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

"Let me be frank, she really doesn't have the talent. I think it's better to just let it go and let her focus on practicing singing."

At this moment, the shrew with long black hair, fair tan skin, and a devilish figure spoke.

She is Aisha, an Amazon.

She happened to have some free time, so she came to check on the progress of "Lian Deng".

That's what she said, but in reality, she would often come to check on Haruhime during her training.

"Ah, Miss Aisha... But Miss Haruhime said she wants to give it a try..."

"I think it's a kind gesture to let someone else give up on her. But if that's your policy, I won't stop you. She's one of your [familia] now. But at the very least, we (Ishtar Familia) were helpless in her situation."

"I wouldn't ask for 'parallel chanting,' but in order to properly chant 'Level Up,' it wouldn't hurt to understand 'Battlefield Tactics,' would it?"

Following Bell and Aisha's conversation, Welf also expressed his opinion.

Hearing him say that the future was full of hardships, but that he himself was positive about teaching Chun Ji "battle tactics", made Bel, who hoped to "fight alongside everyone", very happy.

"I must first state that... the experience points gained by those who have had 'Level Up' applied are less than half of the experience points gained normally."

“Huh?”

"Is there even a question? To put it bluntly, it's just using 'foul-breaking techniques' to get stronger. Using this kind of method to defeat opponents stronger than yourself won't earn you any good reviews."

Bell and Welf were stunned when Aisha mentioned Haruhime's "sorcery".

Aisha, who has used and tested "Level Up" countless times under the [Ishtar Familia] and has also explored with Haruhime many times, is very familiar with the effects and shortcomings of the [Mega Hammer].

Although "magic" prevents Haruhime from performing "level-up" and thus doesn't hinder her growth... Bell and Welf, who constantly use it whenever they encounter difficulties, were greatly shocked, saying, "I never knew that..."

Seeing this, Aisha narrowed her eyes like a mischievous cat.

"So, that silly fox really was able to [level up] too?"

"Ah, yes. Even the gods said she could reach Lv.2."

That's right.

Actually, Chun Ji can already be upgraded.

They once engaged in a life-or-death battle with the floor master (Amphispina) on the 25th floor.

This includes his courageous singing amidst flames during battle, an act that earned him the reputation of a "great achievement".

"It was only under Miss Aisha's threat... no, it was on your advice that I didn't let her [level up]..."

"That's good. It's too early for that girl to level up right now."

Haruhime is currently still at Lv.1.

It was Aisha who repeatedly advised the Hestia Familia that "Haruhime's upgrade must be postponed."

"So what if that stupid fox becomes Lv.2 in its current state? Is it going to headbutt a monster to death while it's taking a big fall?"

She had said this before, and Hestia, Bell, and others inexplicably felt that "she was right..."

"If we're going to 'upgrade' her, let's put aside 'battle tactics' for now. We need to first teach her what her future plans are as a 'sorcerer.' Otherwise, it's like putting a baby in a cannon—it's enough to make anyone break out in a cold sweat."

Aisha has always adhered to this principle.

Since it was suggested by Hestia, who had been by Haruhime's side for many years, Haruhime's [ability values] are currently in a so-called "standby state." That is, as long as the main god (Hestia) is willing, she can [upgrade] her at any time.

Incidentally, they didn't tell Haruhime about the possibility of "upgrading".

I didn't tell Lily either.

"I don't want to put unnecessary pressure on Haruhime. As for the supporter, she's been looking forward to leveling up for a long time and is enjoying the peak of her life. It would be too much to discourage her, so let's not talk about it for now."

This is Hestia's concern.

Furthermore, the little goddess also said, "There are only three of us on this 'expedition'... no, two. Mihe has two more. If the other gods (guys) find out, they'll probably say things like, 'It's practically a [leveling up] auction!'"

Closer to home.

"As for singing, well, I admit you're right... She can't always wait for me or Little One to give her instructions before she acts. In other words, she needs to develop 'courage'."

Ahead, Haruhime was fighting monsters while following Lily's instructions.

She has an absurd bad habit of closing her eyes when attacking, so she never manages to brush against her opponent.

Caught between Lily's anger and the monster's counterattack, he ended up feeling dizzy and disoriented.

Aisha looked at the scene, shrugged, and laughed.

"However, I don't know when I'll be able to master it."

*

—It should be soon.

As he listened to Aisha and the others' conversation, he thought to himself.

(It's indeed too early to talk about directly fighting monsters...)

However, given Chun Ji's personality, she should be able to learn this little trick of self-defense very quickly.

Take Chun Ji as an example.

Although Bell and the others were all smiling wryly, they had no doubt about their fate.

"Lady Haruhime...do your best."

Perhaps the murmurs that fell from his lips truly conveyed to her.

Chunji narrowly deflected the "Earth Spirit's" attack and stunned her opponent with a flashing staff strike that swept horizontally to the end.

The movements and fate... no, they were very similar to the martial arts movements taught by the God of War (Takemikazuchi).

Aisha's eyes widened in surprise, much to the astonishment of Bell and Welf.

