"I'm not surprised that Loki-sama caught on. The Rune Stones may be powerful, but we're still dealing with a god—her will isn't something that can be easily shaken."
"And honestly, if Loki-sama hadn't noticed that detail, I might've thought working with the Ganesha Familia would be a better idea."
Bell quietly comforted the disheartened goddess. This development wasn't outside his expectations.
With Loki-sama's intellect, it was inevitable that she would notice the flaw.
Bell had hoped that the other functions of the Rune Stones might shake Loki's resolve enough to create the opening he'd planned for.
But if Loki could be swayed that easily, perhaps she wasn't the best choice for a partner after all.
That contradiction left Bell feeling conflicted.
He had wanted Loki to fall for it, yet also hoped she wouldn't.
Now that it had come to this, though, there was no point in second-guessing. Loki had found their weak spot—so it was time to offer something else that could convince her to back the Hestia Familia.
"Besides, over the past three days, I've had more than enough time to prepare a new condition that Loki-sama would agree to."
"Oh~?"
Loki's interest was piqued at once.
Bell didn't keep her waiting and jumped straight to the next topic.
"After three days of investigation and intel gathering, I found an adventurer who's truly terrifying."
"If her Skill becomes public, I believe every Familia in Orario would start tearing each other apart just to recruit her."
"Loki-sama, you're familiar with how difficult it is to level up, aren't you?"
"Of course. Even I belong to the Loki Familia, after all."
Leveling up was notoriously difficult for adventurers. Without talent, many were doomed to remain stuck at Level 1 forever.
For most, even advancing from Level 1 to Level 2 was a near-impossible hurdle.
Sure, gifted adventurers might reach Level 2 without much struggle—but sooner or later, even they would hit the wall of advancement difficulty.
That's why growth was such a struggle.
But Loki couldn't quite understand why the shorty's kid was stressing this point so much.
Then Bell looked at the three goddesses and calmly dropped a bombshell.
"What if there were an adventurer whose magic could temporarily raise someone's level?"
"!?"
Level... up!?
The phrase detonated like a thunderclap in the minds of all three goddesses.
Just moments ago, even Hestia and Hephaestus had wondered if Bell was exaggerating.
Surely no adventurer could be worth such a mad scramble that Familias would literally go to war over them.
But if the adventurer in question possessed magic that could temporarily boost another's level...
Then yes—they could see it. Clear as day. The major Familias would absolutely lose all restraint and fight each other tooth and nail for that adventurer.
For Loki, it was like the world itself had exploded.
The moment she heard of magic that could raise someone's level, her breath caught in her throat.
If that intel was true, then she would do whatever it took to secure that child for herself.
Someone with a skill like that wasn't just rare—they were a strategic asset to any Familia.
As long as such a child existed, Loki would make sure they were brought into her Familia.
She already had three Level 6 adventurers in her ranks. If she added a child with that kind of ability... wouldn't that mean her Familia could, at any time, field someone temporarily at Level 7?
The allure was overwhelming.
"This information is true!?"
At that moment, Loki couldn't hold herself back any longer.
Learning something this explosive and still pretending to be calm? That wouldn't be restraint—that would be idiocy.
"Of course it's true."
Bell's tone was certain. This was one of the three major secrets in Danmachi. He might be wrong about other things, but not this.
That was the advantage of knowing intel—even if he hadn't investigated it himself, he could still provide solid, game-changing information.
"And I've also thought of a way for you, Loki-sama, to deal with that Familia's god."
Loki caught on to the word "deal," but she quickly composed herself.
Trying to snatch a child with that kind of magic outright? That would mean completely severing ties.
But if it came to that—if things were already heading toward open conflict—wouldn't the best solution be to send that god back to Tenkai?
Besides, Loki didn't believe for a second that a god who had control over such a child would ever hand them over willingly. There was a good chance they'd choose to go down swinging.
So if she wanted to make a move on that child, she had to be ready to send a god back to the heavens.
"It's not something too over the top, is it?"
"Of course not. Given what that god has done, honestly, driving her out of Orario would be the reasonable course of action."
"But the real challenge is that just expelling her from Orario isn't enough. For that, Loki-sama would need solid evidence."
"Oh~ sounds like that guy's been up to a lot behind the scenes."
From the way it sounded, Loki could already tell—this so-called god had been getting into all sorts of interesting trouble.
Bell gave a slight nod.
"If that god is connected to Evilus—or worse, an actual member—"
"Then doesn't that mean she should be sent back to Tenkai?"
The mere mention of Evilus nearly made Loki laugh out loud.
Seriously, how stupid did that god have to be to let the shorty's kid catch him with something like that?
It was a gift-wrapped opportunity.
Now that Loki had this kind of intel, there was no hesitation left in her.
Anyone affiliated with Evilus was as good as done. Even if she didn't yet have the authority to kick that god back to Tenkai herself, there was no way she'd show mercy.
For a child with that kind of unique magic, she was more than willing to do whatever it took. If it meant removing a threat to Orario's peace and stability—so be it.
"Of course she should."
"A menace like that, a threat to Orario? I'd be ashamed to even share a city with her. She must be sent back to Tenkai!"
With that, Loki knew her decision was already made.
She believed without a doubt that a child with the "Level Boost" ability existed. After all, mortals in Genkai couldn't lie to the gods.
With that conviction burning inside her, Loki's excitement rose.
"Wait here. I'll give you a definite answer tomorrow."
And with that, Loki turned and sprinted off toward her Familia's home at full speed.
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Ishtar — Hated by All, Loathed Even by Dogs
Chapter Text
After Loki left, Hephaestus looked at Bell with curiosity.
"Bell, which Familia are you talking about?"
"The Ishtar Familia."
Bell didn't hesitate and stated the name outright.
"...So it's that woman's Familia."
The moment she heard the name, a flash of disgust appeared in Hephaestus's eyes.
It wasn't just Hephaestus—Hestia, too, couldn't hide the revulsion in her gaze when she heard the name "Ishtar."
From their reactions, Bell immediately understood what kind of reputation Ishtar had among the gods.
For a god to be so disliked by both Hephaestus, who rarely made enemies, and even by Hestia-sama, it was clear—Ishtar was an outlier among the gods.
"If it's something related to that woman, just hand it off to Loki. Let her owe you and Hestia a favor."
To Hephaestus, any issue involving Ishtar wasn't worth troubling over. Bell simply handed over the information about the girl to Loki.
"Just say Loki now owes the Bell a huge favor—it's about the same."
"But you really are bold, handing over such a rare talent to Loki."
Bell didn't feel any regret. He had already thought it through carefully before offering Sanjouno Haruhime, his trump card.
"Hephaestus-sama, do you really think our Familia needs more members?"
Hephaestus studied Bell for a moment before slightly shaking her head.
"You're right. Just you as the leader is already more than enough."
"It's also easier for you to move on your own. With the stealth skills you showed earlier, one more person would only multiply the risks."
Seeing Bell's hidden ability firsthand, Hephaestus had full confidence that he could survive in the Dungeon.
If the Hestia Familia added someone now, it might not boost their combat strength—but it would certainly bring more trouble.
Bell agreed. That's why he wasn't considering expanding the Familia at this stage.
Sanjouno Haruhime's magic was excellent, and the spells she would later awaken were also formidable—but at this point, she wasn't particularly useful to Bell.
So rather than letting her be sacrificed by the Ishtar Familia, using her information to gain some advantage made more sense.
"Yes, I'm better suited for solo action right now."
"Now that I've reached Level 2, I need to stay hidden. Revealing too much at this stage will only create unnecessary complications."
"That's why, instead of bringing a talented adventurer into the Familia, it's better to trade that adventurer's information for a more favorable environment for my growth."
Hephaestus gave a slight nod. She didn't see anything wrong with Bell's decision.
Choosing the path best suited to oneself at this point was the wisest move.
And adventurers with that kind of magic weren't something a small Familia like Hestia's could afford to keep.
Once others learned about her, Hephaestus was certain that Bell and Hestia wouldn't be able to protect her.
So, giving that information to Loki in exchange for benefits was definitely the right call.
"So, what you intend to do next probably isn't just to make that adventurer a stepping stone for a new backer, right?"
"Of course not."
Just like how Bell chose to hand over the intel on Sanjouno Haruhime, he naturally plans to reap all the benefits from the Loki Familia.
"Though I'd love to wring every last drop out of them, including interest, that approach just isn't realistic."
"That's why I want the Loki Familia and our Hestia Familia to form a closer alliance."
Just as expected.
Hephaestus wasn't surprised by Bell's idea. Relying on a backer won't provide much room for growth—nothing beats a true alliance.
This move would essentially bind the Loki and Hestia Familia together.
Unlike the deep friendship between Hephaestus's and Hestia's Familias, this kind of alliance was almost like a semi-merger, forming a shared fate between the two.
Hestia understood exactly what Bell meant. And she was getting excited—she had always wanted to take a shot at Loki.
"Bell-kun, do you really think she'll agree to this?"
"Goddess-sama, Loki will agree."
"The intel on that adventurer is tightly sealed. Any Familia would do everything to keep that kind of power a secret. Not even the Loki Familia could dig it up…"
"And don't forget, Goddess-sama, Loki-sama also wants to keep the Rune Stone ability on that list under wraps."
"Whether it's for one reason or the other, Loki-sama will have no choice but to accept."
Loki's decision was practically already made.
The spark of excitement had been lit—no god would turn away from a chance to strengthen their Familia, especially when it was right within reach.
This was the trap Bell had set for Loki.
And to make it even better, Bell had kindly put up a sign that read: "Trap ahead."
If Loki hadn't wanted to walk into it, she wouldn't have rushed off just now.
"Of course, the adventurer and the Rune Stone are only part of the reason."
"As for the rest... I think it still has something to do with you, Goddess-sama."
"Me?"
Hestia blinked and pointed at herself, confused by Bell's words.
Bell gave a slight nod, once again reminded of how wide Goddess-sama's network really was.
Hearing that, Hephaestus also looked at Hestia with interest.
"Maybe Loki really agreed because of you."
"She probably wants to see what you look like when you fall into her hands."
"Me? Fall into her hands?"
Hestia pouted in annoyance, then suddenly jumped over and hugged Bell's arm tightly.
"This time it's the other way around."
"I'm the one who's going to give Loki a good slash."
Her childish words made Hephaestus chuckle.
'It's that kind of personality that lets you get along with Loki.'
'That one's a lot sharper than your average god—always scheming, always using tricks.'
'But only when she's dealing with you, a natural-born idiot, does she drop her guard.'
Hephaestus then turned her gaze to Bell.
'This kid sees the big picture.'
'That's why he gambled on Loki from the start.'
Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Internal Meeting of the Loki Familia
Chapter Text
On the other side, Loki returned to her Familia's territory at full speed.
With her powers sealed, her physical abilities were only average, and the sprint left her completely exhausted.
"Loki-sama!"
Several Familia members guarding the gate rushed over to support her as she nearly collapsed.
"...Go gather Finn and the other executive members. We're having a meeting!"
At Loki's command, the core leaders of the Loki Familia quickly assembled. Not just the first army— even the second army members had arrived.
Because Loki, their goddess, wasn't her usual playful self, the atmosphere grew heavy with tension.
As captain, Finn was the first to speak.
"Loki, did something serious happen with the supply line?"
"That's not it."
Loki waved her hand lightly, dismissing Finn's concern.
"This time when I went to see Phae-Phae, she happened to be free and we had a talk. Even Shorty was there too."
"Though I have some bad blood with Shorty, we managed to finalize the cooperation. But when it came to the follow-up discussions, something unexpected happened."
"Loki, what are the terms of this favor?"
"...No. To be precise, they didn't set any conditions— they just tossed out a benefit I couldn't turn down."
A benefit... and one she couldn't refuse?
"...Was it really that irresistible?"
"Exactly."
Hearing Loki confirm it, Finn was clearly taken aback.
If the other side offered such a tempting benefit, it must have been to secure something even greater in return. And for Loki to feel compelled to accept it... he couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of offer that would be.
Finn wasn't the only one surprised. Everyone in the conference room looked stunned.
"Loki, since you've gathered us all here, just tell us what this benefit is already."
Riveria's curiosity was piqued too.
While Loki was usually lewd and playful, she was still someone reliable when things got serious.
And if even she considered the benefit non-negotiable, then it had to carry serious weight.
Loki took a deep breath, and her expression turned grave.
"What I'm about to say— you all need to remember it clearly. Not a word of it can get out. If it does, I might end up hunted by all of Orario."
That serious!?
There was an unspoken rule in Loki Familia:
When Loki was laughing and joking, her words could be taken with a grain of salt.
But once that cheer was gone— it meant she was dead serious.
"Listen carefully. The child from the Hestia Familia gave me information I absolutely couldn't refuse."
"And with that information, I now owe him a favor."
In other words, the value of that intel far exceeded anything Loki could offer in return.
Everyone present caught the implication instantly.
The entire room held its breath, waiting for what Loki would say next.
"The information concerns an adventurer."
"According to him, he discovered a child with 'Level-Boosting Magic'."
"!?"
A collective shock rippled through the Loki Familia.
Every member stared at Loki in disbelief.
Even Finn, Riveria, and Gareth—normally calm and composed—were visibly shaken by the revelation.
Among them, Ais Wallenstein, Orario's Sword Princess, shot to her feet, unable to suppress the surge of emotion in her heart.
"Loki, by Level-Boosting, do you mean what I think you mean?"
Seeing Ais rise, Loki gave her a slight nod.
"Yes, it's exactly what you're thinking."
"I was just as stunned when I heard it."
'How could any child possess such an absurd kind of magic?' That was her first thought.
But in that kind of negotiation setting, Loki couldn't bring herself to dismiss such outrageous information as fake.
The idea of "Level-Boosting" being a kind of magic was undeniably ridiculous.
It was hard to believe any child in Genkai could possess such a spell.
And yet, Loki knew that in certain situations, even the most far-fetched things might be true.
"The child didn't share any specific details about their identity. But clearly, unless certain conditions are met, they won't reveal anything more."
"Can't we just investigate on our own?"
Bete Loga asked with a scowl, clearly irritated by their passive stance.
"That's not an option, Bete," Finn replied firmly.
"Bete, do you really think the Familia God wouldn't go out of their way to hide such an adventurer?"
"If we start poking around, there's no way we'd find even one adventurer like that, let alone four."
"And even if, by some miracle, we did find them—what do you think would happen next?"
Bete's brows furrowed deeper. This kind of reactive waiting was deeply frustrating.
"Besides, if we resort to underhanded methods just to get more Rune Stones, what impression would that leave?"
"No Familia would want to partner with one that acts that way."
Bete pressed his lips into a tight line, saying nothing more.
Even for a Familia looking for a deal, deliberately targeting someone like that was disgusting.
Even a group with no pride would find that kind of behavior revolting.
At the very least, Bete himself despised those who broke the rules.
Finn cast a glance at Ais, who was visibly stirred, and sighed inwardly.
Holding onto hatred could be a powerful motivator—but taken too far, it clouded judgment.
Ais's obsession with strength had already brought her plenty of issues.
"Loki, what kind of conditions do you think they'll ask for?"
The question made Loki falter.
She had originally assumed this was just someone looking to form an alliance.
But revealing information this explosive? That alone proved the stakes had changed.
"If it were just about trading Rune Stones, I'd say that Shorty's kid probably just wanted my Familia as a backer."
"But now that he's shared something this shocking, there's no doubt he's aiming for much more."
Loki ran her hands through her bright red hair in frustration, tugging at it until strands were sticking up wildly.
"We'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see what kind of terms he puts on the table."
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 103: Chapter 103: The Heavy Price
Chapter Text
The next day arrived swiftly.
This time, the meeting wasn't held on the second floor of Hephaestus's shop but directly at the base of the Hephaestus Familia.
With Hephaestus serving as the witness, it was a formal meeting between the Loki Familia and the Hestia Familia.
Loki had come in person, bringing both her captain and vice-captain along.
On the Hestia Familia's side, there was only Bell.
Hephaestus, as the neutral party, sat alone in the center between the two sides.
Though just a formality, Hephaestus found herself genuinely intrigued by the situation unfolding before her.
Because it was an official meeting, Bell had foregone his usual trench coat, appearing just as he had during that dinner—without hiding anything, fully exposed before Loki and her two commanders.
Now, Finn and Riveria were seeing the white-haired boy across from them for the first time.
'So young.'
Looking at his boyish face, Finn immediately assumed he hadn't been an adventurer for long. Yet his instincts sensed something else.
'Not very strong—definitely just a Level 1.'
But Riveria frowned slightly as she observed him. Her nerves, finely attuned to elemental fluctuations, kept alerting her that something about this young adventurer was off.
Even Lefiya Viridis, whom she had high hopes for within her own Familia, had never given her this kind of sensation.
It was subtle, almost imperceptible—something only someone with her heightened sensitivity could detect.
Everything about his presence screamed Level 1, yet Riveria couldn't shake the tension tightening her senses. Her instincts warned her: this boy was dangerous.
Bell noticed both Finn and Riveria's reactions. Quietly, a single rune flickered to life in his hand, masking his aura even further.
'The feeling's gone?'
Riveria blinked in disbelief and tried sensing him again. This time, her finely tuned nerves registered nothing, as though her earlier reaction had been nothing more than an overreaction.
'Was I just being too sensitive?'
She wasn't sure if she'd simply misjudged things—why else would her reaction have been so extreme?
She checked again. And again.
Still nothing. Eventually, she convinced herself her nerves had been on edge.
Bell caught all of it—her reaction, her reassessment—and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
He was thankful for both his quick response and his luck. If he'd hesitated, the abnormality in his presence would've been caught by one of Orario's Nine Hell.
He also noticed that Finn hadn't reacted excessively, suggesting his concealment wasn't something even a seasoned adventurer could easily pick up on.
That was a reassuring sign for Bell.
Loki, meanwhile, hadn't noticed the subtle exchange between adventurers. Her gaze remained fixed on Hestia's child.
Under her stare, Bell gave a slight bow.
"I must thank you again, Loki-sama, for going to such lengths for this matter."
"And my gratitude also goes to Hephaestus-sama for allowing us to use her territory for this discussion."
"Since this transaction stems from my personal intention, I will be speaking on behalf of my Goddess from here."
Your personal intention?
You're just trying to take all the responsibility off Hestia's shoulders!
Loki couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
She glanced at the shorty sitting there with arms crossed, completely uninterested in speaking up, and all she could think was: 'So shameless.'
That shorty was just reaping the benefits.
Everything had been done by the shorty's child, and now the child was cleaning up after her too, making it all a personal decision rather than a divine directive.
Such a considerate and competent child—Loki couldn't help but want one of her own.
That thought left a faint sourness in her chest.
None of her own children were this thoughtful. Not one had ever tried to spare her from the burden of responsibility. Every time, she was the one racking her brain to help them gain an advantage.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt a strange sense of disappointment.
Damn it, the shorty didn't lift a finger, and yet somehow she'd been completely outplayed.
Finn and Riveria exchanged a glance, both visibly surprised.
Bell didn't waste time and went straight to the point.
"Loki-sama, have you come to a decision about yesterday?"
"I doubt any god could turn down your offer."
Loki sighed with some frustration.
A child with "Level Boosting" magic... This brat was probably the first in Orario's history to possess such an overpowered skill.
Now that she'd stumbled across him, how could she possibly turn him down?
Bell understood this too—it was the only outcome.
"Then, Loki-sama, I'll now state my condition."
"I want the Loki Familia to form an unbreakable alliance with our Hestia Familia."
"!?"
That condition!?
Finn and Riveria hadn't seen that coming.
An unbreakable alliance? That would make the two Familias bound together in fate.
If one rose, so did the other. If one fell, both would suffer.
This wasn't a casual partnership—it was a full-blown union.
Even Loki, who'd mentally prepared herself beforehand, couldn't help but tense up.
'He really went for the throat.'
'Isn't he just trying to get a free pass on years of blood, sweat, and tears from us?'
Finn's expression darkened slightly. The cost was steep—maybe too steep.
"Hold on, that's asking a bit too much."
But Bell continued, unfazed.
"Too much?"
"A talent with 'Level Boosting' magic might never appear again. I don't think that price is high at all."
"Captain Finn, you should know—those who awaken one exceptional magic often awaken others that are just as unique. So, do you really believe someone like that wouldn't be an enormous asset to the Loki Familia?"
Finn inhaled sharply.
Because everything Bell said... made sense.
A special-type adventurer with that kind of magic would undoubtedly have extraordinary potential. The chance of them awakening more rare skills and spells in the future was high.
Faced with someone like that, any Familia would be tempted to gamble.
And though such a talent was already more than enough, ambition always craved more.
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Deal Struck
Chapter Text
"If we consider it from this angle, I don't think even Captain Finn would have much of an objection, right?"
Finn was silent for a moment.
Indeed, it was only natural for someone with that kind of talent to continue awakening special magic and skills. As long as those new abilities demonstrated exceptional potential, forming an alliance wouldn't be a loss at all.
"And Captain Finn, don't overlook my value."
"While my personal abilities aren't as rare as that Adventurer's, from a commercial standpoint, the Rune Stones I create will inevitably become essential items for many Familias in the future."
"As far as I know, Loki Familia has always been delving into the Dungeon. In that case, my Rune Stones should be quite useful, don't you think?"
Finn's eyelids twitched slightly. Having used Rune Stones himself, he knew perfectly well just how effective they were—perhaps even more so than "Level Boosting" in certain aspects. After all, magic like "Level Boosting" naturally came with limitations, but Rune Stones had none. Anyone could use them.
Moreover, the enhancement effects were incredibly powerful.
In Finn's mind, even if he couldn't acquire an Adventurer with "Level Boosting," securing a deal for Rune Stones was absolutely necessary.
"Also, Captain Finn, there's one thing you must confirm."
"We are Hestia Familia."
That sentence made Finn pause briefly. He then quickly glanced at Loki, who sat silently at the center, and gave a wry smile as he lowered his head.
Yes, the fact that they were Hestia Familia was something that needed to be clarified first.
'It's precisely because the other party is Lady Hestia that he made such a decision.'
'Loki must have already resolved to agree to every condition before we even got here.'
Finn understood that this deal wasn't particularly disadvantageous for their side—it just came with certain risks.
But with those risks came corresponding benefits for the Familia.
Although Hestia Familia would also have to pay a certain price, Finn knew that cost was practically negligible for them.
An exchange of intel and Rune Stones had catapulted Hestia Familia to a whole new level.
This deal was simply too cheap.
Still, Finn had to admit that the partner and the content of the deal were both extremely appropriate.
He looked up at the younger party before him.
Those crimson eyes held no emotion, as if everything had been sealed away deep inside.
'Looks like I really can't underestimate any new Adventurers.'
He'd been thoroughly outmaneuvered, and Finn had no way to vent his frustration.
But after swallowing that bitterness, he knew that from this point on, his Familia would begin to advance in great strides.
Realizing Finn had no intention to argue further, Loki lifted her head and glared unhappily at the smug little shorty sitting across from her.
"Shorty, go ahead and gloat all you want!"
She glanced at Hestia's child, and a pang of sourness welled up in her heart.
Just one outstanding kid, and all the fame she'd built up over the years had been snatched away in an instant.
And the person who finalized the deal in the end—was herself.
Loki couldn't bring herself to say anything. All she could admit was that the shorty's child was just too good.
"Guess I lost today."
Even as one of Orario's Twin Kings, Loki couldn't turn a blind eye to such a benefit—especially when the feast had already been placed right before her.
The scent was so tempting, she nearly drooled.
In the end, Loki couldn't resist. She opened her mouth and took the bait.
"Haha~ Well, what can I say? My Bell is just that exceptional!"
At this point, Hestia's pride was practically bursting—her nose seemed ready to tilt to the heavens.
Even though the outcome had been a win-win for both sides, everyone present knew who walked away with the real bargain.
From start to finish, Bell had taken full control of the negotiation.
He played each trump card so deftly that Loki was left reeling, ultimately forced to accept the meal served right to her lips.
And what did Bell pay in return as the orchestrator of this entire deal?
It was just intel on Sanjouno Haruhime—nothing his Familia could've acted on anyway.
The Rune Stone trade wasn't free, of course. Payment still had to be made. After all, Hephaestus was involved—there was no such thing as a free lunch.
So, in the end, Bell secured both stability for himself and sustainable growth for his Familia without truly sacrificing anything.
What Bell had lacked from the start wasn't the chance to become stronger—it was the time needed to build up that strength.
Now, he'd earned exactly what he needed: a stable environment for growth.
Loki was well aware of how exceptional Hestia's child was, but she no longer cared.
Aside from being completely outplayed and losing to the shorty, her Familia would definitely benefit greatly from this exchange.
Still, seeing that self-satisfied grin on the shorty's face made Loki itch with irritation.
So her gaze shifted to the shorty's child.
"Shorty, your kid hasn't been an Adventurer for long, right?"
"So what?"
"Hmph, so what, huh?"
Loki grinned slyly.
"Your child isn't still Lv. 1, is he?"
That line made Hestia's expression freeze for a moment—but she recovered almost instantly.
"You think just anyone can grow as fast as your Sword Princess?"
"Bell has been training hard, constantly pushing himself in the Dungeon. But no matter how much effort he puts in, there's only so much someone can grow in less than ten days."
"Besides, my Bell has a unique magic that lets him rapidly increase his 'Status'. So yes, he's still a developing, entry-level Adventurer."
"Or are you trying to tell me, Loki, that there's someone who can reach Lv. 2 in under a month?"
"If such a genius really existed, I'd love to meet them."
'Tch. Didn't take the bait.'
Loki had figured there was no way the shorty's kid had actually broken through the Lv. 1 barrier and reached Lv. 2.
After all, the record for the fastest level-up in Orario was still hers.
Leveling up to Lv. 2 within a month of becoming an Adventurer?
Even Loki didn't believe something so ridiculous.
The whole thing was just a bluff to shake the shorty—but unfortunately, she wasn't falling for it.
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Provoking the Wrath of the Loki Familia
Chapter Text
After signing the alliance treaty and putting down their names, the deal was perfectly concluded.
"Well, the contract is complete."
Hephaestus, acting as the intermediary, immediately split the contract into three copies—one for each party, and one for herself as both intermediary and witness.
After all, the gods take contracts very seriously.
As the witness, Hephaestus would need to keep watch over both sides to ensure they upheld their promises. If anything went wrong, it was her duty to step forward.
"Alright, next up is that child's background."
Loki had already let slip earlier that she knew something about the child.
"Of course."
Bell wasn't about to beat around the bush at this point. Now that the contract was signed, the Hestia Familia was officially Loki Familia's most important ally.
He didn't want anything serious to happen to the Loki Familia while he was still growing.
"Her name is Sanjouno Haruhime. She belongs to the Ishtar Familia."
"In that whore's hands!?"
The word "whore" burst straight out of Loki's mouth.
Not wanting Loki to get the wrong idea, Bell quickly clarified.
"Loki-sama, please don't get the wrong idea—Sanjouno Haruhime isn't one of the prostitutes."
"She's afraid of males. Even now, she's still a virgin."
"Given her special status, her Familia doesn't really care whether she takes clients or not, so she's remained untouched."
'...No way! Still a virgin under that bitch's control?'
Just that fact alone made Loki find her quite the rare case.
Then Loki's usual slightly lecherous expression appeared. She was always lenient when it came to cute girls—and the virgin detail was definitely a bonus in her eyes.
"What about the girl? Is she cute? Does she have a sexy figure?"
Even Riveria, seated beside her, found that expression hard to watch.
But Bell didn't shy away from the question.
"She's a noble among Renards, raised like a princess from childhood—a true royal among her kind."
"Her personality is shy with a hint of allure. She has golden fox ears and a fluffy golden tail."
"She might not be as tall as your vice-captain, but her figure is on another level. Her expressions are also softer, and her smile…"
"Oh!!!"
From that description alone, Loki had already conjured up quite the vivid image.
Noble girl + shy + great figure = Loki's ideal type!
She was practically drooling.
If this weren't a formal occasion, she'd probably already be rolling on the floor.
Exceptional abilities, a beautiful Renard girl, a stunning figure, and a quietly seductive charm—she had it all.
Swallowing her saliva, Loki's lewd face turned more serious.
"For the sake of that adorable Renard girl, we've got to send that whore straight to Tenkai!"
"Yes, I think your decision is absolutely right."
Bell smiled slightly, agreeing with Loki-sama.
"Letting such a poor girl fall into a whore's hands is just tragic."
"That woman's the biggest blight in all of Orario. And while digging around, I happened to run into that ' High Novice' of yours too."
"...!?"
Loki's expression twisted instantly as she turned sharply toward Finn.
"What's this about?"
Loki was generally open-minded about these things.
But that didn't mean she was okay with someone mentioning her own Familia member while discussing intel on Ishtar.
Especially if it involved said member being seen at the Pleasure District.
It made her feel like she'd lost control of her own house.
Finn's expression grew complicated.
Of course, he was aware that Raul Nord, one of their standout members, frequented the Pleasure District. He'd even spoken to him about it before.
He just didn't expect that Raul would be caught during someone else's investigation.
Finn was at a bit of a loss, but Bell still made an effort to preserve Loki's dignity.
"I think he might have the same goal as me?"
Like hell he does!
As if I don't know what kind of dirty thoughts he's always got running through his head?
Of course, Loki couldn't say that out loud. After all, she knew Raul had definitely gone to the Pleasure District looking for some fun.
Bell didn't dwell on it. He just silently prayed for the "High Novice", hoping Loki wouldn't beat him half to death when she got back.
"And then there's the matter of the Evilus and the Ishtar Familia."
"Based on what I've found, Evilus is selling off the people they've kidnapped."
"There are even Elves and Pallums among them."
Finn and Riveria's brows twitched.
"Elf girls tend to be pretty, and even the men are generally good-looking, so there's a market for them. After all, Orario does have people with... unique preferences."
"And Pallums, being small in stature, also appeal to a certain kind of... special interest."
"One of them, the noble Renard I mentioned earlier, was kidnapped by Evilus and sold to the Ishtar Familia."
The audacity!
Finn, who had made it his mission to revive the Pallum race, could barely contain the fire in his eyes. He had no doubt that Evilus would do something like this—they were lunatics. But now, knowing his fellow Pallums were being used to satisfy the desires of others?
If he could turn a blind eye to something like this, then what was the point of trying to revive the Pallum race at all?
Some things you could ignore when you didn't know about them.
But once they were in front of your eyes, pretending they didn't exist was no longer an option.
If he backed down now, his dream of reviving his people would be nothing but a joke.
A flicker of fire sparked in the depths of Riveria's eyes too.
Though she'd left her royal status behind, she still cared deeply for her fellow Elves. Aside from that fat Elf at the Guild she considered a disgrace to their race, she'd always done her best to help any Elf in danger.
But now? Hearing that Evilus was trafficking Elves—
And using them as tools to satisfy lust?
Of course Riveria was furious.
Still, the one most enraged was Loki, whose eyes had shot wide open.
"Those Evilus bastards really have some nerve."
"To do something so blatant... Ishtar must be backing them."
Now Loki was absolutely sure that Ishtar had ties to Evilus.
She forced herself to stay calm.
...
"What was that child's name again?"
"Sanjouno Haruhime."
Then Bell suddenly remembered something else and added, "Loki-sama, during my investigation, I also looked into a prostitute who once tried to help Sanjouno Haruhime escape, though she failed."
"She's currently a Level 3 Adventurer, but according to someone who knows her, she's close to Level 4."
Approaching Level 4—Loki couldn't ignore someone like that, even with all the upper-tier Adventurers in her Familia.
'A kid with special magic, and another nearly at Level 4... Heh, this deal's not bad at all.'
No way Loki was passing on a gain like that.
"What's the child's name?"
"Aisha Belka."
Loki gave a small nod and stood up.
"Phae-Phae, I'll be counting on you this time."
Hephaestus just shook her head, unfazed. It wasn't a hassle for her to act as a witness.
"Not a problem for me, but you're going to have some trouble."
"Digging up dirt on Ishtar won't be easy."
"If Evilus is working with her, it means they're operating inside her territory. Outsiders will have a hard time investigating anything."
...
Loki took a deep breath. She knew that woman wouldn't dare pull anything outside her turf. Still, if she wanted to investigate, it would just take a bit more effort.
"Just a bit more trouble."
"Then, would Loki-sama like some rune stones for the investigation?"
Just as Loki was turning to leave, she froze.
Bell smiled and reached behind his back, pulling out a tightly bound bag.
"These rune stones can scan a 500-meter radius—500 meters above ground, 50 meters below."
"There are twenty in total. It might not cover all of the Pleasure District, but it should be enough to comb through the most suspicious spots."
"You even made these?"
Loki stared blankly at the bag.
Bell just grinned.
"I have to diversify my business, after all."
"They're easy to use—just crush them. For the next fifteen seconds, you'll see a structural map of the area within 500 meters. It also highlights living beings, perfect for finding people."
...Good grief!
This isn't just for finding people—this is military-grade!
"They're samples, and since I made a deal with Loki-sama, they're free."
"If you want rune stones with other effects, you can talk to Hephaestus-sama. I'll handle the customization."
"But since they're custom-made and not sold to the public, prices will vary depending on the function."
Loki looked at Bell, already enthusiastically promoting his product, and let out a helpless sigh.
Just formed an alliance, and he's already pushing merchandise. What a businessman.
"I'll leave the rest to Finn."
She grabbed the bag and bolted out the door. But right at the entrance, she turned around and glared at Hestia.
"Shorty! You better remember this—I didn't lose to you this time!"
With those parting words, she left like a sore loser.
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Raul’s Confession Game
Chapter Text
After returning to their home base, Loki immediately convened a meeting with the other three.
"How much of that kid's intel do you believe?"
"Seventy percent," Finn answered without hesitation.
Riveria nodded slightly, sharing the same assessment.
"The intel on individuals is certainly accurate. As for the human trafficking part..."
"That kid probably said it that way on purpose—to provoke us."
"That's likely," Finn agreed with a nod.
"But there's also another possibility," Riveria said, her brow arching slightly.
"You mean, he wasn't exaggerating at all? That there's really a trade involving Pallums and Elves?"
Finn nodded again, unease stirring in his chest.
"We can't rule that out."
"Others might not have dared, but the ones behind this are those lunatics from Evilus. They wouldn't care about being targeted by a couple of Level 6 adventurers."
"Their goal is to destroy Orario. I wouldn't be surprised if they targeted any race."
He wasn't wrong.
Riveria agreed with Finn's assessment—those maniacs in Evilus were capable of anything.
"If we think about it that way, then maybe the boy wasn't lying."
"We just assumed he said it to stir us up."
That conclusion didn't exactly match their previous assumptions, but both Riveria and Finn had gone through every angle in detail.
"So, we still need to find the Evilus hideouts hidden within the Ishtar Familia's territory. Otherwise, if those guys are really trafficking members of every race while we're kept in the dark..."
Taking a deep breath, Finn tossed aside his earlier assumptions.
This situation clearly involved the Pallum race. He couldn't pretend none of his kin were being used as bargaining chips by those bastards.
Deep down, Finn knew—the boy hadn't lied.
Orario really didn't lack sick bastards with twisted tastes.
While Finn and Riveria still harbored some cautious skepticism, thinking maybe Bell had exaggerated about thirty percent of it, Loki had already bought every word Bell said, one hundred percent.
"Riveria, head to the Pleasure District."
"Go straight to Ishtar's territory and tell her, 'Raul wants to form a bond with Aisha Belka. Let her come to the Loki Familia for a chat.'"
"That whore better not deny me even that much courtesy."
...Raul, you're screwed.
Everyone present knew that once this kind of message got out, Raul's reputation was going to take a serious hit.
Sure, there were tales of love even among prostitutes, but nobody made such a direct proposal like that.
Even if everyone knew it was just an excuse.
But the fact Loki used that excuse made it clear just how furious she was.
Riveria nodded slightly.
"Finn, Gareth... go grab Raul for me."
"I won't say anything to him, but make sure to rough him up a bit before bringing him over."
Just saying that was enough to show how mad Loki really was.
Of course, what pissed her off wasn't that Raul had gone fooling around in the Pleasure District.
What made her burn was that the bastard had embarrassed her in front of Hestia.
If it had been any other god, Loki wouldn't have cared. She had a tough hide—embarrassment didn't bother her much. At worst, they'd laugh at her for two days.
But Hestia? That was different!
That little shorty used to be beneath her in everything except height.
And now? She'd actually ended up beneath that shorty too.
Especially when that shorty's child turned out to be a monster of talent, even putting them on equal footing in others' eyes.
That made the gap all the more glaring.
How could Loki not be fuming?
Sure, her move was a bit of venting, but the fact she settled for just a beating showed how much she'd mellowed over the years.
Soon, the Loki Familia began to move.
Finn and Gareth went straight for Raul Nord, who was waiting inside the clan's territory for news.
"Captain, Uncle Gareth, you were looking for me?"
Raul looked as clueless as ever, completely unaware why the captain and Gareth had come for him.
Finn fixed him with a measured stare.
"Raul, what I'm about to ask is serious. I need you to answer carefully."
"Ah... got it."
Raul tensed up immediately, sensing the unusual gravity in Finn's voice.
"In the past four days, have you been to the Pleasure District?"
Raul's breath caught for half a second. Then he looked at Finn and Gareth, feigning confusion.
"I haven't been."
But there was no way a reaction like that would slip past Finn and Gareth.
Finn didn't push, simply kept his calm gaze locked on Raul.
"Raul, someone saw you in the Pleasure District."
"But that's not the main issue. What matters is that the Ishtar Familia may be connected to the Evilus."
...No way!!!
Raul's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. He hadn't imagined Ishtar could be involved with Evilus.
"We're currently investigating the Ishtar Familia," Finn continued. "And then, we found out that you went to..."
He paused right there—long enough for Raul to nearly collapse.
"No! I didn't! I don't know anything!"
Panic-stricken, Raul denied it all in rapid succession.
"I only went there to meet a Pallum girl! I swear I didn't know anything about Evilus!"
Confessing without a drop of pressure—typical Raul.
But the moment Finn heard the words "Pallum girl," a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
He didn't show it on his face, but the veins on the back of his hands started to bulge.
"Raul, you've been to the Pleasure District quite a bit, haven't you?"
"W-Well... not that often... maybe... once or twice a week?"
Finn's face twitched slightly. One look at Raul's sheepish expression and he knew the guy definitely went more than that.
"Then do you know which new girls have shown up there recently?"
"..."
Raul looked genuinely embarrassed to answer.
But Finn kept smiling.
"Raul, you know this is a crucial investigation. If you can't give us something concrete, the Guild might step in for a little chat."
"I-I... I just know that lately, there've been a lot of Elf, Cat People, and Pallum girls around... I don't really pay attention to the others... I usually stick to the same ones. I don't like to switch around..."
Very good.
This time, he really stepped into it.
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 107: Chapter 107: She's the One You're After?
Chapter Text
On the other side, Riveria had already arrived at the Ishtar Familia.
"The Nine Hell came looking for me?"
With flawless brown skin and a figure that could make anyone blush and their heart race at a glance—that was the Goddess of Beauty, Ishtar.
She had been rudely woken from sleep and was clearly annoyed, but upon hearing who it was, she was instantly full of questions.
She instinctively glanced out the window. The sun was rising as usual.
So why did everything feel so strange today?
Ishtar didn't think she had anything worth discussing with the Nine Hell, which only made her all the more suspicious.
"Did the Nine Hell say what she came for?"
The Amazoness delivering the message looked slightly awkward.
"Ishtar-sama, according to her... she says she came to propose marriage."
That response made Ishtar freeze. For a moment, she wondered if last night's seven-way escapade had scrambled her brain so badly she was hallucinating.
"Did I hear that right? That's really something the Nine Hell would say?"
"I double-checked, Ishtar-sama. She really said it."
Alright then—if it was confirmed, Ishtar's demeanor grew more composed.
Not that she really cared what Loki thought.
Though she didn't know what Loki was after, based on what she knew of that woman—the one who casually called her a "bitch"—it was hard to imagine her seriously proposing a marriage between their Familias. So Ishtar stayed on guard.
"Who is Loki after?"
"Aisha."
"..."
Ishtar thought it over carefully. Honestly, it wasn't that surprising.
Aisha's strength was nothing to scoff at. Aside from that self-important toad, Aisha was arguably her Familia's top fighter.
But could Loki refuse this outright?
Even if Ishtar was looking to go up against Freya, adding Loki as an enemy at the same time would be idiotic.
The Loki Familia was no weakling, and there was no deep grudge between them. Their current status—separate and unbothered—was just fine.
No need to stir trouble with Loki unnecessarily.
Ishtar rose from her bed.
"Tell Aisha to go with the Nine Hell."
"And let her know not to take this proposal too seriously. First, we need to figure out what Loki is really after."
"Yes, right away."
Arms crossed, Ishtar stood there mulling over what Loki could possibly be playing at. She honestly couldn't recall anything that would warrant this.
Shaking her head in resignation, she pushed the thought aside.
After all, it was only Aisha being summoned. Sending her to gather intel was a reasonable move.
More likely, this was a problem within the Loki Familia, not something that involved her side.
The Amazoness immediately went to notify Aisha.
...
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Nine Hell-sama."
Even among top-tier adventurers, a Level 6 still commanded respect.
The gap in strength alone was enough to warrant it.
No one would show blatant disrespect to a Level 6 without reason.
Aisha Belka now stood before the Nine Hell herself. A royal-blooded High Elf, and the highest-ranked mage in all of Orario.
"Mm."
Riveria focused intently on Aisha.
The Amazon girl's outfit fit her identity well enough, but the real point was the aura she gave off.
'For someone at Level 3, she's definitely not weak.'
Once that was confirmed, Riveria didn't waste any more time.
"Miss Aisha, our Familia God requires your assistance."
Aisha looked completely baffled. Much like Ishtar earlier, she couldn't make sense of the situation unfolding in front of her.
"I understand. If there's anything I can do to assist Loki-sama."
Even though Aisha was full of questions, she didn't hesitate to follow the Nine Hell to Loki Familia.
After all, this was an open and legitimate escort. From any angle, it didn't seem like there would be any real problem.
That, at least, was Aisha's naïve assumption—before arriving at Loki Familia.
Once inside, she quickly noticed members of the Familia watching from every corner. And this was definitely not routine patrol.
At one intersection, she spotted Orario's famed Sword Princess. At another, she saw the Level 5 adventurer known as "Vanargand."
'This doesn't look like any normal patrol at all.'
For the first time, anxiety began to creep into Aisha's heart.
With security this tight inside Loki Familia, if a fight broke out, she wouldn't have the slightest chance to escape.
There was a massive gap between Level 5 and Level 4 adventurers. And she herself hadn't even reached Level 4 yet—she was only Level 3.
Trying to escape would be nothing but wishful thinking.
Realizing that, Aisha managed to steady herself a little.
She followed Riveria deeper into the Loki Familia's stronghold.
Knowing there was no getting away now, even if she really had walked into a trap, Aisha wanted to at least understand why someone like her—a mere Level 3 adventurer—had been singled out.
"Don't be too nervous. We really do need your help, not to cause you trouble."
Riveria offered a simple reassurance.
"Right now, it's just a matter of keeping certain information from spreading to outsiders."
"Outsiders... learning more?"
A vague realization dawned on Aisha, and her face immediately fell.
"Your goal... is her?"
Riveria didn't confirm anything, but Aisha already understood.
No wonder Loki Familia had mobilized so many people.
No wonder Loki-sama had called her out specifically.
It was all for Haruhime.
If it was about Haruhime's magic, then the reason made perfect sense.
Aisha hadn't expected the reason to be so solid.
But now that she knew, the worry in her heart was replaced with calm clarity.
'It's definitely not good for that child to be targeted by other Familias—but if it's Loki Familia, at least I don't have to worry about her safety.'
'The real issue now is how to get Haruhime out of the Ishtar Familia.'
Getting into a Familia might be a matter of fate, but leaving one wasn't that simple.
For most adventurers, transferring between Familias wasn't easy.
The crucial hurdle was that switching required permission from the current Familia God.
And as far as Aisha knew, there was no way Ishtar would ever allow Haruhime to leave.
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 108: Chapter 108: One More Chance—Will You Take It?
Chapter Text
In the reception room, the highest decision-makers of the Loki Familia were already seated.
Three Level 6 adventurers, and the Familia God herself—Loki.
Aside from these four, there was one outsider present—an adventurer from another Familia, who was fortunate enough to be included in this meeting, though she wasn't sure if that fortune was a blessing or a curse.
Aisha couldn't tell if she was incredibly lucky or just caught up in something bigger than herself to be invited into a gathering like this.
"Aisha Belka. I'll just call you Aisha—is that alright?"
Faced with Loki's question, Aisha naturally had no objections.
"A name's just a title. Please call me however you prefer, Loki-sama."
"Mm, sensible girl."
Loki was clearly intrigued by this child—someone who might soon become a key asset to her Familia.
"You probably have some idea why I brought you here."
Aisha nodded slightly, her expression growing more serious.
"I just don't understand how Loki-sama would know about that girl."
Loki smiled mysteriously. Of course she wouldn't reveal her information source—keeping intel from the shorty's child confidential was important, especially now that they were allies.
"Just personal intelligence."
"Sanjouno Haruhime—that's her name, right?"
The moment Loki-sama accurately said the girl's name, Aisha knew without a doubt that Loki already had all the information Ishtar had tried to keep hidden.
"That is indeed her name."
"But Loki-sama, you should also know—Ishtar-sama would never agree to let her transfer."
Aisha believed any god would understand this, but she still made a point of emphasizing it.
"Yes, transferring Familia normally requires the consent of the current Familia God."
"But there are exceptions."
"If that god returns to Tenkai, then all blessings granted to their Familia members are sealed. As long as that god doesn't remain in Orario, there's no need to get Ishtar's approval."
Loki spoke slowly, but the words echoed in Aisha's ears like a devil's lullaby.
'So that's it...'
Aisha hadn't expected that Loki-sama's plan was to use this chance to send Ishtar back to Tenkai.
There'd be no need for Ishtar's consent to facilitate the transfer. If Loki really managed to send her back, she could directly help Haruhime switch Familias.
But by that point, it wouldn't be a simple "transfer" anymore.
It would be the same as an adventurer choosing a Familia for the first time. Without their god, they were like any unblessed adventurer again.
Sending Ishtar back to Tenkai was, indeed, the simplest way to make it happen.
"So, Loki-sama summoned me because I once helped that child, and now you want me to assist you with this issue?"
"But I think you're overestimating me. I'm not strong enough to pull off something like that."
Loki let out a soft laugh.
"Of course. I wouldn't ask you to do something with such low odds of success."
"And besides, I don't scheme against other gods. I won't deal with Ishtar that way either."
"But just now, you said..."
Loki waved a hand, cutting Aisha off before she could finish.
"You misunderstood."
"I never said I'd use force to send Ishtar back to Tenkai. That would only complicate everything. But there are other ways to get her sent back."
"There are many methods for returning gods to Tenkai. The most formal one is a ritual conducted personally by Ouranos."
"But that ritual requires clear evidence that the god in question has committed a grave offense."
Sending a god back to Tenkai without cause would never be approved—especially not by Ouranos, who oversees the ritual.
However, if a god were to step on one of Ouranos's landmines, and there was solid proof of wrongdoing, then Ouranos would initiate the ritual and return that god to Tenkai—permanently. They'd never be allowed back to the mortal realm.
'So it's about finding evidence...'
Aisha felt a bit of relief. If it was just about gathering evidence, that was something she could help with.
Assassinating a Familia God? That was out of the question. Ishtar-sama's charm could still affect her, even as a fellow woman. Unless it was a perfect, one-shot kill, she'd have no chance.
But gathering evidence? That was much easier.
"If it's for gathering evidence, I'll do everything I can to assist you, Loki-sama."
"Good! But I'm not just after that child."
Loki's gaze locked onto the girl in front of her.
Being a prostitute might have counted against her in others' eyes, but someone like Aisha—who had managed to stay relatively untainted even in the mud—was a different matter altogether.
"Aisha Belka, once Ishtar is sent back to Tenkai, I want you and that child to join my Familia."
The sudden offer caught Aisha completely off guard.
Only now did she realize the look of appreciation in Loki-sama's eyes, and for a moment, her emotions grew complicated. Honestly, she hadn't thought herself worthy of being admired by Loki-sama.
Was it just because she'd helped that girl?
It had only been a small act of kindness—nothing more.
"Loki-sama, thank you for the offer, but... I'm just a prostitute."
Aisha knew exactly where she stood. As a prostitute, she didn't fit into most Familias at all.
After all, in Orario, there was no shortage of people who said things like, "Prostitutes are where adventurers go to die."
Haruhime still had hope. But for Aisha, her path forward was already sealed.
Hearing her words—and seeing the lack of regret or shame on her face—only made Loki admire her even more.
"My Familia doesn't care about so-called status."
"Being a prostitute is just one choice among many. So this time, I'm giving you the chance to make a new one."
"Aisha Belka, will you take it?"
There was no hesitation in the answer.
If she had a chance to choose again, she would never have ended up in this position.
Even though Aisha had long since accepted her future as hopeless, when Loki-sama asked her that question—her heart still stirred.
She rose from her seat and dropped to one knee in front of Loki.
"I will."
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Renovating the Hestia Familia's Base
Chapter Text
With Aisha Belka now fully aligned with Loki, the investigation into the Ishtar Familia officially began.
Aisha handled the inquiry within the Pleasure District, while Finn and Riveria took charge of the external investigation.
Meanwhile, Bell quietly worked on setting up protective barriers around the ruins.
Located in one of Orario's more remote corners, the ruins of an old church made for a surprisingly ideal location. Had it not been abandoned, this place could easily have become a frequent gathering spot for locals.
It was simply too well situated—secluded, away from the city's hustle, and quiet.
Settling here was an excellent choice.
Of course, the real selling point was the price.
Surrounded by a stretch of desolate ruins, with a location so remote and reconstruction so impractical, the land value had dropped to near nothing.
The entire area spanned roughly 1,000 square meters, maybe even more, and yet it only cost 50 million Valis to purchase.
To Bell, who had just made a killing selling Rune Stones, that price was nothing short of a bargain.
So he had asked Hephaestus to help him secure the deed with the appropriate divine backing.
But just owning the land wasn't enough—clearing it was another matter entirely.
Thankfully, for Bell, this was also a perfect opportunity to train with Runes.
The stone debris littering the ruins wasn't useless either. Using Runes, Bell broke it down and reconstituted it into pillars to fence off the area.
By midday, the outer perimeter was already done.
"Whew."
Bell wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking over his half-day's effort with a deep sense of satisfaction.
"The outer ring's set."
The rubble inside the territory had all been turned into either paving tiles or materials for the boundary wall and pillars.
Only one section—the ruined church itself—remained untouched, temporarily preserved by Bell.
Obviously, he couldn't get rid of the only shelter available. Otherwise, he and Goddess-sama wouldn't even have a place to sleep tonight.
"Next up is the interior."
Bell had no intention of outsourcing that to the Goibniu Familia. This was their base of operations, and no matter how reputable Goibniu's craftsmen were, involving outsiders was out of the question.
"With my skills, I can only manage something in a forest-style aesthetic."
"Since it's all going to be built using Runes, there's no way it'll match Goibniu-crafted bases in terms of refinement."
Bell was well aware of his artistic limits.
"But just making a place for me and Goddess-sama to live in should be doable."
"If we need more facilities later, we can add them bit by bit."
Then Bell glanced down at the Runic script he'd been drawing almost unconsciously, a little amused.
"Guess repetition really is the best way to get better with Runes."
He turned his focus back to the barrier.
For a Familia headquarters, the surrounding barrier had to be top-tier.
Deceptive properties, offensive wards—they were all necessary.
It would help protect everyone inside and drastically reduce the chances of outside infiltration.
Still, what concerned Bell more was whether potential intruders would even be able to find the Hestia Familia's base in the first place.
After all, he had already added a "Presence Concealment" effect into the barrier's structure.
After all, Bell was building a base meant to be livable and secure, so he arranged everything with safety as the top priority. The outermost layer was naturally a "Presence Concealment" barrier, working in tandem with a "Cognitive Obstruction" barrier. Just having these two barriers made the base nearly impossible to find.
Of course, if someone did manage to stumble in—or even locate it intentionally—the third barrier, "Sensory Confusion," would immediately distort their sense of direction, making it impossible to tell which way to go.
And if the intruder still managed to push forward, the next layers—"Silence" and "Spatial Disruption"—along with the space-killing array would step in to halt them completely.
The barriers Bell deployed were designed entirely to keep people out.
The outer layer's main function was to repel.
But if repelling didn't work, then Bell's next move was simple—elimination.
If they weren't supposed to go out, then they wouldn't go out.
That said, the scale of these barriers was massive. The layers required heavy reinforcement and careful construction, not something that could be finished quickly.
Still, Bell had already secured enough time, so it wasn't a big issue for him.
The Craft Essence "Personal Training" had been a tremendous help. Even "Battle Readiness" could provide experience, allowing Bell to keep improving through daily accumulation and the pursuit of great feats.
Once the basic outer barriers were in place, Bell finally allowed himself to relax a little.
"Whew... The foundation's done. What's next won't be something I can finish in just a day or two."
The interior work was on a whole different scale, so Bell had divided the projects into phases to manage them more efficiently.
Today's goal was to clear the ruins, set up the surrounding barriers, and give Hestia Familia's base a basic layer of protection.
"Haah..."
Bell yawned. His power had grown lately, and so had his stamina, allowing him to stay active longer without sleep.
But even so, he was exhausted.
He'd had to stay sharp for too long recently.
Making Rune Stones didn't demand massive magic power—it drained Bell's mental energy instead.
The process was exhausting over long periods, and although he'd started to memorize the inscriptions and the energy cost had gone down, it wasn't like there was no cost at all.
The energy drain had lessened, not vanished.
And the half-day he'd spent clearing and modifying the base had been far more physically draining than crafting Rune Stones.
Some of the runes were still unfamiliar to him, and repeating tasks he hadn't mastered yet took a lot out of him.
That was why Bell now felt a bit lightheaded.
He rubbed his forehead.
'Next time, I really can't overdo it again.'
Chapter 110: Chapter 110: The Less You Say, the More Curious They Get
Chapter Text
"I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
Freya hadn't anticipated Hephaestus, Loki, and Hestia joining forces.
"Loki isn't that foolish. She should've realized Hestia could just as easily join hands with me."
"So even that girl is keeping her guard up against me, huh."
Still, Freya could mostly understand why Hestia made that choice.
After all, her own reputation in Orario wasn't much better than Ishtar's. On the surface, she and Ishtar were nearly indistinguishable. That gave Loki an opening—she could exploit this weakness to keep Hestia restrained.
Yet today, Loki Familia had publicly announced their alliance with Hestia Familia.
And what did that mean?
It meant Hestia had offered terms Loki found agreeable—so much so that she was willing to accept an alliance.
A glimmer of intrigue lit up Freya's stunning face.
"Did you make that move because you knew I'd take an interest in that child?"
She swirled the wine in her glass, watching the divine liquor ripple as her curiosity deepened.
"What a little fool you are, Hestia.
Don't you know? The more you try to hide something, the more people want to uncover it."
To the gods, the concept of the "unknown" held immense allure.
In fact, the very reason the gods of Tenkai descended to the Genkai was their yearning for the unknown.
Of course, Freya wasn't about to start a fight with Hestia over that child.
Until she confirmed whether the boy she had initially overlooked truly possessed a brilliant soul, he remained merely "interesting" to her.
As for the alliance between Hestia, Hephaestus, and Loki, she didn't find it particularly engaging.
The games of Genkai were, after all, just divine pastimes. Forming alliances was simply another way to play.
Freya wasn't concerned about who ultimately came out on top. Her only interest lay in those children whose souls shone brightly.
Watching their growth stirred something in her heart.
It was just a pity—none of the children in Orario right now made her feel like devoting herself completely.
With a soft sigh, Freya sat down and gazed out the window at the Orario nightscape.
Night had fallen, yet Orario was far from quiet—it was alive in a different kind of bustling vibrancy.
...
Bell walked along the edge of the road, avoiding everyone, and arrived at Hephaestus' shop.
He pushed the door open, gave a quick glance downstairs, then headed straight up to the second floor.
The second floor was like a world apart from the floor below.
Thanks to the Rune Stone business, Bell had completely paid off his "200 million small black knives" debt.
The rune trade had turned out to be even more lucrative than he'd imagined. "Body Strengthening," "Weapon Sharpening," and "Fireball" were the top sellers these past few days—whatever Bell produced was snatched up almost instantly.
But that was about it.
In just the past two days, Bell had earned around 230 million Valis.
Of course, that wasn't the price cap for Rune Stones—it was the cap on how many could be sold per day.
Even though Bell was producing an astonishing number of Rune Stones daily, Hephaestus kept a strict limit on how many could be sold.
After all, "Weapon Sharpening" and "Body Strengthening" sold for 500,000 Valis each. Considering their powerful effects and five-minute duration, those two were put under strict sales restrictions.
They were consumables—churning out too many would only devalue them.
Had no one heard of supply and demand?
On the other hand, the more affordable "Fireball" Rune Stone didn't have nearly as many restrictions, since its price was only one-fifth that of the others.
Although not as powerful as the other two types, this direct-attack rune can still turn the tide of battle at the right moment.
Right now, many adventurers in Orario have started treating the "Fireball" Rune Stone as a substitute for magic swords. Regular magic swords are barely on par with it, yet the price difference is ten to twenty times greater. Naturally, that's made the unlimited-supply "Fireball" Rune Stone the top-selling item in Orario—and Bell's biggest source of income lately.
With her debt finally cleared, Hestia hadn't bothered to change out of her waitress uniform. She lay sprawled on the sofa, bored, holding a book.
Her short skirt had ridden up a little due to her lounging position—anyone glancing down would easily catch a glimpse beneath it.
"Hmm... Bell-kun, how long are you gonna keep me waiting~?"
She laid the book flat on her stomach, having lost interest in reading. What she really wanted now was for Bell to come and pick her up already.
At her desk, Hephaestus paid no attention to Hestia's complaints. She was focused on reviewing the day's accounts.
Bell shook his head slightly and walked over to the goddess. He gently smoothed her skirt, which had ridden up from her crossed legs, then deactivated the "Presence Concealment."
"Bell-kun!?"
Hestia shot upright from the sofa.
Bell quickly held down her fluttering skirt and gently pushed her back down before she could spring up.
"Goddess-sama, mind your appearance."
...
"Oh."
Hestia obeyed with surprising meekness, standing quietly while Bell tidied her clothes.
Once he was done, Bell turned to Hephaestus and gave her a small bow.
"Hephaestus-sama, thank you again for everything."
"It's really no trouble."
Hephaestus put down her papers and waved it off casually.
"But what about you? Want to take a look at the past two days' sales reports?"
Bell gave a tired smile and pointed at the red veins in his eyes.
"My apologies, Hephaestus-sama. I've been swamped with work, and I'm still training every day. I haven't had much time to rest, so I'll look over the reports later if that's okay."
Hephaestus held back what she was about to say. She knew Bell had been pushing himself nonstop lately, and letting him rest might ease some of that built-up fatigue.
"Alright, just take the next two days off and get some proper rest."
"Work and getting stronger are important, but you need to pace yourself too. If you collapse, none of it matters."
Bell agreed completely.
Even if he could ease his mental fatigue with Runic Letters, his body still wasn't used to going without sleep. At the end of the day, he was still human—his body had limits.
So, he decided to make time to rest properly.
"Alright, I'll go take a break now."
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 111: Chapter 111: From Now On, I Must Cherish Myself More
Chapter Text
Bell brought Goddess-sama back to their base in Hestia Familia.
In just one day, the place had changed drastically.
Hestia's eyes widened at the transformation, and she quickly turned around to look at Bell with a hint of distress.
"Bell-kun, did you really turn this pile of ruins into this all by yourself?"
Bell scratched his face awkwardly. Seeing the concern in Goddess-sama's eyes, he could guess what she was about to say.
"I might've gone a little overboard."
"But I didn't do it just to tidy things up. I used magical script to handle most of the cleaning."
"So, in a way, it was also part of my training."
"Bell-kun..."
Hestia's eyes grew even wider. The resolve in her glistening gaze made Bell's forced smile freeze on his face.
"I get it, I get it, Goddess-sama."
"But really, I'm just a little tired. My body can still handle it. And it's not like I'm not getting any sleep—I'm still sleeping normally."
"And then you're using magic to force yourself to sleep?"
That one sentence pierced straight through Bell's defenses.
"Goddess-sama, using magic to sleep is just to improve the quality of my rest."
But even he knew that excuse sounded flimsy.
Hestia puffed out her chest, clearly unimpressed.
"I know that kind of magic can make your sleep better. I know Bell can use it."
"But I'd rather you didn't rely on magic to sleep."
"Sleep isn't about efficiency. It's about letting yourself relax completely."
She didn't outright reject Bell's method, but she made her stance clear.
It was obvious Bell used sleep magic to recover more quickly.
But did he really need more efficient rest right now? No. What he needed was rest without worrying about efficiency.
As she spoke, Hestia grabbed Bell by the hand and led him toward the ruined church still standing nearby.
They walked through the crumbling building and down the hidden passage at the back. Once they reached the room below, Hestia pulled Bell straight onto the bed.
She sat down first and patted her lap.
"Bell, come on. Rest your head on my legs."
"Eh?!"
The sudden request caught Bell completely off guard.
"What do you mean 'eh'?"
Hestia rolled her eyes at him.
"You're a grown man and still can't manage a proper night's sleep?"
"You're not allowed to use magic to sleep today, got it?"
"This is an order from your Familia God."
To make sure Bell could truly rest, Hestia invoked her role as the Familia God and issued a direct command.
Sleeping like this really isn't efficient...
Bell let out a small sigh, but didn't say the words out loud.
He knew arguing with someone as headstrong as Goddess-sama wouldn't get him anywhere.
Glancing at her serious expression, he had no choice but to give in.
He kicked off his dusty shoes and took off his windbreaker, leaving only a light set of indoor clothes.
Bell instinctively thought about casting his sleep spell—but caught himself. Goddess-sama had forbidden it, and if she found out he woke up too early tomorrow, she'd definitely tear into him.
With that in mind, Bell gave up on using magic.
Seeing Bell obediently comply, Hestia smiled with satisfaction and gently urged him to rest.
"Bell-kun, lie down already."
...
There was nothing Bell could do—he couldn't resist. Reluctantly, he rested his head on Goddess-sama's lap, still not quite used to the feeling.
The softness against his head spread a comforting warmth.
But before he could enjoy it for long, slightly cool fingertips brushed his cheek.
"Bell-kun, you're pushing yourself again."
"I'm just doing what I'm supposed to."
Bell didn't think he was overexerting himself. He was simply doing what he could.
Unlike before, when he had the will but lacked the ability—now that he had the ability, he was doing everything within his power.
Hestia puffed her cheeks in frustration.
"That's still forcing yourself!"
"Bell-kun, even if it's your duty, you need to pace yourself."
She was momentarily at a loss for words. To be fair, this probably was part of a Familia member's responsibility.
But that didn't mean she wanted Bell to be completely consumed by those duties...
"Bell-kun, your body is important. You're my one and only child."
"And you're the most important person to me."
Her voice turned soft. Ever since she had confessed her feelings that day, she hadn't bothered hiding her affection anymore.
Just like how Bell wanted to become a demi-god with a lifespan nearly equal to the gods—for her sake.
She also wanted to be with him for as long as possible.
Hearing her words and noticing her eyes redden slightly, Bell sighed quietly to himself.
He hated seeing Goddess-sama, always so cheerful, burdened with this kind of sadness.
"I understand, Goddess-sama."
Yes, her feelings were obvious, and Bell wasn't oblivious. He could feel them clearly.
But he also knew he had so many obstacles ahead. That's why he kept pushing himself harder.
And that very effort had turned into a source of worry for Goddess-sama—how ironic.
"I'll be more careful with how much I push myself from now on."
What he lacked was time, and that's why he couldn't afford to waste any of it.
Strength was just a tool to achieve his goals.
But if he couldn't even protect the people he wanted to, then what was the point of that strength?
It frustrated him—but he knew this was the path he had to take.
Because, just like Goddess-sama had said...
To him, she was the most important person too.
Hestia didn't say anything more. She just placed her hand gently on his face.
"To reach your goal, you need to start by cherishing yourself more."
'I should cherish Goddess-sama instead.'
That was what he meant to say—but before he could, a wave of sleepiness hit him out of nowhere. Already feeling drowsy, Bell's eyes slowly shut.
He was truly exhausted today. Before long, he drifted into sleep.
Hestia looked at his peaceful sleeping face and smiled radiantly.
"Looking at you like this, Bell-kun... you really are just like a little kid."
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Constructing a Forest-Style Base
Chapter Text
He hadn't used any sleep-enhancing magic this time—just let himself drift off naturally, following his own desire for rest.
It might not have been the most efficient way, but it was the most peaceful sleep Bell had had in days.
Ever since arriving in this world, he'd lived under constant anxiety. Even though he tried to suppress it, it never truly went away.
That lingering tension made it hard to sleep soundly at night. The slightest noise would jolt him awake.
After acquiring [Meditation], Bell began falling into a shallow meditative state each night—never fully asleep, always semi-aware of his surroundings.
Then came the Runic Letters. Every night since, he'd been using them to enhance his sleep—not only speeding up his mental recovery but also improving its quality.
In a sense, the Runic Letters had become his sleep aid.
But last night, Bell had forgone all of that. No magic, no efficiency tricks—just sleep for the sake of sleeping, indulging in the simple need for rest.
Because of that, he slept much longer than usual.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself blanketed by the presence of a figure looming over him.
'Ah, Goddess-sama stayed sitting up all night.'
He instinctively rubbed his eyes.
Bell gently sat up from Goddess-sama's lap, then turned to look at her still sitting upright on the bed, fast asleep.
"You sat like that the whole night just so I could rest properly?"
He shook his head with a faint smile, leaned over, and carefully wrapped one arm around her waist. Slowly, he guided her into a more comfortable sleeping position on the bed.
As he finished, Bell noticed her legs starting to twitch slightly—likely a side effect of supporting his head all night.
He traced a few Runic Letters into the air, and the spasms stopped immediately as the magic took effect.
Then, just to ensure she could sleep even more soundly, Bell applied a buff usually used for sleep enhancement. Already asleep, Hestia sank deeper into rest under the influence of the spell.
With that done, Bell straightened up his clothes and made his way upstairs.
After a full night of rest, he felt more refreshed than ever—better even than usual.
"Alright, time to get to work."
He'd already learned to rest when it was time to rest.
But now was work time—and during work, there was no place for thoughts of rest.
First things first: the base still needed to be completed. If not, he and Goddess-sama would be stuck sleeping in the basement every day.
Granted, the basement wasn't that bad. After being cleaned and organized, it was actually fairly cozy.
But if he had the option to live above ground, he'd obviously choose that.
The foundation was mostly finished, and the surrounding ruins had already been cleared out. The next step was building out the internal structures.
In this area, Bell didn't consider himself particularly gifted.
The best he could do in Minecraft was a glorified box, so he clearly wasn't cut out for this sort of design.
Even so, Bell had started to form a new vision—a concept of the future home he would share with Goddess-sama.
Constructing the future home for the Familia wasn't exactly Bell's specialty—but he could at least build a proper treehouse to serve as their unique base.
'In that case, I'll start from the edges.'
Creating a large-scale treehouse wasn't easy. The construction itself would cause quite a disturbance, so the surrounding layout had to be completed first before work on the treehouse could begin.
'If I'm going for that kind of design, then I'll need to adjust the core structure too.'
The outer walls weren't bad, but the overall aesthetic felt off.
Still, that part could be rebuilt.
The method was fairly simple, too.
Runic Letters were perfect for this sort of thing. With a bit of control, Bell could easily form the basic structure.
He pulled out some seeds from his four-dimensional space, then headed to the entrance of the Familia base. Casually, he flicked one of the seeds straight into the center of a stone pillar.
"Crack!"
The force embedded the seed deep into the pillar.
Immediately, vines burst out from the cracked stone, spreading outward. In no time, the vines had wrapped around the pillar, and the seed began growing outward from the center—eventually forming a towering tree.
Though calling it 'towering' was a bit of an exaggeration. At most, it stood about five or six meters tall.
Bell walked up and gently knocked on the trunk.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
It echoed like striking metal.
"As expected of an Spirit Tree seed. This thing could be used to make weapons."
The Spirit Tree was a rare magical tree grown at the heart of the Elf race's domain.
While Spirit Trees were highly prized materials, their incredibly slow growth made them even rarer.
Their numbers had plummeted further after many were burned by the magic swords forged by the Crozzo family, and outside sales dropped accordingly.
However, Spirit Tree seeds were a different matter.
The Elves treasured the trees due to their long maturation cycle, making each one a precious resource with little short-term return. But because they took so long to grow—and the seeds themselves were notoriously hard to cultivate—they weren't nearly as rare as the trees.
Spirit Trees were considered priceless, but seeds could be bought in bulk for around 100,000 Valis.
The Elf race had no plans to restrict seed sales. In fact, they were more than willing to part with them.
With such long growth cycles, mature Spirit Trees regularly dropped batches of seeds every few years.
Unfortunately,Spirit Trees couldn't be planted too close together. The fallen seeds had to be gathered up—otherwise, if they took root nearby, they could end up siphoning nutrients from the mature trees, causing the exact opposite of what the Elves intended.
So, the Elves sold seeds to outsiders every year.
Big, hard to raise, and ridiculously slow to grow—the Elves didn't care about them at all. It was more practical to exchange them for money and use it to buy other resources.
But for Bell, none of that mattered.
'Difficult to grow? Long development cycle?'
'Runic Letters can solve those problems.'
He had already bought a whole batch of Spirit Tree seeds for 100,000 Valis and stored them in his four-dimensional space.
He could pull them out and use them anytime—like now, to serve as building materials.
Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Who Could Possibly Not Fall for Goddess-sama?
Chapter Text
After an hour of work, Bell finally managed to plant Spirit Trees on all the stone pillars connected to the walls surrounding the Familia's land. Then he guided the vines to spread across every part of the wall, even raising its overall height in the process.
From the outside, the walls already gave off a forest-like vibe, though the interior was still bare and needed further improvement.
The main building still had to be constructed within the large tree. Clearly, this part of the project was massive—there was no way it could be finished in just two or three days.
Bell had long understood that he wouldn't be able to complete the treehouse in one day. It could be built in stages.
However, the lowest level, which would serve as the living quarters for now, could be completed right away. After all, constantly sleeping in the basement wasn't a sustainable solution.
They hadn't taken this direction earlier because maintaining a low profile had been necessary, and they lacked the ability to pull it off. Otherwise, Bell would have remodeled the Familia's base long ago.
But if he wanted to overhaul the interior, this alone wouldn't be enough. The treehouse also extended underground.
Naturally, Bell didn't plan to completely destroy the basement where he and Goddess-sama used to live. Even if the treehouse aboveground was completed, the underground space could still be preserved. It would be a place they could return to often, to reminisce about the early days of their Familia.
'In that case, I should go wake Goddess-sama first.'
To be honest, Bell was hesitating—was it really a good time to wake her?
Goddess-sama had let him sleep on her lap last night, and she herself had slept while sitting upright. There was no way a night like that had been restful.
'Maybe I should let Goddess-sama sleep a little longer?'
Bell couldn't help but struggle with the thought.
"Mmm..."
In the basement, Hestia slowly stirred awake from her slumber. She looked around at her surroundings and the bed beneath her.
"Mmm... did I fall asleep too?"
She glanced around. The magical lights in the basement were still glowing, but the person who mattered most was no longer there.
She didn't need anyone to tell her.
"Bell-kun must've gone upstairs again."
"He looked so adorable when he was sleeping yesterday... but the moment he woke up, he was back to his usual energetic self."
As a god, Hestia wanted to uncover more sides of Bell.
Unfortunately, her child always wore a thick mask, and his overly cautious mindset kept him constantly on edge. It made it hard for her to see different aspects of him.
It was a bit disappointing—but only a little.
Bell's dependable nature was already more than enough to satisfy Hestia.
Those rare moments when he let down his guard and showed vulnerability... were his most precious and adorable sides.
"Hmm... I wonder how long it'll be before I get to see Bell looking that cute again."
Hestia felt a genuine twinge of regret. It was the kind of regret that came from not properly capturing her child's rare, helplessly adorable expression.
Swinging her small feet on the bed, Hestia kicked off the blanket, slipped into the slippers beside the bed, and got up.
"Let's go check if Bell is still outside."
Yesterday, Bell had been working outside clearing the ruins, and in just half a day, most of the debris was already taken care of.
'Maybe while I was sleeping, Bell woke up and finished the rest of the work?'
She made her way up the stairs with light, careful steps.
"Hm?"
As soon as she stepped outside, Hestia immediately noticed a sweet fragrance lingering in the air. She was sure that yesterday the ruins of the church still smelled musty and unpleasant—there definitely hadn't been this kind of sweet scent.
'Did Bell set up a purification spell?'
Hestia continued walking outside.
The farther she went, the stronger and richer the fragrance became. When she stepped outside completely, warm sunlight hit her face, and the sudden brightness made it hard to see clearly for a moment.
It took a while for her eyes to adjust, and only then did Hestia take in the scene before her.
All the surrounding walls were now wrapped in a thick layer of vines.
'Did the walls get taller too?'
Hestia couldn't quite remember if they had been this high yesterday. She looked around and noticed other differences from the day before.
'Weren't there stone pillars at the wall corners yesterday? How did they all become trees now?'
'And... these trees look so familiar...'
There was something about their appearance that gave Hestia a strong sense of déjà vu, as if she'd seen them somewhere before.
But she didn't dwell on it. Her attention was quickly caught by the sight of Bell standing in the center of it all, wearing a conflicted expression.
With a big smile, Hestia happily skipped over to him.
She didn't give Bell a chance to react—just like always, she leapt at him.
"Bell-kun!"
Hearing Goddess-sama's voice snapped Bell out of his thoughts. He turned his head just in time to see her throwing herself at him, and quickly reached out to catch her.
However, even as he caught her, Bell couldn't help but look exasperated. He really wished Goddess-sama wouldn't always leap at him without warning.
Every time he told her to be more careful, she'd just do it again anyway—completely unabashed.
"Goddess-sama, please be more careful next time."
"Hehehe~ I'll definitely be more careful next time."
Hestia answered with her usual cheerful smile, but Bell knew full well she'd do the exact same thing next time too.
He was already used to it. Besides a bit of helplessness, he didn't feel anything else.
After all, with someone like Goddess-sama—a cute, busty, loli-like beauty—throwing herself into his arms, even the most stoic man would find it hard not to react. Not to mention she had a truly breathtaking face.
With her personality, figure, and looks all rolled into one, how many people could actually resist Goddess-sama?
At the very least, Bell didn't think he could.
Of course, Bell didn't mind her being affectionate. But what he did mind was her habit of launching herself at him without any warning.
If he ever failed to catch her in time, she'd probably end up sliding across the ground face-first.
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Money Is Just an Obstacle to Moving Forward
Chapter Text
"Bell-kun, have the surrounding walls been raised?"
"Yes, I raised them a little when I remodeled the walls earlier."
Hestia knew her memory hadn't failed her—the walls had indeed been raised.
"Bell-kun, did you get up early this morning just to plant those trees?"
"Of course not."
It wasn't just about planting trees; it was about preparing a suitable space for their future Familia stronghold. Bell felt the need to explain.
"Goddess-sama, this is mainly for the construction of our future Familia's base. Actually, I had previously thought of asking the Goibniu Familia to help us build it."
"Go ahead."
Hestia, of course, knew the Goibniu Familia. They were the largest production-type Familia in Orario. Unlike the Hephaestus Familia, which focused solely on crafting weapons and equipment, the Goibniu Familia also handled construction projects.
In fact, they were the most well-known builder Familia in Orario. Naturally, their skills came at a high cost. Even though their work was worth the price, not every Familia could afford such expensive services.
"But considering our recent expenses, I had to give up on that idea."
"Recently, all our money has gone toward repaying debts and purchasing land. There's really nothing left over to spend."
That was also one of the reasons Bell chose to do the work himself. If money could solve the problem, he would have gladly paid for it.
But all of their recent income had gone toward repaying debts. Although the debt of the "200 million small black knife" had been cleared, it meant that all profits from the Rune Stones had been funneled into land purchases and debt repayment.
Bell had even asked the Goibniu Familia for a quote to construct a reasonably large base. When he heard the price—300 million Valis—he immediately gave up and decided to handle it on his own.
Even if Rune Stones would eventually bring in 300 million Valis, Bell didn't want to sink too much into building the base.
After all, most of his future earnings would need to go into the Type-Moon System.
The Gacha draws in that system were outrageously expensive.
And enhancement wasn't any better—just thinking about it made Bell's scalp tingle.
Enhancing a three-star Craft Essence already cost 1 million Valis.
Using that as a baseline, enhancing a four-star Craft Essence would cost at least 10 million Valis.
Then a five-star Craft Essence... wouldn't that be 100 million Valis?
That kind of price could genuinely scare someone to death.
Even with a steady income stream, saving up that much was no easy task for Bell.
Which meant he'd need to continue squeezing profits out of Loki's Familia. Otherwise, with Rune Stones being a limited resource, it would take a long time to generate significant income.
"...Ah, a debt of 200 million really is crushing."
Only now did Hestia fully register that their Familia still owed 200 million Valis. The mere thought gave her a headache.
Bell just shook his head slightly. He didn't care much about the 200 million debt.
Though he disliked being in debt, he knew this amount was relatively small in the grand scheme of things.
That's why the first thing he did once he started making money was pay it off.
"Goddess-sama, you don't need to worry about the debt anymore."
"The profits from the Rune Stones have allowed me to pay off all of my debt to Hephaestus-sama. But because I paid off the debt, we don't have any other savings now."
"Furthermore, I have many things I'll need money for in the future, so it's difficult to set aside any for the Goibniu Familia to help us build our base. That's why I'm thinking of building it myself."
Hestia nodded slightly. She had heard Bell mention before that he wanted to build a base on his own. However, this was the first time she'd heard that the reason behind it was simply a lack of funds.
Still, she wasn't particularly opposed to Bell's idea. Given their financial situation, compromising was inevitable.
"So, you got up early this morning just to start planting trees?"
"Um, Goddess-sama, I just found a style that felt right."
Bell wasn't some tree-planting fanatic. One reason he had planted those trees around the base was to give the Familia a distinctive style.
"Also, Goddess-sama, those trees are very hard Spirit Trees. They're perfect as material for outer walls."
Hestia nodded reflexively. But a moment later, realization hit her—the name of those trees... Spirit Trees.
"Spirit Trees? Bell-kun, where did you even get them? The Elves don't sell those things to outsiders."
Bell smiled and pulled out a handful of seeds from four-dimensional space.
"Yeah, the trees themselves are incredibly valuable. But the seeds? They're not worth nearly as much."
"I can use my magic to accelerate the seeds' growth, so..."
"These seeds can quickly grow into Spirit Trees!"
Hestia's eyes lit up. Now she understood why Bell had planted so many Spirit Trees—and where they had all come from.
"In that case, why don't you just sell the Spirit Trees?"
"Those trees are valuable materials. If we sell them, we could build up a fortune pretty quickly, right?"
Bell gave a small nod, acknowledging the logic in Goddess-sama's words—but he still couldn't go through with it.
"But Goddess-sama, if we do that, the Elves might become our permanent enemies."
"Spirit Trees are products of the Elves. If we start selling them without even informing the Elves, we could get into serious trouble."
Elves were a proud race.
Who knew if their pride ran so deep that even the slightest offense would spark conflict?
So selling Spirit Trees... was out of the question.
"Besides, ever since we started selling Rune Stones, our connection to Hephaestus-sama has been clear to everyone."
"If those Spirit Trees end up on the market in Orario, I'm sure the gods here will quickly figure out where they came from."
"And that would expose everything I've been doing right to the gods' faces."
"That wouldn't be a good thing."
Hestia found it hard to disagree with that explanation.
Keeping the details of Bell's magic as secret as possible was clearly the smart move. The less the gods knew about the extent of his magic, the better.
Because if the gods ever turned their attention to Bell, someone might eventually put the pieces together.
And if that happened, the one who revealed too much might be the first to pay the price.
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Bell’s Speculation on the Loki Familia’s Expedition
Chapter Text
'He's still as cautious and careful as ever.'
Hestia had already formed a general understanding of what Bell was thinking. No matter what he did, his first concern was always 'safety.' Because of that, he constantly made thorough preparations in advance.
Of course, being an adventurer was inherently the most dangerous job. Bell knew that all too well, and yet he still chose to push forward.
'I like him!'
Knowing the real reason her child went adventuring only made Hestia's heart swell with even more affection.
But then, a sudden thought crossed her mind.
"Right, Bell-kun, do you even have time for all this right now? Loki's expedition should be about to depart, shouldn't it? Don't you have a lot of preparations to do?"
Loki Familia's expedition was well known throughout Orario. The previous one had ended early due to two successive Dungeon riots. Still, everyone knew the Loki Familia wouldn't abandon their goal. After a short break, the expedition was bound to resume.
Hestia had brought it up because she suspected Bell planned to join this upcoming expedition. If that weren't the case, he wouldn't have chosen this timing to ally with Loki Familia.
Bell made no attempt to hide his intentions. He was indeed aiming to take part in Loki Familia's expedition.
"Yes, there's a lot I need to do right now. But what I'm doing at this moment is also part of that."
"There are 18 Runic Letters in total. Only by mastering all of them can I truly say I've grasped the basics of Runic Magic."
"The next stage is learning how to apply them in various ways."
"Right now, I'm dedicating all my focus to getting familiar with the 18 letters. And I've pretty much finished that part."
Over the past two days, Bell hadn't just been dealing with trivial tasks—mastering the Runic Letters had been his top priority.
This was the only skill he intended to reveal during the expedition with Loki Familia. If he were to go with them, his abilities would inevitably be noticed. But Bell couldn't afford to expose more than necessary.
So even if he went with Loki Familia, the only thing he'd display would be his Runic Magic. Everything else had to stay hidden.
"Goddess-sama, I don't plan to reveal my information."
"Even if I'm joining Loki Familia's expedition, I don't want to be the one everyone's watching."
"Besides, do you really think Loki Familia's expedition is starting now?"
Hestia gave it some thought. It did seem like it was about time.
"Yes, judging by the usual schedule of Loki Familia's expeditions, it looks like they're about to head out again."
Bell gave her a gentle reminder.
"Goddess-sama, you do remember our deal with Loki-sama, right?"
Hestia froze for a second, then quickly understood what Bell meant.
"Loki's about to make her move?"
Bell nodded slightly.
"A trump card like 'Level boosting'—something that can change the tide at a critical moment—leaving that kind of ace in Ishtar Familia's hands is just asking for trouble."
"That's why Loki Familia is preparing to act against the Ishtar Familia now."
That was also why Bell had been quietly occupied with miscellaneous tasks these past two days. The conflict between Loki Familia and Ishtar Familia had nothing to do with Hestia Familia.
The Ishtar Familia definitely had shady secrets buried somewhere, and they were most likely hidden beneath the Pleasure District.
Anywhere else, if a human trafficking ring were exposed, it would cause an uproar. Ishtar probably wanted everything neatly wrapped up within the Pleasure District before taking full control. That way, things would be easier for her later.
So as long as Loki Familia made a few rounds through the Pleasure District, they were bound to find clues.
Bell had even suggested someone who could assist Loki with their investigation.
Aisha Belka.
That big sister who always showed compassion to Sanjouno Haruhime would definitely be willing to help.
And Loki wasn't the type to let a top-tier Level 3 like her slip through her fingers. Bringing her into the Familia would be completely natural.
With Aisha Belka's help, and by using the Rune Stones Bell crafted to scout out some quiet corners of the Pleasure District, Bell was confident that they'd find something.
"Furthermore, 'Level boosting' is most effective when used at the frontlines of a Dungeon conquest. So no matter how you look at it, Loki will have to make a move against Ishtar."
"Then shouldn't we be hurrying?"
From Hestia's perspective, Loki going after Ishtar meant that Loki Familia's expedition was about to begin.
But Bell just smiled, completely unfazed.
"Goddess-sama, don't worry. I'm well aware of that."
"The target of Loki Familia's expedition is uncharted territory, and 'unknown' often means 'dangerous.'"
"If their internal lineup hasn't changed, then Loki Familia won't head into the Dungeon without making adjustments. But now that Sanjouno Haruhime has joined them, they're not going to rush into it."
"At the very least, they'll need to fully grasp Sanjouno Haruhime's abilities and strengthen her before they start the Dungeon assault."
"Haruhime's abilities are far beyond what most gods and adventurers can imagine."
"She can temporarily boost an adventurer's level with virtually no conditions, and that kind of enhancement is a true game-changer."
"If used in a critical situation, it could easily reverse the course of a battle."
"Loki definitely understands that."
"So even after taking down Ishtar and bringing Haruhime into her Familia, Loki won't rush to set the expedition date."
"Strengthening Haruhime first is something she's guaranteed to do."
Of course, that wasn't the only reason Bell believed Loki Familia wouldn't begin the expedition immediately.
"There's another reason Loki-sama won't start the next expedition so soon."
"Right now, there's something else in Orario that can temporarily and rapidly boost combat strength."
"And that something is the Rune Stones I created."
"So, Goddess-sama, don't you think Loki-sama will come to me and place an order for some Rune Stones before setting out on the expedition?"
Only then did Hestia realize—Bell had already planned all of this out.
Chapter 116: Chapter 116: The Loki Familia Takes Action
Chapter Text
In fact, the situation was very much like what Bell had speculated.
Right now, Loki's Familia wasn't focused on preparing for the expedition. Instead, both Finn, the leader, and Riveria, the vice leader, were fully absorbed in digging up dirt on the Ishtar Familia.
They had both received very reliable intel confirming one thing: recently, quite a few Pallums and Elves had been sold to the Pleasure District.
Upon learning this, the two leaders dropped everything else and became obsessed with sending Ishtar back to Tenkai.
As for the Evilus, they planned to interrogate them after catching them.
With Raul's assistance, Aisha returned once more to Loki's Familia.
After spending two days away, Aisha had indeed uncovered quite a bit. Today, under the pretense of a "rendezvous," she had come again to report her findings to Loki's Familia.
To the outside world, she now appeared to have some sort of connection with the extraordinary members of Loki's Familia.
Of course, this was all with Ishtar's permission, for the sake of gathering intel on Loki's Familia.
But Aisha knew it wouldn't be long before Ishtar grew suspicious of her. So this time, aside from reporting to Loki, she also intended to alert her about Ishtar's suspicions.
As for the secrets hidden beneath the Pleasure District, Aisha had truly uncovered quite a few.
It was the same conference room from two days ago. Aside from Loki, the other three present were all Lv.6 members of Loki's Familia.
Loki asked with anticipation, "Aisha, how's the situation in the Pleasure District?"
Aisha didn't disappoint.
"Loki-sama, I've confirmed that there are eight specially excavated chambers about thirty meters underground. There are still quite a few people down there—I believe they're the ones who were captured."
"Three of those underground spaces have passages that connect to the outside of Orario."
"The remaining five are connected to... the Dungeon."
"!?"
The results of the investigation startled everyone present.
Loki's usually narrowed eyes flew wide open. This outcome had far exceeded her expectations.
She wasn't entirely unaware that the Evilus had been hiding in the Dungeon.
The incidents involving the Evilus that occurred in the Dungeon a few years ago already pointed in that direction.
Those fugitives had never once emerged from the Dungeon.
Which could only mean one thing—there were other routes in and out of the Dungeon, or some members of Evilus were simply hiding deep inside, refusing to come out.
"That's enough to convict Ishtar."
Loki's face twisted into a cold smirk. The fact that the underground space beneath the Pleasure District connected to the Dungeon was a serious issue.
It meant Ishtar was undoubtedly entangled with the Evilus.
If they also found people who had been abducted or trafficked down there, then Ishtar could very well be sentenced as early as tomorrow.
"Human trafficking, collusion with members of the Evilus, and plotting to destroy Orario."
"One charge after another—as long as we get solid evidence, and better yet, capture a few Evilus members, sending Ishtar back to Tenkai won't be a problem."
"Aisha, confirm the exact locations. I'll have Hermes investigate the external passages, and I'll send the Guild guys to check the internal ones."
This time, Loki had made up her mind. She intended to take Ishtar down in one blow.
If she didn't remove Ishtar, how could she possibly bring Aisha and that child over to her side?
But then Loki noticed Aisha looking like she had something to say, and a sense of unease crept into her chest.
"Aisha, is there something you want to say?"
"...Loki-sama, you might need to act quickly. Ishtar-sama only allowed me to accept this invitation because she was curious about your Familia's intentions. But two visits in such a short span—she might already be sensing something's off."
"That damn woman has sharp instincts."
Loki understood that once Ishtar grew truly suspicious, all their groundwork would be for nothing. They had to move now.
"Riveria, you're coming with me to the Guild. Once I've convinced Ouranos, you'll lead a team to locate the passage connected to the Dungeon."
"Gareth, go find Ganesha right away. Get that idiot to investigate the passage to the surface."
"Finn, you're with Aisha. Keep watch around the Pleasure District. Once Gareth and Riveria start their respective operations, your job is to suppress any resistance… and make sure that child stays safe."
Time was tight. Loki knew that today was their best shot. If Ishtar caught on, it would all spiral into a mess.
"Move out immediately!"
Without hesitation, Loki strode out of the Familia headquarters, with Riveria accompanying her to the Guild.
The others didn't waste a moment. The moment Loki issued her commands, the entire Familia sprang into action.
Gareth headed straight to the Ganesha Familia.
With many Lv.5 Adventurers, the Ganesha Familia was among the top-tier forces in Orario. Whenever a crisis hit the city, Ganesha's group was always the first to be contacted.
Even late into the night, the Ganesha Familia remained as bustling as ever.
Gareth's visit was treated with due respect, and he was swiftly granted a meeting with Ganesha.
"I am Ganesha!"
The muscular man in the elephant mask stood with his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest as if to flaunt his physique.
This was a trademark pose of the ever-flamboyant god.
"Ganesha-sama, I'm here on a matter of utmost importance."
"Oh? Something important from Loki's child... Go ahead. But if it's a personal issue, I won't get involved."
Ganesha was a god of principles. He made it a point never to meddle in squabbles between deities. As a guardian of order, private affairs weren't his business.
"Ganesha-sama, it's about the Evilus."
"Evilus…"
A sharp glint flashed in Ganesha's eyes. Among Orario's upright gods, the Evilus were a universally reviled presence—monsters everyone wanted to crush.
Those lunatics existed solely to upend everything.
Not only did they destroy the gods' places of entertainment, but they also endangered every child of Genkai.
From both personal and public standpoints, the Evilus were the ones Ganesha loathed the most.
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Is Loki Going to Take Down Ishtar?
Chapter Text
Ganesha, who had taken over maintaining Orario's security, was well aware that many gods in the city were aligned with the Evilus.
He'd understood long ago, even back in Tenkai, that when immortal gods grew bored, some of them would eventually turn into lunatics. Back then, though, conflicts between gods had little real impact—it was more annoying than dangerous, something you could ignore if you had the patience.
But things were different in Genkai. That kind of attitude no longer worked here.
Even if their powers were sealed and they couldn't wreak havoc like before, the madness of those lunatics could still influence naive children—leading them down twisted paths.
Children in Genkai were easily swayed.
Sometimes, that change was for the better. Sometimes, for the worse.
But when it was the lunatics doing the leading, the road those children walked would always be a mad one.
That was why Ganesha had started taking things seriously. His instincts told him the Evilus were plotting something big again.
Then he remembered how Loki hadn't been preparing for an expedition lately. He'd assumed something must've happened—but now, Loki's child had come to him with news.
"Loki hasn't been preparing for an expedition lately. Was she investigating those people?"
"Yes."
Well, that changed everything. Ganesha's expression shifted instantly.
Loki wasn't the type to act without gain. She wouldn't move just because she happened to notice the Evilus.
If there wasn't anything to gain, she'd act like nothing was happening.
'So I'm just the tool again, huh.'
Ganesha sighed internally, frustrated—but he couldn't ignore this.
If Loki was moving, then she must have solid evidence.
No matter what she was aiming for, Ganesha agreed with taking down the Evilus.
"What exactly did Loki's child find out?"
Gareth didn't hold back. He spoke plainly about the Evilus's actions.
"Ganesha-sama, the Evilus are trafficking people."
"What!?"
Ganesha hadn't expected those lunatics to still be involved in something like that.
'So then... how many of Orario's gods are tangled up with them?'
His face darkened as the thought hit him.
His Familia was practically the one keeping Orario's order. And yet, those lunatics were conducting these kinds of trades right under his nose.
And the worst part—human trafficking.
Treating the children of Genkai like merchandise... That was exactly the kind of madness only they could commit.
Gareth had no doubt about the fury on Ganesha's face. In Orario, Ganesha had always been the god who cared most about the children of Genkai. So it was no surprise this struck a nerve.
But Gareth had more to say.
"The location of the transactions is in the underground space beneath the Pleasure District, Ganesha-sama."
"Ishtar! Damn it! No wonder my children have been reporting changes in the Pleasure District lately."
With the evidence pointing squarely at the Pleasure District, there was no doubt that Ishtar was the one colluding with the Evilus.
This also reminded Ganesha of earlier reports from his own children—about a surge of unfamiliar faces in the Pleasure District. At the time, he had wondered where those people were coming from and had ordered his children to continue investigating.
He hadn't expected Loki's Familia to be the ones to uncover something first.
If it was human trafficking, then the reason for the new faces was obvious.
The fire in Ganesha's heart burned hotter.
"Shakti!!!"
Hearing the roar from the god inside the room, the captain of Ganesha Familia, Shakti Varma, quickly stepped in.
"Shakti! Take the children of our Familia and begin evacuating the people around the Pleasure District immediately. Minimize any unnecessary harm.
"Keep it covert. Do everything you can to avoid alerting the Ishtar Familia."
"Also, have the children investigating the Pleasure District raise their alert level. Be cautious in everything they do from now on."
At the command of her god, Shakti's previously calm expression turned solemn.
It was clear this operation was centered around the Ishtar Familia.
She could feel the fury in Ganesha's voice. Even if she didn't know the full story, it was clear—Ishtar had crossed a line.
Gareth spoke up from beside them.
"Ganesha-sama, there are underground tunnels connecting the outer edges of Orario with the Pleasure District."
"Loki-sama has already gone to the Guild with Riveria to request their cooperation."
"Finn has also taken a team to surround the area."
Ganesha's face twitched. He hadn't expected Loki to go to Ouranos.
This wasn't just about driving Ishtar out of Orario.
Loki clearly wanted her destroyed.
'Underground tunnels connecting the Pleasure District to the outside… Loki went to the Guild for help...'
Shakti felt a chill run down her spine.
The Nine Hells, the Braver, and Elgarm were all moving together—that alone showed how grave the situation was.
Whatever Ishtar had done… it wasn't minor.
In fact...
Shakti began to sense a grim truth forming in her mind, her face tightening with realization.
"Shakti, dispatch another team of children to join Elgarm. Find that underground passage as quickly as possible!"
"Have everyone prepare for combat. The enemy is the Evilus."
Ganesha took a deep breath, pushing aside—for now—Loki's intent to completely eliminate Ishtar. That lunatic had aligned with the Evilus; exile was inevitable.
And honestly, there wasn't much difference between exile and death.
This time, Ishtar wouldn't recover.
He had to focus on the next steps.
Finding the entrance to the underground tunnels outside Orario was a priority. Once found, it had to be sealed off completely—if left unchecked, the Evilus might continue to exploit it.
And of course, once it was found, they had to be ready for battle. The Evilus wouldn't give up easily.
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 118: Chapter 118: The "Hero’s" Stepping Stone
Chapter Text
At the same time, Loki brought Riveria to the Guild.
Loki stared at the fat man blocking her path.
"Royman, I want to see Ouranos."
Royman Mardeel, who stood in her way, was wiping the cold sweat from his forehead as his eyes darted nervously to the "Nine Hell Princess" beside her. Loki's demeanor had him more terrified than ever.
"Loki-sama, it's already quite late. Ouranos-sama has already..."
"Royman, you understand what I'm saying. I said... I want Ouranos!"
Royman trembled uncontrollably at each word, spoken with clear emphasis.
He could feel it—this wasn't the usual Loki. Her attitude was far more forceful, and the divine pressure radiating from her was unmistakable.
"Crack, crack, crack!"
As just an ordinary guild manager, Royman lacked the power of adventurers. He could barely endure the overwhelming pressure of a god.
Almost instantly, his body reacted instinctively to the crushing force.
Already obese, the Elf now looked even more pitiful under the divine aura.
Just as he was on the verge of collapse, a voice echoed from deep within the building, cutting through Loki's oppressive presence.
"Loki, come in yourself."
Hearing Ouranos finally speak, Loki glanced back at Royman.
That single glance made his heart feel like it was about to freeze over.
In that moment, Loki truly resembled the lawless troublemaker known as the Evil God of Tenkai.
She had mellowed over the years, but that didn't mean she didn't have a temper.
Loki continued down toward the Guild's basement—the place where Ouranos offered his prayers.
"Huff… huff…"
Royman, grateful to still be alive, clutched his chest and gasped for air.
His previously flushed face had gone deathly pale.
This time, he had truly witnessed the terrifying might of the gods. Even the usually playful Loki had a side that was genuinely furious.
"Royman."
Riveria, also an Elf, cast a cold glance at the fat Elf she so openly disdained.
"When dealing with gods, make sure they're playing around and not serious."
"This is a warning, for the sake of our shared race."
"Remember this—your ability to manage the Guild isn't irreplaceable."
Those frigid words snapped Royman back to clarity.
But with that clarity came an even more rapid heartbeat.
He was not Ouranos-sama's only option.
Just one sentence was enough to make that fact painfully clear.
He didn't have the right to oppose the gods—he'd only been entrusted with managing the Guild.
And the moment a god truly got angry, he could be replaced in an instant.
So this job wasn't something to take pride in.
If he wanted to treat it as a point of pride, then he needed to prove that the Guild couldn't function without him.
That thought left Royman feeling somewhat relieved.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, straightened his plump frame, and bowed tremblingly to the Nine Hell Princess.
"Thank you, Princess."
Riveria looked at Royman, who had bowed his head. He was, after all, one of her kin. If he weren't, she wouldn't have even bothered to speak a single word to him.
With a cold expression, Loki descended into the basement and saw Ouranos seated on his throne.
"Loki, what brings you to the Guild?"
Ouranos looked calmly at her cold face.
"Don't you already know? It's another act by the Evilus, and this time, it's tied to the Dungeon."
Loki didn't say anything more—she knew full well that Ouranos was aware.
Ouranos paused slightly, then stared at her in silence.
That attitude irritated Loki. 'Tch,' she clicked her tongue. As expected, the old man knew.
"You may have your reasons for not taking action, but I have my own reasons to move."
"This time, the Evilus have gone too far. I need the authority to intervene."
"And Ishtar has crossed the line."
Ouranos remained silent, his gaze still fixed on Loki.
"Ishtar has indeed crossed the line."
This was the one thing he didn't deny. Involvement with the Evilus, and even trafficking—those were all Ishtar's doing.
"But you want more."
Ouranos didn't mince words—he knew exactly what Loki was after.
"Ishtar's crimes are enough to warrant expulsion, but not repatriation."
"If you want a reason to send her back to Tenkai, I can give you one." The implication was clear.
If Loki wanted Ishtar repatriated, she'd have to pay a price.
That did not sit well with her.
"Ugh~ hey! I'm going after the Evilus here!"
"I'm targeting Ishtar, and you're telling me I have to pay a price for that? You're giving her too much credit!"
"She has her uses."
Well, damn. With one sentence, he pinned down Ishtar's value.
"Orario needs a hero. Ishtar is a stepping stone."
That line came out of nowhere.
"Ouranos, you think Orario doesn't already have a hero?"
"A hero is someone who defines an era. Right now, Orario has no such person."
Normally, Ouranos wouldn't say something like that. But since Loki had pushed this far, he had no choice but to say it—and she, in turn, had to accept the responsibility.
"So, someone like that has finally appeared?"
Until now, Ouranos didn't believe there was anyone in Orario who could be called a "hero." But by keeping Ishtar around as a stepping stone, he was signaling that he now believed one had emerged.
If Ishtar was the stepping stone, then the hero must inevitably be connected to her.
As she thought that, one person came to Loki's mind.
Bell Cranel.
She'd first heard about Sanjouno Haruhime's magic from that short kid—wasn't that connection obvious?
So the "hero" Ouranos spoke of was that kid who created the rune stones?
"Loki, make your choice."
Ouranos said no more. The decision was now hers.
Loki couldn't afford to waste time thinking. Even if she had correctly guessed who Ouranos believed the "hero" was, she had to consider her Familia's future. If it meant sending Ishtar back to Tenkai for good, then she'd do it—even at a cost.
"Fine! I accept your terms."
Chapter 119: Chapter 119: Do You Think I Believe You?
Chapter Text
Loki had agreed and immediately received Ouranos' support—but with it came a burden of responsibility.
Yet more than the responsibility itself, what lingered in Loki's mind were the words Ouranos had spoken to her earlier.
'A stepping stone for a hero...'
'That old guy Ouranos actually sees that shorty's kid as the next-generation hero.'
'Seems like there's more to that kid than meets the eye.'
Loki had always sensed something unusual about the child.
Anyone who could gain access to such unnatural magic and craft those strange rune stones clearly wasn't ordinary. Still, she hadn't expected him to be this exceptional.
'Phae might know something.'
'But with how close she is to that shorty, even if she does know anything, she probably wouldn't tell me.'
Loki sighed inwardly.
She and Phae weren't exactly on bad terms, so why did the shorty have a closer bond with her than Loki did?
'A hero, huh...'
'How many of my children are chasing after that title?'
The first to come to mind was her captain, Finn. With his personality, he would absolutely want a title like that. Just like that kid—this kind of title could bring tangible advantages for what he wanted to achieve.
The same went for the others. A title symbolized honor—and also gave them the drive to keep moving forward.
'But that shorty's kid doesn't seem to care about any of that.'
From their first meeting, Loki had seen how the child kept all his thoughts hidden behind those eyes. Yet no matter how deeply he tried to bury them, she could still catch glimpses of something.
Deep down, there was a hunger for power.
It wasn't overwhelming, but compared to having no desire at all, it was the one visible ambition he held.
'And now that same kid is the one Ouranos has recognized as a hero—and even granted a trial.'
Ishtar might be a courtesan, but her Familia was no joke.
With a Lv. 5 leading the charge, supported by countless Lv. 2s and a good number of Lv. 3s, they stood firmly among the upper-middle tier of Orario's Familia hierarchy.
Yet such a Familia was being used as a mere stepping stone for a trial.
'So does Ouranos believe that child's potential exceeds Lv. 5?'
'No, if Ouranos isn't planning to deal with Ishtar directly, but is instead handing this chance to that child... then does he really think that kid can handle Ishtar already?'
Still, Loki couldn't shake the feeling that Ouranos might just be laying a trap for her to fall into.
From any angle, it sounded impossible.
How could a rookie adventurer—someone who had only just started—possibly topple a Familia as formidable as Ishtar's?
But Loki couldn't be entirely sure.
She had to consider the possibility that Ouranos wasn't joking.
'I still need to find a way to dig up the truth about that kid.'
"Yo~ What's with that doom-and-gloom look?"
That smug, annoying voice made Loki's brow twitch. She looked up to see a handsome man not far off, wearing a feathered hat.
Seeing this irritating guy made Loki's temper spike.
"Hermes, what the hell are you doing here?"
"I just noticed your kid stirring things up around the Pleasure District. Figured it might have something to do with you, so I came to ask."
"Well, isn't this a surprise. Never thought you'd be the one asking me for information."
Loki hadn't expected Hermes, of all people—normally the one selling intel—to ever be the one asking for it.
But Hermes just laughed it off.
"I mean, it's not like I know everything in the world. There are times I need to ask too."
Loki snorted.
"Hermes, don't tell me you're clueless about what's going on with Ishtar?"
"Hmm~ I suppose you could say I know."
Hermes rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled and gave a casual answer.
Loki shot him a glare. This smug bastard definitely knew.
Now she was sure—Hermes and Ouranos were in deep. The two of them had clearly been doing things behind the backs of the other gods.
"Then why bother coming to me?"
"Oh, because there are still things I don't know—but I really want to."
Loki looked at this sleazy bastard with open disdain, but her curiosity about that child only grew stronger.
"So that shorty's kid really caught both your and Ouranos' attention?"
Hermes didn't look the least bit surprised. Once he realized Loki was out to bring down Ishtar, he knew she'd eventually come to a decision.
What Ishtar had done was serious, sure—but it paled in comparison to the madness stirred up by the Evilus.
Besides, Ishtar was a simple woman. She just loved butting heads with Freya.
Even if she was left alone, the moment she lost her grip, Freya would finish her off.
Ishtar was nothing more than a minor nuisance.
Which made her the perfect target.
That had been Hermes' plan all along—but unfortunately, it hit a snag.
Loki had suddenly jumped in from the sidelines and completely threw everything into chaos.
"I'm just curious about the truth behind that kid."
"Ouranos is watching him because he sees something far beyond what I can."
"You actually expect me to buy that?"
It was always best not to take Hermes' words at face value.
Loki didn't believe for a second that this smug bastard was only 'curious.'
She was sure Ouranos saw something special in that kid. And the same could be said for Hermes.
"If you want to get anything out of me, you'd better start by telling me that kid's identity and background."
"Of course, if you think you can get any intel out of Shorty or Phae, be my guest."
That gave Hermes a real headache.
Honestly, he never thought finding information on a single kid could be this difficult.
But now, he was starting to feel the strain.
Hermes even saw a sliver of his own shadow in that child. Branded as talentless by Zeus, and yet—how could he hide himself so perfectly, every single time?
Chapter 120: Chapter 120: The Operation Begins
Chapter Text
'Seriously, how can a kid who just arrived in Orario be this cautious?'
Hermes was someone who always acted carefully. Among the gods, he maintained a neutral stance—siding with anyone too easily would only bring him trouble.
In the past, Hermes had always believed his approach was the right one.
But after recently investigating Zeus' adopted grandson, he started to wonder if he hadn't been just as annoying himself back then.
He'd tried to dig deeper, but all he could find was information about the kid's initial arrival in Orario. Not even the city's top information brokers had anything else on him—it was absurd.
After hitting that wall, Hermes developed a real distaste for secrecy.
He found it especially frustrating when someone like that kid took concealment to the extreme. It gave him a serious headache.
As for the kid's identity—frankly, once it got out, it was bound to stir up trouble.
Especially if someone troublesome like Loki found out. That would only make things worse.
So Hermes decided to drop it.
"Forget it."
"You're giving up that easily?"
Loki glared at him, clearly displeased.
But Hermes was already losing interest. While the information was important, Loki wasn't the right person to pursue it. Hestia and Hephaestus were the better entry points.
"Loki, you don't know much about that kid either, do you?"
"…"
His words cut into Loki like a knife.
And it was true—Loki really didn't know a thing about the shorty's kid.
Hermes knew it. Loki, for all her scheming, was completely in the dark.
If she had known, she definitely wouldn't have acted like she just did.
Still, Hermes had a shift in thought.
"I'm not telling you the kid's identity. If you want to know, use your own strength and investigate."
"If you really manage to uncover who he is, maybe then you'll stop doubting Ouranos."
With that, Hermes left without another word, ignoring Loki's loud cries of "Hey! Hey! Hey!"
Watching him walk away without even glancing back made Loki fume—but it also piqued her interest even more in the shorty's kid.
'That shorty really hit the jackpot.'
Loki still didn't know the child's background, but one thing was clear—shorty had lucked out big time. Otherwise, she wouldn't have crossed paths with someone so absurdly gifted.
As for digging into that kid's identity herself, Loki figured it probably wasn't realistic.
With both Ouranos and Hermes acting this secretive, there was no way the kid's identity wasn't locked behind layers of encryption.
For any ordinary god, it was practically impossible to uncover.
Given Hermes' attitude, Loki was sure—the kid's background had to be top-tier classified.
'But in that case, forming an alliance with Shorty might not be such a bad idea.'
While an alliance didn't mean the two Familias would be tightly bound, it was still a formal relationship—one that would last unless either side broke it. With that connection in place, she could later approach Shorty and Phae to fish for information. Maybe she'd actually manage to pull something useful from them.
Of course, now wasn't the time to dwell on that.
She had just accepted Ouranos' proposal, and what mattered most now was to quickly locate the passageways connected to the Dungeon.
As soon as she stepped out of the basement and reached the Guild's front, Loki gave her orders.
"Ouranos has agreed to my request. The Guild will cooperate with our investigation of the Dungeon and assist in locating the connected passageways."
"..."
"Yes, I've already made the arrangements, Loki-sama."
Before Loki even finished, Royman stepped forward respectfully.
There was not a hint of arrogance in him now—he had lowered himself completely, and even Loki was a bit taken aback by his humble demeanor.
She turned to Riveria and shot her a questioning look.
'Mama, what did you do?'
Riveria's eyelid twitched, and she tossed an eye-roll her way.
'Is now really the time to talk about that?'
Loki smacked her forehead and quickly shook off those thoughts. It really wasn't the time for this.
"Riveria, you get ready too. We might run into members of the Evilus while we're searching."
"I understand."
Truthfully, Riveria wasn't too worried about facing the Evilus. High-ranking members of the faction wouldn't bother with such low-level tasks, so it was unlikely they'd encounter anyone powerful.
Riveria immediately left with the Guild staff to begin searching for the passageways to the Dungeon.
With everything in place, Loki stepped back from the operation.
There wasn't much else for her to handle now. It was best to leave the search to Riveria.
'All that's left is to see if Gareth and Riveria can locate the underground passages quickly.'
Boom!!!
A sudden explosion shattered the quiet of the Guild, instantly drawing Loki's attention.
She rushed to the window and peered out. A distant blast had kicked up a cloud of dust—Loki could see it clearly from where she stood.
The explosion had come from outside Orario.
'Looks like Gareth is ahead of schedule.'
Only Gareth could have caused that kind of ruckus outside the city.
Normally, adventurers weren't allowed to leave Orario without proper documents, so the only one who could be out there at a time like this was Gareth, who had gone to find Ganesha.
Boom!
A second explosion followed quickly after—but this one originated inside Orario.
More precisely, it had come from the outskirts of the Pleasure District.
'So Ishtar's counterattack has begun too.'
A cold smile crept onto Loki's face.
'Ishtar, looks like you figured it out—but not soon enough.'
'I've got no personal grudge against you. But for the sake of that child, this time, you're going back to Tenkai.'
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Freya’s Growing Interest
Chapter Text
"It's starting."
After leaving the Guild, Hermes found himself a suitable vantage point to observe from.
The vision of a god far surpassed human limits. Even from the highest point, he could clearly see everything unfolding below.
"Ishtar… what a shame."
Despite the words, there wasn't a hint of regret on Hermes' face.
As a target, Ishtar was unquestionably ideal. But the script that was meant to play out had been disrupted by the main actor himself—which left Hermes feeling a bit exasperated.
'Zeus, your grandson sure knows how to play it safe.'
'I think even I wasn't this cautious.'
Hermes had always believed he was careful enough, maintaining neutrality among the gods, never leaning too far in any direction.
At least, that's how it looked on the surface.
But compared to Zeus' grandson, he was far from discreet.
It had been more than half a month since the boy arrived in Orario, and he still hadn't uncovered any solid information.
The kid hadn't even made contact with a single adventurer. If not for the incident involving the rune stones, Hermes wouldn't have found a single lead.
"Hermes-sama, I don't see a trace of regret on your face."
Standing behind Hermes was a blue-haired girl with glasses, cloaked in white—an outfit that looked oddly out of place.
"I really do feel sorry for Ishtar. But only because the lead in this play wasn't properly cast."
"Asfi, did you manage to steal the intel from the Guild from those few days?"
The moment her Familia God casually dropped the word "steal," the girl couldn't help but push up her glasses.
"Hermes-sama, please don't use such crude terms."
"Technically, I didn't take anything from the Guild. I only copied a portion of the relevant data."
Hermes didn't care for the clarification. What he wanted was the result.
"So? What did you find?"
Asfi sighed. Knowing exactly what Hermes was after, she gave another brief sigh and got to the point.
"A little over half a month ago, the Guild's records showed a sudden large expenditure. The money was used to purchase over two hundred short swords—ones that only drop from first-floor Goblins."
"That same day was also the first Dungeon riot in a while."
"And, coincidentally, that day was the second since the boy—Bell Cranel—arrived in Orario."
With one hand supporting his chin, Hermes finally saw the puzzle pieces start to align.
"So that's it. Looks like the kid really is tied to the recent Dungeon unrest."
He'd had his suspicions before, since the strange incidents started after the boy's arrival.
And Hermes had always been aware of how special the kid was. That's what led him to this conclusion in the first place.
He hadn't expected to find leftover traces inside the Guild's records.
"What about after that?"
"Since then, the Guild's expenditures have returned to normal. Nothing unusual since."
"So he slipped up during his first visit and left a trail."
It wasn't uncommon. Being new to Orario, lacking experience was expected.
Mistakes like that were typical for rookie adventurers.
What Hermes really wanted to know now was whether the records had left behind any identifying information about the kid.
"What about specific proof of identity?"
"None was left behind. The document only listed the quantity and value of the repurchase, along with the potential profits for the Guild. There was no information about the seller." That genuinely caught Hermes off guard.
"Wow~ I didn't expect that kid to get help from a Guild receptionist on just his second day in Orario." Even though it was still an obvious lead, with only this one clue, it wasn't enough to raise suspicion.
Well, except from a certain god—Hermes couldn't help but mutter to himself.
...
At the top of Babel, the gaze of the Goddess of Beauty, Freya, was also fixed on the battlefield.
"Is Loki really that impatient?"
Freya also thought things had moved a bit too quickly.
She had expected Loki to make more preparations—at least enough to completely immobilize Ishtar in one strike.
But to think it would be this rushed...
Freya gently swirled the wine glass in her hand, watching the crimson liquid slowly settle as she continued to swirl it.
She wasn't particularly interested in today's spectacle.
The result of a clash between Ishtar and Loki was obvious—she didn't even need to pay attention to know how it would end.
What intrigued her more were the documents spread out on the table.
If Hermes were here, he'd recognize the papers as the ones he had ordered his captain to steal.
"What a cautious child... but still lacking in experience."
With growing interest, Freya opened the file in her hands. Inside was a photo of a boy, his face half-shrouded in the shadow of a hood. Yet his name was clearly written beneath it.
"Bell Cranel."
Since that one encounter at the Hostess of Fertility, Freya hadn't seen the boy again.
'If I could see him once more, maybe I could figure out why my eyes can't perceive him.'
Freya was certain—this child was not one of those dull, soulless beings.
Souls without light don't shine in Orario. They're destined for ordinary lives.
Could a soul without light truly master unique magical script?
Freya already had her answer.
'Yes... that child is far too good at hiding.'
She felt a small twinge of frustration.
Here was a child who had finally piqued her interest—yet he was so cautious that she hadn't gotten a second look, nor could she determine just what kind of secret he was concealing.
This curiosity, this anticipation, clawed at her like a cat scratching at her heart. It was irresistible—but she didn't want the answer too quickly.
She wanted to fully savor this feeling. Only then would she seek the truth with her own eyes.
That emotion alone brought a smile to Freya's lips—one so mesmerizing that no man who saw it could hope to resist.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 122: Chapter 122: The Fragile Level 5
Chapter Text
"Damn it!"
Ishtar flung the pipe in her hand to the floor and stomped the eye bag underfoot, crushing it completely.
"Loki!!!"
"Why you?! What grudge do I have with you? What did I ever do to deserve this?!"
Consumed by fury, the Goddess of Beauty had shed all traces of elegance—her contorted face now struck fear into anyone who saw it.
She never could've imagined things turning out like this.
If Freya had been the one to come after her, she wouldn't have taken it this hard.
She had always seen Freya as her biggest rival. Both were goddesses of beauty, both flaunted their charms—but Freya's reputation had always been better than hers. Why?
She could never stand Freya. They were the same kind of woman, so why did Freya get to be admired while she was scorned?
That kind of disparity had made it impossible for them to ever reconcile.
But now Freya wasn't even paying her any attention. Instead, it was Loki—someone she had no enmity with—who struck. That baffled Ishtar.
...
Two Amazonesses burst in from outside, panic written all over their faces.
"Ishtar-sama, the underground passage leading out has been sealed off by the Ganesha Familia."
"Ishtar-sama, there's also a large number of Ganesha's Familia members surrounding the Pleasure District!"
"Ganesha... could it be him?"
Ishtar's enraged expression twisted into one of deep contemplation, then contorted further in anger.
'Could it be that our business has caught Loki's Familia's attention?'
If that were true, then she really was out of luck—getting targeted by Loki's people of all things.
'Damn it!'
'If I'd known this would happen, I'd never have gotten involved in the trafficking of Pallum and Elves.'
At this point, Ishtar felt truly cursed. All this trouble, just because she was dealing in people—and now she was on Loki's radar.
She thought back carefully. As far as she could recall, this was the only possible grudge between her and Loki. She couldn't think of any other reason for such open hostility.
'...So that's why Loki called Aisha over earlier—she was investigating this all along?'
A wave of dread hit her like a crashing tide.
"Where's Aisha? Where did she go?"
The two Amazons hesitated for a second, then reminded her,
"Ishtar-sama, don't you remember? Early this morning, Loki's Familia summoned Aisha."
Ishtar froze, then her face darkened with fury.
'Aisha... you actually betrayed me.'
She had been wondering why Aisha hadn't figured out Loki's intentions. But it turned out the one she sent to find answers had been the one who betrayed her.
No wonder she hadn't learned anything.
The one she sent to investigate had betrayed her—how could she possibly have known what Loki was planning?
As for that hidden tunnel to Orario's outskirts, that had to be Aisha's doing. No one unaware of it could have found it, much less blocked it.
"Where's Phryne Jamil?"
"She's engaging the Braver."
That idiot!
Ishtar cursed under her breath. That moron really had no self-awareness—charging in as a mere Level 5 against a Level 6, and not just any Level 6, but Loki's strongest Pallum.
Who in Orario didn't know the name Finn Deimne?
A Pallum, a Level 6 Adventurer.
And the Braver hadn't just recently hit Level 6—he'd been at that level for years, a powerhouse whose strength already exceeded most others at that rank.
He was just one great deed away from reaching Level 7.
Even most Level 6 Adventurers wouldn't dare challenge him. And Phryne, stuck at Level 5, was throwing herself right into that meat grinder.
"Take Haruhime to the front line immediately!"
A Level 5 had no chance against a Level 6.
Though she hated it, Ishtar knew that right now, she had no choice but to rely on Haruhime's power.
...
Clang!
Sparks flew as spear and axe clashed.
Phryne Jamil, a toad-like woman, swung her axe with both hands, but her towering two-meter frame was steadily forced back by the sheer force of a single thrust.
Finn didn't budge—not even ten steps.
Holding his golden spear, his face was devoid of kindness. Only an overwhelming killing intent radiated from him.
As she blocked the next blow, Phryne felt a deep chill grip her heart. That pure, undiluted bloodlust made her uneasy to the core, driving her to the brink of dropping her weapon and running away.
"What? Is that all the strength a Level 5 has?"
Power wasn't Finn's forte.
Pallum were naturally weak in physical strength. Aside from their agility and nimbleness, both strength and endurance were typical weaknesses.
And yet, Finn showed no signs of inferiority even against a Level 5 who specialized in brute strength and stamina—in fact, he was slowly gaining the upper hand.
That was the difference between Level 5 and Level 6.
There may have been a stat gap between each level in the past, but reaching Level 6 was enough to close the gap in all attributes accumulated up to that point.
The hidden power difference was simply too vast—so wide that it couldn't be overcome.
"Damn it!"
The sudden taunt and insult made Phryne—who was always dominant in front of men—feel a rare wave of shame.
But that very insult also made her temporarily forget her fear.
"Finn! Why is your Loki Familia attacking us?"
"Aren't you afraid of the consequences?"
Perhaps it was panic creeping into her heart, but her voice unconsciously rose.
She wanted to escalate this into a conflict between Familias.
Everyone knew that within Orario, it wasn't allowed for one Familia to directly attack another.
Most disputes were resolved through War Games.
If a Familia crossed the line, punishment from the Guild was swift—and even the Familia God could be dragged down with them.
But Finn, spear in hand, remained utterly calm.
"Phryne Jamil, you're not in a position to raise this to that level."
"The problems within the Ishtar Familia aren't exactly a secret."
"And even if you did escalate it, do you really think the Guild would take your side?"
"!?"
Phryne's heart sank.
As the captain of the Ishtar Familia, she knew exactly what skeletons were hidden in their closet.
She didn't know what Loki's side had discovered, but her instincts told her—it wasn't good.
Finn stood coldly, spear poised.
"So, are you going to surrender... or resist?"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Clash of Brute Strength and Skill (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Whether they surrendered or resisted, the outcome would be the same.
Finn didn't care what choice this toad of a woman would make. Aside from retrieving that special child, his mission was to utterly crush Ishtar's forces.
Phryne Jamil was Ishtar's only real combat asset—the sole Level 5 in the Familia—so naturally, she was at the top of his list for a thorough beating.
For the sake of the Pallum's rise, Finn wasn't about to let any opportunity to showcase their strength slip away.
"Arghhhh!"
Phryne gripped her axe tightly, her massive body accelerating with shocking speed. It was hard to believe that such momentum could come from a woman over two meters tall with an enormous frame.
From the front, she looked like a charging land dragon barreling straight toward him.
But to Finn, that kind of brute-force rush was meaningless. With his masterful spear technique, a single thrust targeted a vital point, halting Phryne's charge and forcing her to block instead.
Finn wasn't someone who relied on raw strength. That wasn't his domain. Agility and flexibility were where he excelled.
Reading his opponent, exploiting openings with deep combat experience, and using precise spear strikes to suppress them—this was Finn's fighting style.
Even with her charge blocked, Phryne refused to back down. Her enormous axe came crashing down toward Finn.
But to him, it was too simple—far too easy to read.
Rather than meet it head-on, he sidestepped gracefully and drove his spear at her hand gripping the axe.
Even a Level 5 body couldn't withstand an elite weapon's strike. The hand she relied on, far from delicate, was pierced clean through.
Pain shot through Phryne. Seeing her hand run through, she instinctively knew—she couldn't stop. If she did, the next blow would drive that spear straight into her throat.
Snatching the axe with her other hand, she swept it fiercely at the approaching Finn.
He didn't panic. Instead, he stepped lightly back, dodging the horizontal swing. In the instant her attack missed, he lunged again—his spear darting straight for her throat.
"!?"
In that moment, her wide, toad-like eyes shrank sharply. She dropped low with surprising speed, yet the spear tip still grazed her face.
Blood trickled down that nightmare-inducing face, making it look even more grotesque.
But it was that wound—on her face—that made her snap completely.
To a woman, nothing was more important than her looks.
For Phryne, who fancied herself a beauty rivaling even the Goddess of Beauty, her face was everything.
"You dare put a scar on my beautiful face!!!"
Her voice thundered across the battlefield, startling Finn into a brief pause.
Staring at that twisted expression—completely unrelated to anything remotely resembling beauty—Finn was left speechless.
And he wasn't alone.
The men from both the Loki Familia and Ganesha Familia had heard her shout. She was so loud that it was impossible not to hear her.
And the moment they processed what she said, and looked at her face…
Most of them felt a wave of nausea.
Some couldn't even stop themselves from blurting out in disgust.
"You? Beautiful? You look like a Frog Shooter from the second floor."
Murmurs of agreement followed.
Though it wasn't clear who said it aloud, the remark instantly gained unanimous approval from the surrounding men.
Most of the prostitutes in the Ishtar Familia were renowned for their beauty—so how was Phryne Jamil, their captain, such a repulsive sight?
That comment struck a nerve in Phryne's psyche—her most sensitive and untouchable spot. Her eyes flared with murderous rage as she whipped her head around, ignoring Finn entirely and locking onto the man who had insulted her.
"Die!!!"
Her anger exploded into a burst of speed and power far greater than before.
But Finn stepped in to block her path.
As the giant axe came cleaving down, he gripped his spear tightly and twisted its shaft. At the moment of impact, he lifted it.
Clang!
The perfectly-timed spin and deflection reversed the momentum of the downward blow, redirecting it with such force that the axe was flung into the air.
"Arghhhhhh!"
The torque from the clash twisted Phryne's arm viciously—her bones snapped and tore away from the flesh, leaving her arm mangled.
At that sight, Finn immediately lost all interest in continuing the fight.
"It's over, Phryne Jamil. If you surrender now, you won't suffer further."
"But if you're still foolish enough to keep going, then prepare to die."
That was Finn's final warning.
If this toad of a woman was still too unhinged to understand, then he would cut her down right here.
But he really didn't want to.
Because if she died here and now, what would become of the anger and grief of those she'd sold? This wasn't just about the Pallum—there were Elves too. Riveria's fury also needed an outlet.
This toad had to die.
But it would be better if she died at the hands of her victims, not his.
A chill ran down Phryne Jamil's spine. Her fear surged even stronger.
She stumbled back, disregarding the pain in her arm, and quickly gave in.
"I-I get it... I surrender..."
Finn shook his head slightly. A Level 5 like this was just an oversized punching bag.
No magic, no refined technique. She'd only made it to Level 5 thanks to an abnormally tough body.
But without the mindset to match, her performance was pitifully subpar.
"Everyone, converge on the center. Restrain all members of the Ishtar Familia!"
None of them would escape this time.
The Guild wouldn't hand out death sentences to them all, of course—but punishment was inevitable.
Even so, Finn didn't move on to oversee the operation.
Right now, his focus was on watching Phryne Jamil, making sure she didn't cause any more trouble.
Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Aisha Belka’s Peril (Bonus)
Chapter Text
The Ganesha Familia and the Loki Familia had joined forces to encircle the Pleasure District, aiming to prevent any members of the Ishtar Familia from escaping. More importantly, they needed to contain any possible movements from the Evilus.
Now that there was confirmed intelligence linking the Ishtar Familia with Evilus, who could guarantee there weren't already some of those lunatics inside the Pleasure District?
The district was also home to many powerless civilians. If a battle were to break out here, it could lead to tens of thousands of casualties. That was something neither the Loki Familia nor the Ganesha Familia wanted to see.
Because of that, both Familias advanced cautiously toward the center, determined to capture every member of the Ishtar Familia and confirm whether Evilus agents were present.
Thankfully, they had large numbers on their side, and all Lv. 5 and Lv. 4 members had been mobilized, sweeping through the Pleasure District with nearly unstoppable force. However, the district's sheer size meant that, even with both Familias moving together, it was still taking a long time.
Meanwhile, members of the Ishtar Familia were fiercely resisting.
Raul had quickly withdrawn from the front lines and reported the situation to Finn.
"Captain, the Ishtar Familia members inside the Pleasure District are still fighting with everything they've got."
Finn wasn't surprised by the report. His eyes briefly passed over Phryne Jamil, who was under control.
"The news about the Ishtar Familia captain's surrender hasn't spread yet?"
"It has… but the goddess Ishtar herself has arrived at the front lines. She's ordered all her Familia members not to surrender."
Finn's brows furrowed. If Ishtar was still inside giving commands, things would get trickier. The biggest issue was the sheer number of people in the Pleasure District at night. They couldn't just charge in and start a battle without considering the civilians.
"Slow down the advance. Make sure every civilian is kept safe."
At times like this, compromises were necessary. Even when subduing members of the Ishtar Familia, they had to restrain themselves and avoid dragging innocent people into it.
"What about Aisha?"
Raul responded immediately.
"Miss Aisha entered the Pleasure District through a side path. Since she wouldn't raise suspicion easily, she slipped in ahead of us to find her."
Suddenly, Finn felt a sharp pain shoot through his thumb, and a bad premonition gripped him.
"Raul, take your men and find Aisha right away!"
"Tell the others to hold their advance for now. Finding Aisha takes top priority!"
"Yes! I'll go immediately!"
Realizing that Aisha was in danger, Raul didn't waste another second. He led his team into the Pleasure District to search for her.
The Pleasure District was full of alleys. People came here for entertainment, so the area was packed with buildings. Some were cheap, some hidden away in more remote spots, creating a tangled and complex layout. Unless you frequented the district, you wouldn't know where each alley led.
This layout made things extremely troublesome for the Loki and Ganesha Familias surrounding the area.
It also gave those trying to escape plenty of places to hide.
In one of those alleys, Aisha was sprinting while carrying a Renard dressed in a luxurious kimono, all while dodging pursuit from over a dozen enemies.
"Aisha..."
"Don't talk."
The fox girl wanted to speak, but Aisha, carrying someone in her arms, had no intention of listening.
"Even if I let you go now, it wouldn't help."
"The Loki Familia and Ganesha Familia have already surrounded the Pleasure District. It's only a matter of time before this place falls."
"If I let you go now, maybe I could escape on my own. But your abilities would be exposed to the gods, and that absolutely can't happen."
Even though Aisha knew Loki's Familia was powerful enough to withstand pressure from all over Orario, she still didn't want this child's powers revealed to the gods. While running, Aisha glanced behind her. The dozen or so pursuers showed no signs of stopping, forcing her to grit her teeth and keep going.
She couldn't afford any distractions. The moment she called for help, those behind her would seize the opportunity to attack.
"Someone..."
Still held in Aisha's arms, Sanjouno Haruhime looked at the people chasing behind and cried out for help.
But one of the pursuers had already closed in behind Aisha.
Damn it!
Aisha felt the presence closing in, but she couldn't stop. If she fell here, they'd be surrounded immediately.
A heavy punch slammed into her back.
"Urgh!!!"
The impact nearly made Aisha drop Haruhime. Gritting her teeth, she used the force of the blow to accelerate.
Blood spilled from her mouth, terrifying Haruhime.
"Aisha, I... I shouldn't have called out..."
Tears streamed down Haruhime's face, turning her into a sobbing mess.
Aisha couldn't respond. She was barely hanging on. If she relaxed even a little, they would be caught.
"Aisha, isn't it about time you gave up?"
Aisha didn't answer and just kept running deeper into the alleyways.
Seeing that she didn't respond, the Amazoness who had attacked her sneered.
"Let's see how long you can keep running."
If Haruhime weren't here, she would've gone all out.
But they needed Haruhime's power now. She couldn't risk knocking her out. If Haruhime lost consciousness, they'd lose their last hope.
The other Amazoness girls chasing behind hesitated to strike their former comrade.
Aisha had looked after them in the Familia. Even now, they didn't want to hurt the older sister who had once cared for them.
So they only followed, without truly attacking.
Under Aisha's relentless sprint, they soon passed the outskirts of the Pleasure District and reached a wasteland.
But this wasteland looked a little different than before.
Haruhime watched Aisha's face grow paler and paler, her heart trembling.
She knew exactly who truly cared about her.
And that made her all the more unwilling to let someone like that fall into danger.
"Aisha, just hand me over to them."
Aisha's face was ghostly white. Blood dripped from her mouth as she forced a bitter smile.
"Don't worry, I'm not dying that easily..."
But even as she spoke, her injuries finally caught up with her. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground with Haruhime still in her arms.
Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Boo Boo! Wrong Answer! (Bonus)
Chapter Text
The Amazoness girl chasing from behind stomped hard on Aisha's ankle.
"Ahhh!"
The searing pain made Aisha scream in agony.
"Aisha, you should know the price of being a traitor, right?"
The Amazoness sneered, lowering her head to look at Aisha, who was drenched in cold sweat from the pain.
"Last time it was for that Renard, and now you dare to betray us again?"
"Do you really think Ishtar-sama will spare you a second time?"
Aisha struggled to lift her head.
"Hmph... do you really think the Ishtar Familia has a future?"
Her words made the Amazoness's expression change.
"So it was you—the rat leaking information from inside the Familia."
She pressed down harder.
Everyone in the Ishtar Familia had at least some idea of the dirty dealings happening within. But no one exposed the truth. For the prostitutes working in the Pleasure District, the fall of the Ishtar Familia would only make things worse.
After all, the Ishtar Familia wasn't an adventuring Familia, but a production-based one, holding significant sway over Orario.
Anyone hoping for a better life wouldn't dare stir up trouble. Even if the Familia crossed lines forbidden by Orario's regulations, nobody would risk reporting it to the Guild.
The Ishtar Familia was massive and skilled at covering their tracks. If no evidence surfaced, even a report to the Guild would end with the Familia unscathed.
The only one who'd suffer would be the fool who tried to expose them.
And now, there really was a fool—someone who took on this thankless task and even intended to send their Familia God back to Tenkai.
"Are you an idiot? You're going to drag the entire Familia into ruin for the sake of that Renard?"
To the Amazoness, Aisha seemed more hopeless than ever.
Her contempt deepened.
"Fine! Since you're so eager to throw us into the abyss, then I'll kill both of you right here!"
She had no intention of letting either of them leave alive.
Was the Ishtar Familia finished?
If so, then the Renard's life meant even less now.
Aisha's face twisted as she lay on the ground. Without hesitation, she released Haruhime from her arms.
"Run!"
The moment she let go, Aisha forced herself free from the Amazoness's grip. But her ankle was already swollen and bruised deep purple.
The Amazoness's face was filled with killing intent. The malice she held toward Aisha and Sanjouno Haruhime was genuine. Right now, all she wanted was to end them both.
"Aisha..."
Pushed away, Sanjouno Haruhime looked back at Aisha, who was standing between her and the enemy.
She knew she couldn't do anything to help.
She knew that escaping was her best option.
But even so, she couldn't bring herself to run.
"Who can save Aisha...?"
For the first time since being sold to the Ishtar Familia, the fox girl cried out for help.
"Hah? The Pleasure District is huge. Even if the Loki Familia has it surrounded, it's not that easy to find you right away."
"At this rate, killing you will be more than enough."
The Amazoness girl felt a sudden wave of disgust at the sound of that soft, trembling cry for help.
Aisha's face was growing increasingly pale from her injuries.
She wasn't in any condition to fight. Facing another Lv.3 opponent under normal circumstances would be tough enough—but now, there were not only one but over a dozen Lv.2s around. There was no way she and Haruhime could resist.
"Hmph!"
With a chilling glare, the Amazoness stepped toward Aisha...
Thud!
The moment she took that step, her leg buckled beneath her, and she dropped to one knee.
"Huh?"
Stunned, the Amazoness looked down at her limp leg. She reached for it, but even her hand had gone weak—her body could no longer support her.
She glanced around. Everyone else was in the same state—even the Renard girl and Aisha were now collapsed on the ground.
"Surprised?"
A stranger's voice rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
A cloaked figure stepped into view, his face hidden beneath the shadow of a hood.
Even those who had collapsed could barely make out his face—the hood's shadow concealed it almost perfectly.
"After all, a group of Lv.2s and two Lv.3s just trespassed into our Familia's territory. For someone like me, weak as I am, a little poison isn't off limits, right?"
It was only then that the others realized—they'd been poisoned.
'When did it happen?'
The two Lv.3 Amazonesses were especially stunned. When had they been poisoned? But before long, they started to feel some response returning to their numbed limbs.
'Abnormal Resistance is kicking in.'
[Abnormal Resistance] was one of the earliest development abilities many adventurers encountered. Once it reached rank G, it could virtually nullify all status effects—especially poison.
'Good... my body's starting to recover.'
A glint of malice crept into the Amazoness's eyes. She didn't particularly enjoy killing, but she wasn't about to let the one who poisoned them off so easily.
And this man—this outsider—had dared to meddle in the affairs of the Ishtar Familia? Where did he get the nerve?
Well, since he had interfered...
He would have to pay the price.
"I really don't care about your drama with the Ishtar Familia or Loki Familia. Whatever petty struggles you have, they're none of my business. But trespassing into our Familia's territory? That's another story."
As he spoke, the man slowly approached the two Lv.3 Amazonesses.
"You can fight all you want. But tell me—why did you have to invade our territory?"
He crouched down slightly.
A sharp glint flashed in the Amazoness's eyes. Her hand formed a deadly strike aimed straight at the man's heart.
With Amazon blood running through her veins, a Lv.3 Amazoness had more than enough power to pierce the body of another adventurer of equal level with ease.
Under normal circumstances, this man wouldn't have been an exception.
But something unexpected happened.
Just as she struck, the wave of weakness returned, paralyzing her all over again. The precise attack she'd prepared turned into a limp, powerless gesture.
That's when she noticed the slight smirk curling at the corner of the man's lips.
"Too bad. That's the wrong answer."
Bang!
Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Helping Just to Avoid Trouble (Bonus)
Chapter Text
The Amazoness girl was sent flying several meters, Bell's shoe print stamped across her face.
The kick wasn't particularly forceful, but it was deeply humiliating.
And that was exactly Bell's intention this time—to humiliate her.
He walked toward her step by step, then crouched slightly as he looked down at the woman, who couldn't even muster the strength to crawl.
"I believe I said this just now: 'You can fight all you want, but why invade the territory of our Familia?'"
"I'm not interested in why you're fighting, but you picked the wrong place. And what was that attitude just now? Were you trying to provoke me into killing you?"
"Is this how a Level 3 behaves?"
The Amazoness girl lifted her head, her face filled with humiliation. Bell could tell she refused to acknowledge her defeat, instead blaming it on being poisoned.
But she didn't even understand how she'd been poisoned in the first place.
Bell had no intention of explaining. He wasn't like Gojou; he had no interest in exposing his own intel.
'Survival of the fittest… huh.'
Bell stood up and turned to leave. Once he had walked far enough to avoid being splashed with blood, he snapped his fingers.
A massive arm of stone surged from the ground. The Amazoness girl's expression twisted in horror.
She tried to flee, but her body was too weak to even support her.
The stone arm clenched into a fist and crashed down on her.
"Pia!"
The sound was like a watermelon bursting. Blood splattered in all directions, turning the scene into something straight out of hell.
Yet the ground rippled silently. The blow made no sound upon impact, instead pulling the Amazoness girl into the earth along with the bloody spectacle, as if hell itself had been swallowed whole.
"So, now I'm the stronger one."
Bell's gaze swept across the remaining Amazoness girls. They all shivered, spines going cold, but none of them looked away.
He withdrew his gaze and simply ignored them.
Since they hadn't tried to kill him, and they hadn't shown much intent to pursue him, retaliating further would only cheapen his response to their actions.
He headed straight toward Aisha, who had also collapsed on the ground.
All the Amazoness girls had bronze-colored skin—perhaps matching the fierce lives they led.
Bell glanced at Aisha's ankle, bruised and swollen with a sickly purple hue. He crouched down and touched the spot with his fingertips. The bruising faded almost instantly.
'It's healed? Healing magic?'
Aisha stared at her ankle in shock. It had been throbbing with pain moments ago, but now it didn't hurt at all.
Facing her gaze, Bell stood up calmly.
"Be more careful next time. Don't go barging into someone else's territory."
"And by the way, no one outside can hear cries for help from in here."
With that, Bell turned to leave. He'd never intended to get involved in some brawl between women. If it hadn't been Aisha Belka and Sanjouno Haruhime in trouble, he wouldn't have cared if everyone outside died.
But since it was those two, he had no choice.
After all, it was the Hestia Familia that had traded information about them to Loki. If they ended up dead right outside Hestia's doorstep, Bell had no doubt Loki would come knocking.
"Why did you save us?"
Aisha looked at the man about to leave, confused as to why he would help them.
Bell didn't turn around.
"I don't know you at all, but our Familia has strong ties with Loki. If you ended up getting killed, Loki might come after me."
"!?"
Aisha was taken aback. How did he know something like that?
But before she could ask, she realized he was already gone.
Her limbs, which had felt weak just moments ago, were regaining strength, and even the pain from the serious wound on her back had eased.
'That weakness… it felt like an illusion.'
'Wasn't that some kind of poison magic?'
'No… If it really were poison, my abnormal resistance should've reacted somehow.'
'And judging by how my injuries are healing now… that wasn't poisoning. It was… healing.'
Realizing this left Aisha speechless. What kind of bizarre healing magic was that?
Still, her ankle and back were healed—that alone was worth being thankful for.
She glanced at the spot where her comrade had died, then turned to the others who were still frozen in place.
"Like I said before, the Ishtar Familia is finished."
"Because of that child, Loki won't let Ishtar off the hook."
The others exchanged looks and sighed helplessly.
"We're well aware of that."
"But Aisha… you didn't have to leak that kid's information, right?"
Aisha sighed, preparing to set things straight.
"...Why are you all assuming I'm the one who leaked it?"
"When Loki summoned me, she already knew about the kid through other sources."
"Huh? You didn't leak it, Aisha?"
Everyone had assumed she was the one who betrayed them. But judging by her reaction, that clearly wasn't the case.
"I was actually wondering if it was one of you."
That's exactly what Aisha had been thinking. After all, Haruhime was the Familia's biggest secret—only those inside could have known. If she didn't leak the info, then someone else among them must have.
They looked at one another in confusion. No one seemed guilty. It was obvious none of them had betrayed the Ishtar Familia.
Watching their reactions closely, Aisha confirmed they hadn't spread the information. That meant someone else had.
"I won't say much more, just this: do not go back to the Ishtar Familia."
"This time, the Ishtar Familia is involved in a deal with the Evilus."
"!?"
Every Amazoness present looked like their eyes were about to pop out. None of them had expected Ishtar to be connected to the Evilus.
"I… The Ishtar Familia is involved with the Evilus? Ishtar-sama must've lost her mind!"
"Otherwise, where do you think all those Pallums and Elves showing up in the Pleasure District recently came from?"
The room fell into stunned silence.
They had all noticed the sudden influx of Pallums and Elves in the Pleasure District lately, but it never occurred to them that the Evilus might be behind it.
"Come on, let's go."
Aisha urged her former comrades to leave. This wasn't the time to hesitate.
"Once Ishtar is sent back to Tenkai, then look for another Familia to join. But for now, keep your heads down."
"...Right. See you, Aisha."
Now that they knew about the Ishtar Familia's connection to the Evilus, they all understood they had to make a choice.
Should they return and face the consequences alongside Ishtar? Or leave now, wait for the chaos to settle, and then find a new Familia?
Almost everyone made the same decision in that moment.
Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Ouranos' Decision (Bonus)
Chapter Text
After Phryne Jamil was brought under control, the Ganesha Familia and Loki Familia swiftly compressed the Ishtar Familia's area of activity.
Even so, Ishtar didn't immediately choose to surrender. They continued to resist stubbornly, dragging it out until Riveria and the Guild members discovered the underground passage connecting to the Dungeon.
Gareth, along with members of the Ganesha Familia, also located a passage leading toward the outskirts of Orario. Once both sides found their respective paths, they immediately dispatched personnel into the underground tunnels.
Then, they encountered a scene that made their blood boil.
"There are this many?!"
Gareth's heart sank, and his face darkened.
At the end of the passage, in the underground space directly beneath the Pleasure District, he saw countless girls locked in cages—Pallums, Elves, and even Dwarves.
Shakti, the captain of the Ganesha Familia who had come with him, also wore a terrifyingly grim expression.
The number of demi-humans imprisoned here was actually the minority. The majority were human girls. Still, seeing their own kind caged and treated like merchandise was something else entirely.
"Elgarm, let our Familia handle this."
"All the captives inside are girls. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to go in."
After all, the ones locked up here were intended for trafficking into the Pleasure District, and their captors clearly hadn't cared whether they were clothed. The girls had been subjected to inhumane treatment and wore barely anything, making it inappropriate for men to enter.
Realizing his mistake, Gareth quickly turned away.
"Thanks for handling this, Ankusha."
With rage simmering in his chest, Gareth exited the underground space.
Shakti wasted no time giving orders.
"Bring in some women's clothing."
Everything else could wait—this had to be prioritized.
These imprisoned girls were the clearest evidence of the Ishtar Familia's human trafficking. However, linking this to the Evilus wouldn't be so simple...
...
Riveria and the Guild members also reached the hidden underground space beneath the Pleasure District.
The fury burning in Riveria's heart was intense.
Seeing one girl after another confined in iron cages, barely clothed, she felt a rare surge of murderous intent toward those responsible.
"These are..."
Behind her, Eina trembled, both hands covering her mouth as she fought to keep her emotions in check.
But the sight of so many girls—some her age, others even younger—locked up in cages sent chills down her spine.
Riveria's heart sank into the depths. As her eyes swept across the cages, she spotted several girls with pointed ears and other distinct traits of Elves.
Their eyes were vacant and hollow, like lifeless puppets stripped of self-awareness. All of them were poorly clothed. Who knew how long they'd been held in this lightless underground space?
"Miss Eina, please arrange to bring in clothing."
"And also, keep the male Guild members out. These girls need a moment to prepare."
Snapped out of her daze by the voice, Eina quickly refocused. One last glance at the harrowing scene caused her heart to tremble again.
"I-I understand... I'll get on it right away."
Without wasting time in the underground corridor, Eina and the others immediately relayed the situation outside.
Thankfully, the underground space wasn't far from the exit, so clothing could be delivered quickly.
Riveria personally stood guard at the entrance and extinguished the magic stone lights inside.
This was no time for jokes.
The dignity of the controlled girls had already been stripped away. Riveria couldn't allow them to suffer further.
They hadn't even begun their lives before enduring such trauma.
Riveria could fully imagine the sorrow and rage in their hearts, even their hatred toward the mastermind behind it all.
But in that moment, she couldn't bring herself to say a word.
The fury on both sides had reached a peak. Riveria and Gareth, as leaders, were barely restraining themselves from lashing out in rage.
The Guild did, indeed, report the matter without delay.
"So this is how it turned out."
Ouranos wasn't particularly surprised by the report.
Ishtar had indeed gone too far.
A large number of children had already been found imprisoned in one underground space—there was no doubt that the others would be just as bad.
Ouranos shook his head slightly. He had given Ishtar more than enough chances, yet she had used them to do something like this.
It was already a clear violation for any Familia or god to have dealings with the Evilus, and yet the Ishtar Familia had the audacity to cross that line so brazenly.
A mix of anger and disappointment clouded Ouranos's expression.
"It seems I gave Ishtar far too much credit."
A god engaging in such despicable acts—trafficking, and stirring up such a mess.
"Royman, issue the decree."
"Ishtar has openly conducted dealings with the Evilus and trafficked children from Genkai at will. In the name of Ouranos, I hereby sentence Ishtar to immediate divine repatriation."
With that, Ouranos had made his decision to fully dismantle the Ishtar Familia.
If it was rotten to the core, then there was no reason for it to continue existing.
He personally arranged the repatriation ritual—something that only Ishtar could still be granted. Most gods wouldn't be so fortunate.
Royman wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, then quickly left to carry out the order.
"Ouranos-sama, what about the members of the Ishtar Familia?"
Ouranos cast a glance at the plump Elf, then made his ruling.
"Place the Ishtar Familia under temporary supervision."
"Have Loki conduct a thorough investigation and compile all the relevant details for submission."
Ouranos understood that not every member of the Ishtar Familia was involved. But there was at least one person who definitely knew everything—the captain of the Ishtar Familia.
"Take control of the Familia's captain. Let Loki handle the rest."
Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Desperate Ishtar (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"What a shame."
The play's ending left Hermes somewhat disappointed. It hadn't started out like this—but now, it was closing with that family's name.
"Hermes-sama, should we investigate that person's background more thoroughly?"
Hearing his captain's question, Hermes let out a helpless sigh.
"With the way that child's been acting, gathering intel just by observing won't be easy."
"Now that the child's obtained a special kind of magic, there's no way that Rune Stone only has a single function. If it also has concealment effects, then even tracking him down will be next to impossible."
If the child had merely avoided communication when entering Orario to hide his identity, then after mastering magic, his concealment wouldn't just be about disguising clothing—he might've even changed his entire face.
"To get any concrete information, we'll have to start with Hestia and Hephaestus."
Hermes had already confirmed that Loki was clueless in this matter.
But that only made things more troublesome.
Getting any intel about that child from Hestia would be difficult. Given his personality, he'd probably already warned her to stay quiet.
As for Hephaestus... that one kept a tight mouth too. And this time, the topic was Hestia Familia's own member. With Hephaestus's personality, she'd probably just give him a one-word answer—"Scram!"
"Hm~ I guess I'll have to offer some information Hestia might be interested in as a trade."
At this point, Hermes had no better option.
"If Hestia's going to bite, it'll have to be something related directly to the person in question."
Of course Hermes understood what Asfi was implying.
"I know. But that child's identity is unusually sensitive. If possible, it's better not to reveal it—at least for now."
"But isn't this the most crucial time to gather intel on him? If you don't offer it now, it might lose all its value later."
"..."
Asfi's words only deepened Hermes's dilemma.
She was right—if he didn't put a price on the information now, the value of even the child's identity might plummet in the future.
So, if he wanted to trade information, now was the time.
At least for now, what Hermes knew was something Hestia definitely didn't—and would almost certainly be interested in.
"I'll go see Hephaestus tomorrow."
Even if it wasn't ideal to reveal the child's identity just yet, maybe it'd be acceptable—as long as the child himself remained unaware.
The whole intelligence situation was giving Hermes a serious headache. If it weren't for how cautious and secretive that child was, Hermes wouldn't even be considering trading information for more information.
...
Meanwhile, the Loki Familia was handling cleanup operations.
The Pleasure District's clearing was already underway. While the district couldn't be shut down entirely, the Familia stationed here would definitely no longer be the Ishtar Familia.
Who would take over was a question for another time.
Back at the Guild, Loki waited for the outcome. She watched as her captain and vice-captain escorted Ishtar and the Ishtar Familia's captain into the Guild.
Facing Loki, now just steps away, Ishtar bit her lip hard.
"Loki… I didn't expect it to be you…"
Even if she tried to make excuses, Ishtar had already figured out what this entire fiasco was really about.
Haruhime.
The hidden trump card within her Familia all along.
"How did you know? Why?"
Haruhime's existence was a deeply buried secret. Maybe many in her Familia were aware, but Ishtar was certain none of them would betray her so easily.
Seeing Ishtar looking like a defeated dog, Loki responded with a calm smile.
"Of course, it was special intel."
"But since it's that child, I figured you wouldn't be willing to give her up. So I never planned to negotiate with you."
Ishtar's pupils contracted sharply. She immediately understood the implication behind those words.
"No, no! Loki, let's talk this over—I can give up that child!"
But Loki only answered with a cold, indifferent smile.
"You struck deals with the Evilus, and you still think you have the right to speak?"
"Human trafficking, illegal sales—those are serious violations, Ishtar."
"And on top of that, you collaborated with them to build an underground passage connecting Orario to the outside world, and even to the Dungeon itself. You've got some nerve."
With every word Loki spoke, Ishtar's face darkened further. By the end, only despair remained.
She could tell—this time, Loki was truly going to have her sent back to Tenkai.
Watching Ishtar sink into despair, Loki's grin only grew more radiant.
"No need to look so hopeless, Ishtar."
"It's just a return to the dull, unchanging Tenkai. It's not like you're dying. You should be happy—this means you don't have to keep struggling down here anymore."
"You… You bastard!!!"
Ishtar's bronze-toned skin flushed red with fury. Loki's words nearly made her drop dead on the spot and return to Tenkai right then.
"If you find that ghost town so interesting, why don't you go back yourself?!"
Loki shrugged, resting her hands behind her head and casually shifting her gaze toward an empty corner.
"Who'd want to go back to that boring dump?"
Most gods felt the same way about Tenkai. It was a place for ascetic shut-ins and hermits—far from exciting.
Any Familia God who couldn't suppress their curiosity wouldn't dream of returning to Tenkai—unless they'd already tasted the sweetness of love and no longer wished for more romantic encounters.
But most gods were creatures of passion. They didn't seek just one encounter—they craved many.
That's why gods like Ishtar would never want to go back to Tenkai, no matter what.
To many gods, Tenkai was nothing more than a massive cage—monotonous, stagnant, and devoid of change no matter how many millennia passed.
After experiencing the vibrant world of Genkai, what god would want to return?
But now, Ishtar had no other choice.
"You're the one who got involved with those lunatics. You've got no one to blame but yourself."
Chapter 129: Chapter 129: The Gods' Council (Bonus)
Chapter Text
The next day, the gods convened an emergency meeting, prompted by the revelation of Ishtar's cooperation with the Evilus.
The gods of Orario gathered once again, this time to deliver judgment on Ishtar.
Due to the severity of the situation, nearly every god in Orario was required to attend.
"Wow... I never would've guessed the god working with the Evilus would be Ishtar."
"Yeah, no one could've seen that coming."
No one had ever imagined Ishtar might be connected to the Evilus. Everyone knew about her "Ishtar's Spring" and her ongoing feud with Freya back in Tenkai. Her behavior in Genkai wasn't all that different.
But even so, few would've believed she'd stoop so low as to collaborate with the Evilus.
Still, in hindsight, it wasn't impossible. Given her obsession with opposing Freya, teaming up with the Evilus didn't seem that far-fetched after all.
It was just unfortunate that Loki had exposed her so easily.
Presiding over the meeting was none other than Ganesha, a god famously fond of lively gatherings.
However, even Ganesha, known for his energetic flair, was unusually somber today. After all, the matter of Ishtar's trial was no laughing matter.
"Today isn't the time for celebrations," Ganesha said. "Let's get straight to the point. We'll begin by reporting on the events of yesterday."
His usual cheer replaced by a serious demeanor, Ganesha continued.
"Yesterday, Elgarm from the Loki Familia came to me. He reported that their investigation had uncovered an underground space beneath the Pleasure District—one that connects directly to the area outside Orario."
"At first, I didn't believe Ishtar could be so reckless. But when Elgarm mentioned the recent influx of unfamiliar faces in the Pleasure District, it reminded me of a report I had received from one of my messengers."
"In fact, just a few days ago, members of my Familia also reported a spike in strangers appearing in the district. I had them investigate further, but I never imagined Ishtar would be behind it."
Ganesha laid out the intel he'd received—not to shift blame, but to admit his own oversight.
He genuinely regretted not paying closer attention at the time. If he had, perhaps he would've had more time to address the situation with the Ishtar Familia properly.
"After learning what the Ishtar Familia had done, my Familia, along with Loki's, moved to surround the Pleasure District. At the same time, with Rige's help, we located three underground tunnels in a concealed area outside Orario."
"We also captured over a dozen Evilus members in the vicinity. Some of them had even begun recruiting from among Familia that haven't yet come under suspicion."
Ganesha didn't elaborate further.
It was certain the captured individuals were tied to the Evilus, but they hadn't uttered a single word, so there was no way to confirm whether some of those Familias were officially part of the faction.
Ganesha had received Ouranos's approval to monitor those groups, but that part wasn't worth delving into during this assembly.
"After entering the tunnels, we discovered an underground space much like the one beneath the Pleasure District."
"In that place, we found hundreds of children in tattered clothing—both human and demi-human. Most were Pallum, Elf, and Dwarf."
...
All the gods present instinctively turned to look at Loki.
Now they understood why only Loki had caught wind of this part of the intel.
After all, weren't Pallum, Elf, and Dwarf the races of Loki Familia's three top-tier Lv.6 adventurers?
At times like this, even the gods couldn't help but marvel at the idiocy of the Evilus. Kidnapping members of Loki Familia's core trio—were they asking to die?
"Ishtar really crossed the line."
"Yeah... I actually kind of liked the Pleasure District's Familia members. I didn't expect Ishtar to go this far."
The Pleasure District had long been integrated into Orario's culture. Even gods visited regularly.
Some had even found true love there.
Of course, that was the rare exception—most went simply for entertainment.
But now, the Pleasure District was off-limits.
At least for the foreseeable future.
"Please quiet down."
Ganesha cut off the rising murmurs and took back control of the meeting.
"At present, Ishtar has been taken into custody. Due to her actions violating divine law, Ouranos has officially confirmed her crimes."
"Because her actions crossed the line, she won't just be exiled—she's being sent back to the heavens."
The weight of that judgment sank heavily into the room.
The gods all understood the severity of Ishtar's crimes, but up until now, such punishment typically resulted in exile. Why had it escalated to this extent?
"Please wait."
At that moment, a god who had been quietly seated suddenly stood up.
He had a strikingly handsome face, and the furrow in his brow betrayed his concern.
It was risky to question this decision—such action could easily be misconstrued as sympathy for the Evilus. Yet he stood, driven by a sense of justice or something else that wouldn't allow him to remain silent.
His name was Dionysus, a mid-tier Familia God in Orario.
"Ganesha, don't you think Ouranos's sentence is a bit excessive?"
"Historically, hasn't someone in Ishtar's position typically only been expelled?"
While cooperation with the Evilus was undoubtedly grave, even if an Evilus-aligned god were caught, repatriation was rare—unless their actions had caused a disaster with widespread consequences.
Like the infamous tragedy on the 27th floor of the Dungeon.
In most other cases, the Guild simply opted for expulsion.
Being cast out of Orario was already a severe penalty.
If deportation was a death sentence, expulsion was closer to a suspended sentence—a grim reprieve that could end abruptly.
The world outside Orario wasn't safe. Monsters still roamed. If a banished god ran into one and wasn't lucky, that reprieve might only last days.
Sure, "death" and "reprieve" might sound alike, but the difference between them was enormous.
"This matter involves Loki's three top adventurers directly," Ganesha explained. "So Loki strongly recommended repatriation for Ishtar."
"In light of the fact that this incident involves the Pallum, Elf, and Dwarf communities, Ouranos accepted the proposal."
"Moreover, many gods voiced their support for the decision."
Ganesha glanced at Dionysus, silently flagging him as someone to watch.
"I personally support the decision."
"In addition, Loki, Hestia, Hephaestus, and Freya have also expressed their agreement."
Dionysus looked over at Freya and Loki and seemed to understand.
Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Loki and Freya’s Date (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Loki and Freya stood as the Twin Kings of Orario. Their influence was immense—so much so that even Ouranos couldn't afford to ignore their counsel.
Hephaestus, as the city's largest supplier of equipment, carried just as much weight in Orario's political arena.
Hestia, the rising star, had shaken the city with the emergence of Rune Stones—an innovation born from her own Familia. Coupled with her alliance with Loki Familia and cooperation with Hephaestus Familia, Hestia had also become one of the gods whose voice mattered.
With all four of them aligned against Ishtar, Dionysus understood that the verdict had been set in stone from the start.
"I see."
Dionysus gave a small shake of his head and sat back down.
Now that his doubts had been addressed, he had no reason to keep pressing like some stubborn fool.
Besides, he hadn't opposed the ruling itself—he'd simply raised a question. And even if he had objected, what difference would it make? The sentence wouldn't change.
"In addition to myself and the four previously mentioned gods, Miach, Takemikazuchi, Goibniu, and Hermes also support Ishtar's repatriation."
Hermes?
Dionysus cast a slightly puzzled glance at him.
Given what he knew of Hermes, this wasn't the kind of situation where he would usually stick out his neck. Why choose to take a stance now?
It was then that Dionysus realized just how large Loki's camp had become.
But something else weighed on his mind.
'How did Ouranos come to agree to this?'
'He would never be swayed by numbers alone. On the contrary, he adheres strictly to rules and would never render judgment based on personal sentiment.'
'So... there must be another reason. Something Ouranos himself found unacceptable.'
Without more details, Dionysus could only speculate.
Still, his doubt was just a minor footnote in the greater picture.
Ganesha's statement clarified both the stance toward Ishtar and how many gods in Orario truly viewed her.
It was now undeniably clear: the two highest authorities had decided she had to be sent back.
And beyond them, several other influential gods had echoed that judgment.
In truth, this entire meeting had become a reflection of how little regard the gods had for Ishtar. Being targeted by so many of her peers—it could only mean one thing: her reputation among the gods was utterly abysmal.
"That concludes the main agenda of today's meeting. Next, we'll address the matter of Ishtar's Familia."
"According to the Guild's investigation and our own findings, the captain of the Ishtar Familia was fully aware of everything and directly carried out Ishtar's plans. As such, Phryne Jamil is hereby stripped of her status as an Adventurer and permanently forbidden from ever receiving the Falna of any god."
No one raised objections.
She had cooperated with the Evilus and served as the executor of their schemes. The fact that she wasn't sentenced to death was already a mercy.
Some speculated that the only reason Phryne Jamil wasn't executed outright was because Ishtar had already been sentenced to repatriation.
Had that not been the case, her punishment might have been far worse.
After all, Orario's prisons already held many Evilus members.
It would have been no surprise for Phryne Jamil to join them—had fate not turned against Ishtar so severely.
In the end, her captain had simply benefited from that misfortune.
"Well then, that concludes this Denatus meeting. Tonight, Ishtar will be brought to the Guild for her repatriation ceremony."
"Also, until a new god is chosen to take over the Pleasure District, my Familia will temporarily manage it. If any god is interested in taking over, speak to me privately after the meeting."
...
The Pleasure District was no small business—it was one of the most profitable sectors in Orario.
Now that Ishtar was being repatriated, the district was effectively left vacant.
But such a void needed proper handling. Otherwise, it could throw Orario into disarray.
Even Ganesha acknowledged the necessity of the Pleasure District's existence.
It was a place where many prostitutes gathered and where adventurers often went to unwind.
After all, adventuring was a life-or-death profession. Dying in the Dungeon was hardly unusual. For those still breathing, living in the moment and blowing off steam was sometimes essential.
Besides, shutting the Pleasure District down wouldn't be easy.
Most of the women working there had no desire to leave. They earned good money as prostitutes—giving it up meant possibly being unable to survive in Orario.
So for many reasons, the Pleasure District wasn't something that could be abolished.
The only question that remained was which god would take over.
As the meeting concluded, most of the gods chose to leave.
With such a major incident involving the Ishtar Familia, the other gods also needed to return to their own Familia to speak with their children.
But Loki, the central figure in this case, wasn't in a rush to go back. Instead, she walked over to Freya.
Freya hadn't left either. She was waiting for Loki.
"Freya, got a minute?"
"Oh~ you're actually inviting me? That's rare."
Loki pouted, clearly unimpressed.
"Drop the act. You, standing on my side out of goodwill? I'm not messing with you, so don't start trying to mess with me."
Freya just smiled at the sharp tone, unfazed by Loki's thug-like attitude.
"I really do have a few things I want to ask you—about Ishtar."
Loki wasn't surprised. But she knew this lovesick woman didn't care about Ishtar herself. Those two never got along, and Freya had never once shown concern for her.
What she wanted to ask must be about the incident—not about Ishtar as a person.
Still, Loki was curious about what Freya's real intentions were, so she didn't refuse.
"Fine. Let's go to the Hostess of Fertility."
"Sounds good."
With the location set, the two left together. They certainly had a lot to discuss.
Chapter 131: Chapter 131: “Ordinary” Is the Most Unordinary (Bonus)
Chapter Text
The two goddesses arrived at the Hostess of Fertility at the same time.
It wasn't even evening yet, but the tavern had opened early—for no other reason than to welcome them.
Loki tapped her leg, eyeing the woman seated across from her with clear annoyance.
"Alright, spill it. Who've you got your eyes on this time, you lovestruck fool?"
Freya didn't seem the least bit bothered by the jab.
"Loki, I'm just curious about a certain child who's hiding."
"That child deliberately conceals himself... which makes me want to see the part he's hiding."
Loki let out a long sigh. She was already sick of this kind of answer—Freya used it every time she got interested in someone.
But Loki also understood exactly why this woman had gone out of her way to side with her this time.
"I don't know anything about the shorty's kid."
"Oh my~ So you already know?"
Freya's unbothered tone only made Loki pull an even sourer face.
"I've known you for ages. I know what you're into, you lovestruck collector."
"You're just like a greedy dragon—see something shiny, and you want to haul it back to your lair. With the talent that kid's shown, there's no way you're not interested."
They'd known each other for eons. Of course Loki understood her.
And even she had to admit—the shorty's kid really wasn't normal.
"But this time you're acting oddly. You usually wouldn't come to me for something like this."
Freya didn't deny it—instead, she nodded openly.
"I've seen that child before."
"Huh? Wait, what?"
Loki blinked in surprise, staring hard at her.
"You're saying you didn't see anything?"
"No... That child's soul didn't shine at all. It was like a stone lying by the roadside."
The first time Freya saw him, her eyes had swept over him out of mere curiosity. Once she confirmed his soul lacked any radiance, she paid him no further mind.
But now, after seeing what he had accomplished, she was convinced—he had concealed his soul.
Still, could a normal child from Genkai truly hide their soul?
Even a god, with their power sealed, couldn't easily mask their soul through conventional means.
That had always been Freya's belief—until this incident shattered that certainty.
"Thinking back now, there was something odd I didn't catch."
"That strange, unremarkable feeling—as if he really was just a stone on the ground. Even children from Genkai, no matter how deep in despair, their souls still carry a shade of black."
"But his had no light, no darkness—just plain, dull emptiness. In a way, that made it even more special."
Yes, every soul in Genkai had some color. Whether it was dazzling or dim was another matter.
But now Freya remembered: that child's soul had no color at all. Not darkness from despair—but pure, featureless gray, so ordinary she'd instinctively dismissed it with a glance.
Only now did she realize—that was the most abnormal thing of all.
And in that moment, a powerful, unprecedented interest flared in Freya's eyes.
"There really is something interesting hidden in that child."
Though Freya was clearly excited, her emotions were still under control.
Loki noticed that too.
"What's wrong? Aren't you usually even more fired up at times like this, you lovesick idiot?"
Despite her excitement, Freya gave Loki a graceful side-eye, perfectly composed.
"Loki, I'm more excited now than I've ever been."
As the goddess of desire, Freya could say with certainty that nothing stirred her more than a soul shrouded in mystery. A soul hidden so completely couldn't possibly be dull—in fact, that kind of concealment only made it more dazzling.
But this time, instead of the rush of excitement she usually felt, what she truly wanted was to peel back the layers, bit by bit, and uncover the child's hidden side.
"I really want to see the soul that child's hiding."
"But charging in like that would be too abrupt... Rather than tearing away his disguise, I'd rather watch him unveil it himself, little by little."
Freya had always been extremely patient when it came to children who piqued her interest.
Even though she was certain that Hestia's child possessed an exceptionally radiant soul, she didn't want to force things.
This was the only child in all of Genkai who could hide his soul from her gaze—there might never be another. With someone this rare, Freya wasn't about to rush in and destroy the mystery.
Compared to knowing the truth, she far preferred savoring the process of discovering it.
'This lovesick fool... she's completely hopeless.'
Loki couldn't help rolling her eyes.
She understood how Freya felt. After all, she had the same urges when it came to Ais. She couldn't help wanting to see her flustered and cute... to make her that way.
The thought alone got Loki a little worked up.
After calming herself down, she still decided to give Freya a bit of a warning.
"Hey, what you do in your lovestruck haze isn't my business—but don't go overboard."
Freya didn't really care whether she was being excessive or not.
"That depends on what kind of answer I end up getting."
With that, she stood from her seat.
"The kind of soul that child has will determine what I do next."
Of course, Loki wasn't too optimistic.
"I think you should keep your seductive impulses in check."
"That kid doesn't seem to be like normal children, full of raw desires. Honestly, I don't think he'll be so easily swayed by you."
Freya paused at that. The comment caught her interest.
"You're right. That child really doesn't seem to have strong desires."
"Maybe that hidden nature of his comes from the soul itself... He's a cautious one."
Freya had never encountered a child quite like this before. Maybe she really should consider Loki's advice.
At the very least, the usual methods she used on other children might need to be reconsidered this time.
Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Plague God Hermes (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Ishtar is completely finished."
Miach had mixed feelings. He hadn't expected that Ishtar really had ties to the Evilus.
"She brought this on herself. If she had just stayed away from those people, if she hadn't reached out to the Evilus or gotten involved in human trafficking, would she be in this mess now?"
Hestia didn't feel the slightest bit of sympathy for Ishtar's downfall.
She knew the inside story. She knew this outcome was set in motion by the deal between Bell and Loki.
But what truly led to Ishtar's collapse was her own misdeeds. If she hadn't gone so far, at most Loki could've declared war on her Familia. Bringing her down completely would've been almost impossible.
But Ishtar just couldn't stay in her lane. She crossed too many lines.
So really, there was no one else to blame—everything that happened was the result of her own actions.
...
Miach and Takemikazuchi understood this all too well.
In Orario, the Evilus were like sewer rats—everyone wanted them gone. For Ishtar to actively associate with that filth? She was practically begging for disaster.
And then there was the trafficking.
Miach could tolerate it a bit more, but Takemikazuchi? Absolutely not.
Especially after learning that many of the children sold to the Ishtar Familia were from the Far East—and that some of his own Familia members even knew the abducted—Takemikazuchi had reached his limit.
"Ishtar brought this on herself. Of all things, she had to get involved with the Evilus and even stoop to that level."
"Being sent back to Tenkai is already merciful."
Given all she'd done, repatriation was the most lenient punishment she could've received.
Still, Takemikazuchi knew that Ouranos wouldn't have agreed to it lightly. Dionysus had a point—until now, the harshest punishment for such gods had only been exile from Orario, not outright repatriation.
Hephaestus could understand how Takemikazuchi felt. Too many of the trafficked children were connected to him.
If this time so many kids related to Takemikazuchi were rescued, what about last time? Or the time before that? Who knew how many had already been lost to Ishtar's actions.
"This time, Ishtar won't get another chance. You can let go of your anger now, Takemikazuchi."
"Well, at least that's something worth celebrating."
Takemikazuchi's rage finally eased. Once Ishtar was gone, a lot of trouble would go with her.
"Anyway, I need to go."
"I want to meet the children who came from the Far East. After Ishtar's deportation is finalized, I plan to take them in as part of my Familia."
Everyone understood his decision.
In the Far East, many children already regarded Takemikazuchi as their Familia God. And he, in turn, had a special affection for them.
Watching him walk away, the others couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
"It looks like Takemikazuchi is going to be busy from now on."
Miach simply smiled and shook his head.
"Maybe he's actually happier when he's busy like this."
"After all, those kids from the Far East really do revere Takemikazuchi as their god. After something like this happened to them, all he wants now is to take care of the wounded children. At the very least, it's his way of making up for not being able to protect them."
Miach could clearly see how much Takemikazuchi blamed himself.
He truly cherished the children who believed in him, treating them as if they were his own—something that was obvious from how he looked after his Familia.
"Now that Ishtar has officially fallen, many of her children will get a chance to choose their Familia again. The gods of Orario are about to get busy."
"Hestia, what about you? Still not planning to take in any new Familia members?"
When Hestia was called out, she didn't hesitate at all.
"Nope. I never planned to take on many members to begin with, and besides, my child is a bit special—he doesn't really get along with other Adventurers."
Miach didn't press the topic. Every Familia had at least one special case like that. And honestly, there was no need to worry about Hestia. Her child was far more promising than most people imagined.
As for the matter of not trusting other Adventurers... maybe there was a deeper story behind that.
"It'd be better to help your child get used to working with other Adventurers."
"Even if he doesn't like it, you should take some steps to push him a bit. Not trusting others and not being good at working with them are two different things."
Of course, Hestia didn't believe Bell had trouble dealing with other Adventurers.
Just the fact that her child had managed to persuade Hephaestus and Loki made it clear he wasn't someone bad at handling people. But being able to interact...
'Doesn't mean he trusts them.'
"Excuse me, you three."
Just as they were about to leave Babel Tower, a man wearing a hat with a single feather hurried over.
The moment they saw him, all three of them twitched—each to a different degree.
They knew all too well that being stopped by this guy was never a good sign.
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't look at me like I'm trash."
Hermes looked exasperated. Was his reputation in Orario really that bad?
Miach didn't know how to deal with Hermes either. Or rather, he'd always been cautious of this unreliable man.
"You wander around doing nothing most of the time, and when something does happen, you vanish. So how are we supposed to treat you?"
"You only ever act serious when something's actually going on. But go ask around—how many people who've had you 'get involved' actually want to see you?"
Miach's words hit home for both Hestia and Hephaestus.
That was exactly how they saw Hermes.
Whenever something happened, the first person they suspected was Hermes, and they were always stunned to find he really had a hand in it.
So whether something was happening or not, the last person they wanted to see was Hermes.
Because whenever he showed up, trouble was never far behind.
And when he appeared with that serious expression...
That meant it was something big.
In that moment, Miach, Hestia, and Hephaestus all had the same impulse—to run.
Chapter 133: Chapter 133: A Request from an Old Friend Outside the City (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Hey! What kind of trash do you all take me for?!"
Hermes honestly had no idea why his reputation in Orario had gotten so bad—everyone looked at him like he was walking trouble.
And the truth was, both Miach and Hestia, and even Hephaestus, did see him as nothing but trouble.
"You seriously don't know your own reputation, Hermes?"
Hestia looked at him with clear disdain. She didn't even feel like wasting words on him.
"Whenever you're looking for someone, it's never because of something good."
Hermes didn't know how to argue with that. After all, what Hestia said was basically the truth.
Still, he felt like he had to defend himself—he wasn't always unwelcome.
"This time is different."
"It's true that whenever I'm chasing people down, it's usually because of a task from Ouranos. But I've got plenty of other work too—gathering intel, staying in contact with certain people."
"And the reason I'm here today is exactly that."
Hermes got straight to the point, which made Hestia a little wary.
"You're looking for me?"
"Well, it's actually a favor from a friend who's been exiled from the outside."
Hermes didn't bother sugarcoating it, and the three gods instantly understood what he meant—he was referring to a god exiled from Orario.
But this wasn't the kind of conversation to be having out in the open.
Miach chose to take his leave first.
"Hestia, there's something my Familia needs me for. I'll be heading back."
"W–"
Before Hestia could even respond, Miach was already walking away.
"Hestia, I…"
"Come with me! Don't leave me here alone!"
Like a startled wildcat, Hestia clung to the only lifeline she had left, grabbing tightly onto Hephaestus just as she was about to leave.
"Hermes is looking for you, not me. Why are you holding on to me?"
Hephaestus wanted nothing to do with any of this—especially not something that involved exiled gods. She was all about avoiding trouble whenever she could.
"But… but I just came down to Genkai! What do those exiled gods have to do with me?"
Hestia was genuinely confused. She'd only been in Genkai for less than half a year. She had no connections with any of the gods who'd been driven out of Orario. So why were they looking for her?
Hephaestus paused for a moment, then her expression shifted as she seemed to realize something. Her visible eye, the one not covered by her eyepatch, turned toward Hermes with a deeper, more serious look.
"Hermes… you're not joking with us, are you?"
"Of course not."
Hermes shook his head firmly.
"I've got standards, you know. I wouldn't joke about something like this."
"There really is a god from the outside who asked me to pass along a message to you, Hestia."
"Since I have some connection with him, I agreed to help."
"Hestia, I'd like to go to your Familia's home. We can talk more there about the details. Also, just asking—your child, is he still at your Familia's place?"
Hestia felt a slight unease. She didn't understand why Hermes was suddenly bringing up Bell, but she answered anyway.
"Bell-kun went to the Dungeon today."
"He left early?"
…He really did leave early this morning.
"Hermes, why are you so concerned about Bell-kun?"
"Just covering all bases. There are things that aren't suitable for a Familia child to hear."
Even though Hestia had some doubts, she couldn't deny the logic in that.
Some things were simply better kept from Bell.
Just then, Hephaestus, who had almost made her escape, stopped and walked back. She placed a hand on Hestia's shoulder, her uncovered left eye fixed squarely on Hermes.
"So, Hermes, are you saying that the god exiled from outside was actually looking for that child?"
"Huh?"
Hestia still hadn't fully caught on.
Hephaestus patiently explained beside her.
"You idiot, didn't you just say it yourself? You've only been in Genkai for half a year. And in that time, not a single god has been exiled from Orario. So where would Hermes get some 'old friend' from outside to send you a message?"
"You might know a lot of gods and have pretty decent relationships with many of them, but it's not like any of them are close enough to send messages directly to you."
"But that child in your Familia... he's different."
In that moment, Hestia suddenly understood. Bell's magic and skills might be deeply tied to a god from the outside.
She barely knew any of the gods who had been exiled, so it made no sense for them to be reaching out to her directly.
But if Bell had been raised or trained by one of those exiled gods, then them reaching out through her made perfect sense.
Now under the sharp gazes of both goddesses, Hermes was starting to feel the pressure.
'...Since when was Hephaestus this sharp?'
Hestia's eyes narrowed, locked on Hermes.
"So... you were asked by one of those outside gods to investigate Bell-kun, weren't you?"
Hermes gave a helpless nod under the weight of their stares.
"That child is the orphan of an old friend's former Familia. My friend has been taking care of him ever since. A few days ago, when the child arrived in Orario, I was asked to keep an eye on him."
"But before I could even start, the kid disappeared into the shadows. No matter how much I searched, I couldn't find a single trace."
Hermes didn't really want to say that out loud, but without Hestia's cooperation, there was no way he'd get any intel on Bell.
Since some of the truth had already come out, Hermes figured there was no harm in elaborating a bit more.
'Ah, that sounds like Bell-kun alright.'
Hestia was used to hearing things like that. Her child was always extremely cautious. But that wasn't what really mattered right now.
"So? What now?"
"...And you plan to talk about all this right in front of the Guild?"
Only then did Hestia and Hephaestus realize they were still standing at the entrance to the Guild.
Had any other gods overheard that conversation?
Just as the two goddesses were getting worried, a figure appeared in front of them.
"Hermes-sama, the barrier has been set. I've confirmed that no one overheard the conversation."
"Good work, Asfi."
Praising his captain for her attentiveness, Hermes turned back to Hestia.
"Now, can we find somewhere quiet to continue this talk?"
Chapter 134: Chapter 134: The Hestia Familia’s Home Base (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Some conversations need to happen in a quiet place, and in all of Orario, there was only one spot Hestia truly trusted.
And it wasn't Hephaestus' territory—but the home she shared with Bell.
"Hestia, didn't you just buy that place? Does that kid even have the money to hire the Goibniu Familia for reconstruction?"
Given their business dealings, Hephaestus was very familiar with Hestia's recent finances.
Based on the Hestia Familia's income, after paying off debts and purchasing that ruined plot, they clearly didn't have the funds left to rebuild it.
"Yeah. Bell-kun made quite a bit recently from the Rune Stones, but he's also spent a lot across different areas, so there's no way we can afford to hire the Goibniu Familia for the reconstruction."
Hestia was honest about their financial limits. Even if the Rune Stones were selling well, it still took time for profits to come in.
While Bell's Rune Stones were undeniably useful, making a quick profit before buyers started using them up was still a challenge.
Of course, once people started using them, repeat business would come naturally.
Still, even with more income down the line, it didn't mean they'd hand over the base construction to the Goibniu Familia.
After all, they had one particularly cautious child at home.
Honestly...
Hestia's mood lightened unexpectedly, and she quickly offered an explanation.
"Building a Familia base isn't just about having a place to live or rest. It's an important symbol too. That's why Bell-kun decided he'd build it himself."
"???"
The two gods and one captain walking beside her all had question marks practically floating over their heads.
You can just... build your own base?
None of them said anything, though. They simply followed Hestia in silence.
After winding through several narrow streets and turning corner after corner, they entered a tucked-away alley.
That's when things started to feel off.
All the surrounding buildings suddenly vanished, and the entire area was engulfed in a thick mist. Even the gods felt something unnervingly unnatural.
"Is this... a barrier?"
Asfi Al Andromeda, captain of the Hermes Familia and widely known as the "Perseus," immediately grasped the situation.
It was clear they had stepped into a barrier.
Hermes and Hephaestus both turned their eyes toward Hestia, who continued walking ahead.
"Yes. Since the base is such an important place, the first thing Bell-kun prioritized was security. He's set up a lot of barriers around it. Without the proper 'key,' it's nearly impossible to get in."
"Hestia, what if someone tries to force their way in?"
Hermes' question made Hestia glance back at him, a bit puzzled.
"That's not possible. Bell-kun set up layers of barriers throughout the area. Any intruder would immediately be hit by his magic—loaded with all kinds of debuffs. We're talking decreased strength, dulled senses, disrupted mana flow... under those conditions, who could even manage to break in?"
At that, Asfi chimed in.
"Hestia-sama, most Adventurers choose 'Abnormal Resistance' as a Development Ability after their first level-up. That ability helps resist negative status effects—poison, paralysis, sleep, things like that."
"If their 'Abnormal Resistance' is high enough, they can withstand a wide range of debuffs. Naturally, that includes magic with negative effects."
"I know. But Bell-kun said it himself—even Adventurers with 'Abnormal Resistance' will definitely be affected. The spells he set up aren't the kind you can resist with that ability. Resistance won't matter—it's useless."
Asfi looked genuinely surprised.
From Hestia's explanation, it was clear the boy who set up these barriers understood the mechanics of 'Abnormal Resistance.' And yet he still claimed his magic would work no matter what. Was he exaggerating?
No—he probably wasn't.
These barriers were designed to protect the Hestia Familia's base and Hestia herself. No one would joke about something like that.
'So those debuffs... really are guaranteed to work?'
Asfi couldn't quite wrap her head around it. She couldn't think of any way to overcome an Adventurer's 'Abnormal Resistance' with magic that would still work no matter what.
Hermes, meanwhile, covered his face in silence.
He didn't know how that kid had managed it either. But more importantly, how did he even come up with such a method in the first place?
You wouldn't develop something like this unless you truly saw other Adventurers as potential enemies.
Which meant that child had been cautious of Adventurers all along—and had been actively developing combat techniques specifically designed to counter them.
Hermes couldn't help but cry out in his mind.
'Zeus! What the hell did you teach that kid?!'
Back then, Hermes never imagined that a child raised by Zeus could be this meticulous. But now that he'd seen it firsthand, he understood—maybe the most cautious person in Orario wasn't Hermes after all.
Maybe... it was Zeus, who didn't even seem like someone capable of scheming.
The old geezer clearly raised his kid to be just as full of tricks as he was.
Hermes was now convinced that all that talk about Bell's "lack of talent" was just Zeus messing with him from the start.
That realization made Hermes' expression turn bitter.
All his life, he'd been the one pulling the strings, playing tricks on others—but now? He was the one getting played.
...
"We're here."
Hestia stopped walking. In front of them stood a gate formed from thick, woven vines, and the magical pressure in the air grew even heavier.
Hestia turned around to face Hephaestus and Hermes.
"This is my Familia's home."
At that moment, the gate behind her swung open on its own.
The dense magical haze began to lift, and the interior slowly came into view.
What caught everyone's eyes were the two trees flanking the gate like silent sentries.
Looking closer, they realized the vines that formed the gate were growing from those two trees.
But the vines weren't what mattered—the trees themselves were the real focus.
If they weren't mistaken... these trees were exactly what they thought they were.
But why were there two of them standing at the entrance to Hestia's base?
Chapter 135: Chapter 135: This Is Low-Key Luxury (Bonus)
Chapter Text
'These are Spirit Trees.'
Hephaestus was certain—the two trees at the gate were indeed Spirit Trees.
Even among the Elves, Spirit Trees were extremely rare. After part of their homeland was destroyed by Crozzo's Magic Sword, materials from these trees had become nearly impossible to obtain.
Not that they were common before. The Elves, proud and reclusive as they were, rarely sold anything to outsiders. It was only after their homes were damaged and resources ran short that they reluctantly opened up trade in certain areas.
But Spirit Trees were never part of that trade.
"Hestia, where did you get these two Spirit Trees?"
"Hm? Oh, those were grown by Bell-kun."
Still basking in the glow of showing off, Hestia hadn't expected a question instead of praise. But there was no reason to hide it—these trees weren't something with a shady origin.
"Aren't Spirit Tree seeds sold outside?"
"Before starting the renovations, Bell bought a whole bunch of seeds. Even after using them for construction, we've still got plenty left."
The implication was clear—the trees came from those commercially available Elf seeds.
'Grown…'
Hephaestus stared at the two trees, somewhat speechless.
"If your kid can actually do that, couldn't you make a killing selling them?"
"Well, I thought so too at first. But Bell-kun said doing that would directly offend the Elves. So the Spirit Trees are strictly for personal use."
Honestly, Hestia felt it was a shame. She was certain they could make a fortune. But she also respected Bell's decision.
'Ah, right. There's that issue.'
Hephaestus had forgotten about the Elf situation. But now that she remembered, she understood Bell's caution.
The Elves, with their pride and high sense of honor, would absolutely blow up over something like this. Selling Spirit Trees privately was seen as a deep insult to their people.
"It's a shame, but at least these trees haven't gone to waste."
Hestia stepped through the gate.
Hermes and Hephaestus followed.
They saw Hestia pointing to the surrounding walls, and their eyes widened as they realized what they were looking at—Spirit Trees, spaced evenly along the perimeter.
Looking closely, they saw the walls themselves were almost entirely composed of Spirit Tree wood and branches, grown and shaped into solid structures.
It was enough to leave anyone stunned.
They were sure—no other Familia would ever be reckless enough to build with such extravagance.
Spirit Trees were the most treasured material of the Elves, second only to Yggdrasil. What kind of Familia had the resources—or the nerve—to line their entire base with them?
This wasn't luxury. This was madness.
But Hestia didn't even notice the dumbfounded looks on Hermes and Hephaestus' faces. She continued explaining without missing a beat.
"These Spirit Trees can't be sold, but since they're incredibly sturdy, they're perfect for building outer walls. Plus, they produce dense spiritual energy, which helps sustain the outer barriers."
In Hestia's view, aside from selling them, the greatest value of Spirit Trees lay in their durability and the constant stream of energy they provided.
"And ever since we planted them, I've been sleeping so much better. The energy they emit probably helps with that too."
There was no bragging in her tone, but Hephaestus still reached out and pinched her cheek.
"Wha—! Hephaestus, why are you pinching me?!"
"Because... I felt like it!"
Just thinking about this idiot's living conditions made Hephaestus want to mess with her a bit.
Then she looked around. The richness of the spiritual energy within the area was unmistakable. Even someone with half a brain could tell how beneficial this environment was for those living in Genkai. It was the kind of environment every magic-focused Familia dreamed of.
Living here would rapidly restore stamina and mental energy—and even speed up healing.
Yet this kind of ideal setup wasn't in the hands of the Loki Familia or Freya Familia—it belonged to the little-known Hestia Familia.
'I've never seen a base this extravagant.'
...
Hermes had been speechless for a while now. As he took in the surroundings, he actually felt tears of envy welling up.
His place had never been anything close to this luxurious.
Dozens of Spirit Trees lined the area, serving as walls. Aside from the Elves themselves, Hestia might be the only one capable of pulling something like this off.
'That kid keeps such a low profile you can't even dig up proper intel on him, and yet the inside of his Familia is like a noble's manor. He's using materials no other Familia would even dare dream about.'
'And outside, there are layers of barriers… Zeus, is this your idea of "no talent"?'
'If this kid's got no talent, then everyone in Orario might as well pack up and go home.'
After wriggling free from Hephaestus, Hestia rubbed her slightly pinched cheek and headed inside.
"Come on in."
The scent of fresh wood and leaves filled the air—it was clear everything had been built recently, likely just a few days ago.
"Because we were short on time, we haven't finished building everything inside yet."
"That area over there—Bell-kun was planning to turn it into a giant treehouse. But building something like that takes time, so it's on hold for now."
Hestia pointed to a large open section at the center of the base as she explained their future plans.
The treehouse would be massive, with plenty of space.
Hestia could already envision what it would look like once it was done.
But because of its scale, finishing it would take time.
And right now, Bell was focused on studying magic scripts—preparing for the upcoming Loki Familia expedition.
So for the time being, Hestia had told him to put the interior construction on pause. After all, that expedition was the real priority.
Still, while the treehouse had to wait, the underground space could at least be reinforced.
"Also, let's go to where Bell-kun and I are currently staying. It's safer to talk there."
Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Zeus and Hera (Bonus)
Chapter Text
In the corner of Hestia Familia's territory, the old, crumbling church that had stood there from the start still remained.
"It hasn't been torn down yet?"
Hephaestus looked at the decrepit building in surprise.
Most of the surrounding ruins had already been cleared, yet this church was the only one left standing.
"Because there just hasn't been time."
Hestia puffed out her cheeks, clearly frustrated.
"Bell-kun has had his hands full lately. Between training in the Dungeon and studying magic, plus handling the renovations himself, it's no wonder things are progressing slowly."
"Even though he said he wanted to remodel the base as soon as possible, just setting up the surrounding area already took a ton of time and effort. So the actual renovation of the Familia's grounds has been put on hold for now."
Hestia was still quite curious about the new home.
It was the place she'd be sharing with Bell, and of course, she wanted to see it take shape as soon as possible.
But she reined in her impatience.
Bell had more pressing concerns right now—specifically, preparing for the upcoming expedition with Loki Familia. Knowing that, Hestia didn't dwell on the renovations. There would be time for that once the expedition was over.
"Follow me."
Hestia led the group into the church.
The place was in such disrepair that it barely seemed fit for sitting, let alone living. But this wasn't where they stayed.
Hidden within the base of Hestia Familia was a safer, far more secluded area.
The true starting point of the Familia—the basement beneath the church.
This underground space had been specially reinforced.
Since they couldn't rely solely on surface-level accommodations, keeping a highly concealed space underground was important. So the basement had been solidified and preserved for long-term use.
As they descended the steps, all three of them felt an odd shift in the atmosphere.
Still, none of them hesitated. One by one, they entered the basement.
Soon, the room came into view.
It wasn't huge, but it was spacious enough for two or three people to live comfortably.
Along the wall, two beds were set apart by a partition. Several bookshelves lined the edges, filled to the brim with books.
Magic Stone lamps lit the space, and more books were scattered around the floor—suggesting the person living here wasn't exactly neat. But near another table and chair, books were stacked neatly, indicating a stark contrast in habits.
'The messy side's Hestia. The neat one must belong to that kid.'
Hephaestus crouched down and picked up a book from the floor. It was a text about other races and distant countries.
'Yep, definitely Hestia's.'
Adventurers typically didn't care about books like these.
Even if they read, it was usually stuff related to the Dungeon. Most adventurers in Orario had no intention of ever leaving it—opportunities or not.
They came from outside, and now that they were here, did they really care about the world beyond?
Was the Dungeon not dangerous enough for them?
Was their life here not thrilling enough?
Hephaestus couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for that child's daily life.
'Taking care of someone as clueless as Hestia... that kid really has it rough.'
Hephaestus returned the book to the shelf, then sat down on the chair that clearly belonged to Bell.
Hermes glanced around, then dropped onto the slightly worn-out sofa. Asfi sat beside him.
Once Hestia sat down, she fixed Hermes with a probing stare.
"Hermes, just be direct. What do you really want to know? Which god outside of Orario is connected to Bell-kun?"
"Zeus."
The moment Hermes spoke the name, both Hestia and Hephaestus froze.
It took a few seconds before Hestia could even react.
"Hermes… you're saying the god looking for Bell-kun is that Zeus?"
Hermes gave a slight nod.
"Yes. That Zeus. The one who, years ago, was expelled from Orario by Loki and Freya after failing to defeat the One-Eyed Black Dragon…"
Even after hearing it clearly, Hestia still felt dazed.
She had never once imagined that her first Familia child would have any connection to the ancient god Zeus.
Hermes continued.
"Bell-kun's father was a member of Zeus's Familia, and his mother was from Hera's."
"Even though both the Zeus and Hera Familias were wiped out in the battle against the Black Dragon, that child survived. But due to health issues, his mother passed away not long after giving birth."
"So, Bell-kun is the last surviving bloodline of both the Zeus and Hera Familias."
"About half a month ago, Zeus faked his death and tricked the kid into coming to Orario. That's when I ran into Zeus and learned the truth. He asked me to look after the boy."
Hestia had never expected the story behind Bell's origins to be so complicated.
The final heir of Zeus and Hera... and somehow, he'd ended up as her child.
Both Hestia and Hephaestus sat there stunned, unable to say a word.
Hermes understood exactly how they felt. When he first heard, he'd been shocked too. Who would have thought that Zeus and Hera had left behind a child? He was almost certain not even Ouranos knew about it.
"That's the situation."
"So, can you tell me that child's status now?"
The news had been overwhelming—she still hadn't quite recovered.
She took a few deep breaths, trying to steady herself.
What Hermes said was staggering, but Hestia finally understood why he was so fixated on Bell.
If Zeus wanted to know, it wasn't an unreasonable request.
Still, revealing Bell's status directly was out of the question. The consequences would be enormous.
Especially when it came to Hermes—Orario's biggest blabbermouth. Hestia definitely didn't trust him with that.
Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Hermes’ Interest (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"I can tell you Bell-kun's stats, but I can't talk about his Magic or Skills."
Hermes nodded nonchalantly.
"Just his stats are more than enough."
"If you can't tell me about his Magic or Skills, then what about his Level?"
Hestia paused for a moment, then gave a slight nod. She didn't know what kind of chain reaction revealing this would trigger with Hermes, but it wasn't something she could avoid—Bell's situation was already linked to Zeus and Hera.
"Right now, Bell-kun is Level 2."
"Before he leveled up, all of his stats had already exceeded 1300."
Hestia didn't mention the specifics, but even just that rough estimate was shocking enough.
Hermes tilted his hat down, hiding the astonishment on his face.
'Zeus, this isn't what you meant by 'no talent,' is it?'
It was the second time he found himself silently criticizing that old man Zeus.
According to his intel, the kid had only been an Adventurer for less than a month—barely more than two weeks. Yet in such a short time, he had gone straight from Level 1 to Level 2, accomplishing something most Adventurers in Orario could only dream of. And all of his stats had broken past 1300. That made it even more absurd.
For most Adventurers, the stat cap was 999. Sure, there were rare cases of people who broke past that—especially in ancient times, when some Adventurers who didn't receive Falna managed to do it. But that was in the distant past.
This wasn't ancient history anymore, yet here was a child who not only shattered the 999 limit but raised all of his stats above 1300. His growth rate was terrifying, and the level of power he had accumulated could send even gods into shock.
'If the gods in Orario ever learned about this kid, I doubt any of them could keep their cool.'
'Hestia, I understand now why you hid this child's stats and Skills so carefully.'
That kind of explosive growth had to be tied to a unique Skill. And factoring in the kind of Magic he used, Hermes was certain Bell's "stats" were tied to secrets that couldn't be disclosed lightly.
But Hermes also knew this was not the kind of information that could be leaked to the other gods. If it got out, things would get very messy.
At the same time, though, he saw something in this child—hope. The hope to defeat the Black Dragon, something that until now had seemed utterly impossible.
He'd been in Orario for a long time, but he had never once believed the city was ready to take on the Black Dragon. In his eyes, what Orario lacked was a true hero—someone who could lead the Adventurers forward. With a hero at the front, others would be inspired to push forward as well, finding room to grow and progress.
Until now, Hermes hadn't found anyone in Orario he could genuinely call a "hero." But now… he had found hope.
A smile tugged at Hermes' lips. The dull days were finally over. From here on, things in Orario were about to get interesting.
Hermes rose from the sofa.
"I already know about that child. Next, I'll send the information to Zeus and Hera."
"I'll also take responsibility for keeping it confidential. I won't let a third party learn anything about what I just told you."
No matter what, Hermes had no intention of leaking the child's information. If too many gods found out about him, the result wouldn't be that he slowly grew into a hero of Orario—but rather, a toy passed around in the hands of gods.
That was something Hermes absolutely did not want to see.
"Hestia, until next time."
With those words, Hermes turned and left.
"Excuse me, Hestia-sama, Hephaestus-sama."
Asfi, who had remained still until now, gave a small bow to Hestia and Hephaestus, then turned to follow her Familia God.
...
After the two departed, the room fell silent for a while.
Eventually, Hephaestus spoke up.
"That child's identity is certainly unusual. His background is directly connected to the Zeus and Hera Familias."
Hestia remained quiet for a long time before slowly exhaling.
"Even though I knew Bell-kun's background was special, I didn't expect him to be related to those two Familias as well."
Hephaestus understood how Hestia felt. She stood up and walked to her side.
"Hestia, you don't need to overthink it. That child is your Familia now—that's all that matters."
"Zeus and Hera's Familias are things of the past. His parents may have belonged to them, but that child does not."
Taking a deep breath, Hestia finally began to relax a little.
"Yeah, that child is part of my Familia now."
...
Outside, Hermes was still shaken in his own way.
"In just half a month, he's built up enough stats to reach Level 2. Asfi, what do you think will happen if that gets out?"
"The entire Orario would go absolutely crazy over that news."
"Yeah."
Hermes agreed—every god in Orario would lose their minds if they heard this.
"That's why, from now on, we're sealing off all information about that child."
"The Guild's records are probably already in the hands of other gods. Freya-sama definitely won't let that child go unnoticed."
"With that Goddess of Beauty's personality, she won't make a move until she's sure of things."
Still, Hermes was confident.
'Even if she finds out, the Goddess of Beauty won't act like Ishtar did.'
He wasn't worried about what she might do. But even so, Hermes knew he absolutely couldn't allow the child's information to leak out.
"Asfi, go to the Guild and erase that document."
"...Are you sure that's okay?"
"Yeah. It's just useless info. If the Guild didn't notice anything odd before, they won't notice anything now either."
The Guild still operated the same old-fashioned way it always had. While they recorded every Adventurer's transactions and contract terms, they didn't actually review each one.
Hermes didn't want that child to be exposed—not yet. Right now, he had to control the flow of information.
Chapter 138: Chapter 138: The Love Goddess’s Excitement (Bonus)
Chapter Text
That night, news of what happened at the Guild reached Freya's ears.
"Ah~ Hermes has finally made his move."
Resting her chin on both hands, Freya wore a look of anticipation. She was waiting—waiting for Hermes to act quickly and bring forth the scene she longed to witness.
Because of that, Freya wasn't in a rush to take action herself.
"Still, for Hermes to so quickly side with Hestia… there must be a secret behind it."
The thought stemmed from her deep familiarity with how Hermes operated. He was the textbook definition of neutrality, never aligning himself clearly with any side. To do so would jeopardize the carefully balanced position he always maintained. Back in Tenkai, Hermes had always stood firmly in the middle—never tilting, never straying.
Freya also knew that Hermes loved to put on an act.
Whenever she used her Authority to charm the gods, Hermes was the only one who ever pretended to be unaffected. After all, she wasn't just the Goddess of Beauty—she was also the Goddess of Love. She held dominion over desire itself. How else could she keep so many male gods constantly dancing to her tune?
With the power of desire at her command, how could she not know when someone was faking it?
But there were times when it simply wasn't worth exposing a lie.
Unmasking Hermes now would be a waste. What Freya truly wanted was to see if Hermes could lead things toward the vision she so desperately wanted to see.
There was only one thing that left her with a tinge of regret.
"If only I could lay eyes on that child beforehand..."
Unfortunately, that child had vanished—completely—as if invisible within the city of Orario. Even her own Familia couldn't locate him.
Still, even if it was a pity, Freya found herself enjoying the process.
Unlike mortals, gods didn't fear the unknown. In fact, they sought it. With all their vast knowledge and experience, most things became boring. Only the unknown could still spark their interest. That was why the gods descended to Genkai in the first place.
And among them, Freya was the most unique.
Her eyes could see the brilliance of mortal souls. A radiant soul didn't necessarily mean the child would achieve great things in Genkai—but it did mean that the child had potential. All it took was the right opportunity.
And Freya's eyes had seen that future in him.
But this time… things were different.
For the first time, Freya couldn't see the child's soul at all. That very fact ignited her interest even more.
Even if her eyes couldn't perceive his soul, the child's actions told her enough—his soul would shine more brilliantly than anything she had ever seen before.
In that moment, Freya was no longer the commanding goddess of love and beauty. She was just another god chasing after the unknown she so desired.
Right now, her curiosity had reached its peak.
And yet, it was precisely because of that overwhelming curiosity that she reined herself in. In the past, such restraint would've been unthinkable.
As the goddess of love and beauty, expressing her passion freely was her norm.
But now, she was holding back.
Suppressing her curiosity.
Suppressing her desire.
Right then, Freya could feel that unfamiliar emotion building within her. The restlessness, the anticipation—it made it harder than ever to contain her growing excitement.
"I'm starting to feel excited too. What an adorable child."
Freya lightly pressed her dry lips together and reclined on the sofa, gazing out at the view beyond the window.
The nightscape of Orario was even more dazzling than she had imagined.
Boom!
A pillar of white light surged into the sky.
Freya's lips curved into a faint smile. In that blinding brilliance, she saw the soul of an old friend ascending toward Tenkai.
"Looks like we won't be meeting again in Genkai... Ishtar."
…
There had been no complications with Ishtar's repatriation ceremony. The Ganesha Familia had monitored the entire process, and most of the Guild members had gathered to watch.
On top of that, several Lv. 5 members of the Loki Familia were keeping close watch as well. Even if Evilus had planned to stir up trouble, they'd have to think twice about whether it was worth the risk.
At the Loki Familia's base, Loki stood watching the beam of light pierce the night sky, feeling particularly pleased.
Now that Ishtar had been sent back to Tenkai, all her Familia's members had their "Status" sealed.
That seal would remain in place until those former members chose a new Familia and received a god's blessing, at which point the seal would be lifted.
Once the light finally disappeared, Loki turned her gaze away and looked at the two figures seated upright inside the room.
"Well, are you ready now?"
Sitting there were Loki's primary objectives from the Ishtar Familia—Aisha Belka and Sanjouno Haruhime.
Aisha hadn't hesitated at all. Even if she were given another chance, she wouldn't question the decision she made today.
"We're ready, Loki-sama."
She had already steeled herself for joining Loki Familia long ago.
Loki nodded and then shifted her gaze to the other girl.
Sanjouno Haruhime—just like the intel from the shorty's Familia had described—had all the curves in the right places, exactly her type.
Her slightly shy and submissive demeanor practically had "bully me" written on her face.
A Renard princess with soft golden ears and tail, always showing a bashful expression…Everything about her made Loki's mouth water.
If it weren't for the risk of scaring her off, Loki would've already jumped her.
But what really made Loki drool was her magic—it was seriously broken.
She had seen countless kids from Genkai, but none with magic this busted.
Forced level boosting?
Even if it only worked on a single target, it was far from normal.
Still, Haruhime seemed hesitant.
"Loki-sama... may I ask a question?"
"Hmm? Sure, go ahead."
Summoning her courage, Haruhime finally spoke.
"Loki-sama, the one who saved Aisha and me yesterday… who was he?"
It wasn't a particularly important question. In fact, ever since bringing Aisha and Haruhime back, Loki had already figured it out from their descriptions.
But when she looked at Haruhime's nervous, shy, and hopeful face—gathering her courage just to ask—Loki held back the name.
Because in Haruhime's eyes, Loki saw something unmistakable—admiration, and even love.
She wasn't surprised. After all, what that girl experienced was straight out of a fairy tale—like a princess saved by her prince.
Every girl dreams of being rescued by her prince someday, right?
But that little brat had only just brought them in and already managed to capture her heart. That made Loki all the more annoyed.
Still, there was no avoiding it now.
With reluctant lips, Loki finally said the name.
"Bell Cranel... from that shorty's Hestia Familia."
And Haruhime etched that name deeply into her heart.
Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Loki Almost Drooled (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Although there were a few minor hiccups along the way, Loki still got what she wanted—Aisha Belka and Sanjouno Haruhime had successfully joined her Familia.
'These two really are excellent.'
Looking over the printed status sheets in her hands, Loki couldn't help but feel glad she'd made the right decision.
'Aisha's strength and dexterity are both at B. Her endurance and agility are at D, and her magic is at E. She's already close to the peak of Level 3. With just a bit more growth, she'll be ready to move up.'
'And then there's Haruhime.'
Haruhime's data was what Loki cared about the most.
[Name: Sanjouno Haruhime
Lv. 1
Attributes:
• Strength: I9
• Endurance: I30
• Dexterity: I10
• Agility: I30
• Magic: E401
Spells:
"Uchide no Kozuchi":
• Level-Boosting Magic. Can only be used on one person and cannot be used on oneself. Requires a cooldown period after casting.
Skills:
"Mikuzumenohou":
• Increases the effect of magic
• Improves mental power efficiency]
Purely going by her stats, she's completely unremarkable—almost depressingly so.
But her magical ability more than makes up for that lack.
This spell is just insane.
The phrase 'Level-Boosting Magic' carries so much weight that even Loki's heart was racing with excitement.
Sure, it has strict limitations—usable on only one person and not consecutively—but even with those restrictions, its value is undeniable.
Still, Loki was fully aware of Haruhime's glaring flaw.
She only had one level-boosting spell.
Once her excitement cooled, Loki began considering giving Haruhime a Grimoire.
'If this kid can awaken another type of special magic, her impact on the front lines would be even greater.'
'I'll ask Mama if she's got any Grimoires. I should find one for Haruhime too.'
Since Haruhime showed potential in magic and possessed the strongest support spell, it was only logical to continue enhancing that strength.
"Aisha, Haruhime, how are you feeling?"
The attribute tattoos on their backs had already changed to the mark of Loki Familia. Loki had also locked their "Status" to prevent any trouble if someone with divine script saw them.
"It's the fresh feeling of freedom."
For the first time, Aisha felt truly free and at ease.
Back in the Ishtar Familia, she never had that. Especially after helping Haruhime and getting punished by Ishtar, she always felt like an insect—crushed at any moment.
But now... it was a completely different feeling.
Of course, Aisha didn't easily trust others or accept just any Familia. But the atmosphere within Loki Familia was genuinely welcoming. There was no scheming, no infighting—nothing like the chaos back in the Ishtar Familia.
"The atmosphere within the Familia is way better than in the Ishtar Familia. You don't have to worry about someone stabbing you in the back at any moment."
"Well~ that's one of the rare perks of my Familia. But don't be fooled by how friendly they seem now. Finn, Riveria, and Gareth didn't exactly get along at the start."
"Even those three had conflicts?"
"It's more like a clash of personalities between different races. You and Haruhime just joined, so the only one you really need to watch out for is Bete and his foul mouth." Loki took the chance to throw some shade at her own tsundere wolf.
"That guy offends people constantly, even within the Familia. But you don't need to worry too much. Once you've spent some time around him, you'll understand what that sharp tongue is really hiding."
Even though she was poking fun, Loki was also giving the two newcomers a proper heads-up.
At the very least, she knew that Bete's way of speaking could be hard for most people to handle, even if it was just his awkward way of showing concern.
As for what that hidden meaning was, Loki didn't bother explaining. Once they got used to Bete, they'd figure it out themselves.
Aisha and Haruhime both nodded slightly to show they understood.
"But to think you actually ran into that kid yesterday..."
Loki had already learned the day before that Ishtar Familia had targeted Haruhime. That was why she had Aisha take her to a safe place, which eventually led them to the hideout of the shorty's Familia.
Still, that really was unexpected.
Who would've thought Shorty's kid would come through right when it mattered most?
"By the way, Aisha, you mentioned yesterday that the kid used magic to completely immobilize you and the other members of Ishtar Familia?"
"Yes."
Aisha's expression grew noticeably more serious.
"At the time, everyone—including myself—was completely paralyzed."
"Even someone at the same level as me couldn't move at all. We didn't even realize when the magic was cast."
That didn't surprise Loki one bit.
When they first met, she hadn't even noticed the kid sitting on the sofa. She'd sat right down on his lap without realizing it. If the kid hadn't spoken up, she never would have known he was even there.
His ability to hide himself was frighteningly good. It wasn't surprising that he could cast magic unnoticed in such conditions.
But the real issue was the type of magic he used.
"Aisha, your 'Abnormal Resistance' didn't react?"
Aisha shook her head slightly.
"My resistance didn't trigger at all."
"I was badly injured at the time, so maybe that was why I couldn't move. But the other person with me was also Level 3 and had 'Abnormal Resistance'—and she was taken out just as easily."
"But Loki-sama, I don't think the magic he used caused any abnormal status."
"Hmm. I don't think so either."
Loki had never believed it was some spell that inflicted abnormal conditions. Any abnormal status should be countered by the Development Ability 'Abnormal Resistance.' But if two Level 3s were affected without resistance, that meant the spell clearly wasn't applying abnormal effects.
"'Abnormal Resistance' should block most status effects, including that paralyzing sensation you felt."
"But since your resistance didn't activate, it means that the kid wasn't using abnormal-type magic."
"And that's exactly what makes it so concerning."
Chapter 140: Chapter 140: The More You Analyze, the More Problems Arise (Bonus)
Chapter Text
It wasn't abnormal magic—so how did he manage to take down a group of Ishtar Familia members?
'Abnormal Resistance' is supposed to counter all status effects.
Gaining it isn't especially difficult either, since Development Abilities directly reflect an adventurer's experiences. The more exposure they have, the more likely they are to acquire related abilities.
Take the Purple Moth, for example. It shows up early in the upper floors of the Dungeon and specializes in attacks with toxic powder from its wings. One careless moment, and an adventurer could end up poisoned. If they don't detox quickly, lower-tier adventurers might die in minutes.
Since Purple Moths appear so early, adventurers commonly end up acquiring 'Abnormal Resistance.'
That ability doesn't just block poison. It also guards against paralysis, sleep—any effect categorized as abnormal. So, when adventurers level up and get to pick a Development Ability, most will choose 'Abnormal Resistance.'
Then how did two Level 3 adventurers with 'Abnormal Resistance' get knocked out by a single spell?
After pondering that, Loki summoned Riveria and the others and explained what had happened.
Once all three were silently deep in thought, Loki posed the same question to them.
"Mama, how do you think that kid pulled it off?"
"Who's your mom?!"
Riveria shot Loki a fierce glare before shifting into analytical mode.
"Based on Aisha's account, it's clear the spell involved a status effect. Rendering over a dozen Level 2 and Level 3 adventurers powerless without them realizing it—that's only possible with magic that inflicts abnormal conditions."
"So, he must've used some special technique to bypass 'Abnormal Resistance.'"
"This is a serious problem. Most adventurers in Orario have 'Abnormal Resistance' as a Development Ability. If someone can bypass it, that means they have the potential to take down any adventurer."
Just from that fact, Riveria could already grasp how dangerous the boy's power was.
Finn nodded in agreement.
"Luckily, the boy now has a direct connection with our Familia. At the very least, we can trust he won't move against us. What do you think, Loki?"
"If we ever end up on opposite sides, I guarantee he won't show any mercy."
Loki splashed cold water on the idea without hesitation. She was absolutely sure that Shorty's kid was capable of doing something extreme.
"I didn't bring this up last time, but when I went to talk to Phae-Phae, I didn't even realize I was sitting on the kid's lap. If he hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have even noticed he was there."
Finn, Riveria, and Gareth all stiffened unconsciously.
For Loki to have sat on his lap without even realizing it until he spoke—just how terrifying was that?
That level of concealment was outright monstrous. And now, adding the fact that he used a spell capable of bypassing 'Abnormal Resistance' to neutralize adventurers... they could now be sure of one thing:
That boy could take on virtually any adventurer below Level 5.
Loki glanced at her captain and vice-captain. She still had more bad news to share.
"Besides, that kid can't possibly be just a Lv. 1."
"!?"
"The last time I saw him, I thought maybe that stealth ability of his was some kind of magic. Think about it—he can completely hide his presence, render adventurers powerless, and Aisha personally saw him raise a stone fist from the ground and crush a Level 3 to death with it."
"Do you really still believe he's just some ordinary Lv. 1?"
Loki had posed this question before, but Shorty had shot her down immediately. At the time, his reasoning was solid: no adventurer in Orario could grow that quickly.
Loki had believed him.
But now... she was starting to doubt.
Finn's expression turned serious. He understood what Loki was implying.
"...But he's only been an adventurer for less than a month."
"Finn, has there ever been an adventurer who could bypass 'Abnormal Resistance' and completely neutralize others?"
Finn hesitated, then shook his head, clearly troubled.
"That's why I'm telling you, Finn—don't judge that kid with common sense."
Loki let out a soft sigh. She had been in the Genkai for so long, but this was the first time she felt so mentally exhausted.
'How could that Shorty get so damn lucky!'
Even she couldn't help but feel jealous of Shorty's fortune.
The kid he'd taken in was just that abnormal. Just based on talent alone, he might even surpass Finn and Riveria.
"He used the Rune Stone as a stepping stone, then pulled in both Phae-Phae and us—now our three Familia are all tied together."
"From the beginning, all he's shown is talent with magical script. The only other thing we've seen is that stealth ability."
"And if his real level is already Lv. 2..."
"It's like he's gone full blast from the start."
A single person flipped Shorty's entire starting situation on its head. Even now, Loki felt her scalp tingle just thinking about it.
He hid his real level.
He hid everything except for his magical script.
But that one thing alone earned him massive profit and even dragged her and Phae-Phae into it.
Loki had never seen such an abnormal child in Genkai.
In a way, he was even more unsettling than Hermes. At least Hermes wasn't this good at hiding things.
"Looks like I need to have a face-to-face with Shorty."
After organizing all her thoughts, Loki knew it was time for a serious conversation.
"Aisha, Haruhime, take it easy today. Tomorrow, you're coming with me."
"Finn, you and the others stay home tomorrow. Don't let Ais go into the Dungeon either."
Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Magic Test (Bonus)
Chapter Text
At the same time, Bell was on the tenth floor of the Dungeon, hunting Orcs.
"Hoo!"
A wolf tooth club swept over his head, the rush of air sharp enough to sting his ears.
Bell's expression remained unchanged. As the club passed overhead, he pressed his hand against the Orc's arm. A Runic Letter lit up at the point of contact, and the creature collapsed limply to the ground.
'Hmm, looks like this does have some effect.'
'It's definitely a good method for dealing with monsters that use magic and have some resistance to it.'
Just like the magic used on Level 2 and Level 3 Adventurers, this technique was now being replicated on monsters. The same method worked just as well on them.
'This really is effective.'
Bell wasn't sure if the Hound would kill him for coming up with this use of Runic Letters, but he couldn't help thinking they were starting to feel kind of shady in his hands.
Still, the success of the experiment proved that this method could bypass a target's resistance to negative status effects.
It was like how many strong medicines worked.
The more potent the medicine, the more likely it came with serious side effects—things like stomach and kidney issues.
What Bell had done was simply embed a negative effect into a beneficial spell.
Like "Equivalent Exchange" from Fullmetal Alchemist, Runic Letters could be used to achieve a similar balance.
The more benefit granted to the target, the higher the cost they had to pay.
For instance, the healing spell he gave to the Amazoness girls came with the side effect of muscle weakness during recovery.
The duration of the healing process was something Bell could control.
The stronger the effect, the more intense the side effects—and those, too, could be extended at will.
This essentially opened up a whole new way to use Runic Letters.
By taking an almost underhanded approach, he'd figured out how to bypass the body's usual resistance to harmful forces, successfully applying negative status effects to his targets.
'There's definitely more to explore in this area.'
'Like amplifying pain, for example.'
As long as enough positive effects were provided, Bell believed he could increase pain sensitivity exponentially.
At that point, the enemy might feel like they were stuck in some kind of soul-breaking nightmare game.
With that thought, Bell vanished from sight.
After he disappeared, five Orcs gathered around.
They stared at their fallen comrade, confused.
Unless a monster was dealt a killing blow or its magic stone was removed, it wouldn't disappear. Unless the dead monster had been lying there for over half an hour, it wouldn't be absorbed by the Dungeon to become fuel for the next wave.
Since this one was only incapacitated, the Dungeon hadn't reclaimed it.
But the ones who had gathered had picked up a scent—and once they got close, it vanished again, leaving them searching all around for its source.
Then, the fog around them started to thicken.
Heavy moisture filled the air, smothering all scents, making it even harder for them to locate the smell.
Suddenly, every Orc turned their head at the same time, eyes locking onto the center.
The missing scent had abruptly returned—and there, in plain sight, stood a figure.
'Attack!!'
All five raised their wolf tooth clubs and brought them down on the figure in the center.
Bell understood the destructive power of those weapons. Taking a direct hit without armor would mean serious injury.
But he also knew—he wasn't going to get hit.
"Boom!!!"
All five wolf tooth clubs slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling across the area.
"Sizzle!"
Amid the swirling dust, several lightning serpents crackled to life. Before the Orcs could react, a bolt of lightning erupted from the center.
"Bang!"
A fist drove into an Orc's stomach.
It was worth noting—Orcs had tough physical defenses. Towering at three meters tall with muscular bodies built like mountains, their hardened muscles could shrug off most low-tier weapons. Their sheer mass alone helped absorb impact.
Normally, a punch would barely faze them.
But this time was different.
"Ugh!!!"
The struck Orc let out a shrill cry, staggered back, and collapsed, frothing heavily at the mouth.
Though still breathing, he had been completely knocked out.
Bell watched the reaction carefully.
'Just as I thought—monsters have a limit to the pain they can endure. If that pain is pushed to the extreme, even a simple punch is enough to knock an Orc out cold.'
His eyes swept toward the other Orcs just beginning to lift their clubs. Bell's body surged into a bolt of lightning and flashed through them, accompanied by four sharp strikes.
In an instant, the searing pain overwhelmed them all. Four Orcs collapsed, unconscious.
Returning to his normal form, Bell approached the six fallen Orcs.
'Even monsters have a breaking point. Once it's exceeded, they lose consciousness just like humans.'
'Also, monsters on the upper floors usually die in a single hit and disintegrate into black ash. Has it really gotten this troublesome on the tenth floor?'
He frowned, staring at the downed Orcs.
Then, with a motion of his hand, six lightning needles appeared in his palm. He aimed and launched them at the unconscious Orcs.
The lightning-condensed needles pierced through them instantly—they had no strength left to resist.
Blood sprayed from their skulls, but the Orcs didn't turn to ash right away.
'No wonder the Dungeon needs supporters. This is exactly the kind of job they're for.'
Still, Bell didn't dwell on it.
He flicked his fingers through the air, sending out six wind blades that sliced open the Orcs' bodies. Five Magic Stones, still embedded in flesh, were revealed.
Crouching down, Bell extracted them one by one.
As the Magic Stones were removed, the corpses and blood dissolved into pale ash, scattering across the floor. Along with them were rare drops—like an Orc's eye.
'Looks like things are going to get messy in the middle floors.'
Chapter 142: Chapter 142: A Chance Encounter of Topics
Chapter Text
After completing his training and accumulating experience, Bell didn't proceed to the eleventh floor. Instead, he chose to leave the Dungeon.
He understood the meaning of 'too much of a good thing.'
Having spent almost the entire day in the Dungeon, Bell knew he needed to return to the surface to reset himself.
With "Presence Concealment" active, he didn't emerge until evening.
'There are a lot more eyes on me than usual. Looks like recent events have stirred a lot of nerves.'
He knew exactly why.
The incident with the Ishtar Familia the day before, combined with the involvement of the Evilus, had clearly agitated many gods.
From what Bell knew, the Ganesha Familia had increased internal patrols in Orario and were actively hunting down remnants of the Evilus.
But even if those remnants were still hiding in Orario, they wouldn't dare show themselves now—unless they had a death wish.
'Looks like I'll need to be extra cautious when going out from now on.'
Bell didn't let the fact that he could use Runic Letters go to his head. He knew better than to underestimate any Adventurer. If he did, he'd only have himself to blame when things went south.
As usual, he deliberately avoided attention and made his way back to the base at a steady pace.
After winding through several alleys, he passed through the outer mist and entered the base.
"Hm?"
He paused at the entrance, nostrils twitching slightly.
"That's Hephaestus-sama's scent… and two others I don't recognize."
"One's female. The other… probably male."
It had been a while, so Bell wasn't entirely sure about the second scent.
'Did Goddess-sama bring in other gods?'
He kept the thought in mind and entered the building.
No sound came from below.
Maybe once upon a time he could have heard something from upstairs, but Bell had recently made special modifications to the basement. The space was now completely isolated from the outside world and shielded against detection.
When it came to caution, Bell didn't cut corners.
He opened the door to the basement and headed down.
Once inside the subterranean space, the soundproofing no longer applied, and Hephaestus-sama's voice, along with Goddess-sama's, reached his ears.
But their conversation made him freeze for a moment.
"I never expected my Bell-kun to have a connection to Zeus and Hera."
The voice was unmistakably that of Goddess-sama.
But the topic left Bell puzzled.
'How does Goddess-sama know about that?'
Of course, Bell was well aware of Zeus.
But why would Goddess-sama be discussing this with Hephaestus-sama?
'Could it be those two scents from earlier?'
Bell's eyes narrowed slightly. If so, then he knew exactly who those two visitors were.
'God Hermes… and the Hermes Familia's captain, Asfi Al Andromeda.'
'But even Hermes wouldn't just casually hand that kind of information over to Goddess-sama, right?'
Bell knew that mischievous god's nature well. If it was something he could talk about, Hermes wouldn't keep it secret for long.
But Bell's connection to the Zeus Familia wasn't something to be casually revealed.
He was sure of it—Hermes wouldn't spill something like that so easily.
'So how did Goddess-sama find out?'
The situation left Bell genuinely confused.
He shook his head slightly, still unsure why Hermes would have done something like that.
Either way, he'd need to keep a closer eye on Hermes from now on—along with Asfi Al Andromeda.
After grasping the situation inside, Bell waited outside for a while before gently knocking on the door.
There was a commotion inside the room. Once the noise finally quieted down, he cautiously pushed the door open.
"Goddess-sama, I'm back."
The sudden intrusion had startled both Hestia and Hephaestus, but they recovered quickly.
"Hephaestus-sama, hello."
"Bell-kun, when did you get back?"
Hestia instinctively recalled what she had just said to Hephaestus. Bell clearly understood what she meant too, so he didn't bother hiding anything.
"Just now."
"After I came out of the Dungeon, I noticed the stares around me had gotten much more intense. I figured the chaos caused by the Evilus and Ishtar Familia stirred things up, so I rushed back."
Bell wasn't the type to just wait around for trouble—he preferred facing things head-on.
"By the way, Goddess-sama, were you and Hephaestus-sama just talking about me? I overheard something about my connection to Zeus and Hera while I was at the door."
That left both Hestia and Hephaestus speechless.
In Orario, it was best not to talk too openly about such things—especially connections to exiled Familias. That kind of information could easily stir up serious issues.
Neither of them had any grudges against Zeus or Hera, of course, but what about other gods?
The two goddesses exchanged a glance and, seeing the worry in each other's eyes, silently agreed to drop the topic.
"We were just chatting about the past, that's all."
"Besides, if Bell-kun really had ties to Zeus and Hera, he wouldn't have ended up in my Familia."
Realizing they were shifting the topic, Bell instinctively looked at Hephaestus, then went along with it.
"Speaking of which, Goddess-sama, could you help me update my 'Status'? It's been three days since the last time."
"Oh!"
Hestia immediately thought of the 'Status' and realized it really had been three days since Bell's last update.
She knew Bell had been busy lately, but she had no idea how much his 'Status' had progressed. That thought made her quite curious.
"You haven't updated it in three days?"
Hephaestus looked at the two of them, a bit surprised.
If she were Bell's Familia God, she'd update his 'Status' daily. His growth was just too rapid—checking it every day would help her avoid being caught off guard by sudden leaps in ability.
"There's just been too much going on."
"After the whole Ishtar situation, Bell's been preparing to join Loki's expedition team. He's making his final preparations now."
"Oh..."
Hephaestus gave Bell a sideways glance, surprised that this kid was actually planning to join an expedition team.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Slowing the Pace of Rapid Growth
Chapter Text
[Name: Bell Cranel]
Lv.2
Development Ability:
• Stealth: I → H
Attributes:
• Strength: I0 → G274
• Endurance: I0 → G294
• Dexterity: I0 → F330
• Agility: I0 → F384
• Magic: I0 → B721
Magic:
'Four-Dimensional Space':
• Storage
'Lightning Command':
• Quick-Cast Magic
• Lightning Manipulation
Skills:
'Personal Training':
• Early Bloomer
'Heaven's Luck':
• High Luck
'The Poor Man's Desire':
• Power Charging
'So fast! It's only been three days and he's already grown this much!'
Anyone who saw this [Status] would be stunned. Just three days of effort had brought about this level of growth.
For a mage, these stats were already enough to qualify for a promotion. All that was missing was some Excelia.
And yet, Bell had reached this stage in just three days.
Of course, both Hestia and Hephaestus knew this was only the beginning. Especially after seeing Bell's final [Status] at Lv.1, they were even more certain of it.
'At this rate, it won't take long for him to accumulate enough to level up from Lv.2.'
'No wonder Zeus sent this child to Orario.'
Now that they understood Bell's true identity, it all made sense—why Zeus had placed his hopes on a human.
Although two of the world's three great quests had been completed, the final one remained. And if even one was left unfinished, it meant the mission as a whole had failed.
Zeus and Hera, who once ruled Orario with the strength of their great Familias, had joined forces to challenge the [King of the Land, Behemoth] and the [King of the Sea, Leviathan]. But they were ultimately defeated by the [King of the Sky].
In that failed campaign, both of their Familias were utterly annihilated.
That loss led to Zeus and Hera being exiled from Orario.
But in truth, rather than being driven out, it was more accurate to say they left on their own accord. A hidden force had nudged the outcome in that direction, prompting their departure.
Hephaestus had once thought Zeus and Hera had left too abruptly.
Now she understood.
They left so decisively because they had found a new hope. There was no need for them to remain in Orario—they just needed to focus on nurturing what they believed to be their final hope.
Hephaestus stared quietly at Bell's back.
'So this child is the final hero chosen by Zeus and Hera?'
Even she hadn't expected that answer.
No wonder the boy always seemed so extraordinary—his rapid growth and innate talent were far beyond normal. Then she glanced at Hestia, the idiot who had happened to pick him up.
'That idiot has always had absurdly good luck.'
'If we gods had past lives, she must've been someone who saved the world in hers.'
Hestia was surprised, but not as shocked as she used to be. She was already starting to get used to how fast Bell's [Status] improved.
"Bell-kun, at your current rate of growth, it won't be long before you reach the point where you can start considering Excelia for a level-up."
If anyone else had heard that, they would've thought it was a joke. But with Bell, it was no exaggeration.
"This time, it'll probably take longer to accumulate."
Bell had clearly noticed that his pace had slowed down—it wasn't as rapid as it had been at Lv.1. Accumulating [Status] now required more time and effort. Reaching Lv.3 quickly would take a while.
Of course, Bell understood this was normal. The experience needed to level up wasn't fixed.
Even the experience needed to increase each of the five attributes differed. That's also why the number of high-level Adventurers in Orario thinned out with each rank. By the time you reached Lv.7, there was often only one person at that level.
Hephaestus listened to that absurdly humble statement and couldn't help being a little speechless.
"You're already growing fast enough. You know, it usually takes an average Adventurer at least a year to go from Lv.1 to Lv.2, and you did it in less than half a month."
"Naturally, as your level goes up, so will the time needed to grow."
"At your pace, you might hit Lv.5 in under ten years."
"But precisely because you have qualities most Adventurers don't, you need to spend more time stabilizing your foundation. The experience of ordinary Adventurers won't help you much, so you'll have to figure out most of the path ahead on your own."
'Huh? Is she giving me advice?'
Bell was a bit stunned, but quickly grasped what Hephaestus-sama was saying.
Adventurers had to think about how to accumulate [Status], and how to earn Excelia to level up. Basic combat skills needed to be refined gradually through battle, and most had very little time to hone them outside the Dungeon.
But he now had that time—and it made sense to use it to focus on polishing his technique.
And just as Hephaestus-sama said, the experience of regular Adventurers might not be particularly helpful to him.
"I understand. For now, I'll devote my time to training my techniques."
Bell had always aspired to master technique.
Compared to raw power, he knew how important skill really was.
Of course, Bell had the foundation to pursue mastery in "technique."
Unlike others who advanced little by little, the life he'd experienced through the swordsman's memories gave him the qualifications to take a different path.
So he had a real chance of stepping into the realm of perfected skill.
After all, everything with Kojirou Sasaki had been part of his training. Now, he just needed to clear his mind and focus entirely on mastering his technique.
That would undoubtedly slow his overall progress.
But if he built up overwhelming strength without the skill to use it properly, then that power would be hollow.
And Bell could afford to make this choice. His growth rate was already leagues ahead of normal Adventurers. Even compared to his own earlier pace, his progress was extraordinary.
So taking a moment to slow down and shore up his technique wasn't just acceptable—it was necessary.
After all, it had only been half a month since he became an Adventurer.
Half a month, and he was already at Lv.2, even laying the groundwork for Lv.3. At that speed, taking things a little slower wouldn't hurt him at all.
Chapter 144: Chapter 144: The Poison of Envy
Chapter Text
Early that morning, Bell woke up at his usual time.
It was rare to have a relaxing start to the day.
As he sat up in bed, he felt an unusual sense of ease.
'It's better not to use magic to help with sleep when there's no danger around.'
His body felt completely relaxed—no tension at all.
This sensation had become especially noticeable since that night.
'I really am... still clinging to that sense of comfort from the past.'
Bell knew it was his own problem, a part of him he'd hoped to leave behind. In these chaotic times, comfort was a luxury. Even while sleeping, he needed to stay alert to his surroundings.
But ever since that experience, he found himself unconsciously recalling the feeling of peace from that night.
'It might be a bit of a waste, but just this once is fine.'
Logically, making the most of his time would be best. Yet here he was, choosing the inefficient route.
With a quiet sigh and a decision made, Bell turned his gaze toward the other bed. And in that instant, his eyes froze.
The bed, which should have only held Goddess-sama, now had a second occupant—Hephaestus.
Yes, since it had gotten late last night, Hephaestus-sama, who had come over to visit, hadn't returned to her Familia and had stayed the night instead.
Maybe because they were both goddesses, it didn't seem like a big deal for them to share a bed. But to Bell, seeing it the next morning was a different story!
Hestia always wore a white dress, even to bed, so she never needed to change. But Hephaestus had to. Wearing long pants wasn't exactly ideal for sleeping, so she'd taken them off beforehand.
Hephaestus might have a decent sleeping posture, but Hestia definitely didn't. Bell had enough experience to know that well.
As a result, all the blankets had ended up wrapped around Hestia, leaving Hephaestus's legs completely uncovered.
'So smooth… and so pale.'
Bell caught one glimpse and immediately shut his eyes. 'Don't look. Don't look.'
'I didn't expect Hephaestus-sama to like sky-blue stripes.'
Since Goddess-sama preferred pure white, Bell had assumed Hephaestus would have similar taste. He hadn't expected her to favor something so... decorative.
Just as Bell was preparing to leave the basement quietly, an intense wave of malice suddenly radiated from the other bed.
His brow furrowed at once. Without thinking, he walked straight over to the bed shared by Hephaestus-sama and Goddess-sama.
A single glance was all it took to find the source of that malice.
But what he saw made his frown deepen.
'Hephaestus-sama's covered right cheek?'
Maybe it had slipped off while she was sleeping—the mask that usually hid the right half of her face had fallen to the floor, revealing what lay beneath.
Upon closer inspection, the contrast between the two sides of her face was striking. If the left side was angelic and beautiful, the right side was twisted and demonic.
'No wonder Hephaestus-sama keeps it covered.'
Bell didn't feel repulsed—just a bit sorry.
But what made him frown was the malice emanating from that right side. He had sensed this kind of presence before. If he wasn't mistaken, it was 'jealousy'.
Dark miasma swirled around the blemished side of her face, brimming with spite and resentment. Where it had come from, he couldn't say.
Bell rested his chin in thought, then reached out and gently brushed aside Hephaestus-sama's red hair, fully exposing her deformed right cheek.
'Jealousy... I don't know who left this curse on Hephaestus-sama, but it's nothing more than a remnant of the past.'
'Jealousy' was one of the cardinal sins. And judging by the fact that Hephaestus-sama couldn't remove it, its poison was something even gods couldn't dispel.
But that didn't mean humans couldn't.
Humans understood jealousy better than anyone. They knew all too well how destructive it could be.
In moments like this, Bell couldn't be more grateful for the all-encompassing nature of Runic Letters.
Of course, the process wouldn't be simple.
He turned his hand lightly above Hephaestus-sama's face, and six Runic Letters lit up with a soft glow, illuminating her distorted features.
The runes immediately suppressed the seething malice.
Taking advantage of this moment, Bell retrieved a small potion vial from his four-dimensional space.
A mundane container like this wasn't nearly enough to hold something like 'jealousy', so he etched reinforcement and protection runes around it. Without them, the vial would never be able to contain a poison potent enough to harm even gods.
Once the bottle was properly fortified, Bell was ready to transfer the sin.
His fingers danced over the stabilizing runes, slowly guiding the now-contained venom. The black haze compressed into a spiraling vortex, drawn along the path Bell had created and sealed into the bottle, where new runes suppressed it again.
The process demanded precise control over magic—one misstep, and the consequences would be disastrous.
But this was the area where Bell had the most confidence.
Ever since gaining his magic, he had trained relentlessly to control it. Still, even now, he handled it with extreme care.
As the effort wore on, beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
Yet under his focused guidance, the Poison of Envy was gradually extracted from Hephaestus-sama's right cheek, drawn fully into the bottle. That once-grotesque cheek slowly returned to its original beauty, matching the flawless left side.
When the last traces of the poison were sealed, Bell let out a long breath.
'Check everything.'
This wasn't some minor threat. Once 'jealousy' was sealed away, it would be nearly impossible to retrieve again.
Bell double-checked the seal multiple times, then added dozens more rune-locks to the bottle's exterior, making absolutely sure it could never break loose.
Only after everything was secured did he finally turn his attention back to the still-sleeping Hephaestus-sama.
'Yeah, it's clear—there's no trace of the Sin of Jealousy left.'
Her formerly distorted face now shone just as smoothly and elegantly as the other half.
Bell couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
'As expected of a god. Even after being exposed to such a conceptual poison, the damage only affected the surface. A human wouldn't have survived contact like this—their entire body might've been ruined.'
He was struck again by how extraordinary gods truly were.
His eyes, almost by instinct, drifted downward—then he immediately turned away.
'Don't look. Seriously. Keep staring and you're gonna regret it.'
Chapter 145: Chapter 145: My Face... It's Healed? (Bonus)
Chapter Text
After taking care of everything and confirming that nothing was amiss in the basement, Bell left for the time being.
Not long after he left the room, Hephaestus, who had been sound asleep, slowly opened her eyes.
She didn't sit up right away. Instead, she glanced at the person still sleeping soundly beside her. 'This girl really has some nerve.'
Hephaestus wasn't even sure whether to describe Hestia as thick-skinned or simply carefree.
But when she felt the coolness on her legs, she shot a sharp glare at the idiot still dozing next to her. Just remembering that gaze she'd sensed earlier made her legs shift awkwardly—she didn't even know where to put them. The whole thing was just embarrassing.
Once again, she glared at Hestia, who was still completely out cold.
If that idiot hadn't stolen the blanket, she wouldn't be in this ridiculous situation.
'Right... what was that kid doing standing by my bed earlier?'
Only now did Hephaestus recall that Bell had been by her bedside just moments ago, doing something she couldn't quite remember.
Adventurers have sharp instincts, and Hephaestus had forced herself to stay in a state of light sleep. Because of that, she hadn't been fully aware of what had just happened.
But she vaguely remembered something—her hair being brushed aside from the right side of her face.
That thought made her instinctively reach for the hair covering her right cheek.
"!?"
As soon as her fingers touched her cheek, her hand trembled slightly. She didn't feel her mask.
'Where's my mask?'
It had vanished. That meant... when Bell brushed her hair aside, he must've seen her right cheek?
A sudden wave of panic hit her. Her right cheek was the one part of herself she never wanted anyone to see.
It was where all the ugliness of the world seemed to gather—something she had always hidden away.
'So, he saw it?'
She instinctively covered her right cheek with her hand. But the moment her skin made contact, she froze.
'Is my right cheek... this smooth?'
That thought snapped her fully awake. With trembling fingers, she carefully touched the skin.
The rough, jagged texture that had always been there was completely gone, replaced by smooth, ordinary skin.
'This... is this real?'
Hephaestus knew exactly what had plagued her right cheek.
It had been there since the moment of her birth—something parasitic, something grotesque.
She had once begged other gods to help her heal it, but nothing worked. Worse, any god who touched her right cheek ended up cursed.
Eventually, she gave up entirely on trying to fix it.
Because of its hideousness, she always wore a mask that covered half her face, never letting anyone see it.
But today, something was wrong—very wrong.
Hephaestus carefully, meticulously ran her fingers over the surface again. After checking several times, it was clear: the disfigurement was completely gone.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly sat up in bed and walked over to the wardrobe nearby.
Next to it stood a full-length mirror—Hestia's, used every morning to fix her clothes.
Hephaestus had never kept a mirror in her own room. She couldn't stand looking at that part of her face.
Closing her eyes, she approached the mirror cautiously.
She took a deep breath—then slowly opened her eyes.
And the reflection that stared back at her left her utterly stunned.
Her once grotesque right cheek now looked just like her left—so... so ordinary.
'It's actually healed...'
Hephaestus could hardly believe her eyes.
Back in Tenkai, she had done everything she could, but nothing had ever worked on her right cheek. So why—why was it different now? Was it that child?
Her thoughts stalled for a moment, then her mind caught up, and she understood who had helped her.
'That child... he was standing by my bed to do this.'
Now she knew why Bell had been standing next to her—it was to heal her right cheek.
...
Staring at her smooth, porcelain-like skin, Hephaestus couldn't help but break into a radiant smile.
There wasn't a single goddess who didn't care about her appearance.
In fact, rivalry over beauty among goddesses was notoriously intense.
Hephaestus was no different. But because of her right cheek, she had always buried those feelings deep inside. From that time on, she poured everything into blacksmithing. Her craft had grown stronger, yet the shadow of her disfigurement had never left her.
And now, a child from Genkai had healed it. How could she not be overwhelmed?
She touched her smooth, fair skin again, but a flicker of hesitation crossed her face.
'Then... how should I thank that child?'
'Forge him a new weapon?'
She dismissed the idea immediately.
The "Hestia Knife" she had crafted for him was already the most perfect weapon tailored to him. Making another would serve no real purpose, and in ordinary battles, it wasn't used all that frequently.
As a master blacksmith, Hephaestus knew this too well—which only made her more conflicted.
Forging weapons and equipment was all she was good at. Beyond that, she had no idea what to do. So she found herself at a loss as to how to thank Bell—or at least how to express her feelings.
'Maybe... I could give him my blessing?'
But as soon as the thought surfaced, Hephaestus remembered Hestia.
A god's blessing wasn't something to be given casually. In truth, a "blessing" was a form of expressing one's love.
Her face twitched slightly as she glanced at Hestia, still fast asleep on the bed.
But she had made up her mind.
That child had given her something she never thought she could have. So why shouldn't she give him her blessing?
'Hestia, I'm just giving him my blessing. It doesn't mean anything.'
Steeling herself, Hephaestus pulled on her pants, gave it no further thought, and headed upstairs.
Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Hephaestus’s Blessing (Bonus)
Chapter Text
After leaving the basement, Bell didn't head straight to the Dungeon like he usually did.
