Chapter 19: Change of Fate…Save Bell Cranel!
The morning was silent, only the muffled sounds of nature provided any volume.
Chico stirred awake in soft sheets, eyes blinking open to the early gray light bleeding through the curtains. For a moment, he didn't move. His arms were still wrapped around her. The woman he had grown impossibly close to. Her warm breath tickled through to his chest, rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm.
Demeter.
She lay nestled against him, a serene smile touching her lips. Her divine beauty was even more striking in sleep. Calm. Gentle.
He brought a hand up and brushed a few golden strands of hair from her face, taking a moment to memorize the sight. Then, leaning in, he pressed a quiet kiss to her forehead.
"I'm off," he whispered.
She didn't stir.
With great care, he untangled himself from her embrace and slipped out of bed.
——————————————————————
Back in his own room, Chico dressed quickly but purposefully.
Chico pulled on his travel-worn gear and strapped his equipment piece by piece. Today's loadout was built for a small solo expedition.
A backpack filled with rations, basic healing potions, one high healing potion, and one magic potion.
Six pouches fixed to his belt, efficient storage for monster stones and drop items.
A modest amount of valis, enough for any immediate needs.
He looked himself over, gave a nod, and stepped into the hallway. The manor was still asleep. Not even the smell of breakfast had started wafting through the air. That was fine. He had work to do.
——————————————————————
Orario was only beginning to stir when Chico stepped outside.
The sky above was soft with pre-dawn color, the streets mostly empty save for a few early risers and adventurers on similar paths. The cool air felt good against his skin as he made his way toward Babel. Toward the Dungeon.
The closer he got to the Dungeon, the more familiar the energy became. It always felt…tense, right around the entrance. But today?
Today, something was off.
Chico paused just before the stairs leading into the Dungeon's maw. A low, crawling sense of unease tickled at his senses. Subtle, but present.
The pressure of the air felt just a little heavier. The air just a little colder.
He glanced down into the depths.
He didn't know what it was. A trick of the mind? A premonition? Or maybe just nerves.
Caution, he thought. If it came to it, he could always summon his armor. There was no need to overthink it now.
So he stepped forward — and descended.
——————————————————————
[Floors 1–3]
Chico moved quickly through the early levels, his steps efficient, measured. With his mimic at his side, gathering monster stones and drops, his pace was smoother than ever.
Goblins. Kobolds. Dungeon Lizards. All familiar.
Movements rehearsed.
Kills clean and efficient.
Over the next couple hours, he tore through the first three floors like a veteran. No wasted effort, no second chances given.
50 monsters slain.
He paused at the stairwell leading down to the fourth floor.
Time to go deeper.
——————————————————————
[Fourth Floor – 1 Hour, 30 Minutes]
The air grew denser. The walls were closer. The tunnels stretched longer, more winding.
The monsters were tougher now. Faster. More coordinated. They came in clusters more frequently, reacting to one another's movements.
But Chico adapted.
His blades sang as they cut down enemies. His magic arrow flew through the dark. His rings provided stronger magic, faster reflexes and agility. Each encounter brought a little more out of him, challenging him.
Another 40 monsters fell by his hands.
He finally reached the stairs to the fifth floor.
But.
Chico stopped.
The atmosphere here was…different.
Not in the same way as the fourth floor, or at the entrance of the dungeon. The pressure was deeper. Malevolent. As if the Dungeon itself was paying attention.
He took a breath.
Goosebumps crept across his arms. The weight on his shoulders grew. But he would not stop here.
He rolled his shoulders, stepped forward, and muttered,
"Can't stop now."
He had no idea that in just minutes from now, this floor would be the stage for something far greater than a simple dungeon dive — and that his path would soon cross with someone destined for greatness.
But for now, Chico only had one thought:
Deeper.
——————————————————————
~POV Chico~
It's…quiet.
Too quiet.
I'd been on the fifth floor for about ten minutes now, and not a single monster had spawned.
The walls here were a pale green streaked with sickly brown veins. Mossy in places. Dry in others. Claustrophobic.
But no Goblins. No Kobolds. No Dungeon Lizards.
Nothing.
Something was wrong.
I couldn't explain it. I didn't see anything out of place. But there was…pressure. Like the Dungeon was holding its breath. Like something was being wound tight, ready to snap.
Was it preparing for something?
I didn't know.
I kept walking forward. I could handle a monster party if it came to it. With my blades, my magic, my rings…I'd be fine.
That's what I told myself.
Then the ground started trembling.
Just faintly. In short, pulsing intervals. Boom. Boom. Boom. Like footsteps — heavy ones.
Something was coming.
The tremors grew stronger. Louder. Closer.
Then came the sounds. Clattering stone. Cracked walls. Footfalls like rolling boulders. I froze. My ears strained. There, just ahead — down the hallway.
Screaming.
"AHHHHHHH—!"
It echoed through the corridor, bouncing off the walls, rattling in my skull.
My heart skipped. My legs tightened. Should I go toward it? There could be someone in danger.
But before I could even decide—
Slam!
A white-haired boy came blitzing around the corner, smashing shoulder-first into the wall at full speed. He stumbled, caught himself, but nearly collapsed.
Fifteen meters away.
White hair.
Blood-red eyes.
No.
No way.
It was him.
…
Bell Cranel.
But I didn't have time to even process that—because something massive came crashing around the same corner.
It smashed into the wall the boy had just hit, cracking the stone, scattering dust into the air like an explosion.
A Minotaur.
It was enormous — nearly three meters tall, with hideous blood-colored fur clinging to its thick, bulging muscles. Its jagged black horns curved cruelly forward, and its mouth — god, its mouth — was stretched in a snarl, fangs dripping saliva.
Its eyes burned. Not with instinct.
With malice.
Ten meters away.
And I…I froze.
W-Why am I not moving?
My body was shaking. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. There was a fucking Minotaur in front of me and my feet—
Move. MOVE.
But they wouldn't.
The white-haired boy — Bell — spotted me. His face twisted in a mix of horror and apology. He wanted to shout. Wanted to tell me to run. But he didn't.
Instead…
He looked down the corridor opposite me. An opening. An escape.
He didn't know where it led. Could've been a dead end. Could've gone deeper. But he took it.
To protect me.
He didn't pass the monster onto me.
He didn't even hesitate.
The Minotaur barely noticed me. Its bloodlust was aimed only at that small, sprinting figure. It barreled past, shaking the walls with every step.
And then—
They were gone.
I dropped.
My knees buckled, my palms slammed the stone floor.
I caught myself just before I could collapse entirely. But I was shaking.
Hard.
My hands wouldn't stop. My heart felt like it would explode. Tears fell from my eyes. My breathing erratic.
I had never…never felt that much fear in my life.
And that kid—
That kid—
He had just saved me.
He could've handed it off. Let the Minotaur rip into me. Used me as a distraction.
But instead, he chose to potentially sacrifice himself.
He didn't even know me.
And he—
A chime echoed in my head.
Emergency Quest: SAVE BELL CRANEL!
Description: The tides of fate are forever flowing. Bell Cranel has saved your life, but should no one intervene…his fate shall be forever sealed.
Reward: 1x Gold Item Gatcha Ticket
Bonus Rewards: ?? ??
"…Save Bell Cranel…"
The words repeated in my mind. Quiet. Desperate.
"…Save Bell Cranel…Save Bell Cranel…"
My arms stopped shaking.
My tears stopped falling.
My breathing—slow, steady.
"He saved my life."
I forced myself upright.
My legs trembled. I leaned against the wall. They weren't responding.
Move. Move. MOVE.
Nothing.
I clenched my jaw.
I opened my ability slots and replaced Magic Arrow with Summon Item.
I focused.
A familiar dagger — the one I used to harvest stones with— appeared in my hand.
Then I stabbed my thigh.
"GAHH!"
The pain was white-hot, slicing through the paralysis like a bolt of lightning. My brain lit up. My legs unlocked.
I could move.
I stood.
Not gracefully. Not smoothly.
But I stood.
I looked down the corridor. I didn't know what lay ahead — just that Bell was out there.