Lily paused for a moment, then clapped her hands after a dry cough.

Moved to tears, the fox-girl clutched her chest and broke into a smile, shyly making the V-sign that the chief god (Hestia) had taught her with two fingers.

Fate smiles alone.

That's right.

Because she is no longer an ordinary "princess".

The frail girl I met back then is no longer here.

Only fate is clear.

It's clear how much the girl has changed since their reunion in Orario, and how much "growth" she has shown that rivals that of the boy (Bell).

Volume 15, Chapter 7: Tales of Past and Present - The Black Crow and the Golden Fox -

"My name is Chun-hime... Please take care of me."

She must be the kind of girl that everyone calls a lady from a respectable family.

When the young man faced that girl, he thought this.

At that time, it was still a full ten years before Ming and the others went to the Labyrinth City.

The location is in the Far East.

The fox-girl secretly came to a shrine that was mainly composed of Takemikazuchi and other gods, and that raised a group of orphans.

Her skin was as smooth and flawless as fresh snow, her long golden hair shone as if woven from sunlight, and her emerald eyes were like a pair of jewels. Her appearance was as if favored by the gods, a beauty destined to become an unparalleled gem. Among her features, the little fox ears peeking out from her head and the fox tail extending from her waist were absolutely adorable.

This was not the first time that Ming had seen the fox-girl Haruhime.

He had seen her looking lonely in the mountain courtyard and had also secretly taken her out to play.

But seeing each other face to face again made them realize that the worlds they lived in were not the same.

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Haruhime! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to get through the harsh winter! Please allow me to thank you!"

Takemikazuchi said cheerfully.

That day, in order to introduce Haruhime to the people of Takemikazuchi and the other shrine staff, the others brought her along.

Upon learning of this impoverished shrine, the noble and well-off Haruhime immediately begged her father, a court official, to share some food with them. This became the opportunity for them to meet this kind-hearted girl; in short, they arranged this meeting to express their gratitude to her.

After the young Haruhime finished her self-introduction, the gods clapped their hands in welcome.

But the children at the shrine were slow to react.

It wasn't because I was intentionally being cold to her.

Everyone was stunned by the sight of the fox girl.

Haruhime's beauty was undeniable. Besides her noble status, her natural grace and innocence were perhaps also a contributing factor. At least within the small world of the dilapidated shrine, Haruhime was like a delicate flower.

The girls reacted the same way, but the boys who were completely mesmerized by what they saw had an even more obvious reaction.

Perhaps unaccustomed to being stared at like that by children of similar age, Chunji blushed and lowered her head.

Her shy demeanor made her even more endearing, and even some of the shrine's deities smiled and murmured to themselves, "So cute..."

However, this divine object was elbowed without even being glanced at by the smiling goddess.

"Haru, Haruhime is so cute..."

"You're right, they're like characters from a story that stepped right out of a painting."

As fate answered, Chigusa, who was standing beside her, was also watching intently, but seemed quite bothered by the reaction of her beloved Sakura. She kept glancing at the boy with an uneasy expression.

Incidentally, the person being looked at by her still said as before, "Haruhime, what's wrong? Your face is so red, do you have a cold?"

Even back in this period, cherry blossoms were already as oblivious to women's feelings as Takemikazuchi.

"Haruhime, thank you for sending the food!"

Let's play together!

"Me too! I want one too!"

Chunji was quickly surrounded by the children.

Whether they were of the opposite or same sex, everyone was eager to play with her when she was flustered and at a loss.

During this time, Ming did not immediately join the competition, but stared intently at Chun Ji's face.

She tilted her head and moved to the side of a deity.

"Tsukuyomi, Tsukuyomi."

"Hmm, what's wrong, fate?"

She gently patted the waist of the goddess who often sought her help.

He asked her, whose hair was styled in a deep blue updo:

"Why has Lady Haruhime been so listless all this time? Her tail is drooping dejectedly."

exactly.

Chunji has been timid ever since.

If that were all, it would be fine, but I always felt that she seemed ashamed to face the children at the shrine.

"Well, maybe it's because I feel guilty that I'm the only one living a comfortable life."

"Guilt?"

"Look, isn't our shrine quite dilapidated? And the clothes we're wearing too. This is definitely not Haruhime's fault, but she must feel very uncomfortable being the only one living a life of luxury."

They were made to wear clothes sewn together from scraps of cloth, and the goddess's clothes were certainly not the attire of a god.

In comparison, Haruhime's kimono was so dazzling that it could be called a "fancy dress".

Chunji's face did indeed show an expression of worry that she was not worthy to be here.

"Is that so! Well then, did bringing Lady Haruhime here cause her any trouble?"

Boom! My life was dealt a blow.

She brought Haruhime to the shrine with good intentions, but it was a source of suffering for Haruhime.

Faced with the anxious question, the goddess extended her hand.

"This is the girl's kindness, but also her 'weakness.' Therefore—you must be tolerant and protect her."

The hand rested on her head, gently stroking her dark, flowing hair.