The Dungeon was here before the gods came down to our world.

There was a city above the Dungeon, too, just much smaller than it is today. I've heard the Guild was there as well.

What I'm trying to say is that there were people who joined the Guild and fought monsters without receiving a blessing.

"Gwyaaa!"

"Haaaa!!!"

Part of me doesn't believe it was possible. The other part of me is completely awestruck with admiration for the adventurers of old. I have a blessing, but I only recently got strong enough to slay kobolds. Those guys fought and slew monsters that were far more powerful in this very dungeon.

"Shyaaa!"

"Hyaaa?!"

"Gyuee!"

What if?

What if those adventurers were here now, in the present?

What if a warrior who could dominate enemies with pure power was here?

If that warrior were in my situation, he could mow these monsters down and pick his nose at the same time.

"GRUOOOOOR!"

"There's just no way!!"

I can't do this.

"Damn it, you coward!!!"

"GRAAAAAA!!"

I turn my back to the group of kobolds and run like hell. The five of them shoot out after me, all of them tenacious fiends.

I'm still in lower Level One of the Dungeon.

All I can see are the dark blue walls and ceiling as I run by. The floor spreads out in all directions in this sky-less maze. The path forks suddenly; there are many intersections, and even some slopes in here. I'm pumping my arms as I run back the same path I always take through this level.

It's now noon, and I'm pretty sure I'm the only one here. I was playing it safe, staying on Level One, and had the luck to run into a group of these bastards.

There were eight of them at first. Thanks to my new equipment being better, I was able to take out three before I got surrounded. But when the rest spread out like a net, I had no choice but to run away.

Kobolds don't do that—at least they aren't supposed to. Usually the dog-headed beasts wander around alone or in pairs and attack with sharp claws and fangs. I realize I'm a newbie and all, but I've never seen kobolds act like this before.

The Minotaur the day before, and now this.

I must be cursed or something.

"Huh?"

That's it! This part of the floor is a loop! I jump behind two corners and hold my breath.

Run around forever like yesterday or ambush them. I choose ambush. As soon as they turn that corner, I'll make my move.

I may have a plan, but my heart is still testing the limits of my rib cage. Damn, I'm nervous.

If other adventurers were here, they'd laugh through their noses and call me an idiot.

However, the halls of lower Level One are wide. Going against a group of enemies isn't a good idea; you'll get surrounded. No matter how much you run around, a one-on-one battle will never happen. So says Dungeon theory, anyway.

There's also a risk of being caught in a pincer between two enemies.

If I'm going to survive this, I have to attack.

"……!"

Clop, clop, clop. The thumping sounds of their feet are closing in.

I look down at all five of my fingers, clenching ever tighter to 'felx'.

I, Bell Cranell, am used to be a dagger wielder. Now, on my first day of using my new weapons, I am forced to face against a group of monsters. Luckily my sword is not too long compared to my old dagger.

My sweaty palm grips even tighter, and I try to focus through all the beasts' howls echoing through the corridor. Forcing my heart to be quiet, I take a deep breath.

The second I see their bloodshot eyes turn the corner, I spring the trap.

"Yaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!"

"Gehh?"

Time slows down. I lock eyes with their leader. Jump!

My reflection grows in its eyes. Strike!

Direct hit through the heart. That's one down.

The remaining kobolds round the corner half a breath later and jerk back in surprise. But I can't let up now! I pull my sword out of the kobold's body and charge headlong into the horde, using my shield. Two of them get bowled over by my surprise attack.

"Ga-ghaa?"

"Whaa!"

"Gyoogu?!"

I roll over the body, coming up clean and withdrawing my sword from the first kill. The two kobolds I hit fall flat on their backs.

That one's close! Dive, slash down! Through the throat! That's two.

"Gyaoooo!!!"

"!"

"Gyo!"

The last three are moving! Coming right for me!

Duck, roll back. The one above me, it's wide open, if I still had a dagger, it wouldn't have made it in time. But now I have a sword! Thank you Eina-san!

