Chapter 40: The Show Begins
After deciding to head to the tenth underground level, Shirou, Bell, and Lili decisively proceeded deep into the earth.
Along the way, although they encountered several monster threats, thanks to Bell's power, all the monsters that appeared were completely wiped out by him alone.
However, during Bell's monster-slaying, Shirou noticed a familiar energy flowing out from the monsters and merging into his body.
This sensation was undoubtedly very familiar to Shirou because when he first explored the dungeon alone, he had felt a similar energy.
At that time, Shirou didn't know what this energy meant, but having lived in Orario for so long, he had basically understood some of the common knowledge of this world.
The essence of that energy is called "Excelia."
It seems to be something created by the gods of this world, used to enhance the strength of people in the lower world.
According to the gods, the essence of this energy is the "sediment of history," where the gods extract karma buried in history and turn it into nourishment for humans to grow.
For example, when a person fights a monster stronger than themselves and wins, this event becomes sedimented in history and part of the world's principle.
Originally, this part of the principle would only exist as a foundation of the world, accumulating in the long river of history, but the gods, through a special method, extract the karma of "someone defeated a monster in human form" and turn it into nourishment that allows people to grow.
The final concretized result of this process is the Excelia.
It's worth mentioning that Excelia aren't only gained by killing monsters; achieving feats beyond what ordinary people can do can also enhance a person's strength.
However, when Shirou previously hunted monsters in the dungeon, he did not receive the gods' blessing(the Falna), yet he still gained Excelia and improved his strength.
He didn't understand whether this was because ordinary people can get Excelia even without blessings, or because he himself was too unique.
After all, Shirou's current body was less human and more like a half-heroic spirit, so maybe that counted as having already received the Falna in advance.
In any case, the most important goal for adventurers in clearing dungeons is to gain Excelia.
Besides the monster killer themself receiving Excelia, teammates nearby also share a portion of the Excelia.
Due to this sharing mechanism, adventurers usually act in teams, forming combat parties to explore the dungeon together.
Although each person's gain is less, this method is safer and more efficient, and it allows weaker adventurers to also clear strong enemies.
Cases like Shirou's, who cleared the dungeon alone, are extremely rare.
But precisely because of this, he gained an unimaginably huge boost during that fierce battle.
"Bell, you should be about to level up to lv. 2, right?"
Having reached the ninth underground level in one go, before going to the tenth level, Shirou asked Bell.
"Not that easy."
Bell shook his head.
Unlike gaining Excelia, leveling up is a rather complicated concept; it's not just about accumulating massive Excelia to the limit of one's strength, but also requires a "mental and physical evolution," a special kind of sublimation, before breaking through to the next level.
It's said this relates to each person's potential; the greater one's potential, the easier it is to level up, and conversely, some might never level up their whole lives.
Because of this, high-level beings like elves are said to naturally be able to reach lv. 2, or even lv. 3.
In contrast, humans, as the race with the least talent, naturally find leveling up quite difficult.
In terms of leveling up, Shirou himself is in a very strange state.
Perhaps because he's an existence from outside this world, the Falna system cannot fully understand his condition, so although he received the Falna from Hestia, his displayed level remains at lv. 1, but his actual strength is completely beyond that level.
While Shirou was pondering, the group had already reached the stairs leading to the tenth floor.
Compared with the previous nine levels, the environment of the tenth level was clearly different.
Since Shirou had previously fought his way up from the deep layers, he could speak with authority on this matter; he could clearly feel the differences between floors, as almost every ten levels the dungeon's danger level would multiply, requiring high-level adventurer parties to tackle.
Except for unique existences like Shirou, ordinary people can't survive alone in the deep levels of the dungeon.
"What's wrong? You look a bit scared, Bell."
Shirou noticed Bell's attitude and couldn't help but ask.
"Uh, I was just thinking about whether we'll meet a Minotaur on the tenth level…"
Bell obviously had a psychological shadow regarding the Minotaur's existence. Even though he had become stronger, he still didn't have the courage to confront such a monster.
Seeing this, Lili decisively spoke up: "You generally won't meet Minotaurs on the tenth level. Even among lv. 2 monsters, Minotaurs are the top tier. That's why they're called 'rookie killers.' Usually, to encounter a Minotaur, you'd have to go down to about the fifteenth underground level."
"I see."
Bell nodded, believing Lili's words.
After all, he had become stronger now, and even if he met a Minotaur, he might have the ability to fight back.
The main reason was that Shirou was right by his side; thinking back on how Shirou instantly killed the Minotaur before, Bell felt no fear at all, even feeling like a little kid bringing his middle school brother to gang up on others—acting arrogantly and hoping the Minotaur would come out quickly.
"Lili, you seem eager to get to the tenth level."
While Bell and Lili were talking, Shirou suddenly addressed Lili.
"Uh, because Lili wants to earn more money."
"Earn more money?"
"Yes, because Lili belongs to the Soma clan, I'm required to earn enough money."
Lili said quietly, showing a pitiful expression.
Bell didn't doubt her.
He knew the rumors about the Soma clan and believed Lili must have been abused in the clan, which made her so desperate to make money.
If he wasn't currently broke himself, he might have even lent her money to help her get through tough times.
On the other hand, Shirou neither fully believed nor completely denied Lili's words.
However, as they continued deeper into the labyrinth, his gaze would occasionally glance at the path behind them.
Although most people wouldn't notice anything, Shirou clearly discovered from start to finish that someone was following them.
Moreover, it wasn't just one or two people—it was a large group of adventurers.
If it were ordinary people, they would be nervous at such a moment, but Shirou remained very calm.
From beginning to end, he casually followed behind Bell and Lili, wanting to see how this play would unfold.