Bell was standing across his guild advisor, Rose Fannett. She had her mouth open, making an expression of full surprise.
Rose had challenged Bell into preparing himself as better as could, but she had never expected him to go so far.
"…How?" she uttered. "Even veteran adventurers don't have stuff like this." she voiced her surprise.
Despite not having a falna, the boy had a strength of his own. But she was still conflicted about what to do. This was certainly an unusual situation. The boy was strong, but no familia would accept him. Was he wrong to enter the dungeon by himself?
"Rose-san, will you let me enter the dungeon?" asked Bell, with puppy eyes. "Please?" He pleaded with a bright smile.
She sighed.
"Fine. But first, you will need to have lessons about the first floors. Just leave if you don't agree." she replied.
"Alright. Let's do it." He smiled.
By afternoon the main hall of the guild's headquarters was filled with adventurers, many had already gone to the dungeon and returned to the surface taking a break from the fight. Others were taking advantage of the moment to go down for the first time in the day. They will make use of a dungeon with not so many adventurers in the way. Orario had more than 25.000 active adventurers, most of them are only Lv. 1. That means that the dungeon, despite having a considerable size, is small on the upper levels.
Rose was leading Bell through the crowds and corridors of the guild in the direction of one of its many special rooms. There she would teach him everything there is to know about the first floors of the dungeon under Babel Tower. She knew very well that there was no holding him back, Orario has too many adventurers to check them one by one every time someone wants to enter the dungeon. The only moment that the guild could verify is when magic stones are traded, so they had little to no control. So, if Bell really wanted to enter the dungeon he would. The best thing she could do now is teach him.
Inside the room, Rose urged the boy to sit and then spoke.
"Tell me what you know about the dungeon." She commanded. Her golden staring at him.
"Monsters are born from its walls. As the floors goes down, they are spawned more frequently and are stronger too. They all have a magic stone and stronger monsters have magic stones of better quality. The dungeon, like the branches, has a maze-like layout, though it's more complex. The first floors goblins, kobolds, and dungeon lizards. Room traps and ambushes can also be found there." Bell conveyed most of what he knew.
Rose continued to stare at him for a few moments, until she decided.
"As you seem to have experience against the monsters, you'll learn everything of what has been mapped of the first 7 floors. Every corridor, room, and trap. You'll learn about the materials that can be found there and their properties. It doesn't matter if it's a rock, a plant, or a bug. Got it?" determined Rose. Her face has its usual boredom, but her tone seemed different.
Bell nodded.
"Say it." She demanded.
"I'll learn everything." He complied.
"Good," said Rose, while throwing a massive book on the table. "Let's get started, then." she determined.
After a few hours of studying, Bell was completely spent out. He was used to reading, he had learned different languages of this world, past events – including hero stories -, and a lot of information about the most important regions of the world. But he never had to learn so many little details and specifics in such a short amount of time. His had hurt.
But that doesn't matter.
'I'm ready!' He thought to himself.
After learning so much about the upper floors of the dungeon, he can barely hold his excitement. He needs to enter the dungeon and explore it as much as he can.
It was now late in the afternoon and Bell was rushing through the streets of Orario. Like usual, it was packed with people; Workers, merchants, residents, adventurers, gods, and goddesses. The main street of Orario seemed small for all of those, but Bell was running through every gap that was showed among the crowds. The dazzling sunlight of the sunset gave his heart a warm feeling. Now he was running to the Hostess of Fertility. It has been some time since he ate, he wouldn't throw away all he's learned with a stupid mistake.
Finally arriving at the Hostess's door, his red eyes met sky-blue ones. The graceful girl had green hair and pointy ears. It was the elf named Ryu.
"Cranel-san. You seem to be in a rush." remarked the beautiful elf.
Bell was introduced to Ryu during one of the many times he visited the Hostess of Fertility in the last few days. He became pretty much a regular and was considered Syr's friend, so he became acquainted with the other waitresses from the pub as well. That includes the owner as well, the half-dwarf named Mia Grand or, as he came to call her, Mamma Mia.
"Oh, hello Ryu-san. I was actually going to the dungeon, but I got hungry and thought that I should come here instead."
