Chapter 6 - Into the Abyss
The next morning, as the sun began to rise over Orario, Peter and Bell set out from the old church towards the dungeon, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestone streets. The goddess Hestia was still fast asleep, her slumber undisturbed as they quietly slipped out of the church.
As they made their way towards the dungeon, Peter's Spidey sense tingled, alerting him to something amiss. It wasn't a sense of immediate danger, but rather the distinct feeling of being watched, akin to the predatory gaze of a lurking predator fixated upon him.
Suddenly a cheerful voice suddenly called out to them, causing them to pause in surprise. Turning, they saw a young woman approaching with a friendly smile on her face.
She had a light peachy-colored smooth complexion that seemed to glow in the morning sunlight. Her attire consisted of a crisp white blouse paired with a knee-length leaf-colored skirt. Over her outfit, she wore a slightly long half apron tied around her waist, completing her ensemble with a pair of brown boots worn over black stockings.
"Hey there! Hold on a moment!" she called out to them, her voice cheerful and friendly.
Bell blinked in surprise as the young woman approached, holding up a small crystal. "You dropped this," she said with a warm smile, extending the crystal towards him.
Accepting the crystal, Bell's expression softened into one of gratitude. "Oh, thank you," he replied his voice tinged with surprise and confusion.
Meanwhile, Peter observed the exchange with a bemused expression, noting how easily Bell seemed to accept the crystal without question. He couldn't help but wonder if the young woman had some ulterior motive, but for now, he decided to simply watch the scene unfold.
As they chatted, Bell's stomach let out an embarrassingly loud rumble, causing his face to flush with embarrassment.
The young woman's eyes twinkled with amusement as she pretended not to notice. "Sounds like someone's hungry," she teased, her tone light and teasing.
Bell laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess I forgot to eat breakfast this morning," he admitted sheepishly.
Without missing a beat, the young woman flashed him a knowing grin. "Well, don't worry about it. I'll be right back," she said cheerfully before darting into a nearby tavern.
A few moments later, she emerged from the tavern carrying a basket filled with an assortment of delicious-looking food. "Here you go," she said, offering the basket to Bell. "Consider it a little snack to keep you going."
Bell's eyes widened in surprise at the generous offering, but before he could protest, the young woman continued with a sly smile. "Nonsense! Consider it a gift from me," she insisted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "And, hey, how about you come by this tavern tonight?"
Bell hesitated, caught off guard by the unexpected invitation. Unsure of how to respond, he glanced up at the sign above the tavern entrance, reading the name 'Hostess of Fertility.' It was an odd name
Before he could make up his mind, the young woman added with a wink, "And make sure to order lots of food. It's the least you can do to properly thank me."
Bell nodded slowly, a hint of uncertainty lingering in his expression. "Uh, sure. Thank you," he managed to reply, his voice laced with gratitude.
As the young woman turned to leave, Bell looked to Peter, who stood nearby, amused by the encounter.
"The Hostess of Fertility, huh?" Peter remarked with a chuckle, finding the name rather amusing.
The young woman paused, glancing back at them with a curious smile.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Syr Flova, a waitress at the tavern," she said, her voice bright and cheerful.
Peter couldn't help but be amused by how easily Syr had conned Bell. Suppressing a grin, he extended a hand towards her. "Nice to meet you, Syr, I am Peter Parker." he said with a nod of acknowledgment.
Syr shook Peter's hand with a friendly smile before turning her attention back to Bell. "And you are?" she inquired, tilting her head curiously.
Bell hesitated for a moment before responding, "I'm Bell Cranel."
Syr's smile widened as she repeated his name, committing it to memory. "Well, Bell Cranel and Peter Parker, I hope to see you both at the Hostess of Fertility tonight," she said cheerfully before bidding them farewell and disappearing into the tavern.
As they walked along the familiar path toward the dungeon, Peter couldn't resist teasing Bell about the encounter with Syr. With a smirk playing on his lips, he glanced at Bell and remarked, "You do realize, she conned you, right?"
