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

"Giggle-ah--uh!?"

The "lizardman" vanished into thin air the moment he was born, forced to demonstrate the meaning of "life and death" through his own existence.

What is the ideal way to deal with monsters in a dungeon?

When we discussed this issue at headquarters, Ms. Ryu, who was in charge of cleaning, calmly spoke up:

"Kill the monster the moment it is born from the wall and falls, or the moment it takes shape."

This is her answer.

This move can indeed catch the monster off guard.

That being said, not everyone can achieve this incredible skill of correctly sensing the presence of a monster just as it is about to emerge from the labyrinth walls. At least none of us can do it now. Only Miss Mikoto, who possesses the [Yata no Kuroku (skill)], might be able to barely manage to put it into practice.

With her almost "skill-like" keen intuition, Miss Ryu is undoubtedly the strongest member of the Hestia Familia!

(Thanks to Ms. Ryu, the team's stability has improved significantly!)

With her there, they can completely block any flanking attacks or rear-attacks against Lily and Haruhime, the defenders.

An impregnable defense can also significantly boost offensive power. Forwards can focus on attacking the enemy without any worries, and the team's destructive power during attacks will be far greater than before.

I looked at the reliable Miss Ryu with admiration, only to find my eyes meeting her sky-blue gaze. She immediately lowered her head. Even though Miss Ryu was wearing a mask, I could clearly see that her cheeks were flushed, and even her pointed ears were not spared. This made me feel embarrassed and dizzy at the same time.

We are currently in the "Great Tree Maze" on the 22nd floor of the dungeon.

As expected, my "faction experience" was immediately accepted, and I went back to "Bell" from "Rabbi". After returning to "Kitchen House", the gods who had been waiting for me since early morning began to interrogate me relentlessly. Of course, Ms. Ryu was also called over to kneel to the side.

We both blushed and endured this scathing defense—so many questions I can barely remember what I answered—before the fairy uttered, "Hoo hoo...we'll talk about the rest tonight!" and went off to work. Speaking of which, when will I finally have the courage to reciprocate Ryu-san's confession...?

Since I had no other plans afterward, and since I was back home for a rare trip, I decided to accompany Lily and the others, with whom I had confirmed how to cooperate during my school years, to explore the maze.

It should have been less than four months since we first entered this floor.

The Hestia Familia has grown to the point where its members can easily break through areas beyond the 20th floor using only their own strength.

"Lord Bell! Lord Ryu! We're still in the middle of a battle, so please concentrate! Don't be like students, exchanging glances and enjoying the awkwardness of first love—!"

“S-Sorry!”

"Feel sorry!"

Lily, quickly noticing something amiss, immediately reprimanded us loudly. By the way, is the term "budding spring" quite popular lately?

Although I was so embarrassed by being scolded like this at Lv.5 and Lv.6 that I wanted to cry, another group of monsters appeared, so the members worked together to deal with them.

"...?"

Just then—

Even though I was in the middle of a battle, I couldn't help but look back.

"Hey, Bell, what are you looking at!?"

"...Lord Bell?"

Welf, who was fighting beside me, quickly reminded me, while Miss Mikoto, who was standing some distance behind me, looked quite confused. Miss Ryu, who was fighting the enemy on the side of the group, also seemed to have noticed this and glanced at me briefly.

"Sorry!" I apologized immediately and then charged towards the enemy forces in front of me with Welf.

I cleaved the stag monster "Sword Stag" in two, and then teamed up with Welf to kill the large "Mammoth Foo" that was waiting behind us. Before long, the battle came to an end.

"...Miss Ming, would you mind letting me say a few words?"

The long battle has come to an end, and we finally have time to rest for a while.

After collecting the "magic stones" and "dropped items" with Lily and the others, I picked up my water bottle to replenish my water and struck up a conversation with Miss Fate.

"Is there something you need, Lord Bell?"

"Regarding the final battle, since Ms. Ryu was already positioned at center, I was thinking that it might have been better if Ms. Mei had also rushed to the front lines..."