"I see. The place is now full, but I'm sure we can get you something. Come in." reassured Ryu, opening the door for the boy.
The moment Bell entered the pub, he was greeted by a silver-haired girl.
"Bell-san!" she started. "I heard what you said, so I brought you this." she said with a smile while holding a bento.
"huh? I can't take it. That's your food Syr-san." refused Bell.
"What are you talking about? We are friends. Now take it! Just make sure to visit us again." retorted Syr.
"haha. Alright, thanks!" he said with a bow. "Goodbye Syr-san, Ryu-san." finished Bell while leaving.
'Now there is nothing left. Dungeon, here I come!'
"GGGhnYYAYYnhAAA!"
*slash*
"EEEYAWARRRRR!"
*swish*
"M-mm A-ahh-m..!" moaned a certain silver-haired goddess.
*plip* *plip* *plip*
Now, Bell was on the third floor of the dungeon; with blood dripping from his swords, monsters were being piled on the corridors as he moves forward, before turning to ashes. As of now, the monsters from the branches would be a greater threat to him. Their ability to group and form a unity, even if easy to break, is more dangerous than a group of monsters that only have raw power and little coordination. Down to the third floor, he can easily overcome that with his new armor and weapons. This is child's play for him, so he decided to go a floor down one more time.
After passing through the entrance to the 4th floor, Bell was met with the blue light emanating from the crystals on the ceiling. That was something he was already familiarized with. The corridors, rooms, and chambers from the dungeon are becoming larger. Something he still had to be used to. He was much more experienced to fights in tight places, but he is a fast learner. It shouldn't be a problem.
Right now, one cycle is ending and another is beginning. Some adventurers are leaving the dungeon after a day of hardships and, probably, money loss, while others are entering the dungeon, expecting to have luck and find a drop item to compensate for the low value of upper-level magic stones in Orario.
Bell, on the other hand, is heading to one of the areas that he imagines to be empty: The trap chambers. They very are well-known to the adventures; room in the dungeon that spawns larger quantities of stronger monsters and modifies the environment to give them an advantage against the intruders. Only parties low-level adventurers or more would willingly face them. Or a Bell Cranel.
He's been exploiting it since the first floor, and he noticed that a few parties had the same intention. Some even arrived in the rooms before he could take the prize, but now he is already past them, challenging a trap chamber from the 4th floor.
Walking in, he noticed the light on the ceiling changing. The color now is a ton of purple, like corruption. Sounds started to reverberate along the room. The signs were there, a fierce battle is about to start. The boy is smiling from ear to ear. He won't lose.
*crack* *crack*
.
.
.
*crack* *crack* *crack **crack* *crack*
And then
*THUD*
The chamber closed. A fog came from the ground and, slowly, started to take over the room, limiting the visibility.
*crack* *crack* *crack *
*crack* *crack* *crack * *crack* *crack* *crack* *crack*
Monsters of different types, colors, and sizes started to emerge from the ground, walls, and ceiling of the room.
Bell has called for them. And the monsters accepted his invitation. The 18 of them are ready for the game. The only audience is a certain Goddess of Beauty.
'9 goblins. 4 kobolds. 7 Killer-Ants.' He observed. 'The goblins are the easier ones but could deal great damage if I'm distracted with the others, I'll kill them first.' decided Bell.
He has already memorized the positions of the monsters; the mist was irrelevant. No. He would use it to his advantage.
Bell kicked the ground and charged towards the goblins that are on his left. An unfortunate killer-ant had already leaped at him and was sliced in half. One less. Bell's fighting style was completely focused on the offensive, being completely optimized by his dual wield. He for defense, he would trust just in his armor, that was more than enough for such low-level monsters. His goal was to take out as many as he could in the early moments before they could surround him. Thinking that, he started slashing and kicking the goblins that could do nothing to protect themselves. Two less. Three less. The counting continued. Another moan reverberated on the highest place of the Labyrinth City.
"Uh-mn. Ah. Ah. Bell! A-Ahhhh-mmm…" blushed the goddess.
