" What… just happened? "
Hestia couldn't believe her eyes.
She stared in disbelief at the scene before her.
Behind Bell, only the lower half of the Silverback remained.The upper half, the part that had taken the brunt of Bell's attack, was simply…gone.
Obliterated.
Had she seen it correctly?
As far as she knew, Silverbacks didn't just spontaneously explode. And yet, the moment Bell's hand had made contact with the beast, it was as if it had been erased from existence.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Slowly, her gaze shifted from the remains of the monster back to her child—Bell.
The boy she had watched over, protected, and worried for.
The same boy who, mere days ago, had been nothing more than a weak and inexperienced adventurer, struggling to hold his own against monsters much weaker than this one.
The same boy who had once run away in tears after being told how powerless he was.
And yet now…
Now, he had crushed a Silverback—a formidable monster—with a single, rage-fueled strike.
It didn't make sense.
What did he do?
How did he do it?
Or perhaps—could it have been someone else?
Had another adventurer intervened at the last moment, landing the final blow just as Bell's hand had coincidentally touched the beast?
No.
She knew what she had seen.
It had been Bell.
And she simply couldn't comprehend it.
" Are you alright, Hestia-sama…? "
Bell's voice was the most gentle, spoken in the softest, most caring tone, voiced only out of concern for her well-being.
...As if the sheer, unrestrained fury he had unleashed moments ago had been nothing more than an illusion.
The contrast between the raging force of destruction that had annihilated the Silverback—and the gentle, kindhearted boy standing before her now sent a chill through her.
Not out of fear—but out of pure disbelief.
It was this contrast—the stark duality between Bell's kindness and the overwhelming, almost godlike power he had just displayed—that left her utterly speechless.
Yet, it was this very shock that finally snapped her out of her daze.
She swallowed hard, steadying herself as she forced the words out.
" Bell-kun…what did you just do…? "
Her voice trembled, not with fear, but with sheer astonishment.
As Hestia spoke those words, Bell's expression darkened, as if he had just swallowed the most bitter thing in the world. His lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes shadowed with something heavy—something he had desperately hoped to keep hidden.
" ...I had hoped…never to show you this side of myself. "
His voice was barely above a whisper, yet Hestia heard it as clearly as if he had shouted.
" What…? "Her brows furrowed, concern audible in her tone. " Bell-kun…what do you mean? "
Then, he looked at her.
A direct, piercing gaze—one so full of emotion that Hestia involuntarily flinched.
Because in his eyes, she saw it.
Sorrow.
Not for himself, but for her.
For the pain he knew she would feel. For the truth he could no longer keep hidden.
Because now, there was no avoiding it.
" My lady… "He spoke with a quiet anguish, his voice thick with something that made Hestia's heart ache. " More than anything, I never wanted to keep this from you. However...once this is over…I will tell you all there is to know. "
" Bell-kun…? " Her voice was barely a breath.
" But for now— "Bell exhaled sharply, turning his gaze away. " Your safety comes first. "
Even before he fully turned his head, he could feel them.
The other monsters.
They had noticed him.
No—more specifically, they had noticed her.
A fresh wave of rage surged through him, bubbling beneath his skin, a fury he barely managed to contain. His jaw clenched so tightly that the pressure made his teeth creak—on the verge of shattering.
They dared to set their sights on his goddess.
They dared to threaten her.
Unforgivable.
They would perish.
As if sensing the surge of bloodlust now radiating from Bell, the monsters wasted no time—they charged, a frenzied mass of claws and fangs rushing straight for him and Hestia.
Now, Bell did not consider himself the strongest in the world. That would be arrogance.
But neither did he belittle himself.
He knew his own strength. He was confident he could take them on.
However…
I need to get Hestia-sama out of here.
No matter how certain he was in his abilites, he refused to let his hubris put his goddess in danger.
Without hesitation, he swept her into his arms once more.