After spending so much time down there, what he needed now wasn't more grinding to build up his Status. What he really needed were combat skills that matched his current level.
Another reason behind his decision was that he had fully mastered all eighteen Rune Characters. The next step—comprehending and internalizing them—wasn't something he could accomplish overnight.
Since he had reached a temporary ceiling with the Rune Characters, he decided to shift focus to other studies that hadn't hit a bottleneck yet and catch up there.
He pulled out the "Kuji Kanesada" from his four-dimensional space and began by steadying his breathing. He didn't jump into sword practice immediately. Training required a clear mind, and that meant temporarily setting aside all distracting thoughts. Otherwise, the quality of his training would plummet.
Caution was Bell's natural style, and adapting to circumstances was a life skill he'd sharpened through daily discipline.
Just a few seconds of deep breathing were enough to settle his mind.
"......."
With his mind calm, Bell's hearing became sharper. He could clearly make out approaching footsteps, breaking his concentration once more.
The unexpected interruption pulled him out of his training state.
'Those footsteps are a little heavy... It's Hephaestus-sama.'
He reacted immediately.
'Wait... could it be that Hephaestus-sama was awake just now?'
'That doesn't seem right. If she were awake, I definitely would've noticed.'
Before he'd done anything, Bell had carefully monitored Hephaestus-sama's breathing and heartbeat. The whole time, she hadn't shown any emotional disturbance.
Still, facing her now felt a bit awkward. He had, after all, taken a quick peek earlier. But aside from that, Bell had a clear conscience.
He could honestly say he hadn't done anything inappropriate.
As the footsteps grew nearer, Hephaestus-sama came into view, wearing a white shirt and black slacks.
Bell's eyes instinctively drifted toward her legs.
It really was a reflex—probably because the image from earlier had flashed in his mind.
But that brief glance didn't escape Hephaestus's notice.
"You little perv."
A hint of bashfulness flickered in her wine-red eyes, but her words were anything but gentle.
With hearing as sharp as his, Bell caught it loud and clear—and nearly lost his composure.
'She was awake and saw!?'
Now he was sure she'd noticed him staring earlier. Otherwise, Hephaestus-sama wouldn't be reacting this way.
He quickly tried to smooth over the awkwardness and avoided looking anywhere inappropriate.
"Good morning, Hephaestus-sama."
"Morning."
Noticing the fluster hiding beneath his calm expression, Hephaestus's smile deepened. Her earlier shyness had faded significantly—especially now that she realized the one who'd snuck a peek was just a clueless young boy.
"You're acting awfully calm for someone who was just staring at me."
"Ahem!"
Bell's expression was really starting to crack.
"Hephaestus-sama, that was an accident."
Now in a mischievous mood, Hephaestus no longer felt the discomfort she had at first.
"Was it nice?"
'How am I even supposed to answer that?'
Bell was truly at a loss now. That question completely threw him off.
Of course it was nice—those fair, shapely legs really were beautiful.
But if he really said that, wouldn't it sound way too sleazy?
And wouldn't that basically be admitting he'd been staring at Hephaestus-sama's legs on purpose?
"Hoo~"
"Hahaha~"
Seeing Bell so caught up in his own awkward dilemma, not knowing how to respond, Hephaestus couldn't help but laugh. At the same time, she slowly walked over to him. Under Bell's gaze, she suddenly reached out and grabbed him by the neck.
Hephaestus, tall and statuesque, stood half a head taller than Bell, who hadn't fully grown yet. With that motion, she pulled him right into her side—his face ended up pressed firmly against her chest.
And just like that, Bell froze, not daring to move an inch.
Hephaestus-sama's figure wasn't the least bit inferior to any other goddess. If he even turned his head now, it'd truly look perverted.
But instead of acting shy, Hephaestus—who had seemed a little bashful earlier—now looked perfectly at ease. She leaned in close to whisper teasingly in his ear...
"You little pervert. You sure had the guts to keep sneaking peeks at my legs."
"...Hephaestus-sama, I told you that was an accident. Will you believe me?"
"I'll believe you once. But twice? Should I still believe you then?"
Hephaestus had clearly felt his gaze land on her legs not just once—but twice.
'She really was awake!?'
Now Bell was almost certain—Hephaestus-sama was totally baiting him.
Right now, Hephaestus was thoroughly enjoying the conflicted look on Bell's face. In that moment, she kind of understood why Loki found so much joy in messing with people. Maybe all that teasing was just to see faces like this.
Still, Hephaestus wasn't the type to take it too far.
After subtly puffing out her chest, she leaned closer to Bell's ear again.
"But, since you helped fix my right cheek... I'll let it slide this time."
Those words were enough to make Bell breathe a sigh of relief. For a moment, he'd really thought Hephaestus-sama was about to hold it against him.
A soft smile spread across Hephaestus's face. Just as the boy relaxed, she took the opportunity to quickly lean in—her rose-red lips brushing gently against his cheek.
"Chu~"
A simple kiss on the cheek. It lasted only a second, barely a moment.
But that was all it took to leave Bell completely frozen.
'Huh?'
'What just happened?'
Hephaestus's wine-red eyes now shimmered with a softness she rarely showed. This was the first time she had ever given a kiss like that to someone from Genkai.
Even more surprising—it wasn't her own child she had blessed, but the child of her best friend.
"This is a blessing from a goddess to the mortal she favors. A goddess's kiss is only for one person."
"Make sure you remember that."
With that, Hephaestus turned and started walking back toward the church.
Her hands clasped behind her back, a bright smile blooming across her face. As she turned her head, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
She stole a glance behind her—and sure enough, the boy was still standing there, completely dumbfounded.
Smirking at the sight, she couldn't help but mutter softly.
"What a little pervert."
Chapter 147: Chapter 147: I'm Sorry, Hestia (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Bell stood frozen for a long time before snapping out of his daze.
The lingering dampness on his cheek served as a vivid reminder of what had just happened.
His thoughts spiraled into chaos.
He remembered what had just occurred, but he still couldn't believe something like that had actually happened to him.
'That wasn't just my imagination, was it?'
His first instinct was to doubt his own mental state. He reflexively checked himself using Rune techniques and quickly confirmed that both his body and mind were completely fine.
'Good grief! Did Hephaestus-sama really kiss me just now!?'
The moment the realization hit, Bell went stiff again.
He had no idea what could've led to something like that, but then he recalled what Hephaestus-sama had whispered in his ear just moments before.
'Right, that was Hephaestus-sama's way of saying thank you!'
But his expression quickly turned odd. Would someone really use a kiss to express gratitude?
He remembered her words—'A goddess's kiss is only given to one person.' That was something Hephaestus-sama had said herself.
Which meant what happened just now wasn't normal. Far from it—it was deeply personal.
'Could it be... love?'
A kiss meant for only one person, and she gave it to him? That didn't sound like self-delusion anymore.
Still, Bell quickly regained his composure.
'Maybe it's because I helped Hephaestus-sama resolve a long-standing affliction. That's why she granted me such a rare honor.'
If his earlier reaction had been self-indulgent, this seemed like the most reasonable explanation now.
Once he came to terms with it, Bell began to relax.
He didn't know what Hephaestus-sama truly felt, but for now, this was enough of an answer.
"Haah~"
Hephaestus turned away, still wearing a radiant smile.
In her search for something unknown, she had finally found a special child.
The only pity was that this child wasn't suitable for her Familia—and had already joined Hestia's.
But despite that, Hephaestus felt no regret.
The gods fell in love with the children of Genkai because they were drawn to their unpredictability and potential. Among goddesses, this feeling was even more pronounced.
Hephaestus had never experienced anything like it.
But this time—just this once—even she, the goddess of smithing, felt a flutter deep in her heart that she couldn't quite describe.
'Freya... maybe now I can understand how you feel.'
She even felt a spring in her step as she walked.
Just like she had said before: a goddess's blessing is only given once. That single blessing carries the deepest sincerity—gratitude, affection, love.
Which is why... it can only be given once.
That was how she felt.
She wasn't sure what Freya's situation was, but based on what she knew, Freya had probably never given hers away either.
After all, Hephaestus knew that woman's favorite pastime was to entice and bewilder others. Probably only Loki could rival her in that regard.
...
She descended through the hidden passage leading to the basement.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw that Hestia had already sat up in bed, stretching lazily.
Maybe she'd heard the sound of the door opening—her head turned toward the entrance.
"Hephaestus, you're up so early."
That pure, flawless smile made Hephaestus feel a pang of regret.
She and Hestia were best friends, yet she had just bestowed the goddess's only blessing on the child Hestia cherished most. It felt like she had stolen something from her best friend.
Hephaestus admitted she had acted on impulse, but her gratitude toward that child had simply exceeded what she could contain.
As for love, perhaps it hadn't been there before—but now, she could feel something new stirring in her heart.
Still, after seeing Hestia, that earlier impulse left her with a lingering sense of guilt.
"And Bell-kun too... He got up so early, even though I told him he could sleep in today."
Hestia continued to fret and complain with concern.
Listening quietly beside her, Hephaestus gradually felt her guilt begin to fade.
"That child has a goal of his own. That ambition drives him forward."
"Hestia, did he ever tell you what that goal is?"
"Huh?"
Hestia hadn't expected Hephaestus to be interested in Bell's motivation. She might hesitate to speak in front of the other gods, but with Hephaestus, it was different.
"Bell-kun... He wants to reach Lv. 10."
As soon as Hestia said it, Hephaestus understood the implication.
"A Demigod... Is that what he's aiming for?"
But did that child truly seek eternal life? Something didn't sit right with Hephaestus. She kept her eyes on Hestia.
"..."
Hestia seemed a little flustered, clearly finding Hephaestus's gaze too intense.
"Because... the gods' time is infinite, but the time of the children of Genkai is limited."
"So, that child also wants to gain infinite time."
Hephaestus paused for a moment, then her eyes lit up.
Love between gods and children of the Genkai was as fleeting as a bloom that vanished in the blink of an eye. A few decades meant nothing to a god, but for a child of the Genkai, it was a lifetime.
For the children, those decades might be rich and fulfilling. But for the gods, they passed too quickly.
But what if the children of the Genkai could live as long as the gods?
Wouldn't that be the perfect answer to the love between gods and the children of Genkai?
'So that's his goal.'
'Is that why he chose to start his journey?'
Hephaestus could feel her heartbeat quickening.
Maybe she couldn't take that child away from Hestia. But if they could be together longer... that would be enough.
Even so, she found herself looking into Hestia's eyes with growing guilt.
'Sorry, Hestia. Maybe patience is the only choice I have right now.'
'But this feeling... might never come again.'
Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Loki: That Kid’s Seriously Screwed Up (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Early in the morning, Loki arrived at Hephaestus's Familia with five of her children.
The one who greeted them was Tsubaki Collbrande, the captain of Hephaestus's Familia.
"Tsubaki, where's Phae?"
Loki didn't beat around the bush—her goal this time was simple: to meet Hestia's child through Hephaestus. There were questions she needed answered.
"Hephaestus-sama actually left yesterday and hasn't returned yet."
"Huh? Phae left yesterday?"
A bunch of question marks filled Loki's head. She couldn't quite figure out what yesterday's events had to do with Hephaestus, or why she still hadn't come back.
Still, Loki didn't think Hephaestus had left just to avoid her.
Honestly, yesterday's incident had little to do with Hephaestus. It wasn't the kind of thing she'd run off to avoid. Loki believed that—and so did Riveria, Gareth, and Finn.
"Loki-sama, yesterday was the Divine Council. You knew that, right?"
Tsubaki shot her a puzzled look. There was no way Loki didn't know that.
"After Hephaestus-sama went to the assembly, she never came back."
Loki frowned slightly, then sighed and rubbed her face.
"Don't tell me she went to see the shorty?"
Truth was, Loki had already figured that out. In all of Orario, the only god Hephaestus was close enough with to stay overnight was that shorty. And wasn't this just perfect timing?
She'd brought her kids here today hoping Hephaestus could take them to the shorty—only to find out the one she needed had already gone ahead.
Tsubaki gave a helpless nod.
"I think so. Hephaestus-sama and Hestia-sama are close. If Hestia-sama invited her over after the assembly, it wouldn't be surprising."
Actually, Tsubaki had already guessed as much yesterday when Hephaestus didn't come back.
She knew how close the two goddesses were, and since their Familias were now cooperating, she hadn't sent anyone to look for her.
...
Loki covered her face in exasperation. The three beside her looked just as drained. This turn of events really wasn't great.
"Tsubaki, do you know where the shorty's Familia is?"
"Mm, I do. The Hestia Familia just bought that piece of land. The paperwork was handled through the Ganesha Familia."
Tsubaki knew the location, though she also knew it was basically a pile of rubble. Even if it had been handed off to the Goibniu Familia for reconstruction, it wouldn't be done anytime soon.
So she wasn't sure if Hephaestus-sama was really staying at the Hestia Familia.
"That land is still in ruins—it'll take time to rebuild. So I'm not entirely sure Hephaestus-sama is actually staying there right now."
Seriously?
Loki felt like fate was just messing with her. Why did things always seem to work against her?
She knew the shorty's Familia had made a fortune from those Rune Stones. It made perfect sense that the shorty would use this opportunity to buy land and build a new base.
But the bigger question was—where was the shorty now?
Since the Hestia Familia's base was still under construction, where exactly had Hephaestus and Hestia spent the night?
'Too careless.'
'I should've contacted Phae first. Then we wouldn't have made this pointless trip.'
Just as Loki was wondering whether to turn back and try again tomorrow, Finn suddenly spoke up.
"Tsubaki, could you tell us the exact location of the Hestia Familia?"
"Yes. The land they bought is at the southernmost edge of Orario."
"The south..."
The location immediately came to Finn's mind. It was right on the outskirts—directly behind the Pleasure District.
No wonder Haruhime and Aisha had accidentally wandered into the Hestia Familia's territory while escaping.
"Thanks a lot."
"No need to be so formal."
With that, Loki's group of six left Hephaestus's Familia.
But as they walked away, Loki turned to Finn.
"Finn, you really think the shorty and Phae are over there?"
Finn was completely certain.
"It's clear from what Aisha and Haruhime said."
Aisha and Sanjouno Haruhime looked a little surprised to be mentioned, but Finn just smiled as he glanced back at the two newer members.
"Didn't you say the atmosphere around you suddenly changed while you were fleeing?"
The two nodded slightly.
"But Captain Finn, maybe it was just our imagination from running in a panic?"
Finn nodded.
"That's entirely possible. People often have a poor memory of their surroundings when they're running for their lives—and later, they start doubting what they actually saw."
"But there's another possibility."
He looked toward Riveria, and with a single glance, she understood.
"A barrier."
"What Aisha and Haruhime saw was real—but it was what appeared after they accidentally crossed into the territory of the Hestia Familia and entered a barrier."
"Exactly. That's one of the reasons I suspect Hephaestus and Hestia are staying there."
"Though it's not the only reason."
Everything so far was enough to form a reasonable guess—but without one more key detail, Finn wouldn't have made the call.
"The other reason is that boy's personality."
Loki paused, then chuckled softly.
"So that's it."
"Because he's extremely cautious—even if their base isn't fully built, it's still safer than being out in the open?"
"Yeah, that does sound just like him. Meticulous, careful to a fault."
"With a barrier already set up... and knowing that boy, maybe he never intended to have the Goibniu Familia build anything for him."
After reaching this conclusion, Loki nodded to herself.
Setting up a barrier that early—just that alone was far too preemptive.
If they'd actually planned to bring in the Goibniu Familia, there'd be no reason to go to that extent so soon.
It made sense only if they never had that plan in the first place—so they set up a barrier right from the start.
'That kid really doesn't trust anyone.'
Loki twitched at the corner of her mouth. She'd met a lot of Adventurers in her time—but this was the first time she'd encountered a kid this deeply paranoid.
Chapter 149: Chapter 149: What Are You All Doing? (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Following the directions they'd been given, Loki led the group to the location.
Because it was in such a remote part of the city, just finding a proper path there was a challenge.
When they finally reached the right road, they realized just how out-of-the-way the Hestia Familia really was—tucked deep into a narrow alley, far from any major street.
Loki looked visibly annoyed as they walked through the cramped passage.
"That damn shorty really went and built his base in the middle of nowhere!"
And she wasn't wrong.
No Familia would normally set up their headquarters in such an isolated spot—somewhere barely anyone would even pass by.
Sure, if they were one of the poorer Familias, it might make sense... but was the Hestia Familia poor?
Hardly.
Thanks to the Rune Stone business booming across Orario, almost every well-off Familia had started buying them. The effects were just too good to pass up.
With that kind of income, the Hestia Familia now ranked among the top ten in wealth across Orario.
They had Rune Stones—a money-making resource practically printing valis. Why would they need to buy such a backwater plot of land?
"Loki, maybe that boy was the one who chose this place."
Finn's words left Loki speechless. It really did sound like something that kid would do.
She had plenty of complaints to voice, but in the next moment, she let them go.
Because the environment had changed.
What had just been a street lined with buildings was now being overtaken by a pale, white mist. With every step they took, the fog grew thicker, until it even started obscuring the surrounding buildings.
Loki silently covered her face with her hand.
"This kid is seriously messed up!"
Who would go this far? No matter how paranoid you were, wasn't this a bit much?
The fact that there was a barrier like this surrounding the Familia's territory said it all. That kid wasn't just cautious—he didn't trust a single adventurer or god.
Why else would he go to such extremes?
"Mama, how's the barrier look?"
"Who are you calling Mama?!"
Riveria instinctively snapped at Loki, but then focused seriously on analyzing the barrier's structure.
Adventurers had to be ready for all kinds of situations. Barriers like this weren't uncommon, and the first step to dismantling one was understanding how it worked.
So, Riveria naturally extended her magical senses outward to probe its structure.
But the moment she did, the white mist surrounding them instantly turned blood-red.
"!?"
This is bad!
The thought struck everyone at once.
"...!?"
Before Finn could finish speaking, he staggered and collapsed, magic inside him surging uncontrollably. His strength vanished, and he lost all control of his limbs. Even his senses became scrambled.
"Finn!"
Gareth's body trembled, but he forced himself to stay upright. Even so, he could feel the overwhelming discomfort—the strength that once filled his body was gone. He couldn't muster even an ounce of power.
"I... I'm fine... just drained..."
Lying flat on the ground, Finn could barely even speak. He forced his head up and stared at the blood-red mist surrounding them, his heart gripped by shock.
'I didn't think it would have such a strong effect.'
As a Level 6 adventurer, Finn stood near the top of Orario's power pyramid. Yet in an instant, his strength had been completely stripped away—reduced to helpless prey.
"Gareth, how are you holding up?"
"Same as you."
Gareth could barely keep himself standing—just staying on his feet took everything he had left.
"What about you, Loki?"
They turned to see Loki sprawled out on the ground in an unflattering heap. If her body wasn't still twitching, they might've thought she had passed out entirely.
Loki was writhing in discomfort, trying to get up, but her body was reacting terribly. Her sealed divinity was being suppressed beyond its limits—past the normal sealing effect. Already weakened to human levels by the seal, Loki was now even worse off than an ordinary person.
She was gasping for breath, looking anything but okay.
Once he confirmed she was still conscious, Finn turned his attention to the others.
"Aisha, Haruhime, how are you two?"
When he looked over, he realized their condition wasn't nearly as bad—at least compared to the rest of them.
"I'm fine. I just... can't move my body."
"M-Me too..."
Strangely, it was the physically weaker ones—Aisha and Sanjouno Haruhime—who were faring better. They only felt some fatigue, but nothing more severe.
It was plain to see, but that contrast struck Finn as odd.
'Why isn't Aisha more affected? And Haruhime... her symptoms are barely there.'
'Could it be... a difference in level?'
Uncertain about his guess, Finn instinctively turned to Riveria.
"Riveria, you... Riveria!?"
His eyes landed on her—and froze.
Riveria stood completely still. But blood was trickling from her body, soaking through her clothes in wide, dark patches.
Finn's pupils shrank in alarm, and he couldn't stop the shout that burst from him.
"Riveria!"
She remained standing—but had clearly lost consciousness.
Everyone else tried to move, but none of them had the strength left to get up. Struggling to even shift on the ground, let alone help her, was impossible.
...
Finally, the red mist around them began to fade back into white, and soft footsteps approached.
"What in the world are you all doing?"
A voice rang out—laced with confusion, frustration, and exasperation—as the footsteps came to a stop.
"Showing up at dawn, trespassing on private property, and casually using magic to probe the area..."
The newcomer's gaze locked onto Riveria.
"What a pain."
Before anyone could respond, the figure calmly walked up to Riveria and lifted her into a princess carry.
"The spell's effects on you all will wear off in five minutes. Come in on your own after that."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Loki, her Familia, and their incapacitated god lying scattered across the ground.
Chapter 150: Chapter 150: A Rescue Is Still a Rescue (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"What a pain."
Carrying the famed high elf of Orario, the "Nine Hell Princess," Bell reached the center of the barrier—Hestia Familia's territory—feeling like he was holding a live bomb.
'I've never seen an elf this reckless before.'
Inside the barrier, Bell had laid out a complex series of traps and mechanisms—those near the outer layer meant for deterrence, while the middle and rear layers were designed for lethal force.
In addition to the traps, the barrier itself had its own structure and function.
Bell was well aware that skilled mages could analyze and break through a barrier's formation, so he had specially prepared a system to counter those who actively probed with magic—specifically targeting anyone who tried to exploit a weakness.
In short, it was "magical interference" combined with "magical backlash."
Once triggered, the intruder's magic would spiral out of control within their body—then explode like a bomb from the inside out.
Normally, any magician caught in it would be dead on the spot.
Bell had full confidence in these traps. After all, he set them himself. Their purpose was simple—kill the intruder.
But he hadn't expected them to hit an ally.
He also hadn't imagined someone would come charging in on their own—let alone willfully set off his traps.
Faced with the suicidal recklessness of the "Nine Hell Princess," Bell could only shake his head.
'Still... I've got to save her. Otherwise, we'll end up in a full-blown feud with the Loki Familia.'
He checked her condition and breathed a sigh of relief.
Though she'd taken a direct hit and was clinging to life by a thread, she wasn't past saving. Her condition was critical, but not beyond repair.
So, Bell opted for a quick and reliable treatment.
He pulled a Spirit Tree seed from his storage and casually tossed it to the ground.
In moments, it took root and sprouted—rapidly growing into a five-meter-tall tree in under a minute.
Once it reached full height, the base of the tree reshaped itself into a natural seat. Bell gently laid the unconscious Riveria onto it, then reversed the tree's growth cycle, channeling its overflowing life force directly into her body to heal her using pure vitality.
Once the transfer began, Bell took a seat on a nearby branch-formed chair of the tree.
'What a pain.'
'Two intrusions, back-to-back. And both ignored the warnings and just barged in.'
It had only been two or three days since he finished setting up the outer barrier, and already all this trouble had come knocking.
'Should I just put the deadliest traps right at the front? Maybe then those idiots would think twice.'
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
The outer barriers were designed to warn and repel those who stumbled in by accident, not to kill. Placing lethal traps on the outside would only cause unnecessary problems.
Especially for Goddess-sama—it'd bring her endless headaches.
Even if someone had to die, it had to happen inside the barrier, not out in the open.
Letting others witness the kill would only create more trouble.
'I really hope no more fools come looking to die.'
Bell was just... tired.
...
Five minutes later, the Loki Familia members who had collapsed outside began to recover. The red mist cleared, the fog that had obscured their view began to dissipate, and the outer wall of Hestia Familia's territory came into sight.
"Riveria!!!"
As soon as she could move, Loki sprang up and bolted toward the entrance, not even waiting for the others to catch up.
She had only one thought—make sure Riveria was safe.
Without a second thought for any potential traps, she charged forward and slammed into the thick vine-covered gate.
Bang!
The impact made her stagger.
But beyond it, in the clearing inside, she saw Riveria sitting motionless beneath a towering tree.
"Riveria!"
Spotting her, Loki rushed straight toward the tree without hesitation.
Finn, Gareth, Aisha, and Sanjouno Haruhime quickly followed.
As seasoned adventurers, their sharp eyes instantly locked onto Riveria seated at the tree's center.
They were able to observe more details than the others.
"Finn."
"Yeah, that tree is healing Riveria."
Both Gareth and Finn had noticed that the large tree was rapidly withering away, while Riveria, seated at its center, was quickly recovering from her injuries.
"Sigh... Looks like we really should've waited until tomorrow to come."
Finn let out a soft sigh. If he hadn't made such a hasty decision, they wouldn't be in this mess now.
Someone as sharp as him had already figured out—it was Riveria's probing of the barrier that triggered its attack response.
If that hadn't happened, they probably would've just been immobilized, lying there until someone came to deal with them.
But because the attack mechanism had been triggered, things had escalated to this point.
Finally, Finn's gaze landed on the young man sitting beside the tree. Even now, he still wore a windbreaker and hood, projecting a careful, guarded presence.
'I never imagined that kid's magic would be this powerful.'
His own poor judgment had led to Riveria's severe injury. Finn knew he had to take full responsibility.
The boy hadn't deliberately targeted anyone. Just trespassing into the barrier had caused a near-catastrophic outcome.
And at that moment, Finn clearly recognized just how absurd the magic this boy wielded truly was.
It had bypassed their levels entirely—hitting with maximum force.
Maybe the outcome this time was mostly due to the prepared barrier, but that alone had been enough to trap three of Orario's top adventurers. Even more shocking, the triggered counterattack had gravely wounded Riveria.
That kind of result was far beyond what anyone could've predicted.
What did it mean?
It meant that if they ever found themselves on opposing sides—and barged into another one of this boy's prepared traps—the Loki Familia might not walk away intact. They might not walk away at all.
Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Loki Awakens to a New XP (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Wooden vines shot up from the ground, tightly binding Loki just as she was about to lunge forward, even sealing her mouth shut.
Throughout the whole process, Bell simply sat quietly off to the side, not saying a word, which left the furious Loki completely deflated.
The Spirit Tree gradually withered as its life force slowly reversed into Riveria's body, rapidly repairing the internal organs damaged by the magic bomb.
Soon, the Spirit Tree had completely dried up. Aside from the stump Riveria sat on, everything else had withered and quickly turned to black ash.
Bell checked the condition of the "Nine Hell." Once he confirmed there were no lasting issues, he placed his index finger against her forehead. Runic letters slowly appeared, gradually awakening the consciousness of the "Nine Hell."
The awakening spell worked well—Riveria, whose mind had been in disarray, was immediately roused. But since her thoughts were still clouded, it would take some time for her to fully regain clarity. So Bell released Loki from the wooden vines.
The moment she was freed, Loki's eyes lit up as she stared at the weakened Riveria. It had been a long time since she'd seen Riveria this frail.
She dashed forward in a few quick steps, then leapt—her target was Riveria, still lost in her dazed state.
"Nine Hell, Loki-sama is coming for you."
Bell's voice gently drifted into Riveria's ears, snapping her dazed mind back just slightly.
Her body reflexively turned toward the sound, the faint wind prompting her to glance that way. What she saw was a pervert lunging at her—face twisted in lechery, drool dripping from the corner of her mouth.
A pervert!
In that instant, Riveria's foggy mind snapped into clarity.
Once fully conscious, she instantly recognized the lecher rushing at her. Without hesitation, she reached out and caught the groping hand, grabbed Loki by the collar with the other, twisted her body, and slammed the approaching Loki hard into the ground with a powerful throw.
"Thud!"
Loki's body crashed solidly into the floor, knocking her out cold with a lecherous grin still stuck on her face.
The move was so fluid and practiced that even Bell was momentarily stunned.
'She's taken throwing techniques to this level. Even while tossing someone, she knows how to control her strength so she doesn't actually kill Loki... impressive.'
Only through constant training could someone reach such mastery.
'She must practice this kind of throw regularly to be that good.'
Bell glanced at Loki lying on the ground. She was already awake, her eyes shamelessly darting toward the "Nine Hell's" skirt.
He turned back to Riveria. That throw had only cleared her mind but hadn't restored her usual vigilance.
"Nine Hells, mind your posture."
"!?"
Riveria immediately pressed down her skirt, then looked down—Loki's lewd face was still shamelessly peeking underneath.
A vein throbbed on her forehead. At that moment, she genuinely wanted to stomp this perverted goddess in the face.
But knowing full well that doing so would probably only make this lustful goddess even more excited, Riveria resisted the urge and stepped back two paces.
"Ah~"
Still lying on the ground, Loki could clearly feel Riveria's look of disgust—like she was staring at something filthy. That gaze sent an electrifying thrill through her, as if she'd awakened to a brand new XP system. Her whole body shivered in delight.
Riveria, hearing Loki's disgusting moan, felt a wave of revulsion and stepped even further away.
Though she'd always found Loki to be rather sleazy at times, she'd never felt this uncomfortable around her before.
Off in the distance, Finn and Gareth looked away awkwardly.
Meanwhile, Aisha's face twitched at the sight of Loki drooling over Riveria. At this point, she was seriously starting to question whether joining this Familia had been the right decision.
"Aisha, don't mind how Loki looks right now. She actually knows how to be serious when the situation calls for it..."
Noticing Aisha's shifting expression, Finn quickly tried to explain. If the two newcomers really thought their Familia Goddess was a complete pervert, it would be a problem. Watching Finn scramble to explain, Gareth couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Aisha's twitching face didn't immediately relax, but her feelings of regret did ease. After all, she knew the atmosphere in Loki Familia was genuinely good. That alone was reason enough not to regret joining.
"Captain, does she... usually have these kinds of interests?"
"..."
Cold sweat appeared on Finn's forehead—he genuinely didn't know how to answer.
"She... just really likes messing with people."
"Loki does have a bit of a lewd streak, but it's mostly just for fun... especially when the person she's teasing gets flustered. The more embarrassed they are, the more excited she gets." Still, seeing Loki now, Finn felt like she'd awakened some bizarre new trait—somehow even more perverse than before.
Riveria, who had stepped several paces back, gradually regained her composure. Instinctively, she glanced at Finn and Gareth in the distance, seeking some confirmation. But Finn was still busy explaining to Aisha, and Gareth had already turned his head away, completely missing her cue.
She couldn't recall exactly what had happened—only fragments of memory lingered.
When she had released her magic into the surrounding barrier, an unusual sensation surged through her. The magic she had once controlled as naturally as her own limbs suddenly ran wild and even exploded inside her.
'Was it the barrier's counterattack mechanism?'
'Then how am I still alive?'
Once she pieced things together, Riveria was certain that her injuries should've been severe—bad enough to need an Elixir.
But now, she was completely fine. She didn't even feel any major injuries.
Before she could make sense of it all, a voice called out.
"Please wait, I'll go fetch Goddess-sama and Hephaestus."
Chapter 152: Chapter 152: Loki – Where Did That Magic Script Even Come From? (Bonus)
Chapter Text
While Bell went to call for help, Finn and Gareth—who had just been explaining the situation to Aisha and Haruhime—walked over to join Riveria and Loki.
"Riveria, can you still piece your thoughts together?"
"I lost consciousness for a bit, but I remember most of what happened."
When it came to serious matters, Riveria composed herself, though her words still carried a lingering sense of unease.
"There was interference with mana inside the barrier. Any Adventurer with magical abilities who enters it will be affected—unable to use magic. On top of that, the mana goes wild inside the body, disrupting the senses."
"The one who severely injured me was the barrier's counterattack mechanism."
"Once my mana was disrupted, it exploded inside me like a bomb. Under normal circumstances, no one could've survived that."
Yes. Riveria recalled the moment she was injured—the searing pain as her own mana detonated inside her, tearing most of her internal organs to pieces. Even if she hadn't died instantly, not even the 'Dea Saint' could have guaranteed pulling her back from death's edge.
She was still surprised she was alive at all, and deeply curious as to how she'd been healed.
"Finn, how was I saved? Did someone use an Elixir?"
"Do you think a Elixir alone could've healed you in that condition?"
"No way."
Riveria rejected the idea outright.
"With my mana in turmoil, I didn't even have a chance to resist before it exploded inside me. If not for the resilience of my Level 6 body, I wouldn't have even had a breath left."
"In that state, a simple Elixir wouldn't have been enough to restore my shattered organs."
Finn agreed. Judging from her condition at the time, it was hard to believe that any ordinary medicine could've saved her.
Especially after hearing Riveria's account, he felt more than ever that her survival was nothing short of a miracle—one in a million.
Finn gave a small shake of his head.
"The one who saved you was that boy."
"We're not exactly sure how he did it. But take a look at the tree stump behind you."
Riveria turned to see a tree stump, surrounded by scattered black ash. Her eyes locked onto it—there was something about the aura radiating from the stump that felt oddly familiar.
"Don't bother thinking about it."
Loki's voice came as she slowly got up from the ground, brushing dirt off her clothes.
This time, her expression was stripped of the sleazy, perverse air she usually carried. What remained was an unusually grave seriousness.
"That kid reversed the Spirit Tree's vitality and poured its entire life force into Riveria—that's how she survived."
"What!?"
Riveria stared at Loki in shock, then quickly turned to look at the tree stump. No wonder the spiritual energy it gave off felt so familiar... it was the Spirit Tree.
But unlike Riveria's shock, Loki was even more stunned. How had that kid managed it? Reversing the Spirit Tree's life force and transferring it to Riveria, triggering her body to heal itself—it was a crude and simple method, essentially trading one life for another. But such a transformation wasn't something an ordinary person could pull off. Even calling it magecraft would be pushing it—it was far too strange.
Loki knew the magic he used came from those magical scripts. Considering how the kid had previously used them to make a living, it just highlighted how versatile they were.
'Even if those magical scripts are incredibly versatile, there's no way they could cover such a broad spectrum. Just where did that kid get them from?'
Loki had a strong sense that the origin of those magical scripts held the key.
But no matter how seriously she thought about it, it wouldn't help. The runes came from Yggdrasil, the World Tree. They were etched into it—rules birthed naturally by the world itself.
Even if Bell gave a detailed explanation, no one would likely believe him.
There was one question that could shut him down completely.
'If those runes exist on Yggdrasil, then where did you learn them?'
That alone would leave Bell completely at a loss.
He couldn't exactly say that he extracted the concept from a Caster-class Heroic Spirit named Cú Chulainn from another world, right?
Even if gods could tell whether a child from Genkai was lying, Bell's answer would probably come across as sheer delusion. And worse, it'd be a delusion he himself believed wholeheartedly.
If Bell ever tried to explain that, they'd probably ship him off for psychological treatment...
...
Meanwhile, Bell quietly knocked on the basement door.
"Knock knock knock!"
"Come in, Bell-kun."
The voice of the Goddess-sama came from within. Hearing it, Bell opened the door and stepped inside.
As he entered, his eyes instinctively drifted toward Hephaestus-sama. But the moment he looked over, his gaze locked with hers.
Bell immediately remembered that sneaky kiss on the cheek from earlier, and a hint of red crept onto his face—but he quickly suppressed it.
'This kid is adorable.'
Hephaestus caught the moment, and it only made her find him even more amusing.
"Bell-kun, you're the one who helped remove the stuff on my face this morning, right?"
Hestia, standing nearby, had also noticed the exchange. But remembering what Hephaestus had said earlier, she felt a bit embarrassed and chose not to bring it up.
She knew full well that she was a messy sleeper. She'd already heard Hephaestus complain about her stealing the blanket during the night.
Since Bell was the first one up, he must have seen Hephaestus lying there without a blanket.
Although Hestia had plenty to complain about, considering she was the one who took the blanket, she had no leg to stand on.
Bell quickly composed himself and nodded.
"Yes. When I got up this morning, I sensed some hostility and saw the part of Hephaestus-sama's face that was hidden under the mask. I realized I could do something about it, so I helped out."
Chapter 153: Chapter 153: The Purpose of Loki's Visit This Time (Bonus)
Chapter Text
That's a serious humblebrag.
Of course, Bell knew just how revolting the "Poison of Envy" was.
It stemmed from desire—every sentient being with emotions possessed at least a trace of jealousy. Even the gods in Tenkai, lounging around with nothing better to do, weren't exempt. Otherwise, how could Ishtar be so openly hostile toward Freya?
If not for desire twisting things, would there have even been a clash between those two gods?
What Bell was really curious about was how the Poison of Envy had ended up on Hephaestus-sama's face. That question kept his gaze fixed on her.
"Hephaestus-sama, when did your right cheek become like that?"
It was a personal question, one that might touch a nerve.
As a member of a Familia, Bell wasn't really in a position to ask something like that—not about his own god, and especially not about another Familia God.
Hestia understood that Bell meant no harm, but she still worried Hephaestus might take it the wrong way.
Thankfully, her concern was unnecessary. Hephaestus didn't seem to mind at all and answered plainly.
"Since the day I became aware of myself, my right cheek has always looked the way you saw."
"Since the day you became aware…?"
The answer made Bell pause in thought.
'If Hephaestus-sama had already been afflicted by the Poison of Envy from the moment she gained consciousness, then it probably wasn't the work of another god. It might've occurred naturally.'
All Bell really knew about the origins of the Seven Deadly Sins was that they were born from desire. But this kind of manifestation—he had no clue how it actually came about.
Honestly, it would make more sense if someone had intentionally directed the curse at Hephaestus-sama.
But if it had been there since birth, then the possibility of outside interference could likely be ruled out.
Still... could a god really be born carrying such corruption?
When Bell examined her earlier, he had already noticed that the Poison of Envy wasn't just on the surface anymore—it had started corroding even deeper.
'That mask must have some kind of sealing effect, otherwise Hephaestus-sama wouldn't have been able to hold out for that long.'
But that was as far as Bell's speculation went.
He quickly set the thought aside—right now, he had to escort both goddesses to meet the newly arrived Loki.
'I'll look into the issue of the 'Poison of Envy' thoroughly afterward. Once I've drawn some conclusions, I'll compile a full report.'
At the moment, Bell still knew too little about the 'Poison of Envy.' There was only so much he could say, and even that came from a partial understanding.
"Now, Goddess-sama and Hephaestus-sama need to get ready."
"Why?"
"Because Loki-sama is here—with her Familia. They're right upstairs."
"Huh!?"
That woke Hestia up completely. She couldn't understand why Loki would show up so early in the morning with her whole Familia.
"What's she doing here this early? Wasn't the last time humiliating enough?"
"Wait! Bell-kun, how did Loki even get in? With all the traps and barriers we set up outside, she still managed to bring people in?"
Bell had to explain, or it'd make it seem like all his preparations had been sloppy.
"Goddess-sama, the traps and barriers worked perfectly. They successfully incapacitated everyone. In fact, the Nine Hell triggered the barrier's counterattack mechanism and suffered a critical injury from a magic explosion."
Loki and her entire Familia had been knocked out cold.
Just hearing that much was enough for Hestia and Hephaestus to picture the scene. Considering Bell had mentioned the Nine Hell, it confirmed that Loki had brought the highest-ranking members of her Familia—her elite Level 6+.
But what really caught their attention was that the Nine Hell had suffered a fatal injury.
Sure, it was normal for regular adventurers to get seriously hurt by traps—but a Level 6?
Now Hestia started to worry that her child might've gone too far.
"Bell-kun… you didn't kill one of Loki's children, did you?"
Bell's face twitched slightly.
"Goddess-sama, we're about to set off on an expedition, and I have no personal grudges against Loki Familia. It was just that the Nine Hell tried to probe the barrier's weak point by releasing magic—and ended up triggering one of my traps. That's how the serious injury happened."
Hestia let out a quiet sigh of relief. As long as Bell hadn't intentionally tried to kill them, it was fine.
She also understood why Bell had chosen to ally with Loki Familia.
Partly to give their own Familia a reliable backer—and partly for the sake of the expedition itself.
'Thinking about it, there's no reason for Bell to randomly target Loki's kids.'
"Then… are Loki's children okay?"
"They're fine. After some basic healing, their physical injuries are mostly recovered."
"That's good."
Hestia might not get along with that flat-chested Loki, but she wasn't petty enough to wish harm on her children.
She kicked her legs off the bed, spotted her slippers nearby, slipped them on, and looked up.
"Alright. Let's go meet Loki."
"Hestia, wait a moment."
Hephaestus, still sitting on the bed, also stood up.
"I'm coming too."
This visit from Loki definitely wasn't just casual. After all, she had just wrapped up the raid on the Ishtar Familia. There was no way Loki would recklessly show up with several key subordinates just for a friendly visit.
Hephaestus wasn't worried about Hestia.
Loki hadn't tricked Hestia too many times, and she wouldn't let things go so far that Hestia got hurt.
She was just concerned about the real reason for Loki's visit.
'Even without thinking too hard, I can tell—Loki came here for Bell.'
And with that in mind, she had some questions of her own she wanted answered.
Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Sanjouno Haruhime's Gratitude (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Bell brought the two goddesses upstairs, and only then did Hestia and Hephaestus realize that it wasn't just Loki and her three Level 6s who had arrived—there were also two unfamiliar girls with them.
One was dressed in a well-fitted outfit, clearly styled in the Far Eastern fashion.
The other wore very little, instantly recognizable as someone from the Amazoness culture.
They were familiar with the three Level 6s from Loki's Familia, but the two girls behind them were strangers.
Bell, of course, knew who they were. He pointed to the bronze-skinned girl dressed lightly and introduced her.
"This is Aisha Belka, formerly of the Ishtar Familia."
"And this is Sanjouno Haruhime, also a former member of the Ishtar Familia."
Hestia's interest was piqued immediately.
She looked over the two girls—clearly rare Adventurers. It was obvious they had already been transferred to Loki's Familia.
Since Ishtar had been sent back to Tenkai by Ouranos just yesterday, Hestia could easily imagine that Loki had been waiting for that exact moment to convert the two of them.
"Loki, what are you doing here so early in the morning? And why didn't you bring the two new kids from your Familia?"
"Why do you think I came?"
"My kids got saved by your kid yesterday. I brought them here to say thanks."
Loki rolled her eyes at that.
"Thanks?"
Hestia was a bit confused, so Bell explained from the side.
"Goddess-sama, the night before last, when Loki's Familia was suppressing the Ishtar Familia for colluding with the Evilus, these two were being chased by over ten members of the Ishtar Familia. They fled into our territory."
"So it was then."
Hestia recalled Bell mentioning that someone needed to take care of a situation outside. She hadn't expected it to be the same two girls he later recommended to Loki.
At that moment, Haruhime stepped forward from Loki's side. She bent at the waist, hands gently resting on her stomach.
"Though it's a bit late, please allow me to express my gratitude."
When she lifted her head, Sanjouno Haruhime's eyes locked onto Bell. But with his hood still drawn, she couldn't make out what her savior actually looked like.
"If it weren't for your help, Aisha and I would never have escaped that day."
Her words carried sincere gratitude—so strong that Bell could feel it. Someone like her truly didn't belong in the Ishtar Familia.
"You don't need to thank me. I only treated you like bad people passing information to Loki. Don't thank me like I'm some kind of good guy."
"This is your second life now. Take the lessons from the last one seriously and don't let it become a repeat."
Bell wasn't comfortable accepting gratitude for saving her.
He didn't consider himself a good person. He just happened to know a few things and used some favorable intel to satisfy his own intentions.
Haruhime already knew that—Loki-sama had explained it to her yesterday.
But that wasn't what mattered to her.
Maybe the boy in front of her had really used her and Aisha's intel, maybe even sold it to Loki-sama. But Haruhime still had to thank him.
'Thank you for stepping up for me that day.'
Haruhime knew exactly how harsh life had been under the Ishtar Familia.
Because of her unique skills, she was constantly forced into doing things she never wanted to do. She'd even helped carry out a lot of bad deeds. She knew she was a bad woman too.
Back when she was still in the Ishtar Familia, no one had ever stepped forward to help her.
She had even resigned herself to the fate of being a sacrifice.
But in that moment, someone did step in to help—perhaps just by informing Loki-sama of her situation. Still, Haruhime understood that if not for that, she would have had no hope of escaping the Ishtar Familia.
"Even so, I'm still deeply grateful to Bell-sama."
The hope she'd clung to came from the person standing before her. Haruhime had never forgotten that.
And then there was the pursuit the night before last—if not for this boy's sudden appearance, she and Aisha would've been dead. It was because of him that they survived the ambush.
The young man who stood up for her in that moment of danger had become an eternal hero in Haruhime's heart.
Though she had no comforting words to offer, her gratitude was unwavering.
Bell glanced at Haruhime and sighed quietly.
'For such a pure-hearted girl to live in a world this chaotic… I don't know if that's a blessing or a curse.'
Still, considering how naive this Renard was, Bell couldn't help but give a word of caution.
"Don't go trusting people you shouldn't trust."
"Now that you're part of Loki Familia, keep that in mind. Adventurers should never place blind trust in each other. Stay alert around everyone—consider that a rule you must follow."
Loki gave Bell an exasperated look.
"Oi, oi, kid, your paranoia's getting seriously out of hand."
Bell understood the meaning behind her words, but he wasn't going to change his stance.
"Whether it's out of hand or not, as a god, Loki, you should know better than anyone."
"There are too many cases where adventurers can't be judged by appearances."
"Take Soma Familia as an example—their members gave up their humanity just for alcohol. They're not even human anymore, just a bunch of desire-driven husks. When faced with people like that, Loki, do you still think I'm being too extreme?"
Loki had no comeback for that.
Soma Familia really was that rotten—worse than anything Bell had just described.
Seeing that there was no rebuttal, Bell continued.
"Always assume the worst in people. Because you never know when someone you thought was a friend might stab you in the back."
He paused.
"But when it comes to those you truly believe in, then trust them with everything."
At the end of the day, that kind of balance was hard for most people to maintain. So Bell softened his stance just a little.
Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Suppressing the "Braver" (Bonus)
Chapter Text
'As expected, he doesn't trust anyone... No, more precisely, he doesn't trust any Adventurer.'
'But he does believe that some people are worth trusting—it's just that he hasn't met anyone like that yet.'
From that brief exchange, Finn could already tell what kind of attitude this boy held toward Adventurers.
'If this boy were part of our Familia, he might be even more troublesome than Ais.'
Just thinking about Ais, who was growing at an incredible pace among the younger generation, made Finn feel a dull headache coming on.
His gaze returned to the boy standing in front of him.
Compared to this boy, Ais's issues almost seemed minor. Her drive stemmed from painful memories and a desperate pursuit of strength.
But this boy—he had endured hardship, seen the darkness of human nature, and chose to grow stronger by distancing himself from others.
On the surface, the difference between them might not seem so drastic, but the nuance was stark.
Ais would sometimes act in ways others couldn't comprehend, but to Finn, her actions were simply an effort to accumulate more "status" through constant adventure and self-improvement.
What seemed like incomprehensible behavior to others was merely a reflection of the gap in strength and understanding between them and Ais.
But this boy—his entire nature and approach were the polar opposite of Ais.
Ais charged headfirst into everything, reckless and relentless.
This boy, on the other hand, operated with meticulous caution. His use of magic scripts with diverse effects made him no less capable than a dedicated mage—whether in stealth, support, or healing.
And that didn't even rule out his offensive capabilities—or the terrifying speed of his growth.
'Still, this boy never reveals his true emotions. It's hard to get a read on him.'
Loki propped her chin on her hand, eyes fixed sharply on the boy.
"Hey, kid, you're not doing this on purpose, are you?"
Bell didn't quite follow what Loki meant.
"If there's something you want to say, Loki-sama, just say it. We're allies, there's no need to be so roundabout."
"I'm asking if you've been preparing countermeasures specifically against Adventurers. Is that why you developed techniques that target them?"
"Countermeasures against Adventurers... Ah, if you mean tools to counter 'Abnormal Resistance,' then yes—that's exactly what I've prepared."
'That was... unexpectedly straightforward.'
Loki had assumed he'd deflect or sugarcoat his answer. She wasn't prepared for such a blunt, direct response—and it caught her completely off guard.
"You're certainly direct. Aren't you aware that just based on this, I could report your actions to the Guild?"
Bell remained calm, seated without the slightest sign of panic. He simply watched Loki.
"I don't believe Loki-sama would make such a foolish move. From the moment our Familias allied, Loki Familia became tied to Hestia Familia."
"If I'm seen as a threat to Orario over this, then wouldn't Loki Familia be considered an even greater threat?"
"If word got out, the Guild's first suspicion would be whether Loki Familia already possesses methods to 'counter' Adventurers."
Good grief.
Loki could practically feel her teeth grind from how tense her jaw had become.
She knew full well—once this kind of information leaked, her Familia would be dragged down too, with no way to explain their way out of it.
Bell wasn't fazed by Loki's stare. He continued calmly.
"If the Guild launched a full-scale investigation into Loki Familia, would your people really be able to walk away clean?"
"What do you think Adventurers would do once they realize their safety isn't entirely in their own hands?"
"Everything Loki Familia has built over the years would go up in smoke."
His gaze shifted to Finn.
"Finn, didn't you become an Adventurer to raise the flag for the Pallum and lead them to prominence again?"
"If this gets exposed, won't the Pallum be treated as outcasts more than ever?"
Then he turned his eyes to the Nine Hell.
"I don't know what motivated Vice Captain Riveria to become an Adventurer, but regardless of how much she distances herself from the Elves, she still has to maintain their reputation in the world, doesn't she?"
"Riveria is royalty among the High Elves. The royal family has influence over the lives of most Adventurers in Orario. If things go south, the Elves could be dragged down with them."
Finn and Riveria both frowned.
There was no mistaking it—those words were a warning, a threat dressed in calm reasoning.
And they knew it wasn't empty.
If the truth ever came out, and this boy merely said a few words, public opinion could turn against both the Pallum and the Elves instantly.
Finn's voice turned cold.
"Do you really think the Guild would take your word for it?"
Bell simply spread his hands in front of Hestia-sama and Hephaestus-sama.
"Of course. As long as both gods confirm my account, even if the Guild doesn't fully believe me, they'll still search Loki Familia."
"Whether they find anything or not doesn't matter. What matters is the Guild's 'stance.'"
"If the Guild moves against Loki Familia, do you think the lower-ranked Adventurers will still trust you?"
"Words carry power."
"Those low-ranking Adventurers might not have much, but once they choose to believe someone, it influences the rest. Masses follow their lead."
"At that point, it won't matter whether it's true or not."
"What will matter is that most of the Adventurers believe me."
Bell's tone remained calm from start to finish. He delivered every word with steady composure.
And as expected, Finn—already burdened with hesitation—wavered.
He couldn't afford to take that risk.
As a veteran Adventurer, Finn knew better than anyone how dark people's hearts could be—and how many eyes in Orario were just waiting for Loki Familia to make a mistake.
If those people got a chance like this, they'd never let it slip by. They'd do everything to bring Loki Familia down.
A heavy sense of pressure settled in Finn's chest, a bitter helplessness creeping in.
He knew that if the boy in front of him really took that step, it could mean the end of his life as an Adventurer.
But if that happened—it might not be just his journey that ended.
Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid—Figure It Out Yourself (Bonus)
Chapter Text
'Checkmate.'
They say the barefoot have nothing to fear from those wearing shoes, and that saying perfectly captured the current situation.
Loki Familia had too much to lose. The entire group couldn't afford to be dragged into this mess—no one in Loki Familia thought they could handle something this reckless.
Everyone became an Adventurer with their own goals, but if things truly spiraled out of control, reputations would be ruined, and their careers would be over.
In contrast, Hestia Familia had no such fear.
After all, Hestia Familia only had one member—and that person was the creator of Orario's most popular product, the Rune Stone. It was entirely reasonable for someone in his position to develop such magic. Being the sole member, who would blame him for experimenting with a little magic?
Even if the Guild staff took notice, they likely wouldn't punish a single-member Familia too harshly. As long as he signed a few responsibility waivers, the matter would probably blow over.
Could a lone Adventurer really threaten all of Orario?
Even if Ouranos made such a claim, not many would believe it.
On the other hand, if a top-tier Familia like Loki's were suspected of attempting to expand their influence using forbidden means, people would believe it immediately.
The difference in status and scale made all the difference in how Orario's Adventurers would perceive and react to them.
'No choice, really.'
Riveria felt a splitting headache coming on. This boy was at least a hundred times more troublesome than Ais.
The moment the conversation began, he had turned the topic into a direct threat to both her and Finn.
And the fact that he dared say such things meant he was capable of following through.
Not to mention, they were in his territory. She hadn't forgotten how targeted they'd been just moments ago. If traps had already been laid, would they even have the chance to fight back?
That thought made Riveria regard Bell with significantly more wariness in her eyes.
Thud!
The sound of Loki's foot tapping lightly on the ground broke the tense silence. With a smile returning to her face, she stepped forward.
"Just a joke, alright? No need to take it that seriously."
Bell, of course, knew it had been a test.
"Of course. I understand that was Loki-sama's way of probing for my stance. But I hope Loki-sama also understands—if I had been in the weaker position, both Goddess-sama and I would have been done for."
"That's why I had no choice but to respond as strongly as I could. I hope you'll forgive me."
With the deadlock broken, Loki no longer acted aggressively. As for her earlier discourtesy, she didn't seem to care much.
After all, games like these required recognizing when your opponent held the upper hand. You couldn't be the only one profiting from the board.
And truthfully, Loki respected what the kid had done.
If Bell had been overwhelmed back there, she wouldn't have gone easy on him. Maybe not to the point of destroying him, but she definitely would have forced him into signing some extremely one-sided agreements.
But Bell's clear stance—one of mutual destruction—made her abandon that thought altogether.
Because Loki knew—if she pushed him too far, he absolutely had the guts to take her entire Familia down with him.
"Yes, yes, I already know you're more than capable."
Loki waved her hand with a frustrated sigh, then turned to her captain.
"Finn, looks like this kid's sharper than you."
But Bell shook his head before Finn could even respond.
"Loki-sama, it's not that I'm sharper than Captain Finn. If we're just talking cleverness, I'm nothing more than a cautious small-timer. When it comes to being shrewd, I'm far beneath him."
"It's just that Captain Finn had nowhere to retreat. That's why he hesitated—just a little—during our exchange."
"That tiny hesitation meant he couldn't act as freely as I did."
Though the phrasing gave Finn some cover, he didn't mind. In fact, he found it rather comforting. And yet, after that comfort, he openly acknowledged his defeat.
"You're right. I couldn't bring myself to bet everything on that question earlier. The revival of the Pallum has always rested on my shoulders. No one ever forced that burden on me—but it's still my life's goal."
"Being unable to go all in when faced with a challenge like this… that's my failure. There's no excuse."
After owning up to it, Finn looked at Bell with newfound respect.
"You've only been an Adventurer for a short time, yet you don't act like a rookie at all."
"Maybe Loki didn't make the wrong call after all. That deal might've been a real windfall for our Familia."
Right now, Finn felt more certain than ever that Loki had made the right choice in forging this alliance.
The more formidable this boy turned out to be, the more valuable that deal became.
Maybe it wasn't just about the Rune Stones—it was this boy himself who was worth it.
"Then let me ask my final question."
"Are you really a Level 1 Adventurer?"
That question was definitely a loaded one.
Hestia and Hephaestus stayed silent, simply watching to see how Bell would answer.
Bell gave just one response.
"About my level—I've only been an Adventurer for less than a month."
"I'm not someone who trusts other Adventurers easily, so I don't form parties with anyone."
"And I'm a coward. I don't take risks unless I'm sure I can handle them. So I only take actions that match what I believe I can manage."
"I always prioritize my own safety before adventuring."
"Just a few days ago, I was still grinding on the fifth floor. Now, I've already made it to the tenth."
Going solo to the tenth floor to accumulate 'Status'?
A rookie who had been an Adventurer for less than a month was already diving into the tenth floor alone—and he didn't even consider that to be a real risk?
This time, it wasn't just Finn. Everyone present—except for Haruhime, who was still a bit puzzled—fully understood what Bell was really saying.
He never directly stated his level, but the implications in his words left little room for doubt.
Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Loki Prepares to Customize a Magic Stone (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Less than a month..."
Loki nearly started drooling from sheer envy.
She'd been in Genkai for so long, yet she had never seen an Adventurer hit Level 2 in under a month.
And judging by how cautious this kid was, his Status had no doubt been raised to the limit.
Loki didn't believe for a second that this kid would leave his stats anything less than maxed out. Sure, he hadn't shown any signs of melee capability—but she wasn't naive enough to think that meant he didn't have it.
So far, he'd only demonstrated his magical talent. But could that alone explain why he was bold enough to venture into the Dungeon solo?
Of course not.
'This kid's a full-package type.'
Loki was certain of it. But she kept the thought to herself—some things just weren't meant to be said out loud here.
Still, she couldn't help the wave of jealousy washing over her.
'How is that shorty so lucky?'
'Just randomly bumps into a kid this ridiculously overpowered.'
Loki had to force herself to stop thinking about it, or the bitterness in her heart would start overflowing.
"I've asked everything I needed to."
"We came here today for three main reasons. First, to thank you for saving Aisha and Haruhime. That girl's never forgotten what you did for her."
Sanjouno Haruhime flushed the moment Loki mentioned her name.
Bell noticed it, and of course, so did Hestia and Hephaestus.
"The second was to follow up on what we were just discussing—but I think we've settled that."
Loki had originally been worried that this kid might be preparing to take action against other Adventurers. The whole tense moment at the entrance only reinforced her concern—if this boy ever sided with the Evilus, Orario would be as good as doomed.
But thinking back on his response, Loki realized she'd been overthinking it.
This kid saw through things clearer than anyone. There was no way he'd ever join a group like that.
What reassured Loki the most, though, was his entire approach.
He didn't even trust other Adventurers—how could someone like that ever believe a bunch of maniacs?
Even the idea was laughable.
"The third point—and the main reason I came today—is about custom runes."
"Our Familia is preparing for an expedition soon. We'll be exploring completely uncharted territory, so we need to stock up on a lot of supplies."
"With that in mind, do you have any Rune Stones you recommend?"
If the second topic had gone in her favor, Loki would've used it to haggle. But now, that wasn't an option.
Of course, her Familia was loaded, so paying full price wasn't an issue. Still, she needed to understand what types of Rune Stones were available—this time, she planned to make them a core part of their preparation.
"Recommended Rune Stones?"
"Offensive, buffing, healing, detoxification, curse removal, attraction, detection—just name it, I can make it. I can even craft ones that boost luck or increase drop rates, though those are a bit more expensive."
Since this was a proper business talk, Bell got more serious.
The Rune Stone craze had only started a few days ago. Most Adventurers probably hadn't even used the ones they bought yet, so it would take time before the second wave of demand kicked in.
Still, no matter how many cheap Rune Stones sold, they'd never match the profit of high-end ones.
"Luck... increased drop rate..."
Loki nearly dropped her jaw.
"You're telling me you can actually make that kind of nonsense?"
"It's a universal magical script. With the right arrangement and combination, it forms new types of magic. Right now, I'm only just getting familiar with it, and there are still many functions I haven't figured out."
Bell was laying the groundwork for explaining future abilities through the lens of Rune Magic. It would let him mask other capabilities while making future actions easier to justify.
"I also have a few highly practical Rune Stone models for you to consider."
"Expeditions require tons of supplies, and carrying them all is a pain. Lately, I've been researching spatial-type tools. I've even made a few prototypes."
"You can make that kind of thing too!?"
Loki nearly jumped to her feet.
Even Finn, Riveria, and Gareth noticeably tensed—their breathing grew heavier. This wasn't something to brush off.
Lack of supply space had always been a major issue in Loki Familia's expeditions. If they could solve that, they'd be able to bring back far more Magic Stones and drop items, significantly boosting their profits.
"Of course I can."
Under his hood, Bell's eyes flickered with a faint gleam. He mentioned this now because he already had personal access to spatial storage—this was his way of setting the stage.
In truth, crafting spatial tools with Runic Magic wasn't especially hard. The key was that different types required different methods.
Some were simple. Others, much more complex.
"There are cheap options and expensive ones. Which does Loki-sama want?"
"The expensive one, obviously!"
Loki didn't hesitate.
Even blindfolded, she could tell the expensive version would be better. The cheaper ones probably came with too many limitations.
Since she'd made her choice, Bell ignored the cheaper options and pulled out a waist pouch from behind him.
"This is a high-quality waist bag—2,500 Valis to make. But it contains a separate, five-cubic-meter internal space, ideal for storing large quantities of supplies."
"Because it's spatial-type, you don't need to worry about the item dimensions. As long as the total volume doesn't exceed five cubic meters, you can keep stacking items inside. Only when you hit that limit will it stop accepting new ones."
Just like that, he dropped a bomb on Loki.
A waist pouch that could hold five cubic meters of goods—honestly, that was insane. It could replace the cargo of two to three carts, easy.
Normally, Loki Familia had to prepare ten to fifteen carts' worth of supplies for an expedition.
With just five of these pouches, they could carry everything they needed.
Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Fleecing the Sheep (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"In addition to the 5 cubic meters of internal space, the waist pouch also has spatial properties. Simply put, unless the attack can break through space itself, it can't inflict any real damage on the pouch."
This was essentially a side effect of how Bell created spatial tools—he bound a pocket dimension directly onto the pouch, turning it into the anchor for that space.
As a result, the pouch and the space were intrinsically linked, giving it a kind of reinforced durability.
"Of course, just because it can't be destroyed doesn't mean it can absorb damage. Space, by nature, is intangible—untouchable. So using the pouch to block attacks is just wishful thinking. At most, it might stop something sharp from puncturing it."
Bell made sure to clarify that point in advance. He didn't want anyone getting the idea to use the pouch like armor. Sure, the pouch would survive—but the person trying to block the hit? That was a different story.
Still, this added durability gave Finn a pleasant surprise.
'A 5-cubic-meter space, and hard to destroy... definitely ideal for expeditions.'
'With a few of these, the profit from each expedition could rise dramatically.'
As someone who went on every expedition, Finn knew all too well why their earnings were always tight. Most of it came down to logistics—they could never bring back as many Magic Stones and drop items as they wanted due to supply limitations.
But now, that bottleneck might finally be solved.
With enough of these spatial tools, they could potentially recover the cost in a single trip.
In the long term, this was easily one of the most valuable items they could invest in.
Naturally, what Finn realized, Loki had already realized too. She took a deep breath.
"How much?"
"One hundred million Valis."
'That's one hell of a markup!'
Loki couldn't help but groan internally when Bell named the price.
But considering spatial items were something even Adventurers with "Mystery" couldn't produce—essentially a monopoly—she didn't really have room to complain, even if she felt like she was being robbed blind.
Taking another deep breath, she steeled herself and declared her order.
"Alright! I'll take ten!"
Bell lightly tapped the table with a finger. Instantly, nine more pouches appeared beside the first.
"Perfect timing. I only made ten. Since Loki-sama's so fond of them, I'll let you have the full batch."
Loki swallowed hard as she stared at the pouches laid out in front of her.
She knew this was going to drain their coffers—and that was without factoring in any other orders.
Selling ten spatial tools for a billion Valis... and suddenly, her fortune didn't feel quite so deep anymore.
Then, without realizing it, a sweet, almost forced smile crept onto her face.
"Hey, handsome... any chance I can get a discount?"
"Of course."
She hadn't even finished asking when Bell responded, causing her flattery to freeze mid-smile.
Bell wasn't about to fleece Loki Familia dry with just one product. A billion Valis wasn't their ceiling—he knew they still had plenty of wool left to shear, and he was bringing out the razor.
"Given the alliance between our Hestia Familia and Loki Familia, and since you'll likely have more orders coming, I'll give you a special rate for this first deal—half off."
It was a huge discount. One that, in most trades, would be seen as a loss.
But Loki didn't feel even a shred of joy.
A billion-Valis transaction slashed in half just like that? No way the other side wasn't still profiting heavily.
Only a fool would think this was some kind of charity.
That kind of discount only meant one thing: even with the price halved, Bell was still making plenty off the deal. Otherwise, why would he drop it so easily in the first round?
And now, what could she say? He'd offered half off before she even started haggling. Could she really push for more?
Come on—she was the "God of Evil," not the "God of Shamelessness."
Finn and the others could only sigh. They knew full well they'd just been carved up like prize lambs.
"Pfft!"
Hestia couldn't hold back a laugh, especially after seeing Loki's contorted expression. She was honestly on the verge of bursting out.
From the beginning, she hadn't been too worried about Bell getting taken advantage of in business. After all, she knew he held a monopoly over magical script—no one could replicate it easily.
For her Familia, the magical script Bell had mastered was basically a license to print money, depending on how generous—or ruthless—they wanted to be.
That laugh hit Loki like a dagger to the ears, making her already twisted face even more scrunched.
At that point, Bell decided to step in and smooth things over for his goddess.
"Loki-sama, this was a custom order. Our Hestia Familia doesn't plan to sell it to the public."
Alright, custom-made and not for public sale—that made Loki feel a little better.
"Then let's talk about some other products."
"I personally recommend the 'Purification' Rune Stone. It's used for detoxification, priced at 200,000 Valis."
"That's ridiculous. A regular antidote tops out at 20,000 Valis. You just jacked the price up tenfold!"
Loki was genuinely taken aback. That kind of markup was outrageous.
But Bell had his reasons, and he explained them calmly.
"Loki-sama, there's a good reason for that price."
"In the Dungeon, poison is one of the biggest threats. There are even deadly toxins that can bypass 'Abnormal Resistance'. 'Purification' can even clear out those."
Loki immediately thought of the Poison Vermis—disgusting things that lived deep in the Dungeon. Even Adventurers with 'Abnormal Resistance' could fall to them. Just a touch from those things could be lethal.
Even so, she wasn't quite convinced. After buying all those space pouches, her Familia could just stock up on regular antidotes. No need to splurge on detox Rune Stones.
But Bell wasn't done. He revealed another key feature of "Purification."
"'Purification' has an area-of-effect. It clears all poisons within a five-meter radius of the user and grants a three-minute immunity to further poisoning."
That made Loki's eyes light up. An AoE effect was already impressive—but a temporary immunity buff? That was something antidotes couldn't offer.
After all, antidotes took time to kick in. Magic worked instantly.
"I'll take it!"
Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Aggressive Marketing (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"In addition to 'Weapon Sharpening' and 'Self-Enhancement,' my personal recommendation is to go further down the path of specialization."
"While 'Self-Enhancement' does boost all your stats for five minutes, the effect is too flat."
The word 'flat' made Loki twitch slightly.
She knew that boosting all stats equally could feel underwhelming—but if each stat increases by 200 points, that's a total of 1,000 points. That's hardly mediocre.
In fact, Loki felt that kind of increase was borderline excessive.
"A flat boost raises your overall numbers, sure—but in battle, what really matters isn't total stats, but which areas stand out the most."
Bell had a lot of authority on that topic. He was an exception—a rare case with strong stats across the board. For someone like him, boosting all stats was incredibly effective.
But for Adventurers who specialize in one or two attributes, spreading the bonus evenly results in minimal gains where it matters most. So in those cases, it's far better to double down on what they're already good at.
"For example, Captain Finn's strengths are Agility and Dexterity, right?"
Finn gave a slight nod.
"Since those are your specialties, it means the other attributes likely saw less growth during level-ups. So your combat style isn't focused on Strength or Endurance, but on speed and maneuverability."
"If 'Self-Enhancement' boosts all attributes equally, then giving 200 extra points to Strength and Endurance... would that really help you that much?"
Finn thought it over for a moment, then shook his head slightly.
"Strength and Endurance matter in combat, but they aren't the core of my fighting style."
"We Pallum have never had an edge in raw power or toughness. Spending effort on those stats doesn't yield much. But our bodies are naturally more agile and nimble—I rely on speed and quick movement far more in a fight."
It was clear from his words: high-level Adventurers tailor their fighting style to their unique stat distribution.
Those with top-tier stats across the board are considered true all-rounders—but only if they've hit S-rank in every category.
If you haven't reached that level, then 'well-rounded' just means 'average.'
Bell smoothly picked up the thread of the conversation.
"So for Captain Finn, the current system of 'Self-Enhancement' doesn't really amplify his true strength. Boosting Strength and Endurance doesn't come close to the impact you'd get from enhancing Agility and Dexterity."
"If we reallocate the boosts and focus entirely on those two stats, I think it's possible to raise both Agility and Dexterity by 400 points within five minutes."
That much!?
Finn's breathing quickened slightly.
Even if the total boost dropped by 200 points, those 800 points focused entirely on his core attributes would be far more valuable than a generic 1,000-point spread.
With 400 points added to both Agility and Dexterity, he could push them well beyond S-rank within five minutes—possibly even hit the S cap.
Loki mulled it over and had to admit—this kind of specialized enhancement was way more practical than a flat upgrade across the board.
"I want the special enhancement Rune Stone for Finn as well."
"And for Gareth and Mama too."
"By the way, if it's just one Status being enhanced, how much can it be increased?"
Bell paused to think, then quickly had his answer.
"For a focused stat boost, it should be about 600 points."
The number made Riveria's expression visibly crack.
Even with a time limit on the Rune Stone's effect, if she timed it right, the destructive power of her magic might double.
A single Rune Stone would likely only last long enough for one casting in battle.
But when Rune Stones came into play, even just ten well-timed spells could be enough to swing the entire outcome of a fight.
"Alright! I want that one too!"
A 600-point boost to a single stat wasn't something Loki could ignore.
Riveria's role in the team was critical. Her massive area-of-effect spells were a cornerstone of their strength. And boosting her Status with Rune Stones translated directly into raw firepower.
These three Rune Stone types represented the Loki Familia's three trump cards.
Riveria needed one to enhance Magic.
Finn needed one for Agility and Dexterity.
Gareth needed one for Strength and Endurance.
"Following the custom order pricing, each Rune Stone is 1 million Valis. Is that acceptable?"
"Yeah, that's fine."
A million per Rune Stone was still within Loki's budget.
"What about the price of the 'Purification' Rune Stone?"
"Same price. 'Purification' is a wide-area healing Rune Stone. It can cleanse multiple targets and also grants a three-minute poison immunity. It's definitely worth a million."
That made sense.
And it's not like they'd need dozens of them. Ten should be more than enough for a full expedition.
"Kid, got anything that can replace those Fireball Stones?"
This time, Loki wasn't planning to waste funds on Magic Swords. A million-Valis-grade Magic Sword barely outperformed a 100,000-Valis fireball.
If that's the case, why not just buy Rune Stones with offensive spells directly?
"There's quite a variety."
"Aside from fireballs, there are water shots, ice shots, rock shots, and lightning bolts. I can also make ones with even more power, but I'd recommend you go for Rune Stones that enchant weapons directly."
Bell's pitch made Loki stiffen.
"You're even selling weapon enchantment Rune Stones?"
"Of course. But only one enchantment can be active on a weapon at a time—including 'Weapon Sharpening.' Using a Rune Stone to enchant a weapon gives it magical properties, so even those who can't cast spells can deliver magical attacks."
"The enchantment lasts for 15 minutes, and it's priced the same as a standard ability enhancement Rune Stone—1 million Valis each."
Chapter 160: Chapter 160: An Order Worth Nearly 1.6 Billion (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Limb Reattachment', this Rune Stone is used when the severed limb can still be retrieved. Three million Valis isn't too much, right?"
"Not at all."
"'Limb Regeneration', when the severed limb can't be found, this allows the body to regenerate the most suitable replacement. Ten million Valis isn't too much either, is it?"
"Not expensive at all."
"'Three-Dimensional Map'—each one can chart a certain area in 3D, highlight and track both enemy and ally positions. Five million Valis... not too expensive, right?"
"That's affordable too."
''Loathed by All', once used, both people and monsters will instinctively dislike you so much they won't want to get close. It's great for keeping monsters away. One million Valis—still not expensive, right'"
"It's not expensive, but doesn't this affect people too?"
Honestly, Loki thought 'Loathed by All' was extremely useful—an effective method for repelling monsters.
However, the description of this Rune Stone raised concerns. The price seemed suspiciously low, making Loki a bit uneasy.
"Yes, it affects people just as much. Once activated, the user becomes unbearably annoying to everyone. While it works incredibly well in dungeons, it's also a major mental challenge for the user."
"Still, I believe the adventurers of Loki Familia have the resolve to endure the scorn of their comrades. The important thing is the Rune Stone's effectiveness—putting up with being hated for an hour in exchange for repelling monsters? That's more than worth it, don't you think?"
"...That's true."
Though Loki felt something was off about that statement, when she considered the Rune Stone's cost—just one million—and its monster-repelling power, the side effect didn't seem so bad after all.
Plus, the effect lasted a whole hour.
With fewer monsters around, the party could move faster.
Sure, the side effect was awful on a personal level, but its value to the team was undeniable.
Seeing Loki nod, Bell began summarizing the purchase.
"Alright, Loki, I'll start recording the data and tallying up the prices. You can decide how much to buy or set a price cap."
Loki gave a slight nod, stretching her stiff neck as the musty air of the chapel and the creaking of the benches made her realize just how bad the place really was.
Bell had already taken out a ledger and begun calculating.
"Ten 'Space Waist Bags', originally 100 million Valis each. After the discount, that's 500 million."
"'Purification'—can treat widespread poisoning and grants a three-minute immunity afterward. One million each."
"Twenty."
Bell jotted the number down and continued.
"'Weapon Sharpening' boosts sharpness in stages for five minutes. 500,000 Valis each."
"100."
"'Self-Enhancement'—enhances all stats for five minutes. 50 Valis each."
"100 as well."
"'Special Enhancement', tailored to the user's individual traits, boosts one or two stats. Duration: five minutes. One million each."
"Order special Rune Stones for Finn, Gareth, and Rinia. And 20 for me."
"'Attribute Bullets'—magic bullets with various effects based on element. 100,000 Valis each."
"Get me 3,000."
*"'Attribute Enchantment'—adds elemental effects to weapons, lasts 15 minutes. One million each."
"100."
"'Limb Reattachment'."
"Ten."
"'Limb Regeneration'."
"...40 units."
"'Three-Dimensional Map'."
"Let's start with ten."
*"'Loathed by All'."
"I'll take 20."
After recording all the quantities, Bell wrote the corresponding prices into the ledger.
[Space Waist Bag - 500 million Valis, Purification - 20 million Valis, Weapon Sharpening - 50 million Valis, Self-Enhancement - 50 million Valis, Special Enhancement - 60 million Valis, Attribute Bullets - 300 million Valis, Attribute Enchantment - 100 million Valis, Limb Reattachment - 30 million Valis, Limb Regeneration - 400 million Valis, Three-Dimensional Map - 50 million Valis, Loathed by All - 20 million Valis.]
[Total: 1.58 billion Valis.]
When Bell handed Loki the final price list, her facial muscles twitched uncontrollably at the total.
'Oh my god... I just spent nearly 1.6 billion Valis!'
Still, after looking over the list, Loki could clearly see where most of the money had gone.
The biggest expenditures were the "Space Waist Bag," "Limb Regeneration," "Attribute Bullets," and "Attribute Enchantment."
The first was a strategic item—absolutely essential.
The second was critical for her Familia's safety. Most adventurers who survived the Dungeon came back missing limbs. This gave them a second chance. Also non-negotiable.
The third was an offensive consumable with extremely high usage. Against the endless wave of monsters in the Dungeon, this wasn't something that could be skimped on either.
The fourth boosted attack power by adding magical attributes to weapons tailored for different enemies—vital when facing tougher monsters.
As for the rest, most were just as necessary.
Could something like "Loathed by All," which repels monsters, be considered expendable? It might very well be the key to pushing into new territory.
All the Rune Stones for strengthening, support, and healing served one goal—ensuring the Familia could go further on their expedition.
At first glance, spending 1.6 billion Valis felt like it was stabbing Loki right in the chest, but considering the Rune Stones' value and scoring a top-tier expedition item like a space tool, she managed to hold herself back.
'It's worth it.'
'A single space item alone makes this worthwhile.'
'It's just... the processing cost is outrageous.'
Thinking about a waist pouch that cost 2,400 Valis being sold for 100 million still made Loki's blood pressure spike.
That kind of markup really came down to the seller's whims.
Still, Loki understood that even if it was priced at 100 million, people would line up for it.
Plus, while space items were costly, they'd let her team carry back more Dungeon drops after the expedition, boosting the overall return.
And since space tools weren't consumables, this purchase wouldn't need to be repeated.
So, even if the initial expense was high, it would pay off in the long run.
Chapter 161: Chapter 161: The Perfect Tool—Loki (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Since the order is quite large, it'll take some time to prepare everything for delivery."
Bell mentally tallied the amount. He'd already made a lot of the items on the list in advance—most of them were things he'd produced before—but the top entries still fell short of the required quantity.
Some of the items stored in his four-dimensional space could help cover it, but he'd still need time to fully prepare everything.
"No need to rush. The expedition isn't starting anytime soon."
With the departure still a ways off, Loki wasn't in a hurry to get the supplies delivered either.
"Phae, I won't need your help for this batch."
Hephaestus, who'd been listening quietly for a while, hadn't expected to be involved. But seeing how seriously Loki was preparing, it looked like she was truly planning to dive deeper into the Dungeon.
"Alright, I'll handle that part. But that Welf kid's been completely caught up in forging lately, so you'll need to come over yourselves when the time comes."
"Got it."
Off to the side, Bell was quietly thinking to himself.
'The event's been triggered ahead of schedule.'
'I arrived in Orario much earlier than I originally should have. Becoming an adventurer and reaching Lv. 2 all happened far quicker than expected. The clearest evidence is that the Monsterphilia hasn't even started yet. The man-eating plants under the beast tamers' control haven't appeared either.'
'The Sword Princess... still isn't Lv. 6.'
Bell clearly remembered that the Loki Familia's expedition only began after the Sword Princess reached Lv. 6.
'Since she hasn't hit Lv. 6 yet, it means she hasn't encountered the Corrupted Spirit's Guardian yet. Which means, unless something unexpected happens, things are about to start going off the rails.'
Maybe his arrival had subtly shifted the course of events—or maybe it was because of the two disturbances he caused in the Dungeon that led to these changes.
Either way, this was something he needed to pay close attention to.
And so, Bell thought of someone.
Cassandra Ilion.
Revered as one of Danmachi's "Three Great Glitches," her abilities were practically made for plot-breaking.
Using visions from her prophetic dreams, she could avoid danger and steer straight toward a good ending—no save-loads needed.
If he could get her out of there, it would be the ideal outcome.
On top of that, Cassandra could use healing magic. She'd only need to stay in the rear and provide support.
But Bell didn't want to draw too much attention to himself. Extracting Cassandra from Apollo Familia would be far too conspicuous.
That meant they needed another Familia to get involved and lend a hand.
Instinctively, Bell's gaze drifted toward Loki. A slight smile formed at the corner of his mouth. This was the right move.
Just as she finished her conversation with Hephaestus, Loki suddenly felt something strange. She turned and noticed the sharp look in the boy's eyes across from her—so sharp it sent a chill down even a god's spine.
"You... why are you looking at me like that?"
Bell simply smiled, unfazed by Loki's wary gaze. His eyes shifted toward Sanjouno Haruhime, quietly seated nearby.
"Loki, you've already seen her power, haven't you?"
Loki glanced in Haruhime's direction. Her stiff posture eased slightly.
"Of course I have. What do you think I was doing when I had her convert?"
At that, Loki licked her lips unconsciously. Just remembering how young and inexperienced the girl had looked during her conversion still sent a thrill through her. If she hadn't been worried about scaring her off, she might've jumped on her right then and there.
Bell, watching Loki's expression, could easily tell she was having some rather indecent thoughts.
But that wasn't the point right now.
"Loki, how strong do you think her support ability is?"
"The strongest, obviously! I've never seen magic more incredible than Haruhime's anywhere in Orario."
Bell agreed. Sanjouno Haruhime's magic was undeniably at the level of an in-world cheat. If her "Kokonoe" ability were fully developed, she could single-handedly elevate an entire Familia's upper-tier combat force.
In Loki Familia, with her support, even three Level 6 adventurers could be treated as temporary Level 7s.
If all three received a level boost and ganged up on Ottar, it was entirely possible Orario's top spot would be up for grabs.
"Yeah, her power is overwhelming. No adventurer has magic as absurdly powerful as hers. That's why I think she should be categorized as something beyond a typical Orario adventurer—a different class entirely."
Loki was quite pleased to hear that...
She'd already known during Haruhime's conversion how outlandish her magic really was. It made perfect sense to place her in a separate category.
'...A different category?'
Loki instantly caught the implication in Bell's words.
"You mean... there's a whole other group you've classified as beyond standard adventurers?"
That got her attention.
Bell didn't deny it. He hadn't come up with the classification himself, but he saw no harm in borrowing it.
"Naturally. I haven't just been wandering around the Dungeon. I've also visited plenty of Familias and gathered a good deal of intel."
'Visited the Familias? All of them?'
Aside from Sanjouno Haruhime, the other four adventurers nearby were all staring at the boy across from them.
"...Your abilities are way too broken!"
Loki's face darkened, unable to resist grumbling about this kid's ridiculous skill set.
Haruhime's magic was certainly impressive—but the power Bell wielded wasn't any less astonishing.
Not only could he remain undetected by the gods, but he could also move freely through the interiors of various Familias.
The true value of this ability lay in information gathering.
Before anyone learned what he was capable of, no god would ever believe their Familia had been infiltrated by a rookie adventurer.
And this kid wasn't just a regular scout or intel-gatherer.
He was a gifted prodigy who had reached Level 2 in under a month—and could already outmatch every adventurer in Orario.
In other words, if he wanted to cause trouble, no one could ever pin it on him.
Bell just shrugged with a casual shake of his head.
"I'm just a nobody who likes collecting intel. Wandering between Familias is just me indulging that curiosity."
'...You really think I'm buying that?'
Yeah, Loki didn't believe a single word.
Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Orario’s Strongest Cheat (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Although the boy in front of her was clearly heading down a dangerous path, Loki's initial shock gradually gave way to genuine interest.
"In that lineup you mentioned, where does my Haruhime rank?"
Sanjouno Haruhime, the one being brought up, looked a bit uneasy and nervous, but deep down, a subtle sense of anticipation stirred within her.
Everyone present was intrigued by the topic. After all, being grouped among those adventurers clearly meant having an extraordinary gift or ability.
They were all eager to know who else in Orario had been placed in that category.
Bell knew just how captivating that classification was—he brought it up precisely because of that.
"In all of Orario, I've only found three adventurers with truly unique talents. All three are support-type specialists, and each one stands at the pinnacle of their respective fields."
The pinnacle of Orario.
That remark alone reignited everyone's curiosity.
Seeing that he had everyone's attention, Bell continued.
"There are only three people I've categorized this way. But with their abilities, each one of them could easily stand at the very top of Orario. Their power is so overwhelming, I don't think something like level should limit them."
"Sanjouno Haruhime's 'Level Boost' magic is incredibly exceptional—she's a one-of-a-kind talent in Orario. I doubt anyone like her will ever appear again."
"However, among the three, she only ranks in the middle."
Well now!
This time, Loki was truly intrigued.
Haruhime's "Uchide no Kozuchi" was undoubtedly the only, and perhaps the last, Level-Boosting Magic in Orario's history.
And yet, the boy in front of her claimed that Haruhime's power was only second-best.
"So you're saying there's someone more talented than Haruhime?"
"Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying."
"Fine then. What kind of power does this person have to be ranked above my Haruhime?"
She stared him down, eyes sharp with a touch of defiance.
But Bell, under her glare, calmly continued speaking.
"Before I reveal who's ahead of her, aren't you curious about the one ranked below her, Loki?"
Loki, momentarily thrown off, shot him a glare. But with a quick glance away, her curiosity flared again—she definitely wanted to know who was behind her precious Haruhime.
"Then say it."
Bell didn't waste any more time and directly named the person.
"Airmid Teasanare."
'Dea Saint'... that title alone makes her a perfect fit for this exceptional ranking.
If it had been anyone else, Loki would've seriously doubted the boy's judgment. But if it was the poster girl of Dian Cecht Familia, then there was no question—she absolutely belonged on that list.
The best healer in Orario, with a single magic that could heal wounds, restore stamina, purge toxins, and dispel curses. Even at just Level 2, she could stand alone in the rear line and sustain a party fighting a floor boss.
Someone with magic like that completely surpassed the limits of what adventurers thought possible. Calling her the "ceiling of Orario" wasn't an exaggeration.
'Good... at least my Haruhime still comes out on top.'
'But... even my Haruhime is getting overshadowed.'
Loki simply couldn't imagine who could surpass both Airmid and her Haruhime.
"Cassandra Ilion. I believe she's the strongest cheat in Orario."
Loki furrowed her brows, trying to recall the name Cassandra, but it didn't ring any bells.
"What Familia is she from? What kind of power does she have for even a nutcase like you to call her 'the strongest cheat in Orario'?"
Loki trusted the boy's instincts. If he dared make such an extreme claim, then the adventurer in question had to be extraordinary.
But Bell didn't answer directly. Instead, he threw the question back at her.
"Loki, if the entire Loki Familia were to die in the Dungeon tomorrow, what would you do?"
"Huh?"
Loki gave him a strange look.
"Obviously, I'd go stop it."
"Right. That's the normal response. But whether it's adventurers or gods, no one truly knows what the future holds. Not even gods, despite their power, can fully grasp the future. Am I wrong?"
Loki didn't quite follow, but she nodded anyway.
"Gods aren't omniscient. We're not all-knowing, all-powerful beings. We might reach omnipotence, but omniscience is out of reach."
"We gods can't know what tomorrow brings. That's a paradox in itself."
"We can lift stones no one else can lift, but not being omniscient, we don't even know which stones those are."
"And so, not being omniscient means our so-called omnipotence is incomplete."
"Of course, even gods can't control the future."
"If we could, I wouldn't have chosen to descend to Genkai in the first place."
The unknown of Genkai was like poison that drew all gods in. Their craving for the unknown, their thirst for discovery—that's what the gods truly sought. Which is why the future, by its nature, remained something even gods could never touch.
Bell was clearly pleased with Loki's honest response.
"Then... is there anyone who can control the future?"
Loki snorted at the question.
"You're joking, right? Even we—...!?"
She stopped mid-sentence, neck stiffening as she turned to stare at Bell.
"You mean the one ranked first has the power to control the future!?"
"No."
Bell shook his head slightly, and Loki relaxed a little.
Right, there was no way a child from Genkai could awaken such a broken power.
But just as her tension faded, Bell struck again.
"No matter how extraordinary someone is, they can't control the future."
"Precognitive dreams—she can catch glimpses of what's to come in her sleep."
"Any future she dreams of will inevitably happen. It's as if her ability lets her peek into the script the 'world' has already written."
Chapter 163: Chapter 163: The Future of the Loki Familia Lies with You Three (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Peeking into the script of the future..."
Loki couldn't believe what she was hearing. This was something not even the gods could do—yet now, such a possibility had surfaced in a mere adventurer.
For once, even Loki, the goddess of mischief, felt like the world was playing a joke on her.
"How could a child of Genkai awaken a power like that?"
She hadn't thought much of it before, but after bringing Haruhime into her Familia, Loki started to feel more and more like the children of Genkai were undergoing some kind of genetic mutation. One after another, they awakened bizarre skills and magic. Was that really supposed to be normal?
'It makes perfect sense.'
But Bell didn't say that out loud.
If this had happened in the past, it would've been completely absurd. That was the age of heroes—and back then, an existence this unbalanced would've been an insult to the Black Dragon. Forget Cassandra—if even Haruhime had appeared during that era, the party fighting the Black Dragon would've been a Lv.10 Empress, a Lv.9 hero, and several Lv.8 adventurers.
Wouldn't that kind of party beat the Black Dragon into the ground?
If "Silence's Alfia" had been in that team too, maybe the Black Dragon would've been half-dead before the battle even started.
The era shapes the hero—but there's a limit to how many heroes a single era can support.
That's why, only after the age of heroes ended, did so many adventurers begin acquiring these overpowered skills and spells.
The appearance of such "unreasonable" powers meant that a new era of heroes in Orario was about to begin.
"Loki‑sama, I'm not finished."
"Tremendous power always comes with great risk. Every kind of legacy has its price."
"Take Sanjouno Haruhime's magic, for example. After casting it, there's a cooldown. Put simply, it can't be used in rapid succession—that's its greatest flaw."
"So, she still needs to improve."
"A single level-boosting magic won't take her far. She needs more spells to make up for her shortcomings."
"Loki‑sama, you should arrange for her to receive one or two Grimoires soon. However high she can climb now may very well determine how far the Loki Familia rises."
The reasoning was solid—but Loki picked up on the deeper implication in his words, and that made her more than a little displeased.
"Kid, I appreciate you linking Haruhime's growth with the future of my Familia. But are you ignoring all my other children?"
Seeing Loki's blank expression, Bell could clearly feel that raw, inner anger.
But no matter how furious she was, not even a god's wrath could change the truth.
"Loki-sama, you must know just how much potential your own Familia still has for growth, don't you?"
Loki's anger paused for a moment—but she didn't hold back.
"The Braver, Nine Hell, and Elgarm are all adventurers renowned not only in Orario but across the world. They've reached Lv. 6, a level that all other adventurers can only look up to. In fact, they're considered the first tier of adventurers in Orario."
"I've always wondered... are those titles really supposed to be serious?"
"Lv. 6 is the first tier? Then what about Lv. 7, Lv. 8, or Lv. 9 adventurers?"
"Honestly, I think calling Lv. 6 the 'first tier' is kind of embarrassing. If that's considered the highest achievement, then maybe that's really the limit of their abilities."
Loki stared at the boy before her. From beneath the shadow of his hood, she saw a pair of clear eyes.
'That's the look of someone with a defined goal.'
'This kid... I really underestimated him.'
Bell took a moment to gather his thoughts, then looked toward the three Lv. 6 adventurers.
"Captain Finn, I'm just a nobody, a low-level adventurer. But I understand this much: the gap between Lv. 6 and Lv. 7 might be wider than the gap between a human and a dog."
"The more we grow, the more obvious the difference between each level becomes. It might just look like a difference in Excelia, but it's a gulf as wide as heaven and earth."
"Even if the three of you teamed up to take down a Lv. 6 Floor Boss right now, you probably wouldn't gain much. Those Floor Bosses no longer help you improve. Forget gaining more Excelia—your Status probably wouldn't even go up by ten points, right?"
The three of them fell silent.
Bell's words were true. Fighting Lv. 6 Floor Bosses no longer offered them any meaningful progress. Even their Status had stagnated at the peak for many years.
Bell wasn't surprised by their reaction. This, he thought, might be the biggest issue Orario was facing right now.
Everyone was accumulating Status at their current levels, but they lacked the most crucial ingredient—Excelia. The one thing that could push them to take that final, critical step forward.
"Like I said before, I believe the gap between Lv. 6 and Lv. 7 is possibly greater than that between a human and a dog. Trying to challenge a Lv. 7 Floor Boss with the power of a Lv. 6 is suicide. But that's exactly why it's your path to growth."
"Only by facing the reality of that gap—by acknowledging it exists and can't be overcome easily—can true growth begin."
"If the three of you continue to grow, then your fellow Familia members will have a clear direction to follow. They won't be stuck at Lv. 6."
"So, the potential of Loki Familia's development is tied directly to how far the three of you can rise."
Bell gave the highest praise he could to these three core members of the Loki Familia.
He was effectively saying that they represented the ceiling of what the Familia could become.
If they could continue growing, then the upper limit of the Loki Familia would be raised once more.
But if they failed, decline would follow.
"Maybe everything I said sounds like a fantasy. I'm just a low-level adventurer—what right do I have to talk like this? But I truly believe that the fate of the Loki Familia has always been tied to you three. Your growth shapes the entire Familia. Even the Sword Princess can't change that."
"Lv. 7 isn't easy to reach, but you've been given her power."
Bell pointed at Sanjouno Haruhime.
"If her magic can be further enhanced—if all three of you can temporarily reach Lv. 7—then is there really no hope of defeating a Lv. 7 Floor Boss?"
In that moment, a flame called "desire" was lit in the hearts of the three cornerstones of the Loki Familia.
Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Expensive Personal Intel
Chapter Text
"Haruhime's power gives you the qualifications to challenge a Lv. 7 enemy, while Cassandra's ability offers you the highest level of safety."
At that, Loki immediately caught on.
"Wait, you haven't mentioned Cassandra's risks yet."
Bell glanced at Loki, who clearly wanted to get this info for free, and silently held out his hand.
"What's in it for me?"
"Huh?"
"Information isn't free. Since I gathered it, I'm not handing it over without something in return."
Greedy little—
Loki cursed inwardly. Still, she knew he had a point. But with a smirk, she propped her legs up arrogantly.
"Whatever. If you won't tell me, I'll just have Finn investigate it later."
But Bell didn't even flinch. In fact, he chuckled a little.
"Loki-sama, if her information were that easy to uncover, she wouldn't be ranked first. I guarantee you—without my intel, even if Captain Finn found details on Cassandra, he wouldn't take her seriously. He might not even trust her."
That made no sense to Loki.
No one would take her seriously? Not trust someone with a special ability like that?
But Riveria instantly understood.
"Is it because of the 'Risk?"
Risk?
Loki paused for two seconds, then her eyes widened. She noticed the hooded kid across from her smiling ever so slightly, as if mocking her.
So irritating!
Loki felt her teeth grinding in frustration.
"Great power often comes with great risk. Cassandra's ability is powerful, but heavily limited. After all, the future isn't so easy to glimpse."
"But even with those limits, her power is undeniably strong."
"However, if you all treat her the same way you have until now, the result will be exactly what we're seeing with Cassandra right now."
Bell's smile didn't fade under his hood, which only made Loki even more annoyed.
Cassandra's power truly was impressive, but it came with a serious flaw:
If no one believed her, then no matter how accurate her foresight was, it was completely meaningless.
"So, what'll it be, Loki-sama?"
Loki stared at the boy in front of her, barely restraining herself. This kid had hit her weak spot for the second time—and she was furious.
"...Fine, you win!"
Loki practically growled through clenched teeth.
"Pfft~ Hahahaha~"
Seeing Loki's frustrated face, Hestia couldn't hold it in any longer.
Honestly, she had been trying not to laugh since Loki had started huffing and freezing up in front of Bell. But since they were in the middle of a serious negotiation, she'd done her best to keep it in.
Now, hearing the shorty's snickering, veins popped on Loki's forehead—and finally, she couldn't take it anymore and jumped up in anger.
"Shorty, I've had enough of you!"
Loki jumped up on a chair and lunged at Hestia, and the two goddesses ended up rolling ungracefully onto the floor.
"I've had enough of you too! You looked like you'd never seen anything like that before. My Bell probably scared you half to death."
"That's your kid being amazing. What's that got to do with you?"
"Because Bell-kun is my child! If you're so confident, why don't you show off one of your kids too?"
Hestia, the smaller of the two, was getting her cheeks pinched, but she wasn't backing down one bit.
Or rather, she could lose to anyone else—but she refused to lose to Loki. So even while getting her face squished, she snapped right back.
"Pfft!"
That invisible jab stabbed Loki right through the heart, making her eyes well up with frustration.
"My Ais isn't any worse than your kid!"
Even with her face red from the pinching, Hestia wouldn't yield.
"You've got so many kids, and that's the only one you can bring up?"
"Sorry to disappoint you, but Bell-kun's my only child."
"Yeah? Well, my kid just landed a 1.6 billion order—off you."
That line made Loki's blood pressure spike. Her eyes were practically swimming with tears.
This was the second time that shorty had made her feel utterly defeated.
And the second time she'd lost—outside of physical appearance—to the shorty's child.
Unable to hold it in anymore, Loki suddenly burst out crying. She let go of Hestia's cheeks and dove straight into her own "mom's" arms.
"Waaah! Mama, that damn shorty bullied me!"
As she complained, she rubbed her face shamelessly against Riveria's chest.
Riveria looked down at the pervy goddess clinging to her and the veins on the back of her hand started twitching violently.
If this weren't an official setting, she'd have punted Loki across the room by now.
Just then, Bell caught sight of the pulsing veins on the hand of the "Nine Hell".
"Loki-sama, I'd recommend you calm down. The Nine Hell's patience with you is almost at its limit."
Loki froze mid-squish, then leapt back from Riveria in a panic.
She didn't even dare glance at Riveria's face. She just straightened up and looked across at Bell with a serious expression.
"Let's hear your condition."
Given the chance, Bell didn't hold back.
"I want a favor from you, Loki-sama."
That single line hit Loki like a hammer.
'Of all things... he had to ask for the most expensive one.'
Her head throbbed.
A "favor" might seem like nothing, but it could also be worth everything.
If he'd asked for something excessive or unreasonable, Loki could've dealt with it. But a favor—that was costly.
Her favor basically equated to the entire Loki Familia's favor.
So naturally, she hesitated.
Bell noticed and calmly followed up.
"Loki-sama, for the sake of helping your three pillars reach Lv. 7—maybe even Lv. 8—all I'm asking for is a favor. That's a good deal."
"And I promise, Cassandra's intel won't disappoint."
Now Loki was cornered.
Could one person's intel really be that important?
If it had been before, she might've doubted it. But ever since acquiring Haruhime, Loki had come to understand just how crucial one person could be.
So now, it wasn't just about a favor—it was about the future of her Familia.
She glanced at the shorty across from her, still sitting there with her face in her hands.
This time... she was completely defeated.
"...Fine. I agree."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Cassandra’s Curse (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Bell didn't mince words. Since Loki-sama had agreed to offer him a favor, he had no reason to withhold Cassandra's information.
"Cassandra's power does grant her the ability to glimpse the future—but it comes with major limitations. She can only see futures directly related to herself."
Loki wasn't too surprised. The concept of "future" was too vast; without some form of restriction, it would be too overpowered.
"I see. No wonder you said that child's power can serve as a safeguard."
If she could foresee things connected to herself, then if Cassandra joined the Loki Familia, wouldn't that mean she could foresee matters concerning the Familia?
"There must be more limitations to her foresight, right?"
Of course, even with those boundaries, Loki still felt the scope of the ability was too wide—so there had to be more constraints.
Bell nodded with a faint smile.
"Exactly. Her foresight isn't something she can control. After all, glimpsing the future isn't something that happens without a price. But when it involves danger, Cassandra will involuntarily see the entire crisis unfold in her dreams."
"And these visions—these crises—are of futures that will absolutely come to pass."
"Her foresight only activates when danger threatens her Familia, her friends, or herself. So if the Loki Familia brings her in, she becomes your greatest insurance policy."
'I see.'
Finn now understood why the information came at such a high price.
'Haruhime's ability was already impressive enough... but to think there's an adventurer out there with a power like this.'
Every Familia, every adventurer, would eventually face crises.
Some could be handled with raw strength and skill. But others—those that couldn't—required clear, specific warnings to survive.
'Haruhime's ability can greatly increase the Familia's upper strength limit, and Cassandra's power can ensure the Familia's safety—keeping them from falling straight into catastrophe.'
At this moment, Finn fully recognized the value of unique talents—especially those like Haruhime and the adventurer named Cassandra.
'Looks like the expedition will have to be delayed.'
But that wasn't a serious issue. After all, the "Indestructible" series weapons meant to combat the new monsters on the 50th floor weren't ready yet. The expedition was going to be postponed regardless.
Now that he understood the details about this special individual, Finn was sure Loki wouldn't be able to resist—just like with the Ishtar Familia before.
Loki was taking deep breaths, trying her best to calm down.
'Damn it... how did Genkai kids become this ridiculous without me knowing?'
Even as she screamed internally, Loki couldn't help but feel a burning curiosity.
"What Familia is she with? And... what does she look like?"
There was no question about her ability—it was exceptional. But other factors still mattered.
Seeing Loki-sama so eager to ask about Cassandra's personal details, Bell said nothing in response.
"I'm not done yet, Loki-sama."
Loki frowned slightly.
"You're not done?"
"Tell me, Loki-sama—do you really think the limits I just described are actual restrictions? They merely define the scope of her 'foresight.' The real issue... I haven't brought that up yet."
"And if those were the only problems, do you think I would've spoken the way I did earlier?"
Loki had to admit—those so-called restrictions didn't really feel like limitations at all. Her expression grew serious again.
So, all those previous explanations were simply the framework for her ability, not its drawbacks.
"The real problem with Cassandra's ability lies in the curse that comes with it."
"Yes, she can see fragments of the future in her dreams. But the future she sees... is cursed. Even if she tells others about what she's seen, unless they meet certain conditions, no one will believe her."
"Being misunderstood, being dismissed—that is the 'curse' Cassandra bears."
Loki hadn't expected that the real flaw would lie with Cassandra herself.
Foresight was a strange and dangerous power. Even if it only applied to matters related to herself, knowing the future would naturally drive someone to try and change it.
Loki knew herself well—if she had that power, she'd definitely act the same way.
But it never occurred to her that the greatest obstacle wasn't the ability... but the person who wielded it.
She could speak the truth, yet no one would believe her. That alone would drive anyone to despair.
And what was worse—no one but Cassandra could perceive her words as truth.
'No wonder this kid said that without his reminder, Finn would never have taken Cassandra seriously.'
'If I were in her shoes, maybe people would just think I was delusional and ignore me.'
It really was a curse of perception.
Something only you know can't become reality. Only what everyone knows and accepts becomes real.
'That's... a truly cruel curse.'
Even Loki was at a loss for words.
To pair such a curse with such an ability—it was brutal.
Suddenly, a serious thought struck her.
"Wait. If this curse is part of Cassandra's ability... how do you know about it?"
That's right. If this curse prevents others from understanding or accepting her foresight, then it should've remained a secret—something no one else could know. And yet here Bell was, revealing it outright.
"That's what I meant earlier. Only certain people can believe Cassandra."
Bell continued explaining calmly.
"Cassandra sees the future. But for someone to accept that future as real, they need to meet a certain threshold of luck."
"After all, the future is just another expression of fate—and luck is a form of fate. Only adventurers with sufficiently high luck can believe what Cassandra says."
"I may not be particularly talented in other ways... but I happen to have a pretty decent luck stat."
"So Cassandra's ability doesn't work on me at all."
Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Loki’s Crippling Embarrassment (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Well, well. So this is what you were waiting for, huh, kid?"
Loki raised an eyebrow, finally seeing through Bell's true intention.
But Bell didn't care at all and went on speaking.
"It's just about growth."
"I have confidence in myself. At the very least, I won't stay stuck at this level. I want to keep growing, to keep moving forward."
What a noble reason—growth.
Coming from a freak who hit Lv. 2 in less than a month, wasn't his growth already beyond absurd?
Loki grumbled internally, but she couldn't even begin to guess how high this kid's ceiling might be.
Most adventurers with goals and vision push their Status to the limit before each level-up. That's how they maximize each advancement and expand their future potential as much as possible.
Average adventurers typically aim for the baseline—getting their Status to around D-rank before leveling up. Those are the ones with mediocre talent.
The truly talented ones—people like Finn and Riveria—always grind until their Status hits the maximum before even considering an upgrade. That's the standard among Orario's top-tier adventurers.
Loki was certain the boy in front of her had done the same. But his speed in accumulating Status? Completely abnormal.
'To hit the limit in under a month?'
Loki immediately dismissed the idea that he was lacking in talent.
'Hmph. With that smug shorty always acting like she owned the world, could this kid really be untalented? If anything, he might be even more gifted than Finn.'
'If someone could hit their Status cap in less than a month, there had to be another explanation.'
'So he really does have some kind of ultra-rare skill... otherwise, how the hell could he grow this fast?'
Loki didn't know what the skill was, but it had to be something she'd never even heard of before—something ridiculously overpowered.
'Damn it! That shorty really is the worst!'
Right now, all Loki could think was: 'I'm so pissed off.'
Sure, her Familia had gained a huge advantage from this deal. She'd even learned about another child with a rare ability. And yet, deep inside, she felt like she'd lost.
That shorty—her eternal rival, who never failed to mock her flat chest—had done absolutely nothing. But somehow, she walked away with all the benefits.
Loki had done everything, but ended up with far less.
The disparity stung.
'Sometimes, it's not that you didn't earn enough—it's just that your rival earned more.'
She took a deep breath. Today alone, she'd probably forced her blood pressure to stabilize more times than in all her centuries in Tenkai dealing with annoying gods.
'The first time I lost to that shorty was because of Haruhime's intel.'
'The second was because of this kid's magic.'
'The third was also because of his personal ability and information.'
'What does that mean?'
'It means I, the great trickster goddess Loki, stepped into the same damn pit three times.'
'And worse, except for the second time, which was accidental—the first and third were my own doing.'
Still, after the worst of her anger passed, Loki began to sort through her thoughts.
'Although that shorty strutting around in front of me all day is annoying, if this kid really can improve quickly, it wouldn't be a bad thing for my Familia.'
Loki might have been irritated by the shorty, but she genuinely admired her child.
Starting from absolutely nothing and ending up stuck with a hopeless goddess like Hestia—Loki figured any adventurer would've lost it by now.
But this kid had turned everything around with his own abilities, reshaping the Hestia Familia's fate.
First, he used the Rune Stone business to win over Hephaestus. Then he drew in her own Familia with rare intelligence, stabilizing the once-tottering Hestia Familia like anchoring it to a rock.
And all the while, he never forgot to keep building strength for the future.
Loki figured that with this kind of cautious personality, he probably wouldn't reveal too much about himself until he felt completely secure.
Of course, no sane person would assume a kid who'd only been an adventurer for less than a month could be anything close to a veteran.
Even now, most of Orario believed Bell Cranel from the Hestia Familia just got lucky and happened upon a powerful magic.
But Loki was sure—it wasn't just luck.
'This kid has sharp eyes.'
He didn't even care about Lv. 6 adventurers. That alone showed his sights were set far higher.
'So, this alliance might actually turn out to be a good thing.'
At the rate he was growing, it wouldn't be long before he stepped into the third tier—or even the second.
"Interesting. You're from that shorty's Familia, but you're still pretty damn interesting."
Gods who lust for the unknown can't stand mysteries staring them in the face.
Right now, Loki saw this kid like a massive, unsolved puzzle cube—packed with secrets any god would go mad trying to uncover. But she wasn't especially into boys. She preferred cute girls with nice figures. So to her, the boy in front of her was just "interesting."
Not all gods feel the same.
"Hey, kid. We've been talking this long, and I still don't know your name. Tell me."
Bell didn't know why, but he gave his name anyway.
"Bell Cranel."
Loki mentally noted the name and stood up from the musty old chair.
"I'll remember that name. Let's see how far you go."
Then, with Bell looking a little dumbfounded, she turned and headed for the door.
Bell hesitated a bit, then raised his voice to make sure Loki-sama could hear him before she walked too far.
"Sorry to ruin your dramatic exit, but I haven't finished telling you about the bonus service."
Loki, who'd just pulled off a cool turn, froze in place.
The three giants of the Loki Familia immediately covered their mouths—and the next second, a soft "pfft" slipped out. They couldn't hold it in either.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Loki, why are you still standing there? Bell-kun's not even done yet. What are you showing off for?"
"Pfft! That's too good. Loki's still pretending to be cool over there like an idiot."
The one who broke first was, of course, Hestia, who'd been watching the whole scene for laughs from the start.
Seeing Loki's frozen, embarrassed expression, she burst out laughing.
"Aaaaaaaaagh!"
Face red with embarrassment, Loki snapped and lunged at Hestia like a wild animal.
And as the two goddesses wrestled, the true instigator stood calmly to the side, quietly thinking—
'I didn't expect Loki-sama to be such a show-off.'
Chapter 167: Chapter 167: An Invention to Amuse the Goddess (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"I think you two have gone far enough."
"Hmph!" *2
Hestia and Loki, fresh from their scuffle, turned their heads away in sync, arms crossed, showing zero intention of calming down.
The three pillars of the Loki Familia all sighed together.
Loki could be respectable when serious—but when she acted out, she was pure trouble.
Only Finn, as the captain, stepped forward to break the tension.
"Bell-kun, what was that free service you mentioned earlier?"
"Ah, that's just something I came up with during my downtime."
Bell had been thinking about how to deal with the issue of Goddess-sama getting bored while he was out in the Dungeon, so he came up with a solution.
"Since I'm the only member of the Hestia Familia, when I'm away in the Dungeon, Goddess-sama tends to get bored sitting around the home. So I thought of a way to fix that."
"If she could see what I'm doing down in the Dungeon from our home, maybe she wouldn't feel so bored."
Finn caught on immediately.
"Like a war game broadcast, huh? Displaying multiple scenes of the battlefield throughout the Familia's base?"
"But this is the Dungeon. The gods' divine power can't penetrate it. If they could, plenty of gods would've done this already."
Dungeon exploration was always a spectacle, but divine power couldn't reach inside. If it ever did, the Dungeon would detect it and react violently.
Bell wasn't surprised by Finn's reaction.
He remembered it clearly from Season 2—the full-scale war game broadcasted across Orario at the start. That kind of spectacle was unforgettable.
The gods' inability to peer into the Dungeon likely stemmed from divine powers being unable to infiltrate it. That was probably the core reason.
And given that over a thousand years had passed, it wasn't like the gods had never tried to watch. Most likely, they did—and failed. Which was why they stopped trying with divine power.
But that didn't mean the Dungeon restricted everything.
"It's something I've already tested."
Bell raised his palm, revealing a small purple crystal. It was a cheap gemstone commonly mined from the upper levels—typically used in low-grade accessories.
But this wasn't just a decorative stone—it was a makeshift communication device he'd cobbled together.
He gently tapped it, and the crystal gave off a soft glow as it projected ten shimmering images into the air above.
The moment those images appeared, the four adventurers familiar with Dungeon crawling all went wide-eyed, clearly stunned.
"What... what is this!?"
Finn was the first to react, quickly forcing himself to calm down.
"Bell-kun, is this... footage from the Dungeon?"
Even the three gods who had just turned their attention to the display couldn't stay calm anymore.
"Hey, hey, hey—do you really need to go this far for a side project?"
Loki, more than anyone, understood just how much something like this could shake the status quo.
What did this imply?
It meant that gods could now observe the Dungeon—without triggering a riot.
"Loki-sama, I think you might be overthinking this. I never intended to change anything in Orario. I only made this to keep Goddess-sama entertained."
Bell truly had no idea what kind of ripple effect his invention might cause in Orario.
Then again, even if he did, he wouldn't care.
After all, his sole reason for making it was to help Goddess-sama stave off boredom.
'You... you're seriously spoiling her way too much!'
Loki nearly lost it at that.
Most creators developed tools for personal utility—but this kid? He kept churning out world-changing stuff every time.
She'd thought spatial storage was already pushing the limit, but now this? This was something else entirely.
If this got out, the fallout could be bigger than anything they'd dealt with so far.
And it all started just because this kid wanted to cheer up that shorty?
Loki couldn't believe anything more absurd existed.
"Bell-kun, if this gets exposed, you're going to be in serious trouble."
Finn understood perfectly well—this invention would bring a storm of problems with it.
Sure, there were already a few devices that let people view parts of the Dungeon, but those typically needed some kind of medium—usually something a Familia member brought into the Dungeon.
Maybe those, too, were invented to keep gods entertained.
But nothing compared to what Bell had just shown.
Just a glance showed ten whole floors of the Dungeon. You could even see multiple adventurers actively fighting monsters. The sheer number of observation points meant this boy had scattered a massive network of devices throughout the Dungeon—and the Dungeon hadn't reacted at all.
What did that mean?
It meant the Dungeon didn't care about this kind of surveillance—and didn't recognize it as divine interference.
In other words, this system could be just as effective even on the lower floors.
"Captain Finn, you don't have to worry. The reason the devices work well on the first ten floors is because the monster activity and environmental shifts are minimal. In the middle and lower floors, monsters are far more active and the space is much larger. These devices would probably be destroyed soon after being placed, so the risk isn't too high."
That had been a major issue during testing.
The only reason so many devices worked on the upper floors was because monster density was low and the Dungeon didn't change much.
So the safest placement zone was the relatively peaceful upper levels. Once you got to the middle floors, the risk of monsters destroying the devices skyrocketed.
Of course, all of that was assuming Bell hadn't gone into the middle or lower floors himself.
If he had, then planting this system deeper into the Dungeon might actually be feasible.
Still, it was also true that some maze-like floors in the middle levels underwent structural changes. If that happened, the devices would be wiped out by the shifting layout.
Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Loki’s Party Finally Returns Home (Bonus)
Chapter Text
After nightfall, darkness settled over all of Orario.
Not a single member of the Loki Familia left the manor that day.
That was because their Familia God had issued a strict order: no one was to step outside the grounds.
"Ugh, this is so boring..."
Tiona, ordered to stay away from the Dungeon, sat cross-legged at the entrance, bored out of her mind and waiting for Loki and the others to return.
"Tione, should I sneak out and check if Loki and the others are back yet?"
"Cut it out!"
Also sitting at the entrance, Tione shot her impatient sister a glare and rolled her eyes.
"Loki left today with the Captain and the others to handle some important business. She specifically told everyone not to leave the manor. And you still want to sneak out?"
"Even if it weren't Loki's order, just the Captain saying so is enough to keep me put."
The others nearby, all just as restless, gave Tione a look of disbelief.
So Loki's orders didn't count, but the Captain's did?
Wasn't that a bit too double-standard?
Tiona swung her legs over the fence, aimlessly kicking as boredom gnawed at her. As an Amazoness, sitting idle was torture. Having nothing to do made her restless.
She looked around, hoping for something—anything—to distract her.
Everyone else was staying inside quietly, but Loki and the Captain had been out with the others all day. Normally, when Loki went out with people, she wouldn't stay out this late...
"Bete, do you think Loki and the others ran into some kind of danger?"
That question made Bete, who was leaning against a wall, twitch visibly.
"Are you dumb? Three Level 6s getting into danger?"
"And seriously, what's wrong with your head? They went to talk business—with the Hephaestus Familia. You think they'd be in danger there?"
In the city of Orario, if Loki herself went out accompanied by three Level 6 adventurers and still ran into danger, then the city might as well be doomed.
Alright, Tiona admitted—her question might've been a bit off.
"But still, how long does it take to talk business? It's been a whole day already..."
Amazoness women really are hopeless, Bete grumbled inwardly.
He didn't want to bother, but against his better judgment, he started explaining.
"Listen, they may have gone to meet Hephaestus, but their actual target this time is Goddess Hestia."
"Remember what that woman Aisha said?"
"What did she say again?"
Tiona honestly couldn't remember Aisha saying anything important.
Bete's forehead veins bulged. He knew it was pointless trying to reason with this Amazoness. She couldn't even remember something like that?
"'Abnormal Resistance.' According to Aisha, she and the Ishtar Familia girls who got taken out were all Level 3s—and all had 'Abnormal Resistance.'"
"But even then, a dozen Level 2 Ishtar members got knocked out like nothing... You really think that was just a fluke?"
"The problem lies with the Hestia Familia—the ones producing those Rune Stones."
Bete wasn't the type to ignore investigations. Sure, the Hestia Familia was new, and by reputation, just some fledgling group trying to rise.
But there was no way the guy behind it all was some small-time amateur.
To manipulate adventurers with 'Abnormal Resistance' like that—if it were just a trivial matter, Loki wouldn't have left today with that much backup.
"I see~"
Tiona nodded as if that explanation made perfect sense, but Bete's eyelids twitched uncontrollably at the sight.
'You idiot! You didn't listen to a single word I said just now!'
Still, he couldn't be bothered to repeat himself.
He was fairly certain Loki and the others weren't in any real danger. After all, they'd just formed an alliance—no matter what tricks the other side had up their sleeve, they wouldn't pull anything on a new ally.
'That guy from the Hestia Familia... he's got a sharp eye.'
He went straight for one of the strongest Familias in all of Orario as a partner.
'Hmph. That's the curse of small Familias.'
Bete's eyes showed a hint of respect. Being weak wasn't shameful—but being weak and unaware of it was.
He had nothing but contempt for people who didn't understand their own limits.
Did they really not know the weak get eaten alive?
A bunch of nobodies thinking they could take on the Dungeon—clearly, they'd never had a real taste of death.
The Hestia Familia had likely been targeted by other groups from the moment they launched the Rune Stones.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have had to put their business under the name of the Hephaestus Familia.
Still, Bete didn't look down on that choice. Seeking protection wasn't something to be ashamed of.
Familias all started out small.
And the fact that the Hestia Familia could land a partnership with the Hephaestus Familia—and even force Loki into an alliance—meant they were sharp. Sharp enough to push Loki into a corner.
Otherwise, from what Bete knew of Loki, she'd never walk away from a negotiation without tearing off a chunk of flesh.
Suddenly, Bete's ears and nose twitched. A familiar scent drifted in with the wind, and he immediately stood up from the wall.
"...They're back."
The others at the door moved in unison, crowding toward the entrance.
The main gates of the Loki Familia's "Twilight Manor" slowly opened to welcome the returning group.
Loki, usually bursting with energy, looked totally deflated.
Even Finn, the ever-composed captain, wore a look of pure exhaustion. The others were no better—every one of them looked completely wiped.
Except for the flirty Renard-girl who'd just joined the Familia and still didn't have a clue what was going on.
"Captain~"
That sultry, wave-like tone made Finn shiver. As he raised his head, a pair of... something... came flying right at his face.
"Tione..."
Snapping out of it, Finn quickly pulled himself together. He felt mentally drained, but there was still work to do.
"Tione, go gather the second squad. We're having a meeting."
"Eh?"
Tione frowned at how exhausted the captain looked, concern flickering in her eyes.
"Captain, you just got back, and you're already calling a meeting?"
Finn gave a small shake of the head. He was just mentally worn out—after everything that had happened today, the fatigue hadn't quite hit his body yet.
"I'm fine. Just go get everyone. This meeting's important."
Tione had no choice. Orders were orders—especially from the captain.
Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Internal Meeting of the Loki Familia (Bonus)
Chapter Text
An emergency meeting was underway within the Loki Familia.
All Level 5 and Level 6 members were present.
Among them were Raul Nord, the "High Novice" from the Second Team, Anakitty Autumn, the "Alchat," Alicia Forestlight, the "Elleaf," and Aisha Belka, who was being trained as a future member of the Second Team.
Also present were Lefiya Viridis, the "Thousand Elf," being cultivated as a future core member, and Sanjouno Haruhime, regarded as a future ace.
The conference room was filled with both the current main forces and the rising stars. Standing at the front, Loki began to speak.
"Today, we had a good talk with Hestia's Familia and the shorty's Familia. After that, we finalized an order worth nearly 1.6 billion Valis."
"!?"
Nearly everyone in Loki Familia who hadn't known about it widened their eyes in shock.
"Loki-sama, isn't 1.6 billion Valis too much?"
Raul was clearly concerned about the Familia's financial situation—1.6 billion was roughly four-fifths of their total funds.
Loki was well aware of the potential issue. There would indeed be financial strain in the near future, but in the long run, this was undoubtedly a profitable investment.
"Although it's a huge order, after Finn and I went over it, we confirmed that this is a guaranteed win for our Familia."
"The list provided by Hestia's Familia includes the strategic resources we need. They'll greatly aid our Dungeon expeditions and could even bring us considerable profits."
Loki glanced at Finn, who gave a slight nod and stood up from his seat.
"This order effectively replaces our previous expenditure on magic swords."
"In addition, we've acquired Rune Stones imbued with extra attributes. Even ordinary weapons can be enhanced with these to boost their offensive capabilities."
"We've also secured a large batch of Rune Stones for weapon and personal enhancement, and some specifically for Limb Reattachment and Limb Regeneration. These will go a long way in protecting the lives and futures of everyone in the expedition team."
Many members present drew sharp breaths.
"Even limb regeneration is possible?"
Anakitty was visibly intrigued by the mention of limb regeneration.
Everyone knew how dangerous the Dungeon was.
Surviving with a severed arm or leg was already considered lucky—but for an Adventurer, losing a limb meant the end of their journey.
If reattaching or even regenerating severed limbs became possible, then so long as you didn't die in the Dungeon, you could keep pushing your limits without fear.
"It's possible."
Though he hadn't seen it himself, Finn chose to believe.
"The alliance between Hestia Familia and us has been solid for a long time. If they say the Rune Stones can regenerate limbs, then they can. Otherwise, how would they keep doing business?"
It was a logical and convincing argument.
Their reputation alone said everything that needed to be said.
To ensure better business prospects, Hestia Familia would have to guarantee that the Rune Stones they offered actually worked. If they couldn't even meet that basic standard, there'd be no point in selling them at all.
"There's no need to doubt it."
Loki stepped forward on this as well. Although she wasn't happy about that shorty taking credit where it wasn't due, she still had genuine respect for the shorty's companions.
"With that kid's skills, pulling off something like limb regeneration is nothing. He's capable of far more outrageous things."
That sealed it—this was real.
At the very least, the next time they went wild in the Dungeon, they'd have a strong safeguard in place.
"In addition, we acquired a special item this time."
Finn didn't bother elaborating on the miscellaneous goods. Once everything was delivered, he could explain them slowly. Talking about them now, with nothing physical to show, would just be a waste of time.
But a few items were worth explaining in detail.
"A storage bag with a capacity of five cubic meters."
"!?"
Raul, a Second Team member, immediately jumped from his seat.
"Captain, the storage bag you're talking about… is it the one I'm thinking of?"
"That's right, exactly the one."
"So our next expedition—we'll be able to cut down on a lot of hauling work? And we'll be able to bring back way more drop items from the Dungeon?"
"Just like you imagined."
Once he got confirmation, it felt like a rollercoaster of emotions.
As a Second Team member who often supported the First Team when needed, Raul knew exactly why their expedition earnings were always low—it came down to not being able to carry enough loot.
But if they now had a bag that could bring back large quantities of materials and drop items, Familia income would rise drastically.
...
Bete's eyes also lit up with intense emotion. He hadn't expected Hestia Familia to come through like this—to even present a space-type item he'd never heard of before.
Now, he understood why a Familia that had only just started gaining recognition could grow so rapidly.
They might've been newly established, but their standards were anything but low.
'Using Falna-granted magic to rapidly develop the Familia.'
'First they cooperated with Hephaestus Familia, now they've allied with ours. Looks like steady growth is next on the agenda.'
Bete understood how Rune Stones worked. The boost in Status was a sure thing. The attribute increases weren't massive, but as temporary boosts, they were absolutely solid.
Aside from the short duration, there weren't any real downsides.
This kind of business was in high demand throughout Orario.
Why? Because Dungeon monsters were truly overwhelming.
Sometimes, when you found yourself completely outclassed, a simple Rune Stone might be enough to level the odds.
With the business now established at this level, Hestia Familia had temporarily stabilized.
At the moment, no other Familia would dare stir up trouble for them.
Under such circumstances, as the sole member of Hestia Familia—and the creator of the Rune Stones—that person had to start growing as well.
Chapter 170: Chapter 170: The Magnanimous Loki (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Morning arrived the next day.
Finn brought 1.58 billion Valis to Hephaestus Familia.
"Yes, it's exactly 1.58 billion Valis."
Hephaestus personally verified the amount.
"Finn, didn't Bell say yesterday that just a deposit would be enough?"
It was, after all, an enormous order—nearly 1.6 billion Valis. Normally, a deposit of 100 million would have sufficed, with the rest paid upon delivery.
But Loki had insisted Finn bring the full amount.
"'Rather than dragging it out, better to just pay it all up front'—that's what Loki said this morning. So instead of just the deposit, I brought the full payment."
Finn smiled lightly. He didn't really object to Loki's approach.
A deposit serves as a guarantee—for both buyer and seller.
But Finn had never once believed that boy would cause trouble. Paying in full ahead of time didn't seem like an issue.
"I actually support that approach."
"Trust has to go both ways. And since this is the start of what could be a long-term relationship, establishing trust and goodwill now is important. Though Loki probably doesn't think that far ahead."
"Well, Loki doesn't seem like the type to think that way."
Hephaestus also knew Loki wouldn't be that deliberate—especially not when the deal involved Hestia.
"Loki might be cautious with others, but when it comes to Hestia, she's the one person she doesn't guard against."
"Loki's feelings toward Hestia are complicated, and the same goes for Hestia toward Loki. Those two have always bickered and fooled around, but it's never gone beyond that."
It was only with Hestia that Loki ever acted so recklessly, without considering the consequences.
Still, Hestia wasn't the type to take advantage of Loki. If she did anything that disgraceful, she knew she'd never be able to face Loki again.
That's why Loki felt secure sending the full payment.
She knew Hestia would never take the money and skip out on her end of the deal.
In a way, the two of them understood each other very well.
"Finn, you've got it rough."
Hearing that, a faint, helpless smile crossed Finn's face. Most of the Familia's members had strong personalities—he was pretty much the only one suited for handling these matters.
"Hephaestus-sama, is Tsubaki here?"
"Yeah, she's out back in the usual spot. Go ahead."
"Thank you."
With the Hestia Familia having just purchased a large amount of supplies, Finn now needed to address the payment for the "indestructible" weapons.
Aside from delivering the funds, today's visit was also to coordinate the payment schedule with Tsubaki.
He was already planning to take a team into the Dungeon for a sweep before the expedition officially kicked off.
At that thought, Finn paused for a moment—then quickly composed himself and moved forward.
"Hephaestus-sama, could you please check if we can get the space pouches a bit sooner?"
"Our Familia has been pretty active lately, and expenses have shot up. We're planning to settle things with Tsubaki first, so we'll need to gather some materials from the Dungeon."
And the amount of material they needed to collect was massive.
Even Magic Stones they used to ignore would have to be dug out from monster corpses this time—it was a huge undertaking.
But now wasn't the time to be picky. The Loki Familia's finances were under real pressure.
No matter the method, as long as it brought in money, it was worth it—even if it meant a lot more work.
That's why Finn wanted to get the space pouches in advance.
With those space items, their trips to and from the Dungeon could be significantly reduced, boosting their efficiency in making money.
"No problem."
"I'll bring it up when I deliver the money later. Those Rune Stones don't need that many pouches to carry—at least half of them can be cleared out."
Hephaestus couldn't give a definite answer, as it would depend on Bell's progress.
Still, she had full confidence that part of the space pouches could be provided early.
"Thanks so much."
With a slight bow, Finn headed out to the backyard to speak with Tsubaki about postponing the payment.
Once Finn had left, Hephaestus glanced at the full payment—1.58 billion Valis—sitting on the floor. She raised her right hand and tapped the table lightly. In an instant, all the gold vanished.
"This thing really is handy."
Raising her hand, she looked at the plain silver ring on her middle finger and couldn't help but sigh.
She wasn't incapable of crafting space-related items, but they required rare materials and had limitations on both stability and scale.
Due to material and technical constraints, even in Tenkai, Hephaestus had never crafted space equipment like this.
'Those magical scripts really are ridiculously versatile—they even work for crafting these kinds of tools.'
Few gods possessed abilities related to spatial control. Even if a god created one personally, it wouldn't be much different from the spatial items Bell had made.
'Could those magical scripts that child uses also be something born from Authority?'
It wasn't a new thought—Hephaestus had suspected it before. The magical scripts she knew of were too broadly applicable and powerful, just like her understanding of "Lightning Command."
Still, she had never voiced it aloud, because she'd noticed those scripts had to be "compiled" before they could be used. The process was extremely complex and difficult—very unlike Authority.
Hephaestus gave a small shake of her head. There was no such thing as a perfect world.
Even with her interest focused on Bell, she didn't believe someone could wield two forms of Authority, even if they were cloaked in magic.
Realistically, possessing even one was already excessive.
"Well, I guess I'll head over tonight."
"Bell should be in the Dungeon by now."
Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Skill Advancement (Bonus)
Chapter Text
On the tenth floor of the Dungeon, Bell stood alone, blade in hand, facing a group of Orcs.
Right now, what Bell needed most was to sharpen his "technique"—to elevate it to match his current level of strength, or even surpass it.
At present, the only technique he had fully grasped was "Tsubame Gaeshi."
But that move required deep understanding and insight into swordsmanship.
Bell firmly believed that only through such understanding could one create miracles.
Only those who truly mastered both strength and technique could grasp even the slightest chance to turn the tide in dire situations. That's why "Tsubame Gaeshi" had become his go-to close-range finishing move.
The technique itself was already beyond the realm of ordinary humans—at least no normal person could pull off something like a "multi-dimensional distortion phenomenon."
It was a move that, purely through personal skill, pierced through the boundaries of space and time.
Three fatal strikes delivered simultaneously in the same space and time, forming a pincer attack that could end the fight in an instant.
To pull off such a move would take a nameless swordsman a lifetime of dedication. Even attempting to replicate it using another's lifetime of experience would be incredibly difficult.
The first requirement was extensive combat experience.
And there was no shortcut—only hands-on battles could build that foundation.
"Hah!"
A whooshing sound came from the side—an Orc's spiked club hurtling toward him.
But this time, Bell didn't activate his Lightning Transformation to nullify the attack. Instead, he loosened his grip on the blade, angled it from below, and used his shorter frame to press the club upward, parrying the blow with minimal force.
It was a technique he'd once heard about: force nullification.
A method used in combat to dissipate an opponent's attack power, reducing the damage taken—or even turning that force into destructive strength of one's own.
Bell didn't fully understand how to use it yet—who would have thought such a day would come?
Still, even without mastering it, he understood the principle of redirecting force, and that's what he was currently trying to learn.
'Good. My body's starting to adapt to this.'
Force nullification wasn't just a technique—it was a whole fighting style.
It wasn't just about wrist control; it demanded power from the entire body.
In Bell's mind, combat was ultimately a contest of control—over power, timing, and precision.
'I didn't expect this technique to work with weapons too.'
'No, to be precise… I'm surprised I'm actually managing to apply it through my sword.'
His technical progress was visible.
Maybe it was because his old techniques had been clumsy that his current rate of improvement felt so dramatic. It had only been a few days since he started experimenting with this method, and now he was already incorporating it into his weapon use.
That growing mastery filled him with a quiet thrill.
The other Orcs swung their clubs down at him.
Bell matched the movement, swinging down along their path. The force behind those blows was still immense—but now it felt completely different. He deflected them with ease.
Boom!
The impact shook the ground, sending shards of stone into the air.
Bell scanned the battlefield. For an instant, time itself seemed to "pause." His long blade cut through the air.
The moment he struck, the flying stones resumed their motion, scattering at high speed.
Bell paused only briefly, then moved again, slicing through every last stone that came his way.
'I still haven't reached that realm.'
Bell knew it. He hadn't yet stepped into the domain of that nameless swordsman—but thanks to the legacy of that swordsman's life, his blade had managed to brush the edge of it.
Even though he felt he was infinitely close, even though it seemed like he was already within that realm, in truth, he had only just reached its threshold.
'Being able to even glimpse it in such a short time… that alone is already a huge step forward.'
But this was the current limit of what he could achieve with "Tsubame Gaeshi."
To go further would require more time—and more growth in his technique. Without that, who knew how long it would take to truly step into that realm?
With a quiet sigh, Bell's perception once again entered the suspended stillness. The half-Orcs wielding spiked clubs froze in place.
He scanned their positions with a glance. Then, his blade traced a graceful arc—like a full moon—and time resumed.
"Shhhk!"
Four half-Orc heads dropped to the ground. Blood sprayed violently from their necks, painting the earth around them crimson—except for the spot where Bell stood, which remained untouched.
He exhaled slowly as he looked at the aftermath.
'Improving my technique—that's what really matters.'
'The force-nullification method still needs more practice. Where I am now… it's not nearly enough.'
As Bell reflected, the sound of four sets of footsteps echoed in his ears.
'Someone's coming.'
But he wasn't in a hurry to leave. The tenth floor was always shrouded in thick mist, and visibility was severely limited. Unless someone got very close, spotting him would be difficult.
That was one of the defining traits of the tenth floor—and one reason why many adventurers hated it.
The fog here heavily obstructed vision, and smaller Imps often hid within it. If you didn't get right up close, you'd never spot them.
And once those Imps noticed adventurers, they'd call in the Orcs lurking in the mist.
Being surrounded like that in the fog? That was as good as a death sentence.
Still, Bell didn't care what happened to other adventurers.
Everyone was responsible for their own survival. If someone died, it just meant they had failed to accurately judge their own strength.
Drawing his Hydra Dagger, Bell carved open the Orc's body and extracted the Magic Stone at its core. The corpse turned to ash instantly.
The spiked club dropped to the floor, along with some other loot—its eyes, ears, and similar parts.
Bell gathered it all into his four-dimensional storage and vanished into the mist.
...
Emerging near the entrance to the tenth floor, Bell spotted a familiar figure.
It was that short silhouette again—but today, instead of being disguised as a Chienthrope, she appeared as a young human.
'Liliruca Arde… still doing this kind of work, huh?'
Bell gave her a glance, then turned away and left the tenth floor without another word.
An adventurer must be responsible for their choices.
Good luck or bad, the path you walk is the one you chose.
Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Eina's Concern (Bonus)
Chapter Text
After leaving the Dungeon, Bell went straight to the Guild.
He moved cautiously, blending into the crowd like any other adventurer as he entered the building.
Since it was the Guild's busiest time of day, his presence among the crowd made it difficult for anyone to notice him.
But Bell wasn't there to join a party or socialize. He was looking for Miss Eina.
Eventually, he spotted her seated nearby, engaged in conversation with a Chienthrope girl.
Out of respect for her work, Bell didn't approach immediately. He waited until the girl left before stepping forward.
"Miss Eina."
At the sound of that familiar voice, Eina looked up and immediately recognized the hooded young adventurer—Bell Cranel.
"Bell-kun."
She quickly glanced around, then stood up and pulled him toward one of the inner reception rooms.
Once she hung the "In Use" sign outside the door, she led Bell inside.
"Phew… Bell-kun, you really need to be more careful when coming here."
Eina's voice dropped to a softer tone—what she was about to share came from within the Guild.
"Bell-kun, you should be on your guard. While reviewing some files yesterday, I found that the one I handled for you had disappeared."
'That fast, huh?'
Bell wasn't too surprised by the news. After all, Hermes had already shown up in person—he'd clearly done some digging.
But Bell couldn't say for certain who had taken the file.
Beyond Hermes, he suspected the Goddess of Beauty, Freya, could easily be behind something like this as well.
"Luckily, I didn't include any specific details in that file. Otherwise, it could've turned into a serious problem."
Eina was deeply relieved she had the foresight not to treat Bell's file like any other, instead processing it as an unsigned case. If she hadn't, the situation would have been far more complicated.
"Thank you for going out of your way, Miss Eina."
Bell had never forgotten the help she'd given him.
Offering that kind of support to a newly registered adventurer was well beyond the responsibilities of a receptionist.
Bell didn't know whether her actions might jeopardize her position, but he was sure they had some consequences.
That's why he'd always remember her kindness.
Looking at the boy standing in front of her, still full of energy, Eina finally felt some of her initial worries begin to ease.
"It's fine to be concerned, but Orario really has become unstable lately.
Even the Ishtar Familia has been caught up with the Evilus. There's no telling how many other Familias might be involved with them too."
At that thought, Eina felt a wave of exhaustion.
Fortunately, she was just a Guild receptionist and had no direct involvement with the Evilus. Otherwise, even the Guild could end up in serious trouble.
"The Evilus might be an even bigger problem than we think."
Bell also understood that there were deeper layers to this situation. Many Familias had shadows of the Evilus behind them—but until those people showed themselves, he still didn't know enough.
"I've been hearing more and more about the Evilus lately."
"A lot of the horrible things from the past were their doing. And now it seems they've been hiding within the very Familias of Orario all along."
"Yeah."
Eina understood that perfectly well. But even though she was aware, she couldn't just come out and name which Familias had ties to the Evilus. Most of them went out of their way to hide their true identities.
"In the past, the Evilus were firmly suppressed by the two top Familias. Back when those two were still around, the Evilus didn't even dare raise their heads."
"But ever since that power vanished, they've been crawling back out, one after another."
The thought gave Eina a sudden sense of unease.
"Bell-kun… do you think the Evilus might've stolen your file?"
The question caught Bell off guard for a moment. He could only respond earnestly.
"Miss Eina, I don't think they'd go to all that trouble just for my file."
"The stuff they've done in the past doesn't seem like the actions of a group looking to recruit people. They're more like cultists—doing mindless things with no rhyme or reason."
"I think their actions are tightly tied to their goals."
"And judging by how they usually operate, stealing someone's file seems completely out of character."
Frankly, given how reckless and chaotic the Evilus were, the idea of them sneaking in to steal his file sounded like a joke.
"Besides, could those kinds of people even sneak into the Guild?"
"...Good point."
Eina wasn't entirely sure whether the Evilus would dare attempt it, but realistically, they likely couldn't pull it off.
Thinking it over, she realized she'd probably been too on edge. Otherwise, she wouldn't have even considered such a thing.
"The file room has a special security setup. If you don't know the layout, even getting close will trigger an alarm."
"Whoever took the file must be someone very familiar with the Guild's internal systems."
With those conditions in mind, the range of possible culprits was actually quite narrow.
Even so, just confirming that it probably wasn't the Evilus who stole Bell's file brought Eina some relief.
"But still, Bell-kun, you need to be careful going forward."
"Like last time—bringing in that many Goblin Daggers to the Guild just isn't appropriate."
Honestly, if not for that particular incident, the file might never have gone missing.
But Eina also knew that was Bell's first day as an adventurer—he'd had no idea how anything worked.
And since then, Bell hadn't repeated that kind of mistake.
Thinking back on that moment, even Bell felt secondhand embarrassment from his past self.
"Don't worry. This time, it's just some Magic Stones."
Since he'd found another outlet for weapon-related trades, Bell wasn't about to drop a pile of Dungeon loot at the Guild again.
He pulled out a large batch of Magic Stones from his four-dimensional space.
Eina glanced over the pile on the table and let out a quiet breath of relief. As long as it was just Magic Stones, there was no paperwork involved—they wouldn't even appear in the records. Tracking them would be practically impossible.
Chapter 173: Chapter 173: A Token of Gratitude for Miss Eina (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Bell-kun, you should be extra cautious when heading into the Dungeon these days."
After helping process the Magic Stones, Eina suddenly remembered something important and gave him a timely warning.
"The preparations for the Monsterphilia have already begun. So be careful not to run into the Ganesha Familia while you're down there."
"Monsterphilia..."
"Ah, that's right—Bell-kun, you only just arrived in Orario, so you probably haven't heard of this festival yet."
Seeing the blank look on Bell's face, Eina realized he'd only been in Orario for less than a month. She immediately began to explain.
"Monsterphilia is a large annual festival hosted by the Ganesha Familia."
"During the event, they tame monsters captured from the Dungeon in front of huge crowds. Because it's not something civilians normally get to witness, it's extremely popular."
Bell gave a small nod. He knew the festival—after all, it played a pretty iconic role at the start of the story.
Since he was listening intently, Eina continued.
"Due to the festival, the Ganesha Familia will be operating much more frequently in the Dungeon. If you want to keep your identity hidden, make sure to steer clear of them."
"I understand, Miss Eina."
Bell took the warning seriously.
He also understood the real reason behind the Monsterphilia. It was nothing more than a joint effort between the Guild and the Ganesha Familia to subtly condition public perception ahead of any potential revelations about the Xenos.
But could Monsterphilia really reduce Orario's fear of monsters?
Unlikely.
If it truly worked, how would the citizens view the monsters that came from the Dungeon?
No matter what, the Xenos—with their monster-like appearances—would always be seen as outsiders in Orario.
It was like trying to erase deep-rooted racial prejudice. It wasn't something that could be resolved easily.
In Bell's eyes, the Xenos issue was fundamentally difficult to fix.
Unless someone could defeat the Black Dragon and then use that legendary feat to shift public opinion and offset the stigma surrounding the Xenos, there would be no path to their acceptance.
So once again, the answer came down to strength.
To resolve the Xenos issue, strength was the key. Only someone who could liberate this era's people—completely—would be qualified to lead the world to accept the Xenos.
That kind of influence could only be earned through a "world-saving" accomplishment.
It was precisely because of this that both the Guild and many gods were aware of the Xenos' existence—but they also knew better than to expose the truth recklessly. Doing so could irreparably damage a god's reputation and their Familia's standing.
Bell gave Miss Eina a quick glance, then simply lowered the brim of his hood.
"Miss Eina, please be careful during this time..."
Those words of concern made Eina genuinely happy.
She had become a receptionist simply because she wasn't suited for the life of an adventurer. And once she took the role, she was trained to keep a professional distance from the adventurers. But through her interactions with them, witnessing their struggles and perseverance, she gradually developed the desire to be a source of support.
Even so, Eina always maintained that boundary. The most she could offer was to carry out her duties with greater care and precision.
"Don't worry."
"The Guild receives intel far faster than any adventurer. If anything does happen, I'll make sure to hide myself well."
'Hiding might not be enough.'
Bell paused, then retrieved a special red gem from his four-dimensional space.
"Miss Eina, if you ever find yourself in danger—use this."
Eina glanced at the gem in his hand. It was inscribed with strange markings. She recognized them immediately—runes. This was one of the Rune Stones, a well-known new resource in Orario. She already knew Bell was the creator behind them.
But she didn't reach out to take it.
"Bell-kun, I'm just a regular receptionist. Even with something like this, I wouldn't have much use for it."
After meeting so many adventurers, Eina was already familiar with what Rune Stones could do—enhancing weapon sharpness, casting small fireballs, temporarily boosting physical attributes... all of which had nothing to do with her work.
Bell shook his head slightly. He reached out, gently took Eina's hand, and made a small cut across her palm with his fingertip. A thin line of blood appeared.
Then he pressed the gem to the wound. The moment it touched the blood, the Rune Stone absorbed it and began to glow faintly red.
The glow quickly faded, and the gem returned to its original appearance.
Once it was done, Bell removed the gem and softly traced a few lines on Eina's hand. The small cut healed in an instant.
"This Rune Stone is different from the ones sold on the market."
"The commercial ones are just basic, single-use types. But this one is reusable."
"After one use, the gem turns gray. Just place a Magic Stone beside it—it'll absorb the energy and recover its original color. Once it does, you can use it again."
"When activated, it completely conceals your presence. As long as you don't make direct contact with others, no one will even notice you're there."
"This Rune Stone is your last safety net."
Originally, Bell had created this kind of Rune Stone for his own goddess and for Hephaestus, to be used in life-threatening situations. From the start, he had no intention of making it available to the public—too many complications would follow if word got out.
"Miss Eina, this is my way of saying thank you."
He had always remembered her help.
Back when she secretly modified his file within the Guild... that alone was enough to warrant this gesture.
"Bell-kun..."
Eina didn't want to accept it—she could tell just how special this Rune Stone was.
But after hearing Bell's words, she couldn't bring herself to turn it down.
"...Then I'll accept it."
"Thank you."
This is how bonds are formed in a society built on trust and mutual support.
"Miss Eina, this Rune Stone works differently than the standard ones. You need to activate it with your own blood."
Bell flipped the gem over, revealing a sharp point at the base—pressing it against the skin would easily draw a drop of blood.
"Also, this Rune Stone is now bound to your blood. No one else can use it. Please keep that in mind."
"I understand."
Eina took a deep breath and clenched the gem tightly in her hand.
Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Welf's Resolve (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Well then, Miss Eina, I'll be going now."
As soon as he said that, Bell's figure began to fade, vanishing right in front of Eina's eyes.
"!"
The sudden sight startled her.
"Bell-kun?"
She called out hesitantly, but the room remained completely silent.
Eina instinctively glanced toward the doorway—then her pupils shrank sharply.
The "In Use" sign, which had been hanging on the outside just moments ago, was now hanging on the inside.
'Did he leave already?'
She sat frozen on the sofa for a good thirty seconds before finally regaining her senses. Slowly, she lowered her gaze to the red Rune Stone in her hand.
'So this is what Bell-kun meant by hiding one's presence—making it so no one around even notices you?'
The effect had genuinely stunned her.
She'd been watching him the entire time, and yet Bell had disappeared, bit by bit, right in front of her.
There hadn't been a single sound. She didn't feel anything unusual. But the person who had been in the room a moment ago was simply gone.
'This really is... something extraordinary.'
'No wonder Bell-kun said this was a last-resort safety measure.'
She never expected anything in return for the help she gave Bell in the beginning. But seeing how far he had come in just a month—already starting to make a name for himself in Orario—was beyond what she imagined.
'He's younger than me, and yet... he's already capable of something like this.'
Eina had always felt a bit uneasy when it came to the Evilus, but now, holding the Rune Stone in her hand, she felt a deep sense of security.
She still didn't know what the future held for Orario. But at the very least, she now knew she would be safe.
And that reassurance had come from a boy younger than her.
...
After leaving the Guild, Bell moved unnoticed by anyone.
Crowds really were the best cover—blend in, and you'd rarely be found.
Remaining just as cautious as ever, Bell headed straight for the Hephaestus Familia.
Not the storefront, but their actual territory.
Compared to the Loki Familia, the Hephaestus Familia kept a much lower profile. But once inside, the sounds of hammering and forging rang through the air.
Bell didn't even glance at the guards at the gate. He simply walked in.
With a light motion of his fingers, a subtle wave of energy swept through the entire Hephaestus Familia.
'Found her.'
Bell instantly pinpointed Hephaestus-sama's location and made his way over.
"Welf, not coming?"
The voice of Tsubaki, the captain of the Hephaestus Familia, caught Bell's attention.
The bold half-dwarf was currently scolding a clearly new adventurer.
His bright red hair matched his fiery, unrestrained nature—and he was just as wild as he looked.
Welf Crozzo. His ancestors had once saved the fairies and were blessed with their power, granting him the ability to forge magic swords. Welf himself possessed this talent and could even wield it to its full potential, yet he chose to keep it hidden because of his personal beliefs.
"Your skill in crafting magic swords surpasses mine—so why are you so insistent on this?"
She couldn't quite understand Welf's philosophy.
Magic swords were practical tools that could substitute for spells. Just a swing would unleash magical power, making them highly sought after by adventurers. Even with limited uses, they were still immensely popular.
"Isn't it fine not to make magic swords?"
"Aren't Rune Stones the new trend in Orario? They're supposed to be able to replace magic swords, right? Wouldn't most people prefer to buy Rune Stones instead?"
Even she felt a headache coming on just saying it.
"That may be true, but Rune Stones only match ordinary magic swords. They're still a far cry from top-tier ones."
But Welf didn't seem concerned.
Rune Stones were undeniably powerful—not only affordable, but their effectiveness was impressive.
Forging even a basic magic sword required materials that cost at least a million Valis. A well-crafted sword could easily sell for two million.
Yet Rune Stones could reach that same level of power—sometimes even for less.
'Sure, the highest-grade magic swords still hold an edge, but the basic ones have already been completely replaced by Rune Stones.'
'Honestly, the explosive power of dozens of Rune Stones used at once might even rival that of a top-tier magic sword.'
There was a glint of excitement in Welf's eyes.
The emergence of Rune Stones had taken him by surprise—but he welcomed it.
Would magic swords be replaced by Rune Stones?
So what if they were? Welf actually found that idea encouraging.
If Rune Stones continued gaining popularity in Orario, the day they fully replaced magic swords wouldn't be far off.
Since Rune Stones were consumables, Welf fully embraced that classification. In fact, he believed that Rune Stones taking the place of magic swords was a good thing.
After all, magic swords were essentially treated as consumables already. If Rune Stones could fulfill that same role, didn't that fit his philosophy perfectly?
And more importantly, the combined power of dozens of Rune Stones could genuinely rival that of even the best magic swords.
Tsubaki looked at Welf, exasperated. She couldn't deny that kind of destructive force—but magic swords still had advantages Rune Stones didn't.
"How many Rune Stones do you think someone can carry? Which is easier—carrying a bunch of Rune Stones or one sword?"
"Maybe the firepower's similar, but have you considered how much gear an adventurer can realistically bring?"
"And besides, a top-grade magic sword doesn't break after a single swing. Rune Stones can't compete with that."
She was trying hard to reason with him—but Welf wasn't having it.
"Captain, do you really think the person who made the Rune Stones doesn't know that?"
"Of course they do. They probably just haven't released the more powerful ones yet. If they did, Rune Stones could absolutely replace magic swords entirely."
His unyielding tone gave Tsubaki another headache.
She understood what he meant. But still, those stronger Rune Stones weren't out yet, were they?
"Your thinking is seriously warped."
"If Rune Stones are consumables, can't you think of magic swords the same way?"
Tsubaki's remark made Welf's gaze sharpen instantly.
"Captain, I absolutely do not believe that magic swords are consumables. I can't accept the idea that they exist just to be destroyed."
She'd heard it many times before and had tried just as many times to change his mind—but this stubborn newcomer remained unshakable.
Chapter 175: Chapter 175: Hephaestus' Grip (Bonus)
Chapter Text
'The mindset of a spectator, huh.'
Bell was slightly struck by Welf's ideals. In a peaceful world, that kind of thinking might work—but in a world as chaotic as this one, it was just naive nonsense.
Survival, and the drive to improve one's life—that's what pushed most adventurers forward.
To those adventurers striving for a better future, Welf's ideology was nothing short of delusional.
Weapons were weapons. What was the point of dressing it up?
Magic swords existed to shine brilliantly, even if only for a brief moment.
Yet the very blacksmith who crafted them chose to deny that purpose.
He forged magic swords, only to reject their primary function—leaving them to gather dust in storage, gradually erasing the very meaning of their creation.
Maybe that was even more wasteful.
'If he still can't understand this down the line, it's going to be hard for him to ever become a truly great smith.'
A weapon is a weapon.
Its purpose is to serve as one.
Refusing to create weapons just because they break is the same as denying what a weapon is. People like that aren't cut out to be renowned craftsmen.
Still, Bell understood that people who held to such ideals often had the privilege of being selfish.
And Welf Crozzo was one of those privileged few.
As a descendant of the Crozzo line, he had the rare gift of crafting powerful magic swords. It was that very talent that gave him the luxury of choice.
Talent, after all, was a kind of strength.
As someone whose talent was acquired, Bell had no right to judge.
For now, Welf could afford to cling to that belief. But one day, he'd realize just how much it held him back.
Only then might he come to see how foolish his stubbornness really was.
Still, Bell had no plans to interfere.
Honestly, it wasn't a big issue. If Welf couldn't find teammates through the Guild, he'd eventually turn to his seniors within the Familia.
Adventurers in Orario wouldn't throw their lives away just to cling to an ideal, right?
At least, Bell didn't think anyone was that foolish.
Unless their identity, status, or beliefs made it impossible for them to back down.
But anyone in that position wouldn't just abandon their role over an ideal.
Bell gave them one last glance, then turned away, heading straight to Hephaestus-sama's room.
At the door, he dispelled the magic and knocked gently.
"Ahhhhhh!"
"Come in."
Hearing the voice inside, Bell stepped in.
Hephaestus, sitting in the room, instinctively looked toward the door. When she saw the unexpected figure appear, she froze for a brief moment—then couldn't help but smile.
"Why are you here?"
That radiant smile made Bell freeze.
"What a cute reaction~"
Hephaestus couldn't help but laugh, shifting her attention away from today's invoices to the boy standing before her.
"Weren't you pretty bold that morning? Why are you so timid now?"
Bell's face turned slightly awkward. Maybe a shameless guy would've handled this more calmly.
"Hephaestus-sama, I really just... glanced a little..."
"Oh? Is that so?"
With a soft chuckle, Hephaestus tugged lightly at her collar. It was a simple white shirt, but now the top button was slightly undone.
'Oh crap!'
Bell's eyes drifted again.
Gaze control was never easy.
Some movements just naturally drew attention, and once again, his eyes wandered off without permission.
But what greeted him only brought a tinge of disappointment to his face.
He didn't see anything.
Even though he looked fast enough, his gaze had completely missed anything remotely breathtaking.
"Pfft~"
Noticing Bell's reaction, Hephaestus burst into laughter. Of course, she hadn't actually undone her collar—she wasn't that cheap.
Still, this kid's reaction was just too amusing. A single feint, and she had him hooked.
"You little perv. Your eyes definitely wandered."
"That was..."
"You gonna tell me it was some uncontrollable reflex?"
Seeing Bell at a loss for words made the mischief in Hephaestus's heart bubble up even more. She couldn't help but want to tease him further.
She set aside her paperwork, stepped forward, and stood face-to-face with Bell, meeting the crimson eyes hidden beneath his hood.
She reached up, pulled back the hood, and looked straight into his eyes.
"Peeking at a goddess's beauty—you really are a little pervert."
'I really couldn't help it... my eyes just went.'
Bell instinctively tried to back away, but as soon as he stepped back, a hand caught the back of his neck and yanked him forward.
Before he knew it, he was staring straight into Hephaestus-sama's eyes.
'Thump thump!'
His heart skipped a beat.
Hephaestus caught the subtle reaction with ease, her eyes glinting with amusement and a touch of glee.
She tightened her grip and pulled him into her embrace, leaning her head down...
"Remember this well—if you lust after a goddess, you're going to get seriously punished."
"And trying to take advantage of one? That's not something you can do so easily."
'Punished... Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?'
Bell could feel their roles reversing.
Shouldn't he, as the guy, be the one leading here? Why did Hephaestus suddenly take control like some bossy older woman?
Still, he couldn't deny it—he truly felt 'willing but powerless.'
He just didn't have any experience with this sort of thing. He didn't know how to respond, or even what to say.
After a while, Hephaestus finally let go.
Only then did he notice she was still wearing her mask on the right side of her face.
"Hephaestus-sama, you're still wearing your mask?"
"Yeah... after so many years, it just feels strange not to."
She brushed her fingers across the mask on her cheek. What she said was clearly just a cover.
The real reason she still wore the mask was simple—she just didn't want to show it yet.
After speaking, she caught the puzzled look on Bell's face, realizing he didn't get it.
She reached out and lightly tapped his face with a finger.
"Besides... I don't want my healed face causing unnecessary trouble."
Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Three Amulets (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Hephaestus' right cheek was no secret among many gods.
Even though it had returned to normal, she still wore a mask to avoid drawing unnecessary attention—otherwise, she'd definitely end up being watched by a swarm of curious gods.
"I'm not like Loki or Freya, always craving the spotlight."
"Even if my right cheek has healed, only you and Hestia know about it."
Not even a single member of the Hephaestus Familia had noticed.
"Hephaestus-sama, I didn't think you'd be the type to hide things like me." Bell had never expected Hephaestus-sama to have such a habit. Hearing that, Hephaestus rolled her eyes with mild exasperation.
"Don't compare my desire for privacy to your kind of hiding."
"I just don't like people knowing so much about my current state."
Gods rarely changed, so even the slightest shift in them would immediately attract attention. Hephaestus was sure that if any of the gods learned about her situation, they'd fix their gaze on her and try to uncover the cause behind the change.
In truth, it wouldn't even require much of an investigation.
They only needed to look at who she regularly interacted with. If she hadn't changed in the past, they could eliminate those people entirely, then just check whether there was anyone new in her life. The answer would come easily.
That's why, whether for her own sake or for others, Hephaestus didn't want anyone finding out her right cheek had recovered.
Seeing that Bell still looked clueless, Hephaestus let out a small sigh and reached over to firmly pinch the little pervert's cheek.
"So? What brings you sneaking over here all of a sudden?"
Honestly, Bell felt a bit embarrassed to bring it up. He'd taken Hephaestus-sama's words to heart—especially what she'd said about the "blessing."
It was that "blessing" she left on his face, combined with her sudden shift in demeanor, that made Bell feel like it hadn't been a joke.
After all, would a god really joke about something like that?
Hephaestus was a god of craftsmanship, not a goddess of beauty.
There was no reason for her to tease him just to get a reaction.
So maybe... that "goddess's blessing" really wasn't just a playful gesture.
"Hm? What's wrong? You sneak in here and now you can't even talk?"
Hephaestus had a pretty good idea of what was going on in Bell's head. Clearly, she'd hit him with a bit too much all at once.
Still, his reaction was kind of amusing.
"Ahem, Hephaestus-sama, I made something today—something to help keep me alive."
"Oh~"
As the god of craftsmanship, Hephaestus knew exactly what life-saving tools entailed.
Solid gear was the best form of protection, but that was something only blacksmiths typically said. Bell, on the other hand, specialized in magic—his creations were usually Rune Stones.
Which is why Hephaestus couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation.
Bell's face twitched slightly as he offered a reminder.
"Hephaestus-sama, it's really just a small creation."
"So? What is it?"
Hephaestus knew full well how versatile Bell's mastery of magical script could be. Whatever he'd made this time certainly wouldn't be anything ordinary.
Under Hephaestus-sama's eager gaze, Bell pulled out three talismans.
But that overly expectant look in her eyes made Bell feel like what he brought out looked rather unimpressive.
"They're just three specially crafted talismans. Please don't get your hopes up too high, Hephaestus-sama."
Still, that didn't dampen Hephaestus's interest one bit.
Bell usually made Rune Stones. It was definitely rare to see him crafting talismans instead.
"Why talismans?"
"Rune Stones are kind of cumbersome to carry. I've never made talismans before, so no one would suspect these are my work."
So that was his angle. Hephaestus nodded knowingly. She'd been wondering why he made them into talismans—especially ones with no magical script.
Looking closer at the talismans, she saw they bore common characters that anyone could read, not sacred script.
Each one was inscribed with a single word: "Transfer," "Conceal," and "Substitute."
Bell picked up the one marked "Transfer."
"This one's for directional teleportation. After using it, there's a cooldown period before it can be used again. I embedded script inside it that lets it passively absorb mana, so you can just leave it be—after an hour, it'll be ready to use again."
Next, he picked up the "Conceal" talisman.
"This one hides your presence and aura—just like how I usually move around. After activation, even if you bump into someone, they won't notice. It also has a cooldown and is self-charging with embedded mana-gathering script."
"Both of these are active-use talismans. All you need to do is drip your blood onto them, Hephaestus-sama. After that, a small use of divine power will trigger them when needed."
"They respond to my divine power? That's an interesting safety measure."
Clearly, that was to prevent anyone else from using them.
Without hesitation, Hephaestus pulled out a needle from her drawer, pricked her finger, and smeared her blood onto each talisman.
Before their eyes, the blood was swiftly absorbed, leaving the white silk exteriors clean and untouched.
Suddenly, the "Substitute" talisman—which hadn't been explained yet—reacted as it absorbed her blood, forming a faint connection with Hephaestus.
It was subtle, but she could feel it.
She picked up the "Substitute" talisman, studied it carefully, and immediately sensed something unusual.
Her gaze snapped up to Bell, eyes filled with disbelief.
"A death-substitution talisman? You actually managed to create something like this? No—what you made actually works on gods?"
Normally, when a god in the Genkai suffers a fatal wound, a forced repatriation spell activates, sending them back to Tenkai. But this talisman... it could absorb that fatal blow in the god's place.
Hephaestus's breath caught in her throat.
This little pervert probably didn't grasp the true value of this talisman—but she did.
If it were ever released publicly, the gods would lose their minds fighting over it, no matter the cost.
Chapter 177: Chapter 177: A Choice Between Reason and Emotion (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Reversing cause and effect. It's a more advanced application of Runic script—redirecting any damage the user would take onto the talisman instead."
"It completely bypasses the fatal threshold that would normally trigger forced repatriation for a god, allowing the talisman to absorb the deadly blow in their place."
You could call it cheating, but to Bell, this was the best way he could ensure Hephaestus's safety.
'"Transfer" and "Conceal" can be used manually, but "Substitute" is different—it activates automatically. The moment you're in real danger, the "Substitute Talisman" kicks in and triggers "Transfer" and "Conceal" at the same time, ensuring you're taken to a safe location.'
And by "safe," Bell was naturally referring to the territory of the Hestia Familia.
As a fortress built entirely by his own hands, it was practically impenetrable to outsiders.
For a mage, the safest place was always the stronghold they built themselves.
Bell's domain wouldn't even flinch at something like Kiritsugu Emiya's ""blow-it-up approach"." The external barriers were designed to absorb damage, and even that absorbed damage could be converted into usable energy.
That's why Bell was absolutely confident that the Hestia Familia's territory was the most secure fortress in all of Orario.
Hephaestus looked down at the talisman in her hand and couldn't help but sigh with admiration.
"You really can pull off some incredible things."
She had thought she understood Bell well enough—but this child always managed to surprise her.
"Do you realize how many gods would be willing to go all in just to get their hands on a talisman like this?"
"I do."
Of course Bell knew.
"But I never intended to release these to the public."
"Hephaestus-sama, you should know by now—I would never sell something that could threaten me, nor anything that would give other factions a guaranteed advantage."
"This isn't business. It's slow suicide."
To Bell, business was business.
And if you wanted to sustain it, you couldn't be too calculating or greedy.
That said, before doing any real business, Bell always screened what could safely be put on the market—eliminating anything that might pose a threat to himself.
"Ha..."
Hephaestus exhaled softly, thinking to herself, 'This kid really is still being cautious,' and let the thought go.
"You're right to do so."
"There are always a few restless gods looking for amusement—and the way they seek it is downright revolting."
She didn't name names, but it was obvious she meant the twisted gods who delighted in stirring up trouble in Orario.
As one of their own, she understood exactly how their minds worked.
At the end of the day, gods weren't divided by good or evil. They were just a bunch of bored lunatics looking for something to keep themselves entertained.
"If we gave something like this to those lunatics, they'd go even more overboard than before."
Hephaestus glanced down at the talisman in her hand. Her mood now was even more lifted than when she first received a life-saving artifact.
Still, she hadn't forgotten about the order Finn had delivered earlier that day.
"If you hadn't shown up today, I was actually planning to go find you."
"Here, Loki had Finn bring the full payment."
"The full amount? I thought it was just the deposit?"
"What's the difference? Loki paying the full price is basically her way of trying to win you over. She's hoping this could lead to long-term cooperation—building trust is never a bad thing."
Hearing that, Bell didn't see any problem with it.
The truth was, he hadn't fully grown yet. What he needed most right now was time—and the resources that would help him grow quickly.
The next batch of Gacha draws promised all sorts of good stuff.
Powerful Craft Essences... maybe even Heroic Spirits.
Of course, if he managed to summon a Heroic Spirit card, he'd have to be prepared to extract a portion of the Spirit Origin's concept since it would be incomplete.
Still, even a partial Spirit Origin would be an incredible boost to him at this stage.
...
Hephaestus turned to her desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a money pouch. She walked over and handed it to Bell.
"This is the full amount."
Bell checked inside the pouch and confirmed it was indeed the total sum.
He stored half of it—790 million Valis—into his four-dimensional space, then returned the pouch to Hephaestus-sama.
"I've verified it. It's the full payment. I've taken half, the other half remains."
Hephaestus shook her head slightly as she took the pouch back.
"Wasn't it all meant for you?"
"Hephaestus-sama, this is business. And business is built on rules."
From the start, it had been agreed that Bell would get 55% from the Rune Stone deal. There was no way he could just go back on that now.
If he went back on his word over something like this, how could he ever face the Hestia Familia again?
"What if it's my sponsorship?"
She glanced at the pouch, a smile glinting in her eyes.
Bell paused for a moment before giving his answer.
"Emotionally, I should probably accept it."
"Oh~"
That was a pleasant thing to hear.
"And rationally?"
"Rationally speaking, our Familia doesn't have a need for that much money."
Bell certainly wanted the near 1.6 billion Valis, but after his last experience, he understood one thing—Gacha wasn't something that could be rushed.
The stronger the Craft Essence, the harder it was to absorb.
Even if he did draw a top-tier Craft Essence, it wouldn't necessarily become usable power right away. If his foundational conditions weren't met, the process of accepting a Craft Essence could cause all kinds of complications.
But that was normal.
Gacha had already given him an enormous shortcut. It only made sense that using it required meeting certain conditions.
Because of that, he had to space out each Gacha attempt—and couldn't draw too many cards at once.
He simply didn't know if his body could handle receiving more than a certain number of Craft Essences.
Seeing that Bell had made his position clear, Hephaestus didn't press him to choose between emotion and reason. Instead, she placed the money pouch on the table behind her, then took a seat on the sofa.
Bell watched as she patted the spot next to her.
"Bell, let's have a talk."
Chapter 178: Chapter 178: A Goddess’s Heart, Forever Stirred (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Since it was Hephaestus who invited him, Bell couldn't really refuse.
Of course, he also had a lot he wanted to say to Hephaestus. So he walked over to the sofa and sat down beside her.
"Bell, I already heard from Hestia about your reason for moving forward."
Bell wasn't particularly surprised. After all, among all the gods, Hestia had the closest relationship with Hephaestus and spent the most time with her. Naturally, she would share some of her secrets.
It was the kind of thing even ordinary best friends would do.
So, Bell simply took a deep breath and looked at Hephaestus more seriously.
"Since Hephaestus-sama already knew… then why did you still… do that?"
"Do that? You mean the blessing I gave you?"
Bell truly didn't understand. If Hephaestus already knew Hestia's feelings and his own reason for becoming stronger, then why would she involve herself at all?
Seeing Bell's confusion, Hephaestus remained calm, without the slightest hint of guilt.
"If all you wanted was to spend a few decades with Hestia, then no matter what, I wouldn't interfere."
"But your goal is to spend even longer with her. That's why I let go of that part of me that wanted to stay out of it."
"...So that's what it was."
No wonder Bell had felt that the blessing from Hephaestus seemed so abrupt. He hadn't expected the real reason to be this.
The gods had a poor grasp of time. They'd existed in the world for so long that many of them had already gone mad.
To them, time was both the cheapest and the most precious thing.
Cheap in the sense of their time in Tenkai; precious when it came to their time in Genkai.
As Bell seemed to grasp the meaning behind her words, Hephaestus crossed her legs, rested her chin on one hand, and turned to look at him.
"If you're fighting for more time… then I won't give up on this feeling I have for you."
Bell hadn't expected Hephaestus to say something like that. It made him realize—again—just how different gods and humans were in how they thought.
He paused for a few seconds.
"Hephaestus-sama… you really don't mind?"
"If it were another god, I definitely would. But if it's Hestia… then I can only admit I was one step too late. She's the one who discovered you first. I came after."
If she had been more forward-thinking, Hephaestus would have snatched Bell away before he ever joined Hestia's Familia. But even gods couldn't see the future—if they could, wouldn't they all be cherry-picking the most gifted children in Genkai?
Hephaestus sat up straight and leaned against the back of the sofa. Turning slightly, she pulled Bell closer to her side.
"The first time I felt something for you… was that morning."
"You little pervert, you couldn't even control your eyes that early in the morning. Peeking at a goddess's body the moment you woke up."
Bell looked a little embarrassed. He really hadn't been able to stop his eyes that morning.
Usually, he could control his emotions—and his gaze—but that morning, Hephaestus wasn't even awake...
And to be fair, he hadn't expected her to be asleep there in the first place.
Hephaestus chuckled softly and gave Bell's embarrassed cheek a gentle pinch.
"Of course, it just made me think you're a bit of a pervy kid."
At that, Bell pulled away from Hephaestus's arms. He felt the need to explain himself.
"Hephaestus-sama, actually, back then I..."
"No need to explain."
Before he could finish, Hephaestus reached out and covered his mouth.
"It's not a bad thing for boys in Genkai to have thoughts like that. It just happened to catch my attention."
"The whole 'lecherous brat' impression started then. But after you helped with my right cheek, I did start to see you a little differently."
"Uh... Hephaestus-sama, isn't that just returning a favor?"
"Idiot."
Hephaestus rolled her eyes at him. Did he really think she was that shallow?
"What gods care about is that single moment of being moved—because gods don't change. So anyone who can change a god ends up etched into our memory forever."
"To us gods, a fleeting heartbeat means eternity."
'So that's how it is...'
Bell hadn't expected gods to think that way.
A moment of emotion meant forever—that truly was a difference between humans and gods.
Although this didn't apply to every god. A goddess like Ishtar was a clear exception. But for most goddesses, that single instant of emotional stir was an eternal encounter.
"That's why gods are always chasing after encounters in Genkai."
Now Bell finally understood why Hephaestus had approached him so directly.
"And you… you're not just looking for a few decades. You're hoping for eternity."
Her words made Bell take a deep breath.
"I really am chasing eternity."
After living a short life once before, now that he had another chance, he naturally aimed higher.
"My goal is to reach Level 10—a demigod. I want to spend even more time with Goddess-sama."
That was exactly the kind of answer Hephaestus had hoped to hear.
"Only Hestia?"
"...Before, there was only Goddess-sama."
"Then it sounds like you've got more thinking to do."
With that, Hephaestus left no room for Bell to back down.
If even a god had made up her mind about falling for a mortal, what excuse did a mortal like him have to hesitate?
"I... I also want to spend more time with Hephaestus-sama."
The words felt awkward coming out, and Bell couldn't help feeling self-conscious.
"Hephaestus-sama, this is the first time I've ever felt this—"
"Mm!"
A face suddenly leaned in.
Bell froze.
Soft lips pressed against his, freezing his thoughts entirely.
When they finally parted, a blush had bloomed across Hephaestus's lovely face.
"It's okay to be bold."
"I give you permission to have those kinds of thoughts."
Chapter 179: Chapter 179: My Bell-kun Was Taken! (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Whether in his previous life or this one, Bell had always been alone.
In his past life, he had neither money nor power, and in the end, he was left all by himself.
Now, in this life, he finally had a chance to fight for something—and he had already obtained the power he had longed for but never possessed in his previous life. He had also met the one person he wanted to stay with.
But unexpectedly, in this life, someone else had appeared—someone he now had to care about.
Aside from Goddess-sama, Hephaestus-sama had become someone important too—someone he needed to consider just as seriously.
Especially after receiving her blessing, and with that kiss earlier... the nature of their relationship had become unmistakably clear.
Hestia watched Bell, who had been zoning out ever since he returned, and curiously leaned in closer.
"Hm?"
As she approached, Hestia's sharp nose caught a faint fragrance.
'Is that... perfume?'
The realization instantly put her on alert.
And seeing how dazed Bell had been since coming back, her nerves were thoroughly provoked.
'Who is it?'
Her child's future was supposed to be with her. Which vixen dared to get in the way?
Hestia was in a terrible mood, but seeing Bell, she forcefully pushed that feeling down.
First things first—she had to figure out who that fox spirit was.
"Bell, look at me."
"...Goddess-sama."
It took Bell a moment to snap out of it.
Seeing this only deepened Hestia's concern. In her heart, she was already cursing out the shameless woman pestering her Bell. She had originally planned to bring it up more subtly—but that plan was now out the window.
"Who is it!? Which fox spirit dared to seduce my Bell-kun!?"
Bell immediately sobered up. He looked at Goddess-sama in surprise. She could tell something like that?
'Wait... did she really not realize it was Hephaestus-sama?'
Thinking about it carefully, there weren't many women he interacted with often.
There was the Guild receptionist, Miss Eina, and then there was Hephaestus.
As for the others, to be blunt, Bell didn't trust them at all. Naturally, he had no real contact with them.
"Bell-kun!"
Startled by how close she suddenly got, Bell flinched—but before he could react, Hestia grabbed his face.
"Bell-kun, you said yes, didn't you!?"
This time, Hestia was absolutely serious. She was determined to root out the one seducing Bell.
"It was... Hephaestus-sama."
"Hephaestus!?"
Hestia's eyes widened in disbelief.
She could understand other gods setting their sights on Bell—she had even suspected it might be Freya making a move. But never in her wildest dreams did she expect that the one trying to steal Bell would be her best friend—Hephaestus.
"Why would Hephaestus-sama be interested in my child?"
Hadn't she made it obvious enough?
No, Hestia thought she had been more than clear.
"Bell-kun, have you been spending a lot of time with Hephaestus?"
"Goddess-sama, I go to the Dungeon every day. When would I have time to spend long hours with Hephaestus-sama?"
"That's true."
Bell went into the Dungeon every single day. He really didn't have extra time to be with Hephaestus.
But if they hadn't spent much time together, then why did Hephaestus set her sights on her Bell?
Just thinking about it felt strange.
Hestia couldn't help but feel something was off.
...
However, Bell already knew the reason.
"Goddess-sama, do you remember Hephaestus-sama's right cheek?"
"Of course I remember... Ah!"
Hestia froze, then suddenly cried out.
"It was that day!"
Right. She had completely forgotten about it.
Back then, Hephaestus had acted completely normal, so Hestia had just assumed she was going to thank Bell by preparing some equipment or something. Who could've guessed it would turn out like this?
But it still didn't sit right with her.
"But that's just it. Hephaestus isn't like Freya or Ishtar."
Bell let out an awkward cough.
"Goddess-sama, didn't you tell Hephaestus-sama about my goal?"
"I did."
"You said that reaching Level 10 means becoming a demi-god, and demi-gods have the same infinite lifespan as gods... Hephaestus-sama said that if it was only for a few decades, she wouldn't get involved."
Hestia twitched at the mouth. So just because she told Hephaestus about Bell's goal, it sparked those thoughts?
She wouldn't get involved for just a few decades, but for an eternity, she would?
Thinking about it, Hestia had to admit it made sense.
Gods had infinite time, but their romantic encounters usually only lasted for a few fleeting decades. Once those encounters ended, many goddesses would return to Tenkai rather than seek new ones.
But if the person they loved could share that infinite time... wasn't that the best possible outcome for a god?
In fact, that was exactly what Hestia had thought. When she realized Bell had set his sights on Level 10 for her sake, she had been truly happy.
She understood why Bell had done it.
But she never imagined Hephaestus would end up wedging herself into what was supposed to be just the two of them.
...
Hestia lay facedown on her bed, her expression miserable. Right now, she felt incredibly down.
Bell was supposed to be hers and hers alone. And now, Hephaestus had stepped in—just thinking about it made her feel awful.
She stared at Bell with a look full of sorrow and resentment.
"Bell-kun, are you happy?"
How was Bell supposed to answer that?
As a boy, of course he was happy. Who wouldn't be in a situation like this?
But he couldn't just say that out loud.
Hestia puffed her cheeks and sighed quietly. Could this situation be changed?
Unless Bell failed to reach Level 10, there was no changing it.
"What does Hephaestus think?"
Bell hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke up.
"Goddess-sama, Hephaestus-sama said... the heart of a goddess is eternal."
Hestia froze, then her face flushed red.
Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Hestia's Blessing (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Ha... a goddess's feelings really are eternal. I'd completely forgotten about that."
As a goddess—and one known in Tenkai as a virgin goddess—Hestia understood this better than anyone.
Goddesses are not easily swayed. But once they change... it's permanent.
Of course, that rule applies to most goddesses. Someone like Ishtar is a complete outlier—an exception among exceptions.
There really aren't that many goddesses in Tenkai who act like public transport.
So with Hephaestus, who had her right cheek healed, it was clear she had fallen in love. Combined with what she'd said earlier, she'd already begun pursuing him, consequences be damned.
"Ah! Why does it have to be Hephaestus who's fighting me for him?!"
Frustrated, Hestia flopped down onto her bed.
If it had been another goddess, she wouldn't be so troubled. She believed Bell could easily see through the intentions of goddesses who approached with ulterior motives.
But Hephaestus was different.
The other goddesses eyeing Bell definitely had something shady in mind. But the problem was... Hephaestus had genuinely fallen for Bell, and he clearly felt something in return.
This was giving Hestia a serious headache.
'If it was just a few decades... She wouldn't even bother competing... Ugh, I shouldn't have told Hephaestus about this.'
Now, Hestia deeply regretted bringing it up to Hephaestus.
If she'd waited until Bell reached Lv. 10, maybe things would've been fine—by then, no one could've come between them. But now? It was clear they hadn't reached that point yet... and someone had already gotten their foot in the door.
"Bell-kun..."
Just imagining it brought tears to Hestia's eyes as she looked at her child.
Bell had no idea how to respond to the scene in front of him.
"Goddess-sama, this might be getting a lot more complicated than we thought."
"So you do realize that, huh? Hmph."
Hestia snorted angrily and turned away from Bell.
She was clearly upset, but as Bell looked at her back, he couldn't think of a single thing to say to comfort her.
"Ugh!"
Before Bell could come up with anything, Hestia let out a soft whimper and turned slightly, casting a faintly resentful look at him as he stood there frozen.
"Bell, why aren't you trying to comfort me?"
"Goddess-sama... I don't know what I'm supposed to say right now."
Bell knew he'd done something wrong, something that looked like two-timing—but the truth was, he had no experience with this sort of thing.
Worse yet, he didn't even know how things had gotten to this point.
Seeing the anxious and frustrated look in Bell's eyes, even though he hadn't moved, Hestia's puffed cheeks slowly relaxed.
"Then at least tell me—what did Hephaestus say to you? What did she do?"
Hestia knew there was no point in dwelling on what had already happened.
Just like Bell had conveyed Hephaestus' feelings earlier—when a goddess falls in love, it's forever.
Once a goddess decides to act, nothing can stop her.
And that's exactly what scared Hestia most—what if Freya set her sights on Bell?
If that woman decided to go after him, with her power and influence, she'd stop at nothing to take Bell away from her.
'Good thing Bell doesn't like to stand out. If Freya kept eyeing him all the time, she might seriously start having those thoughts.'
'Though he's already caught Hephaestus's attention.'
Just thinking about it made Hestia fume.
Her best friend had gone and stolen her crush—what could be more infuriating?
'Calm down, calm down.'
'Hephaestus isn't wrong. Bell-kun and I won't just be together for a few decades.'
Even though Bell hadn't fully matured yet, judging by his Status, he was clearly the kind of child who could grow quickly in the Dungeon.
Lv. 10 might still be a long way off, but with the Loki Familia as a stepping stone, reaching Lv. 6 shouldn't be a problem in the short term.
As for leveling beyond that—it would depend on his continued growth.
But Hestia was confident that once he got there, Bell would have plenty of ways to push himself even further.
'Can I even bring this up?'
Even if Bell didn't fully understand relationships, he knew well enough that he couldn't talk about what happened today. If he did, Goddess-sama might explode on the spot. After thinking it over, Bell came up with an excuse.
"Today, Hephaestus-sama spoke to me... about our relationship."
Hestia's lips twitched. She tried hard to keep her cool, but hearing that made her feel like she'd just been betrayed.
"She also brought up something about the goddess's blessing."
"The goddess's blessing!?"
Hestia instantly felt like a whole meadow had grown over her head.
She hadn't even taken the first bite of the child she'd raised herself, and Hephaestus had already swooped in for it.
"Hephaestus! Even I haven't done that yet!"
She was overwhelmed with regret. As Bell's Familia God, she hadn't even gotten the first taste—her mood hit rock bottom.
The goddess's blessing—bestowed by a deity upon a child of Genkai—was one of the most direct forms of expressing love.
And she hadn't even given Bell her blessing yet, but Hephaestus had already beaten her to it.
Hestia suddenly sat up, then pounced on Bell.
"Bell-kun, I'm going to give you a goddess's blessing too!"
Bell's thoughts blanked out for a moment from the sudden move, and in that brief second, Hestia made her move.
Her soft lips pressed deeply into Bell's awareness.
That moment lingered far longer than expected, until Hestia slowly opened her eyes.
"Bell, look—this is my blessing."
"And from now on, make sure you don't just let any goddess bless you."
Hephaestus was the only one Hestia could tolerate.
At least she knew Hephaestus—and she could handle her, to some extent.
Way easier than dealing with Freya.
Still, Hestia had to stress this now. No other vixen was getting their chance.
If another one popped up, she really might not be able to take it.
Right now, it was the goddesses aiming for Bell that worried her—not the children of Genkai.
Chapter 181: Chapter 181: I Want the People! I Want the Money Too! (Bonus)
Chapter Text
At night, Bell walked alone to an open field.
'Ugh... I should've said that Hephaestus-sama's blessing was just on my face.'
Judging from what Goddess-sama had just done, she'd definitely misunderstood what he meant.
Bell knew that Hephaestus-sama had done something similar to what Goddess-sama did earlier that morning.
But he hadn't expected Goddess-sama to take it that way at all.
'I really messed this up.'
Bell let out a helpless sigh.
The only thing he could feel relieved about was that Goddess-sama hadn't stormed over to the Hephaestus Familia and caused a scene—otherwise, he'd have no idea how to handle it.
'I've now formed a bond with Hephaestus-sama, Goddess-sama's best friend... and that's on top of the bond I already have with Goddess-sama.'
'How did this love triangle get so messed up?'
Just thinking about the tangled situation gave Bell a headache, and he crouched down on the ground.
After a moment of silence, he gave his cheeks a few light pats to clear his head.
He pulled Kuji Kanesada out from his four-dimensional space and entered a meditative sword state, focusing his thoughts into the blade in an effort to calm himself as quickly as possible.
He'd collected the full payment from the Loki Familia today, so at the very least, he could try a few ten-rolls later and see if his luck was holding up.
'Speaking of which... hasn't the Loki Familia made a move against the Apollo Familia yet?'
Cassandra's power was undeniable—and compared to Haruhime, her abilities were far more strategic.
From what Bell understood of Loki, there was no way she'd pass up someone like Cassandra.
In fact, the Loki Familia had already started investigating the Apollo Familia today, and Cassandra's information had come up in their findings.
That day, the Loki Familia held yet another meeting.
Finn was the first to speak.
"Cassandra Ilion, alias 'Mirabilis'. Member of the Apollo Familia. Skilled in healing magic. Possesses the Development Ability 'Treatment'."
That was the intel Finn had gathered—even the specifics of her Development Ability.
Though, for someone only at Lv. 2, uncovering that kind of information wasn't all that surprising.
All it took was paying the right price.
"Very favorable conditions."
Loki listened to the intel and nodded slightly. As far as backliners go, healers are always valuable—and they're a rare support role in her Familia.
"She uses healing magic, and her Development Ability also follows the ''Treatment'' path. As a pure support in the back row, she's quite solid."
Her other qualities might not stand out much, but just having healing magic alone already made her a top-tier support.
Of course, Loki wasn't just interested in Cassandra for her healing abilities—there was also information she'd heard from that kid.
"Have her unique traits been investigated too?"
"Yes."
Finn gave a small nod.
"I got Cassandra's personal information from someone close to her."
"Someone close to her just gave up personal info that easily?"
Loki felt like something was off about that.
Finn quickly offered clarification.
"That person only shared the information after I explained that our Familia wanted to recruit Cassandra."
"Oh~"
Loki instinctively glanced at Aisha, who was sitting in the meeting room. That certainly lined up with a certain someone.
"Finn, what about the girl who gave you the intel?"
Finn had already expected Loki to ask this, and he was prepared. After what had just happened with Aisha and Haruhime, there was a chance this was another pair from the Apollo Familia, just like before.
"Her name is Daphne Lauros. Her strength is close to the upper limit of Lv. 2. She's currently serving as a provisional commander within the Apollo Familia and shows notable leadership potential."
"Well now... we've just stumbled into a treasure trove of talent."
Loki was honestly a bit surprised to hear about her command talent. Who would've thought the Apollo Familia had not just one, but two gifted individuals?
Putting aside Haruhime and Cassandra, who both possessed rare talents, even among ordinary adventurers, leadership was considered a highly valuable skill. And with Daphne already close to Lv. 3, she could easily be cultivated into a solid member of the second squad.
Someone nearing Lv. 3 was already part of a Familia's core strength. With proper development, she'd reach that rank in no time.
To Loki, it felt like she'd just picked up a prize off the street.
"Finn, since this kid is that close to Cassandra, add her to our recruitment list as well."
"Then, what did she say about Cassandra?"
At that, Finn's expression turned a little complicated.
"According to her, Cassandra often says strange and gloomy things, which is why she earned the alias 'Mirabilis (Pessimist).'"
"Strange things, huh?"
Loki rubbed her chin. Between the nickname and the info, it matched exactly what that kid had told her.
"No one believes her, right?"
"Exactly. Nobody believes a word of the bizarre things Cassandra says. Even the person who gave me this intel said, 'She's always spouting nonsense in her sleep.'"
Loki figured as much. This lined up with what the kid described—Cassandra's ability lets her foresee the future, but her skill is cursed, making it so no one believes her predictions.
"Good. Now that we have the intel, we'll begin targeting the Apollo Familia starting tomorrow."
A few days ago, they dealt with the Ishtar Familia. Now, they were moving on Apollo's so soon.
"Finn, I'm sure you all know what to do."
"Don't hold back on Apollo."
"I want both his people and his money."
Loki's eyes were already gleaming.
She had just shelled out nearly 1.6 billion. Even with her Familia's deep reserves, that was a heavy cut.
In the past, she wouldn't have gone this hard on Apollo. He usually kept his distance and didn't stir up trouble.
But now was now—and with their funds running low, she had no choice but to squeeze some from Apollo.
So this time, Loki was going in hard.
She was taking everything—not just the people, but the money too.
Chapter 182: Chapter 182: The Second Heroic Spirit Card (Bonus)
Chapter Text
After three hours of sword meditation, the turbulent emotions in Bell's heart finally began to settle.
'At last... I've calmed down.'
The kisses from Goddess-sama and Hephaestus-sama had left a deep impression on him.
Now that he'd regained his composure, Bell finally turned his attention to the updates in the Type-Moon System.
Ever since he'd advanced to Lv. 2, the Type-Moon System had undergone further unsealing and a full update.
Bell had known this was coming.
[Type-Moon System fully unsealed. Full update completed.]
He'd already seen this notification back when he leveled up.
But at the time, having absorbed a large number of Craft Essences, continuing to draw more would've thrown his body out of balance. So he'd put off dealing with the system's unsealing and update.
Now that things outside were mostly settled, and his newly gained strength had stabilized, it was time to think about drawing again.
No matter what kind of Craft Essence he pulled, it would help him improve—and the higher the star rating, the greater the effect.
Of course, that only applied to genuinely useful Craft Essences.
'Let's check the Type-Moon System's updates and unsealing first.'
As Bell focused his mind on the Type-Moon System, the long-dormant update and unlock notifications echoed through his consciousness.
[System Phase One Unsealing Complete.]
[All 1-star and 2-star Craft Essences confirmed collected. Proceeding with full update.]
[System upgraded to Version 2.0.]
[Rules Updated:
1. Except for consumables, any Craft Essence drawn five times will be removed from the pool.
2. 4-star and 5-star Craft Essences now unlocked.
3. Heroic Spirit Pool unlocked—1-star, 2-star, and 3-star Heroic Spirits now available.
4. Heroic Spirits drawn from the Heroic Spirit Pool may have their Spirit Origin Concept selected.
5. Cost for Craft Essence Pool increased (10,000 Valis per draw).
6. Cost for Heroic Spirit Pool increased (100,000 Valis per draw).]
The update summary was clear and straightforward—easy enough to read. But as Bell went through it, one line screamed at him: the Heroic Spirit Pool was clearly a trap.
The price of a single draw from the Craft Essence Pool had shot up from 1,000 to 10,000 Valis—a tenfold increase. Still steep, but manageable.
But 100,000 Valis for a single draw from the Heroic Spirit Pool? That was daylight robbery.
It was obvious why it was so expensive—the Heroic Spirits likely had "UP" rates, meaning increased chances to appear.
Still, it would only be marginally better than the Craft Essence Pool.
The real appeal of the Heroic Spirit Pool was the ability to select which Spirit Origin Concept to extract.
Previously, Heroic Spirits pulled from the Craft Essence Pool had random concepts. But those from the Heroic Spirit Pool could be targeted for specific extractions.
That shift—from randomness to precision—was huge.
Just adding that one feature sent the cost skyrocketing by ten times.
No doubt about it—the Heroic Spirit Pool was a massive money sink.
But Bell knew he'd fall into that trap eventually. Being able to choose the concept to extract was just too good to pass up.
If luck was on his side and he managed to pull a Heroic Spirit, he'd be able to pick exactly which concept to remove.
'Well then, let's try a single draw from the Heroic Spirit Pool to start things off.'
A ten-pull was just a test run for Bell.
Even though the Heroic Spirit Pool was extremely tempting, he was well aware that a ten-pull cost a million Valis. He couldn't afford to do this too many times.
[Kuji Kanesada ×3, Elixir of Rejuvenation ×1, Armless Shinji-kun ×1, Extra Spicy Mapo Tofu ×4]
'What the hell!?'
Bell could accept getting Kuji Kanesada again, but the rest of the pulls? That was just brutal.
'Extra Spicy Mapo Tofu' was clearly a consumable—no matter how many times it's drawn, it'll keep showing up. Same with the Elixir of Rejuvenation—it's a Craft Essence that repeats.
Which meant... 5 out of these 9 pulls were total duds.
Bell took a deep breath and forced himself to keep going.
He'd already reviewed nine of them, but hadn't checked the final card. There was still a chance... however slim.
Looking over with zero expectations, he spotted it—one last unopened card, gleaming gold.
' ! ? '
'It actually dropped!'
Bell knew better than anyone what that gold glow meant—it was the sign of a Heroic Spirit.
He quickly steadied his focus and carefully flipped over the golden card.
A single star appeared—marking the Heroic Spirit's rarity.
But Bell wasn't disappointed. In FGO, one-star Heroic Spirits were generally weaker, but what mattered wasn't their strength—it was their skills.
That was the real value.
Bell turned his full attention to the card.
As the golden glow faded, the image of the Heroic Spirit came into view—and Bell's pupils instantly narrowed.
'A great hero...'
On the card was a man wielding a red longbow, black-haired, with a light cavalry's presence under the daytime sun.
This Heroic Spirit was Arash—also known as the Great Hero.
[Please select the concept to remove.]
The System prompt echoed in Bell's ears, snapping him back to the moment.
As he scanned the card, he noticed even the Noble Phantasm was listed among the removable concepts.
'Even the Noble Phantasm can be extracted?'
It was surprising, but not entirely shocking. Noble Phantasms were powerful, yes—but Bell wasn't looking to blow himself up.
Arash's Noble Phantasm, "Stella," was devastating—but also suicidal. Bell wasn't crazy enough to pick that.
Not unless he had a few spare lives lying around. Its power was incredible, but so was the cost.
So, Bell skipped the Noble Phantasm outright.
He quickly locked onto one of Arash's skills: 'Robust Health'.
Though 'Clairvoyance' was a tempting option, it wouldn't help much at his current stage—not compared to what 'Robust Health' could offer.
As an adventurer, Bell needed to withstand more damage.
Aside from boosting his armor, Arash's 'Robust Health' would greatly enhance his defense and resistance to injury.
'Select Robust Health.'
[Concept removal confirmed.]
A sphere of white light began to rise from Arash's card, and moments later, the card crumbled to ash.
As it vanished, the glowing orb flew directly into Bell's body.
[Fusion initiating.]
And with that message came a searing, body-wracking pain.
Chapter 183: Chapter 183: The Second Metamorphosis (Bonus)
Chapter Text
The muscles throughout his body tore apart, bones shattered, and his cells began dividing at an accelerated rate. In that instant, Bell's entire body underwent a complete reconstruction.
Even though he had experienced something similar when he was overwhelmed by Craft Essences before, that had been due to his body failing under the strain. This time, it was the concept of 'Robust Health' actively reshaping his physical structure.
In the past, Bell's body had been resilient—but it wasn't what you'd call truly sturdy.
'Robust Health' was a concept forged through the lifetime of the great hero Arash, who endured countless battles without ever suffering a serious injury. That alone showed how potent the concept really was.
Which is why Bell was suffering so much now.
The more powerful the concept, the more aggressively it reinforced the body—and the more pain it caused during integration.
The Type-Moon System wasn't intelligent. It didn't care whether Bell's body could handle the transformation or not—it simply executed the process, forcefully imprinting the concept onto him.
Once again, Bell was forced to endure the same devastating pain he felt when his body was last reshaped by too many Craft Essences.
Back then, his body had already gone through a fundamental transformation—shedding its mortal limitations and becoming something new.
The reconstructed body had immense potential and adaptability. That's why even when he leveled up, Bell hadn't suffered any major complications. His body adjusted quickly to the mismatch between his spirit and physique.
But 'Robust Health' was on another level.
This concept completely overturned his reconstructed body's baseline, pushing durability and physical hardness to the very limit.
But that shift also disrupted the delicate balance of his physique.
So, the moment 'Robust Health' was imposed, Bell's body had to be torn apart and rebuilt all over again to restore equilibrium.
And so, Bell once more endured the agony of being crushed and reforged.
The sheer pain from this restructuring was so intense that Bell couldn't even pass out. He couldn't make a sound—not even scream.
Even his vocal cords were being reshaped.
Two hours later, his body—suspended midair—twitched slightly.
The expression under his hood was completely twisted in agony.
"Huff... ha..."
The pain was so overwhelming it nearly shattered his consciousness. If not for his strong spirit—and the fact the pain wouldn't let him lose consciousness—he was sure he would've blacked out.
'As expected... it still hurts like hell...'
His voice was hoarse. His vocal cords had only just recovered, so even speaking was a struggle.
Carefully, he resumed breathing. The moisture in the air gently soothed his raw throat, making the harsh, burning breaths feel a little less unbearable.
'So the star ratings really aren't about power...'
'The skills of a great hero... are still too much for me to handle right now.'
Still, the System had helped him.
If not for the body refinement caused by his last overload of Craft Essences, he'd probably be dead.
'The price of shortcuts...'
He sighed silently to himself, working to calm his blood, which was still boiling from the strain.
Feeling the changes in his body, Bell noticed his muscle density had increased significantly—his muscles had compacted.
The bulk he'd developed during his steady growth had thinned down, making his once well-fitting clothes hang loose on his frame.
But his bones and joints? They were visibly tougher and more flexible than ever.
Bell's denser muscles had also become more durable and flexible. Even his endurance and recovery had improved dramatically.
'Robust Health... this really is a perfect power for me.'
Getting a power like this so early on had directly compensated for his physical shortcomings.
Compared to his magic, agility, and reflexes, his strength and endurance had clearly lagged behind.
Maybe that gap only mattered for someone like Bell, whose growth had always been balanced—but for him, even a small imbalance was still a weakness.
Now, that weakness was gone.
With a tougher body and incredible endurance, Bell could now walk away from even the most brutal battles.
'Still, my body's going to need some time to adjust and rest.'
A rather luxurious problem to have.
Bell shook his head with a slight sigh, then gradually let his body begin recovering on its own. With steady breathing, he could even accelerate the process a little.
He didn't use runes to boost his recovery—he wanted to see just how fast his body could recover on its own now.
And in just moments, the fatigue felt like it was melting away, his body soaking in energy like parched earth drinking water.
His fingers twitched slightly as his body began suppressing the pain signals.
As his breathing deepened, the pain steadily dulled.
Soon, it wasn't just his fingers—he could move his arms, and then even half his body.
Click... click... click...
As he shifted slightly, his body gave off a series of crisp pops. His bones were still unfamiliar—still adjusting to the new structure. It would take some time to fully adapt.
But the adaptation was fast. Within just a few dozen seconds, the bones had already started syncing with his new frame. The subtle clicks from his joints gradually faded into silence.
After confirming his condition, Bell finally stood up from the ground.
'That recovery was fast.'
He was genuinely impressed by how quickly his body had bounced back.
The pain had been reduced to a minimum just through breathing, and his strength—drained by enduring the agony—was already coming back. His limbs could move freely again.
'My pain tolerance has gone up a lot too.'
'And my endurance... it's reached something unbelievable.'
Now Bell truly understood the gap between himself and a great hero.
This kind of physical performance wasn't something ordinary adventurers could match. That absurd recovery speed, the ability to bounce back even when pushed to the edge—these were traits that told him he'd only just taken the first step.
'I guess ancient heroes in this world really were monsters. Otherwise, how else could they have driven the monsters back into the Dungeon?'
Bell took a deep breath.
Knowing exactly where he stood... felt reassuring. It was a constant reminder that he was still just getting started.
And with that kind of mindset, he'd never grow arrogant—or lose his way.
Chapter 184: Chapter 184: The Disobedient Bad Child
Chapter Text
Three minutes later, Bell could clearly feel that the pain in his body had eased by nearly half, and about thirty percent of his strength had returned.
As the pain dropped to ten percent, his recovery began to slow down, but even so, his stamina had already reached about seventy percent. Most of his mobility had returned.
'Full recovery will still take a bit... maybe fifteen minutes.'
Recovering from near-collapse to full health in just fifteen minutes—just through breathing—was even faster than when he used Rune-enhanced healing last time.
'Now that my natural recovery speed and quality have reached this level, I should avoid relying too much on Rune healing.'
When the body was this capable of healing itself, letting it recover naturally might be the smarter move. That was something Bell had learned from experience—even in his sleep.
Once he'd regained most of his strength, Bell returned to the basement.
Goddess-sama was still awake, sitting upright on the bed as if she'd been waiting for him the whole time.
"Bell-kun."
The moment Hestia saw him, she leapt off the bed.
That confirmed it—she had been waiting for him.
She threw herself straight into his arms, and Bell hurried to catch her.
Thankfully, Goddess-sama wasn't heavy. Otherwise, the still-healing pain in his body might've caused him to falter and drop her.
Still, there was no way Hestia wouldn't notice how strange his body felt.
"Bell-kun, what's wrong with your body?"
She could immediately sense the tension in his muscles—they were rock-hard, unnaturally tight. This wasn't how Bell usually felt.
He hadn't expected her to notice so quickly.
Faced with her concern, Bell decided not to hide it.
"I ran into some issues while training. Ended up with a few injuries... all over."
"Ah!"
Hestia quickly jumped out of his arms and gently guided him to sit down on the bed. Then she rushed to the cabinet and grabbed an emergency treatment vial—a topical medicine Miach had specially prepared for her.
"Bell, don't move."
She carefully took off his cloak. Underneath, he wore simple casual clothes—no light armor at all. She lifted the fabric at his back.
As she gently placed her hand on him, Hestia's face changed.
She could feel it—Bell's body was twitching slightly, still wracked with pain.
"You... you bad boy..."
Hestia looked like she was about to cry. She couldn't even begin to imagine how much pain he was holding in.
If she hadn't asked, would this stubborn fool have kept hiding it?
She quickly uncorked the medicine and carefully poured it across his back.
In moments, the medicine revealed the full extent of the damage—spreading in patches of color across his skin, showing exactly where the pain was worst.
Several spots had turned completely black.
Which meant the pain there was severe—extreme.
Hestia nearly cried out in shock.
'How... how did this even happen?'
She couldn't understand what had caused such terrible injuries, but she still calmly and carefully rubbed the medicine across his back with both hands.
"Mm..."
The cooling sensation helped his body finally relax a bit. Bell hadn't realized just how effective the household medicine really was.
To be honest, he didn't even need it. With just one night of sleep, the injuries would have healed on their own.
The delay in recovering his stamina earlier had just been his body focusing on repairing the damage.
Using this medicine was probably overkill.
Still, he didn't dare say that—not with how worried Goddess-sama had looked just now. If he did, he'd probably get hit with one of her signature glares.
As Hestia gently spread the potion across Bell's back, the swirl of colors slowly began to fade.
At least it wasn't that terrifying black from before—now it had turned into a deep purplish-blue.
"Honestly, Bell, why would you do something so reckless?"
"You just said earlier you were planning to slow down and focus more on improving your technique. How did you end up in this state after just a few hours?" Once the colors on his back began to fade, Hestia finally let out a breath of relief.
Bell wasn't really sure how to respond. After all, he really had put everything into refining his 'skills'—but who could've guessed he'd get so lucky and hit the jackpot today?
Still, looking at his condition… was that something he could actually say?
Obviously not.
But there was one thing he could be certain of.
"Goddess-sama, I think this still counts as part of the process of honing my 'skills'."
"How does wrecking your body count?"
"I mean, improving my technique also requires my body to keep up. So I thought maybe using Rune could help enhance my physical abilities."
Hestia was speechless. She couldn't tell he was lying—meaning he really was telling the truth just now.
"This is how you decided to level up? By risking your life?"
Hestia truly couldn't hold back the urge to lecture her child.
"Doesn't this just mean I've become even more determined to follow this path?"
"I'm doing it for Goddess-sama… and for Hephaestus-sama too. I need to be more serious than I ever was before."
Bell never aspired to become a hero. Frankly, he didn't believe someone like him could be called a hero anyway. He was simply working hard for his own personal goals.
But now that he had accepted the blessings of two goddesses, his path was already set—to walk the hardest road.
He felt a bit more urgency.
He wanted to push himself a little more.
Hestia went quiet for a moment, her cheeks puffing out.
"For me, sure… but you're doing it for Hephaestus too?"
That stung a little. Even if she had decided in her heart that Hephaestus was acceptable, she still couldn't help but feel bitter.
The child who once worked so hard for her alone now also wanted to work hard for Hephaestus.
'Hephaestus, I'm going to make you pay for stealing him away.'
Hestia resolved to have a little talk with Hephaestus tomorrow.
Still, looking at Bell groaning and squirming in pain, her heart ached.
She leaned down and whispered in his ear.
"Bell, no matter what, don't ever do something this extreme again."
"Yeah… I'll try."
You're definitely going to do it again.
Hestia sighed helplessly. It was only in moments like this that she felt Bell really was such a disobedient, troublesome child.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Hephaestus Shows Up First Thing in the Morning
Chapter Text
Early in the morning, Hephaestus sat on her bed in a daze, occasionally letting out a goofy "hehehe" laugh—completely unlike her usual image as a sharp and capable Familia God.
Thankfully, no one had seen her like this, or they'd be shocked by her current state.
"Knock knock knock!"
A sudden knock on the door snapped Hephaestus out of her daze. She quickly patted her cheeks to regain her usual composure.
"Tsubaki?"
"Yes."
Recognizing who it was outside, Hephaestus didn't bother to get up and tidy herself.
"If you're alone, come on in."
The door soon opened, and in came Tsubaki—alone.
Seeing Hephaestus-sama still lounging in bed, Tsubaki paused in surprise. Normally, Hephaestus-sama would have been up long ago.
'Maybe she was just really tired yesterday.'
Tsubaki had already come up with a reasonable explanation in her mind.
Actually, Hephaestus herself was a little confused by Tsubaki's early visit.
"Tsubaki, why are you here so early today?"
"Well, yesterday Finn asked if you could return the space pouches. Today, someone from Loki Familia came by to check if they could pick them up."
'Ah... I forgot.'
Only then did Hephaestus remember what she'd forgotten.
Finn had discussed the request with her in detail yesterday, and she'd even agreed to check with Bell about the space pouches.
But once she saw Bell, she completely forgot about it.
Thinking back on it now, Hephaestus felt a little embarrassed. She'd promised to handle it, yet forgot to even ask. That was definitely careless.
"Tsubaki, tell them to come back at noon to pick them up."
She hadn't asked Bell yet, but knowing him, the space pouches were definitely ready.
Last time, Bell had brought out a whole batch of pouches—Hephaestus didn't believe they were incomplete.
"Got it."
Tsubaki nodded and left the room without question.
Once Tsubaki was gone, Hephaestus quickly got dressed. She needed to hurry over to the upside-down archive.
It was just after 8 a.m. Normally, Hestia and Bell would have been up by now, but today, both were still asleep.
Yesterday, Bell's body had undergone a full restructuring after receiving the concept of "Robust Health." His potential was further enhanced, compensating for past weaknesses in durability and strength—but the process had left his body severely damaged.
Rather than using Rune to accelerate healing, Bell chose to let his body recover naturally through sleep.
As for Hestia, worried about Bell's injuries, she had chosen to sleep with him in her arms.
'As the Familia God, I can't share my child's pain—but I can at least soothe his wounded body.'
That was Hestia's belief.
Of course, she didn't have any special ability to heal Bell. It was simply her presence—offering emotional comfort and ensuring he could rest peacefully.
So how would she wake the two of them?
Actually, it was pretty simple.
"!"
The moment the barrier was breached, Bell, who had set it, instantly woke up.
Sensing the intrusion, he immediately relaxed—it was someone familiar.
Still, Bell couldn't help but wonder:
'Why did Hephaestus-sama come by so early?'
Though he didn't quite get it, Bell decided to get up.
He glanced down at the still-sleeping Goddess-sama, her head resting on his chest, and the unusually warm softness pressed against his face.
His heartbeat suddenly began to race for no apparent reason.
A special Rune activated, instantly shifting Bell's position and placing him at the edge of the bed.
'Phew...'
Once he pulled away, it was much easier to regain control of his emotions.
Honestly, Bell didn't mind sleeping with Goddess-sama. But waking up to find her face pressed so closely to his every time—any normal person would crack under that pressure.
He glanced at Goddess-sama, still sound asleep, then quickly straightened his clothes and moved to the floor.
But not long after Bell left, Hestia stirred awake.
Sitting up in bed, she looked toward the spot where Bell had just been, puffing her cheeks slightly.
"Bell, you dummy."
...
As soon as Bell reached the floor, he spotted Hephaestus-sama entering the room.
At the same time, Hephaestus saw Bell—and the moment she did, a slight smile crept across her face.
Looking him over, she noticed the numerous wrinkles in his clothes and the mess of his hair. He definitely looked like someone who'd just gotten out of bed.
"Bell, it's this late... Did you just wake up?"
Bell looked a little embarrassed. He rarely slept in, always aware of how dangerous this world could be.
"Yeah... something happened yesterday. I ended up training a bit longer than usual."
"Oh? Something happened, huh?"
Hephaestus couldn't help but grow curious. She was very interested in whatever had happened to Bell the day before.
After all, wasn't that the day she kissed him before he went home?
Seeing the amused, expectant look on Hephaestus-sama's face, Bell couldn't help feeling a little helpless.
"It really was just training."
Even if she misunderstood, it wouldn't be a big deal—but Bell didn't want the misunderstanding going in that direction.
"I pushed myself too hard last night and ended up covered in injuries, so I slept in a little."
Hephaestus's expression shifted slightly. She quickly stepped forward, placed a hand on Bell's shoulder, and used her divine power to check him over.
What she found allowed her to breathe a little easier—Bell's body was even healthier than she had expected. At the very least, there was nothing serious to worry about.
Once she relaxed, Hephaestus reached out and gave Bell's cheek a firm pinch.
"If you're fine, then why push yourself so hard?"
"You don't need to rush your growth so much, do you?"
Even as a blacksmith, she knew strength wasn't something gained overnight. Yet this fool was trying to fast-track everything and called it just a bit of effort last night.
"You have the right conditions to improve. So why be in such a hurry?"
"You've got all the chances you need to grow—what you need to focus on is keeping yourself safe while doing it. Got it?"
Bell froze for a second as his cheeks were pinched, then instinctively looked into Hephaestus's eyes.
"I got it."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 186: Chapter 186: Two Goddesses, One Man
Chapter Text
"Thump thump!"
As their eyes met, Hephaestus's heart skipped a beat.
Staring into those blood-red eyes, a strange emotion welled up inside her. Unconsciously, she took a step forward, closing the already short distance between them.
Her hand, which had been pinching Bell's cheek, shifted into a gentle cradle. Using her height to her advantage, Hephaestus slowly leaned closer.
"Ahem!"
A loud, pointed cough cut through the moment, forcefully halting whatever might've happened next.
Startled, Hephaestus tensed. As she glanced to the side, she saw Hestia standing there—her eyes glowing bright red.
She hadn't expected Hestia to walk in at the worst possible moment.
"He-pha-es-tus—"
Hestia's voice, low and ghostly, sent a chill straight down Hephaestus's spine. The intensifying red glow in Hestia's eyes only added to the pressure.
Already flustered from being caught, Hephaestus's gaze became even more evasive.
Hestia, clearly in the right, stormed over with overwhelming force.
Her thoughts were practically screaming.
Her best friend had shown up at her home first thing in the morning—not to catch up, but to make a move on her child. And so directly, too! If she hadn't been curious about Bell suddenly waking up, she would've missed this entire "spectacle."
Her forehead was nearly throbbing from the rising blood pressure.
She looked at Hephaestus with a smile that was anything but friendly.
"What exactly were you doing just now?"
'How am I even supposed to explain that?'
Hephaestus felt incredibly awkward. In that moment, she had let her emotions get the better of her and impulsively tried to act on them in a very goddess-like way.
But she never expected Hestia to witness it all.
Meanwhile, the unfortunate male lead of this situation—Bell—was feeling just as awkward.
He certainly hadn't expected Hephaestus-sama to suddenly pull a stunt like that.
What made it worse was that Goddess-sama had walked in right at that moment.
"Goddess-sama, actually..."
"Bell, don't say a word or I'll really cry!"
Hestia, who had been so fierce just seconds ago, turned to him with tearful eyes. It was clear the scene had left her emotionally overwhelmed.
Bell, who had wanted to say something, fell completely silent.
Even if he hadn't been the one to initiate it, given his relationship with Hephaestus-sama, it wouldn't be far-fetched to say that he had.
But seeing Goddess-sama like this, there was no way he could say it.
Bell was absolutely certain—if he did, Hestia would really break down.
"Hestia."
Feeling a bit guilty, Hephaestus turned her gaze back. Of course, she never intended to start some secret affair with Bell.
Do goddesses even have secret romances?
"I admit... I've fallen for your child."
"You... You actually have the nerve to say that!?"
Tears welled up in Hestia's eyes as she shouted.
"You're supposed to be my best friend, and you go and steal my Bell-kun right from under me!"
"His first kiss wasn't even mine—you took it from me!"
Bell awkwardly turned away at the mention of that kiss. Thinking back, the one with Hephaestus-sama might have truly been his first kiss across both of his lives. Just the memory made his face feel like it was on fire.
Noticing Bell's reddened cheeks, Hephaestus blinked in surprise.
'So yesterday really was Bell's first time…'
Looking down at Hestia's emotional outburst, Hephaestus began to understand.
No wonder Hestia, usually close and friendly with her, was now acting like she was ready to kill someone.
If it had been her—if she'd fallen for her own child, built up that relationship, only to be beaten to it by another god—Hephaestus figured she'd probably lose it even harder than Hestia just had.
That realization made her feel even more ashamed.
"Hestia... I really didn't think you'd be this..."
Hephaestus hadn't expected Hestia to be so reserved. She was always going on about how amazing Bell was, and yet—she still hadn't made a move.
"Ugh…"
The moment that was brought up, Hestia looked like she was going to cry.
"Who's the slow one here!? Bell-kun and I just got started. It's not like things are progressing as fast as you think!"
"You don't even know—we haven't gone on a single proper date yet!"
"And don't you think a goddess's blessing should be given in a romantic setting?"
If it weren't for all those ideals about timing and atmosphere, Hestia would've already given Bell her blessing the day they got together…
Now that she thought about it, she bitterly regretted it.
If only she'd acted sooner, none of this mess would've happened.
Who would've thought her closest friend would abandon the forge, pick up a metaphorical hoe, and start digging at her wall?
"I always thought Freya was the only one I needed to watch out for. Turns out, the real threat was you all along."
Hestia's resentful gaze bore into Hephaestus.
Of course, Hephaestus knew she was in the wrong—and there was no denying she'd made a move on Bell.
"Hestia, what's done is done. We can't rewind time."
"Oh, so now you acknowledge that!"
Hephaestus didn't get mad seeing Hestia bristling like a porcupine. After all, she was the one who started this whole mess.
"Hestia, you know that when a goddess falls in love, it's forever."
Hestia only puffed up her cheeks in frustration and looked away.
Hephaestus didn't rush to talk her down.
"We gods have all the time in the world, but the children we meet down here don't. That's why love between gods and Genkai's children is often just a sad wish."
"The only way to change that… is to let the ones we love have infinite time too."
"But ordinary children can't do that. Not even we gods can grant it. Only a very rare few have that potential."
"And Bell is one of them."
Reaching Lv.10 meant stepping into the realm of the demigod—like a god without divine authority.
Among all the children of Genkai, only the "Empress" had ever come close to that level.
Unfortunately, she lost everything in the battle against the Black Dragon.
Hephaestus believed Bell was the only one left with the potential to reach Lv.10.
But that just made Hestia pout even more.
"So that's your excuse for stealing my Bell?"
Hephaestus gently shook her head.
"That's why I've entrusted my future to Bell."
Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Hestia's Setback (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Love between a goddess and a child of Genkai truly is a sorrowful wish.
It's the tragedy of the immortal and the mortal.
Unless the mortal can ascend to the realm of the immortal, this love will always end in heartbreak.
In the end, one side is destined to be left behind. It brings pain to both the goddess and the child, which is why many goddesses are reluctant to fall in love.
And because gods are inherently unchanging, there's a saying: "When a goddess falls in love, it's forever."
Maybe Hephaestus's feelings developed too quickly—but isn't that exactly what divine encounters are? Sudden and intense?
If a fateful encounter can stir a god's heart, does the timing even matter?
Truthfully, the same could be said for Hestia.
Her own feelings hadn't started much earlier than Hephaestus's.
So, when Hestia heard Hephaestus say, "That's why I've placed my future in Bell's hands," her boiling rage began to cool.
"You're not just saying that?"
Even though she was still furious at Hephaestus for stealing Bell from her, she could hear the sincerity in her voice. She wasn't playing around.
"Would I joke about something like this?"
Hestia unconsciously nodded at that.
She had known Hephaestus for a long time and understood that she wasn't the type to act unless she truly meant it.
And to be honest, it was likely her own actions that had nudged Hephaestus down this path.
"You're betting your future..."
Hestia pouted in frustration—but what could she even do?
She could only chalk it up to bad luck, meeting a best friend who ended up falling for her own child.
And worse, she'd unknowingly helped her along the way.
"Fine... I'll let you have Bell-kun."
It's not like she had much of a choice. A goddess's feelings weren't something that could be stopped once they were stirred. That was exactly why she was so cautious around Freya.
But now? Hephaestus had already slipped right past her guard.
"But the other goddesses are absolutely off-limits!"
When it came to children from Genkai, Hestia wasn't too worried.
Bell was destined to be hers. His future was not one that would be cut short.
Any girl from Genkai fated to meet Bell would only ever become a passing encounter—connected, but not meant to stay.
But fellow goddesses? Now they were real threats.
"Of course."
On that, Hephaestus completely agreed.
She wasn't about to complicate things further, so she knew they had to be cautious of other goddesses trying to swoop in on Bell.
With a reluctant sigh, Hestia set aside her frustration—for now. She accepted that Hephaestus, the shameless cat who snuck in to steal her treasure, really didn't leave her much choice.
They knew each other too well. Hestia understood Hephaestus's character.
If she weren't serious, she would've never done something like this.
And if she was serious, then no words or objections would make her back down.
From the very start, Hestia had known—once it was clear Hephaestus wasn't joking, all she could do was accept it.
But when it came to other goddesses, she would have to stay fully on guard.
There was no way she was going to let any other goddesses interfere with her and Bell.
Still, listening to the two goddesses talk like this left Bell feeling more than a little helpless. He honestly wanted to say—
'I'm really not that attractive.'
He knew he had the qualifications to keep moving forward. The "Type-Moon System" had helped patch up his weaknesses and provided support that let him keep progressing.
But that support wasn't about charm or appeal—it had nothing to do with attracting goddesses. If anything, their attention was probably just curiosity.
Even so, Bell knew better than to say any of this out loud.
He never had any intention of forming bonds with other gods, which was why he was always cautious when leaving the house—especially to avoid any run-ins with the Goddess of Beauty, Freya.
He already knew Freya had taken an interest in him. But as long as he kept avoiding her, that interest would stay at the level of "curiosity."
As long as he could maintain that stage for long enough—give himself time to grow—then Freya wouldn't be a real threat.
It all came down to one thing: he simply needed more time to grow.
There were too many things he had to keep hidden.
...
While Bell was lost in thought, Hestia suddenly remembered something. She looked at Hephaestus with a suspicious glint in her eye.
"Hephaestus, what exactly did you come over for this morning? Don't tell me... you really just came to seduce Bell-kun?"
Hephaestus glanced at Bell and blushed slightly as the memory of almost getting carried away flashed through her mind. But she quickly composed herself.
"That was just... a moment of emotion."
"If Bell hadn't said something was wrong with his body, I wouldn't have rushed to check."
"If I hadn't rushed to check... and if our eyes hadn't met... I wouldn't have suddenly had that kind of thought..."
Her voice trailed off, growing quieter and quieter, until Hestia could no longer hear what she was saying.
Still, that didn't stop Hestia from confirming that Hephaestus wasn't just here to get under her skin.
And since part of it was out of concern for Bell's condition, Hestia could relate. It made her think maybe Hephaestus had ended up doing the same thing she herself had done.
She pouted again.
"So why did you come here?"
"Wasn't it because of that 1.6 billion order?"
Hephaestus finally revealed her true reason for showing up.
"Finn came to me yesterday and paid the full amount upfront."
"Huh? The full amount?"
Hestia's eyes went wide. A 1.6 billion order wasn't a small deal—yet Loki had already paid in full, and the goods weren't even ready.
"They just wanted to establish some basic trust for future transactions," Hephaestus explained.
"Loki Familia plans to continue launching expeditions. When that time comes, they'll definitely want to place even bigger orders with Bell."
"Knowing that, Loki wanted to build a foundation of trust early on."
"But since they paid such a huge sum all at once, it left them a bit strapped for funds. So now they're heading into the Dungeon to earn some of it back."
"That's why Finn came yesterday—to ask if they could take some of the space pouches ahead of time, so they'd be able to gather materials and drops more efficiently."
Chapter 188: Chapter 188: The "Lock-On" Ritual of the Waist Pouch (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Around noon, Riveria paid a personal visit to the Hephaestus Familia.
Normally, this sort of matter would've been handled by both Finn and Riveria, but today, Finn had to head to the Apollo Familia to formally declare war.
With Finn out making the declaration, the rest of Loki Familia had to stay behind and prepare. Even though the Apollo Familia was relatively weak, they couldn't afford to be careless.
And with Loki Familia's current strategy so tightly focused—every move aimed at exploring the uncharted areas of the Dungeon—they had to be extremely cautious to avoid leaking information and giving other Familias the chance to swoop in.
Even Gareth had remained behind to handle internal supervision.
With Finn off declaring war and Gareth holding down the fort, Riveria was the only one available to act today.
She was greeted by Tsubaki, the captain of the Hephaestus Familia.
Since they'd known each other for years, Riveria got straight to the point.
"Tsubaki, is Hephaestus-sama here?"
"She is. Not just Goddess-sama, Hestia and her boy are here too."
That answer left Riveria a bit puzzled.
"Does Hestia-sama need to be involved in today's business?"
Tsubaki immediately understood the misunderstanding.
"No, it's not that."
"Hestia-sama often visits when that boy goes to the Dungeon. She and our Goddess are pretty close, so it's normal for her to come here when he heads out."
"Today's the same as usual—they just happened to arrive while we were dealing with your matter. So our Goddess went out to bring Hestia-sama and the boy here."
"I figure once you're done with your end, he'll be heading into the Dungeon."
'I see.'
Given how closely Hephaestus and Hestia's Familias were connected now, it wasn't strange for them to spend time together.
Not just Hestia and Hephaestus—at this point, even Hestia regularly showing up around here had become commonplace.
Still, considering Loki's current efforts to avoid Hestia altogether, Riveria figured that even if Hestia did show up, Loki would just feign illness to avoid meeting her.
'As for that boy… did he really go into the Dungeon?'
Loki Familia had tried to gather intel on him, but Riveria knew how scarce information on him truly was—virtually nothing concrete.
Given the power he possessed, it wouldn't be surprising if he'd slipped into the Dungeon without anyone noticing.
But if that were the case, they knew even less about him than they thought.
Riveria didn't dwell on it. There would be plenty of chances to learn more in time—no need to rush.
Soon, with Tsubaki leading the way, Riveria entered the inner chambers of the Hephaestus Familia.
It was the same reception room as always, set up just like she remembered.
The only difference was that today, Hephaestus and Hestia were seated to one side, sipping tea and chatting. Meanwhile, that boy sat alone on the couch, waiting for her.
"Captain, there's important news from the Guild."
"Important news?"
Just as she was about to step inside, a member of the Hephaestus Familia stopped her, relaying the message from the Guild.
Though uncertain about the nature of the intel, she decided to go check it out.
"Riveria, go on ahead. I'll take a look at what the Guild sent."
"Alright."
With a soft click of the door closing behind her, Riveria entered the room alone and walked over to take a seat across from the boy.
As she sat down, her sharp eyes took a moment to study him.
'Huh? He looks... a bit thinner than before.'
She silently took note of the change but didn't comment on it.
"Bell-kun, is the space pouch ready?"
"It's been ready for a while. But the user needs to make a decision—whether it should be a universally accessible pouch or one that requires character-specific access."
"You can set it to recognize specific individuals?"
"Of course."
Bell began explaining.
"In essence, the 'lock' on the pouch works by binding it to a designated person, who acts as the 'key.' Only that person can open it. This prevents any trouble if the pouch is ever lost or stolen."
"The pouch can be configured either to open for anyone or only for a specified individual."
"This function exists to minimize the risk of unintended use and, mainly, to prevent theft."
Riveria nodded in understanding. It was a reasonable precaution.
Once a pouch was locked to a person, no one else could access it, eliminating a lot of potential problems.
Seeing that Riveria was following, Bell continued.
"Given how many unpredictable variables are out there, I'd recommend locking them for safety."
"You could set aside one or two pouches for general resource collection, but the rest should be personally locked to avoid unauthorized use."
"A locked pouch could hold strategic materials—like food or necessary Rune Stones."
"For example, Loki-sama ordered special enhancement Rune Stones for Captain Finn, you, and Elgarm. Wouldn't it be more efficient to keep those stored in your personal locked pouch? That way, you can access them immediately during combat."
"Separating the pouches by use is the best way to get the most out of them, right?"
Riveria agreed with the logic.
The advantage of a locked pouch was clear—it prevented anyone else from accessing it, and it could also hold private belongings.
"Bell-kun, is the process complicated?"
Bell shook his head slightly.
"Not at all. It's a simple ritual. All it takes is a drop of blood."
Riveria nodded.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"No problem."
Bell then pulled five pouches from his four-dimensional storage.
"These are the first five. I'll have the Rune Stones prepared and ready for you before the expedition."
He handed one of the pouches to Riveria.
"Let's start your lock first. Vice Captain Riveria, please remove your glove and raise your hand."
"Alright."
Riveria removed the glove from her right hand and raised it.
With a flick of Bell's fingers, a small wind blade swept through the air, leaving a fine cut on her finger. A drop of blood fell.
A glowing character emerged in the air, catching the blood and guiding it onto the pouch. A glowing symbol encircled the pouch.
Click.
A locking sound echoed softly as the blood fused with the pouch.
The locking ritual was complete.
Chapter 189: Chapter 189: This Is a Threat! An Absolute Threat! (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"What!?"
"Declaration of war!?"
At that moment, Apollo, the god of the Apollo Familia, was in complete shock.
After all, how could he not be when he suddenly heard that the Loki Familia had declared war on his own?
Apollo stared blankly at Finn for a long time, struggling to process it.
"Am I the one who's lost it? Or has Loki gone mad?"
"You sure you got that right? Maybe she meant to declare war on Freya and took a wrong turn to my place?"
No matter how he looked at it, Apollo couldn't think of any deep grudge between him and Loki.
Sure, he had his eye on a few of Loki's children—they fit right into his tastes—but the gap in power was so obvious he'd already given up on that idea.
Let his kids go head-to-head with Loki's?
Please, his skull wasn't made of iron. He wasn't suicidal.
All Apollo could do now was hope Finn would nod and say it was all a mistake. But that was just wishful thinking.
Unfortunately, Finn shook his head.
"Apollo-sama, Loki made it very clear—she's targeting the Apollo Familia."
That answer left Apollo completely deflated.
"Why!?"
"What grudge do I have with her? I usually go out of my way to avoid her! Why is she coming after me!?"
Apollo was utterly baffled.
He and Loki had barely interacted. Why would she suddenly decide to pick a fight with him?
Watching Apollo clutch his head in despair, Finn's mouth twitched slightly, though he hadn't come empty-handed.
"Apollo-sama, our goddess took a liking to two of your children."
What the hell!?
Apollo was floored. He really hadn't expected Loki to go so far as to steal people from under his nose. That was even bolder than anything he'd done!
Granted, he'd pulled similar stunts before, but even he wouldn't march into another Familia's territory and tell their god to their face, "I'm taking your people."
Even if he did, he'd at least make up some excuse to smooth things over.
And even with that, he'd always thought he was already pushing the limits of shamelessness—but Loki had just outdone him.
She actually sent her captain to tell him, openly and directly, "I'm taking your people."
"And all your Familia's property."
"Pfft!"
Apollo almost spat blood on the spot. He was this close to getting kicked straight back up to Tenkai.
He had already thought Loki's move was shameless enough, but this? This was next-level shameless.
Not only did she want his people—she wanted to clean out his vault too.
Apollo took a deep breath, but right then, he nearly ground his back teeth to dust.
"Is there even a limit to her shamelessness!?"
"Her Familia's way bigger than mine, and she's got three Lv.6s. Don't tell me she's running out of money?"
"Taking my people is bad enough, but now she wants my cash too?"
"Why not just kill me and get it over with!?"
Hearing the sorrow and rage in Apollo's voice, Finn couldn't help but sympathize.
Truthfully, there was no real grudge between Apollo Familia and Loki Familia. Launching a sudden attack like this was indeed underhanded.
But there was no choice. A special girl who was vital to the survival of their Familia was inside Apollo's ranks. Even if it meant playing dirty, they had to make a move.
And Apollo's final outburst? That was just word-for-word what Loki had said to him earlier.
"Then, Apollo-sama, are you refusing?"
"...!?"
Apollo hesitated just as the words were about to leave his mouth.
Faced with this kind of blatant robbery, his instinct was to reject it outright—but would that even help?
He glanced at Finn and asked reflexively, "If I refuse... Loki wouldn't really come after me, would she?"
"Of course not."
Finn shook his head with righteous conviction, and that eased Apollo's heart a little.
"But Orario's been pretty unstable lately. Ishtar was deported by Ouranos for working with the Evilus."
"If..."
Finn paused mid-sentence, then gave Apollo a casual glance before continuing.
"If another Familia is found to have ties to the Evilus, the situation in Orario will get even worse."
"Loki mentioned wanting to investigate and wipe out the remnants of the Evilus."
...Damn it!
Apollo's just-relaxed nerves instantly tensed again.
Investigate? Wipe out? Wasn't that aimed directly at him?
This was a threat.
It was definitely a threat!
And when he thought of the Ishtar Familia being wiped out, and Ishtar herself being deported without even the courtesy of an official expulsion, Apollo couldn't help but get nervous.
'Loki, that crazy woman, wouldn't go that far... right?'
'It's just two children, right? Just a little money, right? She wouldn't actually try to get me thrown out, would she?'
But the more he tried to convince himself, the less confident he felt.
Back in Tenkai, Loki had been ruthless to the other gods. Sure, no one really died since they were all divine, but aside from not killing anyone, she'd done practically everything else.
If you were asking whether that lunatic would have the nerve to wipe out his entire Familia? Apollo was sure she absolutely would. In fact, even if he had nothing to do with the Evilus, she'd probably find a way to pin it on him anyway.
If it came to that, he'd become the second Ishtar.
Just imagining being sent back to that dull, dead-boring Tenkai made Apollo's expression twist in protest.
He'd finally gotten to enjoy the thrilling, vibrant life of the Genkai—why would he want to go back?
Give up all the cute children of the lower world? Give up the chance to meet even more adorable ones? Absolutely not!
Who in their right mind would want to return to the boring monotony of Tenkai?
If he wanted to avoid being deported, then compromising with Loki was his only option.
And that made Apollo feel like he'd just swallowed crap.
But what choice did he have?
His Familia couldn't hope to stand up to Loki's.
He had no choice but to give in.
"Which two children?"
Only Apollo himself knew how much it hurt to say those words.
He had affection for every one of his children, and if Loki picked his absolute favorites, wouldn't that be the end of him?
"Daphne Lauros and Cassandra Ilion."
Apollo repeated the names silently in his mind, and his mood lightened slightly.
'Hah... Daphne's a bit of a shame, but Cassandra's manageable.'
Daphne was the Familia's lead tactician and had clearly demonstrated real command talent—not to mention her personal strength wasn't bad either.
Cassandra, in contrast, was more mediocre. She was a support-type, someone who stayed in the backline. Even though she had healing magic, she wasn't irreplaceable.
Of course, Apollo remembered both girls vividly.
They were completely his type. The problem was, he hadn't gotten to "taste" either of them yet.
Not for lack of desire—the first was outright hostile toward him, and the second was always being protected by the first, leaving him no chance at all.
Still, from Apollo's perspective, this was a lucky break. Losing these two was better than losing others.
He did feel it was a pity to give up on Daphne's potential, though. Training another one like her wouldn't be easy.
But that was still a cheaper price than getting deported to Tenkai.
The only thing truly painful was having to give up all his wealth.
"...Those two, I can accept."
"But this won't happen again, will it?"
Once was more than enough for Apollo.
To that, Finn gave a clear answer.
"Please rest assured, Apollo-sama. Our goodness only intends to do this once."
Fine. As miserable as it was, compared to being deported, Apollo decided he could endure it.
Chapter 190: Chapter 190: Freya, Suppressing Her Curiosity (Bonus)
Chapter Text
The news that the Loki Familia had declared a War Game against the Apollo Familia spread throughout Orario the very next day.
Naturally, it reached the ears of Freya, the Goddess of Beauty.
"Loki's making the first move again."
War Games were rare entertainment for the gods of Orario, but Freya didn't find much joy in them. What truly piqued her interest was why Loki would go after the Apollo Familia.
"Ottar, did you find out why she went after Ishtar?"
Not long ago, Loki had mobilized her forces to bring down Ishtar's Familia—and even Ishtar herself had been sent back to Tenkai.
But Freya didn't believe it was simply because of Evilus.
To be frank, she didn't think Loki was the type to go through so much trouble for something that brought her no benefit.
There had to be a deeper reason—one that left Loki with no other choice.
Of course, this was also the question behind Ottar's long silence.
Freya gave a slight smile. It seemed even now, the real reason was still out of reach.
"So Loki does have a purpose... and she's doing everything she can to keep it hidden."
That was much more in line with the Loki she knew.
"The Loki Familia's been keeping things under wraps lately, haven't they?"
"Yes."
Ottar gave a small bow. If they hadn't sealed off information internally, he wouldn't have been completely in the dark about Loki's recent actions.
Freya watched Ottar, her interest piqued by his bowed head.
"It's kind of fun seeing you mess up once in a while."
"Please forgive me, my goddess."
"Heh~ don't worry so much about success or failure. Seeing your normally calm heart get shaken like this is entertaining too."
Freya wasn't particularly bothered by the fact that her child hadn't gotten to the bottom of things. She had her own suspicions already.
"It was Hestia's child who gave Loki the idea to take on Ishtar."
"And Loki only moved against Apollo after meeting with Hestia."
"You all investigated it, didn't you? Loki brought her three children to find Hephaestus. Even though they didn't find her, they entered some special area... and disappeared."
A faint shift passed through Ottar's eyes.
"Yes."
"Later, Loki-sama and Finn's group of four suddenly emerged from that area."
"According to Hedin's observations, the surrounding space was intricately arranged. What's inside can't be confirmed without entering."
A subtle smile curled at the corner of Freya's lips. So they had found something.
"And where is this place?"
"It's on the far edge of Orario—a wasteland. A ruined site from the past, of little value and with no potential for development."
"Who bought the land?"
"It was acquired through a commission by Hephaestus, but the ownership belongs to Hestia."
"Just as I thought."
Freya had suspected from the beginning that the one behind all of this was the child she had once misjudged.
"That child really does like to hide."
But she didn't dislike this game of hide-and-seek.
It might be a bit childish for a game, but Freya found it utterly intriguing.
Even though they had only met once, that special child now stirred a boundless curiosity in her she could no longer contain.
"Freya-sama, shall we go investigate?"
Freya rested her chin in her hand, thought for a moment, then gently shook her head.
"Forget it."
"That child is far more interesting than I imagined. But now that he's gathered quite the force, provoking him without reason isn't something I want."
Right now, Freya's curiosity toward Hestia's child far outweighed everything else.
Although she was bothered by misjudging someone for the first time, it was only a minor concern.
She wouldn't make any moves until she was sure that Hestia's child was truly the one she'd been waiting for. Some things could wait until certainty came. Besides, the current situation wasn't one she could step into carelessly.
'He's already drawn in Hephaestus and Loki, and with Hestia's connections among the gods, that's enough to rally quite a few to her side.'
'If I stir up all the gods now, wouldn't Ouranos be the next to send me back to Tenkai?'
Unlike most gods, Freya clearly understood where Ouranos drew the line. Once that line was crossed, even a god who normally wouldn't interfere would take action.
That was something she had no desire to see.
Her charm might sway other gods, but whether it worked on Ouranos was another matter entirely.
That god—like Zeus and Odin—was one of the first and oldest. He couldn't be measured by the standards of ordinary deities.
Which was why the one thing Freya wanted to avoid most was crossing his line.
"That child must have made thorough preparations. It's not something just anyone can barge into. Besides, those magical inscriptions carry something special."
"If someone clueless breaks in... they may not come back."
Freya had conducted a more detailed analysis of the Rune Stones brought back previously. The results had shocked her even more.
The "principle" within those magical scripts was far from ordinary.
Rather than calling them a product of magic, it would be more accurate to call them a product of "Law."
The Rune Stones contained very little magical energy, yet the power they demonstrated surpassed even that of high-grade magic swords.
Was that even reasonable?
From Freya's perspective, without the "Law" embedded in them, the Rune Stones would have no power at all.
If one could grasp the "Law" written into those characters, they could reproduce the Rune Stone's power.
Yet even Freya couldn't comprehend it.
It was as if the "Law" was something only certain people were allowed to access.
Naturally, this reminded Freya of Authority.
'No, it's not like Authority.'
'It is Authority.'
And it was precisely because of this realization that Freya's curiosity toward Hestia's child had deepened—but even so, she continued to respect the boundaries.
The "unknown" was like a drug that gods couldn't help but crave.
But how many gods could resist that temptation? How many could still hold themselves back?
Perhaps only Freya, whose desires were the strongest, could do it.
'Doesn't this make me even more curious?'
Freya couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
She held back her desires—but the pull of the unknown still captivated her.
Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Struggling to Salvage Pride (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"This time Loki's targeting Apollo? Did that guy go and provoke her for no reason?"
"No way, no way. With how spineless Apollo is, there's no chance he'd pick a fight with Loki."
"Yeah... you're probably right."
The Denatus—a regular gathering of the gods in Orario—was like a tea party where old friends met up to share the latest gossip and happenings.
But today's meeting wasn't for idle chatter. Everyone had gathered to discuss the sudden War Game between Loki and Apollo.
Still, every god present knew the battle was just for show.
Loki's side had several Level 5s and 6s. Apollo, with only a single Level 3, didn't stand a chance.
Even without a Level 6, just a few of Loki's so-called "Level 5" were more than enough to wipe out the entire Apollo Familia.
"So why's Loki going after Apollo? She can't be doing it just for fun, right?"
"Not likely. With Loki's personality, she must have a reason. Remember when she wrecked us? She had ten goals back then. This time's gotta be the same."
"In Tenkai, she only toyed with us because she needed something to amuse herself, right?"
Those casual remarks echoed the shared frustration of many gods.
In Tenkai, plenty of them had been tormented by Loki. The title "Evil God" wasn't praise—it was just a nickname for her outrageous personality.
Things were better here in Genkai. At least she didn't treat all the gods like her personal playthings anymore.
Freya sat in the front row, dressed in a white gown, calmly listening to the surrounding conversations. She was waiting—for Loki to reveal her true intentions.
'What kind of information did that child give to Loki?'
The thought only deepened Freya's curiosity.
The two gods at the heart of this War Game were now seated at the center on the white jade platform, prepared to negotiate the terms in front of the gathered deities.
After all, War Games were launched through the demands of the Familia Gods.
And for the gods here, the most entertaining part of this so-called "formality" was hearing the two deities hash things out.
Loki's aggressive eyes bore into Apollo, making him sweat under the pressure.
The awful memories of Loki tormenting him in Tenkai resurfaced in a flash. Just facing those squinted eyes made Apollo's skin crawl.
"First off, if I win this game, I want everything your Familia owns... and your two children."
Apollo had heard these kinds of demands before, but this time, Loki's phrasing was vague. He had to get her to spell it out—otherwise, this crazy woman might twist things later.
"Which two? Say it clearly."
Loki immediately understood what Apollo meant, but she didn't really care to argue.
She wasn't after his toys. She wanted real talent.
"Daphne Lauros and Cassandra Ilion. Those two are who I want."
Hearing the names, Apollo silently let out a breath of relief.
At least Loki wasn't bluffing.
"Clerk, record all of that."
Just to be safe, Apollo reminded the scribe nearby to take down every word.
"And if I win?"
"Then I'll accept whatever conditions you set."
Loki laid it out bluntly. The gap in strength was obvious—Apollo had no real chance, so she didn't need to negotiate.
"What kind of match are we playing?"
Loki casually tossed the question back to Apollo, letting him choose how he'd lose.
The very idea made Apollo sick.
He wasn't an idiot. No matter what kind of match it was, it would end in a brutal defeat.
Still, having already been humiliated once, he didn't want to make things worse.
Even if he was doomed to lose, he'd at least try to keep a shred of dignity.
"How about a siege battle?"
"Oh~ I don't mind, but in a siege match, you're the only one who's going to end up humiliated."
"Who said I'm fighting your whole Familia in a siege battle!"
Apollo wasn't stupid—he knew he had no advantage in a direct siege scenario.
Whether attacking or defending, he'd be crushed either way.
Still, he chose the siege format because he hoped to at least showcase his children's courage.
If nothing else, it might help salvage a bit of dignity in the end.
"Your Familia has three Level 6s, four Level 5s, and a bunch of Level 4s. No matter how I look at it, my children can't match that."
"So, Loki, I want a limit on how many members your Familia can send."
If it was a full-on clash, it would be like throwing eggs at a stone. But if Loki's side sent only a few against his whole Familia, at least it wouldn't look like a complete one-sided slaughter. That way, he could preserve a little pride.
"Well, I don't see a problem with that."
Loki shrugged slightly but accepted the condition.
"My Familia will only send two members. But because we're sending just two, we'll be the attackers."
'Two people...'
Apollo repeated in his mind. One would've been even better, but he knew better than to push his luck with Loki.
They were going to lose either way. Still, getting beaten by two was slightly less shameful than getting wiped out by one.
He added one more term.
"During the War Game, neither side can use any support items."
It was an extra restriction.
Apollo knew full well it worked against him, but it was also a way to place some limits on Loki.
In a head-on clash, injuries were inevitable.
If there were only two enemies, and his children coordinated their efforts properly, they might at least land a few blows—even against the Loki Familia.
If they could manage to injure someone from Loki's side, it wouldn't feel like a total loss.
The difference in levels was massive—glaringly so.
Even dealing some damage would count as a moral victory.
Loki gave Apollo a quick glance, pouted slightly, but didn't object.
"Alright, then neither side can use support items."
Chapter 192: Chapter 192: The Key Lies with These Two Children (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Freya, seated in the front row, had already memorized the names of the two children.
'Property and two children... is the Loki Familia short on funds?'
After a moment of thought, Freya understood why Loki had gone after Apollo.
'Loki must have already bought quite a few Rune Stones from Hestia's child.'
'She's even snatching Apollo's assets on the side. Looks like she's spent a lot preparing for the next expedition.'
Of course, Freya knew the real issue wasn't the money—it was the two children she had named.
'Daphne Lauros and Cassandra Ilion. Were these two the ones that child recommended to Loki?'
'The highest-ranked adventurer in Apollo's Familia is a Level 3—and he's also their captain.'
'So, are those two children truly talented?'
Since she hadn't looked into Apollo's Familia before, Freya wasn't sure what kind of abilities those two possessed.
