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

Bert himself didn't understand what he was so anxious about, so he could only desperately try to escape. His momentum was like that of a fleeing rabbit... no, it should be "a fleeing wolf".

Bert, enduring the astonishment of the residents on the street, rushed across the street without looking back.

"Wait...wait a minute!"

Then Ais snapped back to reality and chased after him at full speed.

"Why did you have to chase after me at a time like this?!"

"Taking care of Bert is my job...!"

"This is the first time I've ever heard of this!"

"Bert! No, don't act impulsively...!"

"You've misunderstood!?"

The naive girl, who took Lina's words seriously—that having children with other factions was inappropriate—warned Bert, who then yelled at her without thinking. Encountering the most powerful assassin, single-mindedly devoted to fulfilling Loki's orders, he used all his strength to try and accelerate.

Seeing that Bert was trying to get rid of her, Ais quickened her pace.

"Damn it!"

"【Awaken! (Tempest)】!"

"Damn it!?!"

A girl giving it her all in the city center; Amazonian hands and feet tucked under her armpits; herself screaming at the top of her lungs.

★

Bert, sweating profusely, fled for his life throughout the city.

"Haa, hoo, cough! Ha...!? Damn bastard...!?"

The sun had completely set in the west, and night had fallen.

In the rebuilt area of ​​the ruined Fengyue Street, Bert arrived at "Lina's Secret Residence", threw the girl he was holding to the ground, and braced himself on his hands and feet.

Bert upheld the reputation of being the Loki Familia's fastest runner, successfully escaping Ais, who was imbued with wind power (Wind Spirit Swiftness). Needless to say, it was the explosive power of the fire, exceeding all limits, that made the difference.

Just as Bert was panting heavily with his shoulders heaving, Lina, who had been thrown onto the floor, finally woke up, "Ugh, ugh..."

"Strange, this is... my secret residence? Hey, Bert Roca, what's wrong with you? You're all sweaty!?"

Lina panicked, but when Bert glared at her with his bloodshot eyes, she cried out and shrank back in fright.

Perhaps she could guess how tired Bert was from his appearance, and she gave a dry laugh.

"Ah, hahaha... I'm so sorry, it's all my fault... What are we going to do now? It's already evening, and our promise, um..."

Was the "agreement" she referred to a date, or the matter Bert was asking about?

Regardless, their time alone together was coming to an end. Seeing the obvious reluctance on Lina's face, Bert's lips tightened into a thin line.

He propped himself up, his limbs limp, and stood up.

"...I'm exhausted today. To avoid any trouble, I'll sleep here tonight as well."

"what?"

"You absolutely have to go see that person tomorrow, okay!"

Seeing that Lina seemed completely unprepared to hear those words, Bert couldn't help but yell.

"Bert Roca is going to spend the night here? Really?"

"...That's right."

"Are you still willing to be with me?"

"That's what I said!"

When Bert's tone became rude, she broke into a bright smile.

The girl herself stood up and began to gesture exaggeratedly.

"Wait, wait a minute! I'll go cook! Let's eat together! Bert Roca, it's alright to go upstairs first!"

Lina smiled happily and ran into the kitchen, jumping and shouting.

Bert gave a perfunctory reply and then shut his mouth. After watching her retreating figure, he went to his dormitory on the top floor without saying a word. Just like yesterday, he walked to the window and sat down by the open window.

"...Just ask the questions you need to ask, and then leave, and everything will be fine..."

The whispered words are spoken to oneself.

Bert let the evening breeze caress his gray fur, squinting his eyes.

What's wrong with me...?

Had he been devastated by the lack of "kindness" in so long? Or had she uttered the same words as the girl (Lene), disrupting his thoughts? Bert didn't know. The only thing he was certain of was that the lips that loved to play the lone wolf had gradually forgotten how to mock.

The "Night City" below is as tranquil as the ocean.

The red-light district sank into darkness, and under the flickering lights from the buildings, men and women were probably still indulging in love, whispering sweet nothings. Even if it was just a beautiful dream that lasted only one night.

Bert gazed into the night, knowing his eyelids were growing heavier and heavier.

So many things had exhausted him. So many things. He kept thinking about the past, recalling the words of the deceased girl, and indulging in unusual melancholy. In any case, on days like these, he was bound to dream about the aftermath of his dreams. Unfortunately, Bert knew this.

As the pleasant thumping sound of Lina's footsteps climbing the stairs reached his ears, Bert's consciousness slowly sank into the vast, moonlit darkness.

