Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

As I walked down the street with Welf, we attracted attention in various places.

Some human vendors just watched us from afar, while dwarf uncles or orc aunties called out to us from the entrance of the fruit and vegetable shop, and some mixed-race children ran up to talk to us.

Perhaps this proves that I have become a Level 4... Level 2 adventurer. Although being a familiar of the approachable little sister goddess (Hestia) is also a big reason, in short, besides the neighbors I usually chat with, even some strangers say "Good luck!" to encourage me.

Some of the guys I passed by said things like, "I wish I had let you join my Familia back then~", "Beldiha ahaha", and "Damn it, let me go back in time!" I didn't know how to react.

"You're quite famous... no, you're a huge celebrity. How does it feel?"

"Yes, I'm very happy... but I'm still a little confused..."

While I was embarrassed by Welf's sarcasm, I spoke my true feelings.

Back in Winnie's time... after the "Heretics (Zenos)" incident, everyone showed me disappointment and malice for a time.

Being treated with smiles by my neighbors like this makes me feel that I have truly overcome many difficulties.

That's right.

So many things have really happened so far.

"what……"

Just as I was immersed in these unusual reflections...

I heard someone exclaim in surprise from ahead.

When I looked over there, I couldn't help but stop in my tracks.

A middle-aged (human) man, whose clothes were somewhat worn, stood there speechlessly.

He was more than twenty years older than me, and his black bangs only slightly covered his eyes.

Seeing us staring at each other, frozen in place, Welf looked surprised. My mind went blank from the suddenness of the situation, and I couldn't explain it to him.

The man I bumped into on the street corner first looked ashamed, then turned around and tried to leave quickly.

"Please, please wait a moment!"

Looking at his retreating figure...

In my haste, I called out to him.

"Thank you for the black bread!"

I said loudly and quickly bowed to express my gratitude.

The other person's surprise was immediately conveyed to me.

I looked up and saw that the human male had his eyes wide open and was staring back at me intently.

I stood up straight again and stared into that person's eyes for a long while.

A moment later, he suddenly relaxed his body and smiled at me.

"You... you really did become a high-level adventurer, and you haven't changed at all."

"..."

"I really have no eye for people."

The man rubbed his philtrum with his fingers, squinting his eyes as if memories were flooding back.

"Well, how should I put it... I probably shouldn't be saying this to you, but..."

Then he scratched his head, his gaze lingering on the ground for a moment, seemingly hesitant to speak... but he still managed to say it:

"...You have to do your best, kid."

"Yes!"

I answered immediately, breaking into a smile.

I am so happy.

Countless people had cheered me on on my way here, but the encouragement from this uncle made me incredibly happy.

Seeing my smile, the man still looked embarrassed, and then he really walked away from me.

"Bell, do you know that guy from earlier?"

Welf, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke up and asked me a question.

Seeing my fellow member of the [Family] tilting his head in confusion at the appearance of a stranger, I replied to him:

"Um... that uncle took care of me a long time ago."

That's right.

Before I knew Lily or Welf, or even before I met the gods.

I had just arrived in Orario and was completely unfamiliar with the place.

I wavered between anticipation and anxiety.

Could I have imagined back then that I would become like this now?

Can you imagine yourself experiencing many "encounters," going through numerous "adventures," and living a life surrounded by family (family members)?

...I think that definitely won't work.

Like many others, the past self could not predict its own future.

Because it is unpredictable, we must strive to live fully in the present moment, living in the time that will eventually become the past.

I looked up at the sky above me.

The beautiful blue sky stretches endlessly.

Even the sky of Orario, which seems eternal and unchanging, is actually changing.

Back then, when we knew nothing, the spring sky was warmer than it is now.

Autumn is approaching, and a cool breeze is ruffling my hair.

Consciousness was guided toward the heavens.

I entrust my thoughts to the memories of "the day of the beginning".

Volume 15, Chapter 1: The Day of Departure, The Day of Beginning

"The labyrinth city has everything."

He said that to me when I was young.

"It's not just a group of pretty and cute girls; your favorite elf, and a goddess with a great figure... Your destined partner is also there. Go if you want."

At that time, I held the book "Heroic Tale" in one hand, my heart filled with boundless anticipation.