Bell's expression shifted from uncertainty to realization, a sheepish smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, I kind of figured," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I mean, she expects us to spend a lot of money tonight, right?"
Peter chuckled at Bell's response, amused by his friend's naivety. "True enough," he conceded, offering a playful pat on Bell's shoulder. "Just be careful next time. Not everyone you meet has your best interests at heart."
As they continued down the road, Peter's spider sense tingled once again, a subtle warning that something or someone was watching him, lurking in the shadows with intent.
Goddess Freya, concealed within the guise of Syr Flova, watched with keen interest as Bell and Peter vanished from her view. Her eyes, capable of piercing through mortal façades to gaze into the depths of their souls, beheld Bell's soul, pristine and radiant with purity, an extraordinary sight that stirred something deep within her immortal heart.
But it was Peter's soul that drew her focus, a swirling vortex of crimson hues with intricate patterns resembling a spider's web, weaving through dimensions beyond mortal comprehension. Freya's lips curved into a subtle smile as she pondered the mysteries concealed within his soul, a tapestry of secrets waiting to be unraveled.
With a flicker of hunger in her eyes, Freya licked her lips, the anticipation of conquest igniting a primal fire within her divine being. She knew she must possess them both, for they held a power over her that she had not felt in eons, a power that promised untold pleasures and forbidden desires.
With a decisive step, Freya made her way towards Mia, the owner of Hostess of Fertility, her mind ablaze with plans and schemes. She would take the day off from her duties, for she could not afford to miss the opportunity to observe these captivating mortals. As she walked, a sense of exhilaration coursed through her immortal form, a feeling long forgotten but now reignited with fervor.
As Peter and Bell descended into the dungeon, Peter couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. This was his first time venturing into the depths below Babel, and the sight of the grand entrance filled him with awe. The circular room surrounding the entrance was adorned with majestic columns, and above them stretched a breathtaking painting of the azure sky, reminiscent of the world above.
Taking in the sight, Peter followed Bell down the gentle spiral stairs leading deeper into the dungeon. The air grew cooler and heavier with each step, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and adventure. The anticipation built within him as they descended further into the unknown.
Bell moved with purpose, his determination evident in every step. Inspired by his companion's confidence, Peter felt a surge of determination welling within him. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, the darkness of the dungeon enveloped them, broken only by the faint glow of distant torches. Peter's senses heightened as he took in his surroundings, his spider sense tingling faintly in the back of his mind.
They entered an expansive hallway, the walls adorned with glowing gems emitting a soft green light, creating an atmosphere both eerie and captivating. Bell gestured ahead, explaining, "This is the Beginning Road. The dungeon literally begins from here." Peter nodded in acknowledgment, eager to absorb every detail of their inaugural trek.
Their footsteps echoed softly as they ventured into the labyrinthine side tunnels of the first floor, their senses heightened by the anticipation of what lay ahead.
It wasn't long before they stumbled upon a solitary goblin, its small frame belying its menacing presence. Peter couldn't resist a moment of contemplation, reflecting on the countless RPG games that portrayed goblins as feeble adversaries. With a deft kick, he sent the creature hurtling through the air, its impact against the dungeon wall resounding through the corridor.
Bell's praise echoed through the dungeon. "Wow, you're really strong, Peter," he remarked, his admiration evident in his tone. Yet, despite the compliment, Peter knew he had held back. The weight of taking a life was a burden he had never borne, even amidst the chaos of battles against Thanos's forces. He couldn't bring himself to harm another being, not even the alien monsters.
As the wounded goblin struggled to rise, Bell urged Peter to finish it off. "The first kill is always special," he said, his voice firm but understanding. Peter felt a surge of conflict, torn between his hesitation and the reality of their circumstances.
Bell seemed to sense his inner struggle and offered reassurance. "These monsters aren't really alive," he explained, his words hesitant but sincere. "They're, uh, born from the dungeon's magic, you know? And when they, um, die, they just turn to dust. They don't, um, feel things like we do. They just, uh, attack because... that's what they do. They don't even think about, um, saving themselves or anything."