And a Minotaur was going to kill him.
…
Not if I had anything to say about it.
Whether for the world…or for my conscience…
I would save Bell Cranel.
I clenched my fists.
I activated Overdrive Core. I pumped it full of energy. And I moved.
The pain in my leg was already fading.
I ran.
Straight toward the roars ahead.
——————————————————————
~POV Chico~
Faster.
Faster.
I have to go faster.
Every breath was a sharp inhale. Every step slammed against the stone like a war drum. My boots scraped the mossy floor as I sprinted through the winding tunnels of the fifth floor.
Somewhere ahead, a kid was running for his life.
Somewhere ahead, a Minotaur was about to kill the boy who just saved my life.
I didn't know what I'd do when I got there. I just knew I had to get there before it was too late.
My mind was spinning as fast as my legs were moving.
Think. Blades? Magic? Holy Flames?
The Minotaur was a brute—fast, strong, relentless. Not something I could underestimate. Not something I could play around with.
Overdrive Core would be at its strongest if I took damage. I'd grow more powerful the more pain I endured—but only if I could survive it.
Which meant one thing:
I had to be durable.
"Combat Armor," I whispered.
My hand pressed to my chest. I focused.
The thought rippled through my soul. I called the armor I had received.
Combat Armor: Summon.
A brief pulse of…something. Then weight.
The armor unfolded over my body, sheathing my torso, arms, and legs in matte silver plating with blue accents. It tightened to a perfect fit. My rings stayed exactly where they were—intact and glowing faintly. The helmet formed around my head, it held an open visor.
The world narrowed.
I blinked a few times. The visor only slightly dulled my vision—enough to notice, but not enough to matter.
It felt odd. But that didn't matter.
Only one thing mattered.
I reached into my inventory again, thinking of the little jawbreaker shaped candies I'd pulled over a week ago. It looked like metal, smelled like iron, and probably tasted like rust.
Scrap Iron Candy.
I summoned it into my palm, lifted my visor, and tossed it into my mouth.
Gulp.
It tasted like chewing on rusted nails dipped in sewer water.
I swallowed it whole.
Disgusting.
But almost immediately, I felt a thickening sensation in my skin. A metallic itch crept along my arms. The candy worked. My defense was higher now—high enough to maybe take a couple of hits if it came to it.
I was readying myself for the worst.
The roars were louder now—full-throated and furious.
The kind of rage that meant someone was still standing.
Bell.
He was still alive.
But not for long unless I got there. Fast.
I turned another corner. Then another. I knew this floor well—I'd memorized it. Studied it.
And I knew exactly where they were going.
The center of the floor.
A huge, circular stone chamber. Wide. Open. The perfect place for a battle.
My legs burned.
But I didn't slow down.
I couldn't.
I wouldn't.
I'm going to win.
I repeated it to myself with every breath. Every footfall. Every thud in my chest.
I have to.
Whether for fate or for that kid.
Whether for the world or for my own damned soul.
That room—up ahead—that's where it would all begin.
The roar shook the walls.
And I ran straight toward it.
——————————————————————
~POV Bell Cranel~
I had been running for less than a minute before I saw that adventurer-san.
I wanted to shout. Wanted to warn him. Tell him to run. But…
He was frozen.
Locked in place like a statue.
And I couldn't blame him.
Just seeing the Minotaur up close—hearing its hooves thunder, smelling the raw stink of its breath—I understood. That kind of fear…it's not something you control. It controls you.
But I was lucky.
The Minotaur slammed into the wall.
Hard.
Its horn cracked the stone and it let out a dazed grunt. Just enough for me to dash around its hulking frame and down a tunnel. Away from that man. Away from anyone it might hurt.
I don't know if he made it out. I hope he did.
Because me?
I'm running out of time.
My lungs are burning. My legs feel heavy. Every step I take feels like it might be my last.
And worst of all—I don't know where I'm going.
This part of the fifth floor I had yet to memorize. I've only just reached this floor, behind Eina's back, and I'm starting to regret it. I'd hoped to explore it one day…not die here.
The Minotaur is behind me. Getting louder. Closer.
It's going to catch me.
I won't make it to the stairs.
I won't get to see Kami-sama's smile again.
And strangely…I felt a sense of peace.
Because at least…at the very least…
I saved someone.
That thought brings me a flicker of peace.
Then I reach it.
An open chamber. Wide. Four exits in four directions.
I hesitate.
The Minotaur doesn't.
Its hoof slams the ground and sends debris flying. I try to leap out of the way—
—but it catches me in the edge of the blast.
"GUH—!"
My body crashes into a wall like a ragdoll. Something pops in my shoulder. My whole side goes numb. I crumple to the floor, coughing, wheezing, seeing stars.
It's right in front of me now.
I try to get up. My knees buckle.
I hear the hooves stomp again. One more hit and I'll be paste.
"I'm sorry…Kami-sama," I whisper. Tears flowing from my eyes.
"I won't be making it home this time."
I shut my eyes and wait.
I wait for the pain. For the end.
…
…
But it doesn't come.
There's only a pause.
Then…a rumble in its throat. A sound like a rolling avalanche.
*UUIURRRRRUUUAAAAAHHHHH*
A roar.
So loud it paralyzes me. My body seizes. I can't even scream.
I force my eyes open—
—and see the Minotaur over me, chest heaving.
But it's not looking at me anymore.
Its massive back is turned.
And in that thick hide of muscle and rage…
Two daggers are buried in its back.
Not too deep. But bleeding.
And facing the monster, standing tall, a man in armor. A silver sheen that reflected even the dull light of the 5th floor, and blue highlights.
I see him.
An adventurer had come.
Is he here to save me?
He was armored. Braced. Back straight and fearless.
And his voice—
Gods, his voice.
It cuts through the air like thunder.
Chills ran down my spine, and goosebumps rose on my only arm that wasn't numb.
"Prepárate a morir…VACA!"
——————————————————————
~POV Chico~
I made it.
Just in time.
The Minotaur stood over Bell—horns gleaming, muscles rippling.
That moment—that precious heartbeat of hesitation—was mine.
I charged in, silent as wind, blades drawn.
Both Demon King Daggers—one in each hand.
One clean step. Two.
I leapt—armor shifting with the movement—and with both hands I buried my daggers into the beast's back.
It roared in pain.
*UUIURRRRRUUUAAAAAHHHHH*
In surprise. In fury.
It staggered backward, just enough to distance itself from Bell. The boy was still alive, barely, and out of the kill zone for now.
My hands were already slick with its blood.
I pulled back, lept back into the air, and landed behind the Minotaur.
The beast turned. Snarling.
I grinned under my helmet.
Let's have an adventure.
"Prepárate a morir… VACA!"
The Minotaur charged.
And I met it head-on.
——————————————————————
~POV Chico~
I threw my backpack across the room. It had everything except most of my potions in it.
It skidded and slammed against the far wall with a hard thud. I didn't want it weighing me down. I didn't want anything to get in the way.
This was it.
I pushed more into Overdrive Core.
The surge hit me like a hammer to the heart—power, raw and crackling, pressing on every muscle, every nerve. My body pulsed with heat. And just like before…it began. That creeping, spiraling strength that would grow with time.
I followed it up with Summon Item. The magic spark flared, familiar and comforting even amidst the tension. The blades in my hands were my marked Demon King daggers—deadly, black-edged weapons that had tasted blood before.
Let's do this.
The Minotaur turned, nostrils flaring, eyes filled with red fury.
It charged.
And I charged right back.
Blades clashed with flesh. I spun low, cutting into its leg—barely a nick. I darted to the side, slashing for its ribs—another shallow strike. The Minotaur's hide was thick. Too thick for normal hits.
But I didn't stop.
Strike. Dodge. Twist. Cut. Summon. Throw. Spin.
I was dancing with it.
It swung its fists like boulders, crashing into stone and sending shockwaves with every miss. Every time it lunged, I was just out of reach. The armor helped. It was heavier than I was used to, but it was keeping me alive. My visor flashed with dust and blood, but I stayed focused.
One dagger missed. I re-summoned it mid-roll.