Although she was a bit late to act, she began to form a bold hypothesis.
'Then... could it be that Loki's attack on Ishtar was also on that child's suggestion?'
It wouldn't be hard to confirm.
Freya turned her gaze toward Loki and Apollo, who had just finished bickering.
Once the two were done arguing, the Denatus meeting officially came to an end.
Freya didn't bother staying to listen to their pointless chatter—none of it was worth her time.
Leaving the current floor of Babel Tower, Freya returned straight to her residence.
There, the captain of the Freya Familia, Ottar, stood at the entrance like a knight, waiting for her return.
"Ottar, investigate Daphne Lauros and Cassandra Ilion from the Apollo Familia."
"And find out which new children recently joined the Loki Familia."
"I understand."
After a brief reply, Ottar opened the door and let Freya inside first, then left to begin the investigation.
Freya returned to her quarters and quietly waited for the intel.
Looking into recent additions to the Loki Familia wasn't difficult. The two in Apollo's group were also formally registered adventurers, so acquiring their information wouldn't be hard either.
Ottar only needed one trip to the Guild before returning with four files in hand.
Freya calmly reviewed the documents he'd brought, pulling out the files of the two girls.
"So these two are the reason Loki moved against Ishtar and Apollo..."
Sanjouno Haruhime and Cassandra Ilion.
After reading the documents, Freya was able to pinpoint Loki's true targets.
Judging by their records, the two girls had rather low abilities. As adventurers, there was nothing outstanding about them, unlike the other two who were much stronger by comparison.
But it was exactly because of that contrast that Freya could be certain—Loki's eyes were on those two girls.
Aisha Belka's surface-level abilities were quite solid. She wielded fairly powerful magic, had ample combat experience, and was currently a Level 3 adventurer. A child like her still had room for growth and might very well reach even greater heights with continued training.
Daphne Lauros also appeared promising. As a commander within the Apollo Familia, she showed sufficient talent and had the potential to progress further.
But when it came to Sanjouno Haruhime and Cassandra Ilion, their profiles were severely lacking.
Sanjouno Haruhime's record was practically empty—only her name was listed. There were no details about her magic or skills whatsoever.
To Freya, that alone was a serious red flag.
If Loki had chosen this girl, it meant she had a talent or potential remarkable enough for Loki to act immediately—so much so that she was willing to wipe out the entire Ishtar Familia just to get her.
'What kind of talent does this child have that drove Loki to strike so fiercely against Ishtar, who usually stayed out of her way?'
After going through Aisha Belka's file, Freya was certain: the one Loki truly wanted, the one she couldn't resist moving against Ishtar for, was not the active Level 3 adventurer—it was the girl with no data, Sanjouno Haruhime.
And why was Freya so sure that Loki's attack on Ishtar was because of this child?
"This information came from the Ishtar Familia, didn't it?"
"Yes."
Upon receiving confirmation, Freya's smile grew even more radiant.
"Then it wasn't Loki who hid this child's information so thoroughly."
"So Ishtar was playing her own game... She must've been saving this piece to use against me."
Ishtar believed this girl could threaten Freya—and yet Loki took her anyway, destroying Ishtar's Familia in the process.
That said a lot.
Sanjouno Haruhime possessed enough power to potentially upend Freya's entire Familia.
Having come to this conclusion, Freya finally began to understand the subtle moves Ishtar had made against her before being sent back to Tenkai.
But as her gaze shifted to Cassandra Ilion's file, her expression turned blank.
'Then why did Loki set her sights on this child?'
'Apollo avoids both me and Loki, and his Familia doesn't even have anyone as strong as Ishtar's Level 5s. He poses no threat to either of us.'
'Besides, Apollo's not smart enough to pull off anything that complicated.'
Yes, he was a lustful fool, but even he wouldn't have done something as reckless as Ishtar had.
In terms of personality, Apollo wasn't as thoroughly rotten as Ishtar.
Still, his methods left much to be desired.
And given his nature, if he'd known one of his children had something special about them, he likely would've already made a move.
The fact that Apollo hadn't hidden anything—and didn't even flinch during the Denatus—made one thing crystal clear: Apollo was still the same clueless Apollo.
But that only made Freya even more intrigued.
What exactly was it about Cassandra Ilion that caught Loki's attention?
Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Is This Shiki’s Blade!? (Bonus)
Chapter Text
No matter how you looked at it, the Loki Familia and Apollo Familia were officially at war now.
While the gods all knew Apollo had virtually no chance of winning—he was, after all, up against the second most powerful force in Orario—he still pushed forward. At the Denatus, Apollo had laid out several conditions, and Loki had agreed to send only two members of her Familia to participate.
But that vague agreement—without specifying who—was the real kicker.
No one knew which members Loki would choose, but it was certain that one of them would be at least a Level 5, if not Level 6.
So no one questioned who would win in the end.
That said, it didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm for the War Game.
Even if the outcome seemed predetermined, the choice of participants could still affect the direction of the battle.
Different adventurers brought different fighting styles to the table.
And what the gods really wanted to see was exactly which two of Loki's children would be sent in to utterly dominate the game.
While some treated the match as a festival, there were others who didn't give it a second thought.
One of those was Bell.
Early that morning, Bell had headed straight into the Dungeon, completely ignoring the divine assembly. What mattered more to him right now was testing how "Robust Health" would help him in actual combat.
So, after mentioning it briefly to Hestia-sama, he went straight to the Dungeon.
"Zzzzt!"
A bolt of lightning streaked through the Dungeon, flashing across the corridors at impossible speed as it surged to the next floor.
Were it not for its concealment, every adventurer in the Dungeon would've noticed.
It wasn't until the tenth floor that the bolt abruptly stopped, revealing Bell's figure.
'The improvement is obvious.'
Lightning Transformation was the earliest combat method Bell had developed from "Lightning Command"—a technique inspired by certain anime.
By turning his body into lightning, he could achieve a state of true "godspeed."
The magic cost of "Lightning Command" was closely tied to range: the closer the magic's effect was to the caster's body, the lower the cost.
But long-range attacks caused magic consumption to spike exponentially.
That was why Lightning Transformation had become Bell's go-to technique.
Still, despite its usefulness, it wasn't without drawbacks.
Using it for too long caused muscle soreness.
Just like lactic acid buildup during exercise, maintaining Lightning Transformation too long led to fatigue.
Bell had run into this issue before, which was why he always kept the strain within manageable limits to make his use of Lightning Transformation more efficient.
The problem stemmed largely from his earlier poor physical condition.
But as Bell's physical strength improved, the fatigue it caused gradually lessened, allowing him to maintain the transformation longer.
Before he had been infused with the concept of "Robust Health," even reaching the tenth floor using Lightning Transformation left his body tired.
But today, after hitting the tenth floor with the same technique, he didn't feel even the slightest exhaustion—his body felt like it had just finished warming up.
'The Robust Health of a true hero really is something else.'
Bell was once again struck by how powerful a Heroic Spirit's concept could be—and how much it had helped him.
'Robust Health has dramatically boosted my endurance... I can feel my body still growing.'
After that burst of movement, his body felt slightly warm, but he could also feel it developing at an accelerated pace.
It was as if "Personal Training" and "Robust Health" worked in perfect harmony, amplifying his physical growth.
'Robust Health really does patch up my biggest weakness.'
Bell had always prioritized raising his "Status." Only by pushing his stats to the limit could he go further in the future.
The Runic Letters were essential for training his magic.
Lightning Transformation was key for agility and dexterity.
And Robust Health now boosted his strength and endurance growth.
With that, Bell had a method to train each of his abilities efficiently.
Of course, basic combat already helped raise strength and endurance.
But after a battle, increases in agility and dexterity always outpaced those in strength and durability.
Over time, this situation started to resemble how things were before Bell reached Level 2—where he had to deliberately train his strength and endurance.
It was clear this had begun to slow his overall growth. Even Bell's fighting style had subtly shifted after his last upgrade.
He had started to move away from pure high-speed combat, shifting toward a more technique-focused style, with speed playing a secondary role.
Sometimes, he even had to intentionally take hits to stimulate the growth of his physical strength and toughness.
'A solid improvement, but the direction I'm heading in has changed. I can't rely solely on speed like I used to.'
While his improved physical capabilities had raised the ceiling of his potential, they hadn't altered his path forward.
High-speed combat remained Bell's ultimate trump card—but in day-to-day battles, he relied more on runes and refined technique.
"~Huff… Hah…"
Bell let out a slow breath. The excitement bubbling within him quickly calmed.
He was on the path of all-rounded development, which meant maintaining a careful balance at all times.
His "Status" had to be improved across the board—not just in one area.
So getting overly excited just because one weakness had been patched up wasn't going to help.
Just as he was about to pull "Kuji Kanesada" out from his four-dimensional storage, Bell paused.
'Wait... didn't I complete the set for Kuji Kanesada?'
During yesterday's gacha pull, he'd only skimmed over it before being completely distracted by the last Heroic Spirit card.
'Now that I think about it... yeah, I did finish it.'
"Enhance Kuji Kanesada."
[Requires 1,000,000 Valis.]
Fresh off a fortunate encounter with the Loki Familia, Bell wasn't hurting for funds, so he confirmed the enhancement without hesitation.
The four "Kuji Kanesada" cards he hadn't yet withdrawn floated up and merged into the sword.
A pale light enveloped the blade. One by one, the cards fused into it, lengthening the sword from its original 70 centimeters to a full meter. Then, distinct kanji glowed faintly along the blade's surface.
[Kuji Kanesada: A blade favored by the Woman of the Void from another world. Imbued by the Root itself, it possesses unique properties.]
[Note: Bestowed with the special traits [Cuts Through All Things] and [Indestructible].]
Bell stared at the annotation in silence for a long moment.
'So... this is really the sword Shiki Ryougi uses?'
He had thought it was just a conceptual weapon—an idea based on the legendary Kuji Kanesada.
But looking at it now, that clearly wasn't the case.
This Kuji Kanesada—it had to be the very blade wielded by Shiki Ryougi herself.
Chapter 194: Chapter 194: The “Cuts Through All Things” Trait Is Broken (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Bell studied the Kuji Kanesada in his hand carefully. The blade was now thirty centimeters longer, with the "Nine Syllable Seals" engraved along its surface. It didn't look like the one Shiki Ryougi used at all.
Then he glanced at the description—and realization struck.
'Not Shiki Ryougi... it's Void Shiki!'
'This is the Kuji Kanesada wielded by Void Shiki!'
As the thought sank in, Bell went completely still. She was the undisputed apex of the Type-Moon world—the woman who observed the beginning and end of existence itself. The trait "Cuts Through All Things" was absolutely terrifying. If this sword struck, it would cleave anything without resistance.
Had it been just a normal Kuji Kanesada, having such a property would've been absurd.
But if it belonged to Void Shiki, then it made perfect sense.
In her hands, even the most unreasonable weapon became perfectly justifiable.
Bell looked again at the slightly lengthened blade.
'Cuts through all things... because she sees death, she can cleave anything.'
'So this version of Kuji Kanesada retained that trait?'
'That's just... insane.'
It wasn't quite at the level of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception that could kill gods by tracing death lines—but even so, a sword that could cut through anything was immensely powerful.
At the very least, Bell no longer had to worry about armor-breaking ever again.
He also realized something else.
'As expected, every Max Limit Broken Craft Essence comes with a big surprise—and this one's no different.'
With "Cuts Through All Things" and "Indestructible," this Kuji Kanesada was already standing at the pinnacle of the world's weaponry.
'Kuji Kanesada for armor-breaking, Hydra Dagger for poison, Hestia Knife for high-speed combat… I've nearly completed my full combat loadout.'
Craft Essences had filled all his weapon needs.
Concept Craft Essences and Heroic Spirit Cards covered his strength and potential.
Bit by bit, Bell was growing stronger under their influence.
Still, the more he interacted with them, the more convinced he became—
'These concepts and Heroic Spirits... are all just crazy.'
"Time to test it out."
...
Bell glanced across the tenth floor and was surprised—he couldn't see a single adventurer.
"That's weird. Not even one adventurer on this floor?"
Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen many people on his way down either. The Dungeon was way quieter than usual.
'Could there be some kind of event or festival on the surface today?'
He remembered what Eina had mentioned about the upcoming Monsterphilia and even warned him to avoid the Ganesha Familia while they were capturing monsters.
But since entering the Dungeon, he hadn't seen a single member of the Ganesha Familia.
He wasn't sure whether the monsters had already been caught or if the capture hadn't even started.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
'Wait, could it be… the Loki Familia and Apollo Familia have officially started the war?'
Bell had overheard yesterday that Loki-sama had declared war on the Apollo Familia.
But that had just been a declaration—not a formal start to the War Game.
'It couldn't have started this fast, could it?'
Even after declaring war, both sides needed time to prepare. How could they have begun already?
Bell shook his head, pushing the thought aside.
Whether the two Familias were fighting today didn't really concern him.
If the war had started already, then Loki-sama was truly impatient.
Shaking off those distractions, Bell gripped his newly enhanced Kuji Kanesada and locked onto his target.
Deep in the misty forest, the orcs began to stir.
"Oohhh~"
At such a close range, they could clearly smell a human. Every nearby orc turned toward the scent.
A shadow emerged through the thick fog, and the orcs who saw it immediately grabbed their spiked clubs.
As the figure drew closer, the orcs charged forward with angry roars and raised weapons.
The lead orc swung its club downward—
"Clang!"
Before it could finish the motion, a flash of steel streaked past, cleaving through the club and the orc's hand in a single vertical slash.
Green blood sprayed across the forest floor.
The delayed surge of pain made the orc unleash an uncontrollable howl.
Its central Magic Stone hadn't been destroyed, so it was still alive—but the agony was enough to make even monsters cry out in misery.
At the center of its severed arm—where no blood had splattered—stood a lone figure, cloaked in a windbreaker, gripping a long blade.
The scent of human flesh stirred the surrounding orcs into action.
Rather than being shaken by their comrade's cries, they charged in with a bloodthirsty instinct.
From the left, one orc swung its spiked club in a wide arc toward the figure.
But the figure didn't dodge. Didn't use any technique. He simply stepped forward—and brought his sword down.
There was no clang of weapons clashing. The blade sliced through the club like it was butter, clean and smooth, with no sign of resistance.
'Cuts Through All Things… it really does feel like the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.'
'This effect is absolutely brutal on Kuji Kanesada.'
Bell could hardly believe what he'd just seen had come from the sword in his hand.
That orc's club wasn't some flimsy stick. Back when he trained here before, he'd never been able to break such a weapon so effortlessly—even using Kuji Kanesada.
But now, it felt like it had no resistance at all.
'The Max Limit Break traits of Kuji Kanesada might be too powerful.'
Originally, Bell had treated Kuji Kanesada as just another weapon. Who would've thought it would turn into something strategic in a single day?
'This must be the effect of Void Shiki's death-seeing perception.'
'Those death lines… nothing can block them once they're struck.'
Everyone knew that death lines couldn't be defended against.
Once hit, death was inevitable.
But looking at the two orcs whose hands had been severed, Bell could tell they hadn't been cut along their death lines.
His keen eyesight picked up the subtle twitching of muscle in the wounds—the flesh even seemed to be slowly drawing together. Not some unnatural regeneration, but a natural, biological response.
But if a death line had truly been severed, could there even be a chance of clotting?
Which meant... the sword hadn't severed the death line itself.
It had merely carved through it—bypassing all defenses.
'Even just having the effect of "Cuts Through All Things" is more than enough.'
Bell wasn't someone to chase after more than he needed. With Kuji Kanesada's current power, it was already more than overwhelming.
'Still, I do wonder... would this work on a weapon with an "indestructible" trait?'
That, at least, was something Bell remained curious about.
Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Bell’s Doubts (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Phew."
After clearing out the tenth and eleventh floors, Bell finally stopped and let out a breath.
After facing two full floors of Orcs, Bell had confirmed one thing—Kuji Kanesada was truly absurd. The Orcs' spiked clubs felt like they were made of butter; they posed no threat whatsoever.
'It's about time to think about heading to the next floor.'
The tenth and eleventh floors no longer posed any challenge to Bell. Whether it was Orcs, Kobolds, or the occasional Infant Dragon, none of them could pressure him in the slightest.
Truth be told, he hadn't felt any real pressure from the monsters on those floors in a long time.
With that in mind, Bell knew it was time to stop lingering and begin pushing deeper.
He stood at the boundary between the eleventh and twelfth floors, still hesitating.
Cautious by nature, Bell preferred to manage himself carefully and only take on challenges within his comfort zone. Pushing too far beyond that wasn't a challenge—it was suicide.
What he hated most were reckless actions driven by a lack of self-awareness.
Do what your strength allows, and don't stick your neck into things beyond your reach—that's how you grow steadily.
Pushing yourself within reasonable limits is how you break through.
But once you cross a certain line, you're just being irresponsible.
Still, after nearly a week of preparation and reflection, Bell judged that he was ready to move forward.
He didn't plan to head straight to the Safety Point on the eighteenth floor. Instead, he'd spend half a day exploring the twelfth floor, then start preparing for the thirteenth—the gateway to the Middle Floors.
Of course, Bell wasn't planning to dive into the Middle Floors today.
At Level 2, heading into the Middle Floors alone required solid preparation.
This was a critical phase for any Adventurer—the monsters down there weren't as forgiving as those in the Upper Floors.
In fact, the thirteenth floor was considered the second major trial for Adventurers moving forward.
Only those who passed that second trial could be truly deemed worthy of continuing deeper.
That's why Bell was being extra cautious.
After a steadying breath, he began walking toward the twelfth floor.
Following a long descent down a winding staircase, he finally reached it.
The eleventh floor had looked like a small, self-contained world, but the twelfth reverted to the feel of a cavern.
Starting from the tenth floor, Magic Stone lamps had stopped appearing in the dungeon.
Although the tenth and eleventh floors were covered in thick mist, they were still surprisingly bright—the ambient light made it easy enough to see without artificial illumination. But the twelfth floor was pitch black.
Without Magic Stone lamps to light the way, navigating the twelfth floor in complete darkness became far more difficult.
A torch would've helped, but in a place like this, lighting one was basically the same as painting a target on yourself.
So Bell opted not to use a torch. Instead, he let himself melt into the darkness, allowing his eyes to slowly adjust so he could take in his surroundings.
"!?"
As his vision cleared, Bell's expression shifted slightly.
Aside from the entrance, the entire floor was littered with bones—dense and scattered everywhere.
Of course, these weren't human remains. They belonged to the monsters of the twelfth floor—the Spartoi, otherwise known as Skeleton Monsters.
'That's an astonishing number of Spartoi.'
What really caught Bell's attention was how the Spartoi were all lying in disorganized heaps, nothing more than lifeless skeletons. Their harmless appearance could easily fool someone.
And with no Magic Stone lamps to help, the poor lighting made it easy to miss what was scattered right at your feet...
'Yeah... this really is Hidetaka Miyazaki.'
The setup instantly reminded Bell of Dark Souls. That infamous old trickster loved pulling stunts like this—scaring players out of nowhere, spiking their heart rate, and subtly shifting their mindset mid-game.
'I didn't think these Spartoi would have the potential to play dirty like that.'
Bell sighed silently. Reversing his grip, he drove his blade straight through a skull lying on the ground.
Crack!
The blade struck clean, shattering the Magic Stone hidden within the Spartoi's skull.
The sound of the stone breaking echoed loudly, and immediately, the entire floor responded with a chorus of clack clack clack.
...
With his eyes already adjusted to the darkness, Bell clearly saw the scattered skeletons—once lying still like harmless decoys—suddenly snap together and begin to move. Their response time was frighteningly fast.
Sensing danger, Bell took a few steps back, watching as the Spartoi turned toward the source of the sound. Only then did he realize how sensitive they truly were—just the faint sound of a Magic Stone shattering had drawn their full attention.
'These things are really sensitive to sound.'
In this pitch-black environment, they weren't hindered by the darkness at all. They had sharp hearing and an uncanny ability to locate movement.
Fighting enemies like this in such a setting was going to be a real pain.
But beyond their traits, something else had caught Bell's attention.
'Just now... Kuji Kanesada got blocked when I stabbed down on that skull.'
That's right—Kuji Kanesada, a weapon capable of "cutting through all things," had lost the sharp edge that sliced through Orc clubs like nothing. This time, it only pierced the skull thanks to its inherent sharpness.
'It was cutting through Orc weapons like butter. So how did it lose momentum against a simple skull?'
Bell didn't quite get it, but he'd already found his next target.
Silently, he crept up behind another Spartoi and drove his blade straight into its skull.
Crack!
Once again, the strike hit true, and the Spartoi instantly crumbled into a heap of bones.
Bell quickly retreated after landing the blow.
Once he was back in a safe position, his doubts only deepened.
'That strike felt off.'
He had focused during the attack but hadn't deliberately aimed for the Magic Stone—yet somehow still struck it perfectly.
And more than that, the sharpness of the blade had returned—it felt just like when he was cleaving through Orcs. Like slicing through butter.
It was as if he instinctively knew where to land a critical hit.
That eerie sensation made Bell increasingly uneasy.
'What's going on?'
'This should be my first time fighting Spartoi... so why does it feel so familiar?'
Chapter 196: Chapter 196: A Chance Encounter on the Way Back (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Bell could clearly feel that his understanding of the Spartoi had deepened—so much so that he was now instinctively targeting the Magic Stones hidden in their skulls. But where had this instinct even come from?
He had no idea.
He knew the Guild offered strategies for dealing with many types of monsters, but because he'd always been cautious, he'd only ever studied the monster data for the first ten floors.
To learn about creatures from deeper levels, you had to borrow additional books. Without those, it was impossible to grasp their traits in detail.
So how did he know anything about the Spartoi?
Bell distinctly remembered not purchasing any information about monsters beyond the tenth floor. So how could he possibly be this familiar with them?
Even he couldn't explain it.
It felt like, after taking down the first Spartoi—he suddenly just knew where their Magic Stones were located.
What's more, based on observation, Bell could confirm that Spartoi didn't have much visual range, but their hearing was extremely sharp, with a strong ability to pinpoint sounds spatially. If he hadn't been so habitually cautious upon entering the floor, he would've been surrounded by now.
But that only made it stranger—why had he instinctively focused on these details and figured out the Spartoi's traits so quickly?
'I don't understand this at all.'
Bell glanced across the floor at the remaining Spartoi. Frowning slightly, he turned and chose to leave.
Continuing deeper into the Dungeon without first understanding the changes happening within himself was clearly unwise.
It was this lack of control that Bell hated most.
Next time he returned to explore, he would definitely be prepared for the Middle Floors.
But before that, he needed to figure out what was going on with him.
On the way back, Bell slowed his pace.
As he walked, he kept thinking hard about the phenomenon he'd just experienced.
'It's so strange. All I knew was the name "Spartoi"—so how am I suddenly this familiar with them?'
The first time he drove his blade into a skull, it was simply because it seemed like the only place something could be hidden. It was obvious that the Spartoi's Magic Stone would be inside the skull. So when he made that first move, Bell hadn't even aimed to strike the stone directly.
Yet he got lucky and pierced it with a single blow.
But the second time?
That time, he stabbed straight through the skull—and he was certain he'd aimed for the Magic Stone.
Not consciously, but subconsciously. His instincts had aligned perfectly with the Magic Stone's position, and that subconscious attack had landed a clean, critical hit.
Which meant something was seriously off with that instinct.
'Robust Health shouldn't have an ability like this.'
The first thing Bell ruled out was the concept of "Robust Health," which he'd instilled in himself just yesterday.
That concept strictly enhanced physical strength—it shouldn't be capable of triggering subconscious reactions like this.
So, "Robust Health" clearly wasn't the real cause.
That left only one possibility:
The enhanced "Kuji Kanesada."
'Looks like it has to be Kuji Kanesada.'
Bell wasn't exactly a master of deduction, but even he could see the pattern.
Since yesterday, the only changes he'd made were applying "Robust Health" to his body and then enhancing Kuji Kanesada just a short while ago. Not to mention, this Kuji Kanesada had been seized from Void Shiki herself.
'This must be a chain reaction caused by the blade's new trait.'
The "Cuts Through All Things" trait is based on Root—being able to perceive the death of all things, and in doing so, being able to cut through anything with ease.
In a sense, that's something only someone like Void Shiki!, who records beginnings and ends, can truly grasp.
Death is the end.
It's because the Void understands death, sees through it, that it becomes possible to sever anything so easily.
In a way, this property had likely imprinted onto Kuji Kanesada after countless uses by Void Shiki, manifesting as its current trait.
So then, how was someone like Bell—who lacked that fundamental perception of all beginnings and ends—able to use this concept?
That question made Bell pause. Then, he began to understand where that strange feeling had come from earlier.
'No need for testing...'
'If this is really the case, then this sword is about to drag me into something incredible.'
A potential answer had surfaced in Bell's mind—and it made him shiver.
He steadied his breathing.
Suddenly, a surge of monster movement echoed in his ears.
Bell came to an abrupt stop, just as a Killer Ant burst out from the ground in front of him, making him frown.
'Which bastard lured these things out?'
This was the fifth floor of the Dungeon, already close to the surface.
Normally, this area was hunted by Level 1 Adventurers. But someone had clearly stirred up a swarm of Killer Ants on purpose—probably getting ready for a mugging.
'And that's why I don't trust any other Adventurer.'
Maintaining his stealth, Bell followed the Killer Ants to see what was happening.
As he moved, he could hear even more Killer Ants gathering in the distance.
Amid their chittering, he also picked up the sound of voices nearby.
"Arde, you're not thinking of slacking off again like last time, are you?"
It was a man's voice—but the name "Arde" made Bell's expression shift subtly.
'Liliruca Arde?'
'That explains it... no wonder this scene and that line felt familiar.'
Now it made sense why that strange feeling of déjà vu had hit him so strongly.
This would be the third time he'd run into that Pallum girl in the Dungeon.
'Looks like no matter how careful I am, fate insists I keep crossing paths with her.'
'Though this time… it looks like it'll be the last.'
Bell kept following the Killer Ants.
After passing through a branch in the tunnel crawling with them, he finally saw the scene: three Adventurers, and the Pallum girl suspended in midair.
No explanation was needed—Bell immediately understood what was happening.
Looking at the small girl dangling in the air, he blinked for a moment, then cracked a faint smile.
'Looks like luck's on your side. Now I've got a good reason to step in.'
Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Go Ahead and Eat It (Bonus)
Chapter Text
'I've been tricked...'
The moment Liliruca Arde was thrown out by her fellow Familia members, all hope left her heart.
She should've known better than to trust Adventurers.
For profit, Adventurers would stoop to any level, no matter how filthy.
And she didn't deny it—she was just as filthy as they were.
To achieve her own goals, to break free from Soma Familia, she'd done plenty of vile things herself. She'd even lured Adventurers to their deaths just to claim their "legacy."
Maybe this was the retribution she deserved.
Her body collapsed weakly to the ground as she stared helplessly at the Killer Ants slowly closing in.
"What's happening!? Why can't I move?"
Lying there, Liliruca heard a familiar voice and instinctively looked over—only to see the three who had used her as bait, now frozen in place.
At that sight, she couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha... Looks like you're going to die here, just like Lili."
To Liliruca, death right now almost felt like a release.
She knew there was no way out of this place.
All the wealth she had painstakingly gathered to escape Soma Familia... and she wouldn't even get to spend it. It was maddening.
But what could she do about it?
Could someone as filthy as her hope for a hero to save her?
Could someone like her even be worth saving?
Liliruca just laughed bitterly. Maybe this was the only moment where she could laugh without restraint—when she could finally mock those Adventurers who looked down on her, who treated her like nothing more than a tool.
"Arde..."
The Chienthrope leading the group gritted his teeth so hard it seemed they'd crack, but even as rage surged in his body, he couldn't move an inch.
"You did this, didn't you!"
Liliruca looked at him with pure contempt. Was this guy really an Adventurer? He couldn't even tell whether she had done it.
"Yeah, it was me. So what?"
"I want all of you to die here with me!"
Everything she had bottled up finally exploded in that moment.
She had nothing but scorn for those greedy Adventurers.
Their abilities weren't impressive, yet all they cared about was bleeding her dry. These scumbags dared to call themselves Adventurers?
It made her sick.
'...And I'm no better.'
'I'm disgusting too.'
Even as she despised the greed of other Adventurers, Liliruca couldn't deny how repulsive she was.
How many had she already sacrificed to serve her own ends?
She remembered the number all too clearly.
Thirteen.
Thirteen Adventurers had died because of her actions—indirectly, maybe, but no less real.
It was easy: use Dungeon monsters, drop bait to lure them in, then steal what she needed while the chaos unfolded. The monsters would take care of the rest. No one ever traced it back to her.
The man in charge trembled at her words, the veins in his neck bulging, but his body was still locked—he couldn't even stand.
And with the swarm of Killer Ants all around...
If they hadn't mysteriously stopped, they'd already be dead and eaten by now.
All he could do now was lower his voice.
"Arde, we don't need to take it this far."
For the sake of survival, even the leader of the Chienthropes—someone who usually looked down on supporters—chose to compromise.
"Pfft!"
Liliruca couldn't hold back a laugh.
"Hey, hey! Adventurer, you don't seriously think Lili did this, do you?"
"Lili doesn't have that kind of power."
"If Lili did, she would've killed you all the moment she had the chance!"
Her voice brimmed with scorn once the laughter died down.
She was going to die anyway—there was no point in staying humble anymore.
Liliruca still remembered the arrogant looks these people had just moments ago.
Honestly, she would've preferred to see them act calm and cocky even as they died.
But no—now that death was staring them in the face, they couldn't keep up that superior attitude they'd shown her.
"Arde... you filthy bitch!"
The man snapped, all composure lost.
If his body hadn't been paralyzed, he probably would've rushed over to choke her with his bare hands.
But he couldn't move, and seeing that only made Liliruca even more indifferent.
Knowing this was her karma, she felt no fear, no dread.
To someone like her, born into the Soma Familia, dying sooner or later made no real difference.
But she was tired.
She didn't want to keep living the way she had—groveling, flattering Adventurers for scraps. Maybe dying here as part of her own retribution wasn't so bad after all.
'So tired...'
Facing death, Liliruca was eerily calm.
She just regretted ever joining the Soma Familia. That had been her first mistake.
'Grandpa, Grandma... thank you for taking me in back then.'
'But I really am nothing but trouble. Maybe this is what I deserve.'
Just then, the sound of quiet footsteps reached the ears of everyone present.
The Chienthrope man was the first to spot someone in a cloak and hood approaching.
"Hey! Brother! We've got money! A huge stash hidden in a vault! Just let us go, and it's all yours!"
The man clearly understood—at this point, it was either his life or his gold.
If he clung to both, he'd end up just like the girl they used as bait.
The hooded figure looked over at him. Just when the Chienthrope thought his words had worked, the man replied—
"Looks like it's just some minor contamination. The key isn't on them after all."
"Eat them."
At those words, the three Soma Familia Adventurers' faces turned pale.
The restrained Killer Ants suddenly turned bloodthirsty, swarming toward the trio.
"Wait! Bro—Bro—Aaaahhhh!"
To the Killer Ants, devouring three Level 1 Adventurers was child's play.
And they didn't stop at just killing—just like real ants, they consumed everything, flesh and bone.
The hooded man didn't spare the gruesome scene a glance. Instead, he walked straight toward Liliruca.
"Seems like you're the one carrying it."
Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Remember, This Is Charity (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Liliruca lay slumped on the ground, not lifting her head. As the distant screams gradually faded, a bitter smile spread across her face.
"Lili doesn't have anything that Adventurers want."
"No, you do. You just don't realize it yet."
Bell looked down at Liliruca. It had to be fate—how else could something like this end up in the hands of a tiny Pallum girl?
But he didn't care whether it was fate or not. Either way, he was only going to help this Pallum girl once.
In the cannibalistic city of Orario, whether you're an Adventurer or a supporter, you live with the constant possibility of dying at any moment.
If something like this happened again, then for this Pallum girl, it would only mean she died a few days later.
Without offering any further explanation, Bell raised his hand. He drew Runic Letters that transformed into shackles, binding Liliruca's body.
He pulled out a potion bottle, heavily sealed with enchantments.
Then he brought his hand close to Liliruca's heart.
A Runic Letter appeared in Bell's palm, and it began spinning rapidly in a counterclockwise direction.
'This... what is this...?'
Liliruca didn't understand the meaning of the Runic Letters, but she knew these special runes had become popular in Orario recently. Even the cheapest Rune Stones fetched a price as high as 100,000 Valis.
In that moment, Liliruca realized who the person in front of her was.
He was the nameless craftsman who had always remained hidden behind Hephaestus's Familia.
Before she could think further, the spinning Runic Letter gained a mysterious traction and shot straight into her chest.
Just as she thought she was about to die, she felt no pain.
'Isn't this supposed to kill Lili?'
But a second later, it made perfect sense.
'If he really wanted to kill Lili, he wouldn't need to go through all this trouble. Just leave me to the Killer Ants like the others.'
'So he's not trying to kill Lili. Then what is he doing?'
The answer came quickly.
Drawn by that strange force, a swirling black mist began to rise from her heart.
Liliruca's eyes widened in shock. She had no idea something like this was inside her.
'I knew it.'
'It's the Poison of Greed.'
Just seeing it was enough for Bell to confirm his suspicion.
He continued drawing out the black mist into the bottle. The mist didn't resist at all, obediently flowing inside—just like the Poison of Envy had before.
Once the last wisp was sealed inside, Bell secured the bottle with a final, comprehensive seal. Only then did he let out a breath.
'After the Poison of Envy, now it's the Poison of Greed. I wonder if the other sins will show up one by one too.'
Bell had no answer to that.
This thing had appeared on the right cheek of Hephaestus-sama, and now it had shown up in the heart of Liliruca Arde. Who knows where the other sins might appear next?
Still, he wasn't particularly surprised that Liliruca Arde bore the Poison of Greed.
In a world as chaotic as this, trying to find peace by earning money to escape the Soma Familia—it was almost laughable.
But maybe what had latched onto this tiny Pallum girl wasn't actually the Poison of Greed... but the Poison of Pride.
Perhaps the reason it manifested as the Poison of Greed was because of this girl's unrealistic dreams and her relentless efforts—clawing toward the light, even while trapped in darkness.
In a way, it was greed taken to an absurd extreme.
"I met you three times in the Dungeon. The first time was when you were with those guys, right?"
"The second time was when you were luring those Adventurers to their deaths."
"And today is the third—abandoned like bait."
Bell's tone was calm. There was no mockery, no coldness, just a quiet statement of fact.
"Have you woken up from your dream?"
"The dream where you thought you could save enough money, right under the noses of those greedy people, and leave the Soma Familia."
It was just a dream...
Liliruca bit down hard on her lip, her hands gripping the ground tightly.
She knew all too well that it was nothing more than a fantasy. In reality, it was impossible to leave the Soma Familia by paying her way out. Those greedy bastards would only see her as more valuable and keep squeezing her dry—until the day they tossed her aside completely.
"Freedom is never something the oppressed can expect. It is a right denied to them."
"What worth do you have?"
"To whom should you prove that worth?"
"Then what strength do you have to stand before your Familia God?"
'My worth...'
Liliruca clung desperately to those words. She knew he was right. On her own, she could never leave the Soma Familia—not even if she saved up all the money in the world.
To leave a Familia, the approval of the Familia God was required.
So how could she gain the god's approval?
How could she even meet the god and ask for permission to leave?
"I won't comment on the things you've done. Everyone has their own way of surviving, no matter the means."
"Whether you're an Adventurer or a Supporter, in the end, everyone climbs forward over a pile of corpses. No one's hands are clean."
"But only the strong get to survive."
"So this time, I'll let you go."
"Remember this—it's charity from the strong to the weak. Don't expect there to be a next time."
As those words were spoken, the dragging force holding Liliruca vanished.
So did the person who had just been standing in front of her, the one whose face she had finally seen.
Yet one final message still lingered in the air.
"You have one minute to escape this floor."
Liliruca immediately pushed herself up with her hands and stood.
She glanced at the Adventurer whose body had been half-devoured by the man-eating ants. The first thing she noticed was the hand still clutching the key to Lili's vault.
But the corpse was surrounded by man-eating ants, all of them watching hungrily. She was scared.
'I can't hesitate any longer!'
After a brief pause—maybe ten seconds—Liliruca gritted her teeth and stepped right onto the ants.
Shoving her fear aside, she sprinted toward the remains at full speed.
She tried to pry the hand open with all her strength, but once she touched it, she realized just how tightly it was clenched.
'I don't have time for this.'
Losing more precious seconds, Liliruca finally drew her small knife and began hacking at the wrist, severing the hand completely.
She grabbed the severed hand and bolted toward the exit.
In that moment, only one thought filled her mind—
'I want to live!'
That thought made her legs move faster.
Especially once she heard the growing swarm of man-eating ants behind her—she ran with everything she had.
Chapter 199: Chapter 199: Liliruca’s Final Choice (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Liliruca fled the fourth floor in a panic, but she felt no relief.
She knew the Soma Familia was like a guillotine hanging over her head, ready to fall at any moment and take her life.
Maybe before, she could've believed that saving enough money would let her leave the Soma Familia.
But that "dream" had already been crushed. Now she understood—it had always been a fantasy, something that could never come true.
It didn't matter how much money she saved. As long as she was still alive, she would never escape from the Soma Familia.
'Dream... it was nothing but a dream.'
She could still clearly recall being grabbed and tossed into a swarm of man-eating ants as bait by those bastards in the Dungeon.
The stinging pain on her face served as a brutal reminder that it had really happened, confirming once again that her dream had completely shattered.
She silently made her way to the outer wall at the entrance of the Dungeon and slumped down in the corner.
'I survived.'
Yes, she had made it through ten dungeon levels alive.
She had been convinced she was going to die, but someone had let her go.
Liliruca had never looked at that person's face. Maybe that was part of the reason she was still alive.
'But my hopes are completely gone.'
Tears fell without her noticing.
She didn't even know what to do anymore.
Was the money she had saved still useful? She'd been saving it to escape, but now she realized that money wouldn't help her flee this hellish place. So what good was it anymore?
'This is mercy from the strong to the weak. Don't expect a second time.'
That voice echoed in her ears. Liliruca gritted her teeth and wiped her tears away.
She knew she had to get out of the Soma Familia—that den of monsters wasn't a place for humans.
'But... is there anyone I can rely on?'
Go to the Familia God?
What a joke.
If the god really cared, the entire Familia wouldn't be run by the captain instead.
But if even the god wouldn't help, how could she possibly escape the Soma Familia?
Even if she'd already made up her mind to leave, she never had the means to begin with.
'No matter which Familia I want to join, I still need the god's approval.'
'But how do I convince the god to let me leave?'
'No... honestly, I might not even get to meet the god at all.'
Thinking back, she'd barely ever met the god. Even updating her 'Status' took ages, since the god was too obsessed with winemaking to care about the Familia.
If the god had actually paid attention, things never would've gotten this bad.
That harsh reality left Liliruca feeling completely lost.
She wanted to speak with the god, to plead her case, but now she didn't even have the right to do that.
The moment she had found a shred of hope, it was crushed again.
Just like that person said—she had to prove her worth. But there wasn't a single place where she could do that.
Liliruca stared blankly at the key in her palm, then gripped it tightly.
'The strong only give mercy to the weak once... then I have to seize this chance.'
Yes, Liliruca remembered—there was still someone she could turn to.
She didn't know whether that person would really be able to help her, but maybe everything she'd accumulated until now could give her this one shot.
Her only shot.
But she had to be ready to risk it all.
Liliruca, who had always placed great importance on wealth, looked down at the key in her hand. The hesitation in her heart turned into firm resolve.
The path she had walked was completely cut off now.
It had all been an illusion—empty, like a mirage.
Still, she wanted to leave the Soma Familia. To do that, she had to prove her determination and make use of everything she had.
And right now, the situation had already reached a point of no return.
She had no choice but to make a desperate decision.
With that, Liliruca gripped the key tightly and made her way to the vault where she kept all her savings.
If this money couldn't buy her freedom, then she would use it to meet the conditions she needed to escape.
...
At that moment, the Loki Familia was preparing for a banquet.
Just a few hours earlier, they had concluded their War Game against the Apollo Familia. As expected by all the gods, the game had turned out to be a mere formality.
The result didn't change—Loki's victory was certain.
Even so, Apollo walked away with a shred of dignity.
For a single Familia to hold out against the "Sword Princess" and the "Braver," and even maintain an advantage for a short while—that alone had salvaged a bit of Apollo's dignity.
Though in the end, he had to pay the price: two Familia members and all of his property were taken by Loki. At least Loki hadn't gone so far as to seize Apollo Familia's territory. So this time, Apollo only lost his working capital.
Five hundred million Valis.
It didn't fully patch up Loki Familia's budget shortfall, but it was a decent boost to their remaining funds.
In Loki's room, the two girls who had just joined the Familia were being evaluated.
"Hiss."
Loki couldn't help but drool as she stared at the girl in front of her.
"Tsk, tsk... With your clothes on, you didn't look that curvy. Who knew you'd be this stacked underneath?"
Loki had a lot of patience when it came to cute girls with nice bodies.
And the one in front of her? Honestly, she had an even better figure than Riveria.
Her pale back muscles glistened like gemstones under the magic stone lamp.
Cassandra clutched her clothes to her chest, trembling as she felt the voice and that disturbing gaze from behind.
"Thud!"
Riveria, unable to bear it any longer, slammed her fist down on Loki's head.
"Don't act like a horny creep in front of the newcomers!"
"What was the reason you brought them here in the first place?!"
At that, Loki immediately raised her head.
"Of course it's because they're both super cute!"
That blunt answer made the vein on Riveria's forehead twitch. She couldn't hold back—her fist connected again.
"Bang!"
Did this damn Loki really think recruiting Familia members was the same as picking out concubines?
Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Finn Wants to See Me? (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Ouch!"
Covering her swollen cheek, Loki stumbled back into the room, looking completely disheveled.
"Riveria, wasn't that punch just now a little too much?"
"You brought that on yourself."
Riveria didn't show the slightest hint of regret. She didn't think there was anything wrong with what she'd done.
Even if she was unwilling, she still had to comfort Cassandra, who had been frightened out of her wits by Loki's antics.
"Cassandra, is it okay if I call you by your name?"
"O-Of course, that's fine."
Right now, Cassandra was still reeling from Loki-sama's behavior just moments ago. And seeing the "Nine Hell" knock Loki-sama flying with a single punch had shocked her to the core all over again.
She had been with the Apollo Familia for so long, but she had never once seen a Familia God get sent flying by a member like that.
"Loki's just like that—don't take it too seriously."
Cassandra gave "Nine Hell" a strange look. She didn't think it was something that could be brushed off. Just a moment ago, she had genuinely felt like her chastity was in danger.
Riveria sighed inwardly at the girl's expression. This was exactly why she'd been watching Loki so closely, but in the end, Loki still couldn't help showing her true nature.
"You'll get used to it. She's just a plain old pervert."
"It's fine to teach her a lesson, but be careful not to hit her so hard she gets sent back to Tenkai."
Loki's face darkened with frustration.
"Riveria, don't you think that's going a bit far?"
"Why are you saying that right to my face?"
Riveria was usually a bit more restrained, but her bluntness today left Loki feeling rather deflated.
"If you don't want me to say too much, then try acting serious for once when you're updating status."
Riveria rolled her eyes without hesitation.
She had long since known Loki's lewd tendencies, but couldn't she rein it in just this once?
Wasn't this supposed to be a time to leave a good impression on the new members?
But Riveria was done talking. Back when Haruhime and Aisha had joined, this lecher had acted exactly the same.
No matter how much she said, Loki never changed.
So Riveria got straight to the point.
"Is Cassandra's Status updated? Does her secret lie in her Magic or Skills?"
"Mm... this child's uniqueness definitely shows up in her Skills."
Loki dropped the teasing and shifted to a serious tone.
"The descriptions of her Skills can't be interpreted. We can only guess at the name, but we can't translate the full details."
"That kid really has an eye for people. He even managed to dig up all that detailed intel—even confirmed her unbelievable power."
"Talent and insight like that aren't easy to come by. No wonder he was able to sell that kind of information."
This indecipherable Skill was Cassandra's biggest secret—and for the Loki Familia, a strategic asset.
"Cassandra, do you often see visions of the future?"
"Eh?"
The question left Cassandra stunned. She looked carefully at Loki-sama and "Nine Hell," both of whom clearly already knew something—as if they'd learned her secret through other means.
"Loki-sama, you... believe me?"
"Of course. I am a god, after all."
Loki puffed out her chest proudly. Discerning the truth in a child's words was a basic divine trait.
But the truth was, Loki felt most insecure when she was acting confident.
'If gods could truly sense the truth in this child's words, Apollo would've noticed it too.'
Loki was sure—if Cassandra had responded to divine power, Apollo never would've let her go so easily.
But Apollo hadn't even hesitated, which meant that divine perception didn't work on Cassandra.
"Loki-sama..."
Cassandra's eyes shimmered with surprise and joy. She had never expected Loki-sama to believe she could really see glimpses of the future.
What had hurt her the most in the past was knowing things that no one else did.
She had tried so hard to tell others about the future she saw and had struggled to change it with her own hands, but in the end, all she received was distrust and ridicule.
Now, finally, someone believed her.
Riveria stood beside her, pressing a hand to her forehead, speechless. A moment later, she stepped forward and pushed Loki's face aside.
"Cassandra, don't take those words too seriously."
"We only believed what you said because someone else told us about your ability."
"He's the one who discovered that you can see the future."
"I see..."
It was a little disappointing to learn that it wasn't Loki-sama who believed in her, but Cassandra wasn't too upset. At least someone believed in her ability to see the future—and that alone brought her a bit of joy.
Even if it wasn't Loki-sama, there was still someone who believed her words.
Now, she really wanted to know who that person was.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Cassandra asked,
"Riveria-sama, who told you about my ability?"
Riveria glanced at Loki, who flinched a little but nodded in acknowledgment.
"The one who knows about your ability is a member of the Hestia Familia."
"He's someone closely connected to our Loki Familia now."
"Bell Cranel."
Bell Cranel...
Cassandra repeated the name silently in her heart, as if trying to carve it into her memory.
She wanted to meet him someday.
At least someone believed her. Not everyone thought she was just spouting nonsense.
...
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Before anyone inside could respond, a voice came from outside.
"Loki-sama, Captain Finn wants to see you."
"Hm? Finn's looking for me?"
Loki blinked, thought for a moment, then decided to put the two cute girls in the room aside for now and stepped out the door.
"Daphne, I'll update your Status tomorrow."
Chapter 201: Chapter 201: Please Help Me for the Sake of Our Race (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Let's go back 15 minutes...
The Loki Familia was in the middle of bustling banquet preparations when Liliruca arrived at their gate, carrying all her belongings.
As she approached, the guard noticed her, and Liliruca pulled back her hood without hesitation, revealing her identity as a Pallum.
"Adventurer-sama, I'm looking for the 'Braver' of the Pallum."
The guard was momentarily taken aback, noticing the injuries on her face and the unwavering determination radiating from her small frame.
"What business do you have with the captain?"
"...I hope the 'Braver' will help me, for the sake of our shared race. I can't go on living like this."
Seeing the Pallum before him—and knowing the captain was also a Pallum and deeply committed to helping others—the guard understood he couldn't simply turn her away.
"Vid, come take a look."
After calling over his companion, the guard turned back to Liliruca.
"Wait here."
He quickly headed inside the Familia.
At that moment, the Loki Familia was actively preparing for the upcoming celebration. As captain, Finn was overseeing and assigning tasks.
While he was in the middle of coordinating things, the gatekeeper came rushing in.
"Captain."
"There's a Pallum at the gate asking to see you. She says she's hoping for your help as a fellow Pallum."
Finn paused slightly. That phrase—"as a fellow Pallum"—carried real weight. If she was saying that, she must truly have nowhere else to turn.
'As a fellow Pallum...'
A sense of helplessness and sorrow welled up inside him. In Orario, the Pallum were still considered the underdogs.
Even so, Finn gently set aside the ribbon he was holding.
"Tione."
"Here, Captain!"
Like a sudden gust, the tanned figure who had just been out of sight appeared in front of Finn, trailing a heady perfume and her usual intense affection.
"You really don't have to be so dramatic."
Finn had long since grown used to Tione's open displays of affection. After a silent complaint to himself, he handed the ribbon to her.
"Tione, I've got something to take care of. Can I leave the rest to you?"
Tione's eyes sparkled. She never refused anything the captain asked. Immediately, she grabbed his hand.
"Leave it to me, Captain~"
That suspiciously drawn-out tone earned a helpless look from Finn. He was more than used to her antics.
After some effort, he finally managed to pull his hand free and turned away with a resigned smile.
"Let's go."
The gatekeeper nodded and led the way.
Soon, Finn saw her—a fellow Pallum standing at the gate with her hood lowered. The fresh scratches on her face were clearly the result of scraping against the ground.
But what caught Finn's attention wasn't her injuries—it was the clarity and determination in her eyes. There was no fear, no despair.
'Looks like she didn't come here just to beg for help.'
That thought sparked Finn's interest. He wanted to know what this fellow Pallum had come to ask.
The curiosity made his steps quicker.
Liliruca finally stood face-to-face with the one known as the 'Braver'—Finn Deimne, the Pallum who stood at the top of their people and still kept moving forward.
She took a deep breath and pulled a bag from her chest, filled with all the possessions she owned.
"This is all the money I've saved over the years. It's not much, just 8 million Valis."
"Braver-sama, I hope you can help me, for the sake of our shared race."
Finn glanced at the young girl before him. He could tell she wasn't an adventurer—she was a supporter.
Eight million Valis. For a supporter to save up that much, she must have done a lot, and not all of it good. Yet she brought all of it here without hesitation.
Finn understood—this fellow Pallum had come prepared.
He didn't reject her. Instead, he simply reached out and took the bag.
Liliruca let out a quiet breath of relief, bowed slightly, and expressed her thanks.
"Thank you."
Seeing her humbled posture, Finn felt a tangle of emotions.
"Come in. We can talk inside."
"...Thank you."
Liliruca lifted her head. She didn't cry. This was her decision—a change she chose to make herself. There was no reason to cry. She followed him through the Familia's inner gate.
...
Finn led her to the courtyard. It was quiet—just the two of them. With the Loki Familia busy preparing for the banquet, the courtyard was the perfect place for a private conversation.
"As a supporter, saving up that much must have been incredibly difficult, huh?"
Liliruca could tell that the Braver had guessed what she'd done. But she didn't care anymore.
"Yeah. I did a lot of things I shouldn't have."
"I stole from Adventurers, even killed some for money, then scavenged their belongings and sold them."
"I did a lot of dirty things. Because of my selfishness, twelve adventurers died—indirectly, but still because of me."
In the past, Liliruca would never have spoken of such a shameful past.
But now, it didn't matter. The road ahead left her with only one option. If this didn't work, then she might as well be dead.
"Lili is filthy. So dirty she doesn't even deserve to live."
"But that's exactly why Lili wants to live."
"I stained my hands with blood, did horrible things... all just to survive."
Her eyes reddened slightly as she spoke.
She looked up at the moon hanging in the night sky. It had been so long since she last looked at it—because she knew she'd never be able to reach its light. She would always be trapped in the dark.
"Supporters really have no place in this world."
"We carry gear for Adventurers, extract magic stones from monsters, do all the grunt work. But no matter how hard we try, we only get ten percent of the earnings. Sometimes, even less."
"And the reason is always the same—because Supporters don't fight."
That was the painful reality she knew all too well.
That was her life as a supporter.
"At first, I didn't complain much. The Adventurers weren't wrong—Supporters don't fight. So even if I only made a little each day, Lili could accept that."
"But sometimes, they'd even extort Lili. Saying things like, 'You should be grateful I'm letting you come to the Dungeon.' Then they'd shamelessly take the results of all my work."
"But Lili had her own goal."
"So, Lili began targeting the Adventurers."
Chapter 202: Chapter 202: The Truth About the Soma Familia (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"It really didn't take Lili long to turn bad… Before I knew it, Lili was stealing from adventurers—and even started thinking about how to kill them."
Liliruca couldn't help but curl her lips into a bitter smile. How ironic.
She had fought so hard just to survive, and in the end, she was left with no other choice but to kill.
Even someone like her, an adventurer without much power, could still deal a fatal blow to someone in danger within the Dungeon.
She had given up so much to stay alive.
But now, survival alone wasn't enough—she wanted to live by her own will.
That's why she couldn't forget the things she'd done. She had to keep moving forward, even with bloodstained hands.
"Braver-sama may not know this, but we Pallums are naturally weaker than ordinary adventurers."
"Lili wants to try her best, but she doesn't have the talent or ability that Braver-sama has."
"And Lili was born into the Soma Familia, so she never had a choice from the beginning."
"Lili didn't always think the Soma Familia was that terrible, but after growing up, the whole place feels like a den of monsters."
"Even Lili's parents..."
Liliruca shut her eyes in pain. She didn't want to think about it.
Deep down, she still felt that the Soma Familia had raised her—but the more she felt that way, the more she wanted to escape.
If she could have just one chance, Liliruca truly wouldn't want to have been born into the Soma Familia. But that wasn't something she could decide.
The Soma Familia was the source of all her suffering.
If she hadn't been born into it, if she hadn't become a supporter, maybe she could've found a job somewhere and lived a better life than she had now. But she knew she never had the power to choose her own path—so it remained just a wish in her heart.
"You really think your Familia is hell?"
"What happened to the Soma Familia?"
Finn didn't believe the girl in front of him was lying. The determination and resolve in her eyes said it all—'She's not lying.'
So the problem lay with the Soma Familia.
Liliruca let out a faint sigh.
"Every adventurer and supporter who joins the Soma Familia is given a small amount of divine wine. Once they drink it, they feel like they're floating, completely intoxicated. Lili was the same at first."
"When they reach a certain age and become supporters, they're tricked into drinking the divine wine, and some even become addicted to it."
"That's just a way to force us adventurers and supporters to work harder to make money. The divine wine is meant to enslave the newcomers."
Finn's expression darkened. He never imagined the Soma Familia would use such a method to control adventurers.
Liliruca remembered the taste vividly. Deep down, she now felt only fear and revulsion toward the divine wine."
"It's a taste that completely shatters a person's body and soul. Just a little is enough to get someone hooked."
"The divine wine is extremely addictive. Every adventurer who joins the Soma Familia is already dependent on it before fully joining, and they'll do anything just to drink it again."
"Each month, the supply of divine wine is limited. Only those with more money can get some. Because of this rule, adventurers in the Familia often fight over money—and sometimes, even kill."
Just thinking about the bloody struggles that constantly broke out in the Familia still filled Liliruca with fear.
For the sake of divine wine, even people who had known each other for years wouldn't hesitate to kill.
Liliruca was certain: except for a rare few, most of the Soma Familia had become madmen who would do anything to get their hands on the divine wine.
"Was it really just for the Divine Wine brewed by Soma?"
"Yes, it was all for that Divine Wine."
Finn took a deep breath. This time, he truly understood just how dire things were within the Soma Familia.
If even the Familia's adventurers were willing to fight and kill each other over money, then he could easily imagine all the other filthy things happening behind the scenes.
"Soma actually let it get this bad?"
The severity of it wasn't something to take lightly.
"Braver-sama, I think you've misunderstood."
Finn snapped out of his thoughts. Had he really gotten it wrong?
"The god doesn't care about his Familia. He's never even tried to control us."
"God Soma has always been obsessed with brewing. He doesn't care who gets the ingredients, and he couldn't care less about the state of the Familia. He just buries himself in his brewing."
Liliruca had once believed their god wanted to control them, but the longer she stayed in the Soma Familia, the more she realized he didn't even have that much interest.
"He doesn't care about the process—just the result."
"He never asks about our capabilities. Even when we update our status, he shows no interest in what kind of power we've awakened."
This…
Finn's eyelid twitched. In a way, Soma wasn't doing anything—but that was the problem. His complete indifference toward his Familia was painfully obvious, and it made Finn shake his head.
"No wonder things are such a mess."
With no leadership, no order...
Even when internal fighting broke out, Soma just stood by, watching with cold detachment. It was no surprise the Soma Familia had fallen into such disarray.
Finn looked at the girl in front of him, a fellow Pallum. If this was the environment she'd grown up in, then the way she had turned out wasn't her fault at all.
"If Soma had stepped in, it wouldn't have gotten this bad."
"Yes... If the god had been willing to intervene, things wouldn't have become such a disaster."
Liliruca let out a sigh. She'd once held such naive hopes. But over time, she'd let go of that innocence.
"Our god's always been like this—completely indifferent to everything."
"He probably never cared about whether we lived or died."
"That's why I worked so hard to save money."
"It wasn't for the Divine Wine?"
Faced with the Braver's question, Liliruca only shook her head slightly.
"I realized something was wrong with the Divine Wine after a while. That's why I tried to avoid drinking it... and managed to control my addiction."
"I saved money not for the wine, but to get out of the Soma Familia."
'I see.'
Now Finn finally understood why this girl had been so desperate to save money—even if it meant dirtying her hands.
"But today, in the Dungeon, I came to a realization—they never intended to keep their promise."
"The whole thing about letting me leave the Familia if I paid up... it was just a way to keep me chasing money."
Liliruca gave a bitter, self-mocking laugh. She hated herself for not seeing through such a simple trick.
In the end, she'd been toyed with like a fool for all these years.
Chapter 203: Chapter 203: When in Doubt, Go to Loki (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Born into such a harsh environment and influenced by the Divine Wine, even Finn found this kind of beginning deeply troubling.
In a place like this, to have been corrupted only to this extent was already a sign of strong will.
And yet, this naive Pallum girl still believed she could save up enough to leave the Soma Familia.
But in this world, there's no such thing as leaving a Familia just by paying some money.
"It's not your fault. It's only natural you'd think that way when you were led to believe it from the start."
"Besides, you were born into the Soma Familia and had nowhere else to go. Of course they'd treat you like a piggy bank, or even a toy."
His words were a bit harsh, but Finn said them out of concern—for someone of his own kind.
"Our Pallum race has always struggled with low Status. It's not just your problem—I face it too. We lack strength, durability, even magical aptitude. The only things we excel at are agility and dexterity."
Status affects an adventurer's capability and combat style.
Without physical strength to rely on, Pallums are forced to rely solely on speed and nimbleness, which severely limits their path forward.
The higher the level, the more pronounced this limitation becomes.
It's the racial ceiling Pallums must contend with.
"Most Pallums aren't suited for combat and lack natural talent, so most of them in Orario end up working as supporters."
"Of course, there are exceptions—like the 'Bringar' from Freya's Familia. They're all Level 5, and when they team up, they can even take on Level 6 opponents."
"But for most of us, living in Orario is far from easy."
Unintentionally, Finn let a bit of his own frustration slip.
Even though he worked tirelessly to help Pallums rise up in Orario, the path forward was impossibly steep.
"So, did you come to me hoping I could help you escape the Soma Familia?"
Liliruca shook her head lightly.
"Actually, I should've died in the Dungeon today. Someone from my own Familia caught hold of my weakness and threatened to expose me."
"But someone suddenly appeared and helped me."
"I don't know who he was, but he said something to me: 'The strong only give charity to the weak once.'"
"Braver-sama can only help me once. No matter what, I still have to face the Familia God myself."
'Charity from the strong to the weak...'
Finn didn't find anything wrong with those words, and he even felt a small sense of gratitude toward the person who had given this Pallum girl a chance to live.
At the same time, he understood the unwavering resolve in her eyes.
She was truly prepared.
Even so, Finn couldn't help but worry. Facing a god alone was simply too dangerous.
Based on everything he'd just heard, Finn was sure that Soma was a god who didn't care about his own Familia. Which meant, even if this Pallum girl managed to meet Soma, the odds of her dying were still alarmingly high.
"Wait here."
Finn didn't have a good way to deal with a god directly—but Loki was different.
He genuinely sympathized with this fellow Pallum girl.
And with her kind of resolve, he couldn't just do nothing.
As for the questionable things she'd done in the past, he didn't deny they were unsavory. But this was Orario.
In Orario, adventurer infighting was nothing out of the ordinary.
To survive, to make money—countless people had done the same things.
Almost every adventurer had climbed up by stepping over corpses. No one was clean.
So then, were those so-called "mistakes" really wrong?
At worst, they were just more underhanded than doing things in the open.
Finn turned and headed deeper into the Familia. For this matter, he needed Loki's help.
He knew where her room was, so he quickly arrived at her door.
There was already someone familiar standing outside.
Line Arshe—an adventurer in charge of rear-guard healing, Level 2.
"Captain."
"Line, Loki's inside, right?"
"Yes, Loki-sama is doing a Status update for two new members."
Finn figured Loki couldn't resist getting involved.
"Go call Loki for me. I need to talk to her."
"Understood."
"Knock Knock"
Line turned and knocked on the door.
"Loki-sama, the Captain wants to speak with you."
"Huh? Finn's looking for me?"
Loki's voice came from inside, tinged with confusion and irritation. Finn could already imagine what must've happened in there.
Looking closer at the door, it seemed like it had just been slammed back into place.
'Riveria, most likely.'
The only one who could throw Loki out of a room like that was Riveria.
Loki teased Riveria so often, she was probably the only one who'd mastered the technique to shut her up.
The door opened quickly.
Loki appeared, a large bump on her head, squinting with clear annoyance written all over her face.
"What the hell, Finn? I was just getting into it."
"Loki, can you at least deal with that bump on your head before talking?"
Loki's expression twitched. The pain, delayed until now, suddenly hit her.
"Ow! Dammit, Riveria went way too hard!"
Finn let out a helpless sigh. Even ten flirtatious gods in a day would be easier than dealing with this.
After rubbing the bump until the pain dulled, Loki shot Finn a curious look.
"Weren't you in the middle of banquet prep? What brings you up here?"
"There's something I need to confirm with you."
Seeing Finn's slightly serious expression, Loki's irritation cooled a bit.
"It's about the Soma Familia."
"Soma? You still interested in that shut-in?"
The name immediately reminded Loki of one word: "shut-in."
Finn instinctively ignored her nickname for Soma.
"No. One of my kin was born in the Soma Familia. She came to me today asking for help."
"Oh boy, one of those poor kids who got cursed just for being born into that guy's Familia?"
Even Loki couldn't hold back a whistle.
Given what she knew about Soma Familia, it was practically a miracle for a child to survive growing up there without being killed.
"Your kin's really lucky to still be alive."
"Normally, kids like that don't last long in that shut-in's Familia."
Chapter 204: Chapter 204: I’m Starting to Want This Kid Myself (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Loki, you know about him?"
"What god doesn't? That shut-in?"
Loki looked exasperated just at the mention of him.
"Soma was always holed up at home back in Tenkai, never going out except to gather ingredients for his brewing. And even then, he didn't care about anything else."
"After descending to Genkai, that behavior only got worse."
"With his divine power sealed, he couldn't gather ingredients himself anymore, so he made his children do it."
"He doesn't care about anything beyond that. As long as they bring back enough materials for his wine, he gives them a portion of his Divine Wine. Of course, for him, it's just a way to clear out the excess."
"Even he knows that if he wants his kids to keep working hard, he has to give them something in return. So every time, he hands out some Divine Wine as a reward."
"But his brewing is too damn good. Even if the wine itself doesn't have any special effects, the kids down here can't handle the 'intoxication' it brings. They all end up addicted, like they're hooked on some drug."
That's what really left Loki speechless about him.
'Seriously? You can't just make something the kids in Genkai can actually drink as a reward? What's the point of showing off your damn brewing skills?'
Though these were words she'd once thrown at Soma herself, knowing him, she figured he never took them seriously.
So, her attitude toward Soma was simple—she couldn't be bothered.
After all, they weren't her kids being ruined by the wine. Why should she get involved?
Besides, she knew full well that even if Soma got smacked around a few times, he wouldn't change. Unless someone could completely flip his worldview, that shut-in was never going to change.
"Your kin was lucky to survive and grow up in that shut-in's Familia."
"If she had been a bit less lucky, she might've ended up sold for cash."
Loki didn't sugarcoat it. She said it outright—and that possibility made Finn even more disturbed.
He rubbed his forehead, trying to calm himself down.
Once he managed to settle, he realized that maybe the girl had been right to come to him.
This wasn't something a helpless girl from the Soma Familia—drifting like duckweed—could handle alone.
"This is even worse than I imagined."
Loki sighed and gave a small nod.
"If she's really that shut-in's kid, then yeah... it's bad."
"So, your kin came to you for help, and you pulled some strings to get her out?"
Finn shook his head slightly. That's what he had assumed at first.
"That's what I thought too... but all she wanted was for me to bring her to Soma."
"Huh!?"
Loki's eyes widened in disbelief.
"That kid actually thinks she can talk that stubborn shut-in into changing?"
"There's no way! If Soma could be talked into anything, he wouldn't still be a shut-in!"
To Loki, getting Soma to yield was almost impossible. Then, she finally caught on.
"Ah, so that's why you called me out."
At that, Finn's expression shifted into one of apology.
"Sorry, Loki. I don't know Soma's personality firsthand, but based on what she described, it's clear that words alone won't change his mind."
"I can't look after every Pallum out there... but when one comes to me because they're fighting to survive, I just can't turn them away."
Loki didn't mind. Finn rarely ever asked for help, so she wasn't going to let this chance slip by.
Sometimes, she had to show off a bit as a Familia God—otherwise, her own children might start thinking she was useless.
"Well, once or twice is fine. It's not like you come to me often."
"And besides... I'm kind of curious about this fellow Pallum of yours."
Finn gave her a look that said, "Figures." He wasn't surprised. If anything, that was exactly the kind of thing he expected from Loki.
Honestly, Finn also admired the determination that girl had shown.
Her past mistakes didn't matter. True resolve was what it took for a Pallum to rise up—and help others do the same.
Finn had long realized that it meant nothing for him to stand alone. He had to help others in their race rise up with him. Only then could they truly expand and grow as a people.
And the resolve he saw in that Pallum girl gave him a flicker of hope.
"Come on. Let's go meet your kin."
Loki snapped Finn out of his thoughts and led the way outside the annex.
In the courtyard, Liliruca had been quietly sitting on a bench. When she saw Braver-sama return—this time with a red-haired girl by his side—she quickly stood up.
Even the most clueless adventurer would recognize her. The one standing beside Finn was a god—one who reigned over Orario itself. The Familia God of the Loki Familia: Loki-sama.
Loki naturally took note of the Pallum girl's behavior and formed a slight impression of her.
"Hello, Loki-sama."
Liliruca gave a respectful bow. She knew exactly who was worth showing deference to.
"You're the girl from the Soma Familia?"
"Yes."
"Damn... can't believe you survived in that shut-in's Familia."
It was a blunt way to start things. In the past, those words might have stung Liliruca deeply.
But not anymore.
She took a small step back, then looked up. There was no fear in her eyes.
"So Lili is grateful that God-sama allowed her to live."
"I don't know what happened back then, but Lili believes it was thanks to God-sama showing mercy that she made it to this world at all."
Liliruca understood this clearly. She hated the Soma Familia with all her heart—but she couldn't bring herself to hate the god behind it.
"But Lili wants to live. That's why she wants to leave the Familia."
"Oh?"
Looking at the girl before her, Loki suddenly noticed a spark of light.
'Even in darkness, this kid is pulling herself out of it. Isn't this what they call a ray of light in the abyss?'
'This is bad. I really want to take this one in.'
Loki's choice in children was always spontaneous—just like the mischievous god she was.
She wasn't like a certain pretentious type who could "see the colors of people's souls." But she did have an eye for spotting someone with that special spark.
'Finn, you jerk. You totally knew I'd be drawn to this kid, and you still brought me here.'
But in the end, she wasn't upset about it.
A kid like this—shining despite everything—definitely hit her right in the sweet spot.
Chapter 205: Chapter 205: Loki Nearly Died of Frustration (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Bang!!!"
The gate of the Soma Familia was kicked open.
The noise instantly alerted all the Familia members inside the territory.
"Who!?"
"Who dares make a move on the Soma Familia!?"
One after another, members rushed out from their homes, shouting aggressively and grabbing their weapons without hesitation.
But the moment they got outside and saw who had barged in under the moonlight, all their voices were caught in their throats like strangled ducks.
"It's me!"
That's right—swaggering in with a bang, the one who kicked open the gate of the Soma Familia was none other than the most flamboyant goddess in Orario, Loki.
"You shut-in bastard, I've come for you!"
Striding in arrogantly, Loki paid no attention to the stares around her and marched forward step by step.
Of course, her cocky attitude was backed by the presence of the golden spear-wielding young man standing behind her.
One of the three Level 6 adventurers in the Loki Familia, and the pinnacle of the Pallum race in Orario—"Braver" Finn Deimne.
The biting cold aura emanating from that golden spear made it crystal clear to everyone—
'They didn't come in peace!'
Otherwise, who would bring a Level 6 from their own Familia to storm into another's home in the middle of the night?
But not a single person present dared speak.
No one wanted to do something reckless at a time like this.
Then, under the moonlight, everyone noticed another familiar figure standing beside the "Braver."
"Is that... Arde?"
The man was elbowed by the person next to him, and after a brief glance, he chose to shut his mouth.
Of course—she was just a supporter in the Familia, and also the one everyone used to bully. How could they not recognize who she was?
Especially tonight, when that figure hadn't even bothered to wear a hood. Recognizing her was easier than ever.
And if Arde was standing behind Loki-sama, the reason for tonight's visit was obvious—
Today was payback time.
"Lili, feeling any better now?"
Loki, walking ahead, suddenly asked.
"It'd be a lie to say I'm not."
"Seeing those who used to bully Lili completely speechless... it's hard not to feel satisfied."
Liliruca didn't pretend otherwise. She truly was satisfied—as if the frustration bottled up for over ten years had finally been released.
"Hahaha! That's the spirit. If you keep it all in, one day it'll crush you."
Loki burst out laughing, genuinely pleased by Liliruca's response.
"Little girl, you're far too young to keep everything bottled up. Growing up in this shut-in's Familia, you've held it in for way too long. Letting off some steam now and then isn't a bad thing."
"Finn's here today—let's see who dares lay a finger on you."
Sweeping a contemptuous glance over the entire Soma Familia, Loki scoffed inwardly.
'To turn his children into this… that shut-in really takes the prize.'
Children in Genkai are born blank slates. It's the environment and the shape of their lives that give them color.
Gods are like connoisseurs, choosing which colors to paint their children with. And their preferences shape the hues those children take on. Her own Familia, for instance—she likes to guide her children toward better paths, painting each one in their own brilliant shade.
Her rival, Freya, prefers a more hands-off approach, letting her children dye themselves as they wish. Yet, even so, her allure still guides them in a competitive yet healthy way.
But this shut-in's Familia? It was nothing but filth.
Every child had been completely stained in black—except Lili, who barely hovered near the edge. The rest were drowning in it.
Even Loki found it hard to look at without feeling her mood sour.
She'd made up her mind today. She was going to drag that shut-in Soma out.
No matter what, she wouldn't let Lili stay in this dark abyss.
...
Before long, Loki and her group stood at Soma's door.
She raised her foot and gave it a full-powered kick.
"Bang!"
The door slammed open, revealing the room inside under the moonlight.
Soma, dressed in a white robe, was stirring a vat with a stick—apparently in the middle of brewing.
"Shut-in, I'm here for you."
The sudden interruption made Soma's hand freeze mid-motion. His brow furrowed slightly, and the disruption ruined the brew entirely. Realizing this, Soma turned his head toward the intruding Loki.
His long hair covered nearly half his face, his eyes barely visible, his expression unreadable—just a vague trace of confusion.
"Loki. What is it?"
The emotionless tone made Loki falter slightly, taking the wind out of her sails.
'This is exactly why I hate dealing with this damn shut-in.'
Still grumbling to herself, she kept up her confrontational front.
"You've got some nerve. This whole mess is your Familia's fault."
"Them?"
Soma tilted his head, clearly still not following.
"Their only goal is Divine Wine. How could their actions have anything to do with you?"
"I'm talking about you! Do you even care about your Familia at all!?"
"...Why should I?"
Soma genuinely couldn't understand why Loki was angry. Was it really just because he didn't manage his Familia?
"Their goal is the Divine Wine. I gave them something to strive for. Isn't that enough?"
From his perspective, he had done his duty as a Familia God.
Compared to those worthless members, Soma much preferred studying the art of brewing.
"You call that management!? Do you even realize your children are dying because of you!?"
Looking at Soma's indifference, Loki's fury exploded.
"Is that so? And what of it?"
"You bastard...!"
Now Loki was truly at her limit, ready to let her fists do the talking. It was only then that Soma finally understood the source of her anger.
"So, you're mad... because I called worthless children what they are?"
"Worthless... Is that what you call your own children?"
"Isn't it the truth?"
Even as Loki's eyes flared with rage, Soma remained as expressionless as ever.
"Why should I care about shallow Familia members who are obsessed with Divine Wine?"
Loki's face twitched, her fists clenched tight. That smug, indifferent look on his face only made her angrier.
Behind her, Liliruca listened in silence. The words from her own god left her chest tight and aching. Clenching her fists, she stepped forward.
"God-sama, Lili wants to leave the Soma Familia."
Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Please Don't Abandon Us!
Chapter Text
"God-sama, Lili wishes to leave the Soma Familia."
These words made Soma shift his gaze before turning to look at Loki.
"So that's your goal?"
"Do you think I came here for fun?"
Soma gave a slight nod. That did sound like something Loki would say. They rarely interacted, so she wouldn't have come just for something trivial.
"In that case, I don't agree."
Loki, who had been ready to wrap things up the moment Soma said "I agree," froze in place.
"Hah? Soma, you shut-in—are you seriously not gonna show me any respect?"
"Why should I?"
With just that, Loki's expression began to twitch. She stepped forward and grabbed Soma by the collar.
"You believe I won't kill you?"
"Then why haven't you?"
Soma's words seemed designed to needle her, and that remark nearly pushed even Loki's formidable patience to the brink.
"I... you..."
Loki's face flushed bright red with anger, while Soma looked at her impassively.
He couldn't understand why she was getting so worked up. She was the one who said she'd kill him, so why did she seem hesitant now?
Watching from behind, Finn looked on helplessly. Still, this confirmed his suspicions about Soma.
'This god really doesn't seem like someone who would abuse his own Familia.'
Judging from his logic and behavior, it was clear Soma didn't hold such intentions. He simply believed that if even Divine Wine couldn't be resisted, then such Familia members had no value. Still, Finn couldn't deny that this kind of thinking made Soma the most dangerous type of god among them all.
To put it bluntly, Soma didn't act like a god at all. He gave his Familia no guidance whatsoever, leaving them completely to their own devices. Had he set even minimal rules, the Soma Familia wouldn't be in such a mess.
Unfortunately, Soma seemed to measure worth solely by whether someone could resist the allure of the Divine Wine.
And since no one had, he saw no point in paying them any attention.
But that was exactly what made him so troublesome.
Liliruca, having calmed herself, stepped forward again.
This time, facing God-sama, she showed no fear—only firm resolve and unwavering will.
"God-sama."
Soma's eyes shifted again. With Loki still clutching his collar, he turned his gaze to the child who had just spoken.
A faint confusion gave way to recognition. This Pallum girl reminded him of something.
'That child from back then?'
The memory made Soma properly take in the sight of the girl before him.
"God-sama, as you said, those of us who can't withstand the Divine Wine are meaningless. Perhaps it's our failure that has disappointed you. That's why today, I want to challenge your Divine Wine."
"God-sama, if... if Lili manages to stay sane, please grant my request."
Liliruca took a deep breath and, for the first time, knelt to beg her God for a blessing. She knew her actions were highly irregular—almost criminal—but this was her final chance. Her future had to be her own to decide.
Soma looked at her, a bit surprised. After thinking for a moment, he gave his answer.
"Very well."
"If you can drink the wine I've brewed and keep your mind intact, I'll let you leave."
Soma had full confidence in his wine.
It was precisely because no one in his Familia could escape the Divine Wine's grip that he'd chosen to abandon guiding them.
As he said—if they couldn't even escape wine, what point was there in guidance?
Soma looked down at Loki, who was still gripping his collar.
Loki let out an irritated grunt but released him.
Soma, once released, didn't go to retrieve the fully brewed wine from the shelf. Instead, he poured a cup of the half-finished batch that had just been interrupted.
"Drink."
He wondered if this child would end up going mad from the Divine Wine, just like her parents had.
Liliruca didn't hesitate for a second. This was the path she had chosen herself.
She picked up the cup and drank it all in one go.
"!?"
The moment the wine slid down her throat, its rich, mellow flavor began clouding her mind.
Clink—the cup slipped from her hand and fell to the floor with a soft sound.
Her consciousness plunged into chaos.
Beliefs and determination unraveled in an instant.
Her legs could no longer support her.
Liliruca's face flushed red from intoxication, and an uncontrollable, mad-like smile spread across her face like someone who had lost her mind.
'So, the children of Genkai really are beyond saving.'
Soma felt no disappointment. This was simply the expected outcome.
Even Loki and Finn couldn't help but close their eyes at the sight.
But just as Liliruca's mind was about to be fully consumed by the Divine Wine, a figure appeared deep within her consciousness.
The voice of that figure echoed clearly in her ears. Even in her wine-clouded mind, Liliruca heard it.
'Freedom is never something the oppressed can expect. It is a right denied to them.'
'What worth do you have?'
'To whom should you prove that worth?'
'Then what strength do you have to stand before your Familia God?'
'Lili... has no strength.'
A trace of focus began to gather in her chaotic mind.
'Compared to Adventurer-sama, Lili is just a burden—a support who only holds others back.'
'But even so... Lili will keep moving forward!'
'Lili wants to live!!!'
Her scattered consciousness began to reassemble. A glimmer of clarity returned to her eyes.
"...Please..."
Soma's fingers trembled slightly. He lowered his head and, for the first time, truly looked at the child before him.
Loki and Finn, who had just shut their eyes, quickly snapped them open.
'This child... actually resisted it!'
Loki couldn't believe it. That such a child could resist Soma's Divine Wine and claw her way back to consciousness amidst such overpowering intoxication...
Even though she was lying on the ground, the chaos in her eyes was slowly receding, and reason was beginning to return.
"Please... wait..."
A single tear fell down the face twisted in a drunken smile. The uncontrollable grin gradually faded, leaving only the lingering flush of wine on her cheeks.
"Please, God-sama... don't give up on us...
Even if we were never guided by you, Lili understands... please don't give up on us."
The scene struck Soma like lightning, leaving him frozen.
This child, whom he had written off as hopeless, had shone with brilliance—resisting the Divine Wine through the sheer strength of her will.
A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
"Shut-in, this is something you've never seen before, right?
The children of Genkai are full of surprises. Maybe, without you noticing, they've grown into something beyond your imagination."
Snapping out of his daze, Soma looked down at the child before him, finally understanding—
The children of Genkai were not beyond saving.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Shaking the Will of the Gods
Chapter Text
Seeing the clarity return to the girl's eyes, Soma felt something stir in the part of him that had long since given up on the children of Genkai.
He lowered his head slightly. The eyes hidden beneath his long hair were no longer lifeless—they had regained their light.
As if echoing the plea she had cried out: "Please don't give up on us."
Perhaps the children of Genkai were still worth guiding. He had simply failed to realize it until now.
After catching her breath, Liliruca slowly stood up from the ground.
"God-sama, Lili has done it."
Soma said nothing.
"God-sama, please listen to Lili's request."
"Please don't abandon the Familia. Maybe we can't yet endure the Divine Wine, but there are still those among us who will keep striving forward. So please, don't deny all of us."
This was Lili's most heartfelt plea. She wanted God-sama to take responsibility for the Familia. The true Soma Familia should never have become what it is now.
It could be better. More people capable of withstanding the test of God-sama's Divine Wine could emerge.
Though she was the one who had been hurt most deeply by the Soma Familia, she still didn't want it to remain broken like this.
"Pfft! Hahahaha!"
"You stupid shut-in, got schooled by your own child, huh?"
Before Soma could even respond, Loki gave his shoulder a hearty slap, hard enough to sting.
Soma shot her a glance and, as usual, brushed her hand away.
But something else was on his mind.
'Was this child truly one who received my blood and became part of my Familia?'
Because of his own disappointment, he had stopped guiding any of them. He never imagined that someone like her could emerge from among them.
Even though her hand was reddened from the slap, Loki wasn't angry in the slightest.
'So this shut-in actually has this side to him.'
'There's passion under that wall of disappointment. Honestly, why not just say all that directly to your own child?'
She rubbed her reddened hand and came to a conclusion—this shut-in just didn't like expressing himself that way.
There was no need to worry about him now. In his current state, Soma wouldn't make the Familia worse than it already was. Still, the one who had actually ruined the Familia before needed to be dealt with. What a shame.
Loki, gloating to herself, thought it was a real pity she hadn't witnessed that disaster firsthand.
Standing behind them, Finn could only shake his head.
He understood Loki well enough to know what she was thinking—she definitely wanted to keep watching the chaos unfold in the Soma Familia.
Of course, Loki wasn't just here for the show.
"Lili-tan, since you've decided to leave the Soma Familia, how about joining mine?"
"But... Lili doesn't have that kind of strength."
Lili was clearly tempted, but the excitement faded just as quickly.
She knew she lacked the strength to deserve a place in the Loki Familia. Even if she joined, she'd only end up dragging others down.
"What kind of talk is that?"
Loki gave Soma a smug side-glance.
"When I choose members for my Familia, it's not just about strength. Willpower and determination matter too. Otherwise, what would I even do with a shut-in like him?"
Soma's expression remained calm—Loki's teasing didn't bother him.
He now understood that using the Divine Wine as the sole measure for judging the children of Genkai had been misguided. This child in front of him had made that clear.
And beyond that, the children of Genkai were constantly capable of astonishing change.
Even if they weren't strong now, their willpower alone could sometimes move even the gods.
"Lili-tan, you're still planning to look for a new Familia, right? You're not quitting being a supporter altogether, are you?"
Yes, after deciding to leave the Soma Familia today, Liliruca had every intention of joining another Familia. She needed protection and support for the future.
Even if she wanted to give up her role as a supporter and take on servant work instead, that wasn't exactly easy to come by.
Given the abuse she had suffered from her fellow Soma Familia members, she couldn't bring herself to go down that route either. So for now, completely abandoning her role as a supporter wasn't an option.
Loki saw the flicker of hesitation on Liliruca's face and was inwardly thrilled, eagerly fanning the flames.
"Besides, you've done quite a lot as a supporter, haven't you?"
"Yes..."
"So right now, what you need most is a suitable Familia. Your abilities as a supporter may not be strong, but I really admire your determination. As for your lack of strength, you can work on that little by little."
Loki had never been the type to care solely about personal strength. If she were judging Liliruca just by her abilities, no Familia would have taken her.
What Loki truly valued was her will—her persistence and resolve.
Children with qualities like that often mattered more than sheer power.
And just moments ago, Liliruca had shown that very determination—resisting Soma's Divine Wine as an ordinary person. That unyielding spirit was what convinced Loki to extend the invitation.
And this time, Liliruca didn't hold back.
"If Loki-sama believes I can join... then please let me become part of the Loki Familia."
"Great!"
Successfully stealing a child right out from under Soma's nose left Loki in a very good mood.
Today was shaping up to be a fantastic day.
Not only had she brought over two key members from the Apollo Familia, but now she'd taken in a child from the Soma Familia with that kind of willpower. It truly was a double blessing.
With Soma's permission, the transfer went smoothly. In no time, the emblem on Liliruca's back changed from the wine cup of the Soma Familia to the jester symbol of the Loki Familia.
Liliruca was now officially a member of the Loki Familia.
Before leaving, she turned to Soma and bowed deeply. The memories of everything she had endured surfaced at once, and her eyes brimmed with tears.
"God-sama, thank you for everything up until now."
Soma looked at the bowing Liliruca and gave a rare nod, speaking words he seldom uttered.
"Safe travels."
It was a simple blessing from a god.
Liliruca felt a pang in her chest, but still nodded firmly.
She didn't know what the future held—but she would never let herself fall again.
Soma turned and retrieved a bottle of Divine Wine from the shelf.
"Take this. As a keepsake."
Liliruca accepted the bottle with both hands, wiping her tears with her sleeve.
This time, she truly was leaving.
Chapter 208: Chapter 208: Damn! It's Him Again!
Chapter Text
"Lili, how did you manage to hold on?"
On the way from Soma Familia to Loki Familia, Loki suddenly asked the question that had been on her mind.
"Soma's Divine Wine is far more unreasonable than I imagined. Even gods get fuzzy-headed after drinking too much of it. For children of Genkai, it's almost impossible to endure."
She had initially wanted to say outright that it was impossible for Genkai children to handle it, but reconsidered after thinking of Lili's situation.
Finn was also clearly intrigued.
"I'm curious too. When I saw you drink the Divine Wine and completely lose your mind, I thought you were done for. I didn't expect you to actually make it through."
Lili scratched her cheek, a bit embarrassed.
"Honestly, Lili thinks it was probably just a coincidence."
"After drinking the Divine Wine, Lili felt her mind gradually fading. If it hadn't been for that voice ringing in her head at the last moment, she definitely wouldn't have made it."
Loki's interest was piqued.
"Who was it, Lili?"
"To appear in your mind at a time like that, it must be someone very important, right?"
Lili tried hard to recall, then shook her head, slightly disheartened.
"Lili doesn't know who it was, but he was definitely someone important. Without him, Lili wouldn't have escaped from the Dungeon."
"He wore a cloak and hood. Lili had fallen to the ground and couldn't see his face... but he let me go. Those people trying to use Lili as bait ended up getting eaten by the original ants they were using to control things."
"A Tamer?"
Finn's first thought went straight to a Tamer.
In the Dungeon, Tamers were the only ones who could tame its monsters, and only they could command the savage beasts they controlled.
But Lili gently shook her head.
"Not a Tamer."
"Lili didn't see his face, but he used something like that special writing. So Lili thinks he must be the Rune Stones creator."
That conclusion caused Loki's expression to freeze for a moment. She turned her head toward Lili like a machine.
"Lili, are you sure you didn't mistake it?"
Huh? Lili noticed Loki-sama's stiff expression. Could it be that Loki-sama knows that person?
The thought made her blurt out the question.
"Loki-sama, do you know him?"
Can I even tell her that I just got swindled out of 1.6 billion by that brat? Loki covered her face and couldn't speak for a long time.
Finn, seeing Loki's sulky expression, couldn't help but chuckle.
"If you're sure you didn't see wrong, then that person isn't just someone Loki knows. We all know him."
"We just did our first deal with him not long ago. A 1.6 billion transaction—I personally delivered the full payment."
"1... 1.6 billion?!"
Lili's eyes widened in shock. She double-checked her ears—was she hearing that right? 1.6 billion? That number was astronomical to her.
"Braver-sama, what did you buy for 1.6 billion? Was it all Rune Stones?"
"Yep. The Rune Stones he recommended were each better than the last. Every single one was useful for Dungeon conquest. Anyone who heard the descriptions would want to buy them."
Recalling the fear from being sold to so hard, Finn still shivered thinking about the green glint in the man's eyes.
"Ahh! Just thinking about that guy still pisses me off!"
Loki grabbed her head and yelled in frustration. Many nearby adventurers turned their heads, but when they saw it was Loki, they all quietly looked away again.
"He's out there gathering intel while selling stuff that isn't even his. He rakes in all the cash, and the credit goes to that damn shorty."
"It's so frustrating!"
Finn sighed at Loki's childish outburst.
"Then why didn't you just not buy it?"
"As if that was even an option!"
Not buy it? No way!
Maybe before they knew what the Rune Stones did, they could have resisted. But now that they knew their effects, how could they not buy them?
Loki was sure that if she didn't buy them here, there was no way she'd find anything as effective elsewhere in Orario.
So no—buying was absolutely necessary.
Finn gave a helpless wave. He got where Loki was coming from—this wasn't about the money. It was about pride.
But the problem was, the one they were dealing with belonged to Hestia Familia—what could they do?
That person acted with caution and restraint, a clear contrast to the reckless and impulsive Ais.
In less than a month, he had essentially stepped into the realm of Level 2. That level of talent was undoubtedly top-tier.
Talent combined with caution like that meant he'd surpass the early developmental stages in no time. His attitude toward adventurer ranks clearly showed he wasn't just confident—he was determined to push past his limits. Someone like that was bound to achieve great things.
They had all come to the same conclusion after analyzing him, which was why they felt the deal had been worth it.
Maybe it looked like Loki Familia had taken a loss now, but in the long run, this loss could turn out to be a blessing.
With his talent and ability, it might only take a few years before he hit Level 5. If that happened, then this would be considered an early investment on Loki Familia's part.
"Right? So just bear with it."
Finn's suggestion made Loki explode on the spot.
"Finn, you're my child! How can you be so discouraging?"
But Finn really didn't have a better option. The other party was a well-behaved seller, and everything he offered was high-quality—you couldn't even complain about the merchandise. It wasn't like they could seriously not buy anything.
Loki herself had said that not buying wasn't an option, so what else was there to argue?
With a slight sigh, Finn calmly presented Loki with two very precise options.
"If you really can't stand it, then just arrange a marriage interview for that boy."
"Riveria or Ais—pick one."
"...Damn it! What kind of choice is that?! No matter who I pick, I lose!"
After a moment of bewildered silence, Loki jumped up again.
A honey trap, huh? Classic move—oldest trick in the book.
But Loki also knew that if she actually tried that out of spite, she'd probably get hammered to death by Riveria or Ais.
Even worse, if the honey trap actually worked, she'd be the one who lost the most.
No way could she go through with a deal like that.
Still, that lingering silence gave Finn a bit of a headache—because he knew Loki had seriously weighed the pros and cons before rejecting it.
If the benefits were tempting enough, Loki really might have gone for it.
Chapter 209: Chapter 209: Newcomer Introduction (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Alright! Everyone, listen up."
Back at the Loki Familia, the banquet was just getting started. As the Familia God, Loki grabbed Lili and led her straight to the center of the gathering.
"Daphne, Cassandra, you two come over here too."
The two called looked at each other before standing up and walking over.
Loki gave the three children beside her a quick glance before announcing the official start of the banquet and welcoming the newcomers.
"Alright! The welcome banquet is officially underway!"
"These three kids have just joined our Familia—come and meet them."
"First up, Cassandra."
Cassandra froze a little when the attention shifted to her.
"Eh? I-Is it me?"
With a mischievous grin, Loki reached out and slapped Cassandra on the waist.
"Of course it's you! Can't you tell you've got the best figure among the three? This is when someone like you should step up and introduce herself first."
Cassandra's face turned bright red. Clad in a long black dress, she had a slender build and wasn't used to anyone complimenting her figure—people usually just called her gloomy.
Everyone glanced at the bashful Cassandra, quietly mourning for the innocent girl. That flustered look of hers? Loki's absolute favorite.
Despite her embarrassment, Cassandra lowered her head slightly. But remembering what Loki had asked of her, she spoke up.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Cassandra Ilion. I specialize in healing magic. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"That's right! Cassandra's great with healing magic. And with that motherly figure of hers, I felt healed just by looking at her. But just so we're clear, she's mine—no one else is allowed to pounce."
Loki wasn't just a pervert—she was a possessive one, declaring her claim right there at the banquet.
Of course, everyone in the Loki Familia knew she was just messing around.
At most, she was trying to fluster the newbie a little.
This was typical Loki behavior—she did the same thing with Ais back in the day. Of course, back then, Ais didn't have a "motherly figure," she was more of a loli type filled with youthful charm.
Yeah... it just confirmed again that Loki's wickedness wasn't very selective.
Any cute girl was fair game for her.
"Eh?"
Everyone else already knew how Loki rolled. Even the other two newcomers beside her understood it was just a joke. But Cassandra, having never faced something like this, instinctively blurted out a response.
"Loki-sama, I... I actually like boys."
"Pfft!"
In that moment, everyone who'd been gearing up to watch the show burst out laughing. Even Loki, ever the mischief-maker, couldn't hold back her grin.
"Puhahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
And so, under Loki's lead, the entire hall erupted in hearty laughter.
Cassandra looked completely lost, a question mark practically written on her face. Only Daphne, who knew her well, sighed and gave the clueless girl a pat on the shoulder.
"Idiot. Couldn't you tell Loki-sama was joking?"
"Eh? J-Joking?"
Realizing it too late, Cassandra hurriedly turned to Loki and bowed her head in apology.
"I'm sorry, Loki-sama, I misunderstood."
"Ooh~"
Watching the oversized melons bounce in front of her, Loki couldn't help but swallow hard. Even though she'd just been joking to lighten the mood, this girl's figure really was something else—it was hard not to stare.
stare.
"Ahem... Alright, everyone, take note. This one takes jokes seriously, so be careful not to tease her too casually in the future."
"Mama, I'll be counting on you to look after these three newbies."
The moment Loki said "Mama," the vein on Riveria's forehead twitched violently. But considering this was the welcome party, she restrained herself from smacking her.
Of course, everyone in the Loki Familia knew exactly who "Mama" referred to.
She was, after all, the biggest mother figure in the Familia—not just in age and experience, but also in how she handled things and her unmatched patience as the Vice Captain. Naturally, everyone accepted the title of "Mama" for her.
Still, given how much the person in question disliked the nickname, only Loki had the guts to actually say it out loud.
"Alright! Now that things are warming up, it's Daphne's turn."
Daphne took a deep breath and began her self-introduction.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Daphne Lauros. I used to handle command roles in the Apollo Familia, so I have some experience in leadership."
Unlike Cassandra's awkwardness, Daphne carried herself with poise. Dashing and confident were fitting ways to describe her.
And of course, everyone immediately noticed her area of expertise.
Command ability is one of the key traits that determines an Adventurer's value among the talented.
Since she regularly handled command duties in the Apollo Familia, she wasn't just somewhat skilled—she had real field experience.
It was almost certain that Daphne was being groomed for the Second Team's command unit.
That was exactly what Loki had in mind. Even if the Apollo Familia wasn't particularly strong, anyone who could command them had the potential to handle the Second Team.
So in her eyes, she'd picked up two highly promising recruits.
As for the last one, Loki spoke up again.
"Alright! Now it's time for our final newcomer."
"This one might not have the best stats, but she's someone I really like."
"Just now, this child clearly demonstrated her will in front of me and Finn. Even a god's charm or divine wine wouldn't seduce her or get her drunk. Her sense of self-control is so strong that even I can only describe it as 'astonishing'."
This was Loki directly praising a child, which made everyone in the family cast surprised glances at each other.
Everyone knew Loki liked to joke around and usually acted unserious.
But everyone also knew that Loki's unseriousness was just an act—she was not truly improper.
Everyone trusted Loki's words deeply, so this time they were all even more surprised.
After all, when Loki introduced others in the past, she never praised them like this, so everyone paid extra attention.
Chapter 210: Chapter 210: Advancing Toward Lv.3 (Bonus)
Chapter Text
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.2
Development Abilities:
• Stealth: H
Attributes:
Strength: G274 → D589
Endurance: G294 → C631
Dexterity: F330 → C612
Agility: F384 → C627
Magic: B721 → ???1345
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space":
· Storage
"Lightning Command":
• Quick-Cast Magic
• Controls Lightning
Skills:
"Personal Training":
• Early Bloomer
"Heaven's Luck":
· High Luck
"The Poor Man's Desire":
• Accumulate Power]
"Bell-kun, aside from your strength still being at D, your endurance, dexterity, and agility have all reached C, and your magic has even gone beyond 1300."
Even though she had grown used to Bell's rapid development, Hestia still found herself secretly astonished every time she saw this unbelievable progress.
Bell had only recently reached Lv.2, and yet his Status had already risen to such a degree. Any Familia God who saw this would probably lose their mind. His potential seemed endless, and his growth was practically soaring. 'As expected of my Bell,' Hestia couldn't help but think.
"At this rate, it won't be long before you hit the limit of Lv.2. When that happens, you'll have to start thinking about promotion again."
"Yeah, I'm actually planning to take care of that during this expedition with the Loki Familia to the Dungeon."
There wasn't much issue with accumulating Status anymore.
Even if the rate of growth had slowed down recently, that was only because he'd been focusing heavily on refining his techniques. If he cut back on that, his abilities would grow even faster.
The "Early Bloomer" skill was incredibly advantageous during this phase. Bell was now racing toward becoming a high-rank adventurer at top speed.
As for the Excelia needed for promotion, Bell wasn't particularly worried.
To go from Lv.2 to Lv.3 didn't require a solo battle against a Floor Boss. As long as he fought enough high-level monsters in the deeper levels of the Dungeon, he'd gather the necessary Excelia for promotion.
Only at Lv.4 would he need to challenge a Floor Boss to advance.
Which is why joining the right Familia truly mattered.
If someone had enough talent and went into the Dungeon with their Familia, they would absolutely have a chance to accumulate the Excelia needed to rank up.
"Think that'll be alright?"
"Yeah, it's fine. I'll bring the recording device with me, so Goddess-sama can see me from within the Familia."
"Oh! Right, that thing!"
Hestia had nearly forgotten it existed.
"The one you recommended to Loki earlier."
What stuck with Hestia was the fact that Bell hadn't charged Loki a single valis for it—he'd given it to her entirely for free.
That alone made Hestia a little curious.
"Bell-kun, why didn't you squeeze some payment out of Loki for that thing?"
A sharp question—and one Bell immediately understood. From that single remark, it was clear just how badly Goddess-sama had been bullied by Loki-sama in the past. No wonder she wanted to hit her where it hurt every chance she got.
"Goddess-sama, Loki-sama is an important partner. There's no need to push her too hard."
"1.6 billion Valis is already more than enough to make her wince."
"That's true."
Hestia pouted. That amount really was a huge sum. She believed that even a large Familia like Loki's would feel the pain from such a loss.
Seeing that Hestia had calmed down, Bell continued with the rest of what he wanted to say.
"Also, that 'recording device' can record the surrounding area and project it elsewhere. If the other gods find out about it..."
Bell trailed off.
No! The other gods must never find out!
Hestia, always keenly aware of the Dungeon's sensitivities, immediately understood the danger.
The gods' divine power can't reach into the Dungeon, which makes observing anything happening underground from the surface extremely difficult. It's said that only tools not powered by divine energy can reach the lower levels of the Dungeon.
If the other gods find out Bell can create such a special device, things would become very dangerous. They might even attract the attention of Evilus.
"We definitely shouldn't sell it. But doesn't that mean it's even worse to give it to Loki?"
"Goddess-sama, giving it to Loki-sama isn't just about building friendship. It's also a way to pull her into this with us. If this ever comes to light, it won't benefit anyone. But as long as Loki-sama is involved, she won't let it be exposed."
Of course, that wasn't the most critical point.
"The real key is that I made some modifications to what we gave Loki-sama."
A faint smile appeared on Bell's face as he said this.
"To prevent Loki-sama from using it as evidence against us, I set up a self-destruct mechanism on both the 'screen capture device' and the 'projector' after handing them over."
"At the same time, I also made a duplicate of the projector within those two devices."
Hestia caught on instantly.
"Does that mean we can now see what's going on over at Loki's side?"
"Yes. But I don't recommend watching it constantly—Goddess-sama, you're way too easy for Loki-sama to trip up."
Faced with that truth, Hestia could only groan softly while lying on Bell's back.
Even though she felt like she was being seriously underestimated, she couldn't deny that she had made a total fool of herself in front of Loki earlier. Begrudgingly, she accepted that she might get played again.
"Goddess-sama, you don't have to be so down. Loki-sama really is incredibly skilled in this kind of thing. If she gets serious, I doubt even the other gods could handle her. But I believe there's at least one god in Orario who could still keep up with her—and that's you, Goddess-sama."
"Ugh... What kind of compliment is that supposed to be?"
Though she grumbled, Hestia happily took the compliment anyway.
Loki was known among the gods for her keen perception. She had once stirred up all of Tenkai on her own. Hestia knew well how wild Loki could be up there, so being compared to her... wasn't too much of an embarrassment.
Chapter 211: Chapter 211: Goddess-sama, Please Wait for Me a While (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Hoo..."
Bell looked at the layer of flat tree growth covering the ground, feeling a bit of relief.
'Finally finished the most basic part.'
After three days, he had used the elf tree seeds to spread roots throughout the territory's surface. Building on that foundation, he slowly grew the first annex completely constructed from wood.
"Bell-kun."
A familiar leap and the sensation of someone landing on his back—it was unmistakable. Even without a sound, Bell knew exactly who it was.
"Goddess-sama, it took a bit of effort."
"No, for a project this massive, finishing it this quickly is already impressive."
Perched on his back, Hestia gazed curiously at the treehouse in front of them. The lowest level had already taken shape visibly. With such scale and additional construction planned, getting this far in just three days was indeed fast in her eyes.
Still, Bell felt a bit helpless. As she pointed out, the treehouse he had originally envisioned was far too grand, which only made construction harder.
To fully realize the design, more prep and time would be needed for completion.
Then there was the surrounding space.
Because his mental image of the treehouse had set the bar so high, its scale affected the surrounding area as well. That space had to be expanded to match the house's proportions.
'Seriously, what was I thinking trying to make it this big?'
Bell couldn't help but mock his earlier ambition.
Sure, the treehouse in his mind looked amazing, and he was genuinely excited about living in it. But the scale was enough to push him to the brink.
Yet even as he reflected, he found himself falling into it all over again. Not for anything else—just so Goddess-sama could live here with him.
"Bell-kun, can we go inside and have a look now?"
Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the treehouse, excitement radiating from her.
She could live anywhere—even in a basement—as long as Bell-kun was there. But this treehouse was different. This was the home Bell-kun built for her, and that gave it special meaning.
"Of course. Goddess-sama, allow me to lead the way."
"Mmhmm~"
Bell supported her legs behind him.
Hestia spread her arms and clung to Bell's back. Since it was his request, as his Familia God, she naturally agreed.
Her head rested on Bell's shoulder. She could faintly smell the scent of sweat on him, but it only made her feel more at ease.
"Bell-kun, this will be our place from now on."
The word "home" brought a smile to Bell's face.
"Yeah, this will be our home—yours and mine, Goddess-sama."
Hestia gently kicked her small feet as Bell carried her. It was only at times like this that they could be alone together.
'Come to think of it, Bell-kun has worked so hard... shouldn't I praise him a little?'
'Yes, I definitely should.'
Feeling the joy radiating from Goddess-sama behind him, Bell couldn't help but be in a good mood too.
The exterior of the treehouse resembled a cluster of thick roots—fitting, since it was built entirely from trees. The atmosphere was meant to be immersive.
At the center of the root-like structure stood a door—not immediately noticeable—but with runes carved into its surface, giving it the feel of a proper entrance.
Bell carried Goddess-sama toward it. The runes glowed faintly, and the door slowly creaked open from within.
Step by step, he entered the treehouse with her on his back.
Inside, the space was nothing like the root-covered exterior. The floor was formed from smooth, polished wood. A faint fragrance lingered in the air, while a gentle, refreshing energy flowed through the room, not only purifying the air but soothing both body and soul.
"Wow!"
Hestia, almost nose-to-nose with Bell, lit up as her eyes took in the interior. She straightened up excitedly.
"This is the inside of the treehouse?"
"Yes, Goddess-sama."
Bell crouched down and gently let her off his back.
Hestia stepped barefoot onto the floor, a gentle warmth rising through the soles of her feet, wrapping around them with a soothing comfort.
"The floor feels so nice... it's warm underfoot."
"That's because this is the core of the spirit tree itself. The bark and trunk are tough, but the inner core that absorbs nutrients is soft. And since it's absorbed a lot of spiritual energy, the inside of the treehouse maintains that soft, warm quality."
The fresh sensation made Hestia pace around a bit, confirming that the comfort wasn't her imagination.
Bell chuckled as he explained the reason behind it.
Hestia nodded like she understood, but quickly brushed the details aside.
"Inhale... exhale..."
"This will be our home from now on. We finally don't have to live in a basement anymore."
Even though she'd been fine staying in a basement as long as Bell was there, being able to live above ground was obviously the better option.
As she spoke, Hestia turned to Bell.
"Bell-kun."
Now that they had a home, the next step was clear—her relationship with Bell-kun had to move forward too.
But the moment she thought about taking the initiative, a blush spread across her face.
'Is... is this really okay?'
Bell's heart skipped a beat. Until now, every experience he had came from the initiative of Goddess-sama or Hephaestus-sama.
Strictly speaking, this was the first time he'd been given the right to take the lead.
Without any hesitation, Bell leaned down and kissed Goddess-sama on the lips.
The soft warmth, the faint fragrance, and the subtly familiar sensation completely drew him in.
But he quickly steadied his emotions.
Even if he could do anything he wanted to Goddess-sama in that moment—this still wasn't the time.
'Power determines what I'm allowed to have.'
'I'm not strong enough yet to deserve more than this.'
Taking a deep breath, Bell suppressed the emotions welling inside him.
He wrapped his arms around Goddess-sama.
"Goddess-sama, please wait for me a little longer."
Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Today is the "Monsterphilia" (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Because he was constantly tempted by Goddess-sama's presence, Bell's desire for power grew even stronger.
But the more he craved power, the more cautious he became. After all, tasting the final fruit required not just strength, but survival. Yes, staying alive was crucial.
In Orario, being strong alone wasn't enough. One needed many ways to deal with survival itself, or even the strongest power could end in disaster.
You must never assume adventurers are just fools who stand there and take hits. If someone really thinks high-level adventurers are passive idiots, then that person is the biggest fool of all.
Even Bell's technique for bypassing adventurers' "Abnormal Resistance" couldn't be used too frequently. If those people ever developed a drug that nullified all positive effects, his technique would become useless.
Unless it's a one-hit kill, that move should be used sparingly.
'In the future, I need to keep exploring more applications of Rune.'
'Poison and curses are the two areas I'm lacking in. I need to deepen my Rune development in both.'
Sitting at his desk, Bell wrote 'poison' and 'curse' into his notebook. Pursuing these directions was now part of his Rune development plan.
He hadn't explored them before because of the widespread "Abnormal Resistance" among adventurers. Focusing on poison and curses early on had seemed foolish.
But of course, high-level poison and curses aren't something ordinary "Abnormal Resistance" can handle.
This became even more important after people began trying to counter his one-hit kill technique. High-grade poison and curses were now essential. After all, there were poisons in the Dungeon that could bypass "abnormal resistance," and once touched, only a high-level antidote could save an adventurer—without it, death was certain.
So, developing ordinary poison and curses wasn't necessary. But high-level ones were a different story.
'I still need to be more careful.'
'Also, the next challenge is the middle levels.'
The earlier twelve floors no longer posed any threat to Bell. He had already experienced all the monster behaviors and attack patterns.
Even if the same monsters appeared on the next floor, Bell was confident he could handle them.
But the floors beyond the middle levels likely won't be as gentle as the earlier ones.
Naturally, Bell had made all the necessary preparations. He understood better than anyone how dangerous the Dungeon was. That's why he had made so many preparations even before first entering it—and even now, with his strength greatly improved, he remained cautious.
'But before taking on the middle levels, I need to figure out the issue with the sword.'
He had already identified the problem during his run through the twelfth floor.
Since "Robust Health" didn't grant that particular ability, and only "Kuji Kanesada" had awakened something new, the problem must lie with "Kuji Kanesada."
'I'll test the sword again today to see what exactly has changed.'
With that, Bell added seals and concealment methods to his notes and returned them to his four-dimensional space.
"Knock knock knock!"
After tidying up, Bell opened the door—and was surprised to find Goddess-sama standing there, looking uncharacteristically excited.
"Goddess-sama, did something good happen?"
"Ta-da~"
With a proud smile, Goddess-sama looked even cuter than usual, openly showing her joy. Bell could tell something good really had happened.
"Bell-kun, do you know what day it is today?"
Hestia stood proudly, waiting for Bell-kun to ask.
Bell quickly picked up on her hint and asked right on cue.
"Goddess-sama, is today an important day?"
"Hehe~ For Orario, today's the annual festival! For adventurers, it's a day to relax and celebrate."
Having been in Orario for less than a month, Bell wasn't familiar with the festival. So, he shook his head, not quite sure what Goddess-sama meant.
"What festival is Goddess-sama talking about?"
"Of course, it's Monsterphilia."
Once he heard the name of the festival, Bell realized that today was indeed the day of Monsterphilia.
'I guess that's why I haven't run into anyone from the Ganesha Familia in the Dungeon these past few days—they must have already wrapped up their preparations.'
'Still, I didn't expect Monsterphilia to be today.'
Bell had always been curious about this festival. After all, it symbolized the beginning of the story, and by observing it, he could confirm the current timeline.
'I wonder if that Goddess of Beauty will release those monsters.'
He remembered that she had once released caged monsters just to gauge the abilities of "Bell Cranel." But at this point, she should only be observing him out of curiosity—probably not to that extreme.
That said, this time, besides the Goddess of Beauty's interference, the Evilus was also expected to make a move.
'Might be worth checking out what's going on.'
Honestly, knowing that Monsterphilia was bound to be chaotic, the smartest thing Bell could do was avoid it. But one glance at Goddess-sama's excited expression made it clear—he didn't have a choice.
So, Bell decided not to avoid it.
"Then let's go take a look, Goddess-sama."
"Mm-hmm!"
Hestia was clearly thrilled that Bell had invited her to Monsterphilia.
"Since it's decided, let's head out now."
"Of course. But Goddess-sama, let's keep safety first."
"It's fine! The Ganesha Familia handles Monsterphilia every year. If there were going to be problems, they'd have already been dealt with."
'Isn't that just because you haven't waited long enough?' Bell couldn't help but complain inwardly.
This year, problems were definitely going to arise. Bell knew it deep down, but he couldn't say anything. He didn't have Cassandra's ability to foresee the future—especially with how much the plot might be shifting now.
He really wasn't sure if the butterfly effect he represented would stir up a storm, so he continued to approach things with caution.
'Even if things seem completely safe, it's better to prepare assuming they're not.'
With that, Bell took out a black and gray cloak from his four-dimensional space.
"Goddess-sama."
"Ugh... fine."
Seeing the cloak, Hestia looked a little pouty, but she still accepted it and draped it over herself.
Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Clash of Two Goddesses (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Monsterphilia"—an annual grand festival held in Orario.
Each year, the Ganesha Familia captures monsters from the Dungeon and puts on a taming exhibition before a huge crowd.
It's like a massive performance.
Honestly, just hearing about a festival like this might not sound all that interesting, yet it draws countless ordinary citizens of Orario every year, all for their love of Monsterphilia.
After all, ordinary people rarely get the chance to see monsters up close. So naturally, when given the opportunity, they want to make the most of it. Under these circumstances, Monsterphilia gradually became a yearly tradition.
At first, only the general public showed interest in the festival. But as its popularity grew, it began drawing large crowds, which soon caught the attention of major businesses.
Especially in the food industry—food stalls saw the highest spending during Monsterphilia.
As the event was held year after year, the monsters captured by the Ganesha Familia gradually increased in level. This, in turn, piqued the interest of many Lv.1 adventurers.
It's worth noting that more than half of Orario's adventurers remain at Lv.1. Less than half ever manage to break through that bottleneck.
So when the monsters at Monsterphilia became stronger, it naturally sparked curiosity among lower-level adventurers. The Ganesha Familia's taming displays became valuable viewing experiences for many of them.
And that's how Monsterphilia began to attract not only the general public but also low-level adventurers.
With each passing year, the festival steadily evolved into one of Orario's biggest events. Little by little, it grew from something beloved only by civilians to something embraced by the adventuring community as well.
"So that's how it is. Monsterphilia reached this scale thanks to the effort poured into it over the years."
Listening to Goddess-sama's explanation, Bell finally understood the full picture of Monsterphilia.
"Goddess-sama, are you interested in Monsterphilia too?"
"Hmm… I'm not that interested in the festival itself, but I am very interested in the feast that comes with it."
Hestia waved off Bell-kun's question without hesitation. Her focus was never on the monsters caught by the Ganesha Familia—it was on the festival experience itself.
Bell instantly grasped the hidden meaning behind her words.
'As expected of Goddess-sama… of course it's all about the food.'
Still, it made Bell curious just how long Goddess-sama had been in Genkai.
"Goddess-sama, have you experienced Monsterphilia before?"
"Of course I have! But last time, I was still living with Hephaestus. Even if the festival was happening, I couldn't really go out and enjoy it."
Seeing her a bit downcast, Bell could imagine what it must've been like the previous year—Hephaestus-sama keeping a tight grip on her spending.
'Looks like Hephaestus-sama really took care of her for quite a while.'
As a friend, that level of support was more than generous.
"Then, Goddess-sama, let's enjoy it to the fullest today."
"Yes!"
Bell didn't want to ruin her mood. Who knew how things might turn out later in the day? For now, while they still had time, they should just enjoy themselves.
Even if it was just food stalls, there were quite a lot at Monsterphilia.
Of course, the most classic options were crepes and fried noodles.
They actually tasted pretty good, and the prices weren't too bad—about 300 Valis, around 100 more than usual. But it was a festival, so some price inflation was expected.
Now that the Hestia Familia no longer had to live so frugally, this wasn't a concern.
Bell gave Hestia a 200,000 Valis allowance for daily expenses. Even if she splurged on snacks, no one could possibly eat 200,000 Valis worth of street food.
So they could enjoy the festival freely and without worry.
...
Meanwhile, at a teahouse on Orario's Daedalus Street, two goddesses sat together, sipping tea.
Behind them stood two knights acting as their guards—one tall, one short—both exuding an aura far beyond what ordinary adventurers could perceive.
"Hey, you lustful woman, still got your eye on that shorty's kid?"
Freya, the elegant and generous goddess known as the goddess of love and beauty, looked at the other goddess with an amused smile.
"Watching? I'm just curious. That boy is the first one who's ever caught my eye. Is it wrong to be curious about him?"
Freya rested her chin in her hand, looking at the other goddess with curiosity.
"What about you, Loki? Since when did you start siding with Hestia?"
Loki snorted through her nose as she sipped her tea, clearly annoyed.
"Whatever the case, Shorty and I are allies now. If I'm not backing her, should I be backing you instead—a lustful woman who spends her days fantasizing about other Familia's kids?"
Freya, well acquainted with Loki, didn't get angry. On the contrary, her interest in that boy only deepened.
"So, you think standing with Hestia benefits you more than siding with me?"
"Seems even you, Loki, have recognized that child's potential."
Caught off guard by the remark, Loki grimaced and took another sip of tea to suppress her irritation.
Freya found this kind of belated realization fascinating. It was like a seasoned player used to stomping through single-player games suddenly encountering a boss immune to all her cheats. That only made her more intrigued.
Of course, Freya's curiosity was still rooted in the game itself. Unless she could confirm firsthand that the boy was truly the one she was searching for, she wouldn't make any reckless moves.
But right now, Freya was feeling something different.
Perhaps even someone as upright as Bell wouldn't let his soul be easily seen.
That previous failure hadn't been a fluke—it was inevitable.
So either the boy instinctively repelled any divine peering, or his power outright blocked the gaze of the gods. Realizing that her usual methods wouldn't work, Freya stopped trying to cheat her way in. She knew it would be a waste of time. Besides, Hestia had probably already warned him, making the boy doubly cautious of her.
Still, that only made things more interesting.
"Loki, if you came to warn me, then consider your warning received."
"If that child is special, then I'll just take my time observing how special he really is."
"After all, time means nothing to us gods."
This woman is such a pain. Loki ruffled her hair in frustration. She could tell this lustful goddess was settling in for the long haul.
'That kid probably won't be caught so easily—but how long can he keep this up, huh?'
Chapter 214: Chapter 214: Evilus in Action (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Mmm~ I'm so full..."
Even with snacks, eating too many can leave you stuffed.
Finally getting a chance to walk around the festival with Bell-kun, Hestia let herself relax and enjoy the moment.
"Goddess-sama, it's not good to overeat on snacks. That kind of thing isn't great for your body."
"It's fine, it's fine! Gods don't really change shape, no matter how much we eat."
That's not what I meant. Bell let out a deep sigh. He wasn't worried about Hestia gaining weight—he was more concerned about whether she might throw up later when he carried her to find a good spot to watch the show.
Standing by the roadside with Hestia, Bell kept observing the atmosphere around them.
'The stench from the sewer... it's already leaking up.'
As they walked the streets, Bell had already sensed something unnatural rising from the underground. He was almost certain that Orario's sewer system had been overtaken, and whatever was down there was about to strike during the festival.
Shaking his head, Bell gently took Hestia's hand and led her into a nearby alley.
"Goddess-sama, sorry to cut the fun short, but we need to get out of here."
"Huh?"
Hestia paused, glanced around cautiously, then instinctively leaned into Bell-kun's arms.
"Bell-kun... is it dangerous here too?"
"Yes."
Bell immediately activated a rune to conceal their presence.
"Since we started walking around, I've felt something moving in the empty sewers beneath the street. That strange stench has already reached me."
"No way..."
Hestia was stunned. She had been looking forward to Monsterphilia for so long. They had only just started their date, and now this unexpected situation had popped up.
'Ugh—my date!' Hestia stomped her feet in frustration, as if trying to vent her disappointment.
But after that brief moment of sulking, she quickly snapped back to seriousness.
"Bell-kun, do you know who's behind this?"
Bell did. Even though he was still new to Orario, anyone paying attention to the city's past incidents could make an educated guess. If something big was happening in Orario, there was only one group likely to be behind it—Evilus.
"Goddess-sama, who do you think would dare stir up trouble during Orario's biggest annual festival?"
"...It has to be those guys."
"Exactly."
Hestia immediately understood Bell-kun's meaning.
There was only one organization capable of causing large-scale chaos in Orario—the Dark Faction that had once brought the city to the edge of ruin. Only they could pull off something this bold.
Bell confirmed her suspicion—it was the only possible answer. And Evilus wouldn't stop at a minor disturbance. They likely intended to unleash something massive on the surface, aiming to tear down Orario and throw the world back into chaos.
"But I remember Hephaestus saying those people had already been wiped out."
That's what Hephaestus had told her, and Hestia didn't believe she would've been mistaken.
"A centipede doesn't die easily, Goddess-sama. The Ishtar incident alone proves those people are still operating from the shadows—and they've never been truly eradicated."
Bell's reminder brought the recent Ishtar affair back to Hestia's mind. She had heard that many members of Evilus were captured during that siege.
Thinking about it now, if Evilus really had been eliminated, there's no way Bell-kun could've gotten such solid leverage over Ishtar. Nor would the underground passages have been so thoroughly exposed.
Still, the discovery of numerous underground passages in Orario confirmed one thing—the Evilus wasn't truly wiped out.
"What do we do now?"
Realizing this was the work of the Evilus, Hestia had no choice but to give up on her date with Bell-kun. But what should they do next?
"We do nothing."
"Nothing?"
"That's right."
Seeing the questioning look in Goddess-sama's eyes, Bell explained further.
"Goddess-sama, do you really think only a few gods are involved with the Evilus?"
"Don't tell me…?"
Hestia's expression changed instantly.
Bell's gaze was equally serious. He was extremely cautious when it came to the Evilus. Because 'the enemy hides in the dark, while we stand in the light', this kind of situation could easily spiral into trouble. Even if he knew the storyline, there was no guarantee the Evilus would follow the script exactly.
"The Ishtar Familia's connection to the Evilus is already obvious. I believe the Evilus never actually disappeared. They've simply been hiding among the gods this whole time. Over the years, they've probably grown stronger and may have pulled several gods into their circle."
"Ugh…"
Hestia looked frustrated. She was just trying to enjoy a simple date with Bell-kun—how did things end up involving the Evilus again?
Still, she understood why doing nothing was the best option.
Since they couldn't tell which gods were secretly aligned with the Evilus, acting carelessly could draw unwanted attention. In times like these, any rash move could alert the wrong side.
"If that's the case, things just got a lot more complicated."
If the Evilus really had gods hidden among the divine ranks, then this would be far messier than she'd expected.
She'd have to be careful even during the Denatus. If they were marked by the Evilus, it could jeopardize everything she and Bell-kun had planned. That thought alone made her tense.
"It's okay, Goddess-sama. Right now, the Hestia Familia is aligned with Loki's Familia and Hephaestus's Familia. That makes us too visible. If the Evilus were to mess with us, they'd be exposed immediately. They're not that reckless."
"The Evilus wants to destroy Orario and plunge the world back into chaos. For that goal, they won't risk exposing themselves just to make trouble for us. If they were that stupid, they wouldn't have survived this long in the shadows."
The Evilus had always operated from behind the scenes—that was their downfall.
Their obsession with perfecting the destruction of Orario was also their greatest shackle. Until they were ready to go all-in, the gods behind the Evilus wouldn't make any reckless moves.
"And besides, Goddess-sama, you don't need to worry. The three talismans I gave you are still active. If they try anything, it won't be easy for them."
Chapter 215: Chapter 215: Bloodshed in the Civilian District (Bonus)
Chapter Text
After a few swift jumps while carrying Goddess-sama, Bell reached a high vantage point where he could observe the movement of the entities hidden within the underground waterways.
"Bell-kun, where's the thing you mentioned?"
With her divine power sealed, Hestia lacked the ability to see through the ground. Even from this height, she couldn't perceive what lay beneath.
"Just a moment."
With a wave of his hand, several Rune characters manifested around them, forming a protective field. An invisible wave spread across the ground, revealing everything hidden below in vivid crimson outlines. Even the air was tinted red, making it easier for their eyes to process the information.
"There's that many!?"
Hestia took a sharp breath as she saw the highlighted forms.
Through the visualization Bell-kun shared with her, she could clearly see the underground root-like structures moving through the sewers. But what startled her wasn't the roots seeking surfaces to latch onto—it was the entities still lurking deeper within the tunnels.
The crimson outlines were far too dense, and the shapes no longer resembled roots. They looked like monstrous man-eating flowers, their blossoms bearing grotesque human-like mouths at their centers. Twisted and horrifying.
"How could Orario's sewer system be hiding this many plant-type monsters? Are they all the work of the Evilus?"
"I believe so. But to hide this many monsters in the underground sewers... there must be quite a few gods already pulled into the Evilus."
"...Right. Otherwise, how could they possibly pull this off?"
Hestia felt a creeping headache. This situation was unfolding in the worst way possible. Among the gods were not only sympathizers of the Evilus, but those fully drawn into their ranks—and not just a few of them. Otherwise, something on this scale wouldn't be feasible. She now fully understood why it was better to sit back and observe for the time being.
Knowing that a significant number of gods were connected to the Evilus, walking in head-on would be too dangerous. Staying behind the scenes and watching from a distance was a prudent way to avoid unnecessary risks.
"But… we can't just hide forever, right? We can't stay in the background forever."
"Exactly. Hiding isn't a permanent solution. That's why, Goddess-sama, we'll need others to step forward and draw attention for us."
"You mean... Loki?"
"Yes. But not just Loki-sama. Ganesha-sama and the Guild as well."
Bell expanded on his response. It couldn't just be Loki out front—there had to be others. Otherwise, how would they keep the focus off themselves?
"If the Evilus is really ready to make a move during Monsterphilia, it'll definitely catch Ganesha's attention. After all, the Ganesha Familia is responsible for Orario's safety and order. They won't just let this slide—they'll investigate."
"And then there's the Guild. They manage all of Orario's adventurers and oversee the city's economic infrastructure. They won't just ignore this either."
"So as long as those forces get involved, most of the Evilus's attention will be drawn their way. That gives us room to act carefully without being noticed."
"As for Loki-sama, it'll depend on whether the Evilus are foolish enough to involve her Familia. If they are... and her children are dragged into this... then she won't just stand by and pretend nothing happened."
Bell's assessment of Ganesha, the Guild, and Loki made Hestia nod in agreement.
If the Evilus were really acting so blatantly, then at the very least, Ganesha and the Guild would be the first to confront them. As for Loki, it all depended on whether her children got dragged into it. And if they did—knowing how Loki usually acts—it'd be considered calm if she didn't start swinging knives.
"Whoa!!!"
The ground shook with a deep rumble as three thick, green plant-like stalks burst up from beneath the surface. At the top of each was a slowly blooming bud—within it, glistening white structures that looked disturbingly like human teeth.
Bathed in sunlight, the flower heads writhed wildly. The mouths hidden inside began to part, opening wide toward the sky.
"Aaaargh!"
The screech sounded like the cry of feral insects.
"What the hell is that?!"
And they couldn't have appeared in a worse place—right in the middle of Orario's civilian district. Just as the name implied, this was home to ordinary, non-combatant residents.
Civilians who could do little more than run shops or simple trades had no way of defending themselves against monsters.
One of the enormous flowers, still roaring skyward, suddenly snapped its gaping maw toward the stunned crowd. Its massive body moved with a terrifying burst of speed—
—and in an instant, it swallowed a person whole.
"Splatter!"
There was no scream. No sound at all. Just a thick spray of blood splashing from the bud onto the ground. It was as if someone had pressed mute on the entire world. The whole district fell deathly silent.
"Run for your lives!!!"
A sudden scream broke the silence, snapping the frozen bystanders out of their stupor. Panic took hold, and the crowd fled in a frenzy.
No one stopped to think about their families still inside their homes. All they knew was that if they didn't run now, they'd die too.
Instinct overrode reason. Pure, raw terror sent them fleeing. No one could fight it. Not even the young girl who tripped and collapsed to the ground—there was no one left to show her the warmth of a protective embrace.
Maybe everyone understood this wasn't a moment for parental heroism. It was a moment of brutal, selfish survival.
The little girl could only lie on the ground, hands clamped over her mouth, trying to stifle the sobs rising from deep within her chest.
'Mama... Papa...'
She kept calling out in her heart, but no footsteps ever came.
And somewhere deep down, she realized—her parents weren't coming. She trembled violently, paralyzed by fear. So much so that she didn't notice the glowing Rune character that suddenly appeared beside her. It cloaked her presence and formed a small barrier around her.
But not everyone was so lucky.
In the blink of an eye, the plaza was covered in corpses. Severed limbs lay scattered across the square, and blood ran like rivers across the stone.
The adventurers of Orario couldn't be everywhere at once—not even for an ambush this catastrophic.
Still, they were already moving, and they were moving fast.
Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Hestia's Decision (Bonus)
Chapter Text
When Hestia saw the full scene of monsters slaughtering civilians, it was the first time she felt true hatred for the Evilus deep in her heart.
But Bell had already given her enough of an analysis to make her clearly understand the need to act cautiously right now. So Hestia restrained her emotions, not allowing anger to override her reason.
Even so, she couldn't bear to keep watching.
"Bell-kun."
"I understand, Goddess-sama."
Bell remained calm in the face of such a scene. Whether here or in the past, as long as there were people, scenes like this would inevitably appear. That's why humans could never fully comprehend those gods with broken minds. What they needed was to always harbor the deepest malice toward such gods.
Six Runic Letters formed a circle, and the space within slowly transformed into the plaza they had seen earlier through Rune Magic. A link was established between the two spaces. At that moment, Bell could have reached out and pulled the little girl lying on the ground to his side—but he didn't.
Instead, he reached into the other circle and inscribed a rune around the trembling girl. Not only did it form a barrier around her, but it also erased her presence entirely.
Once everything was done, Bell withdrew his hand, and the distorted space returned to normal.
"Return the world to chaos... Is this the Genkai they want to see?"
Hestia couldn't understand why the gods would want to return such a beautiful Genkai to chaos. Perhaps, at their core, she and those gods were simply not the same kind. She truly couldn't comprehend their actions.
"Goddess-sama, please don't try to understand the behavior of madmen. A madman's logic is different from a normal person's. If you try to see things from their perspective, you'll become a madman yourself."
Bell gently reminded her not to delve too deeply into the minds of evil gods, but Hestia felt powerless. She knew there were gods in Tenkai who constantly dreamed of doing something grand, but she never imagined their actions would wreak such havoc in the Genkai.
"Bell-kun, why are they doing this?"
"Goddess-sama, maybe it's what they believe is right—as gods."
"Right? How can any of this be right!"
Hestia couldn't believe that such actions could be called right. If this was considered "right," then what kind of twisted concept was that word supposed to represent?
As a human, Bell naturally couldn't understand such behavior. But he did know that this malice might very well be what those gods believed to be just.
It wasn't that their thoughts were inherently twisted—but that what they believed in was fundamentally different.
"Goddess-sama, I think it has to do with the meaning behind a god's existence. Every god bears a different mission, meaning each one has their own purpose. So what is the purpose of a god of war? Of a god of death?"
"War and death... Bell-kun, are you saying they think that's their purpose?"
"Yes."
Hestia instantly understood what he meant—and why the Evilus existed. Those gods believed that fulfilling such roles defined their existence, so they created the Evilus.
But to Hestia, that answer was laughable. To prove their own meaning, they dismissed the meaning of the children of Genkai? If this was what the existence of gods amounted to, then gods truly were a bunch of twisted bastards!
Right then, Hestia saw just how dangerous those twisted bastards really were.
And so, at that moment, Hestia made a decision.
"Bell-kun, if you come across those gods, don't let them stay in Genkai and continue hurting other children."
Hestia couldn't change what had already happened—but anything that could still be prevented must be. She no longer saw her former peers as gods who had any right to remain in Genkai. Those who had twisted the meaning of their own existence should be sent back to Tenkai immediately.
"Leave it to me, Goddess-sama."
A cold glint flashed in Bell's eyes. He had never once thought that killing a god with his own hands was going too far. He was an atheist, after all. He would only show respect to gods who deserved it. As for those damned gods—he would personally end them.
At the same time, a thought emerged in his mind.
'Maybe it's not about banishing them. Maybe I should strip them of everything they once took pride in.'
During his time living in Orario, Bell had come to understand the nature of authority—an extraordinary kind of magic he possessed, one that was even defined as a divine power. It was a privilege granted to gods by the world itself, granting them complete control within that domain.
This so-called authority could be seen as a divine right—or perhaps the very meaning of each god's existence.
That's why authority couldn't simply be taken away. To do so would mean erasing everything that made a god who they were.
This was exactly why Hestia and Hephaestus had been so shocked when Bell awakened "Lightning Command." That kind of power wasn't supposed to exist in a child of Genkai.
But under normal circumstances, it was impossible to strip a god of their authority. Still, what if he made the right preparations?
'Maybe Runes can do it.'
Yes, Runes—born from the world itself—might actually make it possible.
Runes were already close to authority in nature. Though it functioned through complex mechanisms and merely simulated the earliest form of divine authority, that was what made it so versatile. With enough preparation, maybe such runes could also strip authority from the gods.
It was a thought that was undoubtedly heretical—but if it were aimed at gods wreaking havoc in Genkai, that was an entirely different matter.
Still, for now, this idea remained only in Bell's mind. If he truly wanted to carry it out, he would need the approval of Goddess-sama and Hephaestus-sama. The consequences were far too great to ignore.
And if they did give their permission, he'd have to start planning for everything that came after. Maybe it was time to begin studying the possibility of applying Runes to that purpose.
After all... what if it really worked?
Chapter 217: Chapter 217: An Invitation for Hestia (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"You chose this moment to stir up trouble, huh."
Loki's eyes gleamed with a cold light as she stood on the second floor of the teahouse, watching the three giant flowers that had emerged out of nowhere in the distance. As a god, her sharp vision easily discerned what was happening over there.
"You lustful woman, this wasn't your doing, was it?"
"I don't like involving ordinary children."
"Hmph, thought so."
Freya denied it casually, and Loki believed her without hesitation.
Freya had never been the type to pull something like this. At most, she'd assign little tasks to children she was interested in and watch them from the sidelines like a lovesick fool. But dragging regular kids from Genkai into something like this? That wasn't her style. So who else would crash the annual "Monsterphilia" like this? Loki already had a good idea.
"Those rats actually dared to show themselves after the Ishtar incident? Do they really think Ouranos at the Guild is just some soft-hearted pushover?"
Loki sneered inwardly. The god seated deep within the Guild wasn't one to be trifled with. The Guild clearly had powers unknown to most—how else would they have uncovered intel and clues from the Dungeon in the first place?
The relationship between the Guild and the Dungeon always felt a little... ambiguous.
"Ouranos-sama probably wouldn't act just because of this. He's been sitting in the Guild for ages. If he were the type to move easily, the Dungeon might have collapsed long ago. I think the main reason those rats dared to come out is that our deterrence just doesn't measure up to what Zeus and Hera had."
That might be one reason. No, maybe that was the biggest reason.
Back when the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia were still around, those sewer-dwelling rats never even thought about surfacing. But ever since Zeus and Hera's Familias were nearly wiped out trying to defeat the Black Dragon and then driven out of Orario, those rats had started crawling out.
The message was clear.
Didn't that just prove how far today's twin rulers of Orario fell short of Zeus and Hera's former intimidation?
Loki couldn't deny it. After all, the Zeus and Hera Familias were absurdly strong back then. Level 6 adventurers were everywhere, Level 7s were the norm, and even Level 8 and Level 9 adventurers were pillars of their Familia. With that kind of power, any sane organization would've stayed hidden.
But after Zeus and Hera were ousted from Orario, everything changed. The Evilus, those rats lurking in the sewers, began to stir.
That was the truth, and Loki wasn't about to deny it.
She could defer to other gods if needed, but she'd never deny reality. Even as an "evil" goddess, she hadn't sunk low enough to lie to herself.
Freya's gaze stayed locked on the giant flowers. Before long, three figures appeared—children. A closer look made Freya raise an eyebrow in surprise.
"Loki, looks like your kids went over there."
"What!?"
Loki immediately looked toward the flowers. Sure enough, she spotted three familiar figures. They were still some distance away, but divine insight didn't vanish just because their powers were sealed.
"Weren't Ais and the others supposed to be attending 'Monsterphilia' with Lefiya today? What are they doing there?"
"Probably Ganesha calling for help. You know how he is."
"Ah…"
Loki groaned and covered her face. Freya had a point. This kind of thing wouldn't happen with most gods, but with Ganesha—the one so fixated on maintaining Orario's order—it was absolutely something he'd do.
"That idiot would totally do something like that."
She let out a helpless sigh but didn't feel the urge to rush over. With Ais and the Amazon twins Tiona and Tione there, they could definitely handle a few monsters. The three of them together wouldn't lose to something like this.
Leaning on the railing, Loki glanced down at the street below. The road that had just been packed with people was now eerily empty. Clearly, the rumbling had drawn everyone's attention.
They were just too close, and the flowers were too tall—anyone hearing that sound would naturally look in that direction.
Freya had no intention of stepping in either. She didn't care about the Evilus. But if they dared get in her way, she'd wipe them out without hesitation.
Freya watched the commotion caused by the giant flowers, bored out of her mind.
"Hestia should be attending 'Monsterphilia' today too, right?"
"…Well, knowing that little glutton, she probably couldn't resist. But with how cautious that kid is, even if she's out and about, she's definitely keeping her location hidden."
Loki almost said, "Just give it up already."
But Freya clearly wasn't concerned about that.
"If Hestia is outside, don't you think that child would've noticed the situation in Orario by now?"
'No way he wouldn't.' Loki subconsciously added the thought.
Even though she'd only met that kid a few times, she'd taken several losses in those brief encounters. That was enough for Loki to be absolutely sure—there's no way he missed the monster incident.
Freya scanned the area with interest, then fixed her gaze on one particular spot.
"There's only one place around here with a clear view of everything."
"Ottar, send over a bottle of wine and invite Hestia for a chat."
"Yes."
Ottar gave a slight bow and headed down the stairs.
Loki stared at Freya, speechless.
"How can you be so sure the shorty's over there? And you're sending Ottar to invite her? You really think that kid won't leave before he even gets there?"
Given how the shorty had been avoiding Freya lately, Loki couldn't imagine her sticking around long enough to come face-to-face with her.
Freya only smiled in response.
By then, Ottar had already come back upstairs with the wine. Loki noticed a slip of paper attached to the bottle. It read, "A sincere invitation for Hestia-sama to come for a chat."
"Freya-sama, it's ready."
"Good, send it over."
"Yes."
Ottar stepped up to the edge of the railing, raised the bottle high above his head, tensed his muscles, and with perfect form, hurled it toward the designated spot.
Chapter 218: Chapter 218: Hestia and Freya's Meeting (Bonus)
Chapter Text
Whoosh!
A sharp gust cut through the air, shooting straight toward the highest balcony of the tower near Orario.
Inside a teahouse, Freya and Loki watched intently.
Under the gaze of the two goddesses, the speeding wine bottle gradually slowed down, landing on the high railing. Moments later, two cloaked figures appeared atop it.
They were actually there. Loki's lips twitched—she hadn't expected that shorty and the kid to really be up there, watching everything from above.
Freya glanced over and felt a mild headache coming on.
Though a god's eyesight wasn't completely sealed, and they could still see others from a distance, seeing through a hood wasn't something divine eyes could manage. That wasn't a matter of simple vision.
The two standing on the high tower wore cloaks and hoods. From this distance, the only way to distinguish them was by height.
But on a day like Monsterphilia, when everyone was cloaked and hooded, Freya finally understood why her investigations had yielded nothing useful. With this kind of caution, even if intel existed, it would be nearly impossible to uncover.
"I used to think only that child had that issue. Now it seems even Hestia's picked it up."
Normally, Hestia went out completely unguarded. How long had it been since she started leaving the house wrapped in a cloak and hood?
"Then who do you think Hestia is protecting herself from?"
Loki's comment instantly shut Freya up. Of course. Who else could Hestia be dressing like that for? Wasn't the answer obvious?
Bell caught the wine bottle and handed the note attached to it to the goddess.
The message was clear—it was an invitation for the goddess.
Hestia frowned at the words, conflicted.
"Bell-kun, do you think I should go?"
"I'd rather you didn't, Goddess-sama. But if you refuse this time, we won't be able to avoid her next time."
Bell definitely didn't want Freya and Goddess-sama facing off right now. The gap in power was far too big. If they clashed directly, it wouldn't end well.
'There's no getting out of it,' Hestia thought, pouting with frustration. She'd been avoiding Freya all this time, yet today, even while attending Monsterphilia with Bell-kun, Freya still managed to find her.
Just as Bell-kun said—she could dodge this invitation. But what about the next one?
Even if she desperately didn't want to see Freya, they were both gods living in Orario. Sooner or later, they were bound to cross paths. What then?
"I'll accept. But I'll go alone. Bell-kun, don't follow."
"Understood."
He didn't need the reminder. Bell had no intention of confronting Freya directly at this point.
Last time at the "Hostess of Fertility," she hadn't noticed him. That proved he lacked the radiance of a soul. For him, that was the best outcome.
Freya's interest in him likely came from his current work drawing her attention. Following that trail, she discovered his connection with Hephaestus and confirmed he was part of Hestia Familia, ultimately setting her sights on him.
It wasn't exactly good news—but it wasn't the worst either. At least it meant Freya's interest was still at the level of curiosity and hadn't escalated to what it was in the original story. That meant he still had room to maneuver.
As long as he avoided meeting Freya again, her curiosity would likely stay at just that.
So for now, what Bell needed to do was find a quiet place and stay put.
"Goddess-sama, I'll come get you once you're done over there."
Six runes appeared simultaneously, forming a circle that rapidly expanded, distorting the space around it. In an instant, they enveloped Goddess-sama and transported her away at high speed.
...
"Over there... can't see them anymore."
Loki widened her eyes. In just the blink of an eye, the two figures standing atop the high balcony had vanished.
"Looks like that's a refusal."
Freya sounded a little disappointed. She had hoped to have a proper talk with Hestia, but the latter had flatly turned her down.
"Ahem!"
A deliberately loud cough made Loki and Freya spin around. Just moments ago, no one had been there, yet now a cloaked and hooded girl stood before them. The bottle of wine in her hand made her identity unmistakable.
"Freya, what did you call me over for?"
"Naturally, to talk about your child."
Freya's words immediately turned the atmosphere tense. Hestia even took two nervous steps back.
"Bell-kun is my child!"
Freya gave a faint smile. Of course, she already knew that. When choosing children in the past, she never concerned herself with which Familia they originally belonged to. But that approach wouldn't work here—Hestia's child was different.
"I've never denied that. But that child is also one I misjudged—he left a strong impression on me."
"Huh? You've made mistakes before?"
The word "misjudged" truly surprised Hestia. As far as she knew, Bell-kun wasn't someone who could be so easily mistaken for another. She also understood that Freya saw people through the color of their souls—could she really be wrong about something that clear?
"Well, even I can make mistakes sometimes. If I'd seen that child's soul back then—if I'd acted right away—maybe I could have taken him. But now the situation's not so simple. If I tried to take him, he'd resist."
"Hmph... So you really do want to take my Bell-kun."
"I'm not denying it. The fact that he fooled me once is enough to catch my attention. But making decisions based on that alone goes against my principles."
Indeed, Freya only chose her companions after seeing the color of their souls clearly. Her choices weren't impulsive or made on a whim—never reckless, and never without reason.
Chapter 219: Chapter 219: The Wager (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Principle... Freya, you're not saying your 'principle' is to wait until you see clearly, then snatch Bell-kun away from me, are you?"
"Exactly."
Freya admitted it without the slightest hesitation, leaving even Loki baffled by her bluntness.
"You're just going to admit that outright?"
Hestia had at least expected Freya to try to deny it.
But Freya looked completely unfazed. She simply rested her cheek on one hand, looking relaxed.
"Hestia, you and that child have been guarding against me all along, haven't you? He's still watching us from somewhere nearby, isn't he? And that child's skill is impressive. Even now, I can't feel a single trace of his gaze."
Even now, Freya still couldn't sense anything. If someone were spying on her, she would definitely feel it. And yet, she was sure that Hestia's child was close by, watching.
"Since you've both been on guard this much, is there even any point in pretending otherwise?"
"Hmph..."
In that moment, Hestia understood—Freya wasn't saying these things for her. Everything she said just now was meant for Bell to hear.
"Freya, you're not playing by the rules!"
Watching Hestia stomp in frustration, Freya responded with a graceful smile.
"Hestia, this is how the gods play the game. The competition between Familias comes down to the charm of the god and the resources of the Familia. So, Hestia, are you saying you're not charming enough to attract your own child?"
"Mm... Who said that?! As long as you don't play dirty, Bell-kun would never be swayed by you!"
"No tricks? Hestia, gods play with tricks."
Freya mercilessly stated the truth. The games in Orario were games played by gods—games that shaped the fate of the world. A god without strategy simply couldn't compete. Competing for resources, vying for gifted children, raising them—these were all methods.
If the god didn't use these means, then the children raised by the Familia would. That, too, was part of Orario's rules.
"Apollo forced children into his Familia—those were his methods. Loki went after Ishtar for the child she wanted and even raided Apollo—that's a method too."
"The gods of Orario all use means. So if you say you won't, Hestia—are you just afraid to play?"
"Ugh..."
Freya's tone wasn't sharp, but it carried weight, pressing down on Hestia with undeniable force. That one question—"Are you afraid to play?"—made it clear Hestia couldn't dodge Freya this time.
"Of course I'm not afraid!"
"Then how about a game between us?"
"Don't tell me... another 'War Game'?"
"If I forced it, that child wouldn't acknowledge it. Even if I won, he wouldn't willingly join my Familia. So, this game won't involve a War Game."
That caught Hestia off guard, but a game that didn't involve a War Game was certainly to her advantage.
"I won't use my Familia's power to overwhelm him, nor will I demand your child change his ways. I'll find him on my own terms, and when I do, I'll see clearly the true color of his soul."
"And if, in the end, that child chooses me, Hestia—you'll accept it gracefully."
'Like my Bell-kun would be so easily found by you.'
Hestia scoffed inwardly, unconcerned. She knew what Bell-kun was capable of. Unless he revealed himself, almost no one could track him down. Let alone convince him to join Freya.
"Fine!"
Hestia felt confident she had the upper hand. Freya trying to find Bell-kun on her own was a dead end. If that was the game, there was no reason not to accept.
Loki glanced at Freya. On the surface, this seemed like an unfair match stacked against Freya. But it wouldn't be surprising if everything she said was meant to reach that boy's ears. Even if the game sounded one-sided, it had already been acknowledged by the shorty. Which meant, once again, Freya had set the trap.
After being noticed, Bell had already shifted to a lower rooftop. And to avoid being sensed again, he'd chosen an even more unreasonable hiding spot than before.
While keeping an eye on the Sword Princess trio's battle against the Violas, Bell also paid close attention to how things were going with Goddess-sama.
'Goddess Freya really is a god who knows how to play her cards.'
Having observed the entire exchange between Goddess-sama and Freya, Bell understood her intentions clearly.
Freya hadn't been sure whether she had made a mistake or if she simply couldn't see it, so she held back from openly saying she would take him. On the surface, it made things seem fairer—but in truth, there was never any fairness involved.
Bell knew very well that Freya only refrained from seizing him because she was still unsure. If she had been certain, she wouldn't be playing games—she would have gone straight for him.
'Which means… next, Freya Familia will be scouring the city to find where I am.'
The thought made Bell sigh. Any future movements would be much more troublesome now, and he'd have to be even more cautious and alert to everything around him.
'They might even try to force me out.'
Still, that wasn't much of a concern. As long as he didn't take the bait, there'd be no problem. Bell fully understood what it meant to endure. Unless the situation left him no other choice, he could simply pretend nothing was happening.
The real priority now was steadily strengthening his "vessel." That required slow, consistent effort—there was no shortcut to getting stronger overnight.
But once he'd built up enough power, then Freya wouldn't be an issue anymore. What he needed to consider next was how to support the growth of Loki Familia. Otherwise, when the time came to face the Black Dragon, he'd be the only one left standing.
'There's no need to think that far ahead just yet. The fighting spirit of Loki Familia's three core members has already been lit. What they need now is the opportunity to keep moving forward.'
Chapter 220: Chapter 220: An Unexpected Incident (Bonus)
Chapter Text
'It's on the other side.'
Bell's eyes locked onto the battlefield where the giant flowers raged.
The ability of the "Sword Princess," Ais Wallenstein, was unquestionably powerful. Without the aid of runes, his eyes could barely follow her movements.
'To think her speed could increase this much just by using magic. It must be because of the wind. Even if some of it is used for protection, that acceleration is incredible.'
'Ariel really is a well-rounded wind-type magic. Physical acceleration, wind-attribute weapon enhancement, and body protection. While it's not as comprehensive and refined as my Lightning Command, it's definitely a versatile offensive spell.'
'Her status is solid, and her combat experience is rich, but the issue lies with her weapon.'
Bell's eyes quickly locked onto the sword in Ais's hand. He could clearly see it was on the verge of shattering.
'Weapons made of ordinary materials just can't keep up. When you forcibly add attributes to a weapon that isn't sturdy enough, it'll soon break from overuse.'
Just as Bell thought this, the Sword Princess cleaved through one of the Violas, but her weapon snapped completely when it struck the tough hide of another. Still, it wasn't a surprising outcome—no ordinary weapon could endure such strain.
They were being used against these tough-skinned Violas, had to handle the burden of wind attributes, and were subjected to high-intensity use. It was too much for any weapon to withstand. Clearly, the Sword Princess wasn't using one of her own weapons imbued with the "indestructible" attribute. Otherwise, this wouldn't be happening.
'High-intensity combat really demands weapons with the "indestructible" attribute.'
But Bell wasn't particularly worried about weapons.
The "Hestia Knife" possessed both "indestructible" and "growth" attributes—a classic first-rate weapon.
The "Hydra Dagger" had "Hydra's Blood" and "indestructible," making it a top-tier poison-based weapon.
The "Kuji Kanesada" held the attributes of "cutting through everything" and "indestructible." With its unique characteristics, it even ranked above standard first-line weapons.
All of Bell's exclusive weapons had the "indestructible" attribute, so no matter how hard he pushed them, there was nothing to worry about.
As he thought about this, Bell found himself deep in thought.
'Maybe I could collaborate with Hephaestus in forging? Hephaestus-sama could craft the weapons, and I could engrave Runes onto them?'
It wasn't an impossible idea—somewhat like magic swords. But with Rune's blessings, they might not be as short-lived as typical magic swords.
Still, Bell shook his head slightly. It wasn't unfeasible, but it didn't seem all that necessary either.
Forging weapons still required materials capable of embodying the "indestructible" trait. If the weapons already had that property, it would be easier just to use enchanted Rune Stones instead—it was far more convenient.
Bell kept watching.
With the Sword Princess's weapon broken, her combat effectiveness dropped sharply. The shattered sword couldn't even damage the Violas anymore. As for the other two Level 5s, they were fighting barehanded—it really seemed like they were just there for the "Monsterphilia" event.
'The only reliable combatant is the weakest one.'
The scene shifted to the elf girl who had been pierced through her right side. "Thousand Elf" Lefiya Viridis, a third-rank adventurer of the Loki Familia, and the strongest mage in the group after the "Nine Hell."
With Level 3 strength, her magic could wipe out even Level 4 or 5 monsters—she was considered the hope of the new generation.
But that 'hope' was for the future—not now. Pierced through the waist, she didn't even have the strength to stand.
'Should I help her? Hm?'
Just as Bell considered stepping in, Lefiya pushed herself up with both hands despite the wound in her side.
...
It hurts!
It really hurts!
Her waist had been pierced clean through by a root from the giant flower bursting out of the ground. Lefiya wasn't just enduring the pain of being impaled—she was also reeling from the force behind the blow. But she knew she had to stand up. If she didn't, Tiona, Tione, and even Ais would be devoured by the Violas, piece by piece.
'Ais' weapon is broken, and Tiona and Tione didn't bring theirs. If this keeps up, we might all die here.'
Lefiya clenched her back teeth and slowly pushed herself up from the ground. The motion worsened the bleeding from her right side, turning her face ghostly pale.
'Ais, I'm not just someone you have to protect.'
The admiration and gratitude in her heart became the courage that kept her going. The pain in her right abdomen dulled slightly, helping Lefiya center herself as she began chanting the spell.
"I wish upon the name of Wishe.
Ancestors of the forest, proud brethren. Answer my call and come to the plains.
Connecting bonds, the pledge of paradise. Turn the circle and dance around.
Come, ring of fairies. Please - give me strength!"
As Lefiya's magic surged through her body, the spell took shape, forming a glowing magic circle around her.
"Aaah!"
...
The deafening roar of the Viola crashed down on Lefiya, who could barely stay on her feet. But Ais, Tiona, and Tione wouldn't let it go unchallenged. Even without weapons, they weren't going to let the monster have its way.
The three exchanged quick glances.
Ais immediately dashed toward the more distant giant flower, driving the shattered remains of her slender sword into its bud.
Tione and Tiona charged the closer ones, throwing powerful punches straight into the flower heads.
"Boom!!!"
The dual impacts slammed the flowers into the ground, halting their assault. Taking this chance, the three leapt forward, forming a shield in front of Lefiya.
Lefiya didn't stop for a second. She trusted Tiona, Tione, and Ais—and because of that, she continued chanting.
"Harbinger of the end, the white snow. Blow with the wind before the twilight."
"Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters - my name is Alf!"
"Wynn Fimbulvetr"
The three in front quickly scattered.
As her chant reached its climax, three gusts of snow-laden wind swept in from different directions, slamming into the giant flowers and freezing them solid in an instant.
But then—something unexpected happened.
"Eh!"
Just before the last giant flower was completely frozen, the ground in front of Lefiya cracked open. A vine as thick as steel shot up, aiming straight for her head.
Chapter 221: Chapter 221: Narrow Escape from Death (Bonus)
Chapter Text
The three who had jumped away stared wide-eyed at the scene.
"Lefiya!?"
They couldn't reach her in time and could only watch helplessly as the vine shot toward Lefiya, powerless to intervene.
"Ah..."
As she watched the vine flying straight at her, Lefiya felt like everything had slowed down. She could see the details of the vine clearly now. At its tip, the freezing effect had begun to spread, gradually creeping along its entire length.
What a pity. Truly, such a pity.
'I'm going to die...'
Lefiya knew that the nearness of death had distorted her perception of time, making her hypersensitive. Yet she was filled with frustration. It had only just begun—how could it end here?
But that was the reality of being an Adventurer. None of them could ever say with certainty that they would survive.
Voices rang in her ears—Ais and the others—and her gaze finally landed on Ais, who was rushing toward her.
'Ais, I can't go on like you...'
In the face of death, there was no more room for hesitation. All that remained was regret, and the quiet acceptance of the end.
Lefiya didn't close her eyes. She simply waited for this distorted sense of time to pass, for her life to come to its conclusion.
"Lefiya!!!"
The emotionless "Sword Princess," doll-like in her expression, watched helplessly as the vine hurtled toward Lefiya—just like that day with her mother and father.
Ais bit her lip hard. Even at the cost of suffering magic backlash, she tried to push her body to move faster.
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't reach her.
Just a little more... Just a little more...
The vine continued freezing rapidly, but the front tip maintained its deadly speed. Maybe, just maybe, if she waited a little longer, it would lose all momentum from the freezing and shatter on its own.
But there was no time left.
The suspended sense of time slowly resumed, reality pressing forward once more.
"Crack!"
Just as all hope seemed lost, a sharp sound rang out from where Lefiya stood. A stone pillar suddenly shot up from the ground, striking the vine aimed at her head.
"Thud!"
With a dull thud, the vine was violently knocked off course by the pillar, dragging Lefiya back from the edge of death.
She stared blankly at the pillar in front of her, then collapsed to the ground, her body going limp. Tears streamed from her eyes uncontrollably. It was her first time coming this close to death.
"Lefiya!"
"Ais... Ais... Wahhh!!"
Her head turned mechanically toward the voice. When she saw Ais standing beside her, the dam broke. Overwhelmed, she burst into tears.
"It's okay... It's okay... You're safe now."
Seeing Lefiya like this, Ais grew flustered. She tried to comfort her the only way she knew how, clumsily offering reassurance.
Even as she consoled Lefiya, Ais's eyes remained on the stone pillar that had risen at the last second. If it hadn't intercepted the vine, Lefiya would have already died. But now, a new question stirred in Ais's heart...
'Who did this?'
"Lefiya, are you okay?"
Tiona, who landed just after, quickly crouched down to check on Lefiya's condition. But Lefiya was only sobbing, unable to respond.
"She's just in shock."
At least she was still crying—that meant she was alive. Tiona's worry eased a little. It was normal to break down after surviving something like that. Anyone would react the same way after escaping death.
"She's not just scared. Ais, you're the fastest. Hurry back and grab a bottle of Elixir. If not, the wound on Lefiya's waist will get out of control."
Ais reacted instantly. She saw the injury—Lefiya's right waist had been pierced clean through. She jumped to her feet, wind immediately wrapping around her.
"I'll be back soon!"
She leapt high and raced toward the Familia from the highest point, urgency in every movement. Lefiya's condition was dire—if she didn't move fast, that wound could kill her.
"Tiona, help bandage Lefiya. I'll check if there are still any threats nearby…"
Tiona tore strips from her skirt without hesitation, quickly wrapping them around Lefiya's waist. She did her best to slow the bleeding and keep Lefiya stable as long as possible.
Meanwhile, her older sister Tione scouted the area for any remaining danger.
...
From a distance, Bell watched with some surprise.
'The mages of the Loki Familia really are powerful. Those new Viola variants must be at least Level 4, yet they were taken down with a single blow...'
Magic that surpassed one's level—Bell was genuinely impressed. For someone like Lefiya, still at Level 3, to unleash such a powerful spell even while nearly on death's door… it was no small feat.
'If the elf using the spell had more combat experience, they might have gotten through this without a single injury. With that kind of potential, no wonder she's the protagonist of the side story.'
After that bit of praise, Bell turned his thoughts to what might come next.
'Now there's no way Loki-sama can avoid getting involved. With one of her own children caught up in this, she'll dig into everything until the truth is exposed. Whatever's hiding behind all this—it's going to be dragged into the light.'
At least now, he didn't have to worry about attracting Evilus's attention himself.
Given the scale of Loki Familia, once they took notice, those lunatics—whether they liked it or not—would be forced to turn their attention to them.
'With Loki-sama leading the investigation, it'll draw even more attention. Evilus needs to be taken apart piece by piece.'
Bell didn't know how many Evilus-aligned gods were hiding among the others, but at least one target was clear.
Dionysus.
He was the instigator of it all, the god determined to plunge the world into chaos.
There was no point worrying about the others for now. The key was that Dionysus couldn't be allowed to slip away. There were plenty of mad gods, but any god with a desire to end the world had to be dealt with—otherwise, Bell feared things would only get worse from here.
Chapter 222: Chapter 222: The Irrational Goddess of Beauty
Chapter Text
At the teahouse, Hestia stood up after finishing what she had to say.
"Freya, I really am terrible at dealing with you."
With that, Hestia puffed up her cheeks and turned to leave. How could she possibly show a friendly face to someone trying to take her child away?
"Ah~ but I actually like you, Hestia."
Unlike Hestia's complaint, Freya genuinely liked her. Hestia was the only one who offered sincere friendship. Among the gods of Tenkai, it was rare to find one without hidden motives—Hestia was a true exception.
"Blurp!"
Hestia made a silly face behind her before heading down the stairs.
Freya just covered her mouth with a smile at the childish gesture. Like she said, she didn't dislike Hestia at all. In fact, Hestia was one of the few gods she could truly connect with.
"Ah~ the way you're acting is practically begging to be disliked. Is that soul mate you're searching for really so important?"
"Because it's important, I have to search seriously."
"So you chose to fall out with Hestia without being sure? From what I know, that shorty isn't just fooling around with that kid."
Loki wasn't blind. She could tell from the shorty's attitude that it wasn't the way a god treats their child—it was more like how one treats a partner. The way Freya acted would already count as completely burning bridges with her in the shorty's eyes.
"I can tell she's serious too. That's why I never made a direct move on Hestia's child."
Loki let out an irritated "Tch."
"That's only because you haven't confirmed whether that kid is really the one you're looking for."
Then Loki stood up, holding her head as she left her seat. She couldn't finish her tea today.
"I think it's best if you give up. No matter what kind of approach you take, if that kid wasn't charmed by you the first time, there won't be a second."
"Shorty is annoying when she's being cocky—especially when she struts around in front of me. Still, you should think about how to mend things with her."
That was Loki's final piece of advice. If Freya chose to ignore it, then so be it—she'd said her piece.
"Finn, let's go."
After Loki left, only Freya and Ottar remained at the table.
...
The smile on Freya's face gradually turned into a troubled, sorrowful expression. She had never felt so conflicted before.
"Turning against Hestia over a child I'm not even sure about... that's not something I would normally do."
Freya had always been the embodiment of reason. But today, something about her was clearly off. Even she realized her reaction had been too extreme—especially over someone she wasn't even sure about.
"Ottar, what do you think?"
"Freya-sama, you've been far too curious today."
"Oh~?"
Freya turned her head with interest toward Ottar. It wasn't often she heard him say something like that—today really was unusual. "Go on."
Ottar gave a small nod and slowly shared his thoughts.
"You've grown too curious about souls that can't be seen with the eyes. No matter what kind of abilities that person has—whether their own or magical—this unexpected situation has stirred your curiosity too much."
"That's true."
Freya had indeed begun to reflect. Today, she wasn't like her usual, reserved self. Even if she had truly felt something, this wasn't the situation in which she should've had a complete falling-out with Hestia.
"Curiosity made me lose the rationality I usually have. Otherwise, things wouldn't have ended on such a sour note."
"You seemed pretty agitated today."
"Hmm... did I really act that differently from usual?"
Freya sighed, resting her chin in her hand. She could feel her emotions had been too on edge. Some things really didn't need to be said today. Even if she wanted to confront Hestia, it didn't have to happen now.
"To go that far over a child whose identity hasn't even been confirmed... I really was being irrational."
Still, what was done was done. Freya had no regrets now.
"Ottar, drop the investigation on that child. They definitely won't appear before me again, and no matter how much you look into it, you won't get any worthwhile results."
"Freya-sama, what about the Guild?"
"No need. The Guild is, after all, the domain of Ouranos. If you barge in and start poking around, it'll only create unnecessary trouble. I'm not trying to pick a fight with Ouranos."
After a day of irrational behavior, Freya's mind had finally cleared, and her decisions no longer came from impulse.
"Ottar, since you're done watching that child, turn your attention to those Evilus rats."
Now that reason had taken hold, Freya was clear on her next move.
Evilus had just made a bold appearance—openly, at that—during the "Monsterphilia." That meant they were preparing for something bigger. Keeping a close watch on them now would help predict any major events soon to unfold in Orario.
Of course, Freya had no real interest in whatever those rats were plotting. But if their actions ended up causing a serious commotion, then maybe—just maybe—they'd draw that child out again.
Freya felt a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
...
"Pfft, that seductress really messed up today."
Having left the teahouse, Loki didn't hold back in mocking Freya's behavior.
"She revealed her hand too early. Making a move before anything was even confirmed—she had to be acting on a high."
"Loki, Freya-sama was in a state of excitement?"
"Yeah, but that seductress gets excited differently from other gods. That one always hides behind a mask. Don't think she's all about lust just because I call her that. That woman conceals herself very well."
Loki curled her lips, but thinking back to how that seductress acted today made her chuckle.
"She plays the part of a high-society woman, but what she loves most is using 'love' to toy with people. Almost all the male gods around her are just playthings—idiots who think they actually had something with her. What a bunch of fools."
Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Bell’s Deduction (Bonus)
Chapter Text
After returning home with Goddess-sama, Bell went over what Freya-sama had said earlier that day.
"Huh?"
"Doesn't that mean nothing would've changed regardless of whether I accepted Freya's terms or not?"
Faced with her questioning gaze, Bell could only nod helplessly.
"Freya-sama clearly plans to take me by force, but she's waiting to confirm something first. That's the only reason she hasn't acted yet. Once she gets that confirmation from me, she'll have a legitimate excuse to make her move."
"Ah..."
Hestia suddenly recalled what Freya had said—her interest in Bell-kun stemmed from being unable to see his soul. So once Freya confirmed what his soul was like, she'd ignore all pretense and just take him?
The realization made Hestia's face flush red.
"She... she's completely shameless!"
"To be honest, Freya-sama is shameless."
Bell knew Goddess-sama had her pride and found Freya-sama's behavior disgraceful. But projecting her own standards onto others wasn't realistic—some people simply had none.
"Freya-sama's goal is very clear. To put it bluntly, she wants to figure out my situation. If I match what she's looking for, she'll resort to outright force. If I don't, she'll probably tell you it was just a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding, my ass!"
Hestia couldn't hold back anymore—there was no way Freya was joking around. She was seriously trying to steal Bell-kun away, and with the worst possible methods.
"Freya's completely violating the rules of the game!"
Bell gently shook his head.
"Goddess-sama, Freya-sama commands the strongest adventurer in Orario. She has the power to do something like this. That's why she's never cared how others view her. When she sets her eyes on something, she'll stop at nothing to get it."
Yeah...
Just thinking about it made Hestia deflate a little.
"Ugh... but if this keeps going, Freya really might take you away from me. Am I just supposed to accept that?"
Bell only smiled and shook his head.
"Goddess-sama, even though Freya-sama seems aggressive, she still follows her own principles. Like she said herself, acting by force goes against them. Think about it, Goddess-sama—why hasn't Freya-sama made a move yet?"
"Of course, it's because she... ah!"
Mid-sentence, Hestia suddenly exclaimed.
"Because she can't see your soul's color, Bell-kun. She's not sure if you're the one she's looking for."
"Exactly."
Bell snapped his fingers—that was the key point of this whole conversation.
"Goddess-sama, I'm always very careful when I'm out. Nowadays, I even use Stealth to hide my presence. So Freya-sama must've seen me before I learned Rune magic. But in the Adventurer circle, I'm not exactly someone who stands out. There's only one time I can think of that might've caught Freya-sama's attention."
"When was it?"
"It was the time we had dinner at the 'Hostess of Fertility.'"
Hestia remembered that day. She'd been in a great mood, excited by Bell-kun's progress, and dragged him out to treat themselves.
"I remember we ran into Loki at that tavern."
"Yes. The Loki Familia had just returned from the Dungeon and happened to be there too. Loki-sama saw us and came over to greet us. That day, I wasn't wearing my hood—so that must've been when Freya-sama noticed me."
It had been a mistake on Bell's part. If he'd been more cautious, Hestia wouldn't have taken him to the "Hostess of Fertility." Without that misstep, he might never have ended up on Freya-sama's radar.
"But Bell-kun, we didn't even see Freya that day. Only she has the ability to see the souls of children in Genkai. If she wasn't there in person, she couldn't have made that kind of judgment, right?"
Hestia thought Bell-kun's reasoning was sound, but she was certain they hadn't seen Freya that day—only Loki, at most.
"That's exactly the issue. I clearly remember the only time Freya-sama could've noticed me was that day at the tavern. Aside from that, she never would've paid attention to someone as insignificant as me."
"What's going on?"
Hestia trusted Bell-kun's judgment, but it was still a fact that Freya hadn't been there in person.
"There's only one explanation. Freya-sama has a pair of eyes planted in the 'Hostess of Fertility.' Through them, she saw me and confirmed that my soul has no color."
"But if that's the case, doesn't that mean the 'Hostess of Fertility' is basically Freya's territory?"
"That's probably the most reasonable conclusion."
Bell had already figured that out some time ago, so it was easy for him to think along those lines. And judging from how things had unfolded, the earlier reasoning still held. The only opportunity Freya had to see him was at the 'Hostess of Fertility.'
"Freya actually has spies like that..."
"That's not so strange. Goddess-sama, if Freya-sama didn't have those eyes watching, do you think she could've found so many outstanding Familia members?"
"You mean, Freya found all those gifted children through that one pair of eyes?"
"After all, Freya Familia has tons of top-class adventurers. It's not like Freya-sama personally scouted all of them. Doesn't it make more sense that she'd search in a place filled with all kinds of people, Goddess-sama?"
"...Yeah."
Hestia thought about it and realized it made perfect sense.
Freya had lived atop Babel Tower for years—she couldn't just stroll around Orario freely, not without drawing a ton of attention. But if she had someone watching from a place like a tavern, then it would explain how she managed to discover so many promising children.
Bell chuckled lightly.
"Goddess-sama, in a way, this is actually the best news for us."
Chapter 224: Chapter 224: The Best Outcome (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Bell-kun, aside from learning that the 'Hostess of Fertility' is under Freya's control, there's not much else we've gained from this."
"No, that's actually the biggest advantage."
Bell shook his head lightly. He wasn't trying to sound mysterious—he just got straight to the point.
"If someone can act as Freya-sama's eyes, that means they have her ability to see into people's souls. Goddess-sama, that's not a power you can hand out lightly, right?"
"Of course not. That kind of power is unique to gods. It's one of the fundamental uses of divine authority, and it's definitely not something that can be casually granted to children of Genkai."
"Exactly. Since it's not something that can be easily passed on, even if Freya-sama happened to grant it to someone in Genkai, only a very small number could possibly use it."
That much was obvious. Hestia nodded slightly. Divine authority simply wasn't something a mortal could easily wield.
"We don't know how Freya-sama managed to grant her power to someone in Genkai, but it has to be an exception. Maybe that person has an unusual magic or skill. Otherwise, it's practically impossible for a Genkai child to use a god's power."
Which led them to one conclusion.
"In other words, that special case is likely just one person—and a regular staff member at the 'Hostess of Fertility.' That means avoiding Freya-sama's gaze is easy. As long as I stick to my usual habits, it won't be easy for her to find me."
"Can we really think that way?"
"Absolutely."
Hestia still looked uneasy. She felt that Freya might intensify her search for Bell because of all this. But Bell didn't think so at all, and he tried to ease her worries.
"Goddess-sama, do you really think Freya-sama would push even harder just to find me?"
"She... wouldn't?"
"No. If Freya-sama is smart, she'll realize I'll only become more cautious now. I won't leave a single clue. No matter how hard she tries, her efforts will be useless against the protection of my Runes. It'll all be for nothing."
Bell knew he'd be even more careful now to avoid Freya's pursuit. He wouldn't let his location slip—not in the slightest. And Freya likely understood that as well.
"She probably knows I'd never approach her directly. So she definitely won't waste her time ramping up an obvious investigation."
"In fact, if we look at the situation now, Freya-sama is more likely to back off, relax her search on the surface, and instead rely on the hidden eyes behind the scenes to track me."
"But that's exactly what benefits me the most. It means as long as I stay out of Freya-sama's line of sight—and avoid whoever's watching for her—I can stay perfectly hidden."
Even though things looked pretty bad, Bell wasn't worried at all.
In fact, he had expected the situation to be far worse. So if this was how things turned out, he didn't see it as a bad outcome—if anything, it eased some of the pressure on him.
"But... Freya's watching from behind. Are you sure that's okay?"
Right now, Hestia looked just like a nervous mother hen afraid someone might snatch her chick away. Of course, part of that was guilt for letting things get to this point.
"Don't worry, Goddess-sama."
Seeing how troubled she looked, Bell reassured her firmly.
"This whole situation is actually a good thing for us. Freya-sama won't intensify her search for me, and I can avoid her gaze while quietly building up my strength and growing stronger."
"If you hadn't met with Freya-sama this time, things might've been more difficult for us going forward. In a way, this outcome is exactly what I was hoping for."
Bell wasn't just trying to comfort her—he genuinely meant what he said.
The fact that Freya-sama hadn't locked onto him yet was his biggest advantage. If she had already set her sights on him completely, it would've been a real problem.
"You're making me feel kind of guilty saying that..."
Hestia reluctantly accepted his reasoning. Even though she suspected Bell-kun was just trying to make her feel better, she couldn't bring herself to reject his kindness.
Bell shook his head slightly. He knew she thought his words were just flattery.
But he didn't explain further. Sooner or later, she'd realize he wasn't just trying to make her feel better.
"Goddess-sama, you should also be extra careful while moving around Orario. What happened during today's Monsterphilia was a warning. We can't be sure what else might happen in the future."
"Mm."
Today's Monsterphilia really had served as a wake-up call for Hestia.
The monsters lurking in the sewers, and the darkness behind them, were clear signs that danger was brewing in Orario.
Still, the one who shook Hestia the most today was Freya. She would never forget the words Freya said to her. At the same time, she realized it would be best to keep her distance from Freya going forward. After today, their relationship was beyond repair.
After settling Hestia down, Bell put his cloak back on.
"Bell-kun, are you going out again?"
"Yeah. With everything that's happened today, Freya-sama won't expect me to still be moving around. So now's the perfect time to head to the Guild."
He definitely needed to go. It was crucial for his upcoming Dungeon challenges.
"Last time, I reached the twelfth floor. Next, I'll be pushing into the middle floors, so I need to prepare thoroughly—starting with gathering information on mid-tier monsters and what to watch out for."
"Also, I need to visit Hephaestus-sama."
"You're going to see Hephaestus again?"
Hearing that, Hestia puffed out her cheeks immediately.
"Yes, it's something I have to do. I need to explain everything that happened today to Hephaestus-sama. After all, I'll probably need her help at some point down the line."
Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Orario on Lockdown (Bonus)
Chapter Text
After concealing his presence, Bell stepped out once more.
By the time he reached the main street, night had already fallen. But unlike usual, the street wasn't bustling with crowds—only patrolling adventurers filled the road. Judging by the scene, it was likely a result of today's "Monsterphilia."
Many of the patrolling adventurers wore elephant masks, clearly marking them as members of the Ganesha Familia.
Aside from them, only a few scattered adventurers wandered through the night market.
'How fearless.'
Bell shook his head slightly and headed straight toward the Hephaestus Familia's residence.
After passing through three blocks, he stopped in front of a large Familia base. The place rivaled the Loki Familia's "Twilight Manor" in scale and exuded the aura of a true smithing Familia. Even from outside, the sound of constant hammering echoed from within.
More guards stood watch outside.
Bell glanced at them briefly, then walked straight through. Inside the annex, he found even more patrolling guards.
'Even though they're all blacksmiths, Hephaestus-sama's Familia has a solid foundation.'
Carefully sensing their presence, Bell noted that none of the guards were weak. Nearly all were Level 3 adventurers, and their numbers exceeded thirty. It was a formidable display of strength.
Having visited before, Bell was already somewhat familiar with the annex's layout.
This time, after locking onto Hephaestus-sama's presence, he headed straight toward it. It was the same room as before—her office.
But upon arriving at the door, Bell didn't knock.
When he had sensed the presence earlier, he'd also picked up another person's aura inside Hephaestus-sama's office.
It was like a volcanic eruption—just detecting it gave him a sense of danger.
A Level 5. The captain of Hephaestus-sama's group. Bell recognized the familiar feeling and was certain of their identity.
So, he waited outside for a while.
"Hephaestus-dono, Welf went to the Guild again today looking for a party to challenge the Dungeon."
Welf? Bell listened in casually, curiosity piqued.
'Welf's looking for a team to tackle the Dungeon? Looks like he's reached a turning point.'
'Coincidentally, I've been thinking about heading into the Middle Floors myself.'
The timing made Bell pause for a moment, but he had no intention of getting involved with Welf.
"He still hasn't given up?"
He could hear a hint of exasperation in Hephaestus-sama's tone.
And it was understandable. Within Orario's top-tier production Familia, high-level adventurers had it easy—just ask a senior to help, and leveling up was simple. Yet Welf insisted on doing things the hard way.
"Yes. I already told him—if he wants to level up, he should form a party with some people from the Familia and head into the Dungeon to train for a while. There are quite a few new blacksmiths preparing for a rank-up too, so going together wouldn't be a problem."
Large Familia often take in new adventurers. Those who join the Hephaestus Familia are naturally skilled blacksmiths, but even they must consider leveling up. After all, only by ranking up can they gain Development Abilities, which are vital to their craft.
The Development Ability "Blacksmith" is a crucial benchmark—it's the gateway for becoming a true master blacksmith.
Because of this, most blacksmiths, even if they're not interested in combat, will still strive to raise their level in hopes of acquiring "Blacksmith."
Going from Lv.1 to Lv.2 is relatively easy, especially within the supportive environment of a large Familia, where access to resources is almost guaranteed.
And blacksmiths aren't like regular adventurers. They train their stats to the limit before even considering a level-up. Most of them aim to reach the minimum threshold in one attribute, then immediately rank up—all for a shot at gaining "Blacksmith."
But getting that Development Ability isn't guaranteed.
If they fail to obtain "Forging" the first time, their only option is to continue leveling up and try again at Lv.3.
Bell, listening from outside, understood all this clearly. He had only one thought.
'A pointless obsession.'
For an adventurer, the only real concern is survival.
Great weapons increase your odds of surviving in the Dungeon. That's why adventurers crave high-quality arms.
Magic swords are among the best—they can release spells. But they come with harsh limitations. After a certain number of uses, they break down completely. The better the magic sword, the more pronounced this flaw, without exception.
And yet, there's one outlier. Someone who sees weapons as companions—who can't bear the thought of a comrade being created only to be destroyed. So, he gave up forging magic swords entirely.
Truly the pampered heir of a big Familia. A regular adventurer wouldn't even entertain such luxurious ideals.
"Let him be. Some things are hard to accept until you face them. For Welf, he won't become a real blacksmith until he takes that first step."
"Hephaestus-dono, aren't you worried Welf might run into trouble?"
"In his current state, a little trouble might be exactly what he needs to snap out of it. And really, where's an unknown blacksmith going to find a party willing to take him into the Dungeon?"
That was indeed a real issue.
Blacksmiths usually head into the Dungeon only to level up, but since they're not fighters, most parties in Orario rarely want to bring one along.
"Ah, so Hephaestus-dono knew all along?"
"What do you think?"
"Hephaestus-dono, that's pretty mean of you."
"Hmph. That boy's thinking too much. A bucket of cold water is what he needs to clear his head. Coddling him won't help. Better to let him see firsthand how unforgiving Orario can be."
Chapter 226: Chapter 226: A Way to Fight a Level 7 (Bonus)
Chapter Text
'What a harsh lesson.' Bell thought, a hint of sympathy rising in him. But if Hephaestus-sama had chosen to educate her Familia members with such realism, she must have sighed about their naivety many times before.
The conversation inside ended quickly. Tsubaki stepped out of the room, muttering, "Welf, you're really in for it now."
Standing at the door, Bell couldn't help but reflect.
'Welf, it's time you experience Orario's version of tough love.'
Without a trace of pity, Bell opened the door and walked in—exercising a privilege granted only to him.
The sound of the door caught Hephaestus's attention, though she didn't look up right away.
"What is it?"
"It's me, Hephaestus-sama."
"Bell?"
The familiar voice made Hephaestus look up in surprise, which quickly turned into delight.
She wasn't bothered by his silent entry—it was a special privilege she had given him.
Even Tsubaki, the captain, didn't have unrestricted access to her office. But Bell did.
"You're here this late?"
Hephaestus had thought she wouldn't see him until tomorrow, so this visit caught her off guard.
"I ran into something earlier. I could've come sooner, but I had to help Goddess-sama calm down first."
"Hm? Did you run into those things during the 'Monsterphilia'?"
"No. We encountered something even more troublesome."
Hephaestus raised an eyebrow with interest, set down the contract she was working on, and walked over to the office couch. She patted the seat beside her.
"Come sit."
"Alright."
Bell, unlike a few days ago, didn't hesitate and sat down right next to Hephaestus-sama.
She turned to face him, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"So what kind of trouble did you run into? You had to help calm Hestia down? Don't tell me you ran into those monsters head-on."
Bell sighed and shook his head.
"If it were just that, things wouldn't be so complicated. We ran into Freya."
Hephaestus's expression instantly turned serious.
"You came across that woman?"
She carefully examined Bell's eyes. The fastest way to check if someone had been charmed was through their gaze.
"Bell, did she enchant you?"
"No."
Bell shook his head, exasperated. He wasn't that easy to charm.
"It wasn't exactly a direct encounter. Freya figured out our location from the monster attacks and extended an invitation to Goddess-sama. Considering that they'd have to meet sooner or later, she accepted. But just to be clear—I didn't meet Freya myself."
Hephaestus visibly relaxed.
'That woman is always far too sensitive in the worst ways.'
Even so, the situation was a headache.
"She's got her eyes on you—that's not good."
"I agree. That's why I'm here, to explain what happened and share my analysis."
Bell then detailed the conversation between Freya and Hestia, word for word.
Hephaestus listened intently, frowning throughout. Only after Bell shared his observations and insights did her expression ease slightly.
"That idiot Hestia… falling into such an obvious trap."
Her voice was full of frustration—disappointed but also laced with guilt. In the past, she might have brushed it off, but this time, it involved her too. There was no walking away from it.
Anger burned across her refined features.
Noticing this, Bell silently crossed himself, offering a mental prayer for Goddess-sama.
After her anger subsided, Hephaestus began analyzing Freya's possible motives.
"Bell, your guess is probably right. I know that woman's style all too well. If you really are the one she's set her sights on, she would've made a move and taken you by force. The only reason she's been searching for you and watching you is because she's still uncertain."
"And then there's what you said about Freya's informant. That woman rarely comes down to the lower world, so how has she managed to keep finding so many gifted children over the years..."
Between the lines, Hephaestus was clearly acknowledging the possibility that the spy existed.
She then turned her gaze directly to Bell. "Things might start getting even more difficult for you from here on out."
Bell took a deep breath, already aware of the challenges he would be facing.
"I know. But I also know that the pressure from Freya will push me to move forward."
"If you're thinking like that, then I have nothing to worry about."
Seeing the unwavering resolve in Bell's eyes, Hephaestus felt more at ease. Compared to Hestia, Bell was far more cautious and less likely to fall into Freya's grasp.
"Still, Freya is a serious problem. Under her command are the strongest fighters in Orario. If she decides to make a move, no one can stop her."
At the mention of Freya Familia, Bell's expression turned grim.
Though he had heard there were internal conflicts within Freya Familia, once they acted on the will of their Familia God, their sheer power was not something anyone could take lightly.
"Yeah, Freya Familia really is a major threat. Even if they aren't perfectly united, they all have the same goal. If they're dealing with an outside enemy, they'll likely put aside their differences for the time being. That's why we need someone who can act as a check on Freya Familia."
Hephaestus agreed with the idea, but she also pointed out a harsh reality.
"There's hardly anyone in Orario who can stand against a Level 7."
Level 7 was the highest combat strength in Orario—and the one who held that title was the captain of Freya Familia.
To restrain Freya Familia, what was needed wasn't strategy or allies—it was raw power capable of going toe-to-toe with Level 7.
And that was exactly what Bell most wanted to create.
Bell knew he stood no chance against that Level 7 monster right now. If he could, Freya herself wouldn't be a threat anymore.
So, for now, he had to aim for a more realistic goal.
"That's why I want those three in Loki Familia to surpass the Level 6 threshold and reach Level 7."
Chapter 227: Chapter 227: Confronting Loki (Bonus)
Chapter Text
"Let those three kids reach Level 7?"
Hephaestus gave Bell a strange look, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion.
"Bell, those three have been stuck at Level 6 for a very long time. Do you really think they can advance to the next stage so easily?"
"Under normal circumstances, it's absolutely impossible."
Bell answered without hesitation. He had complete faith in the potential of Finn, Riveria, and Gareth. But he also knew that unless they were pushed to their limits, they'd remain at Level 6.
"They're all top-tier adventurers, which means they'll work even harder to awaken their potential. But if they can't break through that barrier after all this time, it means their 'adventure' has already ended."
"What they need isn't more skill or potential—what they truly need is a real calamity!"
"Maybe fighting a Level 7 monster one-on-one would give them a chance to level up. But the truth is, they can't break through that boundary on their own. I hadn't seen a Level 7 monster before either, but I was lucky enough to witness one today, and now I'm sure—they can't make that leap by themselves."
That statement more or less defined the core of Loki Familia's top three.
Being unable to overcome the Level 7 threshold in solo combat was, in a way, the highest praise—they were so close, yet not enough. That's why they'd remained stuck at Level 6.
This "inability" was the root of the problem—it meant they'd need more extensive preparation.
Though Loki would definitely blow up if she heard this, Hephaestus agreed with Bell's analysis.
"Loki's kids are excellent, but their strength only truly shines when they fight together. As individuals, they don't have what it takes to push past that wall."
"Especially as their levels increase, crossing that gap becomes exponentially harder. It's not easy for a single person to leap across levels and slay monsters anymore."
And that was exactly why Hephaestus was curious about Bell's plan.
"So, what are you planning to do?"
"Actually, it's simple. I want to give Loki Familia a calamity—one so massive it forces all three of them to break through their limits."
"...Are you sure? You don't have the strength to pull something like that off yet."
Hephaestus's doubts were natural, and Bell understood that. He wasn't deluded into thinking he could test Level 6 adventurers with his own power.
But while he lacked the strength himself, that didn't mean he couldn't make it happen through external means.
"Right now, I can't do it. But if the Dungeon gives me an opportunity… maybe I can create the conditions for it."
Seeing Bell's expression, Hephaestus couldn't help but smile slightly.
"So that's why you want to join Loki Familia's expedition."
She reached out and playfully pinched his cheek.
"But you know... Loki might actually kill you for this."
Bell was silent for a moment, then grabbed the hand that was pinching his face, his expression serious.
"I know this plan is risky. There's even a chance the right opportunity might never come. But I still think it's worth trying."
"As for Loki-sama, I hope you and the other gods can help me mediate."
The sudden grip on her hand made Hephaestus's heart skip a beat. Listening to this child's earnest request… how could she say no?
A soft warmth stirred in her chest, and her fingers gently curled, grasping Bell's hand in return.
"Since you're saying that, I'll try to talk to Loki for you."
...
The next day, Loki Familia received three visitors.
Because the matter at hand was quite special, Loki was the only one present to greet them.
She stared at the shorty for a while without saying anything. Honestly, she was curious—just yesterday they'd clashed with Freya, and now they were here to see her?
Loki flopped down onto the sofa.
"Shorty, what brings you here today?"
"Loki, before we begin, I hope you can stay calm."
Given that this time it was Bell-kun's plan involving Loki Familia, not even Hestia could guarantee Loki wouldn't blow up after hearing it.
"Loki, Bell has something he wants to discuss with you. But it might be a little upsetting."
Hephaestus also gave a heads-up, hoping to keep Loki's emotions in check.
That warning only deepened Loki's sense of unease.
As if one shorty telling her to calm down wasn't enough, even Hephaestus was saying it might upset her. The bad feeling in her gut only grew stronger.
"Fine, let's hear it."
Loki had already started bracing herself mentally. She didn't know what kind of idea this kid had come up with that made both the shorty and Hephaestus show up just to soften the blow.
But one thing she could be sure of—whatever it was, it was definitely going to piss her off.
"Loki-sama, after the threats Freya-sama made toward Goddess-sama and me yesterday, I started thinking."
"About that lusty woman?"
"Yes. I believe Freya Familia needs to be restrained. If Freya-sama isn't checked in some way, her Familia will only get more out of hand in Orario."
Loki immediately rolled her eyes. Like she didn't already know that?
"Kid, your idea isn't bad, but reality isn't so kind."
"That lusty woman's got Orario's strongest Level 7 under her command. You're not seriously saying you want my Familia to try and hold her back, are you? Let's be honest—I can't rein in that woman's Familia."
"I'm fully aware of that."
Bell replied without hesitation, making Loki's brow twitch. Then she listened as he continued.
"If the three Level 6s in Loki Familia aren't given the right opportunities, they'll never be able to reach Level 7."
Loki's narrowed eyes opened slightly, the chill deep in her gaze seeping outward.
"Kid, you've got some nerve talking like that."
"If Shorty and Hephaestus weren't here, do you believe I wouldn't have someone rip you apart right now?"
Bell didn't doubt her words one bit. He was certain Loki-sama was absolutely capable of doing just that.
"If it's Loki-sama, I know you absolutely would."
Seeing how calmly he said it, Loki clicked her tongue in irritation.
"Just get to the point. Spare me the crap that's only going to piss me off."
Chapter 228: Chapter 228: Their Abilities Aren’t Enough
Chapter Text
"The conclusion is that neither Captain Finn, Vice Captain Riveria, nor Gareth has the strength to defeat a Level 7 opponent in one-on-one combat. Each of them excels in a different area, and only when they fight together can they rival a Level 7."
Loki had no choice but to seriously consider what the kid in front of her was saying.
It was true—whether it was Finn or Riveria, none of them had the power to take on a Level 7 alone.
Not because they lacked ability, but because they weren't versatile enough.
Focusing on a single attribute might give an advantage early on, even allowing someone to bridge the gap between levels. But the higher the level, the less that mattered. Weaknesses in other areas became glaring, and that imbalance was the real issue.
That was why Finn and the others, despite their overwhelming strength, had been unable to move forward.
So if they wanted to advance, they had only two options: either become more well-rounded or challenge monsters so overwhelmingly strong that victory was almost impossible. Only that kind of ordeal could help them accumulate the Excelia needed to reach Level 7.
"If you're suggesting I send Finn and the others to fight something they can't possibly beat, forget it. I'm not throwing them into a suicide mission for some short-term gain."
Bell had expected that reaction, so he continued without pause.
"If you consider exploring uncharted territory a suicide mission too, then there's nothing more to say."
Loki raised an eyebrow. Wasn't he just talking about an expedition?
"Clarify what you meant just now. What do you mean, exploring unknown territory is also suicide?"
Bell glanced at Loki and allowed a faint smile to curve his lips.
"Every Adventurer knows the dangers of the Dungeon. Any unexplored area presents a serious challenge. Right now, the Dungeon is filled with all sorts of unpredictable threats—like those Violas from yesterday."
"Judging from the battle between your Familia and those monsters, it's clear those giant flowers were lower-floor creatures. Yet they had such tough hides that even a First-class Adventurer couldn't crush them with a punch. Honestly, even with First-class weapons, most Adventurers would struggle against monsters like that."
Loki's eyelid twitched. She had a hunch where this was going—and then she heard it.
"Where do you think those monsters came from?"
"Probably from deeper levels, or maybe even from areas no one's ever explored before."
"Then tell me—do you think those Violas were heavyweight monsters?"
Yes...
Loki wanted to deny it, to lie to herself—but she couldn't.
As the Goddess of Lies and Trickery, Loki would never lie to herself when faced with undeniable truth. Especially not with the shorty and Hephaestus right there watching. She couldn't bring herself to do it.
"They're just a bunch of small fry. To a real heavyweight monster, they're nothing more than weeds... That's what you mean, isn't it?"
Bell only shrugged slightly, offering no rebuttal.
"So, if these 'weeds' already have enough strength to trouble a Level 5 adventurer, what level would the main body that spawned them be?"
Loki crossed her arms, clearly irritated at being led down this line of reasoning, but she still answered.
"Level 7... or even Level 8."
That was exactly the answer Bell had been waiting for.
"Then don't you think continuing the Loki Familia's expedition under current circumstances is nothing short of suicide?"
"Sure, you could halt the expedition. But would Captain Finn—who's poured everything into the rise of the Pallum race—accept that?"
Damn it. He got me.
Loki grit her teeth in frustration, but she had no way to argue back.
Even a fool could see that Finn would never agree to such a retreat.
He had already done a great job fulfilling his mission to revive the Pallum, but he still wanted to do better. He had to keep climbing.
Seeing the conflicted look on Loki's face, Bell knew he was just one step away from winning her over.
"And there's one more thing. Those monsters... they're clearly from the deeper levels. So why were they showing up beneath Orario? Don't you think someone deliberately brought them here?"
"Maybe they weren't just trying to smuggle up a few dangerous beasts. Maybe they're planning to bring something even worse to the surface."
"When that happens, sure, Loki-sama's Familia might get away unscathed. But what about everyone else? Will they be so lucky?"
That shattered the last of Loki's resistance.
Because she knew he was right.
The rats from Evilus had already crawled out of the sewers, and hoping they wouldn't act was nothing more than wishful thinking. She still hadn't forgotten the trial that one evil god had brought down on Orario.
Back then, at least the enemy used Orario's living forces as stepping stones to train up the next generation.
But what if this time it really was some lunatic god of destruction? What if their goal was nothing less than to burn Orario to the ground?
From the beginning, she'd never had a choice.
She might be able to limit how deep her Familia went during expeditions, but there was no way to stop the bastards in Evilus from crawling up out of the sewers.
At this point, there was only one thing she could do.
"...Fine. Let's hear your plan first."
Right now, Bell's plan was already halfway to success. Only by making Loki see the severity of the situation herself could he get her to even consider something this risky.
"What those three lack isn't combat experience. What they're missing is the Excelia they need to reach Level 7. But because their current strength already edges close to Level 7, they can't overcome it through normal means. And if they fight with larger teams, the achievement gained won't be enough to push them past the Lv.6 wall. So what they need is a more extreme ordeal."
"But realistically, sending them to take on a Level 8 monster is out of the question. That's why I came up with a different idea. What if I could control certain monsters—temporarily enhance their abilities by burning out their lifespans, and maintain some level of control over them in the process? If I send those three, leading a team, to take down those monsters under such conditions... wouldn't that give them the 'Excelia' they need?"
Loki fell silent, sinking into deep thought.
It wasn't that this plan was impossible. On the contrary, the odds of success were actually pretty high. But now only one question remained.
"Do you even have the ability to pull that off?"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 229: Chapter 229: I Agreed
Chapter Text
"When it comes to direct combat, I admit I'm still lacking. But when it comes to things like this, it's where I excel."
Bell was well aware that his current strength was far below that of top-tier Adventurers. But outside of combat—his other abilities were something even those top Adventurers couldn't match.
Casually, he traced eighteen runes into the air.
"These are the magical runes I've mastered. With just these eighteen characters, I can manifest almost any ability I can imagine. And the energy cost for me is minimal."
Loki gave them a brief glance, but in that moment, one thing became clear.
"Authority... You brat, you've actually mastered something like this?!"
The moment she felt their presence, Loki instantly understood why this kid could speak with such confidence.
A child from the Genkai... wielding a power only the gods should possess.
Loki wasn't blind—those runes had practically no restrictions. They didn't require divine power to activate. This was a form of Authority with low constraints, and more importantly, it could mimic other Authorities.
Trying to keep her shock in check, Loki turned to look at the shorty and Hephaestus.
"So, you two knew all along?"
Hestia and Hephaestus didn't deny it. They had, indeed, known about it for some time. Although, what had shocked them initially wasn't Bell's control over runes—it was another ability of his, one that only wore the guise of magic but was, in truth, Authority itself.
'This is how you treat a fellow god?!'
Loki nearly slammed her hand on the table in disbelief.
A mortal child, freely using Authority? Even they, divine beings, were restricted in how they could use their powers and Authority—and yet a child from the Genkai could wield it unrestrained?
'No wonder I felt my divine power was being suppressed by something more than just a seal that day... So it was Authority?!'
Now she completely understood why Finn and the others had fallen so easily.
Even she hadn't been an exception. After being mysteriously taken down, she had felt a renewed and intense suppression on the divine power sealed within her.
So it had been Authority that subdued her.
Still, that discovery brought her some relief.
Authority—it was the one explanation that made her believe. This was a power mortals were never supposed to wield. A power only gods should have.
"Alright... I'll believe that you can pull this off."
Loki forced herself to calm down.
"The ability to produce different effects through various combinations, to simulate Authority itself—that's honestly shocking."
"You can keep the danger under control, right?"
That was the one concern she still had.
"I can't guarantee complete safety. I haven't conducted any tests yet, and I'll be trying to control monsters that far surpass my current capabilities. I can't make any promises."
Bell didn't try to claim he could guarantee anything—because he knew he couldn't.
Loki didn't push further on that point.
Authority was still Authority. But how a mortal from Genkai wielded it wasn't quite the same as how a god did. If he couldn't guarantee control... well, there wasn't much she could say to that.
"I can only try to minimize the chances of the worst-case scenario."
Loki let out a long sigh after a stretch of silence.
"Alright. I agree."
Adventurers had to take responsibility for their own choices—Loki had nothing more to say on that.
This kid had chosen to use her Familia for exactly that reason. And for Finn and the others, breaking past Level 6 was no small matter.
The biggest concern was safety. Which meant... it was all going to come down to a gamble.
Loki had no idea if she was making the right call. But if they won this bet, then Finn and the others could keep moving forward.
So she understood—this was a gamble she had to take part in.
The weight in Bell's chest finally lifted. Now that Loki-sama had agreed, he could move forward with preparations.
He stood from the sofa and gave a small bow.
"Thank you very much, Loki-sama."
Loki looked at the kid in front of her with a complicated expression. Sure, he'd tricked her more than a few times and made a nice profit off her... but he was still a solid kid.
"This time, it's only because of what you're capable of."
"I understand. That's why I'll do everything I can to help Captain Finn and the others break through."
Loki cast a glance at the shorty sitting beside him.
"Shorty, you must be pretty pleased with yourself now, huh?"
Hestia puffed up her chest proudly, her whole face radiating one word—"Pride."
"Of course! My Bell-kun is the strongest!"
Loki didn't even bother snapping back. With power like Bell's, a little pride was warranted. After all, she'd been in Genkai for so long and hadn't once seen a mortal child who could wield Authority.
"Authority... Just where did you get the luck to find a kid like this?"
That one line made Hestia's smile freeze completely. But Hephaestus, sitting nearby, let out a quiet laugh.
"When he first arrived in Orario, he came to me. He's more self-aware than most kids, and he wanted to join my Familia to transition in."
"So he found you first, huh?"
Loki's face lit with understanding. So that's how this weird kid ended up with the shorty—it was just her ridiculous luck at work again.
She remembered how the shorty had been hanging around Hephaestus's place recently. So yeah, stumbling into this kid must've been pure luck... with Hephaestus's blessing on top.
Which only made Loki feel even more annoyed.
"Why didn't a kid like him come to my Familia when he first arrived in Orario?"
"Loki, what do you think your Familia is? Do you think just any kid can join?"
"Uh..."
Loki froze under Hephaestus's jab, scratching at her red hair in frustration. She really did feel like she'd just lost a fortune.
All she could do was look at Bell, feeling utterly resigned.
"Couldn't you have been just a little bolder? If you had, none of this back-and-forth would've been necessary."
But what was Bell supposed to say to that? He could only smile awkwardly and scratch at his cheek.
"Loki-sama, that's a bit unfair."
"Joining the second strongest Familia in Orario isn't exactly something I could just decide on a whim, you know?"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 230: Chapter 230: Normally, I Would Join the Loki Familia
Chapter Text
It was all because her Familia was too strong—Loki could only sigh helplessly to herself.
A Familia growing that powerful wasn't a problem—it was something she took pride in. What god wouldn't want to see their children excel?
But in this case, having such a strong Familia felt... oddly inconvenient.
After all, who could've expected a child from Genkai to awaken Authority? That was completely absurd.
No, calling it absurd didn't even cover it—it wasn't just improbable, it was something that should have been outright impossible.
And yet, it had happened.
'Is this a sign?'
Loki couldn't help but wonder.
When an era changes, it often comes with a series of omens—strange and unusual occurrences that signal a shift.
A child from Genkai wielding Authority could very well be one such omen.
'Then maybe... this child is closely tied to that coming change.'
Loki didn't voice the thought aloud. It wasn't something that could be proven anyway.
"So, if you had known about your situation from the start, which Familia would you have chosen?"
"If the choice were mine, it'd obviously make sense to go with a Familia that had better resources. Orario's strongest, the Freya Familia, would be ideal—if I had known more about it. But I'd have passed on them because there's too much internal strife."
Given Loki's question, Bell thought it through carefully and answered with an objective analysis.
"By comparison, the Loki Familia offers a better living environment, and it has plenty of resources for growth. If I had to make the choice now, I'd choose to develop within the Loki Familia."
That answer made Hestia purse her lips.
In truth, she already knew it. If Bell-kun had known from the beginning about his potential and had to pick logically, choosing Loki's Familia would have made the most sense.
It was the obvious choice. Loki, now visibly less annoyed, felt her mood improving.
After all, her Familia had worked its way up to second place in Orario. Of course capable children would want to join her if they knew what she had to offer.
But when it came to awakening powers in Genkai, it was like opening a mystery box—no one could predict what they'd get. Naturally, a major Familia wasn't going to believe some random kid claiming they could awaken immense power.
Loki certainly wouldn't have.
Feeling a lot more satisfied now, Loki gave Bell a much friendlier look.
"See? Now that's the answer I like."
"If you'd known your abilities from the start, picking my Familia would've been the logical move."
The only unfortunate part was that her Familia, being second-best in Orario, rarely got first pick of newcomers.
At least from the perspective of an average kid just arriving in Orario, Loki didn't expect many would choose her Familia right away. And in her opinion, any child who made that choice probably had a decent head on their shoulders. Maybe not the strongest, but at least self-aware.
So really, it was just a string of circumstances that had let Shorty scoop up this jackpot.
And for once, Loki found herself genuinely jealous.
"Shorty, your luck's ridiculous."
"Hmph! Everyone says big-chested girls are lucky. Loki, maybe it's time to reflect on how... underdeveloped you are."
That line made several giant "井" veins pop out on Loki's forehead, and even Bell started to worry that Loki-sama might actually keel over from a brain hemorrhage.
Bell's eyes darted downward in a quick glance before he quietly sat beside her, pretending like he hadn't just snuck a peek. Still, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
'It really is... the Wall of Despair.'
After all, gods didn't grow.
Which meant Loki-sama, stuck with the build she had now, was doomed to remain a permanent "Wall of Despair."
In contrast, both Goddess-sama and Hephaestus had beautifully proportioned figures—just looking at them was a visual treat.
Even if Bell had no particular preferences about body type, he had to admit—girls with better figures really were nice to look at.
"What did you just say, you busty cow!? That oversized thing is gonna sag to your knees one day anyway!"
"Hmph! You fool, Loki—gods' bodies don't change. No matter how long time passes, my figure will always stay perfect. It'll never sag."
Hestia flicked her gaze at Loki's infamous "Wall of Despair" and let out a smug little laugh.
"Just like how your body will never develop."
"What did you say!?"
Having her sore spot jabbed twice in a row, Loki sprang off the couch with a single bound and lunged at the shorty, grabbing Hestia's cheeks with both hands.
"Say that again, I dare you!"
"I'll say it again and again... mmph! Mmph!"
"You really dared to say it, shorty!"
"Mmmph!"
This time, Loki completely silenced Hestia by grabbing her face, and once she had control, a mischievous grin spread across her face.
"Let's see what you have to say now!"
With her face squished, Hestia couldn't even manage a proper shout, reduced to muffled whimpering.
Meanwhile, Bell had quietly moved to the opposite sofa. He tuned everything out and gazed up at the clear blue sky, as if mentally muting the chaos around him.
Hephaestus also walked over and plopped down beside Bell with a tired look as the two goddesses continued their scuffle.
"Seriously... those two never get tired of this."
Leaning back on the sofa, Hephaestus watched the scene unfold with a look of distaste, arms crossed, tapping her leg in mild annoyance. After a bit, perhaps out of boredom, she shifted her gaze to Bell.
"Loki's already agreed, so now it's just a matter of waiting for the expedition. Bell, what's your next move?"
Her eyes turned toward the window, which cast a warm light over her features. From Bell's angle, Hephaestus-sama looked like she was glowing, her whole figure bathed in a soft brilliance. It was enough to make him think, 'She's beautiful...'
A faint blush crept onto Hephaestus's face as she caught his gaze. She rolled her eyes at him.
"I asked what your plan is."
"Ah—right! I was planning to start preparing for a deeper-floor dive."
Snapping back to reality, Bell quickly straightened up and answered.
"Maybe I can train up my Status a bit more before the expedition."
"I also need to begin some experiments with monsters—to see if they really can be controlled, and if so, how much control is possible."
"And there's also the order from Loki Familia. I've still got a bunch of Rune Stones left to craft, and they all need to be completed."
All things considered, Bell still had a lot on his plate.
Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Loki, Watching the Show, Was Shocked
Chapter Text
Loki, who was still teasing Hestia, turned at the sound and shifted her gaze from the shorty to behind her.
Hephaestus looked a little different today—her smile was practically glowing, and it caught Loki completely off guard.
'Do those two... have some kind of complicated relationship?'
Loki had spent plenty of time around Hephaestus, but it was rare to see her this happy. And when Hephaestus was in a good mood, did she ever look this radiant?
That realization made Loki lose interest in the shorty for now. She let go and stood quietly to the side, listening in on their conversation.
"You've got a lot on your plate coming up."
"Yeah. Making a living is important, and since Loki-sama has already paid me in full, I can't exactly slack off."
Honestly, Bell could have delayed Loki Familia's order, but that wasn't an option anymore.
He had so many things lined up that if he didn't take care of them now, he wasn't sure he'd have the time—or the energy—to come back and handle the Rune Stone orders.
"Aside from the order, we also need to arrange the test as soon as possible. Otherwise, we might not keep up with Loki Familia's expedition schedule."
The monster testing was another big issue, and Bell had to start preparing for that too.
Just thinking about all of it made his shoulders ache. It was clear he wouldn't be getting any rest for a while.
"Who told you to cram everything together like this?"
Hephaestus gave Bell a playful flick on the forehead.
"I didn't have a choice this time—it really just happened all at once."
Bell rubbed the spot where she'd tapped him, looking helpless. He hadn't meant to stack everything up, but things just didn't go according to plan. Thankfully, he had a habit of stockpiling supplies. He'd already finished most of the items in Loki-sama's order—except the Attribute Rune Stones, which were the bulk of it.
They were simple to make, but the sheer volume made things difficult.
"I didn't prepare enough this time. Totally underestimated the demand for 'Attribute Stones'."
"You're running into the Dungeon, training your Status, and fulfilling Loki's order—you're doing way too much lately."
Hephaestus didn't hide her concern.
"I really think you need to manage your time better. Finish Loki's order first, then move on to other stuff. If you dive into the Dungeon like this, I'm not even sure you'll make it back out."
Bell gave a wry smile. He knew his routine had been completely thrown off, but with everything going on lately, what could he do?
In fact, Bell hadn't wanted to get involved with the "Monsterphilia" at all—it would've saved him a lot of time for making Rune Stones. But he hadn't avoided it. Not only that, he'd dragged Freya Familia into it and now had to figure out how to deal with them.
That just made an already tight schedule even more stressful—and that was what really had Bell feeling overwhelmed.
"Hephaestus-sama, I'll get some rest once I finish my work.
I don't like messing around with my safety, and I have no intention of spending my whole life in the Dungeon."
He absolutely needed time to rest, and he also had to make room to investigate monsters in the Middle Floors.
Bell had always prioritized monster intel for safety reasons.
Of course, he'd been taking better care of his body lately too. Even though he could now go several days without sleep, he still forced himself to make time for it. Otherwise, his mental state would definitely fall apart.
To squeeze out even a little extra time these days, he had to rely on runes to help with sleep again.
What a pain. He had just gotten used to sleeping without them, and now he was back to working overtime.
Just thinking about it made his trigeminal nerve throb.
Hephaestus shook her head slightly, lowered her propped-up leg, and gently patted it.
"Go ahead and take a nap now."
"Loki and Hestia might not..."
"Gu-gu..."
Suddenly, Hestia popped in with puffed cheeks, squeezing herself right between Bell and Hephaestus.
She shot Hephaestus a jealous glare.
"Hephaestus, what are you doing?"
Caught in the act, Hephaestus looked a little awkward. She had assumed Loki and Hestia would keep bickering for a while longer—she didn't expect them to settle so quickly...
"Ahem, I just thought since Bell's going to be busy later, he should rest a bit."
That made Hestia grit her teeth in envy.
"So you let Bell-kun nap on your lap?"
Hephaestus blushed slightly, but she didn't back down.
"What's the harm? It's just a short nap."
From the sidelines, Loki's grin started to twist with amusement.
Now she was absolutely certain there was something unusual between Hephaestus and Bell—and Hephaestus wasn't even trying to hide it. She was being shockingly bold.
"Oho~ Shorty, looks like Freya's not the only one eyeing your kid—Hephaestus is in on it too."
Loki, ever the mischief-monger, was thoroughly enjoying the show and hoping things would escalate. Watching two goddesses fight over one guy? That was entertainment.
But Hestia and Hephaestus shot her matching glares at once.
"Loki, shut up."
"Yeah! Loki, this is between me and Hestia. Stay out of it."
Faced with Loki, the two instantly joined forces.
That took Loki by surprise. But after studying Hestia and Hephaestus's expressions—and their rather delicate behavior toward Bell—an odd thought crept into her mind.
"You two... aren't seriously going all in, are you?"
The idea made Loki's lips twitch. This drama was getting juicier than she'd expected.
"I figured only Freya would pull something like this... No, that vixen just has an extreme possessiveness."
"She's not nearly as creative as you two."
Freya's possessiveness was legendary. If she wanted something, she'd make sure to claim it.
But Hestia and Hephaestus weren't acting out of simple jealousy—it was more like competitive affection.
Almost like they were fighting over who could win more of him over.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 232: Chapter 232: Lv.2 Is Fine, but Lv.6 Is a Problem?
Chapter Text
After sending off the two troublesome goddesses, Loki felt more relaxed than usual.
"Ran into a Genkai child with divine authority... and two women falling over themselves for him."
She shook her head. She couldn't quite wrap her head around what was going on with those two. Why were they putting on a show like that?
Thinking back, the two had been cooperating all along. Even when the Rune Stone surfaced, Hephaestus backed it without hesitation. Maybe the three of them had already reached some kind of tacit understanding a long time ago.
Still, Loki was just mildly curious.
Digging deeper? That would only make her a target—not just for the shorty, but Hephaestus might come after her too.
Definitely not worth it.
Offending Orario's top blacksmith was no joke. Finn and the others could fight so effectively in the Dungeon only because they had the blacksmiths backing them. Cross one of them, and you could forget about smooth days ahead.
Loki was a little disappointed that she couldn't stir up some trouble for the shorty.
After lingering in the room a while longer, she stepped out.
...
At that moment, all three of Loki Familia's Level 6 adventurers were seated inside Finn's office.
"Finn, what do you think those two gods came along for this time?"
The three were each seated at a different spot. The bold dwarf Gareth was drinking as he mulled over the sudden arrival of the two goddesses.
"Hephaestus came with Hestia, and Hestia came with that kid. So the reason clearly lies with him."
"The real question," Riveria said as she set down her copy of The Argonauts, "is why that kid needed to speak with Loki alone—and why he needed Hestia and Hephaestus to back him up."
She went straight to the point, directly addressing Gareth's question. Finn also lowered his pen, his thoughts focused on Bell's behavior.
'Could it be because of what happened yesterday?'
Riveria and Gareth weren't in the know, but Finn had witnessed everything. He remembered how Hestia had been threatened by Freya.
Now the two goddesses had shown up with Bell—most likely to talk about that very issue.
But was there really a viable solution to this?
Freya wanted Bell, but Hestia wasn't about to hand him over. A deadlock.
The only small relief was that Freya hadn't taken direct action yet.
Still, that didn't change the tight spot Hestia was in.
"Knock Knock Knock!"
Here she comes.
All three of them set down what they were doing as the person outside knocked, then opened the door without waiting.
"Yo~ Hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
As soon as Loki stepped in, the tension in the room visibly eased.
"Whether you're interrupting depends on what terrifying thing you're about to say."
Finn's guess was that Hestia wanted to join forces—to unite their Familia against the pressure from Freya.
"Eh... hahaha..."
Loki understood exactly what Finn meant, but she couldn't hide her unease. Just moments ago, she'd agreed to that ridiculous plan the kid proposed.
She was feeling guilty.
And everyone in the room could tell. But that only made the atmosphere more uneasy.
"It's not that big of a deal. That kid ran into some trouble and just wants to lay low in your expedition team for a while."
Lay low?
Finn's brows knit as he shot Loki a sharp look.
The Freya problem wasn't something you could hide from. Besides, Bell-kun had the ability to cloak himself—and even teleport. Even without joining the expedition, Freya would still have a hard time tracking him down.
So was Loki lying?
The thought slipped out of Finn before he could stop it.
"Loki, are you telling the truth? Or are you lying?"
"Of course I'm telling the truth."
At that moment, Loki was completely serious—she didn't look like she was lying at all.
'She's telling the truth.'
Finn was certain Loki wasn't lying just now.
But if that was true... did Bell-kun really join the expedition team just to lay low?
Finn's instincts immediately flagged that as suspicious.
Even after analyzing it logically, it didn't seem quite right. More likely, some part of the truth was being hidden.
"The shorty's kid has definitely run into some trouble. He's caught the eye of a particularly troublesome woman. From now on, he's going to have to keep a low profile in Orario."
"That's why the shorty and Hephaestus brought him along this time. Of course, that's not the only reason he's joining the expedition."
Loki stopped there.
Riveria and Gareth picked up on the unspoken implication. If there wasn't something hidden behind this, there wouldn't have been a need to speak with Loki privately.
Finn's frown slowly faded. Just laying low wasn't enough of an explanation—whatever else was going on beneath the surface was the real key.
He glanced at Loki.
'So she's not going to say it.'
He sighed quietly to himself. This would've been the best time for Loki to just come out with it. But she definitely wasn't going to talk.
Just the relationship between Hestia and Loki alone was enough to guarantee that Loki wouldn't spill whatever was going on behind the scenes.
...
Even if Loki didn't say anything, Finn already knew this expedition was bound to be full of complications.
"Loki, and Hestia's just okay with letting that kid go on an expedition?"
"Well, this whole situation outside is pretty serious. And besides, you guys really don't need to worry about his safety. Honestly, even if something happens to you all, I doubt anything would happen to him."
So what if the shorty was worried? The Dungeon couldn't possibly be scarier than Freya.
...Though maybe, in her mind, Freya had already surpassed the Dungeon in terms of sheer terror.
That thought amused Loki.
As for what she'd just said, that was her honest impression—she really didn't think that kid would be in any danger.
What kind of trouble could someone with Authority run into in the Dungeon? It'd be absurd if something actually happened.
Besides, that kid was confident enough to control monsters. Ordinary threats probably didn't even register to him.
Riveria and Gareth exchanged puzzled looks.
"Loki, even if that kid's capable, you're giving him way too much credit, aren't you?"
"A Level 2 kid won't be in danger, but us Level 6s might?"
Gareth's words gave Finn pause.
'Wait... is the real reason he's joining this expedition... because of us?'
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 233: Chapter 233: Preparing to Traverse the Middle Levels
Chapter Text
After settling things with Loki-sama, Bell began his journey of learning.
Before entering the Middle Floors, it was essential to understand the situation. The unknown is often the most dangerous, and having a clear grasp of the known allows at least some room to adapt when facing the unexpected.
So, Bell conducted a detailed investigation of the conditions from the 12th to the 18th floor. Naturally, this was limited to information sold by the Guild.
Things like the so-called "welcome ceremony" on the 13th floor, the Hellhounds, and the Almirajs.
Bell wasn't particularly interested in the names of these creatures. What mattered more to him were their combat styles and stat profiles.
Unfortunately, both the dogs and rabbits were pack creatures, and this group behavior carried over to the monsters as well. These monsters acted in groups, making it nearly impossible to take them down one by one.
The rabbits were especially fast and were born wielding sharp axes. They could almost instantly tear through the flesh of a Level 2 Adventurer, delivering a potentially fatal blow in a single strike.
The rabbits were especially fast and had sharp axes. They could almost instantly tear through the flesh of a Level 2 Adventurer, delivering a potentially fatal blow in a single strike.
The dogs, aside from their incredible speed, had an acute sense of smell. Thanks to that, almost no adventurer could escape once targeted. On top of that, they could spit fire like the mythical hounds of the underworld—flames hot enough to roast a person alive. If you weren't prepared and got locked onto by a pack, you'd be nothing but bones in the end.
While the monsters' traits and their group behavior were already hard enough to deal with, the most troublesome part of the Middle Floors was how quickly they spawned.
On the Upper Floors, monster spawn cycles might take several hours, but on the Middle Floors, there was no such grace period.
This was especially true for the rabbits and dogs. As the gatekeeper monsters of the Middle Floors, and also the most common, their spawn rate was the highest.
So, once you encountered them on the 13th floor and got locked onto, it wouldn't take long before you were swarmed by packs of dogs and rabbits.
And once surrounded by those things, even a Level 3 could end up dead.
Besides dogs and rabbits, there were plenty of other monsters with unique traits—like the Gargoyle, which was impervious to blades and spears, and the Slime, which was completely immune to physical attacks.
The Middle Floors were nothing like the Upper Floors. Every level had a wide variety of monsters roaming around, unlike the more uniform Upper Floors.
But no one wants variety in the Dungeon.
Because for any Adventurer, variety in the Dungeon is a nightmare.
"It's like a dream come true."
Bell muttered to himself in a private room of the Guild.
"No wonder so many Adventurers stay stuck at Level 1. It's not that their abilities are only at that level—it's that their hearts never move past it."
Bell shook his head. He wasn't blaming those Adventurers for not trying harder. After all, the Dungeon doesn't play around. One misstep, and death is right there.
No one wants to die.
No one treats their own life that lightly.
Maybe death is something every Adventurer will have to face one day—but no living being wants to die without meaning. So, avoiding danger isn't such a bad thing. Everyone has the right to make their own choices, and no one needs to justify that to others.
Just like how Bell never dreamed of becoming a hero. He wasn't the type to sacrifice himself for others. His goal for becoming stronger was entirely practical: to reach Level 10, he had to step over the Black Dragon's corpse and keep moving forward.
After reviewing the monsters from the 13th to the 18th floors, Bell jotted down notes on the key monsters he needed to remember in his secret notebook, then sat back in his chair for a short rest.
'The biggest issue from the 13th to the 18th floors really is how often the monsters appear.'
'Even if you include Minotaurs, there are only five types of monsters. The variety isn't overwhelming, but the problem lies in their numbers, their frequency, and their strength.'
'Their strength takes time to adapt to, and the numbers and spawn rate take getting used to.'
Once he understood the monsters, a lot of the potential problems were already minimized.
The only thing left to worry about was his own strength.
As long as he was strong enough and could quickly adjust to the environment, the discomfort of transitioning from the Upper Floors to the Middle Floors would fade before long.
"Knock Knock Knock!"
Bell's nap didn't last long before knocking came at the door.
But he didn't get up to answer—it was part of his arrangement with Miss Eina.
Click!
Sure enough, the one who entered was Miss Eina.
After stepping inside, she promptly closed the door behind her.
This room was near the inner part of the Guild, and directly across from the door was a wall—no one could see what was happening inside.
"Bell-kun, have you finished reading the information?"
Eina saw Bell resting and couldn't help but ask.
"I've gone through it once. The monster types on the 13th to 18th floors aren't too numerous, so the amount of useful information is actually pretty limited."
Eina could tell Bell had seriously gone over the materials, but she still wasn't pleased with how casually he was treating the situation.
"Bell-kun, you know that the Middle Floors are nothing like the Upper Floors. The advantages you had up there might not apply here. You'll be exploring the Middle Floors alone, so you have to be more cautious. Got it?"
Of course Bell understood. But he also understood why Miss Eina was saying this.
"I understand, Miss Eina. I'll be on my own, so with how fast the monsters spawn in the Middle Floors, it's going to be overwhelming at times. But that's the only real issue."
"Miss Eina, you haven't forgotten about my magic, have you?"
Eina froze for a second, realizing she had subconsciously treated Bell-kun like a normal Adventurer.
"Sorry, Bell-kun. I slipped and treated you like any other Adventurer again."
Bell chuckled at that.
"It's probably better if you keep thinking of me that way, Miss Eina. I really am just a regular Adventurer. I just happen to be a bit luckier than most."
"Luck, huh... If the other Adventurers heard you call awakening magic 'luck,' they'd probably lose their minds. And honestly, who else has abilities like yours? Not even a month in, and you're already thinking about challenging the Middle Floors."
For most Adventurers, thinking about tackling the Middle Floors less than a month in would be unthinkable. But for the boy standing in front of her, it made perfect sense.
Eina even knew some of the hidden details from his own explanation—this kid was already on the verge of reaching Level 3.
Chapter 234: Chapter 234: Eina's Slip
Chapter Text
When Bell suddenly said he wanted to look up information on Middle Floor monsters, Eina was nearly stunned speechless.
He hadn't even been an Adventurer for a full month and was already thinking about heading to the Middle Floors? That was way too soon.
Even though Eina tried her best not to interfere with an Adventurer's choices, she couldn't help but speak up. After all, venturing into the Middle Floors was no small matter.
"Miss Eina, I'm already close to reaching Level 3."
She had brought Bell into a private room, intending to give him a proper warning, only to hear him say something like that.
Eina nearly screamed right then and there.
A boy who had only been an Adventurer for less than a month was already approaching Level 3? Who would even believe that?
Unfortunately, as someone who knew Bell's secret, Eina had confirmed it several times and ultimately accepted it as truth.
If she hadn't believed what Bell said, there's no way she would've pulled up the data on monsters from the 13th to 18th floors—information that was never shown to Adventurers who hadn't yet stepped into the Middle Floors.
Now sitting across from Bell, Eina still felt like this was all surreal.
"Not even a month, and you're already close to Level 3... Your growth rate is honestly terrifying."
"I just got lucky. When I joined my Familia and met my Familia God, I awakened some decent skills and magic. If not for that, there's no way I could've grown this fast."
It sounded modest, but Eina wasn't naive.
"Awakened magic and skills are just support. If you didn't have the ability to grow on your own, there's no way you could've advanced this far in such a short time."
Maybe there were others out there who awakened even more extraordinary skills and magic, but without the aptitude, they still wouldn't be able to cross that threshold.
Eina was certain Bell had both the potential and the luck, which is why he'd grown so fast.
She soon turned serious.
"Bell-kun, did you know the Guild recently lost something?"
Bell's brows drew together slightly. As soon as she said it, he understood what she was getting at.
"Is it information related to me?"
Eina nodded with a resigned expression.
"Yes. It's some of the initial application paperwork I filled out. I didn't write down the seller's name, but I'm afraid whoever retrieved the documents from the Guild already knows."
It made sense. If someone hadn't been targeting him specifically, they wouldn't have gone out of their way to dig up that information.
Bell stayed calm and gave a possible explanation.
"Maybe it was Goddess Freya."
"Goddess Freya? Why would she do something like that?"
Eina looked at him in shock, clearly not understanding how this connected to Freya.
"During yesterday's Monsterphilia, Goddess-sama and I ran into those things on the street."
"You and Goddess Hestia ran into those things!?"
Eina's voice instantly shot up. She knew the Guild was already investigating the incident that took place in the residential area near Daedalus yesterday. Too many civilians had been killed, prompting a heavy joint investigation from both the Guild and the Ganesha Familia.
As a Guild employee, Eina had access to some of the internal findings as well.
"No, I didn't. I actually noticed those things early on, so I took Goddess-sama away before anything happened."
Bell gently reassured Miss Eina, then offered a calm explanation.
"We saw those giant flowers from the bell tower nearby and figured out why they were being sent into Orario's underground sewers."
"Evilus."
That word wasn't unfamiliar to Eina. In fact, it wasn't unfamiliar to any citizen of Orario.
Over a decade ago, Orario had faced the threat of Evilus—a time when the city had nearly been leveled. If not for the combined efforts of many Familia working together to overcome the crisis, the prosperity Orario enjoys today might never have come to be.
"So it's Evilus again..."
Even if she hadn't heard the term in years, Eina could never forget it.
The tragic massacre on the 27th floor of the Dungeon—that bloodbath had been caused by Evilus.
At the time, many of Orario's core forces were wiped out by monsters summoned under the guise of "monster reclamation." The direct result was the annihilation of the Astrea Familia. Even the powerful Astrea Familia was nearly destroyed, and the goddess Astrea herself had been forced to leave Orario.
It was the very definition of "tragic."
To this day, many who remember that incident still go pale at the mention of Evilus.
The name remains a lingering shadow in the hearts of countless people.
"They were already exposed once during the Ishtar incident, and now they've stirred up even bigger trouble."
Eina couldn't help thinking of her colleagues at the Guild. Lately, with Evilus-related incidents piling up, many of them had grown visibly distracted and uneasy in their work. Of course, she didn't blame anyone—it was the fear getting to them.
"If they were able to send monsters into Orario's underground, then that means their operation isn't over yet. And more importantly... we still don't know which gods are behind Evilus."
Bell continued without pause.
Eina didn't believe this was the end of Evilus' activity either. The fact that they had managed to go this far meant their objective had yet to be fulfilled.
But what truly shocked her was what Bell said next—"which gods are behind Evilus?" That implied there were gods among them cooperating with Evilus.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"Bell-kun... are you sure about this?"
"I don't need to be. What happened during Monsterphilia says it all. The Dungeon is managed by the Guild, yet someone managed to divert the Guild's attention and sneak monsters into Orario's underground. If multiple gods weren't covering for them, do you really think something like that would've been possible?"
Faced with Bell's question, Eina couldn't answer. But deep down, she understood—it had to be true. There were gods siding with Evilus. Without divine protection, such a covert operation simply couldn't have happened.
Still, Eina didn't have access to further intel. Those were things far beyond her reach.
"Bell-kun, be extra careful from now on. If Evilus has started moving again, you'll definitely be facing serious danger while exploring the Dungeon."
"I know. That's why I've always been cautious."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Hunger Can Heal Emotional Wounds
Chapter Text
Three days had passed since the Monsterphilia.
Lefiya, who had narrowly escaped death during the incident, had finally regained her composure. But it had taken her two full days just to pull herself back from the brink.
Even now, every time she closed her eyes, the events of that day played out again and again. That was the biggest reason why her mental state hadn't recovered.
"Sigh..."
She let out a weary sigh. If only she'd been able to hold onto her courage, she wouldn't have ended up struggling like this for so long.
Leaning against the wall, she stepped out of her room. The fear of death had completely crushed her appetite these past two days. It wasn't that she didn't want to eat—she simply couldn't. Her body had no desire for food.
But that couldn't last forever. Eventually, hunger became impossible to ignore. Her stomach hurt from how empty it was. That's when her survival instincts took over.
And just like that, Lefiya's appetite returned. The fear of death lost out to the far more immediate pain of an empty stomach.
"Grgrgrgrgr~~"
A thunderous growl erupted from her belly, and Lefiya flushed red, still leaning against the wall.
"Ugh..."
She couldn't help but cringe. How many elves out there were forced to snap out of near-death trauma just because they were too hungry to keep sulking? Probably only her.
Right now, she felt utterly humiliated.
Still clutching the wall for balance, she dashed toward the cafeteria.
It was early morning, and the Familia's mess hall was already bustling. Dozens of people were seated and eating breakfast.
"Auntie! Fried noodles, roast beef, vegetable salad, your special grilled fish, and a big bucket of milk—make it quick!"
At the counter, the elf girl who usually picked at small, delicate meals shocked the entire cafeteria by ordering a breakfast that could only be described as lethal.
Everyone in the Familia knew her. Lefiya—part of the second unit but treated like a first-tier member. Everyone knew she was the next in line to succeed the "Nine Hell."
Hadn't she been bedridden the past few days? And now she was suddenly devouring a death-sized breakfast?
With a massive tray in hand, Lefiya sat down at the nearest open seat.
"Grgrgrgr~~"
The growling from her stomach continued, and she blushed furiously again, quickly bowing her head and diving into her food.
Her usual restraint was nowhere to be found. Without hesitation, she began shoveling food into her mouth.
All the greasy dishes she would normally never touch in the morning suddenly tasted amazing.
Elegance? Gone. Dignity? Gone. In the face of real hunger, all of it had been torn to shreds.
She jabbed her fork into a slice of beef and took a huge bite.
'Whoa! Eating meat like this feels incredible!'
The unfamiliar but overwhelming satisfaction lit up her expression.
As she chewed, the rich flavor of the meat spread through her mouth, and by the time she swallowed, the ache in her stomach had vanished completely—replaced by a deep, primal craving for more.
Beef alone made her feel a little choked, so she grabbed the milk bucket and chugged it down. The creamy richness of it sent waves of joy through every cell in her body.
This was probably what anyone who hadn't eaten for three days would feel.
Now that she'd tasted real satisfaction, Lefiya couldn't stop. Her appetite surged, and she tore through her breakfast at full speed.
So good. So, so good.
She could feel all the stunned gazes on her, but she didn't care. Right now, the only thing that mattered was dealing with the hunger gnawing at her.
"Lefiya."
Still chewing, Lefiya quickly looked up—and saw Ais standing across from her with a tray in her hands.
"Good morning, Ais."
Lefiya hurriedly slurped the remaining fried noodles into her mouth, chewed quickly, swallowed, and jumped up from her seat.
"Morning."
Ais glanced down at Lefiya's tray. The large bucket of milk was already half-empty, and aside from a few strands of fried noodles, every plate was completely clean.
"Lefiya, are you alright now?"
"Yeah, I've completely recovered. Sorry for making you worry, Ais."
"As long as you're okay."
Ais didn't comment on her eating. Seeing Lefiya's bright complexion, it was clear she looked much better than when she first returned.
Being able to eat was far better than not being able to.
Lefiya's appetite returning meant her body was no longer under heavy strain.
More importantly, Ais didn't notice any signs of Lefiya forcing herself or putting up a front. That alone proved she was truly on the mend.
Lefiya grinned sheepishly at Ais—until she noticed what Ais had on her tray: just a piece of buttered bread and a glass of milk. That wasn't anywhere near Ais's usual portion.
A flicker of concern passed over Lefiya's face.
"Ais, why are you eating so little today? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Mm... it's not my health."
Ais looked down at her tray and sighed slightly.
"I'm trying to cut expenses. Right now, I'm 40 million Valis in debt."
"I still owe for weapon repairs too."
Her main weapon, the Desperate, had needed heavy repairs after the last expedition. The repair costs alone had drained nearly all her savings.
And then there was the sword she broke during Monsterphilia.
Even if it wasn't an indestructible weapon, it was still first-class gear—meaning she was responsible for compensating its full value: another 40 million Valis.
All of it had left Ais buried under a mountain of debt.
If she didn't resolve it soon, she wouldn't even be able to afford future weapon maintenance.
That's why she'd been cutting corners lately, saving every coin she could. But even so, it was clear she needed to start finding ways to earn money again—or she'd never be able to build her funds back up.
"I see..."
Lefiya suddenly remembered that the sword Ais used during Monsterphilia had been completely ruined. Of course she'd have to pay for it too.
"Lefiya, you're up and about!"
A voice called from behind before Lefiya could say another word—and a face immediately leaned in close.
"Ah—don't get so close, Tiona!"
"What's the problem? I haven't hugged you in three days!"
The fluffy, yuri-esque scene was actually kind of sweet. But to everyone around them, it was just another normal morning.
Lefiya could feel the warmth and sincerity in Tiona's gesture—but she still couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed when Tiona got that close.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Heading to the Dungeon to Solve the Debt Problem
Chapter Text
As her older sister, Tione stood nearby, slightly speechless.
Then she noticed Ais's miserable-looking plate.
"Ais, are you dieting or something? You're eating so little."
Mentioning that depressing topic again made Ais visibly uncomfortable.
"I'm in debt."
"Ah."
Tione instantly understood what that meant. For First-Class Adventurers like them, the only thing that could push them into debt was weapons.
Considering Ais's weapon, "Desperate," and the sword she destroyed during the "Monsterphilia," Tione figured Ais was pretty much bankrupt.
"Actually, Tiona's in debt too."
"Ssshhh~"
Despite being completely broke, Tiona didn't seem concerned in the slightest. Among the Loki Familia, she was probably the one who went into debt the most often. The heavy metals used in her massive twin blades were top-tier, and the materials required were anything but cheap.
"The twin blades need so many materials, and they're all precious metals."
"Goibniu Familia's crafting fees are sky-high too. This time, I really went bankrupt."
Though Tiona didn't particularly care about being broke, the expedition had drained her resources.
And when she remembered the huge green bug that corroded her weapon, her expression darkened with irritation.
"They were new species from the deeper levels. I only landed one strike, and their blood already started eating away at my blades."
"If it weren't for those new types, I wouldn't be in this mess."
Despite all her grumbling, Tiona still ordered a new set of twin blades.
Even as a First-Class Adventurer, without proper weapons, she wouldn't stand a chance against the kind of monsters at "Monsterphilia." The tough hides of those plant-type monsters couldn't be broken with bare fists—only First-Class weapons could cut through them.
"Those new species are seriously a pain."
Tione recalled their last expedition, the one that forced them to retreat, and felt another headache coming on.
"Their blood is corrosive, and they can even spit acid. If they take fatal damage, they explode, spraying corrosive blood everywhere."
"And there's so many of them, it's impossible to avoid them all."
Thinking back on that retreat, she knew just how difficult it was to deal with those acid-spewing insect monsters. That time, not only was Tiona's weapon corroded, but even the captain's spear was damaged.
Only Ais's "Desperate," with its "indestructible" property, remained unharmed. Every other weapon was ruined.
"Thankfully, Tsubaki sent some good news—she's almost finished forging a series of 'indestructible' weapons designed specifically to deal with those things."
"So now, Tiona, who's using two First-Class weapons, is in serious debt."
The moment that was brought up, Tiona's cheerful face instantly lost its smile.
Weapons with the "indestructible" property were ridiculously expensive. And since they were all custom-made, the cost had to be covered by the adventurer themselves.
That alone was enough to wipe the smile clean off Tiona's face.
The price for crafting one of those weapons was nearly the same—or even higher—than her twin blades.
Which meant she was now carrying debt worth twice the cost of her twin blades. It was practically insane.
"Ugh... Normally, when something like this happens, we can just talk to the captain and borrow some emergency funds from the Familia."
Tione rolled her eyes at her sister.
"Are you stupid? The Familia just placed a massive order for Rune Stones and bought a bunch of space pouches. How much money do you think we have left?"
The matter of space items was no longer a secret among the first and second tiers of the Loki Familia. In fact, one of the reasons they went after the Apollo Familia was because of finances.
"Ugh..."
Tiona obviously knew this too, which was why she found it such a shame.
"Then how about we head to the Dungeon together? With Riveria and the captain, and if we use the space pouches, we might be able to make some money back."
At the mention of space pouches, Tiona immediately had an idea.
The suggestion sparked interest among the other girls. Truth be told, they were all strapped for cash. Weapon expenses were too steep, and if they didn't restock soon, repairing their gear would become a real problem.
"Well~ if you're bringing the captain along, I guess I could tag along too."
The moment the word "captain" came up, hearts practically popped into Tione's eyes. Then she let out a classic tsundere line.
Totally infatuated. Completely Tione.
The other three girls exchanged a glance and collectively ignored what she'd just said.
"Space pouches, huh? That should really cut down on the workload this expedition."
"Not by much. There are only ten of them. A lot of the supporter work still has to be done, but at least most of the supplies can go in the pouches..."
Tione snapped out of her swooning and answered Lefiya's question.
The introduction of space pouches definitely helped ease the burden of carrying supplies. Even valuable materials no longer needed to be sold off at cheap prices on the eighteenth floor—they could now be stored and brought back to Orario for full value.
"I heard from the captain that if we manage to earn enough on this expedition, they'll increase the number of space pouches. That way, supporter work will get easier, and it'll give them more room to grow."
Many of the adventurers serving as supporters in the Loki Familia weren't actually full-time supporters.
Most of them were lower-level adventurers—just Lv.2 or even Lv.1.
They simply weren't strong enough to contribute in deep-level battles, so this was the only role they could take.
"Will the captain agree to it?"
Lefiya raised a crucial point.
"Let's try asking."
Ais didn't know if Finn would say yes, but it was worth a shot.
After finishing their meal, the four girls headed straight to Finn's office.
…
"You want to go to the Dungeon?"
Finn, who was reviewing the Familia's recent financials, paused at the unexpected request.
"Why the sudden interest in the Dungeon?"
"Debt."
Ais answered with just that one word.
That response left Finn momentarily stunned. Then he rubbed his temples and gave a wry smile.
"Let me guess—weapon repairs and crafting?"
Ais gave a firm nod. Just thinking about her debt made her mood sink fast. "Besides fixing my main weapon, I also owe forty million Valis. I have no savings left."
Finn sighed, clearly feeling a headache coming on. He glanced at Tiona.
"Ahem, same here, Captain."
There was nothing to be proud of. Finn felt his headache worsen, but he couldn't ignore it—Ais and Tiona were both core members of the team, and weapon issues couldn't be left unresolved.
In the end, he made a decision.
"Tione, go find Riveria and have her bring the rest of the space pouches."
"Understood, Captain~"
With that, Tione dashed off like a gust of wind, leaving Finn alone to sigh deeply.
Chapter 237: Chapter 237: A Deeper Understanding of the "Cut Through All Things" Property
Chapter Text
At the same time, Bell had already entered the Dungeon and was speeding through it using Lightning Transformation.
In just an instant, he had reached the twelfth floor from the entrance.
He drew the "Kuji Kanesada" and walked straight into the twelfth floor without concealing his presence.
The twelfth floor was the final floor of the upper levels—and the only one shrouded in darkness.
With his aura and footsteps completely unmasked, the moment Bell stepped onto the floor, the entire level echoed with a chorus of clacking sounds.
Thanks to his enhanced vision that pierced the dark, Bell clearly saw the skeletal remains scattered across the floor slowly beginning to reassemble.
Though they were just bones, ominous red lights flared from the sockets of their skulls.
To normal eyes, the sight would be chilling—especially when all those skeletons began to stir at once.
A deep red glow bathed the entire darkened floor.
'What a sight.'
Bell marveled inwardly, blue sparks beginning to arc across his body.
'Looks like there's no need to hold back.'
Bell didn't plan on taking his time with this floor—the real challenge began beyond the twelfth.
Electricity surged from his hand into the Kuji Kanesada, and faint blue lightning crackled along the blade.
Swish!
A flash of blue light—and Bell was already darting across the floor like a bolt of lightning.
His speed was so intense, it was nearly imperceptible to the naked eye—only bursts of light flickered through the gloom.
In mere moments, the red-eyed skeletons littering the floor had all been reduced to shattered bone. Countless Magic Stones glittered where they had fallen.
For every broken skeleton, a purple Magic Stone had been left behind.
The crackling lightning that had danced across the twelfth floor now came to a halt before the stairway leading down to the thirteenth.
"Phew..."
Bell glanced back at the ground, mentally tallying the scattered stones.
'Seventy-three Magic Stones.'
These were all the Magic Stones that had dropped on this floor—each one precisely extracted from the Spartoi skeletons by Bell himself.
'As expected, I know exactly where the Magic Stones are located in these Spartoi.'
To cleanly remove a Magic Stone embedded within the skull, precise knowledge of its position was essential. Even the slightest deviation could crush the stone along with the bone.
'This Kuji Kanesada's "cut through all things" trait must come with some kind of awareness—letting me recognize the structure of what I'm attacking, pinpointing its weak spots and how to strike.'
After several successful attempts, Bell was beginning to understand the true nature of the Kuji Kanesada's cutting ability.
'The prerequisite for using the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception is an understanding of the death inherent in all things.'
'Ordinary people can't comprehend death. The moment they try to truly grasp it, their brains are immediately burned out by the incomprehensible nature of it. That's why this isn't a power ordinary people can possess, nor is it something they can use without paying a price.'
'Because the Root records the life and death of all things, Root-style allows for the free manipulation of life and death.'
Now Bell finally understood why that strange phenomenon had occurred after enhancing Kuji Kanesada.
The sword's "Cuts Through All Things" attribute wasn't simply a special ability that allowed it to slice through anything. Rather, it granted the wielder the ability to comprehend all things, effectively enabling them to record the essence of everything.
So, the biggest benefit that the enhanced Kuji Kanesada gave Bell was the ability to understand death—almost like a cheat.
'This is way too broken!'
Bell couldn't help but exclaim inwardly. Recording death was something only the Root could do, and yet, here he was, wielding a Root-style weapon that let him not only record but also understand death itself.
"Crack, crack, crack!"
The sound of skeletons clawing their way out of the ground echoed behind him. Holding back his excitement, another question surfaced in Bell's mind.
'So, is this being recorded in Kuji Kanesada, or is it being recorded in me?'
Bell quickly sheathed Kuji Kanesada and drew the Hydra Dagger.
This dagger was also a first-class weapon—perfect for testing.
From his field of vision, a Spartoi slowly emerged from the ground. Bell activated Lightning Transformation again and slashed.
"Crack!"
The dagger sliced through the Spartoi's skull with a sharp snap, and the skeleton crumbled into a pile of white ash. The rush of excitement instantly faded.
'...Looks like it's recorded in Kuji Kanesada.'
The realization left Bell a little disappointed.
He had just thought he'd gotten himself a cheat, but it turned out to be a special effect exclusive to Kuji Kanesada.
Same power, same strike point, but such a massive difference.
Kuji Kanesada could cleanly slice off a Spartoi's head and preserve its Magic Stone completely.
But the Hydra Dagger couldn't do that.
This meant that the ability to understand and record death in such an overpowered way—the essence of "Cuts Through All Things"—was limited to Kuji Kanesada.
It couldn't be replicated with other weapons.
Bell knew exactly where the Magic Stone was, but without a blade that carried the "Cuts Through All Things" attribute, there was no way to retrieve it intact.
This was a limitation of the weapon, not some invincible cheat power handed to him.
'Well, I guess that's fine. If the weapon were too powerful, I'd stop growing. In that sense, this limitation helps me too.'
Even though he couldn't use "Cuts Through All Things" without Kuji Kanesada, the knowledge it gave him of monster weak points wasn't fake.
