Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

In the treeless space, dozens of "eggs" are clustered together, letting everyone know that this is the monster's nest.

"Isn't there a more reliable way...?"

"No. If we were to deal with all the Blood Dragon Groups, we wouldn't be able to protect God Mihe and Goddess Hestia."

"I'm so sorry, Belle..."

"Alright, damn it, enough talk, everyone get to it! Belle's going to be eaten!"

While talking, Hestia and the others frantically grabbed any monster "eggs" they saw.

Each person stuffs the "eggs" into their own backpack, as many as they can fit in.

"Lady Nazha, is what you just said true?"

"It's true. The monsters on the ground have been repeating reproductive behaviors since ancient times, and the 'magic stones' in their chests have almost been exhausted."

Naza continued collecting eggs while answering Lily's questions.

Monsters that leave their mother (the dungeon) instinctively leave offspring to propagate their species.

The strengthening of the group also means the decline of individual strength. Monsters whose individual abilities had reached their peak reduced their core "magic stones" and distributed them to their offspring to make up for the deficiencies caused by reproduction.

Over the years, the "magic stone" contained within the monster's body has become smaller and smaller, and its power has also decreased significantly compared to its original ancestors who first came to the surface.

"The surface-dwelling blood dragons are probably only slightly stronger than the 'orcs' in the dungeons..."

Naza looked at Bell as she spoke.

The three-headed blood dragons were single-mindedly pursuing their prey. Their numbers increased. Bell's screams rose in volume as well.

Naza stood up and took out the weapon she had hidden on her back.

It was a longbow almost as tall as herself. She held the bow with a silver prosthetic arm that reached all the way to her shoulder, and nocked an arrow with her left hand.

The distance was far enough that her body wouldn't tremble due to psychological trauma. Sunlight filtering through the leaves dappled the asymmetrical light clothing worn by Nazha outside her travel attire. Her eyes were fixed on a single point ahead as she fired an arrow at high speed.

With a flick of her wrist, an arrow shot out at astonishing speed pierced the blood dragon's eye.

"——!"

A deafening scream shook the heavens and the earth.

The monster, losing its balance and staggering, fell to the ground along with another blood dragon that was running alongside it.

A resounding crash echoed through the dense forest. Bell turned around, his eyes widening, before violently drawing his greatsword. Facing the remaining blood dragon closing in, he trusted Naza would provide cover, and he launched his own attack.

"—This is truly a delightful situation."

"Aa ...

Naza smiled as she shot an arrow, while Bell, wielding a greatsword, shouted as he slashed at the monster.

The arrow, piercing through a hundred paces, struck one of the monster's eyes. Taking advantage of its moment of hesitation, the greatsword flashed forward.

Blood Dragon's neck was severed in half, and blood gushed out like a fountain. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground on the spot.

Bell, who wasn't good with the greatsword, also failed to land and fell to the ground, which made Nazha laugh.

"Nazha, we're all better now."

"Yes……"

Hearing Mihe's call, Nazha turned around with a smile.

Seeing that Lily and Hestia were both carrying backpacks that were stuffed full, her eyes turned to Bell again.

The boy stood up, using his greatsword instead of a cane, and asked with a pitiful look: Is it alright now? Naza nodded.

"Let's go back, Bell."

◆

Under a star-studded night sky, in front of a grand mansion with its doors wide open, a test tube filled with deep blue liquid was handed out.

"This is our [family's] new product. I can guarantee its effectiveness."

"Ugh, ugh...!"

Dean Kate groaned softly and took the test tube that Mih pushed in front of him.

He first carefully checked it with his own eyes, and then handed it over to Amid, a member who was waiting beside him, for her to verify.

Dean Kate watched nervously until she tasted it and nodded, at which point he immediately became dejected.

"This is a 'dual potion' that restores both physical and mental energy... a new kind of medicine that hasn't been seen before. Selling it at your [Family] should yield a good profit, right? It also aligns with your faction's policy of always meeting the needs of adventurers."

"Waaaaah..."

"Twenty in total. That should be more than enough to cover the cost. Please buy them."

"Damn it... oh my god!"

A gruff roar rose into the night sky.

Hearing this shout from outside the high walls surrounding the mansion, Bell and the others knew that the deal was done.

"It seems like it worked..."

"That old man isn't stupid; he wouldn't pass up a chance to make big money. It's just a pity he can't get us... Serves him right."

Nazha smiled to herself as Lily whispered.

Standing in front of the massive wall surrounding the Deankaite Familia's mansion (headquarters), Bell and the others were waiting for Mih, who had gone inside alone, to return.

"Oh dear, I'm so tired—I've been busy all day."

“Ahahaha…”

After successfully collecting the "eggs," Bell and the others returned from the Seollu Forest, but they still had to race against time to develop enough dual-attribute elixirs. Naza and Mihe worked frantically on the medicine, while Bell and the others served as their assistants and helpers, keeping them extremely busy.

Seeing Hestia complaining that she was exhausted, Bell couldn't help but smile wryly.

"That's really amazing. To be able to develop a new drug under such an emergency situation."

"The people of Orario only focus on the dungeons and never explore the possibilities outside the city... If they could just look outward, they would surely gain a lot."

"The monster's 'egg' and the 'Blue Demon Butterfly's wings.' Only by combining materials obtained from the labyrinth and the outside world could this new drug be completed," Naza replied to Bell.

"Ah, Mih. Is everything done?"

"Yes, everything has been agreed upon."

