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

Next, please allow me to express my gratitude to everyone.

Editor Kotaki, thank you for your help this time as well. Thank you so much, Yasuda Suzuhito, for adding so many beautiful illustrations to the story, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to ensure this book's release this year. And thank you, Yuji Hirotoshi, for your kind and generous promise regarding a part of the book's description; I am truly delighted.

I would also like to thank Ms. Kujira and Ms. Kurehito Misaki for their great help with the limited edition release. Thank you both for providing the interesting manga and beautiful illustrations. Ms. Kujira's manga adaptation currently being serialized in YOUNG GANGAN (SQUARE ENIX) has also been a great help. Reading your manga adaptations is one of my greatest pleasures.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the readers who have graciously purchased this book.

Please continue to provide guidance for the next episode.

Goodbye, everyone.

大森藤ノ

Illustrations for Volume 4

Volume 4 Bonus: Azure Twilight

"Sorry for the late congratulations, congratulations on reaching Lv.2, Bell..."

As I was selecting items to buy, Ms. Nazha said this to me.

Huh? I looked up and stared at her face, which was so close to mine.

This is the "Azure Pharmacy," the base of the Mih Familia. Today, I came to this building, which is both the headquarters of Mih God and Miss Nazha and a shop, to buy all the items I need for today's dungeon exploration.

At this moment, a variety of goods are arranged in a wooden box on the counter... various potions are contained in test tubes of different shapes.

"You leveled up so fast... It only took me a blink of an eye to reach Lv.2, it really surprised me... Wow, that's amazing."

Miss Nazha said this to me across the counter, and reached out her hand to touch my head. Ignoring my blushing face, she gently patted my head.

I felt embarrassed, my face still flushed, and could only manage a weak "Th-thank you..."

"I'm proud of Bell's growing fame... So, here, this is for you."

"Huh... what's this?"

"Item set... You don't need to pay, just take it."

Miss Nazha routinely took several test tubes out of the wooden box and handed them to me. I stared in surprise, not daring to accept them, and was about to politely decline her offer, but this Chienthrope lady deftly turned the tail that grew from her back and smiled with the corners of her mouth turned up.

"Bell, don't misunderstand. This is an investment."

"Investment?"

"Yes. High-level adventurers using our products might attract customers... in other words, they can advertise."

Advanced Adventurers – Adventurers who have undergone [upgrades] often attract attention due to their strength and reputation. Although I've only just become an advanced adventurer, I'm still at Lv.2, equivalent to a "Level 3 Adventurer." In other words, Miss Nazha is probably asking me to act as a kind of living advertisement for them.

Seeing her half-closed eyelids and a bold smile on her face, I was stunned for a while before I couldn't help but smile wryly.

"I'd like to ask you for a favor too. Please accept it, Bell."

"Mih..."

"It all happened so suddenly, I couldn't celebrate with you right away. First I asked you to do the advertising, and now I'm saying this, maybe it lacks sincerity... but I still hope you'll accept it, consider it my congratulatory gift."

Mihe, who had been arranging the cabinets lined up in the shop, turned to us and said the same thing. His gentle gaze fell upon me.

Since they've already said that, if I insist on refusing, it would seem like I'm being ungrateful. I picked up the mountain of heavy props, bowed my head, and said, "Thank you."

I left the shop, watched by Mihe and the others.

"Let me see, there are elixirs, antidotes... wow, and even high potion..."

As I walked, I checked and organized the items I had collected, placing the higher-priority items—so I could access them easily within the dungeon—into the leg pouch on my left leg. The leg pouch quickly filled up, and I put the remaining items into a prepared bag to give to Lily for safekeeping.

(Not long ago, I couldn't have imagined that such a day would come...)

When I wanted to buy weapons and equipment, I had the same thought... Compared to when I first became an adventurer, the abundance of items now feels a bit unrealistic.

I should be very happy to have the financial means I have right now... but I just feel...

I racked my brains for a long time, but still couldn't express my current feelings. I unconsciously scratched my face with my finger and headed towards the dungeon where I was supposed to meet Lily and the others.