To demonstrate his point, Bell swiftly dispatched the goblin with his knife as it staggered towards them with unsteady steps. With a precise motion, he carved the monster's crystal from its chest, and as soon as he pulled the crystal out, the goblin's body crumbled into dust.
As Jane's voice resonated from the suit's speakers, Peter and Bell paused, listening intently to her explanation. "Bell is correct, Peter," she affirmed. "These creatures aren't alive in the traditional sense. My sensors detected traces of X-ray and gamma radiations emitting from it. Despite its anatomy resembling warm-blooded creatures, it lacked a warm body temperature."
Bell's expression twisted into one of confusion. "What is she talking about? I didn't understand any of it," he admitted, his brow furrowed in perplexity.
Peter flashed a quick, charming grin. "Oh, just some technical jargon. Don't worry about it," he reassured Bell, his tone light and breezy. He then donned his mask to have a private conversation with Jane. Bell, still wearing a puzzled expression, eventually shrugged and continued onward.
As they delved deeper into the dungeon, encountering more goblins. Peter was still hesitant to take their life, his reluctance was palpable in his movements. Bell showed him how to extract crystals from the monsters after they were dead. As he witnessed the creatures turning to dust after he extracted their crystals from their chests with his own hands, he began to accept their true nature and stopped holding back.
With each encounter Peter moved with increasing fluidity, his agility and strength proving overwhelming for the weak monsters. Bell watched in awe as Peter danced through the battles with grace and precision. Each strike landed with calculated force, swiftly dispatching their adversaries.
As Peter and Bell ventured deeper into the dungeon, the walls around them cracked suddenly, birthing a large group of Kobolds that surrounded them completely. Peter mused that the creatures, with their humanoid, bipedal form and canine features, resembled something straight out of a werewolf movie.
Instinctively, Peter's muscles tensed as he prepared for the impending confrontation. His mind raced, drawing upon his experiences battling foes of all shapes and sizes. With a quick glance at Bell, who nodded in silent agreement, they both knew they had to face this new threat head-on.
The Kobolds, sensing intruders in their domain, pounced with ferocious intent. Their sharp claws glinted in the dim light as they lunged forward, teeth bared in a menacing snarl.
Peter moved with lightning speed, his spider-like reflexes allowing him to dodge the creatures' attacks with uncanny precision. With each graceful movement, he countered their strikes with calculated strikes of his own, his fists and feet moving like a blur as he unleashed his superhuman strength upon his adversaries.
Meanwhile, Bell danced through the chaos with practiced skill, his knife flashing in the darkness as he deftly dispatched the creatures one by one. With each well-aimed strike, he aimed for the creatures' vulnerable spots, severing limbs and incapacitating his foes with deadly accuracy.
With a final, decisive blow, Peter delivered a powerful strike that sent the last remaining Kobold crashing to the ground in a heap. As they set about to extract the crystals, Bell suddenly noticed a shadow falling upon Peter as he crouched, his back exposed while extracting a crystal from a fallen creature.
Before Bell could even shout a warning, Peter reacted with lightning speed, rolling away from the impending danger. With a swift motion, he brought down his knife upon the dungeon lizard that had landed in the very spot he had occupied just a split second ago.
Bell stood there, flabbergasted by Peter's lightning-fast reflexes. "Peter, do you have eyes at the back of your head?" he exclaimed, still trying to process what had just happened.
Peter chuckled, a grin spreading across his face. "I have a skill that lets me sense danger," he explained, his tone light and nonchalant.
Bell's response was one of genuine surprise. "You have a skill?" he exclaimed.
Peter chuckled at Bell's outburst. "I've actually got two skills," he teased, relishing the playful banter.
Bell couldn't help but whine, "That's so unfair!" He directed his question towards the suit's 'Spirit', seeking an explanation. "Jane, have you given Peter your blessings or something?"