And that alone was incredibly valuable to Bell.
Kuji Kanesada was especially useful when facing new monsters, allowing him to instinctively grasp their weaknesses through enhanced understanding. Then, in critical moments, the deaths recorded by the blade would trigger the true "Cuts Through All Things" effect—basically a cheat.
'Wait! If that's the case, doesn't that mean I can control whether or not to use Kuji Kanesada's special ability?'
As long as he avoided hitting weak points while using Kuji Kanesada, he could suppress the "Cuts Through All Things" effect, effectively making it behave like a regular first-class weapon.
Bell rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. 'This could definitely be used to mess with someone.'
..
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Adjusting to the Middle Floors
Chapter Text
"So strong! Is this how Bell-kun fights in the Dungeon?"
Hestia stared intently at the image projected in front of her. Her gaze never left Bell for a single moment.
"He's taken Lightning Command to such a level... Using lightning to transform himself and reach speeds on par with gods—that's an impressive technique."
Hephaestus, watching Bell's fighting style on the screen, couldn't help but admire it.
Even in Tenkai, that kind of speed was rare. Aside from a few gods known for their speed, like Hermes, most deities couldn't reach that level of lightning manipulation or movement.
"To wield Authority to this extent... Bell really is an exceptionally gifted child."
"Hmph~ Of course! My Bell-kun is the best there is."
Hephaestus paid no mind to Hestia's smugness. Her beautiful eyes remained fixed on the child within the projection.
"But where did he get those two weapons?"
The extra long sword and short dagger looked unfamiliar, yet their quality was clearly high.
Even through the projection, Hephaestus could easily tell that both were at least First-class weapons.
"Well, Bell-kun did manage to stumble upon a Grimoire in the Dungeon, so it's not all that surprising that he'd run into other rare things."
Hestia had long suspected something, but ever since Bell-kun brought back a Grimoire from the Dungeon, she'd stopped trying to make sense of it all.
"Huh? He found a Grimoire in the Dungeon too?"
Hephaestus looked genuinely stunned.
"Yeah, Bell-kun brought one back last time."
Hestia couldn't help but feel a little helpless. It didn't align at all with what she knew about the Dungeon.
But considering Bell-kun himself was the most illogical factor, anything that didn't make sense elsewhere made perfect sense with him.
"I think it's Bell-kun's luck at work. After all, no one ever said there weren't treasures like Grimoires hidden deep in the Dungeon."
"That's... true."
For a moment, Hephaestus had no argument.
While it was true the Dungeon occasionally dropped rare materials or treasures, most of those were just materials. Grimoires were far too rare to be the sort of thing you'd expect to find there.
Still, "unlikely" didn't mean "impossible."
Thinking about Bell's "Heaven's Luck" skill, Hephaestus felt that this kind of outcome made perfect sense for him. From the very beginning, Bell had proven that his skill could influence even the Dungeon itself.
Given that, the idea of Bell finding a Grimoire or even First-class weapons didn't seem so far-fetched.
At the very least, it was more reasonable than triggering a Dungeon riot.
"Look! Bell-kun just entered the 13th floor."
...
Descending the stairs from the 12th floor, Bell continued forward.
After reaching the bottom, the layout of the 13th floor quickly came into view.
It looked like a massive limestone cavern, with sharp stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stone pillars stretching from the floor to the ceiling. The central ones were thinner, as if worn down by water erosion.
But the air didn't feel the least bit humid. In fact, it was strangely dry.
'So were these pillars shaped by the wind instead?'
Bell wasn't unfamiliar with this.
"Awwooo!"
The distant howl of a wolf was the first sound to reach Bell's ears.
Because this floor was structured like a limestone cavern, every sound bounced between the stone pillars and the ceiling in this narrow space. Even distant noises rang out clearly across the entire area.
Likewise, if adventurers didn't control the sound of their footsteps, they'd quickly attract the attention of the wolves and rabbits lurking here.
'Then, let's start with this.'
Bell pulled a chunk of raw meat from his four-dimensional space and hurled it hard at a nearby stalagmite.
Smack!
The sharp sound echoed across the thirteenth floor.
Bell, suppressing his presence, waited silently nearby.
Soon, four wolves the size of tigers came padding over, staring suspiciously at the raw meat that had slid down the side of the stalagmite.
"Huh?"
The wolves glanced at one another, momentarily unsure of what to do.
Suddenly, a flash of cold light streaked through the air!
The wolves instinctively sensed danger and leapt away—but two of them were still decapitated in a single swing.
"Awooo... chirp!"
The remaining two wolves immediately tried to howl for reinforcements, but before they could even finish, a blade sliced cleanly across their magic stones.
A single sound followed.
Crack!
The magic stones shattered, and the two wolves instantly lost all signs of life. Their bodies crumbled into piles of white ash.
Only after completing all this did Bell release his hidden presence.
'The flesh of mid-floor monsters is clearly tougher than those on the upper floors, and their movements are more agile too.'
If they had been upper-floor monsters, Bell could've decapitated all four in one swing. But that first strike only took down two. The difference in power was staggering.
'So this is the gap between Lv.2 and Lv.1 monsters.'
The difference in base stats was obvious.
Bell began quickly adjusting his stance and rhythm. That first failed strike had been because he swung with the same speed he'd used on the upper floors. If he had just been a bit faster, that one attack would've been enough.
'No wonder they say the middle and upper floors are like night and day. The feel of the monsters is completely different. Adventurers used to the upper floors definitely won't be able to adapt quickly to the middle levels.'
That lack of adaptation could be fatal down here.
Adventurers who haven't adjusted their mindset should form parties when diving into the Dungeon. That greatly increases their chances of survival.
Fortunately, Bell's adaptability to new environments was especially strong. As long as he paid attention to the differences, he could quickly adjust to the middle floors.
After all, it wasn't that Bell lacked the strength to take on wolves or rabbits—it was just a matter of managing that power.
'Alright... time to officially begin the adaptation phase.'
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 239: Chapter 239: Charge-Up Skills Are Powerful
Chapter Text
Bell didn't immediately go searching for more wolves—he could already hear faint hopping sounds drawing closer. They must have been drawn by the noise just now.
He quickly concealed his presence again and stepped back a few paces.
Soon, the sound of hopping grew louder, and a pair of long white ears peeked out from behind a stalactite, followed by a head.
Seven or eight rabbits appeared, each with a deceptively cute appearance.
Of course, their size was anything but cute.
Each rabbit was about a third the size of the wolf from earlier, which was already unnaturally large for a rabbit. What made them even stranger were the axes strapped to their backs—axes nearly as big as the rabbits themselves.
One swing from such a weapon could easily take off a human head, and the contrast between their cuddly appearance and deadly gear made them all the more unsettling.
Dong!
A sudden chime echoed, and every rabbit instantly perked up, standing on tiptoe and scanning their surroundings for the source.
Dong!
The chime grew heavier, yet the rabbits still couldn't locate where it was coming from.
Dong!
In an instant, the entire floor was engulfed in the reverberating bell tolls. Nearly all the wolves and rabbits across the level began searching for the source.
But in a spot where the eight rabbits couldn't sense a thing, Bell's right hand began to glow with faint white specks of light.
The shimmering points of light spread across the blade of Kuji Kanesada in his grip, coating it in a radiant glow.
He slashed horizontally.
A flash of white light shot forth, space distorting slightly from the swing. The rabbits' heads slid cleanly from their necks as if sliced by space itself, falling slowly to the floor.
Bell was stunned. It was his first time using the charged strike skill.
'So even five seconds of charge holds this much power.'
He was captivated by the result. Even with just a brief buildup, the effect was far more impressive than he had expected.
As for the cost in stamina or energy, it was minimal—probably because of the short charge time.
'The only downside is the noise.'
'It's tough to use on even slightly intelligent monsters, and that was with me deliberately masking my presence.' The bell-like resonance that spread through space was hard to suppress. If the sound had been localized, he might have been able to contain it, but not this type.
Just as he was thinking that, his dominant right hand began to glow again, faint specks twinkling like stars—as if answering his thoughts. The starlight pulsed quietly, emitting no sound, like a gentle breathing light.
'Wait, I can control this skill like that?'
The realization caught Bell off guard, and he started timing the charge.
With the energy under control, the starlight once again flowed into Kuji Kanesada, just like before.
Bell swung the sword with another charged strike.
The spatial distortion was visible again—but this time, the power was noticeably weaker, down by about a third.
Still, this didn't lower Bell's opinion of the skill. In fact, he was now certain—this move would become his ultimate technique.
'A silent charge that still packs more force than an ordinary swing… and it's only a third weaker than the loud version. This skill is incredibly powerful.'
'A divine move for ambushes.'
As long as he maintained his presence concealment, almost no one would notice the buildup.
Used in stealth, this charged attack could very well land a fatal blow.
For someone like him who favored ambushes, this skill was absolutely perfect.
Bell was genuinely thrilled by the discovery.
He hadn't tried it before simply because he'd never needed to—monsters on the upper floors rarely called for charged attacks.
But now that he was advancing into the middle floors, this kind of skill would definitely see more use. Testing it early had been the right call.
And this test had turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.
'Using a high-impact charged attack during combat—if combined with Presence Concealment—can disrupt the enemy's perception within a certain range.'
'Also, I need to figure out the maximum charge time and how much stamina it consumes at its limit.'
These are all critical variables in battle. Only by mastering these details can he deploy the technique at the most opportune moment.
That said, this kind of testing really wasn't suited for the Middle Floors.
Bell reined in his thoughts and turned to the eight headless Almiraj. Eight blades of wind shot out from his side, slicing the bodies cleanly open and revealing the magic stones at their core.
An invisible force extracted the stones from the surrounding flesh.
The moment the magic stones were removed, all the rabbits' bodies turned to white ash.
The stones floated in the air before Bell, allowing him to inspect them.
'They're a bit larger than the ones from the Upper Floors, and they're brimming with more energy.'
'The stronger the monster, the larger and higher quality its magic stone. They're basically like power cores—magic stones as an energy source, with different machines needing different outputs.'
'Of course, monsters are a lot more complex than machines.'
Bell stored the stones in his four-dimensional space and resumed moving forward.
The thirteenth floor looked like a massive limestone cavern, but the number of walkable paths was limited. The routes ahead were flanked by steep cliffs, and below them stretched a chasm so deep that the bottom was completely out of sight.
Bell glanced down. With his night vision ability, he estimated a drop of thirty to forty meters. At the very bottom were clusters of sharp, conical stone spikes. A single misstep without preparation would mean being impaled for sure.
'Narrow pathways and monsters that spawn at high speed—this place forces adventurers to either run or fight head-on.'
'No wonder Miss Eina always says the Middle Floors aren't a place one should tackle alone.'
Monsters held a natural edge over adventurers. Even those of the same level tier were generally stronger than their human counterparts.
That's why most adventurers had no choice but to team up, so they could handle wave after wave of monsters more effectively.
However, an adventurer who pushed their Status to the limit and mastered a wide array of skills and magic—including support, assistance, healing, exploration, and combat—wouldn't be as restricted.
And without question, Bell was exactly that kind of adventurer now: well-rounded in Status, skills, and magic.
That's what made it possible for him to break into the Middle Floors alone—and even aim for the eighteenth floor.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 240: Chapter 240: The Same Type of Adventurer as Ais
Chapter Text
Finn and Riveria were leading a group of bankrupt, debt-ridden people into the Dungeon to begin their money-making expedition.
With Finn and Riveria both at Lv. 6, Ais, Tiona, and Tione at Lv. 5, and Lefiya at Lv. 3, this was an exceptionally powerful party.
Not to mention clearing the 18th floor—even diving straight to the 40th floor wouldn't be out of reach for this lineup.
So, the group didn't bother lingering on the upper floors. Their goal was clear: head straight to the safe zone on the 18th floor.
They moved quickly through the upper eleven floors. Upon reaching the stairs to the twelfth floor, they paused briefly.
Entering the twelfth floor required some preparation.
Finn pulled several torches and a flint from his spatial waist pouch.
"Tiona, Tione, Ais—you three take torches and form a triangle. Lefiya, you and Riveria hold the center."
The three took the torches and flint and lit them without hesitation, already familiar with the twelfth floor's conditions.
Finn also lit his torch, then led the descent.
All six automatically softened their steps and slowed their pace, careful not to waste too much time on this level.
Finn was the first to step into the twelfth floor.
But the moment he entered, something felt off.
The Spartoi on this level were notoriously sensitive to sound and light. While they only reacted to light at close range, it was common for them to lie motionless and feign death, waiting for adventurers to draw near.
But this time, something was different.
There wasn't a single Spartoi—no skeletons at all. Just large amounts of white ash scattered across the ground.
'Someone's already been here?'
Finn hadn't expected that. He scanned the area, and everywhere he looked, the ground was littered with white ash. Under the torchlight, he could even see plenty of magic stones still lying around.
'Were all the Spartoi wiped out?'
While it wasn't unheard of for monsters to be cleared from a floor, very few adventurers would bother with a full sweep of the twelfth floor unless they were on an expedition. Even Finn wouldn't usually go out of his way to clear it.
He couldn't imagine who'd be idle or reckless enough to do this—but he still turned to inform the group following behind.
"No need to keep your guard up. The Spartoi have already been dealt with."
"Huh?"
The others instinctively looked around. There really was white ash everywhere—and no one had even collected the magic stones.
"Besides our expeditions, does anyone else ever fully clear this floor?" Tiona asked, voicing the same question that had crossed Ais and the others' minds.
Finn shook his head slightly and approached for a closer look. The white ash hadn't yet been absorbed by the Dungeon, meaning the Spartoi had been dealt with only recently.
He scanned the surroundings but saw no signs of large-scale magical destruction. So how had someone wiped out the Spartoi so quickly?
"Riveria."
Even before Finn called her name, Riveria had already begun examining the scene. Her brows knit slightly.
"There are traces of magic. Fierce lightning, to be exact."
That made Finn frown.
"But the ground doesn't show signs of a large-scale magic burst."
"It was probably lightning magic applied to a weapon—or something like Ais's wind-type spell. The mana fluctuations are weak, but the magical residue is heavy."
That detail reminded Riveria of the odd sensations she'd picked up on during their descent.
"Finn, I sensed this same magical signature on the upper ten floors. If I'm right, it's the same person using the same magic."
Finn gave a slight nod. Riveria had the sharpest sensitivity to mana among them, so if she was certain, there was no doubt.
"Then, just as you said, it's probably a type of magic similar to Ais's 'Ariel.'"
Ais's ''Ariel' was a highly versatile wind-attribute spell, usable both for defense and to enhance attacks with wind, boosting their power.
So, it stood to reason that this lightning-based magic had a similar effect.
"I didn't expect someone like that to show up in Orario."
Finn had always kept an eye out for promising talent in Orario, and his Familia actively sought out adventurers with rare gifts.
Even with all that attention, he'd never heard of anyone else in Orario possessing a magic so similar to Ais's.
Riveria looked around and said, "Finn, this isn't the place for a discussion."
Finn nodded and let it drop.
They still didn't know who that unknown adventurer was. But if they had cleared this floor, then the same might be true for the ones below.
"Tiona, Tione—stay alert for any emerging Spartoi. Let's get through here quickly."
The two sisters naturally heightened their awareness of their surroundings.
Ais's gaze was equally sharp and wary.
With Riveria and Lefiya providing support, they moved out of the twelfth floor.
...
After the final level of the Upper Floors, they entered the Middle Floors.
Starting from the thirteenth floor, the Dungeon was no longer cloaked in darkness. Dim natural light filled the area, making torches unnecessary.
"White ash again? And this much of it?"
A large pile of white ash was stacked near the entrance to the thirteenth floor. Tiona asked Riveria, puzzled.
"Riveria, do you sense any magic?"
Riveria, who had been scanning for magical fluctuations the entire time, gently shook her head.
"There's no trace of magic here."
"Then doesn't that mean the monsters were taken down using weapons? Doesn't that make this person the same type as Ais?"
Without magical residue, it was only natural to assume the monsters were slain with physical weapons.
Riveria had sensed a familiar magic signature on the twelfth floor—one consistent with the earlier levels—and now, on the thirteenth floor, the monsters had been eliminated without a trace of mana.
Putting that together, didn't it mean the one who used magic to clear the Spartoi on the twelfth floor and then wiped out the monsters at the thirteenth floor's entrance with weapons... was basically another Ais?
Tiona's theory wasn't wrong. Finn and Riveria both agreed.
Based on what they'd observed so far, this unknown adventurer really did seem to be the same type as Ais—proficient in both close-combat weaponry and versatile lightning magic.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 241: Chapter 241: Ais's Dark Past
Chapter Text
Finn and his party made their way through the Middle Floors, practically stepping over white ash the entire way, until they reached the safe zone on the 18th floor.
"There was white ash everywhere. Not even a single Minotaur, which are usually all over the place."
The journey had left Tiona completely bored.
She had assumed the person ahead wouldn't move so quickly—let alone clear out every monster along the way. Tiona had even prepared herself to get a look at who that person was.
But to her surprise, the person was incredibly fast. And not just fast—efficient. They cleared the path so thoroughly that she didn't see a single living monster the entire time.
"There really wasn't a single monster left."
Finn instinctively glanced over at Ais, noticing that she was deep in thought with a strange expression. He shook his head slightly and couldn't help but comment,
"That way of doing things is becoming more and more like Ais."
Ais paused, then suddenly understood why the style had felt so familiar—it reminded her of how she used to act.
Riveria cast a casual glance at Ais, then chuckled.
"Even though we don't know who that adventurer is, their style, combat approach, even their magic—it's all remarkably similar to Ais. I'm really starting to wonder who they are."
Another adventurer whose style resembled Ais's, and apparently had charged into the Middle Floors alone.
That kind of magic was far too distinctive. Just considering how closely it mirrored Ais's own methods, Riveria became convinced that the person had entered the Dungeon solo—and had even broken into the Middle Floors alone.
"An adventurer who just hit Lv. 2, rushing into the Middle Floors relying on a single spell... it's exactly like Ais back then." Maybe it was her age showing, but Riveria couldn't help thinking back to Ais as a child—especially when she had just reached Lv. 2. Even then, Ais had wanted to dive straight into the Dungeon.
The only difference was, back then, she had Riveria, Gareth, and Finn keeping her in check. Otherwise, Ais definitely would've tried to charge in alone at Lv. 2.
And now, someone had actually done what Ais once tried to do—but had been stopped.
"Riveria, how do you know the person's only Lv. 2?"
Tiona raised her question.
"Would a seasoned adventurer really bother to clear the 12th floor so thoroughly?"
Riveria had a solid reason for her conclusion.
"He cleared out every monster on his path. Only someone freshly arriving in the Middle Floors would do something like that."
Tiona's eye twitched slightly. Yeah, cleaning out the 12th floor like that wasn't something a veteran would bother with.
Riveria turned her gaze toward the stairs leading to the 18th floor.
She looked around—the entire 17th floor was surrounded by white crystal walls. This was the floor where the Floor Boss would be born, blocking adventurers from progressing.
"Goliath hasn't respawned yet. If he held him off, we should be running into that adventurer by now."
Thinking about Goliath's power, Tione furrowed her brows.
"Riveria, no matter how strong that person is, they wouldn't seriously go toe-to-toe with Goliath, would they?"
Riveria glanced toward Ais, who stood at the center.
"No. But there was someone who charged up before—back when they were Lv. 2."
Ais's whole body tensed. She instinctively looked away.
Everyone followed Riveria's gaze and focused on Ais. Then Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya all noticed how unnaturally stiff she'd become.
"Ais... so you've done something like this before?"
Now Tione understood why Riveria had made that remark—it was based on past experience.
Ais had done this before?
It was the first time Lefiya had ever heard of it. Challenging the 17th floor's Floor Boss, Goliath, as a mere Lv. 2?
How crazy did someone have to be to pull something that suicidal?
Even as a Lv. 3 artillery unit, she wouldn't dare attempt something like that.
Lefiya was certain—without someone tanking in front, she'd immediately become Goliath's target. At that point, forget casting magic—she'd be marked as the primary target and wouldn't even have a chance to run.
Ais, however, had no desire whatsoever to revisit her own embarrassing past.
"Hey, hey~ Ais, what exactly happened back then?"
Tiona noticed Ais's resistance, but that only made her more curious about this side of Ais she'd never seen before.
Ais had zero intention of answering. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand, making it clear—she wasn't saying a word.
"Tiona, no need to force Ais to talk. I'll tell you..."
Riveria, barely holding back her laughter, took it upon herself to fill in the blanks for the three who didn't know what had happened.
"Riveria!"
That finally broke Ais's composure. She almost jumped up to stop her.
"Hold on, Ais."
Tiona grabbed her right hand, locking her in place.
"Exactly, it's not every day we get to hear about your past. Let us enjoy it too."
Tione took the opportunity to grab Ais's left hand, teaming up with her sister to completely restrain her.
"Sorry, Ais."
Even Lefiya, who admired and looked up to Ais deeply, stepped in and covered her mouth to stop her from interrupting Riveria's story.
Held down like this, Ais couldn't break free just with brute strength—Tiona and Tione were physically stronger. Using force alone wouldn't work, and if she tried to use magic, it would definitely cause harm—something Ais couldn't allow.
Especially with Lefiya right there, Ais had even less confidence she could push Tiona and Tione away without seriously injuring her.
So, all she could do was sit there and watch as Riveria, grinning mischievously, began to recount her infamous past.
"It must've been around eight years ago, when Ais was just eight. Back then, she became famous in Orario for reaching Lv. 2 in the shortest time and at the youngest age. She was still a child, hungry for strength, always trying to act tough."
"That year. After she reached Lv. 2, she wanted to push even further. So during one of our expeditions, Ais went off on her own and tried to challenge Goliath—without any of us knowing."
"The result was... well, exactly what you'd expect. Even with 'Ariel,' she couldn't land a real hit on Goliath. Worse, because of 'Ariel,' her body pushed past its magical limits, and she nearly got swatted to death by Goliath."
Thinking back to that time when Ais was just a reckless kid brought both fondness and frustration to Riveria.
"Even back then, Finn, Gareth, and I already knew Ais's personality wasn't going to change much. She craved strength, and whenever something stood in her way, she'd try to force her way through. That's why she was always doing things no one else would ever dare to try."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 242: Chapter 242: Murder at the Nightclub Inn
Chapter Text
In a quiet inn located within Rivira, the city built by adventurers on the 18th floor, Bell was sitting peacefully in his room, taking a well-earned rest.
'The monsters from the 13th to 18th floors matched the reports exactly.'
Starting from the 12th floor, Bell had cleared every monster from the 13th to the 18th floor in just a few hours, and had thoroughly gathered information on each type.
'Slimes are immune to physical attacks, but can't withstand magic.'
'Gargoyles are tough, but they can't handle weapons imbued with lightning.'
'No wonder magic works so well against monsters.'
These observations made it clear—using the right magic drastically improved efficiency in clearing monsters.
Also, Goliath hadn't respawned on his way down, saving him a great deal of trouble.
'That wraps up the Middle Floor conquest.'
Bell felt much more at ease now.
His progress through the Middle Floors had been incredibly fast—almost absurdly so.
After the 12th floor, Bell hadn't even relied on Lightning Command to speed things up. He had made steady progress using only Runes and combat techniques.
There were no major snags throughout the run, and no monster took an unreasonable amount of time to analyze or figure out.
In this regard, "Kuji Kanesada" had saved him a lot of effort.
'Today's progress should give my Status a significant boost. Now I need to start thinking about how to gather enough Excelia during the expedition.'
Securing enough Excelia was a requirement for leveling up, something critical for any adventurer.
Bell took this seriously. He didn't want to reach the point where his Status was maxed out but have to delay his level-up, resulting in wasted Excelia.
From his perspective, letting valuable Excelia go to waste was something best avoided. Otherwise, that lost progress could hold him back later.
'I still need to finish setting up coordinates for a temporary return route.'
'But it's not too hard. As long as there's a stable coordinate point set up on the Familia side, I just need to create a temporary one on mine.'
'It needs testing, but for now I can establish a temporary coordinate here in the safe zone. Once I return, I'll set up the permanent one at the Familia.'
Bell gave his head a light shake. He had just reached the safe zone—now wasn't the time to dive into follow-up tasks. What he needed was a bit of mental rest.
"Goddess-sama, Hephaestus-sama, I'm going to take a short break."
Since there was nothing particularly worth watching during his downtime, Bell didn't see any need for Goddess-sama or Hephaestus-sama to keep monitoring him.
[Understood, Bell-kun. Go ahead and rest.]
With their confirmation, Bell shut off the screen capture device.
Now that the goddesses weren't watching, he could finally relax a bit.
Not that he was trying to put on a show in front of them—it was just hard to rest properly under their gaze, especially now that he'd become more self-aware.
'Rivira is just a temporary stop for me. I need to find a safer location to set up my own base as soon as possible.'
Bell couldn't truly let his guard down in a place built by others.
But that was a concern for after he got some rest. For now, what he needed was sleep.
He set up a soundproof barrier inside the room and ensured a few basic security measures. Then, he took off his dust-covered cloak and outerwear and tossed them into his four-dimensional storage.
Glancing at the wooden bed in the room, Bell hesitated for a moment, then pulled out the familiar bed he usually used from his storage.
Even while staying outside, he still preferred to sleep in his own bed.
After stretching out a bit, Bell lay down and used a rune to help induce sleep. His mind relaxed quickly, and he drifted into a deep slumber.
The prolonged tension in his mind finally eased.
Bell slowly fell into a peaceful sleep.
...
Two hours later, Finn, Riveria, and the others stepped into the 18th floor's Rivira City.
Riveria glanced up at the ceiling, glittering with clusters of crystal. These crystals automatically adjusted their brightness to simulate "morning," "noon," and "night," independent from the world outside the Dungeon.
"It's already nighttime."
"But... is it usually this quiet around now?"
The City of Rivira was often seen as a symbol of adventurers' greed—a place where desires ran rampant.
Riveria recalled that the last time they passed through here during an expedition, it was also night.
Yet back then, the city had still been lively, filled with cheering and even drunken adventurers causing a scene. So why was it so silent now?
Finn scanned the city, sensing that the atmosphere was heavier than usual.
"It does feel off. The mood is heavier than normal."
His sixth sense was telling him something wasn't right.
"Let's look around. Something must have happened in Rivira."
Sure enough, as Finn suspected, something had indeed occurred—a rare murder case right in the adventurer-run city of Rivira.
The victim was, without question, an adventurer. After all, almost no one else came here.
It was precisely because an adventurer had been killed that this incident caused such a stir—otherwise, it wouldn't have drawn this much attention.
As Finn and the others walked down the street, they soon spotted an inn where a large group of adventurers had gathered.
They all realized immediately—this was where the problem was.
Finn stepped forward and asked quietly,
"Hey, what's going on up there?"
The man ahead didn't even turn around. His eyes remained fixed ahead as he replied,
"You don't know? An adventurer's been killed."
Finn's brows shot up. He hadn't expected to run into this sort of situation the moment they arrived in Rivira.
If they hadn't decided to spend the night here, he would've already taken Riveria and the others and left.
An adventurer being killed on this city... that wasn't something trivial.
But since they had chosen to rest here for the night, this murder case was now unavoidable.
Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Bell Disgusted
Chapter Text
Just as Finn and the others were squeezing their way inside, a figure watched them from afar.
'Loki Familia... I didn't expect them to show up in the Dungeon too.'
That figure, of course, was Bell, who had been thoroughly disgusted by the inn earlier.
He'd originally chosen that inn to get a bit of rest, planning to recover for a few hours before going out to find a place where he could establish a private shelter.
But who would've thought that just two hours into his sleep, the strong stench of blood would jolt him awake?
Sensing something was off, Bell immediately packed away the wooden bed and quickly threw on his coat and cloak.
While suppressing his presence, he also deactivated the barrier.
After that, he became aware of the events unfolding in the room next door.
With a sigh of 'What bad luck', he quietly set a few traps.
He used Runes to record the scene inside the room, and placed tracking marks at the entrance of the neighboring room.
Once all that was done, Bell remained in his room, using the Runes to monitor the woman's movements. Only after she used the dead man's face, put on his clothes and armor, and left did Bell finally exit the inn as well.
Still, no matter how he looked at it, Bell felt utterly revolted.
While observing from outside for a while, he noticed the woman staying hidden in the crowd.
Naturally, Bell stayed concealed in the shadows, quietly watching her performance.
That was when he saw several key members of the Loki Familia appear among the crowd outside.
'They really love sticking their noses into everything.'
Bell shook his head slightly but didn't comment further on their behavior. Instead, his mind returned to the woman from earlier.
'Judging by her aura, she's at least Level 5… but that familiar stench around her, and that unnatural, inhuman vibe…'
'And just what is she looking for?'
Back in the neighboring room, Bell had seen all the belongings of the Adventurer torn apart—and even the skull crushed flat. It was clear she'd vented her frustration on the corpse after failing to find whatever she was searching for.
To cause such a commotion on the 18th floor, in a designated safe zone, all just to search for something?
Even a fool would know that whatever she's after, it's far from ordinary.
With a tinge of curiosity, Bell found himself deeply intrigued.
There was also something about this whole incident that struck him as oddly familiar. That feeling was part of what drove him to act.
All of this made Bell maintain an objective stance on the murder case.
At the same time, he reactivated the Visual Capture Device.
...
Fifteen minutes earlier.
"I didn't expect to get a look at Bell-kun's progress in the Dungeon."
Hestia sighed as she slurped her cold noodles.
"And to think Bell-kun's grown so much without even realizing it."
She had never witnessed Bell in battle before, so she hadn't known how far he'd come. But after seeing his swift, relentless combat style today, Hestia finally had a clear sense of his strength.
Clearing the Dungeon alone, cutting through every monster in his path like lightning.
Maybe some adventurers could manage that—but Hestia didn't believe anyone at Bell-kun's level could pull it off.
In fact, she doubted even higher-level adventurers could outperform Bell.
"He really has grown rapidly."
Sitting beside her, Hephaestus nodded in agreement.
"To reach this level in just about a month... Whether it's magic or combat technique, the progress is astonishing."
"Beyond the surface-level improvements, his fighting skills have clearly advanced as well. When facing monsters, he consistently targets their weak points, even managing to cut out their magic stones with precise strikes. That kind of technique development is far beyond what a typical Level 2 could achieve."
The way he cut down monsters with smooth, uninterrupted movements—killing them efficiently and with minimal effort—was not something that could be mastered in a short time.
Hephaestus had initially worried that Bell might focus too much on magic, so she reminded him to also devote attention to honing his technique.
But had it really been that long since she gave him that reminder?
It had only been a week, and Bell had already demonstrated an unexpectedly high level of technical skill. So Hephaestus had every reason to make a more thorough assessment of his abilities.
"I think Bell's growth in technique isn't just due to his personal effort. His skill probably plays a significant role too."
"You mean Bell-kun's 'Personal Training'? Wasn't that early bloomer skill supposed to only affect 'Status' growth?"
"The skill description never explicitly said that. The only note attached was 'Early Bloomer.' So, it's possible that the skill covers more than just 'Status'—maybe it also includes 'Technique,' or even other areas we haven't considered."
"Wait, seriously!?"
Realizing what that meant, Hestia couldn't help blurting out in shock.
She had already thought she was overestimating Bell-kun's skill level, but now it turned out she had still underestimated him.
"Isn't that a bit too broad?"
"Then can you explain how Bell managed to master so many 'Techniques' so quickly?"
Hephaestus's pointed question left Hestia speechless.
Of course, she had no explanation. Even she didn't know how Bell-kun had grown so fast.
But if "Personal Training" also aided in learning techniques, then that would perfectly explain his extraordinary rate of growth.
If that were true, then she had to admit—Bell-kun's awakened skill was way too much.
Not only did it greatly assist with increasing his 'Status,' but it also gave him a shortcut in developing 'Technique.' This skill was just overpowered.
Before Hestia could fully calm down, Bell's message came through.
[Goddess-sama, something has happened on the 18th floor. I'm going to start visual capture now.]
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 244: Chapter 244: Let Loki Familia Take the Hit
Chapter Text
The [Projection Device] activated, casting an image into the center of the living room. Hestia and Hephaestus could now see what was happening on the 18th floor from Bell's side.
The two goddesses fixed their gazes on Bell in the projection. Soon, they saw him pointing toward a spot not far off, where a crowd of adventurers stood gathered in front of a sign labeled "Villy Inn."
"Bell-kun, what's going on over there?"
Hestia was curious about what had caused so many adventurers to cluster together.
[Goddess-sama, an adventurer was killed by a woman.]
[The woman who killed him clearly had a specific goal. After killing the adventurer, she began searching his body for something.]
[However, the adventurer had already moved the item in advance, so she didn't find anything.]
[Also, the woman didn't leave after the murder. She's been hiding in the crowd this whole time.]
Bell gave a concise summary of the situation. As he extended his hand in that direction and pointed, the projection highlighted one figure in red.
The image zoomed in rapidly, allowing Hestia and Hephaestus to get a clearer look at the adventurer's condition.
[That woman tore the skin from his face. The armor she's wearing also belonged to that adventurer.]
That line nearly made Hestia spit out the noodles she was eating.
"Bell-kun, could you not say that right now? Hephaestus and I are still eating."
[Uh... sorry, I didn't know you were having a meal, Goddess-sama.]
Hestia didn't blame him on purpose. She simply set down her plate and grabbed the wine next to her to rinse her mouth thoroughly.
Hephaestus, on the other hand, didn't seem the least bit fazed and continued calmly eating her cold noodles.
She stared at the armor on the woman for a moment. Thanks to the zoomed-in projection, she could now see the faceplate's finer details.
"Bell, that armor isn't standard. It's at least second-grade equipment."
[Lv. 4, then?]
"Bell, you were right next door—did you get caught up in it?"
[...No. To be exact, there was no real fight. It was a completely one-sided kill.]
Hephaestus's expression grew more serious. If things were just as Bell described, then the woman who killed the adventurer had to be at least Level 5.
"Bell, be extra cautious with this one. If I'm not wrong, she's at least Lv. 5."
But that only made Hephaestus even more puzzled.
"Could it be the Evilus again?"
[No, she's not from Evilus. But... there's something about her that doesn't feel human.]
"Something not human?"
Hephaestus paused to think. She trusted Bell's instincts, which was why she began considering what kind of power or faction could produce someone like that.
"Bell, did the target show any monster traits?"
[No, she looked just like an ordinary woman.]
[When I realized someone had died next door, I immediately investigated. I saw her at that time—she wasn't wearing anything, and I can confirm she didn't have any monster features.]
"That's... strange."
It wasn't the idea of her being one of the Xenos that puzzled Hephaestus.
She knew the Xenos wouldn't just randomly emerge from the deeper levels, let alone choose to kill a Level 4 adventurer in a safe zone like the 18th floor. But from how Bell described the "inhuman" presence, it seemed like a case that pointed toward the Xenos.
"Bell, we still don't have enough information. I can't determine what she is just yet."
[Understood.]
The [Projection Device] shifted view to the back of the crowd of adventurers, focusing on a row of familiar figures.
[Looks like Captain Finn and his team stepped in. Maybe they can help me scout the area.]
[Also, that woman still hasn't left. Whatever she's looking for must be something really important.]
[Now that Captain Finn and the others are inside, they'll likely uncover some clues soon. All I need to do is quietly observe from behind.]
Hestia and Hephaestus also noticed the children of Loki Familia on-screen.
From what Bell had just said, they both felt he was right—this wasn't the time for him to charge in. Better to let Loki Familia's members be the ones to dive into the situation first.
Seeing how things stood, Hestia quickly offered a warning.
"Bell-kun, if that's the case, let Loki's children take point. Don't rush out on your own."
She had no hesitation about letting Loki's group scout ahead.
After all, her Bell-kun was only Lv. 2—he wouldn't stand a chance against someone who could one-sidedly kill a Lv. 4.
Under normal circumstances, wasn't it far safer to send two Lv. 6 adventurers and three Lv. 5s ahead? From a purely practical standpoint, letting Loki's team handle it was the safest option.
[Don't worry. I know what I'm doing.]
After ending the call with Goddess-sama, Bell continued silently watching from the shadows.
There was no way he'd step back into that inn.
Now, he just had to wait and see if Finn and the others would find any leads.
...
The six members of Finn's party pushed through the crowd of adventurers and stepped inside the inn.
The long corridor felt especially gloomy under the dim lighting. A strong, coppery scent quickly invaded everyone's noses.
Riveria's expression turned grave.
"The stench of blood is intense."
Finn scanned the hallways but saw no visible cracks or signs of structural damage.
"There aren't any significant cracks around. Doesn't look like there was much of a fight inside."
"A simple killing shouldn't leave behind this much blood."
Choosing to kill someone in a place like this inn—and using such an overtly brutal method—was practically announcing to the world that someone had died here.
Normally, someone would try to delay the discovery of the body to buy time to escape.
So what did this mean?
Either the killer was extremely confident, or they simply didn't care whether they were discovered.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Two Key Figures
Chapter Text
As he stepped into the room thick with the stench of blood, Finn reached out and pulled aside the curtain. The overwhelming smell hit him immediately.
The gruesome scene inside came into view at once.
Lying on the floor was a man's corpse, dressed only in his underwear. Half of his head had been crushed, the fragments scattered across the ground.
On the bed sat a man—Villy, the owner of Villy Inn.
He sat with a troubled expression, lost in thought.
"Ah... why did something like this have to happen in my inn..."
An adventurer dying in his establishment was a nightmare scenario. He'd built this inn to make a living, after all. Now, with a case like this spreading through the City of Rivira, it would undoubtedly take a heavy toll on his business.
Listening to his resentful muttering, Finn could easily sense how bitter the man was. But just a glance at the body on the floor made it obvious why.
Something like this happening at any inn would be disastrous.
Before Finn could speak, angry voices rang out from outside.
"Hey! This area is off-limits right now!"
It was understandable.
An adventurer had just been killed here, and they'd just set up a perimeter to prevent anyone from entering—yet someone had barged in anyway. Anyone would be furious in that situation.
Finn turned toward the familiar voice and immediately greeted him.
"Long time no see, Bors."
"...So it's you, Finn."
The irritation vanished the moment Bors saw who it was, replaced with wordless exasperation. Internally, he couldn't help but grumble, 'Why is it always this guy showing up at times like this?'
Finn, however, wasn't fazed in the slightest.
"Bors, we're planning to stay here for a while. If it helps resolve things faster, how about we lend a hand?"
Looking down at the corpse, Bors sighed. Of course it would be best to wrap this up quickly.
But even so, he couldn't help responding with a sarcastic half-smile.
"You really haven't changed at all. Still the same smooth talker, Finn."
Finn didn't mind the cold reception. After all, the City of Rivira was Bors's turf—it wasn't unreasonable for him to resent their sudden appearance.
While Rivira did have adventurer ranks, it wasn't on the same level as Orario. Built inside the Dungeon itself, the strongest adventurer in Rivira was only around Level 3. Bors Elder, for all intents and purposes, was the head of this street.
Now a group of higher-level adventurers had shown up uninvited, making the locals seem like small fry by comparison. As the local leader, Bors had every reason to be annoyed.
Still, Finn didn't take it personally. He wasn't a resident of Rivira anyway, and he was only getting involved to prevent the situation from becoming even more troublesome.
As the leader of the Loki Familia, Finn had no shortage of patience.
He turned his gaze to the corpse on the floor.
"Bors, do you have any leads on the murdered adventurer or the killer?"
Bors motioned toward the man sitting on the bed.
"Villy, stop holding your head and whining. Say something already."
The man raised his head with a pained expression and took a moment to organize his thoughts.
"Yesterday, that guy and a woman in a robe came to me to rent a room. The man wore a helmet, and the woman had her hood up—you couldn't see their faces. Even if I saw them again, I wouldn't be able to recognize them."
Finn nodded, understanding the situation. Judging from the fact that the man died in only his underwear, it seemed he hadn't even had the chance to react before the woman killed him.
"They came together, so what about the robed woman? If she left, you should've seen it, right?"
Villy turned his head away, clearly embarrassed and avoiding Finn's eyes. But given what had happened in his inn, he knew that if he didn't give a proper explanation, they might not catch the culprit—and that would only make things worse for his business.
"I... I wasn't at the inn at the time."
Finn let out a quiet sigh. Seeing Villy's awkward demeanor, he understood immediately.
"So... the woman was really beautiful, wasn't she?"
"Of course! She looked like a total knockout!"
Just moments ago, Villy had been full of grief and gloom. Now his tone was practically gleeful, his voice even a notch louder.
And most tellingly, his nose seemed to grow with every word.
"...Seriously?"
"Oh! I caught a glimpse of her yesterday too. She wasn't wearing much—her figure was unreal!"
Even Bors, who had been keeping a straight face until now, suddenly chimed in, his nose figuratively stretching as well, and his face lighting up with that all-too-familiar grin that only men understood.
Disgusting.
Tione and Tiona shot them both sharp, disgusted glares—like they were looking at the most repulsive trash imaginable.
Feeling their stares, Bors and Villy quickly straightened up, clearly aware that this wasn't the time or place for that kind of talk in front of women.
Finn, watching their reactions, pieced the situation together easily.
"So, you really have no idea when that woman left?"
Villy nodded, looking troubled.
"You can hear everything from the rooms in this place. I didn't want to hear... those kinds of sounds, so I went to a bar to kill time."
"But when I came back about two hours later, the smell of blood hit me hard—so strong it nearly knocked me out."
As a Chienthrope, his sense of smell was extremely sharp.
But in that moment, Villy truly wished he wasn't one. At least then, his nose wouldn't have been so sensitive.
"What about their registration?"
"...They paid extra. What could I do?"
This kind of thing wasn't unusual in the City of Rivira. If someone paid enough, some adventurers could find ways to keep their identities hidden.
Villy paused, then added something unexpected.
"Right... I remember—after those two rented the room, another adventurer came along. Also cloaked and hooded. They rented the room next to them."
That was a surprising piece of information.
"Tione."
"Yes, Captain."
Tione, who had been standing near the doorway, immediately headed into the neighboring room. She pulled back the curtain—but there wasn't a trace of anyone inside.
With her answer clear, she quickly returned to report.
"Captain, the next room's empty."
Finn figured as much.
"Looks like the only ones who know what really happened are that robed woman who was with the victim... and the adventurer who stayed next door."
Chapter 246: Chapter 246: Escalation of the Incident
Chapter Text
"Did the man who came afterward have any distinguishing features?"
"He wore a cloak and hood just like the robed woman, covering himself completely. But he wasn't very tall, and... something about him just felt off."
Now that Villy thought back to the last man who had rented a room, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was strange, even if he couldn't quite explain it.
Finn's attention sharpened immediately—odd details like this often pointed to key clues.
"What exactly felt strange?"
"Well... when I try to remember him now, it's all fuzzy. The impression I have is barely there."
Villy wasn't sure if that really counted as strange, but he still shared what he felt.
A vague memory, fading the more he tried to recall it.
Finn's expression turned grim. There was clearly something suspicious here.
For an innkeeper in a safe zone like the 18th floor to not remember a guest at all? That was unusual in itself.
If someone's memory became vague like that, it usually meant one of two things: magic or drugs.
But would anyone really waste drugs on a weak, low-ranking adventurer?
That made it far more likely to be magic.
But what kind of magic could blur someone's memory like this?
A figure flashed through Finn's mind.
'Could it be him?'
Finn suddenly thought of the one person he knew who'd go through the trouble of pulling off something like this—but had that person really come to the 18th floor?
He couldn't say for sure. Without knowing the target's location, it was all just speculation.
For now, Finn decided to set aside the question of the man's identity. Shaking his head slightly, he returned to the main issue.
"The real key is still that robed woman. Even if she's not the killer, she definitely knows the most about what happened."
"Also, the man's belongings in the room were all torn apart and searched. It looks like the killer was looking for something."
"And when they couldn't find it, they crushed the man's skull in frustration."
Bors listened closely to Finn's analysis, thinking it through.
In truth, Bors agreed with most of the points. Finn hadn't outright said the woman was the murderer, but Bors felt there was a high chance that she was.
Of course, beyond figuring out the killer's motive, they also needed to identify the victim.
With that in mind, Bors stuck his head out to check on one of his men gathering supplies outside.
"The Status Thief isn't here yet?"
Just then, two people came hurrying over. One of them was holding a small bottle.
"Mr. Bors, we've got the Status Thief.'"
Seeing it, Bors exhaled slightly in relief.
"Good! Hurry and get over here. Use it to break the 'lock' on this guy's back."
The man with the bottle stepped inside and approached the corpse.
"Status Thief... isn't that illegal?"
Lefiya couldn't help but glance at Bors.
"Tch. Who cares about what's legal at a time like this? Understanding the situation comes first. Listen, little elf girl, sometimes you've got to be flexible."
Bors hated those kids who kept shouting "illegal" this and "illegal" that. That kind of mindset never grew up, and trying to explain things to them was nothing but a pain.
Sure, the Status Thief was technically illegal—but in special situations like this, it didn't really count.
The dead couldn't speak. So they had to find other ways to make them talk.
"Lefiya, you need to start learning to be flexible too."
Riveria didn't mention anything about it being "illegal." Given the current situation, some flexibility was clearly needed rather than rigidly sticking to the rules.
"Um..."
Scolded, Lefiya immediately went quiet.
The Chienthrope crouched beside the man's corpse had already unscrewed the "Status Thief" and dripped it onto the man's back.
The "Status Thief" was an illegal alchemical product. When used in the correct sequence, it could unlock the 'lock' gods placed on their blessings.
Soon, the symbol of the divine blessing appeared on the man's back.
"Bors, it's ready."
Now that the blessing had been revealed, all they needed was someone who could read the sacred script to identify the deceased...
"I'll go outside and find an Elf who can read sacred script."
"No need."
Just as Bors was about to leave, Riveria cut him off.
"I can read sacred script. I'll take a look."
Riveria moved to the man's corpse and examined the divine blessing closely. Before long, she confirmed the man's identity from the sacred script.
"Hashana Dorlia, member of the Ganesha Familia."
"!?"
Bors' two underlings were the first to cry out in shock.
"The Ganesha Familia!? One of Orario's top-tier Familias!?"
The two stared at the dead man on the floor, panic rising behind their shocked expressions.
Besides Bors' underlings, the innkeeper Villy nearly collapsed from fright, muttering in disbelief, "An adventurer from a top-tier Familia died in my inn... Oh gods, why is my luck this awful..."
Indeed, for an inn, this was a stroke of terrible misfortune.
If the adventurers from the City of Rivira found out that a Ganesha Familia member—a high-ranking Orario Familia—had died in the "Villy Inn," he'd be out of business for a long time.
"Wait! That name... Isn't that the 'Hard Fist Fighter'?"
Bors suddenly remembered Hashana Dorlia. A confirmed member of the Ganesha Familia—that solidified his identity.
But what grabbed his attention wasn't the Familia the man belonged to—it was the adventurer's level.
"Isn't he Level 4? How could he be killed so easily here?"
That revelation made everyone present—including members of the Loki Familia—go pale.
Because if the identity of the deceased changed, then so did the identity of the killer.
Finn scanned the room. Aside from the corpse, everything was relatively tidy.
"To kill a Level 4 adventurer in a room without any signs of struggle... the killer must be at least Level 5. Possibly higher."
This piece of information instantly escalated the entire situation.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 247: Chapter 247: The Smooth-Talking Bors
Chapter Text
Finn carefully examined the corpse.
The neck had been twisted with such tremendous force that even under the fingernails, there wasn't a trace of the attacker's skin tissue.
This meant the killer's skin was incredibly tough—so tough that even a dying Level 4 adventurer couldn't leave the slightest scratch.
Judging by the condition of the room, the victim had likely been killed in one swift move—there wasn't even a sign of a struggle.
"Hashana was caught off guard. The only one who could have acted in that moment was the woman in the robe."
"From the sheer force used, it's clear Hashana's neck was snapped instantly."
"Unless the attacker was an adventurer specialized in raw strength, it's nearly impossible to snap a Level 4's neck in one go."
With that, Finn began searching Hashana's waist pouch. Inside were healing potions, a map, and a mission request form.
His eyes were immediately drawn to the request. But as soon as he opened it, he saw it was soaked in blood—Hashana's blood—so much that the writing had become completely illegible.
"Looks like Hashana had accepted a mission, and because he was in charge of the item involved, he became the target of that robed woman."
"But judging by how his body was mangled, it seems the attacker didn't find what they were after."
That was a major problem for the attacker—but for them, it was a crucial lead.
"If they were willing to kill just to get whatever Hashana had, then there's no way they'll back down. They're going to keep hunting until they find who has it."
Finn's conclusion made Bors quickly realize the gravity of the situation. His face went pale as he stared at Finn in horror.
"Then that means... there's a Level 5 killer lurking on the 18th floor?"
"Yes."
"Damn it!?"
Bors could already picture the entire group of adventurers on the 18th floor being wiped out by a Level 5 killer. Sure, they had the numbers—but they had no idea where the enemy was hiding. That left them in a state of "darkness against light," completely exposed with no way to organize an effective counterattack.
They had to find that woman—no matter what!
With that realization, Bors immediately straightened up and bowed seriously to Finn.
"Finn, as the leader of the City of Rivira, I request the help of the Loki Familia."
"I understand. The Loki Familia accepts this request."
After thinking it over briefly, Finn agreed.
There was something deeply unsettling about the murder of an adventurer in the City of Rivira. The killer's identity and motives—it all pointed to a terrifying secret lurking beneath the surface.
"Bors, go gather the adventurers on the 18th floor."
"The target is whatever Hashana transferred. So, we need to find it before they do... which is exactly what they're hoping we'll do."
"I got it."
Bors nodded and turned to his two men.
"Go round up everyone. Don't hide the fact that someone was killed—let them prepare themselves mentally so we avoid any chaos."
"Also, get anyone without combat ability to safety."
"We're on it."
But just after that, one of the humans cast a cautious glance toward Finn.
"Bors... do you think it could've been the Loki Familia?"
That foolish comment made Bors roll his eyes. He pointed toward the five women from Loki's group.
"The woman in the robe had a great figure—that's why Hashana got seduced. But tell me, how many members of the Loki Familia are even capable of pulling that off?"
He first pointed at Riveria and Lefiya.
"Elves don't let anyone touch them unless they accept them. Their race alone makes seduction impossible."
After ruling out the elves, he pointed to the two Amazonesses.
"Amazonesses are bold and love wearing revealing clothes. But just look at her—do you really think she's the woman we saw?"
The two men instinctively glanced at Tiona's steel-like chest and immediately shook their heads in unison.
"Definitely not her!"
That firm denial should've been a good thing, but it made a vein twitch on Tiona's forehead.
"You bastards! What are you staring at!?"
Lefiya wasn't thrilled about being judged either, especially on her figure, but she knew this wasn't the time to let Tiona explode.
"Tiona, let it go."
Bors then pointed to the other Amazoness.
"As for the other one—sure, her figure matches that woman in the robe, but..."
"What the hell are you looking at!?"
Tione wasn't like Tiona. Her temper was far more explosive. She had no intention of letting these idiots talk nonsense.
"My chastity belongs to the Captain! Say one more word, and I'll chop off your junk and grind it to pieces!"
Her fierce words made Bors's lackey instinctively cover his crotch and shake his head frantically.
"Not her... Definitely not her..."
Even though her figure was close, that kind of temperament would instantly deflate any man's interest.
She was absolutely the wrong type for seduction.
And even Bors, who knew full well how she was, felt a chill run down his spine. He forced himself to act unfazed and scolded his men.
"See? With a personality like that, does she sound like the culprit to you?"
"And the last one—she's the ace of the Loki Familia, the famed 'Sword Princess' of all Orario. She's the last person who'd ever use seduction."
Of course, the two men never thought the "Sword Princess" was the robed seductress. But hearing that, they finally breathed a small sigh of relief. At least it wasn't someone from the Loki Familia.
"Now go gather everyone. If they don't come, we'll just let that guy take the fall for killing a Level 4."
The two men stiffened. They quickly nodded and left to get things moving.
After they were gone, Bors bowed deeply to Finn and the others once more.
"Apologies for the baseless suspicion from my men."
Seeing Bors apologize, the furious expressions on Tiona and Tione's faces began to ease.
"Forget it. Just go get ready," Tiona said, brushing it off. She'd only gotten mad about the comments on her figure—she hadn't meant to start a fight. With a cheerful smile, she let the topic drop.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 248: Chapter 248: A Foreboding Sense
Chapter Text
"It's starting."
From his vantage point above, Bell had waited a long time, but now he finally saw the adventurers gathered at the inn's entrance begin to move.
He could clearly sense the adventurers of the City of Rivira rushing quickly toward the central square.
Even several members of the Loki Familia were carrying items from the inn as they headed that way.
Bell's eyes scanned the square swiftly. Most adventurers were wearing armor and equipment of various styles. The armor stolen from the deceased wasn't particularly distinctive—unless someone was intimately familiar with it, it'd be nearly impossible to recognize.
Of course, that didn't mean no one could. Any adventurer who'd previously met the deceased might be able to spot it.
'So that's why she stole his armor?'
Bell now understood why the woman had taken the dead man's armor—and why she'd worn it into a crowd.
It was all deliberate.
If the key item wasn't found on the body, it likely meant someone else had taken it. To retrieve it from the adventurer who'd met with the deceased, she first had to identify that person.
That's why she wore the deceased's armor and mingled with the crowd—to bait the contact into revealing themselves.
'What a bold move.'
'To pull something like this in front of so many adventurers in the 18th floor's safety zone... She must be incredibly confident. Which means whatever she's after must be incredibly important.'
Still, even as he admired the strategy, Bell couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her luck.
It was a solid plan. If she had the strength of a Lv. 5, she probably would have pulled it off.
After all, there weren't usually any adventurers stronger than Lv. 5 in this safety zone.
But Bell sighed because today wasn't like other days.
Today, this zone just happened to be hosting three Lv. 5 adventurers and two Lv. 6s—meaning her plan was doomed from the start.
Sure enough, as more adventurers crowded into the square, Bell clearly sensed her aura growing restless.
'Seems like Finn and the others showing up caught her completely off guard.'
But soon, her agitation began to settle.
'Already?'
Bell was slightly impressed by how quickly she calmed herself.
To recover composure that fast—knowing she was facing two Lv. 6 adventurers—meant one of two things.
Either she had resigned herself...
Or she had prepared for everything.
Bell's brow furrowed. He extended his senses once more—and almost immediately caught a stench in the air.
His eyes narrowed. He quickly traced a pair of Runes, enhancing his perception, and marked the foul odor in red.
'No wonder she calmed down. Those Violas... they're clearly meant for the Lv. 6s.'
'She's a shrewd one.'
Below the cliffs surrounding the City of Rivira, Bell spotted clusters of Violas he recognized from before.
He knew just how dangerous those Violas were—without weapons, even a Lv. 5 couldn't take them down.
Their stems and buds were as hard as armor, perfectly designed to counter First-class Adventurers who lacked magic swords or high-tier weapons.
Which meant Finn and Riveria would be forced to split off and deal with them—because if they didn't, the Violas would massacre every adventurer in Rivira.
The strategy left Finn and Riveria no other option.
They had to engage.
In the middle of the square, Finn sat with his spear in hand, his brow furrowed tight.
He glanced across the adventurer-packed plaza, a growing unease churning in his chest.
"Strange..."
He had expected some sort of commotion before the adventurers gathered, but nothing happened. Instead, all of them assembled neatly in the square.
Finn didn't mean to brag, but he was confident—there wasn't a single person here who didn't know he and Riveria were present.
If the enemy was only a Lv. 5, then with the strength he and Riveria possessed, capturing them wouldn't be out of the question.
In fact, the moment the culprit revealed themselves, it would be over.
So why hadn't they run?
There were only two plausible explanations.
First, it was already too late. They missed the best moment to stir chaos and slip away in the confusion.
But Finn quickly dismissed that.
Hashana had been killed two hours ago. Even if the goal was to find out which adventurer had been in contact with him, there was still more than enough time to prepare both for action and a clean getaway.
Which meant the real answer had to be the second possibility.
That woman had everything planned out. She was confident she could get away, even if she had to face him and Riveria head-on.
"Finn, what's wrong?"
Riveria walked over and asked in a low voice after noticing the heaviness in his expression.
Finn didn't reply. His expression only grew darker.
"Riveria, Hashana's armor was stolen too, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Then what did Bors and Villy say about it?"
"They said it was a very ordinary, common style of armor—not eye-catching. That kind of design is seen all the time in the City of Rivira."
But Finn shook his head slightly at that answer.
"It's not that the armor was common—it's that they don't remember what it looked like."
"Bors and Villy saw both Hashana and that woman, but their attention was drawn entirely to her. So they remember her in detail, but when it comes to Hashana's armor, they just dismissed it as 'common'."
That wasn't unusual, really. Even adventurers didn't always have perfect memories.
Sometimes, when someone more eye-catching enters your view, it's only natural to overlook what didn't stand out before.
"Bors and Villy didn't notice the armor's details because they had no reason to fixate on a random adventurer's gear. They didn't know Hashana was going to die."
"But there's someone who would remember it—someone with the same mission. In order to meet up with Hashana, that person would've memorized what his armor looked like so they could identify him."
"So now that we've made his death public—what if that contact is here, and they suddenly notice someone in the crowd wearing Hashana's armor?"
"!?"
Riveria's expression shifted instantly.
Chapter 249: Chapter 249: Uproar
Chapter Text
She had already seen it.
The adventurer who had only recently made the exchange with Hashana had now arrived at the square—and there, amidst the crowd, she spotted someone wearing Hashana's armor.
Her whole body trembled. Her heart was pounding so wildly she almost screamed in panic.
But reason held her instincts in check.
She knew full well that causing a commotion might be her best chance of surviving and escaping. But what if that person—was already targeting her?
Could a Lv. 6, even one with great reflexes, really react in time to save her before the killer struck?
Highly unlikely.
Even she had to admit that.
Though she had never witnessed the power of a Lv. 6, the one who killed Hashana had taken out a Lv. 4 without effort. That meant their strength was at least Lv. 5, maybe even beyond that.
And when facing a level of strength she'd never seen before—who could guarantee her survival?
'I should've never taken this job.'
Only now did she realize just how dangerous this handoff mission really was.
She should've known back at the Guild. The reward alone should have been a red flag. Just a simple exchange—take something from the 18th floor to the surface—and she'd earn 20 million Valis? Since when was life that easy?
Adventurer commissions usually matched reward to risk. The higher the pay, the greater the danger—and death was always part of the equation.
As an adventurer, she should've known that better than anyone.
But in the end, she'd been blinded by 20 million Valis.
She thought it was just a straightforward delivery—pick up the item, bring it to the surface, and profit.
Reality was quick to slap her in the face. She'd barely held that "hot potato" from Hashana for half a day, and now he was dead.
Now, what she held wasn't just a job—it was a time bomb. One misstep, and she'd be blown to bits right alongside it.
'Calm down. You can't afford to slip now.'
Even with her heart trying to leap out of her throat, she forced herself to stay composed.
If she didn't want to end up like Hashana, she had to keep her cool.
After steadying herself, she began to inch forward through the crowd. If she could get closer to the front, she'd be that much safer.
But just as she started moving, the woman who had been quietly watching for emotional shifts in the crowd had already locked onto her.
"So you really are here."
The soft, almost tender voice came from someone clad in men's armor.
But the bustling square, full of people and noise, drowned out the moment. No one around paid it any mind—and even if someone had heard, they likely wouldn't have traced the voice's source right away.
"That saves me a lot of trouble."
The woman had no intention of waiting any longer. Now was the time to act.
Boom!
The ground trembled as if a land dragon had turned over. Dozens of Violas erupted from below, some even rising from the cliffs surrounding the City of Rivira.
She gave them a single command:
"Kill them all!"
"RAAAAAH!!"
The savage, beastlike roars echoed across the entire 18th floor, sinking every adventurer's heart into despair.
"New variant!"
Finn and Riveria's expressions darkened.
"This is bad."
Riveria took a deep breath. She could feel things spiraling completely out of control.
"Now's not the time to say that. The Violas are meant to distract us—they're going after the contact."
"But if we insist on staying here, all the civilians in the City of Rivira will be slaughtered. That woman absolutely gave the order to lure us away."
Faced with the brutal reality, Finn quickly reached a conclusion.
But even knowing this, he and Riveria couldn't be in two places at once. So many Violas, only manageable by First-class Adventurers—they couldn't afford to stand still.
And more importantly, they still didn't know who the contact was.
Boom!
The center of the square bulged up, and several Violas burst out from underground.
"AAAHHH!"
Adventurers were launched into the air in droves.
"Help!"
"Stay back!"
In an instant, screams filled the square.
Finn had no time to think. Spear in hand, he surged forward and swept it in a powerful arc, cleaving a Viola in half just as it lunged at a female adventurer.
Then his voice rang out, cutting through the chaos.
"Everyone—grab your weapons!"
The adventurers jolted to life, snapping out of their panic and reaching for their gear.
"Tiona, Tione! Handle the Violas at the entrance!"
"Riveria, take care of the ones still in the streets!"
"Ais, Lefiya—you two cover the back streets!"
"The rest of you, stay mobile and dodge! Don't use magic recklessly—those things are extremely sensitive to magic!"
With Finn's commands guiding them, the adventurers found their resolve. They quickly armed themselves and began scattering to their positions.
The adventurers on the 18th floor weren't all helpless. Aside from the Lv. 1s, most had significant combat experience and swiftly moved to terrain that suited them best.
Tiona, Tione, Ais, and Lefiya were already on the move.
Riveria had begun chanting.
"Harbinger of the end, the white snow...."
Sensing the magic surge, the Violas in the square all turned and lunged at her.
"Hrah!"
Finn stepped forward with a powerful thrust, forcing one of the Violas back.
With a swift twist of his body, he spun his spear in a wide arc, knocking two more Violas aside. In an instant, he halted all three.
"Blow with the wind before the twilight...."
"Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters - my name is Alf!"
"Wynn—Fimbulvetr!"
Three surging waves of icy wind blew in from different directions. In mere seconds, every Viola in the square was frozen solid, turned to crystal-like statues.
Though destruction and killing still raged around the City of Rivira, at least the square had been secured—for now.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 250: Chapter 250: A Desperate Ambush
Chapter Text
The Chienthrope girl fought against the fear in her heart as she ran toward the back mountain of the City of Rivira, clutching the item tightly.
She didn't know if someone was chasing her, but all she could do was keep running.
Suddenly, a black shadow crashed down hard in front of her.
Through the swirling dust, a figure slowly came into view.
"What a waste of my time."
A woman's voice echoed from within the haze.
The Chienthrope girl froze, cold sweat breaking out along her spine.
She knew—it was the woman who had killed Hashana.
She immediately tensed, eyes locked onto the figure, but even then, the gap between them was painfully obvious.
"Ugh!"
The girl was seized by the throat, lifted effortlessly off the ground by an overwhelming force.
"That man actually passed the item to someone else. I was this close to letting it fall into your hands."
The grip around her throat tightened. She struggled with all her might, trying to break free, but it was hopeless.
"Ugh..."
The veins on her forehead bulged, her eyes rolled back.
Just as her life was about to be snuffed out, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air. The hand around her neck abruptly let go.
She crashed to the ground.
"Ugh..."
The pain made her grimace, but the return of breath filled her with renewed life.
"Are you okay?"
A cool voice reached her ears. She opened her eyes, and at the sight of that golden-haired figure, the panic in her heart began to settle.
"Sword Princess... Cough... I'm fine."
She immediately pulled a signal flare from her waist pouch and fired it into the sky.
The flare burst with bright color, drawing the attention of the adventurers fighting in the City of Rivira.
Ais's entire focus shifted to the woman in front of her.
The woman's gaze swept past her original target but remained locked onto Ais.
If she didn't take down this obstacle, she couldn't complete her mission. This woman had to be eliminated.
With that thought, she drew her weapon and charged straight at Ais.
So fast!
Ais's pupils shrank. She hurriedly raised her weapon to meet the attack.
"Clang!"
Their weapons collided. Ais was forced back, barely holding her ground by summoning all her strength.
But the woman didn't hold back—she loosened her grip, then lashed out with a kick.
Ais blocked it with her arm, but the sheer force made her hand go numb.
The instant her stance faltered, the woman followed up with another slash.
In just a few seconds of combat, Ais was already on the defensive, while the woman's expression remained effortlessly calm.
'So strong!'
Ais could clearly feel the pressure surge—it was like facing Finn.
'This person isn't a Level 5.'
Realizing this, Ais didn't hesitate and immediately activated her magic.
"Tempest."
A gust of wind wrapped around her body, and the Desperate in her hand took on even stronger wind-attribute damage.
The woman's expression shifted slightly as she saw the swirling wind.
"So that's it… You're Aria."
That name made Ais's pupils shrink sharply.
"You… How do you know that name?!"
Aria—this name was taboo to Ais. It belonged to the one she wanted to reclaim, a name no one else should know.
"Sword Princess!"
"!?"
Ais snapped back to her senses and hastily blocked the attack with Desperate. The force behind the strike was ten times greater than anything she had faced earlier.
If she hadn't used magic, her body would never have withstood the blow.
"Not bad. I only came to retrieve the seed, but I found an unexpected gift instead."
The woman's killing intent dropped suddenly. Now that she knew the girl in front of her was 'Aria', she couldn't kill her.
'Aria is still far too valuable—I have to take her back now.'
Even though her killing intent had lessened, the force of her attacks became even more brutal.
Now was the time to suppress her with overwhelming strength.
The Violas couldn't hold off pursuers for long—if anyone caught up, it would only create more trouble.
The woman swung her weapon rapidly.
Ais poured more magic into her body to keep up with the speed.
As the clash of weapons echoed around them, Ais's hands grew numb from the constant impact.
In that instant, the woman seized her opening—she knocked aside Ais's blade and landed a fierce kick to her stomach, sending her flying.
Ais's body smashed into the "green crystal cluster" behind her like a shooting star. Pain shot through her back and abdomen, nearly forcing a scream from her throat.
But the moment she opened her eyes, the woman was already in front of her. Before she could react, a hand clamped tightly around her throat.
"Aria, stop struggling."
The woman didn't want to snap Ais's neck. She needed her alive to bring her back—killing wasn't an option.
Still, she had to take some precautions to keep Ais from waking and resisting on the way.
"Guh…"
Air was being squeezed from her lungs. Ais clutched Desperate tightly, preparing for one last struggle—but another hand grabbed her weapon.
"Crack!"
Ais's pupils contracted. Her right wrist snapped with a sickening twist, and Desperate clattered to the ground.
She was on the verge of losing consciousness.
Seeing her state, a slight smile curled on the woman's lips.
"Clang!"
A stone ricocheted off the woman's helmet.
"Let go of the Sword Princess!"
The Chienthrope girl from earlier charged at the woman from behind, short blade in hand.
"Boom!"
The woman spun around and delivered a swift kick, sending the girl crashing into a cluster of ancient crystals nearby.
"You don't know when to quit."
With a dismissive snort, she turned her attention back to Ais. She couldn't afford to use too much force—Ais had to stay alive.
By now, Ais's eyes had rolled back. She was only seconds from completely blacking out.
Just as the woman was about to claim her prize, a blade of light suddenly slashed toward her neck.
"!?"
A sharp sense of danger gripped her—the scythe of death felt like it was grazing her throat. Despite dominating her fight with Ais, she now felt death itself looming.
The blade cut through her skin in an instant. Just before it could sever half her neck, she released Ais and desperately raised her hand to block.
Even then, the blade's force didn't weaken. The white glow radiating from it matched her strength without faltering.
'Damn it!?'
With no other choice, the woman sacrificed part of her body. She threw up her right arm to intercept the blow, consequences be damned, while slamming her left fist into the blade, barely managing to pull her neck away in time.
But in the blink of an eye, before she could react, the sword-wielding figure snatched Ais and vanished like a bolt of lightning.
By the time the woman clutched her injured neck and turned around, the figure, Ais, and her target had all disappeared.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 251: Chapter 251: Bell's Sense of Urgency
Chapter Text
The woman clutched her nearly severed neck with her left hand, cold sweat streaming down her face.
That brush with death—she had never experienced anything like it before.
Her right arm had been completely severed by that strike, and even the severed limb had vanished without a trace.
She turned to see that the mountain of green crystal clusters had been sliced cleanly at the peak.
"So much destruction from just the aftershock."
"Was it magic? Or a skill?"
Looking at the absence of her right hand, she knew she had no choice but to retreat. She hadn't retrieved the seed or Aria, and now she'd even lost an arm. The loss outweighed any gain.
"Damn it!"
Despite her frustration, she pushed off the ground hard and leapt from the cliffs surrounding the City of Rivira.
She had no choice now but to leave.
...
Half a minute after the woman vanished, four figures reappeared.
Bell watched her retreating figure, suppressing his shock.
'Far beyond Lv. 5... she might have reached Lv. 6.'
'That woman isn't human.'
He was sure of it.
The strike he had launched, after charging power for four minutes, would have taken down even a Lv. 6 if unguarded.
Yet that woman, even after losing an arm, had forcibly disrupted the blade's trajectory.
Her sheer physical toughness and durability were beyond belief.
Still, the strike had done considerable damage and severed one of her arms. Perhaps studying it could reveal how her body was structured.
To avoid complications, the arm had already been stored in the four-dimensional space the moment it was cut off.
Now, there was the situation in front of him to deal with.
He turned to the "Sword Princess," who lay unconscious with a broken right arm.
"Doesn't seem like her life is in danger."
There was no killing blow—just external wounds and a faint from oxygen deprivation.
Bell also committed the name "Aria" to memory.
The "Sword Princess" was Ais Wallenstein. That name had no connection to Aria.
So, had the woman mistaken her?
No. Judging by her reaction, she had been genuinely surprised to see the "Sword Princess." She had gone out of her way not to kill her, opting to knock her out instead. That intent to take her away proved one thing—the woman hadn't mistaken her at all.
Ariel's wind confirmed that the "Sword Princess" was indeed Aria, and the "Sword Princess" herself was visibly shaken when the woman mentioned the name "Aria." It seemed Aria was likely her elder.
"Thank you very much for your help."
Lefiya, tending to Ais, let out a small sigh of relief and glanced at the person before her with a touch of guilt.
"At first, I thought you were a bad person..."
"Don't worry about it."
Bell cut her off, showing little interest in the apology. Instead, his focus shifted to the Chienthrope girl beside him.
"Hand over what you've got."
The Chienthrope girl paused for a moment but then obediently produced the item she'd been holding.
It was a green sphere, and inside it floated a strange, unidentified life form.
Bell's expression immediately changed the moment he saw it.
He reached out and lightly tapped the sphere's surface. Several Runes flared to life across the outer shell, sealing off the creature's life signals completely.
"So this is the 'seed'... What a dangerous thing."
Just now, when the creature inside had flared with vitality, Bell had nearly mistaken it for a being above Lv. 7.
"A mimetic lifeform... an egg laid based on some other creature?"
"Normal monsters don't look like this."
"The Dungeon shouldn't be capable of producing something like this. So... is this the offspring of a monster?"
At that moment, a vague answer began surfacing in Bell's memory.
Corrupted Spirit.
In the original timeline, this was the catalyst for the collective ascension of the Loki Familia to Lv. 6. It was also what Bell intended to use as the stepping stone for Finn, Riveria, and Gareth to reach Lv. 7.
Which meant the woman's identity was now clear.
The guardian of the Corrupted Spirit.
Those new variants weren't the Dungeon's creations—they were spawned from the Corrupted Spirit.
'I should've paid more attention in my past life.'
Only now did Bell regret not knowing the full storyline.
Unfortunately, he only remembered a handful of details. He could recall what had been adapted into anime, but everything else... was lost.
For now, all he could do was make the most of what he did remember.
That made this seed critical to his future research.
"You're from the Hermes Familia?"
"Yes, I'm Lulune Louie, a member of the Hermes Familia."
"Does your Familia God know you took on this job?"
"Um... no, he doesn't."
Lulune looked awkward. She couldn't exactly admit she'd taken the job alone out of greed.
"So, the reward must've been higher than expected."
Now that she'd been exposed, Lulune looked even more embarrassed.
"Next time, try using your head."
That line made her want to bury her face in the dirt.
After offering a brief scolding, Bell stored away the sealed Corrupted Spirit embryo.
"In three days, have your Familia God and the Perseus come to the Hestia Familia to retrieve it."
With everything said, Bell had no reason to linger.
At the same time, a strong sense of urgency struck him.
He was being forced into motion.
The feeling left a sour taste in his mouth.
But he couldn't let the "Sword Princess" be taken away—she was part of Loki Familia and also a key piece in his forward plan. He couldn't afford to lose her here.
That alone meant he had to protect the "Sword Princess."
So, reluctantly, he had stepped into the spotlight.
Still, things weren't too bad yet. The damage wasn't irreversible.
The only ones aware of what happened were the Elf from Loki Familia and the Chienthrope from Hermes Familia—neither group was likely to sell out his secrets. But this incident served as a wake-up call. He had to grow stronger, fast. Otherwise, he'd be pushed into the spotlight before he was ready.
It wasn't enough to resist Freya—he had to be strong enough to stand against Freya Familia's captain, Ottar. Only then would he meet the baseline requirements.
For now, his temporary goal was to reach Lv. 4.
Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Terrifying Battle Results
Chapter Text
"Ais..."
Lefiya looked at Ais, who had fainted, filled with worry.
Since joining the Loki Familia, this was the first time she had seen Ais lose so badly.
Even though she had an Elixir with her, she couldn't just feed it to Ais. If she did, her broken arm might heal incorrectly and end up deformed.
She had to stabilize the fracture before using the Elixir.
For now, all she could do was lay Ais down flat and wait for the right moment to secure her broken arm.
"Miss Lulune..."
"Ah, no need for honorifics. We're about the same age—just call me by my name."
"Lulune, isn't your mission important?"
That guy had taken the cargo meant to be delivered. Just standing here and watching him leave didn't seem right.
"What was I supposed to do?"
Lulune looked miserable. She didn't want to give the goods away either, but the real question was—could she have stopped him?
"What just happened was way out of my league. No matter how big the reward is, it's not worth dying over."
"If even the Sword Princess couldn't stop that guy, what could I do as a mere Lv.3?"
"Lv.3? Weren't you Lv.2?"
After she gave her name, Lefiya recognized who she was. But what she said about being Lv.3 didn't match the Lv.2 Lefiya knew her to be.
"Ah... never mind, I'll tell you. I'm Lv.3. I just underreported my level."
Lulune instinctively covered her mouth, but once she realized she'd already said it, she didn't bother hiding it anymore and openly admitted she had lied about her level.
"That's... against the rules, isn't it?"
"It's fine, as long as no one finds out."
Faced with this "not against the rules unless you get caught" mindset, Lefiya felt a wave of pressure.
But having just been taught to be more flexible, she didn't press the issue. Maybe things like this were more common than she thought—she just hadn't seen them before.
Just like that man earlier—cloaked and hooded so his face was hidden. But the moment he mentioned the "Hestia Familia," it was clear who he was.
Their Familia had recently made a deal with the Hestia Familia, and the goods involved were Rune Stones.
And since the Hestia Familia officially had only one Adventurer, that man had to be the Rune Stone maker.
Makers were income-generating types, just like the blacksmiths of the Hephaestus Familia.
If he had used magic to create Rune Stones, Lefiya would have found it believable. But he had used a sword—and with a single strike, had severed the hand of a woman that even Ais couldn't defeat.
If he wasn't lying about his level, then she wouldn't believe it for a second.
"That guy just now... he was insanely strong."
Lulune smoothly changed the subject, skipping over the issue of her fake level.
"Even the Sword Princess couldn't handle that woman, but he managed to cut off her arm and used some kind of special magic to hide us."
"If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have made it out alive."
Just thinking about it made her break into a cold sweat again.
"Yeah."
Lefiya felt just as conflicted.
Lulune stood up, patted the dust off her pants, and gave Lefiya a sheepish look as she said goodbye.
"Thanks for saving me, really. But... sorry, I have to head off now."
"So soon?"
Lefiya was a bit surprised.
"Yeah."
Lulune looked up at the sky with a gloomy expression, then sighed.
"I have to report this to our Familia God. Something this big going down on the 18th floor... If our captain finds out this mess started with the mission I accepted, she'll tear me apart."
Lefiya couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her.
She understood how she felt—if she had gotten caught up in something like this herself, she'd probably be in tears by now.
Despite her downcast look, Lulune still felt lucky.
If she hadn't run into someone that strong, she might have ended up stuck on the 18th floor for good.
That earlier kick had hurt, but it wasn't bad enough to keep her from making it back to Orario.
Given how big a mess this had turned into, Lulune knew she had to report it before word got back to Orario.
Pulling her hood up, Lulune carefully slipped down a small path from the back of the mountain, heading toward the entrance of the 18th floor...
Less than two minutes after Lulune left, Finn and Riveria arrived at the back mountain.
They found Ais lying unconscious on Lefiya's lap, her arm twisted unnaturally and clear handprints on her neck.
Their expressions darkened immediately as they rushed to Lefiya's side.
Riveria quickly checked Ais's condition, and after confirming that the injuries weren't life-threatening and she was just unconscious, she finally relaxed.
"She's only passed out. Her right arm has a severe fracture. We'll need to stabilize it before attempting any healing."
Her right arm couldn't be treated here.
Finn let out a breath of relief. A broken arm and unconsciousness—this was about the best-case scenario for such a disaster.
"Lefiya, did you run into that woman?"
Finn's face was grim. The fact that Ais had been taken down like this meant their opponent had to be above Lv.5.
"Lv.6... I didn't expect someone like that to show up on the 18th floor."
Riveria was visibly surprised as she turned to Lefiya.
"Lefiya, you must've met Hashana's contact, right?"
"Yes. It was 'Muddle' from the Hermes Familia."
"Then how did you escape that woman's pursuit?"
The 'Muddle' of Hermes Familia should only be Lv.2. Against a Lv.6 threat—one even Ais couldn't handle—how had Lefiya and the others survived?
"It was... someone we didn't recognize. But he took Mr. Hashana's delivery and told Hermes to retrieve it from the Hestia Familia in three days."
Lefiya hesitated, unsure if she should say more—but ultimately chose to speak.
"Hestia... So that's it."
Finn had already suspected that the man might have shown up on the 18th floor. He hadn't expected to be right.
"He saved you? How?"
"I don't know..."
Lefiya tried to recall the moment, but she couldn't explain it clearly.
"I just saw white light forming in his hand... and I could faintly hear a bell ringing. We waited a long time, and just as Ais was about to lose consciousness, he swung his sword at the woman's neck."
"She couldn't block it. She used both hands to try to deflect the blade, but he still severed her right arm... and even sliced halfway through her neck."
The sheer impact of her words made Finn and Riveria gasp aloud.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Trial and Error Is a Tedious Process
Chapter Text
Bell didn't choose to leave the City of Rivira immediately.
At this stage, he wasn't supposed to be watching the show or helping others with their problems—he should've been finding a place in Rivira to establish a stable base for himself.
So after departing, Bell selected a spot within the green crystal clusters along the city's edge—technically part of the 18th floor's wall.
Using Runes, he carved out a cavity in the crystal, then accelerated the growth of a Spirit Tree inside. With that, he successfully created a hidden personal space within the wall, one that would be hard for any Adventurer to discover.
He also set up barriers across the outer crystal wall to prevent visibility from the outside.
Next came the spatial anchor.
If the target location was visible, he didn't need to set coordinates. But when teleporting to a place beyond line of sight, the safest method was to lock in stable coordinates to avoid mishaps during transit.
"...That should do it."
Version 1.0 of his emergency spatial anchor—functional, at least.
"As long as it works for now. I'll upgrade it later."
With the anchor complete, Bell took out the "Corrupted Spirit's Fetus."
The "visual capture device" was turned off, so he could study it freely.
"As expected of an egg produced by a Lv.8 creature."
Even sealed with Runes, the fetus's consciousness remained faintly active.
"Looks like these leftover eggs are actually fragments or clones of the Corrupted Spirit, still containing parts of its awareness and power."
"But since their power originates from the Corrupted Spirit itself, no matter how much energy the egg absorbs, it can't evolve past Lv.8. That's... not great."
What Bell needed was for the Corrupted Spirit to reach Lv.8, otherwise he'd never be able to elevate the three Lv.6 members of the Loki Familia to Lv.7—let alone disrupt Ottar's dominance over Orario.
If the Corrupted Spirit couldn't break into the Lv.8 tier, then the whole plan would be at risk.
"If I use self-destruction and madness as the cost... would it be possible to push the Corrupted Spirit up one level?"
He considered forcibly enhancing its abilities by sacrificing its sanity and remaining lifespan.
It sounded extreme, but Bell found the method plausible.
In this world, one law never changed: equivalent exchange.
Trading permanent existence for a brief moment of Lv.8 power—just long enough to tip the scales.
"Maybe I should experiment on a few worthless monsters first, see if it's viable to temporarily boost their strength..."
As he continued examining the "Corrupted Spirit's Fetus," he noted its incredible vitality—but more striking was its overwhelming desire.
"Fitting for a spirit in its reversed state. The greater its love for humans once was, the greater its hatred now."
"A once-pure spirit, now twisted into a spirit of craving."
"How ironic."
Bell wasn't surprised. Love and hate were always connected. In this case, the Corrupted Spirit had undergone a literal transformation—a reversal triggered by being devoured by monsters.
Still, having desires wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
The stronger the desire, the easier it is to control.
If the Corrupted Spirit held a grudge against Orario, then manipulating it would be far simpler.
After all, revenge demands power. The Corrupted Spirit likely wouldn't refuse such an offer.
With that thought, Bell broke the seal.
Inside the jewel, the fetus slowly opened its eyes.
"Oh? Done pretending to sleep?"
Its wide, bulging eyes brimmed with nothing but pure, unfiltered malice.
Bell didn't hesitate. He used Runes to immediately restrain its movements.
"You're a good test subject. But I still need to return you, so don't make too much noise."
The fetus seemed to understand. Its mouth opened as if to cry out, almost like it was protesting something.
Bell ignored it completely.
First, because he couldn't understand what it was trying to say.
Second, because even if he did understand, it wouldn't have changed his actions.
This was just a fragment of the Corrupted Spirit. Resistance? From something that wasn't even fully physical? That was meaningless.
"Let's start by making you a little more obedient."
A Rune flared as it was etched into the fetus's forehead through the crystal surface.
"..."
Its mouth opened wide, but no sound came out. Still, the look of agony twisted across its face made it clear how much the branding hurt.
To forcibly brand a Corrupted Spirit that loathed humanity with a mark of servitude—transferring all control over its actions to someone else—was nothing short of humiliation.
But it had no way to resist. It had power, but no agency.
Slowly, Bell succeeded in fully subjugating the fetus's will.
But he frowned.
'This kind of one-sided mark isn't enough. I've got control, sure, but I don't need this much of it.'
He didn't want to have to manually control the Corrupted Spirit during combat.
External control in a fight would kill flexibility.
More importantly, if Bell tried to micromanage its movements mid-battle, he was afraid his own tactics would end up wiping out the entire Loki Familia.
So the Corrupted Spirit needed to fight on its own.
All Bell required was for it to reach Lv.8, apply some restraint in its strength output, and self-destruct at the right moment.
At this rate, he still had more experimentation to do.
"I need to tweak it further. Maybe indirect control through desire would work better."
Glancing at the fetus, Bell casually released the brand.
The moment it was freed, the fetus let out a silent but furious scream, its mouth stretching open wide.
"Don't get so worked up. Soon, that'll stop happening too."
"I really need to stabilize its emotions. The reversed spirit's personality is way too volatile."
This time, he engraved two Runes onto its forehead.
"Still not right. It's not resisting me much anymore, but now it's lost all rationality."
He tried again.
"This time, it kept its reasoning—and its hatred for humanity and Orario—but it's way too unhinged."
Again.
"Better control over its madness, but now it's too dull. It can't manage its power usage properly."
And so, Bell began a series of trial-and-error adjustments.
It was brutal on the fetus.
The material wasn't renewable. Each failed iteration meant it had to go through the pain of branding all over again.
But Bell was confident it could handle it. Every time it bared its teeth and snarled at him, it was proof—it could still endure.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 254: Chapter 254: Minotaur Experiment
Chapter Text
"Graaaah!"
A roaring Minotaur charged at Bell, flailing wildly.
Slash!
With a flash of his blade, the two-meter-tall beast was cleaved cleanly from head to toe, blood splattering across the ground.
Bell silently drew a conclusion.
'The frenzy effect is lacking.'
'Monsters in a frenzy tend to act more recklessly. The state lasts too long and completely removes any control over their behavior.'
After several experiments, Bell abandoned the idea of inducing frenzy in monsters.
Sure, they became more aggressive—but all it did was increase their attack frequency within the bounds of their current level. There was no explosive leap in strength.
He called over another Minotaur and restrained it using Runes. Then he activated a different set of Runes to "ripen" its life force, forcibly compressing it to maximize its potential for a temporary boost in power.
"MOOOOO!!!"
The Minotaur's entire body turned a deep crimson. Even its fur and horns began to mutate.
"Hm. Its aura's gotten a lot stronger—close to the peak of Lv.2."
While it hadn't broken into Lv.3, the experiment confirmed this method worked.
By "ripening" a monster—artificially pushing its life force to the limit—he could enhance its strength temporarily.
"Wait a second... this Minotaur looks familiar."
Crimson fur, blood-red horns… wasn't this the one from the original story? The one fans affectionately called the "Minotaur Waifu"?
Bell raised an eyebrow.
The Dungeon incorporated the concept of reincarnation. And reincarnated beings could retain memories of their past battles with humans. The newly born lifeforms had monster appearances but human-like intelligence.
These beings were known in the Dungeon as "Xenos."
They were hated by both Adventurers and the monsters of the lower floors.
'Reincarnation, huh?'
'So monsters have souls... and the Dungeon recycles them into the bodies of newborn monsters.'
Bell rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
'This is going to be a problem.'
Monsters he'd killed reappearing before him as Xenos—just imagining that was enough to make him groan internally.
To avoid that, Bell etched three Runes into his blade.
At that moment, his perception slowed—time itself seemed to freeze.
Secret Sword—
In that near-stillness, Bell swung his sword.
The first strike was his foundation.
The second was his breakthrough.
—Tsubame Gaeshi!
A cross-shaped slash tore through the air, bending the rules of time and space. It looked as if two blades struck at once, slicing the crimson mutant Minotaur cleanly in half.
This marked another leap forward in Bell's technique.
Before, all he could manage was a single perfected swing, timed within distorted space and time.
That was the beginning of Tsubame Gaeshi—only possible after he'd embraced the life and resolve of a true swordsman.
But the second strike? That had come just days ago, born out of desperation and an overwhelming hunger for power.
It was that desire that pushed his technique to new heights.
Understanding this, Bell didn't suppress his craving for strength—but he did place boundaries on his own ambition.
Unrestrained desire wasn't the path to progress. It was the root of arrogance... and ruin.
"Moo!"
The red-colored Minotaur didn't die immediately, but it had already lost its most crucial part—its color faded completely.
Bell gave a slight nod at the sight.
'A key fragment of its soul has collapsed.'
'A soul in this state can no longer be reborn as a Xenos.'
Moments later, the mutated Minotaur's life slipped away. Bell stepped forward and extracted the Magic Stone from its body.
As the stone was removed, the corpse crumbled into a pile of white ash. But amidst the pale remains, its vivid red horns stood out starkly.
He collected the horns into his four-dimensional storage, then moved on to find the next Minotaur for testing.
After running experiments on forty more, Bell reached a firm conclusion.
Simply compressing a creature's life force to the extreme didn't guarantee peak power. Power still required vitality to be effective—so the life force had to be compressed only to the point where the creature could still function in battle.
In other words, there was an optimal compression threshold.
To draw out the maximum strength from a monster, Bell needed to limit its lifespan just within that peak range.
After countless trials and refinements, he finally succeeded.
He created a Minotaur whose entire hide had turned a vivid red, its eyes filled with nothing but the will to kill.
This one wasn't Lv.2.
It was Lv.3.
A full evolutionary leap beyond the original species' limits—this Minotaur had become a higher-tier monster.
Bell smiled, satisfied.
"Success."
That one word gave all his efforts the validation he'd hoped for.
"MOOO!!!"
The mutated Minotaur bellowed in fury. Cracks began to form in the restraints binding its body.
Bell wasn't surprised in the slightest.
"As expected, there's a fundamental difference between Lv.2 and Lv.3."
The way this one struggled made it obvious.
Even the wildest Lv.2 Minotaur couldn't break free from his bindings—but a Lv.3 had the raw power to do so.
"Its fur has hardened into sharp bristles—an innate defense mechanism."
"Its muscle fibers are tighter, tougher. Not only has its defense grown, but so has its attack power. Even its agility and mobility are significantly enhanced."
"A genuine leap in quality."
Bell gave this creation the highest praise.
"But even so... the gap between us hasn't changed."
A cross-shaped blade of light flashed through the air.
The dense, reinforced flesh did nothing to stop Bell's "Kuji Kanesada." In the blink of an eye, the Minotaur's body was torn apart and scattered across the floor. Its life ended on the spot.
Bell once again retrieved the Magic Stone from the remains and collected the 41st horn lying in the ash into his dimensional storage.
'Now it's truly complete.'
From these experiments, he had learned how to push monsters beyond their natural limits.
From the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus, he had discovered a way to control such beings.
With both in hand, he now possessed everything needed for the upcoming expedition.
'Next is to raise my Status to the limit—and during the expedition, find an opportunity to gain Excelia.'
Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Another Earth-Shattering Revelation
Chapter Text
Three days had passed since the incident in the City of Rivira, and only then did Bell return to Orario from the Dungeon.
As soon as he left the Dungeon, he rushed straight back.
When no one was watching, Bell quietly returned to the Hestia Familia.
But once he entered the Great Barrier, he noticed two unfamiliar gods and two adventurers.
'Besides Hermes-sama, even Loki-sama is here?'
Realizing this, Bell quickly headed into the Great Tree House.
The moment he stepped inside, he saw the two gods seated opposite Hestia and Hephaestus—it was Hermes and Loki.
Standing behind them were three guardians:
Muddle, a Level 3; Perseus, a Level 4; and Vanargand, a Level 5.
Bell's sudden entrance immediately drew everyone's attention.
Hermes looked at Bell with interest.
Loki, on the other hand, eyed him with a hint of scrutiny.
Their stares left Bell somewhat puzzled.
"Goddess-sama, I'm back."
"Mm! Bell-kun, I missed you so much!"
Hestia, completely unconcerned with her image as a goddess, immediately leapt into Bell's arms the moment he said "I'm back."
She had been doing nothing at home for days while Bell was out exploring the Middle Floors.
On top of that, with the recent incident in the safety zone on the 18th Floor, Hestia had been restraining the urge to call him back for some time.
Though getting smothered by Goddess-sama's chest was thrilling, now wasn't exactly the time for that.
With a bit of regret, he gently pulled her off and asked, somewhat confused:
"Goddess-sama, why is Loki-sama here today?"
"Ah, Loki came to ask you for clues. It's about one of her Familia's adventurers."
'Clues?'
'I see, it's about the ace of the Loki Familia—Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess.'
Bell thought for a moment, then grew curious.
"Loki-sama, why are you asking me about the Sword Princess? I only know what's common knowledge."
Loki didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
"It's about what happened in the City of Rivira. Ever since Ais-tan got back, she's been acting weird. So I wanted to ask—besides that mysterious guy who messed with her, did anything else happen?"
Now Bell understood why Loki had come.
'If that's the case, then it must be connected to the matter I've been researching and investigating recently.'
With that, he turned to Lulune, who stood beside Hermes.
"Of course, the root of it all lies with the young lady from the Hermes Familia who took on the delivery request."
"Me?"
Lulune pointed at herself innocently, cold sweat pouring down as Loki's gaze swept over her. She quickly waved her hands.
"I don't know! I really don't know anything!"
"I just heard the reward was high, so I took the job. I don't know anything else."
Bell nodded in agreement with her words.
"You really don't know anything. If you did, you'd probably be dead."
The first part made Lulune breathe a sigh of relief—but the second half sent a chill down her spine.
Bell continued.
"The origin of everything lies in the truth hidden behind the mission you accepted."
The Sword Princess had been thoroughly beaten on the 18th floor. The assailant clearly had the power to kill her, yet chose only to forcibly take her away.
"The Violas hidden in Orario's underground sewers.
The source of it all lies there."
With a snap of his fingers, the green gem-like embryo stored in four-dimensional space appeared in Bell's hand.
"This is the root of everything—and also the third force within the Dungeon I've been investigating, beyond the Adventurers and Evilus."
That barrage of revelations made Hermes' smile falter.
'...Zeus, you bastard, just what did you teach this kid?'
He couldn't understand how a child who'd only recently become an adventurer could be talking about a "third force in the Dungeon."
Loki was completely frozen.
She had only come here to test the waters, to see if Bell knew anything—but she never expected him to drop such explosive information.
"A third force? What exactly have you been investigating?"
Bell truly looked innocent.
He hadn't deliberately pursued that line of inquiry. It was just that, in the process of searching for answers, he'd uncovered a few things—things he could explain, and even prove.
"I didn't intentionally investigate anything. I just learned a few things while researching and looking for a solution."
"I know it's troublesome, but given what's happened recently, I believe this could be the key to future problems."
"Goddess-sama, please return to your seat. I'll explain everything carefully."
Hestia obediently returned to her seat, and Bell began his explanation.
"Three days ago, a murder occurred on the 18th floor. The victim was confirmed to be Level 4. I didn't identify them personally, but I heard they were a member of the Ganesha Familia."
"Hard Fist Fighter Hashana Dorlia."
"Thanks for the clarification."
After thanking Perseus for the correction, Bell continued.
"Clearly, the person who commissioned a Level 4 adventurer from the Ganesha Familia to retrieve something from the lower floors wasn't ordinary. That individual knew the Dungeon had recently undergone major upheaval, knew something existed on a specific floor, and had the means to issue a secret request."
"So, I initially suspected they were either from Evilus or the Guild."
"But after some analysis, I'm now confident they're from the Guild."
Asfi pushed up her glasses and raised her hand.
"Why are you sure they're not from Evilus?"
"That's simple—there's no need for them to be."
"Back during the Monsterphilia, it was already revealed that Violas were hiding in the underground sewers. The gods and organizations affiliated with Evilus wouldn't bother being so secretive or outsourcing the job."
"Besides, I believe Evilus and the Dungeon's third force are currently in a mutually beneficial relationship, which led me to this conclusion."
"The mysterious client isn't with Evilus—they're from the Guild."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 256: Chapter 256: The Guild’s Influence in the Dungeon
Chapter Text
"As for why I believe Evilus and the third force in the Dungeon are in a mutually beneficial relationship, I'd say the biggest reason is 'aligned interests.'"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. At least until that enemy is wiped out, the enemy of my enemy is the most trustworthy ally."
"It's not a complicated reason—just a simple case of aligned interests."
Asfi understood clearly and grasped why Bell came to that conclusion, but she raised another question.
"Then why does the Guild have so much information?"
"According to what you just said, a Guild member knew about the appearance of that object on a certain Dungeon floor, and even issued a secret commission to have the Hard Fist Fighter from the Ganesha Familia retrieve it. So how did the Guild know about that?"
"If, as you said, there's a connection between Evilus and the third party in the Dungeon, they wouldn't be so careless as to let that information leak. So how did the Guild still find out?"
Bell nodded slightly and promptly gave his answer.
"Actually, the answer is quite simple."
"Because the Guild has its own forces within the Dungeon."
"!?"
That revelation left both Loki and Hermes stunned, mouths agape.
The Guild having its own forces in the Dungeon? If word of that got out in Orario, it would cause a massive uproar.
The one who oversees the Guild is Ouranos, and he once promised the Guild would not form its own armed force. In theory, the Guild has no independent military power—especially not one active within the Dungeon.
"Hold on a second."
Even Asfi was left speechless by the sheer weight of the claim.
"Ouranos-sama once stated that the Guild would never have its own adventurer organization. Are you suggesting that Ouranos-sama lied?"
But Bell simply shook his head.
"An adventurer organization? Perseus, do you really think adventurers could gather vital intel right under the noses of Evilus and the third force I mentioned?"
"The idea that the Guild has a force in the Dungeon is just a hypothesis. But the more I think about it, the more it seems like the only plausible explanation. Otherwise, there's no way the Guild could know this much about what's going on in the Dungeon."
The conversation paused for a moment. Then Bell turned to Perseus with a question.
"Perseus, if the Guild really does have a force within the Dungeon, who do you think they are?"
The question sent Asfi deep into thought.
Bell's theory, while partly speculative, held weight—enough that some of it might actually be true. So she couldn't help but examine the idea seriously.
But gathering sensitive intel beneath the control of Evilus and a third faction within the Dungeon? That was practically impossible.
Not something adventurers could pull off.
"!?"
Suddenly jolted, Asfi looked up at Bell. She was starting to understand why he asked her that question—because the answer was terrifying.
"You mean... monsters."
The moment those words left her mouth, the entire Great Tree House fell into utter silence.
Everyone's gaze landed squarely on Bell.
And Bell, under their focused attention, didn't disappoint.
"That's right. The final answer is monsters."
"The only beings who can move through the Dungeon and investigate freely without drawing suspicion are monsters."
"Even if Evilus or the third faction notices them, they would never consider common Dungeon monsters to be affiliated with the Guild."
"In fact, as long as those monsters don't interfere with them, they wouldn't even bother to eliminate them."
Monsters—as the Guild's force within the Dungeon.
It was a ridiculous, ironic truth.
At least, that's how it looked to Loki and Hermes. For the oldest of the gods, Ouranos had played this hand with unsettling finesse.
'No wonder the Guild insists it doesn't hold military power. Monsters aren't adventurers, after all. And no wonder so many gods have no idea where Ouranos-sama's "eyes" come from.'
Loki finally understood what was going on.
She even realized why the Guild had such a thorough understanding of the Dungeon.
Even if the Guild had issued mapping missions in the past, a significant portion of its intelligence—including vital data about monster distribution—still came directly from them.
Was all that intel really gathered by adventurers on commission?
Perhaps the Guild's true source of knowledge was its "eyes" within the Dungeon.
Hermes was equally stunned by the answer. To him, this might explain how Ouranos-sama came to possess so many secrets.
"Monsters... I really didn't expect that."
Asfi also found the answer hard to believe. But if that truly was the case, then the Guild's deep understanding of the Dungeon suddenly made sense...
"But how did the Guild manage to train monsters to the point they could gather intel?"
Bell twitched slightly at that question. He was certain Perseus had misunderstood.
"Asfi, the monsters Bell-kun is talking about aren't the kind that chase adventurers on sight. No matter how much you train those things, they don't have the brains for it. Even if they could gather information, they'd never be able to communicate it."
Hermes answered before his own captain could go any further.
"It's not just about communication—it's about their ability to investigate."
Loki pinpointed the real issue.
"No beast tamer, no matter how skilled, could make ordinary monsters obey commands and go scouting through the Dungeon. Which means the monsters in question aren't those mindless things. They're special—ones capable of thought and communication with humans."
"...But if they've evolved to that point, they're not really monsters anymore."
"Kid, that's what you meant, right?"
Bell nodded with a smile.
"Exactly. That's what I meant."
"There are beings in the Dungeon with intelligence on par with humans. They might have the appearance of monsters and even possess magic stones, but they can't be classified as 'monsters' anymore."
"To put it plainly, I think they're more like a subspecies of humans—like the Chienthrope or Werewolf races. It's the same kind of idea."
Loki sighed and covered her face, momentarily speechless.
Hermes picked up where she left off.
"Bell-kun, you really shouldn't let others hear you say things like that."
"In the minds of most people in Orario, a 'monster' is just a 'monster.'"
Bell understood that well. The belief that 'monsters are monsters' was essentially no different from 'those who are not of my kin must be different.' He held similar feelings himself.
So, Bell smiled calmly.
"Of course I know. That's why I won't say any of this to anyone else."
"Still... it doesn't seem like the Guild and the Ganesha Familia think that way."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 257: Chapter 257: The Invisible Terrorist
Chapter Text
"The Guild and the Ganesha Familia share the same view as I do."
"They also believe that monsters possessing rational thought comparable to ordinary humans should be considered part of the demi-human category. Otherwise, how else could the Ganesha Familia have known the Guild's secret so early on?"
Hermes and Loki both fell silent for a moment. Their eyes locked onto Bell, clearly waiting for an explanation.
It seemed neither of them had known.
That in itself was shocking.
"Hermes-sama, Loki-sama, try to imagine—who was assigned to retrieve that jewel?"
"The Ganesha Familia."
"Then it must have been hidden somewhere extremely secretive. Do you think they found it on their own?"
"Unlikely. More likely, they were led there by something within the Dungeon."
"Otherwise, the ones pursuing them would've intercepted the embryo long before they reached the surface."
Bell didn't embellish or speculate. Just by sharing what he knew, the story practically pieced itself together.
"That does make sense."
Asfi rested her chin on her hand and stared at the green jewel on the table. The lifeform inside it was clearly something vital to the third force in the Dungeon. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone so far as to send people to kill Hashana.
"If it was important enough to warrant killing someone, then it must've been hidden in a secure place. That means even retrieving it wouldn't have been easy."
"But Hashana managed to get it and even completed the handoff on the 18th floor before being killed by those who caught up."
"Considering the length and danger of that operation, there's no way he could've pulled it off alone without someone guiding him along the way."
When she finished, her gaze fell on Hermes.
It was as if her eyes were saying, 'Hermes-sama, the Guild and Ganesha Familia are definitely in this together.'
Hermes paused before muttering,
"That musclebound clown really had us dancing in circles for this long..."
Just like Asfi and Bell-kun said—if a Level 4 could be caught and killed that easily, but still manage to find the objective and retrieve it successfully, then it couldn't have been done alone.
Which meant that from the very beginning, Ouranos-sama and that ridiculous Ganesha had been collaborating.
For someone who prided himself on his cunning, realizing it only now felt like the cruelest irony.
Bell gave one more push.
"Loki-sama, do you remember who proposed the Monsterphilia?"
"The Guild."
"And who was in charge of organizing it?"
"...Ganesha!"
Loki's face twitched, and it finally hit her. "Monsterphilia"!?
"Damn it! So the Guild and Ganesha have been in cahoots all along?"
"The Monsterphilia was pushed by the Guild, and Ganesha gave it full backing. That means both sides already knew about the Guild's presence in the Dungeon that this kid just talked about!"
She covered her face.
She was genuinely speechless now.
Back when Dionysus hinted at it, she'd already started suspecting the Guild was behind everything—but to think the secret involved rational monsters living in the Dungeon...
So Ouranos-sama and Ganesha were working together all this time with the aim of classifying those ostracized monsters as demi-humans?
Loki let out a bitter smile. It made her feel sick.
Knowing something like this didn't mean good news. It was obviously one hell of a trap.
Children of Genkai had long been conditioned to see monsters as nothing but targets to slay. If they were suddenly told that some of them had developed reason and were now being reclassified as demi-humans...
...the entire Genkai might just explode.
"This kind of mess is definitely going to spiral out of control."
Hermes sighed in agreement.
"The kids of Genkai will probably treat these 'monsters' as rare prey and keep hunting them. No matter what, it'll eventually lead to a complete fallout between the two sides."
"But now that it's known the Guild and Ganesha are backing them, a lot of the surface Familias might be in for a rough time."
Loki could already picture the carnage even with her eyes closed.
Hestia, seated beside Hephaestus, asked cautiously,
"Isn't there any way to stop things from escalating into an all-out split?"
"Of course there is, Goddess-sama."
Hermes and Loki, who had both been about to say "no," paused in surprise to hear what Bell had to offer.
"Really?"
"It's true—though the method is a bit ruthless."
Bell wasn't bluffing. He genuinely knew of a solution. The only problem was... it was a classic trick—one used far too many times.
"Goddess-sama, humans only unite when faced with a common external enemy. It's only when they're pushed to the brink of survival that they'll be willing to accept 'monsters'—as long as those monsters can offer them a way to live."
"So, if someone were to pose as Evilus, destroy more than half of Orario, and wipe out half of its population, then every adventurer left in Orario would start thinking the same thing:
'Evilus is trying to destroy Orario.'"
"And once that belief spreads, if the 'monsters' show overwhelming strength, rational thought, and a willingness to cooperate, then the people of Orario will choose to accept them."
...What the hell!?
Hermes stared at Bell in horror after hearing the proposal.
'Bell-kun, you're even more brutal than your aunt!'
'Zeus, you old bastard—what did you teach this kid!?'
As crazy as it sounded, Hermes couldn't deny that Bell had a point.
If Orario were nearly destroyed, and the people truly pushed to desperation, then as long as the monsters could communicate, the survivors would absolutely accept them—just to stay alive.
But that was only if Orario was practically leveled.
Loki's face was twitching as she stared at Bell, who had calmly suggested destroying half of Orario.
"Hey—are you the evil god here, or am I?"
"Why does it feel like you're even more twisted than me?"
Bell accepted it with a smile.
"Thank you for the compliment, Loki-sama."
"That wasn't a compliment!"
It was all a bit surreal, but Loki still couldn't stop herself from asking the one thing on her mind.
"Kid, if Hestia asked you to destroy Orario... would you actually do it?"
Bell paused for a moment before giving a response that nearly made Hermes and Loki collapse on the spot.
"If it's just me, I can't take on the Black Dragon alone. So I'd advise Goddess-sama to delay the plan to destroy Orario."
So... you're not denying it!?
Hermes and Loki both turned to look at Hestia in unison.
Looks like from now on, they'd really need to keep a closer eye on this hidden little terrorist.
Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Loki, I Hate Aggressive Methods
Chapter Text
There was even more shocking news.
He had suggested the idea of destroying half of Orario—and didn't object to the thought of wiping it out completely. From that alone, both Hermes and Loki understood Bell's underlying meaning.
'I don't care whether Orario lives or dies.'
Maybe he hadn't said it outright.
But saying it outright wouldn't have made much difference anyway.
"Kid, if Orario gets shaken up that badly, do you think this place will still be peaceful?"
But Bell just laughed.
"I've already dealt with Loki-sama's concern, actually."
"As long as we turn this place into a world outside the world, then the world barrier will become this place's walls. Loki-sama, you know about the world barrier, don't you?"
Loki was left speechless. This kid could even do something like that?
Turn this place into a world outside the world? Was such madness even possible? Just how versatile was that text? Of course she knew what the world barrier was!
Even gods, with all their infinite power, couldn't break through the world barrier. That wasn't something a god was permitted to do. In fact, it wasn't just gods—even anyone within this world couldn't do it. It simply wasn't something the world allowed.
So if this place really did become a space beyond the world, then the Hestia Familia would be standing outside the world itself, completely free from Orario's influence.
"Loki-sama, I prefer to be prepared. Before things spiral out of control, I choose to take every precaution I can."
"The safety of Goddess-sama has always been my top priority."
"That's why I've constantly been thinking about how to turn this place into a true safe haven."
"While I was contemplating that, 'the world' gave me the greatest hint. Because only 'the world' can bind everyone, and only the world cannot be broken by any force. That's where the idea of an outer world beyond the world came from!"
Loki stared at the boy blankly, screaming inside.
'You f*ing thought up something that messed up?!'
All for the safety of that little runt, he was seriously thinking about building their base outside the world? And connecting its barrier to the world's?
How twisted did your brain have to be to come up with that?
Hermes felt his veins throbbing from the pressure just listening to it.
'He's thinking of building the Familia's base outside the world just for Hestia's safety? What kind of normal person thinks like that?'
'Bell's thoughts were already strange before… but now they're getting downright insane!'
'Well, great. Guess we can't afford to provoke Hestia anymore.'
Hermes had originally planned to see how he could push the kid forward—but that plan was officially scrapped.
Not because it was impossible, but because it was too dangerous.
Hermes couldn't even begin to imagine what bizarre steps Bell might take next, all for the sake of safety.
He had even considered establishing the Familia outside the world, so no matter how bizarre things got now, Hermes wouldn't be surprised anymore.
'So, was it Zeus who taught this kid? Or was it Alfia herself?'
'He inherited his father's knack for running and hiding, but his terrifying talent and genius came from his mother. And that obsessive streak? That's definitely from his aunt.'
'I didn't expect that old bastard Zeus would end up raising the most terrifying one of them all.'
At this moment, Hermes was completely convinced—Bell had inherited the best qualities from his parents, along with the worst quirks from his aunt.
'Maybe Bell-kun will become the second "Incarnation of Talent".'
That would be a great thing for the era.
But whether that was good for Orario… was another story entirely.
If everything went smoothly, then things would definitely move in a positive direction.
But if even the slightest problem occurred, Orario might be heading straight for ruin.
Right now, Loki didn't even want to think about whether the kid could actually pull it off.
Because she knew—if he said it, he could absolutely do it.
The real issue was that he possessed a special Authority. With that power, he could simulate the forces of all creation. Even relocating their base to a place completely untouched by the outside world was within reach.
'But would the first thing a normal person thinks of really be "outside the world"?'
It was probably best to drop this topic for now. Asking more might only lead to more explosive revelations.
The problem was, Loki felt like her heart was on the verge of giving out.
"You'd better stop talking. If you keep spilling secrets like this, I swear, you're going to strip Orario bare."
First it was a third party in the Dungeon. Then the Guild's covert influence in the Dungeon. And now a plan that could practically destroy half of Orario.
Loki was sure—even if that plan could somehow convince Orario's people to accept the "monsters" of the Dungeon, the cost would be something Ouranos could never accept.
"And Ouranos would never approve of such a plan."
"He'd always go with the safer, more stable option—not anything so extreme."
Bell understood this better than anyone.
Would a god with infinite lifespan really choose a riskier path?
Maybe it was a tradition from the older generation.
Maybe they'd seen too much, and simply lost the will to keep charging forward.
Still, Bell didn't deny that the stable route was likely the better one. Truthfully, he didn't like extreme tactics either.
If given the choice, he would never provoke ordinary people.
After all, the reason they're called "ordinary" is because only after enduring the bloodiest trials can they become anything else.
But that was a painfully long process—and an incredibly inefficient one.
"Please rest assured, Loki-sama."
"To be honest, I actually hate radical approaches the most."
"Granting trials is a god's choice. As for me, just an ordinary adventurer, all I want is to keep moving forward for the reason I became one in the first place."
'Why is it that I can't bring myself to believe you when you say that?'
Loki could see how serious Bell was being… and it only confirmed one thing in her mind.
Her gaze drifted toward Hestia.
'The real problem with this kid—it all comes down to Hestia.'
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 259: Chapter 259: The Secret of the Jewel Fetus
Chapter Text
"Let's put everything else aside for now and talk about this thing first."
Loki pointed to the green sphere on the table.
Through the translucent green membrane, the fetus-like creature inside was clearly abnormal.
Anything that could cause both the Guild and the Dungeon's third-party forces to fight over it was certainly no ordinary object.
"You discovered the existence of the Dungeon's third-party forces through studying this thing. So you must have a clear understanding of what it is, right?"
"Yes."
Bell admitted his understanding of it.
"This is a fetus that has already absorbed a sufficient amount of power. Its purpose is to parasitize, assimilate, and devour. Once it breaks out of its membrane, it must attach to a living being to grow rapidly and return to its original form."
Loki didn't need to hear more—those words alone told her how dangerous this thing was.
What worried her even more was that it could grow rapidly and revert to its original form. That alone made it clear this was no simple matter.
"What was this thing originally? No—what kind of being was it?"
Bell wasn't surprised Loki had so quickly grasped its nature.
"Based on my investigation and analysis, once this fetus absorbs more energy, it can parasitize any living organism and rapidly restore its original form."
"And judging from the data on its origin and degradation, the being that produced this fetus likely had the power of a Lv.8."
Orario's current top-tier combat strength capped at Lv.7—yet the entity that spawned this fetus had already surpassed that. Lv.8 was well beyond the norm.
Loki's face grew noticeably grim.
"Then what level can this fetus recover to?"
With a snap of his fingers, Bell projected a series of data above the fetus, along with a basic assessment of its energy and level.
"Judging from the deterioration, this fetus, in its most complete form, should reach Lv.7."
"Additionally, during my study of its internal structure, I discovered signs of potential ink-like propagation."
Hermes's face darkened as well. A mass-produced Lv.7-level fetus? The intentions behind that were all too obvious.
Loki kicked the table hard.
"Those bastards just won't quit."
She had already discussed this topic when she last met with that flirt.
Back in the days when Zeus and Hera were in charge, Evilus didn't even dare show their faces. But now, under new leadership, they were acting bolder than ever.
'Looks like agreeing to this kid's plan was the right call after all.'
Right now, Loki urgently needed to boost her Familia's strength.
Lv.6 wasn't enough to intimidate these pests. Even Lv.7 was likely to be barely sufficient.
But she definitely needed at least three Lv.7s in her Familia.
Otherwise, those rats would just keep crawling out from the shadows every other day.
Bell, on the other hand, took a more relaxed view and tried to reassure Loki-sama.
"Please don't worry too much, Loki-sama. Even though these fetuses are mass-produced, that very fact limits them. Most of them don't have the potential to evolve into Lv.7s."
That conclusion eased some of Loki's irritation.
"Why is that? Has the fetus deteriorated?"
"No."
Bell shook his head slightly in denial.
"The fetus is stable. As long as it absorbs enough energy, it can complete its transformation to Lv.7."
"So it's a matter of insufficient energy."
Hermes immediately grasped the key point.
"Yes, the fetus has the potential to ascend to Lv.7. Once it absorbs enough energy while parasitizing a living being, it can quickly complete its transformation. The main limiting factor is energy."
Bell nodded to confirm, making it clear that energy was the crucial factor in the fetus's growth.
"As for the other reason, it's actually tied to degradation."
"The fact that these fetuses have become externally visible imposes a major limitation on their development. While they can more easily evolve to Lv.5 after consuming a certain amount of energy, the amount needed to reach Lv.7 is even greater than what Lv.7 would normally require."
"Of course, I'm not denying the validity of the decision to go the mass-production route."
"Compared to consistently producing fetuses that can stably ascend to Lv.7, focusing on mass production is more efficient. After all, even Lv.5 individuals are scarce in Orario right now. A large number of fetuses capable of reaching Lv.5 could still inflict a devastating blow."
"Lv.5 requires less energy and is easier to produce."
That statement instantly made Loki's eyes flush red.
Wasn't that just a direct jab?
It had to be—definitely a jab at her!
She took several deep breaths before finally calming down a little.
"Secondly, aside from the energy the fetus itself requires, the original body—the producer—also needs a tremendous amount of energy to generate them."
"And from that point, I developed a whole new theory about those New Variants."
"Loki-sama, what if those New Variants your Familia encountered on the fiftieth floor were actually created to help gather energy for the fetus's original body?"
That question immediately made Bete, standing behind Loki, open his eyes.
Having personally fought on the fiftieth floor, he understood this phenomenon better than most.
"To gather energy for the original body..."
Bete remembered those acid-spitting insects. When they encountered them, the creatures were already attacking monsters on the fifty-first floor, as if indiscriminately slaughtering everything alive.
That kind of behavior... definitely looked like energy collection.
"Those creatures had Magic Stones that were different from normal monsters. So, you're saying they weren't born from the Dungeon, but from the fetus's original body?"
Bell didn't deny it, but he offered a clarification.
"I can't say for certain whether they were born that way. But isn't it strange that the Dungeon suddenly produced completely new kinds of monsters?"
"The Violas' defenses are so strong that even a Lv.5 can't easily pierce through them—especially their roots. Unless you're using a First-Class weapon, you can barely do any real damage."
"And those monsters also have an intense reaction to magic. If they weren't designed to gather energy, then I can't imagine what other purpose would lead to that kind of evolutionary path."
Bete couldn't help thinking back to how those monsters responded aggressively to magic and Magic Stones—how just throwing a Magic Stone could get them to temporarily ignore their targets.
If they weren't configured to prioritize energy, then under normal conditions, Dungeon monsters should target adventurers first. But these new ones were completely different.
Bell clapped his hands, pulling everyone's focus back to him.
"Now, regarding my research and investigation into the fetus—thanks to my experiments, I've been able to confirm its identity."
"But the answer honestly gave me a bit of a shock."
"A Spirit."
"That's what the fetus originally was."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Making the Neutrals Choose a Side
Chapter Text
Spirit!
The moment that name came out, the expressions of all four gods changed completely.
The enemy's true form was actually a Spirit—beings known as "the closest to the gods," often called "the children most beloved by the gods," or even "avatars of the gods."
Even if the effects of the Falna had diminished their power, Spirits were still among the most powerful races in the world.
And now, that race stood on the opposite side of gods and humans.
What was once humanity's greatest ally had become its greatest threat. This was no trivial matter.
Bell continued speaking as if he hadn't noticed their stunned reactions.
"Through my research, I've identified its race."
"Wait!"
Loki interrupted immediately.
"We all know about Spirits. You don't need to explain that. The real question is—why?"
"Spirits were supposed to be humanity's allies. So why are they now standing against us?"
Bell calmly met the agitated gaze of Loki-sama.
"Reversal. That's the term I've given to this phenomenon."
"From what I can tell, after being devoured by monsters in the Dungeon, the Spirits retained their consciousness and awareness. Even though their physical forms were consumed, their minds still lingered."
"But that awareness is extremely fragile. It's easily distorted by the monsters that devoured them, causing the Spirits' very souls and essence to undergo a complete reversal from what they originally were."
"You could also call it 'corruption'."
The word "corruption" hit Loki hard.
'So that's it. No wonder Ais...'
At that moment, she finally understood why Ais had changed so much—why she'd seemed so dazed after her treatment and return to the Dungeon. The root cause had finally come to light.
"Bell-kun, are you absolutely sure you're not mistaken?"
Hestia looked at him, clearly worried.
But Bell gently shook his head. It wasn't just that he had done extensive research and analysis—he also had direct insight into the fetus itself.
"There's almost no chance I'm wrong."
"The answer—'Spirit'—was given to me directly by the fetus after I enslaved it. And I don't believe it has the ability to resist my control."
'Enslaved... You actually enslaved a Spirit...'
Hermes had lost track of how many times his face had twitched today. But this—this had to be the most intense day he'd ever lived through.
Most adventurers wouldn't understand—but how could he not?
Spirits were the race closest to nature and divinity itself. Calling them "avatars of the gods" wasn't an exaggeration.
They were more adept than even elves at wielding magic, with a natural affinity for it that was simply unmatched.
And precisely because of that affinity, they possessed overwhelming resistance to magic, curses, and even certain binding contracts. To enslave a Spirit through normal means was all but impossible.
But...
Hermes turned to glance at Loki and Hephaestus.
It was understandable if Hestia hadn't pieced it together, but Loki and Hephaestus? There was no way they didn't know this. And yet—neither of them showed a hint of doubt. They accepted Bell's explanation instantly, without hesitation.
Hermes lowered his hat, casting a shadow over his eyes, then gave Asfi a subtle glance.
Not missing the signal, Asfi adjusted her glasses and raised her hand to speak on behalf of her god.
"Hold on. Spirits have incredibly high magic resistance. If you're claiming to have enslaved one, there's a strong chance it's just pretending to be controlled."
Even though this concern was raised under her god's instruction, Asfi herself genuinely doubted it.
Spirits, being so close to divinity, shouldn't be subdued so easily.
She felt it was necessary to warn Bell—after all, they couldn't rule out the possibility that the so-called answer was something the Spirit had deliberately leaked.
Bell cast a glance at Hermes, who was feigning ignorance, then shook his head slightly and firmly rejected the idea.
"There's no need for concern, Perseus."
"Goddess-sama, Hephaestus-sama, and Loki-sama are all well aware of a Spirit's nature. Yet have you seen any of them raise objections?"
Asfi instinctively looked toward the three goddesses—and sure enough, all three wore expressions of calm acceptance, showing no sign of disagreement or doubt over the Spirit's enslavement.
"After all, gods aren't fools. There's no way they wouldn't know."
"But, Hermes-sama, if you truly want to understand, then please—step forward."
The moment Bell said that, all three goddesses, including Loki, turned their attention toward Hermes with amusement.
They all knew that Hermes had always taken a neutral stance—never aligning too closely with any side. But now, would he take that step?
Of course it was a trap.
Hermes recognized it immediately—a deliberate setup to force him to pick a side.
Judging by the looks on Loki and Hephaestus's faces, they were waiting to see where he stood.
In situations like this, Hermes's instinct was always to remain a spectator—stay in the center, uncommitted.
But this time, the atmosphere didn't leave him that option.
It was clear: he couldn't avoid this decision. And if he tried to walk away now, Loki definitely wouldn't let him.
Besides, they were deep inside Hestia's territory. Even if he recovered his divine powers, escaping might not be possible.
The world barrier wasn't something to take lightly.
Even if it hadn't fully fused with this place to form a "world outside the world," the integration had clearly begun.
The moment he stepped in here, he'd already lost his freedom to choose.
Still, what really tipped the scales was his desire to witness Orario's future—whether it would end in destruction or rise again in rebirth. That kind of future... thrilled him.
"You never really gave me a choice to begin with, did you?"
This tactic was deeply frustrating for someone like Hermes, who valued neutrality.
But the thought of watching an even grander tale unfold—of seeing legends born—was too enticing to resist.
"Very well. I surrender. From now on, I'll stand with Hestia."
"In that case, will you now tell me the reason they were all so certain?"
Bell snapped his fingers, and eighteen Runes materialized at once.
"This is...!?"
Hermes's face changed—initial shock giving way to growing excitement as his eyes flicked toward the three goddesses.
"So that's it. Now I understand. No wonder you were all so sure."
At last, Hermes grasped why Loki and the others hadn't questioned Bell-kun's claims. If they'd already known this truth, why would they object?
Chapter 261: Chapter 261: The Only Thing Stopping the Spirit from Destroying Orario Is Energy
Chapter Text
"So, the third force in the Dungeon comes from the Corrupted Spirits."
Bell retrieved the woman's severed arm from four-dimensional space.
"This is the severed arm of the woman who beat the 'Sword Princess' to a pulp. I only managed to cut it off with a sneak attack and a few trump cards."
Just thinking about how his Lightning and Accumulate Power techniques had been fully exposed made Bell realize how difficult it was to challenge someone across levels. If he hadn't possessed Godspeed, Runes, and Accumulate Power, there was no way he could have severed her arm with a single strike. And with just that one blow, most of his cards were laid bare.
Even after nearly slicing through half her neck, she was still alive and well—proof of her terrifying vitality.
Despite the cost, Bell had extracted a wealth of information from the severed arm.
"From my investigation, there's no doubt—she's not human. Not even demi-human. She's a full-fledged humanoid monster."
Bell displayed the severed cross-section of the arm, using Runes to magnify the image down to the cellular level.
"Take a look at this."
Everyone focused on the enlarged area and saw strip-shaped structures squirming within the flesh.
"These are the cells from her arm. But they're completely different from those of ordinary people."
"Her cells show extraordinary regenerative capabilities, high infectivity, and even devouring properties similar to those of a Spirit fetus."
"And then there's this."
Bell zoomed in on a clearly visible crystal embedded within the arm's cross-section at the cellular level.
"A colorful Magic Stone?"
At the sight of the vibrant crystal, Loki instinctively thought of the Magic Stones extracted from monsters. And indeed, the tiny crystals embedded in the arm bore a striking resemblance.
"Yes. Based on my findings, these tiny crystals possess the same properties as Magic Stones."
"They can be found in several spots throughout the arm, mostly around the joints. It's this discovery that confirms she isn't human—she's a completely different type of humanoid monster."
This investigation had taken Bell a considerable amount of time—hence the three days spent lingering in the Dungeon.
Thanks to his understanding of the side story, Bell gained a much clearer picture of the severed arm. But even with that context, the information he uncovered during the analysis was deeply shocking.
"Maybe the woman trying to reclaim the Spirit fetus was actually a surrogate created by the Spirits. Or maybe... she herself is the prototype of the mass-produced form the Spirits most desire."
That conclusion alone had shaken Bell.
After all, if monsters above Lv. 5—just a step away from Lv. 6—were produced in bulk, even Orario wouldn't be able to withstand the threat.
But in the end, his research revealed the same flaw found in the fetuses—perhaps an even more dangerous one than the Spirit fetuses themselves...
"Still, the energy issue imposes a major limitation."
"The energy needed to mass-produce a woman like that is even greater than what it takes to create a Spirit fetus. I think that's why the Spirits ultimately abandoned the idea of mass production."
What prevented Orario from heading toward destruction wasn't manpower—it was the sheer energy required to sustain these beings.
If energy hadn't been a constraint, and if the Spirits had the ability to mass-produce fetuses, Orario would've already been completely wiped out.
But if energy limitations capped the number they could produce, then one or two alone wouldn't be enough to bring about Orario's destruction.
Of course, Bell believed that if Orario didn't have even a single Lv.7, the Spirits might have already begun mass-producing Lv.5s to mount a counterattack against the city.
"Maybe if Orario lacked a Lv.7, the Spirit pulling the strings would've given up on evolving the fetus to Lv.7 and focused entirely on mass-producing Lv.5s instead."
"That's why Orario still needs the deterrent power of a Lv.7."
Loki raised an eyebrow but didn't refute the point.
Without Freya Familia's Ottar holding the line as Orario's Lv.7 cornerstone, the Spirits might very well have chosen to flood the city with Lv.5s.
At the same time, she grew more convinced of that prior plan for a Lv.6 evolution...
Maybe the plan carried enormous risk—but now Loki realized that without a Lv.7 at the helm, Orario would be too vulnerable when faced with a crisis of this magnitude.
"That wraps up the explanation about the third-party faction."
"This is everything I managed to uncover over the past few days."
That was all the intelligence Bell could provide on the third-party threat. He had shared just about everything he could investigate—there wasn't really anything left to hide. Not that he felt the need to, anyway.
In fact, the whole reason he was so forthcoming was to leak the intel to the Guild through someone else's mouth.
Next was the issue of Hermes's stance.
Neutrality was the most troublesome position to take, so since this opportunity came up, he figured he might as well drag Hermes into it too.
Bell didn't exactly dislike the fun-lovers. But honestly, those types didn't act like people at all.
So he never held back when it came to extreme views and plans.
What he said had nothing in common with a "hero"—it sounded more like something worse than a Demon King.
Hopefully, the fun-lovers wouldn't take things too far, or even a flying kick from Goddess-sama might not be enough to fix the mess.
"As for the Guild's influence in the Dungeon, we'll need to hear directly from whoever's really calling the shots. That's why the Spirit fetus and the severed arm will serve as our way in."
"I've already sealed both items properly, so there shouldn't be any major issues. And I've completely shattered the Spirit fetus's will—it won't react no matter how hard you provoke it."
"Since the one handling the delivery is that Chienthrope girl, we'll have to leave the rest to Hermes."
Now that the trouble had landed on him, Hermes didn't have much room to argue. Bell-kun wasn't wrong.
Since it was his child taking on the transport job, it ultimately fell to him to get the Spirit fetus to the Guild.
"Alright, I'll head over to the Guild later and hand everything over."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 262: Chapter 262: The Goddess's Lap Pillow
Chapter Text
"Well, we'll be going now."
With business wrapped up, Hermes didn't linger—he had a delivery to make.
He also needed to report Bell's findings to Ouranos as soon as possible.
Even Loki didn't stick around. After everything that had come to light today, she needed a quiet place to sort it all out. Otherwise, the chaos would just keep piling up.
Once both gods had left, Bell finally let himself relax.
"Phew... I finally made it through."
Dealing with gods was certainly stressful, but what truly exhausted him was the endless investigation and research he'd been doing these past few days.
The conclusions he presented had come from his own deductions, but his understanding of the whole picture wasn't that deep—it only provided a general direction. Getting to this level of clarity had drained him immensely.
He'd barely gotten any rest during his time in the Dungeon.
The adrenaline had kept him going earlier, but now that the tension was gone, the mental fatigue hit him all at once.
His eyelids felt impossibly heavy.
Still slumped on the sofa, he nearly drifted off.
But his head slipped from the backrest and landed on something much softer.
That familiar scent mixed with traces of charcoal—he didn't need to open his eyes to know who it was.
"It's rare for you to stir up such a commotion."
"I didn't want to cause all this trouble, but the 'Sword Princess' is a key asset of the Loki Familia. For the sake of what's coming, I couldn't let her die."
Bell wasn't overflowing with righteousness. He hadn't gone out of his way to get involved with the Sword Princess, nor did he want any connection with her. But her power was essential to his plans.
Given the situation, he had no choice but to take a serious risk.
"The Sword Princess is crucial to your plans, so you chose to save her even though it was dangerous... If Hestia hears about this, she's definitely going to get jealous."
Bell let out an awkward chuckle. Yeah, if he said it like that, Goddess-sama would absolutely get jealous.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked into Hephaestus-sama's.
"Then... won't Hephaestus-sama be jealous too?"
At his question, a faint smile curled the corner of Hephaestus's lips—but a trace of jealousy also appeared on her face.
"If the child I like is getting close to another girl, what god wouldn't be jealous? If it weren't for the fact that you saved that child, Loki would probably be drowning in envy."
"Uh... Loki-sama really likes the 'Sword Princess', huh?"
"Well, Loki's always had a thing for kids who are cute and interesting. And the 'Sword Princess' just happens to be both. It's only natural she'd get Loki's attention. Besides, Loki's had her eye on that kid for a long time."
It wasn't exactly a secret among the gods that Loki favored her ace. But it wasn't unusual either—gods liking cute and capable children was par for the course.
If not for Loki's dominance, plenty of gods would've made a move already.
Well, whatever.
Bell had a clear understanding of Loki's yuri tendencies, but it didn't surprise him.
If Apollo could swing both ways, why couldn't Loki be into girls?
Come to think of it, it didn't seem strange at all.
"You're like that now too."
Bell was caught off guard by Hephaestus-sama's sudden words.
A moment later, a hand gently covered his eyes.
"You're always so quick to talk about others, but when it comes to yourself, you forget everything."
"You're loved by two goddesses and constantly watched by one with an overwhelming possessiveness. Right now, you're even rarer than the 'Sword Princess.'"
"I don't think being targeted by such a possessive goddess is anything to be happy about," Bell replied with a wry smile.
It was already enough to be loved by Goddess-sama and Hephaestus-sama. Adding Freya into the mix was just a troublesome complication.
"It's the pressure from that possessive goddess that wears me out sometimes. I really don't want her setting her sights on me."
He might still be a fledgling, but he wasn't clueless—he knew exactly who the eagle was. There was no way he'd throw himself into its beak.
Right now, his only goal was to rise to Lv.10 and, as a demigod, face the love of Goddess-sama and Hephaestus-sama head-on.
Anything beyond that wasn't even on his radar.
A wave of drowsiness suddenly swept over him, and Bell couldn't help but let out a yawn.
"Get some proper sleep."
"We'll deal with everything else after you wake up."
His vision was still covered by a warm hand, and his head rested against Hephaestus-sama's soft thigh. Surrounded by that familiar scent and warmth, an overwhelming sense of peace washed over him. His eyes closed naturally, and sleep quickly overtook him.
Physically and mentally exhausted, Bell soon drifted off into a deep slumber.
Hephaestus had been watching him closely and could tell he was truly asleep.
'You actually managed to drag Hermes into our camp—made that old neutral finally pick a side.'
Knowing Bell's hidden identity, Hephaestus never thought Hermes was playing tricks. That old neutral simply wanted to see how far Bell could go, and that curiosity was what pushed him to finally choose a side.
But judging from the shock on Hermes's face, it was clear he had no idea Bell had awakened an Authority.
If he had, there's no way he would've agreed so easily.
'And that investigation… I can't believe you uncovered so much while still clearing the Middle Floors, even guessing the Guild's "private force."'
'To have accomplished all that in such a short time...'
In a city full of gods and powerful Familia, none of them knew these secrets—yet a boy who had just cleared the Middle Floors had managed to uncover it all on his own.
It was nothing short of incredible.
Then there was the severed arm of the Spirit Guardian.
Hephaestus had witnessed the entire encounter and fully understood how perilous it was.
To not only survive in such chaos but intercept everything the enemy intended to take—if Bell hadn't been holding back powerful trump cards, he never would've managed it.
'You really push yourself too hard...'
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Damn! Was the Sleep-Dazed Act Just a Bluff!?
Chapter Text
When he woke again, it was already morning.
His head was resting on something soft, and something equally soft was pressing down on his body, making Bell tense up instantly.
Opening his eyes for a quick glance, he let out a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, it wasn't anything too inappropriate.
He was just resting his head on Hephaestus-sama's thigh, with her sleeping on top of him.
Bell carefully sat up, gently supporting Hephaestus-sama. As he exhaled, he turned and placed a hand on her thigh.
Of course, he wasn't doing it to cop a feel. With the kind of relationship he had with Hephaestus-sama, there was no need to sneak around. He figured that even if he did it openly, Hephaestus-sama would probably just roll her eyes at him.
Still, he had no idea how long he'd been asleep here. Her leg was likely numb from being pinned down for so long—it was only right to treat it with Runes.
Once that was done, Bell finally shifted his focus back to the base.
'The spatial fusion went smoothly.'
'We'll start reinforcing the weaker areas in the back first.'
Turning this place into a 'world apart' wasn't some spur-of-the-moment idea. Bell had been planning it ever since he bought the land.
Especially after two break-ins, he'd become even more certain that the base needed special treatment. Even if Orario fell, the Hestia Familia had to hold strong.
So, making this base a lawless zone was the ideal solution.
And that's exactly what Bell did.
He wrapped the area in a barrier, then gradually infused the concept of the world's boundary into it—drawing in the fusion of the world barriers.
The fusion was progressing well. In less than three months, this place would conceptually vanish from the world and become its own 'world apart.'
'No problems—everything's proceeding just as planned.'
The tension in his heart slowly began to ease.
At the very least, Bell was sure he was moving forward. He might still be far from his ideal path, but he was definitely on it.
With each issue behind him resolved, it was time to think about the next step forward.
His final goal was to reach Lv.10, and there was no way he could still be Lv.8 when it came time to face the Black Dragon—that would be a waste of all the experience he'd gain from the battle.
So, he needed to find a path that would take him to Lv.9.
He already had his route to Lv.10 figured out. His goal was clear: to defeat the Black Dragon.
But the road to Lv.9 was narrow—there was almost only one path ahead, like walking a tightrope.
'It's no wonder adventurers in ancient times relied solely on their own strength to get through danger. Back then, that was the only option they had.'
Now, Orario's strongest 'mighty warriors' stood tall like iron towers, casting shadows over every adventurer's path. To many, they were figures of admiration, but for those with dreams of the future, their presence only served to set a limit.
That was the tragedy of this era.
Even the strongest in Orario lacked the strength to take that next step.
As Orario's top adventurer, his Lv.7 Status had probably already hit its peak, but he still couldn't break through to Lv.8.
It wasn't because of any other reason—he simply didn't have the 'Excelia' to level up.
A lack of sufficient 'Excelia' was likely the greatest bottleneck for Orario's strength.
That's why he felt like the path ahead was no wider than a tightrope.
His thoughts came to a stop—Goddess-sama sleeping on top of him had woken up.
Her eyes were still half-closed, and her cute face had faint marks from resting against his clothes. But that did nothing to hide how adorable Goddess-sama looked right now—it made one want to hug her, to cherish her.
"Baah~"
Stretching her arms wide, Hestia tensed her whole body before completely relaxing. The sense of full-body release left her feeling incredibly at ease.
Though the fabric against her cheek felt a little uncomfortable, the familiar scent calmed her down.
The first thing her hazy eyes saw was Bell's face.
Like a newborn chick spotting its mother for the first time, she reacted instinctively.
"It's Bell-kun."
Still half-asleep, Hestia subconsciously did what she wanted most—she wrapped her arms around Bell-kun's neck and nuzzled her nose into it.
Who could possibly resist that!?
A ripple stirred in Bell's heart, and his hands moved instinctively to hold the still-sleeping Goddess-sama.
"Mmm~"
The sound made Bell freeze. It came from his right, and there was no mistaking who it belonged to.
"Ara~ Bell, are you finally done being a herbivore starting today?"
The voice was laced with teasing, along with a barely perceptible hint of jealousy.
"What are you talking about, Hephaestus-sama?"
Bell's face twitched slightly, and the emotions that had just begun to stir were instantly doused.
Seeing Bell break out in a cold sweat, Hephaestus leaned in with a dazzling smile—and pinched Hestia's cheek hard.
"Ah!"
Hestia shot awake the moment she was pinched. Bell was startled to find her eyes wide open and crystal clear—not a trace of sleepiness to be seen.
...You've got to be kidding!
Bell realized instantly he'd been played.
Hephaestus took delight in Bell's shocked expression and twisted Hestia's cheek a little more.
"Ow ow ow! Hephaestus, that's too rough!"
"And who told you to trick an innocent kid like that?"
Breaking free from Hephaestus' fingers, Hestia immediately launched into a protest over the face-pinching.
But all she got in return was Hephaestus' cold smirk—and the cold, hard truth.
At that moment, Bell was completely bewildered.
He stared blankly at Goddess-sama, who didn't look the least bit drowsy, unable to process what was happening.
"I clearly heard her heartbeat was steady… and her breathing was even… how could she have been awake?"
Hearing his muttering, Hestia flushed with embarrassment. She couldn't bring herself to tell Bell-kun that pretending to be asleep was something she was particularly good at.
In truth, Hestia always woke up early.
Every time, before Bell-kun got up, she would deliberately lie down on top of him—he'd just never noticed until now.
Chapter 264: Chapter 264: The Most Prestigious Status and Background
Chapter Text
While the Hestia Familia was busy putting on a romantic comedy in the morning, things at the Guild were far from peaceful.
At dawn, Loki, Ganesha, and Hermes were summoned to the Guild to meet with Ouranos-sama.
The one who made this decision was Ouranos himself.
It wasn't that he wanted Loki and Hermes to get directly involved in their covert operations, but the information Hermes delivered yesterday was too shocking—it practically exposed their plans, operations, and even hidden arrangements. Even Ouranos had been caught completely off guard.
That led him to a conclusion: it was no longer possible to hide the truth from the gods who were already in the know. And so, today's meeting was arranged.
Because it was such a sudden meeting, Ganesha had no idea what had happened the day before.
"Loki, Hermes, what are you two doing here?"
Ganesha thought this was just going to be another standard briefing from Ouranos about the next phase of their plans. He didn't expect to run into Loki and Hermes as well.
He looked around—this was the altar where Ouranos offered his prayers.
"What do you think?"
The two of them couldn't help but feel irritated just looking at this blockhead.
They could accept being fooled by others—but being played for so long by this simpleton? Could they really chalk it up to "fools have their own kind of luck"?
"???"
Ganesha gave them a confused look. He felt like Loki and Hermes were acting a bit off today—too sharp.
"Everyone, calm down."
Just as Ganesha stood there in a daze, a figure who had been lurking in the shadows stepped forward.
He was cloaked in black from head to toe, a hood over his head and a mask covering his face, hiding almost every visible part of him. Only his skeletal arms were exposed—but no one could even be sure if those bones were real.
"I've called the three of you here today because, regarding the matters Hermes mentioned yesterday, we need to clarify a few things."
"The findings in the Dungeon, the incident at Monsterphilia, the trouble Loki Familia's children encountered on the 18th floor, and the murder of Ganesha Familia's children."
"And, of course, the investigation report on Bell Cranel—and his identity."
Hermes furrowed his brow.
"Fels, do we really need to disclose Bell-kun's identity?"
If possible, he would've preferred to keep Bell-kun's identity a secret. Some things were better left buried.
"His identity is indeed unusual. But now that he's uncovered intelligence on a third force within the Dungeon, as well as the Guild's influence down there, he's already caught Loki-sama's attention."
"With Loki-sama and Hestia-sama now working together, that child is in a far safer position. So revealing his identity to Loki-sama will only help ensure he receives the support he needs."
So that's how it is.
Hermes gave Loki a sidelong glance. Aside from Freya, she was indeed the safest ally Bell-kun could have right now.
"Pfft!"
Loki snorted unhappily. She knew it—her gut feeling had been right. That little twerp really lucked out.
She turned toward Hermes, the ever-running errand boy.
"You damn errand boy, and you were hiding something this important?"
Faced with Loki's pointed glare, Hermes' face twitched. He instinctively took a few steps back.
"After all, a secret is a secret. If it could be casually revealed, it wouldn't be a secret anymore."
"Forget the rest for now. Just tell me who that kid really is."
Loki was starting to feel that the kid's identity was a key piece of the puzzle. It was better to get a handle on that hidden background first. Her eyes were locked on Hermes with a clear 'Spill it' look.
Ganesha, not fully up to speed, stood quietly to the side, listening.
"Actually... that kid's background is a bit special. His parents were members of two Familias that were exiled from Orario."
"Exiled from Orario... there've been quite a few of those. Which ones are you talking about?"
Loki had no idea how many Familias had been driven out of Orario over the years.
"The two strongest."
"The strongest... Zeus Familia and Hera Familia!?"
Hermes' casual response left Loki momentarily stunned. But once she processed what "strongest" meant, her eyes flew wide open.
"That kid's parents were from the Zeus and Hera Familias!?"
Back then, both Zeus and Hera's Familias were at the height of their power in Orario. Their ranks were packed with exceptional members—Lv.9s, Lv.8s, and no shortage of Lv.7s with incredible combat strength. They were on a whole different level compared to present-day Orario.
"Which two? The Empress? No... no, not her. No man would fall for her, and she wouldn't fall for anyone either."
"You don't need to guess. Bell-kun's mother was a Lv.6 from the Hera Familia. But she wasn't exactly known for her combat skills—her name in Orario back then was completely overshadowed by her sister. Most people probably wouldn't even remember her now."
"And his father was a supporter in the Zeus Familia, also a Lv.6. Like his mother, not good at fighting."
Damn, this background was anything but ordinary.
A child of both Zeus and Hera Familias, bearing the bloodline of the two most powerful Familias. It was no exaggeration to say that the kid was the legacy of both houses.
Loki couldn't help but think about the authorities Bell still wielded—and felt an overwhelming pang of jealousy. That shorty really had hit the jackpot.
An identity wrapped in mystery, both parents were Lv.6, and in just over a month since arriving in Orario, the kid had already reached Lv.2. That kind of growth speed was downright freakish.
"Two non-combatant parents gave birth to such a battle prodigy... Where the hell did that kid inherit his talent from?"
"I'd say... it probably came from his mother's side."
Loki's complaint came out drenched in envy, but Hermes picked up on it and continued.
"Bell-kun's mother may not have been a fighter, but her older sister was a monster on the battlefield."
"Loki, you should remember her—the one they called the 'Incarnation of Talent.'"
"!?"
Loki's eyes went wide again.
Orario had seen many gifted adventurers over the years, but only one person was ever called the "Incarnation of Talent." That woman, nicknamed "Silence," once annihilated Leviathan—one of the Three Great Quests—in an instant at Lv.7.
Even Ottar, today's strongest, would be considered her junior in comparison.
And now Hermes was telling her that woman was Bell's aunt?
That background was... way too overpowered.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 265: Chapter 265: Shifting Blame for the Xenos Problem
Chapter Text
"Do children raised by Zeus really possess such potential?"
Ganesha still believed what Hermes had said. Although that old neutral god was often unreliable, he used "Silence" as a comparison and pointed out their familial connection. In that light, inheriting the "Incarnation of Talent" from his aunt didn't seem far-fetched at all.
"Ouranos, was that request also completed by the child raised by Zeus?"
"That's right."
Hearing the answer, Ganesha felt a bit more at ease.
He had already heard the news three days ago—that his child had been killed while carrying out a mission. Because of that, he had issued a request through the Guild, targeting the woman responsible for his child's death.
Now that he knew the fetus had been safely brought out of the Dungeon and delivered to Orario, Ganesha felt somewhat comforted.
At the very least, he could be certain that his child's death had not been in vain.
"The matter concerning Bell Cranel ends here. For now, there's no need to make any public announcements."
With those words, Ouranos finalized the matter.
Zeus's child had enough potential, and now that he had chosen to quietly work on bettering himself, Ouranos would grant him the time and opportunity to do so.
"Next is the matter of the Corrupted Spirit's fetus and its guardian—this is the third-party force within the Dungeon. The Xenos have confirmed that this group has come into contact with the Evilus. They share the same goal and need to cooperate, so we can assume a collaboration has already been established."
"According to Bell Cranel's investigation and analysis, the Corrupted Spirit's fetus doesn't have enough energy to evolve into Lv. 7. Even so, future expeditions into the deeper levels will face increasing difficulty."
The alliance between the Evilus and the Corrupted Spirit was bound to be a troubling one in the Dungeon.
The Corrupted Spirit could command large numbers of threatening New Variants, and these creatures constantly scoured the Dungeon for energy to feed the fetus. If the fetus absorbed enough energy to reach Lv. 7, it would deal a massive blow to the Loki Familia's deep-level expedition.
"While this is a crisis, it's also an opportunity."
Loki picked up the thread of the conversation.
"We can't halt our exploration of the unknown parts of the Dungeon just because it's dangerous."
"If we let fear stop us from exploring the unknown, then once they've gathered enough power, Orario will be finished."
"For now, the Corrupted Spirit's fetus can't directly assault Orario due to the deterrence of the 'King'. That makes this the perfect trial for my children."
Ouranos fell silent. He understood that Loki was right. If they didn't act now and allowed the Corrupted Spirit's fetus to gain the upper hand, there would be no future for Orario.
At this moment, the unexplored regions of the Dungeon represented both danger and opportunity for Orario's Familias.
The three Level 6 adventurers of the Loki Familia had been stuck at that level for years. If this crisis gave them a chance to break through, it would be a huge benefit for Orario.
But it was a high-stakes gamble—losing meant losing everything.
"...Understood. If you run into trouble during the expedition, the Guild will provide you with the maximum support."
That was the best assistance Ouranos could offer Loki.
Loki nodded slightly. The Guild couldn't give her much, but something was better than nothing.
"Ganesha, continue searching Orario for any hidden Violas."
"Hermes, keep an eye on the other gods."
Ouranos gave the two of them different assignments.
Hermes was smooth and sociable, frequently acting as a messenger and building good relationships across the board. He was clearly the best choice for monitoring the gods.
Ganesha, on the other hand, lacked interpersonal skills and was disliked by most of the gods. It was more suitable for him to search Orario for other concealed carnivorous plants.
"Loki, your Familia needs to take over the matter of the 'Xenos'."
"Huh!?"
Loki's eyes widened in disbelief.
Weren't they just calmly discussing everything together? How did she suddenly get saddled with the problem of the "Xenos"?
"You mean the rational monsters in the Dungeon?"
"Yes."
"And you're dumping that on me?"
"You haven't forgotten about Ishtar, have you?"
Ouranos had known Loki would try to wriggle out of trouble, but from the start, he hadn't given her the option.
He made his stance clear, immediately bringing up the Ishtar incident.
The moment he mentioned "Ishtar," Loki's expression collapsed.
She hadn't forgotten about that.
Back then, she had approached Ouranos specifically to deal with Ishtar in order to secure Haruhime and Aisha, and in the end, Ouranos had handed Ishtar over on a silver platter.
It had almost made Loki forget she owed him a massive favor.
Which meant—there was no escaping the "Xenos" situation now.
"Need me to remind you again?"
"No... I remember."
When Ouranos repeated the question, Loki realized there was no way out. Face stiff, she could only give in.
But the moment she agreed, a headache came crashing in.
After all, among her children, Ais was not someone who could easily accept monsters.
And now she had no choice but to face the "Xenos"—and not treat them like ordinary monsters.
Just imagining that scenario made Loki's temples pulse like crazy.
"Fels, arrange a meeting between the 'Xenos' and Loki's Familia."
Fels glanced at the visibly distressed Loki-sama.
"I can arrange it. But the 'Sword Princess' in Loki-sama's Familia harbors deep hatred toward monsters. Can you guarantee she won't attack the 'Xenos'?"
In response, Ouranos simply fixed his gaze on Loki—clearly passing the responsibility to her.
With a bitter taste in her mouth, Loki could only force a smile.
"No problem... I'll have a good talk with Ais."
But inside, she was already weeping.
She had no idea how she'd explain this to Ais once Finn and the others returned. She was sure Ais would scold her fiercely.
But there was nothing she could do.
She had made her choice with Ishtar, and now it was time to pay the price with the "Xenos."
So, for now, all she could do was grit her teeth and press forward.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Advancement to Lv.3
Chapter Text
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.2 → Lv.3
Development Ability:
· Stealth: H → E
Attributes:
· Strength: D589 → ??? 1712
· Endurance: C631 → ??? 1834
· Dexterity: C612 → ??? 1801
· Agility: C627 → ??? 1824
· ???: 1345 → ??? 1979
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space":
· Storage
"Lightning Command":
· Quick-Cast Magic
· Lightning Manipulation
Skills:
"Personal Training":
· Early Bloomer
"Heaven's Luck":
· High Luck
"The Poor Man's Desire":
· Power Accumulation]
It had been a month since Bell handed over the Jewel Fetus.
During that time, Bell had been moving back and forth between the middle floors of the Dungeon and his Familia. Thanks to the secret base he'd built on the eighteenth floor, the travel time was short, and he had plenty of time to rest.
With the time saved, Bell devoted himself entirely to accumulating Status and refining his techniques.
This time, the majority of his effort went into training his parameters, and once again, he pushed them close to the limit.
When Hestia and Hephaestus saw the updated stats, they couldn't help but be impressed.
"His stats before his last level-up were already incredibly high. I didn't expect there to still be so much room for growth."
Back when he advanced to Lv.1, his attributes had already reached a level ordinary Adventurers couldn't even imagine. Hestia had thought that was the upper limit—but seeing today's updated data made her realize that even near-limit stats could go higher.
"His parameters are even closer to the limit than before, but more importantly, his Development Ability has made an even more astonishing leap."
"Yeah… going from H to E, skipping G and F entirely. And Development Ability is supposed to be way harder to improve than attributes."
The Development Ability increase Hephaestus pointed out hadn't escaped Hestia's notice.
Compared to Development Abilities, accumulating attributes was relatively easier. What truly took time and effort was raising Development Ability ranks.
And yet, Bell had managed to raise his to E in such a short span of time.
Most Adventurers, even after over a decade of experience, never make it past G—many stay between I and G their entire careers.
But this only confirmed one thing: Bell's "Personal Training" might be just as effective for improving Development Ability as it was for his attributes.
"Bell-kun, how did it go this time?"
After explaining the status update, Hestia asked—as usual—whether Bell-kun wanted to proceed with the level-up.
There had already been one status update earlier this month, but the level-up had been postponed. Bell-kun had wanted to see if he could push his parameters even further.
As it turned out, his judgment had been correct. The previous update hadn't reached the limit—not even close.
Listening to the values reported by the goddess, Bell began to think.
'Compared to the limit I had at Lv.1, this is far beyond. It's probably because the concept of "Robust Health" has boosted my physical potential.'
'The last update was two weeks ago. Back then, aside from Strength being 1500, everything else was above 1600. Now, two weeks later, the growth has slowed considerably. Looks like I've hit my current limit.'
Based on the time between updates and the pace of growth, Bell was now certain—he'd reached his peak.
Having realized this, he no longer planned to keep grinding for more Excelia.
"Goddess-sama, this is enough. Please, proceed with the level-up."
"Okay, I'll begin."
Hestia used her own blood to add a new section to Bell's back, triggering the level-up.
The process itself wasn't complicated. The more complicated part came afterward—deciding the new Development Ability.
When the list appeared, Hestia wasn't the least bit surprised.
"Hunter, Abnormal Resistance, Mage, Swordsman, Mystery, Spirit Healing, and… Cognition?"
"Strange. Hephaestus, have you ever seen 'Cognition' as a Development Ability?"
A row of normal Development Abilities ended with something unusual—Hestia couldn't help raising a metaphorical question mark.
"Cognition?"
Hephaestus furrowed her brow at the term.
"I've never seen that Development Ability before."
But Bell had already guessed the reason. Over the past month, he'd frequently used a weapon that enhanced cognitive awareness. It was likely that influence had affected his Development Ability.
Bell also felt that "Cognition" might be the most compatible with another one of his weapons.
"Goddess-sama, please choose 'Cognition' for me."
"Huh? Bell-kun, are you really sure?"
"No problem. Development Abilities are a reflection of my experiences. If 'Cognition' emerged as one of them, then I believe it aligns best with my growth path."
If it really was the result of the enhanced abilities from "Kuji Kanesada," then Bell was confident that "Cognition" was the most fitting choice.
"I understand."
Since Bell-kun had decided, Hestia respected his choice without question.
The upgrade was completed quickly.
His level rose, and his attributes reset to zero—just like when he advanced from Lv.1 to Lv.2.
Leveling up didn't instantly grant new power. Instead, it expanded the capacity of his "vessel," letting the overflow from the previous level become the foundation of the next. That way, his potential would grow by a significant margin.
Bell didn't know if others felt the same, but each time he leveled up, he could clearly sense that his past efforts had widened his future. His potential was renewed, and everything he'd accumulated now felt like fertilizer nourishing his body, helping him take another step forward.
That tangible sense of growth reassured him.
And perhaps because of that, Bell didn't experience much mental or physical dissonance after leveling up.
'Maybe it's because I'm adaptable.'
'Or maybe "Personal Training" has helped my body and mind adjust faster after leveling up.'
He didn't dwell on it.
At least for now, he could simply enjoy the moment.
Chapter 267: Chapter 267: When in Doubt, Ask Finn
Chapter Text
At this moment, Loki Familia was welcoming Finn and the other three back from the Dungeon.
"Ais... huh?"
Loki had just leapt forward but didn't see the person she wanted to tackle, and her excitement instantly deflated.
"Loki, we're back."
Finn smiled out of habit. Seeing Loki like this gave him a familiar sense of homecoming.
"Oh! Welcome back."
Loki quickly masked her disappointment and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Not seeing Ais right away wasn't necessarily a bad thing—it actually gave her a chance to talk things through with Finn before facing her.
"Finn, once you've finished dealing with the usual stuff, come to my room."
"Hm? Loki, that urgent?"
"...A lot has happened in Orario while you were in the Dungeon."
Seeing the mix of resignation and unease on Loki's face, Finn immediately sensed the gravity of the situation.
"Understood. I'll be over right after I put my things away."
After returning to his room and setting down his gear, Finn didn't even bother changing clothes—he headed straight for Loki's room.
Back at the Familia entrance, Loki's serious expression had already seemed out of the ordinary, and her reaction to Ais's absence had also felt a little off.
Finn still didn't know what had happened in Orario these past few days, or why Loki was in such a state.
So now, he simply quickened his pace.
Knock knock!
"Just come in, Finn."
With permission granted, Finn opened the door and stepped inside.
Right away, he noticed Loki had already prepared two glasses and a bottle of red wine. It was clear she was planning a serious talk.
"That's rare. You even had wine ready in your room."
Loki gave a sheepish smile. Right now, Finn was the only one she could talk to—she wasn't ready to bring the others in yet.
Finn shook his head slightly and sat down in the seat Loki had prepared.
Loki smiled, filled the glasses, then took her own seat.
"Finn, a lot has been going on behind the scenes these past few days."
"I really wanted to avoid getting involved, but since I went to see Ouranos about Ishtar... that option's off the table."
"Haruhime and Aisha, right?"
As soon as he heard that, Finn immediately understood her dilemma. She must've ended up owing Ouranos-sama a favor—leaving her no room to refuse this time.
"Bringing in Haruhime and Aisha was necessary no matter how you look at it. Haruhime's power is a vital part of our Familia."
Even if she owed a debt, the benefit their Familia had gained from it far outweighed the cost.
Haruhime might not have any combat ability, but as a support, she was exceptional. Anyone who knew what she could do would never let her go easily.
"Loki, start from the beginning—what's going on?"
Finn had already steeled himself mentally.
After all, if this was just about resolving the aftermath of the Haruhime situation, even if things got a little messy, it wouldn't be beyond what he could handle.
"It's actually about that woman you ran into."
"You mean the one Ais and Lefiya encountered?"
Finn's expression turned serious in an instant. He hadn't seen the woman himself, but from Lefiya's description, he could tell her strength was well above Lv.5.
To easily twist Ais's arm and nearly abduct her—that kind of power was no joke.
"We've identified her."
"That fast?"
"Yeah, that fast. Someone returned to the Familia with the Jewel Fetus... and one of her hands. If it weren't for that kid, there's no way we'd have learned her identity so quickly."
Just thinking about that kid talking so smugly made Loki feel bitter.
He really was a monstrous all-rounder—growing at a ridiculous pace, capable of fighting well above his level, wielding special Authority, and possessing absurd mobility.
And as if that weren't enough, his origins were terrifying too.
Compared to him, Ais was completely outclassed.
"Bell-kun...?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Finn's eyes. Even now, he couldn't imagine how Bell-kun—who on the surface specialized in magic—could take up a weapon, use specialized techniques, and slice off that woman's hand in a surprise attack.
"His strength really caught me off guard."
"Even if it was a sneak attack, he's undeniably powerful. He's nothing like the magic-focused Adventurer I thought he was. His combat skills clearly qualify him to fight opponents far beyond his level."
"His magic... Finn, don't even call it magic anymore."
Just thinking about the "magic" that kid used made Loki's face twitch uncontrollably.
That was Authority itself.
He used Authority to create Rune Stones, and even started selling them. Looking back, Loki regretted not spending more—next time, she was going to buy up as much as she could.
She steadied herself and brought the conversation back on track.
"The woman's identity has been confirmed. We also know exactly what that Jewel Fetus retrieved by Ganesha's child is. And for us, this means nothing short of a deadly challenge."
"The enemy... is a Spirit."
"!?"
At the mention of "Spirit," Finn's pupils contracted sharply. Not even in his worst dreams had he imagined the enemy would be a Spirit.
"Is that why the woman didn't kill Ais? She was trying to take her instead?"
"Yes. That's exactly what the kid concluded. But the way he found out that the Jewel Fetus's true form was a Spirit... let's just say it was blunt and brutal."
He enslaved the Spirit's mass-produced fetus directly and made it answer questions—something utterly impossible under normal circumstances.
But with that Authority, he pulled it off.
Simple and crude, yet terrifyingly effective.
"The Spirit's true body is still somewhere in the unexplored depths of the Dungeon. For us, that's a massive threat."
"It means our future expeditions could end up facing creatures as dangerous as that Spirit."
"And according to the kid's analysis, the Spirit's true form is confirmed to be Lv.8."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 268: Chapter 268: An Answer Beyond Imagination
Chapter Text
"The enemy is a Spirit—and its main body is a confirmed Lv.8. The mission Hashana intercepted involved stealing a fetus, which turned out to be a clone-like offshoot produced by the Spirit. The maximum level of these clones caps at Lv.7. And apparently, the Spirit can produce them in large quantities?"
From Loki's explanation, Finn fully grasped just how dangerous the enemies they were facing truly were. Frankly speaking, if the Spirit's main body ever decided to launch a full assault from its hiding place in the Dungeon, Orario could suffer catastrophic losses.
Even imagining it gave Finn a headache.
He had long understood that Spirits weren't easy foes, but he hadn't expected it to be this overwhelming.
"If that's the case, we'll have a lot more to account for on future expeditions. In those uncharted regions, the main body of the Spirit could be lurking anywhere, and at any time, its clones might appear to interfere."
"Even if they're just Lv.7, if we're not thoroughly prepared, we'll struggle to handle them."
"In theory, Spirits also have the ability to use magic. So we need to be ready for that as well."
A Spirit's most dangerous weapon was its magic.
Their magical aptitude far surpassed even that of Elves. And if they were going up against a Lv.8 Spirit, expecting it not to use magic was as ridiculous as expecting Riveria to kill the Black Dragon barehanded.
From the start, they needed to treat these enemies as mobile artillery capable of casting high-level magic—just like Elves, only worse.
"Magic, huh... yeah, you'll definitely need to guard against that."
Loki couldn't even pretend magic wasn't a concern. Even if they were Corrupted Spirit offspring, they were still Spirits. Not using magic? Then what kind of Spirit were they?
"Haaah..."
Just imagining having to face a magic-wielding Lv.7—or worse, Lv.8—Spirit made Finn feel like his whole team was at risk of being wiped out. Even with Haruhime's "Level Boost" to tip the odds in their favor, it still wouldn't be easy.
"Finn, don't stress too much. I'll ask that kid if he has any solutions. Even if he can't completely block all the magic, he should at least be able to tank most of it."
Seeing Finn's grim expression, Loki tried to reassure him.
She couldn't promise full immunity to the attacks, but significantly reducing the incoming damage? That was within reach.
"...Alright."
There weren't many alternatives anyway, and Finn knew they'd have to factor this into their budget. If they were unlucky enough to run into a Spirit in the Dungeon, going in unprepared could mean none of them made it back alive.
"But Loki, that's going to be an extra expense."
"Any gear capable of defending against Lv.7 or Lv.8 magic definitely won't come cheap."
Shit!
Loki had completely forgotten about that—of course it would cost money!
With his nerves finally settling a little, Finn composed himself and refocused.
"What else?"
"What else? What do you mean?"
Seeing that Loki was genuinely drawing a blank, Finn covered his face with one hand, exasperated.
"It's not just about the Spirit, right?"
"When you didn't see Ais earlier, your reaction wasn't the usual disappointment—it was relief. And you exhaled like you dodged a bullet. That's not like you, Loki."
With his every reaction called out so directly, Loki slumped in defeat, flashing a bitter smile. There was really no way to hide it anymore.
"Actually, that kid didn't just confirm the Spirits as a third-party faction in the Dungeon... he also uncovered the Guild's secret private army hidden down there."
"PFFFT!!"
Finn, who had just raised his wine glass to take a sip, spat it out the instant he heard the words "Guild" and "private army."
He thought he was mentally prepared—but clearly not enough for that.
It took him several seconds to process it. Then, wiping the wine from his mouth, he turned to Loki with a stunned, disbelieving look.
"What did you just say?"
"Loki, did I hear that right? Did you just say the Guild has private soldiers in the Dungeon?"
"That's right."
"..."
Faced with such a blunt answer, Finn was completely at a loss for words. He couldn't help but question himself—"Did we really spend that long in the Dungeon?"
They had just returned to the surface, and now they were already neck-deep in a situation this convoluted... even the Guild's private army was involved?
This wasn't just some minor issue—it was the kind of thing that could shake all of Orario to its core.
"We're involved too?"
Loki couldn't even bring herself to look Finn in the eyes.
That silence was answer enough. Finn could only stare helplessly at the ceiling. This problem was even more dangerous than the one they'd just been discussing.
"Loki, start with the Guild's private army. Tell me everything."
Finn composed himself. Since there was no avoiding it, he might as well confront it directly.
"Well... it's actually something that kid deduced."
"Because the Spirit's fetus needed energy, it had to be kept in a hidden location. But the Guild knew exactly where that was—and they even commissioned the Ganesha Familia to retrieve it."
At that, Finn immediately connected the dots.
"The Guild's intel was too detailed. There's no way that woman Ais fought would leave the fetus somewhere it could be snatched that easily. For the Guild to know that much... they must've had eyes on her movements inside the Dungeon."
Though he reached the same conclusion Bell had, he was still a month late.
Maybe it was because Finn never truly believed the Guild had its own forces operating in the Dungeon. That idea had just never occurred to him before.
Loki nodded slightly. She'd figured Finn could piece it together with a few hints—but even he was late to reach this answer. And more than that, he probably had no idea what kind of private force the Guild actually had down there.
"Finn, what do you think the Guild's private army is?"
Finn furrowed his brow and gave it serious thought.
"First, we can rule out the Familia of Orario. If they weren't regulars in the Dungeon, there's no way they could've fed the Guild such detailed intel."
"Second, considering that woman's power, no ordinary Adventurer could have escaped her detection."
"Unless it was someone like Bell-kun—an extreme outlier—I'd say whoever the Guild uses must have been living in the Dungeon long-term."
That reasoning wasn't wrong—but that was as far as Finn could get.
Loki wasn't disappointed. She hadn't expected him to figure out such an absurd answer anyway.
"Right. That kid also confirmed that the Guild does have private soldiers in the Dungeon—and from the second point you made, he deduced exactly who they are."
"Monsters."
"To be precise, intelligent monsters—beings with humanlike rationality and thought. The Guild calls them 'Xenos'."
That answer left Finn stunned into silence for a long time.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 269: Chapter 269: A Headache of a Choice
Chapter Text
"Xenos... I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
Finn remained stunned for quite a while before finally coming back to his senses. At the same time, he understood why Loki had let out a sigh of relief when Ais wasn't around.
"Loki, even I didn't catch on to what was going on with the Xenos right away. Do you think Ais would accept this?"
"Mm... I really don't know."
Loki scratched her head in frustration. She was clearly at a loss over how to handle the Ais situation.
After all, Ais's parents had been killed by the Black Dragon. That alone had left her with a deep-seated hatred for monsters—especially dragons. Her hostility was so intense she wouldn't hesitate to draw her sword the moment she saw one.
"Ouranos and Ganesha have both decided to support the Xenos being classified as a type of demi-human. That had nothing to do with me at first, but because of the Ishtar situation, I got dragged in too. Now there's no backing out."
"Classifying the Xenos as demi-humans? That's a lofty goal. Maybe too lofty, even for Ouranos."
"Well, even if you say that, there's not much I can do about it."
Finn agreed that Ouranos-sama's dream was difficult to realize—but under the circumstances, they didn't have much of a choice.
It was understandable for Loki to feel helpless. After all, this wasn't a problem anyone could solve easily.
Faced with all this, Finn couldn't help thinking of Bell-kun—the one who had deduced all of this.
"Loki, did Bell-kun mention any ideas on how to handle this?"
Loki's expression suddenly turned strange.
That told Finn everything he needed to know. Bell-kun had clearly thought of a solution—but whatever it was, Loki didn't seem thrilled about it.
"That kid... yeah, he gave an answer. But it's the kind of answer nobody could accept—not even Ouranos."
"Why not?"
"Because he said that if he disguised himself as Evilus and brought half of Orario to ruin, then when the city was on the brink of collapse, the Xenos could step in and prove their strength. In order to survive, the people would have no choice but to accept the Xenos."
That was brutal.
Just hearing it was enough for Finn to understand why the plan would never work.
Wiping out half of Orario? That was going way too far. But even so, Finn grasped the core of Bell-kun's thinking.
"Create a crisis big enough that people, out of sheer desperation, are forced to accept the Xenos. If things really got that bad... maybe Orario's citizens would accept them."
"But once the crisis is over? That kind of acceptance would be temporary at best."
It was a plan with a point—but the cost was far too high, and the results wouldn't last.
"I didn't think Bell-kun would come up with such a radical idea."
...That's because that kid doesn't care. He's never cared whether Orario lives or dies. The only thing that matters to him is his own goal.
"Honestly, I think anyone could see he said that on purpose. What he really wanted was to send a message—'as long as you don't involve Hestia, I won't go that far. But if you do, I might just burn everything down.'"
Finn didn't see a problem with that. All it meant was that, to Bell-kun, Hestia was more important than the entire city.
"I doubt anyone would try to lay a hand on Hestia. And knowing Bell-kun, he's probably made his preparations already."
"Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing."
Loki moved on from the topic with a calm nod.
"Contact with the Xenos is unavoidable. When the time comes, we should meet them, at least briefly, just to establish some understanding."
"But let's not bring Ais."
"Agreed."
Finn completely supported the idea of keeping Ais away. If she lost control, things could spiral out of hand very quickly.
"Finn, I've never met the Xenos myself, but according to what Ouranos told me, they're constantly hunted by other monsters in the Dungeon. Because they have reason and intelligence, they always hide in the safe zones."
"I'm not trying to defend them out of bias, but there's a reason Ouranos and Ganesha chose to support them."
Finn understood Loki's point, so he reassured her.
"Don't worry. I'm not against the idea."
"If Ouranos-sama and Ganesha-sama have chosen to support them, then they must have recognized the value of the Xenos. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone so far to help."
"Rather than risk offending Ouranos-sama and Ganesha-sama, building a relationship with the Xenos is clearly the wiser move."
Loki trusted that Finn could handle it—and so, she didn't say anything more.
"Right, why haven't Ais and Riveria come back yet?"
Finn let out a sigh as soon as Ais came to mind.
"That woman upset Ais—it triggered one of her old episodes."
"Again?"
"Yeah. But after hearing what you said just now, I think it's not just that. Ais probably guessed there's some connection between that woman and the Spirit. That realization must've made her feel even more urgent—more desperate to push forward."
"When Ais gets like that, she won't listen to anyone. Even if I told her no, she'd find a way to sneak into the Dungeon anyway."
That impulsiveness was her biggest flaw—but Ais wasn't exactly easy to handle to begin with. Getting her to change was nearly impossible.
So Finn had long since given up on that front.
"Riveria's with her. Even if something happens, she should at least be able to bring Ais back alive."
"And even if things get really bad—say, she loses an arm or a leg—we still have ways to deal with it."
In the past, Finn would've never said something like that. But now that they had those rune stones? Even serious injuries like lost limbs could be healed. It meant they could take more risks in battle than ever before.
"The only problem is that Bell-kun sells those rune stones at a pretty steep price. Even our Familia has to be careful with how we use them."
...No, honestly, he was underselling it. That price was a bargain.
Loki did her best to keep a straight face, suppressing the unease that flickered across it.
Things like authorities... the fewer people who knew, the better.
Chapter 270: Chapter 270: The Seriously Injured Sword Princess
Chapter Text
A figure dashed frantically through the dungeon, holding a girl covered in blood.
A closer look revealed the girl was drenched in blood, her right arm missing. Her legs were wrapped in gauze, but it was still clear—they'd been severed.
For an adventurer, this was almost a death sentence.
The most dreaded issue in the Dungeon was losing limbs.
Death was swift, but losing an arm or leg meant a lifetime of suffering.
Without their limbs, adventurers could no longer move with the agility they once had, barely able to use even a tenth of their former strength. They were forced into retirement, relegated to the sidelines, awaiting the end.
For those who still held grand ambitions, this was unacceptable.
Yet reality was cruel. Not even the best healers in Orario could restore severed limbs.
When the figure carrying the girl reached the 18th floor—"Rivira"—it was nighttime. The streets were bustling, filled with the sounds of adventurers drinking and chatting.
To avoid attention, the figure veered away from the main street and slipped into a slightly dangerous side path.
That move, however, allowed someone stationed on the wall to spot them clearly.
"The Nine Hell and the Sword Princess?"
Rubbing his eyes, Bell questioned if he was seeing things. Why was the Nine Hell carrying the Sword Princess, barely clinging to life?
Looking closer, Bell's expression turned odd.
"It really is the Nine Hell and the Sword Princess."
"Who the hell did this to her?"
But that thought was quickly pushed aside by another question.
"They're still in the Dungeon?"
Just a few days ago, Bell had heard that the Loki Familia had returned from the Dungeon. It wasn't a full expedition, but whenever someone from Loki Familia came back, word spread quickly across Orario.
He remembered hearing it just a few days ago.
So why had the Braver, as their leader, come back and left the Nine Hell and Sword Princess down there?
Bell shook his head, vanished from sight, and swiftly approached the Nine Hell along the narrow path.
His concealment was flawless, letting him get close enough to observe the Sword Princess's condition.
'Right arm gone? Both legs, too?'
Bell turned his attention to the Nine Hell. She didn't look like she'd been through much combat—just a bit of dust on her outer clothing.
'A Level 6 and a Level 5 fighting together, and the Level 5 ends up like this? That's rare.'
'Did the Sword Princess get provoked by that woman and push herself to fight stronger monsters? Is that how she ended up like this?'
Given the usually harmonious nature of Loki Familia, that seemed like the only reasonable explanation.
But even that made Bell speechless.
The Floor Boss for Level 5s was on the 27th floor. That two-headed dragon wasn't enough to help the Sword Princess level up, was it?
Which meant she must've gone after the Level 6 Floor Boss.
'She's seriously fearless—nearly killed herself pushing this far.'
'She didn't die, but she's this badly hurt. Must've been a brutal fight with the Floor Boss.'
Judging from the Nine Hell's current state, it was likely the Floor Boss was dead—and the Sword Princess barely survived.
But judging by her condition, she'd paid a steep price to cling to life.
Seeing how desperate the Nine Hell was, Bell instantly understood why she was rushing to get the Sword Princess to the surface.
'Seriously... don't you realize that a maimed Sword Princess will immediately become the center of attention in Orario? If word gets out that her limbs regenerate... I'll be in deep trouble.'
To avoid that hassle, Bell knew he couldn't stay uninvolved, even if he wanted to.
Only when the Nine Hell reached the entrance to the 18th floor did Bell finally make his move.
He moved swiftly, covering the Nine Hell's mouth before she could react and pulling her into the nearby bushes.
"!?"
"It's me. Stay quiet."
Just as Riveria was about to strike back, the voice stopped her cold.
The hand over her mouth was withdrawn.
Riveria cautiously glanced around. Surrounded by dense foliage, the spot was quiet and hidden from view—a relatively safe place.
Once she confirmed the area was secure, she turned to face the boy standing behind her.
He looked just like he always did—cloak and hood in place, his face completely concealed beneath the shadow.
...A stone table slowly rose from the soft grass.
"Don't speak. Lay her down first."
Riveria gently placed Ais onto the stone table.
Bell didn't waste words. He immediately began checking the Sword Princess's condition.
"Mana depletion, severe physical trauma, signs of internal rupture. These are standard injuries—Elixir could've healed all of it. Why didn't you use it?"
"The Elixir forcibly heals severed limbs. I wasn't sure if regeneration would still be possible after that."
Bell gave a slight shake of his head. Seeing the Sword Princess in such a wretched state, it was no wonder the Nine Hell had carried her all this way through the Dungeon.
"Next time, just use the Elixir. Healing the wounds won't interfere with limb regeneration."
Six runes lit up at the site of the Sword Princess's severed arm. As they activated, the bandages burst apart. Instead of blood, a faint outline of her original arm began to take form.
The same happened to her bloodied legs—phantom limbs began to manifest, though it would take time for full regeneration.
Watching the ethereal shapes slowly solidify, Riveria let out a breath of relief despite her surprise.
"Thank you, Bell-kun."
"No need."
Bell gave a small shake of his head, then glanced down at the unconscious Sword Princess.
"Looks like she was provoked by that woman. Chasing strength, even at the cost of her life... using the Floor Boss's corpse as a stepping stone to move forward."
"That kind of reckless ambition usually ends in tragedy."
"The Sword Princess doesn't have any skills that let her overcome level gaps in a short time. That's just how she was born. Please try to talk some sense into her, Vice Captain Riveria."
"When she wakes up, I'll have a serious talk with her."
Riveria knew Ais had gone too far this time. If they hadn't run into Bell-kun here, Ais might not have made it back to the surface.
"Well then, I'll take my leave. As for the treatment fee, could you mention it to Captain Finn?"
With those words, Bell vanished before Riveria's eyes.
He moved so fast, she didn't even get the chance to say anything courteous—only a sigh escaped her lips in the end.
"Isn't that just like Ais?"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 271: Chapter 271: I'm Not Like the Sword Princess
Chapter Text
Riveria sighed, then shifted her attention back to Ais.
"You're far too reckless."
If Ais had collapsed before Udaeus on the 37th floor, she would have undoubtedly died.
In the end, it was only thanks to a slight edge in explosive power that she managed to take one step ahead. Simply put, surviving came down to sheer luck.
Sometimes, things really are just that unreasonable—it's only because of a bit of luck that you're given the chance to move forward.
Watching Ais's slowly regenerating limbs take shape, Riveria still felt deeply shaken. This was her first time witnessing such a sight.
Undeniably, limb regeneration offered tremendous hope to countless retired adventurers.
For most adventurers, losing a limb marked the end of their perilous careers.
But if something like "Limb Regeneration" became known in Orario, countless long-silent adventurers might come flooding back like mushrooms after rain.
"His sudden appearance must've been to keep this a secret."
The moment Bell appeared, Riveria understood—he hadn't come out of concern for Ais's injuries.
He was there solely to prevent anyone from witnessing the scene of Ais's severed limbs.
He was managing the information about "Limb Regeneration."
Riveria knew Bell was always cautious, but she hadn't expected such a fast, decisive response from him.
Still, regardless of the reason, she was grateful for his help.
Without Bell, Ais might not have made it back to the surface alive.
And losing her limbs could have placed a heavy burden on her, both physically and mentally.
But maybe Ais needed that kind of pressure.
This time, Riveria clearly saw the issues Ais was facing, and she was determined to have a serious talk with her once she woke up.
As time passed, Ais's severed arms and legs, once flickering with illusion, now appeared almost solid.
Curious, Riveria reached out to touch them.
She felt warmth and a distinct sensation—regeneration was progressing well.
"Looks like it's going smoothly."
As long as her limbs could be restored, there wouldn't be too big a problem.
Riveria had no intention of returning to the surface right away.
If Ais were still in danger, she would have, but now that the worst had passed, what she needed was rest.
Even so, Riveria had no plans to enter the "City of Rivira."
She hadn't forgotten the trouble that woman caused last time.
With Ais still unconscious, Riveria had no intention of revealing their location under any circumstances.
"Good thing we brought a tent and food in the space waist pouch."
In the past, they wouldn't have packed enough for such a temporary expedition into the Dungeon. After all, each person could only carry so much.
It was thanks to the space pouches that they could bring along more supplies.
Especially on non-expedition trips—just dives into the Dungeon for money—these pouches were incredibly useful. Nearly every one could hold a tent and enough food.
They set up camp deeper in the jungle, further from the usual paths.
Once everything was ready, Riveria carried the unconscious Ais into the tent. After a long stretch of activity, she too went inside to rest.
As for Bell—though he was supposed to leave, he didn't do so right away. Only after setting up a barrier around the area did he finally depart.
Before leaving, Bell cast one last glance at the Nine Hell.
'I'm not the kind of guy who just blindly charges ahead.'
It was precisely because he understood how perilous the road ahead was that he paced himself carefully. That was Bell's approach.
But the "Sword Princess," even knowing the dangers, pushed forward without regard for her own limits—like someone who wouldn't stop until hitting a wall. The problem was, even if she smashed herself against it, the wall wouldn't budge.
That's why Bell was clear—he and the "Sword Princess" were fundamentally different.
He disliked standing in the spotlight, while she would unconsciously step into it.
That was their core difference.
'A fool who's not afraid of death is the scariest kind.'
And the fool he meant was the "Sword Princess."
Once he left, Bell stopped paying attention to the Nine Hell and the Sword Princess. He had his own matters to handle.
He couldn't afford to keep all his attention on just the two of them.
'Cognition... it's developed in a way far beyond what I imagined.'
After several tests, Bell was certain—this unique development ability called 'Cognition' was clearly influenced by the 'Nine Character Seals.'
And that influence was undoubtedly positive.
Through testing, he realized that 'Cognition' functioned similarly to the effect granted by 'Kuji Kanesada.'
The difference was that the Cognition of 'Kuji Kanesada' enabled him to pierce through defenses, while his own Cognition lacked that kind of physical effect.
This development ability didn't grant any physical power boost, but subtly deepened his understanding of things.
For example, instead of subconsciously exploiting a monster's weaknesses based on instinct, he could now consciously identify them with his eyes—clearly recognizing vulnerabilities and where to strike.
It sounded somewhat like the 'Mystic Eyes of Death Perception,' but it wasn't the same.
'Cognition' didn't interfere physically. It simply deepened comprehension.
At least, that's how Bell saw it now.
In fact, while using 'Kuji Kanesada,' his subconscious awareness could be refined into more detailed perception through his eyes.
And even when he wasn't using 'Kuji Kanesada,' that Cognition wouldn't fade.
It could be said that the development ability 'Cognition' existed to enhance the auxiliary effects of 'Kuji Kanesada.'
But it wasn't limited to that. Even without activating 'Kuji Kanesada,' this Cognition continued to deepen his perception of the world around him. In that sense, it was fundamentally different.
What it directly improved was Bell's ability to perceive and understand, allowing him to extract even more information through his eyes.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 272: Chapter 272: Infighting Within the Third Faction
Chapter Text
On the 59th floor of the Dungeon, a red-haired woman sat cross-legged on the ground. Her posture lacked any feminine elegance, exuding a rough, masculine air—but no one would dare criticize her for it.
Only half of her right hand remained, making her look like a crippled adventurer.
Crunch!
The woman casually picked up a Magic Stone from the ground and tossed it into her mouth. The hair-raising sound that followed was that of the stone being crushed between her teeth.
As everyone knows, Magic Stones are not edible.
They are the core of a monster's body, supplying the energy needed for movement and life. But for humans, consuming Magic Stones provides no energy and can even result in internal damage, like torn organs.
Because they are the core, monsters instinctively protect them, making Magic Stones the hardest part of a monster's body.
In fact, those from high-level monsters are tougher than the creatures' own flesh.
Yet, the woman's teeth were even harder than the Magic Stone.
After swallowing it, flesh began to writhe and regenerate slightly from the stump of her right arm. It was only a slight improvement—but a visible one.
The woman frowned as she looked at her severed arm.
'This body really burns through energy.'
Recovering from the injury demanded a massive amount of energy.
And because her body was so incredibly resilient, the energy needed for regeneration was even greater than expected. That left her with no choice but to use the Magic Stones harvested from the Violas for herself.
"You failed."
Her hand paused slightly as she reached for another Magic Stone, but she didn't deny it. She had seen Aria and the fetus, but returned with neither. That, to her, was the ultimate failure.
A man approached from behind, wearing a white cloak and a mask that only revealed his eyes. The malice and sarcasm in his voice were unmistakable.
"You finally found your target, and still let it slip away. Even against a group weaker than you—what a pathetic failure."
The sharp words rang out unfiltered, but the only response was the woman's cold stare.
After he finished speaking, she suddenly let out a chilling laugh.
"Jealous?"
The smugness drained from the man's face in an instant. The crimson eyes beneath his mask turned icy.
With a flash, he appeared before the woman and swung a punch at her.
A sonic boom echoed across the floor.
Yet the woman easily caught his fist with her remaining left hand.
Her expression didn't change in the slightest. It was as if the punch hadn't even been worth noticing.
'Dammit!'
The man nearly ground his teeth to dust.
He hadn't held back, but he never imagined the gap between them was this wide.
With a cold sneer, the woman tightened her grip on his fist and hurled him away like a cannonball.
The man slammed into the wall like a fly, blood bursting from his mouth on impact. He then dropped to the ground, his body limp and powerless.
The woman didn't show a shred of sympathy. He had brought it upon himself.
After finishing everything, the woman instinctively touched her neck. That slash from the other day was far more brutal than the man's punch. All that terrifying power had been concentrated into a single strike, slicing through her flesh with ease.
'Who was that person?'
Even now, the memory of that blow made her neck ache faintly.
If she hadn't sacrificed her right arm, she knew she would've been killed on the spot that day.
The lingering pain served to calm her growing irritation.
'That sneak attacker must have some kind of special skill... or a magic that lets him hide his presence.'
'If that strike had been any stronger, I would've been finished in one blow.'
She was painfully aware of her limitations.
Her strength might outclass Aria's by a wide margin, but even she couldn't stop an ambush from behind. And with how well that man could conceal himself—if he pulled the same trick again, would she have to sacrifice another arm?
'I need a way to deal with him.'
'Or... I have to get stronger.'
She glanced down at her regenerating right arm, then sat back on the ground.
Her eyes flicked toward the man still bracing himself against the wall. Her tone now carried none of its earlier sarcasm.
"She's already lost one fetus. It's time to cultivate the next."
"Since you're so jealous, I'll leave this mission to you."
The man gripping the wall clenched his fists so hard the stone crumbled beneath them.
"What do you think her fetus is!?"
The woman ignored his roar. To her, this man was just another pawn, one who'd been deceived and consumed by that thing. If her arm had been intact, he wouldn't have even been needed.
"Are you just going to bark like a useless mutt? You're nothing but a stray she picked up. Did you really think you mattered?"
Bastard!?
If their strength gap hadn't been so overwhelming, the man would have charged her already. Veins bulged on his forehead, blood gushed from his mouth—yet he swallowed the humiliation.
"You'll never understand her will. You're just a replacement she created."
"I'll prove I'm the one she truly cherishes. You only have what she made for you."
The man was desperate to prove that he was the one closest to that goddess. He clung to the belief that it was out of mercy she had revived him—that he was the one she had truly chosen!
His fanatic conviction drew only disdain from the woman.
'Treating that thing like a goddess... what a lunatic.'
Still, she had no interest in his delusions. To her, he was just a tool. If he failed, he'd become the fuel for her next breakthrough.
Whether he succeeded or not didn't matter. She was the one who controlled the Violas. He was merely a proxy—nothing more.
That alone proved her bond with that thing ran far deeper than his.
The rest was just his own pathetic delusion.
Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Hydra's Poison... Insane
Chapter Text
These days, Bell had been staying active in the middle floors of the Dungeon.
His daily routine was actually quite simple. For someone like him, who lacked any solid foundation, spending his life among monsters was just part of how he lived.
Still, while hunting, Bell would occasionally pause and let himself calm down.
Staying in a constant state of killing didn't benefit him that much in the long run.
The purpose of combat was to help his body adapt to the changes brought by leveling up—adjusting both physically and mentally. But after enough fighting, a shift in mindset was also necessary.
Once he had gotten used to his new body, Bell began lengthening the time he spent training with his blade.
In his downtime, he also started examining the poison properties of the "Hydra Dagger."
On the walls of the 18th floor, Bell held up a small vial and gave it a light shake. As the liquid inside swirled, the purple-black solution immediately devoured the meat scraps placed inside it.
Carefully returning the Hydra Dagger to his four-dimensional storage, Bell turned his attention back to the contents of the bottle.
"This stuff is way more dangerous than I expected."
He'd had almost no experience with poisons before. Most adventurers who chose the "Abnormal Resistance" skill during level-ups treated poison as something easily endured.
'It even devours dead tissue. Calling it a poison doesn't seem accurate—it's more like a virus.'
'If it's a virus, then it could unleash even more potent effects. I remember hearing that Hydra's venom could bring even gods to their knees... though who knows if that's true.'
'I wonder if Hydra's poison can suppress those monsters' regeneration abilities.'
The fundamental difference between monsters and humans was their monstrous vitality, and for some, their ability to regenerate.
The first thing that came to Bell's mind was the Black Goliath from the end of the first anime season. That thing had relied on its regeneration to tank the combined assault of a full adventuring party and still held the upper hand, nearly wiping out the 18th floor's defenders.
From that battle, Bell had learned a crucial lesson.
The biggest challenge low-tier adventurers face when dealing with high-level monsters is a lack of firepower.
If it had been a regular Goliath, the adventurers of the 18th floor might've taken it down with sheer numbers.
Physical attacks didn't work well against a Goliath, but adventurers with magic could break through its tough hide with spells.
Honestly, if the Black Goliath hadn't had regeneration, it probably would've been shredded by the mages long before.
So the core issue really was "regeneration."
That monster-like tenacity was what made floor bosses such a nightmare.
And it was no different for Bell.
His interest in poison stemmed from a simple idea—it could help him take down a floor boss alone.
Not that he was expecting to skip straight to doing that with poison alone, even something as fearsome as Hydra's venom wasn't likely to make that big of a leap.
After all, monsters adapted to poisons far better than humans. Hoping for absolute damage was just unrealistic.
Bell's real goal was to find a way to suppress their regeneration as much as possible.
'Time to find a monster and test it out.'
This was the Dungeon, after all. Finding one wouldn't be hard.
Bell stood up and left the temporary base.
Using the protruding clusters of "blue crystals" along the wall, he slowly descended deeper into the Dungeon.
After passing through the entrance to the 18th floor and the 17th floor where Goliath spawns, Bell arrived at the 16th floor, where ordinary monsters appear.
"Oh!"
The moment he stepped onto the 16th floor, a few Minotaurs charged at him like they'd just seen their long-lost father.
Bell was always curious about Minotaurs. Even when he concealed his presence, their reactions felt incredibly genuine.
Still, it saved him the trouble of searching.
Holding the "Hydra Dagger," Bell didn't dodge. Instead, he ran straight toward them.
The Minotaurs, just as excited—like they'd found a herd of cows—swung their axes at him with wild energy.
Back when he was still Level 2, those axe swings would've been a real threat. But now, to Bell's eyes, they looked painfully slow.
Maybe it was due to his recent level-up. Both his dynamic and static vision had improved dramatically, and his perception of time felt noticeably slower.
The Minotaurs launched a flurry of consecutive attacks, leaving no room for escape. But facing this deadly trap, Bell showed off graceful footwork.
With a simple sidestep, he dodged their strikes, and in that same moment, his dagger cut swiftly across their arms.
In just three or four seconds, Bell had broken through their encirclement, while the Minotaurs collapsed behind him.
"Boom!" *4
All four Minotaurs crashed straight to the ground.
Bell glanced back at the groaning beasts, then sheathed his dagger and walked over.
As he approached, he noticed that while the Minotaurs were still full of energy on the inside, their strong bodies weren't moving at all—only faint muscle spasms remained.
"That was way too effective."
This was the first time Bell had realized how terrifying the "Hydra Dagger's" poison could be.
"Oh, I guess I've only used it on skeletons before."
Skeletons belonged to a class of monsters immune to poison—after all, even the deadliest toxins wouldn't affect a pile of bones.
Until now, Bell had only run some minor tests with the dagger—never on real monsters or people.
Bringing his thoughts back into focus, he silently observed the Minotaurs' condition while taking notes.
[Within three seconds of being attacked, the toxin begins spreading throughout the body.]
After about a minute, Bell noticed the Minotaurs' pupils had lost focus. They couldn't even make a sound anymore, and their breathing had weakened to almost nothing.
[After one minute, the toxin affects consciousness and significantly increases its impact on physical functions.]
By a minute and a half, the four Minotaurs had completely stopped breathing. Their bodies turned into white ash.
[At one minute thirty seconds, all four Minotaurs are dead. Bodies turned to white ash. Suspected toxin impact on Magic Stone.]
After writing that last line, Bell began digging through the ash for the Magic Stones and any remaining materials.
He quickly found the Magic Stone—but its strange appearance prompted him to jot down another note.
[Magic Stone confirmed to be cracked due to toxin exposure. Blackish-purple discoloration present in the otherwise pure white Magic Stone.]
With that noted, Bell moved on to look for other Minotaur materials.
Shockingly, there wasn't a single usable piece left.
'Impossible!'
The "Heaven's Luck" skill had granted Bell unbelievable fortune since the day he became an adventurer. In his experience, monsters always dropped loot—it was practically guaranteed.
After a more careful search, he finally spotted something unusual.
Amid the pile of ash at the center, there was a strange puddle of black liquid fused with the white powder. Its sticky, viscous look made it clear that this wasn't something you should touch barehanded.
Staring at the unknown substance, a thought crossed Bell's mind.
'Could this be the Minotaur's drop item?'
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 274: Chapter 274: Aria and Ais
Chapter Text
After checking the rest of the white ash, Bell found more of the same unidentified liquid. That confirmed it—the strange substance was indeed the drop item from the Minotaurs.
The realization made Bell a little uneasy about his "Hydra Dagger."
The toxin was far beyond anything he'd imagined—even capable of altering monster drop materials.
'This poison really is something else.'
He recorded the entire phenomenon in his notebook for future study.
Bell scraped up the stones where the liquid had soaked in. The melted remnants would serve as ideal research material.
The only downside was the lack of viable experimental specimens.
The toxin's potency was so extreme that it even damaged the Magic Stones. Once those were compromised, a monster's body couldn't hold together, making it nearly impossible to retrieve an intact corpse for dissection.
With no other choice, Bell decided to bring the unknown liquid back for further analysis.
...
"Ais, did you hear what I just said?"
Bell blinked and turned toward the exit behind him. The Nine Hell was approaching, scolding the Sword Princess along the way.
"This time, your challenge to Udaeus was far too reckless."
"You pushed on without retreating, even after losing an arm—and still kept fighting, even to the point of sacrificing both your legs. Do you realize you were throwing your life as an adventurer away?"
Riveria's tone was sharp, her expression stern. It was clear she had no intention of going easy on Ais this time.
Head lowered, Ais stood silently, clearly dejected.
She couldn't even bring herself to look up.
The truth was, Ais knew she'd gone too far. She had been reckless in her challenge against Udaeus.
She glanced at her right arm—smooth, pale, almost glowing like a newborn's skin.
But she knew all too well: after years of intense training, her skin could never look like that naturally. This was a regenerated arm.
"Riveria, weren't the Rune Stones still incomplete?"
Riveria shot her a sharp glare for cutting in. Ais instinctively flinched under her gaze.
"I'm glad you remembered the Rune Stones. But next time, you should remember what you just said instead."
"Don't tell me you actually thought they were ready?"
'How can this brat keep growing older yet still act like such a kid?'
Riveria was proud of Ais's growth—happy to see the little girl from years ago grow into a poised young warrior capable of standing her ground.
But in some areas, Ais still hadn't grown up at all.
Ais kept her head down, clearly chastened.
Though she had risked everything to defeat Udaeus, she'd gambled away her life as an adventurer.
If not for the sheer luck of meeting the Rune Stone craftsman—if that person hadn't agreed to heal her—Ais knew she wouldn't have had any future to look forward to, even if she had taken that final step.
But Ais knew better than anyone—there's no such thing as "just happened to."
"Riveria, I was wrong..."
She didn't know the price Riveria had paid for her, but she knew apologizing now was the only right thing to do.
Seeing Ais admit her mistake, Riveria's expression softened slightly.
"There are some things you need to understand."
"This time, your decision was something both Finn and I approved. If something had happened to you, we would've been the ones responsible. Understand?"
She and Finn were both advocates for steady growth.
Still, even she could be moved by certain words—just like the last time, when something Bell had said had sparked a sudden desire in her to keep pushing forward.
But even with her passion reignited, she knew some things couldn't be rushed.
After spending so many years stuck at Level 6, she fully understood the truth behind 'haste makes waste.'
Chasing speed without caution could easily lead one into the abyss.
After finishing her scolding, Riveria let out a long sigh.
"I know you're acting out of urgency because of that woman, but you can't afford to be this reckless."
Ais bit her lip, unsure of how to respond.
"Aria..."
"What?"
"That woman... that's what she called me when she saw me."
"What!?"
Riveria's expression instantly darkened.
If the name "Aria" had come from that woman's mouth, then something was seriously wrong. Only four people should know that name—herself, Finn, Gareth, and Loki. How could the woman who attacked Ais possibly know it?
Could she be connected to the Spirits?
The only ones who knew Ais's identity—and the name "Aria"—were those affiliated with the Spirits.
'No wonder she tried to capture Ais.'
'From what Ais said, that woman mistook her for Aria. That means she likely doesn't know Aria disappeared. But if she knows of "Aria" at all, then maybe the real Aria is still alive, somewhere deeper in the Dungeon.'
Aria was Ais's mother. She'd been missing for many years.
Both of Ais's parents had vanished together, disappearing into the Dungeon without a trace.
There had never been concrete proof of their deaths, so they'd always been listed as missing.
But after so long, those familiar with the situation had come to believe they'd perished somewhere deep within the Dungeon. Ais likely believed the same.
Now, suddenly, a woman with ties to the Spirits had appeared—and mistaken Ais for Aria.
It was clear that she had never actually seen Aria before. But she knew of her.
And she had chosen not to kill Ais, opting to take her instead. That strongly suggested the woman was searching for Aria as well.
Which meant... Aria might still be alive, somewhere in the deeper levels.
Riveria forced herself to push down her rising thoughts. At last, she understood why Ais had been so desperate to challenge the floor boss. It wasn't just the provocation from that woman—it was Ais's need to know why someone like her would recognize the name "Aria."
"Let's head back for now. This isn't something we can decide on the spot."
Whether that woman truly knew about Aria or not, this was no place to talk about it.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 275: Chapter 275: The Urgent Voice from Within
Chapter Text
Bell, who had been silently watching from the side the entire time, found it all quite entertaining.
'Looks like they still don't know about the intel I brought back.'
'Did I already return to the Dungeon when they got back? The "Sword Princess" is even more obsessive than I thought.'
She was cute, and her figure wasn't bad either—but her head was a bit too straightforward.
'It's so strange. Goddess-sama is clearly cuter than the "Sword Princess," so why do so many people prefer her?'
Bell honestly couldn't wrap his head around it.
Some claimed the "Sword Princess" had that emotionless charm, the allure of being unreadable. But for Bell, smiling Goddess-sama and the always dignified, big-sisterly Hephaestus-sama were far more appealing.
He gave his head a quick shake, dismissing the thought. Different people, different tastes. Some folks just liked that kind of cold, distant type.
As for Bell himself, the "Sword Princess" was someone to admire from afar—but definitely not someone he'd want to get too close to.
She just didn't suit him.
Bell followed behind Nine Hell and the Sword Princess on the return trip.
He could have used spatial coordinates to teleport, but after seeing those two and everything they'd been through, he felt it was best to deliver the completed Rune Stones to the Loki Familia directly.
He wasn't the Loki Familia's errand boy. It wasn't like he'd always be lucky enough to run into them in the Dungeon.
To keep the "Sword Princess" from throwing her life away again, Bell figured it was time to hand them over.
It didn't take long to return from the Middle Floors to the surface.
For a Level 1 or even Level 2 adventurer, the journey could be dangerous—monsters between the 13th and 18th floors weren't weak. Low-level adventurers needed at least a party of five or six to return safely. If just one or two went alone and got targeted, it could easily be fatal.
But for a Level 6 and someone close to that level, it was a breeze.
Even Riveria, who typically served as a long-range caster, could flatten Level 2 Minotaurs with just her fists and kicks. So the two of them made it back from the 18th floor in just half an hour.
Bell trailed quietly behind, relieved he didn't have to fight anything himself.
After finishing off the last goblin in their path, Ais sheathed her Desperate Blade and rotated her arm. It already felt more natural compared to when it had just regenerated.
"Getting used to it?"
Riveria stepped up beside her.
Ais shook her head slightly, still lifting her arm and examining it.
"It's still a bit off. Doesn't feel like my original arm."
"My legs too."
"It's only been two days since they were regenerated. It's natural that you're not fully used to them yet."
Riveria didn't think it was a serious problem.
From Ais's movements, it was clear her new limbs were quickly adjusting. Their flexibility had already improved noticeably, and they were even more powerful than before.
Of course, it would take time for them to fully sync with her reflexes and speed—an adjustment period was only natural.
"Anything else besides the discomfort?"
Ais gave it some thought, but it really just seemed like she hadn't adjusted yet. She gave a small shake of her head.
"No other symptoms, just feels like I can't exert full strength."
"And aside from that, my flexibility isn't quite the same as before."
That kind of issue could be categorized as "minor."
Riveria, having understood the nature of limb regeneration, made a mental note. At the very least, anyone who's undergone such regeneration would need a period of adjustment to let their new limbs gradually acclimate to their body's original standards.
"It's not a big deal. Based on your condition, it should take about a week for your new limbs to fully adapt."
"...That's so slow..."
While Riveria thought it was nothing serious, Ais looked at her own arm with a hint of disappointment.
To her, a week felt far too long.
In response, Riveria promptly tapped her on the head with her wand.
"Think about what this is—limb regeneration, you idiot."
"Do you think adventurers can just get this lucky? Do you know what happened to the ones who lost arms or legs in the past?"
"They went from being top-tier warriors in their Familia to getting reassigned to warehouse duty."
"If those adventurers knew they could regrow their limbs in just a week, they'd probably be jumping for joy."
"You need to stop taking blessings for granted."
Ais clutched her head where she'd been hit, feeling a bit wronged. She knew she was lucky—far luckier than the veterans who'd lost limbs for good.
Riveria sighed as she watched, then stepped forward and pulled Ais into a hug.
"Ais, do you know why I said all that?"
Ais nodded quietly. Of course she understood Riveria's intentions.
"Since you get it, I won't repeat myself."
"Compared to most adventurers, you really are lucky. But you weren't born with the kind of exceptional qualities some adventurers have."
"They've got the power, the talent to push their limits—but you're still far from that."
As Riveria spoke, she couldn't help but think of Bell—the boy who combined talent, drive, and raw strength. Someone who already possessed abilities and growth that surpassed his level. That was something Ais didn't yet have.
Ais buried her face into Riveria's shoulder, listening to her words while doubts stirred in her heart.
"Riveria... are you talking about the person who saved me?"
"That's right."
It wasn't the first time Riveria had mentioned that name in front of her.
"Bell Cranel, of the Hestia Familia. He's currently working with us and is considered an eternal ally of our Familia."
"He's the one who created the Rune Stones, including many with specialized functions. We've bought a large batch for this expedition. The Space Belt in particular is a key part of our strategy this time."
Bell Cranel...
It was the second time Ais had heard that name. She recalled Riveria mentioning him the day after she was defeated by that woman. More recently, two days ago when she woke up and was told he was the one who helped treat her severed limbs.
"He's accomplished feats even greater than yours, yet still chooses to stay under the radar."
"Maybe he just prefers being discreet. Even now, the Guild still has him listed as Level 1."
"That cautious, careful approach to things—it's something you need to learn. You've been far too flashy."
"And your actions... too extreme."
Ais didn't argue. She listened in silence.
She knew the one who had cut off that woman's hand and saved her had to be powerful.
So she truly did take these lessons to heart.
Bell Cranel surpassed her in both skills and magic. The only edge she had was the time she'd spent as an adventurer.
So when Riveria said she was too flashy, Ais remembered it well.
But remembering was one thing.
In her heart, a desperate voice kept urging her forward. That was the reason she couldn't stop—and the reason she chased after strength so urgently.
Chapter 276: Chapter 276: A Reunion Across Time
Chapter Text
The memories burned like fire in her chest.
Lately, Ais had often dreamed of the days when her mother would hold her and tell her stories.
Back then, she had been an innocent little girl, always smiling—so unlike the way she was now.
But everything changed the moment that disaster struck.
That single tragedy had stolen both her mother and father, shattering her childhood and rewriting her life entirely.
Once, she had simply been a cheerful girl. Fairy tales were her joy, and heroic adventures were her favorite.
But that incident erased the smile from her face. The stories she once adored turned into blades, and innocence was consumed by the Dungeon's harsh reality.
Now, her hands were stained with the blood of monsters, and beneath her feet lay countless bones.
She no longer resembled a normal person—just a doll on the verge of breaking, driven only by revenge.
"Ais."
A voice engraved in Ais's heart echoed suddenly in her ears.
Even Riveria, who was holding Ais, heard it—that familiar voice, and that familiar face.
A flowing white dress, a full figure wrapped modestly, devoid of any sensuality but emanating a serene grace.
Her beautiful face, paired with a gentle smile, looked so much like Ais's—only more mature, more enchanting. Especially that cascade of golden hair, like a waterfall shining even within the depths of the Dungeon.
"Aria..."
Riveria instinctively whispered the name as she looked at the woman before them.
But after that fleeting moment of shock, she quickly raised her staff and aimed it at the woman.
"You can't be Aria! Aria is already... Ais!"
Before Riveria could act, Ais—still in her arms—grabbed her hand.
The once obedient Ais now held Riveria's hand tightly.
She didn't speak. She just turned swiftly around.
That familiar figure brought a sudden redness to Ais's eyes. Tears welled up fast in her vision.
"Mom..."
The person she had only seen in dreams now stood right before her.
Ais knew it wasn't real—but she couldn't stop the storm of emotions rising in her chest.
"Ais... my sweet daughter."
The woman smiled gently. She didn't reach out her arms, only looked at Ais with soft, loving eyes.
That gaze pierced through the walls Ais had spent years building. Her nose stung, her defenses crumbled.
"Have you been eating well all these years?"
"Mom..."
That gentle voice broke what little control Ais had left.
She was about to rush forward—only to have her hand caught.
Turning her head, she saw Riveria's grave expression.
"Ais, don't be fooled. That's an illusion!"
"Let go of me..."
"Ais, that is—"
"I know it's an illusion! Just let go already!"
Ais's emotions burst out. Her last words were nearly a sob.
She knew the person in front of her was fake.
But even so—she couldn't hold back the tears.
Ais...
Riveria hardly recognized this side of her. But even so, she couldn't let go. She couldn't let Ais walk toward that illusion.
"Riveria."
The woman's soft voice floated through the air, making Riveria, who was gripping Ais's hand, tremble.
"Hold on to Ais. This child has always been stubborn. If no one's there to stop her, she'll end up getting herself into trouble."
Her face remained gentle, her gaze full of motherly affection—but there was a clear restraint behind it.
That moment cracked the certainty Riveria had just seconds before.
"Aria..."
For a brief moment, Riveria truly believed the woman before her might be real.
"Riveria, don't let go of Ais. Keep her from rushing over."
The woman's soft yet firm reminder brought Riveria back to her senses. She tightened her grip on Ais's hand.
And Ais froze where she stood, halted by the voice.
The woman didn't look sad. She just gazed tenderly at her daughter.
"Have you been eating properly all these years?"
"Remember to get enough sleep, and don't stay up late."
"The Dungeon is full of hidden dangers. Don't always charge ahead—stay cautious."
Hearing those tender words, Ais couldn't hold back any longer. Silent tears streamed down her face.
She bit her lip, trying not to sob—maybe to avoid showing just how much it hurt.
"Hahaha... you're still such a crybaby, even after all these years, Ais."
A hand gently rested on her head, accompanied by a warm, hearty laugh filled with fatherly love.
That voice made Ais freeze again. Slowly, she turned her head.
"Papa..."
He wore lightweight armor and carried what looked like an ordinary sword on his back—but only those who knew him would understand just how deadly it truly was.
His handsome face, usually firm and commanding, now held only tenderness and relief.
He casually patted Ais's head, smiling softly, though his words carried a trace of sorrow.
"Seeing you grow up should make me happy. But seeing my little girl covered in blood just like I used to be... it's the last thing I ever wanted."
"Listen to what your mother said. The Dungeon is far more dangerous than you think."
Then he walked over to stand beside the woman.
"Aria... I never imagined we'd see Ais again, here of all places."
"Yeah. I thought we'd never get the chance. But here she is—all grown up."
The couple didn't get emotional. They knew their time was short.
As they moved toward Ais, their bodies began to shift. Their once-natural skin slowly darkened to a deep violet-black hue, no longer looking human.
But the warmth in their eyes never faded.
"Ais, the next time you see us will be when you've proven that you can live on."
"Every fledgling must one day take to the skies. Every child will eventually walk forward, standing on their parents' shoulders."
"Bring your best friend, your strongest ally. Find us. Surpass us. Show us how far you've come."
"Do you understand?"
Ais couldn't stop crying.
She understood.
Her parents had been waiting for her all this time, deep within the Dungeon.
She wiped her face with the back of her hand. No matter how much time had passed, or how much she'd changed—she knew, without a doubt, that they were still the parents she remembered.
So now, she had to give them her answer.
She didn't charge forward like before. Instead, she pressed her left hand to her chest.
"Papa, Mama... I promise I'll find you. And I'll make sure you see how much I've grown."
"Please... wait for me!"
Both the man and woman smiled gently.
"Oh, we'll be waiting!"
Chapter 277: Chapter 277: Haruhime's Troubles
Chapter Text
The figures of the man and woman dissolved into specks of light, slowly fading before Ais and Riveria.
In that moment, Ais could no longer hold herself up. Her knees gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh..."
The sobs she had struggled so hard to suppress finally broke free.
Even if she looked like a doll, it didn't mean she was devoid of emotion.
It was only because she buried everything deep inside her heart that she managed to appear strong on the outside.
But once that outer shell was stripped away, the doll-like façade fell apart—revealing the true girl within.
Riveria didn't go over to comfort Ais as she cried out loud.
What Ais needed now wasn't consolation—but release.
'Those two just now were definitely Aria and Albert.'
Riveria was absolutely certain—they weren't illusions. They had been real.
Not physically, of course—just fragments of consciousness projected here.
'Then, who made this happen?'
'Given their condition, they couldn't have done it themselves.'
Riveria already had an answer in mind.
'It has to be him.'
If anyone in Orario could pull off something this bizarre, aside from the gods, there was only one person she could think of—a certain boy with a unique magic.
'So, Bell-kun… you've been nearby all along.'
More than just nearby. Bell had been tailing them since the 16th floor, quietly following their return caravan all the way back here.
While doing so, he happened to spot two lingering soul fragments buried deep within the Sword Princess's soul—and without hesitation, he released them.
He hadn't expected those fragments to hold so much.
Luckily, Bell had anticipated that something unusual might happen and had taken out a "Recording Crystal" to capture it all on video.
After watching it, Bell didn't stick around. He quietly made his way toward the Loki Familia.
As for Ais, still sobbing her heart out—Bell knew she'd need time to recover from all this.
He'd also noticed that "Nine Hell" kept subtly scanning her surroundings. She likely realized he had been the one behind it.
All the more reason for him not to linger.
With that thought, Bell tucked the "Memory Crystal" away and left.
This was the first floor of the Dungeon. Climbing the stairs would bring him straight to the entrance.
Perhaps because it was late, the corridors were nearly empty.
When he finally stepped out into the open, the night sky draped over all of Orario—just as he'd expected.
'Next stop... Loki Familia.'
At that moment, an important meeting was underway inside the Loki Familia. Only a handful of people were attending—mostly a few Level 5s and some key affiliates.
"First, let me explain—our Familia has just received the Grimoire we ordered through Riveria's channel."
Finn got straight to the point, stating the purpose of the meeting.
Grimoires are rare magical items capable of forcibly awakening magic in their users. Even in Orario, they're considered exceedingly scarce. While the Altena Kingdom produces a few Grimoires each year, the number is shockingly low.
The only reason the Loki Familia managed to acquire such a rare Grimoire this time was thanks to Riveria's connections. Even so, it still took a full month to get their hands on it.
And the cost? A staggering 150 million valis.
Still, Finn believed it was worth every coin.
"Haruhime, we're entrusting this Grimoire to you. Let's see what kind of magic you can awaken—this will greatly influence our next expedition into the Dungeon."
"I-I understand."
Haruhime already knew the Grimoire was meant to determine what magic she could awaken, and she had prepared herself mentally. Yet, staring down at the Grimoire in her hands, she couldn't help but feel the heavy weight of expectation settle on her shoulders.
"Yah!!!"
Just as that weight pressed down on her, a pair of hands suddenly landed on her shoulders, startling her so much she nearly dropped the Grimoire.
"Relax, Haruhime-chan. No need to be so tense."
"L-Loki-sama..."
Startled by the sudden voice, Haruhime finally realized that the one behind her was Loki.
Loki herself had been startled by Haruhime's squeal, but she immediately understood the pressure the girl was under.
With a sigh, she squeezed Haruhime's stiff shoulders.
"Look at you—your shoulders are frozen solid."
"Ah... L-Loki-sama... ngh... Your voice is... kinda too seductive..."
Loki blinked in surprise at the flustered sound coming from the bashful Renard. Even someone like her, notorious for being a pervert, felt a spark of excitement at the reaction.
Haruhime's face turned crimson, her golden ears drooping in embarrassment.
"Loki-sama, I... I didn't mean to sound like that…"
Of course, Loki knew that. It was just a natural reaction from being startled. But Haruhime's response was far more amusing than anyone else's, which got Loki's mischievous streak bubbling again.
Still, she knew this wasn't the time or place to tease a shy little fox, so she restrained herself.
"Haruhime, don't take the Grimoire so seriously."
"Sure, we're hoping you'll awaken something special, but even if you don't, it's not the end of the world. Your 'Level Boost' is already an incredible asset to the Familia. You don't need to stress so much about your second magic."
But Loki's reassurance didn't seem to help much.
"B-but... the Familia paid such a huge price for this Grimoire. If I can't awaken a useful magic, won't it all go to waste?"
Haruhime understood just how rare and precious Grimoires were. She also understood how important it was to awaken the right kind of magic for the Familia's future.
It was precisely because she understood all that... that the pressure felt so overwhelming.
What if she failed?
The captain had always been so kind to her, and Loki-sama treated her far better than Ishtar-sama ever did.
Haruhime truly cherished the Loki Familia.
Which only made her more desperate to prove she was worth the cost they'd paid.
Chapter 278: Chapter 278: Loki Explodes
Chapter Text
"Don't be so nervous, Haruhime."
Tiona tried to comfort her from the side.
"Awakening magic is totally random. It's not something you can control in the first place. Honestly, not awakening the right magic is the norm, so don't stress yourself out too much."
"Tiona's right."
Finn also agreed. Using a Grimoire to awaken magic was just a method to strengthen Haruhime, but it didn't diminish her own worth.
"Forcing a magic awakening through a Grimoire is a gamble. And with gambling, there's always a chance of winning or losing. Even if it fails, it's not a big deal—this is something we all understood from the start."
"Haruhime, even if you don't awaken a suitable magic, you don't need to worry too much."
Although Finn had placed his hopes on Haruhime, he didn't want her to feel overly pressured.
Just as he said himself, gambling comes with risks. Since he chose to bet, he was also ready to accept the possibility of losing. Finn wasn't someone who couldn't handle defeat—he accepted the risk, and he didn't want Haruhime to carry that burden alone.
"But..."
Even though Finn and the others had done their best to reassure her, Haruhime still couldn't stop worrying.
Everyone could see it, but there was nothing more they could say. All they could do now was wait for her new magic to awaken.
"Knock, knock!"
At that moment, someone knocked on the office door.
Finn glanced at the people in the room and said, "Bell-kun, you can come in."
All the girls turned their eyes toward the door, and even Haruhime, who was under immense pressure, momentarily forgot her anxiety.
The door opened, and the boy walked in, still cloaked and hooded.
"As expected of you, Finn. You figured it was me."
"No. Everyone in the Familia knows we're having a meeting right now. Aside from Ais and Riveria, who haven't returned yet, you're the only one who'd show up."
"It's a reasonable guess, but being able to respond that quickly is a quality I lack."
Despite Finn's explanation, Bell still held him in high regard.
Knowing something is one thing, but reacting that quickly is another.
Finn didn't refuse the compliment. Resting his chin on his hands, he looked at Bell.
"So, Bell-kun, are you here to deliver intel again?"
"Intel… I suppose you could call it that. Though it's not exactly new. It's information from three days ago—about the 'Sword Princess' and Vice Captain Riveria."
With a snap of his fingers, an image appeared in the center of the office.
"!?"
Everyone jumped to their feet in shock, even the normally composed Finn.
In the image, Riveria was holding Ais—covered in blood, missing her right arm and both legs.
For the entire Loki Familia, this was a devastating blow.
"Ais—what the hell happened to her!?"
Bete was the first to lose his composure. He stormed up to Bell, reaching out to grab his collar.
"Bete...!?"
Finn, quick to react, was about to stop him—only to be stunned by what happened next.
The moment Bete's hand extended, his entire body froze in place, as if restrained by some invisible force.
"W-What's going on!?"
It felt like an unseen hand was gripping him tightly. He couldn't move an inch.
Bell didn't explain right away. Instead, he looked calmly at the "Vanargand" before him.
"It's not wrong to be upset seeing one of your Familia members injured. But next time, at least let me finish what I'm saying."
"And besides—this isn't exactly bad news. I came to offer Loki-sama some good news."
"Good news?"
Loki's shocked expression turned to fury. Seeing Ais broken and bloodied—arms and legs gone—there wasn't a trace of joy in her. Her anger was ready to explode.
"You little—if you don't explain this right now..."
"Stop! Rather than saying that to me, why not ask Captain Finn? He probably understands better than anyone why the 'Sword Princess' ended up like this."
Before Loki's wrath could turn on him, Bell cut her off and shifted the focus to the only other person in the room who knew the full story—Finn.
"Finn! What the hell happened!?"
Loki snapped at her own captain.
Ugh... my head's starting to hurt.
Finn let out a bitter smile under Loki's roar. He knew it—the bigger this blew up, the more it would fall on him.
Truthfully, the moment he saw Ais in that condition, his calm mind already pieced together what had happened.
But what he hadn't expected... was that even with Riveria at her side, things would turn out like this.
"I think... Ais challenged the Floor Boss."
"She challenged the Floor Boss!?"
Loki looked at Finn in disbelief. She hadn't expected him to know what Ais had been doing—and even if he did, he still let her go?
That thought alone made her blood pressure spike.
"Finn, you let Ais and Riveria go up against the Floor Boss alone!?"
"Loki-sama, you might want to reconsider your wording. If they'd gone together, do you really think the 'Sword Princess' would be that badly injured?"
"She went alone!?"
Loki nearly blacked out. She challenged the Floor Boss on her own!?
If it had been a lower-level Floor Boss, Ais would've managed. But the kind of opponent that could reduce her to that state—and one she would voluntarily fight—there was only one possibility.
The Floor Boss of the 37th Floor. Lv.6 Udaeus.
Everyone knew—the Floor Boss on the 37th Floor wasn't someone you fought alone. And Ais had gone in at Lv.5.
From Loki's point of view, that wasn't a challenge—it was suicide.
"Loki-sama, there's no need to get so worked up. In the end, the fact that the 'Sword Princess' returned alive means she defeated the Floor Boss. That means Loki Familia now has another Level 6 adventurer—and our influence in Orario will only grow stronger."
That statement was like pouring oil onto the fire already burning in Loki's heart.
"Have you ever seen a Level 6 with missing arms and legs!? Am I supposed to be happy seeing Ais like that!?"
But Bell just chuckled.
"Loki-sama, you really are forgetful. Isn't that right, Captain Finn?"
Called out, Finn covered his face in embarrassment. In the end, he had no choice but to remind the mentally frayed Loki.
"Loki... you didn't forget about 'Limb Regeneration,' did you?"
...Huh?
At that moment, Loki's raging mind came to a screeching halt. She froze, completely dumbfounded.
Chapter 279: Chapter 279: Catalyst and Inhibitor
Chapter Text
"...???"
Loki was completely stunned.
Right—there was still "Limb Regeneration," wasn't there?
She had actually forgotten about that, and now, thinking back on her earlier outburst... did that make her look like a total idiot?
Yes, Loki, you really are an idiot.
If Loki had voiced that thought out loud, Finn definitely would've answered her with that exact line.
In truth, the moment Finn saw that scene, he already knew Ais would be fine.
After all, the person who created the Rune Stone enabling "Limb Regeneration" had met Ais and Riveria three days ago. If that person was now openly showing that image within the Familia, it couldn't have been just to provoke them, right?
Anyone with half a brain would realize that didn't make sense.
Still, the fact that many within the Familia had taken it seriously made Finn a little uneasy.
So before he completely lost his composure, he decided to shift the topic.
"Bell-kun, what else? I doubt that was the only message you brought."
Bell gave a slight nod. Glancing at the barely composed expressions across Loki Familia, he finally understood who carried the heaviest burden in their group.
He casually released the restraint on "Vanargand" Bete, then continued where Finn had left off.
"There's indeed more. But compared to the earlier news, this next part probably won't be so welcome for Loki Familia."
Finn's curiosity deepened. He probed cautiously.
"Is it about Ais again?"
"Exactly."
Seeing the faint smirk forming on Bell's lips, Finn felt a growing sense of dread.
"Bell-kun, don't make me guess. Just tell me directly."
Bell didn't mince words.
"Earlier today, while I was running some tests and experiments on the 16th Floor, I happened to see the 'Sword Princess' and Vice Captain Riveria. Since I was nearly done with my work, I decided to follow them back."
"On the way, I overheard their conversation. That's when I realized... the 'Sword Princess' has a reason—something that compels her to move forward."
"That's when I first noticed two soul fragments deeply entangled within her own soul."
"I admit it—I triggered them purely out of curiosity. But what I didn't expect... was that two souls from deep within the Dungeon would respond to those fragments. And that they would actually meet the 'Sword Princess' face to face."
Most people wouldn't understand the weight of those words.
But those who did—stared in shock, wide-eyed and speechless.
"No way..."
Loki's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Ais to still carry fragments of those two souls within her. Even more shocking—they were still alive, somewhere in the Dungeon.
She had truly believed they were long dead, buried in the Dungeon's depths after all these years.
Finn, snapping out of his daze, let out a heavy sigh. He couldn't hold back the question.
"Bell-kun, how did Ais react?"
"Well... the 'Sword Princess' was understandably emotional. But with those two guiding her—and Riveria holding her back—she calmed down fairly quickly. However..."
"She said something, didn't she?"
Finn could already guess what Bell hadn't yet said. And that—was what gave him such a headache.
"Yeah. They asked the 'Sword Princess' to move forward. To surpass them. They said they wanted to see her grow. So they made a promise."
"She would find them again—with her best friends, her strongest comrades—surpass them, and prove to them that the 'Sword Princess' could live on."
"And so... she promised she would show them her growth."
It was a wish not unlike that of parents entrusting their hopes to a child. Finn couldn't bring himself to criticize something that sounded so much like a final will.
But he knew this kind of promise would bring big trouble.
Ais had already committed many reckless acts in the past out of vengeance for the Black Dragon. And now, driven by this new purpose, her obsession with strength could grow even more dangerous.
"...Sigh."
There was no doubt—Ais would hunger for more power in the days ahead.
That might be normal for most adventurers. But for Ais... her pursuit of strength would likely cross the line into madness, far beyond the bounds of safety.
Bell could clearly see the burden Finn carried and understood the challenges he now faced. But in his heart, he wasn't too worried.
"Captain Finn, this is a catalyst for the 'Sword Princess'—but it's also an inhibitor."
"Bell-kun, what do you mean?"
The effects of a "catalyst" were obvious, but Finn couldn't immediately see what the "inhibitor" part referred to.
"Then I'll be blunt. Those two possess Lv.8-level power. From the soul's feedback, I could feel their strength—it even surpasses that of the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus."
"In terms of Ais's current strength, unless she reaches Lv.9, there's absolutely no way she could fight them. For her, the goal now is to prove she can survive a confrontation with them. That's their expectation—so Ais will never let this chance to prove herself go to waste."
"Because this is her one and only opportunity. If she misses it, there won't be another."
Bell's explanation made everything click for Finn, easing much of the concern he'd been holding onto.
"I see. So by relying on Ais's regard for them, this could push her to think more about her companions' strength—rather than trying to prove everything on her own?"
If Ais cared about those two deeply enough, she'd approach this challenge with more seriousness. She'd focus on her companions' growth, rather than just charging ahead alone as she used to.
But Bell still had a warning to give.
"Captain Finn, if this burden shifts onto your shoulders instead, it creates another issue."
"Someone among you has to keep up with the 'Sword Princess.' Otherwise, knowing Ais's personality, she'll likely choose to fight alone rather than drag anyone else into it."
...Yeah, given Ais's personality, that was probably true.
Finn could only sigh in frustration and admit it.
That girl—when it came to being stubborn, rigid, and dead set in her thinking—was more hard-headed than anyone else. Most of the lessons and guidance they'd given her had lost their effect the moment she got stronger. She was back to being a reckless child all over again.
Chapter 280: Chapter 280: You Better Explain Yourself, You Brat!
Chapter Text
"There are only two things I need to remind you of."
"And then, since the 'Sword Princess' is bound to act recklessly in the near future—which might expose too many of my hidden abilities—I've got no choice but to deliver the Rune Stones now."
Bell had originally planned to wait a little longer before making the delivery. But with things turning out like this, he simply had no choice.
If he held onto them any longer, and Ais pulled another stunt like this, the rest of Loki Familia might pull off something wild again—like what they did during the Nine Hell incident.
And he couldn't always count on luck. Sooner or later, he'd slip up.
Once those special Rune Stones were exposed, trouble would come crashing down on him one after another.
To avoid that kind of disaster, Bell decided it was better to deliver the order in advance.
With a snap of his fingers, five spatial waist pouches appeared on Finn's desk.
"All the Rune Stones are in these five pouches. I've included descriptions and instructions for each type inside."
Finn's mouth twitched slightly. Sure, he had been eagerly awaiting the spatial pouches, but right now, all he felt was speechlessness.
Ais, you've even managed to scare Bell-kun.
Just look at him—he tossed those pouches down like they were poison or something.
Finn wanted to say something to explain that Ais didn't always behave like this… but the words just wouldn't come.
What was there to say?
Ais's actions had practically smacked Bell in the face. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to hand these over.
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
Having completed the delivery, Bell turned to leave.
"P-Please wait!"
He paused and turned his head. The one calling out was a girl, slightly out of breath.
She was a fox girl with a delicate, oval-shaped face, dressed in a soft cherry-red kimono. She looked like a refined, old-world girl with a quiet, bookish charm. On her head twitched a pair of golden, furry ears, and behind her swayed a golden tail—nervous and unsettled, perfectly reflecting her mood.
Her face was filled with worry and unease, and to Bell, she looked like a shy, introverted bookworm.
'Have I ever interacted with her before?'
Bell couldn't help but wonder.
He definitely knew Sanjouno Haruhime. In person, she was much cuter than any two-dimensional image—few could stay indifferent to such a charming fox girl.
But he didn't recall ever having any personal connection with her.
"Is there something you need?"
Bell asked casually, a bit confused.
"..."
Haruhime opened her mouth. She was finally face-to-face with him, but couldn't seem to find the words.
Her golden tail, which had been swaying nervously a moment ago, now drooped low.
"???"
'Did I say something harsh just now?'
Bell was baffled. All he did was ask if she needed anything—how did that end up upsetting her?
Haruhime took a few deep breaths, then gathered her courage and spoke.
"Do you... remember me?"
—Sanjouno Haruhime. A rare exception in the Ishtar Familia, still retaining her maiden status. I'm the one who passed your information to Loki-sama. Of course I remember you.
"Huh? You... you're the one who told Loki-sama?"
"Well, sort of. When I first arrived in Orario, I made it a habit to wander around different Familias, seeing if I could dig up any interesting intel. I was originally aiming to work in intelligence, after all."
"I... I see..."
Haruhime's expression froze. She hadn't known the truth—that the information had come from the very person she viewed as a hero.
Seeing the devastated look on her face, like she'd just been struck by lightning, Bell's eyes flickered slightly—but he said nothing. He simply gave a faint smile.
"That's all there is to it."
"Don't think of me as some kind of savior. I saved you for my own reasons. There's no need to put me on a pedestal."
Bell didn't try to sugarcoat anything. He just calmly laid out the logic behind his actions.
With that, he turned to leave.
"Hey! Kid, hold it right there!"
Loki, seeing Haruhime on the verge of tears, angrily called out to Bell as he prepared to walk away.
"Why didn't you just tell the truth?"
"I did. What I said was the most honest version of the truth there is. You know that better than anyone, don't you, Loki-sama?"
"Like hell you did, you damn brat!"
Loki jabbed a finger toward Bell, fuming.
"You reek of lies from head to toe. You think I can't see through you?"
"You introduced Haruhime to me, spilled the secret about her hidden magic—don't tell me you only did it for your own gain. Didn't you choose my Familia because it was the safest place for her?"
Bell sighed softly at the sight of Loki's rising anger.
"Feeding a girl unrealistic hopes is the cruelest thing you can do."
"Loki-sama, even if you knew... you didn't have to say it out loud. Couldn't you have just kept it a secret?"
Loki spat on the ground and yanked Haruhime—whose eyes were red and filled with tears—closer.
"Bullshit!"
"Denying what you've done, right in front of a girl like her—now that's what's truly cruel."
Looking at Sanjouno Haruhime's tear-filled eyes, the sympathy Bell had been holding gave way to helpless resignation.
Who wouldn't feel compassion for a girl who had suffered so much in this world?
Anyone who had heard her story would have sighed at the tragedy of her life.
And when Bell was given the chance, what he did was simple—he joined forces with Loki-sama to remove the root of that tragedy: Ishtar-sama.
Then he found her a place where she could finally live in peace—the Loki Familia.
In the end, Bell could only take a step back and sigh.
"I admit it. After learning about her past, I did push things in that direction."
"I used the intelligence I had, and your craving for rare talents, to get rid of Ishtar."
Those simple words made something click for Loki.
"And if I hadn't been willing to act?"
Bell's shadowed eyes swept across Loki as he delivered a line that stunned the room.
"Assassinating a goddess whore is a lot easier than you'd think."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 281: Chapter 281: The Overheating Fox Girl
Chapter Text
If you lack the power, stay hidden.
If you have the power, stay hidden—and strike when it counts.
Ultimately, Bell still couldn't accept those kinds of unsatisfying endings.
Compared to Sanjouno Haruhime's situation, the fact that Ishtar might target him due to her enmity with Freya gave Bell more than enough reason to take her out early.
But the members of Loki Familia looked stunned by what he had just said—especially Loki herself.
"I wanted you to say something useful, not drop a bomb like that!"
Loki was absolutely losing it now.
She had expected him to admit it plainly, but she hadn't expected him to bring up something as explosive as "godslaying."
Bell, however, didn't seem the least bit concerned about what he'd said.
"Isn't that what you wanted me to say, Loki-sama?"
"And of course, I didn't act just for some girl I have no connection to. Ishtar-sama was a thorn in my side—so much so that I had no choice but to pull it out."
Loki frowned. Something about that phrasing felt... off.
"You have a grudge against Ishtar?"
"Of course not. I've always stayed in my Familia or trained in the Dungeon. How would I have anything to do with Ishtar-sama?"
"Then why the hell do you have such intense killing intent toward that b—uh, that woman?"
Not that she herself liked Ishtar either. That goddess was the textbook definition of a harlot—so notorious even among the gods that most goddesses couldn't stand her.
But still, why did this kid hate her so much?
To Bell, it wasn't anything he needed to hide—after all, Ishtar had already been sent back to Tenkai by Loki.
"For one, she was tied to the Evilus."
"And second... her antagonism toward Freya-sama."
"Wait, wait! Don't tell me you've got feelings for that lustful goddess Freya!?"
Loki's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Bell's reason for targeting Ishtar to be linked to Freya. Things were starting to get way too tangled.
"Haven't you always been avoiding Freya?"
Bell was beyond exasperated by Loki's constant interruptions—especially since she already knew he had been doing his best to avoid Freya, and yet still tried to twist his words.
"So why, exactly, would someone going out of their way to avoid Freya be interested in her?"
"Didn't you say something like that yourself?"
"...What I'm saying is, Ishtar and Freya are bitter enemies. If someone—like me—catches Freya's attention, and Ishtar finds out about it, things could get very messy for me."
The moment he said that, Loki couldn't help but start drawing her own conclusions in her head.
'That bitch would absolutely do it.'
If it meant causing trouble for Freya, Ishtar would jump at the chance.
So, if she ever found out Freya was interested in some boy, she'd probably go after him—just to mess with her.
"That's why, to prevent that kind of situation, I decided to eliminate Ishtar-sama as early as possible."
Loki gave Bell a strange look as he said that.
His face showed no hint of emotion, like god-slaying was no big deal.
To this kid, gods clearly weren't beings to be revered.
"Then why don't you just kill Freya?"
Bell turned to Loki with a look that said, Are you stupid?
"Do you know the difference between a whore and a nymphomaniac?"
"One's used by everyone. The other is driven by desire."
Loki summed up the difference between Ishtar and Freya in just two words.
Accurate!
If the timing had been better, Bell might've actually given her a thumbs-up.
"So, do you hate a god who sleeps around, or a god consumed by desire?"
Loki had no hesitation.
"Obviously the whore."
"Then please, don't ask me questions you already know the answer to."
In short, it was about instincts.
More specifically, the vibe they gave off.
Ishtar gave Bell the impression of a full-on public use lunatic—a woman who embodied unrestrained lust.
As for Freya, it wasn't just desire—it was obsession mixed with overwhelming possessiveness.
He didn't know exactly what Freya was chasing, but compared to Ishtar, she felt... at least somewhat normal.
The truly absurd part, to Bell, was that despite Ishtar embodying lust in its rawest form, she didn't even carry the "Poison of Lust."
Which made him wonder—did even the Seven Deadly Sins find her disgusting?
That conclusion might sound like an insult to the gods—but honestly, it wasn't his judgment. It was the abstract concepts themselves casting judgment.
Bell shook his head.
He realized he'd talked way too much today.
"Sorry. I got carried away."
Without another word, he vanished on the spot.
Yeah, he really wasn't good at social interaction.
Socializing was definitely his biggest flaw.
Even after he left the Loki Familia office, he could still hear Loki shouting from a distance.
"I wasn't finished talking yet!"
Of course Bell knew Loki still had more to say—but he'd said enough for one day. Even if there was more, it wasn't the time to keep going.
...
"Tch. That kid really bailed at the worst possible moment."
Despite having just uncovered some juicy information, Loki was sure of one thing, judging by how fast that kid fled—she'd just dug up something huge.
"Seriously! He drops 'god-slaying' into the conversation like it's nothing, then acts like he doesn't care?"
"If he really didn't care, he wouldn't have used me."
Loki still felt bitter about that kid. Especially the way he pretended not to care and ended up making Haruhime cry. It really ruined her mood.
Of course, Haruhime herself didn't seem as utterly shattered as before.
"I... I... I..."
Her mind was a complete mess.
It was all too much.
She hadn't known he arranged for her to join the Loki Familia just to protect her.
She hadn't known he'd been ready to kill a god—for her.
It was just too overwhelming for someone like Haruhime, who lacked mental resilience.
In the end, with a soft "Mmm~", Haruhime fainted completely.
Aisha, fully prepared for this outcome, caught her in her arms.
Looking down at Haruhime's flushed face, the sight was all too familiar to Aisha.
"She always passes out with that blissful look on her face."
"This idiot... does she even realize who her opponent is?"
Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Seems Like I'm Always on the Defensive
Chapter Text
After handling everything outside, Bell quickly returned to the Familia's territory.
He checked on the progress of the fusion between the external barrier and the world barrier.
The area wrapped by the barrier was starting to become void-like, with space showing signs of stretching outward.
Bell understood this was the result of the world barrier gradually enclosing the pseudo–subspace. Once it fully merged with the surrounding barrier, Hestia Familia's home would be completely detached from the land of Orario, its original location left behind like a foothold.
Once the fusion was complete, this place would truly become "outside the world," reaching the highest level of security.
'Still a bit more to go.'
The fusion was proceeding rapidly, even faster than expected.
The original estimate had been three months, but at the current pace, it might be completed in just one.
After confirming the fusion's progress, Bell didn't return to the treehouse immediately. Instead, he took a walk around.
'The space has stretched quite a bit. The area inside the barrier is still relatively stable—makes sense since it's still merging with the world barrier.'
This stage of fusion was often the most dangerous.
Thankfully, Bell had always been cautious. He had surrounded the area with dense barrier layers specifically to prepare for this phase.
The internal space was expanding and stretching, but it didn't significantly affect the spatial perception inside.
It was a necessary step in adapting to being "outside the world." The pseudo–subspace Bell had created to deceive space was now starting to shift into a true alternate space.
He stretched, stored his filthy cloak into four-dimensional space, and then finally stepped into the treehouse.
"Goddess-sama, I'm back."
"Welcome back, Bell-kun!"
As usual, Goddess-sama came flying out of the room like a gust of wind and leapt into his arms.
Bell reached out to catch her. Her soft body pressed close, along with those two round mounds against his stomach.
Having this happen every day always left a ticklish feeling in his heart.
"Hehe~"
Like a cute little creature, Hestia sniffed around on Bell, but then recoiled, pinching her nose and jumping off him.
"Uwah! Bell-kun, what's that weird fishy smell on you?"
Bell immediately recalled the four Minotaurs he'd killed using the Hydra Dagger for an experiment. He scratched his head a little awkwardly, lifted his shirt and sniffed—it really did stink.
"Sorry, Goddess-sama. It's probably blood from when I killed the Minotaurs. I'll go wash my clothes in a bit."
"Mm-hmm~ Then I'll help Bell-kun with his bath today!"
At the mention of cleaning, Hestia's eyes lit up.
Back when they lived in the underground space, they didn't have a proper bathhouse—just a makeshift tub where you couldn't even stretch your legs, let alone properly relax and enjoy a bath.
'Good grief! Goddess-sama, you're not even pretending anymore, huh?'
Bell nearly bugged his eyes out at the thought.
Unconsciously, his mind built an image of Goddess-sama's figure—then mentally removed that useless ultra-short dress.
"Pfft!"
...Yeah, the image was a bit too spicy.
With no practical experience, Bell found such scenes way too intense for a rookie like him.
He hurriedly used a cooling Rune on himself, trying to calm his overheated imagination.
Under the Rune's effect, his feverish thoughts quickly subsided.
"Goddess-sama, I'll wash myself."
Staying true to one's resolve was never easy.
"Is that so?"
Her disappointment was written all over her face, and Bell knew that if he kept looking, his will would definitely crumble.
So, without another word, Bell vanished from Goddess-sama's view, leaving only his voice behind.
"Goddess-sama, I'll be going ahead."
As she watched Bell retreat, Hestia's cheeks gradually turned pink.
"Hmm~ Why doesn't Bell-kun try just a little harder?"
...
Bell arrived at the bath—something he had specially built for Goddess-sama.
Its interior design mirrored the large treehouse they lived in. The floor, made of tree bark, was smooth enough to reflect light despite being natural. It could absorb and purify used water, which was then processed by the tree and recycled back into the bath.
It was a self-sustaining, pollution-free circulation system.
All it took was a proper and well-thought-out modification of the Spirit Tree.
At the far end of the room sat a large, tree-formed bath. At first glance, it looked like a natural hollow inside the treehouse itself.
Near the back, a hollow trunk continuously poured out hot water. This was the output for the bath's internal circulation system.
Bell, having removed his excess clothing, headed straight to the washing area.
He picked a ripe fruit off the wall. With a gentle squeeze, the fruit burst, releasing a thick stream of juice. Bell poured it over his head, then tossed the crushed fruit aside.
As he scrubbed his hair with both hands, a sweet fruity scent slowly filled his nose. The juice began to foam as he rubbed, gradually washing away the grime and odor from his hair, leaving only a clean, fragrant scent behind.
Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Bell felt his restless emotions begin to settle.
"Ah... Goddess-sama being too cute really is a problem."
"I mean, I am still a man. If she keeps teasing me like this, I won't be able to keep the promise I made to her."
Lately, Bell had clearly noticed that Goddess-sama's hints were becoming more and more obvious.
Maybe it was because of Hephaestus-sama's involvement. The once calm and steady Goddess-sama had started getting a little flustered.
"Hmm, she's probably jealous."
Yes, Bell had figured it out—Goddess-sama's constant teasing stemmed from pure jealousy.
He'd been spending a lot of time with Hephaestus-sama lately, and the two were pretty close even before that. That must have triggered her.
"But when I'm with Hephaestus-sama, she's always the one teasing me."
Thinking back on it, Bell realized he had never been the one to initiate anything. Hephaestus-sama always took the lead—he just got swept along.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Hephaestus's Reminder
Chapter Text
After scrubbing his whole body with the fruit juice, Bell's previously dry skin felt as if it had absorbed a full dose of moisture—restored to a soft, supple elasticity.
"...I really shouldn't have added any random extras to these fruits. Just using them as-is for baths makes your skin feel like it's been through some luxury skincare routine."
Bell wasn't entirely happy with his skin.