" Kya! "Hestia let out a startled yelp as Bell leaped away, just as the horde reached where they had stood moments before.
The monsters roared in frustration but immediately pursued, hot on their trail.
" HEARGH! "
Bell's roar echoed through the chaotic festival grounds as his blade connected with the neck of a troll that had lunged at him from the shadows.
The impact alone was enough to crack the air with a resounding boom, but what followed was even more brutal—the rusty dagger he had been holding carved cleanly through the thick flesh of the creature's neck, severing its head in a single stroke. The beast barely had time to register what had happened before its decapitated body slumped lifelessly to the ground.
There was no time to celebrate the kill.
A thunderous roar from behind signaled another incoming threat—a Battle Boar, its massive bulk barreling toward him with terrifying speed. Its red eyes burned with mindless aggression, tusks lowered, ready to gore anything in its path.
Without a second thought, he tightened his hold on Hestia and launched himself into the air, leaping forward just in time to evade the monstrous charge. The Battle Boar charged past them, smashing straight through a wooden stall, sending debris flying in all directions.
But Bell's aerial escape only led to a new problem.
The moment his feet touched the rooftop, a Sword Stag emerged, its antlers raised like a phalanx. Its body tensed, muscles coiling as it prepared to lunge—its target: both the goddess and the boy carrying her.
Bell's crimson eyes flashed as he extended his free hand.
In one swift motion, he seized the Sword Stag by its antlers while simultaneously shielding the goddess in his arms. Then, with sheer strength, he snapped off one of the creature's antlers—only to turn it against the beast, using its own antler to sever its head in a single strike.
Yet, there was no time to rest.
Below, the rest of the horde surged forward—A Lygerfang, it's saber-like fangs out in a truly intimidating fashion; A Bugbear, it's enormous frame shaking the ground as it lumbered forward; Snarling Imps making their way through the chaos; Massive Orcs, their crude wooden clubs raised high; A Mad Beetle, its monstrous shell gleaming as it prepared to charge; And Finally, looming above them all, a towering Infant Dragon, its reptilian eyes locking onto Hestia with predatory hunger.
And yet, Bell met their aggression with a force far greater—a wrath honed into unshakable resolve. Standing atop the rooftops, high above the stampede below, his crimson eyes burned with an unyielding fury.
" I swear upon my very soul- " Bell declared, his voice firm and resolute, " -so long as life yet fills me, no harm shall befall my goddess. "
His grip tightened around Hestia as he gazed down at the horde with the conviction of a knight standing before an army.
" They shall not lay so much as a finger upon you, my lady. "
This, I vow.
Colesseum, before the monster outbreak
The festival buzzed with life all around—streets packed with adventurers, merchants calling out their wares, and the lively tunes of performers filling the air.
Tall banners were draped from the upper levels of the coliseum, fluttering gently in the breeze.
Beneath one of the massive pillars at the coliseum's entrance, a small group of girls stood apart from the revelry.
" Ais and Loki aren't coming… "
The words came from a short-haired Amazon, who stood atop the base of one of the coliseum's massive pillars, shielding her eyes with a hand as she scanned the area for her goddess and comrade.
" They should have passed through here if they were coming from East Main Street. I wonder if something happened… "
This time, it was another Amazoness who spoke—this one with long hair, her tone laced with quiet concern as she voiced the question on everyone's mind.
Nearby, a blonde-haired elf lowered her head slightly, guilt flickering in her soft eyes. " I'm sorry " she murmured.
" It's because I was selfish…I said I wanted to wait for Ais-san. "
Her voice wavered slightly, but before she could say more, the Amazoness beside her shook her head. " It's fine. It's fine. " she said quickly, her tone reassuring. "I wanted to wait for Ais too. "
" Hm? "
It was then that Tiona noticed something unusual about the Ganesha Familia members.
Sure enough, many of them, fully equipped with weapons drawn and armor secured, were moving with a sense of urgency.
