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

The earth-shaking footsteps ceased. A silence that numbed the eardrums momentarily enveloped the surroundings.

The next moment, silently.

The one-horned Minotaur peeked out from around the corner.

"——!"

He screamed wildly.

Once the line is crossed, it becomes easy to fall into a state of panic.

The Minotaur, gripping the hilt of its greatsword tightly, appeared around the corner. Despite its massive size and weight, the metal block that boasted it looked like an ordinary one-handed sword compared to its enormous form.

A fierce breath escaped from deep within his half-open white teeth.

Bloodshot eyes and a blood-soaked murder weapon thirst for the next sacrifice.

"No, don't come any closer—!"

Ganu reached to his waist and pulled out a red dagger.

He swung the "Demon Sword" at the monster that was slowly approaching.

"Gurgle...!"

"Don't come any closer! Get out of here! Disappear!"

A ball of fire shot out from the dagger and struck the Minotaur.

Ganu wildly swung his dagger, allowing the degraded magic to strike his opponent repeatedly. With no way to retreat, he detonated a series of small explosions.

As the Minotaur flared its thick arms in frustration, Ganu kept making the magic sword glow like a broken doll... Finally, the red blade cracked and shattered into pieces.

"Ugh... Ughh ...

As if its lifespan had come to an end, the dull blade turned into countless iron filings, scattered on the ground.

He cried out in astonishment, his eyes wide. The demonic sword had exceeded its limit and shattered on its own.

At the last moment, Ganu was betrayed by his weapon.

"Huff—, huff—...!"

"Eek, ee-ee!"

Covered in sparks, the monster appeared before us.

His eyes, blazing with fury, were fixed on Ganu.

Finally, the massive silhouette bulged the muscles in its upper arms and raised the sword high above its head.

"Stop, stop it!!!"

With the sensation of his forehead being split open, Ganu's consciousness was instantly extinguished.

●

There was a snap.

The handle of the cup broke.

"..."

Hestia stopped abruptly and stared intently at the pottery.

The white mug on the table broke on its own, and the bent handle rolled off the table.

The cup itself was okay, not completely broken, but some white fragments were still scattered on the table.

"..."

After remaining silent for a while, Hestia looked up from the unnaturally cracked cup and glanced at Bell, who was busy in and out of the kitchen.

Having finished his training with Ais, the boy, now full of fighting spirit, seemed to be planning to dive into the dungeon early starting today, and was even more restless than usual.

Looking at Bell, who was already wearing an adventurer's shirt and trousers, and then at the mug, Hestia felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

"Well then, my goodness, I've cleared away all the dishes! Now, I'll leave the magic stone device (fire source) to you!"

"Ah... Bell!"

Seeing Bell pick up his backpack, filled with light armor, and about to leave, Hestia, in a moment of panic, called out to him without thinking. He stopped and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Hestia didn't know what to say. She couldn't very well say without any basis, "I have a bad feeling, you shouldn't go today." Even she herself found it baffling.

But the turmoil in her chest was impossible to ignore. She glanced at the broken cup, which seemed to have been struck by lightning, and let out a low groan.

"Ah, ah—...I mean, should we update your [ability stats]? I haven't updated them for you lately, have I?"

"Well……"

"It's nothing, it'll be ready soon. Don't worry about the time. So... okay?"

Hestia herself wore a smile that even puzzled her. Seeing her like this, Bell couldn't refuse her, so he smiled with his eyebrows lowered and agreed to her suggestion.

Hestia temporarily set aside the broken mug and quickly prepared to update her [ability stats].

"...Hmm—, Bell? How are things going with that supporter lady?"

"Immortal...you've been asking this question a lot lately?"

"Yes, really?"

She felt uneasy that he didn't say a word, so she tried to make small talk, only to be met with a wry smile from Bell.

For many reasons, Hestia was always worried about letting him and Lily explore the maze alone, which is why she couldn't help but ask the same question several times.

Hestia sat on Bell, blushing. After an awkward cough, she pricked her finger with a needle, drawing out divine blood (ichor), and used her small hand to carve out the [hieroglyph].

"But speaking of which, a whole week, right? You really let that [Sword Maiden] take her by storm. The growth rate of 'Endurance' proficiency is much higher than other abilities, isn't it?"

"……Ha ha ha ha."

She listened to Bell's dry laugh with annoyance and continued to update her [ability stats].

As expected, the more updates Hestia posted, the worse her mood became. Needless to say, the reason lay in the growth rate caused by her [Single-minded Aspiration].

Hestia looked extremely unhappy and asked about something that had been bothering her for the past few days.

