Back again with another chapter, I'm really enjoying the idea I have in mind for the story, at least with the first season, and where that'll take Kuro's character.

Chapter won't be coming out nearly just as fast as these two, I just want to make sure the main setup for the story is there before I move on to what is seen in the anime.

I hope whoever's reading enjoys it.

...

The dungeon was a mystery to all those in Orario; even the gods themselves weren't sure what truly lay within its depths. It spiraled out into a labyrinth, spawning all types of hellish beasts from its walls. The deeper you traveled, the deadlier and overwhelmingly powerful the monster became.

Some said it almost seemed as if the dungeon itself was alive, reacting to the adventures that continued to grow and fight within it. Every day monsters grew slightly faster, reacted quicker, and hit harder. Nowadays, adventures weren't even able to travel any deeper than the twentieth floor alone, without a party, they were sentencing themselves to a gruesome death.

It puzzled the strongest and bred curiosity within the smartest, wanting to map out the dungeon that was still unexplainable. Most had grown accustomed to this as the norm, it was just another facet of the already mystifying world of Orario.

Of course, most of these were only the rumors that lived through bitter and seasoned adventures.

None of that mattered to Kuro, at least not right now. That world was so far from his grasp that he was only now building up to it. He was still weak, fragile to the point that even the most basic of monsters gave him a fight that left him scrambling.

At every given interval he wanted to run, to call it quits and just come back to it. Yet, Kuro knew he couldn't; he didn't want to anymore. As set as he'd been on surviving and keeping to himself. Now, he had even the smallest opportunity to become stronger and accomplish a dream that had never been started, Kuro wanted to become a hero.

Although, it could have been going smoother than he'd figured. Most stories that relayed a hero's struggles made it seem so much less taxing than in practice, but those were the kind Kuro aspired to be like the most.

He continued to swing the broadsword (that had been properly paid for) as skilled as a novice like him could. Taking a few lackluster slashes at the dwarfed gremlins crowding him, Kuro watched as one conjured a small ball of fire and blasted it at him.

'Now! I can do it!'

Seizing the moment, Kuro met the flame directly with his blade, 'Full Counter!'. Wisps of fire reflected directly back to the hoard, exploding in a much stronger reaction, reducing them all to ash, their magic stones dispersed on the ground.

Admittedly, he sighed a little at his own heroic chant, sounding much better in his head than he'd figured. If he wanted to sound and act more like a hero then that was the best place to start.

'Maybe not...I don't think my own embarrassment can handle it.'

To his chagrin, the blade crumbled completely leaving just the hilt in Kuro's grasp. It was unable to handle the toll it took to deflect magic, especially considering the stronger volume it repelled at.

There was a clear solution for that though, the screen had mentioned it to him after all, a Sacred Treasure known as Lostvayne. Kuro had to assume that was how he could channel Full Counter, to maximize the output and not leave him scrambling for a weapon after every use of it.

A problem that arose soon after Kuro had descended back into the dungeon, was how he was unable to summon it or even figure out how to attempt to.

The brief moment of peace was interrupted as the dungeon spawned in a hoard of ants this time. Kuro winced slightly, remembering each and every bite and cut they bled into him, 'Nope...that's enough for today. I have more than enough stones, and I don't even have a sword to fight with right now.'

Lost in thought, Kuro narrowly avoided an incoming slash from the monster's pincers leaving his abdomen open. Reacting with little finesse, he slammed the hilt directly into the ant's skull, breaking the exterior shell and killing it.

Hobbling out of the floor, the red-haired adventurer glanced at the small party that was just ahead of him. They seemed distracted, treating the wounds of someone whose wounds look life-threatening.

Not wanting to make a scene he snuck through the shadows of the dungeon, grabbing at the small packet of potions that had been placed off to the side as they focused on wrapping up the gushing bites pouring down his shoulder. Kuro quickly escaped, splashing himself with some of the vile quickly healing the slash along his stomach.

There was no point in feeling guilty, it was survival of the fittest no matter how much he wanted to achieve his dream, it always had to take precedence.

As he continued to walk through the first floor, close to exiting the dungeon he made out a blur of white speeding past him cutting down a wolfman within seconds.

It wasn't anything impressive, but he moved leagues ahead of what Kuro could do. Dipping around the beast, before choosing the optimal moment to strike dashing forward to end the monster.

He continued to do so as he paved his way through the floor, slaying the monsters that Kuro had found himself struggling so much with. Until he watched as one of the monsters crept along the uneven roof of the dungeon, preparing to leap down on the unsuspecting boy already digging his knife into another.

Kuro knew there was no reason to call it out, he was sure the adventurer could handle himself it was the first floor after all, "Hey! Adventurer! Behind you!"

Spinning his snow-white hair, the boy watched the wolf hurl itself at him, only to be promptly split in half, "Thanks a lot. I was so focused there that I didn't even notice the monster! You really saved me!"