Slash!

It crashes to the floor above me, its neck separated from the rest of its body. Now there is only a pair left!

"I win!"

"Kyaaann!"

I declare this battle mine.

The two left can't surround me. Kobolds aren't too bright. They won't figure anything out. Especially now, since my sword found the gut of the next jumper. Four down, one to go.

I see fear in the last one's eyes. But I'm not stopping now. One step, one slash, and the last body hits the floor.

"Haaa—haaa—I… won."

I sit down on the dungeon floor for a breather.

Did I just do that? I've never faced that many before, but somehow I did it.

Not even a scratch on me… Not bad at all! Having a shield really comes in handy, and it doesn't bother my movement either!

There might have been a better way to face them. But I'm solo. There's no one here to tell me how or give me orders.

Hell, I'm the only member of Hestia Familia. Without any veterans or allies to show me the ropes, I have to do things my own way. Do things "my own way"… Sounds nice, but I'm still just a newbie making things up as I go along. I'm not good for anything yet.

What if I asked someone from another Familia to train me up a bit? I mean, I don't want to die doing things "my own way"… but wait. If I did that, I'd be a laughingstock. My goddess, too. What would the god of the other Familia think if I did that? Things would get way too complicated.

Any way I look at it, I'll be better off alone.

As long as I "don't go on adventures," I can fight and win.

Do whatever it takes to fight against one monster at a time.

Stay in the upper levels.

Use the surroundings to your advantage.

"… All right."

Time to stand up and get to work on those bodies. One of the slain monsters' tongues is hanging out, like the kobold's still trying to breathe. I don't feel sorry for it but can still help it along. I raise my sword over its body.

Flesh tears apart as I plunge the blade deep into its chest. Its body flinches and blood squirts everywhere, but that doesn't matter. I'm after the small, shiny, bluish-purple shard in its chest.

The magic stone.

It's a crystal with magical power; all monsters in the dungeon have them. I know I'm always saying this, but I don't know much more than that. Maybe I should break down and read a book like the goddess is always telling me to do.

Anyway, the Guild pays cash in exchange for these beauties because of their magical properties. This is how I make money, collecting magic stones to trade.

The magic stones are used for many things through human engineering, like the lamp back at my room. The stones can be used to power stoves for cooking or even to freeze foods to keep them fresh. They are a valuable resource. Orario sells the stones to other cities and countries for big money, or at least that's what I've heard. I think the Guild should get the credit, though, not the city.

The stone that I took out of the kobold is actually just a shard.

Only about the size of my fingernail, it's not worth that much money. So far, the monsters I've slain on lower Levels One to Four have all had this kind of shard. The Guild pays more for bigger shards and full stones.

The kobold's body starts changing the moment I pull out the shard. At first, it flattens out like strings had been cut, and color drains from its face. Then without warning, its entire body turns to ash and disappears without a trace.

All monsters disappear after their magic stone is removed.

Eina-san said that the magic stone is a monster's core, its power source. The magical energy of the stone gives them life. Eina-san also said that a good strategy for taking them down in a pinch is to aim for the stones. If the stone gets damaged in battle, the Guild won't buy-san it. But I don't think anyone would complain about losing a little cash if they're about to get slaughtered.

I watch the last of the body dissipate, but I can't relax yet. I've got four more shards to collect here, and three back where I first ran into the group. I don't have time to let them just lay around.

Cut, slash, grab, pull. Walk to the next, repeat, walk farther still, repeat.

"… Huh?"

I just pulled out the magic stone of one of the kobolds, but one of the claws on its right hand didn't turn to ash. It hit the floor with a plop and rocked a bit. The claw isn't going anywhere.

Looks like this is a "drop item."