If only it looked a little rougher and more solid—something that looked a bit more masculine.
But because of the "Robust Health" trait, his muscles weren't just exceptionally resilient—they were also incredibly flexible. As a result, his skin didn't look tough. Instead, it looked springy and smooth.
When he raised his arm, all he could see were faint outlines of muscle along his slender limbs. This was the optimized form granted by "Robust Health," which balanced flexibility, endurance, and explosive power. It acted like a kind of camouflage for the human body.
Even if Bell didn't particularly want that feature, he couldn't deny how much faster and stronger his current body had become.
Aside from the lack of visible muscle definition and his overly refined skin, there were virtually no downsides.
Bell pinched his forearm.
'Is it because my body looks so submissive that I always act so passive around Hephaestus-sama?'
He wasn't sure if that was the right answer—after all, he had no idea what Hephaestus-sama was really thinking.
'Should I try doing something to make myself act more assertive?'
Bell did want to take the lead when he was with Hephaestus-sama, but every single time, she ended up seizing the initiative and even directing how things played out.
But the more he thought about it, the more he decided to drop the idea.
"Sigh... Instead of worrying about who's in charge in a relationship, it's probably better to focus on getting stronger."
Yes, this world wasn't anything like the peaceful one he had in his past life. Here, if your strength wasn't enough, you'd die—no second chances.
In the Dungeon, aside from the "Xenos," who would play at love with you?
Even the "Xenos" wouldn't open up to just anyone. If you didn't treat them with genuine sincerity, they wouldn't treat you the same way either.
So the foundation for everything was strength.
But Bell couldn't afford to push his growth rate any further. Forcing it now would only lead to negative consequences.
In under three months, he had gone from no foundation at all to rising two full levels—from nothing to Lv.3. That kind of speed could practically be called unprecedented.
For Bell, this pace of advancement was perfect. With the "Early Bloomer" trait, his "Personal Training" was active almost constantly. As long as he was training, his strength increased rapidly.
It was like every workout, every battle, every moment of struggle was being converted directly into growth. After almost every training session or fight, he got stronger.
It was thanks to that that Bell had pulled off the astonishing feat of reaching Lv.3 in just three months.
Now that his growth rate was practically maxed out, Bell was putting more focus on training his "skills."
The true strength of "Personal Training" lay in its support for skill development as well.
But because both his growth rate and path forward were already established and progressing smoothly, Bell found himself unsure about where to go next to keep improving his strength.
"Runes?"
"My current research is focused on poison and curses. Both are incredibly useful in combat, but it'll take time before they can truly become part of my strength.
Research is never something you can rush. At this stage, it's hard to chart a clear path to enhancing Runes."
"Swordsmanship?"
"But I'm still in the middle of studying the ultimate technique—'Tsubame Gaeshi'. Right now, I can only manage a two-slash combo in one breath. I'm still far from mastering it. Shifting to other techniques now would just be putting the cart before the horse."
The peak of technique lies in perfecting 'Tsubame Gaeshi'. Looking for breakthroughs elsewhere would only distract from that goal and lead nowhere.
"Then... what direction should I be aiming for?"
Bell sank into deep thought.
"How about support and coordination?"
The voice startled him.
Standing at the entrance of the bath was the very person he'd been struggling to act more assertive around—Hephaestus.
Only... something about her didn't feel quite right.
"Hephaestus-sama, did you walk into the wrong place?"
She wasn't wearing her usual black slacks and white blouse. Instead, she was wrapped in nothing but a towel. Those pale legs that were always hidden away were now right in front of him, leaving Bell dazed and unfocused.
Gulp—
So white.
What legs.
Rin Tohsaka might be the gold standard for "legs you could play with for years" in the 2D world, but right now, Bell felt Hephaestus-sama completely outclassed her.
Was this the power of a mature woman? Bell felt the pressure mounting.
Wrong place?
Of course not.
With a charming smile, Hephaestus stepped further into the bath. She obviously knew Bell was here—why else would she come?
Her fair toes gleamed under the bathhouse lights, and her long legs—slim yet shapely—left Bell wondering where to focus his eyes.
Truthfully, he had no idea where to look. But after sneaking a few glances, he forced himself to look away using sheer willpower.
Once he diverted his gaze, his clouded mind cleared up quite a bit, and he exhaled without realizing it.
"So, that's what this is."
The sound of water splashing and her sudden comment made Bell turn his head in confusion.
"Hephaestus-sama, what did you mean by that?"
Hephaestus's crimson eyes reflected Bell's image—but the Bell she saw was tinged with a faint red glow.
"Bell, your emotions have been slipping out of control lately."
Bell paused, then his expression turned serious as he began checking himself using Runes.
Hephaestus remained quietly at the side, waiting until the Runic symbols dimmed, and Bell's face darkened further.
Only then did she speak.
"Did you feel it?"
"Yeah."
It was only now that Bell noticed the red aura faintly clinging to the surface of his body.
It was extremely subtle, like it could vanish at any moment. Without close inspection, it was almost invisible.
After a quick scan, Bell finally realized what it was... some kind of curse.
"Hephaestus-sama, what exactly is that red substance?"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Sorry, Hestia
Chapter Text
"That's a 'trial' for adventurers."
"A trial?"
"Exactly."
Hephaestus adjusted her position, reclining slightly as the hot water soaked her body. With her legs gently spread, she relaxed into the bath, enjoying the peace while explaining to Bell.
"For adventurers, the Dungeon is a place to challenge themselves, to grow stronger, even to make a living. But it's also a dangerous place."
"'The Dungeon is full of danger'—that saying doesn't just refer to the monsters born within it. It also speaks to the constant influence the Dungeon exerts on adventurers."
"Like the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus?"
"Bell, that wouldn't be a trial. That would be sending adventurers to their deaths."
She fixed him with a scarlet-eyed glare, clearly not amused.
If the Dungeon's influence were on the level of the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus, no adventurer would survive—it'd be a guaranteed death sentence.
"That red aura you saw—it's actually the wild madness that all monsters carry. It's both a curse and a trial placed upon adventurers by the Dungeon."
"That stuff clings to you after you kill monsters, carried through their blood."
Bell immediately recalled the monster blood he hadn't cleaned off today. He hadn't expected it to be so problematic.
Still, the effect wouldn't come from a one-time exposure. It had to be the result of prolonged contact with monster blood.
His face darkened.
He'd thought he'd been careful, but he'd fallen into one of the Dungeon's traps over something so basic.
Seeing Bell's troubled expression, Hephaestus could easily guess what was going through his mind.
Under the water, she gently placed her hand over his, drawing his attention back to her before continuing.
"You don't need to worry too much about this trial. Every adventurer goes through it."
That caught Bell off guard.
"Hephaestus-sama, if you know about it, then surely other gods know too. So why do so many adventurers still fall victim to it?"
"Because while the trial has its downsides, it also comes with benefits."
That, at least, Bell could understand.
If no one talked about it, then clearly the positives must balance out the negatives.
"That madness stirs up deep desires in adventurers, sharpening their personalities."
"Those greedy for money become greedier. The lustful grow more lustful. And those with violent urges develop even stronger killing intent."
"But this influence isn't absolute. It can be resisted."
"As long as an adventurer has strong enough willpower, they can fight off the mental pressure it creates—and even use those experiences to strengthen their own mindset."
"That kind of mental resilience is crucial for adventurers. Most gods who recognize the problem won't spell it out, but they'll still guide their children out of that state in their own way."
Hephaestus explained the concept of the "trial" in full detail, leaving Bell deep in thought, brows furrowed.
"So... the root of Orario's adventurers being so lazy is really because of how easy the first dozen floors are—and this curse the Dungeon lays on them?"
So it wasn't just that adventurers didn't want to take risks. Their complacency wasn't only due to choice—it was the result of the Dungeon's carefully laid trap.
"That's exactly it."
Hephaestus affirmed Bell's deduction, and the hand resting on the back of his moved underneath to interlock fingers with his.
"So for new adventurers, reaching Level 2 is a critical stage. If they're affected by the Dungeon during this period and can't break free on their own, its influence will follow them for life."
Bell's heart skipped a beat. Then, instead of remaining passive, he tightened his grip on Hephaestus's hand—and a question came to mind.
"Then why am I only being affected now?"
"Didn't I already say it? The Dungeon's influence works slowly over time. Tell me, how long do you think it usually takes for an average adventurer to reach Level 2?"
"Uh... three or four years?"
"Before the Loki Familia's 'Sword Princess' broke the record by doing it in a year, the fastest record in Orario was just over two years. And more than half of the adventurers out there can't even hit Level 2 in ten or twenty years. Those are the ones most deeply affected by the Dungeon."
For ordinary adventurers, the longer they remained in the Dungeon, the more severely they were affected before reaching a higher level. On the other hand, the truly gifted ones often reached Level 3 before the Dungeon's influence could even catch up to them.
But what Hephaestus had seen earlier was that Bell had already taken control of his desires.
At this level, the influence could be so subtle that even the person themselves might not notice it. And yet Bell had still managed to restrain those feelings on his own. That, to Hephaestus, was nothing short of incredible—and it made her genuinely happy.
Under the water, her thumb gently brushed against Bell's, a small gesture that brought her a quiet sense of joy.
"You might be the only person who's still influenced by the Dungeon at Level 3... and who overcame it through sheer willpower."
"You really are... my lover."
That straightforward declaration completely stunned Bell.
He'd been thinking about how to act more assertive in front of Hephaestus—only to get blindsided by a single line that made his face flush and heart race.
After all, this was the first time in his life a girl had said something that direct to him.
Seeing his flustered, dumbfounded look, Hephaestus couldn't help but laugh.
"Still no response?"
"Uh... I... I don't know what to say..."
Bell felt like he was dying of embarrassment. The moment had smacked him in the face, and he still didn't know how to react.
Truthfully, he had zero experience in situations like this.
He could admit he'd watched plenty of sugary romance clips before, but he was always the one laughing at his phone, not the guy getting confessed to in the story.
"Idiot~ This is the kind of moment where you're not supposed to talk. You're supposed to show it with actions."
Smiling, Hephaestus leaned in closer.
She already had the advantage in height, and sitting down didn't change that either.
Just like the last two times, she was still the one holding all the initiative.
And at that moment, in her heart, Hephaestus quietly offered an apology to her best friend.
'Sorry, Hestia. But I have to move forward.'
Chapter 285: Chapter 285: Hestia Gets One-Upped (Fan-Made – Original Chapter 285 Was Too Spicy for China and Got Banned)
Chapter Text
...
Important Note: As many of you know, this is a fan translation—but I need to clarify something about Chapter 285. The version you're about to read is not part of the original story. That's because the real Chapter 285 was banned—yes, banned everywhere, both on official Chinese platforms and even on underground or backup sites.
Why? From what I've gathered, it was a not-safe-for-work (NSFW) adult scene that crossed the line for Chinese content regulations. (Don't ask me for the original—I scoured the internet, and it's completely wiped. Believe me, I'm just as curious as you are!)
Now, if it had been just a generic spicy scene, I might've skipped over it. But both Chapters 284 and 286 directly reference events from 285—moments that clearly affect the characters' relationships and emotional development. So to keep the story coherent and the chapter count intact, I pieced together the most likely content based on context and had AI help write a reconstructed fanmade version of Chapter 285.
That's all—this won't become a regular thing. I'm just the translator, not the author. If this kind of scene isn't your thing, feel free to skip it and imagine a mental note like: "Something spicy and important happened here," then carry on with the story. No judgment either way!)
....
"Sorry, Hestia. But I have to move forward."
Hephaestus's whisper echoed softly beneath the surface of the steaming bath.
Bell's heart was still thudding from her confession, and now—with her fingers lightly tangled in his, their legs brushing under the water, and the warmth of her scarlet gaze fixed on him—he wasn't sure if it was the bath or her that was making him feel light-headed.
"I never imagined... that I'd say something like that out loud," Hephaestus murmured, leaning just a little closer, droplets trailing down the smooth line of her collarbone. "But here we are."
Bell swallowed hard.
"I-I didn't mean to make you feel like you had to say it—"
"I wanted to." Her voice was gentle, but firm. "You're my lover, Bell. I'm claiming you."
That word—lover—slammed into him like a Minotaur charge.
And just as he was trying to mentally reboot, Hephaestus leaned in with a soft smile and whispered:
"You still owe me a proper answer."
Then she kissed him.
Not a chaste brush of lips, but something deeper, something that made Bell's body tense in surprise—and then slowly melt as her fingers slid behind his neck, coaxing him forward.
His brain shut off completely.
By the time she broke the kiss, Bell was dazed and breathless.
"You okay?" she teased, voice husky with amusement.
"I—uh—mhm—probably—yes?" he managed, still floating in some kind of mental haze.
"You sure?" She shifted slightly in the water, straddling his lap before he could even react. "Because you're not backing away."
"I-I'm not! I mean—I don't want to! I mean—uh—"
"Relax." Her forehead pressed lightly to his. "Let me lead this time."
And lead she did.
There was no rush—just slow, heated contact, her body pressing into his, water lapping gently around them. Her hands wandered, but never too far. Her lips brushed his neck, his collarbone. His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist, unsure of where this was going but powerless to resist.
It wasn't full-blown intimacy—but it definitely crossed a line.
And then—
SLAM!
"BELL-KUUUUN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HEREEEEEE!?"
A divine shriek exploded through the bathhouse like a thunderclap.
The door swung open with divine fury, and standing in the steam, hands on hips and eyes burning with betrayal, was none other than Hestia herself.
Bell's soul nearly left his body.
Hephaestus, for her part, calmly turned her head toward the entrance, still comfortably perched in Bell's lap with not a single towel in sight.
"Good timing," she said with maddening calm. "I was just about to ask Bell-kun how many goddesses he planned to let sit on his lap."
"Y-YOU—YOU—YOU TRAMP-SMITH!!!"
"Hmph." Hephaestus raised her chin with pride. "If I'm a tramp, I'm a successful one."
Bell desperately tried to escape the situation, but Hephaestus subtly kept him in place, her arm around his neck like a warning: Don't even think about it.
"H-Hestia-sama! It's not what it looks like!" Bell squeaked, cheeks now permanently dyed red.
"IT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!"
Hestia stomped toward the edge of the bath like she was ready to throw hands—or towels.
"I left for two minutes! TWO! And you're already getting handsy with my Bell-kun!?"
"You were the one taking too long." Hephaestus shrugged. "I figured you gave up."
"I WAS GETTING THE GOOD SOAP!"
Bell's mind went completely blank.
Hephaestus, as usual, looked like she was having the time of her life.
"I'll leave some for you," she said sweetly. "You can thank me later."
"THAT'S IT—I'M GETTING IN!"
"Huh?"
Bell blinked.
Hephaestus raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
Hestia threw off her robe with a flourish. "Move over! I'm taking my rightful place next to Bell-kun before you corrupt him completely!"
"Oh? So you're finally doing something, huh?" Hephaestus smirked.
"You made me! You forced my hand!"
"Well. About time."
The two goddesses stared at each other over Bell's thoroughly flustered head. Steam curled between them like tension made visible.
Bell, caught in the middle, could only sit there like a panicked rabbit.
But something about the moment—chaotic, ridiculous, heated—also made his heart feel strangely full.
And as Hestia finally slipped into the water with a splash and positioned herself firmly at his side, Hephaestus leaned back with a victorious smile.
"See?" she murmured, voice low enough only for Bell to hear. "I told you. Moving forward isn't so bad."
Before he could reply, she tilted her head toward Hestia.
"Don't worry. I'll share."
"DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT!"
Bell let out a strangled noise.
The steam around them rose higher.
Chapter 286: Chapter 286: The Lv. 10 Promise Needs to Change
Chapter Text
Seeing that Hestia's attention had been completely diverted, Hephaestus gave Bell a reassuring smile from where she stood.
Though Bell could easily hear them from this distance—thanks to his repeatedly enhanced hearing, which let him pick up distant footsteps and voices in the Dungeon—Hephaestus trusted that he wasn't eavesdropping.
And indeed, he wasn't.
So when he saw Hephaestus's smile, Bell finally let himself relax.
"Bell, go on to your room first. Hestia and I are going to take a bath."
"Don't lock the door. I'm staying over tonight."
Just as Bell began to feel at ease, Hephaestus casually dropped the bomb about spending the night. He instinctively glanced toward Goddess-sama—only to see her puffing her cheeks and letting out an angry "hmph" with no actual objections.
"Then I'll head to my room first."
Bell still didn't know what Hephaestus had said to Goddess-sama, but he quickly suppressed his curiosity—especially now wasn't the time to be nosy.
Watching Bell-kun's departing figure, Hestia's dark expression shifted into pure frustration.
"Ugh… If I'd just made a move on Bell earlier..."
Now, all she felt was regret for being too slow.
She and Bell-kun had always been close—so close they could've taken their relationship further long ago.
But for various reasons, both of them had chosen to stop just short of that step.
They'd even slept in the same bed before and shared plenty of kisses. But that final line had never been crossed.
Not because they didn't want to—but because they had agreed to wait a little longer. So both Hestia and Bell had been restraining their feelings, never letting things go too far.
Bell was especially good at keeping such emotions in check. He had the lust and the courage, sure—but he was also someone who'd lived through a lot, giving him strong self-control. Even when stirred by emotion, he could suppress it.
That restraint was exactly why things between them had never reached a conclusion.
If either of them had just made a move, things probably would've unfolded naturally by now.
But fate had its own cruel humor.
The two of them held back—but someone else had stepped in.
While Hestia and Bell could endure, the one who intervened had no such hesitation. She struck cleanly and decisively.
And that's how things ended up like this.
Sitting nearby with her legs crossed, Hephaestus lazily swung her full, curvy legs, arms folded over her chest, watching Hestia with a calm and slightly teasing smile.
"You didn't make your move in the end, did you?"
Infuriating!
Hestia felt like her best friend was going to drive her mad.
"It's your fault for barging in! Bell-kun was supposed to be mine!"
Just thinking about it made her fume all over again.
Still, Hephaestus wasn't worried about her losing control. She simply lowered her swinging legs and turned to face her.
"This is our fate as goddesses, Hestia."
"Here in Genkai, we seek fateful encounters—and when we find them, we fall in love without restraint."
Of course I know that.
Hestia pouted. As a goddess, she understood it well. Many goddesses were devoted and loyal, falling in love with only one person.
"Something about Bell... it just pulled my attention to him without me realizing. Maybe that's the kind of encounter we're all looking for."
"My heart races on its own. My eyes drift to him before I even notice."
Hephaestus remembered the thrill she'd felt, and the reckless impulse to do something she never would've considered in the past. But because it was Bell, she followed through anyway.
"You feel the same way, don't you?"
"Of course I do."
Hestia proudly puffed out her chest. She'd always felt a powerful draw to Bell-kun.
But she had kept it under control.
Who would've thought that her restraint would turn into Hephaestus's opening?
This had to be her greatest failure as a goddess.
And seeing that Hestia had been successfully drawn in, Hephaestus didn't hesitate to stretch out a mischievous hand toward her best friend.
"So, are you finally thinking about changing your approach?"
"What do you mean?"
Hestia's mind froze for a moment.
"I mean with Bell, of course. Don't tell me you're really planning to wait until he hits Lv. 10?"
"...You mean that just now!?"
Now she was fully caught up. Hestia pursed her lips, dumbfounded, pointing at Hephaestus, who only looked back at her with a calm and knowing smile.
"You two are dragging things out so much, even I'm getting tired of watching. Instead of dragging it out further, wouldn't it be better to act now?"
That made Hestia's heart waver.
Her best friend had already taken the first bite out of Bell-kun—and Freya was still out there watching. Who knew how long Bell-kun's secrets would stay hidden? Acting now might be the wisest choice.
Sure, waiting until Bell reached Lv. 10 would carry a sense of significance, but Hestia couldn't help but worry someone else might step in before then—or even steal her Bell-kun away completely.
"Would that... really be okay?"
Hephaestus sat up straighter and gently placed a hand on Hestia's shoulder.
"Lv. 10 might carry a different kind of meaning, but is that meaning more important than simply being together?"
"What really matters is the heart."
"Bell wants to keep moving forward—but no matter what, he'll always worry about you. That concern of his won't change."
"So why not fulfill the promise a little early?"
"And when he reaches Lv. 10, you can mark it in another way."
Hephaestus had already thought it through. When Bell finally reached Lv. 10, stood at the peak of Genkai, and became a demigod—or even a full god—they could choose a ceremony that would make that moment last forever.
"Another form?"
"Yes. Like the kind of ending we goddesses dream of when chasing fateful encounters... a wedding."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 287: Chapter 287: My Back Seriously Can’t Take It Anymore
Chapter Text
Back in his room, Bell couldn't shake his unease.
"Why does this feel like one of those soap opera moments where the cheating couple gets busted by the wife?"
He shook his head repeatedly, trying to banish the strange thought.
He knew all too well that "succumbing to the temptation to go home" would lead to disaster—no matter how bad things got, this wasn't the drama he was in.
Actually, Bell never expected the first person he'd fall for in his second life to be Hephaestus. He'd always assumed Goddess-sama would be first, but life had a different plan.
"Click!"
Suddenly, the door opened, snuffing out the magical lamp at the entrance. The already dim room plunged into darkness—so complete he couldn't see his own hand.
But Bell had trained his entire life to operate in darkness.
From the journey from his hometown to Orario, he'd walked by night countless times. Thanks to "Personal Training," he could read the starlit road ahead. In the Dungeon, that ability was sharpened even further—he could see everything in total darkness.
That's how he recognized who stood in the doorway—and what she was wearing.
He couldn't help but stare, and when footsteps approached, he couldn't hold back.
"Goddess-sama, you…"
At that moment, Bell could practically see Hestia's face flushing red even without light.
And suddenly, he understood the whole situation.
Goddess-sama was jealous too.
...
The next morning
The other star of the show was already propped up against the wall outside the bathroom.
She had intended to create a lovely memory for Hestia, but ended up with one filled with jealousy.
"...But I get why Hephaestus would be jealous."
That question got answered in Bell's mind.
He cupped hot bathwater and splashed it across his face, trying to clear his thoughts.
Hephaestus had indeed been jealous of Hestia yesterday—and that, ironically, came as both a disruption and a revelation.
Of course, the Dungeon's hidden influence that Hephaestus mentioned caught him off guard. He'd never imagined such an effect existed.
"I need to be extra careful in the Dungeon from now on. That place is truly dangerous for any adventurer."
"And I'm pretty sure emotional trials aren't the only tests the Dungeon has in store."
The emotional challenge was just an appetizer. The comforting first dozen floors were the real subtle trap.
By the 12th floor, the Dungeon's pace shifts dramatically. Sensing adventurers grow complacent or in danger, it unleashes a "monster feast" to crush them—an intentional move to break intruders.
Looking at it objectively, the Dungeon was brutally well-designed.
Most adventurers who are lulled into complacency crumble when the challenge spikes.
The Dungeon only rewards well-prepared teams, but such groups are rare.
For most, the mid-floors are a limit. Beyond them lies a threshold only the most elite clan members can handle—or seasoned solo fighters like the King, who reached Lv. 7 thanks to undeniable power.
Bell didn't argue with that logic.
He'd chosen a path meant to surpass the likes of Ota. His teammates could wait while he tackled unknown depths.
But later on, he realized, he'd need to support them too.
Most in the Loki Familia lacked rapid-growth traits. They needed Bell's help to keep pushing forward.
"Support and coordination… maybe I really need to focus on that."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 288: Chapter 288: The Loki Familia Is Lively Again Today
Chapter Text
'The direction of support essentially covers attack, defense, healing, and creating opportunities.'
'In that case, I'll need to understand many people's traits and gather more intel on monsters. That means I'll be spending more on rear-line efforts.'
Bell paused for a moment.
It wasn't the money that concerned him—it was the mental strain.
With the Rune Stone business now providing steady profits, money was no longer a serious issue. At most, income just came in cycles; only after buyers used up the Rune Stones could he start selling again.
Still, this stable income meant Bell could finally leave behind his days of poverty.
The real issue was the effort it required.
'No wonder Orario relies on Familias.'
'No wonder deep expeditions are organized within Familias. Teamwork built over time can't be matched by temporary parties.'
So, Bell had completely given up on that option.
After all, his Hestia Familia wasn't likely to gain new Adventurers. He didn't need them—and he wouldn't trust those daily risk-takers anyway.
Rather than placing his faith in some stranger from who-knows-where, it was better to just put in the extra effort himself.
'If that's the case, I need to get in touch with some members of the Loki Familia.'
'I'll talk to Captain Finn first.'
Taking initiative was one of Bell's core beliefs.
Closing the notebook he had been writing in, Bell left his room, heading toward the Loki Familia.
"Bell-kun, are you going out?"
As he stepped into the living room, he heard the voice of Goddess-sama.
When Bell looked over, she was seated on the couch, casually reading a book—just like always. Hestia had loved reading for as long as he could remember, and ever since he could afford it, she'd often come home with piles of books.
Maybe he could bring her some next time.
Bell made a note to pick up a souvenir or two the next time he was out. He just wasn't sure what kinds of books Goddess-sama liked—or which ones she already had.
'Next time, I'll take a look through Goddess-sama's library. Maybe I'll find something she'd enjoy.'
After letting that thought pass, Bell didn't keep her waiting long and quickly responded.
"Yeah, I'm heading over to the Loki Familia."
"Ugh, Loki again?"
Hestia immediately pouted when she heard that. Lately, Bell had been going to Loki's place far too often for her liking.
She dropped her previously crossed legs and looked at Bell-kun, puffing out her cheeks in mild frustration.
"Bell-kun, you're going to Loki's place again?"
"Bell-kun, you're not going to see that fox from the Loki Familia, are you?"
"No, no. I'm just going to talk to Captain Finn about something."
Bell hurriedly denied it. His relationship with Sanjouno Haruhime wasn't at the point where he needed to seek her out intentionally. Even though that incident had happened once, aside from that, Bell had barely interacted with Sanjouno Haruhime since.
"Recently, I've realized I've lost direction in my growth. Based on the advice Hephaestus gave me the other day, I'm thinking of trying a support role."
"Support, huh... Ah, no wonder you're heading to Loki's place."
Hestia finally understood why Bell-kun was going there, but she also remembered him saying he wasn't good at dealing with others and that he didn't trust any Adventurers.
"But is it really okay if it's someone from Loki's Familia? Bell-kun, didn't you say you didn't trust other Adventurers?"
"I just hate all the scheming and backstabbing between Adventurers. I don't trust them because I don't understand them, and I can't be sure they wouldn't betray me. But if it's necessary, I'll still work with them. Besides, Loki Familia is on the same side as us."
Bell never trusted Adventurers—at least not the average ones.
He knew well how unpredictable people could be. Being cautious and not trusting anyone easily was just common sense.
Still, if they shared the same interests and goals, Bell was willing to trust Adventurers like those from Loki Familia.
Hestia gave it some thought and found his reasoning fair. At the very least, the children of the Loki Familia were far more trustworthy than the wild Adventurers roaming around outside.
"That's true. The children from Loki's side are much better than most from other Familias."
"But Loki's group also has a lot of impressive girls."
At that moment, Hestia's eyes turned sharp.
Bell could only smile helplessly. He couldn't exactly deny it.
"That's true. Both 'Nine Hell' and the 'Sword Princess' are incredibly talented girls."
"Bell, just listen to yourself."
Hestia's cute face slowly puffed up like she was silently declaring her displeasure. She quickly held out her arms.
Bell walked over to Goddess-sama with a resigned smile and offered a sincere apology.
Three minutes later, with her cheeks still flushed red, Hestia finally accepted Bell-kun's apology, looking quite pleased.
"Bell-kun, make sure to come back early."
"I will."
With Goddess-sama's blessing, Bell set out for the Loki Familia.
He was already quite familiar with the place, which meant the upper ranks of the Loki Familia had gotten used to his sudden visits.
Of course, most of the time, Bell didn't run into anyone else. Unless there was some unexpected meeting, he usually only met with Captain Finn or Loki herself.
But the moment he stepped inside today, Bell could feel that the atmosphere was unusually lively.
"Hey! Ais, that was way too harsh!"
"Bete, it wasn't that Ais went too hard—it's that you were too slow to react."
"Hah!? You stinkin' woman, you didn't react either, did you!?"
"...You've got some nerve saying that, Bete! You're no better! And I reacted faster than you anyway."
"Dammit! You witch, you're just picking a fight with me, aren't you!"
With insults like "stinkin' woman" and "witch" being flung around, Bell didn't even need to approach to know who it was.
Still, their argument caught his attention and drew him toward the noise.
In the courtyard of the Loki Familia, quite a few people had gathered, and at the center of it all were 'Vanargand' Bete and "Crusher" Tiona locked in a shouting match.
The ground in the middle bore clear signs of battle, with cuts and gouges from heavy strikes.
Even a casual glance was enough for Bell to sense the sheer power of a Lv. 5. But what really drew his focus was the girl standing off to the side—"Sword Princess" Ais Wallenstein.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 289: Chapter 289: Speculations on the Age of Heroes
Chapter Text
'Her presence has grown far stronger than when she was Lv.5—at a rough estimate, it's three, maybe even four times more powerful.'
Bell gauged the increase in the Sword Princess's power from her aura alone.
'That's only a boost in base stats. Factoring in personal skills, the Sword Princess's overall strength has likely increased by around five times—and that's just at the starting point of Lv.6.'
'That kind of leap is massive.'
Even his initial estimate had left Bell surprised. Thanks to having a more accurate understanding of the Sword Princess's strength, he was able to grasp the scale of her advancement more precisely.
Just reaching a new level could result in such a stark difference—it was no wonder Adventurers in Orario were so focused on leveling up rather than polishing their stats to the limit before advancing.
Unfortunately, those who leveled up without refining themselves were the most foolish.
It wasn't that they lacked potential—it was that they gave up on it by choice.
'The Dungeon's influence really is something.'
The lower-ranked Adventurers had grown lazy. That comfort had made them forget the meaning of "adventure" itself. No wonder reviving the age of heroes was so difficult now.
...
Soon, the mock battle inside the training yard resumed.
Bete and Tiona both came equipped with their First-Class weapons, and Ais did the same.
The moment the match started, the three of them clashed instantly.
Tiona led the charge, swinging her massive double blades horizontally at Ais. Forged from a special ultra-hardened steel, her blades weren't just absurdly heavy—they also carried devastating force, enough to slice through even monsters of the same level in a single swing.
Clang!
Ais raised her "Desperate" and blocked the strike with ease. At the same time, she crouched under Bete's kick, then pivoted swiftly—thrusting at Tiona to force her back, before landing a kick to send Bete flying.
Their fierce assault was broken effortlessly—and not just with greater power, but with superior speed as well.
It wasn't magic—just pure, physical strength.
The difference was overwhelming.
Anyone with battle sense could see that Bete and Tiona stood no chance against Ais.
Of course, "anyone" in this case meant Lv.4s and Lv.5s who could follow the fight. To everyone else, the speed was beyond what the eye could track.
Bell, too, could see everything—and more clearly than anyone else. So his conclusion came easily.
'Two-on-one, yet she's handling them with ease. It's like a Lv.5 facing five Lv.5s at peak condition. They're not even close.'
'And the Sword Princess just hit Lv.6. Her body and reflexes haven't fully adjusted yet. Compared to a seasoned Lv.6, she's still a step behind, probably only performing at about three times the level of a Lv.5.'
'But even so, the gap is still glaring.'
The difference between Lv.5 and Lv.6 was far wider than expected. Right now, the Sword Princess even surpassed the Guardian of the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus by a considerable margin.
'It's likely all that refinement and buildup from before gave her the most tangible improvement post-upgrade. No wonder—she nearly maxed out her limits at Lv.5.'
Bete and Tiona kept pressing the attack. Their coordination wasn't bad—they'd fought side by side countless times, so they naturally had some synergy.
But even with that, it wasn't enough to shift the tide. In fact, the longer it dragged on, the worse things got.
Bell watched quietly, shaking his head.
'Right now, the Sword Princess's reaction speed and strength far surpass a typical Lv.5, and her body and mind are syncing more with each exchange. Her performance is still rising. Meanwhile, Vanargand and Crusher can't even manage a synergy that surpasses the sum of their parts. There's no way they can force the Sword Princess into a corner like this.'
Though Vanargand and Crusher were outmatched by the current Sword Princess, Bell could tell from their performance that they had reached the peak of Lv.5 themselves. What they lacked wasn't skill—but opportunity.
The problem was, the Sword Princess had magic like Ariel—versatile and effective in both offense and defense. Vanargand and Crusher had nothing comparable. That was the root reason they couldn't challenge the Floor Boss like she could.
They lacked the means to reverse the tide of battle.
Compared to the Sword Princess, who possessed that turning point magic, they were more than a step behind.
But her overwhelming dominance only served to prove one thing.
'The higher your level, the more pronounced the gaps become—even among those at the same rank, the difference can feel as vast as crossing levels. That's why Orario's strongest "King" still can't break into Lv.8.'
'The reason the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia stood at the pinnacle of Orario decades ago was because, alongside their talent, they had powerful enemies to match. Without that, they might have ended up just like today's generation.'
Orario now felt stuck in a vicious cycle.
To level up, high-level Adventurers had to face stronger monsters. But those monsters weren't something a single person could take on alone, making it nearly impossible to break the barrier of progression.
If it were possible to challenge enemies two levels higher, maybe they could form a party to face them together.
A monster one person couldn't handle might still fall to a well-coordinated team.
And if they succeeded, they'd earn the Excelia needed to level up.
Then, using that newfound power, they could return to defeat the monsters they'd previously failed against—earning even more Excelia and pushing further ahead.
Maybe that's exactly what the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia had done back then.
By leveraging their specific strengths, they could target monsters that were technically higher level but still vulnerable to their abilities, earning Excelia that way and raising their levels. Then, with their boosted strength, they'd drag along weaker teammates to help them challenge monsters of the same level—bringing everyone up in turn, achieving a kind of group uplift.
It wasn't easy to pull off. But if you had the right people—not dead weight—maybe it was actually possible.
'So that's why heroes always rose in groups during the age of heroes.'
Bell felt like he'd found another piece of the answer he'd been searching for.
Chapter 290: Chapter 290: Almost Got Caught
Chapter Text
So strong!
Tiona felt it clearly.
When she fought Ais before, her own strength at Lv.5 was still above Ais's. But now, that gap had flipped in an instant.
Even though she was fighting at full strength, Ais blocked her attacks with ease—and after receiving one of Ais's strikes, her hands went numb.
That feeling wasn't unique to Tiona. Bete, who kept attacking using his speed, could sense it just as clearly.
'I can't match Ais in speed.'
Kicks were Bete's specialty, and he was a master of speed-based combat. But now, that speed meant nothing against Ais.
All his attacks were easily read—and countered at even greater speed. He couldn't even keep up in his own domain.
'So this is Lv.6.'
Bete could feel the gap in power that came with the difference in level.
Overwhelming speed and strength, an incredible sense of awareness and precision in counters—even against two opponents, Ais handled everything with composure. And he hadn't even factored in her magic yet.
But now, even without using any spells, Ais was effortlessly overwhelming both him and Tiona. If she did use magic, the gap would be immeasurable. In the past, fights with Finn, Gareth, or Riveria never made this kind of difference feel real. But now, with Ais freshly stepping into Lv.6, it was as clear and direct as it could be.
Despite fending off their attacks, Ais remained calm.
After her level up, she could perceive the battlefield far more clearly. Her vision and senses had grown sharper, letting her handle Bete and Tiona's assault with ease.
'My strength has increased a lot. My speed too.'
Hm?
A subtle shift in the wind made Ais pause, and her eyes quickly shifted toward a particular spot in the crowd.
She saw no one. Even her senses confirmed no presence there. But the wind—it told her someone was standing there.
"What's wrong, Ais?"
Bete and Tiona noticed her gaze shift and paused, looking in the same direction. But all they saw were fellow Familia members. Nothing seemed off.
"Someone's hiding."
"I can't see them, can't sense them... but the wind tells me..."
Mid-sentence, Ais suddenly stopped. She tried to heighten her awareness, reaching deeper into the wind's flow to pinpoint whoever it was—but even the wind now lost its trail.
"...They're gone."
She couldn't see them. Couldn't feel them. And now, even the wind couldn't catch them. Ais didn't know who the hidden figure was—but she knew she had to find them.
"You lost them?"
Tiona looked around, confused. She saw nothing out of the ordinary.
But Bete stared thoughtfully in the direction Ais had pointed.
"That guy... could it be?"
"Huh? Bete, who do you mean?"
"Don't talk. Just come with me."
If it really was who he thought, then there was only one place that guy could have gone.
...
On the other side, Bell, having left the courtyard, was making his way toward Captain Finn's office.
'What a surprise. I didn't expect the newly promoted Lv.6 Sword Princess to detect my presence. I really didn't see that coming.'
Although it caught him off guard, he quickly patched up the flaw.
'Earth, wind, fire, water, lightning—these elements can all perceive me as a physical entity. I'll have to be more cautious from now on.'
Sight couldn't catch him. Neither could conventional senses. But the elements—especially the wind—had exposed him. It was a wake-up call.
And apparently, someone else had caught on to his identity as well.
From the footsteps approaching quickly behind him, he could tell by the rhythm and pace what they were after.
Bell paused in the corridor, waiting briefly until he saw three figures rush past.
He glanced at the trio as they moved past him.
'Not only powerful, but quick to react too. They're heading straight for Captain Finn's office. Did they identify me that fast?'
Bell wasn't surprised. For Lv.5s, that kind of reaction wasn't unusual—especially since one of them was Vanargand, who had met him before. It was probably Vanargand who figured it out.
With a relaxed expression, Bell casually made his way to Finn's office.
Even from outside, he could hear the conversation going on inside.
"Finn... someone I can't see or sense. But the wind tells me—he's always hidden."
"It's just Bell-kun, no need to worry."
Bell didn't enter immediately. He waited outside for their conversation to wrap up.
"Bell-kun probably has something to discuss. But Ais, you've really gotten strong to be able to detect him."
"...The wind only found him briefly, and then he was gone."
"I see. So Bell-kun realized your wind picked him up and managed to break free."
'You really do understand me.'
Bell couldn't help but feel a little impressed from the hallway. Maybe he'd been too thorough—enough that Finn had come to that conclusion.
But truth be told, Finn's deduction was exactly right.
Bell had indeed noticed that the Sword Princess's wind could sense him, so he had quickly implemented countermeasures.
He layered misleading signals around his body—similar to Loki's Authority.
Bell wasn't capable of deceiving the world itself, but tricking a gust of wind was well within his ability.
"Ais, Bete, Tiona—head back to your training. If Bell-kun's here, he'll find me soon, or go straight to Loki."
"Go check with Loki first."
Right after Bell heard that line, the office door opened and the three hurried out.
Once they were far enough away, Bell gently knocked on the door.
"Knock Knock!"
"Come in, Bell-kun."
With permission granted, Bell opened the door and stepped inside.
"Good afternoon, Captain Finn."
Finn, resting his chin on one hand, asked with a teasing smile, "Bell-kun, did you ever expect to get spotted by Ais?"
"That really caught me off guard. She clearly couldn't see me or sense my presence, but the wind exposed me. The moment I realized I'd been found, I was honestly shocked. Thankfully, I reacted fast enough. If not, my trump card would've been blown wide open by the Sword Princess."
Faced with the teasing, Bell responded with a helpless smile. He really had been one step away from being exposed.
After that brief exchange, his expression grew more serious.
"Captain Finn, I came today hoping to ask for the Loki Familia's help."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 291: Chapter 291: This Level-Up Speed Leaves Finn Ashamed
Chapter Text
The tone of the conversation quickly shifted, and Finn soon became far more serious than he had been moments ago.
"Go ahead. No matter what it is, we of the Loki Familia will give it our all."
"No, it's not quite as serious as you're imagining."
Bell hurriedly waved off Finn's formal tone and continued.
"Actually, it's because I feel like I've hit a wall in my current growth. I want to explore a new direction—something that can help me develop more broadly."
Finn's expression twitched slightly, and he looked at Bell with a hint of exasperation.
"You think you're not well-rounded enough?"
"I've never seen an Adventurer in Orario with a more balanced development than you."
Bell looked a bit sheepish. Even he felt like what he said sounded a little boastful. But it wasn't about showing off—it was the sense of urgency for what lay ahead that drove him.
"I think you understand, Captain Finn, that being 'well-rounded' still isn't enough."
"Both the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia were extremely well-rounded. But in the end, they still met total destruction at the hands of the Black Dragon."
"You're right."
Finn didn't refute him. His face turned serious again.
"But Bell-kun, have you already considered going up against the Black Dragon?"
That question made Bell pause. Then his expression gradually softened.
"Yeah. The Black Dragon is the only being tied to the standard of reaching Level 10, so I have no choice but to step over its corpse to get there."
"Is there some special reason for that?"
"Honestly... it's just a selfish goal. Maybe to others, the idea of stepping over the Black Dragon just to reach Level 10 sounds ridiculous. But right now, it's the thing I want to do most."
Seeing the distinct gleam in Bell-kun's smile, Finn understood—this wasn't a goal that could be shaken. It was the root of Bell's determination.
"As for the reason itself... it's not anything grand, so I'd rather not go into detail."
Since Bell clearly didn't plan to elaborate, Finn didn't push the issue either.
"In that case, what kind of help do you need from us, Bell-kun?"
"The area I want to focus on now is support and coordination. It's a direction Hephaestus-sama recommended to me, and I really do think it's necessary. But if I want to go down this path, I'll need other Adventurers—not just myself."
As he spoke, Bell spread his hands helplessly.
"But there's only me in the Hestia Familia. That makes this really difficult."
Once he understood the source of Bell's frustration, Finn no longer felt troubled.
"If it's just a matter of personnel, that won't be a problem."
Finn could confidently say that his Familia had plenty of capable fighters.
That said, he couldn't assign anyone at random. Perhaps he could arrange for a few members to spend more time working with Bell-kun and see how it went.
Besides, this "test" of Bell's was probably also preparation for a future expedition—so it made even more sense to avoid making any hasty arrangements.
"Bell-kun, what kind of people do you need to work with?"
"People who can fill various roles. I need experience supporting Adventurers in different positions during battle. But overall, it's better to start with lower-level ones. I'm worried Lv.4 and Lv.5 Adventurers might be too much to handle right away."
"That won't be a problem."
If Ais and the others were the ones helping, it wouldn't be training—it would be overkill.
Finn also worried that letting them step in directly might cause some unintended problems. Sending in lower-level Adventurers made more sense—plus, having people closer in level would allow for better testing.
"I'll have Raul, Cassandra, and Daphne assist you. For a first trial, will three be enough?"
"That's more than enough."
With those three, Bell had more than what he needed. He wasn't trying to run a massive test—three would be plenty to keep him occupied for a first run.
"Good."
After getting confirmation, Finn opened a drawer and pulled out a small golden bell, giving it a gentle shake. It let out a crisp, delicate ring.
Bell, however, gave the bell a strange look.
"Captain Finn... what's with the bell?"
Then, with his sharp hearing, he picked up the sound of someone sprinting toward them.
Bang!
"Captain, you called me?!"
An Amazoness girl wearing a rather revealing outfit kicked the door open and charged in.
Her eyes looked like they could only see Finn—and in them, there was a hunger so intense, it felt like you could hear the heavy breathing and possessiveness radiating from her gaze.
Bell instinctively took a small step back.
This was a side of the world he did not know.
Finn calmly set the bell down and smiled at the charging Tione.
"Tione, could you bring Raul, Cassandra, and Daphne here for me?"
"Sure! No problem!"
The moment she got the order, Tione's whole demeanor changed. For her, Finn's command was absolute!
She came like a storm—and disappeared just as quickly, leaving the two men in the room standing in awkward silence.
Bell's expression twitched a few times before he gave an awkward smile.
"Captain Finn... is this how people are usually summoned in the Loki Familia?"
Finn looked a bit embarrassed himself. He knew how this must have looked, so he quickly offered an explanation.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Bell-kun. That bell was a gift from Tione. She insisted I use it whenever I needed her."
Bell opened his mouth, unsure how to respond.
Was this... a dog-training bell?
And someone actually conditioned themselves to come running at the sound? Was she a person or a dog?
After a few seconds of silence, Bell gave a small cough.
"Well, I suppose every Familia has its own... unique traditions. I get it."
Finn covered his face in mild despair. He knew Tione's bell would be misunderstood—but if he didn't use it, she'd just cling to him even more.
After recovering from that small embarrassment, Finn turned back to Bell.
"Bell-kun, do you have a lot of free time right now?"
"Not really. My schedule's been pretty full lately. Aside from testing new applications of magic, I've also been working on raising my Status. I want to build up as much as I can before the expedition—hopefully even take another step forward while we're out there."
That made Finn pause for a moment.
"Bell-kun... you're already thinking about advancing to Lv.3?"
"...Yeah. At this point, I really need to start thinking about my Status and Excelia."
The pace of his progress left Finn almost speechless. Not even half a year had passed, and Bell was already preparing to hit Lv.3. It was like he was riding a rocket.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 292: Chapter 292: Almost Punched Back to Tenkai
Chapter Text
Bell chose to temporarily hide the fact that he had already reached Level 3. There was no real need to go out of his way to reveal his level.
As long as he could keep it under wraps, concealing part of the truth wasn't a problem.
Aside from his actual level, Bell hadn't hidden anything else.
He truly was working on accumulating "Status Points."
He also hoped to gather enough "Excelia" during the upcoming expedition to level up.
Soon, a series of hurried footsteps approached. Judging by the sound, it was four people—most likely the ones bringing someone over.
Setting aside the bell gimmick, that Amazoness girl really was efficient.
"Bang!"
The office door was slammed open again. Bell instinctively glanced at Finn, the captain, and saw his calm, unbothered expression. That confirmed it—everyone in this Familia had a habit of bursting in like that.
"Finn! I heard that kid… Ah! It's really you, brat!"
Hearing the voice, Bell realized it wasn't the Amazoness "Jormungand" who had just stormed in, but Loki-sama.
Seeing Loki-sama gritting her teeth at him, Bell instantly knew—she still hadn't forgotten what happened last time.
"Long time no see, Loki-sama."
"Long time my ass!"
With that, Loki-sama stepped forward and even raised a fist, aiming straight for his face.
Bell calmly lifted his hand, pressing his wrist lightly against her fist, brushing past her body, and gave a soft tap on her waist with his other hand.
Loki's body suddenly went numb, her legs giving out as she pitched forward.
Just as "Vanargand" moved to catch her, a hand slipped past Loki-sama's abdomen and lifted her off the ground in a horizontal carry—face down, of course.
"Loki-sama, you're being way too impulsive."
Bell gently placed her face-down on the sofa.
Though it was hard for her to move in that position, Loki still struggled to turn over, glaring at him viciously.
"You dared to bully my fox, and you still have the nerve to talk like that?!"
That line gave Bell a serious headache.
"I just took two steps back while we were working. Do you really have to go that far over something like that?"
"Hmph! You brat, that kind of move is just leading someone on without taking responsibility. Total scumbag behavior."
I wasn't leading anyone on!
Did Bell himself not know whether he was flirting? The thing was, he really hadn't tried to toy with Sanjouno Haruhime's feelings. He had a goddess at home, after all—there's no way he'd do something that tasteless.
But Bell clearly didn't realize that he actually had flirted.
What he said that day were some of the most charming words he could've spoken.
And then there was the life-saving rescue. The simple-hearted Renard had etched both moments into her memory forever.
It's just that Bell didn't consider it flirting.
It was simply a gap in awareness.
"Then, by your logic, does that mean I've flirted with you too? Should I take responsibility for that?"
"Tch! You're not some cute girl. If I had to take responsibility, I'd pick someone soft and sweet like Ais."
"Bang!"
A gust of wind swept through, and a fist slammed directly onto Loki-sama's head.
Bell saw the entire scene unfold. He instinctively stepped back twice, silently making it clear that punch hadn't come from him.
Glancing at the now completely silent "Loki," Bell couldn't help but admire the Sword Princess's precision. One clean hit knocked Loki out cold—without triggering the death curse that would've sent her straight back to Tenkai.
That kind of control over force probably takes years to perfect, just to knock someone out without doing permanent damage.
Bell looked over at Loki's head. A visible lump had formed.
Maybe the hit had been a bit too hard.
Finn, holding his head in exasperation, sighed.
"Ais, that was too much."
Ais only then realized what she'd done. She quickly checked Loki's pulse—it was faint but steady.
"Loki's still alive."
She gave Finn a reassuring look, but Finn didn't look reassured at all. Instead, he turned to someone more reliable.
"Bell-kun, could you take a look at Loki's condition?"
"Yeah."
Bell gave Loki a quick once-over, then nodded to Finn with a calming expression.
"Nothing serious. Just a concussion from a heavy blow to the head. But with the force Sword Princess used, if she doesn't get treated, Loki-sama might be out for a few days."
"???"
Ais looked at her fist, confused. She was sure she had held back.
"Sword Princess, you didn't forget that you leveled up, did you?"
Ais fell silent for a moment. Then it hit her—she'd acted on muscle memory. The punch had been at a Level 5 strength, but now that she was Level 6, it had landed much harder than she intended.
Like a child caught doing something wrong, Ais tucked her hands behind her back, looking lost.
Watching her, Bell couldn't help but laugh a little inside.
'If the people of Orario saw the Sword Princess acting like this, maybe no one would call her a 'doll' anymore.'
"But Sword Princess, until you've fully mastered your strength, you really shouldn't lay a hand on Loki-sama. With the power you've got, if you hit her just a bit harder, you might end up triggering the 'emergency life-saving switch' in her body."
Hearing that, Ais quickly hid both hands behind her back again and shook her head repeatedly.
"It was an accident."
Bell didn't really care whether it was or not. He simply waved his finger lightly in the air, and the lump on Loki-sama's head slowly began to shrink.
"That's why I told you to be careful. The bodies of Genkai gods are almost as fragile as glass. One wrong move, and you'll send someone straight back to Tenkai. If that happens, your Loki Familia is going to be in serious trouble."
"More importantly, if Loki-sama finds out she got sent back to Tenkai because of her own Familia, she might never live it down."
Imagine being sent back to Tenkai by your own child's subconscious punch out of anger—when word gets around, the other gods would laugh themselves silly.
'I bet Goddess-sama would tease Loki-sama for three days and nights straight.'
After hearing that, Ais froze, not daring to move a muscle.
Chapter 293: Chapter 293: Loki, Are You Saying I'm Old?
Chapter Text
"Captain, I've brought them."
At that moment, Jormungand returned from her errand, bringing Raul, Cassandra, and Daphne with her.
Bell glanced down at Loki-sama, still unconscious, then snapped his fingers.
"Hmph..."
As the Runes activated, they forcibly stimulated the divine power within Loki-sama's body, accelerating the recovery of her consciousness.
It was a rather crude method, but highly effective for gods.
Although gods had a built-in "safety mechanism" that triggered their return to Tenkai if their bodies suffered excessive damage, there were ways to bypass it.
With a soft whimper, Loki-sama slowly opened her eyes.
"Tch... Ais, you hit me way too hard!"
As soon as she woke up, Loki teared up and looked accusingly at Ais, who was still hiding her hands behind her back.
Knowing she'd done something wrong, Ais looked visibly flustered. Her expression was unsure, and if one looked closely, a light sheen of sweat had appeared on her forehead—a clear sign of guilt.
"…"
But precisely because she was trying to hide it, Ais didn't know what to say.
"...Sorry."
After holding it in for a while, that was all Ais could manage. At the very least, she had to apologize.
"Well~ since Ais took the initiative to apologize, I won't make a big deal out of it."
Seeing Ais sincerely apologize, Loki didn't keep up the act for long. But just as she spoke, a glint of mischief flashed in her eyes. Before Ais could recover from her guilt, Loki suddenly rolled over and lunged at her like a hungry beast.
Level 6 reflexes were no joke. Loki's sudden movement didn't startle Ais—but her own subconscious reaction nearly did. She almost slapped Loki on instinct.
Especially after the earlier warning, and having nearly killed Loki with a punch just minutes ago, Ais froze on the spot, suppressing every instinct.
That hesitation gave Loki the perfect opening.
"Ooohhh!!"
"My life! I have no regrets!"
It was her first time hugging Ais since she'd grown up. Loki's shameless hands latched on with a soul-deep satisfaction. The overwhelming sense of "my life is complete" burst out of her in a declaration that made Ais flush with embarrassment.
Worried she might accidentally kill Loki, Ais didn't dare retaliate—even though she was being thoroughly violated by this lewd goddess.
"Loki-sama, your tastes really are something else..."
"Hah!? Something else, my ass! It's my nature! Do you know how many times I've tried to get a hug from Ais?"
As soon as the topic came up, Loki got fired up.
"Back when Ais was little, she was adorable—but unbelievably strong-willed. Every time I tried to get close, Mama would drag me away to stop me from corrupting her. But I wasn't corrupting her! I was showing Ais the wonders of a new world! It was always Mama ruining my fun."
Bell couldn't help but admire Loki-sama's shamelessness as he glanced toward the person now walking toward the door.
"Loki-sama, when you say 'Mama'... you don't mean 'Nine Hell,' do you?"
"Of course I do! Who else would it be? Every time I try to spend some quality time with the adorable girls in the Familia, it's always Riveria who steps in to ruin it. She even banned me from using the Familia's public baths a few years ago!"
The baths had once been Loki's paradise, a place where she could freely mess around with the girls—one of the few places where she, as a goddess, could enjoy certain 'privileges.' But that joy was shut down the moment Riveria laid down the law.
Only the gods know how crushed Loki was when Riveria forbade her from entering the communal bath.
Bell couldn't help but voice his thoughts.
"That's probably because you were getting handsy with the girls in there. Just like you're doing with the 'Sword Princess' now."
Loki's face darkened as Bell hit her right in the sore spot.
"That's my right as the Familia God! And I wasn't getting handsy—I was simply concerned about their physical development. I just wanted to keep a safe and regular record of their growth."
Yeah... that's just pure, unfiltered perversion—complete with a heavy dose of creep.
Being able to say such perverted things with a straight face only confirmed for Bell how far gone Loki-sama really was.
She might seem friendly at the moment, but Bell had to admit, Loki-sama was beyond saving.
Sure, if you factor in that she's a goddess, maybe it's not a huge deal. After all, girls roughhousing isn't that unusual. But this level of intentional groping was definitely crossing the line.
"And also, Loki-sama, just a heads-up... If you let go of the 'Sword Princess' now, you might at least get off with a lighter punishment."
Loki scoffed at the suggestion.
"Are you kidding? This is the first time I've actually succeeded after all these years. No way I'm letting go now!"
"Is that so?"
Bell gave a slight shake of his head. He'd already said his piece. If Loki backed off now, maybe this would still count as harmless fun. But clearly, that ship had sailed.
"You brat, don't talk like Mama."
"Mama's just old, but you—"
"Aaaaaagh!"
Suddenly, a hand clamped down hard on Loki's head. The entire room echoed with a distinct crack, followed by Loki's pained scream.
Bell instinctively stepped back, quietly offering a prayer for Loki-sama.
"M-Mama!?"
"Loki, did I just hear you call me old?"
What followed was Riveria's voice—calm, serious, even gentle—but to Bete and the others, it was colder than Wynn Fimbulvetr, sharp enough to cut ice.
Everyone in the room slowly turned to look toward the source of the voice.
"N-no... Mama, listen to me—aaaaagh!"
Loki's desperate explanation was drowned out by her own screams.
Everyone could feel their hearts tremble at the sound. Even after the screaming stopped, not a single person dared to look away.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 294: Chapter 294: The Definition of "Acceptance"
Chapter Text
After checking on Loki-sama, who had passed out again, Bell confirmed she wasn't in any real danger—her injuries were minor. He couldn't help but marvel at the experience of the Nine Hell.
"To be able to target the most sensitive pressure points on Loki-sama's body and inflict the greatest pain with minimal injury… That level of precision only comes from years of experience."
"Even though Nine Hell is the Familia's magic artillery, her close-combat skills are no joke."
Riveria, who was being complimented, gave a modest smile.
"It's not about talent. It's just that some people keep doing stupid things, and someone's got to teach them a lesson."
As she spoke, her eyes repeatedly drifted toward Loki. At this point, no one had any doubt about who that "someone" was.
What could Bell say to that? Naturally, he gave a silent nod of approval to Nine Hell's methods.
Considering Loki-sama's particular "hobbies," it was no wonder most girls couldn't handle her. Still, it wasn't all that unusual—after all, not everyone's comfortable living in a garden full of yuri.
If Loki-sama were a man, maybe this whole situation would've played out differently.
Of course, that was just a random thought Bell entertained for a moment—pure speculation, nothing more.
"That said, Vice Captain Riveria, I'd still suggest you go a bit easier with your 'education' of Loki-sama. And especially keep the 'Sword Princess' in check—Loki-sama might not always be so lucky."
"The safety switch inside a god's body is extremely unstable. Once it determines a threat to their life, it'll immediately trigger their return to Tenkai."
"Maybe you could teach the 'Sword Princess' how to deliver punishment like you do—it's harsh, but never fatal."
Honestly, Riveria's strikes were brutal. Every hit aimed for the pain points—not heavy enough to cause real damage, but enough to make anyone want to cry.
Her technique was terrifyingly effective. One could only wonder how many times a mage like her had been harassed to the point of mapping out every one of Loki-sama's pressure points.
Bell gave Loki-sama one last glance. With a family matriarch like Riveria watching her every move, that goddess probably wasn't going to enjoy many peaceful days ahead.
Then there was the "Sword Princess."
Bell casually glanced over and noticed she still looked slightly flustered. Clearly, the lingering embarrassment from Loki-sama's "affections" hadn't worn off yet.
As for whether those emotions had always been so intense, or if seeing her parents' projection had somehow triggered them—Bell decided not to dwell on it.
No need to dig too deeply into someone's past unless it was absolutely necessary.
He then turned his attention to the trio assisting him—Raul, whose talent was average and bore the title "High Novice," along with Cassandra and Daphne.
Raul was the only one at Level 4. Cassandra and Daphne were both Level 2, but since their role was just assistance and testing, high levels weren't required. One high-level Adventurer was more than enough; the other two were there for diversity.
"Now that the side issues are handled, I'll take them over with me. The tests should be done before nightfall, and I'll make sure everyone gets back safely."
Naturally, Finn had no concerns about their safety.
"Bell-kun, you only need one day?"
"Yeah. The testing itself doesn't take much time—it's mostly about how much attention I give to each person. This test is about identifying what kinds of support different people need. Since it's the first trial run, it won't take long."
What Bell wanted this time was broad experiential data, not personalized support tailored to individuals. If he tried to go that far in detail, there's no way it could be done in such a short time.
"The weapon and individual evaluations are more about general direction right now."
"After all, my support methods aren't something that can be completed overnight. I'll need plenty of real combat experience to refine them."
Finn didn't know much about the specifics of these tests, but he understood enough to get the gist—it was just a basic trial today.
"I see. I'll have Raul and the others stay on standby for the next few days."
"Thank you."
Bell turned to the three who were part of the trial. With a wave of his hand, a spatial rift opened and swallowed them all in an instant.
"See you tonight, Captain Finn."
With a brief farewell, Bell stepped into the rift himself and vanished from the office.
"This kind of magic really is convenient..."
Watching Raul, Cassandra, and Daphne disappear so effortlessly, Finn couldn't help but be impressed.
Even outside of expeditions, this kind of spatial magic could have amazing applications in battle.
What was even more alarming was that Bell hadn't used any incantations—he cast the spell effortlessly, almost casually. It made Finn suspect this space magic was likely built on rune combinations.
The convenience of it reminded him of the things that Altena had once done to Riveria.
"Riveria, do you think Bell-kun will be targeted by the Magic Kingdom of Altena?"
"Do you think that child would accept being threatened?"
That one word—"accept"—was more than enough to reveal Riveria's stance.
"Accept" implied a choice of one's own will. So if they said Bell might "accept" being targeted, that alone said everything.
Because "accepting" is optional, that means "not accepting" is just as valid a choice.
If the one being threatened can choose not to accept it… then what good would Altena Kingdom's threat do?
"If Bell-kun learns about the Magic Kingdom's intentions, and knows they're targeting him, then with the kind of concealment he's capable of… the upper echelon of the Magic Kingdom might be wiped out before they even realize what hit them."
"Even with gods, he keeps that same attitude—he once called Ishtar a 'whore'. Someone like that won't bow to threats from anyone."
"Honestly, I just hope the Altena Kingdom has the sense to be smarter about this."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 295: Chapter 295: A Small Goal Right Before My Eyes
Chapter Text
"Where is this...?"
Raul glanced around the room. The floor beneath him looked like it was made of intertwining tree roots, and the walls were formed the same way. But on one wall was a transparent window made of a familiar-looking crystal—though he couldn't recall the name.
Cassandra, driven by curiosity, walked up to the window. The moment she saw the scene outside, her eyes widened in shock.
"This is... the City of Rivira!?"
"!?"
The other two, still dazed, quickly rushed over and peered out. As expected, they saw the City of Rivira standing tall in the center. From their elevated perspective, they could clearly see the entire city below them. That meant... they were even higher than the City of Rivira itself.
"This really is the 18th floor."
"We got sent to the 18th floor in an instant? That's insane!"
Both Daphne and Raul felt their entire worldview shatter.
They were sure they'd just been inside the Twilight Manor. But in the blink of an eye, they'd been transported all the way to the 18th floor of the Dungeon.
"Everyone, could you calm down a bit?"
The three turned at the same time to see Bell standing there in his cloak.
Aside from a brief moment of tension upon hearing his voice, the three quickly settled down.
"You probably don't know why Captain Finn asked you to help me. Before we begin, let me explain a few things.
Right now, I'm at a bit of a turning point. Besides my current 'Status' and the areas I specialize in, I've found some extra time on my hands. So, I thought I'd try expanding my expertise. That's why Captain Finn had you come assist me today."
Bell's explanation was clear and straightforward. All three understood exactly why they were there.
Still unsure about the details, Daphne raised her hand to ask a question.
"So how are we supposed to help you, exactly?"
"Put simply, I need to test how well I can support the front line. What I want you to do is fight monsters while I assist from the back. Your feedback—how effective the support feels—will help me find areas where I need improvement."
Bell laid everything out clearly to ease any unnecessary pressure on them. As expected, once they understood their roles, the three visibly relaxed.
"Raul, I'll need you and Daphne to help with testing weapons. Cassandra, your role is to evaluate the support side. Besides your staff, are you proficient with any other weapons?"
"I-I can also use throwing short swords."
"Hmm, that's a good fit for a support role. Cassandra, how about bows? Can you use them?"
"A little."
"That's good to hear."
Bell now had a clear idea of who would handle which weapons.
Raul, being Level 4 and usually stationed on the front lines, would handle heavy weapon tests.
Daphne, as a front-line commander, would be in charge of light weapon testing.
Cassandra, serving as a support in the rear, would test ranged and support weapons.
Bell waved his hand through the air a few times. Suddenly, several wooden weapons rose from the smooth ground—heavy weapons like greatswords, spears, battle axes, war hammers, and tower shields; light weapons like daggers, swords, twin blades, and whips; and ranged weapons like bows, shuriken, kunai, and throwing knives.
"Can you see if these weapons are usable?"
Raul stepped forward and picked up a greatsword. The moment it was in his hands, he felt its weight—it was made of wood, yet it didn't feel light at all.
He tapped it lightly with his fingers and was surprised to hear a metallic resonance.
"This isn't just any wooden weapon."
He immediately examined the blade. When he ran a finger across the edge, he could hear a faint ringing, and just a gentle touch left a cut on his fingertip. Raul stared at the greatsword in shock.
"So sharp!"
It clearly looked like a wooden weapon, yet it rang like metal and had a dangerously sharp edge. It was obviously a top-tier weapon—possibly even better than what he normally used.
He turned to Bell with a complicated expression.
"Bell-kun, did you prepare these weapons yourself?"
"Nope. These were all made on the spot to match the types of weapons you usually use."
Bell could hear the mix of awe and envy in Raul's voice but still shook his head, making it clear these weapons were created just now.
"Don't be fooled by how high-quality they seem—it's thanks to my understanding of weapon structure... and some really good materials."
"...Yeah, the materials are definitely something else. It looks like wood, but sounds like metal. I feel like I've heard of this material somewhere before."
Shaking off his envy, Raul racked his brain to recall where he'd encountered this kind of material.
He'd heard of it—he was sure of that—but the name was eluding him.
"Wait... could it be Spirit Tree?"
"Yes, that's it—Spirit Tree...!"
Cassandra's sudden comment jogged his memory. As the realization hit, Raul looked at the greatsword in his hand in astonishment, then hesitated before turning to Bell.
"Bell-kun, Spirit Tree is supposed to be exclusive to the Elves. I don't think something that rare is even available on the market."
Now Raul truly felt the weight of the weapon in his hand.
Using Spirit Tree as material for a weapon—that was pure luxury. Based on how rare and valuable it was, this greatsword alone could be worth tens of millions of Valis in Orario.
Looking at the other weapons laid out, if they were all made from Spirit Tree, their total value could easily reach 100 million Valis.
Dear gods.
The thought made Raul's hands tremble.
He had some savings, sure, but the weapons he used were far from high-end. As a commander in the Second Team and only a supporter in the First Team, he wasn't a frontline fighter and never needed anything this high-grade. At most, he used third-tier weapons worth a few million Valis.
Yet now, what lay in front of him were all second-tier weapons—and even among those, their quality stood out.
Seeing how careful Raul was being, Bell smiled and offered an explanation.
"While Spirit Tree materials are rare in Orario, the seeds themselves aren't particularly rare.
As for how the seeds turned into Spirit Tree material... well, let's just say my magic is a little special."
...What the hell!?
Raul was stunned. For the first time, he realized just how absurd magic could be.
Chapter 296: Chapter 296: Compensation
Chapter Text
"How extravagant."
Daphne looked at the knives, swords, twin blades, and long whip laid out before her, unable to hide the envy in her voice.
Knowing these weapons were crafted from Spirit Tree materials, their quality was beyond doubt. Both in hardness and sharpness, they far outclassed anything she had used before.
"Daphne..."
Behind her, Cassandra gently tugged on her sleeve.
"That wasn't a nice thing to say."
"...Ah."
Only then did Daphne realize these weapons had been provided for their use. Calling them "extravagant" wasn't exactly appropriate.
But Bell simply shook his head, unfazed.
"These wooden weapons are decent in quality, but unfortunately, they can't be sold."
"Can't be sold? Is there something wrong with them?"
Daphne carefully inspected each weapon in front of her, but with her sharp eyes, she couldn't find a single flaw.
Bell shook his head slightly and picked one up as he explained.
"The quality's great, and there's nothing wrong with them. But that's exactly why they can't be sold."
"Spirit Tree is an extremely rare material in Orario. Elves don't sell it to outsiders. That's why weapons made from Spirit Tree are even less marketable—because they technically still belong to the Elves."
Daphne finally understood. She looked down at the weapon in her hand and sighed internally.
'Yeah, there's no way these could be sold.'
Just as Bell said, Spirit Tree was controlled by the Elves, and they were known for being proud and extremely picky. If they found out Spirit Tree weapons had entered the market, they'd probably lose their minds.
No wonder. Even if this seemed like a surefire way to make money, the Elves' personalities made it completely unworkable.
"While you can't sell them, the three of you can each keep one."
"Huh?"
"After all, the most famous Elf in the Loki Familia is the 'Nine Hell', and she's royalty among the High Elves. So even if some Spirit Tree materials made their way to us, it wouldn't be that strange. She is royalty, after all."
But Raul couldn't help but give a wry smile at that.
"Bell-kun, don't let Riveria hear you say that. Even if she does accept gifts from her kin, she's never turned them into weapons. If you say something like that, she's definitely going to be mad."
Bell looked a little surprised by the comment, but thinking about how traditional the Elves could be, it made sense.
Still, he didn't seem too concerned.
"That's just a cover story. I don't think the 'Nine Hell' would care much about something like this. As long as I come up with a reasonable explanation, the Elves won't hold it against us."
"...That's fair."
Even if the reasoning was shaky, Raul figured that as long as the story changed a little, it wouldn't be an issue.
But as his thoughts shifted, another question came to mind.
"Bell-kun, you're giving these weapons to us?"
"They're not worth much. Once the testing's over, you can take them."
Maybe Raul was worried about how valuable they were, but to Bell, these weapons had little use.
They stood out too much, and Bell already had all the weapons he needed—so he had virtually no reason to use them himself.
Moreover, these weapons couldn't be allowed to circulate. Even if they were given away, they could only be used personally. The moment one of them hit the market, it wouldn't take long to trace the source.
Sure, the Loki Familia had the royal Nine Hell to take the heat if needed—but doing so would only disgrace her in front of the entire Elven race.
It just wasn't worth it.
At that thought, Raul couldn't help but swallow hard. This was one hundred million Valis right in front of him. That wasn't something to take lightly.
'Greedy.'
Bell shook his head slightly. If Raul couldn't grasp something so basic, he had little chance of ever becoming part of the Loki Familia's core.
If these Spirit Tree weapons really got out, the one who'd suffer most would be Nine Hell.
But Bell didn't particularly care what others did. Even if the weapons were leaked, it wouldn't come back to him.
After all, these were made from Spirit Tree. Who would suspect a rune merchant?
Unlike Raul, the two girls showed no signs of greed after learning the weapons' value. Either they didn't care, or they agreed with Bell's reasoning that the weapons couldn't be circulated.
Bell suddenly recalled how the Dungeon could affect adventurers, pushing certain emotions to dangerous extremes.
He glanced at Raul, who still seemed caught up in excitement.
'He hasn't shaken it off yet?'
'I figured by Lv. 4 he'd be past the Dungeon's influence… guess I was wrong.'
'Maybe Captain Finn's been protecting the Familia members too well.'
But that wasn't quite right.
What Bell didn't know was that every time the Loki Familia returned from an expedition, Raul was the one tasked with converting rare materials into funds—and it was Finn himself who made that arrangement.
It was Finn's subtle way of addressing Raul's issue and giving him a wake-up call.
Still, Raul—trapped in his own greed—remained unaware.
Clap clap clap!
"Alright, pick the weapons you're most comfortable with. We'll start testing."
"Mr. Raul, you have a space pouch, right?"
"Yeah, the captain gave me one."
Raul patted the pouch at his waist. It had been issued to him by Finn himself.
Bell nodded, then turned to look at Cassandra and Daphne.
The two girls quickly shook their heads.
"We don't have one."
Space pouches were rare and highly valuable magical items. For adventurers, they were incredibly useful—almost essential.
But as newcomers to the Loki Familia, it made sense that they hadn't received such things yet.
Without a word, Bell pulled two space pouches from his personal inventory and tossed them over.
The girls caught them with surprised expressions.
"These are for you to borrow. If you want to keep them, you don't have to take all the weapons. Just pick one you like, and the rest can be your trade for the pouch. Sound good?"
That was Bell's offer.
Both girls instantly lit up with joy.
"Of course! But... are you really okay with this?"
"Yeah, don't worry about it. Just think of it as payment for helping me with my training."
"In that case, we won't hold back."
Clearly, the utility of the space pouches outweighed the appeal of the weapons for the two of them.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 297: Chapter 297: The First Test
Chapter Text
"Ha!!!"
Raul gripped his greatsword tightly and charged at the approaching Minotaur with a sweeping slash.
The razor-sharp blade tore through the creature's muscle, cleaving it cleanly in two.
Another Minotaur raised its axe and lunged at Raul. He quickly stepped forward, reversed his grip on the sword, and swung it in a wide arc.
It sliced through the Minotaur's body like tofu—its dense muscles offering no resistance as the blade cut straight through.
'This really is a damn good weapon.'
To be able to slice through a Minotaur's muscle so effortlessly—something that most Adventurer weapons struggled with—this blade was terrifyingly sharp.
"Hah!"
Just as another Minotaur rushed forward, a female voice shouted and sprang into action.
Daphne, gripping her longsword, charged at full speed.
Speed was her greatest strength. Even though she was only Lv. 2, she had accumulated enough Excelia at that level, and now she surged forward like a gust of wind.
"Moo!!"
The Minotaur raised its massive axe and brought it down toward the incoming Daphne.
Clang!
Just before the axe hit her, a shield composed of dozens of interlocked hexagonal plates appeared, blocking the blow.
Daphne didn't pause for even a second. Without breaking stride, she slashed at the Minotaur's arm that held the axe.
Her blade swept clean through. Blood sprayed into the air as the creature's severed hand hit the ground.
"Moo!!"
Howling in pain, the Minotaur shifted tactics, lowering its horns to charge headfirst at her.
But Daphne wasn't some rookie. She had already anticipated the move.
She ducked low, dodging the horns, then drove her sword straight through the Minotaur's chest.
"Haah!"
The Minotaur froze for a moment—then instantly turned to white ash. She'd pierced its Magic Stone directly.
"Daphne, duck!"
At the shout, Daphne instinctively sensed the shadow falling over her and crouched.
A powerful gust followed as an arrow whipped past, grazing just above her head.
Splurt!
The sound of bursting flesh made Daphne snap her head up—just in time to see a Minotaur standing upright, its head gone, but still not collapsed.
'Damn!'
Daphne's knees bent slightly and she leapt backward.
Boom!
A second later, the headless Minotaur crashed to the ground, its blood soaking the dirt around it.
In just a matter of seconds, all four Minotaurs had been taken down.
Raul had slain two. Daphne and Cassandra each took one.
No other team of their level could've matched that kind of efficiency.
"Phew... That was even easier than I expected."
Daphne wiped the blood from her face. She hadn't needed to think too hard during the fight—just focus on the Minotaur in front of her.
She let out a breath, straightened up, and looked down at the wooden sword in her hand.
"This weapon is far sharper than I expected."
Daphne had thought she'd already estimated these weapons generously, but after actually using one, she realized even her highest expectations had underestimated them.
She could now clearly tell the weapon in her hand was at least second-rate.
Its performance was beyond anything she could have imagined.
Even so, Daphne didn't feel any regret about not choosing a different weapon. For her, one that she was proficient with was enough. What truly mattered more was the space pouch.
The versatility of a space pouch far outweighed a single powerful weapon. Plus, she would need to prepare some Rune Stones inside it. Just from the shield earlier, she could already tell how useful Rune Stones could be—they were a huge asset in frontline combat.
She glanced over at Cassandra, who still held her bow in her trembling right hand. Was the force from that shot really that intense?
Well, the power of that last arrow had certainly been impressive.
Cassandra specialized in healing and support—archery wasn't her strength. Yet that one arrow had completely blown off the Minotaur's head.
Daphne walked over.
"Ah..."
Cassandra's hand had gone numb from the bow's recoil right after releasing the shot.
"How's your hand?"
The sudden question startled Cassandra, but once she saw it was Bell, she relaxed.
"...A bit numb."
"The side effect of adding wind to the arrow is still too much."
Bell was pleased with the arrow's power, but not with its aftermath.
With a flick of his hand, he dismissed the process of adding wind to the arrow. While this method could compress a fifteen-minute attribute enchantment into a single burst for massive power, it also significantly raised the physical demands on the user.
Cassandra's Status was on the lower end—even though she was Lv. 2, she had reached that level through magic proficiency rather than finely honed stats like most adventurers.
Still, her being Lv. 2 meant she had an advantage in base stats. She might now be comparable to a Lv. 1 adventurer with 600 or even 700 points in Endurance and Strength.
Yet even with that, the recoil from one shot had numbed her hand. For a typical Lv. 1 adventurer, such a technique would probably only be usable once—and afterward, their bow arm would be completely out of commission.
That made it dangerous to use in the Dungeon. It might be useful in rare situations, but otherwise, it simply wasn't worth it.
Not to mention, attribute enchantments cost 1 million Valis each. Using one on a basic attack was just a waste of money.
"Raul, Daphne, Cassandra, take five minutes to rest. We'll continue the next test after that."
During this break, Bell needed to make a few adjustments and use the recent battle to find better moments to offer support.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 298: Chapter 298: Reflection, Review, and Realization
Chapter Text
Two figures raced through the 20th floor of the Dungeon.
Beyond this level, the terrain turned into a vast forest maze. Towering trees stretched skyward, some so massive they connected with the floors above or below.
Almost every creature here had mutated into a monster. They weren't just bigger—many had gained terrifying destructive abilities. Some could even spit fire or water.
"Bzzzz!"
A swarm of buzzing wings roared down like a dark cloud toward the two sprinting figures.
Anyone with sharp enough vision could see that the cloud was actually made up of countless bees.
But these weren't the fingertip-sized bees of the surface—they were each as large as a human head.
A normal bee sting might just hurt for a while, but getting stung by one of these? It might just carry you off entirely.
Their stingers were clearly evolved for combat. A weak shield wouldn't last more than a few hits.
And now, a whole swarm was after them. Not just dozens—at least several hundred. But the two figures ahead didn't slow down; in fact, they were deliberately controlling their pace to keep the swarm following.
One of them glanced back.
"Raul-senpai, did we attract too many?"
"Quiet. Eyes forward. One sting from those things and you're screwed."
The other didn't even look back.
He knew what it felt like. He'd been stung before—an entire arm pierced through. The pain had been so excruciating, it overwhelmed all thought. No amount of toughness could endure it.
"You've been stung before, Senpai?"
"Don't bring up my dark past!"
Raul took one glance at the oversized, crazed bees swarming behind them, and it was like he relived the trauma—his pace kicked up another level entirely.
No answer was needed. He'd clearly been stung.
The other person began to speed up too.
The bees stayed locked onto them, ignoring everything else, closing in fast to deliver a lethal blow.
...
About a kilometer ahead, a girl stood ready with her bow already drawn.
Flames danced along the length of the crimson bow, yet it remained unharmed, holding its shape perfectly.
She pulled out a wooden arrow from who-knows-where, took a deep breath, nocked it, and raised the bow high overhead, drawing the string back to its limit.
A breeze gathered at the arrow's tip, while the flames on the bow spread to the shaft, engulfing everything except the point.
A red marker flashed in her vision—her teammates.
She waited for the right moment—then released.
The flaming arrow tore through the air at a speed that didn't even seem real.
Just as the two fleeing figures entered range, the arrow streaked between their heads.
They instantly leapt to the sides.
"BOOM!!!"
A fiery explosion erupted behind them.
The blast ignited in a flash, instantly vaporizing the moisture in the air. Even behind cover, the two felt the heat slam into them. Their skin dried out and cracked in moments.
It took a full thirty seconds for the blaze to settle.
The buzzing was gone. Completely.
The two cautiously stepped out from behind the tree, peering past its edge as a scorching wind stung their eyes.
As they adjusted, the scene came into view—a scorched panorama of destruction.
The once-mighty trees had been incinerated to ash in a blink. The ground had melted, forming wide patches of bubbling, molten earth.
The devastation extended as far as they could see.
"...Holy shit."
Even Raul, no stranger to chaos, couldn't help but curse.
"This... this was just one arrow? It's not much different from Riveria's magic."
And that hadn't even been a spell—no incantation, no ritual. Just an arrow, enhanced with enchantments and magic synergy. Its power was terrifying.
Cassandra, the one who fired it, couldn't even stand. She'd dropped to the ground, staring at the aftermath in shock.
The only one still calm was Bell, and he wasn't surprised at all.
Fire fueled by wind, with the arrowhead concentrating compressed air—on impact, the flames burst outward in a violent explosion. A normally controllable fire had turned into a rampaging inferno, delivering destruction far beyond expectation.
He pulled out another notebook and added a note beneath "Fire-Wind Arrow": "Has ample destructive power but can only target fixed positions."
This kind of raw firepower could act as a deterrent in the Dungeon—but only if the shot actually landed.
The prep time was too long, and it required him to personally manipulate the runes to condense air at the arrow's tip. Without that, the resulting power wouldn't come close. If he relied solely on runes, the output would drop by around 40%. That gap was too significant.
Still, this test hadn't been about destruction alone—it was about whether he could execute that level of support.
And the result proved he could. Bell had shown that he could push support magic to the extreme, especially in terms of destructive assistance.
'For now, I can only manage single-target support.'
Bell reminded himself that this was just the beginning of his exploration into support roles. He didn't need to spread himself thin—focusing on one area was enough for now.
'I can use Rune Stones to enhance physical ability. But when it comes to awareness... maybe I should explore rune combinations that accelerate thought.'
'If I can speed up my thinking and combine that with physical speed boosts, I might be able to elevate my combat performance to a whole new level.'
'Right now, if I concentrate fully, I can only support one or two people at most. It's a bit like when I'm fighting multiple monsters on my own.'
'Maybe this kind of training really can sharpen my sense of battle.'
What started as a theory about improving his strength was now starting to feel real. This method might truly boost his capabilities beyond what was reflected on his Status.
Better clarity on the battlefield. Greater control of the situation. That was the kind of strength no panel could display.
Chapter 299: Chapter 299: So It Really Is Because of a Man!
Chapter Text
Night had fallen once again over Orario.
The streets were as lively as ever, almost like a festival. For adventurers who faced danger every day, these nighttime festivities were perhaps the only time they could truly relax their tense nerves.
Only a major crisis in Orario could ever force adventurers to stay quietly within their Familia at night.
At that moment, space distorted inside Finn's office in the Loki Familia, and three people were suddenly transported back into the room.
However, the office was completely dark—understandable, since Finn wasn't always here.
"You're back."
Bathed in moonlight, Raul glanced around at the familiar setup and quickly realized where they were.
"It's so dark."
The room was pitch black—he couldn't even see his own hand in front of him.
"Bang!"
A loud thud echoed through the room, followed by a quiet whimper:
"Ow... that hurt..."
Judging by the sound and the groan, it was easy to picture someone's little toe smashing into a piece of furniture. Raul and the other person winced just imagining it.
"Cassandra, be more careful, would you? It's pitch black in here—stop moving around so much."
"Ugh... Daphne, why are you scolding me..."
"Seriously, we're adventurers, aren't we? It's just a stubbed toe. Does it really hurt that much?"
And then, in the very next second—
"Bang!"
A louder crash this time, hard enough to make Raul jump.
"What happened?"
There was a moment of silence before a voice, strained in pain, spoke up.
"Raul... I tripped too..."
Raul let out a long, exasperated sigh.
"Daphne, watch where you're going. I just warned Cassandra to be careful, and now you go and do the same thing?"
It was like chasing after a mummy only to end up becoming one yourself.
No helping it—he'd have to handle it.
Raul was very familiar with the captain's office. With a bit of moonlight and some careful steps, he was sure he wouldn't bump into anything. The real problem was that the two girls had just been too reckless.
He quickly made his way to the wall and turned on the magic lamp, filling the office with warm light.
Turning back, he saw both girls crouched down, clutching their feet. Judging by their expressions, they'd hit themselves pretty badly.
Raul couldn't believe how they managed to be this clumsy right now. Was carelessness something you could actually catch?
"Cassandra, Daphne, are you two... alright?"
Usually, they could shrug off even a monster's attack—so why were they so fragile today?
Of course, Raul couldn't really grasp the pain they were feeling. Getting your little toe smashed hurts just as much as taking a hit from a monster.
"Yeah... we're fine..."
But Raul didn't think they sounded fine at all.
"Cassandra, aren't you good with healing magic? If it really hurts that much, just use it."
Cassandra snapped out of it and quickly pulled out her staff, then began to chant a spell.
A soft green glow filled the room, and the pain in their toes faded. The color slowly returned to the girls' faces.
"We're good now, Raul."
"Hmm..."
Raul noticed both girls were looking down as they stood up. Probably best not to bring it up again—no point in making them feel more embarrassed.
"Let's go."
...
At that moment, Twilight Manor was hosting a celebration for the Sword Princess reaching Level 6.
Loki was weaving between the girls, getting a little too handsy, which earned her a mix of scolding and playful squeals.
"Loki-sama, stop touching me!"
"Oh! Line, have you gotten bigger again?"
"Loki-sama, don't say that!"
The girls being teased turned bright red, while the others nearby laughed at the scene.
"Seriously, Loki-sama, she's already this age and still growing. That's not normal."
"You guys, stop saying that!"
The girls often chatted freely about things like body shapes or crushes, but the most common topic was always romance.
Among them, the most popular story was between Tione and the captain—something all the girls in the Familia were rooting for.
Not that they had much choice. Everyone knew Tione hovered around the captain constantly, to the point where any other girl interested in him had long since given up.
Talks about Tione and the captain were just part of everyday life in the Loki Familia. But over time, people stopped bringing it up—they were all just waiting to see when the captain would finally give in.
Given how forward Amazonesses were, it felt inevitable that Tione would have him wrapped around her finger sooner or later.
Lately, though, another story had started making rounds: a rumor about a budding romance between the newly joined Haruhime and a boy from the Hestia Familia.
But more than Haruhime's love life, what really had the girls curious was Ais.
After a round of teasing and laughter, everyone's attention shifted to Ais, who was quietly sipping her drink in the distance.
"Loki-sama, has something been going on with Ais lately?"
"Yeah, she's been acting really different. She used to train alone in the Dungeon, but now she's been asking us to train with her."
"Honestly, it's less like training with us and more like she's trying to help us train."
"Totally."
The girls' questions were full of curiosity, and Loki looked over at Ais with a somewhat satisfied smile.
"That kid... something must've happened, I guess. After all—"
The girls' eyes widened, faces lighting up with anticipation and excitement.
"Wait—could it be that she's fallen for someone?"
"...Huh?"
Loki, who was just about to speak, was so thrown off she choked on her words.
"Please, Ais would never fall for some guy! That's the one thing I'm absolutely sure of!"
Yes—she can't. She absolutely cannot!
I haven't even gotten her yet, how could someone else?
Even with Loki's intense denial, the girls weren't buying it. They even started trying to gently convince her.
"Loki-sama, Ais is going to fall for someone eventually."
"Right? And she's changed so much—if it's not love, what else could it be?"
"Besides, Loki-sama, Ais has perfectly normal tastes. I doubt she's into you."
Each comment hit Loki like shards of glass right to the face.
"No way! Absolutely not!"
"I've been watching over Ais this whole time—there's no way she'd fall for some random thief who popped out of nowhere!"
Right now, Loki was like a tiger guarding its meal, baring her fangs at anyone who dared come close.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 300: Chapter 300: The Loki Familia's Unique Flavor
Chapter Text
"Ais!"
Ais, who had been quietly drinking, froze for a moment before vanishing from her seat and reappearing at Riveria's side in an instant.
She'd learned her lesson. With her strength unstable these past couple of days, she absolutely couldn't let Loki get near her. Either Loki would take the chance to grope her, or she'd accidentally strike too hard and kill her.
Neither outcome was something Ais wanted to deal with. So, the moment she heard Loki's voice, she instinctively moved closer to Riveria.
Others might hesitate to hit Loki—but Riveria definitely wouldn't hold back.
Riveria flinched slightly from the sudden closeness and looked coldly at Loki, who was clearly preparing to pounce.
"Uwah! Ais, you're actually using this kind of tactic!"
Even as she marveled at how Ais was finally starting to rely on others, Loki's heart ached with disappointment.
Because now that Ais had taken refuge beside Riveria, she'd lost her chance to cop a feel.
"You brought this on yourself."
Riveria shot Loki a glare, unamused by her feigned innocence. She didn't have the patience for games—if Loki really tried something, she'd have her tied up and hanging from the ceiling in no time.
"Weren't you the one who kept harassing her while her powers were unstable?"
"But you're the one who caught me, Mama!"
"How can you say that with a straight face?"
Riveria looked like she wanted to jab a finger right into that smug face of hers.
Seeing that Riveria was truly angry, Loki backed away several steps in fear—only to bump into Bete and quickly hide behind him.
"Of course I said it—because I'm the Familia God!"
A vein bulged on Riveria's forehead.
Not just Riveria—Bete, being used as a human shield, also felt a heavy wave of pressure in the air.
Making a smart choice, Bete immediately moved at a speed well beyond a Level 5's, switching places with Loki and shoving her forward.
"Wha—?"
Still caught off guard, Loki stumbled—and was just about to fall when a pair of hands caught her, keeping her from hitting the floor.
"Ah, thanks... wait—aaaaagh!"
"No need to thank me, Loki~~"
Riveria smiled sweetly as she accepted Loki's thanks—and then grabbed her by the head with one hand, hoisting her into the air.
"For the next few days, keep your hands off Ais. Got it?"
"Aaaaagh! I get it, I get it, just let me down!"
Feeling the crushing grip on her skull, Loki swore she could hear her bones creaking. That was enough to make her finally give up on ambushing Ais.
With a small snort, Riveria let go of the squirming Loki.
Loki landed hard on her backside, then scrambled to her feet and darted behind Bete again, clutching his clothes tightly with both hands—like she was making sure he couldn't run off a second time.
"Bete, you traitor!"
The veins on Bete's forehead bulged in fury.
"What the hell does your fight with that Elf have to do with me?!"
"You were supposed to be my shield!"
The way she said it—so matter-of-fact—nearly made Bete explode.
"You shoved me forward just so I'd be your shield? Do you think my werewolf fur is enough to block that Elf's magic?!"
"Don't you always call Riveria an old woman?"
A chill shot down Bete's spine, cold sweat trickling down his back. He shouted in panic, completely losing his cool.
"When the hell did I ever call that Elf an old woman?! Wasn't that you?!"
"Huh? When did I say that?"
"This morning! Finn and the old man heard it too!"
Finn and Gareth, who were suddenly dragged into the argument, exchanged helpless glances. Why did things always get so chaotic whenever drinks were involved?
That said, they had to admit Bete wasn't lying.
Even drunk, Bete would never be reckless enough to call Riveria an "old woman" to her face. That wasn't guts—that was suicide.
Just because Riveria was a rear-guard didn't mean you could underestimate her. In Orario, the most dangerous ones often stood in the back—the turrets weren't just spellcasters.
"Bang!"
Riveria slammed her hand on the table and stood up, face dark. Without a word, she marched over, grabbed Loki and Bete by the arms, and started dragging them away.
"Wait! I'm innocent, Riveria! I didn't call you an old woman—Riveria, Riveria... aaahhh!"
Bete, unsurprisingly, was the first victim.
No one else dared to look.
One by one, everyone turned their eyes elsewhere. But in the otherwise quiet cafeteria, the only sounds were punches landing and the screams of Bete and Loki—testament to Riveria's fearsome authority in the Loki Familia.
...
Not long after, the cafeteria doors opened.
Given the atmosphere, everyone instinctively turned toward the entrance.
The one who walked in surprised quite a few people.
"Raul!"
Finn, who had just been fed by Tione, seized the chance to jump up and escape his awkward situation.
"Raul, Daphne, Cassandra—is Bell-kun's test over?"
Finn was eager to know what kind of test they'd just completed and what results they'd gotten from it.
His question immediately drew the attention of nearly everyone present.
Among them were Haruhime, who had been quietly eating, Ais—still trying to avoid Loki—and Riveria, who had just finished giving Bete and Loki a lesson.
Raul, caught off guard by the stares, felt a bit overwhelmed, but answered properly nonetheless.
"Yeah, Bell-kun said today's test is done."
"There'll probably be more tests later, but Bell-kun will let us know when. From the way he looked, I think he went back to prepare more magic."
If anyone else had said that, it might have sounded like a vague excuse—but coming from Raul, it carried weight.
Finn was immediately intrigued. If the test wasn't so private, he would've loved to watch it himself.
Ais's eyes also lit up with curiosity. Anyone strong enough to sever that woman's arm... naturally caught her attention. She found herself increasingly curious about this "Bell Cranel."
"How did the test go?"
"I think it went really well, though Bell-kun didn't seem too satisfied."
That only made Finn more interested. If Raul thought it went well but Bell-kun wasn't happy with it, then something about it must be worth seeing.
Before Finn could ask more, Raul took out a rune stone.
"Captain, it's hard to explain everything, so Bell-kun asked me to bring this back. It contains the recorded data. Should I play it?"
"Go ahead."
After a moment's thought, Finn nodded. The rest of the Familia would see it sooner or later—might as well let them be ready for what's coming.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 301: Chapter 301: Each of These Weapons Is an Spirit Tree
Chapter Text
Facing the oncoming Minotaurs, Raul gripped his greatsword tightly and swiftly cut one clean in half. With a backhanded swing, he split the second charging Minotaur just as effortlessly. In a matter of seconds, both were cleaved in two.
Next, Daphne rushed at a Minotaur with her longsword, making no attempt to defend against its axe. But just at the critical moment, a shield composed of dozens of hexagonal plates appeared in front of her, effortlessly blocking the attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Daphne sliced off the Minotaur's arm, staggering it. She then thrust her blade forward, piercing the magic stone embedded in its body and reducing it to white ash.
"Get down!"
Hearing the urgent shout from the screen, Daphne quickly ducked—just in time for an arrow to streak past, grazing her scalp and striking the head of the Minotaur that had been about to attack her.
The footage cut off abruptly at that point.
The scene hadn't lasted long, but everyone watching was left stunned.
The battle wasn't large-scale—only three people were involved—but the information it revealed was more than enough.
"What sharp weapons," Ais remarked, eyes gleaming as she focused on the footage. Whether it was Raul's greatsword, Daphne's katana, or Cassandra's bow and arrows, all of them looked like fine weapons.
"They're definitely sharp. The key lies in the materials," Finn noted. "Judging by their design, they're not Raul's usual weapons. Besides, he didn't have his weapons with him when he left this morning. He lent them to Bell-kun."
Finn got straight to the point: those weapons were the deciding factor in the battle. He turned to Raul with a slight smile.
"Did Bell-kun make those weapons for you to use temporarily?"
Raul gave a small nod. He knew the captain wouldn't overlook something like that.
"Bell-kun brought us to the 18th floor and temporarily crafted weapons for each of us to test."
After a brief hesitation, Raul took out all the weapons he had stored in his space pouch.
"Actually, Bell-kun made a wide variety of weapons."
Greatswords, spears, battle axes, heavy hammers, and large shields.
Finn curiously picked up a spear. Its design was simple and unadorned, looking almost wooden, yet the tip was razor-sharp.
There were grooves along the shaft, and upon closer inspection, they seemed to be formed from strange characters. Their purpose was unclear.
The shaft's hardness was remarkable, and its weight was moderate—significantly lighter than the spears Finn normally used, though its quality was only slightly inferior to his custom weapon.
"Definitely high quality," Finn muttered in admiration. These weapons looked like they had been crafted by a master artisan, but he knew no smith had made them.
"Riveria, Gareth, come take a look."
The two stepped over to inspect the weapons with him.
Riveria immediately recognized the material upon seeing them.
"They actually used the Spirit Tree to forge these weapons. And…"
She ran her fingers across a set of runes engraved into the handle of one axe. The symbols seemed to imbue the weapon with a sustaining force—utterly astonishing.
"He also engraved those characters onto the weapons, giving them special powers."
"Raul, Bell-kun must have mentioned that, right?"
Raul nodded slightly and began explaining, pointing at the weapons.
"Bell-kun said the characters help the weapons repair themselves. At their core, these weapons are actually made from the Spirit Tree. So technically, calling them weapons isn't quite accurate. Bell-kun said they're still Spirit Trees—just shaped into the form of weapons."
Riveria looked at the weapons in awe, her hand gently brushing over them.
"So that's it… No wonder they felt 'alive' to me. I can't believe Bell-kun actually managed something like this."
It was a truly unique method—shaping each Spirit Tree into a weapon, giving it a hardened exterior and a sharp edge, yet allowing it to continue existing as a living Spirit Tree.
This kind of craftsmanship genuinely impressed Riveria.
"So that's why those characters were inscribed onto them."
Even though she'd studied the markings for a long time without fully grasping their meaning, Riveria now understood their purpose: to preserve the weaponized form of the Spirit Trees.
As long as the seed embedded inside the weapon remained intact, the weapon could self-repair over time. That was something no conventional metal weapon could ever achieve—only living weapons could do that.
And yet, here was a whole pile of them. Weapons of such rarity were laid out right in front of her. Their value was already comparable to top-tier armaments.
"Good kid!"
Loki, who had just been thoroughly beaten up by Riveria, suddenly popped in like nothing had happened.
As a god, she saw even more than Riveria and the others. Each of these weapons had undergone a unique treatment—every one of them carried traces of divine authority. But the power didn't come from blessings imbued afterward—it came naturally from the characters engraved into them.
Of course, Loki knew exactly who had crafted these weapons with his own authority.
Her gaze quickly turned to Raul.
"Raul, that kid just handed all of these over to you?"
"Yeah. Bell-kun said that once testing was done, each of us could keep one. He said they couldn't be circulated, but because of the Vice Captain's status, it'd be fine for us to have one."
Riveria, who had just been mentioned, froze for a moment before giving a wry smile.
"Bell-kun really places a lot of trust in me..."
To create a self-repairing weapon from a living Spirit Tree—she didn't feel worthy of wielding something like that.
Even if she had once been royalty, that was all in the past.
It wasn't really appropriate to use that identity anymore.
Still, these weapons could only be entrusted to their Familia. After all, they weren't something that could be casually circulated.
Each weapon was essentially a Spirit Tree itself—not something you could buy even with tens of millions of Valis. Their value had already surpassed even first-rate gear and shot straight into the stratosphere.
Chapter 302: Chapter 302: The Power of That Arrow
Chapter Text
"Daphne, Cassandra, what about you two?"
After a moment of thought, Finn turned to the two girls.
"Captain, it's the same for Cassandra and me."
"Bell-kun gave us a lot of weapons at first, but since we didn't have space pouches, he let me pick one weapon and used the rest to trade for a pouch."
Daphne had a feeling there might be more to it, but didn't dwell on it and simply answered honestly.
Finn was silent for a moment. The surprise on his face faded as he recalled Raul's earlier hesitation, and he let out a quiet sigh.
"Since Bell-kun gave them to you, then make sure you use them well."
Neither Daphne nor Cassandra seemed particularly affected—or perhaps Cassandra's nature simply made her less vulnerable to such influence.
Raul, however, appeared to be more deeply affected.
Unfortunately, bringing it up wouldn't help much. Raul's situation likely wouldn't improve just by pointing it out. And if he couldn't resist temptation himself, no amount of advice from others would change anything.
'Bell-kun must have noticed it too.'
Finn shook his head in resignation. It was honestly embarrassing.
Riveria, Gareth, and Loki each cast a glance at Raul, who still wore a confused and clueless expression.
The Dungeon's subtle influence was undeniably harmful to adventurers. But for those able to overcome it, it became a strength. That's why they all believed their Familia members had to overcome it on their own.
But for Raul—a Level 4 adventurer—to still be under the Dungeon's influence was rather disappointing.
Finn let out a helpless smile and decided to let the matter drop.
Maybe Raul really couldn't break out of it on his own. Maybe the pressure they'd placed on him was too much.
At this point, Finn no longer expected Raul to shake it off by himself—but that only meant Raul needed to recognize the issue for himself.
"Raul, is there anything more impressive coming up?"
"Ah, there's Cassandra's arrow. That was during the test on the 20th floor. Daphne and I distracted the Killer Bees while Bell-kun assisted Cassandra in firing the shot. That moment… I'd say it was on par with the Vice Captain's fire magic."
Seeing the serious expressions on the others' faces and the topic shift back to the experiment, Raul couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. But since the Captain asked, he answered earnestly. And indeed, the highlight of the footage was Cassandra's shot.
Having redirected their focus, Finn and the others immediately perked up.
"Stronger than my magic? Raul, are you sure you didn't mistake it?"
"How could I have mistaken that? And it's not just me—Cassandra and Daphne were there too. They saw how powerful that shot was. They just haven't seen your magic, Vice Captain—otherwise, they'd think the same as I do."
Riveria clearly wasn't convinced. She wielded one of the most powerful staffs and cast magic of tremendous force. Yet Raul was claiming Cassandra's arrow matched that? It was hard not to be skeptical.
Raul understood how unbelievable it sounded. He himself hadn't been able to believe it at first either. Cassandra didn't even possess offensive magic. Yet with Bell-kun's support, the arrow she fired had been terrifyingly powerful. It left him baffled, too.
But he wasn't the only one who had seen it. Cassandra, who had fired the arrow, and Daphne, who had hidden with him behind a tree to avoid the firestorm, had both witnessed its power.
Raul quickly looked to Cassandra and Daphne, hoping they'd speak up and back him up.
"Yes, Vice Captain, Cassandra's arrow really was powerful."
Noticing Raul's pleading glance, Daphne didn't shy away. After all, the arrow had indeed been incredibly strong.
"Back then, Raul and I hid behind a large tree to avoid the firestorm that followed the shot. The air turned scorching in an instant. When the flames subsided, everything in sight was burned to ashes, and the ground had turned into a pool of magma."
"Even though Cassandra and I have never seen the Vice Captain's offensive magic in action, that arrow was genuinely terrifying."
After she finished, Daphne nudged the nervous Cassandra, who was clutching the hem of her clothes.
"Come on, Cassandra, you should share your thoughts too."
She gently pushed her forward.
"Eh?"
Suddenly pushed into the spotlight and now face-to-face with both the Captain and Vice Captain, Cassandra's social anxiety flared up. Being stared at by so many eyes made her freeze up completely.
Seeing her distressed, Finn quickly stepped in to comfort her.
"Cassandra, there's no need to rush. We just want to hear how you felt in that moment. It's okay if you can't explain it clearly right away. Take your time—and if you really can't manage, we can look at the footage again later."
Reassured by Finn's gentle tone, Cassandra managed to calm herself a little. Though still nervous under everyone's expectant gaze, she gathered her courage and began to explain.
"That arrow was fire-enchanted through the bow. The flame transferred onto the arrow when I nocked it. Then, Bell-kun channeled wind onto the tip of the arrow. When I fired it at the target, the wind dispersed and the flames completely ignited."
"I... I haven't seen the Vice Captain's magic myself, but that arrow actually melted the ground."
"...And after I shot it, I fell flat on my back."
She added the last part a little sheepishly—after all, collapsing after a single shot was a bit embarrassing.
Hearing her detailed description, Finn smiled and nodded.
"You fell because the arrow's power was immense. Cassandra, how did your hand feel after releasing it?"
"My hand was fine... Before, when I directly imbued wind into the bow, it made my arm ache. But when the attribute was applied through the bow instead, it didn't strain my hand nearly as much."
"Seems like Bell-kun adjusted the application method a bit during the test."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 303: Chapter 303: The Reason to Surpass the Black Dragon
Chapter Text
The first half of the footage was shown publicly, while the second half was viewed only by Finn, Gareth, and Riveria.
The image froze on the moment the arrow exploded.
From the scene alone, the three of them could clearly gauge just how much destructive power that single arrow carried.
"Raul's assessment wasn't wrong."
Finn's words settled it.
"The destructive force from Cassandra's arrow is probably not much different from Riveria's magic."
Riveria didn't deny it.
"The pinpoint explosion caused enough damage to rival my spells. But in terms of range, it's far more limited. And..."
Gareth picked up where she left off.
"And because the area of effect is much smaller than your magic, the arrow's practical use is actually quite restricted. It's only suitable for targets with limited mobility."
"Exactly."
Riveria gave a small nod. Judging from the footage, that conclusion was clear.
Identifying that flaw wasn't difficult—any of them could see it. But what about the one who made the weapon?
"Bell-kun must have realized the arrow's limited practicality too. That's probably why he wasn't very satisfied with the result."
Finn recalled what Raul said earlier about Bell expressing disappointment in the outcome. Suddenly, it all made sense—why Bell-kun would be dissatisfied.
For most adventurers, this result would be more than acceptable. But was Bell-kun really just any ordinary adventurer?
From the moment he learned of Bell's uniqueness, Finn had never treated him like a typical adventurer.
"Bell-kun has been working so hard... but that dedication also makes me a little worried."
As Finn spoke, he leaned back in his chair, contemplating the deeper implications behind all this.
"Hm? Are you worried that kid might end up like Ais?"
"No."
Finn was certain. Bell would not follow the same path as Ais. That confident response piqued Gareth's curiosity.
"Oh? That kid's approach is so similar to Ais's, and yet you're convinced he won't end up like her? What makes you so sure?"
"His personality. The way he handles things. And his unwavering focus on his goal. Bell-kun's qualities surpass even Ais's—maybe even all of Orario's. But what he seeks isn't money, fame, or honor. He's chasing something far simpler."
"And what would that be?"
Gareth hadn't spent much time around Bell, and he wasn't someone who dwelled on such details, so he had no idea what Bell's real goal was.
Even Finn found it a bit unbelievable—but by analyzing Bell's behavior, the answer became clear.
"What he wants is Goddess Hestia."
Riveria listened without the slightest hint of surprise.
On the surface, it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. After a brief pause, Gareth chuckled.
"That's not such a shocking reason."
"Is it? Then what if I told you that's why Bell-kun wants to reach Level 10?"
"...!?"
This time, Gareth couldn't laugh.
Finn gave a bitter smile as he revealed the rest.
"When I borrowed him for a mission, Bell-kun confided in me a little. He told me that to reach his goal, he must become Level 10, that he has to walk a path paved over the corpse of the Black Dragon—and that he's doing it for a selfish reason."
"He's fallen in love with his Familia God. And to gain a longer life, he chose this path... That's the conclusion I came to."
Gareth was floored. He never imagined the reason that boy wanted to grow stronger was because he fell in love with his own Familia God.
He turned to Finn as if seeking confirmation.
"His reason for wanting to surpass the Black Dragon... is it really that casual?"
Finn gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"I think so too. Bell-kun's reason for challenging the Black Dragon feels almost too simple."
"Some people seek fame, others chase fortune... but he's like someone from another world. He fell in love with his own Familia God."
It sounded absurd, but the more Finn thought about it, the more he accepted it.
"That's why I've always found him odd. With the information on Haruhime and Cassandra, Hestia Familia could've easily taken them in. So why did he hand them over to us?"
"Maybe because it's easier to pick up ready-made talent than raise it yourself."
Riveria and Gareth both paused, then looked as if they understood—but that realization brought with it some mixed and subtle emotions.
Being treated like that was... complicated.
...
"I'm back, Hestia."
"Welcome home, Bell-kun."
It was still the same warm, enthusiastic welcome—but this time, instead of just jumping into his arms, Hestia added a "welcome home" kiss.
Bell felt a little embarrassed, but it wasn't like he could reject it. After all, their relationship had grown closer. This was only natural, right?
"Hestia, that's enough."
After about three minutes, Hephaestus, who could no longer bear watching, stepped in and pulled Hestia—still clinging to Bell—off and tossed her aside.
"Ah! Don't interrupt my kissing time with Bell-kun!"
But Hephaestus ignored her complaints, turning instead to pull Bell into a gentle hug. Seeing the tired look in his eyes, her expression immediately softened.
"Welcome home, Bell."
The gentle, maternal tone in her voice eased both Bell's body and spirit.
"I'm back, Hephaestus."
He wrapped his arms lightly around her slender waist, savoring the soothing scent and calm that came from her presence.
Since their relationship had deepened, the Hestia Familia home had become Hephaestus's residence too. At night, she would teleport here from her own room using spatial coordinates, and she'd basically been spending every night here.
"Go take a bath first. We'll talk about everything else once you're in the room."
"Alright."
Taking her advice, Bell went to wash up, cleaning off the fatigue and sweat from the day.
When he returned, Hestia and Hephaestus were already waiting for him on the bed, both in their nightgowns, seated calmly as if expecting him.
Chapter 304: Chapter 304: Unwavering Growth Speed
Chapter Text
Bell caught a faint fruity scent with his nose—pleasant and refreshing. It was his own creation, after all, and worked wonders for both body and hair.
This time, he wasn't feeling so shy. He walked over to the bed, sat down, and rested his head right on Hephaestus's lap.
"Ah... I'm so tired."
Hephaestus looked down at him with an amused smile, and even Hestia—who would usually get jealous—was grinning as she watched.
"Hehe~ I didn't expect Bell to have a side like this."
"Even I get tired, you know. I used to be able to hold it in... but now I don't want to anymore."
Bell wasn't the least bit embarrassed by Hestia's teasing laugh. All he wanted now was to rest beside Hephaestus and Hestia.
Hephaestus couldn't hold back a soft smile and gently poked his baby-like face with her slender fingers.
"It's fine not to hold it in. This is your home too—you can let go of all that pressure you've been carrying. Still, you used to be so stoic and quiet. Who would've thought you'd change so much once you opened up?"
Bell looked a little sheepish.
"Honestly, I used to have a bit of social anxiety. Part of the reason I didn't trust people was just that I wasn't good at socializing. I didn't like talking to strangers."
"Then why did you act so mature in front of Hestia?"
"Uh... that's because when I first met Hestia, I thought she seemed kind of unreliable."
"Huh?!"
The moment she heard the word "unreliable," Hestia's smile vanished. She leapt onto Bell's back, puffed up in anger, and started hammering him with her tiny fists.
"Bell-kun! You're my child! What part of me is unreliable?!"
Bell wasn't fazed at all by her fists. In fact, he almost let out a relaxed hum.
"Well, it's because back when I first arrived in Orario, I overheard you and Hephaestus talking outside her shop."
Hestia froze on the spot. Her angry face flushed with embarrassment. She remembered it now—back when she was still freeloading at Hephaestus's place. That memory instantly sapped all the energy from her complaints.
"T-That was a special case!"
"I know it was. But still, my first impression of you was... not very reliable."
Bell's honest explanation did help Hestia's mood improve a bit, though she continued to mutter under her breath.
"I had just descended back then, that shouldn't count..."
"If I had descended a few decades earlier, I wouldn't be any worse than Loki!"
Hephaestus rolled her eyes at the comment.
"You're just a shut-in goddess, and you're comparing yourself to Loki?"
"When Loki first descended from Tenkai, she didn't have a Familia either. Finn, Riveria, and Gareth—those members of her Familia now? She recruited them all while traveling around. So tell me, with your homebody nature and your love for reading, how exactly are you better than Loki?"
Hestia puffed up angrily, wanting to refute it—but couldn't.
She had to admit, compared to venturing outside, she really did prefer staying home reading. Going out was exhausting, and full of risks. The last thing she wanted was to return to Tenkai right after coming down.
"You just got lucky meeting someone like Bell—an anomaly. Otherwise, if you were hoping for such a comfortable life, you'd still be mooching meals at my place."
Hestia puffed her cheeks out in frustration, but she knew Hephaestus wasn't wrong. If it weren't for her stroke of luck in meeting Bell-kun, who knew how long it would've taken for her to live this well?
"Alright, alright, let's update Bell's status and see how much he's grown these past few days."
"Okay!"
Perking up at the mention of a status update, Hestia sprang into action.
She got off Bell's back and walked to the dresser, pulling a needle from the drawer. After gently pricking her fingertip, she drew a drop of crimson. Bell had already taken off his shirt, and Hestia let the blood fall onto his back—revealing the sealed Falna inscription.
[Name: Bell Cranel
Level: 3
Development Abilities:
· Stealth: E
· Cognition: I-H
Basic Stats:
· Strength: I0 → D520
· Endurance: I0 → D560
· Dexterity: I0 → C637
· Agility: I0 → B705
· Magic: I0 → S978
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space": Storage
"Control of Space":
· Quick-Cast
· Lightning Manipulation
Skills:
"Personal Training": Early Bloomer
"Heaven's Luck": High Luck
"The Poor Man's Desire": Accumulate Power]
"His Development Abilities have leveled up, and those stats rose so fast!"
Hestia had expected Bell's growth to slow down after hitting Level 3—but somehow, his progress didn't just continue, it accelerated.
Hephaestus had thought the same thing, but the speed of his growth was still astonishing.
"It really is fast. And none of Bell's skills have added any restrictions either. Looks like 'Personal Training' didn't set a cap—which is definitely good news for us."
"Yeah..."
Hestia had always worried that one of Bell's skills might impose some kind of limit. After all, "Early Bloomer" sounded vague, but the word "early" implied a finite window. She'd been afraid that window might close soon.
But if the definition could stretch—if that "early" stage was broader—then Bell would have more time to grow. And for someone whose goal was to reach Level 10, that was undeniably good news.
Of course, Bell himself didn't believe his skills had time or phase limits—but saying that aloud wouldn't sit well. The skill was simply too rare in Orario.
"At this pace, he might even max out his Level 3 stats before the expedition starts."
Hephaestus figured that if they kept this up, Bell could push his Level 3 status to the limit before the mission began. And if so, he'd be ready to seek out the Excelia needed for ascension—he'd be ready for Level 4.
His growth rate was downright terrifying.
"I think so too."
Bell fully agreed with Hephaestus. That was exactly what he was aiming for.
"If I can max out my status before the expedition, maybe I can find a way to earn the Excelia I need for Level 5 ahead of schedule."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 305: Chapter 305: The Difficult Road Ahead
Chapter Text
Before the Loki Familia officially began their expedition, he had to hone his "Status" to the absolute limit—he had to reach his peak and find the "Excelia" needed to break through to Level 3.
But that was the ideal case. Bell wasn’t sure if he could push his "Status" to the level of a proper Level 3 in the limited time he had.
"Bell-kun, if you go through with this, you're going to be really exhausted for a while."
Hearing him say that, Hestia already understood deep down that even if she tried to stop him, Bell would still go through with it.
And as it turned out, she was right.
"It might be a bit exhausting, but it's necessary. Aside from dealing with the Black Dragon, we also have to guard against Freya’s ambitions.”
"The best outcome of this expedition would be to find an avatar of the Corrupted Spirit deep underground, use it, and raise the overall strength of the Loki Familia. As long as Orario isn’t dominated by the Freya Familia alone, their influence will drop significantly.”
“To make that happen, I need to improve my odds of success.”
As he spoke, Bell’s usual cheerful expression faded. Freya was a serious problem.
Power may be simple, but sometimes it’s that very simplicity that shifts the entire balance.
That’s why the strength held by the Freya Familia—Orario’s strongest—couldn’t be ignored.
"If there’s not enough time, I’ll hold off for now. I can’t sacrifice the future over a temporary power boost. But if it’s possible, I’d still like to polish my ‘Status’ before the expedition.”
Bell understood well that rushing things could ruin his future, so he had set limits for himself. If he couldn’t fully hone his "Status" in time, he wouldn’t resort to any extreme measures.
Leveling up was simply added insurance. Even if he didn’t reach that point, he wasn’t too worried. Bell was confident in his plan—his current state was already enough to handle many challenges.
He wouldn’t throw his future away just for a small increase in the plan’s success rate.
“Ah... so that means Bell-kun is going to be busy again.”
Truthfully, Hestia wanted Bell to stay with her a little longer. She wanted to act spoiled with him—it had taken so much to finally get to this point.
Hephaestus sighed quietly in her heart, but she knew this was the fate of all adventurers.
“Sorry, Hestia, Hephaestus.”
Bell didn’t really have a better option. This was a crucial time in his growth. Until the expedition, he wouldn’t have a moment to rest. Every day had to be scheduled, and he couldn’t afford to lose any training time.
“Ah, you don’t need to apologize, Bell-kun.”
Hestia quickly cut him off.
“We all know you’ve been preparing nonstop for the expedition. On top of that, you're setting up the plan you’ll execute during it—that’s going to take even more out of you.”
“Right now, you need to pour all your energy into what’s in front of you. Everything else can wait until you get back.”
“She’s right. You should be focusing all your attention on yourself right now.”
Hephaestus completely agreed and hoped Bell would stay focused on his plan.
“With Freya’s threat and Loki’s agreement, you’ve got way more to handle on this expedition than you think. You’ll need to be even more focused on yourself.”
“I know.”
Bell had already studied the Corrupted Spirit’s Fetus thoroughly and was confident in his ability to control it. He had done all the necessary preparation. Now, it all depended on whether Loki’s Familia could withstand the pressure.
Once the tension eased, Bell collapsed, drained, onto Hephaestus’s lap.
"So, this is the only time we can relax before the expedition, huh."
He'd only just gotten serious for a moment before sinking back into drowsiness.
A heavy wave of sleepiness washed over him.
Maybe it was the cozy, peaceful atmosphere at home—everything he’d been bottling up all day finally hit him at once.
Before long, Bell drifted off, his breathing slow and steady. The two goddesses looked down at him, fast asleep, with a trace of heartache in their eyes.
...
"That's why I said it’d definitely be exhausting."
Ever since she stopped Bell from using Runes to induce sleep, Hestia had often seen him doze off the moment he lay down.
Hephaestus gave a small shake of her head.
"This is the path Bell chose. He knew from the beginning how hard it would be, and with everything he’s preparing for, it’s no surprise he’s like this."
"Of course I know that, it’s just..."
"If you know, then don’t say anything more. What we gods can do is support him. What he's doing now could change all of Orario, and it ties directly into the future for all three of us. Easing his fatigue is the best—and only—thing we can do for him right now."
As she spoke, Hephaestus gently lifted Bell off her lap and moved him onto the bed so he could sleep beside her.
"Hestia, could you handle the magic stone lamp?"
"Ugh... next time, it’s your turn to turn off the light."
She grumbled, but Hestia still walked to the door and turned off the lamp.
With the light gone, only the moonlight lit the room. Luckily, enough of it still filtered in—otherwise, it would’ve been pitch black, not even enough to see a hand in front of your face.
In the dark, Hestia groped her way back to the bed.
Once she found her spot, she lay down beside Bell, who was sleeping in the center, and slowly closed her eyes.
...
Morning came.
After a full night’s rest, Bell’s exhaustion was completely gone. He felt refreshed, as if all the fatigue had stayed behind with yesterday. He also had a feeling it was thanks to the presence of the two goddesses beside him.
Pushing himself up, Bell sat up and gently kissed Hestia and Hephaestus on the cheek.
"Good morning, Hephaestus, Hestia."
There was no need to say anything more.
Even though their heartbeats didn’t skip or flutter, Bell knew—thanks to past experience—that both goddesses were already awake.
Without another word, he smiled and got up from the bed. A new day had begun, and it was time to get moving again.
Chapter 306: Chapter 306: Request to the Freya Familia
Chapter Text
After Bell left, the two goddesses—until now pretending to sleep—quietly opened their eyes.
"Ahem... ahem..."
Whether it was the composed Hephaestus or the scheming Hestia, both were visibly flustered from that unexpected kiss.
Their bare faces had turned a soft shade of pink, the kind of blush that would captivate any man. But if others knew that this rare display of shyness from two goddesses was caused by another man, those same captivated onlookers would probably die of jealousy.
“Mmgh~ Bell-kun acted just like usual, so how did he figure out we were only pretending today?”
“It’s your fault! You already tricked him once before—did you really think you could get away with it a second time?”
With her heart pounding, Hephaestus shot Hestia an exasperated glare.
Unfazed, Hestia puffed up in protest and snapped back.
“Didn’t you do the same thing today?”
“...Which is exactly why I said this is your fault.”
If Hestia hadn’t been caught faking sleep last time, maybe Bell wouldn’t have noticed anything today either.
Not that getting caught mattered much to Hephaestus. It wasn’t like she often pretended to sleep. Still, something was bothering her.
Why did that little kiss pack such a punch?
She’d kissed Bell on the cheek before and had seen him blush. But now, she was the one with the flushed face, and her heartbeat was racing uncontrollably.
Clutching her burning cheeks, Hephaestus could feel her pulse speeding up with every breath.
...
Unlike the two blushing goddesses, Bell had already gotten up and started his day. He went straight to the bath for a hot shower, instantly shaking off any lingering drowsiness.
He splashed water on his face and muttered to himself,
“Now comes the final sprint before the expedition.”
Just as he’d said, this last stretch before the expedition was crucial. From now on, he needed to be fully focused.
His life began to cycle between two fixed points.
The only way to build up his "Status" was to fight monsters in the Dungeon. So Bell locked into a routine: from the Familia to the Dungeon, then back again, day in and day out.
During the first couple of days, he would still bring those three from the Loki Familia to the Dungeon to run some tests. But once he had a grasp on their overall condition, he stopped using their time and shifted to solo training.
Still, after those cooperative exercises, Bell had grown more aware of battlefield dynamics, learning to track enemy movements and grasp the flow of combat. His field of vision began to widen.
With that expanded awareness, and heightened sensitivity in both hearing and smell, Bell could now gauge his surroundings more easily. And with that, he was starting to get a feel for the critical third strike in “Tsubame Gaeshi.”
Whether or not this progress came directly from his expanded awareness, Bell wasn’t sure—but what he did know was that he was moving in the right direction.
By taking a more holistic approach, he was gradually closing the small gaps in his skillset.
This wasn’t the wrong path. In fact, it was exactly the right one—perfectly suited for his growth.
...
Just as Bell was making steady progress, trouble began to stir in the Guild.
"…Ouranos, the 24th floor is showing the same signs as the 30th floor."
The report caused a deep frown to form on Ouranos’s face as he sat in solemn prayer.
"According to Bell Cranel’s investigation, both incidents appear to be connected—attempts to siphon energy for the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus.”
"The likely target is the Dungeon’s naturally formed 'food stores' for monsters. They’re using the crystals generated by the Dungeon to replenish the energy needed for the fetuses. Looks like they’ve made preparations for this."
"The Loki Familia's expedition."
Ouranos didn’t hesitate to point out the core issue.
"The target must be Ais Wallenstein."
"I believe so too."
Fels wasn’t surprised by the conclusion.
"According to Muddle’s report, during the confrontation on the 18th floor, the enemy backed off from killing the 'Sword Princess' after witnessing her magic. There’s a reason behind that.”
"The Corrupted Spirit wants the Sword Princess—that much is clear from the guardian’s reaction. That guardian has ties to the Evilus. It’s likely the Loki Familia’s expedition was leaked to the guardian by them, which is what triggered this incident."
Ouranos sighed lightly. The situation troubled him deeply. The gods who had aligned themselves with Evilus were growing increasingly unruly—otherwise, incidents like this wouldn’t have become so frequent in recent years.
"What now? Do we send someone in?"
Ouranos let out another sigh. He shook his head slightly, then slowly nodded...
"It’s no use. Only the 'Sword Princess' could properly confront that guardian, but she’s not fit for it—not yet."
Fels took a moment to think and quickly understood the reason.
She had just leveled up.
Ais had only recently advanced from Level 5 to Level 6. She still needed time to adjust to her new strength and couldn’t be dispatched to face the guardian on the 24th floor right now.
"Have other Adventurers handle it. Assign the Freya Familia to deal with the food store on the 24th floor."
"Freya Familia? You want to send the 'King' to scare them off?"
"No, to deal with the food store directly. Right now, the crystals in that food store are being used to cultivate fetus replicas of the Corrupted Spirit. The monsters spilling out from there are threatening lower-level Adventurers nearby. Freya Familia’s job is to handle those overflow monsters.”
"The food store on the 30th floor has already been used once to nurture a fetus. If the one on the 24th floor is destroyed, it’ll delay the next one’s growth.”
"So this time, Ouranos-sama plans to have the 24th floor’s food store destroyed.”
"Yes, it will cause a surge of violent monsters on nearby floors—but even a short delay would be worth it."
This wasn’t a particularly difficult mission. It didn’t demand action from someone at Level 7—but sending someone of that level was the only way to make the opposing side realize they needed to back down.
"And what about Goddess Freya herself?"
Getting Freya to move wasn’t going to be easy. At the very least, they’d need to offer terms she’d find worth considering.
After pondering for a while, Ouranos came up with an idea.
"Reduce the number of required expeditions this year. Lower the taxes on Freya Familia."
Both terms offered real, tangible benefits to her Familia.
Once a Familia reached a certain standard, they were required to carry out Dungeon expeditions periodically, with floor-clearance benchmarks they had to meet.
And as for taxes—that was a burden every Familia had to reckon with.
The stronger the Familia, the higher the tax rate imposed by the Guild.
Just handling the food store on the 24th floor would earn them these advantages. With that much on the table, even Freya would be unlikely to refuse.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 307: Chapter 307: Intelligence Delayed by Several Months
Chapter Text
"I refuse."
A request that should have been a formality was unexpectedly turned down.
"May I ask why?"
The Guild receptionist, who had come to deliver the request to Freya Familia, was left dumbfounded. She had assumed this was a done deal—surely Freya would accept. But to her surprise, the goddess refused.
Caught off guard, the receptionist couldn’t help but ask for an explanation.
Freya’s mesmerizing gaze swept over the cute receptionist. Her allure was so overwhelming that even the female receptionist instinctively swallowed, as if momentarily entranced. Seeing that reaction, Freya smiled, satisfied, and gave her reason.
"These aren’t the conditions I want."
Taxes? Expedition quotas?
None of that mattered to Freya right now.
With the strength and size of her Familia, she could handle the Guild's burdens even without concessions. So those offers meant nothing to her.
Of course it wasn’t going to be something easy.
The receptionist’s face fell. She knew it—when her turn came, it was bound to be a headache. What should have been a straightforward job had ended with Freya's refusal.
Thankfully, she had prepared for this outcome.
"In that case, I’ll take my leave, Goddess Freya."
She had braced herself for rejection from the start.
After all, Guild requests weren’t mandatory. Even if negotiations fell through, it wasn’t her place to press the issue or bargain further.
At this point, the smartest move was to exit quickly.
"Loki is busy preparing for the expedition."
"Ganesha is still dealing with Evilus."
"If there were any other Familia in Orario fit to handle this, Ouranos-sama wouldn’t have passed it on to me."
Freya had refused the terms Ouranos proposed, but that didn’t mean she was unwilling to talk—provided the terms aligned with what she wanted.
"Freya-sama, I’ll relay your words to Ouranos-sama."
The receptionist’s face twitched a little, but she quickly forced a smile and shifted the conversation.
Matters between gods were well beyond her pay grade. All she had to do was remember Freya's request and pass it on to her superiors.
…
Freya’s intentions were quickly relayed within the Guild—more precisely, to the ears of Ouranos and Fels.
"So, she figured something out after all."
Fels spoke with a tinge of admiration. She had never underestimated the gods of Orario, but this time, not a single word had leaked—yet Freya still managed to pick up on something. Fels was well aware of what Freya truly wanted.
"Ouranos, it’s Bell Cranel’s information she’s after, isn’t it?"
Ouranos gave a small nod.
"That’s just how she operates."
"The Guild’s kept the information suppressed, and that child has someone helping conceal things for him too. But all that’s done is fuel her curiosity—made her want to know even more about him."
That was typical of the Goddess Freya. Rather than relying on secondhand information, she preferred to see things with her own eyes.
"Should we tell her?"
Ouranos fell silent, lost in thought.
"We don’t even have the full picture on Bell Cranel ourselves. Let’s just give her what we do know."
Fels hadn’t expected Ouranos to take such a bold step.
"Is that really okay?"
Ouranos shook his head, unconcerned.
"Her interest has always been in that child. The connection to Zeus and Hera will only draw her attention more, but it won’t bring any real harm to him."
The most crucial information still had to be hidden—like the power Bell possessed, or the fact that he might be the one to carry Orario’s future on his shoulders.
Compared to those, the less critical parts could be used as a bargaining chip.
"Besides, Freya won’t make a move unless she’s certain. At the very least, this buys that child some time."
Fels stayed quiet for a moment before nodding.
"I’ll compile what we can share, encode it in sacred script, encrypt it, and have someone deliver it to Freya."
...
That afternoon, the same Guild receptionist returned to the Freya Familia, once again facing the languid goddess sipping wine.
She tried to avert her gaze, but her eyes kept being drawn back to Freya. Slowly, her once-clear eyes sank into desire, becoming glazed and unfocused.
It was charm.
Freya's authority as a goddess of beauty and love—one that could bewitch all beings. Though her divine powers had been sealed, even a fraction of that charm was more than enough to manipulate sealed gods and children in Genkai alike.
Freya attempted to probe the girl’s memories, but found nothing of value.
"The Guild’s really done a thorough job of protecting him."
Still, even without success, Freya had gleaned enough from Ouranos’s attitude.
"Give it to me."
While digging through the receptionist’s memories, she had already noticed the envelope Ouranos meant as an offering.
With a blank expression, the receptionist drew an envelope from her chest.
It bore a unique seal.
"They’ve sealed the intel this tightly… do they want me to know, or not?"
Freya carefully examined the envelope. The seal on it was of a special kind—one only certain gods could break.
Letters like this were common in Tenkai. After all, gods sometimes liked to send private messages, and not all divine correspondence was meant for every god to read. These seals ensured that only specific recipients could unlock them—just like the one on this envelope.
But what was commonplace in Tenkai was anything but in Genkai.
An envelope like this here meant only one thing: "special." With a soft sigh, Freya smiled and broke the seal.
The moment her eyes skimmed the sacred text inside, her pupils widened—then her lips curled into a broad smile.
"So that’s how it is… I see… Everything was already set in motion."
"Zeus and Hera… To think that child is tied to those two Familia."
"Then there’s only one reason he came to Orario."
He was sent—deliberately.
Understanding that, Freya could only feel a sense of regret. If the child hadn’t been special, there was no way he could’ve escaped her notice.
But that realization came too late. Only if she had known his true identity from the beginning could she have seen through the façade of normalcy and recognized what set him apart.
This information was months late.
Still, while there was a tinge of regret, Freya’s curiosity had only deepened.
"What color is that child’s soul, I wonder?"
Chapter 308: Chapter 308: A Temporary Order
Chapter Text
After receiving confirmed intel, Freya accepted the Guild's request.
With Freya Familia’s direct involvement, the monsters around the 24th floor's food store were swiftly eliminated. The entire store was uprooted in one clean sweep—there wasn’t even a single attempt to resist.
Still, they hadn’t erased every trace. Near the site, a few Violas remained, unable to be fully removed. It was enough to confirm Evilus’s involvement in the incident.
"Bang!"
Damn it!
The man smashed his fist hard into the wall.
"Freya... Freya... If it hadn’t been for Freya Familia, I wouldn’t have had to flee in such a disgrace..."
He tried to justify his retreat, though it wasn’t necessary. After all, he’d been facing Orario’s strongest force. He was just a mere Level 4—there was no way he could have resisted a Level 7.
"Hmph. Pathetic."
A sneering voice rang in his ears, so sharp and mocking that veins bulged on his forehead in fury.
"Revis!"
A fist appeared in his vision—and in the next moment, his face collided with it. His features twisted from the impact as his whole body was sent crashing into the wall.
"Don’t say my name."
Revis’s voice was cold and merciless, laced with enough killing intent to freeze the air. Her fist stayed pressed firmly against his face.
"And finish your damn mission. The food store’s gone, so find another source of energy. Help the other clone absorb what it needs. That’s your job—or have you already forgotten that it was you who said that?"
As her fist pulled back, the man coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Ugh..."
Spitting the blood to the floor, he glared at Revis with seething hatred—but he had nothing to say in return.
"I’ll finish the task the goddess gave me. I’ll make sure her light shines on the 59th floor. Just wait—I'll be the one to bring the 'Sword Princess' to her first."
Revis only sneered at his words. Someone who couldn’t even beat her had no hope of touching Aria.
Just a mad dog, saved by that woman.
If they weren’t so short on manpower, she would have ripped him to pieces then and there.
The man limped away in humiliation, leaving Revis alone, sitting on the ground and staring at her still-unhealed arm.
It should have healed by now—but a strange power at the point of injury was holding it back.
'That blade… or that person...'
She had already confirmed there was no curse on her right arm. If it were a curse, there would have been plenty of ways to cleanse it.
However, the problem with her arm wasn't the most critical issue. The real problem was that restoring her severed arm consumed too much energy. All the Magic Stones she devoured were being used to repair her body, yet her strength remained stagnant. That was the real issue.
This time, it wasn’t just the Corrupted Spirit’s Fetus faction in the Dungeon that found out—Evilus was also well aware of what had happened.
Once they learned that the “King” was personally leading a team into the Dungeon, no one in Evilus dared to make a move. After all, a Level 7 leading a squad of Level 6s was no joke. If they picked the wrong fight, it’d be like throwing eggs at a rock—they’d be wiped out.
So for now, Evilus stayed quiet and made no move.
The message was simple: stay hidden in the Dungeon until the “King” leaves. Don’t charge ahead for no reason—no one’s going to save you if you die.
With that kind of pressure, the Dungeon fell into complete silence.
Meanwhile, Bell continued his routine, fully focused on training and ignoring everything else. He devoted himself entirely to building up his “Status.”
Time passed like this, day by day.
Bell spent nearly every waking moment in the Dungeon, aiming to push his “Status” to the peak of Level 2 before the expedition began.
To that end, he even set aside his nearly maxed-out ‘skills’ and put all his time into polishing his “Status.”
Naturally, his progress was swift.
But Bell didn’t update his “Status” too frequently during this process—he saved it for the final few days.
A month later, Loki Familia sent him a message through Hephaestus.
“You need armor that can block attacks from Level 7s—even Level 8s?”
Bell was speechless when he read the request. He wasn’t a blacksmith, so why was this sent to him?
Still, he had a pretty good guess at what Loki Familia was thinking. They probably wanted to rely on Runes to create some kind of defensive gear.
“Forget about armor. There’s not enough time to make any. But I could probably put together a few decoy scarecrows for them.”
“You still have time?”
“Hmm... The expedition starts in three days, so I might be able to prepare a few. But make sure they pay up—at least 100 million Valis each.”
Creating a decoy scarecrow wasn’t particularly complex. It involved binding the scarecrow to a person, and when a fatal cause was detected, the effect would transfer to the scarecrow. It was a handy Rune artifact.
However, decoy scarecrows had their limits. They couldn’t withstand prolonged attacks and only worked against a single fatal blow. If the attack was area-based or sustained, the scarecrow would be useless.
That’s why Bell typically made them alongside transfer talismans, binding them directly to the scarecrows. Hestia and Hephaestus each had such a setup to keep them safe from harm.
“But if Loki knew what your scarecrows could actually do, she’d shell out a billion Valis without hesitation.”
Hephaestus said with a smile.
“A billion Valis? Come on. They’re flawed. Even selling them at 100 million apiece is already a rip-off.”
One billion each would be a stretch. Sure, if he refined them further, they might be worth that much—but there was no real need.
Only fatal attacks could be transferred.
If both sides were evenly matched, the scarecrow might flip the situation in a pinch. But if the difference in strength was too wide, not even a hundred scarecrows could save someone.
“Hestia, please help me update my ‘Status’.”
“Leave it to me.”
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 309: Chapter 309: Challenge to Reach Lv.4
Chapter Text
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.3
Development Abilities:
· Stealth: E→D
· Cognition: H→G
Attributes:
· Strength: D520 → ???1651
· Endurance: D560 → ???1656
· Dexterity: C637 → ???1741
· Agility: B705 → ???1769
· Magic: S978 → ???1984
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space":
· Storage
"Lightning Command":
· Quick-Cast Magic
· Lightning Manipulation
Skills:
"Personal Training":
· Early Bloomer
"Heaven's Luck":
· High Luck
"The Poor Man's Desire":
· Accumulate Power]
"I haven't reached my limit yet."
Although his magic had already reached the same level as when he was at Lv.2, the other four stats were still slightly lower than back then.
Bell understood this. After all, he had spent more time honing his abilities before reaching Lv.2. What he was doing now was more like last-minute training and experience gathering, so naturally, he was still lacking.
Still, the fact remained—he hadn't met the conditions yet.
But the gap wasn't too big. It might be something he could close with one final battle at Lv.3.
"I'm still short nearly 400 points—that's too big a difference."
It really was. Hephaestus didn't think that was a small gap at all.
Maybe for an average Adventurer, this wouldn't seem like much. But for someone aiming to be the strongest, a 400-point gap was massive.
"Yeah, I know it's a lot."
Bell took Hephaestus' reminder to heart, but he wasn't the type to give up easily.
"I remember... tomorrow is when Goliath respawns."
Already prepared for his next upgrade, Bell had been keeping an eye on Goliath's intel. It had been two weeks since the last expedition organized by the City of Rivira to defeat Goliath, and tomorrow was the day it would respawn.
"You plan to go straight for the Floor Boss?"
"It's the most efficient way. And if I want to keep moving forward, challenging Floor Bosses is the only viable method to gain Excelia."
"It's efficient, yes, but it still comes with risks."
"True, but Goliath is the Floor Boss with the lowest risk. If I were to go up against a Level 5 Floor Boss, no matter how strong I am, I'd need someone to help handle the final risk. When the time comes, I plan to bring someone from the Loki Familia along."
Hephaestus could tell Bell had already made up his mind, so she didn't try to stop him.
Floor Bosses were special monsters Bell would have to face regularly in the future. Strong, massive, and clearly different from the usual trash mobs, most of them were roughly two levels above the floor they appeared on.
For ordinary adventurers, the floor boss represents the second major difficulty spike after surpassing Level 1.
"Bell-kun, after this expedition, are you planning to reveal your true strength to Loki?"
Bell gave a slight nod in response to Hestia's question.
"There will be too many situations in the future where we'll need to work together. I can't keep hiding my actual strength forever. Besides, Loki-sama is sharp—she's probably already guessed that I've been holding something back. So showing some of my true power now is also a way to lay my cards on the table and deepen the bond between our Familias."
His honesty was meant to pave the way for better cooperation—and to showcase his talent and potential.
True collaboration required a balance between both sides. Unfortunately, that balance hadn't existed between the Hestia Familia and the Loki Familia in the past. That's why Bell had used various strategies to push through and make the cooperation happen.
But if that partnership was going to continue, the Hestia Familia needed to prove its strength.
This step was something he had to take.
"So, it all comes down to tomorrow."
...
After a quiet night, Bell woke up early the next morning from his peaceful slumber.
Today was the day he would move forward again.
With everything he'd built up until now, there was no chance Goliath could beat him. His victory was already assured—the only question was how much experience he'd gain from the fight.
After all, this would be his first battle against a massive monster.
Just like always, once he had finished all his preparations, Bell sat alone in the training room, silently adjusting his mindset.
...
After an hour of calming himself, Bell changed into his usual travel outfit.
Even when facing a Floor Boss, he chose to go light. Other than his simple clothes, the only thing he brought was the cloak that had been with him for months.
That marked the end of his preparations.
He also put on the "visual capture device." To keep Hestia and Hephaestus from worrying, he would record the entire battle against Goliath, allowing both goddesses to watch the full encounter.
"Bell, look."
Just as Bell was about to head to the 18th floor, Hestia called out to him.
She opened her arms.
Bell understood. He crouched down so the short-statured Hestia could wrap her arms around him.
"You must win."
"Don't worry. I won't let my future end here. I'll keep moving forward." Bell hugged Hestia tightly and spoke with unwavering resolve.
The two goddesses had always stood by his side—there was no way his journey would end in the Dungeon.
He would bring them home, both of them, and give them the grandest future.
And to do that, he had to keep building his strength, step by step.
After receiving Hestia's blessing, Bell rose slightly and turned his gaze to Hephaestus.
"What are you looking at me for?"
"Um... I was waiting for your blessing, Hephaestus."
Looking at the boy in front of her with that familiar mischievous smile, Hephaestus felt a pang of nostalgia—the pure-hearted youth she once knew was gone. Still, under Hestia's expectant gaze, she stepped forward and kissed him on the lips, granting her blessing.
Hephaestus watched him smile, then playfully rolled her eyes.
"Be sure to come back."
"Of course. With two goddesses waiting for me at home, a mere Goliath won't stop me from returning."
Now, with both their blessings, Bell radiated a confidence that set him apart.
He hadn't come prepared to lose. Nor did he believe that something like Goliath could block his path forward.
So... Goliath, become the experience that fuels my next step.
Chapter 310: Chapter 310: Floor Boss "Goliath"
Chapter Text
Bell didn't waste time admiring the familiar sight of the 18th floor—he wasn't here for the view today.
He jumped down from the stronghold, landing at the entrance to the 18th floor.
Without hesitation, he stepped inside.
As he walked forward, the passage connecting the 18th and 17th floors was sealed off completely by a cascade of massive boulders.
He had no intention of letting anyone interfere mid-battle.
Upon reaching the 17th floor—the Floor Boss's domain—Bell found the area just as he expected. No monsters aside from the Floor Boss could spawn here, making the terrain flat and open.
If not for the Boss, this would be one of the safest spots before the 20th floor. But since this was the Floor Boss's spawning point, it was also the most dangerous area prior to the deeper levels.
'Hasn't spawned yet?'
Bell looked around, confirming the Boss hadn't appeared. Still, that worked in his favor—it gave him time to seal off the passage between the 16th and 17th floors as well.
Was it really necessary?
Bell believed it was. Better to eliminate unnecessary trouble before it starts.
He approached the staircase leading down, raised his hand, and triggered a spatial ripple. A mass of stone surged forth, completely sealing the tunnel.
'Now, we wait.'
With everything in place, a smooth stone surface rose from the ground. Bell sat atop it quietly and waited.
Realistically, even if he hadn't gone to all this trouble, no one was likely to come and challenge Goliath in the next few days.
The Loki Familia always made a spectacle of their expedition prep. By the time they were ready, the whole city of Orario would know they were heading out.
Part of it was to raise their Familia's profile, attracting talented newcomers. The other part? Just Loki being Loki—she loved putting on a show.
She was a god, after all. Was it so wrong to show off in front of other gods now and then? It was her little indulgence.
Everyone in the Loki Familia knew it. Even so, Finn, Riveria, and Gareth all agreed that this kind of showmanship worked in their favor, promoting the Familia's reputation. So whenever an expedition rolled around, they launched it with full fanfare.
It stroked Loki's ego and served the Familia's interests—no reason to object.
But because the Loki Familia never kept their plans secret, word of their expeditions spread across Orario before they even departed. They would even shout openly:
[Hey! The Loki Familia is heading out on an expedition!]
Their style was flamboyant, but their overwhelming strength meant Evilus would go into hiding during these expeditions. Any encounter with the Loki Familia could mean total annihilation.
At best, Evilus had two or three Lv.5 members. Meanwhile, the Loki Familia was full of Lv.5s and even Lv.6s—squashing Evilus elites was a trivial task.
So to avoid a clash and getting wiped out before they could even stir trouble in Orario, Evilus would lay low and stay quiet.
In short, as long as the Loki Familia was out on expedition, peace would reign in the Dungeon until they returned.
Because of this, few Adventurers would bother organizing teams to take on the Floor Boss before a Loki Familia expedition.
There was no real need.
And more importantly, no one wanted to offend the Loki Familia.
After all, Floor Bosses weren't going anywhere—why pick a fight when you didn't have to?
So before the Loki Familia set out on their expedition, the Dungeon was always unusually quiet. Even if the Floor Boss on the 17th floor had spawned, the people in "Rivira Town" wouldn't pay it much attention—after all, the Loki Familia would take care of it. No need for them to waste the effort.
"Clack, clack!"
Bell, seated in meditation, lifted his head slightly. It had arrived.
His calm eyes met the malicious gaze peering through the shattered crystal.
"Aaaaaaah!"
The ceiling's crystal lattice exploded, and a towering giant—easily as tall as several dozen floors—began crawling through, half of its massive body already emerging.
"Dong!"
A deep bell rang out through the 17th floor.
"Dong!"
With a quick ten-second charge-up, Bell's right hand glowed with white light as he traced a single character into the air.
At that moment, the giant slammed into the ground with a crushing presence, just as the glowing word materialized beneath its feet.
"Boom!!!"
A pillar of flame shot skyward, engulfing the monstrous giant in a blazing inferno.
Bell had struck first.
He rose from the stone he had been seated on, watching the giant burn. The sound of flames crackling filled his ears—but there was no roar from the monster.
Suddenly, a flash of white light appeared within the fire.
Bell, already on high alert, leapt sideways without hesitation.
"Boom!!!"
A strange sonic burst echoed out, causing a portion of the ground to cave in.
Bell frowned and immediately dulled his auditory sensitivity. Had that soundwave struck directly, he would have completely lost his sense of balance.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Heavy footfalls thundered as the giant burst through the flames.
Its massive body was scorched red in many places, but the injuries were only superficial.
'It's huge, but not slow at all.'
'It has some resistance to magic—its thick hide deflects most of the damage. The durability is monstrous.'
'So this is Goliath, a "Monster Rex of the Labyrinth."'
With just a few rapid strides, Goliath closed the distance. He raised one massive foot high, preparing to strike.
"Whoosh!"
The sheer force of the kick whipped up a violent gust. Bell dodged swiftly to the side, but even so, the wind pressure hurled him several meters away.
Goliath wasted no time—he adjusted his stance and charged toward Bell again.
But just as his foot hit the ground, thick vines erupted upward, tightly binding his leg.
Perhaps due to the vines' overwhelming strength, even though many snapped under the strain, the momentum was enough to throw Goliath off balance, sending him stumbling forward.
As he was about to crash to the ground, a massive stone fist surged upward from the earth. It struck Goliath square in the face, then kept rising, pushing against his body and lifting him.
The colossal form—dozens of stories tall—was sent flying backward.
At the same time, a figure launched into the air alongside the falling Goliath. Just as the giant was about to hit the ground, that figure was already descending toward its neck.
"Clang!!!"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 311: Chapter 311: Slaying the Floor Boss
Chapter Text
The rebound force was surprisingly strong—so much so that Bell nearly lost his grip on the dagger.
Sensing a gust of wind approaching, he tightened his hold and leapt away.
"Smack!"
A massive hand, mountain-like in size, slammed down where his neck had been. The impact was so powerful, Bell could still feel it even after dodging.
He hadn't even stabilized his footing on Goliath's body when it began to tilt. With a calm expression, Bell crouched down and drove his dagger directly into the surface beneath him.
"Shhk!"
This time, the blade didn't bounce off—it pierced straight into Goliath's flesh beneath the tough outer layer.
Almost instantly, a purple streak spread from the wound, quickly branching outward. But just as it began to spread wider, the effect was suddenly suppressed.
Seeing this and feeling the slope beneath his feet steepen, Bell swiftly retracted the dagger and jumped off Goliath's body.
...
Meanwhile, the two goddesses of the Hestia Familia were watching the projection intently.
"So that's what Goliath looks like..."
Hestia had only ever read about him in books. This was her first time seeing the real thing.
"It's my first time too. The Floor Boss of the 17th floor—Goliath."
Hephaestus was stunned by its sheer size and speed. If Bell hadn't reacted as quickly as he did, he might've been killed by that first blow.
"Massive body, overwhelming strength, fast reflexes... and it can even use sound-based magic. Floor Bosses really aren't ordinary monsters."
...
But something felt off to Hephaestus. A strange doubt crept in—'Is this really Goliath?'
Back in the Dungeon, Bell landed and retreated quickly, keeping his eyes locked on the spot where the Hydra Dagger had struck.
'He's deliberately containing the poison near the wound to stop it from spreading.'
Hydra's blood was potent enough to corrode even a monster's magic stone. Bell hadn't expected Goliath to have the means to suppress the poison's spread, minimizing its effect.
Still, Bell didn't consider switching weapons. He pressed the attack.
Charging toward Goliath's now-stabilized leg, Bell raised the dagger, aiming for the ankle.
"Boom!!!"
A tremor rippled out like a miniature quake. Bell's face tightened. The accompanying sound told him exactly what kind of attack this was.
He immediately aborted the strike and darted away from Goliath.
Once outside the attack range, Bell saw the giant had already raised its enormous hand—aimed precisely at the ankle he had just targeted.
'He knew I'd go for that spot. So he used the soundwave to mimic an earthquake, forcing me to rush and throw off my balance. Then he timed his counterattack for that opening.'
'I see now... This is the Floor Boss's battle instinct at work.'
Bell was certain this Goliath wasn't above Lv.4. But even at this level, the enhancements Floor Bosses gained in one-on-one battles were undeniable.
It reminded him of how Udaeus, who normally never drew his sword, did so when facing the Sword Princess alone.
A solo battle against a Floor Boss was simply on another level from a group fight.
As he processed this, Goliath had already gotten back on its feet and was charging at him again.
'I really do need to manage my speed more carefully.'
With that massive frame, absurd reaction time, and strength and endurance to match—it would be game over if Bell wasn't cautious.
He gripped the dagger tighter and dashed forward to meet the attack.
But Goliath suddenly halted. Its mouth opened wide, a flicker of white light forming within—just like before.
Only this time, Bell could tell—Goliath wasn't aiming at the ground. It was aiming at him.
Magic gathered beneath Bell's feet, propelling his body into an even faster sprint.
"Boom!"
The soundwave exploded against the floor, sending another tremor through the 17th floor. But this time, Bell was ready.
Of course, Bell was certain Goliath had made his own preparations.
"Raaahhh!"
With a deafening roar, Goliath raised his massive fist and slammed it down.
"Boom!!!"
The impact shook the entire 17th floor as if the ground itself might be flipped upside down.
A dense cloud of dust rose beneath Goliath—yet from within that cloud, a lone figure burst out and appeared behind him.
Somehow, Goliath sensed the presence. He turned his head with unnatural speed and opened his mouth, unleashing a sonic blast toward the figure.
The attack landed, hitting its mark—only for the target to crumble into a human-shaped piece of wood.
The real Bell had already reached Goliath's ankle.
With the Hydra Dagger in hand, he slashed cleanly across Goliath's Achilles tendon.
The blade, infused with deadly sharpness, sliced effortlessly through the thick hide, letting the Hydra venom seep directly into the tendon.
Without hesitation, Bell retreated and began charging his next move.
"Dong!!"
The resonant toll of the bell echoed once more—ringing out every five seconds.
"Aaaargh!"
The venom took hold. With his Achilles tendon compromised, Goliath lost balance and crashed face-first into the ground.
Where moments ago the giant had sprung up with terrifying speed, now he struggled, his movements no longer sharp.
'So the poison wasn't ineffective—he was just containing it in one area.'
'But once the legs, the foundation of movement, are affected, a body that large can no longer maneuver properly.'
Just seconds ago, Goliath had been nimble and relentless. Now, his fighting ability was clearly diminished.
But before Bell could relax, Goliath's head suddenly twisted toward him. Deep inside, a faint white light began to glow.
'...Damn it! I forgot he still has that move!'
Still channeling energy in his right hand, Bell slammed his left hand onto the ground.
A thick wall of earth surged up between him and Goliath.
"Boom!"
The wall shook, but it withstood the sonic blast.
"Boom!"
The second wave cracked its outer edge.
"Boom!"
The third blast shattered half the wall. Still, the bell's toll continued.
"Boom!"
The fourth sonic burst obliterated the wall entirely.
But even as the echoes of the bell rang throughout the floor, Goliath couldn't pinpoint Bell's location.
Suddenly, the ringing stopped.
"Slice!"
A vertical flash of white sword light cut through the air, striking from behind.
Sensing the danger too late, Goliath tried to react—but his body was already caught in the blast.
His enormous frame disintegrated in an instant, reduced to a heap of white ash.
Bell reappeared, breathing heavily.
"Whew... Once a Floor Boss is enhanced, it really does become a pain to deal with."
Chapter 312: Chapter 312: Annotation Updated
Chapter Text
"Phew... once a Floor Boss gets its enhancement, it really does become a challenge."
For most Adventurers, taking on a Floor Boss alone is practically a death sentence. Few have the strength or skill to survive, let alone win.
That's because the Dungeon recognizes a solo challenge and boosts the Floor Boss accordingly, making solo victories even harder to achieve.
But those who succeed in such trials are the elite—the ones with top-tier talent and power for their level.
In a way, it's like a final exam for Adventurers.
And while failure may cost you your life, passing that test opens up an entirely new path.
For Bell, Goliath wasn't an especially difficult Floor Boss.
Yes, Goliath had massive size, overwhelming offense and defense, and even exceptional agility—but Bell's hidden power was enough to match it.
He hadn't even used "Lightning Transformation," which meant he hadn't been pushed into a corner.
That alone was proof of how far he'd come.
From a clueless rookie to someone who could solo a Floor Boss in less than six months—this kind of story sounded too ridiculous to be real, even if someone tried to make it up.
Now it was time to clean up.
Bell walked over to the pile of white ash. Among it, he saw the massive Magic Stone split in two, a huge patch of skin, and a pool of dark purple blood.
"So this is Goliath's hide. A rare drop, huh?"
As a Level 4 Floor Boss, Goliath's hide was an extremely rare item—sometimes not even dropped once a year.
And it wasn't just any skin. It had natural resistance to magic and impressive durability against physical damage. If made into armor, it would rank among the rarest gear available.
Bell glanced at the old cloak that had been with him for months.
'Maybe it's time to upgrade it using this hide.'
He didn't usually like defensive gear—mostly because it interfered with his fighting style.
But if the defense didn't hinder his movement, he had no problem with it.
As for the Magic Stone, there was no need to sell it. Goliath's core would definitely fetch a high price, but once it entered the market, there'd be no way to stay under the radar.
Bell wasn't looking to stand in the spotlight across all of Orario, so it was better to keep the Magic Stone within his own Familia.
At the very least, it'd make a better decoration than a payday.
After stowing away the Magic Stone and Goliath's hide, Bell turned his gaze to the dark purple blood pooled on the ground.
'No doubt about it... Hydra's blood is as venomous as ever. That stuff was building up inside Goliath all along.'
In a way, Goliath really had been a monster to be reckoned with.
With a wave of his hand, Bell released a surge of heat. In an instant, the poisonous blood was incinerated, leaving no trace behind.
Once everything was cleaned up, he removed the barriers sealing off the 16th and 18th floor passages.
Then, stepping into a spatial rift, he returned to his secret base on the 18th floor.
After brushing off the dust from his clothes, Bell made his way home.
"Bell-kun~!"
Hestia immediately leapt toward him as he walked in.
"Congratulations, Bell-kun! You beat the Floor Boss!"
Her face was glowing with joy.
She'd watched every moment of his battle on the 17th floor—how calm and composed he had been against a monster the size of a mountain, and how effortlessly he'd taken it down.
"Then let's not waste time. Let's update your status."
"Yeah."
Bell agreed naturally, already beginning to remove his outer clothes.
Hestia had everything ready to update his "Status."
Hephaestus remained silent, standing beside Hestia, curious to see how much progress Bell had made from that Floor Boss battle.
And the results were overwhelming.
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.3 → Lv.4
Development Abilities:
· Stealth: D
· Cognition: G
Attributes:
???1651 → ???1854
???1656 → ???1823
???1741 → ???1910
???1769 → ???1937
???1984 → ???2127
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space":
· Storage
"Lightning Command":
· Quick-Cast Magic
· Lightning Control
Skills:
"Personal Training":
· Early Bloomer
· Double Experience from Fighting Strong Enemies
"Heaven's Luck":
· High Luck
"The Poor Man's Desire":
· Accumulate Power]
"All of his stats increased by nearly 150 points in just one day!?"
It had really only been a single day—she herself had done Bell's update yesterday. And yet, just from defeating Goliath, he'd gained over 750 points?
Even by Bell's standards, that kind of growth was extreme.
Especially considering that his "Status" had already been near the limits of Lv.3.
But even at that near-cap, he'd managed to grow at an abnormal rate after the Floor Boss fight. It was practically unbelievable.
In fact, many of his stats had already broken past Lv.3 limits—especially his Magic, which had jumped considerably.
After watching quietly for a bit, Hephaestus finally noticed something new in the skill column under "Early Bloomer."
"...'Double experience from fighting strong enemies'... Hestia, take a look at Bell's skill description."
"It really changed!"
Reminded, Hestia focused on the note under the skill—it had indeed been updated.
Were there any changes to the other skills?
She checked carefully. Aside from the new annotation under "Personal Training," the rest of his magic and skills remained the same.
But that one note alone explained the explosive growth after the Floor Boss battle.
Since Goliath was classified as a "strong enemy," the experience gained was significantly boosted.
"This skill is going to be so useful. Even if the Early Bloomer effect diminishes later, as long as Bell-kun keeps fighting monsters stronger than himself, the experience gain won't drop off."
This addition gave Bell a much brighter future.
If training ever stopped yielding results, he could just move on to stronger foes—whether monsters or people.
Risky, yes—but it solved the looming problem of slowing growth as he advanced.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 313: Chapter 313: Promotion to Lv.4
Chapter Text
"Stronger monsters... I'm not really sure what standard defines 'stronger' here."
The term 'stronger' was pretty vague, and Bell figured the annotation in the skill description was just as broad in its meaning.
"If it's based on overall strength, then maybe only Floor Bosses would qualify."
"But if it's based purely on 'Status' attributes, then most monsters on the deeper floors would probably meet that criteria."
Most monsters had higher "Status" than Adventurers of the same level. If that were the requirement, then going deeper into the Dungeon would only make Bell's growth easier.
But that seemed unlikely.
The annotation was probably meant to apply specifically to "Floor Bosses."
"It's probably limited to 'Floor Bosses.'"
"Right. That line only appeared after you challenged a Floor Boss—it's hard to believe it applies to any other monster. Otherwise, going deeper would just constantly accelerate your growth, wouldn't it?"
"Exactly."
Hephaestus quickly regained her composure and gave her assessment.
The note clearly didn't refer to all monsters stronger than Bell. If it did, this skill would be absurdly overpowered—beyond even fantasy.
And honestly, Hephaestus already thought it was fantastical enough.
Bell nodded at her analysis. He didn't believe the annotation applied to every single monster stronger than him either—otherwise, he'd basically be in rocket-boost mode.
If the old version of "Personal Training" was a rocket, then with this annotation, it would be a light-speed spaceship.
Still, given the context in which the note appeared, Bell didn't think it was anything that broken.
"But even if that's all it is, it's already more than enough."
Yeah, Bell thought so too.
"I guess the reason I was able to break through the limit again this time... was because I'd already pushed my 'Status' near its peak before fighting the Floor Boss."
"Challenging the Floor Boss then gave me a huge amount of combat experience—and that experience directly boosted my 'Status' even further."
With Bell's explanation, both Hestia and Hephaestus finally understood the massive growth he had just achieved.
"Mmm~ if that's the reason, then it all makes sense!"
"It really does. If your skills let you gain extra experience from the Floor Boss fight, then that combat experience would naturally reflect in your 'Status' gains."
"If that's true, then wouldn't Bell-kun be able to steadily break through limits by maxing out his 'Status' before each Floor Boss challenge?"
It was a sound theory.
But faced with Hestia's eager gaze, Bell cautiously shook his head.
"I haven't tested it enough to be sure."
"To know for sure, I'll need to try it again the next time I challenge a Floor Boss."
He didn't outright deny it, but Bell remained reserved. Hestia, however, was full of confidence.
"No worries! If it's Bell-kun, I know you can do it!"
Her confidence was strangely unwavering—but Bell couldn't bring himself to argue with that hopeful smile.
Hephaestus, meanwhile, gave Hestia a light smack on the head.
"Don't go putting extra pressure on Bell, idiot."
Hestia clutched her head with a pitiful look.
Bell chuckled and stepped in.
"Honestly, it's not really pressure—just... a strong sense of expectation."
Breaking past his limits like this was probably every Adventurer's dream in Orario—especially those who pursued the path of extremes.
If it truly was possible to shatter past ceilings this way, then Bell would absolutely refine his "Status" to perfection before every Floor Boss fight.
Hestia, still rubbing the spot where she'd been hit, turned her focus back to Bell's "Status."
"Bell-kun, are you planning to level up this time?"
"Yeah. I know it might seem a bit soon, but my 'Status' is already refined to its limit, and I've gathered the Excelia needed to ascend. This really is the best moment."
"Alright then, I'll begin."
Hestia took a deep breath and used her own blood to update and expand the divine script on Bell's back, allowing him—who had reached the peak of his current level—to move forward once more.
The level-up process was completed. As usual, a new "Development Ability" option appeared.
He'd advanced three levels so far, and each time, a Development Ability had triggered. For most Adventurers, even upon reaching Lv.4, they'd be lucky to gain two Development Abilities total. But Bell had triggered one every single time.
"Bell-kun, which Development Ability are you going to choose this time?"
"Hmm... Hestia, are there any new options that weren't available before?"
"Let me see..."
Since Development Abilities are closely tied to personal experiences, Bell had explored so many areas that he was already familiar with most of the common paths.
Hestia scrolled through the list. Because there were so many options, finding a fresh Development Ability each time had become a bit of a challenge.
She skipped over common ones like "Abnormal Resistance" and "Hunter." At the very least, it had to be something rare.
Eventually, she spotted a new and unfamiliar entry among the options.
"How about 'Space'? That's a new Development Ability."
"Space...?"
Bell paused in surprise. He hadn't expected there to be something like that.
'Could it be because I've been using spatial transfer frequently lately? Maybe that's what triggered this option?'
This was great news.
Both "Stealth" and "Cognition" had proven to be extremely helpful. It was likely this new "Space" ability wouldn't be an exception.
"Hestia, let's go with 'Space.'"
"No problem."
Hestia swiftly inscribed the new divine characters onto Bell's back.
A fresh status panel emerged:
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.4
Development Abilities:
· Stealth: D
· Cognition: G
· Space: I
Attributes:
· Strength: ??? 1854 → I0
· Endurance: ??? 1823 → I0
· Dexterity: ??? 1910 → I0
· Agility: ??? 1937 → I0
· Magic: ??? 2127 → I0
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space":
· Storage
"Lightning Command":
· Quick-Cast Magic
· Lightning Manipulation
Skills:
"Personal Training":
· Early Bloomer
· Double Experience from Fighting Strong Enemies
"Heaven's Luck":
· High Luck
"The Poor Man's Desire":
· Accumulate Power]
Chapter 314: Chapter 314: The Smith Goddess’s Frustration
Chapter Text
"Hestia, make a copy of my post-upgrade stats—leave out the Magic and Skills."
"Okay."
Hestia gave a slight nod and did as Bell instructed.
She placed a sheet of paper on Bell's back, and after a faint ripple of divine power, she lifted it up. The imprint displayed only his name, level, Development Abilities, and a row of maxed-out stats, all at I0. Everything else that could be hidden was left out. Aside from the level and Development Abilities, there was nothing meaningful for anyone to glean.
"Bell-kun, Loki is going to lose her mind when she sees these stats. From top to bottom, the only useful info is your level and Development Abilities—and even those aren't exactly informative."
"I never planned on showing Loki-sama my full stats anyway. Just giving her my current level is enough of a heads-up."
Hestia could already picture the expression Loki would make upon seeing that sheet.
She'd definitely be fuming.
Bell's idea of "coming clean" was clearly different from how most people would define it.
Even if he was opening up to Loki, that didn't mean he had to lay all his cards on the table. Level and Development Abilities—those were what he deemed acceptable to reveal. Everything else wasn't for public knowledge. Not yet.
"With the two of you working together, Loki's definitely in for a headache."
One liked to go against Loki, and the other was all about secrecy. They were basically an impenetrable fortress.
Hephaestus could already imagine the sharp-witted Loki pulling her hair out in frustration. She couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her.
"Hephaestus, don't act like you're above it. Aren't you the same?"
Hestia widened her eyes in annoyance at how Hephaestus was trying to play innocent.
"If it were you, would you tell Loki?"
"Tell her? Not a chance. We're not even close."
Hephaestus rolled her eyes. She wasn't the type to spill someone else's secrets.
That blunt "not close" was probably enough to stab Loki right in the heart.
But the harsh honesty made Hestia burst into laughter.
"See? You're just like me!"
Hephaestus ignored her.
To her, it was just common sense.
Her bond with Bell was far closer than anything she had with Loki, even if she had known Loki for countless years.
Friendship and love were two entirely different things.
For a goddess, love took precedence. If a goddess cared that much about divine friendships, then she shouldn't have come down from Tenkai in the first place.
So when it came to choosing between Bell and Loki, Hephaestus didn't hesitate for even a second.
Just like when she decided to go after Hestia's love interest—she struck first. Wait too long, and you might not even get a sip of soup.
"Bell, what do you plan to do with Goliath's hide?"
Hephaestus got straight to the point.
"I was thinking of turning it into a cloak with better defensive properties. My current cloak is rune-enchanted, but its defense isn't that great."
Although Bell was a sentimental person, he knew well enough that his cloak lacked sufficient protection. If given the chance, upgrading to a new one seemed like a good idea.
"Still going for a cloak, huh?"
"Yeah. My fighting style doesn't suit heavy armor. The hide is soft, but I still need to consider whether it'll restrict my movement. So I think the best use for it is to craft a new cloak."
Hephaestus trusted that Bell had thought it through, so she immediately settled on turning the hide into a cloak.
Still, Bell was a bit uneasy.
"Hephaestus, there's only two days left. Can you really get it done in time?"
Hephaestus paused for a second, and Hestia burst into laughter.
"Bell-kun, have you forgotten who Hephaestus is? She's the goddess of craftsmanship! There's nothing she can't forge, weapons or armor. And when it comes to time—if it were a weapon, sure, it might take a while. But turning hide into a cloak? Three days is more than enough."
Hephaestus graciously accepted the compliment from her best friend.
"Yeah, it's just a simple repurposing job. Not that complicated. Half a day is all I need."
That made Bell feel like an idiot who didn't know any better. He couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed about what he'd said.
"Uh... I thought making any kind of gear would be a hassle, like at least a three-day job."
He remembered that the "Hestia Knife" had taken three days to complete.
"That was a weapon built entirely from scratch."
"And even then, three days is the bare minimum. Weapons typically take at least half a month. Just gathering materials alone can take forever—especially for weapons with strict quality standards, like the ones Loki orders."
"Making a cloak out of Goliath's hide isn't that much trouble. It doesn't need many materials, most of which aren't that expensive. The real time sink is just the sewing."
"And the other reason it's fast is you."
"Me?"
Bell pointed at himself, confused. He didn't understand how he factored into saving time.
"You have almost no requirements for your equipment. The hide itself is enough for you, and that's the biggest time-saver."
Most Adventurers have tons of requests when it comes to custom gear, but Bell didn't ask for anything special. He just wanted Goliath's hide turned into a cloak.
How simple is that?
Honestly, any smith could handle a job like this. It's just a matter of time and skill.
Even a Level 2 novice blacksmith could rush it out in two days.
And the one making it this time is Hephaestus, the famed goddess of craftsmanship.
"That's why I said your equipment standards are seriously low."
As a supportive partner, Hephaestus really did want to forge more weapons for Bell.
But Bell's magic was already so well-rounded, and with his absurd luck in the Dungeon, he kept acquiring high-quality weapons from who-knows-where. That left no room for her skills to shine.
Every time she thought about it, Hephaestus couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated.
She was the goddess of craftsmanship, capable of making weapons that even the gods of Orario would fight to get their hands on.
But the one she cared for had no need for more weapons. That really stung.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 315: Chapter 315: Falling for Her
Chapter Text
"Oh!"
It was hard to believe this red cloak had once been Goliath's hide.
The texture wasn't stiff at all—it had an extraordinary elasticity. Even when pulled with full force, it wouldn't tear.
"Goliath's hide has strong tensile resistance. It's naturally tough enough to withstand attacks from Level 4 monsters. But the one you fought seemed to be a specially reinforced variant, so its hide was even more durable."
"I see. No wonder Goliath's flesh felt so tough back then."
Bell finally understood the recoil he'd felt through the dagger. Even though the "Hydra Dagger" wasn't the sharpest weapon, with his strength and speed at the time, it shouldn't have just bounced off Goliath's hide—and yet, that's exactly what happened, with the impact even rebounding back.
"Hephaestus, was that Goliath considered a reinforced variant?"
"No, not exactly. It was only partially reinforced—just enough to make things harder for challengers."
"...That's so cheap!"
Bell couldn't help but complain.
Hephaestus simply smiled. After all, the Dungeon was full of tricks like that. This was nothing.
"That's the kind of thing you face when taking on a floor boss solo."
"If you were part of a group assaulting Goliath, the fight would be much easier, and you wouldn't encounter those partial reinforcements. But... would you ever do that?"
"No."
Bell didn't hesitate, and Hephaestus already knew that would be his answer.
"That's why you need to be extra careful when taking on floor bosses from now on. Whether it's to break past your limits or to take them on more effectively, you'll need to sharpen your Status to the limit before going in."
"Next time you face a floor boss, you'll have to take it more seriously."
Hephaestus had seen how easily Bell had taken down Goliath—barely a scratch on him by the end.
But Goliath was really just the gatekeeper. The floor bosses that come after won't be nearly as easy to defeat.
"Yeah, I'll definitely need to take things more seriously. But that's for after the expedition."
There was no need to worry about that kind of thing during the expedition.
Hephaestus picked up the cloak and helped Bell put it on. She looked pleased as she adjusted it.
"How does it feel?"
Bell moved his arms and tested it out. There was no restriction to his movement at all. It fit snugly, and it didn't feel heavy or cumbersome during motion.
"It's great—fits way better than my old cloak."
"Of course it does."
She raised an eyebrow and smiled, pride clearly showing on her face.
"I tailored it specifically to your body measurements. It wraps around your body perfectly, so it covers you as much as possible. The tight fit also minimizes any hindrance during movement."
Since this was a rare chance for her to make something for Bell, Hephaestus had put in more care than usual. She even added special adjustments to make the cloak more practical for use in combat.
"Bell, channel your magic into the cloak."
Following Hephaestus's instruction, Bell poured magic into the cloak.
In response, the fabric quickly shrank and hugged his body, clinging tightly and feeling very different from the slightly loose fit it had just moments ago.
"It shrunk?"
"That's right. I designed it to react to your magic, keeping your mobility in mind. I also wove wind-attribute materials into the outer layer to reduce drag and make movement smoother."
Hephaestus spoke proudly. She hadn't added any complex functions—just features that were perfectly tailored for Bell. It was clear this cloak had been crafted specifically with him in mind.
Bell could feel the care Hephaestus had put into it.
For someone like him, who rarely stored his cloak in spatial inventory even during battle, this kind of design brought real, practical benefits...
"Thank you, Hephaestus."
"It's not often you come to me for help, so of course I had to put in a little extra effort. Otherwise, wouldn't I be just like Hestia?"
Bell gave a helpless smile and shook his head.
"To me, you and Hestia have been the biggest support in my life."
"If it weren't for the two of you, I wouldn't have come this far."
Suddenly, Hephaestus wrapped her arms around him, offering him the blessing of a goddess. She held him for a while before slowly letting go, her arms lingering around him.
"Don't say that. It wasn't our support—it was your own effort that brought you here."
"For us, meeting you was the greatest gift."
Her warm smile radiated with a beauty even brighter than sunlight. At that moment, Bell realized just how captivated he was by her.
Hephaestus wasn't like Hestia, whose charm was all cuteness—she was more composed, intellectual, with a big-sister warmth that made him want to stay in her arms forever.
"Alright, time to let go now."
"...Can't I stay like this a little longer?"
That slightly spoiled tone almost made Hephaestus pull him even closer, but she resisted the urge.
"Aren't you supposed to be sneaking over to Loki's place to establish that spatial passage today?"
"You'll have plenty of time to be clingy tonight."
Bell sighed. Thinking of the task ahead, he gave up the desire to stay in Hephaestus's embrace a little longer.
Putting it off until tomorrow would be too late—today was the best time to act.
Though reluctant, Bell prepared to leave.
Just like Hephaestus said, there would be time to indulge tonight.
"I'm off, then."
With those words, Bell vanished like a gust of wind.
Hephaestus remained where she stood, feeling a slight pang of regret as she looked out at the darkening evening sky.
"Talk about bad timing... the mood was perfect."
Chapter 316: Chapter 316: Hidden Truths in Past Reactions
Chapter Text
As the final day before the expedition, it was a particularly hectic one for the Loki Familia.
"Alright! Next!"
At Loki's call, the next person waiting outside her room opened the door and stepped in.
Moments later, a girl walked out, adjusting her clothes and holding a sheet of paper, making the whole scene look oddly similar to a hospital waiting area.
The line was ridiculously long—stretching all the way from Loki's room out to the open space beyond the Familia's headquarters.
What was going on?
Anyone unfamiliar with the routine might've asked that.
But for those in the know, this was something that happened every time before an expedition. It was simply called a "Status Update."
Every member of the Loki Familia had to update their Status before setting out.
Since there wouldn't be another chance to do so for quite some time, the updates had to be done in advance. It wasn't just a matter of timing—by checking for changes in their Status, they could better assess and ensure safety during the expedition.
And for those two reasons, this was always Loki's busiest time.
Since the update process required divine blood from the gods themselves, Loki's fingertips were now peppered with tiny needle marks from all the pricking.
In just two hours, over seventy members had passed through her room. Each one took about two minutes, meaning Loki had pricked her fingers over seventy times.
"Ugh... If this keeps up, my fingers are gonna rot off one day."
Loki looked at her hands in dismay. Sure, they looked fine now, but only because of divine healing.
"Why can't those guys come a few days earlier instead of always waiting until the last day?"
"Loki, whose fault do you think that is?"
Riveria couldn't help but complain as she recalled Loki's behavior over the past three days.
"What, rallying morale is a bad thing now? I was just trying to fire everyone up before the expedition."
Loki shamelessly brushed off all responsibility, claiming it was all part of her motivational strategy and boldly taking credit for it.
Riveria responded to her righteous act with a cold, sarcastic smile.
"You mean sneaking off to cling to Ais every time people were drinking? Do you think I don't see what you're doing?"
Even after being called out, Loki didn't look the least bit embarrassed. She had long since shed any pretense of shame. Instead of continuing the argument, she turned a lascivious gaze toward Riveria.
"Riveria, it's your turn now."
Can you get any more shameless?
Riveria sighed inwardly, but she had no real way to deal with Loki.
She turned around and slowly began to undress.
Under the lights, her fair, radiant skin—so pristine it could only belong to an elf—was exposed, and just the sight of it made Loki audibly gulp.
Gulp~
The sound of Loki swallowing reached Riveria's ears. Her fists clenched on instinct.
Every time!
This pervert is always like this!
Riveria forced herself to stay calm, taking a deep breath in an attempt to keep her sanity intact.
Using her removed clothes to cover her chest, Riveria held them in one hand while brushing her hair aside with the other.
"Hah~"
That single motion was almost too much for Loki to handle. She could barely suppress her wild instincts.
"Ohhh~ As expected of Riveria. You must really take care of yourself, huh?"
That lecherous tone finally broke Riveria's patience. With a flick of her hand, she hurled a sharp blade straight at Loki's fingers.
Thwack!
The knife pierced through the wooden bedframe and left a bloody gash on Loki's finger.
Oh gods!
Cold sweat instantly soaked Loki's back. In that moment, all her inappropriate thoughts were completely wiped out, her desire mercilessly snuffed out.
She recognized that move immediately.
"Ais learned that from you, didn't she!?"
That technique—it was exactly the same as how Ais dealt with her. The style, the target—it was all too familiar.
Riveria shot her a frosty glance, her eyes gleaming like drawn blades. The chill made Loki shudder from head to toe.
"Can we begin?"
"Y-yeah, yeah..."
Chastened, Loki didn't dare push her luck any further. She knew full well that "Mama" would seriously throw hands if provoked.
Getting serious at last, Loki started updating the Status on Riveria's back.
"Hmm... Mama, your growth really has hit the ceiling."
After finishing the update, Loki saw only the slightest of changes—just two or three points total, and even those were in Agility, Dexterity, and Magic. Strength and Endurance hadn't moved at all.
Riveria had expected as much. Honestly, her growth had been crawling at a snail's pace for a long time now.
"Your last update was half a year ago, right?"
"Yeah... it's been six months since I last saw Mama's back."
"...Be serious, Loki."
"Yes, ma'am~"
Loki finally dropped her playful tone, her expression turning thoughtful.
"Riveria, you've long since hit your growth limit. You know that as well as I do. So why bother updating your Status like the rookies today?"
Riveria let out a quiet sigh and finally voiced what had been on her mind.
"I think Bell-kun might cause a massive upheaval."
Loki didn't disagree. She'd known for some time that the boy was going to stir up something big—something that would shake Orario to its core and overturn decades of calm.
"Mama, what makes you say that?"
At those words, Riveria folded her arms and turned around, locking eyes with Loki. Her stare made Loki squirm under the pressure until Riveria finally spoke.
"Loki, you've known all along, haven't you?"
How was she supposed to answer that? Even if she did sense that another era of change was coming... that wasn't something you could just say out loud.
"Mama, what are you even talking about? I don't get it~"
Watching Loki feign ignorance, Riveria didn't push for an answer.
"Loki, do you remember your expression when we first bought those Rune Stones?"
"I..."
"I know you've forgotten. But I haven't. You were shocked. It was like you saw something in them—something familiar."
Gods... don't be so sharp-eyed... Loki broke into a cold sweat. She had no idea Riveria had remembered that.
"Then, during our second meeting with the Hestia Familia, when those strange symbols showed up—you recognized them immediately, didn't you? I remember the look on your face. It was the same one you get when you see Ais with another man."
Damn it! Was I really that obvious!?
"And do you remember when you said, 'Even if something happens, that brat won't be the one in danger'? What exactly were you basing that on? I don't even have to explain—you already know, don't you?"
As Riveria pressed further, Loki's options slowly vanished. She hadn't expected Riveria to observe her so closely—or to piece together so much.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 317: Chapter 317: Breaking the Deadlock
Chapter Text
Knock knock knock!
Just as Riveria was pressing Loki relentlessly, the sudden knock at the door came to Loki’s rescue.
"Mama, someone’s here! Someone’s here!"
What a shame.
Riveria knew she had almost cornered Loki completely, just one step away—but that final push had slipped away.
There was nothing she could do. As much as she understood what was happening, the moment had passed, and the conversation couldn’t continue.
"Wait a moment."
Riveria got dressed, gave a pointed glance at the visibly guilty Loki, and quietly stepped outside.
Who dares interrupt me now?
She looked at the person at the door—and upon seeing his face, paused for a moment. A strange feeling welled up in her chest.
"Sorry to bother you, Riveria-sama. I’m just a little nervous about tomorrow’s expedition..."
"Hmm, that’s completely normal. Are you new?"
"Yes, I just joined the Familia a few days ago."
A rookie, huh.
Riveria frowned slightly, thinking it over. But seeing how anxious and stiff the boy was, her expression softened.
"It’s natural to be nervous before your first expedition. But remember, your job as a newcomer isn’t to charge ahead. Focus on getting used to the Dungeon’s environment. Don’t be reckless—those who get swept up in excitement are the ones the Dungeon eats alive."
"Y-Yes! Riveria-sama!"
The boy was so nervous he could barely speak clearly, his entire body tense with unease.
Definitely a rookie.
Caught between excitement and fear about the expedition—it was a familiar sight.
Riveria knew a few words wouldn’t calm him down, so she simply hoped he’d adjust quickly once inside the Dungeon.
"Do your best. After your Status Update, make sure to get some sleep. We’ve got an early start tomorrow."
"Y-Yes, Riveria-sama!"
Riveria stepped aside, watching the boy stiffly walk into Loki’s room, then shook her head with concern.
"Rookies like that are always the ones to worry about."
With that, she left the doorway.
...
Inside, Loki eyed the boy with open curiosity.
"You little brat... You actually used my Authority."
The boy who had been stammering a moment ago was now perfectly calm, his expression unreadable—even as Loki-sama addressed him directly.
"Loki-sama, please don’t make it sound like I can casually wield a god’s Authority. I’m just a regular adventurer. What I used just now was nothing more than a minor deception."
"And besides... shouldn’t you be thanking me for helping you out?"
"Bullshit!"
Loki completely dismissed his polite tone. He’d used her Authority to get Riveria off her back—and she was supposed to be grateful for that?
"Still, even if you didn’t deceive the world, the fact you could manipulate my Authority to that extent is... impressive."
The boy just smiled and threw the question back at her.
"Then, Loki-sama... could you deceive the world?"
Loki rolled her eyes at him.
"Why would I bother with something that troublesome?"
Deceive the world?
What, does he think having Authority means doing whatever you want?
Gods’ Authorities are fragments of the world itself. How could a god use the power granted by the world... to trick the world? That’s just absurd.
"Even if I removed the seal on my divine power, I wouldn’t go around deceiving the world. The only result would be the other gods dragging me away in chains."
"Tch... I was hoping Loki-sama might use her Authority to change Nine Hell’s mindset."
That comment earned him an immediate, mocking glare from Loki.
"Are you kidding me!? I raised that kid myself, and you think I'd use my Authority to change her mind? What do you take me for—some kind of lowlife who cheats to get her way?"
The boy, completely unfazed by Loki's sarcasm, anger, and underlying hostility, countered calmly:
"Then what if, by using your Authority, the 'Sword Princess' and 'Nine Hell' ended up at your side every day, dressed in revealing outfits, living in pure indulgence?"
"..."
Loki’s mind instantly conjured the exact fantasy he described. For just a moment, her resolve wavered.
But she quickly snapped out of it and rejected the notion with righteous indignation.
"Don't be ridiculous! I wouldn't stoop so low as to manipulate people with my Authority."
She shut her eyes in frustration. The way her fists clenched showed just how much willpower it took to keep herself in check.
With a small smirk, the boy pulled out a tissue and held it out.
"Loki-sama, maybe wipe your nose first—looks like you're losing control."
Flustered, Loki instinctively touched her nose—only to find a streak of blood.
Are you kidding me!?
Damn it, it's all Ais and Mama’s fault for being so damn sexy! How the hell am I supposed to resist that!?
After rationalizing it away, she snatched the tissue, tore it in half, and stuffed both pieces into her nostrils.
Once the nosebleed was under control, she visibly calmed down. Still, the alluring image lingering in her head made her sigh with longing.
If only that day could actually come...
Loki’s heart stirred with a hint of anticipation—but even more with helplessness.
Riveria and Ais guarded against her like hawks. She used to get away with a little flirting, but now she couldn’t even sneak a whiff of that “soup.”
"Alright, brat. What're you doing here this late? Don’t tell me you came to catch up."
Thanks to the tissue plugs, her voice was thick with nasal congestion, and she was obviously struggling to maintain some semblance of dignity.
Not that the boy cared—he already had a very clear picture of what Loki-sama was really like.
"Naturally, it’s part of the plan. I came to invite you to the Hestia Familia to watch the show. But since our Familia’s territory is now technically 'outside the world,' I thought I’d prep a separate spatial coordinate just for you."
"...Outside the world, huh..."
Loki’s expression twitched.
She looked up at the boy standing in front of her. As much as she disliked his style, there was no denying it—this kid had the power to flatten every Adventurer in Orario.
"You... you really think of everything."
When it came to chasing girls, even Loki had to admit—this brat was bolder than she was.
Chapter 318: Chapter 318: Can’t Stand to See the Other Side Doing Better
Chapter Text
While Bell was setting up the spatial coordinates, Loki stood nearby, watching intently.
"Hey, seriously, why are you so hung up on that shorty?"
"Between Haruhime and Cassandra, which one isn't better than her?"
Wait... you're actually pimping your own girls?
Bell wasn't shocked—just caught completely off guard.
That sounded a lot like pimping.
If any other god had said something like that, he might've taken it as a well-meaning attempt at matchmaking. But coming from Loki-sama, it just felt wrong.
After all, no one doted on their children more than Loki did. If she hadn't been so obsessed with her kids, she wouldn't have openly pursued the "Sword Princess" and "Nine Hell" like they were her ultimate goals.
"Loki-sama, I know I've shown some talent, but please don't unlock any disturbing fetishes like 'NTR' on my account."
"The hell you say!? 'NTR'!?"
Loki was completely thrown off by that one.
She'd never had any such twisted interests. Female, likes girls—that had always been her divine standard. Sure, she occasionally showed some special affection toward certain boys, but it was just the usual affection between gods and their children—nothing close to how she felt about Ais or Riveria.
"If Haruhime hadn't shown such a strong reaction to you, I wouldn't have said anything."
"Then maybe it would've been better if you hadn't said anything at all."
Bell shook his head and turned his focus back to constructing the spatial coordinate.
"I can't just meddle in the feelings of a goddess. And I never intentionally tried to stir up Sanjouno Haruhime's heart. Rather than creating more problems, I think it's better to leave things as they are."
Loki didn't seem mad anymore. After multiple rejections, it was clear to her that Bell wasn't trying to seduce Haruhime. Her feelings were one-sided, and there was little hope for anything to come of it.
Still, something else crossed Loki's mind.
"You're not avoiding her just because she won't live forever... are you?"
Bell's hand paused.
"...So that's it, huh!"
Loki's eyes widened. From his reaction alone, she knew her guess had hit the mark.
Bell looked at Loki-sama, clearly a bit exasperated that she'd managed to dig that out of him.
"Don't you think you're overthinking things?"
"Am I? I don't think so at all."
Now that she'd uncovered the truth, Loki was even more intrigued.
"You're seriously giving up on Haruhime over something that trivial? And you call yourself a man?"
Bell just scoffed at her.
"Exactly because I'm a man, I can't just say 'I love you' and be done with it. Gods come down from Tenkai in search of 'fateful encounters,' but for some of them... the inability to make that bond eternal is torture in itself."
'I've heard the phrase "A goddess can only love once" before—and I truly believe it.'
At that moment, Loki finally understood why the boy in front of her pursued strength so relentlessly.
"So your goal is to reach Level 10..."
"You want to surpass the Black Dragon, become a false god, and gain immortality just so you can stay with a goddess forever?"
That's your reason!?
Loki could hardly believe it.
She never imagined an adventurer would aim to conquer the Black Dragon and reach Level 10... just to forge a permanent bond with a god.
That reason was absolutely insane. And yet... unforgettable.
"Not a false god, Loki-sama."
Loki blinked, then slapped her forehead.
"...Right. Once you take that step, you're no longer just a false god."
Normally, surpassing Level 10 would make someone a "false god," with the only difference from a true deity being the lack of Authority. Mortals who ascend can't possess Authority, so for most adventurers, that's the ceiling.
But this kid in front of her was an exception. He already possessed Authority. So when he reached that stage, he wouldn't just be a "false god"—he'd become a real god.
"Tch... That shorty really struck gold."
Whether or not he could actually defeat the Black Dragon and reach Level 10 was still up in the air, but just having Authority made the journey that much more meaningful.
And Loki wasn't stupid. She knew exactly how many survival tricks this kid had up his sleeve. If he couldn't win straight up, he'd just run and try again.
Give him enough chances, and he might really pull it off—even take down the Black Dragon for good.
The thought left Loki feeling a bit sour.
"Loki-sama, didn't you meet the 'Sword Princess' too? Plus you've got Captain Finn, Vice-Captain Riveria, and even Gareth on your side—aren't you happy?"
"Of course I'm happy."
She'd been lucky enough to meet so many talented kids. How could she not be?
"But seeing that shorty land something even better still pisses me off."
Pure jealousy.
Watching Loki-sama grit her teeth, Bell just gave a small sigh and returned to focusing on the spatial coordinate setup.
Creating the anchor wasn't difficult—it was just about linking two fixed points through a specific connection.
So the setup was actually much faster than expected.
"That kind of emotion isn't good, Loki-sama."
"Especially considering we'll be working together a lot in the future. I know you and Hestia have that whole love-hate thing going on, but I really suggest you explain it clearly to Captain Finn and the others. Wouldn't want any unnecessary misunderstandings."
Bell wouldn't misread Loki-sama's intentions—but whether the rest of her Familia would was a different story.
"Hah! Don't worry. My kids are all smart."
"Like 'Jormungand'?"
"..."
Loki, who had been talking so tough a second ago, instantly deflated. Bell couldn't help but laugh.
"I knew Finn was popular, but I didn't expect someone in your Familia to be obsessed with him like that."
"By the way, Loki-sama, aren't you going to get involved?"
Loki gave him a big roll of the eyes.
"You think I don't want to? Watching Finn and Tione together is torture. Sure, Finn doesn't hate her, but he's too damn stubborn. He keeps talking about reviving the Pallum race, so even his marriage has to be tied to it. He's practically saying 'I'm not interested in Tione' without actually saying it."
"Just like you."
"How is that my fault?"
Bell finished the final inscription, then stood up. The text melted into the ground, and as he pulled out a black Rune, a rift in space opened above the platform—linking directly to the Hestia Familia.
"It's ready, Loki-sama."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 319: Chapter 319: Save a Room for Me
Chapter Text
A crack appeared in the room's corner, revealing the territory of the Hestia Familia on the other side—truly "outside the world."
Bell placed the black Rune Stone before Loki-sama.
"This is the key to open the space passage. Loki-sama, please apply your blood to it so that only you can enter through the crack."
"Only I can enter? What about everyone else?"
"If someone without rune confirmation attempts to pass through, they'll be torn to pieces before entering."
You take safety way too seriously.
Loki's lip twitched, but she pricked her finger anyway and wiped her blood across the Rune Stone. It absorbed the blood immediately, turning from black to deep red, with a streak of gold shimmering at its center. Visually, Loki quite liked it.
"Then I only need to bring the Rune Stone close to the spatial coordinates, right?"
"Yes. As long as it's near the portal, it'll open. But remember—no one else can approach it, or they'll be shredded by the spatial rift."
"I know, I know."
Bell's reminder stuck with her. She understood why he emphasized secrecy and had no intention of revealing the portal to anyone else.
"What about Hephaestus?"
Bell's expression froze—how could he explain this?
"Wait—don't tell me you left Hephaestus behind?"
Spotting that awkward pause, Loki couldn't help but smirk. Finally, a chance to scold the brat.
Her tone sharpened.
"You really don't understand social norms, do you? Hephaestus was the one who helped you and that shorty at the start. How could you push her so far to the back?"
Bell stared at Loki-sama. It wasn't that he hadn't made arrangements for Hephaestus—it was because he had handled it so thoroughly that he hadn't mentioned it yet.
Should he tell her?
But Bell instinctively wanted to protect his relationship with both goddesses. There was no need to expose anything.
"I've already arranged it with Hephaestus. In fact, she prefers our Familia's environment so much that she's staying with us now—permanently."
"Huh?" Loki, moments ago ready to admonish him, froze completely.
"So... what was that expression on your face just now?"
Bell sighed.
"It's just... it seemed awkward to explain that Hephaestus is living with another Familia. I mean, gods usually don't stay in another family's territory, you know?"
Jeez... so that was what he was hiding behind that awkward look?
Loki didn't know what to feel. She'd been gearing up to lecture him, but now she had nothing. Her mood, briefly lifted, collapsed entirely.
Though she felt a twinge of disappointment that she hadn't caught him in a mistake, she realized it wasn't the kid at fault.
She'd been too quick to judge… but she did find some relief thinking of Hephaestus.
"By the way, does Hephaestus really live with you?"
"Yes. Considering Orario's current instability, Hephaestus moved into our Familia to stay permanently."
"To guard against those lunatics?"
Loki nodded. The Evilus faction's madmen were truly dangerous—gone so far as to groom their children into living bombs and even directly attack gods.
"We definitely need precautions."
"Do you have an available room? May I take a look?"
Bell fell silent. That question was awkward—he and the goddesses didn't need every god in town overhearing.
"Why'd you just stop speaking?"
Loki gave him a look—she expected equal treatment to Hephaestus.
"Hephaestus lives with you, right? Considering the danger, would it be a problem if I moved in?"
"In theory, it's fine."
"In theory?" Loki's expression soured. Words that vague meant "not welcome."
"Only Hephaestus gets that treatment, and I don't?"
"Actually…It's complicated."
But before Bell could elaborate, Loki simply took the Rune Stone and stepped into the spatial crack.
"If you can't give me a straight answer, I'll go ask that shorty myself."
Bell panicked and hurried through the portal into the Familia's territory.
...
"Oh? The view here really is nice."
The space was filled with ambient auras from Spirit Trees—inviting even to gods. Loki took everything in.
This wasn't just a walled-off room anymore—it felt like a fully independent dimension. With no sight of Orario outside, the world seemed completely shut out. If anything, it felt too safe. Not just Evilus lunatics—no god, however powerful, could breach this boundary. If they could, Tenkai's gods would've broken through ages ago.
A moment later, a familiar, irritating figure appeared before her.
Chapter 320: Chapter 320: The One Who Knows Loki Best
Chapter Text
"You're really fast."
Loki's tone carried thinly veiled irritation.
Standing across from her, Bell looked helpless.
"Loki-sama, it's because you moved too quickly."
"How is it my fault? You let Hephaestus stay, but not me."
"Loki-sama, do you really want to live at our place?"
"Not at all!"
Loki answered without the slightest hesitation, then tilted her head toward the sky at a 45-degree angle, looking thoroughly put out. "If I had to live with that shorty, she'd never stop mocking my figure. Why would I willingly put myself in a position to get teased by Hestia about my body?"
Bell couldn't figure out what mood Loki-sama was in to make such a request, so he decided to ask.
"Since you know Goddess-sama will mock you, why do you still want to stay with us?"
"Nonsense! Hephaestus is staying here—why can't I?"
Loki rolled her eyes. If Hephaestus could live here, why was it a big deal when it was her turn?
"Besides, those lunatics have been getting more active in Orario lately. I need a place to lie low."
With her putting it like that, turning her down any further would seem heartless.
After a brief pause, Bell chose not to refuse her outright. After all, Orario had been unstable lately.
"Please, come with me."
Trailing behind Bell, Loki's lips curled into a small smile. That went smoother than expected.
Bell led Loki into the treehouse.
Inside, the two goddesses were lounging in the living room in their nightgowns, sipping drinks. The stack of empty plates on the table showed they'd been at it for a while.
"Ugh… I won't be able to see Bell-kun for a long time after today."
Sipping her low-alcohol fruit wine, Hestia grumbled, clearly in low spirits.
"This is an expedition, and it's a crucial one for Bell. He'll face a lot, but it's also a chance for him to grow. What we need to do now is avoid adding to his burdens."
The wine wasn't strong, but it had still flushed Hephaestus's face. Without her mask, she radiated a mature charm most goddesses lacked.
"Yes, I know."
Hestia wasn't just being childish—she only acted that way when it was allowed. When the situation called for it, she was perfectly serious.
But after that brief moment of composure, she slumped into the sofa.
"But when will Bell-kun be back? It's our last chance before the expedition, and I wanted to dote on him a bit."
Yeah... she really wanted to spoil him...
As Hephaestus thought about all the recent happenings in the house, a faint glimmer of moisture welled up in her eyes.
"Click!"
At that moment, the sound of the door opening immediately drew the attention of the two goddesses.
"Bell-kun is back!"
Hestia's eyes lit up instantly, and even Hephaestus's gaze rippled with a flicker of emotion.
But the voice that followed from the direction of the entrance made them both freeze in place.
"Whoa! Last time I came here it was still a mess—I didn't expect this floor to actually look like a proper big tree now."
The moment they heard that voice, both of them paused, then quickly composed themselves and tried to calm their emotions. Not long after, Bell entered, leading a visibly curious Loki.
When Hestia and Hephaestus spotted Loki, she also noticed them.
A glance at the wine glasses and the stack of empty plates on the table made it obvious they had been drinking.
Then, noticing the faint pink flush on their faces and skin, along with an unusual air about them...
A very distinct sensuality.
Right then, Loki felt like she was seeing Riveria with flushed cheeks after drinking—except, even drunk, Riveria would never let her get the upper hand.
Of course, the two in front of her weren't any easier to deal with.
That shorty didn't have much in the way of physical power, but her words could cut deep—especially when it came to body shaming. If she came out with something like "Loki, are you jealous?"—especially with that little sneer of disdain—Loki felt she'd break on the spot.
Better not get wrecked just trying to fish for benefits.
Naturally, Loki wouldn't dream of trying anything with Hephaestus either.
At the very least, Loki didn't think her bones could survive a punch from Hephaestus.
Just picturing either of those scenes made Loki's eyelid twitch violently. She immediately abandoned any thoughts of messing with them.
Neither Hestia's biting remarks nor Hephaestus's fists were something she could handle.
"Loki, why are you at my place?"
Hestia didn't bother hiding her irritation at being interrupted.
"Don't play dumb! Hephaestus and I are both your partners—why does only Hephaestus get to live here? Are you playing favorites?"
Catching the sour tone in Hestia's voice, Loki, who never let herself get pushed around, fired back without hesitation.
"Huh?"
Hestia blinked, clearly still catching up with the topic shift.
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying you want to move in here too?"
"Obviously. I'm your partner, remember? We're allies. What's the problem if I move in too?"
Loki puffed out her chest, speaking with full confidence.
And honestly, she wasn't wrong. As a partner and ally, there was nothing unreasonable about her moving into Hestia's place.
That alliance had brought Hestia and Bell a lot of benefits—wasn't it only fair to give a little back now?
But Hestia just stared at Loki with a blank expression.
"You're not just saying this because you saw Hephaestus living here and want a spot for yourself, are you?"
"You're using that bandit logic of yours—'I might not need it, but I can't let it go,' or something like that?"
...Well, damn!
Loki's face twitched several times. How the hell did that shorty see through her so easily?
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 321: Chapter 321: Loki’s Greatest Weakness
Chapter Text
After twitching her lips a few times, Loki responded with clear irritation.
“I’m just thinking that Orario hasn’t been safe lately. I need to find a secure place to stay.”
“Ah! So it really is because of that bandit logic of yours!”
If it had only been a guess before, now Hestia was nearly certain that Loki wanted to butt in for exactly that reason.
Her reaction left Loki feeling incredibly frustrated.
‘Why does this shorty always know exactly what I’m thinking?’
And Hestia, as if reading Loki’s expression perfectly, continued with a cold snort.
“Hmph! You only ever talk about serious things in such a flippant tone when you’re lying.”
With just a single sentence, she exposed Loki’s “true intentions.”
Despite always bickering with Loki, Hestia wasn’t clueless. She could tell better than anyone else when Loki was being genuine or when she was full of it.
After all, Hestia was one of the top social players in Tenkai. Even those gods with the worst social skills managed to get along well with her. Even Zeus, Hera, and Hades had solid relationships with her.
In a way, Hestia’s social skills were truly exceptional.
It didn’t matter what kind of god it was—very few ever ended up on bad terms with Hestia.
That had a lot to do with her naturally disarming personality and her unintentional ability to see through the facades of other gods.
If it were anyone else getting close, people might wonder what they were up to.
But when it was Hestia, there was no need to overthink—she was either there to hang out, grab a meal, or just make a friend. That was Hestia, plain and simple.
Because of that, she’d built up a massive social circle in Tenkai, especially among the goddesses.
In fact, if she really wanted to, Hestia could probably grow her Familia in no time.
After all, the first step to building a powerful Familia was having a leader with strong connections.
But because she’d fallen straight into Bell’s lap at the start, her Familia had never really had the chance to expand.
Right now, Hestia was glaring at Loki with clear displeasure.
“If you’re here because of that ridiculous bandit logic, then you’d better leave.”
“No way!”
Loki rejected that idea without a second thought.
“We agreed that our plan would kick off during the expedition, and I need to monitor how it progresses. I’m not going anywhere until our kids are back from it.”
“Don’t you have a ‘Projection Device’? And don’t your kids carry ‘visual capture devices’? You can see everything from your place, can’t you?”
“That only lets me see what my kids see. What about yours? You think that brat’s going to move around with mine the whole time?”
“Humph...”
Loki’s retort made Hestia puff up her cheeks—because she was right.
The key to this plan wasn’t Loki’s children; it all hinged on the one executing it—Bell.
If they wanted to see the full scope of this expedition, then staying inside Hestia’s Familia and watching everything unfold firsthand was the only way.
Seeing how things had escalated, Bell had no choice but to step forward.
“Loki-sama is only staying here during the expedition.”
“On one hand, Orario really hasn’t been safe lately. Loki Familia is setting out tomorrow, and most of their forces will be gone. That means their home will be basically undefended.”
“On the other hand, it’s because of the agreement we made with Loki-sama. Most of the responsibilities for the plan fall on me, which is why I went to install a spatial portal in her room. A lot of the more secretive aspects of this plan aren’t suitable for the rest of Loki Familia to see.”
Of course Hestia already knew all of this.
Bell and Loki had laid out a plan to aim for “Lv. 7.” This expedition was meant to create the opportunity for three of Loki Familia’s children to reach that milestone.
The plan was critical, and it needed to be executed under the radar—so it really did make sense to isolate Loki.
“Hmm... fine, fine.”
Knowing the real reason Loki was staying made it easier to accept, even if it still rubbed Hestia the wrong way.
“But only during the expedition. Once it’s over, Loki—you’re moving back.”
“We’ll see.”
Loki smiled breezily and waved it off with a half-hearted reply.
Please—if living here turns out to be this comfortable, why bother heading back to the old place? Spending the night here, same as Hephaestus, sounded way more appealing.
Of course, she wasn’t about to say that out loud. Not now, at least—not when it would stir up trouble.
“I’m going to find a room. Hey, kid—make sure you link the spatial coordinates to my room later.”
With that, Loki strolled off like she owned the place, casually searching for a room she liked.
Watching her go, Hestia didn’t look happy at all.
“Ugh! Don’t tell me she’s planning to stay here forever!”
“What do you think?”
Hephaestus gave a slight shake of her head. It’s easy to invite a god in—sending them away? That was another matter.
“She’s always like that. Unless you block her from the start, she’ll find a way to sneak in.”
“She’s not blind. Compared to this place, ‘Twilight Manor’ is nowhere near as nice. Her kids can’t be around to protect her all the time, but here? This place is a natural safe zone. Think she’ll pass up the chance to hide out here when things go bad?”
At that, Hestia’s face puffed up in anger.
But Bell gently shook his head.
“Hestia, I don’t think Loki-sama will come over that often.”
“When she saw you and Hephaestus just now, she froze—then shuddered. I don’t think she wants to be stared down by you all the time.”
“Hmm… ohhh~”
Hestia immediately caught on to Loki’s earlier reaction. She proudly stuck out her chest and grinned smugly.
“So she knows her place after all. She’s well aware I’ll tease her if she shows up around here.”
“Heh—let’s see if she dares come back after the expedition. If she does, I’ll be sure to bring up her figure a few more times.”
At that moment, Hestia’s smile took on a sly, mischievous edge.
Chapter 322: Chapter 322: Hope for the Expedition
Chapter Text
"Wow~ As expected of a treehouse created with Authority. The entire layout inside grew and evolved completely according to personal preferences."
Loki couldn't help but sigh as she took in the room's design.
Sure, most gods could do this sort of thing—but they used divine power to accelerate growth. That brat, on the other hand, had no divine power at all, yet managed to mature the seed using nothing but magic and Authority.
"Damn! That kid's completely absurd!"
Still, there was nothing to complain about. Children of the Genkai were supposed to have zero Authority. That brat was the lone exception among them—and probably the only one there ever would be.
Continuing her inspection, Loki walked slowly to the window. Outside, the night sky sparkled with what looked like starlight.
But on closer look, those weren't real stars. They were low-level spirits—elemental condensations formed from spiritual energy.
"As expected. An environment leaning so heavily toward the Elf Kingdom would produce unique creatures like these."
This entire space was modeled after an elven habitat. Loki was confident any elf who came here would instantly call it home.
It couldn't be helped. The place was covered in Spirit Trees—even a tree on the scale of the World Tree was being forcibly cultivated here.
Thinking back to the Elf Kingdom she had visited before, calling it a "kingdom" was a stretch. It was really just a settlement blanketed by Spirit Trees and the World Tree itself.
"This place is way nicer than my home."
"Perfect. This'll be my room."
Loki was completely satisfied with the room's atmosphere and decor. If the spatial coordinates were set here, she figured she'd end up spending every night here.
After all, who wouldn't want to stay somewhere safe and cozy?
"Knock knock knock!"
Just as she'd made up her mind, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Loki turned as Bell stepped through.
"I just picked this room, and you're already here?"
"Just a simple guess."
"...You little punk."
Being able to wield Authority to this degree was no small feat. Even Loki had to admit she was impressed by how far Bell had taken it.
Mastering a single Authority to this extent wasn't something that could be done casually. Without extensive study and trial, there was no way to simulate such a wide range of effects.
And Loki wasn't wrong.
As an Authority, Runes were undoubtedly versatile—but they needed to be used in combination with various Runic letters to function properly.
Bell had expanded their utility across numerous fields, pushing the general adaptability of Runes to its limits.
Of course, he knew that came at a cost—less time to refine any one function deeply. He was broadly knowledgeable, but not yet a true master.
That wasn't ideal, but at this early stage, Bell's focus had to be on increasing flexibility. In time, he'd narrow things down and master the Rune applications that suited him best.
"So, Loki-sama, you're going with this room?"
Bell confirmed with a final check.
"Of course… This is a standard room, right?"
"Yes. It's basically the same as the guest rooms. Most of this floor is set up that way."
The upper levels had actually been added later. Originally, the treehouse had only a ground-level floor. But now? Bell had grown it into a real towering structure using large-scale tree shaping. The upper floors were more uniform—functional, but not as finely crafted as the original level.
"Then it's settled."
Now that she knew it was just a regular room, Loki had no more reservations.
"By the way, you and the shorty haven't made any progress yet?"
"Uh…"
"Forget it, no need to explain. I'm guessing you're still underestimating that shorty. Don't go thinking she's some herbivore—she's way more carnivorous than anyone else."
Loki was just giving him a light warning. In her estimation, there was no way this kid had truly seen that side of the shorty yet.
Bell, cut off mid-reply, looked a little awkward. Truth be told, he'd only recently realized just how carnivorous Hestia could be.
"Anyway, let's set the shorty issue aside for now."
Loki temporarily shelved her usual banter with Hestia. Honestly, they didn't have any real bad blood—just a habit of trading jabs.
"You're ready for tomorrow's expedition, right?"
She wasn't worried about Finn's group—they could handle anything. But when it came to Bell, she wasn't quite as confident.
"Oh, and there's also the support items Finn asked you for."
Bell glanced at Loki-sama and gave a small nod.
"Just some safety gear. If it's about keeping someone alive, it'll do the job. But don't expect it to come cheap."
No one could complain about high prices for life-saving tools. When Authority was involved, even the steepest cost was worth it to give her children a fighting chance. Loki understood that well—there was no cutting corners here.
"No problem. Buying a sliver of survival born from Authority? Worth every Valis, whatever the price."
"Haruhime and Cassandra are getting ready for battle too?"
"Yeah. That's why we're prepping as much as we can. If they end up facing those Corrupted Spirit's Fetuses—things even Finn's team can't handle—they'll need Haruhime's power. Otherwise, even if you try to control the fight, they won't last."
That didn't surprise Bell. From the moment the expedition was announced, he knew Haruhime and Cassandra would be drawn into it.
"Just temporarily raising a single level isn't enough. So, her new magic solves that problem?"
"Hmph! Of course. That girl awakened some damn impressive magic."
Loki's lips curled into a small smile. Haruhime's newly awakened spell was a perfect match for her "Uchide no Kozuchi"—a straight-up epic-level upgrade.
If not for that, Loki wouldn't have bet everything on bringing Haruhime. But now, she believed—if they had any hope of pushing forward, it was with Haruhime on their side.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 323: Chapter 323: The Last Night
Chapter Text
'It seems that "Kokonoe" is just like in the original—Sanjouno Haruhime, who wields this magic, has even greater potential for growth and can take high-ranking Adventurers in the Familia into an entirely new realm.'
After getting this intel from Loki, Bell understood clearly—if Loki Familia was given some time, even a head-on clash with Freya Familia wouldn't leave them at a disadvantage.
Of course, that hinged entirely on whether Sanjouno Haruhime could successfully use her magic.
If the spell failed, Loki Familia would still be one rank below in raw power.
Even if they still seemed a little lacking when facing Freya, they had enough strength to qualify for a true challenge.
'If "Braver," "Nine Hell," and "Elgarm" all reach Level 7 after this expedition, then Freya Familia will be decisively outmatched.'
Their individual power might still fall short, but together, they were more than strong enough.
'Everything is going according to plan.'
Yes, everything was going exactly as planned.
Once Loki Familia reached the level needed to counter Freya Familia, the long-standing power balance in Orario would be shattered—and that would unlock the gateway to the next stage.
'But stepping into the next stage probably won't be smooth.'
Bell knew the biggest hurdle was the Evilus and the Corrupted Spirit-fetus forces lurking in the Dungeon.
With Orario's strength on the rise again, the remnants who had barely survived the Zeus and Hera era wouldn't take kindly to the emergence of another power strong enough to suppress them. Once word got out about Loki Familia's progress, those guys were bound to start stirring.
And that was only natural.
Evilus and the Corrupted Spirits in the Dungeon were obstacles that had to be cleared—non-negotiable conditions for advancing to the next phase.
'No point getting ahead of myself. I need to deal with the problems at this stage before thinking about the next.'
Bell shook his head and closed his notebook.
After a big stretch, his shoulders and body finally relaxed. It was time to get some proper rest before tomorrow's expedition.
He headed for the same room he always used, but just before entering, Bell took a moment to soundproof the interior. Otherwise, the noise inside the house was sure to cause a scene.
"Click!"
Bell pushed the door open and walked in.
The room was pitch black, but as soon as the door opened, voices responded from inside.
"Bell-kun?"
"Bell?"
Hestia and Hephaestus' voices echoed through the dark, sounding a little surprised.
'Are they surprised I suddenly showed up?'
Bell wasn't sure if coming here now was the right move.
He snapped his fingers, and the room instantly lit up. Sure enough, Hestia and Hephaestus were already in their pajamas, clearly having gone to bed.
Bell scratched his cheek, slightly embarrassed.
"Did I come at a bad time?"
"I didn't expect you two to already be asleep."
"Of course not."
After the initial surprise, Hestia immediately denied it. Naturally, she wanted Bell-kun to come to their room.
"It's just... Loki suddenly dropped by our place today, so we figured you wouldn't be coming."
"Ah, Loki-sama's presence wasn't really a big issue. I just had to do a bit of soundproofing, and that was enough."
Bell instinctively offered a solution, which caused both Hestia and Hephaestus to blush slightly.
They knew full well they hadn't exactly been quiet, but they had chosen to let loose at home.
Since no one could hear them, there wasn't much reason to hold back.
"Then... then... come on in."
After stammering for a while, Hestia finally let Bell into the room.
Tomorrow was the expedition, and after that, they'd hardly have time to be together—tonight was a moment to cherish.
...
Morning light filtered into the room, waking those with sharp internal clocks.
"Mm... it's morning already..."
Hestia blinked drowsily before slumping back down. Her waist ached terribly—there was no way she could get up right now.
"Expedition... expedition... meow~"
Still groggy, Hephaestus opened her eyes. She remembered what day it was.
Though her body felt just as sore as Hestia's, she still pushed herself up with both hands.
"Hiss~"
Even just sitting up, Hephaestus had to rub her aching waist with both hands.
'Did Bell flip some weird switch or something? Staying up all night right before an expedition...'
Her mind was full of complaints, but her flushed face showed no trace of actual resentment.
'Next time… yeah, next time I need to make that kid hold back a bit.'
A small, contented grumble.
After rubbing her waist for a while, Hephaestus finally got out of bed.
Her children were about to join Loki Familia's expedition, and as their Familia God, she needed to be there to see them off—no time to be dawdling in the room.
After a quick wash in the bathroom, Hephaestus stepped out and saw Hestia still dead asleep on the bed.
"Come on, wake up already! Did you oversleep or what?"
She walked over to the bed, calling Hestia again and again, but the latter was sound asleep. Hephaestus frowned, then yanked the blanket away and gave Hestia's butt a solid smack.
"Smack!"
"Ah!!"
Even before the slap's echo faded, Hestia's scream rang through the whole room.
The pain instantly banished any trace of sleepiness.
"What the hell, Hephaestus?!"
That slap was no joke—Hestia had thought Loki had snuck in to prank her. But when she opened her eyes and saw a fully dressed and composed Hephaestus, her tone turned a little sulky.
"You wouldn't wake up, what was I supposed to do?"
Hephaestus nearly rolled her eyes, opened the wardrobe, pulled out a set of clothes identical to Hestia's usual outfit, and tossed them in front of her.
"Don't forget, today's the expedition."
"Hurry up and get dressed. We're sending off our kids together."
That was when Hestia finally remembered—they had something important to do today.
Chapter 324: Chapter 324: Gathering at the Central Plaza
Chapter Text
Early in the morning, a group had already gathered in front of Daedalus Central Square. Most of them were from Loki Familia and Hephaestus Familia.
This expedition was initiated by Loki Familia, while Hephaestus Familia sent along a large number of craftsmen to handle weapon repairs and forging. Naturally, the main participants this time were members from these two Familias.
Of course, there was one more Familia, unmentioned, with only a single member—Hestia Familia.
Because Hestia Familia only had one member, few even realized it was also participating in this expedition led by Loki Familia.
To see their children off, Loki, Hephaestus, and Hestia had all shown up today.
There were even a few people present who normally wouldn't be.
For instance, Dionysus, dressed in elegant attire, accompanied by a black-haired elf girl.
And Hermes, wearing his familiar feathered cap, followed by the Hermes Familia captain, "Perseus" Asfi.
"Dionysus, didn't think I'd see you here too."
As an old acquaintance, Hermes immediately strolled over when he spotted him, slinging an arm around Dionysus's shoulder like they were the best of friends.
Dionysus glanced at the hand on his shoulder with a blank expression, restraining the urge to slap it off. Why did this shameless guy always manage to irritate him so much?
"Hermes, stop greeting me like this."
"Oh? You mean you're not happy to see me?"
"Do I look happy to you? I came to accompany my child to see off her friend, and then I run into you."
Dionysus didn't bother to sugarcoat anything when talking to Hermes—he might as well have had the word 'annoyed' written across his face.
But Hermes just brushed it off with his usual grinning shamelessness.
"Don't be like that. We're both Familia Gods here to send off our children—how often does that happen?"
Dionysus still looked annoyed, but he was curious about Hermes showing up today.
"Your kid has a friend going on this expedition too?"
"Not exactly. More like... partners."
There was a hint of sentimentality in Hermes's tone as he glanced at Asfi beside him, a trace of regret showing on his face.
"My child's a bit older than yours, and because of that, she doesn't have many friends her age."
"...Isn't that your fault? Don't you ever think about why your kid ended up with so few friends?"
In Dionysus's view, this was clearly Hermes's doing. The guy was always unreliable—that was the real issue.
Even Dionysus, an outsider, knew just how much Asfi had to deal with on a daily basis.
Hermes, of course, just laughed it off as usual.
"That's a Familia God's way of training their children. If it weren't for me, my Asfi wouldn't have grown this quickly."
Dionysus nearly rolled his eyes at that shameless remark. This guy really knew how to glorify himself.
At that moment, Dionysus also noticed Hestia standing among the crowd.
"Hestia? Her child is part of this expedition too?"
Dionysus was fairly familiar with Hestia—they had interacted quite a bit in the past. At the very least, he believed she was different from many other gods, someone worth befriending.
"Ah, her kid's mostly just tagging along."
"The one who collaborated with Hephaestus before—that was her child. Looks like Loki Familia's expedition is more of a learning experience for them."
"Oh, so those Rune Stones that caused such a stir were made by Hestia's child?"
"You didn't know?"
Hermes widened his eyes in mock surprise.
Dionysus gave him a blank look. Why did Hermes always act like he was supposed to know everything?
"I knew about her working with Hephaestus, and even her involvement with Loki. But I've barely heard anything about Hestia having a child."
Dionysus had long been curious about what kind of person Hestia's child was, but that kid had barely ever appeared in public...
While he could look up the basic info, that kind of snooping just felt unpleasant to him. It wasn't something he did unless absolutely necessary.
"I always thought, with Hestia's personality, she would've been eager to show her child off. But she's kept them hidden all this time—even after doing so much."
"Well, if it were the old Hestia, yeah, she'd probably have bragged about it during one of her arguments with Loki. But it seems her child doesn't like being in the spotlight, so she held back."
Hermes's explanation genuinely surprised Dionysus.
"Huh... even Hestia's changed?"
"Yep, even Hestia—once called the 'virgin goddess' in Tenkai—has changed."
That label made Dionysus frown slightly.
"That title... wasn't it something Apollo came up with just to mock certain goddesses? It's not exactly appropriate to throw it around like that."
"I didn't think you'd say that. Honestly, I expected you to say something like, 'So even Hestia's bloomed, huh.'"
"...Can you not lump me in with Apollo?"
He respected women, thank you very much. Especially Hestia. He'd never liked making her the butt of any joke.
Back in Tenkai, she had helped him more times than he could count, and Dionysus truly believed she was one of the kindest, most approachable goddesses he'd ever met.
When it came to goddesses he respected, Dionysus didn't mess around with lowbrow humor.
"And next time, don't assume my thoughts line up with Apollo's. I've got more self-respect than that."
'You're the one who speaks most bluntly out of all of us,' Hermes grumbled silently, though it was clear Dionysus genuinely held Hestia in high regard.
He just didn't know what Hestia had done to earn that respect.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 325: Chapter 325: Everything Changed After the Expedition
Chapter Text
Loki and Hephaestus formally met in the center of the square, with the leaders of their respective Familias standing beside them.
"Loki, most of the craftsmen I'm sending this time are skilled, Lv.2 or higher. Make sure my children come back in one piece."
"Ah, my kids are top-class—you can count on them to bring yours back safe."
It sounded like polite small talk, but Hephaestus had full confidence in the capability of Loki's children.
After all, blacksmiths weren't front-line fighters. Their job was to stay behind the lines, making sure Loki Familia's weapons held out through the fighting, and then repair them afterward.
In terms of roles, blacksmiths didn't face much direct combat pressure.
"So... the real issue is that."
"Yeah, that's definitely the issue."
Both Hephaestus and Loki sighed from the depths of their souls.
"Finn, you'll need to be extra careful this time. You already know the dangers of the Dungeon—and this time, there'll be more eyes watching you."
"I understand."
Finn knew exactly what she meant: the third-party faction in the Dungeon—the corrupted spirit-fetus forces. Last time on the 19th floor, those acid-spitting bugs and man-eating Violas had already shown they were acting independently. This time wouldn't be any different—if anything, it would be worse.
"If you're looking for safety measures, talk to that kid. I asked him yesterday—he's already come up with something that'll help ensure your lives."
As a god, Loki took her role seriously. She kept a tight watch on anything that involved her children's safety. That's why she had grilled Bell the day before.
She knew whatever he made was probably absurdly expensive—but when lives were on the line, there was no such thing as too expensive. Every member of Loki Familia was irreplaceable.
Naturally, Loki would do anything within her power to keep them safe.
Then she slung an arm over Finn's neck and spoke in a low voice only the two of them could hear:
"If things get dicey, talk to that kid and offer some money. As long as it's within a reasonable range, whatever solution he gives you won't disappoint."
"Also, keep a close eye on Cassandra's mental state. That girl's ability lets her glimpse incomprehensible futures. If she starts showing serious symptoms, that's a definite sign something bad is coming."
Loki's special instructions didn't fall on deaf ears.
Finn already knew about Bell-kun and Cassandra's dreams. Keeping those things in mind would help them avoid a lot of problems on this expedition.
"Finn, remember to use Haruhime's power wisely. Only by activating it at the right moment can you overcome the crisis ahead."
Finn's brow furrowed slightly. Loki's words carried a weight that unsettled him.
Expeditions were, by nature, journeys into the unknown. Risks were to be expected—just like with the old conflicts involving the Zeus and Hera Familias.
He was prepared to face danger, but the tone in Loki's voice hinted at something beyond the usual.
It felt as if she already knew what kind of trouble awaited them.
Still, Finn didn't question her directly.
Just as Loki had trusted him enough to give these warnings, he trusted that she wouldn't lead them astray.
This was just one of the many problems they'd have to face during the expedition.
...
Meanwhile, Hestia was seeing Bell off.
"Bell-kun, be especially careful this time."
"I know. You've said that more than enough already."
Bell would, of course, take care of himself. His safety wasn't something that needed constant worry.
"Hestia, make sure to keep a close watch on everything at home."
"Mm."
Knowing what Bell-kun was planning for this expedition, Hestia would naturally keep an eye on things from home.
"As for everything else, don't worry. Everything's going to proceed just as planned. At the very least, this expedition shouldn't face any major setbacks."
With the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus confirmed, the key point of this expedition was now the 59th floor.
According to the intel Bell had gathered, there had recently been signs of a suspected guardian from the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus near the food storage on the 24th floor—but it had retreated after being scared off by Freya Familia.
There had been a deviation from expectations—Freya Familia had gotten involved. But even with that, this expedition shouldn't be seriously affected by their presence.
It was highly likely that something similar would occur again on the 59th floor.
So the real turning point would happen during the operation on that floor.
However, the guardian on the 24th floor had fled, and it was still unclear whether the fetus had absorbed enough energy. If it hadn't, that could pose a serious problem.
Still, they'd have to wait and assess the situation directly on the 59th floor. There was time to adjust their plans accordingly.
"Make sure to stick with Hephaestus."
"Relax. I always do—you know that."
She really did know.
Bell had already come to his own conclusion on that. Across many days and nights, it had always been the case.
Although the reasons behind that arrangement weren't easy to put into words, the truth was evident.
He glanced over his shoulder and spotted a gray-haired girl standing at the edge of the central plaza.
'Freya-sama.'
He didn't need to double-check. The curiosity in her gaze alone confirmed it.
'So she came to watch too, huh?'
'Looks like her involvement in the 24th floor incident wasn't just by chance.'
It was only a hunch, but Bell had a strong feeling he was right. That intuition kept growing stronger by the second.
Still, there was no immediate danger.
As long as Freya didn't confirm her suspicions, her curiosity wouldn't spill over into action—at least not to the point of openly trying to steal someone away.
The sense of urgency remained, but with his strength improving so rapidly, it was gradually receding.
At the very least, he now had the power to protect himself. And once this expedition was complete, the overwhelming dominance of Orario would finally begin to shift. The power gap between Freya Familia and Loki Familia would no longer be so one-sided.
This expedition would change everything.
'Everything rides on this expedition!'
Chapter 326: Chapter 326: First and Second Teams
Chapter Text
'Ah... that child noticed me the moment I arrived.'
Disguised as Syr, a subtle smile curved across Freya's lips.
'That child really is something else. But he's also extremely cautious. Unless he chooses to reveal himself, I won't be able to see his true nature so easily.'
There were other methods she could use, of course—but Freya wasn't seeking an outcome that would turn them into sworn enemies. What she wanted was to confirm whether Bell was the one she had been waiting for.
If she acted too rashly and he turned out to be the one, that approach would only drive him onto a path that would never again intersect with hers—a parallel line with no chance of meeting. And that was something Freya absolutely couldn't accept.
So, no matter how strong her desire, she chose the more patient route—waiting for the moment when that child would reveal himself on his own.
After all, it was far easier to make an enemy out of someone than it was to win them over.
'Now is definitely not the time.'
Freya closed her eyes slightly, and in the next instant, the persona of Syr Flova quietly resumed control.
At the same time, as Freya withdrew her gaze, Bell turned his eyes away as well.
No matter what Freya did, this expedition would surely bring about change.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Loki clapped her hands loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the plaza.
"This expedition, just like the ones before, is headed for the unknown. For all of you, it'll be an incredibly difficult journey—but also one full of meaning."
"The fame you seek, the strength you desire—it all lies within the Dungeon. If you want it, then go down there and show what you're made of."
"I'll be right here, watching every step of your performance."
Just like always, she roused everyone's spirits with her words before the departure.
For adventurers, what they sought was simple: money, power, fame, and strength. And all of it had to be earned through their own hands. The Dungeon was the perfect place for that—a stage where every adventurer could truly shine.
"Finn, it's up to you now~"
Finn gave a small nod and stepped forward.
"Team One, led by Riveria and me, will head into the Dungeon first. Team Two will be under Gareth and Tsubaki, with Raul in charge of coordination and support."
"Our first checkpoint is the 18th floor. Teams One and Two will regroup and reorganize there."
It was a cautious formation for an expedition.
Team One would clear the path ahead, dealing with any threats, making it safe for Team Two to escort the more vulnerable members forward.
After all, exploring the unknown floors of the Dungeon was no laughing matter. It was better to take things slow and ensure every preparation was in place.
There were many newcomers this time as well, so taking care of them would make the path even more demanding.
Time was the least of their concerns.
Especially considering everything that had recently happened in Orario—there could easily be more lurking in the Dungeon. Taking it slow, with ample time for caution, was essential.
More than that, Finn had a gut feeling this expedition would be far from ordinary, especially with Loki's strange demeanor.
The teams had already been divided a few days ago, and even with the inclusion of Hephaestus Familia's blacksmiths, there was no issue.
That was why Team One and Team Two were kept entirely separate.
All the blacksmiths were in Team Two, where they'd avoid heavy combat entirely, meaning the journey up to the 50th floor would be relatively safe.
Of course, once they reached the 50th floor, safety would be up to fate.
Last time, even that "safe" 50th floor had seen an attack from acid-spitting worms sent by the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus. It proved that in the deeper layers, nowhere was truly safe.
If not for the threat from the Corrupted Spirit's Fetus, the 50th floor would have been considered secure.
With the teams sorted, Finn headed over to Bell, who was finishing up his conversation with Hestia.
"Bell-kun, you'll be joining Team One."
"Mm."
Bell had no objections. He'd prepared specifically to support the front line—this was exactly the kind of situation he had trained for.
This expedition was just as important to him. It was a chance to put his preparations to the test.
As he approached, Bell quietly said, "Details on the 18th floor later."
Finn paused briefly, then nodded in understanding.
After exchanging a glance with Hestia, Bell pulled up his hood and gradually faded from view.
Hestia had expected that, so as soon as Bell vanished, she turned and walked over to Hephaestus.
Hephaestus looked at her and said nothing. Everything was unfolding exactly as planned. What came next was no longer their responsibility.
Loki also chose that moment to quietly withdraw.
...
Soon, the main group had assembled at the center of the plaza.
Team One moved out first, fully prepared to advance toward the 18th floor.
Team Two followed more slowly—they were moving alongside the blacksmiths, which naturally slowed things down.
To be clear, it wasn't Loki Familia slowing them down—it was the Hephaestus Familia blacksmiths.
Loki Familia members, equipped with spatial pouches, could store vast amounts of supplies, needing only to carry their weapons and armor on their bodies.
Watching this, Hephaestus suddenly realized her own children didn't have any spatial pouches.
"...Looks like I'll need to ask them if they need any after this expedition."
"What was that?" Loki asked.
"Spatial pouches, of course."
Loki glanced at the Hephaestus kids lugging heavy blacksmith tools on their backs, then back at her own neatly geared members with their lightweight pouches. The contrast was glaring.
"They're practically essential. Your kids are often heading into the lower areas of the Dungeon for rare ores. If they had spatial gear, they could carry more and save a lot of time."
Spatial equipment had a wide range of uses—almost every adventurer could benefit from them.
While most blacksmiths didn't spend their time in the Dungeon, plenty still ventured in to collect materials. That's exactly the kind of situation where such tools came in handy.
"And you—honestly, I thought you'd already had that kid make a few for your Familia. Didn't expect you to be this slow."
Hephaestus had no comeback. She really had dropped the ball this time.
Part of it was that when the thought crossed her mind, She was already busy preparing everything for Bell. That left little time to make requests, and before long, she'd simply forgotten about her own children's needs.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 327: Chapter 327: Dual Commanders in Action
Chapter Text
‘The first eighteen floors are always the most boring.’
As part of the team responsible for clearing the path ahead, Bete really was feeling bored.
It wasn’t just his attitude—there simply wasn’t anything on floors 0 to 18 that could challenge a Level 5 like him.
Sure, everyone knew they had to move quickly, but most of these upper floors were basically training grounds for newcomers.
Even though the assault team was made up mostly of veterans, there were quite a few new recruits as well—Cassandra and Daphne, for instance, had joined the assault team not long ago.
Even Aisha and Haruhime were placed in Team One.
But their placement wasn’t due to combat ability. It was purely a matter of security—Haruhime’s special role made it too risky to leave her with Team Two, so she was placed with the main group for protection.
Though Bete found all of this boring, he didn’t complain. He just stood quietly to the side, watching the others deal with the monsters.
Eventually, his eyes landed on Daphne.
‘So a Level 2 can fight like this now?’
Daphne was on the front lines, striking with consistent speed and force. Despite being the most active of the bunch, she managed her stamina well. Her movements were smooth and controlled—signs she had reached the upper limits of Level 2.
‘She’s not on Ais’s level, not even close... but her skills are solid.’
Bete hadn’t forgotten how Daphne had taken the initiative to organize a squad of lower-level adventurers for the offensive. Under her lead, the Level 2s were striking with impressive coordination and efficiency.
‘She’s way more confident than Raul. At the very least, she’s second-team material.’
‘And it’s not just her. That other one’s not bad either.’
Among the attackers, one of the few Pallum stood out—an adventurer at the lowest level, which was unusual in itself. But in terms of controlling the rhythm of the fight, she was even more precise than Daphne.
Liliruca Arde had been seeking her own path ever since joining Loki Familia. She knew her natural abilities were lacking, so she focused her efforts on intelligence and battlefield command.
As a supporter, there was no shame in assisting others. The key was how effective that support could be.
"Vanguard, brace—right flank’s got a charging monster!"
"Spears ready, attack formation!"
The frontliners raised their shields and took the hit head-on. Most of them were built for power, and none of them were still at Level 1—upper floor monsters stood no chance.
Behind them, the spearmen—mostly Level 1s, some even new to the Familia—moved to attack. Their current goal was to strengthen their presence in the team and push beyond the limitations of Level 1.
Their strikes were still rough, but paired with the vanguard’s stability, they delivered decent damage. The constant fighting had sharpened their movements—they were no longer as stiff as before.
The upper floors didn’t demand intricate tactics. With clear commands, advancement was simply a matter of coordination.
As the synergy between front and rear guard grew, their pace steadily increased.
At this point, battle operations had naturally split into two squads.
One was an offensive unit with Daphne leading from the front lines. The other, a more cautious group guided by Liliruca in a supporting command role.
The two teams had different members and contrasting styles, but both were making far more progress than previous formations.
"They’re starting to sync up nicely."
Finn watched calmly as Liliruca and Daphne worked together. Under their command, the once-clumsy newcomers had grown noticeably more capable, with their attacks becoming smoother and more coordinated.
"If only we’d had more tacticians like them in the Familia back then."
He let out a sigh.
Back in the day, there weren’t many who could take up command roles. With the group split between Team One and Team Two, the responsibility of training new recruits had always fallen on him as captain. And each time, those rookies would move awkwardly, likely overwhelmed by having a Level 6 giving orders.
Finn couldn’t blame them. If he were a new recruit being commanded by someone that high up, he’d probably be just as stiff.
But now, with Daphne and Liliruca stepping in, things had become much easier. Seeing former novices move with such agility and confidence under their lead—improving in both coordination and pace—was nothing short of reassuring.
“Daphne’s more of a frontline commander. As an adventurer, she can’t dedicate herself fully to commanding, so her style still reflects that. On the upper and middle floors, it’s fine, but once we reach the lower or deeper levels, that’ll become a serious issue.”
Riveria had also been observing the two. Unlike Finn, who was simply relieved, she analyzed their command styles in detail, weighing which approach better suited the team.
“Liliruca, on the other hand, serves as the rear commander. As a supporter, she knows her strengths well and puts her full focus into leading from behind. That allows her to read the battlefield without letting an adventurer’s instincts get in the way. Her tactics may be a bit green for now, but she’s got the potential to go far.”
Finn shared the same sentiment.
While Liliruca’s identity as a Pallum naturally drew his attention, it was her command style that solidified his assessment.
Pallums weren’t blessed with high stats from the start, so they often had to carve out other paths.
Liliruca embodied that route perfectly—not one of raw talent like Finn, but a classic Pallum path: support and leadership.
Her pure focus on command, combined with her emerging talent, gave Finn confidence that she could go even farther down this path—possibly even beyond Raul.
“They both need more experience. We should give them room and time to really hone their skills.”
Both Daphne and Liliruca still had a ways to go.
Daphne clearly had the potential to one day lead the second team. If she raised her level just a bit more, breaking through Lv. 2 wouldn’t be far off.
As for Liliruca, Finn hoped she would eventually gain the ability to lead Team One, freeing him from the burden of command.
That was the hope, at least. Whether or not it came true would depend on continued training—and results.
Chapter 328: Chapter 328: My Child Was Born a Commoner!
Chapter Text
Bell's gaze also settled on Liliruca and Daphne.
'They truly are talented. Given the right environment, they'll definitely grow.'
In truth, Bell had anticipated their development—but he hadn't expected them to improve this fast. With some real-field experience, their growth would accelerate even more.
That's why a team needs diverse talent—to cover every angle without blind spots. But such diversity also brings its own challenges; testing people's hearts isn't easy.
Bell didn't comment on that process; he simply thought these two were perfect fits for Loki Familia. Here, they had enough resources and opportunities to shine. In a smaller Familia, they'd likely never reach their potential.
Nothing should change before they reach the 18th floor. Both teams were advancing steadily with no delays—the process was essentially about helping newcomers adjust to the Dungeon environment and fostering team synergy.
Loki Familia had always excelled at that.
Contrast this with Freya Familia, where most members were handpicked by Freya herself and generally highly skilled. When everyone's talented, coordination matters less. Freya Familia didn't have command issues—only Freya could lead that willful group. In courtly dramas, that's just vying for favor.
Bell dismissed his wandering thoughts; Freya Familia was a different case altogether, best left unexamined.
Refocusing, Bell quietly enjoyed watching.
For the newcomers of Loki Familia, this expedition was a real crucible—backed by high-ranking adventurers. It was exactly the kind of trial the Orario adventurers had been waiting for. With the Familia's support, it was the perfect stage to showcase their abilities.
The new recruits understood that, and now most low-level adventurers on Team One were giving it their all to stand out.
Liliruca and Daphne were setting the example—energizing everyone around them.
'Each of the other adventurers is itching to step forward. With Finn and the others backing them, this is going to get intense.'
That wasn't a bad thing.
Watching the first team battling fiercely on the front lines, Bell felt as though he was viewing an exciting film—utterly compelling.
The new members of the Loki Familia really are like a gathering of talent. While they can't quite match the raw potential of the top members from the Freya Familia, with time and growth, they could certainly become elite within the Loki Familia.
Here, when Bell refers to "elite," he means elite within the context of the Loki Familia.
Within Loki's Familia, Lv.6s are the pillars, Lv.5s are the core, Lv.4s make up the backbone, and Lv.3s are considered the elite.
For many Familias, reaching Lv.3 is already enough to be considered part of the core. But in Loki's Familia, the core of other groups would only count as "elite" here.
After seeing off their children, the three goddesses returned to their respective Familias.
Then, through a spatial channel within their bases, they arrived together at the Hestia Familia to observe the entire expedition.
"Oh~ Lili and Daphne are doing a pretty good job."
"Yeah, those two kids are handling things well. They each have their own way of coordinating the team, but in the end, both approaches are effective."
It was something no one could argue with. Even Hephaestus acknowledged that the two commanders from Loki's side were quite gifted. Though their styles differed, both succeeded in keeping their teams working together smoothly.
"Still, one of them is acting as a battlefield commander, using a style similar to Finn's. But that child doesn't yet have Finn's level of strength, so they can't fully manage both fighting and commanding at once."
"Hmm... that's true, but considering Daphne's strength and leadership skills, she's probably fit to command the second unit in the future."
Loki nodded slightly. Daphne had a strong inclination in her command style, but because she had experience, it hadn't caused any problems yet.
"Lili, on the other hand, is a pure commander. Mainly because she lacks strength, she focuses all her energy on strategy."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing. It's because she's not that strong that she puts everything she has into commanding. If she keeps at it, she might even be able to take over Finn's role someday."
"If that happens, Finn would probably laugh himself to death."
Finn, who had always been devoted to reviving the Pallum race, would surely be thrilled to see even a weaker member of his kind display such potential. That alone would probably be enough to make him smile.
But Loki could only sigh quietly in her heart.
Hephaestus also shook her head slightly. It was clear she felt that reviving an entire race was no easy feat.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you two sighing for? Isn't having a goal a good thing?"
Seeing them both sighing, Hestia pouted. For children of Genkai to have dreams was a good thing, even if they were hard to realize.
Loki shot a gloomy glance at Hestia. The more she saw her genuinely optimistic attitude, the more frustrated she felt.
"Do you think all kids are on the same level as yours?"
"Compared to yours, mine really are just ordinary folks."
Zeus's Familia, Hera's Familia... the child from that shorty's home was basically born into the top tier of society.
On top of that, there's that bizarre Authority. Even if that kid's ambitions are outrageous, Loki still thinks there's a good chance he could actually make them happen.
But her own children? That's a different story.
Reviving an entire race, relying solely on one person's strength, is just too much.
In a way, even Finn alone would never be able to accomplish that.
Unless Finn truly transforms from his self-proclaimed title of "Braver" into a real Hero, the revival of his race will remain out of reach.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 329: Chapter 329: Loki Is Just Frustrated Right Now
Chapter Text
That's exactly how it is. Just looking at his lineage, Bell's background practically surpasses that of every adventurer in Orario.
After all, he's the only one with ties to both Zeus's Familia and Hera's Familia.
While those identities might seem mundane now—since both Familias have long fallen from their former glory and are more like disgraced phoenixes than majestic ones—the true standout isn't that layer of pedigree. It's his aunt, the one known as "Silence," the so-called "Incarnation of Talent."
She's the woman who took down Leviathan in a single strike, widely recognized as the most gifted individual in all of Orario.
And Bell is her nephew.
"My children don't have the same outrageous connections as yours. Zeus's Familia, Hera's Familia, and even ties to that talent monster—what a freaky family."
Just thinking about Bell's hidden identity made Loki blurt out the complaint.
That "Incarnation of Talent" is actually this kid's aunt? Are you kidding me!?
That "Silence" woman had once gone toe-to-toe with the Lv.9 Empress while only being Lv.7—and came out unscathed. That's not just crossing a level. That's crossing two!
If his aunt is that kind of monster, then of course her nephew would carry some of that "unreasonableness."
So after learning Bell's background, Loki couldn't help but vent her jealousy with nonstop grumbling.
"He's not that much of a freak."
Hestia pouted. She didn't care if Loki called everyone else weird, but it was different when it came to Bell-kun.
"Hestia."
"Hm?"
Hestia turned to Hephaestus, who had been subtly motioning with her eyes, reminding her of what Bell had asked her to show Loki earlier.
"Oh right, Loki. Since we'll likely be working more closely together in the future, I might as well let you in on something."
"???"
Loki's head was full of question marks. This shorty was keeping secrets from her?
Hestia walked over and grabbed the paper that had Bell's updated status.
Loki immediately recognized it as that kid's data, but she looked completely unimpressed.
"Is this really necessary? I thought your kid was only Lv.2. Why are you even flaunting this... What the hell!?"
Loki had already suspected the kid was probably Lv.3—her last probe had hinted as much. But when she saw the number on the status sheet, her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
[Lv.4]
The updated status clearly showed Lv.4—not Lv.3.
All the basic stats were at I0, which meant he had just ranked up to Lv.4?
Was going from Lv.3 to Lv.4 that easy now?
Loki stared blankly at the updated status. It didn't show the exact numbers, but she knew they must've all hit their caps. Given that kid's personality, there was no way he would joke around with something as serious as his future.
So, if that kid wasn't joking, then the world had to be messing with her—Loki.
And that thought made her let out a hysterical scream.
"This kid's only been in Orario for three or four months, and he's already Lv.4? How the hell did he level up so fast?"
Even ascension doesn't move this fast!
Loki clearly remembered how long it took her own children to go from scratch to Lv.4—it took at least seven years.
Ais's growth was already considered incredibly fast, yet even she took six years to reach Lv.4.
Every time she leveled up, she'd max out her stats first before moving up.