To confirm the coordination and formation with the "update", I'll share my thoughts.

"While it's not wrong for you to stay in your original position, if you also rush to the front line, I can penetrate deeper into the enemy lines. I feel that this way I can draw the attention of all the enemies in front, which might indirectly improve the overall safety of the team...maybe."

"I see, you're right... I'm sorry, it was my oversight."

"Ah, please don't say that! I didn't mean to blame you...! On the contrary, I was too arrogant, I'm sorry!"

Before Ryu joined, Mikoto, as an all-rounder adventurer, was the key figure who held the lifeline of our [Hestia Familia]. To this day, she still uses [Yata no Kuroku (skill)] to protect the rearguard (Lily and others), so it's natural that she focuses her attention on defense. This is actually the best proof of her selfless dedication all along, so it might be a bit offensive for me to say this.

So I pissed myself off and kept apologizing to Miss Fate.

At times like these, I always feel deeply that I am not suitable to be the leader at all... Then I found Lily staring at me with wide eyes.

"Lily...? What's wrong?"

"...It's nothing, it's just that you, Lord Bell, said everything Lily wanted to say before I did, which surprised me a little..."

"Huh!? I-sorry!"

"You don't need to apologize for that. It's just that Lily has never played as a forward before, so she can't relate it to attracting the enemy's attention..."

After Lily finished speaking, she looked me up and down from head to toe.

"Lord Bell... I feel like you've become smarter?"

...?

I was taken aback by these unexpected words.

"I think so too. Lord Bell seems particularly intellectual today..."

"Knowledge, intellect..."

"Haha, it's no wonder you became a Level 1 adventurer."

"Is that so...?"

I find it inexplicably hard to accept what Miss Haruhime and Welf said.

As one's level increases, their mind becomes more agile... perhaps that's a possibility...

While I was still pondering this, Ms. Ryu, who was observing us from a distance, pointed out the key point.

"It's that my 'vision' has broadened."

That calm yet dignified voice immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Bell, your 'personal vision' was already nearly complete. It's very similar to how you learned how to lure enemies and deal with attacks from blind spots when you fell into the 'deep layer' with me."

...While I have no intention of patting myself on the back, I do think this statement makes a lot of sense.

"Miss Ryu" refers to the feeling that my perspective broadened dramatically when I integrated her guidance with that of Miss Ais.

If this is what Ms. Liu meant by "vision," then Bell Craney has indeed acquired this powerful tool.

If that's the case, it's thanks to the training Mr. Alfred and others gave me on the "battlefield" that I became more acute in my "vision" of blind spots.

Miss Ryu continued speaking.

"Your 'vision' is no longer limited to yourself, but has expanded to the entire team."

"Does that mean it includes the perspective of a defender, Lord Ryu?"

"Please, please wait a minute, what's the point of the defense commander (Lily)...!"

"In principle, they are quite similar, but rest assured, Lily Luca, your command and his 'vision' are different."

Upon hearing Miss Ming's question, Lily panicked, while Miss Ryu comforted her like an older sister.

"To be more specific, it's what's called a 'tactical eye'."

"Tactical eye..."

"Compared to Lily Luca, who oversees the entire battlefield and leads the team, Bell is able to select or propose necessary actions for the team based on the battle situation."

In summary, Lily's perspective is more holistic, while my "view" is more localized.

One of the characteristics of forwards and centers is that they can help fill in situations that Lily alone cannot handle, thereby reducing the burden on the commander or enabling closer cooperation more quickly—Ms. Ryu added.

"Improving annihilation efficiency and reaction speed is entirely beneficial to the team. This is mainly because teammates positioned close to each other are more likely to share the same view, while the commander observes these actions from the rear, thereby developing more strategies, which means increasing the number of options."

After hearing this explanation, Welf and Miss Fate exclaimed in sudden understanding.

Looking back, I've always played the role of a forward attacker, charging headlong into the enemy lines. It was only after Ms. Ryu joined that the team's stability improved significantly, allowing me to broaden my "vision."