Sometimes a piece of a monster's body stays behind even after its stone has been removed. It just means that particular monster's stone stored energy in a different part of the body. So that part of the monster has enough independent energy to stay behind even after the stone is removed. It also means this kobold had a very sharp claw…

I can sell this, too. The Guild will sell it to the blacksmiths, and they will make it into a weapon or something. If this is high enough quality, I might get more for it than the magic shards!

"Finally! A little luck!"

I put the shards into my pouch, but I put the kobold claw into my black backpack.

My backpack may look bland, but it has a few secrets. It was made with high-quality material and woven with magic. It can hold more than your average sack. It's not perfect, though. If it gets too full, the seams will tear. And of course, the weight. There really is no perfect item, is there…

Usually a "supporter" travels with adventurers and collects all the magic stones and drop items. But Hestia Familia doesn't have any supporters, just me. I have to carry everything I pick up, and all that stuff gets pretty heavy. Ah, soloing in the Dungeon…

Maybe I should hire a free supporter, someone not in any Familia. Eina-san's been disappointed with me recently, so a supporter might help.

Then again, we're broke. How can I hire someone when it's all I can do to buy food and items?

"UAAHHHH!!!!"

"Gyaaaa!!!!"

"… Round two?"

Come on! Give me a break!

The Dungeon is a weird place, even if you ignore the magic stones.

This is the only one in the world. Like I said earlier, it's been here since before the gods arrived on Gekai.

There are legends about the bottom of the Dungeon. They say it's connected to Hell or some magical world. You'd think the gods would be able to tell us what's down there, but they never give us a straight answer.

"The Dungeon is a dungeon. What else can you find there other than a dungeon?"

Words of the wise for sure. The gods really must like this place.

I was shocked the first time I heard that the Dungeon itself is "alive."

It's not like the walls are made of muscle and chase you around; they don't move at all. In fact, adventurers have mapped out many of the floors. The maps are for sale at the Guild. I heard that the farther down you go, the floors get mind-numbingly huge. So the maps are less and less complete the lower the floor.

When I say alive, I mean it heals itself. If a wall is damaged or destroyed one day, it's back to normal the next.

The magic stones may not be that impressive, but the dungeon itself is made from something really special. Even our best scientists can't explain how or why these things happen. All they can do is watch and marvel at it.

The walls have to be made of something a lot like magic stones. Sunlight never reaches inside, and yet it's always bright enough to see. The ceiling of the first floor is speckled with tiny lights like sparks all over the place. No matter what time of day it is outside, it's bright in here.

Let's not forget the monsters. They're born in the Dungeon.

Literally, in the Dungeon. They hatch from the walls. I'm not kidding. Many adventurers have seen it firsthand. That's why no matter how many monsters are slain, their numbers never go down.

But they don't hatch just anywhere. Each floor bears different monsters. Sure, some irregulars might go up or down a floor or two, but most stay on their birth floor. On a side note, the deeper the floor, the stronger the monsters.

The floors themselves are connected by stairs, slopes, what have you. If I make a mistake and get lost, I can't warp to the Dungeon entrance. No one can. We're not gods, you know? Adventurers and monsters can only rely on their feet when in the Dungeon.

Monsters are only born in the Dungeon.

So if the Dungeon is contained and managed, there is no threat living above it.

That's how the first guild was formed. Now the benefits of the Dungeon and the Guild go hand in hand.

A goblin nearly killed me several years ago when I was a kid. Most likely it descended from goblins that escaped from the Dungeon before the Guild was here. Monsters live far and wide across the world as well.

So yeah, they can breed just fine.

A place that spawns prosperity and danger, very mysterious…

It's kind of scary to think about, but I think that the Dungeon isn't originally part of this world, just like the gods and goddesses weren't. There is no way humans and demi-humans built it.

Of course, there's no way to confirm that, it's just my gut feeling.

"—seeh!"

"Gobbyaaaa!"

How did I not see that goblin in the middle of the hallway?!?

Direct hit to my stomach, his foot got inside my ribs!

I catch a glimpse of his bulging eyes as my body folds under the force of his kick. I roll backward.