About half of them remained. The boy, Bell Cranel, was now a red-haired one. He was completely drenched in blood, but he was used to it. 5 killer-ants and 3 kobolds were left for the kill, they had already formed a group, still lacking coordination though. But that wouldn't be enough to stop him, he had already faced many more monsters at once with far better cooperation. Still swinging his arm with full force and skill, one kobold was decapitated, the other one was kicked and sent flying towards a red-ant. There was no stopping him now, the space created was too large. Monsters born from the trap ware falling, one by one. Fifteen Less. Seventeen Less. Only a wretched kobold was left on the ground. Almost sobbing. Bell mercifully cut his head off.
"Ekk-kk-kk!"
After the monster's last cry, silence engulfed the room and the mist started to dissipate. The door that had once been closed, opened once more; the dungeon wouldn't waste any energy, now that her champions were been defeated. Looking at the floor, Bell saw the magic stones on the ground and started collecting them. His bag was already getting full and he was panting. Bell wanted to go further into the dungeon, but he was reaching his already limit. That means it was time to return to the surface.
Walking through the corridors and stairs of the dungeon, Bell noticed many stares and snickers. No doubt because of the dirt and monster's blood that he was covered with. But he wouldn't care about that. He only had to clean himself, after all.
After using one of the rooms from the Babel Tower, Bell returned to the Lodging of Lust. It was already more than midnight, he had spent 9 hours in the dungeon and, without the adrenaline, he realized how tired he was. As an unblessed adventurer, his body still had limits. So, tonight he planned to sleep unlike any other.
His plans were very different than those of a certain beauty, though.
I slowly start opening my eyes, they are fighting to adapt to the sunlight in the room. I am broken. My body hurts everywhere and I wish that I could return to sleep. That won't happen, though. Forcing myself out of the bed, I realize that I never even took off my armor before falling on the bed. At least I had cleaned it before.
Looking out of the window, I see that it's already late morning. I stretched myself and take a look at the bag at my feet. Yesterday I've gathered a large number of magic stones, far more than I could when I lived in the village, but what I could get in exchange for them is still a mystery. Rose told me about it, because of the large offer and low demand for low-quality magic stones, the amount of valis I'll get from them will be considerably less than what I would receive outside of the city. I just hope that it can pay for the two potions that I've used.
Leaving the inn, already with my bag of magic stones, I make plans to trade them. I could not go to the guild, the tax that they apply for not having a familia and a proper registration is too high. But maybe, there is some alternative method. But before, I'll pass by the Hostess and eat something. I also need to think Syr for the food she gave me. It wasn't the best, but I wouldn't say that.
Entering the bar, the first one to react to my presence was the catgirl with black fur, Chloe.
"Nya, white-haired booty nya's back, nya!" she announced.
"Morning, Chloe-san. Is Syr around?" I smiled
"Huh-Nya! Oh, yeah! I'll get her! Nya!" the cat-girl runs to find Syr, swaying her tail along the way.
In the meantime, Ryu, the green-haired elf, approached me. Her grace and politeness the same as ever.
"Apparently you've done well in the dungeon, Cranel-san." commented Ryu.
"Yeah. For a first time, It was good I suppose. But I didn't get too far and I don't know how much I can get for the magic stones."
"I see. Did you go past the first floor?" probed Ryu.
"…Yes." Bell hesitantly nodded. "I got to the fourth floor, but didn't go much further." He dejectedly said.
Ryu was surprised by his response; she knew that he didn't have a falna, even if she avoided touching the subject. But he had reached the fourth floor and returned, apparently unscathed. That was, by no means, little accomplishment.
"Cranel-san, do yo-" started Ryu, before being interrupted by her friend's blurt.
"Oh, Bell!" called Syr, waving towards him. "Glad to see you're alright. Did you like the food?" she asked with a finger on her lips and a blush on her face.
"hum. It was good. I really appreciate it." He lied, at least for the first part.
Then, he returned the empty lunch box with a broad smile.
"You know, I could keep making you lunches… It would help while you are in the dungeon, right?" she asked.
"Oh, no. Couldn't possibly bother you with that!" said Bell, trying to avoid such an outcome.
"It's not a bother at all! Actually… It's decided, I'll be making you Bentos!" decided Syr.
"eh!" he blurted. "For now, I'll just buy some food, what do you have for today?" asked trying to change the subject.