"As long as one acts cleverly, wealth or fame can surely be within reach. However, those who venture into that field will inevitably be swept up in the great waves of the times. That is the kind of place it is."

He looked down at me, a young child, neither smiling nor angry, but simply said calmly:

"So... wanting to become a hero isn't a problem. As long as you have a firm resolve, just go for it."

My grandfather did say that.

"Never entrust your will to others. Whether they are immortals or gods, it doesn't matter, let alone me. I will not give you any instructions."

I still remember what he said.

"Don't take anyone's instructions; make the decision yourself."

I still remember his eyes.

"This is your story (path)."

I will never forget the smile on his face.

The countless words he left behind, and the precious memories.

I will surely remember it forever, and it will come back to my mind again at some chance.

*

"Hey kid, it's right in front of you."

Click-clack.

My body swayed with the sound and vibration of the wheels, waking me from my dream and opening my eyes.

I had accidentally fallen asleep hugging my knees when I was startled awake by the coachman's calls. I quickly peeked out from the cargo wagon piled high with wheat.

"...!"

From the carriage traveling along the improved road, a view can be seen from the low hills.

It was a huge city surrounded by walls on all four sides, and a white-walled tower that reached straight to the sky.

Seeing the magnificent spectacle before me, I stared at it with my mouth agape, completely mesmerized.

"That's amazing..."

"Haha, that's what everyone says when they first see Orario."

Seeing me trembling with emotion, Uncle Coachman—the human merchant—smiled broadly.

On the way here, although the giant tower could be seen at any time by simply looking up at the sky, seeing it clearly was truly awe-inspiring. Witnessing this spectacle—the entirety of that enormous city—that I was seeing for the first time since leaving the village where I was born and raised, I was speechless.

The labyrinth city of Orario.

That is the "center of the world" where wealth, fame, and even fateful encounters are all available.

Seeing the stage of adventure that appears in countless tales of heroes, I was deeply moved and even got goosebumps.

"Thank you, Uncle! This is enough for me!"

Nearly a year after losing my grandfather, my only family member, I finally made a big decision a few days ago to leave my hometown and venture out into the world.

After thanking the generous merchant uncle who brought me here, I jumped off the cargo cart.

I picked up my few belongings again and started running along the road leading to the huge city.

"Hey kid! It's still a long way to go!"

"It's alright, I'll run there!"

I turned my head, waved, and smiled at my uncle.

As if propelled by a surge of excitement, I rushed down the hill and ran towards the labyrinthine city.

After running for a long time, I finally arrived in front of that huge stone wall.

I was covered in sweat and exhausted, but I still didn't stop and ran all the way here. Facing the stone wall that looked huge from a distance, I was amazed for the umpteenth time.

The sheer height of the colossal wall, so tall that looking up at it would hurt your neck, is truly awe-inspiring. As the world's only labyrinthine breakwater, the fortress, which has stood serenely since "ancient times," appears somewhat aloof and imposing.

After standing there in a daze, I came to my senses and prepared to enter the city.

I joined the long line of merchants' carriages and travelers in front of the city gate, waiting for my turn.

"Next!"

When I saw people in the line wearing swords and armor, staring intently and fidgeting nervously, it was finally my turn. I was so nervous that my whole body stiffened, and I clumsily walked up to the two gatekeepers.

Do you have a travel permit?

"Huh...do we need anything?"

The orc male in the black uniform—who must be the rumored staff member of the city management agency (guild)—asked me to produce the relevant documents. Just as I was anxiously at a loss, he immediately smiled at me.

"You don't look like a traveler... you must be here to become an adventurer, right?"

“Y-yes!”

"Then there's no problem. Hundreds, even thousands of people like you who aspire to become adventurers will come to our city."

"If we had to do background checks on everyone, we'd never finish," the guild employee said, while instructing me to turn my back to him.

After I obediently did as he said, he pressed the prop that looked like a lamp hanging from my waist onto my back.

"What...what is going on?"

"To confirm whether you have 'God's grace (Pharna)'. This check is to prevent infiltration by spies from foreign countries or other cities."

He then explained to me that this magical artifact would react to "ichor," but as a country bumpkin, I didn't understand. Just as I was feeling completely lost, another gatekeeper—a man with a sword at his sides—crossed his arms and said to me:

"What a cute guy!"