●

Me, Lily, my supporter, and Welff the blacksmith.

Our three-person team, which had only been formed two days prior, unexpectedly and easily conquered the 11th floor. At this point, we had already entered the deepest part of the "upper level"—the 12th floor.

The addition of Welf as a forward has had a huge impact. In the past, I was essentially a lone adventurer with supporters, but now he has lightened my burden and contributed to the safety of our floor raids (all of this was said by Lily).

Today, we safely completed our exploration of the 12th floor and returned to the skyscraper (Tower of Babel) that stands atop the underground labyrinth.

"So, here's the dividend for today's exploration."

We sold the "magic stones" and "dropped items" at the money exchange we set up in the Tower of Babel, and after exchanging them for cash, we distributed the proceeds as usual. We occupied one of the few scattered tables in the makeshift restaurant, and Lily took charge of distributing the spoils.

"The total amount exchanged today is 72,000 Fali... Lord Bell will take 36,000 Fali, and Lord Welf will take 18,000 Fali. Please accept them."

"it is good."

"...Um, I think we shouldn't divide it like this, right? That way I'll be the only one benefiting..."

The distribution was as follows: I would take half of the total income, and Lily and Welf would each take half... that is, each would take a quarter. They said it was because I bore the heaviest burden during the adventure... but I still couldn't quite accept it, was it guilt or something else?

I suggested that the three of us split the money equally, but that suggestion was immediately rejected.

"At the current rate, Lord Bell is already taking too little, while Lily, who is just a supporter, is taking too much."

"Well, I should be paying high-level adventurers after all. If there were another team like ours, the other members would definitely not be treated the same as the high-level adventurers."

Both of them tried to persuade me, saying that splitting it equally would be inappropriate (unfair).

I'm not familiar with maze exploration or team routines, so I can't find a reason to convince the two of them.

"..."

Welf and the others laughed and told me to accept it, handing me the bag stuffed with gold coins.

"Huh, has the rank changed?"

"Yes. The Hestia Familia's rank has officially risen from I to H. Congratulations."

The guild headquarters, bathed in the colors of the setting sun.

After parting ways with Lily and Welf at the Tower of Babel, I went to see Miss Eina, who conveyed the decision to me through the window.

"Uh, but Hestia's [Familia] currently only has me as a member..."

"Hmm—you're right...but you have leveled up after all."

The guild's established [Family] ranking system is directly related to the faction's combat strength and organizational capabilities. This evaluation, like the favor system, is divided into ten stages, with S being the highest. The higher the ranking, the higher the evaluation of the [Family]'s status and achievements... that's supposedly how it is.

Even if a faction only has one member, it would be fine if they were a novice adventurer, but it wouldn't be good to let a [familia] with a high-level adventurer always be at the bottom. Miss Eina explained to me with a smile and lowered eyebrows.

"Here you go. It's a notification of your rank increase. The tax amount has changed; remember to give it to Goddess Hestia, okay?"

I unfolded the parchment scroll she handed me, which clearly recorded items such as the increased tax payable to the guild. Seeing the listed numbers, I couldn't help but let out a cry of despair.

Seeing my appearance, Miss Eina couldn't help but smile wryly.

"...Uh, I should go now."

"Okay. See you another day, Bell."

After nodding, I turned my back to her as she waved goodbye.

(Wow, this much money to pay at the end of each month...)

After bidding farewell to Miss Eina, I left the guild headquarters and stepped onto the Northwest Street, known as "Adventurer's Street." As I brushed past many fellow adventurers wielding various weapons, my gaze fell upon the scroll in my hand.

When I was distributing the pay with Lily and the others, I noticed that both the income and the bills were getting bigger and bigger, which even gave me a chill.

(What is this feeling...? I just feel like...)

...I can't find the words to say next.

I still didn't know how to vent this feeling that I didn't even understand, so I just touched my neck to distract myself. I stuffed the scroll into my waist bag and continued walking on the long, maroon avenue.