"Uhhh...sure. Don't worry about it," Kuro replied, watching him collect all of the magic stones before approaching, and extending a handout.

"I'm Bell Cranel!" He smiled brightly, shaking Kuro's hand enthusiastically.

"Kuro Shinri..." Responding with some awkwardness, Kuro let go of the tight grasp Bell had.

This was the type of person he couldn't understand, someone so disconnected from the world he'd been subjected to. Bell was filled with hope and a sense of justice that he harnessed to become an adventurer, he was different than Kuro in a way that he couldn't help but be jealous of.

The red-eyed boy scratched his cheek letting out a sheepish laugh, "Are you an adventurer too? I was just heading back and I couldn't help but fight the few remaining monsters," His tone was light clearly trying to seem as friendly as possible.

Kuro cracked the best smile he could, although they had never been one of his strong points, "Well...I'm at least trying to be. For now, I can't go any lower than the third floor without having any trouble," He spoke, his tone drifting into annoyance, frustrated with how weak he was.

"I get that. I've been trying to get stronger for months, and I didn't feel like anything was changing. But now...there's someone I want to catch up to, someone amazing that wouldn't even notice me," You could practically see Bell's eyes light up as he spoke, determination brimming over him, "That's why I have to become stronger, so I can reach them!"

'I can relate. It might not be someone specific...but as much as I'll deny it so do I. I want to catch up to all the strong adventures around me.'

Bell noticed the small bag of magic stones Kuro was fiddling with by his side, "Oh? Are you heading over to the guild as well? We can go together, I've got more than usual today so I want to make sure I cash them in," Bell said with a smile, walking alongside him.

Following beside him, Kuro held no objection as they both headed out of the dungeon keeping small talk between the two of them. Just because he did keep to himself doesn't mean he couldn't be friendly even if it wasn't all that much.

Besides, he wasn't going to act as if it wasn't nice to talk with an adventurer without them trying to kill him once in a while.

Holding the small pile of coins in his hands, Kuro felt just a little ripped off. The large pile of magic rocks he'd assimilated had been reduced to under four thousand Valis.

Of course, it was more than usual- he'd be lucky to get to the surface with even a thousand- but he still felt a little ripped off, 'Maybe it depends on the value of the rocks? They did come from low-level monsters.'

On the other hand, Bell's red orbs burst with pride and joy over the amount he'd been handed despite having only a little more than him, "I'm sure my goddess will be happy to see I got this much!" Bell brimmed, smiling at the Valis.

The two walked through the bustling streets, the nightlife of Orario was just as busy if not more than it was during the day. It was the time adventurers would come crawling out of the dungeon, wanting to bask in their success. Taverns were packed with them, recounting the life-threatening battles to anyone who would listen.

It was an aspect that even Kuro appreciated about the world, it was where most of his life was spent after all. When he crept through the shadows, stealing from whoever he could as a means to survive.

Staring at the small collection of Valis in his hand, a hopeful thought crossed his mind, if he continued to grow stronger in the dungeon then he wouldn't have to live any of his old life.

'I have to figure out how to summon Lostvayne...and properly fight with it!'

As they were walking, Bell paused outside a tavern causing Kuro to do the same, "Ah you actually made it. I didn't think you'd remember." Emerging from the brightly lit entranceway, a girl dressed in her work clothes lit up upon noticing Bell.

"I didn't get to introduce myself earlier, did I? Well, it's nice to meet you, I'm Syr Flova."

Kuro turned to leave, heading over to an actual Inn for once, instead of the coziest alley that was available. He wasn't anything, the opposite really - considering the situation, removing himself seemed best. Just because he and Bell had shared a conversation wasn't equivalent to them being friends, not at all.

"Oh, are you with Bell? You should join us as well!" Syr took notice of Kuro as he was leaving.

"Yeah, you don't have to worry about that. I'm fine heading home after all-"

Before he could even blink, Kuro had been dragged into the bar against his will, sitting beside Bell as a mountain of food was placed in front of him, "Now I just feel like I'm getting exploited. I don't have nearly enough money to afford to eat like this," Kuro muttered to himself, watching a Bell count up the prices of their meals.

"Sorry about getting you brought in here as well Kuro, you leave if you want don't worry..." As disheartened as he was, Bell wasn't one to push anyone, he was aware of that the most.

Stabbing the large plate of fish in front of him, Kuro made sure to take a large bite, "Well, it'd be a waste not to eat at least something. So, I don't mind staying for a little while.." Truthfully, it had been so long since he'd had a decent meal that he'd forgotten what they tasted like, "Still expensive as fuck though.."

"You got balls to complain about my prices kid," Glancing over the bar, Kuro flinched as his eyes met with the stern gaze of the owner of the tavern, Mamma Mia, "Scrawny adventurers like you two need some meat on your bones anyway, so enough complaining. I've given it my all since you're both Syr's friends."