Meanwhile, other members of the familia were moving through the bustling crowd, approaching anyone who appeared strong. Their body language made it clear—they were asking for something.
Tiona and the others couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The anxiety etched on the faces of the Ganesha Familia members was impossible to ignore.
" …Are you curious? "
" I am! " Tione responded eagerly to Tiona's question, while Lefiya simply gave a silent nod, signaling that their next course of action should be to find out what was happening.
With that decision made, the girls made their way toward the center of the commotion.
" What do you mean there aren't any dead or even injured?! That can't be right! Search more thoroughly! There might be some hiding in the shadows or somewhere out of sight! "
Loki barked at a visibly nervous Guild employee, her sharp eyes scanning the area for any sign of casualties.
In the background, Guild staff dressed in black suits hurriedly took their positions, while Ganesha Familia adventurers formed battle parties in preparation.
A handful of adventurers, hastily pulled from the crowd, stood in a disorganized group, awaiting instructions. Before long, a Guild employee stepped in, directing them to join other groups as needed.
" Loki! "
" Huh? "
Hearing her name, Loki turned on her heel. When she spotted three familiar figures approaching, a grin spread across her face, and she waved both arms in greeting.
" Did something happen?" Tiona asked, seeking an explanation for the commotion.
" To put it simply, some monsters escaped. From what I hear, they're still nearby. " Loki replied.
" Wha?! That's really bad! "
" Yep, sure is. " Loki responded, unfazed by Tiona's sudden outburst.
Without wasting a moment, the girls bombarded Loki with questions. She simply smiled before moving on to issue instructions.
" Well, that's how it is. Anyway, once Ais draws the monsters out, could you guys take care of them? "
" Has Ais-san already gone to where the monsters are? " Lefiya asked.
" Nope, not yet. "
" Huh? Then where is she? " Tione pressed.
Rather than answering immediately, Loki lifted a single finger and pointed to the upper rim of the coliseum.
" Up there. "
" I found them. "
Scanning the surroundings, she spotted eight beasts in her immediate vicinity. The Guild's report had stated that at least twenty had escaped, yet she couldn't sense the others.
But there was no time to dwell on that.
Ais drew her rapier from its sheath.
Unlike the dungeon, where the air was still and lifeless, the wind moved freely here on the surface. And with that, she had an undeniable advantage.
Her Magic—Ariel—allowed her to spread her senses through the breeze, detecting enemies in an instant.
" Awaken, Tempest. "
Wind surged around her, swirling like an unseen force ready to carry her forward.
Taking a step toward the edge of the coliseum, she leaned forward slightly—then lightly pushed off.
For a brief moment, she hovered beside the man-made structure, the wind supporting her weight as if cradling her in midair.
Her golden eyes locked onto the closest monster. She didn't blink.
She would take it down at full speed.
" Lil Rafaga. "
Kicking off the wall, she launched forward like a spear fired from a cannon.
Her blade found its mark—piercing straight through the back of a massive troll lurking in a backstreet.
' One! '
The troll disintegrated into a burst of ash. Ais landed with force, her boots striking the stone-paved road. Without pausing, she spun on her heel and dashed toward the intersection.
With a single precise strike, she sliced the next monster clean in half.
' Two! '
Bounding onto the roof of a three-story building, she sprinted from rooftop to rooftop, swiftly closing in on her next target. The moment she caught sight of the beast below, she leapt—descending like a shadow.
Even the sturdy, four-legged Sword Stag was reduced to chunks of flesh as she sped past.
' Three! '
Now turning her focus to the beast below her—the rapier surged forward like a spearhead.
Her rapier struck true, piercing through its head before it even realized she was there.
' Four! '
Ais moved so fast, so efficiently, that she reached and eliminated the monsters before the other dispatched adventurers even had the chance to engage.
" Uwah~, looks like we won't even get a turn. "
Tiona grumbled as the three girls came to a stop.
They had been leaping from rooftop to rooftop through the residential district, chasing after the escaping monsters, yet no matter how fast they moved, Ais always got there first.
