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

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Use your roar to counteract the shouts that are yelling at you, and move forward.

Rise up with all your might to seize victory and move forward.

The enemy before me is everything I have right now.

This is the first time I've had this thought.

It's not a pathetic delusion.

It's not unsightly vanity.

It's not just about dreaming and having unrealistic wishes.

I want to be a hero.

I want to become the hero who can defeat this guy.

Even if I am weak, I can still rise up. For the first time in my heart, I wanted to become a man like a powerful hero.

I want to be a hero.

◇

"...!"

A touch.

Freya knocked the chair away and stood up immediately.

At the same moment that Bell and the Minotaur were engaged in fierce battle.

Freya stood in front of the round window floating in the air, her silver eyes wide open in astonishment.

"...No way, really?"

There is a kind of "divine power (Arcanum)" that is also allowed to be used in the Nether, called the "Mirror of Gods".

This was originally a one-way ability used to peek into the underworld from the heavens, similar to clairvoyance. However, in order to allow the gods to enjoy the entertainment activities held in the underworld, this ability was recognized as the only exception.

Of course, any unauthorized use of the artifacts for purposes other than appreciation is strictly prohibited. Once discovered, they will be immediately forcibly returned to heaven.

Furthermore, each channel mode of the "Divine Mirror" emits a specific wavelength, which is definitely perceived by all nearby gods. No god would do such a foolish act and bring about his own destruction.

However, this goddess of beauty (Freya) used her beauty to deceive the gods (males) around her.

Under contractual conditions such as "only for today," "will not cause any loss to any [Family]," and "only view a part of the dungeon," she took the risk and exploited a loophole.

All for the sake of witnessing this battle with my own eyes.

"...Ahhh!"

The scene she saw through the "mirror" floating before her eyes caused Freya's expression to change from shock to joy and trance.

"Hehe, hehehehe...! Do you see that, oh it? This beautiful sight...!"

It's glowing.

Bell's soul shines brightly.

It burned Freya's eyes.

Despite emitting such a strong light, the color is still clear and transparent.

A pure wish.

Without ulterior motives or calculations, unaware of the meaning of filth. A complete will. The boy made a wish.

"Possibility" began to sprout in Bell.

●

The fighting continues.

Bell and the Minotaur frequently switched positions.

Four feet stood firm on the grassland, charged forward, kicked through, and passed each other several times.

The two movements were intertwined, never stopping for a moment.

(Don't be fooled by its big size!)

Bell glared fiercely, filling his body with a surge of intense will.

Bell has moved beyond fear.

Having shattered the chains and been freed from the curse, Bell no longer harbored the thought of retreat.

He fearlessly blocked the Minotaur's fierce attacks, and whenever he found an opening, he bravely and decisively swung his sword to strike.

(It's just big! Look closely, don't close your eyes!)

Bell looked into his own eyes and silently recited the mantra.

The Minotaur's brute strength was indeed a formidable threat. A direct attack would inevitably result in a fatal wound. Even a mere glancing blow would leave the body half-destroyed. Its amplified destructive power meant a single strike could bring down an enemy.

But that's all there is to it.

Taking a hit is just a prerequisite. If it misses, the greatsword's finishing move becomes nothing more than decoration.

Bell's vision had never been so clear.

Those deep red eyes were focused intently, capturing everything from the Minotaur's expression to the movement of his muscles.

Shaking off his fear and taking a closer look, Bell was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information his opponent possessed. The enemy was always trying to destroy everything with all its might, and the constantly rotating flesh—the astonishingly bulging bulges of muscle—told Bell everything from the timing of its attacks to their tendencies.

The Minotaur's actions were foolish and chaotic.

Even Bale can easily predict the next move, it's completely unbelievable.

(I don't know how many times I've fought opponents who are faster than this guy!)

Compared to the girl he had apprenticed to, his opponent was nothing more than a moving puppet.

The special property that allows adventurers to equip their weapons is simply that they become able to use greatswords.

This level is far inferior to that of the girl he admires.

The Minotaur's attack will not hit. It will not be allowed to hit.

The seemingly fatal blow, which had been completely exposed, missed every time, its obvious trajectory being knocked down by the black dagger.