★

When was the last time I was able to calmly face someone else's "kindness"?

Starting from his hometown, after a long journey, Bert finally crossed the massive city walls that he had to look up at and stepped into the labyrinthine city of Orario.

Bert's first task was to find a deity who could bring him "blessings." He first stayed with his tribe, then traveled to Orario, encountering many deities along the way and learning what kind of beings they were. Most were cynical and fond of entertainment. Bert had even heard that for those aspiring to be adventurers, the most important thing was the "luck" of encountering a benevolent deity. He couldn't afford to be bogged down by the deities' fickle nature, so he was particularly careful in choosing his chief deity.

Fortunately, Bert soon found the gods and their families with whom he felt he could form a pact.

That is the [Veda Familia], an exploration (dungeon) faction led by the god Veda.

Vader was an exceptionally taciturn god, completely different from the gods Bert knew, otherworldly and extraordinary. In another place, he might have already passed away and gone into seclusion—that was the kind of divine being he was. His physical characteristics included long, eagle-feather-colored hair (typical for a man), and eyes of the same color.

His serene gaze and divinely inspired words touched Bert's heart.

"Whatever you do, don't let your fangs and jaw be torn off along with it."

—That suits me perfectly.

Bert's words, delivered so soon after their first meeting, elicited a fierce smile from him.

The members of the group, who admired their idol (Vida), were all pure adventurers. They were all young, mostly orcs. Because the overall atmosphere was somewhat similar to that of a tribe, Bert decided to join this faction. Perhaps this was the only way he could atone for abandoning his tribe.

Despite his constant conflicts with his fellow members, Bert gradually distinguished himself. His training as a "Plains Beastman" and his raw combat experience proved invaluable in the dungeons. Most importantly, he possessed an unwavering will to sharpen his "fangs." Bert relentlessly, passionately, and without reservation slaughtered the dungeon's monsters day and night. His determined and tireless pursuit of the strong slowly earned him the trust of his fellow members, who were all willing to follow him. Before they knew it, Bert had become the alpha wolf leading the pack, just like the father they had once admired.

The once unknown and weak Veda Familia underwent a complete transformation after Bert joined. Led by the exceptionally strong Bert, members began to level up. Although conflicts with other factions continued, Bert and his group were invincible, and in a short time, they had risen to become one of the core factions. Their initial nickname—"Fenris" (Grey Wolf)—was also acquired during this period.

The warlike orcs, like the rough adventurers one might imagine, including Bert, were all of questionable character. However, none of them would commit the "loser" acts Bert described. They would never be petty bullies who preyed on the weak, nor would they tolerate the arrogance of the strong. They would rather sharpen their "fangs" than waste their time on such things. After becoming the leader, Bert served as an ideal example, guiding the [Veda Familia] and transforming them into the most dynamic and militant faction of the time.

Unlike his childhood friend (that guy), he won't repeat the same mistake.

We must not only become stronger, but also become role models.

In this way, even those weaker than me (Bert) can obtain "fangs" and become warriors capable of resisting the law of the jungle. He can turn the weak into strong like himself. Bert believed this. Watching his companions, whom he protected but who still caught up with him, and sometimes even protecting him from behind; feeling their smiles, Bert was able to believe this.

For Bert, who had lost everything, the [Veda Familia] was a comfortable and peaceful haven.

These fools would spend every penny they earned in the maze on drinking, dragging even the God of War into it, drinking all night long. The newly opened tavern with the Red Bee sign was their favorite meeting place, where they caused trouble daily, exchanging familiar insults with the aloof owner. Bert had also argued with the old man several times. Then there was Vida, who only occasionally uttered a word, always sending chills down the spines of the overly unrestrained male members, eliciting bursts of laughter from the female group. Bert had lost everything here; his "family" was here.

Among the few humans in the [Family], there is a woman.

She hated always needing someone to protect her; her strength was second only to Bert, and she was the vice-captain at the time. She had long, silky chestnut hair and a strong smile. She would scold Bert, who was always the first to get injured, and though she didn't say much, she would comfort him.

She's such a good woman.

The soft body she held tightly in her arms, the fragrant breath tickling her ear, and the slightly clumsy kisses all gave Bert warmth. When Bert, being an orc, found the perfume too strong, she blushed and had a big argument with him, but stopped wearing it the next day. She also strived to improve herself to emulate Bert's thirst for power.

Her appearance and personality were completely different from her childhood sweetheart (that guy), but Bert was attracted to her.

Bert's first love (old wound) seemed to be healed by her.