It's likely that Ms. Ryu cultivated this concept of "vision" while still in the [Asteria Familia]. She doesn't just passively wait for instructions from the center or commands from the defenders; she possesses the ability to think strategically from the perspective of a forward, thus becoming a lubricant or cog in the team's machine. Perhaps Ms. Ryu also grasped this principle under the guidance of a member of the [Asteria Familia].

"Your 'broadened horizons' must be thanks to the 'school district,' Bell."

"!"

"I was thinking that going to the 'school district' this time would give you a chance to relax a bit... but it seems you've turned your rest into an opportunity for growth."

Miss Liu smiled slightly after she finished speaking.

I felt shy because of the praise, but at the same time I was also happy.

I didn't waste my time in the "school district." I might even be able to command the "Third Squad" on hunts thanks to my experience as the Last Guard (Supporter) and the various courses I took, including "martial arts."

I am so happy that my decision to attend the "school district" has been recognized by others. The important thing is that I feel like Nina and others are also being praised, which makes me feel quite proud.

"Now that the tactics for pairing with Bale have been finalized, it's about time to head back. After all, the journey home is quite long."

"Yeah, after all, we've earned a lot of 'magic stones' and 'dropped items' on this trip! Having Lucky Rabbit (Bell) with us really makes a difference in how fast we make money!"

"Hahaha……"

After several more battles, we left the "Great Tree Maze".

I hope to return to headquarters before the gods go home. The reason is that the person in charge of staying behind today is a first-level adventurer (Alfred, etc.) – and also to guard against those who are eyeing Miss Haruhime illegally intruding – which makes me a little worried. In addition, I must return to the "school district" before nightfall.

When I felt both tired and fulfilled, and exhilarated from simultaneously living the "double life" of a student and an adventurer—

"You little brats from the 'school district'...! I advise you not to be so arrogant!"

"You're the ones with the worst manners! Adventurers are all a bunch of scoundrels after all!"

A heated argument can be heard near the 13th level within the "cave labyrinth" of the cave terrain.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that a group of adventurers were confronting a "team" from the "school district," seemingly on the verge of a fight.

Whether it was a monster pass parade or a fight for prey, the atmosphere was tense and murderous. When I saw the adventurers preparing to draw their weapons, I reflexively stepped forward first.

"Excuse me, what happened?"

"What!? Stop being so nosy—wait! White, [rabbit feet]!?"

"A Level 1 adventurer!?"

The human adventurers, who were about to erupt in anger, recoiled in fear upon recognizing me, while the others were equally terrified, as if they had encountered a monstrous flood from the "deeper." Ah, frankly, that reaction was quite hurtful…

"W-nothing's wrong!" Completely oblivious to my change in mood, the group of adventurers uttered these words and then immediately made their escape.

Only I and the dumbfounded "Combat Technology" students remained where we were.

Although I don't know these students, judging from the harp and book pattern on their badges... they should be Bragiban, right?

"World's fastest white rabbit (record holder)!"

"It's Bell Craney! The outlaw who invaded the 'school district'!"

"You think this is saving us!?"

"But we did receive help, so we really need to thank them!"

"Thank you so much for saving us! Pshaw!"

After the four-person team thanked each other in unison, they spat on the ground in perfect unison.

Watching the students march away with the discipline of an army, I felt a lump in my throat. I absolutely couldn't let Nina and the others discover my true identity...

"They're students from the 'school district,' huh? Looks like they look down on you."

"There's nothing I can do about it... I can only blame myself for what I brought upon myself."

"I really don't know if they're grateful to you or hostile towards you..."

Welf, Lily, and the others who witnessed the whole thing came over.

Just as I was feeling dejected, Miss Haruhime spoke up:

"They seemed to have been arguing just now... I wonder what happened?"

"Many well-behaved students in the 'school district' are prone to clashing with adventurers who have behavioral problems... This has been a frequent occurrence since the 'school district' returned, and it happens often both on the surface and in the dungeons."