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

I understand that the deity meant for me not to ask too many questions, and besides, I couldn't disobey the deity's will... This really made me feel restless.

But she didn't want to tell me, or rather, there was no need for her to tell me.

I sensed that attitude from her.

Perhaps it is our duty as adventurers to unravel the "unknown" mysteries of the dungeons.

Seeing the immortals remain silent, I couldn't help but think this to myself.

"Sigh, continuing this discussion won't lead to any conclusions... What's the general public's reaction right now?"

As if trying to change the mood, Welf asked me this question.

We have begun exchanging intelligence regarding the follow-up to the incident and the current situation.

"The guild imposed a gag order from the beginning, so it doesn't seem to have caused too much chaos in the city or among the adventurers. Probably only those of us directly involved, like Lily, know the details."

"They also warned us absolutely not to tell anyone, to completely block the news..."

"They even said they wouldn't rule out using penalties, acting like they're ready to devour people. Those guys in the guild."

"I heard that the town of Rivera on the 18th floor has resumed its normal function. I also heard that there have been no abnormalities in the dungeon since then, and everything is normal."

Perhaps because of her past as a thief, Lily was particularly sensitive to intelligence, and she told us almost everything that was currently happening.

According to her, the city and dungeons are gradually returning to normal. While we should also thank the guild for its efforts to prevent chaos—after all, if adventurers were to become uneasy, the biggest loser would be none other than the guild, which profits from dungeon resources and manages the city—that's for sure.

But speaking of which, have all the residents of "Rivera Town" returned to town? After such a dangerous situation, they dared to go back? Should we say they're fearless, that nothing is more important than making money, or...?

"By the way, Lord Bell, are you alright? Lily heard that the guild gave you trouble and punished you?"

"Ah—um..."

To be precise, it is our "kin" and the "kin" of the god Hermes.

After hearing the details of the incident, the goddess Hestia and the god Hermes were forcibly summoned by the guild and seemed to have been severely reprimanded.

The two deities tried to explain, but the guild completely ignored them, unilaterally concluding that the incident was caused by a "divine calamity"—caused by the deities themselves. They were not only given a severe warning but also received merciless punishment.

The punishment is... a fine.

"How much is the fine?"

"Uh... half of the [family's] assets."

"...That's terrible."

We're doing alright.

The Hestia Familia, still developing and relatively small in scale, frankly doesn't have much savings. They'll just throw out a few hundred thousand and call it a day... although that's not a small amount.

Besides, everyone insisted on giving me the "Goliath's Hard Hide" item that dropped during the boss fight, given the incredibly enthusiastic atmosphere... so there's still a way to earn the money back. However, when I handed the guild the big bag full of gold coins, I was groaning and trembling.

In contrast, Hermes and his companions were truly tragic.

The larger Hermes Familia seems to have amassed considerable wealth. The amount they were asked to pay is incomparable to ours; I still vividly remember Hermes standing there, pale and frozen, unable to muster a proper laugh. Miss Asphie, on the other hand, was sighing.

Upon hearing the penalty, Welf groaned, and I could only manage a forced smile in response.

"...?"

Later, we enjoyed the meal for a while amidst the lively laughter of the guests.

Without realizing it, I noticed that Lily beside me had fallen silent.

"Lily... are you alright?"

I felt like she'd been acting strangely ever since.

If you're not careful, she'll occasionally show a melancholy expression... How should I put it? It's as if Lily is desperately trying to ignore something, but her mind isn't on it; she's always thinking about other things.

I asked her worriedly, and Lily only said, "I'm sorry, Lily was just spacing out." She smiled sweetly, but it also seemed like she was hiding something.

"Lord Bell," Lily thought, "that incident a few days ago must have greatly enhanced your reputation. At least the adventurers who participated in that floor master raid (battle) should all acknowledge your strength, right?"

"Uh, um..."

Although I was bothered by her obvious change of topic, I still nodded ambiguously.