I slashed at its side. I dove under a backhand swing. I cut its thigh. It tried to kick at me, and I vaulted over its leg.
It had been a minute and a half.
And it hadn't hit me once.
But I wasn't winning either.
My blades weren't deep enough. I wasn't strong enough. I could feel myself getting stronger, slowly—my footwork sharper, my swings faster—but it was taking time I didn't have.
The Minotaur realized it too.
Its snorts turned to growls. Its swings became faster, tighter.
Then—
*BOOM*
A hoof slammed into the ground.
I stumbled—just one step out of sync—but that was all it needed.
I brought my blades up, crossed them in front of me.
Too late.
*GHRAAAAH!!*
WHAM.
I flew.
The impact was like being hit by a truck. My arms screamed. My ribs cracked. I slammed into the far wall with the weight of a falling tree. Stone broke behind me.
Air gone.
Blood shot out of my mouth.
I slid to the floor in a heap, gasping, choking, blinking through stars and pain.
That was the hardest hit I'd ever taken. In both worlds.
Even Persephone never hit like that during our spars.
But something else came with the pain.
Something wild. Pure.
I could feel it. Surging inside me. Feeding me.
Overdrive Core pulsed—and I knew it then.
I had hit Level 2 strength.
From one hit.
I laughed through blood.
The Minotaur let out a snort, deep and guttural. Not a roar.
An amused sound.
It thought this was funny.
That pissed me off.
I staggered back to my feet, teeth gritted behind the helmet. Blood in my mouth. Nose dripping. The smell of iron filled my helmet. My arms felt like they were dangling by threads—but I could still move them.
I readied my blades again.
But this time, I switched my third slot.
Summon Item—off.
Holy Flames—on.
The power ignited in my core.
It was hotter than before.
Stronger.
"Let's see you laugh after this…"
I charged again, blades ready.
When I was close enough—just a few meters out—I threw them both. One. Two.
The daggers spun through the air like black comets.
Thud. Thunk.
Both buried into the Minotaur's arms mid-charge.
It roared, its body bucking in pain—but it kept coming.
So did I.
"Burn."
I lifted my hands and summoned the spell.
It drained me more than anything I'd used before—my Mind dipped much more—but I held on.
And the spell formed—
A golden, blazing ball of radiant, sacred flame.
I hurled it straight at the beast.
The fireball exploded on contact.
*WHOOOOM*
Holy fire engulfed its chest and shoulders, licking up its neck, searing its flesh. The Minotaur shrieked in pain, staggered back—
A smoke screen filled the chamber, thick and choking.
I stood there, breathing hard, watching through the haze. I knew it wasn't over.
Then—
It cleared.
And I saw the damage.
Its front side was scorched. Flesh blackened, hide bubbling. One eye was bleeding. Smoke curled from its chest.
That spell hit harder than anything I'd done yet.
Even with my low Magic stat…Holy Flames struck true.
But it wasn't dead.
Far from it.
The Minotaur's remaining eye focused on me.
And what I saw in that glare—
Rage.
Real rage.
Not the animalistic kind. Not the predator-to-prey kind.
The personal kind.
It let out a furious snort and then—
It roared.
I summoned another flame in my hand and prepared to dash.
The second phase of our fight was about to begin.
And I wasn't backing down.
——————————————————————
The smoke curled off the Minotaur's chest as it roared, louder than ever before.
It wasn't holding back anymore.
And I wouldn't back down.
I dashed left, fire burning in my palm—Holy Flames prepared. It surged brighter this time, pulsing with heat and wrath, and I launched it hard and fast.
The fireball missed.
The explosion lit up the far wall, swallowing part of the corridor in divine flame. Stone cracked, smoke hissed, and I cursed under my breath. I could feel it—my Mind reserves dropping sharply.
I couldn't afford more wasted spells.
Slot switch: Holy Flames → Summon Item.
With a thought, both blades reappeared in my hands. Both crackled faintly with light. I twirled them once. Weight perfect, grip tight—and rushed back into the fray.
The Minotaur charged, feet gouging the ground with thunder. Its red eyes burned with fury. Its body—massive and brutalized—was still overflowing with strength.
"Let's dance."
We collided again.
The sound of metal meeting flesh, claws grazing steel, and footsteps crushing stone filled the chamber. Every move I made had to be perfect. A single mistake could kill me.
Step left—strike the knee.
Retreat—dodge the swing.
Tumble forward—stab the side.
Roll under—slice the thigh.
I was a blur.
Every breath came sharper. Every heartbeat louder.
Overdrive Core was pulsing in rhythm with my body now. My muscles didn't scream. They roared with momentum. Each graze of pain turned to power, to growth, to speed.
But still—not enough.
My blades cut. But they didn't bite deep enough. I was bleeding it, yes. Slowing it down, maybe. But this thing wasn't mortal. Not really. It was rage and muscle given form.
And I was running out of tricks.
That's when it caught me.
A sudden pivot—its arm shot out, faster than I expected. Its massive hand gripped my torso, crushing ribs, squeezing the air from my lungs.
"Ghkk—!"
Before I could react, the Minotaur slammed me into the ground, then punched me in the gut so hard my vision exploded with stars.
Then without pause—
It hurled me.
I hit the ground once—bounced.
Then again—slid.
And finally, I smashed into a jagged pillar, shattering part of it on impact.
The crack of bone, the thud of flesh, the metallic clang of armor—they were all real.
Everything hurt.
Blood ran from my nose and mouth. My ribs screamed. My vision swam. My arms barely responded.
My helmet had cracked down the center, one side shattered.
I collapsed to my knees, coughing violently.
The pain. There was so much…pain.
This wasn't a duel. This was war.
And yet—
My body burned with power.
Overdrive Core activated again, deeper, richer. My strength climbed higher.
My body restructured itself mid-battle, muscles knitting tighter, lungs drawing deeper breath. Level 2 strength surged toward its peak.
I healed, slowly but enough.
And I felt it. Not just power.
Determination.
The Minotaur laughed again—a deep, guttural snarl that reeked of amusement.
It still thought this was amusing.
I clenched my teeth, spat blood to the side, and slowly—slowly—forced myself to my feet.
With one hand, I grabbed my helmet, looked at the cracked helm.
And tossed it aside.
Let it clatter on the stone.
The cool dungeon air hit my bloodied face. I inhaled deep through my nose.
The scent of blood filled my senses.
And I smiled.
A broken, battered, bruised smile.
My blades reappeared in my hands again, summoned by sheer will.
This would end now.
"This ends here…Vaca."
I took one step forward.
Slot switch: Summon Item → Desperation.
A single breath.
And then my world ignited.
Power exploded through my body.
+125% stats across the board, on top of Overdrive Core.
I felt it. Every nerve on fire. My veins surging with speed, strength, reflexes. It was like I had been dragging chains—and now they were gone.
The Minotaur roared again, claws scraping the floor.
We charged at the same time.
It dropped low to all fours, tearing toward me like a beast possessed.
But I was faster.
I was faster.
Time slowed.
I saw the angle. The rhythm. Its gait, its breath, the way its arms pumped.
I pivoted left—then twisted around behind its shoulder.
My first blade arced wide.
*SHRAK*
Horn—gone.
The beast shrieked in pain, momentum faltering.
I didn't stop.
I used the recoil, spun midair, and leapt just as it turned—
My second blade came down.
…
Straight through its thick neck.
SHNK.
A burst of dark red flooded the air as I landed on the stone behind it, crouched low. With my blades in a reverse grip.
I didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
The Minotaur staggered forward, blood gushing from its stump—
Then, finally, it collapsed.
*BOOM*
Silence.
I stood slowly.
Arms loose. Chest heaving. My entire body screaming.
And I was smiling.
I turned to see Bell Cranel—still frozen in awe, in fear, in shock, and in recognition.
Wide-eyed. Speechless.
I had done it…I had saved him.
I was nearly at my limit. But I had an idea. This might change the fate of the world…for better or for worse…only time will tell.
——————————————————————
~POV Bell Cranel~
Who…was he?
