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

From the distant past until today.

After this ripple was created, the skin of the human body bathed in the blood of the god (ichor) vibrated like the surface of water.

In an instant, jet-black text danced on her skin. The scene resembled divine pronouncements emerging from sacred flames. Each delicate finger traced the lines on her skin, each flowing character leaving an inscription like a monument.

Inscribe the sacred hieroglyph.

In a history of children invisible to the naked eye—[Experience Points]—instead of ink, the gods themselves transform "God's Grace (Pharna)" into a new form.

Like recording the story of its birth.

Like turning the page.

She found herself truly enjoying this feeling. The story fragments gradually filled the blank pages—how exhilarating! Being the first to read this story was her privilege, her treasure, something no one could take away from her. This was time that belonged only to her, time that was solely hers, a bond with the boy. She cherished this more than anything.

Like a child whose eyes light up at the sight of a fairy tale, she watched the protagonist's movements in the story and left with a faint smile.

Then, she turned to a new page.

The true names of the gods and their retinues are painted on the back, and flames, as symbols of the gods, radiate a tranquil glow.

soon……

She stopped what she was doing and quietly moved her fingers away from her back.

After the goddess finished writing the story, as if exhaling a breath that had been accumulating in her chest, she told him with deep emotion:

"Congratulations, Bell... you've leveled up."

Volume 12, Chapter 1: White Rabbit (Close-up)

thank you.

Bell said this and stood up, bowing her head to thank Hestia.

"It took about two months to go from Lv.3 to Lv.4, right? Last time it took a month, so 'leveling up' should be getting harder gradually. But really... your growth rate is really surprising."

"Uh... I'm sorry."

"Haha, why apologize?"

In a room at the "Hestia Familia" headquarters, in the "Heartfire House".

After updating his [Ability Values] while sitting on the edge of the bed, Bell continued to sit and take the update paper translated into Koine, and began to review it.

Hestia sat on the same bed, with Bell beside her, his expression unchanged, calm and composed, yet sincere.

Even upon hearing the news of his rank up, Bale did not appear surprised.

Perhaps he himself had a premonition, and was certain that the "vessel" would be elevated to the next level (the stage).

After a life-or-death struggle with that formidable rival.

"Bell".

"Yes."

"That black Minotaur... I remember it was called Asterios? Was he... very strong?"

"……yes."

Bell seemed to savor the whole thing, then nodded.

The governing body (guild) has rated the potential of the Black Minotaur—or more accurately, a "subspecies" of the Deep Minotaur (Black Rhinoceros)—Asterios, as Lv.7.

This monster has fought against numerous adventurers, including the Loki Familia, and wreaked havoc throughout the city. The guild acknowledges that its threat level is comparable to the "Monster Rex" and has listed it as a Level 1 bounty monster.

Although he failed to defeat it, a Level 3 adventurer single-handedly confronted a Level 7 monster and returned alive.

Indeed, just by looking at the words, one can sense enough of the "great achievements".

Even if they lost to Asterios, it might still be enough to justify an upgrade.

(However, given this child's situation...)

But Hestia fell into thought.

She believes that the defeat may have "special significance" for Bale.

Just as Freya had said at the last Gathering of the Gods, that experience was included in the [Experience Points] with exceptional significance. Hestia glanced at the boy, who was still looking down, recalling something, and couldn't help but have this feeling. That battle could be considered fate, a "re-battle (power)" that could uncover the potential of the human race.

To be honest, Bell already had the foundation for an upgrade before facing Asterios.

The story revolves around the struggle against the Ishtar Familia, the journey to the 20th floor of the dungeon, and ultimately, the battles against the heretics (Zenos) and the vicious hunters. The essential high-level experience points for leveling up do indeed accumulate continuously after reaching Lv.3.

The battle with Asterios was actually the final opportunity.

"...Alright, speaking of your [ability stats], as usual, your 'basic abilities' will be reset, starting from zero again. You only gain one 'development ability' when leveling up, so I took the liberty of acquiring it for you. You don't mind, do you?"

"Yes, it's okay."

"Next, as I think you've already noticed... a new 'skill' has appeared."

Hestia, who had been pondering repeatedly, switched her consciousness and mentioned her Lv.4 ability (ability value).

Bell simply nodded firmly, as if accepting something.

Hestia turned her gaze away from him and looked directly at his back.

Bell Craney

Lv.4

力量：I0　耐久：I0　灵巧：I0　敏捷：I0　魔力：I0

Luck: G Abnormal Resistance: H Escape: I

〖magic〗

【Flame Lightning】

·Quick attack magic.

〖Skill〗

【Heartfelt longing】

·precocious.

• Maintains the effect simultaneously with feelings of longing.

The stronger the longing, the greater the effect.

【Hero's Wish (Argonauts)】

• Has the power to implement active actions.