At this rate, none of the monsters would escape her, making their presence here completely meaningless.
Ais took off again in another direction, her golden hair and clothes fluttering in the wake of her speed.
" It feels like we set the bait… only for the fish to snatch it away. " Tione mused aloud to her younger sister.
" Ahh…I think I get it~ "Tiona replied with a smile.
Lefiya, who had been listening, hesitated before speaking.
" U-umm, neither of you have weapons or armor— "
She stopped mid-sentence.
' No…that's not it. '
The words she was about to say felt wrong, completely missing the truth that weighed on her heart.
' It just proves how strong they are… '
' Strong enough to fight side by side with Ais-san… '
A pang of inadequacy settled in her chest. Feelings of weakness and helplessness clawed their way into her thoughts, reminding her of the ever-present gap between herself and them.
' But…! '
Lefiya clenched her fists, shoving the doubts down before they could take hold of her completely.
' Even without my weapon, I can still—! '
" ...? "
" Tiona? "
" Is something wrong? "
The usually cheerful and carefree girl was now frowning, her senses on high alert. Her expression had shifted—serious, focused.
She turned to her sister, her voice laced with unease.
" Is the ground…shaking? "
Tione furrowed her brows, pausing for a moment before nodding.
" ...It really is. "
" Could it just be…an earthquake? "Lefiya suggested hesitantly.
But they all knew better.
The tremors were too localized—only the buildings in this district were shaking. Babel Tower, the massive heart of Orario, stood completely unaffected, as steady as ever.
Their instincts, honed through years of dungeon-crawling, screamed that something was wrong. A subtle, unexpected sound often signaled the arrival of something dangerous.
Then—
An explosion erupted from the street below just as they braced themselves.
" ?! "
All three girls snapped their heads toward the source. A column of smoke surged into the sky, no more than a block away.
And then—
" KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! "
A woman's scream tore through the air.
The thick smoke and dust wavered, slowly beginning to clear, revealing the chaos beneath.
From the ruptured earth, it emerged.
A writhing mass of segmented horror, armored in a grotesque chitinous exoskeleton black as midnight.
Countless legs, each tipped with dagger-like claws, scrambled over one another in a frenzy of motion, their movement skittering and grinding against each other.
Their heads—yes, plural—were monstrous amalgamations of gnashing mandibles and skeletal grimaces, stretching and splitting open to reveal rows of serrated fangs.
Something about the newly emerged monster sent a chills down the three girls' spines.
Their faces turned a shade paler.
" What is that…? Another new species?! "Tiona gasped in astonishment.
" Where did the Ganesha Familia get a monster like that?! " Lefiya echoed, her voice filled with the same disbelief.
" Ais is going too far! Tiona, we're taking it down! Lefiya, assess the situation and provide support! "
" Got it! "Tiona responded instantly.
" Y-yes! "Lefiya stammered.
Without hesitation, the twins surged forward, their movements swift and decisive. Lefiya followed close behind, struggling to steady her breath.
They raced across the rooftops, leaping through the air before landing in front of the monstrous centipede.
Up close, the sound was unbearable—a sickening symphony of relentless clicking and hissing.
The very ground trembled beneath their feet as the creature advanced, its many eyes locking onto the twins with a hunger that sent a chill down their spines.
Tiona and Tione wasted no time, dodging the beast's initial lunge before circling around, aiming to strike from behind.
* Thunk! *
""?!""
The instant their fists connected, sharp pain shot through their arms. Their blows, which had shattered thousands of monsters before, did nothing.
The monster's exoskeleton was like iron, repelling their attacks with ease. Despite their overwhelming strength, neither twin could so much as dent the beast's chitinous hide. Instead, their own hands bore the brunt of the impact, scraped raw against its armored body.
The creature let out a guttural, enraged roar. Had their attacks hurt it after all? Perhaps. But whether that was a good thing remained to be seen—because now, it was rampaging.