Kuro went to correct her, "Oh, I'm not-"

Yet another plate of food was placed in front of them, Bell held the same look of horror at the thought of losing all his hard-earned money, "I really wanted to spend some money on the Familia, how much is the special...eight hundred Valis!?" He exclaimed, his face shifting as pale as his hair.

"Well, at least I'll be making a lot of money tonight.." Syr spoke up, smiling back at Bell as he ate a forkful of spaghetti, a disinterested look on his face.

As Syr continued to speak, Kuro turned his attention away from her just as detached from whatever she was saying as Bell. That was before his attention was pulled over to the entrance, watching as the Loki Familia made their way into the tavern bringing silence along with them.

Instinctively, Kuro hid his head from view, it had only been a couple of days since he'd been saved from the dungeon so they were bound to remember him, 'Nope, can't face them. I just seem like some ignorant adventurer who almost got himself killed...'

Nearly everyone was drawn to the Familia, fawning over the natural beauty of Ais Wallenstein. None let their admiration go any higher than a whisper though, knowing she was just as deadly as she was stunning, it was the same for all of the Loki Familia. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn't respect them, both for their strength and what they accomplished in the dungeon.

Bell most of all was awestruck, wearing a look of admiration and clear feeling for Ais, "I'm guessing you've got a thing for Ais as well?" Kuro grinned, watching his face burst red, 'How innocent is this guy?'

"W-Wait are you saying you...like her as well Kuro?" Bell questioned, a small sense of jealousy lacing his tone.

"Relax, you don't need to look at me like that. I'm talking about everyone else, you are nowhere near the only person who's going for her," Bell simmered down, glancing around the tavern where everyone's gaze was stuck to the table occupied by the Loki Familia, "They really are on another level."

Just as the atmosphere was finally starting to pick up, Bete slammed his beer onto the table letting out an annoying cackle clearly drunk, "Hey Ais! Why don't you tell everyone the story of what happened the other day," He slurred out.

"And what story would that be? Are you talking about the boy we found unconscious in the dungeon?"

Bete snarled, shaking his head, "Are you fuckin' kidding me? Of course not! Saving that shitty adventurer wasn't nearly as hilarious as what happened with the minotaurs on the fifth floor and that kid who practically pissed himself tryna be a hero!"

Visibly flinching, Bell knew they were talking about him, Kuro noticed it choosing not to comment.

"Anyway, this pansy starts screaming his head off as the bug ugly sucker chases after him. So, Ais jumps in and cuts it to pieces, and whilst the wuss is absolutely covered in blood, he completely books it out of there from the person who saved him! HAHAH! It was god damn hilarious!" Bete continued to belt out laughter

Some of the Familia laughed along with him, Riveria scowled, "That's quite enough Bete. You're forgetting they were minotaurs from the seventeenth floor, no level-one adventurer could've handled that, and we were the ones that let them get away in the first place."

That only served to rile up the werewolf even more, angrily smacking the table, "Oh really now!? It's not my fault that pussy bit off more than he could chew trying to go up against one! Let's be honest, between me and him who's the better hero huh!?"

"Alright Bete, you're drunk..." Finn attempted to de-escalate the situation.

Kuro simply sat back, a sigh of annoyance escaping him. He'd already gaged just how insufferable the adventurer was, it was people like him that had fueled the hatred he harbored towards them, just because they were stronger they equaled it to being better than anyone who wasn't.

Even if they were still strangers at this point, it still angered him that Bell was being laughed at just because he was weaker, "Hey-"

Just before he could speak up, a blur of white rushed past him, dashing out of the tavern and down the street, Ais made it out the entrance watching him flee, 'What the fuck he just ran!? And wait I'm stuck with the bill!'

Sure enough, before he could say anything Mamma Mia was already behind him, tightly holding onto his shoulder, "You better not be thinking of dining and dashing too," Her voice dripped with anger, ensuring her words were threatening, "So, you better choke up the cash for the two of you!"

'Are you fucking serious!?'

Albeit begrudgingly, Kuro forked over a little over two thousand Valis the two meals had cost, "Oh shit! Hah, the other shitty adventurer's here too, seems fitting that those two are friends!"

Too drunk to react, Bete is knocked off his chair as an empty beer mug is chucked his way hitting him square in the head, "Gah! What the fuck!? You piece of shit! what's your problem!?"

Kuro didn't stutter, he wasn't looking for a fight there wasn't a world where he could possibly win but even still. Standing up to anyone, no matter how strong they were, was the type of thing a hero would do, and he wanted to walk that path to be one if only a little.

Glaring his inky black eyes at the adventurer, Kuro met his gaze, "Adventurers like you. Belong in the dungeon with the rest of the monsters."