The thought echoed in my mind, over and over again, louder than the Minotaur's roars.
He wasn't anyone I recognized. I had never seen him before…not until today. His armor was battered, plain, and unfamiliar. No crest. No mark. His weapons looked…strange, strong. His style even stranger. Not formal. Not refined. But—alive. Adaptable. Real.
Yet there he stood.
Alone.
Facing down a monster I had been running from.
And winning.
Bell watched from the bloodstained ground, too shaken to stand. Every clash of steel and muscle echoed through the walls. The stranger moved like fire—fluid, unpredictable. He was fast. Too fast. Faster than someone at Level 1 had any right to be. And strong. He hurt the Minotaur. Made it bleed. Kept pushing it back, step by step.
I could barely believe it.
He was fighting it head-on.
At first, I thought it was luck. A well-timed hit. An opening caught.
But then it kept happening. Again. And again.
That wasn't luck.
That was skill.
That was power.
He was getting stronger.
Then he took that second hit—the one that cracked the floor, the one that crushed him into a pillar so hard it broke stone.
Bell gasped, his heart stopping.
He's dead—he has to be—
But he wasn't.
He rose.
Slowly. Bleeding. Barely breathing.
Helmet shattered. Blood dripping from his mouth. But smiling. Smiling.
I had never seen anything like it.
He took off the helmet…and it was him. The adventurer I saw just minutes before.
And then he killed it…I couldn't even see it, he moved faster than he had in the entire fight.
It was like a legend in front of his very—
"—What the hell?" someone muttered close by him.
Bell turned, blinking.
A group had gathered at the far end of the chamber, drawn by the sound of battle.
And not just any group.
They were impossible not to recognize.
The two Amazonian sisters—one bouncing in place with excitement, the other holding a neutral expression.
A silver-haired werewolf leaned forward, one eye narrowing, with a permanent scowl on his face.
An elven princess—tall, graceful—stood silently with arms folded, expression unreadable.
All of them radiated strength. Fame. Danger.
And in the center of them stood a blonde swordswoman. And the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on.
Ais Wallenstein.
Even from across the room, Bell felt her presence. Quiet. Towering. Her golden eyes were fixed on the battlefield—not on the Minotaur's corpse, but on him. The man standing over it.
The stranger who had just killed a monster Bell was helpless against.
None of them looked like they recognized him either.
And yet—not one of them spoke.
Not even Loki Familia could deny what they had just witnessed.
An adventure. Plain and simple.
Who was he?
Bell didn't know.
No one did.
But even as the stranger turned toward him, bathed in blood and victory. He felt…ashamed. He had been able to do nothing but run away. He didn't deserve any consideration…
——————————————————————
Ais Wallenstein
She felt it before she heard it.
That familiar ripple of tension—the rhythm of danger vibrating through the Dungeon's stone.
Ais's golden eyes narrowed as she ran, her footsteps silent across the fifth floor's winding corridors. There was battle ahead.
She accelerated.
And then she saw it.
A Minotaur.
And someone fighting it.
She stopped just at the edge of the chamber's shadows, watching the first exchange of blows. The adventurer—armor worn, twin weapons—moved with raw, aggressive instinct. Odd form. But his footwork was real. His attacks, measured. His decisions, sharp.
He was surviving.
Alone.
Why?
She stepped forward, one hand drifting toward her sword. She could end this quickly.
But something made her stop.
He wasn't just surviving.
He was fighting.
And the Minotaur—wasn't winning.
She didn't move.
Not yet.
If he fell, she would step in.
But until then…
She would watch.
——————————————————————
Bete Loga
"Tch."
A snarl escaped Bete's throat as he jogged into the chamber, ears twitching.
Ais was standing still, sword unsheathed but unmoving. That meant she was watching something.
And there it was.
A Minotaur. Big. Thrashing. And some moron swinging metal at it like he knew what he was doing.
"The hell…?"
He stepped beside Ais, watching the fight unfold with a growing sneer.
"That's a level two monster. He looks like a newbie. Thinking he can take on something like that. What a joke."
He scoffed, crossing his arms just as the Minotaur roared and slammed its fist into the adventurer, sending him flying through the air and crashing into a pillar.
Stone cracked.
Dust bloomed.
Bete clicked his tongue.
"Keh. Should've known."
He turned to leave—then froze.
A white-haired rabbit was curled up against the far wall, trembling like a startled…rabbit.
His laughter echoed once.
"Of course, another weakling…cowering in a corner."
How disgusting.
"This just got better."
He turned back to the fight.
And blinked.
The guy was getting up.
Bleeding, wobbling—but up.
"…Huh."
His brow twitched.
He didn't expect that.
And before he could say more, his ears picked up two pairs of fast steps charging from behind.
He turned—
——————————————————————
Tiona Hiryute
"Tione, I hear something up ahead!"
"This better not be another false alarm!" her sister said beside her.
"It's not, I promise!"
Tiona broke into a sprint, her bare feet slamming into the stone floor with eager rhythm.
She expected carnage. A squad of rookie adventurers flattened by a rampaging Minotaur. She braced for blood, for broken bodies—
Instead, she saw him.
One guy. One Minotaur.
And a fight that didn't make any sense.
She skidded to a stop beside Ais and Bete, her sister coming to a halt just behind her.
"What the heck is going on…?"
The guy looked like he was one breath away from collapsing—and then his hands lit up.
Golden light sparked into the air.
A spell?
No chant. No incantation.
But suddenly, the space in front of him shimmered—blazing gold, raw and radiant. Not normal fire. Not magic she recognized.
But it was beautiful.
He threw it—no, hurled it.
The blast rocked the Minotaur in its chest, golden flames exploding against it with smoke filling the area.
Tiona's eyes sparkled.
"Ohhhh that was so cool! Did you see that?!"
Tione muttered beside her, "I saw it. But what was that?"
No one answered.
Even Bete was silent, arms slack at his sides, watching.
The guy fought with pure determination, the Minotaur was still stronger…but he was catching up.
He was getting better with every exchange.
——————————————————————
Riveria Ljos Alf
"Report."
Her calm voice cut through the air as she entered the chamber, staff in hand.
No one answered at first.
Tiona pointed. "That guy's fighting the Minotaur. Alone. And he's winning."
Riveria stepped forward, frowning.
The chamber was cracked and scorched. Blood coated the floor. The Minotaur was injured—deeply.
And the adventurer…
Riveria narrowed her eyes.
He was glowing faintly now. Magic, but not the familiar kind. His aura pulsed like a heartbeat—one that made him stronger than he should be.
She didn't recognize him.
Neither did Ais, Tiona, Tione, or Bete.
Yet there he stood.
Bleeding. Breathing hard. Face marked with fresh blood.
And moving.
Fast.
Riveria saw it—his blades, flashing in a blur, carving through bone, and about to hit a finishing blow.
One horn flew.
And then—
The final strike.
The Minotaur collapsed, shaking the floor with its fall.
The adventurer crouched behind it, chest heaving, blades lowered.
And silence reigned.
The fifth floor had never been quieter.
Riveria's voice came again, this time soft.
"…Who is he?"
No one answered.
Even the Dungeon seemed to hold its breath.
The adventurer turned his attention to the lone boy. And he marched, both were injured, one, more than the other. The black haired adventurer seemed on his last legs, so she would prepare an elixir for the young man…considering this was their fault.
——————————————————————
~3rd POV~
His legs were heavy, his vision a haze of red and grey. He could still feel the echoes of his ability—Overdrive Core—burning in his body, but it had faded now. The faint afterglow in his blood kept him moving, but barely.
Each step toward the white-haired boy felt like a mile.
The chamber was quiet now, save for the drip of blood and the occasional crumbling echo of battle-worn stone. The Minotaur's corpse was behind him, still smoking faintly from the golden flames that had marked it just minutes ago.
But Chico didn't look back.
He only looked forward, at the boy who had frozen in the middle of chaos, and yet had not run.
The closer he got, the more clearly he could see the state Bell Cranel was in—blood running down the side of his forehead, eyes wide with a haunting mix of fear and shame. He clutched his right shoulder with his other hand; it looked dislocated. He was trembling.