I glanced in the opposite direction and saw that Welf seemed to have noticed it too. He was holding his beer mug to his lips, staring at Lily's profile from behind it. After putting the mug on the table, he met my eyes and shrugged, indicating that asking any more questions now was pointless.

Seeing Lily, who looked like an orc, wagging her tail and pretending to be cheerful, I couldn't help but think the same thing.

"—What? Where did this 'rabbit' come from? You think you're so great? You're famous now, huh? I heard you!"

Just then, a very loud voice came from behind, as if it was deliberately meant for me to hear.

The voice came from a group of adventurers sitting right next to us.

They sat at a table for six, one of whom, a dwarf adventurer, was shouting loudly while holding a wine glass in one hand.

"The newcomer isn't afraid of anything, he's so lucky! They say the world's fastest white rabbit (record holder) lies and cheats all sorts of things, but we still have some shame, we wouldn't dare imitate him!"

A voice like that of a young boy echoed throughout every corner of the noisy tavern, drawing the attention of all the patrons around him. Welf and I also turned our gazes toward the adventurer beside us.

Engraved with a golden bow and arrow and a burning sphere... no, it's an emblem of the radiant sun.

Including the dwarf adventurer, all six adventurers had the [Family] emblem affixed to the shoulders of their clothing. They were members of another faction.

The Lilliputian man leaned back in his chair, tilted his head back, took a swig of wine, and gave me a cold laugh as I stared in disbelief.

"Oh, but it seems only your escape speed is the real deal? Your rank-up is probably because you escaped the Minotaur's clutches while wetting your pants, right? As expected of a 'rabbit,' that's quite a talent!"

Is it ridicule or contempt?

The dwarf adventurer, with his distinctive large eyes, was spewing a string of sneers, seemingly intentionally aimed at me. His fellow adventurer at the table didn't stop him, instead watching us with an air of amusement.

Although it naturally sounds unpleasant... I didn't say anything.

Factional disputes should be avoided if possible. After joining the group, the fairy and Miss Eina taught me the rules of this "familia" very early on, and I obediently followed their instructions.

Besides, to be honest, I was too cowardly to get angry or talk back.

The laughter, which sounded somewhat provocative, made me feel uneasy, but I tried to ignore it.

Not knowing what they were expecting, I noticed that the adventurers around us who were observing our reactions seemed rather disappointed.

"We know that 'Rabbit' is hanging out with guys from other factions! A lowly blacksmith nobody wants, plus this brat as a backup—it's practically a hodgepodge squad just to make up the numbers!"

However, as soon as I turned my back to the table next to me, the man's attention shifted to Welf and Lily. His childish, attention-seeking voice made his companions snicker.

My shoulder jolted.

Those were words I couldn't ignore. Hearing my companion being looked down upon, I couldn't help but tighten my grip.

I glanced behind me, and seeing my reaction, Welf and Lily spoke at the same time:

"Forget it, just ignore him. Let him talk if he wants."

"Lord Bell, please ignore those kinds of people."

Welf calmly drank his wine and tried to stop me, while Lily also tried to persuade me.

After hearing what the two of them said, I managed to suppress the long-dormant, fiery emotions welling up inside me.

Maybe it was because I'd had a few too many drinks, plus the atmosphere in the bar, that made me a little drunk. I told myself that, taking a deep breath to calm myself down.

Seeing that we continued to ignore him, the dwarf adventurer seemed annoyed. He let out a loud click of his tongue. Then, in a gruff voice, he shouted:

"A goddess who has absolutely no authority or dignity, of course her [familia] can't be any better! It must be because the main god is a loser, so the members of her familia are cowards too!!"

—In an instant, my vision burst into sparks.

I suddenly stood up, knocking the chair over.

"Take back what you said!!"

I roared loudly.

Losing control, shouting at the top of one's lungs.

I glared at the little man as the chair crashed to the ground with a loud thud.

I could feel Lily beside me, too scared to even breathe. I really did lose my temper.