Those eyes… I can still remember them from when I was attacked. Add in the pasty green skin, and you've got a good idea what haunted my dreams for years. But now that I received a blessing, I can kill them in a heartbeat, just like this. What a difference…

I remember when I first saw one in this Dungeon my first time here. I was so scared I couldn't move. Feels like ages ago now.

"Oh! Another drop item!"

This time it's a goblin fang.

I put it into my backpack, but the extra weight is really getting to me. Feels like I'm carrying bricks in that thing. My spine itself is talking to me—that's not a good sign.

There's still plenty of room in the bag, though… If I'm fighting goblins like that one, I can still move like normal. I think…

"Gyshaaaa!"

"Eh? Dahh!!"

—Correction. I should call it a day.

Sure, it was a sneak attack, but I should have been able to block that attack completely with my shield.

Another goblin was hiding in the shadow of the wall; now he's standing in front of me and baring his fangs. We lock eyes as I unhook my backpack and set it on the floor, and take a stance with my shield.

I can't take any chances. Even if I'm not going on adventures, danger lurks around every corner in here. Didn't Eina-san say that the most dangerous thing an adventurer can think is, "Ah, whatever"?

I should head back. Exchange what I collected today and just head home. It's not that big a deal.

I wonder if Teasanare-san will ever be interested in me. I have no damn clue how to get her to notice me, but as I am now… I don't have a chance!

Just thinking about the face of my savior lights my soul on fire.

I have dinner plans tonight. Better make sure I get enough money to eat something at Syr-san's bar. I promised her I'd be there. Gotta get more shards than usual to cover it. I've already spent half a day prowling around down here.

Time to kick some ass!

"Hey, goblin! Right back at ya!"

"Buweee!!"

Now he's in pieces.

The sun is sinking into the western sky.

The red rays of sunlight are being replaced by the bluish glow of the moon and lots of lively voices.

Adventurers back safe from the dungeon and people who just finished a hard day at work are indulging in a well-earned ale. Happy and angry voices pour out of all the bars that line Main Street. Orange light emanating from inside the pubs bathes the streets with the shadows of their patrons.

I'm sure I met her somewhere around here this morning…

I wander through the human traffic of Main Street, looking around like a lost puppy.

It's so different from this morning. All these people are making it hard for me to recognize any buildings or landmarks. Am I really in the same place?

The bars are at the center of the storm of energy swirling around me. Demi-humans are smiling, drawing people off the streets and luring them into their respective establishments. A group of prums and gnomes, the shortest of the demi-human races, are standing shoulder to shoulder and singing to their hearts' content. Even a dwarf—a strong race known for their adventurers, I might add—joins in their jolly circle to hum a few notes.

Female animal people, a race of demi-humans with animalian ears and bushy tails, try to bring in customers with some very "playful" clothing. But they are put to shame by a line of Amazons walking by wearing not much more than loincloths. The Amazons don't seem to care about all eyes following them as they strut down the street. I tear my own eyes away from their little parade and keep walking.

Music, strings and wind instruments by the sound of it, breaks through the din of the nightlife.

So this is Main Street at night…

"… This should be it…"

I remember that terrace from this morning. I stopped just in front of it.

The building is made of stone. It's two stories tall like the rest, but it looks very deep. It might be the biggest bar in the area.

This has to be Syr-san's bar, The Benevolent Mistress.

Quite the name, and quite the sign it's written on. I step up to the door and take a peek inside.

Opening the door, I immediately see a stout dwarfess, probably the owner, behind a counter and a group of young cat-people girls in aprons serving food and alcohol to customers. Looking around the place, all the employees taking orders and carrying food are girls!

Don't tell me, the entire staff is female?

The name wasn't lying…

Oh boy… Isn't this place a bit out of my league?

There's even a proud elfess working here! I clear my throat. I wonder which one will come to greet me? I've fantasized so many times about a place where all these beautiful flowers are right in front of me… Well, the dwarfess wasn't really what I had in mind, but hey.

