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

For someone aspiring to become a blacksmith, such a great opportunity would naturally not be missed.

In addition, Chris and Rachel also exclaimed in surprise at the items and fighting styles used by the adventurers.

"This elixir is completely different in effect from the potions provided by the 'Harmony Department'! But it really tastes awful!"

"Wait... what was that just now?"

"It's just about detonating the flames that the monster has accumulated inside its body. It all depends on how you use the weapons and items."

The three had initially thought the adventurers were just a bunch of scoundrels, but now they were amazed by the "knowledge" and "wisdom" the adventurers had shown.

Mr. Perth, who disliked students, softened his tone for the sake of the adventurers' request and carefully escorted the "Third Squad" around him. Although he wouldn't call it a sightseeing tour, at least they hadn't encountered any danger yet.

"Hey, Lavi! What's that!? It's a mushroom bigger than a house!"

"Those are poisonous mushrooms. I've heard that if someone has a high enough resistance to them, they can be eaten..."

"Is that stuff edible!?"

Nina was the same; whenever she discovered something new in the dungeon, she would excitedly exclaim in amazement.

The information about dungeons that can be learned in the "school district" curriculum only goes up to the "cave labyrinth," so for Nina at present, all the "unknown dungeons" in front of her are very incredible and fill her with curiosity.

Just venturing into the dungeon requires the help of various professions and people.

Even a single scene within the labyrinth holds all sorts of mysteries and fantasies.

I just want them to understand this principle.

Although this idea is somewhat arrogant and stems from my own whims, I hope that doing so will allow Iglin and others—and Nina—to find their own interests.

I believe that this is exactly what Mr. Lyon meant by "extracurricular learning".

Such opportunities may bring people "goals" or "dreams".

"Nina, you said yesterday that you always like to imitate your sister and don't have any so-called 'goal'... but I think you're wrong."

"what?"

This is the 24th floor.

Having reached the deepest part of the middle layer, Leiqi and the others couldn't hide their tension. As I entered the cave, which emitted a faint blue light, I said to Nina, who was following closely behind:

"I think, Nina, you... probably want to be someone different from your sister (Miss Eina), right?"

"!"

As I continued walking forward, I felt Nina gasp behind me.

She was probably often compared to Miss Eina from a young age.

She would always make various comparisons with this older sister she had never met or talked to.

I think Nina was a very thoughtful child when she was little, and she was more perceptive than adults imagine.

Even if the adults didn't mean it that way, she was smarter than other children her age and could still keenly sense that she was being "compared" to others, and felt pressure unconsciously.

I believe those adults meant no harm, but after being constantly compared to others, Nina developed an unease that she herself was unaware of. She became so anxious that she couldn't even listen to her parents' words, and that's how she ended up in the "school district".

I think that's when Nina had a misunderstanding.

With her earnest personality, she believes that the reason she follows in her sister's footsteps is simply because of her bad habit of not having "dreams"—but in reality, she wants to find a better version of herself than her sister (Miss Eina) and hopes to gain recognition from others, which is why she works so hard.

It began with a fighting spirit, envy, and longing for her older sister (Miss Eina).

Despite suffering countless failures and setbacks, Nina never gave up on them.

"So, you don't have to hate yourself."

Nina believed that as long as she achieved better results than her sister (Miss Eina) and left behind more outstanding achievements, she would hear people praising "Nina" instead of "Eina".

She must have wanted to shout that she was Nina Zur.

"If you have something you're good at, then hold your head high and show it off to others. After all, you're a girl who's just as good as Miss Eina."

"Ah────"

Just before leaving the cave, Nina froze, looking back at me.

When Mr. Perth and the others, who were leading the way, noticed Nina, who was unresponsive and no longer moving forward, as well as the "Third Squad" that had also stopped, they all looked back with suspicion.

I took a step forward and extended a hand to her, who was hesitant to take a step.

"Let's go? It's because you (Nina) have always thought you're running away, but the truth is you've worked hard all the way to get here."

After a while—

Nina was timid and slow, but finally reached out her hand. I took her hand and led her to the cave exit.

"────────"

The scene that immediately came into view was the most magnificent waterfall in the underground city—the Great Fall.

"Ah ...

"How spectacular!!"

"...Absolutely amazing."

Eglin, Chris, and Rachel were all incredibly excited.

Nina also opened her eyes wide, gazing intently at the magnificent scenery.

The emerald blue waterfall cascades down from the heights as if to engulf the world, with endless spray hitting countless crystals and splashing everywhere, creating a magnificent spectacle reminiscent of a mythical ocean.

A vast expanse of blue, shimmering and dazzling.

Breathtakingly beautiful, ruthlessly cruel, and magnificent.

This is a new world that can only be reached by venturing deep underground—the City of Water.

"That's amazing..."

Completely captivated by the magnificent waterfall, Nina and the others continued to exclaim in admiration even as they moved on.

The scenery here is completely different from that on the 18th floor. Looking out, there are clusters of azure crystals that seem to have been cut from the ocean, and white water snakes and mermaids who look like sisters swimming gracefully in the flowing water. In addition, the crystal-clear coral and blue cherry blossoms are like products of fantasy, making people's hearts flutter. Everything they encounter at this moment is "unknown", like a ray of light shining into the hearts of the students.

The second-tier adventurers' protection of the four students was equally flawless. Based on their "experience," they engaged the monsters, defeating them one by one before the battle could escalate into chaos. Since this trip wasn't an "exploration" for magic stones and monster treasures (dropped items), but rather an "educational" mission to broaden the students' horizons, they chose the shortest route, allowing the students to glimpse a hidden world. Thanks to their good fortune, they encountered few monsters along the way and arrived at the "Waterfall Pool" on the 25th floor at an astonishing speed.