My revered goddess has been insulted. Nothing could have humiliated or enraged me more. That goddess is a beloved member of my family, and this person dared to utter such vile words and insults upon her.

For a moment, the tavern fell silent. The small, diminutive male was startled by me. Perhaps he was afraid, for he clearly reacted with timidity.

However, after managing to regain his mocking tone, he continued in a trembling voice:

"We were right! The main goddess is such a short and stocky woman, she must feel really embarrassed, right?"

I immediately felt the blood rush to my head.

An irresistible surge of passion propelled my body.

"No, Lord Bell!"

Ignoring Lily's advice, I reached out to grab the guy in front of me.

Just as my hand was about to touch the dwarf adventurer—at the last second…

Suddenly, a leg stretched out from the side and kicked the dwarf male in the face.

“Ugh!?”

With a scream of defeat, the dwarf adventurer fell to the ground along with his chair.

He fell to the floor, his nose bleeding, his eyes rolling back, and he convulsed and passed out.

The tavern fell completely silent, except for Welf, who had delivered the front kick before me...

He maintained the position of extending his left leg, enduring all the gazes from all around him.

Was he protecting me, or was he already furious?

Ignoring me, who was standing there dumbfounded, Welf said shamelessly:

My foot slipped.

Welf narrowed his eyes, a daring smile spreading across his face. His action seemed to ignite a firestorm, and his Lilliputian companions all stood up.

"You little rascal!"

"How dare you lay a hand on me!!"

The table was kicked up by the adventurers and sent flying into the air. The sound of shattering plates and the waiter's screams echoed all around in an instant. After kicking away the obstacle, the other side charged straight at us; Welf, on the other hand, simply grinned belligerently, swung his right arm with a flourish, and sent the man flying.

Seeing an adventurer attempting to attack Welf from the side, I was caught off guard and immediately shoved the man aside with my body.

—Wow! The surrounding guests all stood up and cheered deafeningly.

"That's enough! That's why Lily hates adventurers!"

The cramped tavern erupted into a frenzy. Lily was loudly complaining on one side, while fists and kicks were flying on the other.

A chaotic brawl erupted. The opposing adventurers overturned tables and chairs, and we joined the fray. Seeing the two sides clash, the other adventurers among the patrons reached their peak of excitement. Some brandished bottles and beer glasses, while others shouted gruff words of support. Surrounded by them, the tavern quickly transformed into a narrow fighting arena (arena).

Surrounded by a sweltering heat that seemed to dissipate even the darkness of night, we parried our opponents' onslaught and launched our counterattacks. Welf, now at Lv.2, seemed quite adept at fighting, handling the four adventurers who attacked him with impressive skill. All the adventurers who lunged at him were easily repelled. Taking advantage of his move, I quickly crouched down, braced myself on the floor, and delivered a sweeping kick. The orc adventurer let out a "Woof!?" and landed heavily on his backside.

Even though the attacks grazed our bodies several times, we had a striker and a center-back, and their combined attack overwhelmed the opponent.

"..."

Just as the two-on-four brawl was in full swing and the guests' excitement was reaching its peak...

The last of the six companions of the little people made a move.

The man sat down, finished the rest of his drink, smashed his glass on the floor, and stood up. He approached Welf with fluid, graceful movements—so fast that even I, who was paying attention, couldn't react in time.

The man grabbed Welf's arm as he was about to punch another opponent and threw him in the opposite direction with just one hand.

"Whoa!?"

"Welf!?"

Seeing my companion fall to the ground, I went to meet him head-on to try and fight back.

I clenched my fists and rushed forward—only to be met with a cold smile.

Then the enemy, who was right in front of me, swayed and easily dodged my attack.

“——”

I was quite confident only in my swift legs, but the other person's agile movements seemed to be mocking me.

My body lurched forward uncontrollably, and I felt a chill run down my spine as an extraordinary force struck my abdomen. My eyes widened as if they were about to burst, and I realized that my opponent had delivered a knee strike to my stomach as they brushed past me.