This place isn't all that risqué, but look at all these ladies! I've never seen so many pretty ones at once before! It's enough to make my face turn red.

It really is cheerful in here, though. The waitresses are hopping from table to table with big smiles, and customers are happy. This place feels alive! Most of the patrons are male, and adventurers by the looks of them. They come off a little intimidating, but they're happily drinking with their buddies. And the food looks amazing!

The decorations and style of the bar are pretty contemporary compared to other places, but it still feels like a bar. The terrace off of the main entrance adds to its flare. Speaking of the terrace, someone's looking at me… I can feel someone's eyes going right through me.

But anyway, I bet the terrace is a major draw for men and women.

However, I want to leave, like right now.

"Bell-san?"

"……"

Syr-san? How long has she been standing beside me?

My mouth twitches, so I slam my lips together and try to force a smile. Worst smile ever.

It will have to do.

"… Here I am."

"Yes! Welcome!"

She's still wearing the same blouse, skirt, and apron from this morning.

I follow her through the still-open entrance. She faces the crowd and takes a deep breath.

"Now seating one!"

Do they really announce everyone who comes in? At a bar…?

I just need to follow her and do my best to blend in.

I'm new at this, too.

"Please have a seat here."

"T-thank you."

She leads me to a counter seat.

The counter is a long L, and she places me at the small corner seat at the end. The wall is right behind me, I'm right in the crook of the building. There's only one seat in this nook, so no one can sit down next to me. Basically it's just me facing the owner behind the counter.

Maybe Syr-san realized this is my first time and gave me a good seat to get my feet wet?

I won't bother any other customers here and can eat at my own pace.

She might be going out of her way to help me.

"So you're Syr's guest, eh? Ha-ha, you got a charming face fer an adventurer."

Please leave me alone…

The dwarfess is leaning halfway over the counter, scanning me with almost dark eyes. I have feelings, you know? And I like my space, thank you very much.

"Just give us a holler if you need somethin'! I hear you're going all out tonight! I'll keep the food comin', all you got to do is keep on orderin'!"

"?!?!"

Her words had to sink in a bit.

Wait, wait, wait! Who said…? Syr-san! She's right behind me, if I can just get her attention. She looked away! What is going on here?

"Who said I was going all out? That's news to me!"

"… Hee-hee-hee."

"What's so funny?!?!"

Trying to pull a fast one on me, you witch?

"Well, I told Mia kaa-san that I invited someone here tonight, and I kinda talked you up a bit and things got a little out of hand…"

"That was on purpose, wasn't it?!?!"

"I'm rooting for you!"

"Please, just clear this up!"

So much for the "good girl next door"! She's an evil witch!

"I won't be going all out! My Familia is dirt poor, it's impossible!"

"… I'm so hungry… Couldn't eat breakfast… My strength… It's leaving me…"

"Oh ha-ha! What's with that tone? Cut it out! This is a real dirty game you're playing!"

This is way too much stress for just keeping a promise! They're scamming me!

"It's just a joke. I wanted to have a bit of fun, that's all. Please, take your time and order when you are ready."

"… Okay. But just a little."

Clever girl, this one.

I hold back a sigh and turn to face the counter. I remove the menu from a trendy stand and take a look. My eyes find the prices before the food.

I exchanged enough loot to get 5,300 valis before coming here. I slew more monsters today than ever and picked up a few drop items on the side. My pockets are much heavier than usual right now.

Fifty vals' worth of food is enough to fill me up, but just my purchase from earlier today costed me 30,000 valis. Weapons and equipment used in the dungeon sure are expensive...

Even my old dagger cost me 3,600 vals, and I had to take out a loan from the Guild to cover it. I finally paid them back for that and my old armor, but they're really taking advantage of adventurers…

I've got plans for this money. I'd like to save some, too.