"Here, take it." she said.
The silver-haired girl gave him the menu and proceeded to chose one of the many options available.
After he left at the Hostess of Fertility, Bell was thinking about his current situation. No god would accept him, that he knew. Even the ones who were known to be the most caring rejected him at first sight. The money he was spending daily between the lodging and food and too much to be considered sustainable. Incoming from the magic stones would help with that, but he needed to find a way to trade it. Bell still had more than 115.000 valis. With that and the possible money from the dungeon, he thought that it would take at least twenty days before bankrupting. Well, it could be worse.
He was now heading to the guild, trying to find a solution to his problems.
At the guild I was walking through the large hall of the guild, searching for a red-haired beauty. My Advisor. I had to return the register book as, for now, I had given up on searching for a god. But I could not find her anywhere. I then start to approach one of her coworkers, hopefully, she'll be able to point me in the right direction. The girl is an elf, she has shoulder-length brown hair and green eyes. Already close enough, I call for her.
"Excuse me, Miss." I spoke.
She turned to face me and her eyes widened a bit after our eyes met.
"Would you know where I can find my advisor, Rose Fannett?" I politely asked.
She then gave me a quick glare and spoke.
"I will call for her, but until she comes, I want you to think about what you've done." She fiercely said then proceeded to leave.
'What I've done?...' I thought to myself.
After a few minutes, Rose appeared from one of the corridors and started searching for someone among the crowd of adventurers. I went behind her and gently poked on her back.
She turned in one swift move with surprise on her face, then spoke.
"…You are alive." uttered Rose.
I tilted my head and tried to find meaning in her words. 'Why wouldn't I be?' Intently looking at her, I noticed. Bags. Under her eyes.
I understood then… what I have done. I unconsciously tightened my fist.
"I'm sorry." I dejectedly said.
We stayed in silence for a few moments. And then…
"hmph. What are you asking sorry for?" she asked, going back to her old demeanor.
"You were worried… Right? I'm sorry, Rose-san. I stayed in the dungeon for too long and didn't realized." I said, ashamed of myself. How could she not feel responsible when she is the one who authorized a boy without a falna to go to the dungeon?
She looked away at my words.
"That won't happen again." I promised her.
She sighed and looked into my eyes. Yes, I'm serious about it.
"Fine, but you are telling me everything you've done down there." conditioned Rose.
I gulped at her words. I wonder what she'll do when I tell her what I did.
After being scolded for his ideas of exploration, Bell went to the Central Park of Orario. He was outside the dungeon observing the adventurers that were getting out from there. After the talk with Rose, she reaffirmed that only 30% of the original value would be paid for an unregistered adventurer. And so, he guessed that he wasn't the only one with problems to exchange the magic stones; but where there was a problem, people would find a solution, and one of the adventurers getting out of the dungeon was bound to know it.
After observing the ins and outs for a while, Bell saw something interesting. A group of adventurers was carrying a visible full bag of valis and going in the opposite direction of the guild. He decided to follow them. The group was heading to a part of the city that Bell has never been before; the southeast corner of Orario. Bell made sure to check if he still had the city map otherwise he would surely get lost in the Labyrinth City.
After a long walk, with the group stopping several times along the way, Bell had crossed almost the entirety of the city and was entering a dangerous territory.
"Daedalus Street." He murmured to himself.
The slums of Orario could be easily recognized, even by someone who had never seen it before. Looking at it so closely, there seemed to be no end to it.
'The Labyrinth inside the Labyrinth, huh' thought Bell.
He had heard the rumors; Once you get lost in Daedalus Street, you'll never find your way back.
Well, all he had to do was not get lost.
Entering as he continued following the adventurers, Bell started taking notes and memorizing every turn he took, every stair he used to go up or down. And so, he was walking through the tight alleys of the man-made Labyrinth. Trying to be as stealthy and could to not be noticed by the adventurers or people nearby.
After some time and a few turns, ups, and downs, the group reached a standing and started talking with someone that Bell could not see. He tried lip-reading, but it was useless. The angle did not help. He decided to distract them and use the opening to get closer.
He grabbed a rock and threw it to the opposite side, hitting a wall, then hitting the ground.