With terrifying force, it lashed out, its massive body thrashing wildly in an attempt to crush them. The twins barely evaded, their agility the only thing keeping them alive.
" We can't break through with just our fists! "Tione shouted, frustration lacing her voice.
" Ah, geez! We should've brought our weapons! " Tiona groaned.
They yelled back and forth as they continued their relentless assault, but no matter how many times they struck, they failed to land a decisive hit.
The centipede demon retaliated with frightening speed, but the twins were faster. Blow after blow, dodge after dodge—the battlefield was caught in a deadlock. The creature had reduced most of the street to rubble, yet it had yet to land a solid hit on its prey.
Neither side was backing down.
Meanwhile, Lefiya had taken cover just outside the monster's range. Heart pounding, she steadied herself.
She had already begun casting.
" Unleash the one light. Let the trunk of the holy tree be my expert bow. "
Lefiya had no staff to channel her magic, no conduit to refine her power. But that didn't matter. She thrust her arm forward, fingers splayed, and concentrated all of her magical energy into her palm.
This spell prioritized speed over sheer destructive force. It wasn't meant to wipe out legions of enemies in a single blast, but it was versatile—quick, precise, and deadly when aimed well.
And right now, the creature had no idea she was even there.
It was completely fixated on the Amazonian twins, blinded by rage as it lashed out in a frenzy of snapping mandibles and thrashing limbs. Not once had it turned toward her.
That was its mistake.
' Now—while I have the chance! '
" Attack, Fairy Archer! Shoot your arrow that strikes true! "
She could feel it—the raw magic coiling around her, condensing, growing sharper.
' It hasn't noticed. I can do this! '
For so long, she had felt weak. Inferior. Always trailing behind, struggling to catch up to Ais—to fight alongside her as an equal.
But not this time.
The spell was complete.
All that remained was to pull the "trigger."
And so, she did.
" Arcs Ray! "
A searing lance of light erupted from her palm, a streak of radiance that burned through the air like a divine judgment. The beam struck true, piercing deep into the centipede demon's grotesque form.
* ROOOOOAARR! *
A sickening hissss filled the air as the monster recoiled, its exoskeleton cracking apart where the light had struck. Then—
* CRACK! *
One of its heads was severed.
The detached mass hit the ground with a wet thud, twitching for a moment before falling still.
Nice job, Lefiya!" Tiona cheered, flashing the elf a bright smile.
Lefiya's breath hitched.
' I… I did it! '
A triumphant warmth swelled within her chest. The weight of her inferiority—the self-doubt that had clung to her for so long—finally felt lighter. For the first time, she stood as their equal. She had pulled her own weight, proved she was more than just a burden. No longer would she—
" IT'S NOT DEAD YET! LEFI—! "
Tione's urgent warning shattered her fleeting moment of victory.
" ...eh? "
That was all Lefiya managed to utter before she saw it—an obsidian blur hurtling toward her faster than she could react.
The severed head of the centipede beast, the one she had just struck down, was still very much alive.
Before she could so much as blink, the monstrous carapace slammed into her with earth-shattering force.
Pain. Blinding, all-consuming pain.
She could feel it—her ribs cracking like dry twigs, the sickening crunch of bones giving way beneath the sheer impact. A sharp, crushing agony spread through her entire body as the monster's hardened carapace crashed against her.
""LEFIYA!!""
Tiona and Tione's screams barely registered in her mind before her world blurred into a dizzying whirlwind of colors and motion.
The impact sent her hurtling like a ragdoll, her body flung clear across the district in a brutal arc.
Then—
Everything went dark.
...
...
...
Pain.
Agonizing, searing pain. It consumed her entire being, the first thing she felt as consciousness slowly returned.
Lefiya's eyelids fluttered open, her vision hazy, her body screaming in protest. She tried to push herself up—tried to stand, to move—
But her limbs refused to obey.
She had let her guard down.