So was Chico.
But he forced himself down, dropping hard to one knee—not from formality, but from necessity.
The boy flinched.
Chico's voice came soft, hoarse, but steady.
"…What is your name?"
Bell blinked. "…Huh?"
Chico gave a faint chuckle, exhaling through cracked lips.
"I asked for your name."
"…Bell. Bell Cranel."
The name was said with hesitation, like it hurt to say.
"…Thank you," Chico murmured.
Bell's gaze snapped up. "For what?"
Chico smiled despite the pain. "For saving my life."
Bell's eyes widened. "…eh?"
What followed was a burst of panicked denial.
"I—I didn't! I didn't do anything! I was just—just standing there! I ran away—I—I was useless—I—!"
Chico let him finish.
Then he chuckled, low and warm.
"Kid…this was my first time stepping foot onto the fifth floor. And the last thing I expected to see was a damn Minotaur...I'd never experienced fear like that. I froze. I couldn't move, couldn't even breathe."
He took in Bell's horrified expression and pressed on.
"You could've left me there, you know. Used me as bait, maybe bought yourself a few more seconds to run. Any other adventurer would've. But you didn't. You led it away."
Bell stared, speechless.
"So thank you, Bell Cranel."
Chico braced his core and gritted his teeth. With a slow, shaking effort, he pushed himself back onto his feet. His legs screamed in protest, but he didn't care.
He extended his left hand, palm open and steady.
"Bell Cranel," he asked, "why is it that you explore the Dungeon?"
The boy looked up at him, eyes wide and a little lost.
"…I want…" Bell hesitated, then spoke with surprising clarity. "I want to be a hero. Just like those from the past."
Chico's smile softened. It wasn't pity. It was admiration.
"A hero, huh?" he said, eyes half-lidded. "That's a long and dangerous road…"
He swayed slightly.
"…But you're well on your way. You've already saved a life—"
Before Bell could take his hand, Chico's strength gave out. His vision blurred, the strength in his knees crumbled, and gravity took him.
He began to fall—
—but didn't hit the ground.
Instead, he landed softly.
His head, somehow, came to rest on something warm. Firm…but also soft. Like—
He blinked once. Twice.
Then slowly turned his gaze to the side.
A pair of dark green eyes stared back at him, full of curiosity, concern, and even awe?
Chico froze.
They reminded him of something distant—no, someone. His mother. Her eyes were in a way the same as his mother's. Kind. Grounded. Full of life. And a beautiful shade of dark green.
He blinked again, dazed.
"…I like the color of your eyes," he mumbled, voice barely a whisper.
Tiona Hiryute grinned without missing a beat. "Thanks! I like your eyes too—those grey-blues are pretty."
Chico blinked one more time…then promptly passed out, head still resting in her lap.
——————————————————————
~Tiona POV~
"Oh…he passed out," I said aloud, blinking as I looked down at the guy whose head was now settled firmly in my lap.
Not that I minded. He was kinda cute, he also complimented my eyes. Hair all messy with sweat and blood, and still somehow looking peaceful while unconscious. His breathing had evened out a little.
Footsteps approached behind me.
"Here," Riveria said calmly, handing me a large, finely-crafted bottle. "Apply this to his wounds."
I took the elixir from her with a grin. "Got it! I'll take care of him."
I pulled the cork free and started dabbing the glowing liquid across the worst of his injuries—some pretty nasty gashes, especially around his side and arms. The stuff worked fast. Bruises faded, cuts stitched themselves closed, and his skin started looking healthy again, aside from the dried blood and scuffed armor.
Gods…this guy.
I couldn't get the image out of my head—the way he stood there, body barely holding together, facing down that Minotaur alone. A Level One. I could tell from his aura. He wasn't even close to hitting Level Two yet, but he fought like someone who deserved to be there.
And he won.
It wasn't even luck. It was stubborn, raw determination.
A Level One slaying a Minotaur…alone?
That's the kind of thing you hear in stories. Legendary kind of stuff.
I wanted to call him "Argonaut." It was the first name that popped into my head.
But no…something about him didn't match that. She didn't know what it was, but she felt that he was just…different.
I glanced up to check on Riveria. She was healing the white-haired boy nearby—the one that had been standing with the guy in my lap just before he passed out.
He looked really shaken. His shoulder was better now thanks to Riveria, and the blood had been cleaned up. Honestly, the kid looked like he wanted to cry, but also like he didn't feel allowed to.
None of us had been close enough to hear what the unconscious guy had told him. Maybe Bete caught it—he had sharper ears than the rest of us, but he hadn't said anything.
Still, I felt kinda bad.
This whole thing? The Minotaur being here on the fifth floor? That was our mistake.
A small dungeon break during our ascent, and one of the monsters made it all the way up to the 5th floor.
At least…no one had died.
So far, anyway.
I looked back down. The guy was still asleep, but resting better now. Elixir really worked wonders.
I hummed a little and started playing with his hair—gently twisting a few strands between my fingers. It was soft, even with the grime and sweat. He'd probably be embarrassed if he woke up like this, but I didn't really care.
The white-haired adventurer—Bell, I think Riveria had said—was on his feet again now. He gave her a quick thank-you with a slight bow.
He looked like he was about to bolt.
I was just about to suggest we offer him an escort—get him safely up to the surface—but he beat me to it.
Or, well…he ran off before we could say anything.
But then—he stopped.
He skidded near a backpack tucked along the wall and scooped it up. After that, he ran straight toward me.
He came to a halt just a few steps away, knelt down, and gently set the backpack by the guy's feet.
"This belongs to him," Bell said quietly.
I nodded. "Thanks."
He didn't move right away. Just stood there, looking at the unconscious guy in my lap.
There was a storm of something in his eyes—confusion, maybe admiration. Or maybe it was guilt?
Then Bell turned his head and spotted Ais.
His eyes lingered. Just for a second.
But then he turned away, still silent, and took off at a run—headed toward the staircase back to the fourth floor.
…Poor kid. He looked a little traumatized. But he put up a strong face at the end.
I hoped he would be alright.
…
I looked down again. At the man on my lap.
This one? He was something else.
And I wanted to know more. I was…curious.
——————————————————————
After Bell took off, Riveria quickly took charge of the situation. She gave out commands with her usual cool-headed authority, sending Bete, Tione, and Ais deeper into the Dungeon to check for any more stray Minotaurs or adventurers that might need help.
Bete grumbled, of course. Something about wasting time and it not being their problem. But he still listened, like he always did when Riveria got serious. Tione gave me a look and a shrug before heading off with him. Ais lingered for a second longer though, her golden eyes fixed on the dark corridor where the white-haired kid had disappeared. I could tell she was curious about him.
Once they were gone, I asked Riveria what we were doing.
"We're escorting him up to the surface," she said, gesturing to the still-snoozing guy in my lap. "But first, we're harvesting the Minotaur. It'd be a waste to leave it.
I jumped at the chance. "I'll do it!"
With a grin, I gently laid the adventurer down on the floor, brushing some of his hair out of the way as I stood. Then, rolling up my sleeves—not that I needed to—I stepped over to what remained of the Minotaur.
Time to get my hands dirty.
Literally.
I plunged my fist into the monster's chest, feeling around a bit until my hand closed around something warm and pulsing. The magic stone. With one good tug, I yanked it out. The Minotaur's corpse shimmered and disappeared into dust.
When the dust cleared, I found something else on the ground next to the stone—a thick, jagged horn.
"Oooh~! Lucky!" I chimed.
I walked back over to the guy's bag, still sitting right where Bell had left it. I didn't want to snoop through it or anything—it felt wrong—so I just slipped the stone and horn into one of the side pouches that looked like it had space. Hopefully he'd be happy when he woke up. He also was missing his helmet…a quick glance around the floor and she saw the damaged helm, and quickly grabbed it and handed it to Riveria.
Then I handed the whole bag to Riveria, who took it without a word. She looked tired, but I could see the glimmer of curiosity in her eyes too.