A large was made, claiming the attention of the ones nearby.
"What was that?!" screamed someone.
The people started whispering to each other and his target was successfully distracted.
Bell didn't miss the opportunity and got to a place where he could overhear the conversation. He wasn't naïve, the place was too suspicious. So, at least, he wanted to learn what he was getting himself into.
"Well, whatever. Our agreement stands, I'm not changing it." spoke a male voice.
"But-" started what seemed like the leader of the group.
"Do you want to complain about it with Dix? I could call him for you." the man suggested.
"Fine, just take it." said the leader.
The adventurer then proceeded to give his bag with magic stones and after some time received a pouch of valis, confirming Bell's suspicion.
'As I thought, but "…Dix?" It can only be Dix Perdix, captain of Ikelos Familia. Would that make the dealer also a member?' Bell thought.
A few minutes after the group left Bell walked to the stand, where he found a tall, heavy man with black hair.
"Is it you the one that buys magic stones?" asked Bell, acting tough.
"I don't know what you're talking about." The man replied.
"Why don't you call the "Hazer" then, he might know something," suggested Bell.
…
…
…
"Fine. Fifty percent. That is what I'll pay you for those stones, kid." The black-haired man said.
'Does he think I'm stupid?' bell thought.
"Ninety." determined Bell.
The two glared at each other.
"Seventy percent, that is as far as I can go." shrugged the man.
"Ninety and I could keep coming to you, otherwise I'll just find someone else."
*Sigh*
"Eighty-five." spoke the dealer.
...
"Deal." accepted Bell, while throwing him the bag of magic stones.
The Ikelos familia member gabbed it and started counting.
In the end, bell received 3,705 valis and started making his way out of Daedalus Street. For the most part, it was pretty simple and not much happened, until…
"huh?" blurted Bell.
'There should be an alleyway here, but it's… closed?' he thought.
After inspecting the wall Bell managed to open it, and then he made his way to the Babel Tower.
If I wasn't scammed, then the magic stones that I've gathered for killing monsters between the first and fourth floor for about 9 hours straight are worth little more than 4,350 valis. It's enough to cover the potions that I used but not much more than that.
.
.
.
I sigh.
.
.
The situation is not ideal. If I keep going to the dungeon and learn more about the patterns and the places that spawn more monsters, I should be able to get more valis but it still wouldn't be sustainable. Either way, I have no choice but to continue killing the monsters there. I could try to make contact and make a friend while I'm in the dungeon, but the method doesn't seem fair; I wouldn't approach someone just out of selfish interest. But, if nothing works, I'll have to find a familia outside of Orario. My progress would be slower then, but would still be progress nonetheless.
I am now descending the stairs to the fifth floor of the dungeon. The monsters from the floors above are too easy but, maybe, I'll manage to find a challenge in this one.
"VANGUARD, RETREAT!",
"ALPHA, CHARGE!",
"BETA, BE READY!"
In the early deep-floors of the dungeon, a blonde-haired pallum was issuing orders to his fellow familia members. Currently, the Loki Familia was in the midst of a training expedition. Having plans to go as deep as the Fifty floor of the dungeon and beyond, Finn understood how important it was to increase the cohesion of the army. Yes, almost 200 adventurers were storming through the deep levels of the dungeon. Finn expected that the levels 2's and 3's would gain some valuable experience in combat, especially when fighting in large groups. But that wasn't the only reason. To go so deep in the dungeon and with such a large group, money was needed. A lot of it.
Between foods, potions, antidotes, repair of armor and main weapons along with the reserves, appropriate clothing, and protection for the specifics of each floor… All in All, hundreds of millions of valis could be spent depending on what was needed. With that in mind, Finn also took the opportunity to raise as much valis as he could. Different from the upper-level ones, the magic stones from the lower and deeper levels had great value. But drop items were also welcomed.
The frontline of the expedition was breaking through the lines of monsters, trying to create an opening for the ones behind to fight them with an advantage in number. That would be necessary even for second-tier adventurers. An expedition was no place for adventures, they would fight them in the safest possible way.
"Yue, follow the second line." ordered Finn.