" …Hik… Hik… "
Trembling sobs escaped her lips.
In the end, nothing had changed.
Whether she had been there or not, the battle would have played out the same way. No…worse. Because of her, the enemy had multiplied. She had only made things more difficult.
A burden.
Ais' voice echoed in her mind, words spoken in warmth yet now twisted by her own self-loathing.
" We will protect you… no matter how many times… that's why… "
But it's the same.
The same as that time in the Dungeon.
Again, the same.
She was dead weight.
" Next time, it will be Lefiya's turn to save us. "
" ...! "
Those words managed to snap her out of her self-pity.
Lefiya clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms as her trembling body struggled against the weight of her despair.
" Hngh…! "
With a sharp gasp, she forced herself upright, every fiber of her being screaming in protest.
' I'm being protected—miserably, endlessly, over and over and over. '
Enough to break her heart.
' Someone like me… It's been made painfully clear, time and time again, that I'm not worthy of standing beside them… '
Her body wavered, barely able to hold itself up.
But still—
" Even so—! "
With sheer willpower, she gathered whatever strength remained, determined to rejoin the battle, to fight alongside them, no matter how broken she was.
* STOMP! *
...However, like a cruel twist of fate, the world above her darkened.
A shadow loomed over her.
She looked up, only to be met with what can only be called her absolute demise at this point.
A colossus of flesh and malice stood tall before her, it's red eyes meeting with her own.
Its bloated, tumor-ridden body heaved with each breath. Sickly, pallid flesh stretched over its monstrous frame, split apart in places to reveal oozing wounds and writhing sinew.
A crown of jagged, bone-like protrusions jutted from its skull.
Its maw gaped wide, lined with rows of uneven, jagged fangs, each dripping with thick, rancid saliva.
From its hunched back sprouted vestigial, malformed wings, twitching spasmodically.
Its grotesque, distended belly hung low, quivering with every lumbering breath, yet the power coiled within its massive form was undeniable.
Gripped within its monstrous hands was a great hammer fit only for a demon's—a gigantic, intricately-carved hammer seemingly hewn out of wood and stone. The weight of it alone sent tremors through the ground as the behemoth dragged it forward.
Despair came crashing down like a cold waterfall.
Lefiya could feel it—her resolve unraveling, ripped away by the demonic avatar before her. The monster loomed over her, its gnarled, jagged teeth curled into what seemed like a cruel, mocking grin, as if reveling in her helplessness.
" Ah…ah… "
Her voice barely escaped her lips, trembling with the weight of despair. There would be no salvation. No last-minute rescue. No divine intervention.
And yet…strangely, she could accept that.
...Perhaps, this was how it was always meant to be.
' ...That's right...it's better this way...At the very least, there's no one else to slow down Ais-san and the others... '
...And yet, could she live with that? Letting things end just like this?
' The School District's pride...how laughable... '
She would never know.
And so, with a quiet, resigned breath, she let her eyelids fall shut, surrendering to the fate awaiting her beneath the demon's colossal hammer.
But death never came.
" …? "
A creeping sense of confusion gripped her mind. She should be gone—reduced to nothing beneath the monster's hammer. And yet, the silence stretched on. Hesitantly, she pried her eyes open.
And then—
* Splurt *
" ...! "
A thick, wet warmth splattered against her skin. Dark crimson drenched her entire being, seeping into her clothes, her hair. But more than the blood, more than the grotesque sight before her—
Her gaze was fixated on what remained of the demon's neck, its head having been severed in a single strike.
And beyond that, standing before her, was a boy.
A boy carrying a girl within his arms.
Like a knight out of legend.
" Are you alright, young miss? "
Demon's Great Hammer
This great hammer, a favorite among demons, contains the strength of fire.
The demons, born of Chaos, harbor fire, and yet they are twisted and malformed, such that they were never meant to be.
Skill : Demonic Flare
Briefly cause flame within to flare, and smash it upon earth and foes.