"What a nice view……"

While the view of the giant waterfall from the connecting passageway located on the upper floor is indeed spectacular, looking up from the waterfall pool is equally breathtaking.

Even students who travel all over the world with the "school district" have probably never seen such a spectacle.

Nina finally understood why adventurers were so fascinated by dungeons where death was always a possibility.

"Nina, how are you feeling?"

"Rabbi...why did you...?"

"Is this considered a reward?"

“Eh…?”

"A reward for Nina and Iglin who have always worked very hard."

The boy, who usually acts like a younger brother, had an older brother's smile on his face, even though his eyes were still covered by his bangs.

"This is a small gift we prepared for you, who has worked so hard that you couldn't help but shed tears, even though you have found what you are good at... but always say that you can't find your 'dream'."

"...!"

"It is because Nina, after you joined the 'Third Squad' and became stronger, that the world (we) were able to hand over the gift to you."

This is evidence of "growth".

Even if you don't achieve "success" and encounter failures along the way, it's ultimately because you've become stronger that we were able to bring you to the new world (here)—that's what the rabbit boy in charge of leading the way said.

"Nina, I'm not good enough to tell you how to achieve your 'dream' or how to find your 'goal'... But I believe that as long as you can experience a moment of 'being moved,' the effort you put in is a reward."

"A touching moment...?"

"Yes, whether it's a moment when your heart races, a moment of great joy, a moment of heartache, or a moment when you can't help but want to cry... I think all of these make you want to push yourself harder and encourage yourself to keep moving forward."

The boy seemed to be reviewing his own experiences, carefully savoring each story (memory), which gradually wove together into words.

"If this reward can help you muster even a little courage... it would be my honor."

"Rabbi..."

Finally, the boy gave an awkward smile.

Even with his eyes covered by his bangs, you could tell that his smile was slightly awkward and a bit pathetic.

Nina felt a tightness in her chest. Despite how sad she had been last night, she now felt incredibly warm.

She found that her lips were not responding to her commands, so she could only cover her chest tightly with her right hand.

"Oh! You little devils, you're in luck! That's a 'Blue Dragon'!"

Just then, Mr. Perth, who was looking down from the waterfall pool at the waterfall flowing down in steps, shouted a reminder.

The instant Nina and the others turned to look, they saw a "thin object" soaring through the air, flying up from the 26th floor towards them.

"Quick, hide!" At Perth's command, the bewildered Iglin and the others, along with the adventurers who suddenly quickened their pace, obeyed the order and hid behind clusters of crystals scattered like rocks.

Soon after, when they saw the "dragon" ascending to the 25th level waterfall pool and continuing to move upwards, Nina and Rabi were speechless.

"That's... the aurora borealis!?"

It is also known as the "long dragon" because of its slender body, and its total length is nearly 10 meters.

It has smooth blue and white dragon scales, and its long fins sway slowly like wings. At this moment, it looks like it is swimming leisurely in the sea.

The most eye-catching part is that red, white-green, and blue-purple "traces of light" are generated wherever the "dragon" passes.

"Blue Dragon...! It's a rare species from the 'Lower Layers'!"

"That's right, its nickname is Aurora Dragon, and it's a dragon that's just as rare as the 'Gem Beast (Carbonkel)'."

Rabbi, who had only heard of him before and was seeing him in person for the first time, could not hide his surprise. Meanwhile, Perse, who was hiding behind the same crystal cluster, explained with a smile.

Not only Nina and Iglin, but also other high-level adventurers were staring intently at the dragon.

The dazzling aurora borealis appeared as if it were painted alongside a magnificent waterfall, making one wonder if it was the most beautiful sight in the world. The splashing water and the drifting aurora intertwined, looking like fairies playing in the sky.

"It's unbelievable that you can see the aurora borealis underground (in the dungeon)..."

"I heard that the dragon's butt (tail) produces a kind of 'magical' poop that reflects the crystal light of this floor, making it look so beautiful."

"This explanation... is absolutely terrible..."

Even so, she still looks breathtakingly beautiful!

Iglin was completely dumbfounded, while the high-ranking orc adventurer next to him continued to explain. Rachel lost interest the moment she finished listening, while Chris's eyes lit up with excitement, and he quietly cheered in a way that helped to smooth things over.

Its appearance, soaring through the air with its long body seemingly defying gravity, is quite similar to the rare "Vortex Dimai Fish" on the 27th floor, but it is completely incomparable in terms of aesthetics. Its round, crystal-clear eyes constantly emit aurora-like light that illuminates the adventurers and students.

(A touching moment...)

Nina, looking up, placed her hands on her chest.

The throbbing in my heart connected with the words the rabbi had spoken earlier, creating an indescribable burning sensation.

Nina wasn't sure what answer her heart would give at this moment; she simply imprinted this dreamlike and beautiful scenery deeply into her mind.

"—Gurgle!"

"Huh! Whoa whoa whoa!? There's a monster! Danger!"

Just then—

While Eglin and the others were engrossed in watching, a "Metallic Blue Crab" suddenly appeared and attacked from behind.

Sensing danger at the last second, Iglin quickly dodged and slammed his hammer at the enemy.

The crab (metal blue crab) was slammed to the ground, but its hard shell did not shatter, so Iglin immediately added two more blows.

Two loud cracking sounds rang out in succession: "Bang!!" and "Bang!!"

Cancer (Metallic Blue Crab) finally stopped reacting.

However, the dragon's two eyes immediately turned and focused their gaze here.

""""ah.""""

Upon spotting the adventurers and students hiding in the shadows, its crystal-clear eyes instantly turned a murderous crimson, and it opened its massive mouth, filled with countless sharp teeth.