Her feelings must be "love." This "love" is so sweet that Bert dares not say he has no desire to indulge in it.

However, Bert's "fangs" wouldn't allow him to do so.

The lightning-blue tattoo across her cheek, an unhealable wound, the "fangs" etched into her body and soul—these speak volumes:

You need to become stronger.

We must hold on tightly to the strong and never let go.

Sure enough, Bert gradually became stronger than anyone else and nothing else.

The frail boy had long since vanished without a trace.

Then, in his fourth year in Orario, his sixteenth year since birth, Bert, who had reached LV3, decided that now was the time. He would defeat the "King of the Plains".

Bert already possessed sufficient strength. And he didn't have time to leisurely say, "Just in case, let's accumulate some more strength." Even Orario, thousands of miles away, had heard of the "monster" wreaking havoc on the northern plains. Perhaps one day, someone other than Bert would go to hunt down that monster. But this was one thing Bert absolutely refused to allow. That monster had to die at Bert's hands.

With permission from Vader and the rest of the party, Bert decided to leave Orario alone. He grumbled a few words to his worried companions, asking them to guard headquarters.

She quietly tried to persuade Bert to stay. However, Bert calmly shook off her. Bert clearly knew her "good intentions," knew her "love," yet he chose not to confront it. Bert chose to face the "fangs."

Bert has never forgotten the resolute smile on her face as she left.

As Bert stepped out of the city gates, Vida said this:

"Bert...one day you will know the meaning of your 'fangs'."

After leaving Orario, Bert was forced to take a detour, and the journey took more than three months.

Finally, Bert arrived. It was his birthplace, his homeland, the northern land. A vast, boundless plain, stretching as far as the eye could see, beyond the low hills lay a boundless, verdant forest, and towering, snow-capped peaks. He and his sister had once played in that great lake. Bert and his friends had spent a carefree life in that vast, naturally beautiful garden. Now, this land had been trampled by the "Overlord," the bones of the ravaged dead scattered everywhere—the good old days were gone. Looking around at the landscape of his homeland that stirred memories and anger, Bert silently bared his fangs.

Coincidentally, just like that day, Bert found the "King of the Plains" on a vast, moonlit night.

The "Overlord" not only devoured humans, but also its own kind to increase its power; Bert's deadly battle with it lasted all night.

Bert was covered in blood, his bones shattered, and he had lost many of his weapons, but he continued to fight the behemoth. He deflected the claws that had torn his parents to pieces, dodged the giant feet that had crushed his sister, and shattered the sharp teeth that had bitten the girl to death. Under the moonlit night, where the screams of his enemies echoed, Bert roared, becoming a beast that surpassed even the "Overlord," biting his opponents with his own "fangs."

then.

Before the colossal beast that crashed down with a thunderous roar, Bert, his entire body stained crimson with blood, stood on his two feet. He had triumphed, devoured the mighty. Bert's "fangs" had accomplished their goal.

Bert was covered in wounds and cried out as he had on that very day.

Joy and anger, sorrow, emptiness, pain; all the passionate emotions are contained in this cry. Under the dim sky where dawn is about to break, he barks incessantly at the moon that looks down upon him.

I won!

I ate it!

I've become stronger!

No one can take everything away from me anymore!!

Blood dripped from the "fangs" that had grazed his cheek.

Despite having already reached the level of a strong individual, the pain emanating from the "fangs" did not lessen.

★

The darkness of night falls upon the half-ruined buildings or rubble.

Located in the third district of the Pleasure District, formerly the territory of the Ishtar Familia.

The Loki Familia conducts a quiet investigation amidst a landscape that resembles ruins.

Those present included Finn and Grace, who were in charge, a few other members of the group, and Loki, who had insisted on coming along. They didn't even light the magic stone lamps, but instead surveyed the surrounding area.

To prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the red-light district, the "guild" deployed guards around the area. However, due to a lack of manpower, no guards were stationed inside the area, and judging from the scattered rubble, the reconstruction progress is likely not as expected.

These adventurers avoided the daytime and chose to set out at night, thus not suffering from the darkness and continuing their investigations.

"Finn, how do you interpret the current situation?"

As the group members scattered, Grace, using the brothel's secluded corner as a waiting area, slowly asked...

"Hmm... I'm convinced that at least one 'key' has escaped the enemy's grasp and ended up somewhere in the city."

"What is the basis for this?"

"Because the goddess Ishtar was banished back to heaven."

"Phew~" Loki sat down on the half-broken barrel to rest; Finn ignored her and replied in this way.