I guess I'll have some pasta. Bye-bye 300 vals…

The food here all has a flashy style to it. This is my first time eating food at a bar, but other places have to be cheaper than this…

"How 'bout some ale?"

I politely refuse the owner's offer. I'm underage, but more than anything, I don't have the money.

She just ignores my words and thumps one down on the counter anyway.

Why did she even bother asking?

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

"… I'm a bit overwhelmed, actually…"

Syr-san comes back when I'm about halfway through my pasta.

There's a hint of irony in my voice.

She unties her apron; her dusty blue hair shakes as she pulls it over her head. She puts it up on a hook on the wall, drags a stool up to me, and sits down.

"What about your job?"

"The kitchen is a little busy, but the others have everything else covered. Things are slowing down a bit, too."

She shoots a pleading look at the owner, asking for permission.

The owner raises her chin in a jerking nod, giving her the okay.

"Well, first let me say thank you for this morning. The bread was delicious."

"No, no. You coming here tonight made my empty stomach worth it."

"Don't you mean it was worth it to force me to spend a lot on dinner?"

I didn't think I'd be paying this much for food; I have the right to complain.

Syr-san laughs with a smile, bowing her head and saying, "Sorry." I hope she's serious.

After that, I ask her a bit about the bar itself.

This bar, The Benevolent Mistress, was founded by an ex-adventurer, the dwarfess behind the counter. Her name is Mia, but the employees here usually call her "kaa-san" or "Mia kaa-san." She got permission from the god of her Familia to retire from dungeon crawling and open up shop. I suddenly had a lot more respect for the lady behind the counter.

She only hires women, period. However, Mia-san employs all types of girls with questionable backgrounds and welcomes them with open arms.

"What about you?" comes out of my mouth without much thought. She simply says it looked like a fun place to work.

"We've become pretty popular with adventurers recently, so money is flowing in. The pay is good, too."

"… Are you one of those people who's in love with money, Syr-san? Kidding, kidding! But because so many different people come here…"

She turns away from the counter and looks across the main floor of the bar.

A human waitress lightly bends over to take a dwarf customer's order. There are elves looking at their food with hungry eyes. A group of prums is living it up on the other side of the room.

Everyone is raising their glasses and drinking until they're red in the face.

"More people means more possibilities. I get really excited just thinking about what I might discover on any given day."

Her eyes are smiling…

Ahem. She made one of those fake coughs as soon as she saw me looking at her. Her cheeks are turning red, too.

"Anyway, that's how it is. I guess meeting new people is fun. My heart yearns for it."

"… That's quite the hobby you've got there."

I'm not all that different. I get excited just seeing all the people on the streets of Orario.

That might be the best thing about the city and the people who live here: you learn something new every day.

The moment that I find some common ground with Syr-san, the doors suddenly open and a group of about ten new costumers files into the bar. They must have made a reservation because they're all led to an empty table in the opposite corner of the main floor.

The band is comprised of many different races. I'm pretty sure they're adventurers—strong ones, too.

Isn't that…!

My heart tigthens.

I caught a glimpse of blond hair so shiny it could be made of real gold.

Her body, so delicate and feminine it would break if you touched it, looks more like a spirit or a fairy from legends than a human's. She doesn't walk, she glides.

Her big golden eyes… so clear, so pretty. Yet, they look a bit gloomy?

The one whom I'd rather not meet is part of the group of formidable adventurers coming into the bar.

I have heard about her from Eina-san, there's no mistaking it.

... Loki Familia's princess, Aiz Wallenstein.

(A/N: 2/3ch released for this week, I will probably release the last part before weekend. As I said before, plot moves along the same line as the actual novel, at least for now. You can also bet that bell's fighting technique, magic, and etc will be different from the actual novel.)

PS: I am also including the "useless" info dump from the actual novel since what I'm doing is just a rewrite instead of a full-on fan-fic, but would you rather I either summarize or skip the info dump and unnecessary explanations? Or keep it this way since it makes you feel like you are reading the original novel but with a different heroine?