"Bell, I know I'm bringing this up again, but I'm asking if you and that 'Sword Girl' did anything... that you shouldn't have? Like... a lap pillow or something."

Pfft, Bell choked on his saliva while lying down. He coughed heavily several times, his ears turning bright red under Hestia's gaze.

Damn it, that damned Miss Warren...! Hestia gritted her teeth in hatred.

It's unclear when or why, but Bell's [ability stats] have suddenly become much more pronounced. Judging from the boy's reaction, whether it was a lap pillow or not, Hestia is certain that something has definitely happened to enhance his emotions.

How hateful! Jealousy burned fiercely in her heart.

"Um, God! Besides fighting monsters, are there other ways to enhance [stats]? Like, training or something!"

"Let's change the subject," Hestia thought, but she deliberately didn't say it aloud. Because Hestia was a goddess. She'd let him off the hook; she had that much magnanimity.

Oops, my hand slipped. *Pfft*

Belle began to sob. She feigned ignorance and began to explain:

"Yes, you will be strengthened. The key is not actual combat or training, but whether you can accumulate the right amount of experience points. Just playing around or doing monotonous tasks will definitely not give you experience points. Relatively speaking, even if it's just training, as long as you are serious enough, it will be considered as experience points and will definitely help you grow."

"So that means..."

"The key is probably whether you've learned anything. As long as you leave clear traces, we'll naturally help you discover them later."

This description is actually closer to the feeling of discovering a "skill," but she didn't specifically correct it. She thought this way of putting it would be easier for Bell to understand.

Soon, she finished all her assignments and focused intently on her [ability stats]... Hestia's lips twitched silently.

"Whoa... God, I'm sorry, I have to go out!"

Upon glancing at the clock, Bell's expression changed drastically, and he scrambled to his feet.

He cleverly pushed Hestia aside, picked up his bundle, and headed for the door.

"Bell, your [stats] are a bit...!"

"Sorry, I'll talk to you when I get back! I'm going out now!"

Bell left the room in a panic.

Hestia lowered her outstretched arm and sighed.

She glanced sideways at the mug on the table, then stared at the spot where Bell had been facing away from her.

She recalled the information about [ability stats].

Bell Craney

LV.1

Strength: S982 Durability: S900 Dexterity: S988 Agility: SS1049 Magic: B751

"SS what the heck...?"

Hestia covered her forehead with her right hand, as if deep in thought.

◇

Behind the mountains rising to the east of Orario, the sun is about to peek out.

From this room near the top floor of the mansion, one can see beyond the city walls surrounding the city and gaze upon the entire radiant mountain range. Ais narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at the expansive view outside the square window.

Bathed in the still faint morning sun, she tossed her long golden hair back.

She tucked her only weapon—a military knife—into her waist, and with a click, made sure the thin gauntlet, which perfectly fit the shape of her arm, was securely fastened. Then, she quietly turned forward.

What's reflected in the mirror is full of gear.

Bathed in sunlight, the azure armor, silver breastplate, and waist guard gleamed.

Revered as the "Sword Maiden," she is a battle maniac with the appearance of a young girl, her eyes fixed on Ais.

"Hey, Ais, aren't you done yet? How long are you going to take to prepare?"

"...I'll be there right away."

Answering Bert's voice from behind the door, Ais looked away from her stance.

Twelve days have passed since Ais reached LV.6. Today is the long-awaited dungeon walkthrough day.

The members of the Loki Familia have gathered to embark on a deeper "expedition."

This is the only chance that Ais Wallenstein, who has become too strong, has to reach an even higher level.

"Ais, let's go! Let's see who can hunt more monsters!"

"It's so noisy... What are you doing here, Diona?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you! A loser should act like a loser, obediently curl up her tail and get out of the way!"

"I'm not a dog, I'm a wolf! And I haven't lost to anything!"

"You were clearly dumped completely! She said, 'I would never date a loser!' Serves you right!"

"Ughh ...

Ais naturally ignored the increasingly noisy area behind the door and finally turned her gaze to one place.

A tapping sound in the ear. A metallic sound echoing through the morning sky.

The towering clock tower, situated in the east, began to ring out with a somber tone.

●

My neck stung.

"..."

"Lord Bell?"

I reached up to touch my neck and looked around.

This floor features wood-colored walls and lush, short plants. In the "cave" on the 9th floor, I couldn't hide my astonishment.

I couldn't find any excuse for Lily, who was right next to me looking up at me.

Is there anything that's bothering you?

"...Well, how should I put it?"