Jane's response was swift and laced with amusement. "Of course, Peter always has my blessings," she joked, her voice echoing through the suit's speakers. Bell's expression morphed into a blend of sheer surprise and wonder, his eyes wide with disbelief at Jane's unexpected revelation. However, Peter remained wholly absorbed in his task of extracting the monster crystals, unaware of Bell's reaction.
As Bell's mind raced, drawing parallels between Peter's blessings and the ancient heroes of his cherished book, Dungeon Oratoria, he recalled that those heroes were blessed by spirits rather than by gods. A sense of awe washed over him as he contemplated the implications, believing that Peter, like those legendary figures, was blessed by a spirit. But the addition of a goddess's blessing added an intriguing layer of mystery and power.
Could Peter be more formidable than any other adventurer? Bell wondered in his misconception, his mind swirling with possibilities.
As they descended to the 5th floor, they were suddenly ambushed once more. The dungeon walls cracked on both sides, birthing a large number of goblins, Kobolds, and dungeon lizards. With practiced efficiency, they swiftly dispatched the monsters, their movements synchronized in perfect harmony.
Peter couldn't help but notice that Bell was improving. He seemed faster and more skilled since the morning. Was it Bell's skill, Liaris Freese, at work? The thought lingered in Peter's mind as they finished extracting the monster crystals, their task complete.
As they took a moment to catch their breath, Jane's voice crackled through the mask interface, communicating her observations to Peter in privacy. "Peter, I've analyzed the radiation pattern of the dungeon," she began. "The monsters emit faint gamma radiations, mostly from their crystal cores. Additionally, the X-ray radiation in the dungeon seems to increase just before the walls crack to birth monsters. In both ambushes we faced, I detected a significant increase in X-ray radiations. It's as if something is observing you and setting up ambushes."
Peter mulled over Jane's analysis, a frown creasing his brow. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, even before they entered the dungeon proper. The faint tingling of his spider sense which he had felt near the Hostess of Fertility had returned when they were descending by the spiral staircase into the Dungeon.
Then ever since they had entered the dungeon, Peter felt the spider sense tingle with an additional, more malicious presence. He pondered what these two different presences observing him meant.
As they continued exploring the dungeon, they reached the entrance to the 6th floor. Peter turned to Bell with determination. "Let's go down there," he suggested.
Bell hesitated, glancing nervously at the entrance. "You know I don't even have Miss Eina's permission to come down to the 5th floor. You remember how angry she was yesterday?" he reminded Peter.
Peter waved off Bell's concerns with a confident smile. "You've seen how strong I am. The monsters here aren't even a challenge," he reassured him.
"But the dungeon changes from the 6th floor. Miss Eina told me that I would need to have at least a G in all basic abilities before she even considers giving me permission to go down there," Bell explained, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Peter frowned in confusion. "Well, Miss Tulle isn't down here, is she? The monsters up here are too weak. And what do you mean by 'G in all basic abilities'?" he inquired, genuinely curious.
Bell provided a concise overview of the general abilities. The general abilities encompass five categories: strength, endurance, dexterity, agility, and mind. Each category is represented by ten stages, ranging from S, the highest, to I, the lowest.
The accompanying numerical value, indicated beside the I stage, signifies the proficiency level. Specifically, the range from 0 to 99 corresponds to the I stage, while 100 to 199 aligns with H. It's important to note that there's a limit of 999 for the proficiency value. The more effort invested in enhancing a category, the faster the proficiency rate increases.
Peter contemplated Bell's explanation before responding, "So, it would take an adventurer several months to reach G in all basic abilities?"
Bell nodded solemnly. "Some adventurers even need more than a year to achieve it."
Peter flashed a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. Let's go down. I'll protect you."
Bell hesitated, voicing his concern about the unknown dangers lurking below the 5th floor. "I don't know the details about the monsters that exist down there."
Peter placed a comforting hand on Bell's shoulder. "Relax, Bell. I am stronger than any monster you would find down here. What's the worst that can happen?"