"...It's been a long time since I've had my weapons serviced. I should ask them to do it for me."

I muttered to myself, trying to lift my spirits. Yes, that's what I'll do. I nodded to myself.

Stop where you are, then circle around halfway and turn your toes toward your destination.

A smile appeared on my previously downcast face, and I forced myself to quicken my pace.

After everything that's happened, go and change your mood!

"Hey, don't get too cocky."

...I originally wanted to change my mood.

That harsh, deep voice made my shoulders tremble like a startled animal.

Turning off the main street, you enter a back alley. This dark path is unusually deserted; not a single person is passing by at this moment.

With my back to the dirty wall, I was surrounded by a group of people.

These human and orc adventurers were all taller and stronger than me. Their sharp, dangerous gazes made me wipe the ugly smile off my face.

It happened suddenly. I was walking down the main road when someone called out to me and pulled me to this place before I could react, which led to the current situation.

What exactly are they trying to do...?

"You brat, you think you can kill the Minotaur? You're talking nonsense."

"I bet it's all made up, a ploy to gain fame. We've seen through it for a long time."

"So you want everyone to idolize you?" one of the adventurers scoffed.

—The words of advice the deity gave me a few days ago came back to mind. She reminded me: "If word gets out about your glorious deeds, many children will probably be envious. You must be careful!"

In other words, does this mean... she meant this kind of scene?

The other party was aggressive and intimidating, and frighteningly so. I was completely terrified and could only look up at their ferocious faces.

"We've been bleeding and sweating in that gloomy maze for years, all we want is overnight fame. And you, a greenhorn, dare to call yourself the world's fastest white rabbit (record holder)? ...Are you looking down on us?"

These adventurers, brimming with barely contained rage, accused me of defeating the Minotaur and "leveling up," claiming all my reputation was false.

Seeing me only made them stare wide-eyed in disbelief, which seemed to ignite their anger even more. They reached out to grab me—just as their fingers were about to touch me, a figure burst between us.

"Do you need help from my best friend?"

"...Welf."

Arriving at an unknown time, Welf, dressed in a black kimono that billowed in the wind, intervened in the conflict. He glared fiercely at the adventurers. Unlike me, who lacked any courage, the blacksmith, armed with a greatsword, had a menacing and intimidating expression that made them instantly cower in fear.

"Who...who are you?!"

"Screw it, let's take care of this guy too!"

The other side immediately started shouting again, tightening their encirclement, trying to gang up on Welf, who had his back to me, and each of them drew their weapons.

"I advise you to stop now."

A resolute, youthful voice rang out in the dark back alley.

The adventurers who were about to pounce, Welf who was preparing to retaliate, and I all turned in that direction simultaneously. The next moment, everyone gasped.

The figure emerging from the depths of the passage had golden hair, clear blue eyes like the surface of a lake, and a short stature that made it immediately clear that he was a dwarf (Palum).

Anyone in the labyrinth city of Orario would know him; he is one of the first-class adventurers.

"Finn Dimna!"

He is none other than the leader of the renowned Loki Familia, known as the strongest faction in the city.

"Loki's Familia, aren't they currently on an 'expedition'...?"

One of the adventurers was terrified and managed to utter those words. His companions beside him also began to shrink back in fear, and even Welf and I were speechless, dumbfounded. Only the young boy remained calm and continued:

"Even if all of you come at me together, you'll only suffer. Besides, at least I'm not so heartless as to stand by and watch an acquaintance get attacked."

Welf gestured through my eyes, "You know him?" I shook my head vigorously.

Seeing the level-one adventurer calmly issue a warning, the men exchanged distorted glances, their expressions twisted, and one by one they left. The footsteps faded into the distance, and the stillness of dusk descended upon the back alley.

We were still standing there, stunned, when the little man's face showed a familiar, affectionate smile.

"【The Voice of Apocalypse at 12 o'clock】."

I let out a soft "Ah," and a gray light membrane enveloped the boy's entire body before the light vanished silently.