【Ox Slayer】

• When fighting against bull-like creatures, all abilities receive a super high bonus.

First, the newly acquired "development ability" is "escape".

According to the guild's information, this ability provides a significant speed boost when escaping. In short, it increases your escape speed.

It is generally believed that this ability will only manifest after upgrading to Lv.4 or later. Although it is considered a "rare ability," it is also known as an "infamous ability." Because the manifestation of this ability means that the person has performed many escape maneuvers that ordinary people can only dream of.

Looking back, from the initial Lv.1 to today, Bell has always been being chased by someone. The Minotaur, the Silverback Ape, the Apollo Familia, the Ishtar Familia... Bell Crane's story is a history of escape.

Therefore, Hestia wasn't surprised by the manifestation of her "escape" ability. She wasn't entirely without reservations, but learning such a rare "development ability" was already a bonus.

Compared to this, her focus was on the third "skill".

(【Bullfighting Instinct】...A unique combat (slayer) skill that can only be activated against a specific race.)

The reasons for the emergence of this "skill" are self-evident.

As the name suggests, it is the result of a life-or-death struggle with a nemesis; it is a boy's instinct, potential, and emotion.

With the effect of this "skill", Bell will likely be able to unleash combat abilities beyond Lv. when battling bull-like monsters such as Asterios.

Now Bell truly lived up to his name as the Ox Slayer.

Hestia, who was silently observing the [ability values], slowly shifted her gaze to the side.

"..."

Bell's profile looked as if a demon had left his body.

Unlike before, he didn't jump around and shout like a child when he leveled up.

Bell pretended to be calm, but at that moment he even forgot to put on his clothes, staring intently at the paper being replaced.

He accepted his current power, pondered deeply, and let his thoughts drift to certain things.

Hestia had never seen the boy with such an expression before.

(He's changed...)

The sincere desire to become stronger is still strong and remains unchanged.

However, the emotions and meanings infused into this statement have indeed changed.

A layer of skin was shed and the shell was broken.

Maybe that's the way it is.

"You really... are getting more and more handsome."

"what?"

"No, it's nothing."

Seeing that the boy was indeed different from the eternal and unchanging gods, constantly changing, it would be a lie to say that she didn't feel even a trace of loneliness.

However, an even stronger feeling was pure joy at his growth. As a chief god, and also as a young girl.

"Hey, Bell, listen to me."

"?"

"This is the symbol of what I govern, and it's also somewhat like a title, and another name of mine... There's a word called 'Vesta'."

"Vista..."

"That's right, in the language of the gods (us), it represents 'the eternally burning sacred fire (flame)'."

"...Why are you telling me this now?"

"Well, I don't know either. Maybe seeing you like this just made me want to say something?"

Seeing Bell raise his head, Hestia, who had been squinting, naturally smiled.

Hestia looked up at the ceiling beside him, closed her eyelids, and revealed a slight smile.

*

A gentle breeze made a rustling sound in the air.

Under a clear blue sky, Orari enjoys a pleasantly cool climate, a truly delightful day. The sweltering heat of summer has begun to subside, and the gentle breezes carrying the subtle scents of autumn from afar subtly hint at its approaching peak. Soon, the harvest season will arrive.

Unwittingly, I glanced beyond the ramparts at the vast landscape beyond the city—the still verdant forests, grasslands, and mountains—and pondered these things.

As usual, I visited the upper level of the walls of Orario City today. After the [Ability Values] update, following my habit of the past few days, my body naturally led me to this place.

It could also be that I want to report the upgrade to that underground labyrinth where promises and an end await me, and to start running steadily on my own two feet.

"...In order to move forward, rest is also necessary, isn't it?"

Give your body and mind a good rest.

After the "heretic" incident came to an end, the goddess Hestia told us this.

Since the commotion caused by the Ikeros Familia, we've been exhausting ourselves, both physically and mentally, for about ten days. Now that we're free from those turbulent days, surrendering to peace is part of an adventurer's job. "A warrior's rest is very important!" The deity's advice was certainly true. Thanks to her, our physical fatigue gradually and completely disappeared.

Besides our physical condition, we've also damaged or lost a lot of weapons and armor. Blacksmith Welf is currently extremely busy repairing and maintaining this equipment. However, he also happily mentions that he's continuously crafting new weapons. So, it's currently preparation time, just waiting for a new batch of weapons to be ready.

To be honest, I felt anxious and restless.

"I will become stronger"—this vow I made to myself resonated deep within my heart.

But now, just as the gods said, it is time for everything to rest.

Suppress your anxiety, quietly conserve your energy, and wait for that moment to arrive.

The image of that black back returning to the dungeon flashed through my mind—the silhouette of my formidable rival—as I looked down at my own palm.

(...I feel like something's really weird.)