Raising stats isn't easy. Once they hit a certain point, the growth rate slows dramatically. Even Finn and the others have been stuck at Lv.6 for ages. After each expedition, they're lucky if they gain one or two points.
So how did he reach Lv.4 in just three or four months? And with maxed-out stats no less?
Hestia clutched her ears, clearly overwhelmed by Loki's hysterical shrieking.
"Is it really worth getting this worked up over?"
"Is it necessary? You think it's not!?"
Seeing the shorty acting all "what's the big deal," Loki was half-laughing in frustration. This damn goddess was the textbook example of acting innocent after getting a good deal.
"I won't even bring up that brat's Authority, but even with that, how is he leveling up this fast? This... this is just outrageous!"
Yes, this was the moment Loki truly understood what it meant to be a "child of destiny."
She used to think Ais was the chosen one. Ais really did grow at a monstrous pace—breaking through Lv.2 in just a year, then climbing to Lv.6 in under ten. She was Orario's top prodigy, no doubt about it.
But even someone like Ais couldn't compare to that kid from the shorty's Familia.
Three or four months. Even giving him four, he went from nothing to Lv.4, picked up three Development Abilities—each of them rare types—and even had a universal Authority.
This setup was completely broken.
Loki couldn't help but want to report the kid for cheating.
"What about his magic and skills?"
Faced with Loki's barrage, Hestia just pouted.
"Come on. I already showed you his level and Development Abilities. Can't I keep a little mystery around his magic and skills?"
"My kid's secrets lie exactly in those areas. There's no way I'm putting them on display."
Of course that brat's magic and skills were the real trump cards!
Loki fumed silently. Today was supposed to be a good day, especially watching her own kids grow. But now she just felt miserable—completely in the dumps.
Hephaestus, seeing Loki sulking, gently tried to console her.
"Loki, your children are doing great too. You're just making the wrong comparison. How can you pit an ordinary child against one with Authority?"
"Finding another Bell with Authority in Genkai is basically impossible. So how could you expect your children to measure up to that?"
Her words were meant to be comforting, but to Loki, they hit all the wrong notes.
She knew it herself—comparing her kids to that damn brat was foolish. Just like Hephaestus said, you're not going to find another kid with Authority down here. Of course her children couldn't compete with someone like that.
Chapter 330: Chapter 330: Training Newcomers and the Reflections of Veterans
Chapter Text
The joint expedition of the Loki Familia and Hephaestus Familia soon arrived at the 18th floor, the "City of Rivira."
Considering the significant amount of time, stamina, and energy required for the expedition, they decided to pause on the 18th floor for a day to reorganize.
Reaching the deeper floors wasn't something that could be done in just a day or two. The Loki Familia almost always stopped at each safety floor to reorganize before continuing the conquest of the next levels. Each safety floor took roughly a day to clear, followed by another day for regrouping and recovery. So, for both teams to reach the 50th floor together, it would take at least eight days.
After all, this wasn't a small party of two or three people—it was an expedition involving a group of eighty. With numbers like that, speed wasn't the priority; ensuring the team's safety was.
Whenever the Loki Familia stopped on the 18th floor, they would spend a night in the City of Rivira. Doing so saved a day's worth of rations and gave everyone a chance to properly rest.
As regular customers, the innkeeper didn't try to gouge them. The Loki Familia were repeat clients, showing up for expeditions regularly. If he overcharged them now, how could he expect to keep their business in the future? Driving such a lucrative deal to a competitor would be more painful than losing money himself.
So, despite the sheer number of people they brought, the innkeeper actually offered them a very reasonable rate. While the price was still 30% higher than in Orario, that was only natural—this was the 18th floor of the Dungeon, after all.
The Loki Familia didn't mind the added cost, so they quickly checked into the inn they had reserved in advance.
"Hey, those kids have come a long way, haven't they?"
After hearing Finn and Riveria's evaluation of Liliruca and Daphne, Gareth was a bit surprised. He hadn't expected those two girls to show the most growth.
"No wonder things have been going so smoothly this time."
"The kids were split into different teams for the expedition, and each one made noticeable progress. It's gone even better than we expected."
The first half of the expedition was designed to help new members adapt to the Familia's expedition environment. It also served to build their confidence and give them room to grow.
That phase was usually difficult to get right, yet this time, it had gone surprisingly well.
"It's all thanks to Daphne and Liliruca's growth. Both of them have a knack for command, and they led their lower-level companions smoothly through the advance."
Finn was smiling as he spoke—partly because so many in the Familia had grown stronger, and even more so because one of them was a fellow Pallum.
"For the next stage, I'm planning to let Liliruca and Daphne keep proving themselves."
"The next part covers the middle and lower floors, huh? That's going to be a real test for those two."
Gareth couldn't help but worry whether the girls would be able to handle the pressure—leading expeditions on the middle and lower floors wasn't something just anyone could manage.
"It'll definitely be a challenge, but it should be a valuable experience for them."
Finn understood well that commanding on the Middle and Lower Floors was nothing like the Upper Floors. The monsters they faced were on a completely different level, and the strain it placed on a commander was far greater. Still, it was an excellent opportunity.
"Once we reach the deeper layers, I plan to have Liliruca and Daphne assist me with command. When I'm not actively leading, I'll teach them a few things about strategy and tactics."
"You're thinking of handing your position over to those two already?"
Riveria could tell from Finn's tone that he was preparing to pass on his command role.
Finn gave a slight nod.
"Once we get to the deeper floors, the pressure on me as a commander becomes intense. In the past, only a handful of people in our Familia could handle that kind of responsibility. I need someone who can support me with command decisions."
There was a trace of resignation in Finn's expression. After all, age was starting to catch up with him, and his energy wasn't what it used to be.
"Even if it's not a drastic drop, my stamina is clearly declining. So while I still can, I want to take this chance to start developing new talent within the Familia."
The issue of age and waning energy was something they could no longer ignore.
When the topic of age came up, Riveria and Gareth both fell a little silent.
"Yeah... we've reached that age ourselves, huh."
"Gareth, don't lump me in with you. Elves typically live close to five hundred years. I've only just entered my youth."
Riveria gave Gareth a sharp side-eye.
"Finn, don't you Pallum live longer than regular humans? And Gareth, it's the same with Dwarves, right?"
Caught out, Finn and Gareth scratched their heads awkwardly.
"Ahem... compared to pure-blooded humans, who barely make it to a hundred, most of us Pallum can live up to 150. But after about 120 or so, we start to lose that youthful vigor. Those last 30 years are pretty much retirement."
"Dwarves generally live to around 200. But we're not much different from the Pallum—once we hit a certain age, it's all about taking it easy."
Compared to pure humans, both Pallum and Dwarves had a clear edge in lifespan. Nearly double the time meant they also had more opportunity to prepare for what lay ahead.
"Then why are you even complaining?"
Riveria could hardly believe them—lamenting their age when they'd only gone through a third of their lives.
"Training new blood is something that takes time. It's not something we can rush."
"Our job is to guide them through more experiences—and make sure they come back safely. Everything else isn't for us to worry about."
That was what Riveria saw as the duty of a senior member.
To leave behind enough sparks for the Familia so it wouldn't fade away when their generation stepped down.
"Alright then. In that case, I should go have a talk with Bell-kun."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 331: Chapter 331: The Defect of the Substitute Straw Doll
Chapter Text
In the room at the inn, Bell sat quietly, resting his mind while waiting for someone to knock.
Suddenly, his eyes opened. The faint whisper of the wind had already told him someone was approaching.
"Come in. The door's not locked."
The person outside paused for a moment, then pushed the door open and stepped in.
It was Finn, who looked slightly surprised as he glanced at Bell sitting inside.
"You didn't even wait for me to knock this time, Bell-kun. How did you know I was here?"
"The wind told me."
Bell didn't say anything complicated—just gave a simple, honest answer.
"As I've grown more attuned to my use of runes, not only have my senses sharpened, but I've also started to instinctively pick up on the messages carried by the wind."
"Even though you deliberately relaxed your body to reduce noise and controlled your breathing to the point where I couldn't catch even a heartbeat or breath... you still couldn't avoid being detected by the wind."
"I see. So it's your magic."
Finn nodded in understanding.
He was well aware that Bell possessed a unique magic. Loki also knew quite a bit about it. In fact, Finn even suspected that Loki had grasped the essence of Bell's magic—which was probably why she kept saying things like, "If you run into trouble, just go find that brat."
"I've finished the lifesaving tool. It can indeed save someone in a critical moment—but it's not perfect."
Bell felt it was important to be upfront about this. He didn't want any misunderstandings or to be blamed if something went wrong because of its limitations.
"For example?"
Finn already understood that no life-saving tool could be truly perfect. To be honest, there was no such thing in all of Orario.
"The item I created can only block one fatal blow. It's based on some unique principles that allow it to redirect damage from a lethal attack, giving the holder a chance to survive."
"But that's where the problem lies. While the item can indeed save a life, it only works against a single, instantaneous fatal hit. If it's sustained, continuous fatal damage... the tool won't help."
Finn was momentarily stunned by the explanation, then his face twitched slightly.
This is what you call 'not perfect'?
He really wanted to toss those words right back at Bell and ask what kind of standards he had for perfection.
An item that could deflect a single fatal blow—that alone was incredible. Even if it only worked once, it was nothing short of a miracle in life-or-death situations.
In the Dungeon, adventurers feared nothing more than losing their lives. A chance to survive a fatal blow was the same as being handed a second life.
That's why Finn felt the need to give Bell a reminder.
"Bell-kun, even just this much makes it an incredible tool."
"When adventurers run into danger in the Dungeon, it's extremely hard to save themselves. Even the best healers can't make up for a raw power gap. But if there's a tool that can save someone at a critical moment, then an adventurer might just have that one chance to risk everything."
To Finn, the stronger the adventurer, the more valuable such a lifesaving item became. When two sides are evenly matched, a single decisive gamble often determines the outcome. A tool that can deflect fatal damage is that one chance to tip the scales—literally a trump card in a life-or-death struggle.
So aside from saving lives, it's also a tool for survival gambits—a near-foolproof card to play when it counts most.
Honestly, Bell might just be underestimating what he created.
To him, the flaws were obvious, but for most adventurers, those flaws were probably negligible. In fact, some might consider it no different from a divine artifact.
"If Captain Finn doesn't see it as a flaw, then that's fine."
"But I still recommend exercising caution when using it. Personally, I think there are quite a few issues with this item."
As he spoke, Bell casually snapped his fingers. Ten straw doppelgangers floated into the air.
The materials weren't anything special. The key was forging a unique causal link between the straw figure and the real person. That link would allow fatal causality to be transferred to the straw doll in a critical moment.
Because the function was so direct, its effect was just as simple—no additional abilities, no extra perks. Just one purpose.
"The method to use them is easy too. Drip your blood onto the straw doll. Once it absorbs enough, it transforms into a miniature version of the user. As long as it's kept nearby—or even in a spatial pouch—it can act as a death substitute when needed."
Absurd!
Once again, Finn mentally reaffirmed how outrageous this thing was. Just feed it enough blood, and it could take a fatal blow in your place? That's no ordinary tool—it's a literal lifesaving artifact.
Wait.
"Bell-kun, did you say 'enough blood'? How much are we talking here? Not too much, I hope?"
"Ah? No, no—it's not just a drop or two, but it's not like it'll suck you dry. As long as there's someone nearby to heal you, the most it'll cause is a bit of anemia. That's one of its downsides."
With less than three days to prepare, Bell had only been able to craft something with some flaws. Given more time, he could've made a better version.
But for something needed urgently for survival, the straw doppelgangers met the client's needs. Even with limitations, as long as the user could tolerate them, the tool would do its job.
Sure, it had issues—but considering what it could do, Finn wasn't concerned.
As long as they didn't start bleeding all over the battlefield, the blood cost was manageable. With the short prep time they had, drawing a bit of blood was hardly a problem.
"I understand."
As long as he kept it in mind, he could have Riveria and Cassandra monitor things during use.
Finn gathered up the straw doppelgangers and stored them in his spatial pouch.
"...Ah, right. These straw figures aren't exactly cheap."
Bell made sure to point that out.
"I figured. There's no way a tool like this would come cheap."
Finn had already anticipated that.
"But let's settle the bill after the expedition. We should be able to bring back a good haul this time—enough to cover the remaining costs."
He was confident in that.
During previous expeditions, they'd had to prioritize food and essentials, which made it hard to carry back monster drops and materials. That had cut into their earnings.
But the materials dropped by monsters in the deep levels of the Dungeon were worth a fortune. Many of them were rare resources unavailable even in Orario. If they could haul back enough, they'd be in for a sizable profit.
Chapter 332: Chapter 332: Does Orario Really Have Something This Absurd?
Chapter Text
Finn returned with the straw doppelgangers and immediately gathered a few people into the room.
"...!?"
"What the hell is this thing!?"
Bete was the first to shout in disbelief after hearing Finn's explanation. His eyes went wide as he exclaimed.
Surprisingly, everyone else agreed with his reaction. The ability to redirect fatal damage? That was completely absurd. Wasn't that basically giving someone an extra life?
"It's seriously insane."
Tione also found the tool's function far too over-the-top and couldn't help voicing some concern.
"Captain, does this thing really work like that? If it does... why hasn't something like this ever shown up in Orario?"
Her tone made it clear she had doubts about something so outrageous.
After all, if an item that granted an extra life actually existed in Orario, it would have sold out just like spatial pouches. So why had no one ever seen one?
Finn already had an idea.
"I think it has something to do with Bell-kun's personality."
"His personality... yeah, that makes sense. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who'd make something like this publicly known."
Riveria thought back to how Bell had always operated. She agreed with Finn's theory—but she also believed it wasn't just about personality. There had to be something more behind the creation of such an outlandish item.
"Still, I doubt personality alone explains how something this ridiculous came to be. It's not even the kind of thing you hear rumors about—it flat-out shouldn't exist. Even if the 'Perseus' made something, it wouldn't come close to this."
"Ordinary magic could never reach that level. Even I, as an elf, have never heard of such an outrageous spell."
"But I think Loki already knows what's going on."
"Yeah, I think so too."
Riveria's deduction matched what Finn had been thinking all along.
"This isn't like those Rune Stones we used in the past. And judging by Bell-kun's attitude, he didn't even see it as a big deal. He even called it 'imperfect.'"
It was absurd.
Everyone there was a Level 5, and they all twitched at the thought. To call something like that flawed—what would it take for him to consider something 'perfect'?
"Bell-kun's magic definitely has aspects we haven't figured out yet."
There was something seriously off about this so-called magic. Finn even suspected it wasn't magic at all—it was something much more unbelievable.
"Before the expedition, Loki said something to me: 'If you run into trouble, go find that kid.' I remember thinking her tone was oddly vague at the time... but now, I'm sure of it. Loki definitely knows Bell-kun's secret."
At that point, Finn fell silent. Something about Loki's attitude didn't sit right with him anymore.
During this expedition, Finn couldn't shake the feeling that Loki knew something was going to happen—like someone was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
'Is it just my imagination?'
But his instincts told him this feeling wasn't wrong. Still, Loki didn't seem like the type to play games with them without reason.
'So... is Loki involved in this? Or maybe even Bell-kun?'
That possibility made Finn feel less certain about how this expedition would unfold. If he followed that line of thought, it was hard to imagine what kind of absurd scenario they might run into.
"Riveria, Gareth, Ais, Bete, Tione, Tiona, Lefiya, Raul, and Haruhime—apply your blood."
"You'll all be involved in the operation beyond the 50th floor, and I've got a bad feeling about this expedition."
There were ten straw doppelgangers. Including himself, everyone Finn selected to take part in the post-50th floor strategy would get one.
"Finn, there's one missing."
"Huh? Missing?"
"Tsubaki's."
Finn blinked. Riveria's reminder brought him back—he had completely forgotten that Tsubaki would also be joining them beyond the 50th floor. To ensure her safety, she needed one too.
"You all go ahead and use yours. I'll speak to Bell-kun and sort hers out."
Everyone needed one of the straw doppelgangers. This expedition would bring them into uncharted territory, and there was no telling whether they might clash directly with the Dungeon's spirit forces. Preparing insurance was essential.
Tsubaki definitely needed one as well.
That said, Finn wasn't too worried. The Hestia and Hephaestus Familias were in collaboration, and getting an extra straw doppelganger from Bell for Tsubaki shouldn't be a problem.
In fact, Bell was already standing outside Tsubaki's room.
Knock knock knock!
The door opened quickly. Tsubaki stepped out wearing a simple bathrobe—without even a breast wrap.
'They're huge... and tan.'
Size-wise, she was no less impressive than Hephaestus. With her bold, carefree nature and tall, fiery figure, she was undeniably striking.
Bell gave her a brief glance, then respectfully looked away.
"Hmm? Bell-kun?"
Bell...kun?
The nickname threw him off a little, but considering Tsubaki's easygoing attitude, it was probably just how she addressed people.
"Captain Tsubaki, I need to talk to you. Sorry if I'm disturbing your rest."
"Ah, it's fine. Come in."
Tsubaki waved it off with a laugh, brushing her hair aside and stepping back to let him in.
Bell entered and closed the door behind him.
Given the time constraints, he skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point.
"Captain Tsubaki, this expedition might get rough. You'll need to be fully prepared."
"Hephaestus-sama asked me to pass this message along."
"Goddess-sama, huh?"
Tsubaki scratched her cheek, a little surprised that Hephaestus had sent Bell-kun to deliver a message. Why hadn't she just told her directly before the expedition?
Still, she wasn't too bothered. There'd been plenty of times when she got so absorbed in forging that she missed what the goddess said. This was probably just another one of those moments.
"That's all she said?"
"Yes. Also, Hephaestus-sama asked me to give you this."
Tsubaki looked at the doll in Bell's hand with a hint of confusion.
"A scarecrow? What's it for?"
"It's a lifesaving tool. A straw doppelganger that can block fatal damage meant for the user."
Tsubaki's eyes widened.
At that moment, only one thought crossed her mind—
Orario has something this insane!?
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 333: Chapter 333: Tsubaki, Master of Manipulating Hearts
Chapter Text
"Orario actually has something this ridiculous?"
Tsubaki could hardly believe her ears. Did she hear that right? Something that could block fatal damage to the user?
When did Orario get its hands on such an insane item?
"It's not that ridiculous. Maybe I didn't explain it well earlier. It transfers fatal damage to a substitute scarecrow. It's a lifesaver, but that's all it is—just something that can save your life."
Isn't that basically the same thing?
Tsubaki honestly couldn't tell the difference. Even as just a blacksmith, she knew how rare something like this was in Orario. Any adventurer who regularly explored the Dungeon would probably react like they were seeing their own father if they saw this thing.
"Bell, where did you get something like this?"
"Of course, I made it myself."
"What!?"
Tsubaki had still been looking into the scarecrow's eyes when Bell's words caught her off guard. She stared wide-eyed at the boy in front of her, at least a decade younger than her. Her mind spun, and she instinctively wanted to make sure she hadn't misheard.
"Bell, did I hear that right? Did you just say you made this?"
"If I didn't make it, then how would I have it?"
"Well... that's true."
Faced with Bell's counter, she couldn't come up with a response.
At the very least, Tsubaki was sure this couldn't have been something bought. If something like this had really appeared in Orario, every Familia and adventurer would be fighting over it. There's no way it would end up in the hands of a rookie adventurer.
If it wasn't acquired, then the most likely explanation was that he made it himself.
But for something this insane to come from a boy who had just become an adventurer—that made Tsubaki a little unsure of herself, even after getting the answer.
"How did you even make something this crazy, Bell?"
This thing was outrageous beyond belief.
Tsubaki had been a blacksmith for ages, and she had never seen an item this absurd.
"The process is my own secret technique. Something like this isn't meant to be circulated in Orario. If it ever did, I'd be in serious trouble."
Tsubaki nodded in full agreement.
"No doubt. If something like this started spreading in Orario, it'd be total chaos."
An item that could save someone's life would be worth its weight in gold, something every Familia and adventurer would fight to the death for.
"It's impressive that you were able to make something like this. But honestly, I think you should put it away. This isn't something to hand out lightly."
Tsubaki looked at the scarecrow in her hands, then pushed it back toward Bell.
"No need."
Bell shook his head slightly and pushed it right back to her.
"We'll need it for this expedition. Think of it as insurance."
Tsubaki paused for a moment, and a spark of insight lit up the eye not hidden by her eyepatch.
"Bell, you're planning something with this expedition, aren't you?"
"That's right. But this time, the expedition is taking place under the watchful eyes of Hestia-sama, Hephaestus-sama, and Loki-sama."
"The gods themselves are involved?"
Tsubaki scratched her cheek in disbelief. No wonder Bell was bold enough to pull something like this off.
"So this is a joint trial organized by the gods?"
"I really can't say. I'm only telling you this much because you're the captain of Hephaestus Familia. But that's as far as I can go. I don't want Captain Finn and the others to suspect anything."
Bell's words immediately clued Tsubaki in.
"So the target is Finn and his group, huh."
"And Loki-sama's involvement is meant to steer their path?"
Bell simply smiled without answering, and Tsubaki nodded knowingly, dropping the topic.
"In that case, I'll take it."
She didn't need to hear the finer details. Knowing that Bell had the gods' approval was enough.
As for the substitute scarecrow, it really did seem to be nothing more than insurance. That meant this expedition carried a serious risk to their lives.
Tsubaki realized this wasn't a matter of whether she wanted to take it—she had to. Otherwise, it could cost her life when it mattered most.
"Bell, that trick Finn and the others have for pulling things out of nowhere—is that your doing too?"
Since she already accepted the scarecrow, Tsubaki saw no need to hold back and asked directly.
If Bell was capable of making something as outrageous as that scarecrow, then it wasn't far-fetched to think he was behind Finn's ability too.
Bell understood her immediately and pulled out a small pouch.
"A space pouch. As long as certain methods are used, the user can establish a link with the internal space and retrieve or store items through it. Of course, it can't be used to take things from other people."
Tsubaki's eyes lit up as she stared at the small pouch.
"Oh! So that's how Finn and the others were retrieving things so easily? And you didn't think to tell me about this amazing tool?"
"I doubt anyone would share something like this outside their own Familia."
"Yeah, that's true. If our Familia had something like this, I wouldn't spread the word either."
After hearing Bell's explanation, Tsubaki thought about it and had to admit it made sense.
Space-type items were truly rare in Orario. If she had something like that, she wouldn't let outsiders know either.
Then, her eyes gleamed with a new idea. With a flattering smile, she sat down beside Bell and wrapped an arm around his neck.
"Bell, since you can make something like this, could you make a few for us in Hephaestus Familia? With a space item like this, it'd be so much easier for us blacksmiths to get in and out of the Dungeon."
As a well-known Level 5 blacksmith in Orario, Tsubaki understood all too well how difficult it was for craftsmen to mine inside the Dungeon.
Every time they went down to dig or gather materials, they had to carefully consider how much they could carry. Otherwise, they might not even be able to bring the ore back safely.
But if they had a space item like this, going in to mine or collect materials would be much easier.
Sensing the sincerity behind Tsubaki's plea, Bell gave a little ground.
"Tsubaki, if it's just for you, I can give you a few more. But Hephaestus Familia has a lot of people, and I don't want my secrets getting out."
"Hmm... fair enough."
It wasn't quite what she hoped for, but knowing she could make more trips to the Dungeon and solve material issues was good enough.
With enough space pouches, she could easily haul back bags full of high-grade materials.
Chapter 334: Chapter 334: Internal Supply
Chapter Text
He cut his hand and let the blood drip onto the substitute scarecrow. After nearly thirty seconds, the blood-soaked straw doll gradually transformed into a miniature version of Tsubaki. The connection was complete—but the prolonged bleeding had left Tsubaki noticeably pale.
Bell reached out and lightly traced the bleeding area on her hand. The flow stopped almost instantly, with only a small cut still oozing.
"Oh! Bell, you can heal too?"
To Tsubaki, it looked like magic.
She knew Bell had some unique magic, but healing like this—especially without chanting—was rare in Orario. She hadn't heard a single spell. Did healing magic without incantations even exist here?
Right now, everything about Bell could be summed up in one word—'bizarre'.
"It's just another way of applying what I know."
Bell didn't act proud in the slightest. Seriously, anyone who understood Runes could do this. He was just doing what was natural.
If he hadn't acquired the Rune magic from the Caster Hound, he wouldn't have been able to reach this point. It was thanks to the versatility of Runes that he'd come this far.
"Alright, the link between you and the substitute scarecrow is complete. If you suffer a fatal injury, it will automatically transfer to the doll. But remember—only fatal damage can be redirected."
Bell made sure to stress that point after confirming the connection.
"I got it. I'll remember."
Tsubaki's face was still a bit pale. She'd lost a lot of blood—half a minute of steady bleeding was no joke. No matter how tough someone was, they couldn't handle that kind of blood loss.
An adventurer's blood volume was fixed. Without healing magic to replenish what's lost, the resulting weakness wouldn't go away.
Bell gave a small nod and brought out four more space pouches. Including the one he'd taken out earlier, that made five—just as promised.
"Tsubaki, drip the rest of your blood onto these space pouches. I'll handle the linking."
No wonder he didn't heal all the cuts on my hand.
Noticing the small wound still on her palm and the blood still seeping out, Tsubaki grinned and dripped blood onto each of the five pouches.
Bell waved his hand over them, and the blood was quickly absorbed. The link with Tsubaki was successfully established.
"Done. You only need to wear one space pouch regularly. The others can be stored inside that main pouch. When you need one, just take it out and use it."
"And one more thing..."
Bell lightly snapped his fingers.
Snap!
A faint green glow surrounded Tsubaki's body. As the light settled over her, the dizziness faded, and the weakness from blood loss seemed to vanish, as though her body had been replenished.
"That should count as treatment."
"Whoa!"
Tsubaki looked at her hand in amazement. The cut in the center of her palm was completely healed, and her strength had fully returned. She felt incredible.
"Bell, I remember you sell Rune Stones, right? Do you sell any with healing effects?"
"..."
Bell knew his Rune healing could rival, if not surpass, even the most expensive recovery potions on the market—but this wasn't something he could just sell.
"I'm sorry, Tsubaki, but I really can't sell this."
"You have to understand, a lot of Familia in Orario make a living off potion crafting. If I started selling that kind of Rune Stone, our Hestia Familia might end up in a death feud with them."
Taking away someone's livelihood is no different from taking their family.
The appearance of Rune Stones had already cut into the profits of many magic sword businesses. While the offensive-type Rune Stone available for sale was just one kind and didn't hurt high-grade magic sword sales much, it hit the low-end market hard.
Even with less favorable attributes, a single Rune Stone only cost 100,000 Valis, yet its effects were comparable to a magic sword.
A low-grade magic sword could cost millions of Valis. But for the same price, you could buy dozens of Rune Stones, each one matching a sword in raw damage. That was enough to shake up the entire market.
Bell had only introduced Rune Stones in the first place because he had no choice. If he didn't get his name out there, no one would take the rest of the Rune Stone business seriously.
But now that Rune Stones had become well-known, Bell didn't want new types flooding the market in Orario...
After hearing this, Tsubaki finally realized just how much their own magic sword business had been impacted. She remembered how much of a headache it gave her when she first found out.
"You're right. If those Rune Stones hit the open market, they'd make us some serious enemies."
"When you released Rune Stones back then, it hit our low-grade magic sword business hard. If your Rune Stones hadn't been sold through our Familia's channels, we might've suffered even more."
Low-grade swords just couldn't compete with Rune Stones in cost-performance. Hephaestus Familia had no choice but to phase out that part of the business.
Fortunately, Bell hadn't rolled out more Rune Stone variants. Otherwise, the whole magic sword industry might've collapsed.
Even so, Hephaestus Familia got off easy. Since the Rune Stones were sold under their name, losing the low-end sword market didn't matter—the Rune Stone market more than made up for it. In fact, they sold even better than magic swords and were turning a good profit.
Tsubaki also understood just how many people Bell had offended with Rune Stones.
What made it worse was how good the effects were. There was nothing to criticize—people had no choice but to buy.
Besides the fire-type offensive Rune Stones, both "Weapon Sharpening" and "Self-Enhancement" were bestsellers. Every time they were released, they sold out instantly.
Even though those two sold for 500,000 Valis apiece, buyers still lined up for them.
Tsubaki knew full well—when something works that well, only a fool would pass it up. For adventurers, they were some of the most useful and practical consumables out there. It didn't take long before those three Rune Stone types were selling just as well as potions.
If Bell ever released a healing-type Rune Stone, the Potion-making Familias would be flooding the Guild with complaints.
But Tsubaki quickly thought of a workaround.
"Then how about you do what you did with Loki Familia—supply us with a few special Rune Stones for internal use?"
"...It's not out of the question. But most of them wouldn't be useful for blacksmiths. If you're interested, I can give you a list."
"That'd be great."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 335: Chapter 335: Except for Tiona
Chapter Text
After a brief rest on the 18th floor, the team quickly began the second phase of their expedition.
Their target this time was the safe zone on the 28th floor.
Since the 28th floor wasn’t a gathering point constructed by the Adventurers' Guild, there would be no further opportunities to resupply after this. The 18th floor was their last chance to stock up.
Fortunately, they had brought enough provisions for the journey, so Finn wasn’t too concerned about running out.
With everything ready, the first party swiftly began their planned advance.
"Finn, how come the Floor Boss didn’t respawn this time?"
Tiona had actually thought about this question when they began the next leg of their expedition.
Finn had chosen to rest on the 18th floor not just for recovery, but also to wait for the Floor Boss’s respawn. Yet even after waiting a full day, there was still no sign of it, which led him to decide to continue the expedition.
"Someone else probably dealt with it."
"Huh? There are others interested in Goliath?"
Tiona folded her arms behind her head, pondering who might’ve taken their prey. But was there really anyone bold enough to move in on it?
Would those monsters even bother stealing a kill from them?
"No need to think too hard about it, Tiona."
"Hmm? Finn, are you saying I’m dumb?"
"No, just that thinking about it doesn’t lead anywhere useful."
Finn didn’t think it was worth dwelling on. Challenging Goliath would generally come down to two motivations—materials or Excelia. But judging by those, no one seemed like a good fit.
"Based on the timing, Goliath should’ve respawned two or three days before we started the expedition. That means anyone could’ve taken it down, and tracking down the culprit would be near impossible."
Alright, Tiona admitted she was a bit clueless. She really had no idea who could’ve taken down Goliath.
Still, it didn’t matter if she was clueless—as long as the captain was smart.
Curious, Tiona asked,
"Finn, who do you think did it?"
"Only the one who did it would know for sure. But it’s not like we have no clues at all."
Finn wasn’t too concerned about who exactly killed Goliath, but the information they had gathered did interest him.
"Goliath’s estimated respawn should’ve been two to three days before the expedition. According to Bors, there was no sign of Goliath at that time, and no Familia entered Rivira during that period either."
"What? Then that’s not a clue at all!"
Tiona let out a disappointed sigh after hearing Finn’s explanation.
But Bete, standing nearby, scoffed.
"You idiot, Finn means the lack of any signs is exactly what’s suspicious."
"Whether or not Goliath was killed, the real issue is that no one in Rivira heard anything from the 17th floor. That means whoever did it either had everything perfectly prepared... or was strong enough to one-shot Goliath."
Ignoring Bete’s insult, Tiona finally understood what Finn had meant.
Tione, who was next to her, followed up with an explanation to clarify further.
"Someone capable of instantly killing Goliath wouldn't have done it at such a critical moment, so whoever killed Goliath must have planned it thoroughly—most likely for the ‘Excelia’ needed to level up."
Riveria nodded in agreement and offered her own analysis.
"The fact that no one in the City of Rivira on the 18th floor heard anything from the 17th floor means the killer used significant soundproofing—probably barrier-type magic."
"A solo kill on a Level 4 Goliath, using sound-blocking barriers, intentionally avoiding detection by other adventurers, and acting just before our Familia's expedition..."
By this point, the clues were more than enough.
Tiona couldn’t shake the feeling that all of this sounded familiar—like someone was deliberately describing a specific person. After thinking it through for a moment, it finally clicked.
"That sounds like Bell-kun!"
Tiona’s realization earned her a look of disdain from Bete.
"You only just figured that out? You're seriously dumb."
"What did you just say, you stupid mutt!?"
Fed up with the teasing, Tiona launched herself at Bete, jumping onto his back and grabbing his ears with both hands.
"You crazy woman, get off me!"
"No way! Not unless you apologize!"
"Hah!? Like I’d apologize to an idiot!"
The two of them broke into their usual scuffle, neither backing down—something that happened all the time between them.
None of the nearby Loki Familia members were surprised. In fact, everyone instinctively gave the pair a wide berth.
Their spats were practically a trademark of the Loki Familia.
"So, Bell-kun leveled up to Lv. 4 to earn ‘Excelia’?"
Faced with Riveria’s question, Finn fell silent, unsure how to respond.
In the end, he just gave a slight shake of his head.
"I’m not sure."
"Ais used to be the fastest to level up in Orario—she reached the required stats and gathered enough ‘Excelia’ in a single year. But Bell-kun’s case seems even more abnormal."
"I knew it! I told you that kid wasn’t normal!"
At that moment, Loki, seated among the Hestia Familia while sipping her drink and watching the scene unfold, echoed the sentiment.
Hephaestus gave her a sidelong glance, but even she couldn’t deny Bell’s peculiarity.
"Finn and the others really went there... linking Bell to the Floor Boss incident just like that."
"Hmm... Bell-kun’s actions are just that distinctive. He's so meticulous that he leaves no trace, and that’s exactly why Loki's children were able to recognize it was him."
Hestia understood clearly now why Loki Familia could pinpoint the culprit so accurately.
"Hmph, pretty impressive, right? My children are sharp too."
It was Loki’s turn to be proud.
While Hestia’s child was undoubtedly an anomaly beyond conventional reasoning, the experience of Loki’s children was no trivial thing. Their years in Orario were finally paying off.
"Tch, it’s not like I can’t admit that."
Hestia pouted but watched Finn and the others on the screen with genuine admiration.
That they could identify Bell-kun as the one who defeated the Floor Boss just from his methods showed just how sharp Loki Familia’s members really were.
Chapter 336: Chapter 336: Greed Will Be Punished
Chapter Text
Bell, who had been quietly moving within the group, naturally overheard the conversation between Finn and the others.
'As expected of Loki Familia… they figured it was me just from how I acted.'
'So now being overly cautious has become my trademark...'
He let out a sigh. He hadn’t left behind any clues—but it was precisely that lack of clues that tipped them off.
Maybe being too cautious actually made him more suspicious. If he’d acted more naturally, perhaps no one would’ve noticed.
Bell couldn’t help but wonder if he should start handling things differently. After all, caution had always been his approach. But the way Loki Familia reacted made him realize that even his caution wasn’t perfect.
'No... better not to change how I operate so easily.'
Though a bit shaken, Bell had no intention of changing his methods.
Maybe this time things went wrong because of his caution, but that didn’t mean caution itself was a mistake.
The truth was—he’d been impatient.
Yes, the real problem was his own impatience.
He’d wanted to earn "Excelia," and he had also been hoping this last effort would push him into a level-up. That greed had gotten the better of him.
And that greed was exactly what led to him getting exposed.
After sorting through his thoughts, Bell sighed again.
'Greed ruins everything…'
He pulled out a notebook from his four-dimensional space and, on a fresh page, wrote the words: “Greed is dangerous.”
It wasn’t in the language of this world, but in the language of his previous life—so he wasn’t worried about anyone understanding it.
He had prepared brand-new notebooks before setting out, specifically to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Bell now clearly understood the consequences of letting his greed take over.
The next time he felt tempted, he’d remind himself of this. If he didn’t let go of greed, he could end up in an even worse situation than now.
It was still manageable that only Loki Familia had figured things out. But if anyone decided to dig deeper, all the little oversights he hadn’t paid attention to might become glaring flaws.
With a shake of his head, Bell tossed the notebook back into his four-dimensional space and continued moving forward with the team.
...
From the 20th floor onward, monster encounters became more frequent. Their hides grew tougher, and ordinary attacks struggled to break through.
Daphne was the first to feel the pressure. Her weapon could no longer slice cleanly through flesh like it had above the 18th floor, and that added strain weighed heavily on her.
“Damn it...!”
She stepped back with a practiced retreat.
"Rear guard, stay alert! Two bows, enchant with wind attribute!"
"Frontline, advance!"
"Yeah!!"
The shield-bearing vanguard pushed forward, holding the line against the monster horde, keeping them pinned behind their shields.
Behind them, the archers pulled out enchanted Rune Stones from their pouches and began applying them to their bows.
"Huuh!"
A swirl of pale wind wrapped around the bows. The archers quickly drew their strings, aiming precisely. Even the arrows shimmered with a faint breeze.
"Fire!"
Daphne, seeing the signal, shifted positions and gave the command.
Thwip!
Two arrows, carried on the wind, shot forward and pierced the heads of the monsters at the front. The force and enchantment didn’t stop there—the wind-infused shots tore through the front line and punched into the monsters behind.
An entire row of monsters fell where they stood.
Since the arrows hadn’t struck their magic stones, the corpses remained intact.
"It's that powerful?"
Daphne's eyes went wide. A whole row of monsters had just been taken out by two arrows?
"Wow, that’s insane!"
The two archers who had fired them were just as stunned. This was their first time trying enchantments on their bows. Cassandra had told them wind enchantments could boost their power, but for one arrow to wipe out an entire row of monsters? That was beyond their expectations.
Daphne snapped out of it first.
"Vanguard, stay alert!"
The frontliners, who had been staring in shock at the fallen monsters, scrambled to refocus—but it was too late. A worker bee had already slammed into them.
Bang!
The bee, about the size of a young girl, sent one of the vanguard staggering. If not for the sheer weight of his shield, the line might’ve collapsed right there.
The dwarf next to him quickly reached out and caught the tilting shield.
"Focus, man! This isn’t a game."
"Sorry, I didn’t expect the arrows to be that strong..."
"Yeah, no one did. But this isn’t the time to lose our heads."
The shaken vanguard, face flushed, gripped his shield tighter and locked his eyes on the monsters ahead, pushing all distractions aside.
Daphne let out a breath of relief, but caught a glint of danger from the corner of her eye and instantly dodged. A worker bee's sharp stinger barely missed skewering her.
Unfazed, she swung her wooden sword in a clean arc, slicing the bee clean in two.
When she turned back, the formation was holding—but the team’s focus was unraveling.
"Frontline, halt advance! Reorganize the formation!"
"Archers, prepare for round two!"
The frontliners dug in, planting their shields firmly to form a wall that kept the swarm of worker bees at bay.
Once she saw the archers ready, Daphne pulled a fire-red Rune Stone from her space pouch and hurled it forward at the right moment.
The stone burst midair into a fireball, slamming into the approaching bees.
"Fire!"
Two arrows launched, both enchanted with wind. As they passed through the flames, the breeze caught the sparks and triggered a secondary explosion—turning the arrows into blazing projectiles.
BOOM!!!
The mix of wind and fire transformed them into explosive arrows, detonating amid the monsters. Dozens of worker bees were incinerated instantly, breaking the swarm's momentum.
"Prepare flame-enchanted arrows!"
Seeing a chance to wipe out the hive, Daphne didn’t hesitate and gave the next order.
The two archers knocked arrows tipped with pre-attached fire Rune Stones and aimed directly at the hive.
"Fire!"
With the path clear, the arrows flew unimpeded and hit the hive dead-on.
A massive explosion rang out.
BOOM!!
Even stronger than the previous blast, the explosion obliterated the hive in the tree, leaving nothing behind.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 337: Chapter 337: Liliruca's Plan
Chapter Text
'Her destructive power isn't bad.'
Watching the small skirmish before him, Bell gave a slight nod.
The timing of the Rune Stone's use was actually quite decent. Every chance to attack had been seized. If the vanguard hadn't gotten too caught up in the shock of the power and lethality, Daphne’s performance this time would’ve been flawless.
'But Daphne was nearly hit by a monster. That’s a mark against her.'
Bell recognized Daphne’s strengths—but he also saw her flaws.
Compared to a full-time commander, her combat style was too aggressive.
Maybe that aggressiveness came from her desire to prove her value in front of her Familia. But in doing so, she exposed her own shortcomings.
It was the exact opposite of what she intended.
Still, Bell’s overall evaluation of her hadn’t changed. She clearly had considerable potential, though there was still room to grow in certain areas.
He didn’t know how Finn and the others would assess her, but to Bell, Daphne’s future definitely looked brighter than Raul’s.
The title of “High Novice” had essentially already defined Raul’s limits. Without remarkable talent, he was just average—and so were the achievements he could hope for.
Only adventurers with true talent could thrive in the Dungeon. The deeper you went, the clearer the gap between the talented and the ordinary became.
All things considered, Daphne had more than enough talent. With gifts in both magic and leadership, she had what it took to rise within the upper ranks of the Loki Familia.
'Talented people... really are different from the rest of us.'
Bell had never had a gift for command. His abilities were patched together bit by bit. Maybe someone else could’ve done the same if put in his shoes.
Which is exactly why he couldn’t let arrogance get the better of him.
His thoughts slowly settled his heart. The constant string of level-ups had made him restless lately. If he’d kept a steadier pace, the Loki Familia might not have caught on to his slip.
He didn’t rely on Runes to force calm. Instead, through reflection, the turbulence in Bell’s heart began to ease on its own.
What was done was done—there was no point in getting hung up on it.
If he really needed to dwell on anything, it should be how to be more cautious going forward.
With that thought, Bell turned his eyes to Liliruca.
Daphne had already proven her leadership. Now it was Liliruca’s turn to show what she could do.
Taking a deep breath, Liliruca stepped forward with her team, ready, and took Daphne’s place.
"Archers, begin reconnaissance."
The prepared archers gave a small nod and swiftly darted into the forest.
"Everyone else, get ready. Two archers, load Rune Stone arrows. The vanguards with rock enchantments, alternate positions with the others to widen the defensive spacing as much as possible."
Liliruca, lacking combat abilities herself, knew that the only way she could face the monster tide was through a more cautious strategy—fortifying the vanguard's defense and enhancing the rear guard's offensive strength. That was within her power.
Coordinating the battle and guiding the team as their eyes—that was her role as commander. She might still be inexperienced, but Liliruca understood this was the path she needed to take to grow.
Calming her thoughts, she waited silently for reports on other hive locations.
It didn’t take long. In just a moment, the scouts returned.
"Captain, there’s a new hive 1,000 meters ahead on the left."
"What about the surroundings?"
"It’s all forest. No other hives detected."
"Hmm. As long as we don’t provoke them, the worker bees won’t come out. The hive is where the bulk of the workers are spawned. If we can avoid alarming them, there might be another way to deal with this."
Liliruca fell silent in thought for a moment, then made a decision.
"Miss Limi, how close can you safely get to the hive?"
"Huh? The closest would be around 200 meters. Any nearer and I’d risk being spotted by the worker bees guarding the perimeter."
"About 200 meters, huh..."
Not too far, not too close—an awkward range. But Liliruca already had a plan forming.
"How many oil bottles do we have for ignition?"
"I’ve got three on me."
Judging from the blast radius and power earlier, Liliruca was confident that if they attacked the worker bees directly, they could likely wipe them out in a short burst.
"Good. Miss Limi, set fire to the trees 200 meters out using the oil bottles, then detonate them with a fire Rune Stone to draw in the worker bees patrolling the perimeter."
"That distance won’t lure out all the bees from inside the hive, but it should attract the sentries. Once those outer bees are gone, the hive will be blind on the outside. If that happens, how close can we get?"
The archers silently calculated for a moment, then answered in unison.
"Around 50 meters."
If the perimeter guards were pulled away, the outer hive would become a blind zone. That would allow them to approach within 50 meters without being noticed by the bees inside.
It was an answer that filled everyone with confidence.
"What about shooting range?"
"Between 70 and 90 meters."
Taking accuracy into account, all archers could reliably hit targets within 90 meters.
"Excellent. Then Miss Limi will ignite the trees 200 meters away and use a fire Rune Stone to draw out the outer bees. The remaining three will take up positions at the hive’s maximum range in other directions. When you hear the rune blast, move in toward the hive."
"Mr. Kevin, Mr. Lira, you’ll support Miss Limi as vanguard and center guard. Help her handle any bees that come her way using wind and fire Rune Stones."
"Miss Lar, your role is even more critical. Once you hear the signal, move in immediately to take care of the hive. The moment the sentries are gone, the hive will react. We’ll need to act fast to wipe out both the bees and the hive itself."
This was the true test of their coordination. One mistake could lead to complete failure.
But the four archers, along with the vanguard and center guard members, all smiled. They were no longer strangers fumbling to work together. Now bonded by shared understanding, they believed—they could pull it off.
"Don’t worry, Captain. We’ve got this."
Chapter 338: Chapter 338: Just As Planned
Chapter Text
"Bonds are forming."
Watching the connections Liliruca and the others were building, Finn felt genuinely pleased. This was exactly what set Liliruca apart from Daphne.
While Daphne was the same type of commander as him, Liliruca's individual abilities weren't as remarkable. That's why she chose to focus on command and support.
And now, with Liliruca's leadership awakened, the entire team was starting to align around her.
Her abilities might not be the strongest, but her influence was just as powerful.
"Captain, shouldn't we be watching them?"
Tione was still a bit worried about Liliruca and the others.
Even if they were only facing a beehive, if the plan failed and a swarm of worker bees was drawn out, that wouldn't be something a bunch of Lv. 1s and Lv. 2s could handle.
"No need to worry."
Finn glanced toward an empty patch of ground.
"Someone's already gone ahead—couldn't sit still."
Tione and Tiona followed his gaze and realized that the werewolf who had been standing there was gone.
That werewolf was now perched on a tree, watching the rookie adventurers move into action below.
"Tch! These idiots really don't fear death."
Bete crossed his arms, grumbling as he watched the group below.
A single hive in the middle floors could produce hundreds of worker bees. If anything happened to the ones outside, the hive would immediately churn out a fresh swarm to defend itself.
Even for a Lv. 3, it would be a serious problem. If a few Lv. 1s and Lv. 2s got surrounded, they'd be as good as dead.
He might've looked annoyed and full of complaints, but he still came anyway.
His creed was simple: people should only take on what they're ready for. If you're not prepared, don't throw yourself into danger—because no one's going to save you.
He didn't care much for the powerless, but letting them rush headfirst into death wasn't something he could ignore either.
Truthfully, Liliruca's plan had no flaws.
Draw away the worker bees guarding the hive's perimeter. As long as the archers struck the hive the moment the guards left, it would be destroyed instantly, and only the bees lured away would remain.
That number? With two Rune Stones and a few oil bottles, they could easily burn the rest to ashes.
Of course, that all depended on the plan going off without a hitch.
Right then, Limi had scattered fuel oil by a tree 200 meters away. After retreating to a safe distance, she detonated it using a fire Rune Stone...
"Boom!"
After setting everything in place, she crouched with Kevin and Lira in the nearby grass, doing her best to stay hidden while gripping a Fire Rune Stone, ready for action.
Kevin and Lira had Wind Rune Stones prepared as well, ready to deliver a lethal strike to any approaching worker bees.
The three archers stationed at extreme angles, along with their supporting vanguard and midfielders, moved in as well. Their role was to provide backup in case anything went wrong—to jump into action the moment the plan faltered.
The violent explosion instantly drew the attention of the worker bees patrolling outside the hive. Driven by monster instincts, they needed to investigate any sudden disturbance and report it back to the hive.
As expected, most of the worker bees flew toward the blast. Still, a few remained outside the hive.
The archers, already in position, didn't panic.
'The explosion can lure away most of the worker bees, but there'll always be a few lingering outside. So what we need to do is find a blind angle and launch a full assault on the hive.'
All the archers who saw the worker bees flying off began to search for the best angle to strike. Internally, they started their countdown.
10... 9... 8...
3... 2... 1!
Attack!
Two archers found their chance. They immediately raised their rune arrows, tipped with both Wind and Fire Rune Stones, and loosed them straight at the hive!
"Boom!"
The resulting blast from the combined Rune Stones engulfed the entire hive in a fiery storm.
The worker bees still standing guard were momentarily stunned by the shockwave. The archers who hadn't yet fired at the hive turned their attention to the dazed enemies and struck.
"Shhk!"
A sharp, clean arrow pierced a swaying worker bee dead-on.
A few others managed to regain control after the blast and lunged toward the archers with their stingers raised.
But the vanguard was ready—they stepped in front of the archers, shields up.
"Thud!"
The force of the impact was absorbed by the shields.
The spearmen in the center darted out from behind the shields, sweeping their spears toward the recovering bees.
They didn't go for the tough exoskeleton. Instead, they aimed for the wings.
"Crash!"
No matter how durable their bodies were, the wings remained their weakest spot.
Once grounded, the worker bees lost their mobility—and more importantly, the ability to use their stingers effectively.
...
With their movement crippled, the spearmen quickly impaled them. In the blink of an eye, the remaining worker bees outside the hive were wiped out.
As the battle raged, another explosion echoed nearby.
Lar glanced toward the sound.
"Looks like things are going well on Limi's side too."
"Of course. You've seen how powerful those Rune Stones are. No matter how many worker bees there are, they can't handle a combo explosion from two Rune Stones—especially when there were only a dozen or so on guard."
"Yeah, and Limi also brought oil bottles. There shouldn't be any issues."
They had full confidence in this plan. As long as they acted at the right moment, they wouldn't feel any pressure from the worker bees.
Their timing had been perfect. They took out the hive and the stragglers outside. Now, it was up to Limi.
Two hundred meters away, Limi had already finished off the last of the worker bees.
"Phew... these Rune Stones really pack a punch. When used together, they're no worse than a magic sword—maybe even better."
She stared at the charred remains of the worker bees, some reduced to little more than shattered Magic Stones. It was clear how destructive the combination of the two Rune Stones had been.
But that wasn't the most important part.
The key was this: their plan had worked. The hive had been completely destroyed.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 339: Chapter 339: The Tsundere Wolf's Reputation Is Well-Deserved
Chapter Text
All the members who had gone out for the mission returned safely, not a single one missing.
"Captain, the plan went smoothly."
Everyone came back with smiles on their faces. The operation had gone off without a hitch—no mistakes, no problems.
"That's great!"
Liliruca's face lit up with excitement. It was her first time devising a plan like this, and with her teammates executing it perfectly, everything had gone better than she'd hoped.
Seeing her smile, the others who had successfully carried out the plan smiled too.
They had only cleared out a single beehive, but it was the team's first attempt at a coordinated operation like this, so it was something worth celebrating.
Somewhere unnoticed, a certain Werewolf had quietly returned.
Watching the group celebrating their success, even the Werewolf allowed a small smile to cross his face.
He didn't truly hate those weaklings without power. What he despised were those who knew they were weak yet made no effort to improve.
Those who kept pushing themselves forward—no matter how small the steps—were the ones who eventually became strong.
"The strong get stronger." That phrase applies after someone has already reached strength. Before that, every strong person had to grow bit by bit. No one is born into power.
"Hey~ Bete, you actually know how to smile."
The smile on Bete's face froze. In an instant, it turned into that usual scowl that made people instinctively want to back away.
"You dumb woman, what eye did you see me smiling with?"
"Oh~ obviously both my left and right eyes."
Tiona then pulled Ais, who was standing nearby, over and grinned.
"Ais, you saw Bete smiling just now too, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did."
Innocent as ever, Ais didn't deny it. She saw it, so there was no reason to lie.
With Ais confirming it, Tiona laughed even more boldly at Bete, whose whole body had gone stiff.
"Oh wow~ I never thought you'd actually smile just because someone else's plan succeeded. You always look so sour, but you're really capable of being happy for others."
Bete squirmed under the teasing. He knew this stupid woman was doing it on purpose. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dragged Ais into it just to gang up on him.
"Shut up!"
The werewolf snapped, face flushed red as he barked at the meddling Amazoness.
Then, without another word, he turned and stormed off.
"Bete, we'll be moving on soon—don't go too far."
Finn's voice made Bete pause slightly before he kicked off again, leaving only a trail of dust behind.
"Puhahaha!"
As soon as Bete disappeared, Tiona burst out laughing.
"Ais, did you see that? That's the real face of that werewolf."
"He's always got that grumpy face on, but deep down, he's really not that bad. After spending enough time around him, you realize—he's just a tsundere. Says one thing, but thinks something completely different."
"And he hates being called out on it. The second anyone mentions it, he bolts like some shy little girl."
"But seriously, isn't it kind of gross how he always acts like that? What's with the tough guy routine? No wonder nobody likes him."
If you asked Tiona, Bete was hands down the least likable member of the Loki Familia.
As she grumbled, Ais tilted her head slightly, watching Bete's retreating figure.
"If he was happy about Lili's plan working, why doesn't he just say it?"
"Who knows? Guys are just weird about this stuff."
Tiona honestly had no clue what went on in that werewolf's head. He was always doing things that got on people's nerves. And truthfully, it was kind of annoying.
But after getting to know him, Tiona had come to understand—that's just how he was, the way he talked and acted.
Which, ironically, made him even more annoying.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes at the thought.
"Ais, are you still carrying that?"
Ais gave a small nod, her mood settling.
"It's in my space waist bag. It's safer there."
Even keeping it in her own room made her nervous. She couldn't risk losing the Memory Crystal, so she kept it with her at all times. Ever since getting the space waist bag, that's where it stayed...
"You've been slowing down your training lately."
Tiona ventured carefully.
To her surprise, Ais simply nodded without any change in expression.
"I can't overcome Father and Mother's challenge on my own."
Though she knew deep down that her father and mother hadn't died—but were instead waiting for her in the deeper layers of the Dungeon—Ais wasn't in a rush this time.
That encounter had calmed her restless heart. The flame of revenge that had always burned within her was no longer consuming her.
More importantly, this time, she wasn't heading into the Dungeon for revenge. She wanted to prove to her parents that she could survive under their gaze, on their terms.
It might be the last time she saw them—but it was something she had to do.
Her parents were still bound by the Dungeon's will. What she truly wanted was to free their souls, to release them from that prison.
For that goal, Ais chose to slow down her own growth—just for now.
Just like her father had told her: bring your strongest comrades and overcome us.
She knew she couldn't do it alone. That's why this time, she was going forward with her friends.
"I can't overcome Father and Mother alone. So... I hope everyone will move forward with me."
It was rare for Ais to say something like that.
Tiona blinked in surprise, then gave a bright, easy smile.
"Yeah! I'll definitely keep up with you, Ais. When the time comes, I'll go with you into the depths of the Dungeon to meet your parents."
"Thank you, Tiona."
Ais was truly grateful that Tiona had chosen to stand by her. So she made up her mind—to keep moving forward for the sake of her goal, and to bring her friends along with her.
Chapter 340: Chapter 340: The Xenos
Chapter Text
'She really did well.'
Bell acknowledged Liliruca's talent. She was definitely gifted—it was just that her previous Familia had held her back. If she had joined the Loki Familia from the start, she might not have had to wait this long to showcase her abilities.
'As a commander, what she's really lacking is situational awareness and the ability to make quick decisions on the fly.' The problem was that Orario's technological development wasn't great—there were no short-range communication devices.
If such tools existed, commanders could grasp the battlefield situation faster and devise countermeasures more efficiently.
Liliruca was fundamentally a supporter. She didn't possess the exceptional Status values that many top-tier adventurers had. In fact, her greatest strength wasn't agility or dexterity—it was her magic.
Still, Bell had no intention of helping her with that.
Progress doesn't come solely from outside assistance; it often stems from personal growth.
That's why helping her now wouldn't really be help—it would only stifle her own development.
"Ah!!"
A sudden cry pierced Bell's ears.
He instantly pinpointed the source—roughly 2,000 meters away.
'Are there other adventurers here?'
Though he heard the voice, the distance made it impossible to identify who it was.
But 2,000 meters wasn't too far. After locking onto the location, Bell stepped into the space portal that opened before him.
With a single stride, he emerged at the sound's origin, 2,000 meters away.
There, he saw a Firebird-type monster preparing to strike a Vouivre.
The sight made Bell's brow twitch.
In the Dungeon, monsters generally didn't fight each other—unless it was one of those rare enhanced species. Those special monsters, driven by a thirst for power, could consume magic stones to evolve, and only they would attack fellow monsters.
But this Firebird clearly wasn't an enhanced type—it looked like a normal monster.
Which meant the issue lay with the Vouivre being targeted.
'A Xenos?'
Bell's eyes swept over the dragon girl curled up on the ground, arms feebly trying to shield her head. He confirmed her identity in his heart.
If he hadn't known, he might've walked away.
But now that he had seen her, he couldn't just ignore it.
Invisible wind surged around Bell, forming like a formless hand that grabbed the charging Firebird-type monster mid-air.
Wind blades gathered in rapid succession and sliced through the Firebird in a flash, reducing it to shredded fragments.
Once the Firebird was handled, Bell turned to face the dragon girl, who was still crouching on the ground with her head buried.
Her hood had likely fallen during her escape, revealing blue hair and a gem-like object on her forehead—perhaps a unique trait of Vouivre witches.
After a quick inspection, Bell judged her strength to be at Lv. 2. Her aura was unstable—she must have been newly born in the Dungeon.
Her consciousness was still hazy, but driven by instinct alone, she had been running through the Dungeon non-stop.
'She's exactly like the Vouivre from the original story. No... she is the Vouivre from the original story.'
"Loki-sama, she's not just a monster. What are we supposed to do?"
"What the hell!?"
Loki, who had been casually watching while eating hot pot with the Hestia Familia, widened her eyes at the sight of the completely defenseless Vouivre.
Her mind went blank. She didn't know how to react to this situation.
Hephaestus and Hestia, watching the screen, murmured,
"She has self-awareness... and she's being hunted by Dungeon monsters. Is this what Bell-kun meant by the Guild forces?"
A monster with self-awareness is, by nature, no longer a monster.
Monsters act purely on instinct. But once they begin to think and develop a sense of self, they're no longer monsters—they're humans wearing a monster's skin.
"No, that Vouivre isn't part of the Guild forces yet."
Hephaestus had a clearer understanding. As far as she could tell, the Vouivre was still a monster born in the Dungeon, not one of the Guild's own.
"In the Dungeon, the Guild forces are usually seen as anomalous beings and are shunned by the other monsters. They should be living in groups. One showing up alone like this isn't normal."
"!?"
Loki finally snapped out of her daze.
Looking at the dragon girl, whose reactions didn't resemble a monster at all, she found herself at a loss for what to do.
"Uh... can I just say "take care of her"?"
The sheer nonchalance in Loki's voice earned her a synchronized eye-roll from both Hestia and Hephaestus.
"If you hadn't seen her, maybe. But now that you've seen her like this... can you really treat that Vouivre as just another monster?"
Well, Hestia's words hit home for Loki.
If she didn't know, she could've pretended not to. But seeing the unmistakable humanity in the dragon girl, Loki couldn't bring herself to see her as just a monster anymore.
"Ugh..."
Loki scratched her head, unable to come up with a good solution. She could already tell this was a huge can of worms—and it was going to bring a lot of trouble.
"You little brat, take that dragon girl to see Finn. Tell them not to lay a hand on her."
They couldn't just leave her behind anymore.
Hephaestus and the shortie were watching. Loki knew she couldn't play the cold-hearted card here.
Besides, she still owed the Guild a favor for Haruhime. That alone made it impossible for her to just turn her back on the dragon girl.
With Loki-sama's order, Bell naturally had no intention of abandoning the dragon girl.
"You can get up now."
The dragon girl, still curled up on the ground, cautiously lifted her head when she heard the voice. She saw a man standing there in a cloak and hood.
Her eyes remained wary. She had been hunted by people like him before—she'd only managed to escape by pure luck.
Bell could see the guarded look in her eyes. He could tell she'd been through a lot in the Dungeon.
"Get up. If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't be talking to you."
"If you don't want to be hunted by monsters and adventurers anymore, stand up. If you'd rather not come with me, I'll pretend I never saw you. You can keep running."
The dragon girl stayed on the ground for a moment before slowly getting to her feet.
Seemed she had some sense.
Bell didn't say anything more. He opened a space portal, glanced back at the dragon girl, and said,
"Follow me."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 341: Chapter 341: Finn's Headache
Chapter Text
The Vouivre glanced behind Bell, eyeing the strange spatial distortions. Uncertain of what was happening, she followed closely.
Bell stepped through the space and arrived at the center of the group, completely unnoticed by anyone around him.
The dragon girl, still on edge, scanned the people nearby. She remembered how a group had surrounded and hunted her not long after she was born.
Luckily, a swarm of monsters had shown up at the time, allowing her to escape. Otherwise, she might’ve been killed then and there.
Now there were just as many people in front of her—but for some reason, none of them seemed to see her.
Even so, she kept her distance and carefully followed behind, doing her best not to bump into anyone.
Bell, aware of her cautious tailing, made his way directly to Finn and the others.
“Captain Finn.”
Finn blinked in surprise at Bell’s sudden appearance.
“Bell-kun, how did you...?”
“There’s something a bit troublesome I need to talk to you about. Also, it’s a request from Loki-sama.”
Loki’s request?
Finn nodded slightly. He wasn’t surprised Bell was in contact with Loki. After all, it made sense.
A lot of the Rune Stones they used were made by Bell.
And with his ability to move through space, it was likely Loki had reached out to him more than once—maybe even without anyone knowing.
After finding a quiet spot with Bell, Finn asked,
“Bell-kun, what did Loki want you to tell me?”
Bell let out a small sigh.
“There’s no doubt—it’s a serious problem. But Loki-sama had no choice. With Goddess-sama and Hephaestus-sama watching, even she couldn’t go too far.”
Hestia and Hephaestus were watching too?
He didn’t know exactly what Loki wanted to communicate, but with those two goddesses keeping an eye on things, Loki’s usual way of handling problems probably wouldn’t fly.
Ever since Bell had raised the ceiling of Hestia’s Familia, Loki always seemed to have to back down in front of Hestia. Even in negotiations, she often got the short end of the stick. Finn could easily imagine how frustrated Loki must’ve been with Hestia.
Of course, Finn suspected most of that resentment stemmed from personal grievances.
Still, if Loki had gone so far as to send Bell to deliver a message, it couldn’t be good news.
“It’s about Haruhime...”
“...A problem with the Guild?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Damn it!
Finn covered his face with a hand. He had a feeling Loki was about to rope them into something big, but he didn’t expect it to be this big.
From what Bell had uncovered, the so-called Guild forces were monsters in the Dungeon who had developed self-awareness. If they were now entangled with the Guild, then wasn’t that the same as getting involved with those conscious monsters?
They were in the middle of an expedition—this was the worst time for complications.
And yet, trouble still found them. What terrible luck.
Still, Finn was a seasoned veteran—he had faced plenty of unexpected situations before, so he was mentally prepared to some extent.
“Where is she?”
Bell stepped aside and pointed toward what looked like an empty space. A moment later, a figure appeared before Finn's eyes.
“A Vouivre… huh?”
As soon as he saw the cloaked girl, Finn immediately recognized what she was. The moment the dragon girl met Finn’s gaze, her body trembled slightly, and she instinctively hid behind the person who brought her.
That reaction gave Finn a headache.
Now he fully understood—the Guild forces were real. There truly were monsters with self-awareness. And this Vouivre wasn’t just afraid; she was actively trying to avoid him. These were emotions monsters simply shouldn’t have.
“She really does have self-awareness.”
It was rare enough for a monster to react like that—to show fear, to behave in such a clearly human way.
“Bell-kun, does Loki mean we’re not allowed to harm her?”
“Yes.”
Finn now understood Loki’s stance. This wasn’t a matter where they could act freely.
Right now, their Familia owed the Guild a favor—one that couldn’t be repaid easily.
After all, that favor involved sending Ishtar back to Tenkai. It had been worth it for Haruhime’s sake, but now the debt loomed large.
Finn also saw it clearly: the Guild’s goal in recruiting these self-aware Dungeon monsters was to gradually foster them into a new kind of race—creatures who looked like monsters on the outside, but had minds of their own. Something like demi-humans.
Since Orario couldn’t accept that yet, the Guild was providing them shelter, enlisting their help, and using them to expand its influence in the Dungeon.
Finn suspected that when Ouranos-sama eventually made their existence public, he would also credit them with major accomplishments. That way, Adventurers' prejudices might be softened.
Which meant the Loki Familia absolutely couldn’t turn their backs on this Vouivre now.
“...I understand. But Bell-kun, can I trouble you to look after this dragon girl for now? I need to give the others a heads-up.”
“Of course.”
“Thanks.”
Finn felt the weight of it all bearing down on him, but this was something that had to be done.
After leaving the dragon girl in Bell’s care for the time being, he turned and headed off to talk things over with Riveria and the others. After all, if a dragon girl was going to join their expedition team, they couldn’t just drop the news on everyone without warning. If someone acted on instinct and injured her, it could turn into a disaster.
Truthfully, Finn didn’t need to focus too much on the frontlines right now. The teams led by Daphne and Liliruca were handling the 21st floor well enough.
After eliminating two monster nests, the path to the 22nd floor was fully cleared. With a bit of rest and reconnaissance, the main force had begun their advance.
“Tione, keep an eye on Daphne and Liliruca’s safety. The rest of the team, continue moving forward with them.”
“Yes, Captain!”
Tione didn’t need to be told twice—when Finn gave an order, she carried it out without hesitation.
With those instructions given, Finn turned his attention to Riveria, Ais, and the others.
“Riveria, Ais, Bete, Tiona—over here.”
Chapter 342: Chapter 342: The Dungeon Acknowledges Them as “Humans”
Chapter Text
Everyone who had gathered instinctively avoided asking “why,” likely because they sensed it had something to do with Finn’s sudden departure.
It all clicked together.
“It’s about Loki’s follow-up issue.”
Loki’s follow-up issue?
That phrase threw everyone off—it was too vague, too abrupt to grasp at first.
“The Guild’s operations in the Dungeon. The existence of rational monsters.”
“!?”
Only after that reminder did people start piecing it together—what Loki’s so-called follow-up issue really meant.
Back when Loki wanted Haruhime to join her Familia, she had made a decisive move to force Ishtar’s return to Tenkai. In exchange, she struck a deal with the Guild’s god, Ouranos.
That was a major favor—one Loki was now bound to repay.
Agreements between gods weren’t like casual negotiations with room for denial or renegotiation.
Such pacts were overseen by beings even more mysterious than the gods themselves—the very source from which all gods were born. Divine agreements were absolute. Irrefutable.
“Finn, did you run into it?”
Riveria’s brows furrowed in confusion. Finn had barely stepped away for a short while—how could he have encountered one of those rational monsters?
“It wasn’t me. Bell-kun found it.”
With that explanation, Riveria immediately understood. That brief moment when Finn stepped out... that was when he met with Bell—and that was who he’d been talking to.
“And Loki, Goddess Hestia, and Goddess Hephaestus all witnessed it.”
At that, Riveria reflexively pressed a hand to her temple, veins pulsing. She could already feel her blood pressure spiking.
Great. This was a headache they absolutely couldn’t avoid now.
Their Familia had clearly sided with the Guild. And with Loki already neck-deep in this mess, there was no way they could pull out without leaving something behind.
“Also, this is an order from Loki—no one is to touch that Vouivre.”
“This ties directly into our relationship with the Guild. It also affects our collaborative ties with Hestia Familia and Hephaestus Familia.”
It was a matter of interest, trust, and reputation. The situation had escalated to the point where Loki Familia had no choice but to confront the fallout head-on.
Finn knew the risks. If word got out, the whole thing would explode across Orario. They could act—but they had to do so in absolute secrecy.
Just like how the Guild had quietly maintained ties with those self-aware monsters in the Dungeon for years—who knew about that?
It had taken Bell gathering and analyzing numerous pieces of intel to even uncover the link between the Guild and those monsters. Would anyone else have pieced it together so easily?
Even Evilus probably didn’t know the full story.
So yes, this was something they could do—but once they did, the only question that remained was whether they could keep it buried.
“Riveria, what do you think?”
Finn turned his gaze toward Riveria.
Was there even a need to ask?
Riveria knew this was a massive trap. Even the Guild—an organization that had always steered clear of any direct ties to the Dungeon—would plunge into chaos if any connection to Dungeon monsters were exposed. Even Ouranos, as the Familia God, might be forced to send himself back to Tenkai.
“It’s a serious issue.”
“The Guild has to tread carefully with something like this. If we’re going to be involved, we need to be fully prepared. Right now, the most pressing issue is keeping the Vouivre’s identity hidden.”
If they had no choice but to step into this mess, then total preparedness was a must.
Hiding the dragon girl's identity was no small matter.
This expedition might allow them to keep her hidden, but bringing her into Orario would require masking all of her monster traits. Otherwise, things would spiral out of control.
“So, the top priority is to talk with Bell-kun.”
“Mm.”
With the direction set, Finn didn’t hesitate. He adjusted his voice and called out:
“Bell-kun.”
About five seconds later, space tore open. In full view of everyone, Bell stepped through with the dragon girl following behind him.
Bell scanned the room, his gaze finally landing on Finn.
“Captain Finn, what did you need me for? If it’s about hiding the dragon girl’s identity, I do have a way. It just costs money.”
Finn’s face twitched. Spending money was a perfectly valid solution, but he was hoping for something else.
“Bell-kun, we can talk about the cost later. For now, I want to know if there’s any other way to...handle her accommodation.”
Bell thought for a moment, then his eyes settled on the Sword Princess.
“Well, actually, there is a way, and it’s not that complicated.”
“She’s probably a newly born lifeform from the Dungeon, hasn’t encountered the Guild or any parties yet, so she’s in a rather awkward position down there.”
“Adventurers eye her, hoping for valuable drop items, while monsters reject her for being an anomaly. In the Dungeon, monsters with human-level intellect are treated as outliers. Maybe the Dungeon itself labels them as ‘invaders’—which is why they get targeted by other monsters.”
“After all, the only ones the Dungeon shows true hostility toward are ‘invaders’.”
“Heh... thinking about it now, that’s probably why the Guild chose to protect them.”
...Is that really the reason?
Everyone fell into silence at Bell’s words.
Seeing the silence, Bell gave a faint smile and continued.
“Only beings with intellect, reason, and emotion are called ‘humans’. The Dungeon is alive. Its definition of ‘human’ is the most impartial—because it targets only them with such hostility.”
“And when monsters gain those same traits, they stop being monsters. They become a new kind of human—though with a unique biological makeup that people can’t understand or accept.”
“That’s why I said half of Orario should be destroyed. It’s only when those ignorant humans are pushed to the brink that they’ll abandon their narrow-minded ways. Only when facing a shared threat will they finally acknowledge these new beings born from the Dungeon.”
Bell’s method was extreme, but it truly was one of the most effective ways to deal with the problem.
Unfortunately, it was far too radical for any god to ever allow it to happen.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 343: Chapter 343: The Guild's Eyes
Chapter Text
...This kid’s got a point!
Far away in the Hestia Familia, Loki froze for a moment upon hearing those words, then finally understood why Ouranos would protect monsters with independent thought.
If those beings were treated as "invaders" by the Dungeon, didn’t that imply the Dungeon no longer acknowledged them as "monsters"?
Conversely, didn’t that mean the Dungeon had already recognized monsters with self-awareness as a kind of human?
In a way, the seemingly complicated issue of their identity had already been defined by the Dungeon itself.
“Bell always fixates on problems like this, but this time, his judgment is spot on.”
Even Hephaestus had been shocked by the idea, but after thinking it through, she found Bell’s reasoning surprisingly solid.
Because the Dungeon is the most impartial existence.
Isn’t it the Dungeon that designates who the "invaders" are, then sends monsters to annihilate them completely? If the Dungeon sees self-aware monsters as "invaders" rather than true monsters, then the implication is all too clear.
“Bell-kun’s argument might be correct, but there’s no way his proposal will ever be accepted.”
Hestia understood that Bell’s reasoning—and even his harsh solution—was correct, but that kind of correctness was something people simply couldn’t accept.
“Ouranos would never approve such a plan. If he did, there’d be no reason to build the city of Orario above the Dungeon to act as a ‘seal’.”
The gods love humanity.
What draws the gods to humans is the potential that gods themselves lack. That potential captures their interest, draws their eyes to humanity.
No matter their reasons for loving humans, no god would ever approve of a plan that hinges on the destruction of half of Orario.
That alone makes the plan unacceptable.
Even Hestia thought that if the plan were ever enacted—if humanity ever stood on the brink of extinction—then maybe, just maybe, people would begin to accept those monsters with self-awareness as another form of "human."
“Yeah, even an evil god would call someone who came up with that plan evil.”
Hephaestus agreed and outright rejected Bell’s idea.
Destroy half of Orario?
Even Enyo, the so-called city-destroyer, only ever talked about razing Orario and plunging the world back into chaos.
But talk was all it ever was. Did he succeed?
His plan is still ongoing, even now.
But if Bell’s plan were put into action—if half of Orario were truly destroyed—then it wouldn’t just be talk. Half the world would be swallowed by chaos.
From that standpoint, no matter how you look at it, Bell’s plan simply cannot be carried out.
If Bell's plan really came to pass, even the Evilus faction led by Enyo would probably clap him on the shoulder and say:
"Man, you're even more ruthless than me!"
Just imagining it was bizarre enough to leave a strange look on Hephaestus’s face.
Maybe it really was like that.
Finn’s expression was heavy with mixed feelings, and he couldn’t help but sigh.
Maybe the situation wasn’t all that complicated. Maybe the Dungeon had already made the most impartial judgment. It was just them—everyone else—who kept hesitating, trying to figure out how to handle it.
He looked at the Vouivre huddled behind Bell. The fear and wariness on her face were clearly genuine.
From a rational perspective, Finn was certain she was no longer a monster. At the very least, she had a will of her own.
Just like any ordinary person, she felt fear, anxiety, and had emotions of her own.
To treat someone like her as a monster... Finn had his answer. Unless absolutely necessary, he couldn’t bring himself to point a spear at a girl.
"Right now, Orario can’t afford a disruption like this. Maybe they really are a kind of 'human', but... their existence isn’t something that can be accepted at this point in time."
As he said this, the resistance Finn had felt toward monsters with free will faded.
Maybe they still bore the traits of monsters.
Maybe there was something in them that could shift their identity.
But in his heart, Finn had already acknowledged it—they were also a form of "human."
"Bell-kun, let's talk about how we’re going to take care of this girl."
Everyone present noticed it—Finn’s way of addressing Bell had changed.
Bell gave a small nod and didn’t say much else.
“The solution isn’t all that complicated. ‘Sword Princess’, where did the ornament on your sword come from?”
Ais glanced at the charm tied to her sword sheath, clearly unsure why she was being asked.
“Muddle from Hermes Familia gave it to me. The person who hired her to transport the ‘goods’ gave it to her, said it was part of the request and told her to pass it on to me for the expedition.”
“An adventurer from Hermes Familia... was it that Chienthrope we saw last time?”
Of course, Bell recognized the name Muddle. Last time, Hermes himself had brought her into the Hestia Familia.
“Looks like the one who made the request really was the Guild. The one who issued this new request is definitely the Guild again.”
“Bell-kun, what exactly is this thing?”
“Well, to put it simply... the Guild wants to observe how Loki Familia explores the unknown.”
"...!?"
With that, everyone finally understood the purpose of the accessory.
...
Deep within the Guild, inside the altar chamber, Ouranos sat on the high throne. As he withdrew his gaze, he let out a quiet sigh.
“As expected of Zeus’s grandson.”
To be able to see different outcomes from so many angles—that kind of insight was admirable.
The method might be extreme, but the idea itself wasn’t bad. In fact, it was aggressive but viable.
What impressed him even more, though, was that ability.
“Seems Zeus’s grandson really has inherited a unique power… one that lets him see further, just like the ‘Silence’ once did.”
“Ouranos, ‘Silence’ saw Orario’s ‘sloth’, which is why she started a ‘revolution’, and handed the future over to the next generation.”
“Yes…”
After a long pause, even Ouranos couldn’t help but sigh. How strange and similar fate could be—this time, it had fallen upon Zeus’s grandson.
Chapter 344: Chapter 344: Are You There? The Guild's Eyes
Chapter Text
"However, he’s still different from ‘Silence’."
"It’s as if he instinctively understood the flaws in adventurers. He never interacts with those he doesn’t need and always pushes Loki to act."
Ouranos had been observing Bell’s actions for some time. But because Bell kept a low profile, even he hadn’t uncovered much.
What little he did find all led back to Loki.
Like the time Loki approached him about dealing with Ishtar—she ended up pulling a child into her Familia.
Or when it was Apollo—Loki stripped him of all his assets and even forcibly took in two of Apollo’s children.
These clearly targeted actions were too deliberate to ignore.
It even felt like those children were Loki’s real goal all along.
Ishtar's forced return to Tenkai was likely because Loki knew she wouldn't let go easily—so she made the first move.
Apollo, on the other hand, probably avoided that outcome simply because he chose to back down. If he’d been as stubborn as Ishtar, he might have met the same fate.
"Every move Loki makes has a purpose. And the one giving her direction behind the scenes... is likely that child."
But Fels was confused.
"Ouranos, if that child knows so many secrets of different Familia, then why not bring those talented kids into Hestia Familia?"
"If it's just about mutual benefits, there's no reason to keep involving Loki Familia, right? Plenty of gods have ties with Hestia Familia. Among them, Hephaestus Familia is probably the closest."
Ouranos already had the answer in mind.
"Because Hephaestus Familia is a production-based Familia, while Loki Familia is an exploration Familia. Hephaestus needs craftsmen with talent for forging. Loki needs adventurers who can take on the Dungeon."
"That child is likely trying to use Loki Familia. On one hand, to build them up; on the other, to trade that intel for certain resources from Loki."
It sounded far-fetched at first, but given the circumstances, it might just be the truth.
After all, who goes out of their way to help other Familia grow without getting anything in return? That kind of effort only makes sense if there's a purpose behind it.
Many found Bell’s actions irrational, but from his perspective, everything he did was calculated.
Help others? Hah. Maybe the greenhorns in Orario would act like that, but any seasoned adventurer wouldn’t lift a finger without something in it for them.
And Bell—someone who’d always carried the weight alone—clearly wasn’t the type to believe in the nobility of adventurers.
So the actions that seemed illogical to outsiders... were actually the smartest moves for someone in his position.
Look at it from that angle, and it all adds up.
"Trick Loki?"
Fels reacted as if she’d just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. Of all people, she knew exactly what kind of person Loki was.
"Do you really think Loki can't see through it?"
Ouranos shook his head slightly. When it came to things like this, those involved often understood best—Loki had likely suspected it from the start.
“Loki loves to play around, but she’s no novice. As a former evil god in Tenkai, she toyed with countless deities—very few could outwit her. Something this minor? There’s no way it escaped her notice. If anything, she was probably the first to see through it.”
Fels paused briefly, then suddenly realized.
“I see. It’s not that she didn’t notice—it’s that their interests align.”
Because their goals were the same, there was no reason to expose one another.
Bell wanted to use Loki Familia, so he helped them grow stronger.
Loki’s goal had always been to strengthen her own Familia. So when she realized Bell’s intent, she simply allowed it—without resistance.
"But isn’t Bell Cranel worried Loki Familia might grow too strong and get out of his control?"
"No, that won’t happen."
Ouranos shook his head again, certain that things wouldn’t tilt in Loki’s favor.
“Remember, the ‘Spirit Fetus’ was retrieved by that boy. Fels, how powerful do you think the guardian who nearly took the ‘Sword Princess’ was?”
“Far stronger than the ‘Sword Princess.’ At least a solid Lv.6.”
“Then tell me—could an Adventurer at only Lv.2 manage to drive off a Spirit guardian at Lv.6 with just a surprise attack? Even cutting off one of its arms?”
Fels thought for a moment, then slowly shook her head.
“Even with the element of surprise, that wouldn't be easy.”
“Even with Bell Cranel’s ability—his light-based skill that boosts attack power—it’s still nearly impossible. A Level 6 Adventurer has a much sharper danger sense than those at lower levels. Even the slightest threat would provoke a reaction.”
“Besides, Lv.6 bodies are trained to the point where normal weapons can’t even scratch them. And the guardian wasn’t just a normal Adventurer—it was a different breed of monster entirely. Physically, it’s on a whole other level.”
“So, Ouranos... are you saying Bell Cranel isn’t really Lv.2? Not even Lv.3... but maybe Lv.4?”
That was exactly what Ouranos meant. He looked up at Bell, who was still speaking on the screen.
“It seems he may possess talent and potential that even the greatest Adventurers in Orario’s history couldn’t match.”
...
“Captain Finn, the party’s planning to rest on the 28th floor Safe Zone, right?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan. From here on out, we’ll push forward ten floors at a time and stop at each Safe Zone to recover.”
"Alright—head to the 28th floor and pick up the incoming personnel sent by the Guild's surveillance."
The 28th floor was a Safe Zone, rarely spawning monsters, making it one of the few places in the Dungeon where Adventurers could truly rest.
Unlike the 18th floor, which had a full-fledged underground city, the 28th floor didn’t have such structures. The 18th remained the only floor with a proper Adventurer settlement.
But that wasn’t a bad thing for this situation. A group of beings with monster-like appearances showing up in a built-up zone would attract too much attention.
The 28th floor’s Safe Zone, however, was perfect.
Right now, only Loki Familia was active in the Dungeon’s deeper layers. Even Evilus and the Corrupted Spirit faction were lying low to avoid them.
Which made this the ideal moment for the Guild to move.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 345: Chapter 345: Then It's a Deal
Chapter Text
Bell glanced at the ornament hanging from the Sword Princess’s scabbard and turned slightly. His heightened senses no longer felt any lingering gazes.
“They’ve agreed.”
His eyes swept over the people present, then he took a few steps back.
“Pardon me. It looks like you’ve got matters to discuss, so I’ll take the Vouivre and excuse myself.”
In an instant, space warped around them and swallowed the two.
The air returned to stillness, showing no trace that it had just been distorted.
Curious, Tiona stepped forward and reached out with her hand to test it.
“Whoa~ space magic is amazing. Being able to move so freely like that... that’s way too convenient.”
“Riveria, do you know anyone who can use that kind of magic?”
That was a serious question.
Riveria took a deep breath. It was a question well beyond her usual scope.
“Since the beginning of recorded Elven history, I’ve never heard of anyone possessing such an advanced magic as spatial magic.”
Spatial magic was truly overwhelming. Just from the earlier demonstration, its potential was clear—at least in terms of repositioning, it was practically a divine skill.
“Plus, Bell-kun doesn’t even need to chant. That saves casting time and eliminates the vulnerabilities we mages usually have.”
Riveria could only sigh. Not needing to chant was already ridiculous—but to control it so effortlessly on top of that? It left no room for mages to compete.
“And Bell-kun’s true specialty isn’t even magic. It’s close combat. Magic is just a supplement to support that.”
Even Bete couldn’t help but scoff.
“You’ve got to be kidding. A warrior who excels at magic—and can use that kind of magic? If we ever have to fight him, how the hell are we supposed to win?”
“Yeah... if he ever ends up on the other side, we’re in deep trouble.”
Finn had considered Bell as a theoretical enemy to the Familia more than once. But every time, the scenario ended in Loki Familia getting completely outclassed.
With spatial magic at his command, Bell had overwhelming mobility. His movement was unpredictable, and his fighting style downright alien.
Finn hadn’t forgotten that Bell also excelled at suppressing his presence and sensing others. There was little point in ambushing him—on the contrary, his ambushes were a nightmare.
Unless one had perfected both defense and perception, counterattacking Bell while he was hiding his presence was nearly impossible.
Just recalling the Corrupted Spirit Guardian on the 18th floor and the severed arm it left behind was enough.
Finn didn’t think he could have survived an assault like that.
“But... thank goodness Bell-kun is on our side.”
“As an enemy, he’d be terrifying—enough to wipe out all of Loki Familia. But as an ally, he’s incredibly reassuring.”
As long as they stood on the same side, Bell’s seemingly invincible abilities and magic were a tremendous asset.
Even the Rune Stones, expensive as they were, had already pushed their Familia’s power to heights previously unimaginable.
“Well, thanks for the compliment, Captain Finn.”
All’s fair in war. Bell said he was leaving—but in truth, he’d only moved a few dozen meters while hiding his presence.
He had heard every single word they said.
“???”
The Vouivre stared at the people standing in plain view but who somehow couldn’t see them, her head filling with question marks.
“They... can’t see us?”
It was the first sentence the Vouivre had spoken. A promising sign—whether it was curiosity or something else, she was finally beginning to engage in conversation.
"I'm just hiding my presence, that's all."
"But don't try to copy this. You don't have the ability. Even if you try your hardest to suppress your aura, you'll still need to bury yourself in darkness to pull it off."
Bell smiled as he explained to the Vouivre, but at the same time, he was warning her not to imitate him.
"And remember this—always approach everyone in the Dungeon with caution, with enough malice. Don't assume they're good people. The only way to survive is to treat everyone like an enemy."
"Especially when it comes to ordinary adventurers."
"The only thing they’ll see when they look at you is the materials you might drop. They won’t care whether or not you have a mind of your own."
The Vouivre looked up at her teacher, confused, and asked, "Then why don't you do that?"
"Because I don’t need to."
"Maybe in the beginning, I would’ve been desperate for the materials dropped by monsters in the Dungeon. But at this stage... they’ve mostly lost their value to me."
It’s possible—but not necessary.
Bell held no hatred toward monsters. Without that hatred or any benefit to gain, he simply chose to avoid doing things that would bring unnecessary trouble.
"Remember, human behavior is driven by motives."
"An adventurer who wants fame will seek out stronger enemies. An adventurer who wants money will hunt for ways to earn more. And some... some adventurers just hate monsters for no reason at all."
"If you understand a person’s motives, you can, under the right conditions, manipulate them."
"But that part’s not something you need to remember in detail. You're a monster with a human heart—adventurers will reject you no matter what. You won’t be able to do something like that, not unless the day comes when you can live side by side with humans."
The Vouivre nodded as if she understood. A glimmer of hope soon surfaced in her eyes as she asked, "Will that day ever come?"
Bell's gaze shifted. He bent his knees and squatted down in front of her.
"If you can use the achievement of saving the world as your proof... then maybe, someday, you’ll be able to coexist with humans. Maybe by then, the Dungeon will have become the cradle of a new species—your kind."
"I’m not really interested in saving the world or anything like that. But once I’ve killed the Black Dragon, I’ll leave that title behind for you. You can use it."
The Vouivre's eyes lit up.
"You’ll save us?"
Bell nodded with a gentle smile.
"If you're still alive, then sure, I’ll save you. And if you're part of the party that takes down the Black Dragon, then the name of 'Hero' will belong to you too."
"So, live on. Live with your kin."
"At least... until the day I slay the Black Dragon."
The Vouivre’s beautiful eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation. She stretched out her hand with a bright smile.
"Then it’s a promise. I’ll live until that day comes."
Bell looked at her outstretched hand in mild surprise, but then smiled and placed his hand on hers.
"Then it’s a promise."
Chapter 346: Chapter 346: Great Fall
Chapter Text
"Next is the 'Great Fall.' Lili, you've done your homework on this floor, right?"
As someone who had reached this depth before, Daphne was fairly familiar with the monsters here.
"On the 27th floor, there's the high-speed Iguazu, the prolific Blue Crab, the rarely seen Mermaid, and the Floor Boss, the Two-Headed Dragon Amphisbaena."
Liliruca listed the more dangerous monsters found on these floors like she was reciting from a textbook.
"That's right. Blue Crabs have bodies as hard as rock. Ordinary weapons barely do any damage to them, and the Dungeon tends to spawn these tough creatures in droves—there are nests of them practically everywhere on these three floors."
"Mermaids are high-level monsters. They're excellent swimmers and specialize in luring adventurers with their singing, pulling them into the water where they slowly lose their lives under the spell of the music."
"The ultra-fast Iguazu are another dangerous monster in the lower levels. They usually move in flocks, appearing in large swarms. Their attacks are suicidal in nature, maximizing their speed, and even Level 4 adventurers have fallen to coordinated strikes from them."
"The most troublesome and unstable of them all is the Floor Boss, Amphisbaena. If there's water in the Great Fall, its strength is equivalent to Level 6. Without water, it's at Level 5."
"Of course, either way, it's not something we can handle right now. If it shows up, the captain and the others will take care of it."
Daphne's tone was light. While the earlier monsters were troublesome, the last one wasn't their problem.
Liliruca hadn’t given much thought to the Floor Boss either.
Just like Daphne said, they weren’t yet at the level to join a battle against a Floor Boss. Level 1 and Level 2 teams were usually the first to die in such fights—they were nothing but cannon fodder right now.
"We don’t need to deal with it, but organizing some intel might come in handy someday."
"That 'someday' is a long way off."
Daphne let out a small sigh but couldn't help admiring Lili’s thirst for knowledge.
"Still, you’re right. We can’t fight Floor Bosses yet. But we can at least record how those battles go, so when it’s our turn, we won’t be scrambling around clueless."
Liliruca shared the same thought, though her motivations were a bit more straightforward.
She simply wanted to gather more intel on monsters—so that if she ever had to lead a Floor Boss fight, she wouldn’t be in the dark.
Daphne understood her and agreed it was worth witnessing a Floor Boss battle with her own eyes.
That brought to mind the Floor Boss on the 17th floor.
"Lili, what do you think is going on with the 17th floor’s Floor Boss?"
Liliruca, who was about to pull out some notebooks to review monster data, paused for a moment, then let her thoughts drift in that direction.
"The Goliath respawn issue?"
"Yeah. Goliath is the Floor Boss closest to the surface, and it's a major hurdle for most ordinary Familia. If you pay attention, you can figure out its respawn timing."
"I know what you're implying."
Liliruca's gaze darkened slightly and her eyelids drooped, but she didn’t think the answer really mattered.
"Goliath doesn't just vanish into thin air. Someone must have taken it down before it respawned."
"Exactly."
"But so what?"
Seeing Daphne's curious look, Liliruca responded calmly.
She cast a glance toward the captain and the others, who were resting nearby.
"The captain and the others must know that too. But the fact that they haven't said anything means they don't care."
"Mm... the Goliath issue isn’t that serious. It’s not like there’s a rule saying no one else can defeat it just because it respawned."
"No, that’s not what I meant."
Liliruca shook her head slightly. What she meant was different from Daphne’s assumption.
"I’m saying the captain and the others probably already know who did it—so they don’t see a reason to make a fuss about it."
"Huh?"
Liliruca’s words left Daphne momentarily stunned, but she quickly regained her composure.
It made sense. If the captain and the others didn’t react at all, it meant either they already knew or they decided it wasn’t worth worrying about.
So whoever defeated Goliath was someone they were familiar with.
They simply didn’t have any particular thoughts or concerns about that person’s actions.
"If that’s the case, then no wonder."
Liliruca saw that Daphne had caught on, then handed her a notebook.
"Take a look. Next is the ‘Great Fall.’ Let’s review what we know."
"Alright."
The two of them sat down during the break, studying the notes in their hands. They were handwritten records—things Liliruca had copied herself to help commit the details to memory.
There was a lot to review for the Great Fall. As the strategist, the most important thing was to have precise information, so she wouldn’t be blind when giving orders.
After a short rest and some organizing, the team continued forward.
Their goal for today was the 28th floor—getting through the Great Fall quickly, then spending the rest of the day resting and reorganizing.
The smooth progress up to the 24th floor had fired everyone up, especially the new recruits.
This was their last chance to train before heading into the lower levels. That made the Great Fall their final stage to prove themselves.
Once they entered the Deep Floors, there would no longer be chances for Level 1 adventurers to train. From there on, it would be the turn of Level 2 and Level 3 adventurers.
So right now, everyone was giving it their all, looking more spirited than ever.
Their energy caught the attention of the Vouivre.
"Why are they so excited?"
"Because the middle floors ahead are the last training grounds for adventurers at Level 1 like them."
"They like training?"
"That’s the drive of adventurers—just like I told you earlier."
The Vouivre started recalling what Bell had told her before. Seeing the passion and excitement in these people’s expressions, she began to understand what he meant.
They seemed almost like they were being pulled by something invisible. That was the ‘motivation’ driving them forward.
Bell wanted this girl to take a moment and reflect.
"Just remember what I told you earlier. That knowledge won’t help your companions directly, but it’ll help you better understand what fuels an adventurer’s character and behavior."
"Your people aren’t welcome in the Dungeon, and adventurers see them as enemies to eliminate. So they’re more united than you'd expect. Their motivation is probably to survive—so that more of their kind can live."
Those words hit home for the Vouivre. Ever since she was born from the wall, she had only been thinking about how to stay alive. Hiding and running for so long, she hadn’t even had the chance to think beyond that.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 347: Chapter 347: Monster Banquet
Chapter Text
The two squads led by Daphne and Liliruca pressed steadily forward.
"Ahhh!"
In the front line, the Dwarves charged ahead with shields raised. Veins bulged along their arms, showing they were using every ounce of strength.
Yet on the other side of the shields, the relentless bam, bam, bam of impacts kept echoing.
It wasn’t just a few hits—it was a continuous barrage, an unending series of blows.
Peering through the gaps in the shields, one could see an overwhelming swarm of Blue Crabs on the other side.
Their sharp pincers lashed out wildly, stabbing at the shields held by the frontliners.
"Heavenly light, once rejected. Merciful arms that save my shallow self. Rescue my miserable companions in place of my words that cannot reach them. Oh sunlight, may you beat back ruin...
Soullight!"
A bluish-green radiance enveloped the Dwarves, restoring the strength drained by their clash with the Blue Crabs and extending the time they could hold the front line.
Refreshed, the Dwarves took deep breaths and shoved the crabs back with renewed force.
"Raaah!"
With shouts to pump themselves up, the front row of Dwarves held formation and pressed on.
Fortunately, they were on a narrow path, and the high point of the Great Fall was to the side—there were no flanking routes for the Blue Crabs. If they had been attacked from the sides as well, charging forward with just a few shield-bearers would’ve been a fool’s dream.
Even so, the situation up front was grim.
They had stumbled into an "abnormal situation"—the last thing any adventurer wanted to face in the Dungeon: a Monster Feast.
It was the Dungeon’s way of delivering a killing blow in moments of crisis and desperation.
If the party lacked strength or numbers, this wave of monsters would swallow them whole.
Standing on someone’s shoulders to get a better view of the rear, Limi called out:
"Captain! The water from the Water Rune Stone has started flowing! Do we begin?"
From her vantage point, Limi had spotted even more Blue Crabs closing in. The front line was already at its limit.
If they didn’t act fast, this training session would end right here.
"Limi! Fire the Ice Rune Stone arrow!"
After confirming the situation, Liliruca gave the order without hesitation. Then she added:
"Aim for the center of the enemy swarm—relieve the pressure on the front!"
"Got it!"
Limi nocked the arrow and loosed it.
The target: the middle of the Blue Crab horde—right where water had pooled on the ground.
Szzzzz!
The Rune Stone arrow streaked through the mass of Blue Crabs and struck the puddle dead-on.
In an instant, a wave of biting cold spread outward at an alarming speed.
The pooled water on the ground became the primary target of the freezing attack. In just a moment, the water—and the legs of the surrounding Blue Crabs—were frozen solid.
In the Great Fall, moisture was never in short supply. The sudden burst of cold rapidly spread through the air, carried by the heavy mist, and formed a thick layer of ice right in the middle of the crab swarm.
This instantly eased the pressure on the Dwarves holding the front line.
"Middle guard, prepare to sharpen your weapons!"
Liliruca wanted to boldly call for "wind attribute enchantment," but her resources were far too limited—this wasn’t a battle she could afford to fight extravagantly.
Even just sharpening weapons wasn't cheap. Each enhancement cost 500,000, and with five in use, that was 2.5 million gone in a flash.
Was this even a battle anymore? It felt more like burning money.
But when faced with an abnormal event like a Monster Feast, resource conservation wasn't an option. The priority was surviving.
The middle guards enchanted their weapons. The tips of spears and blades now gleamed with a biting cold light.
"Charge!!!"
"Yeah!!!"
The five middle guards readied their weapons. Seeing them prepared, the Dwarves in the front gave the signal to those behind and on the flanks.
With a coordinated push, the frontliners slammed their shields forward, knocking the Blue Crabs off balance, then immediately stepped aside.
The middle guards seized the opening and rushed in, blades slashing.
This time, their enchanted weapons didn’t bounce off the Blue Crabs’ rock-hard shells. One clean strike split a crab clean in two.
So strong!
Seeing the crabs cleaved in half, the middle guards were on the verge of shouting with excitement—but instead, they channeled that energy into cutting down the next.
They knew the enchantments wouldn't last.
Five minutes. That was their window to clear the current wave before the next swarm piled in.
Fueled by adrenaline, they moved with precision and power, wiping out every Blue Crab in their path.
The Dwarves in the vanguard quickly raised their shields and surged forward again. They ignored the frozen crabs littering the ground and braced themselves just behind the icy barricade, ready to block whatever came next.
"Hmph..."
Seeing the tide turn, Liliruca finally let out a breath of relief. Sweat clung to her back, soaking her clothes. Even with the chill still lingering in the air, she couldn’t feel cold.
'This is bad...'
Though the situation had stabilized, a quick tally of remaining supplies left Liliruca bitter.
This battle had turned into a war of attrition. Between the hive in the Great Tree Labyrinth and this Monster Feast, she had burned through nearly all her resources.
With what she had left, continuing the advance on this floor was no longer feasible.
Slap!
Liliruca patted her cheeks, shaking off her frustration. They were still in combat—this wasn’t the time to dwell on what came next.
"Limi, are the Blue Crabs still swarming in?"
Only an archer’s keen eyes could properly assess the field.
Perched above, Limi scanned the area behind them. The wave of Blue Crabs had thinned significantly, no longer charging in as fiercely as before.
That shift brought a bit of ease to her tone.
"There are still a few, but the numbers are too small to be a threat."
'We made it through...'
Finally, Liliruca could let her guard down.
This Monster Feast had been even fiercer than expected. The Dungeon truly was a terrifying place—that thought came to her unbidden.
"Vanguard, keep advancing. Watch out for the frozen ground beneath you."
"Middle guard, stay alert in the rear. Take out the last of the Blue Crabs when the timing's right."
Chapter 348: Chapter 348: Lili's Growth
Chapter Text
The "Monster Feast" had finally been weathered—but it had cost them all of their resources.
Liliruca felt a twinge of regret, but not a shred of remorse. If she had hesitated for even a moment back there, the loss could’ve been her teammates’ lives.
Standing at the front line, she looked at the joyful faces around her and swallowed those feelings. There was no need to tell them everything.
"Everyone, that’s the end of our training. We've overextended ourselves with resources—we no longer have the strength to face the monsters on this floor."
Liliruca lowered her head. She hadn't met everyone's expectations. She’d thought she could lead them safely to the 28th floor's safety zone, but instead, they'd ended up stuck here.
The members of Liliruca's team exchanged glances—then broke into smiles.
"Captain, you don’t have to shoulder all the blame. Everyone knows how dangerous the Dungeon is. Without your leadership, we probably would've been stuck wandering between the 18th and 20th floors."
"Yeah. Running into a 'Monster Feast' is a common threat in the Dungeon. Every adventurer gives it their all to survive."
"Forget giving it their all—people would give an arm or a leg to push through something like that. Using our resources here was absolutely the right call."
"Exactly. If you'd chosen to hoard resources and let us face danger instead, we’d have seriously looked down on you."
A few of the Dwarves shrugged it off. Sure, showcasing their abilities was important—but survival mattered more.
"What we didn’t accomplish this time, we’ll aim to achieve next time. Our journey doesn’t end with just one expedition."
"Yeah, no need for apologies. This was a team effort. If you really feel sorry, just make it up to us with a round of drinks when we get to the next rest spot."
Hearing their words, Liliruca’s eyes grew misty, her nose stung with emotion.
Back when she was in Soma Familia, she was always the most insignificant support—how had she come to be recognized like this?
Now, Liliruca understood her worth. She had found her purpose.
This world wasn’t meaningless. The reason she’d survived until now was because she could form bonds with companions—because she could fight alongside them toward a shared goal.
"Yeah... once we hit the safety zone, let’s have a proper drink."
A bright smile bloomed on her face. In that moment, the shadows of her past finally lifted.
She turned around and carefully wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Alright, I’ll go report to the captain."
As her small figure walked off, the rest of the team let out a collective sigh.
"Man... the captain’s great in every way—she just downplays herself too much when she speaks and acts."
"Let it go. After what she went through in Soma Familia, it’s no surprise she ended up with that kind of personality."
"Yeah... Soma Familia’s cleaned up a bit lately, but they weren’t always like that."
Any adventurer could tell you about Soma Familia. Those guys would haggle over even a single valis when trading—it was like money was their god.
The root of it all was Soma’s Divine Wine.
That stuff wasn't something ordinary adventurers could resist. Just a small sip, and you'd fall under its spell—becoming a slave to the wine.
Think about the old members of Soma Familia... weren’t they exactly that? Slaves?
"Hopefully, the captain changes a little after this."
Low self-esteem and servility weren’t traits suited for a commander. Confidence and caution—that’s what a leader needed.
Everyone knew this expedition was just one chapter, not the whole story.
Right now, reaching the 25th floor with only a mix of Level 1 and Level 2 adventurers was a miracle in itself.
Especially considering so many of them were on their first large-scale expedition.
Their strength, coordination, and teamwork had only just begun to take shape—there was no way they could already be a fully integrated fighting unit.
Honestly, even reaching the 13th floor would have been a challenge for a team like this.
Yet here they were, having made it to the 25th floor, surviving a Monster Feast without a single injury. That in itself was already a miracle.
Not being able to push on to the safety zone on the 28th floor was a disappointment—but there was no need to achieve everything on the first expedition.
Once they had the strength, the synergy, and the gear to match, they’d come back and try again.
And next time, it wouldn’t be with the main party. It’d be just them, taking on the challenge alone.
...
While resting, Finn listened to Liliruca's report and her conclusion that their team couldn’t continue the advance.
"Hmph. At least you know your limits."
"Small fry should know their place. You've already hit your ceiling."
Bete's ill-timed jab earned a sharp glance from Finn, though he said nothing. Instead, he turned back to Liliruca.
Her face was tight with anger, fists clenched under her cloak.
She seriously wanted to punch that wolf-faced jerk.
But she held herself back.
"Bete-san, even if this is our limit for now, it’s definitely not the limit of my teammates."
"It’s my shortcomings that stopped us. I couldn’t find a better path through the chaos of the Dungeon, nor could I lead them any farther."
"My team is made up of excellent members."
"Oh~?"
Bete gave her a look of amused interest. He hadn’t expected this little Pallum to talk back like that.
"If they’re so excellent, then why give up now? Why not show us what they’re really capable of?"
It was a taunt—and Liliruca knew it.
That flash of heat in her head quickly cooled. Her fists slowly unclenched.
"No. I still choose to stop here."
"My teammates are indeed exceptional—but my capabilities are limited. I’ve already exhausted all our resources. At this point, I no longer have the confidence to lead us forward."
Yet her eyes burned with unshakable resolve.
"I won’t gamble with my team. That’s why my choice, right now, is to pull back."
Maybe they could have pressed on. But Liliruca knew her team didn’t have the strength to handle what came next.
Rather than act on pride, it was better to acknowledge her limits.
She could grow stronger. She could prepare better. There was no need to stake everything on a single expedition.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 349: Chapter 349: The Scent of Corpses
Chapter Text
Finn accepted Liliruca's response, and though his face remained composed, there was a trace of approval and reassurance in his expression.
"Lili, your strength may not compare to Daphne's, but your judgment and decision-making are on par with hers."
"Your assessment was sound. Once your team ran out of resources, its core weaknesses would’ve started showing. Instead of pushing forward blindly, you made the wise—and difficult—choice to withdraw."
Faced with the captain’s praise, Liliruca looked a little flustered.
"No, Captain, I just..."
But Finn gently shook his head, signaling for her not to continue.
"For many strong-willed adventurers, choosing to give up is one of the hardest things. No one wants to watch something within reach slip through their fingers."
"But even so, staying calm and making that call is rare and commendable."
Finn's face softened into a smile full of warmth and satisfaction. He clearly saw potential in Liliruca, and his praise reflected that.
"As a commander, you can't afford to lose your ability to think clearly or judge rationally just because of the emotions of those around you. Your job is to act for the sake of the team—not the other way around."
"That's why I believe your decision was the right one."
"You’ve got talent for command. It’s worth nurturing that further."
Finn's acknowledgment meant the world to Liliruca. The excitement and pride welling up inside her were hard to contain.
Still, her sense of self-control kept her composed.
"Thank you for the compliment, Captain."
Finn clearly approved of this junior adventurer. Then he cast a quick glance toward Bete.
"Don’t take Bete’s words to heart—he's gotten used to playing the villain lately."
"When you were clearing the hive in the Great Tree Labyrinth, that guy was running faster than anyone else."
Liliruca’s eyes widened as she looked over at Bete. She hadn’t expected the same Werewolf who had been so harsh to them to have actually been trailing behind their group during the hive cleanup.
Caught red-handed, Bete looked visibly annoyed.
"Tch! I was just checking things out. Don’t think I was babysitting these small fry."
Even with his sour tone, Liliruca couldn’t help but get a better read on him.
That Vanargand had a tsundere streak after all.
In response, Liliruca set aside her bias toward the Vanargand and offered her thanks sincerely.
"Bete-san, thank you very much for what you did."
"Hmph!"
The werewolf gave a haughty snort and didn’t respond.
But Liliruca understood now—this was just how Vanargand communicated.
She knew he wasn’t a bad person. If he were, he wouldn’t have done any of what he did. He just had a sharp tongue, that was all.
She gave a slight bow and left.
Watching her go, Finn’s expression softened with approval and quiet amusement.
"What do you think of Lili’s potential, Bete?"
A flicker of respect passed through the eyes of the prideful wolf. For someone to say what she did in a situation like that—it was enough to make him take notice.
"Just passable."
Coming from Bete, who was usually scathing, even "just passable" spoke volumes.
Riveria also watched Liliruca’s retreating figure. She had seen everything.
"She may not be exceptionally gifted herself, but she’s able to inspire others, to draw out their full potential."
"That clarity of will brought out the best in her team—maybe... it’s a kind of ‘sign’."
"Looks like we’re thinking the same thing."
As adventurers grow, they develop special skills and magic through the blessings of their gods. What kind of abilities awaken depends entirely on talent and luck.
Those who possess such skills or magic are the chosen ones—gifted by the world.
And Liliruca, without a doubt, was one of them.
Compared to the magic she already possessed, perhaps this expedition would lead to a new awakening.
Finn was already looking forward to seeing what kind of magic and skills Liliruca would develop next.
"And now it’s Daphne’s turn."
With Liliruca's team halting at the 25th floor, the next stretch—two more floors—would depend on Daphne.
Their rest didn’t last long.
Thanks to the recent Monster Feast, no new monsters were currently spawning on the 25th floor, so the break was unusually peaceful.
Soon enough, the team was geared up and ready to move.
This time, Daphne’s team took the lead, while Liliruca’s stayed back to rest.
The 25th and 27th floors of the Great Fall were connected by a waterfall—a rather unique structure.
That connection also applied to the monsters. Aside from rare creatures and the floor boss, these three floors were primarily inhabited by Blue Crabs and flocks of Iguazu living in specific habitats.
Maybe all of Loki Familia’s bad luck had been spent earlier, because the 26th floor only had a few Blue Crabs—and not a single Iguazu. They passed through without incident.
Eventually, they reached the base of the Great Fall. Like the previous levels, the area was filled with interlinked caverns. But unlike before, they were now surrounded not by dizzying waterfall cliffs, but by the basin pools formed at the very bottom.
This was where the Mermaids resided.
However, Mermaids were a rare spawn in the Great Fall. They rarely appeared—and when they did, it was usually to target a few adventurers, not during moments with large groups moving through.
With few monsters in their way, Daphne's advance went smoothly.
"Sniff... sniff..."
Bell, with his sharp nose, caught the scent of multiple corpses as soon as they reached the 27th floor.
The odor wasn’t overwhelming—it seemed to be masked by another plant’s fragrance, making it difficult to detect.
'Were the corpses hidden?'
A faint, invisible ripple spread out from Bell, quickly covering the area.
Soon, he "saw" a monster lurking nearby, disguised in a bizarre shape within one of the caves. It had been spying on the team the entire time, completely still like a rock.
The sight made Bell grin.
'I see... a special intelligent variant.'
His thoughts immediately jumped to the unique monster native to the Great Fall—a creature made entirely of moss.
Chapter 350: Chapter 350: A Dishonorable Ambush
Chapter Text
"Follow me."
After calling out, Bell stepped into the space that had just been opened.
The Vouivre looked a bit unsure but quickly followed.
They emerged in a relatively quiet place, but as soon as they arrived, the Vouivre immediately covered her nose.
"It stinks!"
Her sharp sense of smell picked up the nauseating stench everywhere, mixed with the acrid scent of certain plants. The moment she instinctively took a sniff, she almost passed out.
Unable to control the sensitivity of her nose, the Vouivre had no choice but to cover it to avoid breathing in the stench.
Bell had already set up a barrier, so the smell didn't bother him at all.
Looking closely, the azure-colored ground was covered in a thick layer of moss, which was giving off a sharp, irritating odor.
But the real issue wasn’t the moss itself—it was what lay beneath it.
A sudden burst of fiery wind swept through, blowing away the blue moss and revealing the grisly "spectacle" hidden underneath.
Bones.
Not just one or two, but dozens.
Many of the remains had long since rotted away, and with the thick moss covering them, it was as if the moss had thrived by feeding on the corpses—absorbing the stench and sealing it in.
"These are... humans?"
Still holding her nose, the Vouivre stared in a daze at the bones scattered across the ground. Even with just a glance, it was obvious these were the remains of adventurers—of humans.
Nearby were scattered weapons made of metal, some not yet fully corroded.
"This is a real piece of work. No wonder the 26th and 27th floors have felt so off. So this is why."
"Enhanced Species. Hunting monsters to strengthen themselves, stealing their Magic Stones. No wonder there’ve been so few monsters along the way."
Enhanced Species—monsters that choose to prey on their own kind to grow stronger.
These types of monsters follow the law of the jungle. Compared to others of the same species, their potential is much higher. Running into one in the Dungeon is considered an 'abnormal situation.'
And one that can conceal itself, stay hidden when people are around, and even go so far as to hide the adventurers it kills—it means this Enhanced Species has intelligence, and it acts with great caution.
Bell had known about the monster’s existence for a while.
He just hadn’t expected it to be so cautious, going completely dormant when Loki Familia arrived.
"Pretty cowardly—but I guess that's to be expected when it’s up against Loki Familia."
Knowing when to avoid danger is a skill in itself.
What sets Enhanced Species apart from the mindless monsters that just charge ahead is precisely this.
Bell’s lips curled slightly as he glanced back at the Vouivre.
"Don't step outside the barrier I've set up."
Before the Vouivre could ask why, an invisible wall had already formed around her, cutting her off completely from the surroundings.
"Thud thud thud!!!"
Suddenly, from the darkness, a barrage of stone shards shot out like rain.
A wall of rock rose up instantly, shielding Bell.
He was usually the one launching sneak attacks, but today, he was the one being ambushed.
The rock wall held firm, blocking every shard.
As his vision was obscured, a dark shadow darted in—rather than crashing into the wall, it veered around, heading straight for Bell.
Moving with astonishing speed, the shadow bypassed the barrier and lunged at Bell.
But Bell, standing behind the wall, had already locked eyes with it.
"Hmph~"
A stone pillar shot up from the ground.
"Boom!"
It struck the shadow dead-on, launching it into the air.
Bell fixed his gaze on the airborne monster, then stepped onto the stone pillar and shot forward.
Wind gathered beneath his feet, propelling him with even greater speed—he appeared behind the monster in the sky like a breeze.
Clenching his fists together like a double-headed axe, he drove them into the monster’s back, sending a shockwave through the air and slamming it down into the ground.
Bell landed swiftly.
"Thwack!"
At the moment of landing, a root-like spike burst up from the ground, piercing clean through his body.
Saplings quickly sprouted from the wound, growing at an alarming pace.
They clearly intended to eliminate Bell as quickly as possible.
"Crack!"
Pierced through and parasitized by some strange flora, Bell's body suddenly cracked. From the site of the wound, his form split cleanly in two and collapsed.
The monster hesitated, caught off guard—then turned to flee.
A light breeze swept through, slicing its limbs clean off.
The monster howled. The severed parts began regenerating almost instantly. It wasn’t a creature with a true physical form—its current shape was a temporary construct.
But the wind still howled around it, slicing through its freshly regrown limbs again.
"Nicely done."
Wrapped in a blue breeze, a figure slowly emerged, standing atop the crater where the monster had fallen, looking down from above.
"As expected of an Enhanced Species. You adapted to my fighting style fast—and even twisted my sneak attack into your own tactic."
"And with that regenerative ability, it's no wonder you managed to kill so many adventurers."
"But in the end, your core is still a Magic Stone. Once that’s destroyed, no matter how strong your regeneration is, it's meaningless."
Bell watched the monster as it struggled to regrow its limbs and flee, his expression completely calm.
With the element of surprise and proper preparation, even a monster of this level could be suppressed and taken out with ease.
"Whoosh..."
The light breeze from earlier swelled into a fierce gale. A powerful green wind engulfed the monster.
"ROAR!"
From within the raging wind came the monster’s anguished howl. The wind barrier gradually shrank, growing smaller and smaller until it was barely the size of a fist.
Bell lifted a hand, and the tiny storm ball floated into his palm.
With a light squeeze, the compressed wind orb shrank further, collapsing inward to its limit.
"Now... that's one foreign threat completely wiped out."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 351: Chapter 351: You're a Good Person
Chapter Text
The blue swirl of wind slowly parted, revealing the Magic Stone wrapped inside.
This was no ordinary Magic Stone.
Regular Magic Stones were purple, while new variants had an eerie green glow at their core. But this one emitted a strange white light within its purple shell.
It caught Bell’s attention.
The wind surrounding the Magic Stone transformed into a pair of hands made of wind elements.
Bell wasn’t foolish enough to touch something so uncertain with his bare hands. What if the monster still had some hidden trap inside?
Being cautious and careful was the right move.
The elemental hands deftly rotated the Magic Stone, allowing Bell to examine it closely.
After a simple check using Runes, he confirmed that this was indeed the Magic Stone from the enhanced monster earlier.
It hadn’t been tampered with, but the core still contained the essence of the creature from before—
A Moss Huge.
'No wonder that monster could regenerate so easily. That wasn’t its actual body—just something it grew for hunting.'
'Its limbs were merely the product of the Moss Huge’s growth. While they had some strength and attack power, they weren’t vital. It only needed a bit of energy from the Magic Stone to regenerate endlessly.'
Realizing this made Bell feel a bit disturbed.
Looking again at the Magic Stone, it was barely the size of a thumb. That alone made it nearly impossible to destroy with normal attacks.
Even now, the monster wasn’t truly dead.
As long as this Magic Stone had time, the Moss Huge inside would keep growing, eventually forming the enhanced monster all over again.
'With a base level of 4, if this thing is allowed to grow, it might keep going... maybe even reach level 5, or level 6...'
Bell thought for a moment and made his decision.
He’d use it as nourishment.
But some cleanup was needed first.
His eyes swept over the pits in the ground and the scattered bones. With a light stomp, the earth trembled slightly, and the holes began to fill in on their own.
With a wave of his hand, a breeze rose and slowly purified the stench in the air, making the area harmless again.
Once the cleanup was done, Bell walked over to the Vouivre and released the barrier around her.
"Everything's taken care of, let's go."
The Vouivre was still a little dazed, as if her consciousness had completely drifted away. It wasn’t until Bell walked over that she finally snapped back to reality.
She lifted her head and looked at Bell.
"That was amazing..."
She was a newborn Vouivre, but even she had a sense of what power was.
That level of battle was far beyond her ability to participate in—just the slightest impact could mean death.
She couldn't even fully follow the speed of that fight with her eyes.
Bell gave a small smile in response to her praise.
"You think I'm amazing, but you've only just been born. There are plenty of people far stronger than me. Compared to those big names, I'm just like you—another person trying to survive."
"There are a lot of humans like you?"
The Vouivre's eyes widened. She already thought Bell was strong, but now she was imagining even more people stronger than him.
Bell had no emotional reaction to this. It was simply the truth—there were many people stronger than him, and as an adventurer, he was only just getting started.
"Of course there are."
"Then will they save us too?"
"Well... probably not. They wouldn't do something that gives them nothing in return."
Bell paused for a moment, then explained.
"Without any kind of endorsement for your identities, the people of the upper world would never accept you."
"To them, helping you would be the same as betraying humanity."
"So don’t expect those people to come and save you."
"Maybe the only thing they’re thinking is whether killing you special species would drop some rare loot."
It was cruel, but it was the truth.
The Vouivre froze at his words, then slumped, disappointment and sadness written all over her face. She looked like she was about to cry.
Bell showed no emotional reaction. This was the path every Xenos had to walk.
As reborn Xenos, the first thing they had to understand was this: never assume adventurers are good people.
Anyone who approached with sweet words was almost certainly dangerous.
"Don’t think of adventurers as good people. No one is kind for no reason. So, whenever you meet one, treat them like they're bad."
After hearing Bell say that, the Vouivre finally looked up.
"Are you a bad person too?"
Bell was glad that she was actually listening to him.
"That's right. It's best if you see me as a bad person. That’s what it means to struggle to survive."
But the Vouivre stared at him for a moment, then firmly shook her head.
"No. You're not a bad person."
Maybe she didn’t have the best judgment as a newborn Xenos, but she could feel that Bell wasn’t bad.
Unlike those who chased her down, Bell had never once shown any intent to kill her.
She might not be strong, but she could read people’s eyes.
From the moment they met, Bell had never shown even a trace of desire.
Maybe that was what he meant by "motivation."
Seeing how determined she was, Bell only shook his head slightly. He still believed it would be better if she thought of him as bad.
"Don't think like that."
"The moment you let your guard down around someone, that person might be the reason you die."
"Don’t let anyone become your weakness. Only by staying wary of everyone can you hope to survive."
But the Vouivre didn’t waver.
"I don’t think you’re a bad person."
No matter what Bell said, she refused to see him as bad.
Bell gave up. He had only wanted to teach her how to survive in this man-eating dungeon, after all.
With a small sigh, he let it go.
"Fine, do as you like."
The stubborn Vouivre smiled when she saw Bell give in.
She didn’t know whether others were good or bad, but she was sure of one thing—this person was definitely a good one.
Others wouldn’t lift a finger for them, but this person had made a promise to her.
So in her heart, she firmly believed that this person was good.
Chapter 352: Chapter 352: The Gap Between Hearts
Chapter Text
"...."
Watching the entire scene of the "Vouivre's upbringing," Loki could only sigh.
'That kid's seriously messed up.'
Even if the methods were sound, Loki still felt something was very wrong with him. Judging by the way he taught by example, it looked like he intended to pass that sickness on to others—pure trouble.
Loki figured the Vouivre was doomed. Spending too much time with that kid and learning from him would definitely warp her thinking.
In that sense, Finn's earlier judgment had been spot-on.
If Loki Familia ever really went to war with that kid, the only possible outcome would be their annihilation.
He had too many tricks up his sleeve.
And he was growing far too fast. The best time to have dealt with him would've been back when he was still at Lv.1 and hadn't really started developing.
But who could've known back then?
So now, Loki was filled with regret.
And at the same time, relief.
Sure, she'd taken a hit financially, and she couldn't act all high and mighty in front of the shorty anymore. No more mocking her like in the old days.
But that was still better than ending up on the opposite side of him.
Then Loki noticed something else.
"Shorty, that kid seems to trust those special children more than he trusts adventurers."
Hestia didn't have bad eyesight—she could clearly see that Bell gave more care and attention to that special child than to anyone else.
"I think it's because Bell-kun sees them as purehearted, not as complicated as adventurers."
There was a clear implication in Hestia's words.
Loki, shameless as ever, had no trouble picking up on it—Hestia was clearly talking about her children.
"So what you're saying is, that kid prefers to be around simple-minded people?"
It actually made sense. His actions did line up with that logic.
But staring at the shorty now, Loki couldn't help but feel a major sense of doubt.
"Then how the hell did he end up with someone like you?"
"..."
Hestia froze for a second, and when the meaning hit her, she shot up from the sofa.
"Are you saying I'm not purehearted!?"
Hephaestus looked at Hestia in surprise, then awkwardly looked away, clearly flustered. Loki, on the other hand, stared at the shorty clinging to her neck with outright disdain and let out a mocking laugh.
"You think you're pure? You really think being called the 'Virgin Goddess' in Tenkai actually means you're pure?"
"You think I can't see the meat-eater hiding underneath all that?"
"You..."
How did you know!?
Seeing the shock on the shorty's face as it flushed completely red, Loki smirked inwardly.
She knew it.
This little one was totally a closet carnivore.
"Tch! I knew it—you've always had that secretly thirsty vibe. Total carnivore."
Loki wore a smug grin, completely confident in her judgment.
"Athena and Artemis are the same. Those two are carnivores just like you. They just don't care about being called 'virgin goddesses' because none of the warped Tenkai weirdos are their type anyway."
Loki knew the goddesses of Tenkai all too well.
She always enjoyed messing around and treating other gods like toys, but when it came to goddesses, she usually kept her distance—except for that trashy Ishtar.
She wasn't exactly close with most of them, but she wasn't hostile either. They were at least on speaking terms.
Which was why she knew plenty about what went on among the goddesses.
"I knew it. You closet pervs are all cut from the same cloth."
Loki curled her lip, not bothering to comment further on the shorty's hidden nature.
There were plenty of goddesses like her in Tenkai—bookish on the outside, but on the inside? 'Empty,' 'lonely,' and 'cold.'
"Seriously though, how did someone like you with such impure thoughts attract that kid?"
That question genuinely puzzled Loki, and she furrowed her brows in thought.
She couldn't figure out what made the shorty so special compared to herself.
Maybe that kid had chosen a weaker Familia in the beginning because it was the smart move... but still, why her?
Yeah...
Hestia also felt something was off. From what she knew about Bell, he wasn't the type to trust people easily.
Even when choosing a Familia, his first choice had actually been Hephaestus.
Thinking that, Hestia instinctively hugged her chest.
Then the realization hit her.
She turned to glance at Hephaestus—similar size to hers.
Then she looked over at Loki's "Wall of Sighs."
Instantly, Hestia's expression lit up with pride.
"Ahem~ Isn't it obvious why Bell-kun picked me?"
"Hah?"
Loki looked up in confusion, only to see the shorty smugly hugging her ample "human heart" with both arms.
Loki glanced down at her own and, filled with irritation, spat out a single word.
"Shit!"
...
Meanwhile, the dungeon assault team had reached the 28th floor.
Finn scanned the surroundings carefully. Once he confirmed no one else was coming from the other side, he ordered the group to set up camp and rest.
"Keep watch on the area. Even though the 28th floor is a Safe Zone and monster spawns are reduced, it doesn't mean they won't appear at all."
"Assign guards for lookout duty. The rest of you, take a break here."
They had come all the way from the 18th floor in a single day and even encountered a "monster feast." The adventurers who had been in the fight were totally drained, and at the word "rest," most of them dropped straight to the ground.
Camp setup began, handled by those who hadn't participated in combat.
Everyone was exhausted, so it was better to let the battle-worn adventurers recover while others handled the lighter tasks. Most of the monsters on the 18th and 28th floors had been cleared, so the second team would have an easier time catching up.
Finn didn't believe there would be zero monsters, but Raul and Gareth could easily handle whatever might appear.
Besides, Tsubaki and her crew weren't ordinary smiths. A good number of them were Lv.2s—perfectly capable of jumping into a fight if needed.
Which meant Team One only had to focus on their own tasks.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 353: Chapter 353: Finn’s Concern
Chapter Text
Three hours later, the second team of the expedition arrived on the 28th floor.
By the time they got there, the first team had already finished setting up camp, and most of the members were seated, resting and recovering.
Everyone in the second team had prior expedition experience and was at least Lv.2—any lower, and they wouldn't have qualified. If an escort team lacked the strength to protect others, they should’ve been placed in the first team to train.
After their arrival, Gareth regrouped with a few members of the first team.
"Finn, how are the kids doing?"
"Everyone’s improving rapidly. Their growth is already visibly obvious."
"Oh? Sounds like this expedition really gave them a solid push."
Finn’s reply far exceeded Gareth’s expectations. He had assumed that, being their first time on an expedition, the younger members would struggle to adapt to the environment of the lower floors.
He hadn’t expected Finn to say that they were all showing clear signs of growth.
Gareth was genuinely surprised, but even more so, he was pleased.
The better the younger members developed, the brighter the Familia’s future would be. Even though he’d been at Lv.6 for quite some time, Gareth still hoped to see more of them rise to the top. Judging by the satisfied look on Finn’s face, it seemed like the children really had made significant progress this time.
"It’s impressive. Their progress has gone far beyond what we expected."
"It's just a bit unfortunate that Lili's team ran into a 'Monster Feast.'"
Gareth wasn’t all that surprised. What he was more concerned about was the child’s safety.
"How did she and her team hold up?"
Finn motioned for Gareth not to worry and continued,
"Lili’s team faced the 'Monster Feast' head-on. They used up all their resources, but everyone made it through safely."
Hearing that, Gareth relaxed—but he was still amazed by how Lili and her team had made it through unscathed.
"To face a 'Monster Feast' and come out without a single injury... those kids really have grown."
He knew that most of Lili’s team consisted of Lv.1 and Lv.2 adventurers. For a team like that to hold up under a 'Monster Feast' and show such resilience was remarkable.
To emerge without any injuries was a clear sign of how far every member of that team had come.
"Maybe if they hadn’t run into the 'Monster Feast,' Lili could’ve led them further."
"Well, running into a 'Monster Feast' in the Dungeon isn’t exactly rare. Getting an early taste of the Dungeon’s malice isn’t necessarily a bad thing."
Just the mention of a 'Monster Feast' told Gareth enough about the kind of situation Liliruca had faced—but he didn’t see it as something negative.
"The deeper you go, the more you feel the Dungeon’s hostility. We’ve experienced that firsthand many times."
"They may just be starting out on this path, but learning about the Dungeon’s malice is crucial."
"If they couldn’t keep going this time, they’ll have another chance. What they’ve gained now is valuable experience."
"After all, we all know—adventurers don’t grow overnight."
That was what people meant when they said there’s no need to rush.
But that didn’t mean adventurers shouldn’t strive to improve. It meant growth takes time.
Talent, effort, and luck all need time to build.
That’s why being an adventurer isn’t about rushing—it’s about building a foundation, then making your move.
Seeing the lingering regret on Finn's face, Gareth understood that he was feeling bad about Liliruca’s unlucky break, so he offered a few words of comfort.
"You don’t need to feel so sorry for Lili. This was her first expedition, after all."
"Think back—did we even make it to the 28th floor on our first one?"
Finn couldn’t help but recall their early days, and a smile crept onto his face.
"Back then, we couldn’t even imagine reaching the 28th floor."
"Even with all our talent, we got completely blocked at the 13th floor by one of those damn 'Monster Feasts.'"
He, Gareth, and Riveria had all been considered gifted at the time, but even they were stuck at the entrance to the 13th floor. It took several scouting runs, some serious planning, and assembling a larger party before they finally made it past the 13th floor to reach the 18th floor and the City of Rivira.
Seeing Finn smile again, Gareth clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"If we went through all that, why can’t the kids today go through it too?"
"Besides, did we ever back down when we hit a wall like that? No—we pulled our team together and pushed forward the next time."
"That girl’s got better conditions than we ever had. So what if she stumbled once?"
He had a point.
Finn realized he’d gotten a little too caught up in worry.
"You’re right. Setbacks and challenges aren’t something we adventurers can’t overcome. It’s just part of the path, and regret won’t change anything."
"That’s more like it."
Gareth chuckled and casually shifted the topic.
"Other than the kids’ growth—anything else happen?"
That question instantly darkened Finn’s expression.
There was something.
Gareth straightened up as soon as he caught the change in tone. Finn lowered his voice.
"It’s about the Guild’s power."
Gareth blinked, then quickly connected the dots.
"Special monsters with self-awareness in the Dungeon? Did your group run into someone?"
"Not us. Bell-kun did."
"Tch... figures."
"The Guild's involvement is a massive headache. If this isn’t handled carefully, it could throw all of Orario into chaos."
"I know. But we can’t turn it down—not that we even have the option."
If they could, Finn wouldn’t have touched that mess at all. But right now, they had no choice.
Gareth understood why.
The Guild’s influence was directly tied to Haruhime, and with Loki owing them a favor, they couldn’t just look the other way.
"But even if the Guild’s pressure is real, there had to be another reason you agreed so fast, right?"
Finn knew he couldn’t hide it, so he let out a bitter sigh.
"Bell-kun was seen by Loki, Hestia, and Hephaestus while he was rescuing people."
That shut Gareth up immediately.
Now he understood why even someone as shrewd as Finn couldn’t quietly clean up the situation—there was no getting out of it now.
And then Finn dropped the real bombshell.
"The Guild had Hermes Familia’s Muddle deliver the 'eye' directly to Ais, so they saw the whole thing too."
Yeah, this was seriously bad.
Gareth’s eye twitched uncontrollably at that.
Of all the things that could’ve gone wrong... and now the Guild was in on it too.
No wonder there was no way out.
Chapter 354: Chapter 354: Inescapable Trouble
Chapter Text
Gareth could only sigh at their luck.
Although their Familia had recently gained several talented and gifted members, it felt like their good fortune had already run dry.
At least in the Dungeon, their luck had been downright terrible.
There were only a few major threats in the Dungeon, and they just happened to run into the most powerful guild faction.
And it happened right under the eyes of the Guild, Hephaestus, and Hestia. Seriously, what were the odds?
Gareth fully understood the situation Finn had faced back then.
This wasn’t about whether they could step in—it was something they had to do.
“With that many people watching, no wonder you had to grit your teeth and make the call.”
“But after this, we probably won’t be able to make any more excuses.”
Gareth understood all too well what it meant to get your foot stuck in a deep pit—you couldn’t pull it out easily once it was in.
Finn understood that too, which was why he had such a headache dealing with it before.
“The Guild’s influence is going to be a major issue for Orario down the line. Now that we’ve stepped into it, we’re guaranteed to have some serious trouble ahead.”
“But with the Guild watching, and both Hephaestus and Hestia there, we had no choice.”
Gareth shook his head slightly. Just seeing the deep crease in Finn’s brow was enough to show how troublesome this really was. All he could do was pat Finn’s shoulder in reassurance.
“This was bound to happen sooner or later anyway.”
“Think about Haruhime’s skill. Think about the boost she brings us. Even if we wanted to stay out of it, do you really think the Guild would just let it go?”
With Haruhime tied into the whole situation, if the Guild faction kicked up a fuss, the first ones they’d come after would be the Loki Familia.
And they wouldn’t be able to say no.
Gareth’s reassurance seemed to help a little.
Finn already knew that if something big happened within the Guild’s ranks, they’d be the first ones the Guild came to. But even so, he’d still been clinging to a shred of hope that nothing would go wrong.
Now, even that sliver of hope was gone.
Feeling powerless, Finn really wanted a drink to let off some steam.
But this was an expedition. During expeditions, he had a rule: no alcohol, to keep his mind clear at all times.
“Ah... things are already where they are. There’s nothing I can do.”
“So, have you figured out how to handle the Guild?”
Finn gave a small nod. At least they didn’t have to worry about that particular issue for now, so he replied,
“Since the Guild is keeping an eye on Ais, we’ve agreed to transfer the people to the Safe Zone on the 28th floor first.”
“Honestly, compared to us, it’s better for the Guild faction to handle this.”
Gareth felt the same. He wasn’t worried their Familia would spill the beans, but some people just couldn’t keep their mouths shut...
"That's the best way to handle it."
"The fewer people who know about the Guild faction, the better. It’ll save us the trouble of those loudmouths who get chatty after a few drinks."
Then Gareth brought the conversation back on track.
"But since we've already stepped into this, we should at least make contact with their people."
"Yeah, I was thinking the same."
Finn agreed.
The Guild faction was like a ticking time bomb—getting involved with them in Orario was like touching the Evilus. Whoever got close would pay the price.
But once the decision was made, there was no room for hesitation. They had to establish deeper contact with them. Only by doing that could they help prevent the Guild faction from spiraling out of control.
Finn felt it was necessary to provide assistance when needed, so he also needed to understand the Guild faction's situation to some extent—enough to avoid any unexpected developments.
With that thought, the frustration on his face faded, replaced by renewed calm and caution.
"There are Spirit forces and Evilus inside the Dungeon. On this expedition, we may end up clashing directly with the Spirit faction."
"In such an isolated and vulnerable environment, it wouldn’t hurt to have another group we can rely on for help."
"From what we know now, the Spirit faction and Evilus have already joined forces. If we have to face both at the same time, the pressure will be overwhelming. Having someone to share that burden would help."
Seeing Finn recover his composure so quickly, Gareth couldn't help but chuckle and tease him.
"You're pretty quick to bounce back."
But Finn just looked up at the sky with a helpless expression.
"What choice do I have? Don't forget, it's not just about Haruhime. Ais is definitely going to cross paths with the Spirit faction too."
Gareth suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
Factoring in Ais’s situation, they really didn’t have a way out of this pit.
Understanding that made Finn feel a bit more at ease.
Once you realize there's no way to avoid something, all that's left is to face it head-on.
"No matter what, we won't directly oppose the Guild faction. But Evilus and the Spirit faction—those are threats we can’t run from."
"Now that it's obvious the Spirit faction and Evilus are working together, we deal with them first and worry about everything else later."
Finn was still troubled by the situation with the Guild, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized the Guild was likely just as troubled.
"The fact that they've managed to stay hidden this long means they won’t expose themselves recklessly when it’s unsafe. At least in the short term, they won’t bring much pressure down on us."
"Bell-kun came to the same conclusion. The Guild probably wants ‘them’ to be accepted by surface-dwelling humans—but that’s not something that can happen easily."
Gareth nodded in agreement. He had heard about the Guild’s goal before. It was certainly an ambitious one.
That goal could resolve the Guild faction issue—but it definitely wasn’t something that could be achieved anytime soon.
"So our biggest concern is Evilus and the Spirit faction finding ‘them’ and possibly exposing everything?"
"Exactly. That’s why we need to understand ‘their’ movements under special circumstances. Otherwise, there’s no way for us to help them."
To make that possible, regardless of how anyone felt about it, they had to meet with the Guild faction and establish a way to stay in contact.
Only then could they coordinate and cover for them when the time came.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 355: Chapter 355: Reunion on the Safe Zone Floor
Chapter Text
At that moment, three cloaked figures were moving along the 30th floor.
They were referred to as "Creatures" because, judging by their appearances beneath the cloaks, they looked nothing like humans. The cloaks felt pointless—more like a feeble attempt at disguise.
“I didn’t expect we’d be summoned to retrieve a newly born comrade... and that it would involve the Loki Familia.”
One of the figures, whose inhuman features protruded from beneath the cloak, made the remark.
That comment immediately sparked a conversation among the other two.
“What you’re really concerned about is that the newborn comrade wasn’t killed, and that Fels actually contacted us to retrieve them, right?”
Another cloaked figure, who appeared outwardly like an ordinary woman, redirected the discussion to the main issue.
She wasn’t one for subtlety—cutting to the heart of the matter was her style.
“The surface gods’ Familias have always treated us like mere monsters. There’s no way we’d ever be accepted.”
“And yet, one of the top-ranked surface Familias spared one of us—and is even looking to establish contact. That’s... certainly unusual.”
The third creature, whose form was just as inhuman as the first, suddenly posed a question:
“Could it be a trap meant to lure us in?”
The only woman among them shook her head slightly. She was confident that wasn’t the case and explained,
“If it were a trap, Fels wouldn’t have contacted us directly.”
“The surface Familias would never accept us so easily... but if there's some special connection, then maybe it's possible.”
The first speaker turned toward the woman with a questioning tone.
“Are you suggesting it’s some kind of leverage?”
“I believe it’s something along those lines. Otherwise, why would a surface Familia accept who we are?”
The first creature gave a small nod. He agreed that this seemed the most likely.
It would be unthinkable for the second-ranked Familia on the surface to willingly associate with Dungeon monsters—unless they had a death wish.
Their very existence was a massive liability on the surface. If exposed, even a top-ranked Familia would face serious consequences.
That’s why he was certain—no surface Familia would willingly make contact with them unless there was a compelling reason.
The woman, her tone firm, continued,
“This time, Fels probably had more than just a retrieval in mind—he likely intended for us to make contact with the Loki Familia.”
She still trusted Fels and the Guild. After all, over all this time, only the Guild and Fels had ever offered them support.
They couldn’t trust any of the surface gods’ Familias—but when it came to the Guild and Fels, their trust was unwavering.
"If a surface Familia can temporarily accept us for some reason, then honestly, it’s not a bad thing for us."
Hope flickered in the woman’s vertical pupils.
Life in the Dungeon had become increasingly difficult. Not long ago, many of their kin had been captured by those bastards, and they still hadn’t tracked down their whereabouts.
Right now, help from a surface Familia would clearly ease some of the burden.
“Things in the Dungeon have only gotten more chaotic lately, and we still need to find our captured kin.”
At her words, the other two fell silent.
They were worried too, but there was no denying how dire the situation had become. What they needed now was support.
If a surface Familia could offer that, then maybe—just maybe—they could lower the risk they faced.
Truth was, things were already bad enough.
A species under the control of the Spirit faction had emerged in the lower floors, scouring constantly for magic stones. Any monster with one was targeted—and even they weren’t exempt.
On top of that were the bastards who had taken their kin.
They were almost certain it was the Evilus faction, the same group they’d been keeping tabs on for some time now. But those guys were slippery.
They couldn’t get to the key members, and the ones they did manage to capture always self-destructed. Many of their kin had died in those suicide blasts.
So now, they had to resolve at least one of these problems. If not, their already harsh living conditions would only worsen.
...
Keeping silent as they moved, the three quickly arrived at the 28th floor safe zone.
But just as they stepped through the stairwell, the space in front of them suddenly split open.
“!?”
All three were startled and immediately took several steps back to maintain a safe distance.
“Well, that was fast.”
A voice rang out from the other side of the rift.
Then, a figure stepped out—wrapped in a cloak just like theirs, only even more tightly concealed.
“The Guild moves quickly. We just arrived at the safe floor, and you’re already here.”
Hearing this, the three exchanged glances and finally let their guard down a little.
“Are you the comrade we’re supposed to meet?”
The stranger shook his head and pointed to his side.
They looked in that direction, but saw no one. Just as they were about to suspect a trick...
A girl slowly faded into view.
Her skin was a deep blue, her face marked with strange patches, and a red gem embedded in her forehead. She was clearly not human. She was one of them.
—A Vouivre.
Based on her appearance, the three immediately recognized her species.
Vouivres were rare creatures that appeared only on the Middle Floors—and even then, their births were incredibly few and far between.
They never expected that their newest comrade would be a Vouivre.
But under their gazes, the Vouivre looked uneasy and quickly hid behind the stranger.
“Careful. She’s just a newborn.”
Only then did the three realize how rash they'd been.
After softening their stares, they finally noticed what was happening—this fellow Vouivre had instinctively taken shelter behind the stranger.
What did that say?
Wasn’t it a clear sign of trust?
More than that—trust beyond what she showed even to her own kind.
That realization sparked a new curiosity toward the cloaked stranger.
“The Guild didn’t send you just to hand her over, did they? You're not here to keep an eye on me, right?”
The woman looked at the stranger with interest. His face was completely hidden, and her tone carried a trace of curiosity.
“You're not curious about who we are?”
The stranger’s voice turned light, even playful, and a chuckle escaped.
“Before the Guild ever told me about you, I’d already pieced it together. I figured out the Guild had a faction hidden in the Dungeon.”
“So tell me—should I really be curious about your identities?”
The woman’s pupils narrowed slightly. So this was the person Fels had mentioned.
Then, the stranger continued.
“I think you should meet with the Loki Familia. So I brought them to you.”
Suddenly, four spatial rifts opened behind him.
Chapter 356: Chapter 356: Ais Is Not Stupid at All
Chapter Text
Five minutes earlier...
Gareth and Finn had just wrapped up their conversation when Riveria approached with Ais in tow.
Finn gave Riveria a slight nod, then turned his attention to Ais.
“Ais, we're about to encounter some special monsters in the Dungeon. You need to keep your emotions in check.”
“...”
Being directly called out made Ais a little uncomfortable. Did she really seem like someone who couldn’t control herself?
But she also knew she had no right to object—because that’s exactly how she used to be.
“I know.”
Her hatred for the Black Dragon hadn't faded, but her resentment toward other monsters had lessened significantly.
At the very least, Ais had found clarity. Her hatred was no longer broad or indiscriminate—it had become focused.
“Are you sure you know?”
Finn still saw Ais as the most volatile among them. He was genuinely worried she might suddenly lose control.
'Am I really that unreliable?'
Puffed cheeks and all, Ais was genuinely annoyed now.
Riveria, seeing her mood, stepped in to vouch for her.
“Finn, you don't need to worry about Ais anymore.”
“She has her own goal now. She's no longer holding a grudge against all monsters in the Dungeon.”
Seeing that Riveria wasn't joking, Finn gradually relaxed. He looked at Ais, a bit apologetically.
“Sorry, Ais. This time, it’s a complicated matter—our Familia is involved, and so is the Guild. If you make a scene, we might not be able to fix it.”
“And if things really spiral out of control, not even Loki might be able to clean it up.”
Though still visibly frustrated, Ais understood. She wasn’t unreasonable.
Besides, she had her own solid reason for not fighting.
“No grudge, no fight.”
“And with Bell Cranel around, I won’t fight either.”
The first sentence didn’t raise any eyebrows—but the second one caught them off guard.
The three exchanged looks. Eventually, Riveria asked, confused:
“Ais, have you had any contact with Bell-kun?”
“No.”
“Then why say you won’t fight if he’s there?”
“Because I need his help.”
Her reason was simple—nothing as complicated as they might have thought. She just wanted Bell Cranel's help.
“My father and mother need to be freed, but they’re incredibly strong. Under normal circumstances, it’s nearly impossible to defeat them. I need someone to help.”
Finding allies—this was the simplest method Ais could think of to free her parents.
Maybe she couldn’t take them on alone, but she had close friends—and she had a way to reach their level, even if only for a short time.
"Status is a rigid metric—when there's a big gap in strength, only increasing your status can help close it."
"Normal training for a year might not yield as much as a single Rune Stone. Rune Stones can even break through limits—they're absolutely essential."
Ais's mission now was to rescue her parents from the deep levels of the Dungeon.
Not long ago, she'd stood before them and promised to show the strength that would allow her to survive. So right now, any form of power was invaluable to her.
And Bell Cranel was also an important part of that.
The Rune Stones he created could provide short-term power boosts, which perfectly matched what Ais needed to reinforce herself. So she knew Bell Cranel wasn’t someone she could afford to offend.
Otherwise, how could she expect him to help her in the future?
Please, she wasn’t stupid.
If anyone understood who could truly help her, it was Ais.
'So you’re not as clueless as you seem, huh.'
Finn, Gareth, and Riveria looked at Ais. She wasn’t joking, and they all came to the same realization.
They knew Ais had always been a bit airheaded.
She had been clever and sharp as a child, but as she grew older, she’d become rigid—emotionally stiff, and prone to tunnel vision.
They'd always worried she would get stuck in that mindset.
What they hadn't expected was that, after being stuck for so long, Ais could actually pull herself out of it. It seemed that Aria and Albert’s influence had truly shaken her, finally helping her regain her clarity.
“Well, that’s good then.”
Now that he was sure Ais was in a stable state of mind, Finn no longer felt concerned.
As long as she didn’t suddenly draw her “Desperate” and charge in, things would be fine. What Finn feared most was that the situation would spiral into the worst possible outcome.
Just then, four spatial rifts opened up before them.
The moment Finn saw the portals, he understood.
"Looks like the other side is ready."
The timing was perfect.
With Ais confirmed to be fine and the others having arrived, it was time to check out the other special monsters.
Finn was curious—just how many of these unique monsters had the Guild discovered? How many were now dwelling in the Dungeon?
"...Let's go."
Finn was the first to step into the portal.
Gareth followed second, still fascinated by the nature of spatial power. But once he crossed over, there was no time for observation—it was already a different space on the other side.
Riveria and Ais quickly followed through.
The four crossed the transitional boundary and emerged on the other side, where space overlapped.
They looked around—wasn’t this the path leading into the 28th floor?
And opposite them stood three cloaked figures. Judging from their outlines, two of them weren’t human.
The cloaks made it hard to see their faces, but the contours of two figures clearly revealed them as Dragonkind.
Both Gareth and Finn instinctively glanced at Ais.
'Phew… thank goodness.'
Though Ais had firmly stated she wouldn’t attack, the presence of Dragonkind—especially if they were related to the Black Dragon—was another matter entirely.
Riveria stepped forward and broke the silence.
"Are you the ones from the Guild?"
Among the three, the only one who looked remotely human stepped forward and pulled back her hood with practiced ease, revealing her true appearance.
Feathers, loose and flowing like hair, draped over her head. And the hands pulling down the hood weren’t human—they were bird-like wings.
This immediately revealed her monster nature to Finn and the others, confirming not only her species but also her magical classification.
"You’re... a Siren."
Riveria recalled it. This monster species was extremely rare in the Dungeon. Songbirds were deep-level monsters capable of confusing adventurers with their singing—often inducing powerful hallucinations with ease.
"My name is Ray, adventurer of the Loki Familia."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 357: Chapter 357: Trouble with the Xenos
Chapter Text
"As you can see, I was originally a Siren."
Ray gave a slight bow, her mannerisms clearly setting her apart from the mindless monsters.
"Thank you for showing mercy to our kind."
Finn raised his hand, stopping her mid-sentence.
"Hold on. We weren’t the ones who protected that child—it was Bell-kun. We only learned about the child afterward."
Ray paused, turning her gaze to the stranger wrapped tightly from head to toe.
She already knew his name by now.
Bell Cranel.
Fels had informed them earlier that a child from a surface Familia had pieced together the relationship between the Xenos and the Guild, as well as the power structure behind the New Variants deeper in the Dungeon.
The Xenos hadn’t discovered information about the Spirits through their own deductions—it was Fels who told them. Otherwise, they might’ve paid a much steeper price to uncover what forces were really behind the New Variants.
Ray turned slightly and bowed to Bell.
"Thank you very much for your help, Mr. Bell."
Bell didn’t shy away from the gratitude. Sometimes, facing it head-on was the right thing to do—especially with the Xenos.
The Xenos weren’t complicated. Unlike Adventurers, they didn’t have layered intentions. When they said thank you, they meant it. Accepting it plainly was the best response.
"No need to thank me. I was just lucky to be there."
Bell didn’t bother with excessive humility, simply stating the facts.
He had only saved her because he’d heard the Vouivre’s pained scream and got curious—wondering who could be wandering the 20th floor during the Loki Familia’s expedition.
That curiosity led him to the Vouivre, and he ended up saving her from the monsters chasing her.
"You can explain it yourselves."
Bell waved his hand, signaling that he had no intention of dragging things out. It was necessary for the Xenos to connect with the Loki Familia, so he gave them the go-ahead.
Ray didn’t hesitate. They couldn’t stay on the 28th floor for too long anyway, so it was better to get everything across quickly.
She shifted her attention to the members of the Loki Familia...
"Members of the Loki Familia, I see pity in your eyes. Do you think we’re pitiful?"
Finn's gaze grew complicated. Only through direct contact could one truly realize that these beings, cloaked in monstrous forms, actually possessed human hearts. And that made his emotions even more conflicted.
"Your unique existence easily stirs strong emotions in otherwise rational people."
"But it’s also your uniqueness that keeps humanity on the surface bound by fear. Right now, I do feel pity for you—but I also grieve your fate."
Through that eye contact, Finn saw no despair in their eyes—only determination and hope.
That, too, was proof that these monsters had human hearts.
There wasn’t much Finn could say to these humans in monster skins. At most, he could only sigh, 'Fate can be cruel.'
"Yes, our fate..."
A flicker of sadness passed through Ray’s eyes. Born as monsters yet endowed with human hearts—perhaps that was the very reason the Dungeon’s monsters rejected them.
Unaccepted on the surface. Unaccepted in the Dungeon.
No matter where they went, they were “Xenos”—heretics. Rejected by both sides.
"We don’t have much to say about fate. We who live in the Dungeon are simply trying to find a way to survive."
"The Guild and Fels have always supported us Xenos, and we’ve done what we can to help the Guild in return."
"But lately, we’ve been facing serious problems."
Finn immediately focused—this was exactly the reason they needed to talk.
Ray continued, her face solemn.
"The deeper floors have been repeatedly devastated by monsters created by the Spirits. These New Variants attack any creature with a magic stone without hesitation. They aren’t just monsters—they seem like beings created solely to harvest magic stones."
Finn was already aware of this. The actions of those creatures clearly showed they were searching for energy sources to cultivate their so-called “fetuses.”
He summarized what he knew and added,
"You're right. Those New Variants aren’t like traditional monsters."
"They likely weren’t born of the Dungeon itself, but from a Corrupted Spirit rooted deep within it."
"The reason they relentlessly seek magic stones is simple—the Spirit needs vast energy to nurture the fetuses she produces, or what we might call her 'avatars'."
"The Spirit faction has long been in league with Evilus. All of this—everything they’ve done—is to bring ruin to the surface."
Ray nodded slightly. This matched what she already knew.
The alliance between the Spirit faction and Evilus posed a major threat. The Xenos were already struggling to survive in the Dungeon, and now they had to contend with these two powerful forces—it was becoming overwhelming.
Which was why Ray hoped for help. Tentatively, she said,
"Actually, things haven’t been going well for us lately."
"We’ve already relied heavily on the Guild and Fels, but the trouble we’re in now… it’s beyond what they can handle alone."
Finn understood exactly what she meant. At this point, he no longer felt any hesitation about helping these unique beings.
Maybe it wasn’t something they should be doing. If things went public, the entire Loki Familia could be dragged into it.
But right now, that concern didn’t matter anymore.
In fact, if they didn’t act, the Guild might end up coming after them anyway.
"Is this about Evilus?"
"...Yes. We’ve been tracking Evilus members for a while now. We want to tear that bastard apart. So many of our people have died because of him."
As Ray said this, a hint of rage twisted her expression.
Their numbers were already small to begin with. But because that bastard kept hunting them, they were steadily losing members.
"Every time we try to make a move, he slips away. It’s forced us to change our base every few weeks, keeping all of us Xenos on edge."
"And we don’t believe for a second that he’s just been avoiding us. Sooner or later, he’s going to strike."
"If we don’t deal with him now, we’ll never have a moment’s peace."
Chapter 358: Chapter 358: The Sword Princess’s Gratitude
Chapter Text
"The Evilus... those guys never get together for anything good."
Gareth genuinely wished the Evilus would vanish for good. A deranged group like that continuing to exist was nothing but trouble.
"I feel the same."
Riveria shared Gareth's sentiment completely.
She had no tolerance for the Evilus. With the chaos they stirred both above and below ground, the ordinary people of Orario could only feel one thing toward them—disgust.
"But they're like loaches—slimy, slippery, and impossible to catch with one hand."
Gareth's expression twisted as if he'd just recalled something revolting, like spoiled cheese.
Ray felt the same.
It wasn't that they couldn't deal with them. The problem was that one particular bastard always managed to escape—faster than anyone else.
"Yeah, every time we're about to catch him, he slips away. And that's definitely not normal."
"It's not normal at all," Finn agreed, rubbing his chin as he thought.
There was no way these special types hadn't gone all-out every time they tried to trap the Evilus. It wasn't possible for someone to repeatedly slip past them so easily.
That was the real reason behind Evilus's confidence.
"It's no coincidence they keep getting away. It's likely the Dungeon has secret spaces only they know about."
"Maybe you're not failing to catch them—they're just disappearing into places you can't find."
From what Ray said, it wasn't hard for Finn to infer that the Evilus had built hidden routes.
If that were true, it would explain how they always managed to escape encirclement.
"The nightmare on the 27th floor? That was their doing too. So was the destruction of the Astrea Familia."
Evilus's crimes were soaked in blood.
Every single act of theirs demanded a record written in blood—that's how insane their actions were, in Finn's eyes.
Unlike proper Familia, Evilus didn't follow any code. They were lawless, brutal, and utterly shameless. A banquet of madness.
Honestly, what happened with the Ishtar Familia said everything.
There were numerous passages in the Dungeon that connected to Orario's underground—and those even extended outside the city, linking up with Ishtar herself. That was how the trafficking operations started.
Those trafficking rings were built on the blood and tears of countless members of the human races.
After that incident, Finn had personally seen the horrific scene beneath the Ishtar Familia. Which made him certain—the parts they hadn't seen were even worse.
And with that, Finn had made his decision.
"I understand. After we finish this expedition, we'll join you in the search for Evilus in the Dungeon."
To Ray, that promise felt bittersweet. They had received almost no help from any of the Familia or gods—this might be the first time.
"Thank you very much."
Her voice trembled slightly.
Her shoulders quivered. As a Xenos chosen to negotiate, she was supposed to remain calm, but the years of hardship and injustice made it hard to hold back her emotions.
...They really are human.
Finn started to understand why Ouranos-sama wanted to include these unique beings among the demi-humans. They weren't just typical monsters who attacked adventurers—they were humans with the instincts of monsters.
That thought only strengthened Finn's resolve.
"Don't mention it. Help should always go both ways."
"We may be here because of the failures of our Familia gods, but I don't see you as monsters. You should be human... it's just that fate played a cruel trick on you."
Ray didn't fall into self-pity. She quickly got her emotions under control, a faint smile appearing on her face.
"I used to resent what I was. It's because of that identity that we're called 'heretics'—neither fully human nor monster, unable to belong anywhere."
"But I don't feel that way anymore."
Fate is rarely fair—perhaps fairness doesn't even exist.
Every Xenos had once cursed their fate.
But no matter how much they complained, reality didn't change.
Ray was no longer the little girl who once resented the world's unfairness. Now, she chose to face her fate and try to change it, even if just a little, with her own strength.
'That must be tough.'
Watching from the side, Bell muttered silently to himself.
Fate is hard to change. For the Xenos, hardship seemed inevitable. Unless they endured, they would never see hope—never see the rainbow after the storm.
Maybe it wasn't even about fate. Maybe this was just reality.
And in that reality, the Xenos weren't players in some high-level game.
All they could do was survive. Find a patron, carve out a path, and maybe, just maybe, secure a small victory in this stacked world.
'If you think about it, the Xenos are like the moon. Without light shining on them, they can't shine on their own.'
That strange thought made Bell chuckle quietly to himself.
...
Looking over at the members of the Loki Familia, it was clear—they had accepted the Xenos.
Bell knew it wasn't out of sympathy.
It was because they saw the light of humanity in them.
"Bell Cranel."
Ais, who had been listening quietly nearby, walked up to him.
"Sword Princess. What is it?"
"...Thank you."
"For your parents? That was just on a whim."
Bell knew what she was referring to, but he admitted—it really had been a moment of curiosity.
"When I returned from the Dungeon with you and Vice Captain Riveria, I happened to glimpse the soul hidden inside you. I got curious, and it just... happened."
"Kind of presumptuous of me. You're allowed to be mad."
But Ais's doll-like face showed no trace of anger. That, more than anything, made Bell pause with emotion.
"I'm not angry."
There was no trace of resentment in her voice. She meant exactly what she said—she was simply grateful to Bell Cranel for what he had done.
With that, Ais bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
Bell could see it—her gratitude was pure, just as she said. No other emotion mixed in.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 359: Chapter 359: The Sword Princess’s Invitation
Chapter Text
"You really are like a doll."
Bell could clearly see how different the Sword Princess was from other adventurers. Her heart was pure—whatever she liked or disliked showed plainly on her face.
If someone like that were weak, they’d get taken advantage of in no time.
Only her overwhelming strength, along with the support of her companions, allowed the Sword Princess to grow this far without stumbling.
"Doll" might not be the most flattering term—it could even sound insulting.
But honestly, it suited her perfectly.
"A lot of people say that."
"It’s not exactly a compliment, Sword Princess."
Watching her calm, almost emotionless expression, Bell couldn’t help but think she really lacked some basic common sense.
Without friends around to cover for her, she’d definitely end up in trouble someday.
Still, that wasn’t something he needed to worry about.
With Finn and the others watching over her, there was no way the Sword Princess would be seriously taken advantage of. At worst, she’d just get burned a little—enough to learn and avoid it next time.
"Sword Princess, is that all you have to say? What do you think of them?"
Ais’s gaze, rare in its focus, settled on the Siren.
Outwardly, she looked like a monster. But there was nothing monstrous about the way she carried herself.
Ever since that day, Ais hadn’t held as much hatred toward monsters.
"They don’t seem like monsters."
She stated her impression of the Xenos plainly.
"Oh~ your perception’s way more direct than Finn’s."
"That’s because Finn thinks too much."
Ais’s agreement came quickly, and she clearly believed it. Sometimes, she really did think Finn and the others overanalyzed things. She completely sided with Bell on this.
But her response made Bell give her a strange look.
'Sword Princess, do you even realize you just called yourself simple?'
He shook his head with a faint smile. As much as he wanted to comment, there wasn’t anything wrong with her way of thinking.
Life was full of worries. Sometimes, not overthinking things made everything a lot easier.
Of course, that approach probably only worked for someone like the Sword Princess.
Adventurers were usually more cautious by nature. Being an adventurer wasn’t a solo game—you had to interact and cooperate with others.
Only someone like the Sword Princess, raised in a protected environment, could afford to think like that.
"Still, that’s not something to be proud of."
Bell pointed out what she was lacking.
"Finn has to carry the burden of the entire Loki Familia. He has to consider things from every angle and face challenge after challenge."
"With that kind of responsibility, every decision he makes affects the whole Familia. It’s only natural he’d be careful."
"Sword Princess, do you carry any of Loki Familia’s responsibilities?"
"..."
Bell’s words brought Ais to silence.
She hadn’t carried any responsibility. In the past, it had always been Finn and Riveria handling everything she should have been involved in—while she lived free of that weight.
Realizing that made a trace of shame creep onto her face.
"No."
Thinking it over carefully, aside from recently taking an interest in everyone’s strength, Ais hadn’t taken on any real responsibility as a Level 5.
She thought about the work Finn and Riveria handled daily. Though she had picked up bits and pieces by watching them, if she had to actually do it herself... she'd be completely lost.
When she tried to think of something she could do for the Familia, nothing came to mind.
She had never considered this question before, and now that she had, she felt completely at a loss.
"That's fine."
Bell wasn’t surprised by her answer. Adventurers didn’t produce anything—they weren’t craftsmen or farmers. That was just the reality.
He glanced toward the Xenos.
"You should start thinking about what else you want to do. What do you think your parents would have wanted you to do?"
"Right now, power is a necessary condition. It’s what you need to free your parents—but once you’ve done that, once your enemies are dead, then what?"
"What would your parents hope for you after that?"
Bell’s question made Ais fall into deep thought.
She didn’t know how to answer.
She knew freeing her parents’ souls required strength she didn’t yet have. So lately, she had started shifting her thinking—her focus gradually turning to the companions around her.
Now that she understood she couldn’t do it alone, Ais knew she needed the strength of her comrades...
"Heh~"
The heavy atmosphere was suddenly broken by Bell’s laugh.
Ais paused and looked at him, puzzled.
"Why are you laughing?"
"I’m not laughing at you, Sword Princess."
Bell tried to stifle his laugh and offered a brief explanation.
"Adventurers aren’t really supposed to think about retirement. Even Finn, who’s been leading the Loki Familia for years, hasn’t once brought it up."
"Maybe I brought it up too early."
Seeing Bell struggle to hold back his amusement, Ais still didn’t understand what was so funny.
"Why do you think it's too early?"
"If we’re able to think about things like that... wouldn’t that mean we’ve already defeated the Black Dragon?"
Her words were so startling they could leave a room full of people speechless.
Defeating the Black Dragon?
That was the same monster even the combined forces of Zeus Familia and Hera Familia couldn’t bring down. In this era—an era without heroes—did she really believe they could pick up the banner those two Familia left behind?
Most adventurers would probably laugh off the idea as ridiculous.
Anyone thinking realistically would think it impossible.
But Bell’s laughter stopped cold. He looked at Ais, eyes serious and filled with curiosity.
"Sword Princess, do you really believe our generation of adventurers can accomplish the feat of defeating the Black Dragon?"
"We can!"
Her answer was firm. Her eyes calm and unshaken, as if the Black Dragon she spoke of was just some minor threat that happened to show up one day.
"I will do it."
Then she turned her gaze to Bell.
"You will too, right?"
"Heh... I mean, yeah, the Black Dragon is my goal too. But whether I can actually defeat it—that's another story."
"That's enough."
Her gaze didn’t change. This time, she had heard the answer she was hoping for—and that alone made today worthwhile.
"Bell Cranel, please help me."
In that moment, the doll-like Sword Princess extended her invitation to a boy still unknown to the world.
Chapter 360: Chapter 360: When in Doubt, Play It Safe
Chapter Text
"Help you?"
Now Bell finally saw just how ambitious the Sword Princess really was.
"You want an adventurer with no rank to help you take down the Black Dragon?"
"Sword Princess, I think you might be seriously delusional."
But Ais wasn't fazed by the teasing in his words. Her eyes stayed fixed on Bell Cranel, burning with intensity.
"You're strong. I can feel it. You might even be stronger than me."
Bell couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
"Come on, don’t joke like that. Most of my strength comes from Magic. I’m not as strong as you think."
Unless it’s a sneak attack.
He silently added the thought.
Against Level 6 or Level 7 adventurers, he had to be extra cautious.
Bell admitted that his growth at each level was about 1.5 to 2 times faster than a typical adventurer’s, but once you crossed levels, the raw gap in Excelia made it hard to measure.
Sure, with Lightning Command or Runes, he could probably outmatch a typical Level 6 in a one-on-one—but his basic stats were still lacking.
Unless he got the jump on them, Bell wasn’t confident he could take out a Level 6 in a single hit.
Even with his strength now at Level 4, he only considered himself capable of holding his own.
Most of his edge came from abilities and magic that helped close the gap, not raw stats.
But Ais wasn’t about to give up. She took a step closer, eyes locked onto Bell without hesitation.
"I know you’re strong."
"Last time, that woman—she was stronger than me. But you forced her back with a single strike, even took one of her arms."
Bell stepped back, a little flustered—she was standing way too close when she said that.
"That only worked because it was a sneak attack."
"If I had the strength to take on someone like her head-on, I wouldn’t have needed to use it."
...Though even now, I’d still go for a sneak attack.
Yes, even with all the time that had passed and his growth since then, Bell would still choose what he liked to call a "righteous sneak attack."
It just made sense.
Why fight fair when you can end the battle before it begins?
Bell didn’t see himself as some berserker who lived for battle. He viewed himself more as a magician with practical tactics.
That magician stereotype—fragile and cautious—actually worked in his favor. It gave him chances to strike when people dropped their guard.
"And you want someone who relies on sneak attacks to help you slay the Black Dragon?"
"Are you making a joke? Or do you just think your joke is really clever?"
His meaning was obvious—he was refusing her outright.
But Ais didn’t accept that. Something about his words didn’t sit right with her.
She kept staring at him, searching for the slightest crack in his expression.
Unfortunately for her, Bell was excellent at concealing his presence. Hiding his emotions was just part of that skillset.
There was no way he’d let the Sword Princess see through him when he knew she was trying.
In the end, Ais had no choice but to look away in disappointment. She couldn’t find a single hint of insincerity on Bell’s face.
But deep down... she still felt he was lying.
"Then why did you say your goal was the Black Dragon?"
Ais tried to find a flaw in his logic—and suddenly latched onto something Bell had said earlier.
But Bell stayed perfectly calm. His response left no room for argument.
"The Three Great Quests were issued to all adventurers. Whether we choose to accept them or not, they're challenges every adventurer has to face eventually."
"I’ve set the Black Dragon as my goal. Is there something wrong with that?"
"Uh..."
That completely shut Ais down.
She couldn’t refute it. Even if she wanted to argue, she had no ground to stand on.
After all, the Black Dragon really was one of the Three Great Quests. It wasn’t a selective mission—it was a final task open to every adventurer, something anyone could choose to pursue.
No matter how strong or weak you were, if you had the resolve, you could accept it and strive toward it.
So Bell saying the Black Dragon was his goal didn’t mean much—it wasn’t some hidden statement. It was a goal anyone could declare.
Bell saw the frustration on her face.
She looked just a little pouty, a mix of annoyance and helplessness. But there was nothing she could say.
Honestly, in that moment, the Sword Princess looked unexpectedly... feminine.
Too bad Bell wasn’t swayed by it.
Come on—her invitation was nothing but trouble.
Even if he chose to slowly reveal his strength after the expedition, Bell had no plans to get involved with the Sword Princess. That would make him way too high-profile.
What would happen if a no-name adventurer like him suddenly gained attention and started hanging around her all the time?
Even Bell’s modest brain could work that out.
It would put a massive target on his back—a dangerous one.
Still, he didn’t push her any further. Ais’s straightforward mindset probably couldn’t handle too much teasing before it broke.
"Sword Princess, instead of focusing on me, maybe think about how to help the rest of your Familia get stronger."
"Remember—even when Zeus Familia and Hera Familia were at their peak, they still couldn’t defeat the Black Dragon. In the end, they were nearly wiped out."
That wasn’t something you could just ignore. It was a brutal reality.
If you were aiming for the Black Dragon, you couldn’t rely on just the Loki Familia. You needed power far beyond that.
Bell laid it all out plainly.
"Zeus Familia’s top fighter was Level 8. Hera Familia’s was Level 9. And Loki Familia?"
"Your strongest member is only Level 6. You’re nowhere near the ceiling of those two."
"And those two legendary Familia still ended up as footnotes in history. If you ask me, your dream’s way too big."
The words hit Ais hard.
The gap in strength wasn’t something she could close in a matter of days—or even years.
And she knew Bell was right.
The strongest Familia in the world had fallen trying to bring down the Black Dragon. If they wanted to stand a chance, wouldn’t they at least need to match the strength of Zeus and Hera’s Familia?
For someone like Ais, who had no head for strategy or leadership, that was an overwhelming challenge.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 361: Chapter 361: Loki’s a Pervert—She’d Never Do That
Chapter Text
When both sides finally sat down calmly to talk, Finn fully understood the situation of the Xenos and realized how deeply Loki Familia needed to support them.
The Xenos were enduring a harsh life in the Dungeon, and the threats they faced were the same that plagued the Loki Familia. Both sides were up against two common enemies: the Evilus and the Spirit forces. This shared struggle was the foundation for cooperation—only by confronting the same threats could these two largely separate groups unite effectively.
“Recently, the frequency of New Variant activity in the lower levels has been increasing.”
“But those New Variants rarely go below the 50th floor.”
Ray’s intel immediately clicked with Finn—now he understood why those New Variants avoided the floors below.
“It’s because the energy in the Magic Stones is insufficient down there. They’re bypassing low-quality Magic Stones.”
The New Variants were created solely to gather enough Magic Stones to fuel the growth of Spirit fetuses. To get better energy, Spirit Guardians deliberately ignored the floors below 50—to reduce attention while securing high-quality stones.
“These New Variants are constructs made just for harvesting Magic Stones—fundamentally different from the natural monsters in the Dungeon.”
“It seems Spirit fetuses need massive energy. Otherwise, these New Variants wouldn’t be roaming the Dungeon so recklessly.”
Finn now fully grasped why the Spirits had been so adamant about nurturing fetuses. The previous failure was a significant setback—but they wouldn’t stop. Their plan to raise fetuses and send them to the surface was still in motion. The implications were alarming.
Finn felt the danger lurking in this expedition. They might not encounter Evilus directly—but a confrontation with Spirit Guardians was all but inevitable.
“It seems we can’t avoid running into Spirit forces on this expedition.”
If Spirits continue nurturing fetuses in secret deep within the Dungeon, Loki Familia can't turn a blind eye.
Finn turned to Ray and the others.
“Are you still keeping an eye on the Evilus?”
"I am."
“Then lay low for now. The Evilus have been watching you closely. If I’m right, they’re planning to capture more of your kind or even wipe you out when you make your next move.”
Ray’s face froze. Considering how many of their comrades had already been captured—and how aggressively Evilus had been acting—this warning hit hard. Finn stayed fixed on her expression until she truly understood.
“The Dungeon isn’t just where you live. The Evilus have always been lurking down there.”
“They’ve been able to keep evading your pursuit because they have their own secret paths within the Dungeon.”
“So for now, avoid exposing your location. You need to move through areas they don’t frequent. On the floors they know well, you're at a serious disadvantage.”
Ray also felt it was entirely possible they’d be wiped out by the Evilus.
Recent operations already made that clear. If they kept chasing after them, they might drag the entire Xenos into this mess.
Finn continued, “There’s a definite connection between the Spirits and the Evilus. I believe the Evilus are aware of what the Spirits are doing in the deeper levels, which is why they haven’t tried to interfere with our expedition.”
Back then, it might have been because the Evilus were wary of the Loki Familia’s strength and didn’t dare to act recklessly.
Even Finn used to think that.
But with the intelligence they’d gathered now, Finn no longer believed the Evilus were truly intimidated by their Familia.
If it were the Zeus Familia or Hera Familia they feared, that Finn could believe. But to say they feared the Loki Familia? That was just laughable.
Even Finn now realized how arrogant that line of thinking had been.
Riveria and Gareth's expressions turned grim as well.
“Finn, if that’s true... doesn’t it mean this expedition is exactly the trap Loki set for us?”
Riveria felt a flicker of unease, like being betrayed by someone she trusted most.
Even Gareth looked visibly displeased.
“You’re overthinking this.”
Bell, who had been waiting silently at the side, finally spoke up.
Watching Loki-sama be misunderstood by her own Familia was amusing—especially considering the scolding that would follow.
But internal confusion wasn’t something they could afford on an expedition like this. That’s the only reason Bell chose to speak up for Loki-sama now.
“...Before the expedition started, I met with Loki-sama to talk about some related matters. But she wasn’t clear on the internal state of the Dungeon. At the time, her relationship with the Guild wasn’t all that close.”
“And with how much of a pervert Loki-sama is, do you seriously think she’d send someone she likes down into the Dungeon as a sacrifice?”
...Okay, Finn and the others weren’t totally sure about the first part, but the second part? That was absolutely true.
There were quite a few members on this expedition. Would Loki really toss someone she liked into the abyss?
Even in Orario, a goddess as obsessed with women as Loki was pretty rare. There was no way she’d do something so harmful to herself.
“Yeah... with Loki’s pervy personality, she definitely wouldn’t do something like that.”
Riveria’s logic started to take hold again as she listened to Bell’s analysis. It really didn’t sound like something Loki would do.
Sure, if it was sneaking into a bathroom to peek or grope someone, Loki would absolutely go that far. But beyond that, she wasn’t the type to cross the line into something this vile.
“True. I guess I was overthinking things.”
Finn couldn’t help but hold his head, clearly troubled that he’d even considered something so ridiculous.
“Sigh... now I almost wish Loki really did plan it.”
Gareth’s casual remark unexpectedly drew nods from both Finn and Riveria.
Being betrayed and kicked into a pit by their own god was somehow easier to swallow than having the world know their Familia God was just a giant pervert.
At least that way, they could still hold onto a bit of dignity.
Chapter 362: Chapter 362: Finn and the Others’ Public Embarrassment
Chapter Text
The three Xenos exchanged glances. None of them had ever met Loki-sama, but they could all sense she didn't seem very reliable.
Ray hesitated a little, then couldn't help but ask, "Are all Familia Gods on the surface like that?"
"Absolutely not!"
Finn immediately straightened up. He had to clear up this misunderstanding quickly—otherwise, it would cause no end of problems later.
"Gods on the surface are very reliable. Take Goddess Hestia of the Hestia Familia, for example—that's Bell-kun's goddess. Just look at him."
Ray glanced over at Bell, and her impression of surface gods softened a little.
After all, it took a reliable god to raise someone who wouldn't attack Xenos like them. That alone made Ray feel such gods weren't so bad—otherwise, they couldn't have raised an adventurer like Bell.
"Besides Goddess Hestia, Goddess Hephaestus is also incredibly dependable."
Seeing Ray's opinion start to shift, Finn let out a small sigh of relief and quickly tried to add another name to the list of reliable gods.
But then Ray gave Finn a strange look and said flatly, "So by your logic... doesn't that just mean your Familia God is the only unreliable one?"
"Uh..."
The three Level 6 adventurers fell completely silent.
They were powerful and highly gifted, but right now, none of that helped.
After all, this really wasn't something they could fix.
What could they do if their Familia God wasn't reliable?
Even with all their confidence, they couldn't bring themselves to claim Loki was dependable—not with so many eyes on them.
If they actually said that, Finn was certain Bell would laugh at them all the way back to the surface.
Hestia-sama and Hephaestus-sama, who had been watching the expedition from Hestia Familia's side, would probably be rolling with laughter too.
Seriously!?
Ray looked at the three of them, saw they didn't even try to deny it, and instantly understood—Loki, the Familia God of the Loki Familia, was an unreliable weirdo!
...
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Loki completely lost it. She jumped off the sofa, letting out a scream so shrill it made people's skin crawl.
Hestia and Hephaestus, who were working nearby, had already been bracing for this.
They both broke into laughter the moment they saw Finn and the others' reactions.
Honestly, you couldn't blame them. The whole situation was just too funny.
Faced with Bell's comment—"That pervy Loki would never send someone she likes into the abyss"—Finn and the others had snapped out of their overthinking and quickly agreed it was true.
Which said it all.
The three pillars of the Loki Familia were fully aware that Loki was just a shameless old pervert.
Sure, she might have a lot on her mind, but there was no way she'd abandon her lust for any other reason.
They even believed that Loki's entire personality was driven by lust.
This kind of reputation was truly devastating for Loki. Her eyes were bloodshot as she glared at the three people on the screen.
"Humph... hahaha...!"
Loki let out a bizarre laugh, and behind her, a dark, corrupted-looking aura began to spread like something out of a horror scene.
"Riveria, since you called me a pervert, then once you're back, if I don't thoroughly grope you, I'd be doing your judgment a disservice."
"What about the other two?"
Loki's eerie laugh came to an abrupt halt. She turned toward Hestia, who'd asked the question, with the broken stare of a possessed doll.
"I'm only interested in cute girls!
"One's a shota, the other's a middle-aged man—how could either of those two non-girls be my type?"
After her outburst, Loki kept staring at the three people on the screen with that lifeless, mechanical gaze.
"Ah... the expedition's almost over. Let me see you already."
"Ah... the expedition's almost over. Let me see you already."
It was a line Loki should've said while hanging around in Hestia Familia's home base. Yet now, it echoed loudly through the room.
Everything Loki had just shouted was heard clearly by the four Level 6 adventurers and the three Xenos present.
The three Xenos' expressions grew increasingly odd. Meanwhile, the three pillars of the Loki Familia only wished they could bury their heads in the ground.
At this point, they honestly couldn't show their faces anymore.
This time, they truly would've preferred if Loki had kicked them into the abyss.
At least that would've been a divine test. But this? Their Familia God just hit a whole new level of social death—and they had to hear all of it.
'Bell-kun, you're too cruel!'
Finn's embarrassment was so bad it felt like his teeth were aching.
Not even when facing Orario's strongest adventurer, Ottar, did he feel this humiliated. Right now, he genuinely wanted to disappear.
Only Bell could pull off something like this.
But what could he do?
It wasn't Bell who said those things. It was their own Familia God.
"Yeah... that does sound like something Loki would say."
Ais, who had been absentminded until now, suddenly spoke up.
In that moment, Finn and the others wished even harder they could disappear.
They didn't know if Loki had socially self-destructed just now, but as members of her Familia, they definitely felt the shame.
That their Familia God was recognized as a pervert by a Xenos they just met—there was no getting used to that, no matter how many times it happened.
Finn couldn't stand lingering in the awkwardness anymore. Knowing they had to keep moving forward, he braced himself, ignoring the strange looks and forced himself to speak.
"Ray, this isn't the best place to talk. Let's discuss it later."
"Yeah... I think so too."
Ray didn't object, but the way she looked at Finn now had a strange sympathy and pity in it.
There was nothing Finn could say to that look. All he could do was stiffly force a smile, but only the gods knew how fake it was.
"We Xenos really shouldn't stay long on a Safe Zone Floor, but it won't be easy to reach you next time."
"That's fine."
Bell cut in, pulling a special amulet out of his dimensional space and tossing it to Ray.
"This is a communication amulet. You can use it no matter how far apart we are."
"It's easy to use. Just insert a Magic Stone into the amulet and it'll work."
"If anything comes up, you can contact Captain Finn directly."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 363: Chapter 363: Eradicating Reincarnation at the Root
Chapter Text
Many things become much simpler once there's a way to stay in touch.
There’s no need to rush decisions—when trouble comes, they can just reach out. With the amulet, communication only costs a single Magic Stone.
After the exchange, the Vouivre left with the rest of the Xenos.
To her, that’s where she truly belonged.
Only in a shared world like theirs could the idea of being “seen differently” not exist.
Still, before leaving, the Vouivre made her way over to Bell.
“Don’t forget our promise.”
“Of course. As long as you keep surviving, I’ll keep that promise.”
“Then it’s a deal.”
To anyone else, their words sounded like some kind of cryptic, coded message.
But once the promise was affirmed, the Vouivre returned to the Xenos group with a smile full of hope.
Even as she walked away, she kept glancing back.
Ray noticed and couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “Are you that close with Bell Cranel? Have you known each other that long?”
The Vouivre gently shook her head.
“No. Just a short time.”
It might’ve been brief, but that time was enough for her to be certain—Bell was a good person. He was the only one she could trust.
“You trusted a new companion that quickly?”
“Mm. Not even a full day.”
Lyd scratched his head, bewildered. Gaining the trust of a reborn comrade in less than a day?
He himself had memories of being killed in his past life. No matter what, he couldn’t bring himself to trust the humans who had ended him.
So where exactly did this new trust come from?
Ray also couldn’t quite understand where that trust came from, but the light in the child’s eyes was undeniably real.
‘I really wonder what this kid’s been through to trust Bell Cranel that much.’
It wasn’t just the three Xenos who were curious about this—Finn and the others shared the same question.
After the Xenos left with the Vouivre, Finn and the others shifted their attention to Bell.
“Bell-kun, how did you get so close to the Vouivre?”
“It’s actually pretty simple. Just treat her like a person.”
That single sentence rendered Finn and the others speechless.
Bell wasn’t being sarcastic—he was simply explaining how he dealt with the Vouivre.
“Xenos are just humanoid beings with thoughts who happen to be classified as monsters.”
“If you can accept them as demi-humans, then what’s so hard about accepting them as Xenos?”
“At least to me, it’s really not a big deal.”
Bell’s thinking was straightforward. Like the god Ouranos, he saw the self-aware Xenos born in the Dungeon as a type of demi-human.
In truth, with a slight shift in perspective, it wasn’t that hard to accept.
More importantly, Bell didn’t care much about race.
In the two-dimensional world, plenty of people liked monster girls—even Cthulhu in girl form wasn’t off-limits.
With that level of acceptance, what else could be that hard to accept?
Did people really need to make such a big fuss over someone being a Xenos?
Honestly, Bell didn’t think it was necessary.
“But Xenos are born from monsters. Doesn’t that instinct to kill monsters extend to them as well?”
Finn raised a question.
During his earlier conversation with Ray, Finn had already learned about the unique way Xenos were born.
It was nothing short of miraculous.
Slain monsters were reborn in the Dungeon through a kind of reincarnation—and they retained memories of their previous lives.
When Finn learned that, he immediately grew concerned. That one fact alone would be hard for many adventurers to accept.
After all, some of the newly born Xenos might be monsters those adventurers had killed. So how could they trust that the Xenos wouldn’t try to take revenge for their past deaths?
It could easily become a serious issue.
“Oh, that’s your problem. It doesn’t really have anything to do with me.”
Bell’s response abruptly snapped Finn out of his brooding.
“Huh?”
Finn gave Bell a strange look, waiting for him to explain.
And Bell didn’t disappoint—but his answer left Finn utterly dumbfounded.
“I really hate the whole reincarnation thing.”
“What if someone I killed came back through reincarnation?’ I used to think about that a lot, so I made a special decision.”
“If the people I kill can’t reincarnate, then there’s no problem.’ That was the answer I came up with. It’s a lot simpler than having to deal with people I killed showing up again.”
“Wait!”
Finn quickly cut him off before he could go on, cautiously asking,
“So… you’ve completely stopped their reincarnation?”
“Is that even possible?”
Bell nodded matter-of-factly.
“It’s not impossible. Reincarnation doesn’t involve the body—it’s about the soul. The simplest way to stop someone from reincarnating is to destroy their soul.”
“Reincarnation carries over memories, so those memories must reside in the soul. That makes things simple.”
“As long as you use a special method to destroy part of the soul before killing someone, their soul becomes incomplete. Without a complete soul, there’s no reincarnation—and no chance of someone I killed coming back.”
Good grief.
Finn was stunned. Bell’s method of solving the reincarnation problem was to eliminate the root cause—kill the soul directly, preventing the entire cycle from ever starting.
It was a brutal but effective solution that left Finn speechless.
It also made him realize that Bell’s approach to problem-solving often gravitated toward the “final” solution—death. That’s why the issue of reincarnation would never catch up to him.
But honestly, Finn didn’t even know how to respond to that.
Chapter 364: Chapter 364: The God-Slayers in Disguise: Three Goddesses Who Chose Judgment
Chapter Text
"Wow! That kid really doesn’t hold back!"
The move left Loki stunned.
He had completely erased the possibility of reincarnation by destroying the soul’s very structure. This wasn’t just killing—it was total erasure.
“No wonder he said he treats monsters and humans the same.”
“So anyone who dies at his hands loses even the chance to reincarnate.”
Talk about an extreme kind of equality.
But Loki also realized something else.
If that kid could wield his Authority to such an extent… did that mean he could actually “kill a god”?
Gods with the power to slay other gods were virtually nonexistent, but just because no god had done it didn’t mean it was impossible.
“Shorty, you don’t think that kid can even simulate ‘god-killing,’ do you?”
“It can’t be that bad, haha...”
But Hestia and Hephaestus didn’t laugh. They didn’t even crack a smile.
Seeing their reaction, Loki’s awkward chuckle died in her throat. Cold sweat started to bead on her forehead.
“You guys… come on, we all know each other. Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking of treating them like prey?”
“Loki, some gods aren’t really gods.”
Hestia spoke calmly.
“The real issue is that some of them are unworthy of their titles. Maybe starting over would be the best thing for them.”
Wow.
So you’re the final boss, shorty!?
Loki was completely dumbfounded. She hadn’t expected Hestia to go this far—she was actually entertaining the idea of god-killing.
“The gods of Evilus aren’t gods. Maybe they’re just following their own desires, but to some children, they’re not gods at all. They’re just demons wearing the title of god.”
Loki couldn’t help but purse her lips and mutter,
“You’re the one sounding like a demon here.”
“If outsiders find out your kid is planning to kill a god, not even all of you combined could protect him.”
Hestia had already thought of that.
“That’s why we just can’t let it be exposed.”
“Huh? You think something like that can stay hidden? You think killing a god makes no noise?”
God-killing by humans in Genkai was the most loathed—and feared—thing among the gods of Tenkai.
The gods didn’t descend to Genkai to die. They came here for fun.
If word got out that someone in Genkai had the power to kill gods, wouldn’t it throw all of Tenkai into chaos?
And god-killing definitely wasn’t subtle. Once the act started, the commotion would make it obvious someone was trying to kill a god.
“The only major disruption comes from the return switch—the one linked to the banishment trigger the gods seal themselves with after descending. As long as you don’t trigger that switch, it won’t cause a massive scene.”
Hestia laid it out clearly. But Loki was drenched in cold sweat.
What did that mean?
It meant Hestia had fully figured out the gods’ return mechanism.
So no—this wasn’t a joke. Shorty was dead serious about killing a god.
"I can't believe it. You always act so pure and kind, so innocent—and yet you're more ruthless than me."
At most, she just toyed with those gods. But this shorty? She went straight for the kill, giving them no chance to fight back.
No hesitation, no mercy. It was like she was hell-bent on sending her former divine friends straight to the Underworld.
It was completely at odds with the image she usually gave off.
Or maybe... this shorty was the one hiding the deepest among all the gods?
"Hmph! The ones being truly ruthless are those gods who want to throw Genkai back into chaos. And I'm not going after all the gods—only the ones from Evilus."
Hestia didn’t care about being criticized. All she knew was that what she had seen wasn’t a lie. The humans who died at the hands of those New Variant monsters during Monsterphilia—those deaths were real.
It wasn’t just the Spirits acting then. Evilus had a major hand in it too.
"Now that Bell-kun has the power to make a difference, I don’t mind if he really does."
Loki couldn’t believe it. She really couldn’t.
She’d always thought the shorty was an easy target, soft and harmless. Who would've guessed that when she got serious, she’d be this terrifying?
Saying she’d go after gods—and she really meant it, with no room left for escape.
She was fully intent on sending the gods to hell...
Loki glanced cautiously at Hephaestus, who was just as calm and composed.
“Hephaestus, don’t you have anything to say?”
“If it’s about getting rid of those Evilus gods, I’m all for it.”
Hephaestus said it casually, like she wasn’t even talking about slaughtering gods.
Loki felt a chill run down her spine.
'What’s going on? Why are these two so bloodthirsty today?'
'Don’t tell me the idiots from Evilus have their eyes on these two too?'
Loki was completely baffled.
But before she could sort through her thoughts, Hestia turned and shot a sharp question her way.
“Loki, aren’t you the one who should want those bastards dead the most?”
"...What’s this got to do with me?"
"Don’t tell me you forgot how your child got special treatment during Monsterphilia?"
Loki froze. But the moment Hestia said it, the image of Lefiya’s miserable state came flooding back.
For a split second, a rare flicker of killing intent flashed in Loki’s eyes.
'I almost forgot I still have a score to settle with those bastards for what they did to Lefiya.'
She’d thought the shorty was going too far with all this killing. But when it came to her own, Loki wanted to dig up every last one of those Evilus gods and tear them apart.
What a joke. Even she wouldn’t go that far with her beloved little elf girl, and yet those Evilus bastards jumped straight to the kill. That moment—how could she let them live after that?
Not killing them would already be a generous gesture from Loki, the so-called evil god.
Now Loki couldn’t hold back anymore.
The grudge over her child had to be taken out on Evilus. And come to think of it, wasn’t Haruhime’s situation caused by that bitch Ishtar?
Didn’t that bitch team up with Evilus to make it happen?
Loki hadn’t forgotten—it had just slipped her mind for a moment thanks to all the chaos.
Now that it came back, Loki’s stance immediately shifted.
“Shorty, next time your kid takes action, give me a heads-up. If needed, I’ll have Finn clear the area.”
To borrow the shorty’s words—why would anyone need to show mercy when dealing with gods from Evilus?
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 365: Chapter 365: Cassandra, Are You Watching?
Chapter Text
The dark sky was thick with the scent of destruction. Craters scarred the ground in every direction—it was hard to imagine what could have caused such devastation.
In the midst of this ruin, many people lay motionless, completely stripped of the ability to move.
Finn, the Level 6 Pallum, was collapsed on the ground, missing an arm and unable to get up.
"Elgarm" Gareth had a gaping hole in his abdomen, blood steadily seeping from the grisly wound.
Tsubaki, Ais, Bete, Tiona, Tione, Raul, and Riveria were all down as well, showing no signs of life.
And Haruhime... was nowhere to be seen.
Only one person remained standing beyond the circle of fallen warriors.
That person suddenly whipped their head around, eyes locking directly with hers.
“Cassandra, I know you're watching!”
“!?”
Cassandra jolted awake from her sleep with a gasp.
"Haa... haa..."
Her heavy breathing did nothing to calm her nerves. Cold sweat clung to her back.
'The captain and the others... how could they...'
She couldn't fathom the sight she’d just seen. The Familia known as the second strongest in all of Orario, wiped out—completely.
And the last person who looked her in the eyes, she recognized him clearly.
'That was Bell-kun...'
'But how did Bell-kun know I was watching him?'
It was just a prophetic dream. She wasn’t actually there. So how could someone notice her peering into the future?
Cassandra didn’t understand. But one thing was clear—she had to get up.
She needed to tell the captain what she’d seen, or that nightmare might just become reality.
It wasn’t yet time to wake and break camp. Everyone not on guard duty was still resting.
But Cassandra was already dressed and leaving her tent.
She rushed to the entrance of the large tent where Finn and the others slept.
“Captain! Captain!”
Inside, Finn opened his eyes the moment he heard her voice.
Gareth and Bete, who were resting nearby, also woke immediately.
It only took a few seconds for Finn to shake off his drowsiness. When he recognized the voice outside, his expression shifted sharply.
“Up. We’ve got a problem.”
Gareth and Bete snapped to attention, the tension hitting them like a splash of cold water.
They hadn’t even dressed properly before stepping out of the tent.
When Bete saw Cassandra waiting outside, he instantly understood what kind of “trouble” Finn meant.
Finn noticed her pale face and the sweat on her forehead—and he immediately grasped how serious this was.
“Cassandra, did you see something?”
“Yes.”
Cassandra didn’t hide anything, but a heavy gloom still clouded her expression and heart.
“It wasn’t like anything you’ve ever described before, Captain. The sky was an eerie, dim color. I saw you with one arm missing, Mr. Gareth with a hole through his abdomen, and everyone else lying on the ground, their fates unknown.”
The image Cassandra painted played out in the minds of the three men, and yet something about it felt... off.
“If it’s a scene we haven’t seen before, then it must be a floor we haven’t reached yet.”
“But according to Zeus Familia’s records, everything past the 58th floor is supposed to be a frozen wasteland.”
“Cassandra, did you see any glaciers?”
“No.”
Cassandra shook her head slightly. The dream had left a vivid impression—there was definitely no sign of a frozen landscape.
However, there was one thing that stood out. Or rather, one person.
The one who had truly shaken her.
“Captain… aside from you all, there was someone else on that floor.”
Finn noticed her hesitation, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he guessed who she meant.
“Was it Bell-kun?”
“!?”
“…So it was.”
Seeing Cassandra’s shocked reaction, Finn knew he’d guessed right.
If she had only seen their group, it would’ve meant they were simply exploring an unfamiliar floor.
But Bell appearing there changed everything.
‘Looks like I’ve been underestimating Bell-kun’s strength.’
‘He must already be well beyond Level 4 now.’
But that raised another question for Finn.
Why would Bell be on the same floor with them?
Was it just to record footage of their expedition into unknown territory?
If that were the case, there was no need to take such a huge risk. He could’ve done what the Guild does.
‘So… is this the real reason Loki had Bell-kun join the expedition?’
Finn couldn’t figure out what kind of plan Loki was running behind the scenes, but Bell joining the expedition was clearly connected to her intentions.
“Cassandra, what was Bell-kun like in the dream?”
Cassandra tried to recall the final moments of the vision.
“He... wasn’t injured at all. He didn’t look like someone who had just been in a fight.”
“And just as I tried to keep watching, Bell-kun suddenly turned and looked right at me, like he knew I was watching him.”
Even now, the memory sent a chill down her spine.
It was the first time in all her prophetic dreams that she had been scared awake like that.
“Bell-kun saw you?”
That was far too strange.
Finn knew Cassandra’s ability, and Bell was aware of it too. Cassandra’s visions were glimpses of the future, not actual time travel.
So how could someone in the future notice being watched through a dream?
Could someone actually sense when the future was being spied on?
Finn had no answer. It was simply beyond his understanding. The idea that someone could detect a glimpse from the past felt absurd.
But now they knew—something serious was waiting for them on an unexplored floor.
“Bete, go get Ais and the others.”
Understanding the urgency, Bete nodded and quickly went to alert the rest.
Finn turned to Cassandra, who was still visibly shaken.
“Cassandra, take a moment to steady yourself. We’ll need you to describe everything you saw in detail.”
“Okay.”
Chapter 366: Chapter 366: Finn’s Suspicion
Chapter Text
It was still dark, not yet dawn, when all the main members of the Loki Familia were suddenly awakened and summoned to the council tent.
This time, it wasn't just the core of Loki Familia—even Tsubaki, the captain of Hephaestus Familia, had been called in.
"Everyone, we're facing serious trouble."
Finn didn't mince words, placing the severity of the situation front and center.
His blunt statement quickly snapped the rest of the groggy group into full awareness.
"Tsubaki, you need to pay close attention too. This mess involves you as well."
"Oh?"
In truth, Tsubaki already had a strong sense of what was coming.
After her earlier conversation with Bell, she'd realized that this expedition was anything but ordinary.
The very fact that they were required to bring a specialized item like the "Substitute Straw Doll" made it obvious—their lives were on the line this time.
With the reminder given, Finn turned toward Cassandra, standing at the center of the tent.
"Cassandra, tell us what you saw—be as detailed as possible."
Cassandra gave a small nod and began piecing together the images still fresh in her mind.
Every premonition dream she had always etched itself deeply into her memory. The visions clung to her like a curse, impossible to forget.
But this dream had been different—noticeably different from the ones before.
The images weren't as clear as usual. Some were blurry, fragmented, hard to make out.
Cassandra didn't know why. For now, she forced the questions down and focused on sharing what she could recall.
"I saw a sky cloaked in darkness. The ground was cratered and shattered like something had torn it apart. Everyone was lying on the ground, unmoving… I couldn't tell who was dead or alive. Captain, you had lost an arm… Mr. Gareth's abdomen was pierced through. And beyond that…"
She struggled to recall more, but her memory was already starting to fade. The others were only vague silhouettes, collapsed with uncertain fates.
"The rest is unclear. In the end, all I could remember was Bell-kun standing off to the side. He… he looked like he saw me. He spoke, as if he could actually see me."
"To you? While you were having a premonition? And he talked to you?"
Tiona stared in disbelief. She clearly remembered Cassandra's ability—she could catch glimpses of the future through her dreams.
But could someone in that future actually notice being watched?
"Yes… I thought it was strange too. But Bell-kun definitely noticed me. He even called my name."
Cassandra herself was still unsure if fear had clouded her judgment—but she remembered that moment vividly. Bell had looked straight at her and spoken her name.
Even if everything else had been uncertain, that part was undeniably real.
Finn had no doubts about Cassandra's perception.
He was confident she had heard Bell clearly. That kind of detail wasn't something you easily mishear or imagine.
So, she hadn't misheard.
'Bell-kun has some kind of plan with Loki behind the scenes—and that plan likely has everything to do with this expedition.'
Finn didn't believe for a second that Bell would ever betray them.
Bell had poured everything into making the Loki Familia stronger—not just to see if they could survive longer when he turned on them.
Besides, Loki, Hestia, and Hephaestus were all keeping watch over him. They wouldn't just stand by and let him send his allies to their doom.
That meant whatever Bell and Loki were planning—it wasn't betrayal.
Which left only one answer: this was a trial.
Finn's heart settled on that conclusion.
That would explain the "Substitute Straw Dolls" Bell had prepared in advance. They weren't just tools—they were a safeguard, a way to help them survive what was coming.
So this expedition… the danger they were facing might have been foreseen ahead of time—but it had been deliberately set up.
Finn let out a quiet sigh as he reached that conclusion.
"Everyone understands what Cassandra told us, right?"
"Bell-kun's behavior may seem odd, but the likelihood that he's targeting us is actually very low."
Riveria fully agreed with that and picked up where Finn left off.
"Harming us would require a motive—unless Evilus really is an organization that exists solely to destroy Orario."
"But Hestia only descended to Genkai within the last year, and the Hestia Familia was only just founded, with Bell-kun as its sole member. Logically, the chances of the Hestia Familia being connected to Evilus are incredibly slim."
"Besides, Bell-kun's actions this time were approved by Loki. In fact, right now, Loki is watching us through Bell-kun's eyes."
At that, Riveria paused, her expression turning more thoughtful.
"...If anything, this makes it more likely that Loki and Bell-kun are coordinating something behind the scenes."
"That does seem to be the case."
Finn nodded in agreement, quickly moving the topic past Bell.
"Bell-kun isn't the issue. Plus, with Ais and the Guild keeping an eye on things, it's highly unlikely he's the root of the problem.
"No, the real issue… lies with us."
"How is it our fault?" Tiona asked, confused.
But Tione had already caught on.
"You idiot!"
She smacked her sister squarely on the head.
"What do you think we're here for? Why do you think we were all wiped out in Cassandra's premonition? Isn't it because we ran into the 'Spirits'?"
"We must have encountered the 'Spirits' on the floor Cassandra saw. And not just that—one of the 'Spirit Fetuses' must have already matured."
Everyone's expression turned grim at that.
If a "Spirit Fetus" had really matured… what level would it be? Most likely at least Level 6. And with enough energy, it could possibly reach Level 7.
It was well known that monsters of the same level were far stronger than adventurers of that level.
That's why most adventurers earned Excelia by challenging monsters equal to their own level.
Even high-level adventurers couldn't gain Excelia just by slaughtering monsters of the same rank. To truly grow, they had to face Floor Bosses at or above their level.
In other words, a Level 7 Spirit might be far stronger than an ordinary Level 7 adventurer.
And based on Cassandra's dream, that's likely what they'd end up facing.
A matured "Spirit Fetus."
A true fragment of the "Corrupted Spirit" itself.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 367: Chapter 367: Everyone’s Unified Stance
Chapter Text
‘A Level 7 trial... really isn't something to take lightly.’
Finn tried to steady his breathing, but it was hard to stay calm.
Facing what was almost certainly a Level 7 Spirit, the weight on his shoulders was immense.
Haruhime’s ability might allow five members of the Familia to temporarily break through their level caps—but even so, Finn wasn’t confident it would be enough to take on a Spirit.
Still, as the captain, he had to stay composed.
If even he couldn’t keep calm in this moment, then this trial would already be half-lost before it even began.
“Listen up, everyone. This expedition is do-or-die for us.”
“The Spirit’s strength could reach Level 7. That’s a deadly threat.”
He had experience leading the charge against Udaeus, the Level 6 Floor Boss—but that wasn’t a one-on-one fight. It was a full team battle.
And there was a world of difference between Level 6 and Level 7.
What they were about to face wasn’t a Floor Boss—it was a Spirit. The challenge might be even more brutal than fighting a Level 7 Boss.
So Finn laid it all out plainly:
“If anyone here feels afraid or wants to step back, I won’t blame you.”
“There’s no shame in it. If you think you’re not up to it, speak up now. You can stay on the 50th floor and sit out the exploration into the unknown.”
The group exchanged glances. Whatever fear or hesitation had been in their eyes was now gone.
Maybe backing out wasn’t something to be ashamed of—just as the captain said.
Everyone fears for their life when faced with death. That’s human nature. No one is born without fear.
But fearing death and refusing to face it are two very different things.
And the Loki Familia wouldn’t turn away.
“What the hell are you talking about, Finn?”
Bete’s grin twisted into something fierce.
“If the road ahead is a death march, then that’s all the more reason to keep walking.”
“We haven’t ‘grown’ in a long time.”
He understood perfectly—this expedition was their greatest trial yet.
If they could get through it, maybe their long-stalled growth would start moving again.
But if they couldn’t, then that was their limit. That’s where they would stop.
And Bete wasn’t the kind of man to accept that. Not ever.
He mocked adventurers who refused to improve themselves, and he wasn’t about to excuse that same weakness in himself.
Vanargand wouldn’t stop here. Doing so would mean betraying his past promises and trampling on everything he had been through.
“Old hag, don’t tell me you’re thinking of sitting this one out?”
“Who are you calling an old hag!?”
As the oldest one present, Riveria’s forehead twitched furiously. She seriously wanted to pull her wand out of her spatial pouch and smack Bete in the head. But, infuriating as it was, what he said wasn’t entirely wrong.
Riveria turned to Ais. Just one look at her eager expression was enough to tell—there wasn’t a shred of fear in her.
Ais wasn’t just chasing revenge against the Black Dragon anymore. She had another goal now: to see her parents again.
For that, Ais would never stop moving forward.
And even if Riveria wanted to stop her, she couldn’t.
“Adventurers don’t stop walking.”
“How long has it been since the three of us reached Level 6? If we don’t keep moving, we’ll end up stuck here forever.”
“Maybe we could afford to stall in the past… but not anymore.”
Riveria let out a long sigh.
Just as Bell had said—they’d been gradually stagnating. All these years, and not a single step forward.
In the past, they might have continued taking the safe route, slowly building their strength—just like they always had.
But now that path was no longer an option.
Ais, the girl they had raised all this time, wasn’t a child anymore. She was ready to push ahead.
So how could they afford to stay behind?
Riveria had no answer.
She had seen Aria with her own eyes. And she knew—Ais still wasn’t strong enough to reach her. If they didn’t move forward together, Ais would never catch up.
So whether it was for Ais or for themselves, they had no choice.
“Ais will keep moving forward. We need to do the same.”
Riveria's resolve was clear.
There was no turning back. Even with the threat of the Spirit hanging over them, slinking away wasn’t an option.
“Yes. We have to move forward.”
Gareth shared Riveria’s view. This time, there was no room for hesitation.
“If the Spirit Fetus really matures, and we don’t fight it… what happens if it reaches the surface?”
“This wouldn’t just be our Familia’s problem anymore. It would be a threat to all of Orario.”
Personal reasons or the greater good—it didn’t matter. They had no path of retreat.
Sure, running now might keep them safe.
But it would also mean losing any hope of ever opposing the Spirit again.
This was a crisis—but it was also a rare opportunity.
Whether they could take the next step depended entirely on what they did now.
Everyone present understood that, which is why no one stepped back.
Because retreating now meant accepting that this was their ceiling—forever.
And not one of them was willing to accept that.
“That’s right, Captain. There’s no backing down this time.”
Raul stepped forward, making his stance clear.
“Maybe I’m not on the same level as Bete and the others. But if I don’t keep going, I’ll be stuck here forever.”
He understood that much. And for that reason alone, he couldn’t back down.
He wasn’t as talented as Ais, nor did he have the special skills or magic of Cassandra or Haruhime.
But that didn’t matter. He couldn’t afford to retreat.
No matter what.
Finn swept his gaze around the tent. Seeing the same fierce determination in everyone’s eyes gave him a sense of relief.
At least before the real fight began, their spirit wouldn’t falter.
But he also knew—this trial would be nothing short of perilous.
“Bell-kun, I know you're listening.”
And with that, Finn made his decision.
He would ask what Bell thought.
Chapter 368: Chapter 368: The Topic Everyone Avoided
Chapter Text
A rift slowly opened in space, delivering a figure seated on a wooden chair into the room.
"Haah..."
Bell let out a yawn—he couldn’t help it. Lately, he'd been sleeping until he naturally woke up, so being abruptly pulled out of that rhythm left him feeling a bit off.
"Sorry, I’ve gotten used to falling asleep without using magic. Breaking my internal clock like that really threw me off."
"I heard most of the conversation on my way here. And yes, I even woke Loki-sama to have a look."
"Most of it lines up with what you’ve already guessed."
"The theme of this expedition is sublimation and death. That’s been the tone from the very beginning."
"So Loki really was pulling the strings behind this."
Bell’s candid admission confirmed Finn’s suspicions—everything had been set in motion by Loki.
'Sublimation and death'... does that mean if we don’t move forward, we’ll just die at the hands of the Spirit?
"That’s not exactly it. You could choose to run if you wanted. But doing so would mean that the peak of Loki Familia’s potential ends at Level 6."
Bell had no intention of dooming Loki Familia. What they needed was an opportunity to break through.
Given how unique this situation was, Bell sincerely hoped the three pillars of Loki Familia would seize the chance.
Of course, it wasn’t an ultimatum. If someone chose to back down after realizing the risk, Bell wouldn’t blame them. It would just mean that his investment in Loki Familia had gone to waste.
And that was something Bell had already accepted. Every investment comes with risk.
But judging from their reaction earlier, it didn’t look like failure was something he had to worry about.
Not a single person in Loki Familia had flinched. Every one of them faced the danger head-on.
"So it looks like my worries were unnecessary."
Bell scanned the group before him.
"Loki Familia really is made up of gutsy adventurers. Even when staring death in the face, they march forward without hesitation. That kind of willpower... it’s honestly admirable."
"After all, a coward like me could never do something like that."
"...Bell-kun, you really shouldn’t lie like that."
Hearing Bell's self-deprecating remark, Finn didn’t hold back this time.
"I don’t think a coward would ever have the guts to challenge Goliath alone."
Bell showed no reaction to the words. He simply nodded quietly, then responded calmly but firmly.
"Anyone who challenges Goliath is undeniably brave. But I’m just an adventurer hiding Level 2 strength. Someone like me doesn’t even qualify to take on Goliath."
All Finn could do was sigh. He couldn’t help but feel exasperated by Bell’s insistence on keeping his power hidden, even under this pressure.
After all, he couldn’t force Bell to come clean.
For all he knew, pressuring Bell might have the opposite effect—he might just shut down entirely.
Noticing the look of resignation on Finn’s face, Bell gave a quiet, composed smile.
"So, Captain Finn—do you have any real basis for your guess about my level?"
"From what I understand, the fastest anyone’s ever leveled up in Orario was the Sword Princess. Even if my strength is growing at a rapid pace, there’s no way I’ve jumped two or three levels in under a year, right?"
"Does that sound reasonable to you?"
...Not reasonable at all.
Even Finn couldn’t help grumbling internally.
Just reaching Level 2 in a year was already an incredible feat. Only adventurers with exceptional talent could break through the brutal early stages that fast.
And it wasn’t just the first jump that was hard. Advancing beyond that took a massive amount of accumulated Excelia.
Even the fastest growth from Level 1 to Level 4 would still take five to six years.
To leap from Level 1 to Level 4 in under half a year? Even sacrificing one’s future wouldn’t make that possible.
Which left Finn wondering—just what kind of skill did Bell possess?
What kind of absurd ability could let someone level up at such an impossible pace?
"That's completely ridiculous!"
Tiona blurted out without hesitation.
"Less than half a year to go from Level 1 to Level 4? No matter how you look at it, that's just not realistic."
Bell fully agreed with the Crusher’s judgment. Honestly, he thought the same himself.
"Exactly. It’s just too unrealistic."
"If Orario really had an adventurer with that kind of skill, they’d be famous among the gods by now. There’s no way they’d still be unknown."
"Yeah, totally," Tiona nodded in firm agreement. But Tione, sitting beside her, didn’t look pleased at all.
'This idiot doesn’t even realize she’s being used as a mouthpiece.'
Bell didn’t care about Jormungand’s hostility. He simply continued calmly:
"Let’s drop this topic. It doesn’t really matter to us right now."
"Captain Finn, why don’t you go ahead and tell me what you wanted to talk to me about?"
That left Finn no choice. The topic had been brushed aside completely, and there was no easy way to bring it back up. And even if he tried, Bell would probably dodge it again.
Finn quietly sighed to himself, 'What a shame,' and shifted the conversation.
"Bell-kun, how did you know about the 'Spirit' we’d encounter on this expedition?"
"That brings us to my magic."
This was something Bell could talk about, so he went straight into it.
"My magic lets me perform divination under certain circumstances—but it's limited to reading fortune or misfortune. I can’t actually see the future clearly."
"Even though my magic is extremely versatile, I still can’t do what Cassandra can."
Finn nodded slightly in understanding.
Divining luck or danger might fall within Bell’s broad magical capabilities. Whether it matched Cassandra’s level of precision, though, was another question.
Still, Finn had a feeling Bell’s magic might be just as capable.
He had once asked Loki whether gods could see the future.
'No! Gods aren’t all-powerful. At the very least, we can’t see future trends or events.'
'If gods could do that, why would we even bother coming to Genkai to play this whole Familia game?'
Loki had practically rolled her eyes when she said it, but Finn thought the reasoning was fair.
If gods truly had foresight, they’d be able to pick out the most promising adventurers in an instant.
But since they couldn’t, all they could do was stumble through trial and error—sifting through the masses, gambling on who might one day grow into a worthy follower.
"So, what do you think we should do?"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 369: Chapter 382: Freya’s Favor
Chapter Text
"You didn't call your children back because you already knew."
"You knew the Black Dragon's actions wouldn't affect them—so you chose not to act."
Freya narrowed her eyes slightly. Her voice carried no hint of probing, only certainty, like she was stating a known fact.
With Loki's personality, the moment she realized the Black Dragon's roar posed a serious threat, there was no way she'd just sit back and do nothing.
At the very least, she would've immediately sent someone to the Dungeon to inform the expedition team to pull back.
Yet Loki hadn't done anything—and that already said plenty.
Freya rested her chin in one hand, eyes drifting to Hephaestus sitting beside Hestia.
"And Hephaestus… she's far too calm."
"Her children are part of the expedition team. Even the captain of her Familia is involved, yet she doesn't show the slightest concern."
"There can only be one explanation."
"You're not the only one who knows. Hestia and Hephaestus know as well."
Freya's smile briefly paused, and a soft pink glow shimmered in the depths of her eyes.
"But the Black Dragon's been silent for years—so why act now?"
Then Freya dropped a line that sent a chill down Loki's spine.
"The Black Dragon's sudden movement… it's related to that child, isn't it?"
That almost gave Loki a heart attack. She barely managed to keep her composure and feign ignorance.
"Freya, you're being ridiculous."
"You're pinning the Black Dragon's reaction on that kid? He's barely been an Adventurer for how long?"
Loki's blatant denial only made the amusement in Freya's eyes deepen, and she couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"Loki, you really are easy to read."
"...!?"
Loki's expression changed instantly. Still in the middle of the Denatus, she restrained herself from flipping the table, but her face turned visibly grim.
Shock and disbelief flared in her eyes—along with a simmering fury.
"You lovesick idiot, you actually used Authority against me!"
Freya didn't seem the least bit fazed by Loki's outburst. Instead, she smiled sweetly.
"I want that child's information, no matter what."
"But that child guards himself against me completely. Hestia and Hephaestus won't share a thing, so you're the only one left."
That only made Loki's expression darker.
So she thought Loki was the easiest target to squeeze information from?
But Freya's next words disarmed her completely.
"Think of it as me owing you a favor."
That line stopped Loki cold. She stared at Freya, unable to muster a retort.
If it had been anyone else, Loki would've fired back, "What's your favor even worth?"
But a favor from Freya was something else entirely.
As the Familia God of Orario's strongest Familia, Freya's debt carried unmatched weight.
Still, Loki couldn't deny—Freya had gone too far. Realizing this helped her calm her frustration a little.
"You really are ridiculous. Going this far for a bit of intel?"
Freya knew Loki couldn't understand her behavior. But maybe, if she framed it differently, Loki would get it.
"Wouldn't you chase after a child you like? Especially one who's still wrapped in mystery?"
"...Ah, forget it. Do what you want."
The word "mystery" was a fatal temptation for gods.
The unknown was always what drew them in the most.
The moment Loki heard it, her anger faded away.
It wasn't worth fighting over this with Freya, who was clearly head over heels.
This lunatic was in Genkai just to find the ideal partner—and Loki figured the odds that kid was the one were pretty high.
Not because he was ridiculously strong.
But because the number of buffs stacked on that kid's head was just too much.
"Born of Zeus and Hera's Familias."
"The last ember of the Heroic Age."
"The Black Dragon's arch-enemy."
All those titles could be pinned on that kid.
If he ended up adding "Companion of the Goddess of Love" to the list, Loki wouldn't be surprised. Just one more buff on the pile.
'Though I doubt the kid would be thrilled about it.'
Knowing that shorty, Loki figured he'd never let go of what he already had. Not even Freya could change that.
And that was exactly why Loki found it so strange that Freya insisted on chasing after him, knowing full well he wouldn't be swayed.
As for the kid himself... judging by how sneaky he acted, Loki guessed he'd probably hide his true strength all the way until the moment he faced the Black Dragon.
...
The Denatus discussion pressed on.
"Silence."
Ganesha stood up as the host of this Denatus.
"This meeting concerns the Black Dragon."
"The situation has far exceeded our expectations. Not even Ouranos foresaw that the Black Dragon, even while restrained, could let out such a roar."
"However, since then, there's been no sign of it breaking out of the Dungeon. Ouranos has confirmed the Black Dragon has been resealed once again."
"That said, Ouranos speculates the Black Dragon's reaction was triggered by recent disturbances in the Dungeon."
The implication was clear—it pointed straight at Evilus.
Whatever stirred the Black Dragon couldn't have been Adventurers, nor Loki Familia's expedition force. That left only Evilus.
The gods attending the Denatus quickly picked up on the hint.
"Evilus again? What the hell are they doing down there?"
"They said they wanted to overthrow Orario... don't tell me they're trying to release the Black Dragon?"
"Those maniacs are insane!"
Truthfully, this incident had stirred deep discontent among the gods of Orario.
No one wanted the Black Dragon to go on a rampage on the surface.
They all knew—if it broke free, the destruction it would bring would far surpass even the chaos Evilus hoped to unleash upon the world.
Even gods who didn't normally care about Evilus's actions had no desire to see them provoke the Black Dragon into emerging.
As a result, many of the usually passive gods began leaning against Evilus.
What none of them realized, though, was that even Evilus had no intention of letting the Black Dragon break loose.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 370: Chapter 369: Loki’s Harsh Words
Chapter Text
"It's up to you to decide what to do."
Bell didn't answer directly—he couldn't shoulder that responsibility. If Loki Familia made a wrong choice because of him, Loki-sama would despise him.
"Choosing to challenge them is undoubtedly the right move."
"The Loki Familia has held second place in Orario for ages. You, Vice Captain Riveria, and Mr. Gareth have all been stuck at Level 6 for a long time. It's time to advance—or you'll be trapped here for life."
"The Spirit isn't a safe opponent. Its strength definitely surpasses that of ordinary Floor Bosses."
"But it's also an incredible opportunity."
It was indeed a great opportunity—but it would demand everything, possibly costing them everything.
Deep down, Finn had already made his choice.
As captain, he had to think ahead and cover their backs, but pressing into the unknown was beyond safe control.
According to Cassandra, they faced the threat of total obliteration of the upper ranks of their Familia.
Venturing into unknown floors risked a full-scale wipeout. If even one of them faltered, the consequences would be catastrophic.
'This time, we can't take the safe route like before.'
Finn inhaled deeply and made a decision that could change their fate.
"Let's keep pushing through the unknown floors."
It was the natural choice.
Finn refused to stop here. He wanted to push for the revival of the Pallum. He couldn't just leave the future to the younger generation—he, too, had one last fight in him.
"This might be the decision that shapes our Familia's destiny. Whether we ascend or perish depends on our actions now."
"Everyone—make your final preparations for this expedition."
Finn nearly said "last testament," though adventurers alone shouldn't need one. But since this might be his final campaign, he wanted to leave some words behind.
They had only a few days until they reached the 50th floor. This was the final rest before venturing into the unknown.
After speaking, Finn turned to Bell.
"Bell‑kun, if we fail, I want you to bring the others back to the surface."
Bell didn't hesitate this time. He nodded and replied, "I will."
Finn exhaled a final sigh of relief. Now, all that remained was for him to steady his mind. "Alright, everyone—meeting's over. Head back to your tents and rest."
They departed under a heavy atmosphere. Everyone returned to their tents, though none could fall asleep. Perhaps this was indeed their final adventure. With that thought lingering, sleep seemed impossible.
Bell returned to the temporary base he'd constructed on the 28th floor, built high on the wall—just like his installation on the 18th. High safety-floor walls rarely spawned monsters, and Bell had placed barriers around the base to prevent any creature from appearing inside.
Once settled, Bell activated the Hestia Familia's communication channel.
"Loki‑sama, how does it look?"
A projection materialized in the air, showing his homeland. Evening shadows stretched across the scene. Bell could clearly see the sleepless fatigue in Hestia's and Hephaestus's eyes—weariness still clouding their gazes.
But Loki‑sama was hardest hit. Her eyes were dark and bloodshot. The events of the meeting had visibly shaken her.
"…Kid, you have a chance to win this, don't you?" she asked bleakly.
"Of course," Bell said.
"I took the risk of exposing myself to level up beforehand—to improve our expedition's odds."
"I want the Loki Familia to come out of this intact. That outcome matters most to me."
His tone was steady, confidence radiating.
"Although I can't guarantee that I'll bring everyone back, I am confident I've controlled everything within reach…"
He continued, "The experiment on the 'Spirit Fetus' is progressing well. I've erased traces of the Spirit inside, turning it into my puppet."
"I also tested potential awakening methods on Minotaur, and we successfully boosted his strength above his original level."
"All preparations are complete."
Bell had prepared thoroughly for this expedition—to ensure the Familia could pass the test.
"Of course, I plan to raise the Spirit's strength even further. If we want everyone to level up together, Lv. 7 won't cut it. We'll need at least Lv. 8."
"Are you insane!?" Loki exploded.
"Even a Lv. 7 Spirit could wipe out my Familia. And you want to power it up to Lv. 8?!"
If Hestia and Hephaestus hadn't held her back, she might have attacked Bell through the projection.
"Loki, calm down. Bell‑kun is still in control," Hestia said, stepping in, her faith in Bell unshaken.
But Loki still spat in anger, "Enough nonsense! If that kid loses control, it won't be him who dies—it'll be my children!"
"He's right," Hephaestus interjected firmly. "Your children are in danger—and so are mine."
Loki paused. Hephaestus remained resolute.
"Tsubaki is going on this expedition too. She'll be exploring unknown floors alongside us, facing the same level of danger as your children."
Yes, she knew that Hephaestus's captain, Tsubaki, would be joining the exploration of the unknown floors, so Hephaestus was also taking on a certain amount of risk.
But Hephaestus still chose to do it.
That was trust—faith, even.
So Loki's anger subsided slightly for the moment.
But as she looked at Bell in the image, still clenching her jaw and holding back her fury—
"Kid, you'd better bring my child back. If you don't, I swear I won't let this go!"
Chapter 371: Chapter 370: A Sleepless Night
Chapter Text
"...Still ended up being resented, huh."
After cutting off contact, Bell shook his head helplessly.
But this outcome was well within his expectations. After all, Loki's personality was something he'd accounted for.
Someone who didn't truly care for their own Familia wouldn't have reacted so strongly.
In a way, both Loki and the Loki Familia were undoubtedly the best choice he could have made.
As for the resentment—Bell didn't need to worry about that.
It simply wasn't worth caring about.
If the Loki Familia failed, then Loki could resent him all she wanted. It wasn't like she'd have a chance to get revenge after that anyway.
Of course, that was just talk—but Bell was actually quite confident in this expedition.
If success was possible, who would choose failure?
If they pulled it off, the strength of the Loki Familia would rise significantly. Orario would gain three more Level 7s, which would be a major deterrent to the Evilus.
And if the Loki Familia could stand tall again, they'd become a powerful ally in the eventual battle against the Black Dragon.
Success only brought advantages.
Just thinking about the rewards of completing the 24th expedition made it clear—this mission had to go smoothly.
According to the results of his divination, the "Spirit Fetus" was indeed located on the 59th floor, and it had already been nurtured for a while. All he had to do now was go and collect it.
That's right—Bell wasn't relying solely on his memories to pinpoint the Spirit Fetus's location. He had confirmed it through divination.
That's why Runes were so incredibly useful. They could be applied to so many fields, making them arguably the most versatile form of magic.
"How to control the Spirit Fetus, weaken its life force, and trigger its potential."
"Now that even its location can be confirmed, everything is proceeding according to plan."
Back when Bell first identified Freya's Familia as a looming threat, he had already started thinking seriously about the expedition to the 59th floor.
To prepare for that, he had not only bolstered his own strength but also started thinking about how to help the Loki Familia break past that threshold.
"Now it's just a matter of waiting for the results."
Of course, this was also a test for Bell.
Without the Loki Familia knowing, he had elevated their enemies—turning a Spirit from Level 6 into a Level 7, and even a Level 8. If he could control the Spirit's power properly, could he help the Loki Familia adventurers achieve a "Great Feat"?
This wasn't just a case of being surprised.
If this method was viable, then "Excelia" could be earned through it.
But Bell also knew—this kind of trick would only work once.
The first time, people might just speculate. But the second time, they'd definitely realize it was his doing.
As for creating an "Excelia package" for others?
Honestly, Bell wasn't running a charity, and he had no intention of exposing himself so openly.
Even after returning from this expedition, he only planned to reveal strength around the level of a Lv. 2.
As for the Loki Familia, by the time this expedition was over, they'd likely already figured him out.
And with Loki, there was a real chance she'd completely sell him out—so Bell had no expectations of keeping his secrets from them once the mission was done.
That's why helping them reach Lv. 7 was already the limit.
Besides, not just anyone could handle this kind of package.
If their strength wasn't enough to reach a higher tier, it could easily cost them their life.
Bell shook his head slightly, then began undressing and got ready for bed.
Unlike Finn and the others, he never had trouble sleeping. Bell always made sure to get plenty of rest—otherwise, he'd be low on energy the next day.
Since this expedition would demand full concentration, he used the night to relax and recover as much as possible.
...
Five hours later—the time when daylight returned to the Dungeon.
After a full night's rest, the first and second teams were generally in good shape.
Except for the most critical group—Finn and his companions—who all had dark circles under their eyes and looked like they barely slept.
"That's weird..."
Daphne gave them a puzzled look. They were fine yesterday, so why did the entire group look like they'd been up all night?
"Lili, what do you think happened?"
"...How would I know something like that?"
Liliruca naturally had no idea, but seeing their pale faces and clear anxiety, she knew it couldn't be anything good.
"Everything was fine before bed yesterday, but somehow, so much changed overnight. That really is strange."
She felt a deep sense of unease.
"Normally, they've been on plenty of expeditions. There's no way they'd be this anxious over one."
And they were all Lv. 6—did they really need to be worried when they were only on the 28th floor?
Wouldn't it make more sense to start worrying around the 50th?
Displaying this kind of anxiety at this point could seriously disrupt the pace of the whole expedition. Liliruca couldn't imagine the team leaders wouldn't realize that.
So did that mean things were so bad they understood the risk—and still couldn't keep it together?
But if that was the case... what kind of problem could trouble them so much that none of them got any sleep?
"No, this won't do."
Liliruca grabbed some towels and walked over.
Daphne quickly caught on and rushed to grab some of the unused ones as well.
"Captain."
Finn had just stepped out of his tent and hadn't even had a chance to breathe when he heard someone call him from behind.
Turning around, he saw Lili walking over with towels in hand.
Finn blinked in surprise. Then, instinctively rubbing his eyes, he realized what she was trying to do.
"Thanks, Lili."
He took the towel, wiped his eyes, then placed it on his head to hide the dark circles as best he could.
"Gareth, Bete, Raul—you guys watch it too."
Looking around, he saw the same exhausted look on all of them. Only Ais, stretching nearby and doing her morning warm-up, seemed full of energy.
Finn's eyelid twitched hard. Her level had risen, her behavior had clearly changed—but why was Ais still acting like a kid?
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 372: Chapter 371: Advance into the Deep Floors
Chapter Text
The next day, they resumed their exploration of the Dungeon floors.
The upcoming floors were no longer as simple as the lower levels—they had entered the Deep Floors.
The Deep Floors were not a stage accessible to Level 1 adventurers, but a place for Level 2 and Level 3 adventurers to train and grow.
After a night of rest, the Level 2 and Level 3 adventurers were all in serious form.
The Deep Floors were no joke. Even Level 1 adventurers could easily meet their end here.
Monsters appeared far more frequently in the Deep Floors, and each one was leagues stronger than those on the lower levels.
While “Monster Feasts” might have been a rare occurrence on the lower levels, in the Deep Floors, they happened with terrifying regularity.
Once an adventurer showed even the slightest sign of faltering, the Dungeon seemed to sense it in advance, sending out hordes of monsters to surround and annihilate them.
Then came the first maze of the Deep Floors—the “White Palace.”
This place was nothing like the gentle lower levels.
It resembled a pit like those on the upper floors, but this one rose dozens of meters high, its walls covered entirely in white rock. That’s how it got its name—“White Palace.”
Any adventurer who had delved into the Deep Floors shared the same opinion of this place:
“Terrifying!”
“It’s like a white hell. The rocks look like eyes, always watching me.”
Almost no one liked the White Palace.
Yet, as the gateway into the Deep Floors, the White Palace was the first trial every adventurer had to face.
After regrouping on the 28th floor, the Loki Familia chose not to split into first and second teams.
From the 28th floor onward, they were in the Deep Floors.
And here, there was no such thing as sweeping through the monsters and casually following up later.
The spawn rate of monsters in the Deep Floors was intense. While it might take 30 minutes for new monsters to appear in the lower levels, here it could take less than 10.
The deeper you went, the shorter the intervals became. Without strong enough overall power, you couldn’t even hope to challenge the later floors.
“This is the White Palace...”
The blacksmiths from the Hephaestus Familia were staring at the surrounding walls.
Of course, they knew this place in theory, but as craftsmen, they'd never actually been to the Deep Floors. Their work kept them far from the Dungeon. Forging and refining their craft was their true calling.
“It really is... hard to describe.”
Cold. Oppressive.
It felt like someone was blowing on the back of their necks. A chilling breeze filled the air, making their scalps tingle just by standing still.
"Doesn't it feel like there are a bunch of eyes watching us?"
"Yeah, exactly! That’s the feeling."
The blacksmiths suddenly remembered the same eerie sensation they’d get when clients watched them work on weapon repairs.
Even though being a blacksmith required mental toughness and patience, they still couldn’t withstand the intense, piercing stares of adventurers. No matter how composed they were, it always made their backs tingle.
But the feeling on this floor was even stronger.
That icy breeze crawling up their necks was especially intense.
"...So this is the Deep Floors."
Welf stared blankly at the surrounding walls.
Compared to this, the lower floors had been relatively peaceful. As a blacksmith in the second team, he was rarely in danger. All he had to do was carry his equipment and move forward.
He’d seen monsters before, but none required the blacksmiths to fight.
Their captain, on the other hand, never sat still. Back on the lower floors, the moment she saw ore, she’d charge in without hesitation, even if there were monsters around.
Of course, those monsters were no match for the captain. She’d crush them effortlessly.
Watching her, Welf finally understood how crucial strength was.
'Too bad... I’m just a blacksmith.'
Welf knew his own limits. Maybe he had a talent for magic, but his true passion was crafting weapons and gear. He wasn’t all that interested in fighting.
He’d only become an adventurer to gain a Development Ability.
And once he obtained the “Blacksmith” Development Ability, he rarely returned to the Dungeon. Most of his time was spent in the workshop.
Dreaming of becoming someone like the captain, casually dispatching terrifying monsters, was something that only happened in his sleep.
...
"But this place really is creepy."
After entering this floor, Welf clearly felt a heavy, oppressive atmosphere—completely unlike anything above the 28th floor.
"Of course it is. Only adventurers above Level 5 dare come here."
Welf froze for a moment, then saw the captain walking over with gear on her back.
He studied her closely. She felt different today.
Normally, she was always grinning, but today her usual smile was gone.
"...Huan... Captain, you seem different today."
Tsubaki’s face stiffened. She hadn’t expected Welf to notice something was off.
But she didn’t mention what Bell had told her—or what she herself already knew.
Some things were better left unsaid.
They were on an expedition, and if word got out about the possible existence of “Spirits” on an unknown floor, the entire expedition team could fall apart.
"You think just because I’m usually all smiles, I can’t be serious once in a while?"
"It’s not that..."
Seeing her serious face, Welf was startled and started stammering.
But watching her act so firm and composed, Welf couldn’t shake the strange feeling inside.
Something felt... off. He just couldn’t put it into words.
Realizing she couldn’t keep up the act much longer, Tsubaki coughed a couple of times and gave Welf some reminders.
"Welf, you need to understand—the Deep Floors are dangerous enough to claim the lives of even Level 5 adventurers. So be careful."
Gulp.
That warning hit Welf’s danger sense hard.
Before joining the expedition, he had asked his colleagues about the Deep Floors. From them, he’d picked up a good amount of intel.
After all, they were all blacksmiths, and many had close ties with adventurers. Conversations about Dungeon exploration were common, and the Deep Floors were always a hot topic.
Even if this was his first time here, he already knew how deadly it could be.
Even the top-tier adventurers had to team up to venture this deep. That alone spoke volumes about the risks.
Now that the captain had said it herself, Welf couldn’t focus on anything else.
Chapter 373: Chapter 372: The Black Dragon Still Alive
Chapter Text
The Deep Floors’ “White Palace” was certainly a major challenge, even for the Loki Familia.
Even seasoned adventurers had to tread carefully here—one misstep and things could spiral out of control fast.
Still, for the top-tier members of the Loki Familia, the White Palace wasn’t much of a concern.
After all, with four Level 6s, three Level 5s, and even a Level 3 elf capable of overpowering monsters above her level, it was hard to imagine the upper ranks of the Loki Familia getting into trouble here.
Unless it was the unknown threat they were currently considering—the issue of the “Spirit Fetus”—there was little that could truly threaten them in this area.
That’s why the upper echelon didn’t take the White Palace too seriously.
Even so, they still kept an eye out, just to make sure their juniors didn’t run into unnecessary danger.
This was, after all, meant to be a training ground for adventurers above Level 2—not a place for them to die.
"This is the advantage of being part of a major Familia..."
Watching from the sidelines, Bell couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and envy.
A large Familia had the resources to offer its members far more opportunities to grow. As long as you had the talent and showed your potential, there’d never be a shortage of support.
'No wonder the Loki Familia is a place every adventurer dreams of joining. With a Familia this big and so many resources, even someone with just a bit of talent could probably be raised to Level 3.'
For a talented adventurer, reaching Level 3 was only a matter of time.
If you had the ability and the Familia had the resources, success was practically guaranteed.
Even Bell had to admit—he was jealous.
After all, the Hestia Familia had started with nothing. Forget resources—just surviving the Dungeon was already a gamble that depended entirely on one’s own talent.
Bell’s journey had been far from easy.
He had a system, but it needed significant investment to truly develop.
In the beginning, his progress was painfully slow.
Before he got Runes, all he had was luck—scraping together enough money from the Dungeon to get by.
If it had been any other average adventurer in his shoes, they probably would’ve jumped ship to another Familia within two days.
The resources of the Loki Familia were seriously enviable.
Still, Bell was just musing—he wasn’t truly jealous of them.
Now, thanks to the power of Runes, he had secured a wealth of resources—enough that even compared to the Loki Familia, he wasn’t lacking in the slightest.
After that passing thought, Bell turned his focus to the “White Palace.”
'Something about the atmosphere here really is off.'
With senses far beyond those of ordinary people, Bell could perceive even the faintest disturbances.
'There are eyes in the White Palace... looks like that saying wasn’t just for show.'
Yes—Bell could clearly feel the sensation of being watched.
However, he had been concealing his presence the entire time and hadn’t been detected by whoever those eyes belonged to.
And the owner of that gaze was likely not just the Dungeon—it might also include the Guild and even the Black Dragon.
In other words, the eyes of three separate forces were always fixed on the Deep Floors. That constant observation was likely the source of the unease every adventurer felt here.
The stronger the adventurer, the more intense their reaction—because their sharpened senses were genuinely warning them: something was watching.
And that feeling wasn’t wrong.
In truth, the sensation of being watched wasn’t limited to the “White Palace.” Every floor of the Dungeon held a similar, strange presence.
But in the White Palace, the sheer concentration of “eyes” was far greater—enough that adventurers could tangibly feel the discomfort.
With that thought in mind, Bell carefully stepped out of the barrier.
In that very moment, two powerful gazes turned toward him.
...
In the deepest part of the Dungeon, within a space of pure white, a jet-black dragon suddenly opened its eyes.
Both of its wings had been broken, blood still seeping from the wounds.
Yet this eerie white space absorbed the blood as soon as it hit the floor, as if it were never there.
No one knew how long the Black Dragon had been bleeding.
But despite its injuries, there was not the slightest hint of weakness in its body. If anything, it seemed to be in peak condition.
Its golden, vertical-slit pupils radiated a mix of wild instinct and unmistakable intellect—quickly consumed by a rising battle lust.
The dragon opened its maw, and a roar thundered through the entire Dungeon—echoing all the way to Orario itself.
"ROAR!!!!!"
"ROAR!!!!!"
The deafening dragon’s cry shook the Dungeon to its core.
A suffocating pressure surged upward from the depths.
"...!?"
Every adventurer below Level 5 in both the Loki and Hephaestus Familias collapsed under the pressure, unable to resist as their bodies gave out.
Even those above Level 5 clenched their jaws tightly, struggling to remain upright.
But the sheer force of that roar crushed the breath from their lungs.
Anyone with half a brain knew exactly what that sound meant.
It was the Black Dragon—the last of the Three Great Quests. The one monster that had never been defeated, not even by Zeus’s Familia or Hera’s.
Everyone had heard the tales: that the deepest part of the Dungeon was where the Black Dragon slept. But no one had ever reached it. No one knew if it was true.
Until now.
Today, they had their answer.
The Black Dragon—the very one that nearly wiped out the Zeus and Hera Familias—had always been here, in the depths.
It was still alive.
And far too lively.
“Aaaahhh!”
Finn clenched his teeth, forcing himself to resist the pressure, though his body trembled uncontrollably.
Gareth gripped his axe tightly, his dwarf-forged body straining to endure the crushing force.
Riveria, less resilient in body as a mage, endured a far harsher mental assault—a kind of suppression born from the very difference in species.
Ais, who had just reached Level 6, wasn’t faring much better. The roar hadn’t happened nearby—it had come from the distant, lowest depths. And still, it pressed down on her with nearly unbearable force.
The roar of the Black Dragon sent every monster in the Dungeon sprawling flat on the ground. Even the Dungeon itself momentarily ceased producing monsters.
Had it not, even a few monsters in this state might have been enough to completely wipe out the Loki Familia.
Only one person remained mostly unaffected.
And that person had already begun quietly deploying a barrier.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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Chapter 374: Chapter 373: Facing the Black Dragon Once Again
Chapter Text
'I didn't think I'd get probed this quickly.'
Bell had stepped out of hiding to try and pinpoint the direction those stares were coming from.
But to think he’d be detected so easily—and that the reaction would be this extreme?
He couldn't help but cover his face.
'If I’d known it would cause this much of a scene, I wouldn’t have tested it...'
Only now did Bell feel a tinge of regret.
He’d successfully confirmed the identity of those gazes, but the outcome wasn't what he had expected.
Still, there wasn’t much point in complaining about it now.
The Black Dragon was still an issue that had to be dealt with. If it kept howling like that, things could spiral into an even more unpredictable mess.
And that was the last thing Bell wanted.
'Thankfully, that roar helped me lock onto the Black Dragon’s exact location.'
If sound could travel out from there, then even the tightest spatial seal couldn't fully block out transmission. That alone was enough for Bell, who could now detect the Black Dragon's location with his spatial awareness.
'As expected, it’s in a special spatial pocket. The coordinates themselves are hard to stabilize.'
Even after pinpointing the location, opening a path through space was no easy task.
Especially in a space as unusual as this—forcing an entry required immense effort.
But he did it.
Relying on his command over space, Bell tore open a rift.
After leaving a spatial marker inside the barrier, he stepped directly into the spatial fissure.
...
"ROAR!!!!"
The Black Dragon gradually fell silent, its golden vertical pupils locking onto the rift before it.
A crack tore open—and from it stepped a human youth.
"Yo~ Looking for me?"
The ferocious face of the Black Dragon twisted into a grin. Under Bell’s slightly stunned gaze, it spoke.
"My nemesis... you’ve finally come."
"...Huh. Didn’t expect you to actually talk."
"Why would you think I’m some mindless beast?"
Bell slowly dropped his mocking tone, his expression hardening as he stared at the creature before him.
"So that’s why... No wonder Zeus’s and Hera’s Familias were nearly wiped out. If they didn’t even know whether their target had intelligence, it’s no surprise things ended in disaster."
"Power and intellect... you're lacking in neither."
"With a monster like this... it’s no wonder those who came before us failed so miserably."
No existing records had ever mentioned the Black Dragon having intelligence. Bell himself didn’t know the details—he only remembered fragments from his previous life.
But now that he knew the truth—that the Black Dragon wasn’t just some mindless monster—it all made sense. Why Zeus’s and Hera’s Familias were annihilated.
They must have underestimated it.
They didn’t realize just how strong—or how cunning—it really was.
The Black Dragon said nothing in return, but the sneering, savage grin on its face said everything Bell needed to know.
"Hmph! That’s just a one-sided perception from you humans."
"Being destroyed due to a flawed understanding is only a natural consequence."
Even as the Black Dragon spoke, it could still feel a dull ache in its back.
"The valor of those who dared to challenge me is beyond question. Even now, I can still feel the pain their final counterattack left me with."
Bell noticed the bloodstained wings behind the Black Dragon.
'So the Black Dragon I saw when I awakened my magic... it was this guy.'
But for a monster of the Black Dragon’s caliber, those wounds didn’t look permanent.
"Your injuries don’t seem like something you couldn’t recover from."
"These wounds are simply trophies—rewards for those who dared to challenge me."
There wasn’t a trace of disdain in the Black Dragon’s voice. On the contrary, there was an unspoken reverence.
"Even if they failed to overcome me, they left behind marks that will never fade."
"Their courage is etched into my body. They deserve my respect."
Listening to that, Bell couldn’t help but think this creature didn’t seem entirely wicked.
But he still had a major question—one that had always puzzled him.
"The Black Dragon of the sky, the Behemoth of the land, and Leviathan of the sea... why do beings like you exist in this world?"
"Were you created by the world itself?"
The Black Dragon looked slightly surprised by the question.
"Roar~ I didn’t expect anyone nowadays to still ponder such things."
"And what meaning would knowing that bring you?"
"It matters!"
Only by understanding that could he grasp the purpose behind the existence of the Black Dragon, Behemoth, and Leviathan.
The Black Dragon exhaled hot air through its massive nostrils. It had no obligation to answer—but something about the youth before it, its destined rival, piqued its interest.
So it answered.
"We were birthed by the world."
"We are the gods' opposites—the other side of the divine."
"So..."
"...the gods cannot kill you."
Bell naturally finished the sentence.
Now he understood why the gods had descended to Genkai. It wasn’t just for pleasure. Their presence here was tied to a far more existential threat.
"Because the gods were born from the world—just like you."
"Unless the world itself chooses to destroy you, the gods cannot."
"Roar~ I didn’t expect you to reach such a conclusion."
For once, the Black Dragon showed genuine surprise and amusement. It was rare for a human, even one fated to oppose it, to grasp something so deep.
Bell ignored the dragon’s reaction and spoke his conclusion aloud.
"So you really are trials forged by the world itself."
"If neither gods nor mortals can overcome you, then the world will be forced to reset everything."
"Humans, gods, monsters... all will meet their end."