Bell used his speed to its maximum to dodge the Minotaur's attacks and maintain his defense.

"...What on earth is that dagger? How could it deflect a greatsword that's much bigger than itself?"

"No, it's not just about the weapon's performance..."

"Beautiful. He skillfully deflected the Minotaur's attack."

The blue-purple light flashed, repelling the greatsword.

Rivera and Finn answered Bert's questions about the scene they had witnessed.

Although the user's [Ability Values] can enhance the abilities of [Hestia's Blade], it's impossible to directly confront a greatsword that's almost two meters long. Add to that the Minotaur's exceptionally strong arms, and the user would definitely be defeated due to the overwhelming difference in strength.

Faced with the incoming greatsword, Bell chose to attack from the side.

He deflected the attack that had cut off his retreat, wedging his body into the small opening created. This was a crucial defensive maneuver, allowing no room for error.

The counterattack methods learned from Ais, as well as the skills and instantaneous tactics developed.

The teachings the girl instilled in Bell enabled him to become an equal with the Minotaur.

Everything Bale gained from the Golden Meeting will pay off in this battle.

"That was a beautiful defense. But..."

"The attack lacks power!"

Tione, squinting, and Tiona, whose body was swaying restlessly, both watched as Bell parried the opponent's sword strike with the "Blade of Hestia" in his right hand and attempted to counterattack with the "Double-Edged Dagger" in his left hand, but was deflected.

Clearly, the short sword only managed to lightly graz the Minotaur's body, leaving no damage whatsoever. At best, it was just a scratch.

The Minotaur let out a heavy sigh and immediately banished Bell from his embrace.

"...The flesh of the Minotaur is very difficult to cut."

The Sword Maiden, who has slain thousands upon thousands of monsters, makes a correct assessment of the Minotaur.

Those massive muscles were no mere decoration. The bundles of muscles were not only extremely strong, but also layered in several places, giving the opponent the feeling of cutting through thick rubber.

Combined with its highly durable skin, which can become a high-level drop item, the Minotaur's defense forms an impenetrable structure that is difficult to breach with any attack. The skin itself also possesses heat and cold resistance, making it quite valuable.

Unique among the monsters in the middle layer, its exceptionally enhanced strength and durability are what make it so memorable to many adventurers and why it is regarded as a representative monster.

"Bum, waaaaaah!"

“Hmm!”

Faced with the Minotaur, which embodies both offense and defense, Bell was gradually forced into a predicament.

Ultimately, there is an irreconcilable gap in ability between the Minotaur, which is classified as LV.2, and Bell, which is classified as LV.1.

This is the Minotaur's unshakeable advantage.

For Bell, it's a desperate, fundamental gap.

The monster's innate status severely suppressed last-minute cramming skills.

"Lord Bell...!"

Seeing that her injuries were improving slightly, Lily asked Rivera to put her down and managed to call out Bell's name in a weak voice.

As she watched, Bell rolled on the ground, dodging the steel sword that would surely kill him if he were hit.

The Minotaur immediately raised its hoof to crush Bell, but Bell escaped with its natural speed, flashing the Blade of Hestia.

The opponent hastily defended with a greatsword. A sharp metallic sound.

"...!"

"Ooh o ...

Bell could not hide his anxiety at the Minotaur, who was unusually wary of the Hestia's Blade.

There's no mistake, the monster has realized that the Hestia's Blade is Bell's only weapon that could potentially inflict an effective attack on it. Bell senses it too.

The enemy, this Minotaur, will abandon its defense and launch a full-scale attack the moment it officially switches from defense to offense with its dagger.

You need to cut the flesh and break the bones. The other party knows this very well.

Bell had this intuition when he saw the rational brilliance hidden deep in its eyes, and most importantly, the unnaturally broken horn.

"hateful!"

Create some distance between them and start over.

Without thinking twice, Bell stretched out his right hand with all his might.

The Minotaur opened its eyes wide.

"[Flame Lightning]!"

Thunder roared and flames filled the air.

With a shattering sound, its massive body was forced to retreat.

The bellowing of a bull, reaching all the way to the ceiling of the underground city, came from the other side of the crimson flames.

"...Did he chant that spell?"

"No...it doesn't look like it was being chanted in a low voice."