The day after I got a friendly scolding from Bete, I was helping with the preparations for the departure of the Loki Familia. This was partly to make amends for yesterday's peeping incident, which had earned Bete's wrath.
Apparently, most women really hate being spied on. I didn't quite get that before, since Hermes-sama was the only one who ever taught me about that kind of thing... or rather, I hadn't peeped enough times to get caught before, so I simply didn't know. Ignorance can be a crime, I realized anew.
Bete was angry not only because I peeped, but also because I didn't stop Hermes-sama from doing the same. She hadn't spoken to me all day since then. I never knew that being ignored like that could hurt so much. After a heartfelt apology with my head bowed in sincerity, I finally got forgiven. As part of the apology, I had to treat her to the most expensive secret menu item at the coffee shop Weishe on the south main street... which, if I recall correctly, cost about 3,000 Varis. But if it meant getting Bete's forgiveness, it was a small price to pay.
By the way, Hermes-sama, the main culprit, got punished by Asfi-san, and Bell ended up with red maple leaf-shaped marks on his face thanks to Bete. The blame clearly fell on Hermes-sama, but since Bete was a fellow trainee, she just couldn't hold back. We talked it over that night and agreed it was a valuable experience.
"Tokii."
Just as I finished packing up the tent, Bete called me over.
"Are you really not coming along?"
"Yeah, Hermes-sama said he wants to do some sightseeing first. I can't leave Asfi-san to guard everything alone, so I'm staying behind too."
I was set to return to the surface not with the Loki Familia's first group or Bell's second group, but separately with Hermes-sama and Asfi-san. Honestly, I wanted to come back with Bete and Bell, but leaving Asfi-san alone would be too stressful for her. So, as the low-ranking one, I stayed.
"It's fine. Asfi-san's with me, and I'll be back soon."
"...Okay."
"And don't worry, I won't ditch on the secret menu at Weishe."
"T-That's not what I meant!"
Bete suddenly leaned in and whispered right into my ear.
"I'm looking forward to our date."
When I stepped away, just as I expected, her face flushed bright red. That place was popular for its calm atmosphere, and many couples came there, perfect for a date.
"M-Mou… I don't care!"
She puffed up her cheeks and looked away stubbornly. Well, I kind of knew what she meant.
"Thanks for worrying about me. You take care too, Bete."
"Huh?"
She turned on her heel and walked away. She stood there, dazed for a moment, before Tione-san called her, and she hurried over.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
After parting with Bete, Hermes-sama led me up into a tree. From there, I could see the forest and a stage set up as if for a performance.
"Hermes-sama, what's going on here?"
"Well... it might be a bit boring for you, Tokii."
Hermes-sama smiled with that mischievous look she gets when plotting something, while Asfi-san sighed in exasperation. Looks like something troublesome was about to happen.
"Oh, looks like they're here."
Hermes-sama shifted her gaze from the stage to the path leading there. Following her line of sight, I saw a group of adventurers approaching. Bell was among them.
"What's going on?"
Asfi-san answered my question.
"They're the adventurers Hermes-sama stirred up last night. Apparently, they don't like the Little Rookie."
I guess it was inevitable. Bell's recent achievements were impressive, so veteran adventurers who had been around for years were probably jealous.
"Just so you know, don't interfere."
"I understand."
"...That's surprising. I thought you'd rush to help."
"He doesn't know human malice. Sooner or later, he was going to get involved in something like this. This trial might be just right for him."
"That's cold."
"Call it 'being a caring friend.' Besides, you raised him."
From what I could see, Bell didn't seem too worried. In fact, he seemed fairly calm. As for his opponent... wait,
"I feel like I've seen that adventurer somewhere before..."
"They apparently harassed him at some tavern and got beaten up for it."
I tried to recall that event... Oh, right.
"The ones who tangled with him at the 'Hostess of Fertility'."
"You didn't remember?"
"I was feeling down then, and honestly, I don't remember every adventurer who picks a fight with me."
Soon Bell and another adventurer stepped onto the stage. So they weren't going to all fight at once.
"Looks boring."
"Yes, that's why it'll get boring."
"Well, let's see. Look at the one facing Bell."
When I looked, I saw a jet-black helmet, the Hades Head.
"The one wearing the Hades Head."
"This should get interesting, right?"
"Not at all."
Not only Hermes-sama but also Asfi-san widened their eyes at that comment.