Yue Fannett "Bloodmoon", a werewolf with fire-red hair, golden eyes, and a well-proportioned body; Fitting for a first-tier adventurer of Loki Familia. She is an Lv. 5.
"Yes!" The girl nodded and did what was requested of her. Wielding her spear, she set off to protect the second line of attack.
"Satomi, take command over the rear." another command was issued by the Braver.
"…" She didn't speak, only obeyed.
Satomi Saito "Blink", an Eastern girl with black long hair, tied into a ponytail and amber eyes. Her skill with a katana earned her the nickname. She is set to be one of the most likely candidates for assuming the leadership of Loki Familia in the future. She is a reliable Lv. 5 first-tier adventurer. Not the strongest, but has a sharp mind.
"Mirelia, boost the first lines." spoke Finn once more.
Even though the first line of defense, consisted of 65 tankers, has high-quality armors, most of them were only level 2. They'll still need something more to reach the floors below. The formation was arranged to ease the burden on the lower-level tankers but that wasn't enough. Something more would be provided by a certain beauty.
"Right away. I'll start chanting." said Mirelia.
She was an elf with bright purple hair and eyes of the same color. She was in the mid of Lv. 5. Mirelia Marc, "The Blessing Fairy". Her unique ability to concentrate the excelia in the air and boost the status of any adventurer made her an invaluable piece for Loki Familia. Her capabilities for combat and magic artillery were not that great, but her expertise in magic rivaled that of her greatest friend; Riveria Ljos Alf, "Nine Hell".
"OPEN THE PATH TO THE 39TH FLOOR!" Finn made his last command.
They were at the door of the safe zone with the formation properly arranged. All that was left was open the path through the hundreds of monsters, collect the rewards and rest on the 39th floor of the dungeon. The camp was already set, the expedition was already running for a few days now. Every day they would rest on the safe zone and train on the floor nearby, until it was time to return to the surface.
Now in a more peaceful place, the executives of Loki Familia are sitting around a bonfire. There are eleven of them; three are advanced Lv 6's.
"hah. This' kids did well today, they'r growin' fast, huh?" spoke a Dwarf while drinking something alcoholic.
"Agreed. I expect them to be ready by the next expedition, but we don't have much time." spoke Finn.
"We only have provision for three more days." started a green-haired high elf. "If only this old dwarf hadn't eaten all the food, then maybe we could stay a little more." she concluded.
"What are ya blabbin' on about now?" asked the dwarf.
"Alright, alright. Gareth and Riveria, no need to discuss about that… haha." said the pallum, trying to avoid another round of discussion.
"tch. If they don't learn with so much time, just leave them behind. We don't need any weaklings." barked a werewolf.
"Oh! Are you worried about them, Bete?" A flat-chested amazon asked. A smirk crept on her face.
"Shut up stupid amazon! When did I say that!?" he retorted.
And so, the atmosphere between the executives of Loki Familia was back to is usual.
A few of them, like Satomi and the Aiz Wallenstein, "The sword princess", were just observing the usual behavior of their comrades. Others, like an amazon named Tione Hiryute, "Jormungand", were inserting themselves in the conversation.
The 39th couldn't be livelier, one could easily forget that they were in an underground dungeon filled with monsters in every direction. The Loki Familia would remain there for three more days before arriving back to the surface. And they had no idea of what is going on there.
At the top of Babel Tower, the Goddess of Beauty, Freya was receiving information from one of her children regarding a white-haired boy.
"Tell me what happened, Allen." commanded Freya
Allen Frommel, "Vana Freya", a first-tier adventurer at the brink of Lv. 7. The catman is considered the fastest of Orario.
"As you wish, my lady." complied Allen "It seems that, after our warnings, Camazotz began mobilizing his forces". He informed.
Camazotz is the god of the sixth more powerful familia in Orario. Information about his activities is very scarce.
'What would that man be planning now…' Freya thought to herself while drinking a glass of expensive wine.
"We also observed that, when Bell Cranel visited Daedalus Street, a member from Camazotz Familia was tailing him. The man ran away once we saw him." continued Allen.
"fufufu." chuckled Freya. "Assemble our forces, Allen. We are going to war."
"Yes, my lady." said Allen, before disappearing from the room.