Even Bell was shaken by his own realization.
But after confirming the connection between the gods and the Three Great Quests, the truth was painfully clear.
"The world really set something like this in motion..."
"Why... why would the world do that?"
It was a question—a difficult one.
But Bell instinctively began approaching it from a standpoint of 'interest' or purpose.
There were no meaningless systems. No actions without intent.
If the world did this, it had its reasons.
And those reasons were, from the world's perspective, the right ones.
Then, suddenly, a spark of insight lit up in Bell’s mind.
"Could it be... evolution?"
Chapter 375: Chapter 374: Can I Run Away?
Chapter Text
"...."
The three goddesses in the Hestia Familia were left speechless.
They hadn’t known much about the Black Dragon to begin with, but they never imagined that such a shocking truth lay behind it, along with Behemoth and Leviathan.
"If we can’t overcome them, the world will reset... Is that really true!?"
Even Loki, who usually played the fool, was stunned.
This wasn’t just some idle joke.
If the Black Dragon couldn’t be defeated, even the gods would be doomed.
And if that was true, then all of Orario might plunge into chaos.
"What do you think?"
Hestia took a deep breath. She could feel the weight of pressure settle heavily on her shoulders.
This clearly wasn’t just for fun.
Just the fact that the Black Dragon possessed intelligence was shocking enough. But now she’d learned there was an even more terrifying truth hidden behind it all.
"This doesn’t seem like some last-minute development... It’s obvious this was set in stone long ago."
"And we, as gods, didn’t know a thing about it."
Reminded by Hestia, Loki finally grasped the real issue.
"Right... We didn’t know a single thing!?"
As gods, they should have known—but somehow, they hadn’t.
She had always been dismissive about the Black Dragon, Behemoth, and Leviathan. Sure, she warned her children that the Three Great Quests were something every adventurer would have to face someday—but there was never any urgency to it.
Who would have guessed such a massive secret was hidden behind the quest to defeat the Black Dragon?
Hephaestus watched the conversation unfold and fell into thought.
"None of us knew anything. No one told us this. That must mean the other gods are just as clueless."
"But... Ouranos might know the truth."
The other gods might have remained in the dark because they were born later—but the older gods, the ones born in the early ages, might be different.
Like those ancient deities assigned across different pantheons in Tenkai.
Or those who had emerged around the same time as Ouranos.
"Ouranos was the first god to propose descending to Genkai. He also suggested sealing the gods’ powers."
"He said it was to make life more entertaining for the gods... but was that really the whole reason?"
Loki had never seriously questioned it before, but now that Hephaestus had brought it up, she couldn’t ignore the thought.
Hephaestus lowered her voice.
"Maybe it wasn’t about giving the gods an exciting new experience. Maybe... it’s because some special existence forbade it."
'The world.'
Loki instantly understood—and deep inside, she realized it might actually be true.
The reason gods couldn’t use their full power in Genkai wasn’t to keep things interesting.
It was because the world wouldn’t allow it.
"So we’ve been messing around in Tenkai for hundreds of millions of years... for this?"
Loki’s expression darkened.
She, the trickster goddess herself, felt like she’d been played—and hard.
For a moment, she nearly cursed out loud.
...But in the end, she didn’t dare.
After all, the “World” was the mother of all gods. If she dared to speak like that, she’d probably be punished—or worse, get a personal lesson from “Mother World.”
Hestia glanced at the clearly agitated Loki, sighed, and muttered with exasperation,
"Got a plan?"
"Do you, Loki, dare even have one?"
"...."
That completely shattered Loki’s composure.
Of course she didn’t have a plan. Even if she knew she was being played, all she could do was swallow her anger. What else could she do?
Could she fight back?
Loki suspected that if she said even a word more, "Mama" might just chuck her back to Tenkai on the spot.
"Alright, both of you, enough."
Hephaestus stepped in to stop the bickering. She was still listening, and Bell was still talking.
Hestia and Loki both forced themselves to calm down and turned their attention back to the screen.
…
"I see now..."
If this was truly all for the sake of “evolution,” then it wasn’t hard to imagine why the world had set things in motion this way.
In fact, the signs had been there all along.
Those figures he saw when he awakened his magic through the Spell Tome were probably versions of himself from parallel worlds—each one representing a different ending.
And none of those endings looked promising...
Which meant this time, it was his turn.
Bell wasn’t particularly angry about being used.
If anything, thinking about it that way helped explain the reason behind his reincarnation.
Given his rebirth in this life, Bell had always known there was a price to be paid. It was like fate had already stamped a tag on his soul.
When you gain something, you must give something in return—and the trial before him was the cost he’d been assigned.
"I’ve really uncovered a massive headache."
Bell sighed, rubbing at his forehead.
Knowing too much was never a good thing. More often than not, people died early because they knew too much. Still, maybe the only reason he figured all this out was because he’d sensed something wrong from the start. Or maybe it was his years of experience with two-dimensional worlds that let him recognize the pattern early.
Either way, now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
At this moment, Bell’s heart finally settled.
"Black Dragon, would you allow me to retreat... for now?"
"I know it’s hard to admit, but I’m not your match yet. I doubt I can get past you right now."
The fighting spirit in the Black Dragon’s vertical pupils receded slightly.
Only now did it realize the opponent standing before it hadn’t yet reached the level required to challenge it. It would still take time before their true clash could begin.
With a deep exhale, the Black Dragon released a stream of hot air through its nostrils.
"And why do you think I’d let you walk away?"
As it spoke, its aura exploded, flooding the white space in waves of black and crimson energy.
Yet Bell didn’t flinch in the slightest. Instead, blue-white lightning surged across his body, completely shielding him from the creeping black-red haze.
That display only made the Black Dragon's smile grow.
"Heh... So that’s how it is. No wonder it’s you. No wonder."
Then the Black Dragon withdrew its aura. The color drained from the space, returning it to white as the pressure vanished.
"Very well. I’ll let you go—just this once."
"But the next time we meet, one of us will fall."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 376: Chapter 375: The Rekindled Flame of Courage
Chapter Text
After returning from that white space, Bell couldn't stop his heart from pounding.
'Phew… I really let my guard down.'
Situations with so many unknowns were exactly the kind Bell hated the most.
But this time, he had no one to blame. He had poked at things out of curiosity—how was he supposed to know it would cause such a huge reaction?
He casually wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
He had sensed it clearly—he had no power to stand against the Black Dragon.
If his opponent had been "King Ottar," he might've had a fifty-fifty shot.
But against the Black Dragon? He didn't even have a ten percent chance.
'So my recent power boost has been messing with my mindset...'
'Arrogance and pride—those are the worst things to let take root.'
Bell took a deep breath, trying to steady his heartbeat as he quietly reflected on his reckless decision.
This kind of reckless behavior… he couldn't allow it to happen again.
They had already agreed—the next time they met would be the final battle. This one act of recklessness would be the first and last.
Back inside the barrier where he'd originally stood, Bell looked around. The members of the Loki Familia were still recovering nearby.
Even after that roar, no new monsters had appeared around the White Palace.
It seemed there really was some kind of symbiotic relationship between the Dungeon and the Black Dragon. Otherwise, the Dungeon would've taken advantage of the chaos without hesitation.
Yet the Dungeon did nothing, which left the Loki Familia shrouded in unease.
"That roar just now… was the Black Dragon…"
"It had to be… it had to be…"
"How is something like that even supposed to be defeated?"
Their voices trembled, laced with fear.
An adventurer without courage is no longer an adventurer—just a coward trying to survive.
Even though the Loki Familia's members were well-trained, some of them still couldn't shake off the fear from the Black Dragon's voice.
But it wasn't a question of whether any one person could endure it.
It was a question of whether anyone could endure it at all.
"Ha... ha..."
Lefiya, a powerful Elven artillery mage at Level 3, had a bright future ahead of her, with the potential to one day rival even the Nine Hell, Riveria.
But right now, she had been flattened by the dragon's roar, her entire body trembling so much she couldn't even lift a finger.
And it wasn't just her—even the four Level 6 adventurers in the Loki Familia hadn't been spared.
As the Familia's top fighters, they had sensed even more hidden meaning behind that single roar.
The Black Dragon's strength was overwhelming—just one roar was enough to crush anyone.
It had always been hidden deep within the Dungeon, far out of reach... until now.
Just those two revelations were enough to plunge anyone into despair.
'I never imagined the Black Dragon would actually lie hidden deep within the Dungeon.'
This realization made Finn's heart clench.
The Dungeon lay directly beneath Orario—the center of the world. If the Black Dragon ran rampant, Orario could face total annihilation, and even the gods might fall.
'This is absolute worst-case news.'
But what troubled Finn most was why the Black Dragon chose this moment to roar—and why its roar sounded less like anger and more like a challenge.
Was anyone in Orario truly worthy of that challenge?
No—it shouldn't be possible.
If someone existed who deserved the dragon's attention, Orario's strongest, like the King, wouldn't have held that title so long. So why now?
Finn drew a deep breath and scanned the surrounding members, his brow tightening.
Their voices were heavy with defeat, and it pained him. There was no denying how terrifying that roar had been.
"Everyone, pull yourselves together!"
A gentle female voice snapped him back. He looked up to see Liliruca, usually quiet, standing firm—unaffected by the dragon's roar.
Her voice cleared the fog of despair from everyone's minds.
At this point, she didn't care about anything else—her goal was to shake everyone out of their despondency and strip away the fear.
"We all became adventurers for different reasons, but we share the same dream: to live better lives."
"The Black Dragon is just another monster—a far stronger one, yes—but are we going to lose our courage just because we heard its voice?"
"If we can't defeat the Black Dragon, everyone in Genkai will die. Are we really going to accept death without even standing up to it?"
Her words slowly cut through the fear and hesitation.
They were adventurers. They wanted more from life—and none wanted to surrender without a fight.
Seeing this, Liliruca relaxed slightly, but didn't stop pushing.
"It's been a thousand years since the gods came to Genkai, and the world's Three Great Quests—the King of the Earth, Behemoth; the King of the Sea, Leviathan; and the King of the Sky, Black Dragon—were set."
"So far, adventurers have defeated the first two."
"That was thanks to Zeus's Familia and Hera's Familia. Now, the final showdown falls to us."
"Zeus's and Hera's Familias were once Orario's strongest. They never backed down, even in the face of death. Are we, Loki Familia, really going to crumble the moment we hear the Black Dragon's roar?"
Her words reignited the embers of courage.
Liliruca's teammates all braced themselves, hands on the ground, rising to their feet.
Their legs still shook—but inside, their courage burned anew.
"Captain, we won't be paralyzed just because of the Black Dragon's roar!"
A Dwarf pushed himself up using his shield, determination replacing fear in his eyes.
"I refuse to be seen as an adventurer who doesn't even have the one thing I'm known for—courage!"
Chapter 377: Chapter 376: Heading to the 39th Floor
Chapter Text
Bell had been hiding in the shadows, silently watching the scene unfold.
His gaze swept over the Adventurers who were slowly regaining their courage, then locked onto Liliruca.
'She wasn't affected by the Black Dragon?'
'Even someone as strong as Finn, a Level 6, couldn't resist the malice radiating from the Black Dragon's roar, yet she's the only one completely unaffected.'
Even high-level Adventurers weren't spared from its influence. Why was Liliruca the exception? The thought stirred Bell's curiosity—was there something inherently special about her?
But no matter how he considered it, Bell was convinced there was nothing particularly unique about Liliruca herself. Though she had awakened a special magic, it didn't possess any ability to neutralize the Black Dragon's effects. That meant the anomaly had to come from something else—something external to her own power.
And Bell could think of only one explanation.
'The host of the "Poison of Greed"... Is that why?'
It seemed like the only unusual thing about Liliruca was precisely that.
Bell hadn't saved her out of some noble sense of sympathy. He did it solely because she carried something unique within her.
Frankly, Bell didn't have a great impression of Liliruca.
The image of a thief wasn't exactly endearing.
Still, he wasn't so self-righteous that he'd kill someone over something that hadn't even happened yet.
Getting involved in other people's affairs could easily bring him trouble.
That had always been Bell's principle.
He was known for not sticking his nose where it didn't belong—precisely to avoid unnecessary complications.
Looking back now, the only notable thing about Liliruca really was that one detail.
'It must be that, as a host, she possesses some kind of unique resistance.'
That was the only conclusion Bell could come to.
The Black Dragon's roar didn't have much effect on him either—but that was because he didn't fear the Black Dragon at all.
Besides, Bell always took his own safety seriously. His body was surrounded by various forms of protection—
Anti-poison, anti-curse, anti-mental pressure...
The way he used runes was practically flawless. That was another reason why the Black Dragon's roar had no effect on him.
"How could I let myself be scared stiff here!"
With a shout, Bete pushed himself up from the ground, bracing against his knees.
After breaking through the barrier, Bete felt the crushing weight on his shoulders lift, though mental exhaustion quickly took its place.
"Ha... ha..."
Fatigue washed over him, plainly visible on his face. The overwhelming pressure of the dragon's roar, coupled with a sleepless night, had taken a serious toll.
Still, as a Level 5 Adventurer, Vanargand had long since reached the peak of his level. He wasn't so weak that he couldn't handle this level of pressure.
After catching his breath, his complexion improved significantly.
"Lili, well said!"
Finn also stood up, supporting himself with his spear. Though he felt some mental strain too, this was not the time to stay down.
"We all became Adventurers for different reasons, but we share the same goal."
"We do not fear death. Maybe that's simply the destiny of Adventurers."
"So we can't shrink back just because of a single dragon's roar."
He paused, sweeping his gaze across the crowd. The earlier gloom and despair had vanished—replaced by a burning determination in their eyes.
"We're on the 32nd floor. There are seven more to go before we reach the next Safe Floor."
"From now on, no more training. Head straight to the 39th floor Safe Zone as fast as possible."
With that, Finn gave up on the idea of further training for the Level 2s and 3s. Continuing would no longer be practice—it would be suicide.
The impact of that sudden dragon roar was far too great.
What the expedition team needed now was to recover and stabilize, not to chase training opportunities.
Fortunately, the 39th floor wasn't far. They could still make it in time.
"Yeah!!!"
Everyone picked up their weapons and stood up.
They were no longer the same Adventurers cowed by the dragon's roar—they had regained their courage.
While Finn's speech reignited everyone's fighting spirit, Hephaestus Familia needed a bit more time to prepare, so they stayed in place briefly.
Once they were ready, both the first and second teams advanced toward the 39th floor Safe Zone at full speed.
And truly, this was the best decision they could have made.
The sudden turn of events had rattled everyone, and this was no longer the time for training.
The Dungeon not spawning monsters earlier had already given them a rare opportunity—it was time to seize it.
"Don't block the way!"
Bete charged ahead at full speed, rushing toward the monsters that had spawned in front of them. He wasn't here to observe—he was the one clearing the path.
Everyone else was reaching their limits. Bete knew what the moment demanded—someone had to open the way to the 39th floor, and that someone had to be him.
"You're just Bete! Don't even think about stealing my target!"
Tiona, unwilling to fall behind, dashed forward too.
"Idiot Tiona! Don't charge in like that!"
Tione rushed in with her weapon in hand.
"...."
Ais didn't say a word. She simply drew Desperate Blade and dashed ahead.
The spawning rate of Deep Floor monsters was high—they had to eliminate them quickly or risk slowing their advance.
"Awaken, Tempest!"
Ais unleashed her only magic.
Everyone was under immense pressure, but it was in moments like this that true potential revealed itself.
Besides the pathfinders, the rest of the first and second teams pressed on at full speed, carrying their gear.
They were practically sprinting.
It was only thanks to the strength of the vanguard that their rapid advance wasn't disrupted.
In the end, it took less than an hour for the expedition team to reach the 39th floor Safe Zone.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 378: Chapter 377: The Fanatical Believer
Chapter Text
After reaching the 39th floor Safe Zone, the members of the Loki Familia and Hephaestus Familia collapsed as if all their energy had been drained. Everyone lay sprawled on the ground, completely spent.
Their faces were flushed, and they could only lie there, gasping for breath.
Their stamina, spirit, and willpower had been utterly exhausted.
The Black Dragon’s roar had struck too suddenly. It was even more devastating than a Monster Feast, nearly wringing every last drop of strength from them. Otherwise, advancing just seven floors wouldn’t have left everyone so completely wiped out.
But that single roar had indeed been lethal.
Nearly none of the lower-level Adventurers had managed to withstand it.
Even among the higher-level Adventurers, quite a few had been severely shaken.
That was the suppressive power the Black Dragon held over weaker Adventurers. Unless one had reached a level capable of resisting the Black Dragon, this overwhelming pressure couldn’t be neutralized.
Bell, hidden in the shadows, quietly observed the scene and let out a faint sigh.
'Looks like our pace is going to slow down.'
'I just hope we don’t fall too far behind.'
He didn’t know the exact schedule, but as long as the delay wasn’t too great, it shouldn’t cause serious issues.
Besides, the “Spirits” likely wouldn’t move so quickly either.
…
The effects of the dragon’s roar hadn’t been limited to the Adventurers—those on the “Spirits” side were likely hit hard as well.
“Damn it!”
The man in the white mask slammed his fist into the wall.
Glaring at the fetus in front of him that had nearly been ruined, he was so furious he almost cursed aloud.
But he reminded himself—this was the deepest floor, territory belonging to the Black Dragon. If he said anything too extreme, he might draw the dragon’s attention, which could cause no end of trouble for his goddess. He had no choice but to swallow his rage.
Lowering his head, he looked down at the fetus in his arms, thankfully still intact. The sight offered him a sliver of comfort.
At the very least, the child he had nurtured so carefully wasn’t lost.
As his emotions calmed, a fanatical gleam flickered in his eyes.
“Goddess, the Loki Familia will be your first prey.”
“As long as you can capture Aria, you’ll be able to witness the light of Orario with your own eyes.”
At that moment, the man resembled a zealot consumed by religious fervor, offering his everything to the goddess he served.
But the object of his faith was nothing more than a fetus born from a “Spirit”—a surrogate at best.
To treat something like that as divine faith... it could only mean the man had already lost his mind.
And yet, even in that madness, he retained the capacity for rational thought. He knew full well that the Loki Familia had chosen this location as an exploration target.
His goddess desired Aria—how could he not be aware?
That’s why his current mission was to raise the goddess’s fetus and use it to retrieve Aria from the Loki Familia.
The man believed that if the goddess could obtain Aria’s body, she would gain power far beyond her current state. It was a command from the goddess, and he had no intention of shirking his duty.
Originally, if not for the disruption caused by the dragon’s roar, he would have been able to accelerate the nurturing process. It would’ve given the Loki Familia an overwhelming surprise. But now, everything had been ruined.
The method for nurturing the fetus was simple—feed it large quantities of Magic Stones. Doing so would allow the fetus to grow into a more powerful entity, perhaps even establishing a connection to the goddess deep below.
Unfortunately, the roar had killed off all the “Virgas,” and the vast amount of Magic Stones he’d collected had been shattered, leaking most of their energy.
Now he would have to gather them all over again.
What could have been completed ahead of schedule now had to be postponed.
He didn’t know how long the delay would be, but he couldn’t leave the fetus unattended. Otherwise, it would surely become prey to roaming monsters.
Letting it out of his sight before it was fully developed would be a critical mistake.
Yes—he was thinking of Revis, the one who had already lost a fetus.
That woman’s carelessness had allowed Orario to steal it away.
If not for her blunder, one of the fetuses would already be complete, and they wouldn’t be struggling to collect Magic Stones again now.
Looking down at the fetus in his arms, the man’s mad eyes hardened with resolve.
“I’ll prove that no one is more worthy than me to be your guardian.”
As he looked up, he failed to notice the fetus—still encased in its gelatinous cradle—open its large, malevolent eyes just slightly.
Those eyes held nothing but mockery and amusement.
But the man never saw the expression worn by the object of his devotion...
...
39th floor Safe Zone.
After a short rest, the entire expedition team began setting up camp.
This time, they would get a much-needed, extended rest.
They were scheduled to rest for two full days.
“Two days of rest?”
“Yeah. Everything happened too suddenly, and we didn’t get a proper rest the night before. We need time to recover.”
Finn paused, his voice laced with exhaustion.
His eyelids were heavy, and his body felt like it had been through a war—completely drained of energy.
With tired eyes, Finn glanced at Riveria, who looked just as bad.
The elf who normally took meticulous care of her appearance now had sunken eyes, a pale complexion, and cracked lips.
Clearly, Riveria was in a terrible state.
“You look unusually awful, Riveria.”
“You’re our most important firepower in the fight against the Spirits. You can’t afford to collapse before the time comes.”
Riveria let out a sigh and closed her eyes halfway. She knew that once she fell asleep, it might be a full day before she could wake again.
The physical exhaustion was only part of it—the mental strain had dealt the real damage.
“There were too many unexpected variables. It completely derailed our original plans.”
“That dragon’s roar really hit us hard.”
It hadn’t caused any physical injuries, but the psychological blow was devastating.
“Yeah, it really was serious.”
A trace of bitterness flickered across Finn’s face.
Today, he finally understood why the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia had been nearly wiped out.
It wasn’t because they were weak—it was because their enemy was the Black Dragon, a force so overwhelming that reason had no place against it.
Chapter 379: Chapter 378: The Dejected "Braver"
Chapter Text
"The Black Dragon's power is far beyond what we ever imagined."
Finn admitted to himself that he'd been narrow-minded. In the past, he had believed Ottar to be the greatest threat—but now, he realized that kind of thinking was a sign of how limited his perspective had been.
After seeing how poorly they had responded to just the roar of the Black Dragon, it was hard to imagine how they could possibly fare in a real confrontation.
They might not even survive the first breath.
"We really were a bit too arrogant back then."
"No wonder Bell-kun said that Level 1 to Level 3 are considered lower-tier Adventurers, Level 4 to Level 6 are middle-tier, and only those above Level 7 count as high-tier Adventurers."
"Maybe that truly was the case during the era of the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia."
"Us being at Level 6... might just be the result of growing up under the protection those two Familia left behind."
"Finn..."
Riveria looked at Finn's disheartened expression and wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.
It was simply because Finn had hit the mark.
They had always been living in the shadow of what the Zeus and Hera Familia once built. Even now, reaching Level 6 might just be considered the scraps of that legacy.
"Then you’re wrong, Captain Finn."
A sudden voice echoed inside the tent.
But neither Finn nor Riveria looked surprised anymore.
They were far too used to it.
"Bell-kun, you've been watching the whole time."
"Yeah. That roar from the Black Dragon really caught us off guard. I didn’t expect it to cause such a commotion."
"Yeah... No one expected the Black Dragon to stir things up like this, especially now."
Bell glanced at Finn’s downcast expression and understood well—this was no small matter. The impact of the Black Dragon had been so severe, even the "Braver" of the Pallum race had taken a serious hit.
Finn, however, had no mental space to care about Bell’s insight. All he could feel was the crushing weight on his shoulders.
Bell simply shook his head.
"Unexpected things always happen."
"The Dungeon isn't a place where you can expect everything to go as planned. Whatever happens down here... shouldn’t it always be within our expectations?"
Finn nodded weakly, but the unease remained. He still felt lost—unsure of where to go from here.
"Bell-kun, are you still aiming for the Black Dragon?"
"Hmm? Finn, what about you? Haven't you been working all this time to restore the Pallum race? Are you planning to give up just because of a single dragon's roar?"
"...No, I have no intention of giving up."
His downward spiral halted slightly. As Finn thought of his people’s situation, the pressure on his shoulders grew heavier—but his resolve also became firmer.
"No matter what, the Pallum need to carve out a future. Even if I’m not the one to make it happen, I’ll still open the path forward for them."
Whether or not he was the one to restore the Pallum didn’t matter to him anymore.
There were simply too many problems in front of him now. If they failed in this attempt against the Spirit, he would have to entrust his dream to those who came after him.
But would there really be someone to take up the mantle?
'Yes! There has to be!'
The thought lifted Finn’s spirits. He still had faith in the future of the Pallum—so now was not the time to lose heart.
Taking a deep breath, Finn pulled himself together with renewed determination.
Looking at Bell, who had helped bring him back from the brink, he stood up.
"You're amazing, Bell-kun."
"Oh my, getting praised by the 'Braver'? I'm honored."
Bell’s tone made Finn chuckle.
The title "Braver" was just something he’d forced upon himself.
"I gave myself no way out. From the start, I had Loki give me this title—so I could become the 'Hero' of the Pallum."
"I carry the banner no one else can lift, and I shoulder the burdens no one else dares to bear."
At that moment, Finn spoke from the heart.
"I’ve never truly been a 'brave warrior'. That’s why… I feel so tired."
Bell was genuinely surprised to hear him say that.
Finn had always seemed like someone who never faltered—never the kind to speak such vulnerable words.
He hadn’t expected Finn to show his heart like this.
"Feeling tired is normal."
"Finn, you should talk to your friends more. If you keep everything bottled up, you'll end up just like the Sword Princess."
Finn smiled faintly, his expression a bit more at ease.
"Maybe you’re right."
"It’s just… a little late now. I want to bring everyone back alive, but I can feel just how formidable the Spirit really is."
Until now, the Braver had always relied on his intellect to lead his team through danger.
But now, he realized that intellect alone wasn’t enough. Especially against a power that completely overwhelmed logic—he could feel the limits of what he could do.
Bell didn’t offer any more explanation. Some things didn’t need to be said. But he could still give a nudge in the right direction.
"The Spirit really is a huge threat. Taking one down is practically suicide."
"In some ways, it’s even harder than defeating a Level 7 Floor Boss. But doesn’t Loki Familia still have a trump card?"
"...Haruhime?"
Finn naturally knew how crucial Haruhime’s power was. The new magic she had awakened, along with the one she already possessed, were their biggest keys to victory.
"But she’s not suited for combat. Her magic takes time to prepare, and its duration is limited. Once she casts it, her safety becomes a serious concern."
It was exactly because of those safety risks that Finn hesitated to bring Haruhime to the front lines.
Haruhime’s greatest strength was her high-level spell "Uchide no Kozuchi."
That magic might truly be decisive—but it would also place her in grave danger.
"Hmm... I guess I can help a little."
Though Bell sounded a bit reluctant, he knew this was one of those moments where a hand had to be extended.
"Later, I’ll make some adjustments to Sanjouno Haruhime’s 'Substitute Straw Doll'. I’ll modify it so she can redirect fatal damage and teleport herself away just before impact."
"Say, to the Safe Zone on the 50th floor."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 380: Chapter 379: Will We Become Enemies?
Chapter Text
"Thanks for that."
Finn didn’t object. At the very least, this would guarantee Haruhime’s safety.
On the frontlines, Haruhime’s abilities were the key to confronting the Spirit. Only by helping five members break through Level 6 could they even begin to challenge a high-ranking Spirit.
But once Haruhime used her magic, she would enter a weakened state. If she used both of her spells, she’d nearly drain all her magic power.
And “Uchide no Kozuchi” couldn’t be cast again in a short period.
So being able to send Haruhime back to a Safe Floor immediately after casting would be a huge advantage.
It would not only reduce the burden of protecting her, but also allow the rest of them to focus entirely on the fight.
"Bell-kun, do you think we still have a chance?"
"Thinking in terms of 'chance' is already a mistake."
Bell corrected Finn’s mindset bluntly, offering his own perspective.
"Adventurers are called adventurers because we seize our own chances. We don’t wait for them to be handed to us."
"Finn, let me remind you—your achievements weren’t handed down by anyone."
"They weren’t charity. They were the hope of a future entrusted to you."
Bell actually knew the real reason why the trio from the Loki Familia and Ottar from Freya Familia had been able to break through their limits.
It was all because a certain god, who called himself an “evil god,” had orchestrated a plan to stir Orario into action.
The gods had seen Orario fall into stagnation, consumed by idleness. That god—and a few remaining heroes—didn’t want to see Orario’s future rot away, so they chose to give its adventurers a much-needed push.
It wasn’t charity.
It was passing the torch.
"That ‘evil god’ used Evilus to perfection, and united the last remnants of Zeus and Hera Familia—‘Silence’ and ‘Gluttony’—to hand Orario a spark of future hope."
"You may have risen by stepping over them, but never treat their expectations as some kind of 'handout.'"
"Otherwise, I’ll look down on you for it."
Bell didn’t sugarcoat his words, and he certainly didn’t soften his tone.
Yet, those words drove Finn deep into thought.
Soon, the trace of discouragement faded from his expression.
"You're right. What we received wasn’t charity. It was a legacy of hope."
He remembered that time—when he, Riveria, and Gareth had once fought against ‘Silence’ together.
They had poured everything into that battle, used every card they had, and still couldn’t overcome Silence’s overwhelming power.
But in the end, it was Silence’s sudden illness during that battle that gave them a narrow opening. Together, they seized it and brought her down.
Even now, Finn found the whole thing hard to believe.
Looking back, maybe Silence hadn’t been that sick.
Maybe… she gave them that chance on purpose.
In fact, it wasn’t until after the battle that they learned both Silence and Gluttony had been seriously ill.
And that intel had shaped the judgment they made in that decisive moment.
"Silence" and "Gluttony" only lost because they chose to give others a chance to move forward.
Outwardly, it looked like nothing more than a war started by Evilus against Orario.
Self-sabotage.
They even gave up their reputations just to grant Orario a future—doing what they believed was right, even in their final moments.
"We’ve been entrusted with their expectations. There’s no way we can stop moving forward."
At that moment, Finn fully pulled himself out of the despair that had gripped him.
Yes—he carried too much responsibility and too many hopes. He couldn’t afford to falter here.
Not even the Spirit could be allowed to stand in his way.
But now that he had shaken off the gloom, the wave of exhaustion hit him even harder.
"...Still, I think I’ll rest for one more day."
His mind was already reaching its limit, the mental strain leaving him uncertain about the road ahead.
Even though he had pushed past the doubt, the fatigue felt even deeper than before. All he wanted now was to rest in his tent for the day.
"Riveria, you don’t look well either. You should get some rest."
"Mm."
Riveria was already on the verge of collapse. Earlier, she'd pushed herself because she was worried about Finn. But now, seeing he was recovering, she no longer needed to hold out.
Exhausted, she returned to her own tent as quickly as possible.
Bell remained behind, watching Finn’s worn-out state. Realizing it wasn’t the time to linger, he prepared to leave...
"Well then, I’ll be heading out..."
"Bell-kun."
Finn interrupted him, his gaze unusually sharp.
"Will we become enemies?"
"Enemies? I don’t think so."
Bell paused briefly, then smiled and shook his head.
"Becoming enemies would require some kind of conflict of interest."
"Unfortunately, we don’t have one. In fact, Loki Familia is an important trading partner for me. I don’t see us ending up as enemies."
"But if all of you die here, well... then I suppose Loki-sama really might become hostile toward me."
"So, Finn, instead of worrying about such complicated things, maybe it’s better to focus on staying alive through this trial."
Stay alive?
The words struck Finn. His head ached just thinking about it.
This trial was nothing like the ones before. If they overcame it, perhaps they could reach Level 7. But if they failed...
Then every upper-tier adventurer in Loki Familia would be wiped out.
Survival—that was the first and foremost priority in this ordeal.
Bell didn’t mind continuing the conversation a little further.
"As for me, you don’t need to worry."
"I work for profit. So if someone’s valuable to me, I’d rather they not die so soon."
"That’s why I sincerely hope Loki Familia makes it through this trial."
Finn could feel the truth in those words. Bell really was that kind of person.
Skilled at concealment, ambush, crafting special tools, and exploiting every possible opportunity to his advantage.
"So, Bell-kun, you’re not even denying that you’re using us, huh."
Finn shook his head lightly. Strangely, he didn’t feel the slightest resentment.
Just like the choice Loki made—
If their interests aligned, then it wasn’t exploitation. It was mutual benefit.
The conversation had reached its end. Seeing that Finn had nothing more to say, Bell gave a small bow and quietly faded from the tent.
"Then, I’ll take my leave."
Chapter 381: Chapter 380: It’s All Thanks to You
Chapter Text
Drinking was normally forbidden during an expedition—but today was a rare exception.
Given the unusual circumstances they faced, and how hard everyone had pushed themselves on the way to the 39th floor, Finn granted permission for one night of celebration.
Thanks to that, the area around the bonfire outside the Safe Zone tents on the 39th floor was packed. Everyone was gathered around, each holding a wooden mug in hand.
The campfire crackled amid a chorus of relaxed voices—adventurers drinking and chatting. The atmosphere was lively, but not noisy. Everyone was talking about the events of the day.
"That dragon's roar today was absolutely terrifying."
"Yeah. It's one thing for you newbies, but even us old-timers who've been on countless expeditions were scared stiff."
Whether it was their first expedition or their fiftieth, both newcomers and veterans alike spoke of that dragon's roar with lingering shock and fear.
Just thinking back on it sent a chill down their spines.
But that shared fear also reminded them of the one person who reignited their courage: the Pallum girl.
"Lili, we really owe you one this time."
Liliruca, suddenly called out by name, looked a bit flustered. She wasn't used to this kind of praise—she'd never been thanked like this before—and wasn't sure how to handle it.
So she modestly tried to shift the credit.
"It wasn't me—it was the captain."
"I just said a few words. The one who really encouraged everyone was the captain."
But everyone knew the truth. Even the captain had buckled under the pressure of that dragon's roar. Only Liliruca had stepped up and delivered those uplifting words.
"Lili, you don't need to be so modest. We all know it was thanks to you."
"Seriously. Even the captain froze up. He was in the same boat as the rest of us."
"If you hadn't snapped us out of it, the captain might not have been able to lead us here."
Both veterans and rookies spoke up, genuinely moved and grateful.
Maybe Liliruca didn't have the overwhelming strength of the captain and the others, but in that critical moment, her voice had been stronger than any weapon or spell.
Everyone understood—Liliruca was their best support. When it truly mattered, she delivered.
Faced with all the praise, Liliruca's face turned bright red.
'I really didn't do anything…'
'I just couldn't stand watching anymore, so I spoke up. Who would've thought I wouldn't be affected?'
Looking back on the incident, even Liliruca found it strange.
Everyone else had been shaken by the dragon's roar—yet she hadn't felt a thing.
As the one it happened to, she had no idea why.
And this wasn't something that could be brushed off as just good luck.
So then, why?
"In any case, we only reached the 39th floor because of you."
Several Elves and Dwarves from Liliruca's party rose to their feet, the respect in their expressions unmistakable.
They all deeply admired Liliruca as their captain, especially after the dragon's roar incident.
"Captain, this cup is for you."
Blushing, Liliruca hurriedly stood and lifted her wooden mug.
"I—"
"Captain, you don't need to be that modest."
An elf gently cut her off, her face brimming with admiration. Liliruca had led even newcomers to the 25th floor, and now, in the face of terror, she had rallied them. It was exactly the kind of moment deserving of respect, and Liliruca was at a loss for words.
Just then, someone draped an arm around her shoulders.
"Daphne…"
Liliruca turned to see Daphne smiling, encouraging her to speak.
"Lili, what you should do now is accept our thanks."
"Everything else can stay unsaid—it's all inside this cup."
Daphne's words silenced Liliruca completely.
Fuelled by sincerity, the others raised their glasses, eyes warm with kindness. Heart pounding, Liliruca lifted the cup and drank it all in a single gulp.
"Ha…okay, I get it—it's all thanks to me."
"Hahahaha!"
Laughter spilled around the bonfire. Liliruca's cheeks glowed even redder.
'This girl has probably never been told this before.'
Recalling Liliruca's past, it was easy to see why the affection overwhelmed her.
After the laughter died down, the group relaxed into silence.
"The captain and the others have gone to rest. Even Mr. Bete is back in his tent."
"Weren't we also shaken by that roar?"
"That's true. But the captain's looked exhausted since morning. I wonder if something happened."
Liliruca, now seated, felt a pang of worry. She sensed something serious was hidden—something the leader deliberately shielded from them.
She glanced around; though everyone looked drained, the alcohol had loosened their tongues.
"I'm glad the captain allowed this drinking. Otherwise, things could've gotten ugly."
It was a sensitive subject, one that might unravel the expedition's course if dwelt on.
"Everyone, don't overthink it."
Liliruca stood again, raising a hand to steer the mood.
"We've got an extra day's rest, but we're all beat. After one more drink, let's head back to our tents and get some sleep.
"Even on a Safe Zone floor, we need to rotate watch duties. We can't disturb the captain or the others."
Heads nodded around the fire. They were all tired—but after today's adrenaline, they needed this moment of camaraderie.
Now, the drowsiness from the alcohol was setting in. Some were already nodding off.
They didn't really need prompting, but Liliruca's gentle reminder made them feel even sleepier.
One by one, they gathered their mugs and, with tired smiles, drifted toward their tents.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 382: Chapter 381: The Restless Orario
Chapter Text
At this moment, Orario was anything but calm—unlike the Dungeon below.
The roar unique to the Black Dragon had flattened every Adventurer and Guild member in Orario. None of them could even get up for half an hour.
Even the gods were thrown into a state of high alert by the roar.
"Damn it, how did the Black Dragon wake up?!"
"Are you stupid? Do you think we can control whether it wakes up or not?!"
"That's not what I meant! Didn't Ouranos say the Black Dragon was already under control?! Why is it still freely spreading its pressure over all of Orario?!"
The gods broke into chaotic discussions, yet no one could offer a clear answer.
This was an emergency assembly. Every god was required to attend.
And truthfully, the crisis was severe enough—perhaps the greatest threat Orario had faced in recent years.
Seated at the back, Loki rested her chin in her hands, clearly uninterested in joining the discussion.
In fact, she already knew everything. Through Bell's projection, she had seen the living, breathing Black Dragon. She also knew about its connection to the gods.
If she were to reveal what she knew, it would be like dropping a bomb on all of Orario.
The intel she held was simply too explosive. It could not only shake the foundation of Orario's stability but also shatter the gods' current sense of ease.
Loki's gaze swept over the room, faintly critical. Maybe the Black Dragon's influence had grown too great—enough that even the hidden Evilus factions wouldn't be able to stay hidden.
Now, all the gods were in the same situation.
Anxious.
'These fools can only grasp things at such a shallow level.'
Loki sneered inwardly. The Black Dragon's presence was a serious threat, but the real danger lay in what lurked behind it.
'That kid was called "arch-enemy" by the Black Dragon... Looks like Zeus and Hera really had a good eye. Even from outside Orario, they knew that kid was the key to the future.'
Even if she didn't want to admit it, Loki had to acknowledge that Zeus and Hera—who had long been expelled from Orario—had seen further than anyone else.
At the same time, she couldn't help but feel bitter at their luck.
How was it that the ones destined to guide the fate of the world and the gods were born into their Familias? And somehow, it was split perfectly—one each. Almost as if it were fate.
'If we can't overcome the Black Dragon, the world will be reshaped... and no living being will escape that upheaval.'
'How ironic.'
With a bitter, self-deprecating chuckle in her heart, Loki cursed under her breath again.
The gods saw themselves as noble, yet they failed to realize that Genkai was actually the ultimate trial bestowed upon them by the world itself.
Whether they would endure or perish—this trial would decide that.
But right now, none of that mattered.
The reshuffling of the world was a crisis that had to be avoided at all costs. And the only ones who truly understood the stakes... were likely Ouranos and the other ancient gods of his era.
However, Loki also noticed something odd—none of the ancient gods were present at this Denatus.
'Wait! Aren't Zeus and Hera ancient gods too?'
Suddenly, it clicked.
If Zeus and Hera qualified as ancient gods, then didn't that mean they might also know the truth?
This realization made Loki's expression twist slightly.
'...Shit! That old geezer Ouranos probably knew all along, didn't he? So when Freya and I pushed for their exile, he just went along with it and kicked them out of Orario?'
'In other words, Ouranos believed it'd be better to have Zeus and Hera far away from everyone's eyes?'
'So Freya and I were just the fall guys?'
That conclusion nearly made Loki jump up in fury.
She had once thought that Zeus and Hera's downfall was her opportunity to rise. But in the end, those two had simply placed all their hopes in the future after their Familias were destroyed.
And she and Freya were nothing more than the ones paving the road forward.
If she thought about it from a results-driven perspective... that's exactly what it was.
Zeus and Hera's retreat wasn't cowardice—it was intentional. They had shifted their focus to the next generation, to the "heroes" born from their era.
And after more than ten years, they'd raised a monster like Bell Cranel.
Cautious to a fault, and yet strangely powerful.
Just the fact that the kid escaped from the Black Dragon's jaws and was even momentarily spared by it—that alone was worth bragging about for years.
Put any other Adventurer in that situation, and they'd have been scared to death on the spot.
Yes, scared to death—not even given the chance to be torched by the dragon's breath.
With that realization, Loki glanced at the shorty sitting in front with Hephaestus and felt a rising sense of unease.
'So this shorty really stumbled onto something huge.'
Loki couldn't help but admire Zeus and Hera's foresight—and at the same time, she found Hestia's luck downright baffling.
A parasite of a goddess, still freeloading her way through life, just walks out one day and stumbles upon such a miracle. Talk about insane luck.
And the craziest part? That kid actually fell for the shorty. And the shorty was seriously into him too.
With odds that low, and everything somehow lining up, Loki figured saying 'it was fate's choice' wasn't even far-fetched.
...
"Loki, why have you been in such a sour mood since earlier?"
Pulled from her storm of thoughts, Loki turned with exasperation to the woman beside her.
'This woman definitely knows something.'
Loki could practically see her intentions—trying to tease out intel from her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been glued to her side this whole time.
And the woman sitting next to her wasn't just anyone—it was Freya, her equal at the top of Orario's divine hierarchy.
"Do you really think I should be in a good mood?"
"All my children are out on an expedition, and now the Black Dragon's stirring up chaos. Do I look like I should be celebrating?"
Her tone was unmistakably sharp—clearly aimed at Freya.
Freya didn't doubt that for a second. But the more Loki acted like that, the harder it was for her to suppress the smile creeping across her face.
"Loki, did you know you have a bad habit?"
"?"
With a serene smile and a soft voice, Freya leaned in and said,
"The more you try to hide something... the more reactive you get."
"If you were genuinely upset about the Black Dragon, your reaction would've been way more explosive than this."
"Besides, did you even call your kids back?"
"With all the noise the Black Dragon's making—and knowing how much you dote on your children—there's no way you'd just sit still like this, right?"
Loki's face twitched.
Damn... this woman was seriously dangerous!
Chapter 383: Chapter 383: Blame It on the Dark Faction!
Chapter Text
'I didn't do anything.'
Even among the Evilus gods, confusion spread like wildfire.
Did they not understand how much trouble luring out the Black Dragon would cause?
Of course they did.
They knew that drawing out the Black Dragon could completely overturn the surface world—but they'd never actually go that far.
Come on, they weren't brainless.
If the Black Dragon really broke loose, it wouldn't just destroy the world above. Even Tenkai, where the gods resided, could be affected.
The gods dared to act recklessly because Tenkai gave them a fallback.
Would they really care if the surface descended into chaos?
Maybe—but that only held if it was the Dungeon beneath Orario being unleashed. Not if the Black Dragon itself were fully released.
Because the gods couldn't kill the Black Dragon.
And not just the Black Dragon. Behemoth and Leviathan, too—those were beings even the gods couldn't destroy.
It wasn't for lack of trying. Some gods had seriously attempted to unleash their full divine power to erase Behemoth and Leviathan.
But even with their so-called omnipotence and omniscience, they had failed.
Because the answer that omniscience gave them was simple: it couldn't be done.
'So why in the world would they release something they had no way of defeating?'
'Just to overthrow the surface world?'
'Please—they might be extremists, but they weren't suicidal.'
'If they truly wanted to plunge the world into chaos, they wouldn't do it by triggering their own destruction.'
'So then... did someone else do something to provoke the Black Dragon?'
They carefully reviewed their own actions and logic. None of them seemed like the type to deliberately stir up the Black Dragon.
Then why had it been so agitated?
'Obviously... it had to be us.'
After all, in the Dungeon, only they and the "Spirits" were capable of doing something like this.
But the Spirits shared the same objective: to topple Orario and throw the surface into chaos.
And that goal did not include unleashing the Black Dragon.
'Or maybe... one of us has lost it?'
None of them believed the gods among them had gone mad.
But as for their children—their Familia members? That was a different story.
There were definitely more than a few lunatics among them.
And they couldn't be sure if one of those lunatics had done something that provoked the Black Dragon.
"Those lunatics must be out of their minds!"
Many of the gods wore furious expressions.
The Black Dragon incident had truly rattled them. If Evilus really was behind it, things might spiral toward the worst possible outcome.
"I propose we put Evilus on the kill list."
"Exactly! If we let those bastards succeed, do you think we'll have any peace left?"
"Any Evilus god found should be immediately banished—and we should grant our children the right to kill them."
That suggestion made the Evilus gods visibly panic.
In the past, no matter how much trouble they stirred—ambushing other Familia, sabotaging those with potential—it had always stayed within a certain limit.
But the Evilus had upheld one baseline: never provoke the Black Dragon.
Because provoking the Black Dragon might not only destroy the surface world—it could even threaten Tenkai, stripping the gods of their final sanctuary.
And that was something none of them could ever tolerate.
This time, however, the Black Dragon's reaction had thrown Evilus onto the grill.
Whether they were responsible or not didn't matter. The Black Dragon had been provoked—and they were being blamed.
Ganesha found himself in a difficult position. The gods' extreme suggestions were born of real fear.
"Everyone, please wait."
Ganesha raised his hand, halting the growing chaos.
"Ouranos, what is your opinion?"
No response came immediately, but Ganesha stood patiently, waiting.
Meanwhile, the Evilus gods were frozen.
Things were spiraling out of control.
Even though Evilus had always been treated like vermin in Orario, if this Denatus formally sanctioned their eradication, their future would become even more bleak.
If exposed, even Genkai's children would be given the right to slay gods.
As they waited in tense silence, Ouranos's aged voice rang out among the gods.
"Loki, what do you think?"
All eyes turned to Loki—suddenly making her the unexpected arbiter of this proposal.
Loki blinked, then her expression twisted into something darker. The hostility she radiated was palpable—every god in the room could feel it.
"Just kill them all."
"My Ais was especially 'taken care of' by those bastards. I haven't even started settling that score."
"And now they've crossed the line and touched our taboo? I say wipe out every Evilus god and Familia. No mercy."
The killing intent in Loki's voice made every Evilus god shudder.
No one dared to dismiss her words—because Loki would absolutely follow through. Especially under circumstances like these.
"Hmm... Freya, what's your opinion?"
The focus shifted to Freya.
The gods waited to see whether she would stand with Loki on this.
Freya, calm as ever, smiled softly and answered,
"I second the motion."
Well, that was that. Even Freya supported a full assault on Evilus.
The Denatus erupted.
Freya represented the strongest power in Orario. Her stance dictated the future of the Freya Familia. And now, Evilus had managed to provoke not just Loki—but Freya too.
With both powerhouses against them, Evilus had no way out.
They were about to face a siege from the two most powerful Familia in Orario.
Even if they had a Lv. 8, it wouldn't save them.
"In that case, let's hold the Evilus gods and their Familia jointly responsible."
"Ganesha, you will identify and confirm all designated Evilus gods and Familia."
"Once confirmed, Genkai's children are authorized to slay them."
"The Guild will handle the bounty rewards."
With that, Ouranos closed the case.
Whether Evilus had actually provoked the Black Dragon or not no longer mattered. The blame was theirs to bear.
And this wasn't just a matter of public outrage.
Ouranos's decree had officially branded Evilus as fugitives of Orario—with a bounty system to encourage their capture or death.
This was a full mobilization call to every Adventurer in Orario.
Chapter 384: Chapter 384: Trouble from Freya
Chapter Text
"Pfft!"
Right after the Denatus, Hestia burst into laughter.
"Hahaha~ Those idiots don't even realize they've been played!"
"It was Bell-kun who caused all this, yet in the end, Evilus is taking the fall."
Just thinking about how it turned out made it impossible for her to hold back her laughter.
Only the heavens knew how many times she almost lost it during the meeting when Ouranos announced the verdict.
"Isn't this the best outcome?"
Hearing that, even Hephaestus couldn't help but smile.
This time, everything Bell had done was pinned entirely on Evilus. The Black Dragon situation? All shifted onto them.
"I doubt even Evilus knows what really happened. For all we know, they might actually believe they did it themselves."
"Heh~ Those guys are the type to pull stunts like this anyway. If they're getting blamed this time, they kind of had it coming."
Hestia felt absolutely no guilt about Evilus taking the blame.
They had been scheming underground to overthrow Orario for ages—they were already public enemies. But now, Orario and even the Guild had formally moved to eliminate them.
In truth, Evilus's sins had long been enough for them to be branded Orario's greatest threat.
The only reason they weren't already on the chopping block was because Ouranos hadn't officially issued the order.
But now, that had changed. Ouranos had declared open season on all Evilus gods and Familia.
As long as someone was confirmed to be part of Evilus, they could be killed on sight—even gods.
Of course, there would still be investigations and verification.
But even so, Evilus had become infamous in Orario once again—and this time, it came with a death sentence.
"Now those Evilus freaks better behave, right?"
Hestia didn't think they could move so freely anymore, not with all of Orario gunning for them.
She had worried at first that things might shift toward Bell—but to her surprise, Evilus ended up shouldering everything.
The result left her truly relieved.
"Even if Evilus wanted to keep acting out, they can't now."
Hephaestus's smile held a hint of amusement. Whether Evilus kept stirring trouble wasn't really her concern—the important part was that Bell had come out unscathed.
"Ouranos must've figured out something... but the fact he still chose to side with Bell is a good thing."
"Yeah, it's good... but not the best."
Hestia had her own thoughts and couldn't help feeling uneasy about Ouranos's intentions.
'What if he's planning to put Bell in danger down the line?'
Hephaestus understood that too. But when it came to Ouranos's methods—was there any real way to stop him?
No. She was almost certain there wasn't.
"There's nothing we can do about it."
"You heard the conversation between the Black Dragon and Bell. This isn't just about Bell's decision anymore—it's tied to the fate of us gods. Do you think Ouranos would just let Bell make that choice freely?"
"Yeah... I guess so."
Hestia let out a helpless sigh at that answer.
If she had her way, she wouldn't want Bell facing such danger—especially not when he's caught in a game orchestrated by the gods.
Children of Genkai were innocent. A single misstep in this kind of game could cost them their lives.
"Well, at least for now, we can shelve the Evilus mess and the Dungeon trouble."
She finally allowed herself to relax, lying back comfortably on the couch at home.
But moments like this only made her miss Bell being around even more.
Right now, Bell was still on the expedition—and the chaos in the Dungeon wasn't any lighter than what was happening up on the surface.
"It's only when something big blows up that we get these short moments of peace."
Hephaestus also leaned back on the sofa, her face showing a rare touch of ease.
Despite all the usual complaints, she, too, enjoyed this quiet break.
But as the calm settled, a memory suddenly surfaced for Hephaestus—something she'd seen near the end of the Denatus, when she went looking for Loki. She had caught a glimpse of Freya... sitting right next to her.
"Hestia, just now at the Denatus—Loki and Freya were sitting together."
"...!?"
Hestia immediately shot up from the couch, frowning.
"Freya and Loki... sitting together?"
She knew those two had their share of dealings, but never during a divine council—this was the first time they'd actually sat side by side.
"This had to be Freya approaching Loki."
"I think so too. Freya normally wouldn't sit with Loki like that. The only time they'd keep it civil is when nobody's watching—or in this case, when no one can afford to pay attention."
All the gods' focus had been fixed on condemning Evilus.
The Black Dragon's presence was just too overwhelming—it had drawn all the attention. Even usually eye-catching figures like Freya and Loki were subconsciously overlooked.
But Hestia had caught the critical detail.
"If Freya made the move, she's probably trying to dig up info on Bell-kun."
"Most likely."
Hephaestus sighed, feeling the pressure. Freya having her eyes on Bell was nothing short of a nightmare.
Now she understood why Bell was so cautious. Dealing with Freya was like walking a tightrope—one small misstep, and it was all over.
"And with the Black Dragon incident... if Freya's paying attention, she might piece together a connection to Bell."
"After all, it's the first time the Black Dragon's made such a scene in the Dungeon—and it just happens to coincide with Bell's expedition."
"That... can't be..."
Hephaestus wasn't being paranoid—she was thinking practically. If Freya was sharp enough and kept a close watch on Bell, she really could start connecting the dots.
But Hestia didn't want to believe it.
If Freya ever linked Bell to the Black Dragon... she would become the biggest threat they'd ever have to face.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 385: Chapter 385: Walking Bounty
Chapter Text
Night had fallen, but Orario's routines remained unchanged despite the Black Dragon’s roar that morning.
Adventurers still gathered in taverns, drinking and chatting as usual. Only now, their conversations were dominated by the Guild's latest announcement.
"Can you believe the Evilus actually had the guts to provoke the Black Dragon down in the deepest part of the Dungeon?"
"Those lunatics have always been reckless."
"At least this time the Guild and all the gods are taking action. They're organizing a full sweep against Evilus—and even allowing adventurers to kill gods if they're confirmed to be part of them. That’s unheard of in Orario."
The gods had officially authorized godslaying by the children of Genkai.
That was a massive shift. In the past, the gods despised any act of godslaying. Any adventurer caught doing so was immediately exiled, no questions asked.
But this time, with Evilus, the gods had laid their cards on the table. Even godslaying was permitted.
"It’s gotten way out of hand. Who told those maniacs to go mess with the Black Dragon?"
"Ugh... just thinking about that roar this morning still makes my knees shake."
"Tell me about it—same here."
In the past, when adventurers in Orario talked about fear, they usually meant the terrifying monsters lurking in the Deep Floors.
Now? Ask any adventurer what scared them the most, and the answer was the same: "The Black Dragon’s roar."
A roar that traveled from the deepest parts of the Dungeon to the surface, shaking all of Orario—just imagining it made your skin crawl.
The Black Dragon’s sheer power suffocated every adventurer.
That overwhelming force pressed down on them like a weight on their chests.
Only now did they truly understand—there had always been a blade hanging over their heads.
"But let’s be real. The Black Dragon isn’t something we should be worrying about. That’s a problem for the Loki Familia and the Freya Familia. We’re just regular adventurers. If we run into the Black Dragon, it’s game over."
The patrons in the tavern knew that all too well.
They weren’t kids anymore. Most of them had long since grown past the reckless phase of youth.
They all knew their place—they were small fry in Orario. Taking down the Black Dragon? That wasn’t their fight.
At least in times like these, there were stronger ones to carry the burden. It wouldn’t land on them—at least not yet.
Still, some were starting to wonder: could even the Loki Familia and the Freya Familia really handle that kind of pressure?
“Can Freya Familia and Loki Familia really take down the Black Dragon?”
“Freya Familia only has one Level 7, and Loki Familia doesn't even have a single Level 7. How are they supposed to defeat the Black Dragon?”
“Back in the day, even Zeus Familia and Hera Familia had a Level 9 leading several Level 8s, and they still got wiped out. Do you think Freya Familia and Loki Familia can pull it off now?”
Yeah, that question hit a bit too hard.
Purely in terms of power, the current Freya Familia and Loki Familia can’t hold a candle to what Zeus Familia and Hera Familia used to be. Saying they could take down the Black Dragon now?
If Freya Familia and Loki Familia could do it, wouldn’t Zeus Familia and Hera Familia have already succeeded back then?
The regulars at the tavern brought this topic up often, so naturally, the staff were well aware of the talk.
“The Guild actually made a public announcement to hunt down Evilus members. Looks like they’re serious this time, meow.”
“They even said that as long as someone is confirmed to be part of Evilus, it's open season. Kill on sight, dead or alive—even gods aren't exempt.”
Anya, one of the waitresses at the Hostess of Fertility, had gone to the Guild herself that morning to confirm the news.
Another elf waitress from the same tavern had a far stronger reaction to it.
‘A bunch of suicidal bastards. They deserve to be Orario’s public enemy.’
She seethed with curses for the Evilus in her heart, all while keeping a calm exterior.
The Guild’s direct announcement meant total hostility between Orario and the Evilus. For Adventurers, this turned into a predator-prey relationship.
As long as there was a lead on the Evilus, identifying one of their members would earn a hefty bounty.
And money? That’s what most Adventurers in Orario were after. With the Guild spelling things out like this, they were clearly drawing a line: Adventurers vs. Evilus. After all, what Adventurer doesn’t love money?
The bounties for Evilus members were high. Just uncovering one or two of them could be more lucrative than risking your life down in the Dungeon.
“Ryuu, want to try digging a few of them out?”
“If you manage to catch a few of those guys, you'd be able to pay off a good chunk of your debt, meow.”
That suggestion made the elf girl named Ryuu pause for a moment, but she soon shook her head slightly.
“That’s Adventurers’ work. It has nothing to do with us.”
Ever since she quit being an Adventurer, Ryuu had vanished from both the light and shadow sides of Orario.
If she went after those Evilus bastards just to pay off some debts, she’d be throwing away the peace she’d finally secured.
There was a time when Ryuu might have considered it. But once the Guild officially declared war on Evilus, she dropped the thought.
‘Hah... now they want me to clean up the Evilus leftovers that didn’t get dealt with before?’
Those Evilus remnants were nothing more than walking bounties to today’s Adventurers. Even if she stayed out of it, the Adventurers would be all over them for the reward money.
Since it was going to end the same either way, Ryuu had no reason to throw away her hard-earned peace for Evilus trash.
“Besides, all the Adventurers are watching for Evilus now. The moment they show their faces, Adventurers will rush in immediately. How would we even get to them?”
“Meow~ that’s true.”
Anya thought about it for a second and couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
Given Orario’s current state, it was true—the Evilus members weren’t going to show themselves easily.
In the past, Adventurers might have avoided Evilus if they caught wind of them. But now? No chance.
Now, if an Adventurer spotted an Evilus member, they'd call in backup and charge in immediately. Just catching one meant a fat bounty. What Adventurer wouldn’t be tempted?
Chapter 386: Chapter 386: A Natural Conclusion
Chapter Text
At the moment, Hestia and Hephaestus were having their usual communication.
“Bell-kun, did you know? Everything that happened this morning was pinned entirely on the Evilus.”
“Blamed on those guys? Looks like they’re not going to have it easy for a while.”
“Yeah. Ouranos directly issued an announcement to launch a full assault on the Evilus. Some gods even proposed allowing the killing of Evilus-affiliated gods.”
“Killing gods is allowed now? That means the Black Dragon's influence is far more serious than we imagined.”
While staying at his temporary base, Bell hadn’t expected the Guild to issue such a bold announcement. This basically meant Orario was now at war with the Evilus.
‘So... is this Ouranos being biased, or does he truly believe the Evilus have crossed a line and need to be dealt with?’
Bell already knew the answer in his heart.
“Hestia, there’s no doubt. Ouranos has chosen to side with us.”
“Everything he’s done is for the survival of Orario, the gods, and the people of the Genkai. I doubt that ancient god failed to connect the Black Dragon’s reaction to me. He’s just riding the wave and guiding Orario toward a better future.”
Whether that was the truth or not, Bell was already sure of it. Given the mindset of such an ancient deity, there was no question in his mind.
He said with absolute confidence:
“I believe Ouranos has already confirmed that the Black Dragon reacted because of me.”
Back in the Familia, Hestia was momentarily stunned by his words.
No way... really?
Seeing her disbelief, Bell went on:
“Loki Familia’s expeditions have happened regularly in the past. To Orario, they’re nothing unusual.”
“But this time, something different happened—namely, the Black Dragon’s reaction.”
“So, thinking logically, what was added to this usual expedition that caused such an unusual outcome?”
“The answer’s obvious. Some special Adventurers were involved.”
It was a perfectly reasonable deduction. That’s why Bell was sure Ouranos had identified him as the primary cause of the Black Dragon’s roar.
This explanation made both Hestia and Hephaestus suddenly understand.
“So that’s what it was!”
Now Hestia finally understood why Ouranos had so decisively shifted the blame to the Evilus. It was because from the start, he already knew the Black Dragon’s reaction was tied to Bell.
“No wonder Ouranos acted so quickly.”
Hephaestus couldn’t help but cover her forehead. After hearing Bell’s speculation, she understood why Ouranos had reacted that way.
But then another person came to mind.
She remembered how that woman had echoed Loki word for word at the Denatus, immediately seconding Loki’s opinion when Ouranos questioned them.
That meant the woman had likely reached the same conclusion as Ouranos.
“Bell, maybe Ouranos isn’t the only one at the Denatus who figured this out.”
Seeing the slight displeasure on Hephaestus’s face, Bell immediately caught on.
“Freya knows too?”
That outcome wasn’t particularly surprising to Bell. In fact, there were only a handful of gods in Orario who actually paid attention to him.
The Black Dragon incident had caused a massive stir.
With something that big, the gods were bound to take interest. Naturally, they’d start speculating what triggered the Black Dragon’s sudden roar.
And through that logical deduction, all eyes would eventually fall on him.
“Even if the timing is inconvenient, I doubt Freya would do anything troublesome right now.”
“She’s definitely interested in me, but as long as she sticks to the promise she made last time, it shouldn’t be an issue.”
At the moment, Freya might still be a significant variable, but her influence on Bell had lessened considerably.
Bell had a fifty-fifty shot against “King Ottar,” and avoiding detection wasn’t all that difficult.
They really thought Runes were just for show?
Besides, Freya had already made her stance clear—she wouldn’t resort to force to win him over.
“Freya hasn’t confirmed whether the trait she’s seeking actually exists in me, so she’s still looking for me. At the very least, she wants to confirm it with her own eyes.”
“My combat ability might not be the strongest, but stealth is what I’m best at right now. Trying to find me through normal means is extremely difficult.”
Bell wouldn’t claim to be the strongest, but when it came to staying hidden, he had countless options.
His Development Ability leaned toward stealth, and with Runes backing him up, staying off the radar wasn’t hard at all.
Gods take their promises seriously—what they say isn’t just empty talk.
So for now, Freya wouldn’t be a problem.
“But I don’t think Freya will give up trying to track me down.”
“From what I know of her, she’ll probably try to use Loki as her entry point.”
You nailed it!
Hephaestus twitched slightly at the mouth—it was exactly as Bell had guessed. Freya really was planning to use Loki to break through.
And Bell kept going.
“If I’m right, based on the relationship between Freya and Loki, Loki probably won’t give up much.”
“But knowing Freya, she’ll definitely use some underhanded method to force it out of her.”
Freya wasn’t some soft, passive goddess—she was someone who dared to challenge the rules of the world.
That power of charm she had? Practically mind control. Not even gods were fully immune.
Otherwise, how could she have played the gods so easily all this time?
Even if she was less of a problem now, Bell would never underestimate her abilities.
“So what do we do?”
“No need to worry too much. Even if Loki-sama gets caught off guard once, she won’t fall for the same trick twice. And honestly, whatever she’s let slip so far is probably just stuff people could figure out anyway.”
Bell offered some reassurance to the worried Hestia.
Even though things were still uncertain, the overall situation was tilted in their favor.
And besides, Bell had full confidence in Loki.
She had a reputation as a trickster goddess—no way would she step into the same trap twice.
That’s why, next time, it’d be much harder for Freya to use Loki as her way in.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 387: Chapter 387: Loki Can’t Show Her Face Anymore
Chapter Text
"That woman is just... such a pain."
After returning to the Familia from the Tower of Babel, Loki held a brief internal meeting. She gave a quick rundown of what had happened at the Denatus and shared the plans for how to deal with the Evilus going forward. Then, she went straight back to her room.
Right now, Loki just felt mentally drained.
She had to worry about Finn and the others exploring unknown territory in the Dungeon, and now she had to deal with Freya trying to sneak her way in.
Flopping down onto the bed, Loki let out a sigh.
"That lust-crazed woman just doesn’t quit.”
She had always thought Freya was a bit obsessive, but she never expected her to go as far as using her Authority on her just to get information about that kid.
The very thought made Loki roll her eyes.
“No wonder that shorty and the kid are always so wary. Being stalked by someone like that would creep anyone out.”
And now, she herself had become one of Freya’s targets too.
‘Ugh... this is exactly why I said you’d never outmaneuver the shorty.’
That kind of pursuit was enough to make anyone feel disgusted.
Even if she wasn’t using brute force, being stared at constantly—who could enjoy that?
Maybe someone else would be over the moon. After all, it was Freya. Wouldn’t most men be thrilled to catch her eye?
Too bad—the man she had her sights on this time definitely wouldn’t be.
Loki shook her head and decided to set the whole Freya thing aside for now, stretching out fully on the bed.
“Should I even bother going over today?”
Honestly, there was no need.
From what happened that morning, it was clear Finn and the others had been shaken by the Black Dragon. They’d probably be spending today and tomorrow resting on the 39th floor, not rushing to press forward.
Looking around her own plain and unadorned room, Loki fell silent for a moment. Then she pushed herself up from the bed with both hands.
Without saying a word, she stepped through a spatial tunnel inside her room and emerged in her personal room within the Hestia Familia.
“Ahh~”
With a deep breath, spiritual energy began flowing into her body. It eased the tension that had been weighing her down.
“This is what life should feel like.”
Sprawled out on the bed, Loki couldn’t help but admit to herself—her own place really was plain. Nowhere near as cozy as that shorty’s home.
The shorty’s house was built using Spirit Trees. The entire space was infused with a special kind of energy, filled with a serene aura that screamed ‘divine residence.’
Her own place, in contrast, reeked of money—flashy, gaudy, tasteless.
Loki scoffed at the Dwarf who built her “Twilight Manor.” The guy seriously had no taste.
Of course, she understood that if they’d tried to build something like the shorty’s home using those same kinds of materials, they’d probably have to sell the entire Familia and still wouldn’t have enough to pull it off.
After all, Spirit Trees were incredibly rare and expensive. The Elves certainly weren’t about to sell any living Spirit Trees—especially considering how few they had left.
“I’m not going back for the next two days.”
There were still plenty of things to deal with at home, but Loki had decided to ignore them.
Most of her Familia’s main combat force had gone off on the expedition. There weren’t many people left behind, so leaving the work to Finn wasn’t a problem.
In truth, Loki usually worked pretty hard. Even when the work was annoying, she didn’t really slack off.
But right now was exactly the kind of time she wanted to slack off more than ever.
After all, Orario was far from stable lately. The conflict between Adventurers and Evilus was now completely out in the open. In times like this, playing it safe was never a bad idea.
More than anything, her mind was still with her children.
The challenge they were facing in the unknown was against a Spirit whose strength had already reached Level 8. Just thinking about it made her scalp go numb.
“That kid should be okay, right?”
“They’re taking every bit of our fighting power to challenge an unknown frontier, and they want my children to cross levels and take on a Spirit…”
No matter how she looked at it, it just didn’t seem realistic.
But Loki was also very sure—if they could overcome this almost impossible trial, then Finn and the others would definitely earn the kind of “Excelia” needed to break through their current level cap.
“Ais just reached Level 6. If she makes it through this and gets that Excelia, she probably won’t rush into trying to hit Level 7, right?”
That was what really gave Loki a headache.
Even though Ais had been more attentive lately to the other children in the Familia who were weaker than her, deep down she still couldn’t let go of her parents. Freeing them was still her top priority. So no one could say for sure whether she was thinking about pushing herself to gain power even faster.
“...I just hope Ais can keep a cool head when the time comes. Leveling up is important, yeah, but I want her to think more about long-term growth.”
After all, Ais wasn’t like that shorty’s kid.
Loki was convinced that kid had some kind of ultra-special “rare skill.” Otherwise, there was no way he’d have jumped to Level 4 in under half a year.
That kid had the kind of ability that could rack up “Status” crazy fast—but Ais didn’t.
Even if she had incredible natural talent, outside of that she was still operating at a normal person’s level. She hadn’t reached the kind of insane potential that kid had.
With these thoughts weighing on her, Loki couldn’t relax enough to sleep.
She couldn’t even close her eyes.
Every time she tried, all she could see was the awful image of her children suffering in the unknown.
With a groan, she grabbed her hair and sat up in bed.
Frustrated, she left the room.
She didn’t actually need to go check on them today. But still—she couldn’t help herself.
As soon as she reached the stairs, she heard voices from the living room...
"...The info Loki-sama leaked is basically stuff anyone could’ve figured out at this point.”
“With Loki-sama’s personality, she’s not the type to fall into the same trap twice.”
Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me—Loki could only stare.
That was definitely that kid’s voice. Was he analyzing her personality now?
And what were they even talking about just now? What did he mean, “leaked information”?
‘Wait... are they talking about that lust-crazed woman?’
Loki smacked her own forehead.
‘Gods, even that kid knows I’ve become the weak point?’
She’d been played by that woman today, and now both the shorty and that kid had caught on too. Loki suddenly felt like she didn’t even have the face to walk into that room.
Chapter 388: Chapter 388: The System Knows How to Make Money
Chapter Text
“Well, I’m heading to rest now.”
After gathering most of the intel and getting a clear grasp of Orario’s current situation, Bell ended the connection.
In his mind, he began to process everything.
‘The Evilus are nearly done for. That means their final outburst is coming soon.’
The madness that precedes destruction would inevitably fall upon the Evilus.
At this point, neither Orario nor the Dungeon was a place where they could continue to exist.
Unless the Evilus retreated completely and permanently from Orario.
But if anyone actually made that decision, the Evilus would lose all meaning. The dream of plunging the surface into chaos again would be nothing more than a fantasy.
The gods backing the Evilus would never allow that. So once they’re cornered, what awaits them is total desperation and chaos.
‘If it really comes to that, at least it’s one less thing to worry about. That’s a win.’
The Evilus had indeed been a major obstacle to Orario’s progress.
That said, Bell couldn’t clearly remember what happened in the story beyond this point. His advantage of knowing the plot essentially ended here.
Still, he understood that reaching this stage of growth was largely thanks to the preparations he’d made beforehand—preparations made possible by his knowledge of the story. The future may be unknown, but as long as he kept accumulating power, he’d be able to face whatever came next.
Then there was the “Type-Moon System.”
This was one of the reincarnator perks that he hadn’t really touched lately.
Back when it first awakened, the “Type-Moon System” had been a huge help. And even now, that help hadn’t disappeared.
If he wanted to grow stronger quickly, the Type-Moon System was something he absolutely couldn’t ignore.
Through various business ventures, Bell had already amassed a significant amount of capital—enough to put the Type-Moon System to good use.
Only now did he realize it had been quite a while since he last checked in on it.
Bell opened the system notifications, and two prompts immediately echoed in his mind.
[Level Up to Lv.3: Wish Gacha unlocked.]
[Level Up to Lv.4: High-Rank Gacha unlocked.]
So with each level up, the system unlocked new features accordingly.
Wish Gacha? What was that?
Bell read the description.
[Wish Gacha: Allows targeted summoning for selected Craft Essences, increasing their draw probability.]
Great—what a useless feature.
The moment he saw the word “probability,” Bell instantly understood. There was no way the actual rate of getting the selected Craft Essence was going to be high.
Then came the High-Rank Gacha.
[High-Rank Gacha: Increased probability of summoning 4-star or higher Craft Essences. Slight chance to summon a Heroic Spirit.]
...There it was again—“probability.”
Bell felt imaginary black lines forming above his head. The moment the word “chance” appears, it’s always bad news.
That increased chance was probably just as bad as the one in the Wish Gacha. Either way, it wasn’t going to be high.
‘This system really takes the “chance” part too seriously.’
Thinking back to his old “Nine Swords of Dugu” days, Bell couldn’t help but feel a little defeated.
Without dwelling on the details, Bell glanced at the pricing: “Wish Gacha – 100,000 Valis per pull,” “High-Rank Gacha – 1 million Valis per pull.”
Just a tiny increase in “probability” and the cost had jumped tenfold. The sheer price hike made Bell feel lightheaded.
Especially the “High-Rank Gacha”—it practically gave him a heart attack, leaping from 100,000 straight to a million Valis.
‘This system really knows how to milk money.’
He grumbled to himself, but still, it wasn’t something he could ignore.
Even if the increase was just a minor boost in “chance,” it was still better than nothing at all.
What made his heart ache was the rate at which he was bleeding money.
Sure, Runes brought in income fast, and he’d accumulated plenty of capital, but even that couldn’t keep up with this kind of expenditure.
‘Spending money to grow stronger... it’s all for power...’
Repeating it like a mantra helped slow his heartbeat.
Gradually, he began to accept the system’s pricey gacha mechanics.
‘Money can be earned back—but strength, that’s something real. Don’t feel bad about spending.’
Still, Bell didn’t pull right away.
Now wasn’t the time. During an expedition, any fluctuation in his strength was risky. This wasn’t just any expedition—it was serious.
Stability—that was the number one priority Bell needed to maintain.
They were already on the 39th floor. The 50th wasn’t far. There was no room for missteps now.
Suppressing his impulse, Bell took out Kuji Kanesada and began meditative breathing and sword practice to settle his mind.
It helped bring his scattered emotions back under control. But right after, a rare wave of exhaustion hit him.
Bell didn’t resist it. As soon as his eyelids started to droop, he stopped meditating, took off his cloak, mask, and gloves, and crawled under the covers.
The weight of sleep overtook him almost instantly.
...
Morning came.
The first dawn on the 39th floor’s safe zone was quiet. Other than the occasional changing of the guard, no one was moving outside the tents.
The campfires had long gone out, though a few faint embers still glowed softly.
The guards on duty looked utterly exhausted, their eyes bloodshot. Once relieved, they quickly returned to their tents to rest.
Staying up all night had taken its toll.
Thankfully, nothing had happened during the night. Most of the adventurers had already been asleep early and had regained much of their stamina and energy.
But the sleep had been so deep that not a single person had gotten up early.
Until, from one of the tents, a figure stepped out.
Her long golden hair was as smooth as ever, and at first glance, she didn’t look the least bit like someone who’d just woken up.
Unlike her usual light armor that protected her left chest and knees, she wore only a thin white bodysuit—form-fitting and perfect for light exercise.
The woman was none other than the “Sword Princess,” Ais Wallenstein.
While everyone else remained asleep, Ais was already up, seemingly unaffected by yesterday’s events.
“Is everyone still sleeping?”
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 389: Chapter 389: The “Sword Princess” Takes Action
Chapter Text
Ais had woken up early but didn’t disturb anyone else’s rest.
The night before, she had seen how drained everyone looked before heading into their tents. The exhaustion from resisting the pressure of the dragon’s roar must’ve taken its toll.
She knew from personal experience how intense that fatigue was—she’d had to grit her teeth just to endure it. Even now, thinking back on it, those few dozen seconds had felt unbearable.
Carefully sensing the flow of auras around her, Ais confirmed that nearly everyone was still asleep.
Only after that did she begin her usual habit—searching for a specific presence.
She’d only sensed it once, back at the Twilight Manor. Since then, she hadn’t been able to feel it again.
There was a trace of disappointment in her heart, but she didn’t show it. Instead, she sat quietly by the embers of the nearly extinguished bonfire.
Normally, she would’ve used this time to move between floors for her morning training, but today, she stayed put.
There were few people awake in the expedition party, and with not enough available combatants to respond to emergencies, she needed to stay and keep watch.
‘Bell Cranel... it’s so hard to see you.’
As she sat in silence, Ais kept thinking about how she might get a chance to speak with Bell Cranel alone.
...
At that same moment, Bell—the one on Ais’s mind—was still asleep along the wall of the 39th floor.
Roughly two hours later, he slowly stirred from his slumber.
“Haa~”
Waking up naturally always felt great.
Ever since he’d experienced what real sleep quality was like without relying on Runes, he’d avoided using them unless absolutely necessary.
The moment he opened his eyes, he activated Runes to check the situation around him.
‘Captain Finn and the others are still resting? Looks like the journey and the dragon’s roar really hit them hard.’
Ordinary adventurers didn’t have much resistance to mental pressure, so it was no surprise they struggled under those conditions.
What’s more, the Black Dragon’s intimidation wasn’t just spiritual—it was species-level suppression.
Just like how gods could naturally impose their will on humans in Genkai, the Black Dragon possessed a similar authority. But unlike gods, whose power came from divinity, the dragon’s pressure was born from pure battle instinct and madness—a power that mirrored the divine in its own twisted way.
What gods could do, the Black Dragon could do too.
Which led Bell to a conclusion: the only path to becoming godlike was to take down an entity on par with a god in single combat—and win.
Bell shook his head faintly.
After learning the truth behind the Black Dragon’s connection to the gods, he had already suspected as much.
The gods in this world are already at full capacity, so for a human to ascend to godhood, there’s only one path—
To bring “evolution” to the world.
By overcoming the “trials” the world presents, by finding hope in the depths of despair and darkness, and by ushering in a moment of ultimate transcendence, humanity can surpass its own limits and become divine. That is the only true path.
Bell had already mentally prepared himself for this the night before.
A showdown with the gods? So what?
To be honest, he’d been ready for that long ago.
But for now, there was no need to dwell on it. Challenging the Black Dragon would require him to reach at least Lv. 9 first.
And since he was only at Lv. 4, there was no point in wasting energy thinking about it now.
Sitting up in bed, Bell let out a yawn. The moment was peaceful, and he’d unconsciously lowered his usual guard.
He wasn’t particularly hungry—just groggy. Maybe it was the side effect of too much downtime.
Or maybe it was because he’d faced the Black Dragon yesterday, and now, his body and mind were craving a bit of release after staying tense for so long.
‘I’m only human... Sometimes, I just want a little more rest too.’
After all, he wasn’t made of steel. Even his body got tired, just like anyone else’s.
‘Let’s take it easy for a bit today.’
For once, the normally disciplined Bell gave himself a rare moment of indulgence.
After stretching out, he lay back down.
...
The 39th floor was as quiet as night.
Another five hours passed before the dim ceiling light began to fade—finally, someone stepped out of a tent.
“Ugh...”
It was Tsubaki. Her face still wore the haze of sleep, and her eyes looked like she hadn’t gotten enough rest.
Glancing up at the sky, her sluggish mind slowly came back online.
“It’s already this late?”
She realized it was already the afternoon of the next day. Which meant... she’d basically slept through the entire day.
And even so, she still felt drowsy.
“This damn effect is stronger than I thought.”
Tsubaki couldn’t help grumbling. She much preferred her usual energetic self...
As a half-dwarf, she normally had the stamina to work nonstop for several days without issue. This was the first time something like this had happened since she’d reached Lv. 5.
“Grroowwl...”
Her stomach suddenly let out a loud rumble, and that snapped her mind into full wakefulness.
She instinctively reached for her waist pouch, pulled out a piece of dry bread from the storage space, and immediately took a bite. Her growling stomach didn’t give her the chance to resist.
In just a few bites, the rather large chunk of bread was gone.
But it had been dry enough to scratch her throat, so she grabbed a bottle of water from her pouch and gulped it down in one go.
“Tsubaki.”
“Hmm? Sword Princess?”
Just as her stomach started feeling better, Ais’ voice rang out. Tsubaki turned and saw her standing there.
“Hah~ 'Sword Princess,' you’re looking pretty refreshed today.”
Looking at Ais, she saw that her eyes were as clear and beautiful as always—no signs of fatigue, not even a hint of red in the whites. It told Tsubaki that Ais was doing just fine.
“Yeah, I’m alright.”
Ais nodded slightly.
“Everyone was affected pretty badly by the dragon’s roar, but it didn’t hit me too hard.”
“Wow... So that’s the strength of a Lv. 6, huh?”
Tsubaki couldn’t help but be a little impressed. She hadn’t expected someone at Lv. 6 to be able to resist the dragon’s pressure like that.
Thinking back to her own experience yesterday, she definitely didn’t want to go through that again.
But Ais shook her head lightly.
“I don’t think it’s because I’m a Lv. 6. Finn, Gareth, and Riveria are all still asleep—they weren’t doing well either.”
“So it’s just an individual thing, huh?”
If it wasn’t because of the level, then it had to be something personal.
Ais didn’t really know if that was the case. Either way, she didn’t want to get into it.
“Tsubaki, have you seen Bell Cranel?”
“Hmm? You need Bell for something, Sword Princess?”
“Yeah, I want to ask him a few things.”
“That might be tricky. I don’t know where Bell is right now. You’d probably have better luck asking Finn—he’s more likely to know.”
Chapter 390: Chapter 390: I Need Your Help
Chapter Text
Tsubaki didn't actually know much about Bell's whereabouts. Her contact with him was limited—usually only when preparing materials for Rune Stones. There was rarely a chance to meet him intentionally.
She knew better than anyone that Bell was notoriously elusive. Unless he came to you first, it was nearly impossible to track him down.
Ais's expression showed a hint of disappointment upon hearing that.
"Finn and the others don't know either? From what I've seen, Finn interacts with Bell more than anyone else."
"Mm."
Ais gave a small, resigned shake of her head. She wanted so badly to speak with Bell Cranel, but the right opportunity just never came.
When it came to her parents, she had a feeling that she wouldn't just need Finn and the others—she would need Bell Cranel's help specifically.
Even she had begun to sense it.
There was only one person who could stand at her side and show that strength to her parents. She didn't believe in ganging up on others. That wouldn't be a direct confrontation—it would just be an unfair beatdown.
Even if they won that way, it wouldn't match the expectations her father and mother had placed on her.
That was why she'd always hoped for someone who could face them with her, side by side.
"Sword Princess, are you looking for Bell because it's something important?"
"Yes."
Ais never hid her intentions, and her words were as plain and emotionless as always.
"I need his help."
This was the first time Tsubaki had ever heard the Sword Princess say something like that. But then again, Bell really wasn't like anyone else. In a way, he was the most special kind of person.
Hearing that the Sword Princess needed Bell's help made her want to lend a hand too—for the girl who had lost her smile while growing up.
"If it's really important, I'll mention it to him if I run into him. You could also try asking Loki-dono. Your Familia is close with Hestia's, so with Loki-dono's help, you'd probably be able to meet Bell."
"Loki... I don't think she wants me to meet Bell Cranel."
"Ah..."
Because Loki-dono's a total perv.
Of everyone in the Loki Familia, the one with the strongest possessiveness over the Sword Princess was Loki herself. She constantly kept an eye on any guy who might get close to Ais, like a mother hen guarding her chicks.
No... in Loki's case, it was more like a weasel with its eyes glued to a chick, drooling the whole time. If the chick weren't so small, the weasel would've already gone in for the kill.
Loki definitely wouldn't hesitate to go for it—but whether she'd survive Ais afterward was another story.
Tsubaki couldn't help but rant in her heart.
She snapped back to the moment and steered the conversation in a different direction.
After all, it wasn't exactly polite to call someone else's Familia God an old perv—true as it might be.
"Actually, Sword Princess, there's another way you might try. Something... a bit special."
Tsubaki leaned in close and whispered in Ais's ear.
"Oh..."
Ais's eyes lit up as she listened. She took a deep breath and was about to speak when Tsubaki clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Idiot! If you say it out loud, it won't be a threat anymore!"
"Hm?"
"Keep your voice down. As quiet as you can. From what I know, Bell's usually nearby, watching. Just keep your voice low and you'll draw him out."
Ais gave a small nod, still muffled under Tsubaki's hand.
But before she could pull it away, the space around them began to distort.
They tried to move, but their bodies were suddenly frozen—helpless as the distortion swallowed them whole.
The moment they could move again, both of them sprang into alert stances.
"Sword Princess, Tsubaki... still not used to it?"
The voice made them pause for a second, and then it hit them—there was only one person in all of Orario who could do something like this.
Only one.
That's when they realized they'd been transported to a strange room, and standing before them was the very person they had been trying to find.
"Bell!"
"Bell Cranel."
This time, Bell wasn't wearing his cloak, mask, or gloves—just his regular clothes.
Very few people had seen him like this, probably no more than a handful. And that was mostly back when he first arrived in Orario.
When dealing with others, Bell always kept himself wrapped up, just in case. In Orario, you had to be careful with everything—danger could strike from anywhere.
"Tsubaki, next time, please don't teach anyone how to find me. And also, don't go spreading anything about me and Hestia."
"Got it, got it. Sorry, I won't teach anyone that method again."
"Seriously... I need you to be a bit more careful. The relationship between gods and ordinary people in Genkai is complicated, and it often leads to major problems."
Bell's repeated reminders left Tsubaki feeling a little guilty. She'd only told the Sword Princess that special trick because she could tell how anxious she was.
Once a god and an adventurer become too close, things get messy. After all, their lifespans are completely different. That difference alone is the biggest wall between them.
That's why most relationships between gods and adventurers are viewed with skepticism. It's also why such relationships—between gods and children of Genkai—are treated as taboo. These are matters kept within their own Familia. There are things that neither gods nor adventurers want outsiders to know.
Even though Bell understood that some people would inevitably learn about his bond with Hestia, he still wanted to keep it contained—not let it become common knowledge across all of Orario.
"So, why go to all this trouble to find me?"
Bell turned his eyes to the Sword Princess. After all, this was all because of her.
"Let me say this first—I'm only Lv. 2. Don't even think about asking me to fight the Black Dragon or anything. I have no intention of dying young."
Ais already knew that was out of the question.
Forget Bell Cranel—even she wouldn't be foolish enough to take on the Black Dragon right now.
That single roar had made the difference in power all too clear. She wasn't reckless enough to throw her life away like that.
"It's not the Black Dragon. It's my parents."
"I want your help. I need to prove to the parents hiding somewhere in the Dungeon that I have the strength to face them. And for that, I need someone's help."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 391: Chapter 391: Parents at Level 8
Chapter Text
“Your parents?”
Bell’s brow furrowed. That couple was no joke. Even if he’d only seen them through a projection, the aura they gave off was unmistakable—if his instincts were right, they were even more terrifying than the current strongest in Orario.
“Your parents are a textbook vanguard and rear guard pair. Both are powerful on their own, and with their coordination, taking them on would be way harder than challenging the entire Freya Familia.”
To put it bluntly, the combined strength of the Sword Princess’s parents could flatten the Freya Familia without breaking a sweat.
“They’re still alive? Wait—are they really that strong?”
“Tsubaki, drop the ‘are they’ already. I could tell just from their presence. Each of them is at least Lv. 7—possibly even more dangerous than the strongest currently in Orario.”
“Lv. 7 and above? Then that’s Lv. 8?”
Tsubaki’s eye went wide, her one open eye practically bulging out of her face.
But it was a natural reaction. In today’s Orario, the peak had slipped from Lv. 9 down to Lv. 7. So hearing that a couple had reached Lv. 8? Of course it was shocking.
And to top it off, this Lv. 8 duo were none other than the parents of the famous Sword Princess herself. That just made it all the more unbelievable.
“Exactly. Being Lv. 8 already makes them monsters, and they’re a swordsman–mage combo.”
“This... can anyone even handle that?”
A swordsman and a mage—frontline and backline—that’s the most classic formation there is. It’s common across Orario. But how many can actually pull it off to perfection? Probably only a handful.
A mage can only unleash their power if they’re given time to cast. That depends on whether the swordsman can hold the enemy off long enough. If the vanguard holds, the rear guard devastates.
It’s a combination that demands synchronization. Both have to be at their peak. If even one of them falls behind, the entire synergy falls apart.
You see this kind of formation all the time in Orario. In the Loki Familia, Finn, Gareth, and Riveria are the prime example.
Together, their formation is nearly unstoppable within their tier. Even against someone one level higher—like Ottar, the King—they wouldn’t necessarily lose.
So when a swordsman and mage duo are both strong, they can absolutely punch above their weight.
If three Lv. 6s can hold their own against the apex of Lv. 7, then wouldn’t two Lv. 8s be capable of taking on a Lv. 9?
That’s why Tsubaki felt it made no sense. If the Sword Princess’s parents were really that powerful, with such a perfect synergy, how was she supposed to beat them?
"It might be possible—if someone can hold off the swordsman in the front and quickly take out the mage in the back, then there's still a shot at winning."
Even though the swordsman-mage combo was a classic formation with few obvious flaws, Bell had still pinpointed the critical weakness.
"The mage is the linchpin. Once they start casting, it's game over for most people. That’s the catch with this combo—take out the mage, and the swordsman becomes a lot more manageable."
"So what the Sword Princess needs... is someone to pin down her father. If she can raise her strength to Lv. 7, she'll finally have the qualifications to confront her mother. But finding that kind of partner won’t be easy. At minimum, they’d have to be Lv. 7 and capable of fighting above their level. Otherwise, it’s just wishful thinking."
"No way anyone could meet that standard."
Tsubaki couldn't help but speak up.
From her perspective, just stalling a Lv. 8 vanguard was a monumental task. Even Orario’s top-tier adventurer—the King—might not be able to manage that.
It wasn’t just a matter of delaying them for a moment. This was about blocking a serious Lv. 8 swordsman from returning to cover the rear. That’s not something a Lv. 7 could handle. At the very least, it would take someone at the same level—another Lv. 8.
"Sword Princess, don’t be so hard on Bell. Even if he’s hiding his true level, there’s no way he could meet your standards."
Tsubaki tried to dissuade the Sword Princess. The conditions she described were far too extreme. How could anyone reasonably meet them?
If Hephaestus ever found out that she pushed Bell into something like this, Tsubaki didn’t even want to imagine how her Familia God would punish her.
Just the thought sent a chill down her spine.
Ais furrowed her brows too. If her parents were really as powerful as Bell Cranel claimed, then she knew she couldn’t take them on alone.
But even now, a ripple stirred in her heart. She looked at Bell Cranel with clear, unwavering eyes.
Ais knew—without a doubt—that this person could become her partner. The one who would stand beside her against her father and mother.
But she also understood that he wouldn’t admit to it easily. Not even if he was hiding power far beyond what he let on.
"...I understand."
Ais knew when to press forward—and when to retreat. This wasn’t the time to push. She needed to take a step back and wait for him to come forward on his own.
Now that she understood how steep the challenge truly was, her urgency vanished. She knew this kind of battle would only allow one chance. She’d need all the time she could get to prepare.
If both her father and mother were Lv. 8, then she would at least need to reach the peak of Lv. 7 to even have the right to face them.
Right now, she had only just become Lv. 6. She was still a long way from Lv. 7, which meant she could afford to wait—for him to take the first step.
"I still have to keep getting stronger. At least until I’m truly qualified, I won’t bring it up again."
Bell understood what she meant. But he didn’t respond—he just narrowed his eyes slightly, something quietly calculating behind them.
Facing a duo of Lv. 8s... might just be the path to Lv. 9.
And reaching Lv. 9—that would be the moment he could finally challenge the Black Dragon. Maybe... just maybe, the Sword Princess’s parents were a necessary step toward that future.
It was something Bell would need to think through—carefully.
Chapter 392: Chapter 392: Bell’s Decision
Chapter Text
They were swallowed through space once more—before Ais and Tsubaki could say another word, they found themselves back at the camp.
"Tch, Bell doesn't even give people time to talk."
Tsubaki muttered, admiring Bell's decisiveness—he'd conveyed what he needed and then sent them right back.
But Ais wasn't angry. She didn't even feel a flicker of annoyance.
"He said what needed to be said. He has to keep his strength hidden, so he'll omit certain things."
Tsubaki stared at Ais, surprised by her composed tone.
"Sword Princess, I didn't expect you to be so… tactful."
"Am I not usually?"
"No, um... that's not what I mean."
Tsubaki fumbled for the right words. This Ais was nothing like the one she'd known before—her speech, her demeanor, everything had shifted.
Back then, Ais had been cold and blunt, often acting before thinking or caring about others' feelings. Now, she showed social grace—she could bend when needed, speak thoughtfully, even soften her tone.
Seeing that change, Tsubaki felt like they were two different people.
Ais cocked her head in curiosity, sensing the same thoughtful warmth Tsubaki saw in Finn and the others.
After a moment, Tsubaki gave her a thumbs‑up.
"It means… you've grown, Sword Princess."
"???" Ais blinked, puzzled—but Tsubaki offered no further explanation. She wasn't as wordy as Finn anyway.
"One thing—don't tell others about that trick I taught you earlier. It could cause a lot of unnecessary trouble."
Tsubaki felt the need to clarify. She'd intended to help Ais find Bell, but now realized the method was too risky—so she warned her.
Ais nodded. Bell Cranel had already warned her too; she wouldn't run her mouth.
Now that she knew how to check whether Bell was nearby, at least she had a way forward. That she found reassuring.
Once Ais and Tsubaki were gone, Bell fell into deep reflection.
Especially when it comes to the help "Sword Princess" Ais requested, he needed to weigh the pros and cons before agreeing.
'Challenging a classic Lv. 8 front-and-back duo is extremely difficult. That couple is powerful—one's a Spirit, the other a mercenary swordsman—it's likely harder than any traditional Floor Boss.'
'But it's also a golden opportunity.'
'Right now, the only well-known Floor Boss is Balor at Lv. 7. If upcoming bosses are Spirits or that couple, this might be my only path forward.'
They now knew the Spirit's true form lay deep within the Dungeon—and Ais's parents were there too. Both showed signs of corruption, likely Dungeon manipulation.
So it's very possible they've already become Floor Bosses.
And unlike other Floor Bosses that respawn, they may only appear once—meaning only one shot at the challenge.
Bell wasn't sure if Barol could help him break through Lv. 7, but the Spirit's true form could.
If the Spirit could push him past Lv. 7, then Ais's parents could be the key to Lv. 8.
So he could accept the Sword Princess's request.
From a strategic point of view, he should agree.
"I can agree. But we don't need to think too far ahead right now. If you want to formally challenge that couple, you need to hit the Lv. 7 peak first—otherwise, it's just handing them an easy win."
Bell never doubted his own growth speed—the boost from the Craft Essences was just as fast as "Excelia." His only real target was Excelia itself.
Honestly, he was a bit exasperated that Tsubaki used that method to find him.
But he didn't hide his connection to Hestia—it was his bond with Hephaestus he chose to keep under wraps.
Romancing one goddess wasn't unheard of in Orario. But if it came out he had relationships with two? He'd vanish overnight.
Once the rumor spread, gods would swarm him—and that would be disastrous.
At least his link to Hephaestus was hard to guess. Hestia and Hephaestus were close allies, their Familias often working together. Seeing them together wouldn't raise eyebrows.
Plus, two goddesses falling for one mortal? Even the gods wouldn't assume that.
'Let's just hope nobody puts those pieces together.'
Bell shook his head and dropped the subject.
Tsubaki wasn't a blabbermouth, and Ais wasn't a gossip—so it wasn't going to spread.
And Bell didn't dwell on it.
After nearly a day of recuperation, the expedition team finally recovered from the dragon's roar.
But a full day later, night had fallen again.
The camp had quieted down; after dinner, everyone would rest until noon tomorrow before resuming the floor conquest.
It might delay them, but it was the safest, most responsible choice.
Now, nearly the entire expedition team gathered for a meeting.
Daphne and Liliruca sat together in a corner—one of the few pairs that stood out.
Liliruca, sensing the attention, raised her hand.
"Captain, do Daphne and I need to attend today's meeting?"
The implication was clear: they didn't feel ready.
"Don't question it—we brought you both here for a reason."
Finn wasn't about to treat them as newbies any longer; their skills as leaders were evident. And this meeting was important for them to attend.
He glanced around. The only ones still in the dark were Daphne and Liliruca—and Finn was more than willing to explain.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 393: Chapter 393: Liliruca's Lack of Understanding
Chapter Text
"Daphne and Liliruca still don't know the situation, so let me repeat the problem we're facing."
After taking a deep breath, Finn looked at everyone with a serious and solemn expression.
The atmosphere in the room changed completely from just moments before. It wasn't just the mood—everyone's demeanor had shifted entirely.
Daphne instinctively glanced at Cassandra, but even the usually timid Cassandra had taken on a completely different air.
Liliruca seemed a bit lost, but she'd already begun piecing things together in her mind.
'So, the reason the captain and the others were in such bad shape before... was because they ran into something even worse? I actually guessed right.'
She had guessed correctly, but this time, there was no satisfaction—just growing tension.
Finn let out a sigh and drew back his gaze. His voice deepened.
"This time, we're facing something even more troublesome than exploring the unknown. It's a trial given to us by our Familia God."
"According to an insider, we will encounter a fully formed 'Spirit Fetus' in the unknown floors. You could call it the 'Spirit's alter ego'—it possesses the power of a Spirit."
At this, Finn's tone grew heavier.
"And that is the objective of this expedition."
Daphne and Liliruca, who hadn't yet grasped the situation, were suddenly hit with the revelation that their target was a Spirit.
But once Liliruca made sense of it, she shot up from her seat.
"Wait, Captain!"
Her voice quivered with disbelief.
"Captain, didn't you say a Spirit's strength is around Lv. 7? Are you saying our ultimate target is Lv. 7?"
Liliruca finally understood why the captain and the others had looked so grim. Facing a Lv. 7 Spirit—how could anyone stay calm in the face of that? Was this really just a trial?
"Is this supposed to be a trial? Isn't it basically suicide?"
Even someone like her, only at Lv. 1, knew that a monster at Lv. 7 was far stronger than an adventurer of the same level.
A Lv. 7 Spirit was nearly on par with a Lv. 8 adventurer. And yet, they were sending a party whose strongest members were only Lv. 6?
Was this a mission?
Or a death sentence?
Liliruca was trembling all over. She simply couldn’t believe it. Why would Loki-sama, who had always treated everyone so kindly, give them a trial like this?
"Why would Loki-sama give us this kind of trial?"
Finn completely understood how she felt. When he first learned that this Spirit was a trial set by Loki, he'd been just as shocked—unable to believe that this was the surprise she had prepared for them.
But it was the truth.
"This is a necessary trial for us. Loki arranged it this way because she knew it's the only way for us to keep moving forward."
"Riveria, Gareth, and I have been stuck at Level 6 for far too long. Loki wants us to progress, so it was inevitable she'd give us a trial like this."
"That’s not right! This is way too strange!"
Liliruca could hardly believe what she was hearing.
"Why would Loki-sama give us a trial that guarantees death?"
Her shoulders trembled as memories of Loki-sama accepting her, rescuing her from Soma Familia, came rushing back. Loki had worn a smile then. Even if her eyes were always squinting, the kindness in her expression was unmistakable.
Why? Why would that kind-hearted Loki-sama give them a trial like this?
"Loki-sama is a kind Familia God. Even someone like me was accepted by Loki-sama. So why would she give such an order?"
"This isn't just a trial from Loki. It's a choice—whether to move forward, or settle for the life of an ordinary Adventurer."
In truth, Finn already understood—this wasn’t just Loki’s trial. It might as well have been a trial from Orario itself.
"The Spirit Fetus is classified as Lv. 7. That level isn’t a real threat to someone like Ottar. Even if one were dropped into the world by the Spirit or Evilus, it wouldn't pose a large-scale threat. But for us, a Spirit of that level is fatal."
Finn furrowed his brow at the mention of the Spirit Fetus. But retreat was never an option.
That was his conviction. And he never abandoned his convictions.
"Then why?"
"Because even though it’s deadly, it’s also an incredible opportunity."
"Op...portunity?"
Liliruca couldn't grasp what he meant.
Finn knew Lili couldn’t understand just yet. It was no surprise—finding out it was Loki's decision, being hit with everything all at once, her mind was still spinning. Maybe she'd understand if she stood where he did.
"For us Adventurers, the most important thing is strength."
"It's not just talent or skill that holds us back. It’s also opportunity. The reason we've been stuck at Level 6 for years is simple—we haven't had the Excelia to move forward."
"This challenge may be dangerous, but it's also a rare chance. If we can overcome this obstacle, we can reach the next level."
As Finn continued, his tone softened. Seeing the confusion on Liliruca’s face, he gave her a more detailed explanation.
"And if it ever gets to the point where Evilus manages to drop the Spirit Fetus into Orario, then the city would face destruction. That would be a whole other disaster."
"Maybe we could turn a blind eye... but we in Genkai have no place to retreat to."
"If we don’t keep moving now, we’ll end up stuck in Orario waiting to die. That’s why, no matter how dangerous it is, we can’t stop. We have to move forward. That’s the only way to create our own future."
Once everything was laid out, Liliruca finally understood why the captain had chosen to accept the challenge. But still, she struggled to truly accept it.
"Hmph! That Loki might be unreliable sometimes, but none of us believe she'd throw us into the fire like that. She’s never been a cold-blooded god."
"Kid, don’t tell me you don’t even trust your own god?"
Bete’s words made Liliruca’s shoulders tremble slightly. She recalled Loki-sama’s gentle words and quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"No, I believe in Loki-sama."
Chapter 394: Chapter 394: The Key to Breaking the Deadlock
Chapter Text
"Wow! Lili!"
The moment Loki heard her say, "I believe in Loki-sama," she couldn't hold back anymore.
Hearing one of her own children say something like that stirred a deep emotion in Loki's heart as the head of the Familia. It even triggered her maternal instincts, making her want to scoop Lili up and smother her with affection on the spot.
"Looks like that kid really trusts you from the bottom of her heart."
Liliruca's attitude was clear for anyone to see—Hestia wasn't blind.
Those words instantly filled Loki with pride. She could finally puff up in front of the shorty.
"Hmph! Of course she does. I was the one who brought that kid back from that shut-in Soma."
"But she still doesn't compare to my Bell-kun."
"Tch!"
As much as she hated to see the shorty acting so smug, there was no one in all of Orario who could really compare to that kid. Loki knew Lili had a strong will, but she also owed that kid a lot.
Loki hadn't forgotten why Lili could resist the divine wine back when she was still in the Soma Familia.
She kept her eyes on the screen, staring at Lili, surprised that the girl had been holding her in such high regard all this time. That look of disbelief on her face made Lili seem even cuter than Finn in that moment.
Just look at how full of emotion Lili was—unlike that idiot Finn, who'd assumed from the start that she was the one pushing the Familia into the fire.
As if she didn't know. Even if Finn hadn't said it outright, it was written all over his face—that's exactly what he thought.
'Seriously, can't any of you consider that maybe I didn't plan this whole thing? Why can't the others be more like Lili?'
Loki couldn't help but complain to herself.
She wasn't so deranged as to set up an expedition like this out of nowhere. She'd always said the Dungeon was Finn's territory. Why would she suddenly interfere without reason? It was obvious someone had stirred things up behind the scenes.
Still, it was understandable that no one had thought of that in the moment. Loki wasn't really mad about it. In fact, she could see why Finn and the others had jumped to that conclusion.
It was probably because she wasn't the most reliable. Even Loki herself knew that much. So when she saw their reactions, all she could do was grumble to herself.
Bete let out a quiet grunt, arms crossed as he stood silently to the side. But the faint curl of his lips made it obvious he was in a good mood.
He knew, too, that this wasn't the time to be rude like he usually was.
This expedition might very well be their last. Cassandra's prophetic dreams had shown as much. It wasn't hard to imagine how intense the final showdown might be.
When things might reach the point where no one could carry on, this was the moment to say what needed to be said. It wasn't the time for petty fights anymore.
Still, Bete didn't have anything in particular to say, so he just stayed quiet.
Seeing that Liliruca had accepted his explanation, Finn relaxed slightly.
"Lili, you and Daphne won't be part of the final assault. The trial Loki gave us is meant only for us veterans. You've just joined the expedition—you're not yet at the stage where you're meant to face something like this."
Liliruca's heart tightened. She understood exactly what that meant.
Finn had spoken plainly so she would get the message.
"You and Daphne are the future of the Familia. That's why you'll be staying on the 50th floor, waiting for the results of the expedition. And you're not the only ones not going. Many of the Level 4s won't be joining either. The ones participating are all here now."
That explanation made Liliruca draw a sharp breath.
Of everyone present, only she, Daphne, and Cassandra lacked the strength to take part in the final assault, so they weren't eligible to join. But the others—each one was a core member of Loki Familia.
The Tiona and Tione sisters, the sharp-tongued Bete, the doll-like Ais, Finn, Riveria, and Gareth—the three pillars of Loki Familia—Raul from the second team, the elven artillery Lefiya, the Renard Haruhime, and Tsubaki, the captain from Hephaestus Familia. This was practically the entire main force of the expedition team...
To take down the "Spirit Fetus" hidden somewhere on an unknown floor, they were staking everything.
Liliruca's heart was in turmoil. She couldn't speak a word, but she knew she trusted Loki-sama. And because of that, she chose to believe in the captain.
"Captain... you'll come back, right?"
At that question, Finn fell into a rare silence.
Facing a Level 7 Spirit... even he couldn't say for sure whether they'd return alive. It wasn't fear—they simply had no prior experience to draw from.
"We all hope to come back alive. We each have dreams and goals we want to chase. None of us want it to end here, so we'll do everything we can to return."
Yes, all they could do was give it their all and try to come back.
But Liliruca understood that the odds were likely against them. Against a Level 7 enemy, no one could make any guarantees.
She clenched her fists tightly. She had finally found the family she'd always wanted—only to now watch them walk toward what might be a death sentence.
That helplessness gnawed at her heart. She wanted to cry, but she knew this wasn't the time. Even with so much sorrow weighing on her chest, she couldn't let the tears fall.
'That's right, Lili.' Finn looked at her, pleased to see her holding back her tears. This was the kind of inner strength he hoped to see in her.
In the future, when she took on the role of command and became a core part of the team, she'd have to think about the group as a whole. Enduring and choosing—those were essential traits for a leader. It might be sudden, but Finn hoped Lili would begin that transformation now.
"This trial is a massive challenge for all of us. Facing a Level 7 enemy is a first for everyone here, so we have to be ready for anything."
"Cassandra."
"Yes!"
"The key to breaking through this time may lie with you. If you have any more dreams about the future when we reach the 50th floor, make sure you record the important details."
"I understand."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 395: Chapter 395: The Dungeon's Reaction
Chapter Text
"The key to breaking the deadlock really does lie with Cassandra."
Watching from behind, Bell fully agreed with Finn's judgment.
This trial was inherently unfair. If they could gather information about the "Spirit" in advance, the flow of battle might be completely different.
In other words, intelligence was the deciding factor.
But no one had access to intel on the "Spirit" beforehand—not even him. The sole exception among them all was Cassandra.
With her ability to experience precognitive dreams, Cassandra could glimpse future events. If she saw the battle in her dreams, she could indirectly grasp the flow of combat. This information-gathering ability was unique to her—and it was also the key to breaking through.
'If we can get more detailed information about the Spirit, the situation could tilt in Loki Familia's favor from the outset. But it all depends on whether Cassandra can get that information or not.'
Precognitive dreams were basically a cheat. If you knew what was coming, you could alter the outcome—at least to a certain degree.
But Cassandra couldn't change the future on her own. Her ability was cursed. It was as if the world let only her see the path ahead, yet denied others the belief to act on her words.
Still, fate had shifted.
Cassandra might not have the power to change destiny by herself, but now she had allies—people who could help her defy that fate. That alone placed a much heavier burden on her shoulders.
Bell simply gave a small smile and moved on from Loki Familia's meeting.
With a casual snap of his fingers, the projection shifted to his end.
"Ah! I can't see it anymore!"
Loki-sama's shriek rang out the moment the image changed. It was so loud Bell nearly covered his ears on instinct.
"Loki-sama, from here on it's just their last words. You planning to keep listening?"
That single line was enough to make Loki furious. There was no way she wanted to hear Finn and the others' so-called final words. She had no intention of entertaining such grim nonsense. If it was farewell talk, she wasn't interested.
Seeing her face flush red and green in alternating flashes, Bell couldn't help but find it amusing. He randomly brought up several other floor feeds.
"Looks like the situation on the other floors matches my predictions."
The monsters were spawning more slowly, almost as if the entire Dungeon itself had been affected by the Black Dragon's roar.
That part had mostly been Bell's guess. The drop in monster numbers on the safe floors from the 32nd to 39th levels had led him to that conclusion—and now, the live feeds were proving him right.
"These floor images... Bell-kun, are you onto something?"
"This is my theory about the effects of the Black Dragon's roar. The ones affected aren't just the Adventurers. Even the Dungeon itself is being influenced."
Bell then pulled up feeds from the 32nd through 39th floors. They were taken from visual capture devices he'd left behind in the monster-heavy zones along the way.
"This is what happened yesterday after Captain Finn and the others broke through."
The Dungeon walls shown on-screen were still riddled with cracks and craters, clear signs that the Dungeon hadn't yet repaired itself. But this kind of delay was far from normal.
"What? It hasn't repaired yet?"
Even Hestia looked stunned. She might not have set foot in the Dungeon herself, but guild records had taught her that monsters are born from the Dungeon's walls and floors, and that those walls would fracture during the birth. Until those cracks were restored, no new monsters would emerge in that area.
Yet the Dungeon was always known to repair itself quickly. Hestia had read that the deeper the floor, the faster the repairs.
A state like what they were seeing on screen—completely unrepaired—should only appear in the uppermost floors near the surface.
"This is impossible!"
Loki immediately pulled Hestia aside and examined the other floor feeds. One after another, the walls in each showed visible cracks and holes. Loki remembered them clearly—those were left by Finn and his team during their breakthrough.
"How could this be?! We're deep in the Dungeon! Normally, damage like this should be repaired almost immediately. Why would this still be here?"
Exactly. Under normal circumstances, the Dungeon would restore each floor promptly. The Dungeon is the very cradle of monsters—why would it let that cradle stay damaged for so long?
And yet, something this strange really was happening.
It had all begun after the Black Dragon's roar echoed through the Dungeon.
That's what led Bell to his hypothesis. He investigated it based on his suspicions and eventually arrived at a fitting explanation.
"There's no doubt—it doesn't make sense. But this phenomenon only started after the Dragon's roar. So, could it be... the Black Dragon's roar caused widespread damage to the Dungeon itself? And now, the Dungeon is prioritizing repairs to more critical areas, leaving the others neglected for the time being?"
Bell then pulled up footage from other floors the expedition had passed through.
Being meticulous by nature, he had set up visual capture devices after clearing each floor—just in case anything happened, he'd be able to detect it immediately.
Of course, even with all his precautions, some of the devices had been destroyed. After all, they were gemstone-based tools inscribed with runes—fragile, and vulnerable even to regular monsters. That's why he didn't have footage for every floor.
"Some of the visual recorders were destroyed, but even with what's left, we can already see a trend."
The footage had been placed in high, visible spots.
The devices covering the first eighteen floors were positioned on elevated areas—hard to damage, and offering the widest field of view. Even so, the screens barely showed any monsters at all.
Loki noticed it too.
"Why are there so few monsters?"
"Loki-sama, even these clips with visible monsters were handpicked. On many floors, I couldn't capture a single monster. This only started happening after the roar."
Loki quickly recalled what Bell had said just moments ago.
"Kid, are you saying the Dungeon's repair efforts are focused on more vital areas right now, leaving the rest untouched? And that the only monsters currently in the Dungeon are the ones that were already born—meaning once they're killed, nothing new will spawn for a while?"
"Exactly."
Chapter 396: Chapter 396: Loki on the Verge of Exploding
Chapter Text
"But what's the issue with that?"
"It's a huge problem."
Bell let out a sigh at Loki-sama's confusion.
"If every floor in the Dungeon is like this, then the Spirit Fetus won't be able to absorb enough energy in time. Honestly, by the time Captain Finn and the others encounter it, we'll be lucky if it's even grown to Lv. 6."
"Wouldn't that mean the difficulty's gone down?"
Anyone who couldn't grasp the implications by now would have to be a fool—and Loki certainly wasn't one.
Still, her moment of relief vanished the instant she saw Bell's frown.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"A good thing? This is the worst kind of news."
Bell didn't sugarcoat it. He spoke in the harshest tone he could manage.
"If we want to help Captain Finn and the others break past Level 6, the key lies in the strength of the enemy. I believe only an opponent at Lv. 8 can push them over that wall. But if the enemy isn't strong enough? Then this whole thing becomes a wasted opportunity."
"..."
Loki fell silent. She was the one who had agreed to this trial for Finn and the others—it was supposed to be their breakthrough.
But if they let this moment pass them by... would Finn and the others really get another chance? Would they truly be able to keep up with Ais going forward? That seemed doubtful now.
"I won't let them waste this chance."
As the centerpiece of the entire plan—and someone directly tied to the invitation from the Sword Princess—Bell wasn't about to let things fall apart here.
"Even if I have to force it, I'll raise the Spirit's power. But that also means some things might spiral out of control."
Loki suddenly felt a wave of unease.
"Hey, what are you planning? Don't do anything reckless!"
"Please don't worry, Loki-sama. Captain Finn and the others are directly tied to the success of my future plans. I wouldn't let them be wiped out so easily."
Bell hid whatever he was feeling behind a soft, almost refreshing smile, doing his best to reassure her.
"I don't believe a word you're saying!"
Loki completely snapped. After the Black Dragon incident, she had finally figured out what this kid was really like.
If he said something was serious, it usually meant it wasn't that bad.
But when he started brushing things off like they were no big deal—that's when it was time to panic.
"With your overly cautious personality, being on guard is your default. You usually assume the worst in every scenario. But the moment you stop doing that, it means things have slipped out of your control."
Having grasped that fully, Loki was in no state to stay calm.
Bell looked a little surprised at how riled up Loki was on the other side of the screen.
"I didn't expect Loki-sama to know me this well. I'll make a note of that and change how I speak next time."
"This isn't about how you talk! We're talking about my children here! This is about their safety!"
"I already said it—Captain Finn and the others are tied to my plans for the coming battles. And the matter involving the 'Sword Princess's' parents is another key point I need to break through. I have no intention of letting them die here."
Loki looked ready to burst, still red in the face and trying to argue, but Bell clearly had no interest in hearing it.
"Loki-sama, you know I'm driven by profit. And right now, Finn and the others are directly tied to my future interests. So you should know I'm not joking."
That shut Loki up completely. Her face looked like an overinflated balloon—flushed red, tense, with no outlet for the pressure.
"Then I'll end the connection here. Goddess-sama, Hephaestus-sama, Loki-sama—have a pleasant evening."
With a snap of Bell's fingers, the feed was cut.
"...Aaaaghhh!"
Loki instantly jumped up, ready to hurl the table and chairs across the room.
Too bad all the furniture in her home was naturally grown and fixed in place—part of the architecture. They couldn't be moved by hand. So despite all her flailing, all she accomplished was turning even redder in the face.
"Don't bother. You already know everything here is built in. Unless we unlock our divine powers, there's no way we can budge this stuff."
Hestia, completely unfazed, leaned back comfortably on the couch, speaking in her usual calm tone. She'd long since gotten used to Loki's tantrums.
"You say that like it's nothing!"
The shorty's attitude just made Loki's blood pressure spike even higher.
"...They're not your children, so of course it's easy for you to talk like that. But they're my children!"
"Come on, what good does panicking do now?"
Hestia ignored Loki's shouting. She knew Loki was stressed, but also felt she didn't need to be.
"Bell-kun wouldn't say he'll protect your kids if he didn't mean it. And didn't he just say it himself? Your children are a crucial part of his future plans. From a profit standpoint alone, he's not going to let them die."
"Damn it!"
Both of them, standing around throwing out casual comments—Loki was about to blow a vein. The expedition hadn't even ended, and she was already on the verge of being sent back to Tenkai from sheer stress.
To be honest, even Hephaestus was starting to worry that Loki might actually get killed—by stress, not monsters—thanks to Hestia and Bell.
But could she do anything about it? Not really.
She wasn't going to interrupt Bell's plan just for Loki's sake. This was about Bell's future, and frankly, she'd do everything she could to support him.
As for Loki? Well, compared to a lover, a fellow god was just a fellow god.
"Loki, just take a breath. What's the point of freaking out now?"
"I..."
Loki was fuming. She knew raging like this wouldn't change anything—after all, she had agreed to the plan. She also understood that Bell would go out of his way to keep the ones tied to his interests alive.
But what about the rest?
What about those who had nothing to do with his plan? Were they going to make it out alive?
Loki didn't have the confidence to say, "They'll be fine." Because for those people... there was no guarantee. No connection to Bell's profit meant no promises.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 397: Chapter 397: It's Just a Test
Chapter Text
“Damn it!”
The masked man slammed his fist into the ground, smashing a crater several meters wide into the hard surface.
“Damn Black Dragon! If it weren’t for that roar, the monsters in the Dungeon wouldn’t have thinned out like this!”
The “Spirit Fetus” was absorbing a massive amount of Magic Stones, yet it still hadn’t reached the threshold. He was on the verge of losing control.
The energy stored in the quartz pillars of the 24th floor’s “Food Storehouse” hadn’t been drawn out. Once he learned that Freya Familia was involved, he fled with the fetus overnight. He knew that if he stayed with the fetus, there would be only one outcome: death!
He had long been prepared to die for the goddess. But he couldn’t allow the goddess’s fetus to fall into the hands of the gods of Genkai. He refused to become useless like Revis, who couldn’t even protect the fetus. That’s why he escaped with it.
Yet because of that escape, he ended up being mocked by Revis—someone he had always looked down on. That woman couldn’t even protect the fetus, yet she had the gall to ridicule him for his task.
He couldn't accept that, no matter what.
But now, all he could feel was fury. He couldn’t command the acid worms or giant Violas to head up to the higher floors and attack monsters—every floor was facing the same issue. And he had no idea how long it would take for the Dungeon to recover.
Loki Familia’s expedition had already been in the Dungeon for a while, currently stationed on the 39th floor. By tomorrow or the day after, they’d reach the Safe Zone on the 50th floor. Even if he sent the acid worms and giant Violas down now, they wouldn’t make it back in time.
Maybe they could join Loki Familia in fighting the monsters, but if the Magic Stones weren’t delivered promptly, it’d be a disaster. Worse, if a large-scale movement drew the attention of Loki Familia’s team and they sensed something was off in the Dungeon, they might head straight to the 59th floor—and that was the last thing the man wanted.
“Bang!”
Another, deeper crater formed in the ground.
After venting his anger, the man could only focus on doing everything he could. If he couldn’t use the upper floors, then what about the lower ones? He no longer had the luxury of being cautious. Right now, his only goal was to let the goddess’s fetus absorb enough energy before Loki Familia’s expedition descended any further.
He alone couldn’t stand against Loki Familia’s team. So all he could do was help the goddess’s fetus grow—prove to Revis that he, not her, was the goddess’s true protector. Even under these circumstances, he wouldn’t falter.
Under his command, the acid worms and giant Violas were all sent deeper into the Dungeon in search of Magic Stones.
“Hmph, what a fool.”
Revis had learned of his actions and scoffed. In her eyes, he was just a cornered dog making a desperate move, force-feeding the fetus to force its development. But a fetus grown like that would never yield results.
“That’s nowhere near enough to capture Aria.”
A barely-formed body wouldn’t do. At the very least, a part of the original consciousness was needed to capture Aria.
Still, Revis held no expectations for that piece of trash.
Anyone who treated that thing as a goddess had clearly lost their mind. She had no intention of wasting her time on a lunatic—especially when her own recovery demanded both time and energy.
Her left hand, severed long ago, had regrown to the palm, but it still hadn’t fully healed. The weapon that had taken it off had made the wound nearly impossible to mend. It was practically a full reconstruction, draining her of far too many Magic Stones.
Looking at her still-incomplete hand, a shadow fell across Revis’s face.
She still had no idea who had ambushed her, or why someone like that had appeared on the surface.
Naturally, Revis wasn’t afraid of ambushes. Even if someone launched a sneak attack, she was confident she’d detect it. But what unsettled her was that she hadn’t noticed anything at all. If the blade hadn’t already been brushing her skin—if she hadn’t sacrificed her right hand—she would’ve died on the spot.
The sudden appearance of such a figure on the surface set off alarm bells in Revis's mind.
What was even more troubling was that she still didn’t know who that adventurer was.
During the ambush, her attention had been completely drawn to the blade of light—she hadn’t even caught a glimpse of the person wielding it. And after that single failed strike, the assailant had retreated with lightning speed, so fast it had even left her stunned.
Yet despite having such a distinctive trait, there was no trace of his identity. That was what made it so bizarre.
‘Now I’m actually hoping that useless fool might be of some use... at the very least, enough to draw that person out.’
Even so, Revis had no intention of personally checking in on the situation. Given the current state of the Dungeon, if that idiot didn’t choose to run, he was as good as dead. But she also knew full well that he wouldn’t flee—so she couldn’t care less what the fool ended up doing.
That person was skilled at hiding. Without the means to see through his stealth, Revis wouldn’t risk exposing herself again. Especially knowing that his blade could easily slice off her head at any moment.
She let out a cold chuckle and picked up a Magic Stone from the ground, then swallowed it.
The Magic Stone dissolved into pure energy within her body, and her missing left hand began to regenerate—though only very slightly. The wound continued to resist full reconstruction; even consuming the Magic Stone only sped up the process a little.
After swallowing one, Revis paused.
She was running low on Magic Stones. Thanks to the dragon’s roar disrupting the entire Dungeon, she no longer had a large supply to replenish herself. All she could do now was slow the pace of her recovery.
Just as she was about to pick up another Magic Stone, her hand stopped.
“Aren’t you going to do anything?”
A voice—clearly altered—echoed from nearby.
Revis turned her gaze in that direction.
The figure was entirely wrapped in a black robe, face hidden behind a black mask etched with red patterns. His face was obscured, but she could sense his presence. A man clearly weaker than her.
“Isn’t that fool already in motion? It’s just a test. Let that madman give it a try. Either way, he’s already served his purpose.”
The masked man sighed softly and turned to leave.
Chapter 398: Chapter 398: Stall for Two Days First
Chapter Text
Neither Revis nor the masked man gave the madman any serious thought.
To them, a madman was just that—a madman. Since they were planning to abandon the situation anyway, they figured they might as well let him test Loki Familia's limits. And if by some chance he succeeded, wiping out Loki Familia in the process wouldn't be such a bad outcome.
Of course, if the Sword Princess died, that would be a genuine loss.
But if she survived, then their plans involving her could simply be postponed and adjusted later. In that case, it wouldn't be a real loss at all.
Still, neither of them believed the madman would succeed.
At this point, both had reached a silent understanding—to see just how far the madman would go. To witness the extent to which a fanatical believer could sacrifice for the "goddess" he worshipped.
...
After two days of rest, the expedition team had fully recovered and was now making their way toward the 50th floor, the Safe Zone Floor.
Along the way, Finn and the others noticed something unusual.
There hadn't been a single instance of a "monster feast" during their descent to the 50th floor. It was far too quiet—unnaturally so.
"Finn, this is strange."
"Yeah, it really is."
Finn had noticed it too. The sudden drop in monster activity had significantly reduced their burden, giving even the Level 2 and Level 3 members a chance to get some training in. But this kind of abrupt decline was far from normal.
"There are way fewer monsters—far fewer than any of our previous expeditions. And after clearing out a group ahead, no reinforcements appeared. It's like the monsters just stopped spawning altogether."
"This kind of thing has never happened before. Too many unprecedented events are occurring on this expedition."
In the Dungeon, anything outside the norm is considered an "abnormal situation." And no adventurer wants to encounter one—those situations often mean mortal danger.
It's a common truth among all adventurers: when the Dungeon starts acting strange, something even worse is coming.
And today, such an "abnormal situation" had arrived.
No—more accurately, the entire Dungeon was already steeped in the "abnormal situation" known as the Black Dragon.
So now, what they were experiencing was an "abnormal situation" within an already ongoing "abnormal situation."
Finn and the others kept a close watch on their surroundings, alert for any unexpected surprises the Dungeon might throw at them.
But their vigilance was proving completely useless—because there truly wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Nothing, that is, except for the bizarre scarcity of monsters.
Even when they reached the 50th floor's Safe Zone, nothing unusual happened.
"...Strange."
Sitting inside the camp tent, Finn rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. He had spent a good portion of his life in the Dungeon and encountered more "abnormal situations" than he could count—but this was the first time he'd ever seen something like this.
"It's very strange."
Riveria was equally surprised. Why was the second half of this expedition going so smoothly? Even last time, they'd encountered numerous issues—multiple "monster feasts" had broken out during the later stages of the expedition.
"There were no 'abnormal situations,' and we didn't run into any 'monster feasts.' The number of monsters is shockingly low, and after we cleared out one wave, there weren't any follow-ups. It's just... too unusual—completely unlike the Dungeon's usual behavior."
"!?"
Hearing that, Finn suddenly snapped to attention. The Dungeon they were in now really wasn't acting normal. A theory flashed through his mind.
"Riveria, maybe this phenomenon has something to do with the Black Dragon."
"The Black Dragon... do you think that roar affected the Dungeon too?"
Riveria quickly picked up on his meaning. It didn't need to be said aloud—this unusual state of the Dungeon was clearly connected to the dragon's roar.
"The Black Dragon's overreaction must have had a significant impact, even outside its immediate area. The monsters in the Dungeon aren't respawning quickly. And remember, we're in the Deep Floors—normally, the Dungeon would never hold back here. Yet now, it's behaving like this. It's clearly the Black Dragon's doing."
The more Finn thought about it, the more convinced he became that this was the root of the anomaly.
Whatever was affecting the Dungeon, it definitely wasn't coming from them. The only thing that had changed recently was the sudden roar of the Black Dragon.
And since the Black Dragon resided at the very bottom of the Dungeon, it was entirely plausible that it was disrupting things all the way up here.
But as that conclusion settled in, Finn felt a dull pain in his thumb.
"This isn't a good sign."
That kind of sensation had saved him many times before, and Finn trusted his instincts. Whatever was happening in the Dungeon—it wasn't going to be good for them.
"The 'Spirit' deeper inside might be going berserk."
"Bell-kun mentioned that the 'Spirit Fetus' needs to absorb a certain amount of energy to grow. But with the Dungeon nearly shutting down monster spawns, that means the fetus won't be getting the energy it needs."
"Then, Riveria, what kind of method could be used to make up for that energy shortfall?"
"..."
Riveria frowned, thinking deeply for a moment. Her expression quickly darkened.
"Special magic, unique skills, or temporary-boosting potions—things that forcibly raise a person's power for a limited time, like those with berserk-type side effects. It's not as safe as Bell-kun's Rune Stones, but you can find stuff like that in Orario."
"So that's the price we paid for not encountering any 'abnormal situations' on the upper floors... The Spirit we're about to face might be far more terrifying than we expected."
Finn let out a long, helpless sigh. He hadn't expected the Black Dragon's influence to reach this far, and now the chain reaction was catching up to them—adventurers on the frontlines.
"Riveria, keep resting for two more days. After that, we'll start prepping to explore the unknown area."
Now that he understood what they were up against, Finn wasn't about to rush into action.
They knew absolutely nothing about the unknown floors ahead. Acting quickly might help them catch the Spirit off guard—but only if they knew what stage it was in. And right now, they didn't.
Going in without that information could lead to a total wipeout.
Plus, they had just cleared eleven floors back to back. Fatigue—both physical and mental—was unavoidable. Diving into an unknown region in that state would be suicide.
So, whether to give themselves a breather or give the Spirit time to act, they needed at least two days before they made their move.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 399: Chapter 399: Do as You Like
Chapter Text
'Two days of rest? Looks like they've realized something's wrong.'
They wouldn't have extended the rest period unless they'd noticed an issue with the Dungeon.
After all, expedition teams have limited time to operate in the Dungeon—the resources they carry determine how far they can go. Even with spatial belts allowing them to bring extra supplies, time isn't something they can afford to waste, especially under current conditions.
Choosing to linger in the Dungeon for an extra day in a situation like this clearly pointed to something serious. Bell was certain that Captain Finn had picked up on the right clues.
'A wise decision.'
Bell wandered around the camp, glancing at the expedition team's core members. All of them bore visible signs of exhaustion that couldn't be hidden.
'Looks like they've also noticed something's wrong with the Dungeon. Veterans like them are probably used to sensing when something's off—they're clearly on edge, as if bracing for the Dungeon to spring some nasty surprise.'
Given the condition of their upper-tier members, launching an assault on the unknown floors was out of the question. And maybe the Spirit on the other side wasn't quite ready yet. If the expedition team advanced now, his entire plan would fall apart. Fortunately, Finn was a cautious man.
After making a round of the camp, Bell quickly found Sanjouno Haruhime sitting inside her tent. He checked around for Aisha and saw her helping outside with tent setup.
Seeing that, Bell made his way over to Haruhime's tent.
When he reached it, he didn't walk in immediately. From the sounds inside, it was clear someone was changing clothes. If he barged in now, he'd definitely be seen as a creep.
He waited until the rustling sounds faded and the footsteps inside moved closer to the exit. Only then did he lift the tent flap and step inside.
Just as Bell pulled open the curtain, Haruhime happened to be coming out.
"!"
Startled by the sight of someone standing right outside, bundled up in layers, Haruhime jumped slightly—but then she recognized Bell right away from his eyes.
"Bell-san."
Seeing the hint of excitement in her gaze, Bell could only sigh inwardly. It was because of something Loki had casually said that this girl still held onto lingering feelings. Bell didn't know how to handle it. He'd already been exposed for deceiving her once—now, she likely wouldn't give up so easily.
"Let's talk. About this expedition."
"Um… okay."
The word "talk" clearly lit up Haruhime for a moment, but the mention of the "expedition" brought her back down. Still, she wanted to speak with Bell—regardless of the topic.
Bell stepped into the tent and faced Haruhime, who looked a little nervous, then got straight to the point.
"You understand what kind of situation we're dealing with in this expedition, right?"
"Yes."
"Captain Finn and the others will need your power if they want to take down the Spirit. But your magic is a one-time enhancement over a short period. Once you use it, you can't use it again right away—and that makes you a target."
Haruhime gave a small nod. She had been part of Loki Familia for a while now, and both Loki-sama and Riveria-sama had often brought this up. Her magic was a critical tool for turning the tide of battle—but it came with the risk of leaving her defenseless shortly afterward.
"I'm not here to explain the full extent of the danger you're facing. Captain Finn asked me to set something up for you—a failsafe that'll teleport you back to camp if you suffer a fatal injury. At the very least, it'll ensure you survive this expedition."
"Then... what about the captain? What about Lady Riveria and Aisha-onee-san?"
"Just like you heard before, they have their own battles to fight. And challenges always come with a price. For them, that price is risking their lives."
Bell offered no words of comfort—just a blunt, merciless statement of reality. But this time, it didn't have the effect he expected.
Haruhime's eyes didn't waver. She just stared quietly into his.
"Bell-san, you're lying, aren't you?"
"Lying? Why would I lie?"
"Because what you're doing isn't about letting the captain and the others die..."
She cut straight to the truth. Haruhime remembered everything Loki-sama had said, everything the captain, Lady Riveria, and Aisha had told her.
"The reason Bell-san chose to work with our Familia wasn't just to gain Loki-sama's protection—it was also to help strengthen our Familia."
"So... you used my actions to push things in that direction? Hah."
That caught Bell off guard. He hadn't expected the soft-spoken Renard from the original tale to be this sharp. He realized now that he had underestimated the adventurers of this world. They weren't standing still—they were growing, constantly learning and adapting.
Looking at the girl in front of him, Bell recalled their first encounter—her collapsed on the ground, in tears. It hadn't been that long ago. And now she'd already changed so much.
"So it's because Loki-sama and the others kept talking about me that you figured this out? You've definitely grown since the beginning."
Bell genuinely felt glad to see how far Sanjouno Haruhime had come.
"But I won't interfere in Finn's challenge. I won't lend a hand. This is a trial. If they overcome it, they'll rise to a new level. If they fail... then that's the limit of what they were ever capable of."
Haruhime bit her lip gently. She could tell—none of his words were lies. His eyes revealed nothing, but she still believed in him. She knew Bell-san wasn't the kind of person who'd abandon others without reason.
"I still believe in you, Bell-san."
"...You really are an idiot. Only an idiot would keep trusting someone without a single shred of proof. Only a fool like you would waste their attention on someone like me."
Another failed attempt at pushing her away. Honestly, Bell felt a little defeated. He had hoped this time she'd finally cut ties. But it seemed he'd failed again.
'Loki-sama really stirred things up... I never should've let her bring all that up.'
With a sigh, Bell chose not to argue further.
"Do as you please."
Chapter 400: Chapter 400: I Won’t Give Up
Chapter Text
Bell had no good way to deal with such a stubborn fool. He didn't want to deceive a girl like her, nor did he want to lead her on. But she had already fixated on him—and that left him with little choice.
He was certain she believed in him just for the sake of believing, but that conviction of hers was stronger than any reasoning. Even a scumbag would shake his head at a situation like this. She was just too easy to fool.
But the thing was—Bell didn't want to fool her.
So, he decided to stop trying to lead her away. If the first and second attempts had failed, there was no point in trying again.
All he could offer her now was one response:
"Do as you like."
What else could he even say?
To Haruhime, those words brought unexpected joy. She knew Bell was once again trying to push her away, just like before. And now it was confirmed.
'Loki-sama was right... Bell-san really does try to make people hate him on purpose.'
As for the reason behind it—Haruhime understood that too.
"It's true, just like you said—I don't want Captain Finn and the others to die here. Their worth isn't meant to end in this place. They shouldn't die here. But I still won't interfere with their choice. That won't change."
Bell had no intention of meddling in their trial. The decision to challenge the Spirit was theirs, and now that they'd chosen, they had to face the consequences head-on.
But this time, Haruhime wasn't the least bit worried. Because Bell-san had said earlier that he didn't want them to die. That meant those words were a "lie."
And not interfering with their choice didn't mean he wouldn't support them. Those were two entirely different things—Haruhime knew that very well.
'I knew it. Girls really are scary once they grow up.'
Bell shook his head slightly, then reached out his hand.
"Give me the Straw Doll. I'll set a coordinate."
"Okay."
Haruhime immediately pulled the "Straw Doll" from her space belt.
Bell took the decoy, glanced around the tent, and placed it in the center. After that, he began setting a spatial coordinate, linking it to the Straw Doll. The setup was completed quickly.
"Place it properly. If you suffer a fatal injury, you'll be transferred back to this tent. You can also trigger it manually after casting your magic. But you'll need to strike a vital spot precisely—if you miss even a little, it could end up being lethal."
The Straw Doll didn't care whether the injury was intentional or not. As long as it registered as fatal, the transfer would activate. That was both its strength and its weakness. But if used well, it could absolutely save your life.
Haruhime immediately understood what he meant. After casting her magic, she'd be an easy target. So instead of waiting for someone to protect her, she'd deal a fatal blow to herself right afterward to activate the Straw Doll and escape.
'I need to prepare a small knife.'
To make the wound lethal enough, she'd have to ask Aisha which spot to stab.
"Is that enough of a reminder?"
"Yeah, it's enough."
"Then I'll be going."
Bell was never good at dealing with girls. Honestly, the only ones he really spent time with were Hestia and Hephaestus. He rarely interacted with women—same in this life, and in the one before.
"Please wait!"
Bell's steps halted, and his body froze.
Haruhime was pressed up right behind him. Thankfully, he wasn't a virgin anymore—otherwise, this much pressure would've absolutely crushed him.
"Bell-san, thank you so much for saving me back then. There's a lot I want to say... but for now, I just want you to know—I won't give up."
Those words hit like a full-on frontal assault. Bell's eyelids twitched violently.
'...I'm doomed.'
"Ah!!!"
This time, the scream didn't come from Loki, but from Hestia.
Seeing her beloved child being embraced by another fox girl—Hestia completely lost it. Bell had already turned her down multiple times, and yet this girl still shamelessly threw herself at him. It was infuriating!
"Loki! What's wrong with your kid?! Why is she always targeting mine?!"
"Hey hey hey, what do you mean 'always'? The only one who's into that boy is Haruhime. The rest of my children couldn't care less, so don't go getting ideas."
This moment mirrored one from the past exactly.
Loki sat back, legs crossed happily, watching her child go all-out on Bell. Seeing Hestia fume with rage only made the wine in her heart taste sweeter.
'This is amazing! I've been holding it in for so long—finally, a chance to let loose!'
Watching her child fling herself at Bell like a moth to a flame... well, it was hard not to react. But what could she do? Haruhime had her sights set on that boy, after all.
"Mmmgh..."
Hestia's face turned bright red with fury—but there was nothing she could do.
Even Hephaestus, standing nearby with her fists clenched tightly at her sides, couldn't stand the sight. This wasn't something only Hestia found unbearable—she felt it too.
Her lover was being relentlessly pursued by other women—relentlessly, with no way to shake them off. How could she not be angry? But unlike Hestia, Hephaestus still had her reason. She knew now was the time to stay calm.
There was a time gap between gods and the children of Genkai. Bell understood this deeply. That was why he kept his distance from others and avoided forming attachments. If it weren't for how persistently Loki's child chased him, Bell would've likely pushed her away a long time ago.
"Tsk... I'm not exactly fond of that kid, but if Haruhime really likes him, I won't stand in her way. As for that thing he's so worried about—if there's a solution, maybe he'll stop resisting, huh?"
Loki understood Bell's fears. But was it really unsolvable? Not necessarily.
Methods of achieving longevity had existed since ancient times. Of course, many came with heavy prices—like becoming undead and losing your flesh.
But if crude methods existed, then less crude ones had to be out there too.
"!?"
That one comment sent a wave of panic through both Hestia and Hephaestus.
To them, this was absolutely not good news.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 401: Chapter 401: Descent to the 59th Floor
Chapter Text
‘Oh my god.’
Stepping out of the tent, Bell felt a cold sweat soaking his back.
Maybe that other person didn’t notice, but Bell knew there had been three goddesses watching him just now. If he’d been even a bit slower, he had no idea what awaited him when he returned home.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and took a moment to calm himself.
‘Women are scarier than monsters—especially goddesses.’
Once his nerves had settled, Bell’s gaze swept across the campsite. Adventurers had already set up their tents and were preparing dinner.
‘At least today I can let my guard down a little.’
Still, Bell knew this wasn’t the time to relax. His preparations had to begin.
Coordinates: 59th floor.
The 59th floor was out of reach for ordinary adventurers. Deep Floors were filled with monsters on high alert, existing solely to kill any intruders.
On such heavily guarded layers, average adventurers couldn’t withstand the attack force, let alone push deeper.
Bell masked his presence and moved to the entrance of the 51st floor. From above, he could hear the scuttling of countless monsters on the ground.
Even without venturing down, it was clear that the place was full of “danger.”
But at this moment, something far more critical than monsters was missing below—the Dungeon’s breeding ground.
This breeding ground provided the Dungeon’s greatest support to its monsters and its strongest resistance and correction mechanism against adventurers.
However, because the Black Dragon’s roar had shifted the Dungeon’s power toward the affected area, the Dungeon couldn’t spare energy to focus on adventurers until that disturbance subsided.
“It looks like the Dungeon’s support won’t bounce back for the next two days.”
For Bell, this was the perfect opportunity.
Without the Dungeon’s assistance…
The Spirits would lose their caution and start acting recklessly. Even creatures like acid worms and Violas couldn’t be produced endlessly—they were already energy-starved.
And under prolonged suspension of the Dungeon’s systems, high-energy monsters would become increasingly vulnerable.
This specifically applied to the “Spirit.”
As one of the Dungeon’s most peculiar devoured tentacles, the Spirit required massive energy. As long as she intended to continue breeding “fetuses,” she needed to absorb an extraordinary amount of energy.
In this scenario, even a “Spirit” would shut down alongside the Dungeon, or risk going berserk from energy depletion.
‘Heh, this expedition’s been full of surprises—but it’s also had its upsides.’
Bell grinned, blue-white lightning crackling around him as he eyed the stairs to the 51st floor.
“Zzzz!”
At light-speed, he vanished from the entrance.
As a streak of lightning, Bell raced through the 51st... 52nd... and in the blink of an eye, hit the 58th—where Loki Familia had been blocked before.
The lightning halted at the 58th floor entrance.
When it dissipated, Bell's form reappeared.
Outwardly concealed, he remained undetected by the monsters there—mostly Wyverns and Valgang Dragons.
Even floors 51 to 58 posed a brutal challenge for high-level adventurers.
This was pure hell. Hesitate, even on the 51st floor, and Valgang Dragons from the 58th would unleash “Ignore Floor” attacks on you.
The only survival strategy: keep moving quickly, or succumb to their hail of fire.
‘The Dragon’s Vase is no joke.’
Bell stepped onto the 58th floor, feeling the raw intimidation of dozens of Valgang Dragons. Now he truly grasped how lethal the Deep Floors were.
All that met the eye were crimson dragons—roughly seventy or eighty of them.
Ordinary Lv. 4s wouldn’t survive here; even Lv. 5s faced near-certain death with these numbers.
Combine that with the Dungeon’s breeding ground fueling their population, and this floor was adventurers' worst nightmare.
But only a few ever saw it.
For those who did, Valgang Dragons became seared into their memories.
‘The real target isn’t here—it’s on the next floor.’
Floor 59, where the “Spirit Fetus” gestates in the original story, had its landscape warped by the Dungeon.
According to intel from Zeus Familia, the 59th floor and beyond are frozen rivers—so cold they nearly extend to 58’s entrance.
Perhaps the Dungeon itself shifted. Or maybe it was the Spirit’s influence.
Either way, Bell didn’t care—he already knew what the 59th looked like.
He didn’t linger at 58’s entrance. Instead, he descended directly to the 59th floor.
…
“...Damn it!”
Watching the scene, Loki couldn’t help but curse.
She hadn’t seen how Finn and the others were halted on the 58th floor last time, but from their recaps, she knew that floors 51 to 58 were literal torture. Even a slight slowdown got you bombarded by Valgang Dragons.
Yet Bell?
He completely ignored all that—using Stealth to bypass every obstacle and zip from the 51st to the 58th effortlessly.
The ease of it made Loki seethe with unfairness.
“That kid just breezed through—Is this what Authority does? Why didn’t I realize how useful it could be before?”
In Tenkai, using Authority has limits. Gods aren’t allowed to wreak havoc with it. In Genkai, their divine power is sealed. Authority’s use should be restricted.
But Bell used it so freely down here it felt like a completely different ballgame.
Chapter 402: Chapter 402: Drag Hermes Into This
Chapter Text
“Shorty, how do you and Hephaestus feel about it?”
“Authority?”
“What else could it be? When you both were in Tenkai, did you freely use your authority?”
“Um… no. My authority is over holy fire, but I don’t really use it. It’s useless in daily life—no need for that kind of fire just to cook.”
Loki stared at the shorty with a strange look.
Only now did she realize this shorty used her authority in Tenkai just to build a fire. Could a god really use his authority like that? It sounded crazy.
Hestia thought for a moment, then looked to Hephaestus.
“I remember you once asked me to use holy fire to forge your weapon, Hephaestus. That was the only time I used my authority.”
“Ah, that time. I rarely used Authority—I wanted to see if Hestia’s holy fire could help me forge a better weapon.”
“And? Did it work?”
Loki was curious—but Hestia and Hephaestus shook their heads.
“Even though we used our powers, the weapon I forged didn’t exceed past limits. It only matched the highest quality achievable before.”
It wasn’t a breakthrough—just on par with past top results. Hephaestus was disappointed.
“The goddess of the hearth and the god of craftsmanship and even together you couldn’t surpass the limit?”
Loki didn’t expect that. It seemed Tenkai heavily restricted Authority.
The holy flame the shorty wielded was Eternal—not comparable to a god of fire’s flame Authority.
Eternal Flame is the highest level of Authority. It can burn a god until the shorty is satisfied, if he wants.
Hephaestus’s forging Authority is also top-tier—her skills rank among the best even in Tenkai.
Together, two gods still couldn’t improve the weapon’s quality. So bizarre.
It meant Tenkai not only suppresses Authority, it also limits what combinations of Authority can achieve.
‘So that’s the answer.’
Loki sighed, having reached the conclusion.
“It seems we gods aren’t nobler than the children of Genkai. We’ve even lost our freedom—we exist only to serve a purpose.”
It was an extreme answer, but the only one possible now.
Considering the Black Dragon, Bell’s words, and Bell’s insight on the three great quests—which mirror the gods’—perhaps gods are just tools for the Mother of the World to push boundaries.
Only tools fit the world’s rules.
If you can’t transcend, even gods get reshuffled and reset.
It’s not reincarnation—it’s endless testing until someone passes the world’s trial and brings the world forward. Otherwise, gods are doomed to be remade repeatedly.
What a terrifying answer.
What a terrifying reality.
“It seems that way.”
Hephaestus shrugged, clearly unconcerned.
“Hephaestus, don’t you care at all?”
“About that? I really don’t see the point in wasting time pondering how gods are born or why we exist. Only someone like you, Loki, would be interested in something like that.”
She genuinely had no interest in such matters.
Questions like the origin of the world or how the gods were created only appealed to those with a strong sense of curiosity. Most gods didn’t bother questioning their own existence—it was simply a waste of time.
“Everyone already knows we were created by a higher being. As for why we were created, even if we tried to figure it out, we’d never get an answer. Still, there’s now one simple and direct theory to consider.”
Hephaestus pointed to Bell on the screen. For once, Loki was silent.
Fine, she had to admit—this kid Bell might actually be their hope for breaking free of control. If he could overcome the trials set by the world, the gods might no longer have to worry about being reshuffled.
“So, should we give Ouranos a heads-up? Between the Black Dragon and the world reshuffling, things are getting pretty serious. That kid could probably use some backing, right?”
The question made both Hephaestus and Hestia pause and think, until Hestia finally spoke up.
“No, we’re not telling Ouranos. But we can drag Hermes into this.”
The first part made Loki freeze for a second. The second part, however, made her face twitch uncontrollably.
“Shorty, I didn’t think you could be this ruthless.”
Hermes, as the messenger god, had always been the one passing messages around. The previous information about Bell’s connection to Zeus and Hera had also come from him, so he clearly had some ties with the two gods outside Orario.
Among the gods, Hermes was firmly in the neutral camp and had stayed that way consistently.
Even though Shorty had already somewhat roped Hermes into things before, this time the secret involved the future of the entire world and the gods themselves. Wasn’t this just cornering that neutral weirdo?
And if Hermes knew, wouldn’t that mean Ouranos would know too, at least indirectly?
Maybe even Zeus and Hera beyond Orario would catch wind of it through Hermes. Yet Hestia showed no guilt whatsoever, even puffing out her chest like it was only natural.
“He’s Hermes. It’d be a waste not to use him. He was already on our side last time—this is just making his allegiance a bit more solid.”
“...Fair enough.”
On this point, Loki completely agreed with the shorty.
She wasn’t going to play the intermediary herself, but Hermes was perfect for the job. Plus, the messenger had full clearance to come and go from Orario without all the red tape, and not even the Guild could stop him.
Getting Hermes involved really was the best option.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 403: Chapter 403: Push Loki to the Front
Chapter Text
Bell descended the stairs and stepped into a brightly lit exit.
After leaving the cave-like passage, the entire floor suddenly opened up with a radiant glow—this was the 59th floor.
A floor shrouded in mystery, unseen even by the gods.
As an unexplored level, it resembled the 24th floor’s “Great Tree Labyrinth,” with an Amazon-like forest teeming with dense vegetation. In the distance, he could even make out strange species, including towering mushrooms that stretched several stories high.
Yet, despite the forest’s vastness, it was eerily silent.
Even with his repeatedly enhanced hearing, Bell could only catch faint traces of sound. Perhaps it was due to the sheer openness of this level, or maybe it was because there were hardly any monsters present.
'The scents are all over the place, but there aren’t many sounds.'
'Very little monster presence... Looks like most of them have already been used as nourishment for the Spirit. But I can barely sense even the Violas or the Virgas. Were they all sent deeper down to search for magic stones?'
On his way here, Bell hadn’t seen any trace of the Virgas or Violas. That only confirmed it—the Spirits were preparing to make their move on the monsters below the 59th floor.
The thought made Bell chuckle.
'Looks like I was right. The Dragon’s Roar must have affected the Spirits too. They're probably holding back from touching the monsters below the 59th floor out of fear of a counterattack from Loki’s Familia. The moment Finn and the others spot those Violas or Virgas, they’ll likely wipe them out and charge straight for the 59th floor.'
By playing it this way, the expedition force wouldn’t know how far along the Spirit fetus had been nurtured. At the same time, it made Finn hesitate, not wanting to risk acting too soon.
But this stalemate wouldn’t last. That’s why the Violas and Virgas were being redirected to deeper levels—to harvest magic stones from stronger monsters and use them to feed the “Spirit fetus.”
'This situation is way more stable than I expected.'
Still, after that brief bit of satisfaction, Bell needed to consider the next steps—especially what to do if those harvested magic stones turned out to be insufficient.
His eyes shifted to the center of the floor. The life force emanating from there was so familiar, it was impossible not to sense it. That was where the “Spirit fetus” was located.
Yet Bell made no move to approach it. This floor needed to be thoroughly prepared first.
What Bell hated most were unexpected events—and among them, sudden intrusions were the most frequent. To prevent that, the entire level needed to be properly secured.
But before doing that, he had to check in with Hestia.
“Loki-sama, you can go speak with Hermes-sama now. I’m not planning to make a move on the Spirit just yet. They’ve already sent the Violas and Virgas deeper into the Dungeon to collect magic stones. Until they return, I won’t take any action.”
Bell intended to swoop in when the timing was right. Naturally, that meant he wouldn’t interfere with the Spirit fetus before it had been fully nourished. If he had to make all the arrangements himself, he wouldn’t have time to return to camp.
Before the official start of this campaign, Bell didn’t want Finn and the others to realize he was already involved behind the scenes.
What Cassandra could see was only a small part of it—and she wasn’t the one executing this phase of the operation. Even if some things were exposed, he could brush them off using the excuse that “the gods wanted to see the fight.”
But if he wasn’t seen at camp before the battle began, it’d be too easy for people to put the pieces together.
And Bell couldn’t let that happen.
Otherwise, why act at this particular moment?
…
“Me again?”
Loki pointed at herself, clearly annoyed. She really didn’t want to go out looking for that messenger right now. Based on her understanding of him, that guy was definitely messing around in the rebuilt Pleasure District.
“Who else do you think is suitable? My Bell-kun is still down in the Dungeon. Most of Hephaestus’s children are with your expedition team down there too. Only your Familia still has plenty of kids back at home, right?”
“What about Hephaestus? Doesn’t she have some children too?”
“Please! Hephaestus runs a production Familia—who’s going to man her shop or fulfill those commissions if everyone leaves?”
As Hestia explained, Hephaestus just shrugged helplessly, clearly unable to help.
Her Familia’s business wouldn’t just stop for an expedition. Hephaestus had already planned for this and left behind the less-skilled children. Some were simply not skilled enough to be useful in the expedition, and others were needed to manage the day-to-day commissions.
Hestia’s Familia was even simpler—only Bell Cranel. With nightfall approaching, it wouldn’t be right for a Familia God to be out running errands.
After thinking it through, it was clear that only Loki’s Familia had children available for the task. Naturally, the job of finding Hermes ended up falling on Loki.
Understanding the situation, Loki looked speechless. But she also realized that right now, the most suitable choice really was for her to send someone to find Hermes.
“Seriously, all the errands land on me...”
Grumbling under her breath, Loki still got ready to take action. This time, things had gotten far too serious. Even Ouranos needed the messenger to pass the word along. She couldn’t afford to act on a whim.
And the support from Ouranos’s side was a big help for them.
Suddenly, a spatial rift tore open in front of Loki.
A familiar hand reached out from the rift and tossed a rune stone toward her.
Startled, Loki quickly caught it with both hands. Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, a voice came through from the other side of the screen.
“This is the recording I made. It contains my confrontation and conversation with the Black Dragon. You know how to use the Recording Crystal—show it to Hermes if necessary.”
“Also, feel free to reveal part of your connection to us. Preferably through the passage in your room.”
“...So you’re just trying to shove me out in front, huh?!”
Loki immediately got what this kid was planning. He wanted her to reveal her connection to them—without exposing the shorty’s connection to Hephaestus. This was clearly pushing her to the front lines.
Then the voice came again from the screen.
“Yes.”
Chapter 404: Chapter 404: Hermes’ Bad Premonition
Chapter Text
Bell's blunt response hit Loki hard.
“After all, we were the ones who orchestrated this entire operation to defeat the Spirit. If Captain Finn and the others manage to bring it down, they’ll break into the ranks of Level 7, and the Loki Familia will gain a huge advantage. After getting that much out of it, are you really not willing to step forward, Loki-sama?”
It was a fair point. Loki wanted to retort with something like “It’s just an opportunity,” but the words wouldn’t come out. This expedition wasn’t exactly clean—there had been a lot of shady maneuvering behind the scenes.
Finn and the others might still be in the dark, but Loki, as one of the key players, certainly wasn’t.
There was no room to argue, and no way to deny it.
This operation, which bordered on cheating, opened up new opportunities for the Loki Familia. And even if it was underhanded, this kind of benefit wasn’t something just any Familia could get.
Since they’d received this special treatment, it was only fair that they should shoulder some responsibility in return.
“Sigh... Fine, fine, just my luck.”
Loki understood well enough. She’d gotten such a huge advantage that she had no grounds to complain. Being asked to step up was perfectly reasonable. So she accepted it.
Sure, being in the front meant more risk, but as long as Finn and the others reached that next level, a little risk was worth it.
While reassuring herself, Loki walked toward her room.
Through the space tunnel, she returned.
This time, she wasn’t back to relax—she needed to find Hermes’ messenger quickly. There was no point in heading to the Pleasure District, even if she was sure that guy was still hanging around there.
“Line! Line!”
Loki stepped out of her room and shouted loudly into the empty house. Soon, a human girl emerged from one of the nearby rooms.
“Loki-sama.”
Line Arshe, one of the rare healing magicians in the Loki Familia, was also known as the “Locolyte.”
“Line, send someone to the Hermes Familia right away. Tell ‘Perseus’ to bring Hermes here immediately—something big’s come up.”
The moment Line heard that, she straightened up. Seeing that Loki-sama wasn’t in one of her usual moods today, she instantly knew this was something serious. Otherwise, with Loki-sama’s typical behavior, she would’ve already leapt at her.
"Yes, I'll contact the ‘Perseus’ right away."
As one of Orario's more powerful Familias, the Hermes Familia wasn’t focused on exploration—it was a production-type Familia. But instead of producing equipment or weapons, they specialized in intelligence gathering, deliveries, and occasionally small gadgets crafted by the “Perseus.”
In Orario, Adventurers with the Development Ability “Mystery” were known for crafting items that often exceeded standard specs, making anything made by the “Perseus” highly sought after.
Naturally, such Familias were always open for business. They didn’t close early or turn away customers.
Today, however, Hermes Familia received a very unexpected guest.
The person handling the request was none other than the “Perseus” herself, Asfi Al Andromeda. Of course, that was because the request involved their Familia God.
Asfi pushed up her glasses.
“So, Loki-sama wants Hermes-sama to make a trip? And it’s supposed to be something serious?”
She couldn’t shake the feeling that Loki-sama’s request sounded a little strange. But for the moment, she couldn’t figure out why Loki-sama would reach out to her God at a time like this.
“Yes, ‘Perseus,’ this time, Loki-sama seems genuinely serious. It should be something important.”
“I understand.”
Although she didn’t grasp the full picture, Asfi accepted the request. After all, it involved Loki—she couldn’t just turn it down. Especially since the request was for their Familia God himself.
“I’ll go find Hermes-sama right away. Please go back and inform Loki-sama that I’ll bring Hermes-sama over as soon as possible.”
“I understand.”
Line gave a small nod and turned to head back and report to Loki.
Once she was gone, Asfi turned her gaze toward an empty seat two meters away.
“Do you really think Loki-sama is coming to you about something serious right now?”
Suddenly, a corner of the cloak covering the seat lifted, revealing the man Loki had asked to see—Hermes.
“Hmm... Loki asking to see me—that doesn’t happen often. But if one of her kids says she’s serious, then she probably is. Still... I really don’t want to go...”
Hermes had a bad feeling in his gut. Whenever Loki reached out, it was never for anything good.
Looking for him now, during his Familia’s expedition? And she’s serious about it? It was hard to imagine what kind of situation would make Loki come find him now.
“You think there’s something wrong with Loki-sama?”
“No. Other gods might be a problem, but Loki definitely isn’t. It’s just that whenever she comes looking for me, it’s always bad news.”
Thinking back to those cursed past experiences, Hermes felt a dull pain in his forehead. The memories felt like they were stabbing into his nerves, making him even more reluctant to go see her.
But he also knew there was no getting out of it now.
If Loki was bold enough to send one of her children to openly come find him, this clearly wasn’t a small matter. And it was exactly because he realized that, that he didn’t want to go all the more.
“At a time like this, the gods are all being cautious. Orario still has its eyes locked on the Evilus. None of the gods want to step into the spotlight easily. If we push those guys too far, we might be the ones who get hurt. All the gods agree on that.”
“So... you’re still going?”
“...”
Hermes rested his chin on his palm with a weary sigh. He really wished he hadn’t been holed up in his own Familia right now. If he hadn’t heard about this, maybe he could’ve found a way to dodge it. But now that he had, how could he?
“Fine, I’ll go. Let’s see what kind of mess Loki’s gotten herself into this time, asking for me at a time like this...”
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 405: Chapter 405: The Topic Begins to Shift Toward Philosophy
Chapter Text
After dragging his feet a bit, Hermes finally arrived at Loki Familia with Asfi.
"You're late!"
Loki's voice rang out as soon as Hermes stepped into the Twilight Manor. He turned to see her sitting in the main hall, visibly annoyed, legs crossed and swinging her foot impatiently.
'She's in a terrible mood.'
Hermes knew better than to poke at Loki's nerves right now. If he did, he'd only bring trouble on himself.
Forcing a polite smile, he tread carefully.
"Come on, I've had my hands full lately. You know how chaotic Orario's been since the Black Dragon's roar. I've got responsibilities too, you know?"
"Oh~ It's not every day I see you trying to act serious. You, busy? At a time like this?"
Loki's face twisted into a cold smile as she slammed her hand onto the table.
"How long do you think we've known each other? With that profit-chasing, risk-dodging personality of yours, you're probably hiding in some corner doing nothing, aren't you?"
"I just can't see you out and about right now."
Hermes looked a bit awkward.
To be fair, Loki knew him far too well. She wasn't wrong—when things got dicey, he was more likely to hang back and watch from the sidelines than jump into action. That was his way.
Loki pouted in irritation. She knew this fast-footed messenger inside and out. He always managed to stay "neutral"—even when he was toeing past the line, he'd still put on a convincing show of staying impartial.
Getting mad at him was just pointless.
"Forget the nonsense. Let's get to the point."
Hermes exhaled quietly in relief. Truthfully, he didn't want to sit through Loki's complaints either. Getting down to business was for the best.
"Before we begin, I need to tell you upfront—this time, it's serious."
"How serious? Don't tell me it's worse than Orario's survival being at stake?"
"...Let's just say we're talking about whether the world ends. You tell me—does that sound serious enough?"
Hermes dropped his usual playful demeanor in an instant. Loki's expression was dead serious—there wasn't even a hint of a joke.
"You're... not kidding?"
Loki didn't answer. Instead, she stood up from her seat.
"Bring your kid and follow me to my room. This isn't something we can discuss here. I don't want one of the children overhearing and spreading it around."
Seeing Loki rise, Hermes's expression turned grim too. He now truly believed she wasn't joking—this was no casual visit.
With a heavy heart, he followed Loki to her room.
As the head of Loki Familia, her personal quarters were actually quite well arranged.
The bright glow of Magic Stone lamps lit up the room. White walls, polished wooden floors—everything was tastefully simple, with no unnecessary decoration. The whole space gave off a clean, comfortable feel.
It was clearly understated, especially for Loki. But she'd never been picky about her room. A standard level of luxury was enough for her.
Of course, what she wanted to show today wasn't the decor.
After bringing Hermes into the room, Loki spoke without even turning around.
"Lock the door behind you."
Hermes didn't say a word. He stepped in and locked it.
Before he could ask anything, he saw Loki draw the curtains shut. She walked to a corner of the room with something in her hand, and right then, a spatial rift opened up.
"!?"
Hermes' eyes went wide. He hadn't realized there was something like this hidden in Loki's room.
'This has Bell-kun written all over it.'
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Hermes understood the source of the rift.
"Hermes, you and your Captain need to get closer. That kid rigged this passage with all sorts of tricks. If you're not close enough, you'll get shredded the moment you go through."
"That definitely sounds like Bell-kun."
Just hearing Loki's warning gave Hermes a weird sense of comfort. The familiarity was unmistakable—this had Bell's fingerprints all over it. Still, he hadn't expected Loki and Hestia to be on such good terms that they'd already set up a spatial link between their Familia bases.
"Heh, it really is that kid's style. Always cautious to a fault—but you can't argue with the results. It never hurts to be careful."
Loki wasn't exactly a fan of that overcautious approach. It was just too much trouble. But even she had to admit—there was value in being thorough.
"This time, things have gotten more complicated. And it heavily involves us gods."
"It involves us?"
No matter how hard he thought, Hermes couldn't figure out what sort of connection it could have.
The Genkai and Tenkai were two separate dimensions. Even if the Genkai were to fall completely, it shouldn't affect the Tenkai. Hermes knew that—and so did Loki.
So why would she say this issue involved the gods directly?
"Come with me first. I'll explain everything once we get to my room over there. Orario's not safe for this kind of talk. The only place we can speak freely is the 'world outside' where that little shorty stays."
Was it really that serious? Hermes felt a chill run down his spine. Still, he gave Asfi a glance, signaling her to stay close.
She understood immediately and followed him closely into the spatial rift.
As they passed through, they arrived at the other side—Loki's private room inside the Hestia Familia.
Once there, Loki finally relaxed. She plopped down onto the big bed.
"Hermes, sit wherever you like."
Hermes looked around curiously. The room's style was nothing like Loki's usual place—it had a natural, almost wild atmosphere. It was easy to tell that all the wooden structures were made from living Spirit Trees.
"Every time I see a room like this, I wonder if the person who designed it is actually insane. But if this were my room... I'd honestly hope they were."
With a wry mix of jealousy and admiration, Hermes turned back to Loki.
"So? What's this all about? The world ending? Now it's somehow tied to us gods?"
Loki fell silent for a moment. Then she hit him with a question that left him completely stunned.
"Hermes, what do you think is the meaning of our existence as gods?"
Chapter 406: Chapter 406: The Astonishing Truth That Was Hidden Away
Chapter Text
"Why are you suddenly bringing up the origin of the gods?"
Hermes couldn't understand why Loki had shifted to this topic.
"Because I recently discovered the reason we gods exist. The purpose of our creation, and why we're able to exist in this world."
"Huh?"
Loki's words only left Hermes more confused.
Their common theory had always been that higher-dimensional beings created them. But they'd never been able to observe those higher planes directly—so understanding why they were created remained impossible.
"So, are you saying you observed a higher-dimensional being?"
"No, no. We've always assumed we were created by beings of a higher rank or dimension, but that assumption is probably wrong. The existence of us gods is deeply tied to the rules of the world itself. Our birth must be inherently linked to the world's existence."
"Well... that was one of the directions we speculated about before."
Hermes nodded slightly. He remembered that they'd once considered that possibility. But without any solid evidence, it was nothing more than a theory.
"I remember someone once proposed the idea that 'the world itself was also created'—though I can't recall who. That shifted the focus of our theories. Still, I don't think they were wrong. After all, we've never had any proof."
Back in Tenkai, whenever the gods had nothing better to do, they'd often engage in speculation. The most common topic? The meaning of their own existence.
Hermes remembered how plenty of gods—especially the ones who seemed a bit unhinged—were always wrapped up in this kind of thinking. He'd dealt with a few of them himself. And most of the ones who fixated on such thoughts... weren't exactly stable. After descending to Genkai, a lot of those same gods had eventually lost it.
That thought made Hermes narrow his eyes at Loki.
"Why are you bringing this up now, of all times? Don't tell me you've started to share their hobbies?"
Loki looked completely unimpressed.
"Don't think I don't know you're calling me 'crazy.' I'm not like those fools whose heads are full of nothing but holes. I'm only talking about this now because I've actually found real evidence."
"Evidence? You found something in Genkai tied to our existence?"
That got Hermes' attention. He didn't care much for those so-called "crackpot theories," but he was definitely interested in the meaning of his existence—if there was genuine proof involved.
"Something like that. But the truth is... it shook me. I, Loki, have never been played for a fool like this."
Even she felt a trace of bitterness at the weight of the truth. Seeing that, Hermes couldn't help being shocked.
"Hermes, didn't Ouranos, Zeus, or Hera ever mention anything about this?"
"Huh? You mean... they knew?"
"Why else do you think Ouranos was so quick and decisive with the Black Dragon? Evilus has done all kinds of outrageous things before, but have you ever seen Ouranos immediately label them as a target like that?"
Loki's words made Hermes frown slightly.
"I see... no wonder Ouranos acted so decisively against the Evilus this time. I thought it was just the Black Dragon incident crossing some line for him—but there's more to it."
"So, Ouranos made that decision just to pin everything on the Evilus for Bell-kun's sake? That kind of blatant favoritism is rare."
Hermes fell silent for a moment. He had already suspected that the Black Dragon incident was deeply connected to Bell. And he'd guessed Ouranos was using the Evilus as a scapegoat—but the speed and certainty with which Ouranos acted was startling.
He took a moment to think it through, then came to a conclusion.
"For Ouranos, he's always used Orario and the Genkai as his benchmark, not personal feelings. That's why he's been able to stay relatively impartial, and why he remains outside all factional conflict."
"So, if even he's choosing sides now... does that mean Bell is more important than Orario itself at this moment?"
The idea surprised Hermes, but it also made him reflect on Loki's earlier words.
"So, Ouranos really did hide something critical. No wonder he dumped all the blame on the Evilus the moment he realized there was a connection between the Black Dragon and Bell-kun."
Now he finally understood why Ouranos was so resolute—why he'd moved so quickly and thoroughly to frame the Evilus.
Loki clearly wasn't the only one who knew about this so-called evidence. Ouranos must have known too, but had deliberately kept quiet about it the whole time.
And thinking back to Loki's bitter expression earlier, Hermes now realized—this was the kind of thing you couldn't even vent about. A truth the gods were forced to swallow silently, no matter how unjust.
"So... where exactly did you learn all this?"
Hermes was dying to know what Loki had found out.
Something that tied to the fate of the world, to the very nature of the gods—it was impossible to even imagine.
"Where? Heh... from the Black Dragon himself."
"!?"
There was a touch of self-mockery on Loki's face. The fact that such a truth hadn't come from some ancient divine being, but from a creature long treated as an enemy—it was downright ironic.
Hermes wasn't the only one stunned. Even Asfi was frozen in place.
"You..."
"That kid went and met the Black Dragon. The whole incident was triggered when the Black Dragon sensed his presence. And to avoid a bigger mess, the kid went to meet him properly."
Hermes couldn't breathe for a second. Seriously—how long had he been out of the loop for things to escalate this far?
"That kid asked the Black Dragon a lot of things—even about Behemoth, Leviathan, and the Black Dragon itself. He dug into the reason for their existence. And the truth he uncovered... was terrifying. Turns out Behemoth, Leviathan, and the Black Dragon were all created by the world itself."
"Just like we gods can't kill them—they can't kill us either."
"But if we, as gods, fail to raise the children of Genkai to surpass them... then the world will reshuffle both us gods and the mortals. History will reset. We'll be forced to experience it all over again."
"But... when it restarts, will we still be the same?"
Loki looked at Hermes with a quiet intensity.
Hermes pulled his hat down, expression dark.
"Never."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 407: Chapter 407: This Is a Necessary Sacrifice
Chapter Text
"Here, take it."
Loki casually tossed over the Recording Crystal.
Hermes caught it, recognizing it immediately—he’d seen one before.
"This crystal contains the conversation between that kid and the Black Dragon. The secrets inside could completely overturn the order of Orario. If this got out... I guarantee every god in the Evilus would lose their minds."
A world reshuffle—one that included even the gods. If the divine came to know such a truth, not one of them would be able to remain unaffected.
Loki didn’t believe any of the gods she knew could face destruction with composure.
Hermes could already feel the crushing weight on his shoulders. The contents of this crystal could never be revealed to the other gods. If they were, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"There's no way Ouranos is the only god who knows. Zeus and Hera—they're ancient gods. It's very likely they’ve known the truth for a long time. That’s probably why they were so focused on raising their Familia’s children—trying to prevent the worst."
With that heavy subject finally behind them, Loki visibly relaxed.
She hadn’t wanted to shoulder such a massive secret alone. Unfortunately, the world had left her no choice. Still, with Hermes acting as a go-between, she wouldn’t have to stand alone on the front lines.
As Hermes held the crystal, his thoughts were in turmoil. He’d never imagined that even a so-called neutral god like himself would be dragged into something like this.
'That old man Zeus definitely knows!'
He was sure of it now. Hermes had spent enough time around Zeus to know—despite the old man’s buffoonish front, he was a master at hiding what really mattered.
'And Hera too.'
Hera, infamous in Tenkai for her bad temper, had been a dominant force in the Orario of the past. To put it bluntly, when she was in her prime, no other goddess even came close.
Those two were husband and wife, and both ancient gods—it was hard to believe they didn’t know about the gods’ connection to the Three Great Quests.
The current generation of gods might not know anything, but back then, it was Zeus Familia and Hera Familia who had fought Behemoth and Leviathan. There’s no way they were unaware.
So yes, those two definitely knew.
The truth must have been so overwhelming that even they chose silence.
"Hah... Those two old bastards kept something like this buried. If no one had brought it up now, we’d probably be facing the Black Dragon without even knowing what we were really up against."
"Heh, do you think anyone in today’s Orario, aside from a few idiots, would actually see the Black Dragon as a target?"
"...Yeah, fair point."
Loki's sharp words left Hermes without a retort.
Compared to the past, Orario had grown far too complacent. That comfort had dulled the edge of its adventurers—so much so that the highest level had dropped from Lv. 9 to Lv. 7.
Today’s Orario was a shell of its golden age. Only a few individuals were barely holding it together.
Would a Level 7 Adventurer really set their sights on the Black Dragon?
That would be nothing short of suicide.
And if no one dared face the Black Dragon... then no one would ever learn the truth.
"Hermes, try to let Ouranos know about all this. We’ll need his support for what comes next."
Loki understood perfectly how important the Guild’s backing was to her Familia.
That shorty might not care about size or whether the Guild was involved, but Loki couldn’t afford to be so blunt. Her Familia wasn’t just one person, and unlike that kid’s group, it wasn’t self-sufficient in every aspect.
"Yeah."
Hermes also understood the urgency. He definitely needed to speak with Ouranos—he wouldn’t feel right leaving everything in the hands of that kid otherwise.
"If this concerns the survival of the entire Genkai and the gods themselves, then we might need to consider recalling some of the gods who are currently outside."
"Is that even possible? Weren’t most of them kicked out for a reason?"
Loki didn’t think that was very realistic. Most of the gods expelled from Orario had major issues. Ouranos wouldn’t be foolish enough to bring them all back—that would only create more chaos.
"I’m not talking about the ones who were kicked out on purpose. I mean the few who were sent away for specific reasons."
Hermes wasn’t referring to the instigators—the gods who’d been removed for stirring up trouble. Bringing them back would do no good. If anything, it’d just restart the problems they caused.
But there were others—gods who had been forced to leave not because they were dangerous, but due to their Familia’s circumstances or special arrangements. The most notable being Zeus, Hera, and Astrea.
"Now that the Black Dragon’s reaction has been pinned on the Evilus thanks to Bell-kun, this gives us the perfect excuse. If we want to wipe out the Evilus still hiding in Orario, we’ll need every god’s strength focused together."
"I think, as long as the gods truly grasp the gravity of the situation, they’ll agree to the proposal."
Hermes’ idea wasn’t bad, but Loki knew exactly where the problem lay.
"So you're planning to make the gods realize just how serious this is? The Black Dragon won’t roar twice. If it does... that’ll be the next time that kid meets him."
To that, Hermes just smiled calmly.
"Actually, it’s not that hard to make them take it seriously. Bell-kun still needs materials, right? So, we offer up a god as a sacrifice. Blame the Evilus for the god’s death, and I’m sure the rest will suddenly start paying attention."
Loki gave Hermes a strange look.
"I didn’t realize you could be that cold."
Honestly, she hadn’t seen it before—but it turns out, they were all capable of being heartless when it counted.
"It’s a necessary sacrifice. As gods, the least they can do is make themselves useful in a situation like this."
Hermes wasn’t the kind to hold back. Using any means necessary to achieve his goals was just how he operated. He only played the carefree neutral when he had the luxury to.
Chapter 408: Chapter 408: An Unexpected Interruption Appears
Chapter Text
Hermes didn't linger at Hestia Familia. Using the spatial tunnel in Loki's room, he returned with Asfi to Loki Familia.
As soon as they left, Hermes headed straight for the Guild with Asfi at his side.
Though the streets of Orario were cloaked in night, his heart felt heavier than ever.
Carrying the greatest secret in the world, Hermes had come to a stark realization—everything faced by the gods and the children of the Genkai was nothing but a carefully orchestrated "scam." The gods, in all their self-importance, were nothing more than pieces on someone else's chessboard.
For a god, there was no greater irony.
But if they didn't want to stay pawns, they had to find a way out. That was the only way to break the game.
'Zeus... you old bastard, you knew all along that kid was the key, didn't you?'
'I should've known. You've still got that deadly eye for talent. No wonder Ouranos arranged for you and Hera to leave Orario—it wasn't exile, it was strategy. You were raising the child who'd carry our hopes and open the path forward.'
Hermes, who had always considered himself clever, couldn't help but admire Zeus's foresight.
Back in Tenkai, that perverted old man could size up a goddess's figure in an instant—and describe it to the last decimal. Hermes had once thought all of Zeus's perception was wasted on lust, but now it seemed his eye for talent might've even surpassed Freya's.
Shaking his head, Hermes continued on toward the Guild.
"Ah, Hermes... it's been a while."
Hermes froze. That voice—he knew it all too well.
He turned his head and saw a cloaked and hooded woman standing next to Orario's most famous adventurer. There was no need to guess her identity.
"Freya, even under moonlight, your beauty remains as radiant as ever."
"Heh~ Still as sweet-tongued as ever. But Hermes, I'm not here for flattery."
Disguised as she was, Freya's eyes gleamed with a spark of interest.
"I figured as much..."
Hermes let out a dry laugh. He'd been hoping to avoid trouble, yet he'd run straight into the most troublesome woman in all of Orario.
"Freya, do you need something from me?"
"Hermes, you're heading to speak with Ouranos, aren't you?"
"That's right. I just finished talking with Loki and was on my way to discuss something important."
"Oh~ Something important? Could it be about that child and the Black Dragon? Or is it the reason Loki was so desperate to find you?"
So she really did know. Hermes had never underestimated Freya—he'd even kept himself composed from the start to avoid slipping up.
But clearly, this woman had already put the pieces together.
"That child and the Black Dragon? Freya, I'm not sure I follow. My conversation with Loki had nothing to do with the Black Dragon—it was about something else entirely."
Freya smiled, eyes locked on Hermes.
"Isn't Ouranos acting this way because of that child? He jumped to pin the blame on the Evilus without a second thought—and that's because of that child, isn't it?"
"It's only been a few days, and already Loki rushed to find you. Hestia, Hephaestus, and Loki all decided to drag you into this, didn't they? There's a deeper secret behind all of this, isn't there?"
Every word made Hermes feel numb.
He'd expected Freya to have some idea of what was going on. But he hadn't thought she'd already guessed so close to the truth—close enough to even touch on the Black Dragon's hidden secret. Maybe she didn't know the core of it... but this chance encounter had given her the perfect leverage.
If...
"I believe, as a god, I have a certain responsibility for the peace and stability of Orario. I wish to meet with Ouranos and express my desire to contribute."
She really isn't giving herself any escape route!?
Hermes was completely stunned. He had expected Freya to use Orario's safety as a bargaining chip—but instead, she left no room for negotiation and was flat-out binding herself to the Guild's agenda.
"Hermes, do you think Ouranos will accept my request?"
Of course he will! Hermes was absolutely certain that Ouranos would agree to Freya's proposal.
Freya's actions were very pointed, but not harmful to Orario. In fact, bringing both Loki Familia and Freya Familia into this would be a huge help in defeating the Black Dragon and eliminating the Evilus.
If it was something beneficial, Ouranos would never refuse.
Besides, her motives were obvious—it was all for Bell. As long as Freya promised not to interfere with certain matters, Ouranos would have no reason to reject her involvement.
"Freya, do you really have to go this far?"
"Hermes, this is no game to me."
There wasn't a hint of amusement on Freya's face. She was now more convinced than ever—her vision had been deliberately blocked that day. Otherwise, she never would've failed to see that child's soul's color.
She wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics, just as she had promised Hestia that day. After all, that child had been listening too.
For a god, leaving a good impression on a child was one way to earn their attention.
Even if some methods were restricted to her now, it didn't mean she was out of options.
This, right now, was a very effective one.
"So, will you come with me to the Guild now?"
"Of course. It's my honor."
Faced with Freya's firm stance, Hermes had no choice but to force a bitter smile and agree.
Asfi, standing behind them, could only cover her face helplessly.
'This is going to be a headache...'
She understood exactly how Hermes felt. Just as she had been stunned earlier upon hearing the world's greatest secret, this moment brought another kind of pressure.
Two gods, accompanied by the leaders of their Familia, heading to the Guild at the same time—and requesting a meeting with Ouranos. That alone was no trivial matter.
But given Hermes' special standing, Royman, the Guild's administrator, had no choice but to report it.
And Ouranos approved the meeting.
Only, the audience with Ouranos would be limited to the two Familia Gods.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 409: Chapter 409: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them
Chapter Text
Ouranos looked at Freya, who was beaming, and then at Hermes, who was covering his face in silence.
“Freya, is this truly your choice?”
“Yes.”
Freya didn’t hesitate at all. She understood the weight her decision carried for her Familia, but she was willing to take a stand to get the answer she sought.
“I’m willing to contribute to the stability of Orario.”
“In that case, as you wish.”
Ouranos already understood the reason behind her words, but the benefits were clear, so he chose to accept them.
Hermes, standing nearby, couldn’t bear to watch and covered his face.
He knew Ouranos had made the right call. Freya’s support would greatly strengthen their side—it was the right move in dealing with both Orario’s issues and the Black Dragon problem.
The subjugation of the Black Dragon would definitely need Bell, but they couldn't rely on Bell alone. Venturing into the Deep Floors of the Dungeon would require support from others—not just Bell.
However, Freya’s help would come at a steep price, and there was also the matter of facing Hestia’s fury.
‘Hestia, this really isn’t my fault.’
All Hermes could do now was pray that Hestia wouldn’t explode when she found out.
Hestia had always kept her distance from Freya—her reclusive behavior made that clear.
But this time, Freya had approached on her own, clearly intent on forcing the issue. She wasn’t going to let Hestia avoid her anymore. She was marching straight into Hestia’s camp.
With Ouranos’ approval secured, Freya turned to Hermes, still smiling.
“Hermes, you don’t have to keep it secret anymore, do you?”
“Can you share the intel you got from Loki?”
“...Alright.”
With a helpless expression, Hermes pulled out a special Rune Stone from inside his robe.
“This is the ‘Recording Crystal’ Loki gave me. It contains rare and important footage—I believe it can answer many of our questions.”
“Hermes, I think you should explain clearly what kind of footage is stored in there. Just saying that will only leave people confused.”
Ouranos’s eye twitched slightly, but he didn’t interrupt. He simply sat silently in his seat and listened.
That only made things harder for Hermes. As much as he wanted to avoid it, he had originally planned to hand over the Recording Crystal and slip away. Who knew Freya would pull him into the spotlight?
But there was no escape now.
Freya was staring at him with that cheerful grin—what could he possibly say? What dared he say?
He had no choice but to give a proper report.
Hermes took a moment to collect himself, then explained:
“It’s not that I don’t want to go into more detail. I just haven’t watched the contents since receiving this crystal from Loki. I have no idea what's recorded inside. But Loki did tell me—it contains the meaning of our existence as gods, and it reveals a truth that’s extremely unfriendly to us.”
Freya’s interest deepened.
She knew perfectly well that this “Recording Crystal” was created by that child, which meant everything recorded in it was something he had deliberately chosen to preserve. Hermes’s words carried significant weight.
The meaning of the gods’ existence—a truth that was hostile to the gods.
If Hermes wasn’t exaggerating, then this was a truth unknown even to the gods themselves.
Had this truth been uncovered by that child? Freya's curiosity was now fully ignited.
Ouranos, on the other hand, hadn't expected that child to have already reached such a conclusion. He had no idea where the answer could have come from.
“Hermes, show us.”
There was no longer any need to hold back from Freya. It was likely she had made her decision solely to obtain this answer. Ouranos understood that, so there was no point in keeping such secrets any longer.
Hermes didn’t resist any further. He activated the “Recording Crystal,” projecting the captured footage.
A projection appeared.
A boy, tightly cloaked, stepped out of a spatial rift. The place he emerged into was completely white and unnatural, bearing no resemblance to any real location. But what truly stood out wasn’t the space—it was the creature facing him.
Even through the image, the monstrous vertical pupils radiated such ferocity that all three gods present could feel it clearly.
“!?”
Freya froze for several seconds before snapping out of it.
‘What an astonishing image.’
She hadn't expected that child to have actually confronted the Black Dragon—and even left behind footage like this. It was undoubtedly a rare and priceless record...
“My nemesis, you've finally arrived.”
The Black Dragon’s words made Freya’s eyes sparkle with amusement.
‘So my guess was right. That child really is something special.’
That single phrase confirmed all of her previous suspicions.
Freya didn’t interrupt the video. Her gaze remained fixed on the child’s back.
The footage was recorded from Bell’s perspective, so the view showed everything from a 45-degree angle behind him, never revealing his face—but that didn’t hinder Freya at all.
“It was the world that gave birth to us.”
“We are the antithesis of the gods—we are gods in another form.”
“And so…”
“…gods cannot kill you.”
“Because we, too, were born from the world. Just like you.”
“Unless the world itself chooses to destroy you, neither side can kill the other.”
“Roar~ I didn’t expect you to come to that conclusion.”
“That makes you a true test bestowed by the world.”
“If the gods and humanity fail to overcome it, the world will undergo a complete reset.”
“Humans, gods, monsters—none will be spared from the end.”
This sequence of images and declarations gave Freya a full understanding of the current situation. She never imagined this was the truth of the world—that this was what defined their existence as gods.
‘No wonder Hermes looked so uncomfortable. He avoided the question on purpose when asked. It really is a shocking revelation.’
Indeed, to the gods, this was an unbearable truth. But Freya wasn’t like the others.
She hadn’t spent even thirty seconds contemplating the meaning of a god’s existence or fretting over being manipulated.
Because there was no point in seeking meaning in meaningless things.
A god who worries about the meaning of their existence is a fool. If you can’t even understand your own existence, can you truly call yourself a god?
You’re just a different kind of idiot.
Compared to some revelation that could shake the gods’ worldview, what intrigued Freya most was Bell—the one who had uncovered this conclusion.
Chapter 410: Chapter 410: The Goddess of Beauty Finally Gets Her Wish
Chapter Text
The scene didn’t end there.
“Black Dragon, will you allow me to retreat now?”
The sudden question drew the full attention of the three gods.
Since ancient times, no adventurer had ever escaped from the Black Dragon unscathed. Even the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia hadn’t managed that.
“It’s hard to admit, but I’m still not your match. I don’t think I can surpass you right now.”
“You think I would just let you go?”
It was only natural that Bell wasn’t strong enough to face the Black Dragon. He had been an adventurer for less than half a year. If he already had the power to challenge the Black Dragon, then everyone else in Orario might as well be useless.
The three gods knew Bell had managed to escape, but seeing this footage, it clearly hadn’t been that simple.
The pure white space was overwhelmed by black and red energy, completely dyed in the Black Dragon’s presence. The sheer pressure of it stung the eyes of the three gods.
But the boy didn’t flinch. He stood firm, facing the threat head-on.
Zzzz!
Blue-white lightning surged across his body, pushing back the black-red aura completely. The crackling lightning held its ground against the Black Dragon’s overwhelming pressure, even pushing back, fighting for dominance.
It was then that the boy finally revealed his true strength.
Level 4.
The gods all sensed it clearly. And what filled their eyes was astonishment—pure awe at such power.
In just half a year, he had gone from nothing to reaching Lv. 4. That kind of growth was unheard of for any adventurer.
And in that flashing lightning, the gods saw something else—another unmistakable sign.
Authority.
A strange glint flashed through Freya’s eyes.
Only now did she truly understand why she hadn’t been able to see the boy’s soul during their first encounter.
“Hmph... so that’s why. No wonder it was you. No wonder.”
“Then I’ll let you go this time. I permit your escape.”
“But the next time we meet, we’ll settle things.”
The Black Dragon had clearly sensed it too. With a swift retraction of its aura, it chose not to pursue him, letting the matter go—for now.
And with that, the projection cut off.
But what had been shown was more than enough.
It wasn’t just the relationship between the Black Dragon and the gods that was laid bare—it also revealed what would happen if the Black Dragon couldn’t be defeated.
Everything would return to nothingness.
Of course, Freya wasn’t interested in the end of the world. She only cared about one thing.
‘Hehe... so that’s the child’s secret.’
She had always known he was hiding something big—but this? This was far greater than she expected. It was enough to even shake her judgment of him.
‘No wonder I didn’t notice at first. A secret like that doesn’t come to light easily.’
The idea that a child of Genkai could possess Authority was something no god would ever imagine. It was supposed to be impossible.
And yet, here it was—undeniably real.
Freya was certain—if she hadn’t cornered Hermes that day, she never would have learned any of this.
Though her position had changed, she now had a clearer, better view of everything.
Freya had never cared whether she was good or evil. The only thing that mattered was what she cared about.
And now, Ouranos could see it clearly too—Bell Cranel was without a doubt the one destined to bring change to Orario.
“Zeus' choice was the right one.”
That comment drew Hermes' attention.
“Ouranos, so you exiled Zeus and Hera because of something you discussed with them?”
“...Zeus did tell me one thing. ‘That child might be our last hope’—those were his exact words.”
At this point, Ouranos no longer hid the truth behind Zeus and Hera’s exile.
It had been Loki and Freya who pushed for their banishment. Ouranos could’ve handled it more gently, but Zeus’s parting words were what made him let go.
He quietly opened a backdoor for the last members of Zeus and Hera’s Familia, arranging for their transfer out of Orario—one final act of farewell.
All these years, Ouranos had been waiting for the child Zeus had left Orario to raise.
“I didn’t expect the hope Zeus spoke of to be so extraordinary.”
A child of Genkai possessing Authority—that was as earth-shaking as the uproar caused by the Black Dragon.
Fortunately, that child understood restraint. He hadn’t let his power run wild, nor had he revealed it recklessly.
“That’s just like the old man.”
Hermes pulled his hat low, cursing Zeus outwardly but inwardly admiring the old man’s foresight.
“Bell-kun really isn’t your average adventurer. He’s inherited his aunt’s talent—and even has the physical strength she lacked. But reaching Level 4 in under half a year? Not even the Empress or Silence managed that.”
“And that kid is incredibly good at staying hidden. He slips through Orario like a ghost. I’d bet that what happened in the Dungeon was only because he exposed himself deliberately, which let the Black Dragon find him and triggered this mess.”
“Otherwise, I doubt Bell-kun would’ve revealed his strength—even if he’d reached Lv. 6.”
But Hermes couldn’t help feeling a twinge of regret.
“That kid has no interest in standing out—not even in being a hero.”
“His actions and mindset are on a completely different extreme. Honestly, I don’t think he even cares if Orario burns. If Hestia asked him, he might try to destroy the whole city.”
He was skilled at hiding himself, yet had zero interest in fame or fortune.
A hope like that would be a real headache for the gods.
Still, Hermes understood—it might not be necessary to manipulate or corner him. “Maybe now, we gods don’t even need to push him. That child might choose to face the Black Dragon all on his own.”
Without desire, there’s no drive to move forward.
Adventurers chase fame, wealth, or glory—but those won’t work on Bell.
For someone who doesn’t care what others think, fame is meaningless.
And wealth? With Authority, it’s effortless to obtain.
Given that, the only way to motivate that child can’t rely on those typical adventurer goals. It has to be something else—something even gods would consider special.
“Hestia and that child share a bond that’s anything but ordinary. If it’s for Hestia, he would absolutely challenge the Black Dragon—just to free her from whatever fate the reshuffling would bring.”
“So in the end, it all comes down to Hestia.”
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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Chapter 411: Chapter 411: Freya's Request
Chapter Text
Although Hermes hadn't spelled it out, his meaning was perfectly clear.
The smile in Freya's eyes faded.
Just as Hermes said—the one who could inspire that child to fight wasn't her, but Hestia.
Everything about him matched what she'd always searched for in her other half. So why... why had he formed a bond with Hestia instead?
One misstep, and everything slipped away.
Even though she was glad to finally learn more about that child, it was already too late. If she had known just a little earlier—just six months earlier—she might've become the one he fought for.
That thought filled Freya's gaze with bitter regret.
But she was a god, and even gods couldn't turn back time. If they could, she'd give anything to go back six months.
Before everything had begun, there might have been a chance to change it all. But gods weren't omnipotent. Not even they could reverse time.
"Hestia..."
Freya bit down gently on her pink lip.
The regret only deepened. She'd trade all her current status for a chance to rewrite things—without hesitation. But no such deal existed. And even if it did, Hestia would never accept it.
Even if she considered forcing her way in—would it really go her way?
Freya already knew it wouldn't.
Hestia guarded against her. There was no way she'd ever agree to meet her casually.
That child didn't care about Orario's fate, and his social circle was practically nonexistent. Even if Freya tried to act forcefully, there'd be no opening to exploit.
In truth, Freya had already realized all of this before her last meeting with Hestia. It was exactly because she understood it that she tried other ways to approach the child.
But that only left her more deflated.
The answer was right in front of her now, and yet that child would never grant her wish.
"If Hestia, as a god, fails to overcome this trial... that child absolutely won't let it happen."
"Yeah... that does seem to be the case."
Hermes knew Bell's personality well, and he'd already sensed the faint emotions between Bell and Hestia.
As an ancient god, Ouranos wasn't blind either. He too had noticed what was going on between Hestia and that child.
Both gods were quietly optimistic.
All except Freya.
She cast Hermes a sharp glance like a blade—her mood souring.
Hermes felt the sting of her gaze, but there was nothing he could do at the moment.
In truth, the best-case scenario would've been Freya staying out of it entirely. But that was nothing more than wishful thinking now.
Freya had already picked her side. There was no going back to treating her like any other god. Her Familia was a major force—and they would play a crucial role in the coming battle against the Black Dragon.
"Freya…"
"Yes."
"I can feel the fluctuations in your emotions. You need to stop pushing with Authority. Now that you know the truth, you should understand—gods are forbidden from using Authority freely outside of Tenkai."
"This isn't a personal warning… but if you don't want to be forced off the stage early, you'd best be careful."
Ouranos could clearly see into Freya's heart, understood her deepest desire—but he still gave her a warning.
Freya responded with a polite, elegant smile and bowed slightly in acknowledgment.
"My apologies. It's true—I did consider making the world 'compromise.' But I won't act on that now."
Because in the end, it might not be the world that gives in—it might be her who's removed. That was something Freya absolutely could not accept.
She was this close to that child, just within reach. There was no way she'd let herself be sent back to Tenkai now.
"But… I want to meet that child."
"Just to meet him?"
"Just to meet him."
"Hermes, you handle it."
Ouranos didn't hesitate to pass the problem directly to Hermes, who'd been quietly idling nearby.
Hermes blinked in shock at the sudden order.
"Me? I have to go?"
Wasn't that basically a death sentence?
He couldn't even imagine the scene—him trying to talk to Hestia about letting Bell-kun meet with Freya. He was sure she'd throw him out on the spot.
But Ouranos paid no attention to Hermes' discomfort and gave Freya a clear answer.
"Freya, take it up with Hermes."
"Yes. Understood."
Hermes didn't even have time to protest—his chance to refuse had already vanished.
"Hermes."
The soft, velvety voice of the Goddess of Beauty whispered by his ear—but it sent a cold chill down his spine.
"Yes!"
Hermes instinctively straightened his posture.
"Hestia has a bit of a bias against me. So… I'll have to trouble you to arrange the meeting."
"But…"
"I'm counting on you, Hermes."
Hermes had been ready to object, but when Freya intentionally emphasized "I'm counting on you," he found himself unable to refuse. With a helpless smile, he surrendered.
"I get it. I'll talk to Hestia."
Freya gave a satisfied smile and took her leave from Ouranos.
She walked away gracefully, but Hermes was left behind with a bitter face. He cast a resentful look at Ouranos and muttered,
"Why'd you agree to Freya's request? Her desire for Bell-kun is way too strong. If they actually meet, it could get out of hand real fast."
"You think you can stop her?"
That single line from Ouranos shut Hermes up completely.
"You know why Freya made this choice. If we don't meet her request, she might spiral. Orario can't afford to deal with a rampaging god—especially not right now."
"I know that, but… it still feels too soon to let her meet Bell-kun."
Hermes understood everything Ouranos was saying, but arranging a meeting between Bell and Freya now was far from simple. If Bell couldn't resist the allure of the Goddess of Beauty, things might spiral into disaster.
"Hermes, you're underestimating Freya. When she knows something won't work, she adapts. Do you really think she'd try to charm that child?"
"That…"
Hermes paused, realization slowly replacing concern.
"Freya just wants to confirm something?"
"Exactly. No matter what, she hasn't confirmed what she's looking for in that child. So she wants to see it with her own eyes."
"But… can Bell-kun really resist?"
"Have some faith. If that child could withstand the power of the Black Dragon… do you really think Freya's charm would be too much for him?"
Chapter 412: Chapter 412: Dual Defensive Measures
Chapter Text
After getting Hermes out of the way, Loki darted into the hall and vaulted over the back of the sofa, landing right on it.
Fortunately, when Bell designed the sofa with comfort in mind, he'd chosen to form it from soft, condensed spores—firm yet cushy, without sinking or shifting. Otherwise, with a jump like that, Loki might've shattered her own backside.
"How is it? How is it? Has it started yet?"
Hestia gave Loki an annoyed side-eye.
"Can't you look for yourself?"
Loki was momentarily choked by the comeback, but her eyes remained glued to the projected image.
On-screen, the boy, heavily wrapped in his cloak, was walking along the edge of the 59th floor. Every few steps, he stopped to set something up.
Loki recognized them as runes—once activated, they quickly melded into the walls without leaving a trace.
This was that kid's signature move.
Still, Loki couldn't help feeling uneasy—because of the sheer scale of the 59th floor.
"That kid's not planning to lay runes along the entire perimeter, is he?"
"What do you think? Bell-kun said that to avoid unnecessary interference from unwanted parties, proper precautions are essential. If not, he wouldn't go to all this trouble."
Loki stared wordlessly at the screen, watching Bell make his preparations.
Ordinarily, no one would go to such extreme lengths.
But knowing Bell was doing this to ensure the safety of the plan, Loki couldn't bring herself to call it madness.
She stayed quiet in her seat, watching as Bell continued his work.
Preparation was a dull process—especially with Bell's thorough approach to covering the entire 59th floor. It was clearly going to take time.
As he worked, Bell kept a close eye on the central area.
"Scritch… scritch…"
The faint, heavy sound of crawling made him pause and rush to the wall, planting his feet against it and clinging to the surface like he was fused to it.
His sharp eyes immediately locked onto several slowly emerging Virgas.
'Looks like the Virgas and Violas sent to the lower floors are finally returning. Did they manage to gather enough magic stones?'
He checked the life force of the central "Spirit Fetus"—still weak and hollow. Its aura lingered at the Lv. 5 range, not even close to Lv. 6.
'Still a long way to go before it's fully charged.'
He counted the number of returning Virgas—not many. Clearly, not all had come back. Worse yet, the ones that had returned seemed in poor condition—their auras unstable.
'Even Virgas need a certain amount of energy to function. With the Dungeon focusing all its resources on repairing the damage caused by the Black Dragon, there's no surplus to keep the other floors fully supplied.'
'Hah… failing to secure the food reserves on the 24th floor really did cripple the Spirit Fetus.'
...
Olivas Act was in an extremely foul mood.
'The losses among the Virgas and Violas are far worse than I expected.'
The monsters on the 60th floor were no joke. Even with their numbers and unique traits, Virgas and Violas could only suppress—not defeat—them.
And now, with the goddess unable to nurture them like before due to energy shortages, Olivas was finally forced to recognize just how bad his situation had become.
If he wanted to collect magic stones from the lower floors, he'd have to pay an even higher price in Virgas and Violas.
The problem was that the goddess could no longer draw in enough energy, which meant she couldn't mass-produce Violas and Virgas. And once again, everything came down to energy.
'At this rate of depletion, the Virgas and Violas won't be able to contribute much to capturing Aria. The focus now has to shift to nurturing the fetus.'
With that thought, he gave the order.
"Gather Magic Stones from the Deep Floors—at any cost."
The Virgas and Violas, born solely to collect Magic Stones, had no will of their own. They were created for this one purpose. So upon receiving the command, they dropped what Magic Stones they had and turned back toward the lower levels to continue harvesting.
Olivas picked up the scattered Magic Stones from the floor, placing them one by one along the outer membrane of the fetus.
Sensing the presence of the stones, the fetus stirred, its eyes—large and reptilian—cracking open to lock onto the Magic Stones.
One by one, the stones were drawn through the membrane and into its waiting hands, then fed into its mouth.
This scene did not escape Bell, who watched from his position on the wall at a distance.
'So it really is an extreme energy shortage, huh?'
But Bell wasn't surprised.
The Spirit fetus—perhaps the ultimate desperate strategy—was a creation born of its own body, a doppelganger tied directly to its source. Unleashing a swarm of such entities onto Orario and the gods was, undeniably, a potent plan for revenge.
The only downside was the staggering energy cost.
One or two Lv.6s weren't enough to destroy Orario. They'd be wiped out easily.
Even dozens of Lv.6s might not be able to bring down Orario, not when Lv.7 adventurers still stood in its defense.
That's why spawning a horde of Lv.7s was the highest priority.
But doing so demanded an immense supply of energy. Without it, how could the Spirit produce such a vast number of doppelgangers?
If the Dungeon's energy beds were still operating as they had before, then it would only be a matter of time. But with the Dungeon effectively "on strike," this kind of energy drain became a serious bottleneck.
'Looks like the Spirit side isn't an immediate threat.'
Having confirmed that, Bell dropped down from the wall. He still had more setup to do—any small oversight could become a fatal problem in the real battle ahead.
After landing, he resumed his rune placements.
Most of the 59th floor was already covered. Despite its size, there weren't many truly vulnerable areas. Only the two entrance and exit points were obvious weak spots, and those were best left until just before the battle—setting them up too early would make them easy to detect.
Next, he needed to completely sever the link between the 59th floor and the Deep Floors.
Not only to block other parties from barging in, but also to prevent any consciousness projections from the Spirit.
As long as interference from both directions was shut down, the success rate of the operation could rise by at least 30%.
And that—more than anything—was why Bell was being so meticulous.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 413: Chapter 413: Them Again!?
Chapter Text
It took two hours, but the 59th floor was finally fully arranged.
With that, the preliminary setup was more or less complete.
'Now the real battle begins.'
Bell let out a breath and moved toward the center of the floor.
At the center of the 59th floor, a swarm of Virgas and Violas had gathered—troublesome monsters that stretched out as far as the eye could see.
Each of these Virgas and Violas was likely above Lv. 3 in strength. Considering their tough hides and corrosive acid as “collectors,” even a Lv. 5 would struggle against them.
Virgas could actively spray highly corrosive acid from their mouths. Unless a weapon had the “indestructible” trait, it would be melted away in an instant. On top of that, Virgas would release acid when wounded and violently rupture upon death, scattering their internal acid everywhere—any adventurer caught off guard would be in serious trouble.
If an adventurer's weapon was corroded and they were forced to fight these Virgas bare-handed, fleeing would be their only option.
Although their outer skin wasn't as hard as the Violas’, the Virgas' unique traits made them an absolute menace.
Just imagining what would happen if that acid, which could dissolve even top-grade weapons instantly, landed on someone's body was terrifying. No matter how strong someone was, contact with it meant risking their life.
Because of these traits, even though Virgas weren't aggressive by nature in the Dungeon, they were still an enormous threat to adventurers.
But Bell didn't seem the least bit concerned. Silently, he slipped through the gaps between the Virgas and slowly made his way toward the center.
Surrounded by Virgas, Bell stared at the breathtaking sight before him.
Magic Stones were piled up like a small mountain. Just the ones visible to the naked eye easily numbered over a thousand—possibly even ten thousand.
The sight gave Bell a mild shock.
'Wow, I didn’t expect they’d gathered so many Magic Stones.'
'If the fetus could absorb all of these, it might just reach the peak of Lv. 6.'
Bell didn’t believe these Magic Stones would let the Spirit fetus jump straight to Lv. 7, but reaching Lv. 6’s upper limit seemed plausible.
'Even with the Dungeon on strike, they still managed to collect this many. They must've really swept through the Deep Floors. No, even then… there shouldn't be this many.'
'Did the Evilus contribute to this?'
A sudden realization struck him—Bell recalled the Evilus who had joined forces with the Spirit.
With the Dungeon’s current Magic Stone shortage, and monsters unable to rapidly regenerate in the breeding grounds, there was no way this many Magic Stones could have been gathered naturally.
Still, he couldn’t use magic to inform the others of his guess—not without risking detection by the Spirit fetus.
But there was no need to rush. Gathering that many Magic Stones wasn't easy. Even a large Familia would need half a month or even a full month to collect so many. If someone were moving that many Magic Stones in Orario, there was no way it would leave no trace.
'They're panicking. Looks like they really are in a hurry.'
'Is it the Black Dragon's influence? Or do they just want anyone trying to interfere with the Black Dragon to die at the hands of the Spirit?'
Bell considered the urgency shown by the Evilus and pondered why they were acting so hastily.
Still, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. If the Evilus hadn't worked so hard, they wouldn’t have been able to gather so many Magic Stones in the first place.
Now, Bell needed to consider another question.
Did those Virgas and Violas still serve any purpose?
These Magic Stones were enough to bring the Spirit fetus to the upper limit of Lv. 6—just barely meeting Bell’s minimum requirement.
Without meeting that baseline, he would have been forced to consider weakening the fetus’s control in exchange for a temporary power boost.
But now, there was no need to worry. The Evilus had essentially filled that gap.
Of course, in doing so, they’d also dug their own grave.
Bell glanced at the Spirit fetus still gnawing on Magic Stones at the center, confirming it was currently between Lv. 5 and Lv. 6. Once he was sure his judgment was correct, he turned and left.
'It’ll still take some time for the fetus to fully absorb all those Magic Stones. Let your consciousness linger a while longer.'
He had already put enough time and effort into this floor. Preparations were complete—now all that remained was to wait for the battle to begin.
It was still nighttime. If he headed back now, he could probably sleep until midday tomorrow.
Just thinking about sleep made Bell’s eyelids feel a little heavier.
In a few steps, he exited the central area filled with Virgas and Violas. But he didn’t speak until he’d left the 59th floor.
“Loki-sama, I think you should have the Guild investigate which Familias are secretly collecting Magic Stones. That pile of nearly ten thousand around the Spirit fetus just now didn’t look like it came solely from the Deep Floors. I believe the Evilus had a hand in it.”
“...Them again!?”
Loki’s face twisted with visible irritation.
Nothing good ever came from being mixed up with those bastards.
Those guys always seemed to stir up trouble when they had nothing better to do. As long as it was something that endangered Orario, those lunatics always tried to get involved.
What really pissed Loki off, though, was that this time they'd set their sights on her.
“Isn’t that just what they always do?”
Hestia didn’t seem surprised at all. Her delicate nose flared as she exhaled, her face full of displeasure.
“Those maniacs even target children in Genkai who can't defend themselves. What wouldn’t they dare to do?”
“Hestia’s right. The crap those guys pulled in the past wasn’t small either—like the nightmare on the 27th floor and the tragedy on the 18th. Now they’re just turning it on you.”
Hephaestus agreed as well. When something insane happened, those freaks were always involved.
That comment made Loki's face turn pitch black.
Even if she could understand that lunatics like them would do anything, this time, they had come after her directly.
Struggling to keep her emotions and blood pressure in check, Loki took a few deep breaths, her crimson eyes starting to glow with a blood-red light.
“I’m going to kill every last one of those bastards who got involved! To come after me... those bastards really don’t know what the word ‘death’ means!”
In that moment, Loki's killing intent toward the Evilus gods was real.
Not the kind that sends someone back to Tenkai—but the kind that meant actual death.
Chapter 414: Chapter 414: Nightmare Strikes Again
Chapter Text
The morning light spilled across Bell’s sleeping face inside the stronghold.
Still half-asleep, he slowly opened his eyes, lingering traces of drowsiness keeping his mind from fully waking.
He turned over and glanced at the ceiling outside the window, where the crystal lights gleamed brightly, helping him gauge the time.
'So it’s morning already.'
Sitting up, he let the morning light stir his senses into wakefulness.
Out of habit, he extended his perception to scan the state of the entire 50th floor. That alone cleared the last remnants of sleep from his mind.
'Everyone's already awake this early?'
He had come back a little later than usual last night—there had been a lot of groundwork to handle on the 59th floor, and it naturally took time.
Because of that, his internal clock had shifted slightly.
He stretched out his slightly stiff limbs and picked up the clothes he had discarded the previous night, quickly putting them on.
Then he turned his attention to the expedition team.
The expedition members who had been in low spirits had now fully recovered.
The adventurers once shaken by the dragon’s roar had regained their composure.
Ever since they reclaimed their courage that day, no one had been the same. Maybe the Black Dragon still felt like an insurmountable wall, but none of them would freeze in fear anymore.
Even Finn and the others, who had fallen into despair after learning about the Spirit, had returned to their usual focused selves.
The two days they took to regroup had been well worth it for the entire expedition.
But now that they’d rested, it was time to face the problems ahead.
The most critical issue for the expedition was intelligence.
And the only source of reliable information about the Spirit was Cassandra.
So, after waking up, Finn had asked Riveria to go find Cassandra. Since it wouldn’t be appropriate for any of the men to enter the women’s tents, the task naturally fell to Riveria.
Fifteen minutes earlier, she had arrived at Cassandra’s tent on Finn’s request—only to find the girl still asleep.
“Mm...”
Riveria frowned as she looked down at Cassandra, who was drenched in sweat. Her pallid face and restless appearance nearly made Riveria reach out to wake her. If she hadn’t remembered Cassandra’s skill, she might have interrupted something crucial.
Was it always this intense when Cassandra had a prophetic dream?
Sweat clung to her forehead, and the blanket over her was completely soaked from the heat radiating off her body.
To a man, this might have been a tempting sight.
But to a woman, Riveria saw only worry in the scene before her.
What kind of nightmare could cause this much distress?
...
A dark space, burning with purple-red flames.
Meteor showers symbolizing destruction fell from the sky, while golden lightning streaked through the air.
And even amid that chaos—the battle raged on.
A brave Pallum charged to the front, only to have his arm impaled by a spike rising from the earth. To avoid being struck again, the Pallum abandoned his arm.
Bright red blood sprayed across the ground.
But none of that could stop the battle from raging on.
But none of that could stop the battle from raging on.
The frenzied Pallum charged ahead, throwing himself into the fight, using his body to block every spike jutting up from the ground, creating a path forward for his teammates.
The second to rush in was a young Werewolf.
Seizing the opportunity created by the Pallum, he didn’t hesitate—he activated his only magic. Flames engulfed his entire body, shielding him from incoming magical attacks as he barreled forward, the fire around him burning even fiercer.
But what greeted him was a barrage of ferocious lightning.
Just as the Pallum had shielded his comrades, the young Werewolf endured every strike of lightning, and at the very end, launched a blazing kick.
Unfortunately, the moment after that kick, his leg twisted unnaturally, and his body crashed hard into the ground.
Yet the blow, carrying all of the young Werewolf’s resolve, never reached the Spirit. Vines surged up around the Spirit, intercepting the attack completely.
The vines didn’t just protect the Spirit—they wrapped tightly around it, forming a thick wall that kept anyone from getting close.
At that moment, a third person charged in. A Dwarf, gripping a massive axe with both hands, brought it down with the force to split mountains. The vines that had even blocked the Werewolf’s flames were cleaved open by the giant axe.
Seeing the opening, the Dwarf immediately released his weapon and used his brute strength to tear the gap wider—just enough for someone to slip through.
But the very next second, a vine as thick as an arm pierced straight through the Dwarf’s body and hurled him away.
The hard-won entrance began to close again at alarming speed.
“!?”
Cassandra jolted awake just as the vines sealed shut.
'Was that… real?'
She couldn’t help but ask herself.
Silent throughout the dream, she had watched the desperate battle unfold. Even with her meager power, it was clear—everyone was fighting with everything they had.
But what happened in the end?
She longed to know the outcome… but her precognitive dreams weren’t under her control. She couldn’t choose what to see. Still, compared to last time, she had seen far more.
“Another nightmare?”
“Riveria-sama…”
Hearing the voice, Cassandra finally noticed Riveria sitting by her bedside. She tried to sit up in a rush, but Riveria quickly stopped her.
“Don’t get up yet. Just calm yourself first.”
Riveria glanced at Cassandra’s exposed skin. Even through the blanket, she could tell how exhausted and overheated Cassandra was. Waking up from such a dream, what she needed wasn’t formality—it was composure.
Cassandra struggled to steady her breathing, but the gruesome images of blood-soaked battlefields still made her heart pound.
“Judging by your condition, it looks like we won’t be passing this trial easily.”
“Riveria-sama, this trial… will be brutal.”
Riveria understood immediately—what Cassandra had seen must have been a future soaked in blood.
“The enemy is a Spirit. And a Spirit capable of wielding various kinds of magic.”
“Magic? So even after the reversal, they’re still Spirits, not monsters.”
“Yes, I believe they’re still Spirits.”
Monsters couldn’t use magic—only Spirits could.
Cassandra knew that Spirit was completely unhinged, but she was certain it still fell under the category of Spirits—not monsters.
“A Spirit bearing hatred toward Orario and the gods…”
Riveria’s heart was heavy, though she had long since come to terms with the reality.
“Cassandra, don’t worry about whether they’re Spirits or not. If they’re already standing against us, that’s all that matters.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Cassandra had witnessed much. She had grown.
Then, she began recounting what she saw in her dream.
The details were vivid—so vivid that Riveria could picture the nightmare clearly from her words alone.
Finn had lost an arm. Gareth had a hole through his abdomen. Bete’s leg had been shattered mid-attack. That alone meant nearly half the expedition’s main fighting force had been taken out. And that was just during the initial breakthrough—who knew what further losses might follow...
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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Chapter 415: Chapter 415: The Source of Power
Chapter Text
'Was I defeated because I tried to block the Spirit's magic?'
When Riveria realized the Spirit could use magic, she understood immediately—she was the only one in the expedition team capable of resisting it.
If she didn't appear during the later stages of the battle, it would mean she had already been taken out.
That realization pushed Riveria's wariness toward the Spirit's clone to the highest level.
Ordinary magic could never break through her barrier spells. Unless… the Spirit's magic had already surpassed the limits of what she could defend against.
If that was true, then this expedition was in serious danger.
Spirits were exceptionally skilled in magical combat.
As avatars of the gods, Spirits inherently possessed powerful magical abilities. They could wield various kinds of magic unrestricted—unlike adventurers, who were bound by natural limitations.
As allies, Spirits were the most dependable partners an adventurer could ask for.
But once a Spirit turned against adventurers, their magic became a weapon of despair and fear.
This kind of information should have been crucial to their battle plans. But when the gap in power grew too wide, even valuable intel began to lose its weight.
'I'm afraid the Spirit's power far exceeds our original estimations.'
'Damn it. Didn't they say the fetus needed an enormous amount of energy to grow? The Dungeon isn't even operating right now—so where's all that energy coming from to raise the Spirit fetus?'
A wave of irritation rose in Riveria's chest.
They had originally chosen not to act, believing the Spirit was still in an unstable condition. But the clearer Cassandra's prophetic visions became, the more Riveria felt that all their preparations had been for nothing.
'No. It wasn't meaningless. Finn's decision wasn't wrong. When we had no idea what stage the Spirit fetus was at, letting the expedition team recover was still the best course.'
'But where did all the energy to nurture the fetus come from?'
It had already been confirmed that raising a Spirit fetus required an immense amount of energy.
The food storage on the 24th floor had been seized by Freya's Familia just to drive those people off. That alone proved how desperate the Spirit fetus's energy deficit was—enough to target the quartz energy within the food stores.
So how could the Dungeon, in its current state, provide enough Magic Stones to fuel the fetus's development?
'The problem is energy.'
Riveria sighed, then looked over at Cassandra, who was still sitting on the bed.
"Cassandra, get ready. Once you're up, come to Finn's tent."
"I understand."
With that, Riveria left the room. There was a question weighing heavily on her mind—where exactly had the missing energy come from?
With that doubt in her heart, Riveria made her way to Finn and Gareth's tent.
Inside, Finn and Gareth were already waiting, expecting Riveria to bring back an update.
When they saw her return, they both looked like they wanted to ask something, but after catching the expression on Riveria's face—puzzled, slightly disturbed—they held their questions back.
Riveria entered the tent and met their gazes.
"Cassandra's dream was the same as before, but this time the details were more vivid. And… I also learned something important: the Spirit can use magic."
"That's… not good news."
Finn's expression darkened.
Magic was a force capable of deciding a battle in one blow—and Spirits were especially proficient in its use. If even the Spirit fetus had the ability to use magic, then they were facing a serious problem.
"That's not even the worst part. Something else even more troubling came up."
"Something worse?"
"Yes."
Riveria didn't beat around the bush and quickly explained.
"We're locked in a difficult fight with the Spirit. All of us are facing serious danger—even the risk of death. That was what Cassandra saw in her prophetic dream before the Black Dragon's roar. She saw it again today, only this time in even more detail."
She briefly summarized that portion, giving Finn and Gareth a clearer picture of the combat situation.
Then Riveria brought up the question that had been bothering her most.
"Why does the Spirit fetus still have enough energy?"
"!?"
That one question immediately made Finn realize what she meant—and why she had brought up the timing of the dragon's roar.
"You're right. That's a huge concern. Before the roar, Cassandra foresaw part of the future. But after the roar, her dreams showed the same events—only in more detail."
"Given the current state of the Dungeon, where no new monsters are spawning, the Spirit fetus shouldn't have enough energy. So how come it suddenly does?"
Gareth, not quite keeping up with the others, gave the two a confused look.
"Couldn't they have stockpiled enough Magic Stones beforehand?"
"Impossible."
Finn shook his head slightly, bringing his thumb to his lips, gently biting down—a habit that helped him think.
"Freya's Familia went to the 24th-floor food vault and drove out the Spirit faction that tried to take the quartz energy. If they'd had enough reserves, they wouldn't have targeted that place."
"I'm guessing they'd already poured all Magic Stones into the fetus and still came up short, which is why they turned to the 24th floor for more."
"Bell-kun also mentioned that raising a Spirit fetus isn't easy. That one the Ganesha Familia retrieved had likely been nurtured for a long time by the Spirit faction. Losing it is probably what caused them to react so drastically."
"And now that they're trying to raise a new one, they'd naturally be facing a major energy shortage. On top of that, with the Dungeon halted by the dragon's roar and no new monsters being born, the energy gap must be even worse."
This was the conclusion drawn from all available intelligence.
Finn was confident his reasoning was sound. Nurturing a Spirit fetus required an enormous amount of energy. Even if the Spirit faction wanted to raise another one quickly, it wouldn't be feasible.
And if the fetus required that much energy—wouldn't the Spirits themselves need it, too?
From any angle, the problem boiled down to a critical energy shortage.
"So… it wasn't the Spirit faction themselves that filled that gap. Someone else helped provide the energy needed to raise the Spirit fetus!"
"!"
Riveria and Gareth froze for a moment—then a single name came to both their minds.
The Evilus!
Chapter 416: Chapter 416: Tione's Proposal
Chapter Text
"Those bastards always cause trouble at the worst possible time."
Finn, having arrived at the same conclusion, let out a bitter laugh—though the smile on his face carried the scent of blood.
"Finn, should we talk to Bell-kun about this?"
"No. There's no need."
Riveria's suggestion was reasonable, but Finn shook his head lightly.
"This is exactly the situation Bell-kun and Loki have been waiting for. If the Evilus are aiding the Spirits, then they'll eventually expose themselves. Right now, any Familia in Orario gathering Magic Stones excessively is most likely tied to them. It's easier to catch them when they surface than to go searching blindly."
The real problem with the Evilus was how slippery they were.
Even if supplying Magic Stones to the Spirits backed them into a corner, it also meant exposing themselves.
"Once Loki sees what's going on, she'll probably move fast—linking up with the Guild and the Ganesha Familia to round up those involved, gods and Familias alike."
"It'll probably be just for show, won't it?"
"That's still more than enough."
Finn was well aware that any caught would only represent the surface layer. But even that much was valuable.
"As long as we apprehend enough of them, it'll force the gods to take notice. And once the gods realize that the Evilus are the greatest threat, their days in Orario will be numbered."
"The key moment comes tomorrow."
Finn took a deep breath, trying to settle his emotions.
"Riveria, you're probably going to be under even more pressure than usual."
"When have I not been under pressure during one of our expeditions?"
"Good point."
Riveria's dry remark eased the atmosphere a little.
Back when the Loki Familia wasn't nearly as strong as it was now, each expedition had demanded a tremendous amount of effort and planning—tenfold what it took today.
They'd faced worse pressure than this in the past, and thinking back, death was something they, as adventurers, had always lived with.
They had once faced such things head-on. So why now, with so much more strength, did they hesitate?
"Seems like, with time, we've all picked up the habit of second-guessing everything."
Finn couldn't help but voice the core issue.
"Being cautious and careful isn't a bad thing. And second-guessing... it's not a sickness. It just means we don't want to lose what we have."
Riveria dismissed the idea with a shake of her head.
"This so-called 'sickness' we have… it's the bond we've built over time. Back then, we didn't have anything to lose—that's why we didn't hesitate. But now that we do, we naturally have more on our minds."
"Yeah. If this is a sickness... then I hope I never recover."
The bold Dwarf didn't care for such deep thoughts. He enjoyed making friends and teaching the next generation—and if that meant living with this so-called sickness, then he welcomed it with open arms.
"Finn, Riveria, let's not overthink all that complicated stuff."
Gareth cut the conversation short.
"If we want to live, then we need to get through this. For us, there's no such thing as 'what if.' You both know that, right?"
The two were briefly stunned, then broke into quiet laughter.
"Yeah, we've really gotten too used to overthinking everything."
"Which is why—we have to survive."
Finn had no desire to be cured of this "illness" here and now. If he wanted to keep carrying it with him, then he'd have to get through this trial first.
...
Night fell.
This time, everyone gathered silently around the campfire, waiting for Finn to speak.
"Everyone. Tomorrow, we step into the unknown."
"Tonight, we'll finalize the main members for the expedition."
Most of them already had a good idea of who would be on that list.
Starting from the 50th floor, the layers beyond were pure hell for many adventurers. These were not places where low-level adventurers could simply tag along. The list rarely included anyone without sufficient strength.
Only a handful of the expedition team members were actually qualified to take part in the next phase of exploration.
"First, Tsubaki. I'll need you to handle the weapons."
"Oh, leave all the gear to me this time."
As the captain of the Hephaestus Familia and a skilled blacksmith, Tsubaki also held the strength of a Lv. 5 adventurer—fully qualified for what lay ahead.
"Next, Raul. You'll be in charge of logistical support. This time, you'll be joining the team as a supporter."
"Understood."
It was an obvious decision. Raul, while only a Lv. 4 adventurer without any magic, had pushed his Status to the upper limit of what ordinary adventurers could reach. He had also participated in several previous expeditions below the 50th floor, giving him valuable experience and insight. His role as a supporter was perfectly suited.
"Lefiya, you'll be working alongside Raul to handle support. But be ready—this time, we'll need your full strength."
"Mm."
As the second-generation magic cannon of the Loki Familia, Lefiya's power couldn't be underestimated. Though she was only Lv. 3, a rank below Raul, the magic she wielded and her role as a combat mage put her in a completely different league.
"The rest of the main combatants will be the usual—Tiona, Tione, and Bete."
"Oh! I've been waiting for this!"
"Captain!"
Tione suddenly stood and walked right up to Finn.
"When we get back from this expedition... will you marry me?"
That was a bombshell.
Everyone in the Loki Familia knew Tione was relentless in her pursuit of Finn. She'd even gone so far as to stage a nighttime ambush (with financial incentives). So while her sudden proposal caught people off guard, no one was really surprised.
Those who understood her, though, knew—this was likely her last wish before marching into a battle that might end her life.
Finn's heart was a whirlwind of emotion. He looked into Tione's eyes, saw the hope and the weight of a final wish—and in the end, he couldn't bring himself to say no.
"Alright. If we make it back from this expedition, we'll get married."
For Finn, his lifelong dream had always been to restore the honor and pride of the Pallum race. Long ago, he had devoted his life to that ideal, and naturally, he had always imagined choosing another Pallum as his life partner.
But now, faced with an expedition that he might never return from, Finn chose—for now—to set that dream aside.
At the very least, he didn't want Tione to fall in the Dungeon carrying regrets... not if she was going to die by his side.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 417: Chapter 417: Lefiya's Day of Ordeals
Chapter Text
"That's amazing, Captain!"
Tione jumped up in excitement, tears of joy streaming down her face.
She knew this was the only moment Finn might say yes—so she seized it.
Overwhelmed, she threw her arms around Finn. Her Amazonian figure—far more voluptuous than her sister’s—rubbed all over Finn’s face, wiping away any lingering hesitation and leaving only helpless resignation.
It wasn’t like Finn hadn’t been through this before.
Tione had always found reasons to throw herself at him. Finn had gotten used to scenes like this.
This one, though, pushed his limits a little.
"Tione, please stop rubbing against me."
"I'm just so happy!"
This time, she truly was.
She’d proposed more than once—dozens, even—but Finn had always turned her down without hesitation. And yet this time, against all odds, she’d succeeded.
'Loki, I owe you big time!'
In her heart, she sincerely thanked Loki for this amazing gift.
If Loki hadn’t engineered such a desperate situation, Finn never would have agreed to her proposal so easily.
Whether or not they’d make it back alive didn’t matter to her anymore.
...
"I can't believe the Captain actually said yes."
"Right? He always used to turn her down. I never thought he’d agree this time."
"The moment they get back, they'll be married. I swear, once word spreads that Tione landed the Captain, every female adventurer in Orario is going to lose sleep over it."
"Seriously. Do you know how popular the Captain is with women? I once saw him surrounded by a group of female adventurers. If Tione hadn't shown up, I'm pretty sure they would’ve torn him apart."
It wasn’t the Pallum race that was popular—far from it. In Orario, Pallums weren’t exactly admired.
As adventurers, they had terrible stats. No strength, poor endurance, and even worse magical talent. Only their agility and dexterity stood out.
The only one people cared about was Finn.
A Level 6 star adventurer, with a kind personality and a doll-like face—he naturally stood out, especially among the women.
Those who didn’t know the full story were talking excitedly, but those who did understood exactly why Finn had accepted Tione’s proposal.
This expedition might be the last of his life.
“Maybe at this moment anything is allowed, because it’s their last wish.”
‘Tione truly is happy.’
Lefiya could see genuine emotion in Tione’s eyes.
As a girl, she could sense it clearly.
Naturally, she was surprised by Tione’s proposal—but the bigger feeling in her heart was joy for Tione.
Perhaps Finn had done it to fulfill her wish.
And once he said yes—no matter what happened afterward—Tione could still be called his wife.
“That’s so sweet...”
Overcome with envy, Lefiya's eyes glistened with a sudden impulse.
“?”
Ais, sitting beside Lefiya, tilted her head and watched her closely.
“Lefiya, are you thinking of proposing like Tione too?”
At Ais’s words, the room fell instantly silent.
Even happy Tione was drawn into the moment.
All eyes locked onto Lefiya, and the elf girl froze, her mind blank.
“Huh? What?!”
After her foggy brain cleared, her face flushed bright red—burning through to her pointed ears.
“It must have been Ais.”
“Yeah, if Lefiya were to propose, it’d definitely be you.”
“Wow—I never thought Lefiya had guts like Tione. She’s brave enough to face Loki head-on.”
“I bet Loki would be even more thrilled if she found out.”
“She’d definitely freak out.”
As whispers buzzed, Lefiya’s blush deepened.
She’d only entertained the thought for a moment—definitely not planning to follow Tione’s lead.
Besides, with both of them being girls, it wasn’t the right moment to propose.
Most importantly, she had no idea if Ais would even accept.
“Lefiya wants to propose... to me?”
Overhearing the murmurs, Ais finally understood what was being hinted at—and quickly rejected it.
“Sorry, Lefiya. I’m just not thinking about marriage.”
Thud!
Her words struck Lefiya like a stone. The elf’s ears drooped instantly.
Lefiya forced a shy smile and tried to clarify.
“Ais—don’t listen to them. That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh! I misunderstood.”
Ais nodded, trusting in Lefiya’s sincerity.
Then Tione suddenly piped up:
“Hey, I thought you liked Lefiya?”
“I do.”
Even in her calm manner, Ais’s certainty made Lefiya sit up straight.
“I... also like Tione—and Riveria.”
But that caused an even more awkward silence, with everyone staring at Lefiya as her emotions swirled.
Poor elf.
Ais’s comment had made it painfully clear that Lefiya's feelings would be complicated.
Then someone couldn't resist asking:
“Ais, if you could choose someone to marry, who would it be?”
The question caught everyone's attention, and Lefiya leaned forward.
“Bell Cranel,” Ais answered after a moment’s pause.
Crack!
It hit Lefiya’s heart like lightning—her world teetering on collapse.
“Why him!?”
Of course Lefiya knew who that was. But why would Ais say it so casually?
She wasn’t the only one stunned—Sanjouno Haruhime, another top member of the Loki Familia, stiffened, her tail perked high.
Not out of jealousy—but because she had feelings for him too.
Chapter 418: Chapter 418: The Easiest Woman to Persuade
Chapter Text
"Why him!?"
Lefiya couldn't hold it in anymore and shot to her feet.
As far as she remembered, Ais had only interacted with Bell a handful of times. So why would his name be the first that came to her mind when asked about marriage?
But Ais's reasoning was surprisingly blunt.
"If we're married, he'll probably agree to my request."
It was a simple, straightforward answer. No emotion—just practicality. A marriage for the sake of a request.
"A request?"
Lefiya was still processing, her brain half-frozen.
"Yeah. I need his help. I talked to him about it before, but he refused." A hint of disappointment flickered across Ais's face. But almost immediately, determination lit up her expression again. "If we were married, I think he'd agree."
"Uhhh..."
It was obvious to everyone that Ais was being completely honest—no hidden meaning, no extra emotions. Just her plain, sincere thoughts.
"That's so Ais. And here I was, thinking something dirty was going on in her head."
"I think it'd be normal if Ais had those kinds of thoughts. Think about Lefiya. Honestly, Ais being this pure is a little dangerous in its own way."
"Yeah, true."
Everyone knew Lefiya was a bit of a daydreamer. Behind her back, it was common knowledge that this 'pure elf girl' spent half her time fantasizing about getting close to Ais. They just never said it out loud.
After all, in a place like Orario, girls liking girls wasn't all that rare.
When it came to preferences, the gods were often shameless. Some didn't even care about gender—if they liked someone, they'd try to "eat" them anyway.
Loki, for instance.
Though to be fair, Loki mostly just ran her mouth and got handsy—there were no real stories of her ever succeeding.
Probably thanks to Riveria's constant vigilance.
'Why does everyone know I have a crush on Ais!?'
'And what's with them saying I'm "dirty inside"—that's not true! Ugh, ugh, ugh! I'm an elf! Elves can't have impure hearts!'
Lefiya twitched as every word reached her sensitive ears.
Right now, all she wanted was to unleash her fury and scream at all these people spouting nonsense without consequence.
Sure, she had some special feelings for Ais. But it was all in her head! She'd never acted on them, never even said anything! That made her completely different from Loki. Her heart was not filthy!
Still, after her internal outburst, Lefiya began to reflect on Ais's words.
A request... Was it something to do with Ais's parents?
The rest exchanged glances—and sighed in unison.
"Oh... I figured as much."
"Well, it's Ais. She's never really had any concept of marriage."
"I thought she'd finally figured things out—but no, same as always."
Everyone wore the same look of mild disappointment, while Ais tilted her head, clearly puzzled by their reactions.
Finn, on the other hand, was used to rolling with whatever Ais did.
Marrying Bell just to get him to agree to a request? To Ais, that was probably nothing more than a practical solution.
'I should've taught her more about relationships when I had the chance.'
He had tried bringing it up with Riveria once, but Loki had immediately shut it down.
[Ais-tan must never be corrupted by such filthy knowledge. What if she starts eyeing other men?]
Finn didn't believe Ais would be swayed by romance anyway. She was too goal-driven to get sidetracked like that.
But now, it seemed she had changed her approach.
Not because she was suddenly interested in the opposite sex, but because she saw marriage as a tool—a way to get what she wanted.
And honestly, that was even worse than having a basic understanding of relationships.
'Still... Bell-kun probably won't go along with it.'
Thankfully, Ais had set her sights on Bell. If it had been anyone else, Finn might've worried she'd get tricked by someone with bad intentions.
But with Bell, Finn was certain Ais's request would just come off as a burden.
Based on everything he knew about Bell, staying under the radar was his top priority.
So when Ais made her proposal, Bell would almost certainly say no.
"Whew..."
Haruhime finally relaxed.
She'd seriously thought Ais had feelings for Bell.
And if that had been the case, she wouldn't have known what to do.
Just as Haruhime let out a breath, Finn turned his attention to her.
"Haruhime, you'll be joining us this time. You've met Bell-kun already, right?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Finn trusted Bell's caution completely.
And since Bell had already met Haruhime, it meant her "Straw Doll" had been prepared and positioned.
"Aisha, I'm leaving things here to you."
"Understood."
Aisha had originally been eligible to join the expedition, but considering the high risk of failure, they needed someone capable to escort the remnants of the Loki Familia back to Orario if it came to that. That's why she'd been held back from the unknown journey ahead.
...
There weren't many who could guarantee Haruhime's safety—but Aisha definitely could. She had both the strength and the will to get the job done, and Finn trusted her completely.
Aisha understood that too—and had already steeled herself for the worst.
Meanwhile, Bell, listening from his temporary hideout, let out a quiet sigh.
"For that reason, huh...?"
Of course he knew what the "Sword Princess" had asked of him. He just hadn't made up his mind yet.
It wasn't a bad request. With two Lv. 8s far beyond the norm backing it, they had every right to help him seek out rare "Excelia."
But there was no point in telling Ais anything now.
If he wasn't strong enough, his words were meaningless.
Even if the time came to seek "Excelia" from the strongest pair alive—it definitely wasn't now.
He could deal with that later.
'She's willing to go as far as marriage just for a goal. Yep... that's the Sword Princess for you. Probably the easiest woman in the world to "handle."'
Of course, he was joking.
Helping the Sword Princess wasn't easy. Not by a long shot.
First, he'd have to prove he was worthy of reaching Lv. 8. Without that, he didn't even qualify to stand beside her—let alone help her.
For now, Bell just laughed it off.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 419: Chapter 419: The Mad Follower's End
Chapter Text
"Alright, it's about time I got to work."
After watching enough drama and hearing what felt like a series of farewell speeches, Bell couldn't bring himself to dwell in the gloomy atmosphere.
He was actually quite confident in his arrangements.
Everything was progressing just as planned.
Originally, the biggest issue had been the Dungeon's shortage of magic stones. The Spirits couldn’t nurture the Spirit fetuses to the standard Bell had in mind.
But then, unexpectedly, Evilus had boldly declared, "No problem, I'll handle it."
As a result, they provided a huge supply of magic stones. Combined with those collected by the Spirits from the Deep Floors, the Spirit fetuses finally had the nourishment they needed to grow.
With the biggest hurdle for the Spirits resolved, Bell had little else to worry about. Of course, even though things were going smoothly, he wasn’t about to go and report everything to Finn.
After all, this was supposed to be a trial. At the very least, he had to make Finn and the others believe it was. Otherwise, how could they fight desperately enough to gain Excelia?
He stopped monitoring the situation on the other side and sat up from the wooden bed.
"Snap!"
With a snap of his fingers, a rift opened in space.
Bell stepped through the crack at a leisurely pace. The moment he emerged, he was already on the 59th floor.
Since he'd been here before, Bell didn’t waste time retracing his steps. He immediately locked onto the spatial coordinates for the 59th floor.
Normally, he wouldn’t do this. The Dungeon was unpredictable, and sudden changes could easily render previously marked coordinates useless.
That’s why Bell usually set spatial coordinates on stable floors.
Like the Safe Zone floors.
But this time was an exception.
The entire Dungeon was under the Black Dragon's influence, so the situation was far from ordinary.
Even if the Dungeon shifted, the spatial coordinates wouldn’t be disrupted.
So he had some leeway this time.
Of course, just this once.
Upon arriving at the 59th floor, the first thing Bell did was check whether the Runes he’d set had been discovered.
'Hmm, still hidden.'
He confirmed that none of the Runes had been found.
But that was only natural. The faint magical energy had been hidden inside the walls—barely detectable, even if one looked carefully.
'The Black Dragon’s influence really did work in my favor.'
This setup was only possible because the Dungeon currently wasn’t spawning monsters. Otherwise, Bell would never have embedded the Runes within the walls.
After all, walls and floors were frequent spawn points for monsters. If Runes were placed there and a monster happened to spawn in that exact location, the entire setup would be destroyed.
Still, as he’d thought before—this was a one-time exception.
Bell shifted his focus to the central area—the location of the “Spirit Fetus.”
He hadn’t intended to check on the “Spirit Fetus” just yet. First, he needed to ensure that the 59th floor remained quiet and undisturbed. If anything disrupted his preparations, it could throw everything off.
But the sudden spike in the “Spirit Fetus”’s aura made it impossible to ignore.
'The aura is beginning to shift.'
It was transitioning from Lv.5 to Lv.6, now only half a step away from breaking through.
Concealing his own presence, Bell headed into the central rainforest of the 59th floor.
The area was still guarded by Virgas and Violas. The mountain of magic stones in the center had been reduced by nearly half.
The energy consumption was far greater than expected.
Seeing it for himself, Bell became even more certain.
'Cultivating the fetus takes far too much energy. Trying to raise them in large numbers is just unrealistic.'
Half of that mountain of magic stones had already been consumed—just to raise the “Spirit Fetus” from Lv.5 to Lv.6. The sheer cost of energy was overwhelming.
That enormous pile hadn’t come easy, either. It likely ate into a significant portion of Evilus’s stockpile.
And that just showed how desperate Evilus had become.
In order to force out the individual from Loki Familia’s expedition who had affected the Black Dragon, Evilus had gone all in.
Unfortunately for them, all that effort was going to be for nothing.
Bell couldn’t help but let out a small smile.
“Evilus, I’ll be sure to thank you for your contribution.”
It was obvious now—their grand scheme would yield no return.
Bell had no intention of showing himself to Evilus.
Even if they guessed correctly, it wouldn’t matter. If even Freya couldn’t track him down when he traveled, what chance did Evilus have?
Bell had absolute confidence in his ability to stay hidden.
After all, it was his signature strength.
“Excellent! Wonderful!”
Olivas was watching the transformation of the “fetus” with growing excitement.
He could sense the goddess’s presence beginning to emerge within it.
This was a crucial stage for the “fetus.” If it could just cross this threshold, it would meet the minimum standard for the goddess’s descent.
“As long as you can project yourself onto the ‘fetus’, the mission to capture Aria will be completed in the shortest time possible.”
“The Loki Familia won’t stand a chance against you.”
The current “fetus” wasn’t meant to be released on the surface. Its purpose was to capture the key Spirit—Aria.
Only a Spirit could meet the goddess’s requirements.
Only a Spirit could perfectly manifest the goddess’s power.
And Aria was the best vessel to bring that power to the surface.
That’s why they had to act now. It was rare enough that Aria had joined the team heading to the 59th floor. Who knew if such a chance would ever come again?
For Olivas, this was also a critical moment.
He needed to prove himself to his goddess. He had to show that he could accomplish what Revis could not.
This was his best opportunity to replace Revis.
“Goddess, I beg you—descend upon us.”
Like a frenzied worshipper, Olivas’s mind was filled only with the image of the “goddess” he believed stood before him.
But fate rarely follows plans.
“Splurt!”
His entire body trembled. Olivas’s gaze dropped in shock—to see a hand piercing straight through his chest, clutching his core: the Magic Stone.
Chapter 420: Chapter 420: Severed Arm, Struggle to Survive
Chapter Text
Blood sprayed in all directions as a blood-soaked hand burst through Olivas’s back and pierced straight into his chest.
He clearly saw the hand clutching the Magic Stone nestled inside his body.
“Wh… who…”
Olivas desperately tried to see who had attacked him from behind, but the only response was the hand yanking itself out with force.
“Pfft!”
Blood gushed from the wound. Powerless, Olivas dropped to his knees.
His body wouldn't move. He couldn’t even form a single word. He could only watch in despair as the goddess began her transformation right in front of him, while he himself faced death at the moment of her imminent descent.
As a hybrid of human and monster, once his Magic Stone was removed, Olivas’s body lasted only a few seconds before it began turning to white ash.
In the end, he died with nothing but despair.
The body died, the soul was cast into reincarnation.
Freed from the shackles of flesh, Olivas’s soul finally caught sight of the one who had ambushed and killed him.
A child!?
A child killed me!?
Olivas couldn’t believe it. Back during the sacrificial incident on the 27th floor, he was already Lv.3. The goddess had saved him then, and after years of growth, he had become even stronger. So how could he be pierced through the chest by a mere child?
Staring at the child who had killed him, his gaze full of resentment, Olivas’s heart brimmed with hatred.
He had no thoughts about his own failure—only hatred for the one who had ended him.
But as a mere soul, he had no way to take revenge.
And a soul, once stripped of its physical vessel, could no longer act freely. It could only drift toward the pull of reincarnation.
At least—that’s how it was supposed to be.
Suddenly, several chains emerged from the void, wrapping around Olivas’s soul and forcefully halting its descent into the cycle of rebirth.
!?
The sudden shock froze Olivas’s consciousness.
At that moment, he noticed the child who had killed him looking up, locking eyes with him.
“Oh? A hybrid of human and monster, but the soul’s essence… still human.”
Before Olivas could process what that meant, he felt a tearing sensation—his soul being ripped apart.
Aaaaaaaaah!
Though he could no longer make a sound, instinctively he let out a silent scream.
But screaming didn’t stop the tearing.
In the next instant, Olivas’s soul was shredded into fragments by the chains. What little remained of his reason and awareness evaporated into nothing.
Once a soul is torn to pieces, reincarnation is no longer possible. It becomes nothing more than raw energy, scattered into the flow of the cycle.
Bell turned his gaze away as the soul dissipated.
So it was confirmed—hybrids of humans and monsters did possess human souls. Meaning the so-called transformations didn’t involve the soul at all; they were purely physical modifications.
In other words, as long as the body was swapped and kept functioning properly, it was possible for a transformed individual to abandon their past and become human again.