After a while, Mih walked out the door and returned to Bell and the others. He told them not to worry about being kicked out of headquarters, smiling as he glanced at Hestia and the others.

"Please allow me to thank everyone again. It's all because of your help, thank you so much."

"I would be very happy if you could repay even a small portion of the debt."

"Hard work pays off."

Hestia and Lily smiled back at him, and Bell did the same.

Mihe squinted at everyone, then turned to face Nazha.

"Nazha".

"Yes……"

"Yesterday, you said you were a piece of trash."

"……yes."

"I never thought that way."

Looking into Nazha's wide eyes, Mihe told her this.

"As a god, I don't know how many times you have helped me. Even if we are reduced to having nothing, as long as I have you, I lack nothing. So please don't blame yourself anymore."

"...Is this an order?"

"No, it's a plea. It's a heartfelt request from God (me), who deeply loves you (my child)."

Mihe stood in front of Nazha and patted her head.

Seeing the gentle smile in the eyes of the deity, Nazha blushed and lowered her head. "So oblivious..." she murmured to herself, letting the deity stroke her hair.

Soon, seeing Mih continue his misleading words and actions, Hestia ran over with a grin to mock him, with Lily following behind with great interest. Watching them, one mocking the other being mocked, Bell stood aside with a wry smile. At this moment, Nazha stepped out alone.

"Bell, thank you for today. Really... really, thank you so much."

"Miss Nazha..."

She expressed her deepest gratitude once again, then looked up, took a test tube from her pocket, and handed it to Bell.

"Huh, what's this...?"

"A dual-attribute elixir... I'm sorry, this is the only one I can prepare... Consider it payment for the adventurer's request, and a token of my gratitude."

To the surprised Belle, Nazha half-closed her eyes, only her lips curving into a smile.

"Tell me if you encounter any difficulties. I've caused Bell a lot of trouble so far, and I'll make it up to you in the future..."

Seeing Nazha's faint smile, Bell was no longer surprised and returned the smile.

He steadily accepted the payment from Nazha.

Bell's long-awaited adventurer's quest has finally come to a successful conclusion.

Volume 4: The Bells Dedicated to the Goddess

"I did it, God! I defeated the goblins!"

"...Huh?"

In the afternoon, Hestia was leisurely enjoying reading.

Suddenly, a loud "bang" was heard, and the door was forcefully opened. A white-haired human boy stood proudly in front of him, saying these words.

The headquarters of the Hestia Familia, a hidden room in the church.

The interior is P-shaped, composed of square and rectangular spaces. Perhaps taking into account the height of the residents, most of the furniture is relatively low. A quick glance around reveals that some of the stone walls have peeling and cracked paint, making one think of the word "humble dwelling" everywhere.

Under the light of only one magic stone lamp on the ceiling, Hestia stared blankly at the only faction member who suddenly appeared after the door opened—Bell Crane.

Perhaps he was genuinely happy; the boy in front of him had a flushed face, and his entire expression was shining.

"The goblin you're talking about... is that the kind of goblin? The one that's considered the weakest monster in the dungeon?"

"Yes! Actually, I was almost killed by one of those monsters when I was a child, and I've always been terrified of them... But today, I finally defeated it!"

"Uh... just one?"

"Eh?"

"You only defeated one goblin before returning from the dungeon?"

Did you go all the way to the dungeon, only to defeat the weakest monster and turn back? Faced with Hestia's unspoken meaning, Bell stood frozen in place for a few seconds.

When he realized that his empty victory was not something to be proud of, his once radiant face flushed red with shame, and he lowered his head and turned his back to Hestia.

"Sorry, I need to go to the dungeon again..."

"Wow, wow—, wow—! I'm sorry, Belle! I didn't mean to blame you... Wait, wait a minute—!"

Hestia's call went unanswered, and a blushing Bell had already stormed out of the headquarters without looking back.

This is the third day since the founding of the Hestia Familia.

Hestia met Bell on the street and invited him to join her faction, and some time has passed since then.

After completing the formalities at the guild, Bell, who had formed a contract with Hestia, finally joined the ranks of adventurers in a legitimate way. Undoubtedly shouldering the expectations of the main god—that is, to be the main force for making money for the [Familia]—he, with his own enthusiasm, worked diligently even though he had left his hometown and come to an unfamiliar land.

While rushing to find a job, Hestia quietly observed Bell, constantly discovering new aspects of him and gradually deepening her interactions with him. His naturally cheerful personality, the tolerance of a goddess, and his endearing, youthful appearance gently dispelled Bell's easily timid defenses. Even though they had only just met, they had already become quite familiar with each other and had a harmonious relationship.

The [Family], which is at the bottom of the many factions and has very weak strength, is currently focused on maintaining a living allowance to avoid financial hardship, while gradually strengthening the cohesion of the organization. In this way, it has been carrying out its activities inconspicuously.

"I was so scared. If you had gone to the dungeon and never come back, I would have had nightmares every night."

"I'm so sorry, I made you worry..."

"Haha, it's nothing. I misspoke this time too. I'm the one who should apologize. I'm sorry, Belle."

Hestia and Bell sat at a table in headquarters and talked.

Bell returned safely after venturing into the underground city once more, by which time the sun had long since set. Inside the underground headquarters, where the moonlight couldn't reach, the two were having dinner rather late.

This was Bell's first time fighting in the dungeon, and the two immediately put their earnings to use—three hundred falies. On the table were hard bread and dishes made with eggs bought at great expense.