And then, with a deep breath, I knelt beside him and scooped him up onto my back—one of those piggyback lifts, with his arms draped over my shoulders and his legs hanging down. He was heavier than I expected. Not heavy-heavy, but solid. Like someone who hid quite a bit of muscle behind his slim figure.
The walk to the surface wasn't bad. No monsters, no surprises. But…
…He was kinda handsy in his sleep.
Nothing bad! Just…his arms tightened around my neck a few times. Like he was having a dream and didn't want to let go. And at one point, his cheek nuzzled up against my neck, all warm and soft.
His breath tickled my skin.
I had to fight the urge to giggle. I mean, come on—ticklish neck! And also, kinda embarrassing!
But…also kinda cute.
Still, it didn't take long before the Dungeon's stone tunnels gave way to the familiar sight of the surface entrance.
We were finally out.
Now came the hard part.
I shifted my grip on him and looked at Riveria.
"…Sooo. What do we do with him now?"
——————————————————————
Riveria adjusted the strap of the backpack now resting against her hip—the young man's belongings felt light, the same goes for his helmet. As Tiona shifted the unconscious adventurer on her back, the High Elf calmly laid out their options.
"We have two choices," Riveria began, her voice crisp, composed as always. "Since we don't know who he is or which Familia he belongs to, we can either leave him at the Dian Cecht Familia's hospital…or take him with us to the Guild."
Tiona glanced sideways, thoughtful. "The Guild makes more sense, right? They'll probably know who he is."
"Agreed," Riveria said with a nod. "We'll also need to report the Dungeon break and summarize the events of our expedition. It's our responsibility."
Tiona's tone dipped a little. "I hope no one else got hurt because of it…"
Riveria's expression softened, just for a moment. "So do I."
With their plan settled, the two made their way through the streets of Orario. The city was still waking up; it was just before noon, and the crowds hadn't fully filled the plaza yet. Even so, they drew attention. Riveria was used to it. Tiona, with an unconscious adventurer on her back, invited even more curious whispers.
She ignored the stares. There were more pressing concerns.
When they stepped into the Guild building, the reception hall was mostly quiet, with only a few adventurers scattered about. Riveria scanned the desks. No sign of Eina.
"Hm. She's not here," she muttered under her breath. "Let's try Rose-san."
They found Rose speaking to a young blonde woman who she didn't recognize. When Rose noticed them, her eyes widened slightly—then flicked immediately to the unconscious man on Tiona's back.
Rose then tapped the blonde's shoulder and pointed toward them.
The blonde woman's entire demeanor changed. She turned, saw the man, and her face drained of color.
"Chico!" she gasped and rushed forward without hesitation.
Tiona blinked. "Oh?"
Riveria simply raised an eyebrow.
The woman—Ariel, judging by what Rose muttered next—hurried to inspect him where he rested on Tiona's back, gently brushing his bangs aside, checking his breathing, his color, or any wounds, murmuring, "He looks fine, thank the gods…"
Then she froze.
Her head turned back, slowly, her eyes meeting Riveria's with a look of dawning horror.
"I-I apologize!" she blurted, bowing slightly, "I'm his friend-er…Ahem. Advisor."
Riveria gave a lite nod. "Understandable. You know his name, then?"
"Yes. Chico Sol, he's a level one adventurer of the Demeter Familia," she said, straightening. "May I ask… what happened?"
Tiona started to answer—but Riveria gently raised a hand.
"We'll explain. But I would prefer this conversation be held in private."
Without another word, Riveria led the group toward one of the available side booths, curtained off from the main lobby. Tiona followed with Chico still piggyback, and Ariel and Rose trailed closely behind.
Just as they all slipped into the booth, they just missed Eina, walking alongside a now-healed Bell Cranel. The boy bowed in thanks, turned, grinning wide, and practically yelled, "I LOVE YOU!" before sprinting out into the city.
It would seem that Bell Cranel was now in higher spirits.
——————————————————————
Riveria sat with practiced posture, spine straight, hands folded on her lap. The private booth offered enough seclusion from prying ears, but not from the weight of responsibility that still clung to her.
Across from her sat Rose Fannett and the young blonde woman—Ariel, if Riveria heard correctly. Clearly anxious as she occasionally looked toward the unconscious boy resting next to Tiona.
Chico Sol, Ariel-san had called him. A name she would remember.
Tiona fidgeted beside her, Sol-san seemed to be resting his head on Tiona's shoulder. Chico's breathing had steadied, and thanks to the elixir, he was already looking healthier. Now it was time to explain why this meeting was even happening in the first place.
Riveria began in her usual level tone, confident but not without gravity.
"We were forced to cut our expedition short just after reaching the 50th floor."
That alone made Rose glance up in concern.
"We encountered a new strain of monster—something undocumented. Large, quadrupedal beasts with hardened carapaces, capable of launching highly corrosive acid. Several of our members suffered equipment damage, and some were nearly incapacitated."
She allowed the memory to surface—the harsh sizzle of acid burning through armor, the cries of support teams scrambling to apply emergency potions.
"They emerged in large numbers and displayed rudimentary tactics. But with the threat they posed and the rapid increase in monster density, we deemed it unsafe to continue deeper. We began our retreat."
Riveria glanced briefly to Rose, then Ariel.
"Then more trouble. However, on the 17th floor."
Her expression hardened slightly.
"Without warning, we were ambushed. An unusually large number of Minotaurs spawned simultaneously and encircled our entire party."
A brief pause, then:
"While we managed to eliminate a few in moments, they began to stampede and fled upward. We immediately split our party into groups to intercept them before they could endanger adventurers on the upper levels."
She lowered her voice, calm but grim.
"But one made it to the 5th floor."
She inclined her head toward Chico, still resting beside Tiona.
"That's where we found Chico Sol-san. When I got there, he was in the middle of slaying the Minotaur, alone. A freshly killed corpse, body half-broken from the fight. And beside him, another adventurer, one Bell Cranel-san. Both were wounded, but alive."
A sharp breath from Ariel. Rose's expression tensed.
Riveria continued, now more softly.
"I cannot overstate the significance of this. Minotaurs are dangerous for even level 2 adventurers. For a Level 1 to defeat one single-handedly—without support—is not just rare. It's unheard of."
"Epic," Tiona muttered beside her, then leaned forward with a grin. "Seriously! I mean—Riveria's being all serious and smart about it, but it was honestly one of the coolest things I've ever seen!"
She mimicked a sword swing with both hands. "He got slammed into the wall and still kept going. Then boom! Some sort of golden flame to the Minotaur's chest! And he just kept pushing forward until the killing blow. It was so cool."
Tiona gave a lopsided smile and nudged Chico's shoulder with her elbow. "He passed out right after, though. Pretty sure he gave that fight nearly everything."
Riveria allowed the brief levity to pass before picking up again.
"In any case, we healed both of them. Bell Cranel-san recovered quickly and left before we could offer escort. Sol-san remained unconscious, and we made the decision to bring him here, to the Guild, to determine his Familia and properly report the Dungeon break."
She looked squarely at Rose now.
"We wanted you informed directly. Given how fast things escalated, we don't yet know if any other parties were harmed. We'll take responsibility for what happened. But at the very least, there have been—so far—no reported casualties."
A heavy silence followed.
Then Ariel—quiet until now—finally spoke in a whisper. "…Thank you. For bringing him back."
Riveria dipped her head slightly. "He earned his survival."
——————————————————————
Chico stirred.
His chest was sore. His arms felt heavier than usual. But he wasn't cold. He wasn't in pain. He wasn't in the Dungeon.
He opened his eyes slowly.
White ceiling. Pale green walls.
This was…a Guild booth. One of the private ones.
He blinked again. Pushed himself up with effort—and found that he was lying on a couch, soft and sturdy. His eyes drifted to the side. His backpack sat in the corner. His broken helmet leaned against it, everything was there.
Everything had been brought back with him.
Even the pieces he hadn't expected to see. Like his helmet.
That meant…someone had carried him. And his gear.
He would have to thank them, whoever they were.
As if summoned by the thought, the door creaked open.
And in stepped his friend and dungeon advisor—Ariel.