"What do you mean?"
"I could tell you, but that would just make this boring show even duller. Just watch. Looks like it's about to start."
On stage, Bell stood ready with two daggers, facing the adventurer wielding a greatsword.
The adventurer swung the greatsword down hard, kicking up a cloud of dust to obscure Bell's vision. Using the Hades Head's power, the adventurer became invisible.
He attacked using his invisibility... but Bell dodged it.
"Huh?"
Hermes-sama let out a puzzled sound, and Asfi-san looked shocked. The adventurers watching seemed unsettled, murmuring among themselves.
The adventurer attacked again, Bell dodged once more, and then counterattacked with daggers glowing with a deep purple light. The opponent tilted his head in confusion but showed no hesitation.
"What's going on?"
"The Hades Head does make the wearer invisible to both humans and monsters." Asfi-san explained with a cool gaze.
"But it only grants invisibility. It doesn't silence footsteps or the sound of the air being cut. Especially with him, for some reason, he's extremely sensitive to being watched. Even if his opponent turns invisible with murderous intent, it's a disadvantage for them."
I think 'stunned' perfectly describes their expressions. Even Hermes-sama probably didn't expect her trick to fail.
"Also, I taught him a fighting style that doesn't rely on sight about five days ago. Unless there's an overwhelming difference in ability, he rarely loses."
Since Bell's rank-up, I'd continued training with him. Partly because I didn't want to lose as a rival, and partly because we pushed each other to grow.
For now, I was just barely stronger. Though I usually won through skill and tactics, Bell's quick learning meant most techniques stopped working after one use, so every training session made me run out of tricks.
...Wait, he just noticed me. He glanced over for a moment. I should think about how to apologize while I can.
Bell's kick landed hard on the side of the stunned adventurer's head, smashing the Hades Head to pieces. Asfi-san gasped.
At that moment, Hestia-sama appeared. I was surprised she came so quickly, but Lili was behind her. Lili's magic, Cinder Ella, was a transformation spell, not only changing appearance but also inheriting traits. Probably, she took on the form of a dog-like Sianslope or wolf-like Werewolf, using their keen noses to find Hestia-sama.
"So, was it boring?"
"Well, at least now we know his true strength a little better. Let's call it a day."
Asfi-san and I gave Hermes-sama a sharp look. She was sweating nervously.
Suddenly, shadow magic surrounded me. Curious, I looked toward the stage and saw a divine aura radiating from Hestia-sama.
My skill, Infinite Abyss, is sensitive to divine auras. It helps me avoid lying to gods and once even blocked a charm from Ishtar-sama. Apparently, the charm of the goddess of beauty works because of a faint divine aura leaking from her. That made me wonder what the true charm would be like.
Anyway, this skill activates without my will, no, it works by instinct buried deep in my subconscious, as if I'm instinctively hostile toward gods.
"Well, I guess that's it for now."
"...Looks like it."
"Shall we head back?"
"...Yeah, let's go."
Just as I was about to climb down from the tree, the whole floor trembled.
"That's an ominous shake."
Asfi-san muttered quietly, and my unease grew.
Cracks spread across the crystal ceiling with a loud crack.
"What!?"
"Could it be because of that god Hestia just now?"
"No, it's not Hestia's doing."
I turned to Hermes-sama with those cryptic words.
"Hermes-sama, what did you do this time!?"
"Even if I tried some trickery, I couldn't have caused that. Ouranos, what about the prayers? I didn't hear anything about this."
Hermes-sama's bitter expression told me this was an unprecedented irregularity.
"What's happening?"
"Maybe a rampage. And it's more sensitive than ever, aware of us."
"Rampage?"
"The dungeon hates us. Trapping us here."
The cracking of the crystal accelerated, and distant monster howls grew louder.
"Asfi, go to Riveria city and call for reinforcements."
"Reinforcements? Are you seriously going to fight that thing instead of evacuating this floor?"
"No, probably..."
From the south came the sound of a collapse. I looked and saw the path to the 17th floor blocked by fallen rocks.
"The escape route is blocked... Looks like it doesn't want us to run away."
"Ugh! If we don't make it back alive, I'm blaming you, Hermes-sama! Tokii, let's go!"
"Yes!"
Following Asfi-san, I climbed down from the tree.
My injuries had healed completely, my physical and mental strength were restored, and I felt fine.
Looking up, I saw a familiar face peering down at me.
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