Bell raised an eyebrow, but quickly pushed the idea aside.
He glanced at his bloodstained gloves. With a flick of his fingers, the red vanished, restoring the gloves to their original white.
With a casual motion, he tossed the prismatic Magic Stone in his hand onto the green membrane encasing the “Spirit Fetus.” The newly ascended fetus slowly opened its eyes.
Those eerie, oversized eyes swept across the surrounding Virgas and Violas, but the monsters showed no reaction at all.
*The job of the “Collectors” is only to collect. They won’t move unless you’re in danger. “Isn’t that the command you gave them, Spirit?”
At those words, the fetus fixed its gaze on the man before it and let out a strange, genderless voice.
[You again! You again!! Lapdog of the gods!]
“Oh? That’s all you’ve got to say?”
Bell smiled brightly as he looked at the “Spirit.” It still lacked a vessel—it only had the conditions necessary for converting into power.
But even now, the “Spirit” showed no sign of choosing a vessel.
"Judging by your expression, it looks like you know what I did to your other fetus. A soul projection, huh?"
The fetus’s large eyes burned with hatred. It remembered the scene of that previous clone being tortured. If it hadn’t severed the connection in time and escaped, it would have ended up enslaved by this man.
"Looks like, since the fetus was born from you, you left a mark on it the moment it came into existence. That lets you monitor them whenever you want."
"No wonder your hostility toward me is so intense."
Bell found it amusing. He’d run plenty of experiments on that previous fetus—it seemed the “Spirit” had experienced them firsthand.
"Snap!"
Bell flicked his fingers.
The fetus’s eyes widened in shock. It could feel itself trapped, unable to escape easily, as the man before it revealed a devilish smile.
"Spirit, you really are the most troublesome thing in the Dungeon."
"The only thing I hate more than reincarnation is trouble I can't control. And you're the root of all that trouble. The fact that you can birth these ‘fetuses’ is a real pain."
The fetus realized things had gone bad. Its will was locked in place—there was no way to separate itself from this clone.
"So, once I tear off part of your soul, will you still be able to stash fragments of it into these clones like before?"
The “Spirit” immediately understood what choice this man was giving it—and what sort of devilish scheme he was plotting.
"Will you let your projected consciousness be shredded by me, or will you cut your losses and run?"
"I’ll give you three seconds to decide."
"Three..."
Bell smiled as he began the countdown.
The “Spirit” frantically searched for an escape, only to realize it had been played.
The barrier had fused its consciousness with the clone. There was no way to leave with its soul intact.
This wasn’t like last time.
Last time, it had hidden well enough to avoid detection, projecting its soul into the clone without being noticed. Otherwise, it was sure the man would’ve torn a chunk of its soul away right then.
But this time, he’d caught on.
There was no way to flee with the soul as it had before.
The man had prepared for this from the very beginning.
"Two..."
No time left.
The “Spirit” knew it had no real choice.
Surrounded by the barrier, it couldn’t control the Violas or Virgas.
Without a vessel, it didn’t even have a chance to resist.
If it got caught now, it was certain this man would obliterate its consciousness completely.
The “Spirit” clenched its will, abandoned that portion of its soul, and forcefully ripped it from the clone’s consciousness—pouring everything it had into projecting its awareness back through the only available escape route.
Seeing this, Bell chuckled—without a hint of malice.
"See? You can make decisions after all."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 421: Chapter 421: The Resentful Spirit
Chapter Text
A sharp, agonized scream echoed across the entire 79th floor.
"Ahhhhh!"
"You dogs of the gods!!!"
A girl knelt on the ground, her face twisted in a snarl.
With snow-white skin and a figure that was ideal yet not exaggerated, she wore a flowing white dress that would have made for a flawless appearance—if only her face weren’t visible. But above her neck, her expression was grotesque, more like a demon from hell than anything human.
The sensation of having her soul torn away was unbearable.
In the past, she would project part of her soul into an avatar—not by splitting her soul itself, but by leaving a mark that allowed her consciousness to be projected into the doppelganger. This way, she could always maintain control over them.
But that man had caught her off guard.
He had seen through the projection of her consciousness and went even further—forcing her soul and consciousness to fuse with the doppelganger, leaving her only two options: sacrifice her consciousness or part of her soul.
“Damn that man! Damn bastard! Damn lackey!!!”
At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to rip into his flesh and devour him whole.
But all she could do now was curse through a contorted, hateful expression.
The part of her soul that had been torn away was permanently lost.
That man had the power to completely tear apart and destroy souls. Anything ripped away by him was doomed to a grim fate.
She already knew that the piece of soul he took would be destroyed.
Yet no matter how furious she was, she couldn’t leave this floor.
Swallowed by the Dungeon, she was trapped—unable to leave the level by her own will. Otherwise, she would have already gone to Orario and taken her revenge on the gods.
If she could have left, why would she have bothered creating a doppelganger to act as her reach into Orario?
If she hadn't done so, that man wouldn’t have found the chance to tear away part of her soul.
Repeatedly cultivating avatars and tearing off parts of her soul had caused her unprecedented damage.
Whether energy or soul, she now needed time to recover.
During this period, she couldn’t afford to make another move—any rash action might shatter her foundation entirely.
Unwilling!
But no matter how unwilling she was, she had to admit—after this, that man would become a major problem.
...
The discarded part of the soul had lost all spirituality—nothing more than a torn fragment.
'Not bad. To avoid giving me an opening, you actually erased your consciousness and markings this thoroughly.'
Bell examined the fragment and couldn't help but admire the “Spirit’s” decisiveness.
After witnessing his methods, she had immediately abandoned every possible link that could be used against her, all so her consciousness could escape safely.
It was exactly the result Bell had hoped for.
To be honest, he was relieved.
'Hah... If she knew I still don't have the ability to completely tear apart a high-tier soul, scaring her off would've been much harder.'
Runes were a versatile force, encompassing nearly everything. As long as Bell found the right combination, he could wield various powers—thanks entirely to the unique nature of Runes.
Born from the World Tree and tied to the principles of the world itself, their power defied common sense.
Runes were unreasonable—but Bell was still bound by reason.
Put simply, while Runes could unleash the power of all things, the wielder needed the corresponding level and realm to fully draw out that power. Bell hadn't reached that point yet, which directly limited the potential he could tap into.
The soul level of the “Spirit” was far higher than he'd anticipated. To even interact with a soul like that, one needed a foundation of immense strength—otherwise, it was impossible to affect it at all.
Fortunately, the “Spirit” had clearly been intimidated by his bluff. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have so cleanly torn off part of its own soul.
Even more surprisingly, to avoid giving him any leverage, the Spirit had scrubbed that soul fragment so thoroughly that not even a trace or backup remained. That alone made Bell genuinely impressed.
To reach that level of manipulation himself, he’d probably need to be at least Lv.5.
'In the end, I just wasn’t strong enough.'
'If I’d already hit Lv.5, maybe I could’ve completely severed the Spirit’s consciousness. But now that it knows I have that ability, it’s unlikely I’ll get another chance.'
It was disappointing, but unavoidable.
Sometimes things just didn’t go your way.
'Well, now’s not the time to dwell on that.'
Bell refocused, turning his attention to the “Spirit fetus” before him—now reduced to soul and instinct alone.
'This isn't quite what I originally planned, but with some adjustments, I should be able to make the spirit manipulate the soul and control the fetus.'
Without interference from the Spirit’s consciousness, and with no risk of its projection reappearing, the rest of the operation would go much smoother—and the outcome would align more closely with Bell’s intended goal.
His gaze swept across the nearby Virgas and Violas.
'Still need to finish dealing with the fetus before I can move on to the host.'
'But it's not a big deal.'
The surrounding Virgas and Violas had preset movement commands. As long as he didn’t disable the barrier, those outside wouldn’t detect anything amiss.
After all, Virgas and Violas weren’t capable of independent thought. They were just “collectors” that followed orders.
He engraved a mark of subjugation inside the “Spirit fetus,” turning it into a compliant servant.
Then, Bell guided the “Spirit fetus” to begin absorbing the magic stones.
'It’ll take some time for the fetus to fully absorb the stones.'
'Better start preparing the more extreme contingencies.'
All of this was necessary groundwork—but there was still one important task left.
'First, I need to seal away the soul fragment split from the Spirit.'
That soul had been intentionally discarded by the Spirit, with no trace or fallback left to avoid giving anything away. But it was still something Bell could preserve.
There might come a time when it could be useful.
Bell immediately sealed that soul fragment using Runes. Once the “Spirit fetus” was no longer needed, that piece could still be recovered.
Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Adventurers' Hell — The Dragon's Vase
Chapter Text
Fortunately, the “Spirit” had completely severed all ties with the “fetus,” which made it much easier for Bell to take control.
'As expected, a clean break.'
Using Runes, Bell engraved a brand onto the “fetus” to secure his control over it. He then double-checked that there were no lingering traces of the “Spirit” left behind.
Even with that confirmation, Bell still wasn’t at ease. Who knew what tricks the “Spirit” might have left? It was better to be overly cautious than careless.
'No issues. We can begin.'
By the time Bell had completed several rounds of checks, the “fetus” had nearly finished absorbing the magic stones.
Its aura had already stabilized at the peak of Level 6.
But that was the limit.
Getting stronger within the same level and actually breaking through to the next were two entirely different things—the difficulty between them wasn't even comparable.
Still, reaching the peak of Level 6 was just enough to meet Bell’s expectations.
Although advancing to Level 7 was extremely difficult, there were some special methods that could make it possible.
Sacrificing one’s own time, condensing all of one's past, present, and future into a single moment and unleashing it at once—if one had the resolve to give up everything, even overcoming the barrier between levels wasn’t impossible.
Of course, the one making that sacrifice wasn’t Bell. It was the one receiving the power.
Bell was merely providing the opportunity and the platform. Those seeking power could use that platform to burn themselves out and briefly touch overwhelming strength.
The only problem was, the “Spirit fetus” lacked a sense of self—it couldn’t choose to burn everything it had for a moment of ascension.
But now that Bell had enslaved the “Spirit fetus,” he could command it just like the “Spirit” had ordered the Virgas and Violas. He could make it sacrifice everything for the power to transcend its limits.
The ritual was quickly prepared, and Bell placed the “Spirit fetus” at its center.
Soon, the “fetus” entered a unique state. Its aura gradually grew wilder, and its power began to break through the shackles of Level 6.
'Looks like the ritual is progressing even faster than I expected.'
'I’ll need to slow it down a little.'
Bell adjusted the pace of the ritual, scanned the surroundings, then closed his eyes and waited for it to complete.
...
After a night’s rest, the expedition team was in peak condition. All members heading into the unknown region had already gathered at the entrance to the 51st floor.
Finn scanned the crowd of people seeing them off—but he didn’t spot the person he was looking for.
'Has Bell-kun already gone to the Deep Floors?'
If not for Cassandra’s prophetic dream, Finn wouldn’t have thought so. But because she had seen Bell in an unknown part of the Deep Floors, he was sure Bell had headed there.
Though he couldn’t learn exactly what Bell was doing from Cassandra, Finn had a strong feeling the situation was closely tied to him.
"Captain?"
"...Move out."
Snapped out of his thoughts, Finn looked away.
This was the time for their expedition into the unknown. His focus needed to be on exploration—not on where Bell had gone.
"Ais, take care of Haruhime."
Ais gave a slight nod and walked over to Haruhime.
After crouching down, Ais let Haruhime climb onto her back.
"Sorry to trouble you," Haruhime said softly as she settled in.
The 51st floor was extremely dangerous for adventurers.
Since Haruhime was only Level 1, she couldn’t keep up with the others. Being carried was the best option for her.
Even knowing that, Lefiya couldn’t help feeling a bit envious seeing Ais carry Haruhime.
Unfortunately, as a Level 3 mage, she couldn’t compete with the speed of a werewolf—but at least she could still keep up with the group.
Naturally, she no longer had the honor of being carried by Ais.
“Veil Breath!”
As Riveria called out the name of the spell, a soft green magical veil wrapped around everyone participating in the expedition.
“This is a basic defensive spell. Its effects will last for a while, but don’t rely on it too much.”
With everyone now shielded by magic, the operation officially began.
“Bete, Tiona, Tione—you take the lead.”
“Everyone else, move out!”
“Yeah!”
The three with the greatest strength dashed to the front, while the others conserved their energy and followed behind.
The 51st floor was truly the gateway to hell.
Monsters that had heard their footsteps came rushing out from the dark corners.
Even though the Dungeon had stopped churning out large numbers of monsters, the ones on this floor were still a significant threat to any adventurer.
Spider-like creatures clung to the walls, their tail stingers poised to strike at any moment.
“Get lost! Out of the way!”
Bete charged forward at full speed. Wearing metal boots, he kicked a monster clean off the path with a single blow—shattering its magic stone in the process.
“Bete, move aside.”
Tiona swung her large double-bladed weapon in a wide arc, slicing through the wave of monsters that followed.
The two of them, leading front and rear, took down nearly all the charging monsters.
Even if a few slipped past, Tione was right behind to finish them off.
Further back, Raul took a deep breath and kept a close eye on their surroundings, also warning Lefiya, who was on her first trip this deep into the Dungeon.
“Lefiya, stay alert. From here on, there won’t be any time to stop.”
“Why?”
Lefiya looked at Raul, puzzled. But seeing how focused he was, she kept her guard up despite not understanding.
Tsubaki, however, didn’t hesitate to ask directly.
“We’re being targeted.”
That made Lefiya and Tsubaki even more confused.
But no one in the group offered any explanation—they just kept moving forward.
Suddenly, Finn picked up on a disturbance underground.
“Bete, stop!”
“Tch!”
Bete reacted instantly, halting in place.
Boom!
A wall of fire erupted from the ground, aimed directly at their previous path.
The surrounding pit glowed red-hot from the flames, and part of the wall had melted into a bubbling liquid.
Touching that liquid would definitely burn the skin right off.
Now that they had a brief pause, Raul finally had time to explain.
“From the 51st to the 58th floor lies the ‘Dragon’s Vase.’ In the Deep Floors, the Valgang Dragons can attack adventurers across all floors without restriction.”
“If we stop moving, we’ll be swarmed and attacked until we reach the 58th floor and take those dragons down.”
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 423: Chapter 423: Full Speed Ahead!
Chapter Text
Run—don't stop running.
Raul and Lefiya followed behind, adjusting their breathing. They couldn't afford to stop before reaching the 58th floor. If they did, the Valgang Dragons would bombard them with concentrated fire.
And a simple hit wasn't even the worst outcome.
If they were caught in an area-ignoring attack and fell through one of the craters into the 58th floor prematurely, they would face a barrage from every single Valgang Dragon.
Avoiding the dragons' focus fire was critical—but not falling into the craters they left behind was just as vital.
This meant any Adventurer approaching the 58th floor had to keep moving—running, dodging, non-stop.
The so-called "Dragon's Vase" was the dragons' territory.
Stepping into it marked you as an intruder, locking your location for every Valgang Dragon nearby. That was the brutal rule spanning the 51st to 58th floors.
For first-timers, it was nothing short of a nightmare.
While running, you had to take down any monster blocking your way—and still watch for the dragons' attacks.
One wrong step meant death.
This floor was closer to hell than any other.
"Tiona, change route!"
Amid the relentless pressure, Finn relied on his sharp crisis instincts to guide the team's path, again and again neutralizing the danger of the dragons' bombardments.
But the closer they got to the 58th floor, the more frequent the attacks became.
Finn had no choice but to stay sharp and push through.
"Lefiya! Get down!"
Trailing behind, Lefiya suddenly heard the warning. At the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of red light on the ground. Her instincts screamed, and she dove to the side, spinning and rolling mid-air.
Boom!
Flames erupted just inches from her.
Scattered sparks burned through her skirt and stockings, making it painfully clear what would've happened if her body had taken a direct hit.
But Lefiya was far stronger than before.
She got back on her feet instantly, catching up to the team without hesitation.
Her movements were fluid—almost like she'd been trained for this. It made heads turn.
In fact, Lefiya had undergone focused training, especially to sharpen her reflexes and rolling evasions.
She had faced a similar threat during the last "Monsterphilia." That experience taught her how deadly it could be if you failed to dodge at the critical moment.
Back then, she'd been saved—otherwise, she might've died in that "Monsterphilia."
After brushing with death, Lefiya had learned skills she'd never touched before—especially those related to escaping.
Even Raul was stunned. He never imagined Lefiya could move like that.
"Raul, don't space out!"
"Ah, right!"
The team pressed on.
On the 59th floor, Bell, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.
His gaze landed on the "Spirit Fetus" before him, though it was now completely different from before.
The outer membrane protecting the fetus had turned a deep crimson, and its once stable aura had become wildly unstable.
This was the result of the ritual—a compression of past, present, and future into a single moment.
Having condensed everything, the "Fetus" had finally reached Level 8 within the allotted time.
But that power came at a steep cost.
The "Spirit Fetus" could only maintain combat for thirty minutes.
Though that was the absolute limit of its compressed form, even surviving that half hour against it wouldn't be easy for the opposing side.
'Normally, if you can endure the fierce assault of a Level 8 Spirit for thirty minutes without losing, you'd probably qualify to advance your own rank as a "Vessel."'
'That's why a drawn-out battle would be extremely disadvantageous for Finn and his team.'
'If the fight drags on, no one in the expedition team will be able to hold out.'
'I hope Cassandra told them everything. If the Spirit gets the first strike, they won't stand a chance.'
Of course, Bell was intensely curious to see how the battle would unfold.
...
Meanwhile, the expedition team had already charged through to the 57th floor.
"Riveria, begin chanting."
"Lefiya, look for an opening to cast your spell."
"Tiona, Tione, Bete, Gareth—let's draw the Valgang Dragons' attention and give Riveria and Lefiya their chance."
"Everyone, prep your rune stones. We're clearing out all the Valgang Dragons on the 58th floor in one go."
On the way to the 58th floor, Finn had already laid out a plan.
The Valgang Dragons there boasted terrifying firepower. If they were given any breathing room, clearing them out would drain too much stamina and energy.
And if they entered the 59th floor already worn out, their entire strategy would collapse.
So, they had to sweep the 58th floor fast and efficiently—before their strength waned.
The fastest way to do that was with magic. That meant relying on Riveria and Lefiya.
The others would hold the line while Riveria and Lefiya unleashed large-scale magic to cleanse the 58th floor as quickly as possible.
Everyone understood Finn's plan, so without hesitation, they pulled rune stones from their spatial belts and activated them.
The surge in Status instantly doubled their movement speed.
As they ran, Riveria began her chant.
"Soon, the flames will be unleashed..."
"Bete!"
"I got it!"
The werewolf at the front whipped out another enchanted rune stone and activated it beneath his metal boots.
A blue gust of wind wrapped around his feet, boosting Bete's speed even further. With the wind's support, he broke past his normal limits.
With the self-enhancement already pushing him past his previous max, the elemental enchantment now multiplied his speed even more.
"Gareth."
"Yeah!"
The massive Gareth charged right behind Bete. His body was like a moving mountain, yet somehow he'd managed to push his speed up to mid-tier levels.
Looking closer, his boots were also wrapped in the same blue wind. It was this wind that reduced his weight and let him move faster than ever.
Chapter 424: Chapter 424: The Power of Exclusive Enhancements
Chapter Text
"Boom!"
Bete had barely set foot on the 58th floor when he was greeted with a fiery welcome from the Valgang Dragons.
But he didn't even flinch at the incoming fireball—just sidestepped smoothly out of its path.
He knew the old man behind him would never let it get past anyway.
Bete's eyes locked onto a Valgang Dragon ahead that was charging up for a breath attack.
"Like hell I'm letting you fire that!"
In a flash, he darted beneath the dragon's jaw, jumped, and launched a powerful kick upward.
"Wham!"
The dragon, mid-charge with its mouth wide open, took the full force of the blow to its chin. Its jaws slammed shut, and the fire it had gathered detonated inside its mouth, blowing its entire head off.
The moment the attack landed, Bete noticed that the other Valgang Dragons had locked onto him as the primary threat.
He welcomed the challenge.
But being used for target practice? That, he didn't enjoy.
The werewolf dashed deeper into the Valgang Dragons' formation, using his incredible speed to weave between them, drawing out an even fiercer counterattack.
...
"Boom!"
From his spatial belt, Gareth pulled out two shields imbued with the "Indestructible" trait. The fireball smashed into them with a loud bang, only managing to push him back a step.
Behind him, Finn, Tiona, and Tione split up and dashed in different directions.
Gareth didn't move from his spot—he stayed right in front of Riveria.
With Gareth shielding her, Riveria was already nearing the end of her chant.
"Crack, crack, crack!"
Suddenly, the ground split open as a Valgang Dragon larger than the rest erupted from below, its gaping mouth aimed directly at Gareth's back.
"Huh!?"
Before Gareth could react, a sharp cry rang out behind him. Tsubaki had already taken a throwing stance.
With a powerful swing of her arm, she hurled the massive axe toward the dragon's head.
"Thunk!"
The giant axe drove straight through the Valgang Dragon's skull. The fire gathering in its mouth faded instantly.
At that moment, Riveria completed the final phase of her chant.
"...Sweep completely, bring a close to the great war. Burn them through, Sword of Surtr - my name is Alf!"
"Rea Laevateinn!"
The magic circle that had formed during the chant rapidly expanded across the ground.
An enormous surge of magical energy erupted into a crimson vortex of flame, rising from beneath like a blazing sword, sweeping across the entire 58th floor.
Every Valgang Dragon that touched the flames was instantly incinerated to charcoal.
Even the flying wyverns in the sky were caught in the firestorm and reduced to ash, not even leaving behind their magic stones.
In the blink of an eye, the entire 58th floor was scorched red, and the temperature across the floor noticeably rose.
Yet under Riveria's control, the magic didn't harm Finn or the others who had been acting as decoys.
That level of precision was only possible due to Riveria's years of experience and training. Without it, a spell capable of engulfing the entire 58th floor would have easily caused friendly fire.
When Finn and the others regrouped and saw the aftermath, beads of sweat formed on their foreheads.
"Riveria, wasn't that a bit much?"
Even Finn hadn't expected her magic to reach such a massive scale this time.
"I didn't increase my magic output at all."
Riveria's expression was complicated.
She had cast the spell with her usual magic output, yet its power had clearly grown significantly.
"...Did you use the dedicated enhancement?"
Riveria gave a small, hesitant nod.
Hearing that, Finn let out a slow breath.
"A 600-point boost in Magic can increase spell power this much?"
The enhancement rune crafted specifically for Riveria only increased her Magic stat. Yet just that one stat boost had nearly doubled her spell's power—an astonishing result.
Even Riveria hadn't expected such a drastic increase in strength from the dedicated enhancement.
'Maybe it's due to "Limit Off"?'
She wasn't sure if her guess was correct, but it was the only plausible explanation she could come up with.
"Finn, how about you? How did your buff feel?"
"The self-enhancement had a broad effect. It boosted my stats quite a bit—especially speed."
"Then in my case, maybe pushing one stat past its threshold amplified the spell's power exponentially."
After all, a 600-point boost in a single stat was no small thing.
This kind of specialized rune enhancement was far more effective than Riveria had previously imagined.
In fact, this was her first time using the dedicated enhancement in actual combat.
The self-enhancement had already felt powerful—but compared to the dedicated version, the difference was massive.
Otherwise, her "Rea Laevateinn" wouldn't have engulfed the entire 58th floor.
The power was easily twice—or even three times—what she could normally produce without the enhancement.
Although the boost only lasted five minutes, those five minutes were incredibly valuable for a magic-user.
If she timed it right, she could unleash spells far more destructive than ever before.
That thought gave Riveria newfound confidence in the upcoming battle against the Spirit.
"Finn, it looks like we've got a real shot."
"Yeah."
Finn felt the excitement rise within him too.
If they made it back alive, he sincerely hoped to overcome this trial.
At this point, it seemed the rune stones might just be the key to clearing it.
...
Meanwhile, Bete and the others had finished wiping out the remaining monsters nearby.
"Take thirty minutes to rest."
Finn set the rest period—nearly double what they usually took, but it was absolutely necessary.
Everyone sat down to recover.
They had been pushing non-stop since the 51st floor, and their stamina was heavily drained.
Before taking on the Spirit, they had to fully recover their strength.
"Tsubaki, weapon maintenance is up to you."
"Got it!"
Tsubaki quickly pulled out her repair tools from the spatial pouch.
Everyone's weapons needed fine-tuning to ensure they were in peak condition for the upcoming battle.
"Now, let's talk tactics for the Spirit fight."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 425: Chapter 425: Seize the Chance to Strike
Chapter Text
"If the battle against the Spirit drags on, we'll be at a crushing disadvantage."
"Haruhime's Uchide no Kozuchi only lasts for ten minutes."
"Our Rune Stones won't hold out for more than five."
"If our confrontation with the Spirit exceeds that time limit, the ten-minute window for level boosts will end, and we'll lose all means to fight it."
The final battle would be brief—only ten minutes.
But that was exactly the time Finn had firmly decided on.
Once those ten minutes passed, their trump cards would become useless, and they'd lose the power to resist the Spirit.
That's why they had to end it within ten minutes—no matter what.
"According to Cassandra's intel, the Spirit can use magic. That's practically a nightmare for us."
"Even if the Spirit has been devoured or corrupted, it's still not a monster. It's still a Spirit."
"When facing the Spirit's magic, what we need isn't defense—but a full-on assault."
Finn made the decision to abandon defense altogether.
"You're cutting off our only retreat?"
Riveria muttered, but she still agreed with the plan.
"It's a necessary call. The Spirit has a massive advantage in magic. It can cast all sorts of spells and has destructive power beyond reason."
"Trying to defend against an opponent that vastly outmatches us is no different from suicide."
Defensive strategies only make sense when both sides are evenly matched.
If you're clearly outclassed and still choose a conservative defense, you're just handing the initiative over to the enemy.
Now that they knew the Spirit could use magic, clinging to a defensive plan would be outright foolish.
"When facing a powerful enemy, the right move is to abandon everything and go all in."
Riveria made her stance clear.
"Exactly. Choosing a drawn-out battle against something that outclasses us is a mistake. Since the Spirit can use magic, all we need to do is attack relentlessly so it doesn't get a chance to cast."
Gareth was thinking the same thing.
"Didn't think we'd all be on the same page at a time like this."
Finn let out a breath, then his tone turned serious.
"Ais, you'll land the final blow on the Spirit."
"You're the best suited for it right now."
A regular warrior wouldn't be enough to bring down the Spirit. Compared to magic users, their destructive power was lacking.
But Riveria and Lefiya couldn't take on that role either. They had the magical firepower to hurt the Spirit—but not the opportunity.
The time needed to chant a spell would give the Spirit enough chances to kill them several times over.
Only Ais, with her powerful yet fast-casting magic, could take the lead.
Her spell, Ariel, was a short-chant, high-impact magic. And as a warrior herself, Ais was far more suited to deal with the Spirit than Riveria or Lefiya.
"I understand."
Ais gave a slight nod, her expression unwavering as she calmly accepted her task.
With the main attacker settled, it was time to assign the rest.
"Raul, you'll be protecting Riveria and Lefiya."
"Captain, what about Haruhime?"
Raul readily accepted his role, but when Finn didn't mention Haruhime after a moment, he thought perhaps it had slipped the captain's mind—so he brought it up.
But Finn shook his head slightly.
"Haruhime's safety isn't something to worry about."
"I've already spoken to Bell-kun about it. He's set up a camp on the 50th floor as the trigger location for her 'Substitute Straw Doll.' As long as Haruhime is fatally attacked right after casting her magic, the doll will activate and keep her safe."
Haruhime's safety had always been Finn's top concern. Her magic was one-of-a-kind—whether or not there would ever be another like it, Finn doubted it.
So whether it was to preserve Loki Familia's remaining strength or to help them grow stronger, Haruhime's safety had to be assured.
Fortunately, Bell hadn't been overly strict about this, which lightened Finn's burden significantly.
"Bete, Tiona, Tione, Gareth, and I will clear the path ahead. No matter what it takes, we'll get Ais in front of the Spirit."
Finn's resolve was unmistakable.
This battle against the Spirit gave them only one chance. No matter the cost, they had to take it down.
"Everyone has one of those, so make sure you die properly if it comes to that."
"Broken arms and legs will only hinder your combat ability. If you can't escape, choose to die once."
Finn made the call without hesitation.
Thanks to the 'Substitute Straw Doll,' one death could be nullified. Instead of risking serious injury, it was better to use that safeguard when it really mattered.
Under normal circumstances, Finn would never make such a choice. The value of the 'Substitute Straw Doll' was obvious. But the situation this time was far too grave.
There was no point in hoarding treasure if you couldn't use it when it mattered most.
"Bete, you need to prepare yourself."
"Me?"
"Cassandra saw you using magic in her dream."
"!?"
Bete's face instantly twisted in discomfort.
That magic was his greatest wound—something he had refused to use, refused even to look at.
The chant itself felt like a cruel mockery.
But Finn's words couldn't be ignored. Cassandra's prophetic dreams revealed glimpses of the future.
Finn understood Bete's pain and knew why he rejected magic. But his power was essential to push forward.
"Bete..."
"I know. It's a special situation."
Bete clenched his teeth. He didn't want to chant that spell, but he knew—this might be something he couldn't escape.
That hated magic was one of the keys to moving forward. No matter how much he resented it, he had to accept it.
Coming to terms with it wouldn't happen overnight—but there wasn't much time left.
"Finn, I'll need the time and a chance."
Seeing Bete accept it, Finn gave a small nod.
"I understand. I'll make that chance for you."
Chapter 426: Chapter 426: The Blitz Begins!
Chapter Text
The thirty-minute preparation passed quickly.
The expedition team was ready. Finn led them to the entrance of the 59th floor.
"Let's go."
He stepped forward, and the others followed behind him.
Everyone was tense, uneasy.
They all knew this was the real trial ahead—an obstacle that would determine their path forward. If they failed here, there wouldn’t be a future to worry about.
They had to stay completely focused.
Their strategy was a swift assault.
End the battle as quickly as possible—neutralize every threat within the opening strike.
...
The underground prayer chamber beneath Ouranos was perpetually dim.
Normally, only Ouranos would be present, maintaining control over the Dungeon’s unrest. Only his prayers could hold the Dungeon in check.
But now, in the faintly lit chamber—illuminated only by five braziers—a floating image projected mid-air, displaying the expedition team.
This time, Ouranos wasn’t alone. Three other gods had been invited to witness the expedition’s foray into the unknown.
"It’s finally starting."
Ganesha could feel their tension just from the image. He understood why the children of Loki were on edge.
The 59th floor was uncharted territory. Anything could happen down there.
On top of that, the Guild had received information that the Spirit’s forces were on the move. There was a real chance the Spirits had taken hold of part of the unexplored realm.
"Ah, it's finally begun."
Freya couldn’t help but sigh softly.
For her, the point of this expedition wasn’t to watch the Loki Familia—it was to observe that child and how they would act.
Freya was certain that child wouldn’t join a regular expedition. Even if Spirits were involved, that alone wouldn’t draw him out.
He would never act without purpose.
That was a principle Freya knew better than anyone.
Which is why she was sure—this expedition would reveal that child's next move.
'Show me... what are you planning to do this time?'
A faint smile played at Freya’s lips, reflecting her anticipation.
...
The long staircase finally ended.
Light from the 59th floor ceiling spilled over everyone’s faces.
Stepping out, they took in the scenery of the new floor.
"Looks like the 24th floor."
Lefiya observed their surroundings. All around them stretched dense forest, and in the distance, towering mushroom trees loomed—giving the place the feel of a rainforest.
It was a familiar sight for adventurers. The giant tree maze starting from the 21st floor looked much the same.
But unlike that maze, which was dominated by massive trees, there were fewer towering trunks here, lending the area a more rainforest-like atmosphere.
"There really has been a change."
Finn had suspected something was off when he didn’t feel the biting chill at the 59th floor’s entrance.
If the intel from the Zeus Familia was accurate, this floor should’ve been a frozen wasteland.
But there’d been no sign of cold air rising from the entrance—that alone had struck Finn as unusual.
Now, seeing the terrain before him, all he felt was a deep and creeping chill in his heart.
The greater the changes on this floor, the more fearsome the Spirit that had claimed it must be.
Mentally bracing himself, Finn focused and began listening closely.
"Ah..."
A faint, low sound reached his ears, and in an instant, Finn pinpointed its source.
Bete, Riveria, and Lefiya—all with keen hearing—picked it up too.
"Finn."
"Yeah, I’ve got the location."
His voice was heavy as his gaze locked onto a point deep within the rainforest ahead.
"Ais, keep carrying Haruhime."
"Haruhime, start preparing your magic."
"Understood."
Finn led the way, leaping off the high ledge at the entrance.
The cliff wasn’t very steep, and even Lefiya could find footholds to descend swiftly.
As they landed, Haruhime, still on Ais’s back, began to chant.
"Kokonoe. Beloved snow. Beloved crimson. Beloved white light. Please let me be beside you - this love I have found at the end of two thousand nights...."
With her chant, a golden tail appeared behind her.
“My name is Magic Fox. Former destroyer. My name is Ancient Song. Former dreamer. For you who beat your wings like a bird, I shall allow the nine spirits to dwell in me.”
The golden tails multiplied, growing one by one until five tails shimmered behind her.
Golden lights clustered around Haruhime, making her presence feel sacred.
"Echo, song of gold, sacred poem of Tamamo. White face, golden fur, king of nine tails...."
"Oh, tails of the auspicious beast, consume all, grant all wishes—"
"Grow!"
"That power and that vessel. Breadth of wealth and breadth of wishes. Until the bell tolls, bring forth glory and illusion.."
"Grow!"
"Confine divine offerings within this body. This golden light bestowed from above. Into the hammer and into the ground, may it bestow good fortune upon you.."
"Grow!"
Thin red threads of light gathered above Haruhime’s head, coalescing into a halo.
"Uchide no Kozuchi!"
With her call, the halo overhead scattered into shimmering red-gold motes that floated down onto her golden tails, dyeing them the same radiant hue.
"Dance!"
As the chant ended, the red-gold tails turned into circles of light that drifted over the heads of the five fighters.
Finn, Gareth, and Bete at the front, followed by Riveria and Ais behind them.
The glowing rings descended like divine blessings, striking each of them and flooding their bodies with a power utterly unlike anything they’d ever known.
"You have five minutes. Please fight your hardest. I’ll take my leave now."
To avoid becoming a burden, Haruhime pulled a dagger from her spatial pouch and thrust it toward her heart.
In the next moment, the blade sank into a straw doll, and the Haruhime carried on Ais’s back vanished.
Ais glanced at the falling dagger and straw doll, caught them both midair, and slipped them into her pouch.
Then, she drew her weapon—the Desperate.
"Ah... ahhh..."
The strange cries were growing louder.
Riveria, slightly behind the others, came to a halt.
There was no need to advance any further—this was the ideal position to cast from.
She pulled out a Rune Stone marked “Special Enhancement” and activated it.
At the same time, she began chanting her spell.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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Chapter 427: Chapter 427: Chanting Her Nightmare for the Sake of Family
Chapter Text
'So they really did go with a swift assault.'
Bell wasn’t surprised.
When up against an enemy confirmed to be Level 7, adjusting tactics like this was only natural. Charging in head-on despite knowing you're outmatched would just be suicide.
Against an opponent clearly stronger than you, the only viable move is to seize the initiative and never let go.
'Well then, time to show a little strength.'
The Spirit, with a human upper body and a monstrous lower half, opened its blood-red eyes.
"AHHHHHH!!!"
Its frenzied roar echoed through the rainforest—pure madness radiating from its voice. And with it came an overwhelming aura, unmistakably belonging to a Level 8.
That pressure alone caused Finn and the others charging forward to stumble in shock.
'Something’s wrong!'
They all felt it. But now wasn’t the time to speak—the Spirit was right in front of them. Even if their instincts screamed danger, they had no choice but to press forward.
But the hesitation at their feet was enough—the Spirit had already seized its chance.
Countless thorns erupted from the ground, lunging toward Finn at the front.
"Clang!"
Finn blocked them with his spear, but the sheer force of the impact made his arms tremble uncontrollably.
Now he was sure—the Spirit in front of him was no mere Level 7.
Gritting his teeth, he switched hands and drove his spear forward.
"Shhk!"
The spear blade, wrapped in wind, tore through the wave of thorns.
Finn stepped forward, twisted his body, and swept his spear to clear the weakened bramble wall in front of him.
But the moment the thorns were cut, new ones sprouted immediately from the stumps.
"!?"
His eyes widened.
'Dammit! No time!'
"Fwoosh!"
The wind around his spear surged violently, helping him jerk it upward just in time to block another wave.
"Clang!"
The reinforced shaft held against the sudden strike.
Finn quickly took a step back to break the force of the thrust.
But even that minor retreat gave the Spirit another opening.
"Pierce, spear of lightning. Your envoy beseeches you, Tonitrus. Incarnate of thunder. Queen of lightning..."
A short chant!?
That kind of abbreviated incantation couldn’t be interrupted—by the time anyone attacked, the spell would already be unleashed.
But if he backed off now, their blitz strategy would fall apart entirely.
They had less than five minutes left.
He couldn’t back down now!
Finn knew it too well. He threw aside every hesitation and pressed his fingers against his forehead.
"Magic spear, penetrate my forehead offering blood!"
In that instant, power surged through his body, and his eyes turned crimson.
His body tensed, then launched into the air.
And just then—the Spirit’s magic was complete.
Dozens of thunder spears hovered in the sky, all aimed directly at Finn.
“Thunder Ray!”
"AAAHHHHHH!"
With dozens of thunder spears raining down, Finn, now consumed by madness, didn't back down. He charged forward with everything he had.
He gripped his spear with both hands, maintaining balance midair.
"Zzzzt!"
The thunder spears flew at him with incredible speed.
But Finn’s masterful technique came through—he deflected them rapidly, shattering more than ten in mere seconds.
"Crack!"
Sparks from the destroyed spears surged through his body, shorting out his nerves and impairing his movements.
"Shhk!"
One of the thunder spears pierced straight toward his chest.
Even with nearly all rational thought gone, Finn's instincts kicked in. He twisted his body in the air—
"Thud!"
—and the spear struck him dead center in the heart.
But in the very next instant, the body it pierced turned into a straw doll. The real Finn had already landed safely on the ground.
His bloodshot eyes locked forward as he dashed ahead.
"Ha!"
From behind, the two Amazon sisters leapt up with a fierce roar, intercepting the remaining thunder spears still midflight.
Within moments, the barrage was completely neutralized—but both sisters were wracked with paralysis from the lightning.
"I’m not stopping here!"
"The captain's still counting on me!"
As Tione hit the ground, veins bulged at her temple. Her rage at her helplessness erupted, forcing her numbed body into motion with sheer will.
"Me too—I won’t fall behind!"
"Everyone’s pushing forward—I’m not staying behind!"
Tiona’s body was scorched with red lightning burns, her limbs heavy and slow—but like her sister, she refused to stop.
Paralyzed or not, she wouldn’t let herself be left behind.
Their emotions surged, and that willpower alone pushed their bodies to move, even in their worst state.
Seeing Finn, Tione, and Tiona abandon all defense, the werewolf trailing them finally halted.
And then, he gave everything he had to this battle.
"Bind me—O King of the Starving Wolves!"
"First wound—Gelpja."
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
"Second wound—Gjöll."
His eyes turned bloodshot.
"Third wound—Þviti."
This magic always reminded him of the three most precious people in his life. That’s why he hated it more than anything.
But for the sake of victory—for the sake of never seeing another loved one die before him—he embraced the pain.
There was no hesitation in his chant.
"The blood spat from thirst is our only salvation."
"Let rivers of blood be forged, tears cleansing every face."
"Wounds that never heal, sorrow never forgotten. Remember sloth and wrath within hate and rage."
The words echoed his soul.
He never forgot how his weakness let the strong twist his fate. Never forgot the regret of his past failures.
"Hate the world, accept your fate—bleed your tears dry."
"Make fangs of your pain, roars of your cries, strength from your ruined flesh."
"Shatter your chains—let your howl shake the heavens! Carry your rage, become the moon that scorches all beneath it!"
The agony of watching his dearest die three times over had filled him with fury, with a hatred for the world and its injustice.
Yet in the end, he accepted fate—as unchangeable as his and theirs had been.
The tears were gone. But his fury remained.
And this time, he didn’t fight for revenge.
He fought for the companions he once wished for, but always pushed away.
Not for himself—for family.
"Bare your fangs—and devour all!"
"Hati!"
In an instant, fire erupted around the werewolf's body, roaring into a blazing inferno.
Chapter 428: Chapter 428: The Ferocious Assault
Chapter Text
"Ha!"
At the rear, Raul and Tsubaki were fighting hard, cutting down the Virgas that kept swarming in from the sides.
Riveria and Lefiya, serving as artillery mages, were in the midst of chanting their spells.
Raul, who had just sliced through a Virga with one strike, was panting heavily. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw another one charging toward him. Without pausing to catch his breath, he pulled a few attribute Rune Stones from his belt pouch and hurled them at the creature.
A blast of fire and wind exploded, burning the Virga into charcoal. Even the acid inside it splattered out as its body stiffened on the ground.
"Don’t let your guard down on the front lines."
Just as Raul was about to exhale in relief, his nerves instantly tensed. A giant flower had already locked onto him.
Before he could react, a dark silhouette darted forward. With a swift swing of its weapon, the flower's bud was sliced clean in half.
"Raul, stay focused. This isn’t a game."
"Yes!"
Tsubaki’s expression was grim as she watched the gathering horde of Virga and Violas.
While neither creature was particularly strong—one well-placed hit was enough to kill them—the sheer number was overwhelming.
Looking out, the Virga crawling in from the rainforest could only be described as a dense swarm.
Raul didn't even dare breathe now. He stayed locked on the approaching Violas and Virga, ready to strike the moment any of them breached the safety perimeter.
Just then, Riveria, still chanting, suddenly opened her eyes. Her magical energy surged to its peak.
"...Burn it all—Sword of Surtr. My name is Alf!"
"Rea Laevateinn!"
With a massive surge of magic, flames erupted from the ground and ceiling, forming a blazing storm that closed in on the Spirit from both sides.
Sensing the danger, the Spirit instantly wrapped itself in the petals surrounding its body.
But the raging flames incinerated even the toughest petals in an instant.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"
The burning heat caused the Spirit to feel pain for the first time, prompting it to cry out instinctively.
'As expected of the Nine Hell’s attack magic—amplified by Haruhime’s magic and my Rune Stones, it's unleashed devastating power.'
It wasn’t easy to hurt the Spirit so severely that it responded on instinct.
Bell couldn’t help but admire how the Nine Hell could wield destructive magic to such a degree.
'The final line of defense is down. Looks like it’s time to go all in.'
Bell didn’t believe the expedition party could level up without a serious push. And now was the perfect time to give it to them.
The last defense had been shattered.
Riveria's overwhelming magic tore through the Spirit's final barrier with sheer force and brutality.
The madness in Finn's eyes faded slightly as he began swinging his spear with renewed vigor.
The path was now open—they just had to charge in.
"Crack!"
The sound of the ground splitting echoed in his ears.
'I was ready for this!'
Finn had kept a close eye on the ground as he ran. Knowing the Spirit's attack pattern in advance, there was no way he wouldn’t be prepared.
He swiftly swung his twin spears. The moment he saw the ground-born thorns emerging, he reacted immediately.
One wind-infused spear stabbed straight ahead. As it pierced through the spikes, his other spear slammed hard into the ground.
There was a loud blast as the ground where the spear struck caved in, and the surrounding thorns were blown apart by the pressure of the attack.
Finn had no intention of stepping into the same trap twice. He clearly remembered the pitfall from a minute ago and was determined not to fall for it again.
As his focus shifted, the burns on the Spirit’s body had already mostly healed. It began chanting swiftly.
“Flash, rays of light. Tear through the darkness. Your envoy beseeches you, Lux. Incarnate of light. Queen of luminosity—”
“Light Burst!”
With the short incantation, a massive magic circle formed around the Spirit's body.
It spun rapidly, gathering light from all around until it condensed into a glowing orb.
But the target wasn’t the mages in the back—it was Finn at the very front.
The rapidly forming light orb shot toward him in an instant.
“Get the hell out of the way!”
With a furious roar, a mass of flame slammed into the light orb.
The flames wrapped around it, devouring it bit by bit. In a flash, the fire swelled to several times its original size. Magic held boundless power—but the body wielding it had limits.
“Gah!”
The Spirit’s spell carried immense magical force, and Bete’s body—having absorbed the brunt of it—began to hemorrhage.
His bones creaked and cracked; even the slightest movement might shatter them.
“Hah!”
Covered in blood, Bete looked like a demon out of hell. Yet despite the pain twisting his face, there was no fear—only a savage grin.
“No way I’m stopping here!”
His burning willpower pushed his broken body forward.
“Crack, crack, crack!”
Even the smallest motion sent fractures rippling through him.
“RAAAH!!!”
All of his remaining magic surged to his feet. Flames gathered beneath him, and his right foot glowed like a miniature sun.
Move.
“Charge, damn it!”
Pouring every ounce of strength into his body, Bete drove his blazing right foot forward like a soccer kick.
The moment the flames launched from his foot, they exploded outward—larger than the previous light orb—and streaked straight toward the Spirit’s face.
The Spirit’s internal alarms flared. It hastily summoned vines from the ground for defense.
But the moment the fire touched the vines, they turned red-hot and melted away. The entire process took barely a second.
“BOOM!”
“AAAAAAHHHHH!!”
The Spirit’s anguished scream echoed as Bete collapsed, his right foot charred like burnt wood. Yet even in pain, he cracked a triumphant grin.
The fire struck the Spirit head-on, melting its body completely before crashing into the wall behind it, leaving a sizable crater.
The Spirit, pierced by the flame, had already lost half of its body.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon(.)com/PinkSnake
Chapter 429: Chapter 429: A Victory of Luck
Chapter Text
This scene left Bell visibly stunned.
'I didn't expect it... Vanargand was the one who broke the deadlock with sheer force.'
Although the Spirit had already taken heavy damage from Nine Hell's magic, it possessed regenerative abilities that allowed it to recover by expending magic power. The earlier attack by Nine Hell didn't so much injure it as strip away the defensive petals surrounding it—its strongest form of protection.
But Vanargand's strike had pierced through both its defenses and regeneration, hitting the Spirit's core directly.
'Was that just a coincidence?'
'To land a blow right on the magic stone like that...'
Bell shared a connection with the Spirit, so he knew exactly how devastating Vanargand's attack had been—an attack that came at the cost of his right leg.
The magic stone was the heart of any monster. According to the laws of the Dungeon, once it was shattered, the monster would disintegrate into ash.
But due to the Spirit's unique nature, its magic stone was far more durable than those of ordinary monsters. That was the only reason it hadn't turned to ash on the spot.
Still, the damage inflicted was beyond imagination.
Bell's opinion of Vanargand instantly rose.
'Even if it was a one-time miracle, the power he unleashed in that instant was enough to briefly reach Level 8.'
'It's hard to believe... a Level 5 could deliver an attack that powerful in a life-or-death moment.'
"Go, Ais!"
The voice of encouragement snapped Bell back to the battlefield.
Finn had already charged ahead, clearing the path. Tiona and Tione flanked him, fending off vines striking from the sides.
In the center was Ais, maintaining her spell, "Ariel."
Bell could clearly feel her magic power surging—her presence growing stronger with every passing second.
Bit by bit, she was approaching the pinnacle of Level 6.
The realization left Bell speechless.
'Is it a skill effect?'
'How could her power be increasing this much?'
He immediately noticed the fury on Ais's face—the cold mask she usually wore now etched with unmistakable hatred.
Bell glanced toward Bete, spotting his completely shattered, charred right leg.
'Did the sacrifice of a comrade awaken something in her—an evolution in her skill?'
Witnessing it unfold in real time stirred deep emotions in Bell.
The same feeling he once experienced while watching it on a screen—it was now happening right in front of him.
'...Well, I guess that's your win.'
Though he was supposed to remain impartial in setting the difficulty of this trial, even Bell had gotten caught up in the intensity.
Everyone's hopes had converged on this moment—on Ais standing at the front line, unleashing her strength against the Spirit.
It was a scene that stirred Bell's heart deeply.
At this point, even if he wanted to intervene, it would be meaningless.
The magic stone had been struck. The expedition team's victory was already assured.
The Spirit, now hit at its core, had lost its earlier might. Its strength was dropping rapidly.
From its previous peak at Level 8, it had already fallen to the baseline of Level 6.
Even if Bell tried to exert control now, the Spirit no longer had the power to change the outcome.
All that remained was to accept the expedition's victory.
"Tem…pest!"
Soaring high into the air, Ais unleashed her ultimate move on the Spirit, which was struggling to regenerate and had no strength left to retaliate.
A concentrated mini-typhoon, born from her immense magical power, surged forth and devoured the Spirit entirely, shredding it to pieces.
That final strike marked the end of the expedition.
...
"…"
In the prayer chamber, the four gods watched as Loki and Hephaestus's expedition team successfully brought down the Spirit. For a moment, none of them could find the words to speak.
The battle had been brutal.
The mages in the rear were not only providing cover and openings for the frontline but also dealing with the seemingly endless Virgas and Violas.
Finn Deimne, the captain of Loki Familia, had displayed remarkable bravery. He sacrificed his offense entirely to draw the Spirit's attention and even managed to block its short incantation spell—laying the groundwork for victory.
Everyone had given everything they had. In a dramatic conclusion, the Spirit was defeated...
The story might've followed a somewhat typical script, but the emotion and intensity of the battle moved all four gods.
"I didn't expect Loki's children to possess such brilliant souls," Freya remarked in awe.
"They threw everything they had into taking down the Spirit. Despite the vast gap in strength, they ended the fight with overwhelming speed. Their strength and courage are truly commendable," Hermes added with generous praise.
"They're all outstanding children. Loki truly knows how to raise them," Ganesha said, unable to hold back his admiration.
These three gods, each influential and respected in Orario, offered sincere praise for Loki Familia. Few other Familia could earn such recognition.
"They cleared a path for their comrades to press forward—and that path led them straight to victory. They deserve all the praise," Ganesha added, feeling deeply moved.
His own children were talented and full of potential, but when compared to those who stood their ground against such a formidable enemy, even they seemed to fall a bit short.
The children of Loki Familia had faced an opponent far stronger than themselves. That alone was something no other Familia in Orario could likely manage.
"Still... there was something odd about the Spirit at the end."
Ganesha couldn't help but voice his observation.
"After the Spirit was hit by the werewolf's magic, its strength dropped sharply. What happened?"
"The core was probably hit," Freya said with a soft smile, her gaze lingering on the victorious expedition team. She too had noticed the odd moment, and she had a good idea of what had caused it.
"That flame the boy kicked out nearly destroyed half the Spirit's body. Most likely, it was then that he struck its core."
"Oh! That makes sense," Ganesha nodded, realization dawning. That did sound plausible.
Since monsters all had a magic stone as their core, it stood to reason the Spirit had one as well.
Chapter 430: Chapter 430: The Fruit of Victory
Chapter Text
"They did it!!!"
Loki sprang up from the sofa, bursting with excitement.
"I can't believe it actually worked!"
Sure, that kid probably held back a little—but even if the Spirit wasn't using its full Lv. 8 strength, defeating it still proved just how strong her children were.
"I didn't expect your children to actually pull it off," Hestia said, a bit surprised.
Earlier, Loki Familia had managed to suppress the Spirit's power, but it was obvious to Hestia that the suppression was only temporary. Once the magic's effect faded, Loki's kids would have quickly fallen into a disadvantage.
What she hadn't expected was that they would settle the fight in under five minutes.
"Of course!" Loki said, puffing out her chest proudly. Her children's brilliant performance gave her every reason to stand tall in front of the little runt.
"My kids have always been excellent. Even when they're at a disadvantage, they know how to make up for it."
"They really are impressive," Hestia admitted. Though not quite as outstanding as her Bell, it was hard to find others on their level in all of Orario.
"I do wonder how much power Bell-kun actually used, and how much of the Spirit's true strength was shown."
"...Yeah."
As one of the observing gods, Loki didn't have an answer to that. But soon, Bell's voice came through the screen.
"Don't worry, Loki-sama."
"Although I did limit the Spirit's output, it still fought at the peak of Lv. 7. I think this will be enough for Captain Finn and the others to earn a significant upgrade."
"Lv. 7, huh… Emmm. It's still not quite there, but yeah, it's probably the best outcome for Finn and the others."
It was a bit disappointing that their opponent hadn't been a full Lv. 8, but Loki pushed that thought aside.
Her children had gone all in—even staking their lives—to win. That was what made this chance possible.
If they had faced a Spirit truly at Lv. 8 strength, they might not have even gotten that chance.
Even now, there had been an element of luck involved, and Loki could admit that to herself.
As for a Lv. 8 Spirit—that could wait until her children were fully upgraded to Lv. 7.
"Yeah, it really was the best outcome," Hephaestus agreed.
"Honestly, your kids were already at their limit back there. If you had expected them to defeat a true Lv. 8 Spirit, don't you think they would've been wiped out by the very first spell?"
Loki had no response to that.
Maybe it was just a one-level difference between Lv. 7 and Lv. 8—but that one level could be fatal.
The gap in power between adventurers and monsters couldn't be brushed aside. Even a single level's difference could mean life or death for either side.
...
"Agh… cough…"
Bete lay collapsed on the ground, completely drained. Even breathing now made him feel like he was being scorched from the inside.
The spell he'd cast had gone far beyond what his body could handle. Even though he managed to kick it out with everything he had, the backlash left serious damage.
The recoil of the magic had scorched him inside and out—there wasn't a single spot left untouched.
"Mr. Bete!"
At the sound of the voice, Bete barely managed to open his eyes. He saw the shy elf, tears streaming down her face as she looked at him.
His throat burned too badly to speak. All he could do was rasp out a hoarse "Ah…"
Only then did Lefiya remember the Elixir. She quickly dug into her spatial waist pouch, pulled it out, and helped Bete rest his head on her lap before carefully uncapping the bottle and bringing it to his lips.
"Gulp… gulp…"
The moment the Elixir entered his mouth, its potent energy surged through Bete's body. The most immediate effect was on his throat.
Just seconds ago it had been burning from magical backlash, but now it was beginning to recover.
"Ahem..."
His voice was still raspy, but Bete's complexion had noticeably improved.
"Where's Finn?"
"The captain's fine. Tione's over there taking care of him."
At those words, Lefiya quickly looked over and spotted Tione holding Finn, fussing over him. She finally breathed a small sigh of relief.
The captain being cradled by an Amazoness?
Even without looking, Bete could picture the scene perfectly.
"That Amazon woman must be absolutely over the moon right now."
"Huh?"
Lefiya didn't follow at first, but when she glanced at Tione, the woman looked ecstatic—her eyes practically sparkling with hearts.
"You dumb elf, did you forget? Finn accepted that woman's marriage proposal."
"Ah!"
It hit Lefiya—Finn had agreed to marry Tione.
"Wait, does that mean... Captain and Tione are really going to get married?"
Her eyes went wide in shock.
Finn had only accepted the proposal thinking they might not make it back this time, but they'd actually survived the trial. Didn't that mean they'd really go through with it once the expedition ended?
Bete certainly didn't think the Amazon would let this chance slip by.
"She'll definitely cling to Finn and hold him to his word. You know how shameless she can be."
Lefiya was momentarily at a loss for words.
It might be a little rude to say, but part of her couldn't help thinking... if she had Tione's level of shamelessness, maybe she and Ais could've... Ahem.
Flushed, Lefiya quickly banished the thought. Definitely not the time.
While they talked, the Elixir had already begun to take effect in Bete's body. The burning sensation slowly faded, and even the charred skin on his leg was returning to a normal tone—but his right leg remained gone.
After absorbing the Spirit's magic, the backlash had completely ravaged his body. That final kick had cost him the use of his right leg—it had turned entirely to charcoal and couldn't be healed, even with an Elixir.
"Mr. Bete, your leg..."
Lefiya couldn't bring herself to look directly.
"Hmph. It's just a leg."
Bete scoffed like it was nothing.
"You dumb elf, did you forget? That guy's Rune Stone."
"...Ah!"
Lefiya froze for half a second before she remembered—that person's Rune Stone had regenerative powers, even for lost limbs.
"Bete."
Just then, Ais approached him.
Having just finished her battle with the Spirit, she no longer had the power boost from her skill. With her magic depleted and her strength fading, she looked visibly worn down.
Bete glanced over and saw a faint expression of gratitude on her usually doll-like face. The corner of his mouth curled upward.
"You finally made it, Ais."
He had always yearned for reliable comrades—ones he wouldn't have to lose again. But this time, he didn't need to worry.
His companions weren't weak. At the very least, they were strong enough to keep moving forward without leaving anyone behind.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon(.)com/PinkSnake
Chapter 431: Chapter 431: It Seems Like Someone Set Me Up
Chapter Text
"Captain!!!"
Finn’s emotions were all over the place—especially under this kind of relentless attack from that walking bundle of facial cleanser. He really didn’t know how to handle it.
Just like Lefiya had seen earlier, there were literal red hearts in Tione’s eyes. It wasn’t for any other reason—just the simple fact that marriage was finally a sure thing.
Finn’s turmoil, too, stemmed from that very topic: marriage.
Though he had agreed to Tione’s proposal the day before, it was more about fulfilling her final wish. He hadn’t been sure whether they’d even make it back from the Dungeon, so he had set aside his ideals and goals to let Tione have that dream.
Who could have guessed they’d actually survive this ordeal?
They had played all their cards, burned every last ounce of power available to them, and even chose the high-risk, high-reward strategy of a swift assault in this trial. They staked everything on a five-minute limit.
If they’d lost, they would’ve lost their right to challenge the Spirits completely.
But they won.
Thanks to the intel from Cassandra, he managed to save his right arm—which should have been lost—and cleared a path forward for Bete and Ais.
Once they learned that the Spirit used magic, they ditched defense altogether and went all-in on offense.
Honestly, if even one piece of that puzzle had been missing, they wouldn’t have stood a chance against a Spirit of that caliber.
But Bete’s magic turned the tide at the last second.
It was only because Bete sacrificed everything to launch that attack that they gained their one and only advantage in the battle.
This might have been the most dangerous mission they’d ever taken on.
A five-minute limit—who even came up with that? It was like they weren’t even treating them like people.
Even now, thinking back on the details of that fight, Finn still felt a chill. One wrong step, and it would’ve been over for all of them.
Their victory was a fluke—a mix of intelligence, luck, and strength. A one-time miracle that could never be repeated.
And now, despite that miracle, Finn found himself with a brand-new headache.
"Captain does this mean we can get married when we go back?"
That question was the source of his current torment.
He hadn’t even felt this helpless when fighting the Spirit—so why did the idea of getting married leave him completely at a loss?
“Tione, I’ll need to hold off on the wedding for a while.”
“Huh?”
Though she had expected this answer, the disappointment on Tione’s face was still obvious.
Finn wasn’t trying to go back on his word. He knew full well that after what he’d said, there was no room to back out.
Based on Tione’s past behavior, Finn was certain she'd eventually find her way into his room and leave nothing behind—not even the bones.
So, marriage was inevitable.
Just… not anytime soon.
To make sure Tione didn’t take it the wrong way, he felt the need to explain.
“There’s a lot to handle once we’re back. Even just the leveling up will keep us busy for a while.”
The fact that three members of the Loki Familia had ascended from Lv.6 to Lv.7 was a major event. It meant an expansion of Orario’s top-tier power and signaled a reshuffling of the city’s Familia rankings.
The so-called “Twin Kings” dynamic Orario used to talk about had always been more of a polite fiction. After all, Freya Familia had adventurers at Lv.7—something Loki Familia lacked. That title was just a way to let Loki keep her dignity, the eternal runner-up.
But now, with all three of Loki Familia’s core members advancing to Lv.7, that second-place title was finally up for grabs.
From here on, “Twin Kings” wasn’t just a flattering phrase—it meant that Freya Familia and Loki Familia now stood as equals.
And marriage… wasn’t something to jump into lightly. At the very least, it needed proper preparation.
“Besides… marriage isn’t something you can just declare and do on the spot.”
“…Alright.”
Tione was a little disappointed not to get an immediate yes, but she had already prepared herself for this.
After all, the captain had accepted her proposal. That wasn’t something that could be undone.
Whether it happened under special circumstances or not, he had agreed—and that was enough for her. She meant it.
Tione gently helped Finn up.
She really wanted to just scoop him into her arms, but her body was still numb from the lightning after the intense battle. Her movements were sluggish, so doing anything that required effort was out of the question.
“Captain, are you okay?”
“Barely.”
Finn could clearly feel how weak his legs had become.
The “Hell Finegas” drastically boosted his physical abilities at the cost of rational thought—but it also completely drained his stamina.
Normally, Finn would pace himself in combat. But this time, he had faced an enemy unlike any before—the most ferocious opponent of his life. Holding back would’ve meant death. That’s why he’d pushed himself far beyond his limits, burning through multiple times his usual strength and ending up completely drained.
But the 59th floor wasn’t safe. Even if they wanted to rest, they needed to get to the thoroughly cleared 58th floor.
“Tione, let’s leave and head to the 58th floor.”
“The Valgang Dragons on the 58th floor have been cleared. No monsters are spawning right now, so it’s a good place for us to recover.”
“Got it.”
Once things turned serious, Tione got serious too.
In fact, during real combat, Tione was usually composed—it was just that her impatience could sometimes make her snap.
Of course, that never happened when she was dealing with Finn.
No matter what, Tione was always patient with Finn.
While Tione supported Finn, Gareth picked up Bete, who was still lying on the ground.
“This time, it was you who charged in first.”
Gareth glanced at Bete’s right leg. It was a serious loss.
“Tch. Old man, not even your shield could block the Spirit’s magic. And you’re not exactly built for quick assaults. Would’ve been better if you just went to protect that old hag from the start.”
He wasn’t wrong. Dwarves had strength and endurance on their side, but they lacked speed, agility, and mobility.
Even with a Rune Stone boosting his speed, Gareth didn’t make much of a frontline tank when Finn was already drawing all the Spirit’s attention.
Gareth shot the stubborn werewolf a helpless look.
“You little punk, only you would dare call Riveria an old hag.”
“Besides, I was just the backup plan.”
The werewolf glanced at Finn, who was leaning against Tione, and clicked his tongue. He couldn’t shake the feeling he’d been played.
Chapter 432: Chapter 432: Finally, They Meet
Chapter Text
All members of the expedition team needed rest and treatment.
Whether it was Finn and the others or Riveria, they all needed time to recover.
For them, the 58th floor was the ideal place to rest for now. With the Dungeon's spawning halted temporarily, it was nothing short of a mercy.
Ais, walking at the rear, glanced back at the battlefield on the 59th floor before turning to catch up with the departing team.
She had a strange feeling, like she’d forgotten something.
But she couldn’t recall what it was, so she let it go.
If she couldn’t remember it, then it probably wasn’t important anyway...
The image in the Guild's prayer room had frozen on a specific spot.
Perhaps during the battle, when the “Sword Princess” landed the final blow on the “Spirit,” the impact had blown off the ornament hanging from her sword sheath, and the image had remained stuck on that frame ever since.
“It seems the ‘Sword Princess’ didn’t notice.”
Watching the expedition team leave the screen one by one without the image shifting, Hermes realized the “Sword Princess” hadn’t noticed something had been lost.
“Ouranos, we’ve seen everything we needed to see. Can this gathering finally be considered over...?”
“Not yet, Hermes.”
Hermes was about to leave, thinking everything worth watching had already been seen.
But Freya stopped him.
She was still gazing intently at the frozen image.
“The expedition part may be over, but that child’s story isn’t finished yet.”
“That child... Freya, I don’t think this expedition had anything to do with him.”
“Really, Hermes? Is that what you truly believe?”
Hermes still wanted to defend Bell.
But Freya didn’t buy it at all. Smiling, she continued her analysis:
“This was that child’s first time joining an expedition. So tell me, would a child who’s only Lv. 1 really need to take part in such a mission?”
Hermes had no answer. He knew full well this expedition had been orchestrated by that child and Loki.
“That child is cautious, prudent, and conservative. He never chooses anything unless he's certain. You should know that, Hermes.”
At that, Hermes fell completely silent.
Indeed, he knew. That child was careful by nature. Aside from a few blunders when he first arrived in Orario, he’d always acted discreetly, never exposing himself to the gaze of the gods.
So with that kind of personality, he would never get involved in something without a clear reason or solid assurance.
Which meant—this expedition was highly suspicious.
As they spoke, a figure appeared on the screen.
The moment Freya saw the cloaked and hooded figure, her face broke into a radiant smile.
“Isn't that it?”
Hermes looked at the tightly cloaked figure on the screen and let out a wry smile.
Bell-kun, you really shouldn’t have shown yourself...
...
Meanwhile, completely unaware of the situation, Bell returned to the center of the battlefield.
The “Spirit” clone could be left to the expedition team, but the soul fragment of the “Spirit” itself—he needed to retrieve that.
The “Spirit” was considered a god’s avatar. Besides its overwhelming power, perhaps it also shared similarities on the level of the soul. Naturally, Bell couldn’t ignore this unexpected gift.
The torn fragment of the soul might offer great insights into the nature of gods.
“The Spirit fetus is completely destroyed.”
Bell confirmed the total annihilation of the “Spirit fetus.”
Although being directly struck by the “Sword Princess's” magic in that situation left almost no chance of survival, as long as the chance wasn’t zero, he had to stay vigilant.
Then came the matter of the “Spirit’s” remaining soul.
An invisible thread extended from Bell’s hand. With a slight tug, the shattered soul hidden beneath the ground—imperceptible to ordinary mortals—was drawn upward by the thread.
‘The soul fragment is still largely intact. Looks like magic can’t affect the soul.’
His Runes could interact with souls, but only because they imitated Authority. No matter how powerful regular magic was, it could only cause physical damage—it wasn’t enough to affect a soul.
He casually processed the soul fragment.
Just as he was about to head back to the safe zone on the 50th floor, Bell suddenly stopped.
He felt an intense gaze on him—and it wasn’t from Goddess-sama or Loki.
Following the direction of the gaze, Bell sharpened his vision several times over and quickly spotted something familiar.
‘The ornament from the Sword Princess’s sheath...’
His expression darkened. He hadn’t noticed it at all until now.
‘Five pairs of eyes. One of them... blazingly intense.’
That heat immediately made him think of one person.
Freya-sama!
The goddess whose beauty and grace were nothing short of divine.
For those in Genkai, man or woman, just one look was enough to fall under her spell.
But Bell didn’t feel any such enchantment.
Though he could acknowledge Freya-sama’s devil-like beauty, all he felt was admiration—and nothing more.
Of course, even that didn’t change the fact that he went out of his way to avoid this goddess.
He hadn’t forgotten just how obsessed this goddess was with “Bell Cranel.”
Watching it happen to others was amusing—but when it happened to him, all he felt was cold sweat.
Wasn’t this just full-on yandere?
Realizing what was happening, Bell quickly tried to suppress his presence.
But in that single instant, a sudden jolt struck his soul.
“!?”
It only lasted a moment.
“Finally, we meet.”
That familiar voice made Bell freeze slightly.
He turned toward the sound—and saw Goddess Freya standing there with a smile, dressed in a flowing black gown.
“Freya-sama...”
“You really made it hard for me to find you.”
There was no trace of disappointment in Freya’s eyes—only amusement and delight.
Everyone had tried to block her, yet here she was, face-to-face with the child she sought.
“You're unbelievably persistent, Freya-sama.”
Bell instinctively touched his face—but there was no mask. Glancing at his hand, even the gloves had vanished.
His eyes swept the surroundings. There was no sign of the 59th floor.
Instead, he stood in a strange, unfathomably deep place—mysterious and otherworldly.
Beside him stood a massive stone gate, like a barrier sealing off the depths beyond.
So—where was this place?
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon(.)com/PinkSnake
Chapter 433: Chapter 433: Hermes, the Only One Injured
Chapter Text
"This is your soul world."
"My soul world...?"
Seeing the curiosity on Bell's face, Freya smiled as she explained.
Soul world?
It was the first time Bell had heard such a term.
Naturally, it was also his first time seeing a world like this.
Freya glanced at the massive stone door beside her—blocking everything beyond—and then at the surrounding gloom, letting out a quiet sigh.
"No wonder I couldn't see your soul the first time. I didn't expect it to be like this."
The dim, lifeless soul on the surface was just a facade. The true soul within was sealed behind a stone door nearly impossible to see through—like a Wall of Lamentation that completely separated the Underworld from the Pure Land.
Freya couldn't help but wonder why someone like Bell, a mere human, would have such a soul.
This barrier wasn't just spiritual—it was like a natural fortress, shielding nearly every part of this child's soul from any intrusion.
And the surrounding, oppressive darkness served as a second wall—a deeper layer of defense within Bell's soul. Two soul barriers, just like his personality: extreme, yet exceedingly cautious, low-key, and prudent.
Freya stepped closer to Bell, until they were nearly eye to eye, their height barely different.
"I can't take you by force."
"And your personality... ha, I've never met such a troublesome child."
Thinking back on Bell's behavior over the past six months, even Freya was left speechless.
Though she'd enjoyed the chase while searching for him, there were moments when his elusiveness had left her deeply frustrated.
Even now, standing directly inside his soul world, she still couldn't glimpse the inner radiance of his soul.
These two layers of defense shielded his soul world too thoroughly. Even after stepping inside, she couldn't perceive any color or light.
Yet rather than deterring her, these two failures only made Freya more curious about Bell's secret—and about Bell himself.
"Still, you're the second person in Genkai I've met who can completely ignore my charm."
"And you're even more special than the last."
Freya's smile carried a deep yearning.
"I want you."
But that desire quickly gave way to helplessness.
"Yet your fate lies with Hestia. It's like the world is playing the cruelest joke on me."
Fate could be so capricious—even gods weren't immune to its whims. Maybe that's why they were incomplete.
Bell was silent for a moment before speaking with a conflicted expression.
"Freya-sama, if you know that, then there's no need to waste so much time on me."
"I'm afraid not."
Give up? Freya immediately rejected the idea.
"Now that I've seen your soul world, I'm more certain than ever. You're the one I've been searching for."
"You're the 'encounter' I've been hoping to find in Genkai."
Even if she still couldn't see into the depths of his soul, just those two soul barriers alone were enough for Freya to know—this time, she had found the right person.
And because of that, a silent jealousy flickered in the depths of her gaze.
"If only I had discovered you when you first arrived in Orario... then you would've been mine."
But fate had toyed with her, deliberately letting her miss him entirely—and now things had turned into this mess.
"Bzzzt!"
Suddenly, Freya's form rippled.
"The defense mechanism…"
She sighed again, visibly discouraged.
His soul world was so complete—even a Wall of Lamentation specifically designed to shield him. It would even eliminate foreign soul intrusions. It was absurdly thorough.
"We'll talk outside."
...
Back in the present, Freya returned from the soul world with an exasperated look on her face—tinged with a hint of childish sulkiness.
'What a cheat...'
She glanced again at the image of that boy—only to realize he had vanished in the blink of an eye, fleeing faster than anyone.
It was like he saw her as some terrifying beast.
Did she really look that scary?
That bratty reaction left Freya slightly unbalanced emotionally.
"Hermes, I'll leave the matter of arranging a meeting with that child to you."
Without giving Hermes a chance to protest, she turned to Ouranos.
"Ouranos, now that this is over, I'll take my leave."
Still fuming, Freya turned and gave Hermes a fierce glare before walking off without another word.
"...???"
Hermes, stunned by the sudden glare, was left full of question marks.
He hadn't said or done anything, and he'd been perfectly polite to Freya. So why was he the one catching the blame?
"Heh~"
A rare smile appeared on Ouranos's normally stern face.
He had seen everything Freya had done—but this shift in her demeanor actually made her seem more normal than before.
"Hermes, I'll leave the matter with Hestia to you. Speak to her about Freya."
"...Huh???"
Hermes was completely dumbfounded.
Talk to Hestia about arranging a meeting between Bell and Freya? Wasn't that basically suicide? Everyone knew how much Hestia adored Bell. Asking her to throw him into the lion's den? That was just asking for trouble.
"Ouranos, shouldn't Ganesha handle something like this instead?"
Ganesha, who had been gleefully watching Hermes squirm, immediately broke into a cold sweat. Even his muscle-bound brain processed the danger in an instant.
"Hermes, I'm not close with Hestia. I wouldn't know what to say. So, I'll be counting on you."
Before Hermes could say a word, Ganesha bolted from the prayer room at top speed, leaving Hermes alone, wide-eyed and speechless.
—What the hell!?
By the time Hermes snapped out of it, Ganesha was already gone. He'd never seen Ganesha run so fast before.
Was that really Ganesha?
The guy who was normally as stubborn as a rock—why was he suddenly so quick to back off?
The answer was simple. Ganesha understood the danger of dealing with a goddess's feelings. Staying out of their emotional affairs was the best way to survive.
Which is exactly why he shoved the trouble onto Hermes. That was the safest move.
After all, Ganesha couldn't guarantee he wouldn't get jumped later that night by one of Freya's more enthusiastic admirers.
Chapter 434: Chapter 434: The Expedition Team Returns to the Safe Zone
Chapter Text
When Bell returned to the temporary base in the 50th floor safe zone, his thoughts were still in disarray.
"Ugh..."
Despite all his precautions, he'd still ended up meeting the Goddess of Beauty.
That unmistakable yandere aura was overwhelming—and there was no doubt now that Freya had her eyes on him.
But honestly, that wasn't even the worst part.
What troubled him most was that Freya wasn't even on the opposing side anymore.
The fact that she had zeroed in on him through the ornament left behind by the "Sword Princess" meant one thing—Freya had changed course. It might sound arrogant, but it felt like Freya had chosen to side with the Guild's camp just to find him.
This marked a complete shift from their previous opposition. At least on a broader level, they were now aligned. Given the state of Orario, even he found himself on the same side as Freya.
Which meant the issue between them and Freya had shifted from external opposition to internal factional tension.
It might sound similar on the surface, but the difference in dynamics was significant.
Being on the same side but at odds—that was internal conflict. There were still links between them, but now those links were laced with friction.
In other words, Freya had subtly embedded herself among his allies.
She had found her place in the Guild faction—and was now planning to use that connection to officially approach him.
Her final words, "Let's talk outside," had already made that clear.
It wouldn't be long before Freya's invitation reached him through Hermes. It was, after all, fitting for the god of messengers.
But both Goddess-sama and Hephaestus were bound to be furious about it.
Just the thought of a yandere-style beauty goddess watching his every move gave Bell a headache, not delight.
Being targeted by a goddess like her was nothing but psychological pressure.
All he could do now was sigh.
...
"Captain, you...!?"
Late that night, the entire expedition camp on the 50th floor was waiting to welcome Finn back in triumph.
But the moment they saw the captain and his team return battered and in tatters—Bete even missing a leg—they were all stunned.
Even Bete himself seemed frozen.
However, Liliruca, Cassandra, and Daphne, who knew the truth, finally let out a breath of relief.
Yes, the main force had returned injured, and Bete had lost a leg—but compared to total annihilation, this was still far better.
Sensing the mood quickly turning grim, Liliruca pushed her way to the front of the crowd.
"Everyone, quiet! The captain just got back from the Deep Floors. Whatever questions you have can wait until he's had proper treatment."
Liliruca's voice brought the crowd to silence.
"Captain, let me help you."
"Thanks, everyone."
Finn didn't turn down their help.
Welf, the newcomer from Hephaestus Familia, walked over to the person he was most familiar with—Captain Tsubaki—and handed her a wet towel.
"Captain, you've worked hard."
"Oh? Look at you, saying something nice for once."
Tsubaki gave Welf a curious glance. Before the expedition, she clearly remembered how this kid had reeked of defiance and rebellious energy. But now, that attitude had completely vanished.
Welf gave a slightly awkward smile.
"Just saying something polite, that's all."
"Hmm, now that sounds more like the Welf I know."
Watching him like this, Tsubaki's smile deepened.
It was obvious—reality had given this rookie a proper wake-up call.
Geniuses always carried a bit of arrogance. They believed they stood at the top of their craft.
But when a genius meets another with even greater talent in the same field—that's when humility sets in. That's when they realize there's more to learn, more room to grow.
And Welf had seen it firsthand.
Rune Stones.
Each one packed serious power. Simple to use. And cheap.
Even though he'd long since chosen to stop forging magic swords, seeing these Rune Stones—functionally similar to magic swords—left him feeling unsettled.
The rise of Rune Stones was eating away at the very space magic swords once held.
Their low cost, often greater power, and accessibility made them an undeniable force. If you compared a magic sword to a Rune Stone of equal value, the sword might look practically worthless in comparison.
Maybe that was exactly what Welf had hoped to see.
But now, watching Rune Stones slowly replace magic swords in the market, Welf couldn't help but feel a strange melancholy—mixed with a trace of relief.
Maybe it was the difference between choosing not to forge and having no need to forge at all.
In short, it was complicated.
Seeing how powerful those Rune Stones were—how they could replace magic swords—stirred something in him.
He wanted to pit his own forged magic swords against those Rune Stones.
Welf wanted to prove that his creations could match—or even surpass—them.
And that realization made him reflect on how naive and emotional his past ideals had been.
Of course, Tsubaki had no idea what he was thinking. But if she did, she'd probably respond with a bemused look and say, "That's not someone you can compare yourself to."
...
But since Tsubaki was unaware of Welf's shifting thoughts, she didn't consider it at all.
As a captain, she simply thought it was good to see him motivated.
Maybe that was why Hephaestus had included Welf in the expedition in the first place—to let him come to this realization on his own.
"Tsubaki, do you know who makes the Rune Stones?"
"Welf, since when did you get so curious about that?"
"...Just a little interested."
Welf remembered that their Familia handled external sales of these Rune Stones.
Tsubaki didn't quite get his meaning, but she wasn't trying to dodge the question either.
"I know who it is, but I'm not telling you."
"Why not?"
"Because he hates trouble, and he doesn't want people knowing he's the one making them. So even if you're curious, I won't say a thing. Just know that our Familia has a partnership with him. That's all you need."
Tsubaki didn't elaborate any further. She let out a loud yawn, her tension finally easing into exhaustion.
"I'm heading back to my tent to rest. If you really want to know, go find out yourself."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon(.)com/PinkSnake
Chapter 435: Chapter 435: Joy of Returning Home, Interrupted by the Messenger
Chapter Text
"Ha~ I still can't believe Finn and the others actually managed to defeat the Spirit."
Even after witnessing it with her own eyes, Loki still felt like she was dreaming.
"...You've said that over a dozen times now."
"Huh? That many?"
"You seriously haven't noticed?"
Hestia could understand Loki's excitement. She had gone through the same thing after learning about Bell's special skill. For several days, she had been absolutely ecstatic.
But even so, hearing the same line repeated endlessly was getting on Hestia's nerves.
She'd stayed up several nights in a row monitoring the Dungeon's situation, and the lack of sleep had taken its toll. She'd only been able to relax a little once she could see Bell with her own eyes.
Now that the expedition had ended safely, all she wanted was a proper rest to unwind the nerves she'd kept taut for days.
Even though she had full confidence in Bell's abilities, she'd still mentally prepared herself for the worst—possibly even a falling out with Loki.
Worry and relief had drained her both physically and mentally. Right now, all she wanted was to lie down and get some proper sleep, so she could greet Bell when he returned—at her best.
"Ha~ I get that you're excited, but I'm exhausted. Can you please just go to sleep already?"
"How am I supposed to sleep at a time like this!?"
"That's your problem! I want to sleep!"
Without waiting for another word, Hestia grabbed Hephaestus beside her.
"Hephaestus, let's ignore this idiot. I'm seriously about to pass out."
"Perfect, I'm tired too."
Hephaestus stood up and stretched. After sitting for so long, her shoulders were starting to ache. She rubbed them lightly but decided to save the request for a massage until after Bell came back.
Loki stared at the two casually flaunting their figures, speechless, her eye twitching uncontrollably.
She looked down at her own chest, then without thinking, tears of frustration welled up in her eyes. She grumbled with envy, "Tch, it's not like I don't have one..."
That moment brought back memories of Hephaestus and Hestia's... previous proportions. Loki frowned.
"Did they grow again?"
But she quickly shook the thought away.
"I'm overthinking it. We're gods—we've long since lost the ability to grow. No way those two have any room left for growth."
Among the goddesses, Hestia and Hephaestus were definitely well-endowed. But as divine beings, they weren't supposed to grow anymore. She had to be imagining it.
"Ha~~~"
Just thinking about it made Loki feel sleepy too. She let out a huge yawn, her eyes misting up, and her vision started to blur.
'I'm done... After days of staying up, I need some proper rest too.'
Her previously energized face now showed nothing but fatigue.
Even gods needed rest—especially those who had descended from Tenkai and sealed away their divine powers, reducing themselves to the level of ordinary mortals.
Days of sleeplessness would wear out even a god.
As the excitement faded, exhaustion crept in.
And with that, Loki finally surrendered to sleep and returned to her room.
When she woke up, it was already the next morning.
The soft bed, the fragrant blankets, and the lingering sweet dreams had kept Loki sound asleep for a long time.
She had slept so deeply that she couldn't wake up early like usual.
It wasn't until noon that the drowsiness finally wore off and she sat up in bed.
"Mmm~"
Stretching both arms overhead and arching her back, she let out a long breath before flopping limply onto the bed again.
"Ah~ I might never get to enjoy a day this relaxing again."
They say a golden nest can't beat one's own doghouse—but that only applies to ordinary nests.
This place? This was no ordinary luxury. The design exuded opulence in every detail, the kind that could charm even a god.
And right now, wasn't Loki the most thoroughly charmed one of all?
"No, I can't just keep sleeping today."
As much as she wanted to stay in bed a little longer, Loki knew today wasn't the day for that. She had to return to her Familia and get the welcome ceremony in order.
"There's a lot to prepare."
The Lv.7 promotion and her kids' victory over the "Spirit" in the Dungeon would need to be publicized—but that would have to wait until they actually got back.
It'd be premature to spread the word too soon.
For now, she just needed to get the welcome ceremony ready for Finn and the others. This expedition had been a big deal for her kids. At the very least, they wouldn't be going out to eat—they'd celebrate at home.
After all, the welcome would be followed immediately by the official level-up ceremony. Loki couldn't wait to see her children one by one break through to Lv.7 on their Status Boards.
With excitement building, Loki changed clothes and used the space tunnel to return straight to her doghouse.
And the moment she stepped into her room, brimming with hope—she ran into the one person she didn't want to see.
"Hermes... why are you in my house?"
Loki's expression twisted into one of pure annoyance at the uninvited guest.
The worst part wasn't even that he'd shown up uninvited—it was that he'd actually wandered into her private room. Who the hell had the guts to let this guy in?
"You don't have to be so blunt about it."
The look of disdain on Loki's face clearly embarrassed Hermes.
"Tch. Maybe I wouldn't be like this with someone else. But with you? A little disgust is just right."
Loki didn't hold back, wearing her contempt for Hermes openly.
The corner of her mouth twitched upward, and on her otherwise beautiful, goddess-like face, a theatrical expression of "disgust" took over. She might as well have been performing facial artistry.
Loki didn't even treat Hermes like a man. She plopped down on the bed, crossing her long, slender legs without a care.
"Spill it. What do you want?"
"Uh, actually... this isn't about the Loki Familia. We already know your children defeated the Spirit—we saw it happen yesterday."
"If you saw it, then why are you here?"
Loki frowned. So it wasn't about her children. Judging from the troubled look plastered on the messenger's face, Ouranos must've handed him another weird assignment.
'Poor guy. When Zeus was around, he worked for Zeus. Now that Zeus is gone, he's stuck being Ouranos's errand boy.'
That thought earned him a slight reduction in her usual scorn.
"Did Ouranos stick you with something troublesome?"
"Go on, tell me. If I like what I hear, maybe I'll help you out."
She leaned forward with that unmistakable 'here for the drama' look on her face.
Chapter 436: Chapter 436: That Woman’s Crazier Than I Am
Chapter Text
"But I only see schadenfreude on your face."
Hermes rubbed his temples. His eyes weren't blind—he could read the glee in Loki's expression and the mockery in her voice.
"So what? That's between you and Ouranos. It has absolutely nothing to do with me."
Loki's disdain was practically written across her features. She didn't care how Hermes had been roped in by Ouranos—she was just here to witness his humiliation.
"You came to my house because Ouranos gave you a task. Is it something to do with me? Or is it about that kid?"
"Um—it's regarding Bell-kun."
"Oh~"
Loki's interest spiked. You could say her mood had skyrocketed.
"Ouranos wouldn't trouble that kid for no reason. He clearly intends to let him do his own thing. And that kid doesn't need coddling—he's grown just fine on his own. So if your assignment is this difficult, it must involve that love-struck goddess, right?"
Hermes stayed silent, but Loki read the answer all over his face.
"You actually had the nerve to take it! Knowing only-too-well that Shorty's been telling that kid to steer clear of the love-struck goddess, and you still want to connect the two? You must want to die."
Freya was a goddess not to be trifled with—but Hestia? Offending her was a whole other level of danger.
"You don't really think that kid was joking about god-slaying, do you?"
Loki was sure Bell was capable of it. This double-headed trouble had Hermes riskier than suicide.
"...I had no choice."
Hermes hung his head. He hadn't even wanted to help Freya—but he couldn't exactly refuse when both she and Ouranos were staring him down.
"It was Freya's request, and Ouranos agreed. But fancy that it fell to me to deliver…"
"Tsk tsk… If Shorty found out, she'd probably kick you in the face. Bell-kun means everything to her. Helping Freya and Bell-kun get close? You're asking for trouble—real trouble."
Loki could practically see Hermes being banished from Tenkai as they spoke. Then she stopped, realization flickering.
"Wait—did you say this was the love-struck goddess's request? Do you mean the one she made after helping the Guild sort out the food supplies?"
Hermes's expression shifted—Loki noticed that in a heartbeat.
"How odd. So what does Ouranos think? Why'd he agree to Freya meeting that kid?"
Hermes paused before dropping the bomb.
"Freya… has pledged allegiance to Ouranos."
"…Huh!?"
Loki froze for a moment, then her eyes widened in disbelief.
"That love-struck goddess… made that choice just for Bell-kun? How on earth sure is she that he's the one she's been searching for?"
"How would I know what a goddess thinks?"
Hermes looked uncertain. To him, Freya's decision felt impulsive… dangerously so.
Freya didn't know as much as we did, but she found out about Bell-kun's hidden identity through that one transaction. Other than that, she didn't have much intel on Bell-kun—after all, that's just the kind of person he is.
Since it wasn't a calculated move, there could only be one explanation.
Freya acted purely on impulse. Her decision was entirely based on her own feelings, made without considering the consequences.
When Loki came to this conclusion, she couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for that love-crazed woman. She really hadn't expected Freya to make such a reckless move.
"That love-struck woman's completely lost it."
Loki could hardly believe that Freya would go so far, making such a wild decision.
In truth, back when Freya met with Shorty and made that kind of agreement, Loki already knew Freya wasn't going to come out on top. The shorty would be the one to win in the end.
Not because of anything else—just the difference in timing.
That boy had been discovered by the shorty, and they'd grown together. There was no way he'd ever abandon the shorty for another goddess.
Even though the odds were stacked against her, that crazy woman still managed to turn the tables.
She seized her one and only chance and walked right into the same camp, shifting the dynamic entirely.
"That woman made her move before she was even sure. She really is insane."
Loki knew herself well enough—she could be a pretty wild goddess at times, stirring up fights between the gods in Tenkai just for the fun of it.
But now, after coming to Genkai and bonding with her children, all of that reckless behavior had toned down. Compared to the past, Loki felt she had really mellowed out.
Freya, on the other hand, didn't seem any different from how she'd been in Tenkai. But because of a child in Genkai, her actions were becoming more and more unhinged.
She didn't think about the consequences at all. Just for a child she hadn't even confirmed with her own eyes, she chose to take sides.
And choosing sides could bring all kinds of trouble.
Why else do you think Hermes stayed neutral for so long?
As long as he didn't openly pick a side, he could jump back and forth between both camps.
Hermes definitely has some connection to Evilus, but since he never clearly aligned himself with them, his stance remained ambiguous.
Only now that he's been dragged into this mess has he finally stepped out of neutrality.
Even then, he's still hiding his true allegiance, pretending to stay neutral on the surface.
But Freya? That crazy woman didn't leave herself any wiggle room. She made her decision straight away—just for the chance to formally meet that brat, Bell.
Still, Loki had to admit, even if Freya didn't leave her any breathing room, the woman made the right choice.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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Chapter 437: Chapter 437: Loki the Spectator
Chapter Text
"That love-struck woman really doesn't leave herself any way out."
Loki let out a sigh, clearly exasperated, then looked at Hermes like he was some poor unfortunate soul.
"No wonder Ouranos dragged you out to be sacrificed."
"...Loki, could you not use words like 'sacrifice'? That sends chills down my spine."
Just hearing that word made Hermes feel cold all over. He quickly interrupted her.
"Isn't your current situation basically a sacrifice anyway?"
Loki didn't care whether her phrasing was harsh or not. From her point of view, Hermes really was just a scapegoat tossed out by Ouranos.
"Even if that shorty doesn't kill you outright, you're definitely going to be second only to that love-struck woman on her blacklist."
"As for the love-struck woman herself—if you don't explain things properly to that shorty, do you really think she'll let you off easy? If she just clubs you from behind, that's already going easy on you."
Of course, Loki didn't outright say that Freya would just give him a beating, but Hermes understood the implication. Since they were on the same side, she might stop at a sneak attack. But if they weren't? It wouldn't just be a beating—it could very well be an assassination.
Hermes had never underestimated Freya. The way she decisively switched sides for Bell showed just how ruthless she could be.
If she was willing to be that ruthless to herself for the sake of her goal, then she'd be even harsher toward anyone who got in her way.
"Tsk, tsk. No wonder you came running to me so early in the morning."
Any irritation Loki felt about being sought out was gone. At this point, she was just enjoying the show.
Hermes looked thoroughly bitter. Honestly, he hadn't wanted to ask Loki for help either—but he had no way of accessing the Hestia Familia.
The "Outside World" wasn't a place you could just stroll into.
That space had been created by Bell precisely to keep others out. Even gods couldn't enter the "Outside World" unless allowed.
Because gods weren't supposed to possess the power to leave the world.
With the Hestia Familia based in the "Outside World", any god who wanted in had to go through the proper channels. Otherwise, even using divine power would be useless.
"Why didn't you go to Hephaestus? She's closer to that shorty, right?"
"I wanted to, but most of her children went on that expedition with yours. And Hephaestus herself publicly announced she won't be with her Familia for a while. So where exactly am I supposed to find her?"
"...Good point."
Loki finally remembered. Because of the Evilus situation and the expedition, both she and Hephaestus had been lying low in Orario. She couldn't be sure if Evilus would try to cause trouble while her Familia was spread thin.
Before, this kind of thing was uncertain—but now? The situation had changed. Anything was possible.
In fact, after seeing the Magic Stones from the Spirit side and hearing that kid's speculation about their origin, Loki was convinced—that bastard definitely had it in him to pull something like this.
"Forget it, just wait here for now. I need to go take care of things at home first. We've got to start preparing for Finn and the others' welcome celebration."
"Alright..."
Hermes didn't have any better options anyway. After all, the only ones with access to Hestia were Loki and Hephaestus.
Loki didn't bother paying attention to Hermes still standing in her room. She walked out directly to handle the banquet preparations.
"Line!"
"Yes, I'm here, Loki-sama."
Line had been staying at home the whole time. Other than her usual cleaning duties, she was always ready to follow Loki-sama's orders.
"Line, go tell the others to start getting ready for a celebration banquet."
"Eh? But Loki-sama, we haven't received any message from the Dungeon yet."
Line was sure no messenger had delivered any word from the Dungeon. Normally, news would be sent up first, and once the return date of the expedition team was confirmed, preparations would begin.
But she had been monitoring the messengers closely, so she was certain no news had come from below.
"Don't worry about that. Just start getting things ready."
"I understand."
Even though she had a lot of questions, Line knew better than to ask when Loki-sama wasn't in the mood to explain.
"Wait—one more thing. Prepare a larger spread this time. I'm inviting Hephaestus and Hestia too. This banquet needs to be more formal than usual."
Loki stopped Line just as she was about to leave. Considering that both Hephaestus and that shorty had joined the expedition, it only made sense to include them in the celebration.
Since it would involve three Familias, the scale of the banquet needed to match.
"Understood."
Line blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected Loki-sama to host such a grand event this time, but she quickly took note and rushed off to begin preparations—ingredients, decorations, the works.
Loki didn't have to worry about the rest.
They had clear records of everyone who went on the expedition, so all they needed to do was prepare the proper amount.
Her children weren't so clueless that she had to micromanage every detail.
Once the banquet arrangements were done, Loki turned and went back to her room.
She glanced at Hermes, who was still quietly standing there.
"Alright. Time to enjoy your little drama."
Hermes could only respond with a bitter smile.
"The expedition's finally over. Bell-kun's finally coming back."
Hestia couldn't even remember the last time she'd fallen asleep holding Bell. Just when she thought they'd finally reached a happy ending, they had to be separated for the expedition. She'd been holding it in all this time.
"Yeah. But Orario's been pretty unstable lately. There's probably more trouble waiting."
"Ugh... those Evilus again."
Hephaestus's reminder snapped Hestia back to reality—those Evilus were still around.
Even before the expedition began, those guys had already thrown Orario into chaos.
Now they'd been officially declared enemies of the city. It was obvious a brutal retaliation was coming.
Just thinking about Bell having to face them again made Hestia puff up her cheeks in frustration.
"Hephaestus, how much do you know about the 'City Destroyer'?"
"There's a lot of talk about who that might be, but most of it's just speculation with no real proof."
Hephaestus didn't have much of an impression of that god who had faked both name and title.
The gods were always playing roles. As long as no one exposed themselves, the one hiding as 'Enyo' wouldn't show up—and that meant there wouldn't be any detailed intel, either.
Chapter 438: Chapter 438: Hermes, Hated by the Goddesses
Chapter Text
"The name 'Enyo' started spreading in Orario through the mouths of adventurers. I remember the Guild captured a few of them, but those guys were tough—they blew themselves up with explosives before they could be taken alive."
What Hephaestus knew was just scraps of information, and even that only came after the fact.
"The news about the Evilus started during the era when Zeus and Hera dominated Orario. I remember those stubborn fools even clashed with Zeus and Hera once. But after getting completely crushed, they quieted down."
"They showed up again around... what, one to six years ago?"
"Seems like they reemerged after Zeus and Hera left Orario."
"They only pick fights with the weak."
Hestia summed up the nature of the Evilus with a single line.
"Exactly."
Hephaestus couldn’t help but laugh. She wholeheartedly agreed with Hestia’s assessment. Those rats had stayed true to their core philosophy—bully the weak, fear the strong.
"Gods have all the time in the world. They can afford to wait out a crisis. And for them, the biggest threat was always the Zeus and Hera Familias. That’s why they kept their heads down until those two left Orario."
"Tch, what a bunch of scumbags."
Hestia let out a disgruntled sound, her mood growing more sour by the second.
She sighed in frustration. If it weren’t for all this mess, she could’ve spent more time with Bell.
And it was all because of those Evilus bastards. If they weren’t around, she could’ve gone on a proper date with Bell.
The last time they went out during Monsterphilia, she saw how many Spirit-created monsters were slaughtering ordinary children in Genkai.
Given how tense things were now between Orario and Evilus, even gods leaving the city could be targeted.
Going out for a date under those conditions? That’d just be asking for trouble.
That’s why, ever since then, Hestia hadn’t stepped outside—not unless Bell was with her.
"They really are awful."
Even Hephaestus felt disappointed.
At least Hestia and Bell had traveled outside the city together as adventurer and goddess. But she and Bell had never even left the house together. To be honest, she was pretty fed up with the Evilus too.
"Shorty! Hephaestus! I’m back!"...
The annoying one had returned.
Hestia and Hephaestus exchanged a look, both seeing the same helplessness in each other's eyes.
They didn’t actually mind Loki living in the same house.
There was little distance between goddesses, and although Hestia and Loki had some personal grudges in the past, those tensions had eased significantly once their Familias started working together.
It was just Loki’s personality that wore on them.
Both Hestia and Hephaestus preferred peace and quiet, while Loki was the hyperactive type. Naturally, the three goddesses didn’t mesh well.
The quiet-loving Hestia and Hephaestus often found Loki’s energy overwhelming.
Just like yesterday—sure, they understood Loki was thrilled and excited that her child had defeated the Spirit. But did she really have to repeat it so many times?
They just couldn’t keep up with her pace.
And now, when they looked over, they noticed that Loki hadn’t come alone—Hermes was with her too.
"Hermes, did you go and annoy Loki again?"
"...???"
The moment Hestia opened her mouth, Hermes was full of question marks.
"Hestia, why do you assume I did something to Loki? Can't Loki and I just have a normal relationship?"
But Hestia just gave him a deadpan stare.
"Loki absolutely can’t stand the sight of you. Don’t you realize that? And would you really go looking for her without a reason?"
'How do all of you know my habits so well?'
Hermes twitched at the corner of his mouth, starting to get a sense of just how disliked he was among the goddesses.
With a deep breath, he asked, "Hestia, why do you all hate me so much?"
To that, Hestia looked genuinely confused.
"Hermes, we don’t even need a reason to hate you."
"Do I need to bring up how you used to spy on goddesses bathing back in Tenkai? After coming to Genkai, you’ve been hanging around the Pleasure District, even getting involved with Ishtar. How exactly am I supposed to treat you?"
"Every goddess knows you always try to delay things down here. And when you can’t delay, you’ll still find a way to stall. Do you really think you’re well-liked in Genkai?"
Everything she said was entirely reasonable. She didn’t use a single insult, but still managed to tear Hermes down completely.
"I don’t want my child to be influenced by you. Even if he was influenced by Zeus, I still don’t want him learning from you."
"..."
That line hit Hermes hard.
Seriously, even a god has feelings, you know?
Of course, all of that summed up why the goddesses of Orario disliked Hermes so much.
Most goddesses couldn’t stand his lack of self-restraint.
They were generally more reserved and didn’t want their children picking up on Hermes' behavior—so naturally, they were repulsed by him.
But there was one more key reason every goddess disliked seeing him.
"You never make time for goddesses unless something big happens. Only then do you show up."
"Bell-kun just finished his expedition, and now you come running. Do you really take me for an idiot?"
"Start explaining what’s going on."
If anyone fit the saying “no gain, no move,” it was Hermes.
That’s why Hestia was curious—what exactly did Hermes come to her for?
Normally slow to react, even Hestia’s brain was starting to work in overdrive.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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Chapter 439: Chapter 439: She's So Mean!
Chapter Text
"Huh!? You want my Bell-kun to meet Freya!?"
Hestia’s eyes went wide. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing—especially from Hermes, of all people.
The veins on her forehead started to bulge, and her cute face darkened instantly.
"Hermes, are you seriously not joking right now?"
Seeing her face change so quickly, Hermes felt the pressure mounting. Fast.
He forced a strained smile as he tried to explain. The last thing he wanted was to be carried out of here on a stretcher.
"Hestia, just hear me out first. And Hephaestus, could you not stare at me like that? I’m only here as a messenger this time, and I’ve got a very specific reason. You think I came here because I wanted to?"
Hermes, ever the master of self-preservation, knew better than to walk blindly into a trap like this—something Hephaestus could at least acknowledge.
Besides, she was a little curious about the reason he mentioned.
"Alright, Hermes. We’ll listen—for now. Then we’ll decide if we’re kicking you out."
"Thank you, Hephaestus. Really."
Grateful for the momentary reprieve, Hermes quickly wiped the sweat from his brow.
That was a close call. He’d nearly been kicked out by Hestia, and if that happened, Freya’s child would probably show up next to finish the job.
Catching his breath, Hermes cut to the chase.
"The only reason I’m the one delivering this message... is because Freya made a decision."
"A decision?"
Hestia looked momentarily puzzled, but Hephaestus’s expression changed instantly.
"Freya’s decided to side with the Guild!?"
"!?"
Hestia’s eyes flew open again as realization hit. Freya had chosen a side?
Hermes nodded with a helpless look.
"Yes. Freya has pledged herself to the Guild. She’s sworn to Ouranos that she’ll help the Guild manage Orario."
Hestia was left speechless. Her mouth hung open for a second before her face turned red with frustration and she finally burst out:
"She’s so mean!"
She immediately understood why Freya had done it. And it was precisely because she understood that reason all too well that it left her feeling humiliated and infuriated at such a shameless move.
"Sigh..."
Hephaestus could only shake her head. That was a brutal play.
They had assumed Freya, as the head of the strongest Familia in Orario, would be cautious about declaring a side. In the past, she’d always stayed neutral, much like Hermes.
Who would've thought she’d make such a reckless decision just to chase after Bell?
She glanced at Hestia, who was still frozen in disbelief, gave a slight shake of her head, and turned to Hermes.
"So, meeting Bell is the condition Freya set for siding with the Guild?"
"Exactly."
Hermes nodded quickly.
That response made Hephaestus fully realize just how formidable Freya truly was.
Bell had always been extremely cautious in Orario, taking care not to leave any trace. And yet, Freya still managed to lock onto him.
Of course, Hephaestus knew Bell’s brilliance was hard to conceal—especially from someone like Freya.
She just didn’t expect that in such a chaotic situation, Freya would still find a way to track Bell down—and even have the gall to present that condition to Ouranos.
Seeing the troubled look on Hephaestus’s face, Hermes quickly offered a reminder.
"Hephaestus, we can’t keep Bell-kun hidden anymore."
"...What do you mean?"
Hermes couldn't help but feel the sharpness in her gaze.
"It’s because, during the trial you helped design, Bell-kun was accidentally seen in the prayer room by the four gods present—including Freya."
That caught Hephaestus off guard, and her brows immediately furrowed.
'It was then?'
She remembered that yesterday, Bell had suddenly gone quiet for a moment before leaving the 59th floor quickly. Could it be that he realized he was being watched?
Noticing her expression, Hermes explained further.
"Honestly, Bell-kun didn’t do anything wrong. And him showing up on the 59th floor wasn’t intentional. Do you remember that ornament the Sage asked my child to give to the Sword Princess? When she delivered the final blow to the Spirit, it fell off and landed on the wall—just at the right angle to catch Bell-kun showing up behind her."
In short, it was all a string of unlucky coincidences.
Bell's appearance at the end? A coincidence. The ornament falling? Another coincidence. The only thing that wasn’t a coincidence... was Freya insisting on checking the aftermath even after the expedition team had left. And sure enough, she caught a glimpse of Bell shortly after they departed.
Hermes genuinely felt bad for Bell. His luck had just been rotten. If not for that single moment, Freya might never have seen him.
If that ornament on the Sword Princess's scabbard hadn’t fallen, Freya wouldn’t have locked in the meeting so quickly. They might’ve been able to stall for more time.
But luck just wasn’t on Bell’s side. He ran straight into Freya’s line of sight.
"This meeting... it’s really just a turning point. Now that Freya has sided with the Guild, there’s no avoiding contact in the future. So this meeting? It was inevitable."
Hephaestus frowned. She understood what Hermes meant.
It really was just like he said—Bell wouldn’t be able to avoid Freya any longer. Even if he tried, he probably wouldn’t succeed.
And that left Hephaestus feeling uneasy. Letting Bell meet Freya alone? That was far too risky.
"What did Freya say?"
"Nothing. She just glared at me."
"..."
Hephaestus looked at Hermes, who wore a pitifully innocent expression. At that moment, she truly wanted to pull out the weapon hidden in her spatial belt and smack him across the face with it.
Chapter 440: Chapter 440: Freya’s Reflection and Regret
Chapter Text
At that moment, Freya had been escorted back to her private residence atop Babel Tower.
"Just as I thought... that child really is something special."
Sprawled across her bed in an unusually unguarded and girlish pose, Freya replayed the scenes she’d witnessed within that child’s soul world.
"What lies beyond that Wall of Lamentation—darkness or light? I can’t help but want to find out."
Though the soul world's barrier had blocked her from seeing the true color of Bell’s soul, Freya had already made up her mind.
Bell was undoubtedly the other half she had been searching for in Genkai.
"What a shame..."
Even though everything had confirmed what she’d hoped for, the answer had come half a year too late.
The child who was meant to be her other half... now belonged to Hestia.
That was what weighed on Freya the most.
If he hadn’t joined any Familia, she could’ve effortlessly claimed him. But she’d missed their first encounter.
One missed opportunity—and her mistaken judgment at their first meeting.
Just thinking about how she had misread him made Freya’s heart ache.
Perhaps back when that child had first entered the Hostess of Fertility with Hestia, she should have seen through him. But at the time, his soul shone with no brilliance, so she gave up—allowing him and Hestia time to grow together.
Now, he had grown to such a level that even her divine authority might no longer hold sway over him.
"That child planned this entire narrative of the Loki Familia’s rise. His wings are already fully spread. Even Loki has become one of his pieces—a counterbalance against me. I’m too late."
Today, she’d seen him appear on the 59th floor. From Hestia, Hephaestus, and Loki’s reactions, Freya could already piece things together.
That child had orchestrated the entire expedition. Everything, even the “Spirits,” had been calculated to allow Loki’s children to break through—creating new Lv. 7 adventurers to stand on par with Ottar.
Even if Finn and the others, newly promoted to Lv. 7, still weren’t a true match for Ottar, having three adventurers at that level placed Loki Familia openly on the same tier as her own.
Not to mention the other powerful children in Loki’s ranks, many of whom were likely ready to stand out. Once the number of Lv. 7s and Lv. 6s began to climb, the balance of power in Orario could shift.
Freya was certain that once the expedition returned, word would spread quickly throughout the city.
The Guild wouldn’t miss the chance to fan the flames, and neither would Loki.
Lying there, Freya slowly turned over, gazing out at the night beyond her floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Loki stayed quiet for the sake of gaining an edge, even knowing she was being used as a pawn. That’s just like her."
"But that child’s actions... really startled me."
Just the fact that he managed to convince Loki was enough to leave Freya surprised.
During the battle against the “Spirit,” Freya could sense that its strength far exceeded the Level 7 threshold. Yet, Loki’s children still managed to strike at the crucial moment and dealt a decisive blow.
They even managed to defeat the Spirit in a short span of time.
A faint smile curved Freya’s lips.
"To think he even controlled a clone of the Spirit... That child’s Authority is incredibly versatile."
Freya wasn’t blind. She could clearly tell that the Spirit hadn’t used its full power.
Its strength had surpassed Lv. 7—possibly even reached Lv. 8. Even her own child Ottar wouldn’t have stood a chance, let alone a few of Loki’s.
Letting Loki Familia’s children win was a deliberate move—a way to grant them the chance to earn Excelia.
'Impressive.'
All those careful moves to stabilize the confrontation between her and Loki… Freya could only acknowledge how thorough that child had been.
Still, he probably didn’t expect her to pull such a move in return.
But thinking back, if she hadn’t done what she did, his entire plan would have gone off without a hitch.
If she and Loki ended up on even ground, she would’ve been completely restrained.
Knowing Loki’s personality, once she gained benefits from that child, she’d most likely take his side—at least on the surface.
But the reality was clear: she and Loki now stood on equal footing.
And as long as Loki was caught up in opposing her, that child would have time to keep growing.
He had already reached Lv. 4 in just half a year. With a few more months, reaching Lv. 5—or even Lv. 6—was entirely possible.
And once his wings were fully grown, even if she wanted to force things, it would already be too late.
This deliberate, calculated strike had left a serious impact on Freya—an impact no child in Genkai had ever made on her before.
A single mortal child, laying out an entire plan just to face her head-on.
Freya had never liked playing chess. But even so, she was stunned by his strategy.
Still, even with that smile in her eyes, there was a lingering sadness beneath it.
The more exceptional Bell proved to be, the heavier that sense of loss grew in her heart.
"Half a year... just half a year too late."
...
Meanwhile, back at the temporary base on the 50th floor, Bell also felt an inexplicable weight in his chest.
'I didn’t expect to slip up like that in such a crucial moment.'
Not checking his surroundings properly—that was his own mistake. But he hadn’t expected his luck to be that bad.
'No matter how careful I was, I still miscalculated one move.'
If everything had gone according to plan, once the expedition returned to the surface, the news of Loki Familia’s three pillars reaching Lv. 7 would’ve spread like wildfire across Orario. The conditions he’d been aiming for would have been fully realized.
A complete promotion for Loki Familia.
And with it, the strength to finally go toe-to-toe with Freya Familia.
As long as the two Familias remained locked in a visible conflict, he would’ve had enough time to continue growing in the shadows.
But now... things had turned out like this.
Bell couldn’t help but feel his timing had truly failed him.
But just as he was caught in that thought, something struck him.
'Wait... why was Freya-sama at a Guild meeting in the first place?'
...
(50 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon(.)com/PinkSnake
Chapter 441: Chapter 441: Nine Consecutive Shots Reveal One's Character
Chapter Text
Why was Freya at the Guild's internal gathering?
This question suddenly made Bell realize the most critical aspect of the current situation.
The ornament on the Sword Princess's scabbard had been placed there by the Guild's Sage to observe the expedition team's progress.
The Guild's actual power structure was quite clear—only three gods were involved: Ouranos, Hermes, and Ganesha. Bell didn't think it was an issue for them to monitor the expedition. After all, even if they knew about it, those three wouldn't cause any trouble.
But how did Freya end up among the Guild's forces?
'Did Freya-sama join the Guild directly?'
The bold thought made Bell's eyes widen.
It wasn't impossible. In fact, it was highly plausible.
'Ouranos isn't the kind of god who can't be trusted. He's committed to peace and stability in Orario, and he's willing to go to great lengths to achieve that. There's no way he'd allow a god with an unclear stance to get involved with the Guild, let alone reveal the Guild's presence in the Dungeon to one.'
If that were the case, then Freya's appearance meant the situation had fundamentally shifted.
Only by clarifying her stance and swearing an oath would Freya be allowed to attend a Guild meeting.
And if Freya did join the Guild's forces, then the stance between them became ambiguous.
Now that Freya had aligned herself with the Guild, their formerly opposing positions could start to shift. At least for the time being, with the current crisis looming, what they needed was full cooperation. The key issue still remained—how to overcome the Black Dragon.
Of course, Bell felt that Freya might not actually care about the so-called truth of the world, but simply about satisfying her personal desires.
Her decision to join the Guild likely wasn't long in the making. She probably just wanted to alter the strained dynamic between them.
With all these thoughts swirling in his mind, Bell wearily rubbed his forehead.
'So what Freya-sama said in the soul world might really come true.'
He let out a slow breath.
Right now, the pressure on his shoulders felt heavier than ever.
Facing Freya-sama directly was incredibly overwhelming. No matter how much he prepared, it never felt like enough—because Freya was unlike any other god.
So, the first step was to calm himself.
After a few deep breaths, Bell sat cross-legged on his bed.
Breathing slowly and sitting in stillness gradually soothed the turbulence in his heart.
A clear mind and a calm heart would let him think more rationally.
After half an hour, he finally felt more at ease.
Freya-sama joining the Guild meant she wouldn't be using force.
Actually, that much had already been clear from her agreement with Hestia—Freya had given up on resolving things through brute strength.
Judging from her choice to join the Guild, her approach was likely to draw closer and infiltrate from within.
So, would he be seeing Freya-sama a lot more from now on...?
'Let's put Freya-sama aside for now. No matter how she moves, working hard to build up strength is something that won't change.'
If he wanted to accumulate strength, then there was a lot to think about.
As an adventurer, one's ability and level were the most crucial factors—they formed the foundation of one's power.
Bell cared about this part the most.
'My stats should've gone up since I joined the expedition team, but the increase probably isn't too significant. After all, I wasn't in a frontline role.'
Because what mattered during the expedition wasn't boosting his stats, but keeping a low profile, Bell didn't have many chances to fight. Most of his actions had been carried out in the shadows.
The few moments he truly went all out were against the enhanced monster on the 25th floor and the hybrid of human and monster controlled by the "Spirit" on the 59th floor.
So Bell wasn't expecting a dramatic increase in his Status.
What he was really hoping for was whether controlling the "Spirit" that tormented the expedition team would earn him the corresponding Excelia.
If it did, then reaching Lv. 5 would be just a matter of time.
Aside from his base stats, there was also his combat technique.
"Hidden Blade: Tsubame Gaeshi" had been honed to its limit—he was now just half a step away from mastering it completely.
He could cross into that realm at any time. All that remained was a breakthrough in actual combat.
Most of the power he could grasp at his current stage was already within his reach. That meant it was time to explore new abilities.
'Let's do a ten-pull on the High-Rank Gacha.'
Bell skipped the Wish Gacha and went straight for the High-Rank draw, which cost 1 million Valis.
What he was really aiming for was the slim chance of pulling a Heroic Spirit card.
It was far harder to gather five copies of 4-star or higher Craft Essences compared to lower-tier ones.
So rather than focus on a specific Craft Essence, it made more sense to gamble everything on the chance of drawing a Heroic Spirit.
[3-star Craft Essences: "Extremely Spicy Mapo Tofu" x4, "The Blue Black Keys" x2, "The Green Black Keys" x2, "The Red Black Keys" x2]
"...Seriously."
Even with boosted 4-star Craft Essence rates in the High-Rank Gacha, all he got were the three Black Keys and Mapo Tofu. Once again, Bell felt just how rigged this system was.
Even with good luck, you still couldn't beat probability.
And system probability? That was truly merciless.
'Clear skies, empty pockets… there goes 10 million Valis.'
That burn rate really stung.
If he'd at least drawn something useful, maybe it wouldn't hurt this much. But Black Keys and Mapo Tofu? That really hit hard.
'One more ten-pull. If nothing useful comes out, I'm stopping there.'
A 100 million Valis investment was already excessive. That was Bell's hard limit for the day.
He knew Gacha could be addictive. Once you went too far and still didn't get what you wanted, then it really wouldn't come out—so he set a strict boundary for himself.
And the result...
[3-star Craft Essences: "The Blue Black Keys" x10, "The Green Black Keys" x10, "The Red Black Keys" x10, "Yggdmillennia's Pedigree" x4, "Extremely Spicy Mapo Tofu" x6, "Sakura's Custom-Made Bento" x5, "Sunday Dinner" x5, "From Uruk" x3, "Mix Juice" x10, "La Siesta" x5, "Blessful Time" x5, "Angel Breath" x5, "Dear Friend" x5, "Elixir of Rejuvenation" x1]
[4-star Craft Essence: "Iron-Willed Training" x5+]
[5-star Heroic Spirit: "Archer" – Orion]
'...A 5-star Heroic Spirit!?'
The first 89 Craft Essences weren't anything special. Honestly, aside from a few, most of them were just there to mess with your emotions.
But that final 5-star Heroic Spirit—Bell's eyes flew wide open.
Chapter 442: Chapter 442: Useful Craft Essences
Chapter Text
Bell's excitement vanished the moment he saw the character displayed on the card.
Instead of the muscular, brawny Orion, it was a stunning beauty with waist-length hair—Artemis, the Moon Goddess.
'Super Orion's Spirit Origin might have a few useful skills I could extract, but what kind of useful concept could I possibly get from a toy bear?'
Honestly, the toy bear's skills were tightly bound to Artemis, and the number of viable concepts he could extract from her Spirit Origin was extremely limited—basically just 'Mind's Eye.'
Bell cast a helpless glance at the card projection displaying the removable options.
[Tri-star Amore Mio], [Affection of the Goddess], [Wedge for the Capricious], [Mind's Eye], [Magic Resistance], [Independent Action], and [Goddess' Essence (Artemis Exclusive)].
Seeing the label [Goddess' Essence (Artemis Exclusive)], a few question marks popped up in Bell's mind. He didn't really understand what this "essence" was supposed to do—he hadn't begun studying deities yet.
'So, my two choices are this Goddess' Essence and Mind's Eye?'
His expression grew a little conflicted.
'I'll take the Essence.'
Even though 'Mind's Eye' could offer a certain degree of strength enhancement, it felt like a huge waste to draw a 5-star Heroic Spirit and end up settling for just 'Mind's Eye.'
He didn't know what exactly the 'Goddess' Essence' was, nor what made it 'Artemis Exclusive,' but even for research purposes, it still seemed far more valuable than 'Mind's Eye.'
[Divine Core materialized.]
A transparent, diamond-shaped crystal appeared out of thin air before Bell.
The unconscious pressure it radiated made him feel slightly weighed down.
Fortunately, thanks to the powerful barriers he'd set up around his temporary base, the oppressive aura of the Divine Core didn't leak outside. Otherwise, the Dungeon might have reacted in unexpected ways.
'So this is a god's core?'
'I wonder if the gods from the Type-Moon world are anything like the ones here.'
That was something he'd have to observe over time.
He pushed the question aside for now and reached out to touch the Divine Core.
Despite the oppressive aura it gave off, it was physically tangible.
A Divine Core, as the name implied, it was likely the very essence of a god. But how could something like this be touched by hand?
In Bell's opinion, something like a 'Divine Core' should be more conceptual in nature.
Still, just as he'd thought earlier, studying a deity's core in this temporary stronghold wasn't a wise move. Even if he had confidence in the strength of his barriers, there was still the chance that something could go wrong.
Suppressing his curiosity, he tossed the core back into his four-dimensional storage.
Then, he turned his attention to the other items from his ten-pull.
"This gacha really is pure chance."
Bell glanced over the Craft Essences he'd pulled earlier—they made his heart ache.
One hundred million Valis, gone in the blink of an eye.
Even though he'd earned a lot from selling Runes, spending so much so quickly still stung.
If the Heroic Spirit card he'd drawn had been a proper 5-star, with the power to remove concepts through Craft Essence selection, he wouldn't have felt so bad.
But instead, he got the rare "Goddess' Essence"—something whose use was still unclear—which only made the pain cut deeper.
'Damn probability.'
He looked away, trying to ease the sting in his heart.
After composing himself a little, he turned his attention to the large number of 3-star Craft Essences he'd acquired.
Plenty of disposable items for stamina recovery and healing, and a huge stack of Black Keys.
The three-colored Black Keys were by far the most abundant among his haul.
Unlike the limited five-per-account Craft Essences, the three-colored Black Keys were consumables, just like the single-use recovery items.
'Looks like I won't be dodging Black Keys anymore.'
Since "Heaven's Luck" didn't apply to the Type-Moon system, there was no escaping this streak of bad luck.
Of course, Bell wasn't a fan of low-efficiency Craft Essences, but they could still come in handy at times.
Take "Extremely Spicy Mapo Tofu" for example—it restored stamina and injuries, and worked as food to fill the stomach.
Sometimes it could improve a meal, other times it was a lifesaver in emergencies.
Back when he used to play games, Bell liked to stockpile food items. Maybe he really did have hoarder syndrome.
Now, as for the current batch of Craft Essences:
"Yggdmillennia's Pedigree": Increases resistance to poison, curses, and burns.
"Sunday Dinner": Restores 1% of stamina per minute.
"La Siesta": Restores 1% of both stamina and mana per minute.
"From Uruk": Restores 1% of mana per minute.
"Blessful Time": Increases stamina recovery speed by 1%.
"Angel Breath": Increases recovery speed of both stamina and mana by 1%.
"Dear Friend": Increases recovery speed of both stamina and mana by 1%.
All 3-star Craft Essences with five copies could be enhanced and absorbed.
Among them, those that boost resistance were especially useful.
Even though Bell had Runes for defense, when his mana was drained and he couldn't use them, having built-in resistance was invaluable.
"Sunday Dinner," "La Siesta," and "From Uruk" all restored 1% of stamina or mana per minute—an incredible effect. After all, there was no limit on how many Craft Essences Bell could absorb, aside from type and enhancement level.
Two Craft Essences might not do much, but what if there were dozens?
Even small bonuses added up fast when stacked together.
To boost the effectiveness and power of his Runes, Bell needed to use more mana—so stamina and mana recovery were essential.
Any Craft Essence that increased his stamina and mana regen was a huge asset.
"Blessful Time," "Angel Breath," and "Dear Friend" all improved stamina and mana recovery speed, letting Bell stay in battle longer.
Even if the boost was only 1%, it was still a big deal for Bell.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon(.)com/PinkSnake
Chapter 443: Chapter 443: A Rare Moment of Peace
Chapter Text
‘These are all useful Craft Essences, but I can’t just dump them all into enhancements like before.’
Bell had already learned a harsh lesson from his earlier recklessness—he had no intention of going through that again.
Even if he gathered five copies and fully Max Limit Break them, they still couldn’t be absorbed all at once. He needed to find the right time and handle them one by one.
At the very least, right now didn’t feel like a safe moment.
'Once I’m back at the Familia—that’s when I’ll really start the enhancement and absorption.'
With a deep breath, Bell finally managed to calm himself and take in the situation on the 50th floor.
...
Meanwhile, the 50th floor was bustling with activity.
Breaking through to the 59th floor was major news for the Loki Familia. It meant they had finally cleared that level and could resume their expedition toward even deeper floors.
The other reason for the buzz, of course, was the Werewolf who had lost a leg.
"This expedition ran into such dangerous enemies?"
"Of course."
Tiona nodded earnestly.
"This was the first time in years we came that close to dying. If we’d slipped up even a little during the battle, there’s no way we’d have made it back."
These kinds of details usually weren’t shared—they could hurt the morale of other expedition teams.
But now that the expedition was over and the team that took down the “Spirit” had returned safely, sharing the story wouldn’t hurt morale. On the contrary, their victory over the “Spirit” only boosted everyone’s spirits.
Tiona’s eyes drifted toward Cassandra, who sat quietly in a corner, and her face lit up with a smile.
"The biggest reason we made it back alive—besides everyone fighting so hard—was Cassandra."
"Oh!"
Everyone around the bonfire turned to look at Cassandra.
They all recognized the quiet, timid newcomer who usually looked a bit gloomy, though they hadn’t really had a chance to talk with her before.
"Huh?"
Suddenly in the spotlight, Cassandra looked completely stunned. Maybe it was the firelight on her face, but she seemed clearly flustered under everyone’s gaze.
Tiona, knowing Cassandra’s personality, quickly stepped in to keep things moving.
"Hmph~ if it hadn’t been for Cassandra’s incredible skills, we never would’ve been able to come up with a winning strategy so quickly. Without her abilities, this expedition would’ve been a disaster."
That contribution was no small thing.
Tiona tended to speak a little vaguely and exaggerate, but this time, every word was true.
Raul added with a touch of gratitude, "Cassandra's abilities were the key to this expedition. If it weren't for her, we might not have made it back."
At the same time, his heart surged with excitement. He wasn’t sure if he had qualified for anything further, but this expedition had definitely given him hope.
That made him even more grateful to Cassandra.
"Cassandra, if you ever need anything, just call on me. If there's something I can help with, I'll be there, no questions asked."
"Oh!!"
Everyone around the bonfire let out a surprised cheer.
They didn’t know what Cassandra’s special ability was, but that didn’t stop them from believing Raul and Tiona. It was clear to them now—Cassandra had played a pivotal role in conquering the 59th floor.
"But... about Mr. Bete’s leg... I mean, it's great that the captain and everyone managed to clear the 59th floor, but isn’t Bete’s condition really serious?"
With that heavy topic brought up, the mood around the fire grew solemn.
Everyone had been on the receiving end of Bete's sharp tongue—especially the lower-ranked Adventurers.
But seeing that foul-mouthed Werewolf lose a leg… that left a bitter feeling in everyone's heart.
And they weren’t clueless.
The captain and the others only had surface wounds or suffered from serious magic and stamina depletion. But Bete… he had lost a leg. That wasn’t something you could just ignore.
"Hmm... Bete's leg is definitely a serious problem. If he hadn't sacrificed his right leg to launch a nearly fatal blow against the Spirit, we wouldn’t have won the fight so decisively."
It was no small matter. Even Tiona's tone grew more serious.
But after glancing around at everyone’s downcast expressions, she suddenly burst out laughing. Seeing their confused looks, she finally explained:
"Normally, yeah, you’d be right. That guy's leg was completely charred. Even the 'Dea Saint' Airmid Teasanare wouldn’t be able to heal something like that."
"But this expedition was different. Our Familia received support from Hestia's Familia and got our hands on some very rare and expensive Rune Stones."
"With those Rune Stones, Bete’s right leg can be properly treated. I don’t think it’ll be long before that foul-mouthed guy is back to spewing insults like always."
Vanargand's leg wasn’t fractured—it was severed.
And because losing a limb is one of the most severe injuries—sometimes enough to end an Adventurer's career—most feared it even more than death itself.
Such injuries changed lives.
So when they suddenly heard that there was a way to treat severed limbs, everyone was in disbelief.
"Tiona, are there really people in Orario who sell something like that? Something that can heal a severed limb?"
"Of course there are! But those Rune Stones are crazy expensive. Even with a discount, they cost 10 million Valis each. And these were special ones supplied by Hestia's Familia—secret Rune Stones that are never sold to outsiders."
"Oh!!!"
Every Adventurer’s eyes lit up.
No one expected that the Rune Stones they had always used might have such powerful effects.
10 million Valis per piece was a staggering price—on par with top-tier Level 1 weapons and gear.
But still, their eyes sparkled with excitement.
Everyone understood that compared to losing a limb, 10 million Valis wasn’t much. Losing an arm or a leg meant losing the future of an Adventurer. But now, for just that price, they could change that tragic fate.
And an item like this—there’s no way it would only sell for 10 million in Orario.
Even if the price doubled, it would still sell without issue.
"But you all better be careful. This is an internal secret of our Familia. Don’t go around spreading it."
Everyone around the bonfire exchanged glances and then smiled knowingly.
"Of course it’s a secret."
Something like this? No way they’d let it leak.
With something that valuable, it would only be shared within the Familia. If word got out, other Familias would be fighting to get their hands on it.
Chapter 444: Chapter 444: It's Just a Deal
Chapter Text
Inside the tent, Finn and Riveria watched the faint, illusory form of a leg appear where Bete's right one had been. Both of them were filled with emotion.
"Even though this is the second time I’ve seen it, I still don’t understand how it’s possible for a severed limb to regenerate."
Riveria could only admit that this phenomenon was beyond her comprehension.
It didn’t look like muscle or bone growing back. Instead, it was as if a phantom limb had formed in place of the lost one. But clearly, it couldn’t be used like a real limb—at least not yet. Bete had no control over it.
“Bete, how does it feel?”
“No sensation at all.”
The Werewolf stared at the phantom limb extending from where his right leg had been. He couldn’t control it, but when he moved his body, the limb moved faintly in sync, despite his lack of intent.
"It’s just like when it was first severed. No strength, no feeling when I try to move it."
"I see..."
Finn glanced at Bete’s phantom limb and shook his head slightly. He didn’t fully understand the principle behind it either.
"Maybe Loki knows. But knowing her, if it’s something she doesn’t want us to know, she’ll never say a word."
"Yeah, she is Loki after all."
Bete didn’t expect Loki to reveal the workings of the Rune Stones so easily. It was likely something that touched on knowledge they weren’t meant to access.
With a small grunt, Bete sat on the infirmary bed, arms folded across his chest.
"That woman’s always been like that. If it’s something we should know, she’ll tell us. If not, she won’t say a damn thing. According to her, 'some things are better left unknown.'"
Finn and Riveria both understood—and accepted—that logic.
"And with Loki working together with that guy, I’m starting to think that taking down the Spirit was just a piece of their larger plan. Honestly, I think Loki only gave the greenlight because she already calculated our chances of survival were high."
Bete wasn’t some hot-headed fool. His rough personality masked a sharp and observant mind—very much like Gareth in that regard.
After feeling the Spirit’s bizarre aura firsthand, he’d become certain of one thing.
They’d been played.
The moment that overwhelming presence swept over them, Bete’s Beastman instincts screamed at him—there was no way they could win!
It wasn’t just fear or pressure from the Spirit’s aura. It was the calm, clear conclusion he reached after analyzing that aura while temporarily enhanced to Level 6.
And yet… they had won.
By sheer coincidence.
"Yeah..."
Finn understood exactly what Bete had sensed. He too had gone into that battle fully prepared to die. But the way things ended… it had been almost absurdly dramatic.
"Loki must have had her reasons for making that decision."
"Her aim wasn't for us to pass the trial itself. The trial was simply to see whether we were capable of laying everything on the line—to fight with everything we had for even the slightest chance at hope."
"Maybe it wasn’t just a coincidence that Bete’s magic hit the core of the Spirit. What Cassandra foresaw was probably the real outcome we should’ve faced. Only when we were pushed to our absolute limits did a chance for victory appear."
"A 'chance' that was handed to us."
Bete added with a disgruntled tone. Finn let out a sigh, unable to refute him.
"So, in Cassandra’s prophetic dream, Bell-kun appeared on the 59th floor—not to let Loki and the others witness the fight, but purely to turn the 59th floor into a proving ground."
Even though they’d guessed as much, the Spirit they had faced wasn’t some weakling. At the very least, it had demonstrated power far beyond their level.
Level 7—maybe even approaching Level 8.
Just thinking about what kind of trial that was, even Finn couldn’t help feeling a sense of powerlessness and defeat.
"I overestimated Bell-kun’s capabilities… but I didn’t expect him to handle even the Spirit issue. He even used the Spirit to set up such a grand stage for us. Honestly, we ended up feeling like clowns on that stage."
And calling them clowns might be giving them too much credit.
At least a clown knows they’re playing the fool. But in this case, they didn’t even realize they were playing a role—just like stand-ins shoved onto the stage, reacting purely on instinct in front of an audience...
It was a bleak way of putting it, but those words echoed some of the frustration buried deep in Finn’s heart.
Riveria, however, didn’t share Finn’s emotional response. She was more adept at looking at things from a neutral perspective.
"Finn, you’re being a bit too emotional. From the results alone, this was a mutually beneficial arrangement. It wasn’t charity—it was a deal."
"Bell-kun probably had his reasons for setting it up this way. For example, Freya."
"!?"
Finn froze for a moment, then immediately understood what she meant and let out a helpless sigh.
"I completely forgot… Hestia and Freya are at odds. And Freya’s been keeping constant watch over Bell-kun. No wonder he was so desperate to strike a deal with Loki."
"He wants us to grow stronger—he wants Loki Familia to be capable of standing against Freya Familia."
That answer left Finn rubbing his face in exasperation.
Of course. No wonder things had felt off this whole time.
He’d wondered why Bell was so invested in this expedition. So it was all to avoid Freya.
But considering who Freya was, Finn could hardly blame him.
That goddess wasn’t the type to give up easily. Even if she had made a promise to Hestia, she would definitely find another way to approach Bell.
Faced with someone as overwhelming as Freya, Bell’s decision was to build up a Familia that could rival hers.
Now Finn finally understood why this expedition had felt so intense. The truth was, it had been loaded with buffs right from the start.
"Man... even if we were being toyed with, at least the result was worth it."
With a weary sigh, Finn finally let go of his lingering frustration.
Just like Riveria said—it was a deal.
Whatever the case, Bell’s setup had allowed them to take a vital step forward.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon(.)com/PinkSnake
Chapter 445: DanmachiMC - Chapter 445: Bell's Congratulations
Chapter Text
The next morning, preparations for the return trip were already underway in the safe zone on the 50th floor.
Both the first and second squads of Loki Familia were packing up. By noon, they would begin their journey back.
After a night of rest, Bete’s severed right leg had fully regenerated. However, he still walked with a noticeable limp—it would take time to adjust to the reborn limb.
"Bete-san!"
Just as Bete stepped out of his tent, the elf girl was already in his face.
"What is it?"
The Werewolf looked a bit exasperated. This girl usually stuck close to Ais—so why was she suddenly glued to him today?
"Bete-san, has your leg already recovered?"
"...You can see that for yourself, can’t you?"
That reply left Lefiya speechless for a moment. Bete waited, but when she still didn’t say anything, he turned to leave.
He had his own tent to pack up.
Bete wasn’t the pampered type. He handled his own gear—just a matter of habit.
"Please wait, Bete-san!"
"...What do you want?"
Stopped once as soon as he woke up, and now again when he was about to leave. Bete felt like he’d already been plenty blunt, but this elf girl still insisted on coming after him.
So she clearly had something important to say.
Seeing her hesitate, Bete’s expression softened slightly, a rare show of patience.
Lefiya took a moment to steady herself. After a deep breath, she bowed low and spoke clearly.
"Bete-san, I’d like to ask for your help in training me."
"...Huh? Why not just go ask Ais?"
Bete hadn’t expected this sudden request. He wasn’t exactly teacher material. Asking Ais would probably get better results.
"No. If I ask Ais, I don’t think I’ll be able to truly learn Concurrent Chanting."
Lefiya had finally come to understand: if she wanted to master Concurrent Chanting, she had to let go of all the distractions she’d been holding on to. Otherwise, no matter how hard she tried, it would remain out of reach.
After this trial, she’d learned what it really meant to be a frontline mage.
Even if she couldn’t excel at close combat, she absolutely couldn’t allow it to be her weakness.
As a turret-style mage, she had to maintain the pressure—be a threat, not a burden.
But right now, she was failing on both fronts. Miserably.
She couldn’t manage Concurrent Chanting at all. The moment she started to move, her chanting fell apart. Her rhythm and her body’s movements just wouldn’t sync.
After seeing what real elite mages could do, Lefiya had realized one thing clearly: a mage who couldn’t handle Concurrent Chanting didn’t belong on the front lines.
If she couldn’t learn it, she’d forever be a third-rate magician, never able to provide real support to her team.
Bete saw the determination in her expression. The corners of his mouth curved upward, just slightly.
He didn’t dislike rookies with drive. But there were things he needed to lay out first—especially for a pampered elf like her.
"I don't mind sparring with you. But don't expect me to go easy like Ais. Get ready to be beaten to a pulp."
"Yes!"
Lefiya showed no sign of backing down.
Right now, she knew exactly what she wanted—and standing still wasn’t an option.
Moving forward was her only choice.
'...What a rare combination.'
Hiding nearby, Bell watched with mild surprise at the pairing of the Elf and the Werewolf.
One was a front-line fighter focused on speed, the other a turret-style mage reliant on magic. It was hard to imagine how these two could possibly train together.
Still, if a turret mage could overcome her weaknesses, then maybe—just maybe—this Elf really could inherit the mantle of “Nine Hell.”
Bell didn’t linger outside for long and headed straight toward Finn.
But when he arrived, he found that Loki’s top three had already gathered inside the tent.
Rather than walking in directly, Bell gave the tent post a light knock.
"Knock knock knock!"
"Come in."
Inside, Finn sat at the center, with Gareth and Riveria flanking him on either side.
All three looked at Bell with complicated expressions.
After all, this boy had just steered all of them—had shaped everything about their trajectory.
Bell, however, didn’t seem fazed by their gazes. Instead, he smiled warmly and said:
"It’s hard to believe Captain Finn was able to lead the team out safely after facing such a powerful enemy. Even if I’m a little late, let me still offer my congratulations on passing the trial set by Loki-sama."
"Yeah… I honestly didn’t think we’d make it back yesterday."
"Don’t say that. I think it’s because you, Captain Finn, clearly understood your position, gathered all available intel, and made use of every trump card. That’s what allowed you to escape a hopeless situation."
Bell spoke sincerely, discouraging Finn from saying anything so pessimistic. This wasn’t luck—this was the result of grit and determination.
You’ve got a silver tongue, huh.
Finn’s face twitched slightly. He’d expected Bell to act oblivious, but he hadn’t expected him to commit so fully to the role.
"Ahem!"
Riveria cleared her throat gently, cutting into the conversation. Despite her composure, there was still a faint trace of fear on her face.
"Bell-kun, the truth is, yesterday we were all shocked by the Spirit’s strength. We had our strategy in place, but even with Haruhime’s support magic, the Spirit’s aura still far exceeded our expectations."
"Yeah, I thought that was overkill too."
Bell looked genuinely upset, as if standing up for the Loki Familia members who had participated in the expedition.
"Actually, I sensed something off from the sidelines as well. Based on my assessment, that Spirit had already reached Level 8."
"I never expected it would sacrifice its ego just to skyrocket its power and temporarily match its original form’s strength."
Level 8!?
They had suspected it, but hearing it confirmed was still a shock. So it wasn’t Level 7—it really had reached Level 8.
Thinking back, Finn and the others now felt like their lucky strike on the Spirit’s core had been a once-in-a-lifetime moment, the payoff for years of accumulated fortune.
"But all of this must’ve been part of an Evilus plot. They prepared so many magic stones for the Spirit—it’s clear they wanted to wipe out your core members."
"Maybe the Evilus tampered with things behind the scenes. That’s probably what caused the Spirit to go out of control."
That blatant deflection left Finn and the others momentarily speechless.
If Evilus really had that kind of capability, Loki Familia would’ve been wiped out long ago—just like the Astrea Familia.
"True, this reeks of Evilus tactics. Once we’re back, I’ll definitely suggest that Loki launch a counteroffensive."
"No need for that. Actually, the Black Dragon incident has already caused massive turmoil in Orario. The gods suspect that Evilus provoked the Black Dragon, so Evilus has already been designated a hostile force in the city."
Bell didn’t hold back with this intel.
After all, now that the expedition was over, it was only fair they be updated on what had been happening above ground.
Chapter 446: Chapter 446: Complete Opposition to the Evilus
Chapter Text
"The Denatus of Orario has passed a resolution targeting the Evilus. Right now, they're treated like rats in the streets. The Guild has also issued a bounty on them—if someone is confirmed to be part of the Evilus, the Guild will pay out the reward directly."
"Also, even the right to kill gods has been delegated."
That news left Finn and the others visibly surprised.
"Even the right to kill gods? Is the Guild that certain the Evilus provoked the Black Dragon?"
"Hmm~ I think you're a bit off on that, Captain Finn."
Bell’s sudden interjection made Finn pause, confusion written across his face.
"Bell-kun, why do you say that?"
"The Guild never really needs concrete proof. What it needs is an excuse—one that the gods can accept."
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Bell continued his explanation.
"The Evilus have been getting bolder in Orario, and their ties to the Spirits are a serious problem. The Guild can’t afford to ignore that. So the Black Dragon incident gave them the perfect justification to act."
"What we know for sure is that there's at least one Familia God among the Evilus. Their presence alone would create massive resistance to any campaign against them. But if the Evilus cross a line the gods can’t tolerate, then they’ll have no choice but to stand against Orario."
"And if anyone voices dissent, the Denatus might even be forced to start expelling gods."
Bell paused briefly.
"Even though I think the Guild probably rushed this resolution to cover something up, it’s still an outcome all the gods are happy with. Whatever the Guild is hiding… it really doesn’t matter anymore."
"That’s true."
Finn understood what he meant.
The Guild must have weighed its options carefully before pushing the resolution forward.
All the points Bell mentioned could very well be factors in the Guild’s decision. But just like Bell said, the reasoning no longer mattered.
"The why doesn’t matter anymore. What matters now is that the Evilus have officially become enemies of Orario."
"The Guild issued a bounty. For the sake of money, there’s no doubt that countless Adventurers will start reporting anyone they even suspect is tied to the Evilus. Before long, the Evilus will have no room left to operate in Orario."
But then Finn turned to Bell with a serious expression.
"Bell-kun, I remember you said the Spirit grew to that extent thanks to the help of the Evilus."
"I did."
"So… the Evilus that were being targeted in Orario immediately reached their hands toward us?"
"Exactly."
Bell smiled slightly, but his voice carried a sharp edge.
"Actually, when I first went down to the 59th floor, the Spirit hadn't gained much energy. At that point, it had only reached the peak of Level 5. But when I returned for a second investigation, I found a huge amount of Magic Stones around it."
"Some came from Violas and Virgas in the Deep Floors. But the majority of them—I'm sure—were gathered by the Evilus."
"And their goal was likely..."
"To wipe out the core forces of Loki Familia in the Dungeon."
Finn’s expression darkened.
He was certain those Magic Stones existed. The Spirit couldn’t evolve into a serious threat without consuming a massive amount of energy—just like how any major enhancement works.
And the Spirit’s previous behavior already proved this. To become dangerous to their level, it had to absorb a tremendous amount of energy.
That wasn’t something only they understood. The Evilus, working with the Spirit, knew it too.
Now, having heard from Bell that Orario had officially declared the Evilus enemies, it became obvious—they’d made their move against Loki Familia.
This was a clear attempt to wipe out high-level combatants before war even started.
And considering how the Evilus had already become pariahs in Orario—denounced by the Denatus and hunted with bounties—it only confirmed that they were the ones secretly feeding Magic Stones to the Spirit.
Before, Finn wouldn’t have cared much as long as the Evilus stayed out of their way. But now...
Now that the Evilus have taken the initiative and extended their hand, not responding properly would be doing a disservice to their aggression.
"Exactly."
Bell was glad to see that Captain Finn had analyzed the situation so thoroughly. He also had a bit more news to share.
"When I discovered a large number of Magic Stones around the Spirit, Loki-sama was there and saw the whole thing herself. I’ve already reminded her to investigate which Familia had been purchasing large quantities of Magic Stones. I believe she’ll give you the list once you return."
"I see."
Understanding flashed across Finn’s face. He had no doubts about the validity of the information Bell provided.
"With Loki’s capabilities, she should be able to dig up some leads. No matter how careful they were, bulk-buying that many Magic Stones in a short period is bound to raise suspicions. Especially if it was a last-minute operation—there’ll be traces left behind."
"That said, I expect most of those Familia will be fringe groups—just sacrificial pawns thrown out by the Evilus."
Bell understood this too, but he simply smiled.
"Captain Finn, it doesn’t really matter who they are. What matters now is that someone takes action—someone needs to set an example for the Adventurers of Orario."
"Even if the final targets are just small fry pushed forward by the Evilus, as long as their whole Familia is wiped out—or even better, if their god is killed—I believe it’ll give Orario’s adventurers the courage to strike down gods."
"They won’t hesitate just because their enemy wears a divine name."
Finn cast a slightly complicated glance at Bell.
'So that’s what you’re really after—godslaying, isn’t it, Bell-kun.'
In the past, only the Evilus would go that far. But if Orario’s adventurers started doing the same, it might just push the Evilus over the edge.
Finn was convinced there were only two possible outcomes.
Either the Evilus would retaliate with the cruelest methods imaginable.
Or they’d temporarily shrink back to avoid direct confrontation.
But deep down, Finn felt the Evilus would choose the former.
Which meant a full-scale war with the Evilus was just around the corner.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
Chapter 447: Chapter 447: Finn’s Decision
Chapter Text
"Well then, once again, congratulations to all three of you for successfully breaking through the Lv.6 barrier and stepping into the realm of Lv.7."
Bell offered his congratulations once more.
"I was originally supposed to accompany the expedition team back, but I have a few matters to take care of, so I won’t be able to return with you."
"Also, I’ve noticed the Dungeon’s condition is gradually improving. I think it's nearly finished processing the impact caused by the Black Dragon. Maybe two more days—by then, the Dungeon will once again become a breeding ground for monsters. Be careful on your way back."
Finn hadn’t expected Bell to be preparing to leave already, but what surprised him more was the news that the Dungeon was about to shift again.
"True. It's been a while now. Even if the Dungeon was affected by the Black Dragon, recovery is to be expected."
Finn wasn’t too surprised by the Dungeon's recovery.
Even if the Black Dragon was far more dangerous than they imagined, there was still a connection between it and the Dungeon. The damage wouldn’t be irreversible.
The recovery was only natural.
And the long period of downtime had been a huge help to the expedition team. The lack of monster respawns was the greatest advantage they had—it let them avoid facing the Dungeon’s most lethal challenge: a “monster feast.”
It was thanks to this downtime that they were able to rest so long on the 59th floor.
Had the Dungeon remained active, they likely wouldn’t have had a single moment to catch their breath after defeating the Spirit.
"Bell-kun, please give my regards to Hestia-sama. We’ll visit her personally to express our thanks once we return."
"I’ll be sure to pass that on."
Bell gave a small nod, then turned and vanished from sight.
The three waited a while before finally relaxing.
"I didn’t expect the Black Dragon’s impact to be this severe."
"Yeah. Seems like the gods are far more wary of the Black Dragon than we imagined. Loki never mentioned anything about it."
"Well, it’s Loki we’re talking about. Probably thought we didn’t need to know."
Finn knew Loki’s personality well. While she often acted unreliable on the surface, when it really mattered, she was unexpectedly dependable.
Not just in this incident with the Spirit—there had been plenty of past events that proved as much.
Gods handled matters concerning gods. Adventurers handled matters concerning adventurers. It was a rule both sides respected.
"Let’s make good use of the last two days and head back to the surface as soon as we can."
Now that they knew the Dungeon would return to normal in two days, Finn made up his mind—they would be out before that deadline.
"Right."
Riveria couldn’t help but feel uneasy about Orario’s current situation.
Now that the Evilus had become enemies of all Orario’s adventurers, it was only a matter of time before they made their move.
"If the Evilus really start making moves, then Loki's safety will become a serious concern. We might have to stop deploying all of our fighting force into the Dungeon during future expeditions."
"Agreed."
Finn also believed they needed to start thinking seriously about safety.
The Evilus were the kind of lunatics who wouldn’t hesitate to kill gods. Those maniacs didn’t care about anything. If it meant dragging their enemies down with them in a suicide attack, they’d do it without blinking.
For Loki's sake, they’d need to start making preparations ahead of any future expeditions.
"Until the situation with the Evilus is resolved, even if Loki wants to go out, we’ll have to assign guards to protect her."
"Orario isn’t a safe place anymore."
At that point, Finn couldn’t help but admire Bell’s caution.
"We have to worry about things like this, but Bell-kun clearly doesn't. For Lady Hestia's safety, he even built that elaborate barrier. Honestly, the safest place in all of Orario might just be within Hestia Familia."
Outside, it was protected by barriers and traps. Inside, it was a peaceful haven full of birdsong and flowers. For any god seeking safety, it was practically paradise.
But Gareth brought up a very realistic concern.
"Even if it's that safe, I doubt that kid would let other gods in so easily. He’s too cautious—no way he’d risk letting a potentially dangerous god into that space."
"That’s true."
On second thought, it made sense.
The biggest threat in Orario came from the gods secretly aligned with the Evilus. And if the gods themselves were the greatest danger, then Bell naturally wouldn’t welcome them.
"If Loki could get in, we wouldn’t have to worry about her safety."
Riveria rolled her eyes and sighed.
"If Loki moved in, we’d have to start worrying whether she’d harass Lady Hestia every other day."
"Ha ha..."
Finn could already imagine the fireworks between Loki and Hestia, and awkwardly pushed the thought aside with a laugh.
In the end, he could only sigh.
"Let’s set Loki aside for now. What matters is getting back to the surface quickly."
"The Evilus won’t be getting away with what they did."
Finn's voice dropped, edged with steel.
Both Riveria and Gareth had a grim look in their eyes.
The Evilus would be held fully accountable for helping the Spirit gather Magic Stones.
"Finn, what do we do with the Familia involved once we find them?"
Finn’s expression turned sharp, murderous intent clear in his eyes.
"If they’re cannon fodder willingly thrown out by the Evilus, then we’ll wipe them out completely."
He might show restraint toward other Familia, but not with the Evilus. No room for naivety—only ruthless measures would do.
"Just the fact that they helped the Spirit gather Magic Stones to replenish its energy is enough reason not to let them off the hook."
"If we didn’t have a 'backup plan' in this trial, we might all still be down there in the Dungeon."
"Even if the trial was arranged, it was never safe. The Spirit was just a platform Loki gave us to leap beyond our limits—not a stable bridge to get us across."
"And even if it was all staged, that Spirit definitely came to kill us."
Gareth firmly agreed. As the team’s strongest defender, he could clearly feel the killing intent radiating from the Spirit each time it attacked.
"Elf, don’t tell me you’re scared?"
"Who are you calling scared, Dwarf?"
Even the Elves had their pride. Riveria might have been known as one of the most refined and well-educated of the royal line, but she had no intention of sparing the Evilus who had plotted to kill them.
"And just to be clear—I’m not talking about the Adventurers. I mean the gods."
Finn went quiet for a moment, then made up his mind.
"Do it."
He met Riveria and Gareth’s gaze. His eyes burned with resolve.
"This is a resolution agreed upon by the gods. Even the Guild has endorsed it. What’s left for us to hesitate about?"
"And we stand with the Guild. When we identify a god from the Evilus, we don’t hesitate—we strike fast and kill them."
Chapter 448: Chapter 448: Hephaestus' Fear
Chapter Text
After parting ways with the three core members of the Loki Familia, Bell headed straight back to his home base.
Once he confirmed the interior setup and the safety of the surrounding area, he used the spatial coordinates to return to the Hestia Familia base located "outside the world."
Under the sky blanketed in black night and surrounded by space filled with spiritual energy, Bell, for once, let down his guard.
He tossed his cloak, gloves, and mask into four-dimensional space and, dressed in his usual attire, walked up to the front door of his residence.
"It's been half a month..."
Now that he thought about it, it really had been a while. This was the first time he’d been away from Hestia for so long.
Normally, even when heading into the Dungeon, he’d be back the same night—or at the latest, the following morning. But this time, the expedition had dragged on for over half a month.
It had truly been a long while.
He gently pushed open the door—and immediately heard Hestia’s voice.
"Ah! You snuck some of my snacks!"
Bell's face twitched, and the image of a flat-chested, red-haired goddess flashed through his mind.
"Tch! It's just a little food, why are you making such a big deal out of it?"
"That was something my child prepared for me! Can't you eat your own?"
"But I'd have to go back and get it. What a hassle."
Listening to the noisy bickering, Bell felt a rare flicker of emotion. In that moment, he thought maybe it wasn’t so bad for Hestia to have someone like Loki as a troublesome friend.
At least it kept things from getting too dull at home.
"Bell."
Just as Bell was about to step inside, a flash of crimson appeared from the other side of the entrance.
Judging by the direction, it must have come from the bedroom.
Before he could even react, that red blur was already in front of him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
The scent of maternal warmth filled his senses, making Bell feel truly at home.
"I'm back, Hephaestus."
"Welcome home, Bell."
Watching this big boy bury his face against her chest, Hephaestus smiled gently.
Resting her chin on his shoulder, she felt a rare sense of peace.
Their time together had been too short. They had just begun their relationship when the expedition came up.
Even now, Hephaestus felt that Orario was filled with endless problems. The expedition had barely wrapped up, and the matter with Evilus was already looming. Not to mention the trouble brewing with Freya.
When Hermes brought news of Freya, Hephaestus immediately felt a headache.
She had seen just how ruthless Freya could be—leaving no room for escape.
What made things worse was Freya's current position and status.
Just thinking about it made Hephaestus uncomfortable. If possible, she truly hoped Freya would stay out of it.
Three people were already enough in this love triangle—there was simply no room for Freya.
"Bell, we've got real trouble this time."
"..."
Still basking in the warmth of home, Bell suddenly felt the weight of reality settle in. He stood up from her embrace with a helpless look.
"...I know. I was too careless this time and let Freya catch me off guard."
"Hmm? You already found out?"
"I couldn't not know."
Bell gave a bitter smile as he recounted his experience to Hephaestus.
"!?"
Hephaestus's eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected that Freya would actually pull Bell’s soul into the soul world from across an entire Dungeon.
"Are you alright? You weren't affected by Freya's Authority 'Charm'?"
Bell gave a slight nod. Though he wasn't entirely sure what had happened, it didn’t seem like he’d been affected in any way.
"I didn’t feel anything unusual. My ability to think and make judgments hasn't changed. I don’t believe I was influenced by Freya."
"That’s what makes it strange."
The soul world was the place where every soul resided—the deepest layer where personal will was manifest.
It was the place most vulnerable to influence, especially when it came to beauty goddesses like Freya. If one such deity entered the soul world of a child from Genkai, the Authority they wielded could leave an indelible mark on that child's will.
Naturally, such actions were strictly forbidden among the gods.
To twist someone’s mind in that way would require the use of Authority. And once Authority was used, divine power would be unleashed, triggering a forced return to Tenkai.
Even if a god could enter the mental world of a child in Genkai, they risked forcibly banishing themselves back to Tenkai. Moreover, the mere presence of a god could distort a child’s mental world, leading to breakdowns or complete psychological collapse. In every way, such interference brought only harm.
But Freya had still gone through with it.
Hephaestus had been truly frightened just moments ago.
However, after confirming that Bell was safe and that his will remained unaffected, she began to feel something was off about the whole situation.
Hephaestus calmly analyzed it:
"It’s not that Freya chose not to influence you—it’s that you weren’t affected by her at all."
"She must’ve been using this as a test to gauge your condition. Any child of Genkai would be affected by a god. Freya has been searching for that one exception all along."
"And now, she’s sure it’s you. That’s why she did it."
Even Hephaestus had to admit Freya was bold. But after a brief pause, her eyes flared with anger, and she gritted her teeth as she muttered under her breath:
"That crazy woman..."
Then, a wave of dread rushed through her, and she pulled Bell tightly into her arms.
"Gods can twist the will of children in Genkai... even completely shatter their rationality. And that lunatic went through with it knowing full well that was the worst possible outcome."
Only now did Bell fully understand what Freya had done.
And yet, to his surprise, he didn’t feel any anger.
Maybe it was because he knew for certain he hadn’t been affected by her.
Maybe it was because he had witnessed something he'd never seen before.
Or maybe... his values had shifted.
Bell figured it was probably all of those things.
It was only now that the weight on his heart began to lift.
That burden had been there since he first became an adventurer, ever since he stepped foot into the Hostess of Fertility.
But in this moment, it completely disappeared.
Bell gently held Hephaestus and reassured her:
"Don’t worry, Hephaestus. What Freya did helped me realize a lot of things. But the most important one... is that I’m not under her influence."
That, to Bell, was what mattered most.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 449: Chapter 449: The Choice of Compromise
Chapter Text
"The biggest threat from Freya was always her Authority and how it could affect me. But now that I know her Authority has no effect on me, her hold over me has dropped drastically."
In the past, Bell’s greatest fear was catching Freya’s attention.
That was why he always kept a low profile, avoiding the spotlight as much as possible to reduce the risk of her noticing anything unusual about him.
After all, Bell didn’t have the divine skill "Liaris Freese" to counteract "Charm," so being cautious was only natural.
But now, that fear could finally be put to rest.
He still didn’t know what the wall in his soul world was exactly, but if it could block the effects of an Authority, that alone was a blessing.
"But Freya made a desperate move, which completely ruined your plan to set her up in a standoff with Loki."
That had originally been an ideal scenario. As long as Freya and Loki remained opposed, Bell would have time to grow stronger.
That was the situation Bell had hoped for.
But all of that had been overturned by a single decision from Freya, making any confrontation between the Loki Familia and Freya Familia practically impossible.
That was what Hephaestus found troubling now.
"Yeah, Freya's decision went beyond anything I anticipated."
Bell was also troubled by the change. He still wasn’t fully prepared—reaching Level 4 was just the beginning.
It was exactly because it was still too early that Bell wanted to elevate the strength of the three pillars of the Loki Familia, or even raise the overall power level of the entire Familia.
Only when the strength of Orario's two kings was brought to the same level could a true standoff occur.
After all, only Familias of equal power could engage in that kind of confrontation.
"But it’s not a huge setback."
"The biggest issue used to be Freya’s Authority and the overwhelming strength of her Familia. But after half a year, that power gap has narrowed significantly. And now that we know her Authority doesn't affect me, even if we can’t carry out the original plan, it won’t make too much of a difference."
Though he said that, Hephaestus could still hear the hint of frustration in his voice.
She understood—Bell still needed time to grow.
In just half a year, Bell had gone from Level 0 to Level 4. That was like shooting up on a rocket.
Even though he possessed two Authorities, without being able to fully utilize their power, trying to leap across levels to defeat the Freya Familia was still far too difficult.
"What now?"
The sudden disruption in their plans left Hephaestus worried about Bell.
"The situation is still manageable. I think once Freya realizes her Authority has no effect on me, she’ll give up on more forceful methods. As for using brute strength... I might not be able to take on the 'King' just yet, but if I want to run, no one’s stopping me. Freya’s not reckless enough to try using force."
Bell was confident that now that her Authority no longer worked on him, Freya wouldn't try to drag him away by force. Instead, she'd start using indirect methods.
He could already imagine the tactics Freya would turn to.
"She’ll probably try to act through her political connections next, right?"
"You figured that out?"
Bell sighed. He couldn’t not see it, even if he didn’t want to.
"If she's not going to use force, then this is her only option. She’ll leverage the influence she gained after joining the Guild—maybe pressure them into granting her certain special privileges."
That was the only benefit Freya could gain from this approach.
Even someone as slow to catch on as Bell had seen through it—of course Freya would, too.
So if someone from the Guild suddenly came to invite him on her behalf, Bell wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest.
That line, "Let’s talk about this outside," hadn’t been for show.
Bell was already mentally prepared to meet with Freya.
Even though he really didn’t want to, it wasn’t like his own wishes would change anything.
But more importantly...
"If I don’t go, there's no telling what insane move Freya might make next."
"Yeah..."
Hephaestus agreed with his assessment.
Freya was the kind of god who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted—her past actions had made that perfectly clear.
While most of her children had pledged their loyalty due to her beauty, her recent decisions made it hard for Hephaestus to see her as anything resembling a normal god.
Hephaestus wished Bell didn’t have to meet Freya either—but if he refused, the next time they crossed paths might be on opposite sides of Orario.
To prevent that, compromise was the only option.
"I really don’t want you to go see Freya."
Hephaestus’s face was full of reluctance, but she couldn’t stop him. In the end, she could only accept it.
"I don’t have a choice. But this time, Freya probably wants to establish a long-term connection with me."
"Isn’t that a huge pain?"
"It is. But avoiding her forever isn't realistic either. When the Evilus launch their attack on Orario again, we’re bound to need an alliance. I can’t keep dodging Freya."
Bell’s face showed just how frustrated he was.
If all the Evilus members were high-tier fighters, maybe he could wipe them all out on his own—so long as he reached Level 5.
But the problem was the Evilus had more than a few maniacs, and once they launched a coordinated assault from every direction, there was no way he could handle them alone.
Bell also knew full well—those Evilus lunatics would never all band together to fight openly. That would be suicide.
Rats like them were masters at sneaking around.
When war broke out, they’d strike from the shadows, each in their own way. There was no way they’d gather in one place just to get slaughtered.
The thought made Hephaestus furrow her brow. Her frustration with the Evilus deepened.
Bell, meanwhile, kept his frustration to himself.
"But I think Freya might rein herself in a little... though that’s just wishful thinking on my part."
"Hmph!"
Hephaestus scoffed. Expecting Freya to show restraint was like expecting a sow to climb a tree.
Still, after venting her irritation, she lowered her head with a hint of gloom.
"Before you go meet Freya, you owe me for the time you've been gone."
"Of course."
Chapter 450: Chapter 450: Freya Seems to Be Suffering Too
Chapter Text
“Ugh...”
Hestia glared furiously at Loki, that thief. Of all things, she had stolen the snacks Bell had prepared just for her. It was like she came just to start a fight.
“Goddess-sama.”
“Bell-kun!?”
Hestia, who had been puffed up with anger a second ago, instantly turned around in delight at the sound of that voice. In a flash, she threw herself into his arms at a speed Loki couldn’t even begin to comprehend.
'Damn, that’s fast!'
The sheer speed made Loki's eyes go wide.
“Mm~ Bell-kun, you’re finally back.”
“I’m back, Goddess-sama.”
Watching their affectionate display, Loki couldn’t help but pout.
'I wish my kids were that close to me.'
She knew exactly what the shorty was thinking—and the shorty really was lucky. She had stumbled upon a child who was completely devoted to her. That alone was enough to stir Loki’s envy.
Loki had plenty of children herself, but not a single one she could actually get her hands on.
For Loki, appearance came first when it came to children. Riveria and Lefiya both perfectly fit her tastes.
Too bad those two guarded themselves against her like hawks.
In the past, Lefiya had been easy to approach—after all, she was a gentle, soft-hearted Elf girl.
But ever since Lefiya started to toughen up, she’d become much harder to deal with.
And Ais... don’t even get her started.
Just thinking about her own kids made Loki tear up. She just wanted a few she liked to cuddle with, but none of them shared that interest.
“Kid, why’d you come back by yourself?”
“Naturally because the expedition team doesn’t need me anymore.”
Bell shrugged slightly while holding Hestia.
“The goal of the expedition has been fully accomplished. Captain Finn and the others have likely surpassed their previous levels, and the other members who took part in the battle have all gained their share of Excelia. Given that, is there any reason for me to stay with the expedition team?”
You could say the expedition had gone perfectly—completely fulfilling its goals.
Loki Familia had achieved their promotion, Bell had secured the Excelia he needed, and he even obtained a part of the soul of the “Spirit.” The rewards were overwhelming.
If only they could avoid being discovered by Freya, it might’ve been a truly perfect expedition.
“Couldn’t you at least pretend a little?”
“...Loki-sama, I’d need a reason to keep pretending.”
Faced with Loki’s jab, Bell could only sigh.
As she stared at him in confusion, Bell simply repeated what he had told Hephaestus earlier.
Loki’s eyes went wide as she listened, then she cried out in shock:
“That woman’s completely insane, isn’t she?”
The authority that gods wield could easily distort the will of children in Genkai, especially within their soul worlds.
And right now, the fate of the world was resting entirely on Bell’s shoulders. If his will were to be twisted... then the world would be doomed.
What that woman had done was nothing short of selfish—she hadn’t spared a single thought for anyone else, not even the future of the world.
Bell didn’t know how to respond to that. But he did understand just how mad Freya had gone—especially after learning that a god’s presence in a child’s soul world could twist their very will.
"That woman is absolutely insane!"
Hestia’s pretty face darkened completely. She genuinely wanted to slap Freya across the face and ask if she’d lost her mind—how could she do something so outrageous?
Amid her fury, Hestia suddenly remembered something important.
"Bell-kun, you weren’t affected by that woman, were you?"
Bell shook his head slightly.
"Maybe it’s because my soul world has some unique properties, but I haven’t been influenced by Goddess Freya."
Hestia stared carefully into Bell’s eyes. After confirming that he didn’t show any signs of being “charmed,” she finally let out a small breath of relief.
Even though her child hadn’t been influenced by Freya, the situation still gave her quite a scare.
Loki observed Bell for a while, and after confirming he hadn’t been affected either, she fell silent for a moment before exhaling slightly.
"I think I get why that woman’s so fixated on you now. Maybe you really are the one she’s been searching for all this time."
Children who could resist “charm” did exist—but not a single one had ever been able to resist the authority of the Goddess of Beauty within their soul world.
The soul world of children in Genkai was a place immune to “Abnormal Resistance.” It was the deepest layer of a child's soul, the closest to their heart—and the most fragile part of them.
To resist “charm” even there meant a child had to be born with an innate resistance to divine authority.
Loki knew Freya had always been searching for a child like that—a fated encounter written in the stars.
"Pfft—"
Loki suddenly burst out laughing.
"Oh man, if Freya found out that her destined child turned out to be you, wouldn’t she just die from the frustration?"
"She spent all that effort searching Genkai for this child, only for you to scoop him up by chance. And not only that, she completely misjudged you, even letting you grow freely for half a year, missing the perfect window to act."
"Once she realizes all that, she’s definitely going to regret it—she’ll probably cry her eyes out."
It really was hilarious.
Freya had racked her brain trying to find that one child in Genkai, and it turned out he belonged to the shorty.
Even if Freya had figured it out by now, the best time for her to act was long gone.
"Now that you mention it..."
Hestia’s grim expression eased slightly. Just imagining Freya with a darkened face but completely helpless made her chuckle.
"Freya really is pretty pitiful."
The fateful encounter she had yearned for ended up being Hestia’s child, who had even accepted the love of both her and Hephaestus. Meanwhile, Freya had gained nothing—not even the ability to use her “charm” on Bell. Honestly, it did seem a little unfair to Freya.
"But I still don’t feel sorry for her."
Hestia huffed. No matter how miserable Freya might be, she had zero sympathy.
"That woman’s definitely scheming about how to steal Bell-kun from me. Like I’d ever let her succeed!"
...
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Chapter 451: Chapter 451: Loki's Curiosity
Chapter Text
"That crazy woman’s definitely not getting her way this time."
Loki shook her head slightly, certain that Freya had completely failed.
Whether she used soft tactics or hard ones, nothing would work—unless Freya was willing to humble herself, and the shorty was actually willing to accept that. But no matter how she looked at it, this was a total defeat for Freya.
The key problem was that kid didn’t fall for sweet talk or pressure. Not even Authority worked on him. If Freya could somehow turn things around now, Loki swore she’d eat shit.
"Umm... what about Freya’s children?"
Hestia still sounded a little worried. After all, Freya’s children weren’t exactly pushovers.
"She couldn’t handle him herself, and you think her children can?"
Loki let out a cold laugh. Did the shorty really think Bell was some naïve kid?
If that boy were so innocent, how did he manage to devour the “Spirit”? If he were so harmless, how did he hide in Orario for six months without anyone noticing?
Loki admitted Freya’s children were all incredibly talented, but when it came to raw talent, who could compare to Bell? Other than his aunt, was there anyone in Genkai who had more ridiculous potential than him?
"Shorty, don’t treat that kid like some rookie. He’s sharper than any member of Evilus. Freya’s kids setting their sights on him—if he doesn’t turn around and outmaneuver them, that’s him showing mercy."
"And don’t give me that crap about how he’s weaker than Freya’s lot. Do you really think I don’t know what kind of monsters this kid’s hiding?"
"Hmph! Aside from Ottar, I doubt any of Freya’s children can even shake him."
Don’t say it’s impossible. Loki was absolutely confident Bell could pull it off.
That kid had what it took to face anyone in Orario and walk away unscathed.
If he ever chose to reveal himself, no one in Orario right now could escape from him.
But knowing his personality, he probably wouldn’t expose himself until he had overwhelming strength.
'He’s ridiculously cautious.'
Sure, it might seem underhanded, but the kid’s growth rate more than made up for it.
What took regular adventurers decades, he’d managed in just half a year—already reaching Level 4.
Thinking of Bell’s pace and current level, Hestia couldn’t help but feel relieved.
"Right, Bell-kun, want me to update your status now?"
"Yes, please, Goddess-sama."
Bell was also curious about his attribute growth over the past two weeks.
He hadn’t done much—barely hunted monsters, only fought some enhanced types on the 25th floor.
He didn’t get much physical training, but since he’d been using magic a lot, maybe his magic stat had grown.
Hestia followed Bell to a private room to update his status.
Watching the lovey-dovey pair leave, Loki felt the air suddenly grow fresher.
Then her gaze locked onto Hephaestus.
"Hephaestus, what exactly are that kid’s status numbers?"
She was seriously curious.
"You had the chance to ask when he was right here. Why wait until he left?"
"I was afraid the shorty wouldn’t spill anything."
Loki scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Hephaestus just shook her head, clearly exasperated by Loki’s unwillingness to lower herself.
"Bell’s status is a tightly kept secret. If you want to know, you should at least try bowing your head to Hestia. I’m pretty sure if you did that, considering how close we all are now, she might just let you take a peek."
"Ugh..."
That left Loki torn.
They had a deep partnership and even publicly declared themselves as eternal allies.
Now with ties to the Guild as well, her relationship with the shorty wasn’t bad at all—actually, it was quite good. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to move into the shorty’s Familia home.
Even though a Genkai child’s status was supposed to be kept secret from all gods, with how closely they were bonded, it didn’t seem like that big a deal.
And more importantly, Loki was really, really curious.
What exactly did the peak of Orario’s talent look like?
That curiosity had her wavering for a moment... but in the end, she stopped resisting it.
"Ah, I still want to know!"
"Shorty, wait for me!"
In the end, Loki gave in to her curiosity and followed her heart.
"If you were interested, you could’ve just said so."
Hephaestus shook her head slightly, then smiled and followed after Loki.
Inside Hestia’s room stood three goddesses.
Hestia didn’t mind sharing the space with Hephaestus—they used to sleep together all the time, and even now they often stayed in the same room.
But the other one, Loki, definitely put her in a foul mood.
"So? What the hell’s wrong with you, wanting to see my child’s Status?"
When it came to Bell’s Status, Hestia didn’t want to show it to anyone.
And by "anyone," she especially meant Loki.
So she didn’t bother hiding her displeasure in her tone.
"Don’t be like that~"
But Loki, with her thick skin, didn’t look the least bit fazed. She acted like she hadn’t heard a thing. Satisfying her curiosity was all that mattered.
"We’re allies, aren’t we? And now we’re both tied to the Guild too. Sharing a little information about each other’s children—it’s only natural, right?"
"Besides, your kid totally set me up and threw me in front to take the heat. Isn’t it fair to let me see this brat’s Status?"
That emotional pitch was hard for Hestia to turn down.
She might not get along with Loki, but they were allies. They’d be standing together on the Guild’s side moving forward and handling all sorts of things.
Plus, her own Familia and her child would stay out of the spotlight, so she needed someone like Loki to stand out front, drawing attention and pressure away from them.
With that kind of partnership, exchanging a bit of information didn’t seem like too big a deal.
After thinking it over, Hestia decided it was better to pull Loki to her side than risk her leaning toward Freya.
With extreme reluctance, Hestia muttered,
"You can look—but don’t you dare leak anything about Bell-kun."
"Got it, got it. My lips are sealed."
Chapter 452: Chapter 452: Staggering Stats That Leave You Speechless
Chapter Text
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.4 → Lv.5]
Development Abilities:
·Stealth: D → B
·Cognition: G → E
·Space: I → E
Attributes:
·Strength: I0 − ??? → 1221
·Endurance: I0 − ??? → 1436
·Dexterity: I0 − ??? → 1348
·Agility: I0 − ??? → 1399
·Magic: I0 − ??? → 1931
Magic:
“Four-Dimensional Space”:
·Storage
“Lightning Command”:
·Quick-cast Magic
·Manipulates Lightning
Skills:
“Personal Training”:
·Early Bloomer
·Double EXP from battles against powerful enemies
“Heaven’s Luck”:
·High Luck
“The Poor Man’s Desire”:
·Charge
When this set of data appeared before Loki, the string of four-digit ability values left her completely stunned.
"Magic… 1900?"
"All the other stats are over 1200!?"
"Have I gone mad, or is the Falna System broken?"
The numbers were absolutely outrageous.
Loki could swear that in all her time in Genkai, she had never seen any Adventurer with such absurd stats.
Even “Silence,” the famed figure of the Heroic Era, didn’t have such extreme numbers.
“Silence” had trained every stat to the limit and was hailed by the gods as a “talent monster.” She possessed talents far beyond the average Adventurer and was one of the rare few—aside from ancient adventurers—to break through the constraints of the Falna System.
And yet, even then, “Silence” had only exceeded the limit with her magic stat; her agility and dexterity remained capped at 999.
But this kid? Every single stat had surpassed 999, reaching heights beyond imagination.
His magic stat alone had hit 1900.
Loki didn’t even know what level these numbers represented anymore—but she understood one thing: this kid was utterly unique among all adventurers.
"Calm down, Loki."
Hephaestus placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Heh... How do you expect me to stay calm?"
These numbers were so bizarre that Loki couldn’t even keep a straight face.
"Hephaestus, don’t tell me this kid’s stats were this ridiculous all the way back at Lv.1?"
That made Hephaestus think back to Bell’s status when he first started.
"I don’t think... they were quite that high."
"What were they exactly?"
"Um... around 1200?"
And just like that, Loki fell into stunned silence.
Every stat—around 1200. At Level 1.
She had never seen anything more absurd in her life.
Loki let out a bitter laugh.
"I thought he was just leveling up fast… but the sheer height of his growth is something else."
"At Lv.1, his stats were already at 1200. Meanwhile, Finn, Gareth, and Riveria only managed to max out at 999. I used to think they’d pushed their growth to the limit—but now I see there’s someone completely beyond that."
For any ordinary Adventurer, 999 was the growth cap.
Not because it couldn’t go higher, but because those without enough talent would be locked there. Only the truly gifted could surpass that threshold.
Even “Silence” had only broken it by reaching 1001—yet this kid had already hit 1200.
That wasn’t just a breakthrough; it was an explosion.
'No wonder he’s called Orario’s greatest talent. These stats make it crystal clear.'
The numbers alone screamed "strongest talent."
Loki took a deep breath and looked toward the Development Abilities section—then her eyelids twitched violently again.
"Sure, ability stats might rise quickly... but usually, Development Abilities lag behind. Not for this kid."
One B rank and two E ranks.
And these weren’t just stats—they were Development Ability grades.
Even Finn and the others, after decades of effort, had only reached E in the abilities they first selected. But this kid had only been an Adventurer for half a year and already achieved that—and even surpassed it.
Not only had he reached E, but he had one at B already.
"Hmph~ My Bell-kun grows quickly in every area!"
Hestia proudly puffed out her chest and held her head high.
Her child’s excellence was something she took great pride in, though she usually had to keep it hidden to conceal his growth. But now, in front of Loki, she could finally boast a little.
Loki gave Hestia—who was clearly flaunting it—a quick glance. If this kid were her own, she figured she'd be bragging even more than this shorty.
She kept reading.
'Well, well! So this is where the problem lies.'
Loki quickly noticed the top skill listed: “Personal Training: Early Bloomer.”
She understood what "early bloomer" meant—and this skill was clearly the key to Bell’s rapid growth. The issue, however, was that there were no detailed descriptions attached. In other words, the scope of “early bloomer” was extremely broad, with no clear definition.
In short, it was completely ridiculous.
The mere fact that a trait like "early bloomer" was categorized as a skill was rare enough—but one with such vague limitations? That was just absurd.
Then there were the other two skills: “Heaven’s Luck” and “The Poor Man’s Desire.”
One was a luck-based skill, the other a power-charging skill.
Luck-based skills were incredibly rare. And even when they existed, they usually appeared under Development Abilities, not the skill section. To see one listed as a skill was nearly unheard of.
As for the charging skill—Loki now understood exactly how this kid had managed to slice off the arm of the Spirit’s guardian in a single blow.
Stealth + ambush + charge... No wonder even the Spirit’s guardian—the one who had overpowered Ais—had been forced to retreat. There really was no other option.
Then Loki spotted another oddity.
This kid only had two spells in his magic list: one was Four-Dimensional Space, and the other was Lightning Command. Neither of them was the rune magic she had seen him use so often.
What was going on?
And Lightning Command... its description said “Quick-Cast Magic” and “Controls Lightning.”
There was no chant listed—meaning this spell could be cast instantly, without an incantation. And “Controls Lightning”... that phrasing struck her as unusual.
If it were anyone else, Loki would’ve dismissed it immediately, thinking she was just overanalyzing things.
But this kid was different.
There was a faint possibility that even this magic...
"Shorty, this Lightning Command—isn’t it...?"
"It should be Authority."
"...This kid has two Authorities!?"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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Chapter 453: Chapter 453: This Isn't the Limit!?
Chapter Text
"You're definitely a freak."
Loki stared at Bell's back, now fully convinced.
One Authority existed outside the Falna System. The other, within it.
Honestly, even if the shorty were gone, this kid could still make a name for himself in Orario just by wielding Authority.
And that was the thing—one of those Authorities didn't even come from the Falna System.
"Loki-sama, I'd prefer you call it luck, not being a freak."
"Luck, my ass!"
Bell's mention of "luck" instantly triggered a sharp retort from Loki.
"Go ask anyone else—have you ever seen some lucky fool gain something as insane as Authority? Not now, not ever. There's never been a single Adventurer who got Authority just by being lucky."
"You really think it's some bargain-bin power?"
"Authority is the manifestation of world laws—only gods can wield it. It's the crystallization of rules themselves, what we call the power of the world."
"Even for gods, what they hold is usually just a fragment of a greater rule. Only a handful of deities hold complete authorities."
As she spoke, Loki's eyes landed on Hestia.
"This shorty right here? She holds a complete rule—'Eternal Flame'. That's why she's got such a high divine rank in Tenkai."
The Authority Hestia possessed was incredibly rare, even among gods. Because of its uniqueness, Hestia herself was a highly unusual presence among the divine.
"There are many split authorities, but I think the one you're most familiar with is 'Charm'—the one all goddesses of beauty possess. The only difference is how well they can wield it."
That much Bell understood perfectly.
He remembered from the original tale—Ishtar's Charm was completely overwhelmed by Freya's. The difference was obvious.
As for Hestia's Authority, he had heard a bit about it. The lore only mentioned briefly that her unique Authority earned her the respect of many ancient gods.
'Maybe that's why Freya's Charm has no effect on her.'
'Eternal' could also imply 'unchanging'—perhaps it was this suppressive quality of Hestia's Authority that made her immune to the effects of Charm.
Though Bell couldn't be certain. His theory was just speculation based on what he observed.
Seeing Bell deep in thought, Loki pouted and added, "You and the shorty are both walking exceptions."
If Authority granted within the Falna System was fate's choice, then the Authority beyond it was Bell's own innate talent.
"You've got those weird runes, and on top of that, you awakened an Authority through the Falna System. I've never seen anything this absurd."
Her tone held more than just surprise—there was clear envy and jealousy in it.
Loki was burning up inside.
She'd already been a little sour when the shorty managed to snatch up a monstrously talented kid right at the last second.
But now that she'd seen the full scope of Bell's "Status," that sourness only deepened.
Two Authorities—both real and functional—was far too exceptional.
And one of them? Not only usable by Bell himself—it could be created, shared with others, even prepared ahead of time for use in battle.
That Authority alone gave him terrifying flexibility in combat.
"I wish you were one of my kids."
That sentence hit Hestia like a shock, snapping her out of her thoughts. She leapt up like a cat with its tail stepped on.
"Bell-kun is my child!"
Loki rolled her eyes with a lazy wave. "Yes, yes, fine—he's yours, alright?"
That half-hearted reply made Hestia's blood pressure spike.
And just like that, their usual squabble was about to erupt again.
But this time, Loki stopped herself.
"Wait—maybe help the kid level up first?"
Hestia shot Loki a look that screamed, 'You're completely clueless,' before pressing the updated status sheet against Bell's back.
"Who levels up that quickly? Bell-kun's potential hasn't even been fully tapped yet. Doing it now would just waste it."
"...What?"
That hit Loki harder than expected—she froze for a moment. When she finally reacted, her finger trembled as she pointed at Bell.
"With stats like these, he still hasn't hit his limit?"
All of his ability scores were over 1200—that was more than enough for an average adventurer to qualify for a level-up.
Normally, besides the requirement of gaining sufficient Excelia, an adventurer only needed one stat to exceed 500 to level up.
Over 1200 across the board? Even the elite could level up with that.
And now the shorty was telling her... that this wasn't his limit?
"Who said Bell-kun was at his limit?"
Hestia thought about it for a second, then answered irritably. She'd never said such a thing.
"You were the one who jumped to conclusions after seeing Bell-kun's data. I never said this was his limit."
Loki stared at Bell, who was now putting his shirt back on, with a conflicted expression.
The numbers were already sky-high, and he still wasn't at his peak? This kid's talent was flat-out ridiculous.
Now Loki truly understood why Freya was so obsessed—her standards really were sky-high.
Watching Bell finish getting dressed, Loki couldn't help but ask,
"Kid, you planning to step into the spotlight this time?"
Bell paused for a moment while adjusting his clothes, then shook his head slightly.
"No, I don't plan to reveal myself just yet. The idea before was to use Loki Familia's influence to make everyone in Orario think I rushed into leveling up because I was lucky enough to earn some Excelia."
"After all, my previous identity was just a Rune Stone crafter—similar to one of Hephaestus Familia's smiths. If I positioned it as leveling up to gain the 'Blacksmith' development ability, then using the expedition return as a reason to come forward would make sense to everyone."
Damn. Loki's eyelid twitched—this kid had used her down to the last detail.
"Kid, even so, people will notice you've only been an adventurer for half a year, won't they?"
Bell just smiled, unfazed.
"Sure, half a year is still fast... but so what?"
"Then what if I just make a few more Rune Stone variations?"
Loki blinked—then burst into laughter, covering her face.
"So you're leaning into the narrative that you leveled up for the sake of a development ability? If that's the case, any god watching will probably assume that's what happened."
This kid really had thought everything through.
Chapter 454: Chapter 454: Things to Do in the Next Two Days
Chapter Text
"So, you abandoned your original plan because of Freya?"
A trace of helplessness flickered across Bell's face.
"Yes, it was because of Goddess Freya."
"My plan was progressing smoothly at first, but her actions completely shattered it. Everything I had prepared, all my calculations, were rendered meaningless by her decision."
Still, Bell didn't seem particularly surprised. This kind of situation had already been within his expectations from the start.
His options had always been limited, so naturally, unexpected developments were bound to happen along the way.
"Even though the original plan fell through and Goddess Freya chose to join the Guild and withdraw to the rear, the overall situation hasn't really changed."
"That part of your plan too?"
"No. Once Freya entered the Guild, everything went off track. But the one thing I didn't expect was that I wouldn't be affected by her. That's actually the main reason the situation hasn't shifted at all."
So that's how it is. Loki understood what he meant.
Freya's move had been sharp, but it hadn't addressed the real issue.
By siding with the Guild, all she did was solve the problem of not being able to locate Bell—but she still had no way of influencing him.
"You really are clear-headed."
Loki realized now—this kid wasn't going to bite, no matter what.
That love-crazed goddess could say or do whatever she wanted, and he still wouldn't fall for it. Unless she pulled something truly unexpected, it just wasn't going to happen with someone like him.
"You're right."
"Even if she tried something, it would only be because all her usual methods—both soft and forceful—had failed. And now that those don't work on you, as long as you stay firm, she's got no real move left."
It was still Freya's disadvantage—she had acted too late.
If she'd targeted Bell back when he first arrived in Orario, things might not have become such a mess for the shorty.
But unfortunately for her, she'd missed her chance.
That gap wasn't something easily closed.
"Before you got back, Hermes came by—trying to play mediator."
Bell nodded slightly, not the least bit surprised that Hermes would be the one saddled with that task.
"As a neutral god, he really is the most appropriate person to say those kinds of things. But… wasn't Goddess-sama furious?"
Bell was honestly starting to wonder if Hermes had made it out of there in one piece.
"Of course I was mad!"
Hestia puffed up her cheeks, clearly still fuming.
"That Hermes guy actually came here spouting that kind of nonsense—I was being nice not to kick him out on the spot."
Bell agreed. With the kind of mess Hermes had stepped into, getting kicked out would've been well-deserved.
"Although what Freya did was infuriating, given the current situation, there's no real issue with you going to see her."
Hephaestus had been worried at first, but now she wasn't nearly as concerned.
"Even so, what Freya did was way out of line."
Hestia was still brooding over it.
Even knowing Bell hadn't fallen under Freya's influence, that entire ordeal had been far too dangerous.
What if Bell hadn't been able to resist her Authority? What if his will had already been twisted by her?
"You're right."
Bell wasn't a god—he didn't fully grasp how serious what he'd faced really was. But judging by the reactions from Hestia, Hephaestus, and Loki, this was definitely no small matter.
"Still, I need to go see Freya-sama."
"Mmh..."
Hestia's cheeks puffed up like they were about to burst, but she knew it was unavoidable.
Even if she hadn't openly aligned herself with the Guild—much like Hermes—she still relied on them to cover up Bell's situation. So the Guild's support remained necessary.
Besides, if Bell accepted the meeting, Freya might use that opportunity to expose him outright.
It might not be a smart move, but when it came to Freya, there always seemed to be some twisted logic behind it...
At the very least, Hestia knew better than to expect reason from her.
Freya rarely acted rationally—unless she was completely cornered.
"That's enough about Freya for now."
Bell ended the topic there.
"It's hard to analyze Goddess Freya's situation with our current understanding. For all we know, even our decision might already be part of her plan. So I think it's better to wait and observe her attitude before deciding anything."
"...Yeah."
Reluctantly, Hestia nodded. She knew there wasn't much else they could do.
Bell stretched a bit. Fresh off the expedition, he was already feeling the fatigue and wanted some proper rest.
"Loki-sama, please don't reveal that I've left the Dungeon. I'd like to use the next two days to get ready before the expedition team returns."
Loki had no objections.
"Freya definitely won't come bothering me. She already tried to drag me into her schemes once, and she knows I'll be on guard for a second attempt. She won't risk making a move right now."
"With the Dungeon in chaos, she can't easily send people to investigate. And given how you operate, you think she hasn't figured that out? Even if she did try to check Floor 2.2, she wouldn't find anything. You can easily delay any invitations until the expedition team returns."
Bell glanced at Loki. It seemed Freya had gone so far as to try and manipulate even her.
But that worked in his favor.
"That's good."
At least for now, there was one less thing to worry about.
Bell wouldn't be able to return to the Dungeon for the next two days anyway—the Dungeon's regenerative function hadn't resumed yet. It'd take at least two more days.
That didn't mean Bell would be idle.
He could use the time to strengthen and absorb Craft Essences.
He couldn't absorb them all at once, so staggering them made more sense. Besides, there was plenty to take care of over the next two days.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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Chapter 455: Chapter 455: Don’t Underestimate 3-Star Craft Essences
Chapter Text
The next morning, Bell woke from his sleep.
He glanced at Hestia and Hephaestus lying beside him, their sleeping faces showing clear signs of exhaustion. The sight made Bell feel a bit guilty.
After all, it had been half a month since they last saw each other, and their reunion hadn't exactly been restrained.
That overwhelming excitement led to a sleepless night, and all that activity had left both Hestia and Hephaestus, who stayed with him the entire time, too tired to even open their eyes.
Even goddesses, once stripped of their divine powers, were no different from ordinary girls in Genkai. Especially after such an... intense night.
The warped space around Bell shimmered, quietly transporting him to the edge of the bed.
This time, he was certain he hadn't disturbed either Hestia or Hephaestus.
After slipping out of the room, Bell instinctively expanded his senses—and found Loki still in her room, lying in a corner of the second floor.
'She didn't go back to prepare?'
The thought made Bell pause for a few seconds.
'Oh, right. Right now, it's safest for Loki-sama not to show up inside her Familia's base.'
He hadn't gone to Orario to confirm the situation firsthand, but from the way the three goddesses spoke, Bell could already feel the tense atmosphere thick in the air.
Loki hadn't returned to her Familia to prepare for the expedition's welcome ceremony—just in case.
As long as she didn't show up at the Familia's base, Evilus wouldn't have a chance to make a move.
And those guys probably wouldn't act rashly under the current circumstances either.
After thinking it over, Bell turned and made his way to the bath on the first floor.
Once he had carefully scrubbed away the sweat and lingering scent from his body, he slowly sank into the hot water filling the tub.
"Phew..."
Gazing at the empty bath, Bell felt a strange but calming peace settle over him.
He opened the system menu and pulled up the list under "3-Star Craft Essences." Now was the time to absorb them.
'Aside from one 5-star Heroic Spirit card and one 4-star Craft Essence, everything else is 3-star...'
There was no guarantee system here, but pulling that many "blue sky and white clouds" in a ten-roll still made his heart ache.
Especially when he had used a "High-Rank Gacha"—at a million Valis per roll.
'Ouch.'
'Why did drawing cards hurt back then, and now that I've reincarnated, it hurts even more?'
Even though money came in faster now, Bell couldn't help but feel that sting.
With a soft sigh, he finally turned his focus to the Craft Essences.
'First is Yggdmillennia's Pedigree—boosts resistance to poison, curses, and burns.'
Bell remembered this Craft Essence originally provided weakened resistance, but here it had been translated into actual resistance—improving its usefulness across multiple aspects.
The effect had definitely been upgraded, though for Bell, it was more of a nice bonus than a game-changer.
Its effect was similar to the Development Ability "Abnormal Resistance."
If someone had 100% immunity to poison, then regardless of how much this increased resistance, it would still benefit those who didn't have "Abnormal Resistance" innately.
While Bell usually kept countermeasures ready for poison, burn, and curse-type threats, gaining an extra layer of resistance through a Craft Essence certainly didn't hurt.
[Cost: 1,000,000 Valis.]
Bell mentally selected "Yes."
The five Craft Essences in front of him began to merge, and the description started to change slightly.
'Yggdmillennia's Pedigree: Increases resistance to poison, curse, and burn by 50%.'
'Fifty percent? That high?'
Even Bell was a little surprised. He had expected it to be like the original version with a 30% boost, so this was a pleasant surprise.
'I'll test it later and see just how effective 50% resistance really is.'
That could wait, though. For now, it was time to absorb it.
"Absorb."
The fully enhanced Craft Essence dissolved into white light, slowly merging into Bell's body.
His blood began to boil, making his brow tighten slightly. His fair skin turned pink, then deepened into a rich red as the heat intensified.
"Haa..."
Even in the hot bath, his breath turned into a faint white mist.
After thirty minutes, Bell's flushed skin gradually cooled from burning red back to a healthy pink.
'Absorbing a resistance-boosting Craft Essence has more of an impact than I expected.'
'Since it increases resistance to poison, curses, and burns, it must be enhancing genetic-level potential. That's probably why it hurt so much during the process.'
'Then anything that boosts recovery for mana or stamina must be directly tied to cellular vitality... looks like there's no avoiding a bit of pain there either.'
Still, Bell could handle it if this was the extent of the pain.
He also felt glad he'd been cautious with his approach. If he had tried to absorb a dozen Craft Essences at once like the first time, he might've actually died.
Now that he understood the importance of pacing and preparation, Bell decided not to rush the process.
There was no way he could absorb four per day.
Based on how things felt now, two a day was the absolute limit—any more would put too much strain on his body.
With that in mind, Bell wasn't in a hurry to absorb the remaining Craft Essences.
'Let's just enhance the others for now.'
He didn't need to absorb them yet, but enhancing them was fine.
Bell skimmed over the rest of his Craft Essences.
'All the others doubled in effect.'
From 1% to 2%—technically a 100% increase.
The percentage might not seem high, but considering this was per Craft Essence, the value added up quickly.
Just from the Craft Essences Bell had drawn so far, he'd already gained 4% stamina recovery and 6% mana recovery per minute. That wasn't a small amount.
Even without factoring in Bell's natural recovery rate, those numbers alone were impressive.
At that rate, his stamina would fully recover in 25 minutes, and his mana in 17.
And if you included his natural regeneration, he might only need 6 or 7 minutes to go from empty to full in both stamina and mana.
That was a huge boost to his sustained combat capabilities.
Plus, most of Bell's magic spells didn't consume much mana to begin with. Without increasing his mana output, this kind of recovery speed would allow him to maintain combat readiness for an incredibly long time.
In short, these Craft Essences were definitely worth having.
Chapter 456: Chapter 456: Welcome Back, Expedition Team
Chapter Text
Two days passed quickly.
Although the air in Orario was thick with tension—like the smell of gunpowder—and even the Adventurers on the streets seemed sharper and more on edge, the city hadn't erupted into full-scale conflict.
The likely reason was that the Evilus faction hadn't made a move yet. If they had, Orario would have already been in chaos.
Today was also the day the expedition teams from the Loki Familia and Hephaestus Familia were scheduled to return.
At the Dungeon's entrance, many Adventurers had already gathered. Most of them were members of the Loki Familia, including Loki herself.
The sight drew the attention of other Adventurers passing by.
"Why is Loki-sama standing out here?"
"Isn't today the day the expedition team comes back? But this is unusual. I remember Loki-sama usually greets them at the Familia gate. Why’d she come here instead?"
"Could it be the expedition broke through to an unknown floor?"
"!?"
The surrounding Adventurers all reacted with surprise—and the more they thought about it, the more that explanation made sense.
"If that’s true, then the path through the Dungeon has advanced again."
"No wonder Loki-sama came out in person. The last expedition team only made it to the 58th floor. If they’ve pushed further this time, it means they broke through 58... maybe even cleared the 59th."
None of them bothered to lower their voices, so Loki, standing right there at the entrance, heard every word. The mix of awe, curiosity, and admiration only deepened the smile on her face. She didn’t deny it—because it was true.
Her children had ventured into uncharted territory, and that was a testament to their hard work.
"They’re coming!"
Footsteps echoed from the Dungeon’s entrance, and the Adventurers all craned their necks to see.
Finn emerged first, leading the returning team out of the Dungeon.
The others followed closely behind, walking together instead of splitting into separate units like they usually did for the return trip.
Everyone nearby could feel the sheer pressure radiating from the expedition team.
That overwhelming presence, like the bloodlust of an Asura, gave the impression that a massive red demon loomed behind them. The aura alone was enough to silence the entire crowd.
Some low-level Adventurers even forgot to breathe.
Even high-level ones couldn’t stop the cold sweat dripping down their backs.
Especially the three pillars of the Loki Familia standing at the front—their auras were so intense it felt like the sky itself had turned crimson.
"Ahem!"
A single cough shattered the heavy silence, dispelling the suffocating aura like fog breaking under sunlight.
"Finn, how did the expedition go?"
Loki stepped forward, her face full of smiles.
The intense atmosphere gradually faded, though Finn—leading at the front—still had a strange glint in his tired eyes.
"For us, it was a trial beyond imagination."
Finn's slightly loaded words made Loki scratch at her face, a bit sheepishly.
"Yeah... making it through something like that is an incredibly valuable experience for all of you."
Still wearing a rare, serious expression, Loki continued.
"As your Familia God, the most I can offer is a trial worthy of proving yourselves. No matter how tough it was, you overcame it with your wisdom, strength, and foundation. That kind of trial is an irreplaceable treasure for any of you."
Seeing Loki like this, Finn let out a quiet sigh. But the resentment he'd felt seemed to fade.
A smile slowly returned to his face.
"Yes, this was an invaluable experience for all of us."
Though the trial involved some unnecessary interference, overall it was a tremendously valuable experience.
They had gone in completely unprepared, forced to use every ounce of strength they had.
Cassandra’s predictions and Haruhime’s magic—those were the trump cards they relied on during the trial.
It was thanks to those cards that they managed to clear it so smoothly.
Even so, the final victory still felt a bit dramatic.
But Finn didn’t argue with Loki’s words. Regardless of how it ended, the process itself was a priceless experience. And the results they gained weren’t charity—they were earned through their own efforts.
'Phew... good thing Finn isn’t too mad.' Loki let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"The celebration has already been prepared at home. Tonight, we’ll be holding a banquet with the Loki Familia, Hephaestus Familia, and Hestia Familia."
"Once you’ve rested, it’s time for the grand feast."
"It’s not just to celebrate your return—it’s to honor how you all broke past your former limits."
Loki’s bold voice rang out clearly, heard not only by the returning expedition team, but also by the surrounding Adventurers.
Finn paused for a moment and asked quietly,
"Did Bell-kun accept the invitation too?"
Loki raised her chin a little, looking smug.
"Of course."
Then she chuckled with a gossipy grin.
"That kid’s really walked into it this time. This banquet isn’t just a celebration for you all—it’s also a big deal for him."
"This time, besides our three Familias, the Freya Familia, Hermes Familia, and Ganesha Familia will be attending too."
"The Freya Familia!?"
Finn’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected Freya’s Familia to be invited. But if they were, how could Hestia’s Familia still attend?
Finn doubted Bell would agree to show up under those conditions.
Loki clearly saw what he was thinking and gave a mischievous grin.
"That’s why I said he got himself into it."
She didn’t elaborate further—it wasn’t the time or place.
"Get yourselves ready. You’ve got half a day to rest, but skipping tonight’s banquet isn’t an option."
"I understand."
Finn could already sense that there was a lot more going on beneath the surface.
And that meant tonight’s banquet would be far from simple.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 457: Chapter 457: The Gods' Rising Fury
Chapter Text
The return of Loki Familia’s expedition team quickly spread throughout Orario. Even Loki-sama herself went to the entrance of the Dungeon to welcome them, making it a truly eye-catching event.
The gods were soon informed of the Loki Familia children’s victorious return.
The Guild swiftly confirmed the expedition team’s report—that a “Spirit Clone” had appeared on the 59th floor and was defeated by the team.
Once verified, the Guild publicly released the information across Orario.
“A Spirit Clone close to Lv. 8 appeared on the 59th floor?”
“The Loki Familia kids actually defeated it head-on?”
This news was a major bombshell, even among the gods.
“The Evilus faction was involved? They were the ones who gathered Magic Stones to provide the massive energy needed for the Spirit Clone’s growth?”
“They even gave it a way to temporarily boost its strength before self-destructing!?”
“What the hell are those lunatics thinking!?”
Well, they’ve really kicked the hornet’s nest this time.
The gods had already despised the Evilus faction for provoking the Black Dragon. Now they were not only working directly with a corrupted Spirit in the Dungeon, but also equipping it with those kinds of tools. Their intentions were crystal clear.
“Those maniacs are completely insane.”
“This isn’t the first time they’ve pulled something like this.”
While the gods weren't exactly surprised by Evilus’ behavior, they still clenched their teeth in fury whenever the topic came up.
Those maniacs weren’t acting like people at all. The gods didn’t have many joys to begin with, and now these lunatics wanted to plunge the beautiful Genkai back into the chaos of the past. In fact, it wasn’t just about dragging Genkai into chaos—they clearly wanted the gods themselves to return to that same madness.
The Denatus was filled with discussions among the gods, but the gods from the Evilus faction could only listen on in bewilderment.
‘Lv. 8? A Spirit Clone can reach Lv. 8?’
Almost none of the Evilus gods had any idea about that part.
‘A method to increase strength through self-destruction? Does something like that even exist?’
That was a major question.
It was obvious that this Lv. 8 Spirit Clone was the result of a power boost.
Could ordinary means really achieve such a leap in strength in such a short time?
Still, the concept of a “self-destructive method for power gain” fit Evilus’ style perfectly. It was, after all, their usual approach.
Most of the children who joined them and were willing to die didn’t possess much in the way of combat power. If they wanted those children to be useful, the only option was to have them self-destruct.
But could that kind of tactic even be applied to a Spirit Clone?
No—rather, it wasn’t a matter of possibility. They would’ve gladly gone through with it, but would the Spirit itself agree?
That was one question—and then there was another...
'Why hasn’t that Lv. 8 Spirit Clone killed the Loki Familia children yet?'
“Ahem!”
Ganesha lightly cleared his throat at the center of the Denatus, drawing the gods’ attention.
“Regarding the Guild’s assessment of the Spirit Clone’s level, the Loki Familia provided partial combat footage. After review by several gods, the Spirit Clone on the 59th floor has been confirmed to possess Lv. 8-level strength.”
“The reviewing gods include myself, Ouranos, Loki, Freya, and Hermes.”
Well then, they got both sides—neutral and opposed.
The moment the list was revealed, the gods started getting restless.
Ganesha might be seen as a joker among the gods, but he’s also in charge of Orario’s safety following Astrea Familia’s withdrawal, making him a relatively fair figure.
Loki and Freya are the Two Kings of Orario. Their Familias are well-known, powerful, and influential.
Ouranos doesn’t belong to any faction and represents the more neutral position of the Guild.
As for Hermes… yeah, he’s the very definition of neutral. Among the gods, there’s no one more neutral than him. Everyone knows Hermes—he’s a well-known trickster, the type who doesn’t provoke anyone or get close to anyone, even in Tenkai.
With this lineup, it’s hard to believe the judgment could be biased—except maybe for Loki’s personal leanings, but Freya, her rival, was also part of the group. It was a balanced enough team to make their judgment credible.
Everyone agreed on that—except the Evilus gods.
‘Who’s to say the five of you aren’t in cahoots?’
That same suspicion popped up in the minds of every Evilus god.
Unfortunately for them, that doubt didn’t last long—especially after Ganesha continued.
“The footage received by the Guild was released with Loki’s permission. A portion showing the Spirit Clone’s power is cleared for public viewing. The rest, which includes Loki Familia secrets, was withheld at her request.”
“The Guild acknowledged the seriousness of the Evilus issue, and Ouranos agreed to Loki’s request to limit the footage shown.”
A screen flickered to life.
The footage showed Finn leading the expedition team charging toward the Spirit Clone—a half-human, half-monster figure—when suddenly, the Spirit Clone unleashed a terrifying surge of aura. Even through the screen, the gods could feel the overwhelming force.
“It’s really Lv. 8!?”
Many gods jumped up, unable to contain their shock.
“Those lunatics actually pulled it off! Not only did they gather the Magic Stones needed for the Spirit Clone, but they even figured out a way to forcibly boost its power through self-destruction! What are they trying to do? Are they actually trying to start a war!?”
At that point, all the gods believed the Guild’s announcement.
Sure, some intel could be faked—but that level of power, the unmistakable force of Lv. 8, wasn’t something you could fake.
It was enough to make even the gods who’d been treating things like a game finally take things seriously.
Because all the gods knew—if Evilus succeeded, they’d be forced back to Tenkai to live those dull, lifeless days again.
If they had never come to Genkai, maybe they wouldn’t have minded.
But after tasting the pleasures of the lower world, not a single god wanted to go back to that boring, stagnant Tenkai.
Which meant what Evilus was doing now… was basically the same as killing them.
Since Evilus had already gone this far, there was no more room for play.
They had to drive every last Evilus member off the surface and back to Tenkai.
There’s no place in Genkai for lunatics like them.
The gods’ fury was fully ignited.
Meanwhile, the gods of Evilus could only stare on in confusion.
Chapter 458: Chapter 458: The Dark Faction's Unease
Chapter Text
‘???’
At this moment, every Evilus god had a row of question marks running across their foreheads.
'It's not a misjudgment. That was really Lv. 8.'
Just from that surge of aura earlier, they could tell—it had clearly surpassed Lv. 7 and reached the peak of Lv. 8.
They were still wondering why the Spirit Clone had reached Lv. 8 and yet failed to kill all the Loki Familia kids, but the situation in front of them was clearly far more serious.
If there was no doubt that the Spirit Clone had reached Lv. 8, then it obviously looked like the handiwork of Evilus.
But who did it?
Even if they had the intention to make it happen, would the Spirit really cooperate with them?
That was clearly unrealistic.
Even if someone among them had managed to develop a self-destructive power-boosting method, there was no way the Spirit would agree to being used as a suicide weapon.
And it was also obvious the Spirit hadn't taken that path.
A Lv. 8 bomb wouldn't care how tough the Loki kids were. If it exploded, it would absolutely take all of them out.
But what happened?
Not a single one died. That’s the outcome of the Spirit choosing not to self-destruct.
So who made this happen?
Sure, they had helped the Spirit collect the Magic Stones, but they hadn’t participated in any method to boost its power.
And even if they wanted to, discovering something like that wouldn't be easy—not even for them.
If the Evilus gods were really that capable, they would’ve toppled Orario long ago.
Yet right now, the whole situation screamed of Evilus involvement. So what the hell was going on?
It couldn’t be Loki, could it?
That thought crossed their minds—but they quickly dismissed it.
Even if Loki wanted to, she wasn’t the kind of god who could pull off something like this.
Besides, could she really guarantee her children would face a Lv. 8 Spirit and still come out on top?
No one could guarantee that—unless a god lifted the seal on their divine power.
But would Loki really go that far for something so thankless and exhausting?
Clearly not.
As long as the divine power seals stay in place, no god could be sure their children would survive a confrontation with a Lv. 8 Spirit Clone.
But explaining any of this wasn’t going to help.
The hostility toward Evilus among the gods had already reached a boiling point.
At this point, trying to explain anything would only make it seem like he was part of the Evilus.
And really—was this not the work of someone from their side?
It was just too in line with the Evilus' usual methods. It was hard not to assume the culprit came from among them.
“If that's the case, then why haven't the Evilus launched a direct attack on Orario if they already possess that kind of method?”
A god in the Denatus suddenly asked this question.
At once, everyone's gaze turned toward the one who spoke.
“Dionysus, you’re not secretly with the Evilus, are you?”
“I’m merely offering a logical hypothesis. If the Evilus had truly mastered this technique, it would be easy for them to destroy Orario. Which is why I believe the method is still unstable. I’m just saying—it’s not something they have full control over yet.”
Accused of siding with Evilus, Dionysus let out a sigh and slowly shook his head before calmly continuing.
“The biggest question now is whether the Evilus have fully mastered this method of self-destructive power enhancement. If they have, we need to prepare accordingly. If they haven’t, then capturing them alive becomes all the more important.”
“We also need to prepare for the possibility of an all-out war with Evilus.”
“On top of that, I think we gods must be more cautious about our own safety. The greatest concern now is the use of suicide attacks. If they take us down, then Orario falls with us.”
Maybe Orario was built by gods and the children of Genkai together.
But once those children lose the gods supporting them, they’ll be stripped of the power they wield—effectively destroying the force that protects Orario.
Everyone listening fell silent, lost in thought.
Indeed, as Dionysus had said, the situation remained unstable.
Whether Evilus had mastered the technique or not, they had to be treated as if they had. After all, the case of the Spirit Clone had already proven it could work.
Just then, Freya raised her hand.
“Oh? Freya, do you have something to add?”
Ganesha noticed her gesture and immediately invited her to speak.
Freya smiled gently and picked up where Dionysus left off.
“Dionysus is right. If Evilus had truly mastered that technique, Orario wouldn’t still be standing. I even suspect there’s another faction operating within Evilus.”
“Oh? Do you have any evidence for that, Freya?”
“Evidence...? Of course not. I’m not part of Evilus, after all. But I’d wager there are some gods among them who enjoy ‘playing around.’ Otherwise, how could something like this even be invented?”
...
Freya’s smile grew even brighter.
But the Evilus gods were filled with unease. It wasn’t hard to hear the implication in her words—someone had infiltrated them.
“As for that technique...”
Freya paused, lightly tapping her lips with her finger. That simple motion alone left the surrounding gods unsure where to look.
“It’s probably still unstable.”
“Otherwise, with the Spirit Clone already at Lv. 8, why would the Loki Familia kids be allowed to walk away alive? If it were fully under control, a Lv. 8 Spirit would’ve torn them apart instantly.”
Her words sent a chill through the gods present, and many instinctively turned toward Loki.
They quickly noticed that Loki’s face had darkened, her expression thunderous, and a vein bulged visibly on her forehead.
“Hey! You lovestruck bimbo, who are you saying would get torn apart!?”
Loki shot up from her seat, her usually theatrical expression now blazing with fury.
“And don’t underestimate my kids! Orario won’t be the only Familia with Lv. 7s for long. My kids are there too—and I’ve got three of them!”
“!?”
...
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(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake
Chapter 459: Chapter 459: Ais-tan Won’t Just Give In… Right?
Chapter Text
The dramatic reveal at the Denatus had instantly pushed Loki Familia to the peak.
Three new Lv. 7s had emerged from within the Familia, raising Orario's upper limit by an entire level.
The gods of the Evilus faction were left reeling from the news.
But there was nothing they could do.
They had already taken their shot—even going so far as to unleash a Lv. 8 Spirit Clone—and yet they still couldn't stop Loki Familia's rise. If that wasn't absurd, what was?
As for Loki, who had stolen the spotlight at the Denatus, she returned home after the meeting concluded.
Only then did she have time to perform her children's official Status Updates.
Yes, Loki had bragged at the Denatus—but the actual updates were done after it ended.
In other words, she had outright bluffed in front of all the gods.
Not that she cared one bit.
After all, her children had undergone real trials. Loki could feel it the moment she welcomed Finn and the others back—they had absolutely earned the Excelia to match their new levels.
Even without checking the numbers, she could tell from their changed presence alone. Their entire aura had shifted.
They had seen a broader world—and grown from it.
That's why she had no hesitation in announcing that her kids had reached Lv. 7.
"Finn, I'm home!"
Loki sounded unusually chipper as she stepped through the door, her voice pitched higher than usual—it was easy to hear the joy in her tone.
"Loki-sama."
"Oh, Haruhime."
Looking at the charming little fox, Loki couldn't resist the urge to walk over.
Who could blame her? Haruhime had matured beautifully. On top of that, she carried the grace of a proper young lady—a noble air that perfectly matched Loki's preferences.
But as Loki leaned in, she noticed something surprising: Haruhime didn't flinch. Even her usual meekness had vanished.
If it weren't for the familiar scent of fox lingering around her, Loki might have suspected someone was impersonating the shy vixen.
The timid little fox had grown up. Loki felt a swirl of emotions at the realization.
"Haruhime, Finn and the others are home, right?"
Haruhime nodded obediently.
"The captain and the rest are waiting in your room, Loki-sama."
Looking at the maturing Renard, Loki smirked and teased her.
"Haruhime, looks like you've gotten serious about that boy, huh?"
"...Loki-sama."
Haruhime, who had remained composed earlier, immediately turned bright red.
"Oho Getting all shy now, are we?"
Loki chuckled, wrapping an arm around Haruhime's shoulder—but quickly let out a sigh.
"Of all the people you could've fallen for, why did it have to be that guy?"
Only now did Loki fully grasp just how rough Haruhime's love life really was.
That boy already had something going on with the shorty, and now even Freya had set her sights on him. Haruhime had chosen an absurdly difficult path—and it honestly hurt Loki just to watch.
"That kid's surrounded by nothing but landmines. There are already two obvious ones right now. That lovestruck Freya has her eye on him too, and now you've fallen for him as well."
"If you ask me, unless the shorty decides to show some mercy and accept you, there's no way you'll ever get to stand by his side."
But Haruhime didn't show the slightest reaction. From the beginning, she had already known her love was a rocky, no-return road.
"Loki-sama, that person reached out to help me when I was at my lowest. Even if he had his own reasons, he's still my hero."
"My admiration and affection for him… I can't suppress these feelings."
"Even if I know there may never be a happy ending to this love."
Seeing that foolish smile still lingering on her face, Loki felt her molars grinding in frustration.
That guy… he's seriously pissing me off!
There were plenty of decent men out there, so why did a pure-hearted girl like Haruhime have to fall for that damn sly bastard? Loki sighed inwardly, but in the end, all she could do was watch as this girl stepped deeper into the abyss.
She was chasing fire like a moth to a flame.
From the beginning, Haruhime had known he was dangerous—but she simply couldn't stop herself.
Which was why Loki was now feeling especially sour.
She could only hope Ais wouldn't fall for him too. That was all she could do now—pray...
But even when it came to Ais, Loki wasn't confident.
Ais had always cared deeply about her parents. And now, in order to prove she could survive on her own, she'd even managed to completely change her once-impulsive personality.
Oh, for the love of—!
Loki had never believed Ais could change like this. But then—bam—a sudden twist, and everything about her was transformed.
Of course, that was all thanks to that damn brat.
Just thinking about it made Loki's face twitch in irritation.
She was seriously starting to suspect he did it on purpose.
Was it all just to get Ais's attention? Is that why he went to such extremes?
Now Ais had completely changed.
She had returned to the calm, collected version of herself from the past—but Loki knew exactly why.
If it weren't for the fact that she only had one shot at proving herself to her parents, Ais would never have changed this way.
It was because she'd recognized her own flaws.
Because she understood she couldn't do it alone—she needed others.
From someone who once avoided forming bonds, Ais had slowly begun to open up.
She used to focus only on her own growth, never caring about anyone else's.
But now, realizing she wouldn't be able to grow alone, Ais had started to think about the growth of those around her.
Maybe it was a forced change—but it was working better than anyone expected.
If Ais was willing to change her personality just to prove herself to her parents, then who knew what else she'd be willing to do to find companions who could help her?
"Hah..."
Just imagining it sent a chill down Loki's spine.
'I need to keep an eye on Ais these days... before she ends up selling herself out.'
"Loki-sama?"
Haruhime looked over, puzzled by the way Loki's expression kept shifting. She couldn't help wondering what had caused such a drastic change in mood.
"...It's nothing."
Loki let go of Haruhime and, filled with concern, hurried toward her room.
"I need to go check on Ais-tan."
Chapter 460: Chapter 460: Secrets Can Never Stay Hidden
Chapter Text
"Bang!"
The door slammed open—same as always.
"Ais-tan!"
Right after the slam, Loki charged in like a maniac, just like she always did.
Seeing Loki pounce at her like a starving tiger, Ais tilted her head slightly and casually dodged.
But because she was standing so close to the wall, Loki's leap sent her flying straight into it.
There was a solid—
"Thud!"
The whole wall seemed to shake. Loki ended up plastered against it in a full-body spread, arms and legs out like some oversized gecko or lizard stuck to the surface.
"Why'd you dodge me, Ais-tan?"
She stayed stuck to the wall for a solid thirty seconds before peeling herself off—though by then, her poor heart had already been shattered to dust.
Even so, Ais looked at her with wary eyes.
"Because Loki always tries to grope me."
"Ugh…"
That one really hit Loki where it hurt.
The worst part was, if she had actually managed to tackle Ais, she definitely would've used that chance to cop a feel of the fruit she'd been admiring grow for years now.
With that, Loki gave up on acting pitiful, coughed awkwardly, and shifted the conversation.
"Alright, let's get down to business."
Seeing Loki drop her usual antics, everyone in the room grew serious as well.
"This time, that Bell kid managed to push all the fallout onto the Evilus. But honestly, they kind of deserve it."
A glint of malice flashed in Loki's narrowed eyes.
"It's a fact those bastards helped the Spirit collect Magic Stones. We've already identified which Familia was involved. Since they were willing to throw out a scapegoat, there's no need for us to go easy on them."
Anyone who dares lay a hand on her kids has no right to stay in Genkai. They can pack their things and head back to Tenkai.
"Finn, in a few days, submit the investigation report to the Guild. But… there are some things you'll need to handle yourselves."
Meeting Loki's gaze, Finn gave a solemn nod.
"I understand."
He had already made up his mind about what needed to be done—even if it meant slaying a god.
"Loki, can you tell us about Bell-kun?"
That question instantly caught everyone's attention.
"That kid, huh…"
To be honest, Loki didn't want to talk about him at all right now.
How should she even begin? She scratched her cheek, clearly troubled.
"What do you want to know?"
Ais stepped forward and shot out a single word.
"Strength."
"Ais-tan, that's way too blunt."
Loki's face twisted into a bitter smile. The last thing she wanted was for Ais to know about that kid's strength. In fact, it wasn't something she could talk about openly at all.
She immediately crossed her arms in an "X" and made a rejecting gesture.
"I promised not to reveal anything about his strength. So even if it's you, Ais-tan, I can't say a word."
Seeing Loki's firm stance, even Ais backed down. Clearly, it was something big.
But sometimes, secrets are only secrets if even those who need to keep them don't know what they are.
Obviously, that didn't apply to Loki right now.
"Loki, so is it Bell-kun's Status that's a secret, or is it his Skill?"
"…"
"I see."
Seeing that Loki wasn't going to answer at all, Finn understood immediately.
Both his Status and Skills were classified.
"Now then, what I'm about to say isn't something Loki told us—this is just my own speculation based on the intel we've gathered."
"Bell-kun likely possesses a unique Skill that lets him grow at an extraordinary rate. Riveria and I estimate that he's currently at Lv. 4. Reaching that level in just half a year must be directly linked to that Skill."
"And there's also Bell-kun's personality. He's not the kind of person who would level up without fully developing his potential. So, before he ranked up, he must've pushed all his stats to the limit."
Finn's deduction laid out both his and Riveria's theories clearly.
He had hesitated before about Bell's Skill and stats—but now, thanks to Loki's reaction, he was certain.
"As for Bell-kun's abilities..."
Finn glanced toward Loki, but she stayed completely silent, turned her head away, and started whistling nonchalantly.
"I'd say all his stats are probably at least in the S-range."
It was an outrageous conclusion.
No adventurer in their right mind would believe a single person could possess that many "abnormal" qualities.
A Skill that allows rapid growth, maxed-out parameters across the board, and reaching Lv. 4 in under six months—anyone would call that abnormal.
And when all those abnormalities are packed into one person, it becomes a whole new level of extraordinary.
Seeing that Finn had wrapped up his analysis, Loki finally dropped the act.
"In any case, these are all your own guesses. I didn't say a word."
Some things simply couldn't be said—Loki knew that, and she wasn't about to cross that line.
So far, she hadn't revealed a single detail about that kid Bell.
"Still, even if this is all just your speculation, you'd better be careful. If word gets out, I'll be the one taking the heat—doesn't matter if I actually said anything or not."
Everyone in the room understood what she meant. No one was going to spread this around carelessly.
Besides, even if they did, who would believe it?
"Alright, now let's get to the matter of your level-ups."
With all the unnecessary talk out of the way, Loki moved on to the main topic.
"Finn, you and your group first. Riveria's group will go next."
Everyone was familiar with the status update process.
Finn and the others were already prepared, having removed their shirts.
They were all men, after all, so being seen wasn't a big deal. The girls, on the other hand, would be a different story.
But the moment Finn took his shirt off, Tione's eyes glazed over—and a little drool glistened at the corner of her mouth.
Naturally, Finn could feel her scorching gaze, so he quickly turned his back to Loki and sat down, hoping to get the update over with as fast as possible.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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Chapter 461: Chapter 461: The Freya Familia Never Lacks Drama Over Her Favor
Chapter Text
At this moment, something major was stirring within Freya's Familia.
Today, they were attending a victory banquet hosted by Loki's Familia. Because of that, Freya was choosing a dress for the occasion.
This had always been a routine affair—yet today felt different.
Freya was unusually serious.
So, as members of her Familia, all the key figures were lined up and seated.
“So, the guy who's been haunting Freya-sama's dreams is showing up at this banquet too?”
Everyone's faces were filled with frustration.
Competition for Freya’s affection was already intense within the Familia. Now, someone from outside was catching her eye? There was no way the others could be pleased about that.
Especially since it was obvious that Freya was genuinely interested in this outsider. The only thing keeping their expressions in check was their unwavering loyalty to her.
But setting that loyalty aside, their resentment toward the outsider ran deep—etched into their very bones.
“Don’t call it ‘haunting her dreams.’ He probably just used some trick to get Freya-sama’s attention.”
Dvalinn, the second son and one of the “Bringar,” spoke with clear irritation.
He couldn’t control who Freya-sama chose to favor. As someone who had pledged his loyalty to her, he didn’t have the right to object.
But he was still frustrated.
Not at Freya-sama’s decision—but at the man who had drawn her gaze.
“He’s playing hard to get! That’s got to be it!”
“Exactly! Why else would Freya-sama suddenly become interested in some guy always skulking in the shadows?”
The third son, Berling, and the fourth son, Grer, chimed in in agreement.
To them, Freya’s change of heart had to have a cause.
If the problem wasn’t with Freya-sama, then it had to be with the guy who had caught her attention.
“But wasn’t it Freya-sama who showed interest in him first? He’s always seemed like someone trying to keep a low profile.”
The eldest son, Alfrigg, offered a more balanced view.
While gathering intelligence, he had also looked into the man.
But the information available was scarce—so much so that it seemed the guy never intended to expose himself in the first place. Beyond a few initial details, there was almost nothing to go on.
To Alfrigg, the man didn’t seem like someone trying to attract Freya-sama’s attention at all. If anything, it looked more like he was avoiding the gaze of the gods altogether.
"Alfrigg, shut up!" *3
That fair remark clearly struck a nerve with the three brothers.
'Yeah, yeah, you just don’t want to admit it.' Alfrigg let out a helpless sigh.
He knew that goddess’s personality far too well—honestly, everyone here did. That’s why they were all groaning and sighing.
Because when Freya set her mind on something, no one could stop her.
“Sure, she’s shown interest in people before, but isn’t she going a bit too far this time?”
The Cat Person, Allen Fromel, twitched his ears repeatedly, his expression mirroring the sour looks of the three Pallums from earlier—clearly annoyed.
Freya’s Familia was already filled with inner conflict, with everyone vying for her affection. And now, after all their internal competition, Freya’s attention had been drawn to someone outside? Who could be happy about that?
“It’s exactly because she’s too interested that Freya-sama is carefully picking out a dress for Loki Familia’s banquet. Have any of you ever seen Freya-sama go out of her way to choose a dress before?”
With that one sentence, the blond elf Hedin Selland brought the entire room to silence.
Freya-sama had always been meticulous about attending banquets, but that was usually just her being relatively formal.
But carefully selecting a dress for a banquet? That was on a whole different level.
Normally, she wore the same sets for different occasions.
A black deep V-cut gown for divine assemblies.
A white deep V-cut gown for banquets hosted by other gods.
For an event like today’s celebration hosted by Loki, a white dress would’ve been the obvious, no-brainer choice. But Freya-sama had gone out of her way to pick a new outfit—now that was a big deal.
She only ever did that for especially formal or important occasions.
“Tch! Just how the hell did that sneaky guy pull it off?”
At that moment, Allen was desperate to know how that rat-like guy managed to grab Freya-sama’s attention.
If being a sneaky little mouse was all it took, he’d be ready to throw away his Cat Person pride and shout, “I’m done being a Cat Person!”
Of course, no one actually knew the answer. Everyone was thinking the same thing.
And just as that thought crossed their minds, their eyes turned—unspoken, yet unanimous—toward the only musclebound man among them: Ottar.
“Ottar, you spend the most time with Freya-sama. You should know something, right?”
“I’m protecting Freya-sama. It’s not monopolizing.”
Ottar replied flatly, correcting their assumption. But that only made Allen’s forehead vein twitch even more.
“If you, you damned pig, hadn’t hogged all her time, I could’ve taken on the duty of guarding her too!”
“Damn cat, that’s not something for you to say.”
The moment protecting Freya-sama was mentioned, the “Bringar” leapt to their feet.
“Damn right, a damn cat actually thinks he can protect her?”
“Who do you think you are, damn cat!”
“We four brothers could do it too, damn cat!”
The four Pallum brothers all took turns calling Allen a “damn cat,” and his face darkened immediately.
Just as the atmosphere was about to explode, Hedin knocked on the table, cutting off the escalating argument.
“Is now really the time to be fighting over this?”
The two sides glared at each other, but soon they both reluctantly cooled down. Fighting could wait—now wasn’t the time.
Once Allen and the four brothers quieted down, Hedin adjusted his glasses and voiced his own complaint in his usual blunt way.
“So, damn pig—you do know the reason, don’t you?”
Chapter 462: Chapter 462: How Will That Child See Me?
Chapter Text
The repeated use of the term “damn pig” had even left a crack in Ottar’s iron-clad composure.
If it weren’t for the Loki Familia’s banquet that evening, he would’ve already pounded those bastards into the ground.
“Freya-sama believes that Bell Cranel is the one she’s been searching for in Genkai.”
“What!?”
That single sentence was even more shocking than what the Cat People had said earlier. It instantly riled up everyone vying for the goddess’s affection.
This wasn’t about winning her favor anymore—this was about someone trying to steal the goddess away entirely!
The Cat People and the four Pallum brothers, who had been full of hostility moments ago, immediately set aside their grudges.
Their petty rivalries could wait. Right now, they had to unite against a common threat.
The male Elf, still hanging onto a thread of reason, steadied himself and asked a critical question.
“I remember that guy’s part of Hestia Familia, right? Can Freya-sama really take someone like that away?”
“Hah? Are you doubting the Goddess’s charm!?”
“…You damn cat, if you want to show off your smarts, be my guest—but don’t twist my words.”
Hedin had never once doubted Freya-sama’s charm. If she so much as made a genuine effort, no one could resist her allure.
“Does Freya-sama really need to go through all this trouble just for one person?”
“Right now, Freya-sama’s taking the most roundabout approach. But does she really need to? Especially someone like her?”
Yeah, exactly.
Everyone began to cool down. If Freya-sama truly wanted someone, would she really need to go to such lengths? Wasn’t her charm enough to make anything possible?
All those who had just been questioning things now unconsciously turned their eyes toward Ottar.
No doubt about it—this pig definitely knew something.
When Ottar noticed all their stares, he remained calm and added,
“That person has the ability to make Freya-sama misjudge him.”
“No way... seriously?”
Everyone looked stunned.
It was common knowledge that Freya-sama possessed eyes that could see the colors of souls. It was thanks to her vision that she had been able to find each of them and nurture their potential.
Inside her room, Freya was carefully picking out the dress she’d wear that evening.
“Hmm~ How about this one?”
She was looking forward to the banquet tonight. After all, it would be the first time she would officially meet that child.
Her thoughts wandered back to the scene she had witnessed in the soul world.
A black, ink-like mist had sealed off everything from entering, while the Wall of Lamentation had kept everything else out.
Freya was certain that behind that wall lay the soul of the child being protected.
It was when she saw that vision that she knew—the child was the one she had truly been searching for. The one she was destined to encounter in Genkai.
"What will that child think of me?"
The more she looked forward to the meeting, the more curious Freya became about how that child would perceive her.
The “Goddess of Beauty” didn’t exactly have the best reputation in Genkai. Aside from the blunt and tactless Aphrodite, she was the most socially connected among the gods.
"Pfft~"
"Right, right... Those four kids looked absolutely heartbroken back then."
As she recalled it, Freya remembered the devastated expressions Alfrigg and the others had worn. It turned out they really weren’t the ones she had been searching for.
Although she had mentally prepared herself for that possibility, seeing their despair made it clear—they weren’t the right ones.
They were talented enough, but still lacked the qualities she sought.
"So then, how will it turn out this time? What kind of look will that child give me?"
With that thought, Freya smiled like a girl in love and carefully picked out the dress she would wear to the banquet.
...
Night soon fell over Orario.
As lively as ever—perhaps even more so than usual.
To most adventurers, it might not have mattered much, but the news about the Loki Familia was still the hottest topic around every table.
At the bustling “Hostess of Fertility,” adventurers enjoying their food and drinks were also deep in discussion about the Loki Familia.
“The Loki Familia’s expedition team didn’t just conquer the 59th floor—they even defeated the ‘Corrupted Spirit’.”
“The Spirit... I never thought that a spirit, once the avatar of a god, would become our greatest enemy.”
“Tell me about it.”
All adventurers understood how the “Corrupted Spirit” had come to be.
It had been devoured by a Dungeon monster, and due to its unique nature, was reversed—twisted into what they now called the “Corrupted Spirit.”
“Still, the Loki Familia really is something else.”
“Yeah. They actually managed to defeat that powerful ‘Corrupted Spirit’.”
“Exactly. I heard from a Familia God that the Corrupted Spirit they fought was as strong as Level 8. I still don’t get how the Loki Familia managed to defeat it while being two levels lower.”
It was a question many adventurers were asking.
“I’d say it must be the Loki Familia’s hidden trump card. After all, they and the Freya Familia are the two kings of Orario. It’s not surprising if they’ve been keeping a game-changer under wraps.”
“Hmm... Put like that, it does make sense.”
Though the specifics of that trump card remained a mystery, one thing was clear—the Loki Familia’s place alongside the Freya Familia wasn’t without reason.
And with everyone talking about it, even the staff at the “Hostess of Fertility” were now in the loop.
‘Indeed, the Loki Familia is the only one in Orario that can rival the Freya Familia. If they’ve been hiding a trump card like that, it’s completely understandable.’
Although Ryuu, the elf waitress, had never heard anything about a trump card during her days as an adventurer, it made sense. A card that could reverse the situation wouldn’t be revealed easily.
This time, it was probably forced out by the sheer threat of their opponent.
Even so, a quiet sigh escaped her lips.
‘If only we’d had a trump card like that back then... maybe things wouldn’t have turned out the way they did.’
...
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Chapter 463: Chapter 463: Celebration Banquet
Chapter Text
At the moment, the Loki Familia, host of the celebration banquet, was more lively than ever before.
Preparations had begun well before nightfall, and Twilight Manor was already welcoming the invited gods and Familia members.
Hermes had arrived early with his captain and a few children in tow.
"It's really lively here."
Looking around at the bustling interior of Twilight Manor, Hermes couldn't help but remark on the festive atmosphere.
"Hermes-sama, today marks a major promotion for the Loki Familia. Of course Loki-sama would want to make it grand."
Asfi fully understood Loki's desire to show off.
That said, she tugged uncomfortably at the hem of her dress. Truth be told, she wasn't at all used to wearing something like this.
'Seriously, why is my Familia God always so unreasonable?' Asfi couldn't help but wish she could switch to a more sensible god—at least one who didn't make her life difficult.
But knowing her Familia God's personality all too well, Asfi understood those hopes would remain just that—fantasies in her head.
Seeing Asfi fidget awkwardly, Hermes chuckled. He brought his palms together and summoned a soft gust of wind with a flick of his fingers.
"*!?"
Asfi quickly pressed down her skirt with both hands, face flushing red, and shot a glare at the pervert responsible.
"Please show some restraint."
But Hermes, clearly unbothered by his captain's embarrassed expression, just kept smiling.
"Asfi, it's a banquet. You should try to enjoy yourself a little more like everyone else."
"..."
Rolling her eyes, Asfi held down her skirt and—with all the force she could manage—kicked the pervert god flying.
"Pervert!"
She could normally tolerate a little shamelessness from this lecherous god, but to pull this kind of stunt at a formal event—did he really think she wouldn't get mad?
Even if she was angry, Asfi still held back. After all, a single kick from a Level 4 adventurer—especially when fired off in a flustered rage—would've been enough to send a sealed god straight back to Tenkai.
Even so, Hermes slammed hard into the wall.
"Hermes-sama, are you okay?"
"Ugh... Asfi's temper just keeps getting worse."
Grimacing, Hermes clutched his face while Lulune helped him up. That collision with the wall definitely hadn't felt good.
Lulune gave him a disapproving look.
"You brought that on yourself. Trying to lift the captain's skirt at an event like this?"
Hermes straightened up with mock seriousness.
"Exactly because it's an event like this that I had to do it."
"Asfi's always been a bit stiff. She needs to open up and show more emotion."
He made it sound so noble—like he was doing it for her sake—but Lulune could tell only that last line held any real truth.
"Hermes-sama, you just wanted to see the captain's embarrassed face, didn't you?"
Hermes stayed silent for a couple of seconds, then looked away.
"Oh! Hephaestus is here too."
So that was what he really meant. Lulune wasn't usually the sharpest, but moments like this made her surprisingly perceptive—she understood exactly what Hermes was trying to hide.
She still chose to show him some respect as a god of a Familia.
"Where?"
She quickly changed the subject and started scanning for Hephaestus.
Following Hermes' gaze, Lulune soon spotted the famous blacksmith god of Orario—Hephaestus.
Today, Hephaestus was dressed in a red ceremonial gown. It matched perfectly with her crimson hair and eyes, and made her snow-white skin look even more flawless.
The half-mask covering one side of her face might have dulled her beauty a little—but it gave her a distinct charm, adding a cool and stoic edge to her presence.
Lulune's attention was quickly drawn to the people standing beside Hephaestus.
As one of the main stars of tonight's banquet and someone who had just advanced from Level 5 to Level 6, Tsubaki Collbrande was far from her usual self.
Today, she wasn't wearing her typical chest wrap. Instead, she was dressed in a formal white gown.
Her wheat-colored skin contrasted with the white fabric in a way that suited her surprisingly well—though Tsubaki herself wasn't quite convinced.
"Ugh… Hephaestus-dono, I'm really not used to wearing something like this."
She shifted uncomfortably, watching the flowy material swish as she moved, and sighed.
"Stop complaining. This is your celebration banquet too."
"Sigh…"
Hearing Hephaestus say that only made her feel more powerless.
She had never liked banquets or social events like this. She was clearly more at home in the forge—so why did getting a level-up mean she had to attend something like this?
"Hephaestus-dono, can't I just stay home and work?"
"No. At least not today."
Her request was flatly denied, and Tsubaki slumped her shoulders in defeat.
This light, fluttering dress felt more like a constraint than anything festive—but it wasn't like she could just leave the scene now.
She could only try to distract herself with idle thoughts and hope the evening passed quickly.
"Oh right, Hephaestus-dono, is Bell... still hiding in the back?"
Tsubaki had already started to doubt Bell's abilities. At the very least, she didn't believe a Level 1 adventurer could create something as absurd as that "Straw Doll Substitute" using only his own skills and magic.
"That's just how he is. Hestia only has him in her Familia, and if he showed up now, it would just cause a commotion. With everything going on, it's safer for him to keep a low profile."
This time, Hephaestus didn't bother with the usual cover-ups—she simply laid it out plainly.
Fair enough. Tsubaki agreed Bell shouldn't step forward right now.
It was still too soon.
After all, the fastest level-up in Orario's history was the "Sword Princess" from the Loki Familia. If someone were to break that record by leveling up in just half a year, they'd instantly become the gods' next obsession.
Beyond the issue of timing, there was also the matter of opportunity.
Right now, Orario was riddled with danger. The problems with Evilus were no longer hiding in the shadows—they were out in the open.
And at a time like this, if someone with talent stood out too much, they'd immediately become a target for Evilus.
Chapter Text
"I am Ganesha!"
Hephaestus had just turned to check if Hestia had arrived when that familiar voice rang out. Thankfully, having attended so many Denatus meetings, she was well accustomed to that loud presence.
"This guy really never gets tired of that entrance."
Every time there was a banquet, Ganesha insisted on playing the host.
But he was swiftly pulled back down by his own captain.
"Ganesha-sama, today is the Loki Familia’s victory banquet, not a divine assembly."
As captain of the Ganesha Familia, Shakti Varma was already dragging her god from the center stage to the sidelines.
They had been invited to join the celebration—not to let Ganesha-sama steal the spotlight.
If he actually tried to take center stage now, there was a real chance no other god would ever invite him to a banquet again.
“Ganesha-sama, you and your 350 followers need to understand the purpose of tonight’s event. Loki-sama invited everyone here to celebrate Finn and the others' promotion to Level 7. Please don’t overshadow her.”
“Ugh... I just wanted to make things livelier.”
Chastised, Ganesha crouched in the corner, stripped of any divine dignity, quietly counting mushrooms.
Shakti knew full well that Ganesha-sama had no intention of actually stealing the show—but this wasn’t the time or place for antics.
She let out a soft sigh.
“Ganesha-sama, please try to restrain yourself tonight.”
Her voice lowered slightly as she added,
“Loki-sama has spent a long time preparing for this banquet. And don’t forget—tonight’s gathering is also meant to send a message to Evilus.”
Yes, there was another layer of meaning to this celebration.
Orario had just gained three new Level 7 adventurers. That alone was a significant boost for the entire community. And against Evilus, it wasn’t speeches that made the difference—it was raw, overwhelming strength.
Back in the days of Zeus and Hera, Evilus had been crushed and forced into hiding through sheer power alone. That era had already proven how absolute force could become the ultimate deterrent—even against the Evilus.
Maybe expecting Loki Familia to replicate those legendary accomplishments with just three more Level 7s was unrealistic.
But at the very least, Orario now had three more top-tier fighters standing at its peak.
That’s why Loki-sama needed to remain the focus tonight.
Shakti understood that perfectly—hence why she dragged Ganesha offstage.
Watching Ganesha squat off to the side planting imaginary mushrooms, Hephaestus could already imagine just how much patience Shakti had to muster every single day.
"That guy really needs to learn to pick his moments, even if he loves the spotlight."
From the sidelines, Tsubaki could more or less sense what was going through Hephaestus's mind.
"Ganesha sure does love a party."
"That's just who he is—he can’t ever sit still. He’s a good god, no doubt about that, but his rowdiness can be a real headache sometimes."
Hephaestus didn’t deny that Ganesha was a benevolent god. Everything he did, and even his very nature, made that clear. But there were moments when his antics became a bit too much for the other gods—especially his over-the-top love for festivities.
"Hephaestus-sama."
"Welf?"
Hephaestus was a little surprised to hear that familiar voice—especially since it belonged to a newcomer to her Familia, and one who didn’t quite mesh with the others.
"You came to the banquet too?"
"Yeah."
Welf stared at Hephaestus-sama, his eyes gleaming. In that moment, he felt like attending the banquet hadn’t been such a bad decision—at the very least, he got to see Hephaestus-sama in formal wear.
After dazing out for a few seconds, Welf finally explained why he came to the banquet.
"I figured... if I showed up, maybe I could find some buyers for my weapons and gear. Try to open up a few more sales channels."
Not being able to sell his weapons and equipment—that was Welf's biggest problem at the moment.
Still, he had confidence in his craft.
Sure, maybe he couldn’t yet match the top smiths from other Familia, but his gear was reasonably priced. That had to count for something.
"Trying to expand your sales channels... by going straight to Loki’s kids, huh."
Hephaestus wasn’t even sure how to start talking him out of that naive idea.
Even Tsubaki, listening from nearby, felt her head throb.
"Welf, you haven’t given up yet?"
"Yeah... I want to give it one last try."
Welf wasn’t the type to be blindly stubborn. He’d joined the expedition team, seen a bigger world, and realized how naive and self-important his old ideals had been.
A "Magic Sword" wasn’t a living being—it was just a weapon.
Forging Magic Swords wasn’t wrong. Using them wasn’t wrong either.
After experiencing the brutal conditions of the Deep Floors, Welf finally understood why so many adventurers wanted to buy Magic Swords from him.
In the past, he believed that weapons should stay by their owner’s side—not break after a few uses like a Magic Sword.
But now, having witnessed the harsh reality of the Deep Floors, he understood: when your life is on the line, losing a few weapons is a small price to pay.
That’s why Welf had finally let go of his old self-righteous mindset. This time, he would give it one last shot.
"If it still doesn’t work out, I guess... I’ll go back to forging Magic Swords."
He sighed inwardly. Aside from that, he was just a nameless blacksmith. He had no real choice.
The Familia had already done their part in supporting him. If he couldn’t start earning his keep soon, he'd have to gather his own materials just to continue forging.
Welf had come to understand the harshness of the world through his own finances and circumstances. At this point, he knew—stubborn pride wouldn’t help him anymore. All it would do was push him into a corner.
"Still stuck, huh, Welf?You really should learn to be more flexible."
Tsubaki exhaled quietly. She still believed in Welf’s potential. But he was so talented that he often failed to see the simplest solutions.
'If I could help it, I’d rather not learn to be “flexible.”' Welf felt a pang of frustration in his heart.
But now, all he could do was wait and see how things turned out. If he kept being stubborn, he might not even be able to sell Magic Swords anymore.
Because right now, the go-to weapon for everyday adventurers in Orario wasn’t the Magic Sword—it was the Rune Stone sold by the Hephaestus Familia.
With effects similar to the Magic Sword, each Rune Stone was single-use, but still packed enough power—and came at a cheaper price.
This shift only made Welf’s decision more urgent.
...
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War_Waffle on Chapter 1 Thu 04 Sep 2025 06:20PM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 6 Thu 24 Jul 2025 03:21PM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 18 Fri 25 Jul 2025 03:36AM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 19 Fri 25 Jul 2025 03:39AM UTC
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Garnet_Pen on Chapter 19 Sat 23 Aug 2025 05:26PM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 21 Fri 25 Jul 2025 03:46AM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 22 Fri 25 Jul 2025 03:50AM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 23 Fri 25 Jul 2025 03:54AM UTC
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Garnet_Pen on Chapter 35 Sat 23 Aug 2025 07:10PM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 38 Fri 25 Jul 2025 02:12PM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 38 Fri 25 Jul 2025 02:13PM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 41 Fri 25 Jul 2025 02:23PM UTC
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R3KTOR on Chapter 45 Fri 25 Jul 2025 02:36PM UTC
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