She shut the door behind her before glancing up—and froze when she saw him sitting up.
Her eyes widened instantly. Emotion surged across her face like a breaking tide—relief, disbelief, then sharp anger.
"You—!" she snapped, and marched toward him. "You reckless—idiot!"
She smacked his shoulder—not hard, but rapid-fire, as if trying to knock the sense back into him.
"Stupid! Idiot! Maniac! Do you have a death wish?!"
He winced but didn't protest. He sat there quietly, accepting the barrage. After a few seconds, her hits slowed, then stopped.
And then, without a word, she grabbed him and pulled him into a hug.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she whispered against his chest.
He felt something tight unwind in his ribs. He placed his chin gently atop her head and returned the hug.
"…I'm sorry," he murmured. "It was reckless. I know. But I had to."
She pulled back enough to frown up at him. "Why?"
Chico exhaled, sat on the couch and brought her with him.
"When I reached the Fifth Floor…nothing seemed to spawn. For minutes. It felt off."
He paused, remembering.
"Then I heard a scream. And saw a white-haired adventurer—a kid—slam into the wall. Right behind him, a Minotaur."
Ariel's eyes widened.
"I froze," Chico admitted. "It terrified me. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe."
He clenched a fist slightly.
"And that kid—Bell Cranel—he saw me. Saw I was paralyzed. And instead of passing the Minotaur onto me, he turned and ran the other way."
He looked Ariel in the eyes.
"He saved me. A stranger."
He swallowed.
"That didn't sit well with me. He saved me…but who would save him?"
A long pause.
"I was caught off guard at first. But I knew I could beat it. And I did. Barely."
Ariel stared at him for several moments, then exhaled slowly. "You were lucky."
"…Yeah."
He shifted in his seat, glancing at his gear again.
"…Hey. Who brought me back?"
She blinked, then replied, "Tiona Hiryute, of the Loki familia, carried you—piggyback, by the way. Riveria Ljos Alf came with her. They found you on the 5th Floor during your battle. Apparently…"
She took a breath.
"They were returning from an expedition. On their way up, they got ambushed on the Seventeenth Floor. Minotaurs, and then a Dungeon Break."
Chico's eyes widened. "So they ran up."
Ariel nodded. "They witnessed the fight. And when you were unconscious they decided to carry you and your gear straight to the Guild."
Chico leaned back, slowly processing all of it. "Loki familia, huh."
"Mhm."
He stood, rolling his shoulders with a wince. Then reached for his backpack.
"Alright. I want to turn in my drops."
Ariel crossed her arms, gave him a deadpan—but didn't stop him.
He emptied the contents onto the table.
48 goblin stones,
28 kobold stones,
14 dungeon lizard stones.
Then came the matching monster materials:
48 goblin fangs,
28 kobold nails,
14 dungeon lizard tails.
And something he didn't expect.
The Minotaur's magic stone and its horn, long and jagged.
Chico stared at the last two with quiet surprise. "They harvested it for me…"
Ariel didn't reply. She was already doing the math on a ledger.
He placed the stone among the rest. He would save the horn. Perhaps he could use it for something in the future.
After a few minutes, she finished her calculation and told him his earnings.
——————————————————————
48 Goblin Stones, each 300 valis = 14,400
28 Kobold Stones, each 450 valis = 12,600
14 Dungeon Lizard Stones, each 600 valis = 8,400
48 Goblin Fangs, each 850 valis = 40,800
28 Kobold Nails, each 950 valis = 26,600
14 Dungeon Lizard Tails, each 1000 valis = 14,000
1 Minotaur Magic Stone = 35,000
Total: 151,800 valis
——————————————————————
He blinked. "I made that much?"
Ariel nodded. "And that's without the Minotaur horn. If you sell that later, it'll fetch at least 75,000 valis on its own."
Chico let out a long breath. "Not bad for one adventure."
Ariel didn't smile. But she looked at him with a mix of emotions.
His thoughts went over what happened today. His first dive into the 4th & 5th floors. An encounter with a Minotaur. Bell Cranel…He knew things would happen. Big things, and soon. And he feared that the one who would be at the center of most of the major future events, may not be strong enough, thanks to his interference.
Liaris Freese…a skill which granted the user faster growth, as long as the feeling of love remained true. And his presence no doubt prevented that skill from ever birthing. But he didn't regret what he did. If he didn't interfere, Bell Cranel may have lost his life. A sacrifice he was unwilling to make.
'If Bell Cranel isn't strong enough for what is to come…then I'll support him in any way I can…as long as I don't hinder his growth.'
He tucked the valis into his pouch, secured his gear, then turned to her again. He looked at her. At the thought of what may come scared him. But he would make a promise.
He pulled her into a final, longer hug.
"I need you to know something," he said quietly. "Something like this might happen again. I can't promise it won't."
He tightened his arms just slightly.
"But I promise—I'll always come back. To you. To my goddess. No matter what it takes, I'll come back."
She stood there in silence, her head against his chest.
Then she mumbled, "…Then I'll accept your promise."
Her fingers gripped the back of his shirt.
"But I'll never forgive you if you break it."
He smiled faintly and rested his cheek against her hair.
"I won't."
They held the silence for a while longer.
Then Chico stepped back, gave her a nod, and turned for the door.
He wasn't exactly sure what Ariel and himself were at the moment. But regardless, he cared for her. And for now that was enough.
It was time to get home. He would have to face the probable wrath of his goddess…and then the wrath of his woman after that.
But he would take it in stride. He had survived, and there would be more to come. Sooner or later.
——————————————————————
By the time Chico returned to the manor, the sun had already passed its peak. He walked quietly, the echo of his steps unusually loud in the stillness of the halls.
There were three things on his mind.
First—he needed to tell his goddess what happened today.
Second—he would definitely need a status update. After the fight he had? No doubt there was some high quality excelia gained.
And third—the Gatcha. But that could wait. He'd save it for tonight.
He knew where to find her. Since it was already past noon, she was likely in her solarium, where she liked to review paperwork and bask in the warm light. He made his way there without rushing, but with each step, a certain heaviness started settling in his chest.
He was anxious.
Ariel had been angry—furious, even. Hurt. And he couldn't blame her. What he'd done had been reckless, borderline suicidal. He'd thrown himself into a fight that could've killed him.
And now…he had to tell Demeter.
She'd see it all eventually, of course. Once she updated his Falna, the memories of the day would flash before her. But he didn't want her to experience it that way.
He wanted to tell her himself.
His knuckles tapped lightly against the solarium doors.
"Come in," came her soft voice from inside.
He opened the door and stepped through.
The sunlight warmed the room with a soft yellow hue, gleaming off the polished wood and hanging greenery. Demeter sat at her desk, her long hair draped over one shoulder, reading through a handful of parchment with a slight furrow in her brow. She looked up when he got closer.
She blinked once.
Then again.
Her expression softened instantly—but not with a smile. With concern.
She rose from her seat, parchment forgotten. "Chico?"
He tried to say something—but before the words could leave his lips, she was already in front of him.
Then she pulled him close.
Her arms wrapped around him in a firm, protective embrace. One hand cradled the back of his head, the other pressed against the middle of his back, guiding him gently until his forehead rested against her chest.
Chico froze.
His mind went blank.
But her warmth surrounded him, and her voice followed shortly after, soft and low, just for him.
"It's alright Chico…you're home."
He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His hands slowly came up and returned the embrace, resting against her lower back.
Demeter's fingers gently ran through his hair, and she chuckled softly, affectionately.
He stayed there for a moment longer, before finally pulling back slightly.
"…What was that for?" he asked, still trying to catch up emotionally.
"You looked anxious," she said simply. "Worried."
He blushed. "Was it that obvious?"
Her smile deepened, but she didn't answer. Instead, she kept a hold on his hand as he slowly led them both to the couch in the corner of the solarium.
Once seated, he took a deep breath.
"There's something I need to tell you," he began. "And…there's no real easy way to say it."
She said nothing—just waited.
So he began.
"I reached the Fifth Floor today. "
He paused. His grip on her hand tightened.
"But while I was exploring…this kid came flying around a corner."