"You what!? I beat you to a bloody pulp, you piece of shi-" Before Bete could get back up on his feet, Ais intervened her sword coming between the two of them, "That's enough Bete."

Riveria agreed, "You're making a fool of yourself, show some respect for our Familia.."

Ais turned to Kuro, watching him already outside the tavern pacing down the street, she was sure with the look on his face that there was only one place he could be headed.

To the dungeon.

Blood and sweat poured out onto the floors of the dungeon, none belonged to the monsters that lurked within. Bell Cranel pressed onward, ignoring every injury no matter how much the condition of his body worsened he continued to fight.

Crimson dripped down his face, stinging his eyes yet it didn't bother him, only driving its dagger ever deeper into each beast that came his way. He was deeper than before but that didn't matter, Ais wouldn't even blink at monsters like this yet he was still struggling, Ais wouldn't falter no matter how many blows she took so neither would he.

He had to get strong enough that he could do the same, make it through floors and no matter how deep he got he could still win, and climb to the point so he could fight alongside her.

'I want to become stronger! I will do whatever it takes to stand by her side!'

More shadows summoned around him, larger than before doing what they could to overwhelm him. Yet he didn't falter, it almost felt as if his blade was becoming sharper and the pitch-black creatures were becoming slower.

Due to the adrenaline rushing over him, he was ignorant of how his body was screaming out to stop. His body was bruised, layered with bleeding cuts and cracked bones, yet he didn't help to deter him, not at all.

Suddenly, a roaring ball of fire hurled across the tunnel, shot at from one of the recently spawned monsters, ripping at the dungeon's floor directly at Bell. Just as he felt the heat burning into his back, a hand tugged on his shoulder yanking him back. Kuro now stood in front of him, swinging another battered broadsword he'd found scattered around left by fleeing adventurers.

"Full...COUNTER!" He bellowed once more, repelling the swirling flame back to the group of shadows finishing them all off in a single blast.

Once again, the withered blade crumbled to pieces, 'Really...need to get a hang of Lostvayne.'

"Kuro? W-What are you doing here!? Did you follow me down into the dungeon?" Bell questioned his exhaustion already starting to overwhelm him, staggering backward as he tried to steady himself.

"Not exactly, I wanted to blow off some steam first. Although, I won't say I wasn't hoping I'd run into you down here..." Kuro stomped toward him, not bothering to seem friendly, "...Not to mention! I've just had to pay off both mine and your meals! Which cost me over two thousand fucking Valis!"

A look of guilt and apology quickly filled Bell's expression, "Oh my god! I got so embarrassed that I completely ran out of there! I'm so sorry Kuro! I promise I didn't do it on purpose, I ran out without thinking!" His white hair whipped up and down as he bowed repeatedly.

'Ok this is just getting awkward...and a little sad.'

"Alright, alright. You don't have to grovel like that, as long as you give me the money I paid for you then I don't mind," Kuro sighed, he wouldn't shy away from scamming anyone but right now didn't seem appropriate.

Bell's breath became heavy, forcing himself to stand even though his body was fighting against that, "You heard what he said right Kuro? That adventurer in the Loki Familia was right about me, I'm nothing but pathetic I can't expect myself to catch up with Ais like this, or become a hero..."

Kuro's eyes widened a little, not realizing just how close their ideals were, 'I'm not really one for any kind of emotional speech...'

Judging by the fire lit in his eyes, he didn't need to. Bell was already set on his goals, clutching his blade as proof of that, "That's why, I have to fight for as long as I can until I can defeat these monsters without even breaking a sweat until I'm stronger!"

Despite his clear wounds and growing fatigue, Kuro wouldn't argue against it. The withering flame he was sure had died out years had recently been lit, and was slowly beginning to burn just as bright as Bell's, "Let's go then..."

Rummaging through the scattered bones of previous monsters, he picked whatever seemed the most durable, 'I haven't tested whether it can only be used with swords yet. Might as well do it now!'

Watching as the dungeon spawned in another hoard of monsters, the two lunged side by side, putting their all into each and every swing, holding the same thought as each other.

'I will become a hero/I will become a hero!'

Walking out into the blinding sunrise, Kuro and Bell limped out of the dungeon. There weren't any fatal wounds, but they certainly weren't in any proper condition to fight, they'd been down there all throughout the night.

"I hope I haven't worried my goddess...I didn't think I'd be gone till morning," Bell murmured, slowly stepping forward, "She's all I have, I want to make sure I can protect her as well."

'That's right. I think he mentioned at some point when we were walking to the guild that he was part of a Familia. Lucky him.'

He wasn't sure just how long the path ahead of him was, he had no other goals before except surviving, and that was all he thought he deserved. Now though, he could fight, he abilities he could hone, and something he wanted to reach.

This was it. This was the moment he could restart from within the dungeon and become strong enough to be a hero.