He looked up at her, then away.
"White hair, red eyes. He just…crashed into the wall right in front of me. Hard."
Demeter's brow furrowed slightly, but she remained calm.
"And then I saw it. A Minotaur."
Chico's jaw clenched slightly. "It came barreling around the corner after him. And I…froze. Completely. I just stood there like a fool. Like prey."
She squeezed his hand gently.
"But the kid…he looked at me. Saw I was frozen. And he ran the other way. Led it away from me. He didn't pass the monster onto me, any other level 1 adventurer might have but—he saved me."
His voice caught slightly. "…And once he was gone, something in me broke loose. I snapped out of it. And I ran after them."
He told her the rest slowly, but clearly—how he found them deeper in the floor, how he stood between the Minotaur and the boy, how the battle unfolded. How his armor had held up—barely. How his holy flame had damaged the Minotaur. How every moment had been pain, sweat, adrenaline, calculation, and a refusal to fall.
"I couldn't go all out at first," he admitted. "I had to feel it out. I had to survive. I used everything I had—daggers, my magics…my body."
He exhaled slowly.
"It was a hard fight. But I knew I would win it."
When he stopped speaking, he realized his hands were trembling slightly.
Demeter reached out and gently held them still.
"You faced a Minotaur…alone," she murmured.
He nodded.
"And you saved someone."
Another nod.
She reached out and placed her hand on his cheek, guiding his gaze to hers. "You're not reckless for wanting to protect someone. And I can honestly say I'm proud of you…but please, remember who waits for you at home."
He swallowed.
"I know…. Ariel…she was mad. And it hurt to see her upset, and it would have hurt even more had you been upset." He laid his fear bare, but he pushed through.
"So I made a promise. That I would always get back to her and to you. I would do whatever is necessary to make it back to the people I care about."
Her smile was soft. "Then I'll accept your promise."
He let out a small breath, leaning forward until their foreheads touched.
"…Could we do my status update tonight? After dinner?" he asked quietly.
She nodded against him. "Of course. I'll be ready."
The warmth stayed with him long after he left the room.
He was blessed to be with such a wonderful woman. And he would make sure that he was strong enough to protect her.
He wasn't sure what his Falna would show later—but for now, he could finally relax.
Just a little.
——————————————————————
Dinner passed quietly. Chico ate in relative silence, though Demeter kept up a gentle stream of conversation. Most of his attention lingered on the weight of anticipation—the Falna update, and then… the Gatcha.
After the meal, they made their way to her quarters.
Chico removed his shirt and laid down on the bed, spine straight, breathing steady. Demeter straddled his legs, as gentle and casual as always, and with a flick of her finger, let a drop of divine ichor fall onto his back.
She grew still.
He knew what was happening—she was reading his memories. Reliving the fight. The charge. The blood.
Minutes passed before she finally moved again, tracing his back gently and copying down the update.
"You've grown," she said softly.
She handed the status sheet to him, and as he read it, stunned by the gains, Demeter lowered herself across his back and embraced him again.
"You were amazing," she whispered. "I'm proud of you."
Francisco 'Chico' Sol
Demeter Familia
Race: Human
Strength: H156→F302
Endurance: H182→F310
Dexterity: H143→G273
Agility: H158→G287
Magic: H176→E417
Skills:
— Habilidad Activa:
-Overdrive Core
-Desperation
Magic:
— Four Arms
— Lightning Spear
— Light Shield
— Weather
— Summon Item
— Conditioning
— Arc
— Magic Arrow
— Ripen
— Holy Flame
Total gain: +774 stats
Chico stared at the paper in his hand. He was stronger now. No doubt. The excelia he'd earned from this battle—it was high quality. It felt different. He could feel it in his bones.
Demeter eventually pulled away, brushing her fingers through his hair again with a teasing smile. "Now go shower. You smell like blood and dried sweat."
"…Right," Chico muttered, now very aware of it. "Thanks."
——————————————————————
Warm water poured over his head as Chico leaned into the spray. His muscles ached faintly, but in a good way. It felt like every cell in his body was humming.
He decided it was time.
Quest Complete! — Save Bell Cranel!
Bonus Objectives Complete!
Defeat the Minotaur without any assistance.
Impress the Loki Familia.
You have changed Genkai's fate. How much so…only time will tell.
Rewards:
• 1x Gold Item Gatcha Ticket
• 1x Gold Trait Gatcha Ticket
• 1x Platinum Ability Advantage Gatcha Ticket
• 1x Silver Skill Gatcha Ticket
Chico exhaled a quiet breath. Changing the fate of the world, huh? That was terrifying. But if he could protect this life…this world…maybe it was worth it.
He'd open them in bed. And yes, he'd be sleeping with Demeter tonight…after the day he had, he wanted to hold her close.
——————————————————————
The two of them were in bed now, curled up in the soft embrace of layered blankets. Demeter leaned into him, cheek resting on his chest, her hair spilling like wheat across the pillow.
Chico held her close.
And whispered, "I completed quite a number of feats today. Want to know what I receive?"
Demeter looked up, excited. "Absolutely."
He opened his Gatcha tickets.
Rolling…
1x Gold Item Gatcha Ticket
1x Gold Trait Gatcha Ticket
1x Platinum Ability Advantage Gatcha Ticket
1x Silver Skill Gatcha Ticket
Greedy Ring (3.5 Rarity, 0.56% odds)
An ornate red and gold ring that attracts wealth to its wearer, making it easier to earn money and find treasure.
&
Heaventaker (3.5 Rarity, 0.63% odds)
-Rare Trait-
"You wake up, dreaming of a harem of... angel girls? That doesn't sound right-" Holy aligned/Angelic beings find themselves more attracted to you and it is easier to earn their affection.
+
Battle Growth (5.3 Rarity, 0.09% odds)
-Epic Ability-
You have an eternal engine for battle, you grow in power every time you fight. The harder a battle is, the stronger and faster you grow in the middle of it, allowing you to adapt and surpass your opponent. This growth is permanent.
Or
Kiring Phsyique (4.9 Rarity, 0.16% odds)
-Elite Ability-
Monster Hunter - You are able to transform into a Kirin or a Kirin Hybrid at will. As a Kirin you possess enhanced physical stats and speed as well as increased lightning affinity. While in Kirin form or Hybrid you possess the ability to summon down powerful bolts of lightning from the sky.
&
Intermediate Hand-to-Hand Combat (2.5 Rarity, 1.71% odds)-Uncommon Skill-
You are a seasoned fighter, you know how to move your body to hurt people and can pick up most martial arts far faster than other people. You would completely thrash the average man in a fight.
Congratulations! Your Intermediate Hand-to-Hand Combat skill has upgraded to Adept Hand-to-Hand Combat!
Feat Achieved!
Obtain 10 Total Unique Items!
Reward: Silver Item Advantage Gatcha Ticket.
Rolling…
Wardrobe of Mending (1.8 Rarity, 0.57% odds)-Common Item-
A wardrobe of fancy clothes that suit your tastes, when not worn for more than 24 hours these clothes instantly mend themselves into perfect condition.
Or
Pocket Armory (2.2 Rarity, 1% odds)-Uncommon Item-
A large grey duffel bag containing a copy of every cold weapon made from high-quality steel, you can take any one weapon out at a time from this bag, if you put the weapon back, the next time you take it out, it will be back in perfect condition.
Chico stared.
He couldn't breathe for a second.
His eyes fixed on one in particular.
"Battle Growth," he whispered. "Holy shit…"
He immediately accepted it. Along with Mending Wardrobe.
Demeter sat up slightly. "What is it? What did you get?"
He stared off at a wall, still breathless. "An Epic ability. Battle Growth. I get stronger every time I fight—permanently. The harder the fight, the stronger and faster I grow."
Demeter blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…That's incredible," she said with wide eyes.
Chico just smiled.
This was it. An ability that would make me stronger…not temporarily. But permanently. It seems I'll need to go back to the dungeon soon…but not tomorrow.
Because tomorrow was date night. And he'll spend as much time with his woman as he can.
Chapter 19 End